McCain ad: Blame Obama for gas prices

Posted: Monday, July 21, 2008 11:04 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, McCain, Ads

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
McCain is going up with an ad that blames Obama for the high price of gas.

"Gas prices -- $4, $5, no end in sight, because some in Washington are still saying no to drilling in America. No to independence from foreign oil. Who can you thank for rising prices at the pump?" an announcer asks over crowd chants of "O-bama, O-bama." Then Obama's smiling image appears on the screen.

The ad, called "Pump," ends with another shot at Obama -- a play on an earlier ad's kicker -- "Don't hope for more energy, vote for it." "Love," an ad released earlier this month, ended, "Don't hope for a better life; vote for one."

The current ad is being cycled into the campaign's national cable buy and locally in Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia (to run in Northern Virginia) and Wisconsin.

There is a debate in Congress on the potential benefits of off-shore drilling. Obama opposes expansion of off-shore drilling and the lifted federal moratorium on the practice. Most, including Republicans, however, agree that off-shore drilling would have no impact in the near-run on gas prices.

*** UPDATE *** The Obama campaign responds: “John McCain said recently that ‘our dangerous dependence on foreign oil has been 30 years in the making, and was caused by the failure of politicians in Washington,’" writes Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor. "As someone who’s been in Washington for 26 years, Senator McCain is one of those politicians, and he’s consistently opposed investments in renewable energy that would reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Now he’s proposing nearly $4 billion in tax breaks for the oil companies and Washington gimmicks that he admits will only provide ‘psychological relief’ to consumers. Barack Obama has fought for energy independence in the Senate and has a plan to invest $150 billion in renewable sources of energy that will create five million new jobs and provide struggling families with an immediate energy rebate and a $1,000 middle-class tax cut."

Obama camp includes this video of McCain saying the energy crisis is 30 years in the making and that what's needed is a long-term solution.
Here's the full script:
ANNCR: Gas prices - $4, $5, no end in sight, because some in Washington are still saying no to drilling in America. No to independence from foreign oil. Who can you thank for rising prices at the pump?

CHANT: Obama, Obama

ANNCR: One man knows we must now drill more in America and rescue our family budgets. Don't hope for more energy, vote for it. McCain.
JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.
AD FACTS: Script For "Pump" (TV :30)
ANNCR: Gas prices - $4, $5, no end in sight, because some in Washington are still saying no to drilling in America.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Apparently McCain thinks Americans are stupid. I guess this ad just focused on his Republican base.

BL, Cincinnati OH (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:14 AM)

Truthful ad. I like it.

Rhj (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:15 AM)

The skyrocketing prices of gas can be blamed on ONE thing, and one thing only: The War in Iraq. A war McCain, NOT Obama, wanted to wage. And yet, somehow, Obama is to blame for the price of gas??????

That has to be the single most ridiculous, absurd claim that the McCain campaign has made so far. Unbelievable.

Linda. Boston, MA (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:15 AM)

"The ad, called "Pump," ends with another shot at Obama -- a play on an earlier ad's kicker -- "Don't hope for more energy, vote for it." "Love," an ad released earlier this month, ended, "Don't hope for a better life; vote for one."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Oh my!

The McCain campaign has found a coherent tag line to use! Wonders never cease!

That should take everyone's mind off of his discredited policies on Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran!

Crisis averted!

P.S. I can't wait for the psychological benefits of giving the oil companies MORE MONEY to drill in a DEACADE to kick in - that is some SOUND POLICY right there!

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:16 AM)

McCain campaign is now bordering on delusion.

New Wave (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:17 AM)

Gore said on MTP yesterday that drilling more in America would just mean more oil exports - not any relief at the pumps!

ujw, ny (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:17 AM)

God help us if the American people are really this dumb.

I for one am insulted.

Chad, Salt Lake City Utah (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:17 AM)

While you are at it, why not blame Obama for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, broken legs, strep throat, etc?

Conservativism is a social disease that attacks the brain first!

A.Brocco, Albuquerque,NM (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:17 AM)

hysterical... Obama's camp now needs to display McCain's voting record on alternative fuel legislation.

McCain's legislative record on the environment has been similarly disappointing. When the League of Conservation Voters released their annual congressional scorecard for 2007, McCain scored a big fat zero on all things environmental. It's not that he voted against environmental protections. He just didn't bother to show up for the vote on the 15 legislative issues the league included in its scorecard -- measures that would have eliminated subsidies to big oil, created a national renewable electricity standard and included $5.7 billion in tax incentives for renewable energy in the economic stimulus package.

What's more, McCain was among those who voted against approving the Kyoto Protocol in 1998, and he maintains that he won't sign any global climate treaty that doesn't include China and India. So while he talks big about climate and environmental concerns, when it comes to imposing tough standards on industry, making necessary federal investments, and assuming a position of world leadership on climate, he has shown very little initiative.

more at:http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_myth_of_green_mccain

ya know (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:19 AM)

Diane Hynes, Pittsburgh PA (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:19 AM)

McCain already admitted that drilling wont do anything for us for many years to come (oh, except make us 'feel better', I almost forgot). So how can he then turn right around and claim that this is the solution to the gas prices that we are paying NOW????

McCain used to be 'The Maverick'. He was the ONE Republican that I always wanted to see on a joint ticket with a Democrat. Then he became a panderer to the conservative right, abandoning all the things he once fought for (or against). But now? Now he's just an outright LIAR. I have lost all respect for this man.

Linda. Boston, MA (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:19 AM)

Gee, I'm so glad that McCain pledged to run a clean campaign, can you imagine how bad these attack ads would be if Karl Rove were opening working for McCain instead of behind the scenes?

Obama 08

NoMcCain (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:19 AM)

THIS IS SAD!! Who is putting together ads for McCain!!??!! He needs to get rid of some more people!!

GA GUY (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:20 AM)

Since drilling won't produce a drop of oil for seven years, how will it help with the pain I'm feeling at the pump right now? How will drilling for more oil reduce our dependence on oil, as you said would be your goal should you be elected POTUS? What have you done for the 26 years you've been in Congress to help reduce our dependence on oil?

ddc (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:20 AM)

Now this is funny - I told you the Repukes think the American people are complete idiots.

NO SHAME

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:21 AM)

the time to drill has past; instead of subsidizing the oil industry we should abandon them in favor of renewable energy sources, the money spent on this effort should be routed around the oil companies not through them. history has proven oil companies intend to sell oil not renewable energy. there will be no painless transition away from oil and other fossil fuels, it is up to the government to see the pain is spread equally throughout the population and to avoid the republican theory that the poor should support the wealthy, mccain's energy policy is more of the same, that is not going to solve the problem.

MK,MO (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:21 AM)

With every passing day the McCain campaign sounds more desparete and more confused. From troubling gaffes on geographical locations, political groups, slips of the tongue regarding Sen Obama's plans etc.
His campaign is going nowhere fast at this rate.

That said, I do not agree with name calling or personal remarks on the Senator's age, or his family.
There is nothing to be gained by stating the obvious, voters are smart enough to be able to see through the BS and lately the GOP have been very good at stepping in it.

gmhussein, Jupiter, Fl (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:21 AM)

5 to 7 years to develop ANWR for 2 years, conservatively, of oil.

Same for new offshore.

And they still won't answer why they aren't drilling in the 68 million acres of offshore leases they already have or the 28 million more in Alaska.

T Boone Pickins is right this time. "We can't drill our way out of this one."

How convenient to blame it on the "suspicious" looking exotic named, "forigner" who would dare to run for President.

The only button they haven't touched yet is coming up with a middle aged white woman accusing him of rape.
Give em time. The "To Kill a Mockingbird" 527 group is just around the corner.

Gary Schear, bozeman Montana (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:21 AM)

Gas was 1.48 a gallon when W took office...Should anything more be said.

Marie (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:21 AM)

From reading this website you would think that only McCain ever does ads. Each one gets prime coverage while Obama's ads are ignored.

Eric, PHX (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:23 AM)

here's more on McCain's look on wind power

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/12/mccain-touts-green-polici_n_101277.html

ya know (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:24 AM)

Scorecard:

McCain: For more domestic drilling. For nuclear plants. For new and expanded refineries. For research and development of alternative engergies. For a practical and sensibile energy plan.

Obama: Against domestic drilling. Against nuclear plants. Against additional refinery capacity. Uses Hope and Change as his energy plan. Hoping for a miracle to save us, and is too stubborn to Change his mind.

The choice is clear.

HB Barnes, New Mexico (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:24 AM)

What A Crock of Shamoley.
It's sad that some people will actually believe this energy crisis and economy crisis is Sen. Obama's fault. McTroll must think the American people are really stupid!

