Health Care 'Yes' Votes Could Face Attack Ads During NCAA Tournament

The GOP is warning Democrats today that if they vote "yes" on health care, they could face TV attack ads airing in their districts during the NCAA tournament.

The National Republican Congressional Committee released a TV ad today that it is prepared to air on networks carrying the NCAA men's basketball tournament, targeting specific Democratic swing votes on health care. (Not necessarily during the tournament, just on the networks carrying it--but it's hard to imagine that the Republican ad-buyers won't go after some tournament air time. The ad, after all, is March Madness themed.) The NRCC has not bought any air time for the ad yet; it will not do so unless health care comes up for a vote in the House.



Here's the ad, or, rather, the version of the ad that targets Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV). Other versions of the ad will be the same, substituting different members:



The NRCC said the ad could air in the districts of 42 targets. The tournament begins Thursday; the White House has pledged that health care will pass in the House this week, though there's been speculation that the process will drag on longer.