# Discussion of a pro-Obama ad: its tone, content, and implications **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 8, 2012, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871 "2012-08-08T15:50:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/121 "2012-08-10T17:29:46Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > Oh, there’s a rule that we’re not supposed to go into details and hypothetical scenarios when discussing legislation on the SDMB? Someone tell the mods to shut down 90% of the threads! 😛 > > It’s off topic, and the side exchange is already complete. But, it’s a mildly interesting topic. What exactly constitutes “coordination” as it’s currently verboten from the campaigns to their PACs? > > I wish Colbert’s web site was letting me search because I’d love to post some clips of his spoofs of this concept. He got a lot of mileage out of this a few months back. Colbert may be funny, but he’s not necessarily an expert on the nuances of campaign finance law. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/122 "2012-08-10T17:33:44Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > Oh, I can definitely see that happening. I seem to remember it happening in 2008, but my google-fu is failing me at finding it. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/123 "2012-08-10T17:40:35Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > You DEMAND that Obama publicly condemn a political ad with which he had absolutely \*zero \*involvement, Cite? I did no such thing. Are you confusing me with Romney? I actually said this: "I’m fine with PACs. I don’t have time to produce a television commercial, so I like being able to pool my money with other people to do it more efficiently. I’m also fine with this ad airing." It always amazes me that despite outnumbering the conservatives on this board 20-1 in every single thread people need to resort to such tactics. Just respond to what I actually post. > [@](#): > > but you’re bothered that liberals are “whining” about Romney’s \*deliberate \* misquoting and misrepresentation in the ads that he, _personally_, endorses? Bothered? No. I’d say more “amused”. The only example that I’ve seen of Romney deliberately misquoting is the one where he quoted Obama who was quoting McCain. That was out of line and he should be ashamed of that spot. Ever since then he’s tread more carefully and has been more accurate. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/124 "2012-08-10T17:41:58Z")
As I hope was clear, I was just joking about there being no point to the discussion. But it in all seriousness, I can’t think of many more unlikely, hypothetical scenarios than that of a candidate asking another group to pull an ad, especially if it’s negative, since those work so well. I see that **Debaser** now, as well as **lance strongarm** , have searched and turned up nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/125 "2012-08-10T18:04:22Z")
Regarding McCain denouncing ads: He was opposed to using Wrights sermons in 2008, and his campaign didn’t use them. When the RNC did use them he condemned it. But later when outside groups used Wright in ads he let it slide. > [@](#): > > Last spring, McCain himself condemned the North Carolina Republican Party for running an ad featuring Wright’s sermons, including one in which the preacher said, railing against the treatment of blacks, “No, no, no. Not God bless America. Goddam America.” McCain trashed the ad, saying it “degrades our civics and distracts us from the very real differences we have with Democrats.” > > _snip_ > > McCain won’t try to stop independent groups from hammering Obama on his former association with Wright. Last week, the Republican Jewish Coalition began running ads suggesting Obama had surrounded himself with advisers who are “anti-Israel.” The ad includes a photo of Obama with Wright, captioned HOSTILE TO AMERICA. The McCain campaign said it would not ask the group to desist. “Senator McCain’s position on Wright is very clear,” says spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker. “He’s not the referee in this race.” [http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2008/10/17/do-the-wright-thing.html](http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2008/10/17/do-the-wright-thing.html) It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if he tried to stop them. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/126 "2012-08-10T18:15:07Z")
McCain ran _with_ a woman who would claim that Obama was pals with terrorists. I don’t think there’s any high ground to look for from that campaign. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/127 "2012-08-10T18:19:00Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > Colbert may be funny, but he’s not necessarily an expert on the nuances of campaign finance law. He won a Peabody for his work educating the public about post-Citizens United campaign finance. Sure, he help from Trevor Potter, but really, campaign finance is now very simple: with the right paperwork you can raise and spend all you want, with no oversight. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/128 "2012-08-10T18:25:00Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > McCain ran _with_ a woman who would claim that Obama was pals with terrorists. I don’t think there’s any high ground to look for from that campaign. That’s it, you’re going to a death panel. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/129 "2012-08-10T18:26:33Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > He won a Peabody for his work educating the public about post-Citizens United campaign finance. The Peabody Awards are great at judging electronic media, but they are not exactly experts in the nuances of campaign finance law. > [@](#): > > really, campaign finance is now very simple: with the right paperwork you can raise and spend all you want, with no oversight. You are a good poster on the internet, but you’re not exactly an expert in the nuances of campaign finance law. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/130 "2012-08-10T18:28:12Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > As I hope was clear, I was just joking about there being no point to the discussion. But it in all seriousness, I can’t think of many more unlikely, hypothetical scenarios than that of a candidate asking another group to pull an ad, especially if it’s negative, since those work so well. I see that **Debaser** now, as well as **lance strongarm** , have searched and turned up nothing. But ads, especially negative ads, can backfire. In that case, it would be easy to see a candidate disavowing them - especially if the disavowal earned more points for him than the ad itself did. (In fact, he may benefit from both). ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/131 "2012-08-10T18:33:29Z")
On further thought, if a particularly reprehensible ad were aired by a Super PAC, for example, and it backfired, I wouldn’t be too surprised to see a campaign ask that it be taken down. I would be surprised to see them ask it be taken down _before_ the backfiring though, even if it was pretty far over the line. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/132 "2012-08-10T20:02:21Z")
The New York Times reports that the ad in question hasn’t been broadcast once as a paid ad. Every one who has seen it has seen it via Youtube or because the media has been playing it over and over again in relation to the “outrage” stories. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/133 "2012-08-11T00:23:18Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > Cite? > > I did no such thing. Are you confusing me with Romney? I’m sorry, I guess I’m confusing you with someone who seems to think the two examples are even remotely related. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/134 "2012-08-11T15:33:25Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > The New York Times reports that the ad in question hasn’t been broadcast once as a paid ad. Every one who has seen it has seen it via Youtube or because the media has been playing it over and over again in relation to the “outrage” stories. The GOP’s throwing arm and briar patch detection radar are working exactly as expected. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/135 "2012-08-11T22:16:20Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > Wouldn’t that be illegal? By instructing a SuperPAC to change course in the way it operates, Obama would be cooperating with a SuperPAC. Is that a woosh? Candidates have condemned ads before. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/136 "2012-08-12T21:59:25Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > The New York Times reports that the ad in question hasn’t been broadcast once as a paid ad. Every one who has seen it has seen it via Youtube or because the media has been playing it over and over again in relation to the “outrage” stories. Hmmm. Gamerunknown, what do you think of that? You want to ban political ads but protect freedom of the press, after all. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871/137 "2012-08-13T16:16:41Z")
> [@lance strongarm](#): > > Gamerunknown, what do you think of that? No problem with it. News sources and other venues where people actually have to seek content are fair play. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-of-a-pro-obama-ad-its-tone-content-and-implications/630871.md?page=6)