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Monday, August 11, 2008

WI: Milwaukee-focused Obama ad questions McCain's support for Harley

4:12 PM

The Obama campaign is hitting McCain on the airwaves in the home of Harley-Davidson over his opposition to "Buy American" policies and a requirement that the federal government purchase only American-made motorcycles.

The 60-second radio spot began airing today in Milwaukee, which houses the headquarters of Harley-Davidson, the largest U.S. motorcycle manufacturer.

The ad begins with an announcer referring to McCain's visit to the Sturgis, S.D. biker rally last week and plays audio of McCain addressing the crowd: "Not long ago a couple hundred thousand Berliners made a lot of noise for my opponent. I'll take the roar of 50,000 Harleys any day."

The ad then criticizes McCain for opposing the motorcycle requirement.

"But when it comes to his record, American-made motorcycles like Harleys don't matter to John McCain," the announcer says.

The ad continues, faulting McCain for being opposed to "Buy American" provisions and for supporting "billions in tax breaks for companies who ship American jobs overseas."

In response to the ad, McCain spokeswoman Leah Yoon accused Obama of wavering in his approach to free trade. In an e-mail to WisPolitics.com, Yoon wrote that Obama now claims to support free trade and has backed off his pledge to reopen the North American Free Trade Agreement now that the Dem primary is over.

"Senator John McCain continues to support trade proposals that will help put our country first. Obama's wavering approach to trade will isolate American companies and workers and make the U.S. economy vulnerable in this competitive global market."

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