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North Carolina TV Stations Refuse to Air Anti-Obama TV Ad

April 25, 2008 9:48 AM

ABC Charlotte affiliate WSOC-TV and CBS Raleigh affiliate WRAL-TV are refusing to air the North Carolina Republican Party TV ad featuring the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, an ad condemned by both the RNC and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

"I just don't think it's appropriate to be on our air," Joe Pomilla, general manager for WSOC-TV, told The Charlotte Observer. "I think it's offensive, and I'm not real comfortable with the implications around race."

Technically the ad is against Democratic gubernatorial candidates Bev Perdue and Richard Moore, who have endorsed Obama. But only nominally. It's clear purpose is to tag Obama as "extreme."

"For 20 years, Barack Obama sat in his pew listening to his pastor," the narrator says.

Cue Rev. Wright and his "God d--- America" sermon.

"They should know better," the narrator says of the local Dems who endorsed Obama. "He's just too extreme for North Carolina."

The North Carolina Democratic Party has called the ad racist. Jerry Meek, the chairman of the N.C. Democratic Party, told the Winston-Salem Journal that the ad is attempting to exploit racial bias among white voters.

"It clearly is the case that this is part of the ‘Southern strategy,'" Meek said. "It's been around for a long time. This is a page directly out of something that Jesse Helms would do."

But North Carolina GOP Chair Linda Daves denied any racial motivations behind the ad.

"If Senator Clinton had a pastor who made these same anti-American statements and the Democrat candidates for Governor endorsed her, we would be running the same ad," she said.

This controversy comes at the same time Wright has decided to propel himself back into the public sphere, starting with an interview to air tonight on PBS.

- jpt

April 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (68)

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This comment refers back to the lady that called into the Michael Baisden show the other day and said that Hillary could do more for African-Americans than Barak. She said that if black men would not be doing what they are doing to get in trouble then they would not have to worry about if the system is unjust. What about Sean Bell? I think you know how the story goes. People also need to wake up and know that George Washiington was not the 1st President. Look up the informaiton on John Hanson, and he was not a white man.

Posted by: Wanda | Apr 28, 2008 11:12:55 AM

Why should Sen. Obama have another debate with Hllary Clinton? Everyone with a 6th grade education knows Hillary Clinton has is in Financial troubles with her campaign, that she is not willing to pay for with their fortune. She wants to debate NOT TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES but to take cheap shots so that she can get FREE PRESS using the guillable talking heads that's suppose to be News Reporters, Sen.Obama has shown he is above all of the politics as usual, Sen. Clinton simply wants to get much needed Free Press The American voters are saying she is worth $109,000,000.pay for your campaign yourself.

Posted by: janet | Apr 27, 2008 1:04:23 PM

OBAMA IS REFUSING ANOTHER DEBATE WITH HILLARY. IF HE CAN'T HANDLE HER, THEN IT SPEAKS TO HIS INABILITY AND LACK OF EXPERIENCE TO LEAD AN ENTIRE COUNTRY.

ALTHOUGH SENATOR OBAMA IS A CHARMING AND ELOQUENT SPEAKER, WE NOW KNOW HE FIZZLES AND FALLS APART WHEN HE HAS NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THE QUESTIONS POSED TO HIM (ABC'S DEBATE).

SENATOR OBAMA'S "FINGER" TO HILLARY AND THE "BRUSHING OFF HIS SHOULDER" GESTURES CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE HIS POOR JUDGEMENT AND HIS CAPABILITY TO ACT INAPPROPRIATELY. THIS ATTROCIOUS BEHAVIOR BY OBAMA (OR ANY OTHER CANDIDATE) SHOULD BE A "WAKE UP CALL" AS TO WHETHER OR NOT SENATOR OBAMA CAN BE CONSIDERED AS "PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MATERIAL".

Posted by: BONNIE | Apr 27, 2008 10:51:33 AM

I think we all owe a debt to the McCain campaign for painting the Clinton clan further into a corner with this issue.

