New John McCain ad takes on Barack Obama, Joe Biden and ... George W. Bush

Fresh from delivering the best sound bite of his presidential campaign -- his retort to Barack Obama during their Wednesday night debate that "I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago" -- John McCain today again dissed the current White House occupant.

He also took a couple of shots at Obama and Joe Biden.

And he did all this in a new 60-second ad that, as part of an attack on "Washington" in general, lumps together Bush, Obama and Biden without mentioning any of their names!

The ad (which can be viewed in full below) is simplicity itself from a production standpoint; a seated McCain speaks directly into the camera. The backdrop, though, evokes the White House. And in that setting, McCain immediately and unequivocally distances himself from Bush.

The ad's first line: "The last eight years haven't worked out very well, have they?"

Since a two-term cap was imposed on the presidency, three men have served in the office for a full eight years: Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. None of the nominees chosen by their parties to replace them -- Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush and Al Gore, respectively -- ever came close to so explicitly trashing their predecessor's record.

After McCain's extraordinary critique of the current administration, he asserts that Washington is making this bad situation worse. "Telling us paying higher taxes is 'patriotic?' " he mockingly asks -- the Biden-related barb.

McCain follows with another rhetorical question: "And saying we need to 'spread the wealth around?' " That derives, of course, from the now-renowned impromptu policy debate in an Ohio neighborhood between Obama and "Joe the Plumber."

The ad goes on, but those first few seconds provide the likely playbook McCain and his camp will follow over the next 2 1/2: Stiff-arm Bush, decry Democratic tax policy and -- again and again and again -- spotlight that "spread the wealth" line.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: European Pressphoto Agency

Comments

[good to know]

I didn't realize the LA Times was in the pocket of the far right...

[Gary]

this Guy (McCain) is desperate.

[Richard Clark]

McPallin has to be kidding, he is going to make the next four years better after the last 8? Where has he been? Wasn't he a huge part of the Bushney Administration. If Lipstick can stick to a Pig then Bushney sticks to McPallin. Please, John, go gracefully into the sunset, enjoy your remaining time and go drill in your own back yard.

[Keith Culver City]

The ONLY specific besides vague platitudes? "Let's drill right here."

That speaks volumes.

[Robert]

What do they say about desperate times again? Right, desperate measures. He's going to have to do a hell of a lot better than this.

And he's still pushing drill-baby-drill? What are we going to drill out of, the next decade or two, maybe?

[gdz]

This is sad. The ad makes John McCain look senile. He needs some real help with his campaign, if only to go out gracefully. He has earned too much respect through the years not to go out with the respect that he ha earned over the years. I would very much like to remember the maverick, rather than what he has become to win the presidency. .

[Tim Fahey]

John, if you were elected to be our President, how much of a problem would it be if something terrible happened to you. Come on... Sara Palin is no John McCain. She's can't even do an interview without cue cards. I think Obama is the safest choice we have right now. You may be a maverick, but we need a thinker, not another gun slinger.

[Josh Moore]

I think paying higher taxes is patriotic, and although I persoanlly make more than the average family Obama is giving me a tax credit. Spread the wealth please!

McCain is idiotic

[Jerome Thomas]

In all of us - beyond age, experience, education, aspirations and accomplishments - lies an immutable and lasting stratum of what can best be called "character." It consists of a mixture of pragmatic ideals, including abiding self-confidence and self-respect, a compassionate spirituality, honesty, and a healthy and consistent work ethic, moral strength and a respect for others. These qualities are not so readily apparent - emerging more in what a person does over time, and not so much in what they say. I have observed John McCain and Barack Obama long enough to have seen a striking difference between them in terms of some of the qualities mentioned. I hope you will observe them and compare them, too, and vote on the basis of what you find. Which one plans to merely do things differently? Which has the energy, courage and intelligence to do different things? Your vote may prove critical to America's survival and its return to prominence as the leader of the free world.

[Rach]

If McCain is not George Bush, why does he continue to support Bush policies?

