McCain ad links Obama to Rezko, Chicago Machine
John McCain is portraying Barack Obama as the product of Chicago's corrupt political machine in a new TV ad that showcases Illinois' scandalous side.
In the 30-second ad released Monday, voters are introduced to Gov. Rod Blagojevich's "legacy of state and federal investigations," Senate President Emil Jones Jr.'s "ethical cloud," William Daley as a "lobbyist" and "money man" Tony Rezko as Obama's "patron" turned "convicted felon."
The ad marks one of the first times McCain has seriously gone on the attack using Rezko and other Illinois politicians against Obama.
Meanwhile, the Obama campaign took a new direction Monday and tried to link McCain's health care plans to the ongoing collapse of the financial sector.
The ad describes how McCain wants to cut health insurance regulation and goes on to say the Arizona senator's banking deregulation led to the current economic crisis.
The McCain campaign shot back Monday, saying banking deregulation didn't cause today's economic problems.
The Obama campaign issued a statement Monday calling the McCain ad titled "Chicago Machine" a "false, gratuitous attack."
The McCain campaign said it dug up Illinois dirt because Obama's ability to lead should be based on those he associates with in his home state.
"I think it adequately points out these people play important roles in his political future and past," said McCain campaign manager Rick Davis.
Rezko was a major force in the early days of Obama's career and he helped Obama buy his Hyde Park mansion a few years ago.
Rezko was convicted this year as the architect of a massive kickback scheme operated under Blagojevich.
Obama has often described Jones as his "political godfather." The retiring state senator has been accused of ignoring conflicts of interests.
Daley, who has advised Obama on economics, is the Chicago mayor's brother.
But Blagojevich has been antagonistic toward Obama and the two have few solid ties in the past. Most recently, the governor attacked Obama for opposing his rewrite of a state ethics measure.
When asked why Blagojevich was thrown in the mix, McCain senior adviser Steve Schmidt said, "They obviously have a close relationship."
Schmidt didn't elaborate during Monday's telephone news conference.
Davis said McCain's ad will run in battleground states as well as nationally.
• Daily Herald news services contributed to this report.
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