Fake Soldiers Used In RNC Video

Patriotic Montage Shown At RNC Featured Actors Hired For One Day Shoot, Not Military

(CBS)  CBS News Investigative Producer Michael Rey wrote this story for CBSNews.com.

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It was a video that was supposed to elicit soaring patriotism and real emotions about the Pledge of Allegiance. But to do that, it used fake soldiers and a staged military funeral instead of the real thing.

On Tuesday night, 15-year-old Victoria Blackstone, a sophomore at the St. Agnes School in St. Paul, led the crowd at the Xcel Energy Center in the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience heard her 434-word essay, “Pledging myself to the Flag of the United States of America,” an essay she’d entered in the “Wave the Stars & Stripes” essay contest and won. The RNC turned that essay into a three and a half minute video, a visually stirring montage rolling over Victoria’s words about sharing the Pledge with Americans who have stood at important moments in history.

There’s the Continental Congress…A real WWII vet…Photos of workers at Ground Zero. A close-up of a folded flag presented to a grieving widow at a military funeral… profiles of soldiers swelling with pride in slo-motion.

But CBS News found that the footage of the ‘funeral’ and soldiers is what is called ‘stock’ footage. The soldiers were actors and the funeral scene was from a one-day film shoot, produced in June. No real soldiers were used during production.

The footage, sold by stock-film house Getty Images was produced by a commercial filmmaker in Chicago. Both Getty and the production company, Mr. Big Films, confirmed that the footage was shot on spec and sold to the Republican National Committee.

One of the actors, Perry Denton of Chicago, Ill. also confirmed that he was hired on a day-rate as an actor for the shoot and told CBS News he was surprised to learn the footage was shown at the convention.



A veteran’s advocate said that with soldiers still deployed and in harm’s way, there is an obligation not to sugar coat reality.

“What it does reveal is a serious lack of understanding and a lack of personal connection to the military,” said Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

Rieckhoff, who is at the convention with a contingent of veterans added that a video tribute to Medal of Honor winner Michael Monsoor, a Navy Seal killed in Iraq, shown on Tuesday night, used combat video that appeared to him and several other veterans of the Iraq war to have been staged.

After a Web search of videos played at the Democratic National Convention last week, CBS News found no obvious use of stock footage.

The RNC did not respond to CBS News’ request for a comment.

[rixmix98]

The RNC did not respond to CBS News%u2019 request for a comment.


Well of course they didn''t respond. They''re too embarrassed.

[nishaboston]

not surprised

[aboz3]

More RNC flim flam! It is too bad they couldn''t find or use real soldiers!

The whole party (which I used to be a member of) isn''t worth spit!

[usclimey]

I cannot imagine a depth to which the GOPigs will not sink to keep a hold on the White House. Every cry and moan they come up with regarding the press''s poor treatment is nullified by the years of opponent abuse they have heaped on their enemies through the press. And now they even use some patriotic BS to stir up the 28% of American humanity who believes Bush has done a good job. PATHETIC!!!

[omega39-2009]

One of the actors, Perry Denton of Chicago, IL also confirmed that he was hired on a day-rate as an actor for the shoot and told CBS News he was surprised to learn the footage was shown at the convention.

Yippee! The Republicans and trickle down economics creates yet another Temporary, part time position!

[foxmulder33]

Not sure what to make of this. The GOP is pretty careless right now. I hope they get their act together and start providing some real answers to the issues facing the average American family. Rising unemployment, inflation, out-of-control energy/health costs, airline industry in turmoil. Pumping your fist and field-dressing moose is good stage. But it''s leaving thinking Americans scratching their heads with what is going on at the RNC.

[hoomyaj]

I can''t believe it! Just like Iraq''s WMD... we all fell for it... NOT!!!

[intelguy3333]

I am a Disabled Veteran and this makes me want to Vomit. The Republicans have no shame. McCain can claim his POW status a thousand times to get away from telling the truth and Sarah Palin can tell us all this military operation is a mission from God. Let them live some of the lives like we vets have had to do. Palin wouldn''t make it for second. And John McCain has had too many POW passes at tough questions. This mockery of my service to this great nation is beyond belief. It is sickening.

