By now, most people have seen or heard about Hillary Clinton’s 3:00 AM ad implying that the world would be safer if she rather than her opponent Barack Obama was to answer an emergency phone call to the White House in the dead of night.
In a truly delicious twist of fate, the young girl pictured in the ad is now an active Barack Obama supporter.
On Sunday, ABC’s “Good Morning America” team interviewed Casey Knowles, who depicted the ad as “fear-mongering” and a “cheap hit to take”:
Well, what I don't like about the ad is it, it's fear-mongering. It's, I think it's a cheap hit to take. And I really prefer Obama's message of looking forward to a bright future where there, there aren't crises, you know? I think that's a much stronger message, is hope. And that's getting criticized that hope isn't real, hope isn't practical, but what more could you want in a leader.
How delicious. What follows is the full transcript of this segment.
JUJU CHANG (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) Thanks, Bill. Now to the political ad that made waves in this year's presidential campaign.
GRAPHICS: WAKE-UP CALL
GRAPHICS: 3 A.M. AD GIRL BACKS OBAMA
CLIP FROM HILLARY CLINTON CAMPAIGN AD
JUJU CHANG (ABC NEWS)
(Voiceover) A commercial geared towards some of the voters' deepest fears. But that commercial is now getting attention, not for its message, but because of its young star.
JUJU CHANG (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) As it turns out, the 8-year-old girl in Hillary Clinton's ad is all grown up and has some political opinions of her own. Here's ABC's David Wright.
COMMERCIAL VOICEOVER (MALE)
It's 3:00 AM and your children are safe and asleep, but there's a phone in the White House and it's ringing.
DAVID WRIGHT (ABC NEWS)
(Voiceover) Thirty seconds designed to scare millions of voters.
SENATOR BARACK OBAMA (DEMOCRAT
We've seen these ads before. You're, they're usually the kind that play upon people's fears and try to scare up votes.
DAVID WRIGHT (ABC NEWS)
(Voiceover) The trouble is, they work. In Ohio and Texas, Clinton hammered the point home.
SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON (DEMOCRAT
...in the White House, when those calls come at 3:00 AM. When those calls come at 3:00 AM, it might be a national security crisis. When that phone rings at 3:00 AM in the White House.
DAVID WRIGHT (ABC NEWS)
(Voiceover) Her red phone ad was so effective, Obama was still responding this weekend in Wyoming.
SENATOR BARACK OBAMA (DEMOCRAT
If a phone call comes at 3:00 in the morning, you know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna answer it.
DAVID WRIGHT (ABC NEWS)
(Voiceover) But it turns out the little girl featured in the ad is all grown up now. Casey Knowles is now a high school senior. And guess what? She supports Obama. How did she end up in a Clinton ad?
CLIP FROM AL GORE'S CAMPAIGN AD
DAVID WRIGHT (ABC NEWS)
(Voiceover) The same way the factory worker from Al Gore's ad in 2000 ended up in a John Kerry ad in 2004. File footage available on the cheap. The lesson for voters, advertising and reality are sometimes two very different things. For "Good Morning America," David Wright, ABC News, Chicago.
BILL WEIR (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) And joining us now that sleeping angel in the ad, all grown up, 17-year-old Casey Knowles. Good morning to you.
CASEY KNOWLES (APPEARS IN AD FOR HILLARY CLINTON)
Good morning.
BILL WEIR (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) Thanks for being here. So, how did you discover that you were being used this way?
CASEY KNOWLES (APPEARS IN AD FOR HILLARY CLINTON)
Well, a few nights ago, my family sat down to watch Jon Stewart and 'The Daily Show" and they were parodying this ad, kind of poking fun of it.
CLIP FROM "THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART "
CASEY KNOWLES (APPEARS IN AD FOR HILLARY CLINTON)
And they were, you know, replaying it and we paused it. And my brother's like, 'Is that Casey?" And, you know, we just erupted, pandemonium. And, 'Oh, my gosh, sure enough, it's me."
JUJU CHANG (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) Now, now, originally, you shot that commercial for a railroad company, right?
JUJU CHANG (ABC NEWS)
(Voiceover) And to be fair, it was part of Getty Images. The Clinton campaign have used it fair and square.
CASEY KNOWLES (APPEARS IN AD FOR HILLARY CLINTON)
Mm-hmm.
JUJU CHANG (ABC NEWS)
(Voiceover) And I take it, you're not deeply resentful of the fact that they used it?
CASEY KNOWLES (APPEARS IN AD FOR HILLARY CLINTON)
No, no, not at all. I'm really enjoying just the pure irony that I'm an Obama supporter.
JUJU CHANG (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) But you're - more than just a supporter. You have been active in his campaign for months.
CASEY KNOWLES (APPEARS IN AD FOR HILLARY CLINTON)
Yes, yes.
JUJU CHANG (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) Tell us about that.
CASEY KNOWLES (APPEARS IN AD FOR HILLARY CLINTON)
I've been campaigning for Obama for a long time. I actually called a lot of people around my area and got them to come out and caucus for him. I was a precinct captain at my caucus in February. And I'm actually a delegate for my precinct and I can go on to county, state and even potentially the national convention in Denver.
BILL WEIR (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) And has the Obama campaign reached out to you?
CASEY KNOWLES (APPEARS IN AD FOR HILLARY CLINTON)
Yes, they have contacted me. They think it's hilarious, obviously. In, in a previous interview, I mentioned that we should make a counter ad, me and Obama, against Hillary. And they thought that was really funny. They actually might take me up on it. So...
BILL WEIR (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) That would be funny. You wake up, answer the phone. So, since she used your image to give this message that she's much more experienced and, and would be the better person to answer that, that dangerous call, why is she wrong? Here's your equal time opportunity. Why is Hillary Clinton wrong with what she said in that ad?
CASEY KNOWLES (APPEARS IN AD FOR HILLARY CLINTON)
Well, what I don't like about the ad is it, it's fear-mongering. It's, I think it's a cheap hit to take. And I really prefer Obama's message of looking forward to a bright future where there, there aren't crises, you know? I think that's a much stronger message, is hope. And that's getting criticized that hope isn't real, hope isn't practical, but what more could you want in a leader.
JUJU CHANG (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) A very articulate 17-year-old. Thank you so much.
BILL WEIR (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) There we go. Will be 18 in time for the general election.
CASEY KNOWLES (APPEARS IN AD FOR HILLARY CLINTON)
Right.
BILL WEIR (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) You'll be voting, I can tell.
CASEY KNOWLES (APPEARS IN AD FOR HILLARY CLINTON)
Thank goodness.
BILL WEIR (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) Thank you, Casey. We appreciate your time.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Comments Policy
Consider the Source
March 11, 2008 - 08:50 ET by CaringwhiteguyGreat! Now MSM is bestowing credibility for opinions about the election to a 17-year old who's not yet eligible to vote. Why not ask this kid about Clearasil?
True CWG, asking a 17 year
March 11, 2008 - 09:35 ET by BinxlyTrue CWG, asking a 17 year old for her analysis may not be what I think of initially when I think of hard core election news, but #1 the show is soft morning news anyways, most people know it's political side is wishy washy and biased, but that also said, to de-validate someone's opinion due to age is an awful foolish thing to do. Lord knows at 17 I knew enough about world events and politics to make left wingers degrade into shouting obscenities at me after debates, making them so angry with the knowledge I had and debate capability that they would just resort to the ole trick of claiming 'you're too young to know what you're talking about' even though the facts I presented were clear, whether I was saying them at 18 or 42.
This girl is obviously active in politics and I like seeing that. Eventually, after enough time seeing how it works, they will usually end up fighting for the best situation for our nation. I'd much rather have an educated young voter voting for someone I dislike than a blind, uneducated follower voting for someone I like for the wrong reasons.
Nothing Wrong . . . . but
March 11, 2008 - 10:05 ET by CaringwhiteguyThere's absolutely nothing wrong with a 17-year old getting involved in politics, and there is a great deal to be said for youthful enthusiasm. By all means let her stuff envelopes at Barack headquarters, or campaign for Obama at the mock election her school conducts. My point is that MSM has found a way to cast this kid into the limelight for its own purposes. (in this case making a pro-Obama, anti-Hillary statement). She's more of a tool on GMA than she was in the ad itself.
Aha, I see what you're
March 11, 2008 - 10:22 ET by BinxlyAha, I see what you're sayin' now. I gotta agree. Its a shame, but I love that the MSM backs him over Hillary. He may be inexperienced and far to the left, but at least I believe he's sincere and actually believes leftist politics are going to save America. I disagree, but if he wins, we'll get to see. With Hillary, she's got one foot in bed with lobbyists while the other is on the soap box, dodging questions about her affiliation and favoring of them while pretending to be a politician for the people, someone who is portrayed as 'going to take it hard to lobbyists and special interests.' She IS the special interest. The Clinton family is so crooked that the circle goes on forever.
Obama may not be the best choice, but if its him or Hillary for the DNC, I'll do anything I can to be sure its anyone but her. I doubt she could win against McCain, but I also think the risk is too great to chance. I'd MUCH rather have Obama end up our Commander in Chief over that shrill rat.
Apparently,
March 11, 2008 - 10:37 ET by voodoodaddy"I'd much rather have an educated young voter voting for someone I dislike than a blind, uneducated follower voting for someone I like for the wrong reasons."
Apparently, she is not that educated in politics or she would not be voting for Obama. He stands for absolutley nothing.
Again, this kind of talk is
March 11, 2008 - 10:48 ET by BinxlyAgain, this kind of talk is unecessary. Of course he stands for SOMETHING. He's a liberal. He believes that more government intervention and taxpayer-funded programs are going to solve our issues. You may disagree, but thinking someone is wrong doesn't make them in support of nothing. This is the kind of talk that only further polarizes the already polar political situation. Both sides lob bombs at each other while shooting the messengers sent from each side to propose some sort of finding of common ground. Why? Because both sides have extremeists who think 'its ALL my way or NO way at all!' Compromise is not necessarily a bad thing. Believe it or not, in the past, liberal approaches to certain situations have indeed worked. Maybe not many, but the examples are there to find if you dig deep enough.
We must stop attacking the opposite side of our own political ideology merely on the principle that we disagree. There's plenty of common ground I think Washington can find and, if we attempted to reach that common ground as opposed to shelling the other side until they agree with us, perhaps we'd get more done.
I wonder how much money the
March 11, 2008 - 09:05 ET by Hero SquadI wonder how much money the campaign saved by using stock footage instead of using their own crew to film a girl sleeping in a bed... where they could properly vet the person's background and have him or her sign a waiver refraining from campaigning for the opponent.
Was it worth it?
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
"Saved"???
March 11, 2008 - 09:05 ET by sarcasmoI wonder how much they paid Getty Images for footage any Hillary supporter would have made his/her kid do for free??
JMR
A corruption-story the TV media will-not cover.
My point exactly.
March 11, 2008 - 09:13 ET by Hero SquadMy point exactly. They may saved a little bit on production costs, but basically, the only reason to go this route is sheer laziness.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Maybe it reflects my own recent 'do it yourself' style, but...
March 11, 2008 - 09:19 ET by sarcasmoI think she could have even gotten free production in what has become the land of videocameras. Send out an email to Hillary supporters with kids saying "we need footage of your kid peacefully sleeping." They'd be swamped with free choices the next morning, of which at least one would probably be just fine for a red phone commercial. $0.00 except for the staffer to write the email and screen the choices.
JMR
A corruption-story the TV media will-not cover.
There may be some actor
March 11, 2008 - 09:35 ET by Hero SquadThere may be some actor equity issues involved as well. I'd be surprised if Clinton went against the actors' union in that regard, so they would probably have to pay the actor, and use one that is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. So there would most likely be some costs incurred. (Lest she incur the wrath of the SAG)
But whatever it would cost, be it free or a modest sum... it still beats having it blow up in your face like this. Obama could freely use this same footage in his own commercial now and make her look even more foolish.
Heck, he could use it as an example of how Clinton doesn't think things through clearly and takes the easy route without checking the facts. With the 3AM girl at the end, he'd totally decimate her.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Hmm. I never considered unions.
March 11, 2008 - 09:51 ET by sarcasmoNeedless to say, unions expecting something for nothing weren't much of an issue for the Paul campaign...
JMR
A corruption-story the TV media will-not cover.
Can't argue with you on
March 11, 2008 - 09:59 ET by Hero SquadCan't argue with you on that point.
I wonder if SAG is going to pick up that Hillary's campaign found a way to get around paying for a union worker to be in her commercial.
Someone should ask her why she didn't just hire a SAG actor to appear in the commercial.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Wait a second, you're right
March 11, 2008 - 10:15 ET by sarcasmoBut that just means she only needed to email Hollyweird-area SAG member Hillary supporters, who'd be likely to generate better content anyway since that's their profession. IMO this whole thing still smells wasteful.
JMR
A corruption-story the TV media will-not cover.
Mrs. Clinton: Here's your
March 11, 2008 - 11:02 ET by Hero SquadMrs. Clinton: Here's your $2,500 for appearing in my commerical!
Actor: Thank you! And here's my $2,500 contribution to your campaign. *winks*
*Hillary gives silent, icy stare to young, usually unemployed actor*
Actor: Excuse me. Here's my $3,000 contribution to your campaign.
Hillary: Well aren't you just the sweetest thing! You didn't have to do that! *stuffs cash in pantsuit pocket.*
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Slow day at GMA?
March 11, 2008 - 09:04 ET by landsharkI'm going to withold my judgement of the ad until I hear from the video editor. Now that's someone you can trust.
Simply more of the same from the media
March 11, 2008 - 09:08 ET by krendlerMore fake outrage over a rather inocuous ad. These guys are running for president of the United States, right? Oh, forgot. Mentioning Obama's lack of experience is "off limits", "mean spirited" and "racially insensitive".
The other funny one is the uproar over "Hillary floating Barack as VP". I saw how that all started last week and it was a reporter who FIRST asked Hillary about Obama as possible VP. At the time she said "sure" or something to that effect. Now this, predictably, has been turned into the Clinton campaign trying to "demean" Obama. Don't remember all this garbage when this specific question was asked during a debate a few weeks ago.
Can't wait to see the freak-out that occurs over Ferraro's completly factual statement today stating that nobody would give a flying F about Obama if he were white.
And I really prefer Obama's
March 11, 2008 - 09:39 ET by R D HelmAnd I really prefer Obama's message of looking forward to a bright future where there, there aren't crises, you know?
That's right, Casey, let's just bury our heads in the sand and hope all the bad stuff in the world just miraculously stops happening.
Perhaps when you grow up, you'll find better sources for your information than The Daily Show and American Idol.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
You beat me to it
March 11, 2008 - 09:47 ET by kdoliverRD,
That is exactly what I was thinking. This attitude is like doping (especially in cycling), if we don't look for doping, then we don't find, it must not exsist. Come on people. Its better to be prepared and nothing happen, than not be ready and get blindsided.
http://thelazytriathlete.blogspot.com/
"And I really prefer Obama's
March 11, 2008 - 10:35 ET by Chris Norman"And I really prefer Obama's message of looking forward to a bright future where there, there aren't crises, you know?"
"Like, when we stop getting in the faces of like, basically good leaders like, the guy in North Korea, and like the dude in Iraq, the we won't have like, a crisis anymore. A crisis is, like, totally gross and all and I hate them. I love Obama 'cause he wants to like, basically give the whole world a hug!" If you think I'm picking on a kid, I'm not. The sad fact is there a lot of adults who are naive enough to think this way, too.
Attacking such thinking is
March 11, 2008 - 10:54 ET by BinxlyAttacking such thinking is not bad, and I agree with you, to think problems just disapear when you ignore them is indeed foolish. That said, it can't be simplified that much, Obama's plan I mean. Read up on him, and not just what Fox News or what the WSJ has to say about him. Read ALL the articles. The good, the bad, the ugly, the butt-kissing, etc. He's got a plan, I will say that much, and while it isnt 'just close your eyes and envision peace' but it still worries me it might fall short of being functional.
The only thing of this post that bugs me is the marginalizing you are doing of her as a teen and the stereotype you are painting of teens in general. Also, I agree, HOW you speak does indeed cause some to choose to listen and others to turn it off. When one speaks as a stereotypical teenager (avg 5 'like's per paragraph) it can make one feel as if the person is an idiot. The sad thing is, one of the most educated people I know politically has the WORST case of the 'like's I have ever seen. Doesn't mean she is dumb to any extent though. Speaking well does not equate to wisdom. However, speaking badly does not equate to ignorance. Be careful who and how you marginalize, that's all Im saying.
With all due respect, you
March 11, 2008 - 11:07 ET by Chris NormanWith all due respect, you have given this way too much thought.
I don't see how really. I
March 11, 2008 - 12:07 ET by BinxlyI don't see how really. I know it was meant in jest, but again, it marginalizes all teenagers as english-retarded. True, many are, and many are also almost PROUD of it sadly, however, it still is a terrible level to go to as a way to show you think this story is stupid (to which I agree.) It'd be the same as if this girl was instead an adult black male and your satirical post was 'YO dawg, I am SOOO down wit' Obama. Sheeeeeeet that man got himself flossed to da nines n s*it! That Hillary ain't nuttin' but a whack chicken head! Obama's my man for hope, the chickenhead is juss goin' for da cheap shot!'
Again, it may not be racism, but still, as an educated youth, who was often ignored by ignorant adults I was FAR better read than, merely because I was 'young' or 'just some 18 year old' I take offense to people who think and/or portray the youth at large as that little satire you presented. Perhaps I'm being a bit soft skinned here, but I imagine if Leon or another of our resident libs joked about 'all republicans speak with the dumb texas dialect and love cowboy hats, torture and gay lynching' I'm sure you and the others would be offended too. Even if they only meant it in jest, as Im sure you meant your previous comment in jest. Just saying, be careful when marginalizing people.
No, I based my "little
March 11, 2008 - 15:05 ET by Chris NormanNo, I based my "little satire" on her statement that under Obama there would be no more crises - a naive statement, no matter how much respect and understanding are applied in judging it. No, I'm not thin-skinned regarding satire of conservatives - as long as there's some truth to it - essential in the success of any satire. I could go on, but I don't see the need to defend my point in a comment of epic length.
People must want to forget
March 11, 2008 - 11:27 ET by Hunter12People must want to forget that we had a guy for eight years that thought he could make nice and talk the bad guys around to his way of thinking. Worked out really well. WTC Bombing #1, the Cole, African embassy bombings, North Korea, etc just to name a few. Barack's big slumber party for world peace isn't going to work either. Chris, I think you may agree, if you have to walk through a high crime area, strap on a couple of .45's and take one side of the street and watch the bleeding heart who espouses love and peace to get you through, take the other and see who makes it through with less problem. I'm hoping not to use the guns because ammo costs money, but I think a willingness to use them can save a lot of problems.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Now a racist ad!
March 11, 2008 - 14:40 ET by jaywlTake a look at the NY Times opinion page (sorry, can't get it to insert a link) today. An obviously paranoid professor from Harvard, Orlando Patterson, found the spector of D.W. Griffith lurking in the shadows of the ad. He finds "black men lurking in the bushes around white society". His imagination includes this hilarious scene: "Instead, the child on whom the camera first focuses is blond. Two other
sleeping children, presumably in another bed, are not blond, but they
are dimly lighted, leaving them ambiguous. Still it is obvious that
they are not black — both, in fact, seem vaguely Latino." What kind of mind would focus on the separate beds and children in the shadows being Latino instead of just being in the shadows?
Obama has a plan?
March 11, 2008 - 16:20 ET by SlicksterHoping for change and forcing the US taxpayer to foot the bill for world poverty is not a plan. The despots of the world can't wait to play this fool. The Obama idiot will cause more world turmoil than can be imagined. His only plan to is pander and beg.
»→ Change of plan
March 11, 2008 - 16:28 ET by Cool Arrow"Pander and beg" has been changed to "Demand and Steal"
♣ a seal
Liberals always rant about
March 11, 2008 - 21:33 ET by CooltomLiberals always rant about 'fear mongering' but their rhetoric is nothing but. They're constantly wailing about:
* global warming (what could be more fearsome than the demise of the entire planet?)
* the Bush Administration are goosestepping Nazis
* nuclear plants will invariably melt down
* Hurricane Katrina was the worst disaster in the history of mankind
* ad infinitum...
The Democratic party thrives on hyperbole, pandering to the L.C.D., and Chicken Littleism on steroids.