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CNN Confirms They Asked Mitt Romney’s Campaign To Pull Anti-Rick Perry Ad

by Tommy Christopher | 2:36 pm, October 20th, 2011

» 38 comments

Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign created quite a stir with an anti-Rick Perry ad, pegged to his poor performances in televised debates, that’s been described as “brutal” and “a symphony of Gump-ishness.” The ad acquired Faces of Death-style notoriety when the Romney campaign pulled it from YouTube, later explaining that it had done so at CNN’s request.

Given the traditional reliance of campaign ads on debate footage, we contacted CNN to confirm, and clarify, the Romney campaign’s claims about why the ad was pulled.

When the ad was first pulled, it might have seemed, to some, that the Romney campaign had decided the ad was over the line. The campaign told TPM that they had pulled the spot at CNN’s request, despite contending that “use of the CNN clips was fully within our rights under the law,” a reference to the Fair Use exception under copyright law that pretty much allows the new media to exist.

A spokesperson for CNN confirmed, to Mediaite, the fact that they did ask the Romney campaign to pull the ad. “CNN did not consent to the use of its copyrighted material for this ad, and CNN objects to the use of its talent in any campaign ad. We respectfully requested that the Romney campaign not use CNN material in their campaign ads and they complied.”

Fortunately for political admen, this doesn’t apply to CNN debate clips. The network has been clear that CNN will be liberal about use of footage from the debates themselves. The objection arose from the ad’s use of clips from other CNN programming. CNN contributor Erick Erickson, who was featured in the ad, pointed out that “The timeline on the comments in the video is grossly distorted,” and didn’t seem all that happy to be the star of a Romney campaign ad. The Romney campaign also made an unwitting star of Fox News Senior White House correspondent Ed Henry last week, including him in an ad aimed at President Obama.

Fair Use is probably the most overused legal doctrine since King Solomon offered to blockquote the baby, but generally speaking, it’s not worth the time and trouble to argue with someone who objects to a fair use exception. If someone asks you not to use your clip, it’s usually a good idea to just not use it.

2012 Election, CNN, CNN Debate, Faces of Death, Fair Use, GOP debate, Mitt Romney, President Obama, Rick Perry

Anonymous

Only 3 stories so far on this important story ?

How about : Are there any photos of Hillary Clinton when she learned CNN wanted Romney to stop with the Perry ad?

Maybe , tomorrow , the prime time discussion of this by the MSNBC crowd , and how much they disapprove of all the Republican candidates ?
Anonymous

Awwwwww Erick Erickson is mad. Here’s a tissue.
Anonymous

It’s just awful isn’t it?

…How can the Breaking News death of Colonel Gaddafi detract this far more pressing issue!
Anonymous

It’s just awful isn’t it?

…How can the Breaking News death of Colonel Gaddafi detract this far more pressing issue!
Anonymous

What characters will Hillary, Obama and Ghadhafi be?
Mr. Pennypacker

It doesn’t help our cause when we tear each other down like this and I hope the conservatives stop doing it and turn their attention to ending the fed and getting out of these wars.
Exgoper

I have a very simple suggestion for you: if you’re unhappy with the coverage here, go someplace else. There are thousands of websites that will pander to your need for unrelentingly negative coverage of Obama. Try foxnews. Or redstate. Or townhall. Or newsbusters. Or newsmax. They’ll stuff your head with Solyndra and socialism, and every paragraph will provide you with talking points to impress your friends down at the gun shop or at your next civil war re-enactors event. Or at your anger management group session.

But go — with our blessing. And don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
The Real Royal Emperor

A most excellent suggestion. Of course, Big Petty seems to be paid to be here. Bidet is just an old grouch.
The Real Royal Emperor

Of course, pulling the ad now makes little difference. It has achieved its notoriety. Tollbooth has been established to be a Latter Day Half-Baked Alaska, albeit with more make-up and better hair.
Anonymous

I invite you to take a flying leap back into hell .
Anonymous

Robert . Go back to your Susan Sarandon movie on Lifetime .

And then get busy in the kitchen . Your man BFD is hungry after a long day of swiping hubcaps .
One pissed off liberal

Elen Degenerouse, Densel Washington, and Barack Obamas…respectively.
Exgoper

Or as you call it, home.
Exgoper

Yes, one wonders why these losers — who whine and complain endlessly about story selection — stick around. If they’re so f–king miserable that their pathologies are not being fed, they should just leave. Maybe you’re right and they’re paid trolls.
http://twitter.com/criticaljane Jane

Excellent comment. Most folks forget the references to Toll Booth Perry.
One pissed off liberal

I have a very simple suggestion for you. If you don’t like to hear comments from perspectives other then your own, the you can head over to the Daily KOS or huffpost where you can sit in an echo chamber of Barrack Obama goodness while ignoring the country falling apart around you.
One pissed off liberal

Joe Biden is from Alaska?
Anonymous

Like the “daisy” ad that only aired once. It is now better know because it was pulled. Good job CNN. You got the ad more play that ever. And yourself some free pub.
The Real Royal Emperor

Does anyone even have hubcaps anymore? I had a used ’57 gray and white Fairlane 500 with red interior and hubcaps in the late 60′s, but I don’t think I’ve had a car with hubcaps since.
The Real Royal Emperor

It was a truly great ad.
Anonymous

Yeah , maybe not . Late fifties Fords were gorgeous .The two tone paint was nice , and what cars need now is to bring back those little vents in the front door windows . American cars used to stand out , now you’d have to go to Havana to see them every day .

But , I digress . Obama sucks .
TruDat

Little cranky today, are we?
Anonymous

It just show the righties aren’t too smart either.
http://www.davidjkramer.co.cc// DavidKramer

You had it right there, conservatives do not do it. Mittens is no conservative, just another statist.
Anonymous

He’s cranky every day.
Anonymous

No, it shows that Palin lives rent-free in liberals’ heads.

Love it!
Anonymous

You need a kick

a ass kick
Anonymous

http://tiny.cc/r1zzu
Anonymous

Had to reduce the chrome on cars during the Vietnam war. Used in jet engines instead. Bought chrome from Russia (Soviet Union) ‘cuz that’s where the mines were.
Djbynum02

I don’t know why the add had to be pulled–since it was true. Perry is not known as a problem-solver or innovator.
Anonymous

So she is a squatter.
Anonymous

Pulled because it had CNN people in it. CNN and those people did not give Romney’s people permission to use their “performance” in the ads.

Suppose you had said something against a candidate that you oppose because of his views and another candidate that you also oppose used you in his ad attacking the guy you said something against. Now people assume that you support this other guy, but you don’t.

That is the point here. The CNN people do not necessarily oppose Romney, but they can’t let themselves be seen as supporting him, either.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3WSQ2S4HXMTWZTTQEMYY4NAVTE Fred E.

So thankful you are an exgoper.
http://twitter.com/7000john John Prime

CNN The Most Untrusted Name in News
It supports a CNN Mitt Romney bankers Puppet.
The worse Candidate America could have for the Republican Party
Why don’t you support the real TRUE Candidates that want to SAVE AMERICA from
DISASTER that wants to Rid them of the phony FED money that you carry in your
pocket today that keeps you a SLAVE to the BANKERS

WE ALL SUPPORT THE REAL AMERICAN

RON PAUL

YES DID YOU HEAR WHAT WE ARE TELLING YOU

VOTE RON PAUL

There is no other candidates.
http://twitter.com/7000john John Prime

What is it with the CNN people? Has America lost their marbles? All we
hear with your Programmed announcers is Mitt Romney, Mitt Romney Mitt Romney, Mitt
Romney, Mitt Romney. He is a waste of time as he also is programmed and a
PUPPET for the BANKERS like CNN. You call this Democracy because he has more
funding where he is programmed to do what the Big CORP’S and BANKERS tell him
to do. WAKE UP AMERICA
and CNN and start telling the people the TRUTH. America will NOT move forward with
Mitt where the Bankers want to keep the American people SLAVES to their
COUNTERFEIT money they print and to keep the people in DEBT. You have only ONE
CANDIDATE that will make AMERICA
a SUPER NATION and that is RON PAUL.

As an Outsider we can see things more clear than you.

It is so obvious that you CNN people are paid to promote
Mitt Romney as we all know that the BANKERS own your station.

RON PAUL is the ONLY one telling you American the TRUTH but
the wall has being pulled over your eyes.
http://twitter.com/7000john John Prime

What is it with the CNN people? Has America lost their marbles? All we
hear with your Programmed announcers is Mitt Romney, Mitt Romney Mitt Romney, Mitt
Romney, Mitt Romney. He is a waste of time as he also is programmed and a
PUPPET for the BANKERS like CNN. You call this Democracy because he has more
funding where he is programmed to do what the Big CORP’S and BANKERS tell him
to do. WAKE UP AMERICA
and CNN and start telling the people the TRUTH. America will NOT move forward with
Mitt where the Bankers want to keep the American people SLAVES to their
COUNTERFEIT money they print and to keep the people in DEBT. You have only ONE
CANDIDATE that will make AMERICA
a SUPER NATION and that is RON PAUL.

As an Outsider we can see things more clear than you.

It is so obvious that you CNN people are paid to promote
Mitt Romney as we all know that the BANKERS own your station.

RON PAUL is the ONLY one telling you American the TRUTH but
the wall has being pulled over your eyes.
http://twitter.com/7000john John Prime

What is it with the CNN people? Has America lost their marbles? All we
hear with your Programmed announcers is Mitt Romney, Mitt Romney Mitt Romney, Mitt
Romney, Mitt Romney. He is a waste of time as he also is programmed and a
PUPPET for the BANKERS like CNN. You call this Democracy because he has more
funding where he is programmed to do what the Big CORP’S and BANKERS tell him
to do. WAKE UP AMERICA
and CNN and start telling the people the TRUTH. America will NOT move forward with
Mitt where the Bankers want to keep the American people SLAVES to their
COUNTERFEIT money they print and to keep the people in DEBT. You have only ONE
CANDIDATE that will make AMERICA
a SUPER NATION and that is RON PAUL.

As an Outsider we can see things more clear than you.

It is so obvious that you CNN people are paid to promote
Mitt Romney as we all know that the BANKERS own your station.

RON PAUL is the ONLY one telling you American the TRUTH but
the wall has being pulled over your eyes.
http://twitter.com/7000john John Prime

CNN The Most Untrusted Name in News
It supports a CNN Mitt Romney bankers Puppet.
The worse Candidate America could have for the Republican Party
Why don’t you support the real TRUE Candidates that want to SAVE AMERICA from
DISASTER that wants to Rid them of the phony FED money that you carry in your
pocket today that keeps you a SLAVE to the BANKERS

WE ALL SUPPORT THE REAL AMERICAN

RON PAUL

YES DID YOU HEAR WHAT WE ARE TELLING YOU

VOTE RON PAUL

There is no other candidates.