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DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen Statement on New York Times Story
Sun, 09/05/2010 - 15:05DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen released the following statement on today’s New York Times story, "Democrats Plan Political Triage to Retain the House."
"Today's New York Times story erroneously suggests that the DCCC has decided not to allocate resources to specific campaigns. That simply is not the case."
"The Members of Congress referenced in the article are all running strong campaigns focused on their solid records and drawing sharp distinctions between themselves and their opponents on the key issues at stake in this election. The DCCC is heavily invested in these campaigns. In each campaign mentioned, the DCCC has provided and continues to provide support for field operations and other key campaign activities.
"House campaigns are won race-by-race on the ground and our Members and candidates are running aggressive voter contact programs focused on the choice between policies that will accelerate job growth and those that would kill the fragile recovery. House Republican candidates, whose views are far out of the mainstream of swing districts, will have to answer for their plans to: repeal the law to rein in reckless speculation on Wall Street; give subsidies to companies that outsource American jobs; bust the budget and balloon the deficit; and privatize Medicare and Social Security.
Every campaign cycle the DCCC and other campaign committees face difficult resource allocation decisions and this election cycle is no different. What is different is the kind of choice before the American people at this critical juncture – do we move forward and build on the fragile economic progress we have made or do we adopt an economic agenda that will kill the budding job growth and send us back into a deep economic ditch."
Categories: Democratic Blogs
@Stake: Unbelievable
Thu, 09/02/2010 - 14:35Executive Director Jon Vogel just sent this message to DCCC supporters:
Friend --
Unbelievable! You didn't just help us make President Obama's $1 million grassroots goal for August 31st. You absolutely shattered it!
Thanks to you, we raised an astonishing $1,078,442 in grassroots gifts before this critical deadline. This massive outpouring is sending an irrefutable message to the pundits, the Republicans, and the world that as the fall campaign begins, grassroots Democrats are fired up and ready to go!
On behalf of everyone at the DCCC, I cannot thank you enough. Check out our special Fall Kickoff edition of @Stake to see how your dollars are being put to work in the critical final two months of the 2010 campaign.
Thanks to you, the DCCC has already hit the airwaves with our first hard-hitting TV ad for the fall campaign. The first target is Social Security privatization supporter (and former reality TV show star) Sean Duffy, the Republican candidate in a crucial swing district in Wisconsin. Thank you for making this ad possible.
Check out the brand new DCCC television ad, hitting Republican Sean Duffy for supporting Social Security privatization >> Rapid Response: DCCC Goes After Republican Shadow Group
Last week, the DCCC formally asked the IRS to investigate one of the Republicans' most well-funded shadow groups, Americans for Prosperity, after accusations surfaced that they violated their tax exempt status. The group is funded by Charles and David Koch, two Republican billionaire brothers. The founder of a respected nonpartisan watchdog group recently said of the Kochs, "They have a pattern of lawbreaking, political manipulation, and obfuscation. I've been in Washington since Watergate, and I've never seen anything like it."
Watch reports from Countdown with Keith Olbermann and The Rachel Maddow Show about the Republican billionaire brothers and their campaign of attack ads against Democrats >>
The DCCC's Fall Kickoff began last week with six days of house parties across America. It all led up to last Saturday's National Day of Action, when volunteers knocked on more than 200,000 doors in a massive neighbor-to-neighbor get-out-the-vote drive. But it's just the beginning. We urgently need volunteers to join our ground effort from now until Election Day.
Check out our Photo Gallery from last Saturday's National Day of Action. Then sign up to volunteer in your area. We need you!
Onward to Victory!
Jon Vogel
DCCC Executive Director Top Links:
1. Tell Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin: We Won't Stand for Your Smears
2. House Republican Candidates in Disarray Across the Country
3. VIDEO: GOP Candidate Accused of Driving Truck off the Road
Help us Redesign the DCCC's Online Action Center
As we prepare to make some upgrades to the DCCC's website for the fall campaign, we wanted to provide you with an interactive opportunity to be part of our campaigns nationwide. Right now, we're making final decisions on what to include before we launch. So who better to ask for advice than you, our most dedicated grassroots supporters?
Tell us what you want to see on the DCCC's new website as we prepare to upgrade it for the final critical weeks of the 2010 campaign >>
DCCC Rapid Response
Don't miss a beat: Get up to the minute Rapid Response updates from the DCCC on Facebook and Twitter:
Not on Facebook or Twitter? No problem: Download the DCCC Breaking News Toolbar.
Categories: Democratic Blogs
@Stake: Unbelievable
Thu, 09/02/2010 - 14:35
Executive Director Jon Vogel just sent this message to DCCC supporters:
Friend --
Unbelievable! You didn't just help us make President Obama's $1 million grassroots goal for August 31st. You absolutely shattered it!
Thanks to you, we raised an astonishing $1,078,442 in grassroots gifts before this critical deadline. This massive outpouring is sending an irrefutable message to the pundits, the Republicans, and the world that as the fall campaign begins, grassroots Democrats are fired up and ready to go!
On behalf of everyone at the DCCC, I cannot thank you enough. Check out our special Fall Kickoff edition of @Stake to see how your dollars are being put to work in the critical final two months of the 2010 campaign.
Thanks to you, the DCCC has already hit the airwaves with our first hard-hitting TV ad for the fall campaign. The first target is Social Security privatization supporter (and former reality TV show star) Sean Duffy, the Republican candidate in a crucial swing district in Wisconsin. Thank you for making this ad possible.
Check out the brand new DCCC television ad, hitting Republican Sean Duffy for supporting Social Security privatization >> Rapid Response: DCCC Goes After Republican Shadow Group
Last week, the DCCC formally asked the IRS to investigate one of the Republicans' most well-funded shadow groups, Americans for Prosperity, after accusations surfaced that they violated their tax exempt status. The group is funded by Charles and David Koch, two Republican billionaire brothers. The founder of a respected nonpartisan watchdog group recently said of the Kochs, "They have a pattern of lawbreaking, political manipulation, and obfuscation. I've been in Washington since Watergate, and I've never seen anything like it."
Watch reports from Countdown with Keith Olbermann and The Rachel Maddow Show about the Republican billionaire brothers and their campaign of attack ads against Democrats >>
The DCCC's Fall Kickoff began last week with six days of house parties across America. It all led up to last Saturday's National Day of Action, when volunteers knocked on more than 200,000 doors in a massive neighbor-to-neighbor get-out-the-vote drive. But it's just the beginning. We urgently need volunteers to join our ground effort from now until Election Day.
Check out our Photo Gallery from last Saturday's National Day of Action. Then sign up to volunteer in your area. We need you!
Onward to Victory!
Jon Vogel
DCCC Executive Director Top Links:
1. Tell Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin: We Won't Stand for Your Smears
2. House Republican Candidates in Disarray Across the Country
3. VIDEO: GOP Candidate Accused of Driving Truck off the Road
Help us Redesign the DCCC's Online Action Center
As we prepare to make some upgrades to the DCCC's website for the fall campaign, we wanted to provide you with an interactive opportunity to be part of our campaigns nationwide. Right now, we're making final decisions on what to include before we launch. So who better to ask for advice than you, our most dedicated grassroots supporters?
Tell us what you want to see on the DCCC's new website as we prepare to upgrade it for the final critical weeks of the 2010 campaign >>
DCCC Rapid Response
Don't miss a beat: Get up to the minute Rapid Response updates from the DCCC on Facebook and Twitter:
Not on Facebook or Twitter? No problem: Download the DCCC Breaking News Toolbar.
Categories: Democratic Blogs
Big Oil Billionaire Koch Brothers Funding Swift-Boat Attacks on House Democrats
Thu, 09/02/2010 - 11:52Last week, the DCCC formally asked the IRS to investigate one of the Republicans' most well-funded shadow groups, Americans for Prosperity, after accusations surfaced that they violated their tax exempt status. The group is funded by Charles and David Koch, two Republican oil billionaire brothers.
