Obama's 'closing argument' ads go in two routes

Barack Obama today launched two new "closing argument" ads -- one that paints Republican rival John McCain as more of the same, the other that portrays himself as a uniter for a new America.

"Wonder where John McCain would take the economy? Look behind you," the announcer says in the first ad, which shows a driver tooling down the road as images of President Bush appear in his rearview and side mirrors .

"John McCain wants to continue George Bush’s economic policies," the announcer continues as road signs show critiques of McCain's proposals. "As president he’d provide no tax breaks to 101 million Americans but keep tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas. He wants $4 billion dollars in new tax breaks for big oil and would tax your health care benefits for the first time ever.

"Look behind you," the announcer concludes as an image of Bush and McCain together appear in the driver's rearview mirror. "We can’t afford more of the same."

At a rally this morning in Sarasota, Fla., Obama pressed the analogy, saying that McCain had been in the passenger seat as Bush drove the economy intot the ditch and now was ready to take the wheel. "It's time for a new driver," Obama said.

The McCain campaign responded to the ad by asserting that "in the latest chapter of their 'new kind' of political campaign, their ad uses doctored photographs to argue that John McCain is George W. Bush."

“Barack Obama's economic proposals are driven by job killing tax increases and out-of-control spending -- Barack Obama would drive this sputtering economy off a cliff,” Tucker Bounds, a McCain spokesman, said in a statement.

The second ad is more uplifting, showing Obama's campaign crowds.

"Something’s happening in America," the announcer says. "In small towns and big cities. People from every walk of life uniting in common purpose. Barack Obama, endorsed by Warren Buffett and Colin Powell, a leader who’ll bring us together."

"We can choose hope over fear, and unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo," Obama is shown saying. "That’s how we’ll emerge from this crisis stronger and more prosperous as one nation; and as one people."