Thursday, June 14, 2007 | 8:02 a.m.
WASHINGTON - Anti-war groups are targeting Nevada's Republican members of Congress this summer as part of a 10-week, nationwide campaign against lawmakers who continue to stand by President Bush's strategy in Iraq.
The activists intend to pressure Reps. Jon Porter and Dean Heller as Congress faces a series of war votes leading up to September, when many Republicans have said they will reassess their positions on the war after a planned military briefing.
Heller and Porter are among 40 lawmakers in 15 states that anti-war groups are focusing on because they believe the legislators can be swayed to break from the president on Iraq.
"For both of them, it's a life or death issue for their political careers," said Moira Mack, a spokeswoman for Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, a coalition of anti-war groups. "By the time the summer's over it's going to be politically untenable for members of Congress to support the president's Iraq policies."
The coalition includes the powerful liberal group Moveon.org and others that joined forces in January to fight Bush's plan for a troop surge.
The coalition believes this summer provides a pivotal moment to change the national debate on the war as Congress will be voting on whether to continue Bush's strategy or begin to reduce troops and war funds.
The coalition is holding a press event today in Washington to announce the Iraq Summer campaign, pointing to polls showing that even rural and suburban voters who tend to be more conservative are increasingly opposed to the war.
Separately, educators and school children affiliated with the coalition plan to hold an anti-war vigil this morning at the George Federal Building in Las Vegas to urge Nevada's congressional delegation to end the war.
Porter and Heller have said they want to give Bush's troop surge strategy a chance to work, but will reassess their positions when Gen. David Petraeus, the commander in Iraq, delivers a report in September on progress against the insurgency.
Porter said Wednesday he knows the war is unpopular, as is his decision to continue supporting it, but believes it is the right action.
"It's principle above politics," Porter spokesman Matt Leffingwell said . "The congressman has been very clear on his point - he wants to give Gen . Petraeus an opportunity for this strategy to succeed in Iraq.
"What the Democrats are presenting to Congress is a complete withdrawal," Leffingwell said. "They're talking about cutting off funds."
Heller could not be reached for comment.
The anti-war groups also plan to include Nevada Sen. John Ensign in the summer campaign, but Ensign has taken on a greater leadership role in the Republican Party and the activists doubt he can be persuaded to join with Democrats on the war.
Ensign's spokesman could not immediately comment.
Jacki Ramirez, a stay-at-home mom who grew up in the Las Vegas Valley, will head the Nevada effort. She plans to hold rallies and hopes to visit the congressmen.
Ramirez previously worked for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as a regional representative in Nevada.
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