As we close out this very long campaign season John McCain offers what might be one of his best ads yet:

Years of dedicated service to country versus an opponent who has not been seriously challenged or questioned during his legislative career or throughout this campaign.

For me it’s a no-brainer.

I did not watch Barack Obama deliver his infomercial last evening. Frankly, I wanted to enjoy the World Series and not begin it with my head ready to explode from listening to more campaign speak.

What tickled me though was to see the reaction of this AP writer in critiquing the Senator’s words:

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was less than upfront in his half-hour commercial Wednesday night about the costs of his programs and the crushing budget pressures he would face in office.

Obama’s assertion that “I’ve offered spending cuts above and beyond” the expense of his promises is accepted only by his partisans. His vow to save money by “eliminating programs that don’t work” masks his failure throughout the campaign to specify what those programs are - beyond the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

This writer must not have received the memo..don’t criticize “The One.” Here’s a sample of the fiction v.fact for those who chose to partake:

THE SPIN: “That’s why my health care plan includes improving information technology, requires coverage for preventive care and pre-existing conditions and lowers health care costs for the typical family by $2,500 a year.”

THE FACTS: His plan does not lower premiums by $2,500, or any set amount. Obama hopes that by spending $50 billion over five years on electronic medical records and by improving access to proven disease management programs, among other steps, consumers will end up saving money. He uses an optimistic analysis to suggest cost reductions in national health care spending could amount to the equivalent of $2,500 for a family of four. Many economists are skeptical those savings can be achieved, but even if they are, it’s not a certainty that every dollar would be passed on to consumers in the form of lower premiums.

—

THE SPIN: “I’ve offered spending cuts above and beyond their cost.”

THE FACTS: Independent analysts say both Obama and Republican John McCain would deepen the deficit. The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates Obama’s policy proposals would add a net $428 billion to the deficit over four years - and that analysis accepts the savings he claims from spending cuts. The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, whose other findings have been quoted approvingly by the Obama campaign, says: “Both John McCain and Barack Obama have proposed tax plans that would substantially increase the national debt over the next 10 years.” The analysis goes on to say: “Neither candidate’s plan would significantly increase economic growth unless offset by spending cuts or tax increases that the campaigns have not specified.”

There are more examples at the link and it is well worth a read especially if you are one of those still undecided voters.

If you are still on the fence, perhaps you also might take a look at this:

Obama’s socialistic views about sharing our hard earned money with others who did not work so hard to earn their money or who throw their money away on drugs or something is bad enough. Scary for sure. But if you want to be terrified think of an Obama administration which uses the NSA to listen in on calls AND has a Homeland Security Army to impose its will:

“Loving your country shouldn’t just mean watching fireworks on the 4th of July,” he said. “Loving your country must mean accepting your responsibility to do your part to change it.

As we say here in the Strata-Sphere, McCain wants to change DC, Obama wants to change America. But how?

“We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we’ve set,” he said Wednesday. “We’ve got to have a civilian national security force that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded.“

This man want to “change” our country. He wants “your help”..what exactly that means at this juncture is not crystal clear but when he speaks of a National Security Force..well I think it becomes a bit less foggy. Afghanistan has National Security forces, Iraq has National Security Forces. They are the equivalent of their military, but wait…we have a United States military so are we to have this force he advocates replace other law enforcement branches (police etc.)?

Folks, this might be the most radical candidate (wrapped in a cool, smiling package) we have ever had for President of the United States. If elected, Obama might change the face of this country as we know it in ways which will be difficult if not impossible to reverse.

For more reaction to what is the “doom and gloom” of this great country of ours, see here.

“We resent it when liberals like Obama question our way of life.” So says Hanks Williams Jr. in this McCain/Palin radio campaign ad:

Note: Reines and the Obama campaign claim he is not a part of the Obama campaign.

Don’t forget Obama’s running mate Joe Biden is on the influential banking committee (chairman) and until he was picked as the VP running mate his son was a lobbyist for the banking industry. Cozy.

Consider this when you vote.

Read what the Boston Globe had to say about McCain’s non-ability to do certain things, among them use a keyboard:

McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain’s severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain’s encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He’s an avid fan - Ted Williams is his hero - but he can’t raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball.

After Vietnam, McCain had Ann Lawrence, a physical therapist, help him regain flexibility in his leg, which had been frozen in an extended position by a shattered knee. It was the only way he could hope to resume his career as a Navy flier, but Lawrence said the treatment, taken twice a week for six months, was excruciatingly painful.

”He endured it, he wouldn’t settle for less,” said Lawrence, who rejoiced with McCain when he passed the Navy physical. ”I have never seen such toughness and resolve.”

He still manages to communicate.

Joe Biden has said and written much which may come back to haunt the Obama campaign and it did not take long for the McCain folks to pounce:

HT:RedState

Will this campaign ad play with the electorate?

How about with the hard core Republicans who are still far from sold on John McCain?

The point is easy to understand. John McCain has friends on the opposite side of the aisle.

That is important, however, there may be those who have never voted anything other than Republican for whom this might be a reminder of those things which rub them the wrong way with the Senator.

Any thoughts?

This parody of Jimmy Dean’s Big John was produced by the “Texans for John Cornyn”. touting the Senator’s campaign for re-election: HT:Hot Air

Rather enjoyable as campaign ads go I suppose, but even better is this video which is a tribute to a true “Big John.”

The following are the most recent national campaign ads the two presumptive presidential nominees have approved for distribution.

First, John McCain’s ad which began airing this past week:

Now Senator Obama’s ad which will begin airing on Friday:

Now, if you knew absolutely nothing about these two individuals would either of these ads sell you on their capacity to hold the Office of the Presidency?

While the current President may not be popular according to the polls, he does have those who have remained loyal to him. Is it in John McCain’s favor to continue to remind those in that category that he bucked President Bush so often in his 8 years in office?

It is fine that the Senator stood on principle and held to his beliefs, however, his attempt to convince voters that he was far brighter than a sitting president is presumptuous to say the least.

This particular ad offers no solutions and does not introduce the candidate in a way which, at least in my opinion, would convince those on the fence that he is the best man for the job.

On the other hand, the ad produced by the Obama campaign puts him right in your living room. Putting all the politics aside, it leaves you with a knowledge of the mans life.

Many could probably relate to the short story he tells. Working class parents, financing their own way through college and strong family values.

Again, if you knew nothing of what has transpired in the lives or politics of either man, which would you choose just based on these ads?

Just one opinion and a little advice (while I appreciate it makes absolutely no difference what I think) for John McCain.

We all know of your military service and sacrifice and it is admired.

You have made it clear more than once that you think you have had many ideas which you felt were superior to that of President Bush and your GOP colleagues in the Senate.

But, and this is a big but, you still have not found a way to “connect” with a vast majority of voters. You have not yet managed to get into our living rooms. Don’t address us as your “friend” but rather as citizens who deeply cares about this election.

As for Senator Obama, he has had the fortune of the press giving his candidacy a great tailwind but I believe there is something larger than that afoot.

People seem to have grown very weary of the old school politicians, those who have been in power and in so many eyes have in one way or another failed the general public.

Many in the electorate seem delighted with the new voice, new face, new rhetoric. Few are reading between the lines yet many understand that in campaigns much is said which will never again come to the surface when a nominee sits in the big chair.

We still have a way to go and maybe the debates will offer a better understanding of each of these men.

At least I hope so.