Bachmann’s BP ‘extortion’ comment featured in second DNC ad

The Democratic National Committee continues hammering on Republican comments about BP, releasing a second ad, dubbed “How the GOP Would Govern,” Tuesday morning. Like its first video, this one includes comments by Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, who called a $20 billion victims’ fund negotiated by the Obama administration and funded by BP “extortion.”

Bachmann’s words have already appeared in a DNC web video and in the first campaign TV ad created by her challenger, DFL state Sen. Tarryl Clark, which began airing after the campaign raised more than $30,000 to purchase media time. Bachmann’s “extortion” charge also drew unexpected critiques from the usually friendly Fox News, where hosts Geraldo Rivera and Bill O’Reilly challenged her thinking.

The DNC’s Brad Woodhouse of the new ad said that what’s “surprising is that while Gulf residents, workers, and businesses seek relief from the worst environmental disaster this nation has ever faced, Republican leaders would have the gall to come out in support of big oil companies, stating that the Administration should ‘stop demonizing BP,’ and that holding them accountable is ‘un-American’ and the $20 billion escrow fund is ‘extortion’ and a ‘shakedown.’ ”

“If anything here is ‘un-American,’ it’s the Republicans’ choice to shamelessly pander to big oil while the President works day-in and day-out to get much needed relief to the Gulf region.“

The script:

REP. JOE BARTON: “But I apologize” [House Energy and Commerce Hearing, June 17, 2010]

CHYRON: “I Apologize”

VO: The Republican Party, standing up for big oil and apologizing to BP

CHYRON: The Republican Party, Standing Up For Big Oil

VO: What do they say about holding BP accountable?

CHYRON: What About Holding BP Accountable?

RAND PAUL: “I think that sounds really un-American” [ABC's Good Morning America, May 21, 2010]

VO: That we shouldn’t be so hard on BP

EDWARD LUCE, FINANCIAL TIMES: “President Obama stop demonizing BP…” [Financial Times "View from DC", June 11, 2010]

CHYRON: “President Obama stop demonizing BP”

REP. ERIC CANTOR: “Absolutely”

CHYRON: “Absolutely”

VO: And Republicans call BP’s escrow fund a

CHYRON: Republicans Call The BP Escrow Fund

REP. JOE BARTON: “…a shakedown” [House Energy and Commerce Hearing, June 17, 2010]

CHYRON: “A Shakedown”

VO: and…

REP. MICHELE BACHMANN: “… extortion.” [Heritage Foundation, June 15, 2010]

CHYRON: “Extortion”

REP. JOE BARTON: “So I apologize” [House Energy and Commerce Hearing, June 17, 2010]

CHYRON: “I Apologize”

VO: Apologizing to big oil: This is how Republicans would govern

CHYRON: Apologizing To Big Oil? This Is How Republicans Would Govern

[DNC Disclaimer]