Quote of note:
The ad, which may air again during future "24" episodes broadcast in the home states of Republican senators who have raised questions about the Patriot Act, is an unusual example of an interest group so closely meshing political persuasion and fictional entertainment.
"The producers of this ad are playing off fictional fears to create pressure for their point of view on legislative reality," said Peter Hart, a Democratic-leaning pollster. "I think it's unique."
Group airs ad during `24,' hoping to influence Patriot Act debateBY MIKE DORNING
Chicago Tribune
WASHINGTON - Jack Bauer, the fictional counter-terrorism agent on the Fox Network's popular "24" show, hasn't actually waded into the debate on civil liberties versus terrorism surveillance as Congress considers making changes in the USA Patriot Act.
But in the midst of the most recent episode of the white-knuckle TV drama, viewers in the nation's capital saw a message drawing on the show's themes that was intended to influence real-life political debate in a highly unusual way.
During a commercial break while the fictional Bauer was desperately searching for canisters of deadly nerve gas that had fallen into the hands of terrorists, viewers saw an advertisement questioning the wisdom of real-life senators who would "weaken" the Patriot Act. "What if they are wrong?" the commercial asked.
It marked a blurring of Hollywood fantasy with political reality that represented a sharp departure even in the no-holds-barred world of political campaign advertising.
Moments before on the TV show, Bauer had just gained a crucial lead on the nerve gas after threatening to cut out the eyes of a turncoat White House aide who was in league with the terrorists.