Last week I was horribly dispondent about the way the Dem primary was headed (and I'm from MI), but this week has brought me renewed confidence that the majority of American's will do the right thing and elect Barack Obama in November. Thanks to the NC GOP !!!

Posted by: dennis | Apr 27, 2008 9:48:49 AM

It is high time this foolishness stopped!!! Pastor Wright's sermons should be heard in their entirety before people make these idiotic assumptions!!HE DID NOT LIE!!! MI and FL voters WON'T be disenfranchised if certain delegates aren't seated at the DNC. Sen.Obama DID NOT belittle smalltown America in his comments nor has his campaign EVER played the race card.I used to be a Hillary supporter up until a couple of months ago.The tone of her campaign has gotten far too negative and decietful.More important her supporters refuse to back Sen.Obama if she is not the nominee.Talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face!!

Posted by: orin | Apr 26, 2008 7:49:26 PM

Think about it...do you want to elect someone who says, after 20 years, that he never heard or knew of Wright's anti-American and racist rhetoric? Doesn't that bring into question his ability to "know" or "hear" what foreign leaders, friendly and not so friendly, are saying if he were to be president??

Of course, I think he did know and hear, but is lying, but that's another issue...

Posted by: Think about it | Apr 26, 2008 1:05:58 PM

I have not seen the ad. What I have seen is Bill Moyer's fabulous interview with Reverend Jeremiah Wright, and I have watched nearly all of Rev. Wright's 2001 sermon. I am white, and mostly unfamiliar with the tradition of black preaching. But having seen the interview and heard the sermon, I believe that anyone (including right wing republicans with a strong anti-Obama objective) watching these 2 pieces in their entirety would understand the full context of his message. I believe anyone viewing these in full would appreciate the unfamiliar (to whites) rhetorical device used by a preacher who loves humanity and has a deep, and well researched distrust of government--ANY government. His sermon is not anti-American. The right wing cynically spins it this way with an endless loop of ONE SENTENCE, on Fox "news." I am certain Fox news staff did watch ALL of the reverend's sermon, and they likely did watch all of Bill MOyer's interview with Wright last night. Their agenda is to knowingly twist and manipulate with 100% dishonesty. They KNOW the full context of his sermon. Yet they pretend to not know, to not understand, to regard as "racist" (there is nothing in his sermon that condemns white people, by the way) a clear message that was put in a context of thousands of years--i.e., government is a power that can abuse its trust and serve only the interest of the powerful. When it does, it has departed from what we know to be godly. Rev. Wright asks us to be guided by God, not blindly faithful to any one government that defies what we know is right. Deep down, we all know our own government consolidates power, bombs civilians, tortures prisoners--all in ways that are decidedly NOT Christian. Yet when a black man shouts that truth out in the tradition of black preaching, we decry HIM as racist. That reaction dismisses our obligation to be responsible in the world, to face that the US, like all governments, abuses its power. That was his message.

Posted by: Trudy | Apr 26, 2008 10:26:50 AM

I would like to ask Linda Daves why was it NO BIG DEAL when then Republican Presidential nominee Ronald Regan opened his presidential campaign kick off speech at the County Fair in Neshoba, Mississippi on August 3, 1980?

With the fairgrounds covered with dozens of Confederate flags, Regan stated these words!!!!!

"There isn't any place like this anywhere."

"I believe in states' rights. I believe that we've distorted the balance of our government by giving powers that were never intended in the Constitution to the federal establishment."

As we all remember this to be the area made infamous with the murder of three civil rights workers in 1964.

How can we forget him characterizing poor women as welfare queens driving around in pink Cadillacs, and "to send the welfare bums back to work".

With all the racial polarization that characterized this former president, I dare she even attempt to polarize Rev. Wright as anything but honest, and simply telling the truth, as we all know THE TRUTH HURTS!!!!

