How Joe Biden Should Respond to McCain's Attack Ad

So the McCain campaign is running a cute new ad featuring some snippets of Joe Biden questioning Barack Obama's experience and praising John McCain. Trouble? Maybe if you are the guy who has trouble remembering how many houses you own. Joe Biden is quick on his feet, but here's my advice on how to handle it -- and it will be asked on the all Sunday bobblehead shows this weekend.

Gosh, Joe Biden, you seemed to have kind words for John McCain and not think so highly of Barack Obama. Why, you said in 2005, that:

"John McCain is a personal friend, a great friend, and I would be honored to run with or against John McCain, because I think the country would be better off" -- The Daily Show, August 2, 2005

via Marc Ambinder

And, in 2007, you questioned whether Barack Obama was ready to lead!

Here's what Biden should say:

It's amazing what we've witnessed in the past few years. It's remarkable how John McCain, who I knew in the past to be a principled independent, has compromised so much in service to his ambition to become president. He's endorsed every one of George W. Bush's failed policies. But worse he's even hired the same people who made those horrible attack commercials against him in 2000 to lie to the American people about Barack Obama.

Frankly, it would be downright depressing to me as an American to see a fine public servant like John McCain become a typical Republican hack if we had not simultaneously witnessed Barack Obama's emergence as a great leader for our country. Those old comments of mine only serve to illustrate how John McCain is just a shadow of his former self and how Barack Obama has revealed himself to have the promise of being a truly exceptional President. I am just happy to have the opportunity to help Barack Obama serve America.

Follow Bart Motes on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bmotes

Comments

[harriscrl3]

Honestly in elections people attack what they percieve to be your weakness. Obama was a virtual unknown and to top it off he was young so of course they are going to say he is not ready it doesnt take a genious to see that will be the line of attack that folks in the primary will use. I bet they said the same thing about JFK or even Lincoln. I think Biden had a great start when he said that we dont need a soldier we need a wise leader. I think thats the key we need a leader who can address a complex and ever changing world who can think on their feet who is able to call forth all kinds of power thats available who has good judgement. We dont need a soldier who only sees military and war. This can't be our first line of response and our most common line of response and they need to keep hitting that home.

Carol

[DMSmith]

Oh...you'r­e GOOD! LOL

And...it's true!

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for all the great comments, guys and gals! I was very pleased by Biden's performance today--and it seems like what I said made it through the ether to him, because he had a great more in sorrow than in anger take on the once great John McCain's decline in typical Republican hackery.

[ihatefoxnews08]

J mac should have bitten his tongue. Now he will look like a wacko if he picks Romney, whom he totally needs, since he knoocked Biden.

[GaiusLucilius]

Here's what he could say:

"I do think that the country has been better off with John McCain in the race, because his run has illuminated the failed and morally-bankrupt policies of the Republican party. This failure is on such a colossal scale that even those who try to change these policies end up getting our country further off course. In running against McCain, I hope to continue this national conversation and reveal truths to a country blinded by the right. And perhaps convince McCain to return to his *formerly* laudable principles­."

[GOLDENTIX]

You've put it perfectly. What did happen to the John McCain I used to at least respect? (even if I would not have voted for him). The Straight Talk Express Bus has veered badly off course as has my respect for the Senator.

[Wox]

Forget who said it, but it goes something like this: "When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do?"

[PALinda]

Ah, yes! Succinct soundbite. I can soooo hear Joe saying that ... sooo effectively!

[FullChat]

Biden: I could have run with the John McCain of 2000, or maybe 2005, but I don't know the person who is appearing today as John McCain.

[Herrington]

Actually, McCain's campaign has painted him into a corner with the Biden ad. In order for their ad to have credibility, they can't now impune Joe Biden's judgment. Nice move Rovians. Smirk.

[egal]

"Impugn". Just so you know. You're usually right on the money, as here, and it's more effective to be derisive when your spelling's right.

...sorry, work mode is editing mode.

[Herrington]

Thanks on both counts egal.

[Pavane]

Mr. Motes, you got it exactly right. I bet Senators Obama and Biden will use - more or less - the quality concepts you have put forth, turning Biden's past words into something very positive and exciting.

[danielmcvicar]

we should tighten it up a bit, don't want it too Senatorial.

[sonshine]

I hope that he takes your advice. It's a great pimp-slap at McCain before he has the chance to go even further into the slop.