Americans for Prosperity Launches Statewide Issue Ad Blitz: Shaheen Energy Plan Pursues Futile Strategy to Lower Prices

For Immediate Release - August 14, 2008

Contact: Corey Lewandowski (603) 894-5881 or (202) 550-7839

Or Annie Patnaude (202) 441-5193

Americans for Prosperity Launches Statewide Issue Ad Blitz:

Shaheen Energy Plan Pursues Futile Strategy to Lower Prices

Shaheen Should Embrace Domestic Oil Production and Energy Independence, Group Says

WINDHAM - The New Hampshire chapter of the grassroots free-market group Americans for Prosperity (AFP) today launched a statewide issue ad blitz to encourage Jeanne Shaheen to discard a futile energy plan that won't lower energy prices or significantly increase domestic production. The ad, which begins airing August 14, 2008, will hit every major media market in the state, including Boston. The issue ad quotes from a recent Union Leader editorial and urges citizens to contact Jeanne Shaheen and ask her to support domestic oil production and energy independence.

"New Hampshire needs solutions urgently. But... according to the Union Leader... when it comes to reducing the price of oil Jeanne Shaheen ‘simply has no idea what she is talking about,'" the ad begins. The full audio of the ad is available online at http://www.americansforprosperity.org/ (click on New Hampshire).

"We need to let the free market find solutions to our energy challenges in a changing economy," said New Hampshire Director Corey Lewandowski. "We are encouraging our members, and anyone who is concerned about high gas prices, to contact Jeanne Shaheen and encourage her to exchange proven-failed policies for a plan that would lower energy prices by expanding domestic production."

The ad is part of Americans for Prosperity's overall nationwide effort to promote free-market policies that will reduce energy costs, and oppose proposals by global warming alarmists that would lead to huge energy price spikes. AFP, which is also airing ads in North Carolina and Colorado, is encouraging members of Congress to oppose renewing the current Congressional ban on offshore drilling that is set to expire in September.

"Lawmakers who are opposing market-based measures to lower energy costs by increasing domestic supplies are out of touch with average Americans," said AFP President Tim Phillips. "Families and businesses won't be fooled by slick political rhetoric. They understand that the energy taxes and regulation of the 1970s are proven failed policies that won't deliver relief from the pain at the gas pump. We are pushing policymakers to stick up for American energy consumers by supporting commonsense measures that will lower energy prices."

The issue ad is the first major media buy in New Hampshire by the grassroots group, which announced the formation of its New Hampshire state chapter in early July 2008. Over the last month and a half, Lewandowski has focused on building membership and mobilizing citizens in support of free-market principles. The national group has already chalked up a number of major victories on the state level, such as helping to defeat proposed tax hikes in Virginia and Kansas, limiting taxpayer-funded lobbying in Texas, and becoming a national grassroots leader in promoting government spending transparency. On the national level, AFP is a leader in the fight against pork-barrel earmarks and economy-destroying policies being advanced in the name of global warming. 

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual's economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org