August 5, 2008
Posted: 12:00 PM ET
CNN

Watch the ad the McCain campaign released Tuesday called 'Broken.'

(CNN) — After days of hard-hitting TV and Web ads focused on fall opponent Barack Obama, presumptive Republican nominee John McCain is taking to the airwaves with a positive spot that looks to highlight his maverick roots, and tells voters the nation is “worse off than we were four years ago.”

The latest ad, released Tuesday, does not mention the presumptive Democratic nominee at all, stressing instead the Arizona senator’s independent reputation.

“Washington's broken. John McCain knows it. We're worse off than we were four years ago,” says the announcer in the 30-second spot. “Only McCain has taken on big tobacco, drug companies, fought corruption in both parties. He'll reform Wall Street, battle Big Oil, make America prosper again.

“He's the original maverick. One is ready to lead — McCain.”

The campaign said the ad will air in “key states.”

Filed under: John McCain • Popular Posts


Phil-Texas   August 5th, 2008 1:36 pm ET

I was wondering how long it would take Mc Cain's handlers to pick up on the fact that John has always tried to buck the Republican steady as she goes. He has always been open minded and willing to take a fresh look at problems. I hope he will continue to think this way as president.

Troy   August 5th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

I read these blogs everyday and i can see why America is in so much trouble, you would think it's the government fault, But i don't think so.. it all boils down to all the people of this country, you know, your family, friends, black, white and red people, We are about 50 years away from a great America, look where we were 50 years ago.

If we are not at war outside our country, we are at war inside of it, if we are not chasing terrorist outside, we have a different type of terror right here in America.

Before we can move forward, we must take a good look back, and see how far we have come, vote for the right guy.

Unshrub   August 5th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

McCain is only trying to stay in the race because mean ol' Obama and his band of liberals will destroy American.

G   August 5th, 2008 1:34 pm ET

proud army and navy mom
YOU ARE AN IDIOT

Ki-Jana Carter   August 5th, 2008 1:34 pm ET

If supporting offshore drilling is John McCain's idea of "battling big oil" he's much more senile than I realized.

politics   August 5th, 2008 1:34 pm ET

McCain has been in washington for the past twenty six years, and he was certainly there in the last four of the years he is talking about, and yet, he has done nothing for the good of the people.

Rick K   August 5th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

I would like to test a new theme in Barack's ads, which are starting to draw links back to McCain's long history of voting without a real strategic framework. Let me know your thoughts. I put the themes here, but didn't finish all the options or sentences, but you get the idea:

"John McCain, he's been in Washington 26 years. Some call that experience. But for all his experience, he failed to see the need for alternative energy, voting against it…

With all his experience, he failed to understand the cost of an undefined mission in Iraq…

I would try to draw a line between "experience" and repeated bad or unpopular decisions. It would make it harder to use that word so freely and without any accountability for lacking the strategic framework that's necessary in the president's role. What do you all think?

United   August 5th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

Frankie you should read the post from Wake Up

"…the Dems are the Majority..yes that's true, but they do not hold enough votes to prevent the record number of filibusters perpetrated by…THE REPUBLICANS, nor do they have enough seats to over turn the vetoes from the REPUBLICAN ADMINISRATION, "

republicans hate america   August 5th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

maverick? please! you are more like Gomer Pyle

Thomas   August 5th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

Liers-Dishonesty-Corruption and Bigatry!

I dont understand why people havent smaten up yet!!!!

Obama people played the race card in the caucus that we had here in neb. (if your dont vote for Obama your a raciest)!

Every place Obama goes there is either flooding, tornadoes, or a natural diaster — tell him to stay out of neb. we have enough storms.

(Karma) Just look at the weather pattrern and Obamas speach locations.

I feel sorry for the people in Missour – Congresswomen standing up appraising him and two days later Floods you never seen brfore.

Obama has changed his positions to appease the public to show that he is open to flip-flppping, everything he stood for in jan today is just a thought. Get rid of The Lieing John Kerry.

Obama sounds just like him "a broken record with no substance on anything but degrading his opponent!

Justin in CA   August 5th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

Frankie,

Us Dems are taking responsibility for it. You Cons won't even admit the economy is in bad shape. USA is a nation of whiners remember.

Ron   August 5th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

If Senator McCain is saying, “worse off than we were four years ago.” in reference to our economy and world image, why did he support President Bush's inititives 95 percent of the time in 2007? (See factcheck.org to support these numbers)

The John McCain who was a maverick is long, long gone. Today's John McCain is a product of the RNC election process that hasn't shown us any new ideas or real solutions to our real problems in many years.

James From Chicago   August 5th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

At least McCain has always been honest with the American people.

Not a Flip Flopper.. God help us all if Obama is elected President.

Mike from Westchester   August 5th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

Frankie August 5th, 2008 12:54 pm ET
if The dems have all the answers what happened with the dem controlled congress? Are all you dems telling me the they bare no responsility for the shape we are in?
__________________________________________
I guess you want to conveniently forget that the Republicans had control of the White House AND Congress for six years. The Dems have has control of the House of Representatives, with virtually a split Senate for a year and a half. With Bush's veto power, they can accomplish basically nothing.

But you are right to a degree, that the Dems have not done as well as they could have so far. Without a better climate of bi-partisanship in Washington, little will be accomplished and our country will suffer.

Whoever is elected President must work cooperatively with Congress and vice-versa AND needs to govern from the center, not from the far left or right. I fully believe Obama can and will. He is not nearly as liberal as some would like to paint him. I also think McCain can if he stops being so much of a Bush/Cheney clone and goes back to the McCain of old. However, I am afraid that John McCain is long gone, never to return.

Miss-c   August 5th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

Why don't this no brainer take a nap

CJ   August 5th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

Message to the Obama Campaign!!!!!
Please start firing and heaving some mud back of your own. There is a reason why people think Democrats are weak. Well to be honest you are and act weak. Stop playing nice, politics is a contact sport. Please start attacking MCcain for the phony he really is. Mccain a maverick? I don't know what is more insulting . Your posturing as a "maverick" or Bush posturing as a fighter pilot in the jump suit. Your 95% same voting record as Bush is pretty maverick of you. Please MCLAME!
Don't piss on my boots and tell me its raining.

Independent Fred   August 5th, 2008 1:28 pm ET

Loved McCain in 2000 but this isn't the same guy..
He's just a pandering dope like the rest of them now..

How unfortunate.

Chris   August 5th, 2008 1:28 pm ET

He is too OLD!!! PERIOD!!!
How he stole the GOP nominatin from M/R make me wonder if the ole Bushes voting machines are still in place!!!
For all the Democrats that think B/O will win this hands down don't be fooled. The electronic voting machines are fixed!!!
I ask you why do you think the so call polls are showing a tight race?
This race is no where near tight!! America wants change period and
the GOP knows the only way to get another one of them in the White is to give the impression this race is close so that, when the final votes are cast McCain and the GOP will win and no one will be the wiser!!
American politics are just as fixed as they are in Zimbabwe!!!

JA Cook   August 5th, 2008 1:28 pm ET

We've had a cowboy, now we need a maverick?

McCain '08
Better than Bush

Justin in CA   August 5th, 2008 1:25 pm ET

Then why has he been saying the economy has been improving this whole time. He is the biggest Flip-Flopper we have ever seen. He would just do plain anything to win an election.

Sammy   August 5th, 2008 1:25 pm ET

Despite whether people believe it or not at least its a positive ad.

I can see a political cartoon: "Candidate John McCain" reading a eulogy about "Maverick John McCain" telling him to rest in peace.

"Pot had helped, and booze; maybe a little blow when you could afford it." Obama 95   August 5th, 2008 1:24 pm ET

But Obama is the new breed isn't he…

If it helps you trash them… like Wright, his grandmother, etc… if it helps you trash those you should be loyal too…

and this is the guy the DNC wants… they have no idea what leadership is… comes from years of handout mentality!

saig   August 5th, 2008 1:24 pm ET

I don't understand why anyone wants to vote McCain after 8 years of worst republican government in history of usa. McCain is going to continue same policies and will add a new war with iran, doesn't know anything about economy.

republicans, i want to understand what are the reasons you want to vote for McCain. But, i won't be suprised if he becomes the president, because of last 2 elections what voters have chosen for.

Ross in MD   August 5th, 2008 1:24 pm ET

Maverick – HA!

John Kerry isn't the only one making jokes!

STILL FOR HILL   August 5th, 2008 1:22 pm ET

Honestly, you people want to run down McCain. While America is hurting, Pelosi, Reid, and all of Congress go on summer vacation.

Thank God for Bush (and I'm no huge fan of his). At least he lifted the executive ban on drilling. Just think about what would happen if Congress did so as well.

With Obama, Pelosi, and Reid running the show, America is screwed.

I was a democrat, but I don't agree with sacrificing America and the world's economy just to make Pelosi feel she is saving the environment.

We need comprehensive solutions, and offshore drilling is a part of it.

I will vote for McCain, because it would be crazy to turn Obama lose with a democratic senate and house.

I'm not falling line either. I trusted Hillary to fix our problems, but Obama has no record. And that list of McCain flip-flops listed above is from a period of the last ten years. Obama's flip-flops in the last 12 months is even longer.

Still for Hill, but voting McCain

Raynor   August 5th, 2008 1:22 pm ET

Phew! With a couple of exceptions, that is one long line of virulently anti-McCain rhetoric. I can't help but ponder, while scrolling down, the gap between the tied presidential race and the slant of the comments.

Hannah Stevens   August 5th, 2008 1:22 pm ET

I keep saying it over and over, if you are a working person don't vote for McCain. He wants to continue tax cuts for the rich saying they will create jobs for us. But the problem is they only send more jobs overseas and make more money leaving us without good jobs and paying the majority of the taxes on the bush wars. If you are a woman do not vote for McCain. He is against equal pay for women and is anti choice.

Chuck, Montgomery, AL   August 5th, 2008 1:21 pm ET

All the heavy smokers in KY, WV and PA aren't going to like him being against tobacco. They're already poor, and more taxes on tobacco will push them off the fence in the other direction. HA

Also, his big oil flip-flop and that anti-christian-like ad made a lot of them run already. HA

He's no maverick. He's Bush Jr.

CHANGE IS WHAT WE NEED   August 5th, 2008 1:21 pm ET

McCain laughed at Obama's suggestion that we should change our gas-guzzling habits. He should have taken the suggestion more seriously rather than be so glib after all he is running for President of the United States. Not only would keeping our tires properly inflated improve our gas mileage by 3%, if we regularly maintain our cars that would add an additional 4% – reducing our demand several percentage points. There are many ways we can reduce our dependence on oil. McCain's solution of offshore drilling will meet 1% of our demand 20 YEARS FROM NOW and we'll still be at square one. So much for leadership.
McCain also calls for more use of nuclear power. I don't hear him speak much about using wind power and developing other alternative fuel resources. Will Homeland Security be up to the task of securing these additional nuclear power plants and will McCain agree to have one built near his home?

Bob Indianapolis, IN   August 5th, 2008 1:21 pm ET

It's not just Washington: The whole country's broken! And we can thank McSame's spiritual and intellectual role model, Dumbya the Clown Prince for the fiscal mismanagement that has brought us to this sad state…

Jerry---Illinois   August 5th, 2008 1:20 pm ET

If Washington is broken, where has John McCain been for
the last 25 years?
McCain says Obama was a rock star in Europe, but Cindy was
the star at the Sturgis rally , get the driff. At least no T shirt contest.

BILL COLLIN   August 5th, 2008 1:20 pm ET

mccain is smart like bush=== after arab oil embargo, nixon said he would make us energy independent [no more foreign oil]
that was 35 years ago [nixon followed by jerry ford] & what happened?
big oil has a monopoly & is controling republican party & contrived prices & gas flow[ 1973 oil tanker ships were coming into the east coast
these ships were not unloaded [creating gas shortages] recall?]
over the years inventions have been brought forth, [big oil crushed the
secucess of this keeping the monopoly===after 35 years they first want to drill off shore? sure

raheen PA   August 5th, 2008 1:19 pm ET

Did he put in the ad that he vote with bush 95% of the time .Obama08

Democrats for the white house   August 5th, 2008 1:19 pm ET

The definition of a maverick: A person who takes an independent stand, as in politics from his own political party. McCain who embraces the same failed policies of GWB. McCain of 2000 maybe but not the McCain of 2008

Just a Mom   August 5th, 2008 1:19 pm ET

The word maverick really should not be used for an incumbent Republican politician.

Tim   August 5th, 2008 1:19 pm ET

A maverick is someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action. McLoser a maverick. He agrees with the policies of Bush and voted 90% of the time with Bush. Sounds like he is a maverick in him own sad little mind.

Ken   August 5th, 2008 1:18 pm ET

Het Frankie. You own a business? No wonder the economy is down. You have all the anlaysis skill of a 6 year old…you hear what you want from your [R]ightwing sources and parrot that garbage back onto all of us. Your [R]ightwing neo-masters have you right where they want you….dumb as asphalt and ready to vote against your own best interest. Polly want a cracker?

Here's the clue for you mindless idiots who keep going on and on with negative coments about the current [D]-led congress:
"The strategy of being obstructionist can work or fail….and so far it's working for us. Democrats are the ones taking the blame for not getting anything done." – Trent Lott

Well, [D]s are taking the blame from you dumb-and-dumber neo-cons, but the rest of us are GIVING THE CURRENT CONGRESS BAD MARKS BECAUSE OF THE STINKING, DO-NOTHING, OBSTRUCTIONIST REMNANT OF THE [R] MAJORITY FROM THE LAST 8 YEARS.

Angi's mom   August 5th, 2008 1:18 pm ET

Finally, a funny McCain ad about himself.

Washington is indeed broken and the American people deserve better. No more Bush,Cheney, Rove, McCain posterboys of Republican leadership.

By the way, anyone notice that the McBush ad attacking Superstar Obama was preceeded by an Exxon Mobile ad?

A Nightingale Sings in Berkley Square   August 5th, 2008 1:17 pm ET

Frankie,
You probably don't know, so I thought I would point out the fact that there are repugs in congress too. Also, did you know that the same repugs that are in congress have set a record for the number of filibusters in one session? It's true comrade, look it up. Use The Google on the Internets, it's full of great information!

Swanaay!   August 5th, 2008 1:17 pm ET

Why would I trust that Scientology nut Tom Cruise as President any more than Barack Obama? Oh, they are talking about John McCain? My original statement stands…

KMAN   August 5th, 2008 1:17 pm ET

Frankie … get a grip on reality and the facts pal … they both elude you! The GOP has supported theirs and your fuhrer and have brought to us the mess we are in … and YOU want to blame 8 years of failure on the Dems because they have held a slight majority for 2 years now. Quit watching FOX and clear up your confused mindt!

Rich   August 5th, 2008 1:17 pm ET

Maverick please!!!!!! What a joke!!!!. This guy has been certifiably insane since he left Nam. If he is elected he will push the red button and start a world war only nuclear this time. Anyone who supports this crank better hope its not their city that gets nuked. He should not even be running for president and deserves no air time. THIS IS INSANE!!!!!
On public TV "BOMB, BOMB IRAN. & MAYBE WE CAN KILL ALL THE IRANIANS WITH CIGARETTES". Anyone especially a person running for office in any branch of our government who openly calls for the death of another countries citizens should be removed from the public eye "seriously". CNN the American people are supposed to believe that a man who couldn't win the nomination from the most corrupt president in American history is ahead in the polls. I say you are a lier. You should be ashamed of yourselves as a news org. giving this senile, corrupt, evil old man any air time at all.

Des,Toronto   August 5th, 2008 1:17 pm ET

This is incredible!! What a contradiction of a man!!!Obama gets the respect of the world and 75,000 Americans in Oregon and according to McSame,he should be despised for being liked.The perfect ad for Obama would be to show McSame in an empty 75,000 seat stadium,because no true american wants to listen to his and the republicans' c**p anymore…goodbye thugs.

Obama 08

Franky   August 5th, 2008 1:16 pm ET

"worse off than we were four years ago.”

???????????

That's all Im gonna say, LOL!!!!

I don't think I ever wote that…

Anybody but Obama   August 5th, 2008 1:15 pm ET

"PLEASE STOP WITH THE "JESUS…..OBAMA COMMENTS!" AS A CHRISTIAN I AM DEEPLY OFFENDED THAT YOU WOULD USE THE NAME OF MY SAVIOR TO DEMEAN A CANDIDATE!!!!! "

Lady, get over it. Jesus….Obama. Or better, Mohammad ..Obama.

Obama is the biggest flipper around. He would roll on his Grandmother if it would help him get a vote. Same as his church. He was all for it for TWENTY YEARS, then when the world found out the garbage he listens to, BYE BYE church.

ANYBODY BUT OBAMA IN '08!!!

Johnboy   August 5th, 2008 1:15 pm ET

Where are all the headlines showing the most recent polls? You know, the ones where John McCain is now ahead of Obama. It seemed like every day CNN posted a new poll showing Obama ahead. Now that McCain is ahead, they are nowhere to be found!

