I've been doing a lot of at-home phonebanking over the last week or so, and I've (unsurprisingly) been directed to North Carolina for a number of my calls.  I've noticed a lot of undecided voters tell me that they are impressed by Dean Smith, the legendary former UNC men's basketball coach, having endorsed Barack Obama earlier this election season.

When I first heard it, I was chuckling to myself.  As it kept coming up in my calls, though, I began to remember just how respected Smith still is throughout the state, with his reputation for hard work, consistent excellence and fair play.

So, that got me to thinking.  What if these voters could see Dean Smith, on their TVs, non-stop for the last 10 days of the election, forcefully making the case for Obama's superior candidacy?  Hence, this ad idea.

(Notes:  I know this particular ad is very unlikely to happen, for a number of reasons.  But I think it could completely nail down the state - and blow a big blue hole in McCain's endgame strategy.  Also, the words in CAPS are intended for speaking emphasis.  This ad would run about a minute, and be a targeted North Carolina buy for the last 10 days or so of the campaign.  And the campaign isn't exactly lacking for the funds to do it.)

{backdrop:  Camera pans down from a Carolina blue sky, through brilliantly hued trees lining a park.  Camera pans to full shot of Dean Smith, sitting on a park bench, wearing a long-sleeved shirt in Carolina blue with no logo.}

{Text on screen:  DEAN SMITH, UNC Hall of Fame Basketball Coach.  Disappears after 3 seconds.}

SMITH:  Hi. I'm Dean Smith.  I support Barack OBAMA for PRESIDENT of the United States.  And, EVERY TIME I pick up a paper or turn on the TV, I CLEARLY see that I made the RIGHT decision. 

{cut to video clip of falling NYSE ticker}

Now, our ECONOMY is tanking. 

{cut to video clip of gun battle}

We're in TWO WARS. 

{cut to video clip of factories emitting thick black smoke}

And our ENVIRONMENT is in trouble.

{cut to video clip of McCain pounding podium without sound}

But John MCCAIN has spent a lot of time trying to make Barack responsible for HORRIBLE acts that happened back when Barack was EIGHT YEARS OLD.

{cut to video clip of Palin making faces and jabbing air with finger at podium, without sound}

Sarah PALIN talks about Barack being a "socialist", because he wants to IMPROVE the country by putting MORE people to work AND giving the MIDDLE CLASS and LOWER CLASS a tax BREAK.

{cut to Michele Bachmann's Hardball video clip, without sound but with crazy eye action}

And on October 17, a Congresswoman from Minnesota actually called for members of CONGRESS to be INVESTIGATED for MAYBE having "anti-American" beliefs.

{cut to video clip of Joseph McCarthy ranting, without sound}

The LAST time we had a REPUBLICAN running around UNFAIRLY accusing good, decent Americans of being un-American...

{cut to clip of Ervin at McCarthy hearings, standing and speaking calmly, without sound}

{Text on screen:  SEN. SAM ERVIN, Congressional hearings, 1956.  Disappears after 3 seconds.}

...a TARHEEL senator named Sam Ervin STOOD UP and spoke OUT against that anti-American behavior.  He reminded all of us that Americans EXPECT AND DESERVE MORE than gossip and cheap politics from our leaders.

{cut back to Smith, still sitting}

{Smith stands, then delivers the next line}

This election is TOO IMPORTANT for us to just sit on the bench.

{slow zoom into Smith's head and upper torso}

On November 4th, let's STAND UP, just like Senator Ervin did, and send a MESSAGE to the rest of America about what OUR GREAT STATE represents.

Vote for FREEDOM, RESPECT and DIVERSITY.  Vote for an END to the POLITICS of FEAR. 

{stop zoom at head and chest}

VOTE for the ONLY candidate who can give us the CHANGE we NEED.  VOTE for  Barack OBAMA.

{cut to Obama campaign disclosure/approval}

OBAMA:  I'm Barack Obama, and I approve this message.