McCain Ad Uses President Clinton To Bash Democrats

Mr. President, it's your turn.

Sen. Hillary Clinton has already starred in ads produced by the McCain campaign and the Republican National Committee this year, which used her primary-season barbs against Barack Obama for general election purposes.

Now McCain is using President Bill Clinton in an ad that not only draws a contrast with Barack Obama, but with Democrats overall. At issue is the former president's appearance last Thursday on ABC's Good Morning America. In the ad, which will "air nationally," McCain's camp isolates a soundbite in which Clinton says: "I think the responsibility that the Democrats have may rest more in resisting any efforts by Republicans in the Congress, or by me when I was President, to put some standards and tighten up a little on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac."

In the context of McCain's ad, the selected clip of Clinton's interview bolsters the charge that Democrats sold out homeowners: "Democrats blocked the reforms. Loans soared. Then, the bubble burst. And, taxpayers are on the hook for billions. Bill Clinton knows who is responsible."

Except, of course, in the full interview with Chris Cuomo (viewable here), the former president distributes blame a little more evenly -- and, interestingly, even references the pointlessness of trying assign blame for the crisis at this particular point in time. When asked if Democrats were "playing politics" with the issue, Clinton said "well, maybe everybody does that a little bit."

Later, he said it was "important" that the country have "two candidates for president saying 'let's try to minimize the partisan differences.' We'll have plenty of time later to look at who caused this and what mistakes were made. Let's figure out what to do now and go forward." Clearly, though, McCain's latest ad is targeted for expressly that purpose.

Regardless, the use of Clinton in a McCain spot is likely to further rile observers who feel that the former president has been a less-than-enthusiastic surrogate for Obama this season.

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Full script:

ANNCR: John McCain fought to rein in Fannie and Freddie.

The Post says: McCain "pushed for stronger regulation"..."while Mr. Obama was notably silent."

But, Democrats blocked the reforms.

Loans soared.

Then, the bubble burst.

And, taxpayers are on the hook for billions.

Bill Clinton knows who is responsible.

PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON: "I think the responsibility that the Democrats have may rest more in resisting any efforts by Republicans in the Congress or by me when I was President to put some standards and tighten up a little on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac."

ANNCR: You're right, Mr. President. It didn't have to happen.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

Comments

[lucite]

Stop playing all that comedy in the Oval office with that woman, it has turned your brain to mush.

[All57States]

Here is Bill defending BHO on Rev Wright:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlRAGHqEqPU

[tsloan]

nice try tro//

[PumaAnn]

It seems that O supporters are unable to handle any political discourse. Only syncophants are allowed to be in the Democratic Party these days.

That's nuts, folks.

[tsloan]

careful how you use the term sycophant....that may well apply to yourself.

[exmate]

Bill Clinton is probably shootng himself in the foot. He will probably end up hurting his legacy..

[barkanomics]

Legacy. What a word to describe what Bill Clinton has done! The man is pure sleeze. Yeah he's smart, good looking, and, at this point, RICH. But wow, as a human being? I wonder how all this climbing into bed with Billy-Bob is playing with the evangelicals. Seems like McCain is throwing so much mud on the wall to see what sticks. All that mud. McCain looks like s---.

[roxn]

I think what happened - John McCain honored Bill Clinton's - Global Initiative - by speaking there - in the middle of - the financial crisis

Clinton in an effort not to upset the apple cart - has tried to give as balanced a statement as possible - on the financial crisis -- around an election

So while Bill Clinton honored - John McCain for taking time out from his so called 'campaign suspension' - and for making what sounded like a party political broadcast at his Global Initiative -

McCain and camp - sliced the words they wanted - out of Clinton's sentimental exchange - and used it against Obama and the Dems. Even though the Republicans have been in power for 8 years - according to this ad - Clinton said this bad economy - is entirely the Dems fault.

Obama has got to slap this one back.

Did Clinton forget what real politics was like?

[globality]

we have got to make sure Hillary doesn't win NY again in 2010

[postman606]

Wouldn't think a man who was the most powerful man on earth would be such a monumental a@#kisser. I don't care what he thinks of Hillary's 2012 chances, didn't McCain make some very unflaterring remarks about his wife and child.

[CaliTLC]

Bill doesn't care about Johnnie's previous disparaging remarks concerning his wife and daughter. He only cares that his actions during the primary appeared racist and his wife lost to a black man. Bill Clinton blamed Barack Obama's campaign for calling for his own actions "racist." Also, Bill wants his wife to make history BEFORE Barack Obama does. HIs appetite for making history is what drives him. He could care less about this country or the party. It's clear.

[pomawg]

Give until it hurts, if he loses we'll feel real pain. Donate: http://www.barackobama.com

[bail me out]

do not blame Bill Clinton, he does everything for the love of his wife, he is just trying to destroy Obama's success, help Mccain win, so he and Hillary will come back in 2012

[postman606]

And pray tell what is it about his behavior that makes you think he's loves her so much. Lools to me like he's repaying a favor.

[jean22]

For the love of his wife? Or the love of Power? A good demonstration of the love of his wife is to stay away from blue dresses.

[theHardTruthFairy]

Who says that after a hypothetical McCain victory, Democrats would spend 4 years weeping for the return of the Clintons?

One thing we learned from this year's primary (and the VP search) is that there are lots of bright young (and not-so-young) leaders within the party. Hopefully, Obama will put these Dems to work after he is sworn in on January 2009 and the Clinton chapter will come to a close.

[jcrush]

Everybody WAIT A MINUTE. This will reverse against McCain.

Bill's not trying to appeal to the Dem base!! Did anyone listen to what he said on Meet The Press? He said: * People like McCain. And they are looking at Palin and thinking ' wow she's ok too. ' * Who is thinking this? The undecideds and independents.

Now think for a minute. HE'S SMART!

Independents find some values of both parties favorable and could vote either way. The undecideds (and left over angry Hillraisers) are flirting with the concept of McCain/Palin, because they aren't necessarily in love with Barack. Could he win them by foaming at the mouth about how WONDERFUL Obama is? NO! He also couldn't win them over by bashing McCain. SO THINK. He's echoing their thoughts and winning their trust. They like Bill Clinton and trust his words. They know he wasn't too thrilled with Obama in the primaries. How could he remain trustworthy and believable if he jumps on the political bandwagon and sings the praises of Obama. Hillary said she would, but they allow her that because she holds senatorial office and has a vested interest. BILL DOES NOT. So people expect him to be a little more honest/a little less politically motivated. He's soft touching it. He is disarming their anger, confusion & doubts. So when you see him acting luke warm, he's telling them:

"Trust me. It's ok to vote Democrat without liking Obama that much. Hey! I am. "

[PumaAnn]

Well, I'm more concerned about the entire Democratic party than about O. I think he's pretty weak, frankly. I can't see him standing up to them. And they are very unimpressive.

[tsloan]

and certainly the McCain/Palin ticket speaks volumes about weak and unimpressive.

[ProFromOre]

so, in spite of your previous vote for Clinton and her strong Democratic platform and, in spite of your concern for the Democratic party, you're now going to vote for a Failure Party candidate?

Is that how you make change happen in the Democratic party? If you're concerned about the direction the party's taking, get involved, first at the local level and then volunteer for higher level involvement. It's not like people are beating down the door at the lower levels of the party.

If you are competent, energetic and work for the good of the party, you could be at the national level before you know it - then you can influence the platform and direction of the party.

It really is that easy.

[Charles1Goodwin]

With all his comments of late, STEVIE WONDER saw this coming!!!!

[CaliTLC]

And Ray Charles.

[rosiebond007]

Bill has just clearly shown why poor Hillary will not be getting votes in the future.
BILL IS BAGGAGE
BILL is totally unable to play with the Dems.

[MrGill]

I'd bet they have a common interest in cigars.

[OrbitOfOurOwn]

Who really cares what this old washed up, out dated, sexual pervert has to say? He is part of the problem with politics in this country, not the solution. He and his wife are all about the "I am going to get mine" attitude which pervades DC these days. M C L A M E is the same way. It is time for a new direction and O.BAMA is that direction. Tell Billy-boy to go buy some more cigars...

[albanaeon]

I'm not sure I really get the point of this ad. With Congress's approval rating in the dumps, does Mc C think that anyone doesn't think the Dems are partly to blame? It would only take a quick review of some of the legislation he's supported to show him and his part are a part of it too.