Monica for Obama in Indiana   August 5th, 2008 1:15 pm ET

mccain and his camp are depending on the American people knowing what a maverick is. Check your dictionary for political definition.
mccain is a independent running as a republican for Pres. of USofA.
That is his first deception. The second is that he was a traitor during the Viet Nam War, that is the reason a lot of Veterans are against him Google: Songbird John McCain

Mommyof2   August 5th, 2008 1:15 pm ET

Maverick my backside.

"Washington is broken" — he's been in Congress for decades! And what has he done about it????????

Frankie — The Congress has been fillibustered by the Republicans a record number of times… and vetoed by Bushy over & over — this is why they haven't done anything. Besides, I thought Republicans LIKED small government… why are you complaining about less legislation?

Face it, the GOP is a relic, as it should be.

Bob   August 5th, 2008 1:14 pm ET

and anyone who votes for mcsame is stupid, ignorant, and hates america for puttign the country through another bush

PUMA-SF   August 5th, 2008 1:13 pm ET

McCain has more experience and is more qualified to be president then Obama. I don't trust Obama and if he is at the top of the ticket my vote will go to McCain.

Puma Power

Larry Kincaid   August 5th, 2008 1:12 pm ET

"hard-hitting" ads?….more aptly called "negative" ads

Henry Landis   August 5th, 2008 1:11 pm ET

I'm having trouble keeping my lunch down every time McVain tells us that the solution to all our woes is to grant the oil barons more tax cuts. I was in business for over thirty years and, believe me, no tax considerations (raised or lowered) ever entered my mind when decisions had to be made regarding the purchase of new or more efficient equipment. The entire notion that Exxon needs tax relief to update its operations is ludicrous in the face of the profits and bonuses it allows itself. It seems that greed trumps conscience every time, and the Arizona senator is just another carney shill for them. Shame on the guy we all felt so sorry for.

Mark Garcia   August 5th, 2008 1:11 pm ET

Is John McCain a real maverick as defined in a dictionary? "A maverick is a person who shows independence of thought or action, a non-conformist or rebel" The answer to this is NO!

Just say no to McBush

D.C. For Obama   August 5th, 2008 1:11 pm ET

All you McCain Supporters may want to check out this guys voting record he is a real piece of work voting against a bill that would have helped the people affected by Katrina keep their homes. As well as voting against taxing the big oil companies on windfall profits!

He and Sen. Obama records are night and day and he agreed with 95% of Bush's FAILED policies.

Maverick a person who shows independence of thought or action, a non-conformist or rebel. Not someone I want representing my country to a world that already hates us.

Obama '08

Lynne Smith   August 5th, 2008 1:11 pm ET

Old man yell at clouds.

karen-phoenix   August 5th, 2008 1:11 pm ET

PS: Something I have been noticing a lot of — Cindy McCain has been "hovering" around John at every one of his meetings. Almost the way Nancy Reagan did to Ronald to keep is Alzihimer desease a secret. Nancy covered up for him. Think Cindy is covering up for the old man! He seems to not beable to think fast on his feet. What will he do in the White House? NO NO NO — we need someone NEW!!!
With new ideas and a new crew of people to get us out of this mess. GO OBAMA!

JohnWinNC   August 5th, 2008 1:11 pm ET

Frankie, a 1-vote majority does not make the Democrats responsible for this mess, especially with Bush in the White House since 2000 and McCain by his side 95% of the time. The last time a Democrat was president, we literally experienced "Happy Days!" Since Republicans took over it has been a literal "Nightmare on Elm Street."

Mike from Westchester   August 5th, 2008 1:10 pm ET

sPoNgEbOb sQuArEpAnTs August 5th, 2008 11:46 am ET
McCain Supporters,
He is not a maverick, but rather a flip-flopper.
___________________________________________
I think the worst "flip-flop" was saying that the Bush tax cuts "bothered his conscience" and then proposing to make them permanent a couple of year later, when he was pandering to the right. That is not a matter of changing one's mind upon reflection or due to changing circumstances. It was a matter of "conscience" and he backtracked for political expediency. That reflects a lack of moral fiber.

I am having a bit of trouble with the 95% voting thing, though. If you look at his record, he has simply missed most of the votes in the Senate over the past two years. His voting record basically shows he didn't even care to do his job. This is not like Obama in the Illinois legislature, where voting "present" is a widely used procedure when you want a bill amended. This is a dereliction of duty – pure and simple.

He may have been a POW in Viet Nam, but he has been AWOL when it comes to fulfilling his obligations to the American people in the Senate.

Bibek   August 5th, 2008 1:10 pm ET

The narrator sounded so fake.. as if he did not believe in what he was saying… I don't blame him! ;-)

PUMA = Fraud = McCain   August 5th, 2008 1:09 pm ET

They are jeopardizing the lives of women everywhere by their misguided loyalty to HRC. PUMA supports McCain – they have been vocally chiding Obama for buying Olympic ad time – how will they weasel out of McCain's ad buy? Oh, yeah – Darragh Murphy is a weasel! Hillary is ashamed of their behavior in her name.

Mike in Cincinnati   August 5th, 2008 1:08 pm ET

Why is my comment still awaiting moderation when a multitude of others have been posted after mine? I'm feeling ignored! Let me try again:
===

McCain's campaign strategies are so transparent. After taking the heat for the ridiculous ads over the past week where his intent was simply to mock Obama, he is now trying to get "positive".

I'd feel more positive about his "maverick" claims if he had not just sold out to the oil companies for huge campaign contributions, and if he had not voted in line with Bush policies 95% of the time. That does not sound like a maverick to me.

Len in Washington   August 5th, 2008 1:07 pm ET

Uh….. wasn't "Maverick" cancelled in the 60's?

I watched "Maverick" on TV every week Mr. McCain You're neither Bret nor Bart. Charming and intelligent characters.
You sir, are no Maverick."
Sound familiar?

(Just thought I'd throw in some humor just like these boneheads.)

Angel Mires   August 5th, 2008 1:07 pm ET

By limited off-shore drilling, I suspect BHO means, leases for areas that no oil deposits exist.

Then he can keep up his same on script about oil companies no using the land they already have.

But alas, it doesn't matter what the majority of Americans think. It only matters what the 30% of Americans (we'll call them sheep) think about Obama.

Right now, the best thing McCain can do is run a McKinley-esque front porch campaign and continue to let BHO muddle through his own stances.

Afterall, if you have as much free media coverage as BHO gets, then every flaw is amplified as well as every positive. As of now, the flaws outweigh the positives as the cult-of-personality is fading.

Joyce Becker   August 5th, 2008 1:07 pm ET

McCain has turned into a real phony, he has agreed with Bush on so many things and now he thinks he can fool the people and tell them he is different. Maybe he was 4 or 8 years ago, but he is not any longer, he's a Republican and would sink the country into worse times than we have now.
Any man who would cheat on his first wife when she stuck by him for so many years does not deserve anyone's support, that proves what bad character he has, he will say and do anything to get elected..

Laura   August 5th, 2008 1:07 pm ET

Someone blogged some of McCain's flip-flops. Well I can name a few off the top of my head in regards to Obama.

1. Obama opposed off-shore oil drilling; now he supports it. (after the polls show the American public supports it 70%)

2. Obama as recently as last month argued against tapping into the petroleum now he is for it.

3. Obama said he would take public financing than decided that he would be able to raise much more than the people who offered to donate ($3 on income tax form) the money publicly. So flip no public financing for Obama.

4. Obama believes in partial birth abortion. Most democrats don't.

5. Barack Obama has said for some time that he planned to delay the Constellation program that would replace the Space Shuttle and return men to the Moon. Obama has proudly claimed that he planned to cut NASA’s budget and shift the funds into some sort of vague inner-city educational programs. On Aug 2 he flip-flopped and while speaking to an audience Titusville, FL he said that NASA and the Constellation program shouldn’t have their budgets cut after all. In fact, their budgets should be increased!

6. Obama contradicted his previous support for a handgun ban and indicated he agreed with the Supreme Court’s June decision. He even had the colossal gall to say he had “always” supported an individual right to keep and bear arms!

These are just a few of his flip-flops. I can come up with plenty more!!!

He is becoming a "typical" politician. If this is change….no thank you!!!

Laura, Boston

Franky   August 5th, 2008 1:07 pm ET

Tell that to Conservatives…OUCH!!!

b/augusta   August 5th, 2008 1:07 pm ET

McCain is no maverick. Now he wants to separate himself from the Republicans. He should have done that 8 years ago when him mentor (W) smeared his name in the mud. No maverick would contine the failed policies of George Bush.

Vegas Barbie for Obama   August 5th, 2008 1:06 pm ET

Maverick, schmaverick…he is completely establishment, Washington politics as usual.

kim hussein taylor portland, oregon   August 5th, 2008 1:06 pm ET

"if The dems have all the answers what happened with the dem controlled congress?"

frankie, are you serious? gee, do ya think it might have a little something to do with the fact that we have a FASCIST NEOCON IN THE WHITE HOUSE who is the King of Vetos?!?!

nothing will get accomplished until we have our democratic president and the democratic congress in january. your life—and your business, btw—-will get LOADS better then!

Patrick   August 5th, 2008 1:06 pm ET

McCain has only flip flopped on issues that the American public agrees with. Now that it makes it right but it's not as bad as it's making it seem. He's still against torture and closing Guantanimo, still for fighting climate change, still won't take earmakrs, still stands up against corruption, was against the gay marriage ban, the list goes on and on. As much as Obama supporters want to say he's "McSame" his record clearly does not support this. Why can't you stand behing your candidate instead of trying to distorte the record of your opponent? I'm voting for McCain b/c he is the most independent voice we have, I like Obama too but I believe he will only stand for liberal America not the United States of America.

Xango   August 5th, 2008 1:05 pm ET

this old man, he does not remember today from yesterday , did he forget he has been sitting on his chair for 30 years and done ZERO

and if we are worse today than yesterday where was he?
drinking beer or taking viagra?

lord, he is scary

GOOSE   August 5th, 2008 1:05 pm ET

Hey Maverick,

Remember that song that you and me used to sing?

"You've Lost That Loving Feeling…. oooh… That Loving Feeling!!!"

YOU'RE GOING DOWN MAVERICK!!!
MAVERICK IS GOING DOWN!!!
MAVERICK HAS LOST THAT LOVING FEELING!!! LOL

karen-phoenix   August 5th, 2008 1:05 pm ET

McCain is tooooo old!!! I'm a 60 year old republican who will be voting for Obama!!! McCain has had 26 years in office to prove he could change things. HA!!!! He and his rich friends have made a mess of Arizona and now he wants to mess up the United States more than Bush did! NOT THIS TIME my friend!!!
My grandkids are NOT going into your draft and become part of your global war!!! Peace is Patriotic
Out with the old and IN with the new

MikeH   August 5th, 2008 1:04 pm ET

I smell an Alexander Mooney Republican propaganda piece.

"Hard-hitting web ads" gives you away. There aren't any.

Robert   August 5th, 2008 1:04 pm ET

Who does this remind you of? – He's Old, Gumpy, won't answer a straight question half the time, doesn't know how to use a computer, he has no plan for an Engery change as he only knows about War Surges and Oil Drilling, has been part of this countries dependency of foreign Oil for decades, Not a Leader as he is a follower of the Bush policies and only knows how to make negative attacks on his opponents…You guessed it!…McCain, McCain…John McCain!!!

MMN-Milwaukee WI   August 5th, 2008 1:04 pm ET

BushMcCainalitis: This is a common illness that inflicts a lot of the general public and they don’t even know it. Symptoms include lack of knowledge on any policy issues and single track mindedness(bomb bomb bomb or drill drill drill you get it). This symptom is very evident in Bush and McCain who both suffer from this disease hence the name of the ailment. Common carriers of this disease include: VP Cheney, neocons, and other hardliners from the Right Wing. There is a simple cure for this illness at ZERO cost to you; you need the money for gas. Just open your mind to new ideas and all will be well, best way to avoid recurrence is remind yourself daily that there are many solutions to a given problem also avoid being pandered to by politicians and get your facts but not from Rush Limbaugh’s of this USA.

John, Boston   August 5th, 2008 1:03 pm ET

Has anyone noticed gas and oil prices going down since Senator John Mccaine and President Bush have begun to take action with drilling plans??????

Hmmmmm…..perhaps…just perhaps….they are right!

They must be because as usual Sen. Obama has now tried to steal his opponents idea, just like he did with Iraq!

Dj   August 5th, 2008 1:03 pm ET

Did this man offer up his WIFE to participate in a "Ms. Biker" contest? A contest where it is expected to take off her top and expose her breasts?

Does the word misogyny come to mind? He has no respect for women – not even his OWN WIFE, C(indy)

Kerri   August 5th, 2008 1:03 pm ET

All of you folks that seemed to be brainwashed by NOBAMA need to wake up. DEMS FOR MCCAIN

Top Gun   August 5th, 2008 1:03 pm ET

Maverick!!!!

It's Goose here.
You're GOING DOWN!!!
MAVERICK IS GOING DOWN!!!!!
MAVERICK IS DOWN!!!!!!
MAVERICK IS DEFEATED!!!!!

John McCain   August 5th, 2008 1:03 pm ET

"The country has make great progress over the last 8 years"

"The country is worse off than it was 4 years ago"

"I admit , I don't know much about the economy, I still need to be educated."

My economic advisor says, "We have become a nation of whiners", We are in a mental recession"

Mccain 2000: " I am against the Bush tax cuts, because they offend my conscience. They skew towards the rich"

McCain 2008: "I will extend the Bush tax cuts"

"I'm John McCain, and I approve this message"

Dan, Maryland   August 5th, 2008 1:02 pm ET

Funny, he's been in Washington for 26 years and hasn't been able to fix it yet. Another fun tid-bit not mentioned in the ad was this nice exchange during the republican debates:

Anderson Cooper: "Senator McCain, are Americans better off than they were eight years ago?"

McCain: "I think you can argue that Americans, overall, are better off because we have had a pretty good, prosperous time"

Does the McCain camp honestly believe people will forget that?

Shari, NY   August 5th, 2008 1:02 pm ET

I guess the campaigners have taken some advice and gotten more serious. Those silly ads could only appeal to jokers and drunks.

Robert in Seattle   August 5th, 2008 1:02 pm ET

Just apply the opposite day rules to anything that comes from a Republicans mouth, then you will have the truth.

Doublethink = Republican party member's mindset
Doublespeak = Republican party platform

50% of the people are dumber than the other 50% a simple fact that Republicans exploit over and over again.

If you buy the lie, you'll get what you deserve, the US in the toilet.

Bill-C-Bus OH   August 5th, 2008 1:01 pm ET

Wake Up— Dude, So Right. No one pays attention the many pieces of legislation that the Dems have put forward but to only be repeatedly beat down by the republicans and this administration since they do not fit their needs. Get the Republican bums out of there. They had free reign for 6 years and now look where we are at.

I once thought that McCain was not that bad of a guy and was willing to vote for him but the more I find out about him the less I like him. If you spend the 10 minutes to inform yourself, this is a easy choice this election.

Independent for Obama!!

Irma in North Carolina   August 5th, 2008 1:01 pm ET

Well at least for once he is not bashing Obama. But he still wants the American people to vote for him, and getting us four more years of Bush. I hope the people out there for Mccain will wake up and see the daylight.

Gimmeabreak   August 5th, 2008 1:01 pm ET

Getting back to his Maverick roots during a visit to a biker rally? Oh, please, if you're going to try to manipulate me, at least find someone who can be smooth about it.

JohnWinNC   August 5th, 2008 1:01 pm ET

Rebecca, I like your analogy. Your're right! McCain and his friends would create road-kill out of the very people he is asking to vote for him!

joe   August 5th, 2008 1:00 pm ET

he will bring in RESCO to sell whitehouse property.
He is going to put rev right on the dollar bill.
If he thinks he has a funny name why didn't he change it.so much for the "vision".It is time for a black president not time for a Hussein yet .
I am born into my religion so is most of the people.
I have not met a hussein who is a christian yet.not that there is anything wrong with it

Former g.o.p.   August 5th, 2008 1:00 pm ET

You dump your wife, because she was horribly injured in a car accident and marry the rich young blond.

So, let's reward this "maverick" by electing him president.

TEXAS TRAIL DOG WONT HUNT!   August 5th, 2008 1:00 pm ET

MIKE IN TEXAS, DO YOU REALLY THINK THE 2 YEARS OF CONGRESS RULE OF THE DEMS COULD FLANK BUSH FIRST TERM AND THEN 2 MORE YEARS OF REP HOLD ON CONGRESS. THE REASON OBAMA WILL WIN IS NOT BECAUSE HE IS A GOD, ITS BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO DO WHAT THEY COULD AND BROTHER ITS STINKS AROUND HERE BECAUSE OF THEM.

Independent woman - for OBAMA   August 5th, 2008 12:59 pm ET

MCCain please respest yourself. You said about 4 months ago that we USA is doing better in economic. You will not know please you have 7 Houses and you do not wear a shoe that is less than 5hundars.
Don't forget about what Bush says about you and yourwife in 2000.
What happend to your first wife? and what did you do to her.
Mccain you voted againest women's right.
If I were you, you need to retier and go back home.
You are too old
OBAMA08-12
OBAMA God bless you and your family .

