From The Road
June 17, 2008 1:03 PM

Young Child Used in Anti-McCain Ad

From CBS News' Michelle Levi:

Washington, DC -- In a joint effort, labor union AFSCME and political action committee MoveOn.org have launched a new ad campaign accusing McCain of "counting on" a new generation of Americans to serve in Iraq by suggesting the possibility of an young child's future deployment.

The 30 second spot features a young mother holding her toddler son, Alex . She explains his talent for trying new food, chasing their dog and pulling on her heart strings. In a dramatic turn, the mother asks, " So, John McCain, when you said you would stay in Iraq for 100 years, were you counting on Alex? " She looks at her child and says "Because if you were, you can’t have him."

"What the ad will do is sort of emotionally get to the voter about what is at stake if McCain wins," MoveOn.org Communications Director Ilyse Hogue tells CBS News. "It speaks to people's fears and worries" that America may be sending another generation to Iraq, Hogue added.

Pollster Anna Greenburg who has woked with MoveOn.org on guaging the effectiveness of their adverstisements says the simplicty of this ad drives its message. On a conference call with reporters, Greenburg said this spot tested higher in audience influence than any other ad tested for the PAC -- an outcome she attributes to the " straightforward and clear" message and "trustworthy" messenger.

AFSCME representative Paul Booth told reporters that the collaboration between the groups "indicates that progressive forces are coming together with the same objective...want[ing] someone in the White House who will put real problems" at the forefront. While the groups have no current plans to work toegther in the future, Booth says, if their objectives overlap in the next 20 weeks leading up to the general election they will certainly consider another joint venture.

The ad buy totaled $540,000 and was split "roughly evenly" between AFSME and MoveOn.org. The ad will start airing Wednesday on CNN, MSNBC, Washington, DC broadcasts as well as in select television markets in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.

To view the ad, click here
Tags:
MoveOn.org ,
child ,
Iraq ,
McCain ,
AFSCME
Topics:
John McCain
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by mattcat25 June 18, 2008 1:28 PM EDT
American Boys and Girls are being shipped home in pine boxes (that Bush will not allow to be photographed) every day. Not to mention the many that have lost limbs, or suffered brain damage. The Republican War Mongers don%u2019t care about our troops they want perpetual war along with perpetual business related to war.

Iraq is costing the American People $12 Billion Dollars per month, but for each and every life lost the cost in insurmountable.

A vote for McCain (war monger) is a vote for never ending war.
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by anappleadae June 17, 2008 8:50 PM EDT
gkc99

"It''s time to take America back from the Fascists."

Spoken like a nateral Communist.
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by anappleadae June 17, 2008 8:48 PM EDT
There remains plenty of time for Obama''s 457 crowd to whack away at McCain. The Republican 457s are keeping their powder dry till they see the whites of their eyes, and then they will reveal Obama in a way no other political organization can. Should prove to be very entertaining.
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by realitysux2 June 17, 2008 8:17 PM EDT
I have served and have many family members who have served in many wars. Noone I know is supporting any of the Bush cronies for anything, including McCain!
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by grammawhamma June 17, 2008 8:11 PM EDT
Isn''t it odd that the military families I know who served or had family members who served in Iraq and Afganistan are voting for McCain. It''s those keyboard warriors who oppose the war the loudest.
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by realitysux2 June 17, 2008 8:03 PM EDT
This add does not insult our service men and women at all...it insults the people running the war.....very different! Maybe Alex does want to serve "this" country. That means supporting the majority opinion in this country, which means not supporting the war in the middle east. I value everyone''s opinion, but in this country the majority rules...or at least it''s suppose to. Most of the people do not at all support this war and haven''t for a very long time. So are they really serviong this country, I think not....they are serving the polititians and military leaders. Obviously at this point that has very little in common with the majority opinion in the U.S.
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by bnap3 June 17, 2008 7:24 PM EDT
MoveOn%u2019s ad is emotional yes. Strikes a cord in a healthy thoughtful way. Not your typical emotionless cold logic republican ad. John McCain however often displays strong emotion, comes out as extreme frustrated pent-up rage vented upon who ever happens to be present. Imagine him answering the phone at 3am after lack of performance in the arms of ?
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by bnap3 June 17, 2008 7:23 PM EDT
MoveOn%u2019s ad is emotional yes. Strikes a cord in a healthy thoughtful way. Not your typical emotionless cold logic republican ad. John McCain however often displays strong emotion, comes out as extreme frustrated pent-up rage vented upon who ever happens to be present. Imagine him answering the phone at 3am after lack of performance in the arms of ?
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by gmcc78 June 17, 2008 6:42 PM EDT
Maybe when Alex grows up he will love his country and want to serve it. Perhaps he will realize there is a wonderful feeling serving a cause greater than his self interests.

This add insults every service man and woman.
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by grammawhamma June 17, 2008 6:33 PM EDT
Is Obama aware of the fact that every single one of our troops enlisted?
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