RNC Goes Green In First Major Obama Attack Ad

The RNC is using its financial edge to get out front with an Obama attack ad in battleground states, the Washington Post reports:

The Republican National Committee last night began running ads questioning Barack Obama's commitment to energy reform, the first major ad buy by either party in the presidential race.

"Record gas prices, a climate in crisis," says the ad's narrator. "John McCain says solve it now." The spot then details McCain's "balanced" plan on energy and notes that the Arizona Senator is "pushing his own party to face climate change."

Obama, on the other hand, says nothing but "no" when it comes to addressing the energy problems the country is facing. "He just says no to lower gas taxes.... No to nuclear.... No to more production," says the narrator before concluding: "No new solutions. Barack Obama: Just the party line."

The ads are running the four key battleground states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Ohio. They were produced by a newly formed independent expenditure arm of the RNC being run by Brad Todd, a GOP media consultant.

(WATCH)

Obama's campaign responds: "What we need to solve our energy crisis is an honest debate about the choices before us, not more attack ads that mislead voters about the facts. There's a real choice in this election between John McCain's promise to continue the Bush approach of trying to drill our way out of our energy crisis - which even he admits won't lower prices this summer - or Barack Obama's plan to provide meaningful short-term relief for our families and to make a historic investment in alternative energy development that will create millions of new jobs, keep the cost of energy affordable and secure our energy independence once and for all."

Comments

[broadsword]

Is it just me, or does anybody else find the attempt to position McCain as a green candidate both hypocritical and nauseating?

They *really* must think we're stupid.

[FaithInTruth]

I assume they mean green as in something found in the backyard composite pile.

[bayside]

I have seen MCCains ads in Ohio for a while now. This one is with the honeycomb is just plain weird...Course he doesnt have a supporter here, but my impression ,weird..

[mollyjackson]

"..Obama's plan to provide meaningful short-term relief for our families and to make a historic investment in alternative energy development ..."

We can't do alternative development...its just like drilling...it would take 10 years. And the only short term he has given is to tax the oil companys.....and you know who will get to pay that!

[xmw]

Hello.....it's alomost the middle of July! I don't see McCain pushing thru a summer gas tax holiday. Can anyone say.............. gimmick???? The locked step Republican talking heads keep saying that at least his "suggesting it shows he's coming up with ideas to help even if it doesn't pass". If Obama did it it's called flip flopping and lying. McCain isn't even being called out on his crap. No it's the drilling.Put it out there to get elected knowing there will be no results for 10-12 years. But hey, McCain should get points for trying right?

[barackobama4prez]

Uh...the GOP hasn't initiated the so-called gas tax holiday....we're almost to mid July...????????????

[VOTER]

July 4th has come and gone and we haven't seen John McCain proposing

a bill to institute his summer gas plan.

When will he do so?

Why haven't the MSM asked John McCain?

Bushie will certainly approve it. : - /

Hurry up guys, summer is half over.

[SwingVoter]

It is only fair this is looked into: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afawZWEtCKc

[Countdown09]

Anyone still want to moan about Sen. O not falling into the republican trap of taking public finance? This is just the reason O said he wouldn't. John McCain doesn't have to spend a dime of his $85 million doing attack ad's.

[metalpipe]

Is that the best they have? Man, we are going to slaughter those guys.

[nualak]

What the Democrats seem to lose sight of is, the price increase on gas happened on the Republican watch, as has the housing crisis, food shortage, millions of people hungry in the U.S., THE INVASION OF IRAQ and a massive loss of jobs.

Where is the Democratic Party. and Barack Obama while all of this is happening. Where are the ads.
We should be shouting from the housetops about what the Republican Party has done to this country. Come on, please. GET ON THE BALL.

[aztecdiva]

I would love for an environmental ad to come out on the actual ROI on nuclear power and drilling he proposes.When he says he knows nothing about the economy it is true.

In 2007 the American taxpayers spent $1.2 billion in nuclear energy which provided ZERO megawatts installed.

For the $3 billion spent on coal led to about 1,400 MW installed (without carbon reduction or storage, since that is not yet commercially viable).

For the $800 million spent on renewables (not including hydro) in 2007 led to about 6,000 MW installed. Of that, the $724 million provided to wind led to over 5,200 MW of new, zero-emissions, fuel-free generating capacity—35% of the ENTIRE new power
generating capacity added in the country.

It is very clear that McCain and the Repugs really need to do some research on the ROI of the proposals that they are promoting. We are so deep in debt that their is absolutely no way we can afford billions of dollars on "exploratory" energy for years without a return.

Lastly, U.S automakers need to take a look at Honda. Two cars in Southern California that are being piloted for mass distribution. One fueled on hydrogen gas (Honda Clarity) and the other on natural gas (Civic Green). Natural gas stations that can be put in your garage to fuel the car. Natural gas options have been very popular in European and Middle Eastern countries were oil isn't a major export.

[isis]

Isn't Arizona having some sort of troubles with its nuclear power? And my Sierra Club voter guide said that McCain was not present for any of last session's environmental votes. He was not even there.

[metalpipe]

We can't seem to get waste disposal right, mostly because we are unwilling or to stupid to see what India is doing with it's reactor waste; recycling it to the point where it basically doesn't exist anymore. When are we going to start getting creative like that?

Answer: After the November elections. Bye bye GOP.

[Gary47]

The statement "What we need to solve our energy crisis is an honest debate about the choices before us" is a complete non-starter and should be immediately scrubbed from all campaign literature and talking points. It makes Obama sound like a tired Senator, not a Presidential candidate.

The rest of the response is great. Keep up the good work.

[metalpipe]

I think that's a nice way of saying 'McCain, nothing you said made any sence'. But he actually say that.

[Sixtwo]

I disagree. The key words are, "AN HONEST debate" about choices. .. For decades our government has been aware of and talking about the growing energy (oil) situation/crises here in America and we no closer to a lasting solution today than we were years and years ago. The fact of the matter is, the U.S. MUST get itself in a position where it does not have to depend on oil. IT IS TIME to face the reality of the need for alternate energy sources, and for the first time do SOMETHING!! An HONEST debate could lead to a COMMITMENT to stop talking and start now to develop strategies to accomplish alternative energy sources. Drilling in the US could lead to bigger problems and new problems as it impact on communities and the environment.

[Energylover]

I don't think either candidate is focused on the right issues here. High oil price is do to fear about long term reserves. Alternative energy has years before there will be enough capacity. Natural Gas is the next to increase in price. There is an interesting commentary on the issue at http://www­.4yourcoun­try.org/20­08/06/300m­-for-a-bat­t.html

[neesy08]

It won't work. The GOP are down the tubes this year. Nobody wants them in office.