[omega39-2009]

One of the actors, Perry Denton of Chicago, IL also confirmed that he was hired on a day-rate as an actor for the shoot and told CBS News he was surprised to learn the footage was shown at the convention.

Yippee! The Republicans and trickle down economics creates yet another Temporary, part time position!

Posted by omega39

Lets not forget that in the last election the Republicans outsourced their fund raising to a firm in India. These people have no shame!

[misha128-2009]

Can anyone find a truthful statement from the Republicans, lately?

Here is an insignificant lie on an insignificant issue -- Earlier in the week, the governor''s Alaska spokeswoman was quoted as saying Palin had traveled to Iraq, Kuwait, Germany, and Ireland, in addition to Canada." But Ireland was just for a refueling stop."

What was gained by this lie?

On the other had in light of the seemingly endless cascade of lies from the McCain Campaign these are as a whole a real credibility issue.

[thevicar2]

This can only be described as pure, unadulterated HORROR!

The fact that someone made a video and used non-real people to pretend that they were real people constitutes HIGH CRIMES and MISDEMEANORS!!!

EVERYONE responsible needs to shot, hanged, beheaded, dismembered, killed, boiled in oil, and killed again!

Think of the children!

Think of the unborn children!

How many puppies suffered from this?

OUTRAGE!!!

[aggiekat2004]

This is disgusting, and disrespectful to all of the people who honorably fight for our country.

I would think that McCain would be rolling in his grave over this one. Oh wait...he''s still alive.

[rixmix98]

intelguy3333
Please know that there are many of us who truly appreciate your service and are also sickened by this travesty.

[thevicar2]

I am a Disabled Veteran and this makes me want to Vomit ------------------------------------------------------ Posted by intelguy3333


You got a heckuva weak stomach if a 3-minute movie about America and Soldiers Sacrife makes you sick!

Perhaps if someone loaned you a quarter maybe you could run to the drugstore and get yourself a pair of nads, eh?

[missingamerica]

Well, what do you expect from fake patriots?

I highly doubt that there was a single Republican in that conventional hall who would EVER let patriotism come between themselves and more money.

[omega39-2009]

I am a Disabled Veteran and this makes me want to Vomit. The Republicans have no shame. McCain can claim his POW status a thousand times to get away from telling the truth and Sarah Palin can tell us all this military operation is a mission from God. Let them live some of the lives like we vets have had to do. Palin wouldn''''t make it for second. And John McCain has had too many POW passes at tough questions. This mockery of my service to this great nation is beyond belief. It is sickening.

Posted by intelguy3333

At the last RNC convention the delegates wore Band-aids adorned with little purple hearts. This while our service guys laid in filth up in Walter reed with nothing to show but those medals. Republicans just don''t seem to "get it".

Although annoyed and dismayed, I can''t find complete fault with their hiring of actors.

Active duty personnel are not to be used for political posturing or gain. (that''s why the usual Bush military backdrop during speeches is so god-awful).

HOWEVER, there are plenty of UNEMPLOYED VETERANS that could have been used instead.

[swiowavoter]

Spendecrats make me sick. Big deal they used actors. Id rather have them do that than waste taxpayer money on a commercial. I think all of you Obama supporters are worried and cant think of anything else to cry about.

[missingamerica]

Spendecrats make me sick. Big deal they used actors. Id rather have them do that than waste taxpayer money on a commercial. I think all of you Obama supporters are worried and cant think of anything else to cry about.

Posted by swiowavoter at 02:27 PM : Sep 04, 2008

Careful analysis of the syntax, grammar, and content of your post leads me to believe that the Republicans are on the verge of going extinct.

[macusweil]

No surprise, like everything else with GOP it is all non-reality , smoke and mirrors. Shame on them for trying to politicizes patriotism & the military in first place. Very Natzi like in fact.

[macusweil]

Sure hope thosee `Spendecrats` get elected in Nov, love to see them try to outspend the Republicans these past eight years. That''ll never happen!! LOL

[swiowavoter]

Spendecrats make me sick. Big deal they used actors. Id rather have them do that than waste taxpayer money on a commercial. I think all of you Obama supporters are worried and cant think of anything else to cry about.

Posted by swiowavoter at 02:27 PM : Sep 04, 2008

Careful analysis of the syntax, grammar, and content of your post leads me to believe that the Republicans are on the verge of going extinct.



sorry i dont have a teleprompter.

[karenbe111]

Fake, just like everything else about the Republicans!!!

[irliberal]

"Fake Soldiers Used In RNC Video"

That''s the RNC for you. If you''re truly stupid enough to vote for McSame, you deserve him.

[armysgt5]

What is the big deal?

What family wants a film crew at the funeral of their son or daughter? And on top of that to have an organization use it for publicity?

[williamfold]

Republicans are the equivalent of the "Wal-Mart of Politics". Selling out Americans for profit.

[neremyjr]

...if you want then vote Fake,,,then for the same....they been fake the whole time of tghis camp...
Republicans are on the verge of going extinct.

[misha128-2009]

Spendecrats make me sick. ...

Posted by swiowavoter at 02:27 PM

Looking back 7 administrations Reagan doubled the rate of increase of the National Debt. Bush 41 doubled Reagan and Bush 43 doubled Bush 41 in rate of deficit spending. Clinton had turned the corner and left Bush 43 in a position to pay down the national debt. Where is there a Spendocrat in the last 25 years in this country? I only see Spendicons plundering the US Treasury with no bid contracts and high priced contractors with no requirement to deliver. Teaching Wall Street how to spend like drunken sailors to borrow the analogy from Bush 43.

[timdgrim]

Spendecrats ...that''s a stretch....
OK...let''s see.....how about..WarMongercans or Rejecticans, or RedNeckicans, or ReSlugicans, or in Colonel Klink''s, (Rudy Giuliani) honor...ReNazicans...
Your Turn......

[misha128-2009]

Spendecrats make me sick. ...

Posted by swiowavoter at 02:27 PM

The cumulative total of the national debt before Reagan was prety much spent again by Reagan in 8 years.

Bush did the bulk of his spending wit the concurrence of 3 Republican ongresses.

[demwatcher]

"No surprise, like everything else with GOP it is all non-reality , smoke and mirrors. Shame on them for trying to politicizes patriotism & the military in first place. Very Natzi like in fact.

Posted by macusweil at 02:29 PM : Sep 04, 2008"

They did not use a REAL military funeral because they did not want to politicize a family''s pain (unlike Libs who cheer whenever another coffin arrives home
).

Democrats - the party of counting (on) body bags.

[notbuynit]

Watching the audience at the RNC is sickening. They are horrific. Like a bunch of rabid pasty faced vampires trying to look human. Palin''s son look positively scared when they used him as a prop going to Iraq. All that baby rocking, especially by McCain''s wife looked phonier than Hillary''s tears after Iowa. These people are disgusting. They thing think we are all idiots. THEY ARE NOT AMERICA!

[brianbwb-2009]

"Democrats - the party of counting (on) body bags."
Posted by DemWatcher

Republicans, the party of filling body bags for no good reason.

[intelguy3333]

Hey the vicar, when did you last serve your nation Huh? I don''t need a quarter buddy, I just want closed minded morons to realize it is wrong to promote the death of a soldier with actors for political gain. Maybe you should grow some first and try to do a decent job of defending this nation.

[bigeye9]

I just don''t know why I wast my time. Under Reagan revenues soared, and he spent to rebuild our military. Clinton did balance the budget thank goodness, but correct me if I''m wrong, wasn''t he held to that by the Republican House & Senate? I am so dissapointed in the Bush spending, but again this time a Democrat run House & Senate. So let''s just remember there''s plenty of blame to go around. I pray McCain will not grow the Government, and be way more thrifty. Taxes are too high already. In California after paying our Federal taxes, property taxes, we get to pay 9.5% income tax to the state. Enough is enough. SARA rocked last evening!

[thevicar2]

Maybe the little girl who wrote the essay didnt have a high enough cuteness factor, and another little girl was substituted at the last minute?

