The Obama 3 am response ad

Posted: Friday, February 29, 2008 5:19 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Ads

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Here's the Obama response to the Clinton "Children" ad...

Here's the Clinton ad again for reference...

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Obama wins.

Seriously, that was fast. He must have decided about 12 seconds after that ad hit the press this morning to do a response.

Ron Hussein (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:26 PM)

That's what a Million donors allows you to do

Tom (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:28 PM)

Who cares? Let's report on what is relevant...and allow the people who enjoy coming here and commenting on your threads to engage in conversation - I wish you would add comments to what you already have up instead of adding fuel to the fire you are trying to keep ablaze against Billary...

Kathryn in Bham (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:29 PM)

Man that was fast!
This is some campaign Obama is running. I've never seen anything like it.

J. in PA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:31 PM)

I continue to be impressed with the swiftness and quality of the Obama responses to the Clinton/Bush/McCain attacks.

CitizenJ (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:32 PM)

yes judgment matters and you showed your lack of knowledge at the debate. Hillary won't be there to bail you out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q0MqiZxjsA

Patty,sd,ca (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:32 PM)

I LOVE IT!!! People please do not let loyalty to HRC blind you to the ideals this country was founded on!
A GOV'T FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PEOPLE AND BY THE PEOPLE.

Norman E "Hussein" Harvey, Sr- VA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:33 PM)

O’ Happy Day: Images of a great leader!

It’s so obvious! Bill and Hillary Clinton, the campaign strategists, and all the supporters do not read Barack Obama. The lessons were foretold. And they are now coming to pass. Let the Obama-cult-follower label stick: I fully believe this modern-day prophet and once-in-a-generation leader will be our next president.

In her latest last-ditch effort, as part of her doomed March 4 firewall strategy, a new Hillary Ohio ad discusses working the “night shift” in the White House. At the end of the ad, the viewer sees Hillary Clinton as our next president, wearing glasses and fully clothed, working the night shift for Ohioans—and all Americans. Unfortunately, America has already made its decision as to who will supply the right answers at 3 a.m. as our next president. It’s not John McCain or Hillary Clinton. Sadder still, our images of the White House include the past two presidents who used poor judgment and lied over and over to the American people—the one who often worked the night shift with his pants down and the other who always went to bed much too early.

Whereas, John McCain and Hillary Clinton want to continue the fight; Barack Obama and the American people want us to come together and heal. And whereas John McCain and Hillary Clinton ask that we rely on their experience; Barack Obama and the American people count on good judgment…And so, the drumbeats and the battles of our past continue. John McCain and Hillary Clinton’s moments with history have come and gone. They had their chances. Barack Obama’s time is now. His vision has us make time for learning, character, and excellence. Thank you, John and Hillary. We are grateful for your service. Please accept our gratitude, be gracious, and kindly make way for Barack Obama and “We, the People…”

Roland Madore. Fort Collins, CO (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:34 PM)

When that phone rings, remember that nobody cares what anyone did in the past...

...we care about what you're going to do NOW!

The Peanut Gallery (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:35 PM)

Obama is not qualified to be President. I don't TRUST Obama. I would not want Obama to be anywhere near the "red phone".

Obama is the chair of the U.S. Senate Oversight committee of Afghanistan yet he has NEVER called a single meeting. Is this leadership? NO. I think he's incredibly arrogant to mention Afghanistan in this ad. He's too big a risk for the Dems to take.

Hillary Clinton is the person I TRUST IMPLICITLY with our national security. Her experience, intelligence, judgement and qualififications are unmatched. Hillary Clinton is the President I want to answer the "red phone" at 3:00 AM. I TRUST HILLARY!

VOTE SMART! VOTE HILLARY!

John (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:37 PM)

immediate effective coherent response from and effective coherent and disciplined campaign lead by a competent decisive American leader.

Barrack Obama for President.
We need the best.

Gary Hussein, Bozeman Montana (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:38 PM)

It's 3 AM and the phone is ringing. I pick it up and to my surprise the Clintons have not yet released their tax information and the record of her schedule from the 90s. I hung up the phone and turn on the TV and here is Hillary Clinton still telling me that i need a reality check and vote for her to lead the US with the special interest friends.
It's 3 AM and i am too tired from a long day at my job to keep listening to her any longer.

