(Ben Nelson) Ads by Democratic Senator May Open Door to New Tactics

[alp227]

Source: NY Times

A new series of political advertisements on behalf of an embattled Nebraska senator could open the door to a flood of similar ads financed by outside groups and even businesses working directly with political candidates — a sharp departure from past practice.

The ads are innocuous enough on their face: Senator Ben Nelson, a Nebraska Democrat up for re-election next year, is featured on television and radio commercials discussing Social Security, the national debt, war veterans and other hot-button issues. What is remarkable, campaign finance lawyers and political operatives say, is that the ads were produced and paid for by Democratic Party officials in Nebraska and Washington — with the senator’s close involvement as their star.

Federal campaign rules restrict politicians from “coordinating” their advertisements with outside groups except under certain circumstances. Politicians — worried about tripping over the legal restrictions — have usually shied away from working directly with outside groups on ads. Instead, “issue” ads paid for by outside groups will typically hit on broad themes without focusing so squarely on a single lawmaker.

The Nebraska ads, which have cost Democrats more than $600,000 to run so far, could change that practice in a way that has wide implications for the 2012 elections, when 33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats will be up for grabs.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/us/politics/ben-nelsons-campaign-ads-may-break-new-ground.html

[Mz Pip]

1. I wish the Democrats would

put in that kind of money to defeat Eric Cantor or John Boehner.

I get it that the Democrats don't want to lose seats but Nelson couldn't even vote "Yes" to bring the jobs bill to the Seante to be discussed and ammended. This almost seems like rewarding him.

[MrSlayer]

2. They should be using that money for his primary opponent.

Because Nelson is not a Democrat.

[glinda]

4. You have that right.

[So Shall Us]

8. DINO was fun in The Flintstones

Not here.

[LiberalAndProud]

3. That's money wasted.

Dave Heineman will replace Ben Nelson. I don't even have to polish my crystal ball to be certain of that, that is if the optical scan count is left untampered.

[FreeBillClinton]

5. Democrats using their funds to elect Republicans with Ds next to their name.

I guess if you needed more proof that the Democratic party is broken, here it is.

[JoeyT]

6. This should answer the people demanding we be angry with

the blue dogs that voted to kill the jobs bill. Why bother when the party is going to support them anyway? All attacking them will do is lead to more "Some in my party" moments.

[MFrohike]

7. My wish

I wish that money was used to end practices like this. I don't care for Ben Nelson, but cleverness like this only serves the donors.