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Dems Call Palin Experience Ad 'Ridiculous'
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ShareSeptember 03, 2008 12:04 PM
ABC News' Teddy Davis and Hope Ditto report: A McCain ad contrasting Sarah Palin's experience with that of Barack Obama was called "borderline ridiculous" on Wednesday by a top adviser to the Democratic presidential nominee.
"I think the assertion is borderline ridiculous," said Obama adviser Robert Gibbs. "I mean, look, if executive experience is truly important on the Republican side, maybe she should run for president and John McCain can be her vice president."
"The Republicans, in a meeting on a deck in Sedona . . . took the experience argument out of their repertoire," he added, referring to last week's meeting in Arizona in which McCain offered Palin a spot on the Republican ticket. "It's just silly to make that argument now in any way, shape, or form. . . They're making last week's argument in this week's television ad and if they want to do that, I hope they do it for the next nine weeks."
Gibbs lobbed his attack during a Wednesday morning conference call with reporters organized by the Democratic National Committee. The call was the DNC's first of the week. Calls which Democrats had planned for Monday and Tuesday were cancelled in the wake of Hurricane Gustav.
In a morning e-mail to reporters, the McCain campaign announced on Wednesday that it will launch a television ad "directly comparing Gov. Palin’s executive experience as a governor who oversees 24,000 state employees, 14 statewide cabinet agencies and a $ 10 billion budget to Barack Obama’s experience as a one-term junior senator from Illinois."
The McCain campaign has not disclosed where the ad will air or how much money it is putting behind it. But a McCain spokesman told ABC News that "if all goes as planned" it will be released before Wednesday's network newscasts which come on at 6:30 pm ET.
"Governor Palin has a record of shaking up the status quo and making change for the people of her state," McCain spokesman Brian Rogers told ABC News. "Barack Obama has words. He has speeches. That's what we're going to be hitting. That's going to be the point of the ad. We're looking forward to this conversation."
Beyond reacting to the new McCain ad, Gibbs also sought to set expectations for the Republican National Convention speech that Palin will deliver Wednesday evening at the Xcel Center in St. Paul, Minn.
The Obama adviser said he expected Palin to give a "great speech," adding that she is "likely to bring the convention floor out of its chairs."
Gibbs argued, however, that Palin would not be able to enumerate many differences between Bush-Cheney and McCain-Palin.
He also attacked the Alaska governor for her one-time support for the so-called "bridge to nowhere," for employing a lobbying firm to get earmarks for the town of Wasilla, Alaska, and for receiving a vice presidential endorsement from indicted Republican Sen. Ted Stevens.
Gibbs was joined on the Wednesday call by DNC adviser Jamal Simmons. The Democratic strategist accused Tuesday's Republican convention speakers of violating McCain's goal of focusing on service and not partisan attacks.
"It seems Republicans have gone back to their partisan hats," said Simmons.
Gibbs also hammered McCain campaign manager Rick Davis for telling The Washington Post on Tuesday that the 2008 election is not about issues.
"Apparently, the speakers last night got that memo as well," said Gibbs, referring to the Davis interview. "Because throughout last night, speaker after speaker neglected to talk" about the issues that matter to Americans: "creating jobs, providing tax cuts for middle-class America, passing true energy independence, making health care more affordable."
UPDATE:
The McCain campaign has now released the script for "Alaska Maverick," its 30-second ad contrasting Palin's credentials as an agent of reform with those of Obama. The ad will air Wednesday evening on CNN and the Fox News Channel. After Wednesday, it will air in what the McCain campaign describes as "key states". The campaign will not disclose how much money it is putting behind the ad.
Watch it here.
SCRIPT:
ANNCR: The Journal says: “Governor Palin’s credentials as an agent of reform exceed Barack Obama’s.”
They’re right.
She “has a record of bi-partisan reform.”
He’s the Senate’s “most liberal.”
She “took on the oil producers.”
He gave big oil billions in subsidies and giveaways.
She’s “earned a reputation as a reformer.”
His reputation? Empty words.
MCCAIN: I’m John McCain and I approve this message.
September 3, 2008 in Biden, Joe, McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Palin, Sarah, White House | Permalink | User Comments (321)
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More desperation from the Republicans. This choice is downright scary. She's a heartbeat away from the presidency.
Posted by: samurai | Sep 3, 2008 12:14:45 PM
"Gibbs argued, however, that Palin would not be able to enumerate many differences between Bush-Cheney and McCain-Palin."
I have to disagree with that one. She could, if so predisposed.
After all, to the best of my knowledge, Bush and Cheney never advocated secession from the Union for Texas or Wyoming.
If McCain was looking to put a little space between his campaign and Bush/Cheney, this could do it.
Posted by: Paul | Sep 3, 2008 12:17:21 PM
worst VP nod in history.
horrific
Posted by: d | Sep 3, 2008 12:19:59 PM
Don't be absurd! The names are different!
Posted by: Thinking | Sep 3, 2008 12:22:42 PM
Considering where the Wasilla and Alaska budget deficits went after she was the decider there is a clear link with her and Bush both suffering from terminal cases of deficit inattention disorder. The only difference is that the Bush version has the red ink in Chinese.
Posted by: bhciapol | Sep 3, 2008 12:22:50 PM
The entire McCain campaign is turning into a Hillary Clinton copycat. These used talking points from the primary won't work.
Posted by: El_Pajaro | Sep 3, 2008 12:24:56 PM
If Obama campaign do not acknowledge the Palin's experience, then it is very rough road ahead for them. Obama campaign play down the Hillary's experience and they are doing the same for Palin. There is a pattern here and voters are not stupid to understand the difference.
Posted by: Tim | Sep 3, 2008 12:25:30 PM
The Dems gleefully attack Palin's experience, but not once, NOT ONCE, do they offer any defense of Obama's experieence, the man at the TOP of their ticket, who needs to be ready from day one, but he is far from that.
Obama himself tried to defend it, suggesting that his management of his own campaign constitutes "experiecne".
Seriously, Obama, SERIOUSLY? So it's not executive experience, not legislative expereience, but now...CAMPAIGN EXPERIENCE that makes you ready for President?
Obama will go down in history as a huge political knock knock joke, what a clown.
Posted by: decentAmerican | Sep 3, 2008 12:27:21 PM
Lieberman would've been a much better choice for VP. At least he would be ready to step in for an aging and feeble-minded McCain. But McCain would rather win an election than do what's best for the country.
Posted by: samurai | Sep 3, 2008 12:27:31 PM
All the republicans need now, is for Dan Quayle to add his endorsement!
Posted by: Bob | Sep 3, 2008 12:28:33 PM
Tim
what was palins experience then?
Posted by: Bhrandon | Sep 3, 2008 12:29:15 PM
At least dan quayle is happy, having shed the title of "Worst VP pick Ever".
Posted by: pt | Sep 3, 2008 12:29:42 PM
Country first? Yeah, right.
Posted by: samurai | Sep 3, 2008 12:30:02 PM
Obama and Palin cancel each other out. McCain Biden cancel each other out. What are we arguing about? They are the SAME! Who gives a damn! Your are arguing over packaging instead of what is inside the package. Tell me does it hurt when the media pulls your puppet strings? Nah, you think for yourself. That's why you PANIC when the power goes out and the tv goes off. That new sensation that comes over you then is waht's called an origional thought. Try it sometime. You might learn something.
Posted by: argh! | Sep 3, 2008 12:30:17 PM
decent american
they have protected obamas experience and judgment over and over againg, perhaps you have heard of a little thing called the democratic national convention last week.
they pretty much answered any question... its not their fault you refuse to listen to the answers and continue to ask teh question.....
what foreign policy experience does palin have?
what experience does palin offer the presidency were she to have to take control?
Posted by: Bhrandon | Sep 3, 2008 12:30:56 PM
To Samurai, I bet you would have argue another way when McCain would have listen to your suggestion and selected Liberman.You and Obama Campaign would have come and said that we need "Change" from status quo. The outsider Palin is the only answer to respond to Dems
Posted by: Tim | Sep 3, 2008 12:31:01 PM
ED FROM MASS AS ONE MASSHOLE TO ANOTHER HOW DO YOU LIKE HOW THE DEMOCRATS ARE RUNNING OUR STATE? THIS IS THE REASON I WILL NOT VOTE DEMOCRAT.
Posted by: natale from mass. | Sep 3, 2008 12:32:58 PM
Barak does know hoe to work the system, very well. With todays press we may never know how much money he got in grants from the federal government and to whom he steered the bounty to. We all know one thing though, his time in Chicago politics and as a state Senator didn't do a whole lot to improve schools for the residents of Chicago.
Posted by: david | Sep 3, 2008 12:33:58 PM
TIM
your wrong had mccain actually done what he said he was going to do, take his first real task as possible president of this nation seriously and selected a VP that equals his own tough standards that he has for months hit the dems over the head with over and over again ....
there were many more qualified republican women that should have maybe been looked into...
this pick shows that mccain lacks a basic understanding and judgment of the seriousness of what hte presidency is...
mccain took a political gamble on his first important decision...
he was right not to select lieberman, that would have upset his base...
but this pick was not vetted, not thought out, and is a pander....
Posted by: Bhrandon | Sep 3, 2008 12:35:37 PM
Oh Sarah, Oh Sarah, You shudda said, “No”
Oh Sarah, Oh Sarah
Where did you roam?
She took off with Johnny
But, she's soon comin' home
He took her down there
It's all sun and no snow
Her life's all shinin'
With lovers' new glow
Oh Sarah, Oh Sarah
It's scary down there
There's tabloids and Oprah
They'll mention your hair
Pollsters and pundits
Are goin' to scream
Though they can't catch a salmon
And ain't “Mushed!” a team
Oh Sarah, Oh Sarah
It's like a quiz show.
They'll laugh and they'll point
Every time you don't know.
They'll laugh at your voice
And they'll laugh at your clothes
They'll laugh at the glasses
At the end of your nose
Oh Sarah, Oh Sarah
You shudda said, “No”
When John started huggin'
And kissin' you so
John only needs you
For one body part
And I'm tellin you, Sarah
It isn't your heart
Oh Sarah, Come home
We're all missin' you so
Don't wait till November
You'll miss half the snow
Posted by: Petronius_Jones | Sep 3, 2008 12:36:24 PM
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