McCain tie-dyed 'Tied Up' ad

Posted: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:13 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
At the GOP debate on Sunday, McCain got a standing ovation for his line criticizing Clinton for wanting to allocate $1 million for a Woodstock museum.

"Now my friends, I wasn't there," McCain said of the rock-and-roll festival. "I'm sure it was a cultural and pharmaceutical event. I was, I was tied up at the time."

His campaign has now created a 30-second ad, called "Tied Up," from what the campaign calls his "classic line." The ad, which will run in New Hampshire, begins with a spinning tie-dyed image and The Doors playing in the background. It cuts back to a serious-looking McCain at the debate delivering his line. When he says "tied up at the time," the image cuts away again, this time to video of McCain as a prisoner of war.

"No one can be President of the United States that supports projects such as these," McCain concludes.

Script for "Tied Up":
MCCAIN: A few days ago, Senator Clinton tried to spend one million dollars on the Woodstock concert museum.

"Now my friends, I wasn't there. I'm sure it was a cultural and pharmaceutical event. I was, I was tied up at the time."
(APPLAUSE)

MCCAIN: "No one can be President of the United States that supports projects such as these.
"I'm John McCain and I approve this message."

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Comments

vomit

amy B Portland ME (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:20 PM)

Ouch! Hillary won't be able to hide from that one.

NotALemming (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:21 PM)

Woodstock may be important to some people. The idea of a museum would be OK, with private money. McCain is saying that everyone should have suffered because he was suffering, because we were at War? Or it was wrong to oppose a War for Democracy?

The Iraq War was, arguably, the war where everyone got a big house and a subprime mortgage. How does that work? It's OK that Bush enabled McMansions during every week of the Iraq War, but the idea someone had a sense of 'brotherhood' or whatever, during Vietnam, that's outrageously wrong? Who sacrificed anything during the Iraq War, senator, other than the poor Guard units or vols? Are you kidding?

Why don't we build a McMansion Museum to honor the people who got ever material possession they wanted during the Iraq War.

George Sears, Cedar City, Utah (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:26 PM)

amy B--What's wrong with that message? Do you honestly BELIEVE Federal money should be spent on a LOCAL museum? Why?

Richard Fifield, Easton, PA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:32 PM)

Is this the general election or the primary? The republican candidates eat, sleep, breathe Hillary Clinton. Try getting the nomination first, McCain.

P.S. vote for Obama

John, Syracuse, NY (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:33 PM)

I would have considered voting for John in 2000. Since then he has sold his soul, but instead of gaining the world, or the nomination, he has lost his original constituency while failing to attract the religious right and the other groups that he compromised his principles to appeal to.
I very much respect his service to our country, and I truly consider him to be an American hero, but the current edition of John McCain would be embarrassing to the John McCain of 2000.

Van

vanreuter, NY NY (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:39 PM)

Amy-I second that vomit and hope we are spared another rendition of bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran.

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:41 PM)

All these years after the fact the entire conservative movement is largely driven by hatred of hippies...who never comprised more than a tiny segment of the population in the first place.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:42 PM)

No one can be President of the United States who supports the war in Iraq and all the wrongheaded policies of the Bush Administration -- which includes trampling on the U.S. Constitution.

Rich Klein, Bethel, NY (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:44 PM)

God bless John McCain and heaven help us if Clinton gets anywhere close to the White House again!

Concerned Citizen (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:45 PM)

You know it's just a matter of time before someone creates an ad highlighting some ridiculous project that McCain supported with the heading "No one should be President who supports a project like this"

McCain...your feet of clay will be exposed shortly

Jim, Atlanta (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:47 PM)

"No one can be President of the United States that supports projects such as these," McCain concludes." .. I guess having a President that lies about a war and as a result thousands of americans die ... is the kind of President the GOP really wants.

Ricardo in California (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:49 PM)

At this point McCain is more of a long shot than Ron Paul, but I remember why he was originally my reluctant first choice. He won't shrink the government or end our nation-building campaign in Iraq, but he will handle it with a little more intelligence and wisdom than Guiliani or Clinton.

Rachel Farer, Newark, DE (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:53 PM)

Well my Fellow americans it is said that Bill and Hilary met at Woodstok shearing a seringe. no wander why she wants to build a museum

Carson mia fl (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:58 PM)

The amount that her little museum would have cost the taxpayers was money that could be used as Social security payments for someone like my 94 year old mother who worked until age 72 but if you are a Democrat you would rather spend on frivilous non life threatening things to pander to your left leaning constituents

Stella Rose Taylors , South Carolina (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 5:07 PM)

Odd that McCain acts as though his service in the military was more important than the people who marched and protested toend that war.

They heros were the everday soldiers and the everyday protestors, not the Admirals son. While it was admirable that he refused to leave prison early, it was not admirable necessary or "good" war.

Tuck,Realityville, KS (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 5:10 PM)

Just show McCain's performance on "Meet the Press" in about March, 2007. The guy was seriously depressed and should have been on suicide watch. If, by some miracle, his candidacy becomes viable, that tape will destroy him.

Bob, Denver (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 5:14 PM)

John B- Ironically, alot of hippies are your neocons today who were greatly influenced by Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson (D)

juan,ft lauderdale, fl (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 5:15 PM)

McCain is too old. Hillary can drink his old butt under the table. Without Woodstock he'd probably still be tied up.

Tairy Greene (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 5:22 PM)

Wow a full monty of BS from your loyal liberal liars.

NoBullPlease (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 5:39 PM)

Senator McCain still needs to work through the fact that he was imprisoned in the Hanoi Hilton for 5 years as the result a lie (Gulf of Tonkin) to facilitate an escalation of a foreign intervention based on a mistaken policy crafted by arrogant men on an unsound foundation of Hubris.
Sound familiar?
We are not always right Senator. Respectfully, you cannot have my grand children and my tax dollars for your quest to make it appear as though we are always right. Go back to Arizona sir. You have more than earned the gratitude of this nation and your time in the sun.

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 5:41 PM)

Attacking the messenger again I see. McCain,or Paul,it makes little differance. What is at point is the wasteful garbage we are spending taxpayer dough on. Lest anyone get their britches in a bind,we are reminded by todays non-partisan ROLL CALL magazine that it is now the Democrats who are spending like sailors on a Manila liberty to the tune of over 100 billion bucks in less than nine months after capturing Congress for virtual crap that no-one wants or needs,unless it be their corporate campaign financing pals. Even the leftwinged SALON,winced at what the Democrats were up to in spending in an article yesterday adhering to the rock band The Who's musical dictum.

Lee Holmes (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 5:42 PM)

If I had a nickel for each million spent on pork-barrel projects (and literally given to his VP's companies) by our current (idiot) President, I'd be as wealthy as Bill Gates.

Gary (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 5:43 PM)

The Ultra 'Conservative' Right has been demonizing 'Liberal' Left Hippies for over thirty years, especially using 'Woodstock'. But what were they doing back in the Sixties? Trying to disenfranchize voters at the polls and rig elections. I guess it still remains my standard to judge the radical versions of Conservative and Liberal ideas of fun. (But I think most of the people at Woodstock, were just there to hear Jimi Hendrix.)

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 6:01 PM)

mr. mccain... do you see your problem?

you're still living your life of 40 years ago as though its important now.
listen up...both vietnam and iraq are pointless wars.
sorry that you spent time in a prison camp on vacation ( by the bush admin standards you were NOT tortured), but get over it.

we need a president that can lead in today's world, not 4 decades ago

Tuck,Realityville, KS (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 6:06 PM)

I will not vote for John McmexiCain or Billary Clinton. Both will be a total disaster for the nation. McmexiCain will start another disastrous war with Iran, and Billary will bleed us dry with her health-care-for-the-world program. I digress. I see nothing wrong with the ad; Billary wants to spend a million dollars on a museum that will close within 10 years of opening. Talk about misplaced priorities.

Marc (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 6:08 PM)

More evidence every day that McCain is the most electable GOP. For example today's poll from Wisconsin that has him running much better than Rudy when matched up to Hillary: http://www.campaigndiaries.com/2007/10/presidential-diary-why-does-steven.html

Daniel (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 6:11 PM)

hey carson in miami,
are you old enough to remember all the cocaine cowboys in your town during Bush 1?
Thats probably where georgie got his blow!
I can't believe woodstock is being debated in 2007. It's the past man, light up sit back and watch the world explode man, no drugs needed for that show, Peace.

John S. Alexander, Edinboro, PA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 6:30 PM)

"Do you honestly BELIEVE Federal money should be spent on a LOCAL museum? "

My question, Richard, is when was the last time you saw a museum that wasn't "local"? Yosemite is pretty "local" but the feds spend money on it, and I'm glad they do.

Stella, do you feel better? If you want to dry-heave about every $1,000,000 that gets tossed away by the US government, I suggest you get a full night's sleep, first. (For extra credit, keep track of which party is wasting it. Let us know.)

Carson - your comment was beneath contempt. (And about semi-literate.)

Lee in CA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 6:58 PM)

Psst, Stella: Democrats gave your mother that Social Security.

P.S.: You're welcome.

Edward Lachowicz (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 7:09 PM)

I think his ad is really cute! I wish I could believe that he had learned from his experiences. Hey John, Undeclared, Unjustified Wars Are a disaster! Did you forget that? (it is even worse when we're funding them with 2.4 TRILLION BORROWED dollars) It is TIME to WAKE UP AMERICA! Maybe he should read some of Ron Paul's position on this!

E Philipp (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 7:28 PM)

no one can be pres. support proj such as this...give me a break john. hils project is a mil your project with bush is 2.4 tril in a decade. i may not support fed funding of this museum but the majority of this nation isn't buying your project buddy. i'm like van says you lost my respect after 2000. i served in nam and appreciate your sacrifice but if it weren't for people like the "hippies" of the 60's you'd probably have died there as we never would have left. give credit to the peace.karlosk

karlosgrismill@planters.net (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 8:08 PM)

I think Hillary will be the Democrat nominated. But I DO NOT think she will be a good president, she comes across as smarter than she really is. I think she is as big a liar as her husband. I live in Arkansas.

Twiggy Dover, Arkansas (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 8:36 PM)

Juan, good observation. And indeed, very ironic. Maybe people who got frustrated with trying to change things through peaceful means, so they decided to force their will on the world?

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 8:53 PM)

I think His Campign is setting it up for when Hillary wins Iowa all those Indies in NH backing Obama will be up for grabs, like in 2000 after Bradley lost Iowa.

Paul8148 (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 8:55 PM)

Are all of you insane?
Forget about Democrat or Republican.
The point is that it is ridiculous to spend tax payer's money on these ear marked projects when we need the money for everything from Medicare and Social Security to fixing our infrastructure.
And say what you want but McCain was a hero. Not a single one of you has as much guts as that man has in his pinkie.
Disparage McCain on the issues if you want - not on his service to our country.

Jay - Plano, TX (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 10:12 PM)

Have we forgatten that the Hippies were only expressing a part of the religious revival of the 60's and 70's? Woodstock is a very special turning point in American Social History and should not be forgotten. I did not attend it but Homer Simpson did!

Doug, Garden Grove, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 10:50 PM)

Clinton is a Washington self serving paper Hanger, A lunatic which is an escapee from the funny farm.

Someone get a straight Jacket!!!!

FACT //AZ (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 11:27 PM)

I used to have respect for McCain. Then after the South Carolina primary (after which I learned to hate Bush & his people) when he didn't strongly respond to the push polls by Bush's people implying he had an illegitate black daughter, I lost respect for him.

He didn't more strongly defend his own family and his adopted Bangledeshi daughter against the Bush people - he should have forced an apology from Bush; I think they must have castrated him while he was a prisoner in Vietnam.

Alan F, Baltimore, MD (Sent Thursday, October 25, 2007 12:38 AM)

McCain is right. I know that if he is ever elected president, he will stop the building of the Woodstock museum and send an additional one million dollars of US tax payers money to build muslims mosques, new roads, bridges and schools in Iraq.

Jose Lopez, Miami, Florida (Sent Thursday, October 25, 2007 1:12 AM)

Bob, Denver; Gilligan! How's the Skipper?

the Professor, via coconut laptop (Sent Thursday, October 25, 2007 3:50 AM)

Richard Fifield, Easton, PA , And McCain attempted to secure 10 million in earmarks to create a center at an Arizona law school to be named after conservatie Supreme Court Justice Rehnquist. The Republican party has been allocating federal money for all kinds of pork projects for years. People criticize other states' politicians for wasteful spending, but they judge their own on how effective they are at bringing it home. I have seen people on this blog ask, "what has Clinton done for New York?" I imagine this bit of pork was meant to provide money to build a tourist trap in a region that needed added income. Where I Iive, tourist fleecing is our major industry. All elected officials are expected to participate in luring vacationers here. That McCain contrasted Clinton's securing pork to his time spent in a prison camp cheapens his position. There was a time I supported McCain, but truthfully, I am so over him now.

Amy B Portland ME (Sent Thursday, October 25, 2007 7:40 AM)

Hillary probably should have avoided that wee bit of pork barrel politics and really, Hillary never was a Woodstock type of gal (even alot of us sentimental old hippies never made it to Yasger's farm) - but we're still voting democratic, despite rumors to the contrary. On the other hand, is McCain still running?
He lost all credibility ages ago, and the pitiful guy is apparently the last to know. Really, he should have grown his hair long when he had the chance all those years ago and joined the peace movement - he could have had a head shop in Sedona or sold New Age crystals or something - anything but that boring gray suit for the last 30 years. And now, it's over - what to do in retirement?? I see books and speaking tours in his future as I gaze into the (herbal) tea leaves.

notthatguy (Sent Thursday, October 25, 2007 8:06 AM)

This is funny stuff man...couple of things wrong with senile johns joke...no one else on the stage with him served at all in vietnam so they weren't tied up either AND the reps have funded countless worthless projects including ones that celebrate other equally objectionable acts in american history...and why is the guy running 3rd or 4th worried about the other partys front runner anyway?

Rick, WS, NC (Sent Thursday, October 25, 2007 8:19 AM)

Ok.

Wouldn't vote for him, but that ad is pretty damn funny...

Adam Columbus OH (Sent Thursday, October 25, 2007 8:32 AM)

Is that actually the Doors playing in the background? Did they really give McCain permission to use that?

Foggy, Washington DC (Sent Thursday, October 25, 2007 9:18 AM)

Huh? this man was behing campaign finance reform and now takes money from lobbyists. How much pork -barrel spending went to his state this year
Woodstock gave us Alice's Restaurant.

Desmond (Sent Thursday, October 25, 2007 9:35 AM)

I saw Arlo Guthrie in concert this summer. He has revised Alice's Restaurant. He says to imagine if one of us walked into a restaurant and started singing that song. Might get some looks. But if two or three or four of us did, it just might be the start of a movement.I'd turn in the gazillion dollar check he signed for me to help pay for the Iraq war, but I think its funny money and would go for a phony war.

Desmond (Sent Thursday, October 25, 2007 10:01 AM)

And the check Arlo signed? Well, I framed it, put it in my kitchen where I can see it every day. It gives me hope.

Desmond (Sent Thursday, October 25, 2007 10:12 AM)

Where are all the Presidential candidates, especially Hillary Clinton since she represents New York and why aren't they commenting on the New York Governor's plan to issue driver's licenses to illegal immmigrants? Not to mention that the voting commission now said they don't have to ask for a social security number when they vote anymore, that a driver's license is sufficient. Voter fraud anyone? And please don't tell me I'm a racist. I just don't think anyone who is already breaking the law by being here illegally should be allowed to have the privilege of getting a driver's license or above all, being allowed to VOTE! We should all remember that driver's licenses are also used to get on airplanes! Where is the Federal Government on this one? In New Jersey we need to show 6 different things to prove we are from New Jersey and Legally! I can't believe not one person who is running for President has addressed this issue! I am very disappointed!!!

New Independent (Sent Thursday, October 25, 2007 10:38 AM)

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