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

[Msohio]

McCain must be three inches tall by now. He continues to stoop lower and lower. I don't know anyone who would believe his snips of the tape. He is paying his campaign leaders big bucks, but they have failed. Now they are resorting to lying and theft. Theft of Obama's campaign slogan and his words.

[bogues]

It really is hard for me to understand why anyone in this country is still willing to vote for John McCain. With all his talk of honor and putting country first, he turns around and does exactly the opposite time and time again.

[Biffmeister]

Martian rover discovers what looks like snow on Mars.
McCain says I am suspending my campaign to go to Mars to help verify snow reports.
McCain returns, says not only is there snow, when the weather cleared we could see moose.

[myersbug]

McCain at his finest. He continues to lie and turn around trying to catch his own tail. Please people step back and realize that the bottom line is OIL vs. Clean energy. We have to move away from our dependence on foreign oil. McCain and his oil baron buddies know it and will stop at nothing to try and discredit Barack. Barack however remains the better candidate. You would think John would realize Americans aren't buying his load of rubish. We've had 8 years of it. We need to move ahead in this country and Barack will help. McCain and his cronies will just hold us back.

[sak]

Wow! McCain really is skanky. This is just plain a lie. You know, even public figures can sue for slander if they can prove malice. This is malice, pure and simple. Why else would you snatch some words out of a paragraph in order to completely change the meaning.

McCain has no honor.
McCain has no integrity.
He is not a hero.
He is a disgrace.

[kasinca]

When you have nothing to run on...make sh$t up. McSame is the most dihonest man to run for Presidnet since Dubya Bush.

[sandpiper1]

Considering how McCain's campaign has been going, I have to assume he doesn't really comprehend Obama's message and it's actual meaning. McCain is taking great pains to show Americans just how unintelligent he is and doesn' t even realise it. The two statements are so far apart, one has to laugh as McBush's stupidity.

[Your British Cousins]

Stay postive America. Stay focussed.
The rest of the world is counting on you.

London for Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08H_UkAGB9c

[Tulka2]

Smooches

[brodiesgirl]

The poor quality of the cut in of Obama's words won't sway anyone whose paying attention - those who aren't, probably aren't very intelligent and therefore are going to vote McCan't / Failin anyway.

[Tulka2]

John McCain's campaign is loathsome. If by some wild changing of the rules, the Supreme Court makes McCain president.­...? I will begin to campaign for seccesion of the west coast from the east. We will include Baja up to B.C. We will be one of the largest enconomies in the world and i think like the third nuclear power. LOL

[demjustice]

John McCain, as this advertisement proves, does not deserve our trust. Shame on you and your campaign. Now stamp your foot one more time and insist that had Barack Obama only come and talked at town hall meetings with you this ad would not have happened. How pathetic.

[dve2z]

if it goes like this, McCain will start digitally manufacture Obama footage and put any words in his mouth he wants...

[LAThinker]

Which should be fought by this

http://www.ucubd.com/Index.aspx?id=770&cid=3151

and spread the message!!!

[drsmc41]

John McCain has no shame, none. This ad, as some of you have stated, IS pathetic. It's so pathetic it's comical. It's like an ad SNL would do or something. "No shame McCain."

[Xenopus]

The calibre of this ad says much more about the people who put it out. It shows contempt for the intelligence of the voting public. If not so foolish it would be absolutely laughable and juvenile. John McCain's campaign has become so lame that this is what he has let them turn him into by approving it......a foolish nonsensical piece by clipping words and sentences. This is beneath our respect for the importance of this election.

[tempting]

http://theboard.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/the-republican-party-having-brought-you-the-meltdown-now-blames-obama/

Americans are not as stupid as JM thinks we are!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[KOisGod]

In the not too distant future, being called a republican, will be akin to being called a treasonous M-F-.

[nycwerewolf]

If you care about our veterans and this country of ours...

...Don't vote for John McCain.

McCain voted against our troops MANY times in the senate.

John McCain voted AGAINST 20 million dollars for veteran care facilities.

John McCain voted AGAINST $322 million for safety equipment for our troops in Iraq.

John McCain voted AGAINST $1 billion dollars in new equipment for the National Guard.

John McCain voted AGAINST Jim Webb's G.I. Bill.

John McCain voted AGAINST $430 million for veterans outpatient care.

Barack voted FOR all of these troop support initiatives.

They deserve better than McCain.

We deserve better than McCain.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT

Obama VS. McCain: Who Should You Vote For?
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/matthewhencke/gG5tH5

If You Are Thinking About Voting For John McCain/Sarah Palin...
...First Ask Yourselves These Questions:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/matthewhencke/gGxVK9

[jean1]

thank you for putting this every place they let you. this information NEEDS to be out there. i am making every effort to keep up and it's full time 'job'...