Chicago on the Potomac: White House reportedly takes Ford to woodshed over anti-bailout ad; Update: Detroit News reporter stands by story; Ford denies pressure; White House disputes story

Your Chicago Way read of the day comes from the Detroit News, where columnist Daniel Howes brings news that a few calls from the White House have led to Ford Motor Company yanking ads that spotlighted its refusal to take government auto bailout money.
Nice car company ya got there, fellas. Would be a shame if anything happened to it… (h/t Is This Blog On, Cold Fury):
For the only Detroit automaker that “didn’t take the money” of the federal auto bailouts, Ford Motor Co. keeps paying a price for its comparative success and self-reliant turnaround.
There’s no help from American taxpayers to help lighten its debt load, giving crosstown rivals comparatively better credit ratings and a financial edge Ford is working diligently to erase all on its own.
There’s no clause barring a strike by hourly workers amid this fall’s national contract talks with the United Auto Workers — a by-product of the taxpayer-financed bailout that General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC retain until 2015.
And there’s no assurance the Dearborn automaker can use the commercially advantageous fact that it didn’t “take the money” proffered by the Obama Treasury Department and use it in TV ads angling to sell cars and trucks. Not if the campaign takes a whack at its Detroit rivals and suggests that Ford no longer supports the Obama administration bailouts it backed in public statements and sworn congressional testimony.
As part of a campaign featuring “real people” explaining their decision to buy the Blue Oval, a guy named “Chris” says he “wasn’t going to buy another car that was bailed out by our government,” according the text of the ad, launched in early September.
“I was going to buy from a manufacturer that’s standing on their own: win, lose, or draw. That’s what America is about is taking the chance to succeed and understanding when you fail that you gotta’ pick yourself up and go back to work.”
That’s what some of America is about, evidently. Because Ford pulled the ad after individuals inside the White House questioned whether the copy was publicly denigrating the controversial bailout policy CEO Alan Mulally repeatedly supported in the dark days of late 2008, in early ’09 and again when the ad flap arose. And more.
In another typical Chicago-on-the-Potomac coincidence, the Obama campaign’s “Attack Watch” is back up and running on Twitter after a nearly two-week-long hiatus. The subject of the snitch squad’s last attack watch attack?

Related: Interview with the guy who starred in the Ford ad…
In this case, it was Chris, who explained how he came to star in the commercial and reiterated his support for Ford during an interview this morning on WJR-AM 760.
“I still standby what I said, and that is, as Americans, we need to decide if we’re going to be run by a government or if we’re going to be run by free enterprise,” he told host Frank Beckmann. “That’s really the debate that we’re facing today. So I applaud Ford, still, to this day, for having the courage to put that ad on the TV and spur the debate.
Here’s Chris’s YouTube response:
***
More: A reader on Twitter points to Ford’s response to him on Facebook in which the company claims the ad campaign is still running:
Ford Motor Company Jeff we were not coerced into pulling the ad down. The campaign continues to run. We took the ad out of rotation after 4 weeks which is consistent with the typical lifecycle for the campaign.
There were conflicting reports that the ad had been yanked from YouTube. It appears that the ad is still there, though.
Someone’s in a panic over at Ford’s social media department, for sure. The original YouTube ad uploaded weeks ago on the site is not available. See the embed of the original ad from September 16 here at hotair: “Video has been removed by the user.”
The one now appearing on the site was re-uploaded on September 23.
I think diggrbiii has this right: “Ford pulls TV ad, claims it was just normal scheduling, keeps YouTube version up for plausible deniability.”
***
Update: I’ve heard from several readers who’ve contacted Detroit News reporter Dan Howes for comment. I have contacted him directly, too and will update.
Here’s what one reader forwarded are saying:
From: Wayne A
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 01:56 PM
To: Howes, Daniel
Subject: Ford ad article
FYI Ford says via its FB presence that they have not pulled the ad; that it simply is currently out of rotation.
Response:
Subject: Re: Ford ad article
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:21:57 -0400
From: Howes, Daniel
To:
Not true. Just had lunch w/ company VP who confirms my column. Thanks for the note.
