MoveOn.org Launches Anti-McCain Ad Campaign

MoveOn.org launched their first in a series of anti-McCain ads today which argues that John McCain is not only similar to Bush -- he is worse.

The ads will air in what are described as "McCain-friendly" markets - New Mexico and Iowa for now - and may eventually go national.

In an e-mail to reporters, MoveOn's Executive Director is quoted saying, "Voters need to know Senator McCain would continue President Bush's failed policies – in Iraq and elsewhere. A vote for him is basically a vote for a third Bush term."

A MoveOn.org spokesman tells CBS News that McCain has gotten a "free ride" while Obama and Clinton fight for the nomination, and they hope the ad campaign will up to ante on the Republican nominee.

The first ad, titled "Mission Accomplished", is part of a month-long, $1 million ad buy and marks the 5th anniversary of President Bush's now-famous 2003 "Mission Accomplished" speech.

The 30-second spot will air for a week and includes McCain soundbites including, "It's clear that the end is very much in sight" from 2003 and "I don't think Americans are concerned if we're there for 100 years or 1,000 years or 10,000 years," from earlier this year. A narrator closes, "and you thought no one could be worse that George Bush." Under the narration, a hand lights candles on a giant cake with 'Mission Accomplished' written in icing.

Republican National Committee spokesman Alex Conant responded, saying, "MoveOn.org is attempting to smear Senator McCain just like it smeared General Petraeus. MoveOn.org is joining Barack Obama and the DNC in maliciously misquoting John McCain. At nearly every event, Obama bemoans the 'negative tone' of politics, even while groups that support him are now running negative ads. Now, Obama should prove his rhetoric is more than 'just words' and stand up to MoveOn.org."