Posted by: Lena | Apr 26, 2008 3:29:38 AM

Why are we treating Obama and Reverend Wright as though they have something to apologize to the American people for? Obama is not responsible for what Jeremiah Wright says. Furthermore, IT IS THE TRUTH! And the only people who have a problem with it are close-minded, Conservative, white racists who can't make the connection that you cannot do bad things to the citizens of your own country, and you cannot go outside of your country and do bad things to people without expecting it to happen directly in your own back yard. People go around here like they are sooo shocked and outraged that 9/11 happened... but with our government being as shady as it is, is it any wonder? We NEVER stopped to THINK about WHAT IS OUR GOVERNMENT DOING to the indigenous people around the world that make them retaliate in VIOLENCE. Bigotry begets bigotry. Anger begets anger. Violence begets violence. Terrorism in the form of slavery and extermination of Native Americans begets anti-American sentiments here and around the world. GET OVER IT!

Posted by: Dawn | Apr 26, 2008 1:18:40 AM

To the radio stations that refused to air the add against Sen.Obama I say thank you. There are still people of dignity in this world.
If Rev. Wright would have let his words be few Sen.Obama would not have to deal with this. Church and politics don't mix well together. Furthermore if Rev. Wright had so much to say about Sen. Obama it could at least been positive. Now instead of praying about the sistuation Rev. Wright has just opened another can of worms.

Posted by: H Jett | Apr 25, 2008 9:32:02 PM

why do you think McCain and Clinton and the Republicans are running ads/against Obama? He is the defacto candidate. The Republicans have already started running against him. Why don't you think you see attack ads against Clinton? Because they are scared witless of Barack's General Election campaign.

Posted by: SMorris | Apr 25, 2008 7:44:08 PM

why do you think McCain and Clinton and the Republicans are running ads/against Obama? He is the defacto candidate. The Republicans have already started running against him. Why don't you think you see attack ads against Clinton? Because they are scared witless of Barack's General Election campaign.

Posted by: SMorris | Apr 25, 2008 7:37:01 PM

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is to funny!!!!!!! GOP Chair Linda Daves let me help you pick up your face and put it back on now. You must feel really stupid right about now.

Posted by: Dennis In Orlando, FL | Apr 25, 2008 7:08:37 PM

'The fact that he is multi-cultured is the only reason everyone is sweating the small stuff! Had he been a white man, most of you same people would have probably already built him a throne and proclaim him Jesus.'
-----
That is a tad backwards.

If he had been a white man, B O would have been a blip on the tip of a pencil eraser.

Had he been another Martin Luther King, he would probably been handed the nomination.

Obama is neither.
He is a complainer and whiner and has surely shown his surly side to the press many times.

When Obama faired poorly in debates which was "usually" but especially in the last one, Obama made sure his blogging clog got on the horn and defended him..... blaming the Stephanopolis and Griffiths for the poorly selected words which stumbled trippingly off his tongue.

Many of his bloggers are paid in coin (dollars) for their rants..... some of which were filled with such hate, and venom .... some of which were probably slanderous..... many of which were thoughtless, poorly spelled and kind of silly... except for these special groupings of words which would appear many times in a blog.... by a variety of the same people;-)

I'm sure that some of Hillary's bloggers get paid too.... but they have never come across as mean-spirited as do the Obamaniacs.

And remember.... we're the stupid ones.

Or are we?????

Posted by: eyes open | Apr 25, 2008 6:08:19 PM

Obama's excuse of his relationship with Rev. Wright was: it's like you love your addicted father.... but wouldn't you do anything about that if you really have a drunken father and YOU HAVE DIFERENT VIEWS WITH HIM according to you, and you are not a ten year old who would probably couldn't do anything about it? You would at least try to talk him out of it and send him to some kind of institute or hospital to cue him or if you wouldn't do that for whatever reason, you shouldn't have sit down with him and drink with him for twenty years!! If Obama could not change one person so close to him for twenty years, how can he change Washington or America in a few years

Posted by: Jean | Apr 25, 2008 5:31:20 PM

I find it amazing how the media goes out of it's way to protects Obama. I don't remember local stations not carrying the Kerry swift-boat ads, they were shown in my area. Rev. Wright is real, not made-up.

Posted by: unhappy in fl | Apr 25, 2008 5:16:51 PM

North Carolina does not need to be weary theirselves about the AD, if it comes on so be it. Move on to the issue that the Carolina families such as gasoline prices, food, healthcare.

