Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is using an image of his deceased mother in a new campaign ad in Missouri that seeks to make the case that he is the best qualified candidate to bring change in the way the nation delivers health care.
Obama is the first of the Democratic presidential candidates to start running ads in Missouri, said State Auditor Susan Montee.
Called “Mother,” the 30-second ad briefly shows a picture of Stanley Ann Dunham, who died of cancer in 1995. The image includes a very young Obama in her arms.
The ads are scheduled to start running on Saturday, just in time for Super Tuesday, the Feb. 5 primary when voters in Missouri and 23 other states go to the polls.
The ads will appear in all of the congressional districts across the state, including St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield and Columbia. None are expected to appear in the more rural towns of Hannibal, Cape Girardeau or St. Joseph, said Sen. Claire McCaskill.
McCaskill said she did not know how many ads will be appearing or for how long, but called it a “substantial buy across the state.”
With Obama opponents Hillary Clinton and John Edwards both making appearances in St. Louis Saturday, there is worry by some Obama supporters whether Obama will make it here sometime before the Feb. 5 primary.
“I’m confident that he will be available,” said McCaskill – who officially endorsed the Illinois Senator less than a week ago.
She is expected to kick-off his presidential canvassing operation in Missouri on Saturday as well.
Clinton and Edwards are scheduled to visit St. Louis on Saturday.
Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, will host a townhall meeting at 8 p.m. at McCluer North High School in Florissant.
Edwards will speak at 9 a.m. at the Carpenters Union on Hampton Avenue.
