July 2, 2008
Posted: 03:00 PM ET

From
An independent expenditure arm of the RNC is set to take aim at Obama.
An independent expenditure arm of the RNC is set to take aim at Obama.

(CNN) – The RNC has created an independent expenditure campaign that will go up with its first TV ads in crucial battleground states this weekend.

CNN is told the first buy is in the ballpark of $3 million, and the subject of the ad will be “energy security.”

Parties are allowed by law to set up an independent expenditure campaign as long as it operates independently and does not coordinate on content or strategy with the party.

“Following Barack Obama's decision to become the only major party presidential candidate in history to not adhere to campaign spending caps, the Republican National Committee has begun an independent expenditure campaign in accordance with FEC regulations," Brad Todd, a consultant to the RNC's independent expenditure unit said in a statement. "The RNC will first advertise this weekend in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, highlighting the issue of energy security, which is emerging as a defining difference in the race for president."

Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain


Xavier, Saint Louis, MO   July 2nd, 2008 3:59 pm ET

Spend that money RNC; however, it won't help! Your days are numbered and you know it!

Obamanation '08

YES WE CAN!

It's a done deal   July 2nd, 2008 3:59 pm ET

Here comes the big money Obama said he would have to compete against that McCain benefits from.

1 McCain Supporter Blogging   July 2nd, 2008 4:00 pm ET

Exactly why he DID NOT TAKE FUNDING - Republislugs are scum. Way to go, Obama! They must be looking forward to a fun weekend … they can't get in front of you and McCain has to bring in a bushie to run his campiagn, talk about Bush III

Proud American   July 2nd, 2008 4:00 pm ET

Look out!! Here comes the Republican dirty works!

DJ, LA, CA   July 2nd, 2008 4:00 pm ET

Here come the Willie Horton ads…or maybe they'll go after Michelle instead.

Lzamora NJ   July 2nd, 2008 4:02 pm ET

But of course, ! Big Oil to the rescue, Cheney, Rove, Libby, and all of this croonies are running scared, look , When Obama becomes President, these people are going to be brought up to justice, and they will pay dearly for all the damage they have done to all of the thousands of lives they are responsible for as well as all the money they have pocket it aver 8 years…. Hliburton rings a bell right Cheney?

The reason is because The RNC owns the campain as well as the white house. Down with the Croonies!!

Enlightened Voter   July 2nd, 2008 4:03 pm ET

Here we go - the repuglicans smear and lies campaign. They are hilarious and predictable and don't realize that karma is returning quicker and quicker these days. They will get theirs' beginning with a loss on November 4.

Kelby from Houston, TX   July 2nd, 2008 4:04 pm ET

The title of this article should be "RNC prepares to initiate major smear campaign and more fear mongering."
When is the first debate? I want to see McCain flounder against the eloquence of Barrack Obama.
Are the Clinton supporters still angry and bitter and willing to sacrafice the country to the GOP out of spite?
We need you guys. come back home

DEMOCRATS '08 AND FOREVER

Jon   July 2nd, 2008 4:06 pm ET

I just wish the candidates were required to make ads that didn't misrepresent or distort the truth. Any of you guys been on factcheck.org? It's really disgusting how both Senators are allowed to make claims that are completely nonfactual.

Travis(in the real world)   July 2nd, 2008 4:08 pm ET

RNC save your money…. no matter what you do with you're advertising it won't help UN-JOIN MCWAR from Bush.

Second thought…..spend all your money on a 3 legged horse.

Mike   July 2nd, 2008 4:08 pm ET

As an average American I support John McCain because he gets his money from the average American. I know I, and many of my average friends, have donated the maximum $28,500 to the RNC, and now we are donating thousands more for independant advertising. America unite and help John McCain win! He represents the average American more than that poor black guy that lives on the South Side of Chicago. Who is Obama kidding? He's not like us.

Steve   July 2nd, 2008 4:11 pm ET

Let me guess, the party that's known for being in the pocket of Big Oil is going to tell us that we need to drill an oil well every 100 feet off every coast, and in the entire northern part of Alaska. This in spite of the fact that Big Oil is not currently drawing oil from thousands of wells on land they already lease. Makes perfect sense. If you're an oil executive's lap dog.

The Republicans had their chance, and they blew it. They can spend a billion dollars on messages, and no one with any brains is going to listen. Instead of spending the money on ads, how about spending the money on something like alternative energy research, and showing us Americans that you actually can do something besides pander to Big Oil?

Obama/Hillary 08   July 2nd, 2008 4:12 pm ET

I wonder if Joe Liberman is the one that is going to launches the new terror attack. Please stop scaring people for political reason. America, it is not true no terror attack in 2009. If there is one Joe Lieberman and the Republican Party is behind it.

mitchell hussein martin   July 2nd, 2008 4:12 pm ET

it's their fault that we have lapses in energy security,and now they are going to fix it?i'm sure the big oil lobbyists will invest record amounts to keep control of our government in their hands.thieves offering solutions?no thank you!

Calvin Broadus   July 2nd, 2008 4:12 pm ET

Yeah, good luck with that-

If the RNC was so "energy security" conscious, they would've done something about it by now

Jerry--IA   July 2nd, 2008 4:13 pm ET

You'll see McCains lead begin to widen next week.

Obama is done.

America is too smart to vote for Obama!!

T McGill   July 2nd, 2008 4:13 pm ET

Yeah because Repubs have done such great job with this in the past.

Lzamora NJ   July 2nd, 2008 4:13 pm ET

about the maccain shackeup… let's see what the has accomplished…

Steve Schmidt is a veteran campaign strategist and public relations expert. In his career to date he has been:

-Communications director for Senate campaign of Matt Fong. (1998)

-Chief strategist in charge of Supreme Court nominations of Samuel A. Alito. and Chief Justice John Roberts

-Counselor snd spokesman for Vice President Dick Cheney.

-Member of the exclusive "breakfast club" led by top White House adviser Karl Rove that ran President Bush's re-election campaign. (2004)

-Campaign Manager for re-election campaign of Gov. Arnold Swartzenegger. (2006)

Currently Steve Schmidt is working in the 2008 Presidential campaign of Senator John McCain.

well, sounds like…. here we go again!!!!

ProudToBeDemocrat   July 2nd, 2008 4:14 pm ET

who care republicans are doomend this year.

Jeff - Illinois   July 2nd, 2008 4:14 pm ET

wow…I am an Obama supporter, so call me biased, but its really starting to look more and more like a landslide.

Scott, Cincinnati OH   July 2nd, 2008 4:15 pm ET

Here in Ohio we will be collecting as many RNC / McCain ads as possible. We need to make confetti for Obamas inaguration!

karen-phoenix   July 2nd, 2008 4:15 pm ET

Save your money till 2020!!

Grand Tabo   July 2nd, 2008 4:16 pm ET

Is anyone surprised?

Know the facts   July 2nd, 2008 4:17 pm ET

The RNC has always used this campaign financing backdoor. That's why Obama didn't take public funds. The RNC has about $50 million more in the bank than the DNC, so McCain has a huge spending advantage. That's why McCain wouldn't tell the RNC not to use funds for him — just another part of the broken system.

John   July 2nd, 2008 4:18 pm ET

You would think first don't elevate a bush guy up when trying to distance yourself from bush(not possible), 2nd don't say to eleminate mistakes, come on people at least lie and come up with a good excuse like Bush would. You GOP people are really under performing its getting so its not even going to be fun kicking your elephant but. Obama is going to win by a landslide. Hop in the life boats Gopers the Titanics going down…

Bob Indianapolis, IN   July 2nd, 2008 4:18 pm ET

Reptilican meltdown in slow motion. It reminds me of an old William Burroughs novel: "The Ticket that Exploded."

