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McCain: 'We're Proud of That Commercial'
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ShareJuly 31, 2008 2:08 PM
ABC News' David Wright reports: Who knew Paris and Britney would ever be a campaign issue???
The McCain campaign's decision to feature the women in a 30-second spot accusing rival Sen. Barack Obama of being a shallow celebrity has consumed the campaign debate today.
At a town hall meeting in Racine, Wisc., Republican Sen. John McCain tried to steer clear. But a young voter wouldn't let him off the hook.
"It seems to me that you've flip flopped," 23 year old Obama supporter Wendy Chavours-Freeman said, referring to McCain's promises to run a clean campaign on the issues.
McCain defended the ad. "All I can say is we’re proud of that commercial," McCain said. "We think Americans need to know that I believe that we should base this campaign on what we can do for Americans at home and how we can make Americans safe and prosperous and that’s the theme of our campaign."
"I respect and admire sen Obama, but we have stark differences," McCain said. "And those differences need to be drawn."
"These campaigns are tough," he said, "But I'm proud of the campaign we've run."
Earlier today, McCain's campaign manager went so far as to issue a statement accusing Obama of "playing the race card."
"Barack Obama has played the race card, and he played it from the bottom of the deck. It’s divisive, negative, shameful and wrong,” said Rick Davis in a statement.
Davis was responding to Obama's own comments Wednesday in response to the ad. Obama told reporters: "The only way they figure they’re going to win this election is if they make you scared of me. So what they’re saying is, "Well, we know we’re not very good but you can’t risk electing Obama. You know, he’s new, he doesn’t look like the other presidents on the currency, you know, he’s got a funny name."
Today in Cedar Rapids, Obama chided McCain for raising what he considers a trivial issue: "Given the seriousness of the issues, you’d think we could have a serious debate. But so far, all we've been hearing about is Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. I mean, I do have to ask my opponent, is that the best you can come up with? Is that really what this election is about? Is that what is worthy of the American people?"
For his part, McCain renewed his call for frequent town hall debates with Obama, an offer Obama has so far refused. "Yesterday in case you missed it, he wanted to have a duel. I'm not sure what sort of weapons he had in mind," McCain chuckled. "Why can't we just have a discussion?"
July 31, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (269)
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Both Britney and Paris have made more millions in dollars earned than either McCain or Obama. These guys might learn something from them instead of ridiculing them. It is true, they are celebrities going around looking for attention but so did Obama. Senator Obama should behave as a stateman, not a showman.
Posted by: Mary | Jul 31, 2008 2:20:25 PM
It has "consumed the campaign debate" because YOU AND THE REST OF THE PRESS CHOOSE TO COVER TRIVIAL CRAP INSTEAD OF DOING REAL REPORTING. You cover only this trivia, then write in the passive voice about how campaign coverage has mysteriously included only trivia.
Posted by: Katherine | Jul 31, 2008 2:28:28 PM
McCain mentions his age everytime he speaks, is he not using the "age" card? So it is OK for McCain to point out how old he is, but Obama cannot mention the color of his skin? Total hypocrisy!
Posted by: Katie from Kentucky | Jul 31, 2008 2:30:50 PM
LOL! the RACE CARD! The McCain campaign needs to be schooled in what the race card is! Come to Detroit, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is an expert on the race card.
Posted by: Jeanne from Michigan | Jul 31, 2008 2:36:12 PM
McCain really said he's proud of this commercial?
Posted by: Paul | Jul 31, 2008 2:36:40 PM
McCain's campaign is acting so juvenile and to think, he's going to be 72 years old. Guess some people never grow up.
Posted by: geecee | Jul 31, 2008 2:36:53 PM
Katie,
WHAT???????????
Posted by: pt | Jul 31, 2008 2:37:32 PM
This is not the first time Obama mentioned it and he stating the fact.The Mccain camp didn't say anything before why they want raise it now unless they want to play the race card and go nastier.SHAME ON YOU!
Posted by: My | Jul 31, 2008 2:37:35 PM
Obama has played the race card since the primaries with Hilary and I am glad he is getting called on it. He even did it in his speech in Germany stating something to the effect of "I know I don't look like those who have spoken to you in the past". If he is the "postracial" candidate then he needs to stop trying to "scare" the liberals and left-leaning independents by saying the GOP is going to "scare" people about his funny name and the fact that he does not look like the other presidents on the currency. I think it is so disheartening that this man who claims to be a new kind of politician is the one bringing up race....
Posted by: Susan | Jul 31, 2008 2:38:20 PM
Before there was Paris, there was Cindy McCain.
The size zero blond (?) heiress that dates married men. Drug abuser, yup. Keeps her husband in $900 ferragamo loafers. Has muliple homes worth in excess of $12 million dollars.
I doubt that Paris cooks, but Cindy steals recipes.
All American values?
Posted by: tony | Jul 31, 2008 2:38:36 PM
katie
from my point of view---i want obama to be my president----and yes i do want paris to wash my car----see there is apositive side to everything----and i am 68
Posted by: rodney | Jul 31, 2008 2:39:14 PM
John has nothing to offer and Obomber is Jimmy Carter 2008. This looks more and more like the 1968 election that one suited for the 21st century. Only McCain is Nixon and Obomber is Humphrey. Where is McCarthy when we need him?
Posted by: ick! | Jul 31, 2008 2:40:13 PM
This is what McCain is proud of?
The commerical was poor on many levels. Try harder McCain.
Posted by: xmarks | Jul 31, 2008 2:42:40 PM
so the difference in the campaigns is that obama is a celebrity and mccain is not...
and this is what the american people need to know according to mccain, this is something we really need to know?
my god... what a F ing tool
Posted by: bhrandon | Jul 31, 2008 2:44:01 PM
Eight years ago McCain was a nice guy, someone I wanted to win the White House, now he has become a pig in politics. He is the reason we need someone like Obama, someone new. McCain has become more personal against Obama than any other Presidential candidate in American history. I now despise the pig. He does not deserve to be treated with the respect one should give a Presidential candidate or a war hero. His actions since he left the service leave a lot to be desired, starting with the Keating Five. I am also starting to despise those who support him. For the record, I have not voted for a Democratic President since I started voting, starting with Richard Nixon, but I will this time, however, I am going to give him lots of money. It is time for change and McCain is demonstrating he is not the one to do it.
Posted by: The Unshrub | Jul 31, 2008 2:44:38 PM
"Why can't we just have a discussion?" McCain chuckled.
________________________________________
Know what McSame? Pretty soon you're going to get that debate you keep asking for. Same old, dry you, against the charasmatic and intelligent Obama?
The whole nation will see the contrast...and I can't wait.
Posted by: Will | Jul 31, 2008 2:45:19 PM
It is a stupid commercial but I see nothing "wrong" with it.
Obama is popular and what is wrong with that?
McCain should talk policy though and what it means. His desire to expand drilling near the US will only take relatively cheap local oil (cheap because it is closer to the US and the rights will be given away) that will be made available to the WORLD not the US at the WORLD PRICE not some US only deal.
It won't help the US citizens much.
We should make sure any new leases of US territory include profit participation. I bet most of the oil companies' profits are from cheap US oil that is sold at World prices.
Posted by: Mr. Coffee | Jul 31, 2008 2:45:31 PM
All I can do at this point is LOL!!!!
I saw on Morning Joe today one of McCains managers.
She was just as bad, she actually sat in that chair and lied and keep such a straight face. She really believed their own lies. Which by the way, the real truth was on tape and has been shown time and time again.
What a whole bunch of stupid low live people.
Any way to brain wash us and make us believe all their lies so they can go along the same old road. Bush's road to hell.
Posted by: becky | Jul 31, 2008 2:50:03 PM
Oh ya, speaking of Debates... On Morning Joe this McCain managers also told Obamas that they would debate him anytime anyplace, Obama just needs to bring the people. LOLOLOL
How sad was that statement. McCain can't get anyone to go and listen to him so he wonders thru stores knocking food off shelfs, and wants to debate Obama so maybe someone will show up.
Posted by: becky | Jul 31, 2008 2:53:09 PM
Great ABC even takes your statements off, why even have this site if you pick and choose who can say what.
Posted by: becky | Jul 31, 2008 2:56:08 PM
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