DCCC Targets A Dozen GOPers Who Voted Against Stimulus
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched a phone, e-mail and text campaign targeting a dozen GOP members who voted against Pres. Obama's stimulus plan, emphasizing the tax cut segment of the proposal. House Republicans voted unanimously against the $787B initiative earlier this month.
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen, who represents Maryland' 8th District, stressed that the nation's economic crisis requires both parties to work for solutions.
"House Republicans can't have it both ways - they can't claim to be in favor of tax cuts and then vote against the largest tax cut in American history," Van Hollen said in a statement. "Americans will hold House Republicans accountable for 'just saying no' to the largest tax cut in American history and saving and creating three to four million jobs. We will hold accountable those Republicans who continue to vote in lockstep against President Obama's economic recovery plan for the American people."
Those targeted by the DCCC include members who won by narrow margins in the last race and/or represent moderate districts.
They are: Reps. Judy Biggert (IL-13); Ken Calvert (CA-44); Michael Castle (DE-AL); Charlie Dent (PA-15); Jim Gerlach (PA-06); Mark Kirk (IL-10); Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-09); Dan Lungren (CA-03); Thad McCotter (MI-11); Adam Putnam (FL-12) (who has decided not to run for re-election, which leaves the seat open in 2010); Dave Reichert (WA-08); and Pete Sessions (TX-32), who is chairman of the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee.
In a recent interview with Hotline editors, Sessions said the GOP should use insurgent tactics to oppose Democratic proposals. He cited the Taliban as a "model" for insurgency.
The text of the automated calls:
Hello, I'm calling on behalf of House Democrats with an important message about the economy.Did you know Congressman Thad McCotter voted against President Obama's economic recovery plan, endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce? McCotter's empty rhetoric can't hide that he voted to raise the AMT tax on 22 million middle class Americans and against the largest tax cut in history.
Call McCotter at 734-632-0314 to ask why he voted to raise taxes on middle class families.
The DCCC has also launched www.recoveryforamerica.org, a site "designed to educate people about the benefits of the economic recovery bill and how it will impact their district." More: The site includes an interactive map that illustrates the job creation and tax cuts by state, information about targeted Republicans; and a petition where people can voice their outrage about Republican opposition. People can also get the economic recovery information on their mobile device by texting the word "recovery" and a state abbreviation to 30644 (For example: "recovery CA").
This effort is a sign of the technology deficit facing the GOP in the wake of the 2008 presidential contest. The White House emailed supporters a letter from the president as soon as he signed the stimulus bill. The DNC and party committees are using email lists and cell phone numbers to push the Democrats' message. Republican lawmakers pitched a unified opposition to the stimulus bill, but where is the complementary grassroots effort affirming for voters their reasons for opting against it?
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Gee, the democrats control the house, senate and presidency and can pretty much approve just about anything that they want. So instead of just rolling over the republicans, they are in a tizzy because the republicans are philosophically against an unconstitutional bailout and won't play nice with them.
Well one thing is for certain. In 2010 and 2012 the American voter will be the ones to decide who was right.
Akcoyote----I am in total agreement. What they are touting as a "huge tax break" comes down to about $12 a week. Whee.
One of those republican congressmen is Mark Kirk, my congressman. I'm glad that he voted against the expensive, unconstitutional stimulus law. If he runs for the U.S. Senate, in 2010, that wise vote will help him. If he doesn't run for re-election, St. Rep. Elizabeth Coulson, a Republican, should run for his seat. She agrees with him about many issues, and she's been a legislator since 1999.
Kinda strange some republican governors refused the stimulus law for people in their state who are out of work.... etc... kinda like adding 2 plus 2 and coming up with...
That $12 "tax break" is not even a real tax break. All the administration has done is instruct the IRS to lower witholding from paychecks. What they don't tell you is your tax liability is not lowered at all. Which means some might end up owing the IRS, because not enough was withheld. Sound familiar? It should, Bush 41 did it in '91. As for the governors rejecting federal stimulus money, what they are really rejecting is the unfunded federal strings attached.