Obama 08

Too tired, TX (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:38 PM)

Obama's ad actually has some substance to it.. instead of solely relying on the fear card, he's actually pointing out that he opposed the Iraq War and also pointing out that he worked on nuclear proliferation in the Senate (with Dick Lugar, for anyone curious enough to look it up)... That's the kind of judgment we need in our President.

Obama '08!

Ron, TX (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:38 PM)

I'm still disgusted by the play on emotions of the original Hillary ad. As a lifelong Democrat, I'm ashamed of the level she's taken this campaign, to be using children in this manner.

And I'm not so happy that Barack used the same tacky format for his commercial (no doubt the Hillary backers will have problems with him using their produced images).

If this is the only way to appeal to stupid women, let them vote for Hillary. It's times like these that I think the 19th Amendment was a really dumb idea.

James, Oklahoma (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:39 PM)

I am so tired of the Bush/Clinton scare machine. What do we want in the person who answers the phone? Someone who is comfortable in their own skin. Someone who will stand back and look at the bigger picture. Someone with the courage to do nothing when nothing is the best thing to do. Imagine Obama, Clinton or McCain in Kennedy's place during the mistle crisis. Of those three, Obama is the only one I would want there.

Phil Merrill (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:40 PM)

I like Obama, but even he couldn't make that ad look good. I think it has more to do with how bad the original was. Good response, but maybe he shouldn't even have gone there.

Wilson, Seattle (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:40 PM)

LOVE IT!!! People please do not let loyalty to HRC blind you to the ideals this country was founded on!
A GOV'T FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PEOPLE AND BY THE PEOPLE.
Norman E "Hussein" Harvey, Sr- VA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:33 PM)

***************************

I won't let the American Idol Movement blind me.

SAY NO TO FARRAKHAN.

SAY NO TO OBAMA.

Patty,sd,ca (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:40 PM)

The Clinton camp should ask Obama if he thinks that Hillary "failed" the test in 2002 and this somehow means she is not prepared to be President if that also means that each one of the Senators who voted for the bill (including Kerry and Edwards or any of his high level endorsers who voted for the war) also are not prepared to be President.

Eric, NY, NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:41 PM)

This is awesome. Once again, Barack has made me proud to be 'One of A Million'.

Keep fighting Barack, this Clinton-Bush families will not hijack this country by consistently playing the FEAR card. You are doing an awesome job, and we're right here to support you !

The swiftness is amazing ... I need to go and donate another 50 bucks.

Lekan Patrick, MD (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:42 PM)

I would like you all to click on this link http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/2008/02/25/obama%e2%80%99s-real-experience-his-candidacy/
and read what Dick Morris has to say about Obama's ability to lead. Dick knows the Clintons better then most. If you like the article then pass it on to other blogs by copying the link into other posts you make.

Mike from Maine, Presque Isle, Maine (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:42 PM)

I think Hillary realizes that she must be careful about what she says concering Barrack because she knows--Hillary knows deep down in her heart--that she is probably talking to the next President of the United States for the next eight years.

So, Hillary supporters, you will soon--very soon--have get past your prejudice and hang-ups. It's not about sex, or race, or simple rhetoric. It's about the future direciton we, Americans, want to go. There's the republican direction; there's the democratic direction; and there's the American Direction. We are all in this together--which way do you really want to go. Don't even begin to think that the republicans can win--after Bush's war? Please--it's not going to happen. Not with democrats turning out in record numbers? I was an independent conservative, but once I read Barrack's ideas on Education and Economy I said, "Son of a Gun! I haven't heard a politician make this kind of good common sense since--well --ever. And who has gotten the democrates so excited--The barrack/clinton race. In the end, I believe Barrack can bring our country together, but only if we--the people--stand together behind him after he wins the nomination, and the Presidency. Hillary, who is a good person, just has too much of a past (and not all of it good), and too much fight in her persona to bring any two sides together. But there's a simple rule to follow, and it's not to vote for McCain out of spite because Hillary lost, and it's not to stay home and pout during election day. The simple rule is to vote for what you feel will be best for America. I no longer wish to see the country I've fought for, the country some of my friends have died for, the country I love, be divided against itself any longer.

It's time for special interests to end; it's time for corruption to end; and its time for a new beginning. Now, I don't think Barrack is perfect, but if we (the people) all stand behind,then maybe some perfect things can happen in our goverment that have never had a chance of happening before. Maybe we can even restore the honor, pride, and strength of America for democrats, for republicans, for independents: but most of all-- for AMERICAN!

one american (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:44 PM)

yes judgment matters and you showed your lack of knowledge at the debate. Hillary won't be there to bail you out.
___________________________

That's your argument, Patty? Next you'll be telling us that 2+2= a bushel of potatos!

