McCain’s mystery ad to Obama revealed: Congratulations; Update: “We wish more of his ads took that tone,” says Team Barry
posted at 4:40 pm on August 28, 2008 by Allahpundit
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McCain says: “Senator Obama, this is truly a good day for America. Too often the achievements of our opponents go unnoticed. So I wanted to stop and say, congratulations. How perfect that your nomination would come on this historic day. Tomorrow, we’ll be back at it. But tonight Senator, job well done.”
Not just classy but shrewd, as it’ll buy back some of the goodwill he may have squandered over the past month by hitting Obama so hard. McCain’s done an admirable job during the campaign of trying to rehabilitate the GOP’s image on race to what little extent he can, made more admirable by the fact that in this year of all years it won’t do him any good with black voters. I’m relieved my prediction was wrong and our e-mailer’s was right.
Update: Here’s the video. Belated exit question: Which nutroots blogger will be the first to call him “patronizing”?
Update: One other shrewd aspect to this is that if Obama attacks him in the speech, it makes him look ungracious.
Update: The Obama camp grumbles an obligatory thank you.
Obama campaign manager David Plouffe — who did not know the content of the ad until we read him the script — just told us that the McCain ad is “a very nice gesture. We wish more of his ads took that tone, but it’s a very nice gesture.”
Plouffe said the Obama campaign would run a similar ad next week congratulating McCain on his nomination.
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Disturb the Universe on August 28, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Yeah, but there’s no way it could not have leaked out. Plus, AP’s right. Any attack on McCain will be seen as looking ungracious.
Right now, Obama’s speechwriters are probably doing some massive editing right now if possible. Otherwise, Obama will need to work without the teleprompter at times – which can only give Ed and AP more material to post at HA.
pt on August 28, 2008 at 5:11 PM
Where are all of Obamas relatives? We saw Michelles brother but non of BHOs. Where are BHOs white relatives? His white mom and grandma? His African brothers, aunts and uncles?
Is he ashamed of them?
Is he hiding them?
roninacreage on August 28, 2008 at 5:11 PM
Who is the candidate that is the “unifier”? Who is the one that is trying to rise above partisan politics? Not Barry, that is for sure.
Mallard T. Drake on August 28, 2008 at 5:12 PM
A fine ad from a good man.
JAM on August 28, 2008 at 5:13 PM
Maybe they will loiter around those columns tonight.
Brat on August 28, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Totally wrong.
upinak on August 28, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Isn’t Obama’s mother dead?
Disturb the Universe on August 28, 2008 at 5:14 PM
McCain has 1000 times more class than Obama could ever hope to have! I hopw this ad stands in stark contrast to Obama’s attacks tomight.
davenp35 on August 28, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Well Played.
- The Cat
MirCat on August 28, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Democrats will find a way to take the ad out of context and accuse McCain of been a racist.
pukara61 on August 28, 2008 at 5:16 PM
roninacreage on August 28, 2008 at 5:11 PM
I saw Obama’s white uncle. Did you miss that?
bridgetown on August 28, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Are you calling McCAin a snob, davenp?
He has the manners that only $100,000,000 can buy?
alphie on August 28, 2008 at 5:18 PM
It’s brilliant, actually. Obama’s speech writers are frantically rewriting their McCain trash talk so as not to look like complete heels when this ad comes on. O! has little time to rehearse. A masterstroke.
jdpaz on August 28, 2008 at 5:18 PM
Tonight is not a manifestation of MLK’s dream; it’s quite the opposite. It is not the content of Barack’s character that will make him the official nominee in a few hours. The color of his skin pigment is the only reason.
Buck Farack on August 28, 2008 at 5:18 PM
Has the Obama camp responded to this?
McCain ad questioned as word ‘HANG’ appears over image of Barack Obama
If they’re smart, they won’t even go near it.
ganeshpuri89 on August 28, 2008 at 5:19 PM
Oh, yeah. This was slick.
drjohn on August 28, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Why would he be ashamed of them? What is so wrong with them in your mind that they need be shunned?
Where were Cindy McCain’s sisters? Obama’s African relatives are just as related as Cindy McCain’s estranged/abandoned ones.
I could care less about there families. My point here is that we need to watch the darts we throw. We have equal issues around every corner.
I’m sure you’ll disagree. You will be correct in your mind.
***
I think it is the height of presumption to assume facts not in evidence about peoples’ families. I have NEVER met anyone who was ashamed of their mom.
