Oops, Obama ad mocks McCain's inability to send e-mail. Trouble is, he can't due to tortured fingers

(UPDATE: An updated paragraph citing McCain learning computer skills is appended below.)

As part of its effort to show the 72-year-old Republican Sen. John McCain as old and out of touch, the Democratic Party's hip campaign of Sen. Barack Obama, which frequently says it honors the former POW's military service to his country, Friday released a new ad.

As noted Friday by our blogging colleagues over at the Technology blog here, the ad says, among other things: "1982, John McCain goes to Washington. Things have changed in the last 26 years, but McCain hasn't.

"He admits he doesn't know how to use a computer, can't send an e-mail."

Here's the ad. Listen for yourself.

Like many of his generation, McCain does not like to talk details a lot about his wartime experiences, certainly not about any lingering physical symptoms. To be honest, it could sound like complaining and, as he's ruefully noted, unlike many others, McCain did come home.

The former pilot does joke sometimes about flying his plane into a telephone-pole-sized North Vietnamese missile.

Last week in his speech to the Republican National Convention, McCain opened up more than usual, mentioning his two broken arms and broken leg from ejecting over Hanoi, and his 66 months of imprisonment and torture, calling it simply working him over.

But something he did not go into in that speech were ...

... some of the lingering results of his poor medical treatment and brutal beatings.

Here's a passage from a lengthy Boston Globe profile on McCain that was published the last time he ran for president. It was headlined "McCain character loyal to a fault." It was written by Mary Leonard.

And it was printed more than eight years ago, on March 4, 2000.

It is available online, where Jonah Goldberg of The Corner blog at the National Review found it.

"McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain's severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain's encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He's an avid fan -- Ted Williams is his hero -- but he can't raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball."

(UPDATE: A spokesman for the Obama campaign and numerous Ticket readers point out a Huffington Post item from July in which McCain says he is learning how to go online and "I am becoming computer literate to the point where I can get the information that I need." That complete post and a photo of McCain using a cellphone is available here.)

Obama spokesman Dan Pfeiffer denied that the freshman Illinois senator's ad was making an issue of McCain's age. "It's extraordinary," he said, "that someone who wants to be our president and commander in chief doesn't know how to send an e-mail."

The Obama campaign has seen some significant and disturbing poll shifts since its convention in Denver, including a broad movement of white women toward the GOP ticket after that party named Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin its vice presidential nominee. And some local and congressional Democrats have begun to fret and grumble over a perceived softness in the Obama-Biden ticket.

According to the Associated Press, Obama campaign manager David Pfouffle issued a stern campaign strategy memo Friday that said, in part:

"Today is the first day of the rest of the campaign. We will respond with speed and ferocity to John McCain's attacks and we will take the fight to him, but we will do it on the big issues that matter to the American people."

The "big issues."

Like fractured fingers?

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Flojo]

For all who are against Obama stop making excuses of why you would not vote for him...........don't insult people's intelligence by making comments like "did you see he tossed the rose instead of laying it down" what stupidity...........if he ate faster than McCain would that make him greedy. These posts show lack of logic and pure hatred for this candidate. Vote for McCain but stop these STUPID, IDIOTIC comments.

McCain can use a computer even with a disability; there are many folks with spinal cord injuries who function and does not try to capitalize on their disability. McCain is the one who want to play the VICTIM card; POW story is getting OLD. We live in an age of advance technology........if McCain was interested I'm sure he would find there are many resources out there. Obama ad was commenting on McCain being out of touch with this world that we live in right now and that is a legitimate question. I want a president who understands what is happening NOW, relate in that capacity.

[al]

The ad comments on the fact that McCain doesn't KNOW how to send an email or use a computer. While he might not be able to, that isn't what the ad is claiming. The ability to do so vs. the knowledge to do so is different. The fact still remains: he doesn't KNOW how to use a computer or send an email. Once again, people are missing the point. While I think it's ridiculous in this day and age, he's so old and out of touch I honestly don't expect him to know this. It's probably reason number 402 why he shouldn't be president. There are many other issues that are ahead of this one but you can add it to the long list of why he shouldn't be president. Anyone that likes McCain really better like Palin since she will be running the country when he kicks it. McCain is so old he should not be buying green bananas.

[Natacuy]

And he can't raise his arms above his shoulders? Here he is, fresh back from POW-ville:

http://raincoaster.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/john-mccain-1.jpg

[kravitz]

John McCain is surrounded by the wrong people. Showing poor judgement. If his people don't know about accessible devices which can help him get on the web, as hundreds of thousands of others have, he would have a device like the Magic Wand keyboard which does not use fingers to type.

