The following is an imagined TV campaign film from an alternate universe.
VOICE-OVER: And now, President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney with a message for the American people.
[The candidates are sitting casually next to each other in armchairs, as though on a panel for a TED talk or something.]
OBAMA: This November, we Americans will observe once more our freedom and responsibility as citizens, by going to the polls.
ROMNEY: Barack and I urge all of you eighteen-and-up to register and vote.
OBAMA: And to be honest, you have quite a choice ahead of you, because Mitt and I have very different views on how to address the challenges of our future.
ROMNEY: That's very true. But we'd like to pause from the campaign for a moment to tell you some things we agree on.
OBAMA: We believe in the fundamental right of Americans to worship as their conscience dictates, or not at all, and to be successful and achieve the great American dream.
ROMNEY: And we believe that Americans from all walks of life, from all communities and backgrounds, are equally Americans and are participants in our great democracy.
OBAMA: I want you all to know that the Governor, though I disagree with his proposals, is a good and decent man who wants all Americans to achieve success. And I've had the honor to meet Ann and their fantastic family, and it's been a real pleasure.
ROMNEY: And I want you all to know that the President, though I disagree with his policies, is a true American and has been my President. [chuckling] Hopefully only until next January. [Obama chuckles.] And Michelle and the girls are some of the brightest and best people you'll ever meet.
OBAMA: We may not agree on much, but we agree on what's important.
ROMNEY: Family.
OBAMA: Freedom.
ROMNEY: Opportunity.
BOTH: America.
[Image of both candidates in front of American flag.]
VOICE-OVERS: I'm Barack Obama, ... and I'm Mitt Romney, ... and we approve this message.
END.
...
The alternate universe in which this ad would run is the second best of all possible worlds.
The best of all possible worlds would be the one in which it was truly unnecessary to run it.