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MCCAIN'S FIRST AD.
Remember when John McCain was the most honorable man in politics?
McCain said that he urged Kerry some time ago not to talk about Vietnam during his campaign. 'I did advise John. I said, "Look, you shouldn't talk about Vietnam because everybody else will. Let everybody else do it." His advisers figured that was probably not enough, that he had to emphasize that in his campaign. In my campaign, as you know, I didn't talk about it because I didn't need to.'" -- The Washington Post, August 27, 2004Now enjoy his first ad of the campaign. Note, in particular, the end sequence, which doesn't use Vietnam at all, and the odd tagline, "John McCain: The American President Americans Have Been Waiting For." This is, presumably, in contrast to Barack Obama, "the Kenyan Muslim President Whom Al-Qaeda Has been Waiting For."
Classy, classy.
COMMENTS (10)
I see that over at HuffPo, they are arguing that Obama should start the general. Show leadership and good strategic thinking, Barak!!
Posted by: John McCain: More of the Same | March 28, 2008 12:10 PM
The American President Americans Have Been Waiting For
This is, presumably, in contrast to Barack Obama
But then the next thought is -How long have Americans been waiting? 7 years? 15?
Who exactly was the last "American President", Senator?
Posted by: apm | March 28, 2008 12:21 PM
This ad overwhelms me with his manliness. I suddenly realize I should not -- nay, cannnot -- vote for some girl or girly-man.
Posted by: Mark | March 28, 2008 12:51 PM
Maybe McCain is trying to get out in front of that whole natural born citizen thing? Notice it says American President not President of the USA, and technically Panama is in the Americas.
Posted by: disdaniel | March 28, 2008 12:58 PM
I want to go and invade Iran, with John McCain right there by my side in the bunker, after watching that ad. When do we get to start?
All joking aside, that strikes me as potentially being a very effective ad.
Posted by: Jake | March 28, 2008 2:28 PM
In all fairness, McCain has been much better about not attacking Barack on any of those points than even his Democratic opponent.
Posted by: Shock Mouse | March 28, 2008 3:31 PM
Who exactly was the last "American President", Senator?
Posted by: apm | March 28, 2008 12:21 PM
Why do you hate Murka? Ronald Raygun was the first and only previous "American" preznit. I thought everybody knew that...
Posted by: woody, tokin librul | March 29, 2008 10:55 AM
Eventually he'll learn that campaigning against Obama is racist.
Posted by: jon | March 31, 2008 4:52 PM
It's a campaign. He's trying to convince people that he's the best person to be elected leader of our country. Yes, the "presumption" is that he's better than the other guy (or gal), but what do you think he should say: "John McCain, I guuess he'll be a good President."? Or, how about "John McCain, maybe you should vote for him, but, hey, who are we to tell you what to think?"
This is going to be a very long election if this is how people like Ezra are going to react every time McCain simply puts out a positive ad about himself.
Posted by: Nick | March 31, 2008 5:00 PM
Ezra Klein: " This is, presumably, in contrast to Barack Obama, "the Kenyan Muslim President Whom Al-Qaeda Has been Waiting For."
This ad has nothing to do with Senator Obama. Strangely enough, t'was you who went and put him in there, sir.
Contrasted with some of the Democratic intra-mural sniping (save in those instances when no snipers were actually involved, this ad shouldn't rate a wheeze.
Your real complaint would seem to be that Senator Obama has nothing to trump this bit of personal history.
Posted by: Dave | March 31, 2008 6:28 PM