Watch this clip from Countdown with Keith Olbermann on the "Kochtopus":
Categories: Democratic Blogs
House Republican Candidates in Disarray Across the Country
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 18:46While House Republican Leaders in Washington have spent the past month measuring the drapes, Republican candidates across the county were facing tough stories on everything from coming out in favor of privatizing Social Security... failure to pay taxes... ethics problems... arrest warrants... to even a candidate lying about their role in driving a truck off the road because it was carrying negative mail pieces from a rival campaign.
Here is a sample of August's local coverage of Republicans' problems:
Rick Crawford (AR-01) - Rick Crawford refuses to say whether he paid bankruptcy bills
"Crawford refuses to say whether he paid the bill this summer after questions were raised and after he had insisted that he had long ago repaid his debts. A campaign aide of the candidate said that was all he was ever going to say about the matter." The Arkansas Leader concludes, "If you cannot trust a man to be honest about so trivial an affair in his own life, how can you vouchsafe any faith in what he says about matters that are truly grave?" [Arkansas Leader, 8/17/10]
Ben Quayle (AZ-03) - Republican candidate Ben Quayle tied to ‘The Dirty' since 2005
"Ben Quayle now admits that in 2007 he used a pseudonym to contribute to the voyeuristic website, DirtyScottsdale.com, which later became TheDirty.com, after first denying any affiliation with the site... Quayle's ties to the founder of the site go back more than five years when the two were introduced during a celebrity golf tournament at a country club in Lake Tahoe, Nev." [Arizona Capitol Times, 8/12/10]
Representative Dan Lungren (CA-03) - Former California Attorney General spiked his state pension just before leaving office
"In addition to his federal pay as a United States Congressman, in his last year as California Attorney General, Rep. Dan Lungren, expected a 25% a spike which increased the amount that he was able to except in his pension by over $11,000... In his final months as attorney general, his salary jumped to more than $140,000. upping his retirement pay by more than $11,000 per year." [KOVR-TV, 8/22/10] [Sacramento Bee, 8/19/10]
Michele Rollins (DE-AL) - Michele Rollins owned a Venezuelan state oil bond that was controlled by Hugo Chavez
Rollins owned a bond worth over a quarter of a million dollars in an oil company Chavez uses to fund his agenda. "Chavez, who has increased the oil entity's power, has not been the strongest of American allies — in 2009, he called America the greatest terrorist in world history." [Politico, 8/16/10]
Allen West (FL-22) - Under fire for his tax liens
Allen West has been hit with thousands worth of liens because of his unpaid taxes, including a single $11,000 lien by the IRS. [Miami Herald, 8/27/10]
David Rivera (FL-25) - CBS 4 Miami discredited David Rivera's account of what took place in a traffic accident where a truck carrying literature from a rival campaign was driven off the road.
The station reported that police reports contradicted Rivera's story about his role in the 2002 accident. In the incident, a truck carrying flyers from a rival campaign, detailing the alleged domestic violence charges, en route to a post office was driven off the road by David Rivera. [CBS 4 Miami, 8/17/10]
In an investigative report, the Miami Herald discredited Rivera story surrounding past domestic violence allegations.
The paper discovered that David Rivera did in fact have ties with the domestic violence victim in question despite his denials. [Miami Herald, 8/19/10]
Rivera previously lied about foreclosure proceedings on a home he co-owns with Marco Rubio. Rivera "denied that a bank began foreclosure proceedings on a house he owned with former House Speaker Marco Rubio even though property and foreclosure records clearly showed he did co-own the home." [CBS 4 Miami, 8/17/10]
Rivera also lied about his personal ties to a controversial businessman. As CBS 4 Miami reported, Rivera "denied to the Miami Herald being friends with a principal of a group that advises companies on how to trade with Cuba despite several prominent witnesses who said the two men were close." [CBS 4 Miami, 8/17/10]
Brad Zaun (IA-03) - Congressional candidate Brad Zaun told to stay away from former girlfriend
"Republican congressional candidate Brad Zaun had to be told by West Des Moines police in 2001 to stay away from a former girlfriend who had accused him of harassing her, a police report shows...Zaun, who is challenging Democratic incumbent Leonard Boswell in Iowa's 3rd District, acknowledged in an interview Wednesday that the incident took place when he was Urbandale's mayor." [Des Moines Register, 8/18/10]
Representative Mike Pence (IN-06) - Rep. Mike Pence hosted job fair with Employers that received stimulus funding
On August 10, 2010 Representative Mike Pence hosted a job fair in his district with 65 businesses attending. 16 of the businesses invited received funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which he voted against. [CBS News, 8/11/10]
Andy Barr (KY-06) - Disgraced Gov. Ernie Fletcher's "a voice of compliance" tied to missing public documents
GOP challenger Andy Barr is struggling to distance himself from his former boss, unpopular ex-Gov. Ernie Fletcher. That's becoming even harder as reports surface about 2007 rulings that said the Fletcher administration, where Barr worked as a top legal aide, was bad at maintaining open records requests. [CQ Politics, 7/29/10]
Andrew "Rocky" Raczkowski (MI-09) - Raczkowski is off to a rocky start
"Should we pity the elected official who tries to tailor his message to his audience, gets caught saying different things at different places and tries to recover by straddling the mixed messages? Or should we laugh, considering that the antics of politicians should never be taken too seriously?... Raczkowski can't seem to stop slipping on the banana peel." [Macomb Daily, 8/14/10]
Raczkowski questions President Obama's citizenship
In a Politico interview Republican candidate Andrew "Rocky" Raczkowski said that he would "love" to see President Obama's birth certificate and also, in appearances has openly questioned whether the President was born in the United States. [Politico, 8/6/10]
Kristi Noem (ND-AL) - Noem: Received 20 speeding tickets, six court notices for failure to appear and two arrest warrents.
"KELOLAND News checked the records for all five candidates for U.S. House and Governor; Noem has the longest list of violations, including 20 speeding tickets, three stop sign violations, two seat belt violations, and no driver's license. Noem also has six court notices for failure to appear and two arrest warrants." [Keloland, 8/26/10]
Michael Grimm (NY-13) - Michael Grimm breaks Marine Corps and FBI rules again
The FBI and Marine Corp are unhappy with Republican congressional candidate Michael Grimm because in his two new television ads by using Marine and FBI snapshots in the ads. Marine Corps Capt. Brian Block said, "The Web ad is not OK" and FBI spokesman Stephen Kodak said, " ‘We would definitely consider that an inappropriate use ...we're an apolitical agency," he added."That's giving the impression that the FBI endorses him, or he represents the FBI, and that's not the case," Kodak said. [NY Daily News, 8/6/10]
Matt Doheny (NY-23) - came under fire after he called Social Security a bad investment.
