Obama TV ad on gas prices: You need a president who tells you the truth

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Democrat Barack Obama took a hit yesterday when rival Hillary Rodham Clinton put up an Indiana TV ad highlighting his opposition to a summer-long suspension of the gas tax. Today he fought back with an ad that says the suspension would save consumers maybe $25 and wouldn't bring down prices.

To really fix the problem, Obama says in his 60-second spot, the government needs to investigate price-gouging, raise fuel efficiency standards and invest in alternative fuels. "That’s what you need from a president, someone who’s going to tell you the truth," he says.

Clinton and presumptive Republican nominee John McCain support the gas tax holiday and accuse Obama of being insensitive to drivers. This week the Obama campaign has been circulating critiques from economists, editorial writers and other analysts -- including Obama backer and former Clinton transportation secretary Federico Pena -- who say the proposal is pandering that could do more harm than good. The latest is this, a Huffington Post writer's futile search for a supportive expert.

The new Obama ad, "Truth," is running in Indiana and North Carolina, which vote Tuesday. Here it is:"

(video at link)

http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2008/04/obama-tv-ad-on.html

[futureliveshere]

1. Its a great ad. Short, sweet and devastatingly effective.

[helderheid]

2. His new TV ad on this is terrific!

[leftofcool]

3. So, what is Obama's plan for an immediate fix?

[onenote]

13. There is no "quick fix". He knows it.

So does Hillary, which is why, for all her big talk, she hasn't even bothered to introduce legislation to implement her proposal.

[Neshanic]

18. How Carteresque. Good times. Nothing now. Stay tuned.

[onenote]

20. Hillary's proposal is by definition "nothing now"

First, and most obviously, its nothing now because she hasn't even bothered to actually introduce a bill to achieve her stated end. Can't make something happen by doing nothing.

Second, as every economist who has commented on the matter has pointed out, gas tax relief will effectively reduce the price of gas, increasing demand, driving up the price. So the "relief" is actually simply a fiction. The difference is that instead of the money going into a government account designated for highway/infrastructure upkeep, it will go into the hands of Exxon and friends.

That may float your boat, but most people get it.

[NeedleCast]

21. There is no Immeidate Fix

Despite what the two GOP candidates are suggesting.

[Occam Bandage]

25. No such thing as a quick fix for oil prices. Saying there is is just pandering.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

32. Immediate fix? There is none.

Unless you really mean Immediate Primary Pandering Ploy. At least be honest about what your candidate is doing.

[olkaz]

4. Boom. This is the right response.

This was a tactical error by the Hillary camp, and Obama will make hay on it.

I hope this ad is getting a lot of airplay.

[writes3000]

5. I love this ad. Gives me chills. n/t

[Califooyah Operative]

34. I love this ad too! nt

[Armstead]

6. Good ad....I hope it resonates

[Nedsdag]

7. Ka-CHING!!!!!

[TragedyandHope]

8. Our donations at work!

:kick:

[chill_wind]

9. So someone let us know if MSNBC gives this one any play today. They were wetting their pants

all day yesterday over how strategically smart Clinton's was. And I mean all day.


K&R

[dkf]

10. Wow. This is his best ad yet.

[book_worm]

11. voters are smarter than the McCain/Clinton ticket think

they want their pandering gas tax holiday which will give very little in short term savings but much in long term damage. Obama is showing why he is a leader.

[chill_wind]

12. And he should create another one that really gets STRAIGHT to the point--

John McCain and Hillary Clinton want to buy your vote for just thirty dollars.

[EnviroBat]

16. I like that! You nailed it!

These dirty scumbags think we're really stupid, and we'd vote for them for a fill-up.

[chill_wind]

24. The short sweet truth.

The shorter the better. Time to run right over that little straight-talk shuttle bus with a Sherman tank right now.

[w13rd0]

14. Some people might be wising up...

...hopefully, to the fact that a series of "quick fixes" just isn't doing the trick, and may actually be counterproductive. There's incrementalism and pragmatism, then there's the cynical trickery of a "tax rebate" (see the economy is great, go spend that money!) or a "gas tax holiday". Ideas that might get one to their next re-election, but no further. After all, if they started actually FIXING things, they might be expected to do something else.

[C_U_L8R]

15. Yes indeed, we need a President who tells the truth

(and that sure isn't Hillary)

[JimGinPA]

17. His Media People Are Great...

Using his words from a stump speech with all those people nodding in agreement is brilliant.

K&R

[TeamJordan23]

19. One of his best ads. nm

[Scriptor Ignotus]

22. this is why i love him

speaks the truth and undercuts his opposition's argument. beautiful.

[grantcart]

23. These guys are good thanks scurrilous

[azmouse]

26. Amen!

[DemGa]

27. So is Obama calling Clinton a liar again?

He's getting more brazen -- clearly desperation.

[DerekJ]

28. What a ridiculous sophomoric post. All economists said it's a bullshit plan. He didn't even mention

her name.

[DemGa]

30. Context, always consider context

The ad is a response to Clinton's ad - Obama makes the clear inference to an issue of honesty. This should be obvious to most who've watched the Obama campaign's slick assaults on Clinton's character.

These omissions make it clear: it is your post that is in fact "ridiculous" and "sophomoric."

[DerekJ]

33. What context!! Calling her on her stupid plan=Calling her a liar?!! In what downwards sideways world

is that true?!!

Your post is completely moronic.
Unfuckingbelievable.

[cindyw]

29. wow, really great ad. I like how they show the people's reactions to 1/2 tank gas.

[MattNC]

31. that's a great ad

and i'm an obama supporter who's been critical of some his latest ones.