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Rush Limbaugh is the star of a new Democratic ad campaign.

Democratic strategists James Carville and Paul Begala are directing a new public relations effort to nominate the Republican talk radio host as the face of a Republican Party that is standing almost unanimously opposed to President Barack Obama's economic and budget agenda.

No Republicans in the House voted for Obama's $787 billion stimulus plan and only three Senate Republicans came on board.

Starting today, an ad titled "No" featuring Limbaugh will run on national cable stations and in Washington.

"Rush Limbaugh is the leader of the Republican Party -- he says jump and they say how high," said Brad Woodhouse, the incoming communications director of the Democratic National Committee.

Earlier this month, Republicans ran an ad targeting a freshman Democrat who supported the bill, Tom Perriello, who represents a conservative Virginia district.

The ads, more typical of a campaign season, illustrate the increasing stakes in the public relations battle between Democrats and Republicans over the new president's agenda.

An ad war over legislation "is a relatively new development," said Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report in Washington. "We're going to see more and more of this. It's now an extension of the permanent campaign."

"The vast majority of Americans want Obama to succeed and they know that if he fails, America fails," said Woodhouse. "Republicans have adopted this strategy, and this ad and a bunch of other stuff our side is planning is going to make them own it, and Limbaugh."

Officials at the Republican National Committee didn't immediately respond to multiple requests for comment.

An e-mail to Limbaugh wasn't immediately answered. His spokesman, Kit Carson, said he expects Limbaugh to address the issue on air during his show today.

The Democratic ad lists the highlights of the president's plan: rebuilding roads, bridges and schools, 3.5 million jobs and tax cuts for 95 percent of working Americans. "Who are Republican leaders listening to?" the ad asks, cutting to a frame of Limbaugh saying "I want him (Obama) to fail."

"Tell them America won't take no for an answer anymore," the ad concludes. It is funded by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and Americans United For Change and will run through early next week. Democratic officials estimate the cost at $75,000 to $100,000.

Separately, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has been targeting Republicans who opposed the president's plan.

Earlier this month, the committee began radio ads and a grassroots campaign in 28 House districts, including that of Eric Cantor in Virginia, who is the House Minority Whip. They are focusing on a mix of vulnerable Republicans with low victory margins, Republicans in districts Obama won, and members who may be retiring. Prior to the stimulus vote on Capitol Hill, Obama reactivated his campaign grassroots network to hold house meetings featuring a video promoting his economic plan.

Republicans, who are holding a conference this week in Washington, the Conservative Political Action Conference, are betting that public opinion will ultimately turn against the bill.

"The time to go along to get along is over," Mike Pence, an Indiana Republican, said yesterday in addressing the gathering. "We lost that legislative, battle but we won the argument because Republicans took a stand on principle and offered a better solution."

Polls show the public supporting the president's plan. A Washington Post-ABC News poll Feb. 19-22 showed 64 percent of Americans approve of the economic recovery plan; a New York Times-CBS News poll Feb. 18-22 found 63 percent of respondents said Republicans opposed the legislation for political, not policy, reasons.