McCain Ad Distorts Obama, Day After Decrying Gotcha Journalism

John McCain is out with a new ad that accuses Barack Obama of making the same claim - "the fundamentals of the economy are strong" - that McCain himself was viciously criticized for just a week ago.

But the quote plucked by the McCain campaign is taken entirely out of context, just a day after the Arizona Republican himself decried "gotcha journalism" when it came to his running mate.

Here is the Obama quote McCain highlights: "We've got the long term fundamentals that will really make sure this economy grows."

And here is Obama's actual statement, which suggests exactly the opposite of what McCain alleges: mainly, that he believes the country must repair the economy's long-term structure.

[We need] a plan that would extend expiring unemployment benefits. For those Americans who have lost their jobs and have been working hard to find a new one, but haven't found one yet. That's part of the change we need. And then after this immediate problem, we've got the long-term fundamentals that will really make sure this economy grows. Change means tax code that doesn't reward the lobbyists who wrote it, but the American workers and small businesses that deserve it. As President I am going to eliminate capital gains taxes for small businesses and start-ups.

Here is the full script of the ad, which the campaign says will be for the web.

ANNCR: Who's Barack Obama? First, Obama attacked McCain. Then said: BARACK OBAMA: "We've got the long term fundamentals that will really make sure this economy grows." ANNCR: Strong fundamentals? Is Obama saying McCain's right? Or is Obama saying his own attacks are shameless? Either way, Obama's a hypocrite.

Comments

[mercedesblue]

WHOA??? How low will McCain go with his lies?

[Bendersky]

Not psychotic, just desparate.

[rm4p]

>Strong fundamentals? Is Obama saying McCain's right? Or is Obama saying his own attacks are shameless? Either way, Obama's a hypocrite.

The ad doesn't really make any sense for the following reason. The supposed binary being set up here isn't really a binary. "Or" is used to mean "if this is the case," so of course "either way" they point to the same thing. A real binary would look like this: "Is Obama saying McCain's right? Or did he never say that, and you're just watching us take Obama's words out of context so you think 'his attacks are shameless'? Either way, we've figured out for you that he's a hypocrite."

The ad itself is hypocritical (to the max!) in passing off such faulty logic as being sound, under feigned benevolence. I hate how it momentarily makes you feel stupid for not following its logic as rapidly as it needs you to, before giving us a verdict as though to say "but of course this is all very confusing-- leave all the thinking to us, we're experts." If you don't follow its logic then you're just smart and not pretending to be smart.

[wakeuptothecon]

ah ha!!!
now we know where Rick "the fannie" Davis has been for the last few days making a change the subject ad.
hey Rick it suck to be you
Keating 5
Did he pay back the money to fannie yet or do you think he thinks rovian tactics will work? forget it ....we have a copy of the play book. We got it from Han-nitty.
it is a bad ad. Why is it talking to us like we are 5 year olds?
Who is Barrack Obama ? first he attacked BLAH BLAH BLAH B....................
scale of 1 -10 a 2 for the 90 year olds in the home, "that nice old man..............."

[123dee]

The McCain camp is so desperate, everything McCain
tries to do comes back to bite him in the a** and this will too.

Obama and his campaign are smart. they know what they are doing.

[catinca]

Don't they get it....lying has gotten where they are now. How about trying honesty?
No more dirty tricks. They must really think we are stupid.

Obama / Biden 08

[kevineight]

At this point, all that is left to do is persuade the undecideds.

And I don't think many people who have not already decided that Obama is a dangerous Mus lim Manchurian Candidate are going to buy into something so transparently bogus.

Rather, I think McCain buys Obama votes with trash like this.

[kevineight]

At this point, all that is left to do is persuade the undecideds.

And I don't think many people who have not already decided that Obama is a dangerous Muslim Manchurian Candidate are going to buy into something so transparently bogus.

Rather, I think McCain buys Obama votes with trash like this.

[RumiSouth]

It's been a long time since I took a journalism class; but as I recall, when you excise an entire clause ("And then after this immediate problem") to change the meaning of a quote, it's called LIBEL.

[OneVoiceOfReason]

Maybe McCan't is just missing being in prison and wants to go back.

[Shelly1970]

"Obama's a hypocrite."

Yeah, that'll go over REAL well with independents.

Thanks, McCain!

Obama '08

[Taliese]

This ad is hilariously pathetic. Is that the best they can do? No wonder you're losing John. LOL!

[dentuso]

Simply -

American history will show John McCain as the least honorable man to have ever run for Pres ident.

How this weak, cowardly fraud can sleep at night is mystifying.

[Skyeblue]

I think he has to use Ambien to sleep?

[suekzoo]

Donate today by midnight to meet the Sept 30 reporting!!

Obama/Biden '08

[ChristiB]

Rove tactics - take your own lie and pin it on your opponent. Is anyone keeping track - how many times has McCain done this now?

[wakeuptothecon]

I am

[Figerre]

Actually - yes, McCain thinks he can get away with this because he HAS been lying straight-faced and getting away with it. He just keeps repeating the same lies and eventually they 'become' the truth. Right - this is the honorable Navy guy that all the veterans are going to support - right. My dad as in the Navy and this isn't honorable at all. He is only fooling himself. gag