McCain-The-Gambler Ad To Hit Swing States

The clean-election group Campaign Money Watch announced just now that a new ad going after McCain for his ties to the gambling industry, will be airing two battleground locales -- Lynchburg, Virginia and Tallahassee, Florida -- in addition to national cable.

The ad, first reported by Ben Smith of Politico, raps McCain for taking over a million dollars from gaming interests.

David Donnelly, the group's director, points out that the spot tackles the Republican nominee on several different fronts, including his own celebrity status, his ties to lobbyists, and the idea that he is too willing to take risks both personally or politically.

The advertisement is part of a six-figure media buy that will begin airing today and continue, at the very least, through Friday. Whether the group plans to purchases time through the rest of the election is something Donnelly said will be decided later in the week.

Comments

[alabaman]

McCain has gambled way too many times in his life, and not just on craps. I contrast that with Obama the poker player--some who is cool, steady, and can't be bluffed.

[MsYellowDog]

Wish they would buy ads specifically aimed at Texas voters...here in Bible belt I grew up with prohibitions against all kinds of gambling---perhaps knowing about McThug's propensity for it would change a few minds.

[Ironquill]

If the media had covered this topic at all, I would be against this negative ad at this stage.
But McCain hit Obama hard on the Ayers' association, so this a bit of payback.
You have to wonder what class of person hangs out in VIP gambling lounges--I think offhand of overpaid CEO's, celebs, prostitutes, gangsters, pimps, lovely rich folks from mideastern dictatorships who are not allowed to drink and indulge in wild women in their homeland, and, well, gamblers.
If the MSM doesn't pick up on this ad, I think it will be pulled after a couple of days.

[Tommygun2146]

"I spent five and a half years without a roulette wheel, without so much as a pair of dice and the drinks certainly weren't on the house."

[Whinger]

John gambles because he needs the dosh, Cindy's very frugal with the pocket money!

[ThirdSection]

Do we even need a negative ad at this point? The Obama campaign has been doing so well with its positive message.

[JT16682]

I don't think this is negative. American voters do need to know about their Commander-­in-Chief's addictions.

[IncensedinNC]

Why isn't this run on national tv? It deserves a greater audience than just youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdJUCU1UH2w

[SEQUOIABISON]

Hey this is unfair slander, you cannot tell the truth about people and hope to get away with it.

Did I mention that Mr McCain was a POW??

Obama/Biden

[lemonyashes]

You BetCha also to also.

[joanVA]

I am not sure how successful this will be in Lynchburg, Virginia--home of the late Jerry Falwell and Liberty University. They are pro-life for the most part and vote on that single issue. They will not find this ad believable. It would have been better if it was a little more subtle about his connections to gambling and how that translates into his way of governing--too risky. But then, that's a better ad for my part of rurual Virginia.

[SaraPulis]

Are they planning on airing this in Nevada next? I'd be curious to see how they'd take it. Having grown up there, any ad that tries to link gambling with negativity turns me off, even if the message isn't about gambling itself.

[AeschyDan]

a gambling man--shows in the way he handles his campaign. if he wins, he'll be gambling away the nation's future.

[Decipherer]

It would have been better had the background music been "Do It Again" by the great Steely Dan. Far more fitting for a mavericky gambling-obsessed, out-of-control guy like McCain.

By the way, is it just me or does anyone else think that all the gambling McCain does at tribal casinos just maybe might have once is a while resulted in some of his gambling losses being forgiven by the house, especially since McCain sits on Senate oversight committees involved?

Just sayin'

[BrockSampson]

Better yet " Show biz Kids"
Lost Wages,Lost Wages goin' to Lost Wages

[SOLERSO68]

good ad, where will it show? somewhere in the west. nevada?

[judyc]

Lynchburg, Virginia and Tallahassee, Florida -- in addition to national cable.

[linzy]

As a Nevada resident and Obama supporter, my convictions are to never bet more than you can afford to loose. McCain not only gambles with his own wealth, he seems in favorer of doing so with what little I have. People who gamble are fine, they support our schools and create jobs here in NV. But again, never gamble more than you can afford to loose. If you have a gambling problem, ask for help and leave the casino.

[cdub1991]

Actually, he gambles with his wife's wealth.

[chasmader]

It would be even better if the ad mentioned how Cindy had to pay off his gambling debts in the 80's!