McCain campaign alleges corruption ties

CHICAGO, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The newest electoral advertisement for Republican presidential candidate John McCain says U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., may have ties to Chicago corruption.

An unidentified announcer in the new TV commercial details the Democratic presidential candidate's ties to a number of Chicago officials accused or convicted of corrupt political practices, The Boston Globe said Monday.

"His economic adviser, William Daley, lobbyist, mayor's brother," the anonymous announcer details. "His money man, Tony Rezko, client, patron, convicted felon. His 'political godfather' Emil Jones, under ethical cloud. His governor, Rod Blagojevich, a legacy of federal and state investigations."

"With friends like that, Obama is not ready to lead," the mysterious voice concludes.

Obama officials have already struck back regarding the aggressive advertisement, saying it is an attempt to respond to recent allegations against McCain regarding the ongoing banking crisis.

"It's no coincidence that on the very day newspapers reported that John McCain's campaign manager was paid $2 million to lobby against tighter regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the McCain campaign would launch this false, gratuitous attack," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said.