Vote Obama

In politics, it is an accepted fact that the candidates will stretch the truth at times, to better communicate their message or latch on to a verbal gaffe that the opponent has made. However, in this election, the boundaries of the stretching has been pushed to new levels by the McCain camp, to a point where the media and independent non-partisan outlets are calling these ads and talking points for what they are: LIES.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK3Y1KPzW9k

Although some people may say that all politicians break their promises, I would counter that to say there is a difference between being ambitious and promising things on the campaign trail that the candidate will try to fulfill in an ideal situation, and blatantly lying about your opponent and what he stands for, as well as making up accolades and achievements of what you and your ticket has done. This is the contrast between the messaging of Barack Obama and John McCain. While John McCain’s team is putting out ads that are making false claims about Obama’s record such as: voting to teach kids sex in kindergarten, calling Sarah Palin a pig, raising the taxes on the middle class - all of these lies have been debunked by independent non-partisan outlets - Barack Obama hits back with telling people the truth about McCain and his own voting record and policies. Here’s a list of recent ads from the Obama camp:

- McCain and His ties with Lobbyists:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjS5sjxTnwo

- McCain against Equal Pay for Equal Work for Women:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xIZtXq7JiE

- McCain’s Failed Grasp of the Economy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6reQLzgywzk

- McCain on Social Security:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czo0w3Xs3NM

- McCain on Health Care:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWX6d7r-bpk

- McCain’s and Palin’s False Accolades:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBtbG5xjFBY&NR=1

As if that is not enough, other independent groups that represents people who’s interests will be trampled on by the McCain-Palin ticket have released their own searing ads on the ticket’s stances on various issues:

- McCain and his anti-choice stance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9JHNIdZOYQ

- McCain and his ties to Oil Lobbyists:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPuoAWaVStE

- McCain and Sexual Predators:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0kiLoMY1hg

- Palin on Aerial Wolf Hunting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQobIUE1zTU

Now there is no argument that these ads are a part of negative campaigning. Anytime you take down your opponent as opposed to promote your own policies or candidate is considered negative campaigning. However, to say that an election can be won without any negative campaigning would be naive. The main difference here, is that the McCain camp tries to put out ads and talking points that do not reflect their opponent’s views and also misrepresents their own to such an extreme level that it is called lying. And what’s the best way to call that out? To tell the truth. And because the truth can sometimes be so damning, it’s the best type of negative campaigning that you can do.

Take this ad that concisely sums up McCain’s contribution to the last 8 years of failed policies and decisions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJThPjvscFs

There is no better surrogate to remind people of John McCain’s history and policies, than John McCain himself. Sorry John McCain, but the truth does hurt, especially when it’s coming from your own mouth.