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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McCain’s ad team nails it again.
lodge on September 8, 2008 at 8:47 AM
Uh, maybe it’s just my connection, but there’s no link picture thingy.
Tommygun on September 8, 2008 at 8:47 AM
Beautiful! Love it! “They’ll make history.” You know it, baby!
JAM on September 8, 2008 at 8:48 AM
Nevermind.
Tommygun on September 8, 2008 at 8:48 AM
If McCain would just shut up and let Palin put him in the White House. Every time he opens his mouth he reinforces why conservative3 cannot trust him. There is a fine line between being a maverick and an ego-maniac. He knows more that evereybody else and will work with anyone to prove he’s right; even selling out to democrats determined to undermine values we treasure.
volsense on September 8, 2008 at 8:50 AM
Smugs/Plugs: Policy change. Recycling stuff from the 60s.
Maverick/Barracuda: System change. Change you can believe in.
fossten on September 8, 2008 at 8:51 AM
Amazing. Straightforward and well done. The thing to do is be ready for the return-fire on the details. MSM will challenge.
Tommygun on September 8, 2008 at 8:51 AM
Keep hammering at “what has Obama done to change things”, what democrat has he ever taken on, what democrat platform has he ever fought against.
Now I don’t know this, but has Biden been a “whistle blower” in his 30 years of living at the trough…
right2bright on September 8, 2008 at 8:51 AM
I will continue to say it: McCain needs to give a fat raise to his ad guys because they have an ability to really nail it. This is a great vid, almost as good as “remote control”.
Bishop on September 8, 2008 at 8:51 AM
They should keep using the “Real Change” line. Perfect ad.
Mig on September 8, 2008 at 8:53 AM
Obama can’t run on his record, he’s too busy running from it.
TooTall on September 8, 2008 at 8:53 AM
lol i bet
it seems like i have known her forever as well, thanks to the MSM trying to smear her i know more about her then i know about obama.
trailortrash on September 8, 2008 at 8:54 AM
Forget McCain giving raises to the ad team. He should put them in his cabinet.
JVelez on September 8, 2008 at 8:55 AM
Michelle and Obama are tying to figure out how to have a down baby…
right2bright on September 8, 2008 at 8:55 AM
This is the positive message from the McCain campaign that everyone has been waiting for, and this is what will get McCain-Palin to the White House. Having spent the summer exposing Obama as an empty-headed celebrity (a tanned Afleck), he can now spend the rest of the campaign showing what changes he will effect in Washington.
Pelosi and Reid are on notice.
EMD on September 8, 2008 at 8:56 AM
The ad may be great, but showing the O’Reilly interview with Obama would be the closer. O’Reilly airs it tonight and it shows that Obama has been living in a dream. The reality of O’Reilly’s questions turns Obama into a cowering, babbling adolescent.
volsense on September 8, 2008 at 8:57 AM
EPIC WIN
rockmom on September 8, 2008 at 8:59 AM
It would be nice to hear something about battling Democrats.
Oh, but I guess the ad is aimed at Democrats.
BigD on September 8, 2008 at 8:59 AM
How about also adding he took on democrats?
Anyway, great ad. We need the Maverick ticket in the White House.
jencab on September 8, 2008 at 8:59 AM
Who are you going to trust to perform surgery on Washington?
Two experienced Mavericks or two Snake Oil Salesmen?
Hmmmmmm…
Loxodonta on September 8, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Now they need to cut an ad showing the end of McCain’s convention speech and the crowds he and Palin are drawing – “come join us in a REAL movement for change, with REAL leaders who know how to get it done!” Would be HUGE.
rockmom on September 8, 2008 at 9:00 AM
But, if they both needed to fight republicans, why should we then vote for republicans this fall for the presidency? – imaginary democrat response
I, personally think it’s a good ad and I agree with this
Nineball on September 8, 2008 at 9:01 AM
It will play well in PA, where the Republicans have been almost as corrupt as the Democrats and the GOP brand has been severely tarnished. McCain is also running the Obama = Harry Reid ad here.
rockmom on September 8, 2008 at 9:02 AM
Amen to that, Bishop. This is one smokin’ ad.
JudetheFossil on September 8, 2008 at 9:02 AM
MAVERICK & ARCTIC FOX in 2008!
ManlyRash on September 8, 2008 at 9:02 AM
I’ve said it before, but what the heck, I’ll say it again.
