Ohio GOP Smears Al Franken In Press Release With Doctored Photo, Fabricated Quote

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Ohio GOP Smears Al Franken In Press Release With Doctored Photo, Fabricated Quote

Yesterday, the Ohio Republican Party sent out a news release attacking Rep. Sherrod Brown (D) for enlisting the support of comedian Al Franken:

It is not surprising that Sherrod Brown is enlisting the help of a Hollywood liberal, who like him, is so far out of the mainstream of Ohio values. What is troubling is that Brown would solicit support from someone [Franken] who compared conservatives to Nazis “who should drink poison and die.”

The quote used in the news release is taken from Bernard Goldberg book, 110 People Who Are Screwing Up America, in an alleged interview between Goldberg and Franken. But in his book, Goldberg makes it clear that the exchange is completely fictional. The Ohio Republican Party represented it as fact.

The news release was accompanied by this photograph, showing Franken dressed up like a baby bunny, wearing adult diapers and clutching a fluffy white teddy bear.

Andy Barr, director of Franken’s Midwest Values PAC, confirmed, “The picture is a fake.” The Ohio Republican Party used a 2004 AP photo of Franken for the doctored image:

[Artegal 1]

Al has nice socks!

[GaryC 7]

Very flattering photo! Caught his personality perfect!!

[I'm Gone 60]

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. LOL

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm no fan of Al Franken's but it seems to me that if someone doctored a picture of George Bush and went around presenting it as fact there'd be holy hell to pay.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I'm no fan of Al Franken's but it seems to me that if someone doctored a picture of George Bush and went around presenting it as fact there'd be holy hell to pay.

Ok, let's see the diffs: Bush is well-heeled, currently in a position of power (and before this, well-connected politically--for OVER 30 YEARS); contrast, Franken is broke and now unemployed (since Air America went bankrupt--which unfortunately also shows the extent of his popularity).

I know that sounds callous, but....

[GaryC 7]

I'm no fan of Al Franken's but it seems to me that if someone doctored a picture of George Bush and went around presenting it as fact there'd be holy hell to pay.

Man where have you been? The doctored pics of Bush are everywhere!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'm no fan of Al Franken's but it seems to me that if someone doctored a picture of George Bush and went around presenting it as fact there'd be holy hell to pay.

Man where have you been? The doctored pics of Bush are everywhere!

Used in political ads? Really? Feel free to post them here.

While we're on the subject of doctored pics (and evoking emotion as with Michael J. Fox's ad)...here's an ad from Bush '04 campaign...

Appropriately titled "Whatever It Takes", the new BC04 ad uses Bush's convention acceptance speech, stirring music, and images of dedicated troops and families in the heartland.