Obama Hits McCain's Foreign Car Ownership

This is micro-politics, but the Obama campaign is looking for leverage in Michigan by taking McCain to task for not being truthful about the number of foreign automobiles he owns.

This Sunday, Newsweek Magazine reported that McCain owned 13 vehicles, at least four of which were not domestic. The list included a Lexus, a 2005 Volkswagen convertible, a Honda sedan and a Toyota Prius for his daughter (perhaps bought by her).

Well, the composition of this fleet didn't jibe with a remark McCain made to a Detroit television station in which he claimed that he had "bought American literally all my life."

So, what does the Obama campaign do about it? They put together a lengthy memo on the matter and release a television ad aiming to undercut McCain's straight talk reputation.

Titled "Foreign Car," the spot will air in Michigan. It may seem like small potatoes in otherwise big-themed election. But with the state polls looking tighter than ever, leverage in the car wars may mean the difference in the Electoral College count.

Comments

[colette]

Sam -- the car thing is no biggie on its own, but added to the pile of lies and half-truths it's yet another indicator of McCain's miserable dishonesty.

You would think American workers at large would get this. But I want to share a little experience I had yesterday.

I'm a union member, and I was called by the member of one of the building trades unions as part of a statewide labor group survey. I was asked if the election were held today, who I'd vote for. I said Obama, and added -- "Of course! I'm a union member and a Democrat!" But the guy calling me said, "You'd be amazed,. Of the 12 people I've been able to speak to tonight, eight said they were voting for McCain and only four said Obama. I don't know why they think their jobs are going to be around in a McCain economy, or what their benefits are going to be when they retire. But they seem to be going for him."

This sent chills up my spine. I fear that the media's constant equivocating -- both candidates are tied to lobbyists and do false negative ads so they're both terrible -- is making people think, oh well, they're both bad, I'll just go with the guy I know. Or maybe some union folks actually buy McCain's big daddy-maverick crap? I don't know. But we've got to really work hard to get Obama elected....

[rock2casbah]

We have got to work to get the truth out to people while canvassing. They do believe all this McCain BS. By the way Obama is cracking into leads in all the swing and battleground states because of this steady and constant revelations of what McCain is really lie and what the truth really is, and how it has affected their lives.

So we are showing amazing breakthrough of this firewall around the truth. Let's get out there and canvass, e-mail, write the letters to the editors and make sure everyone of our friends and families get the truth through.

[clearthinker2008]

I want Obama is call this man on every single on of his lies. I don't want an experienced professional liar in the white house. You all shouldn't either.

[clearthinker2008]

I hope Biden likes this ad.

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

Okay, one of the things that Dems continue to not see if Repugs, always stick together, no matter what! Why? Because they win with that way of thinking. Can we not tear down, Joe and Barack, please!!! Lift them up, say, I wish he would have done it this way, then end with a positive note on our team!

I approve this message

[McChimp]

no need to feed the trolls, they are on McSinking's payroll...

Obama/Biden 08

[Hufferton]

Okay, but the public needs an advertisment about the Keating 5...to quote Mr. Carville:

It's the Economy, Stupid!...

And the Wall St. corruption and scandal that caused the economy to falter.

[omac112211]

He's "bought American" all his life. John enough of the lies already!!!

[SeanHannity4Obama]

Hey anything is on the table. I posted a comment earlier when I saw Mcain's foreign cars. He's unpatriotic

[davidhi5]

My question for the 3rd presidential debate next month: "Senator McCain, in the tally of total number of homes and automobiles owned by the two candidates, you lead your opponent, Senator Obama by a commanding margin of 21 to 2. Do you believe that this fact clearly demonstrates to the American public your overwhelming experience and expertise in the home mortgage and automotive industry sectors of our economy?"

[Terriac]

Good one!

[clearthinker2008]

That would be awesome.

[Vantunow]

This Ad better only run in Michigan.

Seems a reach.

Afterall there are 13 cars of which only 3 are foreign.

Not to mention the fact that there are MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of Americans who drive FOREIGN cars.

Are we questioning their patriotism?

Sure Mc said he buys American and 10 covers that.

