Say hello to the gNOp's latest political target - Mayberry's Finest... Andy Griffith

[jefferson_dem]

Andy Griffith's new role: pitching health care law
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR (AP) – 32 minutes ago



WASHINGTON — Actor Andy Griffith has a new role: pitching President Barack Obama's health care law to seniors in a cable television ad paid for by Medicare.

The TV star — whose role as sheriff of Mayberry made him an enduring symbol of small-town American values — tells seniors that "good things are coming" under the health care overhaul, including free preventive checkups and lower-cost prescriptions for Medicare recipients.

Polls show that seniors are more skeptical of the health care law than are younger people because Medicare cuts provide much of the financing to expand coverage for the uninsured. That could be a problem for Democrats in the fall congressional elections, because seniors vote in large numbers.

Medicare says the national ad is not political, but part of its outreach to educate seniors about new benefits available next year. The ad is slated to run on channels seniors watch, such as the Weather Channel, CNN, Hallmark and Lifetime, at an initial cost of $700,000.

Not even the 84-year-old Griffith could keep the ad from being pulled into the partisan politics of health care.

Said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky: "It's going to take more than slick taxpayer-funded ads to convince skeptical seniors that cutting a half-trillion dollars from Medicare is good for them."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iL5vrJzaGazCoG8K0Qc6EhjZ8BJwD9H9GSO81

Here's the ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu8q0EU4b9w&feature=player_embedded

[dsc]

1. He has an amazing record of backing winners in NC

so that bodes well for the ads.

[T Wolf]

2. A "citizen's arrest" needs to be executed on every rethug in the land. Let Otis out and

throw them all in there.

Lock the cell door.

Give the keys to Barney for safe-keeping (that'll insure that they never get out).

Honestly? They're going after Sheriff Andy?

[BootinUp]

3. McConnell vs Andy

I'll take Andy Griffith.

[Yavin4]

4. Matlock!

[Bitwit1234]

5. What ever McConnel the Chinless says I go the other way.

[BlueIdaho]

6. Andy Griffith is one classy guy.

I think he can do some real good in these PSAs.

[Kurovski]

7. How can this be?

How can Andy lead thousands of seniors to their death?!!

Thay must have promised to spare him.

[DCBob]

8. this is great!.. the idiot Rethugs probably thought Andy had to be a conservative..

gotta love it!!

[Tarheel_Dem]

17. Andy & Opie ran ads for Obama's election campaign, so Repubs know

where he stands. Andy has a history of backing winners here in NC. He's a good Dem, and I wouldn't doubt for a moment that his ads helped Obama win this red state. I can't think of a better spokesperson for HCR. :thumbsup:

[DCBob]

18. Oh really.. I did'nt know that.. I guess Goober must be a GOPer though.

;)

[IggleDoer]

9. By the way ...

... He played "Lonesome Rhodes" in a Face In The Crowd," sort of a "pre-biography of Glenn Beck.

[tanyev]

10. Nooooo! Not Matlock!

Freepers must be having a conniption fit. Go Andy!

[felinetta]

11. Don't forget McConnell was against S-Chip and his office smeared the two kids

who were shown talking about it.  He is just dog crap.

[8 track mind]

12. You know,

This could truly backfire for them. There's generations of people who grew up watching the Andy grifftih show and this will probably not go over well.

[argonaut]

13. He's probably one of the most widely loved figures in the country.

So, yes, an excellent choice. :)

[JoePhilly]

16. In a strange coincidence ... Friday morning at the school bus stop ...

One of the male parents (around 40 years old) was talking to a grandmother who was waiting with her grandson. I know they are not Obama fans, but the bus kid's bus stop is kind of a politics free zone in my neighborhood.

So .. they were discussing how awful TV is now, how kids get the wrong lessons, and then ... Andy Griffith came up.

They were beaming talking about him and that TV show. I don't think they'd seen this ad.

I wonder what they'll think after they see it. My sense is that having him support it will make a positive difference.

[treestar]

14. Funny how this ad is "slick" but I bet none of theirs are

Shut up McConnell!

[Ian David]

15. The cuts were the idea of the Republicans who said they wouldn't vote for HCR without them. n/t

[jenmito]

19. I saw the ad on CNN today. I was happy to see a PRO-healthcare ad aimed at seniors for once. n/t