They both state the same premise but Obama goes further and issues a quote from Bush to state Bush was incorrect. Then, when pressed on Russia's relationship with Serbia and how it pertains to Kosovo he states it's unacceptable and acknowledges allies.

Would Hillary go it alone? Would she be right to do so?

Pete "Hussein" - Albany, NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:45 PM)

HRC's ad is evil but Obama's ad is a lame non-sequitar simply to go into a talking point. If you're going to parody something, don't half-ass it. Why not, "it's 3am and somthing's happening in the world. Do you really want a president that has to wake up her husband?" Fast is not always good.

Paul Day, Watertown, MA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:45 PM)

John,
You need to wake up, face reality, and smell the coffee. IT'S OVER! Obama has gained 38 superdelegates since Super Tuesday and Hillary has lost 6! Why can't she just give it a rest and save us all this humiliation from her! She is dividing the party and give the Republicans campaign ideas. The ship has sailed Hillary....give it a rest!

Shon, New York, NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:46 PM)

CIA: "Madame President, we've got Osama Bin Laden... he's just over the border in Pakistan."

Hillary: "Oh ok... well... hmm... uh... go ahead and strike... No, wait! Don't... lemme call up Musharraf."

Hillary calls, but no one answers. Pervez is on the toilet. He then makes it to the phone.

Pervez: "Well Hillary, I suppose it would be okay to go ahead and get him. But I'll need to see the info."

Hillary e-mails him the photos, and Pervez agrees.

Hillary to the CIA: "Okay, go for it."

CIA: "Sorry Madame President, we lost him. The whole group scattered. If only you could have acted sooner, with the right judgment."

CIA to Obama: "Mr President, we've got Osama Bin Laden. He's..."

Obama: "Go after him."

The next morning, President Obama and leaders around the world stand in pride as the leader of the most dangerous terrorist organization in the world is finally brought to justice.

Who do you want answering that call?

Andrew, MO (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:48 PM)

Ok ... Is it me or in the Clinton version that phone is ringing ... and ringing ... and ringing ... and ringing ... and ringing ... and ringing ... and ringing ... and ringing ... and ringing ARRRGH PICK UP THE PHONE ALREADY!!!! Oh ... It's Hillary! :p Ok ... New tactic ... "It's three AM ... and the phone is ringing in the white house ... and ... wow someone picks it up right away, they must be working really hard for us! ... " Versus ... ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring (For Hillary, Press 1, For Bill Press 2 or stay on the line to leave a message) If she took that long to pick up the phone then I am now officially ... scared!

Enjoy!

Ralph in Chicago (THE Second City) (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:48 PM)

Obama's ad is full of empty talking points. It's just like when he answers a question after Hillary. He always says, "uh yeah, uh, what she said".

At least Hillary is specific.

Obama's lies are catching up to him!!!!! Exelon, Rezko, Canada, CTV, NAFTA, military blunders, the Crown family, Maytag employees that he screwed over, shady fundraising questions, the list goes on.

Brace yourselves. It's going to get bumpy.

Nancy Cummings, Fort Mill, SC (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:50 PM)

"...if that also means that each one of the Senators who voted for the bill (including Kerry and Edwards or any of his high level endorsers who voted for the war) also are not prepared to be President."
--Eric in NYC

Yes, and none of them are going to be President, either.

David, Tallahassee FL (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:51 PM)

this dude is on point . this guy is like the jordan or tiger woods of politics .

k " hussein " i houston (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:51 PM)

WHEN THE PHONE RINGS ... HILLARY WILL GO LOOKING FOR BILL IN A PANIC!
---------------------------------------------------

GOBAMA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:51 PM)

For some reason, Hillary's vote on the initial resolution bothers Obama, but he is not bothered by the "yea" votes of Kerry, Daschle, Dorgan, and Dodd, whose endorsements he holds. I can't figure that out. Are Kerry, Daschle, Dorgan, and Dodd are making a “poor” judgement again since they are endorsing Obama based on his own analogy and logics?

