Liberal Groups Launch Climate Bill Ad Blitz
While health care reform has taken center stage in Washington, the fierce fight over climate change legislation continues this week with more than $1 million in new attack ads launched today, Politico reports.
Four liberal groups -- the League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, MoveOn.org and Americans United for Change -- are running ads against five House Republicans who voted against the American Clean Energy and Security Act in June, to send the message that there is a political cost to opposing the measure.
The ads target Reps. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.), Denny Rehberg (R- Mont.), Roy Blunt (R- Mo.), Frank Wolf (R-Va.) and House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.). They blast the congressmen for voting "'No' to the jobs we really need" in favor of supporting "big oil and energy interests."
While they attack the House members, the ads are running in states with moderate Senate Democrats who could be sympathetic to industries that oppose the legislation. Democrats in the Senate intend to address climate change next month.
Meanwhile, a progressive religious advocacy group is running radio ads to thank congressmen who voted in favor of the House bill.
The American Values Network on Monday announced the launch a local pastor "thank you" campaign, which is part of its half a million-dollar media campaign that brings faith and military leaders together to focus on the moral and national security implications of climate change.
The first of the new ads, "A Spirit of Power," will run throughout central Virginia on Christian, country and talk radio stations. In the ad, local pastor Rev. Neal Halvorson-Taylor thanks Democratic Rep. Tom Perriello for his vote for the legislation.
"Tom knew the big energy companies were spending millions of dollars attacking those who voted for the landmark climate bill," Halvorson-Taylor says. "But he also knew the bill would be good for Virginia and America. The climate bill will create good American jobs in our district, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and protect God's creation for our children."
Opponents of climate change legislation have remained aggressive over the summer as well. One lobbyist group has admitted to going so far as to send fake letters to congressmen, alleging to be from local nonprofit organizations in protest of climate change legislation.