New Ad on John McCain: Better Off?

The Democratic National Committee today announced it will air its first television advertisement of the 2008 Presidential Election season.  Entitled, "Better Off?", the ad will begin airing on cable networks nationally on Tuesday, April 22nd.  While John McCain and the Republican Party hope voters will forget their fiscal mismanagement of the last seven years, the Democratic National Committee ad gives voters the chance to hear John McCain in his own words. 

The ad features John McCain explaining to the American people that despite the stark reality to the contrary, he thinks we "overall are better off" than we were eight years ago.  The ad closes with the question all Americans must ask themselves as they chose our next president: "Do you feel better off?" 

Just last week John McCain continued his reinvention tour with an economic speech that made one thing clear: under a McCain Administration the disastrous policies of the Bush Administration are here to stay.  Despite yet another poll released this week indicating that a majority of Americans think their economic situation has not improved in the last five years, Senator McCain again declared that, "you could make an argument that there's been great progress economically". [Bloomberg Money & Politics, April 17, 2008] [Pew Research Center survey, released 4/9/08]

In addition to airing on national cable, the ad will be used at organizing events across the country as the Democratic National Committee launches its field effort and rolls out its new Neighborhood Volunteer organizing tool.

"While John McCain is out trying to reintroduce himself to the American people, we want to make sure voters have all the facts, so that they have the chance to know the real John McCain," said Demcoratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. "As we elect our nation's next leader it's important that we choose someone who understands the struggles that so many families are facing as they try to make ends meet. 

"By trying to convince people that they are better off, John McCain is ignoring the reality that families are facing as they try to keep their homes, put food on the table, and find a good job.  His answer to their concerns is more of the same deficit spending and billionaire tax giveaways.  This is just one of the many reasons we are confident that as Americans ask themselves if they are better off they will recognize that John McCain is the wrong choice for America's future."

Script of DNC Ad: "Better Off?"

Video	Audio
Anderson Cooper voice over black screen:   McCain video Dip to black - card comes up with economic facts: McCain video Dip to black CG: Unemployment Up McCain video Dip to black CG: Highest Inflation in 17 years McCain video Dip to black CG: 1.8 million jobs lost Gas Prices Up 200 Percent McCain video CG: Do you feel better off? CG: Is John McCain the Right Choice for America's Future? Disclaimer	Senator McCain… Are Americans better off than they were 8 years ago? I think you could argue that Americans overall are better off - because we have had a pretty good prosperous time…     With low unemployment…     Low inflation... A lot of good things have happened. A lot of jobs have been created…     I think we are better off overall… Do you feel better off? Disclaimer

Anderson Cooper Voiceover: "Senator McCain, are Americans better off than they were 8 years ago?" [CNN Republican Primary Debate, 1/30/2008]

John McCain: "I think you could argue that Americans overall are better off - because we have had a pretty good prosperous time…" [CNN Republican Primary Debate, 1/30/2008]

CG: "Household Income Down $1,000"
Median Household Income:

2000: $49,192
2006: $48,023

[Joint Economic Committee Fact Sheet , 8/29/2007]

McCain: "With low unemployment…"

CG: "Unemployment Up"
Unemployment Rate

January 2001: 4.2 percent
March 2008: 5.1 percent

[Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Employment Situation, March 2008]
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

McCain: "Low inflation..."

CG: "Highest Inflation in 17 Years"

Annual Inflation Rate
1990 6.1
1991 3.1
1992 2.9
1993 2.7
1994 2.7
1995 2.5
1996 3.3
1997 1.7
1998 1.6
1999 2.7
2000 3.4
2001 1.6
2002 2.4
2003 1.9
2004 3.3
2005 3.4
2006 2.5
2007 4.1
[Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U Historical Data, http://www.bls.gov/cpi/home.htm ]

McCain: "A lot of good things have happened."

CG: "Gas Prices Up 200%"
Retail Price Per Gallon:

Jan 1, 2001: 141.6
Apr 14, 2008 339.7

[Weekly U.S. Retail Gasoline Prices , Energy Information Administration]

McCain: "A lot of jobs have been created…"

CG: "1.8 Million Jobs Lost"

January 2001: 6.0 million unemployed
March 2008: 7.8 million unemployed

[Bureau of Labor Statistics The Employment Situation, March 2008]
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

McCain: "I think we are better off overall."

Voiceover: "Do you feel better off?"

Voiceover: "The Democratic National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising."