MoveOn.org’s “Obamacan” Winning Video

MoveOn.Org sponsored a contest called “Obama in 30 Seconds” in which folks were encouraged to create their own Obama ad. The winning ad would be funded by MoveOn.org to be aired on television as a campaign ad. This is the winning ad.

It’s not a bad ad, but it’s too “2004″ and out of synch with 2008. In 2004, Democrats picked decorated Vietnam veteran John Kerry on an “electability” argument — that he had the right military credentials to compete with Bush while combat operations were going on in Afghanistan and Iraq. This ad is consistent with that kind of message: “I’m a right wing meat-eating gung ho military guy who wants to vote for the Democrat.”

But that’s not Obama’s message and that’s not this year’s message. Hillary’s vote for the Iraq war probably cost her the Democratic nomination. A solid majority of Americans believe Iraq is a mistake and we need to get the troops out sooner rather than later (the minority who want the troops to stay indefinitely are the most committed GOP voters who would never vote for Obama anyway).

This is a change year. This is a year where millions of new voters who normally don’t bother to participate have registered and are motivated to vote. This should be a confident message about why Obama; why now. Not “look at me, I’m a poster child for the GOP who wants to vote for Obama.” I don’t even know why this guy wants to vote for Obama.

Is it harmful? No. Will it help with some voters. Maybe. But it’s a missed opportunity and its out of synch. It’s also not a confident message — it’s too defensive and insecure. It should play to Obama’s strengths in a change year, not to perceived weaknesses.

UPDATE: Actually, this video strikes a better note. It won for being the “Most Original” video in the contest.