New Obama Ad Hits McCain, But With Lighthearted Touch
The Obama campaign goes up with a lighthearted negative spot hitting McCain on the economy:
The ad is set to the old Sam Cooke tune "Wonderful World," and features a singer belting out the lyrics "I'm not up on the economy...don't know much about industry...really can't explain the price of gas...or what has happened to the middle class."
In a fun little twist, the ad shows the infamous hug between McCain and George W. Bush, set to these lyrics: "If I could be just like you...what a wonderful world it would be."
The Obama campaign last week launched a series of brutal hits on McCain on the economy, and the new spot suggests that Camp Obama chose a lighter approach in order to keep up the economic criticism of McCain without trampling on the positive messages that will be emanating from the Dem convention for the next four days.
The campaign says the ad is airing in battleground states, but it's unclear as yet whether the ad will run in the 18 states that the Obama camp had been running ads in. Reports last week indicated that the Obama camp planned to go dark in some GOP-leaning states during the convention. More on this when we know it.
I just love it when they show the picture of Grampy Golddigger McCain (aka Mr. Cindy McCain) dry humping Bush's leg. It's a thing of beauty.
I also like the picture of Mr Cindy McCain and Bush holding a birthday cake while New Orleans drowns, but the context of that pic is a little harder to explain.
August 25, 2008 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
He dry humps anything to get elected.
Watching Cspan now and he is having a rally at Central Phoenix High School.
He brought in Daddy Yankee who endorsed him.
Daddy Yankee. Also known as El Cartel. Who sings a song called "Gasolina" that is about sex and some pretty outlandishly lude content. Wow.
Can't believe he had this guy come into a high school. This was today. So disgusting.
August 25, 2008 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. Daddy Yankee? COME ON!
What happened?
Wasn't Toby Keith available? Oh, wait!
Obama-Biden'08: Experience the Change!
PD: I wonder how Dobson and the religious right will say when they start to listen Daddy Yankee's songs (translated, of course, if this guys knew real Spanish it would be impressive) and watch his videos. If this is the way McCain's trying to reach the Hispanic community, he is screwed.
Or better in Spanish: El viejo esta jodido!
August 25, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
El viejo es un pendejo.
August 25, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
This needs to be a commercial. This would help put McCain in his place..
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/25/105645/346/1007/574633
August 25, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
That into to Tubular Bells sure makes it a dark ad if you remember the movie the score was wrote for.
August 25, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nice.
August 25, 2008 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
makes me laugh
August 25, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
RASMUSSEN
Obama 46
McCain 42
August 25, 2008 9:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nice, Nice, Nice....i love it. The Obama campaign is learning quick....i love it...lol.
August 25, 2008 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
yep love it.
August 25, 2008 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
We've been waiting a long time for him to use this quote.
A month or two too late, but better than never.
http://strategy08.wordpress.com
August 25, 2008 9:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I thought the same thing. It's about time he broke out that quote.
Now, where is Colorado's water pact ad?
August 25, 2008 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's entertaining...not as funny as "The One" series but not bad...
August 25, 2008 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
of course unlike "The One" it actually engages on issues that impact real peoples' lives - instead of the juvenile name calling approach of the whole "The One" and "celeb" ads....
In an election where voters are going to be looking to see who "gets" their lives, I think this approach is more likely to be effective
August 25, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Still waiting - can't imagine why though.
August 25, 2008 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Next reworked song in rotation....Jackson 5's "ABC"
"P-O-W....it's easy as 1-2-3..."
August 25, 2008 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
I love it. I think when you're able to make people laugh and at the same time drive a stake in, it's a winner. And, this is possibly the first ad that I wanted to replay. Tells me people will be less annoyed by it - it's entertaining.
August 25, 2008 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Eggzactly.
Too many times both sides have the same voice and tone for negative ads: "Joe Smith says he loves America. But does he really? Let's look at the facts..." People tune out, get annoyed.
August 25, 2008 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's right. But I prefer this video to let my point clear instead of how low negative ads can go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCfMgqnq2uo
August 25, 2008 10:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, that's the best discussion of our two-party system I've ever seen.
Interesting how you saw it differently.
August 25, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lame. This greatly fails the Josh Marshall theory of bitch-slap politics. Clever is great, but its not nearly as effective and smash-mouth attack ads. Where is the 30 second ad of spliced together Romney quotes where he is eviscerating McCain on his complete lack of knowledge on the economy?
August 25, 2008 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Saving it for if/when he's VP.
August 25, 2008 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not every ad has to be a bitch slap.
August 25, 2008 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'd prefer more than one out of every six, though.
August 25, 2008 10:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think the last 3 or 4 have been pretty hard hitting.
August 25, 2008 10:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Romney is not a popular figure. An ad of Romney bashing McCain would benefit McCain.
August 25, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
...not a popular figure on the left maybe...
August 25, 2008 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
He is not popular with anyone who has a functioning BS detector. He is the fakest person in politics.
August 25, 2008 10:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
No one can touch Bill and Hill for fakeness in politics after they "threw their support" behind the current nominee...
August 25, 2008 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
I can't believe you're defending the โauthenticityโ of Mitt โwho let the dogs outโ Romney. Please tell me he was your first choice during the primaries.
August 25, 2008 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Numero Uno!
August 25, 2008 10:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
My condolences...
August 25, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
hyper,
well unlike what he's doing to Obama, McCain couldn't attack Romney for a lack of patriotism seeing as how the Romney boys showed their patriotism not by joining the military, but by going around the country campaigning for dad.
August 25, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hahaha
August 25, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
It does seem to explain a few things.
Please let it be Willard! Please! PLEASE!
August 25, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please! Please! That reminds me of a cartoon that NC Steve mentioned a while ago.
August 25, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
John "My Friend" McCain surely is in the same league as the Clintons in the regard.
August 25, 2008 10:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
You will get no argument from me about clintoian posturing but they are not even in the same league with Romney when it comes to transpearent slimeyness. They are much to good at what they do to be as slimy as he is.
August 25, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Try this: He's the "Manchurian Candidate" incarnated.
August 25, 2008 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now that IS brutal..
August 26, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!
The left and the center.
Romney has sky high unfavorables!
August 25, 2008 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Romney's not very popular on the right either (see: Huckabee's many wins, starting w/ Iowa; see also: Mormonism -- many on the right are still very suspicious of him).
August 25, 2008 10:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mormon vs. Socialist...Mormon wins every time.
August 25, 2008 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Too bad there's not a socialist running.
August 25, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Getting his facts straight just never really seems to bother "SFC" Wallace.
August 25, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
The #1 and #3 most liberal Senators on one ticket...that's as close as you get to a Socialist ticket in this hemisphere...unless you got Fidel and Hugo to run together.
August 25, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Romney's a Mormon and a Phony, according to Mort Zuckerman.
August 25, 2008 11:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think the mocking tone is effective in it's own sort of way. While McCain may not mind taking a direct punch, I have a funny feeling he may not like being mocked by this young whippersnapper very much.
August 25, 2008 10:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Who needs bitch-slapping ads when you have Joe "I'ma punch you ina face" Biden as your running-mate.
"We don't need a good soldier..."
Seriously... I can't WAIT to hear him completely destroy McCain in the coming weeks/months.
http://thepajamapundit.com/
August 25, 2008 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Love the fragrance video! Check out http://www.bop-o-rama.com. We need to get the word out to bop McCain! I do not know if PUMA is hitting our guy, but we need to mobilize.
August 25, 2008 11:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nice ad.
"Positive messages emanating from the convention"?
Shit - does this mean that we won't be tearing the hide of McCain? Wasn't this the trap the Dems fell into in 04? I'm expecting/hoping that speakers will be a lot of tougher on McCain than we were on Bush four years ago.
August 25, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
I heard the opposite was true and that Kerry specifically advised against that approach. Tonight will probably be positive, given that it's the introduction of Michelle and Barack's family.
