McCain Ad Is Full Of Lies

John Sidney McCain has released a new radio ad in Florida. The ad is in Spanish and is aimed at Florida's Hispanic community. There is just one problem with the ad -- it's full of lies. Here is an English translation of the advertisement:

This is Tony Villamil speaking, ex-director of Tourism, Commerce and Economic Affairs of Florida.

When it comes to a strong economy for our state, commercial trade with Latin America is crucial. Three-quarters of Florida's exports are with Latin America, and the Colombian Free Trade Agreement would create even more opportunity.

In this election, there are some that talk about revising the Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada and oppose the Agreement with Colombia. This would hurt our economic future.

Last year Florida's exports to Latin America reached almost $45 billion dollars. Colombia is Florida's third most important export market and this trade agreement would create almost 5,000 new jobs.

John McCain supports the Colombian Agreement, knows about our alliances with our hemisphere and understands our economy grows thanks to trade.Remember who stands for prosperity in Florida, our country and our hemisphere. His name is John McCain.

John McCain: I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

Let's examine this ad. First, it claims that three-quarters of Florida's trade is with Latin America. The real figure is 53% (if you include the Caribbean), much closer to half than three-quarters. But that's not the only "mistake" the ad makes.

Then the ad claims that Florida's exports to Latin America was nearly $45 billion. Another falsehood. Florida's total international exports were $45 billion. The exports to Latin America and the Caribbean only totaled about $24 billion.

The ad goes on to claim that Columbia is Florida's third most important export market. The truth is that Columbia is only fifth in Florida exports -- not third.

It's obvious that McCain is in favor of the Columbian Free-Trade Agreement, and he thinks that position will be popular with Florida Hispanics. But lying about it's importance just makes him look foolish.

This is just one more example of how a McCain administration would be just like a Bush administration. Bush never minded telling a lie to get what he wanted, and it looks like McCain is continuing that Republican tradition.

McCain's "straight-talk" has become "straight-up lying".