AFL-CIO super PAC casts U.S. Senate hopeful Josh Mandel as LeBron James in $100,000 online ad buy

The Cleveland Plain Dealer ^ | June 19, 2012 | Henry Gomez

[Clintonfatigued]

Deep-pocketed groups supporting U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown or Republican challenger Josh Mandel have spent millions of dollars to beat up the other guy.

Each side is constantly accusing the other of being out of touch with average Ohioans.

But a $100,000 online advertising push launched today by Workers' Voice, the super political action committee affiliated with the AFL-CIO, aims to tug at the emotions of the put-upon Cleveland sports fan.

The web ads depict Mandel, the Republican state treasurer, in ex-Cavaliers' star LeBron James' iconic pre-game pose under the tagline "Witness the Mandel investigation" -- a reference to the federal probe of Mandel donors. The image is a parody of Nike's "We are all witnesses" campaign featuring the Akron native.

Workers' VoiceWorkers' Voice, the super PAC arm of the AFL-CIO, has imagined U.S. Senate candidate Josh Mandel as LeBron James in this send-up of the famous Nike ad. James infuriated many of his hometown fans two years ago by signing a free-agent contract with the Miami Heat. The Heat are up 2-1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the best of seven NBA finals, which continue tonight in Miami.

[hinckley buzzard]

Ain't gonna work. Lots of us are rooting for the OKC Thunder but the energy about LeBron is gone. The union thugs as usual are behind the curve.

[Clintonfatigued]

The DemocRATS must be nervous about Sherrod Brown’s prospects if they are resorting to this.

[hinckley buzzard]

Maybe so. Brown is a lackluster career politician, has no charisma, was a default winner in 2006 when the Taft-Bush-contaminated GOP was wiped out.

Mandel has energy and attractive qualities, and when he gains some statewide name recognition he may surprise a lot of people. This could be one of those turnout-driven elections. Sunday the appearance by Romney in NE Ohio was very well received, so ...we'll see.

[CPT Clay]

If I had Money to give political campaigns, Josh Mandel would be one of my highest priorities.

[Las Vegas Dave]

Special thanks to Clintonfatigued for the ping!

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[Impy]

Hilarious.

LeBum gave 20K to the DNC in 2008 BTW.