DNC Iraq McCain Ad Sparks Controversy: Watch Video

UPDATE: The RNC is threatening legal action over the DNC's Iraq ad:

Saying that the Democratic National Committee's latest TV ad is "maliciously false" and "deliberately misleading," Republican National Committee Chairman Robert "Mike" Duncan just told reporters that the GOP is asking networks not to run the ad and reserves the right to take legal action, if necessary, to try to keep it off the air.

The RNC's complaint is that the ad, called 100, takes comments made by Sen. John McCain out of context to make voters think that he wants to keep U.S. troops in Iraq for up to 100 more years.

The DNC responded on a conference call of its own:

DNC chairman Howard Dean flatly denied the charge of coordination with the campaigns. In a conference call a few moments ago with reporters, he said he hasn't spoken with either candidate or their teams about the ad. He also said the party "deliberately used John McCain's words" in the spot so there would be no question about the spot's veracity.

"We simply don't believe the American people want to stay in Iraq for 100 years whether it's as a peacekeeping force or at war," he said. "... Sen. McCain said what he said he said -- we should be in Iraq for 100 years. I think that was a very foolish position to take."

As for the RNC's threats to sue, Dean said, "Let them do it. I understand the RNC thinks it's illegal to criticize John McCain."

DNC General Counsel Joe Sandler said the spot was offered to FNC, too, and that he's gotten "no indication at all from the networks that they have any intention at all of pulling down this ad."

ORIGINAL POST:

Here's a first look at the Democratic Party's new ad hitting Sen. John McCain -- the first DNC spot to take on McCain over his support for the Iraq war.

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The 30-second ad manages to squeeze in not one but two clips of McCain's infamous exchange at a town hall meeting declaring that he'd be "fine" staying in Iraq for 100 years. In between, we see edgy shots of chaos in Iraq, including a bomb going off behind a startled U.S. soldier, and Iraqis scrambling around an exploded car.

The McCain campaign is sure to go apoplectic over the spot. In the past few months, they've sent out no less than 13 emails decrying the use of the "100 years" line by his political opponents. But the DNC plays it smart by not characterizing McCain's words, and it's hard to argue with the tape.

The ad is part of a $500,000 buy on national cable networks. Take a look:

"What John McCain doesn't understand is that the American people aren't fine with being in Iraq for 100 years in any capacity," said Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean. "The American people want a President who will responsibly end the war, not more of the same failed policy in Iraq that continues to cost $12 billion a month. They want a President who will invest that money here at home to create jobs and ensure our kids have health care. The more voters learn about John McCain, we're confident they will recognize that he is the wrong choice for America's future."

Comments

[provgrays]

McCain can't bitch that he was "taken out of context".

He shrugged and said, "Maybe a hundred." Nothing he said in the rest of that exchange contradicted that statement and even if he had contradicted that statement, it's clear that McCain's mindset is reckless and dangerous. He is unfit to be president.

[LAShores]

This one is good, but Moveon.org's is better.. I love it when they say at the end of it.. "And you thought it couldn't get any worse than Bush" man that's classic!

[poco767]

Heaven forbid that someone would disseminate inaccurate or misleading information in politics.

[Moxo]

The DNC will get my rebate check if they'll keep telling the truth about Panama Juan McCain.

[hmmmmmer]

Swift boaters get ready, you aint' seen nothing yet. Seems like you give them a little taste of their own medicine and they go crying to the courts. What a bunch of hypocrites, I guess they should keep in mind that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

[sd4peace]

It sickens me that the swiftboaters are upset about an ad that is actually true.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

Non-mouthpiece networks should just tell the idiot republicants to go ahead and try to get their injunction to stop it, there's likely NO chance of it happening except by a hack judge that will then get over-turned.

It's just the tip of the iceberg anyway, and they should expect MANY more commercials in JohnnyMac's own words. This guy is recent history's BIGGEST 'flip-flopper', and while he says he rejects statements that are viewed as 'anti-anything', his recent votes and opinions prove he's ANTI-EVERYTHING, unless it's 'more war' and 'tax-breaks only for the wealthy'.

[woodwakr]

Yeah... this, from the party that brought us the Swift Boat Liars!

So... they're basically saying "Hey now... misleading the public is OUR job!"

[realpolitic]

The DNC is using McCain's own words. Only the RNC can deny what is on tape. Then they pretend to be incensed by using something that is misleading, that is their lifeblood. The RNC would not exist without smears and character attacks.

[StillAmused]

This is priceless! Next thing you know, the Repukes will be consorting with known trial attorneys.

Choke on it, hypocrites!

... and pick your 'heroes' more carefully. First Rooty, then Freddie, now McSame. You're batting 1000.

[BIllyDelyon]

Yeah like the RNC's never been "deliberately misleading"...

LOFL...

[julieeiluj]

Hey they can go to the supreme court with this, since they own it. it put bush in office it can remove an ad. while they are at it, why don't they just say the election is illegal and give mccain the white house. What a crock.

[Anne1776]

So it's okay for the NC GOP, but not the DNC?

Riiiiiiiii­iiiiiiiiii­ight.

[TrueIndy08]

Its HILARIOUS to me that they would do all of this whining and crying about an ad that is telling the truth. The reason they are so mad is bc they are not accustomed to the truth!!

W LIED LIED LIED to get us into Iraq...
They had Pentagon officials go on nationwide tv and LIE to make it seem like we had to be in Iraq
They play "snipets" of Rev Wright and harp on that for weeks on end and the man isn't even running for President!!


Well McCain and the RETHUGS... its time you got a taste of your own medicine... don't like it? TOO BAD!!!!

I hope this ad plays every commercial break, every night, prime time tv until NOV.... I will never get sick of it!!!

[freshnotbitter]

Lawsuit??? You're kidding me. I say bring it on.


Do people realize that McCain's 100 Year War comment was worse than the DNC even says in the ad?

McCain touted the possibility of being in Iraq for 100 years by pointing out that we have been in Germany and Japan for 60+ years, so we only have 40 more years to go.

This shows how incredibly ignorant McCain is and how badly Americans have been misled. I hear people talk all the time about Germany and Japan but the situation is totally different. We were attacked by Germany and Japan and as the occupation proceeded after the end of the war, the Cold War set in and it is that (mainly) which kept our troops in Germany and Japan. (It is true that pulling troops out of Germany after WW I had some effect later on the attitudes towards keeping troops in Germany after WWII but again that is totally a different situation from Iraq).

Man, am I looking forward to this fight. Would Hillary please note the exit door and walk at and through that exit door so we can get going on repubs, PLEASE????

[skepticalindenver]

LOL....so they are complaining about misleading ads? RAWR! I can't believe that they have the nuggets to make such a claim after their constant bs.