Former Sen. Norm Coleman's new advocacy group, the American Action Network, jumped into the advertising scrum on Friday with two TV spots supporting Republican House members.
The Star Tribune reported this morning that Coleman's group plans to take advantage of the direct candidate advocacy allowed under this winter's Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling to support politicians through advertisements and other mediums.
Under Citizens United, groups like the Network can encourage people to vote for or against candidates in advertising, a step beyond advocating in terms of policy. But Friday's ads, supporting Dave Reichert of Washington and Pat Tiberi of Ohio, did not explore that new territory.
Though Coleman's group can now ask viewers explicitly to vote for or against a candidate, the two spots left it at "Call [congresman]. Tell him to keep for fighting for responsibility and [state] jobs" -- language that was likely acceptable before Citizens United.
The 30-second ads focus on fiscal responsibility, noting that the two representatives are trying to cut spending and taxes. The lawmakers also stand "for responsibility -- protecting Medicare for our seniors."
The ads feature a written "Paid for by the American Action Network" disclaimer toward the end.
"The Network's goals are to support and advocate for common sense center-right policies, we believe that these ads will help advance these ideals," Coleman, the CEO of the Network, said in a statement.
On top of the ads, the Network announced on Friday they will be travelling to Pennsylvania later this week to knock on doors for Tim Burns, a Tea Party organizer hoping to replace the late John Murtha, a Democrat.
