"A Karl Rove-Style Ploy"
Barack Obama's campaign is using John McCain's "Celeb" ad to raise coin before the midnight fundraising deadline. In a cyber appeal, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe calls the spot, which compares Obama's celebrity to that of Brittany Spears and Paris Hilton, "the latest and lowest in a series of misleading attack ads" and a "Karl Rove-style ploy."
Plouffe asks for $5 donations to get Obama's response ad -- called "Low Road" -- on the air and to "show the McCain campaign that there is a cost to this kind of negative politics."
Plouffe's full appeal is available after the jump.
Jennifer --
As we face the fundraising deadline at midnight tonight, I want you to know what we are up against.
Less than 24 hours ago, the McCain campaign launched the latest and lowest in a series of misleading attack ads.
This Karl Rove-style ploy misleads people about Barack's energy plan and even mocks his ability to inspire voters and bring Americans back into the political process.
Watchdogs in the media are calling McCain's accusations "bogus," "desperate," "wrong," "misleading," "ugly," "offensive," "reckless," and "a nasty turn into the gutter."
Some of McCain's own supporters agree. One senior Republican strategist quoted by the Washington Post called the latest ad a "wild swing at Obama" that reflects his campaign's "increasing bitterness" and the lack of "any coherent strategy to elect McCain."
Even John Weaver, a strategist who worked for McCain's presidential campaign in 2000 and on his current campaign last year, called the ad "childish," adding that this negative strategy "diminishes John McCain" and "needs to stop."
But we will not let any attack stand. Barack himself responded quickly and forcefully, and within hours our campaign created a response ad to take their smear tactics head-on.
Make a donation of $5 or more now to get our response on the air and show the McCain campaign that there is a cost to this kind of negative politics.
With the election less than 100 days away, media pundits and Washington insiders will be watching our fundraising numbers more closely than ever.
In the face of these new attacks, you can help demonstrate that a movement funded by grassroots supporters giving only what they can afford is ready to take on the Republican fundraising machine and its onslaught of negativity.
Your support will also give this campaign a crucial boost in momentum as we build our organization to compete in all 50 states.
There are only hours left to make an impact in July.
Watch the new ad and make a donation of $5 or more before the midnight deadline.
Thanks,
David
David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America
It worked. I just dropped another $50 into the Obama kitty
Just me, I just matched you.
Well if anyone wold know about a "Karl Rove-Style ploy" it would be the Obama campaign. His "ability to inspire" is a mockery to those who have to decide between a gallon of gas and a gallon of milk.
I wish I could afford to give $5 but I have utilities to pay and groceries to buy. I wish also to thank George Bush for my newfound prosperity.
I'm sure Obama will bring you some groceries. He will throw you under the bus just like Ludicrous. Wright, Ayers and his Grandma.
Now, I understand that for the purposes of a Democratic fundraising letter, invoking Rove is a smart move - almost a "must," probably.
But, in a strict, political-nerd sense, the Celeb ad isn't really a "Karl Rove-style" ploy is it?
You can definitely credit Rove with using ballot initiatives to drive turnout, utilizing churches and "faith", and probably a certain type of negative advertising.
But, the "Celeb" ad doesn't really seem to fit his mold.
Just thinking it's strange (unprecedented?) how building Rove's legacy benefits his opponents.