Super Bowl Ad Opposes Iraq Troop Surge

(CBS)  By CBSNews.com's Jennifer Hoar

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If you were watching Super Bowl XLI in the Washington, D.C. area, Duluth, Minn., or Maine on Sunday night, you might have seen an ad that had nothing to do with chips, beer or Kevin Federline.

VoteVets.org, a political action committee that is part of the Americans Against Escalation in Iraq coalition, ran an ad in those television markets encouraging opposition to President Bush's proposed troop surge in Iraq.

The ads feature statements from several veterans, one of whom gesticulates with a semi-amputated arm, and concludes by exhorting residents to call their respective senators, John Warner, Norm Coleman, and Susan Collins – all Republicans – "to stop the escalation."

The thing is, all of these Senators are already against the escalation.

In fact, the Warner resolution that is currently on the docket, and is supported by a bipartisan group of senators, opposes the troop increase and ensures that funding for troops is not reduced.

"We're not certain why they ran the ad," Collins press secretary Jen Burita said.

Apparently, neither were some constituents. Burita said that Collins' Capitol Hill office received about half a dozen calls about the Vote Vets ad, four of them from people confused about its message.

"These are all members who are adamant" about preventing the troop increases, Burita said. "The members [constituents] who are calling are the ones agreeing" that the troop surge must be stopped.

A communications consultant for Vote Vets, who asked that his name not be used, explains that the organization fully supports the Warner resolution, but wanted to embolden Virginia, Minnesota and Maine constituents to express support to their senators.

"Especially with a threatened filibuster and [Senate Republican Leader] McConnell saying he has all Republicans on his side for one, it's important these senators know that their constituents want them to do the right thing," the consultant told CBSNews.com in an e-mail message.

Originally, Vote Vets urged support for the resolution co-authored by Sens. Joe Biden, D-Del., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb. However, that proposal to declare the president's troop increase "not in the national interest of the U.S." was killed last week, as CBS News was first to report.

The ads did not target constituents of Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham (both Republicans) because neither is likely to budge on the issue. After all, McCain, Graham and a cadre of other Senate Republicans support the Bush Administration plan to send an additional 21,500 American soldiers to Iraq.

Vote Vets spent $91,000 in the D.C. market, and considerably less in the other two, to air the "stop escalation" ad once during the game on Sunday. Both Vote Vets and MoveOn, a progressive political action committee, sent out e-mails recently to raise the money to air the ad during the Super Bowl and they had it within a day and a half, the group's consultant said.

By Jennifer Hoar

[lpoole5]

Troop surge will only continue "feeding the beast" of Bush's War Machine in Iraq. Bush & all the neo-con's plan all along was to "starve the beast" of governmental FDR-type social programs, like public education, etc.; the plan was to deliberately SPLURGE on a Spending Spree, of which the War in Iraq is a major part.
The fact is, Pres. Bush's War is actually making the World safe not for America -- but for Communist Red China -- our Economic & probably future Military rival. While WE are bogged down in Iraq, China tests a new Satellite Killer weapon, makes inroads in Africa, South & Central America, & buys up key natural resources around the globe. Al Qaeda & other Islamic extremist terrorist groups are PRAYING TO ALLAH that we will be DUMB enough to keep pouring in more Troops; MoveOn.Org is one of the ONLY independent voices we have left. The media have totally sold out, for the most part.

[mebrian1-2009]

I don't see this "selling off" of America crater7 refers to. Perhaps he can provide a point of reference(s) or event(s) that he is talking about. Of course, if he has only said this because he heard some 'talking head' say the same thing on TV then please add that bit of information to your post so everyone can understand where you are coming from. Why do people feel it is OK to make statements similar to this & not back it up with some sort of example or fact? Instead, like many other posts and even in the media, unfounded statements of OPINION are presented like truth, and those who are easily swayed or not fully engaged/educated in a debate will accept it as fact & repeat it as if it were fact. It is them, bluestarded, you should be looking out for. IMO, people are formulating opinions based more on emotion than fact & principle & that is irresponsible. So is choosing to not listen to opposing viewpoints & trying to understand them. Unfortunately, just as in Vietnam, it will be emotion that leads us to hasty decisions that will negatively affect countless lives. Just as in Vietnam, there will be bloodshed beyond what you see happening today, & just as in Vietnam, the brutality/oppression which will win over through force will be ignored & later denied by those that feel it more important to disagree with Bush & his administration, than do what is right for millions of people on the other side of the world & the interests of the US. Combat Vet, Desert Shield/Storm, USMC

[bluestardad]

Watch out guys and gals you will have to deal with these people next!@

Founded in 1953 by Isaiah L. "Si" Kenen, AIPAC's original name was the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs. According to UCLA political science professor and author, Steven Spiegel, "the tension between the Eisenhower administration and Israeli supporters was so acute that there were rumors (unfounded as it turned out) that the administration would investigate the American Zionist Council. Therefore, an independent lobbying committee was formed, which years later was renamed [AIPAC]." [SPIEGEL, p. 52].[citation needed] Today, AIPAC has over 100,000 members.[1]
Activities and stated goals
AIPAC's stated purpose is to lobby the Congress of the United States on issues and legislation "to ensure that the U.S.-Israel relationship is strong so that both countries can work together" to meet the challenges of "stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, fighting terrorism and achieving peace".[2] It regularly meets with members of Congress and holds events where it can share its views. It also provides analysis of the voting records of U.S. federal representatives and senators with regard to how they voted on legislation related to Israel. AIPAC has been effective in gaining support for Israel among members of Congress and White House administrations.

[crater7]

WHY NOT RUN THESE ADS? THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION, IS SELLING OUR COUNTRY LITTLE BY LITTLE TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, SO, THE SUPER BOWL, CAN SELL AD SPACE TO WHO EVER, AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY THESE SPOTS, LIKE IRAQ, THIS A DEMOCRACY, AT LEAST FOR NOW.