At about 3 a.m. EST, Barack Obama’s running mate was announced via text message to those who had signed up for an alert via Obama’s Web site. Obama has chosen Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del) as his vice-presidential running mate.
In response, John McCain ran the above ad. It can be found on his Web site and via YouTube. The spot highlights the comments by Biden on both Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain.
On Obama, Biden is quoted during a debate after being asked “is Obama ready (to be president).” Biden’s response: “I think he can be ready but the presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job-training.” During the debate during which that remark was brought up, he said, “I think that I stand by that statement.”
The spot then switches to a remark on McCain by the Delaware senator. “I would be honored to run either with or against John McCain because I think the country would be better off.”
More after the jump.
Commentary on NPR’s Morning Edition today by those close to the presidential campaigns indicated that we can expect to hear more attack ads of this nature by the McCain camp. It turns out that Biden has a habit of making inflammatory statements, and provided more than enough ammunition for more spots like this during his short run for the presidency.
However, it was noted that Obama doesn’t seem to be concerned about Biden’s lack of verbal “control.” The choice he made is “pragmatic” and is aimed to align his campaign with teetering voters who see Obama’s lack of international experience as a sign of immaturity (as it pertains to the presidency). Play that note against the comments in Biden’s video, and you have to wonder if he truly thinks Obama can win.