New McCain Ad: "He's The Original Maverick"
In this new ad, John McCain tries to achieve separation from George Bush by saying flat out that "we're worse off than we were four years ago." At the same time, McCain sidesteps direct criticism of the President and instead blames "Washington"...
"Washington's broken -- John McCain knows it," the announcer says, in what sounds like push-back against Barack Obama's frequent depiction of McCain as a creature of Washington. According to the McCain campaign, the ad will run in "key states."
The ad also tries to rekindle some of that old magic from 2000 by concluding that "he's the original maverick" -- another attempt to achieve separation from Bush by evoking distant memories of the pre-Bush-years McCain.
Late Update: Obama spokesperson Bill Burton responds:
"Senator McCain wants Americans to forget that during the Republican primary, he said that Americans were better off than we were eight years ago, and that he thinks we've made 'great progress economically.' He wants us to forget that he's fully embraced the Bush policies he once opposed, and bragged about supporting those policies 'more than 90 percent of time.' The truth is, being a maverick isn't practicing the same kind of politics we have seen from Washington for decades, it isn't having a campaign run by Washington lobbyists, and it's certainly not promoting the same policies that have led America down the wrong path these past eight years."
Note the reference to "eight years" to offset McCain's claim that we're worse off than we were four years ago.
Late Late Update: More response from the Obama camp, including a video flash-back, is right here.
I was just on the verge of posting Dorothy Parker's wonderful review of Winnie the Pooh:
Tonstant weeder twowed up -
Then the vid got to the line: "He'll reform Wall Street..."
And I started laughing so damn hard I almost tipped my chair over backwards.
O my god - that ad is priceless.
August 5, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I'd like to see him just try to drive out Gordon Gekko. We'll see how that one turns out.
August 5, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Probably not a good idea to listen to his ad while driving a car.
August 5, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
We're also worse off than we were eight years ago, wonder why . . .
August 5, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's pretty clear what McCain means. We got really well off between 2001 and 2004 probably due to the Bush tax cuts and the invasion of Iraq, and now we have gone backward since 2004, but we are still better off than we were in 2000. So if 2000 was a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10, then 2004 was a 9 and 2008 is a 6. And I bet all of that decline from 9 to 6 has happened over the last 18 months since January 2007 when Democrats took over. See, he's not inconsistent; the math works.
August 5, 2008 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maverick? The old man was involved in a major scandal in the 80s and most. Please...McDope is a joke.
August 5, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maverick? The old man was involved in a major banking scandal in the 80s and most recent with Vicki Iseman and lobbyist. Please...McDope is a joke.
August 5, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
I thought the headline was being snarky ... the ad actually uses the phrase "The Original Maverick" ... mwahahahahaha! Okay, that's pathetic!
August 5, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wasn't the original Maverick a card player in the Old West in the 1800s?
Actually, yeah, that might have been McCain.
http://strategy08.wordpress.com
August 5, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh my, you beat me to it. When I read the headline my thoughts went to the TV show that had that guy on it . .. I'm a little vague about it because IT WAS SO LONG AGO but I was thinking surely McLame doesn't want to call himself the ORIGINAL Maverick does he? really?
August 5, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
"New McCain Ad: "He's The Original Maverick"
That's going to come as a rather disconcerting claim from the ORIGINAL Maverick family of San Antonio ... who were rather notable DEMOCRATS. Look up Maury Maverick. Liberal Democrats of L O N G standing.
August 5, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
This ad just goes to show that mcFuddle's campaign logic is all over the place. So, we're not better off...and we'll just put old Mcfuddle in there to continue down this same path....OMG..this ad will not work at all!
August 5, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'd like to hear this in an ad from the Obama campaign: the "original maverick" has voted with the President, WHEN HE ACTUALLY GETS AROUND TO VOTE, 100% of the time.
What's original, or maverick, about that?
August 5, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Both McSame and BigO have missed a lot of votes during this campaign, so I don't think an attack from that angle would be effective.
I'm saddened to hear of James Garner's recent stroke. He'd be great in a few McSame-busting ads, and I think he'd be willing, but it's pretty much out of the question now.
August 5, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Note that McCain missed more votes than Obama even when both were not running for POTUS. This is why McCain's call yesterday for Congress to get back to work was especially hypocritical.
August 5, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg: can you find out if this will run in the same states and with the same weight as the Celeb ad?
August 5, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Clearly they are trying to reintroduce the McCain brand. They are assuming Obama is like John Kerry and won't pounce. I don't think that is a safe assumption. I don't know about you, but this ad opens so may counter punch options I would be shocked if the Obama media crew isn't working on a response right now.
August 5, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think this does two things:
- continue contrast to Obama's Celebrity
- reinforce his Maverick
The question is whether or not Obama should ignore this. If not, then how to respond.
The worst he can do is come up with something insulting and overtly personal, like that Idiot also known as Kerry invited him to do.
Then GOP will turn him into Britney beating up an SUV with an umbrella.
August 5, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
As pointed out in a previous thread, this is a huge opening for Obama?
"We're worse off than we were 4 years ago?" Really? Cue images of McCain hugging Bush and videos of McCain campaigning for him. Talk about failed judgment.
August 5, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
The key here is that he says we're not better off now than 4 years ago? Well? Guess what happened four years ago?!
McCain enthusiastically endorsed and campaign for George W. Bush.
It's an opening for the Obama camp:
http://strategy08.wordpress.com/2008/08/05/new-mccain-ad-provides-huge-opening-for-obama/
August 5, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's hoping they take it, and run with it.
If they don't, then I will start to wonder.
But relax everyone--I'll still donate time and dollars to the campaign....
August 5, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Holy shit! hahaha, where was this John Kerry 4 years ago?!?!
Via Daily Dish:
"I don't know if you know this. John McCain is looking for someone for vice president who has more economic expertise than he does. So congratulations to all of you, you’re on the short list," - John Kerry.
August 5, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!!
Damn Terry McAuliffe - I swear he made Kerry stifle himself.
That was great -
August 5, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know, that's gold, isn't it? I'd love to see a variation of that joke made by many surrogates on TV.
http://strategy08.wordpress.com
August 5, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's refreshing to watch these politicians when they're not running for prez anymore. Gore is also a lot more entertaining now than he was on the campaign trail.
August 5, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I read that and it put a huge smile on my face.
August 5, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely hilarious.
August 5, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!
August 5, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain's campaign has become manic-depressive.
Short term gain, long-term pain.
August 5, 2008 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sharp move...very sharp
Consider the recent time line
- Obama's world tour eats press coverage
- McCain begins attack on media for too much O coverage
- attack continues through last week joined with hard hitting personal attack campaign
- now we'll see the personal attacks tapering off and McCain trying to resurrect the moderate maverick myth so as to avoid having Bush and the GOP hung about his neck
August 5, 2008 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
If the Obama campaign doesn't tie McCain to Bush so tightly that they'll be confused as Siamese twins, I'm going to be deeply disappointed.
The "moderate maverick myth" shouldn't be allowed the light of day, because the simpering idiots in the media will be all over it, more than they already are.
August 5, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not "confused as Siamese twins", but rather "mistaken for conjoined twins".
August 5, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
There are times when you just have to give the devil his due. If you just step back from the day to day tactics and look at the pattern over the past 2-3 weeks, you have to concede that the McCain camp has a strategy, that they aren't the befuddled bunch that we were so eager to portray them as being
August 5, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Same here. Almost every Democratic ad for President as well as Senate and House seats should include a photo of the candidate with Bush and a message about their records in support of Bush policies. I just can't see a more successful formula. Even in my Republican district, Bush is extremely unpopular. It helped sink the Republican in Hastert's old seat.
August 5, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
The hug says it all. McCain is going to be tied to Bush for the rest of his life.
August 5, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, I just tried posting a comment, and it was held for approval? What's that about?
August 5, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Happens randomly.
August 5, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
never met a commenting program that wasn't buggy and this one sure is.
August 5, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's the Original Maverick, except when he's not.
I take it this is the ad for the Olympics?
August 5, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
There may be method to the madness (yeah, I know, but hey, there's a first time for everything.) I'm guess this is the spot, or one of the spots they're going to be running in his recent panic-stricken "me too" six million dollar Olympic ad buy.
I guess someone in McFuddleberg finally decided that letting Obama be up at the Olympics alone worse than blowing through six million they couldn't really afford.
The truth is that there were only least bad options for them on the Olympic buy. I don't think they can afford it (unless there's some primary money-general election money angle I'm missing) and both of them being on robs them of the "look at that, er, presumptious elitist, advertising on the Olympics who does he think he is, anyway?" campaign they were probably planning. But just letting Obama be there alone, monopolizing Olympic eyeballs was a bad choice too.
August 5, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
They have to spend their money now, because after the convention, it's gone.
I wonder about the contrast between all those talented and physically gorgeous athletes with McCain is going to come across.
Obama's going to look pretty good.
Sure, I realize I'm revealing the extent of my superficiality, but hey, we're among friends, right?
August 5, 2008 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is still spending primary money. He can't spend any general funds yet, as he isn't officially the nominee and as such hasn't gotten his $84M check yet.
August 5, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
McBush is a maverick alright a Maverick OLD TROLL
August 5, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about we have a contest to who can find the best current youtube vid that best rebuts this ad?
August 5, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
With, what, a 10 second time limit?
August 5, 2008 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
This ad can easily be debunked with a powerful ad with McCain praising Bush, hugging Bush, etc.
Obama needs to continue to tag McCain as Bush's third term whether it is the economy, energy, Iraq War.
August 5, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed.
He needs to keep hitting that and not let up. Just like McCain is doing with the celebrity bullshit, Obama needs to drive home "Bush Third Term" idea.
August 5, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
You beat me to it- I knew I shouldn't have refreshed the page. ;)
Just show a picture of that sweaty bear hug.
show pictures from the '04 campaign - they were on Bush's campaign helicopter together and I remember loads of pics of McLame yukking it up with Jenna, McLame in the front row of Bush campaign speeches - on and on.
August 5, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've been agitating for the Shrub Hug to be part of the ads, but I bet they're keeping that one for post-Labor day.
And, judging from this mavericky ad, they'll have lots to hang around McCain's campaign while viewers are treated to the Shrub Hug.
IN fact, I make a prediction that the Shrub Hug debuts the week after the Republican convention.
August 5, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
The man's been a Senator for over 20 years! How the hell is he pulling this off?! He's running as if he's a governor instead of someone who's had the power to change the country for more than two decades before he even started running!
I can't believe this shit. John McCain is an outsider?!
August 5, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
This one took me about a minute - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm9rLDU-SiE
August 5, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
"On the most important issues, the transcendant issues, I have fully supported President Bush".
Over and over and over and over and over.
August 5, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's latest ad says that McCain has been in the Senate for 26 years and has voted AGAINST energy independence. Obama is saying that McCain is part of the problem.
The important thing about this ad is that instead of the GOP and the Dems trying to get out in framing Obama, now it will be the GOP vs the Dems in trying to frame McCain.
McCain is now becoming the story not Obama.
The Obama campaign needs to hit HARD on McCain=Bush.
This McCain ad is a push back from Obama's last 2 ads in which he links McCain=Bush.
August 5, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope y'all will forgive a bit of partial re-post.
I like this new ad because it underlines McCranky's age (his 26 years in Congress) without explicitly saying anything about it. It tempts McSame to accuse BigO of playing the age card, though I think the Old Fart's handlers are unlikely to take the bait.
What would make this ad more effective is following it with similar ads in the next few days. Keep underlining his age. Keep trotting out his looong career in the Senate, and how he's accomplished very little despite being on both sides of so many issues.
The point is to keep hitting him from the same angle for several days (at least), instead of punching him here and there according to his vulnerability du jour.
August 5, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think your avatar is insulting. To simians.
August 5, 2008 2:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think "he's the original maverick" is intended to steal Obama's advantage on that issue.
The funny thing about McCain is I didn't realize just how much of an "insider" he is until he ran for President.
It's like a club. The DC media and The Maverick. He directs ads to them. He preens for them. They really are his base. It's disconcerting for a regular viewer to watch the media and McCain: they recount cute stories, they reminisce, they volunteer personal opinions of his "character".
I don't know that they're even aware of it.
August 5, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is that like the original Batman TV series?
August 5, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another from MoveOn - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQgJl9d5KCQ
(watch out it has a celebrity in it though...)
August 5, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope this does not seem like a trivial point, but there were no references to McCain's claims. To me, this is the first indication that an ad is fast and loose with the facts.
I love all the suggestions about reinforcing McCain's ties to Bush, especially Maritza's comment which suggested that Obama show clips of McCain endorsing Bush.
And, it can never be emphasized enough that McCain voted for Iraq, did not vote for CAFE standards, and wants to make Bush tax cuts permanent.
August 5, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay I win my own contest - this one takes the cake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U5KZzgaB2k&feature=related
McCain brags on O'Reilly for voting and cmapaigning for Bush in 2000 and 2004 and enjoying it and doing everything he could to get him elected.
August 5, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink