Another Obama Ad Takes Very Serious Tone

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The Obama campaign has released another long-form ad in which Obama speaks directly to the camera for the entire duration. It’s below. As you probably know, they released a rare two-minute ad a little over a week ago; some said the serious tone was appropriate for the grave economic subject matter covered within, others said it was unwatchably boring. Two observations on the new ad:

(1) The Obama campaign obviously believes that the first ad worked. Their internal polling must show that, at the moment, Americans see Obama as the more steady and presidential of the two candidates. Don’t expect any fireworks from Obama at the debate on Friday.

(2) This is what having $77.5 million on hand will do for you. You can move beyond the standard 30-second format in your advertising.

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DEFEND THE TRUTH. DEFEND JOURNALISM.

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

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