McCain's Convention Ad Congratulates Obama

UPDATE: John McCain has released the ad he will air in response to Barack Obama's acceptance speech. In it, he congratulates Obama on his historic nomination.

Here's the ad:

The full ad transcript:

JOHN MCCAIN: Senator Obama, this is truly a good day for America.

Too often the achievements of our opponents go unnoticed. So I wanted to stop and say, congratulations.

How perfect that your nomination would come on this historic day. Tomorrow, we'll be back at it. But tonight Senator, job well done.

I'm John McCain and I approved this message.

***END OF UPDATE***

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John McCain's campaign is setting expectations high for its response to Barack Obama's acceptance speech in Denver tonight: an ad airing in battleground states. Communications Director Jill Hazelbaker describes the spot "historic" and "exciting," but the campaign won't offer details. Here she is talking about it on "Morning Joe":

MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Apparently the McCain campaign has an ad rolling out tonight. What's it about?

JILL HAZELBAKER: Well, Mika, this is a historic ad. I think this is the first of its kind. Senator McCain is going to speak direct to camera to Barack Obama. I'm not going to give away many more details than that. But suffice to say it's going to be a very exciting ad, and I think it's going to get a lot of attention.
...

BRZEZINSKI: Jill, you've got to give us more on this ad. He's speaking directly to camera, John McCain is to Barack Obama. If you say there's news here, what's the news?

HAZELBAKER: Well, I'm going to keep a lid on it. But I think it's newsworthy to note that Senator McCain is going to have an ad that's going to air in battleground states around the time that Senator Obama is speaking tonight. And he's going to be talking directly to his opponent. So, I'm going to leave it there, but it's going be very exciting and a lot of people are going to focus on it.

The Politico notes that "the strip-tease on the ad is one of several moves by the McCain campaign that could distract attention from Obama's big night." They are also fueling speculation about McCain's VP pick.

Comments

[moonrider 73]

Mr.McCain after seeing your ad last night McDonalds Corp. has selected you to portray are Hamburgeler Character. With your short stature,stubby arms and available start date of Nov.5,2008 your perfect for the part.We would also like to change your slogan of drill here drill now to eat here eat now. We look forward to seeing you stand next to Ronald McDonald.

[1dogs2]

I first saw the ad in the afternoon on a cable news channel and thought (a) OMG, McCain is schizophrenic, and (b) it was way too little way too late after his ugly attacks on O's patriotism, playing the race card, etc.

Then I saw it as a paid ad just after O's speech and LMAO since it seemed to congratulate O on a speech that absolutely skewered McCain.

[MsMontana]

Did you see those pointy little horns pop out of his head as he spoke?

[bigsioux]

Just butt out McCain.

[Mahi Joe]

This is what JILL HAZELBAKER calls a historic ad? I view it as a declaration of defeat ad.

[Chemwiz]

Very classy. Good job McCain!

[WFV]

An extraordinary waste of time and money, this is. Nobody is buying it, McSturgis.

[SMP]

5 mins after Obamas speech was over....Mc­Cain camp made a negitive statement.­..........­so much for HONOR ..........­........ps­. McCain cant even define Honor..or Winning

[Chemwiz]

That was called a post speech analysis..­.dork.

[clearthinker2008]

Republicans and there name calling...­.

[normalkid0615]

Baloney. Nice try.

[ctfbf]

Remember, there is nothing apolitical about a political advertisement.
First, McCain’s underhanded politics of late are starting to define his campaign. His reputation can be polished a bit by the “high rode” image his comment instills.
But there is a further purpose. Mike Huckabee gave similar praise, calling Obama’s candidacy a “landmark achievement”. In lauding the CANDIDACY as the achievement, the Republican Party is giving Americans the opportunity to feel good about themselves in this history-making event, without actually having to vote for the guy.

Read what Shepard Smith of Fox News said:
"...Africa­n-American families across America — mothers and fathers and sons and daughters — watching their television screens — as for the first time in our union's history, a black man will stand onstage and accept that nomination — and all those mothers and fathers can say to their children, 'Look, you can do that some day too.' … So put aside politics for a moment, and consider no matter who wins this election, no matter where your allegiances lie, Barack Obama is about to take a step forward — not only for African-Americans, but for all Americans.­"

See? This is saying that Obama achieving the just the nomination of his party is enough of an inspiration. The Democratic Party has taken an amazing step forward with this nomination; it remains to be seen if the country as a whole, by electing Barack Obama, can claim his achievement as its own.

[loax]

McCain does not know what the high road is, after all he is a Republican.

[amazinggrace]

John:

Happy Birthday to you
Today you are 72
Obama is going to win in November
Because you offer nothing new.

[chosenson]

That's no "high road", it was purely political. It was the anniversary of MLK's "I have a dream" speech. He's trying to court the Black vote and does not want to have to keep apologizing for having voted against an MLK holiday.

If McC wanted to take the "high road" he would recant the lies he told about Obama regarding late term abortion, lies that Obama will raise taxes, and renounce his swiftboat thugs. Now that would be taking the high road.

http://alchemytoday.com/obamataxcut/

http://factcheck.barackobama.com/factcheck/2008/08/19/fact_check_born_alive_1.php

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/catholicamerica/2008/07/wolf_at_the_door.html

[krocklin]

More hypocrisy from McCain.

The immediate response from the McCain campaign to the media right after the speech, was to state that Obama will increase taxes on people making $42,000 and more.

Apparently the McCain campaign is trying to put this figure out - when it really is $250,000. I have heard it multiple times from his surrogates, and its a lie. Apparently they are twisting something Obama said once, though I have never heard them explain where they get this figure.

[DaOne]

Thanks Senator, was Paris Hilton busy?