Obama ad slams McCain for being computer illiterate*

It probably was only a matter of time before Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, whose campaign has displayed its tech savvy through tactics such as aggressive online fundraising, use of social networking and texting the news of his running mate selection, hit Republican rival John McCain for his admitted technological difficulties.

Today, the Obama campaign wielded McCain's past comments -- that he doesn't send e-mail and is computer "illiterate" -- like a blunt instrument. A biting new TV ad (pictured above) uses those examples to brand the 72-year-old Arizona senator as out of touch with today's world.

Entitled "Still," the ad starts with the word "1982" -- the year McCain was elected to Congress -- over an image of a disco ball. As music reminiscent of early TV commercials plays, more out-of-date images flash by: a woman using a brick-size cellphone, a record player, an early personal computer and a Rubik's Cube.

"Things have changed in the last 26 years, but McCain hasn't," the announcer says. "He admits he still doesn't know how to use a computer, can't send an e-mail, still doesn't understand the economy and favors $200 billion in new tax cuts for corporations, but almost nothing for the middle class."

It then shows a picture of McCain and George Bush and says, "After one president who was out of touch, we just can't afford more of the same."

Hitting an opponent on economic issues is standard political strategy. But going after a candidate for his skill with computers and e-mail ...

Person John McCain

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...is a new, 21st century line of attack.

The McCain campaign charged that it's untrue.

"John McCain travels with a laptop," said McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds. "This is a senseless tactic from Obama's campaign because they're struggling with the realization that the American people understand he is not equipped to deliver change because his record has no bipartisanship or significant legislative accomplishment in it."

The issue of McCain's tech skills began when he sat down for an interview with TechCrunch's Michael Arrington in November. Asked, "Are you a Mac or a PC guy?" McCain laughed and said "I am illiterate." (Arrington nonetheless endorsed McCain in the Republican primary, dismissing the candidate's computer illiteracy as common for his generation and not relevant to how he would handle the information economy.)

McCain repeated the "illiterate" comment in an interview with Politico and Yahoo News in January, saying, "I am an illiterate that has to rely on my wife for all of the assistance that I can get."

In July, McCain told the New York Times that he was "becoming computer literate" and learning to go online. But he also said he did not send e-mail.

"I don't e-mail, I've never felt the particular need to e-mail," he said.

Bounds said it was "factually inaccurate" to allege that McCain can't send e-mail. But Bounds would not say whether McCain uses e-mail or how often.

"I'm not going to get into the specifics of John McCain's e-mail correspondence. There couldn't be anything more off topic than that," Bounds said.

-- Jim Puzzanghera

Video: Obama campaign's "Still" TV ad, via YouTube

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*UPDATED 12:40 P.M.: Obama spokesman Nick Shapiro said the campaign stood by the ad's assertion about McCain's e-mail ability. In an e-mail statement, Shapiro had the following to say about the relevance of McCain's tech skills:

“The ad goes directly at the fundamental issue in this race: John McCain is out of touch with the American people and unable to address the challenges facing the country in the 21st century. It delivers the message in a light-hearted, humorous way that Americans can relate to. The overwhelming majority of Americans of all ages use computers today. Our economy wouldn’t survive without the Internet, and cyber-security continues to represent one our most serious national security threats. It’s extraordinary that someone who wants to be our President and our Commander in Chief doesn’t know how to send an email."

 

Comments

[Oregon4Obama]

McCain doesnt understand economics, mathematics, computers and common people......he proved that in the naval academy

This is probably why he has NO educational plan other than the rhetoric of hiring more teachers and getting more books and vouchers....he also feels no child left behind is great.......

say no to Bush-McCain-Palin foreign and domestic agenda

[When Elephants Fly]

More commentary at: http://whenelephantsfly.blogspot.com.

Given that we live in the Internet Age and that the US is part of the Global Economy, it is unacceptable for our next president to have a backwards world view. Look, small town values work fine for small towns, but they do not necessarily translate into leading great nations. The US is one of the most powerful countries on earth, but we have been rapidly losing ground to places like China. If we don't kick the current administration out and fundamentally shift our approach we are in store for some really hard times ahead.

More commentary at: http://whenelephantsfly.blogspot.com.

[Jane]

I am an independent voter, a mother of 2 very technical savvy teenagers in Boston. I found the Obama campaign is very silly to pick on someone who is not internet savvy. I am an IT professional and I think I am very comfortable with computer hardware and software. I love my job and but I really don't think technology savvy is a pre-req for the job of US president.

[Alec]

I'm sure that the fact that McCain has difficulty using a keyboard as a result of his past injuries has nothing to do with his reluctance to use a computer. Next Obama ad criticizes NY Gov. Paterson for not reading or Max Cleland for being obese. So much for change.

[Bob Coker]

Wait...can Barack Obama fly an F-4 Phantom ?

[JD]

"I'm not going to get into the specifics of John McCain's e-mail correspondence. There couldn't be anything more off topic than that," Bounds said.

How about lipstick?

[Robert Gee]

One very big reason why McCain doesn't use a computer avidly, is because he is unable to type on a keyboard. Why is that? Because of the beatings he suffered as a POW. This was mentioned in an article by the Boston Globe (March 4, 2000).

Obama is really going to step in it if he pushes on this one.

[a.m. young]

"MCCAIN'S SEVERE WAR INJURIES PREVENT HIM FROM COMBING HIS HAIR, TYPING ON A KEYBOARD, OR TYING HIS SHOES."

BOSTON GLOBE ON 3/4/2000

[Art in PA]

I am sending the below email for my father-in-law who can not operate a computer or send an email but he is very irritated at Obama's latest ad and was personally offended.

The new ad from Obama ridiculing Senator McCain's inability to send an email or operate a computer: First, I'd like to see Obama fly an F102 fighter off of a carrier deck, then land it. Secondly, I am among many seniors who also can not send an email or operate a computer ... guess he doesn't need the votes of Seniors. I don't appreciate being ridiculed.

It is my understanding that Obama probably could fly a Navy Aircraft but he wasn't needed at the time to save the country.

Art in PA

[Joel]

Honestly, this is the most low, and dishonorable attack from Obama and his campaing. He cant use a computer or send emails because he is physically unable to do so. He cannot sit on a desk and lift his arms to type. He cant even comb his own hair. Why not mock him on that too! And while your at it, mock the fact that the he is unable to do so because his arms were broken, because he was beaten and tortured while defending this country and serving it as a prisoner in vietnam while Messiah Obamah was probably being potty trained.
Obama should apologize and fire who ever came up with this disgraceful attack.

[Jim]

If Obama had done his research he would have discovered McCain is unable to type, tie his shoes or comb his hair because of permanent injuries resulting from him being tortured as a POW.

Making fun of someone's disabilities suffered while serving their country is about as low as you can go.

[Mike Toreno]

You guys who all say McCain doesn't use a computer because he's physically unable to, are you all stupid or something? Can you read? The article you're commenting on says the McCain campaign can so use a computer, although they're unaccountably vague about his use of email.

[Edward]

Yeah, the problem with that ad is that the reason John McCain can't send email is that he can't use a keyboard due to his injuries suffered at the Hanoi Hilton.

Real classy there, B. Hussein to make fun of disabled veterans. I'm sure your buddy William Ayers shares your sense of humor.

[AceTomato]

Words fail me. Almost.

First, we have Joe Biden encouraging a handicapped, wheelchair bound Chuck Graham to stand up for a crowd.

Then we have Obama's Law Review Article, the only one he wrote, on the topic of abortion, where he says the state has an interest in " preventing increasing numbers of children from being born in to lives of pain and despair." Got that? If you are pregnant with a child with a possible birth defect, the state has an interest in you aborting it. So much for Trig Palin.

And now we have the latest ad from the Obama/Biden camp making fun of John McCain for not being able to use a computer or send email. Obama/Biden poke fun at McCain, suggesting he is old and doesn't get the new technology.

One small problem.

John McCain's hands were so severly crushed by his torture as a POW, he can't use a keyboard. It is physically impossible for him. John McCain cannot brush his own hair or tie his own shoes. He is a brilliant man, but he cannot lift one of his arms higher than his elbow. Prior to being tortured and having his bones broken over and over, John McCain could fly jets. So let's not pretend McCain is some doddering buffoon who doesn't understand technology.

John McCain is handicapped.

Obama and Biden are asses.

[Patricia_g]

This is almost as disgusting as Joe Biden inviting Chuck Graham, who is wheelchair bound, to stand up last week.

Obama needs to admit he stepped in it an apologize publicly.

[Marian]

The Obama campaign should apologize, and do it quickly.

McCain usxes email, he just doesn't type them himself, because of his war injuries.. he cannot raise his arms and his fingers were broken in torture..
The Obama fans that cheer this ad are a despicable despicable lot..

[L. Sue Keith]

As I was teaching my keyboarding class on Thursday...I became increasingly distressed at Mr. McCain's being castigated for his lack of computer skills. It does not take a rocket scientist to see that he has limited functionality with his arms and probably his fingers. But then, whoever criticized him for his lack of computer skills was not a rocket scientist--can we agree on that?

My dear friend who is an old Polio does not see herself as handicapped. In her electric wheelchair she "walks" to the store; I would be exceptionally proud to have a chief executive like John McCain who is "becoming" computer literate. What would YOU do after 5 1/2 years of physical torture?

PS: I'm a Ph.D. in Vocational Office Education from Ohio State University

[Harry R. Sohl]

"Wait...can Barack Obama fly an F-4 Phantom ?

Posted by: Bob Coker"

Apples to apples, Bob!

"Can Obama crash five F-4 Phantoms?"

[Harry R. Sohl]

"John McCain's hands were so severly crushed by his torture as a POW, he can't use a keyboard."

How's he going to sign in those permanent tax cuts for billionaires?

Let's recap:

McCain can't remember how many houses he owns, but because he was a POW, it apparently affected memory.

McCain wasn't in the "cone of silence" but, since he's a POW, he apparently can't hear or see (at times).

McCain has a blackberry and travels with a laptop, but because he's a POW, he apparently can't use his fingers to hit "send" on an email.

John McCain can say "I hate gooks", but because he was a POW, it apparently affected his tongue.

JpOwHN McCain never, never ever mentions his POW status, and neither does his CAMPowAIGN.

With the dreaded POW affecting McCain's every major organ, aren't you worried about his brain?

[Terry]

Are most of you McCain supporters mentally challenged? You read a couple short articles and think you know enough about politics to bash Obama for a simple ad that does not even come close to the deranged claim John made accusing Obama of wanting to teach kids about sexual education, which only further proved his ignorance for more current social problems(albeit not as important as some other issues) like the dangers of sexual predators which show up almost daily in the news. The whole subject about not being able to type is also redundant and without merit...I see the man clenching microphones, signing autographs, and snap a quick salute(above his elbows/shoulders)...yet he can't use a single finger to type? Not to mention the countless computer programs that have been around for a half-decade that allows voice-activating typing. And what does flying or landing a plane have anything to do with leading a country or knowing about current technology within the US!? What does his service to the military prove in terms of his ability to make decisions regarding the future of a country? Courage, bravery, dedication are all wonderful traits...but how can these simple traits make up for the fact the man is still living in the past with very little understanding of the importance of technology and with little to no understanding of the economy? I hope most of those pointless comments made were by McCain staffers who are just trying to build excitement in the heads of voters who supported Bush. Do you really like all the poor decisions made by the Bush administration that has sent our currency value down, brought up prices of almost everything imaginable, and set the whole country into a long-term depression? Do you think a man with no knowledge of the complexities of an ever-fluxuating economy will take us out of this depression when he has always lived a privileged lifestyle(besides his military/POW experience of course)? The fact is the man is nearly identical to Bush and is sure to continue sending America into a further recession. Ask any economics teacher and he/she will laugh at the idea that we could use another Republican in office. Do your research before you speak favorably of this man and especially before you vote for him. Unless you are a millionaire, you will feel the the wrath from poor decision-making for years and years to come. Also note that no McCain supporter has actual facts(besides that misleading 2000 report about the extent of his injuries) or anything to say besides the typical side-banter and hype built up by the McCain staff that has nothing to do with this presidential race and the main topic of how to fix the many economic problems created by the Bush administration.

[vanderleun]

I'd be worried about your brain, Harry, but I think you'll just join many others in ritual suicide on Nov. 6th, so why should I bother?

[Bolu]

McCain supporters here have been saying 'because of his war injuries.. he cannot raise his arms and his fingers were broken in torture.. ' so he can not use the computer. Is that reason also responsible for his lack of knowledge of the economy?

I simply believe that the Republicans are fielding a out of touch candidate for this crucial election in the person of Mr McCain. If America president can not share emails with his counterparts around the world, I think it is a shame. How are we sure that the so called tortures he got during the war have not affected his brain and thinking faculty? We all know Mr McCain to be a very high temper personalty. This defect could also be linked to his war experience. If Mr McCain is allowed to rule America, then the whole world is in danger.He will rain nukes upon the Middle East , all in the name of fighting terrorism. And Israel will not be safe either. Wake up America. The whole world is watching

[the big picture]

It's interesting to see what lengths people will go to make excuses for McCain. And I'm not surprised to see everyone fall back on the POW issue. That's what McCain did when pressed on how many houses he had (as if it was related). Now the fact that he's out of touch with technology and the ECONOMY is also due to the fact that he was a POW. Interesting.

[Eb]

For those people who blame his "injuries" on not being able to use a computer (well for one, his campaign spokesman said he travels with a laptop....read the article...), but there are plenty of para and quadriplegic people who use computers daily. Plus, he is filthy rich, if that was a problem, they do have voice software!! And using a computer does not require you to lift you arms to the shoulder!! Why couldn't he use his arms at his sides?? I he can hold a pen and write on a piece of paper on a desk (which he has been known to do), he can use a computer. DUH!

But enough with that foolishness..the ad was not about using the computer. The ad was about being OUT OF TOUCH! He probably can't figure out a rubix cube either, but nobody seemingly jumped on that! This is hillarious!

[RueDee]

Awww, come on, John. There are adaptive technologies to help cripples use computers, so don't play the POW card on this one.