Obama campaign is now airing 30 minute, late-night infomercials

[Lunar]

Clinton and Perot did it in '92.

On an unrelated note, Obama has a new ad out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktlbQRQGi6Y&eurl (not 30 minutes)
This  is his new Olympic ad airing in all 50 states starting next Monday.

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Here's the story:
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/08/obama_tests_waters_with_lateni.php

First Barack Obama’s campaign made political and broadcast history by buying $5 million of advertising in NBC Universal’s Olympics programming. Now it’s marking another political first, running the first infomercial of the 2008 presidential campaign.

If you hadn’t noticed, that may be because the nearly 30-minute program aired at 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, on Ion Television.

The Obama campaign late Tuesday described the ad as an effort to reach voters who don't see normal ads.

"This was one more effective way for us to communicate with folks who may not normally see other communications we have with voters who are paying closer attention to the race," the campaign said in a statement.

The mostly biographical, 28-minute, 30-second program included scenes of the Illinois senator’s keynote speech to the 2004 Democratic National Convention, as well as scenes from other campaign appearances, background about Sen. Obama and frequent call-in numbers.

There was immediate speculation that the airing was a late-night test of whether the infomercial format could successfully generate contributions and calls.

Republican candidate Sen. John McCain is accepting federal financing for the fall campaign. Mr. Obama has declined the funding, leaving him unrestrained by spending limits, but he must continue raising his own funds.

“It is a first. I guess they are going after the insomniac vote,” said Evan Tracey, chief operating officer of TNS Media Intelligence’s Campaign Media Analysis Group. He said the unusual time slot for the spot appears to allow the campaign to test the effectiveness of the infomercial format without spending much.

Mr. Tracey said the infomercial is a first from any of the presidential campaigns this year, and may be the first from any of the presidential campaigns in years.

In 1992 and 1994 Reform Party candidate Ross Perot used infomercials as a mainstay of his advertising efforts.

In 1992, the Clinton campaign occasionally ran "A Man From Hope," a biographical film originally produced for the Democratic National Convention, as an infomercial.

[Josh/Devilman88]

I saw an Obama ad last night around 12:00 am.. it was really good, talking about the same points as this one.

[WalterMitty]

even im not drunk enough late at night to watch a political infomercial.

[MarkWarner08]

Now the night owls and the unemployable will have a reason to dislike Obama, too.

"Darn Obama! Now I can't see that 30 minute informercial featuring that ebullient dark-bearded guy who gushes about every single product he sells. I'm also going to miss those black-and-white frames of housewives struggling with easy kitchen tasks."

[Mr. Morden]

"Are you tired of clinging to your guns and religion?  Dial 1-900-YES-WE-CAN, to place your order for the politics of hope.  Call now, and get a free Obama-signed map of America, featuring all 57 states."

[Lunar]

... but WAIT, there's more!

For only 19.95 you could have your very own donation to me and help create change in this country? [black and white scenes of people struggling to pay bills becoming color-images of people dancing in a nightclub with Paris Hilton]