Digby shows the similarity of the ads. They come from the same template, and no doubt focus-group much the same way.
McCain is running a campaign in which the economy is against him, the Republicans are on the wrong side of almost every important policy issue, and both the Republican brand and current Republican President are in the pits in terms of public approval. On top of that, McCain's not the most charismatic candidate, either.
McCain clearly has no choice except to run an extensive nasty attack campaign during this period before the conventions.
If McCain can get people to look at Obama with suspicion now, before most voters are familiar with him, then maybe he can get them to "vote their gut" rather than their needs. [translation - vote their fears instead of their rational needs.] If, by doing this, McCain can get enough votes to bring the vote close, then the Republican efforts at Voter suppression and vote theft might shift the election in his favor.
To accomplish that, McCain has had to abandon all pretense of running an "Honorable" campaign. So much for the "straight shooter."
Addendum 12:25 pm CDT
Here is the TPM Veracifier from UTube that presents yesterday's Sunday political show discussion of the Hilton/Spears ad and how the McCain camp is using it.
It's a very sophisticated ad. The people who are afraid of an "uppity" Black running for President know exactly what is being said, while the McCain people and Lieberman can stand there and say with a straight face "What? McCain doesn't have a racist bone in his body!"
Which is perfectly reasonable to say. McCain doesn't have to be racist to speak to racist voters and say - in effect - "Vote for me and you won't get that scary Black Man as President." McCain may not be racist himself, but he for damned sure is courting racist voters.
So much for McCain's reputation as a Straight shooter and a maverick Republican. He's just like the rest of them. He'll do or say anything to get power.
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