Posted by: rachelle | Apr 25, 2008 5:07:36 PM

I think ABC and CBS should be investigated for the anti free speech aspect- these are american air waves and these stations must be held accountable for their anti free speech efforts.

This is an outrage and un American


Posted by: CJ | Apr 25, 2008 4:39:15 PM

Hilary and McCain are disgusting. Not because of their race, because they are used to the sick politics that has run this country since forever. White america has run this country since the beginning. They are responsible for ALL of the mess (recessions, war, etc.) we have been in since it's existence. I want my children to grow, learn and be healthy. It's time for a change. I'm sick and tired of it all.

Posted by: Truth | Apr 25, 2008 3:57:40 PM

There is nothing wrong with the ad. Too bad McCain and the stations buckled to St. Obama. You remember him... he's the guy who sat in the pews of a racist church for 20 years and then turned around and gave the rest of us a lecture on racism. Is anybody else as sick of this as I am? And do we really want to sit through 4 or, God forbid, 8 years of this?

Posted by: HoosierSue | Apr 25, 2008 2:52:14 PM

I wish everyone would stop crying "race card". Hillary knows exactly what she is doing and so does the NCRP. By airing this commercial they are trying to divert the attention away from the real issues as usual. Had Obama been a white man with the same affiliations (personal and political), views, overall strategy, carrying the same message this race would have long since been over. The fact that he is multi-cultured is the only reason everyone is sweating the small stuff! Had he been a white man, most of you same people would have probably already built him a throne and proclaim him Jesus.
Hillary has long since proved herself a liar over and over again on numerous occasions. She has also proved that she can sliver with the rest of the snakes. I guess she feels that since she's slivered so long that she is owed something. Well guess what 100 mil dollar, a lot of us out here can barely take care of ourselves and our loved ones, so, we don't have anything for you.

YOU GET WHAT YOU VOTE FOR!

Posted by: bay | Apr 25, 2008 2:02:49 PM

Did they have a problem with airing swift-boating commercials of John Kerry?

Posted by: unhappy in fl | Apr 25, 2008 1:39:53 PM

I'm curious as to the legality of the stations' refusal to air a political ad. Since when are TV stations in the business of censoring political speech? Will they air whatever ads the Democrats come up with, or will they censor those too?

Posted by: Buford Gooch | Apr 25, 2008 1:19:37 PM

There are about six other states runnings ads like this about Obama.

Some Democrats in those states are beginning to distance themselves from Obama.

Honestly I question the judgement of the two gubernatorial candidates in NC for endorsing Obama. Were they just jumping on the Obama bandwagon? And now that his halo is broken they are stuck with him.

I won't vote for anyone that endorsed Obama. Their judgement is as bad as his.

Posted by: cindy in nc | Apr 25, 2008 1:02:03 PM

Len,

There is not many things disturbing about Obama. I am more disturbed by the attitude of the Clintons, more disturbed by the pandering, and be all things to everyone, and remember what I have done for you black folks Clintons

Yea everyone owes the Clintons, and now comes payback time right?

Obama08

Posted by: Thinking | Apr 25, 2008 12:59:47 PM

@Thinking:

And your point is? Mine is it would be better for the country in the long run if race weren't the button ALL sides punch when their candidate is down in the numbers.

But you can't ignore the numbers. Race is a big factor. I do wonder if it were another black without the disturbing associations of Obama if this would be the case. He certainly did not prepare for this candidacy and it is that sense that he is a good speaker without any substance in terms of professional preparation that is driving others away from him. Abercrombie and Fitch? C'mon that is amateur hour particularly after being stomped in a primary. He seemed totally out of touch with what had just happened as if he can't fathom that he is not entitled and just might lose the nomination.

It's bad in politics or entertainment to believe your own press and his increasingly visible arrogance demonstrates to the audience that he doesn't understand that.

It is better to win but more important to know how to lose in ANY of life's contests particularly if you want to take another stab at it. Grace and polish, kids, not anger and rebuke.

