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GOP leader to unveil TV ad in Greensboro

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Monday, March 8, 2010

(Updated 3:22 pm)

By Mark Binker
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — The city is one of five markets where the Republican National Committee will air a new minute-long television ad that pitches the GOP platform and asks for donations.

RNC Chairman Michael Steele will visit the city today to unveil the ad campaign.

North Carolina voted for President Barack Obama in 2008. But Rick Gorka, a regional spokesman for the RNC, said, “We feel North Carolina is fundamentally a right-of-center state.”

Although Greensboro itself tends to favor Democrats, it is part of the heavily Republican 6th Congressional District and its media markets cover heavily Republican areas. Gorka said the ad was part of a new fundraising technique and that this initial ad run is airing in areas friendly to Republican candidates.

“The ad is talking about how it’s time to take our government back,” Gorka said, adding that Greensboro is the second stop on Steele’s tour to unveil the campaign.

As quoted by a NationalJournal.com story, which Gorka confirmed, the ad accuses Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of “experimenting with America,” and threatening freedom.

“Washington is not listening. The president is not listening,” Steele says in the ad. “Make them listen. Join with us. Go to OurFreedomMatters.com.” The Web site mentioned is set to go live today.

Gorka said the ad will run for three weeks.

“It’s more of the same of what we’ve seen from the Republican Party,” said Andrew Whalen, executive director of the N.C. Democratic Party. “It’s offering no ideas and is only trying to instill fear in folks.”

Whalen linked the ad to a PowerPoint presentation, first reported by Politico.com, that laid out a fundraising strategy based on playing to fears of socialism and pictured Obama as the Joker from “Batman.”

The presentation sparked outrage among Democrats and an RNC spokesman told Politico the language was “unacceptable.”

It’s worth noting that the four states where the ad will run — Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Oklahoma — all have U.S. Senate campaigns this year that feature freshmen, such as Sen. Richard Burr, running for their second terms or open seats.

Contact Mark Binker at (919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

Photo Caption: Michael Steele

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Waldo Leidecker

March 8, 2010 - 6:30 am EST

Don't the inveterate liars of the Republican Party ever get tired to pandering to peoples fears while doing absolutely NOTHING to help this country? As for Burr, the ONLY thing he's done while in office has been to be a good little "Bushie Bobblehead" - just like Dole was before she got her sorry posterior bounced out of office. Can anyone tell me what he's done for North Carolina? Nothing, nothing and more nothing. He just continues to goose-step to the tune of the GOP, the people of North Carolina be damned. Anyone who actually believes the RNC deserves whatever he/she gets - a handful of elephant manure.

ravencottage

March 8, 2010 - 6:59 am EST

Not sure which I prefer...elephant manure or Kay Hagan's chicken poop.

mediaspeaks

March 8, 2010 - 8:37 am EST

In just over a year, Kay has done more than Liddy Dole and Richard Burr combined. Dole is gone, lets see if we can now get rid of Mr Burr.

As for Mr. Steele - you can smell him (and his message) all the way over here in Clemmonsville

jstevenh1952

March 8, 2010 - 8:51 am EST

And her accomplishments are?.............

terrier2003

March 8, 2010 - 9:49 am EST

I am curious as to Hagan's accomplishments as well.

Theo

March 8, 2010 - 9:41 pm EST

Again Media....What has Hagan done?

mediaspeaks

March 11, 2010 - 6:10 am EST

This story is NOT about Kay Hagan (who has been in office barely a year). However, she helped pass the bill that gets ALL women equal pay for equal work among others. She's been involved in a number of other bills that have passed.

How about someone (anyone) tell me something that RICHARD BURR has done ...He's been there 6 years after spilling lies about Erskine Bowles to get elected in the first place. WHAT HAS HE DONE??? That's right - tell his wife to go get "as much money from the ATM as she could."

You morons get to vote for whoever you want....but remember this: Kay Hagan ain't on the ballot - Richard Burr is (or at least will be on the primary ballot in May) Burr might not make the ballot in November.

terrier2003

March 8, 2010 - 9:58 am EST

As if the Democrats aren't just as bad. They all lie in Washington. The GOP just seems to be able to focus their heading while democrats run arounds like chickens with their heads cut off. There is so much disagreement within that party, it's difficult to figure where it wants to go.

I would consider supporting the GOP again when they get rid of that political hack Michael Steele and promise never to allow Sarah Palin near an election.

If the Dems wanted to "help" this country, they had their opportunity not too long ago to be able to force through legislation. Again, they are too busy fighting amongst themselves and clawing for pork in the bills that nothing gets done.

I would venture to assume that since you are so anti GOP, Burr could do nothing to satisfy you anyway.

universalgenius

March 8, 2010 - 7:09 am EST

Steele is a liberal working undercover for the DNC. Everybody knows that espec in the GOP. He voted for Obama the sell out like Colin Powell and Condo Rice and supports his policies. Everyone knows Obama is the 3rd term of Bush fighting all his wars and running up the debt 3-4 times more. Nothing has changed. Its worse. Death and destruction war funding never stops.But then again the DNC was the true conservative party for 150 yrs up until modern times when it was filled with the MLKers after 1964 and when the south went GOP. Now everyone is the same party like the great DNC governor G Wallace said in 1968 who said there wasnt a dime of difference between the the DNC and GOP. The funny thing is the idiots are so naive and dont know they are being played in DC. It dosent matter which label they are as are all same and they all walk out with millions in their pockets luaghing all the way to the bank. Suckers.

Get A Clue

March 8, 2010 - 10:47 am EST

Meds.
Don't skip them.

Panacea

March 8, 2010 - 7:54 am EST

Michael Steele is an embarrassment to the GOP. He's done nothing but one gaffe after the other since he got the job.

Anyway, his ad will be preaching to the choir here. Wouldn't he do better to appeal to independents in middle of the road states?

jstevenh1952

March 8, 2010 - 8:53 am EST

You have the inate ability in not grasping the obvious....

Panacea

March 8, 2010 - 2:52 pm EST

So explain it to me.

laserguidedloogie

March 8, 2010 - 8:28 am EST

Kinda like a football game isn't it?

Elephants vs. the Donkeys!

My O' my, who will win?

Edge of my seat I am. Quick! Get the beer and popcorn, the game is about to start. And if "our" team doesn't win this year, then by golly you just wait till NEXT year!

I wonder if Steele will be a free agent after this year. Maybe the Donkeys can pick him up on the free agency market...

Ken
http://www.LaserGuidedLoogie.com

SusanBAnthony

March 8, 2010 - 9:13 am EST

There's a website called the Healthcare Blue Book where you can actually find the best standard prices for various medical procedures in your area. A single-payer system that used these prices would save our country trillions of dollars in health care costs. Since some people won't go along with doing that, the next best thing is for those of us who care about the outrageous cost of health care to use this website and shop around for the best value, just like we do for everything else. In my view, providing lavish lifestyles to the middlemen who don't contribute to good health is a terrible waste of money.

tledford

March 8, 2010 - 10:04 am EST

This may turn out to be the funniest minute on television outside of parts of "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report."

timflowers

March 8, 2010 - 12:44 pm EST

After years of Republican rule, we were left with war, lax food safety, gutted clean air regulations, militarized police forces nationwide, expanded government powers, the Patriot Act, and a devastated economy. The GOP has no credibility.

As I recall we were much better off during the Clinton era. Republicans tore it all apart and now they want another chance?

And no, I'm not a Democrat, I'm a registered Libertarian so don't accuse me of being part of the liberal left. (although that would be preferred over being called a Republican!)

Theo

March 8, 2010 - 9:44 pm EST

And what have Dumbocrats done for anyone lately?

Connie Mack Jr

March 8, 2010 - 10:09 pm EST

Will Chairman Steele be at the NRC large Donors meeting at the Blackwater compound, in Mocksville, N.C on April 15 to explain how he and his committee plan to accept surrender terms from the local Democrats after his amazing war mongeringTV ad runs?