Obama Links McCain To Controversial Conservative In New Attack Ad

Finding a new appetitite for attack ads, the Obama campaign is capitalizing on Ralph Reed's efforts to raise money for McCain. The former director of the Christian Coalition solicited contributions for a recent McCain fundraiser, raising eyebrows because of Reed's involvement with the notorious lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Now, the Obama campaign has produced a hard-hitting TV ad blaming McCain for failing to call Reed to testify in the Abramoff affair. The ad ties that decision to Reed's recent generosity and concludes, "For 26 years in Washington, John McCain's played the same old games. We just can't afford more of the same."

The ad is set to run in Georgia tomorrow, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Says McCain spokesman Brian Rogers, "Barack Obama's ad is ridiculous. Because of John McCain, corruption was exposed and people like Jack Abramoff went to jail."

Rogers added: "However, if Barack Obama wants to have a discussion about truly questionable associations, let's start with his relationship with the unrepentant terrorist William Ayers, at whose home Obama's political career was reportedly launched."

And the attack game continues.

-- Will Evans

7:19 PM ET | 08-20-2008 | permalink

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