New ad features Huckabee’s praise of McCain

The campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) released a new Internet ad Friday that almost exclusively features former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R), McCain’s main rival in the upcoming South Carolina primary.

{mosads}The Web spot first says that supporters of the former governor are attacking the Arizona senator. Then it shows Huckabee praising McCain during television appearances and on the campaign trail.

“What does Mike Huckabee say about John McCain?” a narrator asks during the ad, which then shows Huckabee calling McCain an American hero and a personal hero of his.

“If you look at his record, he’s got a solid record on things that really matter,” Huckabee says in another clip included in the ad. “He’s pro-life, he’s strong for our country’s defense and security.”

Polls show McCain and Huckabee locked in a tight race for the South Carolina primary. The senator’s campaign alleges that McCain is the victim of dirty political tricks. Political analysts say that the primary race in the Palmetto State is not nearly as nasty as it was in 2000, when McCain lost to then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

The ad concludes with Huckabee saying: “John McCain is a true, honest-to-God American hero,” and the narrator stating: “If you want the truth about John McCain, just ask Mike Huckabee.”