RNC Launches ‘Daisy’ Web Ad
EmailABC News’ Rick Klein reports: Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele this week promised an aggressive new approach to opposing President Obama.
That starts now.
The RNC is launching a Web ad on Friday highlighting Democrats’ divisions over the future of Guantanamo Bay, ABC News has learned.
The ad intersperses video from one of the most famous and controversial political ads of all time — Lyndon Johnson’s “Daisy” ad from the 1964 presidential campaign against Barry Goldwater.
“To close it? To close it not?” a voice asks several times, with video playing of the little girl from the LBJ ad.
The ad shows several clips of Democrats — including Obama, Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. — contradicting each other over what the fate of Guantanamo should be.
The Web ad fades with a single word on the screen: “Really?”
It does not include the famous mushroom cloud ending.
The ad — like most Web ads, designed primarily to get media attention — comes just days after Steele told RNC members that Obama’s “honeymoon is over” when it comes to the Republican opposition, labeling his tenure so far as the “reign of error.”
“The era of Republican navel-gazing? Done,” Steele declared Tuesday at a meeting with state party chairmen.
Here is the ad. The script follows.
SCRIPT
Girl: “To close it? To close it not?”
President Obama: “Guantanamo? That’s easy. … Close down Guantanamo.”
Girl: “To close it? To close it not?”
Sen. Jim Webb: “I don’t believe they should come to the United States.”
Chyron: “I don’t believe they should come to the United States.”
Sen. Harry Reid: “We will never allow terrorists released into the United States.”
Girl: “To close it? To close it not?”
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs: “We have made some hasty decisions that are now going to take some time to unwind. And closing Guantanamo Bay obviously is one of those decisions.”
President Lyndon Johnson: “These are the stakes…”
Barack Obama: “Guantanamo? That’s easy. … Close down Guantanamo.”
Chyron: Really?
Rick Santorum Sweeps 3 States 
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Once again the Grand Old Party demonstrates they are the party of the past: No new ideas.
Posted by: Mark from atlanta | May 21, 2009, 9:45 pm 9:45 pm
LBJ sucks! But I guess that’s the what we’ve come to in the Republican Party – it goes with eight years of borrow and spend liberalism. This ad is pretty pathetic and is a rip-off.
Posted by: Annoyed Conservative Republican | May 21, 2009, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm
Yes, the Grand Old Party couldn’t cough up a novel idea if you performed repeated Heimlichs along with jumping on its chest.
Posted by: kat | May 21, 2009, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm
Well of course they are, they’ve never been able to deal with reality, only fear and smear.
Posted by: JR | May 21, 2009, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm
Oh no, we can’t engage in the business of trying to solve problems and take care of the American people. We must spend our time engaging in name calling and mudslinging at all costs!
What the heck are these clowns being paid for again, with our tax money?? They need to grow up already! Be professional and DO THEIR JOBS!
Posted by: BunchOfWhiners | May 21, 2009, 10:12 pm 10:12 pm
I would have to say that a majority of Americans do not even remember that “Daisy” ad from LBJ. It’s like a referance to “My Three Sons”; most people just won’t get it. If this is the best the RNC can come up with they need to look at some unemployed ad designers. Oh look…the “Lawrance Welk Show” is on!!
**yawn**
Posted by: DobermanSpencer | May 21, 2009, 10:14 pm 10:14 pm
I love it!!!!!
Posted by: mesmerized | May 21, 2009, 10:16 pm 10:16 pm
Won’t work.
Obama’s ratings are too high as are the Dems.
If the GOP wants to make any type of impression, it better start with a good look in the mirror, they need to clean their faces first.
Posted by: lm | May 21, 2009, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
Listen Obama really needs to take an ‘all or nothing’ approach when it comes to Gitmo, war crimes, war and terrorism or he is just a hypocrite politician doing whats popular. You cant not show photos of Abu Ghraib torture then say youre closing Gitmo then say you arent pulling out of Afghanistan. You cant say the surge in Iraq did not work and then say we need a surge in Afghanistan. Just like you cant go after Republicans for war crimes but not the Democrats who also supported the war. Think rationally look what is happening and realize not all Obama’s ideas are good in fact few of them are. Obama following the exactly same policy about the war on terror as Bush and Cheney because they are listening to the same military advisors.
Posted by: lookforananswer | May 21, 2009, 10:25 pm 10:25 pm
Fear and Hate are the emotions republicans always call on because they realize these are very strong emotions. When you fear someone you hate, there is nothing beyond limit in dealing with them. This whole Iraq fiasco is just one example of how republicans have used their understanding of these emotions.
Posted by: libertyrulz | May 21, 2009, 10:29 pm 10:29 pm
If the GOP/Republican leadership got behind legalizing pot they would win every straw poll and election for the next 3 to 5 years. After all American politics is nothing more than a popularity contest anyway. All politicians care about is votes and popularity. This President pretends to care about the well being of the people while lavishing the rich (banks, car companies etc) with our tax money and sending our troops to die in Afghanistan with no real measure of progress or gain for the USA.
Posted by: lookforananswer | May 21, 2009, 10:29 pm 10:29 pm
Keep the laughter coming, repubs. Worn out leaders, worn out ideas. What’s left, hauling out a disgraced, self described terrorist with a 20 percent approval rating to try and save you from oblivion? Oh…never mind!
Posted by: pamp205 | May 21, 2009, 10:38 pm 10:38 pm
Darn..the GOP just discovered the web.
Posted by: doug | May 21, 2009, 10:45 pm 10:45 pm
This has to be one of the LAMEST AD ever ,If you going to attack him can you at least be creative…*sigh*
Posted by: mark | May 21, 2009, 11:00 pm 11:00 pm
The year was 1964. The only folks old enough to vote then are likely to be GOP supporters anyway—
Ineffective? No new ideas?? Fear and smear seems to fit…
Posted by: think-long-term | May 21, 2009, 11:03 pm 11:03 pm
another ‘no solutions’ repub ad… boring
Posted by: earth_not_flat | May 21, 2009, 11:10 pm 11:10 pm
This is almost as funny as the RNC propposing a name change for the Democrats, the Socialist Democrats. I was dissapointed they dropped it. Maybe they’ll come up with something less dated, like interjecting a nifty Partidge Family song into an ad to represent the happiness and wholesomeness of the GOP. Like come on get happy . . .with the GOP.
Posted by: kat | May 21, 2009, 11:22 pm 11:22 pm
wonderfulllllllllllllllllllllll i love it great video right to the point
Posted by: i_dream_of_a_jeannie | May 21, 2009, 11:26 pm 11:26 pm
Fear. It’s all they have.
Posted by: FedUp | May 22, 2009, 12:14 am 12:14 am
It’s the truth! Excellant video! And although I didn’t vote for Obama Because of No Experience, I know of those who did… they are regretting that vote more and more Every Day! They have seen too many flip flops and Bad decisions.
Posted by: OhioModerate | May 22, 2009, 12:15 am 12:15 am
I don’t know why a president would want to show photos of Gitmo while he is sending more troops into Afgahnistan.
Posted by: Chuck | May 22, 2009, 12:28 am 12:28 am
Love all the scaredy cat libs commenting here. You guys know Dear Leader is wrong on this and it’s killing you!!! Always talking about the glorious poll numbers but most Americans DO NOT want Gitmo closed and that’s the truth.
Posted by: palamino | May 22, 2009, 1:07 am 1:07 am
Rather than build themselves up and show Americans they have better idea’s than President Obama the GOP is concentrating on tearing him down with propaganda and foolish parlor tricks. Why? Because the GOP does NOT have any better ideas. The only people that will be impressed by these ads are the disgruntled spiteful losers in the last two elections.
Posted by: dan | May 22, 2009, 1:28 am 1:28 am
I can’t even think of anything clever to say about this subject. It is so childish that it only deserves to be ignored, just like most repub tactics.
Posted by: Kris | May 22, 2009, 1:40 am 1:40 am
So Republicans want Obama to close Quantanmo? I wish they’d make THEIR minds up.
