New Hillary Attack Ad Features bin Laden

Hillary invokes terrorist to cast doubt on Obama's readiness

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 22, 2008 4:25 AM CDT

(Newser) – Voters go to the polls today in Pennsylvania after a bruising last day of campaigning in which Hillary Clinton unleashed a particularly harsh attack ad that uses an image of Osama bin Laden. The TV spot shows news footage of Black Thursday, Pearl Harbor, the Berlin Wall and the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks to call into question Barack Obama's ability to lead in a crisis, reports the New York Times.

Clinton's ad is the first by a Democratic candidate to use the image of bin Laden, although Rudy Giuliani and other Republicans have done so. Defending the caustic commercial, Clinton told Larry King last night: "I want people to think seriously about leadership because that’s what I’m offering in this campaign." The Obama camp immediately denounced the ad for using bin Laden "to score political points."

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

Hillary Clinton speaks at a campaign rally in Philadelphia Monday, April 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Hillary Clinton reacts to the playing of the theme from the movie "Rocky" after she addressed a rally on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Monday, April 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Barack Obama and his wife Michelle smile while being introduced at a rally at University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Monday, April 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Barack Obama chats with his wife Michelle Obama, left, at a rally at University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Monday, April 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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Hillary Clinton's newest ad, which features an image of Osama bin Laden. (hillaryclintondotcom)

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New Hillary Attack Ad Features bin Laden