Patrick, Takoma Park MD   August 5th, 2008 12:59 pm ET

Finally, McCain comes out with a genuinely humorous ad….

Another grumpy old white woman for Obama   August 5th, 2008 12:59 pm ET

What a load of Buffalo Chips!
hahaha. I would say more but I have to go find my hip boots.

JonJon   August 5th, 2008 12:58 pm ET

I'm just still a bit annoyed with the Obama/Moses ad. It just makes me think he'd do something like that to Dr. King who was also an inspirational speaker and a catalyst for change in America. McShame, if Dr. King was still alive I guess you would make fun of him too. Obama is inspiring change and believe he has the ability to do it. Too bad long ago, you voted against MLK being a national holiday. I can forgive you but will not forget. I met you once long ago in NYC, thought you were nice but now I see you for who you really are…a patriotic jerk with the wrong ideas for America.

Robert   August 5th, 2008 12:58 pm ET

To all my Republican friends; please join me on November 4th to case a vote for the next president.

To all my Democratic friends; please join me on November 5th to cast a vote for the next president.

kendall   August 5th, 2008 12:58 pm ET

McCain is the best choice that's why Hillary is voting Obama, Wait that doesn't make since, if McCain's the best choice why are so many people leaning, working, volunteering donating to Obama's campaign,
Well the reason is clear Hillary supporters who think your choice is a flip flopping maverick, McCain does not stand for what she believes in, Obama does, get with the program or get what you pay/pray for.

Truth talks

BURRO INTELIGENTE   August 5th, 2008 12:57 pm ET

MCBUSH IS A CON MAN HE IS TOO OLD TO RUIN THE COUNTRY
HE IS 82 YEARS OLD HE WOULD BE THE OLDEST PERSON TO RUN FOR OFFICE HE IS 35 YEARS OLDER THAN barrack obama
mcain, MCBUSH IS TOO FRAGILE TO RUN THE COUNTRY AND MAY DYE OF COMPLICATIONS, IT IS REALLY SAD FOR MCAIM.

Kim, Charlotte   August 5th, 2008 12:56 pm ET

Such and idiot…………….

kim hussein taylor portland, oregon   August 5th, 2008 12:56 pm ET

those may have been his "ROOTS", but that is NOT EVEN CLOSE to the john mccain sellout who's running for president now.

dont fall for this latest line of bull from the mccain campaign—-john mccain is NO maverick!!!!

check out mccain's voting history, mccain is anti-environment, pro-big business, pro-oil, PRO-WAR, and most inexcusable—mccain is anti-troops! the hypocrite has the nerve to run on his military experience, while at the very same time he is either voting AGAINST our troops or not even bothering to show up.

and as for his current enregy silliness, why is the man in SUCH a rush all of a sudden to dela with our energy problems, he's been in the senate for decades—oh yeah, cuz he's a SELLOUT NEOCON with zero shame!

David B   August 5th, 2008 12:56 pm ET

Here's what I find confusing about McCain: He claims to be some kind of "maverick," yet he has spent the last three years supporting anything and everything Bush has done….now he says he's going to continue with all the Bush policies, but somehow he's going to get the positive results that have eluded Bush.

That's a lot to swallow.

ken   August 5th, 2008 12:56 pm ET

Be careful Americans.

It's your choice again.

It's the world at stake.

Only you have the power to decide.

Be wise, prove humanity you deserve better.

Good luck to us all, and may God help us.

McCain anyday over Obama   August 5th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

Wow, so many blind believers on this sight, Will somebody please show me Obama's credentials – community organizer?? come on… thats ridiculous. I wouldn't hire hime as a part time employee. At least McCain is credible – He hasn't lied about his anti-american views (I'm sure Obama wasn't in the pews), he doesn't spew reverse racism in an effort to guilt white people into voting for him, and he's not a baby killer (have you ever looked at Obama's voting record??).

fafa   August 5th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

this is flip-flop., afraid that the negative attacks may come and hurt you. Did some internal polling I guess. You see your negative didn't stick,As a matter of fact. They are driving some if not many away from you. So John you want to distract people from the real issue, that fine with me but you cant just govern. Coudn't haven't and will not govern. Maverick, probably you had that reputation and you just blew it AWAY. Sad, very sad indeed!!! Obama is now my guy. You drove me to him after the stupid, ads of the last week and you want to say you are sorry. I have seen your TRUE COLOURS. DOnt just like it.

Elly   August 5th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

I cant believe how the Bush administration and Cheney and MCSame keep bamboozling the American people with their juvenile
attack adds
The same old Rovian gutter style attacks and still a lot of americans believe them and follow them down to the gutter like a pack of mindless robots
For the sake of your wonderful country WAKE UP!!!
*Take a Leap of Faith* for the first time in 8 years on a candidate of change who has taken the high road *Obama.*
Dont let yourself be *republicinized* by their dirty immature tactics
Quit burying your head in the sand or you will find yourself rowing in the same old boat with them to more war and misery for your country!!
*Take a leap of Faith*

John, Boston   August 5th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

Its funny how all the Obama supporters can do is call John Mccaine "old" and "Bush…..why aren't you on here supporting Obama's "policies"?

corin   August 5th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

maverick my foot……… he lost that title along time ago

JimS.   August 5th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

Reading some of these pro-McCain comments, I'm struck with the impression that many are probably part of that 27-28% or so of those that STILL support Bush.

Kind of makes you wonder– exactly HOW BAD A JOB would a president have to do, for this 28% to change their brainwashed, intransigent minds?? Or would they EVER?

Patty, Big Bear, CA   August 5th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

I am pretty sure a "maverick" is not what is needed in Washington….we are looking for a leader who is willing to work with others rather than push his own agenda…..bush has been pushing his own agenda for the last 2 terms and see what that's done for America.

And to those that continue to insist the problems in this country are because the democrats have been "in power" in the congress for the last 2 years…..try some honesty…..the slim majority is not enough to get anything done unless the republicans cooperate…which they haven't done…..but I bet in November they will wish they had!!

TJMAN   August 5th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

McCain has early dementia. He will forget the maverick thing tomorrow. He is to old and feeble to be the president of the US. His senior moments are really just an expression of early dementia. You can tell by the totally astonished look on his face when he forgets something he said to the press 2 days earlier. I have seen the look a hundred times in my mother in law who lived with us for 4 years during her early dementia.

Rebecca   August 5th, 2008 12:54 pm ET

Watch out for McCain and his "Phony Talk Express". It you are not worth more than $250,000 they will run right over you without even swerving.

Frankie   August 5th, 2008 12:54 pm ET

if The dems have all the answers what happened with the dem controlled congress? Are all you dems telling me the they bare no responsility for the shape we are in? The dem congress has the lowest rating in history, even lower than Bushes rating. So I guess the perferct solution to the problem is put a dem in the white house with no experience to take charge of this great DO NOTHING congress. God I'd like to hire you guys to run my business in the ground like they are doing to the country. How come I never hear any dems bragging about the dem congress that was going to keep Bush in check and get the country heading in the right direction. That's worked out well.

Praetorian, Ft. Myers   August 5th, 2008 12:54 pm ET

Clearly–
history to this point–will be kinder to the resume of McCain than Obama. McCain has actually been taking stands regarding the national scene–and putting his reputation where his mouth is.

Obama–has spoken a good game but skirted actually taking a stand–even when it came to loyalty to his spiritual advisor of over 20 years, and his less articulate radical left powerbrokers. He's thrown them all under the train to get where he is.

Rebecca   August 5th, 2008 12:53 pm ET

McCain used to be a maverick in 2000. This year he is absolutely not. He is a Bush/Cheny clone. The straight talk and maverick have disolved into dust and the McCain of today is your typical Republican panderer to big oil and big coorporations at the expense of average hard working Americans.

AP (ATL)   August 5th, 2008 12:53 pm ET

The idea of McCain as a maverick is just a political construct–means absolutely nothing. McCain has been apart of the establishment for over two decades and has his part to blame in where we are today as a nation. The definition of insanity is to continue doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. Let's hope come November, we Americans will do something different and FINALLY leave the insanity of the BUSH-MCAIN legacy behind us.

Let us march forward.
Obama '08

msgijoe   August 5th, 2008 12:53 pm ET

As an "old" man of McCain's age range, I can tell you, it makes more sense to vote for a younger man. The world has changed so much in my life time that many of the "guidelines " I learned as a younger man no longer apply. McCain is befuddled by the world he faces and it will get worse rather than better. I would rather have someone other than Obama but looking at his record as a teacher at the University of Chicago and considering his thinking processes demonstrated in his speeches, I will vote for him in November.

John Allen   August 5th, 2008 12:51 pm ET

Find McCain in the AD (picture). It's easy, look for person sleeping in corner. Wait is it 4:30 PM, sorry McCain is out for his late dinner.

What a joke, Broken Govt !!! McCain is not the solution he's part of the problem.

John   August 5th, 2008 12:51 pm ET

Lie lie lie.

He'll do anything to get a vote, even pretend to use Barack Obama's platforms.

David Orbach, New York, NY   August 5th, 2008 12:51 pm ET

WAS a maverick, until he fell into lockstep with his Republican party masters.

Jerry   August 5th, 2008 12:50 pm ET

If MCSAME is a maverick why we still in bad shape under the republican president he should have told Bush get our country back in order. MCSAME is a joke, no more republican putting American in bad shape

Morningstar   August 5th, 2008 12:50 pm ET

Wow McOld is 72 years old, now is the time for him to change? Change to what? At that age the brain does not grow any more; in matter of fact it is dying. McCain wants us to believe that he is defying the laws of nature and he is not a human like the rest of 72 years old men and women? This very old man and the repugs just want to bring this country to the gate of hell. If Mccain is a Mervric, why does he need to use lies and deceptions in his attack ads?

A.M.   August 5th, 2008 12:50 pm ET

Obama has been a senator with his party in the majority, and oil prices exploded during this time. So who's in the oil company's pocket?

Beca   August 5th, 2008 12:50 pm ET

I like it, original, not like Obama, no record of anything!

Franko   August 5th, 2008 12:50 pm ET

MCCAIN IS THE MOST DISHONORABLE CANDIDATE IN RECENT HISTORY. I WOULD TAKE W OVER MCWORSE IN A SECOND. COME ON BARR.
MCCAIN IS RUNNING BUSH CAMPAIGN WORSE THAN BUSH. HE ISN"T EVEN AS SMART AS BUSH. HE IS SO WEAK HE SOLD HIS SOUL TO RNC TO GET ELECTED.
HE LEFT HIS CRIPPLE WIFE WHO WAITED FOR HIM NIGHT AFTER NIGHT WHILE HE WAS A POW SELLING PROPAGANDA PICS FOR THE VC.
I WOULD SAY HE IS AN OLD, DECAYING, SKUNK, EXCEPT THAT WOULD BE INSULTING TO THE SKUNK.

Tarheel Unity   August 5th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

It's great that his ad finally addresses the current issuse, but he's part of the problem!

arlene, CA   August 5th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

McSame you have been a part of broken Washington for 26 years & now at age 72 you think you have the answer??. You are an extension of Bush's FAILED policies. You have been & still are part of the problem. You are for wealthy oil companies, and big corporations, that is what you stand for, you could care LESS about the average American. I do not believe one word of your rhetaric. I think it's a bunch of CRAP. I expect real change, Change We Can Believe In. Obama for President 08-12.

JOHN   August 5th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

Oh my god!! He is kidding right? Washington is broken and it needs to be fixed…Does he even know these ads are out there or are his spin doctors feeding him through a tube while he's napping and they have to come up with something other then tire pressure gauges, brittany or paris hilton. All this fluff and really no stuffing. Truly pathetic that the rovenites need to build up Mcgramp pants to his old self which was never true to begin with…Joke!!!!!

Michelle   August 5th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

Hey, CNN–you have thrown away any pretense of unbiased reporting. I notice the vast majority of comments are pro-Obama. This is not because there are that many Obama supporters. It's obvious you people censor your comments to exclude pro-McCain comments. How do I know? Because anyone who visits the other mainstream news websites (e.g. CBS, ABC), the comments are a close split. True to form, you will likely publish this comment, to "prove" that you "moderators" are unbiased. No matter. Despite all your efforts, you will be crying in your fruity mixed drinks come November.

I notice all the comments here lack substance, just like Obama. They all resort to name calling (McSame, McBush), and mocking his age. Typical of the type of person that supports Obama. The truth is, McCain is unpopular with many republicans b/c they view him as too liberal. McCain has a two decade record showing he is willing to compromise and be independent from his party in order to do what he thinks is right.

michelle   August 5th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

MCCAIN'S BEGINNING TO LOOK BETTER AND BETTER EVERY DAY……

PUMA
(HILLARY FOR VP OR IT'S DEFEAT FOR BO)

Tedd, NYC   August 5th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

So, let see…

Why is it that every time the comments to the PoliticalTicker articles weigh on the side of McCain the moderators at CNN down the discussion really quick.

Point being: the story from earlier today entitled 'Kerry: McCain is 'dangerous' for the country.' You guys at CNN closed down the discussion with 7 comments. And, the slant on those comments were decidedly anti Kerry. Unlike other stories where you'll let the comments run for 50 to 100 plus responses if they are slanted pro-Obama anti-Republican.

You guys are so in the bag for Obama and the Dems its downright offensive.

And.., as usual, I'm sure you won't even run this comment of mine. What a joke.

miken   August 5th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

McCain opposed a 2005 energy bill that provided billions in tax breaks for energy producers, including oil companies. Obama voted for the bill, which was backed by the Republican president.

Obama is a loser!

Ted van Tol   August 5th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

Enough Obama haters on this blogs!

Stay in the past if you like, most Americans
and people all over the world are exited to
go into the future with Barack.
Time of wars afe over soon.
Obama will focus on Afghanistan, get Osama BinLaden,
give the Palestines theyre own country and keep Israel safe!
Clean energy for the safety of this planet.
A new day, full of hope and chances for everyone.
Not only for Americans but for this whole planet.
I know, Barack is not the Messiah, he is not pretending so but
he surely is an instrument of God.
America let go your fear and take this chance for change now!

Europe for Obama.
With love from the Netherlands

Brian MacDougall   August 5th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

Let's see: he's taking Big Oil money hand over fist, but he's going to "battle Big Oil"? How exactly does that work? Because I'm thinking it looks more like he's going to "give Big Oil a big fat wet kiss over and over again, along with all his other lobbyist buddies."

Attack and lie, attack and lie. Hmmm…. where have I seen that before?

Tzigan   August 5th, 2008 12:48 pm ET

McCain is nothing but a joke.

Pennie Johnson   August 5th, 2008 12:48 pm ET

How stupid does McWho and his folks think the American people are? We have watched him and the rest of the Republicans run rough-shod over this country for almost ten years.They tried to crucify Bill and Hillary Clinton, they dared the American public to exercise our constitutional right to free speech and if we didn't like anything they did, we were labeled traitors and unpatriotic. I personally am sick of them.They have dumped this country in the toilet and I think "we the people" deserve to someone brand new. What the heck do we have to lose? Half of us are jobless and the other half needs a second job to get to the first one. I'll tell you,I don't care how they meant the " Paris..Brit ad" 200,00 Germans, the faces and smiles of foreign leaders and the jealousy McWho and his folks responded can't be wrong.

Ted   August 5th, 2008 12:48 pm ET

Let's see. If he's maverick can he support the compromise bill? Didn't think so….someone call him out.

Independent NYC   August 5th, 2008 12:48 pm ET

I guess now that he's thrown so much mud his pitching arm is tired. After a little rest he'll be back at it. He can't help himself, he's republican.

nathan   August 5th, 2008 12:47 pm ET

26 years in the senate!!
He voted for Bush in 2000 and 2004

… Doesn't equate to good judgement!

Leslie, MN   August 5th, 2008 12:47 pm ET

How can 20 million people be so stupid as to vote for Bush? Just ask your friendly neighborhood gas station attendant, who raises your gas price everyday.

Obama 08

Lone McCain Blogger   August 5th, 2008 12:47 pm ET

Hmm. McCain's been in Washington for 28 years and it's messed up? Idn't he admitting he's part of the problem? And voting against Bush 6% of the time is Maverick? I think someone needs to wake McCain up from his Viet Nam mind drug trip he's been on for a long long time.

blue   August 5th, 2008 12:46 pm ET

There ya' go. Good ad.

FIRST TIME VOTER FOR OBAMA 08/12   August 5th, 2008 12:46 pm ET

****TO CHUCK, MONTGOMERY, AL: BOY CHUCK, I LOVE READING YOUR RESPONSES! THEY ARE PRETTY FUNNY AND TRUE!

OBAMA 08/12

Kevin, NC   August 5th, 2008 12:45 pm ET

This dude is an absolute joke! McCain't aint gonna win.

Mike - Texas   August 5th, 2008 12:45 pm ET

To — wake up

I've see a lot of YOUR ranting and raving here as well and they too make me laugh. On the Enron loop hole you fail to mention that your buddy, Bill Clinton signed that bill into law and that it had the backing of a heck of a lot of democrats at the time.

And you talk about the republican filibusters like they did it every time the democrats tried to put a bill thru, but the FACT is that they only filibustered 1 bill in the last 2 years. The democratic agenda was so bad that they couldn't even get all of their own people to vote for it.

Also, it is NOT an illegal war in Iraq. The president has the power to move troops anywhere in the world for a 90 day period. The congress AND the senate over whelmingly VOTED FOR the war which made it LEGAL.

Get your FACTS straight.

Melissa, KY   August 5th, 2008 12:45 pm ET

I have no doubt that McCain love America, he just doesn't like Americans.

He's a carbon copy of everything that was wrong with the Bush Administration.

O/08

Sue - Florida   August 5th, 2008 12:45 pm ET

I guess I'm a flip flopper also..

I was for Hillary and now I'm for McCain…

And proud of it…

Ex-Republican for Obama   August 5th, 2008 12:44 pm ET

Ahh,
So he actually showed up to vote at some point in his 26 year career? I'm glad they have a picture of it, it's pretty rare. He doesn't even show up to vote for his own bills.

McCain: The problem to our Solutions.

Steve   August 5th, 2008 12:44 pm ET

I used to respect McCain. I didn't always agree with all of his opinions, but at least I respected the man. I generally voted Republican. Since Little-Me Bush's second term, I have voted Democrat. The McCain I've seen in the past few months is a political disaster. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why the Republicans think this man is a viable candidate.

My guess is that the Republicans know that they are going to lose this round. They're just putting up a straw man, since they don't want to put up a viable candidate. Candidates who lose a presidential election rarely get a second chance (even though they might think they have a chance). They let McCain go down hard this time, and then, in 2012, after Obama has struggled for 4 years to fix Bush's mess, and everyone is unhappy with him, they'll put up a solid candidate who can take the White House back.

chris (hartford, ct)   August 5th, 2008 12:44 pm ET

The country is also worse off than it was 8 years ago…odd that he would just say 4, unless he doesn't want to be seen as praising Clinton.

John Hussian Karsten   August 5th, 2008 12:44 pm ET

TO LACY,
LOL girl, that was a great ending line, but it is not "Negative Ghostwriter, the pattern is full". It is GhostRIDER. I love that movie by the way. Thanks for making me smile today!!

Edna, MS   August 5th, 2008 12:44 pm ET

Mavericks don't allow George Bush to kiss them. He's a brown nose, whimpering idiot who thinks we don't understand that he has zero ideas for the country. His only goal is to become president and that's it.

Why is Phil Gramm still involved in his campaign? Why did he need Rove's henchment? Because he is exactly like George Bush. If GW is the WORST PRESIDENT IN MODERN HISTORY, then McCain will be the worst presidential candidate in modern history.

O/08

Kevin   August 5th, 2008 12:43 pm ET

The American people will soon realize how incompetent Obama really is and McCain will win in a landslide.

Danel   August 5th, 2008 12:43 pm ET

McCain cannot run way from GOP or Bush's policies, he can't. Who is running his campaign? Most but not all are former Bush's policy enablers. These amen corners neocons will swarm the White House once he gets elected. If you want 4 more years Vote for McCain.

Paul   August 5th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

This add tries to stress he is the old McCain when he ran against Bush. He is right we are not better off than 4 years his addition is wrong. We are not better from 4 years or correct addition we are not better off for 8 Long years. But now he is not the person in this add he has lost whatever independent thinking he used to have.

roger dowdle, lockhart, Tx   August 5th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

McCain has been in congress for 24 years- no wonder the country is in trouble! Having the skill to get shot down, and the judgement to refuse release to get medical treatment, getting so old that his memory is slipping (alzheimers??) and discarding every pricipal he ever stood for are not presidential attributes!

gc   August 5th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

Tejano, don't you find it a bit odd that you have to pick the McCain you know to support. There are so many versions of him. Funny, I have read Obama's books and followed him for years and he doesn't change. Oh wait, he is willing to listen and consider compromise for the greater good. I guess some see that as a compromise. Gridlock is sooo much better.

California Voter   August 5th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

Look at the records of both candidates and then decide who is the real thing.

Terry, Butte, Mt   August 5th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

McCain sounding like a democrat? WOW!!! I guess he realized "if you can't beat em, join em."

Don't buy it for a minute, he still wants deeper tax cuts for the rich and big corporations. He still wants the status quo health care system. He still wants perminant bases in Iraq, even though the Iraqi people and government don't. He still wants to continue Bush's hands off approach to government regulations of all industry and wall street.

McCain – Still wrong for America.

pam Eugene OR   August 5th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

Lies, lies and more lies. Same old thing. I do think at some point McCain was a maverick but certainly not any more.
To you PUMA dolts who say McCain 08 and Hillary 12 please know that will never happen! Do you fools think that 18 million Obama voters will come around when you will not support our candidate now? No, we won't. If Obama looses the Clinton's will never get back into the WH except as guests. What giant fools you are.
Obama 08

Proud to be American   August 5th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

Who is this McCain… okay I am an advent Obama supporter however, back in the day like four years ago…. I respected McCain. This Presidential McCain is not the same man he uses to be and definitely not the Maverick he claims to be. He is a flip flopper to the true republican definition and he is divisive… I saw him speaking in San Diego to the Latinos … this man will say anything to obtain anyone vote… flip flop… then he had the audacity to speak at the NAACP yeah this is the man that state doesn't want to recognize MLK holiday… now he is going to flip flop and try to do something about it…. one thing that he has not flip flop on is the Choice of woman…. ladies put this man in the office and the choice will not be ours anymore…. he will reverse what is already law…

RFO   August 5th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

Thanks John McCain, I value your service to the country as a "true" American Patriot, etc, etc, etc… but this Republican will support and vote for Barack Obama in '08 because on the two main issues; health care and the ever growing divide between the haves and the have nots which is completely ignored by Team McBush.

Also I have a hard time differentiating between Cindy McCain and Paris Hilton. Both have remarkable similar life time experiences and as such the advert attacking Barack Obama is more reflecting of John McCain.

Republican for Obama!

Allan   August 5th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

He play race card w/out provocation. I'm white, but Obama want me to fill guilty if i don't vote for him. He got con thinking.

Tia   August 5th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

If McBush is elected he may very well bring about the 2012 prediction.

Although that might come along sooner since he wants to bomb Iran.

Just say no.

Peter (CA)   August 5th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

This one almost made my head pop. Senator, your support of the policies of this failed administration have helped to put this country into the mess it is in.

Take on Big Oil? Did you mean "jump into the pocket of Big Oil"?

voter   August 5th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

it is hard for McCain to make the case that he is a maverick when he votes with Bush 95% of the time. He admitts that he will not vote for his own immigration bill because it provides amnesty to immigrants which his conserverative base disagrees with. This is not standing on principles. Please. McCain is trying to discuss who he used to be and not who he is now. A republican disavowing his maverick style to pander to the conservative base in order to win an election. Sad and shameful when you think about it.

Audrey   August 5th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

Interesting comments from everyone – some very strong opinions. My suggestion is to listen to these candidates very carefully. This gas/energy situation is very serious for the country – Americans need to be doing things differently. Obama is right, but not completely. However, he is not trying to pander the people by telling you what you want to hear and that is drilling will solve the gas/energy crisis – we need many alternative solutions. McCain has some good ideas -but he is now just about pandering to get the votes.t I strongly believe a year from now he will be confused regarding what his decision is on any particular policy. People, take a moment and really listen to him. The man has some serious memory issues. John is not the 'refined gentleman' the world will respect for leading such a great nation. He is a great war hero and has made some fine decisions – but that is all in the past. The next four or eight years (God forbid!!) will be the man you see today not the 'Maverick of yester years'!!

Sometimes the 'CNN Analysts' try to cover up his gaffs by explaining what John really meant to say. It is not right. They should allow his statement s to stand. Sometimes they do not follow through with the next logical question, they will let it drop just when we are really getting to the real answer. John McCain has yet to explain the purpose of Britney and Paris in the previous Ad, besides saying it is meant to be humorus. Are we to think this new Ad is meant to be 'humorus'????

CRAIG   August 5th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

HEY GARY, WE CAN'T FALL ANY FURTHER. HOW IS MCCAIN GOING FIX WHAT HE HAD A HAND IN BREAKING. BOTH GUYS HAVE THEIR FAULTS BUT, MCCAIN'S ARE ON RECORD.

jim   August 5th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

But he will stand with the man who made it bad for the last 4 years. What does that say??

JR   August 5th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

He admits we're worse off, but plans to continue Bush policies. Is it me or is McCain being ridiculous? You can't have it both ways, John, if whats being done isn't working, then you try something else. I don't get it. He wants to keep the war going full speed, he wants to keep the tax cuts for the rich, he wants to continue Bush's energy policy that has got us$140 oil, he wants to keep the dollar weak and yet he thinks things will work out BETTER than they are? He's crazy.

To SpongeBOBsquarePants   August 5th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

LOL….FLIP-FLOP EXPRESS?….Aaaayeee, I like that……TELL IT!.

Paul, CT   August 5th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

Travis is an idiot! A landslide for BUSH in 2004? One state – Ohio- is a landslide?? Brush up on your electoral college skills moron.

Deandra, DE   August 5th, 2008 12:40 pm ET

McSame is arrogant and inept. I want to know what really happened when he crashed his aircraft into the aircraft carrier. Then he was wisked away while others suffered or died.

He then left his sick wife and kids so he could have a roll in the hay with barbie.

Don't like McLame and can't stand his trophy wife.

Obama supporter: Bipartisan Intelligence in Gov't   August 5th, 2008 12:40 pm ET

McCain: a smear candidate one day, a sexist/biker supporter the next and today a maveriak. What a joke this candidate is and as Kerry rightly said a "danger" to our country and the both internally to the middle and lower economic voters with his ties to lobbiestsand internationally with his ties to the Bush policies.

Why wasn't McCain on Capitol Hill when the discussion of oil drilling was actually being discussed, why isn't he there with his Republican mates and why isn't he making statements about the bipartisan proposal being crafted.

McCain: an empty suit for 26 years who will say and do anything to be elected!!

1911   August 5th, 2008 12:40 pm ET

hahaha!

Rob   August 5th, 2008 12:40 pm ET

McElite will fight Big Oil ? Really ? Will he give back the multi millions of dollars in oil company donations first?

marty   August 5th, 2008 12:40 pm ET

Good Job McCain. You have much more ability to lead than Obama.

emtp JB   August 5th, 2008 12:40 pm ET

What a joke!! He is part of the problem considering how he votes with Bush all the time and is nothing more than a Bush clone. Does he honestly think Americans are so stupid that we'll fall for this thin-veiled effort to bamboozle us?? If McCain wins….then God have mercy on us!! We're going to need it!!!!!!!!

aohs   August 5th, 2008 12:39 pm ET

McCain *is* a maverick!

Here's the whole country realizing what a disaster George W. has been, and McCain is bucking the trend with his "Stay The Course" promises.

Absolutely brilliant!

JohnWinNC   August 5th, 2008 12:39 pm ET

I wish that McCain had been the Republican nominee in a previous election. That way a Democrat would likely have won the general election and we would have avoided the present predicament: war, housing crisis, down DOW, record deficit, Al Queda on the loose, gasoline prices, etc., etc., etc.

Fortunately, this time, McCain is the presumptive nominee and Obama will likely win the general election and spare us a repeat of the last eight years. It is said that insanity can be defined as repeating the same mistake and expecting a different result. I hope the disgruntled Clinton supporters understand that voting for McCain is "cutting off your nose to spite your face."

Let's pull together as Democrats, Independents and "some" Republicans and elect Barack Obama in 2008!

Bushwhacked in Eugene, OR   August 5th, 2008 12:39 pm ET

To Mike and the other republicans: saying that the congress has been in control of the democrats for the past two years is absurd. There is a slight majority, but not enough to put through any bill without the consent of a fair number of republicans. And remember, Mr. Bush vetoed most of the efforts made by the democrats and there were not enough republicans willing to overturn them.

The blame is still on the Bush administration, no matter how you try to spin it.

Peter (CA)   August 5th, 2008 12:39 pm ET

This almost made my head pop. Senator, your support of the policies of this failed administration are the reason why this country is in the bad shape it is in.

Take on Big Oil? Did you mean to say "jump in the pocket of Big Oil"?

Tia   August 5th, 2008 12:39 pm ET

gary August 5th, 2008 12:19 pm ET

OBAMA IS THE BIGGEST FLIP FLOPPER AND BIG JOKE.IF YOU THINK OBAMA IS GOING TO BRING CHANGE ,YOUR ALL DREAMING. HE IS JUST A MUCH OF A OLD POLITICIAN THAN ANY OF THEM.OBAMA IS A CON MAN. AMERICA BETTER WAKE UP OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES IF O.B. HAPPENS TO GET ELECTED. THIS COUNTRY IS HEADED FOR A WORST FALL.

—-

You Republican's are really running scared aren't you.

Well your time is over. Obama will lead this country out of the state its in now.

If McOld is elected then we will be in for a further dive towards terrible.

Vote for the correct choice.

Obama 08

larry wi   August 5th, 2008 12:39 pm ET

Go John tell it like it is. I think the point has been made about Obama;s incompentency, so lets move on and focus on how you can pull us out of this mess that both the democrats and republicans have gotten us into. The bickering between both groups in the seante and congress is BS we need elected officials in both of these areas that are responsible and willing to roll up their shirt sleeves and get the job done. Not at all like the morons we have now that opt to take a fricking 5 week vacation in the midst of an economic crisis, and with the blessing of Polosi, stating "have fun you've earned it, earned it my as.

Doreen   August 5th, 2008 12:38 pm ET

Hillarious — McCain thinks the last four years have been bad when it is actually the last eight years. And, I don't hear him claiming that he is at fault also since he hasn' done anything to help. SHAME ON JOHN MCCAIN.

David Goldman for OBAMA   August 5th, 2008 12:38 pm ET

MAVERICK ALL RIGHT !!!!!
1) LEFT HIS WHEELCHAIR BOUND WIFE FOR PILL POPPER.
2) KEATING FIVE- CORRUPTION
3) VOTED NO, VETERANS COLLEGE
MLK HOLIDAY
CHILDREN'S HEALTH
WOMEN'S HEALTH & rights & more.
4) VOTED YES FOR EVERY BUSH POLICY.
5) CAN'T FIND HIS WAY OUT OF A ROOM
6) WORKING ON CZECHOSLOVAKIA-not a nation for 16 years.
7) "PUTIN PRESIDENT OF GERMANY"-repeated McMoron quote.

8) * * "I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE ECONOMY"-DIRECT

* * * * * QUOTE FROM MCMORON HIMSELF.

ACORDING TO MCIDIOT HE HAS ALMOST 30 YEARS OF

"EXPERIENCE" & OTHER THAN MOOCHING ON OUR TAXES,

MORON HASN'T GOTTEN A THING DONE, OF COURSE,

OTHER THAN TO SUPPORT THE GREAT BUSH LEGACY.

MCIDIOT WOULDN'T MAKE AN EFFICIENT DOG CATCHER.

Frank   August 5th, 2008 12:38 pm ET

Face it Obama people, the Democrats are ALL wrong on ALL the issues. They are a desperate bunch that do not have the backing of the American people, plain and simple. John McCain will work for all Americans. He is not so one-sided as the Democrats.

Damen   August 5th, 2008 12:38 pm ET

He wasn't a maverick when he went along with the other Keating 4 and made it a Keating 5.

This man is not the right person to lead our country. His attack dogs may think so, but we've heard from them before. We will not allow them to steal another election. We will prevail.

O/08

Travis   August 5th, 2008 12:38 pm ET

Maverick?….MY FAT BUTT…..he's a Bush wantabe…..HE'S NOTHING

BUT AN OLD MAN TRYING TO BS ALL THE PEOPLE

Susan from Scotts Valley, CA   August 5th, 2008 12:38 pm ET

Battle big oil? ha, ha, ha, ha.

Allan   August 5th, 2008 12:38 pm ET

Is n't it strange that middle-eastern "muslim" country are millions dollars to Obama.. His bla bla bla make me ill. Wake up America. No muslim.

Donna from Colorado Springs   August 5th, 2008 12:37 pm ET

John McStupid a maverick? Give me a break! He has walked in lock step with Bush for almost 8 years, voted right along party lines 95% of the time, and now has the audacity to say he's always been a maverick and whine about how bad things are now! Guess what political party is responsible for this mess……his beloved party, and as a standing senator, he is very much responsible for this mess. I don't buy his rhetoric for a minute. Things would certainly be the same or worse if he gets into the white house, and the country needs to realize this fact. Don't buy into his line of bull.

anonymous   August 5th, 2008 12:37 pm ET

Well, I see you children are still at it. When are these people going to grow up? It is really sad, that people wanting to run the country are bickering and backstabbing. Looks to me that neither candidate is the ideal person to run the country, however, we must elect one of the two and just hope they do not continue bickering with other countries when they are in the White House. We really do need strong leadership and stop all this child acting crap. One big thing, I as a believer in Jesus Christ do resent that candidates are being so disrespectful to our God Almighty. Stop right now, how can they say they are christians and talk in such a manner. I really do not care for any of the candidates and have never ever felt like this about an election.

