McCain Debate Ad Tries To Break From Bush

John McCain put out a one-minute ad Thursday morning that is noteworthy on a number of fronts: the Senator speaks directly into the camera, he admonishes the Bush years, and he never mentions Barack Obama by name.

Tilted "Fight," the spot seems transparent in its purpose: paint McCain as the candidate railing against Bush's record and Obama as the product of D.C. Note the quotes he highlights in the script.

"The last eight years haven't worked very well, have they?" the Senator says. "I'll make the next four better. Your savings, your job and your financial security are under siege. Washington is making it worse -- bankrupting us with their spending. Telling us paying higher taxes is "patriotic"? And saying we need to "spread the wealth around"?"

It's interesting to note that hours before the McCain camp put out this spot, Barack Obama's team had an ad of its own reminding voters that the Arizona Republican has supported George Bush 90 percent of the time, often on the vital issues.

That ad, and McCain's record, have made it difficult for him to effectively break from his party leadership. It's hard to imagine that he will be able to do so in the next three weeks.