Hi guys, quick scoop here - the new ad from the Obama campaign that will be running during the Olympics. The good news? It's all economy, all-the-time, a positive message that stresses new jobs. Whether it succeeds or not or is strong enough or not, I don't know, but debate it out:
Transcript after the jump, YouTube coming as soon as it is available (keep me informed if you see it). Additionally, I posted John McCain's tough new spot:
ANNOUNCER: The hands that built this nation can build a new economy.
The hands that harvest crops can also harvest the wind.
The hands that install roofs can also install solar panels.
The hands that build today's cars can build the next generation of fuel-efficient vehicles.
Barack Obama. A new vision for our economy. Fast track alternative fuels. Create five million jobs developing home-grown energy technologies because America's future is in our hands.
OBAMA: I'm Barack Obama and I approved this message.
Below is John McCain's newest spot. I'm not sure if it's going to be his Olympics ad (will keep you updated), but I will say this: it is damn tough and pretty damn effective at painting Obama as an elitist. It cries out for a very tough response, perhaps time to point out just how insanely wealthy McCain is. Take a look:
UPDATE: From Jonathan Martin at Politico:
It's one of the few McCain ads that makes no mention of energy, instead focusing exclusively on keeping up the celebrity rap and hitting a Democrat on the perennial GOP claim that he wants to raise taxes. McCain's campaign believes that, for all the flack they've received, Obama has not yet effectively figured out how to respond to the campaign of blowing him up as a larger-than-thou world figure. This ad is in keeping with the attempt to paint him as an inaccessible figure with little regard for average voters.
It will be cycled in to the 11 swing states where McCain is already on the air. (emphasis mine)
I continue to maintain it's a very tough ad, and agree that Obama hasn't effectively figured out how to respond to this criticism (which is also intent on pre-spinning his huge Denver acceptance speech).
The other piece of news is that it looks like it's not an Olympics ad.
UPDATE 2: Obama camp responds:
"This ad is a lie, and it's part of the old, tired politics of a party in Washington that has run out of ideas and run out of steam. Even though a host of independent, nonpartisan organizations have said this attack isn't true, Senator McCain continues to lie about Senator Obama's plan to give 95% of all families a tax cut of $1,000, and not raise taxes for those making under $250,000 a single dime. The reason so many families are hurting today is because we've had eight years of failed Bush policies that Senator McCain wants to continue for another four, and that's what Barack Obama will change as President."
TPM recommends a better response (I agree):
Must be grand to be flying in your private jet and trying to decide which of your eight homes to fly to.
CROSS-POSTED AT STRATEGY '08