New Obama Ad: "Dignity"

Barack Obama's campaign has released its second television ad of the general election campaign, "Dignity." The 30-second spot, which will air in 18 states, opens with a focus on the Illinois senator's biography – and includes the sort of centrist rhetoric on welfare that Bill Clinton employed during his presidential run.

"He worked his way through college and Harvard Law," an announcer says at the spot's outset, as black-and-white photos of Obama are shown onscreen. "Turned down big money offers, and helped lift neighborhoods stung by job loss. Fought for workers' rights."

The announcer continues: "He passed a law to move people from welfare to work, slashed the rolls by eighty percent. Passed tax cuts for workers; health care for kids. As president, he'll end tax breaks for companies that export jobs, reward those that create jobs in America. And never forget the dignity that comes from work."

Watch it:

The Democratic Congressional Campaign committee also today launched an ad – a radio spot that uses an impersonator of President Bush to make its point.

As part of its "Independence from Big Oil" campaign, the DCCC will run the spots against 13 House Republicans, suggesting they are aligned with Mr. Bush when it comes to oil policy.

The 60-second spots imply that Mr. Bush – well, someone who sounds like him, anyway – is leaving a message on the Republican congressman's voicemail. (It's pretty obvious, of course, that it's not actually Mr. Bush speaking.)

"Pattie... W here," goes one. "Wanted to thank you for continuing to support the Big Oil Energy Agenda. 'Preciate you voting to keep giving billions in tax breaks to the big oil companies. Sure, gasoline is over four bucks a gallon and the oil companies are making record profits, but what's good for Big Oil is good for America, right? I guess that's why they call us the Grand OIL Party. Heh, heh, heh."

Listen: