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 As music reminiscent of early TV commercials plays, more out-of-date images flash by: a woman using a brick-size cellphone, a record player, an early personal computer and a Rubik's Cube.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

[Stephanie]

I though better of Obama than this. I'm saddened that he turns out to be just another politician like the rest of them. If we are voting between two politicians, McCain has the better record and experience. I'd rather have McCain for 4 years and then Hillary in 2012 than have to put up with Obama for the next 8.

[j faney]

All I can say is that as President of the United States , I would not use email I would have someone do it for me I have to much on my plate to sit there and send out emails .

[William S.]

I actually got to read the bill on Sex Education that Obama supported. The language SPECIFICALLY references homosexuality, masturbation, and a whole bunch of other things a Kindergartener has no business hearing about from anyone except his/her parents. Obama is a sicko.

As for McCain's injuries, you can imagine that with the difficulties he has, he hasn't pumped a lot of effort into building his own website and spending hours texting his buddies while he sits on the Senate floor. His knowledge of technology happens to be quite good though according to Forbes Magazine from eight years ago.

http://www.forbes.com/asap/2000/0529/053_print.html

I hope Obama keeps up with these attacks so everyone can see him for what he is. The only thing he is capable of changing in politics is his own position on every subject.

McCain - Palin 2008

[Rev. Og Oggilby]

Nice touch about McCain's "hands being crushed under torture". How come this was never brought up before? Rather convenient excuse don't you think? Typical old fashioned what is now called erroneously "Republican" tactics. McCain did indeed survive torture in Vietnam and was a POW, there is no argument there and he should use it for his campaign. However when you talk to ANY military pilot they resent his "hero" status for what they call "screwing the pooch". He crashed apparently at least three jets all his fault. He got caught because he crashed. But he's proven that he is out of touch and will "tow the corrupt line" having sold out completely. I feel sorry for him. He did endure torture for what? To aid a treasonous cartel that has taken over our gov't thus making him a traitor to his country in the process.
CHANGE means CHANGE. Not more of the same. We need to approach this country like the pioneers did. WE HAVE TO develop and build an entirely NEW SYSTEM of delivering hydrogen like we do for gas. If hydrogen is not going to be the answer then something else will have to be built. This will be a HUGE UNDERTAKING that will not only rebuild our country but will eliminate the NEED for gasoline. Oil is too precious to burn. It's lubricating properties along with it's hydraulic properties make it invaluable. However once we commit like we did when Carter was president demanding that cars DOUBLE THEIR GAS MILEAGE immediately made OPEC our sworn enemy (unless one is in the Bush family) lower their prices.
For those who think global warming is all a joke from liberals just think about this. If you had an olympic size pool and started to allow it be used as a public bathroom for anyone what would happen to the water? And more importantly what role would nature play with the pollution from the humans? Continuing to toss thousands of tons of crap into our atmosphere and ground is adding up it has to. It's simple and YOU ALL know it. Who care how much effect comes from who? WE THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD have to save our own home; Earth. Yes it will cost money but so do wars, and endless police agencies who have to justify their existence when they don't arrest the real criminals for the most part just the fringe and the poor. We ought to hang a giant "Out Of Order" sign on our nation's map.
We also need to immediately dramatically change our health care system. Insurance companies illegally conjoined with the pharmaceutical companies is ruining millions of working Americans. Not all of them are poor either. They become poor from having the very insurance that's supposed to prevent them from having to pay the outrageous prices we charge here. Recently the drug companies managed to bribe enough Senators and federal judges to "ungeneric" certain drugs and raise the prices by over a %1000. This is literally killing thousands everyday yet no one is prosecuting them. Imagine needing insulin and having to pay and added %1000 for no reason other than greed by your senator and congressman. It's no wonder there is so much despair here. Our own gov't has shown that it HATES HELPING AMERICANS. Our own leaders HATE us all who need help paying for the consequences of their bribes which have led to skyrocketing prices on everything; food, gas, electricity, school, medicine everything has gotten out of hand. We need to band together as one and make the gov't scared of us not the other way around and the only way to do that is to start NOW recalling certain members of Congress and prosecuting both the president and the vice-president for crimes against humanity.

[Ursula]

This has got to be the most outrageous manipulation of the truth ever, coupled with utter cynicismus concernbing McCain's disabled finger joints.
It is as if a high school football star would laugh at the boy in the wheelchair for not partaking in sports.
Go on, Obama, show your real self. Diability is not respected in Africa, is that where you get your values ? And yoou intend to bring those into the White House ?
Thanks for the ffort, but I would rather not...

[frank carter]

If John McCain is handicapped no one said anything. I had no idea that Obama was running against a person in a wheel chair. I'm not making any fun on the person but if he can't dress, comb his hair or clean his rear. FDR was also a handicapped person but he never complain like this guy.

Again sorry, but if you going to run for the presidency you are playing with the big boys, what if Chavez or the communist make fun of you for been handicapped what are going to do? declare WAR!

[Lettie S.]

I need to know what Obama can do for our country instead of attacking the other party of who they are.

I do not like the idea of Obama that he will disarm the country if he is elected. I do not feel safe if there's no military in our country. I know God is with us no matter where we are and I know God is always in control.

God bless America !

[Christina]

This ad is full of lies and is rather ageist. I'm shocked that the candidate of the left would be so ageist ... and making fun of a disabled veteran's disability! Shame!!!! Shame!!!! This just gives me another reason to NOT vote Obama. On top of being sexist, he's ageist and an arrogant liar.

I am another Hillary supporters for McCain/Palin -- NY, NY 2008. (BTW, I think Palin is amazing -- tougher than all the guys put together!)

[Grace Mcguire]

We are barking up the wrong tree. The real issue is that people in this country have voted twice for what has proven to be the most inmcompetent, un-american, clickish, deviant and sectarian administration this country has ever had. Three men and their sycophants and political allies- most republicans and a few democrats-have managed to destroy what our founding fathers and many leaders thereafter built. And they have done it using the opium of the masses, religion -actually pseudo-christianity-, laced with greed, power hunger, selfishness, and arrogance. And those values led this country to wage the most insane of all wars, where millions of dollars that we don't have, are wasted daily, while the rest of the country is left to fend for itself, with no direction, no oversight, no support and no government leadership. What is most sad and scary is that we still have so many people endorsing a presidential ticket composed of a religious lunatic and a stubborn, blind old man who has supported and been an integral part of the perverse and catastrophic administration of Rumsfelt-Cheney-Bush. (The Devil will make sure he spells their names right when they face him). The rest, as to who said what, when and for what purpose is totally irrelevant and immaterial.
Furthermore, check this clash videos I found yesterday about the US Presidential candidates have talked taxes. Well, it’s entitled Obama v. McCain on Taxes. Watch these statements - then vote in http://clashorama.com/index.php?id=194

[Severine Burns]

Barack Obama is proving everyday that he is unfit for the job, not only because of his flagrant lack of experience, but also, and especially, because of his immaturity and his lack of confidence and self-esteem. This ad is unbecoming of a candidate for the Presidency of the United States of America!