Video: A new McCain spokesman for Obama’s unreadiness
posted at 8:05 am on August 28, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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John McCain went to the vault from the Democratic primaries and found a treasure trove of comments from Democrats on the unreadiness of Barack Obama to lead the nation. It includes the comments we’ve seen before from Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, but adds Chris Dodd and others — including perhaps the most effective spokesman:
You know, I am a believer in … in knowing what you’re doing when you apply for a job. Uh, and I think that … if I were seriously to consider running on a national ticket, I would essentially have to start now, before having served a day in the Senate. Now there may be some people who are comfortable doing that, but I am not one of those people. — Barack Obama, 2004
This spot thus far is only a web video, but I would expect to see more of that last clip featured in McCain ads in the general campaign. They want to make the case that Obama isn’t just asking himself to leave his comfort zone, but the entire nation. He did end up beginning his run for the White House very early in his first year in the Senate, before he had an idea how to do the job he had just won for himself, let alone learn anything about military strategy and tactics, foreign policy, or executive leadership.
Presidential candidates get lots of criticism about policy stances during primaries that can be replayed as negative ads by their opponents. This, however, is different. It underscores Obama’s unreadiness, his unqualified status to assume the highest office in the country — and Obama himself makes that case.
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Uh umn um y’know I gained a lot of experience during my faith healing rallies that started shortly after that video…..
-Messiah the Lightworker
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 8:06 AM
Clearly, not the person I thought I knew.
moxie_neanderthal on August 28, 2008 at 8:12 AM
hold me, i am scared
custer on August 28, 2008 at 8:12 AM
nicely done -
defendfaithandfamily on August 28, 2008 at 8:13 AM
I’m scared too. That there are enough lemmings out there to put this guy in the White House.
wepeople on August 28, 2008 at 8:17 AM
That was before he realized he was the messiah…you are never ready until God calls you. What experience did Moses have? What experience did Jesus have, he never even had a church, synagogue or temple? For all we know, earth may have been God’s first planet, what experience did he have?
Obama was called by the people, and he shall lead them to the light…thus sayeth Obama, it has been said, it shall be done.
right2bright on August 28, 2008 at 8:17 AM
I was wondering how long it would take McCain’s folks to pan this little nugget.
Obama is fool’s gold, but I can’t help but worry about Juan’s veep pick.
pugwriter on August 28, 2008 at 8:19 AM
Well done indeed, but maybe the background video could use some editing.
Buy Danish on August 28, 2008 at 8:19 AM
Great ad. McCain’s ads have gotten better and better. What a refreshing thing!
Reaganite84 on August 28, 2008 at 8:20 AM
Wow. Nice. Very nice.
Who on the McCain team finally bought a clue?
S. Weasel on August 28, 2008 at 8:20 AM
I love the look on Obambi’s face when Biden confirms his statement about him not being ready. It looks like the model for that HOPE-DOPE-NOPE poster. Its actually a result of public humiliation isn’t it?
ctmom on August 28, 2008 at 8:20 AM
Slam dunk.
SouthernGent on August 28, 2008 at 8:21 AM
that is a good one…
jbnyc on August 28, 2008 at 8:23 AM
Thing that gets me is that you can tell the vast majority of Democrats think that B.O. is going to be something of a schlep as President, yet at the same time, they are all falling behind him like good little mindless tin soldiers. Only thing refreshing this time is I am actually seeing Democrats stepping out and saying they would rather vote for McCain than they would B.O. and most likely will this fall.
pilamaye on August 28, 2008 at 8:24 AM
I have to hand it to McCain’s people, conservative interest groups, and others who have been putting these videos out.
The Dark Lord opens his mouth and says something dumb (but I repeat myself), and three hours later they release an eye-catching, snappy, funny, and above all devastating response.
__________
RJGatorEsq. on August 28, 2008 at 8:26 AM
I remember thinking to myself when I saw that interview – “This guy is going to be a tough candidate for anyone to beat when he’s ready to run in 2012~2020″ He had a plan, but got pulled off script by his worshippers. Good for U.S., too bad for him.
TubbyHubby on August 28, 2008 at 8:32 AM
VERY GOOD! THIS NEEDS TO GET PLAYED IN EVERY STATE. ALL
50UUUUHHH, 57.Mercy4Me on August 28, 2008 at 8:35 AM
Someone remarked on the improvement in McCain’s ads.
How ’bout it? Remember that goofy “Dr. No” ad? I was embarrassed for them. I was convinced that I’d have to vote in November with a brown paper bag over my head after that ad. Pending his VP pick, I may still have to wear that bag, but we’ll see.
