Josh already noted this at the Mother Ship this morning, but Politico ran today with a story about the Chamber of Commerce’s plans to raise $100 million as part of a campaign to “defend the free market system.”
Privately, labor sources describe the move as the Chamber’s opening salvo in the committee’s campaign to disrupt the balance of power in the Senate–which they view as hostile to business–in the 2010 election. And there’s more than just messaging to that–the Chamber’s president made that pretty clear.
A public education ad buy defending the free enterprise system is in the works, as well as an issue advocacy program tied to the 2010 midterm elections.
“We’re going to hold politicians accountable as we defend and advance economic freedom,” [Chamber of Commerce President Tom] Donohue said.
Not entirely coincidentally the SEIU is going live today with a campaign of its own–directed right back at the Chamber.
“Over the next couple of months, you’re going to hear from a wide coalition of interests, from small businesses to environmental groups, exposing the U.S. Chamber’s assault on common-sense legislation across the board,” continued Burger. “We’ll never be able to keep up with their spending, but luckily, we’ll have the will of every American who believes we should give average workers a dollar raise before we give another CEO a million-dollar bonus.”
For now, the campaign features a web ad, aimed at voters in Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Louisiana, Virginia and North Dakota–states with senators who oppose or seek to weaken the Employee Free Choice Act. The ad appears below.
