ACORN’s First-Ever TV Ad Accuses John McCain, GOP of Voter Suppression

A new TV ad from the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) accuses John McCain and the Republican Party of intimidating voters, suggesting the GOP candidate and his party are trying to suppress turnout among low- and middle-income Americans and minorities.

The ad was released by the group today and will begin airing it tomorrow. It is ACORN’s first ever TV ad in its 28-year history.

The group has been outspoken in accusing Republicans of historically employing voter suppression and intimidation tactics. Recently, after a conservative outcry over thousands of faulty voter registration cards turned in by ACORN, the group has accused conservatives (the McCain campaign included) of trying to “scare up” fears of a voter fraud crisis with the intent of passing laws, such as voter ID requirements, that would suppress turnout among low and middle-income individuals and minorities.

Thus far, ACORN has largely stopped short of accusing McCain of voter suppression tactics directly.

The new ad shows a black man, whose face ages as the ad progresses. A narrator tells viewers that he was intimidated against voting and subsequently disenfranchised in 1965 and again in 2000.

“This year, theyr’e at it again. John McCain and the Republicans are tying to keep him and untold others from voting,” the narrator says. “Tell john McCain, ‘Not this time.'”

At the end, the narrator tells viewers that “voting is your right. Protecting it is our job.”

ACORN’s media buy is targeting opinion leaders rather than swing voters, as the ad will air in DC, New York, and Los Angeles, rather than in battleground states.