Gary (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:00 PM)

A good majority of Obama fans don't even realize that he didn't vote for the Iraq Resolution because he didn't have a job in the U.S. Senate then. He was only an Illinois state senator and I mean, really, how many of you know the names and voting record of your state senator? When the U.S. Senate cast their vote, Obama was yelling at his TV in his living room just like I was- and trust me, I really shouldn't be President. Having been "right" on just one issue when it cost him nothing at the time to take that position is not leadership or change you can trust. Still, no one has been able to tell me how and why, with his short tenure at every level of stepping stone political jobs, his is the “change we can believe in” (he changes jobs more than I can believe). I need a little more than that to trust that someone is ready to take on governance and all the post-Bush problems of the American people. Remember: we already have an inexperienced and arrogant egomaniac in the White House… do we need really need another?

Barry (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:02 PM)

talk about rapid response.

diane (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:03 PM)

wish he would have went just a bit more lighter on it, I mean its not really negative but really, I wish he would have said something like

its 3 a.m and you aren't afraid, because you know you wont let your fear drive you

I dunno but his ad is kinda close to hers, he stress judgement, and she went with experience, but now I dont think he can crictize her ad.

Allen A (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:03 PM)

Somebody just got slammed!

RSchewe, New York, NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:04 PM)

Being able to respond quickly and positively shows leadership by him and having picked the right people to be on his team for the campaign. Compared to the Clintons and the poor abilities to think long term strategy to "win" the nomination and Presidency.

David - STL (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:05 PM)

Go Obama - way to respond!

By the way, early voting in my highly Republican suburb in Houston has been crazy I hear...with the vast majority on the Democratic side for once! I think Obama really may end up doing very well here in Texas!!

ST, Houston, TX (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:06 PM)

How fast was that comeback? Does anyone doubt that Obama's team can deal with the Republican attacks?

Keep trying Cluckabee!

Steve, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:06 PM)

Parry, thrust, score.

Rob in CA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:06 PM)

Here are excerpts from Joe Conason article in Salon.com dated 12/29/2008 regarding Obama chairmanship of Subcommittee on European Affairs: "Doubts about Barack Obama's presidential credentials have crystallized during the past two weeks over his stewardship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on European Affairs, which has convened no policy hearings since he took over as its chairman last January. That startling fact, first uncovered by Steve Clemons, who blogs on the Washington Note, prompted acid comment in Europe about the Illinois senator's failure to visit the continent since assuming the committee post, and even speculation that he had never traveled there except for a short stopover in London."
More excerpts: "I've [Obama]traveled extensively in Europe ... I love Europe," Obama told the Iowa Independent Web site a couple of days ago. But as Clemons noted on the Washington Note, the Obama campaign has not provided much detail on his European experiences and itineraries so far"...."If Obama wants to show where he has been, he merely has to release his passport records. Then everyone would know that his boast about traveling extensively in Europe is true -- even if this year he didn't have time to convene a hearing on the momentous issues affecting our relations with that continent and the world."
here you find the rest:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2007/12/29/obama_europe/
Please Ask Obama how many times has he gone to Iraq or Afghanistan to visit the troops since he talks of lack of ammunitions for our troops and talks of caring for our troops. Hillary Clinton has made multiple trips to Afghanistan and Iraq to visit the troops.

Not Illusioned (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:06 PM)

The ad to me is not a scare tactic..it is basically saying..whether there is a flood, tornado or God Forbid, another Katrina..if the phone rings and Hillary answers who would be best in kowing the right thing to do..who to call, who get where they are needed and how get the help where needed. Her knowledge of the ins and outs are a source of comfort!
Hillary Clinton...2008

Sandy, Austin, Tx (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:08 PM)

He showed good judgement by knowing the threat was from Osama Burt Laden, and not Iraq? Weren't we already in Afghanistan in 2002? If you want to slam dunk your petty response ad, get a decent script writer.

Yes, you showed great judgement Barack when you weren't in the Senate to vote on authorization, and I believe you admitted that if you were in the Senate, and had the same information as everyone else, that you don't know how you would have voted. Maybe you would have voted "present." Oh wait, you can't do that in the Senate.

But you have stood steadfastly against the war since you came to Washington by continuing to vote for funding it. And you led the way by submitting legislation to have the American presence in Iraq declared a felony...oh wait...no actually you have not gone on the record in the Senate as being against the war as your votes continue to support it.

Barack Obama: he knows how to be a hypocrite at 3 AM.

