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McCain, Obama Compete in Olympic Ad Wars
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ShareAugust 08, 2008 4:19 PM
ABC News' Jennifer Parker reports: 2008 presidential candidates Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama are going head to head during the Beijing Olympic Games, competing against each other with multi-million dollar ad buys.
McCain, who must blow all of his campaign money before switching to public financing during the convention, has gone for gold in the Olympic ad wars, buying $6 million in advertising. That's a million more than Obama, who is spending $5 million.
McCain has made advertising history, purchasing the biggest national network buy ever by a presidential candidate.
"John McCain is continuing an aggressive campaign schedule throughout the week next week where he will discuss the contrast and the choice Americans have in the poll particularly focusing on jobs and the economy," said McCain spokesperson Tucker Bounds.
McCain's latest ad again accuses Obama of being a media sensation, and hits his proposals to scrap President Bush's tax cut for families making over $250,000 a year.
"Life in the spotlight must be grand," the ad says over images of Obama on magazine covers, "but for the rest of us times are tough…painful taxes, hard choices for your budget. Not ready to lead. That's the real Obama."
Obama's ad, which airs on Saturday in all 50 states, touts the Democratic candidate's proposal for green-energy jobs.
"The hands that built this nation can build a new economy," says Obama's new 30-second ad.
Obama is on vacation in Hawaii through next week visiting his grandmother. His campaign said the Obama ad is designed to remind voters about his energy plan.
“Though, like the rest of America, we’re all going to be focused on how many golds our athletes bring home, we’ll be working just as hard to ensure that voters are hearing about Senator Obama’s positive vision for our country and our new energy for America plan that provides immediate relief and brings us closer to energy independence,” said Obama spokesperson Nick Shapiro.
Media analysts say the unprecedented combined $11-million presidential candidates' network ad buy is smart politics.
"This will be the highest amount of eyeballs that are available between now and election day," said media analyst Evan Tracey, CEO of the TNS Campaign Media Analysis Group.
Some 56 million viewers watched at least part of the opening ceremonies of the Athens Games, according to Advertising Age, which first broke news of this year's 2008 presidential candidates network Olympic Games ad wars.
"This is special event programming," Tracey said, "watching will be all of the demographics the candidates are fighting for -- young voter, older voters, blue-collar workers."
August 8, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (12)
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Anyone else notice that Edwards announced immediately after Obama went on "vacation?" Talk about convenient.
Posted by: chattyway | Aug 8, 2008 4:41:58 PM
One only needs to look at the last 8 years to see how well the Republicans run things.
It's obvious that the suck at it.
Obama 08
Posted by: major Payne | Aug 8, 2008 5:46:03 PM
Is McCain going to be running negative ads during the Olympics?
Posted by: Sandy | Aug 8, 2008 5:53:22 PM
Is McCain going to make ads to present his OWN plans and vision to this nation as a real statesman or ,is he just going to be the stereotypical " pot that calls the kettle black " ???
His he going going to be capable to stand above all that petiness and show the nation that he can be the better "Decider" ???
The "real" McCain, please stand up !!!
Posted by: ndy A | Aug 8, 2008 6:53:53 PM
McCain's ads are getting the most attention now and that may change...and I recall Hillary's ads got the most attention during the primaries and she still lost. The real test will be in the debates....where Obama is at a loss without a teleprompter. At least McCain is good at off the cuff town hall chats....good prep for the debates which Obama runs scared from.
McCAIN '08/HILLARY '12
Posted by: Debra | Aug 8, 2008 7:24:13 PM
It's looks like the beginning of the END for ol' Johnny Boy. TPM reports in the article "Group To Ask Justice Department To Probe McCain's Bundlers"...."A good government group is set to ask the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation into the two big McCain stories of recent days -- the bundled contributions from Hess executives, and the bundling by Harry Sargeant, the guy who raised cash for McCain from a host of unlikely donors." More bad news for McCain as conservative magazines are bailing on the Republican nominee...."Things really have deteriorated between John McCain and the press: even the Wall Street Journal editorial board is turning on him. The famously conservative group publishes a column praising the economic policy of none other than Barack Obama". OBAMA 08'
Posted by: peoples_prez | Aug 8, 2008 9:45:20 PM
The differnce in ads is stiking. During a time of celebration McCain ruins the mood with his negative ads. Obama's ad may be one of the best ads I've seen. He reminds Americans that we can accomplish anything. McCain is a downer. If he is elected he'll continue pushing America down the toilet.
Posted by: Iraq Vet | Aug 9, 2008 8:51:16 AM
Sandy I hope not. McShame needs to give it a rest.
Posted by: gl | Aug 9, 2008 12:27:17 PM
The name of Mccain,s bus need,s to be changed to the CROOKED TALK EXPRESS!
Posted by: RENEA | Aug 9, 2008 4:40:02 PM
Wow super Ads, I like both Obama and McCain who do I pick?? To bad there was no 3rd person that could beat both of them or someone who at least has some common sense to explain how and when they will do a can do fix on our energy issues and jobs and ect..This is a big joke on us as I see on CNN no one can explain as of yet how they can fix our problems they show no facts nor realty check on how, I wonder why they have not done so as of yet.
Posted by: gloria | Aug 9, 2008 7:07:28 PM
Know president alone can fix the problems we are facing.They were a long time in the making and will take a while to fix.The candidates can say what they wnt but if congress and the senate do not support what they want done ,nothing gets done.
Posted by: jojobo1 | Aug 10, 2008 3:45:29 PM
Unbelievable that McCain would run attack ads during the Olympics. Totally tone-deaf.
Posted by: Dan | Aug 10, 2008 4:49:58 PM
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