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

Brave New Pac, Democracy for America: “McCain’s Health Records”
Two left-wing groups have released this ad that questions McCain's refusal to release his medical records. The ad begins with text that reads, "John McCain is 72 years old and has had cancer 4 times." The ad then shows clips of doctors weighing in on the diagnosis of melanoma patients and images of McCain's scars. One doctor says, "Another bout of cancer for John McCain while he is president of the United States would profoundly impact his capacity to lead." The ad concludes by asking, "Why won't John McCain release his medical records?" According to National Journal, the two groups have also circulated a letter signed by 2,300 doctors that urges McCain to offer "full, public disclosure of all his medical records." The New York Times quotes Republican National Committee spokesman Danny Diaz, who calls the ad "cheap and despicable."

Barack Obama: “A Stronger Economy”
In this 60-second ad, Barack Obama speaks directly to voters and outlines his plan for getting the economy back on track if he is elected president. He says he will "end the Wall Street free-for-all with common-sense safeguards that put homeowners and struggling families first, not corporate greed and CEO bonuses. Jump-start our economy with a middle- class tax cut . . . get serious about energy independence. A 10-year mission to create millions of good paying jobs." Both McCain and Obama have struggled to emerge as leaders in the wake of the financial crisis, but recent polls have given Obama the edge in terms of who voters think will improve the economy.