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

[AnnieinOR]

too late to try and put the jin back in the bottle now. you already showed your "ugly" side.

[wendynyc]

I think McCain secretly loves OBAMA and is inspired by him as well - hahaha...

The change happening this year is from the bottom up - 95% people think we are heading in the wrong direction as a country... let's take back our country.

[Veratruth]

He will say, "Democrats wants to raise YOUR taxes." He actually means, "Obama wants to raise MY taxes and all, MY FRIENDS, who are in the same 5% tax bracket like me."

[DanniD]

"But tonight Senator, job well done."

Boy, I bet now he wishes he'd not released that video before Obama actually spoke!

More bad judgment, McCain! More bad judgment!

[saron123]

McCain can't get anyone to listen to him unless he mentions Barack!

When is McCain going to tell us the specifics of his plan !!!

[Veratruth]

Specifics of his plan: Steal Barack's plans and hail them as his own, and "My friends (those whom I identify as RICH), we'll follow Bin Laden to the gates of hell or until hell freezes over."

[pwg357]

Good job McCain.
Although I'm no supporter of his campaign, I thought it was classy. Was it also calculating? Sure of course. EVERYTHING a modern politician does in public or in front of a camera is calculated. He did'nt have to do this and it will be very quickly forgotten by all of us following the elections. So good job!
Myself and others look forward to seeing you defeated in November.
Cheers!

[meanguy]

how reasonable and mature...you won't last long with this bunch; someone's bound to trash you for NOT trashing mccain

[Mark99]

So, when does it get "exciting" and "historic"? This clip is about as dazzling as a loaf of wonder bread.

It's mindblowingly obvious that his handlers had to force him to do this. But hey, at least he didn't squeak out that repulsive "myyy friendz....." which always kind of makes me vomit a little.

[punkingale]

Whose picture are they using for McCain? He never looks like the same person in his ads.

[FreeThinkn1]

"McCain Takes The High Road In Convention Ad" because he couldn't remember which road he wanted to take.

[Aquarius52]

Too little too late! At times like these one should be gracious, I know. But I cannot help but see this as a cynical and calculated attempt by McCain to rehabilitate his image.

His ads have been so negative, peurile and hateful that he wants to take advantage of this huge television audience to make himself look a little better than he has shown himself to be un reality.

Dont forget the MLK connection as well. This event is happening on the 45th Anniversary of the MLK "I have a dream" speech and many convention speakers and TV commentators have reminded us of that. That is not lost on the McCain machine as well. McCain was one Senator who fought VIGOROUSLY against the recognition of MLK birthday as a national and state holiday. This ad congratulating Senator Obama is a feeble attempt to shore up his civil rights "cred".

So rather than feeling genrous and gracious I feel absolutely disgusted and annoyed by this lates McCain shameless ploy!

[EuroPreacher]

HE LEARNT A LESSON FROM THE GREEN BACKGROUND INCIDENT!

[realitycheck7]

great

Iike to watch mccain waste money

[bygollymissmolly]

Barf. It is so hard for me to watch this old fool talk. He makes me cringe and feel sorry for him. I don't think I could stand another 4 years with a President who is a total embarrassment.

[meanguy]

"I don't think I could stand another 4 years with a President who is a total embarrassment."
----------------------------------
and yet, you're supporting obama; how curious

[TrueThis]

Why is he smirking if he's sincere? What a waste of air time.

[Apphouse50]

How many times did he blink?

[Amalek]

It's brilliant. He looks like a reasonable man. He calls attention to himself - every tv newscast will show it.

A negative ad tonight would have backfired.

The war starts anew tomorow.

[bygollymissmolly]

If you call that ad brilliant, you have a very low level of expectations.

[ErnestineBass]

"I'm John McCain and I approved this massage."

"Where are my pants, Joe?"