Obama Ads + 527 Ads = Total Strategy

[alcibiades_mystery]

There are a lot of posters rather predictably beating up on the Obama ads as "too soft" this morning, but we're really seeing the roll-out of the complete strategy. Obama didn't just "decide to unleash" the 527's. Rather, the 527's were discouraged until the time was right. Already this morning two brutally effective attack ads have been making the rounds: one by the Defenders of Wildlife and one by Planned Parenthood. They are both much more aggressive than anything we saw coming out of the 527's during the Kerry campaign.

Obama's "negative" ads are a bit milder, but this seems to be by design. What you are seeing is the roll out of a multi-pronged offensive, with the uber-aggressive 527 ads on the one hand, and the milder if cutting Obama campaign ads on the other. This allows Obama to go negative without the voter turn-off. Is it a good strategy? Time will tell, of course. But the timing of "unleashing the 527's" and the timing of Obama's releases doesn't seem accidental or even "responsive." Rather, it seems choreographed and planned for some time. I think Obama's people were correct that you have to get over the hump of 9/11 before you really go whole ass on these people.

We shall see.

[gateley]

1. I think it's a good combo -- Obama doesn't sink to their level, and the

527s can do the attacking.

The spot I saw of Obama was a great improvement - concise and focused. My critique of the Defenders of Wildlife is that it should have been :30, instead of the :60 -- but other than that, it was devastating to Sarah.

We'll be just fine. :)

[Democat]

2. McCain is using TV appearances to slam Obama

Obama is going to have to take the gloves off along with the 527s.

The Republicans are just getting started. By the time Obama catches up with what they are doing today, they'll be two laps ahead beating him harder than before - and he'll be playing catch up again.

He needs to get ahead of them and put them on the defensive. Why does Obama, like Kerry, seem happy to be on the defensive rather than getting on the offensive?

Obama promises a stronger "response" to McCain, but we want a stronger offense!

[cliffordu]

3. Always with the second guessing, the concern, the not enough.

Negative. Much??

[Democat]

5. Not negative, just frustrated with wimpy Democrats!

We put up with this BS in 2004, let's not let our leaders wimp out again!

[cliffordu]

7. Fake tough guy bullshit is a distraction. Keep watching.

[Dawgs]

4. I don't have a problem with Obama running milder ads, but these sucked.

He needs to find one message that works, and stick to it. These ads try to cover four different topics in 30 second spots, and they're all forgettable.

[cjsmom44]

6. RE: 527 Ads

Roll out those 527's and let them do their work and STOP ragging on Obama for being soft...he knows what he is doing!!! I agree...let Obama ads be milder and let the 527's do their work...go get him Barack!
and DONATE DONATE DONATE!!!!

[cliffordu]

8. DING DING DING We have a winner!!!

Precisely.

[Shine]

9. Yup, it's brilliant.