Republicans Threaten Lawsuits Over TV Ads Linking Them To Donald Trump

[bucolic_frolic]

Source: Huffington Post

WASHINGTON ― From the very beginning, Republican congressional candidates in moderate districts have been hesitant to embrace Donald Trump. Now, two weeks before Election Day, some of those Republicans are threatening to sue TV stations for running ads that link them to the GOP presidential nominee.

Five candidates ― Reps. Bob Dold (R-Ill.), Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), David Jolly (R-Fla.), John Katko (R-N.Y.) and Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican running for an open seat that’s currently occupied by his brother ― contend that certain commercials paid for by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee provide false or misleading information by linking them to Trump.

-snip-

Dold demanded the removal of an ad that claimed he was privately raising money to defeat Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. The DCCC was referencing an event Dold headlined called “Beat Hillary at the Distillery.” Dold says the money only went to local candidates.

Fitzpatrick has also had his lawyer draft a cease and desist letter, taking issue with an ad that says the candidate “supports Donald Trump and his dangerous agenda for women.” While Fitzpatrick doesn’t refute claims that he wants to defund Planned Parenthood, his lawyer said that branding him as a Trump supporter threatens “substantial and immediate harm to the campaign and Mr. Fitzpatrick’s personal reputation.”

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/republican-tv-ads-trump_us_580e34b2e4b000d0b157b24f

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Trumpian tactics - suppression of free political speech. If every candidate can suppress his
opponent's ads because they cause harm - true or not - free speech goes out the window.

Hope the courts see through this one.

[spooky3]

1. Aren't these the same people who decry "our litigious society"?

[47of74]

34. Yeah, when it's the poor and middle class holding the wealthy and the corporations to account.

When it's the wealthy and corporations using the legal system to harass and intimidate people into silence then of course they have no problems with the legal system.

[The Genealogist]

41. And the same ones who advocate "personal responsibility" but blame everyone else for their problems.

[TygrBright]

2. I betcha every last one of 'em supports "tort reform"... meh... n/t

[Dustlawyer]

11. They all support tort reform until something happens to them.

They come and see me wanting to sue the crap out of someone and when I have to explain damage caps, bonds etc., they always reply, "but my case is legitimate!"

I have to explain that tort reform was never about frivolous lawsuits, there is no problem with frivolous lawsuits. Tort reform was all about giving close to immunity to corporate defendants and insurance companies.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

37. ^. For truth...

And educational value.

I learned something, thanks!

[geek tragedy]

3. Things going that well for the Trump campaign? nt

[sarae]

4. um

his lawyer said that branding him as a Trump supporter threatens “substantial and immediate harm to the campaign and Mr. Fitzpatrick’s personal reputation.”

[Volaris]

22. No, it was being a Republican that did that.

Last edited Mon Oct 24, 2016, 07:33 PM - Edit history (1)

What will be funny as all get is if those 'untrue' Democratic ads turn out to be paid for with SuperPac CitizensUnited money.

Substantial harm...hahaha yes, but should really be filed under the Water Is Wet section of established Jurisdiction Prudendce.

(on edit) Isn't that the whole point of an attack ad?? To inflict unrecoverable or fatal harm on the opponents campaign? What a bunch of deplorable little children...
All happy to play with knives until they get cut, then it's all about the unfairness of it all. If they want to now be UNLINKED to their own party nominee, they can all go out and make a public statement of NOT supporting him.

'Life' full of tough choices, innit?'

[BlancheSplanchnik]

39. They like to play with knives and WANT someone to get hurt!

But when that someone is THEM...

[Volaris]

40. Exactly.

If roles were reversed here, an dems were running away from the nominee, the GOP would be screaming their fool bloody heads off about 'see? even THEY think their leader is unworthy of the People.'

[BlancheSplanchnik]

44. Pukes.....hooooo boy......

I seriously can't stand them. BARF!

[sarae]

55. It's pretty disgusting that as soon as the polls start looking bad for Trump

they're like rats jumping off a sinking ship. He was just as disgusting when he was doing well in the polls.

Where's the courage of conviction? Where's the integrity? They have NONE.

Bunch of morally bankrupt, politically craven cowards...

[ProfessorGAC]

54. Exactly!

Being connected with the national party's standard bearer will cause sufficient harm to a politician running for office that he needs legal intervention?

The irony is dripping like treacle.

[sarae]

56. I still can't believe the last year happened.

I knew Republicans lacked ethics, but I didn't think they were all THIS bad.

They were willing to destroy our country just to save their hides.

[riversedge]

5. So the Repugs have taken on the tactics of their nominee. te he. Sounds like they linked

themselves by being parrots.

[thucythucy]

7. Wouldn't it be easier to just quit the Republican Party?

I mean, if they don't want to be linked to Trumplethinskin, they should disavow the party of which he is now the leader.

Bring back the Whigs, is what I say!

[wordpix]

66. "Trumplethinskin" minions cannot think that clearly

I'm series!!!!

[Raine1967]

8. They are going to sue TV stations for running ads that the DCCC paid for?

Are they that tone deaf about elections, politics, capitalism and free speech?

if they don't like it, maybe they should get behind overturning citizens united.

[Angry Dragon]

9. then don't they have to also sue Trump for lying??

[Rose Siding]

10. lol They must really hate their nominee

[sarcasmo]

12. Getting the snot beat out of them and crying for lawyers, what a great year.

[0rganism]

13. lol gripe about comparisons and linkages to Trump and then act just like him

hey disgruntled litigious Republicans, you do know that Discovery isn't just a credit card and a tv channel, right?

[Botany]

14. Fine go ahead and sue assholes!

The suit will not be heard until after the election.

[AllyCat]

15. Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!

They love to put others on the line for politicians they don't like, but can't take it when it applies to them!

[Xipe Totec]

16. The Boy Named Sue nt

[ffr]

18. It is unfair to take their words and use it against them. Shame on us!!!

[Chicago1980]

19. Lol...

On that note, i'd put the threat of the lawsuit in an ad linking these GOPers to Trump.

You reap what you sow.

Funny that they're threatening a lawsuit that ties them to their own nominee.

[elmac]

20. what a bunch of crybabies

[blue-wave]

47. LOL! That's Great!

My thoughts exactly!

[wordpix]

65. funny

[Nitram]

21. LOL, that's been the GOP strategy for years now.

They attack every Democratic candidate by linking them to Obama and/or Pelosi. Can't take their own medicine! Well, go ahead and sue. but I thought conservatives against lawyers and litigation? And all for taking personal responsibility. The Bizarro Party.

[keithbvadu2]

23. Every GOP candidate should be paired with a picture of Trump in political ads.

Find any issue where they both agree.

[forest444]

24. As LBJ might put it:

"That's a like a fly getting upset because someone linked it to s**t!"

[cstanleytech]

25. Trump is the Republican nominee and they are Republican candidates so I see a major link right there

and if they dont like it then they and their party simply need to stop nominating and supporting bigoted assholes for office.

[chillfactor]

26. poor babies....

rethugs nominated this idiot....now they want to run and hide?

[Generic Brad]

27. Take away the groping, and there is no difference

They do not want gun control. They want to deny women the right to choose. They want to repeal Obamacare. They want to lower taxes on the rich. The policy remains the same.

They are Trump with a better haircut.

[paleotn]

28. go right ahead...

lets see them find a judge who will order political speech off the air. Go right ahead....I dare you. What maroons.

While the DCCC continues to run the adds despite the cease and desist letters not worth the paper they're typed on.

[Achilleaze]

29. Republicans can't stand their own foul stink

So they are trying to weasel away AWOL from the monster they are trying to shove down America's throat. What a pack of cowardly losers they are. Off to their beloved Russia with the lot of them, and leave America for Americans.

[LisaM]

31. Well, if you advertise a "Beat Hillary" event.....

pretty sure you can't sue anyone for associating you for an ad connecting you to her opponent.

[liberal N proud]

32. Page right out of Trump's play book

[jcgoldie]

33. Sort of ironic

That they would threaten to sue over this seeing as how its right out of the Donald's playbook.

[47of74]

35. Ha ha

Republicans you created this cheeto faced shit gibbon and his single brain celled supporters. Now you fucking well live with him.

[Skittles]

36. OWN IT, FUCKHEADS

YOU ENABLED DONALD TRUMP TO BE ALL THAT HE CAN BE......OWN IT!!!!!!!!!

[Feeling the Bern]

38. Butthurt is strong with these idiot Republicans!

They will get laughed out of court with these frivolous lawsuits, even though they claim they hate frivolous lawsuits. . .unless, of course, they file them.

[SharonClark]

42. These are the same people who link Democrats

with rapists, murderers, terrorists, and communists. What a bunch of losers.

[Dawson Leery]

43. They never denounced Donnie and some even endorsed him at one point.

[lonestarnot]

45. Fuck 'em let em file. LOL

[blue-wave]

46. Oh Really? The Crybabies!

My heart bleeds for them. How many times have we all witnessed the ahem.....stretching of the truth....(Outright lies) by the repukes in campaign material? They never played nice in the sandbox, but expect us to? Toughen up GOP boys and girls, you're just getting a taste of your own medicine.

Me thinks, from the sound of this, they are getting very, very, very nervous about the poll numbers.

[eppur_se_muova]

48. Yeah, that'll work.

Even if the courts don't throw these out (most unlikely), a civil action would not affect the outcome of the election. All these threats accomplish is to cue the Dems that they need to do more of these. If Repugs weren't hurting, they wouldn't be squawking.

[Nitram]

49. How dare Democrats link Republicans to their presidential candidate!

Have they no shame!

[True_Blue]

50. Hahaha! Republicans and their frivolous lawsuits.n/t

[TNNurse]

51. Sorry folks, your party chose him

and you own him.

[rock]

52. Flatulent

Political commercials are not controlled by law to content. I.e. they don't have to tell the truth.

[Lucky Luciano]

53. You broke it, you bought it! nt

[TonyPDX]

57. Look at the cockroaches scurry when the light is switched on them!

[packman]

58. Remember what Mother said about playing with "that crowd"

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[wordpix]

59. LOLOL just try to sue, a-holes

[annabanana]

60. "Please, . . . proceed."

[Spitfire of ATJ]

61. Way to claim you're nothing like him.

[NewJeffCT]

62. Republicans are supposedly the Party of Personal Responsibility

they nominated Trump as their standard bearer - they should own that nomination.

[wordpix]

64. BS propaganda is all, along with "party of family values"

GAG