Via CJR’s excluded voices series, an interview with Wendell Potter, former head of corporate communications for CIGNA says.
TL: So what’s happening now with all these ads we’re seeing?
WP: What’s happening now is what happens in primary campaigns. We’re seeing a lot of targeted advertising by advocates of reform, aimed at members of Congress who might be persuaded on the wisdom of a public plan. That’s why you’re seeing a lot of advertising in Maine aimed at Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. Later in the summer we’ll see more national advertising attacking or supporting aspects of the reform bills. It will be like a political campaign, and it will be very expensive.
We are going to be monitoring the industry and it’s ad campaigns though out this "debate" and ask that you help us out in threads. Tell us what’s happening on your radio, television, in print or online. Provide links if possible, and note who paid for the advertisements as well as what congressional district the ad plays.
We also want to know and share information about the good ads, such as Campaign For Health Care Choice, which you may join over four hundred progressives with your contribution. So please join in our daily watch and share what’s happening as you discover what’s sure to be a lot of expensive Smoke CIGNA’s across America.
Update: Progressive Change Campaign Committee PAC (boldprogressives.org) invites you to include your name on an ad which will run in Washington D.C.



5 Comments







Good idea.
Is anyone cataloging talking points and counter-points, etc.?
Scarecrow!
Marchan, I suspect a lot of advertisements on blogs are some sort of randomly generated deal, but I really don’t know.
This might be a good place to ask why FDL has been featuring health insurer ads at the end of their health care issue posts. Is this a balanced media approach? I was very disappointed by the practice and voiced my disdain the other day. I don’t want to offend the posters and those who were commenting, but gee whiz!!!
Blessings to all,
Firedog nahant mentioned the following calls are going out from the AARP.
Sen. Ron Wyden’s (D-OR) plan does not contain a public option. Several weeks ago, the Oregon AFL-CIO sent out a mailer entitled “Stop Wyden’s Health Plan.” (www.StopWydensHealthTax.com)
Several days later, I received a mailer saying “Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are working to make health care more affordable for the people of Oregon” and “Call Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today at 202.224.3121. Tell them thanks for standing up for us – Oregon’s working families.”
The mailer was paid for by Big Pharma – “America’s Pharmaceutical Research Companies and FamiliesUSA.”
Calls to Wyden and Merkley telling them that no public option is a betrayal of “working families” would seem appropriate . . .