New McCain ad: “Dr. No”
posted at 4:26 pm on June 25, 2008 by Allahpundit
Stylish, punchy, and politically smart — so long as no one looks too closely at some of Maverick’s positions here. The gas tax holiday was embraced by Hillary too, and was derided by both the left and the right as unlikely to do much to help consumers. (It hasn’t polled particularly well yet either, although that data will change as prices rise.) As for the Obama soundbite about offshore drilling not doing much to lower gas prices today, er, that’s true. And McCain himself admits it:
“In the short term I’d like to give you a little relief for the summer on the gas tax,” McCain began, referring to his controversial proposal to temporarily suspend the federal tax on gasoline. But then he made a surprisingly candid admission: “I don’t see an immediate relief, but I do see that exploitation of existing reserves that may exist — and in view of many experts that do exist off our coasts — is also a way that we need to provide relief. Even though it may take some years, the fact that we are exploiting those reserves would have psychological impact that I think is beneficial.”
Like I said a few nights ago, Palin’s strategy of emphasizing the long-term benefits of drilling is much shrewder. As it is, Obama’s already mocking him for the “psychological” line. Expect a counter-ad forthwith.
Blowback
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Funny. Smart.
John McCain, International Man of Mystery.
silverfox on June 25, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Goldfinger: “No, Mr. Bond,………. I expect you to die!”
Seven Percent Solution on June 25, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Still think you’re wrong about this. Drilling today won’t affect supply quickly, but it’s sure likely to change perceptions, and thus behavior and prices.
At what price does SA have to sell oil to get us to do nothing, and take this issue off the front pages? They’re working on that.
Will our enemies help the energy crisis go away in time for the election, in order to influence it?
JiangxiDad on June 25, 2008 at 4:33 PM
It’s a good ad.
Still, I want one in which Democrats one after another are shown saying, “We can’t drill our way out of this”, and then in large letters on the screen:
YES WE CAN!
Typhoon on June 25, 2008 at 4:34 PM
I don’t get this whole, “It will be years before we see any benefit, so we shouldn’t drill” crap.
I guess I can tell the Feds the same thing about my payroll taxes for Social Security then?
“It’ll be decades before I see any benefit from these taxes, so I’ll keep my money now thank you.”
I know, that’s what I get for thinkin…
catmman on June 25, 2008 at 4:35 PM
This has to be the slickest ad McCain has ever come out with. He needs to keep it up.
madame_bluetooth on June 25, 2008 at 4:37 PM
the left is trying to make a big deal of Katrina Oil spills in gulf after McCain said there wasn’t any offshore. apparently there were some spills, though not from the Oil rigs directly I think? mostly from onshore, refinaries and the tankers.
jp on June 25, 2008 at 4:37 PM
the psychological part is they think it would bust the Speculators bubble if we made a committment to actually drill domestically and tap into what we have. If it worked, it would lower prices immediately as the bubble popped
jp on June 25, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Even in the short term, might this have an impact on speculation?
TheUnrepentantGeek on June 25, 2008 at 4:40 PM
McCain’s utter inability to capitalize on what should be a winning position for him on energy boggles my mind.
You emphasize three points: (1) drill ANWR, coastal areas, shale oil, etc. to increase supply in the mid term (5-10 yrs); (2) nuclear power for electricity; and (3) R&D for alternative sources of energy.
But McCain won’t just come out and hammer the point home. Obama’s response — “well, gas tax holidays and drilling won’t solve our problems today” — is irrelevant because Obama doesn’t have a solution for gas prices today either. But Obama’s long term solution is to require everyone to drive less and buy a Prius. That doesn’t seem very consistent with his “yes we can” message to me.
Outlander on June 25, 2008 at 4:41 PM
What is this crap about “exploiting reserves?” How about “tapping” them?
For all you people that think we don’t have a paranoid Captain Queeg on our hands, think again.
And thanks, John, for considering giving me “relief.” Lord help us.
BigD on June 25, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Good ad. Where is it playing, what time slots, what networks? Channel 44-1, the I Love Lucy timeslot?
Limerick on June 25, 2008 at 4:46 PM
Obama is Dr. Yes to high gas prices..
Chakra Hammer on June 25, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Sorry to change the subject, but is anyone else having problems with FireFox and Hot Air? For the past couple of days I have been dumped off after a few minutes and some of the links on the right and left column are missing on some of the posts.
None of the other sites I visit do I have a problem.
right2bright on June 25, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Exactly. I heard this on the radio this morning and I tried in vain to find an example that I could link to prove my point.
The speculators would see a positive shift that would impact in the future and speculate accordingly.
While it won’t guarantee the lowering of gasoline prices the next day, it’s a hell of a lot more to look forward to than Barack Obama’s Jimmy Carter ‘wear a sweater’ mentality of the energy problems that we have now.
wise_man on June 25, 2008 at 4:49 PM
They did a site upgrade a couple days ago. Have you tried clearing your cache? Just an idea.
Limerick on June 25, 2008 at 4:49 PM
Great ad, but I agree with Obama on the tax holiday, what a waste of time and energy (is there a pun there?).
right2bright on June 25, 2008 at 4:50 PM
This is a stupid, out of context, lame, obnoxious cherry-picking piece of garbage. If the Dems made the same piece about McCain I would call it a piece of shit too. It does nothing to advance intelligent dialogue. It just keeps everybody mired in the quicksand of stupid. Next.
Dave Rywall on June 25, 2008 at 4:50 PM
No problem for me. (also using firefox) I do get some occasional problems with youtube that sound similar to yours. Hope you get it fixed.
wise_man on June 25, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Exactly, as I have posted for the past several weeks, if we made a wholesale announcement of committing to drilling and refining, the oil price would drop below $100 the next day, within weeks below $75…and the added benefit of a few speculators jumping out of windows.
right2bright on June 25, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Most of the electorate isn’t Fly-Beta-Crapra.
Limerick on June 25, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Looked like it was supposed to be a humorous video about what Obama is against.
*hands Dave Rywall a beer* Relax, dude.
wise_man on June 25, 2008 at 4:53 PM
I like that part.
wise_man on June 25, 2008 at 4:54 PM
No problems for me using FF 3.
Chakra Hammer on June 25, 2008 at 4:56 PM
It’s a no-brainer, unless you’re a presidential candidate.
“Psychological impact?” Yeah, John, that’ll go over big with people like the (American citizen) guy who cuts my lawn, and is just about to throw in the towel because he can’t make enough to cover his gas costs. He can’t spell “psychological,” but he knows how much he needs to make to feed his family, you dolt.
Nichevo on June 25, 2008 at 4:58 PM
David Frum wrote about in the late 80′s we had a speculative bubble, Oil went from around 25 a barrell to 10 bucks within a few months. a Similar percentage drop today would be great
jp on June 25, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Too bad the only people paying attention are us hardcore political junkies that already have their candidate picked out. They should save this one for TV late in the game.
JC in CA on June 25, 2008 at 4:59 PM
McCain willingly laid down with dogs and now is trying to shake the fleas off.
Buena suerte..
TexasJew on June 25, 2008 at 4:59 PM
One step forward, ten steps back:
Well, at least he’s being consistent. Amnesty, then letting all the non-citizens vote.
If, instead of a rock-ribbed Republican, John McCain was a Democrat infiltrator, how would he act any different on amnesty and voter fraud?
misterpeasea on June 25, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Is it just me, or does this ad make Obama look white (likely to prevent any accusations of “racism” by comparing Obama to a bad guy)?
That’s what I’m thinking. Mock “psychology” all you want, Obama, but it’s the study of human minds, the same things that run markets.
calbear on June 25, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Well, it isn’t a full blown anti-McCain spectacle until misterpeasea shows up.
So
nicecrappy to have you here.wise_man on June 25, 2008 at 5:04 PM
the Psychological impact is for the speculators.. Obviously..
Chakra Hammer on June 25, 2008 at 5:05 PM
What does Obama propose for the Short-term? NOTHING..
Chakra Hammer on June 25, 2008 at 5:05 PM
Er, yeah, because if I wasn’t here, McCain wouldn’t be pulling this stupid crap. Or at least, no one in America would know about it if I’d just shut up.
You’re a joke.
misterpeasea on June 25, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Here is an analogy for you B-B-Q fans:
It is 7:00AM, I am hungry.
I put a brisket on the pit.
I may have to eat a PB & J for lunch, but dinner is going to be sweet.
I just do not get why anyone would oppose drilling here now because it will not help in the short term. Are we checking out next week?
brtex on June 25, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Is it a distraction to you?
Me smells a koskiddie me thinks.
As for the ad, it made me wonder what obama’s plan is since all he ever says is what he is against.
And why is he against nuclear energy?
Wanting to know his plan for lowering gas costs and why he is against nuclear energy are intelligent questions.
ArmyAunt on June 25, 2008 at 5:08 PM
decent idea, bad audio production though.
ernesto on June 25, 2008 at 5:09 PM
The why couldn’t he just have said he thinks that tapping (not “exploiting”) those reserves would help avoid extremes in the speculation market?
The guy talks like a creep. Most of the time.
BigD on June 25, 2008 at 5:09 PM
fixed that for ya.
ArmyAunt on June 25, 2008 at 5:10 PM
David Frum wrote about in the late 80’s we had a speculative bubble, Oil went from around 25 a barrell to 10 bucks within a few months. a Similar percentage drop today would be great
jp on June 25, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Not the same world. Much less domestic production (no ANWR!!), and a frankly stupefied and suicidal electorate who seems to enjoy electing idiots who are pushing multitrillion dollar Carbon scams and globaloney.
China and India are on the move and if we don’t use Canada’s 100 billion barrel tar sand oil, they’d be happy to pay a premium for it, and have said so.
TexasJew on June 25, 2008 at 5:11 PM
That was a fantastic post, Allah! I almost thought Ed wrote it.
*snicker*
aero on June 25, 2008 at 5:12 PM
I thought your analysis of the youtube video about Obama was … wait.
You didn’t comment on the subject of this page, but you did spam us all with your anti-McCain comments. Can’t even wait for the real daily anti-McCain page here before you unload on McCain. Are you going to be around here after november if Obama wins, or are you going to leave here, with your work done. Just curious.
wise_man on June 25, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Haha, that screencap of O reminds me of the “Must not fap!” meme.
carbon_footprint on June 25, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Note to wise_man:
Last I heard, Indy conservative got 86′d. (We will not debate whether this was a good thing or not.)
Be cool.
BigD on June 25, 2008 at 5:13 PM
Slick ad, but who the hell is the target audience? There’s a generation and a half that has no idea who Sean Connery is.
Ludwig on June 25, 2008 at 5:13 PM
The worst Obama is the mocking Obama.
Intolerable.
pseudonominus on June 25, 2008 at 5:13 PM
And for the people who say that this ad does not help Michelle Obama’s kids, did you know that McCain is old?
Yeah. That video from Steve Rosenthal (HuffPo contributor) really “advances intelligent dialogue.”
wise_man on June 25, 2008 at 5:16 PM
I’m disappointed with you, _man. You’ve once again attacked me instead of defending McCain, but you haven’t called me a liar yet.
Tsk.
You’re gonna have to explain that one to me.
misterpeasea on June 25, 2008 at 5:17 PM
you’re still here? *sigh.*
wise_man on June 25, 2008 at 5:19 PM
Their commercials have improved.
irishspy on June 25, 2008 at 5:21 PM
I think that ad is pretty darn good. If they had quoted McCain too it would be unbearable. And the best part about it? Not one word about global warming.
Buy Danish on June 25, 2008 at 5:27 PM
What I thought was funny was McCain offering a plan to achieve “strategic independence” (okay) by 2025. Largely based on eliminating dependence on oil, which must have the Chinese rubbing their hands with glee.
BigD on June 25, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Hey, Obama has already told us that we can’t keep our thermostats set at 72 degrees — because the rest of the world doesn’t like it. He also told us that he wanted gas prices to go higher (just not quite as quickly as they have, because that upsets people).
Obama offers no real solutions to our energy problems, he just wants us to get used to deprivation. That’s not leadership; that’s capitulation.
Jimmy Carter, indeed.
AZCoyote on June 25, 2008 at 5:29 PM
It’ not that Obamanation doesn’t have an oil plan, it’s that he doesn’t want an oil plan! He said last week, “Oh I don’t mind the price hike, I just wish it hadn’t gone so high so fast!” (paraphrased but the gist of what he said)
He WANTS us on public transportation, and doesn’t want us going where we want, when we want!
Vntnrse on June 25, 2008 at 5:32 PM
as far as the ad is concerned (back to the topic here) even though I don’t like and don’t trust John McLame, I do like this particuar ad!
Vntnrse on June 25, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Chakra Hammer on June 25, 2008 at 5:05 PM
Come on, you know the answer to your own question…
HopenChange!
catmman on June 25, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Neither does McCain.
A recent quote from Dan Henninger at WSJ:
The goal shouldn’t be “energy independence,” a ridiculous notion in an economically integrated world. It’s about admitting the need to strike a balance between the energy and security realities of the here and now and the potentialities of the future. Some of our best and brightest want to pursue alternative energy technologies, and they should be encouraged to do so, inside market disciplines. But let’s at least stop pretending the rest of the world is going to play along with our environmentalist moralisms.
BigD on June 25, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Is that in Denmark?
wise_man on June 25, 2008 at 5:41 PM
Building nukes might be the best policy position McCain has come up with. The rest of his energy plan is pure politics – trying to be sensible, but not so sensible that he drives away independents and liberals.
Still not sure how McCain doesn’t want to drill ANWR (Alaskan Nubile Woman Republican). The oceans are less pristine?
misterpeasea on June 25, 2008 at 5:42 PM
I might be too cynical, and I don’t want to give the Left any ideas, but…
I wouldn’t be surprised if some Dem makes a big deal out of the concentric circles appearing behind Obama’s head in two places in this ad. Just sayin’…
Exurban Jon on June 25, 2008 at 5:43 PM
…. Nothing that you copied/pasted from the WSJ/Dan Henninger backs up your claim. Why is that?
wise_man on June 25, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Not bad,but I’m waiting for Dr.Strangelove
and how I didn’t want to love Obama,sh!t,
I mean the bomb! haha
There’s all kinds of video gold to be had,
I mean to be made!
canopfor on June 25, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Oh ya, Dr.Strangelove would be a perfect WOT,
Foreign policy video!
canopfor on June 25, 2008 at 5:47 PM
NO! ITS NOT! It will immediately take the speculators out of the market (and there are lots).
Andy in Agoura Hills on June 25, 2008 at 5:56 PM
What, did you want McCain to play to win Limerick? Obama has already revealed himself to be a total scoundrel by associating with Wright for so long, and others. He’s shown that he doesn’t understand most Americans by calling religion and attachment to guns merely a reaction of bitterness. Obama’s character is a very important consideration if he is to be president.
But we can’t run those ads.
kc8ukw on June 25, 2008 at 6:03 PM
Why does McCain want to contribute to global warming by drilling, anyway? He knows how big of a problem it is.
misterpeasea on June 25, 2008 at 6:29 PM
mister
peaseaappeaser on June 25, 2008 at 6:29 PMIf you hate McCain so much why are your here, other than to stir the pot?
ArmyAunt on June 25, 2008 at 6:37 PM
I’m sorry, is this a McCain-apologist-only thread? Or is it the whole site?
And I’m curious. How am I an appeaser?
misterpeasea on June 25, 2008 at 6:40 PM
I’m sorry, is this a McCain-apologist-only thread? Or is it the whole site?
misterpeasea on June 25, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Actually, Michelle Malkin’s last post indicates that she strongly agrees with you.
She hates him too.
TexasJew on June 25, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Excellent!
whitetop on June 25, 2008 at 6:57 PM
It’s really not that I hate him, it’s that I think he’s going to wreck the Republican party and do more long-term damage to the country than Bambi will.
A concept McCain apologists seem completely unable to grasp. I can’t even get them to respond intelligently. It’s all name-calling, like ArmyAunt, or worse, like _man.
misterpeasea on June 25, 2008 at 7:06 PM
Obama is the Dr. No of Energy Security
Obama is the Dr. No of National Security
Obama is the Dr. No of a vibrant Health Care System
Obama is the Dr. No of free markets
Obama is the Dr. No of …………..
