Joe's ads hit the airwaves

In case you haven't caught the first major Sestak TV ad, you can view it online:

It's hard to convey a lot in thirty seconds, but the ad uses every second well. It communicates the key points of his bio, makes it clear that Sestak is opposed to Bush's approach in Iraq, and identifies himself as a change candidate--and a Democrat.

That last point is critical. In years past, Democratic candidates in the heavily Republican suburbs would have been tempted to play down party affiliation. But now that the region has become far more balanced, and in light of the tarnished image of the Bush administration and the Republican congress, the name "Democrat" has new life.

It signals to existing Democrats that the party is mounting a serious candidate with a fantastic background of public service. It demonstrates to independents that our party is ready to put up a fight against a one-party government that has gone too far. And it makes it clear to disappointed, ticket-splitting Republicans--of which there are many--that they have a viable outlet to express their upset with the path of their own party.