New McCain Ad: “Biden”
posted at 7:40 am on August 23, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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While most of the country was asleep, one man was ready to take that 3 am text message … John McCain. At 6:06 am ET this morning, Team McCain sent out its newest television spot, welcoming Joe Biden to the race — and reminding voters what Biden thought about Barack Obama just a few months ago:
ANNCR: What does Barack Obama’s running mate say about Barack Obama?
ABC’S GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You were asked, “Is he ready?” You said, “I think he can be ready but right now, I don’t believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training.”
JOE BIDEN: I think that I stand by the statement.
ANNCR: And what does he say about John McCain?
BIDEN: I would be honored to run with or against John McCain, because I think the country would be better off.
The latter quote comes fromThe Daily Show and answers a Jon Stewart question in 2005. Stewart pressed Biden, who confirmed that he would have felt comfortable as McCain’s running mate.
The McCain campaign probably can’t believe their luck in Obama’s selection. It’s a target-rich environment full of gaffes and bad policies.
I wonder what their “Hillary” ad looked like. Maybe we’ll find out after the inauguration.
Update: Andrew Malcolm wonders about Biden’s “attack dog” credentials, too:
The McCain ad (no doubt they had ones prepared for several candidates) is called simply “Biden.” Why?
Because it features Biden himself talking about Obama (you might guess Biden once thought the freshman Illinois senator was not yet ready for primetime) standing right next to Obama, who was looking down his nose wordlessly during a Democratic debate last winter.
And the ad also features Biden talking about McCain; Biden says he’d be honored to run with or against a John McCain. Is it possible the two of them could have an elevated, respectful civil debate over the future of our foreign policy? Can a presidential candidate do that with an opposing vice presidential candidate, who’s supposed to be the attack dog?
Think we’ll be seeing a good deal more of this kind of contrast in the coming weeks?
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Not to mention bad hair.
That expression on Obama’s face is priceless.
Good work, McCain camp.
AZCoyote on August 23, 2008 at 7:43 AM
You can’t go into a Duncan Donuts without hearing a good Biden quote.
tommuck on August 23, 2008 at 7:45 AM
Sorry, MSNBC, the “women will love Joe Biden!” is a bit over the top, even for MSNBC.
Marcus on August 23, 2008 at 7:51 AM
Don’t you just want to slap that smug expression off the One’s face, at :12?
ToddonCapeCod on August 23, 2008 at 7:54 AM
They better not put away the Hillary ad just yet. Next weeks convention is going to fly apart like a Yugo at Taladega
james hooker on August 23, 2008 at 7:56 AM
I haven’t liked many of McCain’s ads, and usually when I do it’s for the wrong reasons.
But this was a good, strong ad. Short, to the point.
Keljeck on August 23, 2008 at 7:56 AM
Joe Biden:
When one lying, arrogant, insulting, race-baiting plagiarist on the ticket just isnt enough.
Chuck Schick on August 23, 2008 at 7:57 AM
Rove is running the Obama campaign.
I don’t know how he got there, but thank God he’s there.
Rove, you magnificent bastard!
jeff_from_mpls on August 23, 2008 at 7:57 AM
I’m very much hoping that’s his “debate face” and he doesn’t forget to wear it.
Marcus on August 23, 2008 at 7:58 AM
Sorry, MSNBC, the “women will love Joe Biden!” is a bit over the top, even for MSNBC.
Marcus on August 23, 2008 at 7:51 AM
Please, MSNBC, name names.
Cindy Munford on August 23, 2008 at 8:00 AM
This campaign is shaking like a Mexican space shuttle.
Chuck Schick on August 23, 2008 at 8:02 AM
This is going to be so much fun to watch with “Joe Gaffe Biden”.
jerrytbg on August 23, 2008 at 8:02 AM
Guar-on-teed failure!
Will Obama flip on Biden and throw him off the bus?
Was he against him before he was for him?
Is this not the Biden he knew?
I didn’t know there was a August fool’s day…
TinMan13 on August 23, 2008 at 8:03 AM
Kudo’s to the RNC,excellent turn around,
I heard Bidens besmirhment of Obama lack
of experience soundbites through the
evening on am radio when the news came on!
And this is a perfect example of using Bidens
own words against him!
Will Biden say thats not what he meant,on Obamas
experience, or will this be his first flip/flop!
canopfor on August 23, 2008 at 8:03 AM
I imagine what he’ll say is, “That is what I thought at the start of this campaign, but as I got to know Barack I discovered he really is the change we can believe in” or something like that.
Keljeck on August 23, 2008 at 8:06 AM
Biden is off of John McCain’s short list..
