Is Obama Readying TV Ad Blitz?

[jefferson_dem]

May 10, 2007
Is Obama Readying TV Ad Blitz?
Is Sen. Barack Obama thinking about a major television ad blitz?

Democratic media buyers say that Obama’s media team asked television stations in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada about available ad time and rates.

Robert Gibbs, an Obama spokesman, said the inquiries were "routine" exercises and should not be interpreted as signaling that an actual buy is imminent. He said the media team asked about rates through the end of the year.

Obama’s media team is led by strategist David Axelrod and includes veteran Dem ad-crafter Jim Margolis. Asking about buying time does not mean that time will be bought, but campaigns are generally aware that once they talk to TV stations about purchasing time, their intentions become public.

Sen. Hillary Clinton commands handsome leads in all national polls and leads in three out of the four early primary states. The exception is Iowa, where ex-Sen, John Edwards consistently outpolls the Democratic field. Obama’s team was cheered by a recent Wall Street Journal poll question which suggested that of those Democrats paying close attention to the primary horse race, Obama had the most support.

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http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/05/is_obama_readyi.html

[David Dunham]

1. Obama's been fading in the polls. Bye, bye

[Dawgs]

2. Hmm, last week Obama was rising and Hillary was fading.

It's over seven months before anyone actually votes and you're declaring it over.

Seems like someone is pretty hopeful.

[wyldwolf]

5. hmmm... not so.

[rinsd]

4. Bye bye? Its 8 months until IA.

Jeezzz

[thoughtcrime1984]

6. Keep posting empty-headed blither

it doesn't make it so

[Colobo]

7. You seriously have it against Obama, don't ya?

[bigdarryl]

8. Latest polls i have seen he leads all republicans including Fred Thompson who is ....

supposed to be the next Reagan

[zulchzulu]

10. Are you a bettin' man?

I have a grand ready and would love to wager that Obama is the nominee...put your money where your mouth is.

[Colobo]

11. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Bring it ON!!!

[IA_Seth]

3. I recently participated in an anonymous focus group...

..that was put together by a local research firm. There were 30 of us, all of us active Dems from the Cedar Rapids metro area, that watched Obama ads (from both his early State runs, his Senate run, and his 08 run), speeches, and interviews and were asked to identify what qualities were the most interesting, the most disappointing, the most inspriring, etc. It was fairly in-depth and was followed by a lot of discussion amongst the group (all while being video taped and watched through one-way mirrors).

Overall, almost the entire 30 in the group were positive toward Obama. We also watched brief clips of Clinton and Edwards, which suprisingly enough were not as well met. (suprising in the fact that Edwards has been polling fairly consistently here) In fact, the Edwards piece (a few speeches and his we-the-people ad) specifically caused the room to be split almost down the middle with those that are in favor of his campaign and it's tactics, and those that felt he was pandering.

I guess my point is that I had assumed this was paid for by Obama, and it would certainly make sense that if he is judging what Iowans think of his various speeches/ads that they are working to create an ad campaign for the state. I think he'll do very well here.

[Colobo]

9. Glad to hear about this!

[IA_Seth]

12. I should add..

That a good share were actually leaning toward the "tier 2" candidates.

Either way, I believe this is good news for Obama, because a majority of the crowd was yet undecided, they all seemed positive toward Obama, while coming across as very divided on Hillary and Edwards. Obama has an opportunity to really draw a lot of support from candidates that step out.

Also, I am a Clark supporter in-waiting, and consider myself completely undecided should he not run...just thought I'd throw that out so people realized this wasnt a biased report.

[illinoisprogressive]

13. that is fascinating. I think you should write up a full post on your experience

Just to let people know what it is like to take part in a focus group. I'd like to hear how it's done and everything.