North Carolina Republicans Use Wright Controversy In New Ad

North Carolina Republicans have unveiled an ad labeling Barack Obama "too extreme" for the state – and hammering two Democratic gubernatorial candidates for endorsing him.

The spot, which you can watch here, opens with an announcer saying, "For 20 years Barack Obama sat in his pew, listening to his pastor." That controversial pastor, Jeremiah Wright, is then shown saying "No, no, no. Not God Bless America. God Damn America."

"Now, Bev Perdue and Richard Moore endorse Barack Obama," the announcer continues. "They should know better. He's just too extreme for North Carolina."

The Charlotte Observer writes that the ad "is believed to be the first time nationwide that Republicans have used Wright's comments in a TV advertisement since the comments first drew scrutiny last month."

Presumptive GOP nominee John McCain has sent a letter to North Carolina Republican Party Chair Linda Daves asking her not to run the ad.

In his letter, which was sent to reporters, McCain writes, "The television advertisement you are planning to air degrades our civics and distracts us from the very real differences we have with the Democrats."

"This ad does not live up to the very high standards we should hold ourselves to in this campaign," he adds, calling on Daves to "withdraw this offensive advertisement."