With New Ads, Obama Pushes Back Against Ugly McCain Campaign

What ever happened to John McCain's promise to run a "clean and respectable campaign?"

Desperate to win the White House in his second attempt, Sen. McCain is undermining this election by unleashing lies and smears against Barack Obama during the GOP party convention, on the stump with his running mate, Sarah Palin, and in a series of television commercials that are so blatantly false, it's hard to even recall the John McCain of 2000.

The piggish campaign that McCain is running has rolled this presidential race straight into the gutter. Stunningly, McCain defended his 'kill-baby seal tactics' by blaming Obama -- clearly, the victim though hardly a baby seal -- during the National Service presidential forum in New York City Thursday night.

Still insisting that he is running a campaign based on issues, McCain got a little hot under the collar when he was questioned about the "tone" of the campaign, saying:

"First of all this is a tough business...Second of all, I think the tone of this whole campaign would've been very different if Sen. Obama had accepted my request for us to appear at town hall meetings all over America."

This is the same kind of reasoning abusive men use to justify administering the bruises and broken bones that land their wives in emergency rooms. "It was her fault. She made me do it!"

What a bully! What a whiner!

Naturally, the courtly moderators let him off the hook. McCain is a war hero, you know.

Factcheck.org has analyzed the McCain ad, "Lipstick," among others that are charging sexism by the Obama campaign and using quotes out of context.

The Obama press office blasted an email to journalists early this morning with a review of "Lashing Out," the latest McCain ad:

The new McCain-Palin ad ... begins like an earlier ad we criticized, with its reference to Barack Obama's celebrity, but then goes down new paths of deception. It takes quotes from news organizations and uses them out of context in an effort to portray Obama and his running mate, Joe Biden, as unfairly attacking Sarah Palin and making sexist remarks. We've long been a critic of candidates (Obama included) usurping the credibility of independent news organizations and peddling false quotes, and this ad is particularly egregious. We found it airing in Denver, as recorded by the Campaign Media Analysis Group, a unit of TNS Media Intelligence.

Sen. Obama is hitting back with two new ads released today -- "Real Change" and "Still" -- hoping to get back on message and to wrestle back the 'change' theme that has been hijacked by McCain and Palin.

In "Real Change" Sen. Obama speaks directly into the camera:

We've heard a lot of talk about change this year. The question is, change to what? To me, change is a government that doesn't let banks and oil companies rip off the American people. Change is when we finally fix health care instead of just talking about it. Change is giving tax breaks to middle class families instead of companies that send jobs overseas. Change is a president who brings people together. I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message because this year, change has to be more than a slogan.

The second ad, "Still," shows various unflattering visuals of McCain, a 1980s cell phone the size of the toaster, with facts sourced from the New York Times, Boston Globe and the Tax Policy Center with a professional announcer's voice:

1982. John McCain goes to Washington. Things have changed in the last 26 years. But McCain hasn't. He admits he still doesn't know how to use a computer, can't send emails. Still doesn't understand the economy. And favors two hundred billion in new tax cuts for corporations, but almost nothing for the middle class. After one President who was out of touch. We just can't afford more of the same. I'm Barack Obama and I approved this message.

It's doubtful whether these latest Obama ads will successfully blunt the Team McCain rise in the polls of late, mostly due to their deceptive ads and dishonest stump speeches, so I'll offer some unsolicited advice to the Obama campaign.

Here's your new tag line that should end every speech and every ad:

"Electing John McCain and Sarah Palin for four more years of Bush is no change at all. Now that's a pig in lipstick the American people can't afford."

Comments

[HonestAbbie]

I think that people ought to starting asking this question in BLOGS AND ON TELEVISION INTERVIEWS

They ought to ask if THEY WOULD TRUST THEIR MONEY TO ACCESSORIES TO THE BURGLARIZING OF THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS.~~~~

DO WE HAVE PAROLLEES REPORTING TO EX-PAROLLEES.

What change can be expected from ACCESSORIES TO THE WASHINGTON BROKEN GOVERNMENT
BEING RE-ELECTED.

[Artos]

I have one thing to say to the Repugs, and that is that you guys want to play dirty then the gloves are off. That is the way it should be. To the Democrats I say this , Get some gonads and start fighting back. Just be sure when you do fight back it's with genuine undisputable facts. There is so much video and sound track material out there of stuff McCain has said and probably even of Palin, find it and use it. Don't let these guys get away with their lies and bullying. Rove and Guiliani this week are saying that the campaigns are getting to nasty, well who would know better about that than Rove. Rove is by the way also a consultant to the McCain campaign, so that might imply he is being two tongued like a snake. instigating on the one hand and pretending to be shocked on the other. The man is no better than a snake. Again, I say if the Repugs want to fight, then lets take off the gloves and fight.

[Mybunchofgrapes]

I know some people that are not happy about the polls declaring McCain a stronger candidate than Senator Obama. Some have not received a phone call or email asking their input. I and those I know are saying enough is enough and WE do not want leaders showing a lack of moral and ethical behaviors. We have taught our children to represent the fruit-ages of the spirit that is found in Galatians and to stand strong for something evil is out there and is in the business of destroying a nation and a soul. The more negative the GOP ads are the bitter acting the McCain's' and Palins' ticket will feel . The GOP are set on saying to the American nation that the GOP is stuck on keeping us in the stupid or/and placing us in the stupid.

