by Mark Silva
"I hate war,'' Sen. John McCain declares in a new campaign TV ad airing in select "battleground'' states in the presidential contest underway with Sen. Barack Obama.
Of course, this is the candidate who has said he would rather "lose an election than lose a war,'' and McCain's commitment to the war in Iraq will remain a pivotal point in his contest with Obama, who opposed the U.S.-led invasion before his election to the Senate.
So the senior senator from Arizona faces a balancing act: Maintaining his hard stance on a war that has become unpopular with a majority of Americans while softening the image that some may hold of him. As a way of connecting with veterans and non-combatants alike, perhaps, he retells his own personal war story, of his captivity by the North Vietnamese after his bomber was shot down over Hanoi, as a means of courting empathy for the man behind the name.
And McCain, who has not had to worry about competition within his own party for some time, is coming off a record fundraising month -- $21.5 million raised in May -- with $31.5 million in the bank at month's end. This feat has not gone unnoticed by the Obama campaign -- manager David Plouffe cited it in a new fundraising appeal for Obama.
So McCain has money to invest in TV at the start of the five-month face-off with Obama, who has not started airing general election campaign ads yet.
Call McCain's new ad: A hawk with a heart.
"Only a fool or a fraud talks tough or romantically about war,'' McCain says, looking into the camera in this stark new ad.
McCain, a son and grandson of admirals, says: "When I was five years old, my father left for war....My grandfather came home from war and died the next day. I was shot down over Vietnam and spent five years as a POW. Some of the friends I served with never came home.
"I hate war,'' he says, "And I know how terrible its costs are. I'm running for president to keep the country I love safe. I'm John McCain and I approve this message.''
The question is, will voters?
• 
• 
• 
• 
Comments
"Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb ,bomb, Iran."
Sound Familiar?
Enough said.
Posted by: Todd M | June 6, 2008 4:46 PM
Sure you do !! How much are you selling that snake-oil for, a stint in our White House ?!! No, thank you, Senator " Questionable Conduct " McCain, you can keep your snake-oil and try to do a better job of representing Arizona's voters, as their Senator !! Leave the Presidency to someone who doesn't have to re-make himself, into something he is not !! Leave the job for Senator Barack Obama !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | June 6, 2008 4:47 PM
...What a politically advantageous (he HOPES) time to say it...however, we'll form our OWN JUDGMENTS of how truthful it is!!!!
Posted by: Mary Dawson | June 6, 2008 4:54 PM
Talk is cheap. If he really hates war then he should not have been so eager to have jumped on Bush's rush to war in Iraq.
Posted by: John A | June 6, 2008 5:01 PM
Is there a special part missing from the Conservative brain which doesn't enable them to understand what irony is?
Also McCain:
I hate war...bomb bomb Iran.
I hate war. Really, nothing funny about it at all.
Bomb bomb bomb
bomb bomb bomb, Iraq....I mean Iran.
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2kyXN4ZVQg
Posted by: John E | June 6, 2008 5:21 PM
if talk is cheap why do so many of you listen to BHO - all he does is talk - he has been in the service or in his current job long enough to walk the walk -- interesting how people cast out at others when their own person is lacking any meat on his bones
Posted by: seattleguy | June 6, 2008 5:40 PM
Lifelong Republican John Weil, Former Staff Sgt, U.S. Air Force supports Obama!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvO1xELHp3k
Posted by: Eagle daxadooshu | June 6, 2008 5:54 PM
"MCCAIN SPEAKS"
I HAVE THE VETS TOO!
I HATE GI BILLS!
I HATE BODY ARMOUR FOR THE TROOPS!
I HATE "TIMETABLES"
I HATE "GENEVA CONVENTIONS"
I HATE PEOPLE WHO HATE "TORTURE"
I HATE THE VETS!
SO WHAT IF I HAVE A 20% RATING WITH THE VETS OF VIETNAM, OR THE VETS AGAINST THE IRAQ "OCCUPATION"
I'M THE GENERAL ON THE GROUND.
I'M THE "ADMIRAL ON THE GROUND"
I HATE MEN THAT DIDN'T SERVE, WITH EXCEPTION TO GEORGE, DICK, DAVID, FRED, KARL AND ANY OTHER "PAID LOBBYIST"
I HATE "DAVID MASON"
I HATE WAR!
I HATE WOMEN!
I HATE ALL WOMEN!
I'M A "PUNK" KID AND I WILL ALWAYS BE A "PUNK" KID!
I HATE QWEST COMMUNICATIONS!
BUT I LOVE "FEDERAL LAND" FEDERAL LAND I CAN SWAP FOR MONEY!
"ALL BETTS" ARE OFF!
