Anti-Palin 'Wolf' Ad Expands Into Battlegrounds

Of all the ads to have aired this presidential campaign, one of the most successful may have been one of the least remarked-upon.

Weeks ago, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund released a 60-second spot titled "Brutal," denouncing Gov. Sarah Palin's support for an aerial wolf killing program as well as a policy that places bounties on the forelegs of killed wolves. It was, according to trackers of voter responses, one of the most effective ads of the cycle.

It also earned the organization $600,000 in donations in the six hours after it was released, and more than $1 million overall. With the extra funds, the organization is now plowing money back into its advertisement.

On Wednesday, the wildlife group will announce that they are expanding the airing of its ad to additional swing states - a measure meant to correspond with Thursday's vice presidential debate. The ad is currently airing in Florida, Michigan, Ohio and Northern Virginia; voters in Colorado and Missouri will soon see it also.

"Defenders of Wildlife has found a more effective critique of Palin than the Obama campaign or Democratic Party," said a source with the organization. "The ad damages Palin with exactly the voters McCain put her on the ticket to attract -- suburban women, moderate Independents."

The group's initial spot scored incredibly well among focus groups. A study of 312 Democrats, Republicans and Independents showed that the ad produced "moderate movement among all parties" in Obama's favor. The spot earned a Political Communications Impact Score of 23.5, making it, according to the site Media Curves, the second most effective ad to have aired this cycle.

And unlike many presidential campaign ads this cycle, the claims made in the Defenders spot are virtually all true, albeit with some caveats, according to FactCheck.org.

"Aerial killing of wolves may not be your standard national election issue, but it is one that helps illuminate an important part of Sarah Palin's character," President of Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund Rodger Schlickeisen said in a statement. "We believe voters deserve to know about her support for this brutal practice, and we are confident the issue can move votes as we head into the home stretch of this campaign."

Comments

[jimmyjones22]

This is lame. This just re-enforces right wing nutcases to get their friends to vote for her.

[obamagal]

Lame you say? It sure got me hyperventilating.

The right nutcases are going to vote for her in any event. It's the independents and more neutral republicans this will affect.

Good ad.

[parunach]

This is not for the right wing people, this is for the independents, it makes perfect sense for them.

[Ron1951]

"Aerial Killing"? Is this a PC way of saying MURDER?

[Smirk]

No, it's just a description of the method involved.

[thepurpleocean]

Although this ad may not particularly relate to the economic and political issues the United States is suffering today, I believe that it sends a very strong message that highlights what type of person Sarah Palin is. If she allows such cruelty to animals, imagine what kind of damage she could do to our global community. As vice president, Sarah Palin not only lacks the experience and ability to handle important issues like foreign policy, but morals also.

I learned so much about her through www.dailysource.org/palin
very helpful website!

[SEQUOIABISON]

Americans love their pet Dogs, and Wolves it is said, are the original source of all of our domesticated Canine friends.

Scientists believe that our loving, loyal adorable pet Dogs are all originally the progeny of the Wolf.

In fact if you acquire and raise a Wolf from their puppy age, they will be just like any loyal household pet Dog.

Therefore, this single issue more than any other has revealed the callous insensitivity of governor Palins personality.

Obama/Biden

[bayside]

Saw this ad..Its terrible. Reminds me of cheney shooting birds in a cage. What is in their genes , They love to kill things..

[cluesearch]

It's a great ad and very effective but I wonder if it will have any effect when we are dealing with this economic crisis? Either way, I think they should air it before and after the VP debates on all networks.

[teapartydude]

Many people aren't affected by the economic crisis, so they vote on wedge issues, like gay marriage or flag burning.

This is one of those issues that could help swing a few votes.

Air it and air it ALL THE TIME!

[emily00011]

Her idea of the bounty on wolf paws was too much. Good thing the court had enough sense to strike that down.

[obamagal]

It made me sick. I'm still trying to calm down. It had imagines I really didn't want to see - and it will affect many many people the same way. Air it, and air it often. It would be good if a video was made showing her cutesy side on one half of the screen and images from this video on the other side of the screen.

[obamagal]

oops, "images"

[LemonMeringue]

This is sanitized - tame compared to some of the other videos about this practice in Alaska.

[LyricalLexicon]

I just gave them $25, I encourage everyone to donate what you can so this ad can get on TVs across the nation.

[Smirk]

Just made my second, larger donation.

[Foucek]

this ad needs to go nationwide­....

[sherbug]

Selective Pro-Life.

[cactusgal]

She needs to terminate her candidacy. NOW.

[dagdavid]

Michael Vick is in prison for the unspeakable cruelty of dog-fighting. This is worse!

[naschkatze]

Yes, but that's a good comparison to bring up.

[LyricalLexicon]

Another Palin Falsehood.­..
"...this is about feeding Alaskans"
--Palin spokesperson

If that's true Governor Palin...

Why are sport hunter groups the biggest advocates of aerial hunting as opposed to advocates for the poor or hungry?

Why does the Palin administration allow out of state hunters to hunt and directly compete with rural hunters for supposed limited resources in most of the areas where aerial hunting is done?

Why, in most of the areas where aerial hunting is done, are a majority of the moose taken by urban and non-resident hunters instead of true subsistence hunters?

Why does Palin oppose what is called “rural preference” which would give true rural subsistence hunters priority access over sport hunters to the areas where aerial hunting is conducted?

Why did she file an appeal in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to block the Cheesh-na Tribal Council from expanding their subsistence hunting in key areas?

Aerial hunting is done by private citizens flown by private pilots in private planes. They get to keep and sell the skins of the wolves they kill. Some even pose for traditional hunting trophy shots.

http://www.defendersactionfund.org/newsroom/sarah_palin.html#aerial

[Snarkysmachine]

I can't watch this. I'm afraid it'll make me sick to my stomach. I will donate funds, but I don't need to see this monster aerial hunting to know she should be kept as far away from the White House as possible.

[MCEsquire]

You probably shouldn't watch it. It will make you sick to your stomach...­especially if you have a dog or other pet. It's just plain cruel.

[kmdippenger]

Here's another one revealing Sarah Palin's brutal record in Alaska...s­eems this woman is pretty http://www.grizzlybay.org/index.htmlzlybay.org/index.html

if you want to do some research, find out about her dismal record working with the indigenous people of Alaska...a vote for her is taking us back to another era

[gentlernation]

IF MCBLAME DROPS DEAD THEN MICHAEL VICK COULD BE HER RUNNING MATE.