As I said, this is bit of a reach, and they need to score few quick points and get OFF it.

[Dogger]

McBush has pandered to the auto workers of Michigan. And he lied to them. They deserve to know.

And he pretends to be Joe Average while painting the black kid raised by a single mother as elitist. This proves that lie as well.

[IntExec]

The point is that he lied ... again.

[clearthinker2008]

Do you understand or even care that his lies are adding up?

[mymomma2]

He can't even tell the truth about small stuff. Foreign is not the problem. I don't think I've ever owned an American car, BUT HE CAN'T TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT ANYTHING. Small details matter to some "small town" voters. Just hit 'em on everything... big or small... it's going to be a LIE.

[fishretired]

You are better off to get the fiorina add out and have him explain not knowing about her huge golden parachute while she laid of 20,000 employees.

[Hotshortie]

McCain lies to the people of Michigan to get votes from the factory workers. Lies when he says he's going to help them out.

John McCain lied again saying he only buys American!!!!!!!!!

John McCain liar even on small things !!!

[clearthinker2008]

John McCain is an experienced professional liar
Sarah Palin is an rookie professional liar

These two more of the same, only worse.

[booksnmore4you]

McCain is a gift horse in providing fodder for ads against himself. Now just imagine if he were not boycotting the press!!!

[SENATORCALLENBOWE]

AND HOW IS THIS AD GOING TO HELP THE CLASS OF THE NEW GENERATION?

[ex-pat]

By not having them live under a President that is a LIAR

[clearthinker2008]

Thank you.

[OBXartist]

Well, maybe it will work in Michigan, but it does seem a little off-target. McCain says he's bought American "literally" all his life. He didn't say "exclusively". It makes a difference. The former could be quite true. The issue, to me, is that the McCains own 13 vehicles at a time when the repo business is about the only thriving industry in America.

[JinChicago]

lit·er·al·ly /ˈlɪtərəli/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[lit-er-uh-lee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adverb 1. in the literal or strict sense: What does the word mean literally?
2. in a literal manner; word for word: to translate literally.
3. actually; without exaggeration or inaccuracy: The city was literally destroyed.
4. in effect; in substance; very nearly; virtually.

the point is he is stretching or breaking the truth on almost an hourly basis. you say it could mean # 4, but #1-3 it means the EXACT opposite. and in this case, all the people he was speaking too prolly took it as he NEVER bought a foriegn car.

[LawDem]

At best, it would be pretty bizarre, grammatically speaking, to say that he didn't mean exclusively. At worst, it once again undermines the intelligence of the American people and their ability to sort out when politicians are simply pandering. This is a big problem with McCain. He shoots from the hip and speaks in hyperbole. It will always come back to haunt him.

[clearthinker2008]

It's about him lying.... geez... do you folks even care? People lie so much it is now acceptable?

[Mdazes]

13 cars what kind no one cares.

[ComnCents]

If you believe that, you have never lived in Michigan.

[Myshkin57]

Or anywhere in the midwest. People in industrial areas do care about that sort of thing. Every time you buy a foreign product, they see it as taking jobs away from them and their families.

[GoBarryGo]

Exactly. I went to school in Ann Arbor in the '80s with many friends who had lots of relatives employed in the auto industry. Anyone who drove a foreign car to work at a US auto plant faced getting their tires slashed. I certainly don't condone that, but that is just to illustrate how rabid people in Michigan are about foreign cars -- it's simply not done if you want to support Michigan families relying on those Michigan jobs. It might be like, oh, buying gasoline from a station clearly branded "Venezuela" if you lived in, say, Juneau, Alaska... More than ever, Americans are going to vote with their wallets, and Michiganders will do that more than probably anyone.

[idontknowanything]

You are so right. This is a targeted ad that could be very effective.

[clearthinker2008]

Very good point, Americans weakness is never taking a moment to see something from someone else reality.

[poropo]

i think mccain should just stop wasting money in michigan cos his not going to win the state with buying 3 forign cars. if am advising mccain camp there should put the effort in wisconsin and north ca-. there should just forget michigan cos is just lik calif.