The Slinging of Mud
Oops we're talking about it again
July 31, 2008— -- Two storylines dominate the campaign trail today, giving Thursday a subtle Groundhog Day feel to it: the McCain campaign's "Celeb" ad, released yesterday to much debate and discussion, and Barack Obama's comments yesterday in Iowa where he seemed to suggest that McCain was making an issue of his skin color and name.
On the first. . .
Vapid, clever, distracting, subtle as a sledgehammer, effective -- whatever your take on the "Celeb" ad it signaled the strategy the McCain campaign is going to deploy to make Obama an unacceptable choice for president. But that strategy brings risks, if voters decide that McCain has transformed from his maverick, not-your-average politician, happy warrior self.
The presumptive Republican nominee was asked about it at a town hall meeting in Racine, WI. An Obama supporter there told him he had flip-flopped on his pledge to run a clean campaign focusing on the issues.
McCain defended the ad and the campaign his team has run so far. "All I can say is we're proud of that commercial," ABC News' David Wright reports. "We think Americans need to know that I believe that we should base this campaign on what we can do for Americans at home and how we can make Americans safe and prosperous and that's the theme of our campaign."
"I respect and admire Sen Obama, but we have stark differences," McCain said. "And those differences need to be drawn."
"These campaigns are tough," he said, "But I'm proud of the campaign we've run."
On the second. . .
McCain campaign manager Rick Davis launched the round this morning when he issued a statement accusing Obama of "playing the race card" -- and not just any card, but one "from the bottom of the deck."
McCain backed up Davis' statement in remarks to reporters on the trail today and agreed that Obama's comments were playing the card card. McCain said he was "disappointed" that Obama went there. The Obama campaign denied that that was their candidate's intention or suggestion.
Head spinning trying to keep track of the back and forth, mudslinging, attacks and counterattacks? The Obama campaign has launched a new web site detailing attacks from the McCain campaign, deemed "McCain's Low Road Express."
Back to regularly scheduled campaigningMcCain and Obama head to Florida tomorrow, the second time this week the two have touched down in the same battleground on the same day.
McCain speaks at the national Urban League Conference and meets with members in Orlando. Later in the day he heads to Panama City for a fundraiser and concert with country music star John Rich. Rich has penned a song "Raisin' McCain" about the Republican candidate's time as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and refusal to be released early. Sample lyrics: "He stayed strong, stayed extra long til they let all the other boys out. Now we've got a real man with an American plan, we're going to put him in the big White House."
Obama holds a town hall meeting on economic security with voters in St. Petersburg FL. He sits down with NPR's Michele Norris, host of All Things Considered, and talks about his strategy on the economy.
Congress and Energy
It looks like Congress will head into their August recess without action on an energy bill, giving both Members of Congress from both parties a talking point for the campaign trail back in their districts. Republicans will
Tivo Alert! ABC News' Kate Snow is traveling in Africa with former President Bill Clinton. Snow curtain raises the trip for Good Morning America on Friday.
On the campaign front. . .
JOHN MCCAIN
-- 11:00 am ET: Speaks at the national Urban League Conference, Orlando, FL.
-- 11:50 am ET: Meets with members of the National Urban League conference, Orlando, FL.
-- 6:00 pm ET: Attends private fundraiser, Panama City, FL.
-- 7:25 pm ET: Attends and speaks at the Country First Concert featuring John Rich, Panama City, FL.
BARACK OBAMA
-- 10:00 am ET: Attends town hall meeting on economic security with voters, St. Petersburg, FL.
At the White House. . .
PRESIDENT BUSH
-- 12:30 pm: Speaks at a reception for Alabama Victory '08, Birmingham, AL.
LABOR DEPARTMENT
-- 8:30 am ET: June unemployment report released.
POLITICAL NEWS STORIES ON ABCNEWS.COM
ABC News' Jennifer Parker and Sunlen Miller: 'Dream Ticket' Meets Reality: Obama Looks Beyond Clinton LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Republicans Belittling Obama's Decent, if Overstated, Energy Efficiency Idea LINK
ABC News' David Wright: McCain: 'We're Proud of That Commercial' LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Are Obama's Claims About Inflating Car Tires Accurate? LINK
ABC News' Jennifer Parker: Clinton Supporter Angered By 'Other Women' Obama VP Talk LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Is Obama Arrogant, or Is McCain Cranky? LINK
ABC News' Molly Hunter and Alexa Ainsworth: Sen. Kerry: McCain is 'Dead Wrong'; This is 'The Challenge of Our Generation' LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Obama's New "Low Road Express" Website Against McCain LINK
ABC News's Bret Hovell: With Favre's Future in Doubt, Don't Look to McCain for Mediation LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Obama Doesn't Think McCain Is Using Race, But Does Think He's Taking Low Road LINK
ABC News' Howard L. Rosenberg and Jan Crawford Greenburg: VeepBeat: The Prediction Market LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Obama Asks McCain About Paris/Britney Ad: "Is That Really the Best You Can Come Up With?" LINK
ABC News' Sam Donaldson: 'Playing the Race Card' LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Obama "Playing the Race Card from the Bottom of the Deck" LINK
ABC News' Matt Jaffe and Theresa Cook: Sen. Stevens Enters Not Guilty Plea LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: The Elitist Celebrity Quiz LINK
ABC News' Jennifer Duck: Bush Talks Retirement In WV but Claims 'Not a Farewell Address' LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Prominent Liberal Blogger Says Britney Ad Implies Obama Has a "Taste for Young White Women" LINK
ABC News' Rick Klein: McCain on Taxes: Trying to Have it Both Ways? LINK
ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf: Ventura to Appear at Paul Shadow Convention LINK
POLITICAL VIDEO ON ABCNEWS.COM
McCain Stands By 'Celeb' Ad
Sen. McCain in Racine, Wisc.: "We're proud of that commercial." LINK
Obama to McCain: 'Best You Can Come Up With?
Obama challenges McCain on "Celeb" ad that compares Obama to Brittany and Paris. LINK
Obama Stumps on Race?
The McCain camp accuses Obama of playing the race card. LINK
Donaldson on 'Playing the Race Card'
Sam Donaldson analyzes the political fallout of McCain's 'Celeb' ad. LINK
'View' Ladies Debate McCain's 'Crappy' Ad
Co-hosts have heated debate sparked by McCain's latest political ad. LINK
Yo! Yo! Joy Riffs on Luda
"View" co-host performs excerpts of Ludacris' politically inspired rap. LINK
Sen. Stevens in Federal Court
Alaska politician is expected to plead not guilty to seven felony charges. LINK
Bush to Shorten U.S. Troop Tours in Iraq
President Bush says on Friday, U.S. tours will be reduced from 15 to 12 months. LINK
Israeli Prime Minister to Resign
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Wednesday that he will resign in September. LINK
Obama's Wailing Wall Prayer Snatched
Though Jewish law prohibits it, men try to steal presidential hopeful's prayer. LINK
What Is McCain's Strategy?
George Stephanopoulos weighs in on moves made by the senator's campaign. LINK
Is Obama an Empty Suit?
A new McCain campaign suggests Obama is all flash and no substance. LINK
The Bottom Line on Negative Campaigning
George Stephanopoulos discusses when candidates take the low road. LINK