(CNN) - Few names inspire more of a heated reaction among Democrats than Karl Rove, and Barack Obama’s campaign is making a concerted effort Thursday to link the former Bush advisor to John McCain's presidential campaign.
On a campaign conference call with reporters responding to the Arizona senator's latest television ad, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said the spot is worse than anything Rove would have developed.
"This is not the John McCain voters thought they would be seeing in this presidential campaign," Plouffe said. "He's not just embracing the Rove playbook that people really are tired of, he's taking it to a further extreme."
Those comments came only hours after Plouffe circulated a fundraising e-mail to supporters in which he said McCain's campaign had taken a "nasty turn” with its "Karl Rove-style ploy."
"This Karl Rove-style ploy misleads people about Barack's energy plan and even mocks his ability to inspire voters and bring Americans back into the political process," Plouffe wrote in the e-mail.
The television ad in question compares Obama's celebrity status to that of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, and questions whether the Illinois senator is "ready to lead." Obama dismissed the ad as "game playing" Thursday while McCain said he was "proud of it."
Watch: McCain ad compares Obama to Paris Hilton, Britney Spears
Rove has no official role with the McCain campaign, though Steve Schmidt, a senior adviser in charge of the day-to-day message, was a longtime protégé of Rove's.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Why didn't CNN put up a shot of McNegativead, Bush and Rover together.. Now that's more of the same..
I haven't decided whether you are pro Democatic or hate Rebulican.
But I must say (sacasim) your fair and balanced!!!!!!!
Barack has real problem here and his campaign is pointing out to mcCain tactics. What did McCain do? Barack has played race card several times. He will get 100% votes from blacks and there are whites who are fascinated with him and will vote for him. Don't you understand that Barack is fake. He has no substance. He has no policy. He waits for John McCain to say something and then pounce on him so that he can get sympathy from American people. Cheap politics and cheap politician who wants to be our President. Beware.
People, mostly Republicans, try to give an elitist reputation to Karl Rove as being above and beyond everyone else as a political strategist. I question the loftiness of that acclaim and find it difficult to give credit to anyone just because they have a lot of nerve and no conscience, just because they are extremely aggressive and arrogantly, cocky confident, just because they will do/say anything to get what they want; that sociopathic mentality may see some victories but it says nothing for quality or character. Now I realize that this argument has no affect on them because winning is their only goal but I think it is meaningful to most people.
Plouffe said in this conference call that McCain has mislead people on Obamas energy plan. I for one haven't heard what his plan is except to tax oil companies and air up my tires. I don't understand how taxing oil companies helps me at all with my problems. Maybe one of you BHO supporters can explain it instead of ranting about how evil Bush is.
PS I already air up my tires regularly.
Can someoen start talking about the issues?
We should be surprised about this, because....?
McCain's recent ad linking Senator Obama's status to that of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton is as pathetic and revolting as the headlines of any current pop star mag. What respect I ever had for McCain is dwindling rapidly – his 15 minutes of fame have come and gone, leaving me with no remorse in disparaging him.
I guess you really don't like personal opinion or you are unable to interpret my caomments. Don't forget my previous email.
'Obama camp says McCain tactics worse than Rove's'
Whatever happened to Obama being 'above' negative politics and name calling..?
It's funny how he never answers criticisms of him, either. - He denies and disparages, dodges the issues, never answers a question and blames the other guy for 'not understanding' him.
How cute.
Maybe I have to go back to FOX for fair and balance news. Maybe even CBS, ABC, or NBC.
They are worse! At least Rove stayed on message. McCain is just throwing out anything even if it has no truth or argument behind it!
Obama's managers need to kool it with the Bush and Karl Rove thing.
Keep it up and we will unleash Karl and Bush wack him with the
Muslim ties.
Go drink your kool aid Obamabots and enjoy the ride downhill till
November.
Yes We Will prevail in November.
4 more years then Jeb Bush in 2012.
McCain in 08
How appropriate to have the Photo of the one of the worlds greatest criminals with the story.Does he look like Limbaugh or is it just me?Must be in some gene or they didnt know their daddy.
GOODBYE, ADIOS or what ever you understand.
If you believe that Rove is NOT deeply involved in the McCain camp, you are an idiot!
There Is Ten Pounds Of Fat On This Guys Neck! He Tips His Head To One Side And All Of The Fat Goes To That Side! Looking At Him Reminds Me That Mccain Has Too Many Neck Wrinkles To Get My Vote! The Age Card Has Been Played!
CNN Why do the comments on the Hillary articles keep disapearing? What are you doing?
Not worse, the are totally the same.
"...longtime protégé of Rove"
Well, what a surprise.
they
I absolutely agree. Karl Rove didn't even stoop to levels the McCain campaign has and it's still early. Is this the type of person we want in the White House? McCain is appearing to be even worse than the Bush administration and that's saying a lot.
McLow Road you and Rove are joined at the hip probley closer than that.
Cnn stop hiding McLame you continue to remove anything negative about him on here the secrets out the whole world knows he is an old geezer headed for the R.H. this time .
McCain is running a dishonorable campaign and is not an honorable man. He is unworthy of the presidency.
McSame is desperately seeking Susan. He has no substance to speak on; so he took the low road. So much for the "Maverick" title.
I really don't think this will affect Obama because the voters are not stupid. I had respect for McSame until he did this. It's sad to see him go down in such a low and desperate manner.