BuckeyeSam on August 28, 2008 at 8:37 AM
It was the press, and the true believers who screwed the guy up. I was a lot more afraid of who Messiah the Lightworker could have been than who he is now. In a saner America I would not be afraid of him at all. I suspect his true name is something like Carter McGovern-International Man of Mystery!
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 8:37 AM
This ad is tremendous. It is great. Use the dumb and dim libs own words.
Obama: “I, uuuuuhhhhhh, didn’t mean uuuhhh that uuuhhh uhhhh yeah.”
jencab on August 28, 2008 at 8:37 AM
B. Hussain Obama is ready and a perfect choice,
if “GODDAMN! America” is our goal
TheSitRep on August 28, 2008 at 8:37 AM
Run it every hour, on the hour, on every network. Alot of people, and all liberals, have thick heads and need to be beat upside it with this.
peacenprosperity on August 28, 2008 at 8:40 AM
Devastating.
McCain’s ads are more effective than McCain.
I only hope his creative/marketing team can keep hammering Barack Hussein Obama for another 68 days.
persuader on August 28, 2008 at 8:41 AM
……..above my pay grade.”
try again later on August 28, 2008 at 8:41 AM
People keep forgetting this is our first Affirmative Action president. Huzzah!!!
If you keep digging for qualities and experience, you are looking in the wrong place. Join Chris Matthews and the rest of Camelot in reveling with black skin as the candidate.
Hening on August 28, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Further proof that The Peter Principal is alive and well, and still a valid premise.
But then they go and highlight the vacuous nature of their ticket by adding Biden to the equation.
New bumper sticker: The Void/The Vacuous/08
Yoop on August 28, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Trim it down, emphasize Obama’s own comments, propagate across the land, win. Easy.
Seixon on August 28, 2008 at 8:44 AM
McCains people need to play this on national tv starting about Oct 1st. In all markets and regions. McCains team is starting to impress me more and more. DD
Darvin Dowdy on August 28, 2008 at 8:45 AM
This is not the Barack Obama I knew
shaunak on August 28, 2008 at 8:46 AM
If this ad was played for the next two months, McCain would win.
Star20 on August 28, 2008 at 8:50 AM
Somebody once speculated that ‘08 was supposed to be just a trial run for Obama. A chance for him to get his feet wet, and start building relationships for the real run in 2012 or 2016. (Depending on who won this year.)
It caught everyone by surprise (especially Hillary), when he started winning.
It also shows the weakness and general ineptitude of the rest of the Democratic pack. Not to mention the fascination the average Democratic voter has with symbolism over substance. That they would rather feel good, than do good.
MarkTheGreat on August 28, 2008 at 8:50 AM
He appears less like the Messiah and more like Icarus.
Pam on August 28, 2008 at 8:51 AM
Blam! Direct hit!
mr.blacksheep on August 28, 2008 at 8:52 AM
I like the stile of this one better than the others. It is more subtle without narration.
Count to 10 on August 28, 2008 at 8:56 AM
Well said.
fossten on August 28, 2008 at 8:59 AM
SCHWEEEEEEEEET!!!
This ad need’s immediate airplay…EVERYWHERE!!
Not only do we have the delicious irony of him basically calling himsef uppity and presumptuous, but he also does it in his own special, inimitable, Wizard of Uhhs fashion!!
I can hear him now: “Barack disappoints me; that’s not the Barack I knew for all those years…”
RocketmanBob on August 28, 2008 at 9:01 AM
What has Obama ever done that makes anyone think he can do what he says he can do?
drjohn on August 28, 2008 at 9:01 AM
In 2004 BO threw himself under the bus….
jbh45 on August 28, 2008 at 9:02 AM
This is great stuff to drive home the message that Obama is unqualified.
With a few commercials on how John McCain will address energy, was right on the Iraq surge & Russia, etc. it becomes a strong case the Obamaniacs cannot answer.
Right_of_Attila on August 28, 2008 at 9:02 AM
Gold? Hell, this is platinum!!!!
Yakko77 on August 28, 2008 at 9:02 AM
He ran an afterschool make-activity daycare center for teens dammit!
At least as noteworthy as having been Squadron Commander of the largest peacetime AirWing in the Navy for leadership!
//sarc
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 9:03 AM
BOOM!
Get it on the air right after his speech tonight.
WisCon on August 28, 2008 at 9:05 AM
It has been pointed out that if McCain picks Romney as VP, the Dems will play the same game and use clips from the GOP debates. Sure, there were some nasty moments between Romney and McCain – epecially during the debate in Simi Valley – and the Obama campaign will have some fun with that. But this won’t be as effective as the recent McCain ads.
1) Romney hasn’t praised Obama in the same way as Hillary praised McCain and 2) Romney has never said that McCain is not ready to be president.
infidel65 on August 28, 2008 at 9:08 AM
In the words of the dishonorable K. Olberdouche: Pitch Perfect!
CliveClone on August 28, 2008 at 9:09 AM
also one other thought….
if they do try to play tit for tat it in fact legitimizes the entire thrust of McCain’s line of airplay…..
as you have pointed out that is hardly a winning tack for team Obiden since truth be told they have no clip of John McCain disqualifying himself…..
This ad blitz cannot possibly lose.
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Ouch. I almost feel sorry for Obama after watching the ad. Oh well the Democrats made him the nominee.
If Obama loses someone has to have a camera on Bill Clinton when it happens.
Theworldisnotenough on August 28, 2008 at 9:12 AM
I believe it’s more than refreshing pragmatism when any individual is capable of accurately analyzing the nature of their life experience and areas that require changes, reevaluation and improvement.
There is however; much need for very serious concern, when an individual is not cognizant of his or her own inadequacies.
J_Gocht on August 28, 2008 at 9:12 AM
This is Hillary’s press release after the little snippet of Hillary saying Obama has only given a speech.
right2bright on August 28, 2008 at 9:13 AM
I like the little static as the scene changes, kind of like changing the channel on a really old TV set. This sort of thing has been used effectively to appeal to younger people.
Kafir on August 28, 2008 at 9:14 AM
Wow best ad EVAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tottoritodd on August 28, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Obama fancies himself Zeuz when in reality he is Achilles. Keep attaching his “heel”; he’s going down.
Disturb the Universe on August 28, 2008 at 9:16 AM
I agree. While it’s gratifying to see these ads, I will exhale after the Veep selection.
Dariaanne on August 28, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Is it on YouTube?
WisCon on August 28, 2008 at 9:20 AM
AWESOME!
zmrzlina on August 28, 2008 at 9:24 AM
WEPEOPLE!
You got that right. We must not fall asleep,think we´ve got it in the bag, or march off in a huff and pull the lever for ANY third choice. You guys out there who are bound and determined to vote your ¨conscience¨ and pull that lever for your favorite Perot or Nader, remember what happened in the past when idiots stood on phony assed principals, and tossed their country into the toilet.
THIS SON OF A BITCH CAN STILL BEAT US!
james hooker on August 28, 2008 at 9:24 AM
There’s an interview Obama did after he won his Senate seat, when he was constantly being asked about any plans to run for president, in which Obama said no, of course he would not be running for president in 2008, because he would not be qualified to be the president in 2008.
The McCain people need to find and use that quote.
AZCoyote on August 28, 2008 at 9:25 AM
Boom! goes the dynamite. This is grand slam of a political ad. I understand the desire to hit the networks with this immediately, but I really think they need to hold it for October.
holygoat on August 28, 2008 at 9:26 AM
I’d make that a TV spot and start running it right away. Absolutely devastating….
changer1701 on August 28, 2008 at 9:28 AM
One can never dispute the ‘in their own words’ clips.
Unless you belong to the DNC. Then the next statement out of your mouth is “what I meant to say…”
madmonkphotog on August 28, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Yup.
Yakko77 on August 28, 2008 at 9:33 AM
He threw himself under his own bus.
LibTired on August 28, 2008 at 9:34 AM
An electoral JDAM baby! Good spot.
CP on August 28, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Oh, my. That’s going to leave an ugly mark.
Thank heaven.
Jaibones on August 28, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Strong,precise,and lays the case of Obama’s inexperience right out there for all to see without over the top rhetoric.
Watching that video and listening to the Clinton’s,Biden’s, other democrats,and Obama himself make this case and then go to their convention and say the total opposite within months
of each other displays yet again what a sell out to political power at any cost the democratic party has become.
Baxter Greene on August 28, 2008 at 9:58 AM
great ad, hope it runs on tv
trailortrash on August 28, 2008 at 10:01 AM
I’m not much of a McCain fan at all (I will suck it up and vote for him over the messiah). I gotta give credit where it is due, that ad was excellent. Obviously, it will need to be trimmed down for TV but I would expect that it will run for the general.
batter on August 28, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Affirmative Action for presidential candidates is a very bad idea. I totally understand that people would really like to put the racial divide behind us and vote for a non-white not-necessarily-male presidential nominee, but just like putting an unprepared high school graduate into UC Berkeley or Harvard, if they don’t have the skills they can’t keep up. In college the worst that can happen is the the kids washes out. The consequences for the presidential election will be much more dire.