Earlier this year, McCain joined Bush in opposing a bipartisan GI Bill of Rights Bill that increased educational/vocational benefits for GIs. Why? McCain was concerned that “offering education benefits as early as the Webb bill allows would discourage people from re-enlisting.”

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/05/22/obama-mccain-spar-over-gi-bills-education-incentives/

For shame.

[rfoster]

Short-term gain with long-term losses. That's the McCain method of decision-making, demonstrated most clearly in his Palin pick but really seen throughout his campaign cycle. I have friends who were McCain fans who are sorely disappointed with him. This is truly, truly sad.

[deekay]

Wow...Who's THAT guy? Not the angry lawn gnome I saw last night. Nice to know he picked up a few pointers from his running mate, it's always a good idea to pretend to be someone else when the REAL you doesn't work out. I really liked John McCain, but it seems like he's grown bitter over the years. I guess when you sell your soul to the Bush Administration, you suffer the consequences. Too bad, he could have been more than a punch line.

[DCounts]

As an independetnt voter, I guess what I would say is that the last eight years haven't been the best, but what is worse is the last two years. Since Nancy and gang controlled ccngress it has been a steady downward spiral. Instead of helping as they said, they created the doomsday machine and now have the gall to point fingers. This issue isn't John and Barack or even George. I am guess I am no longer on the fence now. I know where my congressional and senate votes are going.

[captbilly]

It is sad to see how far McCain has fallen. I was a big McCain fan for many years, but the McCain of the 2000 Presidential race does not exist anymore. I just think he has gotten too old and bitter to be relevent in the midst of the problems we have today. His insistance that we will "win" in Iraq is a reference to an outdated notion of war that ended on VJ day (1945). We couldn't win in the WW2 notion of winning, in any war since WW2. We can stay in Korea forever just as we can stay in Iraq forever, but neither war will ever be won.

The interests of other countries will always conflict with our own, resolving those conflicts with military intervention can work, but the cost of long term military intervention has always been unaceptably high. The British eventually lost thier empire due to the costs of trying to maintain it, exceeding the benefits. We could and did overthrow Sadam, and we could do the same with the leaders of Iran or Syria or Korea. If our only goal was to get rid of Sadam then we have already won, but if we think that winning means that we will creat in Iraq a democracy like our own, then we lost before we dropped the first bomb

[AidanMead]

....talk about not being specific.

[John]

Its real simple. You either go for the non-experenced tax & spend Demo-rat idea guy or or the old guy with experence. Want to live on his ideas? Or want to live on your own money. Lets see ... Demo-rat ideas buy things for the guy across town but your own money will buy things for YOU. So, do YOU get the idea?? Hmmmmmm ???

[mzbond]

John McCain is worst then GW Bush. In fact, McCain/Palin make GW Bush look good. He had 26 years to improve this government and he sat by and watched while the Keating Five worked their black magick! Away with McCain. Don't even want him in the Senate!

[Buster]

Ironic, isn't it, that McCain's voted WITH George Bush 95% of the time... Don't believe it? Click on my name.

[Tobias]

For once, a non-negative ad by McCain.

[daggs]

I do think it is interesting that Joe "the Plumber" Wurzelbacher just so happens to be the son of Robert Wurzelbacher, the son-in-law of--guess who?--none other than Robert Keating of the KEATING FIVE... unbiased, neutral, "average Joe" indeed...

[mbee]

The last presidential debate was a work of art, two intelligent and dedicated contenders going at it in a high speed game of rhetorical chess. Yes, one point to McCain for a GREAT one liner on his relationship to bush. Though flustered at times, McCain was able to land some pretty good blows. They both convinced me that they are extremely intelligent and at the top of their game. I also realized that there is NO WAY that Sarah Palin is even remotely qualified to be the vice presidential nominee for the republican ticket. She would've been absolutely eaten alive at that table, and wouldn't have had much to say in the process. Nice commercial John, but I think you've already made your bed.

