McCain Palin Ad Defends Pick By Ripping Obama

The McCain campaign has launched, in the form of a new political advertisement, the most explicit defense yet of its choice of Sarah Palin's for vice president.

Entitled "Alaska Maverick," the ad compares Palin's executive experience to that of Barack Obama's, in the process re-launching a series of traditional digs they've levied at the Illinois Democrat.

The aggressiveness of the spot creates a sharp contrast to the first political advertisement that the Obama campaign ran for its VP candidate, Joe Biden. That spot had no mention of McCain; rather, it pushed a small town theme and highlighted the Senator's Scranton roots. In a way, the two ads provide a telling insight not only into the contrasting political cultures of each campaign but how differently Palin and Biden's VP rollouts have proceeded.

MSNBC notes that almost every charge in the ad is untrue:

It's important to note that there are a few misleading assertions in the ad. For one, the "Journal" that's cited is the conservative and partisan Wall Street Journal editorial page. Two, to call Obama the Senate's most liberal senator is dubious. (The charge comes from the National Journal ranking Obama as having the most liberal Senate voting record of 2007, but he was nowhere near the top in 2005 and 2006; it's also worth noting that Obama missed many Senate votes in 2007, so that ranking is a bit skewed.) And three, the charge that Obama "gave big oil billions in subsidies and giveaways" is misleading. (According to nonpartisan fact-checkers, the 2005 energy bill the McCain camp is referring to actual resulted in a net tax INCREASE on oil companies.)

The ad, the campaign says, will air in key states. Here is the script:

ANNCR: The Journal says: "Governor Palin's credentials as an agent of reform exceed Barack Obama's." They're right.

She "has a record of bi-partisan reform."

He's the Senate's "most liberal."

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She "took on the oil producers."

He gave big oil billions in subsidies and giveaways.

She's "earned a reputation as a reformer."

His reputation? Empty words.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approved this message.

Comments

[Jingo]

Palin is definitely a reformer. She's willing to battle Democrat and Republican alike. In fact, Mrs. Palin has shown that she'll attack anyone who disagrees with her or stands in her way for higher office. That includes little old librarians who think censorship might be a bad thing.

She also has TONS of executive experience. As Mayor she managed almost as many people as Obama did as President of the Harvard Law Review. Now she governs over about 500,000 people, less than there are in a single Illinois congressional district. She's been governing for less time than Obama's been campaigning, but I'm sure she learns fast. After all, she recently didn't even know what the Vice President did and now she's already overqualified.

I'm sure she'll be great and do what's best for the country...right after she does what's best for Alaska, since Palin has repeatedly said her position as VP would be great for Alaska. The folks at the Alaska Independence Party, will be pleased. If you haven't heard, AIP is a political organization that wants Alaska to secede from the US so they can take control of all of Alaska's resources and profit from them themselves.

[mightyaphrodite00]

The dems are in the minority?? 85,000 people last week clamoring to see Obama and the RNC convention looked like a high school gym, with a bunch of old white folks in cowboy drag. Everytime there was an interview on the floor, you could clearly see all the empty rows behind their heads. The 'majority' red states are states that have like 500,000 people in them. The most populated states are clearly blue. With an administration that has an 80+ % unapproval rating, what majority are you talking about?

[AzRealProgressive]

You may be right, then again you may be just full of yourself. The next couple of months will be interesting, and what will you say in November if those old white cowboys in drag win? Will you scream that the elction was stolen? Or will you rethink you obsession with race politics?

[s2s2s2]

" (According to nonpartisan fact-checkers, the 2005 energy bill the McCain camp is referring to actual resulted in a net tax INCREASE on oil companies.)"

Would that be the Cheney Energy Bill?
Why Yes it IS! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Policy_Act_of_2005
He really is the Messiah, just by voting for it, he makes it Good for America, while you Rubes still get to cry about the Evil Cheney Bill.

[LemonMeringue]

What little experience she has is all bad. It seems she's failed at both her elected jobs. In Wasilla she ran up a debt, raised spending and taxes, increased regressive taxes while cutting progressive taxes, built an ice rink instead of the sewer the city needed, and left them $20 million in debt - and almost got recalled, also fired a policeman for dubious reasons and a librarian (for refusing to ban books at Sarah's behest). As Alaska's governor... oh never mind, it's just too hard to keep up. Half a dozen new scandals and revelations a day is too much.

[AzRealProgressive]

And after reading your posts about her, her status as a rock star in ascension has thrown a lot of cold water on your parade. Get out some, talk to others around, it would help you in dealing with this.. Palin seems to have hit rock star status. And I have to admit, like you , I am perplexed as to why. One point though, Palin has not failed at any of her elected duties in the minds of the majority of her constituents. Demean her all you want, but unless you start posting something to climb aboard on wih the majority of other americans , you may be calling her madam vice president.

[TrueBlueMajority]

Palin has not failed at any of her elected duties? Huh? she DID fail as mayor. folks wanted to recall her. she left a tiny town millions of dollars in debt. we're still researching her time as governor.

the majority of americans agree with the Blue Team on every issue, so I don;t understand that part of your post.

[CtJean]

How about just calling her madam?

There is a ranch in AZ we could give her.

[BlueOnBlue]

I think the experience thing is overblown on both sides. What i don't like about Palin has nothing to do with experience and everything to do with her stands on core issues.

As for experience, two of our least experienced Presidents were Lincoln and Wilson. Obama's experience -- and his wisdom -- correlate pretty well with theirs and they are always rated among our best Presidents.

One of the most experienced Presidents was James Buchanan, who had over 40 years in elective and appointed offices before winning the Presidency. All of that experience did not keep him from almost single-handedly bringing about the Civil War.

[chappelforpres]

Today's intolerant, fear-mongering, blue haired (or dyed) GOP, would have made Senator McCarthy proud. If the electorate is dumb enough to sign up for four more years of Reptilian "experience", a snowball of corruption and limitless incompetence, than the nation truly deserves its excruciating fate. After all, it's not like every ordinary American isn't capable of registering, the Darwinian wasteland we're rapidly becoming.

[theseanachai]

exactly, that's why we're all getting our passports ready. Leave the rednecks and barefoot and pregenant drop outs to live happily ever after, and we'll just start our own little expatriate america...free health care anyone? Leaders with brains? How about public transportation that works? I'll vote for Obama, pray and then prepare for the worst--and start packing my bags...it's a sad day, but this is definitely the end. If half this country is THAT STUPID why live in this country at all--they deserve their fate.

[AzRealProgressive]

And if McCain wins , please let me know when you are leaving. i have some friends that are looking for a place. I hope you find your far left paradise somewhere on earth. Good luck to you.

[lisaintexas]

There's not one Democrat I talk to and campaign with who is 'overconfident.' Rather we know the way the Republicans work and that people like to be sold a TV show rather than reality. Sarah Palin looks good, looks the part, speaks well (although doesn't have many words of her own) and is woefully ignorant of the world and the country she would be leading. Doesn't matter though. She looks right and she sounds right and she has all the right-wing talking points that the Republicans lap up and stick with. I do disagree that she'll bring over any PUMA's and many undecideds. She'll reinvigorate the base and the campaign will do their best to smear, lie, cheat and damage any Democrat running against them. That's how they operate. What do we do? Work our butts off, don't get distracted and make sure the people working in our counties and precincts have the tools and information they need and the support they want to get out those votes. It's going to be about grass roots and hard work. Stay the course. Pay attention. Go Democrats!

[AzRealProgressive]

Very reasoned post. I think the other side feels the same way about their people. It will be interesting to see what the polls say next week about this time.

[wesinohio]

Obama has done more in his short time there in the senate than McCain has in his long tenure. He and Palin scheme to win by cultivating hate. They do not represent a great day for America. Obama does.

[AzRealProgressive]

Can you give me an example of the hate you are referring to? In every article here at HufPo , I have missed all the examples.

[CtJean]

Every speech given by a repug is hate-filled. You don't have to go very far to find them.

Not one speech with substance on the issues we face has been uttered by the mcdoogle group.

How much are you getting paid for your posts?

Donating it to charity I assume?

[elizaW]

The Palin haters on this blog all sound like a bunch of whiners. You act as if Obama hasn't had his hit squad up in Alaska all week trying to dig up dirt on the Palins. The Democrats have had their gloves off from the second Sarah Palin was announced as the VP nominee. I loved her spirit and her guts tonight. She's not afraid of you guys. I'm sure you'll try to do everything you can to diminsh her appeal but it won't work. Meanwhile, Barack and Michelle have other things in their backgrounds that can be drudged up and thrown into the poltical debate as well.

[mirza]

"Lying"--the Republican way

[indypete]

I've asked this question on these threads a few times but nobody has answered it yet.....

If Mustang Sally is such an ideal pick, why did the party not put her in the original horse race with Mitt, Huck, Rudy, Johnny Mac, and all the other contenders?

[LemonMeringue]

The GOP hates women. They really do. And even they know her experience is crap.

[Dap]

A community organizer is not as important as a C.E.O. Mayor/Governor, after all working with the People is just menial grunt work, that's for peons *Not* us V.I.P.'s .

[wesinohio]

A failed CEO. A failed mayor. A failed governor. Not a very important person.

[AzRealProgressive]

And if McCain wins practice saying madam vice president.

[LemonMeringue]

There were more people in Obama's community than there were in the city of Wasilla that she mayored, and probably in the whole state of Alaska - the least densely populated state in the union. She didn't govern so much as she ruled.

[MeanGreenMachine]

High School nick-name: Sarah the Barracuda.

Delusional sociopathic Queen Bee?

[malloy56]

Are there more people or Moose in Alaska?

[pcplz]

TAKE OFF THE GLOVES!!

She was a very sarcastic, condescend­ing.......­.person.

[Sabreen60]

In the U.S. Senate, he has focused on tackling the challenges of a globalized, 21st century world with fresh thinking and a politics that no longer settles for the lowest common denominator. His first law was passed with Republican Tom Coburn, a measure to rebuild trust in government by allowing every American to go online and see how and where every dime of their tax dollars is spent. He has also been the lead voice in championing ethics reform that would root out Jack Abramoff-style corruption in Congress.

As a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Obama has fought to help Illinois veterans get the disability pay they were promised, while working to prepare the VA for the return of the thousands of veterans who will need care after Iraq and Afghanistan. Recognizing the terrorist threat posed by weapons of mass destruction, he traveled to Russia with Republican Dick Lugar to begin a new generation of non-proliferation efforts designed to find and secure deadly weapons around the world. And knowing the threat we face to our economy and our security from America's addiction to oil, he's working to bring auto companies, unions, farmers, businesses and politicians of both parties together to promote the greater use of alternative fuels and higher fuel standards in our cars.

[eddiebly]

"I put it on Ebay"

Well at least she can use a computer.

[crybaby53]

Hearing the speech from palin and seeming her pg daughter on the stage with her boyfreind made laugh. How stupid does the republican party think the american peolpe are it just amuse me. First moral value people talk about being pg and unmarried parades her child before america. She exactly think anyone will atleast any kind of common sense are not agreeing with the choice of daughter relationship. She talked about what obama did in a community whicj needed his helped. The republicans will pay for this situation because the more they talk the more the communties come out in groups. REPUBLICANS BEWARE AND AFRAID because this palin belongs to those who is be out there AIMING for OBAMA and BIDEN in the WHITE HOUSE .

[mirza]

The American people are very stupid--they elected Bush TWICE

[AzRealProgressive]

Then you have to ask, how stupid did the American people think the other candidate was? And since you feel Americans are stupid people, will you leave if McCain is elected?

[SuiginTou7]

Sorry, hope