1. Mediaite
  2. Gossip Cop
  3. Geekosystem
  4. Styleite
  5. SportsGrid
  6. The Mary Sue
  7. The Jane Dough
  8. The Braiser
Advertisement

Did Ford Pull Anti-Bailout Ad Under White House Pressure? [Updated]

video
» 79 comments

Earlier this month, we looked into a report Fox News’ Megyn Kelly presented on an anti-bailout ad from Ford Motor Co. Was this commercial, she wondered, trying to piggyback onto the Tea Party movement’s energy (and its wariness) by voicing disapproval of American car companies that, unlike Ford, agreed to take government bailout money? (Video of that report has been added at the bottom of this post.)

Well, now Detroit News columnist Daniel Howes is reporting that the car company has pulled the ad after questions from the White House:

With President Barack Obama tuning his re-election campaign amid dismal economic conditions and simmering antipathy toward his stimulus spending and associated bailouts, the Ford ad carried the makings of a political liability when Team Obama can least afford yet another one. Can’t have that.

The ad, pulled in response to White House questions (and, presumably, carping from rival GM), threatened to rekindle the negative (if accurate) association just when the president wants credit for their positive results (GM and Chrysler are moving forward, making money and selling vehicles) and to distance himself from any public downside of his decision.

In other words, where presidential politics and automotive marketing collide — clean, green, politically correct vehicles not included — the president wins and the automaker loses because the benefit of the battle isn’t worth the cost of waging it.

An industry source stressed that there was not any pressure to take the ad down, adding that Ford “never meant to attack the policy.” At the time of Kelly’s report for Fox News, a spokesperson for the company also said that the ad is not meant to be “an attack,” but, rather, a change to let an actual Ford driver share his thoughts.

This afternoon, however, Ford Motor Co. responded to a disgruntled Facebook comment calling the pulling of its ad “gutless” by assuring the public that the ad was taken out of circulation in a manner that was totally routine. What makes this doubly interesting is that it wasn’t just any ol’ commenter who called the company out — it was the man in the ad it was some dude having a bit of fun:

Update: The man who actually appeared in that ad is named Chris McDaniel and he gave Larry O’Connor an interview about the “commercial-pulling controversy:”

In an exclusive interview with Breitbart.com, the “star” of the popular ad, Chris McDaniel told me he was “a little bit flustered’ by Ford’s decision. He found out about it during a live radio interview this morning. “I had no idea. As soon as I got off the interview, I sent an e-mail to Ford’s VP of Marketing.” He told me, “I put myself out there on the line. You either stand behind it or you don’t.”

Ford has not yet returned Mr. McDaniel’s e-mail.

The interview also includes McDaniel’s video response to the discussion surrounding his ad.

For reference, here’s the original report on the ad from Fox News:

h/t Detroit News

Follow us on Twitter.

Sign up for Mediaite's daily newsletter.

Email Twitter Facebook Digg Reddit Stumble Upon Yahoo Buzz LinkedIn Tumblr Delicious
  • Michelle

    Chicago thug politics!!

    Liberals canNOT win in the arena of ideas so they must silence the competition. 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ECYBIXNKAG5E46BC3GCJQPA7CQ well_its_no_cannibal_holocaust

    STFU racist from Utah.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_A4OJ2F7ADXSD7OMEUUEQDQDZ2Y Dustin Baker

    It was pulled from youtube as well.  Ford cratered to the White House.

  • Anonymous

    I can see why a person who tells someone to “STFU” would have absolutely no problem with the federal government also telling a private company to “STFU”.

    There’s a word for what the White House did – it’s called “Fascism”.

  • Bourekas

    Was that intended to disprove her point?

  • Anonymous

    Once again delusional Baggers not in tune with reality…

    “The campaign continues to run. We took the ad out of rotation after 4 weeks which is consistent with the typical lifecycle for the campaign.”

    http://www.youtube.com/ford#p/u/12/lwKbItOQNKc

    How can I get a ticket to Planet Bagger? Must be a blast living in that insane fantasy world….

  • http://www.storminsmorningjava.blogspot.com/ stormin1961

    that’s the same message Obama told blacks during his CBC speech.

  • Michelle

    This comment is approved by the Obama Regime.

  • Anonymous

    Ok so Ford denies it and the ad is on Youtube despite what the Baggers are saying and yet I’m spouting for the “Obama Regime”?

    How does it feel to be this utterly insane? 

  • Anonymous

    Plus don’t forget the only proof we have (which is obviously false to anyone on Planet Earth) is right wing columnist Howes’s “Secret Lunch with Ford VP”…..

