Jul 15, 2008 9:28 pm US/Mountain
McCain's 'War Hero' Ad Gets A 'Reality Check'
DENVER (CBS4) ―
Republican presidential candidate John McCain has a political ad that reinforces his brand as a war hero and a man of experience.
The ad states: It was a time of uncertainty, hope, and change. The summer of love. Half a world away, another kind of love ... of country.This is a funny moment in an otherwise serious ad, a bit of hippie baiting. The commercial begins with a montage of 1960s images, including war protesters, long-haired teenagers dressed in colorful clothing and a young couple kissing. The ad contrasts these lighter images with black and white military footage including a young John McCain in military uniform. McCain's implied message: while you were taking drugs and chasing girls at the protest, I was putting it on the line for my country in Vietnam. Of course the truth is -- he was.
Ad: John McCain, shot down, bayonetted, tortured. Offered early release, he said no.The claims are true. McCain's military service is well documented and widely held as heroic. He spent more than five years as a prisoner of war. It's one of the most compelling parts of his story.
Ad: A maverick, John McCain tackled campaign reform, military reform, spending reform.These claims are also true. Senator McCain was a key sponsor of the 2002 law known as McCain-Feingold, aimed at getting soft money out of political campaigns. The unintended consequence has been the rise of the soft money monster known as the 527 group. McCain's critics in the GOP remain bitter about the senator's adventures into campaign finance reform. As for spending reform, the claim refers to McCain's work against congressional earmarks. According to the campaign, the ad's claim about military reform refers to McCain's efforts to pressure the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Ad: John McCain doesn't always tell us what we "hope" to hear.McCain correctly points out that he's taken unpopular positions, and he has gone against conservative interests in his own party on campaign finance reform, global warming and immigration. But it's not the whole story. The reference to "hope" is clearly a knock on Barack Obama's campaign themes of hope and change.
Ad: Don't hope for a better life, vote for one, McCain.Bottom line, it's an effective ad for John McCain. Experience and patriotism are among his biggest political strengths. This ad showcases both.
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