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

[bryan0218]

If McCain handles Crisis the way he handles picking a running mate, the choice is obvious. NYT latest poll shows that people prefer Obama over McCain in handling a crisis. McCain in these last few months has shown he is inpulsive, erratic, and frankly not that confident under pressure. The NYT's poll shows more Americans are uneasy with a McCain Presidency than an Obama Presidency. He boast about being a leader, but he has only shown that he is a follower and a panderer. All that being said, I still would like to kick Bide for saying something so stupid.

[Middleclassvotingbloc]

Question: Who was the mole in the room that taped Biden's statements and then provided it to the McCain campaign?

[marthlois]

Could it be? Maryhill whatever????

[bryan0218]

Doesn't matter, one should never, ever assume they are not being taped.

In this politcally environment too many examples of that kind of stuff slipping out. I the case of Obama's "Bitter" comment, he was actually showing a compassionate understanding of the people's frustration. The whole thing was twisted and taken out of context, to sound mean and snobish.

[feyangel]

To finish my thought (I pushed the button too soon :_})-- If McCain's behavior this election year is any indicator of how well he performs in a "test," I am not interested.

[Middleclassvotingbloc]

I think Biden is wrong, most of the world will be relieved to hear that Obama has been elected. I think that the world will come together for peace.

[feyangel]

As for the "being tested" part-- I am not sure Biden meant that the way McCain's camp twisted it around-- but even if he did, and even if some terrorist leader or some other yucky situation "tests" Obama-- and us-- I feel good about having him at the helm of our ship. McCain's-- "I have been tested" crap is CRAP. He survived an awful experience-- that a lot of other military people have also survived (good for him/them) -- but he has not been "tested" at the level nor in the role he is referring to. If his behavior this election year is any indicator of how well he performs i

[judyc]

They of course left out the part where Biden said that "Obama has steel in his spine."

[feyangel]

The comment Biden made was not "bone-headed" except in light of how it could be twisted & used against Obama. The fact is, things are a mess right now-- & it is likely that getting them back on track will be challenging. It may get a bit worse before it gets better. Saying, "Oh yes, it will be instant Nirvana for all of us in every arena the minute Obama gets elected" would be dumb & a lie!

Obama always promised to be HONEST with us. I appreciate that. The fact is that, with Obama, once this "run-away stagecoach headed over a cliff" is turned around, we stand a chance of having things be good again-- maybe even better than they have ever been. Whereas, if we keep headed in the same direction-- the hideous version of the Republican direction McCain and Palin represent-- there is no hope at all.

When I was a single mom raising my kids alone, struggling a lot-- I would be up front with them when I saw rough water ahead, so we could stand & work together through it. That was just me being HONEST & inspiring them to work as part of MY TEAM to get us through life-- which they did very well, making my job easier. To me, Obama & Biden are simply telling us the truth, letting us know we all need to work together if we are going to get through this-- even with the best plan and leadership.

[shel3364]

This is all well & good, but isn't it MUCH more damaging when your opponent can use your OWN WORDS against you???


"I voted with President Bush 90% of the time".....­that one's gonna leave a mark

[LemonMeringue]

The GOP must have people working 24/7 to glean bits of speech they can twist and distort. It is all they have left.

We all know what Biden meant. I feel more secure with Obama and Biden in charge than I would with McBombIran and Ms. Clueless anywhere near the White House.

Honestly the Dems could run with this if they wanted to. Even Palin's fans know she is not ready.

[margardner]

The Republicans did this with the 911 incident in 2004, we went with Bush/Cheney and look what it got us.

Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and his strong advisers, have the temperamant, the steadiness, but even more important, the "intelligence," to make the right decision for all of us in time of crisis. I would never put my confidence in a "hothead" frazzled McCain.
He says he's been tested? McCain is more like a "case study" that hasn't worked out!

[margardner]

OOOH NO, "NOT THIS TIME!"

We will not be distracted, nor played by the Republican fear card. "Not this time!"

[harhar2]

I know Biden's heart was speaking before his head but now they are attacking him on this just as they are attacking Obama for using a government plane to visit is gravely ill grandmother. They are so sick! The republicans don't have anything to say anymore so they resort to this sleazy smear crapola. They ran a bad campaign all the way around. News flash! It's not working!

[Tropiholic]

who cares? it isn't working, got it?

[exclintonsupporter]

As Janet Jackson sang ---"What have you done for me lately?". Yes...McCa­in has been tested...a­nd he FLUNKED the test...his latest test was to show how he would deal with the failing economy...­and he showed the world just how he would handle it...remem­ber...he was all over the place...su­spending his campaign (not)...ca­lling for cancellation of the first debate...s­howing up at the debate when he said he wouldn't..­.in the OB campaigns words...he was erractic!!!

Talking about being tested when he wasn't in charge of anything is not the same as being tested of the leader of this great nation...M­cCain was following orders...h­e was giving orders....­"thank God". He has not been tested the way Biden is talking about. History proves that within the first year of each new presidents administration, they will be tested...M­cCain knows that...and in that instance he would be in the same boat as Obama...ne­w to the test!!!

I'd rather have Obama at the helm...as a thoughtful, intelligent, steady Leader, than McCain running around not knowing what to do...or reacting and announcing he would do one thing and then do something eles.

[LemonMeringue]

McCain plans to start an international crisis.

And what if Palin gets tested?OMG maybe we should be building bomb shelters again.

[Whinger]

Barack Obama has demonstrated he has the temperament and leadership qualities necessary!

John McCain never was a leader, and has demonstrated poor judgment and no leadership qualities!

I will sleep contented at night knowing that Barack Obama and Joe Biden were watching the store!