Daves: We're not pulling the ad

bkrueger — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:36:34 -0400

Reports that the N.C. Republican Party is pulling a planned TV advertisement about Barack Obama are false, Republican chairwoman Linda Daves said today.

"I can't be emphatic enough that we're running the ad," Daves said, reports David Ingram. "We are not pulling the ad. It has never been a consideration for us to pull the ad."

Several media outlets, including MSNBC, have reported that the party reversed course Thursday and would not run the ad. The ad has been scheduled to begin running Monday on evening newscasts in North Carolina.

Daves said the reaction received by the party is running 10-to-1 in favor of the ad.

At least one television station, WRAL in Raleigh, has declined to run the ad.

"I think it is inflammatory," said Jim Hefner, vice president and general manager at WRAL. "If that spot was about Senator Obama, that would be one thing. What do Perdue and Moore have to do with Barack Obama's minister?"

Unlike with ads sponsored by political candidates, the station is under no legal obligation to run an issue ad sponsored by a political party, Hefner said.