THE "STAKES ARE HIGH"
SO WHAT IF I HAVE "SENIOR MOMENTS"
I HATE THE VETS!
I'M THE ONLY VIETNAM POW!
I'M THE ONLY VIETNAM POW THAT DRAWS A $58,000 100% VA DISABILITY!
MY 100 YEAR WAR IN IRAQ WILL END IN 2013!
I HATE THE VETS!
20% FAVARABLE RATING!
WHATEVER!
CINDY! CINDY! BRING ME A BEER! BRING ME THAT NIE REPORT! BRING ME THAT GAO REPORT!
JUST BRING ME A BEER!
Posted by: Roger Morris | June 6, 2008 5:57 PM
Watching McCain try to seperate himself from BushCo and all of BushCo's policies that he has wholeheartedly supported the last 7+ years is laughable:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOR73a_rc4I
Posted by: JedReport | June 6, 2008 6:04 PM
I have no doubt John McCain HATES WAR. Who doesn't?
What's next, "I love apple pie"?
The problem is that McCain - as the "bomb, bomb, Iran" gig indicates - underestimates the effects of war and overestimates its benefits.
Now, before some of you complain that "John McCain was a prisoner of war, etc.," read what I wrote.
Like Bush's "shock and awe" imagery, McCain's "bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" joke underestimates the destructiveness of those "bombs" on the innocent victims. Similary, he overestimates the power of bombs (war) to coerce people to change their point of view.
Bombs didn't change the hearts and minds in Viet Nam - and it wouldn't have if we had stayed through the Reagan and Bush administrations; and it won't happen in Iraq or Afghanistan, no matter how long we stay.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | June 6, 2008 6:21 PM
"Only a fool or a fraud talks tough or romantically about war,'' McCain says, looking into the camera in this stark new ad.
Yeah - Just like when Chimpy McFlightsuit told a contingent of our troops in Afghanistan that he "wished he could be there with them," and "it must be an amazing experience" to on the front lines fighting for freedom.
McCain's got that right: "only a fool or a fraud . . . "
Posted by: Buster | June 6, 2008 7:17 PM
Our next President will be elected based on the wave of enthusiasim
and "Hope"generated from their speeches.Speeches not necessarily
with any substance on issues facing all Americans. America is
infatuated with celebrities not substance. In this respect Obama
beats McCain hands down. He'll say basically nothing but the
eloquence and excitment of his delivery will invoke a Trinity like
response from his worshippers. He'll continue to attract legions of
screaming,clapping dancing,cheering worshippers hanging on to his
every word. He's capable of out drawing the greatest rock concerts
of the 70's and 80's.
As for McCain at the microphone, he's routinely capable of making
mud look exciting. He will of course speak to strengths such as
experience and actual accomplishments while serving in office.
Qualities that America's latest rock star can't come close to.
However, it may not make a difference in November.
This is America, we're into the American idolizing of talentless
celebrities on the way to rehab. Who needs substance? We're
obviously into substance abuse.
Yes We Can? Yes we will unless enough idolizing American
Obamuppets wake up in time during the Obama victory
tour to realize what this guy really represents. However I'll never
underestimate the power of stupid humans in transit. It's really sad
to realize that possibly the most critical Presidential election in our
country's history has come down to this.McCain's going to need more
than campaign adds.
Posted by: Steve Boston | June 6, 2008 8:17 PM
Did I just see and hear Johnny Mack call George II a fool and fraud? Remember it was Bush who, only a few months ago, said he envied the troops for the glorious time they are having fighting for liberty.
Maybe by the time November rolls around Americans will wake up to the fact that someone who spent almost all of his combat time in a POW camp cannot possibly be the expert in defending this country that he touts himself to be. He is going to milk his Viet Nam war credentials until we get sick of it. I'm not so sure McCain hates war, but the big time defense contractors sure do not hate war, and they're the ones who the Republicans sleep with.
Posted by: GW | June 6, 2008 9:06 PM
"I hate war,'' he says, "And I know how terrible its costs are. I'm running for president to keep the country I love safe. I'm John McCain and I approve this message.''
100 years I hate war. bomb, bomb, bomb...
With all due respect to your prior service, you, Sir, are an Idiot.
Posted by: Rick/Sneads Ferry, NC | June 6, 2008 9:43 PM
"I hate war,'' he says, "And I know how terrible its costs are. I'm running for president to keep the country I love safe. I'm John McCain and I approve this message.''
100 years I hate war. bomb, bomb, bomb...
With all due respect to your prior service, you, Sir, are an Idiot.
Posted by: Rick/Sneads Ferry, NC | June 6, 2008 9:43 PM
GW, you nailed it. Here is Pander Bear once again trying to alienate himself from his image as Bush III. This man will say literally anything his audience wants to hear. You want to know where John McBush stands on an issue?
Apply this test:
a) What day of the week is it?
b) Whom is the audience?
c) How much money do they have?
d) Did he take his meds?
Posted by: Bubba | June 7, 2008 12:08 AM
No solder loves or likes war. But when the call comes they do what they are trained to do.
McCain will keep the country safe, and if ones has to BOMB, AND BOMB again to keep us safe. I AM ALL FOR THAT, because if you can't give the order to BOMB, then you can;t keep the country safe.
VJ MACHIAVELLI
Posted by: VJ Machiavelli | June 7, 2008 2:06 AM
McBush wants us to stay in Iraq for a century.
McBush decided that waterboarding isn't torture after he decided that it is.
McBush doesn't respect or support our veterans. He refused to support the 21st Century G.I. Bill.
McBush favors tax cuts just for the rich.
McBush is against the farm bill that will help farmers comply with state and federal environmental laws, boost federal research on the fruits and vegetables the region relies on, open new markets for the region's products, and increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in school lunches.
McBush is against expanding the
children's health insurance program.
McBush is against an assault rifle ban.
McBush is against the federal government helping people who lost homes in the subprime mortgage debacle. But he's in favor of the Federal Reserve lending $30 billion to salvage Bear Stearns.
McBush favors the repeal of Roe v. Wade.
McBush thought Iran was training Al Qaeda in Iraq when, in fact, Iran is a Shi'ite country but Al Qaeda is Sunni.
McBush isn't opposed to teaching "intelligent design."
McBush took months to "unaccept" the endorsements of John Hagee and Rod Parsley.
McBush chairs the Senate committee that oversees the telecommunications industry, while his lead strategist, Charlie Black, has admitted to lobbying on his cellphone for his telecommunications clients while riding the so-called Straight Talk Express bus.
McBush is having money raised for him by lobbyists.
Say no to McBush!
Posted by: Walter | June 7, 2008 2:12 AM
Obama said bomb bomb paksitan. That was his policy not a joke to a fellow veteran. Pakistan was engraged.
McCain went after Obama for that. McCain voted against keeping our troops in Lebanon. Obama isn't qualified to run for president.
Posted by: Jason | June 7, 2008 2:24 AM
Jason,
What you posted isn't true. Obama said he'd go after al-Queda in Pakistan if we had actionable (timely) intelligence of their location and the Pakistani government wouldn't/coulndn't do it themselves. Which is exactly the right thing to do.
Posted by: Doug Zook | June 7, 2008 8:10 AM
He hates war, but says America will stay in Iraq a hundred years if needed?
He hates war, but makes jokes about bombing Iran?
McCain has a genuinely split personality, an unsound one, a dangerous one.
I guess his infamous fury of a temper is a reflection of this.
Posted by: John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada | June 7, 2008 9:02 AM
If I thought he was going to be able to break free of the Bush people that are in there now, I would really consider voting for the guy.
Posted by: Viejita del oeste | June 7, 2008 1:32 PM
Derangement syndrome setting in over here. The attitude over here appears to be splitting behavior- Obama savior, McCain devil.
Obama's gaffes are rationalized, McCain's (Bomb Iran was a gaffe, definitely, in my view) hammered.
McCain used to be the republican democrats liked, remember? He doesn't deserve this level of hatred.
Obama is a good candidate and deserves respect and reasoned debate over his positions. The same should be afforded McCain.
Posted by: Wade | June 7, 2008 1:48 PM
Here is a link to Roosevelt's "I Hate War" speech from 1936 -- someone who really meant it. John McCain should read it and take it to heart. But even then I wouldn't believe him.
http://www.sagehistory.net/worldwar2/docs/FDRChautauqua.html
Posted by: Amalthea | June 18, 2008 2:43 PM
I am constantly amazed at the number of people who care more about other countries than our own and forget that the people fighting the war are there by choice. John McCain said he hates war but is willing to do whatever it takes to protect this country that he loves - sometimes you have to do what's most difficult to achieve peace and protection.
Posted by: Marynn | June 18, 2008 5:07 PM
My disgust at McCain's record against women and my fear that he will get elected, resulted in me creating these sites to better document facts and help spread the word.
www.McCainHatesWomen.com
www.McCainNotFit.com
Posted by: ElizabethR | August 23, 2008 2:44 AM
My disgust at McCain's record against women and my fear that he will get elected, resulted in me creating these sites to better document facts and help spread the word.
www.McCainHatesWomen.com
www.McCainNotFit.com
Posted by: ElizabethR | August 23, 2008 2:44 AM