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Obama for America

"August 4, 1961" +
  2:19 web video from Aug. 3, 2011.

[Music] Greg [voiceover and to camera]: I think I'd like to see the United States 50 years from now still having a lot of the ideals that people look towards us now.  People in the past have always seen America as a beacon of hope and freedom, and I think we still have to put that out there now.

My name's Greg.  I'm a self-employed floor refinisher.  I'm the father of two college-age children.  I'm a husband.  And I share the same birthday as President Obama, August 4th, 1961.

Turning 50 is a milestone.  One of the biggest character traits I think that age helps with is being patient.

So as the years go by I realize that sometimes it's good to take a deep breath and know that you know there's not anything in this world that can't be overcome.

One thing I really like about the President is he's very level headed and patient so I feel very comfortable and have a good feeling that there's someone at the helm that can lead us in a good way.

Since about 1993 I've been a floor refinisher.  You know one of the things I notice being a small businessman for quite some time is that there are ups and downs, but Americans are very good at persevering through all difficuties. 

What this country needs is someone that can be steady, leading us into the future and President Obama exhibits those traits.

President Obama has the small businessman in mind in his policies and he understands that there are things that need to happen for the small businessman to be able to succeed in the future.

For me this election matters because the President has set some groundwork, and to continue that is very important.  I would like to see things carried on and finished.

I'm proud to be an American, and I feel positive about the future.  We have the right person in President Obama taking us into the future and I want to be part of that.

I was a proud supporter of Mr. Obama in 2008 and I will continue to support him for many years to come.

Notes: Videos featuring testimonials from small businessmen seem to be much in vogue. This one stars Greg Gerhart, a self-employed floor refinisher from Myerstown, PA.  (Compare to a somewhat similar Herman Cain video "...Kent" from the same time; although the star of that video, Kent Short, a butcher from Santa Paula, CA, is very much a red meat person, while Greg happens to be a vegetarian).  According to the description of this video, "Obama supporter Greg shares a birthday with the President—and his vision for America."  This continues a soft-sell approach for the Obama campaign; the video includes bucolic countryside and small town scene, and President Obama is mentioned but not shown.