Local Fox affiliate won't run conservative group's pro-DeLay ad

Samantha Levine in the Chron on Fox26's refusal to run an outside conservative group's pro-DeLay ad:

"We have chosen not to take the spot in its current form," said D'Artagnan Bebel, vice president and general manager of the local Fox affiliate, KRIV (Channel 26). He would not elaborate on why.

Representatives from KTRK (Channel 13) and KHOU (Channel 11) were unavailable for comment. KPRC (Channel 2) General Manager Larry Blackerby said he was unaware of it.

The ad is slated to run on CNN and Fox News in and around DeLay's suburban Houston district, starting today and running for two weeks.

The 30-second spot from the conservative Free Enterprise Committee attacks billionaire financier and Democratic supporter George Soros for spending "$25 million against President Bush. He also bankrolled the liberals linked to attacks on Tom DeLay."



Soros contributed $300,000 to the Campaign for America's Future, which along with the Public Campaign Action Fund, put out the ad that highlighted ties between DeLay and disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

"It's great that organizations like this are getting the truth out about extreme liberals like George Soros who are supporting Nick Lampson and Nancy Pelosi's agenda in Congress," DeLay campaign spokeswoman Shannon Flaherty said. She added she was unaware of the ad until a reporter called.

Democrat Lampson is running against DeLay in the November general election. California liberal Pelosi is the leader of the Democrats in the House.

The new ad features pictures of a bewildered-looking Soros followed by a smiling DeLay. "When you see attacks on DeLay, consider the source," it says. "And tell Tom DeLay to keep fighting for your conservative values."

TV stations turning down money right and left. What a race.

UPDATE: You can watch the video here.

The script is here:

George Soros, full of money and liberal ideas -- like legalizing drugs, letting felons vote and keeping the death tax.

Soros spent twenty-five million dollars against President Bush.

He also bankrolled the liberals linked to attacks on Tom DeLay.

Maybe that's because Tom DeLay fights for lower taxes and economic freedom.

So when you see attacks on DeLay, consider the source.

And tell Tom DeLay to keep fighting for your conservative values.

The ad is running on network and cable TV (except local Fox, obviously) for 2 weeks.