McCain ad: Blame Obama for gas prices

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

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Comments

I wonder what funny quips McShecky will come up with when the all the success that Obama has stirred up finally comes to a head. I think the american people will be able to see through all the spin that the Repubs. are trying to make up. Let's hope anyway.

JoAnn, Moundsville, WV (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:35 AM)

Turns out its all Obama's fault.....not the fault of politicians who have been in Washington for 20 or 30 years, like say, John McCain? Give me a break!

Gary, El Centro Ca (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:35 AM)

Once Obama returns to the States he needs to come up with a centralist/bi-partisan energy plan and a sound econonic plan.

Every ad and ever speech needs to talk about energy and the economy. If McCain has a better energy and economic plan then he will win in the fall. It's the economy stupid!

Mark, Salem,CT (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:36 AM)

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

Yes, Marie, something else should be said....gas rose to near $5.00 under W. Now, I'm not sure you're in support of W, or are loosely trying to point out that that was really during the Clinton adminstration, but I thought more should "be said." Give credit where credit is do.

John (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 11:36 AM)

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