Thaindian News

Washington, Oct 31 (ANI): At least 33.5 million people on seven channels watched Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obamas infomercial on Wednesday night.

The ad was seen on CBS, NBC, Fox, Univision, MSNBC, BET and TV One, according to Nielsen ratings.

In the 30-minute primetime campaign ad, Obama promised a rescue plan for the middle class in tough times as he reached for victory in his 21-month quest for the presidency.

I will not be a perfect president, Obama said in the commercial. But I can promise you this - I will always tell you what I think and where I stand.

Aides described the unusual ad as a final summation of Obamas campaign. They put the total cost at roughly 4 million dollar, enough to show it simultaneously on the broadcasts networks and cable channels.

As for reaction, CBS News senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield said he doubts the ad changed many minds, but the goal of it was just to increase the comfort level between Obama and voters.

The spin doctors who put together this infomercial followed their own version of the Hippocratic Oath: First, do no harm. It was an exercise in reassurance, from the reassuring images — amber waves of grain, anyone — to the soothing music, to Obama’’s low-pitched voice, to the stories of his childhood and his family, to his narrations of the lives of typical Americans,” Greenfield said.

This was all one message: I may have an odd name, come from a big city, and Im obviously of a different color than other presidents — but I share common roots, common values, and I understand what you are going through, and what you need from your government, he said.

In the spot, Obama asked voters to choose hope over fear and unity over division in Tuesdays election.

Republican John McCain derided the event as a gauzy, feel-good commercial paid for with broken promises.

Across 30 minutes, the ad blended views of Obama speaking in a setting that resembled the Oval Office, at the Democratic National Convention and elsewhere.

It also included scenes of Americans discussing their economic and health care troubles and testimonials to the Democratic presidential candidate by politicians and business executives.

The ad showed Obamas wife, Michelle, and his two daughters as well as past photos of his Black father from Kenya and White mother from Kansas.

The program ended with a live transmission of Obama speaking at a campaign rally in Florida, one of several states where Obama is trying to capture traditionally Republican territory. (ANI)