The Chrysler ad narrated by Clint Eastwood was easily among the best of Super Bowl XLVI, but it’s also been criticized by certain right-wing pundits, who likened it to a political ad for President Obama. Chrysler denied any political content in the ad, while Eastwood, a GOP supporter, has publicly denied the notion that he was stumping for the President.
“I just want to say that the spin stops with you guys, and there is no spin in that ad. On this I am certain,” in a statement Eastwood issued to the O’Reilly Factor. “l am certainly not politically affiliated with Mr. Obama. It was meant to be a message just about job growth and the spirit of America. I think all politicians will agree with it. I thought the spirit was OK. I am not supporting any politician.”
“Chrysler to their credit didn’t even have cars in the ad. Anything they gave me for it went to charity,” he added. “If Obama or any other politician wants to run with the spirit of that ad, I say go for it.”
Bill O’Reilly, a friend of Eastwood, backed up his statement. “Now Eastwood – who tried to do a good thing, now this guy is getting hammered as an ideologue,” said O’Reilly. “He’s caught in the political wars. That’s why people are cautious about doing any of this stuff. I don’t think that’s fair to Eastwood.”
Still, O’Reilly guest and public relations expert Mike Paul thought there was a subliminal message that supported President Obama. “To me, it was a classic ‘thank you’ ad,” Paul said. “Thank you for bailing us out.”
Source: LAtimes.com {link no longer active}
