It galls me to say this, since I’m something of a skeptic of user-generated media, but the winner of the create-our-ad contest on the Mitt Romney campaign is… fabulous. Morning in America iconography moving at the speed of American life in 2007, matched with the voice of the candidate himself and a simple, clear slogan – “Strong. New. Leadership.” All of it the labor of Ryan Whitaker, a 23-year old student from Provo, Utah.

Alex Castellanos, who made some of the most memorable ads for the Bush reelection campaign and is now Romney’s main ad man, said, “Ryan’s ad is the first, but it certainly won’t be the last. This revolutionary use of user-generated content empowers our grassroots supporters and their efforts immeasurably strengthen our campaign.” If I were Castellanos, I’d be a little nervous that Whitaker might get a contract out of this.

Patrick Ruffini calls it “the best ad of the campaign so far,” and if it isn’t the best, it’s up there among the best. (What would compete with it, the Hillary1984 ad? The footage of McCain as a POW? Richardson’s job interviews?)