We Are NOT Stupid, Indpls (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:25 AM)

Blame Obama for energy prices. What else is he going to blame Obama for. Petrhaps the Senator is also responsible for starting the war in Iraq.

Phil ("mental recession") Grahan's wife Wendy deregulated oil price trading when she was in charge of the CFTC a commodity regulatory firm. This alowed speculators into the market which, some experts think have rasied the price of oil as much as $30 a barrel.

Also, built into the price of oil is something called the "Iran Factor". Speculators have factored into the price of oil the economic impact of what would happen if Iran cut off oil supplies. As the announcement last week that the US and Iran were beginning to reopen diplomatic ties, the price of oil fell from about $145 TO $125 a barrel, about a 13% drop. Just talking to the Iranians have allayed some fears with a resultant dramatic drop in the price per barrel.

Drilling has nothing to do with it. Period. No results for 10 years or more and, frankly, none of the major oil producers care.

Speculators and world tensions are driving up the price. Speculation like bombing Iran as hinted at by McCain/Bush are keeping it high.

This is just another ad in a series that have tried to tie Obama to Bush. Laughable at best, but remeber this is coming from the McCain campaign.

Ira, Freehold, NJ (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:26 AM)

Firstly, this ad is by far the most outragiously misleading of the campaign. McCain would be called out on it hard-core by a responsible press.

Second, folks should really check out the "Just Asking" on culturethreads this AM. I think they are right that McCain didn't seem well this AM on the news shows....

g (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:27 AM)

You've got to be kidding me?!?

How about blaming the Bush Administration for their completely failed energy policies? Gas was a $1.50 a gallon when Bush the oilman took office.

Marihelen, TX (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:27 AM)

Sen. McCain apparently is basing his campaign on what polls well and not real solution.

He has agreed himself that the drilling will only bring "psychological effect" and not a drop of gas in at least 7 years. So who is fooling who?

Nelson, Knoxville Tenn (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:27 AM)

If this idiocy keeps up, Obama is a SHOO IN!!

All right!!!

Linda Montgomery AL (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:27 AM)

Wasn't McCain one of the folks in Washington who was against drilling, until 5 minutes ago? So if this ad is correct in its premise, then we can blame McCain on the current rise in gas prices, right?

What a dumb ad.

The rise in costs is mostly from increased demand (and a lot of that from Chinese and Indians) with constant supply.

We could tap into more fields, increasing supply of processed products in something like 10 years. Or we can begin the inevitable conversion away from these fuels and reap some benefit from that in about 10 years. Either way, its not a quick fix to the pain. But with the latter course, at least it puts us in a better place.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:28 AM)

It's about time th Obama campaign came up wth an ad that shows all the gaffle sthat McCan has had. Let's show this guy is really borderline senile.

Sunni/Shia
Iraq vs Afghanistan, vs Pakistan
Colombia vs Columbia
Africa as continent, vs Africa as a country,
etc....

This guy really is dumber than the the rocks and sahoudl be called on wht he says.

The Don, Independence, MO (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:29 AM)

Have to agree Marie. This administration has deep ties to oil and Saudi Arabia. You look at who attacked us on 9/11 and it was the Saudi's. Sure Osama Bin Laden too but look at who is the real culprit in all this and you get led right back to the Administration that has allowed Osama bin laden to continue his efforts and has destroyed our economic power in the world.

Josh, NC (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:30 AM)

<<5 to 7 years to develop ANWR for 2 years, conservatively, of oil. >>

Bush recinded an executive order blocking domestic drilling, and oil plunged $15/barrel in two days. The executive order was symbolic in that congress needs to pass a law opening up domestic oil drilling. Just think where the price of oil would go if we say we're going to drill for real. Think $60/barrel. Even less as more pipelines go on line.

It would really help if the Left in this country learned why oil prices are so high, and understood how the economy worked. The world be a much less scary place for you if you did.

Boe Tecon, Beaumont, Texas (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:30 AM)

Hmmm... two oil men head up the Executive Branch...

Is the McCain campaign delusional? Or do they just think Americans are stupid?

http://ilfamilypolitics.blogspot.com

Julia Kelly, Illinois (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:30 AM)

SPECULATORS.....They acount for 73% of the oil futures markets today while they only accounted for 23% in 2001. Educate yourselves. While supply and demand have rasised the prices somewhat up to 50% is not based on supply and demand is being purely manipulated by speculators. Congress can regualate this market and will have an immediate impact on prices. Obama supports more regulations on oil and gas futures trading. This alone could possilby cut the prices in half. Even if they cut prices by 10% they should be acting immediately.

paul (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:30 AM)

Let me keep it simple for the poorly educated, stupid and ignorant...oil was 29 bucks a barrel the day before shrubie invaded Iraq...by the way, for the really really stupid, worldwide supply and demand do not explain a price increase that is 7 fold in 6 years...mccain-bush and their chickenhawk breathen are responsible, not barack obama...sheesh

Rick, NC (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:30 AM)

I can't wait to see what the Obama campaign has to say about this. I think McCain, and his campaign should also blame those Republicans who disagree with him, and is on the right side with Obama about off-shore drilling. Ha.

The more the repukes make up these desperate lies, the more I get pumped up for their big loss come November.

Californian for Obama (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:30 AM)

See liberals, here's where the rubber hits the road. You can prop up your 'rock star' candidate as much as you like by sending all of your unemployed to his speeches, but the fact remains that Obama and the Democratic leaders in congress have no intention of doing anything to lower fuel prices. A vote for Obama is a vote for another $1-$2 at the pump.

Diane Hynes, Pittsburgh PA (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:19 AM)
******************************************************

Yes, Chad, there are some voters that are THAT dumb!

LB, Virginia (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:30 AM)

Oil Companies have had an "oil friendly" president in the white house for 7 1/2 years...how will McCains policies be any different?

Oh yeah and while not a huge savings, gas prices went down last week 25 cents near me. Must be all that talk about ending speculative loopholes that are send them a running...

Lets pull demand off for oil permanently, not just delay the demand to a later date.

Obama

GP Chicago (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:30 AM)

Apparantly John McCain was searching for oil when he out his head in Conan O'Briens's lap Friday night.

Let the oil companies drill in the leases they now hold. Oh, wait a minute - the oil companies are looking for a monoply on all drilling everwher conceivable, so they will hold Americans hostage to $15.00 a gallon gas.

Let them drill in McCains' backyard.

Bob Barr (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:31 AM)

Good... let him waste his ad budget. Throw Obama another softball, McCain.

By the way, what happened to that Gas Tax Holiday you were talking about for so long?? Oh, that's right...

--part of the *stellar* press McCain got over the weekend.

http://ilfamilypolitics.blogspot.com

Midwest Mom, Illiana (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:32 AM)

So let's see: Obama must also be to blame for hurricanes, vericose veins, the flu, and that lesion on your sister's behind. McCain has become beyond ridiculous. This is really the best that republicans could do?

Ron Jeffers, Arizona Independent (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:32 AM)

I love the smell of desperation in the morning.
Trying to stay relevant in the face of obama's big trip, McSame is stumbling around furiously posting quicky ads attacking Obama and no one paying attention.

dlake (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:32 AM)

Dude you gotta be kidding

laughaday (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:32 AM)

Gas was 1.48 a gallon when W took office...Should anything more be said.

Marie (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:21 AM)

Gas was $2.15 when the Democrats took control of congress in 2006. The Dems promised they would reduce the price of gas. How'd that work out so far?

Narie (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:32 AM)

Any respect or credibility I may have had for McCain is long gone. I can't stand this guy.

LENI,MICHIGAN (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:33 AM)

What a ridiculous old, out of touch war mongering, ecomomically clueless, wife dumping, S&L scandalous excuse of a candidate the republicants have come up with. He like Bush has no connection to average Americans and their struggles. McCain isn't capable of representing the people of the U.S. without damaging us worse. Oh yea, Stupid ad. Keep wasting your money RNC.

bill, okla (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:33 AM)

This Ad is pretty weak. Even Picken's plan has already debunk McCain's drilling gimmick. I hope they run it after Picken's ad on TV

Bee (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:33 AM)

As long as the conservatives are playing politics, I would love to point out Mr. Turncoat's recent comment to Fox News (by Mr. Turncoat, I mean Libermann) - "McCain would rather lose an election...." Well, he will. Thanks for the insight on your confidence level Joe!

John (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:33 AM)

Now ever their ads have that feeling of desperation about them, don't they? Guess they're counting on Americans being stupid again this election. Remember the old saying, "Fool me once......
NOT THIS TIME Republicans, not this time! Obama '08!

Diane from Illinois (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:34 AM)

The problem of high gas prices will not be solved from the supply side. It will be solved only from the demand side. Reduce your consumption and prices will go down. Economics 101.

Ron Jeffers, Arizona Independent (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:34 AM)

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