[Lonnie Allen]

At least he's offering populist mantras this time instead of just attacking. *fart*

[joekegstand]

My savings, we'll rebuild 'em. My investments, they'll grow again. Wow, I'm all set. Again, such a well thought out plan to get us back on track.

[Jonathan]

Already over it!

[Amy]

gee - the set for that ad looks awfully familiar, doesn't it? The cadence, the posture - all very very familiar....

Stoopid copy cat - I guess if your own ideas are all tanking, you might as well copy your opponent and hope nobody notices.

[Vanessa Hill]

His ad trying to seperate himself from Bush doesn't work, since he has voted along with Bush 100% of the time in 2008 and 95% of the time in 2007. Abnd his little sneer last night in regards to abortion rights was not wise.

[ferplexion]

Seems like an excellent way to depress turnout among the Republican base, giving Obama an even more commanding lead.

[Vanessa Hill]

His ad trying to seperate himself from Bush doesn't work, since he has voted along with Bush 100% of the time in 2008 and 95% of the time in 2007. Abnd his little sneer last night in regards to abortion rights was not wise.

[Joel]

John McCain and other corrupt Republicans caused the savings and loan crash in the early 1990's and now McCain is part of the Republican Culture of Corruption responsible for the current crash. They are now running a disgustingly negative campaign throwing all the mud they can. This is dangerous for our country because it brings out the crazy people seen at recent McCain-Palin rallies.

John McCain is confused, erratic, showing signs of dementia, is not looking healthy, likely to have his melanoma cancer return and is mindlessly spouting lies from his sleazy, dishonest campaign. John McCain has been in lockstep with George W Bush over 90% of the time. Another four years of Bush policies would totally destroy our country and that is what we would get with John McCain. If you believe John McCain's recent campaign lies that suddenly he would be different, then I have a Bridge to Nowhere to sell you.

Sarah Palin is clearly unqualified to be President, is a religious fundamentalist extremist who would take away a women's right to choose and would create an American Taliban reversing all the gains in civil rights. For the sake of our country, we must make sure that Barack Obama is elected President.

Having said that, Obama as President would be smart to have some moderate Republicans on his team because we are all Americans and need to work together in bipartisan fashion to solve our problems.

See http://www.Democracy-Now.us

[Joe]

I want to hear about policies, not insults! I've had it up to here with ACORN and all those other political nuts.

[Ron]

"Since a two-term cap was imposed on the presidency, three men have served in the office for a full eight years: Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton."

I assume you think the current President will fail to serve out his second term...

[McCane]

what cheesy music....zzzzzzzzzzzz

[Matt]

God forbid, one of McCain's Republican pals has to put off buying that 50 million dollar Van Gogh for his fifth mansion, while the lady who empties his trash every night has to worry about bus fare so she can get home and feed her kids. I know Joe the Plumber who makes 40K a year is appalled by the injustice of it all, like the hapless Rupert Murdoch paying a higher rate, because the poor dear works really hard for that eight billion dollar nest egg he's got stashed. And I'm sure the poor guys at AIG and others like them have really worked hard for that trillion dollars the rest of us are going to have to fork over too, so their companies don't go belly up.

[birdbrain]

All McCain has to mention is that between Obama and McCain, only one of them has ever run "against" Bush. It wasn't Obama. Obama doesn't walk the talk. McCain's been there and done that.

[LaRae]

Sorry, John... That may all have been well and good if you had chosen a decent VP, but with Sarah on your coattails, you won't get my vote whether you have the better "plans" or not - which, you don't. You should have went for substance instead of that big-mouthed beauty.

[M Jones]

As much as I try, I cannot see anything wrong with "spreading the wealth".

[Swing stater]

Perhaps McCain has had a major senior moment and FORGOTTEN THAT HE AND BUSH BELONG TO THE SAME PARTY!!!!

[Wingedbear1]

How do you spell........

DESPERATION......

[steve]

Redistribution of wealth platform by McCain is the same policy middle class had to endure for 8 years (socialist program for the rich) -- do we want to continue the redistribution of wealth to CEOs, oil companies, the wealthy under McCain? Under Bush we had redistribution of wealth from the top down putting more money in the pockets of the wealthy and less money in the pockets of middle class -- it didn’t work then and it won’t work for McCain. We have the current economic crisis as proof that eight more years of McCain’s Top Down Redistribution of wealth policy doesn't work. If that is the type of administration you want (which I'm sure the wealthy do), than vote McCain.

[gary]

Why didn't you start this ad right after the convention... stop playing Obama's game... going tit for tat over nonsense. This is the first ad I have seen that sounds like the Old McCain... If you had been running this ad and not the negative ads, you would be ahead in the poles... I hope it is not to late... Vote John McCain... and lets create the energy here!

[Miguel Cortez]

Most unfortunately more of the same. My sense is that John McCain IS the best of the Republicn lot. And, were it not for the horrible economy, his party's apparent affiliation with the "have-lots" and his record for anti-regulation in an economic climate that could've used a healthy dose of regulation for some, John McCain would be a shoo-in. Finally his time has come, but the world around him is not hospitable. Best of luck, John. I think you know that most of us, regardless of who we vote for this time, really appreciate your service.

[Jeffrey]

John McGimmick in the home stretch. Next he'll start carrying around a plumber's helper to unclog Washington and wearing jeans that show his crack.

[commoner]

Dear John McCain
I am still voting for Obama, but I think this new video will serve your campaign and your country much better.

[Brent Bourgeois]

Methinks as many or more people will be heartened as will turned off by the 'spread the wealth' comment after what has gone on over the past couple of weeks.

[lucy2008]

There is no truth out of McCain's mouth. He is a has been.

McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time the last 4 years. As my father says, "kick the bums out!". And these are more than bums, they are robber barons. The current government deficit and rescue plan and military/war spending, mean that we will be paying more taxes regardless of the candidate entering office. And if they don't charge us, they will be making our children pay and our grandchildren pay. That is the math.

I run my own small business and Senator Obama's program will favor me best. My business clears less than $250K and I do need new capital equipments. On both fronts, I'm favored by Obama's program and not McCain. His Joe Plumber rhetoric was myth-mongering and idealogue-speak.

[Lorenzo Riccordo]

If Biden is good to be a President how come in the Primary he got 0.9% and left the race in shame (twice). If Obama needs a good qualified person he should have selected HILLARY CLINTON as his running mate.

[Andrew]

McCain should donate his advertising dollars to bail out his Wall Street friends.. He's already lost the election

[Alan]

I have to judge this ad "ineffective". It's nice that he is finally addressing issues that matter, but it doesn't seem that he really has anything new to offer. It would be nice if nobody had to pay taxes, but the Republican financial policies, including the tax policies McCain wants to continue, have proved to be disastrous. His basic message seems to be "Yeah, we screwed everything up, but trust me, I'll do better from now on".
Sorry (not really), but you lost my trust a long time ago.

[Tommy]

Senator McCain is the man to bring both change and experience to the office of the Presidency. He's got the right record, he has the right courage, proven in the most difficult of personal experiences. Obama is a great salesman with no real viable actual world experience, and Biden is all too happy to ride some pop political coattails since he can't seem to mount a succesful Presidential bid himself. Go John McCain!

[RG Robins]

A very effective ad, and the kind of thing he should have been doing for some time.

I felt the debate went poorly for McCain with respect to independent voters and the broad middle of the electorate. He came across as negative, irritable and aggressive, while Obama parried well and almost always wrapped up a sequence with a positive, non-partisan, and (for the context) detailed statement of his own plan. Also, McCain--under prodding from Schieffer and pressure from extremists within his base--recited the Ayers/ACORN/PB abortion litany. Very ill-advised because Obama easily swatted them down, making McCain look rather small and petty.

Against that backdrop, ad's like this are imperative for McCain and his campaign.