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Pennsylvania GOP Ad Hits Obama Over Wright
The Pennsylvania GOP goes up with its own ad hitting Obama's association with Jeremiah Wright:
We were unable to immediately confirm details of the buy.
It's worth noting that the McCain campaign's claim that Pennsylvania is within reach -- and could be key to a McCain victory -- has prompted outside groups allied with McCain to really get serious about hosing down the state with slime. Most recently we had the Republican Jewish Coalition's flyer yesterday saying a vote for Obama could be a vote for a second Holocaust, and now today's Wright ad. More soon, we trust.
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Too bad for them that they could convince EVERY undecided voter in PA and they'd still lose!
November 2, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
True dat. And I'm going with two things: nobody is listening to robocalls and undecideds are more likely to blow off voting than not - long lines are not an incentive for people who are so uninspired they haven't made up their minds by now.
November 2, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can confirm that the GOP ads were up in force this morning after the Sunday political talking heads shows.
I feel like I need to take a bath.
I can only hope that some very good friends we have who are conservatives are as repelled by this paranoid slime as we are. Many are ashamed.
November 2, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Where are you goshen? I also saw an ad like this in the very blue Pacific Northwest this morning, during the Sunday morning political shows, like you. It featured several clips of Wright preaching; I noticed that a word was bleeped out of one of them. Does that sound like the same thing that you saw?
It wasn't the McCain campaign itself that was running it, but some independent group (I now regret not noting the name of it - but I guess I was just too surprised and dismayed to see it). I don't get it - this doesn't seem to be the market where such ads would have much traction, although I suppose any area has it's closet racists.
November 2, 2008 1:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Centre County, right in the middle. Big Penn State campus 10 miles away with 43,000 undergrads and 15,000 grad students and 20,000 fac/staff.
All around it's red country, though. But I live in a little conservative town, and even here Dem registration is over Rep. for the first time ever, and the number of Obama yard signs outnumber McCain's in my unscientific sample yesterday of driving to the hardware store, by at least 3-1.
Lots of volunteers are out in force today, as the weather's nice. No one's taking anything for granted. There's a grim determination in the air. Even our local state rep, an R and a very conservative one at that, is running ads talking about how divisiveness hurts us all. I've talked to him before, and he told me he'd get in trouble for saying it, but that he really admires Obama. Sure, he's protecting himself in a district that's shifted, but I happen to believe he really means it, too.
November 2, 2008 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
One ad featured a 20-something white guy reciting a littany of the latest collection of scare smears... Wright, Ayers, Khalidi, voting present, unAmerican tendencies. .The whole catalog. Meanwhile, the soundtrack music turned more and more menacing.
I don't really think it will change any minds, but around here, the game is to drive up the paranoid turnout as high as possible. I suspect it'll have the effect of repelling moderates and independents, though, so will be a wash as far as turnout is concerned.
November 2, 2008 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
The ad you describe sounds different from the one I saw, which was primarily clips of Wright seeming his most incendiary. It was airing first thing as I turned the tv on this morning though, so there may have been more of it that I missed.
That's good news about the signs and the volunteers, and absolutely amazing (!) news about your state Rep. I wonder if we may see a reverse Bradley effect, where some life-long Republicans are ashamed to admit it to the pollsters who call, but once in the privacy of the voting booth, will check off Obama's name? I hope so, and I hope you're right about these horrible attack ads turning off moderates.
I'm not going to be able to relax (or sleep soundly!) until Wednesday!
November 2, 2008 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I saw that ad this morning too, with the Rev. Wright clips and bleeping out the "god damn". I'm in Washington state. If you're in the puget sound region, especially Seattle it is very blue but the eastside suburbs have more red and the entire eastern half of the state is mostly republican though. However my friends went to Yakima last weekend and they were really suprised to see a fair amount of Obama signs and not nearly as many McCain signs as they expected. Perhaps that's why they are airing them here.
November 2, 2008 8:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope Murtha doesn't lose because of his labeling of Western Pennsylvanians as racist rednecks.
