Exxon-McCain '08 Site Launches Today

As I reported earlier, John McCain has been having great difficulty with his Vice Presidential shortlist, as those on it keep either complimenting Barack Obama, falling mute when asked to defend McCain, or locking themselves in mortal combat with the denizens of Hades.

It appears that McCain has chosen a novel solution: To appoint himself the running mate on a ticket headed by Exxon.

At least, that's the gist of a slick (sorry), new satirical website rolled out by the DNC today. From Politico:

The Democratic National Committee on Wednesday is launching an "Exxon-McCain '08" campaign, complete with a gas-pump logo and garish red buttons, bumper stickers and yard signs.

...The fantasy presidential campaign is a rebuke to the Republican National Committee for tire gauges labeled "Obama's Energy Plan" that were distributed to campaign reporters this week.

You can check out the site here, but I've got to say, I think Paris Hilton's response to the "Celeb" ad was better. Maybe they should have tapped her for this assignment.



The site does nail the ethos of an Official Campaign Website, with outsized buttons to "SIGN UP!" or "LEARN MORE!" and, of course, "DONATE!"

I also like how they imitated the sickly green backdrop that McCain used in his June 3 victory speech, which inspired hundreds of hilarious green-screen parodies.

According to Politico, the DNC will make Exxon-McCain tchochkes, like bumper stickers, available to state parties and grassroots organizations.

On the plus side, the message is simple and clear. However, I don't think there are many voters who need convincing that the Republicans, and McCain, are tied to huge corporations. For those who support McCain anyway, they need to be told why that's bad for them, and that won't fit on a bumper sticker.