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

[Mycos]

Unfortunately, tactics such as this actually do work on certain individuals. Conservatives seem almost hard-wired with an ability to ignore anything -- including indisputable facts -- that conflict with what they already believe about any subject. And since much of what we believe was formed as children, what we get when we refuse to change our views in a way befitting newly learned evidence, is a bunch of adults with the intellectual beliefs of children. Unfortunately this usually goes hand-in-hand with retarded social development, which usually takes the shape of their having a very close circle of persons to whom they can extend sympathy. while at the same time remaining excessively fearful of death and loss. The vastly disproportionate numbers of conservatives who adopt careers in the military, law-enforcement, or any other occupation holding the promise of violence or domination of others, appears to be their way of trying to exercise some form of control over death, including their similarly disproportionate numbers believing in some form of religious fundamentalism. These beliefs enable them to live on even after death, be it in Heaven, Paradise, or as reincarnated beings.

[zull2]

Man, Republicans are really obsessed with the visual of making Obama look like a student and McCain look like a professor just by juxtaposing McCain's face higher than Obama's using the magic of Photoshop. In reality, McCain would be looking up at Obama if they're standing on a level surface.

But here's the kicker, Obama has the professor credentials on his resume. McCain is the slacker who almost flunked out of the academy. Obama taught Constitutional Law, McCain has spent his career trying to figure out new ways to circumvent the Constitution.

And their overused Obama stock photo is a picture of Obama looking upward. That's all. Democrats overused stock photos are of McCain grinning as he hugs Bush around his beer belly, of McCain snarling like a lunatic off his meds, of McCain looking like a deer in headlights, eyes all round...we­'ve got SO many shots of McCain looking like a fool, to just one shot of Obama that they use over and over.

[exPatPatti]

Blatant. Lie. Obama should remake this ad in full text and schedule it to run right after the McPrick ad.

[RumiSouth]

That's actually not a bad idea, especially if there's video of the actual quote.

[iseebs]

Does the McCain campaign really think American are that stupid and believe all their lies?

This is insulting.

Show them WE ARE NOT STUPID !! And we don't want to hear lies.

Obama / Biden

[LAThinker]

We are not stupid

The choice is clear, but we should not act as it is over we need to get people to get out there on Nov 4th and Vote Hope, Vote Future, Vote Obama!!!

and spread the message to everyone to assure http://www.ucubd.com/.ucubd.com/Index.aspx?id=770&cid=3151

[Whinger]

Don't see them running an ad saying McCain was wrong about Iraq!

Anybody with a brain knows this is the Karl Rove sense of humor, he just can't help himself.

[Mikeeee]

It's incredible how much mccain is like Smeagol aka Gollum. The biggest difference I can see is that for all his treachery and deceit, Smeagol had some redeeming qualities and was a much more likable individual.

[ohio4obama]

The McCain camp is having a serious case of psychosis

[Tulka2]

Hello. This is a heads up. The right-wing is sending people into battle ground states to challenge voter registration. They say they are preventing "voter fraud", but their real interest is voter supression. they are in Colorado right now.

Anyone else see the Chris Rock special on HBO? His riff about how a black man can't beat a white man, he can only "knock him out" is true and chilling. (I am white) Rock jokes they are going to turn to Obama and tell him he won, but the rules have changed. I would laugh, but i am too frightened. What stops them? Not the people. They people will sit at home and watch it on the television.

[qdog112]

You are right Tulka2. They will change the rules when they want to.

"You got more votes, but you loss".

WE USED TO COUNT VOTES - NOW WE COUNT BACON. Chris Rock

[LAThinker]

Waht else should we expect from McBush?

He lies all the time and he says a lot of things which are directly contardicting to other things he said

McCain vs McCain part 1

http://www.ucubd.com/Index.aspx?id=721&cid=3151

McCain vs McCain part 2

http://www.ucubd.com/Index.aspx?id=735&cid=3151

[edwarvir]

Chicken John has no sense and less integerity
.

[ReportThis]

The good news is that the ad features Obama's image for 27 of the 30 seconds: we only get 3 seconds of the creepy old guy with the comb-over.

[pheepher]

I'm shocked, just shocked that Republicans would distort the words of Obama. We have seen this before (Bush & Cheney); however, I believe the general public has lost any faith in this party. I'm not talking about liberal Democrats, I'm talking about my neighbors (in a very conservative district) who voted for the BS Bush was selling.

The more moves my McCain makes to "save the day" and trying to sell the bubble head from Alaska as presidential material, the more his credibility takes a hit.

We all know why this economic crisis is upon this nation. After thirty years of selling the public on this notion that regulation and the government are the problem, we are experiencing that policy play out, and the people are not liking these results. If we continue to put Republicans in power in any office, we may get to experience what our grandparents and parents had to live through during the 1930's.

A wise man once told us those who fail to comprehend history are doomed to repeat it.

[franklin opt]

It's unfortunate that SNL has already done a skit on the distortions in the McCain ads.

[jbomber]

AAHHAHAHAHA This ad is a joke. MCCain, you know what would really shake things up? Firing every last one of your crony "advisors", apologizing to the country and going back to "Straight Talk". I DARE YOU, senator.

[Libertynjustice4all]

This ad is completely laughable. Did McCain really approve this?

I'm thoroughly convinced that the McCain camp is catering to the sub-stupid folks.