Posted by: len | Apr 25, 2008 12:39:40 PM

nicholas,some of us who are moderate dems that support hillary do beleive that rev wrights comments are offensive and unamerican and that obama has many questionable marxist connections that make him unfit for the job of potus,this ad is not racist unless you consider wrights comments offensive and if you do then it is fair play to be used.there is such a thing as free speech ,i mean nobody has complained that randi rohdes has called those of us who are working class dems white trash and i dont see any calls for her to be off the air,and if thats not a racist comment i dont know what is.

Posted by: don tufts | Apr 25, 2008 12:39:18 PM

I don't like the ad at all. However, they have every right to run it. Once again, the media is doing everything possible to protect Obama. Would they have shown the same courtesy to Hillary Clinton?

Posted by: cappamore | Apr 25, 2008 12:32:29 PM

Obama is the one who went to Trinity not the the gubernotorial candidates,so why should it be used to smear them,it seems it would not be fair to those two candidates. It would represent guilt by association,being they nominally endorsed Obama.

Posted by: merle7 | Apr 25, 2008 12:30:43 PM

All is fair in politics. After all it has been Obama playing the race catrd since SC. If this were a white preacher and Hillary belonged to the church ......the ad would run non stot from now to November. In America we have free speach and should have been told by our media about this Rev. Wright and Obama's association with him back in 2007 but it was hidden from us. Free speach should never be stopped and stopping this ad is "Racist" because we would not stop the ad if it were a white Pastor of a white candidate......At this point we are close to nominating a man we know very little about for the highest ofiice in America...very scary. Obama has 20 years in politics and yet he has no accomplishments to speak of. We have serious issues the next President needs to clean up and there is no reason to believe that Obama can handle it. However Hillary was certainly the brains behind the Clinton White House years and her experience will help us all.......out of Iraq, universal healthcare, NEW JOBS, fixing NAFTA ect.

Hillary 08 We need to fix problems, not create more.

Posted by: jodi | Apr 25, 2008 12:27:03 PM

I applaud the station for not airing bull, let's stick to the important things.Like I heard why is Hilary's theises sealed, if this is true why?
Sounds like she has something to hide.
We have know more control over what Obama's pastor say, no more than we have
on the fact that Bush is not ready to
stop the war.Think about it the next time you speak of Obama and his pastor.
So what do you do, you pray for peace love and happiness.

Posted by: Mildred Roberts | Apr 25, 2008 12:12:44 PM

You could call it societal marketing or you could call it character.

Either way, I applaud the TV stations for their ethical decision.

Posted by: Falcon | Apr 25, 2008 12:05:35 PM

The North Carolina Republican Party answers the question: "How devoid of answers to our nation's problems is the Republican Party?"

Posted by: Nicholas Lefevre | Apr 25, 2008 12:01:13 PM

I for one am tired of hearing that every criticism of Obama is RACIST. For someone that claims to NOT be running on his race, he and his supporters sure seem to bring it up a lot. The ad is negative, even unfair to call him extreme, but racist? I don't think so. If he wants the people of America to see him as a candidate first and foremost, then stop all this racist namecalling crap.

Posted by: JR | Apr 25, 2008 11:58:48 AM

The ad is a typical Republican smear tactic. How is it racist again?

I think the ad should be taken down. But the anger of Obama's supporters and their contention that any questioning of him is somehow racist is why a lot of people are getting angry that favor another candidate. And it is going to be a real issue in Novembver.

The campaign tactic of minimizing the Clintons by painting them racist has a trickle down effect. The idea that none of us will be able to talk to Blacks again without wondering if we are sending out "code" is a big problem.

I am the grandmother of a bi-racial child. I want him to be able to understand that he too could one day be President. I have Black and Hispanic friends. I have never had a problem communicating with anyone of any race.

The problem is we have removed the story line that "men may not vote for Clinton" while empahasizing the storyline "Whites may not vote for Obama" Now the media is supporting the supposition that the only reason Obama didn't win PA was because of racism...give me a break.