  • Brentlabeau

    People always wonder how people followed Hitler, watch the writings on here, if you disagree with the great leader, you need shut up and be put in a camp. Same liberal thinking 70 years ago. Hitler, latent Homosexual, drug addict, as well as most of his close command, failed artist, vegetarian, nut about the environment,  state knows best, and anti Jew, remind you of anyone currently, sadly, they don’t even see it in themselves.   

  • Anonymous

    Know the movie Idiocracy? I give it 5 years max before it becomes reality….

  • http://www.scoamf.com/2011/08/hitler-realizes-obama-is-stuttering.html Unicon

    Duck Michelle !!!

    “well_its_no_cannibal_holocaust” is throwing his slipper at you !!

  • intragan

    Maybe Ford pulled the article because the company did take stimulus funds?

  • Michelle

    Why would it disappear from You tube if that were the case?  Of course, it’s back now that the truth is out.

  • Anonymous

    They sure did, from the families of the union members and supporting businesses who wanted to buy a car from a non-bankrupt company.

  • Mortimer

    Really Alex!? The ol’ “?” routine?? Is Alex Alvarez really Elvis Presley? Is Alex Alvarez a computer program? Hey, they’re just questions, right?

  • Anonymous

    Yes… everyone who disagrees with you should STFU. Good idea.

  • Anonymous

    very well said.

  • intragan

    that didn’t amount to 62.7 mil did it?

  • Pablo

    Is that you, Shelia? http://tinyurl.com/4ylktza

  • Anonymous

    I am having one of those days where I find all you children posting today Fu–ing nutz.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_A4OJ2F7ADXSD7OMEUUEQDQDZ2Y Dustin Baker

    Are you really dumb enough to believe it wasn’t pulled from youtube and then reposted after the fact?  Liberals can’t win on the facts.  Jackie Treehorn – “But Brawdo has electolytes!”

  • Colonel Lingus

    Another episode of Tea-publican idiocy on display courtesy of the Faux Noise machine.  Where no controversy exists, create it, when reality gets in your way, ignore it, and when truth rears it’s head, deny it.  Remember, you’re Tea-publicans, things like facts and truth hold no relevance for you. default3115 {“method”:”validate”,”params”:[],”id”:1,”jsonrpc”:”2.0″}

  • Anonymous

    As I’ve said various times on various threads, our original titles are often tweaked or changed entirely before a post is published. Sometimes it’s for length, sometimes for clarity, sometimes because a certain headline is more compelling or informative than the original choice.

    I didn’t write this particular headline — I actually generally try to avoid phrasing a headline as a question. Furthermore, I made sure not to write (in the body of the post) that the White House forced anyone to do anything since I haven’t read any specific evidence of that being the case. In fact, I made sure to include a quote from an industry source saying this was *not* the case. People are, obviously, invited and encouraged to draw their own conclusions.

    Peanut butter and bananas,

    Elvis Presley

  • Jp7077

    well_its_no_cannibal_holocaust:

    With that picture…screename….and you’re rants…….you discredit yourself and your cause…..and actually tend to make michelles point in this case

    DON”T YOU SEE THAT!?!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2RUPG5LCXSEZZFP4NV67XF4TJE Place it on Lucky Dan

    Wonder why you’re not hearing about the “Chevrolet Volt 400″ race? Same
    reason Ford pulled its bailout ad … http://placeitonluckydan.com/2011/05/nascar-pulls-plug-on-chevrolet-volt-400/

  • http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

    I guess Paul Ryan’s idea to end MediCare is one of those ideas Republicons are so proud of… as they run away from Ryan and his plan to this very day!!

    If that’s what you call Republicons winning, why do they have lower poll numbers than Democrats, Bush still gets the blame for the economy by a majority of the AMERICAN people and most people want the wealthy to pay more in taxes but Republicons keep fighting to impose??

    Republicons are a JOKE!! They only fight for the top 2% of the country… which is not you Michelle!!

  • http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

    Can’t you read??

    “An industry source stressed that there was not any pressure to take the ad down, adding that Ford “never meant to attack the policy.” At the time of Kelly’s report for Fox News, a spokesperson for the company also said that the ad is not meant to be “an attack,” but, rather, a change to let an actual Ford driver share his thoughts.”

  • Anonymous

    I fail to see how a company who saved taxpayer money by NOT taking our dollars to stay afloat should change their story under any pressure or even be seen as an ‘attack’. It is a snapshot of true capitalism that worked- the ad should be celebrated.

    Why is it dubbed by the media as an “Anti-Bailout” AD message instead of “Pro-Taxpayer”?GM and Chrysler are staying ‘afloat’ and making money, so I hope to see an Giant THANK YOU ad from them to all us taxpayers, it isn’t everyday the US government buys a business, takes it over and then tries to spin it as a success.

  • Anonymous

    Republicons x 4 !!!
    *4 drinks*

  • Anonymous

    Planet Bagger !!!

    *drink*
    *bonus drink for new entry*

  • Anonymous

    Peanut Butter & Nanna Sandwich !!!  Mmm Mmm !!!

  • Anonymous

    Tea-Publican x 2 !!!   Faux Noise !!!

    *3 drinks*

  • Anonymous

    Paul Ryan doesn’t want to end medicare. Another liberal lie.

  • Michelle

    I heard today that Barry’s minions at GE are buying a bunch of Chevy Volt’s because not one else is.  That’s so nice of them to invest in Obama Motors.

  • Rulierose

    but only after being called a racist–don’t forget that part.

  • Anonymous

    No wonder Blagoavich was so flummoxed by what happened to him in his trial- it was nothing more than standard operating procedure in Chicago and our current president has brought the thugocracy to Washington.

  • http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

    Republicon nominees don’t even mention Ryan’s plan during the debates or during their cable news interviews!! I wonder why?? You would think they would be proud of the plan if they thought it was best for the country??

  • Anonymous

    http://goo.gl/AYAel

    The ad is still up there for the time being, at least :)

  • Michelle

    Kind of like the Dem’s refusing to bring Ozero plan to the floor. 

  • http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

    I agree the Dems should, but it won’t have the votes to pass in the House and if the Senate brought it up, the Republicons would filibuster again… as they’ve done to so many other bills in the past!!

  • Pablo

    It’s not where it used to be. They pulled it and reposted it.

  • Pablo

    Thank yew. Thank yew very much.

  • Pablo

    Thank yew. Thank yew very much.

  • Michelle

    So you just bag it and go on vacation? 

  • Anonymous

    Good.  Its a great ad.  I could see not running it anywhere near the election since it was a contentious issue where one party hotly opposed while the other hotly supported (and who’s fundraising supporters were the sole beneficeries.), but its truth and its a great ad.

  • http://www.davidjkramer.co.cc// DavidKramer

    Brawndo, it does plants good!

  • Anonymous

    “because not one else is”

    Where did you “hear this today”, Michelle? I’ve been on the waiting list for over a year now. Still can’t buy one because they can’t meet demand. I’ve “heard this” from my dealer who’s quite eager to get the transaction done. But, y’know, you have… Rush or Hannity or Levin… or wherever you “hear” things from.
    Funny you’re the one who always calls out people who “hear things” by having them post sources. Your turn, honey.

  • Anonymous

    Ed Koch sure changed his tune pretty darned fast. I wonder who Obama sicced on him.

  • Anonymous

    Ed Koch sure changed his tune pretty darned fast. I wonder who Obama sicced on him.

  • Anonymous

    Ford was in so much trouble

  • Anonymous

    You never see baggers complaining about the bank bailouts…
    Could it be that since a republican bailed the banks out, it’s ok?

  • Texan

    “Furthermore, I made sure not to write (in the body of the post) that the
    White House forced anyone to do anything since I haven’t read any
    specific evidence of that being the case.”

    Doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. You still think oj was innocent?

  • Anonymous

    Obama is a war criminal and a cheesy politician. Lib attack in 3 2 1…

  • James Dean

    HA! I lib suggesting we take the “evil corporate guy’s” word for it….on this. Any other time they would be taking bus loads of nitwits to the executive’s home to trample his/her lawn and scream double digit IQ type cheers.

    Ford pulled it due to the tyrant we have in the white house. He is a CLOWN and will be gone in a few years……the damage done will last for decades.

  • James Dean

    Educate yourself…..conservatives aren’t in favor of bailouts. Also, “wall street” gave more to Dems than Republicans in the last Presidential election. Pretending Dems aren’t rich or in bed with big corporations is absurd. GE made Billions….that’s with a B folks…..and didn’t pay taxes yet all we hear is Captain Zero carrying on about oil companies. The government makes more per gallon than oil companies….so tell me……what tax would replace the gas tax if all these liberal turds had their way and switched us to electric cars???? I got it…I got it……

    “UNDER MY PLAN ELECTRICITY RATES WOULD NECESSARILY SKYROCKET”

    Who was the bubble head who said that?? Oh yeah……Barry Hussein Obama

  • Anonymous

    Ford made an F-150 load of money on “Cash for Clunkers”. 

  • Anonymous

    Sorry, I couldn’t read your response due to all the trolling and ad hominem attacks.

  • SlyFox

    Chicken, chicken, chicken…..Someone please stand up to this Chicago thuggery…….

