American Action Network likens Virginia Democrat to heavy backpack

Introduction

The Republican-affiliated American Action Network has unleashed a 30-second ad against freshman Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly, who represents the liberal-leaning Virginia suburbs outside Washington, D.C., for his votes on the economic stimulus and health care reform bills.

The American Action Network, a tax-exempt 501©(4) group, was previously highlighted byYou Report: Election 2010 for an ad targeting Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state. The conservative group, led by Republican and ex-Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota, reported to the Federal Elections Commission that it spent $850,000 on the Connolly ad.

With a photo of Connolly in the lower right corner of the screen, the ad shows children trudging off to school, weighed down by gigantic backpacks. A female narrator claims that Connolly “loaded our kids up with nearly $800 billion in wasteful stimulus spending” and “a trillion more for Pelosi’s healthcare takeover.” After reminding viewers of the $14 trillion national debt, the ad urges them to call Connolly’s congressional office and ask him to back a Republican bill that would cut all non-security federal spending by five percent.

American Action Network is using the same advertising footage to oppose other Democrats and spent $185,000 to attack Rep. Tom Perriello of Virginia and $175,000 on a similar ad against Rep. Tim Walz of Minnesota.

Ad Title: “Backpack”

Paid for By: American Action Network

Cost: $850,000

Disclaimer: Paid for by American Action Network. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. The American Action Network is responsible for the content of this advertising. americanactionnetwork.org