New ad aims at Bono

Retired generals and veterans from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars are targeting California Rep. Mary Bono (R-Palm Springs) as part of a $500,000 media campaign to peel off support for President George W. Bush and the Iraq war.

Retired Maj. Gens. John Batiste and Paul Eaton are featured in the ads from VoteVets.org, a group of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. "You did not listen, Mr. President,'' Batiste says. "You continue to pursue the failed strategy that is breaking our great Army and Marine Corps.'' Video link here.

The campaign also is putting pressure on Republican Sens. John Sununu of New Hampshire, Susan Collins of Maine, John Warner of Virginia and Norm Coleman of Minnesota, all Republicans up for re-election next year. The ads also will run in the congressional districts Phil English of Pennsylvania, Randy Kuhl and James Walsh of New York, Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri, Timothy Johnson of Illinois, Fred Upton of Michigan and Michael Castle of Delaware.

Bono (pictured with U.S. Sen. John McCain) is the only California politician among those targeted in the ad campaign. VoteVets.org spokesman Eric Schmeltzer said they have gathered "political intelligence" that suggests Bono might shift her support on the war, and they want to push her over the fence. Bono's office could not be reached immediately, but we'll put her response up as soon as we get it.

(Photo: Khue Bui/AP)