Democratic Group Launches Anti-McCain Ad
By Matthew Mosk
A Democratic group launched a massive new independently-financed ad campaign attacking John McCain today, launching the first assault on the Republican nominee in the absence of a Democratic candidate.
The $1.1 million commercial, sponsored by a California-based group called Campaign to Defend America, is called "McSame," and it immediately attempts to paint McCain as the "McSame" as President Bush on a litany of issues -- namely, Iraq, the economy, the environment, and health care.
"Tell John McCain we need a new direction. Not the McSame old thing," the ad concludes.
A fresh filing with the Federal Election Commission identifies the donors that paid for the new commercial. Among them are several longtime supporters of Hillary Clinton, including the American Federation for State County and Municipal Employees, which donated $1 million to the effort. Another is lawyer William Titelman, who contributed $10,000. Reached on his cell phone last week, Titelman said only that he does not speak with reporters and hung up.
Independent groups face no limits on the amount of money they can raise from individual donors, corporations and unions, but they do face restrictions on the content of their ads. The ads are supposed to be issue-based, and are not permitted to directly advocate for the election of a candidate.
Posted at 11:49 AM ET on Mar 5, 2008
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Posted by: fmandel | March 7, 2008 4:53 PM
axenic31451 obviously failed history. We've had troops in Germany and Japan for nearly 63 years now, South Korea for over 50.
McCain's comment (taken out of context by Democrats) was that we'd have a long term relationship with Iraq, and like Germany and Japan, he could forsee long term bases there.
But don't let facts interfere with a good rant.
Posted by: CrazyPolitico | March 6, 2008 8:36 PM
There's only one way un-demoralize the Republicans. nominate Hilary Clinton. Even then, the country will not re-elected a Bush/McCain ticket. More of the same?? NO!!
Posted by: thebobbob | March 5, 2008 5:53 PM
McCain. A month ago, a maverick. Today, an insidered. Whatever. It's all identity political garbage.
The guy has great fiscal and trade policies that will make our country stronger not only for ourselves, but our kids as well. Plus he's acually reasonable when it comes to finding a actual solution to illegal immigration and environmental issues. You want change? McCain will shake things up more than you realize.
Posted by: donttreadonme | March 5, 2008 4:08 PM
If people would just really go to the Library and look up the exact facts about McCain They would run from that guy like a streak of lightnin. This world cannot afford four more years of shame.
Posted by: dmcarter2 | March 5, 2008 3:54 PM
So much for a nice issue oriented campaign. I'll bet our folks can slice and dice better than yours.
Posted by: DeanS1 | March 5, 2008 3:46 PM
There is nothing about George W. Bush that deviates from Republican orthodoxy in any way. Republicans do not want peace (which we had under Bill Clinton). They want a state of constant war, which they can constantly claim to be winning. McCain is exactly the same. These are wars that the Republican kids are not fighting. The chickenhawks' children are rushing fraternities and not machine guns.
Posted by: axenic31451 | March 5, 2008 3:35 PM
John McCain was co-chairman of the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq. He was caught on video saying to prospective Republican voters that he would keep U.S. troops for "50 or 100 years" in Iraq. His chance of winning the general election is zero. Let us make this universal: It does not matter who the lying Republicans nominate. He is going to lose.
Posted by: axenic31451 | March 5, 2008 3:30 PM
No reason to denounce and reject the truth. Being an American hero does not make you a good president. No Academy grad has ever made a good president. Not Grant (USMA 1843), and not Eisenhower (USMA 1915) both of whom were as great American heros as you can get; And the last USNA grad was Jimmy Carter (USNA 1947). The academies teach you command, not politics. The only time McCain has been right is when he bucked the Republican majority, like on Campaign Finance reform. Now he is embracing the same old Bush policies.
And Mr. JakeD like many on the radical right, you obviously feel the founding fathers made a mistake they put Freedom of Religion in the Constitution, as you try to arouse anti-Islamic bigotry and racism with your lying false implications. Go put your white robe and hood back on and burn your crosses elsewhere.
Posted by: ejoell | March 5, 2008 3:19 PM
Will Barack HUSSEIN Obama denounce and reject this group?
Posted by: JakeD | March 5, 2008 12:13 PM
Allow me to retort.
O'Billary: Mas Invasarios, Viva Reconquista!
Everyone supports Insurance Companies(Without adequate coverage)!
Liberally Libbie Judges!
International Capitulation! ;~)
Posted by: rat-the | March 5, 2008 12:06 PM
"Titelman said only that he does not speak with reporters and hung up"
======
Sounds like a smart man.
Posted by: zukermand | March 5, 2008 11:58 AM
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I love it how people blame everything on Bush. You do realize in the last general election, the Dems took over both houses of congress and what have they achieved? Nothing. They promised the world in the first 100 hours of congress and accomplished nothing. The President is only one entity in the government. Read the constitution, its called cheacks and balances. GET over yourselves. ps. Mcain is nothing like Bush, but then again whats the point in arguing with people who are voting for Obama