(CNN) – The Republican National Committee took aim at Barack Obama Wednesday over the Illinois senator's half-hour ad buy that will delay the start of a World Series game by 18 minutes.
"It’s unfortunate that the World Series’ first pitch is being delayed for Obama’s political pitch," RNC spokesman Alex Conant said. "Not only is Obama putting politics before principle, he’s putting it before our national pastime.”
Major League Baseball has agreed to a request from Fox to delay the start time of Game 6 of the World Series (if a Game 6 is necessary) so the network can air the 30-minute Obama spot, a Fox spokesman confirms to CNN. The Illinois senator has also bought similar time on CBS and NBC, set to begin at 8 p.m.
“FOX will accommodate Senator Obama's desire to communicate with voters in this...format," Fox spokesman Scott Gorgin said. "We are pleased that Major League Baseball has agreed to delay the first pitch of World Series Game 6 for a few minutes in order for FOX to carry his program on October 29."
It's the first time a presidential candidate has bought that length of airtime on network television since Ross Perot purchased several 30 minute blocs in 1992.
"This is a big platform, this is a big megaphone, the interest level is clearly there and people will watch," Evan Tracey of Campaign Media Analysis Group, CNN's consultant on campaign advertising said.
The October 29 game will now start at 8:38 instead of 8:20.
From CNN Politics
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Are you kidding me? The RNC is complaining about a 15 minute delay??? You guys are a bunch of fools!!!
The republicans are WHINING again .... waa waa waaaaa...
Vote for the adults – Obama/Biden '08
The GOP are a bunch of whiners. Not only are they jealous but to throw in "our pastime" as another way to divide us is rediculous. Is not Obama an American who also enjoy's American's Pasttime???
Enough with the unlying hints of fearmongering, race baiting, and segregation. WE, the American people, are smarter than that!
Give me a break–our economy, foreign affairs, and other crises we're facing are far more important than delaying a ball game by 30 minutes. Does the RNC spokesperson really mean to suggest that recreation is more important than working to solve our problems?
Talk about out of touch...oy!
The RNC sure knows how to make itself look absolutely petty and silly!
Acorn & Ayers is much better than Alaska & Arizona.
15 minutes delay is nothing.
First off, it's a game 6...the way the Rays are playing it may not even go to 5!
Secondly, this is such blatant whining by the RNC it's not even funny. It's honestly pathetic. Claiming Obama is putting himself before baseball? What a wretched bunch of sore losers.
Ohhh it sounds like the McShame gang is starting to get worried....lash out at ANYTHING!! It sucks getting beat at your own game doesn't it Republicans? You cannot stand the fact that Obama can raise more money from average folks than you can raise from your corporate sponsors! Welcome back to where you belong...the MINORITY!!! You're 8 year experiment darn near destroyed the country!
I love Baseball and Obama, now I wont have to choose!
I thought Barry was running for President, not an Emmy.
sorry barry you cant buy the white house not even with cnn , nbc , msnbc , oprah the americans will see through all , this is a country built on love of gos and country !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MAY GOD WATCH OVER ALL OF US ON ELECTION DAY
CRYSTAL DEMOCRAT OF PENNA
baseball is dead anyway
Man, the RNC will jump on anything Obama does and make it out to be the most horrible thing ever. Big deal if the World Series is delayed by 15 minutes. Talk about grasping at straws. So sad.
If MLB doesn't have a problem letting OBama Speak, why does the GOP? Are they ELITIST? Do they not like Baseball, the National Pastime? Are they questioning the JUDGEMENT of the MLB, while Obama and the MLB made an agreement? Maybe Obama isn't the Elitist, maybe MCCAIN IS! Oh yeah, MCcain has 7 houses and 13 cars, of course he's an Elitist! Last time I checked, OBAMA has ONE HOUSE AND ONE CAR, just like the rest of US. Go Obama/ Biden 2008-2016!
Who cares, what is 15 mins. Get a life and i think that is super what Obama is doing!
Gawd, putting important issues in front of pastimes? How horrible!!
God forbid baseball fanatics would have to wait an extra 15 minutes... oh yeah, why am I bothering with this, it won't get posted.
I'm sure people are going to be saying that this makes Obama unpatriotic, or something like that.
I know the outcome of the world series is far more important than the state of and well being of our country.. but hey, how dare Obama give the fans an extra 15 minutes to stand in line at the concession stands