- Sun. July 5, 2009
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2008 Ad Spotlight Archive
The airwaves have been inundated this cycle with political messages ranging from point-by-point policy explanations to down-and-dirty attack ads.
The frenzy began in February 2007 with Mitt Romney's first ad, continued in earnest as Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton fought it out for the Democratic nod, and reached a fever pitch as Obama won a hard-fought battle over John McCain in the general election campaign. Meanwhile, candidates for the 35 Senate seats, hotly contested House races and 11 gubernatorial seats up for grabs this year struggled to be heard over the din of the White House race.
Ad Spotlight compiles NationalJournal.com's complete 2008 ad coverage, sorted by White House, Senate, House, Governor and Issues ads. Our downballot coverage will focus on toss-up or vulnerable seats, so not all races are listed below. For a comprehensive list of '08 races, see our Campaign Tracker.
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2008 White House Ads
JOHN MCCAIN
- John McCain For President: "Freedom" (11/03/08)
- John McCain For President: "Crist" (10/31/08)
- John McCain For President: "Obama Praising McCain" (10/31/08)
- John McCain For President/Republican National Committee: "Cuts" (10/31/08)
- Republican National Committee: "Surgeon" (10/30/08)
BARACK OBAMA
- Barack Obama For President: "Delighted" (11/03/08)
- Barack Obama For President: "Rearview Mirror" (10/31/08)
- Barack Obama For President: "Something" (10/31/08)
- Barack Obama For President: "Tested" (10/29/08)
- Barack Obama For President: "Better Off" (10/29/08)
THIRD-PARTY ADS
- Our Country Deserves Better PAC: "Dictators Mock Obama's Ignorance" (10/30/08)
- BornAliveTruth.org: "Gianna Responds" (10/29/08)
- Association Of Community Organizations For Reform Now: "Not This Time" (10/29/08)
- National Republican Trust PAC: "He Never Complained Once" (10/28/08)
- Campaign Money Watch Political Fund: "Gambling" (10/28/08)
White House Primary Ads -- Democrats
JOSEPH BIDEN
- Joseph Biden For President: "Office" (1/2/08)
- Joseph Biden For President: "January Night" (1/2/08)
- Joseph Biden For President: "Cathedral" (8/20/07)
- Joseph Biden For President: "Security" (8/20/07)
HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
- Hillary Rodham Clinton For President: "17 Million" (6/2/08)
- Hillary Rodham Clinton For President: "Only One" (5/29/08)
- American Leadership Project: "Squeezed -- Montana" (5/29/08)
- Hillary Rodham Clinton For President: "Responsibility" (5/28/08)
- Hillary Rodham Clinton For President: "What's Right" (5/20/08)
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CHRISTOPHER DODD
- Christopher Dodd For President: "Getting Results For Change" (10/24/07)
- Christopher Dodd For President: "Amazing Grace" (6/12/07)
- Christopher Dodd For President: "Split" (6/12/07)
- Christopher Dodd For President: "Global" (6/1/07)
- Christopher Dodd For President: "It Worked" (5/23/07)
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JOHN EDWARDS
- John Edwards For President: "What Happened" (1/23/08)
- John Edwards For President: "Beats" (1/16/08)
- John Edwards For President: "Ban" (1/16/08)
- John Edwards For President: "Dime" (1/16/08)
- John Edwards For President: "Deal" (1/16/08)
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BARACK OBAMA
- Barack Obama For President: "Message" (5/29/08)
- Barack Obama For President: "Achieve" (5/29/08)
- Barack Obama For President: "Straight" (5/27/08)
- Barack Obama For President: "Listening" (5/27/08)
- Barack Obama For President: "He Understands Us" (5/19/08)
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BILL RICHARDSON
- Bill Richardson For President: "A Way Out" (1/02/08)
- Bill Richardson For President: "All Out" (12/20/07)
- Bill Richardson For President: "Guts" (12/13/07)
- Bill Richardson For President: "Bold Plan" (11/28/07)
- Bill Richardson For President: "When I Began" (10/31/07)
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White House Primary Ads -- Republicans
RUDY GIULIANI
- Rudy Giuliani For President: "Clear" (1/29/08)
- Rudy Giuliani For President: "Un Plan" (1/22/08)
- Rudy Giuliani For President: "Jumpstart" (1/17/08)
- Rudy Giuliani For President: "Liderazgo" (1/17/08)
- Rudy Giuliani For President: "Comisionada Sosa Y Alcalde Robaina" (1/17/08)
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MIKE HUCKABEE
- Mike Huckabee For President: "Common Sense" (1/28/08)
- Victims Voice: "Carol Sue" (1/11/08)
- Mike Huckabee For President: "Understanding" (1/11/08)
- Mike Huckabee For President: "Start Now" (1/3/08)
- Mike Huckabee For President: "Tax Cuts Matter" (1/3/08)
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JOHN MCCAIN
- Democratic National Committee: "100" (4/29/08)
- Democratic National Committee: "Better Off?" (4/23/08)
- Ohio Democratic Party: "More Of The Same" (4/21/08)
- John McCain For President: "Trust" (2/4/08)
- John McCain For President: "True Conservative" (2/4/08)
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RON PAUL
- Ron Paul For President: "Troops" (1/8/08)
- Ron Paul For President: "Defender Of Freedom" (1/4/08)
- Ron Paul For President: "Immigration" (1/3/08)
- Ron Paul For President: "Health Care -- TV" (12/13/07)
- Ron Paul For President: "No Income Tax" (12/12/07)
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MITT ROMNEY
- Mitt Romney For President: "Falls Short" (2/4/08)
- Mitt Romney For President: "Winning Combination" (1/29/08)
- Mitt Romney For President: "Chairs" (1/22/08)
- Mitt Romney For President: "Mi Padre" (1/22/08)
- Mitt Romney For President: "Conservative Change" (1/22/08)
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TOM TANCREDO
- Tom Tancredo For President: "Consequences" (12/5/07)
- Tom Tancredo For President: "Tough On Terror -- TV" (11/14/07)
- Tom Tancredo For President: "Tough On Terror -- Radio" (11/14/07)
FRED THOMPSON
- Fred Thompson For President: "Always" (1/15/08)
- Fred Thompson For President: "Substance" (1/3/08)
- Fred Thompson For President: "Marie" (11/28/07)
- Fred Thompson For President: "Service" (11/28/07)
- Fred Thompson For President: "No Amnesty" (11/15/07)
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TOMMY THOMPSON
- Tommy Thompson For President: "Immigration" (7/17/07)
- Tommy Thompson For President: "Iraq" (6/13/07)
2008 Senate Ads
ALASKA
- Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee: "Maverick?" (10/8/08)
- Vic Vickers For Senate: "Raid" (8/7/08)
COLORADO
- Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee: "Silent Bob" (9/23/08)
- National Republican Senatorial Committee: "Record" (9/18/08)
- Club For Growth: "Property" (9/18/08)
- National Republican Senatorial Committee: "Shifting Sand" (9/11/08)
- American Future Fund: "Crippling" (8/25/08)
IDAHO
- Jim Risch For Senate: "Jim Risch Just Gets Things Done" (10/30/08)
- Larry LaRocco For Senate: "Divert" (10/23/08)
- Jim Risch For Senate: "Bold New Leadership" (8/18/08)
- Larry LaRocco For Senate: "Change" (8/11/08)
KENTUCKY
- Bruce Lunsford For Senate: "Hillary" (10/30/08)
- Bruce Lunsford For Senate: "How Are You Doing?" (8/25/08)
- Bruce Lunsford For Senate: "McCONned" (8/18/08)
- Mitch McConnell For Senate: "Ever Wonder?" (8/18/08)
- Mitch McConnell For Senate: "You Decide" (8/18/08)
LOUISIANA
- John Kennedy For Senate: "Governor's Endorsement" (10/23/08)
- National Republican Senatorial Committee: "Same Day" (10/22/08)
- Mary Landrieu For Senate: "Solutions" (10/10/08)
- Mary Landrieu For Senate: "Bermuda" (10/7/08)
- Mary Landrieu For Senate: "Garbage" (9/30/08)
MAINE
- Tom Allen For Senate: "Right" (10/30/08)
- Tom Allen For Senate: "Voting Record" (10/30/08)
- Tom Allen For Senate: "Too Close" (10/22/08)
- Tom Allen For Senate: "Courage" (10/16/08)
- Tom Allen For Senate: "New Direction" (10/8/08)
MINNESOTA
- Al Franken For Senate: "Dr. Bob" (8/13/08)
- Al Franken For Senate: "Who Does Norm Coleman Work For?" (8/13/08)
- Norm Coleman For Senate: "History" (8/13/08)
- Priscilla Lord Faris For Senate: "Minnesota Values" (8/13/08)
- Priscilla Lord Faris For Senate: "The Candidate" (8/13/08)
MISSISSIPPI
- Ronnie Musgrove For Senate: "Every Way" (10/30/08)
- Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee: Lots Of Times (10/22/08)
- Ronnie Musgrove For Senate: "Musgrove Sets The Record Straight" (10/22/08)
- National Republican Senatorial Committee: "Help" (10/22/08)
- Roger Wicker For Senate: "Mississippi Values" (10/22/08)
MONTANA
- Max Baucus For Senate: "Abigail" (10/4/07)
NEBRASKA
- Scott Kleeb For Senate: "Future" (8/11/08)
- Tony Raimondo For Senate: "Endorsement" (5/12/08)
- Mike Johanns For Senate: "Proven. Tested. Trusted." (5/12/08)
- Tony Raimondo For Senate: "Experience" (5/12/08)
- Scott Kleeb For Senate: "1884" (4/28/08)
NEW HAMPSHIRE
- National Republican Senatorial Committee: "Way Back" (10/30/08)
- John Sununu For Senate: "Bridge" (10/30/08)
- National Republican Senatorial Committee: "Dear New Hampshire" (10/23/08)
- Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee: "Enthusiasm" (10/23/08)
- Service Employees International Union: "Register" (10/23/08)
NEW MEXICO
- Steve Pearce For Senate: "Facing Challenges" (10/30/08)
- Tom Udall For Senate: "Get Rid Of This Sign" (10/30/08)
- Tom Udall For Senate: "Two Views" (10/7/08)
- Steve Pearce For Senate: "Breathtaking" (9/30/08)
- Tom Udall For Senate: "Places" (9/30/08)
NORTH CAROLINA
- Kay Hagan for Senate: "Lowering" (10/15/08)
- National Republican Senatorial Committee: "Credit" (10/7/08)
- Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee: "Game" (9/23/08)
- Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee: "Gas Station" (9/23/08)
- National Republican Senatorial Committee: "Pedal" (9/23/08)
OREGON
- Jeff Merkley for Senate: "Deserve Better" (10/16/08)
- Jeff Merkley For Senate: "Senior Senator" (10/15/08)
- National Republican Senatorial Committee: "More Tax Merkley" (10/10/08)
- Gordon Smith For Senate: "Matthew" (10/7/08)
- Jeff Merkley For Senate: "Breaks" (10/7/08)
SOUTH CAROLINA
- Lindsey Graham For Senate: "Conservative Voices" (3/17/08)
- Lindsey Graham For Senate: "Proven" (3/17/08)
- Buddy Witherspoon For Senate: "Immigration" (2/1/08)
SOUTH DAKOTA
- Tim Johnson For Senate: "From The Bottom Of Our Hearts" (10/30/08)
- Tim Johnson For Senate: "Labeling" (10/23/08)
- Tim Johnson For Senate: "Veterans" (10/22/08)
- Joel Dykstra For Senate: "TV Spot II" (10/7/08)
- Joel Dykstra For Senate: "TV Spot III" (10/7/08)
TEXAS
VIRGINIA
- Mark Warner For Senate: "Right Leader" (10/30/08)
- Mark Warner For Senate: "A Fresh Approach" (10/16/08)
- Mark Warner For Senate: ""Preposterous"" (10/10/08)
- Jim Gilmore For Senate: "Principled" (9/15/08)
- Mark Warner For Senate: "Preposterous" (9/15/08)
2008 House Ads
GEORGIA
- GA.-08: Jim Marshall For Congress: "Economic Rescue" (10/6/08)
ILLINOIS
- ILL.-03: Mark Pera For Congress: "It's Time" (11/1/07)
- ILL.-14: Jim Oberweis For Congress: "Life Lessons" (10/17/07)
KANSAS
- KAN.-02: Freedom's Watch: "Vacation" (8/7/08)
LOUISIANA
- LA.-06: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee: "Truth" (8/14/08)
- LA.-06: Freedom's Watch: "Bell" (8/7/08)
- LA.-06: National Republican Congressional Committee: "Warning Label" (4/28/08)
- LA.-06: Freedom's Watch: "Health Care" (4/28/08)
MASSACHUSETTS
- MASS.-05: Jim Ogonowski For Congress: "Special" (10/11/07)
MINNESOTA
- MINN.-06: Americans United For Change: "Lip Service -- Bachmann" (5/30/08)
MISSISSIPPI
- MISS.-06: Greg Davis For Congress: "Obama In MS" (4/28/08)
- MISS.-06: National Republican Congressional Committee: "Obama In MS" (4/28/08)
NEVADA
- NEV.-03: MoveOn.org Political Action: "Big Oil" (8/7/08)
NORTH CAROLINA
- N.C.-08: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee: "Independence" (6/30/08)
NEW YORK
- N.Y.-25: Dan Maffei For Congress: "Stay And Fight" (7/11/08)
- N.Y.-29: Freedom's Watch: "Caribou" (8/7/08)
OHIO
- OHIO-05: National Republican Congressional Committee: "More Secure" (12/11/07)
- OHIO-05: Club For Growth PAC: "Say Anything" (11/1/07)
- OHIO-10: Joe Cimperman For Congress: "Quitting Time" (2/13/08)
- OHIO-18: National Republican Congressional Committee: "The Real Zack Space" (8/21/07)
PENNSYLVANIA
- PENN.-10: Freedom's Watch: "Bread And Milk" (7/2/08)
TEXAS
- TEXAS-22: Americans United For Change: "Break -- Lampson" (6/3/08)
2008 Governor Ads
INDIANA
- Jill Long Thompson For Governor: "Comeback" (8/18/08)
- Jill Long Thompson For Governor: "Small Town" (8/4/08)
- Mitch Daniels For Governor: "Leadership" (8/4/08)
- Mitch Daniels For Governor: "Done More" (5/23/08)
- Mitch Daniels For Governor: "Change That's Working" (5/23/08)
MISSOURI
- Jay Nixon For Governor: "Overseas" (9/30/08)
- Jay Nixon For Governor: "Border States" (9/8/08)
- Jay Nixon For Governor: "Jobs" (9/8/08)
- Jay Nixon For Governor: "Historic" (8/18/08)
- Jay Nixon For Governor: "Record" (8/4/08)
NORTH CAROLINA
- Alliance For North Carolina: "Stand Up" (10/23/08)
- Beverly Perdue For Governor: "Not One Of Us" (10/23/08)
- Republican Governors Association: "Typical" (10/23/08)
- Beverly Perdue For Governor: "Floating" (10/16/08)
- Republican Governors Association: "Crisis" (10/16/08)
WASHINGTON
- Christine Gregoire For Governor: "Making A Real Change: Eastern Washington" (10/30/08)
- Christine Gregoire For Governor: "Making A Real Change: Endorsements" (10/30/08)
- Dino Rossi For Governor: "Taxes" (10/30/08)
- Christine Gregoire For Governor: "Real People: Ralph" (10/23/08)
- Dino Rossi For Governor: "Right" (10/23/08)
Issue Ads
ABORTION
- BornAliveTruth.org: "Gianna Responds" (10/29/08)
- Matthew 25 Network: "Welcome" (10/27/08)
- Winning Message Action Fund: "How Much Time" (10/24/08)
- Faithful Catholic Citizens: "Are You Truly Catholic?" No. 1 (10/21/08)
- Faithful Catholic Citizens: "Are You Truly Catholic?" No. 2 (10/21/08)
ECONOMY
- American Issues Project: "What Happened?" (10/16/08)
