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The message in the most recent TV ads against U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson is from military brass who say she and President Bush aren't listening to the commanders in Iraq, so Congress should.

But there's also a strategy in those ads, says University of New Mexico political science professor Christine Sierra.

And it's one similar to what Democrats used against Wilson in 2006, a race Wilson narrowly won.

"They don't want people to forget she supported Bush on Iraq," Sierra said.

The most recent ad, which will air through the end of the week, stars recently retired Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, who commanded U.S. infantry and helped establish the Iraqi Armed Forces. In the ad, he says Wilson and Bush need to pay more attention to what the country's commanders are saying.

The ad features a serious Eaton talking in front of an American flag and a map of Iraq.

"President Bush says he listens to his military commanders," the 33-year veteran says. "Well, Mr. President, I was one of those commanders, and you weren't listening when we warned you of the dangers we'd face invading Iraq."

The ad ends with Eaton saying, "Representative Wilson, protect America, not George Bush."

The ad is sponsored by VoteVets.org, which describes itself as a pro-military group committed to destroying terrorist networks.

VoteVets.org chairman and co-founder Jon Soltz said the ads show what he called a "fault line" between Bush and members of Congress who don't support the war.

"There are a certain number of those in the Republican conference who want to do the right thing by putting our nation and military above politically protecting the president, but need prodding. Combined, our ads will do that," Soltz, an Iraq war veteran, said in a statement.

Wilson's congressional and campaign offices declined to comment on the ad.

The spot comes on the heels of another ad with retired Maj. Gen. John Batiste, who last week was the main person in a similar ad.

The New Mexico-specific ad isn't the first. Americans United for Change and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have also aired radio and TV ads against Wilson, who faces re-election in 2008.

Sierra said all the attention this early means Democrats are serious about wresting control of the seat, which includes Albuquerque.

"It means the Democrats are putting in plenty of money and plenty of attention," she said. "They aren't saying, `We tried someone in 2006 and it didn't work, so we won't try again.' "

So do the early ads work?

"It probably is effective in gearing up the most active people in the Democratic Party," Sierra said.

Interest in the 2008 election is starting to build.

Democrats Martin Heinrich, Louis Caldera and Michelle Lujan Grisham have said they are considering running for the seat next year, though none has announced their candidacy.

One Democrat who isn't running against Wilson is former U.S. Attorney John Kelly. He said Wednesday he's considering taking on U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici instead.

"I do feel obligated to consider it and am going to look seriously at it," he said.