DaveC on August 23, 2008 at 8:06 AM
I’d bet between now and November 4 Mr. Biden will have to “officially apologize” to both African Americans and women. (”gaffe machine”? Mika has a confused look on her face when Joe Scarborough says that)
Marcus on August 23, 2008 at 8:09 AM
So this is the socialist democratic ticket,
Barak Hussein
OsamaObama and Joe BinLaden. How appropriate coming from the party of appeasment and defeat. Please tell me I’m not the only one to notice thisLtmousseman on August 23, 2008 at 8:10 AM
Shack!
I am shocked that the RNC was able to 1) actually react that quickly and 2) make it a hard hitting message instead of milquetoast. But, they still have plenty more chances to screw it up and let the dems get away with it…
rbb on August 23, 2008 at 8:10 AM
Heh. I knew the reason for the late announcement was to minimize the impact of this kind of ad. Anyone think effective ad will rise above the din of convention coverage?
BryanS on August 23, 2008 at 8:14 AM
A BRILLIANT ad…
…for ONE DAY AFTER the Democrat’s convention…
…is this yet another sign of Republican HUBRIS?!
Lockstein13 on August 23, 2008 at 8:15 AM
Can’t believe RNC luck! They must be in heaven. Great ad indeed. Just quote Biden, this is tooo good to be true. Rush just had a big “O”. It will be fun hear to hear his take on this pick of a V.P.!!
whsiii on August 23, 2008 at 8:20 AM
I can’t see how the Kos kids could so viciously attack Hillary for her Iraq vote and then be content with Biden. “CHANGE”, indeed – whichever way the O’s wind blows.
Marcus on August 23, 2008 at 8:24 AM
One of the reasons why McCain should NOT pick Mitt is that the Dems will run ads just like this one, with McCain & Mitt sniping at each other.
jgapinoy on August 23, 2008 at 8:30 AM
You guys are obviously missing the greater strategy here. Now Obama is sure to carry the critical swing state of Delaware.
Oldnuke on August 23, 2008 at 8:30 AM
McCain should pick a solidly pro-2nd VP, Obama now has the most gun-grabby ticket humanly possible, and gun control is a political loser.
doubleplusundead on August 23, 2008 at 8:34 AM
Biden is not going to help Obama. It’s a lousy pick.
Now, if McCain picks someone who can appeal to both conservatives and a good number of Hillary supporters, he will win the election.
Kasich would be great – especially in OH, PA, MO and MI.
forest on August 23, 2008 at 8:35 AM
The turnaround on this great ad is giving me more and more confidence in the McCain Campaign. Run it for the next month.
Dudley Smith on August 23, 2008 at 8:40 AM
I have to think the McCain campaign will run this ad during the DNC convention next week, since we know they bought air time already…
Awesome!
capricorn on August 23, 2008 at 8:41 AM
Gaffe-o-Rama/Gaffe-Machine ‘08!
Kafir on August 23, 2008 at 8:56 AM
Smack!
Think_b4_speaking on August 23, 2008 at 8:59 AM
oh no not Biden. I have only one choice now because my girl Hillary is not on the ticket. She could have influenced “Barack the naive”. So much for “change we can believe in”. Biden is just another politician “same old same old”. McCain is going to reap the benefit of Obama’s latest mistake. For me it is a matter of what direction the future president will lead our nation. The war on terror must be won by defeating the terrorists not by talking to them. Hillary would have continued GWB’s war and won, a real modern day Maggie Thatcher. BHO will either lose this war or cause it to go on for a very long time while being undecisive and negotiating our eventual defeat at the expense of the lives of our children and grandchildren. I never thought I would do it but I am supporting John McCain as the lessor of 2 evils because of his stance on the terrorists and his support of the military.
kanda on August 23, 2008 at 9:00 AM
I haven’t watched all of these spots. Do they always use the Forensic Files guy as the announcer?
Tanya on August 23, 2008 at 9:01 AM
I feel like Flounder….this is great!!!
jerrytbg on August 23, 2008 at 9:02 AM
Mac should run a Biden ad but instead of showing Biden, show that grumpy old puppet that looks like him. What’s his name? Help me out here, the ventriloquist comedian? The same guy that does “Peanut”, “Jalapeno … on a steeeeeeeeeck” and “Achmed the Dead Terrorist”.
Tony737 on August 23, 2008 at 9:08 AM
Not necessarily.
The “sniping” to which you refer cannot be compared to a VP candidate (Biden) saying HIS OWN GUY (The Obamboozler) isn’t qualified AND recommending THE OTHER GUY (McCain).
I see s sliiiiiiiiiight difference there.
On top of which, in my opinion, an incumbent Vice President Romney with 4 years experience under his belt would be a very good, formidable opponent to a losing, sagging, inexperienced Sen. Clinton in 2012…should she try again (no “Tales of the Living Dead” here, please…).
Lockstein13 on August 23, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Here’s the full Biden interview on the Daily Show:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=125441&title=joe-biden-pt,-2&tag=generic_tag_joe_biden&itemId=109872
gumble on August 23, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Tony, that’s Jeff Dunham
bbz123 on August 23, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Can’t wait for the Biden-McCain debate, since you know, Obama obviously can’t go head to head with McCain himself…
Seixon on August 23, 2008 at 9:23 AM
I’ve a feeling that the MSM Obama lackeys will be experiencing whiplash trying to twist around and spin the countless day long plethora of gaffes, goofs, faux pas and just general stupidity that will flow from this new and improved Democrat ticket.
Invest in ‘Spew screens’ and stretch tight plastic wrap now! Your keyboards and monitors will thank you later.
Who’s got the popcorn?
Jack.
Jack Deth on August 23, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Mitt for veep?
The Dems would certainly run ads with Mitt & John sniping & sneering at each other.
Mitt for veep?
We wouldn’t be able to bring up BO’s 47 flip-flops, because Mitt flipped several liberal views when he decided to run for Pres.
Mitt for veep?
He’s a Boring White Guy. BO will get millions of votes because he’s not a BWG. Let’s put Jindal or Palin on the ticket to offset some of that.
jgapinoy on August 23, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Wow! That’s gonna be a video McCain’s team will play repeatedly.
jgapinoy on August 23, 2008 at 9:32 AM
I’m not disagreeing that there would be some merit to some superficial, multi-culti approach (mostly I say, “Kiss my typical white guy’s posterior…”), though there are downsides to them, too (lack of experience, etc…).
Just saying you shouldn’t disqualify Romney.
Lockstein13 on August 23, 2008 at 9:35 AM
Yay, I’m so excited! I was hoping Biden would get the nod. He has left such a paper trail of incindiary, condescending, vitriolic remarks throughout his career that the VP announcment makes it better than the Obama/Hillary moments in time.
Almost.
Amy Proctor on August 23, 2008 at 9:44 AM
I was an early Romney supporter in the primaries, until I learned how liberal he was a Mass. gov.
Let him remain conservative for four more years, & then we’ll make him President or VP or something. His liberal past is too recent.
jgapinoy on August 23, 2008 at 9:44 AM
By the way, Obama/Biden ‘08…For a Clean, Articulate White House.
DOH!!
Amy Proctor on August 23, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Except Biden has said a lot of nice things about McCain!
jgapinoy on August 23, 2008 at 9:45 AM
lol
DaveC on August 23, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Icy Truth over at Patterico named the ticket last night before the announcement:
rhodeymark on August 23, 2008 at 9:54 AM
In answer to 8:10am – ltmousseman
rhodeymark on August 23, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Whats with the snooty nose up in the air move by “the One?”
ikez78 on August 23, 2008 at 9:58 AM
jgapinoy on August 23, 2008 at 9:44 AM
He was the Republican gov. of Mass. for goodness sakes. That’s an oxymoron in itself. I am actually good with Romney. As a matter of fact I can’t think of anybody Sen. McCain could pick that would keep me from voting for him. Although Huckabee would be torture.
Cindy Munford on August 23, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I just hope that Mac picks a decent veep, after questioning His veep. BTW, there’s no way they did this in a few hours. They probably had several done up in the last few days, for each of the possibilities. Good ad though.
bikermailman on August 23, 2008 at 10:04 AM
You all know the trailing “n” in Biden is silent, right?
drunyan8315 on August 23, 2008 at 10:04 AM
.
Looks like a moment of “That arrugula I had for lunch is not agreeing with me”.
Think_b4_speaking on August 23, 2008 at 10:05 AM
You know, speaking of Mitt, Bob Schieffer on the Early Show, yes I know I am quoting the MSM what he said made sense about Mitt. With all the talk of houses and everything, he said that he thought that Mitt would be a bad pick. Of course he did not say who would be good, but I think Portman or Kasich would be good, but I am still holding out hope for SARAH!!
ConservativePartyNow on August 23, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Agreed, but if he picks a pro-abortion VP, the sticker’s coming off of the car, & I won’t give a dime or campaign for him.
jgapinoy on August 23, 2008 at 10:15 AM
3am text message? There’s a good way to hack off 2 million people who signed up to be the first to know. They either were rudely awakened by their phone, or they woke up to the message and wall to wall coverage on TV. If I was a Barry supporter and had signed up for the text, I’d be disappointed at least.
Ordinary1 on August 23, 2008 at 10:15 AM
The One makes EVERY day a fool’s day.
Right_of_Attila on August 23, 2008 at 10:29 AM
bbz, thanks! That’s it, Jeff Dunham, but what’s the name of the grumpy old Biden-look-alike puppet? They could make some hilarious ads with him!
Tony737 on August 23, 2008 at 10:41 AM
I sincerely hope this means McCain won’t be picking Romney.
packsoldier on August 23, 2008 at 10:44 AM
It doesn’t get any better than this. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I may actually watch the D convention, just for the entertainment value! If I were on the McCain campaign staff, I’d be buying a lot more advertising time during the D convention!
rmgraha on August 23, 2008 at 10:49 AM
black racist fraud meet white racist fraud…
elduende on August 23, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Hey Biden, still think we should break Iraq up into three?
Tony737 on August 23, 2008 at 10:56 AM
I think McCains ads have been brilliant, but I would add one small quibble…
The sound cuts off too quickly after each and every one of the “money” quotes, and it moves too quickly to the end narration. This has the effect of swallowing up the most crucial part of the quote.
They need to add a half-second or even full second pause in the narration to let the quote sink in before moving on to the closing narration and disclaimer. I know this is a huge amount of time in spot design, and not always easily accomplished, but it will make the ads much more effective.
When Biden says, “The country would be better off” with John McCain, the listener should be permitted to dwell on that for a moment, before moving on. I think this spot would have been better with no ending narration at all, and with the disclaimer moved to the front, so it could just let that quote linger…
gridlock2 on August 23, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Clean / Jerk 08
Stolen from a commenter at LGF.
I think it works nicely.
kahall on August 23, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Could the whole Obama candidacy be a head fake to make Hillary palatable? I just don’t think you could script a candidate this bad with such a penchant for self-destruction.
eaglesdontflock on August 23, 2008 at 11:33 AM
We know that Biden has said nice things about McCain over the years, longtime Senate collegiality and all. Anyone know if McCain is on video saying complimentary things about Biden? (I would expect the answer is yes – McCain is well-known to be gracious to others in Congress.)
Just wondering if this will go both ways in the video-clip wars. Biden’s negative remarks about Obama are probably the strongest to use, as opposed to his positive ones about McCain.
Gilda on August 23, 2008 at 11:41 AM
There was text of an interesting speech by Biden shortly after the Iraq war started. He said that he wrote the draft of the AUMF, that it was an actual declaration of war, that most of our wars did not have declarations as such. He also said he was speaking as a constitutional scholar.
This used to be linked on his website, and seemed to have been scrubbed from such the last time I looked. Links I have googled seem to be dead or scrubbed. Does anyone else remember this?
It would seem to be difficult for Biden to have supported the war and wrote the AUMF to now reconcile his past with Obama’s anti-war stance.
punslinger on August 23, 2008 at 11:55 AM
The puppet’s name is Walter… here’s a video.
Watcher on August 23, 2008 at 12:22 PM
That would be Jeff Dunham’s sidekick, Walter.
image of Walter
heroyalwhyness on August 23, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Watcher – great minds and all. . .owe you a coke?
heroyalwhyness on August 23, 2008 at 12:23 PM
No Coke… Pepsi.
Watcher on August 23, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Perfect ad.
CP on August 23, 2008 at 12:42 PM
This Rapid Response Team is down right Clintonian. McCain has learned a few lessons over the years.
Go Johnny Go!
Mojave Mark on August 23, 2008 at 1:05 PM
JOE BIDEN…
LOL, the DemOrats keep pulling rabbits out of their colon!
byteshredder on August 23, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Oh this is sweet.
Since Barrak Obama has now refused any Town Hall debates with McCain, perhaps McCain should challenge Biden to debate.
Maybe it’s a bit over the top in rudeness, but it would push home two messages:
1: Obama is not ready to be president.
2: McCain is unafraid to debate the democrats, they are the ones running from him.
Sackett on August 23, 2008 at 2:20 PM
Obama was probably thinking, “don’t call me the first articulate & Clean African-American or i;m gonna lose it and get my wife to kick your a**”
Chakra Hammer on August 23, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Can’t wait for the ad contrasting Joe Biden’s proposal to split Iraq into three peices (Shiite, Kurd, Sunni) versus McCain’s support for the surge that worked. You can have someone from each of the three Iraqi factions talking about how they see the two different proposals.
KW64 on August 23, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Question remains…How is Senator McCain going to squelch the elitist image of his lifestyle; now that Joe won’t cut him any slack?
The cartoon says it all…!
J_Gocht on August 23, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Why Biden?
Joe on August 24, 2008 at 2:00 AM
ynot4tony2 on August 24, 2008 at 2:59 PM
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