August 25, 2008 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Seriously....y'all need to go back to 92 with Anne Richards hollering "where was George?!?" That was a convention!
August 25, 2008 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh Yes!!! Richardson telling us about W. being born with a silver foot in his mouth...
There is a woman to be missed.
August 25, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
typed too fast - Richards.
August 25, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn. Obama is up 3+ pts on intrade since Saturday.
August 25, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sometimes pointing and laughing hurts more than a bitch slap.
August 25, 2008 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
True, nothing eviscerates than more than humor or ridicule. Outright attacks do not even come close.
August 25, 2008 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nice ad. Light, but deadly, touch.
August 25, 2008 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am with James Carville. It's time for Obama to get angry about something. This ad is cute, but boy could it have been more hard hitting!
August 25, 2008 10:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's not often I would say this, but Carville is dead right.
August 25, 2008 10:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, because if there is one thing that will finally put Obama over the top, it's being an angry black man. Yeah, that'll do the trick.
It's like you are new to America or something....
August 25, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ouch! Well played, worthy adversary!
August 25, 2008 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
I read somewhere--cannot remember where now--that Nancy Pelosi and others specifically said this convention was not going to be just a happy love fest and solely about branding Obama-Biden. They were going to talk about everything that Bush has done and tie McCain in there. So this is not going to be a replay of 2004. I wish I could remember where I read that to supply the link. Will try to find it.
August 25, 2008 10:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
You know, at first I liked it, but I am already in obama's corner. It seems like the ad would play well with people already for obama. I have to agree with mcgltch. They should have made it more hard hitting and not with a sing songy song. The song kind of takes away from the message.
Obama needs to tailor his ads to the people on the fence or leaning mcbush. I still think that its time to get the daisy ad out there. Maybe they can do a daisy ad concerning the economy. Get more serious, because "these are the stakes."
August 25, 2008 10:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Making your opponent look ridiculous is one of the most effective strategies in politics. More effective, I'd say, than just about any other I can think of.
August 25, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was very cool. Hitting hard with humor works.
August 25, 2008 10:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, Obama camp for make me discover a great song. Here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRuNZ6mB-YY&eurl
August 25, 2008 10:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
I wish they would have used the original song...I think it would have worked just fine. Especially when "But I do know that I love you" played over the Bush-McCain hug. Oh well. Maybe they couldn't get/reasonably afford the rights. Good effort, regardless.
August 25, 2008 10:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
How could they have used the original song? They changed the lyrics. I don't think Sam Cooke is available to re-record it for them.
August 25, 2008 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
If McCain offers the usual POW response, do we come back with a parody of Chain Gang?
August 25, 2008 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ouch!...Quit it!
August 25, 2008 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ditto. For once I agree with sfcwallace.
August 25, 2008 10:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Michael said:
Michael, stop that shit, you will only encourage him.
August 25, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dude...does that mean you'd prefer if I were "discouraged?"
August 25, 2008 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is funny.
August 25, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
cute and clever is fine but i like the ad because it has the two most important ingredients that ought to be in EVERY ad against mccain:
1. the 'i don't understand economics' quote and
2. the big goofy bush hug pic.
that image and that quote should just be repeated over and over and over and over and over.
August 25, 2008 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
You hit the nail on the head!
Hammering home the quote about the economy is HUGE, especially since it has (inexplicably!) replaced Iraq as the #1 concern of voters (at least according to the MSM it has).
And if a picture speaks a thousand words then "the hug" picture speaks volumes. Just like the repugs do, repeat the message over and over and over until it's the MAIN thing people think of when they see McDumbass.
August 25, 2008 9:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
People do not listen to lyrics or read the captions. This ad is just pleasant music and pictures of McCain to the average disengaged viewer.
August 25, 2008 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
I respectfully disagree. I think the music draws them in, especially when they recognize the tune but hear different lyrics.
August 25, 2008 10:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, 'it's just... pleasant pictures' -- of McCain snogging with the most unpopular president since Hoover.
