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Interest Groups Rejoining the Fray

As campaign's tones get harsher, parties step up sniping from left and right

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Sep 16, 2008 7:01 PM CDT

(Newser) – As Barack Obama and John McCain drop niceties for harsh politicking, interest groups are seeing a thumbs-up from the candidates to bombard Americans with millions in provocative TV, mail, and Web ads. Groups including unions, MoveOn, the Minutemen, and pro-life BornAliveTruth are planning ads, the New York Times reports, including ones that link McCain to lobbyists and Obama to a ‘60s radical.

Obama and McCain are accusing each other of propping up the propaganda, still a nascent effort compared to the $75 million spent on TV ads by this point in 2004. But new campaign rules will let the ads run until Nov. 4, boosting their influence. “The closer you are to Election Day the more disruptive you are,” says one analyst.

A billboard placed by the Union of Concerned Scientists tells John McCain to pay attention to the nuclear threat.
A billboard placed by the Union of Concerned Scientists tells John McCain to pay attention to the nuclear threat.   (AP Photo)
McCain holds up a copy of a newspaper ad by the liberal group MoveOn criticizing David Petraeus. MoveOn plan to release ads linking McCain to lobbyists this week.
McCain holds up a copy of a newspaper ad by the liberal group MoveOn criticizing David Petraeus. MoveOn plan to release ads linking McCain to lobbyists this week.   (AP Photo)
As the campaigns become harsher, interest groups have taken a cue to step in.
As the campaigns become harsher, interest groups have taken a cue to step in.   (AP Photo/Clinton Campaign)
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