For God's sake this is America...the idea that the candidate who is 1% ahead should be coronated is an outrage. It smacks of entitlement. And it also points out the very "iffy" delegate system that got him the advantage in the first place.


In PA Clinton won the state and the popular vote and all but a few counties and because of the "delegate math" Obama profits almost as much as she does.

It has played out that anyone who dares not vote for Obama is a racist. And now it goes that anyone that is running against him or emphasizing his poor judgement is racist as well.

I am not looking forward to my grandson growing up in an America where he is fed a constant daily dose of anger and victimization.

Posted by: Jackie | Apr 25, 2008 11:54:34 AM

Pay attention Pennsylvania. There is still some character left in this nation. These North Carolina stations are to be commended and once again I'm proud of the South.

Linda Daves is either (a) a closet Hillary supporter or (b) wants Hillary as McCain's opponent.

Her battle to air this ad is extreme and very curious.

Posted by: Typical W/Woman in the South | Apr 25, 2008 11:51:59 AM


Pelosi, Dean, Reid, Kerry, Kennedy, Leahy and Richardson are all "HAS BEENS". Their political careers have been placed on the line by their ignorance in backing a freshman senator with zero to no world experience; who has a 17-20 year history with his personal mentor who is a racist, bigot reverend; and hangs with guys named Rezko and Ayers.

Obama is too "green" behind the ears to succeed as the President of 2008 issues. He has NO strategic plans to address this nation and world's problems. In Fact, his policies now reflect the Hillary Clinton policies....how peculiar.

Just like his "second hand' speeches...he cannot think for himself. First he acts two-faced with no integrity re: Rev. Wright (or is it Wrong????) then he steals like a thief just to get elected. WE HAVE 50 STATES --- NOT 48.

Americans should not stand back silently. Silence is acceptance. I refuse to do this blindly and with just plain "HOPE" that it will be alright.

Hillary all the way!!

Posted by: Concerned American | Apr 25, 2008 11:46:26 AM

Let the ad run, it just goes to show the ignorant of some white folk hoping to get the other white folk to agree. We all have set in church listening to the pastor say what he/she wants us to here. Once we leave there may be a few things said you might not agree with. These man sermons every Sunday DO NOT go the way the sound bits are. We also heard some close family and friends say things we disagree with but yet we remain friends. I made a point one day to my co-worker, he made the comment that his grandparents are not to fond of black people, I didn't ask for specifics but I got the point. In the same breath he made the statement about Obama not rejecting the Reverend himself, he thought or felt Obama should have rebuked the man. Well, first I asked did he share the same views as grandma. his reply was no. So I asked did you correct your grandma when she made them statements. His reply no, did you reject or denounced your grandma? his reply “that’s my grandma I can’t denounce my grandma” I said why? Once again he said that’s grandma. So I stated why should Obama denounce the man for what came out of the reverends mouth? Obama has no more control over reverend Wright than my co-worker over his grandma. So to me this ad and this reverend Wright controversy is all about race. Its intent is to scare the white folk to vote against a black man whose intent is to give the white house back to the American People, which includes all races. His intent is to put more money into the pockets of American people by creating more jobs; his intent is to stop big business from ripping all of us off. His intent is to bring the troops home as safely as possible, his intent is stop the old politics and start bringing the American people together, his intent is to put a cap on NAFTA, his intent is to talk with our alias and bring us together for a better America. His intent is to make sure everyone can afford healthcare, his intent is raise teachers pay and better educate our youth, his intent is to make college affordable for our young adults and give them responsibility while benefiting from it, and last but not least his intent is to get us out of the Bush debt. But I guess some white folks don’t want that so run the ad.

Posted by: nette | Apr 25, 2008 11:36:31 AM

NC IS A BIASED STATE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COLLEGES IN THIS STATES WITH BLACK STUDENTS (MANY ATHLETES).

MOST NC MEDIA IS BIASED.

TV STATIONS SHOULD NOT RUN DEMOCRATIC ADS IF THEY WON'T RUN REPUBLICAN ADS; HOWEVER, THE ARE BIASED IN NC.
PROBABLY WILL NOT BE FAIR AND BALANCED.

