Democratic Groups Targeting A Third Of GOP Senators

As Republicans in the Senate manifest a propensity towards independence on their chamber's version of the stimulus package, the liberal Campaign for Jobs and Economic Recovery is expanding its national pressure ad buy.   

Starting tomorrow, they're putting up two new TV spots targeting Sen. Richard Lugar (IN) and Sen. Kit Bond (MO), along with three new Rush Limbaugh themed radio spots targeting Sen.Jim  Bunning (KY), Sen. Richard Burr (NC) and Sen. Mel Martinez (FL).  That means that 13 of the 41 senators in the caucus are in the crosshairs. The ads are paid for by Americans United for Change, MoveOn.org Political Action, AFSCME and SEIU.  If they are to have any impact, how much will be from media coverage, and how much can be attributed to the ads themselves?  An official with one of the groups behind the ads said that a total of $600,000 had beed spent so far on less than a full week's worth of ads. 

They're running at what might be termed fairly decent persuasion levels -- about 550 to 600 gross ratings points, the official said.  As to coordination with the White House, both the White House and a spokesperson for the group say that they've not gotten in touch about these ads, although the White House was briefed about the campaign in general.