http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/us-chamber-sinks-big-money-into-ads-in-handful-of-key-states/U.S. Chamber Sinks Big Money Into Health Care Ads In Handful Of Key States
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is perhaps the most powerful and well-funded foe of much of President Obama’s governing agenda, just announced that it’s running a “multi-million-dollar” national ad campaign attacking the Dems’ health care reform proposals as “expanded government control of health care”.
I’ve obtained a detailed state-by-state breakdown of the first round of the Chamber’s ad spending from an ad buyer for labor unions, and it provides an interesting glimpse into this well-armed business group’s view of the health care battleground:
Indiana $429,105
Maine $156,345
Tennessee $89,985
Colorado $494,630
Arkansas $218,390
Kentucky $127,220
South Carolina $55,495
North Carolina $745,215
Ohio $20,000
Total:$2,336,385
Big money in this round of buying is concentrated in Indiana, Colorado, Arkansas, and North Carolina. It’s hard to know precisely who the targets are, but here are the key Dem lawmakers in these states:
Indiana: Senator Evan Bayh and key House Blue Dogs like Baron Hill and Joe Donnelly.
Colorado: Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall.
Arkansas: Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor.
North Carolina: Senator Kay Hagan and Blue Dog Heath Shuler.
The TV spot takes direct aim at the public option, showing a balloon being inflated until it bursts, as it attacks the public option and asks voters to call Congress. A script of the radio spot is here.
Anyway, the ad buying pattern of the Chamber — which didn’t immediately return an email for comment — offers a pretty reliable view of what this very powerful and flush foe sees as the main pressure points on the health care landscape right now.