McCain Hits Back With Own TV Ad Reviving Obama's Rezko Ties

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - The back-and-forth banter between Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Barack Obama (D-IL) continued late Thursday as a second TV ad, now from McCain, revived the controversy surrounding Obama's ties with disgraced lobbyist Tony Rezko.

"Barack Obama knows a lot about housing problems," an announcer says in the 30-second ad titled "Housing Problem." "One of his 'biggest fundraisers' helped him buy his million-dollar mansion. Purchasing part of the property he couldn't afford."

"From Obama, Rezko got 'political favors' including '14 million from taxpayers.' Now, he's a convicted felon, facing jail. That's a housing problem," the announcer adds.

McCain's ad will air in "key states," according to an email from the campaign.

The Republican National Committee has also launched a website, ObamaRezkoShadyDeal.com, to expose Obama's ties to the disgraced lobbyist.

Illinois lobbyist and real estate developer Antoin "Tony" Rezko who was convicted of 16 of 24 charges including fraud and money laundering earlier this year. Rezko was one of Obama's early donors; Obama has defended himself by saying Rezko "had supported a wide range of candidates all throughout Illinois" and that his campaign had returned the contributions.

In 2005, the presumptive Democratic nominee bought a home in Chicago the same day Rezko bought an adjoining property from the same seller. Obama extended his yard by purchasing a strip of land from Rezko's empty lot the next year, when Rezko was being investigated by the FBI.

The exchange about the issue of houses began after McCAin came under fire for failing to remember how many houses he and his wife own during an interview with Politico on Wednesday. The Arizona senator had said, "I think - I'll have my staff get to you. It's condominiums where - I'll have them get to you."

Citing McCain staffers, Politico said the four-term senator has four houses, located in Arizona, California and Virginia. It added that Newsweek has reported it to be seven, a number being pushed by Democrats. But on Thursday, it reported that McCain actually owns eight properties.

Cindy McCain, McCain's wife, is a member of the prominent Hensley clan of Arizona and chairs one of the largest Anheuser-Busch beer distributors in the United States.