It looks like progressive groups are trying to play a little good cop-bad cop routine with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., as they push for Senate Democrats to include a “public option” for government-financed insurance in their health care overhaul legislation.

Americans United for Change, a progressive non-profit group backed by labor union funding, announced a $23,000 radio ad campaign in Nevada Wednesday aiming to “cheer on” Reid as he fights to get “health care for all Americans – including a public option – this year.”

The hope, Americans Untied for Change spokesman Jeremy Funk said in a statement, is that “by publicly reinforcing the efforts of the Senate Majority Leader,” the group will “send a message to all Senators that advocates of health insurance reform will have their back in supporting the public option.”

The ad is airing for a week on stations in Las Vegas and Reno, Nev.