Obama Fires Back with Iowa TV Request

Dem wants live spot on eve of caucuses to counter Clinton ad
By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 28, 2007 6:55 PM CST
Obama Fires Back with Iowa TV Request
Following the examples of the Clinton and Obama campaigns, John Edwards is asking Iowa TV stations to grant him airtime on the evening before the Iowa caucuses. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)   (Associated Press)

Barack Obama is getting a lesson in the politics of local TV as he angles for airtime on the evening before the Iowa caucuses, ABC News reports. After Hillary Clinton’s campaign purchased a 2-minute spot during all of the state’s 6 pm Wednesday newscasts, Obama began requesting a live 2- or 5-minute block. “Five minutes is impossible,” said one station exec.

“We’re resisting that request,” said an official at another station. One exec called a live simulcast “daunting at best,” but Obama hopes to squeeze in a pitch between local news and prime-time programming, or during prime time. Two stations have offered Obama 2-minute blocks, but they're worried other candidates will come calling: John Edwards has already begun requesting airtime. (More Iowa caucuses stories.)

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