Independent group launches televised attack on McCain's POW record

An independent group's Swift Boat-style attack on John McCain's Vietnam record has hit the airwaves: a 30-second spot featuring Philip Butler describing his fellow POW as "unfit to lead" is now appearing on national cable.

"The prisoner of war experience is not a good prerequisite for president of the United States," Butler says in the ad, produced by Brave New PAC and Democracy for America. "He was known as a very volatile guy and he would blow up and go like a Roman candle. John McCain is not someone I would like to see with his finger near the red button."

The McCain campaign issued this response to the POW ad: "It's unfortunate that Senator Obama has fallen so far, from opposing outside expenditures and supporting public financing at the beginning of this race to opting out of public financing and now "looking the other way" on independent expenditures -- no matter how vile.

"But this comes after a week in which Senator Obama openly questioned Senator McCain's patriotism and his honor as part of a new series of "tough" attacks that have been dutifully echoed by the press. But it should be clear by now that Senator Obama will say anything, and do anything, in order to get elected."