Conservative Groups Load Up For Major Anti-Health Care Ad Push
Sam Stein // The Huffington PostDecember 11, 2009
A host of conservative groups are ramping up their efforts to derail health care reform in Congress, spending more than $3.91 million for a fresh wave of ad buys in key states, according to data provided by a Democratic ad tracker.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is leading the charge. The pro-business group is devoting an estimated $2.78 million dollars on ads over the next week. This includes more than $235,000 for spots to air in Connecticut, more than $540,000 in spots airing in Louisiana, $234,000 in spots airing in Maine, and more than $244,000 in spots airing in Arkansas. The group is even targeting predominantly conservative Alaska, with an ad purchase totaling more than $86,000.
All told, the money represents an ad-buy escalation. One week prior, the Chamber spent roughly $480,000 less ($2.3 million total) on ads.
The Chamber isn't alone. Employment Policies Institute, another pro-business group run by non-profit front man Rick Berman, is also placing an estimated $500,000 worth of ads in a variety of key states. Starting on December 14 and extending to December 20, the group is making the following purchases, according to the Democratic source.
Arkansas: $96,130
Connecticut: $101,650
Louisiana: $89,785
Maine: $77,420
North Dakota: $70,520
Nebraska: $81,670
Ohio: $7,330
Finally, the senior-citizens issue group, 60-Plus-Association, is pouring an estimated $637,000 into ads running in Nebraska and Virginia starting on December 12 and extending to the 18th.
Combined, the expenditures represent a remarkably hefty sum of money, certainly when considering how long the health care debate has already lasted and how draining it has been on the resources of all groups involved. Health care reform opponents are already outpacing proponents when it comes to television purchases -- these buys seems likely to expand the margin.
Richard Berman has been a regular front man for business and industry in campaigns against consumer safety and environmental groups. Through his public affairs firm, Berman and Company, Berman has fought unions, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, PETA and other watchdog groups in their efforts to raise awareness about obesity, the minimum wage, the dangers of smoking, mad cow disease, drunk driving, and other causes. Berman runs at least 15 industry-funded front groups and projects, such as the Center for Union Facts and holds 16 "positions" in those organizations.
Each year, Berman, using his front groups to spread misinformation, spends millions of dollars distracting the public with misleading ads.
As a result of his largesse, in 2006, Richard Berman used $2,000,000 in cash to buy this $3.3 million house.
