Obama’s Teleprompter: The Attack Ad

Obama’s Teleprompter: The Attack Ad

Obama’s Teleprompter: The Attack Ad

Slate's online video magazine.
June 21 2012 12:14 PM

Does Obama’s Teleprompter Call the Shots?

The full-frontal attack ad that could cost the president re-election.

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Who is really in control?

Photography by Stephen Morton/GettyImages.

Political attack ads have gotten so outlandish it’s almost impossible to be outraged by, much less believe, the claims they make. And the mean-spirited hyperbole and histrionics figure to escalate during the 2012 campaign, thanks to unfettered spending by super PACs.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Slate V decided to channel Lee Atwater and try its hand at one of these ads. We zeroed in on one of President Obama’s Achilles’ heels—at least according to Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and the birthers and assorted Obama doubters on the far right. 

Karl Rove and Sheldon Adelson, if you’re out there watching and you approve of this message, call us!