MSNBC Pulls Outside Group's McCain Cancer Ad After O'Reilly Complaint

Talking Points Memo's Greg Sargent reports that MSNBC will no longer air the independent group ad highlighting John McCain's cancer history and questioning why he won't release his health records:

The spot, which has been running on MSNBC since yesterday, is the work of Brave New PAC and Democracy For America, which is headed up by Howard Dean's brother. It demands that McCain release his medical records and quotes doctors saying that McCain's age and bouts with cancer should raise concern, with one saying that another round of cancer would "profoundly impact his capacity to lead."

MSNBC informed the ad buyer for the two PACS today at around noon eastern time that the network was yanking the spot, Brave New PAC spokesperson Leighton Woodhouse tells me. The network said that the reason for their decision was "viewer complaints," Woodhouse says.

Watch the ad below:

Sargent reports that MSNBC has stopped running the ad following a complaint from Fox News' Bill O'Reilly:

MSNBC's decision comes after Bill O'Reilly unleashed an on-air tirade over the ad last night, saying the ad was put out by "two despicable human beings," a reference to Dean and Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films.

O'Reilly also blasted Jeffrey Immelt, the head of General Electric, which owns NBC, and top NBC exec Jeff Zucker. "They should be ashamed, but they are anything but," O'Reilly said.

Watch O'Reilly rip into MSNBC for running the ad here.

Comments

[ShamusNYC]

...

And the Corsi book was .... what? I guess ok because it was filled with lies from a K... K... K... wanna be.


.

[LoloZ]

To hell with O'Reilly! This ad should have ended with a shot of Palin stumbling over her words, and a caption that this is McCain's replacement.

[SEQUOIABISON]

Great poignant Ad from our side for a change.

This is the type of Ad that the republicans usually run against us, causing us to moan and groan about how unfair it is, well, it is wonderful to hear the other side complaining about our ads for once.

I thought the Ad was very appropriate in lieu of the dismal selection of Palin who would be our president if McCain cannot complete his term.

With all the objections about this informative Ad, what I would like to know is; was there anything said that was untruthful or a lie?

While it may be uncomfortable to have a close look at the health problems of someone who wants to be in charge of our military arsenal, I think sometimes the truth can be very painful to watch, especially if the truth is damaging to the person we support, but these facts must be made available to the voters if they are to make an intelligent decision.

Believe me, if Obama had surgery for cancer 3 times and still had a life threatening disease the republicans would be in court right now trying force NBC to put their factual Ad back on TV.

Obama/Biden

[obackarama]

So now Bill O'Reilly is now the arbiter of appropriateness?

The only thing missing in this ad is the image of Sarah Palin.

[SethBLiNK]

You know what I hate?

I hate going to the airport and waiting on that line where they x-ray your bags and make you walk through a metal detector. I hate having strangers go through my stuff. I hate taking my shoes off and emptying my pockets. It's really insulting too, being treated like a criminal.

But I submit to it, in the hope that by insulting everybody this way, the airline is keeping us all safe.

I watched Sarah Palin give that interview to Katie Couric, and I'm convinced that having her in the White House would be as dangerous to our national security as letting people get on planes without x-raying their carry-ons.

McCain chose to insult us with his selection of a VP. By so-doing, unless he can guarantee his good health through 2012, he doesn't have a right to privacy.

Yes this ad is tasteless and rude. But the point it makes is valid.

[richdoll]

the next time msnbc runs an ad about obama being a child molester or one of the scurlous lies about obama from the mccain camp contact msnbc 212-664-4444 or email [e-mail] and demand that they take it off the air. turn around is fair play.
espescially when chris matthews start with the rovian talking points about obama

[Heavhauler]

Why wait call this number right now and complain about them pulling this important ad.

[rsaillant1]

Richdoll:


Thanks for Phil's Email address. What follows is a copy of my Email to him, just sent.

Phil;


Was there one word in the ad that you pulled that was not appropriate. Has McCain not had repeated bouts with cancer? Has he not stonewalled the release of his medical reports? Does he not owe the citizenry of this country full and total disclosure as to his fitness to serve, especially in the light of his rush to judgement where his Vice Presidential selection is concerned?

You listen to the "Falafel Kid," when he puts on his pouty face and respond to that critter's complaint?

Grow a pair....wi­ll ya'?


rsaillant1,

A friend of Joel Fishkin who's a friend of Jeff Zucker.
(I used to watch Joel and Jeff ride their tricycles up and down the block in Sans Souci/N.Mi­ami, FL., and I now date Joel's mother.)


R.

[Freesia2]

I've been mulling this over. And this one quote from O'Reilly seemed to say it all for me:

"They should be ashamed, but they are anything but".

It's interesting that he didn't ever tell McCain that he should be ashamed for choosing Sarah Palin, an unqualified, inarticulate, incurious, undereducated candidate for his running mate. That's where the real shame lies. Because if there was any reassurance that he'd chosen someone who was ready to step in if necessary, tried to make all provisions for us, for his country, in the event that the reality of his age or his health might catch up with him, (and the fact is they could) this wouldn't be such a pressing concern. That's John McCain's shame. And O'Reilly's for not calling him on it.. And shame on both of them for not loving their country more than they love their personal fame and the Republican party.

[irishgawdess]

Well said Freesia2. Thank you.

[research]

some conservative friends of mine were vary impressed by the ad. They thought it was totally appropriate to question his health.

But lying that Obama is a Muslim is just fine with O'really.

[98rsd]

They should rename the network WIMPS!

[claudiam]

This is chicken s*** of MSNBC. This is a frightening issue for me, especially with Palin next in line! Forget Bill Orally. Man up MSNBC!

[NoSandwiches]

I saw the ad three times on MSNBC on the same day.
They are cowards for pulling it.
Now they should have all their news and commentary shows air the commercial so that they can talk about why they aren't showing it. That's what they do at Fox and CNN.

[Cherlesq]

The moment McCain chose Palin as his Veep, he opened the door to the possibility of him dying in office. The issue of a president dying ion office is always paramount to the choosing of the vice president. Obama faced the possiblity that he could die by assasination when he pick Joe Biden, as Senator who could step into the Presidency at a moments notice. Does anyone actully think Palin could take up the mantle if need be. It's time to get our heads out of clouds and let the American people see hsi medical records to make their own decision. Enough is enough.

[KathyIndiana]

My cat has bigger balls than MSNBC execs. More sense, too.

[FuturePrez]

Look, the concern is appropriate as it applies to who'll assume the responsibilities but the ad was in BAD taste. It shouldn't take O'Reilly to tell progressives that. The PAC should have figured that out themselves.

[crayola 08]

mccain brought it on himself. his age wouldn't be a problem if he had chosen a seasoned and competent running mate. given his past health problems the chances of our being ruled by his Alaskan child bride are pretty high.