New Anti-Lieberman Ad Gets Personal About Public Option

A new ad campaign targeting Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) for opposing a public health insurance plan gets personal. Its main message: "It's not about you. It's all about Joe."

It even has a new website: AllAboutJoe.org.

The ad is narrated by John Mertens, a Trinity College professor, longshot candidate for senate, and chair of the now-facetiously named Connecticut for Lieberman Party. (Motto: "Not the other way around.")

The spot was put together by the liberal action group, Progressive Change Campaign Committee. Like earlier PCCC ads targeting wavering Democrats, this one plays off the support a government-run insurance plan has within that senator's home state. But this one is unusually personal, accusing Lieberman of operating out of self-interest in saying he'd filibuster a public plan.

"Joe never forgets who he ran to represent: himself," says Merten. "So Joe has a message for Democrats and all the voters who want him to support the public option. It's not about you. It's all about Joe."

The Connecticut for Lieberman Party has moved far away from the point of its conception in 2006, when it was started as a way to enable Lieberman to run for senate even if he lost the Democratic primary election (which he did.) The group has since been taken over by progressives, many of whom have expressed bitterness to the Democrat turned Independent.

The ad, according to Adam Green, co-founder of PCCC, will be airing in both Connecticut and D.C. with the group putting $40,000 behind its purchase and fundraising for an additional $60,000 more.