I want to give Obama a chance to denounce this pathetic ad...

[SaveElmer]

Before criticizing him...this was produced by supporters of his not officially affiliated with his campaign...so will give him the benefit of the doubt that he did not know about this...

He should denounce this type of sleazy ad however, and soon...

Chris Guy over at Raising Kaine put it best...

Can we just cut to the chase and put John McCain or Mitt Romney in the White House tomorrow? The GOP candidates running for President have zero integrity and their personal lives are a mess, yet they've remained relatively civil with one another. Smart Republicans know that even trashing George W. Bush, low approval ratings and all, are a mistake. By doing that, they're destroying the Republican brand. Heck even if the GOP primary race was as ugly as ours, they'd have an excuse because of the inferiority of their slate of candidates compared to the Dems. Polls have clearly shown that Republicans are not as happy with their choices for President as Democrats are. But we get stuff like this:

Click below to watch this drivel...

http://www.raisingkaine.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=7442

Amazing that Democrats wanting to take back the White House see other Democrats as their prime obstacle. Think about how great it would be to put that type of energy into attacking the pathetic group of GOP hopefuls this far out from Election Day.

[BeyondGeography]

1. Welcome to the Internet, Elmer

Shit happens...freedom is messy and all that. Barack would turn himself into the object of that ad if he denounced it.

[SaveElmer]

6. So Mitt Romney should remain silent on Ann Coulters comments?

[BeyondGeography]

15. The better question, for Clinton supporters, is why does she bring this out in people?

I didn't like watching a sledgehammer fly through her head, she is one of us after all, but the media-abetted aura of inevitability (sorry, many of us feel that way)comes with a price: people feel as if they need to hit back hard to have a chance. And HRC's campaign is pretty good at throwing the proverbial sledgehammer at its opponents when it wants to. One need only dial back a couple of weeks to Geffengate, if you're an Obama supporter.

I'd rather the ad never happened; I believe Obama will win on merit. But you can't ask him to turn his campaign into an endless apology tour every time one of his supporters touches up your candidate (that was tried with Geffen, remember?). It's bad politics and it makes us all look like wimps if we play along.

[GeorgeGist]

2. As far as I can tell this video ...

originated with ParkRidge47 who joined YouTube on Mar 5, 2007.

[Norquist Nemesis]

28. Park Ridge, huh?

hmmmm.....

[GrantDem]

42. Park Ridge???

ParkRidge47???

Isn't there a prominent U.S. Senator from Park Ridge? Hmmmmmmm... I wonder what her name is???

:sarcasm:

On edit:

I think that certain Senator was born in 1947.

[Kagemusha]

3. So you're um saying they're unofficially affiliated with his campaign?

Says you or says them? Just checking, just on the general principle that free speech allows people unaffiliated with oneself to speak freely..

[SaveElmer]

4. Free speech also allow Obama to denounce...

Things done on his behalf that he disapproves of

[Kagemusha]

11. So he should run around disapproving all that which he doesn't approve of?

Talk about unfair standards.

Josh of TPM says he's assured this isn't connected to the Obama campaign... so what exactly is he supposed to do here?

[Ethelk2044]

52. Obama has nothing to denounce

He is correct by not addressing the ad. It has nothing to do with him. If she can not take this ad, how and in the h-- will she handle the repugs? If she accuses Obama or ask for him to come to your aid means she is not ready for politics. The repugs will eat her alive and then some. She needs to just kick butt instead of always going after someone stating they are behind the add. No one likes a whiner.

[Ninja Jordan]

5. If Obama had to denounce others' actions, he wouldn't have time to campaign.

The ad was a hoot, though.

[SaveElmer]

7. So you don't think W should have denounced Swift Boat ads?

[Ninja Jordan]

10. Not an apt analogy.

SBVT was basically a PAC with a multi-tiered agenda. This is an ad made online by some computer programmer. For your sake, Obama shouldn't denounce it--to do so would only bring attention to the hilarious ad.

[karynnj]

37. W had links to the SBVT

his lawyer was their lawyer
His funders were their funders
At that point the race was Kerry vs Bush

Also, SBVT spent over $100 million on ads - this is a U tube.

The SBVT made a multitute of vile false charges about Senator Kerry.

This is simply not at that level - it shows Hillary speaking to robots. What is Obama suppose to critise.

[Bitwit1234]

8. I am so glad

Someone else is now saying the same thing I have for the last weeks. We have to stop trashing each other. We have to concentrate on telling the public who the real crooks and killers are...the republicans.

And besides the more they trash each other the more the republicans win.

[flpoljunkie]

9. Posting this, Elmer, just draws attention to the ad. Is this what you want for your candidate?

Josh Marshall, Talkingpointsmemo, thought to to be first to post it yesterday--made the following comment:


(March 05, 2007 -- 04:05 PM EDT)

Okay, I got no dog in this fight. But I thought this was clever. So I'll pass it along.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/012813.php

[skipos]

12. I like the fact that Richardson keeps talking about saving the mud for Repubs

There isn't much you can do about ads like this, made by individuals. And personally, I wouldn't put it anywhere near the SBVT in the level of smear.

[H2O Man]

13. Silly. n/t

[ISUGRADIA]

14. Talk about thin skin

That ad was sleazy? You must not get out much. I thought it was clever adaptation of the '84 ad.

Wait until the Hillary apparachiks ar released to do her bidding. You'll know what sleazy is then.

But then let's hold Obama accountable to every thing that anybody ever says, does or thinks on his behalf. :silly:

[Learn2Swim]

21. lol

^ That's kind of what I was thinking. This is nothing.

And Obama supposed to apologize for it? Why? :rofl: I can already tell its going to be a loooooong year. Hillary, Hillary's Campaign, and Hillary Supporters are gonna have to come up with thicker skin, QUICK, because this is nothing once they(the right)really start in on her.

[Alhena]

16. Ever heard of freedom of speech?

That ad is nothing more than a private citizen/Obama supporter's clever way of expressing his view that Hillary represents the tired old establishment and that Obama represents something fresh and new. Surely you don't imagine that the creator of the ad thinks that Hillary is going to enslave us all in dystopian police state, do you? Freedom of speech is a good thing in a campaign, not a bad thing- lighten up.

[Steely_Dan]

46. Ever Heard of Copyright Laws

This ad has consistently finished 1st in lists of the greatest commercials of all time. I wonder if Apple will sue?

-P

[ieoeja]

17. That was pretty cool!

I think Obama should denounce it knowing that by doing so he'd spread it to millions who might otherwise never see it. A win-win for Obama.

Thanks for helping to spread this, SaveElmer!

[Capn Sunshine]

18. What about the message upset you?

Or more to the point, how can you deny an editorial point of view? is Hillary an outsider? No. Is she tied in to the big money corporate interests that have ruined the party and enabled the destruction of the middle class? Yeah. Probably.

If Hillary represents the establishment Dems, and I think she does, you should expect more attacks on your "Borg" strategy. ( resistance is fultile. You will be assimulated)

I'm not ready to be marginalized just because someone is complaining we're too loud.

[TwilightGardener]

19. I want Obama to be the nominee...but

it's too early to start trashing other Dems. They need to define themselves first, and then define their differences in the debates and closer to the primaries. I think Obama should denounce this, but it's not that big a deal.

[Connie_Corleone]

20. Well, if people like YOU would quit posting it all over the place,

no one will ever hear about the "ad".

Why the hell should Obama denounce something that people who have nothing to do with his official campaign put together?

Goodness sakes! He wouldn't have time to do his senatorial duties and campaign if he had to denounce every anti-Clinton thing that one of his supporters posts on the internet.