Jim from IL   July 2nd, 2008 4:21 pm ET

It is not right to have an advertising blitz as it will be aimed against Obama. The RNC is a bunch of racist!!!!

Nt   July 2nd, 2008 4:23 pm ET

McCains lead will widen when ?? He hasn't taken the lead yet so how can he widen something he doesn't have. Idiot !!!

John   July 2nd, 2008 4:23 pm ET

RNC= Rafts n Canoes are no match for Destroyers and Carriers. DNC

Independent Voter   July 2nd, 2008 4:24 pm ET

I knew it was coming folks. The RNC smear has begun.

If you were smart...   July 2nd, 2008 4:24 pm ET

I still don't like the fact Obama switched his position because it benefits him. He states he is a man of his word — but after he threw his own family (as in the Rev, etc.) under the bus for his political gain, I don't trust him.

Cynthia   July 2nd, 2008 4:25 pm ET

The RNC knows that they will have to put as much spin and dirt that is not true out there because their candidate who won the nomination and Bush have made is impossible for them to win otherwise.

Anonymous   July 2nd, 2008 4:26 pm ET

Ads are not effective to the well edjucated and will informed people. I just laugh when I hear false and misleadings ads… like "McCain will reduce foreign dependence on oil by coastal drilling" HA! Even if that worked the oil collected would be minimal and not affect oil prices.

So, hopefully people are staying well informed and will only find these ads silly and fruitless.

Obama '08 - Real answers for real people (I just made that up but it sounds good)

Gene   July 2nd, 2008 4:26 pm ET

Mike… what cave do you live in? Yeah.. the average American like you and your friends are each donating $28,500 to the RNC? Sorry… but I don't know any average American that has $28K to blow like that. And I don't know if you've noticed.. but McCain's getting all his donations from closed off fundraisers… not the average American… That would be Obama. Do you repubs live on fantasy island?

Anyway… this is exactly why Obama chose not to go with the public financing. Because he knows that even if McCain himself sticks to the limits… he knows that the RNC and 527's have unlimited funds to run their smear campaign.

And for those that think McCain would be more trustworthy if there was a terrorist attack.. I beg to differ. At least Obama would strike back at the people responsible… not just label the whole region as Satan's den and attack everyone… making our country the joke of the entire world in the process.

Sarah   July 2nd, 2008 4:27 pm ET

The lying, cheating, name-calling Republican games begin! Bush got elected (in 2004 after he and his bro Jeb stole 2000) on lies and smear mails. Wise up America. Don't base your vote on lies and smear tactics. RNC - This time it is going to bite you in your over-fattened butt!

USAF Staff Sergeant   July 2nd, 2008 4:27 pm ET

Oh great… time for dirty Republican attack ads………

Psbro   July 2nd, 2008 4:27 pm ET

It's about Time. Somebody has got to show Obama up for what he is. Thank you RNC. What took you soooooooooooo long

Maxine   July 2nd, 2008 4:28 pm ET

Get real-RNC on energy. Why don't you ask America who is paying $4.79 for oil (CA) what we think on the energy policy of the Republicans. Oh yeah, let's not try different ideas like the Europeans and other countries are doing, let's stay behind the times and keep drilling for more oil, so the Republicans can line their pockets with ME money. GOOOD Luck fools.

Florida democrat   July 2nd, 2008 4:29 pm ET

This statement doesn't make sense to me:

"does not coordinate on content or strategy with the party"

How can these advertisements not coordinate with the strategy of the party? There is coordination simply by the definition of the function of advertising and the purpose they serve.

Looks like another republican lobby-money loop hole to me.

KenB, Michigan   July 2nd, 2008 4:30 pm ET

Well, in Sun Tzu's Art of War it is said, "…when an army is desperate - fight." what other choice does that desperate campaign have but to fight. Its media coverage just to claim your gonna fight..how can you hire people from the crew your trying to distance yourself from..this is what happens when political advisor's suggest playing three card monte with your campaign..bad move.

Loretta from California   July 2nd, 2008 4:30 pm ET

Ok,….Let's prepare ourselves for the LIE CAMPAIGN….get ready. I have been expecting this and nothing, and I do mean nothing will surprise me.

DEMOCRATS UNITE!!!!

David in KC   July 2nd, 2008 4:30 pm ET

The Doom & Gloom GOP hope for a terror attack to get everyone back in fear mode. The "Party of God" is history thanks to Little george and his Mafia.

MarkieBee   July 2nd, 2008 4:31 pm ET

What that Repugnantcan thug should have said is this: "Following Barack Obama's strategic and smart decision to become the only major party presidential candidate in history to not adhere to the totally laughable campaign spending caps, the Republican National Committee has begun an independent expenditure campaign in accordance with FEC regulations and I just want to point out to everyone that the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth was formed in accordance with FEC regulations. It doesn't mean that they Swifties had souls, in fact they sold theirs to Satan long ago. But as far as the FEC is concerned, they were legal, just like we'll be this year."

throw underhand   July 2nd, 2008 4:32 pm ET

I just can't get the thought out of my mind that the republicans don't want to win in Nov. How easy would it be to hand over the country in the state it's in and just blame the dems for all the crap they inherited to get it back and bleed the country some more later.

Peter E   July 2nd, 2008 4:32 pm ET

Hypocrisy alert!!! Democrats will now pretend that republican attack ads are repugnant while turning a blind eye to what democrats and their 527 henchmen do!

donald   July 2nd, 2008 4:32 pm ET

RNC You are done!!! Now we need to clean up the mess you created.

Obama 08

Bill from Oklahoma   July 2nd, 2008 4:33 pm ET

3 million in attack ads. Waht else could it be they haven't done anything in the last 7 years they could brag about.

Nick   July 2nd, 2008 4:33 pm ET

If you can afford to donate over 28k to any political party you are not an average American.

Nom Deplume   July 2nd, 2008 4:34 pm ET

Jerry,

America is not that smart. And the smart money is getting out.

I work with corporate entities and market makers, and there is an unspoken "belief" that the market selloffs are related to Obama's polls. If he is elected, he will mount a Leninist campaign against the wealthy (which is really anyone with an adjusted gross income over 75,000), and investors are taking their money off the table.

Much of this capital is going offshore. Billions a day, in fact. And lawyers are preparing WARN Act notices in numbers not seen in decades.

So the end result is that economic activity from disinvestment and higher paying job losses (replaced somewhat by lower paid gov service positions) will take a nosedive, and, ironically, result in less tax revenue (experts call this "deadweight loss").

It is in my own economic interest to see Obama and the democrats wreak havoc on the economy. My practice will flourish. But to answer your question, I don't think americans are that smart when it comes to their economic futures.

CLINTON 08 VP   July 2nd, 2008 4:34 pm ET

UNITED WE'RE STRONGER

OBAMA (P) & CLINTON (VP) 2008-2014

NO TO "BUSH II" (MCCAIN) OR "BUSH JR.", MR. WAR, MR. DEATH, MR. NO BRAINS, MR. I BUMP MY HEAD A LOT

Peter E   July 2nd, 2008 4:35 pm ET

And now the pretentious 'holier-than-thou' liberals will say that republicans are buying the election.
Let's examine facts:
-both Bush in '04 and Obama in '08 earned most of their campaign money from SMALL contributions
-both Bush and Obama have taken large sums of money from oil companies (see the otherwise liberal Newsweek magazine's article on that! No, Obama isn't clean of oil money either!)

