John McCain 2008

"Celeb"
30-second ad run on national cable and in key states, announced July 30, 2008.
 
 
 
 
 

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[SFX, Chants of "Obama"] Female Announcer: He's the biggest celebrity in the world.

But, is he ready to lead?

With gas prices soaring, Barack Obama says no to offshore drilling.

And, says he'll raise taxes on electricity.

Higher taxes, more foreign oil, that's the real Obama.

[Music] McCain voiceover: I'm John McCain and I approved this message.

 

 
Notes: It is interesting that the campaign was somehow able to work Britney Spears and Paris Hilton into an ad.  In a conference call campaign manager Rick Davis said he thinks people "are beginning to make a distinction between the popularity that surrounds Barack Obama as a celebrity and the kinds of events that he puts on with his adoring fans...and actually having a political movement based on ideas and solutions to the American public."

The Obama campaign initial response:

“On a day when major news organizations across the country are taking Senator McCain to task for a steady stream of false, negative attacks, his campaign has launched yet another.  Or, as some might say, ‘Oops! He did it again.’  Our dependence on foreign oil is one of the greatest challenges we face.  In this election the American people have a real choice -- between Obama’s plan to provide tax rebates to American families while creating a renewable energy economy in America that frees us from our dependence on foreign oil, and Senator McCain’s plan to continue the same failed energy policies by handing out nearly $4 billion in tax breaks to oil companies while investing almost nothing in the new energy sources that represent our future,” said Obama campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor.

In the evening, the Obama campaign issued a response ad "Low Road."