Is A 30 Minute Campaign Ad A Good Idea for Obama?

[Jim Gray]

The Obama Campaign has been negotiating with the networks to run a 30 minute campaign ad on October 29th. 

For the reasons I've listed above, I have mixed feelings about the idea. 

On the one hand, this could turn out to be a brilliant strategy to combat what is likely to be 2+ weeks of character attacks.  If the negative ads begin to close the gap, Obama will be in a position to reach out to the electorate a final time.

On the other hand, there is risk.  If he's comfortably ahead, it's an unnecessary risk. Since the program is a "production", there is no chance of a gaff; but will it turn off voters that are leaning to Obama now?

STAY ON TOPIC.  I WILL DELETE ANY THREAD THAT STRAYS. 

[Sunstroke]

Positive all the way around... As long as you can script out and control all aspects of what the viewers see/hear during the production, from the topics discussed to the little things like lighting, vocal tone and volume, body language, etc..., it would be hard to have anything negative come out of it.

[Defense54]

Just not neccessary at this point. It will appear one sided . Why fix it if its not broken? Stay the course............

[bsmooth]

I don't think it will really hurt him.

[Dave Gray]

I will watch.  But, I'd also watch if McCain had a 30 minute ad, too.  I'm a junkie for politics.

I think that pretty much all of the things in the poll are possibilities.  I think that the positives are fairly clear.  Generally, more visibility = more votes.  But, in his time, Obama will have to clearly outline plans, and specifically target the economic crisis.

What I think is risky is that with things going so well for him, it introduces another variable that may or may not work in his favor.  It introduces a risk/reward that he may not need.  It also may bring McCain some ammo to say that Obama has outspent him by so much, because he's in bed with the rich banks.

What I don't get is how people will still be undecided at that point, only 6 days before voting day.  ...and more importantly, of those undecided, how many will actually watch.

What if he ran this ad on the night before voting, just to energize his base one more time to hopefully increase turnout.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

BTW this is not unusual.  Candidates have done this before. 

[fyo]

I don't see how a 30min spot could hurt either candidate.

Certainly, the CONTENT is going to be very different, depending on what the polls say. If Obama is significantly ahead, the spot will almost certainly be very "safe".

[bsfins]

I voted
Negative - taking an unnessary risk when he is leading
Negative - overwhelm a public that is already saturated
And I'm probably not going to watch it....

Who's show got bumped?

I say this,because I feel like a lot of people can't wait to just go vote,so they can stop the Campaign ads,and are tired of hearing about it..

[Jim Gray]

I voted
Negative - taking an unnessary risk when he is leading
Negative - overwhelm a public that is already saturated
And I'm probably not going to watch it....

Who's show got bumped?

I say this,because I feel like a lot of people can't wait to just go vote,so they can stop the Campaign ads,and are tired of hearing about it..

Night Rider, Bones, Pushing Daisies and New Adventures of Old Christine.   Fortunately for me, looks like Obama will not buy time on Nick and I'll be able to watch SpongeBob.

[bsfins]

Now I'm pissed at Obama,for bumping Pushing Daisies.... (I like the show)

[raptorsfan29]

i voted i will not watch, i got better things to do then watch a politican say things that he is going to do as president, and do the exact opposite when he becomes president.

[run_to_win]

I will watch.  But, I'd also watch if McCain had a 30 minute ad, too.  I'm a junkie for politics.

Wow!  I'm not sure I could even listen to McCain speak for 30 minutes.

I probably could listen to Obama.  He's a great speaker.   

It also may bring McCain some ammo to say that Obama has outspent him by so much, because he's in bed with the rich banks.

Don't forget the untraceable $200,000,000 from overseas.   

Very true though.  How much does 30 minutes of prime-time cost?  Would this be possible if the "fairness doctrine" was reinstated?