The vultures of MoveOn.org are planning a television ad that uses images of New Orleans hurricane victims to attack John Roberts. (Hat tip: LGF readers.)

The televised images of poverty-stricken evacuees from Hurricane Katrina are part of a provocative, last-minute effort by a liberal interest group to divert federal Judge John Roberts’ path to confirmation as chief justice.

MoveOn.org Political Action plans to unveil a TV ad on Monday that questions whether Roberts is sensitive enough to civil rights concerns to lead the Supreme Court. The ad suggests that the plight of the mostly African-American evacuees in New Orleans showed that poverty remains a serious problem among minorities, said Ben Brandzel, the group’s advocacy director. In a mix of judicial and racial politics, the ad then suggests that minorities could suffer if the Senate confirms Roberts.

“The connection is obvious,” Brandzel said. “The images after Hurricane Katrina show we still live in a society where significant racial inequities exist. We believe John Roberts’ record on civil rights … is clearly not the direction our country needs to head now.”

UPDATE at 9/8/05 12:33:15 pm:

Is there dissension in the ranks at MoveOn.org? Political Action Statement on Misleading Headline…

Following is a statement by Eli Pariser, executive director, MoveOn.org Political Action, on the misleading headline in USA Today concerning his organization’s planned advertising campaign:

“USA Today ran an inaccurate headline in this morning’s paper saying that we plan to produce a TV ad that uses the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to criticize Supreme Court nominee, Judge John Roberts.

“We have no plans, and have never had plans, to produce such an ad.

“We stand by our criticism, however, that Judge Roberts’ record indicates a lack of commitment to protecting and defending civil rights.”

“We regret any misunderstanding that may have arisen because of anything that our staff member might have told USA Today’s reporter. We continue to have the highest regard for that reporter’s integrity.”