Conservative and Republican National Committee attacks on ABC for refusing their ads to respond to next week's planned ABC-White House healthcare special are being met with a stiff push back from the network which says it doesn't accept the type of ads Obama opponents want to air.
"ABC Television Network has a long standing policy that we do not accept advocacy advertising," said a spokeswoman. Also, the network brushed off GOP charges that the special would be an Obama healthcare infomercial.
Nonetheless, the RNC today demanded some air time and issued a fundraising letter attacking the network, something conservative groups did earlier this week. Here's what Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele sent out:
Dear Republican,
It seems that the mainstream media has finally decided to dispense with the pointless denials of favorable coverage of the Obama Administration. Now one network, ABC News, has actually turned its entire programming over to President Obama and his big-government agenda.
On June 24th, ABC News and anchor Charles Gibson will broadcast "World News"from inside the White House, and make Barack Obama's case for nationalized health care for him, without any opportunity for opposing views to be aired.
The liberal special interests have clearly learned from their missteps the last time they tried to force Americans into a socialized health care system -- the abysmal failure of the Clinton Administration's "HillaryCare."
That's why their friends at ABC News will be promoting Obamacare at virtually every opportunity, from "Good Morning America" to "Nightline," and reach from ABC News' websites all the way to the White House's East Room.
Republican, the Republican National Committee's request for an opportunity to add our views along side those of the Obama Democrats'
-- to ensure that all sides of the health care reform debate are heard
-- was flatly rejected by ABC News.
What are the Democrats and their media allies afraid of? The truth? That is outrageous! And we will not take it!
We will be heard!!
Please help us raise the nearly $100,000 we need to buy air time to get the truth about the disastrous consequences of the Obama Democrats' government-run health care plans out to the American people. Make a special donation of $25, $50, $100, $500 or $1,000 to the Republican National Committee today, and your gift will support our fight to counter the ABC/Obama "special programming" with our plan for meaningful, genuine health care reform.
Please stand with us. Help us get on the air and get our message to the American people! President Obama and the Democrats are blurring the lines between government and the private sector to pass their big government agenda. Help us keep things clear. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Michael Steele
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