– DCH
Daniel Howes
Business Columnist
The Detroit News
W: +1.313.222.2106
M: +1.313.632.1945
E: dchowes@detnews.com
Sent via BlackBerry
Update: Scott Monty is the Ford social media director and writes on Twitter: “We did not pull the ad under pressure.”
I have asked him directly: “Did the White House contact Ford to complain about the ads or not?”
Waiting for a response…
***
Scott Monty’s response:
My follow-up: “So can you find out and let us know whether WH called to complain or not? It’s germane.”
And: “If you are denying substance of D. Howe’s Detroit News report, are you going to ask paper 4 a retraction?”
Seconds later, White House press flack Dan Pfeiffer tweeted: “Lots of bad info/reporting out there today: Report on POTUS and Troy Davis and Detroit News column saying WH pressured Ford are both false.”
My follow-up: “So did anyone at the White House contact anyone at Ford to complain about the bailout ad or not?”
I think a FOIA request is in order…
***
Larry O’Connor interviewed Ford ad star Chris McDaniel. Excerpt:
When I asked Mr. McDaniel what he thought about the reports that the White House may have pressured Ford into removing his commercial he said, “I understand the political world Ford lives in. I don’t fault them. But, I’m on the hook with my tax dollars on this Solyndra scandal. It’s exactly the same thing as the GM and Chrysler bailouts. Enough is enough! The only people on the hook in this country are the 50% of American who still pay taxes. And now we have the federal government butting their nose into this TV ad. Another example of them getting involved in things they have no business getting involved in. Where is the free speech of American citizens?”
With ideas like that, no wonder the White House got involved.
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Excellent Chris.
Not so excellent Ford, for caving.
Obowmao: If you see something, say something!
i guess the freedom of speech is on shaky ground as long as obama is in the whitehouse.
“…in other news, a man was taken to the hospital after being found in the back of his F-150 pickup, apparently beaten with pieces of ebony lumber. Police have only identified him as ‘Chris’.”
We can always play that fun parlor game: “Imagine if a GOP White House Did This.”
The results would be mind-boggling.
Libtards. I hate ‘em.
Regards,
Peter H.
You gotta look out for your b!tches.
Makes you wonder how long till someone shows up to have a chat with Chris.
Attaaaack Waaaaaaatch!
If this bho thug tactic, against Ford, doesn’t make people buy a Ford, I don’t know what will! People know a thug when we see a thug and bho and team are thugs! I have a feeling the union thugs in talk with Ford for their new contract will get nasty for Ford! I pray it doesn’t.
L
Particularly disturbing is the infringement on freedom of the press for the purposes of redress of grievances against the government. Look up the First Amendment and take it into context. Speech, press, and assembly all have one common purpose: complaining to the American people about government intrusion.
Why is this not breaking news everywhere? Why is the press so silent?
Obama plant in the audience: “My question is – why haven’t you given my Volt to a drug cartel in Mexico?”
I’m assuming this was rhetorical.
Mr Obama, TEAR DOWN THIS ATTACK WATCH!!!! It is ironic the we have a “president” that uses tactics that would make Pravda of the old Soviet Union blush.
Ford don’t need no stinking advertising! As soon as folks get wind of these thug tactics, they will flock to their nearest Ford dealer. We have a Ford truck. Two years, no recalls, good mileage. Spread the word.
Correct. But the answer (naturally) would be that they are busy managing InTheTankWatch.com
We love our F150. We have had 1 recall notice (they needed to reinforce the door handle spring on the rear doors). They contacted us, set up appointment and took care of the issue in no time flat. Real customer service is so hard to find today, but the Ford dealership I went to knowcked it out of the park.
Well, why don’t they just build a plant in South Carolina?
Oh, wait.
Nevermind.
I saw an insurance company’s commercial just last night that said they have never taken bailout money. I wonder if it will ever be seen again.
I won’t buy from Ford, GM and Chrysler because of the crappy union workmanship of their vehicles.
