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Obama Campaign Tells TV Stations Not to Run NRA TV Ads
September 26, 2008 12:37 PM
In this letter sent this week to TV station managers from Obama campaign general counsel Bob Bauer, obtained by ABC News, the Obama campaign argues that a TV ad by the National Rifle Association should not air.
"Unlike federal candidates, independent political organizations do not have a 'right to command the use of broadcast facilities,'" Bauer writes. "Moreover, you have a duty 'to protect the public from false, misleading or deceptive advertising.'"
The Obama campaign takes issue with an ad called "Hunter," pointing out that claims in the ad were called "false" by Factcheck.org, and was given three Pinocchios by the Washington Post's "Factchecker."
"This advertising is false, misleading, and deceptive," writes Bauer. "We request that you immediately cease airing this advertising."
In response, Cleta Mitchell, Counsel to the NRA, fired back in a letter to station managers that the fact checkers in this case are wrong.
"We respectfully request that your station disregard the shamefully false assertions from the Obama campaign and its attorneys," Mitchell writes. You can read more of Mitchell's letter at the blog of Ben Smith of Politico, who reprinted it in full.
- jpt
September 26, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (88)
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Whoa goin' call...? Hey Hey The NRA
Our motto ........"Always Ready"
The Minute Men of the 1770's did it and so can we the,,,, American people who will never never give up, our lives, our families, our freedoms AND OUR GUNS!!!!
From my cold dead HANDS!!!!!
Mr.Charlton Heston
Peace through Strength
President Ronald Reagan
USAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSA
Posted by: Sam | Oct 9, 2008 1:20:53 PM
Only the good die young
Billy Joel
Posted by: Sam | Oct 9, 2008 1:10:20 PM
isn't it interesting how gun control is the answer. just like in Chicago where handgun bans are some of the most stringent in country. a little research shows between Labor day & Memorial day of this year 123 people died due to guns in that city. i'm sure the victums appreciate their governments concern for their safety
Posted by: singray | Oct 4, 2008 9:57:46 AM
just remember you lefties your speech can be silenced too. once Obama opens pandora's box it will effect everyone. one thing is for sure. show us conservatives how to use legal means to shut you up and i will be more than willing to use the same tactics Obama employs against you. the law once precedent is set can be used against you too.
Posted by: singray | Oct 4, 2008 9:53:04 AM
I have been a loyal member of the NRA for years. If there was a gun ban, would the criminals and the gangs give up their guns? Of course they wouldn't? In the large cities the gangs would take over and and the law biding citizens who gave up their guns could not defend themselves. I cannot believe anything that Obama says or does. I do not trust him.
Posted by: Bert O. Starnes | Oct 3, 2008 8:58:03 AM
come on beck, this thread isn't about your job or your pay check. remember NAFTA? you can thank BILL CLINTON for that one. it sure wasn't the republicans that shipped your job out of the country.
Posted by: Frank | Oct 2, 2008 11:42:40 PM
Can McCain sue for the all the false ads from the Obama campaign and 527s that support him? If not, then he should stop whining about his hurt feelings and try actually leading for a change.
Posted by: bullmoosegal | Oct 2, 2008 11:30:28 PM
THE GUILTY DOG ALWAYS BARKS
Posted by: Concerned | Oct 2, 2008 8:15:48 PM
Danny states
freedom of speech is not a lisence to lie and libel. He is a constitutional scholar and he is acting responsibly, unlike the GOP/NRA.
(I think you mean license)
Obamma is not a constitutional scholar. He is a "politician" who belives that he can make anything written into what he wants it to say.
His comments on the meaning of the second amendment are proof positive of his total ignorance of the meaning and motive of the constitution. A quick reading of the Madison Papers would have told him everything he did not want to know. Are you really that gullible ?? This is about the same kind of dirty politics he used to get elected in Chicago. Don't run against those who oppose you, get them off of the ticket. Obamma is a liar, and only those who would vote for a yellow dog if it was a democratic would believe anything he says. Bobble Heads for Obbbbbbammmma
Posted by: michael archangel | Oct 2, 2008 4:41:45 PM
Jessica states
I am an independent voter and my vote could go either way. But you can't persuade me to vote for Bush Jr...McCain
Ah, sure, she is an "independent voter"
just like obamma has told the truth about his stand on guns.
It is this kind of democratic duplicity wwhich is especially galling.
I won't even try to confuse you with facts, as the democratic party has made up your mind for you.
Posted by: michael archangel | Oct 2, 2008 4:35:07 PM
The NRA has proven that the ads are factual. Factcheck is an organization that is supported by the same folks that support brady bill backers. Obama's voting record(the times he didn't vote "Present") in IL is totally anti gun even though he says he supports gun owners rights.
Posted by: Jeff | Oct 2, 2008 2:48:18 PM
"Has the McCain campaign attempted to take down Obama ads through legal intimidation? No."
Neither has the Obama campaign attempted to take down McCain ads through legal intimidation.
Obviously, Obama and his people believe the NRA is a much greater threat to the campaign than McCain is.
Posted by: Michael Ejercito | Sep 30, 2008 2:40:23 PM
If factcheck.org is non-partisan why is it fully funded by the Annennberg Foundation which also funded Williams Ayers and Obama's Annennberg challenge?
They are.
They've debunked the Obama campaign's claims in the past.
It surprised many of us that they were sloppy in their attempted refutation of the NRA ads.
Posted by: Michael Ejercito | Sep 30, 2008 2:38:48 PM
"you have a duty 'to protect the public from false, misleading or deceptive advertising.'"
So TV stations should not run 95% of political ads?
The same FactCheck.Org which countered the NRA ads (though not accurately), also debunked claims in Obama campaign ads.
Posted by: Michael Ejercito | Sep 30, 2008 2:37:03 PM
I read the NRA'S rebuttal to the FactCheck.org piece.
It is amazing that they were so sloppy, especially as they are not in the tank for Obama and have in the past debunked claims in Obama campaign ads.
Posted by: Michael Ejercito | Sep 30, 2008 2:35:28 PM
Obama is an attorney so it shoulodn't surprise anyone that his campaign will try to use legal means to stop certain things from getting aired. I have seen his voting record on the Second Amendment and it's scary. I understand that people are concerned about gun violence and I understand people want senisble legistation; however, the 40,000 plus gun related laws in the US aren't enforced as they should be. Now this abuse of the First Amendment is even more alarming. Frankly, I would vote for Obama if he wasn't sooooo anti-Constitutional. At these sen. McCain nows what it is like to defend the US Constitution instead of shredding it. As far as that post goes about the oil and gas prices, come on people!!! Last time I checked the DEMS were in charge of Congress and the gas prices went up not down. The President only has limited powers. Congress runs the show. Also, regardless of your party, both sides are getting rich off the oil. Obama had gotten money form oil companies as well. And as far as this economic crisis!!! I was at the mall yesterday and everyone was eating out and shopping at some pretty expensive stores. SO is the economy that bad??? Also, I lost my house after I left the military as an Officer b/c my pay got cut in half; I tried everything to save my house but the bank would not budge. I even used all of my savings; my load was a traditional 30 yr fixed. They point here is that I don't blame the government for me foreclosure. Please wake up and don;t listen to the media but rather investigate several sources of info. and don't vote by party but by issues.
Respectfully,
CPT Ray Casteline
Posted by: CPT Ray Casteline | Sep 29, 2008 11:51:48 AM
What happened to the First Amendment right to free speech? Is this not a violation of the civil rights of those in the NRA? Present the other side too and let adults decide what they believe.
the government is not to be our parent.
This is the second legal action against a radio station in Chicago and NRA here. Signs are banned at rallies. A group of attorneys calling themselves the "Truth Squad" have been set up in
MO to legally act about any ad they think is wrong. This is the Obama campaign,folks acting like police.
I can never remember any candidate ever taking so many legal actions against opponents. Hillary had this issue with Obama also.
If factcheck.org is non-partisan why is it fully funded by the Annennberg Foundation which also funded Williams Ayers and Obama's Annennberg challenge? Why are the bios of all staff and researchers very liberal in training and work experience. It is asking a foundation associated closely with Obama to decide if his opposition is correct---reasoning minds would neither trust nor accept that as the best source of checking facts.
Posted by: von | Sep 29, 2008 1:46:28 AM
Where is the outrage? Are we even capable of it anymore? This ought to scare the hell out of anybody who gives a damn about the 1st Amendment. Instead, it looks like America is perfectly happy to elect this guy. America gets the government and the leaders that it deserves.
Posted by: A. Bitter Clinger | Sep 29, 2008 1:30:19 AM
Before anyone makes another "fire in the theatre comment," I think it must be pointed out the NRA is buying time. The Obama campaign is threatening and intimidating stations which carry the NRA's purchased message.
This is an attempt to be pre-emptive by the Obama campaign. Were it governmental, it would be censorship.
What part of "freedom of the press" do you liberals not understand?
I live in a China. If you want to see how the media will work under an Obama administration, you're welcome to move to Beijing.
Posted by: Bob W | Sep 29, 2008 12:39:01 AM
Whether McCain has a high chance of dying of Melanoma is relevant to choosing a President.
Posted by: josh | Sep 28, 2008 11:27:51 PM
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