Clinton Ad Emphasizes Housing Crisis

Friday, Dec. 28, 2007 | 8 a.m.

TITLE: "President"

LENGTH: 30 seconds

AIRING: Iowa

SCRIPT: Announcer: "What if we had a different president this year? Hillary Clinton called for action on America's housing crisis in March, in June, in August. George Bush and Wall Street did nothing. Since then home prices have plummeted and millions may lose their homes. Hillary's plan: freeze home foreclosures, freeze rates on adjustable mortgages, provide real tax relief for the middle class. When we choose a president next year, let's choose one that would have started fixing our economy this year."

Hillary Rodham Clinton: "I'm Hillary Clinton and I approve this message."

KEY IMAGES: The ad opens with a white screen and the question in black letters, "What if we had a different president this year?" The ad then pans a group of voters talking to Clinton, before flashing scenes of Clinton with microphone in hand addressing crowds while dates of her calls for action on the housing crisis appear and disappear. Footage of houses scroll quickly by, followed by Clinton meeting with groups of people, some waving "Hillary" signs. Another white screen with the words "George Bush did nothing" in black letters. There are more scenes of Clinton meeting with small groups of voters and talking with a woman in a floppy hat on what appears to be a small town main street. The ad concludes with a smiling Clinton looking out on an applauding crowd.

ANALYSIS: Clinton seeks in the ad to contrast herself with an unpopular incumbent president on a pocketbook issue that polls show is an increasing concern for many voters. By suggesting she would have addressed the housing crisis sooner than Bush if she were president, the New York senator and former first lady tries to convey an image of competence and action.

---

On the Net: http://youtube.com/watch?vFCRWiIp46Wc