Based on David All’s run-through of John McCain’s new YouTube videos, I did a bit of YouTube YouChoose ‘08 skimming this morning (and signed up for updates — I am ashamed that I call myself a political media junkie and did not do this until just now), and found what I thought to be interesting: a Barack Obama video that compiled all of his anti-war statements, and asserting that he’s been consistent since 2002.

The video also made way for an “Iraq opposition” micro-site and an e-mail entitled “Iraq.”

Bottom-line: an ABC News story was published just a few moments ago regarding this. It’s entitled “Words of War: Clinton Camp Muddies Obama’s Anti-War Stance but Record Is Clear.”

Excerpt:

“Last week at a Manhattan fundraiser, former President Clinton reportedly complained about The New York Times’ coverage of his wife, saying the paper of record is attacking his wife because she refuses to apologize for her October 2002 vote, while, according to the former president, Obama expressed confusion back then about how he would vote had he been in the Senate at the time.

…

And in fact, a review of comments Obama made in 2002 and 2003 — in video obtained by ABC News — makes it clear that the junior senator from Illinois, then a mere state senator, stood out during a time as opposing the war quite firmly when the war was overwhelmingly popular.

At an anti-war rally on October 2, 2002, Obama said, ‘I don’t oppose war in all circumstances. When I look out on this crowd today, I know there is no shortage of patriots or patriotism. What I do oppose is a dumb war.’”

How coincidental! Could it be that this super-secret “obtained footage” was the YouTube video that Obama put on his website just a day ago? I’m willing to bet “yes.”

This brings about two points:

1. Immediate response videos drive coverage. I just wish that the mainstream media could give credit where credit is due, stop the “obtained” B.S., and actually admit that they got the video like everyone else — via YouTube.

2. Immediate response videos are extremely effective. While we’re now used to the concept of immediate response, words are still words. They can be spun. Videos (unless there’s some fancy editing) generally can’t be. Seeing is believing, and the compilation that Obama put together surely illustrates that.

The combination of the micro-site and the immediate response videos is extremely effective, and very wise.

Some words of advice for the Obama crew: next time, make sure that this is posted, first thing, on your blog (so that RSS lovers such as myself can find them immediately), and be sure to make your e-mail subject line something less vague than “Iraq.” I nearly overlooked it.

Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Iraq, YouTube, ABCNews, Hillary Clinton, 2008