The Red Phone ad

Posted: Friday, February 29, 2008 10:59 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Ads

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Here's that Mondale ad... hat tip to the New York Observer's Politicker blog...

A rotating red phone is shown as a an announcer ominously pronounces, "The most awesome, powerful responsibility in the world lies in the hand that picks up this phone. The idea of an unsure, unsteady, untested hand is something to really think about. This is the issues of our times. On March 20, vote as if the future of the world is at stake. Mondale. This president will know what he's doing, and that's the difference between Gary Hart and Walter Mondale."

*** UPDATE *** NBC's Andrea Mitchell notes that Obama responded on camera to Clinton's ad. "We've seen these ads before, trying to play on people's fears, trying to scare up votes," Obama said. "But I don't think they'll work this time. The question is not about who will be picking up the phone. The question is what kind of judgment will you exercise when you answer the phone.

"We've had a red-phone moment. It was the decision to invade Iraq. Senator Clinton gave the wrong answer. George Bush gave the wrong answer. John McCain gave the wrong answer."

*** UPDATE 2 *** As NBC's Lauren Appelbaum points out, Roy Spence, who has been advising the Clinton campaign, was also the media advisor for the 1984 Mondale campaign, and helped to create the red-phone ad.

If Obama's the nominee, might the GOP go even further? As Politico's Ben Smith writes, "Indeed, a GOP media consultant who's made his share of red phone spots over the years e-mails that he found Clinton's a bit soft -- long on children, short on direct contrast."

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Comments

Mondale Lost!

Tony Pina, San Diego, CA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:12 AM)

So will Obama. This didnt look like the same ad to me?????????????????I dont want Obamas hand on that football if its needed or on the red phone if it rings.

sue (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:16 AM)

Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate in the race. I trust Hillary to answer the "red phone" should it ring. I would be very uncomfortable with Obama answering the "red phone" should it ring. He's just too big a risk for the Dems to take. He's not qualified to be President of the U.S.

I love Hillary but if she is not the nominee I would vote for McCain, at least he's qualified, Obama is not.

GO HILLARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:17 AM)

Wow. Was it me or did the voice over intentionally sound a lot like Ronald Reagan?

Chris, Raleigh NC (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:18 AM)

My God!!! I didn't realize that Karl Rove was now on the Clinton payroll.

And remember....Mondale lost the election BIG TIME!

Ed - Sarve, PA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:18 AM)

Fear may work short term, but not long term. Mondale was nominated , won only 2 states in the general election. Voters today are smarter than to be scared in to voting for the status quo. Only Barack Obama offers the good judgement we need to bring real security to America and the world.

Robert Vitaletti, Denver, Colorado (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:20 AM)

They both 'lost'.

Deborah Greenlawn, NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:22 AM)

Mondale's ad and Obamas . did I miss Hillarys??? Go to HillaryClinton.com. You may be surprised at all thas there. Check out newsroom press releases too,You wont see them here or in media prob.

mox (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:22 AM)

The Iraq war is scary. I think anyone who voted
to go there should not get ANYWHERE near,
the 'red phone'. (Do we still have a red phone?
Have the Clinton's been out of the White House
too long to be current?)

Deborah Greenlawn, NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:24 AM)

Answering whose phone?

Yes, Clinton has EXPERIENCE in trusting Bush, Cheney and not reading the National Intelligence Estimate, which would have given her ample doubts about her her ‘sincere vote.’
Yes, she has EXPERIENCE in not taking responsibility for her inability to deliver her job promises and blaming New York’s net lost of 30,000 jobs on Al Gore’s not being president.

Yoelish, Monroe, NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:24 AM)

We all know when Bush answers the phone there's nobody home. Has there ever been a bigger idiot in the WH? He could have a room full of phones and he'd still be completely out of touch. Pathetic.

R.Merrell (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:25 AM)

Isn't that plagerism ... Ha!
--Oh no, wait, her phone was off-white.

With all due sarcasm, shouldn't she have cited Mondale, because this ad hurts me as a viewer.

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:26 AM)

If Clinton cannot win on the merits of her campaign, she then quickly pivots to the fear factor, just like the Republicans did in 2004. I am so disappointed .......Even I think she is better than the campaign she is waging. "Win at all costs" is not very attractive and certainly does not show good JUDGEMENT.

Obama '08

Margaret, Fairfax. VA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:26 AM)

Yes, but which Clinton would pick up the phone? Is it the one that was honored to be with him? Is it the one that said 'shame on you?' Is it the one that was sarcastic? Is it the one that has changed messages more than the new digital billboards?

When that phone rings, I think you want someone who can be calm, cool and consistent under pressure.

The campaigns both have run and their actions under pressure are all the data you need to make the choice.

ME, Santa Ana, CA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:28 AM)

OBama needs to answer why he belongs to a racist church who supports and praises Farrakhan, leader of Nation Islam; who hates Jews and white people.

Obama needs to answer questions about Rezco the slum lord dealings.

OBama needs to answer why his campaign called Canada and assured them that he will continue Nafta as is.

OBama needs to answer his connection with terrorist Willaim Ayers, who bombed the Pentegon.

It's Feb. 29th. 2008 and still no answers.

John Doe (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:28 AM)

I M SORRY DID I CALL YOUR MAN SPINELESS FOR HIS VOTE ON THE WAR FUNDING

kenn (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:29 AM)

[Mondale was nominated , won only 2 states in the general election.
Robert Vitaletti, Denver, Colorado]
--Slight point of correction. I believe it was the liberal bastion that is D.C. (technically not a state) and his home state of MN.

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:29 AM)

Wow, another plagiarism at its best by Hillary, and after this it was done by a late night talk show host, she took it exactly from them, the 3.am. stuff.

RuthieM (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:32 AM)

'...Facing with this ad onslaught, it is looking like an increasingly impossible task for Clinton to get what she needs on Tuesday --- big enough victories to cut into Obama's delegate lead in any meaningful way...'

Le guerre est fini

Pack it up and go home

Your only 3:00am calls are going to be from Bill, asking for more condoms and his Viagra pills

From Campaign Diaries:

'....29.2008
Obama blankets OH and TX, Clinton responds with controversial ad

Continuing his spending dominance, Barack Obama is taking additional steps to blanket Ohio and Texas with advertisements. His campaign has bought time for a two-minute ad in ever media market of Ohio and Texas (and there are many, especially in Texas) the day before the election. This is a tactic that both major campaigns used in previous elections, particularly in Iowa, but it had not been tried yet in such big states. What is even more noteworthy is that the Clinton is for now showing no intention following suit, yet another indication of how massively she is being outspent in these two must-win states. Driving around in Texas, Politico's Jonathan Martin is also amazed by the extent of Obama's advertisement.

And, as I pointed out yesterday, this spending gap is not necessarily explained by the fundraising gap. Clinton's February $35 million -- by far her record since the start of the campaign -- should be more than enough to answer Obama. If anything, Clinton's campaign is probably thinking far less about saving money all the way to the convention right now than Obama's is.

Facing with this ad onslaught, it is looking like an increasingly impossible task for Clinton to get what she needs on Tuesday -- big enough victories to cut into Obama's delegate lead in any meaningful way...'

Sierra, SF (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:34 AM)

Three new polls from Texas all have Obama up this morning. Full roundup: http://thecampaigndiaries.blogspot.com/2008/02/friday-polls-obama-where-he-wants-to-be.html

Daniel, NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:36 AM)

Obama WASN'T IN senate at time of vote. He would have voted just like Hillary to support our Pres. in a time of crisis. WAKE UP PEOPLE (kids)

yeahme (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:38 AM)

Are you lost or something! All of those questions you want Obama to answer have already been answered. Do you agree with everthing that you associate with say or do? Should you be held to answer what your neighbor, your wife, your paster, your children, your in-laws, your siblings, etc. say or do? Get over it!

Priscilla, Washington, DC (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:38 AM)

Here's the scenario:
She would tell Bill to get the phone!!
She would ask her white house "managers" why is she getting a call at 3 in the morning, she can't think straight with all this business of running the country.
She would then tell her press secretary to call a press conference and blame the media for the Red Phone ringing at 3 in the morning!!!
She would cry FOUL on international leaders who call at such a last hour..that's NOT FAIR!
If it was a natural disater. She would blame the media, b/c they hadn't forecasted on the nightly news and it caught her off guard!
And who has a RED PHONE anyway?? The RED PHONE will be banished!

conPA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:39 AM)

This whole exchange reminds me of the 1992 Saturday Night Live debate in which Dana Carvey (playing President Bush) said the following:

Kind of makes you wonder whether these men have the temperament to be president. Would you tell Prime Minister Major to shut up? Would you call Boris Yeltsin a "Crackerhead"? Who wouldn't you tell to shut up? Because you see, this election is about who can take the heat, who you want there when that secured phone in the White House rings at 3 AM. Do you want someone who will answer the phone politely: "Hello, this is the President. Speak slowly and clearly and tell me what the problem is." Or do you want someone who's cranky, who says, "This better be important," or "Do you realize what time it is?" or simply says, "Shut up!" hangs up the phone and sleeps like a baby while the world burns!

Chris, Annapolis MD (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:39 AM)

Does Hillary know she's running in the DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY????
The voters that are going to vote out of fear are going to vote for John McCain, not her!!!

J in PA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:41 AM)

While in the state senate, in more than 4,000 votes, Obama voted "present". That's not 'yes,' that's not 'no' ,That's 'maybe'.

Obama even voted "present" on a bill involving sexual abuse that he had sponsored himself - saying he discovered legal questions after its introduction.

So people make youe own DECISION!!! don't let media bias you.

sunny (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:42 AM)

After watching the red phone ad -- Please tell me that most Americans can see through this manipulative drivel and not be frightened into voting a certain way. The Republicans have been using this tactic for years. Why would the Clinton campaign stoop to this level? I understand there's urgency and almost panic for them, but still........shame on you, Hillary Clinton, shame on you.

Tom, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:42 AM)

Some of the highlights of the Clinton's foreign policy and its achievements.
1. American service members naked dead bodies being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu after team Clinton denied them the equipment & support they needed to accomplish their mission.
Soon after the remaining forces were withdrawn in what has become known as our first lost battle in the war against al-Qaeda and Islamic extremism.
2. Rwanda is anything but genocide.
What may be the supreme example of the worthlessness of human life when forced to compete in the semantic driven world of team Clinton.
3. We respect international law.
That is except when we bomb the embassy of a nation with the veto power at the United Nations Security Council.
4. That long term deployments of American armed forces to places like Haiti are in our strategic national interests.
5. Spending time before Monica on the Israeli Palestinian peace process was a waste of time.
6. Reducing the military by 40% and calling it a peace dividend was in the strategic national interests of America.
7. Changing the role of the Guard & Reserve from a strategic reserve to an operational reserve because it is more cost effective.
The results of # 6 & 7 are out there or the entire world to see.
8. That the best way to fight Islamic Extremism was to ignore it.
Hence the reason two of our embassies were bombed in Africa post Somalia and Islamic extremism was able to rage unchecked throughout the 1990's. A few cruise missiles excepted.
9. The unabashed belief that failure to support "W"'s war in Iraq would leave you open to charges that you were soft on national security and nobody is gonna call Hillary soft on anything.
Hence the reason so many in America lay the deaths and maiming of thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqi's right at the Clinton's feet.
If they has courage and conviction of belief they would have stood on principal and damn the torpedoes.
Unfortunately for America's service members and their loved ones the Clinton's could not be bothered with trivialities like reading the intelligence reports or taking a principled stand that would stand up to the test of time.
This is the Clinton's foreign policy in a nut shell.
It does not stand up to the test of time.

P. Walker, Memphis, TN (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:43 AM)

Hmmm. "Plagerism" and then refusing to "denounce and reject" a Texan pols rabid attack on Obama as a black candidate. Even with her tape recorded words from the latest debate attacking Obama, she still refused to "denounce and reject" this supporter. Another example of doing anything to get elected. What next, Hill?

Elaine Parker, Baltimore, MD (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:46 AM)

Doomed the nation that submit itself to fear.

John Lewis (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:48 AM)

SCARE ME into voting for ya!

this is a joke!!!!

I'd rather have Obama answer the phone than have Bill and Hillary fighting over who'll get to it first...

markus, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:49 AM)

Mox,
Respectively, yes you did miss her add (or at least the ad that they are referencing). The ad was posted earlier this morning.

I understand every supporter feels their candidate is receiving blows from the media, but take a moment to double check before any innuendos.

Julia, Carbondale, IL (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:49 AM)

So why didn't someone on the Clinton Team answer the darn phone during the commercial? It would make you think the hypothetical Clinton administration was asleep at the wheel. Hillary, you are looking “silly season” for using our kids to spread fear. Did you use campaign money for your ill advised commercial? The Obama Team will jump all over your stupid commercial with, President Obama’s administration immediately answering the phone and getting the job done. Senator Clinton you have used poor judgment in your stupid commercial and will use it again, I'm sure as Commander-in-Chief and President. Be very, very quiet Hillary Clinton is hunting for idiots to elect her to a position requiring sound judgment. There should be poor judgment alert bells going off in Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania by now to warn them Senator Clinton's approaching. GO Obama 08!

