ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain plans to air television commercials in Minnesota, at least during the Republican National Convention here, establishing a strong presence in a state that has not been a focus of his ad campaign.
A new ad, criticizing Democratic nominee Barack Obama as little more than a popular speaker, will begin airing Monday in the state and will also appear on national cable and in the 11 states where he has maintained an advertising presence.
The new ad and the expansion into Minnesota were confirmed by two operatives, one Republican and the other a Democrat, who are familiar with the ad purchase. The commercial is financed by McCain and the Republican National Committee.
It features Obama during last month's address before a massive crowd in Berlin. The ad states that without the crowds and without his words, "there's nothing left." The ad also shows images of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and states: "Ready to tax, ready to spend, not ready to lead."
In addition to Minnesota, the ad is scheduled to air on national cable and in Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The ad, called "Costly Words," represents a continuing Republican attack against Obama — that voters should not be swayed by his soaring rhetoric and the adulation he receives.
Until now, neither Obama nor McCain has aired general election ads in Minnesota, though voters here have seen them on national cable.
The state represents an opportunity for McCain. The party convention is being held here, and its governor, Tim Pawlenty, is a Republican who had been mentioned as a potential running mate for McCain. Of course, McCain did not choose him, selecting instead Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. In the last two presidential elections, Democrats Al Gore and John Kerry won in the state but by less than 4 percentage points. | |