McCain Defending Palin From "Shameless Smears" With Ad

The Politico reports:

Mounting a ferocious defense of his embattled running mate, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said he is buying a TV ad arguing that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has more experience than the Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

A campaign statement, in an effort to rev up conservatives, issued a list of critical media mentions that it called "smears" of Palin, who speaks in prime time at the convention on Wednesday night.

The campaign announced: "The McCain campaign will launch a television ad directly comparing Governor Palin's executive experience as a governor who oversees 24,000 state employees, 14 statewide cabinet agencies and a 10 billion dollar budget to Barack Obama's experience as a one-term junior Senator from Illinois."

The ad is what the campaign calls "a forward-leaning effort to counter the shameless smears that have prevailed during Governor Palin's introduction to the American voter."

UPDATE -- Here is the ad:

Transcript:

ANNCR: The Journal says: "Governor Palin's credentials as an agent of reform exceed Barack Obama's."

They're right.

She "has a record of bi-partisan reform."

He's the Senate's "most liberal."

She "took on the oil producers."

He gave big oil billions in subsidies and giveaways.

She's "earned a reputation as a reformer."

His reputation? Empty words.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approved this message.