Video: "Low Road"

Barack Obama's campaign released a new television ad addressing the negative attack ad blitz by the McCain camp.

The ad titled "Low Road," shows newspaper quotes refuting the attacks and then outlines Obama's correct positions including a $1,000 middle class tax cut, and an energy plan that breaks dependence on foreign oil an invests in clean renewable energy.

Obama News on Tuesday

The McCain campaign and the RNC have launched a full-scale negative ad campaign against presidential opponent Barack Obama.

One ad attacked Obama during this European trip claiming that the Illinois senator would not visit wounded troops without the press tagging along. However, Barack had already made such visits sans the press corps earlier in Iraq.

Most recently, the RNC has launched a website, BarackBook.com, a play on the popular FaceBook site where Obama's page has enlisted more than 1.2 million supporters.

Now negative ads can work sometimes, just like positive ads, but it depends on the situation that exists at the time. It's common practice to use them, though, when you're consistently behind in the polls as McCain has been. He did manage to lead a recent USA Today/Gallup poll, the first survey he's won since early May.


VP Gossip

There has been a lot of buzz out there over the fact that Barack is meeting with this vice presidential vetting team.

According to the rumors, a number of people have passed muster and are not on the short list, or the shorter list including Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine.

Kaine was an early supporter of Obama and can only serve one term as governor. If chosen, it would give the Democratic ticket a very youthful look, which can be viewed either positively or negatively. On the positive side, youthfulness can symbolize change. Detractors though might harp on the relative lack of experience although Kaine can claim that he has governed a state.

One curious and possible beneficial side of a Kaine pick is that his last name a lot like "McCain." In fact, I heard the two get mixed up on the news today. It's definitely possible that some voters looking for McCain might get confused and pick Kaine instead!