Doheny told the Watertown Daily Times that "Social Security unfortunately is probably — as somebody who knows a little bit about finances — the worst, worst, worst investment you can ever make," comments that should send shivers down the spines of North Country seniors. [Watertown Daily Times, 8/26/10]
Matt Doheny has two ‘boating under the influence' charges against him
Matt Doheny has been charged twice for ‘boating under the influence.' On July 10, Cost Guard officials boarded Matt Doheny's boat. Coast Guard member, Adam Moss said he "‘noticed the subject to be stumbling and slurring his speech.' He also described Doheny as uncooperative and yelling.' As a result, Doheny was handcuffed." On July 24th, Matt Dohney was reluctant to take a sobriety test two times before only taking the test when the Coast Guard threatened to send NY State police for his lack of cooperation. Doug Hoffman, his Republican opponent, called Doheny's conduct during the first stop 'disturbing.'" [WWNY TV 7, 8/6/10]
Anne Marie Buerkle (NY-25) - Called out for her false and misleading rhetoric
In an Aug 10 letter to her supporters, Anne Marie Buerkle claimed: "the Obama Health and Human Services Department is planning to compile a federal health record on all U.S. citizens by 2014, and will include information on each individual's Body Mass Index in the files." PolitiFact said, "So will an intrusive government will have access to your private medical information? The short answer is: No.. As a result, we rate the claim False." [PolitiFact, 8/30/10]
Joe Heck (NV-03) - Joe Heck's pay check comes from taxpayer money
"Republican House candidate Joe Heck has said that it's not government's job to create jobs. But for more than a decade, Heck's paychecks have come from government entities... Heck's income is primarily from government entities via his business, Specialized Medical Operations, which provides training and consulting to security companies, law enforcement and the military. Since 1993, Specialized Medical Operations has held 11 consulting contracts, worth up to $944,550, with the Southern Nevada Health District. The most recent contract pays Specialized Medical Operations $100 an hour. Heck's company also landed at least two contracts with Metro Police, worth up to $216,000." [Las Vegas Sun, 8/13/10]
Steve Stivers (OH-15) - Steve Stivers flip-flops on stem cell research
"Stivers, a Republican, has said he favors stem-cell research but, as a state senator, he voted against allowing state bond funds to be spent on that purpose. Stivers explained his vote as a procedural tactic to allow an economic-development package to proceed through the legislative process." [The Columbus Dispatch, 8/25/10]
Jim Renacci (OH-16) - Jim Renacci cheated on his income taxes
The Cleveland Plain Dealer's PolitiFact found that Republican candidate Jim Renacci did in fact fail to pay his income taxes. The Ohio Department of Taxation found, " [that] Renacci [had] about $1.4 million in back taxes, interest and penalties for misreporting his income in 2000. Renacci and his wife, Tina, filed a state tax return for that year that claimed they had a loss of $247,336, but an audit found they actually made $13,730,440. The couple filed a tax appeal when the state dinged them for $954,650 in back taxes, $146,938 in interest and $293,876 in penalties." [The Plain Dealer, 8/27/10]
Bob Gibbs (OH-18) - Bob Gibbs forced to file an amended campaign finance report
"The campaign of 18th Congressional District candidate Bob Gibbs filed an amended campaign finance report Monday morning, shortly after his opponent accused him of accepting illegal contributions. Gibbs, a Republican state senator from Lakeville, misreported some contributions for his primary campaign as general election donations, said campaign spokeswoman Emily Pettigrew." [Zanesville Times Recorder, 8/31/10]
Scott Bruun (OR-05) - Scott Bruun and the Politics of Social Security
The Democrats noted that Scott Bruun said on KGW's "Straight Talk" that, "I do not support privatizing Social Security." Yet, in March of this year, Bruun told a group in Salem that he believed "we have to have a private element of Social Security to make it work." [Oregonian, 8/9/10]
Tom "Casino" Marino's (PA-10) ties to disgraced businessman Louis Denaples continue to haunt his candidacy
WILK wrote that "Tom Marino's integrity is crumbling," and that "Law-abiding citizens are wondering if Marino's word is any good." [WILK AM, 8/25/10]
Marino wants to cut Social Security
Marino was attacked because of comments he made advocating for the "elimination or reduction of Social Security benefits for future generations. [Times Leader, 8/25/10]
Lou Barletta (PA-11) - Opposes bringing new jobs to the district
"In the midst of the worst economy since the Great Depression, with unemployment rates at their highest levels in a long time, with jobs a big issue in his contest with incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, [Lou Barletta] just went on record as opposed to a proposal that could bring 1,000 jobs to the region." [Times Tribune, 8/26/10]
Stephen Fincher (TN-08) - Stephen Fincher may have hidden several loans he received
J. Houston Gordon, a well-known Covington attorney and former state Democratic Party chairman, sent a letter to the U.S. attorney in Memphis this week that says Fincher may be in violation of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 by not listing several loans he received in the last two years or showing assets other than his income from his farm. [The Jackson Sun, 8/28/10]
Francisco Canseco (TX-23) - Traffic Ticket led to arrest warrant for Francisco Conseco
"According to documents obtained by the Associated Press, Quico Canseco was pulled over in April 2004. An arrest warrant was issued after he failed to the pay the ticket, though it was eventually paid in full — plus an additional $50 fine — about 10 months later in January 2005." [AP, 7/3010]
Robert Hurt (VA-05) - Republican candidate Robert Hurt attended Tea Party meetings that were closed to the press and the public
Republican candidate Robert Hurt attended a Lynchburg Tea Party meeting that was closed to the press and public. Many of the Tea Party members have been some of Hurt's fiercest critics. "For Hurt to meet with a group of potentially hostile Fifth District voters behind closed doors and without recording devices denies the public a chance to see how Hurt responds when the heat is on." [Danville Register & Bee, 8/4/10]
Eric Cantor (VA-07) - Cantor criticized for accepting donations from financial center
"Republican leader Eric Cantor of Richmond received $460,000 in donations from the financial sector in Quarter 2, a haul that has opened him up to criticism from watchdog groups after he led opposition to Wall Street Reform." [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 7/30/10]
Representative Dave Reichert (WA-08) - The Seattle Times recommends Suzan DelBene and Tim Dillon for the 8th Congressional District
The Seattle Times endorsed Suzan DelBene and Tim Dillon for Washington's 8th congressional district. The Seattle Times declared, "On issues ranging from the wars to the economy, three-term Republican incumbent Reichert is unstudied and comes up short. After six years in office, this is unacceptable." [The Seattle Times, 8/5/10]
Zack Space (OH-18), Jason Altmire (PA-04), and Walt Minnick (ID-01) - NRCC admits Reps. Space, Altmire, and Minnick are no longer top targets The New York Times reported that Reps. Jason Altmire (Pa.), Walt Minnick (Idaho) and Zack Space (Ohio) "are among the Democrats no longer seen by Republicans as easy targets." The line was part of a larger story regarding Democratic incumbents running in districts won by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in 2008." [CQ Politics, 8/12/10]
Categories: Democratic Blogs
DCCC TV Ad Hits Sean Duffy (WI-07) on Privatizing Social Security
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 15:52The DCCC released today its first Independent Expenditure campaign TV ad of the cycle hitting Sean Duffy (WI-07, open) on his support of privatizing Social Security. The DCCC ad will begin running tomorrow.
Sean Duffy will claim that he does not support privatizing Social Security, but he has twice stated his support for Congressman Paul Ryan's "budget blueprint" that would privatize Social Security. Ryan is House Republicans’ point man on the budget.
Watch the ad hitting Sean Duffy for his support of privatizing Social Security:
House Republican leadership's "budget blueprint" written by Paul Ryan, the top Republican on the Budget Committee, privatizes Social Security, gambling the benefits seniors earned on Wall Street, and eliminates Medicare by turning it into a voucher program that would force seniors to buy coverage from insurance companies. National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Pete Sessions said that if Republicans become the Majority party, their plan is to go back to their "exact same" agenda under President George W. Bush. Privatizing Social Security was a top priority for President Bush and strongly supported by Republican Leader John Boehner and his colleagues in the House.
BACKGROUND ON SEAN DUFFY’S SUPPORT OF PRIVATIZING SOCIAL SECURITY
Duffy Supported Congressman Paul Ryan’s Extreme Budget Blueprint
In 2010, Duffy was asked if he supported Congressman Paul Ryan’s budget. Duffy replied, "I do."
From tracker footage:
Q: Are you a supporter of Paul Ryan’s budget?
A: I think Paul Ryan’s a rockstar. I think Paul Ryan’s a rockstar, so thank you. I don’t regret his roadmap for America. (unintelligible) to get our country back on track. I think it’s a starting point to, uh, to, uh, (unintelligible) fiscal responsibility.