But I guess it's alright when Obama does it, but not when Bush did…

California Gold   July 2nd, 2008 4:35 pm ET

As far as I'm concerned, they can sink trillions into blitzing ads from New York to Los Angeles and it still doesn't enhance their candidate.

Senator McCain is simply out-of-touch. Senator McCain is simply peddling worn out messages and snake oil. He can shake up his campaign organization. Saturate the media with ads. He is still DOA.

Typical PA Voter   July 2nd, 2008 4:35 pm ET

It's not too late to bring back the only Dem candidate who can win over McCian and the Repubs in the November. Obama is the biggest filp-flopper in history and way too many folks across this country are starting to wake up to that fact - finally. He's like a fish outta water. Did anyone see the WashPo article today about Obama's great rate he got on his mansion deal in Chicago? Wonder how he'll squirm his way around that one while many, many people continue to lose their homes in this country to preditory lending institutions. The Repubs have got so much on this guy now, it will be all down hill after the Dem convention in August. Landslide is right - all 50 states into the red column. Rediculous. Bring back Clinton for crying out loud.

Ian M   July 2nd, 2008 4:36 pm ET

*sigh* Is this all the Republicans have left? A smear campaign?

Jesse, Burnsville, MN   July 2nd, 2008 4:36 pm ET

The past 8 years of Republican incompentance has created a new, very large generation of Democrats.

What the GOP doesn't understand is that one of the reason so many americans hate them so much is because of their advertisements. So, go ahead and keep shooting yourselves in the foot Repugs.

McCain   July 2nd, 2008 4:37 pm ET

Drilling on your Ca/Fl beaches and setting up 100 (45/55) scenic nuclear powerplants in your backyard are the "only" ways for clean energy. Trust me, I made a 2.3 GPA in college and never get my countries or people mixed up. I'm just like you, I don't pump my own gas and I married rich - so I understand hardships we face. I also was a POW, did I mention that? that means I know how to command an army and I deserve to be President. Additionally I have been in the US Senate for 25+ yrs - this makes me good at Economics. I have have never had a temper, only flip flop once a day and can read teleprompting really really well.

Vote for me, I approve of this message.

geecee827   July 2nd, 2008 4:38 pm ET

All the Repugnantcans have is smears to spread, lies to tell and fear to feed to the paranoid people who believe whatever they hear on the tabloid news channels and radio talk shows such as Rush Limppig. So let them spend their money on trash tv ads. We aren't buying it this time. Let's hope people have smartened up since 2004!!

Nader '08   July 2nd, 2008 4:40 pm ET

In response to "Mike":

"As an average American I support John McCain because he gets his money from the average American. I know I, and many of my average friends, have donated the maximum $28,500 to the RNC, and now we are donating thousands more for independant advertising. America unite and help John McCain win! He represents the average American more than that poor black guy that lives on the South Side of Chicago. Who is Obama kidding? He's not like us."

How can you say you are an average American and say that you have donated $28,500 to the RNC. I don't have nearly that kind of disposable income!!

Obama is drifting to the center and only making it easier to vote for Nader…again.

Justin (ny)   July 2nd, 2008 4:40 pm ET

Hey Jerry in Iowa… ummm, doesn't mccain have to have a lead before he can begin to widen it?

saga4obama   July 2nd, 2008 4:40 pm ET

who will McCain serve?
the big oil companies that he took $1,069,854.00 from?
the Lobbyist that work for him:WAYNE BERMAN,ERIC BURGESON, FRANK DONATELLI, REBECCA ANDERSON, CHARLIE BLACK, NANCY PFOTENHAUER, RANDY SCHEUNEMANN to name a few?
what America is John working for?
Pastor Hagey…"attack Iran", Farwell,Rob Parsley "we get off on warfare", Lowell Paxson?
what America does John represent?
worth over $100,000,000.00, 10 homes, country club, privilege( because of his father and grandfather he was able to escape the findings of the incident that took place aboard the USS Forrestal- 167 US soldiers killed by McCains wet starting his plane 1967).

why did decorated officer Jack McLamb report that POWs say McCain is a traitor, calling him "songbird McCain"? may be if John would release his Military Reports we would find the truth…WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO HIDE JOHN?

who's American values does John hold dear…
called christian leaders " agents of intolerance"

how does John honor our women…by calling his wife a C#$%? womanizing and abandoning them?

John is for the people who are in need? like he was the day Katrina hit…standing with GW next to Air force One celebrating his birthday.

i may not agree with everything Obama does and says, but at least i respect him. Obama raised money through 1.5 million ordinary Americans…not Big Oil and special interest like John.

GO Obama 08 12

Ken Pittsburgh   July 2nd, 2008 4:41 pm ET

Jerry

McCain led will begin widen next week ? Maybe in the land far far away and in a time long long away

Ex-mod-GOP for Obama   July 2nd, 2008 4:41 pm ET

Right-wing slime machine in 4 … 3 … 2 …

KDH   July 2nd, 2008 4:41 pm ET

A statistical dead heat is not a landslide. People are smart enough to not vote for Obama. He is just as bad as the politians he is complaining about.

Humm..   July 2nd, 2008 4:41 pm ET

Just visited a website called dumpmccain.com and McCain is a scary person.

I didn't realize McCain was that bad. All I knew about McCain was that he obviously has a bad temper, he makes no sense whatsoever, and he has a stale character - talk about understatements.

Any person who would support this guy isn't in their right mind, especially a person like McCain who wants to be president of the United States…goodness

Michelle, PA   July 2nd, 2008 4:42 pm ET

How about focusing on the "improvements" in energy security during the last seven and a half years? That would be one short and inexpensive ad!

jimmy velman   July 2nd, 2008 4:43 pm ET

TO THE OIL COMPANIES: EXPLORE AND DRILL FOR OIL ASAP
OR OUR COUNTRY WILL GO DRY IN THE NEXT 5 TO 10 YEARS.

rumpusgoopus   July 2nd, 2008 4:43 pm ET

And this is why Obama had to forgo public financing.

Justin, Columbus, OH   July 2nd, 2008 4:45 pm ET

Mike - What kind of 'average American' can donate $28,500 to anything? And what do you mean by Obama not representing 'us'? Black people are part of this country, too. 'Average Americans' aren't just white. And they sure as hell can't donate nearly $30K a piece to political parties. Wise up. For once average Americans ARE going to be heard and Barack Obama will be our president.

Bulldog   July 2nd, 2008 4:46 pm ET

The United States is in the worse condition it's been in my lifetime. We have a horrible administration that will go down as the worst in American History. We have 2 wars going on, one of which was to catch Bin Laden and is failing miserably while the other is taking much need resources we need here at home for our own natural disasters and away from the other war that has been all but forgotten and more and more soldiers are getting killed. People are having to choose between gas or food. The economy is in shambles, American is in record debt to China, the countries overall deficit is at an all time high and the rich people are richer today than ever before while we have more poor people than ever before. And all the Republicans can do is spread SMEAR and FEAR hoping they will scare people into voting for them once again. They're hoping people did not learn their lessons from the times and will still be naive enough to believe their manipulations and lies. Yes there are still many people who will follow these thugs and criminals blindly, but this year is more important than ever not to allow the ReTHUGlicans to further damage this country for another 4 years. McCon is intertwined with Bush and Cheney and will continue their failed policies if voters dare allow him to live in the White House. He has changed on numerous positions that are now in line with Bush and Cheney and doesn't meet the defintion of maverick any longer. The RNC are now the terrorists who have destroyed this country and we need someone to be able to pick up the pieces and clean up their mess.

saga4obama   July 2nd, 2008 4:46 pm ET

CNN are you workin for McCain?…lol

Ula Nejad- Sacramento Ca   July 2nd, 2008 4:46 pm ET

Senator Hussein's expansion of Bush's faith based organization to radical Muslim organization is a national threat in itself. This was uncovered after 9/11. How does Obama deal with this issue?

