• Newsweek, Thursday, February 28, 2008 11:30 AM

The White House and its allies are now using an ad campaign in attempt to twist congressional arms to approve a controversial new electronic spying bill that would give the executive branch expanded power to probe into the private communications of Americans -- and release telecommunications companies from liability for alleged [past] law-breaking associated with the program.

Administration supporters have rolled out a $2 million television advertising campaign that features images of Osama bin Laden into the districts of about 15 Democratic members of Congress who are seen as potentially vulnerable in the 2008 general election. The group is run by Clifford May, a former communications director of the Republican National Committee, and will not disclose the names of its donors.

But Democrats counter that the administration is trying to politicize the issue and use it for partisan advantage this fall.

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