As Congress approaches the August recess with health care legislation still in flux, progressive groups are making an early push to target wavering Senate Democrats.
On Friday morning, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, in alliance with Democracy for America., unveiled a new television ad attacking Sen. Ben Nelson, (D-Neb.) for slowing down the reform process. Narrated by a local Nebraska businessman, the spot relies on the same type of highly personalized testimony of health care struggle that has become a dominant theme for reform proponents.

As Congress approaches the August recess with health care legislation still in flux, progressive groups are making an early push to target wavering Senate Democrats.

On Friday morning, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, in alliance with Democracy for America., unveiled a new television ad attacking Sen. Ben Nelson, (D-Neb.) for slowing down the reform process. Narrated by a local Nebraska businessman, the spot relies on the same type of highly personalized testimony of health care struggle that has become a dominant theme for reform proponents.
"Last week my health insurance agent called. He told me my rates were going to go up 42 percent from last year. I can't afford that. I told him I may have to cancel the coverage. I'm just going to pray my kids don't get sick," says Mike Snider, a restaurant owner from Ralston, Nebraska. "Now I hear that Ben Nelson, the Senator that I voted for is leading the charge to delay health reform this summer. That is exactly what they [the health and insurance companies] want...."
PCCC officials say the minute-long ad, one of many run against Nelson over the last few months, will start running this weekend and will air at least 50 times in Washington D.C. and 200 times in Nebraska by next Wednesday. The ad purchase could very well portend a far more politically active and entertaining August than any in recent memory.