MoveOn.org released a new television ad on Tuesday that, like some other Democratic-leaning groups this election season, encourages youth to persuade their parents to vote for Barack Obama.
The spot, part of MoveOn's Youth Vote program, attempts to harness the cultural reach of Gossip Girl, the much-beloved (and oft-spoofed) CW hit about over-privileged New York highschoolers. Featuring some of the show's actors (including Penn Badgley and Blake Lively -- a couple in real life), it is a satirical play on the drug prevention spots that occupy a memorable place in television lore. Only this time around, the message is a bit more political:
"Talk to your parents about John McCain," says one narrator.
For my sake? Please?
Vote for Barack Obama.
Before it's too late.
The ad reflects a steady effort, on the part of the Obama campaign and like-minded supporters, to use the Senator's popularity among youth as leverage for winning over older generations. Obama's communications shop is sending college students emails suggesting that they try to bring parents, "grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins" on board, and offering tips on how to do so.
Earlier, the comedian Sarah Silverman cut a web video called "The Great Schlep" encouraging young Jewish kids to head to Florida and convince their grandparents to support Obama.
The MoveOn ad, released by the group's political action committee, will air nationally during Gossip Girl as well as on MTV and Comedy Central in university towns in North Carolina and Nevada. It was, for film buffs, directed by Bourne Identity/Mr. and Mrs. Smith director Doug Liman.