Obama Hits Back

Three attack ads, all running locally and somewhat below the radar, consistent with a story in yesterday's New York Times.

Senator Barack Obama has started a sustained and hard-hitting advertising campaign against Senator John McCain in states that will be vital this fall, painting Mr. McCain in a series of commercials as disconnected from the economic struggles of the middle class.

Mr. Obama has begun the drive with little fanfare, often eschewing the modern campaign technique of unveiling new spots for the news media before they run in an effort to win added (free) attention. Mr. Obama, whose candidacy has been built in part on a promise to transcend traditional politics, is running the negative commercials on local stations even as he runs generally positive spots nationally, during prime-time coverage of the Olympics.

The negative spots reflect the sharper tone Mr. Obama has struck in recent days on the stump as he heads into his party’s nominating convention in Denver next week, and seem to address the anxiety among some Democrats that Mr. Obama has not answered a volley of attacks by Mr. McCain with enough force.

(via Ben Smith)

This ad is running in Nevada only, and hits McCain on nuclear waste.



This ad is running in the midwest and hits McCain on the economy.



This ad is running in Atlanta only, which shows that the Obama campaign hasn't written off Georgia just yet!