Democrats pull ad showing flag-draped caskets

[Dems4HowardDean]

SEANNA ADCOX
Associated Press
ROCK HILL, S.C. - A Democratic ad showing flag-draped caskets was pulled Friday from a fundraising Web site, a day after U.S. Rep. John Spratt sent a letter urging his party to do so.

His Republican challenger, state Rep. Ralph Norman, commended the removal. It was "the right thing to do for the state, country and especially the brave men and women who serve in our military," said Norman's spokesman, Nathan Hollifield.

In a joint news conference earlier Friday, Norman and U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson thanked Spratt for joining them in condemning the 75-second ad, posted last week on a Web site for the campaign arm of House Democrats.
More.......

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/15042119.htm

[Kerrytravelers]

1. Why take it down?

If it's the one I saw on YouTube, so the fuck what? The rethugs don't like it because it's simply pointing out the obvious----> They fucking suck.

[NicRic]

79. agree ,

Whats wrong ,telling it like it is is not acceptable ,or rather showing it like it is either ? Same Dems ,missing their balls and oh so afraid to come out full bore against this illegal war.Hey guess what ,most of us know Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 ,so attack the repugs on wasting our milatary resources at least if your to afraid to to go after bush for spending billions to find some has been dictator living in a hole ! Then how about the facts on how bushes war has created thousands + more terrorist that hate us more then ever !

[rodeodance]

84. I am ambivilant about the ad. But to take to down because of complaints

was whimpy.

[Pachamama]

87. I thought it was a good ad - give the GOP and Bushco. a taste of truth!

What I find so amazing is that when the GOP does an ad that hits hard, the Dems whine and the GOP says "F*ck you". When the Dems do an ad that is truthful and hits hard, the GOP whines and the Dems go "Ok".

This is why we lose so often. It drives me crazy.

[Mythsaje]

2. I think the Dems should change their symbol from a donkey

to a chicken.

It would be oh-so-fitting.

[Pachamama]

88. I agree....

But that's insulting to Chickens...they lay eggs and atleast are productive and contributing something. :hi:

I saw this ad and thought it was great that the Dems were finally fighting back. And the second the GOP says for them to stop, they say "Ok". If the Dems complain against the GOP, the never back off.

[Totally Committed]

90. I think they should change it from a donkey

to a pair of urine-stained pants. That way no innocent animals will be insulted by association.


TC

[ChipsAhoy]

107. Good one! n/t

[agincourt]

3. They should have kept it up,

and defended their position instead of backing down to fascist GOPigs all the time. Show a little nerve people.

[OwnedByFerrets]

5. What a bunch of

chickenshits!! I cant believe how little backbone they have. :banghead:

[Kingshakabobo]

4. You've got to be kidding me!

:wtf:

[C_U_L8R]

6. Wimps

their gutlessness is breathtaking.

Stand up to fascists or go home.... godammit !!!
But for goodness gracious don't cave like pathetic little wimps !!!
crikeeeee

[Mojambo]

7. Another false start by the Democrats n/t

[BlueCaliDem]

89. Sad, True, but not really shocking, don't you think?

I mean, the only time I see Democratic politicians get passionate, and "lippy" is when they attack their own--of course excluding good and solid Democrats like Conyers, Kerry, Feingold, Sherrod Brown, Barbara Boxer, van Hollen, and members of the Black Caucus.

It's when the few "bad apple" "Democrats" go up against a Repug, they bluster, and lose steam a la Lieberman vs Cheney.

[LincolnMcGrath]

8. I guess this is confirmation.

BullMoose and the DC dlcentrists must have decided to cut and run once again.


We can put to rest now any arguments about the effectiveness of the Rahm era.

[Rose Siding]

9. Lesson learned. Hide hide hide

This really steams me. Let's throw one of Ashcroft's drapes over them.

[countmyvote4real]

10. Cut and Run: if the shoe fits, then wear it.

Gawd, with decisions like this, I actually fear what these "leaders" might do with a majority. They would still allow themselves to be bullied by an obvious minority opinion.

[Erika]

44. Which party would you prefer? The 1 who hides the deaths

of our troops in W's war of choice?

