However, before I continue about the ad, I think it is appropriate to at least give a little background. On their website, the Right To Life Pac explanation begins with:

"As in all elections and with all endorsements, come many questions. Following is background and information to aid those with questions.

    In each election cycle, the Right to Life of Michigan Political Action Committee through an established set of criteria has the responsibility of making endorsements for public office. We work toward the day that all candidates in both political parties meet our criteria for endorsement. Unfortunately that day is not the reality of today's political landscape.

    Every candidate campaign has its own set of unique circumstances and the RLM-PAC must work within those circumstances and realities. This year's primary race for governor is no exception. In the Democrat primary for governor, neither candidate is prolife by our established standards. In the Republican primary for governor, the RLM-PAC was faced with a different situation. Four of the five candidates who filed for the election had been endorsed by the RLM-PAC in past elections - Mike Bouchard, Mike Cox, Tom George and Pete Hoekstra. The fifth candidate, Rick Snyder, had no past association with the RLM-PAC.

    The RLM-PAC by-laws call for any candidate to complete a questionnaire and be interviewed by a committee, in the case of the candidate for governor by the state board of the RLM-PAC. Four of the candidates completed those requirements. Rick Snyder refused to fill out a questionnaire and refused to meet with the RLM-PAC state board, which is composed of volunteers from throughout the state.

    Through his public statements and public records, it was soon apparent why candidate Snyder refused to go through the RLM-PAC process. He knew that because of his public record of financially supporting human embryonic stem cell research and his public statements regarding his exceptions to protecting innocent human life, that he would not meet criteria for endorsement. "

They begin with an explanation that essentially sets up that they must say to Hoekstra, George, and Bouchard "sorry guys, its not you.. but a situation regarding one of your 'Republican' Counterparts has put us in a corner how we must respond."  In other words, though they might normally approve of the three, it is the reality on the ground that an unusual situation has arisen that moves them to a single endorsement.

Snyder created an environment within the Republican selection process that could not be ignored:

   

"The RLM-PAC's by-laws require that when there is a multi-candidate race with several credible and electable prolife candidates and one or more electable non-prolife candidate, that a choice for endorsement must be made. The reason: to attempt to unify the prolife vote so it does not splinter thus allowing the candidate who will not care about the life issues being elected. This year's Republican gubernatorial primary met those requirements."

Huh.. go figure.  By-Laws that actually make sense..  A considered approach to the effects of a multiple candidate race and how it might affect the outcome in favor of one who would be hostile to their cause.  This explains the Radio ad content which has as its core message, and ACTUAL CONTENT:

   "A Split Vote between Cox and Hoekstra would mean a sure victory for PRO-Abort Rick Snyder"

Indeed..  Especially given the fact Snyder is willing to actively pursue DEMOCRATS to work the other side of the sheet in this election cycle.  Having hit his maximum RINO 20%, he realizes he needs to bump a couple points and balance the Cox and Hoekstra (presumably the two front runners) votes with each other, and assuming a small base that will stick with Bouchard, he might be able to win with very few votes to spare.

The ad also addresses the fact it will only require a couple of points to determine the winner of this contest.  I would say that the Snyder Nerd camp has already broken out their protractors months ago, and when they saw a spike in the lead of Cox over Hoekstra, it was to the defense of Hoekstra in a televised ad by Snyder that balanced it back out.  An ad that had NO redeeming value to Snyder other than to show he wanted Cox to play nice with his good friend Pete.

A move motivated by one reality, but NOT truly that in defense of a "friend."  IMO, Pete's a good and decent man, but he means nothing to Rick.  Nothing.

RTL recognizes it, and Snyder recognizes it..  Snyder CANNOT win on his own merit.  He must divide the rest to make the bar lower.  Breaking the opposition into smaller parts is the ONLY way for his candidacy to advance.  He has reached his peak support, and he must attain a handicap of sorts to make his maxed out (but normally low) numbers work.