Oct 29, 2008 8:40 pm US/Eastern
Obama Goes Prime Time With $4 Million Ad
McCain Dismisses Ad As 'Gauzy, Feel-Good Commercial'
Reporting
Lou Young
WASHINGTON (CBS) ―
Less than one week before the election, Barack Obama took his presidential campaign to prime time with a 30 minute ad. But John McCain says that doesn't mean Obama has what it takes to run the country.
The Democratic candidate spent roughly $4 million Wednesday night on a 30 minute broadcast that was dismissed by his opponent as "a gauzy, feel-good commercial." It ended with a live broadcast from the campaign trail in swing-state Florida.
"Stand with me, we will win this election. Together save this country and change the world," Obama said.
It's been done before but political experts tell us the =last= time anyone tried this kind of direct national appeal-- the video was shot in black and white.
Political consultant Hank Sheienkopf explains: "The technique dates back to the 60's. It disappeared because of cost. We replaced it instead with quick spots, 15, 30 second even 10 second commercials. People are now frankly looking for something else. We have a candidate that wants to talk and can afford to do it for a half hour."
McCain urged voters to listen for and question the details: "As with other infomercials, he's got a few things he wants to sell you. He's offering government-run healthcare, an energy plan that is guaranteed to work, drilling, and an automatic wealth spreader that folds neatly and fits under any bed."
It's the wealth-spreading line that McCain hopes will find traction, evoking hints of socialism. Both men are spending the final days of the campaign in the swing states, including North Carolina where Obama spoke on his way to Wednesday night's Florida event.
"I don't know what's next. By the end he'll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in kindergarten," Obama said.
Looking at the substance of Obama's broadcast, the one thing that seemed to be missing was any detail on how to pay for his proposed programs.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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