Ryan - Delaware   July 2nd, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Republicans have destroyed this country over the last 8 years. McCain represents 4 more years, the third term and…………..Obama and McCain are still tied in a statistical dead heat in polls.

To the Obama supporters: ummm….doesn't this tell you something. It tells me that the democrats have SCREWED THEMSELVES AGAIN!! Obama is unelectable! We've been saying that forever and nobody believed us..

McCain 2008!!!…….then as it should have been HILARY 2012!!!

Anita from Arizona   July 2nd, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Hey MIKE!!

I don't know what average American you or your friends are, but I and my friends don't have $28,500.00. You guys must be the ones whos taxes are going to get raised when Obama takes office. See, we are the ones who have been donating about 10 bucks when we can to Obama's campaign. So if I do the numbers correctly. I think I have more friends than you do.

Jack from California   July 2nd, 2008 4:48 pm ET

The Republicans will try once again to convince the American people that they have an answer to the so called "energy problem".

Well, why didn't the republicans get on with the energy problem when they had control of both houses of congress and the White House?

Why do we suddenly have such an energy problem? Because, the GOP wants to frighten you into thinking that only they have the secret answer to this issue. Well, why didn't they do something about it for the past eight years? Because the GOP and the oil and energy corporations are working together to swindle you out of your last few dollars in an effort to scare you into a foolish John McBush vote.

Don't be fooled, vote Democrat!

Realistic   July 2nd, 2008 4:48 pm ET

Energy security? From the party that came into power with oil at $30 a barrell and now has it hovering at $140 a barrel? Security for oil company CEO's 9ifgure golden parachutes is what they mean.

Ben   July 2nd, 2008 4:48 pm ET

I don't care how you cut it,McCain is for more free trade with Columbia and that will cost more jobs lost in the United States.Naturaly it will make more money for the big companies to ship their manufacturing to Columbia, because they will not have to pay import duties on merchandise manufactured there abd THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY TAXES ON THEIR PROFITS. What will that do to the workers who work for these companies here in America? They will lose their jobs of course!
McCain says they can be trained to do other jobs! What are they,Trained animals??????????? You don't take a man who has worked for years at one job and then say "Don't worry, we will train you to do something else. Meanwhile before you get all that training you may have to suffer some very bad moments, like losing your house!!!!!!!!!!

Real Change   July 2nd, 2008 4:48 pm ET

Oh no! Sounds like the swift boat boys are on their way back.

Donna   July 2nd, 2008 4:49 pm ET

"that poor black guy that lives on the South Side of Chicago. Who is Obama kidding? He's not like us."

RACIST MUCH MIKE?? I am glad you are aligned with McCain..real people have no need for this type of ignorance…You don't know who relates to Obama…speak for yourself ONLY…

case   July 2nd, 2008 4:49 pm ET

McCain will get trounced he brings nothing new to the table.

And did'nt Bush and Kerry opt out of campaign finace?

Jon   July 2nd, 2008 4:49 pm ET

It's about time RNC. Now let's play their game but with upmost accuracy in each and every staement. We already BHO changes his mind quite off on important issue ect. You should be thinking of W. Ayre, R. Wright,etc. RNC needs to do all they can so as BHO and his kind (The most Liberal in Congrees) never get to the White House. His energy plan alone should scare the cr-p out of everone.

Think I'll vote for COMMON SENSE '08

Not fooled by distractions   July 2nd, 2008 4:51 pm ET

Not surprising one bit, but you know, I don't think their scare tactics and dirty tricks are going to work this time. Well, I guess they may still work on the 27%ers, but …they're hopeless.

Face them head on and debunk their lies.

Nicole in NE   July 2nd, 2008 4:51 pm ET

And everyone wonders why Obama didn't take Public Funding?

DUH!

Obama 08′

Gary of El Centro, Ca   July 2nd, 2008 4:51 pm ET

Batten down the hatches mates, here come the swift boats!

Eileen from Maine   July 2nd, 2008 4:52 pm ET

Posted by Mike July 2nd, 2008 4:08 pm ET

AMerica unite and help John McCain win! He represents the average American more than that poor black guy that lives on the South Side of Chicago. Who is Obama kidding? He's not like us.
***************************************************************************
But John McCain is just like us? With his 7 mansions and total net worth of he and Cindy over 100 million dollars?, while 2006 income was 6 million dollars?. He is promising to make the tax cuts to the wealthiest 1% of Americans permanent, which will save he and Cindy close to 400,000 Dollars every year. Ya, he represents the average American……….

RNC DON'T WASTE YOUR MILLIONS!!!   July 2nd, 2008 4:52 pm ET

RNC, you money is better spent on charity. WE WANT CHANGE!!!

Robert   July 2nd, 2008 4:53 pm ET

I am a McCain support and I love watching as the Obama- witness and all of his allies in the media including here at CNN say that his election is a foregone Conclusion and they keep saying it hoping that we Americans just except it and don't bother to look at this mans record or lack there of.
McCain will win because he is a man of great character, conviction, and honor. He is a man who has been willing to risk both his physical and political life to do what he believes is right for his country.
As for energy policy both parties have been wrong because both for so many years have been unwilling to compromise to get off oil and fossil fuels. The Republicans have been to unwilling to invest in alternative fuels and the Democrats seem to think that we can simply flip a switch and be off of oil.
No it will take a minimum of ten to fifteen years to transition and while we are doing so what is wrong with exploring for domestic oil especially in places were we know exists. After all Alaska was bought from Russia specifically for its resources. The liberals are unwilling to allow us to build more refinaries and or repair and upgrade the ones we have which will help increase capacity. They are also for some reason against Nuclear power even though countries like France, Japan, and Korea get over half their power from nuclear power we because of liberal propaganda have not built a new nuclear power plant in over thirty years.
It seems the to many liberals think that if we just "invest" in alternative fuel sources that will solve the problem…no after we find what works we have to build and set up the systems and transfer over from fossil fuels that takes time. We can keep talking or we can work together to actually do something about it.
Obama's whole plan is to tax the oil companies. What does that do besides make us feel better and raise the price of oil? Does it put more oil on the world market? No ! Does it remove one watt of fossil fuel produced energy and replace it with clean energy? NO! Does it lower the price of gas at the pump one cent? No! But it does punish "big" business so of course thats good right.

Once Obama is exposeds and the radical novice liberal he is McCain will shock the world with his victory in November time to wake up Republicans and like minded liberals and stop believeing the Obama/media hype that this thing is already over we can and will if were willing to work save america from this Radical man Barack Obama. Yes we can!

Darrell Burks   July 2nd, 2008 4:54 pm ET

RNC spend your money - Your message is dull and void - no one is listening to you.

Go Obama

Caycee, Pearl City Hawaii   July 2nd, 2008 4:54 pm ET

It's further evidence of the many ways lobbyists and political action groups dictate the RNC.

Jim   July 2nd, 2008 4:55 pm ET

Good. I hope McCain SLAMS Obama.

Hills Still the Best

Kevin   July 2nd, 2008 4:55 pm ET

@Mike

If you can afford to donate 28k to a campaign, you arent anywhere near being an average american right now. Stop kidding yourself. You're even further out of touch than the people you're complaining about.

Willy   July 2nd, 2008 4:58 pm ET

I do feel sorry for BHO. The DNC is trying hard to find a sticking point with black voters because people are really looking at how empty the DNC really is. So they are gong to use this young in experienced politician just to get votes for the democrats. POTUS is an Affirmative Action position.