Posted by: Civil Servant Boss | May 22, 2009, 2:05 am 2:05 am
Here’s one for you, Republicans. “Weapons of Mass Destruction”.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Posted by: Non-amnesiac | May 22, 2009, 2:07 am 2:07 am
This GOP self-destructing spectacle is eerily similar to Favre’s career death spiral. Horrific at first to watch, then sad, and finally kind of enjoyable.
Posted by: Tom | May 22, 2009, 2:10 am 2:10 am
“”Hey, hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?” Seems to fit the right wing more than the left.
Posted by: Flower Power | May 22, 2009, 2:12 am 2:12 am
It funny how the libs are getting pissy about the very same tactics they pulled for the past 8 years. What? You can dish it out but you can’t take it? You all are sad.
Posted by: SChaos1701 | May 22, 2009, 4:02 am 4:02 am
Every country has a group of losers! In my country the Republican party and its supporters is that group..losers!
Posted by: Stanley | May 22, 2009, 5:14 am 5:14 am
I keep telling people that Obama is too decent for politics. Politics is a dirty game and I think Obama is in deep with these twisted politicians who are more concerned about keeping their jobs than the development of the country. The Republican would not support a good idea or plan from Obama because that would mean bonus points for Obama and it would make it more dificult for the Republicans to get back into position of power vis a vis presidency etc. I do not know why Obama think that his commonsense moral ideas would not meet with objection from the “party of values” what a joke! Anyway, lets pray for our president as he whethers the storm of the frontal lobeless Republicans
Posted by: Stanley | May 22, 2009, 6:24 am 6:24 am
The RNC has lost their minds.
Posted by: jan | May 22, 2009, 6:25 am 6:25 am
Great AD. Notice Gibbs admitting Hasty Decisions were made. How many more hasty decisions were made? There is Nothing Wrong with Gitmo. Red Cross and the Obama Administration have released reports that it meets or exceeds all requirements of a POW Holding Facility.
Posted by: Dennis D | May 22, 2009, 7:52 am 7:52 am
Just 36% now agree with the president’s decision to close the prison camp for suspected terrorists at the Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba. Forty-six percent (46%) oppose closing the prison camp, and 18% are undecided.
Who is in the minority now? And on the Tax Issue? And the Abortion Issue? And more issues to come. Obama is a 1 term President.
Posted by: Dennis D | May 22, 2009, 7:55 am 7:55 am
No the Republicans are advocating a “LAWLESS” America…..first it was the fear mongering to the Extremists on guns….uhmmmmmm. Now it’s Terrorist walking the streets of your cities. Your tax dollars will buy them TV’s and other “goodies” in U.S. prisons. FEAR Mongering to the Ignorant. We are a Country of Laws.
Posted by: tychisum | May 22, 2009, 8:11 am 8:11 am
Ha ha lol When is the Republicans going to Get it Attacking a Very Popular President and The Popular Democrats Will Not regain their Power. People will Reject them even More Except for the 20 Percent of Base they have left. thats not enough to win Elections,Maybe they should try and Rebrand their Policies, their thinking, and get on Board with the rest of the Country and Come into the 21st Century and stay out of the Past. This is a New Generation then the Regan Days and This Generation is Rejecting the Republicans.
Posted by: Angie in Pa | May 22, 2009, 8:46 am 8:46 am
The Young Generation is Laughing At you GOP You need them to Win Elections 20 Percent of the OLD Base aint cutting it!
Posted by: Angie in Pa | May 22, 2009, 9:04 am 9:04 am
Plain stupid! Oops! I used the “s” word. It was inane.
Posted by: George | May 22, 2009, 9:14 am 9:14 am
Come on. At least the republicans don’t want a bunch of jihad terrorists in our backyard. Personally, I’d leave ‘em there and do a bit more than waterboarding. Obviously all the tree hugging left leaning individuals forgot 9/11 and the massive bloodshed and terror. I have not. The current administraton is full of cocky half cocked idiots who care less for the safety of this country, its people and our servicemembers. Go REPUBLICAN PARTY. The next election is right around the corner..
Posted by: Joan | May 22, 2009, 9:17 am 9:17 am
JOAN
Are you Aware the worst terror attack worse then pearl harbor happened on republicans watch? they did nothing to stop it! Bush/Cheney are responsible for 911 for Lack of listening to the intelligence and threats of Bin Laden
Posted by: Angie in Pa | May 22, 2009, 9:38 am 9:38 am
libs,keep drinking the kool-aid and keep posting the hate. Come 2010 and 2012 thats all you’ll have. Your guy Obama and his crew are spending and signing the US into oblivion.
Posted by: NOTanobamafan | May 22, 2009, 10:08 am 10:08 am
Dan is right. Instead of coming up with better ideas, which of course they can’t…they had eight years to do so….the Republicans just bash Pres. Obama. This is the party of Country First!
I’m so sick of them trying to tear down our president and the country, instead of joining him and trying to solve these problems.
and of course we wouldn’t have these problems if Bush/Cheney had done their jobs in the first place!
Posted by: Barb | May 22, 2009, 10:11 am 10:11 am
Joan: The republicans were in for eight years. The Dems are in for 5 months….the election is not right around the corner and even if it were please get it into your head that the republicans were voted out because of the big mess they caused…look at all the problems we have…we wouldn’t have them if bush/cheney had done their job…now you are complaining about Obama? Where were YOU when Bush/Cheney were ruining our country????
Posted by: Barb | May 22, 2009, 10:13 am 10:13 am
Angie in PA, if 911 is Bush/Cheney’s fault this depression we are heading into is Obama’s fault. Can’t have it both ways
Posted by: NOTanobamafan | May 22, 2009, 10:14 am 10:14 am
Perfect!!
Posted by: destined | May 22, 2009, 10:14 am 10:14 am
Listen up you libs, the dems have been in control of congress for the last 2 years. (Obama was there, oh wait no he wasn’t he was off spreading his hopey changey all over.) THE LAST 2 YEARS. Nothing got better under their watch. Please get a brain and a life and stop blaming everything on Bush and the repubs.
Posted by: NOTanobamafan | May 22, 2009, 10:19 am 10:19 am
This is what I find interesting, the repubs say don’t close Gitmo it’s for terrorists! But what about those that to this day havent been tried just convicted as a terrorist? Have any of you ever thought about that? then you wanna use this claim that “12% of those released from Gitmo go back to joining the insurgents” Could that 12% possibly be the innocent arabs that nothing to do with any of this? And where and when were some of the detainees picked-up? during, or after insurgent action in the Iraq “war”? Because if their are any Iraqis in Gitmo before “insurgent action” THEY SHOULD BE RELEASED! You have inprisoned innocent men period point blank end of discussion! Due to the fact that this faux war was based on fraudulent claims that havent been proving TO THIS DAY! Am I the only one still asking the question “Where are the WMDS that this “war” was based on?”.
BBoy you repubs love your jails and wars and big spending don’t you? But at what price?
Posted by: Azreal | May 22, 2009, 10:29 am 10:29 am
Azreal: I thought the same thing. And we are supposed to be the fair and reasonable country….just because these terriorists are unhuman doesn’t mean we have to stoop to their level. If we are jailing innocent people, shame on us. And WHY are these men still in the jail from 2001 on? WHY weren’t they tried and convicted or found innocent? It doesn’t make sense to me. No wonder other countries look at us with disgust…we come off as a big bully, do as we say or else!
And if these men were guility, give them the death penalty and be done with it.
Posted by: Barb | May 22, 2009, 10:44 am 10:44 am
Geez…………don’t the Republicans ever get tired of playing the fear and hate cards?
And this is the religious Party. Does he mean religious and conservative people are filled with fear and hate? Church goers are more likely to support the use of torture. Does that mean religious and conservative people think torture is useful? Why do religious and conservative people support war…..the use of force?
It’s really sad to see religious and conservative people demonstrate how morally and intellectually bankrupt they’ve become.
Of course, the hate and fear cards are so over played by conservative and religious people that it is becoming hackneyed and trite.
But then, what are Republicans going to do when they have no ideas and only fear and hate to work with?
Posted by: Sammy | May 22, 2009, 11:10 am 11:10 am
The GOP is decades behind in their approach, ideas, and offer NO solutions. I love the refereneces to My three Sons and the Partridge Family in these commeents – VERY clever and accurate!
Posted by: tunetowngirl | May 22, 2009, 11:51 am 11:51 am
about time the republicans get off there nice guy perch and get dirty and mean like the democrats fight fire with fire i say
Posted by: i_dream_of_a_jeannie | May 22, 2009, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm
Lame ad by a lame party with lame ideas.
Posted by: Josh | May 22, 2009, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
If there were ANY attacks stopped as a result of their unlawful “techniques” we would have heard about them over and over again.
Sorry boys, that dog don’t hunt.
Posted by: Darryl the Contractor | May 22, 2009, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm
More incompetence and ineptitude from the hopelessly out-of-touch Republicans. The original ad was designed to make voters fear Barry Goldwater. Senator Goldwater was a prince among politicians, especially compared to the buffoons who speak for the GOP today, and he must be spinning in his grave to see how low his party has fallen.
Posted by: Grey K | May 22, 2009, 4:15 pm 4:15 pm
So, the GOP wants to talk about flip-flopping. Were here you go, right from the lips of G.W.Bush……..
“The most important thing is for us to find Osama Bin Laden. It is our number one priority and we will not rest until we find him.” –(Washington, D.C. Sept. 13, 2001)
“I don’t know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don’t care. It’s not that important. It’s not our priority.” –(Washington, D.C. March 13, 2002)
Sorry GOP, you don’t have the right to accuse people of flip-flopping after you champion flip-flopper betray those who perished on 9/11.
Posted by: SamTyler1973 | May 22, 2009, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
In style, Cheney won. He looked humble and honest. Obama looked arrogant and grandiose, as he always does.
In substance, Cheney won. He spoke the truth – without a teleprompter. Obama talked about moving forward, and then whined 29 times about the Bush Administration.
Posted by: JB in St. Louis | May 22, 2009, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm
I love the United States of America. These are difficult times that require all of us to pitch in. I question the RNC’s Patriotism.
Posted by: Conrado | May 22, 2009, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm
Who are the GOP to complain about flip-flopper. Read these from the lips of the biggest flip-flopper of all time : G.W.Bush…..
“The most important thing is for us to find Osama Bin Laden. It is our number one priority and we will not rest until we find him.” –(Washington, D.C. Sept. 13, 2001)
“I don’t know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don’t care. It’s not that important. It’s not our priority.” –(Washington, D.C. March 13, 2002)
Posted by: SamTyler1973 | May 22, 2009, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
Hehe…….what year is it. What time is it? These idiots give me a laugh everyday. RNC= Rush, Newt and Cheney. Keep em coming!
Posted by: tychisum | May 22, 2009, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm
It’s not surprising to see a “daisy” ad from a party that is basically pushing up daisies at this point.
Posted by: Kevin the Baker | May 22, 2009, 10:44 pm 10:44 pm
There is an axiom that goes like this…”A conservative is one with two perfectly good legs, except they never learned to walk forward.” Steele and his cohorts are out to change that. It will now be “Republicans are ones with two perfectly good legs, except they never learned to walk forward.” Just once, I would like to see a Republican come up with an idea and actually debate it instead of continual ridicule. And it’s funny they should reach back into the Goldwater era to find something to use for ridicule, since many of us Goldwater era Republicans have chosen to abandon today’s party. It’s certainly nothing like the GOP of Barry’s days.
Posted by: devilkev | May 23, 2009, 12:35 am 12:35 am
soooo original!! NOT!! Sounds more like Reps during Bush’s second term of indecision.
Posted by: tendergroins | May 23, 2009, 9:58 am 9:58 am
This is a FANTASTIC and a VERY REAl ad that points the democrats as the party that flip flops where the polls are.
Posted by: sabagan | May 23, 2009, 10:15 am 10:15 am
like I said before and it was pulled: Its more likely to be the projectionism from the Bush’s second term of indecision.
Posted by: tendergroins | May 23, 2009, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
“How old is the GOP thinking??” Too old!! The only thing to thank the Bush administration for is a dysfunctional party with which to represent about 20-25% of the U.S.
Maybe it’s time for the Independent Party to shine.
Posted by: paulet | May 23, 2009, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm