« Right-Wing Group To Slime Obama With Ayers Ad | Home | Even Fox News Refuses To Run Slime Ad Against Obama »
New McCain Ad: It's Obama Who Has A "Housing Problem"
The McCain people are now out with their own attack on the subject of houses -- in this case, returning fire at Barack Obama for the real-estate deal he had with Tony Rezko, who has since been convicted for political corruption:
"Barack Obama knows a lot about housing problems," the announcer warns, before laying out the details of the case, and alleging that Obama gave Rezko $14 million in taxpayer money through corrupt political influence.
Oddly enough, the ad then ends on some cheery music, and the disclaimer from John McCain that he approved this message.
Advertisement
You have to admit. These bastards are quick!
August 21, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama response: Barack Obama knows John McCain doesn't have a housing problem. John McCain has an "information" and a "caring" problem because he doesn't know how many homes he has and since he thinks the economy is fundamentally strong he doesn't care if you lose yours or not. By the way, he has seven homes.
August 21, 2008 7:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
At least seven homes! And while John may try to say that they're Cindy's houses, not his, the State of Arizona says otherwise in their community property laws.
"All property acquired by either husband or wife during the marriage is the community property of the husband and wife except for property that is: 1. Acquired by gift, devise or descent. 2. Acquired after service of a petition for dissolution of marriage, legal separation or annulment if the petition results in a decree of dissolution of marriage, legal separation or annulment"
I'm sure Cindy has an airtight prenup, but it can't be said that these houses are "their" houses.
PEACE
August 21, 2008 8:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dude, this sucker was in the tank to be released in October. They aren't that good, they were going to go here anyway.
August 21, 2008 7:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, this was their trump card, and hothead McCain got angry and blew it all today. Funny thing is, it was no trump card...it was weak, debunked, rehashed crap from the primary. It didn't work then, and it won't work now. All this ad does is make McCain look desperate and negative.
August 21, 2008 7:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Funny thing is if McCain wants to play the 'guilty by association' ploy, he might get the raw end of the deal. How many interesting former lobbyists, some with interesting ties, have we already noted on this site?
August 21, 2008 7:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Funny thing is if McCain wants to play the 'guilty by association' ploy, he might get the raw end of the deal.
OH YEAH.
McCain just opened the door wiiiiide open.
All Obama has to do is say "Thank you, Senator!" and walk right on through. The "John McCain has a {{your-favorite-scandal-here}} problem" ads pretty much write themselves.
Let's see if Obama walks through it.
August 21, 2008 11:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keating Five!!
August 22, 2008 2:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nah, I'd bet they had both of these ads in the can for use later in the season.
Too bad Obama made them use them up now. Now they'll have to get the amateurs in the media shop to come up with something else - and judging by the fact that they re-released the 'The One' ad today, they look like they're fresh out of ideas.
August 21, 2008 8:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL what? That was the worst attack ever.
August 22, 2008 12:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
BUT IS THE MCCAIN RESPONSE TRUE????
PolitiFact.com on OBAMA / REZKO
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/521/
It is true that Obama paid $300,000 less than the asking price for a century-old mansion that he and his wife, Michelle, purchased from a Chicago doctor in 2005 for $1.65-million.
Rezko's wife purchased the lot next door from the same seller Frederic Wondisford.
Seller confirms that Obama"s offer on the house was the best one, and that he rejected two lower offers from the Obamas before the two sides finally settled at $1.65-million.
Seller also confirms that he did not offer or give the Obamas a discount on the house price on the basis of the price offered and accepted on the adjacent vacant lot purchased by Rezko's wife.
McCain response is FALSE!!!!
August 22, 2008 2:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
BUT is the McCain response TRUE????
PolitiFact.com on OBAMA / REZKO
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/521/
It is true that Obama paid $300,000 less than the asking price for a century-old mansion that he and his wife, Michelle, purchased from a Chicago doctor in 2005 for $1.65-million.
Rezko's wife purchased the lot next door from the same seller Frederic Wondisford.
Seller confirms that Obama"s offer on the house was the best one, and that he rejected two lower offers from the Obamas before the two sides finally settled at $1.65-million.
Seller also confirms that he did not offer or give the Obamas a discount on the house price on the basis of the price offered and accepted on the adjacent vacant lot purchased by Rezko's wife.
