Obama Airs 30-Minute Spot, Releases Anti-Palin Ad

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Did Obama Score On Primetime?

Washington Post media critic Howard Kurtz tells Harry Smith that the Barack Obama TV spot was well produced, but perhaps over produced in some ways.

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Against a gloomy backdrop, the silent ad presents McCain's own statements, including the December comment that "the issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should."

The final comment comes from a November debate among GOP rivals, when he said, "I might have to rely on a vice president that I select." The screen shifts to two words -- "His choice?" -- and a video of Palin speaking and winking.

Obama's campaign has long shied away from direct criticism of Palin. But with opinion polls showing widespread doubts about her ability to handle the duties of the Oval Office, an Obama aide said the advertisement was designed to use McCain's words to raise doubts about his own ability to deal with the economy, "and what he hopes to get out of his vice presidential candidate."

The campaign, the aide said, wants voters to ask themselves "whether they're comfortable with Sarah Palin in that role."

In Raleigh, N.C., where 28,000 people gathered on a windswept downtown common, Obama joked about McCain's attempt to label him a socialist.

"Lately, he calls me a socialist for wanting to roll back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans so we can finally give tax relief to the middle class," Obama said.

"I don't know -- by the end of the week he'll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in kindergarten. I shared my peanut butter and jelly sandwich."