Buying a Ford AND getting a Gibson guitar to put in the rifle rack! ( OK, which one of Michelle’s posters is Chris? )
Hoping Flyover folks recall how Harley used thug tactics back in the 90′s to squash Excelsior Henderson motorcycles. I believe the legal brief read “experimental vehicle” and the insurance cost drove BigX right OOB.
“Bailout money”
My new term for Obummer’s re-election donations.
First Amendment, on hold until January 22, 2013. At least.
I’m gonna have to report my brother and all other Ford owners I know to attackwatch.
Omobster needs to deal with them.
Is this why Gitmo is still open?
I see that Iran is talking about deploying their navy near the US Atlantic Coast….He must have got a WH invite.
Even the Clinton administration would probably have given kudos to Ford as an example of American Can Do spirit and the strength of free enterprise. Makes one wonder how many in the BHO admin have been rooting against Ford since their success undermines BHO’s socialistic agenda. Leave it to Obama to turn a positive into a negative.
Oh you didn’t hear….the administration is planning on expanding the detainee prison in Afghanistan (this was announced right around the same time that Holder said they still on closing GITMO)
Truesoldier A pathetic leader wouldn’t embolden are enemies, would it?
The laughter you hear is coming from the Pentagon.
I figured with it being the Iranian Navy they were letting us know that if they reach the coastline they will need help to “bailout” the ship.
The whole story reminds me of the Peter Sellers movie, “The Mouse That Roared”.
Everything Americans value is on shaky ground as long as Zero is in the house.
In 1987 the Iranian Navy challenged our Navy. 3 1/2 hours later half of the Iranian Navy was sunk. The remaining half was in port, could have been sunk, but the rules of engagement prevented that.
Question: If they make it to our coast, how will they get towed home?
American people to Obamao: “We’re comin’ for you, Murdoch.”
No need to, just turn them into a man-made reef.
That is Funny. I will point out that it took a leader to say don’t mess with the U.S. in that action. I’m not sure if Obama has the “nads” to anything like that. He only seems to threaten his political enemies.
Good point. They could be shelling DC and his reaction would be to run to the UN to get approval to use US forces in a coalition so as to “not go it alone” in the eyes of the world.
It’s obvious to us common sense folks that Ford caved in to White House complaints and subtle hints of Union/IRS/AttackWatch/Teleprompter attacks against the company.
White House DOJ = Gibson Guitars
Obama may have shipped a busted Gibson to the Ford Execs.
You also have to believe the union goons have the home addresses of the execs. Vandalism. Death threats. Work slow downs. Sabotage. Posting their children’s names and school locations.
CHICAGOLAND
Well this is just more conformation of what has been said in the past about 20,000 heat seeking surface to air missiles going missing in Libya.
Truesoldier, That is fantastic! and not that far off. I remember Obama said that if the U.S. was attacked with a nuclear weapon, the he would respond with conventional weapons.
So now the bully has told the scrawny kid that he better not rat him out or else.
You people are so cynical. After all, this administration has a reputation for honesty, integrity, and fiscal responsibility, How could we ever doubt their story?
Ford disputes, WH denies, that’s all the evidence you need, right? By now we KNOW Chicago politics!
Yeah, and those conventional weapons will consist of single shot (can’t have fully automatic) nerf guns.
If Obama doesn’t respond to Iran’s threat of coming to our very coast in a strong, firm “Try it, bub and you will be meeting your 76 virgins the next day”, he will lose the entire military vote.
Of course, he won’t do that. So, the military vote is sewn up for the Republicans or another party. Now, all the Republicans have to do is MAKE SURE the military ballots are mailed out in plenty of time and are counted immediately upon receipt here in the U.S. Is that so hard? Their ballots have been screwed up way too many times for it to be coincidence.
Marshall_Will: I read several things about Indian bikes. They also tried to make a come back. I wonder if the same thing or something similar happened to them?
Older Woman Customer: [to waiter] I’ll have what she’s having.
Zero gets pulled Nov 5, 2012. Hang on till then, don’t do any accidental hiring.
Thugs.
I’ve often wondered how despots of the 20th century could possibly slaughter/concentration camp/enslave their own countrymen at the rates we’ve seen in China, Cambodia, Russia, etc…
…When you look at the lawlessness of this Administration, and it’s total lack of compunction about bullying industries and individuals, there’s only one rational conclusion: the folks that would do the same to fellow-Americans are here, and there’s lots of them in the Obama Administration.
