Political Advertising - Who Is Accountable?

John McCain just dropped a fresh ad on America's carpet. But while the substance is doo doo, the style is more like a rich, dark chocolate mousse - with imported 80% cacao. Deep, ominous strings crescendo as flashy images dash across our retinas. This is powerful stuff - designed by trained professionals to move the viewer at a subconscious level. The more sucessful it becomes, the more it begs the question:

Who are the writers, producers, and agencies behind political ads, and when, if ever, should anyone hold them responsible for the content, and the impact of their work?

In most cases, these artists and technicians are merely 'guns for hire'. After all, it is the cigarette companies who were ultimately held accountable for their misleading advertising, not the agencies, or actors like Ronald Reagan who made the ads. But could we imagine a scenario where an ad is so offensive or dangerous that some liability spills over onto the people who actually made it? After all, we don't let the hit man go free, just because he was 'just doing it for money'...

Definition of "FLIRGE" from SNL Sketch with Tina Fey & Amy Poehler

"MILF" = Moms I'd Like To F***
"FLIRGE" = First Ladies I'd Rather Get Elected

Who Fact Checks the Fact Checkers?

...The Bloggers, that's who!

With the campaign in full steam, all out sprint to the finish, every little rumor has the potential to 'swift boat' the whole campaign. And you know TIWIAB has always tried to be neutral, like when we reported some bloggers were spreading false rumors about Sara Palin's educational record.

But that was bloggers, whereas this is from the St. Petersburg Times and Congressional Quarterly, so it really should be legit...

....yet it is total crap.

Read their "PolitiFact" web site - it evaluates McCain's claim that Obama will raise taxes. Their conclusion? McCain's claim is "half-true".

Huh?

Obama raises taxes on those earning over $200,000. But he offers 150 million working Americans a $500 tax credit, expands relief for homeowners, eliminates income taxes for seniors making less than $50,000 (22 million elderly Americans would no longer need to file a return) and simplifes tax returns so millions of Americans can file in less than five minutes. He also gives families as much as a $1,000 tax credit, and gives tuition breaks. In fact, he offers more than $80 billion in annual tax relief for workers and seniors funded by an increase on wealthier investors. So he reduces taxes and costs on 95% of Americans, and virtually eliminates income taxes for 10 million low-income Americans.

So 5% of the people get their taxes raised. That's "half-true"? The site concludes: "Obama cuts taxes for some, though". Some? Since when is 95% "some"?? If I were TPM, Digg, or Daily Kos, I'd be all over this, before it burns into the minds of the voters.