Shtuey (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:10 PM)

dont even go with morris. Why Is loyalty so bad?Used to be a virtue when I was growing up. O yah I can see it isnt any more. When is Obama going to put a stop to the harassement of aa's voteing for Hillary? When will an investagation be started. Man if was other way around would be masses in the streets. This one wont go away. Is this what we have to look forward to when he doesnt make it? This is the new change?old pressure to vote race and as your told.This is beyond old chiago politics this is criminal.Dont forget the ad time comeing Monday so no one can respond or test it.That ought to be a beaut.Say the moon is flat than.Same old politics. So much for his words.This pressure business is why he gets cauces and i think they should be done away with.

Joe (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:11 PM)

Question: What is it that the Clinton campaign
thinks will make anyone feel safer and
not worried if she answers the 'phone'?
What on earth makes her qualified as Commander in Chief? Her military stint? West Pt.grad?
Annapolis grad? In the Vietnam War? State Dept.stint?
What? Even, or rather especially, Bill can't help her
here. After 8 years, many still thought the idea of him, 'the draft dodger' was a disgrace as Cmdr. in Chief.
So, as I said. Hillary answered the 'red phone' in 2002. We're now at war in Iraq. THAT'S scary. Keep
her and her next Iraq war vote AWAY from that phone!

Deborah Greenlaw, NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:12 PM)

Mike from Maine: Excellent article and I really wish all those pundits who are still underestimating Obama would read this.
Thanks for posting.

diane (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:14 PM)

I wasn't sure who to vote for, and then I saw the Clinton ad. It made me think, "Wow, who do I want answering the phone?" I was literally getting images of 9/11, and that made me a little antsy. Then when I saw Obama's response add - it just clicked. That the right judgement really is the answer. I've heard them talk about experience vs judgement before, but it didn't make sense until I saw this add. The fact that I got a little scared after seeing the Clinton add made me a little upset that my emotions were being tugged at - but only due to being afraid. The Obama response says to me that there WILL BE A CALL at 3am, and truthfully I want somebody with some reasonable thinking skills to answer that phone. To me, that's Barack Obama. I'm telling everybody I know in my neighborhood to vote for Obama. We have a block party this weekend, and I'm the head of that committee, and I'm going to show them the adds and plan to take car loads to the polls. Good stuff Obama, good stuff.

Mark Smith, Austin, Texas (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:14 PM)

He is really a joke! Oh, I think that ad is awful - LET's USE IT! The same thing he does in the debates - she gives a policy answer, and he follows with "I agree with Hillary". Does this guy have an original idea in his head?

Honestly, I know that the media would twist this all around some way to Obama's benefit, but I just would once like to hear a response to Obama's statements regarding Hillary's vote with "Really, you would have not voted for authorizing military force? How would we really know? Whenever your back is to the wall, you are either not there to vote, vote 'present', or say 'I pushed the wrong button'. And as far as the decision itself is concerned, it is all well and good for folks now to look back and say they would not have authorized it, especially for those who did not have to make any decision because - you guessed it, they were not a member of Congress (can you say Obama?). We had been attacked, were being lied to by our President with regard to the threat (and given Sadaam's past, it was certainly believable - he had continued to assert hostile intentions, and refused the weapons inspectors). So while any idiot can look back and say we should not have invaded, most need to dig deep and wonder if they really would have not voted for the resolution themselves.

As for Obama, he did not show up for the recent vote on Iran's military guard - as he seems want to do whenever there is a critical and difficult decision to be made.

I don't expect our leaders to be perfect, but I do expect them to lead. His stance on this vote issue makes me all the more want to support Hillary.

We need real leaders, not empty suits and rhetoric.

Go Hillary Go!!!

BW (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:16 PM)

when the phone rings, we don't want another war monger to pick up the phone. Make the right decision on day one. The past matters...it's what makes us experience. Vote for the someone who made the right judgement in the past because it's the trait of the future.

No McPain and no Hill-Billy. Vote for Obama

Pete Gebe, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:17 PM)

Obama is just following the leader again. He can't do anything unless Hillary goes first. He should do his own commercials instead of stealing from her. That is just a sorry way to campaign! GO HILLARY!

Lisa, Raleigh, NC (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:22 PM)

Man, he didn't even allow her 8 hours before he answered right back. Hillary, fire Mark Penn!! Or at least stop playing him-please. I'm beginning to wonder if her has purposely sabatoged her. Didn't someone say he was affiliated with the same PR firm that's been hired by McCain?

Hillary4Prez (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:23 PM)

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