[countmyvote4real]

59. I prefer niether party now that the Dems have pulled their ad.

What is the difference? Did the Dems not really stand by their ad when they posted it? Or did they cave to bogus pressure when they pulled it? Or maybe they were being sensitive? They should either stand up or stand down on what they really believe because I don't think the current Democratic Party leaders (other than H. Dean) have a clue.

[Patchuli]

11. Let's tell them!!!!

I know I'm telling DON'T YOU DARE ASK ME FOR ONE MORE RED CENT UNTIL YOU GROW A BACKBONE!

[brentspeak]

24. Donate to the DNC

This fiasco was a DCCC thing, and only a DCCC thing.

[Patchuli]

60. I donate to them too

but I've told Friends of John Kerry to go away.

[girl gone mad]

12. boooo.

[LincolnMcGrath]

13. !

[boolean]

14. RECOMMEND THIS RECOMMEND THIS RECOMMEND THIS

This needs to be on the front. Apparently I don't have enough posts to recommend. Please people, put this on the front! Then everyone call Howard Dean and tell him to get his fucking house in order already. It's so tiring as hell to see Democrats continue to wuss out like this. Will it never end?

[brentspeak]

16. This isn't Howard Dean's doing

He runs the DNC; this was a DCCC-created ad.

[Erika]

36. The dems have the guts to tell the truth and honor our troops

The republicans don't even want to think about the casualties caused by W's war of choice.

[JNelson6563]

75. I love your sigline pic!

:toast:

[still_one]

15. isn't that sweet. It is OK for them to put ads associating Max Cleland

with bin laden, which were LIES, but showing the results of lies that involved us in Iraq is not right?

I must ask, do some of these Democrats have ANY CONVICTIONS?

[Erika]

31. It shows the republicans for the whiny people they are

The ad made its affect. That's the point.

Once again, who is the enemy here?

[calimary]

52. Absolutely. Glad you brought this up. And did ANYBODY from the Dems

complain about that Cleland character assassination? Did we hear ANYBODY speaking out, fighting back, denouncing that ad, making a stink about it, demanding that it be pulled and the record be set straight, and the truth be told? ANYTHING? From ANY Dem? Or were they too worried about being nice and taking the high road (which, in politics, leads you straight over a cliff)?

And they wonder why people think Democrats don't stand for anything... :grr:

I wouldn't have pulled the spot. I'd have put it on MORE frequently, AND created other companion ads to go with it, tearing the bad guys a new one for whining about an ad that actually tells the truth to the American people ABOUT THE REAL COST OF THE WAR IN IRAQ - you know, the facts they don't want you to know and have done everything in their power to keep hidden from you.

[still_one]

56. i couldn't agree with you more

[guruoo]

17. IMHO, The ad was a waste -just more 'preachin' to the choir'

We don't need to win over those Americans that already agree with us.

[brentspeak]

21. You're right about that.

The ad wasn't even necessary, and all that resulted from it was a black eye and more internal turmoil. Basically, whoever's running the show at DCCC (Rahm Emmanuel?) has no clue 1) how to properly make campaign ads; 2) how to get the Democratic party as a whole on message; 3) how not to let the Republicans bully them.

[Erika]

25. The AOL poll showed the public appreciated the ad

And they are very conservative. The ad made its point.

[brentspeak]

34. An Internet poll means

zilch.

[Erika]

41. I disagree AOL has always been conservative

The internet polls showed Kerry to be the projected winner by a small margin. They can be amazingly accurate.

[bahrbearian]

53. So you only pay attention to Rasmussen polls or maybe Fox ?

[Crazy Guggenheim]

18. K&R! I can't believe they have Dean on there like it was his doing!

[madfloridian]

26. The poster did it....not in the article.

.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

33. I noticed that in the article.

[brentspeak]

19. Well, this blew up in the Democrats' face. Who was the genius

behind this whole mess? Either place the ad and leave it in there, or don't place it at all. But whatever you, do not remove the ad because the freaking Republicans make a stink about it!!!

[Erika]

28. The ad made a good point and was very effective

Now we can scream about the whiny and bitching republicans who don't want to honor our troops by acknowledging their deaths.

Who is the enemy here?

[wiley]

62. It was a brilliant and understated way to remind people of the hypocrisy

and ruthlessness of the RNC to elect their corrupt, shameless, all Marine beret and no service to country liars.

[sampsonblk]

37. I agree 110%

Either do it or don't do it. But under no circumstances do you do it and then rescind it. It gives ammunition to the Hannitys and Limbaughs of the world, and it makes us look awful.

[Erika]

It shows the other side weak for demanding the removal

Like they are running scared...of the truth.

Who is the enemy here?

[brentspeak]

43. Especially because the Repubs always refuse to pull ads

or apologize when the Democrats ask.

I think that Rahm Emmanuel needs to step aside as head of the DCCC. Put someone in there who knows what they're doing.

[Erika]

46. Do you want us to act like republicans?

They are now in the process of self-destruct.

Who is the enemy here?

[sampsonblk]

106. Yes, I do

The Repubs downfall is not because we have done something well, its because the Repubs are horrible. Atrocious. Its time we stood up for something and presented a real alternative with courage and conviction.

The repubs still get high points for sticking to what they believe in. Perhaps we might try that, and really SWEEP these fall elections.

[madfloridian]

20. Please make it clear it was the DCCC under Rahm Emanuel....

that pulled it down.

Dean had nothing to do with it at all.

[Erika]

22. The GOP want the truth of W's war of choice hidden

They want the coffins to be invisible. They don't want to think about what they have endorsed.

Red state/counties were putting on most of the pressure. They need to check www.icasualties.org and do a search by state and location.

The red states have suffered the least. Just like it is the red states who receive more federal $ back than they put in. They bitch the most, and take from the country the most while giving the least.

[madfloridian]

23. You are making it look like the DNC did it by putting Dean's pic there.

That is not fair. Put Rahm's picture.

[brentspeak]

29. I don't see a picture of Dean. Where is it?

[madfloridian]

30. The poster is being tricky. Put Dean's pic in the OP

when the article does not even mention him.

[brentspeak]

32. Maybe I don't have my options configured correctly, but I don't see it

[madfloridian]

35. There is a pic of Dean with Gore in the OP.

You must have checked not to show pictures.

[brentspeak]

40. Ok, I turned on "view signatures", and now I see it

[Dems4HowardDean]

45. I always use that sig. Jeesh!

Should I remove the sig for certain posts?

[Dems4HowardDean]

42. Its my sig pic.

[madfloridian]

27. No pic in the article, Dean is not mentioned. Nor is the DNC. Tricky post

.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

38. I think it's the OP's sigline.

[Dems4HowardDean]

39. Howard Dean is my Sig Picture

I didn't place it in the post. Sorry for the confusion.

[madfloridian]

47. I just realized it. Thanks.

I saw people getting the wrong impression.

I have had to defend the DNC twice today here, when it was the DCCC.

It is good pic.

[Dems4HowardDean]

48. Thanks! I'm a Deaniac and liked the pic, I also like Al Gore

and he was in the pic too.

[kdpeters]

49. I have to agree -- using the flag-draped caskets was inappropriate

Otherwise, it was a great ad. There has to be some other way to make the point. Keep the ad, but swap that one image for something less sacred. I was disgusted by Bush's use of 9/11 imagery, including a flag-draped casket being carried out of Ground Zero. I'm no more inclined to support using that kind of imagery for our own partisan purposes.

[Rageneau]

50. The Freepers are celebrating the ad being pulled.

And the problem with the DCCC seems to be that they care more about offending Freepers than fighting for Democrats. When, oh when, will we learn that the madder we make these morons, the truer to our values we are being.

[ChipsAhoy]

96. Celebrating and gloating

It's what they do best. Let's never give them anything else to celebrate!!!

I'm pissed that the dem's are appearing weak by bowing down to this.

[CPMaz]

51. My blog post tonight says exactly what I think of this...

From http://cpmazrandommusings.blogspot.com/

"Friday, July 14, 2006

I'M ALMOST ASHAMED TO BE A DEMOCRAT TONIGHT.

From Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:

Appeasement: PACIFY, CONCILIATE; especially : to buy off (an aggressor) by concessions usually at the sacrifice of principles.

I don't know who at the DCCC made the decision to kill the web ad that has the Republicans all in a huff, but he or she (or they) needs to make it official and switch registration and enroll as a Republican. What they've done is to tell the Republicans and everyone else that the movers and shakers of the Democratic Party are easily bullied.

What the Republicans think doesn't matter, but now everyone else (like Independents and moderate leaning Reps - people whose support we need to start cleaning up the mess created by the neo-con Reps) that we can't be counted on to stand up for what's right.

I'm still going to support Democratic candidates such as Harry Mitchell, Janet Napolitano, Jim Pederson and others because they are better (by far) candidates than their opponents. However, the DCCC, like the DLC, is a detriment to the party and to the country, and will never get my support.

I understand that this attitude may offend some of the great people that I have gotten to know as I have become more active politically. That's unfortunate, because I have come to respect a lot of them and appreciate the work that they (and many others) are doing to try to make this district, state, and country better places to live.

But dammit, when I am out walking my precinct, talking to, connecting with, and (hopefully) persuading people, I want to be able to say "I'm a Democrat" with just a little pride.

Is that too much to ask?

Yeah, I'll probably calm down tomorrow, but this is one post I wanted to write while angry."

[bahrbearian]

54. Why do you show Dean ,,, you are a tool.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

55. It's a part of his sigline.

[tuvor]

57. Well, at least they're consistent.

Just as much fightin' spirit as ever.

Go get 'em in November. If it's not too much trouble.

[Triana]

58. I didn't see a DAMN thing wrong with the ad...

...I finally saw it on YouTube. What a bunch of ninnies.

WHY the HELL did they take the ad down? THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT - except some Repigs didn't LIKE it.

SO WHAT?!

:mad:

[MzNov]

61. unbelievable spineless wimps.

here we go again. I think I'm going to give up. I'm tired.

[robinlynne]

63. I'm so sick of the democrast playing nice. It makes me want to vomit.

[The Bastard1]

64. No Shiat

They Republitards never would have pulled the ad. What are they thinking? I want blood.

[tomreedtoon]

65. Rep. Spratt, your Pink Tutu is ready for fitting.

With a little training from the Democratic Prima Donnas, you'll be ready to make your debut during the Republican Inaugeral Ball in 2008.


"We'll teach you how to dance to Dubya's tune!"

[Clarkie1]

66. Clark: "it's hypocritical...these pictures are not disrespectful"

I wish more of our leaders had some spine...

General Clark...welcome! (27+ / 0-)
I would like to ask you a question. Do you not think it hypocritical for Republicans or anyone to criticize the DCCC's use of a picture of flag draped coffins in a campaign video, given the fact that the Republicans have expliciting politicized the war and use it to win elections?
by Delaware Dem on Fri Jul 14, 2006 at 01:02:22 PM PDT


Coffins (89+ / 0-)
Yes, it is hypocritical. It was the Republican's bad policies, and Bush's misguided leadership that created the circumstances in which our soldiers and Marines are dying. These pictures are not disrespectful - at least, not of the men and women who sacrificed. They simply remind the viewers of the cost of Bush's mistaken policies. And hopefully, they help voters understand that the Administration which bungled all this should be held accountable!

by Wes Clark on Fri Jul 14, 2006 at 01:18:45 PM PDT

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/7/14/1651/99433

[NMMNG]

67. Once again truth loses and the bullies win

:cry:

[Clarkie1]

68. E-MAIL THE DCCC!

Whoever decided to pull that ad should be fired!

http://www.dccc.org/action_center/contact/

Here's some ideas for starters!

