Sen. John McCain’s newest campaign ad debutedon YouTube this morning. According to the campaign, "this is the first ad in a major new ad campaign targeting battleground states." The 30-second TV spot, titled "Safe," is just that. It discusses the horrors of war, without mentioning Iraq, the 800-lb gorilla in the room. In the ad, McCain recounts the history of his family’s military service and highlights the most well-known item on his resume: he served in Vietnam and spent more than five years there as a prisoner of war. Here is the script:
“„Only a fool or a fraud talks tough or romantically about war.
“„When I was five years old, my father left for war.
“„My grandfather came home from war and died the next day.
“„I was shot down over Vietnam and spent five years as a POW. Some of the friends I served with never came home.
“„And I know how terrible its costs are.
“„I’m running for president to keep the country I love safe.
“„I’m John McCain and I approve this message.
Production notes: McCain is moodily side-lit from the right and appears to be wearing a black suit against a solid black background. You only see half his face, everything else is bathed in shadow — which makes you feel as if you are watching a floating, disembodied head. This could be to to take focus away from the left side of his face, which is scarred from a bout with melanoma. Still, it’s a little eerie.
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