In New Ads, Liberal Groups Target GOP Over Stimulus
The labor-supported organization Americans United for Change and the AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) union this morning began running a national television advertisement attacking Republican leaders for their opposition to the stimulus bill.
"Our economy in crisis. Millions out of work. That's why 80 percent of Americans support a plan like President Obama's to create jobs. But Republican leaders? They're 'just saying no,'" a narrator says in the spot. "No to changing the failed economic policies of the past 8 years. We're in an economic crisis and Republican leaders are playing politics instead of doing what's right."
As The Hill reports, the groups are also launching radio ads "in 18 House districts, as well as three states represented by GOP senators who voted against the Senate version of the stimulus."
"Haven't you ever wished you had a second chance to do the right thing? Well this week, Congressman Dave Reichert has a second chance to get it right when it comes to our economic crisis," says one version of the radio spot.
House Minority Leader John Boehner, who appears in the ad, is responding Americans United for Change through a spokesperson, Antonia Ferrier, who emailed Politico's Ben Smith to say the group "doesn't seem to have gotten the memo from the President about changing the tone in Washington, insisting instead on making false accusations."
"I guess going after Republicans is how they are trying to steer attention away from pork-filled legislation that Democrats are unable to defend," added Ferrier.
Eric Cantor's office, meanwhile, has offered a profane video attacking AFSCME in response to the spot.
I'll let Politico's Glenn Thrush explain: "Eric Cantor's office is responding to the AFSCME/UAC ad blitz with a 1970's-vintage AFCSME public service announcement that's been redubbed with an Andrew Dice Clay-type voice over touting the union's accomplishments in "picking up your f------ garbage."
Watch it here, if the kids aren't in the room.
UPDATE: Emails Whip Office Press Secretary Brad Dayspring:
"I would like to apologize for a joke that was in no way an official response from Congressman Cantor, but instead an inappropriate email. I apologize to AFSCME for my inappropriate email containing an old video. Let me be clear, we know people are hurting in these trying times and House Republicans completely agree that we must pass an economic recovery bill that preserves, protects and create jobs for Americans facing these economic challenges."