Should Mitt Romney Withdraw His Tom Brokaw Ad?

NBC asks the Romney campaign to withdraw an ad that shows Tom Brokaw describing ethics charges against Newt Gingrich

January 30, 2012 RSS Feed Print

Friday, an ad sponsored by former Gov. Mitt Romney's campaign first aired attacking former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. The ad, titled "History Lesson," is simple: a 30 second clip from 1997 of NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw describing ethics charges against Gingrich. The ad comes in part of a campaign that is "destroying" Gingrich (in the words of a Romney staffer) in the lead-up to Tuesday's Florida primary. NBC has asked the Romney campaign to withdraw the ad, and Brokaw (in statement on his personal behalf and not for NBC) said, "I am extremely uncomfortable with the extended use of my personal image in this political ad. I do not want my role as a journalist compromised for political gain by any campaign." NBC's Legal Department wrote a letter to the Romney campaign "asking for the removal of all NBC News material from their campaign ads," but Romney senior adviser Eric Fehrnstrom told reporters that they will not remove it, as they, "believe it falls within fair use." On the NBC's Today Show Monday morning, Romney defended the ad, but said his campaign officials would be meeting with NBC lawyers to discuss it.

What do you think? Should Mitt Romney withdraw his Tom Brokaw ad? Take the poll and comment below.

Previously: Should Twitter Be Censored?

Tags:: NBC,; Newt Gingrich,; Mitt Romney

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I think it was a brilliant move from the Romney campaign. For weeks, Gingrich has been complaining the facts are not true, and that Romney is lying. Well, Mr. Speaker -- this ad portrays the facts.
As for Tom Brokaw -- the ad is not about YOU, and no one thinks you've suddenly become a Republican. It's about the facts that you reported. NBC and Brokaw need to get over themselves. And if the truth eliminates Mr. Gingrich, or anyone else -- so be it! Pompous Newt thinks it's only fair when he's slinging the mud.

Kelly of FL 3:29PM February 01, 2012

What's the difference between this "ad" and saying "go look it up in the library"? I find the word "ad" incorrect. Romney is reminding forgetful voters about an event that happened not really SO very long ago, using a news report. Why should that be worse than showing old newspaper clippings? It is one thing to refer to it, it is another to "relive" it this way. It is powerful and effective, but honest. (As long as one could trust the networks, which back then we did more often...)

Wayne Smith 3:46PM January 31, 2012

Here is the problem with the GOP, they profess to limited government and pro liberty and freedom, except when it comes to one's personal life. The two just don't add up. I for one consider myself to be a Conservative with Libertarian leanings and the GOP is the closes thing that represents my views, but when one of the GOP talking heads (for example Santorum) starts telling me what is moral and what is right, then I sit back and think, boy that is really getting government out of my life?
If the GOP would adopt a platform base on Congressman West speech then I would be all in. See the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4RbBetmWKY

Larry of CA 4:47PM January 30, 2012

Should Mitt Romney Withdraw His Tom Brokaw Ad?

NBC asks the Romney campaign to withdraw an ad that shows Tom Brokaw describing ethics charges against Newt Gingrich