RNC Plans Obama Attack Ads In Four Battleground States

WASHINGTON — An independent arm of the Republican National Committee plans to spend $3 million on an ad campaign contrasting GOP presidential candidate John McCain to Democrat Barack Obama on energy security.

The ad will run in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin beginning Sunday. The ad represents the first of the RNC's independent expenditure operation.

The effort will be run by Republican media consultant Brad Todd of On Message Inc., a media and polling firm that worked on Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.

Todd said the ad will focus on energy, "which is emerging as a defining difference in the race for president."

By setting up a separate organization within the RNC, the national party can spend unlimited resources on behalf of McCain as long as it does not coordinate with the candidate's campaign.

McCain and the RNC have been raising money together for a joint victory fund that can that can be used to coordinate efforts between the national party and the McCain campaign. But the RNC is limited to spending no more than $19.1 million on coordinated activities.

The independent operation faces no such restriction, but can have no connection to the rest of the RNC or the McCain campaign. McCain has decided to accept public financing in the general election, which limits him to about $84 million in spending, a step that makes reliance on the national party even more important. Obama, who has shattered fundraising records, has decided to bypass the public money and raise his own instead.

"Following Barack Obama's decision to become the only major party presidential candidate in history to not adhere to campaign spending caps, the Republican National Committee has begun an independent expenditure campaign in accordance with FEC regulations," Todd said in a statement Wednesday.

Story continues below

advertisement

The Democratic National Committee first aired ads critical of McCain in the spring.

McCain and Obama have been running their own general election ads. Obama has focused on reintroducing himself to voters through biographical ads that are airing in 18 states. McCain ran one ad that featured his family's military service and highlighted his five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam; he is now on the air in 11 states with an ad promoting his stance to control global warming.

The RNC's first salvo of the election comes as several outside groups take advantage of a lull in summer election activity to begin defining and prodding presidential and congressional candidates with their own multimillion-dollar advocacy campaigns.

Health care, gun rights and financial security will be among the dominant issues as unions and special interest organizations try to set the tone for the general election campaign and beyond.

Among the top efforts under way:

_ The AARP began airing a new ad on national cable Wednesday pressing Obama and McCain to keep talking about financial security for retirees and affordable health care. Beginning Monday, the ad will run in Orlando and Tampa, Fla.; Des Moines, Iowa; Manchester, N.H., and Detroit _ markets in key battleground states. The seniors' advocacy group, acting on behalf of a coalition called Divided We Fail, plans to spend more than $20 million on its bipartisan ad campaign through Labor Day.

_ A coalition of labor and liberal organizations next week plans to launch a $40 million campaign in key congressional districts to promote affordable health care coverage for all Americans. The group expects to spend $25 million in commercials in 45 states between now and Election Day in November. Its members include unions such as the Service Employees International Union, the AFL-CIO, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and Democratic-leaning organizations such as the Center for American Progress, MoveOn.org, and the Campaign for America's Future.

_ The National Rifle Association plans to spend about $40 million to influence the presidential election, starting with a voter registration effort this summer and eventually moving to an ad campaign during the fall. The NRA has not yet endorsed a presidential candidate, but plans to air ads criticizing Obama's past support for restrictions on access to guns. The NRA also has had a tense relationship with Republican John McCain over his work on campaign finance laws that the NRA has opposed, concerned about the limits imposed on free speech.

___

On the Web: http://www.aarp.org/issues/dividedwefail/about_us/

Comments

[independent32955]

Let me translate the GOP-speak here:

Since Barack Obama has created such a groundswell of support for his Change campaign with the average American, the RNC must tweak its operations so that we can throw incredible amount of special interest money at BO in attack ads, which is all perfectly legal since this situation could not have been foreseen by those who wrote the campaign finance laws.

America speaks out against the GOP, the GOP tries to continue its fear and loathing campaign of hate...I'm sorry, but I can't respect anyone who is a republican and doesn't realize that they're being used each and every day.

[waynesmyer]

"WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GOP, IS GOOD FOR AMERIKA!"
p.s. This important FAUX News Alert was paid for by the GOP (Grand Old Pedophiles) and the RNC (Repuke National Committee)
GOPers Forever! The Hundred Year War!

[Phil123]

So now if you run an ad highlighting your differences on a real issue, this is considered an "attack ad" by Obama people? They probably think it's probably racist too. Is there any discussion that can be had that mentions anything about Obama without having it interpreted as an "attack?"

The only thing of substance that makes me suspect the RNC is that it says that the first ad will talk about differences in positions on energy policy. I'm not sure how you can do this. Obama does not seem to have a position, other than that none of the actions proposed by McCain should be taken. When asked about gasoline prices, Obama said that he would have wished that they hadn't got as high as they are now as quickly as this happened, but otherwise gave no indication that he thinks that we need to find a solution to make them lower.

[VOTER]

Try using your computer for knowledge.

Senator Obama's Campaign Website is a good place to begin.

Issue, Questions, Answers and you, also, can join in on discussions regarding these issues and possible solutions.

Next, my personal favorite place to go is the the Editorial Board Interviews with the candidates. These meetings are usually quite long and the candidates answer questions from the Board.

Senator Obama's answers to these questions are impressive.

Ready, set, go!

You can leave the Low Information Voter Arena with a little effort on your part.

[Phil123]

Yes, I've seen it. It's mostly platitudes with very little by way of specific action plans.

BO seems like an empty suit to me, although he has a knack for saying the "right things;" things kept sufficiently ambiguous so that you can't actually hold him to an articulated position, but laced with "feel-good" bromides. He is smooth and slick - I'll give him that - but he's short on real content or specific action plans.

[keepemhonest]

The rightwing Republicans involved in McCain's campaign do not know the definition of "discussion."

The only thing those rightwingers know is lies, fearmongering & power so they can continue to steal jobs from 'we the people' while they get rich sending our jobs overseas ... and then have the nerve to tell us our jobs going overseas is good for us. -- That's how dumb they think we are ... Phil123 ... and how dumb are you to buy into that BS?

[Phil123]

You are a parody of yourself. You claim that Republicans don't understand discussion, but only lies and fearmongering.

While I fairly articulated the extent of an "energy position" as I've understood it from BO, you've engaged in delusion (about "stolen jobs" to somehow enrich others), fear mongering, and name calling, and then you call me dumb.

Is that your concept of discussion? The thing that's really pathetic is that it likely is. It typifies the kinds of "reasoned responses" that I frequently see on the Huff Post.

You are dumb. Get a clue.

[Pollitrix]

Phil I just left McCain's website because I like to be an informed voter. His energy policy is he will seek A comprehensive bipartisan plan to lower prices at the pump, reduce dependence on foreign oil through domestic drilling and champion energy alternatives for better choices and lower cost. These are words from his website.

Now look where is his solutions:
Comprehensive bipartisan plan - what is the plan and where has it been for the last 4 yrs
reduce independence on foreign oil - how? especially when you won't vote for wind-fall taxes
Champion energy alternatives - come on I don't even need to break this one down CHAMPION

As BO these are just flowery words that won't get crap done.

[BethStuart]

I would expect the worst from the Republicans. This is the party of Lee Atwater and Karl Rove.

[VOTER]

SCENE:

An Average American Family is watching television.

Unlike their usual practice of turning the volume off during commercials, the sound is on.

The Republican Attack Ad comes on. Lies and distortions about Obama's Energy Policies are told while praise is given to the Old Soldier McCain's campaign ideas.

THE HUSBAND says, " It cost over $60 to fill up my compact yesterday."

HIS WIFE says, " This is really hurting our budget. The only roast I can cook is from my grandmother's
recipes from the Depression. It is a Crown Roast of Frankfurters. I have to sew the dogs together so they stand up and then stuff the center. I wonder what my grandmother used for her stuffing?"

THEIR DAUGHTER says, " Do you know the McCains are multi-millionaires and own their own jet?"

THE HUSBAND says, " Interesting. They were both involved in the Keating Five Scandal which cost American taxpayers over $2 Billion bucks! She was the Bookkeeper."

HIS WIFE says, " Well, she steals cookie recipes too. Imagine that!"

THEIR DAUGHTER says, "She, also, FORGOT to pay taxes on her million dollar beach front
condo for FOUR years."

THE HUSBAND/FATHER says, " That's NOT being a GOOD AMERICAN! I work two jobs to pay our taxes."

Their telephone rings. The husband/father answers it. A quiet conversation takes place.

He returns and tells his family.

"THAT WAS THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN. I DONATED $15.00!"

VOTE FOR OBAMA!

[keepemhonest]

I like your ad!

[independent32955]

me 2...i have a counter attack ad for the GOP

They put up pictures of Obama next to McCain and just keep repeating over and over,

But he's black!!!

I think that would really resonate with their base. it would bring into sharp relief that which they all seem to believe and are unwilling to say, "that they dont need more of a reason NOT to vote for BO other than he's black!"

[elr50]

But most Americans are so damned stupid, they would say, ,"But McCain will PROTECT us from the evil ones!" and vote for the a-hole. Most Americans are stupid, expecially in red states.

[econdr]

GOP = creepy old white men

[Daly]

Grand ~ Energy ads will be unleashed just in time for us to discuss:

Waxman: State Dept. "misleading" on Hunt Oil deal
and for a change of subjects we can review how Mc's puppeteers new rovian line-up is doa

[keepemhonest]

Commercial:
McCain& Bush two peas in a pod.