- Campaign For America's Future: "Thanks For The Memories!" (9/1/08)
- AARP: "More Than Talk" (7/3/08)
- Americans United For Change: "Break -- Lampson" (6/3/08)
- American Leadership Project: "Jobs" (4/29/08)
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EDUCATION
- Strong American Schools: "One Nation Left Behind -- Radio" (7/14/08)
- Strong American Schools: "One Nation Left Behind -- TV" (7/14/08)
ENERGY
- Sierra Club: "American Jobs" (10/9/08)
- American Future Fund: "Had Enough?" (9/10/08)
- The Israel Project: "Partners In Renewable Energy" (8/25/08)
- American Future Fund: "Crippling" (8/25/08)
- American Future Fund: "What Will Harry Say?" (8/24/08)
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ENVIRONMENT
- Alliance For Climate Protection: "Millions" (6/18/08)
- Environmental Defense Fund: "Grounded" (6/3/08)
- Environmental Defense Fund: "Melting" (6/3/08)
- Club For Growth: "No On Lieberman-Warner -- Montana" (6/3/08)
- Club For Growth: "No On Lieberman-Warner -- North Carolina" (6/3/08)
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FOREIGN AFFAIRS
- ONE Campaign: "One Question" (9/25/08)
- The Israel Project: "Increase Pressure On Iran" (6/5/08)
- The Israel Project: "Stop Rocket Attacks On Israel" (6/5/08)
GUNS
- National Rifle Association: "An Outlaw's Worst Nightmare" (10/29/08)
- National Rifle Association: "Texas Law Enforcement Officer" (10/8/08)
- National Rifle Association: "Hunter" (9/25/08)
- National Rifle Association: "Pennsylvania Values" (9/25/08)
- National Rifle Association: "Veteran" (9/25/08)
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HEALTH CARE
- International Association Of Fire Fighters: "Fight John McCain's Health Care Plan" (10/22/08)
- UAW V-CAP: "Nicole -- We Can't Afford John McCain" (10/9/08)
- Health Care For America Now: "Fighter -- Sununu" (10/9/08)
- Service Employees International Union: "Higher Costs" (8/18/08)
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund: "Out of Touch" (7/17/08)
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IRAN
- The Israel Project: "Nuclear Iran" (8/25/08)
IRAQ
- Vets For Freedom: "Skipped" (10/1/08)
- Vets For Freedom: "I Am The Surge" (8/26/08)
- VoteVets.org: "Iraqi Freedom" (7/25/08)
- MoveOn.org Political Action: "Timeline" (7/16/08)
- Vets For Freedom: "Some In Washington" (7/16/08)
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LABOR
- Coalition For A Democratic Workplace: "Allen" (8/13/08)
- Employee Freedom Action Fund: "Lunsford" (8/13/08)
- Coalition For A Democratic Workplace: "Norm" (7/9/08)
PRESIDENT BUSH
PROPERTY RIGHTS
- Club For Growth: "Property" (9/18/08)
SOCIAL SECURITY
- American Federation Of State, County And Municipal Employees: "Security" (10/21/08)
- Alliance For Retired Americans: "John McCain's Social Security Disgrace" (7/22/08)
- Alliance For Retired Americans: "Keep Your Mitts Off Our Money" (7/22/08)
TAXES
- AARP: "Real Solutions" (7/3/08)
- Citizens United Political Victory Fund: "Innovation" (6/3/08)
TERRORISM
- TrueMajority.org & Democracy For America: "Condi Must Go" (4/17/08)
- Defense Of Democracies: "Midnight" (2/29/08)
VETERANS
- American Federation Of State, County And Municipal Employees: "Veterans" (10/21/08)
- AFL-CIO Veterans Union: "Not Now" (7/9/08)
- American Federation Of Government Employees: "Phil Glover" (7/9/08)
- Americans United For Change: "Lip Service -- Bachmann" (5/30/08)
- VoteVets.org PAC: "McCain On The GI Bill" (5/23/08)
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