Posted by: Concerned American | Apr 25, 2008 11:36:27 AM


Use your search engine to find
Jodie Evans
or
Code Pink

What else is Obama hiding?

IF THEY ARE FUNNING DEM'S ADS --- THEY NEED TO RUN REPUB'S ADS.

BE FAIR!

Posted by: proudamerican2008 | Apr 25, 2008 11:31:10 AM

Is the station plating any ads from the Democrats, if so they are breaking the law!!

Posted by: Spock` | Apr 25, 2008 11:28:36 AM

is it me, or does it seem like mccain/lieberman/clinton/bush are all actually in the same party? this is a primary election. why would mccain help hillary? why would hillary endorse mccain?

Posted by: tommy jonq | Apr 25, 2008 11:28:32 AM

Ok let me get this straight bring up that Obama sat in a pew listening to a Racist Pastor is Racist? Racist against who?

This seems to be another one of those if you say anything against Obama your a racist!! Playing the Race Card!

And you wonder why Racism still exists, because people like Obama live off it!

Posted by: Spock` | Apr 25, 2008 11:27:46 AM

I'm wondering if this pollster's last name is Stephanopoulos? What a string of blantant lies they are asking. I hope people have a little more sense to fall for this stuff.

Hillary and Bill will, in the end, be analyzed for years on what NOT to do in a Presidential election. We really need this stuff to stop.

Posted by: Disgusted in Texas | Apr 25, 2008 11:22:51 AM

Good for those stations that refuse to air this trash. I am sure Hillary Clinton has blood dripping from her jaws too. Hillary is a dirty player and out GOP's the GOP.

Posted by: Mary M. Mansour | Apr 25, 2008 11:21:47 AM

Bet the stations refusing to air the ads are owned by the same companies that own MSNBC and CNN. More evidence that Big Media is in the tank for Obama. Bet they run anti-Hillary and anti-McCain ads. AUDACITY OF HYPOCRISY!

Posted by: calli | Apr 25, 2008 11:09:49 AM

Len

Yea right it's not like Hillary didn't use Rev Wright.

Hillary is unelectable

Obama08

Posted by: Thinking | Apr 25, 2008 11:02:15 AM

OH my god this is the same trick played here in Massachusetts, the ad that implied blacks as bad scary guys, Hey it worked and Deval Patrick beat the repuke woman.
I rue the day I voted for Deval as he has been very ineffective against the dem status quo. Next time it will be the woman I choose repuke or Dem no matter ANY woman who runs for ANY office will get my vote!!

Posted by: HP Boston | Apr 25, 2008 10:58:13 AM

I am a Hillary supporter. That ad is the wrong thing to do but it is a Republican ad. Democrats need to speak out against it.

The election isn't worth it. As I said elsewhere, this is about culture, not race, but I don't think anyone fighting in a burning house can make that leap of understanding.

Quit punching the race button or be prepared to have to look into the mirror and admit to things none of us want to admit to. The media will use this for profit and the rest of us will pay for it. Good can come of it but not in the middle of the election.

Obama started the race conversation and frankly, there was no way he could avoid it. He is what he is and that is true of all of us. He has to live with it. He needs to decide what is worth doing and having in that order. So do we all.

Posted by: len | Apr 25, 2008 10:54:24 AM

NC could also run ads about Obama's association with the terrorist William Ayers, or his shady real-estate deal with Tony Resko.

Or they could run the audio of Obama belittling small town Americans.

Rev.Wright's anti-American rants have nothing to do with race. It is about Obama's judgement and character for refusing to leave that church.

I have to look at myself in the mirror everyday and I won't help this man get to the White House. America deserves better. I am from NC.

Posted by: cindy | Apr 25, 2008 10:52:31 AM

One more thing. This isn't about race at all. It's about the people with whom Obama chooses to associate. Draw your own conclusions.

Posted by: Howard | Apr 25, 2008 10:50:33 AM

I am an Obama supporter and I think the ad should come out. People can listen and judge for themselves. I seriously doubt anyone is swayed by any ad. It's typically the other way around. They have already made up their mind. The ad is just an excuse to justify it.

