Liberal interest groups targeting Bush

WASHINGTON, March 10 (UPI) -- American liberal interest groups Wednesday launched the first of several high-priced advertising and informational campaigns against U.S. President Bush.

Media Fund, run by former Clinton administration official Harold Ickes, began a $5 million television campaign charging that "George Bush's priorities are eroding the American dream."

Just around the corner is American Coming Together, which with the Media Fund has pledges of $70 million, the New York Times reported.

Known by its acronym ACT, it plans a 17-state polling and information campaign to identify where Bush is weak and stir opposition to his re-election.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Henry Cisneros of Texas lead New Democrat Network, a similar group, that targets Hispanic voters.

Along with MoveOn.org, the groups are working together to counter Bush's huge fund-raising advantage over Sen. John Kerry, the Democrat's presumptive nominee.

Ickes says his organization coordinates with the MoveOn.org and the New Democrat Network in choosing which media markets to cover.

"The object is to make sure we stretch resources as far as possible," he said.