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***

Story continues below

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

[qwr]

Actually, this ad is a hopeful sign. Even McCain, who fought tooth and nail in Arizona not to create a King holiday, feels the need to pay lipservice to his memory. The country has come a long way.

[JumpingCholla]

The high road, my as s! He just wanted to steal some attention from the Democrats, and naturally, the msm fell for it, as they always do. He wouldn't know the high road if someone dropped him on it.

[CindyM2008]

I so agree.

[chronic]

Exactly!

[venice6]

This ad was weird and It was creepy...
Like McCain.
"I'd vote for Obama" and " McCain falls short"
-Mitt Romney 2008, youtube.com

[Tom95134]

This is McCain's way of saying, "Nice job kid." (Come back next week and I'll let you mow the backyard.)

[naeldwyck]

I think it's more like "Nice job, boy"... (as in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy#Race)

[meanguy]

"I think it's more like "Nice job, boy"...
-----------------------------------------
doesn't take long for the bots to start screaming 'racism', does it? if patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel, race-baiting is the FIRST refuge of an idiot

[outsidein]

i actually thought McCain was a funny, decent guy, esp with all the cosigns from different dems as well...but he came off as very cynical and sarcastic in that ad. sad that he can pull off so much and fail so miserably at sincerity.

John McCain. Country's worst.

[mollysgran]

McCain is like Bush -- he squandered all his political capitol. Now all he has is a "no-class" bunch of goons running a sick campaign.

[Veratruth]

Obama brought the Temple down tonight!! WOW. Celebrity is not a bad word. I'm done with conventions now. Sorry McCain. I remember all those ungodly names McCain and his friends have been throwing around so freely ... anti-Christian, anti-Christ, unpatriotic, etc. and etc. Actually, I think they fit McCain and friends perfectly. Isn't that ironic?

[rkfdred]

I certainly don't wish any gulf coast state to have to endure another hurricane but nature does what it wants to do. Considering the fact that Rev. Dobson was praying for rain tonight for Obama's speech, what would it say if the hurricane distrupted the Repubs? Be careful what you wish for - God makes his own plans.

[swift goat pet for truth]

Mc can be civil.

He just chooses not to.

[Tom95134]

Civil? To my way of thinking he's condescending. Obama doesn't need McCain patting him on the head and saying "good job".

[NTO08]

I suppose it would be better if he mocked and trashed the speech like Fox News Slobs are?

[CindyM2008]

Condescending and they say he's also very vindictive.

[booksnmore4you]

And before midnight on the same day, his campaign released an inane negative and lying statement in response to Obama's speech. So much for McSame's word.

[NTO08]

Anything but would be surprising...the bouquets are followed by the bricks...

[progressivelady]

The pundits just said the GOP may delay there convention due to a hurricane since when doe this party care about hurricane's? Let's see of course they think were all Idiott's and it had nothing to do with that MOST AWSOME speech that Obama gave tonite, they can't even come close to topping my Dem's Convention

[thecanadian]

The Repug convention (as quoted on CNN) tonight seems to be having trouble finding enough people to attend their convention. Naturally, they will jump on the chance to say "can't do it because of ther hurricane"

[alexpope]

The best thing in the McCain ad was the makeup.Made him look 71.

[flydoghead]

I remember why I almost liked this guy 5 years old when I saw this clip.
What happened to THAT guy ?

[scornflakes]

Thanks for the close-up. You can actually see his flesh rotting.

[dkuz09]

I just made the most guttural laugh at your statement. Thanks for making me laugh lol!

[dagnome27]

If he REALLY wanted to take the high road, he would have remained silent tonight.
Guess you can't keep a scene stealer down, eh?

[u193302]

Lol...After Obama's great speech, i love how this plays right in and commend him a on great night.