Freedom's Watch Launches Robocalls Against Dems

The conservative advocacy group Freedom’s Watch is launching a significant robo-call blitz into vulnerable Democrats’ districts this Memorial Day recess, featuring a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom accusing Congress of putting “its vacation ahead of the needs of our soldiers.”

“Hello, I’m Corporal Mathew Hayden; I’m a veteran of Afghanistan. Congress this week passed resolutions honoring a college basketball team, Arnold Palmer and Frank Sinatra…but went home for Memorial Day without funding our troops,” the narrator on phone call says.

“So while Congress is on vacation, funding for the troops is in question. Worse, their paychecks are in jeopardy too. As a veteran, I don’t want to see my buddies hurt because Congress put its vacation ahead of the needs of our soldiers. Call Congressman [name] at [number], and tell him to honor the troops on Memorial Day by paying them.”

The ad is targeting about two-dozen Democrats, many of them freshmen facing competitive re-election bids. Among the targets: Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Reps. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), Bob Filner (D-Calif.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Melissa Bean (D-Ill.), Don Cazayoux (D-La.), Travis Childers (D-Miss.), Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.), Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Joe Sestak (D-Pa.), Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.), Chris Carney (D-Pa.), John Murtha (D-Pa.), and Nick Lampson (D-Tex.)

Last week, the House voted against legislation funding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for the first time. 132 House Republicans, including Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio), voted “present” during the recent House vote on Iraq and Afghanistan funding to protest against domestic-spending items inserted in the legislation, which helped led to the defeat of the measure.

For its part, The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is airing radio ads during the recess targeting six vulnerable Republican members -- and against Minority Leader John Boehner -- for “turning [their] backs on the troops.”