Media Fund Takes on Bush

WASHINGTON, D.C. The Democratic interest group the Media Fund launches its first anti-Bush salvo on Wednesday in 17 battleground states.

The group, which is dedicated to defeating President Bush in November, opens its attack with a 30-second spot via political consultancy Squier, Knapp, Dunn, which prepared ads for Bill Clinton and Al Gore's presidential bids.

The spot opens with a shot of the American flag as an announcer says, "President Bush, remember the American dream?" As the image moves to a view of a suburban neighborhood, the announcer continues, "It's about hope, not fear. It's about more jobs at home, not tax breaks for shipping overseas. It's about giving our children their chance, not our debt." It ends with the announcer saying, "George Bush's priorities are eroding the American Dream. It's time to take our country back from corporate greed and make America work for every American."

Headed by Harold Ickes, the deputy chief of staff during Clinton's first term, the group has a goal of raising $80 million and has been talking to shops like Berlin Cameron/Red Cell in New York, and Goodby, Silverstein & Partner in, San Francisco, about including some of their creative ideas in the campaign [Adweek, Feb. 9].