by Naftali Bendavid
Seems that phone at the White House won't stop ringing in the middle of the night.
Several weeks ago, a Clinton campaign commercial that showed a phone ringing at the White House at 3 a.m., with news of a national security crisis, was credited with helping Clinton win the Texas and Ohio primaries. The TV spot was much-discussed (and much parodied), and the Clinton campaign was pleased enough that it is now introducing a similar ad focusing on economic security.
Here'a script, provided by the campaign:
Announcer: It’s 3 am, and your children are safe and asleep.
But there’s a phone ringing in the White House and this time the crisis is economic.
Home foreclosures mounting, markets teetering.
John McCain just said the government shouldn’t take any real action on the housing crisis, he’d let the phone keep ringing.
Hillary Clinton has a plan to protect our homes, create jobs.
It’s 3 am, time for a president who’s ready.
Hillary Clinton: I’m Hillary Clinton and I approve this message.
After the original ad, news organizations did some reporting that suggested that has rarely if ever been a national security crisis requiring immediate presidential action in the middle of the night. Luminaries like Henry Kissinger (admittedly a John McCain supporter) said they could not remember such an occasion.
Surely the same criticism will be made, with even greater force, when it comes to an economic crisis. After all, it's difficult to imagine an urgent need to create jobs at 3 a.m., and most home foreclosures and market crises presumably take place during the day.
It's also hard not to wonder how much further the Clinton campaign can take this. Maybe the next ad will focus on global warming. "There's a phone ringing in the White House," the announcer will warn ominously. "And this time the crisis is environmental."
Still, Clinton's real point, one assumes, is that she is better equipped than Barack Obama to handle urgent, complex threats, whether military or economic. And there's little doubt the ads memorably convey their message. It remains to be seen if this latest version will resonate with Pennsylvania voters, who go to the polls April 22.
Aides to Clinton defended their choice to run an ad targeting not the Democratic rival but the presumptive Republican one. The ad is designed to express two points of Clinton’s current three-point argument, said communications director Howard Wolfson. First, who is ready to be commander in chief? And who would be the best steward of the economy?
But “the real issue here,” he said, “is, who will be the best person to take on Senator McCain?”
McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds responded, “John McCain is ready to lead with a pro-growth economic plan to lower taxes, cut government spending, empower America's entrepreneurs and get our economy back on track. Americans can’t afford the Democrats' liberal agenda to raise taxes, nationalize health care, cut off trade and crush the economy under big government.”
As in the original ad, which was universally known as the "red phone" ad, you'll note that the phone on the screen is in fact white. And as in the first ad, President Hillary Clinton looks remarkably well-dressed and put together for having just been woken from a 3 a.m. slumber.
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Comments
Coming to a Super-Delegate near you!
A Mark Penn production
"Hillary Dodges Sniper Fire in Bosnia"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It6JN7ALF7Y
Posted by: check-mate | April 2, 2008 4:48 PM
Clinton - NAFTA-gate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BrPZYbCdJ4&eurl=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/1/85359/24244
Posted by: Vince Foster lives | April 2, 2008 4:50 PM
Hillary's letting the phone ring off the hook: Democrats everywhere want her to drop out of the race, but she won't take the call.
Should she drop out? Vote here:
http://www.dropouthillary.org/
Sign a petition asking her to withdraw today
Posted by: Drop Out Hillary! | April 2, 2008 4:57 PM
1 - The phone never rings for a US economic crisis @ 3am... the markets are closed
2 - The last time the phone rang, we found out snipers were on the other end...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHVEDq6RVXc
3 - The phone is probably ringing to tell Hillary to Drop Out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXmYVRIpu2w
Posted by: Monica Lewinsky | April 2, 2008 5:01 PM
Hillary needs to stop answering the phone in the middle of the night and get some sleep! The last time she was sleep deprived, she thought there were snipers firing at her!
If she manages the US economy as well as she manages her campaign funds - the 3 a.m. call will be from the bill collectors.
Also, when gets up at 3 a.m. to answer the phone, she'll realize that Bill still hasn't returned from his "quick trip to the store to get twinkies and pork rinds" - and then TMZ will spot him at a club with Paris Hilton.
Posted by: Ma Bell | April 2, 2008 5:23 PM
Senator Clinton *lost* in Texas.
Posted by: Cheryl | April 2, 2008 5:24 PM
The reason that Hillary will not win this nomination is because she is completely unoriginal. Rehashing the same commercial,but trying to equate it to the economy is at best moronic.It's 3AM and you are getting really tired Mr.Clinton. Have a glass of milk and go to sleep. There is someone else taking care of the country.
Posted by: Ron | April 2, 2008 5:41 PM
Is this a joke?
Who on earth calls the president directly at three o'clock in the morning to tell them what they already knew when going to bed? Is Clinton going to send out immedate shopping squads to hit WalMart (who else is open at 3am?) and stimulate the economy before my alarm goes off?
Ridiculous.
Posted by: Jeff V. | April 2, 2008 6:10 PM
Okay, so the Hillary people say she has a plan. Don’t keep us in the dark. What is it already? Inquiring minds want to know.
This just highlights another defect in Hillary’s approach to campaign rhetoric, to wit: Toss something out there that looks like a campaign promise and stay really thin on the details. Heavens! We can’t suffer criticism of the details, and everyone is too stupid to understand them anyway, so don’t bother.
Posted by: John W. | April 2, 2008 6:30 PM
"AT&T GIPHONEHOME CALLING CARDS SPEAK"
IT'S 3AM AND NO ONE IS HOME.
IT'S 3AM AND THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT IS HOME.
IT'S 3AM AND I HAVEN'T BEEN HOME IN FIVE YEARS.
IT'S 3AM AND MY WIFE DOESN'T REMEMBER WHO I AM.
IT'S 3AM AND I'M IN IRAQ AND I STILL DON'T HAVE BODY ARMOR OR CLEAN WATER.
IT'S 3AM AND IT'S HALLIBURTON AND DICK CHENEY ANSWERED THE PHONE.
PSYCH IT WAS A SOLDIER TESTING TO SEE IF ANYONE WAS IN THE WHITE HOUSE TO ANSWER THE "CALL TO DUTY" AT ALL.
IT'S 3AM EVERYWHERE AND NOT ENOUGH GAS TO GET TO PHONE. NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY MILK FOR STRONG BONES TO ANSWER THE PHONE.
NOT ENOUGH WHEAT & FLOUR TO EVEN THINK ABOUT ANSWER THE PHONE.
IT'S 3AM AND IT'S THE "NIE" REPORT.
HEY I GOT THAT.
I SAID I GOT IT DICK!
Posted by: Roger Morris | April 2, 2008 7:50 PM
I much prefered the clean and classic blue of the old site. The gothic serpent logo is quite cool, but without the gravitas of the previous look. And your site still lacks basic utility like being able to consistently preview your post in preview and a reasonable posting pace.
On point, the entire 3 a.m. concept is breathlessly inane. Its so "24." There is nothing the president could or would be able to do at 3 am to manage a financial crisis occuring overseas (otherwise the markets are closed). Since we are at "war" with "terrorism," and that war on terrorism is essentially as broad as necessary to accomodate any action the executive branch takes (at least as far as the Bush Administration is concerned, and very likely in the case of a Clinton II Administration), I don't think that the president would need authorization to respond directly and immediately to a sneak attack or terrorist attack overseas.
Furthermore, if there really WAS a 3 am call, the person I would want answering the phone would be the calmest, the coolest and the most collected. That man is clearly Barack Obama. Not only has he continued to be cool as a cucumber throughout this idiotic Wright controversy (but good lord is he an awful bowler),but he has the type of analytical world view that will keep him from making the kind of major "miscalculations," like invading and occupying Iraq.
Far more BAD decisions are made at 3 am than good ones. Sleep on it.
Posted by: Jones | April 2, 2008 9:52 PM
Someone needs to unplug Hillary's phone!
Posted by: John D | April 2, 2008 11:44 PM
YOU MIGHT BE AN IDIOT:-)
If you think Barack Obama with little or no experience would be better than Hillary Clinton with 35 years experience.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience can fix an economy on the verge of collapse better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) led the greatest economic expansion, and prosperity in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience fighting for universal health care can get it for you better than Hillary Clinton. Who anticipated this current health care crisis back in 1993, and fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds to get universal health care for all the American people.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience can manage, and get us out of two wars better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) went to war only when he was convinced that he absolutely had to. Then completed the mission in record time against a nuclear power. AND DID NOT LOSE THE LIFE OF A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER. NOT ONE!
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience saving the environment is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) left office with the greatest amount of environmental cleanup, and protections in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with little or no education experience is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) made higher education affordable for every American. And created higher job demand and starting salary's than they had ever been before or since.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience will be better than Hillary Clinton who spent 8 years at the right hand of President Bill Clinton. Who is already on record as one of the greatest Presidents in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that you can change the way Washington works with pretty speeches from Obama, rather than with the experience, and political expertise of two master politicians ON YOUR SIDE like Hillary and Bill Clinton..
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think all those Republicans voting for Obama in the Democratic primaries, and caucuses are doing so because they think he is a stronger Democratic candidate than Hillary Clinton. :-)
Best regards
jacksmith...
Posted by: jacksmith | April 3, 2008 1:14 AM
DON'T BE DUPED !!!
Large numbers of Republicans have been voting for Barack Obama in the DEMOCRATIC primaries, and caucuses from early on. Because they feel he would be a weaker opponent against John McCain. And because they feel that a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ticket would be unbeatable. And also because with a Clinton and Obama ticket you are almost 100% certain to get quality, affordable universal health care very soon.
But first, all of you have to make certain that Hillary Clinton takes the democratic nomination and then the Whitehouse. NOW! is the time. THIS! is the moment you have all been working, and waiting for. You can do this America. “Carpe diem” (harvest the day).
I think Hillary Clinton see’s a beautiful world of plenty for all. She is a woman, and a mother. And it’s time America. Do this for your-selves, and your children’s future. You will have to work together on this and be aggressive, relentless, and creative. Americans face an even worse catastrophe ahead than the one you are living through now.
You see, the medical and insurance industry mostly support the republicans with the money they ripped off from you. And they don’t want you to have quality, affordable universal health care. They want to be able to continue to rip you off, and kill you and your children by continuing to deny you life saving medical care that you have already paid for. So they can continue to make more immoral profits for them-selves.
Hillary Clinton has actually won by much larger margins than the vote totals showed. And lost by much smaller vote margins than the vote totals showed. Her delegate count is actually much higher than it shows. And higher than Obama’s. She also leads in the electoral college numbers that you must win to become President in the November national election. HILLARY CLINTON IS ALREADY THE TRUE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE!
As much as 30% of Obama's primary, and caucus votes are Republicans trying to choose the weakest democratic candidate for McCain to run against. These Republicans have been gaming the caucuses where it is easier to vote cheat. This is why Obama has not been able to win the BIG! states primaries. Even with Republican vote cheating help.
Hillary Clinton has been out manned, out gunned, and out spent 4 and 5 to 1. Yet Obama has only been able to manage a very tenuous, and questionable tie with Hillary Clinton.
If Obama is the democratic nominee for the national election in November he will be slaughtered. Because the Republican vote cheating help will suddenly evaporate. All of this vote fraud and republican manipulation has made Obama falsely look like a much stronger candidate than he really is. YOUNG PEOPLE. DON’T BE DUPED! Think about it. You have the most to lose.
The democratic party needs to fix this outrage. I suggest a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ticket. Everyone needs to throw all your support to Hillary Clinton NOW! So you can end this outrage against YOU the voter, and against democracy.
I think Barack Obama has a once in a life time chance to make the ultimate historic gesture for unity, and change in America by accepting Hillary Clinton’s offer as running mate. Such an act now would for ever seal Barack Obama’s place at the top of the list of Americas all time great leaders, and unifiers for all of history.
The democratic party, and the super-delegates have a decision to make. Are the democrats, and the democratic party going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee to fight for the American people. Or are the republicans going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee through vote fraud, and gaming the DEMOCRATIC party primaries, and caucuses.
Fortunately the Clinton’s have been able to hold on against this fraudulent outrage with those repeated dramatic comebacks of Hillary Clinton’s. Only the Clinton’s are that resourceful, and strong. Hillary Clinton is your NOMINEE. They are the best I have ever seen.
“This is not a game” (Hillary Clinton)
Sincerely
jacksmith...
Posted by: jacksmith | April 3, 2008 1:28 AM
Senator Clinton was the only one of the three remaining Presidential Candidates that was addressing the mortgage crisis at the beginning of last year.
The other two candidate were Johnny come latelys.
Her plan to help the mortgage industry and reduce foreclosures is the best!
By the way ...CHERYL...you were wrong Obama DID NOT win Texas.
The Texas Caucus won't be over until we get to the State Convention in June. FYI - Obama has actually LOST delegates if you compare the results from this past weekends caucus to the one held on March 4th, you will see a trend downward.
However, Hillary DID win the Primary (Popular Vote) on March 4th.
By the way she not only won the Primary she made history by receiving the most votes ever by a Democrat during the Primary season.
Posted by: ann | April 3, 2008 2:51 AM
What is that, the clue phone?
If a president needs someone to call her in the middle of the night to inform her that there's an economic crisis that's hithertofore gone unnoticed by her, someone's been sleeping on the job!
Ring, ring, ring. . .
Hillary: Hello?
Wall Street: Mme. President, did you know that the stock market just crashed today and people are out in the street rioting?
Hillary: Oh really? Uh, thanks for bringing that to my attention. I'll get right on it!
Posted by: the wee small hours | April 3, 2008 8:17 AM
Its 3am, and Monica is scurrying out the door! Bill is pulling up his pajamas and Hilary is shooting her 9mm in the air like Rambo.
Posted by: Keith Lifetime Chicagoan and Southsider | April 3, 2008 8:41 AM
Senator Clinton can't even manage her campaign finances. She's racked up massive debt during this campaign, even failing to pay her former high school $9,000 for a campaign event two months ago until the story broke this week.
If she can't manage the economy of her own campaign, I see no reason why we would consider trusting her with the economy of the United States.
Posted by: Jim in PA | April 3, 2008 9:01 AM
Hillary needs to answer the phone and realize the game is over....no OT, no second chance....give it up ...typical ...just can not take no for an answer..
Posted by: tj | April 3, 2008 9:14 AM
Its ringing that early because its Monica.
Posted by: Keith Lifetime Chicagoan and Southsider | April 3, 2008 9:33 AM
It's 3 AM at the Clinton White House. The only call would be to Bill Clinton from some Monica Lewinsky type.
Posted by: Algis | April 3, 2008 9:52 AM
Since when is it our government's responsibility to bail everyone out of their respective personal financial crises? You know what? A large stock holding of mine plunged more than 25% last quarter -- Help! Hillary, I need a bail-out!! Raise taxes and send me some cash!
I swear, "Democrat" and "personal responsibility" are rapidly becoming antonyms. God help us if these socialists succeed in taking office this fall...
Posted by: Robert | April 3, 2008 9:54 AM
What a bad idea for a commercial if you are a Hillary supporter. Let me get this straight: 3:00 a.m. and the phone rings and McCain would let it ring, but Hillary would answer it. When she answers it, she finds out the economy is tanking? I really would hope she would have better advisers than that and a call at 3:00 a.m. wouldn't be needed. It would only prove she was disconnected from reality and McCain already knew about it and didn't need a special call.
Posted by: Chgosaint | April 3, 2008 9:59 AM
Hillary gave one of her most touching speeches the other day, it brought tears to my eyes and made me even more proud to be an American.
God bless Hillary!!!
Click here to see this speech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU
Posted by: Kcir llor | April 3, 2008 10:10 AM
The only call she's gonna get at 3AM is from Bill looking for a ride home!
Or from the SS letting her know which tramp Bill hooked up with for the night.
The nightmare begins at 3AM.
Posted by: joe | April 3, 2008 10:24 AM
Hillary:
It's 3:00 AM.
The phone is ringing at the White House.
It's a cell phone call from another high school girl showing the picture she took with your hubby Bill Clinton hannging over her shoulder. Creepy!
We need another 4 years of this!?!?
Posted by: groucho | April 3, 2008 11:17 AM
The 3:00 AM phone call for Hillary is from another high school girl who took a picture on her cell phone with Bill Clinton hanging over her shoulder!
Posted by: groucho | April 3, 2008 11:33 AM
3.00AM, and Hillary Rambo Clinton, The Heroine of Tuzla answers the phone, still dressed in a Pantsuit and wearing a string of Pearls. Is that her sleepwear, or does she never go to bed.
Posted by: Liam | April 3, 2008 11:45 AM
Dude... .Jacksmith... seriously???
You've been posting that same, tired crap for.... what?.... 3 months now? Every single thread.... same senseless crap.
You are the perfect Hillary supporter. I'll bet you think this second 3am commercial is brilliant! It just rehashes the same stupid, illogical, debunked theory the first commercial stated. You and this ad are the reason why her campaign has been such an unmitigated disaster. It's the neverending righteous insistance on forcing blatantly faulty, negative talking points on the electorate that is driving people away, not winning them over.
Anyway.. please, keep posting that tired crap. You're just doing Obama a favor.
Posted by: crafty b | April 3, 2008 12:21 PM
If JackSmith would stop calling me an idiot and read his post he might notice that it's Bill he's hyping, not his wife Hillary, the current candidate. Who's the idiot?
Posted by: william | April 3, 2008 1:14 PM
Does any business or emergency happen during the day? Seems to me that any president answering the telephone at 3 a.m., fully dressed, with pearl necklace and earrings in place, might need a reality check. Billary has never been known for her veracity.
Posted by: SKM | April 3, 2008 1:52 PM
hillary answering the phone at three am, hello" who is this? lover boy? lover boy? yes!!! what are you wearing? WHAT!!!! is this a obsene call? no! i love you! nobody loves me" how did you get this number? gypsy rose lees black book!!!! from deranged ted i bet? so you want to know what i'am wearing" yes please my wonderful" just my boots!! just your boots" oh hillary your so so sexy" well thank you so ever much" you see i'am always ready to saddle up!!! i could talk for ever with you!!! now please i'am a very busy women" oh please can we meet? well i don't know about that, please" please" well i i guess i can find a little time for you" oh rodman" hillary! now now calm down now please!!! you know these boots are made for walking" and thats just what i'am going to do" these boots are going to walk all over you!!! hillary rodman i love YOU" thank you ever so much!!! now i can go back to sleep thank you!! well thats my job as the firstlady it's to please! but but it's going to cost you 2500 dollars! oh hillary it's worth it" so ever much! say can i have obama's number? why? ia'm a double shooter!!! well i guess, but i can only give you his car phone, why? because his wife might answer at home!!!! the 3 am rodman hot line!!! independent. michigan little big horn amen.
Posted by: frank l kinney | April 4, 2008 10:16 AM