Sue - Florida   August 5th, 2008 12:37 pm ET

Go John

Go Hillary

Anybody but Obama

Vigla   August 5th, 2008 12:37 pm ET

By the way, McCain helped cause the problems the last 4 years by voting lock step with Bush…

Let's be honest with each other everyone. Obama will not lose any of the states Kerry won, OK? Let's be clear. In order for McCain to win, he has to win all the states Bush won. He's not going to do that in my opinion. In fact, Obama is more likely to pull off a Bush state like VA or Ohio. That's all he needs…

So all the "talk" of how McCain is gaining even though his numbers never go higher than 44-45% is just patently ridiculous.

ConcernedAmerican   August 5th, 2008 12:37 pm ET

It's nice to know that McSame has a firm grasp of the obvious. Sorry Johnny…we don't need four more years of another moronic idiot in the White House. America has suffered far too long already.

Kirk   August 5th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

How much of a maverick can you be, when you've sat in the Senate for 27 years and did nothing, but get richer? McCain also voted for Bush 95% of the time. Maverick? Yeah right. I've got some swamp land I'd love to sell you.

O/08

Donna   August 5th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

puleeze. McCain has totally embraced the Bush agenda, including tax cuts and the war and voting WITH Bush 95% of the time. He STILL embraces Phil "Nation of Whiners" Gramm. His campaign is being run by Rove strategists.

McCain is all over the place – trying to find ANY message that will stick for more than 2 days. He obviously got the message that his ridiculous ads not only aren't working, but are making even Republicans laugh at him.

Now he wants to pretend like nothing happened and he's still John McCain from before 2000? Oh, you mean the "gook" hating, Keating 5 womanizer of the good old McCain days?

Sorry, John. Unless you've invented the "way-back" machine, it's not going to fly in America. We're not as stupid as you think we are.

Ambrose Smith, Borrego Springs, California   August 5th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

Yeah right. He is going to "BATTLE" the oil companies.

What a crock!

Sean   August 5th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

McCain may have earned the "Maverick" title in the past, but at this point, he's adopted the majority of Bush's policies, and offers nothing new. Voting McCain into office will keep us going down the same path that we're on now – the path that has led us to a housing crisis, recession, a war that's cost thousands of American lives, tens of thousands of Iraqi lives, and trillions of dollars. We simply can't afford the consequences of a McCain Presidency if we want to survive.

Informed Voter   August 5th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

Mc Cain has been in Washington for over 30 years .. & he has nothing to show for it …. NOTHING …….

Fighting for Big Oil .. the same people who are funding & running your campaign …. Mc Cain is one PHONY & ONE BIG LIAR ….

Can any of you Mc Cain Supporters inform me what makes Mc Cain a Maverick & what makes him different from Bush Policy-wise???

ClintonDem4Cynthia08   August 5th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

You tell 'em John!!! Whoamama, NObama!!
McCain or Cynthia 08! Experience matters!

Sweetie   August 5th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

The last two years with the Liberal Dems in charge Mark our downfall!

They have come VERY close to destroying our country with a Democratic majority in Congress.

I have NIGHTMARES thinking about what would happen if the LEFT WING NUT JOB in TRAINING PANTS where to be elected.

Place a vote for sanity this Fall!

McCain 08

Kevin   August 5th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

Once a maverick, now just a Republican mouthpiece.

RB from NH   August 5th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

Wasn't Maverick shot down in Top Gun?

John, can we go after the Ruskies when we're done with Iran and North Korea?

LeD   August 5th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

McCain is closed to Bush – Cheney administration, the one that
make America is less respected around the world because of its
scandals of telling the truth and purnishing people that telling the truth.

Annie   August 5th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

Ugh, I hate McCain. Can't we just have the presidential election right now? We know Obama is going to win already. It's pretty obvious. Sorry McCain hopefuls.

proud army and navy mom   August 5th, 2008 12:35 pm ET

Obama=Sencond Term Of Hugo Chavez

Kevin The K in SEA   August 5th, 2008 12:35 pm ET

McCain will "battle Big Oil?" Using their own campaign contributions to do "battle" with them, I guess?!? What a joke.

Nando, Florida   August 5th, 2008 12:35 pm ET

And he was in Washington for 26 of those BOROKEN YEARS !!!!!!!!!

John McShame, Obama Is Going to Tax You & Cindy, but Not Me & 95% Americans Making < $250,000/Yr   August 5th, 2008 12:35 pm ET

worse off for 4years and you've been in govt for 26yrs…WHAT DID YOU DO, JOHN McSAME?!

You have voted along side BUSH for 7 plus years, 95% of the time; and rightfully so all of your votes counted towards derailing the american economy and our foreign policies for not only 4 years, but EIGHT!

John McSame judgement to lead = brain paralysis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Independent NYC   August 5th, 2008 12:34 pm ET

McCain is saying anything to get votes. Just like George Bush our great protector that failed to monitor terrorist activities during his first years in office and looked what happened. Bush lied about everything just about and McCain is doing the same. Just 6 months ago to get the republican vote he said we were fine. Now for the independent vote we doing really bad. Yet, he didn't know gas prices were high until someone told him so.

Question – is it just me or does his campaign seem bipolar???

Becky   August 5th, 2008 12:34 pm ET

McCain cannot distance himself enough from Bush before the election. But good luck trying.

biffington, biff   August 5th, 2008 12:34 pm ET

Did I just read that McCain will battle the big oil companies????? !!!!!!

CALL ME JADED… BUT….. I DON'T THINK OPENING YOUR POCKETS TO LET THEM DUMP MONEY IN IT IS … "BATTLING" THE OIL COMPANIES…..

but hey… the rest of you go on with your demonization and characterization of Obama as a flip-flopper, empty suit, (let's see.. what else did fox and limbaugh tell you to call him…)… oh yeah.. messiah… just keep up unfounded name calling…. while the republicans keep trashing the country…

REPUBLICANS – LA COSA NOSTRA……

Gary   August 5th, 2008 12:34 pm ET

Too bad that John McCain only sees this now.

Jenny   August 5th, 2008 12:33 pm ET

So. His maverick roots are coated with the blood of over 4,000 soldiers and a war he endorsed.

Barack will win because there are so many people praying for him, and our country.

Obama 08

Kathryn Irby - Metairie, LA   August 5th, 2008 12:33 pm ET

Ooooooh! So macho! He should be a "maverick" in a nursing home!

Telling the Truth   August 5th, 2008 12:33 pm ET

"McCain is a walking talking contradiction. "The country is worse off…" but he voted with Bush 95% of the time and is vowing to keep every failed Bush policy in place. How is that going to make the country better. Having 26 years in the Senate obviously doesn't equate to experience and knowledge, what was he doing all these years…crossword puzzles!"—-

^^^LOL I loved this comment…..

Casual observer   August 5th, 2008 12:33 pm ET

All you Democrats on this ticker have a whole lot of hatred for a guy who was part of the vetting process for John Kerry in 2004. It really is just all about the "R" next to McCain's name. He has a long record of working with both parties to accomplish things in Washington, your boy does not.

And fyi, it really wasn't Washington, Bush, Congress (fill in your demon here) that has our country worse off now. Its the dummies who signed up for mortgages they couldn't afford, and the GLOBAL price of oil. Our governments flaw in this is the dependence on foreign oil in lieu of drilling and finding alternatives domestically. You Obama supporters should know who's to blame for that.

Danny, OH   August 5th, 2008 12:33 pm ET

To Mike in Texas,
everybody blames Democrats for rising Gas prices but they have forgotten that until Bush came into office, a gallon of Gas in January 2001 was $1.52. Republicans turning SURPLUS into DEFICIT.
What about that.

Michelle, PA   August 5th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

Yeah…$1.3 million in contributions from Big Oil, and a flip-flop on offshore drilling at the same time, but we're supposed to beleive McCain will stand up to oil companies? Like he stands up to GWB, maybe? Please.

McCain is not who or what he was in 2000, including a maverick. I wonder now if the "Maverick" act was all a lie too.

Internet Argument Winner   August 5th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

So he admits he broke it?

Winnie in Montana   August 5th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

The nation is worse off due not only to eight years of the Bush spending spree, but, as McCain said himself, to the last thirty years of short-sighted politicians. As Obama said, McCain is one of those politicians who got us where we are today.

McCain has, through his recent ads, shown himself to be out of touch, envious, and borderline ignorant. I know he's not the brightest bulb, but come on, Brittney and Paris? Please.

McCain should stand on his record, but he can't. He is just more of the same.

Max P.   August 5th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

Battle big oil? With what? His armor all made of parts lubricated by the oil industry? Good job Mccain.
This guy says he believes in global warming, and is basically the same as Bush on oil. Remember "America is addicted to oil" from Bush's state of the union? Yet both want expanded oil drilling.
Never can a logical argument claim that the answer to a problem, is more of the problem itself.

Chicago Red   August 5th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

the democrats state that THEY were going to bring down the price of gasoline when THEY took over 2 years ago???and……..

The Republicans And Bush Decided To lie and go to War ,which has Costed America Big Time!!!!

INDEPENDANT VET   August 5th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

Some better wake up , an do a little serching .

I all the Flip Flopping, an lies concvince eneough , an that Flip , Flopping bunch should suceed. Well this Country is sure going down Hill in a Floppy Fasion Show.

Now we have Swift Boat Flopper adding , false statements. We had the Veiw parading the Hussien Obama. We have had Pelosi rattling her Lower lip .

Who is picking up the Tab ?. WE are, For prices going up . More Commericals.

You can call McCain what ever you want . He has served , an has tried to work across the asile. He is trying to save our butts , not like the muslim an rest of the Flip Flopers. That are trying to sell this country out.
REMEMBER YEARS AGO , THEY SAID THIS COUNTRY WOULD BE TAKEN OVER AN A SHOT NOT BEING FIRED.
PUT THAT HUSIEN OBAMA IN . AN WE WILL BE ON THE WAY. FOR HE HAS STATED HE WANTS TO SIT ON HIS LAP. ( AN GET A SORE LIP ) AN WISPER SOMETHING IN HIS EAR. smile :)

bill for barack   August 5th, 2008 12:31 pm ET

What a joke. The man is more pro-bush than bush himself and the whole world knows it.
this is the man who says he wouldn't evenvote for his own immigration bill because it wasn't bushie enough.
this man makes me puke.

jj in NYC   August 5th, 2008 12:31 pm ET

Except 2008 McCain is just like 2000 and 2004 Bush, just look at his policy positions. Stay in Iraq, no equal pay for women, heavy ties to the oil and gas lobby, insurance for viagara but not for birth control, no fiscal responsibility and a seeming inability to understand economic issues. No thank you, no McSame. Eight years was enough. Not this time

real dem   August 5th, 2008 12:31 pm ET

Lets be honest, if you think McCain is different from Bush think again. Same polices, politics etc etc, no disputing that. So why does he even have a chance to be the next president? Because the same people that voted bush in are voting for McCain. ( plus the hypocritical democrats who are just color blind or gender blind) Here is a true fact for those that have switched because of Hillary, if there is no democrat in office in 2008 you can be sure that there won't be one in 2012. So ask yourself, am I that Bias enough to go another 8 years like the past 8? If so, then you don't want change, you want the same thing, INSANITY.

O'bama 08

Informed Voter   August 5th, 2008 12:31 pm ET

Mc Cain & Maverick is an Oxymoron .. Voting for Bush 95% of the time … continuing his failed policies .. makes you a maverick .. what is wrong with this chap … LMAO

<All I can say If you want more of the same Bush Policies vote for Mc Cain because that's what you'll surely get …

tigerakabj   August 5th, 2008 12:30 pm ET

Well, it least he's back (for now) to focusing on himself. Must have gotten the message of the utter ridiculousness of those stupid and wasteful Britney, Paris, and Moses ads. Looks like now Obama is putting him on the defensive with his energy theme.

Now here's my 2 cents.

1. He received 1.1 million for the oil companies after he flipped on off-shore drilling. On top of that, he has oil lobbyists like Charlie Black on his campaign staff. So is he going to fire them and give the money back?
2. He's been in Washington for 26 years. He's part of that broken system, part of that failure. End of story.
3. Corruption? Mr. Keating 5 talks big doesn't he? That same scandal which costs us taxpayers billions.
4. Ready to lead? Singing bomb, bomb, Iran, joking that "shipping more cigarettes to kill Iranians" sure does make other countries more positively inclined towards us doesn't it? Uh huh.

Hammer him Barack til he cries to momma and takes his pandering, Bush-loving, war-mongering behind back to Arizona, where they can subsequently vote him out.

Obama/Sebelius 2008/2012.

Anonymous   August 5th, 2008 12:30 pm ET

Worse off? yes thanx to ppl like mccain.

Rufus Leaking   August 5th, 2008 12:29 pm ET

More proof that McSame appeals to, and resonates with, the uninformed, the ignorant and the frightened.

Vote Obama. It's the American thing to do.

JLK   August 5th, 2008 12:29 pm ET

I do truly wish people would wake up and realize how incredibly destructive the Republican party has become. Since 1970, every Republican president has caused this country major problems.

Nixon – do we really need to comment?

Reagan – Used the "trickle-down" economic theory, causing the U.S. economy to go into recession. Not to mention a senior citizen who FORGOT that he sold weapons to Iran. (perhaps the same weapons that are a threat to us now?)

Bush #1: Economic policies put country into a recession and put down the roots of their current Gulf conflict.

Bush #2: Destroyed the economy, violated the Constitution and Bill of Rights multiple times (anyone ever heard of the separation of church and state? Apparently Bush hasn't!), Lied to the people whose very rights he was supposed to protect, was implicitly involved in the CIA leak. And finally, most importantly, he has sent thousands of young men and women to their unnecessary deaths with his lies.

McCain will simply continue this wonderful erosion of our "democracy." Not to mention, this was a man who was pro-choice most of his career, but is now leaning toward pro-life, once again allowing religious considerations to dictate federal law.
One last point – we are now a technologically-based society. Is no one bothered that a man who wants to represent the people of this country has no idea about this technology? He doesn't even know how to send an e-mail, which most four-year olds can do with regularity. SO go ahead, vote Republican again! Why not ensure the death of democracy and keep the door open for the oligarchy that has been leading us for 8 years!

McCain For President   August 5th, 2008 12:29 pm ET

Give Obama some credit for becoming the first black candidate. Now get it through your thick skulls; Obama is a fake!

McCain '08

Todd / NYC   August 5th, 2008 12:29 pm ET

tell me one new idea that McCain has. i can't seem to find one.

he's about drilling and a gas tax holiday though neither will actually bring down the price of a gallon of gas.

he says we're winning in Iraq but for some reason we can't leave.

he says that Obama is an elitist but his former chief economic advisor called us all "whiners" and that we were in a "mental" recession.

I mean McCain has even admitted he doesn't use a computer.

I can't believe that given a choice between two candidates, one a shining example of the American Dream (Obama) and the other, the epitomy of Old School politics (McCain) that former wouldn't win in a land slide. McCain has 30 years experience in the US Senate. That's exactly why I don't want him to be President. Time for a fresh start.

Rich in Seattle   August 5th, 2008 12:28 pm ET

So, McCain plays good cop bad cop with the public and now we're to think he's a good guy! His type of politics are disgusting and should have no place in America. I expect this type of stuff from Russia, not the United States. I am ashamed that I ever supported someone like McCain.

Vote Smart 08 – DON'T VOTE REPUBLICAN. Let's learn from our mistakes and not keep making the same ones.

Liberal?   August 5th, 2008 12:28 pm ET

Why do you liberals (including unfortunately McCain) hate success so much. Without Big oil, our economy would be 1/2 its size. Without big pharmacy, our healthcare would be far worse and our life expectancy would be lower.

Why do liberals constantly bash those that make the country great…amazing!

chas alabama   August 5th, 2008 12:28 pm ET

I just heard in the news that bug oil has just donated millions to the McCain camp.

JulesT   August 5th, 2008 12:28 pm ET

Maverick is not how I would define McCain. McCain and his ads against Obama define McCain – childish, manipulative, and without integrity.

RJ   August 5th, 2008 12:27 pm ET

I had a smidgen of respect for John McCain but lost that with his stupidity over Obama's energy plan. Mocking a way to save 3% of your gas consumption immediately instead of waiting 20 years to increase supply by 1% as he suggests. I think he is so totally out of touch with everything. he scares me now and i've lost any respect i did have for the man.

OLD MAN SHOUTS AT CLOUDS   August 5th, 2008 12:27 pm ET

OH PLEASE, EVERYONE WITH A BRAIN KNOWS MCCAIN STOPPED BEING A MAVERICK YEARS AGO. HE'S NOT THE MAN HE USED TO BE AND THE THOUGHT OF 4 MORE YEARS OF A REPUBLICAN WHO EMULATES BUSH SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO MAKE ANYONE SICK. OUR ONLY CHOICE THIS YEAR TRULY IS OBAMA.

ExDemocrat   August 5th, 2008 12:27 pm ET

Republicans, please start counting our votes.
My family with dozen friends will vote for John McCain in November (things we have never thought of!!!!!) We want DNC and Obama supporters to know that we left Democrat party in disgust at the way they treated Hillary. Hope that they will get our messages in November!

Anonymous   August 5th, 2008 12:27 pm ET

Hmmm, most people I speak with only see that they can choose from Socialism or Senility? I say no thanks to either, I'll take Bob Barr! McCain is a very distant second, Obama, no absolutely not!

Vigla   August 5th, 2008 12:27 pm ET

Travis, Kerry lost by the slimmist of margins. Bush won by only 100,000 or so votes in OH. Hardly a "landslide"… Stop giving Bush that much credit. Half the country despised him and rightly so. The rest were hoodwinked. Get out of the darkness that is the Republican party and walk into the light.

LaShanda   August 5th, 2008 12:26 pm ET

McBush hasn't been a maverick for eight years! The man is running on smears against Obama rather than a message. Will America wake up and realize that the right is wrong?

love the catfighting!   August 5th, 2008 12:26 pm ET

I love the Obamanauts!

I am a Democrat, yet it is so satisfying to see the major error in judgement millions of Democrats have made in choosing Obama as the Democratic nominee.

The Obamanauts complain:

1) McCain is "full of himself" (so is Obama)

2) McCain is a "major flip-flopper" (so is Obama)

3) McCain has skipped many Senate votes (so has Obama)

4) McCain is "too risky" ( so is Obama)

Face it….Neither candidate is the BEST choice. Both candidates may qualify as the WORST choice.

Wait until the Conventions. Let's hope that the delegates and superdelegates come to their senses and make some radical changes and shake-ups in the nomination process.

The BEST CHANGE for this country may indeed be two entirely different candidates.

TESAP; SAVANNAH, GA   August 5th, 2008 12:26 pm ET

ONCE UPON A TIME HE WAS LIKE THAT AND THEN HE OLD HI SOUL TO THE DEVIL……. I MEAN BUSH'S……….

joe   August 5th, 2008 12:26 pm ET

But He did nada against the communication companies. Why?

John Hussian Karsten   August 5th, 2008 12:26 pm ET

Too bad he has forgotten where he came from. Oh well, another good man lost to washington.

Obama 08

Tony Z- MD   August 5th, 2008 12:25 pm ET

There once was a Maverick named John McCain. He was running in 2000. This guy running in 2008 has no idea about the Maverick McCain. He is worse than W trying to show up daddy.

If we elect him President- we will always be at war. He needs to prove that he is a Commander- could not get it during his military days. His code name will be Songbird just like it was during the POW days.

Sherry, Atlanta   August 5th, 2008 12:25 pm ET

Your ROOTS, takes America TOOOOOOOOO FAR back.
Admit it Sen. McCain, your too old to be CREATIVE.

AMERICA WILL HAVE TO BE VERY CREATIVE AT THIS TIME IN HISTORY

norml   August 5th, 2008 12:25 pm ET

he is no longer a maverick.he is a panderer and he is complicant in the war in iraq.he helped get us in this mess!

Danny, OH   August 5th, 2008 12:25 pm ET

And Miami Beach, I will rather vote for a change than to sit in my struggle for 4 more years after 8 years of this disastrous administration. Maybe you are better off than you were 8 years ago.

Phong Nguyen   August 5th, 2008 12:25 pm ET

I admire S. McCain for his military and public services to the country. Relatively speaking S. McCain is more of a straight talker than the S. Smooth Talker! I no longer like the Democratic Party for what they did to the voters of Michigan and Florida. Go McCain!!!

joe   August 5th, 2008 12:25 pm ET

But he did nothing against the communication industrie. Why?

J   August 5th, 2008 12:25 pm ET

I think he forgot to mention the Savings and Loan scheme from the 80s

Tired of W, OH   August 5th, 2008 12:24 pm ET

Battle Big Oil? Not likely after the oil industry made huge donations to his campaign after he called for offshore drilling.

(best announcer voice)
John McCain.
In bed with big oil.

Sam   August 5th, 2008 12:24 pm ET

Will McCain support the compormise energy bill? That's the question today.

proud army and navy mom   August 5th, 2008 12:24 pm ET

My check will be worse off if is Obama is elected….Actually if Obama is elected we will have a 60% sale on my personal pay check…..dont worry Obama I get the slogan……".i leave you with only "change" in your wallet and I change my position according to polls"

McCain Cheney 08   August 5th, 2008 12:24 pm ET

Puuuulllease!

Tony, Miami   August 5th, 2008 12:23 pm ET

A little late for people to believe you Mcfail to be honest. Being idiot sometimes can be costly like losing the help of the Paris family. Be careful Obama will get the last laugh.

Obama supporter: Bipartisan Intelligence in Gov't   August 5th, 2008 12:23 pm ET

Once again CNN is giving free advertising to McCain; where is a blog on Obama's recent ad?

Where is a retraction/elaboration on the fact that inflating tires can improve gas mileage by 3% immediately….producing a greater savings in oil consumption than what could be drilled two decades from now…Time, Aug. 08.

Jeff   August 5th, 2008 12:23 pm ET

Senator McCain has been part of what's been broken for the past 30 years. He seems to be a maverick in his own mind.

Rod   August 5th, 2008 12:23 pm ET

How does drilling offshore lower gas prices. NEWSFLASH: It doesn't and it won't influence them for 20 years to come.

When people begin to see the direct link between Mccain and big oil they will really start to see why this message of Change that Barack has been talking about is so important.

Find the facts. Do some research. Find a person you can vote for that meets and will go to bat on the issues you feel are important for our combined future as a nation.

jim, minneapolis   August 5th, 2008 12:22 pm ET

oooooh… sounds like a hero from "Top Gun". except this maverick was ranked 894/899 at annapolis. he's a dunce. nothing his commercials say can turn him into a great leader. he's a tool who votes consistently AGAINST veterans benefits. he sings, "bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran…" as a joke. real funny. if you vote mccain, you are voting for more war, more bush ineptitude, deeper recession. vote obama for real change.

Rudy NYC   August 5th, 2008 12:22 pm ET

I am now mad at the media. McCain made up my mind last week when he accused Obama of "playing the race card first." Why did he have to add that descriptor, "first" in the first place? Because McCain played it first, and then the media allowed him to lie about it.

Recall the new logo Obama had that bore a strong resemblence to the official presidential seal. There was a video posted on the McCain website mocking that seal. It contained all of the images that Obama described, and McCain denied. It even included Obama's face on a $100 bill.

But, McCain denounced the video ad as offensive. Note it did not include the "…I endorse this ad." blurb at the end. That's called plausible deniability. He "fired" the aide responsible and removed it from the website within hours. But, the purpose was already served.

That was June, when Obama first made the "black man" reference.

McCain=the draft   August 5th, 2008 12:22 pm ET

McCain has voted 95% WITH Bush!
He just wants you to THINK he's a maverick, when facts show otherwise. He's all smoke and mirrors.

Dem   August 5th, 2008 12:22 pm ET

So basically he does what he wants (Bush) and likes to gamble, and has a temper… this is "great" leadership

gl   August 5th, 2008 12:22 pm ET

McShame will say any thing to get attention. This man is unbelieveable. Having voted since April 2008, been in Washington for over 26 years, and believe now he is the right man to get American on the right track. McShame have over years to get American on the right track. If McShame couldn't get Washington on the right track in the 26 years he have been there, why do he think he can do in now.

FL4Obama   August 5th, 2008 12:22 pm ET

The ad should say originalLY maverick. The McCain today is unfortunately not the politician I supported in 2000. "Battle Big Oil?" By taking their money and adopting Bush's failed policies for them? No thank you.

Isidore Tamo   August 5th, 2008 12:21 pm ET

Retirement is not a punishment; it is a "WELL DESERVED REST". After having served this country for 50 years it is time for us to be fair to McCain and give him his retirement, which is overdue. I will urge president Obama to make sure that McCain retires with dignity, does not pay taxes on his social security, have acces to medicare as a veteran, and be treated as a senior. We have a choice in this election: are going to put our future and security in the hands of a retiree, or are we going to let the new generation decides about its future. Look at the leaders in UK, Germany, France… they are all from the new generation and their countries are better off than they were four years ago. The WHITE HOUSE IS NOT A RETIREMENT HOME.

JOHN   August 5th, 2008 12:21 pm ET

Mccain lost that Maverick title this election. There is nothing Maverick about Mccain anymore. Mccain has filp flop on the issues that made him the independent Maverick. It is clear that Mccain is no Maverick anymore. Not with the stupid and silly ads he's been posting lately. He needs to forget about a Maverick standing, he lost that a long time ago. Calling himself a Maverick is an insult.

Denver Bob   August 5th, 2008 12:21 pm ET

I registered to vote yesterday; to me Obama/McCain are more alike than different, but the tone of Washington needs to change. Where McCain was a maverick that I liked was he didn't play the Rove game; now with hiring and using the Rove team he's no longer a maverick. Somebody should sue him for false advertising. And while he never had my vote, he did give mine to Obama

jfs Memhis, Tn   August 5th, 2008 12:21 pm ET

I have never known a 71 yr old MAVERICK ???? Are you sure that is the correct term??? I thought taht was attributed to a male horse that was a STALLION ??? Not sure that Identfies thes candidate any longer ??? Almost laughable. Please correct me for clarification.

LeMonton   August 5th, 2008 12:21 pm ET

McCain: “Washington's broken. John McCain knows it. We're worse
off than we were four years ago,”

Not Mentioned: McCain has been part of that broken system for 30+ years. And what Mr. McMaverick-by-Convinience has done? Aligning himself with George Bush 95% of the time parroting the same old and failed policies.

McCain=4 more years of Bush…
McBush…dangerous for the economy, the constitution and our image
McSame… not good for America!

"Pot had helped, and booze; maybe a little blow when you could afford it." Obama 95   August 5th, 2008 12:20 pm ET

As of today he's ahead in the polls… Obama's worst enemy is a broken telepromper…. LOL… the more that tool speaks his own thoughts… the more Mac moves up… 9 points… even after the Miley Cirus European tour… Obama… a joke we can all believe in!

homestead   August 5th, 2008 12:20 pm ET

John McCain is pretending is different from George Bush what he doesn't mention is he voted 95 with George Bush and 90% over the entire George Bush term. What he doesn't mention is areas where McCain and Bush are the same like tax cut that he voted against it twice, the war in iraq, and free market economics.

Eric-PA   August 5th, 2008 12:20 pm ET

Ian,

It's illegal for any campaign to accept money from oil companies. Obama doesn't do it and McCain doesn't do it. However, BOTH campaigns accept money from the CEO's of oil companies, people who work for oil companies and their spouces. That's right. BOTH do it. McCain voted against Dich Cheney's energy policy, while Obama voted for it.

PUMA

Mitzi   August 5th, 2008 12:20 pm ET

Will have to go with McCain as I refuse to be a lemming and march off a cliff into an abyss of too much government and higher taxes…Wish there were a thrid party ..maybe we would better off without any parties and everyone would have to really represent the voters. What a great dream. hmmm

MBFLA   August 5th, 2008 12:20 pm ET

This ad will be easy to attack since we all know that McBush has been right there voting with Bush and Cheney the vast majority of the past 4 years. Who wants more of that failing policy? Maverick, my butt!

gary   August 5th, 2008 12:19 pm ET

OBAMA IS THE BIGGEST FLIP FLOPPER AND BIG JOKE.IF YOU THINK OBAMA IS GOING TO BRING CHANGE ,YOUR ALL DREAMING. HE IS JUST A MUCH OF A OLD POLITICIAN THAN ANY OF THEM.OBAMA IS A CON MAN. AMERICA BETTER WAKE UP OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES IF O.B. HAPPENS TO GET ELECTED. THIS COUNTRY IS HEADED FOR A WORST FALL.

Ismael   August 5th, 2008 12:19 pm ET

He's hardly the maverick he used to be. The preceeding ads show that he is a Karl Rove scare tactic puppet.

Ed, Santa Fe NM   August 5th, 2008 12:19 pm ET

McBush a maverick? Gimme a break! If he were a maverick he wouldn't be courting the traditional lunatic fringe Bush supporters.

Tejano   August 5th, 2008 12:19 pm ET

Go McCain, show this upstart what a real man will do for his Country.
That's the McCain I know and will support this election. Country above self and Party, That sirs is True Patriotism.

HENRIE WARE   August 5th, 2008 12:18 pm ET

MCBUSH EQUALS BUSH

WoMaN4McCain   August 5th, 2008 12:18 pm ET

Wow, it will be refreshing to see an ad where McCain is talking about himself instead of his unhealthy (bordering on perverse) obsession with Obama.

Chris, Middletown, CT   August 5th, 2008 12:18 pm ET

Washington is broken….yet McCain has been there for 30 years….he is either ineffective….or inept…either way…this Republican (me) has been contributing to Obama…..and will support him in November (its not only a time for a change….its a time to heal)

Unshrub   August 5th, 2008 12:18 pm ET

CNN; How come you will not list my comments? They are truthful and direct, but maybe to un McCain for you biased taste?

wake up   August 5th, 2008 12:17 pm ET

@MIKE_TEXAS- brother i have read a lot of your post on here, you make me laugh sometimes at how ridiculous you sound…the Dems are the Majority..yes that's true, but they do not hold enough votes to prevent the record number of filibusters perpetrated by…THE REPUBLICANS, nor do they have enough seats to over turn the vetoes from the REPUBLICAN ADMINISRATION, gas prices are at record highs, yes but it is funny how you never once in any of your post mentioned the ENRON loop hole written by the REPUBLICAN economic adviser Phil Gramm…nor how the illegal war in Iraq has been only for oil, but hey no sweat…may be we can send another 4,100 of our sons and daughters off to die so EXXON can make more money…that's what John wants to do

LT for Obama   August 5th, 2008 12:17 pm ET

He is going to take on Big Oil by helping them make more money? Please explain that one McCain.

Also, please explain to the rest of us how we are worse off than four years ago but the economy is doing fine?

biffington, biff   August 5th, 2008 12:17 pm ET

THIS "MAVERICK" is ready for the GLUE factory…..

Danny, OH   August 5th, 2008 12:16 pm ET

“Washington's broken. John McCain knows it". Really? And Where was McCain all this time? GREEDY POLITICIAN who will say and do anything to win.

Independent-woman-4-Obama   August 5th, 2008 12:16 pm ET

PLEASE STOP WITH THE "JESUS…..OBAMA COMMENTS!" AS A CHRISTIAN I AM DEEPLY OFFENDED THAT YOU WOULD USE THE NAME OF MY SAVIOR TO DEMEAN A CANDIDATE!!!!!

We are worse off, individually and as a nation! People, our national debt is …….. close to ………$10 TRILLION OWED TO CHINA, DUBAI AND THE SAUDIS TO NAME A FEW! This IS dangerous!

McCain has been in Washington for TWENTY SIX YEARS, HE IS PART OF OUR GOVERNMENT'S FAILURE!

HOW CAN ANYONE VOTE FOR A MAN WHO JOKES & SINGS "BOMB……..BOMB……..BOMB IRAN?"

DISGUSTING!

Lacy   August 5th, 2008 12:16 pm ET

He had an affair on his first wife with his second. What a maverick!

He doesn't like workers unions. What a maverick!

He would eliminate "expensive mandates" (johnmccain.com) like healthcare for businesses. What a Maverick!

He wants to continue trickle down economics that have failed the last 8 years. What a maverick!

He want's to contiune funding and expanding the trillion dollar war, while further cutting taxes and revenue, thus increasing our debt to other nations like China. What a maverick!

Negative Ghostwriter, the pattern is full. I'm voting for Obama.

LindaFerrel   August 5th, 2008 12:16 pm ET

If by maverick you mean – "man who can't control his excitement about the prospect of bombing Iran" then yes – you have got yourself a great Maverick there!

ls   August 5th, 2008 12:15 pm ET

Yeah, and the headlines read "how can 20 million people be that stupid" when Bush was elected in 2004.

And look at things now – and it's scary to even think that those 20 million people might still be stupid. Let's hope not – but again, there are the McCain supporters.

Jon S.   August 5th, 2008 12:15 pm ET

With all due respect to the recent post, lots of people listen to Kerry – he's had no trouble getting elected or re-elected.

And McCain may be the right choice for a desert island, but not America – if you want millions of Americans to remain without healthcare or affordable healthcare, a person who doesn't understand the economy, who would rather drill anywhere and everywhere rather than look at alternative energy sources, continue the homophobia against gays, and continue the policies of the most-disliked President in history, McCain is your man – the rest of us will choose Obama, and send McCain home.

Hopeful in 2008   August 5th, 2008 12:15 pm ET

Looks like McCain took the advice of Obama and is at least using this ad to talk about himself rather than attack, mock or lie about Obama. Let's hope the SNL-style ads are over with.

