In the wake of Obama’s selection of Sen. Joe Biden (Dem.-DE), the McCain camp released an ad attempting to court still-loyal Clinton supporters who may feel slighted because Obama didn’t choose his former rival.
The ad says:
She won millions of votes, but isn’t on his ticket. Why? For speaking the truth. On his plans: “You never hear the specifics.” On the Rezko scandal: “We still don’t have all the answers about Senator Obama.” On his attacks: “His campaign has become increasingly negative.” The truth hurt, and Obama didn’t like it.
Bromide slinging aside, this ad emphasizes the importance of Clinton’s Tuesday night speech as a reconciliatory gesture to rally the PUMAs behind Obama.
It will be most interesting to see to whom her appeals are addressed—that is, if it is a sweeping appeal lauding Sen. Obama through the narrative of their grueling primary, or if she specifically addresses her supporters about McCain’s attempts to court them. If she chooses the latter, debunking this ad would be a good place to start.
Dan Dineen, a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, is Deputy Publisher of In These Times.
