Major New Ad Campaign Draws National Attention, Considerable Discussion
November 19, 2010Press Call with General Arlen Jameson, Rev. Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, Ben Chang on New START Passage
AVN’s Multi-State Campaign Anchored by “Daisy Ad” Remake is Launched and Active in 5 States
Arlington, VA–American Values Network (AVN) yesterday hosted a press call announcing its new ad and outreach campaign in Arizona, Tennessee, Ohio, Florida, and Mississippi highlighting the need for immediate ratification of New START. Speakers were National Security Council’s Ben Chang, General Arlen Jameson, Rev. Tyler Wigg-Stevenson and AVN Executive Director, Eric Sapp, who provided their perspectives and answered questions from the media on why ratification of the treaty in lame duck is vital from a policy, security, and moral perspective.
COMMENTS MADE DURING THE CALL:
Ben Chang, Spokesman for the National Security Council: “This is a priority for us [the White House] but not as a political priority, as a national security priority . . . It’s not a Democratic concept, it’s not a Republican concept and the time to do this is now. .. We couldn’t put a finer point on the fact that every day that goes by that this treaty is not ratified is a day that we do not have verification on the ground with Russia”
Rev. Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, Founder of the Two Futures Project, Chairman of Global Task Force on Nuclear Weapons for World Evangelical Alliance: “Stewarding the vast destructive power that is left over from the Cold War is really a profound moral responsibility . . . I fear that it has been hijacked by power politics that failed to see the greater good. Speaking as a party outsider . . . I can’t understand how any group which prides itself on being strong on national defense can so flatly ignore the loud and unanimous voice of our military. And this is why it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that a vote against ratification of New START would be a vote of no confidence in the judgment and ability of our military to secure America.”
Lt. Gen. Arlen Jameson (ret.), Former deputy commander and chief and chief of staff, U.S. Strategic Command who had responsibility for all ICBM strategic nuclear forces: “I have talked to a good number of the former commanders of U.S. Strategic Command, and I’ve talked to generals that are in command right now. I have talked to a good number of the troops, and I don’t get anything but support for the treaty and understanding that it’s a continuation of the process. To be honest with you, in working through the various administrations when I was on active duty, I just remember the votes . . . they were almost unanimous and they were certainly bi-partisan by any description you’d want to give, so this is a rather unique feeling I have about what’s going on now.”
Eric Sapp, Executive Director, AVN: “The right choice is obvious and clear, and our campaign is an effort to encourage Senators to do the right thing and to let them know we’ll have their back if they do…to the question about whether the President made a mistake by not ramming this through earlier, there is something badly broken with our political system when it’s not just assumed that if you take the time and do the policy right on something as important as New START—something that was Reagan’s idea, has universal support from our military, all these former Secretaries of State and Defense, has always been bi-partisan—that somehow being thoughtful and thorough isn’t the right approach because it allows opponents an opportunity to play political games and try to hold things up. Americans and our President shouldn’t have to worry about Republicans playing political games on something this important. There’s going to have to be a point where the American people and the media hold our leaders accountable.”
Audio of Entire Press Call Available Here
INFORMATION ON THE CAMPAIGN:
Thursday marked the TV debut of AVN’s new commercial. Set in DC and based on the famous LBJ “Daisy” ad, it highlights the dangers of further Senate delays on ratification. AVN’s outreach campaign—targeting faith and other swing voters–also includes an email outreach to over 12 million faith voters in the targeted states, saturation Christian and Country radio buys, on-line blog ads, and events organized by local veterans.
Also, saturation buys for related radio ads are on Christian and country radio stations in our targeted states. General George Buskirk (ret.) is the voice.
And, currently, emails are going out to 12 million faith voters is from Rev. Joel Hunter, pastor of one of Florida’s largest evangelical churches: http://vbuttons.com/ems/client_preview_email.php?em_id=37422281
Admiral Stuart Platt’s email was opened by nearly 300,000 faith voters this week and contributed to the 20,000 people who have viewed the ad on AVN’s website: http://vbuttons.com/ems/client_preview_email.php?em_id=37200183
MEDIA CLIPS FROM CALL:
STEEL GUITARS, COWBOY HATS AND NUKES – POLITICO
Religious Group: Pass Nuke Treaty or We All Burn – Wired
Obama Forces Showdown With GOP on Arms Pact – NYT’s, also Seattle Times, San Jose Mercury News and others
Sid Salter – Super Talk Mississippi Radio Network
Obama Wants Lame-Duck Congress To Pass START – NPR; 2:45
US religious group blasts START treaty delay – AFP
I’m curious if anyone could possibly figure out what the midterm elections might suggest regarding free college scholarships. It seems the Republicans are going to look to slash every thing they can cut understanding that probably means awards for college education. I just don’t grasp exactly how these people think this country will ever be competitive, if your price of higher education continues to go up, although grants end up being more challenging to obtain. It really is depressing to think I’ll be in debt $40,000 or maybe more as well as not really knowing when I can possibly get a job after I graduate in this tight economy.