The Race Card on August 28, 2008 at 5:22 PM
Has the Obama camp responded to this?
McCain ad questioned as word ‘HANG’ appears over image of Barack Obama
If they’re smart, they won’t even go near it.
ganeshpuri89 on August 28, 2008 at 5:19 PM
Oh please, it’s the middle of Obama’s CHANGE slogan!
Disturb the Universe on August 28, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Very slick. Reminds people a little that McCain has been the one to reach out in bipartisanship. Obama never has.
And if Obama does the same, it’ll just be, “Me, too.
But that’s the problem when the Dems helpfully schedule their convention first.
Wethal on August 28, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Pam Anderson’s kids aren’t old enough yet.
marklmail on August 28, 2008 at 5:24 PM
:::snort:::
baldilocks on August 28, 2008 at 5:25 PM
At least we can count on *lph** to give us the smarmy nutroots view right here.
John McCain has class and dignity.
That’s something I fear his opponent lacks.
MrScribbler on August 28, 2008 at 5:25 PM
It’s not just that McCain graciously acknowledges and salutes Obama for his historic accomplishment. The ad itself is historic. I don’t recall any such good natured congratulations being issued in the history of presidential politics, at least in my memory.
I am still in awe.
Loxodonta on August 28, 2008 at 5:25 PM
And with one shrewd ad McCain’s reset the debate. They can’t attack him now for “attack” ads. Which means Obama has to confront him on the issues, Obama’s weakest point, or go back on the attack (which tarnishes his halo).
Skywise on August 28, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Ahh, check under the bus. :)
poxoma on August 28, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Obama wants McCain to worship the one TOO??
Elizabetty on August 28, 2008 at 5:27 PM
“We wish more of his ads took that tone”
He’s running AGAINST you. But you knew that. Glad you could make yourself look like an ass while McCain comes off with class.
bridgetown on August 28, 2008 at 5:28 PM
refresh needs to work…
upinak on August 28, 2008 at 5:28 PM
What complete arses!! They need to say “Thank you” to Senator McCain and that is it.
How do they respond to his gracious ad? SNARK
Elizabetty on August 28, 2008 at 5:29 PM
wa wa waaaa…….
we wish he would just concede already….
…freaken babies!
elraphbo on August 28, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Restart whatever browser you’re using. Completely exit (use CTL/ALT/DEL to bring up Task Manager to make sure it completely shut the program down) and try again.
If that doesn’t work, restart your computer.
If THAT doesn’t work, I’m outta ideas.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 28, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Ha. I bet you do since he’s steadily moving up.
Spirit of 1776 on August 28, 2008 at 5:30 PM
And this after the Baracky campaign issued their pretort to the ad without knowing its content, declaring it unfair, insulting and underhanded.
How big a foot does Baracky have and will it easily come out of his mouth?
Bishop on August 28, 2008 at 5:30 PM
What is the eats thing?
Spirit of 1776 on August 28, 2008 at 5:31 PM
“Job well done”!
Am I really the only one trying to feel guilty about laughing because what seems so gracious of McCain here can also be seen as twisting the knife in Clinton’s back?
The job Obama has done so well, after all, is lead the Democratic party further into the wilderness – further from core American values, further from the rational frameworks of sensible policies, and further down the path to overwhelming electoral defeat.
Paul Murphy on August 28, 2008 at 5:31 PM
bathtub boy who else
Mojack420 on August 28, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Spirit of 1776 on August 28, 2008 at 5:31 PM
LoL…I think he’s chomping popcorn
bridgetown on August 28, 2008 at 5:32 PM
On etiquette, Obama must imitate as he himself has no class.
maverick muse on August 28, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Paul Murphy on August 28, 2008 at 5:31 PM
I think you think too much.
The ad is quite simple, really.
bridgetown on August 28, 2008 at 5:33 PM
I wonder if Vittorio Storaro was the Director of Photography for this ad, because he sure seems to have been lit like Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now.
YYZ on August 28, 2008 at 5:33 PM
alphie, you have no idea how much we appreciate you enhancing the stereotype of a typical nutrooter. I wonder how many independents and conservative donks lurking at HA read what you post and decide to go GOP ’cause they don’t want to be in the tent with you. Keep it up,..please. Or, if you are working undercover for the McCain campaign, congratulations on a job well done!
a capella on August 28, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Disturb the Universe:
I remember that. I was a freshman at IU when the rumor about Paul being dead started going around. We were listening to his albums backwards. A bunch of my friends got me to call London, some record producer’s office..just to ask if Paul was dead. The secretary very nicely told me that I was daft. She was nice, really. And more than a little mystified at the call.
Terrye on August 28, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Skywise on August 28, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Spot on, and coming on the heels of McCain’s “Remote” ad, I still say his campaign commercial people need to get a huge raise.
Bishop on August 28, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Actually, both parties long ago agreed that the party who currently occupies the White House would always go last.
crazy_legs on August 28, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Fearless prediction: McCain will be accused of playing the race card for mentioning this historic day–i.e., the anniversary of MLK’s speech.
daryl_herbert on August 28, 2008 at 5:34 PM
uhh why?
monkey see monkey do?
(oops was that racist)
damn is nothing sacred…
elraphbo on August 28, 2008 at 5:34 PM
You’re the fourth or fifth person today to ask….
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/28/mccain-to-air-ad-tonight-directly-addressing-obama/comment-page-3/#comment-1346212
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 28, 2008 at 5:34 PM
alphie:
Look who’s talking. sheesh.
Terrye on August 28, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Pizza actually, equally festive but more filling. :)
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 28, 2008 at 5:35 PM
elraphbo on August 28, 2008 at 5:34 PM
ha…if anything…it’s funny to make monkeys spend money they didn’t plan on spending.
bridgetown on August 28, 2008 at 5:35 PM
And alphie shows up as scheduled to try and get noticed. It makes you wonder if even the fever swamp denizens of KOS and TP have kicked him out.
Bishop on August 28, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Ya been hoodwinked…ya been bamboozled…..
The bell tolls for thee Obama…..
DeweyWins on August 28, 2008 at 5:36 PM
It is the new tone that has worked so well for conservatism over the last 8 years.
Keep up the good work, McCain.
Valiant on August 28, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Maybe McCain has taken his campaign back from Rove, Terrye?
I doubt it.
I have a feeling that he’s gonna jump right back in the gutter after the joke that will be the Republican convention.
alphie on August 28, 2008 at 5:38 PM
I’ll bet they do. Wait’ll the Wright ads hit ground.
Chuck Schick on August 28, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Not only did MLK give his speech on this day but Henry Hudson discovered Delaware Bay.
Biden is a senator from Delaware.
Spooky.
Think about it.
Bishop on August 28, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Super post, Alphie.
Chuck Schick on August 28, 2008 at 5:40 PM
I bet this was McCains idea, whereas Obama is being told by his team that he’ll need to do it as well. Good move.
ctmom on August 28, 2008 at 5:40 PM
One thing is for certain, the Republicans don’t need to use acclamation to avoid embarrassment, alphie.
Enough said.
fossten on August 28, 2008 at 5:45 PM
Escalation.
We start carrying semi-automatics, they buy automatics. We start wearing Kevlar…they buy armor-piercing rounds. First it was “My Collie says” And you’re wearing a mask… and jumping off rooftops. Take this guy. Calls himself a Grue. and ‘Eats’ after every comment.
A Grue is from Zork 1 and ‘eating’ is what happens when a lost traveler ventures into the underworld, who’s lantern went out and left him in the pitch back darkness.
wise_man on August 28, 2008 at 5:47 PM
It’s called honor, folks. Plain and simple as that. Up until about 1946, victorious generals would often honor their defeated foes with gracious praise. U.S Grant did it with Lee at Appomattox. Helped start the long healing process.
McCain may be many things, but his whole core being is about honor.
trailboss on August 28, 2008 at 5:47 PM
…And the anticipated snub from Team O has arrived!
Melchiz on August 28, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Oh, After they’ve been saying this today when news of an ‘announcement’ broke:
One tin soldier rides away.
MayBee on August 28, 2008 at 5:48 PM
You and the rest of the right done wiping the egg off your face for pushing Rove’s phony Democratic disunity talking point, foss?
Even the Bitter Bumpkins, who know no shame, have rosy cheeks after the Dems lovefest.
alphie on August 28, 2008 at 5:48 PM
wise_man on August 28, 2008 at 5:47 PM
I’m a big dummy. I thought he was playing on the non-stop comments by people stocking up on popcorn!
bridgetown on August 28, 2008 at 5:48 PM
What is this sportsmanship crap before Hamilton and Burr duel to the death?
McCain, your losing your mojo bro.
It is a historic event, that the USA is officially having a political party nominate a socialist as their candidate.
Excuse me while I hurl.
TheHat on August 28, 2008 at 5:48 PM
One tin soldier rides away.
MayBee on August 28, 2008 at 5:48 PM
The guy doesn’t know that the Media is the one trying to “Out” the VP, not McCain and his camp.
I do hope they are able to keep it under wraps.
bridgetown on August 28, 2008 at 5:50 PM
I can’t tell if this was intended to be a snipe at me or not, but I couldn’t help but crack up. Nicely done.
Nail on the head, good sir.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 28, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Tell it to his first wife, trailboss.
alphie on August 28, 2008 at 5:50 PM
TheHat on August 28, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Doesn’t matter his philosophy. His skin is black. That’s the story.
bridgetown on August 28, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Alphie,
About McCain’s 1st wife:
Do you know her? Have you spoken to her? Do you have some insight into their union that we don’t know about? Do tell.
errrr, or give it up.
bridgetown on August 28, 2008 at 5:52 PM
Whoa. I’ve got commenting fever!
bridgetown on August 28, 2008 at 5:52 PM
This is Rovian in brilliance
hot-heir on August 28, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Not a snipe. Just ‘Escalation.’
Besides, you’re not supposed to be in the attic.
wise_man on August 28, 2008 at 5:53 PM
How original.
Seixon on August 28, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Yeah. That’s completely out of my frame of reference. I don’t get it, but that’s not one of those things I care about so I’m fine :)
Re: the collie. Those are great because they are always jokes or ironic statements. I vote pro-collie.
Spirit of 1776 on August 28, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Plenty of POWs came back from Vietnam and managed to avoid violating their wedding vows, bridge.
The way McCain is milking his POW time, you’d think he was one of the American heroes who gave their lives in Vietnam.
alphie on August 28, 2008 at 5:54 PM
Class Act!
Too bad it leaked, though. Now, The One will be able to fine tune his message to the moonbats.
FugginBastid on August 28, 2008 at 5:54 PM
That’s because Cindy Sheehan’s son is not alive.
fossten on August 28, 2008 at 5:54 PM
Would that be anything like John Kerry’s first wife? And he was a good catholic and had his marriage annulled. So where did that leave his two daughters before he married Ms. Ketchup?
Don’t answer that. I know you don’t have an answer to that question.
wise_man on August 28, 2008 at 5:54 PM
A hollow voice says ‘Fool‘
xyzzy on August 28, 2008 at 5:54 PM
Liberals whine about fidelity.
Bill Clinton drifts through the room but don’t pay attention to him, there is a point to be made.
Bishop on August 28, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Stop trying to judge other people’s divorces. YOu know NOTHING of their marriages. Perhaps the poor wives that were left were the ones that came up with the idea of being left!
Don’t underestimate the minds of women.
;)
bridgetown on August 28, 2008 at 5:57 PM
waaaaaaahhhhhhh
-Team Obama
funky chicken on August 28, 2008 at 5:57 PM
She’s has had nice things to say about him (a contrast to yourself, ironically).
Spirit of 1776 on August 28, 2008 at 5:57 PM
Only if the light is on.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 28, 2008 at 5:58 PM
oof
funky chicken on August 28, 2008 at 5:58 PM
It’s sad to say but this is the plain unvarnished truth. The only other necessary condition is that he is of the Left. If this were Mike Steele, the only thing you would hear from liberals would be yawns. And perhaps Emil Jones yelling “Uncle Tom.” The Democratic Party: Where a man is measured by his skin color.
George Orwell on August 28, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Excellent. Then tomorrow, let ‘er rip.
petefrt on August 28, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Alphie, dead people can’t milk POW time. They can’t do much of anything. See, when you’re dead, you’re not alive.
Chuck Schick on August 28, 2008 at 6:00 PM
Keep shooting at the wrong target, wise.
Might as well, looks like Obama wrapped up his win today.
alphie on August 28, 2008 at 6:00 PM
George Orwell on August 28, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Yes, when I typed, “doesn’t matter the philosophy. his skin is black..”……I realized just how shallow..how hollow that rang…..sad, huh?
Wasn’t the “DREAM” to be judged by CHARACTER and NOT Skin color?
bridgetown on August 28, 2008 at 6:01 PM
hehehehehehe
funky chicken on August 28, 2008 at 6:01 PM
How can he do that if the election is in 2 months? Does he have some sort of a time machine, Alphie?
Chuck Schick on August 28, 2008 at 6:02 PM
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