New McCain Ad Uses Clinton Attacks(Passed Over)

[RamboLiberal]

Source: Wall Street Journal

No sooner had Barack Obama publicly announced his new running mate had John McCain’s campaign produced an attack ad asking: Why not Hillary?

“Passed Over” will hit the airwaves at (you guessed it) 3 a.m. Sunday. The timing is a reference to Hillary Clinton’s national security ad during the Democratic primary and the same time the Obama campaign sent out its text message announcing Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden as the vice-presidential nominee.

“She won millions of votes. But isn’t on his ticket. Why?” an announcer says in the 30-second spot.

The answer? “For speaking the truth.”

The ad, which has not yet been released, then ticks off a litany of criticism Clinton used against Obama in the prolonged primary, according to a transcript sent to reporters.



Read more: http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/08/23/new-mccain-ad-gets-more-personal/

[Renew Deal]

1. Someone here detected that the republicans were trying to divide with Hillary

Now you have proof.

[zanne]

2. How low can he go?

This has Karl Rove written all over it. Divide and conquer. I hope we wake the hell up and unite as Democrats, because the Repubs love seeing us divided so much, they're trying to help it along.

[Marie26]

22. He's already

gone so low, so fast, that I'm a little afraid to think of what they'll do in November.

[superconnected]

3. I hope he answers with, "It was a tough choice but I decided on Joes Foreign Policy experience."

I'm sure he can politic his way out of this pretty easily and move on. Maybe he should have a question for Mccain, like "Why isn't she yours?"

Then again, I hope he shrugs it off like it's a non-question, which the first answer would do.

[C_U_L8R]

4. John McCain does not speak for Hillary

or her supporters. It really is a rotten desperate attempt to foment discord.

McCain needs to have this piece of passed over trash crammed back down his gullet.

[tomreedtoon]

8. If not, she'd better say so. NOW.

It's been suggested that the Clintons - yes, both of them - are going to play games at the convention, with an eye to getting the nomination in 2012. If Hillary Clinton truly believes in a unity ticket, she will denounce this McCain ad right now. If not...she's gaming the convention with a pocketful of polyhedron dice and a character sheet in her purse.

[peacebird]

10. HRC should star now in a forceful pro-Obama commercial refuting McCains desperate ad

[JTFrog]

14. I won't hold my breath. n/t

[The Wizard]

23. If even the perception of

the Clintons trying to sabotage Obama with the idea of running again in 2012 exists, Hillary's won't even get her Senate seat back, let alone run for the presidency again, and they know it.
Hillary has to stand against PUMA and all the other Rove operatives whose objective is to split the Democratic Party.
If they try to disrupt the convention tranquilizer darts are in order.

[zanne]

24. If Hillary is aiming for 2012...

She'd better stay in the Democrat's good graces, and she won't do that if she doesn't reply forcefully to McCain's strategy.

[DCKit]

5. The Obama/Biden ticket is going to be impossible to top...

so they're doubly pissed. All the former Republican candidates have already faded from memory and McCain was no better qualified to begin with - he simply had name recognition, fewer recent scandals, a better, more ruthless sales team and a compliant MSM willing to overlook every statement, his recent ties to Jack Abramhoff, his dead-end investigations of fellow Republicans, and past ties to scandals as serious as Keating.

If the media hadn't given McCain a permanent hall pass, we wouldn't even know the name "Obama" - there wouldn't have been space in the papers or air-time enough to cover both. HRC would have won the Democratic nomination on name recognition alone for the simple fact that we wouldn't have known anyone else was running.

[Changenow]

15. McCain is doing what he can to disrupt the

convention. It would be uncharacteristic for Hillary to step in, maybe she'll rise to the occasion.

[THale2]

6. Obama should respond with

Why do you have the same people who smeared you and your wife in 2000 running your campaigns...just sayin...

[THale2]

7. Hill will be the new Lieberman

if she doesn't watch it...this shows how divisive of a campaign she ran...she has said more good things about McCain than Obama off the cuff...in addition..Bill, James Carville or any of the big time Dem surgs are attacking McCain...they don't have to praise Obama but at least attack the Republican..

[northernlights]

9. transparent

desperate.

McCain's record on women is so shabby they can't possibly lure Hillary supporters. From his voting record that shouts "white men in DC own you and your uterus too" to his personal life as a cheating, abandoning, womanizing gigolo that calls his wife names when he's having a bad day. he's disgusting burnt toast.

Ain't gonna work folks. Exactly how stupid and gullible do they think we are?

[bulloney]

11. Why is Crash so damned worried that Obama didn't pick Hillary?

It's been obvious since day one that the Republicans wanted Hillary on the ticket in one form or another because their smear machine can go into overdrive with all of the crap they lined up to throw out at her and Bill.

The whole media coverage on Obama this year has been disgusting. The media slam him on literally everything. Just this morning, as the news anchor was reading the story about Obama selecting Biden as his running mate, news was being scrolled on the bottom of the screen telling that the McCain campaign was immediately releasing an ad to criticize Biden.

I've been hearing that Crash's running mate list is narrowed down to Mitt Romney or Tim Pawlenty. I won't be holding my breath to see if this station is as judgmental on Crash's selection.

[warrior1]

12. why doesn't mccain pick her for vp then

punk

[MannyGoldstein]

13. No Shit?

Couldn't see that coming. The Clintons couldn't see it coming either, I bet.

[JTFrog]

16. Obama will never respond with the truth: She refused to be vetted.

She wouldn't have Obama's lawyers snooping around in their murky financial waters. But Obama is too much the gentleman to push that back in her face.

She never wanted VP (she wanted to be on top where her lawyers would do the vetting) and now she's playing for 2012.

She's a wicked smart politician. None of this is accidental.

[NoodleyAppendage]

31. THANK YOU! More specifically, it was Big Dawg that refused to be vetted.

I guess he didn't want Obama snooping into his questionable Presidential Library donations from a known South Asian gangster.

As is typical, it's always about the Clintons and NOT about the Democratic Party.

J

[bronxiteforever]

17. McOld wants to control all political parties like he wants to control all women's bodies

n/t

[Frances]

18. Bill Clinton was a very good President

Immature emotionally, just like John Edwards. But both Bill and Edwards advocate policies that help the middle class.

Hillary was an excellent contender as well who did Obama much more good than harm. If the Primaries had not lasted so long, Obama would not have built up as formidable a ground operation in so many states as he has. Also, he would not have been as practiced in responding to attacks.

All those people who really want to see Obama in the White House should hold out an olive branch to Hillary supporters.

[Joe Chi Minh]

19. There is a simple answer. "Republicans, it's none of your damn business!"

[tinrobot]

20. Because they're upset they couldn't run against her.

Thee GOP has tons of dirt on Hillary, a lot more than they have on Biden.

[Marie26]

21. Why did they do that?

I'm serious. Why would they even create the perception of a dig at Clinton when they're trying to build unity? As a former Clinton supporter, I was very happy that Obama chose Biden, but I was annoyed at the timing of the message. The text message came at 3:02 am, & I instantly saw it as a dig at Clinton. Which it apparently was. So that whole text message thing wasn't really about letting supporters know first, but just doing a cute/arrogant dig at the primary opponent? The media broke the story first anyway, & it's not like many Obama supporters were awake to get the message. John McCain didn't need to suggest that, but his ad will exploit any tension & hurt feelings among Clinton supporter. I wish Obama had just sent the message on Fri. afternoon like everyone expected, instead of annoying the media & Clinton supporters for no real reason.

[Spazito]

25. I saw it more as a dig at the media....

who gorged themselves on that ad and also to neutralize the ad into a joke. Both the Clintons' are known for having a very good sense of humor, I doubt they are upset at this. I thought it was great.

[Marie26]

26. I guess

Probably the Clintons weren't bothered by it. But some Clinton supporters don't have as good a sense of humor & are already somewhat bitter about the primaries & reluctant to support Obama. Why risk alienating them even more? And the media richly deserves any dig, but the media has also been supportive of Obama in many ways. Yet they were getting pissed off on Fri. when they didn't get any news or access. The Bush Ad. was good at using & manipulating the media; but they did that by feeding the media w/access & talking points, not laughing at them. So the Obama campaign risked the wrath of the media & Clinton supporters for an inside joke? Eh. Lame IMO. But oh well, Biden's a great choice & hopefully the DNC convention will end any lingering tensions.

[Spazito]

27. It seems there is a small, very small number of Clinton supporters who will take offense...

no matter what Obama does or doesn't do. The Democratic 08 train has left the station and is picking up steam, and those few who are having difficulty accepting Hillary is NOT driving that train have two choices, imo: Get on board or get left behind. It really is quite simple.

[Marie26]

29. This is true

There's a very small number who will never be convinced, but there's a larger number who are reluctant, but still open to Obama. Why alienate them? Why give McCain a wedge to use for his negative ads? It's fine to say "get on the train", but if they don't vote, that only helps McCain. I just haven't heard a reason that would justify taking the risk. So in the end, I think the whole text message thing was a mistake. But just IMHO.

[Spazito]

34. What do you feel needs to be done?

Bill, Hillary and Chelsea have key time slots at the Convention, they certainly have NOT been shut out or shunned.

What more can Obama do? He did not pick her as VP for good, pragmatic reasons and MOST Hillary supporters knew it was highly unlikely right from the beginning.

I think Obama has already gone above and beyond and it is time to move on. The few left are either going to vote Democratic or they are not. They are adults.

[Marie26]

48. A couple things

I agree that most rational Clinton supporters knew there's no way she'd be on the ticket. And the Obama campaign has featured her prominently (maybe too prominently?) in the Convention. IMO what needs to be done is for Obama & Clinton to present an united front, & for Clinton to emphasize that McCain is NOT speaking for her. She released all her delegates to Obama yesterday, which was a really good start. Maybe Clinton could appear in some Obama ads refuting the McCain charges. And Obama could do more to reach out to the Clinton delegates & grassroots supporters, who are really the ones who are resistant to Obama. The Clintons are already on board. And just don't give McCain anything more that he can use to shit-stir, which seems to be his only strategy right now.

[Spazito]

50. Those are good ideas, I would support them!

Hillary does need to make it crystal clear that those supporters who say they are voting for McCain, etc, are NOT supporters they are disruptive republicans, imo.

How do you see Obama "reaching out more than he already has? What more do you think HE should do? That's the part I don't get. What do you think could turn around these disgruntled delegates?

[Marie26]

51. I dunno

But just based on media reports, it seems like some Clinton delegates are disgruntled because they never heard from the Obama campaign (though MSM reports should be taken w/a grain of salt). But I can see Obama's campaign working w/Hillary Clinton as an individual, doing rallies w/her, etc. & assuming that the grassroots will go along. But it's not working out that way. Now that the delegates are released, maybe now's the time for Obama to call them up & ask for their support at the Convention. He may already be doing that, though.

[Spazito]

53. You and I well advised to take what the media is saying and know that the opposite must be true!

They are blowing this up because it is all they have. They WANT discord, it works for them just as war works for them, ratings = advertising = dollars and, add to that, the repubs serve their corporate owners very well.

We will only know how many of these "disgruntled delegates" actually exist once the Convention has done the roll call, imo, and I suspect there are VERY FEW.

[Marie26]

54. Let's hope so! nt

[Acadia Blue]

41. John McINSANE will use every remark Hill made to destroy Obama

I really liked her and would have voted for here in a heart beat but I really did not like some of the things she did in this campaign.
In taking no prisoners she hurt the party.

[Marie26]

49. Ah well

That's a primary. Biden also said some derogatory things about Obama during the primary, which McCain will also probably repeat ad naseaum. What matters is what they're saying now, & both Biden & Clinton have become strong supporters of Obama's campaign. I think it'd be great if Clinton did an ad for Obama, instead of her image being used by McCain.

[CitizenPatriot]

28. people, please....Rove would be so pleased!

Play a game of Rovian Catch.

what happened this week of real drama?

Bush trying to kill the environment once and for all before he leaves office (or he may not be leaving)
US warship docked on Georgia's coast
Cheney letter implicating him in oil scandal
DoJ scandalsssss
oil drilling/oil money/lobbyists/stinks to high heaven
on and on

so to distract us and give msm something to talk about other than what is really going on, Rove tosses a hot potato out.

ROVE'S GAME OF CATCH THE HOT POTATO

"HC is going to steal the convention!" "there's nothing to see here, hey you, did you hear about hillary?" "HC supporters hate the party!"

cue the one diehard they drummed up and grab an inflammatory soundbite. Play this over and over and over again. Cue the attack ad. Cue tp memes of how this is all HC's fault. Now the dems are super pissed-- at each other.

plant posters on the internet to pose as HC supporters and egg on the Dems in their internal demise. Tempers flare.

Hot potato flying at us, we catch. Digest potato and now want to discuss potato. Meanwhile, environment dying. More signing statements. Drill here drill now. We still talk HC?

We have caught Rove's hot potato AGAIN.

Don't get fooled again!!!!

Hc isn't the problem. the problems are: Rove or Cheney or Bush or McCain.

[Acadia Blue]

42. I am sick of sulking, drama and pettieness.

[NoodleyAppendage]

30. Message to Obama. FIRE your Ad Agency and Hire McCain's.

McCain's ads, for all their bullshit lying and bluster, are EFFECTIVE. Far more effective than the crappy milquetoast "attack" ads that I have seen coming from Obama's ad camp.

Get on your game and go for the friggin' throat, damn it.

I'm hoping that Biden schools Obama on how to actually evicerate your opponent, because up to this point all the "gutting" that I've seen so far as been on the McCain side.

J

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

52. The only thing effective about McSame's ads is that

they are played for free, over and over, by the MSM.

[Frank Booth]

32. It should be pretty easy for Hillary to knock this down.

She just needs to reiterate her support for Obama and hammer how McCain doesn't have the temperament to be president.

I'm sure she's up to the task. Her lackeys, on the other hand, I'm not so sure about.

[happygoluckytoyou]

33. TIME FOR HILLARY TO SPEAK THE TRUTH AT THE CONVENTION NOW!!!

[sofa king]

35. Clever.

It looks like the ad is targeted at the PUMAs and the knuckle-draggers who are disappointed that they can't spend the fall slandering Mrs. Clinton.

McCain needs only to steal, flip, and split off to a third party about ten percent of the voters in order to win, so I suppose it's not surprising that he'll be targeting disaffected Clinton supporters.

To those people, I'll say only this: Ralph Nader is still making his point from the year 2000, but the world is a far worse place for it.


Edit: I should add that this ad might say more about McCain's choice than Obama's. Is he going to pass over the cultist sociopath Mitt Romney after airing a commercial like this?

Maybe. The GOP and its followers aren't noted for logic and consistency.

[LanternWaste]

36. I imagine that should have any...

I imagine that should have any of the other Democratic candidates wrapped up the nomination for Pres, the McCain camp would have done the precise same thing. Use sound bites from the Democratic primary debates to cast the eventual winner under a cloud once the time came. That the McCain camp would have used any and all criticism by the other Democrats against the eventual party nominee.

This is news to people? :shrug:

[Skip Intro]

37. Of course you are correct. I'm sure we'll se some repuke ads with Biden criticizing Obama

from the primaries as well.

[RamboLiberal]

38. Clinton response

Hillary Clinton responded to the ad in a statement, saying, "Hillary Clinton's support of Barack Obama is clear. She has said repeatedly that Barack Obama and she share a commitment to changing the direction of the country, getting us out of Iraq, and expanding access to health care. John McCain doesn't. It's interesting how those remarks didn't make it into his ad."

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/08/24/politics/horserace/entry4378180.shtml

This needs to be on TV with a very forceful rebuttal from Hillary!

[CitizenPatriot]

39. and she sent a letter to that effect

I was a HC supporter. I supported Obama 100% the day she stopped running and was never anti-Obama -- I thought he was going to be someone important the first time I heard him speak in 2004. He reminded me then of a Kennedy and still does. Rove is pushing this hatred/division with every breath in his alien body. I am now so glad Obama is our nominee, as I think he is uniquely qualified to bring people of the world together in a way that we must achieve in order to avoid WWIII. He is the best person for the job right now. We are dam*ed lucky to have him.

HC has sent her supporters letters constantly speaking of her 100% support of Obama and discussing the importance of getting him elected. She clearly means it from the letter. I think most people get what is at stake here. It's great to hear people recognizing this ad for the crappy rovian bs it is, instead of more reasons to hate on HC. We need to be united now and it's simply an act of short-sightedness for us to allow Rove et al to goad us into more infighting.

It would be great if we all just ignored this ad and laughed it off. HC will come out at the convention and say the right thing.


gobama/biden

[Acadia Blue]

40. Talk more Hillary. You destroyed him as much as you could and

now you need to help the party fix the problem you created.

[JonLP24]

43. oh my god he is reaally trying hard

First the have a clip asking if he is ready to lead by showing a clip of him in front of thousands, then comparing him to Paris and Britney and then Jesus and Moses.

But this takes the cake. Never in my lifetime would I thought a republican ad referring to Hillary as someone who speaks the truth. I would've thought they assumed everything coming from her is a lie.

I wonder what they would be saying if he did pick Clinton. I'm pretty sure they are going to attack Obama for whatever reason they can come up with. Probaly question his judgment if he ate at McDonalds rather then Burger King.

[radfringe]

46. between the lame commercials, gaffs and over use of POW as an exuse

the mccain campaign is pretty pathetic

[mitchum]

44. Their concern is noted

[radfringe]

45. heh

so when mccain taps romney as veep (which it looks like he will) - run commericals where mccain bashes romney, romney bashes mccain and then a 'why not huckabee?' commercial with clips of huckabee bashing romney/mccain

[Frank Cannon]

47. You're right. This is too easy.

Every lame strategy McCain's campaign comes up with is easily countered by a parody which gets more play than the original attack. You'd think they would have learned from the Paris Hilton thing.