Calling the attack ad "racist and gutter politics," the Democratic Party reacted to a North Carolina GOP attack ad that features Reverend Wright and that calls Barack Obama "extreme." The ad is drawing harsh criticism from both sides of the political aisle.
In an exclusive to Huffingtonpost by the leading Democratic presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama said, "Well, my understanding is that the Republican National Committee and John McCain have both said the ad is inappropriate. I take them at their word. And I assume that if John McCain thinks that it's an inappropriate ad that he can get them to pull it down since he's their nominee and standard-bearer."
This is the first day of early primary voting in North Carolina and the Tar Heel (Hell) GOP wasted no time unleashing their first attack ad of the season against the near-presumptive Democratic presidential nominee from Illinois and two of his North Carolinian supporters -- Bev Perdue and Richard Moore -- both of whom are vying for their party's gubernatorial nomination.
The state GOP describes the ad on its website as an "Extreme Ad."
The spot opens with the voiceover: "For 20 years, Barack Obama sat in his pew listening to his pastor" then shows the oft-repeated Reverend Wright "God Damn, America" video clip followed by more voiceover: "Now Bev Perdue and Richard Moore endorse Barack Obama. They should know better. He's just too extreme for North Carolina."
A sweet looking older lady, North Carolina GOP Chairwoman Linda Daves, delivers the last swipe of the spot: "The North Carolina Republican Party sponsored this ad opposing Bev Perdue and Richard Moore for North Carolina Governor."
Bev Perdue, the current North Carolina Lt. Governor, told Huffingtonpost, "It's just more gutter politics that voters will see right through. The ad has absolutely nothing to do with North Carolina and is just a distraction from the real issues facing our state."
Richard Moore was traveling today with his press secretary and had not yet responded to our request for a statement.
John McCain released a letter sent to Linda Daves and her state party "imploring her not to run" the ad stating, "This ad does not live up to the very high standards we should hold ourselves to in this campaign...We need to not engage in political tactics that only seek to divide the American people...Once again, it is imperative that you withdraw this offensive advertisement."
"It's the height of hypocrisy that the NC GOP would start running this racist ad even as John McCain tours African-American communities this week, pretending to be a different brand of Republican politics," said Jerry Meek, North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman in a press release denouncing the "divisive ad."
Meek wants McCain to do more than just send a letter to Daves. In his press release, he said, "While we appreciate Senator McCain's willingness to keep the campaign on higher ground, he should have acted sooner. News of this story has been buzzing for the past 24 hours. If McCain really wanted North Carolina Republicans to be worthy of the principles he believes, he could have picked up the phone and called Ms. Daves."
What are Republicans doing sticking their noses into a Democratic primary race, anyway?
"Yeah, it's weird because they usually don't start sliming us until the general election, but the Republican Party in North Carolina isn't in good shape. They're probably using the ad as a way to raise money. That's what they usually do. This is just a sign of things to come," said one long-time Democratic operative working for a statewide candidate in Raleigh.
The NC GOP has yet to purchase any buys for the attack ad. It's running on YouTube and will doubtless be seen for free on the network news and political shows with talking heads who have time on their hands to fill before the May 6 primaries in North Carolina and Indiana.
But the mud and the blood are just starting to run in the Tar Heel state where 115 delegates are up for grabs. Senator Obama currently holds a double-digit lead in North Carolina. Indiana's 72 delegates are also in play, where Senator Clinton hopes to capture enough votes to keep her debt-ridden campaign alive.
stuck their noses into the economies of the UK and US--Hmm!
And it had more to do with the Nazi's coercing some Jews into flooding the American Ecomony
with too many dollars--double Hmm!
whether you want to believe it not this whole thing boils down to RACE. we don’t like to admit it because its wrong, but deep down many can not imagine a black man being president…
43 presidents have been white males.
think for a moment if at last you finally had someone of your race who had a strong possibility of winning the presidency of a nation that had been run by others (be it Blacks, women etc…).
in this election we have a chance to end a dynasty of two families and to effect real change.
all of the candidates have/had questionable friends, associations and dealings, but his are only being brought to the forefront because he is BLACK. And for no other reason than that.
As we continue to listen to the MSM and its spin it is my sincere hope that we as a country begin to look into out hearts and minds and find the courage to be like Sen. Obama to stand up for change.
HUMANS FOR OBAMA 08
Please dont comment
You do not know how WE feel
The real issue behind the Jeremiah Wright story is the latent racisim that exists in this country. Too many on this blog deal with race as if it's only a tactical component of an election strategy. Rather it is a real issue that affects real people. The NC GOP ad is despicable. It's blatantly racist, and if you can't see that you're either too caught up in the politics or you're a bigot. You can confront yourselves about that. Intelligent, fair minded people need to continually call out the NC GOP and others who play on racial fears for political or any other gain. This is far more important than the Wright issue because they are engaging in institutionally sanctioned racism.
I could see that once Bill O'reilly and Sean Hannity knew that Wright was going to be interviewed on PBS, they became almost beligerent and tried to convince people that this was bad for Obama. When the real issue was their deception and fear of people really seeing the real Rev. Wright and that once people could see a softer side of Rev. Wright, they would not be able to in good conscience continue to affect the opinions of people with the continuous loop of that original video.
It is sad to know that human beings would destroy other human beings because of their race or differences and do it in the name of Jesus, while professing to be such wonderful christians, who have a direct line to God.
So?
I bet you would still vote for him as governor if you were a PA resident
For the GOP to exploit this kind of fallacy against a Democrat is not surprising. We're used to it. I have a question for Senator Clinton, though. Do you honestly believe that Senator Obama shares the much-publicized controversial views expressed by the Reverend Jeremiah Wright or that he would govern in a way that would reflect those views?
Racism is Racism.
I will not vote for a Nazi, a member of the KKK, a member of Mr. Wright's church or any other hate group.
Starting with white water, and involvement with communists.
All we hear is Hilary's sarcasm, hostility, meanness, hatred, racists, and violent towards many people.
Obama may end up being thrown under the bus.
Hilary thinks no one can run the white house like she can. I mean no one.
Hilary has the wrong dilemma.
i think this link will work better
Wow!! someone actually speaks up to the Bill OReilly hate machine.. and it's a Catholic priest with a LOT of crediblity. Hear the real story on Rev Wright from someone who knows him well, instead of the hate journalists.
They've heard it over and over like every one else in this country.
People know when Hilary is preaching bull, about Obama.
Obama will conquer every thing she throws at him. I have confidence. It may not be his nature, but he'll get fed up.
Hilary is on the war - path so Obama needs to be, feisty and punch back hard with both barrels.
Hold his stance and defend himself.
Hilary is extremely aggessive and he needs to be also. People will understand. It appears that's what they want. See which one has the ump to fight for them.
When she does it to Obama, she seems to win.
So come on Obama get physical with your ads. You can become aggressive to.