by Mark Silva
Actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon and musician John Legend have teamed up with MoveOn.org to sponsor an "Obama in 30 Seconds” ad contest.
The ad of the winner "will run on national television,'' says MoveOn.org, the political organization that is backing Obama's campaign for president.
"MoveOn.org joined forces today with Academy Award-winners Ben Affleck (pictured at the right), Matt Damon (pictured below) and Oliver Stone, multiple Grammy-winner John Legend and author Naomi Wolf to announce a new ad contest, “Obama in 30 Seconds,'' the group announced today with a star-studded lineup of judges. "The contest provides a platform for Obama supporters to show in 30-second spots what inspires them about the Senator’s candidacy. MoveOn will buy time to run the winning ad on national television. ''
"MoveOn’s ‘Obama in 30 seconds’ ad contest is a chance for everyone, from aspiring filmmakers to armchair pundits, to raise their voices to put Obama over the top and help make history,'' they say.
The competing ads -- to be submitted at the “Obama in 30 Seconds” website -- will be judged by a celebrity panel that includes "Academy Award-winning writer/actor/director Ben Affleck; Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor/director Steve Buscemi; Academy Award-winning writer/actor Matt Damon; progressive hero & future Congresswoman Donna Edwards; musician/activist Michael Franti; actor/musician/director Adrian Grenier; Academy Award-nominated producer Ted Hope; author & civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson; award-winning documentary filmmaker Rory Kennedy; and Grammy-winning recording artist John Legend.''
(Ben Affleck photo, above right, by Peter Kramer / AP. Matt Damon photo, above left, by Sang Tan / AP






Comments
Sounds like a great idea. I'm gonna dress up in drag and crawl down the street like a grizzled leftover from Hillary's Bataan Death March.
"There are people in the party who are very concerned about this turning into some kind of a Bataan Death March."
The Bataan Death March continues!!!
Posted by: Hillary's Death March | March 13, 2008 12:09 PM
Affleck and Damon. Combined IQs, at least 110.
Another reason not to vote for Obama.
Posted by: Capra | March 13, 2008 12:45 PM
Do you think they'll try to show if he's done anything to show he's qualified to be President? What has he accomplished since he's been Senitor? Is Chicag and Illinois better off because of Obama? Will they talk about how many times his name is brought up in court proceding?
Posted by: B | March 13, 2008 1:04 PM
Well Obama will lose in Pennsylvania. Until then hold your horses. Then comes Florida and Michigan.
Posted by: Navin | March 13, 2008 1:18 PM
Journalism at its finest:
The Chicago Tribune offers un-remitting support for one candidate.
So what news will the Tribune ignore or distort to keep the Obamaniacs happy?
Posted by: Dan C | March 13, 2008 1:38 PM
Capra... Matt Damon went to harvard.
Get your facts straight... You sound like your candidate!
Posted by: Adam Lazar | March 13, 2008 1:46 PM
Capra-
Personal attacks are always a good form of getting your viewpoint across. It really enlightens those whose views may be different from yours.
Nice job of beginning a intelligent,emotion-free debate on your concerns.
Posted by: lookyhere | March 13, 2008 1:55 PM
B needs to learn how to spell....instead of trying to crack on somebody!
Posted by: Cheryl | March 13, 2008 3:13 PM
To B:
"Senitor?" Is that something between a Senior and a Senator, perhaps?
It sure takes some "stones" to throw rocks from that glass house of yours.
Posted by: Jennifer | March 13, 2008 4:06 PM
Well, As an Illinois resident for many years, I think B has a point. I can't point to a single Obama accomplishment while he was in the Illinois Legislature. He was reported by the local media to be "well-liked, but no ball of fire"
Posted by: John | March 13, 2008 4:26 PM
Does anyone realy care what these moronic actors think? Affleck's has chased more skirts in Hollywood than most actors. Really showed good judgement in doing so. Damon has never opened his mouth so no one knows if he can think or not. Another Oprah situation where people will try and follow people that are famous but ignorant in normal things. Typical dem's people following celebs because they can't think for them selves.
Posted by: quills | March 13, 2008 4:39 PM
What makes Hillary so qualified to be President? Is it the fact that she was in the White House with Bill Clinton? Using that standard, I guess Monica Lewinsky would be qualified as well.