Maybe the people who overreact to stories like this are really standing in for other people who dont neccessarily overreact, but have better on-camera skills than those who do and therefore they are only PRETENDING to be those actual people!

Maybe John Wayne really WASNT in the Civil War, and WWII, and the Spanish American War, maybe he was just PRETENDING!!!

If they can play tricks on us like this just by using cameras and video tape, image the REAL harm they can cause with those SAME FAILED POLICIES!!!

ARRRRGH! Good Grief, people! Get a GRIP!!!

[Torilin]

Democrats - the party of counting (on) body bags.


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Posted by DemWatcher

That''s totally uncalled for...is that what your mom teach you how to talk about your fellow countryman and woman?

[deb4vols]

CBS...you above all others are so hypocritical!!! If the RNC had filmed a real funeral..you would have cried how insensitive and wrong it would be to exploit the death of a soldier for political purposes at the convntion...I am so tired of your whining! You are so transparent; it is obvious that eversince Dan Rather was caught lying to the American people, you feel it your duty to smear others...We (the public) are much smarter than that...and for that matter smarter than Katie Couric as well. She is not objective at all and it really shows her lack of professionalism!! Get over yourself and please do some real journalism!!!

[wogerwabbit]

Geeze, so what. There''s enough to gank the Republicans on without nit-picking this nonsense. It was a long commercial preaching to their choir and totally irrelevant.

[armysgt5]

The posts on here are some of the dumbest I have read. It appears that you just want to complain about anything and everything.

If they would have used "real" soldiers you would have asked why the federal government is supporting the GOP.

If he would have used a "real" funeral you would have complained about the families feelings.

[bigeye9]

Thank you howzilla - my thoughts exactly.

[emelder]

Nothing new here ... the Republicans have been using smoke and mirrors for quite a long time. And now they''ve got Barbie ...

[swiowavoter]

Spendecrat. How and who is going to pay for the health care plan "Quality, Affordable and Portable Coverage for All" "Improve Transportation Access to Jobs" "Fully Fund the Community Development Block Grant" "Enact a Windfall Profits Tax to Provide a $1,000 Emergency Energy Rebate to American Families." the shpping list is huge! Immigration whos going to pay for that? Obama is a dreamer...

[Torilin]

using actors makes sure the real military is not distracted from its mission to protect us. No problem here. Kudos.


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Posted by howzilla

Yeah we need a lotta protection from the fictional non-existing WMD from Iraq.

[thevicar2]

when did you last serve your nation Huh? I don''''t need a quarter buddy, I just want closed minded morons to realize it is wrong to promote the death of a soldier with actors for political gain. Maybe you should grow some first and try to do a decent job of defending this nation ------------------------------------------------------ Posted by intelguy3333


Close minded moron? YOU are the guy getting all weepy about a little video!
I had Drill Sergeants that would reem me new one if the saw me crying about an actor playing a soldier on a three-minute video! Unless, of course, it was John FreakinWayne, and I was all welled up with PRIDE or something.

[realpatriot1]

I agree with ArmySGT5. Both sides use staged theatrics to dramatize their events, whether it be Obama''s Greek Columns or Guiliani''s 911 background or this.

Part of what Conventions seek to do is to inspire people. This isn''t Watergate and with all the important issues not being properly addressed this is a pointless issue.

[gce65]

How typical of the RNC! Insulting and disgraceful. But they don''t care...as long as no one asks about it or they get caught.

[l8c6]

The republican party...great fiction.

[jmurrieta1]

It doesn''t matter--isn''t every bit as phony as everything else about the Republican party and McCain-Palin.

[gce65]

There are certainly enough dead from the Bush administration''s chosen war in Iraq to produce a real video.

Secondly, there are quite a few families who do NOT agree with Bush''s policies and have agreed to let their loved one''s funeral be filmed in a respectful way. Of course, if they knew it was for the RNC to use to trump up patriotism they might not agree to it.

Isn''t that exactly what the Bushies and the Army did with Pat Tillman''s funeral, use it for recruiting purposes?