WASHINGTON (CNN) – A coalition of unions, liberal interest groups and other organizations is providing air cover for 20 House Democrats who voted this past weekend in favor of the Democratic leadership's health care reform bill.
The umbrella group Health Care for America Now and one of its larger members, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, are spending $650,000 to run the ads for one week in each of the Democrats' congressional districts "thanking them for theirvote," said Jacki Schechner, spokeswoman for HCAN.
All but two of the Democrats were elected in 2006, 2008 or 2009 and several of them only won by slim margins. The two Democrats elected prior to 2006 included in this ad campaign are Rep. Tim Bishop of New York (2002) and Rep. Leonard Boswell of Iowa (1996). The National Republican Congressional Committee has already announced plans to target Democratic members over their vote in favor of the health care bill.
Schechner also said that another one of HCAN's members, Americans United for Change, will thank 10 more members in TV ads, bringing the total amount spent on this campaign to $1 million.
See the ad and the list of 20 Democrats.
View the ad here
List of the 20 Democrats in this campaign
· Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut
· Rep. Michael Arcuri of New York
· Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada
· Rep. Carol Shea-Porter of New Hampshire
· Rep. Mark Schauer of Michigan
· Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy of Ohio
· Rep. Debbie Halvorson of Illinois
· Rep. Bill Owens of New York
· Rep. Gary Peters of Michigan
· Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick of Arizona
· Rep. Bill Foster of Illinois
· Rep. Kurt Schrader of Oregon
· Rep. Harry Mitchell of Arizona
· Rep. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico
· Rep. Jerry McNerney of California
· Rep. Steve Kagen of Wisconsin
· Rep. John Hall of New York
· Rep. Dan Maffei of New York
· Rep. Timothy Bishop of New York
· Rep. Leonard Boswell of Iowa
HCAN's Jacki Schechner on the new ad campaign, the Lieberman filibuster threat and the Senate fight ahead:
Follow Mark Preston on Twitter: @prestoncnn
From CNN Politics
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$650,000 is a lot but I would've held out for more.
The special interest calvary is on the way to protect their congressional investments. Unfortunately I don't think it's going to do much good against the wrath of the american voters when they finally wake up and realize what a government take-over is going to do to their healthcare system and their economy.
How truly uninformed they are. I bet if the president told them to jump off a cliff they would gladly do it.
Excellent, they should get a thank you. Standing up for what is right isn't easy but has its own rewards in the end.
Come 2010 there will come a house cleaning. That they could pass a 2000+ page bill, by candle light behind closed doors spell back room deals between lawyers, health care companies and elected and trusted officials. SO tell us Pelosi, are you REALLY proud of this.
Owens campaigned in NY23 that he did not support the public option and within 1 hour of being sworn in he reversed and pledged support for it ... I hope WHIPLASH is covered by Blue Cross ...
After AARP endorse this bill still republicans talking about death panel that mean they don’t read news paper
Did they thank my children for the hidden 5% tax increase on their future earnings ? What will these Unions do for the future generations of Americans after they have satisfied their lustful greed for money and the need for saving their own hides ?
These Unions are nothing more than politicians at best.
They made promises they knew they couldn't keep.
They have thrown their own constituents under the bus to further their own agendas and wish to offload you onto a government run healthcare system.
They have driven business after business from existence or from our shores, all along blaming Corporate greed.
One union in particular yearns for more government so they can increase their membership roles
How long will you continue to believe them?
Nothing like a little payoff for pushing the liberal socialist agenda. Even thought most americans who think for themselves without Obamas help know that this health bill is wrong. Pay off the bobbleheads for their thinkless /blind following of Obama.
It sure would be nice if we could not have to spend money so foolishly. Then we could feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless! You know the teachings of that guy, Jesus, that all the patriots proclaim as their teacher! What a waste of resources mankind finds as he wastes so much money-his past time whille the poor suffer! Sik of this political crap. ABOLISH MONEY and take care of the world instead! Peace
They are TOAST in 2010. How dare they go against the will of the American people, especially in their own districts?
All groups controlled by corrupt unions I notice. That kind of gives me an idea of why this legislation exists and why these people are in office and how they stay there. Corrupt, liars and thieves. ACORN is controlled by the SEIU as is AARP. They smell of corruption. These are Obamas people. Obama, one and done.
Won't matter 2010 is coming, they should all say goodbye now and thank the American tax payer for the perpetual "service" payment they will receive in the mail each month from the end of their service. This Bill will hopefully die on the Senate floor, 2000 plus pages of more government bureaucracy. Just what America needs, failed Economy, Failed Social Security, Failed Medicare, Failed foreign policy, Failed Homeland Security, Failed Energy Bill all to go along with a failing society in whole.
PALIN 2012 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Democrats will destroy our country.
I can't seem to understand why Americans are so against taxes. The taxes we pay are what made and continue to make our country so great.
When you work for the people, we will get you re-elected.
The terrible healthcare bill that passed the house doesn't even reduce the costs of healthcare. Instead, it reflects the costs to the taxpayers. The bill fines companies and individuals that don't have the 'right kind' of insurance. (What 'right kind' we don't know–it hasn't been specified).
I was just taking care of a issue at a government agency. If healthcare turns out anything like that experience, those that crafted the bill should be tossed in jail.
Also, the president and ALL of congress need to be switched to the public option upon passage of the bill.
I commend the courageous and patriotic democrats who voted for the bill.
I can understand their attention to this. Conservatives – who have unlimited financial resources – will be on those local markets screaming lies about death panels, selling the USA to socialism, taking away our health care, government assassination squads killing our grandparents, Communism, "Why don't you go to Cuba where your kind belongs?", Obama's birth certificate, protecting our childrens' birthright, blah blah yadda yadda on and on.
Between determined Liberals and Hardshell Conservatives, there is a mushy middle of voters who bend with the wind like grass. They assume that where there is noise there must be a message. They are heavily influenced by advertising (even more than most Americans, which is saying a lot).
The list of elected officials who actually risked their jobs to vote for what they think is right for the country probably consists of pretty courageous people. I note that there are no Texans on the list, but Texas Congressmen are a pretty timid bunch for the most part.
Owens days are numbered no matter how many ads they run.
He's just another one of Pelosi's stooges.
How is the medical overhaul going to impact the Mason's / Shriners?
The majority of their fundraising comes from donations for free healthcare for children. And support of their hospitals worldwide.
I bet they are pushing hard behind the political scenes to stop the President and the Democratic party from passing healthcare legislation.
The childrens healthcare issue is one of their top reasons for gaining new membership.
Time to vote them out. Cross party lines.
You mean moveon.org supports the dems ultra-liberial agenda and the take over of private healthcare? What a shocker???
So the Unions who have wrecked U.S. manufacturing and keep teachers on the payroll who can't teach are for this bill. That should be enough to be against it.
The Lib. Dem's. and there Pres. are nothing but TAX and SPEND SOCIALIST who like hand outs rather than a hand up !!!! Just like there Heath Care we have to pay for people to have abortion and death panels for the old or dying. Not to mention Gov. Run Oh by the way Obama is spending allot that means higher TAXES for everybody and there is the highest unemployment in what 30 years !!!! Dem's = Taxes = lies = Socialism