Bob's Kid on August 28, 2008 at 10:10 AM
I, went to the vault for some of John McCain’s recent statements concerning the war in Iraq and found a treasure trove of comments from the horses own mouth; that illustrate his unreadiness to lead the nation as Commander–In-Chief.
Saint Mc confuses Sunni and Shiite in Iraq….
Then he pulls the same rabbit out a different hat on the floor of the Senate…?
Then he repeats more of the same silliness on his favorite venue, Faux News.
How confused was he when he said…”We’re all Georgians’ today…”
Beejeebus…can we put this the guy in charge of the “football” as CIC…?
J_Gocht on August 28, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Too bad this can’t be played at commercial breaks during Barack’s acceptance speech.
fdldd on August 28, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Obama will have to throw himself under the bus.
Sue on August 28, 2008 at 10:31 AM
“That is not the Obama I knew.”
Sue on August 28, 2008 at 10:32 AM
This is a great ad. Definitely has to make it to TV, particularly in October
Baphomet on August 28, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Meh. If voters in October haven’t figured out that Barack Obama is completely unqualified to be President, then he will be President.
This is a nice argument for preaching to the choir – especially to get those recalictrant conservatives and Paultards on board – but I hope the McCain campaign will not waste moiney putting this kind of ad on TV. In my opinion McCain has closed in the polls because he is hitting Obama hard on his ridiculous tax-the-hell-out-of-everyone plan and his woeful naivete on foreign affairs. This is where the election will be won. On the issues.
rockmom on August 28, 2008 at 10:37 AM
It sure as hell ain’t McCain.
http://thepajamapundit.com/
thePajamaPundit on August 28, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Seems like the whole thing is a big game to the Democrats. And they are children playing the big game. With the future of America, you don’t play a game.
kirkill on August 28, 2008 at 10:46 AM
OK now I get Senator McCain’s drift when he says…”We’re all Georgians today…”
He did say that, PajamaPundit, really…!
J_Gocht on August 28, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Good ad. I like it.
DPierre on August 28, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Excellent!
D2Boston on August 28, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Outstanding ad!
Jim M. on August 28, 2008 at 10:57 AM
McCain is gaining my favor. :D
Gnosis on August 28, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Truth to power, in their own words!
Obama or Die!
dmann on August 28, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Awesome Ad! puts bambi in the position of throwing himself under the bus…
elduende on August 28, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Hello, hello…I’m very blue…you could be too…!
J_Gocht on August 28, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Deflectors to full!
DrSteve on August 28, 2008 at 11:33 AM
For someone who doesn’t know how to use the internet, McCain has some mad PIP and channel surfing skills.
Great spot.
smfoushee on August 28, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Powerful demonstration of courage and truly a statement of commitment to you cause, Doc…!
J_Gocht on August 28, 2008 at 11:49 AM
‘That’s not the bus I thought I knew…” BLUMP.
leftnomore on August 28, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Now that’s a good ad. I’d use this same background clip concept to discuss his leftist connections — his words/ their words and actions.
I can’t help but think the culture will go through terrible bewilderment and bitterness when this election is over, however it turns out. If the left loses, it will (if its collective head doesn’t explode, that is) turn on McCain with even greater viciousness, and the cycle will repeat itself. I sometimes wonder if it wouldn’t be better for the country, in the longer term, for the left to win right now. Nothing will destroy these people faster than responsibility. The problem is, of course, the other things destroyed in the process.
rrpjr on August 28, 2008 at 11:59 AM
I don’t think McCain has had a clue for years; raging or otherwise.
lorien1973 on August 28, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Gold.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 28, 2008 at 12:03 PM
right2bright,
“What experience did Moses have? What experience did Jesus have,”
Well, Moses grew up in Pharoah’s household, so presumably he got management experience there. And Jesus performed numerous miracles, and gave great speeches. (Of course, his speeches were without a teleprompter.)
Obama’s only miracle is making people disappear under the bus.
exhelodrvr on August 28, 2008 at 12:03 PM
The slow but steady implosion of yet another Democratic candidate for President shows the weakness of the Democratic party. I know there are a lot voters ready to vote Dem but really, I can’t help but think that this is because conservatives didn’t do well with power during the Bush years.
This should serve as a wake up to we who are conservatives, that all we need to do is hold it together and govern competently and the left doesn’t stand a chance.
bcm4134 on August 28, 2008 at 12:06 PM
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