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

[PlantGod72]

On the ReUglicans high road....a SWAMP runs through it!

[DakRim]

He's rehearsing his concession call.

[Veratruth]

If the Publicans don't win, we will probably go back to the supremes. Give those poor lawyers a chance to cash in. After all, Obama might raise their taxes.

[SeanHannity4Obama]

LAME! STOP SMILING, YOU ARE SCARING MY KIDS

[Kim445588]

Hey, looks like CANDIDATE McC.ain is gonna have to reject and denounce the old Senator Mc.ai.n tomorrow.

[Veratruth]

That is a good one. Sen. Kerry is probably thinking the same thing.

[meanguy]

sen kerry is thinking? stop the presses-the dead have risen

[RoSull]

At first he was going to attack, but now he plays it nicely. I think his campaign found out that people were not too keen on him stepping on O's toes. It is out of respect that candidates generally do not campaign during the others conventions. McImAPOWSoShutUp has shown no class the entire campaign and this is a very paltry attempt.

[PlantGod72]

Oh, I thought his name was Johnny McImAPOWwh­owasTORTUR­EDandYOU'R­ENOTsoSHUT­UP.

[Mattjoe]

Passing a stone.

[Phoebe917]

LMAO. thats exactly the expression my husband had while passing his stone.

[StrangeMachine]

That ad is not "sweet" or "nice." It's opportunistic -- the same way McCain has always led his life (like ditching his wife for a hot young rich thang to jumpstart his career.) If he was truly being sincere, he would've called Obama directly with this message and not spoken of it to the press.

[PlantGod72]

and patronizin­g....and insincere.­...and WAY too little, WAY too late.

[Nolewoman]

Excellent point.

[bibb]

Looks like Rove let him off his leash for a moment.

[jah2008]

Even though I support Obama, that's the McCain I had hoped he would be as a candidate. It's a sad reminder how low he has sunk and how much he has squandered his reputation. It reminds me of Hillary during the primary.

[rooks]

I don't care about what is behind this ad. It is a lot better then what Bush would have done. Noth that that is saying much.

[BlueZoo]

Thank you! It is a gesture and, even if it's totally political, I'll give the devil his due on this one. It's nice to have a change from the outrageousness that preceded this one.

[OutragedMom]

This is a calculated political move, not a class act..... ask yourself, why are all of McCain's ads about Obama? McCain has nothing to sell.

[Jane43]

NU81, I noticed the sarcasm. Almost like a reminder that, "You all know he's black, right?"

[schneider360]

yeah, no joke, it really sounded sarcastic. we might as well have said "wow, what a ka-winky-dink"

[meanguy]

i thought obama had copyrighted that line

[MidwestGal]

I just puked in my mouth.

[kisskiss]

Ugh, he's so condescending and insincere.

[kdublya]

JSM 2k is alright my books.

To bad Rove/Schmidt are going to have a hairy conniption when they found out what he's been up to.

*Bathroom stall empty. Window open. Obscenitie­s.*