The text of the ad reads:
John McCain: Keep that faith. Keep your courage. Stick together. Stay strong. Do not yield. Stand up. We're Americans. And we'll never surrender.
Announcer: What must a president believe about us? About America?
That she is worth protecting?
That liberty is priceless?
Our people, honorable?
Our future, prosperous, remarkable and free?
And, what must we believe about that president?
What does he think?
Where has he been?
Has he walked the walk?
Interviewer: What is your rank?
John McCain: Lt. Commander in the Navy.
Interviewer: And your official number?
John McCain: 624787
Announcer: John McCain
The American president Americans have been waiting for.
John McCain: “I’m John McCain and I approve this message.”
The narrator is Powers Boothe.
It is believed that this ad is targeted against Barack Obama, understanding that Obama is favored to become the Democratic nominee.
McCain is already drawing comparisons between himself and Obama which can be seen clearly in the reference to walking the walk.
While the Democratic contenders are still battling it out with each other, sniping, fighting and generally tearing each other to shreds, John McCain is giving us a sneak preview at the campaign strategy that will be used during the general election.
Perhaps even given the idea from Hillary Clinton's own words when she said, "I think that I have a lifetime of experience that I will bring to the White House. I know Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience that he will bring to the White House and Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002."
She was highly criticized for that when she said it, and John McCain is smart to use that same theme because during the general election, if Obama does win the Democratic nod, then McCain will not be the only one pointing out Obama's lack of experience because there are soundbites, news reports and video of Hillary Clinton making the very same argument.
Clinton will not be able to take those words back and it will be very powerful in the general election to see McCain and Hillary, (via the video clip) arguing that Barack Obama, hasn't walked the walk and doesn't have the lifetime experience that John McCain does.
A very good, powerful ad and we can expect to see Obama/Clinton supporters talking about it shortly......5....4.....3....2....1
[Update] It starts. More from the left side of the blogosphere.
[Update #2] Quick flashback to Another YouTube video moment for McCain to use. Susan Rice, part of Barack Obama's campaign saying, "Clinton hasn't had to answer the phone at 3 o'clock in the morning and yet she attacked Barack Obama for not being ready. They're both not ready for that 3am phone call...."
McCain can just use the Democrats own words against Obama in the general election if they chose him as the Democratic nominee.
