Civil Rights Groups Target Dems On Health Care Reform

WASHINGTON — African-American, Latino and civil rights groups have launched an ad campaign aimed at pressuring moderate Democratic senators to support health care legislation that allows the government to sell insurance in competition with private industry.

The ads feature a recognizable civil rights symbol – a public bus – to send the group's message that "there needs to be room for all of us on the bus."

The ads began Monday on television, in print and online in English and Spanish in four states: Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina and Florida. They target three Democrats – Sens. Blanche Lincoln, Mary Landrieu and Kay Hagan – and one Republican, Sen. George LeMieux (leh-MYOO').

Money for the ads is being raised by PowerPAC. The groups plan to spend $250,000 to $500,000 on the ads.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) – African-American, Latino and civil rights groups have launched an ad campaign aimed at pressuring moderate Democratic senators to support health care legislation that allows the government to sell insurance in competition with private industry.

The ads feature a recognizable civil rights symbol – a public bus – to send the group's message that "there needs to be room for all of us on the bus."

The ads began Monday on television, in print and online in English and Spanish in four states: Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina and Florida. They target three Democrats – Sens. Blanche Lincoln, Mary Landrieu and Kay Hagan – and one Republican, Sen. George LeMieux (leh-MYOO').

Money for the ads is being raised by PowerPAC. The groups plan to spend $250,000 to $500,000 on the ads.

Comments

[Jerkyman]

If obama gets the public option where does someone go for a second opinion. Cuba

[LeeCalif]

Bluedogs = Turncoats

[Jerkyman]

Bluedogs = possibly sensible americans

[Dustee]

Blue Dogs = possibly ex congress critters.

[lazercat2008]

Make your tiny money count, go right after the blue dog states.

[Daniel Leyva]

I think it is a waste of time to try to lobby to republicans, since they dismiss even their own constituency on the besis of race alone.

I believe it is smart to go after the "blue dogs" so they can really work for the people.

Next step: Making sure that Latinos and African- Americans understand that a vote they cast for republicans is a wasted vote, it is a vote that will endanger them and their future.

[RRoadrunner]

Listen very, very carefully whenever the president or a spokeman for the president refers to the public option. There may be one and it might be smaller than any of us anticipated….

[zest]

The LGBT community should be out rallying for this too.

[Apov]

Everyone should be out working for single payer/public option.

[Daniel Leyva]

I agree 100% with you, if the repubicans had their way, this country wouldn't be very different from Iran or Afganistan. If repubicans had their way, they would be public hangings of Gays and Lesbians and civil liberties would be non existen...

[proudblackman]

uh oh. health care is r.acist now.

[Daniel Leyva]

it is always being... read the statistics.

[GUSTOV]

right on

if serious health care reform fails
put the blame squarely where it belongs

iow
it ain't the republicans fault.

[SteveDenver]

Most of the Democratic party is moderate and the blue dogs are right wing. We need a measuring compass for all of this activity so both parties know where they're leaning.

[joyce2]

Good for them we need that option out their even if their is an opt out for the states.It would have to be voted on I would think .I mean before a state could op0t out

[HalEBurton]

Su@k on this Rahmbo

[greygrey]

Until the Progressives organize a third party, we just have the dems. So, we have to shape it into a party for the people. How do we do that? Vote! We need to vote conserdems out and replace them with those who run on the President 's Progressive agenda. GOP is maginal. The dems are just fighting against themselves.

[Apov]

Perhaps we need to create the People/Citizens's party as a counter to the corporate beholden Republican and Democratic parties.

[wonketteRAWKS]

Good job! Keep up the pressure for a REAL PUBLIC OPTION! No triggers or coops!

[huff-fan]

There is momentum on the public option. See the story about Ben Nelson, and the story about President Obama "secretly" pushing for the public option.

[edwarvir]

If they can't help us, there is always the voting booth.
If Hagin doesn't vote for a public option, I won't hesitate
to right her off in the voting booth..