GOP ad attacks pol McCain praised

Politico

A new Republican Party ad called “Chicago Way” whacks Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for his ties to “political boss William Daley,” shown in sinister black and white.

“William Daley: Heir to the Chicago machine,” the narrator says. “A top Obama adviser.”

But, wait. Is this William Daley fellow really so bad?

He hasn’t always been. Back in 1997, one John McCain, now titular head of the party buying the ad attacking Daley, called Daley “an experienced, talented individual,” when he was confirmed as Commerce Secretary under President Bill Clinton.

McCain, then chairman of the Commerce Committee, told the Chicago Tribune the next year that Daley “has done a great deal to restore the respectability and the influence of the Commerce Department on the Hill. He kept his commitments.”

Daley, a Chicago businessman and Obama adviser, is brother of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and son of the late Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley. He was chairman of Vice President Al Gore’s presidential campaign in 2000.

In 1997, McCain was quoted in the Tribune: “I applaud Secretary Daley for keeping his word to Congress and the American people to attempt to take politics out of the business of the Commerce Department's trade missions.”

The Commerce Committee confirmed Daley 15-1. The Senate confirmed him 95-2.

McCain voted “yes” both times.