Obvious   July 2nd, 2008 5:00 pm ET

Here comes the smear tactics in futile desperation, it's already over for McOld

Crane   July 2nd, 2008 5:01 pm ET

The only thing Republicans have left is "Security"… "Trade security", "energy security", "homeland security"…

They'll need "crutch security" to hobble across the finish line from their lashing at the hands of Democrats across the country.

Wisen up, dummies! Democrats '08 and '12!

Hans-Erik Iken   July 2nd, 2008 5:01 pm ET

They must be nuts… They had close to 8 years to achieve energy security and what did they do? Just spend money on a war that destabilised the oil producing region even more.

They are pathetic, do they really believe the american people will fall for their BS again?

Kevin Leo (Jonesboro, GA)   July 2nd, 2008 5:01 pm ET

What a load of bull!!! The RNC was going to do this anyway and that is exactly why I am glad that Barack opted out of public financing. They can put as much lipstick as they want on this pig but it is still a big, fat nasty GOP pig!!!!

Kansan   July 2nd, 2008 5:01 pm ET

This is for Mike, Mr. average american. Who are you kidding?!!? You're not the average american if you donated $28,500 to the RNC. That's my salary for a full year as well as a majority of AVERAGE americans. You're one of the wealthy fat cats that McSame and Bush refer to as Average americans. GET REAL DUDE.

mel   July 2nd, 2008 5:02 pm ET

mike -

who's us? i'm american and obama is like me. by the way - repubs. get their money from big companies. you are not an average american if you can afford to donate 28,000 to a campaign

Repulicans are great at this, just ask McCain   July 2nd, 2008 5:03 pm ET

If you can remember back during the 2000 election primary, where Bush and McCain were battling for the repugulican nod.

Rove, Bush and friends absolutely bashed our POW presidential wanna be. In fact, that is how McCain lost!

Republicans love piling on the hate. Its what they do best!

Trollmaster   July 2nd, 2008 5:03 pm ET

Unless the Ron Paul faction of the Repubilcans take over their party, they deserve to be voted out of existence. They offer nothing to America except fear mongering, needless wars, the destruction of the Bill of Rights, and a horrible econmony.

Joe Reg   July 2nd, 2008 5:03 pm ET

The Bush Repubs Mcain, can spend all they can get from big businesses or the big people, but it will not work at all, and the people will not change thier mind, because they want change from the current republican administration.

Deficit, wars, lost of jobs, properties, skyrocketing fuel prices and so on. So, Bush, RNC, Mcain can spend all they want, but the people are watching.

With Obama this century will be America's century from the fall and beyond.

Obama 08 & 12.

Dan - Ohio   July 2nd, 2008 5:04 pm ET

McCain has never advocated for a meaningful energy policy. This will be quite the interesting spin job of an attack ad on Obama….

c   July 2nd, 2008 5:04 pm ET

obama got a good rate on house…why such the big fuss..report on the econmy and children abusin rather than focus on someone finacial happiness report john mccain im sure he has some crooked hook ups aw well

tompp   July 2nd, 2008 5:04 pm ET

all kidding aside, we all know barack HUSSEIN obama will win the whitehouse. very simply 90% of blacks will vote for him as well as a percentage of guilt ridden white people. throw in brainwashed young people (by the blacks-can-do-no-wrong american press - yeah you ny times, msnbc, cnn) and you have a winner for the dems eh, socialists.

i hope his supporters are happy with higher taxes, cap and trade penalties and putting employers who can't afford new government mandates out of business.

face east and pray we survive until he is voted out of office

Vote Nader   July 2nd, 2008 5:05 pm ET

Calvin Broadus July 2nd, 2008 4:12 pm ET

Yeah, good luck with that-

If the RNC was so "energy security" conscious, they would've done something about it by now

———————————————————————————————–

I'm in no way a "fan" of the Republican Party, but you can't be serious. The President does not make laws, only Congress. This issue has only appeared since the Democratic Party took a majority in Congress. They haven't done anything about it. They're too busy investigating steroids and other trivial nonsense. The blame can put on the 535 members of Congress - Republican, Democratic and Independent. Quit playing partisan politics.

VotePact

** Nader/Gonzalez 2008 **

Brandon Hillary Democrat for Mc Cain-Pa   July 2nd, 2008 5:05 pm ET

After what obama did to hillary I say republicans bring it on swift boat him !!!

al   July 2nd, 2008 5:06 pm ET

********************************************************
REPUBS FUNDS FROM THE BIG BUSINESS LOBBYIST.
WHICH IS STILL WAY BEHIND BARAKS PEOPLE FUNDED CAMPAIGN.

YEAH SPEND THAT MONEY , GIVE IT BACK TO THE PEOPLE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF. NO MATTER WHAT REPUBS DO, NOBODYS LISTENING. TRUST IS GONE.

STOP THE MADNESS. VOTE OBAMA.

JED   July 2nd, 2008 5:07 pm ET

Barack was right the public finance system is broken!

JED

Obamanation   July 2nd, 2008 5:07 pm ET

Can Americans see through the empty promises of Obama?
YES WE CAN!!!

Mark Wade, Naperville, IL   July 2nd, 2008 5:07 pm ET

The Republicans have proven time and again in recent elections that their only defense is a smear campaign. It worked on John Kerry, but Obama supporters are too smart to fall for it. It will only reinforce the prejudices that already exist in supporters of McCain.

TheTruthHurts   July 2nd, 2008 5:08 pm ET

They better watch their step. There are significant differences between the candidates and parties. Let's just hope they stick to POLICY and not more shenanigans like Barack is communist and favors government energy.

Tim in Syracuse   July 2nd, 2008 5:09 pm ET

Its not like they weren't going to do it anyway.

Its how the Republican's have done business for years. If you can't slam someone yourself, get a mouth-piece to do it for you.

And Jerry-IA, for a lead to widen it would have to exist. Johnny Mac is playing catch-up at this point when he should be waaay ahead given the extra weeks that the DNC took to sort themselves out.

Roofin Reality, Houston, Tx.   July 2nd, 2008 5:10 pm ET

Well, all I can add is Vice-President Cheney had a secret meeting with energy executives early in the administration and we've never seen one note from that meeting.
AND, Congress was in total Republican control from 2001 through 2006. Probably further back as I know the House was in Rep control as of 1994.

So my question is, if President Bush has been doing his job for the last 8 years, and Congress was doing their job for the last 6 years, (Dems took over in Jan 2007, so just 18 months now), then why do we not yet have a comprehensive energy strategy? Ooh, I so hope that Senator Obama, or one of his surrogates (or MSM if they're so inclined to do some investigative journalism and not just take soundbites and run a story) would ask this question.

corina   July 2nd, 2008 5:10 pm ET

Nice try Mike - but "average" people don't have $28,500 to donate to a political party. I sure hope you were trying to be sarcastic.

OsamaforObama08.com   July 2nd, 2008 5:11 pm ET

Obama? Why he is in this position is beyond me. Thank god that the brains of the Constiution that made sure that naive people had less influence electing the President by instituting the Electoral College.
OsamaforObama08.com

Walt   July 2nd, 2008 5:11 pm ET

Ian M asked: "*sigh* Is this all the Republicans have left? A smear campaign?"

Ian…look at the last 8 years. That's all they ever had!

Despite anything that might be said about Bill Clinton's private life (Ah if that sort of thing only stayed private as it did in the past!), his presidency brought us a huge surplus, a great economy, and peace. What the Republican gave us with their smear tactics brought us war, $4.10/gallon gas prices, record oil company profits, tax breaks for the wealthy, a gargantuan deficit, a loosing stock market, world mistrust and reputation loss and the desecration of the Constitution through loss of our basic rights.

Now John McBush is offering us 4 more years of the same.

If America elects this guy instead of Obama, then we deserve the misery we've had heaped upon us.

Jeffrey   July 2nd, 2008 5:11 pm ET

Yeah, cause if he hadn't made that decision you would have stuck to the spending limits. :) Of course you would have… :)

JO   July 2nd, 2008 5:12 pm ET

Hey dimocrats … or is it dumocrats :

Rant and rave all you want to that BO is going to win … America is waking up to what a flip flop phony he really is every time he opens his mouth.

McCain '08

Phil Newton Murphy, Oregon   July 2nd, 2008 5:14 pm ET

This was in the works from the beginning.

It is utterly false for the RNC to claim that this was in "response" to Obama foregoing campaign financing.

The Lie Machine starts with a whopper.

Mike M.   July 2nd, 2008 5:14 pm ET

What exactly is "the issue of energy security"? I understand what "the issue of energy" is, and I understand what "the issue of security" is, but "energy security" has no meaning.

P.S. I love the "avergage American" Mike (not me) from 4:08 who donated $28,500 do the RNC. I have an above average income, and there is no way I could afford to donat $28,500 to the DNC… average indeed!

Ardnuas   July 2nd, 2008 5:15 pm ET

If you vote for McCain…. YOU are voting to start a war in Iran in 2009…McCain is FULL of ANGER, AND LACKS JUDGEMENT.

zack   July 2nd, 2008 5:15 pm ET

barrack hussein obama is going to only one of two states. mc cain will win by a landslide. the demos will again scratch their heads and ask: "What happened?"

Phil Newton Murphy, Oregon   July 2nd, 2008 5:16 pm ET

Maybe instead of lying for McCain the RNC (home of the Whopper) ought to tell the truth about the Bush insiders now running McCain's campaign.

How about the truth, RNC?

Hmmm?

Some agent of change.

Charlotte   July 2nd, 2008 5:16 pm ET

The worst economy, an unpopular war, record fuel prices, the lowest approval rating for a sitting President in history and the race is too close to call? Why? Could it be because Obama was a little too urgent in his bid for the White House? The best chance to take back the White House, may not happen. Neither one will have a mandate from the people. Gore loss by 500 votes, and Lieberman may have been the main reason. The person each candidate picks for VP may well determine the winner in November. I will still write in Hillary on my ballot, as will many people I know. We don't like the choices either party, the DNC/GOP, have selected. Think of us as Clinton Democrats, rather then Reagan Democrats. Hillary is still my choice..

zack   July 2nd, 2008 5:18 pm ET

inexperienced barrack will be defeated by experienced john mc cain by a landslide. obama will win one or two states, and that is a shame!

Toni   July 2nd, 2008 5:19 pm ET

“Following Barack Obama's decision to become the only major party presidential candidate in history to not adhere to campaign spending caps…" ??? How about t"he only major party presidential candidate in history to reject public funds for smear campaigns?"

I LOVE that my little bitty $25 donations have gotten Obama so far. More are coming.

Dick in Sioux Falls   July 2nd, 2008 5:20 pm ET

Energy security is NOT the defining issue of this campaign! The defining issue for most of us is the destruction in the value of the $ under Republican watch. That is the key reason gas costs so much in American dollars. That started with the headlong spiral into Federal Debt because of Ronald Reagan's enormous tax breaks for the rich, when he lowered the Income Tax Rate from 70% on income over $400,000 to 28% for everyone. The Max rate of 70% on that income level held steady through Republican and Democratic Presidencies and Congresses from Kennedy through Carter. Since the Reagan Tax Cuts, popular with everyone since their tax went down, Deficit spending has been the hallmark of the Republican Party, and has destroyed the $'s value.

aware   July 2nd, 2008 5:21 pm ET

Mahalo Nui loa! :)

McCain 08, the only wise choice! :)

Monica for Obama in Indiana   July 2nd, 2008 5:21 pm ET

Ok RNC, give it your best shot! You would do better giving that money to us to help pay for gas.

captain   July 2nd, 2008 5:23 pm ET

Who profits from a policy of "Drill now! Drill everywhere!?" Consumers or Oil companies?

Why have George W. and Dick Cheney long promoted this scheme?

Could not a supply/demand issue also be dealt with from the demand side?

aware   July 2nd, 2008 5:23 pm ET

Mahalo Nui Loa or Thanks very much!

McCain 08, the only wise choice! :)

Tristan   July 2nd, 2008 5:25 pm ET

I don't get it. Do people prefer more guns or more money? I'd prefer have money money thank you very much!

Edward   July 2nd, 2008 5:25 pm ET

The democrat candidates only must say one thing to get elected and take back our country… TERRORISM AGAINST AMERICANS AT THE GAS PUMPS!!! And then promote an all out investigation into what has driven these prices past any reality and prosecute the perpetrators of this crime!!!

It is going to destroy the economic model of America and the working man will become slaves to the rich if left unattended much longer….

Democrats have America behind them if they will just get on message and the focus of Americans is going broke fast!!! Every dollar has been dissolved into a quarter by Bush and McCain will continue this devaluation of your wealth. China now own 60% of our national debt while we pump billions a day into Chinese made consumer products. America is going to be a shell of a country just like Russia who did not lose the Cold War… The currancy of Russia became worthless and the country became insolvent….

Its TERRORISM PEOPLE!!! Go after the FUEL Terrorist and you will uncover that Bush and Cheney are part of that circle of crooks…. McCain then has to turn against them or he is toast…. Its curtains… Show is over…

America is sick and tired of big business getting all the breaks and stealing our money through inflation and strong arm tactics in the market place…. Democrats stand up for the little guy and show us you mean business by going after the crooks and you will take this country in the right direction finally…. else we all be screwed….

vw   July 2nd, 2008 5:25 pm ET

Senator McCain,
Just let the people understand which kind of change Obama represents, then you can win the presidency.
It is simple and easy.

david   July 2nd, 2008 5:26 pm ET

typical republican mud-slinging…
All I have to say is that Obama better be ready for them to throw the kitchen sink and its plumming at him…

judasgoat   July 2nd, 2008 5:29 pm ET

barack if i were he; i would rent a home in each swing state that is up for grabs. the election hinges on the swing states. and i would put out a REPONSE AD; for those who want to run REV. WRIGHT RHETORIC ads, which mccain knows they were on the way. [wink-wink] i would run an ad simply stating; never have barack obama uttered any false words of discouragement against america this great nation and "LAND OF LIBERTY" w/ flags waving in the background something a tune to this . you've got to come out the gate w/ something to neutralize them swiftboats. i would start w/ this answer ad in mississippi here is where they the first of many boats have and will be launched. come right back in the same state w/ a ad of this responds nature. i'am in the south and these folks down here are hate'n besides a appearance late in the campaign like in late oct. i wouldn't even set foot in these red states because these folks are seeing red . i'd fly right over them………. also the democratic convention WOMEN should be the standard bearers of this moment in time and in history also the young let them know the torch of change is getting ready to being handed to the future. let howard dean know this .

M.S. Indiana   July 2nd, 2008 5:29 pm ET

Mike, Wow, since when did the average American have 28.000 to spend on politics ?? and still donate 1.000s ??

I am sorry, but the average American donates a 10-20 bill a month, and when millions do that you get a candidate who is from and with the people..

'He represents the average American more than that poor black guy that lives on the South Side of Chicago. Who is Obama kidding? He's not like us.'

How is he not like us ?? he have an education is that the problem, or he do work for the poor people in east Chicago ?? Have you ever seen McCain out doing anything good ?? or is it just because he is white he is one of us ??

Nanna   July 2nd, 2008 5:30 pm ET

We're ready.

Obama 08

Spencer   July 2nd, 2008 5:30 pm ET

So Mike as an average American you are ok will helping to get a plan for a guy while the rest of the country is going broke and you want him as you say to beat the poor black guy.
WOW i really hope you are of fighting age so you can serve in this war that should have never been started
because as i see it an average american like you has no idea what this country stands for

Nanna   July 2nd, 2008 5:32 pm ET

Yada, yada…we've been down that road.
Rev. Wright
Michelle
Campaign Finance
Debates

Bring it on, we're ready for the dirty, mudslinging politics of the GOP.

See you at the ballot, boys.

Susan from Scotts Valley, CA   July 2nd, 2008 5:32 pm ET

I love it how they suggest that they are only doing this because Obama opted out of public financing when Obama was simply smart enough to see this coming and know that it wasn't just the $85 million cap on McCain that he would have to fight against but funding for this type of advertising as well.

I CAN NOT for the life of me understand how anyone could vote Republican this year considering the mess we're in. Anyone that still has confidence in Bush needs to have their pulse checked.

Shannon McMurphy   July 2nd, 2008 5:32 pm ET

Good grief. A president needs to have a thick skin, and now he's whining about some Japanese mobile phone ad…what is he going to do when he's president and the going gets truly tough?
As usual, no one can say/do anything that isn't offensive or racial to Obama and this will be no exception.
Good luck to the morons who voted for him, and God bless the rest of us.

LA2NC   July 2nd, 2008 5:33 pm ET

And this is why I'm so glad that Barack opted out of public financing. Senator Mccain and the GOP must really think that the American people are stupid. From the RNC smear campaign to the Bush operative now set to run his campaign……… no, Mccain is not like GWB at all….

Pamela, DC   July 2nd, 2008 5:35 pm ET

Oh what are they going to say? In 2000 they said McCain had ONE black kid, when he ran against GW. This time they'll say Barack has TWO black kids.

islandtal   July 2nd, 2008 5:35 pm ET

Mike says "As an average American I support John McCain because he gets his money from the average American. I know I, and many of my average friends, have donated the maximum $28,500 to the RNC, and now we are donating thousands more for independant advertising. America unite and help John McCain win! He represents the average American more than that poor black guy that lives on the South Side of Chicago. Who is Obama kidding? He's not like us."

…and billionairess McCain who cares only about the rich is like us? He's no way like me.

Edward   July 2nd, 2008 5:36 pm ET

Obama must go on the offense if he is going to convince American that he is not another Big Business Lobbyist puppet by calling the gas crisis an act of Terrorism on America… These gas prices are a blatant act of TERRORISM and every American feels it at the pump where his dollar has been dissolved into a quarter by George W.

Price gouging and price fixing are criminal. This crime left unchecked will force America into an economic meltdown few have seen all while the perpetrators did it without even using a gun…. Bush and Cheney have turned a blind eye to it all and America is getting angrier every time they have to get fuel.

If Obama is going to sell himself as a leader of the people he is going to have to stand against the petroleum companies right now or he can't convince Americans he is anything different.

Obama must say that Congress is presently investigating this and when they find the perpetrators of this crime send them to hard labor prison camp for life so it will make examples out of every one of them for other white collar criminals to see what happens when you get caught robbing Americans….

ITS FREAKING TERRORISM and the handful that are behind it are getting wealthy… Use the word terrorism to describe the gas price crisis and see if America agrees with you….Obama!!! I'll bet they will race top the polls to support cha!

The solution to the pump prices is very simple. Tax credits for conversion to natural gas in vehicles that allows taxpayers to recoup the cost and make sure the installers and manufactures of the kits do not gouge the market with inflated prices… It’s the purest fuel and we have plenty…a really a no brainer…

Linda from Prescott AZ   July 2nd, 2008 5:37 pm ET

Funny, the republicans have laughed out of the otherside of their mouth for years when they had all the bucks.

Vaughn   July 2nd, 2008 5:37 pm ET

Get ready people, by October the GOP will be saying that the country is at CODE: RED.

GW is on the phone manufacturing some kind of scare tactic now.

Belle2   July 2nd, 2008 5:38 pm ET

Well, Obama asked for this, didn't he. He wants to control all the money on the DNC side. No 527s, no DNC, just Obama. He has asked the 527s (that have been quiet so far) and the RNC (also not all that aggressive this election) to take him on; just let his fans give him all the money. I guess the war is on; may the best man win.

Charmaine   July 2nd, 2008 5:39 pm ET

Oh my, I guess it's Willie Horton time. The racist Repugnants will think of any and everything to keep the White House. The country is over them and the DEMS will prevail.

See you at the voting booth.

Mike   July 2nd, 2008 5:40 pm ET

The Republican Party will become the same as The Federalist Party. The party for RACISM will be Gone Gone Gone Forever

No McBush   July 2nd, 2008 5:40 pm ET

Obama takes all the crap that republican pile on and uses it as stepping stones. Republicans can't touch this! It's just backfire after backfire. Bring it on!

Cynthia - Arkansas   July 2nd, 2008 5:41 pm ET

Have you noticed the type of ads running? Guns, anti-abortion, and soon to be smear. The republicans are going to run the same campaign they run election after election. I just hope and pray that people are too smart for that to work again! I have to believe that HOPE will win this election.

Lorraine Kenitzki   July 2nd, 2008 5:41 pm ET

Why don't he spend some of that campaign money to defend T-mobile's Japanese commercial with the monkey in it? After all in America we teach our kids that we are descendants of monkeys and nobody in my church has enough power to pull that from our school district! Yet the T-mobile company did pull their ad based on racism, what about evolution? I'm insulted that America allows the teaching of it in school but disallows creation.
Why not, Obama?
If he's wanting to be President and really wants the people of faith vote, try promising that he'll put all ideas of origin into the school.

Thanks, but no thanks McBush! Tampa, FL   July 2nd, 2008 5:43 pm ET

McCain's energy policy: We need to drill more so that we can keep living under the delusion that cheep oil is our god given right.

What more are we willing to sacrifice for oil before we start making smart energy choices beyond this truly limited resource? Obama is absolutely correct to resist overturning drilling restrictions in the Gulf, the Atlantic coast, and ANWR. In all there is a little more than 25 billion barrels of oil in all of these places according to the most up to date estimates. At more than 12 million barrels a day we (USA) burn through 4.5 billion barrels a year meaning there is little more than 5.5 years worth of oil in these drill-restricted areas. What then? We are in for a painful future with respect to energy and the longer we delay in facing up to that reality the more painful it is going to be when we are finally forced to make the adjustment.

Like Bush, McCain seem only too willing to play the role of enabler to our oil addiction. His energy policy, drafted in Houston just like the Bush Administrations, will only serve to help the oil industry, not our economy, not our energy demand, and certainly not our national security.

If you are thinking of voting for McCain, do us all a favor and DON'T!!

Bill, Streamwood, IL   July 2nd, 2008 5:44 pm ET

Are there still voters who believe anything the RNC says?

Rachel   July 2nd, 2008 5:48 pm ET

Now I am not a big fan of either obama or mccain, but its funny everyone saying oh they will smear him, umm they haven't done anything yet how do you know what they say won't be true or are you so quick to beleive that everything said against obama is a lie. Or is Obama the only politican in the world who never lies goes back on his word(umm well we know that is not true)? How about you wait to see what they say it could very well be true. Still waiting on that debate Obama let the people who aren't necessarily sure of you ask you some questions you dont have prepared answers for. Or is Obama gonna send out Hillary to debate for him?

JT   July 2nd, 2008 5:49 pm ET

get him obama

Freida, NYC   July 2nd, 2008 5:49 pm ET

Politics is so boring without Hillary!!!!

Hillary 2008

Dr. Bob   July 2nd, 2008 5:52 pm ET

Once NObama picks a VP not named Clinton his support will decrease. And once this happens it's all over for B. Hussein Obama. Clinton supporters hold the key to winning this election for either McCain or NObama. So all of you Clinton supporters remember how the NObamanots treated you during the primaries. Do them all a favor and put an end to this NObama guy.

Joe - Chicago, IL   July 2nd, 2008 5:52 pm ET

Wonder what McCain's Swift Boat Veterans will come up with this time. I look foward to the slander fest!

Brian Phoenix AZ   July 2nd, 2008 5:52 pm ET

Mcsame is trying to "distance himself" from the shrub and hires a shrub "campaign advisor" who looks for all the world like "mini-me".
RNC bringing out a smear campaign this weekend - that's all they know how to do - and the "swiftboating" is waiting in the wings.
Not gonna buy it this time. Mcsame and shrub co-joined at the hip for sure now. No more Bush and no McCain.

Blue California   July 2nd, 2008 5:52 pm ET

Aaaaaaaaaaand this is why Obama opted out of public financing.

Jim   July 2nd, 2008 5:52 pm ET

If the "average American" belongs to the RNC and donates $28,500 there is a problem there. I don't think that average Americans can afford to donate $28,000 or should be able to donate that much. Does RNC stand for Rich Not Caring?

You could create a great distortion mill on that amount of money and buy a few politicians to boot. They probably will.

jon   July 2nd, 2008 5:52 pm ET

RNC= real nasty cowards

JOYCE   July 2nd, 2008 5:54 pm ET

HISTORY FOR REPUBLICANS

OBAMA/CLINTON 08-16
HILLARY/OBAMA 16-24

CHELSE/BILL C. 24-36
AFTER THAT THE GRANDCHILDREN OF OBAMA AND CLINTON WILL TAKE OVER

REPUBLICAN MAY AS WELL QUIT. THEY CAN.T WIN

TM   July 2nd, 2008 5:54 pm ET

The beginnings of another smear campaign from the republicans. At least obama can fight back now that he opted out of public financing.

and Jon, I LOVE factcheck.org!!!

nsbs   July 2nd, 2008 5:55 pm ET

this one got rejected - anyone care to guess why? i think they are scared of the implications

all kidding aside, we all know barack HUSSEIN obama will win the whitehouse. very simply 90% of blacks will vote for him as well as a percentage of guilt ridden white people. throw in brainwashed young people (by the blacks-can-do-no-wrong american press - yeah you ny times, msnbc, cnn) and you have a winner for the dems eh, socialists.

i hope his supporters are happy with higher taxes, cap and trade penalties and putting employers who can't afford new government mandates out of business.

face east and pray we survive until he is voted out of office

Texas 4 DNC   July 2nd, 2008 5:57 pm ET

Yea go on, we all will pay $15 at the pump, go on, cast ur vote for Mc Confused and lets c who cries at the end of his presidency if he is selected by politicians under the disgise of evngelicals.

Terry   July 2nd, 2008 5:58 pm ET

Good grief, the Republicans sure know how to whine when they are on the ropes.

You had eight years run the country…. and you blew it. And now our grandkids our going to pay for your mistakes.

Mike's Friend   July 2nd, 2008 6:00 pm ET

I don't think someone who can't spell "independent" has $28,500 to donate to the RNC. Nice try, Mike.

Marc   July 2nd, 2008 6:01 pm ET

Mike,
According to the US Census, the average US household income last year was slightly over $47,000. Does the fact that you donated over $28,000 make you an "average American"? How are you defining average? I would consider myself rather average, however there is no way I could ever afford to donate that much money.

I have, rather symbolically, donated $20.08 to the Obama campaign.

Lastly, what makes Obama "not like us"? The fact that he is black or the fact that he is poor…….?

M Lynn ND   July 2nd, 2008 6:05 pm ET

Fighting dirty is the ONLY way Republicans know how to win. It's high time they are stopped and held accountable. I am so encouraged by the amazing support Obama is getting from the young voters and their determination to get him elected. This hopefully will be the election where the Republicans are taught Rove style gutter campaigns need to be put to rest.

Joe   July 2nd, 2008 6:05 pm ET

RNC's Not going to change my Mind. My mind is aready made up No Mc walkin cain…….GO OBAMA All the way

Ian   July 2nd, 2008 6:06 pm ET

Thank God I don't have cable!!!

Jim   July 2nd, 2008 6:07 pm ET

On a footnote, if the Republicans were really concerned with "energy security" it seems like they would have done something about rising gas prices and energy shortages years ago when they controlled the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. Maybe they can fly around in a big plane called "energy security".

I guess they were too busy snooping, waging war, running up deficits and covering up their past mistakes.

McCain fits right in. He was involved in the Arizona saving and loan scandal and then all of a sudden he became a champion of political reform.

FL Dem   July 2nd, 2008 6:08 pm ET

Dear Mike,
If you had $28,500 to donate to the RNC, you are not average. The rest of us will vote for Obama.

mimi   July 2nd, 2008 6:10 pm ET

HA and faux news and the repubs were crying about Obama's financing, like there was going to be a fair fight.

judy, Wisconsin   July 2nd, 2008 6:12 pm ET

Does anyone actually think McCain and the Repubs wouldn't take the path of the most money? The right wing swift boat machine is already starting and Obama will need all the money he can get to fight the lies and trash that they will fling. Kick the scum to the curb.

Jim Franklyn   July 2nd, 2008 6:14 pm ET

Finally the American people get it, if millions and millions of us contribute just $50 to Obama's campaign, we can compete against big business, corruption and the hypocrite neo-nut movement.

Have you ever seen such hatred from people like Rush "pill gulping" Limbaugh or ignorance from hypocrites like Bill O'reilly or Hannity. GEORGIA HAS A CHANCE TO GO OBAMA IF MORE WHITE BOYS LIKE ME VOTE FOR HIM!!

marie   July 2nd, 2008 6:14 pm ET

RNC/GOP bring it on. McSame will lose because the American people are lot smatter than you think. Enought smear attacks and innuendos. Bring it on - President Obama will prevail.

Teddy California   July 2nd, 2008 6:16 pm ET

Republicans have yet run any negative ags against Obama. However, with internet, it seems you do not have to run negative ads on the major news media. Who started all those negative email and web chats about Obama? It was definitely not McCain campain or even Republicans because those negative things were out even before Obama established himself as a front runner for nomination. But there are some 3rd party organizations like moveon.com that did attack McCain negatively.

We will see who will start the negative ads war. It seems RNC will start the negative, but only on the energy issue differences. I think that is acceptable. It is acceptable to compare differences on issues.

greg Rewinski   July 2nd, 2008 6:21 pm ET

dear mike,
since when can an "average" American afford to donate $28,500 to anything other than their mortage, college education, etc. who are you kidding- YOU'RE not like us!

Jason   July 2nd, 2008 6:21 pm ET

CNN where's the comment about Obama's sweetheart mortgage? Please tell me he isn't gonna say that this is just a republican smear tactic also. Sweetheart deals being disguised as negotiated between two lenders is BS it is still preferential treatment which this guy claims he doesn't subscribe to!