The Few, The Politicians: Candidate Told By Marines To Withdraw Campaign Ad

GOP candidate Vaughn Ward has run into problems over his campaign ads, but not with the FCC. The Marine Corps has ordered him to change his campaign ad in which he appears in uniform and promises to help repeal Obamacare. The body armor shown in the picture may now become useful. The ads violate a prohibition on involving the military in political campaigning.

Ward is a decorated major in the Marines and is going for the Republican nomination on May 25th to challenge Democratic Rep. Walt Minnick in November.

The Marines demanded a “prominent and clearly displayed disclaimer that neither the military information nor photographs imply endorsement by the Department of Defense or their particular Military Department.”

Ward admitted the error and withdrew the ad. What is interesting is that the rules do not prohibit the wearing of the uniform, but only the image of candidates”in uniform as the primary graphic representation” in campaign material. Since Ward’s photo is only one-third of the ad, the picture itself did not violate the rule.

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