After watching a football game on Pittsburgh's local CBS affiliate, I was dumbstruck to see the following misleading ad play on my television:
If you care about
this election? Then "Show It"? Really, GOP-controlled Pennsylvania Department of State?
No wonder voters like the one joeotter encountered today while phone-banking are confused. The PA Dept. of State is intentionally trying to muddy the waters with this ad, and has been doing so for some time, apparently.
This was the first I'd seen of the ad, though, since I typically watch most of my television online. But I had the ole' tele on this afternoon, and my immediate response was, "What in the fucking fuck? That ID law was delayed until after the election."
This ad is gross, intentional deception, and these public service announcements, which apparently have been playing for weeks, should have been pulled long ago.
Sure, the ad subtly says you'll be asked, but not required, to show your photo ID. But that's done in the backdrop of actors proclaiming, "Show it!"
It's insane that phone-banking would be necessary to counter the government's misinformation campaign. But such is the reality here in Pennsylvania, where I will be phone-banking to do (or attempt to do) just that.