New DNC Ad Criticizes McCain Over Negative Attack Ads (VIDEO)

The DNC has released a new ad criticizing McCain for his aggressive turn towards negative campaigning. The spot ends with McCain, in a clip on the campaign trail from 2000, saying "if all you run is negative attack ads you don't have much of a vision for the future, or you're not ready to articulate it." As TPM notes, the McCain campaign's ad spending is now nearly 100 percent devoted to attack ads. Watch the DNC's new ad below.

CHYRON: "John McCain... readying a newly aggressive assault on Sen. Barack Obama's character." [Washington Post, 10/04/08]

VIDEO: Montage of McCain attack ads

CHYRON: John McCain is "looking forward to turning a page on this financial crisis." [Washington Post, 10/04/08]

VIDEO: Montage of McCain attack ads

CHYRON: McCain Campaign's Ad Spending Now Nearly 100 Percent Devoted to Attack Ads [Talking Points Memo, 10/3/08]

MCAIN: "I'm John McCain and I approved this message."

MCCAIN: "Uh, I, I just have to rely on the good judgment of the voters not to buy into these negative attack ads. Sooner or later, people are going to figure out if all you run is negative attack ads you don't have much of a vision for the future or you're not ready to articulate it." [The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, 2/21/2000]

CHYRON: John McCain: We Can't Afford More of the Same

Comments

[LibRS]

Just some of the quotes from this article.

Wall Street Journal
Thursday, Oct 2, 2008
Page A19
Article: "What They Said About Fan and Fred"

House Financial Services Committee hearing, Sept 10, 2003
Barney Franks (D., Mass): I worry, frankly, that there"s a tension here. The more people, in my judgment, exaggerate a threat of safety and soundness, the more people conjure up the possibility of serious financial losses to the Treasury, which I do not see. I think we see entities that are fundamentally sound financially and withstand some of the disaster scenarios¦

Rep Maxine Waters (D. Calif) speaking to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel. Martinez: Secretary Martinez, if it ain"t broke, why do you want to fix it? Have the GSE"s ever missed their housing goals?

House Financial Services Sommittee hearing, Sept. 25, 2003:
Rep Barney Franks: I do think I do not want the same kind of focus on safety and soundness that we have in OCC and OTS. I want to roll the dice a little bit more in this situation towards subsidized housing¦.

House Financial Services Committee hearing Sept 25, 2003:
Rep Gregory Meeks, (D, N.Y.):¦. I am just pissed off at Ofheo (Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight) because if it wasn"t for you I don"t think that we would be here in the first place.

[TroubleNYC]

I like the intent but it's just poor, poor editing.

[shaytoonee]

This ad is stupid.... ppl need to call the DNC.... this ad is so stupid that no other word can be used.

DNC get a better ad team

[ArcEnCiel]

Here is an extended version of how an ad suppose to be:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eKwTL8SwbI

[Ono4Hoopono]

The fact that an ad this ineffective even gets circulated, raises the concern that we have to be very careful whom we trust to create and distribute ads.

A well placed "mole" in the form of a bad producer taking way too long producing ineffective ads way over budget that confuse or water down the message, is a great way to weaken a campaign, sucking up their precious advertising resources, and resulting in their best message never making air.

I'm not saying that happened in this case, somebody probably worked very hard on it, and maybe was rushed to the point of not getting to think it through properly, but we should be very careful who we choose to produce these things. It is well known that one of the most effective forms of sabotage is to promote the incompetent, as we have seen in the current administration in the way they have sabotaged our regulatory infrastructure to make it easier for their cronies to pillage our national wealth.

[Ono4Hoopono]

Well intended, but not an effective ad.

Too much visual clutter, and the lack of a narrator toward the front leaves its intent uncertain. Confusing until halfway in. Lacks punch.

[Gary47]

Great idea, but the implementation is a little weak. The ad's too complicated. Streamline it, make it simple.

[DrJohnnySkeptic]

The point is hinting at a good point, although it could've been more precise and better organized. It's far too vague and should be more hard hitting on McCain's flip-flops and lies.

It's a great starting point, but the ad needs to be reworked. It should make the viewers/voters think, but it should have a clearer message rather than be a confusing stance.

[mjtaylor22]

YES THEY NEED VOICE OVER FOR THE WORDS THEY HIGHLIGHT.
they are beign too nice, not sure who they do nto want to offend.
but i do like using Mccain's own words against him.
he currently contracdicts everything he has ever said to gain his "maverick" title
yes he is a party liner for sure.
more of the same
that's John McCain

[Georgiadude]

Too much information, keep it simple, try again.

[jadeba]

Didn't like this ad - it's confusing and unclear. The DNC needs to have a simple message - JM/SP are liars. It's the best way to negate their negative ads. Destroy the credibility of M/P and their attack ads lose their credibility. With his telling the truth "absolutely, 100% of the time" - it wouldn't be hard to destroy him - there are more than ample examples of his lies. This is hardball - they started it.

Also, play up Todd's connection to the Alaska Independence Party - you've got to put them on the defensive. Thank heaven they're using the Keating 5, finally. I mean Bill A and O might have lived in the same neighborhood (as SP likes to bring up) but she and Todd live in the same house.

Finally, let people know how much JM really cares for vets - not! The IAVA and Disabled American Vet ratings make that very clear. We've got lots of vets here in Colorado working with the campaign - they are the most effective phone bankers and canvassers. Many of them will be voting for a dem for the first time. They know the truth and it is powerful. Especially since JM made such a big deal of how the "vets know I'll take care of them" in the debate. Vets are waiting for someone to tell their truth.

[drhappy]

I agree this is a confusing, ineffective ad considering the materials they had to work with.
The most interesting thing about this video is comparing McCain then and now. He now looks and sounds like he is ready for the home.

[UCSD101]

"FREAKIN A" REVELATION HERE.

McCAIN was set -up by hi sown party.

DON'T YOU SEE - they do not want McCain...........they used him because of his POW status.

McCAIN wanted Rommey or Lieberman - ROVE and Schmidt said "no" to that idea.

Carl ROVE - Has Already Fixed the 2008 Election " read & view video by: Greg Palast:
http://www.truthout.org/video/greg-palast-rove-has-already-fixed-2008-election


DON'T YOU SEE? They know McCain is ill - that is why don't don't want the media talking about it.
McCain Gets Lost On Stage in Iowa after Completing a Speech.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW-9zA0x5Sg

[Unrepentant]

Great concept poor execution. The quote from McCain is critical and priceless. It needs to be wrapped up with a better delivery about the negative ads.

[ImpressedByHonesty]

I agree. Needs a simpler more salient delivery.

[theplaintrutho1]

I have to agree with the many here, that this ad is weak. So many of the DNC / O ads have been weak and somewhat confusing. Confusing, not for most here or O supporters, but the audience they are or should be trying to reach is the "dumb-downed" undecideds, that wouldn't understand that ad if it were being explained to them.

Visuals are definitely the way to go with that type of crowd, as I've been explaining to my family and friends, but those same visuals must lead the 'dumb-down" to the point one is trying to make. In other words, O speaking and laying out His plans in detail, is wasted on these types of voters, so is this ad, without clarity.

Please, think dumb for a short 30 sec ad like this.

Or think of it like this, the undecideds at the Pa lin rally, cheering when She mentions, "great economic achievements, over the past eight years", (not verbatim) would you say they have a grasp on knowledge?

[SurrealPumpkin]

They have signs being held up telling them to cheer. Watch the people sitting behind Mc and Pal.