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$57M Health Care Battle Infects Airwaves

Groups spend $57M on tough TV ads

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 15, 2009 4:51 PM CDT

(Newser) – A popular ad blasting President Obama’s health care effort symbolizes the overhaul with a bulging balloon: Eventually, the balloon bursts, as could Obama’s ambitious plan if the White House loses a fierce TV ad war against critics, Katharine Q. Seelye writes in the New York Times. So far pro-Obama groups are outspending rivals by $15 million in a battle that has cost both sides more than $57 million since February.

The White House acknowledges support for Obama is eroding, partly because of skeptical Democrats and misleading ads. In an unusual strategy, the DNC has paid for commercials pushing Democratic senators to approve a public health plan. Big Pharma is pitching in by resurrecting "Harry and Louise," who opposed health reform 15 years ago but now support it. “If it goes on all year, we’re looking at one of the biggest public policy ad wars ever," one analyst says.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Protestors hold signs at a rally in Burlington, Vt., Tuesday, March 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

A man holds a sign as President Barack Obama's motorcade heads to a town hall on health care reform, Wednesday, July 29, 2009, near a supermarket in Bristol, Va. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

A screen-capture from an advertisement in the nation's health care battle. (YouTube)

(YouTube)

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One TV ad uses a balloon to symbolize the supposed threats posed by President Obama's health care reform plan. (YouTube)

"Harry and Louise Returns" is a remake of the Harry and Louise ads that played a large role in derailing health care reform efforts in 1992. (YouTube)

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Opponents are trying to cement the notion that this is all about government-run health care, while supporters want to cement the notion that this is about fixing a badly broken system.
- Geoff Garin, Democratic pollster

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 8 comments

cornelison

Aug 16, 2009 3:39 AM CDT

Bravo!! You see the big picture that the opposition doesn't want us to see! The economy lives & dies on the middle class. With Obama's plan they will pay less for health coverage. It will free o up money so that they can pay off their debts & spend money to stimulate the economy. It's also a win-win for my investments in America!

Timinator2K

Aug 16, 2009 2:28 AM CDT

"When did this quit being about health care reform..." Its NEVER been about health care...its all about CONTROL of your life and controlling what's left of your freedoms...it just happens to start with this issue. Its about a nefarious agenda, not reform.

AdaptAndOvercome

Aug 16, 2009 1:37 AM CDT

GOP---Greed and scare tactics at their best. But, it's those fools who buy into the lies and fear tactics that hold more blame than anyone, because they are too stupid to find out the facts for themselves. SHAME ON THEM.

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Politics • Health

health care • Barack Obama • conservative • political activism • health care reform • tv ads

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$57M Health Care Battle Infects Airwaves