[ripple]

22. Same thing Hillary tried to get him to do about the Geffen comments

Given that his campaign had nothing to do with the ad, why in the hell should he denounce it?

Is Hillary going to denounce Fox and CNN for their reckless portrayals of Obama as a terrorist? Has she denounced Ann Coulter for her words about John Edwards? Has she denounced any of the anti-Obama videos rolling around the internet? Or the comments of her paid consultant in SC, who said that Obama would actually collapse the democratic ticket because he is black???

I smell hypocrisy.

[SaveElmer]

23. Really so Mitt Romney should remain silent about Ann COulter?

[Ninja Jordan]

24. Another idiotic analogy....

Coulter INTRODUCED Romney. This ad has no direct connection to Obama (save a superimposed "O"). Coulter's comments included the clearly inflamatory word "faggot." Here, we have an online advert created by a seperate individual that says nothing of substance except that Hillary = person in the Apple ad. It is not similar to SBVT or Coulter's "gay" comments at all.

[ProSense]

25. How is that the same thing?

Geffen is not a pundit with full backing and support by the Democratic Party. He is a private citizen who criticized Clinton.

[SaveElmer]

26. So what you are saying then...

Is I should have done my research before posting some uncorroborated attack on Obama?

Yes?

[ProSense]

31. No, you should already know that

You Tube isn't Obama's official campaign site.

[SaveElmer]

32. Gosh yes you are right...

How unusual for an uncorroborated or perhaps right wing source be used to slander one of our Democratic candidates...

Something I NEVER see around here!!!

[ripple]

30. You're asking a dem candidate to be accountable for attacks on

another dem, even attacks his campaign had absolutely nothing to do with.

Romney's response or lack thereof really has nothing to do with what you are asking of Obama. And frankly, from what I know of Romney, he probably agreed with the homophobic spirit of Coulter's comments, anyway.

My point is that if you think Obama should apologize for a silly internet video he had nothing to do with, it stands to reason that you would also ask the same of Clinton when others attack her rivals- even if she had nothing to do with the attack.

[SaveElmer]

33. So what you are saying then...

Is I should check the veracity of the source, BEFORE I post it here at DU?

[Ninja Jordan]

39. You should comprehend the context of the ad.

It's a friggin internet ad. One that isn't remotely outrageous (like calling someone a "faggot," or insinuating that they didn't earn their purple hearts and silver stars). It's a parody of an Apple Computer advert.

[ripple]

40. According to your OP,

you knew it didn't come from the Obama campaign. I'm a little bit confused about what you're asking here. :shrug:

I think you should post whatever you wish, but if you expect one candidate to behave in a certain manner, you should also expect the candidate you support to behave in a similar manner. Frankly, I don't see you asking Hillary to denounce any negative comments made about her opponents- including a particularly outrageous comment made by her own paid consultant.

Personally, I believe it would be far too cumbersome for a candidate- any candidate- to attempt to denounce every little ad, video, statement, op-ed, etc. that criticizes his or her opponent. It's an unreasonable expectation, and one that would leave little time for campaigning and fulfilling the obligations of whatever job they currently hold.

[SaveElmer]

27. So to those criticizing me for posting this...what you are saying then is...

I should have done my research on the origin of this ad BEFORE I posted it here on DU...

Correct?

[NoPasaran]

29. Wow! I used to think the Hugo Chavez Brigade was thin-skinned!

Actually, I still do.

But lighten up.

It's just a joke. But thanks for bringing it to my attention!

[karynnj]

34. I see nothing here or elsewhere that ties this to Obama or Obama supporters

What am I missing? It is obviously anti-Hillary. I'm sure there will be many anti -X, where X equals any possible Republican or Democratic candidate. It seems that many people have the ability to create them.

[beachmom]

35. Blame the artists for this one. Face it -- it's an interesting film.

Even Josh Marshall (who is not opposed to Hillary) liked it. It worked stylistically, but in substance, obviously the Bush White House is more in line with 1984 than the Clintons.

