Clinton Raises $35 Million in February, Debuts Security Ad
Finally. Good news out of the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign. The announcement that she raised more than $35 million in February is remarkable because the senator lost 11 contests in a row. Campaign officials "said $30 million came from online donations. The money included donations from more than 200,000 new donors and ... on average, people gave about one hundred dollars to the Clinton
campaign, but there were also donations as small as ten or twenty bucks."
The only reason this isn't bigger news is because the Barack Obama campaign is expected to announce an even larger haul. Over the weekend, expect an announcement they raised upwards $52 million. Clinton's haul is remarkable but the Obama figure will be "stunning."
Meanwhile, the Clinton campaign debuts the most controversial ad of this cycle. "Children" (video) is a "soft-focus" version of several of President George Bush's 2004 campaign spots that targets so-called "security moms" and shows only women and children. "It's 3am and your children are safe and asleep. Who do you want answering the phone?" It's definitely Clinton's strongest argument but, umm, about 13 months too late.
On the other hand, it achieves its main purpose: Free media. "Children" is being played across cable news 24/7 and dominating the news agenda. The spot is bound to be compared to Walter Mondale's famous "Red Phone" spot that sunk Gary Hart in Texas. No coincidence, both ads were produced by Texas ad guru Roy Spence. There has already been some ridiculous linkage to LBJ's infamous "Daisy" spot of 1964, which, as we said, is ridiculous.
After a strong pushback from the other side that first called the spot "fear-mongering", then debuted their commercial response, Barack Obama finally admits the ad raises "a legitimate question." It is and it does: A presidential contest is about who do you want answering that phone. In any event, the spot "is a love tap compared to the Wu-Tang fist of fury that's coming at" Obama if he is the nominee in the fall, says one Republican media strategist.
Probably the first time you've ever heard Republican invoke the Wu-Tang Clan.
Clinton Hauls $35 Million [ABC News]
Clinton: Children [Politico]
Red Phone as Preview [Politico]
Obama Responds to Red Phone [NYT]
Spence 3AM Ad Redux [Marc Ambinder]
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"Wu Tang Fist of Fury" said a Republican media strategist??? That's too funny....
Posted by: johnozed | 29 February 2008 at 20:49
Speaking of classic commercials, "I've fallen in the polls and I can't get up..."
Posted by: Andy in Seattle | 29 February 2008 at 22:48
Fear Mongering Anyone?
Did somebody from the Bush politcal team dream up the Red Phone ad?
"One of Clinton's laws of politics is, if one candidate is trying to scare you, and the other one is trying to make you think, if one candidate's appealing to your fears, and the other one's appealing to your hopes. You better vote for the person who wants you to think and hope."
Bill Clinton October 25, 2004
Personally I'm going to follow Bill's advice!
Obama 08
Posted by: mike | 01 March 2008 at 02:30
I guess she is use to being up all night, being married to Bill and all his creeping. Fear tactics, hopefully the public won't be duped again like they were with Bush and his in the last election. But this voting populace isn't exaclty smart, so, many will fall for it.
Posted by: Luther | 01 March 2008 at 09:30
What is "fear mongering" or "scary" about the ad? We're voting for a president, the bottom line is, you're voting for who you want to make decisions.
BTW: Obama says it's "a legitmate question."
Posted by: Andrew C | 01 March 2008 at 17:52
DELETED BY ADMINISTRATOR
Posted by: libhomo | 02 March 2008 at 10:42