WASHINGTON – Two retired Army major generals with experience in Iraq will appear in television commercials critical of President Bush’s handling of the war, with the spots targeted at key House and Senate Republicans in 11 states, including Maine.

Financed by VoteVets.org, the $500,000 in ads will feature retired Maj. Gen. John Batiste and Paul Eaton, both of whom have publicly criticized the Pentagon’s civilian leadership in the past. Batiste commanded the First U.S. Infantry Division in Iraq. Eaton oversaw training of the Iraqi military from 2003 to 2004.

The commercials, beginning Wednesday, are timed to coincide with congressional debate over the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

The media markets chosen by VoteVets are designed to pressure Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, John Sununu of New Hampshire, John Warner of Virginia and Norm Coleman of Minnesota, all of whom are up for re-election next year.

The start of the ads comes one day after Democratic Rep. Tom Allen’s formal entry into the race against Collins.

The ads also will run in the congressional districts of Republican Reps. Mary Bono of California, Phil English of Pennsylvania, Randy Kuhl and James Walsh of New York, Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri, Timothy Johnson of Illinois, Fred Upton of Michigan, and Michael Castle of Delaware.

The ads represent the first time former military commanders in Iraq have appeared in commercials to criticize the conduct of the war.