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

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

Here is something to consider: On the Hartmann show on AAR this morning it was revealed that McCain had yet another melanoma removed this Spring. He has developed a lazy eye problem in the last month, have you noticed it? It could be indicative that his cancer has metastasized to his brain.

[Fair]

BillO the Clown takes issue with Robert Greenwald because of the doc he made exposing Faux for what it is.

[enlighteninglad]

If there's one thing Billo can't handle, its the truth.

[dutt]

I'm glad the ad was pulled. Even though the ad was not approved by Obama, McCain's campaign and the right will use it as an excuse when confronted with their own sleazy ads and tactics. Too many people are cynical believing that all politicians both on the right and left are dirty. Obama has shown true character in this campaign, he has run an honest campaign and hasn't degraded himself by resorting to sleaze. Obama can and will win this thing cleanly.

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

Why didnt they do this same thing on behalf of Obama with the scurrilous Rev Wright 527 ads??

They operate under a double standard for the white and the black man!

[obamasOHangel]

Well Billow the Clown hasn't really hidden the fact that he keeps his sheet dry cleaned a secret has he?

[Donnybroke]

Oh, this is so easy!

All they did was show Rev. Wright giving some of his sermons.

Are you ashamed of Rev. Wright?

You shld be.

[smark]

What's wrong with telling the truth??? Better than the lying ads from the Mc camp!

[Candyx]

wow!! just shows MSNBC doesn't have the balls to run their own company!!!

Then don't run the disgusting lying ad from the NRA...but you won't because it's a true lie against Obama!!!

[Chavez08]

I think it's very relevant that the American public know that the guy bidding for Leader of the (not-so) Free World has a better than average chance of vapor-locking before the first term is over, leaving the empire in the hands of an uneducated, uninformed ex-beauty queen who, at best, is two-leagues dumber than George Bush!!

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

--"vapor-locking"--

LOL! Nice turn of a phrase here!

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

Oh yeah and astute observation.

[dsmyre]

Even if the melanoma doesn't end his life, it can incapacitate him with debilitating treatments. If he is too unhealthy or unfit to carry out his duties as President, we get stuck with President Sarah Palin from Alaska. Not a good idea!

[vietjawn]

i always pictured o'reilly as permanently on "tirade" mode....

[figa30]

So airing commercials were you splice the words of Michelle Obama and take her out of context is okay, but airing a commercial calling for a man with possible cancer to reveal his medical records is not okay. I can't believe MSNBC pulled the ad. I hope Keith points this out.

[obamasOHangel]

KO will be all about the debates tonight. I agree with you though.

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

It is so frustrating that he has been benched from being the primary commentator in all of this!

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

Bingo! You probably understand why we black people are a little bit peeved, most of the time!

[littlepuffycloud]

Millions of we white people are also peeved most of the time. God, please don't lump me in with the racist bigots out there. There are MILLIONS of us that would gladly take the crap dumped on Senator and Mrs. OBama, if only we were allowed. I would never presume to know how you feel, but I know I feel genuine love and admiration for both of them.

[AMERIKA]

Actually I like the ad, I think it factually represents what many Americans are worried about.

[JB2003]

I agree. hello, the man has had cancer and he chose an absurd running mate- this is a relevant issue.

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

ABSOLUTELY RELEVANT--ACTUALLY CRITICAL!!

[WolfLarsen]

McCain has only had cancer 4 times? Is that a problem? I had a dog that was hit by a car 4 times and was just fine.....a­lthough he did need wheels to get around.

John just get some wheels and you will be golden.

[andriadoria]

I think I would vote for your dog for president before I voted for Mc Can't and Palin

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

LOL!

[ResearchGuy]

The ad was brutal, but necessary. Read the recent memoir by (the late) Chuck Myer about his battle with malignant melanoma for a preview of what (God forbid) M c C a i n could be in for.

[indi1216]

O R eilly is a sell out...to F ox and to the re publicans.­..

[enlighteninglad]

That's deserves a big DUH!

[RobinLandseadel]

I called the number and told the NBC folks this is news. Face facts---the melanoma issue is relevant. It's truly an "emperor without clothes' situation.

[yesenia]

Let's add sauce on our tacos and review Mc Cain's record on aiding those cancer survivors, or drug addicts (Cindy).. What has he done to help them??