I've seen it. It has no bearing on my judgment. The question is: Is there any evidence that he does not love his country? None whatsoever. Insinuation or suggestions are just to fool people when there is absolutely no evidence.

People know better. Let the ad air.

Posted by: Adam | Apr 25, 2008 10:49:09 AM

Why should I be censored by a TV station? They have a right to do it but I don't think it's right.

The government/ media complex already tells us only what they want us to know now anyway. I suppose on a really important issue, like a man's character, is too much for the American sheeple.

Posted by: Howard | Apr 25, 2008 10:48:26 AM

Oh! so it's only freedom of speech when it's convenient for the media. Run the ad, maybe more information will come out and we can watch Obama stumble over his words to cover his tracks. I wouldn't trust Obama as far as I can throw him.

Posted by: kito11 | Apr 25, 2008 10:41:19 AM

Hmm, North Carolina, proud of the depth of the faith of its citizens. And yet the nastiest political followers in the nation.

Posted by: newz4i | Apr 25, 2008 10:33:00 AM


GOP Chair Linda Daves, where will you hide your face after your efforts of your Ad and the best results out on May 6th.?

Why cant you ask yourself a question: This was played on again and again nationaly and didnt affect Obamas ratings. Why should it be now!!!!

Posted by: Peace | Apr 25, 2008 10:29:37 AM

Yes. Thank God for free speech. These stations are exercising their freedom. They do not have put up ads they find despicable. Maybe they are even listening to their viewers opinions.
I applaud their decision...from North Dakota.

Posted by: Mari | Apr 25, 2008 10:20:52 AM

Something's really wrong around here. We could talk bad about someone else race, but....

Posted by: Allsion | Apr 25, 2008 10:20:20 AM

As a country we have yet to grow up, there are still race and gender issues that will refuse to go away, it's a shame...

Posted by: Jim | Apr 25, 2008 10:16:37 AM

I am glad that they won't be airing it. It's despicable.

Posted by: Stacey | Apr 25, 2008 10:13:13 AM

Yes it is about race. It is about the right of Blacks to be shown some respect.
That ad was about race, take a look at black America that is what it was about, that is what the republican party is about . That is the game Hillary and Bill Clinton have been playing.

That is what poster after poster on these blogs have been playing. Spin it anyway you want. I know where you are coming from.

Been there seeing that.

Obama08

Posted by: Thinking | Apr 25, 2008 10:11:14 AM

Do they think N. Carolinas do not have issues to be solved instead of bringing Ads which will do nothing to them!!!!!

It is typical Old Politics which we want to get rid of!!! This is really absurd!

Posted by: Peace | Apr 25, 2008 10:08:14 AM

The Back lash is just begining!

Obama08

Posted by: Thinking | Apr 25, 2008 10:06:40 AM

So much for freedom of speech.

Using Wright's own words and stating the fact that Obama sat in the church for 20 years. What is so offensive and inaccurate about this???

I assume these media outlets will use the same higher moral authority when it comes to ads against Clinton or McCain.
Excuse me while I laugh out loud.

Posted by: Marc | Apr 25, 2008 10:05:45 AM

If Barack is guilty by association, then Hillary is guilty for the same with Bill, he is a scum bag too.

Posted by: Jim | Apr 25, 2008 10:04:14 AM

Tv stations, john mccain, the RNC all think this is not what we should be debating about and using to figure out who is President...

hmmm ...who does that leave that thinks this should eb the issues....

Oh Sean Hannity, Clinton campaign, Right wing talk radio and Bill Clintons ex-press secretary.

Posted by: dl | Apr 25, 2008 10:02:05 AM

I guess the republicans thought money talks everywhere.

Good for these televisions stations standing for some decency.

It is beginning to show how much Republicans are out of touch.

Obama08

Posted by: Thinking | Apr 25, 2008 9:55:46 AM

No need for the ad to air, they already got free publicity and higher viewership.

Thanks to MSM.

Posted by: Rick | Apr 25, 2008 9:54:54 AM

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