McCain congratulates Obama in new ad

Posted: Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:01 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Ads

From NBC's Mark Murray
The McCain camp has been hyping a new TV ad all day. On MSNBC's Morning Joe, communications director Jill Hazelbaker told Mika Brzezinski: "Well, Mika, this is a historic ad. I think this is the first of its kind. Sen. McCain is going to speak direct to camera to Barack Obama. I’m not going to give away many more details than that. But suffice to say it’s going to be a very exciting ad, and I think it’s going to get a lot of attention."

Would McCain attack Obama in the ad? Would he announce his veep pick?

Well, we finally saw the ad. And in it -- drum roll, please -- McCain congratulates Obama. "Sen. Obama, this is truly a good day for America. Too often the achievements of our opponents go unnoticed," McCain says to the camera. "So I wanted to stop and say, congratulations. How perfect that your nomination would come on this historic day. Tomorrow, we'll be back at it. But tonight senator, job well done."

The McCain camp says the TV ad will run on national cable and in "key states."

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Comments

McCain is a class guy. No doubt about it. It can't be refutiated.

Kid Galahad PG (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:08 PM)

Nice. Very cordial. Now beat his brains in John!

Riley, Mobile AL (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:08 PM)

Oh how sweet, I'm sure he means it. What a joke.

Sara, Wilimington, DE (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:09 PM)

This from the last topic,...........

No C A.

We us a nation are actually hitting two birds with one stone --- remove murderer Saddam and open a front on the war on terror for the bonehead jihadist to flock (so that all you Democrats are totally unharmed in the US). The 4000+ who gave the ultimate sacrifice did not go in vain...God bless them and their families...

I hate war but is a necessary evil that provides the freedom and liberty you enjoy today...Sometimes the ones who are "out of touch" are your circle who believe that Obama's word can cause the rogue states, Russia, China to change their ways...C'mon wake up and smell the coffee!

Sgt Rock (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 4:04 PM)

....................................................

So we didn't go there for the WMD's? Or because of a connection to the 19 hijackers? It looked like just as good as a battlefield as any.

What about Afghanistan, too densely populated to fight terrorists there?

And how is fighting in Iraq preserving our freedom at home? If we had just concentrated our manpower on Afghanistan, and not invaded Iraq, would our freedom and liberty have really been threatened? How?

If we didn't invest over 300,000 troops along with the other 300,000 security contractors in Iraq, do you think our leverage with the the Georgian affair be more considerable?

Isn't Condi Rice a supposed "expert" on Russia? She didn't see this coming? And we reacted how?

Oh, by the way, Russia and China are emerging superpowers, not rogue states. One is a major player in the energy market, the other owns a majority of our debt. I wish someone explained it to your circle that it takes more than "RAH_RAH"-ing and coordinated chants of "U-S-A" for anything to get accomplished in world affairs. A little bit of dialogue far surpasses your party's strategy of no dialogue at all.

Jimmy CHICAGO IL (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:10 PM)

This speech in the stadium tonight is looking more and more like a fundraiser then anything else. Many tickets are free, but what are the lobbyists paying to sit up front?

Get Rich Quick (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:10 PM)

He could care less! Didn't he vote against MLK Holiday? Please.

It's about getting the attention and trying to get votes.

Call it what it is.

Lani In Los Angeles (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:10 PM)

It's only rock n roll

but I like it... like it.

(,)

Mark Thieme (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:11 PM)

Theres a longer version running in some states that continues, "When I was a POW for 5 and a half years, I never could have imagined that this day would come 40 years after I was a POW for 5 and a half years. Again, congratulations."

Man-sized Safe, Portland, Texas (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:12 PM)

Interesting tact, it might help his favorables, but I don't know what it does beyond that. Especially after this week, when the Dem message has been John McCain - decent guy, war hero, just plain wrong on every policy.

Michael (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:13 PM)

That's very decent of him. Too bad he and his campaign have been so scummy the rest of the time.

Gretchen, Biloxi, MS (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:13 PM)

So McCain will congratulate Obama with one hand while the other has been stabbing him in the back for weeks. I would have seen this as a really momentus gesture if it hadn't been for all the lies/swiftboating McCain's campaign has been putting out.

Jamie, Elmwood Park, IL (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:15 PM)

Once Hazelbaker explained to Mika, who took Mika aside to explain what was said? Or does Joe have to do that too.

Joe Schmoo (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:15 PM)

Even though the ad is politically motivated, I am very pleased to see that McCain is acknowledging Obama's nomination and taking a short break from the negative attacks. All of America should proud that we have made enough progress to nominate our first African-American presidential candidate (officially). I'm looking forward to Obama's speech!!!

Beth, Denton, TX (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:15 PM)

Nice gesture, too bad he isn't running a respectful and honorable campaign.

Sharon, Schertz TX (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:15 PM)

Ass kisser!

John McCain is OLD (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:15 PM)

Fake sincerity.

Josh C (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:16 PM)

Heartfelt and sincere I am sure. Not. The timing is to inject himself into the Dem Convention. But nice try Johnny. And thanks for the time out on lies and smears. For 1 day. I'll give you that.
Your party still sux.
Obama/Biden/America

Proud as punch American (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:17 PM)

How about McCain's advisor saying there are no uninsured Americans b/c they can always go to an emergency room where they can't be turned away!!! Apparently these elitists have never had a collection agency hound them for payment on a veerrrryyyyy expensive ER bill!!!

ER's aren't FREE!!! (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:17 PM)

Hopefully on November 4th, McCain will be saying "Congratulations Senator Obama on your election to the office of President of the United states".

Republicans against McCain (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:17 PM)

Little on the air power grab going on over at the MSNBC I see. Looks like Keith is p*ssing everyone off, so is he the one to go, or does Keith assume Russerts position?

Clydes Dale (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:17 PM)

If you missed Kerry's speech last night...you need to view it before you vote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJmomnkZ4Sg

T, Dallas, TX (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:17 PM)

And the winner is Obama by a nose .... and that concludes the seventh race here at Tinseltown.

Full Moon (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:19 PM)

He should have added "...but those huge Greek columns are just too much". At least, that's what seems more important than the economy, war, health insurance, energy, etc. to talk radio hosts the last two days or so!

Buzz (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:19 PM)

Toga party at Invesco stadium tonight?

Tonga Tonga (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:19 PM)

That is called class.

Donna, Lincroft, NJ (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:19 PM)

Knock me over with a feather! This actually brought a tear to my eye. Thank you, Senator McCain. That was such the right thing to do!

Ruth from Washington State (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:21 PM)

Hmm... Frankly, I don't think this makes much sense for McCain. He's going to be showing it to the very same audience he's been blasting Obama to in the last month. Will they buy Mr. Nice Guy all of a suddden? Probably not. I guess it's good sportsmanship. I'm sorry to say, though, it feels fake and cynical. He'd do much better to continue the course he's been on. A losing one as well.

Obama / Biden 08

Chris F. Antioch, CA (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:22 PM)

Alright- how'd he gat past his handlers with this one???
It's pretty nice, really (AND- nowhere did I hear POW in it!).

I'm Karl Rove, and I just pooped 'em (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:23 PM)

McCain's health plan = Use of Emergency rooms !!

FirstRead where is the story on this?

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/28/mccain-adviser-everyone-in-us-has-some-health-coverage/#comments

New Wave (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:23 PM)

PLEESE! How phony and condescending can you get? This is just another attempt by McLame to steal the spotlight. It doesn't matter. Tonight is Obama's night.

Obama/Biden '08

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:24 PM)

well, waiting for the Obama supporters to say what is wrong with this ad. I think it's a good thing.

NObama (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:24 PM)

Well diggidy dang! If you can't kill them with anything you've tried, Kill them with kindness. What a sport.

Dand1212, Vanciuver, Wa. (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:25 PM)

Is anyone else torn between being impressed and being creeped out?

It's like he might be acting nice, but it's almost like he's slamming Obama for accepting the nom today since it's a day involving Martin Luther King... But if I remember correctly, the DNC week was picked long before Obama became the frontrunner. Please correct me if I am mistaken.

But yeah, I'm torn between being impressed and creeped out. I think the creepiness is winning.

Go Obama!

Mil (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:25 PM)

Sorry John, but this doesn't cleanse you of the filth, distortions and lies you have been pedaling.

Nick A, Deerfield, IL (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:25 PM)

Why not just call Sen Obama and say that? Why put it in an ad in targeted states?

Michael Richmond, VA (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:25 PM)

If this is McCain's attempt at initiating a civilized discourse, then perhaps we'll see a debate about issues rather than personalities. NOT!!!!

TorpedoYou (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:25 PM)

I am shocked

justwaitandsee (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:25 PM)

what about this fact first read. This definitely needs to be on your front burner...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-borowitz/new-mccain-ad-attacks-oba_b_121403.html

ya know (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:25 PM)

It's a little late for this isn't it? I mean, come on...not fooling anyone, but it was a good try.

James, TX (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:26 PM)

Why not just call Sen Obama and say that? Why put it in an ad in targeted states?

Michael Richmond, VA (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:26 PM)

Let's see if he is really extending a olive branch of respect or if it's just a political move and he still plans to leak his VP pick at some critical moment this evening.

Ian (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:26 PM)

The McCain campaign is leading the media around by its nose. This was hyped all day and it is absolutely nothing, just a strategy to take attention away from Obama. When will the media start to resent McCain's manipulation?

Steven Davis (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:27 PM)

Nice... too bad it's just a ghost of the campaign McCain promised us.

Just A Guy, Cincy, OH (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:27 PM)

Did someone recently check the temperature in hades? I think it just froze over.

After the last four weeks, who would have thought that McCain would actually say something nice about Obama, I am speechless for once.

Obama/Biden 08

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:28 PM)

Really? I think everyone can read through that smirk.

Tim, Charleston, SC (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:28 PM)

Nice gester John McCain. Obama reminds me of the pencil pusher Ivy League MBA types that were sent down to talk to us about layoffs and benefit cuts whenever the company I worked for got into trouble. Those types never could address the point of any questions, give a straight answer, or really could provide any decent information. The only thing you knew for sure was once he left the room, he probably give gave a sigh of relief because he was done dealing with the little people, and he could get back to his job of climbing the corporate ladder. This description fits Barack Obama perfectly.

Ross Rhodes, Omaha, NE (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:28 PM)

The only thing this attempts to do is steal attention.

Bring on MITTENS!!!

cr (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:28 PM)

THAT WAS IT? ...lol...thanks McCain for upping the bounce.

Nick, Arlington VA (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:28 PM)

Uh. classy move, I guess. So tommorow will you be saying he is willing to lose a war to win an election again --- (essentially calling him a traitor)?

way to play nice. very smoooooooth.

billy smith (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:29 PM)

Nice ad. What a refreshing change from the egotistical Obama.

CE (Sent Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:30 PM)

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