Posted on 10/09/2008 1:01:05 PM PDT by neverdem
The National Rifle Association is intensifying it's anti-Barack Obama media campaign, launching an additional TV spot -- including a Spanish-language version -- in several news battleground states. But the Illinois senator is defending his position on gun control and using other strategies to try to reach out to a segment of the population targeted by the NRA: rural voters.
The NRA has already spent several million dollars running ads in Colorada, New Mexico and Pennsylvania, but the group is now moving into media markets in Florida, Ohio and Virginia with a new spot, "Texas Law Enforcement Officer" (subscription). The ad features Andy Vaquera, a retired police officer from Texas, who says that in his line of work he has "seen firsthand the tragedy that happens when people are stripped of their gun rights." Footage of crime scenes and red and blue flashing lights play on screen as Vaquera evokes what is a sensitive issue in many states: illegal immigration. "Families should be able to defend themselves against rapists, drug dealers and other criminals illegally crossing our borders," he insists, claiming that Obama would prevent Americans from being able to use guns in self-defense.
Obama is firing back with his own ad (subscription) featuring a lifetime NRA member, Greg West, expressing his support for the Democratic nominee. "I hunt, I fish, I love the outdoors," West says, adding his love for America to that list and proclaiming, "I support Barack Obama." An announcer ensures veiwers that Obama "supports gun rights, our right to defend ourselves, the Second Amendment," before pivoting to a brief attack on John McCain's tax policy. West appears on screen at the end, calling Obama "our best hope for true change in Washington."
The Obama campaign says they plan to run the ad wherever the NRA puts its spots on air.
The Illinois senator is also getting some help courting rural voters in Southern Virginia from an unlikely source: bluegrass music legend Ralph Stanley. Stanley is featured in a radio ad (subscription), greeting listeners with a friendly "howdy" before launching into his pitch for Obama. "I think I know a little something about the families around here. And after the last eight years, I know we all need a change," the musician twangs, banjo music playing in the background. Stanley praises Obama's economic and education policies before testifying for the candidate's character: "Barack is a good man. A father and devoted husband, he values personal responsibility and family first." He concludes by asking viewers to join him on Election Day "in supporting a true friend of the people who live right here in Southwest Virginia."
State polls this week show Obama slightly ahead in each of the new states that the NRA is targeting -- Florida, Ohio and Virginia.
Ralph Stanley must be getting senile.
I sent the NRA $150 yesterday, and I may do it again next week...
Oh, it all depends on how you defend “gun rights”. 0bama supports “gun rights” as long as they are strictly regulated, like, no handguns or repeating/self-loading rifles.
DEFINE
Obama is running an ad on KSTE 650 AM (in the middile of the Michael Savage show of all things) extolling his virtues as a “defender” of 2nd Amendment rights. As if.
Nice ad!
Note that it's lifetime, not lifelong. Anyone can sign up as a life member, right? Even a gun grabbing shill liberal.
Wish they would run some ads here in NC. Barry has been running an ad with some has been sports figure...Joe Starky...or somebody, saying how both BO and McCain will protect gun rights but McCain sucks on other issues.
I get pissed every time I hear it. The guy must be a complete dumb@ass whoever he is.
NO NO NO Not Ralph Stanley!!!!!! Another illusion smashed, but I should’ve known better.
Nope not me I won’t say it but there is a good joke in this about a spear and a spaz ans a beer.
Good catch. Someone needs to ask West how long he has actually been with the NRA.
Yes, a life membership costs $1,000.
I would certainly like the NRA to confirm that this Mr. West is actually a member, much less a life member.
Maybe Mr. West would be willing to publish his membership number so that it can be verified that he is a life member.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.