Ad Wars

The Clinton campaign released a radio ad to respond to Sen. Obama's TV ad regarding the price of oil and the influence of the oil lobby.

The Clinton radio ad was the first negative ad released by either campaign in the state of Pennsylvania. The Clinton ad attacks very particular, nit-picky points in the Obama ad. Listen to Clinton's 30 second radio spot HERE.

Why the sudden decision to go negative? Clinton may be following her Texas/Ohio strategy. In the last week-and-a-half before the March 4th contests, Sen. Clinton got very aggressive and was able to score wins in 3 of the 4 contests.

However, the more plausible motivation for the sudden aggressive move is the hope of creating a diversion (damage control). Within the last week, it was exposed that Bill Clinton and Chief Strategist Mark Penn supported and lobbied for, respectively, a Columbian free trade agreement that Sen. Clinton opposes. Both stories have received very little play in the media.

Lastly, Sen. Clinton needs to stir things up. If the campaigns remain on cruise control, Sen. Obama will win the nomination and the Clinton camp knows it.

Today, Sen. Obama responded with a radio ad of his own, deploring Clinton's gutter politics. Listen to the Obama radio ad HERE.