  • L_Salazar

    Everyone lost on the “Cash for Clunkers!”

  • http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

    No attack… just a laugh!! (Lol)

  • http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

    It was just reported Wall Street gave more to Dems than Republicons due to the fact Sarah Palin was on the Republicon ticket and she scared the crap out the wealthy on Wall Street!! Palin could have cost you the election in 2008!!

  • Anonymous

    I agree with you…BO is a joke…a bad joke…but a joke non the less…LOL

  • http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

    Republicons want all Americans to drive cars made in China… they HATE the American auto industry and their union workers!!

  • Anonymous

    Choke..choke…LOL!!  Come on, Leedog, you know better.  Who is the Industry source, anyway?  What does it matter, the ad was pulled for obvious reasons, even if Ford tries to deny it.  No one believes that.  The WH threatened Ford, as they have so many others who disagree with them, including their own Congressmen during the Obamacare debates.  The WH probably sicked Nancy on them.

  • Anonymous

    Sheila and Maxine…two idiots I’d be ashamed to identify my race with.  They’re not representative of thoughtful, intelligent blacks…only the ignorant and uninformed.

  • Anonymous

    If she doesn’t, everyone else with a brain and common sense does see that.  Unfortunately, it’s typical of Libs.

  • Michelle

    Sales of the much-hyped Chevy Volt fell to new lows as did GM share price
    as July auto sales figures came in. Only 125 Volts were sold during the
    month of July.

    Crony Capitalism Digest: General Electric to Purchase Immense Fleet of Chevy Volts That Aren’t Marketable in the Real World

    http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2011/03/crony-capitalism-digest-general.html

  • Anonymous

    Ford is in negotiations with the UAW right now and they (the UAW) asked Ford to pull the ad. News Sensationalism at its best on Fox.

  • Anonymous

    Ford is in negotiations with the UAW right now and they (the UAW) asked Ford to pull the ad. News Sensationalism at its best on Fox.

  • Anonymous

    But it is amusing.

  • Hagen619dj

    It’s so hard to understand why the White Hse. seems so determined to attack any sort of ad that would accuse “them” of wrong doing.  Obama is running scared…why anyone would want a presidential job is beyond me anyway.  However; that being said is why our government is getting a bad rap from the public.

  • Wellik6

    Ford chicken s__t company they goverment told them what to do, I would not but a GM for the bailout and Chrysler as their employees drink and smoke drugs on breaks thats why I buy the number one car make with 88% of american parts the Toyota Camery, and a good truck Nissan Titan they guy was right americans are to fail or not to fail but not be bailed out. what happened to American Companys!!!

  • Mrobel126

    Could someone please explain to me why Ford is touting the fact that they didn’t receive a bailout, all the while gleefully accepting huge government subsidies? I guess bailouts are evil but corporate WELFARE is just fine. What a joke!

  • On Strike.

    The big 3 have been playing us for our patriotism for how long now? Now its gotten to the point that its right here in black and white. If they could practice what they preached then stop buying parts overseas and start making cars with good mpg and that last. This is all too upsetting. Patriotism? HAHA what a bunch of crap. Just think of how much money they get from us by selling the junk they make. Telling us how great it is then it breaks. They count on it! Id like a refund from ford for all the SAE tools I have that I never get to use. Hows that. Take ur patriotism and shove it. Im buying what works, period. For all the ones that doubt me, just ask how much that dodge ford or chevy truck cost to drive 200k. If the price of gas never went up then thats over 60k alone! Then if u want it to last to dump more oil money in it then see u at the repair shop once a month after it hits 100k or less. Its just not worth it anymore. The jig is up and im done. I will keep my old hondas and drive off into the sunset. They work…..

  • Anonymous

    In my life, I have owned Chevrolets, Fords, Chryslers, and many others, but since Ford did not take bailout money and showed what American Values really are, I will only buy Fords now.  The others can kiss my Patriotic buttocks!  Obama can kiss my behind also, but I am afraid I may catch some Marxist disease, one that eats away at Common Sense, Patriotism and Honesty!

  • RedOnTheGreg

    What was it Gee Dumbya said? “If you’re not with us, you’re against us.” I hardly think a president trying to coerce people to do what he says is a one party concept.

  • Revolutionofone

    “…so I hope to see an Giant THANK YOU ad from them to all us taxpayers.”
    GM ran an ad just like this earlier this year.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr94zStsk8E

© 2012 Mediaite, LLC | About Us | Advertise | Newsletter | Jobs | Privacy | User Agreement | Disclaimer | Power Grid FAQ | Contact | Archives | RSS RSS
Dan Abrams, Founder | Power Grid by Sound Strategies | Hosting by Datagram