How Iran war votes in Congress became a focal point for campaign ad attacks

Democrats and allied groups are turning the unpopular Iran war into a central line of attack against Republicans in the closest midterm contests, with most of the messaging tying the conflict to household costs. An Associated Press analysis of AdImpact data covering broadcast and cable ads from Sept. 1 through Oct. 14 found Iran-related spots in at least half of 50 competitive House and Senate races. They ran more than 43,000 times at an estimated cost of $42 million, and 61 of 65 distinct ads focused on prices for gas, groceries and similar expenses. Even so, they were only about 5% of all TV ads in those races, according to PBS NewsHour.

The approach grows out of repeated Democratic war powers resolutions this spring, which changed little in practice but put members on the record. Republicans mostly avoid the subject; strategist Ron Bonjean said it plays on Democratic turf. Some, including Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers, have urged a quick end to the fighting, and seven House Republicans backed ending the war in the latest vote.

California's 48th District saw the heaviest focus, with about a third of ads mentioning Iran, driven by Republican Jim Desmond's "no pain, no gain" comment.

Summarized by PolitiKool from PBS NewsHour’s reporting. Read the full story at PBS NewsHour →