[Star2000dancer]

........... I do'nt know....that pedaphile one was disgusting & below the belt. Myself & many others have said they lost all respect for Jphn McCain when they saw that one.. It's sick, the 911 was sick. It seems like all the McCain/Bush Republicans only think about war profiteering & perversity.

And if you do'nt make over $250,000 a year. You're gonna get your taxes cut, & the rich wo'nt have all those loop holes they get so they do'nt end up paying any taxes. Hey, I heard GW Bush say that at the 1st Bush Presidential speech I ever had heard before.

And I also heard him addressing the people at some dinner. He said " Hello all you have & have mores, ( grinning, smirking , he, he, he). Some people call you the elite, I call ya' my base". Get it? Republicans are for the ich &Democrats protect the people.. So if you're one of the people, you can not even considering voting in yours & the majorities best interst.

[ailbhe]

Good ads, Democrats need to pound HARD on policy issues, while pointing out that the GOP is doing everything to avoid issues because they know they can't possibly win on that.

Obama seemed to convert Bill O'Reilly when he was interviewed so he can convert anybody.

He needs to continue being himself and strongly put himself across to the people, he should exploit his likeability factor too.

I think he will win. There is no way McCain can beat him in the debates.

[bakingmom]

This is a great idea! How do ads like this get made???

[BeltwayBette]

McCain knows he's not smart enough to win with a fantastic campaign,the Internet, ground trooops and voter registration drives -- he can't even send an email. Next step: 21st Century.

Using this tactic is like his using his POW status (is he really the only POW in America?) as a get out of jail free card.
He tells LIes? So what; I'm a POW.
He slanders his opponent daily, distorts the man's legislative history, falsely accuse him of teaching kindergartners about sex? So what; I'm a POW.
The media is getting wise to me? Hey, your'e all baby boomers who didn't serve in the military. You don't dare question me -- I'm a POW!

Chris Matthew, asked to discuss some past McCain transgressions on the New Rachel Maddow show last night said, " I can't say anything about McCain; I've met him several times and he never said anything about my only serving in the Peace Corps."

McCain's been good to you. he hasn't condemned you for only serving in the Peace Corps!!!
So, you can;t do your job. AND you cut off the new woman on the network off at the knees publicly? Talk about sexism!!!!

Someone needs to tell MSNBC corporatistas that Obama is running against MCCain..

A female vet for Obama"Biden

[magnant]

Excellent observation. Matthews may still be tenacious with the candidates on some issues but he appears to be playing to the middle more and more. Why these guys can't measure the players to some objective standard other than themselves is beyond me.

I think that Keith Olbermann is the only one who is still willing to speak his mind consistently about the substance of what they are saying. Even Charles Gibson, in this week's interview with Sarah Palin, came across as casually chitchatting with her about war options, rather than tagging her responses to his Iran and Georgia questions as something she obviously knew nothing about!

[Artos]

BeltwayBette,
I think that another thing McCain is doing is he is hiding behind a womans skirts literally. He gets a woman to be his running mate so that he can, one, hide behind her when he wants to and two, he uses her as a means to sop up the votes of those women formerly Hillary supporters, who are so angry at not having her as a Democratic Candidate that they would sabotage their own interests because they are so adamant at having a woman be their Candidate. McCain will use Palin to blunt attacks at himself. He will twist comments attacking his campaign as he has with the " lipstick on a pig" non-issue. He needs to to all he can to avert attacks against his lies and half truths. Why not use a woman to achieve his ends. It seems part and parcel of his character. He has always used someone to act on his behalf. First his Father , then his new wife, and now Palin.

[f4skyhawk]

There can only be one.......

iT IS TIME TO DECLARE WAR

[libbygirl]

These are the kinds of ads that Obama should stick to. He's a good man with a good message and I will continue to have faith that people will respond to this rather than the sleazy ads of the McCain campaign.

[tonyinstpete]

There is no doubt that McCain's campaign is filled with slime. Any regard many of us had of McCain as a straight-talking patriot with the best interests of the U. S. in mind (even if we disagreed with his Republcian policies) has vanished with his selection of Palin to be a 72 year old heartbeat away from the presidency.

These new ads of Obama's on television are good. However, a lot of younger people and busy working women don't watch much TV anymore. Those who want to help Obama should spread the highly positive and issues-oriented series of video spots that you can download at: WWW.TWOVOTERS.COM. Spread these around to your family, friends, and work colleagues!!

[ellezeebub]

Eh, I don't respect the GOP, or Republican congressman who vote against the interests of the US middle class. That does not mean being a complete boor (although yesterday I called him a cat ass face, but hey, it is still legal, if childish, to call people names). I do not have to preface every criticism of McCain with obeisance--if he wanted to just be a war hero he could retire and have his very own war parade every day. He does not want to retire, he wants to be president. His war record got him elected to the Senate, and kept him there for 30+ years. His Senate record, including his recent 95% w/ Bush voting record, is what he should be judged on for his executive run.

