RNC (for McCain) plays offense on energy fears against Obama
The Republican National Committee is spending $3.4 million on television ads in four swing states blasting Barack Obama’s energy policy, according to a campaign finance report filed Monday.
The 30-second ad is part of an independent campaign on behalf of Sen. John McCain. It says McCain is “pushing his own party to face climate change,” and contrasts the presumptive GOP nominee’s energy stand against Obama’s.
McCain supports “alternative energy, conservation, suspending the gas tax, and more production here at home.” The reference to more production presumably is a reference at least in part to McCain’s recent call for offshore oil drilling, made shortly before he went to a fundraiser in Santa Barbara.
Obama, the spot says, opposes lower gasoline taxes, nuclear power and more drilling. “Just the party line,” says the ad.
The ad -- view it below -- is airing in at least Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Brad Todd, of the firm, OnMessage Inc., created the spot, and said it was expected to air through next week. In a statement, Todd explained the theme by saying energy security “is emerging as a defining difference in the race for president."
Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan slapped back, telling The Times' Dan Morain that McCain promises to “continue the Bush approach of trying to drill our way out of our energy crisis.” Obama is offering “historic investment in alternative energy development,” he added.
The $3.4-million buy is substantial. But it is likely only the ante for the RNC and the Democratic National Committee. The DNC alone spent more than $100 million in 2004 on behalf of Sen. John Kerry’s presidential run.
--Andrew Malcolm
Andrew Malcolm's immigrant parents repeatedly stressed the importance of active participation in a democracy. Early lessons included learning the alphabetical list of states by watching televised roll calls of national political conventions. That childhood exposure led to a lifelong fascination with politics, including 40-plus years of covering them and a brief stint practicing them as press secretary to Laura Bush in 1999-2000. A veteran foreign and national correspondent, Malcolm served on the Times Editorial Board and was a Pulitzer finalist in 2004. He is the author of 10 nonfiction books and father of four.
Johanna Neuman is a veteran Washington correspondent for both The Los Angeles Times and USA Today, having covered presidents and politics as far back as Ronald Reagan. A former president of the White House Correspondents Assn., she authored a book on media and foreign policy, “Lights, Camera, Wars.” Most recently she was co-author of the 
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The battle of the national Committees. who will spend more the poor Republicans or the very Rich Elite Democ"rats"
Posted by: VJ Machiavelli | July 08, 2008 at 12:20 AM
The RNC has 40 millions dollars and the DNC has less then 4 million. Howard Dean need help. Democrats should also contribute to DNC Too!
Posted by: Alex | July 08, 2008 at 03:34 AM
Also Democrat’s will not concede Pet owners to the Republicans. Yes Seriously!
All Cat lovers (Google Video)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4412027748204910365&hl=en
Talking Dogs and thier fans (Youtube Video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCYaw5tGYAs
All these Cats and dogs are supporting Barack Obama in ‘08!
Join Us!
Posted by: Eagle Ch’áak’s Daughter | July 08, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Obama blaming McCain for our foreign oil crisis is like a child blaming his/her parents for the child not having different colored eyes. Obama knows nothing about energy. In fact, I don't believe he knows a hell of a lot about policies of our country. He voted "present" so much of the time in the Senate and is is because he did not know the issue or just did not want the voters to know how he thinks? He changes with the wind; he's now trying to portray himself as a middle of the roaders and a conservative Christian. What a joke; the most liberal, radical Senator in Congress. He's really a liar.
Posted by: Jeraldine Zimmerman | July 11, 2008 at 11:31 AM
A New York Times article by Thomas L. Friedman (Op-Ed Columnist - Eight Strikes and You’re Out - Op-Ed - NYTimes.com ) mentions John McCain and his renewable energy credentials and his supposed support for windmills, solar energy, and renewable energy.
I think If McCain’s intent was to really show the “straight truth” , Those windmills so prominently spinning in his political ads would be changed to the great big oil rigs he really supports.
The Senate voted eight times this year to vote on investment tax credits for renewable energy type legislation and Senator McCain missed all eight votes. The League of Conservation Voters said that John McCain had “missed every single significant energy vote of the last two years” ( John McCain Forgets About the Last Two Years. )
The Solana Solar Generating Station in his home state of Arizona, the largest solar power plant in the world, won't be built without an eight-year extension of the Production Tax Credit, which expires on December 31, 2008.
How can McCain get so indignant and challenge the Senate to come back into session to deal with the energy crisis, when he’s missed all the significant energy votes in the past two years?
Posted by: Modsquad85705 | August 14, 2008 at 11:14 AM