McCain's new ad contains dubious claims

Posted: Friday, August 08, 2008 10:20 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Ads

From NBC's Mark Murray
The McCain campaign has announced it's running yet another TV ad hitting Obama for his "celebrity" and for wanting to raise taxes.

The campaign says the ad is being cycled into its buy in Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia (Northern Virginia), and Wisconsin.

But the ad makes some dubious claims:
1) When it says that Obama voted "to raise taxes on people making just $42,000," that was on a non-binding budget resolution vote that didn't actually raise or lower taxes. From Factcheck.org: "The resolution does not contain a specific provision to raise tax rates, but rather assumes that most of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts expire as scheduled in 2011."

2) According to Obama's economic plan, he would raise taxes only on those making more than $250,000 per year, and would provide tax cuts to those making less than that. Factcheck.org: "Obama has stated repeatedly that his plan would increase taxes only for those making more than $250,000 per year."

The script:
ANNCR: Life in the spotlight must be grand, but for the rest of us times are tough. Obama voted to raise taxes on people making just $42,000.
He promises more taxes on small business, seniors, your life savings, your family. Painful taxes, hard choices for your budget. Not ready to lead. That's the real Obama.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approved this message.

*** UPDATE *** Says Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan in a a statement: "This ad is a lie, and it's part of the old, tired politics of a party in Washington that has run out of ideas and run out of steam. Even though a host of independent, nonpartisan organizations have said this attack isn't true, Senator McCain continues to lie about Senator Obama's plan to give 95% of all families a tax cut of $1,000, and not raise taxes for those making under $250,000 a single dime. The reason so many families are hurting today is because we've had eight years of failed Bush policies that Sen. McCain wants to continue for another four, and that's what Barack Obama will change as President."

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