The McCain response ad that Obama got a deal on his house through REZKO is FALSE!!!
August 22, 2008 2:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is quite likely their "nuclear" attack ad. Since the 90s, its been part of the standard Beltway Campain Manual to have one in the can, ready to unleash if the other side steps over some imaginary line.
The problem is that in McCainworld, every step taken those who dare oppose you is a fateful step over some imaginary line they've in the sand.
August 22, 2008 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Weak!
August 21, 2008 6:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
My god that's lame.
August 21, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Weak, lame indeed.
Even worse, NOT FUNNY!
August 21, 2008 7:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mmmm...if desperation were an alternative energy I'd start believing President McCain could actually solve the energy crisis.
It's too bad we just can't harness it...
August 21, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is not very strong, but watch how they turn Obama's economic point and turn it into character attack
August 21, 2008 6:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
TRUE! The best is yet to come. Reverend Wright, we're looking forward to your "best of."
Poor Barry Hussein supporters, always crying... the rose has faded and by November, it will be President John McCain!
Clinton supporters will vote McCain!
McCain/Clinton 2008!
August 21, 2008 6:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
*yawn*
BTW, nice touch with the "star and sickle" in the logo. So tell me...what's the temperature like there in 1955?
August 21, 2008 6:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
God yes - cause we were all weeping when Obama got creamed in the primary by Hillary Clinton.
So we'll weep our way through the election and then probably cry some more when Obama is taking the oath of office.
:)
August 21, 2008 6:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
lol, you embarrass yourself with your ignorance.
August 21, 2008 6:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain campaign theme song;
There's a house in New Orleans
And three more in Ar i zona.....
Con dos two in Kal a mazoo
And the rus tic ranch in Sedona
August 21, 2008 7:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Time for a little Keating 5, anyone?
August 21, 2008 6:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
The McCain team shouldn't be throwing rocks from any of the glass houses they own.
August 21, 2008 6:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good point. I was wondering why no one had brought that up -- especially considering the parallels between the 1989 savings and loan crisis and our current situation.
August 21, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wrote a reader post about it this afternoon, before the rezko ad actually came out (but drudge had a developing story that it was coming)
but i'm glad to see that people agree.
August 21, 2008 8:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the words of Eric Cartman, "Weak!"
August 21, 2008 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another thing, I curious why they didn't close this with the "Is he ready to lead?"... In a hurry probably or don't put too much stock into this sticking, as discussed in another thread
August 21, 2008 6:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's weak as hell, but the bought and paid for MSM will run with it.
They are trying to make it a housing issue attack, when it was a "He's out of touch" attack. Most who cared to know, have known about McCain's many houses for awhile now - nobody ran on that story because that isn't the story.
Obama should just keep firing away, and don't even acknowledge this.
August 21, 2008 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain and indicted criminals: his national co-chair, Arizona Rep. Rick Renzi. McCain has a ton of shady dealings, including his son who was involved in yet another banking collapse last month.
August 21, 2008 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
The media won't go after McCain. That POW card really works!
August 21, 2008 6:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Renzi, Rezko, same difference, no?
August 21, 2008 7:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
How dare you suggest that John McCain, a prisoner of war, could be involved with indicted criminals! Are you questioning his integrity?
(/Schieffer)
August 21, 2008 11:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's counterattack ad;
Obama: "I'll see your house and raise, um, er, I can't raise, I have only the one house."
August 21, 2008 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks. I just laughed so hard I wet myself.
August 21, 2008 6:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't worry, John McCain will lend you his Depends.
August 21, 2008 7:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do HRC's attacks from the primary taste as spicy when they're warmed over by McCain? I suspect not, and I suspect the press agrees.
August 21, 2008 6:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I suspect you're right, since on the lower thread there are a couple of comments about what the networks were leading with tonight and it was McLame's housing problem.
;)
August 21, 2008 6:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's all they could come up with? Next, please.
Isn't this like their sixth response today? I bet they are panicking. Good.
Oh and guess what? The network news didn't even air the dumb ad they only aired Obama's. Ha!