Timber   August 5th, 2008 12:14 pm ET

Obama's hair suddenly looking gray!! He will do anything to get elected! Makes him look older and more experienced when he is not. They knock McCain for being old and now he is trying to look older. Obama is making American politics the laughing stock of the world. It would be funny if he were not so dangerous. Obama is worse than Bush.

Bob G.   August 5th, 2008 12:14 pm ET

Barry is the "ONE" to fix the world and the "ONE" that we have been waiting for the last 2,000 years. Obama for Emperor of the Universe!!

Adam   August 5th, 2008 12:14 pm ET

Looks like McCain took Obama's advise and decided to talk about himself for once. Maybe Obama can run McCains camp, pathetic.

Makes sense to me   August 5th, 2008 12:14 pm ET

He is going to battle big oil. Yet, big oil has infused his campaign with cash. Obviously big oil knows who will battle them and they aren't sending their money that way.

Todd   August 5th, 2008 12:14 pm ET

Remember Keating 5!! now thats a real maverick!!

republican   August 5th, 2008 12:14 pm ET

this man is no mav!!! HE'S jUst an old miserable man
IF AMERICAN ELECT THIS MAN TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT .THE WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET.

-MORE OF THE SAME
-MORE JOB LOSS AND MORE MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF BIG COOPERATION AND OIL COMPANIES

-TERRIBLE ECONOMY

AND WHO KNOWS, MAYBE ANOTHER WAR WITH A NEW COUNTRY "IRAN" AND THEN THE US MAY NO LONGER EXIST ON EARTH

WHEN IRAN BOMB US BACK DUE TO MACCAIN TEMPER TANTRUM
BUSH IS PRAYING FOR HIM TO WIN TO TAKE OVER THE THRONE AND FIGHT ANOTHER WAR
PLEASE AMERICA !! AS A REPUBLICAN PLEASE DON'T GET THIS ELECTION WRONG BY PUTTING MCBUSH INTO OFFICE…

4 MORE YEARS OF THE SAME BLAH BLAH BLAH

SO ADD 8 PLUS 4 MORE ,CAN U IMAGINE 12 YEARS OF THE SAME ECONOMIC POLICIES AND A 100 YEARS IN IRAQ

THINK?? AND VOTE WISELY.

Seamus   August 5th, 2008 12:14 pm ET

Can anyone name me one position McCain has not flip-flopped on? The man's positions change day to day, sometimes in the same day. He has no principles, he does whatever is politically expedient. Thus, he can say he "took on big tobacco, drug companies, fought corruption" because I'm sure, at some point in his 30 years in Washington, he's taken these positions. But, especially now that he's the Republican nominee, he's also pandered to big tobacco and drug companies, and engaged in corruption (Keating 5, lobbyists, Donald Diamond, Suncor). So according to McCain, "maverick" means trying to be everything to everyone.

Democrat No More/San Diego   August 5th, 2008 12:13 pm ET

At least McCain has a voting record to examine unlike Obama who was merely "present".

al in memphis   August 5th, 2008 12:13 pm ET

I thought the "maverick" was something that described the Bush policy of war with Iraq without more support of the world community. My vote is worth more than fancy phrases, pullem down politics, and party smearin. Give me some sound policy and insight into that you are listening to someone other than special interest lobbyist.

republican   August 5th, 2008 12:13 pm ET

this man is no mav!!! HE'S jUst an old miserable man
IF AMERICAN ELECT THIS MAN TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT .THE WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET.

-MORE OF THE SAME
-MORE JOB LOSS AND MORE MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF BIG COOPERATION AND OIL COMPANIES

-TERRIBLE ECONOMY

AND WHO KNOWS, MAYBE ANOTHER WAR WITH A NEW COUNTRY "IRAN" AND THEN THE US MAY NO LONGER EXIST ON EARTH

WHEN IRAN BOMB US BACK DUE TO MACCAIN TEMPER TANTRUM
BUSH IS PRAYING FOR HIM TO WIN TO TAKE OVER THE THRONE AND FIGHT ANOTHER WAR
PLEASE AMERICA !! AS A REPUBLICAN PLEASE DON'T GET THIS ELECTION WRONG BY PUTTING MCBUSH INTO OFFICE…

4 MORE YEARS OF THE SAME BLAH BLAH BLAH

SO ADD 8 PLUS 4 MORE ,CAN U IMAGINE 12 YEARS OF THE SAME ECONOMIC POLICIES AND A 100 YEARS IN IRAQ

THINK?? AND VOTE WISELY.

Anne E.   August 5th, 2008 12:13 pm ET

I'd wager that McCain is more ready (and fit) to retire than lead.
Everyone has their window of opportunity. His closed a long time ago.

Barack on!

New hope with Obama   August 5th, 2008 12:12 pm ET

Mccain is just dangerous for the country. John Kerry is absolutely right. He was wrong on Iraq, Korea and Afghanistan…He was for tax now against, for amnesty, now against it…………

Plus imagine Mccain in the same room with the other foreign leaders…Sarkozy, Gordon Brown, Medvedev, Merkel etcc….he could be there dad. Please John let the new generation take over

OBAMA 08

soy   August 5th, 2008 12:12 pm ET

This is almost laughable. To think that after the crap that he pulled last week (with the negative ads) that he can come out this week and call himself a maverick. He's deep in the pockets of Big Oil just like the 2 bone-heads we have in the White House right now. If America is to make the same mistake for the 3rd time then I guess there's no hope for the future then.

Mike in Cincinnati   August 5th, 2008 12:12 pm ET

McCain's campaign strategies are so transparent. After taking the heat for the ridiculous ads over the past week where his intent was simply to mock Obama, he is now trying to get "positive".

I'd feel more positive about his "maverick" claims if he had not just sold out to the oil companies for huge campaign contributions, and if he had not voted in line with Bush policies 95% of the time. That does not sound like a maverick to me.

K Mansfield, NY, NY   August 5th, 2008 12:12 pm ET

Anyone else growing tired of McCain's… maverickosity? Maverickness? Maverickitude? I don't know how he can unite this country when he cannot even work with those who, ostensibly, share in his political philosophy… his true conservative values… whatever that means… I wish he knew and could tell us.

Enlightened Voter   August 5th, 2008 12:12 pm ET

He may have been a maverick but now mcsurge is a petty, ghetto minded, crooked, repuglican thug.

andrew from CT   August 5th, 2008 12:11 pm ET

Isn't this the same John McCain who said we were BETTER off than we were 4 to 8 years ago at the Republican Debate in California earlier this year?

JB   August 5th, 2008 12:11 pm ET

How can McCain fight big oil when they are slipping millions into his campaign?

nerakami   August 5th, 2008 12:11 pm ET

and what of his last 25 years in the Senate? Or even… what of his last 8 years ?….

what exactly are his accomplishments except to vote against almost every alternative energy initiative, including raising car manufacturing standards…. sorry McCain , you had 25 years to make a difference… you didn't… you can't help us now.

Jonze   August 5th, 2008 12:10 pm ET

Too bad youtube is chock full of McCain's pro-Bush moments where he is either gushing about supporting, voting and campaigning for him both times or claiming to vote with Bush on all major issues.

We don't need a 72 yo who has been in Washington for 26 years to be the agent for change.

McCain is 2000 could maybe make this case, however McCain in 2008 has long since lost his way and is bought and paid for. McCain in 2000 would never hire a Rove apostle to run his campaign.

Miami Beach   August 5th, 2008 12:10 pm ET

We'll be even more "worse off" if Obama is elected.

Ian   August 5th, 2008 12:10 pm ET

I like that he voted against that one tax increase….back in 1908.

Moderate for O   August 5th, 2008 12:10 pm ET

Seriously? Maverick? The same "maverick" that is pushing many of the same policies that coincide with those of the administration that resided over these horrible past four years? A "maverick" who wants to "battle big oil" by over drilling the US and accepting over a million dollars from it? I'll agree that he has a maverick history…but that's exactly what it is….history.

Marie Canada   August 5th, 2008 12:09 pm ET

It should be easy for McCain to show how much of a Maverick he really is simply by outlining the Bush policies and how his are different. No big deal or maybe no big difference.

MIA in Miami   August 5th, 2008 12:09 pm ET

What the….? They expect people to believe this mess of a campaign? Oh yeah, from the looks of the most recent polls, I think some low informed people enjoy the smear tactics. This is ridiculous but yet dangerous.

Chuck, Montgomery, AL   August 5th, 2008 12:09 pm ET

Bush beat McCain in 2000. Check out WHY !!!!!!!! Didn't you all get the hint in 2000?????

Linda31   August 5th, 2008 12:09 pm ET

Some Maverick, he's been there 26 yrs and all he can say is he is a maverick. What change have you made? Why didn't you speak up 5, 10, 15, 20 years ago about the economy and where we were headed. Please go retire and send her wife's money.

RDS   August 5th, 2008 12:09 pm ET

Fought corruption…LMAO. McCain one of the members of the Keating 5, himself charged with corruption! Fought Big Oil….ROFL. McCain the one who wants to give them an extra 4 billion dollar tax cut! McCain the one who's received a million plus donation money from oil companies! McCain the "Maverick" who holds strong to his principles but has flip-flopped about 20 times (and running) on every issue. Is this a serious ad or an SNL skit! Somebody please stop him…this is too funny ;-)

Ian   August 5th, 2008 12:08 pm ET

I guess I didn't realize that taking campaign donations from oil companies counted as battling them. Nice work John!

Dem for McCain   August 5th, 2008 12:08 pm ET

Go John! We love you.

McCain '08

Will-South Dakota   August 5th, 2008 12:08 pm ET

Oh REALLY? McBush has been in congress 26 years, he has been a CONSTANT for the problems of America and has been part of the problems he vomits each day to anyone who listens….embracing Bush policies and wants to continue the same…….REALITY CHECK CNN!

Tia   August 5th, 2008 12:08 pm ET

Travis In Colorado

If your boy is so right for the job then explain to me why he's been missing so many votes in Congress?

And why does he keep making so many gafes?

Can you explain? Or are you just some paid Republican blogger who's been hired to tow the line.

Give us a break.

McCain is no maverick and never will be.

Obama and the Democrats 08 and 12 and beyond.

Non-Believer   August 5th, 2008 12:07 pm ET

McCain Bush just like Obama Jesus.

Jason Willis   August 5th, 2008 12:07 pm ET

he's going to battle big oil by opening up offshore drilling and giving them $4 billion in tax cuts?

He's going to help America by using the same policies that have gotten us into this whole the last 8 years?

Yea, that makes sense!

The maverick John McCain of 2000 would slap the John McBush of 2008.

wake up   August 5th, 2008 12:07 pm ET

ohhhh paaaaleeeease!!!!!Washington is broken? no duhhh John, however You have been apart of that old Washington for 26 years, how in the world can John Mccain battle Big Oil, they own him!! if you really wanted change John why did you vote with BUSH 95% of the time? “worse off than we were four years ago.”-John McCain, really John that's not what you told reporters America and the world during a debate, in fact you said and i quote "i think we can argue that overall Americans are better off (than we were 8 years ago)", again we see John Mccain trying to have it both ways…NOW battling Big Oil, hysterical coming from a man who has a bunch of big oil lobbyist running his campaign (along with the Bush team), such as Charlie Black-Occidental Petro., Frank Donatelli-EXXON,Randy Scheunemann-AMCO to name a few…big business? would that mean Nancy Pfotenhauer-Koch Ind….if you are going to "BATTLE" these people does that mean you are going to GIVE BACK the Millions you have taken from them John? at least Obama can say that the Majority of his money came from us, hard working Americans who know Washington is and has been broken for some time now because we live it not because some ex Bush crony told us to say it while in our private jets…Washington is BROKEN and so is John McCain
STOP PANDERING JOHN AMERICA SEES WHO THE REAL MCCAIN IS!!!

OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT   August 5th, 2008 12:07 pm ET

YOU ARE NO MAVERICK MCSAME. YOU ARE SO FULL OF YOURSELF OLD MAN.

NOONE WILL EVEN PAY ATTENTION TO THIS STUPID AD.

mike from new york   August 5th, 2008 12:07 pm ET

the country is worse than it was four years ago? It's because of bush! And guess who agrees with him on all of his policies this year? John McCain! I see a connection! This is ridiculous.

david   August 5th, 2008 12:06 pm ET

YES JOHN MCSAME MCBUSH IS A MAVERICK ALLRIGHT HE IS PATHETIC HE THINK BEING A PRESIDENT IS A JOKE HIS READY TO LEAD HIM SELVE. HE IS NOT GETHING MY VOTE.AND HIS NOT GOING TO LEAD ME TO ANOTHER FINANCIAL HARDSHIP LIKE BUSH.

Chanda in Cincinnati Ohio   August 5th, 2008 12:06 pm ET

"Washington's broken. John McCain knows it. "

Hell he should know it…he has been there 26 years to personally witness and aid the fall of this country!!! Why did it take him over 25 years to get this epiphany!!

"Only McCain has taken on big tobacco, drug companies, fought corruption in both parties. He'll reform Wall Street, battle Big Oil, make America prosper again."

PLEASE!!!!! Exactly when will he take on Big Oil…before or after the lobbyist donate another 1MILLION DOLLARS to his campaign. Johnny Boy…go feed your bulls@#$ to someone else. On a positive note…at least this add did not mention the word SURGE!!!!!

ls   August 5th, 2008 12:06 pm ET

No – McCain is not ready to lead this country. McCain is at the age he should be retiring. This country is too much of a task for him to physically and mentally handle.

McCain is not 'leader material' and he has no business running for president of this country.

Anonymous   August 5th, 2008 12:06 pm ET

Does it really benefit a 26-year veteran of the Senate to highlight that the system doesn't work?

Why would anyone believe that someone who has spent three decades in Washington could, or would want to, fix the system?

Actually don't answer that.

Bill Williams   August 5th, 2008 12:06 pm ET

McCain. How far you have fallen. Sad.

Judgement over Experience   August 5th, 2008 12:05 pm ET

John McCain, you may have been a maverick but now you are a petty minded, forgetful, DANGEROUS, ghetto minded repuglican thug. Period and you couldn't buy my vote.

Me   August 5th, 2008 12:05 pm ET

Yeah he'll battle big oil. Is that what he calls changing his stance on offshore drilling so that oil companies will fund his campaign?

proud army and navy mom   August 5th, 2008 12:05 pm ET

what maverick?

If you are not part of the solution, mcliar, you are part of the d**n problem….. You've been in the Senate for over 20 years. If it's broken, you helped do it.

Who in their right mind belive mcidiot?

Texas Trail Dog!   August 5th, 2008 12:04 pm ET

We don't want no FLIP FLOPPER LIKE THE LIAR OBAMA. McCain you need to be telling the people what your opponent is. Some of these idiots can not see the fish for the muddy water. OBAMA is a traitor to this country. He means us no good. You can not be a MUSLIM for twelve years and just walk away. He has lied his way along far enough. It is time you people face facts. His father had him as a Muslim for twelve years. He has supported terrorism and had a man that he called UNCLE who was supposed to be a man of God, BUT NOT. A REV. WOULD NOT BREAK ONE OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AND IN CHURCH OF ALL PLACES WITH HIS, "G… D…. AMERICA!' His own wife has denounced America. HOW MUCH MORE DOES IT TAKE TO OPEN YOU PEOPLE'S EYES. YOU'RE DEALING WITH A SNAKE HERE. PLAIN & SIMPLE.

Anonymous   August 5th, 2008 12:04 pm ET

He's been in the broken system for 26 years.

Now that's effective leadership.

bob in L.A.   August 5th, 2008 12:04 pm ET

The ad runnig in B&W is appropriate- I'm surprised the footage isn't in Kinescope given his age.
Ol' John should just stick to sleeping on the senate floor like all the other older guys have done over the years. They'll wake him in time for a vote!

Travis In Colorado   August 5th, 2008 12:03 pm ET

McCain is clearly the RIGHT choice for this country. Did anyone see the article about John Kerry calling McCain dangerous? Ha! Does anyone even pay attention to this guy? In 2004, John Kerry was going against President George Bush, one of the most disliked presidents in recent memory, Bush had the lowest approval rating in recent memory, and yet Bush STILL beat Kerry by a huge landslide! Kerry lost miserably! That is how much people don't like Kerry, that is how dangerous they thought Kerry was! John Kerry, do us all a favor, SHUT UP! No one listens to you, we never have! Didn't you get the hint in 2004?

McCain 08!

Myth of the Maverick   August 5th, 2008 12:03 pm ET

Oh so now you are the Maverick again. Okay, so if are country is worse off then it was four years ago then why have you copied and pasted Goerge Bush policies who have gotten us worst off? I'm confused? Please share with us how you will be any different? Your campaign is ridiculous. It is being run by the Rove proteges, but some how you are different from Bush. The American people are not that stupid. This ad is dumb. It only highlights the fact that we are worse off and the fact that we will continue to be, if you become president.

Valerie - St. Louis, MO   August 5th, 2008 12:03 pm ET

Maverick turned McSame or McBush.

Mike - Texas   August 5th, 2008 12:02 pm ET

Not bad, but McCain should have put more focus on the fact that the last 2 years have been worse than the last 4.

Of course, we all know that the democrats have been in control of both houses for the last 2 years.

In the last 2 years we have seen the price of a gallon of gasoline more than double. Didn't the democrats state that THEY were going to bring down the price of gasoline when THEY took over 2 years ago???

PUMA Leader a Fraud?   August 5th, 2008 12:02 pm ET

Some interesting stuff out there about Darragh Murphy, the PUMA PAC treasurer:

notfallinginline.org

RDS   August 5th, 2008 12:02 pm ET

McCain is a walking talking contradiction. "The country is worse off…" but he voted with Bush 95% of the time and is vowing to keep every failed Bush policy in place. How is that going to make the country better. Having 26 years in the Senate obviously doesn't equate to experience and knowledge, what was he doing all these years…crossword puzzles!

larry buchas   August 5th, 2008 12:01 pm ET

Anyone believing this drivel has to be gullible.

McCain is in the pocket of big oil. That has been the case the past 30 years. Simple formula: McCAIN = BUSH III

A Nightingale Sings in Berkley Square   August 5th, 2008 12:00 pm ET

I'm fine with the McCain of eight years ago, I probably would have voted for him over Gore. I do have a problem with the pandering, flip-flopping, senile McCain of today. He used to stand against big oil, he's now getting their support because he's sold out to them. He also used to be against the "agents of intolerance" and religious zealots, now he's in bed with them. How can we vote for him when we don't know what to believe any more? He's too risky and out-of-touch.

Obama '08

AA   August 5th, 2008 12:00 pm ET

Worse off? Ya think?

Go to fact check dot org and do some research on how McCain has voted in the past 4yrs. in congress.

Stop trying to form an opinion and decide you vote based upon headlines. Be informed.

Please. Your country and all of our future relies upon it, we cannot make another and elect someone based upon buzz words, or worse, because you FEEL that you can trust him or would want to hang out with him.

Get the data, listen and read carefully to see if you agree with what this man stands for. We are not talking about going to see a movie, we are talking about the lives of your family, friends, community and country.

Being patriotic does not mean saying or displaying that you are. It means that you did your homework and researched and made an informed decision that would be in the best interest of your country.

Peace.

P, CA   August 5th, 2008 12:00 pm ET

As much as I dislike the man, all I can say is: FINALLY he got around to himself. These are the kinds of ads I like.

Tout yourself, McCain, that's what we've wanted from the beginning: an honorable race. Instead of the constant bashing. Obama's been doing this all along (with a few exceptions, of course, but I could justify those as "defensive" attacks against your blatant hate).

You've already got all your rabid supporters (see this blog) foaming at the mouth whenever someone even uses the letter "O" in a word…

Rose   August 5th, 2008 11:59 am ET

And why was the Kerry article closed after only 7 responses??
More CNN unbiased reporting?

Chris from NY   August 5th, 2008 11:59 am ET

Did he mention he was part of the broken government for 26 years? May be he forgot that part. Maverick my butts!!!!!!!!!!!!

RealityKing   August 5th, 2008 11:59 am ET

Obama's inexperience has already led to his obviously indecisiveness. Clearly not the change American needs in these uncertain times.

ANGIE   August 5th, 2008 11:58 am ET

HA HA FUNNY mccain a maverick thats the most funny thing ive heard MCCAIN IS A BUSH CLONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rose   August 5th, 2008 11:58 am ET

Yeah, maverick right up the oil companies' butts.

Dustin   August 5th, 2008 11:58 am ET

A positive ad??? What a novel concept!

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah   August 5th, 2008 11:58 am ET

Hess Corporation "Office Manager" And Her Husband Both Gave $28,500 To Elect McCain
By Greg Sargent – August 4, 2008, 2:14PM

As we reported below, ten Hess Corporation executives and Hess family members each gave $28,500 to the RNC's committee to elect John McCain president, just days after he reversed his previous opposition to offshore drilling.

But the story gets better.

It turns out that Hess executives aren't the only ones who gave such huge sums to elect McCain — generosity towards McCain apparently extends down into lower levels of Hess staff. A lower level employee gave the same, too, and so did her husband, even though he works for Amtrak.

The FEC filings show that Alice Rocchio, who's identified as a Hess office manager, and her husband, Pasquale Rocchio, who's described as an Amtrak "track foreman," each separately donated $28,500 to the RNC-McCain fund, which is called McCain Victory 2008. They gave the money on June 24th, the same day that eight other Hess execs and family members each shelled out the same amount.

So the Rocchios, who live in Flushing, Queens, donated a total of $57,000 to McCain's efforts.

I just reached Ms Rocchio and she insisted adamantly that the contributions were theirs.

"It was my option to give," she told me. "This is my favorite candidate…I fully acknowledge that [the donation] was done by myself personally, my own doing." She added that the same went for her husband.

When I pointed out that the Rocchios' job titles seemed to jar a bit with the size of their donations, Ms. Rocchio said that no one could guess the real income levels of other people.

"No one knows what someone's income taxes say," she told me.

Ms. Rocchio declined to say whether the contributions had been bundled by another Hess employee or who bundled them.

joe kiloz   August 5th, 2008 11:58 am ET

We know that all Republicans don't necessarily think of Mr. McCain as their first preference. however, no matter which affiliation one follows, one has to be happy with the fact that he's not Republican only on his policies, and has been across the isle for many years effecting major policies. He has the track record and contacts for many years to prove beyond any doubt that he works for all the people and not just a party affiliation . He reminds me of some of doubts I had in voting for Ronald Reagan, and nowadays I would do it again without any hesitation.

Scott, Phoenix   August 5th, 2008 11:57 am ET

And can anyone tell me what Obama has done in the 142 days he's been in the US Senate?

v.a.   August 5th, 2008 11:57 am ET

feeling the pressure after the attack ads. bout time the mcsleeze camp does something other than attack BO. lame.

McCain’s PHONY EXPRESS   August 5th, 2008 11:57 am ET

Sorry McCain, you can’t have it both ways. You have changed for the worse in this campaign. You are now closer on your positions to Bush than you ever were before. You are now even mimicking Bush’s negative Fear & Smear 2004 campaign. DISAPPOINTING!!

Here comes McCain’s PHONY EXPRESS!!!!

Hojo   August 5th, 2008 11:57 am ET

What Mccain is really saying is that he has employed in his campaign the LOBBISTS for Big Oil, Drug companies, Tobacco companies & Wall Street.

Linda   August 5th, 2008 11:57 am ET

McCain battle Big Oil? Come on now, he's sitting in Big Oil's pocket and we all know that. McCain isn't going to battle anyone over the status quo. He is part and parcel of the corrupt system of politics in this country.
He could be called a maverick about 40 years ago when he was in the military. There he skirted regulations and crashed planes because he thought he was such a hotshot.
We need a calm and balance person to lead this country. What we don't need is a cursing hot tempered old man like McCain.

Daniel Mayinja   August 5th, 2008 11:56 am ET

Whatever McCain people …

JD, Moraga, CA   August 5th, 2008 11:56 am ET

…and how is he going to "take on Big Oil" when he's taking millions of dollars from them after flip-flopping on his position regarding offshore drilling?

question   August 5th, 2008 11:56 am ET

hey cnn, why are the comments closed for the john kerry article….do you enjoy controlling the publics conversation? let people discuss the topics they want to. some topics are left open forever and others get shutdown immediately, what gives?

Ell - TX   August 5th, 2008 11:56 am ET

Maverick is that also a JOKE!

Ken Pittsburgh   August 5th, 2008 11:55 am ET

Than why did he go along with Bush 95% of the time

EX-Supporter   August 5th, 2008 11:55 am ET

TOO LATE!!!

AL   August 5th, 2008 11:55 am ET

Wait, Maverick just mentioned the last 4 years… what about the 4 years before that one?

Then again, he told Anderson Cooper we were better off than we where 8 years ago (he was at the Reagan library when he said it during the republican primaries).

Is he trying to debate himself again, or did he just flip-flop AGAIN?

Shasta   August 5th, 2008 11:55 am ET

Battle Big Oil by drilling for more instead of looking for alternative sources to replace them? Awesome.

Megan   August 5th, 2008 11:54 am ET

A maverick? Can't believe that's the best positive they can come up with. Bush is a bit of a maverick and look where that got us. I'd like a bit more intellect and diplomacy please!

Sandy Tx   August 5th, 2008 11:54 am ET

CNN He's the original maverick. One is ready to lead — McCain

Once Maverick ….Now Confused Old MAN and Attack DOG

tupac   August 5th, 2008 11:54 am ET

This whole thing is crap, this guy is the biggest joke there ever was!!!

mollygonz   August 5th, 2008 11:53 am ET

We all know the truth McSame. I guess you must've heard the loud complaints of people who were wondering why you were focusing so much on Obama and not your policies. "Maverick"my booty.

liz   August 5th, 2008 11:53 am ET

so he is basically continuing to lie? I would love to see actual examples of how e done any of the things he is claiming. Was he taking on big oil when they donated 2 million to his campaign?

M. Winners, Mesa, AZ   August 5th, 2008 11:53 am ET

Finally, McLame is speaking to the issues rather than hitting Obama below the belt. To bad "The Maverick" was put out to pasture 8 years ago – this ad is lame. Now McLame is nothing more than a fall-in-line right wing repug neocon who's only solutions are "surge, surge, surge" and "drill, drill drill".

EC   August 5th, 2008 11:52 am ET

Too LATE to peddle backwards John McCain. That ship has already sailed and YOU are NOT on it.

YOU are NO longer a "Maverick" my OLD man. YOU are NOW the King of "Negative Ads". The King of the Low Road Campaign.

NO ONE will ever believe you were a Maverick NOW. You've destroyed any level of decency with your negative campaign strategies.

Your new title "King of the Low Road Express". Ha! Ha!

Don   August 5th, 2008 11:52 am ET

I don't think his Maverick roots will help him close the deal.

Terry from VA   August 5th, 2008 11:52 am ET

That is certainly different from his position in the primaries and at least up to yesterday. There are many clips of him answering the questions are you better off today than you were 4 years ago. McCain consistently said yes, we were better off today than 4 years ago.
I hope the DNC and the Obama team use this flip flop to attack this fraud.

ProudToBeDemocrat   August 5th, 2008 11:52 am ET

Who are you trying to blame old man you have been in washingon for 26 years that is much longer that 4 years what have you done in 26 years to benefit the American people Answer NONE.

Paul, Tampa   August 5th, 2008 11:52 am ET

Ancient history Johnny. You've flip-flopped on all those past stalwart positions. Now you are no better than GW and we need to do better than that, even if it means electing someone with less experience!!!

ChicagoJosh   August 5th, 2008 11:51 am ET

Thank you John for FINALLY talking about yourself. Give this country a reason to like you, not just a reason to fear your opponent. Took you long enough.

cherrystrawberry   August 5th, 2008 11:51 am ET

finally, he is talking about hmmself. but no specifics?

GO BAMA

NotFallingInLine.org   August 5th, 2008 11:51 am ET

The only thing Mavrick about McStupid is that he is the only Senator to attack himself and people praise him for it. To his credit, he has proven that Americans are DUMB! Even his own party wants to get away from him. Yet, Americans cling to him as though he is a God. They accept anything he says, even if he said the opposite five minute earlier. There are four other candidates to vote for; and McInsane could hold any of thier shoes. Shame on you America!

Denise Groves   August 5th, 2008 11:51 am ET

And he is been a Senator for the past 26 yeras, so guess who is responsible?

The Times They Are A Changin'   August 5th, 2008 11:49 am ET

Maverick? Um, maybe 100 years ago. It's sad what he's become.

bill s DE   August 5th, 2008 11:49 am ET

Who is he kidding.

Brina   August 5th, 2008 11:49 am ET

He's going to battle big Oil after all those contributions they have given….I've got a bridge to nowhere I would like to sale.

Michelle   August 5th, 2008 11:49 am ET

In 2007, McCain missed all 11 energy-related Senate votes considered key by the League of Conservation Voters, including votes related to automobile fuel economy, offshore Virginia drilling, refinery construction, renewable electricity mandates, energy efficiency, liquefied coal and support for biofuels. The absences prompted the League to give McCain a "zero" rating for the year. ……

WOW…..and you mean to tell me he's ready to lead????

yala   August 5th, 2008 11:49 am ET

DAFT AMERICA…..BE FOOLED TWICE. YOU SEE GWB'S CLONE AND CAN'T TELL.

The Other Jon   August 5th, 2008 11:49 am ET

I'm glad to see McCain airing a positive message for once. It's about time he demonstrate he actually has a platform.

However, claiming that he will "battle Big Oil?" Come on, we aren't all chumps.

(from a former Republican, now for Obama)

worried citizen   August 5th, 2008 11:49 am ET

Mr. McCain,

How come you never did anything about it these past 26 years you have been in a position to do so?

Rascal Scooter   August 5th, 2008 11:48 am ET

MCCAIN IS NO MAVRICK HE'S INCOMPETENT. REMEMDER THE KEATING 5 YEARS AGO. THIS GUY HAS NO CHARACTER.

OBAMA……….08

GG   August 5th, 2008 11:48 am ET

McCain is a maverick! Can you believe that loser John Kerry spouting off yet again?

proud army and navy mom   August 5th, 2008 11:48 am ET

Go McCain! Let's examine BO's voting record. Besides his 'present' vote, how many times has he crossed party lines? ZERO! He is more left than Ted. At least McCain tried to work with senators in the dem party, what has BO done??? NOTHING! But, maybe that is the change the people want….

Abby   August 5th, 2008 11:47 am ET

Doesn’t matter what you used to be …It’s what you are now that matters. What McCain is now is exact of the opposite of that “maverick’, voting almost 100% of the time with Bush and playing low road politics as to stoop low enough to put Britney Spears, Hilton and Moses in a commercial. What he has become is a shame!

Michelle, PA   August 5th, 2008 11:46 am ET

If McCain is so independent, why did he vote according to the Bush Adinistration's wishes 95% of the time? McCain sold out to get his turn. He is not the man, the maverick or the leader he was eight years ago. He has become a bitter, angry, dirty old party hack with a personal ax to grind. Ugh!

OBAMA Supporter all the way   August 5th, 2008 11:46 am ET

Oh please… your McBush hiding behind whiter hair!!!!

sPoNgEbOb sQuArEpAnTs   August 5th, 2008 11:46 am ET

McCain Supporters,
He is not a maverick, but rather a flip-flopper.

Below are only a few position McSurge has changed positions on:

1. McCain opposed off-shore oil drilling; now he supports it

2. McCain strongly opposes a windfall-tax on oil company profits. Three weeks earlier, he was perfectly comfortable with the idea.

3. McCain thought Bush’s warrantless-wiretap program circumvented the law; now he believes the opposite.

4. McCain defended “privatizing” Social Security. Now he says he’s against privatization (though he actually still supports it.)

5. McCain wanted to change the Republican Party platform to protect abortion rights in cases of rape and incest. Now he doesn’t.

6. McCain thought the estate tax was perfectly fair. Now he believes the opposite.

7. McCain pledged in February 2008 that he would not, under any circumstances, raise taxes. Specifically, McCain was asked if he is a “‘read my lips’ candidate, no new taxes, no matter what?” referring to George H.W. Bush’s 1988 pledge. “No new taxes,” McCain responded. Two weeks later, McCain said, “I’m not making a ‘read my lips’ statement, in that I will not raise taxes.”

8. In 2002 McCain said, it is OK for Bush to detain suspected enemy combatants in Guantanamo bay, without bringing any charge against them. In now (2007) he is against it, and even wants to closedown Guantanamo bay.

9. In 2006, McCain said he was the “greatest critic” of Rumsfeld’s failed Iraq policy.
In December 2003, McCain praised the same strategy as “a mission accomplished.” In March 2004, he said, “I’m confident we’re on the right course.” In December 2005, he said, “Overall, I think a year from now, we will have made a fair amount of progress if we stay the course.”

10. We can’t have a time-time for Iraq, and It’s OK to stay in Iraq for 100 years;
……….. 4 months later McCain appear agrees to an18-month time-table for a withdrawal

McCain is no straight-talker….so…If you support McCain…. could you tell him to rename his bus/plane….. the FLIP-FLOP EXPRESS ?

By keeping “straight talk express” on his bus & plane, McCain is insulting the intelligence of every American. Even a dummy, can easily tell McCain is the king of Flip-Floppers

……..FLIP-FLOP EXPRESS …. This is a better description of McCain, isn’t it ?

CB FOR OB   August 5th, 2008 11:46 am ET

LOL!

jen   August 5th, 2008 11:46 am ET

and voted with Bush 95% of the time last year

Cara   August 5th, 2008 11:45 am ET

He is not a maverick… the media loves its own creations. 95% Republican does not equate to independence. Why are we consistently sold a bag of crap?

CW4Barack   August 5th, 2008 11:45 am ET

I hope he added that his promise to the people to run a respectful campaign is BROKEN! MCBUSH IS NO MAVERICK!

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