Q: Ah, so, that was actually another point. So, to kind of clear up the first point, yes you do support it?
A: I do.
Q: OK, excellent. [YouTube, "Sean Duffy Supports Paul Ryan Budget (WI-07)"]
Duffy: "I think Paul Ryan has some very good ideas in his Roadmap for America"
On Mike Gousha’s Upfront show in May, Duffy again endorsed Paul Ryan’s "Roadmap for America."
When asked what he would do to address Medicare and Social Security costs, Duffy said, "I think Paul Ryan has some very good ideas in his Roadmap for America."
Duffy went on to say, "Social Security, um, people [who] are 55 and older are looking for that in their retirement, but folks that are in their early 50s, 40s, in the late 30s like me, we realize that that system’s not going to be there for us when we get to the age of retirement." [Upfront with Mike Gousha, 5/23/10]
Ryan Budget Would Privatize Social Security
According to CBO Analysis, under the Ryan Budget:
Traditional retirement benefits would be reduced below those scheduled under current law for many workers who are age 55 or younger in 2011... A system of individual accounts would be established in 2012. In that year, workers who are age 55 or younger would be able to participate in voluntary individual accounts, funded with a portion of their payroll taxes. [Congressional Budget Office, 1/27/10]
Ryan Budget Creates Private Accounts for Social Security
Ezra Klein of The Washington Post explains the implications Ryan's budget alternative would have on Social Security:
"Social Security gets guaranteed, private accounts that CBO says will actually cost more than the present arrangement, further underscoring how ancillary the program is to our budget problem." [Washington Post, 2/1/10]
CBPP: Ryan’s Plan Would Divert Funds From Social Security into Private Accounts
A July 2010 report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities analyzing Representative Paul Ryan’s “Roadmap for America’s Future” included changes to Social Security including diverting large sums from Social Security to private accounts.
"It also would divert substantial sums from the Social Security trust funds into private accounts and then maintain Social Security solvency by transferring funds to Social Security from the rest of the budget." [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 7/07/10]
Libertarian CATO Institute: There’s No Difference Between Privatization and Personal Accounts
According to the Star Tribune, "The word 'privatization' has been part of the Social Security debate for many years and has been used by many Republicans. The Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank in Washington and an advocate of the idea, used to call its effort ‘the project on Social Security privatization.'" [Star Tribune, 8/5/02]
Categories: Democratic Blogs
Tomorrow Night
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 15:21Paul Begala just sent this message to DCCC supporters:
Friend --
Republicans are banking on your complacency...literally.
They've lined their pockets with corporate special interest cash. They've called in their Karl Rove-inspired shadow groups. And they're already spending millions to spread vile and despicable attack ads against Democrats far and wide.
I just got off of a conference call with some top DCCC strategists. They've got a plan to fight back -- but if they don't have the resources to get started right now, it could be too late come September. This FEC deadline is our last chance to close the gap before the fall campaign kicks into high-gear.
House Democrats are just $93,115 away from making President Obama's $1 million grassroots goal by tomorrow night's FEC deadline.
Contribute $5, $10 or more before Midnight Tomorrow and your gift will be matched 2-to-1 by committed Democrats -- and you'll be invited to join me and one of the DCCC's top pollsters for an insider conference call tomorrow.
Here's the bottom line: It's do or die time.
I've read the polls. I've met with their strategists. The DCCC has some of the toughest, smartest people in politics today. They're ready to fight to the finish in dozens of battleground districts. Democrats will retain the House this year, so long as we help them put the Republicans' war on the middle class American Dream center-stage.
Every dollar you give will make the difference between victory and defeat for a Democrat locked in a tight race.
Give today to have your gift matched 2-to-1 by Democrats and be invited to join me and a fellow Democratic strategist for an insider conference call tomorrow.
It's crunch time.
Paul Begala
P.S. Elections can't be won right now, but they can be lost. I've seen it happen too many times. We are now just $93,115 away from shattering President Obama's $1 million grassroots goal for Tuesday's August 31st FEC deadline. Contribute today and you'll be invited to join me and a fellow Democratic strategist for a special insider conference call tomorrow.
Categories: Democratic Blogs
Volunteers to Knock on More than 200,000 Doors for DCCC’s National Day of Action
Sat, 08/28/2010 - 10:33Today, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is holding its National Day of Action today where its volunteers, in conjunction with Organizing for America (OFA) volunteers, will knock on more than 200,000 doors in 75 of the most competitive districts across the country. They will be talking with voters about the choice in this election between moving America forward or letting the Republicans bring back the exact same disastrous economic agenda of former President Bush.
The DCCC's Fall Kickoff began this week with hundreds of house meetings across the country, where volunteers and neighbors came together for discussions about what is at stake this November and to build an energized base of volunteers from the ground up.
"All week, volunteers across the country have been hosting house meetings with their friends, family, and neighbors to discuss the stakes in this year’s elections," said DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen. "Today marks a critical milestone with our National Day of Action where our volunteers will knock on more than 200,000 doors in competitive districts across the country in a massive neighbor-to-neighbor grassroots effort to highlight the choice facing voters in this election. This level of voter contact this early is unprecedented. We will continue to meet with voters face to face and spread the message about moving the country forward.
Sign up to volunteer in your area >>
The battle tested DCCC voter contact program has started earlier this cycle than ever before and is using new technologies and data-driven analysis to support our Frontline members and candidates. The DCCC tested the effectiveness and improved its enhanced voter contact programs with each of the special election victories in NY-20, NY-23, and our eight-point victory in PA-12. Working with State Parties across the country, field staff have been recruiting and training volunteers for the fall elections. In turn, those volunteers are knocking on doors and making phone calls, talking to their friends and families about the importance of continuing to move the country forward.
Categories: Democratic Blogs
DCCC: IRS Should Investigate Americans for Prosperity Foundation
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 17:39The DCCC today requested an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) investigation into Americans for Prosperity Foundation’s tax exempt status. The Americans for Prosperity Foundation’s attack ads are being run in coordination with the attack ads from Americans for Prosperity, which has made Americans for Prosperity Foundation a de facto political "action group," violating its tax exempt status.
"The DCCC is asking the IRS to hold the Americans for Prosperity Foundation accountable for its illegal election ads that are being used to mislead voters," said DCCC spokesperson Jennifer Crider. "Americans for Prosperity Foundation is trying to avoid paying taxes by claiming to be tax exempt, while running campaign ads that benefit a Republican candidate and the NRCC."
Americans for Prosperity is funded by Charles and David Koch. Charles Lewis, the founder of the Center for Public Integrity, a nonpartisan watchdog group, said of the Kochs, "They have a pattern of lawbreaking, political manipulation, and obfuscation. I’ve been in Washington since Watergate, and I’ve never seen anything like it." [New Yorker, 08/30/10]
Categories: Democratic Blogs
Jesse Kelly: Out Of Touch With Reality, Southern Arizona
Wed, 08/25/2010 - 10:37Jesse Kelly may have scored a come-from-behind victory in the Republican primary, but a closer look at his record shows just how out-of-touch Kelly is with the needs of southern Arizonans.
Kelly has called for “eliminate[ing] Social Security” which he also calls “the biggest pyramid scheme in history” and advocates privatizing Medicare – tearing the safety net out from underneath southern Arizonans.
Kelly wants to hike taxes by 23 percent on food, gas and clothes for middle class Arizonans, while reducing to zero taxes on corporations. He even called for reducing and eventually doing away with the minimum wage.
"There’s no question, Jesse Kelly’s views are not only out of the mainstream but dangerous for southern Arizonans," said Andy Stone, Western Regional Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "Kelly may be good for a sound bite, but he’s wrong for Arizona."
Background
- In an interview with Tucson Weekly, Kelly said he “would love” to eliminate Social Security. [Tucson Weekly, 12/02/09]
- In an editorial board interview with the Arizona Daily Star, Kelly called Social Security the “biggest pyramid scheme” in history. [Arizona Daily Star, 8/03/10]
- In an interview with Tucson Weekly, Kelly said he would get seniors off the “public dole” by privatizing Medicare. [Tucson Weekly, 12/02/09]
- At the SaddleBrooke Candidate Forum, Kelly said he the country must take steps to “lower and eventually eliminate” the minimum wage. [YouTube, SaddleBrooke Candidate Forum, 1/06/10]
- In 2010, Kelly said he would vote to implement the Fair Tax, a 23 percent national sales tax. [YouTube, accessed 8/24/10]
- At the SaddleBrooke Candidate Forum, Kelly said that the corporate tax rate “should be zero.” [YouTube, SaddleBrooke Candidate Forum, 1/06/10]
Categories: Democratic Blogs
Make No Mistake
Wed, 08/25/2010 - 09:40President Obama just sent this message to DCCC supporters:
Friend --
When I took office, we had a big choice to make. We could do what was easy to get through the next election or we could do what was hard - and right - to help the next generation.
Our extraordinary House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and my Democratic partners in the House chose to lead. They chose to do the real heavy lifting to get our economy back on track and to restore the American dream for every American.
Make no mistake about it. Democrats will retain the House of Representatives this year, as long as you continue working to help them win.
Tuesday marks a critical FEC reporting deadline for my friends at the DCCC, the only Democratic political committee solely dedicated to protecting the House. I'm asking for your help to make their $1 Million grassroots goal before midnight Tuesday to continue the work we've only just begun.
Contribute before midnight August 31st to make sure that I keep my great Democratic Partners in the House. Your gift today will be matched by a group of generous Democrats.
The steady progress we are seeing toward America's recovery is no accident. It's happened because I've had Democratic partners in the House and Senate who have chosen to tackle problems that Washington talked about for decades but always just kicked down the road. Not anymore.
From the Recovery Act, to health insurance reform, to landmark clean energy legislation, to Wall Street reform, Speaker Pelosi and Democrats in Congress have passed the bills because they put the American peoples' interests before the special interests. Now they need your help.
I know what a difference grassroots support can make in a tough fight. In the same way that you helped me defy the pundits and stand strong against the attacks from those who wish to protect the status quo, I need your help to make a difference right now to retain a Democratic House.
Contribute before midnight August 31st to make sure that I keep my great Democratic Partners in the House. Your gift today will be matched by a group of generous Democrats.
There is so much more work to get done. Now is not the time to turn back.
Now is the time to remind ourselves what we can achieve together with Speaker Pelosi leading a Democratic House for another two years.
This is our moment to retain a Democratic House and continue America's progress.
Thank you,
Barack Obama
P.S. Contributing to my friends at the DCCC is a wise investment. They have a proven track record of success and every dollar in the door means another race that will have the resources it needs to fight back. Contribute to have your gift matched today.
Categories: Democratic Blogs
Floridaâs 25th District Republicans Nominate Scandal Plagued David Rivera
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 22:06Despite the fact that he has come under fire for domestic violence allegations and a traffic accident where he drove a truck off the road because it was carrying negative mail pieces from a rival campaign, this evening 25th District Republicans nominated scandal plagued State Representative David Rivera. Rivera’s responses to the allegations, exposed in investigative reports by the local media, have already been discredited and his dishonesty has quickly proven that he is unfit to represent South Florida.
"David Rivera is not qualified to represent South Florida," said Shripal Shah, Regional Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "David Rivera’s discredited stories surrounding domestic violence allegations and his role in driving a truck off the road because it was carrying negative mail pieces from a rival campaign prove that he simply can’t be trusted. David Rivera should fully expect for his scandal plagued past to be rejected by South Floridians this November."
BACKGROUND:
- In an investigative report, the Miami Herald discredited Rivera story surrounding past domestic violence allegations. The paper discovered that David Rivera did in fact had ties the victim in question despite his denials. [Miami Herald, 8/19/10]
- CBS 4 Miami discredited David Rivera’s account of what took place in a traffic accident where a truck carrying literature from a rival campaign was driven off the road. The station reported that police reports contradicted Rivera’s story about his role in the 2002 accident. In the incident, a truck carrying flyers from a rival campaign, detailing the alleged domestic violence charges, en route to a post office was driven off the road by David Rivera. [CBS 4 Miami, 8/17/10]
- Lying is par for the course for David Rivera. Previously, he lied about foreclosure proceedings on a home he co-owns with Marco Rubio. Rivera “denied that a bank began foreclosure proceedings on a house he owned with former House Speaker Marco Rubio even though property and foreclosure records clearly showed he did co-own the home.” [CBS 4 Miami, 8/17/10]
- Rivera also lied about his personal ties to a local businessman. As CBS 4 Miami reported, Rivera “denied to the Miami Herald being friends with a principal of a group that advises companies on how to trade with Cuba despite several prominent witnesses who said the two men were close.” [CBS 4 Miami, 8/17/10]
Categories: Democratic Blogs
Florida’s 8th District Republican Nominee Daniel Webster Wants to Cut Social Security
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 20:54Newly minted 8th district Republican nominee Daniel Webster’s pledge to cut Social Security shows how wrong he is for Central Florida's seniors. If Webster had his way, Seniors who are already struggling to get by on a fixed income would be dealt drastic cuts to their Social Security payments and the result would be devastating.
"Daniel Webster’s pledge to cut Social Security payments would be devastating for Central Florida’s seniors who are already struggling to get by on a fixed income," said Shripal Shah, Regional Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "Central Florida’s seniors simply can’t afford Daniel Webster’s reckless agenda."
BACKGROUND:
- Daniel Webster said one of his first priorities in Congress would be to cut entitlement programs like Social Security. At a forum on August 12th, 2010, Webster said “My number one priority would be to cut spending, turn off the spigot. We can do that, and the way we would do that is to roll back the budget to 2007. Just three years ago, if we would take that budget and pass it today just as it was, does it roll back some salary increases? Yes. Does it get rid of TARP and health care and all of the other things, including the stimulus package? Yes, it does that. Does it take back some of the COLAs for the entitlement programs? Yes, it does that, too. But it's only three years ago. If we took that budget and passed it, it would self-balance in two more years.” [Orlando Sentinel, 8/12/10]
Categories: Democratic Blogs
FACT CHECK: Leader John Boehner Outlines Republican’s Disastrous Economic Priorities
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 13:29The priorities House Republican Leader John Boehner outlined in his "major economic speech" today were predictable: more unpaid for tax cuts for the wealthy, privatization of Social Security and Medicare, and tax breaks for companies outsourcing American jobs.
Boehner's top priority is passing unpaid for tax cuts for the wealthy that will add nearly $700 billion to the deficit. He said that failure to pass debt-financed tax cuts for the wealthy would be a "recipe for disaster." Despite Boehner’s tough rhetoric on fiscal responsibility, the Republican agenda is to continue debt-financed tax cuts for the wealthy and tax breaks for companies who ship American jobs overseas.
Boehner also reaffirmed his support for the budget proposal written by the top Republican on the Budget Committee, Representative Paul Ryan. The Boehner-Ryan plan would privatize Social Security and dismantle Medicare, turning the program into a voucher program that forces seniors to buy coverage on their own from private insurance companies.
Fact Check on Republican Leader John Boehner "Major Economic Speech"
Boehner Spin: "So let me be clear: raising taxes on families and small businesses during a recession is a recipe for disaster -- both for our economy and for the deficit."