Everyone deserves a second chance. We are all humans who make mistakes.
November 2, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'll shed no tears for Murtha. He's conservative and crooked. If he loses, we can get a real Democrat in his district in 2012.
November 2, 2008 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
word.
At least from my perspective - he isn't my representative. But I sure won't miss him.
November 2, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know tons about his record, although I realize he's pretty conservative on some issues. But don't you think that he was instrumental in getting the average person to re-think the Iraq War? Since he's always been known as a big supporter of the military, his speeches against the war carried a lot of clout. It was courageous for him to speak out and I kinda think maybe Murtha deserves re-election for that alone.
November 2, 2008 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Murtha is a conservative -- probably runs Democratic because his districts requires that. He has a long history of shoveling pork to the military-industrial complex. Those are reasons to see him gone.
Replacing him with a Republican, though, is not my idea of progress. Replacing him with a genuine Democrat, yes.
As for W. PA being racist: I don't know. But if it is it needs to be called that, and called out for being that. The Constitution mandates equality before the law for all. Racism rejects that mandate.
November 2, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good luck with this getting any traction. He's over 50% in every poll and the tightening is only resulting in McCain's numbers going up. If Obama can manage to outperform John Kerry amongst African-Americans (according to SUSA and Rassmussen he's BLEEDING support amongst this group losing 9 and 13 points, respectively, in the latest polls), he will win PA by more than 2 points.
November 2, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
The best thing to do is keep the TV off.
November 2, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good advice at any time.
November 3, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good advice at any time.
November 3, 2008 12:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yea...........good luck with that Repubs. Time for you guys to get CRUSHED.
November 2, 2008 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
And the media wants us to believe that McWar is an honorable man, and deserves credit for not using the race card.
this is pure BS. McWar is despicable, he is not a hero...
He will be remained as despicable and racist!
November 2, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
I couldn't agree more! I've long held he isn't a hero, merely a survivor. A veteran of another war that we had zero moral authority to involved in as a country.
November 2, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed (that involvement was also illegal).
On top of which, he is among those who blame the "loss" in Vietnam on the "civilian leadership" in Washington, DC.
By contrast, The Constitution stipulates that the military will be UNDER civilian leadership. that "tying the military's hands" as he and his hateful, stupid, irresponsible ilk call it is the law as REQUIRED by the Constitution.
November 2, 2008 10:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed (that involvement was also illegal).
On top of which, he is among those who blame the "loss" in Vietnam on the "civilian leadership" in Washington, DC.
By contrast, The Constitution stipulates that the military will be UNDER civilian leadership. that "tying the military's hands" as he and his hateful, stupid, irresponsible ilk call it is the law as REQUIRED by the Constitution.
November 2, 2008 10:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg?
This:
is priceless.
November 2, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Co-sign - that evokes quite the mental image!
November 2, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes. The use of figurative language is worthy of Keats, except with slime.
November 2, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
maybe Blake?
November 2, 2008 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Blowhard Ginsberg.
November 2, 2008 10:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Every time that ad runs, supporters should commit to making 25 calls or pick up another walk packet...given that it's going to air a ton in the next 2 days, that's a helluva lot of calls and door knocks that could be happening!
Come on PA, we all stand with you!
November 2, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
sort of OT: don't they usually bleep out at least the "god" part when someone says "god damned" on network TV?
does running this ad violate the FCC's obscenity regulations?
November 2, 2008 11:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
answering my own question, it SEEMS that the FCC has said that "god damned" is okay. google's not being my best friend on this, though.
November 2, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
No. The FCC does not regulate on-air religious speech, even when it might be offensive to some.
The question is, does it violate the stations' policies? Are stations changing their own rules to get this on air?
November 2, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why even post this stuff greg?
It's just giving it more exposure, and this close to the election, it won't make a difference.
You are part of the problem, these slime ads get most of their views with the media says "LOOK AT THIS NASTY AD!!!", which is what you are a part of now.
November 2, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
They aren't part of the problem. This isn't the MSM. They post this stuff to keep track of what the McCain campaign and its surrogates are doing, and when it's slime, they call it slime. We need to know the slime that's going out there...
November 2, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope Obama knows what he's doing in Pennsylvania. McCain is making his last stand there and Obama is seemingly taking it for granted these last days of the campaign, I wonder if that will have any bearing on how folks vote there.
In looking at the EV map, Obama could win even if he loses Pennsylvania if he keeps all other Kerry states, and snags New Mexico, Colorado and Virginia. So maybe Obama feels Virginia is a safer bet than Pennsylvania.
November 2, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jeez. Taking it for granted?!
The campaign has bombarded all supporters with pleas to volunteer to help PA. Anecdotally, people are doing so, calling, driving to PA from out of state to canvass, donating their final $50, etc.
Obama cannot be in 2 places at once, and obviously if they were really concerned, he would be on the ground there....
Haven't you seen enough to know that these guys know what they're doing. If you were in charge you probably would've conceded by now. I love your realism and pessimism, it keeps us grounded, but don't get nuts. Bringing up Wright at this stage just shows again the lack of a positive plan for the future of this country. It's transparent, pathetic and it won't work.
November 2, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, he obviously doesn't. He's run the worst campaign in political history up until now. The guy is a total loser, with the political equivalent of a tin ear when it comes to campaigning. I can't believe anyone thinks he can win.
November 2, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. PA is being frittered away while team Obama goes chasing after butterflies in AZ, GA, MT, ND. I don't get it -- especially as I'm being hit two and three times a day with emails bleating about the McCain/RNC money advantage. Ad buys in the major battlegrounds are now at parity. Obama has about a 7 or 8 point lead in PA, according to multiple polls. Gov. Rendell opines that the lead is even less than that. Cut that lead in half, a measly 3 or 4 points, and McCain wins. Do you think a ranting Rev. Wright can scare up 3 or 4 points for the Oldster? Hell yeah he can. Hey, but we don't need PA, right? Not with FL, VA, and OH in the bag. Look mom, no hands!
November 2, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok. Let's make these shits EAT IT!
Get out. Knock on doors. Talk to friends, family, neighbors. Today, tomorrow, Tuesday. GOTV.
Make the swine see that KARMA IS A BEEOTCH!
Make it a landslide!
November 2, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Amen, brother!
November 2, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm out the door, in damp Michigan weather, starting... now.
November 2, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
With regard to Rev Wright, most non AA I know are like "been there done that,what else have you got?" .
I don't see this getting enough traction to move the polls more than 1-2%.
November 2, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Virtual Incumbent" seems to be the new Orwellian term of the day. It's referenced on the front page of TPM and the repug talking head on CNN was just talking about Obama being the virtual incumbent. Whatever that means.
November 2, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
It means they're down to their last shreds of hope, because historically, "undecideds" supposedly drift towards the challenger, rather than the incumbent. Supposedly. So Republicans, by labeling Obama the incumbent (which, on its face, doesn't even pass the laugh test, frankly) can now argue that the undecideds will break for McCain.
November 2, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
And I don't think they'll break for anyone at all.
If lines are long, they're not going to be inspired to stand in them in order to vote for "god, I still don't know...."
November 2, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Appear to me t obe a concession, and acceptance of the inevitable. I accept them saying that my guy's already won the election.
November 2, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think that Obama is taking Pennsylvania for granted. Obama was there early in the week and Biden is going there tomorrow night. Bill Clinton will be in Western Pennsylvania tomorrow for Murtha but I am sure he will plug in for Obama as well.
Also Obama has a GOTV with 80,000 people knocking on doors throughout Pennsylvania.
November 2, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
That ad was running in Missouri this morning as well.
November 2, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Tide is Turning -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s9ubMQX7WE
November 2, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
To paraphrase a parody: Dat Tide Done Turned, Jonzie.
;)
November 2, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
American Prayer -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVi4rUzf-0Q&feature=related
November 2, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Similar Wright ad running this morning in Oregon, paid for by some outfit called the National Republican Trust.
Since it's in Oregon, and on MSNBC at that, I'm assuming it's a national buy.
November 2, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you go to the National Republican Trust site, you'll see the sveral ads they're trunning. The usual false smears about Ayers, Wright, etc. We've all seen it before.
The only thing notable about the effort is that the organization is hateful, hateful, hateful, and has no moral qualms about being that, and lying too.
November 2, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you go to the National Republican Trust site, you'll see the sveral ads they're trunning. The usual false smears about Ayers, Wright, etc. We've all seen it before.
The only thing notable about the effort is that the organization is hateful, hateful, hateful, and has no moral qualms about being that, and lying too.
November 2, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
We Are The Ones -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBk32JsV9l8&feature=related
November 2, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm GLAD the PA GOP is doing this. It virtually guarantees Obama wins the state. Barack's biggest lead in polling in PA was right in the middle of the hardest Ayers attacks of the campaign.
Another point while I'm here, I've seen multiple Rethugs spread the "virtual incumbent" line. I saw Lindsey G and then later John Fund on CNN...
It's a coordinated campaign. Clearly. It's absurd on its face, but if anyone has any deeper thoughts/strategies on that, I'd love to hear them...
November 2, 2008 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
The PA GOP is certain to lose votes over this ad, because it smacks of desperation. What the GOP fails to realize is the voters are concerned about the economy not some washed-up Reverend.
November 2, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Isn't it copyright infringement to use the footage of Rev. Wright form the church? That was filmed and sold by the church, they own the rights to it. I don't see how legally the GOP can run that footage without first securing permissions.
November 2, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
That vid was all over YouTube.
It may be in the public domain.
but I'm just guessing here -
November 2, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since when the GOP care about legality?
November 2, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
You win.
:)
November 2, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another sunny, beautiful weekend, another desperate robocall...
Featuring Obama's aunt.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1108/Robocalling_on_Obamas_aunt.html?showall
Featuring Hillary.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1108/Hillary_calling.html
Not that I (or anyone else) would pick up the phone and listen, but two days before all those pieces of crap are gone...
November 2, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Alaska Independence Party Enough said
November 2, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK, I get a new error message ("TPM is experiencing too much traffic, try again later" or something like that").
I fear of the election night.
November 2, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
lol...these lames are desperate!!! Wright is a non-issue to most if not all voters who are concerned about the economy. This bullshi* only works with conservative fringe base of the rethuglican party. Poll after poll has shown voters are immune to these attacks and they continue to accuse McSlime of smearing Barack and not talking up his own policies. On Nov 4, we are going to McCain and the republican party a message.
November 2, 2008 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I saw a similar ad this morning in Nashville, TN. Maybe it was running on the network, but we have seen so few ads here in Tennessee that it stuck out like a sore thumb.
November 2, 2008 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't jump on me, I'm a republican who votes for the best person, I couldn't vote for Hillary in the Primary because of my party, however, I felt even though I didn't agree with all her policies she would be a great POTUS. Now, with that said, why do you guys feel that the Wright's relationship of 20 years should not be used to illustrate his judgment. I'm not looking for a fight, please, just some rationale. Also, I live in California so I'm not a threat to your democracy. Just looking for insight. Thanks.
November 2, 2008 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
IMO, the fact that he believes in sky fairies at all is more damaging than which church he goes to. Plus, listen to Wright's sermons beyond the soundbites and they're about the failures of the US to live up to its ideals. The problem is people like Palin who think that the US is, in fact, perfect (and don't seem to recognize that the term "American exceptionalism" is derogatory).
Also, look at the associations of almost anyone and you'll find unsavory characters. McCain described Hagee, who calls the Catholic Church "the whore of Babylon" and is part of the crowd that supports Israel mainly to bring about the Apocalypse, as his spiritual guide. The best you can say for McCain is that he's probably lying; Palin is much worse, in both religion and the AIP.
November 2, 2008 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've seen a similar anti-Wright ad in today New Mexico, another swing state. I think it was on MSNBC, but that doesn't necessarily mean its a national buy. It doesn't matter what the fine points are, it's an attempt to move undecided voters using fear and smear.
November 2, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
You [ Barack Obama], are from God and have overcome them [the enemy's attacks, schemes, and plots ] , because the one [God] who is in you [ Barack Obama] is greater than the one [the enemy ] who is in the world. - 1 John 4:4
No weapon forged against you [ Barack Obama] will prevail, and you [ Barack Obama] will refute every tongue that accuses you [ Barack Obama] . This is the heritage of the servants [ Barack Obama] of the LORD, and this is their [ Barack Obama] vindication from me," declares the LORD. - Isaiah 54:17
" I [ God ] will send my terror ahead of you [ Barack Obama] and throw into confusion every nation you [ Barack Obama] encounter. I [ God ] will make all your [ Barack Obama] enemies turn their backs and run." - Exodus 23:27
They will fight against you [ Barack Obama] but will not overcome you, for I [God ] am with you [ Barack Obama] and will rescue you," declares the LORD. - Jeremiah 1:19
The Lord will rescue me [ Barack Obama] from every evil attack and will bring me [ Barack Obama] safely to his heavenly kingdom. - 2 Timothy 4:18
11 For he will command his angels concerning you [ Barack Obama] to guard you [ Barack Obama ] in all your ways; 12 they will lift you [ Barack Obama ] up in their hands, so that you [ Barack Obama ] will not strike your [his] foot against a stone. 13 You [ Barack Obama ] will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you [ Barack Obama ] will trample the great lion and the serpent. - Psalm 91:11-13
I have given you [ Barack Obama ] authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you [ Barack Obama ]. - Luke 10:19
It's time for the American people to get it right and NOT vote for McCain-Palin, instead vote for change. It's time for this country to turn the page and seek a new and better future for ourselves and our children.It's time for REAL change in Washington, it's time to elect Barack Obama for president !
Obama-Biden are the wiser and stronger team to solve the crucial challenges we have in this nation and abroad !
Amen.
November 2, 2008 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Annoying spam. Keep your "religion" smut to yourself, please.
November 3, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
FYI...This ad hit the Sunday Morning market in Denver as well.
November 2, 2008 8:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think I just saw it on MSNBC, in Los Angeles. Couldn't tell if it was a national ad, or a local drop-in. California? What's the strategy there?
By the way, if this ad is slimy, what's calling Joe a "skinhead?" Just asking. In case Josh doesn't know, that wasn't really Keith Olbermann on SNL last night. It's really not okay to call everybody you don't like a fascist.
November 2, 2008 11:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think I just saw it on MSNBC, in Los Angeles. Couldn't tell if it was a national ad, or a local drop-in. California? What's the strategy there?
By the way, if this ad is slimy, what's calling Joe a "skinhead?" Just asking. In case Josh doesn't know, that wasn't really Keith Olbermann on SNL last night. It's really not okay to call everybody you don't like a fascist.
November 2, 2008 11:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
By the way, if this ad is slimy, what's calling Joe a "skinhead?" Just asking.
_____
"Skinheads" have long "distinguished" themselves by shaving their heads and spewing far-right lunatic-fringe nuttiness and racism.
_____
In case Josh doesn't know, that wasn't really Keith Olbermann on SNL last night.
_____
Who watches "SNL since it stopped being funny decades ago?
_____
It's really not okay to call everybody you don't like a fascist.
_____
Except of course when they are fascist -- which is located at least as far-right as the lunatic fringe.
November 3, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is overblown to begin with. So why is it being headlined a second time? Why not instead headline the factual piece about Drudge's "influence" waning -- along with the fact that he never had ANY "influence" outside the far-right America-hating idjit-jerk?
November 3, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is overblown to begin with. So why is it being headlined a second time? Why not instead headline the factual piece about Drudge's "influence" waning -- along with the fact that he never had ANY "influence" outside the far-right America-hating idjit-jerk?
November 3, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink