(I'm sorry to do this but please recommend this diary. We have to stop these sorts of lame-brained attacks and the grassroots can do it.)
Attention Illinois Kossacks, especially in Champaign, Peoria and Rockford... we have to act now to defend Sen Durbin:
The Chicago Tribune is reporting a group called "Move America Forward" is attempting to move us backward by attacking Durbin on the air in three Illinois TV markets:
- WCIA Champaign
- WMBD Peoria
- and WREX in Rockford
- and the national right-wing propaganda cable channel
Even though many of us our still sore with Sen Durbin because he buckled under the right-wing onslaught he is one of the strongest progressives in the Senate and we must defend him against further conservative slurs.
More on the flip...
TV ads to blast Durbin for Guantanamo comments
Senator's aide calls spots a 'cheap shot'
By Sam Singer, Chicago Tribune
Washington Bureau
Published July 2, 2005
[...]
Move America Forward, a group affiliated with the conservative political public relations firm Russo Marsh & Rogers, is planning a national ad campaign that scolds Durbin for his June 14 statements and what the organization refers to as his "non-apology."
Durbin's office called the move a media stunt, designed to attract coverage by news organizations.
"It's a cheap shot to try and raise money for their extreme-right cause," said Durbin spokesman Joe Shoemaker.
[...]
Durbin's apology was noted approvingly by such Republicans as Sen. John McCain of Arizona. But others are not satisfied.
"Sen. Durbin's non-apology is not accepted," said Melanie Morgan, co-chair of Move America Forward.
[...]
Move America Forward will launch its ad campaign Monday, July 4. The ad, punctuated by shadowy images of Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia, questions Durbin's loyalty to U.S. troops.
The group has purchased national air time on Fox News Channel as well as time on three Illinois stations: WCIA in Champaign, WMBD in Peoria and WREX in Rockford. It's unclear how long the ads will run.
Please contact those stations to let them know your displeasure at taking money from out-of-state conservative political hacks seeking to slur our senior Senator:
WCIA (CBS-3) - Champaign,IL
Website: www.wcia.com
Phone: (217) 356-8333
Fax: (217) 373-3663
Address: 509 S Neil St Champaign, IL 61820
Jim Gee -- News Director
Rus Hamilton -- Vice President; General Manager
WMBD (CBS-31) - Peoria,IL
Website: www.wmbd.com
Phone: (309) 688-3131
Fax: (309) 686-8650
Address: 3131 N University St Peoria, IL 61604
Kevin Harlan -- General Manager
Brent Lonteen -- Assignment Manager
Chris Manson -- News Director
WREX (NBC-13) - Rockford,IL
Website: www.wrex.com
Phone: (815) 335-2213
Fax: (815) 335-2055
Address: PO Box 530 Rockford, IL 61105
Kim Carney -- Program Manager
John Chadwick -- Vice President; General Manager
Maggie Hradecky -- News Director
I am also trying to reach progressive media fund organizations like Truth and Hope and others to see if we as citizens can't launch our own campaign to defend Sen Durbin from these outrageous attacks. I've sent out an alert to Rapid Response for Illinois to get that group moving too.
So, if you or someone you know is in the TV production field near Chicago or anywhere in Illinois and has access to facilities please contact Rapid Response for Illinois immediately. Discussions are underway with media placement organizations to develop a grassroots-based response. (And no, we're not looking for free help, unless you can offer it.)
il -AT- rapidresponsenetwork -DOT- org