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

[davidsandiego]

pulling this ad is wrong, it states a fact.

mccain has had cancer and no independant groups have been able to see his health history to certify that he is healthy, sorry but the amount of time available to look over his records by a select few with no copies to be made, does not constitute openness to the process, if he is to be the oldest president when he takes office this must be made public.

or i ask where is the controversy or lie?

if he had chosen romney or somebody else with more experience dealing with these national issues it would not be a question, but after choosing palin to pander to the female vote and seeing that the media was right she is not ready, this becomes a very legitimate question to ask.

the republicans run ads that are flat lies and they still run them and the msm still lets them run them and still runs them for free on their shows to debate them.

[RaraAvis17]

Wow, who knew BilloTheClown had so much pull. PhuckBillOReilly - Why does he hate the truth so much? Isn't this their country too? Do they really want Palin to take over as President? Jiminy Cricket.

[VikingQuest]

The work of Brave New PAC and Democracy For America, which is headed up by Howard Dean's brother.

This is all you need to know.

[obamasOHangel]

Thanks now I know who to donate to. BNP, DFA and the DNC. Kudos Sean.

[Mike169]

All I needed to know was that O'Reilly was against it for me to be for it.

[Colmore]

Well, I am offended that O'Reilly is still spewing his opinions after being charged with sexual harrassment. How many millions of $$$ did it cost Fox to settle THAT? O'Reilly has no moral right to criticize anybody, and call them "despicable". Who the HELL does he think he is? The public has a right to know about the health of candidates for office, particularly the president. Look who is waiting in the wings, to take over if McCain should buy the farm. Yup, yup, ya know who.

[tiger2471]

I don't understand why this shouldn't be a FACTOR in choosing the next President of the US and I don't understand why people are upset about it. It's the truth isn't it? I mean this man wants to be the next President, most Presidents start out with brown hair and end up with white/gray hair (ie Bill Clinton and George Bush) but McCain is coming in with white thinning hair. What will he look like after 4 yrs? So his CANCER history should DEFINITELY be apart of the discussion. MSNBC folds quicker under pressure than John McCain, get some balls for God sake! And God forbid he wins and then doesn't survive and Sarah Palin becomes President, that would be HORRIBLE!

[yesenia]

Guys and Gals... LoL I can't stand her voice...

[BeauMonde]

The ad presses an important point, but it's also quite poor in taste.

There are better and more effective ways to show the American public that McCain's age is important. Showing his scars in such a manner isn't very fair, nor is it honorable.

We know loads of Republicans have no shame.

But we should.

[obamasOHangel]

It's NOT about his age it's about his (TRUE STORY) cancer and the effects of it and who his second in command. Tell me what the poor taste in the ad is? The truth hurts, so what? This is our future at stake and I for one do not want Palin controlling it!

[BeauMonde]

Come on.

The grave music and graphic images? I understand it's a truthful ad and on a more than important topic, but I still feel it could have been done on a lighter and more professional note.

If you feel fine about it, great.

I don't, and I'm simply voicing my opinion.

[VikingQuest]

Those Dems endorsing this ad should know, this was the first really low blow in the ad wars . . . expect to see a 527 running ads with Obama in muslim clothes and Rev. Wright now.

[milo h minderbinder]

What do you mean expect that NOW? I've expected that all along.

And for the record, I think the health of the candidates is something that absolutely should be a consideration, particularly looking at the veep candidate.

[k6007]

Where can I donate to this 527. That is EXACTLY what is needed to wake up these ridiculously apathetic voters. Long Strong Dosages Of The Cold Hard Truth!!

[obamasOHangel]

I'm with you. I'll double your contribution.

[yesenia]

Donate here as well http://bravenewfilms.org/

[yesenia]

Right here baby..

Paid for by the Brave New PAC and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Brave New PAC is supported by members like you, please consider making a donation. To stop receiving the latest videos from us, click here. We are located at 10510 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232.

[MaybeMilo]

I'm a solid O supporter, but was against the add. I do think McC needs to provide legitimate documentation that there are no near-term critical threats to his health.

Though I have to wonder, did any networks stop airing the "kindergarten seks ed ad" that went out in McC's name? No?

Help me out here - I haven't heard of any.

MSNBC - or their masters - caved on this one.

Of course, I still think the cancer ad should never have run to begin with - nor should've the kindergarten one, obviously.

[obamasOHangel]

And the SEKS ED one had McCain's name attached at the end, approving the message. Ugh!

[SouthernBlueBelle]

The audacity of the lefties to take a page of the righties book. Only they can spout crap, swift boat, willie horton et al. There was no complaints then.

[Mike169]

There is nothing wrong with this ad. It asks an important question made more important by the addition of the eminently unqualified Sarah Palin.

[tmsingh]

It's unbelievable that this election is even close.

[dayala]

if the ad is factual then I see no reason not to run it...McCain needs to release his medical records.
no one is complaining about the gutter-garbage attacks that is run against Obama.

[BillCarson]

They should have just stuck to the facts, the ad would have been more effective...

More than fifty percent of patients with melanoma develop brain metastases. http://neurosurgery.mgh.harvard.edu/abta/mets.htm

For patients with a melanoma like McCain's (Stage IIa) who remained free of the disease for the first five years after diagnosis, the probability of recurrence during the next five years was 14 percent and death 9 percent. http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/09/america/mccain.php

[didleijoe]

Now that an ad! DAMN! - Man that was a hard hit. Sheez, they said they were taking the gloves off but I didn't know they were taking the shovels out of the car trunk to bury this guy... alive. Who f*cking called in "Goodfella's?

[jimme]

I personally thought the ad was wrong to air but it's no lower than the as saying that Obama wants to teach younger kids about s e x before teaching them to read. This is NOT what an election should be about. I say end ALL ads like this and stick to the issues,but then no repubs would win any more elections. HEY, what an idea!

[obamasOHangel]

How about O'Really displayed ZERO moral outrage about the blatantly false sex education ad, but his hackles rise over the truth about McIcky and MSNBC bows to him. I'm sickened.

[obamasOHangel]

How about O'Really displayed ZERO m0ral 0utrage about the blatantly f@lse sex education ad, but his hackles rise over the truth about McIcky and MSNBC bows to him. I'm sickened.

[obamasOHangel]

How about O'Really displayed ZERO m0ral 0utrage about the blat.antly f@lse se.x education ad, but his h@ckles rise over the truth about McGimmick and MSNBC bows to him. I'm sic.kened.