Dick Cheney: The November surprise?

Democrat Barack Obama 's presidential campaign unveiled a new 30-second spot today that targets rival Republican John McCain for having the support of ... Vice President Dick Cheney.

With an open that notes Obama's recent endorsements from former Secretary of State Colin Powell and fabled investor Warren Buffet, the ad then cuts to Cheney at a campaign event Saturday in Wyoming, his home state, one of the dwindling number in the safely Republican column. In the footage, Cheney says:

I'm delighted to support John McCain. I'm pleased that he's chosen a running mate with executive talent, toughness and common sense, our next vice president Sarah Palin.

It's kind of unusual for a presidential campaign to target the other side for having the support of its team. But Cheney and President Bush both are down in public opinion polls so the Obama campaign elected to use the footage to underscore its theme that McCain's policies would result in a third Bush term.

Noting McCain's support for the White House "90% of the time," the ad concludes, "That's not the change we need."

— Johanna Neuman

Comments

[B Harris]

There must be some kind of contest on at the White House to commit the Administration's last blunder before 1/20/09.

[roneida]

Love him or hate him, there are few people who will state that Dick Cheney is not the toughest SOB in the government. Any of you star gazers from the left want to out smart or out tough him.? We need more people like him who have thoughtout, not felt out, their positions on right or wrong and will stick with them.

Emotiins are no substitute for brains. When the Democrats bring all our troops home so they can fight the war on American soil and in American streets, the public will be crying for people like Cheney to save their sorry butts.

Good luck Mr. Vice President, you have served America well. thank you.

[Jim]

Yeah, well that tears it. Anyone who would associate in any kind of friendly manner with that evil man is not trustworthy.

[Tom in California]

Dick Cheney's endorsement -- kiss of the vampire.

[Randall62]

I believe that we are seeing a reflection of how history will judge the Bush administration in the way that the McCain campaign strategy attempts to differentiate themselves from the current POTUS and VEEP. I only hope that history will be a strict judge.

[Eric Kane]

Sarah Palin? Common sense? Yeah, that 's why she fell for that ham-fisted Sarkozy gag hook, line and sinker!

[DavidGD620]

The silence from McCain supporters is deafening. I believe they are deciding to CTA. I am proud to say that I support Obama and Co. McCain supporters are certainly not as sanguine about the endgame of this election cycle. Stay the course!!

[karina]

We were for McCain but we changed after chaney's endorsement. We don't like chaney or bush who have ruined everything that they have touched. They are the worst possible goof balls of the country.

[karina]

We were for McCain but we changed after chaney's endorsement. We don't like chaney or bush who have ruined everything that they have touched. They are the worst possible goof balls of the country.

[Paul Stewart]

Dick Cheney in fantasy land again......

[Andy2]

It is too bad that McCain decided to go mainstream in the Republican party, and align himself with Bush and Cheney in the hopes of getting elected. This has seriously backfired in the last few months.

It is a valid issue because the Republican party's approach to the economy, war, health care, regulation in general, taxes, and elections (i.e. divide the country and count on significant voter indifference) has all proven a disaster for the country.

If nothing else, let's put to bed the politics of fear and smear, and retire the Cheney approach to foreign policy.

[chuck]

It;s a shame bush and cheney can't run for re-election, isn't it ?

[DavidGD620]

The score is 353 to 174 and the game is in time-out for the two-minute warning. The Obama team has the ball on the McCain three yard line and it is first down and goal to go. There are no time-outs left. The odds-makers are putting up 150K to win 20K in case the McCain teams pulls out a win. The game is definitely not a squeaker.

The assistant coach, Dick Cheney, has given his team a pep talk. The coach, George Bush, is trying to figure out his play book. The rest of the coaching staff is trying to figure out why their game plan failed so miserably. The McCain fans are pouring out of the stands, all 60 of them.

The Obama fans are elated that their team is doing so well. The presentation committee is gather together just off the playing field at mid-field, ready to present the winners trophy to the winning team.

The nation is waiting to celebrate the new national champions of the political league.

[Steve from Maryland]

Frankly, I think Cheney is smarter and a better speaker than Obama, and a farsight more reliable than Powell. Liked the way Powell waited until late in the campaign to stab his good friend John McCain in the back. Guess he's looking for a cabinet position in the Obama administration. Hope he's disappointed.

[Otto Schiff]

Dick Cheney's help is an endorsement from hell. One has to question McCain's
judgment on this.
Why not a Bush endorsement?
Nothing like Joe the VP I guess

[chlai88]

If I'm Dick, I'll keep my big mouth shut !

[Ant L]

The new 30 second spot is brilliant. Cheney was so heavily involved in the Iraq quagmire, and the diversion of specialist resources away from nailing Bin Laden. But of course John McCain knows how to get this guy!
I am surprised that Obama has not made more of his endorsement from Warren Buffet - who famously believes that the class war has already been won by the rich. But it is well worth remembering that one of the richest men in the world believes that a tax cut for 95% of the American population is a good thing even if the class war victors have to pay more.

[gb]

Oh Goody... Let's all hope that in celebration, Cheney invites McCain to go duck hunting with him. They can bond. I'm sure with Cheney's hunting experience, we will all hope that Cheney gets his bag limit.

[Martin]

Wow, this is the endorsement McCain has just been dying for. All the more reason to not vote for McCain.

[Fernando]

Thank you Dick Cheney! You were the last nail in McCain's coffin! I will buy you a beer next time I see you out at the ranch...

[Jane]

You were for McCain before Chaney's endorsement? I am still for McCain and will not stop fighting for him. Have you ever looked at Obama's endorsements? Or have they just slipped your mind? He has associated with some of the most terrible people in the U.S. and you are worried about Chaney? At least they kept our nation safe after 9-11. Obama's friends still haven't quite finished yet!! Just remember You get what you vote for.

[Diane Morris]

I am voting for Obama...but I have serious doubts about how he will govern. I am no Obamabot....He is taking advise from people like Powell and Bob Rubin. There will never be real change in this country until the people who lied us into war and destroyed our economy are investigated and held accountable. I wonder if Cheney’s endorsement of McCain has been secured by the Obama side in exchange for ignoring their crimes. At the very least we need to follow South Africa's example of Truth and Reconciliation or nothing will ‘change’.

[mailfist]

Cheney is tough? I pulled two tours in country. Cheney had "other priorities" and dodged the Vietnam draft. And that's what you call tough?

[Chochi Elischka]

Every day the McCain campaign does something totally stupid that backfires in their faces. Pretty funny. Maybe on Monday the Troopergate decision will be released.

[Carl]

"Love him or hate him, there are few people who will state that Dick Cheney is not the toughest SOB in the government" - Lol, he's a draft dodger!