Clinton rebuts McCain ad

John McCain is trying to foment division at the Democratic National Convention with a TV ad saying that Barack Obama passed over Hillary Clinton for his running mate.

But while some of her loyalists might be even more angry, Clinton is having none of it, at least publicly.

She quickly issued a statement in rebuttal: "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."

UPDATE: Clinton also responded to the series of ads using her criticisms of Obama at the New York state delegation breakfast today in Denver.

“Every one of us could stand up and recite all the reasons why we must elect Barack," she said, according to a statement released by her office. "The Supreme Court is at stake; our educational system needs the right kind of change. We’ve got to become energy independent; we have to create millions of new green collar jobs. We’ve got so much work to do around the world.

“None of that will happen if John McCain is in the White House. I just want to make it absolutely clear we cannot afford four more years of George W. Bush’s failed policies in America and that’s what we would get with John McCain. Now I understand that the McCain campaign is running ads trying to divide us and let me state what I think about their tactics and these ads: I am Hillary Clinton and I do not approve that message.

“So let there be the no mistake about it, we are united. We are united for change.”

Clinton is scheduled to speak Tuesday and plans to release her delegates on Wednesday. But several groups of supporters are holding protests and other events in Denver.

"She won millions of votes but isn't on the ticket. Why? For speaking the truth," the announcer says in the McCain ad.

The spot then shows Clinton criticizing Obama's inexperience and attacks. "The truth hurt, and Obama didn't like it," the announcer concludes.

UPDATE: The McCain campaign now has an ad featuring a Clinton delegate who is crossing over to support him.

"I'm a proud Hillary Clinton Democrat," says Debra Bartoshevich.

"Now in a first for me, I'm supporting a Republican," she says, replacing the Clinton sign she's holding with a McCain sign. "I respect his maverick and independent streak. He's the one with the experience and judgment."

"A lot of Democrats will vote McCain," she concludes. "It's OK, really."

The Republican National Committee also has a video showing Clinton saying that she and McCain would bring "a lifetime of experience" to the White House, while Obama only offers "a speech he gave in 2002" in opposition to the Iraq war.

"Should we elect the most inexperienced presidential candidate of our times?" the narrator asks.

"Or was she right?" the narrator concludes, with an image of Clinton.

The Republican National Committee issued a memo today trying to stir things up.

"During the Democrat primaries, millions of lifelong Democrats were proud to support and volunteer for Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY). They believed she had the experience and judgment to lead at a time when our country is facing critical challenges both at home and abroad. However, with their party about to officially nominate Barack Obama, these same Democrats believe that he is fundamentally not ready to lead," the memo said. "Barack Obama's decision to 'pass over' Hillary Clinton for his vice-presidential selection without even a vetting or a phone call has served to only exacerbate tensions with the Democrat Party. Obama aides accusing Clinton supporters of acting like 'Japanese soldiers in the South Pacific still fighting after the war is over' shouldn't help the situation too much."

The RNC is even hosting a "Happy Hour for Hillary" tonight at the Paramount Cafe in Denver.