Politics: Clint Eastwood Gives America a Pep Talk

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Politics Clint Eastwood Gives America a Pep Talk He says America is about to stand up. Is that a big win for Obama? By John Dickerson Posted Monday, Feb 06, 2012, at 11:38 PM ET Did the first Obama re-election ad run during the Super Bowl? You might have missed it since the president wasn't even mentioned. It was a Chrysler ad, although even that wasn't obvious. Instead, more than 111 million viewers were greeted by that tough-talking American icon Clint Eastwood as he delivered what amounted to a locker room speech to the country. "It's halftime in America," he intoned, as the New York Giants and New England Patriots went in for their midgame break. He heralded the auto industry's revival and said it is a model for a nation poised for a comeback. By the end of the stirring message, pollsters could probably have found a majority of the country ready to elect the city of Detroit president. Since the Motor City is not on the ballot, the president would like you to consider him as a possible substitute. The message of last night's ad closely follows Obama's own re-election pitch—which is maybe why the president's top strategist, David Axelrod, liked it so much. In many speeches, Obama argues that his intervention is what helped revive the ailing American automobile industry. He is also making a larger pitch that America is on a comeback. Mitt Romney and the Republican primary field argue the revival can only begin when he's out of office. Whether President Obama or his eventual Republican opponent wins this argument will determine who wins in November.  Whatever the president's official ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Spitzer: The Philosophical Case for Higher Capital Gains Taxes Komen VP Karen Handel Resigns in Wake of Planned Parenthood Dispute The Misery of Watching the Super Bowl in Canada: Lame Canadian Ads	Advertisement
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