Conservative Group -- Progress for America Voter Fund -- Runs Pro-Iraq War Misinformation/Propaganda TV Ad Campaign

The Progress for America Voter Fund has joined the political fight over the Iraq war, broadcasting provocative television ads in MN this week and preparing to set up state-based advocacy affiliates premised on changing public opinion about Iraq before the '06 midterms.

The conservative group, which spent $14M to broadcast "Ashley's Ad" at the height of the '04 campaign, has purchased several hundred thousand dollars worth of ads in MN.

"Support for the troops is near universal - bipartisan, if indeed, nonpartisan. It's support for the policy that presents partisan divides that already are part of the dialogue and debate moving into the November elections."

John Rash
teaches a mass media and politics course at the University of Minnesota
---

"They are really swimming upstream against a tide. Every number I've seen in the last six months shows at best 40 percent of the public agrees with the message of this ad. Everyone else is looking for an exit strategy."

Marty Kaplan
associate dean at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for CommunicationRegardless of the aim
---

"How dare they run an ad like this. Every day I have to cry when I hear another one has been killed. It's so needless. It's useless."
Lila Angell
Grandmother of Lance Cpl. Levi Angell of Cloquet, Minn., who was killed in April 2004 in a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Iraq.

READ MORE:
National Journal Hotline
San Jose Mercury