John McCain Uses A Blackbery.
http://www.rimarkable.com/senator-john-mccain-is-a-blackberry-user
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/12/yes-mccain-can-use-electr_n_126130.html
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/13/103735/543/712/597294

[PassatDoc]

People with far worse disabilities than McCain use computers every day. And I know people in their 90s who use computers every day.

One can question the wisdom of such ads because Obama does best among younger voters and worst with older voters. Some people in their 70s and 80s who haven't learned to use computers might be put off by such ads as an attack on their own computer illiteracy, and chose McCain.

[Jeff]

I can't stand 4 more years of George Bush

[larry valles]

there is a wonderful software called dragon and via voice that will help anyone with severe hand/wrist issues that can write emails and documents. surely, his staff has informed him of this option.

[Egirl]

For the first time in my 40 years, I am ashamed to be a Democrat. Obama and his "camp" have shown themselves to be nothing but a bunch of tantrum throwing preschoolers since Sarah Palin came onto the scene of this campaign. While I may not agree with all of her ideas or beliefs, I do see that she is a strong leader, in control of her own self and actions, and who can handle just about anything (so far) that has been blatantly tossed in her path. McCain also, handles himself with grace and modesty. He is who he is, and I respect an individual with that type of persona.

Obama has a V.P. running with him that has actually made negative comments about him prior to being picked as his partner in this election. Biden said that Obama was not experienced enough or ready to be the President, and he stated that he would be honored to stand along side John S. McCain. Now he denies those remarks, even though they are on the airwaves and cannot be taken back. Now he endorses Obama, the same man he said would not be experienced enough to be our Commander in Chief. I cannot have confidence in these two men as a team who support each other.

Obama and his Dem camp have been on the attack after Sarah Palin, trying to dig up dirt on her, checking records to see if she has had an abortion, making snide remarks about her family, her children, her ability to parent a special needs child. They have sunk to an all time low and it's obviously because they are running scared. This woman has them terrified of their own shadows, and well they should be.

John McCain may speak of the war and his experience as a POW, but at least he has earned the right. He also has been a longtime Senator compared to Obama's 143 days as a Illinois Senator experience. And the Democrats are attacking Palin for lack of experience, which I find quite humorous and ridiculous.

Today I am officially an Independent and proud to have a mind of my own as we all should be. Being a POW doesn't a war monger make. But, it does show strong character to go through something that horrendous and survive. It shows strong will and an inner strength that cannot be measured. Obama and Biden do not respect one another, do not have the chemistry or experience to run our country. They are grasping at straws here with their ads about McCain not being computer literate. Is that really what made George Wasington or Abraham Lincoln icons in American History? I think it was a feather pen and a well of ink on white paper, not a laptop or a fax machine that gave us our constitution.

Obama needs to get real with what the important issues are, and I promise you most Americans Dem or Rep. don't like hearing your camp slam Sarah Palin's family or John McCain's POW days (or wise older age). The Democratic Campaign can keep digging until the cows (or pigs in this case) come home, but in the end the moldy cheese stands alone.

[johnnywhrotten]

I just wrote and sent this e-mail with one knuckle of my arthritic left hand. No problemo!

[Rachel]

As many other commenters have pointed out, there are people with far more serious disabilities who use the Internet. It's not about age either, because there are a lot of senior citizens who use the Internet.

I do not want a president who can't use a computer. There is a wealth of information available online that cannot be accessed through traditional media. During Katrina, for example, there were stories online about people trapped in hospitals and other buildings. Those reports did not make it into the mainstream media until days later. Lives were lost because the people in charge did not have access to the best information.

We live in a complex and dangerous world, and the president needs to use every tool at his disposal. Would you hire an assistant who couldn't use a computer? Then why should we hire a computer-illerate person for the most important job in the country?

[Dan]

This writer must think we can't use the internet either. Here's a story with pictures that shows McCain using a Blackberry, which has even smaller keys than a standard computer keyboard. McCain himself is quoted as saying he's learning to use the internet.

You guys really need to get your lies straightened out before you go public with this stuff.

Here's the link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/12/yes-mccain-can-use-electr_n_126130.html

[tom]

this just shows how downright EVIL the democrats are. they have no shame, and will do anything for power. you democrats are trash.

[Jaye, VA]

The Obama campaign just ticked off thousands of seniors who do not use a computer. What a pathetic ad indeed. They are losing their star power and are grasping at straws to get their faces on the front pages again. It's over, Barry. Go get some experience before you try to play with the big guys.

[ncgma]

Shame, shame on Obama campaign.
Is it really a requirement for being President to be able to push the "enter" button?
We have had other disabled President's in the past, ie: John Kennedy, Dwight Eisenhower, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson.
I believe that one's beliefs and ideology is a better measurement for being President.
Obama = CHANGE we don't need
DISCRIMINATION against disabled Americans.
Just look at this ad.....and last week, Joe Biden asked a wheelchair bound MO Senator to "stand-up".... unbelivable!

[Lar]

Hey are you guys for real? The point is would the ad be just as effective if the chosen one's staff had actually done their jobs and researched this? I guess they're pc stupid too, I mean all you got to do is goggle John McCain. And the happiest man on earth right now is Joe Biden, this completely takes the heat off him for telling a man in a wheelchair to stand up! I guess Ron White is right " you can't fix stupid"

[Righteous Bubba]

My suspicion is that Andrew Malcolm typed this one-handed, thus overcoming a self-imposed handicap.

[Tess]

Now that we all know that CHARLIE GIBSON is very
wrong and has placed Mrs. Palin in a bad light, do you
think he will have the decency to give her an apology?

Mrs. Palin seems to only want what is '..right and good..'
for our country and we have the likes of Charlie Gibson
and other Liberals trying to defaim her constantly.

They never say a word about:
OBAMA's bad or criminal friends
OBAMA"S voting 'present' so he'd not have to decide
OBAMA's murky past which he won't elaborate on
OBAMA's ethical wrongs in taking fees for speaking
in 2002, 2003, 2004 plus others...took hundreds of
thousands even though it was "..WRONG..."

[ricky]

Next thing you know, Obama will be making fun of blind guys for wearing sunglasses!!!

Ooops! Sorry, that was President Bush.

[Amy]

GIVE ME A BREAK. PEOPLE WITH HAND/ARM DISABILITIES USE COMPUTERS ALL THE TIME THROUGH ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES.

LAME.

[Lar]

Hey are you guys for real? The point is would the ad be just as effective if the chosen one's staff had actually done their jobs and researched this? I guess they're pc stupid too, I mean all you got to do is goggle John McCain. And the happiest man on earth right now is Joe Biden, this completely takes the heat off him for telling a man in a wheelchair to stand up! I guess Ron White is right " you can't fix stupid"

[kgnd54]

Have any of you who seem to love denigrating Senator McCain's service to his country ever served in the military? Have you ever spent over five years in a prison cell (very different from what is found in the US)? Or, have you even had a broken bone? Anyone you can answer yes to the first two questions may have a right to comment on Senator McCain's situation. The rest of you should go back to your safe and confortable lifestyle and leave the thinking to those who are qualified.

[lulu]

Oh let's get real. Stephan Hawkings use a computer. Why doesn't John McCain just go home to Arizona and enjoy his family and all their millions and forget the desperation he has to become president. I liked McCain in 2000, but he has lied and twisted and lied because his thirst for this office is greater than his principles. No straight talk express, it derailed a long time ago. Let's all wake up and think seriously about the issues and serious problems this nation faces. I am sorry it is NOT McCain/Palin who can fix things.

[Eric M]

The link in the opening of this post goes to another LA Times blog -- http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2008/09/obama-slams-mcc.html --- contains the quote:

"John McCain travels with a laptop," said McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds.

So, either the McCain campaign is lying about John McCain's ability to use a laptop, or this blog is lying about McCain's inability to use a laptop.

Is this LA Times blogger such a hack that they're actually willing to peddle misinformation so outrageous that the habitual liars in the McCain campaign won't touch it?

[The Doo-dah Man]

Don't you think the mccain people and their followers have played out the victim card by now?

They can't stand up to even moderate criticism before running for shelter.

On the other hand, if this as is the Obama camps' idea of hitting back hard, they are going to lose.

The republics have deployed nukes and Obama is answering with a pee shooter.

I know in his heart he is a decent peaceful man, but this is a real fight and if doesn't think the mccain people aren't going to play ultra-nasty (as if we haven't already seen it), he's going to get his clock cleaned.

[Bill in Chicago]

He spends $270,000 on "household staff" but he can't find a secretary to type for him? Give me a break.

I think this has more to do with the fact that McCain graduated in the bottom 1% of his class at the Academy (before he ever set foot in Vietnam) than anything his captors did to him.

Of course, as long as he has loyal Bushies at the LAT to shill for him, why bother trying?