I judge him fairly: he has not been a champion of the working class or the enlisted class. He just simply has not. He has been a champion of the filthy rich class, and as such, did not stand with Hagel and Lugar, but with GW Bush. I am a values voter--education, civil liberties, economy, national security, human health and the environment. That is why I am voting for Barack Obama and the Democratic ticket, straight down the ballot.

[gloryoski]

The "doesn't know how to use email" is not going to play with a lot of the kinds of undecided voters he needs to bring back his way. Maybe some of them are young enough (or poor enough--i.e., "unretired") that they need to use email at their jobs (people without office staffs to do the grunt work and beer heiress wives can't afford to opt out of this kind of "new" job skill training) but they certainly are not going to see that kind of criticism as anything but snotty and whippersnapperish. This is another example of where, even when they are "mean," they appear snarky and not angry because they are afraid to look populist. I hope there are more ads like the one David Sirotra quotes. That's what's needed.

[BeltwayBette]

I agree with you. Lots of people look at computer literacy as a kind of elitism. Or,fi they are older,they are often afraid of computers. I meet those folks daily.

However, I believe that having a president who is computer illiterate is a serious shortfall. These days, we all know that kids can and have broken into government data bases.
It is idiotic, IMHO, to have a president who doesn't understand the language of the computer world,who might therefore misunderstand intellgence or other information relating to computers.
They are too much of an integral part of our world now and all our government and most business systems are computerized. WE need a president who is knowledgable in the tools our nation is using and will use in the future.
My 84 year old neighbor need not know computer language; our president does need to excel in 21st century systems.
McCain is not the president we need at this time. It'sw a ery copelx and dangerous world. We need a man and administration that is smart enough to have more than one cat in the bag. .

Another vet for Obama

[sammiek]

I have always respected John McCain even though I don't agree with most of his political views. I now have little respect for McCain because he is willing to give up his honorable reputation to win an election by putting out deceptive and lying political ads.

[way out left in san francisco]

Hensley's money bought charismatic McSame a seat in the House of Representatives. Soon it bought a Senate seat. Shortly after he became a Senator he was embroiled in the Keating 5 scandal. McSame has spouted a lot of empty words but never really delivered any significant change for the good of All Americans. McSame is still the same hot headed under-achieving bully who has a deep need to one up his father. This pattern sounds similar to W. Do we want another stupid bully for our next president? NO!

[americanideal]

It's all about the money folks...

Last week, the CBO issued a report on the now $9+ trillion deficit Dubya has rac ked up during his unfortunate tenure. Over 45% of it is attributable to the tax cuts John McCain wants to make permanent.

I'd say:

A commercial starts with someone lounging on the side of an expensive yacht in the Carribean telling the butler to grab some more champagne. Image flashes up that John McCain seeks to make permanent Bush's tax cuts to the wealthiest 1% of Americans.

Meanwhile...flashes to a crowded city street filled with working stiffs in suits hustling to work. Then to a factory floor with a sweaty steel worker in goggles..."That's right, under John McCain you will put in your 40+ hours every day, and foot the bill on nearly half of our ballooning national debt so that the wealthy can keep their taxes low..."

Flash to kids lined up at recess in a schoolyard - "And yes, while we're at it, let's hope our crumbling education system keeps working a little while longer too, because they'll have to do some heavy lifting to pay off the interest on that debt - most of it to foreigners holding a very big bill..."

JOHN McCAIN - THIS (POCKET) CHANGE WE CAN DO WITHOUT

I'm Barack Obama, and I approve of this message.

Solid gold Jerry, solid gold....

[mssisyphus]

McCain/Palin have proved that they don't really know anything other then the same old Republican tactics, which put miore energy into tearing down the Democratic side than they do coming up with solutions to America's and American's problems. After all, they don't think there is anything wrong with America, and I guess in their world, there isn't.

Unfortunately, we don't all come from old, or new family money, and must work an honest day's work, and many, a second job as well, to be rewarded with a pittance thanks to the minim wage freeze for ten year, which has affected all of us negatively. We cross our fingers that we don't need tires, a call to a plumber, or worst of all, have a medical crisis.

It's just disgusting to listen to the blatant lies and distortions. I can't stand the sound of Bush's voice, or to look at his face, and that's after seven and 3/4 years. I already feel the same way about McCain.

The people better wake up, or we are never going to recover.

[tamarque]

what makes me crazy is the avoidance of the illegal voting practices promoted by the neocons, repugs, and radical religious right. hundreds of thousands of black, working class and young people are being caged or otherwise thrown off the voting roles due to their high support of the democratic ticket. other practices like voting id's will cull many more that are poor. and at the top of the list is the electronic voting machines that are monitored by staunch republicans from long distance without any means to verify the count or accurate recording of the vote. the neocons never won the elections from the public. they stole it creating a royal coup d'etat that received little mainstream media coverage.

this to me is the biggest worry about this election and all future ones. what has traspired is that, de facto, we have lost our right to vote!