Is That Really Morgan Freeman In a New GOP Ad?

The idea may sound absurd: Morgan Freeman narrating an attack ad for a GOP congressional hopeful. But according to the candidate, that idea could be closer to reality than you think.

In a new ad for B.J. Lawson in North Carolina's fourth district, constituents can hear the voice of someone sounding like Academy Award-nominated actor Morgan Freeman attacking incumbent David Price's ability to connect with voters. "He's forgotten the values that make this country great," the characteristic Freeman voice says, as the text "He's fallen out of touch" appears on the screen.

To the naked ear, the narrator and Freeman are one. But the idea that Freeman would sign on to the project is puzzling. In 2007 he endorsed Barack Obama for president, likening him to JFK. In January 2009 he even wrote a fundraising e-mail for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, imploring readers to support Democratic candidates.

“The DSCC has already begun the crucial work of recruiting the best candidates to make sure President Obama has strong Senate support throughout his first term,” Freeman said in the e-mail. “Starting strong today is essential to victory on Election Day. And they need our support now to do it right.”

So it comes as no surprise that Lawson's supporters were skeptical. On his Facebook page, they questioned if it was really Freeman in the ad.

"So it actually is Morgan Freeman?!?" wrote Gloria. Matthew added, "I don't really think its Morgan Freeman, but it sure sounds really close."

That skepticism is even more understandable considering the controversy surrounding another GOP ad earlier this month. In Wisconsin, an ad ran supporting the GOP's gubernatorial candidate, and the narrator was a dead ringer for Freeman. Yet later it was revealed the narrator was only a Freeman imitator (which the candidate's campaign says was pure coincidence):

So does Lawson's ad feature the real Morgan Freeman. According to Lawson, yes:

The video Lawson refers to is below. Can you tell the difference between the real and the fake?: