Ads target House, Senate GOP on stimulus

Two powerhouse Democratic organizations are once again targeting Republican members of Congress with radio ads urging them to back the stimulus package that could emerge from a House-Senate conference committee as early as Wednesday.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and Americans United for Change will launch the spots in 18 House districts, as well as three states represented by GOP senators who voted against the Senate version of the stimulus.

{mosads}Every Senate vote is critical, as the stimulus won just 61 votes, barely enough to clear procedural hurdles. Sens. George Voinovich (R-Ohio), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and John Ensign (R-Nev.) will hear the spots in their home states.

The ads also target one Democrat, fiscal hawk Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), who voted against the bill in the House.

“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 a version of the ad targeting the perennially vulnerable Washington State Republican.

“The first time around, Congressman Reichert voted against President Obama’s jobs plan. But every day since 20,000 Americans have lost their jobs,” the narrator says.

The advertising will run against a few frequent Democratic targets like Reps. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Jim Gerlach (R-Penn.) and Charlie Dent (R-Penn.), as well as several representatives who have not seen significant challenges lately, like Reps. Michael Turner (R-Ohio), Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio), Todd Platts (R-Penn.), Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.).

Several freshmen members of Congress will be on the receiving end as well, including Reps. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Fleming (R-La.) and Brett Guthrie (R-Ken.).

AFSCME and Americans United will spend a total of $200,000 on the advertising, aimed at giving the final bill a bipartisan flavor after every House Republican and all but three Senate Republicans voted against the measure.

After working late into the night, conferees could have a package ready as early as Wednesday, according to media reports.