Update: The whole video of the presentation can be found below.
Tonight
While it could seal the deal by drumming up enthusiasm and turnout, the hefty price tag may make the appeal look like overkill. Perhaps the historical precedent for primetime appeals softens the feeling of extravagance.
Plus, two demographics — voters in the crucial states of Florida and Pennsylvania — will surely be tuning in at a high rate. The start of the World Series game five, between the Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays, has been postponed from 8:20 to 8:37 p.m., so Fox can carry Obama's address. The special will be shown after the game on the West Coast. If you're tuning in, share your reactions here!
To see the whole video, read more.
Charles Tyrwhitt
Balenciaga
See by Chloe
Don't get me wrong, I love this man with all that I am. But........I got plans.
1I'll watch Tink - then I'll catch him on the Daily Show.
2Does anyone know if it is being streamed on the web? I am currently overseas (military spouse) and don't have access to "regular" network TV. If anyone has a link to where I could catch it that would be awesome! I am really would like to see it!
3scratch "am"
4Oh stephley thanks for the reminder!! But can I take Obama and Stewart on my TV at the same time without my heart exploding?!?!?! I'll be tuning in for that for sure
5I'm much more excited about the Daily Show interview. Not sure what this infomercial will tell us that we haven't already heard.
6I'm watching.
7O.K. I don't have cable...no CNN or Daily Show
so this will do.
8I love infomercials. I'm not even trying to be funny. I will watch them for anything, even reruns. Mops, blenders, ab rollers, make up, stain remover. Seriously, can't get enough. An Obama infomercial combines two of my favorite things!
9we'll tivo it and watch it once the boy is tucked into bed.
10I understand TS. I always love the ones with the food gadgets. Then I see them in Target a few months later.
11I'm watching - I'm come this far, no need to run away now
12Is the price tag overkill? I'm not really familiar with the advertising business. I just assumed it would be accurate, considering that a Super Bowl commercial less than a minute is about a million bucks. I just assumed that a 30-minute commercial would be $3M (or whatever the cost was).
I will probably watch it, but I won't be paying much attention. I made my informed decision months ago, and nothing Obama says tonight will change that.
13Shooger, I don't see anything that specifically says it will be streamed, but isn't CNN's content streamed?
14Agreed. Try the cable news networks' websites, Obama's website, or C-SPAN's website.
15Unfortch, CNN made the decision not to air the TV Special, but they may still have a link to it afterward. I haven't fallen asleep yet, and it comes on it less than 10 minutes, so it looks like I will be a part of the wataching statistic tonight! I had planned to TiVo it and watch it when I wake up later tonight, but I'm up...
16This could be it? It says it's being updated with a stream of the whole thing at 8 ET... Maybe?
17Oh. Maybe right after it's over. I'll keep looking, but that link should have it at some point soon.
18Yeap, I see him now where I'm sitting.
19I'm sure it'll be online right afterwards. It'll be on youtube if nothing else almost right pretty much immediately after it airs.
20I like the concept so far....
21I kind of dug CNN's reasoning behind not showing it though:
"We were approached by the Obama campaign and declined their request. We did not want to pre-empt our programming lineup with a 30-minute spot. We rather use our air to continue to cover the campaign, candidates and issues like we always do from all points of view with the best political team on television."
Even if it does sound like a commercial itself...
22I'm enjoying this! He's giving substance, solutions, and positive ideas. That stuff gets drowned out what you have to campaign based on talking points and short tv ads. So far, so good.
23I'm enjoying the program so far. It's other people speaking, the middle class, single parents, and retired people that are being treated wrong after they left their jobs.
One man just said that he should have gotten $1500 a month, but only recieved $300 a month from his SS. That's sad and this should be taken care of.
24Eliminate spending above the cost of the programs he proposes. You small-government types must like that!!
25Interesting. I'm watching it with someone who produces films and there's something very weird about the whole production of it--whose perspective it's coming from. It's not Obama, because he's an actor in it... there's an omnipotent narrator that we're not seeing, and it comes off a little creepy. I know it's not the point, it's just interesting.
26Liberty, how are you watching? It's only 5:20 in California...
27The magic of MSNBC! It's on there now. Sorry, I'm not Liberty, I just like knowing answers.
28This is much better than I was expecting.
29It is great! I am really liking it.
30If I thought he might actually stand up and honestly explain the influence that his relationships with people like Reverend Wright and Bill Ayers have had on his policies, then I would watch it. If I thought he might explain exactly who he is going to give all of the extra tax dollars he plans to take from me, tell me how that is not socialism, and how he can justify that, then I would watch it. But there's no chance of that. Instead it will be 30 minutes of Mr. Personality flashing his pretty smile, lying through his teeth and avoiding the issues that he would rather just not talk about. I think he's a liar and a phony, and I'll pass on this comedy show.
31He has changed the game of campaigns forever - Go Obama!
32I still don't have a problem with the program. I don't care who the narrator is. It seems nice to see.
33I just put the whole video in the story if you haven't seen it yet.
34Go Bami - it's your birthday!!
35Well I think Obama convinced Chris Matthews
36I hope the train gets me home on time -- I'm in cali too -- I'm dying!!
37I don't think the point of this program was to mention McCain's name, bash him, and his associates, and Barack and his guest did NOT do that.
The program was not for Barack to go on and on for 30 minutes trying to convince people of why he was or is still friends with people like Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers and etc... that's not only old but there are more important matters to discuss at this point.
This was a chance for a few middle class people to tell their short stories / problems while Barack spoke briefly here and there about what he could do to change their situation for the better, along with millions of other American's with problems.
Barack stayed on topic. He made his statements very brief, and straight to the point when it comes to his views....Great job Barack!!
38By any chance did any of these people explain why I should give more of my hard-earned money to them?
39prncssann1,
Are you psychic or something?
How can you possibly know what
he will say or do?
Your inability to be open minded
40speaks volumes.
i think it was well done. and i hope it sways a few voters.
41"that's not only old but there are more important matters to discuss at this point"
Spoken like a true liberal. Why answer the question when you can just dodge it with some lame excuse!
42prncssann: they weren't asking for your hard earned money... they were explaining that they (like you, like all of us) have seen food, energy and health care prices go up, and opportunities disappear, over the past 8 years. obama then explained how he will address these problems through policy change. it was very clear and direct. too bad you missed it!
43prncssann1,
Are you psychic or something?
How can you possibly know what
he will say or do?
Your inability to be open minded
speaks volumes.
I've been watching this top-notch full of b.s. man for the last year, and I had doubt that he wasn't going to be any different tonight.
Can someone please explain to me why I should have to give my hard-earned money to someone who hasn't earned it?
44I'm curious -- prncssann1 - are you making more than $250K
45Maybe they didn't come right out and ask for it, but they obviously support Obama and his plan to take it from me. I just want to know why and how that is fair, that's all. Was that answered?
46Barack didn't dodge any questions. He set forth a program for a reason. And it was to have a few middle class, retired people in trouble, and others speak, just before he he did with a solution as to possibly solve their problems.
In no way did Barack pay for this program to discuss his associates or John McCain. He's done that already. It was time to hear some stories from some hard working American's in crisis and we did.
47Between my husband and I yes, we are. And trust me we earn it. We both paid for our own education (through scholarships and working full-time while going to school). We both work very hard and earn ever dollar we make. And I'm not trying to be a snob, I'm just asking for an explanation as to why Mr. Obama feels it would be fair to punish my husband and I for our hard work and effort.
48If you work -- you earn it can't say that for some -- but I'm sure we all earn it.
You're not being punished -- he's restoring the Clinton tax cuts -- and we all prospered did we not under Clinton.
49Oooh! Thanks for 'splainin, Citizen. And yes, nothing better than being able to answer someone's question. So satisfying!
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