Sen. Joe Manchin Defends “Dead Aim” Campaign Ad’s Gun Imagery

by Mark Joyella | 4:18 pm, January 10th, 2011

» 12 comments

Sen. Joe Manchin tells ABC News he has no regrets about his use of gun imagery in his widely-viewed “Dead Aim” campaign ad. The West Virginia Democrat’s ad featured a graphic for the National Rifle Association and showed the then-governor shooting a copy of the cap and trade bill.

Asked by ABC’s Huma Khan about any reservations of the gun theme in light of the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Manchin stressed that his ad targeted a piece of legislation, not a person:

The act of a deranged madman who commits a horrific act should not and cannot be confused with a metaphor about a piece of legislation. I have never targeted an individual, and I never would,” he added. “This tragedy, I hope, serves as call for common sense, and wake-up call that we should all come together with common purpose to do what is best for our country.

ABC News points out that while several candidates in 2010 used gun imagery in their campaign ads–including Sharron Angle of Nevada–Manchin was the only one who was elected.

Watch the “Dead Aim” spot here, from YouTube:

dead aim, defends gun ad, Joe Manchin, West Virginia

LeviCoult

Idiots and their guns. I own guns too but I don’t view them as sex object like everyone else seems to. Some democrat this guy is, pandering to the NRA crowd…
Atticus Draco

‘
Hey Manchin,,
Dont retreat,, RELOAD?
felixw

Yawn, this leftwing spin looks pretty desperate. Let me point out:

(1) The media (and Mediaite) buries countless examples of liberals, from Obama on down, who use similar language (e.e., Obama’s “If they bring a knife, we bring a gun” from June 2008), while only covering conservative comments.

(2) Arizona shooter is a far left radical who loves Karl Marx, and hated Bush — so the attempt to turn him into a follower of Sarah Palin is a total joke.

(3) The use of battlefield and war metaphors in political campaigns has always been widespread. Even the very word “campaign” comes from war terminology. To police this would create an Orwellian state that only the Far Left could welcome.

(4) No single act of violence has been connected to Palin or the tea party. Yet any listing of the violent acts from the Left and the Islamic extremists they constantly defend is huge.

(5) An article with inflammatory language attacking Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords for NOT BEING LEFTWING ENOUGH appeared on the Daily Kos a few days ago. But the liberal media doesn’t give out a whisper about that.

(6) Any attempt to get rid of attack language and talk on substantive issues ought to start with MSNBC, which avoids frank and open policy dialogue like the plague, while dealing daily in attacks, attacks and more attacks.

(7) Of course, the use of shootings for political gain is reprehensible in itself — but look who is trying to do that (as they have tried again and again, even when one of their own members of the progressive fraternity is doing the shooting).
The Enola Gay

Atticus Draco said:
‘Hey Manchin,,Dont retreat,, RELOAD?

You are one sick bastard — and a coward to boot.
The Enola Gay

Well, my comment about Atticus Draco has three thumbs down. Guess Atticus has three friends who agree with him that violence against liberals is a good thing. Definitely not elite schooled.
Davo

The Enola Gay said:
Well, my comment about Atticus Draco has three thumbs down. Guess Atticus has three friends who agree with him that violence against liberals is a good thing. Definitely not elite schooled.

Can’t you recognize a little humor? You’re fabricating words you put in Atticus’ mouth. Lighten-up a bit………….it’s a stress reducer.
ProObamaAgenda

President Obama is headed to Arizona on Wednesday, I cant wait to see which of you wingnut radical republicans wants to test the limits of your beloved 2nd ammendment and attempts to get near the President with an openly displayed firearm…hey Draco….round up the horses, grab your pitchfork and white sheets HES COMING
screwauger

* “If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun.” Barack Obama in July 2008

* “I want you to argue with them and get in their face!” Barack Obama, September 2008

* “Here’s the problem: It’s almost like they’ve got — they’ve got a bomb strapped to them and they’ve got their hand on the trigger. You don’t want them to blow up. But you’ve got to kind of talk them, ease that finger off the trigger.” Barack Obama on banks, March 2009

* “I don’t want to quell anger. I think people are right to be angry! I’m angry!” Barack Obama on ACORN Mobs, March 2010

* “We talk to these folks… so I know whose ass to kick.” Barack Obama on the private sector, June 2010

* “A Republican majority in Congress would mean ‘hand-to-hand combat’ on Capitol Hill for the next two years, threatening policies Democrats have enacted to stabilize the economy.” Barack Obama, October 6, 2010

* “We’re gonna punish our enemies and we’re gonna reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us.” Barack Obama to Latinos, October 2010

Please, can someone persuade Barack Obama to tone down his extreme rhetoric before it results in more violence?

Crickets…
Latin2

Then here are these vitriolic rhetoric on the Youtube;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxgJKNpjSNI&feature=player_embedded#

This is a BIG, but notice no one in the MSM is covering it…and we know why.
skyfet

Shooting a piece of paper doesn’t makes you look tough Sir. Well except to people of low intelligence. That’s all.
printbrat

Does anyone know what type of weapon the shooter used? Pistols don’t have cross-hairs.
I get the metaphor; but if he used a pistol the correlation is not correct.
Anonymous

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