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

[lainey]

This "outside group" is comprised of physicians, hardly political animals. McCain's health is a legitimate concern and should be treated as such by the media. He is 72 years old and has serious health risks. Furthermore, he has asked a person who knows nothing about the economy or the world to step in should something happen. I think the point is that something very well could happen, and the American people have the right to be concerned and physicians have the right to address the issue. Again, this is a legitimate concern.

[CassandraPriam]

McCain has a terminal cancer, and his running mate is not competent to lead.
And his health is off the table as an issue?

[standup2them]

He won't release his medical records? No wonder he only wants to serve for 4 years. He sure does not look healthy at all.

[kayatarms]

I am of the opinion that as a ad it's tasteless! But up for discussion not at all, health is a very serious issue,,, ESPECIALLY as it applies to judgment with his VP pick , nothing to do with skin cancer but exhibiting other memory and erractic behavior ailments. Fair is Fair~! Even though by a stretch coming from O'really? it's not saying much.. He is the same guy that used the word lynch and Michelle in the same sentence, and funny thing....t­here are so many nasty quips that ,,I stopped watching his show years ago now, but to rake em up wouldn't be hard to do!

[ozrox]

Your kidding, right. Olberman is sitting still for this? Hope they end up as worse persons in the world.

OBAMA- BIDEN 08

[Bluejay00234]

Oh grow a pair.

[Questinia]

I am an M.D., I made similar claims on two posts yesterday and both were deleted by Huff Po. I suppose they were inappropriate in some way. However I feel it would be derelict for the medical community to sit idly by without in some way educating the public regarding McCain's past and possible recurring illness. The difficulty is how to bring this subject up without it being politically unfair or insensitive.

If only this issue could be brought up not in an ad but by the MSM or public.

[Clayton139]

FOX/FIX News and O'Reilly will/would do the same thing and will do if they get a chance! They are known for that. But, if someone else does a FOX/O'Reilly tactic then they (CRY') foul! Truth always wins! - John McCain needs to show his medical records to the American people! Then, case closed!
MSNBC has done nothing wrong!

[eva belle]

Whoooaaa..­..he wasnt so mad when fox news 'mistakenly' aired that attack ad on obama..she­esh!

[RobinSeattle]

Another profile in cowardice by the MSM.

[Donnybroke]

At MSNBC, it looks like the adults hve returned from summer break.

[sheikwil]

Fox's can run ads by McCain that lie on Obama about him being a muslim and the lie about Michelle Obama, but they cry about an ad that is telling the truth. MSNBC is a coward for bending to O'Reilly.

[ATruthBeKnown]

Wow ..those spinless yucks at Fox punked MSNBC.....­. I'm impressed ...I'm really impressed.­...

Release the Hounds !!!!!!!

[chf2go]

This ad was and is totally relevant to his potential administration. Maybe not so much had he picked a worthy and qualified VP, but since he chose to forgo that smart choice, this becomes topic #1.

[Jbun]

I agree....

I've always thought McC is too old for this job (I'm allowed...­I'm 60+), and very concerned about his health history.

Now that he's picked Moose Girl for VP, I'm TERRIFIED he might win in November.

[yesenia]

This is hilarious !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ux3DKxxFoM

[Donnybroke]

He's not running.

[yesenia]

I know. But this is a reminder of what happens when we elect dumb presidents­..

[obamasOHangel]

LOL thanks.

Just think, if McPalin win (perish the thought) we get four more years of YouTube moments.

[CEPHALUS]

There goes the chicken liver media,did they not ran rev. wright sound bite over and over?
These guys are working hard for a seat at one of mcsellout cook-out. Hamburger and hotdog media at it again.

[Donnybroke]

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the Revs. scintillating words.

[Candyx]

maybe you need to go and watch the witch doctor heal Palin flower from all the nasty media....

[joshuahmcdonald]

I apologize in advance for the shouting, but...

HOW CAN ANYONE BELIEVE THAT AGE AND MEDICAL CONDITION ARE NOT RELEVANT TO DETERMINING A CANDIDATE'S QUALIFICATION FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?!?!?!?

Of course medical history matters. I'm not saying we should discriminate. That is absolutely inappropriate. But we assuredly need to judge his mental acuity and health is a HUGE factor in that...ASK ANY DOCTOR!

[obamasOHangel]

Josh....yo­u'll like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKVPay1eBH8

[DASChicago]

To darn funny, OMG. My stomach hurts!

[kayatarms]

HILARIOUS!!!

[AnnieinOR]

I don't understand why the Ad is an issue and has been pulled. We as Americans should be concerned about the health of our candidates. Especially in the case of someone who has had more than a couple of bouts with CANCER, not to mention because he decided to choose Sara Scandal as his running mate. She apt to start the witchhunts all over again if anything were to happen to Mac.

[Donnybroke]

"I don't understand why the Ad is an issue.....­"

It's called bad taste, something you wldn't understand.

[RobinLandseadel]

In the context of "Family Guy" &"CSI", taste is no longer relevant.

[marc1antony]

bad taste? a person that has had cancer four times and is seeking to be president, and you call it in bad taste? you need to pull your head out of your crak