These ads are on CNN here in NM, too.....
Alito Backers Target Ark., Neb.
By Paul Kane
Roll Call Staff
November 3, 2005
A close White House ally is focusing its energies in the backyards
of a trio of Senate Democrats from conservative-leaning states
with an ad campaign beginning today in Nebraska and Arkansas
in support of Judge Samuel Alito's Supreme Court nomination.
Progress for America, a conservative group closely tied to the
Bush administration, expands its ad campaign today to include
spots aimed at swaying uncommitted Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.),
Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) — all three of
whom voted in favor of Chief Justice John Roberts' confirmation.
snip
The launch of the group's ads — the first time the PFA has
done an extensive TV campaign targeting individual Senators,
as opposed to the large national cable buys meant to influence
the two previous nominations — is also designed to coincide
with today's meeting of the "Gang of 14." That group of seven
Republicans and seven Democrats came together last spring on
a pact that averted the showdown on Majority Leader Bill Frist's
(R-Tenn.) effort to end judicial filibusters through a unilateral,
partisan vote on chamber procedures.
This has made it increasingly likely that, barring unforeseen
revelations, he will have at least the minimum number of votes
to win confirmation, putting the heat on Democrats in the gang
and those from other conservative states. Those Senators could
face an immense amount of pressure from liberal Democrats in
their Caucus, as well as their outside activist allies, to endorse a
filibuster of Alito.
snip
Nelson met with Alito on Wednesday, after which he offered
generally warm reviews of the judge from the 3rd U.S. Circuit
Court of Appeals. Pryor is slated to sit down with Alito this
afternoon. The White House called both Senators in advance
and asked that they meet with Alito, a sign of how much the
administration wants to solidify support from moderate
Democrats early in the process.
snip
But the PFA, which raised an initial $18 million last spring and
summer for the Supreme Court battles, stands ready to expand
the ad campaign into other states with Democrats who were
backers of Roberts. While Boulanger declined to say what the
total budget is for the Alito fight — less than half of the $18
million was spent on Roberts and not too much more on the
now-rescinded selection of Harriet Miers — the group is
prepared to go toe-to-toe with liberal groups financially.
MOre
http://www.rollcall.com/issues/51_46/news/11107-1.html
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