Dems Target 12 Republicans On Stimulus

CNN reports that a dozen House Republicans are targeted in a new House Democratic political campaign that criticizes them for opposing the $787 billion stimulus package. Under Chris Van Hollen, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is putting out robocalls hitting these Republicans for voting against an economy recovery package and "the largest tax cut in history."

The campaign also includes emails and text messages directly to targeted Republicans' constituents. The DCCC is touting the messages as the third phase in its "Putting Families First" campaign.

The House Republicans targeted are: Rep. Judy Biggert of Illinois, Rep. Ken Calvert of California, Rep. Michael Castle of Delaware, Rep. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, Rep. Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania, Rep. Mark Kirk of Illinois, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri, Rep. Dan Lungren of California, Rep. Thad McCotter of Michigan, Rep. Adam Putnam of Florida, Rep. Dave Reichert of Washington, and Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas.

Greg Sargent has a transcript of the call (the Pete Sessions version):

Hello, I'm calling on behalf of House Democrats with an important message about the economy.

Did you know Congressman Pete Sessions voted against President Obama's economic recovery plan, endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce? Sessions'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 Sessions at XXX-XXX-XXXX to ask why he voted to raise taxes on middle class families.

Comments

[ThinkLiberal]

Only 12? They all need to be wearing bulls-eyes and scarlet letter from now until 2010, at least.

[Pupster]

Remember how Joseph Cao of LA said he would support the stimulus and then voted against it? Likely because House GOP leaders made him.

Well, the NYT is covering the seat vacated by Kristin Gillibrand going to special election and they said this:
"His (Scott Murphy -D) Republican opponent, James N. Tedisco, the minority leader in the State Assembly, refuses to say how he would have voted on the stimulus bill. To endorse it, Republican operatives acknowledge, would put him at odds with every House Republican and endanger his support from Washington."

ie. House GOP are yanking election support for anyone who refuses to toe party line, even if individually they are in favor of the stimulus. The NYT goes on to say that the Republican-leaning residents of that district overwhelmingly favor the stimulus, yet had Tedisco had been in office he would have been forced to vote against it.

That's how crazy and obstructionist the Republicans are.

[HeavyHitter]

The job isn't finished yet. We've gotta pick up some senate seats in the 2010 election to give progressives a filibuster-proof majority and consign the Limbaugh conservatives to the dustbin of history. We need to put our foot on their throat and keep it there until their dying breath.

[wagb281]

Heavy Hitter You are a sick individual. Shame on you and others who want total one party power. One side never has all the answers and balance is key.

[nirek]

I agree but we need some republicans who have some intelligence , NOT the weak minded people that are there now 3 exceptions in the Senate.

[Fremon]

No one person or party has all the answers, but let's face it the only thing the Retards have to offer is tax cuts ideology and opposition.

[hortonhearsawho2]

Mo.Sad might have some ideas on how to, oh eliminate all of them...

[kellygrrrl]

they have no problem accepting the money Romney is throwing at them right now -- as long as it serves their personal interests.
but no way are they taking money to help their constituents

[blaising]

Give 'em both barrels, Dems!!

Because I'm not as accommadating, and only half as smart, as 44, I feel free to say it: it's PAYBACK TIME for you GOP slugs!!

[Diane Hebert]

YES! Expand the list and let's all nominate our favorites. It's spotlight time for these arrogant .$$$#&%$$*.
I nominate Rep Dave Camp of Midland, Michigan. Camp is a member of the Ways and Means Committee. Midland is a wealthy community and the corporate headquarters for Dow Chemical. Camp represents Dow very well even though they have polluted an entire watershed. Campaign contributions and the fact that his wife used to work for Dow as a lawyer may color his voting record.
He doesn't represent Us (working class or the poor).
He is spending a lot of his time and getting a lot of press locally downgrading Dems,Obama and the stimulus plan.

[hortonhearsawho2]

National Take Out a Republican Day...manner of speaking of course ...

[Diane Hebert]

Clever. I like it.

[Grunty1]

Every year in early November.

[lagumbo]

The TALIBAN PARTY [GOP ] looks like it's about to destruct. No leader but their supreme leader, and he is founding out that his reddrick against MR. PRESIDENT is not wokring so he has quiet down until he can manufacture another spin cycle. Their supreme leader Limbaugh. Brains doesn't function enough to think he can derail anything PRESIDENT OBAMA has to do to help us get our country back.
So if some of these fools what to make their people of their state suffers because of their politics, well the people of the state has to rise up.That what we put those fools in office for. To do what's right for the people. They work for us.

[grf67]

The republicans should keep following the advice of limbaugh, boehner, and mcconnell. It makes them easier targets for 2010.

[Grannysue]

So they won't take the money to help the people of their State but they will take another GOPERS money for doing what? Saying NO, what a bunch of low lifes!

[MicrowavableJohnnyCakes]

Why all they robocalling Putnam's district? The Ginger Kid of the GOP already has his tail tucked between his legs. He's running for Florida agricultural commisioner instead of congress when his term is up. Putnam liked being in the House when the Republicans had control of everything and the fit hadn't hit the shan yet, but he doesn't have the spine to stick around when the going gets tough.

[montecarlo408]

Mittens doesn't get it. They don't need money. They need integrity.

[Freesia2]

I don't have a problem with robocalls if they are factual. John McCain's robocalls were just an automated smear campaign. But if the calls are letting people know facts about a voting record, etc - then fine. A lot of people don't bother to educate themselves on the daily details of what their representative has been up to. The biggest offense with a robocall is that it can be unwelcome.

I was most interested in a link that took me to Politico. About Romney:

"sent $1,000 checks to a group of House Republicans targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) for their votes against the wasteful $800 billion stimulus bill."

Looks like Mitt is trying to make friends for 2012. And I wonder if the constituents of those Republicans are aware that a GOP member with Presidential aspirations might be encouraging (paying) their representative to vote not in their best interest?

[justoverit333]

It looks to me like the Repubs are "trying" to
look confident, when in fact they are not.
When one Repub governor praises the stimulas
package, they cannot handle it. Every single
Repub is supposed to agree with all of them,
all of the time. What is wrong with these people?

[Eyeswideopen1]

"Republicans are like robots. They all need to be in lock step because they can't think for themselves"

--Jimmy Carter, 2009

[janinei]

Kinda like the Borg!

[Fremon]

I am of two minds about calling voters re Republicans. All in all I don't think it is too bad to inform and then remind voters the hypocrisy of their Republican congress people. I think the real difference will be to do it objectively with the truth or facts and let the chips fall where they may. Some constituents will erase the message and others may be more reflective. Don't know about reflectiveness being a value of these voters however. Time will tell.

[6465billy]

It will not work. The Republicns will take back the House in 2010 ( and if things go right will impeach Obama shortly thereafter).

[SOLERSO68]

HAHAHAHAHH­AHAHAHA...­Want to put some money where your mouth is?

[jmw2006]

on what grounds you Mo**ron. Read up on "Impeachme­nt"....oth­erwise just shut up

[thundermummy]

Well for one, he is black. Repubs think that is indefensible. Two, they don't like him. And that's good enough reason for them to act like a**wipes.

[justoverit333]

um someone's been drinking the koolaid.
you are in lala land

[johnu1974]

impeached for a bill supposedly not working? are you in "GOP delusional-much" land?

[Splenda]

Stop it!