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  Why Can't Every Obama Ad Sound Like This?

  Posted Tuesday, January 15, 2008 4:31 PM | By Christopher Beam

  Listen to Barack Obama's new Spanish-language video (short version here; longer version here). Seriously, just listen. The church bells, the drums, the cheesy mid-'90s synth track. Something tells me this style wouldn't quite fly in a New Hampshire spot.

  The ad, which airs in Nevada before Saturday's caucus, tweaks Obama's message slightly for an increased Hispanic demographic. (Nevada is about 24 percent Latino, according to the 2006 U.S. Census.) In it, Obama emphasizes his mixed background and international upbringing. He is, after all, a migrant, if not an immigrant.
  

  Then there's the coda, which sounds slightly less goofy than if Newt Gingrich said it: "Soy Barack Obama, y apruebo este mensaje."
  

  Filed under: Barack Obama

About Christopher Beam

• Christopher Beam is a Slate political reporter.

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