Obama Ad Calls Out McCain For Employing Lobbyists

In an ad that hasn't officially been released to reporters, the Obama campaign goes hard after John McCain for employing big-time lobbyists in high ranking positions.

The spot, entitled "Special Interest," leaked out on Friday despite what Democratic officials say was Obama's design of waiting until the weekend. The ad is indicative of the continued battle between the two candidates over who can best carry the mantle of reform.

"John McCain's chief adviser lobbies for oil companies, even from Russia and China. His campaign manager lobbies for corporations outsourcing American jobs. The campaign chairman he picked last year -- a bank lobbyist. If seven of McCain's top advisers are lobbyists, who do you think will run his White House? John McCain. We just can't afford more of the same."

The McCain campaign was out with a response immediately, claiming Obama was the one ineffectual when it came to taking on special interests.

"Suffering at the hands of his own underperforming, deeply partisan, do-nothing record, Barack Obama has hastily resorted to blatant hypocrisy or simple ignorance to his own lobby-driven campaign," said spokesman Tucker Bounds, spokesman. "The truth is Barack Obama's campaign is saddled with former lobbyists, and John McCain is the only candidate who has led the fight to root out the influence of corporate money in politics..."

So who is right? The fact that the question is still debated is, in itself, remarkable. David Donnelly, head of Campaign Money Watch, a national campaign finance watchdog group, offered the following statement regarding the back and forth.

"Under President Bush, Americans have witnessed Washington and the economy work well for the oil companies, the health insurance industry, and the big money players who can afford to hire one of John McCain's many lobbyists. During these difficult times, Americans want their government to listen to them, not to those who continue the pay-to-play system. Sadly, John McCain's campaign, as this ad describes, is captive to big money lobbyists, and he has refused in this campaign to support comprehensive policies that will clean up Washington."

Comments

[RhymeAndReason]

Are you kidding me....it is being reported that JM has just appointed a lobbiest to lead his transition team in the event of a win! Now who do you think he's going to recommend for postions? And this is a lobbiest who has worked for every Reb since the 60's yeah that should lead to a real shake of Wasington!

Wake up America! There is a fake in your midst and he's trying to trick you with a slight of hand trick. Don't fall for it.

[nellie]

I like this ad. I wish they'd add the names of the people to their photos. (Nitpicking, I know.)

But it's good. All the ads today have been strong and clear.

Planned Parenthood is still the winner.

[nordstrom]

Planned Parenthood is indeed the winner. I hope the McCain campaign took a good look at it, as well as the anti-ariel hunting ad against Palin. The latter one should air far and wide — it would be a real turnoff to a lot of women, I suspect.

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

Thank you Senator O!

This is the ad I have been waiting for. That's it call him out on the lobbyists running his campaign, who

will also run his administration. Take back our CHANGE mantra, they trying to steal. Own his behind.

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

Also it was neat the way you leaked it to the press. Play their game of free media. You have lifted our spirits.

[creekside]

Where is the Keating 5 ad? As we bail ourselves out from the current banking scandal remind the taxpayers that McMaverick was intimately involved in the last banking scandal.

[Karnameru]

TRUE

[Dewtrell]

GO BARACK!!!!! It is about freakin time - pull it into the home stretch. Keep hitting him over the head.

[nellie]

Let's hope this is just the softball beginning. And they keep building the pressure and telling the truth all the way to the election.

[JackND]

I want to see an ad starring Jim Webb setting the record straight about J-Mac's "support" for the GI Bill.

[Bluejay00234]

Just heard they subpoena Plains husband.

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

Thanks for the heads up Bluejay00234. I needed something to clean off the crap that has been thrown at us this week from McBush & Co.

[Bluejay00234]

Your welcome! They got to I think 13 others as well.

[Jacqueline3]

Keep pounding away Obama! I am loving it! I hope these ads run in all 50 states. I am sending a $200 donation right now.

[KareninSac]

I agree with Obama: ENOUGH! McCain is run by lobbyists for big oil, the insurance companies and the banks that gave us $4 a gallon gas, health care premiums we can't afford and the foreclosure crisis.

Wake up, America. ENOUGH!

[LucieLee]

WTG! Barack!!! The truth hurts doesn't Tucker Bounds.....your sounding even more ridiculous then usual......

[GrainOSand]

Hit him again, again, and again. Do not stop until it is over. Beat that GOP gutter dwelling, slimy, belly crawling snake into the ground (not the people of the GOP but their mentality their ideology). Counseling will be provided for the people after the election for their issues that cause them to adopt a snake-like approach when we need to be erect on issues that confront us; this is no time for hanging out on the ground, no time for slithering, no time for injecting poison into the body politic via slanderous political advertising. Beat that snake into the ground. Do not give it any chance to rattle its tail or to stick out its foul tongue of divisive politics. Do not allow it to bare its chipped, blood dripping, and blood crusted fangs of deceit. Let it slither no further on its belly of a deeply flawed outlook on the possibilities of a nation of far greater potential than allowed for within such schemes of gimmickry, illusion and insubstantial approaches to leadership. Beat that snake posing as an elephant into the ground.

[Barbyrah]

This one is excellent, Obama staff. Yes. Keep 'em coming just like this.
Specific.
Direct.
Undisputable.
Very easily understood.

[NicoleAnon]

I just want to make sure I understand this ad.

JM has former lobbyists working in high level jobs on his campaign - that is very bad.

The Candidate We Must Never Name Here has a former lobbyist running his entire campaign - that doesn't count because JM has more lobbyists than TCWMNN so you shouldn't vote for him.

Lots of lobbyists - bad.
Only a few lobbyists - not bad.

I think I get it now...

[MrGill]

Name the lobbyists on Obama's crew. Then we can go see if they are licensed to lobby. Should be easy to do.

[NicoleAnon]

I don't know the name of everyone on his "crew" because he refuses to let reporters get near him or ask any questions. When reporters are invited to travel with him they are told not to ask him any questions or get near him.

But Axelrod used to be a lobbyist.

[nellie]

It's so easy for some people to l.ie, isn't it? They think you'll never call them on it. Thanks for following through.

[Jim--C]

PUT UP OR SHUT UP NICOLE!

[NavyVet30]

All depends on who they lobby FOR!
If they are lobbying for the little guy? Fine with me.

[mjtaylor22]

I like this one. The power to lobby is in the constitution for the People, the voters. but with corporations being considered citizens, they have used their power and money, during the Bush Presidency to push legislation that solely benefits Business.
That has got to stop, we need citizen lobbyist, for our roads, education, affordable housing., disaster relief and planning

[JRsNana]

Name them. Name them now.

[freebeer]

Moses Mercado.

Lobbyist for the NRA, and for the Bush crime family business, the Carlyle Group, sorry to disappoint you Navyvet

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/10/10/private_equity_lobbyist_to_join_obama/

"Obama's campaign says Mercado will not join the campaign until he has ceased his lobbying work..."

[kmich718]

Yeah, put your money where your lying mouth is - Name names, Nicole..

Waiting -

[drumz]

Name some and their affiliations.
What a typically simpleton viewpoint from a republicant. It also depends on what they are lobbying for and mcbush is in bed with the banks, oil, defense contractors, telecom, pharma... I'd say Obama has a valid point..

http://mediamattersaction.org/freeride/lobbyists/
and if you don't loke that go here:
http://mccainslobbyists.com/

[nellie]

Nuance is not a strong point for many on this board.

[PAposter]

I think every time McCain or Palin lies or distorts the truth, Obama should release another ad. So, while they're complaining, another one hits the airways. It would be brutal.

At the same time, every time Obama's surrogates are asked about a McCain ad, they simply dismiss it as false, and flip the script back to their campaign, or question McCain or Palin on a particular issue. It would destroy them.

For this scenario to work I will have to continue DONATING to the campaign, please join me.

[rose london]

YEH...KEEP IT COMING...LET THE TRUTH REINGS.

ENOUGH OF MCPAINLY BS.

[JLopez]

We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."- Einstein