McCain Hires Strategist Behind Harold Ford "Bimbo" Ad As Campaign Manager
John McCain has signed up GOP operative Terry Nelson as his campaign manager -- yep, that would be the same Terry Nelson who produced the infamous, racially-charged "bimbo" ad attacking Dem Tennessee Senate candidate Harold Ford, Jr. ABC News reports that McCain's exploratory committee will announce the hiring of Nelson, a former top operative for Bush-Cheney '04, as "national campaign manager" later today. In honor of McCain's "get" in what many D.C. insiders are calling the "talent primary," we're reproducing the ad -- it features a gaudily dressed blond winking at the camera and saying, "Harold, call me!" -- that Nelson brought to the TV sets of families and children across Tennessee and subsequently the nation. It's here; more on this after the jump.
McCain enlisted Nelson as an adviser back in March, months before the bimbo eruption. But by putting out this ad, which provoked charges of racism across the country, Nelson made himself politically radioactive -- so much so that Wal-Mart dumped Nelson as a consultant after the controversy exploded. But Nelson's ad hasn't rendered him too radioactive for McCain, apparently -- McCain's essentially given Nelson a promotion.
It also bears mentioning that Nelson was mixed up in the money laundering scandal that brought down Tom DeLay, though he wasn't charged. It will be interesting to see how prominently all this figures in the coverage of McCain's "get."
"It will be interesting to see how prominently all this figures in the coverage of McCain's 'get.'"
Not at all. That's how it will figure. 'Cause John's a real man.
December 7, 2006 11:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
There seems to be little doubt that McCain is going to make his campaign a life or death struggle. So much for the civility and honesty needed to reform our national politics. As Thomas Jefferson might have said, I tremble for my country when I reflect on the naked ambitions of these men.
December 7, 2006 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Terry Nelson does seem to be a winner. He was the Political Director for Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign.
December 7, 2006 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now we know that, what do we do?
Take him down. Do not wait to be sucker-punched. Go after McCain as the presumptive nominee, specifically on the basis that he has surrounded himself with 'Delay Republicans'. Tie every rotten thing people like Nelson have ever done to Nelson, and to McCain.
This needs to start now, not in 18 months.
December 7, 2006 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
From what I've read about the political hires of McCain and Romney, it looks like they're in a race to the gutter. They've hired sleaze and thugs from the campaigns of DeLay, Santorum, and the RNC operatives who created the Ford attack piece in TN a few weeks ago.
December 7, 2006 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope this Terry Nelson becomes the equivalent of Bull Connor in Birmingham caught on TV in the 60s siccing dogs and hosing citizens and children of color with water pressure strong enough to remove the bark from trees. The pictures were so shockingly cruel and harrowing that the atty general of the USA was galvanized into action to protect the rights of those citizens even though they were people of color in the south.
Nelson, may come up with just the right attack ads that stoke the fires of racism such that American citizens are shocked by the sheer ugliness and underbelly of how racist this country is and they become galvanized into the ballot box to vote for change. So that American is never again used as the icon for racism and in hope that they can restore their standing in the world by simply electing a person who truly represents all the ideals and beliefs that this country claims to uphold when they attempt to create 'other democracies' around the global.
So, bring on Terry Nelson, America needs a wake up call of his ilk.
December 8, 2006 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Keep on "mavericking", McKain!
December 8, 2006 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not to mention in their appeal to the crazies on the right and in their support for ridiculously flawed strategies for the Iraq War. Both are content to let the Bush Administration continue its floundering there indefinitely.
December 11, 2006 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keep in mind that McCain signed up racist ad maker Terry Nelson just as an African-American Senator began his rise to prominence in terms of likelihood of winning the Democratic nomination. Is there a subtext to this hire?
Will Nelson go there against Barack? You better believe it. As was noted above, we better pre-emptively get this guy's name out there to the public as a baiter and a hater.
December 11, 2006 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
That ad is disgusting.
July 30, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I want to see an advert against McCain that reminds us of:
Dumped faithful ex-wife for Cindy.
Part of the Keating 5 scandal.
Voted against Martin Luther King holiday.
Connection to Chalibi.
The difference is, these are facts.
July 30, 2008 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink