John Edwards began running his first ad on TV stations in Iowa this week. It's called "Heroes" and pays homage to working Americans. It doesn't mention any of his rivals.Not so with another ad that also began this week. It's called "The Politics of Parsing" and takes direct aim at New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. It airs solely on YouTube.
The second ad splices pictures of Clinton from Tuesday's debate in Philadelphia giving seemingly contradictory answers to questions about Iraq, Social Security and immigration. To underscore the point, the "Blue Danube" waltz plays in the background.
Like other candidates, Edwards has used YouTube videos before to showcase an ad. But this is the first one that's offered direct criticism of a Democratic rival. It continues a drumbeat he began even during the debate of accusing Clinton of "double-talk."
Edwards' ad is a response to one Clinton's campaign posted YouTube ad after the debate. It's called "The Politics of Pile On."
"Four years ago, John Edwards told voters that if they wanted someone to attack other Democrats, he wasn't their guy," Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee said Saturday. "As his poll numbers continue to slip, he's unfortunately become that guy."
As of Saturday, Edwards' video had already been viewed more than 143,000 times. That's not bad reach for an ad that's essentially free to produce and post.
"Those aren't 143,000 people in Iowa or New Hampshire," says Andrew Taylor, a political scientist at N.C. State. "But it's still a pretty cost-effective way of getting a message across."
Edwards' spokeswoman Colleen Murray said YouTube offers "an innovative and immediate way to communicate our message."
"In this case, it immediately showed voters that this wasn't about the 'politics of pile-on,'" she said. "It was about Senator Clinton practicing the 'politics of parsing.'"
7 comments:
It really is sad that Senator Edwards has gone down to the level of attacking other candidates for President. He should recognize that the Democrats should not be fighting with one another, but clearly stating how they stand on issues that Americans are concerned about. If those issues are far different from those of the Republicans, they will gain votes. If not, they are only pointing out their own flaws to the mostly 'independent' voting population.
If John Edwards had a chance in my eyes before, he certainly has blown it with his attacks on other Democratic candidates both on the debate and now with these ads. Even after being called out by another candidate on his negative blows towards Clinton, he continues on. He sank whatever chance he had with a great deal of voters. How sad.
How dare anyone attack Queen Hillary?!?!
In fact, why even bother holding an election.
It is sad that John Edwards cannot address the issues instead of concentrating on attaching Senate Hillary Clinton. Could it be he is'nt intellegent enough to realize how much we need a (LEADER) that can bring the country together and work for PEACE around the world. You will never get votes by attaching your own Party. The American people are smart, so present your issues and let the people decide who would be best to help the American People, and bring Peace ROUND THE wORLD.
John Edwards is playing smart politics. Hillary did engage in a lot of double-speak during that debate. I think she was genuinely addled by how aggressive some of the questioning was, and it tripped her up quite a bit. Up until this point, she has had it fairly easy. Now that we are two months away from the first primaries, the other politicians in the race know they have to do something to break Hillary's stranglehold on the lead. Don't blame Edwards for pointing out the obvious: that Hillary blew the debate with her own double-talk. That's political gold for someone trying to gain momentum in a race.
John Edwards pointed out the simple truth, that isn't an attack.
"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms it will be because we destroyed ourselves. To stand in silence when they should be protesting makes cowards of men"-Abe Lincoln
To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and senile, but morally treasonous to the American public."-Teddy Roosevelt"
John Edwards is a true patriot of honor and integrity and the ONLY candidate desrving the Presidency!
Having lived in Western New York when Hillary "Carpetbagger" Clinton was elected to represent NY in the U.S. Senate, she deserves ever "RIP" she gets. She has done squat for NY, snubbed NYC during 911 and dispises the military. We hard eight years of Hilliary in the White House and the country doesn't need anymore. There may be a female president in the future but Hillary Clinton is not that female. Only interests she has are those that are in her best interest. I hope that before it is over the female voters and black voters see through her for what she really is.
Don Hinman
Catawba, SC
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