SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Aug. 14 In the end, freedom of expression prevailed.
On Thursday, an attempt by USAction and its Missouri affiliate, Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition, to purchase billboard advertising in the district of U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt was thwarted because of the ad's political content.
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The downtown Springfield billboard was to have featured a picture of Blunt with the words: "Roy Blunt has taken $556,682 in contributions from the insurance industry. Is that why he won't take our side on health care reform?"
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On Friday, after media reports surfaced that a local Lamar Advertising Company executive rejected the ad because of its content and Blunt's support for the outdoor advertising industry, the company's corporate headquarters reversed course and said the advertising would be allowed.
"The copy as presented was in compliance with our policy and we should have run it," a company official told the Springfield News-Leader. The official, Hal Kilshaw, vice president of governmental relations, added that the ad copy is accurate, including the fact that Blunt has taken more than half a million dollars from the insurance industry.
Originally, the copy was rejected because of content. "Roy Blunt, the target of this smear campaign, is a local politician and has been a strong proponent of Outdoor Advertising in Missouri for a number of years," Lamar Advertising Company said in an email message. "As much as we would always love the business, we will have to respectfully decline."
David Elliot, USAction communications director, said USAction and Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition are proceeding with the billboard purchase. "We're grateful that our message will be heard and that the billboard company agrees that our ad is accurate," Elliot said. "Roy Blunt has taken more than half a million dollars from the insurance industry and he opposes reform that would result in quality, affordable health care for his constituents."
Elliot added, "We're also grateful that Lamar has reversed course. In a democracy, everyone wins when ideas flow freely."
Note to reporters, producers and bloggers: You can view a PDF of the billboard design at www.usaction.org/bluntbillboard.
SOURCE USAction
