In advance of next Thursday's vote to override Bush's SCHIP veto, the DCCC has launched a second round of radio ads targeting Republicans who originally voted No but who might be vulnerable to pressure from their constituents to switch to override the veto -- Nancy Pelosi has said we need just 13 more votes to succeed. As the final confrontation approaches, the DCCC is getting some unlikely assistance in this endeavor from a non-partisan non-profit religious group Catholics United, which is similarly targeting Republican opponents of SCHIP with radio ads in their districts but their strategy is a bit different:  they're going after pro-life Republicans with ads on Christian and talk radio stations arguing that their opposition to SCHIP is inconsistent with their "pro-life" values.

"Building a true culture of life requires public policies that promote the welfare of the most vulnerable," said Chris Korzen, executive director of Catholics United. "At the heart of the Christian faith is a deep and abiding concern for the need of others. Pro-life Christians who serve in Congress should honor this commitment by supporting health care for poor children."

Brilliant.

The script of the radio ads (you can listen to them HERE) is as follows:

"I'm the mother of three children, and I'm pro-life. I believe that protecting the lives our children must be our nation's number one moral priority. That's why I'm concerned that Congressman X says he's pro-life but votes against health care for poor children. That's not pro-life. That's not pro-family. Tell Congressman X to vote for health care for children. Call him today at XXXX, that's XXXXX."

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities USA, and the Catholic Health Association have all urged Congress and President Bush to support SCHIP.

The House members being targeted by Catholics United include:

Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05)
Rep. Joseph Knollenberg (MI-09)
Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (MI-11)
Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-07)
Rep. Steve Chabot (OH-01)
Rep. Gene Taylor (MS-04)
Rep. Michele Bachmann (MN-06)
Rep. Sam Graves (MO-06)
Rep. Thelma Drake (VA-02)
Rep. John Peterson (PA-05)

Sam Graves, also a target of the DCCC, is already expressing defiance in the face of pressure.

"The [DCCC] can spend their money," [Republican Sam] Graves said. "That stuff doesn't work on me."

But one wonders if his tune will change if the pressure comes from his pro-life Republican constituents. The ads will run between Monday and Wednesday of next week in advance of the override vote scheduled for Thursday.

Update [2007-10-12 19:59:0 by Todd Beeton]: From Timmyc in the diaries, go to vetooveride.com for contact numbers of the top targeted House members and help switch the 13 we need.