They could play the Habaña from Carmen behind it, and it would still be a good ad.
August 25, 2008 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
I do not think it is posible to make a pleasnant picture of McCain. I was only refering to the music as pleasant. Sory for the the poor construction I should ahve said 'pictures of McCain and pleasant music.
August 25, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dude! Are you serious?
This ad works bigtime! It should be played on every tv channel for the next 3 months!
August 25, 2008 9:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Huggy Bear!
August 25, 2008 10:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is Boo-Boo to Bush's Yogi.
August 25, 2008 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
so why don't we try the ultimate test. watch the ad without sound. You get the damning quote fro McCain the whole time and images of McCain and Bush. So the ad works like a bitch slap without the sound and this is the ultimate test for a good negative ad.
August 25, 2008 10:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
I approve this message.
August 25, 2008 10:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Awesome ad. Laughed my ass off. I hope they play this everywhere, and often. This is exactly the kind of ad that works, the music, the images of Bush and McCain and the one quote up the whole time so there is no way you miss the point. Beautiful. Bravo!
August 25, 2008 10:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think ridicule of McCain, sprinkled in - not a steady diet of it - is a highly effective tool. A steady stream of aggressive attack against him will wear on the public very quickly. Obama needs to mix up the use of his arsenal. We all like the bitch slap - gives us a vicarious thrill. But, it should be used selectively for optimal effect or it will backfire.
August 25, 2008 10:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
You're right. I'm not for overkill, just hoping this isn't destined for some small market where no one will see it.
August 25, 2008 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nice.
Bout time we're getting around to doing what Plouffe said - "Every voter in November will know McBush is on the ballot"
FYI, a Scot myself, "Mc" means "son of"
August 25, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
There does seem to be something of the son-of-a-bush about McCain, doesn't there?
August 25, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
The best attack ads are humorous ones and this is a good one. The awkward hug should be a mainstay of Obama ads.
August 25, 2008 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
If the ape liked it, then it worked right...
August 25, 2008 11:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hilarious. Great song.
August 25, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Great ad.
August 25, 2008 11:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
lmao.....that bush/mccain hug is priceless..i can't get enough of it and obama should never let us forget it...jajajajaja
August 25, 2008 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
LOL...I thought it was a very funny and effective ad.
August 25, 2008 11:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sucks. Sucks BAD.
August 25, 2008 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Brilliant.
The best attack ad I have ever seen.
Most attack ads have some serious voice-over telling us how awful the other person is. It's not really something you want to hear and after a short time you tend to tune them out, because they are annoying.
This is 30 seconds of a much beloved song, sung sweetly, something you won't mind hearing again and again. Who wouldn't like short interlude of Sam Cooke (or Simon and Garfunkle who did a great cover) in the midst of angry political chatter?
At the same time when you listen to the words, as you will because most probably know the words of the original and subconsciously would sing along, you hear a mockingly devastating put down of McCain's economic ignorance. Then to top it all off, the huggy bear photo in all its glory.
The downside? No McCain supporter or operative, and especially John McCain himself, will ever want to hear this song again.
August 25, 2008 11:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hilarious! That's exactly what Obama needs to be doing. This helps turn McCain into a cartoonish old man. More, please.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 25, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is that James Taylor the singer songwriter who is synonymous with North Carolina (in my mind anyway) singing?
August 25, 2008 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
I had the same thought - it really sounds like James Taylor. He's a pretty Liberal guy, and he's playing in Denver tomorrow night, though not at the convention.
August 25, 2008 8:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
If the McCain camp made a similar ad it would be replayed throughout the national media until we were sick of it. The Obama campaign will have to pay for every spot. I'm going to send them another five dollars just to do my part. Unfortunately it's all I can afford today.
August 25, 2008 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
What was that Huckabee zinger about Mitt "The Suit" Romney? Something about people wanting to vote for the guy who seems like somebody they worked with rather than someone who seems like the guy who laid them off.
Ouch.
August 25, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
S'posed to be a reply to SFC, #1 Suit Fan thread above. Sigh.
