by Frank James and updated with Obama response
Sen. Hillary Clinton has a new TV ad up which uses one of her main arguments against Sen. Barack Obama, her rival for the Democratic presidential nomination.
It boils down to she's ready, he's not, to be in the Oval Office when a national-security emergency occurs in the wee small hours of the morning.
She has repeatedly used this argument in her stump speech. It plays to the image of toughness she has with many Democratic voters.
The ad shows a series of small children asleep in the middle of the night. It's clearly meant to appeal to women, the part of the Democratic electorate that had been among her strongest supporters but has been eroding as women have become more willing to support Obama.
It’s 3 am and your children are safe and asleep
But there’s a phone in the White House and it’s ringing
Something’s happening in the world
Your vote will decide who answers that call.
Whether it’s someone who already knows the world’s leaders, knows the military - someone tested and ready to lead in a dangerous world
It’s 3 am and your children are safe and asleep
Who do you want answering the phone?
Obama, calling it "a legitimate question'' yet accusing the Clinton campaign of using "fear'' tactics, had this to say about the ad this morning:
"I don’t think these ads will work…. The question is not picking up the phone. The question is what kind of judgment will you exercise when you pick up that phone. In fact we have had a red-phone moment. It was the decision to invade Iraq. President Bush gave the wrong answer. Sen. Clinton gave the wrong answer… Sen. McCain gave the wrong answer.''
Obama, saying he "exercised the right judgment,'' said that is what he will bring to the White House. “I will never use the threat of terrorism to scare up votes.. Tthat is the judgment we need at 3 a.m.''
The ad has the feel of a mashup to me. The innocent children blissfully sleeping while dangers are afoot in the world, remind me of the famous 1964 "Daisy" ad President Lyndon Johnson ran against Sen. Barry Goldwater.
But the mood is much more like the "Bear" ad President Ronald Reagan used in 1984 with the ominous it's-a-dangerous-world-requiring-a-clear-eyed-leader vibe.
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Comments
Judging by their performance in the campaign, I'd want Obama's people answering the phone. Hillary's staff might be too busy squabbling about who's in charge to wake her up.
Posted by: Tom O | February 29, 2008 11:10 AM
or...
"This is Bill, she's asleep, I will take care of this..."
Posted by: Jon | February 29, 2008 11:43 AM
Which Hillary would answer?
I prefer someone without mood swings, thank you!
Posted by: Barry | February 29, 2008 12:10 PM
"It’s 3 am and your children are safe and asleep
Who do you want answering the phone? "
Not Sleepy McCain!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkkTFVIxMQs
Posted by: Ambien | February 29, 2008 12:26 PM
Wasn't it just last weekend that Bill Kristol suggested that HRC use the politics of fear? Interesting . . .
Posted by: po | February 29, 2008 12:30 PM
We NEED President Hillary Clinton answering that phone...Obama's response of Bush, Hillary and McCain, had the wrong answer, is lame at best. Remember Obama has been 'present' with NO answers and ooops, I pushed the wrong BUTTON answers!!!! Let him sleep!!!!Vote Hillary!!
Posted by: jeleanoro | February 29, 2008 1:07 PM
No sane person would trust this woman with national security. After all, her entire political career has demonstrated an absolute contempt for Americans in uniform: remember the insults her White House staff inflicted upon the military aides? Oh, I forgot - she IS ready on Day One - to fire back a salvo of her famous Hillary cackles! Boogah, boogah!
Posted by: Wolfgang | February 29, 2008 1:09 PM
WOW! Who knew that First Ladies are crisis "tested and ready to lead in a dangerous world?"
Apparently, Hillary didn't just sit around scheduling dinner parties and redecorating the White House while she was First Lady. No, she was in the White House Command Center talking up military commanders and foreign leaders to put out fires all over the world, while Bill and Monica get busy in the coat closet.
Posted by: TJ | February 29, 2008 1:16 PM
Here's the corrected ad:
It’s 3 am and your children are safe and asleep
But there’s a phone in the White House and it’s ringing.
Something’s happening in the world, like in Bosnia maybe.
Your vote will decide who answers that call.
Whether it’s someone who is in the company of a special friend wearing a blue satin dress, someone tested and ready -- well, ready for a lot of things and good at multitasking. It’s 3 am and your children are safe and asleep
Who do you want answering the phone, and how do you want that person to be occupied at the time?
And I used to like the Clintons . . . .
Posted by: Harry Bosch | February 29, 2008 1:18 PM
As much as I think this is ad is bad strategy and dumb, why is Frank James sharing a byline with "Obama response?"
Why not just let the Obama campaign write the Swamp posts from now on, Frank? It'd be more transparent.
Posted by: Jeff | February 29, 2008 1:55 PM
Actually, the question should be its 3 a.m., the white house phone rings, wakes up Hillary and she asks "Where the hell is Bill?"
Posted by: Terry | February 29, 2008 2:04 PM
Jeff:
The reason that is there is because the posting was updated from the original with Obama's response.
Any other dumb questions?
Posted by: BobinATL | February 29, 2008 2:16 PM
I could see Obama picking up the phone and just like he did at the debate when asked a question about a foreign leader that he did not know, look to the true leader Hillary Clinton. She answered and moved on.
Posted by: Peggy Jackson | February 29, 2008 2:23 PM
I know one thing and it's that she's the LAST one I want answering that ringing red phone at 3a.m. Oy vey!!
Posted by: RuthieM | February 29, 2008 2:27 PM
As Hillary Clinton continues to lose ground to Barack Obama in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, the tone of her campaign continues to darken. Increasingly, it seems, Clinton is attempting to battle confidence and hope with cynicism and fear; and in doing so increasingly echoes scare tactics used by the Republicans against all Democrats, including Clinton herself. Now Clinton has injected a new element of fear into the race with a new campaign ad clearly designed to play on voters' fears of terrorism, and to convince "security moms" in particular that Hillary is the only safe choice for President of the United States. To me the ad is most reminiscent of those used earlier by Rudy Giuliani, but it also resembles those used by Bush/Cheney against the the Democrats in 2004. In fact it is Clinton herself who most has reason to fear: Events are quickly slipping out of Clinton's control and leaving her behind, while she tries desperately to hold them back. History demonstrates, however, that this is usually a loser's game.
Posted by: Mark C. Eades | February 29, 2008 3:31 PM
As Hillary Clinton continues to lose ground to Barack Obama in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, the tone of her campaign continues to darken. Increasingly, it seems, Clinton is attempting to battle confidence and hope with cynicism and fear; and in doing so increasingly echoes scare tactics used by the Republicans against all Democrats, including Clinton herself. Now Clinton has injected a new element of fear into the race with a new campaign ad clearly designed to play on voters' fears of terrorism, and to convince "security moms" in particular that Hillary is the only safe choice for President of the United States. To me the ad is most reminiscent of those used earlier by Rudy Giuliani, but it also resembles those used by Bush/Cheney against the the Democrats in 2004. In fact it is Clinton herself who most has reason to fear: Events are quickly slipping out of Clinton's control and leaving her behind, while she tries desperately to hold them back. History demonstrates, however, that this is usually a loser's game.
Posted by: Mark C. Eades | February 29, 2008 3:35 PM
I know my answer to that question is I would want Hillary Clinton to answer that phone! Doesn't matter what time of the day or night, she is the one I would feel most safe with running this country!
The thought of Obama answering that call, scares the crap out of me!!!
Posted by: Carol | February 29, 2008 3:47 PM
FEAR TACTICS-
The Republicans have jammed fear down our throats for 8 years, it is why we are at war. It is why Obama is willing to go into Pakistan (if Pakistan won't do it themselves) without permission to get rid of Al Qaida. It is the reason we have The Patriot Act.
This message says something different to me.
History:
When 9-11 happened, Bush didn't and couldn't respond right away. When Katrina happened he waited days before making a comment or visiting.
I FEAR Bush's lack of response - lack of concern.
Present:
On Super Tuesday, when tornados were hitting the midwest, Clinton responded in her speeches that SAME night. Clinton thanked the voters for battling the storm and gave understanding and sympathy to those who lost homes and loved ones. It took until Wednesday for Obama to notice.
When the motorcycle driver in Clinton's motorcade was killed, Clinton stopped campaigning right away to be with his family.
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It isn't fear that makes me want to know who is answering that call at 3 am. It's compassion and the belief that America deserves better.
Have a Heart - Clinton '08
Posted by: Bubba | February 29, 2008 3:48 PM
JOHN MC CAIN: THE MAIN MAN,TO ANSWER THE PHONE OR EVEN CINDY!! VOTE FOR McCAIN.
HE WILL KEEP THIS USA SAFE. I WAITED AND SO DID MY FAMILY AND WE DECIDED ENOUGH OF THIS DEMOCRATIC GARBAGE...WE WILL VOTE FOR JOHN McCAIN.
PS: CINDY McCAIN WILL BE A BEAUTIFUL FIRST LADY, A LOT LIKE JACKIE KENNEDY.
GOD BE WITH OUR TROOPS AND NO ATTACKS ON THE USA. WITH EITHER OF THE DEMS IN, GOD HELP AMERICA.
Veteranjj
Posted by: JJ | February 29, 2008 4:06 PM
My worst nightmare would be a shrill, emotional Hillary answering the telephone at 3:00 a.m. Good Lord, she can't even stay calm during a debate, let alone a war! Remember, Hillary, a debate is "just words!"
Posted by: tony | February 29, 2008 7:41 PM
Why is Hillary still dressed in a business suit at 3AM? Is she a department story dummy?
Posted by: The Thane of Towson | February 29, 2008 7:42 PM
Which Hillary would answer?
I prefer someone without mood swings, thank you!
Posted by: Barry | February 29, 2008 12:10 PM
Barry: I just saw your blog and burst out laughing! How true!
Posted by: tony | February 29, 2008 7:42 PM
Hillary answering the red phone at 3:00 AM? Not likely, she'd be busy cleaning up the carpet adjacent to the Oval Office, covering up Bill's indescretions.
Seriously, I believe most of America's citizens do NOT want Hillary and Billy anywhere near the White House. I don't think Washington DC is crazy about them hanging around the area. 76% voted Obama, 24% voted Clinton.
I want the President who gets it right the first time - that would be Mr. Obama.
Posted by: NinaK | February 29, 2008 9:23 PM
Hillary answering the red phone at 3:00 AM? Not likely, she'd be busy cleaning up the carpet adjacent to the Oval Office, covering up Bill's indescretions.
Seriously, I believe most of America's citizens do NOT want Hillary and Billy anywhere near the White House. I don't think Washington DC is crazy about them hanging around the area. 76% voted Obama, 24% voted Clinton.
I want the President who gets it right the first time - that would be Mr. Obama.
Posted by: NinaK | February 29, 2008 9:23 PM
HIllary 08!! Check out Jack's NEW "Jack and Hill" video! Jack Nicholson's people just put this on youtube! It's already on "Hillary speaks for ME." Is he going to air this on TV? That would be AWESOME!
Don't worry, it's not scary.
boogie woogie woogie....
Posted by: Katherine | March 1, 2008 5:51 AM