McCain ad: “Original Mavericks”
posted at 8:45 am on September 8, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Real change. That message will become the central theme for the John McCain-Sarah Palin ticket, as I predicted when the selection was first announced just ten days ago. (Only ten days? Seems like a month, and probably seems like a year to Barack Obama.) In this new spot, a positive, non-comparative television ad, Team McCain underscores the record of accomplishment on reform that this ticket carries:
The original mavericks. He fights pork barrel spending. She stopped the Bridge to Nowhere.
He took on the drug industry. She took on big oil.
He battled Republicans and reformed Washington. She battled Republicans and reformed Alaska.
They’ll make history. They’ll change Washington.
McCain. Palin. Real change.
Subtext? Accept no substitutes.
As branding, this carries power and strikes at the heart of the Obama conceit. Not only does Obama have absolutely no record of risk-taking on reform, he chose a running mate who practically embodies everything Obama supposedly wants to change in Washington. Obama came out of one of the most corrupt political machines in the nation, and did absolutely nothing while in Illinois to reform it. Meanwhile, both McCain and Palin have battled their own parties to clean up politics.
McCain isn’t stealing Obama’s thunder on change; he’s reclaiming a mantle that Obama attempted to usurp. He needs to remind voters that actions speak louder than pretty words on a fake Greek temple. Accept no substitutes.
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You are whistling in a hurricane. Obama will lose. McCain will become president. Start getting used to it.
ManlyRash on September 8, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Triangulation. The Maverick is taking Barry’s messages of Hope and Change and making them his and Palin’s messages. Dick Morris would be proud.
Mallard T. Drake on September 8, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Here is an ad I would love to see McCain’s team run. Talk about the war in Iraq and how America brought about change and gave the people of Iraq hope for freedom and a future of liberty. That would shut Barry up.
Mallard T. Drake on September 8, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Hey Drywall- didn’t I read somewhere that ChicagObama has his hands all over $170 million in earmarks?
….yawn*……
FiveWays on September 8, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I’m sorry Drywall-
make that $740 Million in earmarks for ChicagObama……
FiveWays on September 8, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Ah yes Drywall!
Here ya go:
Suck on that troll…..
FiveWays on September 8, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Obama/Biden: Combined, 38 years in the US Senate.
Is that the refreshing “change” we’ve been looking for?
nyrofan on September 8, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Obama/Biden: Combined, 38 years in the US Senate.
Is that the refreshing “change” we’ve been looking for?
nyrofan on September 8, 2008 at 11:51 AM
——–
So Biden’s/Obama’s many many total years in Washington will not deliver “refreshing ‘change’” but McCain’s many many years in Washington will?
Congratulations – you win stupid comment of the day.
Dave Rywall on September 8, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Since Obama’s been on the campaign trail for two years, I’d think that his voting record, instead of “present,” would be “absent.”
90 percent of nothing is still nothing.
Tennman on September 8, 2008 at 11:59 AM
McCain voting with Bush 50% of the time = Maverick
McCain voting with Bush 90% of the time = Not Maverick.
McCain is not a Maverick.
Dave Rywall on September 8, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Obama never bucked the system in Chicago. Never pressed for reform. When he got to the state legislature he voted “present” 143 times. When he got to the Senate, he authored no legislation but, instead, began campaigning for the office of president. Biden has been part of the inside Washington establishment for over 30 years.
McCain bucked his own party on numerous occasions, His rating for being a tax cutter and spending miser is stellar. He voted against a tax cut bill because there weren’ enough spending cuts in it. Even his opponents will concede that he is no insider.
Palin’s record as a reformed in Alaska speaks for itself.
ManlyRash on September 8, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Define “voting with Bush.”
ManlyRash on September 8, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Obama supporting terrorists = Not Good
Obama voting with Bush 88% of the time = Worse.
Obama enriching his America-hating Wife = Even Worse.
Obama is not hope and change.
Put a bullet in your brain, Drywall.
Sakaki on September 8, 2008 at 12:27 PM
It is very important that the Dems keep hitting Palin on earmarks. It is an R weak point.
Until the Rs come back and remind voters about Obama voting for an earmark that helped Biden’s son.
Are the Donks that stupid?
Yep.
MSimon on September 8, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Define “voting with Bush.”
ManlyRash on September 8, 2008 at 12:25 PM
————-
If you need an explanation of what that means then you’re too stupid to be on this website.
Dave Rywall on September 8, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Put a bullet in your brain, Drywall.
Sakaki on September 8, 2008 at 12:27 PM
————-
Awww, is the calling of bullsh*t on some of McCain’s claims making you upset? Maybe someone can give you a cookie.
Dave Rywall on September 8, 2008 at 12:33 PM
A good ad, but there has to be a bookend ad pointing out that Obama has never taken on the Dems.
james23 on September 8, 2008 at 12:46 PM
He took it from him and is now beating him over the head with it. Obama is now HOPING McCain will stop.
Now, if the “I forgot how to be conservative” Republicans would jump on the coattails and start acting like small gov’t pols, maybe we can get some REAL change.
OC Chuck on September 8, 2008 at 12:47 PM
I don’t need an explanation of what it means, Dave. I need an explanation of what YOU THINK it means. Please answer the question.
ManlyRash on September 8, 2008 at 12:47 PM
I appreciate the positive message — audio is up here.
chiefeditor on September 8, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Woo Hoo, great ad.
mindhacker on September 8, 2008 at 12:51 PM
One of the things I love about this ad is that it features Palin prominently–as a full partner in the reform endeavor. Its so good, I can’t believe the Republicans made it.
This ad will have working women in my state, PA, paying very close attention. If we could have Sarah Palin here for a week (yes I know, you all want her in your states too), the GOP will take PA in November. Excellent!
james23 on September 8, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Ah Dave,
Thank you…you make me want to vote for the “O”, ah… NOT .
jerrytbg on September 8, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Simply appropriate.
HotAirJosef on September 8, 2008 at 2:03 PM
I feel like they need lightsabers in this ad
spacekicker on September 8, 2008 at 2:18 PM
90% of what passes in the senate is unanimous. Sigh. BTW, Rosie called, she wants her talking points back.
pt on September 8, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Folks, why argue with the Canadian? Leave Dave alone, poor baby.
In truth if Dave does not know the difference between McCain and Biden there is no point in discussing it with him. He is a lost cause. Not to mention a ferrener.
Terrye on September 8, 2008 at 4:22 PM
BTW, Dave, McCain voted with his party 88% of the time. Obama voted with his 97% of the time.
And leave it to the people who live here in the US to decide who is and is not a maverick. Go bother your own pols, leave ours alone.
Terrye on September 8, 2008 at 4:25 PM
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