Obama Ad Goes After McCain For Being Old, Incompetent

There has been talk in recent days that Barack Obama would get tougher in his campaigning following the September 11th détente between he and McCain. Sure enough, Friday morning the Senator released his most personalized attack ad yet.

Making overt references to McCain's age, the spot, titled "Still," calls the Republican nominee out-of-touch, showing footage of him from 1982 alongside screen shots of disco balls, a (Zach Morris-like) old school cell phone, a record player and a rubix cube. It even calls McCain out for his unfamiliarity with the Internet. And, as a parting jab, the ad uses footage of the Arizona Republican riding with George H.W. Bush in a golf cart.

"1982," reads the campaign. "John McCain goes to Washington. Things have changed in the last 26 years. But McCain hasn't. He admits he still doesn't know how to use a computer, can't send an email."

In addition to the "Still" spot, the Obama campaign released another ad Friday morning, this one more positive in nature, with the Senator speaking directly into the camera, defining change.

It could very well be that the latter spot, titled "Real Change" will be the one that airs in most places, while the more inflammatory "Still" is designed to grab the media's attention. Already, the McCain campaign is out with a response.

"What is becoming clear to the American people is the fact that Barack Obama has no record of bipartisan legislative accomplishment, no history of bucking his party and no chance of bringing change," wrote Tucker Bounds, spokesman McCain-Palin 2008. "The truth is, Barack Obama voted for $2.8 billion in corporate welfare for big oil companies, broke his pledge to voters on campaign finance and has personally requested nearly a billion dollars in pork barrel spending for his home state - making his message of 'change' nothing more than an empty campaign slogan."

Comments

[optech007]

This ad will only serve to rally Republicans, they loved the 80s.

[serena1313]

The ad is not about age; it is about McCain not keeping up with progress. Considering how fast technology, science, medicine, etc. have vastly and exponentially grown but McCain hasn't indicates McCain is more inclined to resist change. It is becoming obvious that "change" is not John McCain's forte' yet he is running as a change agent. Or perhaps his deinition of 'change' is different than ours.

McCain assures us constantly he can run the country so why can't he, at the very least, know how to open his email? He did recently say he is just now 'learning' how to open his email and get on the internet all by himself without Cindy helping him.

What I would like to know is how many times Cindy had to show him!

These are just a couple of things that ought to give all voters pause!

[serena1313]

definition

[INDmind]

Give voters pause?

How about comparing what Barack told George Stephanopolous about Bill Ayres and what Barack told Bill O'Reilly about Bill Ayres.

Barack's downfall is that he tells so many lies, he can't keep them straight.

[vinny]

the personal attack is already backfiring... way to go O...

[NicoleAnon]

I have to go now but you're all making this worse and you're going to lose if you keep it up.

1) Stop implying a President can't do the job unless he knows how to use a computer. Seriously, that might work if you're trying to be elected President of your college but it's not going to work with this campaign. It's just stupid.
2) Stop making nasty remarks about SP like calling her Paliban because it just makes you seem childish and petty and mean like people who grew up acting like spoiled brats and didn't get punished for it.
3) Nobody cares how many homes JM has - get over it already.
4) If He is spending time next week with rich Hollywood celebrities for a dinner that costs $28,500 after appearing on SNL instead of traveling to an area where people have lost their homes because of Hurricane Ike, then the election is over. Accept it and get on with your life.
5) Don't give up hope if he loses - just remember, even with all our problems this is still a great country. The fact is Americans give more to charity than any other country and most people believe in equality for everyone.

And remember what the great philosopher Socrates said: "when life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade" or something like that...

[matandch]

Point is the world has changed greatly in 26 years. McCain has not kept up with those changes and I'm not talking the internet here. He has a 50's view of the world. America will be defeated economically while McCain fights conventional wars. Listen carefully to T. Boone Pickens. Listen carefully. He's talking about more than windmills.

[foxbat]

That's the point that no one is understanding. The people who are saying that the president doesn't have to use a computer are missing it completely and, frankly, are the ones that believe that drilling offshore is going to drop gas prices at the pump this year or even believe that oil secured off of America's shores somehow never goes into the world market.

We are already in a world war, but it's an economic world war. It will be fought in boardrooms and market floors and it won't be won by tanks and rockets. Even the old ways of fighting military wars is different, but the US has been stuck in the 1980s for a long time. Even with the advent of the IT revolution, there are a lot more global players.

Pickens and others see the writing on the wall, although I don't necessarily see Pickens being this great philanthropic leader showing us the way, but frankly sometimes corporate greed does lead to new innovations. Pickens sees a new area of business exploitation, which isn't a negative term, that also happens to be something that will lead to a paradigmatic shift in political power too.

We're nearly a decade into the 21st century; it's time to leave behind the 20th century approach to country and world leadership.

[StValentine]

NicoleAnon: You're kidding, right?

[Cameronj]

Great job hitting those talking points, just a few more and you might get the McCain sweatshirt!!

It's not about a president understanding how to use a computer -- but rather, a president who understands how our society communicates, how our society has changed and knows how to use those new technologies to push us forward economically.

The Internet as we know it today would not have been possible without the significant financial support of the Clinton administration, and the same is true of the Science we're missing out on today (Stem Cells, etc...). The government plays a role in in innovation, and if the president doesn't think highly enough of the technology that has shrunken and revolutionized the world to learn how to use it, what makes you think he'll work towards the next innovation?

[Pancake]

My husband is a disabled Vietnam veteran (Quad) and he is an engineer. He uses a computer and types and sends e-mails. He has a strap attached to his (otherwise immobile) hand with a stick that poles the keyboard keys. He also uses voice recognition software.

"The handicapped and disabled can also use e-mail to stay in the know about the latest news in adaptive technology. UCLA has a Disabilities and Computing Program that has launched a new listserve to bring the latest information in this field to the disabled."

http://www.compukiss.com/articles/computers-help-the-disabled.html

John McCain came through the war in WAY better shape than my husband did.

BTW I think McCain may be eligible for this program.

http://www.employmentblawg.com/2007/labor-dept-training-disabled-vets-in-it/

[soulriter]

I love the ad with him talking right to the camera.

[teapartydude]

This ad needs more airplay in the media:


BRUTAL!

http://www.youtube.com/v/EQobIUE1zTU

[firewmn]

**
This great little jazzy ad was just on P.B.S..... loved it..!
***

[creationwaits]

So it turns out that the Boston Globe reported in 2000 that:

"McCain’s severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes."

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/09/12/why-cant-mccain-email/

If I couldn't type, it's quite possible I wouldn't email either. This ad was already pointlessly unsubstantive, but now it also seems mean.

[rollingdivision]

The Luddites in the Obama campaign weren't able to use Google to find any of the many sources with this information. Maybe O could have since he approved this commercial.

[Shadow08]

What, you want sympathy? Try having some for the innocent children in Iraq you republicanbs are bl*wing to bits everyday.

[Shadow08]

What you described was an old disabled man with recurring cancer, not fit to lead. Time for him to retire, not take on the most demanding job on the planet. There is, as has been evidenced by republicans for a long time now, no time for sympathy. Remember, no health care for kids, Bush veto...it's a cruel world.

[creationwaits]

You've never heard of FDR, eh?

And being against government control of ___, does not mean you are against ___.

[NamvetPR]

Mean? You ain't seen nothing yet, dude. This is a war declared by McCain, he's been on the" take no prisoners" mode for quite a while hiding behind his super war hero status. Now he hides behind Sarah Palin's skirt. It's about time he tastes some of his own medicine.

[reliant1]

Don't let Steven Hawkings hear you say that...

[NatteringNabobs]

His fingers don't work? He can't use a mouse? Seriously? Maybe he should be in such an important role if he can't actually use a computer.

Hawkings would laugh in your face for the shear ignorance of that excuse.

[redack]

At this rate, Obama has lost the election. And not even close. His angry reply to all the crap that has been thrown at him.....Gosh, Mac can't send an E-Mail. Brilliant,

How about this ad: "It's 3 o'clock in the morning. The phone rings. A woman in a bed full of kids answers. "This is Sarah. What happened? Who are they, and where are they from? Serious? Oh, Syria......are they our friends? No? What should we do now? Damn it, I wish John had left a list before that heart attack. I'll have to get back to you.

Narrator (over Sarah, loading her shotgun) "The man most unlikely in history to serve a full term went down. Now, America....look what you've done".

[UrbanInterloper]

The "1982" ad is more about being out of touch than old, although I realize some people may read things into it.

The greater truth is that McCain has completely abandoned all integrity and if anything, has done a 180-degree turn since 1982 on the few principles that he once stood for that were and are right and just--he has completely contradicted himself on stopping climate change, opposing torture, opposing Bush's tax cuts for the superwealthy, denouncing the religious right as "agents of intolerance" and promising to run a respectful campaign. In this, he has no moral core. To make things worse, he has stubbornly stayed on the wrong side of things on the most important issues of today, including preemptively attacking Iraq and relying on aimless, reckless militarism as a solution to all problems. In other words, he's like any fill-in-the-blank Republican.

And since when has opposing one's own party become the gold standard of judgment and integrity? When your party stands on the correct side of the issues most of the time, as the Democrats have, you don't need to take them on as often. McCain brags about opposing the Republicans once in a while--well if that's your standard, Obama's opposed them far more often.

[serena1313]

I agree the ad is not about age; it is about how McCain has not kept up with progress -- or did not progress with technology, science, etc.

[jean22]

Great Ad! It has less to do with age and more to do with Mc's unwillingness to move along with the times, learn new things, look to the future, think outside of the box. Perhaps it would be easier to accept the "change agent" theme he's attempting to steal from Obama if he could at least show that's he's willing to change enuf to learn to use a computer.

[katgirl2]

Actually Mccains war injuries impair him from using a keyboard. This has been documented years ago, and has been a self-styled joke he uses against himself. The Ad is wrong, and will end up embarrasing the Obama camp, again.

[NamvetPR]

Hey dude, I have war injuries worst than McCain's and I'm here using a laptop. He's just out of touch, period.

[jean22]

I disagree.....strongly. Obama has no reason whatsoever to be embarassed. He needs to strike back and MUCH harder than this!. I couldn't care less what the reasons are for not being qualified to perform simple tasks, the point is that he is unqualified, and in more ways than one. (by the way, there are people with injuries more severe who have managed to teach themselves to send an email. I am completely astounded that people are actually falling for incompetency thru the use of lies and smears yet once again. This man is clearly, clearly a Bush-clone if not worse. Wake up people please!

[rollingdivision]

The reason McCain doesn't send email is that he can't use a keyboard because of the relentless beatings he received from the Viet Cong in service to our country. . . . McCain's severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes.

[rollingdivision]

You can find this information about McCain with a simple google search. Apparently, the Obama campaign chose to ignore the fact McCain doesn't use a computer mostly due his war injuries.

[firewmn]

*
jus another long tail in many.... ain't buy'n what your selling..!
*

[nanotubz]

If you can't accept a simple truth, you're useless to yourself and the world. You have very little idea of how little you really know.

[NamvetPR]

Bull, the reason is that he's just a lazy and boring millionaire.

[jean22]

For crying out loud, mysterious facial growths, unable to comb hair, tie shoes, remember important events and facts,use a simple key board, control emotional outbursts unless pampered and coddled by media.

Solunds like me like it's time to step aside.....that is if he put country first instead of his personal ambitions.

[sarahownsbarry]

oh man. obama attacking mccain's war injuries.

as both the boston globe and ny times noted over the years, mccain's injuries keep him from being able to comb his hair, or use a keyboard.

barry is imploding!!!!

[GrainOSand]

The POW welfare, gravy train, soup bowl, empathy well, has run dry. There will be no quotas (Affirmative Action) for military service leading to presidency this year. Get a substantive reason that McCain should lead and I will entertain it. His military service is not it. In addition, Stephen Hawking uses a computer just fine. McCain has the money to buy any external assistance equipment he might need to utilize a computer.

The GOP talks a good game of self-actualization but in practice, they are just welfare kings and queens looking for a handout of gullibility. We are all out of free sympathy cheese.

[nanotubz]

The big difference between Hawking and McC, is the computer is essential to Hawking's ability to function, while it isn't for the senator, who has paid staffers to do it for him. Though it would be interesting to give him a voice activated unit to see if it would last the day.

[ToddG]

Another typical McCainite excuse. His injuries don't prevent him from using a computer at all. There are people much more disabled than McCain who use computers. There is all kind of software to help with that. The comb comment is real, but McCain's own admission that he doesn't know how to use a computer is proof that he is out of touch.

McCain really is a luddite.

[firewmn]

**
excuses..!... only excuses..!
*

[belief08]

sarahownsbarry;

Is this the excuse you ReThugs plan to use throughout the remainder of the General Election? If it is, then he really can't be trusted to be POTUS, with those frail ailments. Or, does it only hurt when it's convenient for him. McSame & you ReThugs are using his injuries to stay in the White House. That's shamefull and disgraceful; he won't get away with it, pity can only go so far, I assure you.

This country will wake up and see right through you people and Obama will be elected POTUS in November 08/12; even with all your ReThuglican lies spread over the airways.

[loyldem]

Logical?
McCain losing his bearings to Obama is attacking McCain on age.
Lipstick on a pig to Obama called a Palin a pig.
McCain is technologically behind the times to Obama is attacking McCain's war injuries.

The logic here is just amazing.

[mdmpo]

Please help defenders of the wildlife air this anti-Palin ad. I don't see how anyone with a heart could vote for her after seeing this. It is already in Ohio, and they are trying in Florida.

https://secure.defenders.org/site/Donation2?idb=0&df_id=1547&1547.donation=form1&s_src=6JY08WDC4F&s_subsrc=6JY08WDC4F_EJI08D1web

[wagadog]

Thanks, that is a really good ad. About a truly awful practice.

Very educational.

[GrainOSand]

A worthy cause, I watched the video on the practice of slaughtering innocent animals and it is beyond words...