2008 Tidbits, Romney's First Spot

The 2008 presidential candidate field had its first casualty this week. Tom Vilsack bowed out of the race citing a lack of funds to keep competitive in a field of contenders with growing coffers. Initially political analysts thought Vilsack had a good chance to come out of Iowa with a win – but then Obama happened. The Iowa governor was the first to announce and the first to withdraw. Don't worry, there are still a good 100 candidates to choose from, and more likely to still throw their hat in the race.

The Republican race is starting to take to the airwaves. Mitt Romney has launched himself out of the local scene and onto national television – and this week he bought some of the airtime. He's released his first minute long television spot and purchased time nationally (it's the only reason we can see why it's broadcasting here in Massachusetts) to get his name out to the American Public. He splashes some catch phrases like "unelected judges," "government is overfed," "using too much oil," and curiously "not a time for more talk and dithering in Washington" – someone better tell the graphic designers. Dithering isn't all together incorrectly used in his commercial; he's just making use of a word that has more common uses in the current vernacular. The most unusual thing we noticed in the campaign commercial was the blond woman speaking to Mitt's character. Ann Romney made her triumphant return to Mitt's side – we had become so used to Kerry Healy following just a few steps behind that we'd forgotten he had a wife to sing his praises and not just a Lieutenant Governor.

Embeded is Mitt's campaign video. Don't miss the subtlety – we aligned it on the right side of the post. Zing!