ABC will not air half-hour Obama ad - Campaign declines network offer of airtime.

[jefferson_dem]

October 27, 2008
ABC will not air half-hour Obama ad

ABC will air "Pushing Daisies" in its usual time period on Wednesday night -- not the Barack Obama ad.

The news ends a guessing game that's been going on for nearly a month. The Obama campaign bought a half hour of airtime on NBC, Fox and CBS on Oct. 9, spending about $1 million per network. ABC was absent from the list and the network remained silent about its programming intentions. With ratings for "Daisies" slipping, some have wondered whether the network would air "Daisies" as usual, also air the Obama ad, or run something else entirely.

One source said ABC offered the airtime, but the Obama campaign, for whatever reason, declined to buy an ad.

Perhaps the campaign decided ads running on three broadcast networks was sufficient, or decided to pour the money into, say, West Virginia.

The move gives Obama near-domination of the major broadcast networks at 8 p.m. Wednesday evening less than a week before Election Day. Spanish-language broadcaster Univision will also air the ad. Fifth broadcaster the CW will counter program with its usual show in the time period, "America's Next Top Model."

Obama's increasingly mysterious special has not yet been delivered to networks. Sources say the ad is almost certainly taped, rather than a live telecast, and can be submitted as late as the morning of its broadcast. The special was parodied this weekend on "Saturday Night Live" (video here).

http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/10/abc-will-air-da.html

[Connie_Corleone]

1. Pushing Daisies is slipping in the ratings?

Damn. That's one of my favorite shows.

[msongs]

2. counter programming by abc - why show something thats widely available elsewhere? nt

[SoonerPride]

3. I'd be fine if he just showed a Yule Log for 30 minutes

People would probably enjoy the peace.

[Condem]

4. Is the Pushing Daisies episode a good one, jefferson?

Cos' if it is, we're fucked.

[jefferson_dem]

17. I've never seen it but hear it's a cool show.

I'm cool with one of the major networks serving as an "Obama-free" zone. At least we can say...they had a choice to not watch...

[Condem]

23. Anybody who watches Pushing Daisies over Obama...

or McCain, for that matter, is not invested in our country's future. Therefore, should not be allowed to vote. That's how shallow we are ,jefferson.

[Seen the light]

5. Good

I was going to be pissed at Senator Obama if he took away my Pushing Daisies, especially since I'm voting for him already! :)

That's seriously a great show.

[Curtland1015]

11. My wife and I love that show!

Of course, well be recording it this week.

:P

[Connie_Corleone]

18. I'm kinda glad Obama isn't on ABC so I can DVR my show.

Pushing Daisies is my escape from the madness of real life. I sit there with a smile on my face the whole time I'm watching it.

[BlooInBloo]

6. Don't they have a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders to act in their...

financial best interests?

[SoonerPride]

8. After the last couple of weeks, you'd think they'd be happy to make a cool $1,000,000

But what do I know?

[TTUBatfan2008]

10. They offered it to Obama and HE declined...

I think it's because of the primary debate hit job they did on him. Serves their biased asses quite right if you ask me. Hope they get treated like shit during his Presidency too. They've earned it.

[BlooInBloo]

13. Ah - ok. Thanks!

[Cha]

31. I was just about to post that..

"One source said ABC offered the airtime, but the Obama campaign, for whatever reason, declined to buy an ad."

They didn't want abc.

[SteppingRazor]

15. Then airing Daises is a good idea.

If every other network is showing the same thing, then every apolitical bastard in the country will be watching Pushing Daisies that night.

[baldguy]

19. By accepting a license to use the public airwaves,

they also have a responsibility to serve the public.

[TTUBatfan2008]

21. Read the article...

Obama is the one who pulled the plug on them, not the other way around. They offered the timeslot to him. Jefferson needs to edit the title of this because it is confusing people.

[TTUBatfan2008]

7. Obama declined...

Seems like that is a nice "fuck you" to George S. and Gibson from the primary debate in which they decided to do a hit job on Obama.

[Thrill]

9. Obama will never let them forget how they treated him in that debate

[RollWithIt]

30. BINGO.... I think you hit the nail on the head....

That was my first thought too.

[MadBadger]

12. It would be smart counter-programming to not do the ad.

[TTUBatfan2008]

14. Jefferson, you need to change the title...

People are getting the wrong impression, that ABC is the one who pulled the plug on Obama. The article states that ABC offered it to Obama and he pulled the plug on them.

[IsItJustMe]

20. Thinking the same thing. Misleading.

[jefferson_dem]

25. Good point. I've edited the subject line.

:)

[PretzelWarrior]

16. maybe it's a big "FUCK YOU" to Charlie "HACK" Gibson

and Gnome Stephanopolous.

[Yukari Yakumo]

39. And possibly a "middle finger" for airing that "Path to 9/11" tripe {nt}

uguu

[AlCzervik]

22. That headline is shyte.

[grantcart]

24. "Pushing up Daisies" Nowthat isa great metaphor for the McCain campaign

[1corona4u]

26. Honestly, I have NEVER watched ABC.....

never. They, along with CBS seem like lame networks if you ask me. Never watch Fox either, so I guess I've always been an NBC girl. :-)

No great loss I think....

[thewiseguy]

27. If Rays beat the Phillies tonight, Obama will have a huge audience on Fox

I am crossing my fingers that happens! :D

[MadBadger]

28. Always been NBC guy as well (West Wing), but LOST is a damn good show on ABC

As was The Practice

[FrenchieCat]

29. Well good on the Obama camp saying FUCK YOU to ABC,

who had the fucking nerves to question Barack's patriotism.....like they had a corner market on it. That fucking debate and those moderators made me cry for my country that day. They were the fucking American Inquisition!

I won't watch ABC for specifically that reason, other than Oprah every now and then.

Excerpts from the Transcript: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/DemocraticDebate/Story?id=4670271&page=2

STEPHANOPOULOS: Senator, two questions. Number one, do you think Reverend Wright loves America as much as you do? And, number two, if you get the nomination, what will you do when those sermons are played on television again and again and again?
Snip

GIBSON: And, Senator Obama, I want to do one more question, which goes to the basic issue of electability. And it is a question raised by a voter in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, a woman by the name of Nash McCabe. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NASH MCCABE, VOTER: Senator Obama, I have a question, and I want to know if you believe in the American flag. I am not questioning your patriotism, but all our servicemen, policemen and EMS wear the flag. I want to know why you don't.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GIBSON: Just to add to that, I noticed you put one on yesterday. But you've talked about this before, but it comes up again and again when we talk to voters. And, as you may know, it is all over the Internet.

And it's something of a theme that Senators Clinton and McCain's advisers agree could give you a major vulnerability if you're the candidate in November.

How do you convince Democrats that this would not be a vulnerability?

Snip

STEPHANOPOULOS: And, Senator, if you get the nomination, you'll have...

(APPLAUSE)

... to beat back these distractions.

A gentleman named William Ayers. He was part of the Weather Underground in the 1970s. They bombed the Pentagon, the Capitol, and other buildings. He's never apologized for that.

And, in fact, on 9/11, he was quoted in the New York Times saying, "I don't regret setting bombs. I feel we didn't do enough." An early organizing meeting for your State Senate campaign was held at his house and your campaign has said you are "friendly."

Can you explain that relationship for the voters and explain to Democrats why it won't be a problem?
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/DemocraticDebate/Story?id=4670271&page=2

[BlueIdaho]

32. Well said Frenchie Cat - its pay back time!

ABC is in the sack for the republican party. Lets not forget their stunts around the 2004 election. What a pack of scoundrels - doesn't matter if its GMA, Charlie Brown, of Mr Snuffaluffagus inviting Jack Welch on his tired little Sunday morning show. So when ABC lines up to pick up a check from Obama, its only fitting the campaign sends them packing empty handed. I hope this little shot across the bow is a valuable lesson for the right wing ideologues that run that channel.

edit - typo.

[VADem11]

33. To be honest

I can deal with the special not being on ABC if it helps Pushing Daisies. I fucking love that show.

[madeline_con]

34. WTF TV with Babawa West, is an ABC affiliate.

Could our local village idiot's antics have something to do with it?

[paparush]

35. Pushing Daisies..a moving tribute to the McCain/Palin campaign.

[Arrowhead2k1]

36. ABC is my least favorite network. The only good show is Jimmy Kimmel but

he's on at a ridiculous time. 12:05am.

[Occam Bandage]

37. ABC continuing to regret that mockery of a debate.

[FVZA_Colonel]

38. It doesn't make sense that the Obama people wouldn't at least make an offer.