Vets for Freedom says the money has to spend can be measured in the multi-millions of dollars, and it plans to spread that around in all 50 states in an effort to promote victory in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, the campaign intends to put a special spotlight in a dozen target states. It has selected patriotic bookends for its campaign, kicking off on Independence Day 7/4/08 and running through Veterans Day 11/11/08 – a term which is noticeably coincident with the remainder of the 2008 election cycle. It says it is bipartisan, and is known to have supported Republicans, Democrats and the 2006 candidacy of Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT).
Although television is prominently mentioned as a part of the group’s plan (creative fore several TV spots is said to be “in the queue”), it also mentions its intention to focus on grassroots efforts utilizing print and broadcast. The 12 states singled out for special attention include MN, IA, WI, MI, PA, NV, NM, MO, CO, OH, FL & VA.
RBR/TVBR observation: Although it has supported specific candidates in the past, this group will likely have to focus strictly on the issues and leave the individual politicians out of their messages. Although radio is not specifically mentioned by this group, neither is it ruled out, and it would be a great medium to extend the group’s footprint, particularly in the 38 states where it is relying more on grassroots than a media blitz.
