The conservative American Future Fund group is questioning Sen. Charles Schumer's (D-N.Y.) decision to back former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) for secretary of Defense.
The group, which launched a media campaign earlier in the week, released a new ad Friday focusing on Schumer's decision to back Hagel.
On Tuesday, after meeting privately with Hagel a day earlier, Schumer said he supported Hagel for secretary of Defense. Schumer had previously refrained from saying whether he would support or oppose Hagel's nomination.
The American Future Fund ad, "How Badly" asks "how badly does Chuck Schumer want to be the Senate Majority Leader?"
Schumer is the third-ranking Democrat in the Senate.
"And what did President Obama promise him?" a voiceover in the ad continues. "After a career of supporting Israel, Schumer now backs Chuck Hagel for Defense Secretary. The Same Chuck Hagel who supported direct negotiations with Iran after Iran's president threatened to wipe Israel off the map. The same Chuck Hagel who complained about 'the Jewish lobby.' Even the liberal Washington Post writes 'Hagel is not the right choice for Defense Secretary.' "
The ad concludes: "No on Chuck Hagel."
Critics of Hagel for secretary of Defense have regularly cited his past comments accusing a "Jewish lobby" of strong-arming lawmakers. Opponents have also said Hagel is too soft on sanctions on Iran meant to deter the country from getting a nuclear bomb. Hagel has expressed regret for his comment about a "Jewish lobby," calling it a "poor choice of words."
The American Future Fund ad is part of a multi-pronged media campaign in opposition of Hagel for secretary of Defense.
American Future Fund spokesman Stuart Roy told The Hill on Wednesday that its anti-Hagel campaign would be "very visible nationwide" by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
