Exclusive Interview: Ford ‘Pulls’ Anti-Bailout Ad After ‘Questions’ From White House
by Larry O'ConnorThis is all that remains of the very popular Ford commercial that went viral on the internet and was featured on cable news channels over the past three weeks:
According to the Detroit News, Ford has pulled the ad due to pressure from the Obama White House:
Ford pulled the ad after individuals inside the White House questioned whether the copy was publicly denigrating the controversial bailout policy CEO Alan Mulally repeatedly supported in the dark days of late 2008, in early ‘09 and again when the ad flap arose. And more.
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.
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.
A note posted by Ford Motor Co. on Facebook responding to the controversy says:
“(W)e were not coerced into pulling the ad down. 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.”
But this explanation is inconsistent with the past practice of Ford and their handling of these commercials. Other “press conference” style ads that they have produced are still available on YouTube, but the one featuring Chris McDaniel has been removed.
Mr. McDaniel says that Ford conducted “two hours of interviews” for the ad and used the famous moment where he took pride in purchasing a vehicle from a company that “didn’t take the money.” And, in true “Joe the Plumber” fashion, Mr. McDaniel has had to take some heat for his passionate stance. Many on the left accused the ad of being staged and scripted and challenged whether the sentiments were genuinely his. To combat the criticism, he took to YouTube himself and offered this response:
When I asked Mr. McDaniel what he thought about the reports that the White House may have pressured Ford into removing his commercial he said, “I understand the political world Ford lives in. I don’t fault them. But, I’m on the hook with my tax dollars on this Solyndra scandal. It’s exactly the same thing as the GM and Chrysler bailouts. Enough is enough! The only people on the hook in this country are the 50% of American who still pay taxes. And now we have the federal government butting their nose into this TV ad. Another example of them getting involved in things they have no business getting involved in. Where is the free speech of American citizens?”
With ideas like that, no wonder the White House got involved.
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63 Comments
Feds to Ford: Your papers please.
It's all about controlling the message. Community Organizing 101.
First they came for gun owners…..
No guts; no glory, according to Sam Eliott for "Ram tough". I hate to see Ford, America's only true auto maker bow to political pressure.
And a new Joe the Plumber is born.
Hooray for you, Mr. McDaniel. You know, if Ford had done nothing more and not succumbed to WH pressure, this entire thing would have been forgotten. I'd almost forgotten about it; I thought about it the other day — but only because I'd heard someone mention it on talk radio. It was just something that I considered to be cool, but not anything that would assume any major degree of importance.
So thank you, stupid White House staff morons, you really know how to give new life to an anti-Obama ad by creating a controversy around it.
Larry, please don't let this one die. I think that we need a whole lot of questions asked so the Obama Regime can try to duck and cover on this one. The more Solyndras the merrier.
I sincerely hope your tax returns for the past three years are squeaky clean, Mr. McDaniel, because I've got a nasty feeling that you're about to get what Junta Uuhhhbama calls the "Proctological Audit from Hell." That's what you get for questioning The Great One's wise policies so publicly, thought criminal.
;-D
Feds to Ford: "WTH?? You thought we allowed free speech in this country? Not in Obama"s Amerika! Get with the program….we in Bummer's Amerika do NOT allow that sort of thing….can't have the unwashed, taxpaying masses thinking they have a right to their opinion, when you want an opinion, WE will tell you what it is! How DARE you run an ad trying to peddle products without running by us first….naughty, naughty, naughty"
I wish Ford would stop their progressive crapola by cowering in the corner and start a multi-million ad blitz FOR freedom of speech such as this.
Call the Aholebama's bluff and tell it like it really is of how they TOLD you to stop.
I never thought I'd see the day I'd have a huge Ford banner hanging in my garage…but here we are.
This is the kind of bully tactics employed in the old Soviet Union. Shame on the administration and shame on Ford. I've been thinking about how underhanded this admin is and it occurs to me that if Oblama is defeated in 2012 he will spend all of November and December legislating by executive fiat. No one has stopped him so far. The EO's coming out of the WH will be unprecedented. This isn't governance, this is tyranny.
I won't buy GM, but I would buy Ford. I remember when it meant "found off road dead". Now, they have a pretty good product.
You are so right. Rather than have the commercial run its own life out, it will have much more attention much longer and with greater negataive implications. Now, he's the Chris the Ford Buyer.
You guys may be able to close the barn door, but that horse has already left, a while ago.
"individuals inside the White House questioned whether the copy was publicly denigrating the controversial bailout policy"
….of course it denigrates it. In a free market, you expect to see businesses leverage adds to entice more clients to buy their goods and services…. but of course, we no longer live in a free market society. We have government picking and choosing the winners and then step on the ones they dislike, like Ford. NEVER BUY GM!
BTW, did you see how GM may be selling off our technologies relating to electric cars to China?
Anyone who things the Obama administration isn't a thuggish criminal enterprise should read this article and what's happening to Standard and Poors. Or maybe President Petulant just isn't able to handle criticism.
The crime wave continues under this administration!
For anyone who wants to bring up the successful Chrysler "bailout" of 1979, I will remind you that:
1: Chrysler had to find private funding for the loan, the government was just "co-signing" that loan.
2: The government didn't fire (are pressure the resignation) of Chrysler's CEO
3: The government didn't push Chrysler into making clown cars – they started making cars people wanted. (The innovative at the time K-cars and first minivans)
4: Chrysler didn't go bankrupt and go through a "government structured" bankruptcy where bond holders and investor got trashed and robbed in favor of the UAW.
5: Chrysler paid back the loans early, and every penny.
Compare that to the recent Obama union bailouts of GM and Chrysler and you'll see why many people will never buy another GM or Chrysler ever again. There is a difference between co-signing a loan and partial nationalization of two car companies. This latest pressure from the white house for Ford to pull the ad is just the latest un-American thing this administration has done in a long line of un-American behavior, (and unconstitutional too!)
"The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves."
George Washington
Obama's crying foul because Ford did not turn itself over to the Marxist regime. I'm proud to say I own a Ford pickup and several Gibson guitars.
you all have NO idea how much the Administration hates Ford…
Hatred with a capital 'H'. They embarrassed The One deeply when they didn't take the blood money for which operational control would be turned over to the UAW. Being a privately owned company- and the Ford family still does have majority ownership- they knew damn well what was offered, and turned it down.
This meant billions in taxpayer dollars could not be advanced to union pension funds. They wanted that money, badly. So the bad feeling here runs deep, and one suspects the Revenge department of the White House (just like
SPECTRE) is busy at work cooking up recalls based on VERY spurious reasons…
Anyone know who to contact at Fords consumer interface department?
Obama has to get re-elected, ya know. This is the most thin-skinned admin I've ever witnessed. Guess that's what happens when you elect a narcissist in chief.
…and after elbow-crawling back to cover under heavy fire, somebody asked, "Whose bright idea was THAT???"
Ford did the right thing. This is a capitalist economy, and the old saying "as soon as you bring up politics, you lose half the room" applies. Toyota didn't get a bail out. What stroke of brilliance would it be for them to claim they "didn't take the money" either? How about those Prius sales? How about those Fusion sales?
I stopped getting Car & Driver becuase they couldn't help themselves from inserting idiology in their writing. I don't want to read about "right" cars and "left" cars, and when I buy one I don't want it to be a bumper sticker before I've even put one on.
given 0bama's current poll numbers, you'd think it'd be a sure-fire winner…
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.
—————————————————————————————————————
With PBO turning his re-election eye on the American people…telling them to tighten their belts, take off their slippers and eat their peas, we can't have a citizen praising a Company for refusing their handout, and that Company still succeeding.
Oblame is the political, financial and moral liability borne by this country.
If you want to talk about 'scripted'…..watch OboyIloveme, talk to a room full of school kids. Wins the 'Scripted Award' hands down.
If this commercial wasn't pulled due to pressure from the White House then Ford should make a point of putting it back on the air immediately. This is one of my favorite commercials (ok, ok, it's actually one of the only commercials that I don't actively hate) because of the line about Washington bailouts. Mr. McDaniel speaks for a very large number of Americans.
Obama's crying foul because Ford did not bend itself over to the Marxist regime.
there- i fixed it for you.
Pass this gas!
Great point d. For them to pull one of the most successful ads in their history tells us one thing, they are in fear of the retaliation department. It'll be interesting to watch the recalls now, I hadn't thought of that.
I bought a Ford F150 in 1979 and kept it until 2003. It had over 250K miles on it and never missed a beat. Best damn truck I ever owned.
What a shame.
they have been trying to lay it into the Japanese- particularly Toyota- with recalls based on bogus reports.
People really don't know just WHO is in power, and what they intend to do. Fair play is an alien concept to control freaks, and consumer happiness is just as strange to them. You'll get what they want to give to you, at the price they determine- and you'd better be damn glad about it, too.
Ford trucks rock…
Let's get one thing straight. Bondholders didn't get "trashed". They got 25 cents on the dollar when their bonds were trading at 15-20 cents. If the companies simply failed, and liquidated because there was no suitable bidder, they would have got nothing.
The big three were government organizations long before 2008, if you look at SUVs and treatment of EPA efficiency, etc.
So much for Freedom of Speech. Of course it only applies to those who are an arm of this regime. Who in the bluehell do these ppl think they are to tell Ford to pull that ad? We all know this ad was yanked b/c of of regime pressure and not normal rotation/ lifespan of an ad… I mean cmon Ive seen the same ads by companies run for over a year!! I ask all of you to call Ford:
Customer Relationship Center
800-392-3673
800-232-5952 (TDD for the Hearing Impaired)
Tell them to start running the ad again or to make another one with an even stronger message. Pressure Ford to push back against this regime, regardless of the excuses coming out… obviously we know this Chicago style tactic to push it off like coincidence etc by the "victim".
Since when does the government get involved with ads… oh wait this wouldnt have anything to do with the fact that Ford sell more cars than GM (aka Government Motors) would it?You cannot give in to this regime. The more you give the less we will have left to fight them. This is political correctness on steroid but even worse as it is bullying from Emperor Obamas regime. If companies give in lttle by littel we are truly doomed. http://SavingtheRepublic.com
"(W)e were not coerced into pulling the ad down."
Me think he doth protest too much…
What has been seen cannot be unseen. That ad is out there, and people will remember it. I am a bit pissed with Ford for bowing to President Zero and pulling the ad though. One of the reasons I bought my Mustang is precisely because Ford didn't take the money. And now we have this company immolating themselves upon the Obama Altar. It is truly disgusting.
Memorize Chris' face, friends. In my opinion, this man should never have to pay for a beer again. Ever.
I loved the ad. I bought a Ford Escape in Oct. 2001 as an expression of my support for American industry, post-9/11, and have loved my little red SUV ever since then. I'm up to 103,000 miles and decided that when I replace this vehicle, it will be with another Ford – primarily because of that company's non-participation in the stupid Obama bailout. (Both Obama and the bailout are stupid, just to clarify). Please, Ford, don't knuckle under to this idiot administration. Please. Don't make me buy a Honda.
You don't have any papers???……….well who are you going to vote for??………………………..Dimmocrat, well ok come on in!!!!/sarc off
Let's start a reward fund for the hacker who releases Obama's college transcripts. Completely anonymous, of course. I'll pledge the first $100. Just kidding, of course.
That's right, they already came after GM and Chrysler. No one within GM spoke out against the takeover because the Union was in bed with Obama! But the stockholders should have gone to court!! Cowards. When the Government can just takeover a company we are well on our way to a Fascist State with Obama the Dictator.
AAnd this surprises anyone?
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...
Hey, America!!!!
Shut up and do what the WH says!
You unpatriotic, non-fair sharers!!!!
America was built on a foundation of Americans shutting up and doing what those in power say…..Obama told me so!
I read today that the Government doesn't pick winners and losers, it ALWAYS picks the LOSER to try and make it a WINNER. Winners don't need that kind of help.
The White House is upset that there is competition for their Government Motors vehicles. And then Ford has the nerve to come out with a good commercial.
So now , when I decide to buy a new car, it will not be a Ford.
Folks that don't stick by their convictions don't deserve loyalty.
ROTFLMAO!
That was great!
Because that's exactly what would happen.
"NEVER MIND!"
DAMN SKIPPY!
HOORAH!
What's happening to S & P?
This ad hit on the exact reason why many people are now Ford Truck owners.
Anybody else wonder how it is going for Ford as they negotiate with the majority shareholders in GM over the next UAW contract for Ford? Strange days when your biggest domestic competitor is essentially owned by the union responsible for assembling your products…
We're ready to purchase our next vehicle, and we have summarily eliminated all GM and Chrysler products. We may look into one of those "non-American" but made-in-America vehicles. I would have liked to see a better response by Ford.
You can go on Facebook and find Ford—-1000's of comments on this ad
Ford, take your case to the American public. Tell them you were pressured over this ad, run the ad. End the "commercial" with "We're Ford Motor Company ,we still believe in the American way" Your sales will sky-rocket.
Remember, the Ford company has a LOT of its stock held by the Marxist Ford Foundation. Obama calls the FF, the FF calls the CEO of Ford and bye bye anti-bailout ad
I agree it really tells who is in charge, the government is running the people instead of us running them. Ford should be able to say the truth, and run with it. It makes me smile and think more of Ford, just makes me think less of the government, as if that is possible now.
Geez Henry. I've held off for 2 years on buying a car and actually had thoughts of jumping ship back to a US vehicle … a Ford. All because you bucked the system.
Where's that Honda brochure …
I guess this is what the 'most open and transparent administration in history' is all about!
FoMoCo's CEO Alan Mulally was undoubtably 'nudged' into pulling their add campaign….
Why the big uproar? Ford video taped a two hour interview and chose this 30 second answer to air as a commercial. It was a direct shot at the government bailing out two automakers. This guy only said what we all feel anyway. Ford understood the message and delivered it. Bullseye! It got the point across. And in great advertising style, got the point across a second time, with the conspiracy of the Obama administration secretly pulling the ad. By my count it's Ford 2 Obama 0. BUY FORD!
I have no doubt that the Gestapo White House tried to force Ford to pull the ad. If Ford complied, thay are cowards and deserve to go the way of GM, eventually out of business. I planned to buy a Ford as our next purchase precisely because they did NOT get a bailout. If they never run that ad again, I guess I'll buy from Japanese fromTennessee.
FORD = "FOR OBUMMERS REMOVAL from DICTATORSHIP"
Never in the history of this nation has there been such a tyrannic administration. Any hint of criticism is attacked with the full force of the presidency. Disagreement is ridiculed, instead of any argument being offered as to why a policy or position should be supported. It's all about what Obama wants, with no one dare questioning the actions of our dear leader.
It's as if the children have been put in charge of the adults.
But not even the Child-in-Chief can prevent my next Ford purchase, while those Volts sit on the lot like lawn ornaments.
Toyota has been bailed out numerous times by the Japanese government – including 2009.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/03/toyota-s...
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