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

[barackobama4prez]

Is this article that juicy that it has to be posted twice?

[BLinCincinnati]

Apparently he didn't learn from his last attempt to "upstage" Obama during one of Obama's big speeches. Even Fox News bashed McCain over it. You know it's bad when even Fox News ridicules you.

[debrouillard]

Does he ever talks Policy?

Everything he ever says is O BA MA. It looks like even JMC cant get enough of the next President.

[boombox]

This is like an episode of "Batman" where the Joker suddenly appears on TV and challenges Batman to a pie fight.

[barackobama4prez]

I will be watching C-span so his ugly face doesn't appear on my screen.

[PALinda]

C-SPAN is fantastic for unadulterated coverage of the convention. I've been glued-to-the-tube for 3 nights now and NOT ONE glimpse of McSame.

C-SPAN - the actual news ... not regurgitated "opinions" and guided-mind tours.

THANK YOU C-SPAN !!!

[chitown8]

I agree.

[Forsetti]

Spot on! Now McCain can selct Romney as his partner in crime; Two Face.

[midknightryder13]

This is from the "More than you ever wanted to know" file, but since you brought it up...

There IS an episode of "Batman" where the Penguin runs for Mayor of Gotham City -- "Hizzonner The Penguin". The incumbent mayor implores Batman to run against the Fowl Bird of Prey because no one else will stand a chance against Penguin's underhanded tactics.

Batman runs a clean campaign (including a debate between the two candidates DURING a Bat-Fight), but is trailing in the polls. But, of course, Batman wins. The Penguin is SO upset that he kidnaps the election commissioners to FORCE them to declare him the winner. After the inevitable SECOND Bat-Fight and rescue, it is revealed that the Penguin could never have been elected because it's ILLEGAL for anyone with a criminal record to run for mayor.

[barackobama4prez]

wtf? I wish we were still fighting Hillary. These idiots are insulting the American people.

[TGCNY]

i hope the repugs aready for people to start pAYING FULL ATTENTION TO THEM AND THERE EMPTY ANTICS

[LemonFreshScent]

So I wonder if he would rebut MLK's speech. He sure didn't want the holiday.

[Charmed]

LOL, so do they think Obama is going to be looking at TV while he's on the field......they are pathetic, childish and clueless.

[Jalenth]

Is this going to be another "green screen" moment when McCain tried to one-up Obama on the last primary night? Haven't John McCain learned not to compete with Obama on a night when Obama has the media attention?

[barackobama4prez]

two words about Jmac trying to compete with O for media attention: cheese aisle.