From reports by The Daily and The Daily Mail:
Clint Eastwood's Super Bowl ad for Chrysler is under fresh fire from the GOP, after it emerged employees from firm behind the controversial spot worked on President Obama's 2008 campaign. The ad, which declares 'it's halftime in America,' has received mounting criticism from conservatives claiming it was a thinly-veiled nod to the president, who bailed out the auto industry during the recession.
(It's even spawned a host of parodies, including the one below...)
“I am certainly not politically affiliated with Mr Obama,” Eastwood told Fox News on Monday. “It was meant to be a message about just about job growth and the spirit of America. I think all politicians will agree with it.”
In a short statement to the network, the 81-year-old actor and director said he believed the ad was being “spun” by political partisans, though that was never the intention of the clip.
Now, ad agency Wieden+Kennedy is bracing for a backlash, amid reports two of its top creatives donated their time to make pro-Obama artwork. The Daily reports WK's global public relations director, Joani Wardell, also worked in the White House Press Office during the Clinton era and continues to work as a political consultant. Despite what may be perceived as political undertones in the ad, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne insisted it has “zero political content.”
“We are as apolitical as you can make us... and I sincerely hope that it doesn't get utilized as political fodder in a debate,” Marchionne added.
Chrysler's commercial stood out as the automaker sent the veteran actor to strike a serious chord with viewers, among otherwise goofy Super Bowl ads. “People are out of work and they’re hurting And they’re all wondering what they’re going to do to make a comeback. And we’re all scared, because this isn’t a game,” “The Dirty Harry” star says in his roughened growl.
Last year, the Treasury Department reported that taxpayers likely lost up to $1.3billion in the Chrysler bailout. However, the agency touted the finding as a “major accomplishment,”as the government originally predicted that the government would lose $40 billion on the deal, CNN reported.
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