Ad Roundup: Barack Obama and John McCain's Ads Continue to Focus on Economy

Barack Obama: “No Hay Mayor Obligación,” “Crisis Económica”
Barack Obama targets Latino voters in two new Spanish-language ads: a radio ad called "No Hay Mayor Obligación" ("There Is No Greater Obligation") and a TV ad called "Crisis Económica" ("Economic Crisis"). Both of the ads highlight John McCain's comment that "the fundamentals of our economy are strong." "Crisis Económica" claims that "McCain and the Republicans have no clue about the struggles of the middle class and working people," and "No Hay Mayor Obligación" claims that "McCain and the Republicans don't want to bother themselves with the prosperity of our families. But for us, there's no greater obligation." Former U.S. treasurer Rosario Marin responded on McCain's behalf with a statement, saying that "Barack Obama has once again lied and distorted John McCain's record on the economy...the only thing Barack Obama can offer to Hispanics is total lack of leadership."

Freedom’s Defense Fund Ad Features Reverend Wright
This ad, launched by right-wing political action committee Freedom's Defense Fund (the second in a series of three so far that attack Barack Obama), features Obama's former pastor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. The ad shows a clip of a controversial sermon and ends with text that reads, "You should know who Barack Obama's friends are." The ad has drawn scrutiny because one of Freedom's Defense Fund's paid consultants is Jerome S. Corsi, the author of the controversial and largely discredited biography of Obama, Obama Nation. The New York Times also reported on the racial overtones of the group's ad campaign, being run solely in the predominantly white Macomb County in Michigan. Executive Director of the Freedom's Defense Fund Todd Zirkle said of the Wright ad in a press release, "Barack Obama's spiritual adviser for more than two decades is America's sharpest critic . . . we think it underscores Obama's vulnerability (his judgment) in the general election." In March, Obama wrote about Wright in the Huffington Post, "I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country . . . I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue."