If you ever wondered how those “let’s stay the course of the war” ads starting popping up on local television and radio at just about the time the national debate was re-focused in Washington, the Swami knows and reveals …
They’re heart-rending and emotional stories from war-injured veterans and moms of soldiers all pleading not to “surrender” in Iraq. And they’ve saturated the media market in a million dollar campaign.
Swami has been informed through the media apparatus for the Dan Seals’ congressional campaign (actually, Swami just got the email like everybody else) that this operation (called Freedom's Watch) is headed by Ari Fleischer, the former Official White House mouthpiece, who we are sure has absolutely, positively, without a doubt no connection with the Republican War Machine. They've NEVER EVEN HEARD of him at the White House. (Anyone else but the Swami catch the faint but distinct odor of Carl Rove wafting through the air?)
The Swami has been told he’s a little too trusting in the motives of others.
On the other hand, we also have been told it appears as though these ads are running mostly in districts where pro-war, or sort-of-pro war congresspeoples (like Mark Kirk here in Lake County) are facing heavy sledding and need a little protection from above. That sounds suspiciously like a campaign strategy for which Kirk can get a little boost without having to announce he agrees with the message.
The following information come from Seals who says the info is publicly available from the local media stations pertaining to the Freedom's Watch Chicago media market advertising buy. It not only reveals how wide the media buy is locally, but for those who have no idea what it costs to advertise politically, it's a good primer.
Freedom's Watch Chicago Buy Info (9/6/07)
Station Flight dates Size of buy Estimated Points*
TELEVISION
WBBM-TV 8/27 - 9/23 $92,000/20 Share 153
WFLD-TV 8/22 - 9/23 $250,000/2 Share/Evening News 417
WGN-TV 8/27 - 9/09 $40,000 67
WLS-TV 8/27 - 9/23 $275,000/early morning, early, late, 11am, wheel 458
WMAQ-TV 8/27 - 9/23 $74,900/(think their share will be less than usual) 125
Comcast Spotlight 8/29 - 9/23 ~$50,000/(won't know share until after the fact) 83
Total Television $781,900 1,303
RADIO
WGN-AM Through end of Sept $70,500 353
WBBM-AM Through end of Sept $70,500 353
Total Radio $141,000 706
Grand Total $922,900
This information is based on continual outreach to stations. It is subject to change and to interpretation.
*Cost per point for TV estimated at $600 Cost per point for Radio estimated at $200
Even more interesting than the mass of money that has been spent trying to convince Americans not to quit in Iraq, is the massive discount that MoveOn.org received to run its full page ad in the New York Times asking if it was "General Petraeus or General Betray-Us?" Normally, a full page ad in the NYT runs between $167,000 and $181,000. But MoveOn.org paid only $65,000. How do I find such bargains?
Of course, they were only preparing the ground form Hillary Clinton to claim that the General's report "required the willing suspension of disbelief".
That is how the American Left "Supports the Troops", whether they wear stripes, bars, of stars - by calling them liars.