Remember when Phil Gramm called the U.S. a “nation of whiners” who didn’t understand that the economy wasn’t so bad? Remember how the Obama campaign seemed slow to exploit Gramm’s gaffe?
Those days are over. In a matter of hours, the Obama campaign has gone meta over McCain’s inability to remember how many houses he owns — not just the TV ad, but at events in key states around the country where surrogates will mock the GOP nominee as an out-of-touch elitist.*
Which means we’ve reached a new, all-important stage in the process of picking the next leader of the free world — where Americans are told to decide between a self-obsessed celebrity and a septuagenarian Richie Rich.
*The surrogate list follows:
Obama Campaign Launches New TV Ad And Holds Events Throughout The Country On John McCain Losing Track of How Many Homes He Owns
Highlights Just How Out of Touch John McCain Is
CHICAGO – Today, the Obama campaign released a new 30-second TV ad, Seven, discussing just how out of touch John McCain is with the struggles of everyday people. The ad highlight’s John McCain’s desire to just offer more of the same economic policies we’ve gotten from President Bush, as just yesterday he declared “the fundamentals of our economy are strong” and lost track of how many houses he owns.
In addition, Obama supporters are speaking out in battleground states across the country about how out of touch Senator McCain is. Listed below is information on the ad as well as just a few of the events happening today across the country.
BURLINGTON, VT: Vermont State Representative Rachel Weston will be speaking outside her home about McCain losing track of how many homes he owns
LA CROSSE, WI: State Rep. Jen Shilling and La Crosse Obama supporters host a news conference on McCain losing track of how many homes he owns
MADISON, WI: Former US Senator Jean Carnahan holds event in Madison with Women For Obama where she will talk about McCain losing track of how many homes he owns
DES MOINES, IA: Kansas Governor, Kathleen Sebelius campaigns in Des Moines this afternoon where she will discuss McCain losing track of how many homes he owns
KANSAS CITY, MO: Obama Heartland Change RV Tour with State Senator Wes Shoemyer will visit a Missouri family in Kansas City to discuss McCain losing track of how many homes he owns
ST. PAUL, MN: State Senator Tarryl Clark discusses McCain losing track of how many homes he owns
BANGOR, ME: Rep. Mike Dunn, and House Majority Whip Sean Faircloth will hold a press conference to talk about McCain losing track of how many homes he owns
PUEBLO, CO: State Rep. Terrance Carroll will hold an event with Obama supporters in Denver and State Sen. Abel Tapia about McCain losing track of how many homes he owns
OH: Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen will talk about McCain losing track of how many homes he owns at events throughout southeast Ohio
ALTOONA, PA: State Senator John Wozniak will headline an event in Altoona, PA on McCain losing track of how many homes he owns and the campaign is also announcing a statewide search for anyone who doesn’t know how many houses they own
MI: Campaign for Change offices across Michigan are launching a “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: McCain Edition” contest where volunteers will be able to win a free “Exxon-McCain” bumper-sticker if they correctly guess the number of houses John McCain owns. Prizes will be only be awarded after McCain clarifies exactly how many houses he owns. To win, the answer must be specific — “at least four” doesn’t count.
TAMPA , FL: Campaign for Change in Florida launched a statewide search to find Floridians who, like John McCain, have so many homes that they just can’t keep track of the number.
Raleigh, NC: Campaign for Change in North Carolina is holding a press conference in Raleigh with Representative G.K. Butterfield to talk about McCain losing track of how many homes he owns
BILLINGS, MT: A local family will hold an availability in front of a house slated for foreclosure
NV: Congresswoman Berkley will host a conference call to talk about McCain losing track of how many homes he owns
ANCHORAGE, AK: Local residents will hold a press availability to talk about McCain losing track of how many homes he owns
The Ad-Seven
Seven will air on national cable beginning today.
Click HERE to watch Seven. See below for the transcript:
Barack Obama for President
“Seven”
VISUALS
AUDIO
Still image of Barack Obama speaking with 60-ish woman. Fades to black.
BO (speaking as VO):
I’m Barack Obama. And I approve this message.
B-roll of child walking into a middle class home
Male VO:
Maybe you’re struggling just to pay the mortgage on your home.
B-roll John McCain meeting with President Bush
CHYRON:
“The fundamentals of our economy are strong.”
-John McCain
August 20, 2008
But, recently, John McCain said: “The fundamentals of our economy are strong.”
Image of foreclosed home.
Hmmm.
B-roll of John McCain
CHYRON:
How many houses does McCain have?
Then again, that same day, when asked how many houses he owns…
B-roll of John McCain
CHYRON:
“McCain unsure how many houses he owns.”
POLITICO, 08/21/08
…McCain lost track. He couldn’t remember.
CHYRON:
it’s seven.
Well, it’s seven.
CHYRON:
it’s seven.
worth thirteen million dollars.
Source: AZ, CA, and VA Property and Tax Records
Seven houses.
Image of the White House.
CHYRON:
John McCain.
We can’t afford more of the same.
APPROVED BY BARACK OBAMA. PAID FOR BY OBAMA FOR AMERICA.
And here’s one house America can’t afford… to let John McCain move into.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2008
Contact: Obama Press Office, (312) 819-2423