MoveOn.org, which has endorsed Barack Obama, announced 4/30 that it's launching a $1M ad campaign against John McCain. The group plans to start airing the ads today -- the five-year anniversary of Pres. Bush's "Mission Accomplished" speech.
The first ad, "Candles," will run at a cost of $160K in IA and NM, two states in which the group said McCain is running ads unopposed (Youngman, The Hill, 5/1). It will also run on cable stations in NY and DC (Massey, AP, 4/30). The ad features a birthday cake with the words "Mission Accomplished" and five candles, while McCain is heard saying that the American people would not be concerned if U.S. troops are in Iraq for 100 years. The ad "is set to run for a week."
MoveOn.org exec. dir. Eli Pariser: "Voters need to know Sen. McCain would continue President Bush's failed policies -- in Iraq and elsewhere. A vote for him is basically a vote for a third Bush term."
RNC spokesperson Alex Conant: "MoveOn.org is attempting to smear Sen. McCain just like it smeared Gen. [David] Petraeus. ... MoveOn.org is joining Barack Obama and the DNC in maliciously misquoting John McCain" (The Hill, 5/1).
Chill Out Dudes, It's Only For The Summer
While in PA's Lehigh Valley on 4/30, McCain "ridiculed" Obama for failing to endorse proposals to suspend the gas tax this summer (Infield, Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/1).
After admitting that his gas tax holiday was not a "panacea" -- saying that it will not address U.S. reliance on foreign oil -- McCain once again hit Obama for not supporting his proposal. McCain: "I noticed again that Sen. Obama refuses to endorse a ... gas tax holiday for Americans despite the fact that he voted for it several times when the price of gasoline was about a dollar and a half per gallon."
More: "All we need to do is cut out hundreds of millions and billions of dollars of pork barrel projects that have been funded by the pork barrel bills, the transportation and highway bills that have gone through the Congress of the United States" (Aigner-Treworgy, NBC/National Journal, 4/30).
McCain, on a New York Times editorial saying his gas tax proposal is pandering: "It's not the end of western civilization as we know it according to some, quote, economists and some are un-American. It's just to give Americans a little relief. I think it's obvious that the lowest income Americans drive the furthest and probably spend more on gasoline because of the age of their automobiles. Why don't we just give them a little break for the summer, maybe buy a better meal for their kids, maybe travel a little bit?" ("Morning Joe," MSNBC, 5/1).
Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire
McCain also responded to the recent DNC and MoveOn.org ads referencing his "100 years" comments on 4/30, quickly blaming Obama for misrepresenting his statements.
McCain: "It's a little distressing to me when Sen. Obama says that he wants to run a very great campaign that is above politics and above the mundane aspects of political campaigns and then keeps turning around and saying and totally falsifying my statement, which is clear in saying that after we win we may have a presence in Iraq the way we do in South Korea" (Aigner-Treworgy, NBC/National Journal, 4/30).
An Ear For An Earmark
Also in PA on 4/30, McCain cast the state as a key swing state "where he needs to re-energize a party disillusioned with out-of-control spending."
McCain: "I've got to campaign hard and come to places all over the state, and try to build our grass-roots organization and re-energize our party, which has been de-energized to a degree because of ... spending. ... If we eliminate [earmarks] that are unnecessary and unwanted and go through the proper process, we would not be on the spending spree we are on today." McCain argued that there is plenty of discretionary money to fund projects that are worthwhile, but they should be chosen by agencies, not lawmakers (Drobnyk, Allentown Morning Call, 5/1).
McCain also argued that last summer's bridge collapse in MN would not have happened if Congress had not wasted so much money on pork-barrel spending. McCain: "The bridge in Minneapolis didn't collapse because there wasn't enough money. The bridge in Minneapolis collapsed because so much money was spent on wasteful, unnecessary pork-barrel projects" (AP, 5/1).
Meanwhile, in Allentown, PA, McCain "heaped praise on a hospital" for its innovative use of technology, continuing a week-long health care tour aimed at highlighting his free-market plans for revamping the way medical insurance is delivered.
But McCain "came under immediate criticism" from Dems "who pointed out that the hospital -- Lehigh Valley -- had been the recipient of budget earmarks like those that McCain opposed." DNC spokesperson Damien LaVera: "As usual, the double-talk on earmarks was on full display in Allentown today. The one thing that remains clear is that John McCain is the wrong choice for America's future" (Shear, "The Trail," WashingtonPost.com, 4/30).
If You Like Pina Coladas And Getting Caught In The Rain
McCain made the cable TV rounds this a.m.
MSNBC's Geist: "There's a perception by some that as the Democrats beat each other up throughout this campaign, you're sitting back, drinking pina coladas, planning your inauguration speech. ... Do you think it helps you or does it make the Democratic candidates stronger?"
McCain: "Some astute observers say that it helps because of the contest. Others say that it's energizing the base of Democrat voters. I really can't make a judgment. I just have to go on with our campaign" ("Morning Joe," MSNBC, 5/1).
McCain, asked how he thought Hillary Clinton did on "O'Reilly Factor" last night: "I think she did well. I think that Bill O'Reilly is a tough and very fair interrogator. And I think she handled herself well. I think, obviously I disagree with some of her views, but I think she handled herself well."
Asked if he feels sorry for Obama over the Rev. Jeremiah Wright "flap": "No. I think we all face challenges when we are in political campaigns and running for president ... and I think he has to address the issue with the American people. I don't have any further comment on his handling of it, but I think he has to have the discussion with the American people, and he said that it's a valid political issue, so I'm sure that he will do that."
FNC's Carlson: "Because if it is a valid political issue, I think he called it legitimate, a legitimate political issue, will you use it in the fall against him if he's the nominee?"
McCain: "No, the American people will make that decision, and he'll have that discussion with them. I've said I don't think that he shares Reverend Wright's views, but like most Americans, I think Reverend Wright's views are really incredibly outrageous" ("Fox & Friends," FNC, 5/1).
McCain was also on "American Morning," where the discussion focused heavily on policy issues (CNN, 5/1).
Raise The Roof
Although McCain "has promised to not raise taxes," his camp acknowledged 4/30 that his health care plan "would have the effect of increasing tax payments for some workers, primarily those with high incomes and expensive health plans."
The camp "cannot yet project how many taxpayers might see their taxes go up," according to McCain top domestic policy adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin. But Holtz-Eakin said that for some, McCain's health care tax credits "would not be large enough to compensate for his proposal to eliminate the tax breaks afforded to workers with employer-provided health benefits" (Sack/Cooper, New York Times, 5/1).
McCain estimated that it would affect people whose health care plans cost about $14,250 a year and up (Meckler, "Washington Wire," WSJ.com, 4/30). McCain adviser Charlie Black: "It would be a very, very small percentage of people, and they would be people who are getting a plan that's way beyond what regular people have" (New York Times, 5/1).
Meanwhile, Newsweek's Robertson notes, McCain's promise for a $5K refundable tax credit to buy health insurance "sounds good." But he "failed to mention how existing employer-sponsored health benefits would be affected." Employers "could no longer deduct the cost of health plans for their workers, which several experts say is likely to cause companies to reduce or eliminate health benefits for their employees." Meanwhile, "workers would be taxed on the value of any employer-paid health benefits, partially offsetting the $5,000 credit for those now covered by such plans" (Newsweek.com, 4/30).
Hey Big Spender, Spend A Little Time With Me
AP's Quaid notes, McCain "is making promises that would cost billions of taxpayer dollars, yet he is vague about how he would pay for them."
McCain "is handing around a campaign grab bag of goodies," including "a summer gas-tax holiday and new mortgages for struggling homeowners," as well as "tax breaks for corporations and families with children." And although he "has nothing on" the Dems, McCain "has made a career of trying to cut spending" and "he rails against spending in nearly every speech" (5/1).
The $100,000 Pyramid
McCain "will host his richest fundraiser to date next week" in NYC -- "with prices for a premium seat hitting an eye-popping" $100K.
"That's how much donors will have to raise if they want to dine with" McCain at the Fifth Ave. home of New York Jets owner/event chair Woody Johnson, who expects to collect at least $4M "from a who's who of the city's real estate and finance set." One insider: "A lot of leaders who have been sitting on the sidelines are coming off the bench for this event" (Saltonstall, New York Daily News, 5/1).
McCain is also scheduled to make a fundraising appearance in Portland, OR, on 5/12. Tickets for dinner are $33,100; tickets for a photo-op are $10K; tickets for a VIP reception are $2,300; and tickets for the main reception are $1K (Rollins, Portland Oregonian blog, 4/30).
If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It
Washington Times editorializes, "intending to become extremely dependent on the RNC may prove to be a very bad move" by McCain. The RNC "already faces a major challenge to partially bridge the ever-widening gap" between Dem and GOP cong. fundraising cmtes. Any help McCain "expects from the RNC, whose fundraising already" is $34M below its '03-04 take at comparable stage, "may not be there" (5/1).
Get Smart
Ken Blackwell writes in the New York Sun, McCain "will give a much-anticipated speech on judicial nominations and will speak to the members" of the NRA on 5/6 and 5/16, respectively. "These two speeches are smart moves."
The SCOTUS "is the single most-important issue for millions of conservative voters. A candidate's choice of judges can seal the deal or be a deal-breaker. And the Second Amendment "is a critical issue" in this election. "Millions of swing voters are solid Second Amendment supporters." When a pro-Second Amendment GOPer is up against an anti-gun Dem, "that issue can decide the outcome of a close election. It certainly did" in '00 (5/1).
Go Midwest, Young Man
McCain "has been quietly building an organization to compete" in WI.
The McCain camp has been working with the RNC and the WI GOP "to build a voter-turnout effort that possibly will result in more than 10 offices statewide," according to WI GOP exec. dir. Mark Jefferson. Jefferson, on the McCain camp: "Wisconsin presents a real opportunity for them. They feel McCain is a better fit here for our independent electorate, especially out in the state, than George W. Bush was. You look at the electoral map and if Ohio slips or another state slips, they have to make it up somewhere" (Pitsch, Wisconsin State Journal, 4/30).
More From The Marriage Counseling Front
McCain mgr. Rick Davis met with 14 Senate GOPers on 4/29 "as part of a new attempt to improve communication" between senators and the camp.
Davis discussed McCain's health care plan at the NRSC HQ, "in what is expected to be the first in a series of meetings." Next week, the focus is on energy policy, according to Senate GOPers.
GOPers "say the meetings are open to all 49 senators and may be as frequent as every week." And a McCain aide said the talks will feature policy advisers, strategists and political staff. Sen. John Ensign (R-NV): "They're just keeping us informed" (Raju, The Hill, 5/1).
As Usual, The Non-Binding Resolution Settles It All
"Weighing in on an arcane question" that has arisen because of McCain's birth in the Panama Canal Zone, the Senate "without opposition approved a nonbinding resolution recognizing" that McCain "is a natural-born citizen."
From the resolution: "There is no evidence of the intention of the framers or any Congress to limit the constitutional rights of children born to Americans serving in the military nor to prevent those children from serving as their country's president." The resolution "does not have the power of law," but authors/Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) "said they wanted the Senate clearly on record" (Hulse, New York Times, 5/1).
I'll See Your Hamas, Barack, And I'll Raise You A Hezbollah
Dearborn, MI, resident/Arab American donor Ali Jawad was removed from McCain's MI finance cmte last week after an Oakland Co. blogger complained to the camp "about his criminal record and alleged ties to Lebanese-based terrorists."
