Unions that endorsed Gephardt donated to group airing anti-Dean ads

[Melinda]

Several labor unions that endorsed Dick Gephardt donated $50,000 apiece to a group broadcasting commercials that question Democratic presidential rival Howard Dean's credentials, including one spot that features Osama bin Laden and two others that align the former Vermont governor with President Bush.

One of the unions, the International Association of Machinists, called Tuesday for the group, Americans for Jobs, Healthcare and Progressive Values, to pull the ad and release the names of its financial backers. Other labor unions that gave money to the group include the Laborers International Union of North America and the Ironworkers Union, both of which have endorsed Gephardt for president.

"The ads are despicable and we ought to ask for the refund," said Rick Sloan, a spokesman for the International Association of Machinists. "They've done more to damage Dick Gephardt than anything any of his opponents could have done or dreamed of doing."

Gephardt said Tuesday he had no idea who was financing the group.

San Franciso Chronicle - More

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. I think Gep is going to lose his union support over this

His comments were slimy and evasive. He should have denounced the ads and requested they be pulled. To do an ad like this, one that most likely will be borrowed by Republicans if Dean does get the nomination was to WILLIE HORTONIZE our own. Even if he wasn't behind it, his protests were quite mousy. I am glad the unions were vociferous in rebuking it...they know we can't win with a divided party.

[Jerseycoa]

2. Look at C-Span Now

Ad and guy from group.

[Kolesar]

3. Defense Industry and Developers' employees eom

[Lefty48197]

4. If you want to bitch about iron workers and laborers

then you're bitching about the people who built your house, who built the building you work in, who built your car, and who built the roads you drive on.

[Voltaire99]

5. Here's my counter-ad...

FADE IN

Slowly track in on face of George Bush.

Closer....closer...

Sound FX: Faintly growing murmur in echo chamber of "Bring em on! Bring em on! Bring em on!"

Whoah! The face is morphing into that of Joe Lieberman. No, Dick Gephardt. No, General Clark...

Text flashes on the screen: "Seen an eye doctor lately? Maybe there's nothing wrong with your eyes."

Suddenly, the various heads all sprout from the same neck, like a hydra. They start to bobble and knock against each other like the steel balls on the classic kid's toy, from side to side, as....

Narrator: "Americans are sick and tired of Democrats who think and act like Republicans. After the Patriot Act and two wars, we can't afford any more wanna-be tough guys who like war, threats, and tax breaks for millionaries. America needs jobs -- and peace. It's time for wayward Democrats either to get with their party..."

Heads knock faster and faster as...

Sound FX: Rising clacking.

Narrator: "Or join the party that wants them."

Sound FX: prison doors clanging. Fade to black as tape loop plays "Bring 'em on...Bring 'em on..."

[Cheswick2.0]

6. Well the union did the right thing in the end

I am glad to know they didn't realize what the organization was doing.

"The ads are despicable and we ought to ask for the refund," said Rick Sloan, a spokesman for the International Association of Machinists. "They've done more to damage Dick Gephardt than anything any of his opponents could have done or dreamed of doing."