McCain is so much for change that he picked for VP someone who took on her own party. The Obamassiah is so much for change that he picked for VP someone who’s been in the Senate since Gerald Ford was President.
rbj on September 8, 2008 at 9:03 AM
Heads exploding in the Obama camp….
muggedbyreality on September 8, 2008 at 9:03 AM
About taking on Democrats:
That will be a weakness here. Too many conservatives have thin skin over past matters. I know. I’ve argued with them here. Just suck it up. And remember: the Dems will put out shots reminding people of McCain’s 90% voting record.
I do like how I’ve heard Palin mention, “We don’t have to agree on everything.” That goes for conservative supporters as well as anyone else.
Tommygun on September 8, 2008 at 9:03 AM
good change vs bad change
flyoverland on September 8, 2008 at 9:03 AM
Something like: a shot of Obama in Germany, then the crowds at the McCain/Palin (who I hear are just nuts)…McCain Palin they draw the right people, for the right reason, change in America.
right2bright on September 8, 2008 at 9:03 AM
Instead of REAL change, you could say GOOD change.
Carol on September 8, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Do you have some insider info? O’ said it gets “lively”. Can’t wait.
lodge on September 8, 2008 at 9:07 AM
Carol on September 8, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Appreciate the point, but to be bluntly political, this approach will be better. Policy-minded people have mostly made up their minds. Now it’s “go to the center.” I had an aunt who always voted against the incumbent. She just wanted to get the current people out.
Politics is ruthless work. That is just the way it is.
Tommygun on September 8, 2008 at 9:08 AM
McCain’s ads are getting much better.
cyclosarin on September 8, 2008 at 9:08 AM
Not to go off-topic, but I’m just in northern Delaware. I thought the Bonusgate issue in Harrisburg was pretty much confined to Democrats … Vince Fumo is a Democrat …… what am I missing??
BigD on September 8, 2008 at 9:10 AM
OOooooooooooooooooh,that was the pork in one of those
bills that SaraCuda killed,the bridge to nowhere!
Mavericks indeed!
Now what “CHANGE” has Hopey/Changey performed,I
assume Team Obama can produce the documents of
his accomplishments that he is actually saying!!!
canopfor on September 8, 2008 at 9:11 AM
I’ve seen a clip or two – they actually do raise their voices at each other. I may have to TIVO it since the Broncos game will be on.
fossten on September 8, 2008 at 9:12 AM
I want to see a positive ad of Feingold and Daschle saying how McCain is one of the only truly bi-partisan senators in Washington. Take the air out of Obama’s change sails.
BadgerHawk on September 8, 2008 at 9:12 AM
Oh ya,great ad,keep em c’mon.:)
canopfor on September 8, 2008 at 9:13 AM
Obama’s response:
Obama/Biden: the original big talkers
Joe Biden: voted to cut funding off to friendly government in 1975, resulting in the deaths of over a million innocent people. Very proud of that.
Obama: twenty-two years at America-hating church. Proud
Biden: Chair of foreign committee in Senate. No actual accomplishments. Also smeared Clarence Thomas with lies back in 91
Obama: Devoted student of communists like Frank Marshall Davis and Saul Alinsky
Biden: Called Obama too inexperienced to be President, then retracted it after Obama asked him to be his running mate
Obama: Successfully built a mass cult.
Real phoniness. Accept no substitutes.
indythinker on September 8, 2008 at 9:14 AM
Don’t mean to change the subject, but someone wants to talk to Nancy Pelosi
Rogue Traveler on September 8, 2008 at 9:14 AM
They need to beat Obama over the head on this for eight weeks. This is a winner. Ed rightly emphasizes accept no substitutes, and I’ll add that I remember either a national or local ad slogan for some product or service that has always stayed with me: Often imitated, never duplicated.
BuckeyeSam on September 8, 2008 at 9:15 AM
Maybe it’s just me, but I cannot believe how badly Obama is being outplayed. Move after move, McCain always seems a few steps ahead. It’s like me trying to play chess against Bobby Fischer. Bringing in Palin was like capturing the queen. Anyone out there remember a campaign like this where the one side was always well-played and the other was stumbling around, getting lucky points here & there?
artlover on September 8, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Something like: a shot of Obama in Germany, then the crowds at the McCain/Palin (who I hear are just nuts)…McCain Palin they draw the right people, for the right reason, change in America.
right2bright on September 8, 2008 at 9:03 AM
Yeppers, a shot of tie-dye wearing Berliners cheering Obama against the veteran-heavy crowds that McCain draws, men and women who are wearing clothes with military unit emblems and such (some of whom probably fought against Germany).
Bishop on September 8, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Maverick/
BarracudaSarah’Cuda: System change. Change you can believe in.FIFY
ManlyRash on September 8, 2008 at 9:18 AM
I thought it was a tad too harsh on the GOP itself. Aren’t there any downticket Republicans this year?
promachus on September 8, 2008 at 9:19 AM
My only complaint as well.
McCain is making it necessary to take out another “Contract with America”….of course the donks may have poisoned that marketing ploy.
sven10077 on September 8, 2008 at 9:22 AM
The pay raise. Still a sore spot with a lot of voters. Bonusgate has kinda died, unfortunately – the Republican Party here must be run by the worst bunch of morons ever. They have failed to capitalize on it or on the Fumo case, or to promote Tom Corbett as a real corruption-fighter.
rockmom on September 8, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Yes! Also, his all-around campaign–gutsy stuff that middle America wants to see for so long. I believe that is due to Steve Schmidt. I’ve been reading about him–quite impressive. I think he must be a hockey mom too.
hoosiermama on September 8, 2008 at 9:24 AM
BuckeyeSam on September 8, 2008 at 9:15 AM
I believe that’s Rush Limbaugh. Whether it was new with him or not, I’m not sure.
Tommygun on September 8, 2008 at 9:24 AM
Anyone out there remember a campaign like this where the one side was always well-played and the other was stumbling around, getting lucky points here & there?
artlover on September 8, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Ashurbanipal versus his brother Shamsh-shuma-ukin in Assyria, 667 B.C.
Bishop on September 8, 2008 at 9:25 AM
Ed,
What’s the buy on this? National, local, just YouTube?
IrishMcPundit on September 8, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Awesome ad. McCain’s ad crew is just soooo good.
lorien1973 on September 8, 2008 at 9:27 AM
They should have added another segment:
He killed and bombed America’s enemies, She kills moose!
John Doe on September 8, 2008 at 9:28 AM
The choir will appreciate this spot.
The rest of America knows, well anyone with half a brain, that is, that the bit about him fighting pork barrel spending is a stretch, her stopping the bridge is a lie, and the bit about him reforming Washington is a stretch.
But that’s the game: put out as many almost truths as possible and hope that some of it sticks.
Dave Rywall on September 8, 2008 at 9:31 AM
“Nancy, to the Principal’s Office. Nancy, to the Principal’s Office.”
I woke up this morning wondering if yesterday was a dream. Now I’m going to have to go back to bed and try to wake up again. This popcorn stuff just will not stop! What a time to be alive and conservative. The palpable wave across America is that we’re not being morose and defensive…this is FUNNNN! We’re having a blast being on offense, being sarcastic, mocking, and getting the desired reactions. Again, what a time to be alive.
hoosiermama on September 8, 2008 at 9:31 AM
If there is a talk about Age…just throw out the Mandela card.
tomas on September 8, 2008 at 9:31 AM
An ad or two like this won’t hurt the downticket GOP. They will have to get on board a bit, perhaps. And other ads will hit the issues.
I like the tag-team approach. Maybe some ads with them standing back to back, arms crossed, looking toward the camera. Yes, it’s all form. But fun to think about.
Tommygun on September 8, 2008 at 9:32 AM
But that’s the game: put out as many almost truths as possible and hope that some of it sticks.
Dave Rywall on September 8, 2008 at 9:31 AM
Or use the Baracky Method™: lie your ass off about everything and hope the media baboons don’t actually go looking, and if they do, flip flop and claim your original lie was “nuanced”.
Bishop on September 8, 2008 at 9:34 AM
And DRywall, you are not going to pee in my cream o’ wheat this morning. No one seems to much care about your Canadian Opinion. Even if we lose, enthusiastic conservatism has been unleashed. Always a good thing and I can see why you’re morose.
hoosiermama on September 8, 2008 at 9:35 AM
yeah, buy some Prime Time airtime for that one.
it almost sounds like a western movie trailer, except its real
jp on September 8, 2008 at 9:35 AM
Why does the “bridge to nowhere” lie keep getting repeated?
crr6 on September 8, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Average America will love it. Liberal Canadians, not so much.
He fought pork barrel spending
It’s the truth…she stopped it.
Not if he gets in office.
It’s called “politics.” Welcome to the major league, Mr. Rywall.
ManlyRash on September 8, 2008 at 9:38 AM
Because it’s all Dave Rywall has at this point. She did stop the bridge to nowhere. Period.
ManlyRash on September 8, 2008 at 9:39 AM
ManlyRash on September 8, 2008 at 9:38 AM:
He fought pork barrel spending
—————-
Fact: He accepted pork barrel benefits
It’s the truth…she stopped it.
—————-
Fact: She pushed for it. Also accepted pork barrel funds for the road leading up to where the bridge would be
and the bit about him reforming Washington is a stretch.
Not if he gets in office.
—————-
Oh, so he’ll do the reforming AFTER he’s elected. So this claim in teh spot is garbage. Unless, of course you can name a couple of things he has done already.
Dave Rywall on September 8, 2008 at 9:42 AM
I like this ad.
Spirit of 1776 on September 8, 2008 at 9:46 AM
We’ve got a war hero and The Thrillah from Wassila. They’ve got a manboy and an unhinged consummate Washington insider. Easy choice.
More good news: Drywal can’t vote in the US.
Akzed on September 8, 2008 at 9:47 AM
The shame of it is, even Republicans are fine with the idea of battling Republicans!
Warner Todd Huston on September 8, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Holy Moly! That is a strong commercial.
I don’t know how the Donks counteract this. I really don’t.
gridlock2 on September 8, 2008 at 9:50 AM
didnt know he was a neighbor from the north this tidbit made my day nearly as much as this ad.
trailortrash on September 8, 2008 at 9:51 AM
Hussein-Biten. Return your campaign materials to the DNC as soon as possible. Thank you.
saved on September 8, 2008 at 9:51 AM
If by “stop” you mean initially supported, then “stopped” when it became a national embarrassment while still keeping all the money originally allocated for it…then yes. Yes she did stop it. What a reformer.
crr6 on September 8, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Palin has shown that some Republicans need to be battled. An R behind you name doesn’t mean crap now a days.
I see Palin as a leash on McCain for those of us who are not exactly thrilled with the Rino.
RobertInAustin on September 8, 2008 at 9:54 AM
She stopped it. Accept that and move on – or at least get off the railroad tracks…the train is approaching.
ManlyRash on September 8, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Obama has voted with the Democrats 97% of the time.
AZCoyote on September 8, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Ahhhhh, that sure takes me back. :|
Patrick S on September 8, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Bill Clinton is still mad that Gov. Palin is using his patented thumb up fist punch without his permission.
Russell H. on September 8, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Ohhh this is fun. It’s one of those times where you’re clearly and demonstrably misrepresenting the facts at best, and lying at worst, yet you think by repeating the same thing over and over you win the argument. Here is my source. Read it and tell me she “stopped” the bridge to nowhere and deserves praise as a reformer.
crr6 on September 8, 2008 at 10:05 AM
she “stopped” the bridge to nowhere and deserves praise as a reformer.
trailortrash on September 8, 2008 at 10:10 AM
LOL. As if Reuters is a paragon of objectivity. They interviewed the mayor of Kechikan – a Democrat. The fact is that construction on the bridge has stopped. As of today they are doing no more work on the bridge. The funds are being used elsewhere. What part of this do you not understand?
ManlyRash on September 8, 2008 at 10:13 AM
McCain’s record on earmarks is far better than that of Obama or Biden. The Club for Growth 2008 Re: Pork Card gave Senator Obama a 33% score and Senator Biden 17%. Senator McCain scored 100%.
Citizens Against Government Waste 2007 Congressional ratings: Obama scored only a 10% rating and Biden had a 0% rating in fighting waste in 2007.
In his 3-year Senate career, Obama had 53 earmarks worth nearly $100 million including $1.6 million for an aquarium. Biden had 70 earmarks worth nearly $120 million including $240,000 for an opera house.
John McCain had a 100% rating last year. He neither requested nor received a single earmark, and he has pledged to veto any spending bills that contain earmarks.
AZCoyote on September 8, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Gov. Palin also said that McCain showed his fellow POW a thumbs-up in Hanoi after being tortured. That was before Clinton’s time–about the time Clinton was draft-dodging in England.
Steve Z on September 8, 2008 at 10:18 AM
That is a foreshadowing of the powerful Palin “terrorist fist jab” to their throats
econavenger on September 8, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Oops, lost part of my paragraph in that 10:14 post. It should have read:
In his 3-year Senate career, Obama has requested nearly $1 billion in earmarks. This includes the million dollar earmark he secured for his wife’s employer.
In 2007, Obama had 53 earmarks worth nearly $100 million including $1.6 million for an aquarium. Biden had 70 earmarks worth nearly $120 million including $240,000 for an opera house.
AZCoyote on September 8, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I would think this is the kind of change everyone wants – a congress that isn’t deadlocked and constantly playing the game of “gotcha”. Maybe a clean sweep of all of them is in order.
Referencing the Bridge to Nowhere in the ad, the libs point out Gov Palin may have stopped the bridge to nowhere but didn’t return the money. At least she had the foresight to stop sending good money after bad and put it where it was used in a way that was constructive rather than wasteful.
iamsaved on September 8, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Now there’s you’re campaign sign.
- The Cat
MirCat on September 8, 2008 at 10:34 AM
WOW.
Speechless.
It’s so strong for me because it speaks to the positives of McCain/Palin- and with such a punch, punch, PUNCH, as opposed to comparing with the negatives of Barack Obama.
Lockstein13 on September 8, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Really, who sends money back to Washington, anyway? She cut plenty of other wasteful spending out of Alaska’s budget as well, besides getting some indictments with the help of the FBI.
JimK on September 8, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Didja hear, this weekend, when Barack scoffed (yes, you can see him scoff) in this mis-titled video from Indiana?
I like how he tries to convince the audience he is the original change candidate by utilizing the ole, “They think you’re stupid,” retort rather than the best technique, stating his own resume of change and bi-partisanship.
I hope he doesn’t think that’s his best argument.
geckomon on September 8, 2008 at 10:50 AM
This ad is powerful…..even if the Dems get Hillary back on the ticket (I don’t count her out until a silver stake has done its job), the Dems simply cannot counter this. Cannot.
McCain/Palin ‘08!
ex-Democrat on September 8, 2008 at 10:52 AM
I’d say this ad was very well done, based on the venom-spit level from our resident liberal trolls (yes, I know redundant). They must be truly scared to be peeing their pants this much in public…
dominigan on September 8, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Shame? If the Repulicans are messing up, and let’s face it, they have (and look what it left us in 2006), they need to be battled. I’d much rather have the house cleaned from the inside, than have the other side do it, or I should say promise the electorate they will and then give is the same mess we’ve had the last two years.
pannw on September 8, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Amazing. I would never have predicted that McCain could so steal the spotlight and the message from Obama! I truly underestimated him.
I wish I knew what he was going to do with immigration. I think he is too sentimental and soft. We just cannot go down the same old path of the 1980s amnesty. I hope new solutions are being considered.
I’m open to NEW and innovative ideas on immigration reform that closes our borders and supplies our labor needs intelligently.
petunia on September 8, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Keepem’ coming Dave… it’s great entertainment!
jerrytbg on September 8, 2008 at 11:20 AM
John McCain had a 100% rating last year. He neither requested nor received a single earmark, and he has pledged to veto any spending bills that contain earmarks.
AZCoyote on September 8, 2008 at 10:14 AM
—————
Ahhhh lies, lies, lies.
-10 million for U of Arizona
-14.3 million for Luke Air Force Base in Arizona
And did you know that 2 billion a year to Isreal? That’s an earmark. Let’s see McCain veto it. Should be fun.
“McCain’s plan to eliminate earmarks uses the Congressional Research Service’s (CRS) definition of the term. According to an analysis by Center for American Progress Senior Fellow Scott Lilly ( http://www.americanprogress.org/experts/LillyScott.html ), that CRS report identifies $52 billion per year which qualifies as earmark spending. The problem is that the CRS — the group Holtz-Eakin cited as the basis for McCain’s earmark elimination plan — says that U.S. aid to Israel is considered an earmark ( http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/m012606.pdf#page=19 )”
How about the 1 billion a year for military housing? Is McCain going to cut that? Awesome!
But hey – keep your bullsh*t rolling.
Next.
Dave Rywall on September 8, 2008 at 11:28 AM
This is the only issue I have a question about…
She has no position on this… and we want to know.
jerrytbg on September 8, 2008 at 11:28 AM
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