GOP terrorism ad sparks Democratic furor

[RedEarth]

(CNN) -- Republicans took a page from President Johnson's Cold War-era presidential campaign with an advertisement set to air this weekend called "The Stakes," which prominently features al Qaeda leaders threatening to kill Americans.

"Just like in the Cold War, the reality is that our nation is at war with an ideology and not a country," said Republican National Committee spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt. Democrats, however, have called the commercial, which is reminiscent of Johnson's 1964 "Daisy" ad, a "desperate ploy to once again try to scare voters."

The advertisement, which is available on the Republican National Committee Web site, is scheduled to run on national news networks Sunday. Republicans are emphasizing national security and terrorism issues in their bit to maintain control of Congress with about two weeks before the November midterms. (View "The Stakes" at the RNC Web site)

The ad features al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and his top lieutenant, Ayman al-Zawahiri, speaking, but the only sound is a ticking clock in the background. The terror leaders' quotes are posted on the screen and key phrases in the quotes stand alone as the rest of the quote fades out.

In one instance, bin Laden is quoted as saying, "With God's permission we call on everyone who believes in God ... to comply with His will to kill the Americans." As the text of the quote fades out, "kill the Americans" remains on the screen

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/20/gop.ad/index.html

you can view the ad here.......

http://www.minnesotademocratsexposed.com/2006/10/19/new-rnc-web-video-the-stakes/

[rodeodance]

1. "a ticking clock "---rather like the mushroom cloud from C. Powell.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

14. Or like the nuclear bomb going off in an ad against Barry Goldwater.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

33. Oops that was the Daisey ad.

;(

[leftyladyfrommo]

2. We have had a terrible "terror" fear ad on TV for several weeks

here in KC. It is awful.

But I think the good news is that people are starting to see that stuff and they brush it off as election fear campaigns.

[rodeodance]

3. until the battle has moved inside America" --

......Another bin Laden quote: "They will not come to their senses unless the attacks fall on their heads and ... until the battle has moved inside America" -- fades out, leaving only "inside America" on the screen.

Meanwhile, footage of terrorists engaged in martial arts and weapons training rolls in the background. One scene shows terrorists traversing monkey bars over fire.

[Caution]

4. And every Dem should counter with this

It has been over 5 years since we were attacked, yet under the Republican-led Congress, Bin Laden is still free. In the first 100 days of Democratic control of Congress we will require that the President make capturing Bin Laden our number one priority in the War on Terror. The Republicans want more of the same. We want to capture Bin Laden. Which do you want?

Show the exact same images.

[underpants]

7. how about "Yeah Clinton tried to warn them about that"

you can add "but they ignored it and we got attacked"

[jahyarain]

8. you really should send that idea to a few dem senator's emails

seriously

[petronius]

15. Exactly - the response to this ad practically writes itself... (nt)

[madmusic]

21. !

[goforit]

5. Well, good, Lets see the Dems get tough!!!

[tulsakatz]

6. a ticking clock?

maybe 60 Minutes should sue them for taking their sound?

Seriously, this is just the same old song and dance with these guys. Terror, terror, terror! They can't win on their own records so they have to threaten people into voting for them.......and I'm not so sure it will work for them anymore. Because now people know that even if they do vote for them, the corruption and incompetence will continue.

And that's really not a logical argument anyway. Look at the facts, in whose administration did the worst terror attack occur? Republican How have they protected us since 9/11? They haven't! In fact, terrorism has increased!

[kurth]

9. It's been FIVE years since 9/11. Where is Osama bin Laden?

Osama is doing well, thanks to the GOP.

[SpiralHawk]

19. He is busy working on campaign ads for his republicon cronies

Here is Commander AWOL holding hands with the bin Laden clan. How cozy...
http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,463749,00.jpg

[Greeby]

10. If we're nicking ideas from the Johnson campaign

Have a poster of Shrub's face, and a mushroom cloud, with the words: "In your guts, you know he's nuts!"

[Freedom_from_Chains]

16. I like that as it expresses my feelings about Bush.

That and the fact that he is a dry drunk who may have suffered some brain damage from his drinking. That is why he stutters and stammers so much.

[leQ]

41. ya got MY vote -nt

[grytpype]

11. Do they think it's a good idea to remind everyone Osama is still alive?

And it's funny they would rather use Osama in an ad than Bush.

[truthisfreedom]

12. i've said this 10 times or more. the Democratic response to such ads must

be "Why do the Republicans use the same tactics as the terrorists, using fear to control Americans?"

[Freedom_from_Chains]

17. Because the Republicans are themselves Terrorists.

[cui bono]

45. You got that right.

Main Entry: ter·ror·ism
Pronunciation: 'ter-&r-"i-z&m
Function: noun
: the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion
- ter·ror·ist /-&r-ist/ adjective or noun
- ter·ror·is·tic /"ter-&r-'is-tik/ adjective


Main Entry: ter·ror
Pronunciation: 'ter-&r, 'te-r&r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French terrour, from Latin terror, from terrEre to frighten; akin to Greek trein to be afraid, flee, tremein to tremble -- more at TREMBLE
1 : a state of intense fear
2 a : one that inspires fear : SCOURGE b : a frightening aspect <the terrors of invasion> c : a cause of anxiety : WORRY d : an appalling person or thing; especially : BRAT
3 : REIGN OF TERROR
4 : violent or destructive acts (as bombing) committed by groups in order to intimidate a population or government into granting their demands <insurrection and revolutionary terror>
synonym see FEAR

[Turbineguy]

22. How about

"Bin Laden wishes to bankrupt The US. GOP determined to help him."

[David Zephyr]

13. Mark Foley: The wolf who cried "boy!"; GW Bush: The boy who cried "wolf!"

It's hard to keep their scandals separated.;-)

[Beetwasher]

18. As Far As I'm Concerned, This is An Ad FOR THE DEMS!

It's beyond stupid that they are doing this. A majority of the country now feels the Dems will do a better job w/ Nat's Security and terrorism. And reminding people that OBL is still loose is the height of desperate stupidity.

Thanks guys!

[fooj]

25. Full agreement!

[Dr Fate]

38. We all thougt the same about the Bin Laden tapes in '04. Wishful thinking.

DEMS better counter this ad- starting like YESTERDAY or this WILL have an impact.

[Dr Fate]

37. Your logical perception vs. the REAL perceptions swing voters have.

I dont understand it- but for some reason- swing voters never see it that way- it always scares them into supporting Bush- I dont get it either, but that is the way it is.

DEMS need to get off their butts like YESTERDAY and start counter spinning this and explaining that the ad really reminds us that Bush has failed to capture him- or prevent his 1st attack for that matter.

All of you who think this is good for us and that we can just sit back and let this roll are out of your minds.

[Beetwasher]

39. Different World Now, And Anyway

No one is saying Dems shouldn't respond. :shrug:

[Dr Fate]

43. Will they respond? When and with what?

Why they did not see this coming down 5th Avenue & preempt it is beyound me as well...

I hope you are right- but I just dont see DEMS counter attacking Bush/GOP on the issue of fighting terror- I've never seen them do that.

First time for everything, sure-so I'll hold my breath and see what we do.

[Beetwasher]

47. Quite Frankly

This sort of bullshit whining is getting tiring. I've been seeing a LOT of fighting back and attacking Repubs on Nat'l Security by Dems. If you haven't then you haven't been paying attention. If you haven't noticed, Dems are currently more trusted to fight terrorism and on National Security now. That didn't happen by accident.

And the fact of the matter is, you over rate the effectiveness of something like this. If you want to quake in your boots over this pathetic, shitty, desperate ad, go ahead. This ad won't work the way they want it to.

[madmusic]

20. everyone who believes in God = "the nuts."

Says Karl Rove.

[BigDDem]

23. This is the same OBL that we

were going to get "dead or alive" 5 years ago, right?

[karlrschneider]

35. Yeah, and the same one Chimp said 3 years ago "I really don't

think about him all that much..."

:eyes:
:grr:

[TexasLawyer]

24. "We Got Nothin' "

That's my subtitle for the ad. The Republicans can't run on any part of their record because it's so abysmal.

What have they done for the economy? What have they done for education? What have they done for the environment? What have they done for health care? What have they done to fight corruption? How's that war going?

All they're left with is scaring people.

Honestly, I laughed when I saw this ad, and I think others will too.

[robbedvoter]

26. 911 commission snippet with Condi admitting grudgingly the name

of the "historical" memo should do it.

[electron_blue]

27. why are we in Iraq and AFghan if we are not at war with a country????

[aquart]

28. So we can kill anywhere, anytime, anyone for THOUGHT crimes?

How 1984.

[progressivebydesign]

29. Run an ad with Bush saying "I don't know where OBL is and I don't care"

It's on tape somewhere, I've seen it.

Bastard GOP, they have no fucking shame or morals.

[Vinca]

32. First run the Osama ticking ad, then Shrub at the end with the

"I don't know and I don't care."

[Dr Fate]

36. DEMs wont do it- WAYYYYY too creative and aggressive.

The media and the GOP might say mean things about them.

Better just to let it blow over and hope for the best- right?

[dailykoff]

30. The kinder, gentler torturers

probably WILL stage an attack, maybe a string of them, if they get turned out in November, just to show us we were wrong and try to scare us into voting for some GOP goon in '08.

Tough. We're onto their tricks and this time they'll get caught in the act.

[ucscgaldamez]

31. FIGHT BACK

Why don't Democrats fight fear with fear?

For instance, Iraq is causing more terrorism around the world and is putting us in great danger. I

[Dr Fate]

34. What is our response going to be? Nothing as usual or something tough?

I hope something tough, pointed & creative- I'll believe it when I see it.

How about- "Bush & the Republicans but Bin Laden in their ads- when are they going to put him in the grave or behind bars?"

"Bush failed to prevent 9/11 and has yet to even capture Bin Laden- yet he thinks he can keep us safe?"

"The same Republicans who covered for child molesters cant cover up the fact that they failed to capture Bin laden. Of course, if they had done their jobs, they wouldnt have him to help them in these bizzare ads, would they?"

"Democrats will capture Bin Laden- not use him to endorse candidates."

Stuff like that.

Now hold your breath....

[iamjoy]

40. We Democrats Should Quit Whining

And do like some other posters here suggest - show ads that point out how the Republicans have failed. My favorite is the clip of Dubya saying he didn't really care about bin Laden.

[Dr Fate]

44. But that would be creative and too aggressive.

If we did that, we would have to get our fingernails dirty- best just to sit meekly and hope it all blows over.

[Satyagraha]

42. RNC.ORG ironic call for volunteers

Can anyone else see the irony in the http://www.rnc.org banner headline at the site of their new terrorism ad?

[EndElectoral]

46. Why don't they air Tennyson's message?

"Forward, the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Someone had blunder'd:
Their's not to make reply,
Their's not to reason why,
Their's but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

...

Honor the troops. Don't honor the blunderers. The soldiers do what is asked of them. That's courageous and we should stop allowing others to waste their sacrifice.