AUFC launches campaign targeting Sununu for deciding vote on Stem Cell Research
Americans United for Change, New Hampshire State Representatives, healthcare advocates launch new campaign pressuring Senator John Sununu to cast the deciding vote to override President and expand federally funded stem cell research
AUFC launches aggressive grassroots and paid media campaign targeting Sen. Sununu: the deciding 67th vote needed to override the President's anticipated veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
Manchester, NH - With a major showdown looming in the United States Senate over the future of stem cell research, Americans United for Change was joined by Carol Williams, Chair of the Manchester City Democrats' Disability Caucus; New Hampshire State Representatives Jesse Martineau, Mike Farley, Mary Sysyn; Sally Shackford, a Histologist at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center; Dr. Travis Harker, and Ray Giroux, Stem Cell Research Advocate, to launch a new campaign pressuring U.S. Senator John Sununu to cast the deciding 67th vote to override the President's anticipated veto of S.5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act -- legislation overwhelming supported by the American public to expand federally funded stem cell research.
Americans United for Change announced its effort to pressure Senator Sununu to vote to override the Presidential veto through an aggressive, grassroots PR blitz in New Hampshire, including a new Web site: http://www.tellsununu.com/; a new radio ad called ‘Imagine' running statewide in New Hampshire (including the Boston, MA media market) starting Tuesday, May 29th; newspaper ads running in the Nashua Telegraph and the NH Union Leader also starting next Tuesday that will run regularly up until the vote; potential future TV ads; future public events; as well as a sophisticated program to target and deliver thousands of calls and emails to Sen. Sununu imploring him not to stand in the way of potential cures for Cancer, Alzheimer's and other terrible diseases that afflict millions of Americans.
Click here to hear new radio ad ‘Imagine'
Script and Backup Document
Click here to see accompanying newspaper ad
"We will compliment our paid advertising effort with grassroots outreach to medical professionals and victims of debilitating injuries and diseases and we will make our present felt on the ground just like we are on the air," said Michael Brunelle, of Americans United for Change. "We're going to have these folks and other concerned citizens visit the Senator's offices, conduct press events and go door to door if necessary to turn up the heat on Senator Sununu and appeal to his head, his heart and, frankly, his own political self interests to do the right thing. We are also reaching out to stem cell advocates around the country to make sure they know that Senator Sununu holds the vote for a cure in his hands."
The Democratic leadership in the U.S. Senate reportedly believes they have 66 votes to override the President's veto of S.5 - the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. Senate insiders believe that John Sununu is the most likely 67th vote to override, pointing out that: 1) Senator Sununu, who is up for reelection in 2008, is the only Member of the New Hampshire congressional delegation who does not support expanding federally funded stem cell research; 2) the Senator has bucked his own party leadership in the past; and 3) the Senator's opposition to stem cell research is out of step with the vast majority of people in New Hampshire and members of his own state party. In fact, New Hampshire Republicans support stem cell research by a 2-to-1 margin, according to a January 2007 SurveyUSA poll.
"President Bush slammed the door shut on stem cell research in 2001 despite its overwhelming support from the medical community and the American public," said Carol Williams, a local activist. "Senator John Sununu now holds the key to reopening that door with a deciding 67th vote to override President Bush's veto of legislation that would right that wrong and expand federally funded stem cell research. We hope he stands with the people of New Hampshire who understand the amazing potential for this research to find better treatment and cures for terrible diseases like Alzheimer's that afflict millions of people."
"Just imagine a world without cancer," said Rep. Mike Farley of Manchester. "Imagine a world where a spinal cord injury doesn't mean life in a wheelchair. Imagine a world without Parkinson's or a world where cherished memories aren't lost to Alzheimer's. Embryonic stem cell research could pave the way for cures, but instead of supporting this promising science and moving us forward - Senator John Sununu stood with President Bush and voted against stem cell research time and again. With the Senate only one vote away from finding a cure for millions of Americans -- please, Senator Sununu, do the right thing and vote to give victims of life threatening disease and life changing injuries a new hope."
Americans United for Change is a non-profit, non-partisan 501c4 issue-advocacy organization perhaps best known for leading the fight to beat back President Bush's terribly misguided proposal to privatize Social Security back in 2005. Last month, Americans United launched a $100,000 television ad campaign in New Hampshire calling on Senator Sununu to bring a safe and responsible end to the war in Iraq.
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