Have you considered the fact that neither Obama NOR his supporters made the film? That some third party did?

It's not about Obama, so I think it's ridiculous to ask him to condemn the ad. Hmmm . . . had Hillary defended Edwards when his bloggers were attacked by right wing attack dogs, may you would have a case. As is, you don't.

[MH1]

38. Heh.....not only did Hillary not defend Edwards...

she piled on when Rove attacked Kerry.

'nuff said.

[Forkboy]

36. QUICK..There goes an anti-Hillary person! ------------>

Sic 'em boy!

[AtomicKitten]

41. Looking at this ad independently,

I don't have a problem with it.

Knee-jerk reaction from the Hillary-haters who consider all anti-HRC material - and I do mean all - perfectly fine aside, the ad is nicely produced and hard-hitting.

Being adversarial is the nature of the beast in this primary with the Battle Royale in the clash of the titans just gearing up. I am glad to see the healthy competition between and among strong candidates.

It's good for the party. Consider it spring training for going to the show.

[TwilightGardener]

43. I dunno--kinda cheezy...

reminds me of Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" video. Am I dating myself there or what?

[NYCGirl]

44. It predates that. The original ad is from 1984, and it was introducing the Apple Macintosh.

Below is a link to the original:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R706isyDrqI

[Steely_Dan]

47. You Are Correct, Sir.

The original Apple ad was created specifically for half-time at the Superbowl in 1984. It was only shown once. As far as I'm concerned, it is the greatest commercial ad in the history of television and has consistently finished first in almost every list of the greatest ads ever created.

-P

[Ethelk2044]

45. Ad

I do not see any link to Obama on this Ad.   Are they going to
start making things up about him now.  Are they going to
accuse him when anyome you, myself or anybody post something
on the web.  

[Dr Fate]

48. I still want Hill to apologize for siding with Karl Rove over the "Kerry hates the troops" crap.

I am also waiting for her to apologize on the behalf of her DLC for trying to squeeze out Dean.

But seriously- I dont think Obama needs to turn his campaign into an apology fest for everytime someone who doesnt like Hillary practices free speech- if that is the case, he is going to have a lot of apologizing to do, seeing as how many people dont like her, and feel the need to say so.

[Laurab]

49. Some anti-Hillary person posts a video on youtube....

and Obama is supposed to apologize for it? Should we now go through all the videos on youtube and see if there's anything we find offensive, and ask people to apologize for it? It's not a political website, it's not a political ad, it's someone's personal video.

If you have a problem with the video, alert on youtube - it has nothing to do with Obama.

[Colobo]

50. This is a pathetic thread

If anything, it shows how badly Hillarites want to get rid of Obama.

[Laurab]

51. So pathetic it's comical.

a Youtube video for heaven's sake!

[zulchzulu]

53. DAMN! That was funny!

I might do an ad for "Skin Toughener", a political reality cream.

That was obviously done by an Obama fan... what should Obama do, comdemn the net ad from some dude's vlog? Gimme uno breakerooonie, bubba.

Let's see what Senator Clinton's fans can do... this is politics (as I've heard other say about other candidates and/or former candidates...)

[Dr Fate]

56. Right- apparently he should apologize for everything you, me & a million other bloggers have said.

n/t

[ProudDad]

54. Thanks for the link

cute ad...

[aaronbees]

55. Thanks for posting it....

Pretty clever ad. And no, Obama shouldn't apologize. He has nothing to do with fan-originated ads on Youtube.

:rofl:

[Clarkie1]

57. Obama isn't going to go around denouncing every clever internet ad.

This ad has nothing to do with him. Anyone in America can make a video and put it on U-tube, and Obama has no business even discussing this ad.

I liked the original better, but I thought this take on the apple/windows ad was somewhat cute. And, there are parallels.

Lighten up, it's just somebody who cut a video!