Barack’s Infomercial: Brilliant Stroke

It worked. Big time. The decision to invest in a half-hour of precious TV time six days before the election was a gamble. But as a closing argument, targeted to undecided and leaning voters, it succeeded in framing the message and the Obama narrative that has been out there for the past two years.

This was all about real families struggling in this economic meltdown — not sound-bite, so-called plumbers with book and singing contracts. It was also very much about a candidate with ideas and vision and leadership that we have not seen in years.

This was about big ideas and real problems that Americans face, not petty attacks or lowest-common-denominator politics. This lifted us up from the drivel that we are getting from Palin and McCain on Ayers, Wright and some Middle East professor. Another day, another stupid cheap shot from Palin-McCain and Fox-Snooze.

This half-hour appealed to the best in our country, not the worst. It was almost a page from the old political books of Kennedy and Reagan, from the opening shots of wheat fields to the stories of Americans to the strong, vibrant leader who believes we can change this country.

The contrasts in style and approach could not be clearer. Several weeks ago, I suggested that McCain dump his 100 percent negative ad campaign and have several 30-minute town meetings all across the country. Televise them, two or three times a week. Change the dialogue. This campaign is about big things, so why not shift from the Rove hit-style politics and move it to another level?

At the end of the day, as throughout this campaign, it was Obama who kept his eye on the ball and showed strength and character and content. It is Obama whom those watching could see as their president, their commander in chief, their leader. It all came together in one fine half-hour program that moved beautifully through what America is all about.