Charles, Ft.Walton Beach, FL (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:50 AM)

Obama rocks!! His responses are soooooooooo quick!!!

Kym (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:50 AM)

John Doe,
with all due respect to ya, partner...
you ARE a moron.

pittsburgh dem (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:54 AM)

This is so ridiculous. Fear, be fearful. Dont vote for change, vote for me because I slept In White House with Bill until he was banging interns.
these are GOP tactics @ their worst.
Hill has lost it and she will lose her senate seat as well

Ny-er who hates Hillary (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:55 AM)

If you are basing your vote on what polls are saying, you are being mislead! The "news" media is biased and trying very hard to make up the minds of voters. Do the research on the candidates! Think about it. We already know everything (too much?) about Hillary Clinton's life. What do you actually know about Barack Obama? His church affiliation is relevent. How he raises campaign funds? Who his supporters really are? How he voted when in the Illinois senate? How he voted in the US Senate? Do the research, you may be surprised.

Michiel W So. Beloit, IL (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:56 AM)

What the heck is a "red" phone? Doesn't the White House have a color coordinator for something like this? I mean a fine beige phone is nice. Besides, I'd purloin Alfred from Bruce Wayne to get the phone at 3am. Imagine Alfred answering "The President is in a state of somnambulance and not to be disturbed". Heck, my phone rings at 3am it can only mean overtime!! Rock the vote!!

Phred, NH (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:56 AM)

Say what you will about the ad, but if comparisons are to be made to the Mondale v Hart nomination battle, remeber...Mondale won! Ergo, it was wise for Hillary to air one similar to Mondale's ad. Granted, Mondale lost the general election, but look who he was running against - a very popular incumbent president...Reagan [now I have to go wash my hands after typing that name].

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:58 AM)

His campaign should not be called Audacity of Hope but Audacity to Run for President with Minimal Qualification and Experience.

Mike A, NYC (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:00 PM)

This is proof that Clinton will stop at nothing. Fear mongering is about the lowest blow there is. Clinton must be very desperate.

John Mehan, San Francisco, CA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:00 PM)

Sen. Clinton keeps trying everything imaginable, but it's clear that her opponent is much more suited at playing her game. Sen. Obama has grown and evolved. He is sounding more and more presidential every time he takes Sens. Clinton and McCain and President Bush.

Go Obama! We need you!

Rob, San Diego, CA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:01 PM)

So will Obama. This didnt look like the same ad to me?????????????????I dont want Obamas hand on that football if its needed or on the red phone if it rings.
sue (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 11:16 AM)

You'd rather have Clinton holding the football?!?

Phone rings...

Joint Chief: "Madam President, we believe that Russia and China are giving WMD to Serbia to use on Kosovo, we want to attack Russia and China. It's all in the report."

Hillary looks at the report on her desk she hasn't bothered to read.

Hillary says: "Ok, start a war."

No thanks!

BL my friends call me Hussein, Cincinnati OH (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:02 PM)

Clinton has used a very dangerous scare tactic over Obama's readiness on day. Having been unsuccessful in making her point rationally, she appeals to voter's fears. It is very sad to see that she will not hesitate to use the politics of fear to get her way. In no way does this separate her from the politics of fear that have gripped America for the past 7 years.

The true message of this ad: If Hillary Clinton is in the White House and faces a desperate situation, a situation such as her approaching fate in Texas and Ohio, she will resort to the politics of fear. She will choose her own political survival over the best interests of the people.

roy (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:02 PM)

roy, Miami FL (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:04 PM)

Obama considers his "good judgment" on the war when he couldn't vote - more important than voting with Repubs to fund the war when he could vote.

Obama is a con - assisted by the media that promotes him 24/7.

Margaret, NYC (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:04 PM)

Can one Hill supporter tell me what she has done to make her so qualified?
She has a net loss of jobs in a devastated part of NYC, has chaired some commitees but has done nothing, hasnt revealed her taxes yet, didnt plan her campaign well and is using GOP tactics to win. I am sorry, sleeping next to Bill does not qualify her.

Nj (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:04 PM)

how original of the clinton's, wonder how much it cost to get the add voice-overed, what a couple of losers

MK,MO (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:04 PM)

The Hillary ad is nothing compared to the Obama ads against Edwards!!

And Obama plays the Victim Card again!!
BAWAAAAAAA!!

Margaret, NYC (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:07 PM)

It is about time that Hillary brought the focus of National Security into the forefront.

I shiver at the thought of Obama faced with a terror crisis.

Good for Hillary.

Jack Rand (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:11 PM)

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