An official from the RNC sent an email to atty/blogger Debbie Schlussel on 4/25 saying Jawad "is no longer participating in efforts -- whether fund-raising or otherwise -- on behalf of McCain Victory 2008." Jawad "was convicted of misusing insurance funds" in '97 and "sentenced to probation. But Schlussel was more critical of him in a posting on her blog for what she says are alleged ties" to Hezbollah (Bell, Detroit Free Press, 5/1).
Positions On Actual Issues Are So Overrated
Washington Times' Ullman writes, "the question is whether or not" McCain's "character and personality can win the day" in Nov. '08. "I am concerned about a number" of McCain's positions, "especially towards Russia and China. Iraq offers no good way out whether we stay or go. And attacking Iran would be a strategic disaster." However, if the camp "continues in the current direction, and character and credibility win out, look for President McCain" come Jan. '09 (5/1).
Driving Miss Cindy
Cindy McCain appeared on "Tonight Show" last night.
Jay Leno: "Now, something people do not know, and I did not know this until recently. And I've known you a long time and you've never told me this. That you're actually a racecar driver."
C. McCain: "I am. A little bit."
Leno: "Explain the kind of racing you do."
C. McCain: "Well, my son Jack, my 21-year-old son, wanted to build a racecar. ... So, I kind of got into it a little bit with him. But the kind of race car that it is, is it's a drift car. And I learned how to drift race. I did it with him both in Japan, as well as in Arizona. And the of two us have drifted together. Now, he, I will say, I have driven the drift car, but when we race together, he drives and I ride in the [passenger seat[."
Leno: "And explain what drifting is, for people who don't know."
C. McCain: "Well, it's an odd kind of racing. Any of you that saw 'Tokyo Drift,' or anything like that ... it's really kind of a controlled skidding. I mean, that's a loose term for what it is. It's not a speed issue. ... You hang it on the edge all the way around. And you keep it. And the further you hang, the better it is."
Leno: "Now, let me ask you. Do you find yourself drifting more to the right or to the left? I'm just curious."
C. McCain: "Sometimes, the right, yeah."
Leno: "And your husband, does he drift more to the right?"
C. McCain: "Oh, he's definitely right."
Leno: "Now, does your husband [drift race] as well?"
C. McCain: "Nope. No, he does not. He's never even seen the race."
Leno: "You know, I was thinking, if he was elected president, he would be the only president ever to do a burnout in my Corvette. ... He had a Corvette when he was a kid, like a '59. So I drove my Corvette one day, he goes, 'Oh, can I borrow it?'. And he ... does a burnout all the way up the street."
C. McCain: "He's not the best of drivers, either. I drive most of the time."
Leno: "Let me ask you something kind of serious. I know you've had some health problems. And to your credit, you've been very open about it. Explain, was it painkillers you had a problem with?"
C. McCain: "I did. A number of years ago, I had spinal surgery. I had ruptured two disks during carrying kids and doing everything else. And I became addicted to painkillers. Prescription painkillers. And during the course of that time, of course, what addicts are very good at doing, is hiding it from their families, from their friends, from everybody, which is exactly what I did. I hid it from my husband. And he never knew. My parents came to me one day and said, 'You know, Cindy, there's something wrong with you. There's something wrong with you.' And I said, 'You know, you're right. You're absolutely right.' And I put them down, and I never touched another one again."
More C. McCain: "And ... it is a problem, though, that is a national problem. Particularly with women. And so, I try to talk about it as much as possible, because I don't want anyone to ever wind up in the shoes I did at the time" (NBC, 4/30).
See scenes from the interview on today's Play of the Day.
Meanwhile, McCain, in response to C. McCain's assertion that he's not the best driver: "I'll tell ya, I'm one of the great drivers in America' ("Fox & Friends," FNC, 5/1).
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