Both candidates for the 2008 Presidential election released their new campaign ads today, fueling speculation that the upcoming campaign is starting to take on slightly negative overtones. Though spokespersons from both campaigns disagreed, critics say the candidates are beginning to drift from their original promises to run a positive race and keep the focus solely on their personal platforms.
For instance, the latest Obama ad depicts Republican Nominee John McCain strangling an infant. The caption reads: "Our children's future is at stake, are you willing to trust it to a BABY KILLER?" According to an Obama campaign spokeswoman, the ad is a reference to McCain's stint in the Viet Nam war, in which he was responsible for bombing villages, some containing North Vietnamese families.
"We're just pointing out the facts," said Anita Brane, Campaign Co-chair. "Senator McCain touts his record as a Viet Nam vet but never mentions that the bombs he dropped caused people to be burned to death."
The McCain camp has countered with an ad depicting Senator Barack Obama as a devil. The caption reads, "It's November 5 and Barack Obama has just been elected president. Welcome to Hell!!!!!!"
McCain campaign staffers deny that the ad is negative. Instead, they point out that it simply reminds voters that Obama is the anti-Christ.
"There's nothing negative about being Satan. Just ask all of his worshippers," said Dee Nile, McCain party spokeswoman. "We just think it's important for voters to know that Senator Obama is evil incarnate, that's all."
Critics point out that both ads put too much emphasis on the candidate's opponent, a sign that the campaign may be heading in a slightly negative direction.
"Unfortunately, instead of talking about themselves, the candidates are talking only about their opponents. This is a disturbing trend," said Heja Wyjablome, a media critic. "For instance, instead of calling John McCain a baby killer, Obama should have a picture of himself kissing a baby. The caption could read, 'I love children, but John McCain wants to burn your kids to death like he did in Viet Nam.'"
Wyjablome had a similar suggestion for the McCain campaign.
"He could have a picture of himself up in heaven, with a halo over his head. The caption could read, 'Barack Obama may be a forked tongued demon from Hades, but I'm a saint. So I'm not sweating it up here in paradise.'"
Obama staffers are quick to point out that the baby strangling ad was the result of a compromise between bickering advertising agencies.
"One agency wanted to show McCain exterminating all the Jews but we thought that might be a little misleading," said Brane.
Nile said the McCain camp faced a similar dilemma.
"Originally, we had Obama flying the second plane that struck the World Trade Center, and then jumping out with a parachute right before the impact. Some staffers thought that was a bit much. Hey, we all know Obama was responsible for 9-11, but there just wasn't enough proof to show that he was flying that particular aircraft."
For instance, the latest Obama ad depicts Republican Nominee John McCain strangling an infant. The caption reads: "Our children's future is at stake, are you willing to trust it to a BABY KILLER?" According to an Obama campaign spokeswoman, the ad is a reference to McCain's stint in the Viet Nam war, in which he was responsible for bombing villages, some containing North Vietnamese families.
"We're just pointing out the facts," said Anita Brane, Campaign Co-chair. "Senator McCain touts his record as a Viet Nam vet but never mentions that the bombs he dropped caused people to be burned to death."
The McCain camp has countered with an ad depicting Senator Barack Obama as a devil. The caption reads, "It's November 5 and Barack Obama has just been elected president. Welcome to Hell!!!!!!"
McCain campaign staffers deny that the ad is negative. Instead, they point out that it simply reminds voters that Obama is the anti-Christ.
"There's nothing negative about being Satan. Just ask all of his worshippers," said Dee Nile, McCain party spokeswoman. "We just think it's important for voters to know that Senator Obama is evil incarnate, that's all."
Critics point out that both ads put too much emphasis on the candidate's opponent, a sign that the campaign may be heading in a slightly negative direction.
"Unfortunately, instead of talking about themselves, the candidates are talking only about their opponents. This is a disturbing trend," said Heja Wyjablome, a media critic. "For instance, instead of calling John McCain a baby killer, Obama should have a picture of himself kissing a baby. The caption could read, 'I love children, but John McCain wants to burn your kids to death like he did in Viet Nam.'"
Wyjablome had a similar suggestion for the McCain campaign.
"He could have a picture of himself up in heaven, with a halo over his head. The caption could read, 'Barack Obama may be a forked tongued demon from Hades, but I'm a saint. So I'm not sweating it up here in paradise.'"
Obama staffers are quick to point out that the baby strangling ad was the result of a compromise between bickering advertising agencies.
"One agency wanted to show McCain exterminating all the Jews but we thought that might be a little misleading," said Brane.
Nile said the McCain camp faced a similar dilemma.
"Originally, we had Obama flying the second plane that struck the World Trade Center, and then jumping out with a parachute right before the impact. Some staffers thought that was a bit much. Hey, we all know Obama was responsible for 9-11, but there just wasn't enough proof to show that he was flying that particular aircraft."
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