Chamber of Commerce Senate Campaign Heats Up

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce unleashed a slew of new TV ads in key Senate races this week, part of a $20 million-plus campaign to protect congressional incumbents and elect candidates who are pro-business.

Though the Chamber supports some Democrats, all of the ads this week go the other way. The only Democratic senator who seems to be in real jeopardy, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, doesn't get any TV help from the Chamber, at least in this round.

The Chamber has two new ads in New Hampshire. One of them tags Democrat Jeanne Shaheen as a "taxing machine" (it rhymes with her name). The other ad praises incumbent John Sununu, the Republican, for his record on health care.

Likewise, in Minnesota, a Chamber ad ridicules Democratic challenger Al Franken for wanting to raise taxes while not paying some of his own. Another lauds Republican incumbent Norm Coleman for "working to keep the government out of your medical decisions."

Two more ads, one supporting Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and another promoting Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), compliment the Republicans for opposing government interference in health care. It's an interesting tack, since Democrats think health care (and government involvement therein) will be a winner for them.

Look for more Chamber ads down the road...

-- Will Evans

UPDATE: Here's the Al Franken ad...

1:35 PM ET | 08-28-2008 | permalink

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