New Political Ads Target Undecided Democrats On Healthcare

New TV ads sponsored by a coalition of groups against President Obama's health care legislation are putting some swing Democrats on the hot seat. They're trying to convince those Congressional lawmakers who are still on the fence about the bill.

Washington State Congressman Brian Baird and Adam Smith are two of the U.S. Representatives who are still debating how to vote. In one ad launched this week, people are urged to call Congressman Smith's Office to get him to vote down the health care legislation. The spot says the bill will cost too much.

The $10 million ad campaign is sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and urges people to jam the phone lines of local Democratic lawmakers with their opinions on health care.

"Washington is not getting the message call Congressman Adam Smith."

At Baird's office, the phone is already ringing off the hook. Staff members have gotten more than 3,600 phone calls about health care reform in the last week. A spokesman says 90 percent of those calls came from outside Baird's district in Southern Washington. He says about half the people calling oppose health care legislation in its current form.

This past summer, Smith and Baird both held a series of town hall meetings about health care reform. Smith voted for the original health care reform bill. Baird voted against it.

Baird is one of a handful of Democratics in the U.S. House who could switch their vote, ultimately deciding whether the Senate version of Obama care goes through.

Congressman Baird put on this statement on his web site.

"I have not seen the proposed changes to the Senate health care bill nor has the congressional budget office released its estimated costs of the new proposal. Until I am able to read the new proposal and know the costs, I will not decide on how to vote on the passage."

The coalition group's ad campaign threatens retribution by voters at the polls this fall if Democratic lawmakers approve the health care bill.

Now, other political organizations like MoveOn.org are discussing airing their own counter ads to encourage Democrats to vote for health care reform.

The House is expected to vote later this week.

We want to hear your thoughts and opinions on the push to stop healthcare reform. Are you in favor of these TV ads, do they sway your opinion, or are they waste of time and money.