McCain Asks NC GOP Not To Run Anti Obama Ad

[simple_male 1]

McCain asks NC GOP not to run ad

By LIBBY QUAID, Associated Press Writer

2 hours, 12 minutes ago

INEZ, Ky. - Republican John McCain on Wednesday asked the North Carolina GOP not to run a television ad that brings up the controversial former pastor of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

North Carolina Republican party officials insisted the ad will run as planned despite McCain's request.

The ad opens with a photo of Obama and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright together and a clip of Wright, whose incendiary comments about race have bedeviled Obama.

"He's just too extreme for North Carolina," the narrator says in the 30-second spot.

"We asked them not to run it," McCain told reporters traveling with him in Kentucky. "I'm sending them an e-mail as we speak asking them to take it down.

"I don't know why they do it. Obviously, I don't control them, but I'm making it very clear, as I have a couple of times in the past, that there's no place for that kind of campaigning, and the American people don't want it," McCain said.

McCain said the ad was described to him: "I didn't see it, and I hope that I don't see it."

Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan, who accompanied McCain, said he had left a voice mail message for state party chairwoman Linda Daves asking her to pull the ad.

McCain, in an e-mail to Daves, said he will draw sharp contrasts with Democrats. "But we need not engage in political tactics that only seek to divide the American people."

Asked about the ad during an appearance in New Albany, Ind., Obama said: "My understanding is that the Republican National Committee and John McCain have both said that the ad's 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."

North Carolina GOP spokesman Brent Woodcox said the ad will begin running statewide on Monday, a week before the state's crucial May 6 primary. The ad actually targets gubernatorial candidates Richard Moore and Bev Perdue, Democrats who have endorsed Obama.

"We have a great relation with the RNC and we fully support John McCain for president," Woodcox said. "But this is an ad about two North Carolina candidates for governor. The ad is going to run."

Daves defended the ad, saying it "presents a question of patriotism and judgment."

"It is entirely appropriate for voters to evaluate candidates based on their past associations," Daves said.

North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Meek said the ad is an attempt to shift attention from real issues.

"It's one thing to criticize somebody for associating with somebody else," Meek said. "But to criticize somebody for associating with somebody who associates with somebody else is ludicrous. Where does it end?"

Obama has denounced the most inflammatory of Wright's comments, but says the pastor shouldn't be judged solely on a handful of remarks. Obama has expressed admiration for the pastor, who officiated at his wedding, baptized his two daughters and inspired the title of his best-selling book, "The Audacity of Hope."

North Carolina's primary will divide 115 delegates among the Democratic presidential candidates and decide the party's nominee for governor. Polls indicate that Obama holds a comfortable lead over rival Hillary Rodham Clinton in the state.

[no name 1]

North Carolina Republican party officials insisted the ad will run as planned despite McCain's request.

[simple_male 1]

North Carolina Republican party officials insisted the ad will run as planned despite McCain's request.

Very sad to see from you, a Hillary supporter. Hillary campaign should echo John McCain's call for a positive campaign.

[no name 1]

North Carolina Republican party officials insisted the ad will run as planned despite McCain's request.

Very sad to see from you, a Hillary supporter. Hillary campaign should echo John McCain's call for a positive campaign.

Why? It's free advertising against her opponent in a state she is not going to win. It doesn't have her endorsement.

[almaty 19]

sad, that hillary supporters turn to the GOP to do their dirty work

[no name 1]

sad, that hillary supporters turn to the GOP to do their dirty work

See above post.

[HAL 9000 96]

sad, that hillary supporters turn to the GOP to do their dirty work

Very true.

[Peikko 1,575]

This isn't 'Hillary supporters' it's one person who happens to support Hilary - not the same thing. Remember your Venn Diagrams folks.

[HAL 9000 96]

This isn't 'Hillary supporters' it's one person who happens to support Hilary - not the same thing. Remember your Venn Diagrams folks.

Could be true... then again we gots polls all over the place about "potential voter behaviors" that reflect some folks' sentiments.

[no name 1]

This isn't 'Hillary supporters' it's one person who happens to support Hilary - not the same thing. Remember your Venn Diagrams folks.

Nor am I her spokesperson.

[Peikko 1,575]

This isn't 'Hillary supporters' it's one person who happens to support Hilary - not the same thing. Remember your Venn Diagrams folks.

Could be true... then again we gots polls all over the place about "potential voter behaviors" that reflect some folks' sentiments.

I think I need a translation - polls, humbug!

[HAL 9000 96]

This isn't 'Hillary supporters' it's one person who happens to support Hilary - not the same thing. Remember your Venn Diagrams folks.

Could be true... then again we gots polls all over the place about "potential voter behaviors" that reflect some folks' sentiments.

I think I need a translation - polls, humbug!

Well... its a major problem when we allow ourselves to allow polls to dictate November voting behavior given that people often change their minds, especially after they've had time away from negative influences.

[Sister Fracas 5]

hmmm, why am I skeptical of McCains intentions...

[Peikko 1,575]

What you say is probably true - but how does that relate to the fact that it's not 'Hillary supporters' who are in tune with this ad? There may be some people who support Hillary who think it's great, but I am quite sure there are many, many people who support Hillary who are not in favour of such ads - which was my point. Anyway, if/when I become a citizen, I am going to campaign to change the way the president is elected. This way sucks!

[HAL 9000 96]

What you say is probably true - but how does that relate to the fact that it's not 'Hillary supporters' who are in tune with this ad? There may be some people who support Hillary who think it's great, but I am quite sure there are many, many people who support Hillary who are not in favour of such ads - which was my point. Anyway, if/when I become a citizen, I am going to campaign to change the way the president is elected. This way sucks!

Good intent... hopefully you'll follow it up.

And true... I should have specified which supporters, or what kind of supporter, lend themselves to such frivolous and petty politique. In this case I am complacent with assuming there are plenty of Hillary supporters that will vote for Change in November instead of hating it.