DNC ad uses Obama to rally black voters

President Obama is featured in a new ad for the Democratic National Committee, the first in a $1 million campaign to turn out young, minority and female voters in the midterm elections.

The radio ad titled “Obstruction” released Monday laments the opposition Obama has faced from congressional Republicans. It is aimed at black voters and will run on African-American radio stations nationwide. 

{mosads}”No Democratic President in U.S history has faced the level of obstruction from the Republicans that Barack Obama has. It’s critical that we continue to fight for change and vote on Nov. 4,” the narrator says.

Obama then outlines his vision for an economy where “hard work pays off.” The radio spot features excerpts from a speech, where the president touts higher wages, affordable health insurance and decent health benefits. 

The overall campaign is aimed at voters who tend to drop off in the midterm elections, with the lack of a high-profile presidential candidate on the ticket. 

Print, radio and online ads will target African-Americans, Hispanics, women, Asian-Americans and young voters. 

At fundraisers throughout the year, Obama has warned that Democrats tend to get “clobbered” in the midterms, and consistently described the low turnout as a “congenital disease.”

“This strategic national ad buy will engage key members of the coalition that elected President Obama twice and remind them what’s at stake in this midterm election,” DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said in a statement.

“It’s no secret that Democrats’ challenge is expanding the vote this November and before with early voting, so these ads are geared toward many constituencies that have typically dropped off in midterm elections,” she added.

Democrats face a tough midterm landscape, as Republicans attempt to net six Senate seats to flip control of the chamber. 

The ad is not targeted to boost any specific candidates, as President Obama’s approval rating in many competitive states remains near the lowest of his presidency.

Administration officials have said Obama plans to ramp up his public campaigning in October.