ABC Frets Over Pro-American Cadillac Ad: 'Arrogant' and 'Xenophobic?'

NewsBusters ^ | 6 Mar 2014 | Scott Whitlock

[mandaladon]

The journalists at Good Morning America on Thursday were sufficiently provoked by a pro-American Cadillac commercial that they devoted a whole segment to wondering if the spot was "arrogant" and "xenophobic." GMA's reporters, who couldn't find any time to cover former IRS head Lois Lerner pleading the Fifth on Capitol Hill, devoted almost three minutes to the "backlash" against the car commercial.

The ad features a man strolling around his large house, praising the free enterprise system and the work ethic of Americans: "Other countries, they work. They stroll home. They stop by the café. They take August off. Off!" Co-host George Stephanopoulos worried, "Is it selling a confident take on America with a sense of humor or showing off an arrogant caricature that is just plain obnoxious?"

Journalist Nick Watt asserted that the spot has been "lambasted by plenty others online as arrogant, xenophobic, ugly Americanism."

In fairness, Watt did note that some are "praising" the commercial. He featured a clip of Fox New contributor Jonathan Hoenig who touted, "Here's an advertisement that actually celebrates Americanism.

But, the ABC hosts clearly sided with the aggrieved left. Robin Roberts appeared disgusted, complaining, "But, oh my goodness. And what's wrong with taking more than two weeks off?"

Guest co-host Amy Robach agreed: "It's bragging rights in this country to say you didn't take your vacation days. Sad."

To watch the entire commercial, go here.

[Billthedrill]

It’s just business.

Yep. I'm thinking somebody doesn't understand the basic principles of advertising. They're targeting a specific demographic. Rather effectively, it appears.

[Fresh Wind]

The commercial without the ABC crap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGJSI48gkFc

[clintonh8r]

Manly woman Susan Rice is married to a news producer at ABC, I believe.

[clintonh8r]

I wonder what the UAW has had to say about the commercial.

I hope Cadillac doesn't fold and runs it many times in the Doral Open coverage this weekend.

[clintonh8r]

Neal McDonough. He was great in Band of Brothers.

[Mr. Jeeves]

I guess the obvious question is: Why are the Republicans scared to make campaign commercials like that?

[Atlas Sneezed]

I thought celebrating diversity was good?

We’re different from the French, n’est-ce pas?

[ExCTCitizen]

OMG, people take a month of vacation, but we don't. Obama is going to pass the American Vacation Act of 2014 where you get not just a month off for vacation, but taxpayer paid Disney World , cruises, recreation vehicles, boats or 5 star resort stays.

Wait some do, they are called the unemployed. :-)

[Cyman]

I saw commercial and LOVED it. Especially since it features a Friend of Abe

[yldstrk]

I love the ad, especially the “n’est pas?” at the end

in your face lazy Europeans

[TheZMan]

Awesome commercial.

[Sooth2222]

Then they took bailout money.

Great commercial -- from a company that owes its survival to Obama bailout money, and screwed its bondholders. Just a little hypocritical? GM might even have some great products now, like the new C7 Corvette -- but I'll never buy one of them.

[Fightin Whitey]

too bad it’s for a branch of GM

Agree totally.

I would like to give Chevy pickups a try, after years of Fords and even a couple Toyotas.

Goverment Motors? Gay Man Corporation?

No way in hell.

[tanknetter]

I love the ad, but also know that it’s (along with the Lib outrage and controversy) a contrivance intended to help Caddy overcome the Government Motors stigma.

[La Lydia]

This makes me want to go buy an ELR.

[yldstrk]

You should be able to buy whatever tickles your fancy!

[Charles Martel]

They are praising their target market and doing their best to push its buttons.

Yep. See also the "Stacy's Mom" Cadillac ad. That one pretty much says "So, you have a trophy wife? Show her off in this new car!"

[mulligan]

That describes ABC and all the liberal nuts to a tea, ‘arrogant and xenophobic’. In this case ‘in fear of real honest, hard-working, decent 100% Americans.

[martin_fierro]

Why do we work so hard? For what? For this? For stuff? Other countries they work, they stroll home, they stop by the cafe, they take August off. Off. Why aren’t you like that? Why aren’t we like that?

YEAH.

Because we’re crazy driven, hard working believers, that’s why. Those other countries think we’re nuts. Whatever! Were the Wright brothers insane? Bill Gates? Les Paul? Ali?

HELL YEAH.

Were we nuts when we pointed to the moon? That’s right, we went up there, and you know what we got? Bored. So we left. Got a car up there, left the keys in it. Do you know why? Because we’re the only ones going back up there. That’s why.

F***KIN' A!

But I digress… It’s pretty simple. You work hard, you create your own luck, and you gotta believe anything’s possible. As for all the stuff, that’s the up-side of only taking two weeks off in August. N’est-ce pas?

Oh. Nevermind.

[boop]

I love the ad, too. Not sure why the liberals are such babies about it.

They show the successful guy pulling out the charging wire.

Don't liberals LOVE electric cars?

BTW, thanks for the info on the actor.

I knew the face.

For some reason he reminds me of Frank Sutton (Sgt.Carter from Gomer Pyle)