Obama as a Russian double-agent? Karl Rove-linked group releases controversial ad

In a James Bond-style montage mocking the Democrat's open-mic gaffe this week, a Karl Rove-linked independent group released a new video on Friday painting President Barack Obama as a double agent for Russia out to weaken America's national security.

President Barack Obama stars as "President Flexible." Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is "Dr. Transmitkov," a cross between the James Bond super-villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld, white cat and all, and the Blofeld-inspired "Dr Evil" parody from the "Austin Powers" franchise. Incoming Russian president Vladimir Putin, shown shirtless on horseback, gets billed as "himself."

"Operation Hot Mic" keeps the Bond imagery flowing through its short 1:21 running time, opening with what appears to be a military parade on Moscow's Red Square. Obama dons a tuxedo and later on a scene highlights his open-mic exchange with Medvedev (where Obama promised he would have "more flexibility" on missile defense after the election), with narration by a woman apparently imitating Dame Judi Dench's role as Bond's MI6 boss "M."

"Your mission is simple, Mr Obama: Win one last election to gain unchecked flexibility, weaken our defenses, and fundamentally transform the world," she says, amid shots of missiles and a lightning speed cameo by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Obama's open mic exchange is replayed three times in the ad.

The video, built by the independent Republican-aligned group "American Crossroads," closes with the warning: "America can't afford the risk."

More popular Yahoo! News stories:

• Gingrich cuts staff for lean march to convention

• Nancy Pelosi applauds Bobby Rush's 'courage' for wearing a hoodie on House floor

• Obama goads Congress to end tax breaks for large oil companies

Want more of our best political stories? Visit The Ticket or connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or add us on Tumblr. Handy with a camera? Join our Election 2012 Flickr group to submit your photos of the campaign in action.