McCain ad uses Medal of Honor score or "I Swear, I Couldn't Make This S*&^ Up If I Tried"

View from the booth: sometimes a little excursion into geekland can be very informative about what candidates for President are up to themselves, in geekland.

Randy Shiner



McCain ad uses Medal of Honor score

Electronic Arts' Medal of Honor series has always been noted for its sound design, from authentically reproduced gunshots to rousingly epic scores. Republican John McCain apparently hopes the music from the series will help rouse the electorate, as the presidential candidate used a selection from Medal of Honor: European Assault in a recent campaign ad, as reported by GamePolitics.

The spot emphasizes McCain's history of military service--along with his five years as a Vietnamese prisoner of war--as evidence that he knows about the human cost of war. McCain states that, "Only a fool or a fraud talks tough or romantically about war," while a piece of music titled "Casualties of War" plays in the background.

The composer of that piece, Christopher Lennertz, has taken exception to the use of his music for a political ad. While he told GamePolitics that McCain's use of the music wasn't illegal, he still didn't approve of it.

"I am dismayed that my music has been used to promote his platform and even more disappointed that a candidate who claims to be the best voice for American entrepreneurs and business owners in this troubled economy so flagrantly ignored the most basic values and tenents of copyright and intellectual property," Lennertz said in a statement to Game Politics. "What, I ask, does such an action or oversight say about Mr. McCain's regard for the intrinsic value of American products, services, or creations? Where does the line get drawn? Is it reasonable to use my music to sell tobacco, alcohol, or pornographic materials? Is it reasonable to use it to promote a religion in which I do not believe? Is it legal?...yes, perhaps, is it ethical?...I don't believe so. Is it American?...definitely not by my standards. ... As an artist, business owner, and patriot, I proudly support Senator Barack Obama for the Presidency of the United States of America."

Representatives from Electronic Arts were unable to comment as of press time.

By Polybren -- GameSpot
Posted Jun 20, 2008 9:30 am GMT
Copyright ©2007 CNET Networks, Inc. All Rights Reserved.