Reality Check

In his bid for the presidency, John McCain's first Minnesota television ad is meant to be serious, and reassuring. It tackles one of McCain's biggest strengths and weaknesses: the war in Iraq. But it never mentions the word "Iraq."

It's possibly because most voters in this state don't agree with him.

"I hate war," McCain said in the TV ad. "And I know how terrible its costs are. I'm running for president to keep the country I love safe."

The REALITY is…

The Iraq War is very unpopular in Minnesota. Fifty-five percent say it's more important to bring the troops home than it is to win the war. And Iraq ranks a distant second to the economy among issues Minnesotans consider most important.

IN FACT...

McCain's been a harsh critic of how the war's been fought until now. And though it's an unpopular view, he's never wavered in his support for invading Iraq.

He opposes an American troop withdrawal until the country can govern itself safely.

"Only a fool or a fraud talks tough or romantically about war," said McCain in the ad.

That's NOT THE WHOLE STORY.

The ad highlights McCain's family tradition of military service. It's an apparent attempt to show a contrast with Democratic candidate Barack Obama while not appearing too "hawkish."

"When I was 5-years-old, my father left for war," said McCain. "My grandfather came home from war and died the next day. I was shot down over Vietnam and spent five years as a POW. Some of the friends I served with never came home."

Here is what you NEED TO KNOW.

McCain's new ad is running in 10 battleground states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. These are states where the presidential race in 2004 was very close: George W. Bush won Iowa 50 to 49 percent, he lost Wisconsin 50 to 49 percent and he also lost Minnesota 51 to 48 percent.

These are states McCain believes he could win.

That's Reality Check.

For more resources on this Reality Check click on the links below:
John McCain 2008 Launches New TV Ad: "Safe"
Election 2008: Minnesota Presidential Election Poll
Minnesota Presidential Election Poll - May 22, 2008
John McCain: Strategy For Victory In Iraq
2004 Wisconsin Election Results
2004 Iowa Election Results
2004 Minnesota Election Results