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Dems Call Palin Experience Ad 'Ridiculous'

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September 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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I'm more worried about Obama's ticket than McCains, Obama fears white supreist, biden has brain anyuizm that could kill him so what's left Nancy Pelosi. Can't think of anything worse than Nancy Pelosi running the country. Obama should select a new Vp one with out brain problems

Posted by: pelosiforpres | Sep 3, 2008 12:36:32 PM

David

and mccain has done tons of great things for arizona... and hey palin did great things in alaska too

oh wait.... nope...

Posted by: Bhrandon | Sep 3, 2008 12:36:36 PM

To Bhrandon, Don't you think Dems are gambling on Obama? He did not have any experience before getting the Presidential Campaign experience.

Posted by: Tim | Sep 3, 2008 12:38:01 PM

Sarah Palin's experience in foreign affairs meets and probably exceeds that of Barack Obama. That's why the Dems are trashing Palin so badly. They look like fools. Dems are demanding the Republican vice presidential candidate have qualifications their own presidential candidate doesn't have. LOL all the way to the polls. . .

Posted by: Disappointed by not Surprised | Sep 3, 2008 12:38:13 PM

Two years makes her one of the most successful governors in history? WOW. She must be a superwoman. But when compared to Bush in Texas I can see where they get that idea. Compared to Bush my dog is successful.

Posted by: The Unshrub | Sep 3, 2008 12:39:33 PM

Palin lied within the first 650 words in her introduction to America. Her real motto is not 'Country First', it's 'Alaska First' (unless Country means Alaska...).

The RNC doesn't want to talk about issues because they are on the wrong side of the issues.

Posted by: paliar | Sep 3, 2008 12:43:21 PM

The commercial probably doesn't mention Obama's seven years in the state legislature or being president of the Harvard Law Review.

Posted by: Reason | Sep 3, 2008 12:43:40 PM

Obama's training as a community organizer (getting people out to vote), is a time consuming thing (as I do that), it's rewarding. It's not a huge responsibility compared to being the administrator of a large state balancing a budget and making a payroll. Obama's team of professionals are running his campaign. That's not the same. I think Palin should debate Obama. What change is Biden? If he runs for president in the next election, would that be change. What's his age? He's just an insider (hello) to shore up Obama's foreign affairs experience. Dems disrespected Mrs. Clinton for him and Biden. Everyone knows that. Sarah takes on the same old system and she's being attacked by the political government liberal machine. Wouldn't it be great if she got in and opened up all sorts of investigations on house/senate members from BOTH parties. Can they be scared? Or is it her views that fear? I hope she gets in. God Bless this American hero and this strong reformer, Palin.

Posted by: Christie | Sep 3, 2008 12:43:43 PM

Tonight's speech will tell us NOTHING about Palin except that she can read a teleprompter detailing a script that others running the campaign have written for her. I would like to see her take a legal pad and write her own speech as Barack Obama does! The possibility of her as VP, and potentially President, is truly frightening! A political expediency that hopefully will cause McCain (who I used to like)to lose the election!

Posted by: Lori | Sep 3, 2008 12:45:20 PM

If Sarah Palin is a joke, so is Barack Obama. Neither has much experience in foreign affairs. The difference is: Palin is the Vice presidential candidate, while Obama is at the top of the ticket. THE WRONG GUY IS AT THE TOP OF THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET!!!! That's why you're all freaking out over the Palin nomination. McCain doesn't have to get all of Hillary supporters. He doesn't have to get a majority of them. He doesn't even have to get a substantial minority. He only needs a few percent, and judging from the anger I see in women, he's going to get them.

Posted by: Hokie Freak's Better Half | Sep 3, 2008 12:46:19 PM

This is just toooooo good, the media adn their democrats partners are so afraid of Palin they do not care if they set back womens rights 100 years lmao. The Femist-Nazis are contridicting themselves left and right

Posted by: hilly-billy | Sep 3, 2008 12:48:17 PM

I find the hate smears against Sarah are ridiculous. I find that people who attack her are attempting to cover for O'bama's own self esteem issues or their own. Perhaps you all should try to vette your own candidate and worry about his connection to Ayres, his lawsuit (obamacrimes.com), and perhaps his sexist issues. Keep protecting him, when states like Pennsylvania bounce him out of the race, maybe you all will learn. The only reason he was historic is because he is an African American. NOT an African American who accomplished ANYTHING!!!!That is the record!

Posted by: daryl | Sep 3, 2008 12:49:21 PM

I don't think any experience besides being the President qualifies you as "having Presidential experience".

Judgment, good temperament, and a good knowledge of the Constitution are important, though.

Based on that, though neither side has "experience", I'm voting for Obama, as he is calm, intellectual, and used to be a Constitutional law teacher.

Posted by: Emily | Sep 3, 2008 12:50:31 PM

I don't think it's borderline rediculous. It's totally rediculous.

Obama spend years organizing and leading people in a city far larger in population than Alaska. That was before he went to the Illinois Legislature and then to the U.S. Senate. Sarah Palin is simply not qualified. She was chosen because the GOP would not accept someone who wasn't a "Social Conservative" (which actually means "Christian Theocrat") and he wouldn't accept Romney or Huckabee. So he chose Palin.

She's the worst parts of Dan Quayle and James Watt combined. Hopefully the American public will get to know her. If they do, it's Obama in a landslide (if they actually count the votes.)

Posted by: Larry-T | Sep 3, 2008 12:50:32 PM

Lori, what's "truly frightening" for you is the very real possiblity that your Messiah is going to lose in November. BTW, Sarah Palin IS writing her own speech, and I don't know where you ever got the idea that your Messiah writes his own speeches. He doesn't. You're into the cult so deep that you can't see daylight anymore.

Posted by: Hokie Freak's Better Half | Sep 3, 2008 12:51:02 PM

If people want to try to pull out the "executive experience" tagline against Obama, then the same should be applied to McCain. McCain didn't govern over any cities in Arizona, nor did he govern the state of Arizona.

So the "executive experience" tagline can be played both ways, which is why comparing her to Obama is ridiculous..

Posted by: Jennifer | Sep 3, 2008 12:51:17 PM

Both campaigns are "borderline ridiculous".

Posted by: R. Monarch | Sep 3, 2008 12:51:28 PM

Say WHAT! OB without a tele-prompter?

Posted by: mtr2311 | Sep 3, 2008 12:51:39 PM

Mass has been recovering nicely from Romney. What are you smoking?

"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: Jeff | Sep 3, 2008 12:51:51 PM

Reading the comments here I get a strong sense of how the left is panicking. Buh Bye Hussein!

Posted by: Zilch | Sep 3, 2008 12:52:00 PM

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