There is a big difference between Hillary and Obama in this respect. Everyone knows who Hillary is, but a lot of people only have a vague clue about who Obama is, and no idea of his record, vision, or positions.

As I shared at DailyKos, some of the funnier mispronunciations of Barack Obama's name I've heard while canvassing in Iowa:

"Birrahna" (maybe Barack the Pirrahna? I don't know)
"Barama" (a combination of his first and last names)
"O'Rama"
"Urbana" (a town in the neighboring state of Illinois)
"Brahma" (the Hindu God of Creation, one of the religion's three Gods of the "Great Trinity")
"That guy who was raised by terrorists" (okay, that last one's not really all that funny...)

His advertisements will play an important role in introducing him to Iowa voters and defining him in their minds. Senator Clinton will need no introduction. I'm sure she'll use Bill, and she'll probably make some issue ads or something, and there will be the requisite bio ad, but the ads from the Clinton campaign will have a different purpose than Obama's.

They are really good spots for Iowa too - look at who the market to and the key words.  Well done.  No gimics, no politics, just a straight-up introduction.  I image their polling is showing a lot of people wanting to know more and this is a step to introduce him to the Iowa market.  Good Job Obama team!

I know the "works with Republicans" to get things thing doesn't go over well on here sometimes but Obama's appeal to many people is that he won't be jsut another presient who 45% of the nation won't be able to stomach and hown that leads to  getting more "progressive" legislation done. It is part of the campaign that he has to run against Hillary, the fct that she is despised by such a high % (not just the right wing frealks that hate all dems) is not a badge of honer, it presents an obstacle to accomplishing the changes that are needed in this country.

It's pretty amazing he was able to get a current Republican State Senator to appear in the ad.  Who is Kirk Dillard?  From clearinitiative.org:

Senator Kirk Dillard has served in the Illinois Senate since 1993. He is currently Republican spokesperson and co-chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and serves on the Environment and Energy and State Government committees. He also serves on the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Intergovernmental Cooperation Commission, and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Advisory Board.

Senator Dillard was chief sponsor of several landmark pieces of legislation including Illinois' first campaign finance/ethics reforms in 25 years and the State's first truth-in-sentencing law. Senator Dillard is also responsible for mandatory DNA testing of all felons, the "Safe to Learn" Act ensuring school safety, tort reform, the reorganization of the public higher education system, the state's anti-gun crime law known as "15-20-Life," and Dillard authored the first statute outlawing date rape or designer drugs, and successfully sponsored the Secretary of State's railroad safety initiatives.

Yeah, I too was impressed with the Tribe endorsement.  To me, that was a dog whistle to liberals within the legal community.  Also, it may be a sign that Obama would put forth Tribe as a nominee on the Supreme Court, something that was considered taboo by Clinton in the aftermath of the Bork nomination which Tribe helped tank.

Then Obama is probably not the candidate for you.  But I think you are very much misreading the mood of the country.  

Untrue. Since he's in the Democratic primary, Obama will obviously be arguing with other Democrats. But he has never "backed off" Republicans - see his pressure on Republican senators to vote for Iraq withdrawl, his continual criticism of the Bush administration on everything from the environment to Katrina, etc. Maybe you should consider the idea that this particular Republican actaully does like and respect Obama, and that featuring him in the commercial will pay political dividends.

Perhaps it's your idea of bipartisanship that is warped. Building broad support for progressive legislation is necessary. Obama has shown that he can fight back against the radical right and the bigots. No compromise.

Well, whether it turns you on or not, most people are tired of partisan divisions. This Zogby article refers to some interesting numbers (discussing Bloomberg's prospects). Here's an excerpt:

"It comes down to good timing, really. After more than a decade of harsh wrangling, likely voters tell me they are tired of the vicious partisanship. In a national telephone poll last month, 80% said it was "very important" that the next President be a person who can unite the country . . . . Another 58% said it was "very important" that the next President be able to cross party lines to work with political opponents, while just 42% said it was "very important" that he or she reflect the values of their own political party."

So, I think these ads might be rather effective--just, obviously, not on you.

Barack is bipartisan, but only in terms of bringing people together.

He is a liberal. Check his record.

He either brings people together to back liberal causes or for bills that everyone, from far left dems to far right repubs, should agree with (halting nuclear proliferation, ethics reform).

Remember where these ads are going up. In Iowa. Not exactly San Francisco.

Richardson and Romney both have seen improvements in the polls by putting up ads. Overall, it's a good move that could push Obama to the front of the pack in the polls in Iowa. The positive publicity that will arise from this will only be enforced by the fundraising numbers he is certain to post.

We'll see.

Yeah I think they were going for professional given the experience issue...rather than cute like Richardson.

but, Obama plays nice - he has not sold out.  You have to play well with others to get anything done - that doesn't mean you have to compromise your principals... I doubt she could find a republican official to speak on her behalf - because it would be political suicide for that individual.

Hillary still refuses to be accountable for her war vote.

She is still promising health care (without a purposal) by the end of her second term.

She still has not held herself to any higher ethical standard than the bare minimum.

Aren't you tired of all the parisian politics?  All this bickering and not getting a damn thing done?  No, these ads show someone who is willing to work with others.  Of course you have to be tough and if you believe in something, don't give in.  But if you are running for POTUS, you have to convey that you are willing to represent EVERYONE, not just a chosen few.  Ask, Bush about that and his great 26% following.

How do you compete with Obama having a 74% approval rating.  He has ressurected the Ill Democratic Party - when it looked like they were going down the scandal route only last year (and some still are).