John McCain hits the airwaves -- in New Mexico

Yep -- New Mexico. Key battleground state, that, or at least it might be if it could actually count its votes. But this is where John McCain chose to air what the campaign ballyhooed as the first television ad of the general election.

That's right, we're a week into spring and Team McCain is bragging about being first on the air for the fall election. Call it a pre-emptive strike. But it's a curious time, and a curious place -- McCain, you'll recall, represents neighboring Arizona in the U.S. Senate -- to be spending limited cash that might be more useful in, say, October.

The thing is, the 60-second ad doesn't do much. It comes across as one of those introductory spots aimed at presenting McCain as experienced, and a military veteran. By now, one would hope that anyone planning to vote in November has been paying enough attention to know who McCain is, and that he was a Vietnam War POW -- the ad ends with footage of him in captivity.

No word from the campaign on how often they plan to air the ad. But don't count on the poll numbers changing over this one.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Jenna]

"An American for President"? Interesting use of words there. Looks like we know how the Republicans will attack Obama or Hillary. How can they be as "American" as a war veteran?

[dave]

mccain, who seemingly could be facing some legal obstructions to his party's nomination, and has been teasingly referred to as the allegedly-presumptive
'panamanchurian' candidate, obviously is seeking to emphasize his claim to american citizenship.
his blatant insincerity, unfailingly demonstrated on a regular basis, his phony heroism and patriotism, and his slavish quality have made him enough 'friends' to afford him a 'free ride' so far.
clearly though he has not 'got it all wrapped up' yet, but seems to be getting himself wrapped up more and more, looking strangely lost, almost getting out of his way to get lost. his prematurely fired shot seems only apt to backfire.
to make/let him restage his war time trauma in the capitol hillton would be a lethal mistake.

[Michael]

Most of these "news" sites won't tell you, but Ron Paul is still running and the delegate counts are. The delegates are undecided yet.
anything could happen before November.
Mccain's sleazy infidelity to his first wife could come back to haunt him, or his birth on Panamaniain territory could become an issue, etc.

(FYI, A) this isn't a news site; it's a political blog. B) We've written more about Dr. Paul than likely any politically unaffiliated site and C) All anyone has to do to read these dozens of items--including him still being in the race--is click on his name in the subject cloud to the right here. He's the only candidate with his/her own category. Thanks for reading.)