< Back to Front Page Text size – +

McCain, Obama launch new TV ads

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor October 24, 2008 10:31 AM


Returning to their perceived strengths, John McCain's newest TV ad is on national security, while Barack Obama's is on domestic policy, specifically tax cuts for the middle class.

McCain's spot, which is to air in battleground states, jumps on remarks that Obama's running mate made that Obama would be tested by an international crisis early in his presidency.

The ad airs Joe Biden's comments -- leaving out that he also reassured donors that enemies who tested Obama would quickly discover he has a "spine of steel" -- over foreboding images of terrorists, tanks, and foreign leaders including Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran. "I guarantee you it's going to happen," Biden says.

"It doesn't have to happen. Vote McCain," the announcer says.


Obama's ad, meanwhile, focuses on independent groups agreeing with him that his tax cut plans would mean three times the savings for most middle-class families.

"Not sure who to believe on taxes?" the announcer asks over images of his campaign's online tax cut calcualtor. "Try this. Enter your income, marital status, number of kids. Then click. A nurse earning sixty grand? You get a thousand bucks under Obama. Under McCain…just one-fifty.

"The independent Tax Policy Center says Obama offers middle class tax cuts three times as big as McCain’s. Even leading conservatives say Obama’s plan is better for the middle class. One point five million have tried it. You should too."

  • CommentComment
  • EmailEmail
» Back to Front Page
.

As usual, Obama talking about important things, McCain focusing on smears. If these two contrasting ads don't seal the deal for you, nothing will. McCain is out of time, scared as hell, and trying to make us all scared too. I don't usually respond too well to that. McCain stick to what you do best - crashing military planes into the side of mountains, then talk about who's going to invite a bigger threat from the world.

Posted by joe October 24, 08 01:38 PM
.

I hope third world countries will benefit greatly from the hoards of working class Americans that will be looking for a new home should Obama and the liberal media be able to pull this off. How can any one with any common sense not see through this clown?

Posted by Pat Nelson October 24, 08 03:35 PM
.

Our campaign's TV ads should feature the many very prominent Republicans who have publicly denounced McCain/Palin. I have compiled a list of 18 with excerpts from their statements.

These statements carry more weight than anything coming from the mouths of Democrats.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN E-MAIL THIS LIST TO WHOMEVER DRAFTS THE TV ADS.

Posted by Ed Cohen October 25, 08 02:52 PM
.

If only voters looked at the real issues and not the color of skin or anything else then would see how much better of a president McCain would be than Obama.

Posted by Colby October 29, 08 03:06 PM
add your comment *(If you put a URL in your comment, it must be relevant )
Required
Required (will not be published)

This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.

About Political Intelligence

Reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors about the Obama administration, the Massachusetts congressional delegation, and other national political happenings.
see all Globe blogs

News from the Washington Bureau

Mass. push saves costly engine plan

Massachusetts lawmakers, over the fierce objections of the White House, have succeeded in reviving a costly plan to build a jet fighter engine at General Electric’s Lynn plant in an effort to protect thousands of Bay State jobs. (Globe Staff, 12/22/09)

Health fight shifts to insurer shopping

The public option is gone. Expansion of Medicare is dead. But an intense fight continues over a crucial issue in the proposed health care overhaul: how far Congress should go in emulating the type of insurance marketplace that is at the center of the pioneering Massachusetts insurance program. (Globe Staff, 12/22/09)

Unseasonal atmosphere on Capitol Hill, as health care maneuvers put Christmas on hold

WASHINGTON - Snowbound Senate aides have been crashing in Capitol Hill hotels, paying the bill out of their own pockets. Senators are rolling up to the Capitol steps past midnight and before dawn to vote. (Globe Staff, 12/21/09)

Despite deal on health, Republicans vow a fight to the finish

WASHINGTON - Elated Senate Democrats won the first critical procedural vote required to advance major health care legislation just after 1 a.m. this morning, one of four votes required this week to pass the proposal by their self-imposed Christmas deadline. (Globe Staff, 12/21/09)

GOP critics in Senate shaping financial overhaul bill

WASHINGTON - Senate Banking Committee chairman Christopher Dodd, who one month ago proposed an overhaul of financial regulations that was hailed by many consumer activists, has all but jettisoned that proposal following Republican objections and has initiated talks for a new approach designed to satisfy some of his fiercest GOP critics. (Globe Staff, 12/21/09)

Democrats grab final vote for health bill

Senate Democrats clinched the final 60th vote required to push a major health care bill through the Senate by Christmas, announcing a compromise yesterday with Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska that includes restrictions on abortion coverage and millions in additional Medicaid funding for his state. (Globe Staff, 12/19/09)

Democrats push to close gap on health care plan

Senate Democratic leaders appeared on the verge of an agreement late last night that would secure the critical 60th vote for their sweeping health care bill and seemed poised to try to push through the package before their self-imposed deadline of Christmas. (Globe Staff, 12/19/09)

Rail stimulus funds to bypass Northeast

The railroad tracks from Boston to Washington - the busiest rail artery in the nation, and one that also carries America’s only high-speed train, the Acela - have been virtually shut out of $8 billion worth of federal stimulus money set aside for high-speed rail projects because of a strict environmental review required by the Obama administration. (Globe Correspondent, 12/16/09)

Medicare buy-in is latest hurdle for health bill

WASHINGTON - Senate Democratic leaders grappled for a health care deal behind closed doors last night, as a fragile and tentative agreement they announced last week threatened to collapse. (Globe Staff, 12/15/09)

Al Qaeda looking to Yemen as next base

As the United States steps up the hunt for Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, some of the terrorist network’s veteran operatives are leaving the region and flocking to Yemen, where an escalating civil war is turning the nearly lawless Arab nation into an attractive alternative as a base of operations, according to US and foreign government officials. (Globe Staff, 12/12/09)
archives