McCain Runs New TV Ad With Biden's "Crisis" Comment

October 24, 2008 12:19 p.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has a new TV ad warning voters about his opponent's inexperience. The spot features Sen. Joe Biden's (D-DE) comment that Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) would be tested by an international crisis early in his term as president.

The 30-second spot to be "televised in key states," begins with an announcer saying, "Listen to Joe Biden. Talking about what electing Barack Obama will mean."

Biden is then quoted as saying, "Mark my words. It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama. The world is looking. We're going to have an international crisis ... to test the mettle of this guy. I guarantee you it's gonna happen."

The announcer concludes, "It doesn't have to happen. Vote McCain."

During a Seattle fundraiser last Sunday, Biden had said, "Mark my words, it will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy... We're about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy."

"And he's gonna need help... We're gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it's not gonna be apparent initially, it's not gonna be apparent that we're right," added Biden, a six-term senator and foreign policy expert who is prone to gaffes.

Obama-Biden Spokesman David Wade has said Biden "referenced the simple fact that history shows Presidents face challenges from day one." Democrats have said the senator was simply stating the obvious. Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, who was vetted along with Biden for the ticket, also told FOX on Tuesday, "The next president, whoever it is, is going to face major challenges of national security."

Obama defended his running mate on Wednesday, saying "Joe sometimes engages in some rhetorical flourishes. But I think his core point was that the next administration is going to be tested."

But the Illinois Democrat's "rhetorical flourishes" comment has also become a target of Republican attacks. McCain said on Wednesday Obama's statement was "another way of saying [Biden] accidentally delivered some straight talk to America."