Obama goes prime time

By Michael J.W. Stickings

From James Hibberd of The Hollywood Reporter:

Barack Obama has purchased a half-hour of airtime on CBS, sources confirm.

The Obama campaign will air a half-hour primetime special on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m.

Sources say the Obama camp is also in talks with NBC and Fox. NBC is said to be very near a deal.

Obviously, Obama has the money to do this, and, as Hibberd notes, Perot did this in 1992, drawing fairly large audiences for two half-hour prime-time appearances.

There is some risk involved -- he'll no doubt be accused of cockiness by his envious opponents -- but, to me, it's a strong move, a sign of his, and his campaign's, immense and justifiable confidence. Given the healthy state of his finances, he is certainly not doing this at the expense of targeted advertising in key battleground states like Ohio and Florida. As long as he can advertise effectively, then, why not take the opportunity to present himself to voters at the end of this long campaign? He will be able to reinforce his message of hope and change, to present again his compelling personal story, to address the economy, which will no doubt continue to be the leading issue, to stress his judgement and leadership abilities, and to remind us all that he is indeed ready, more than ready, for prime time...

And for the White House.