Channel 10 on the MoveOn ads
WHEC Channel 10 did a bit about the MoveOn ads. They claim that MoveOn pulled the “Dumping Billions” commercial after a few days, but are continuing to run the “Red Handed” commercial. This seems like it could be the most likely explanation for the confusion.
It’s interesting how this is shaping up politically. On the one hand, the Kuhl campaign may have gained something by attacking the “Dumping Billions” advertisement as inaccurate. But it’s hard to see how this sort of televised exchange helps them:
James Kuhl is the congressman’s son and campaign manager and he objects is to the phrase “red handed.â€
“I would say it’s a phrase that implies one thing across all people. If you say red handed it automatically assumes illegitimate activity,†said James Kuhl.
Kuhl said there is nothing criminal about voting in congress. The ads are produced and paid for by an organization called MoveOn.org, a liberal political action committee that is publically anti-Iraq war.
News 10NBC contacted MoveOn.org in Washington.
“Webster’s Dictionary defines ‘red handed’ as misdeed. Yes if you’re describing a crime it could also mean that but we’re not describing a crime we’re making a charge that he has not done a good job performing his duties as a member of Congress,†said, Tom Matzzie, the Washington Director of MoveOn.org.
It comes across even worse in the video clip. I repeat: a son who works as his father’s campaign manager has a fool for a candidate. Note to candidates everywhere: it is never a good idea to claim that you haven’t done anything illegal when no one is alleging that you have.
Related posts:
Yikes, shades of Nixon. “I am not a crook!”
That’s like, lesson #1 in “Don’t Think Of An Elephant.” I thought we were supposed to be the ones playing catch-up to the Republican Noise Machine. !?!?
Kuhl’s MoveOn Dilemma…
A story posted yesterday by Rochester NBC affiliate WHEC is a good illustration of the dilemma that the Kuhl campaign faces in responding to the MoveOn ad campaign. On one hand, the Kuhl campaign would like those ads portrayed as…
[...] As Exile on Erickson St says on Rochester Turning, Note to candidates everywhere: it is never a good idea to claim that you haven’t done anything illegal when no one is alleging that you have. [...]