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Cox permanently pulls MoveOn.org ad about Drake(Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Jun. 13--VIRGINIA BEACH -- Citing potential "business risks," Cox Communications on Monday permanently pulled a political ad that attacks U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake for accepting campaign donations from businesses that have profited from the war in Iraq. "In this case, it's prudent for us to discontinue running those ads for business reasons," said Thom Prevette, a Cox spokesman. The decision was made based on the advice of in-house legal counsel in Atlanta, he said. It came in response to a letter Cox received from a local lawyer representing the Drake campaign, calling the ad "defamatory." "These ads are reckless, malicious, and false, casting Ms. Drake in a false light by accusing her of unsubstantiated criminal conduct …," said the letter from attorney Bryan K. Meals of McGuire Woods. "Because these ads are false and misleading, we demand that you refuse or otherwise cease airing the advertisements, so as to avoid any liability." MoveOn.org, a liberal advocacy group, unveiled the ad last week as the third in a series of "caught red-handed" ads. It portrays Drake as accepting campaign contributions from defense contractors profiting in Iraq, then voting against penalties for firms that overcharged the U.S. military. Guy Sturino, a local MoveOn member, called Cox's decision "politically motivated." Sturino said MoveOn provided information to Cox that substantiated claims in the ad. The ad continues to run on local network stations. "I cannot imagine that ABC, NBC and CBS would put their stations at risk," he said. Drake's campaign manager, Tim Murtaugh, praised Cox for killing the ad. "That's good news for the principle of truth and honesty in campaigns," he said. Murtaugh said stations in Ohio and Indiana have pulled similar ads attacking Republican politicians in those states. So far, Murtaugh said, Cox is the only outlet in Hampton Roads that has rejected the ads. Drake is being challenged by Democrat Philip J. Kellam, the Virginia Beach revenue commissioner. MoveOn unveiled the latest anti-Drake ad at a demonstration and news conference last Wednesday at Virginia Beach's Town Center. On Friday, Murtaugh issued a news release stating that Cox had yanked "false attack ads from Phil Kellam's allies -- MoveOn.org." It said the ads "misstated facts" and "intentionally distort" Drake's voting record. On Sunday, a Cox spokeswoman said the cable company temporarily pulled the ad, pending further review. * Reach Jon W. Glass at (757) 222-5119 or [email protected]. |