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

[Myshkin57]

It's an effective ad because it goes to raise issues of character and also might go some way in deflating this silly notion that Obama is the one who's elitist and out-of-touch.

[Xgal08]

Nice! Call him on his lies!! Keep it going, O!!

[McDoodleArt]

Good for you Obama. Voters in Michigan need to see this ad. The straight-talk express just got a few more turns.

[swingvoter8]

This ad may seem trivial to some, but it is sure to resonate with auto workers in Detroit. My Dad worked his entire career at Ford and he was/is rabid about people buying ONLY American cars. So I think this will be an effective ad in Michigan.

[sociocanuck]

Exactly my thoughts. It's hardly a waste given the potential audience.

[filo]

My first thought was it is a trivial ad UNTIL I realized the Michigan is the target audience. Then it made perfect sense.

[starfox25]

Might be pretty effective in Michigan.

[barackobama4prez]

Interesting all the comments saying the ad is a waste. All you morons were complaining that he wasn't hitting hard enough or responding hard enough. Can he do ANYTHING to please the complaining whining supposed Democrats!

[obamasOHangel]

I agree.

[ricitizen]

I think we can now say that the talk about O/B not being a fighter can stop. He is like a boxer. He jabs, jabs, jabs, lays back and has his opponent swinging and missing or even taken a couple of punches. Then when the opponent thinks he has O/B on the ropes, he comes out hitting the body, the body the body. He's preparing for the knockout! Okay, that was my last sports metaphor.

[Charmed]

I need to go and donate some more money......Obama is playing to win and I love that.

[SayNoBHO]

McCain lies for a living. He's dumb and dishonest like GWB. Nothing but death can keep me from voting this year.
Obama/Biden '08

[JackND]

This one strikes me as rather petty, but oh well. Maybe it resonates in Michigan.

[JadedAggie]

Yeah that's pretty much how I feel about it.

[huffyISaHottie]

looking into a camera and telling a bold face lie is not petty...its a habit

[obamasOHangel]

Smart move ad for Mich. My best friend lives in Ypsi and she and her boyfriend work for auto manufacturers there.

[jayrod17]

THAT'S A BAD COMMERCIAL TO WASTE MONEY ON. GO AFTER THE LAST BANKING SCANDAL MCCAIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH (KEATING 5). ATTACK WHAT THE "FUNDAMENTALS OF DEREGULATION" DO?

[robXdion]

This ad is specifically for MICHIGAN auto workers. This is chess, not checkers.

[LuvDaH8ters]

Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee

[avalanch112]

who cares about his cars. this is getting rediculous.

[robXdion]

Oh, Kwit yer whining!! If Obama had a Yugo at age 23, you'd think they'd let THAT go???

[BLinCincinnati]

It isn't about his cars. It's about his HONESTY.

If he LIES about something as silly as his cars, it just leads you to believe he won't have a problem LYING about the big stuff. Oh... like spying, torture, reasons for war.

[Zhonni]

No, you don't understand. This is the kind of ad that people in little town America understand, especially in Michigan.

It undercuts his strait talk for double speak.

[scorpioleidy]

Great ad!!!