The way I read this, the WH must have made a conference call to Ford and included the head of the UAW.
To hell with Detroit and it’s filthy, violent unions, I’ve been buying Toyota trucks and cars for decades. No union built garbage for me.
That is the hope. He and his puppetmasters can do, and will do, some significant damage before we get to that date.
Scarey and so true. The newspapers encouraged antisemitism and helped along Hitler’s ideology come into public acceptance in Germany by running stories that slandered the Jews – blamed them for everything. These news articles are in the Dachau concentration camp museum.
People turning their heads to injustice, then as now.
We must stop this in 2012.
Wife loves her 2010 Ford Fusion Sport.
It is a great car, even if it IS fwd. I prefer rwd myself.
Her car was manufactured in Ford’s most reliable, quality assurance plant in:
HERMOSILLO, Sonora, Mexico. No UAW thugs to contaminate the product.
Hey, is anyone accumulating a list of the Obama Admin-idiots’ denials? It sure feels like they’re really starting to build up. I wonder…will this group of mental giants’ denials surpass those of BJ Clinton?
Funny I just wrote this Attack Watch Commercial youtube comments ” That should be the 2012 Obama campaign, Don’t read, don’t think, don’t remember; Vote Me!
Probably true when it comes to protecting the U.S., but he didn’t mind “going it alone” when it came to giving support to his Muslim buddies in Libya. In fact I don’t think he even consulted with congressional leaders. If Val Jarrett says it’s OK that’s good enough for The One.
…unless it’s about Odopy.
The use of the word complain leaves them an out. They can answer, no they didn’t contact us to complain.
Later they can say they were contacted by the White House to discuss “concerns” or to “go over some facts” or to “review the circumstance”. It’s all in the semantics and BHO is a pro at deception.
How about Did anyone from the White House contact anyone at Ford regarding the ad in any way? If so, why?
OT but I read that the Gov. of NC (my state) suggested cancelling the House (and perhaps the Senate) in 2012. Way to go Gov., why not do it for the Pres. election also. She said she was kidding, but these folks do not kid, just float trial ballons.
Still in Japan
I took a Chevy “Silverado” out for a test drive with the salesman the other day. As we were driving he was pointing out all the creature comfort features inside the cab. He even pointed out it had heated seats.
I told him I expected that since it’s a Democrat truck.
He looked perplexed, “A Democrat truck?”
“Yes,” I replied, “It blows hot air up your butt.”
He wasn’t amused. I had to walk home.
Obozo & his mob just hate to be criticized in any way —
Anything prefaced with “I have no knowledge of …”
is meant to intentionally mislead. In other words… it’s a lie.
Of course the White House contacted Ford and had something to say related to that ad.
And by the way… a lot of people feel the same way Chris feels regarding Ford and standing up on it’s own rather than getting a bailout.
Though I detest what the UAW has become…. a Ford sits in my driveway because they didn’t take a bailout dime.
And I’ll never own another GM or Chrysler product because they took the bailout.
It’s possible that Ford couldn’t dream up a better ad campaign than to have the Obama administration come down on it for criticizing his administration’s actions.
Besides. What better way to tell people how strong and resourceful your company is than to tell how it didn’t need help from the government like it’s competitors did. It stayed afloat and actually thrived on it’s own.
Sounds like The American Way.
I wasn’t aware of that. Interesting.
OT: but sort of related to Obama’s intrusion into business.
This is about Obama’s regulatory stab at the internet via the FCC and the tactics attempt to bypass Congress as he did with the EPA and CO2′s classification as a pollutant.
But his quote there tells you what he thinks of the American people. I’ll repeat it…
If he’s not getting his socialist wet-dream enacted… he’ll skirt the will of the people and do it via fiat.
Imagine… what if Bush said that. Every Sunday news show would be fretting the take over of the USA by Dictator Bush.
The guy and his cohorts are enemies of America and need to be dragged out of office and thrown in jail.