Mallard T. Drake on June 25, 2008 at 7:06 PM
I can’t stomach McCain, but I will give him his props were kudos are due.
Good ad.
RobertInAustin on June 25, 2008 at 7:11 PM
LOL, yeah right. I find that hard to believe, given your history of comments here.
McCain derangement syndrome. And here I thought that only democrats suffered from this mental disorder.
.
Seems pretty obvious to me.
wise_man on June 25, 2008 at 7:21 PM
See what I mean? _man is so juvenile and incoherent, it’s entertaining. I have yet to see him post a substantive comment. Anytime anybody tries to engage him, he drops his pom-poms, sticks his fingers in his ears, and starts babbling inanities.
misterpeasea on June 25, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Actually, it was around $38 to around $8. I knew a lot of independent guys who went under.
America had actually gotten serious about weaning off, the govt and private companies started a real program to do coal to oil. The Sauds wised up and cranked up production at a time when there was much less demand, (No China and India for one thing) and it could affect things more. Bye bye alternative programs.
bikermailman on June 25, 2008 at 7:35 PM
I think it would cause dramatic downward pressure on oil prices that would be seen very quickly without ever even sending a boat into the water. I would predict a $40 drop in 6 weeks following the approval of drilling in ANWR and the OCS.
Wise Golden on June 25, 2008 at 9:14 PM
Agreed! What is wrong with McCain? It’s like he WANTS to lose. Or perhaps is this the MSM only reporting his gaffes?
gxpgxp on June 25, 2008 at 9:32 PM
I agree with this! The only reason I have SLIGHLTY softened on McLame is because he is willing to at least consider drilling here….
But I’m still holding my breath and I expect to be a loooong time gone before McLame actually makes a decision that I might possibly agree with!
Vntnrse on June 26, 2008 at 1:34 AM
I think this is a terrible ad which wastes a golden opportunity.
The ad is all-Obama, so that the impression you get (if you’re only half-listening like most viewers) is OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA!
As it is, the ‘Dr. No’ point is made very weakly and not very memorably. And what about the people who’ve never seen a James Bond movie? The ‘Dr. No’ character needs to be introduced and defined within the ad in order to be effective: this could be done by presenting a series of conflicting McCain/Obama energy positions presented as “YES vs NO”.
The ad should show McCain and end with his smiling face to leave a lasting impression. (voice-over something like: “This great country put a man on the moon. CAN we achieve energy independence within this decade? Of course!! We have the resources…we just need new leaders who won’t say NO!)
To be effective, the ad should be about McCain…it should draw contrasts between (for instance) ENERGY PRODUCTION (McCain smiling and looking forward into the distance) and ENERGY OBSTRUCTION (Obama frowning and looking down or backward with a red slash through his face).
As it is, I think this ad is a waste of money: it only preaches to the choir of existing McCainiacs and is not effective in changing minds or getting additional voters on board.
landlines on June 26, 2008 at 1:37 AM
Oh my goodness… now O hates French nuclear power!
T J Green on June 26, 2008 at 4:12 AM
I think someone in here said this, not sure, but to put into perspective the Obama/McCain choice for President is like choosing between 4 sccops of dog shidt in your milkshake (Obama) or one scoop of dog shidt (McCain).
Either way, its a shidtty milkshake.
44Magnum on June 26, 2008 at 5:08 AM
OMG! Obama’s in black/white, raaaaaacist ad!
Not that well produced, really, and do they expect anyone to believe that Obama is not in favor of electric cars?
Seixon on June 26, 2008 at 8:18 AM
Absolutely right.
And “electric cars” are a diversion anyway. While electric drive may have some benefits, electric energy storage is remarkably inefficient and wasteful (and better solutions have been developed, such as pneumatic). And the “enviromentalists” seem not to know where electricity comes from (HINT: It has to be GENERATED….with FUEL!!!).
Lesson: DON’T LET POLITICIANS PICK TECHNOLOGICAL WINNERS AND LOSERS!!! They should focus on the large goal (i.e: efficiency) and leave the choice of technology to the scientists and the marketplace!! To do otherwise just gets us silly, dysfunctional solutions and stifles new initiatives and real progress.
landlines on June 26, 2008 at 11:33 AM