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McCain ad: Obama praised me

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor October 31, 2008 12:19 PM


It may say more about the state of the presidential race four days before the election than John McCain wants to admit, but his newest TV ad relies on praise from his rival, who is leading in the polls.

"The truth on global warming," the announcer says in the spot unveiled this morning.

The ad then shows Democrat Barack Obama saying at a January 2007 Senate committee hearing, "The right approach begins with the proposal put forward by Senator Lieberman and Senator McCain. The Lieberman-McCain bill establishes limits for greenhouse gas emissions. It's a framework that's not only good for the environment, it's also good for business. I want to thank Senator Lieberman, as well as Senator McCain, for the outstanding leadership that they've shown."

The ad ends with images of wind turbines and the words on screen: "For a renewable energy and a brighter future, vote McCain."

Both candidates support limits on greenhouse gas emissions and some kind of cap-and-trade system, but differ on the goals and details.

UPDATE: Obama plans to respond to the ad in a speech in Des Moines, Iowa: "Now, Senator McCain has served this country honorably. And he can point to a few moments over the past eight years where he has broken from George Bush. Just this morning, the McCain campaign put out an ad that showed me praising him and Senator Lieberman for their work on global warming – as if there’s something wrong with acknowledging when an opponent has said or done something that makes sense. I think we need more of that in Washington. I don’t disagree with Senator McCain on everything, and I respect his occasional displays of independence."

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More than anything else, this ad refutes McCain's allegation that Obama doesn't work across party lines. It shows Obama as collegial and open-minded. It ought to help persuade independents that Obama is a man of reason and fairness.

Environment voters are probably already voting for Obama. Why support a maverick Republican on the issue when you can support the party that has been championing it for decades?

Finally, the ad relies on the endorsement of their opponent. If McCain thinks Obama is an unfit, inexperienced, untested, Socialist, why is he so anxious to have his approval?

Thanks for the kind words, John. Plese play this ad everywhere.

Posted by Mark @ News Corpse October 31, 08 12:09 PM
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Yes, Obama ONCE praised him. Also shows he has no problem giving people their just due, unlike McCain.

Thanks McCain for proving that Obama can work across party lines, after saying he never has. LMAO!

Posted by Sandy October 31, 08 12:19 PM
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Obama praised him because Obama is serious about working in a bi-partisan way. McCain destroyed his bi-partisan credibility since 2000. Go back to the Senate and work with President Obama on these energy issues instead of chanting drill, baby, drill.

Posted by Libertarian October 31, 08 01:21 PM
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