Posted by: Algis F. Baliunas | March 13, 2008 5:10 PM
Here's my ad Ben,and Matt: I'm Black,and I'd never vote for Barack!!
Posted by: Ron | March 13, 2008 5:11 PM
Recently announced on Jimmy Kimmel, Barrack Obama is also f---ing Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
Posted by: Rod | March 13, 2008 5:45 PM
"Qualified"
sigh.
98% of the American populace wouldn't know Qualifying Criteria for POTUS if it sat in their lap and sang to them.
Seriously, will one of you rabidly anti-Obama Democrats please explain to me what qualifications your candidate has that Obama is missing? Did Hillary run some company I didn't know about? Has she been the champion of all your favorite causes since winning her senate seat? What is she, an astronaut? A surgeon? A Rhodes scholar? What? What is it?!
Because I know everyone's tired of the "race card" and all, but to this white guy it only seems like you anti-Obama Democrats.... just.... don't.... like..... black people.
Posted by: Jeff | March 13, 2008 6:49 PM
Sometimes you wonder about the collective IQ of Hillary supporters. Ben afflect and Matt Damon collective IQ maybe 110, but Hillary's supporters combine IQ: -1000.
Posted by: John | March 13, 2008 7:27 PM
I really dont give a flipping shit about this whole pres. candidate crap. It really doesn't bother me at all. Except that I REALLY don't want Hillary F-ing Clinton and her no-good husband back in the white house. I think Obama would make a great pres. Or maybe McCain. IDK. About Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. I LOVED their little "I'm f-ing..." acts! They were HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! HAHAHAH! I LOVE MATT DAMON AND WISH I COULD HAVE A CRACK AT IT! :-)
Posted by: lisa dunlap | March 13, 2008 9:05 PM
Affleck and Damon. Combined IQs, at least 110.
Another reason not to vote for Obama.
Posted by: Capra | March 13, 2008 12:45 PM
Good enough for Harvard loser.
Posted by: Not Frank Dapra | March 14, 2008 8:29 AM
Though their combined IQ may be a few points shy of Good Will Hunting's, I would surmise that's it's more than enough to render a good judgement.
Posted by: Jean Chevreille | March 14, 2008 11:19 AM
Though their combined IQ may be a few points shy of Good Will Hunting's, I would surmise that's it's more than enough to render a good judgement.
Posted by: Jean Chevreille | March 14, 2008 11:29 AM
I'm ashamed of everyone of you. These stars in using you stardom to try and get someone elected that is NOT READY in case you don't know who I'm talking about it's Obama.You should be ashamed of yourself you need to clean your own closets first. Hillary has done more than he will ever be able to do just because you Obama lover are to blind to see that it's not my fault.
Posted by: tennwoman | March 14, 2008 1:02 PM
It sounds pretty stupid and negligent to me to vote for Obama just "TO MAKE HISTORY". So far, that is ALL he is after -- to make history. America is facing some very serious, gravitas problem and ALL you guys worry about is TO MAKE HISTORY. Get over yourselves!!!!
Posted by: lexi | March 14, 2008 1:35 PM
Hillary supporters are sure showing their IQ.
"Well, As an Illinois resident for many years, I think B has a point. I can't point to a single Obama accomplishment while he was in the Illinois Legislature. He was reported by the local media to be "well-liked, but no ball of fire"
Posted by: John | March 13, 2008 4:26 PM
Try looking harder. Google rocket scientist.
Posted by: Hillary or Monster | March 14, 2008 4:26 PM
HAHAHA! Obama is F***ing Matt Damon! Muwahaaahahahaha! I don't like Obama and this celebrity bit is not enough to get me on the BAMA bandwagon. Do they think we are stupid? OhMyGawsh, Damon and Affleck like Obama, I need to as well. What a bunch of dumb***es.
Posted by: Laughing mine off! | March 15, 2008 2:10 PM
On Second Thought, maybe Matt Damon is f***ing us!!!!!
Posted by: On second thought.... | March 15, 2008 2:14 PM
A Prejudice Free Generation
Posted by: Obama in 30 seconds | April 7, 2008 2:01 AM
Excuse me. The day actors are required to do drug screenings on a regular basis... is the day that I'll listen to their political views! The don't have to live in the real world with the same foot on our necks! Obama attended Muslim classes under another name.
Posted by: jeff parker | July 25, 2008 12:01 PM