August 21, 2008 6:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Throwing it all out there...and a recent poll said who was running the dirty campaign?? This stuff isn't work this time and especially with not knowing how many homes they own. Waste your money, McCan't and we have alot of good news coming our way! Mccan't has been hiding all day as well....
August 21, 2008 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Weak! And it has the added benefit of reminding the viewer that he has so many homes that he can't remember them all.
He'll have his staff get back to you.
August 21, 2008 6:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Marginal Player.
This is a site for Democrats. If you want to post your points I suggest you go to Little Green Footballs or some other conservative site.
Of course, you can post your comments here, but you'd probably be happier with your kind over there.
Cheerio...
August 21, 2008 6:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another rush to yesterday!
August 21, 2008 6:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oooo - I wish I'd said that!
August 21, 2008 6:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
John McCain's staff says Cindy owns all the homes, McCain is a homeless vet! Feel bad for him!
August 21, 2008 6:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
You left out the most important part: he's not just a vet, he was a POW!
August 21, 2008 6:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who now hides behind his wife's skirts!!!! (Why did he respond as he did when asked how many houses HE owned. Shouldn't he have said "one, although my wife holds other real estate investments" or something like that?) -- I'm just STAGGERED by the "household staff" figure (front page)
August 21, 2008 8:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wonder what Bill O'Reilly would have to say about that...
August 21, 2008 7:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow the Repugs look ridiculously on the defense today. They might want to save some of this slime for October.
Who is McCain to question anybody's corrupt connections? Guess he forgot about Keating Five when he barely escaped being booted out of the Senate. How much did the collapse of the Lincoln Savings and Loan cost taxpayers? Oh I forgot, he was a POW so it doesn't count.
August 21, 2008 6:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, they really did hit a sore spot. This ad is practically incomprehensible and terribly off-key.
"Barack Obama knows a lot about housing problems."
Yeah, that's why he's polling way ahead on the economy.
"Now that's a housing problem."
No, in fact, that has nothing to do with the housing crisis, but it does show that you're a lot more interested in tearing down your opponent than in solving people's problems.
Please run this ad as much as possible. During the Olympics, even.
August 21, 2008 6:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
The housing thing is really getting to McCain. He never would have responded so quickly and forcefully, with an actual ad, if it didn't hit a chord.
So I say this to Obama: CONTINUE TO ATTACK MCCAIN JUST LIKE THIS! It's working. It's getting to him. He's on the defensive. Now keep him there.
August 21, 2008 6:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Really he just needs to pummel him through Friday on this, then it will be Saturday and VP choice that will dominant the airwaves and the only thing voters will remember is that impression that McCain owns a lot of houses and doesn't know how many, and by Sunday it will be probably all Obama and VP, and McCain will whine that the media ignores him.
August 21, 2008 6:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Precisely. But even after that, I think he should continue to hammer home the message he's made here with this housing thing.
August 21, 2008 7:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Especially since they have gone from POW to Cindy to Rezko in some hope to distract but it only draws attention back to the fact of 7 and the issue that he couldn't remember.
August 21, 2008 7:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Precisely. He's clutching at straws. He doesn't have a real counter to Obama's attack on him. It's gold.
August 21, 2008 7:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yawn. The ad is lame and weak.
August 21, 2008 6:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
The audio equivalent of the creepy smile...
August 21, 2008 6:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
THAT'S NOT CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN! (...heh... uh... heh...)
Sorry, it's hard to reproduce in text. And you have to imagine the pea-soup-green background...
August 21, 2008 11:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
The same creepy music and the same flying paper headlines. At least, the Obama camp is original.
Nothing that a "More of the same old politics" response doesn't solve. Just keep hitting the guy and his wife's eight houses. The VP choice will alsotake care of this. Is there something that we can count on, it's the ADD attitude of the MSM.
Still, better than this comes now and not in October. They'll burn out quickly.
McCain: I have eight houses, but it's OK. I'm a POW.
August 21, 2008 6:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hmmm. They seemed to have the Rezko material all ready to go. Strange. I wonder why?
August 21, 2008 6:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama launches one attack on him and he's forced to play a wild card. I get the sense they don't have many of them and they're weak (recycled from Hillary).
Keep 'em coming, Obama. McCain will be exhausted before he ever gets to the "October Surprise."
August 21, 2008 7:09 PM