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Clinton Rolls Out 'Nuclear Option' TV Spot

'Red phone'-style ad asks: Who will keep your children safe?

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 29, 2008 3:25 PM CST

(Newser) – Hillary Clinton today debuted an ad hinting at dire consequences of electing a commander in chief who isn’t “tested," ABC News reports. "It's 3am and your children are asleep," a voice says over images of sleeping infants. "There's a phone in the White House, and it's ringing. Something is happening in the world. Your vote will decide who answers that call."

Reminiscent of the infamous “red phone" ad used by Walter Mondale in 1984 (the creator now works on the Clinton campaign), the commercial turns up the heat further ahead of Tuesday primaries in Ohio and Texas. Barack Obama derided the tactic during a speech in Houston: "We've seen these ads before. They're the kind that play on people's fears to scare up votes."

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks with veterans gathered for a town hall-style campaign  event at the American Legion Post 490 Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, in Houston, Texas. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks with veterans gathered for a town hall-style campaign event at the American Legion Post 490 Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, in Houston, Texas....   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks with veterans gathered for a town hall meeting-style campaign event at the American Legion Post 490 Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, in Houston, Texas. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks with veterans gathered for a town hall meeting-style campaign event at the American Legion Post 490 Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, in Houston,...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., makes a campaign stop at the Delmar / Dyer Sports Complex Field House in Houston, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., makes a campaign stop at the Delmar / Dyer Sports Complex Field House in Houston, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) speaks at a rally Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008  in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) speaks at a rally Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008 in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)   (Associated Press)
Former President Bill Clinton greets supporters as he campaigns for his wife, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI., Thursday afternoon, Feb. 28, 2008.  Sen. Clinton spent the day campaigning in Ohio and Texas.  (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Former President Bill Clinton greets supporters as he campaigns for his wife, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI., Thursday afternoon,...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets a supporter following his town hall-style meeting with veterans at the American Legion Post 490 Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, in Houston, Texas. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets a supporter following his town hall-style meeting with veterans at the American Legion Post 490 Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, in Houston, Texas....   (Associated Press)
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