Aunt Bea Would Not Be Happy

Andy Griffith made a terrible P.R. mistake late in life - he cut an ad for Obamacare:

The Democratic pollster found that Griffith's approval rating has fallen 25 points since 2008. Griffith has been a closer for Democrats, an unimpeachable saintly figure who fills his rare political spots with folksy charm and obvious references to his role as a small-town North Carolina sheriff.

In July he cut an ad for the U.S. government promising "good things" to come from the Democratic-backed health care law. The ad prompted five Republican U.S. senators to accuse the Obama administration of using taxpayer money to bolster his policies.

And as the poll suggests, the ad may have tainted the Griffith brand.

"Clearly it's pushback from the president's health care plan," said Brad Crone, a Democratic consultant who is working with legislative candidates. "It's a good time to call up Barney Fife."

As Gomer Pyle would say:  "Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!"  Just don't get desperate and ask Barney for his bullet.