August 25, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
i've watched this ad about four or five times. Its hilarious, but i guess some of u are right, maybe it can be harsher.
August 25, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is an old song from the 1950 that would be perfect to parody as John McCain mansions are shown in the background:
THIS OL' HOUSE
This ole house once knew his children
This ole house once knew his wife
This ole house was home and comfort
As they fought the storms of life
This old house once rang with laughter
This old house heard many shouts
Now he trembles in the darkness
When the lightnin' walks about
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the window-pane
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
This ole house is a-gettin' shaky
This ole house is a-gettin' old
This ole house lets in the rain
This ole house lets in the cold
Oh his knees are-a gettin' chilly
But he feel no fear or pain
'Cause he sees an angel peekin'
Through a broken window-pane
This ole house is afraid of thunder
This ole house is afraid of storms
This ole house just groans and trembles
When the night wind flings its arms
This ole house is a-gettin' feeble
This old house is a-needin' paint
Just like him it's tuckered out
But he's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the window-pane
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
August 25, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Great, great ad!!!! Songs are a way catchier way to make an ad memorable, and this ad is catchy and funny, w/ great visuals. Not every ad has to be harshly negative...funny sticks in the brain too.
August 25, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Does anyone know why TPM considers this ad to be lighthearted?
Seems to be pretty factual and serious to me. Are these not the same things Barack has been saying about McCain for some time now? So what's making these statements lighthearted at this point of the game?
Is it the sweet catchy lovely music and that crystal clear voice?
Enlighten me please!!!!
August 25, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent! Hopefully this is the start of a string of hard-hitting ads.
August 25, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
So Republicans will fill the airwaves with:
Obama is the Anti-Christ, Baby-Killing, Celebrity, Criminal, Terrorist, who Hates America and has a Poor African Brother..
You can feel the Hate! But what else do they have to say?
Should be a fun few months..
Obama's response: 'Bring it!'
August 25, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
"How dare they say that McCain doesn't understand the economy?! POW, POW, POW, POW..."
August 25, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
So has Mcsenile finished Greenspan's book yet? Has he turned in the book report? I thought this ad was OK (the house ads last week were better), but Dems & Obama need to hit much harder next week on everything - Throw the kitchen sink at them: The Fiorina/Viagra moment, the "Bomb, Bomb Iran" stuff (perhaps with a fallout shelter sign in the background), Phil Gramm, homeless vets, marrying the rich beer heiress stuff rather than working his way up in the world, his grades at Annapolis, his elitist connections, his votes in the Senate (when he showed up), the list is very long.
August 25, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
What about a riff based on Huey Lewis and the news mid 80's hit..."it's hip to be square" ,...but make it "it's hip to be rich" show casing McCain's and the GOP lifestyles.
August 25, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
The real big question is ... did they get Sam Cooke's or his designated representative's approval to use his song as a parody? Just in case the repug$ think someone is blowing smoke up their dresses.
August 25, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Billy:
Agree 100%. Too cute and clever, not hard-hitting. Easy to laugh off. Must be tougher and penetrate deeper into the thick skull of undecideds.
Rob
August 25, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
The ad was wimpy. They must get much, much tougher.
August 25, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Obama has the right touch for this kinda political infighting. Kinda like Ali ... he's being light as a butterfly for the moment, but will slowly increase the tempo and severity of every punch he lands right up to election day. So sit back, pop a brew and enjoy the fight!
August 25, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
You guys are nuts. That ad is hilarious! PLUS it keeps tying McNuts to W. That is the single most important thing Obama must do to win over the undecideds. Bush has a sub 29% approval rating, handcuff him to Bush and he's DOA come November 4. Bravo.
Don't worry, we're getting warmed up people. The fact that Obama picked Biden says that he's not bringing a knife to a gunfight. Wait and see.
August 25, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Finally they use this quote. I have been screaming in Obama's on blog and myspace to use this damn thing I guess they were holding all the ammo until the convention.
August 25, 2008 2:20 PM | Reply | Permalink