Politics / Barack Obama Clinton Rolls Out 'Nuclear Option' TV Spot 'Red phone'-style ad asks: Who will keep your children safe? By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff Posted Feb 29, 2008 3:25 PM CST Copied Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks with veterans gathered for a town hall-style campaign event at the American Legion Post 490 Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, in Houston, Texas. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (Associated Press) Hillary Clinton today debuted an ad hinting at dire consequences of electing a commander in chief who isn’t “tested," ABC News reports. "It's 3am and your children are asleep," a voice says over images of sleeping infants. "There's a phone in the White House, and it's ringing. Something is happening in the world. Your vote will decide who answers that call." Reminiscent of the infamous “red phone" ad used by Walter Mondale in 1984 (the creator now works on the Clinton campaign), the commercial turns up the heat further ahead of Tuesday primaries in Ohio and Texas. Barack Obama derided the tactic during a speech in Houston: "We've seen these ads before. They're the kind that play on people's fears to scare up votes." (More Barack Obama stories.) Report an error