USA has already given Big Oil 68 million acres to drill on ... they haven't even tried to drill on that land ... yet, Bush/John McCain want USA government to GIVE Big Oil even more land& try to con Americans into thinking it's good for Americans.

Bush/McCain want 45 more nuclear plants ... but don't say where all that radioactive nuclear waste will be burried ... don't eat the veggies. Then there's the problem with the need to prevent nuclear proliferation& security at nuclear facilities.

Bush/McCain don't want to use ethanol from sugar cane or corn. Bush/John McCain want to scare Americans into thinking that ethanol-fuel would cause food shortages. Current global food shortages come from gas/diesel being so high it's hard to transport food in USA let alone outside USA.

Why do Bush/McCain object to ethanol from sugar cane? Brazil"s 30-year-old sugar cane ethanol fuel program uses cheap sugar cane as feedstock, the residual cane-waste used for heat and power.

Brazilian ethanol program provided nearly 700,000 jobs in 2003, and cut 1975"2002 oil imports by a cumulative undiscounted total of US$50 billion. Uh HAH!! That is why Bush/McCain object to ethanol from sugar cane ... it cut the import of oil!

McCain wants to give a gas tax holiday for the summer -- summer's here& McCain hasn't authored any Bill.

DOW had worst June since the Depression -- vote McCain& live like your ancestors.

[FreeSpeech200854]

keepemhonest,

I couldn't have said it better!!! Love this!

[VOTER]

Please copy your post to the Obama campaign.

Well said.

Kudos!

[ShamusNYC]

They can't win on this issue - especially if Al Gore weighs in on Obama's side.

That Dr. No ad was just silly - the response ads need to hit back hard. Heck, McC just flip-flopped on drilling within the last month - and he has the nerve to call Barack untrustworthy!

The only thing that Obama has to do is convince the public that the Dems are better on the war on terror. Every other issue will fall Barack's way.

By the way, the Dems are better for the war on terror - McC is clearly Al Q's choice. He'll continue to waste resources on a silly war that allows Al Q time to strength, great PR for recruiting, increased oil prices to help fund the effort and so much more.

There's a reason we have not been attacked in almost 7 years. It's because AlQ gets almost everything they want from Bush & Co.

Think about it.

[Shaddup]

"...An independent arm of the RNC..." Is there such a thing? (I think not).

[MsLiz]

Isn't that what Fox News is?

[Charmed]

Is it becoming clearer why Obama didn't take public financing? He's going to need all the money he can get to fight back against attacks BUT some are whining about that.

[keepemhonest]

you got that right!!!! Obama showed good judgment AGAIN on that score.

[takeamericanback08]

Republican media consultant Brad Todd of On Message Inc., is wasting their money because their strategy won't work. They won't be able to hide the fact that McCain is exhibiting a loss of cognitive abilities associated with old age and he is not qualified to be president of a lemonade stand.

[Faith101]

I hope Obama and campaign got some political ammo for McCain and the repubs. They are holding back some of their fire power for the fall. Everybody know the repubs will stop at nothing to win. They have always played dirty, lied, cheated, stealed. Whatever it took. But Obama and crew are very tactically brilliant. McCain and screw just might get suprised.

[Meggie]

so mcstain can prove that he's either a total fraud or that NOBODY in the repub party listens to him or cares one whit about what he thinks.
good for repubs to know before they vote for him anyway - you don't know who you're really voting for because mcstain is just a puppet that nobody of substance on the right pays attention to.

[Mike4Obama]

Speaking of negative campaigning, as much as I hate to link this article, Ann Coulter slams McCain in this one. http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27337

I think Bob Barr is going to beat McCain in the popular vote if this backlash continues. Not really but I think he, depending on how things go, could really make a dent in a few places.

It's pretty apparent the Entertainers (Republican ones), basically hate McCain. I listen to WMAL on occasion to listen to the latest talk show spinning talking points are, and I don't think I've heard one positive thing about McCain. Their entire programs are filled with I'd say anti-Obama 90% and anti-McCain 10%.

McCain has managed to, with not only his past votes and actions, ie, McCain-Feingold, singled out the evangelists Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell as "corrupting influences on religion and politics" and "agents of intolerance" and said parts of the religious right were divisive and even un-American. , but also his current championing of cap and trade, Immigration Reform, etc, isolate his entire Conservative base.

[luvobama]

They had best be careful. We saw what playing in the dirt did for the sure winner in the dem primary. O will set the pace for how ugly this election will be. If you're the one making an ass of yourself, O will not get in your way. We know. We've seen it.