Was Clint Eastwood's /Chrysler Super Bowl ad a Political ad supporting Obama and the automaker bailouts?
I saw the ad and I have to say it looks more like a political ad especially when Eastwood said this is only half time and Obama is hoping to get re-elected to play the second half of his LIMITED time. If it wasn't meant to be a free political ad for Obama IT SURE LOOKED LIKE IT and it hit a very LARGE audience. :roll:
Eastwood's Super Bowl ad sparks the discord it decries Obama campaign urges donors to back 'super PAC'
11:32 a.m. EST, February 7, 2012
Clint Eastwood defended his now-controversial Chrysler ad that aired during the Super bowl, in which he implored the nation to overcome its differences and work together to revive the economy, denying any ties to President Obama and saying that the spot was intended to be apolitical.
Eastwood on Monday evening gave a statement to Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor"--an implicit nod to conservatives who might have been riled by what they viewed as an Obama reelection campaign commercial. The ad celebrates the city of Detroit, suggesting that it was teetering on the edge of collapse before the residents "all pulled together," as Eastwood says in the spot.
It was unclear to viewers what the ad was promoting because no cars are shown and Chrysler's name isn't mentioned until the end. But "all pulled together" was seen by critics such as Karl Rove as code for the government's bailout of Chrysler and General Motors. Rove on Monday accused Eastwood and Chrysler of working hand-and-hand with Obama's campaign.
"I just want to say that the spin stops with you guys, and there is no spin in that ad. On this I am certain," Eastwood declared, referring to O'Reilly's long-established "No-Spin Zone."
"l am certainly not politically affiliated with Mr. Obama. It was meant to be a message about just about job growth and the spirit of America. I think all politicians will agree with it. I thought the spirit was OK. I am not supporting any politician," the actor and award-winning director said.
"Chrysler to their credit didn't even have cars in the ad. Anything they gave me for it went to charity," he added. "If Obama or any other politician wants to run with the spirit of that ad, I say go for it."
O'Reilly, who repeatedly asserted how tight he is with Eastwood, defended the star, calling him independent and a "straight shooter." (Eastwood's countless cinematic victims will testify to that.)
"Now Eastwood--who tried to do a good thing," O'Reilly said, "now this guy is getting hammered as an ideologue. He's caught in the political wars. That's why people are cautious about doing any of this stuff. I don't think that's fair to Eastwood."
Still, O'Reilly guest, public relations expert Mike Paul, was not assuaged. He saw a subliminal message in the spot favoring the president.
"To me, it was a classic 'thank you' ad," Paul said. "Thank you for bailing us out."
"I know this guy," O'Reilly said. "He's not trying to get anyone elected."
Regardless of intent, the timing could not have been better for Obama. Not only did it give the White House a chance to crow about the auto industry bailout, the ad was undoubtedly seen by millions and millions of potential voters. The game between the Giants and Patriots was the most-watched TV program of all time, racking up 111 million viewers.
I saw the ad and I have to say it looks more like a political ad especially when Eastwood said this is only half time and Obama is hoping to get re-elected to play the second half of his LIMITED time. If it wasn't meant to be a free political ad for Obama IT SURE LOOKED LIKE IT and it hit a very LARGE audience. :roll: