McCain Ad Uses Biden's Words Against Obama

The McCain campaign's newest television advertisement, released Friday morning, goes straight after Barack Obama's readiness to handle an international crisis by using his running mate's words against him.

Titled "Ladies and Gentlemen," the spot juxtaposes Joe Biden's rather boneheaded (but out of context) statement that Obama will be tested within six months in office with a series of frightening shots of terrorists and hostile foreign leaders.

"It doesn't have to happen," says the announcer. "Vote McCain."

In past elections this line of attack would likely be a far more dominant narrative. But it is testament to just how prevalent economic concerns are -- and just how strong of a debate performance Obama had -- that questions about his foreign policy readiness haven't had their traditional affect.

Comments

[emcd]

This is a loser argument for McCain! Think about the logic that is required in order to use this as a selling point!

He claims that he was integrally involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis, so that it is a selling point as to his judgement and experience?

At most he was sitting in a fighter jet, waiting to carry out an order from a senior officer.

If he is claiming that he had a decision to make in that instance that proves his superior judgement, that would mean that he was contemplating some independent action rather than just "following orders" wouldn't it???

[Whinger]

Should there be an international test it could be applicable to John McCain!

Under pressure, I know who I would want in charge, a natural born leader with a cool head!

By the way, that aint you John!

[Peg head Pete]

Joe Biden has observed presidents for 30 + years. He simply expressed an educated opinion that Obama would be tested soon after taking office by some sort of international circumstances; foreign leaders' trying to assess O.'s mettle. I think that the probability of that happening -- especially some kind of economic showdown -- is high. Even our allies bame the U.S. for the current economic crisis. So, poor Joe has the heartbreak of honesty and his statement was taken out of context (the "spine of steel" bit is always left out, even by that paragon of virtue, Jon Stewart.) Give Joe Biden a break. This "gaffe" is a creation of the MSM who, like the McCain compaign never let the facts get in the way of a good story. Would you prefer Sarah in his place?

Geez, where's the love?

[ammagirl]

Ooooh...scary! What a sleazy campaign McCain is running.

[yoyobrit83]

Right now, there are protesters at the Colorado McCain rally.

How has McCain been tested?

Biden's comments were stupid, but Lieberman said the same thing.

Every President in the last few elections have been tested...Clinton, Bush.

[toochie50]

It is JOE'S and BARACK's strategy - get people prepared for this event in case it happens before the 4th - Joe can say "hey - i told you so and we are ready!"

[CindyV]

Where are the calls to dump Biden? He's done enough damage to Obama already. From his comments during the primary to this. Who needs McCain/Palin when Biden takes down the ticket?

[milo h minderbinder]

There are no calls because Biden hasn't hurt the ticket any (he's certainly been a better selection than Palin was).

Believe it or not, the American people aren't too stupid to figure out what Biden actually means instead of buying into the spin.

[jusion]

The case for McCain is straightforward. The financial crisis has made us forget, or just blindly deny, how dangerous the world out there is. We have a generations-long struggle with Islamic jihadism. An apocalyptic, soon-to-be-nuclear Iran. A nuclear-armed Pakistan in danger of fragmentation. A rising Russia pushing the limits of revanchism. Plus the sure-to-come Falklands-like surprise popping out of nowhere.

Who do you want answering that phone at 3 a.m.? A man who’s been cramming on these issues for the last year, who’s never had to make an executive decision affecting so much as a city, let alone the world? A foreign-policy novice instinctively inclined to the flabbiest, most vaporous multilateralism (e.g., the Berlin Wall came down because of “a world that stands as one”), and who refers to the most deliberate act of war since Pearl Harbor as “the tragedy of 9/11,” a term more appropriate for a bus accident?

Or do you want a man who is the most prepared, most knowledgeable, most serious foreign-policy thinker in the United States Senate? A man who not only has the best instincts, but has the honor and the courage to, yes, put country first, as when he carried the lonely fight for the surge that turned Iraq from catastrophic defeat into achievable strategic victory?

[CraigHickman]

John McCain is a warmonger.

Period.

[Sapna]

I would be seriously scared of McSame or his Mrs. Moose Cutlets dealing with such sharks as Pu tin or Ahmed in a jad or with people in Pa ki stan. McSame will try to push his bellicose worldview that has not changed since the Cold War, while the world has changed a 100 percent. Even dealing with Russia is going to be a very different endeavor then it was for Reagan, Bush Sr or Clinton. We need a wise leader, not a raging warmonger.

[GoBarryGo]

Is there a large number of people out there who actually think this is a big deal? It's kind of like stating the obvious, isn't it? Not about Obama, but about whoever the next president is. McCain's "I've been tested" is awfully hollow. How was he tested - as a POW? It's debatable how well he passed that test, if you read the Make-Believe Maverick article from Rolling Stone and many other similar accounts. He'd be so quick to start another war, we wouldn't even have time to blink. Good news for Sarah, because apparently she doesn't think it's a good idea to blink when there are big decisions to be made.

[lincheryl]

What is really scary and what people should think about--if McCain wins and is unable to complete the term, Palin would take over and then SHE would be tested. That is the thought that people should think about before they vote.

[Grunty1]

If this quote is the only weapon McCain has, he's finished.

[apatheticmoth]

still won't sway people afraid of palin....

[RTIII]

I admit, it's a well done ad. However, it won't do any good now - too much history behind us to listen to this. It's another negative with NOTHING FOR their guy, just scare tactics.
.

[Fredo777]

I could punch Biden in the head for saying that.

lol

[Opt1musPr1me]

Biden as usual always puts his foot in his mouth. But what he said isn't false. Any new president no matter who, will be tested some how some way. I don't know why McCain thinks he won't be tested if he is elected. Being tied up for 5 years and being on a flight deck waiting for orders to strike during the Cuban missile Crisis is not the testing needed to be commander in chief. Unless u were president b4, you have never been tested on the international stage where sound judgment and a calm hand is key. This notion that Republicans have this special gift when it comes to protecting the country from attacks is extremely ridiculous to the point of laughter. I believe a president Obama would respond to an attack on American soil the way a smart president should, by using proper intelligence followed by a brutal military response while also keeping in mind that some innocent civilians will be caught in the fire.

Joe Biden needs to understand that he is in a general election and should be overly cautious about what he says around anyone. Giving the other side ammunition to come at the person at the top of the ticket you are part of is down right unacceptable and I hope he was reprimanded for this.

[Grunty1]

McCain has failed every test that has appeared during the primary.
That trend will continue in the White House.

[Gidster]

On every test he gives the same answer. Bomb.

[2cntswrth]

You are totally correct. Any new president may be tested in any number of ways. And most people understood what he meant. In no way was he suggesting that McCain would not also be tested. But, it was fuel for the pundits and McCain campaign to twist into something else. However, Biden does need to learn a lesson from this experience about controlling his mouth not just for the campaign, but especially if Obama wins the election and Joe Biden becomes Vice President. I don't see the Republicans and right wing spin-meisters letting up on the new administration (if we think back to how Bill Clinton was constantly dogged).