Coffins (89+ / 0-)
Yes, it is hypocritical. It was the Republican's bad policies, and Bush's misguided leadership that created the circumstances in which our soldiers and Marines are dying. These pictures are not disrespectful - at least, not of the men and women who sacrificed. They simply remind the viewers of the cost of Bush's mistaken policies. And hopefully, they help voters understand that the Administration which bungled all this should be held accountable!

by Wes Clark on Fri Jul 14, 2006 at 01:18:45 PM PDT

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/7/14/1651/99433

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

105. I did:

So once again, as many of us expected, you caved into the whining from the GOP about your very excellent ad because it contained a few seconds of flag-draped coffins.

What the hell is wrong with you people? No wonder the Democrats keep losing elections! Don't you have any spines at all? There was nothing wrong with that ad -- nothing at all. The coffins are reality and they are there because of what Bush and the Republicans have done. We show the world the truth, the GOP screams "Unfair!" and the Democrats cower, run away and lie by their dish like so many whipped dogs.

Dammit, grow a pair. I am so tired of your feckless, spineless "representation" -- or the lack of it -- that I could scream.

I'm putting my checkbook away until you guys figure out that what we want is leaders who lead.

[ecstatic]

69. removing the ad makes us look guilty/ in the wrong

Why are Dems so quick to back down? It makes us look weak and wishy washy.

Those soldiers did die, am I right? Who are the people protesting the ad? People who've never seen a battle field and never will?

[Azathoth]

70. Once again the Dems snatch defeat from the jaws of victory

The Dems are again allowing the GOP to define them and make campaign decisions for them. Whoever made this call deserves to lose in November.

[alvarezadams]

71. Poor GOP

They provided the coffins and are upset if anything comes around that might remind people of that fact.

[Totally Committed]

72. OH NO!!!!! WE SEE REPUBLICANS!

Oh, please, BIG, BAD Republicans.... please don't hurt us! Please, please, please, please......



It was only an ad telling the exact truth, but if you don't like it, we'll take it down! Oh, please.... don't hurt us!



We are powerless, spineless, timid, weak-ass, chickenhearted wimps. You know that! Just tell us to take down a perfectly true ad and we will!

This morning, I am A S H A M E D .... totally and utterly H U M I L I A T E D... and really, really D I S G U S T E D.

What passes for the leadership of this Party's various factions HAVE NO BALLS. None.... Zero. Zip. Nada.

TC

[LincolnMcGrath]

102. Once again, we are shown how ineffective and worthless the DLC

mentality really is.

[farmbo]

73. Here in Ohio, Dewine is flooding the airwaves with the Twin Towers burning

From the ODP:

DeWine Uses Smear Tactics to Mislead Ohio Voters
Ohio Republican incumbent Senator Mike DeWine reached a new low in negative campaigning today when he used images of the American tragedy of 9/11 to smear his opponent in the U. S. Senate campaign, Ohio Congressman Sherrod Brown.

It is not the first time DeWine has used underhanded distortions in a campaign. During his failed bid against American hero and astronaut Senator John Glenn an Ohio newspaper reported the DeWine campaign claiming, "...if Glenn had his way the Berlin Wall still would be standing and former Soviet republics still would be enslaved."

"Misleading voters and dirty campaigning is nothing new for Mike DeWine," said Brown Campaign Manager John Ryan. "But today, he reached a new, shameful, low. The ad uses images of the burning twin towers, and mug shots of all nineteen 9/11 hijackers.

"He added insult to injury when he shrouded the images with distorted claims about Sherrod's record," Ryan said. "Sherrod has a strong record fighting for body armor for our troops and calling for full funding for homeland security programs to secure our borders and keep our communities safe."

Brown has voted for 2.4 trillion in national security funding, voted for the death penalty for terrorists, and demanded answers about body armor, troop numbers, and weapons of mass destruction from President Bush before going to war in Iraq.

"Clearly Senator DeWine is trying to mask his serious vulnerabilities on this issue," Ryan said. "He sat on the Intelligence Committee and reviewed the faulty intelligence that sent us to war in Iraq and did nothing to question the president. He voted time and again to cut homeland security funding - including voting just yesterday against funding for Ohio's fire fighters. He desperately wants to mislead Ohio voters to hide the truth. But it won't work this time. 2006 is about change."

[robcon]

74. Smart move

The coffins became the story, and the ad became too much of a distraction from the message, IMO.

[Totally Committed]

76. With all due respect...

flag-draped coffins of fallen soldiers -- unmet and disregarded by the Commander-in-Chief and his administration -- those who SENT those soldiers to be killed -- IS THE STORY.

The Democrats should have told that story -- LOUD.

But, instead -- as usual -- they buckled under and THEIR COWARDICE has become the story.

I am sick of it.

TC

[robcon]

80. I don't think so.

It was totally insensitive.

If it was your son or daughter's body/coffin used in a political ad, I don't think even you would feel the same.

[Totally Committed]

82. Again, respectfully, I disagree, and so does

Wesley Clark... and as a General with 34 years service and a love for all in the services, he should know.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2723799

TC

[Texas_Kat]

97. You forget.....

they are ALL of our sons and daughters.

It was the Republican's bad policies, and Bush's misguided leadership that created the circumstances in which our soldiers and Marines are dying. These pictures are not disrespectful - at least, not of the men and women who sacrificed. They simply remind the viewers of the cost of Bush's mistaken policies. And hopefully, they help voters understand that the Administration which bungled all this should be held accountable! --- Wes Clark

[rodeodance]

85. yes, whimpy Dems will be the story now.

[erpowers]

77. Wrong Move

I like other wish the Democratic Party would show more spine. This ad should not have been taken down from the site. It is true that for years the Bush Administration and the Republican Party have used 9/11 and the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars for their benefit. I think it was just months after 9/11 that President Bush put out those pictures of himself on Air Force One making calls during the attacks of that day. No Republicans complained then. Later, the Bush Administration used 9/11 again to their own political gain and no Republican complained. Democrats should have stood up the both Rep. Spatt and the Republican Party and kept the ad on the site.

[acmejack]

78. COWARDS!

[SaveElmer]

81. Ok...everybody vent today...

I thought the ad was fine...but keep the focus...

This is a small issue in a larger fight. This will not be a big story unless we turn it into a Democratic civil war.

[rodeodance]

83. Pelosi defended the ad yesterday---now it goes POOF. umm..

[SaveElmer]

86. Well Democrats are not automatons...

We don't always agree with each other...and Pelosi is not in charge of the DCCC...

[LincolnMcGrath]

101. This is why the DC dlcentrist crowd continues to lose elections.

It's really funny to the point of pathetic, the GOP whips up some faux outrage du jour, and the BullMoose loving centrists go running for cover, apologizing all the way.

[BrklynLiberal]

91. Frankly, if the Repukes are "offended", I think that is a GOOD thing.

Damn those wusses who pulled the ad!!! :mad:

[The HL]

92. This is why the Dems will lose again in Nov.

Still afraid to fight, or are they throwing the races for the republican masters again.

[Catchawave]

99. Yes....

http://houseoflabor.tpmcafe.com/blog/riggsveda/2006/jul/15/dems_lack_spine_sun_to_rise_in_morning

[Pithy Cherub]

93. The "Keep Your Powder Dry Dems" are really wimps.

Many times The Truth is not pretty or elegant - but Honor the sacrifice of the fallen by upholding the Bill of Rights. The whole free speech thing is Cloud Level over some Dems heads!

[mikelgb]

94. Pussies n/t

[ComerPerro]

95. yeah, cave in to Republican bullies. Maybe they will play nice.

[DFLer4edu]

98. In Germany, they first came for the communists, and I didn't speak up...

In Germany, they first came for the communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Catholic. Then they came for me -- and by that time there was nobody left to speak up.
-Martin Niemoller

[gully]

100. "A different ad on minimum wage was posted on the Web site Friday evening.

It's possible that we got what we wanted from the ad and changed it isn't it? I hope they didn't cave to Rove's tastes - again. :eyes:

[depakid]

103. What? No apology?

The Dems must be losing their touch.

[nickshepDEM]

104. THAT IS A SHAME, because the ad was great... You can watch it here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCUhHlrmFkM&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eredstate%2Ecom%2Fstory%2F2006%2F7%2F12%2F114530%2F139

Truth hurts, I guess.