Premium ContentMouse over Home then click on Premium Content for information.A conservative group is trying to put pressure on Democratic U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson to oppose raising the debt ceiling without significant spending cuts.
The national group, Concerned Women for America, have purchased television time in Nebraska and three other states, where they will run an advertisement criticizing Congress' "spending addiction."
The ad is a parody of a typical drug commercial. In it, a so-called miracle drug called "Spenditol" has been invented in Washington, D.C., to cure the nation's debt problem. The ad then lists the side effects of the drug, including "a mountain of debt."
Penny Nance, president of the group, said Nebraska was chosen because they wanted to influence Nelson.
"Ben Nelson is up for re-election, and we think he'll be open to hearing from our members, more than ever before," said Nance.
The group not only supports deep spending cuts, but it opposes any tax hikes to offset the cuts or balance the budget.
The advertisement will run for a week in the Omaha and Lincoln markets. The group purchased about $174,000 in air time.
Nelson declined to comment on the commercial. But he has said he is focused on ensuring that both Social Security and Medicare are protected in any budget compromise.
Contact the writer: 402-444-1309, robynn.tysver@owh.com
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