NC GOP vows to air ad anyway

Posted: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:31 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans, 2008

Per NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann
Despite criticism from the RNC and from its presumptive presidential nominee, the North Carolina Republican Party is resolute in its plan to air a 30-second ad that links Obama to the controversial Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

VIDEO: April 23: MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell talks with North Carolina GOP chair Linda Daves about a controverisal new ad running in the state that calls Barack Obama too extreme.

Woodcox says the party plans to air the ad Monday night at 6, but that the buy is "still being finalized." (That means there's still time for the party to balk, rendering the ad a trial balloon or a stunt.)

He said that the urging of party leadership will be "taken into consideration," but that they stand by the ad as of now. "We plan to go ahead with this," he said.

The Republican National Committee was aware of the ad last night, but a formal request for the ad to be aired was not made by the RNC until this morning.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

i'm hillary clinton and i approved this message.

sara, nc (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:36 PM)

YES!!!!

The GOP will scare away the Independents and wear out this issue by the Fall in a State that is made for Obama to win!

Is this Christmas???

Mister Anderson (The Matrix) (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:38 PM)

Air the Ad - this is politics -
I am sure there will be one for Hillary also.

SADDLE UP!!!!

Molly (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:38 PM)

A. Bite me, RNC
B. Obama picked up another Super D from Nebraska.

fortuna, Houston, TX (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:40 PM)

... yep. Let's go NC GOP all wave that confederate flag and put dem negras back in der place!

Fat chance, Obama will crush Clinton in NC and the only GOP left there is a bunch of tired old white guys who still think the South will rise again.

Mike Harley, ex-Pennsylvanian and happy for it! (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:40 PM)

I've seen the ad and, to be quite honest, it was disappointing. There's nothing that I haven't already seen before. After all the hype as to what the "Republican Attack Machine" was going to do with the Rev. Wright thing, I think that this is going to backfire.

Quite frankly, the ad is dumb.

Robert, Miami FL (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:41 PM)

And now it begins. The GOP will pick up the ball that hillary tossed them and run with it all the way to the White House. If she can't win, then no Democrat will.

JP Homestead, FL (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:41 PM)

I guess Obama will get a taste of what he can expect IF he is the nominee.

Obama and his whinny supporters will start complaining in 5...4....3...2...

go

patty,sd,ca (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:41 PM)

Would it be fair game if Move-on or the DNC started producing commercials with many of the pictures of John McCain, and the other 4 of the Keating 5. This Senator who acknowledges that he doesn't understand the economy as much as he should, voted for S&L deregulation in the 1980's causing the last bailout of banks and mortgage companies. I hope the NC Republicans remember that keeping your home is more important than an obnoxious pastor.

its the Economy Stupid (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:43 PM)

I don't understand why the NC GOP is so enamored with airing this ad. Seriously, nobody is likely to remember this advertisement come November, and the NC GOP is not going to be a defining organization of Obama. Wouldn't it be more logical for them to save their money to attack the nominee come fall, you know, actually during the general election? To quote a President, I fail to see the "strategery." I would love if someone had some insightful insight on this. So, so much hate the NC GOP must have.

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:43 PM)

It makes me wonder if McCain really does not want this to air or if this is a way for it to air and he won't have to take any of the blame for it. Just a thought...

Sheri, AZ (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:43 PM)

The Republican Party in North Carolina has been taken over by groups of xenophobic, reactionary nutjobs who want to return to the "good old days" that never existed. The party now stands for closet racism and social repression of the meanest sort. In case it matters, I am about as WASP male as one can be.

Charles Coppage, Kill Devil Hills, NC (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:47 PM)

Obama may as well get ready for the swift boats adds. McCain can not control everyone in the republican party. He has had a free ride for a year. MSNBC did not do justice for the American people. Race is alive and well in America. Just take a look of how the black community has flocked to Obama. Now the white community will have to vote for Hilary.

janice, stockton, ca (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:48 PM)

What a waste of RNC money...this is what I don't get about the Republicans. On the one hand, they insist that Hillary is the weakest candidate and the easiest to beat (which, I just don't see it) and on the other hand, they act like Obama is doomed if everyone focuses on Wright. So, you would think that the RNC would hold back this ad until he gets in the general.

Holli, Oklahoma City, OK (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:48 PM)

With the problem's facing American's today, if the NC GOP thinks that knee capping Barack, versus putting forth McCain's solutions for solving the real issues that currently plague the masses, then they will find their already plummeting standing in the polls, falling farther into the abyss.

donna (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:49 PM)

Now watch the media play the commercial over an dover like Tweedledee and Tweedledum... what a disgrace our media has become!

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:50 PM)

Let the GOP in NC run it. It won't change the outcome of the primary and it will beat the issue beyond death. No wonder the National GOP doesn't want them to run it: it will nullify it as an issue for them to try to use in November.

Democrat (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:52 PM)

Here's a question that I haven't seen anyone in the media address . . .

If Obama is supposed to be so unelectable, why is the GOP doing everything it can to attack Obama and prop up Clinton???

Hmmmmm . . . guess it must just be out of the goodness of their hearts

Wake up people!!!!! (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:55 PM)

Sad to know that there are still racists in the world in the Republican party. I do not believe that NC voters are that backward; in fact the ad probably will have the opposite effect.This sliming of Obama has already been tried:
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_obama.html
It will not be effective.

When you have no legitimate views, valid positions, or solutions for the problems facing Americans, the gutter rats will resort to race baiting, fear mongering and divisive diversion. Witness Hillary in Pa; and now McCain/Hillary in NC. Pretty disgusting.

Walt, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:55 PM)

RNC to NCRP

Don't do it, Stop!
No, Don't do it!
No, Don't Stop!
Don't stop!
Don't Stop!

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:59 PM)

WTF!!!! ITS FOLKS LIKE THIS WHO MAKE REPUBLICANS APPEAR RACIST/BIGOTS!!!!! ITS A SHAME THAT AFTER 500 YEARS SOME ASSHOLES JUST AREN'T SATISFIED!!!!!!

GROW DA F..K UP!!!!

THE REAL NEW WORLD ORDER (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:59 PM)

The ad is an insult to the intelligence of the people of North Carolina. And says a great deal about those who are attacking a candidate who is not yet running against them.

Blue collar 50-something Obama supporter (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:59 PM)

And you think Clinton has been tough.....

Clearly, Clinton has been right in her belief that this is going to be an issue in the general election.

Campdog (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:00 PM)

Sounds like a Hillary request......Thanks Hillary for destroying the Democratic party.

Joe Felt (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:01 PM)

PATHETIC

Nic k, Arlington, VA (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:02 PM)

The party of Karl Rove will show the ad. And the backlash will be great to watch

David, Houston TX (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:08 PM)

better they run it now so that by august, it is not a story that can help McCain in any way...

That said, Obama will still be the next President of the USA.

sem, va (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:09 PM)

Since the N.C. GOP is so opposed to controversial statments of Obama's pastor (that he did not know about and denounced), I wonder if they will air the comments of the Clinton's pastor endorsing Rev. Wright.

Better yet, will they air the controversial statements of Pastors Hagge and Parsley who's endorsement McCain actually sought out.

Probably not! The N.C. GOP are hypocrites just like Clinton!

Independant, Houston, TX. (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:12 PM)

Can you spell b-a-c-k-l-a-s-h?

Bring it on.

Kate, Boise, Idaho (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:13 PM)

So much for running a clean campaign GOP.

Thanks for trying McCain.

Hey NC GOP...you guys are low lifes.

Thomas, Gainesville, Florida (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:15 PM)

"This is a legitimate question to be asked," said state party spokesman Brent Woodcox, who emphasized that the NC GOP has "a great relationship" with their national leadership. "We are not the only ones asking it."

Exactly. It's very easy for the RNC to make their case when there's an HRC playing for the wrong team.

Way to go, Bill and Hillary. I hope you are happy now.

Buzz, Washington, DC (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:15 PM)

North Carolina: Please be smarter than that GOP garbage! Thats how we went to war in Iraq with scare tactics like this one. These Anti-American GOP people will destroy our counrtry. All you have to do as look at were we are now! They gave us George Bush and we got a war, high gas prices and a credit crunch.

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:16 PM)

The GOP is gonna tear Obama to shreds...

It has begun..

The Truth Hurts (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:16 PM)

The ad is great and the truth! As a liberal democrat, I agreeewith the ad and commend N.C.R.P.!

Dr. Ed Alaska (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:24 PM)

What about McCains endorsement of Rev Hagee.

Karen, Des Moines, IA (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:25 PM)

I guess you are worried that Obama would beat McCain in a general election?

Brandy, Woodbury, Minnesota (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:26 PM)

It is 2008 When will this country get out of the Race thing.What kind of media coverage is fair when we hear nothing about being a Catholic and having someone call your faith derogatory names, or state tha Katrina was because the Gay Parade was scheduled??? How is that tolorable?? I find McCains religeous relationships more offensive that Pastor Wright. Atleast he criticizes the entire Country's policies and does not attack indiviuals who are different. Not everyone is a right wing religious extremist..How about if we start running the McCain religious leaders EVERY TIME SOMEONE metions pastor Wright.... Get real America

Marcelle Richmond (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:28 PM)

The GOP and has more too lose by airing this message then Obama. Many around the world are tuned in to this election more than at any time in American history, and will see the worst of pictures(again)for the United States America supposedly the champions of "democracy". We will again be the laughing stock of the century!

Myra Waiters (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:28 PM)

Why hasn't it been reported that the "unpatriotic" Rev. Jeremiah Wright volunteered to serve his first term in Viet Nam as US Marine Infantryman and re-enlisted to do a second tour of duty in Viet Nam as Navy Corpsman(what the Marines use as medics)? I would suppose that would take away from the argument, that he is so un-patriotic. As a former Marine myself, I see nothing wrong with what was said in any of his sermons. It is called freedom of speech.

I wonder how many of his critics have served in the military at all? How many volunteered to go fight for thier country, not once but twice? How many of them were so full of cowardice, that they got deferments to avoid going to Viet Nam? Or how many of them joined the reserves/national guard to avoid going into dangerous places(in the 60's) only to use said services as thier expendable band of pawns to fight this nasty, useless misguided war?

I believe it is more "unpatriotic" to withhold critcisms of one's country because of the apparence of being called "unpatriotic".

To dissent is more "patriotic" than it is to be blindly obedient.

Jimmy CHICAGO IL (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:29 PM)

How dare Hillary say that the people of PA "listened to the 2 canidates anddecided that she was the strongest" WHEN HONESTLY 75 % of the exit polls said that race was a factor.... She is not better she is just not Africain American.

OBAMA WILL TAKE OREGON !

Marcelle Richmond Portland OR (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:30 PM)

Typical mental midgets...what the GOP cannot deal with is a broken America on all accounts...it seems destined instead to make issues of non-issues and make non-issues of the issues. The NC GOP is simmering in slime.

Joselito (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:31 PM)

This move on the part of the NC GOP is just plain stupid given John Hagee's endorsement of McPottymouth.

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:32 PM)

Perfect -- the NC GOP gets to spread their hatred, McSame gets to pretend he is against it, and you do your constitutional duty to present propoganda as if it were news, all the while pretending to address the "controversy" and at the same time increase your readship. It's a win-win for the corporations and the Republic party. The only losers are the American people. Good for you, MSNBC! Fine journalism.

Tony (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:34 PM)

And we're off...

Note how John McCain repudiated this ad (however disingenuously) and told the NC GOP (sorry - the last post was wrong) NOT to run it...and NOT word one from Hillary as of yet...

mkd (Sent Thursday, April 24, 2008 12:27 AM)

All McCain's mealy-mouth protestations to the contrary, those attack ads just might be his salvation. Every election cycle, I am reminded again of the utter stupidity of the American electorate, letting themselves be sidetracked by crackpot ministers, the "gay agenda" and the precious right to own assault weapons, all the while our jobs are disappearing and nobody in Washington gives a shit.

It's goping to happen yet again, people.

Liz, Vancouver wa (Sent Thursday, April 24, 2008 1:02 AM)

McCain says it is despicable. Hillary says the Wright issue is a legitimate one.

Hillary supporters: why is Hillary's standard lower than Republican John McCain's???

JTS (Sent Thursday, April 24, 2008 2:43 AM)

Well lets see when the next ad shows Rev Hagey comments while McCain stands there and tells us he fully supports this Rev Hagey

Mike, Morehead City, NC (Sent Thursday, April 24, 2008 6:44 AM)

All I can say is that I am glad I am not Republican. I am a liberal democrat and don't understand how people can honestly believe that Obama went to the same church for that long without sympathizing with his minister's point of views. Regardless, Hilary gets my vote, not because of this, race, religion, gender, or any other generalization. It boils down to Obama's inexperience and surprising sense of superiority.

Josh - Winston-Salem, NC (Sent Thursday, April 24, 2008 6:56 AM)

just has you thought the gop couldn't stoop any lower this is the so low they can crawl under the pregnat ant and i'm an unaffilated voter in nc i will vote democrat straight down the ticket in the primary and the general election i'm fed up with this foolishness

prncssntsoprfct, charlotte nc (Sent Thursday, April 24, 2008 6:59 AM)

It's funny too that just because this ad happens to be about a black man it will be perceived as being racially charged. The ad is directed towards the negative comments that a man made towards our country...get it? OURS and he is connected with a man that intends to run OUR country. Why are people asking what the problem is?? And leave NC out of this, this is pure GOP.

Josh - Winston-Salem, NC (Sent Thursday, April 24, 2008 7:03 AM)

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=939717