FACT: Democrats are proposing middle class and small business tax cuts. The Republican Plan for Debt-Financed Tax Breaks for the Wealthy is a Recipe for Disaster for the Deficit. The Republican plan to provide unpaid for tax breaks to the wealthy would add $680 billion to the deficit. According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, “Extending the high-income tax cuts would increase deficits by even larger amounts in subsequent decades. Thus, if Congress extends these tax cuts, the nation’s fiscal trajectory will be even worse, and the risks to future economic growth consequently will increase.” [Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 4/1/10, 8/3/10]
FACT: Greenspan: Extending Tax Cuts Without Paying for Them Would Be 'Disastrous.' Former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Meet the Press that extending the Bush tax cuts without offsetting the costs elsewhere could end up being "disastrous" for the economy. "I'm very much in favor of tax cuts but not with borrowed money and the problem that we have gotten into in recent years is spending programs with borrowed money, tax cuts with borrowed money." [Meet the Press, 8/1/10]
Boehner Spin: “We need to take a long and hard look at the undergrowth of deductions, credits, and special carveouts that our tax code has become.”
FACT: Boehner Has Led The Fight to Protect Tax Breaks for Companies Who Ship American Jobs Overseas. Boehner led near unanimous Republican opposition to legislation that paid for protecting the jobs of police, firefighters, and teachers through closing tax loopholes that encourage companies to move American jobs overseas. [HR 1586, #518, 8/10/10]
FACT: Boehner and Republicans Opposed Legislation to End Tax Breaks for Companies Who Ship American Jobs Overseas. In May, Republicans opposed The American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act, legislation that would prevent corporations from using current U.S. foreign tax credit rules to subsidize their foreign activities. [HR 4213, #324, 5/28/10].
FACT: Boehner and Republicans Opposed Small Business Relief Paid For By Closing Outsourcing Tax Breaks. In July, Republicans opposed legislation that would have reduced paperwork and reporting requirements for small businesses and been paid for by ending tax breaks that encourage companies to move American jobs overseas. [HR 5982, #514, 7/30/10; The Hill, 7/30/10]
Boehner Spin: "Republicans on the House Budget Committee, led by Congressman Paul Ryan, have already identified $1.3 trillion in specific spending cuts that could be implemented immediately."
FACT: Boehner-Ryan Plan Would Privatize Social Security and Dismantle Medicare. Under the Republican "Roadmap for America’s Future" that Boehner praises, "Medicare is privatized. Seniors get a voucher to buy private insurance, and the voucher's growth is far slower than the expected growth of health-care costs. Medicaid is also privatized… And beyond health care, Social Security gets guaranteed, private accounts that CBO says will actually cost more than the present arrangement" [Washington Post’s Ezra Klein, 2/1/10]
FACT: Boehner-Ryan Plan Cuts Medicare by 76%, Forces Seniors to Buy Coverage From Private Insurance. Under the Republican plan for Medicare, “By 2080, Medicare would be cut 76 percent below its projected size under current policies, according to CBO. In other words, by 2080, the vouchers that would replace Medicare would receive one-quarter of the resources that Medicare would otherwise use.” [Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 7/7/10]
FACT: Boehner Consistently Supports Social Security Privatization and Voted to Dismantle Medicare Into Vouchers. Boehner has been a longtime supporter of privatizing Social Security. He even said in 2006 about privatization, "If I'm around in a leadership role come January, we're going to get serious about it." [Washington Times, 7/31/06; US Federal News, Boehner Answers Community's Questions, 4/29/05; Letter to The Social Security Reform Commission, 5/24/01]
In 2009, Boehner led 137 House Republicans who voted for a plan “that would eventually end the Medicare program as it is presently known,” according to the Associated Press. The Republican plan would dismantle Medicare, turning it into a voucher program and forcing seniors to buy insurance on their own from private insurance companies. [Roll Call Vote #191, 4/2/09; Associated Press, 4/2/09]
Boehner Spin: "It’s time to put grown-ups in charge. It’s time for people willing to accept responsibility. It’s time to do what we say we’re going to do."
FACT: Under Republican Control, Deficits Skyrocketed and Debt Increased by $3 Trillion. Under the failed economic policies of President George W. Bush and Congressional Republicans, the national debt increased by $3 trillion. [TreasuryDirect Daily History of Debt]
Boehner Spin: "I’ve said that if I were fortunate enough to be Speaker of the House, I would run the House differently. And I don’t just mean differently than the way Democrats are running it now. I mean differently than it’s been run in the past under Democrats OR Republicans…Look at spending. We don’t just need to stop spending so much, we need to stop spending so irrationally."
FACT: Republican Whip Eric Cantor Said Republicans Will Allow Their Earmark Ban to Expire After the Election, Despite Top Budget Committee Republican Saying Earmarks Increase Taxes. According to a report in Politico yesterday, "Cantor also signaled that earmarks may come back, after a one-year hiatus in which House Republicans set a moratorium on all earmark requests." The top Republican on the Budget Committee, Rep. Paul Ryan has criticized earmarks, saying they eventually increase the burden on taxpayers. [Politico, 8/23/10; Paul Ryan Op-Ed, 3/3/09]
Categories: Democratic Blogs
The NRCC Knowingly Endorsed David Riveraâs Scandal Plagued Past?!
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 16:22The fact that national Republicans knew about David Rivera’s (FL-25) scandal plagued past and still endorsed his candidacy paints a disgraceful and shocking picture of their priorities. It’s now clearer than ever that the kind of leadership Republicans are offering this November is simply disturbing and wrong.
Last week it was reported that the NRCC knew all along about David Rivera’s scandal plagued past which includes an alleged history of domestic violence and running a delivery truck off the road to prevent a rival candidate’s campaign literature from being mailed. Despite this knowledge, Republican leaders John Boehner, Pete Sessions, and Eric Cantor all endorsed and touted NRCC Young Gun David Rivera. Since the allegations surfaced, Republican leadership has remained silent on the issue.
"David Rivera’s scandal plagued past is disturbing enough to show that he isn’t fit to represent South Florida in any capacity. But the decision by Republican Leader John Boehner and NRCC Chairman Pete Session’s to promote the candidacy and character of David Rivera, even after knowing about his scandal plagued past, makes this reflection of Republicans’ priorities that much more appalling," said Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Ryan Rudominer. "Despite their silence since these allegations surfaced last week, Republican Leader John Boehner, Whip Eric Cantor, and NRCC Chairmen Pete Sessions are sending a clear message: dangerous, scandal plagued candidates like David Rivera represent the kind of disgraceful leadership Republicans are offering voters this November."
BACKGROUND:
- The NRCC knew about David Rivera’s scandal plagued past and still endorsed his candidacy. [Politico, 8/20/10]
- In an investigative report, the Miami Herald discredited Rivera story surrounding past domestic violence allegations. The paper discovered that David Rivera did in fact had ties the victim in question despite his denials. [Miami Herald, 8/19/10]
- CBS 4 Miami discredited David Rivera’s account of what took place in a traffic accident where a truck carrying literature from a rival campaign was driven off the road. The station reported that police reports contradicted Rivera’s story about his role in the 2002 accident. In the incident, a truck carrying flyers from a rival campaign, detailing the alleged domestic violence charges, en route to a post office was driven off the road by David Rivera. [CBS 4 Miami, 8/17/10]
- Rivera previously lied about foreclosure proceedings on a home he co-owns with Marco Rubio. Rivera “denied that a bank began foreclosure proceedings on a house he owned with former House Speaker Marco Rubio even though property and foreclosure records clearly showed he did co-own the home.” [CBS 4 Miami, 8/17/10]
- Throughout the course of his campaign, Republican leaders in Washington have gone out of their way to tout Rivera’s candidacy. Not only is Rivera a member of the NRCC’s “Young Guns” program, but NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions went out of his way to highlight Rivera’s candidacy on NBC’s Meet the Press just one month ago. Both Republican Minority Leader John Boehner and Republican Whip Eric Cantor have supported Rivera’s campaign with fundraisers. In total the three have given $25,000 to Rivera’s campaign. [Meet the Press, 7/18/10; NRCC Press Releases, 4/6/10 and 4/13/10; St. Petersburg Times, 4/27/10; Miami Herald, 4/14/10; FEC.gov, accessed 8/20/10]
Categories: Democratic Blogs
Eric Cantor Stands Behind Candidate with Alleged History of Domestic Violence and Reckless Behavior
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 16:22A shocking investigation by the Miami Herald and CBS 4 Miami alleged that highly touted Republican candidate, David Rivera, has a history of domestic violence and even ran a delivery truck off the road to prevent a rival candidate’s campaign literature from being mailed about the situation. House Republican Whip and Young Guns Program founder, Representative Eric Cantor, has touted and supported Rivera’s campaign, including naming him to the top NRCC Young Guns program, contributing to his campaign and campaigning with him in Florida.
"One day Republican leaders like Eric Cantor promote the candidacy and character of David Rivera and the next these explosive revelations come to light," said spokesperson Jennifer Crider for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "Domestic violence and running trucks off the road aren’t new allegations, but that hasn’t stopped David Rivera from lying about them and Eric Cantor from ignoring them in hopes of winning an election. Eric Cantor is sending a clear message to women: dangerous, scandal plagued candidates like David Rivera represent the kind of leadership Republicans are offering voters this November."
Eric Cantor Campaigning with Disgraced Candidate David RiveraBACKGROUND:
- In an investigative report, the Miami Herald discredited Rivera story surrounding past domestic violence allegations. The paper discovered that David Rivera did in fact had ties the victim in question despite his denials. [Miami Herald, 8/19/10]
- CBS 4 Miami discredited David Rivera’s account of what took place in a traffic accident where a truck carrying literature from a rival campaign was driven off the road. The station reported that police reports contradicted Rivera’s story about his role in the 2002 accident. In the incident, a truck carrying flyers from a rival campaign, detailing the alleged domestic violence charges, en route to a post office was driven off the road by David Rivera. [CBS 4 Miami, 8/17/10]
- Rivera also lied about his personal ties to a controversial businessman. As CBS 4 Miami reported, Rivera “denied to the Miami Herald being friends with a principal of a group that advises companies on how to trade with Cuba despite several prominent witnesses who said the two men were close.” [CBS 4 Miami, 8/17/10]
- Throughout the course of his campaign, Republican leaders in Washington have gone out of their way to tout Rivera’s candidacy. Not only is Rivera a member of the NRCC’s “Young Guns” program, but NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions went out of his way to highlight Rivera’s candidacy on NBC’s Meet the Press just one month ago. Both Republican Minority Leader John Boehner and Republican Whip Eric Cantor have supported Rivera’s campaign with fundraisers. In total the three have given $25,000 to Rivera’s campaign. [Meet the Press, 7/18/10; NRCC Press Releases, 4/6/10 and 4/13/10; St. Petersburg Times, 4/27/10; Miami Herald, 4/14/10; FEC.gov, accessed 8/20/10]
Categories: Democratic Blogs
Leader John Boehner to Reaffirm Republicansâ Disastrous Economic Agenda
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 16:11House Republican Leader John Boehner is set to give a “major economic speech” on Tuesday, but the Republican economic agenda is already crystal clear: what is good for Wall Street comes before what is good for folks on Main Street.
Boehner’s speech will likely reaffirm House Republican support for returning to the exact same failed economic policies that increased the federal debt by nearly $3 trillion under President George W. Bush and Congressional Republicans. What Americans may not hear from Republican Leader Boehner is his and House Republicans’ commitment to:
- Unpaid for tax breaks for the wealthiest that add billions to the deficit;
- Protecting tax breaks for big companies that ship American jobs overseas; and,
- Privatizing Social Security and ending Medicare.
"Republican Leader Boehner’s agenda is clear: exploding the debt with unpaid for tax breaks for the very wealthy, taxpayer funded breaks for Big Oil, and gambling seniors hard-earned retirement," said Ryan Rudominer, National Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "Americans simply can’t afford a return to these exact same Republican policies that drove the American economy into a ditch that we’re just beginning to dig out of."
BACKGROUND
- Boehner led near unanimous Republican opposition to legislation that paid for protecting the jobs of police, firefighters, and teachers through closing tax loopholes that encourage companies to move American jobs overseas. [HR 1586, #518, 8/10/10]
- In 2009, Boehner led 137 House Republicans who voted for a plan “that would eventually end the Medicare program as it is presently known,” according to the Associated Press. The Republican plan would dismantle Medicare, turning it into a voucher program and forcing seniors to buy insurance on their own from private insurance companies. [Roll Call Vote #191, 4/2/09; Associated Press, 4/2/09]
- Boehner has been a longtime supporter of privatizing Social Security. He even said in 2006 about privatization, "If I'm around in a leadership role come January, we're going to get serious about it." [Washington Times, 7/31/06; US Federal News, Boehner Answers Community's Questions, 4/29/05; Letter to The Social Security Reform Commission, 5/24/01]
- Boehner criticized the Wall Street reform bill as an overreaction to the financial crisis that triggered the recession…"This is killing an ant with a nuclear weapon," Boehner said. [Pittsburgh Tribune Review, 6/29/10]
Categories: Democratic Blogs
Thousands of Volunteers Come Out for DCCC’s Fall Kickoff Campaign
Mon, 08/23/2010 - 12:19The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's (DCCC) Fall Kickoff began this week with hundreds of house meetings across the country, where volunteers and neighbors will come together for discussions about what is at stake this November and to build an energized base of volunteers from the ground up.
The house meetings are leading up to the DCCC's National Day of Action this Saturday, August 28th where our volunteers, in conjunction with Organizing for America (OFA) volunteers, will knock on more than 200,000 doors in some of the most competitive districts across the country to remind voters of the choice in this election between moving America forward or letting the Republicans bring back the exact same agenda of former President Bush.
Sign up to volunteer in your area >>
The battle tested DCCC voter contact program has started earlier this cycle than ever before and is using new technologies and data-driven analysis to support our Frontline members and candidates. The DCCC tested the effectiveness and improved its enhanced voter contact programs with each of the special election victories in NY-20, NY-23, and our eight-point victory in PA-12. Working with State Parties across the country, field staff have been recruiting and training volunteers for the fall elections. In turn, those volunteers are knocking on doors and making phone calls, talking to their friends and families about the importance of continuing to move the country forward.
Categories: Democratic Blogs
Group Supporting Shipping U.S. Jobs Overseas Invests Over $300,000 to Elect Dan Benishek
Fri, 08/20/2010 - 13:41Americans for Prosperity, a shady right-wing Republican front group, is running an ad campaign in Michigan’s 1st congressional district to help elect Republican candidate Dan Benishek. Voters deserve to know that the group spending more than $300,000 to elect Republican candidate Dan Benishek has an agenda: supporting the tax breaks to big corporations that ship American jobs overseas and privatizing Social Security.
Americans for Prosperity backs the privatization of Social Security, backs Republican tax breaks to ship American jobs overseas, and opposes bringing accountability to Wall Street. Americans for Prosperity was founded by billionaire David Koch and continues to be run and funded by Koch Industries, its executives and lobbyists. Koch Industries has a history of shipping American jobs overseas.
“Americans for Prosperity is backed by a New York City billionaire with a history of outsourcing. Voters deserve to know that ads helping Dan Benishek are being run by a shady outside group that wants to privatize Social Security and supports giving big companies tax breaks to ship American jobs overseas,” said DCCC spokesperson Jennifer Crider. “Privatizing Social Security and sending American jobs to China and India may be Dan Benishek and Americans for Prosperity’s agenda, but it doesn’t reflect the values of the hardworking folks here in Michigan.”
In contrast to what’s best for the district, Dan Benishek has pledged to protect tax breaks for big companies that ship American jobs overseas.
BACKGROUND
- Benishek Signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Dan Benishek signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge to protect tax breaks for companies that ship American jobs overseas. [ATR.org, accessed 8/20/10]
- 1. Signers of ATR’s Pledge are Committed to Supporting Tax Breaks for Companies Outsourcing American Jobs. Americans for Tax Reform has stated that it is a violation of their pledge to support ending tax breaks for companies who ship jobs overseas. [Americans for Tax Reform, 8/9/10; Washington Post, 8/5/10; Washington Post, 6/9/10]
- 1. Signers of ATR’s Pledge are Committed to Supporting Tax Breaks for Companies Outsourcing American Jobs. Americans for Tax Reform has stated that it is a violation of their pledge to support ending tax breaks for companies who ship jobs overseas. [Americans for Tax Reform, 8/9/10; Washington Post, 8/5/10; Washington Post, 6/9/10]
- Americans for Prosperity Funded, Run by Koch Industries Executives. Americans for Prosperity was founded by David H. Koch, one of the wealthiest men in America and the executive vice president and board member of Koch Industries, which was founded by his father. Recently, Koch gave $5 million to Americans for Prosperity. The recent President of Americans for Prosperity is a former lobbyist for Koch Industries. In 2009, AFP President Tim Phillips said Koch “launched our organization.” The executive Vice President of Koch Industries said, “What we have done is support the Americans for Prosperity Foundation, which has been active in various forms for nearly 30 years.” [New York Times, 7/10/08; MSNBC, 3/31/10; Politico, 10/14/08, Washington Examiner, 7/18/10; Washington Independent, 10/5/09]
- Described as “Wealthiest Resident of New York City,” Billionaire Socialite and AFP Founder David Koch Gave $100 Million to Have Manhattan Ballet Named After Him. In 2008, the New York Times reported that Manhattan billionaire and ‘fixture of the New York social circuit’ David Koch gave $100 million to the New York State Theater, home of the ballet, where he has been going for 40 years. Koch’s estimated net worth is $17 billion and he has used his wealth to fund Americans for Prosperity and have wings and buildings named after him. Among his collection of homes, Koch has decorated his Aspen ski home with a pair of 130-pound Ugandan elephant tusks. [New York Times, 7/10/08]
- Key Kotch Industies Subsidiary Received an Award for Shipping American Jobs to China. In 2006, Invista, a key subsidiary of Koch Industries, received the “Outsourcing Excellence Award” for their work shipping American jobs to China. [Freeborders Release, 6/1/06]
- Major Kotch Industries Subsidiary is On List of Companies “Exporting America.” Koch Industries is the owner of Georgia Pacific, a company on Lou Dobbs’ list of “companies either sending American jobs overseas, or choosing to employ cheap overseas labor, instead of American workers.” [CNN; Koch Industries]
- Americans for Prosperity Advocates for Privatization of Social Security. Americans for Prosperity has long advocated privatization of Social Security. According to Americans for Prosperity, "Personal accounts would allow millions of younger workers to have part of their Social Security taxes automatically invested in secure, diversified bond funds and stock funds, similar to what many workers already do with 401(k) plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)." [Americans for Prosperity, 6/6/05]
- Americans for Prosperity Called Effort to End Tax Breaks for Outsourcing a “Bailout” and Opposed Previous Efforts to End Tax Breaks for Outsourcing. Americans for Prosperity called an effort to fund kids education by ending tax breaks for companies who ship Americans jobs overseas. AFP also opposed an effort to close tax loopholes that encourage outsourcing of Americans jobs. [AFP, 8/4/10; AFP, 6/24/10]
- Americans for Prosperity Ads in June 2010 Were Taken Down From TV Stations. Americans for Prosperity ran ads in June 2010 attacking Representatives Earl Pomeroy (ND) and Dina Titus (NV). The AFP ads were removed and were refused to continue to run because AFP made false statements. AFP ran an earlier ad that was widely described as false by independent fact check groups. [Inforum, 6/15/10; AFP, 3/12/10; Factcheck.org, 3/12/10; Ralston Flash (NV), 6/15/10]
- Americans for Prosperity Opposes Wall Street Reform. Americans for Prosperity has organized protests opposing Wall Street reform and opposed holding hearing and have an entire website designed to attempting to kill Wall Street reform. [Americans for Prosperity, 4/20/10; Americans for Prosperity’s CFPA Exposed]
Categories: Democratic Blogs
The NRCC’s Idea of Strong Leadership? Scandal Plagued David Rivera
Fri, 08/20/2010 - 12:40Republicans are shockingly standing by a scandal plagued candidate in Florida’s 25th district, State Representative David Rivera, despite new reports on his alleged history of domestic violence and reckless behavior. The revelations not only prove that Rivera is unfit to represent South Florida in any capacity, but they also paint a disturbing picture about national Republicans, their priorities, and the kind of leadership they’re offering Americans this November.
Republican leaders John Boehner, Pete Sessions, and Eric Cantor have all touted NRCC Young Gun David Rivera. This week, however, Rivera has come under fire for his alleged history of domestic violence, running a delivery truck off the road to prevent a rival candidate’s campaign literature from being mailed, and for lying about foreclosure proceedings on a home he and Marco Rubio co-own. The allegations were exposed in investigative reports by the Miami Herald and CBS 4 Miami.
"The Republican Leader John Boehner and NRCC Chairman Pete Session’s decision to promote the candidacy and character of David Rivera is disturbing for anyone, especially for women,” said spokesperson Jennifer Crider for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Domestic violence and running trucks off the road aren’t new allegations, but that hasn’t stopped David Rivera from lying about them and Washington Republicans from ignoring them in hopes of winning an election. Republican Leader John Boehner, Whip Eric Cantor, and NRCC Chairmen Pete Sessions are sending a clear message to women: dangerous, scandal plagued candidates like David Rivera represent the kind of leadership Republicans are offering voters this November."
BACKGROUND:
- In an investigative report, the Miami Herald discredited Rivera story surrounding past domestic violence allegations. The paper discovered that David Rivera did in fact had ties the victim in question despite his denials. [Miami Herald, 8/19/10]
- CBS 4 Miami discredited David Rivera’s account of what took place in a traffic accident where a truck carrying literature from a rival campaign was driven off the road. The station reported that police reports contradicted Rivera’s story about his role in the 2002 accident. In the incident, a truck carrying flyers from a rival campaign, detailing the alleged domestic violence charges, en route to a post office was driven off the road by David Rivera. [CBS 4 Miami, 8/17/10]
- Rivera previously lied about foreclosure proceedings on a home he co-owns with Marco Rubio. Rivera “denied that a bank began foreclosure proceedings on a house he owned with former House Speaker Marco Rubio even though property and foreclosure records clearly showed he did co-own the home.” [CBS 4 Miami, 8/17/10]
- Rivera also lied about his personal ties to a controversial businessman. As CBS 4 Miami reported, Rivera “denied to the Miami Herald being friends with a principal of a group that advises companies on how to trade with Cuba despite several prominent witnesses who said the two men were close.” [CBS 4 Miami, 8/17/10]
- Throughout the course of his campaign, Republican leaders in Washington have gone out of their way to tout Rivera’s candidacy. Not only is Rivera a member of the NRCC’s “Young Guns” program, but NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions went out of his way to highlight Rivera’s candidacy on NBC’s Meet the Press just one month ago. Both Republican Minority Leader John Boehner and Republican Whip Eric Cantor have supported Rivera’s campaign with fundraisers. In total the three have given $25,000 to Rivera’s campaign. [Meet the Press, 7/18/10; NRCC Press Releases, 4/6/10 and 4/13/10; St. Petersburg Times, 4/27/10; Miami Herald, 4/14/10; FEC.gov, accessed 8/20/10]
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