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

[genseric13]

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3bf9d37c-7580-11dd-ab30-0000779fd18c.html?nclick_check=1 Bush economy continues to grow. Truly amazing.

[alexpope]

A large part of it was unwanted inventory buildup, which registered as positive when it means people aren't buying as much as what's being produced.

[genseric13]

A great and honorable American hero, All those years in his youth, suffering for his beloved Country while Barry was doing something in the neighborhood. Boy, what a difference.

[CubFanHere]

I think I just puked a little bit after reading that comment. If you McCain supporters won't come down off your high horse we'll just have to knock you off of it.

[JaneEyrez]

All depends on how you frame the debate. You could also say reckless former flyboy who crashed four planes before being taken POW against a man who could how gone for the money on Wall Street and decided to help people in needed, instead. See? We look at the same things and see them differently.

[Daly]

grumpy old man given the benefit of the doubt; insist he is a war hero - remember it was he that took the Academy teachings as fun & games; resulting in several plane crashes and perhaps his capture? remember he is but one POW; not THE POW.

[santamonica39]

this is so transparently an attempt to steal some spotlight for himself on this big night. His rep said on CNN "it's a really exciting ad... I think people are going to be talking about it" Yeah, that's why you did it. Given the fact that he still hasn't apologized for the ads he ran where he LIED about Obama dissing the troops not to mention all his other despicable ads, he doesn't have the right to offer his "congratulations"

[marbletown]

If this had come from the original Senator McCain I could buy it, maybe. But from candidate McCain it seems insincere. I kept waiting for a little "zinger" or "psych!" at the end.

For him, the ship of dignity has sailed.

[sillymongoose23]

why couldn't they have put the shadow on the other side of this face..... just curious...

[SimonNZ]

McBush's ad translated:-

I'm going to run my campaign as a negative partisan hate fest cos its proven the best way to win over the average American voter. But just for today I'll pretend I'm bigger than that. I'm really surprised you got this far. Well done boy.

I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

[chinationreport]

America, let your future define you for who you are, not wars and war heroes, from Vietnam or Iraq...Cheers!

[LeftLeanWing]

You Wonder Where The Yellow Went
When You Brush Your Teeth With PepsoDent !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pueltk9XndA

[lbrillante]

Excuse me but I don't find anything sincere about what John McCain did in posting this ad. He could have made a call. He did this to say look at me, look at me, see me being gracious, see m recognizing this historic event. I am unimpressed

[Daly]

You have a point because he, McCain did call Biden; so why not Obama; Oh is it because of his promise to run an honorable campaign?

[MOregon]

It's his Little Caesar complex. Always has to be the one that pees on the fire hydrant to exert control. This was so insincere and it is a big game to him. His last comments that they would be back at it tomorrow with a smug was pathetic. Obama is right on when he says John McCain just doesn't get it. Yes, it IS historic John, too bad you did not think the turning point in history with the blood of Martin Luther King, jr. and everything he stood for worthy of a holiday. NO, you just don't get it. Ross Perot was right, you ARE an opportunist!

[indypete]

I really don't know what to make of that.

[Veratruth]

Obama's Website under MAINTENANCE AGAIN. STRANGE that it was under MAINTENANCE for a week recently.

[macbabe]

have you seen the numberS on the blog and the speed at which it's growing!!!

[Veratruth]

Yes. Perhaps that is why it has to be maintained. Couldn't we just get a new Community blog site?

[meanguy]

probably found something else that needed to be dropped down the 'memory hole' before anyone noticed

[LA2000]

That was the McCain I voted for in 2000. Confident. Polite. Dignified.

We could use a whole lot more of that, and a whole lot less Schmidt/Rove.

[eXcommunicate]

Don't be fooled - this add has condescension and politick written all over it.

[meanguy]

hmmmmm....politics...during an election campaign? my God, is there no limit to their perfidy?

[chinationreport]

He puts people to sleep, he will put America to sleep, if elected. Please don't.

[mijumom]

Very smart move. Very transparent to anyone with half a brain but we know who he's appealing to.

[RRonin]

Just for a moment, the John McCain of 2000 surfaced......

[MOregon]

Oh puleeeze....What an insincere opportunist.