Ad Controversies

Posted: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 9:15 AM by Huma Zaidi
Filed Under: Democrats, Republicans

Two blow-ups over TV ads in a couple of key races could cause a problematic backlash against Republicans.

The Tennessee Senate race has been close enough that if Rep. Harold Ford (D) wins it, nabbing not only a Republican seat but the one held by the outgoing Majority Leader, some will point to the controversial Republican National Committee ad and call it a decisive moment. Until now, Ford has run perhaps the best campaign of any Democratic Senate candidate this cycle, positioning him to take advantage of any backlash among African-Americans that might arise over what critics call the ad's implicit racism in showing a scantily-clad blonde asking Ford to call her, conjuring up an image of interracial dating.

RNC chair Ken Mehlman told NBC's Tim Russert yesterday that he doesn't think the ad reflects any such sentiment and that he's legally prohibited from having it pulled because the ad is paid for by an independent expenditure fund with which he can't have any contact. Coincidentally, Mehlman is campaigning in his home state of Maryland today, where he personally recruited African-American Lt. Gov. Michael Steele to run for the Senate.

Ford told MSNBC yesterday, “I know that they are a little desperate and doing the things that you do when you get desperate in a campaign." GOP nominee Bob Corker has called for the ad to be pulled. (Then again, it's also possible that the ad will turn a crucial percentage of voters off of Ford.)

Today, Sen. Barack Obama (D) will send an e-mail on behalf of Ford and other top Democratic Senate candidates saying, "You know the kind of ads we're going to see in these last days. They'll play on our fears, they'll try to divide us, and they'll try to distract us from the real issues in this race." The e-mail solicitation will go to Sen. John Kerry's list of 3 million supporters, per Kerry's office.

And Rush Limbaugh's suggestion on his radio show yesterday that actor Michael J. Fox is exploiting and exaggerating his illness -- Fox has Parkinson's -- in TV ads for Democratic Senate candidates just isn't going to play well, even though Limbaugh has since apologized. Fox cut the spots for a couple of Democrats because they favor federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The New York Times’ TV critic writes about the ads, which show him swaying back and forth uncontrollably: “Mr. Fox’s display of the toll Parkinson’s disease has taken on him turned into one of the most powerful and talked about political advertisements in years… The issue of embryonic stem cell research is divisive, but Mr. Fox is not.”

USA Today: "Democrats and interest groups are using ads, campaign events and celebrities in at least 20 House, Senate and governor races to push for more federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Fox's dramatic ads are 'very effective' with suburban voters, seniors and parents, says Evan Tracey of the non-partisan Campaign Media Analysis Group... 'It puts the Republicans on the wrong side of hope.'"

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Rush Limbaugh knows how it is when you don't take your pills, thats why he always keeps a stash on hand.

Rufus Gibbons, Kennett, MO. (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 9:37 AM)

Our multi-times divorced, drug addict paragon of family values Mr. Limbaugh has once again shown himself to be the despicable human being that anyone not drinking the kool-aid has always known that he was. Michael J. Fox has too much class to retaliate. God save us from these "family values" hypocrites.

Jim, Atlanta Georgia (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 9:43 AM)

The ad in question I don't think is represented well. It is being shown as a controversy over stem cell research, but in reality the issue is over federal support for cloning research. The state has no restrictions on stem cell research, so this argument is a moot point. This ad is deceptive to the voters and trying to use a debilitating disease to mask intentions. You may not like or approve of Mr Limbaugh, but at least give all the facts in a report about him and don't try to sling your own mud in an inconsequential direction to try to further distract from the truth! If you want to be a liberal, then be a liberal. But don't try to be sneaky about it. Don't further the stereotype, then complain later...

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 9:44 AM)

Since I live in Missouri, I get to see these ads regularly. Until Mr. Fox's advertisement for Claire the overall tone of the election was very negative. The first time I viewed Mr. Fox's ad, I sat there mezmerized by the power of his plea. My own Father suffered with Parkinsons Disease for 26 years until he finally succumbed 2 years ago. I can state, from personal experience, that Mr. Fox is not "Acting" as inferred by many GOP loyalists. In fact, Mr. Fox is still not displaying the full ravages of the disease yet.

J Brady, Lees Summit Missouri (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 9:44 AM)

Why is this turning into a Limbaugh Attack? Fox has admitted to previously making public appearances while intentionally being off of his medications in an effort to gain support for stem cell research. Limbaugh was simply drawing attention to that fact, but of course, the liberal media doesn't share that information with you and you are once again influenced to believe anything they feed you. Go ahead with personal attacks while being ignorantly led by the nose like a bunch of cattle!

matt, Atlanta Ga (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 9:52 AM)

Who did the RNC get to produce this ad, the ghost of D.W. Griffith? Ken Mehlman for all of his talk of trying to bring African Americans and other minorities into the GOP is all talk and hogwash. To say that he did not think that this was "code" to play up lingering stereotypes in the south is a straight up lie. Whenever the going gets tough, go back to Lee Atwater Southern strategy politics. I hope he realizes that for one Senatorial seat, he has probably blown the opportunity for the GOP to make any real inroads into the African American community.

Keith Barkley, Middletown,DE (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 9:53 AM)

It is deplorable that Rush Limbaugh would stoop so low to riducle Michael J. Fox. It just proves that our country needs a change and when I vote the Democratic ticket I know it is the right thing to do.

Lucille M. Cox (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 9:56 AM)

There is ony one thing made clear in this debate. Rush Limbaugh is a sorry excuse for a human being.

Ian Mann, Fort Myers, Florida (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 9:59 AM)

I saw my grandfather and now mother suffer through the degrading effects of parkinsons. Even though I have not seen the commerical I have seem Mr Fox on TV and he struggles to control the effects of the illness. Parkinsons does not destroy the mind, so the ill person is fully aware of the effects. There may not be a cure today or a cure in time to help My mother or Mr Fox, but we should as a country support research that can cure this diease.

TE callaway (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 10:03 AM)

Why doesn't the DNC take the shot of Limbaugh making fun of Michael J. Fox, and use it against the Republicans????

Lorraine Cuccherini (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 10:07 AM)

RNC chair Ken Mehlman is full of it. The ad in question (TN Senate) is so racist and Mr. Mehlman and Mr. Corker (Pond Scum) are complicite in this ad. How any person who calls them self a Christian can vote Republican after this ad is beyond me.

Phil F (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 10:08 AM)

I'd like to thank the RNC for their ad in Tennesee...as an undecided African-American voter in Virginia. it reminded me of the true face of the Republican party. For the first time in my life, I actually considered voting for a Republican..what was I thinking! Sorry Mr. Allen...the RNC blew it for you, my vote is going to Mr. Webb and a donation is going to Mr. Ford.

Ryan, Richmond, VA (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 10:09 AM)

The Republican Party candidates run the nastiest, dirtiest most disgusting advertisements and always have. Right now they are showing their desperation. This is suppose to be the party of values, but one must ask, just what are their values? To win at any cost? If you have to lie and smear your opponents to win, is that really winning? Ken Mehlman is a despicable human being in the trash he spews every time he appears on tv. Why can't the Republican candidates take the high road for a change and run on the issues? They even turn on their own. Remember the attacks on John McCain when he ran in the primaries against bush? The insiniation that McCain had fathered a black child out of wedlock, when in actuality he and his wife had adopted a dark-skinned child. That is the kind of smear tactics used by the likes of Karl Rove and Ken Mehlman and so many Republican advisers. The ad against Harold Ford is nothing less than slanderous. If this sort of campaign advertising does not turn off people with moral and ethical values, I do not know what will.

danejoe, Tulsa (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 10:18 AM)

the tennessee ad combined with the "willie horton type ad" in Massachusetts which is being run against Deval Patrick, just prove the GOP will always return to the southern strategy of playing the race card, when all else goes wrong. Our only hope is that people will be so disgusted by these negative race baiting ads that they will be inclined to turn out and vote democrat.

M. Schreiber (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 10:24 AM)

Dear RNC, thanks for these ads. I have just made a sizeable financial contribution to the DNC as a result.

Molly Maguire, Chautauqua NY (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 10:26 AM)

This only proves again that the so-called Compassionate Conservatives are neither compassionate, nor conservative.

Philip Adams (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 10:27 AM)

Consensus among the military, die hard Republicans in my workplace is that the RNC has lost it's collective mind with that Ford commerical. Scary stuff Kenny boy, black man/white woman, playboy. What's even scarier is your party, the party that freed people of color, are in charge of this country and find this ad acceptable. Unfreakinbelievable!

Jean Ochrzcin, Saint Inigoes, MD (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 10:28 AM)

hey Matt and John Doe - the best part of Rush Limbaugh is the anal cyst that kept him safe and sound when liberals went off to fight in Viet Nam. Don't give us this "being lead like cattle" BS, because if anyone can't think for themselves, it's Bush republicans, or you'd notice he's something of a stupid monkey. AS far as that race-bait ad goes - how desparate are you people, and that's not a rhetorical question.

Lee Steele (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 10:35 AM)

I see some comments below by obvious Rush fans. They are missing a fundamental point. So what if Mr. Fox was off his medications? What difference does that make? What he is showing is the toll that this disease takes on on, and given that now everybody agrees that he was not faking it, it makes Mr. Limbaugh even more of an arrogant moron than a lot of people already thought about.

BigIndian, Atlanta, GA (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 10:53 AM)

Limbaugh has once again lowered the floor in the public forum , how long until the backlash wakes up the people who listen to this guy? And his apology? As an old They Might Be Giants song says "can't shake the devils hand and then claim you're only kidding."

Mitch Rogers, Newnan, Georgia (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 10:56 AM)

The right will fall for the thinly disguised racists ads in TN and Mass. Of course according to Rushthedruggie and michael smerconish these are just humaor ads intended to rise above the clutter of other ads. Shame of it is in the midwest and south the religious right "get" the hidden messages of protect your white daughter from the evil black man and those doggone libs will let criminals (again black males) get you. How do they get away with calling themselves christians anyway?

Rick, Winston Salem, NC (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:02 AM)

Stem cell research is already legal. Even though there was a line of embryonic stem cells that was used for research, it is ADULT stem cells that have shown so much promise. Every medical advancement that has been made with stem cells has been made with ADULT stem cells, so continue the research, just don't take the lives of innocent babies to do it.

Mark Haswell, Norfolk, VA (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:03 AM)

For Rush Limbaugh to exploit an individual’s disability in this day of age to make a point to his conservative listeners is wrong. No when questioned Hitler when exploiting the disabled in Germany to hone his killing methods prior to killing 6 million Europeans.

M Cusato (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:06 AM)

BigIndian, my thoughts exactly. If the people who suffer from these awful diseases have to go off their medications to show the public how serious they are, and how much they need our help, more power to them! Rush is an idiot, and he's just proved that again. Obviously he was ON his medication which might explain his behavior! As for the anti-Ford ad, I was really floored, I thought it was a joke ad from YouTube or something. When I saw Mehlman and Snow DEFENDING the ad I was shocked. Those boys have been drinking the Rove kool aid BIG TIME! I agree with the idea of taking Rush's video of him flopping all over and using it against the Republicans, and showing Mehlman and Snow defending the Ford ad! Just tell us where to send the money to produce it! Fight on Dems!

Leslie (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:06 AM)

Rush Limbaugh is just another divisive voice in the GOP who is driving away independent voters. I just don't understand how anyone (especially Mr. holier than-thow painkiller-popping Limbaugh)could criticize someone with Parkinson's, the only reason Fox seems OK on Boston Legal is because the directors constantly reshoot scenes when he has an attack, because his character is not supposed to have Parkinson's. In the ad he is being himself and it is actually the medication which causes some of the twitching.

Ken P. (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:13 AM)

Rush is a pain in the caboose who deems himself as the "protector of the hard core conservative GOP". He truly feels he is responsible, meida wise, of putting the GOP in power. Anyone who disagrees w/ his thining is cut out of the herd and left to fend for themselves. So sad this demagouge attitude. He puts himself in Dr Savage, Michael Moore ilk- folks who think their way is the only right way and there is no such thing as a middle gruond apporach to government. Sad, sad, sad....

Bobbie J; Waskattuma, NH (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:14 AM)

I don't know why the media is making such a big deal about Ford's race. I wouldn't have been able to tell he was African Americqan by looking at him. I certainly didn't think about inter-racial marriage when I saw the ad with a woman asking him to call her.

Yolanda Washington, Detroit (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:18 AM)

To the RNC and Ken Mehlman, the laundry just called and your white sheets are ready. To Rush, Dr. Feelgood just called and your shipment is in. Just send your housekeeper/maid to pick it up.

Sensible Liberal, Sun City, AZ (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:26 AM)

Let's deal with the more important ad among these 2--which plays upon blatant racial hatred. I'd already read about that Tennessee ad, so I'd already known it would be disgusting--then last night on NBC Nightly I viewed what a repulsive piece of elephant dung from the cesspool of the Republican party it is. If the GOP had any scruples, it would pull that ad off the air, but I doubt that it would. Candidates such as Corker who stoop so low as to allow their party to air such racist ads should not be elected. I also think this ad's premise is so evil that it should have been discussed in a separate piece--not in the same posting as the Michael J. Fox ad and Rush Limbaugh's reaction, which have been providing a celebrity distraction. Look at how many have posted on that ad instead of the Tennessee one, which is far more important because of its blatant appeal to bigotry.

Olivia Elizabeth Burdon, Peoria, Ill. (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:29 AM)

Hope Mr. Limbaugh would have Parkinsons Disease one day. The other unmarried female conservative author critized the 9/11 widows. They are a good match. One gets Parkinsons Disease and the other one becomes a widow.

Middle (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:32 AM)

I have been watching the lead up to the elections here in Toronto in horrified fascination. It is amazing to me that the Ford ad could be used at all and then justified as OK and not racist by the RNC! Again I saw on CNN that the Whitehouse arranged for conservative talk show hosts to spread the message to the republican base from the grounds of the White House?!? What the heck is going on in the US?? We up north are amazed that it is quite possible that the republican "get out the vote" machinary could work after all the mess that has unfolded in the US government! Wow. Can you imagine a democratic system where there is only one voice and no real checks and balances? is that the kind of democracy that the your President has in mind for Iraq? Come on guys....you gotta have dissenting voices in the House and Senate that will be heard!

Cams in Toronto (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:59 AM)

Why did the Tennessee and the rest of the South go Republican in the last 20 years? Race! Rascism is the Republican source of power in the South and this ad is just the lastest example of it. Last year, the citizens of Alabama had an opportunity to reverse a constitutional ban on inter-racial marriage. A majority voted to keep it. For years I have been telling my friends, both democratic and republican, about the Republican party's very well documented "Southern Strategy." A rascist code word here, a fight against school integration there, a presidental speech at Bob Jones U where inter-racial dating is prohibited and the message gets out that if you want to keep people of color away from your daughter then the Republican party is the party for you. If Ford loses it will prove that the Republican party is right. There are still enough rascists in Tennessee get the job done.

Roy, Charlotte, NC (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 12:36 PM)

If any single event epitomized the contempt the republicans have for the intelligence of most Americans, it was Ken Mehlman's look-you-in-the face, lie-through-the-teeth-assertion that there is nothing untoward about the latest filth to come from the RNC's ad campaign against Ford in Tennessee. The actions of the republican party are beyond reprehension. Americans are no longer buying what these criminals are selling, and no amount of spin control or outright deception can prevent the outcome that the American people have in store for them next month. And for all of the people they have hurt and needlessly killed, and for the hopes and dreams of millions they have smashed, damn them all. One nation under God? Not lately.

Peter Caloger Bushkill, PA (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 12:46 PM)

To Mark, so it is better that they just throw the left over embryos away like they do now? Just toss them in the trash instead of making use out of them. Because that is what happens with invitro. They produce more than they need because they never know how many it will take. Nice to know you would rather them be trash then to possibly help people.

Julie, Palm Desert, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 12:49 PM)

Ken Mehlman is a weasel and it would be nice if Chris Matthews on Hardball would say so to his face. This is no different than the Swift Boat ads, the excuses are exactly the same. Mehlman says that the GOP can't pull the ads because an independent group actually produced the ad. Corker says he will demand the ad be pulled if Ford will agree to pull all his 529 sponsored ads. I only hope that the good people of Tennessee know what it is like to feel shame for the actions of someone purporting to represent them, and know how to repudiate it.

Wm. Weissbeck (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 12:53 PM)

If the Bush Cartel and the GOP had any sruples they had some Rush trade them for drugs from an Illegel working Walmart in order to get Express Green Card which Karl Rove went to the State dept and got for him and his family so that they could vote for the GOP

Gregory A Reece (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 12:57 PM)

I totally agree with Olivia in Peoria. The Republican ad in Tennessee is over-the-top. It's unbelievable they think they can sell this crap to the American people. The ad is both racist and sexist. Americans are a lot wiser than they were in 2004. These nasty, mean-spirited tactics aren't going to work this time. We've been through too much since 9-11. We want serious candidates to address serious issues. We're tired of the lies, the deceit, and the distortions. We need people who will bring the country together rather than trying to divide it. I am fed up with the republicans constantly demonizing the opposition. Stop preaching hate; stop telling us that we need to constantly live in fear of the terrorists, or ourselves, or the gays, or the democrats. All this hate and fear does nothing to solve our country's problems.

Kato in Iowa (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 12:58 PM)

Rush is an idiot. So this shouldn't be news. The ad against Ford is just blatant razce baiting. Just proves what everbody thinks. Not ever Republican is a racist, but every racist is a Republican.

Eric, Costa Mesa Ca (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 1:10 PM)

The "other unmarried female conservative author" mentioned by "Middle" probably will never become a widow unless laws are changed---I'll let you guess as to why.

Alice in Blunderland (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 1:13 PM)

I'll tell you what unlike others on this board I live in Tenn. and all this ad did was reaffirm my vote for Sen. Ford

Brian, Nashville TN (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 1:17 PM)

Innocent babies? A building is burning. In one room there's a fridge with 2000 blastocysts in it. In another room there is a 3 year old child. There's only time to save one. Choose.

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 1:18 PM)

Innocent babies? A building is burning. In one room there's a fridge with 2000 blastocysts in it. In another room there is a 3 year old child. There's only time to save one. Choose.

joementumrulz (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 1:19 PM)

I can only assume that all of you who are offended by the RNC's Tennessee ads (and Willie Horton ads in Mass) were equally offended by the NAACP ads in 2000 basically implicating GWB in the dragging death of James Byrd, an African-American, in Texas? I find all of these ads, and any ad that tries to exploit race one way or another, to be in bad taste. And both parties have been guilty of doing it.

Mitchell, Palm Beach, FL (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 1:34 PM)

My mother suffered from Parkinsons disease. She died a year ago. Her conditioned varied, sometimes she barely moved, and at other times she shook uncontrollably. There were many times that her movements were very similar to those exhibited by Michael J. Fox in the ad. I am insulted by Rush Limbaugh's insensitive and ignorant comments.

Sheila Leventhal, Edison NJ (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 1:40 PM)

I yearn for the days when voting republican meant the support of solid values like a balanced budget, smaller government, fair and reasonable taxation and high moral values. Today’s Republican party reflects none of those values and goals. It has been taken over by the ultra right, neocons and cynics. If change does not come soon this country is doomed. I just hope the Democrats can get it right.

Richard Lewis (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 2:38 PM)

Not surprised by Rushs remarks----he is insentsitive to all except republicans-----he constantly shocks the morals of most ---why is he so fat now?And his head is huge---what ddisease does he have?As for the race-bait ad against Mr.Ford-----just look at the old films of the south with their hangings and killings if a black man even looked at a white woman.Why do the republicans never mention Justice Thomas is married to a white woman.

Hilma Towell (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 2:45 PM)

Matt sounds like your the one with the ring in his nose.I would think by now you would get tired of it being pulled

independent houston texas (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 3:12 PM)

You know, I do not blame the RNC for running ads with racial overtone. If I was behind, I will try to win by all mean necessary. But do you know who I really feel sorry for..... it is the low life, can't think for themselves, call themself christian, sorry of an excuse to be human who would VOTE for these people that put these ads on. If these ads would make you want to vote for their candidate, something is wrong with AMERICA! GOD HELP US!

SEAN (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 3:23 PM)

Yes! Let all the extreme fruitcakes from the right talk themselves silly- Ann, Rush and Bill, let them keep talking and spewing Godawful,nasty, ridiculous insulting comments. Show us what you're made of, what kind of people you are. You've learned from your king how to behave. Keep it up until election day.

j, palm harbor,fla (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 3:45 PM)

Rush - I think Tammy Duckworth is faking it. Pass it on.

A Story with Legs (Sent Wednesday, October 25, 2006 3:56 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=8571