The Stakeholder
DCCC Announces Families First Ad Campaign
UPDATE: Listen to a sample radio ad:
Joseph Cao (LA-02)
DCCC Press:
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), chaired by Congressman Chris Van Hollen, today announced the DCCC is launching a Putting Families First ad and grassroots campaign in 28 targeted Republican districts. The ads focus on the Republicans out of step priorities by putting bank bail outs and building schools in Iraq before the needs of the Americans in the struggling economy. The Putting Families First ads begin airing on Tuesday morning during drive time and will run for a week.
In addition to the strategic radio ads in 28 Republican districts, the DCCC will also begin a grassroots initiative which includes targeted e-mails to 3 million voters and nearly 100,000 person-to-person telephone calls.
House Republicans just don't get it. They celebrate being the party of no and status quo, while more than 2.6 million Americans have lost their jobs, the stock market has plummeted wiping out nearly $7 trillion stock market wealth and endangering thousands of investors' nest eggs, and one in 10 homeowners was delinquent on mortgage payments or in foreclosure this fall.
"These are serious times, hard working families are worried about keeping their jobs, health care and homes - they want action, not House Republicans cheering about doing nothing," said Brian Wolff, Executive Director of the DCCC. "Republicans' champagne wishes and caviar dreams simply don't connect with middle class families struggling to make ends meet and furious that their tax dollars are going to bail out banks, build schools in Iraq, or send American jobs overseas. The Putting Families First campaign is only the first step, we will continue to go district by district to hold Republicans who continue to vote in lockstep with party leaders and against the folks in their districts accountable."
According to Politico, House Republicans celebrated voting against economic recovery while at their retreat last week:
But the mood Thursday night here at the posh Homestead Resort was buoyant after Wednesday's vote, in which every Republican opposed the Democrats' stimulus bill. The assembled Republicans rose in a standing ovation Thursday night when Minority Leader John A. Boehner of Ohio showed them a C-SPAN video of the vote itself, according to people present. [Politico, Members cheer vote at GOP retreat, 01/30/09]
Representative Don
Young
AK-AL
Representative Dan
Lungren CA-03
Representative Elton
Gallegy
CA-24
Representative Ken
Calvert*
CA-44
Representative Brian
Bilbray
CA-50
Representative Bill
Young
FL-10
Representative Tom Rooney
FL-16
Representative Lincoln
Diaz-Balart
FL-21
Representative Mario
Diaz-Balart
FL-25
Representative Tom
Latham
IA-04
Representative Donald
Manzullo
IL-16
Representative Brett
Guthrie
KY-02
Representative Joseph
Cao
LA-02
Representative John
Fleming
LA-04
Representative Bill
Cassidy
LA-06
Representative Roscoe
Bartlett MD-06
Representative Thad
McCotter
MI-11
Representative Michele
Bachmann* MN-06
Representative Blaine
Luetkemeyer* MO-09
Representative Lee Terry
NE-02
Representative Leonard
Lance NJ-07
Representative
Christopher Lee
NY-26
Representative Henry
Brown SC-01
Representative Pete
Sessions
TX-32
Representative Eric
Cantor
VA-07
Representative Dave
Reichert
WA-08
Representative James
Sensenbrenner WI-05
Representative Shelley
Moore-Capito WV-02
*Ads on economic recovery and children's health care will run in these districts.
Economic Recovery - Bank Bailout Ad
The following ad is the districts of Representatives Eric Cantor (VA-07), Pete Sessions (TX-32), Henry Brown (SC-01), Ken Calvert (CA-44), Dan Lungren (CA-03), and Lee Terry (NE-02):
Did you know Congressman Eric Cantor voted to bail out big banks, but opposed tax breaks for 95 percent of American workers? Times are tough, tell Member to put families first.
Economic Recovery - American Schools Ad
The following ad is the districts of Representatives Roscoe Bartlett (MD-06), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL-21), Shelley Moore Capito (WV-02), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Elton Gallegy (CA-24), Tom Latham (IA-04), Donald Manzullo (IL-16), Thad McCotter (MI-11), Dave Reichert (WA-08), James Sensenbrenner (WI-05), Bill Young (FL-10), and Don Young (AK-AL):
Did you know Congressman Thad McCotter opposed over $526 million to modernize crumbling Michigan schools, but supported building new schools in Iraq? Times are tough, tell Thad McCotter to put American jobs first.
Economic Recovery - Saving and Creating American Jobs Ad
The following ad is the districts of Representatives Michele Bachmann (MN-06), Brian Bilbray (CA-50), Joseph Cao (LA-02), Bill Cassidy (LA-06), John Fleming (LA-04), Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Leonard Lance (NJ-07), Christopher Lee (NY-26), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-09), and Tom Rooney (FL-16):
Did you know Congressman Christopher Lee voted against economic recovery to immediately create and save over 390,000 New York jobs? Times are tough, tell Christopher Lee to put families before politics.
Children's' Health Care
Ad
The following ad is the districts of Michele Bachmann (MN-06), Ken Calvert (CA-44), and Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-09):
Did you know Congressman Ken Calvert gets health care at taxpayers' expense, but Calvert voted against health care for 11 million uninsured children? Times are tough, tell Ken Calvert to put families first.
HA! HA! HA! “...Immediately create or save…”, which is it? I’m sure the potential 390,000 people would like to know if they’re getting work or if 390,000 OTHER people get to keep their jobs while they continue to struggle.
This is proof positive that the stimulus bill is choc full of liberal pet projects. I saw this game plan coming a mile away DCCC, there is an ad for anything you want because the thing IS FULL OF CRAP FOR EVERY POSSIBLE FOCUS GROUP CONSTITUENCY THAT THE LEFT DEEMS WORTHY (read: formula grants)! How about running ads in the frozen states claiming your democrat voted for $400m to NASA for climate modeling. Destroying our way of life aside, you guys crack me up.
This is fantastic! GREAT WORK. To make it more believable, though, you should run the same ads against Bobby Bright (AL), Parker Griffith (AL), Walt Minnick (ID), Heath Shuler (NC), Allen Boyd (FL), Frank Kratovil (MD), Collin Peterson (MN), Gene Taylor (MS), Brad Ellsworth (IN) and the rest of the Democrats who habitually cross the aisle and vote with the Republicans on the issues the campaign is focussing on. Keep up the good work—just make it better!
I think there should be a windfall income tax on lobbying by politicians and their wives and children.
Also there should be a retroactive confiscatory income tax on publications and speeches by current and former politicians.
In addition, Congress needs to legislate the ability of families to vote themselves $93,000 raises, as needed.
In addition the government should institute real accounting practices and make it transparent by putting the gov’t checkbooks on line.
Otherwise it’s all hypocritical mumbo jumbo and blather.
No one does hypocrisy like the many houses-no empathy Republicans. What a a relief to call them on it.
“No one does hypocrisy like the many houses-no empathy Republicans”
Actually, no one does hypocrisy like the “taxes for thee, but not for me”, tax increase promoting, non-charitable giving, it’s all a misunderstanding, “it’s patriotic to pay taxes”, used underwear donating, family member lobbying, sweetheart Country-wide mortgage receiving, elite democRATS
If the Republicans call their votes against the bill in Congress against Obama funny they should look up the word “STATESMANSHIP” they should resign so we can get some people who know what it means. They probably think their
farts don’t stink.
Don’t forget to target Lee Terry in Nebraska. It may be a Republican state but he had to work like heck to hold onto his seat this election while his district cast a lone electoral vote for Obama.
Looks like another propaganda campaign getting spun up! As a Republican, I don’t have any “champagne wishes and caviar dreams”, but apparently I might be able to afford it if I wasn’t making up for all of Obama’s nominees’ delinquent income tax filings. I would just like the opportunity to KEEP A LITTLE MORE OF WHAT I EARN.
The gut-wrenching lunacy of the dems would be funny if it weren’t for the fact that my tax-dollars are getting wasted
I’m a lifelong democrat—a liberal by most standards. Yet, I don’t support this stimulus bill. There are really problems with the package. And I don’t support the “cash for trash” bank strategy Obama proposed with the balance of the TARP bailout money.
These types of strong arm tactics by my party are wrong…such tactics don’t resolve the issues. Those in opposition to the stimulus bill have real concerns; these tactics ignore the concerns, and instead, use public pressure to coerce compliance.
This is not leadership—this is the same old Bush/Cheney/Rove republican style politics we’ve seen for 8 years.
WE THE PEOPLE are NO LONGER represented by our so called “leaders”, both democrat OR republican! We said NO to the bailout, NO to illegal aliens and amnesty, NO to gay marriage, YES to securing our borders, and YET, what did our REPRESENTATIVES (LOL) do, the exact opposite of what WE wanted! Cut off ALL foreign aid and pull out of the UN since we are in debt up to our eyeballs and can’t afford to support the WHOLE world! NEVER elect ANY incumbent more than twice!! If things keep going the way they have for the past 20 years, WE THE PEOPLE are going to get fed up enough to start another American revolution or civil war! Sad but true! Let’s hope WE THE PEOPLE get smart enough to KICK THEIR ASSES to the curb next election or the above WILL happen! We deserved what we are receiving right now BECAUSE we didn’t elect better representatives!! America is going to end soon if we DON"T wise up!
This is rich stuff. It take some serious nerve to distort the truth so much.
“Did you know Congressman Christopher Lee voted against economic recovery..?” HA.. Just because he doesn’t want your rotten pork laden bill to destroy the economy further, in no way adds up to being against economic recovery. In fact the “Stimulus Package” is what is “against economic recovery”.
Further;
“Did you know Congressman Ken Calvert gets health care at taxpayers’ expense..?”. To be accurate, this should say “Did you know congress gets health care at taxpayers’ expense”. Then, to follow the logic here, just because an employee of the government gets health care, we all should. The lack of real thinking here is stunning. And the worst part is, many public-educated Americans will fall for this.
Now one from me;
Did you Know congress doesn’t have to pay social security? It’s good enough for the “masses” but not good enough for our “public servants”.
One more point:
There is NO contest which party OWNS hypocrisy, and it doesn’t start with an R. One guess. OK, I’m sorry, most of you have a public education, so, I have to tell you clearly; The Democrats OWN hypocrisy. Republicans, in the hypocrisy game, you have been PWNED by the Democrats!!
PWNED!!! Admit your defeat!!
What a joke the Putting Families First. All you have to do is say warm and cuddly thing—family, children, peace, etc.—- and you can justify anything.
The facts are, the Democrats—for the most part and certainly NOT ALL—are not very Family Friendly.
Shall we talk about federal funding for domestic abortions? Or how about federal funding for foreign abortions?
Yea, that is real family friendly…
What about same-sex marriage? The public has spoken and spoken very clearly on this issue. Yet, the liberals are just itching to ram it down the throats of the public.
And what about illegal aliens? Mind you, I am not talking about legal immigrants—bully for them and welcome to what is still considered the land of opportunity.
No, I am talking about illegal aliens which stress our police and judicial systems and cost billions a year. And create crime levels that make many of our cities unsafe. In some locations more than a 1,000 miles away from the Mexican border, 30% of those in jail are illegal aliens.
These sap our money and resources to the point that our families support every day.
And if someone truly wanted to help families, provide tax cuts and forget this ill-conceived and sinking “stimulus” package.
Folks, the honeymoon is over. Time to put away the champagne and get on with the way the world operates and not live in a liberal la-la land.
“Republicans’ champagne wishes and caviar dreams simply don’t connect with middle class families…” I just, don’t… know… I… Where do I begin? Was he DRUNK when he said that? It’s pointless with you democrats. It really shows what you think of voters with ads like that. Bad luck to ya’. I hope you fail.
This is propaganda and not a legitimate argument.
Your next campaign should be, “Republicans are poo-poo heads”
If the stimulus bill is so great, post it on this site. I want to see every line item and make an informed decision on whether or not I want my representative to vote for it.
If it was so great, democrats would not have voted against it. They would have voted unanimously for it, and republicans would have joined in too.
Your ad campaign consists of hateful partisanship and deception. Your rhetoric is asinine: “Republicans’ champagne wishes and caviar dreams simply don’t connect with middle class families struggling to make ends meet…” Speaking of the middle class, is Obama trying to connect with the middle class with his cocktail and wagyu steak soirées? is he trying to connect with the middle class with $170 million dollar parties and posh superbowl celebrations? Americans are freezing to death while Obama luxuriates in a White House that is now hot enough to grow orchids.
Spending a trillion dollars two years from now isn’t going to help the middle class. The middle class understands that. And that’s why support for Obama’s highly partisan plan is eroding. If Democrats want to get serious about a quick stimulus, they’d get behind a two-month tax holiday for all Americans. That would “cost” about one third as much as Obama’s plan, and would have an immediate stimulative effect. But one big downside to that plan: it doesn’t give politicians any power. They don’t get to choose winners and losers. They don’t get to reward special interest groups.
You aren’t really serious about helping the middle class, are you?
I think that the Republicans and those 11 Democrats (bi-partisan support against the bill) are voting against the wasteful spending in the Stimulus Bill. For that I thankful.
Examples of the wasteful spending include:
• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient.
• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.
• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.
• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).
• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.
• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.
• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD’s.
• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.
• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.
• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.
• $75 million for “smoking cessation activities.”
• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.
• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.
• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.
• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.
• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into “green” buildings.
• $500 million for state and local fire stations.
• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.
• $1.2 billion for “youth activities,” including youth summer job programs.
• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.
• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.
• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.
• $160 million for “paid volunteers” at the Corporation for National and Community Service.
• $5.5 million for “energy efficiency initiatives” at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.
• $850 million for Amtrak.
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.
• $75 million to construct a “security training” facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.
• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.
Would anyone out there like to defend these????
Perhaps the Republicans don’t get the middle class, but I have NEVER believed that the Democrats have either.
How dare a politician think that not having perfect new items mean that one is neglected. So what if schools in Iraq are being built, the fundamentals of learning do not require new schools but tough rigid standards. The notion that we must teach tolerance, awareness, and global issues has taken precedent over the basics in the US.
And for medical care, why on earth would this be something that is needed for ever child? Once the government gets involved corruption follows. Maybe if we had our public schools get the children back to recess and exercising and not allowing vending machines in the schools we could get the children in better health without spending first.
I am sick and tired of witnessing those in the grocery store using food stamp cards while sporting cell phones and wearing clothing from the Gap. Have we really seen hunger in the United States like we are seeing on the continent of Africa. I believe that the entitlement mentality is creating an obesity epidemic for those on food stamps as they are allotted a substantial amount of money each month.
And for the housing crisis, wasn’t that the REASON that the stimulus package was rushed through so quickly? I believe that you will have anarchy on your hands because many believe that you WILL SAVE the homes that most really could not qualify for. If I understand correctly amidst the pork, you no longer will be assisting these poor folks.
Now that I am here, I believe that I shall also suggest something that should be added.I believe that when folks go and vote for the president of the United States that they must be citizens of this country and be able to prove that they are. The officials being elected have requirements to hold office yet we allow any person to vote. Please remember before you disagree with me that I live in New Mexico and I have witnessed those who work on election day-telling me “oh no we cannot ask to see your identification”.
If I were mismanaging my money the way you are I am sure that life would be miserable for me. I most likely would be headed to bankruptcy court and maybe even jail.
Ditto, Been There. This has always been a slogan for many Dems/Socialists, who think we are stupid enough to believe that ANYONE can be “Pro-Family” and fund 4 million murders here and millions more round the world. What a JOKE!
The Republicans and the Dems/Socialists all have to answer to someone higher than themselves. SOME of us get that. that’s why we have no problem with helping others, maybe even before helping ourselves. That’s a difficult concept for the “me-first” types who voted for “CHANGE” God help us.
I’m a long time Democrat
Jennifer in New Mexico says:
“I live in New Mexico”
Is New Mexico part of the USA? Sounds like it’s part of, oh maybe, Mexico?
Do they also have Ammo Stamps along with the Food Stamps? I’m looking for a place where the government will buy my ammo for me.
WRT Scott in NC’s list: YES, I’ll defend that. Nearly all of that translates DIRECTLY into new jobs, putting Americans back to work. Construction jobs at DHS and NIH. Reducing the hazard of lead-based paint = somebody gets hired to scrape it out. “Youth activities” = jobs for counselors, program leads, plus rental of facilities, food servers etc. - pumping money DIRECTLY into an economy. OUR economy, for once, instead of Iraq’s. Why aren’t you whining about the $12 billion-with-a B per MONTH that Iraq is costing? Why aren’t you whining about the Citigroup CEO’s $1.2 million office redecoration that taxpayers paid for? That’s all stuff that happened on the Republicans’ watch.
I am glad to see Pelosi and her crew are doing what the do best spend money. In this case I am happy that it is their money not mine. The problem for Pelosi is that she looks like the fool that we know her to be. In the Pelican state they are spending money to denounce three Republican congressman who did not vote for the bail out bill while at the same time Senator Mary Landrieu a Democratic denounces the Bail Out Package.
Good Job PELOSI.
You are lying, as usual. I don’t know why I expect anything different. I am extremely proud of my Representative for voting against this massive pork-laden joke of a bill. I’ve asked my Senators to do the same but they are Dems so care more about themselves than the people of this country. Our new president and his wizard behind the curtain, Soros, can try to cram Socialism down our throats but they will find out that we are Americans - we are not French. Do your worst, Democrats, in the end you will be defeated as you were in 1980, 1994 and 2000.
“According to Politico, House Republicans celebrated voting against economic recovery while at their retreat last week”
Only a child would fall for this. If you have fallen for this, consider yourself a failure, unless you are under the age of 12.
The Republicans obviously want recovery, they just didn’t think that the bill they were voting on was the correct method to aid recovery. To claim they are against the recovery is disingenuous, not constructive, and childish. Can’t we act like adults and not rely on such obvious deceptions.
While you libs. were out whining about how big government wasn’t giving and giving and giving you enough (poor little children), I started working as a youth, put myself through college, worked full-time and went to law school at night. Forgive me if I chose to work hard and now it’s paying off. Forgive me if I feel being overtaxed breeds your laziness and inability to think and do for yourself. Socialism is not the answer; getting off the couch is.
Thanks for running ads in Louisiana showing that our representatives voted against the “economic recovery” bill. It shows me that we did a good job electing them. Now if we could just get rid of Mary Landrieu!
Dear Scott in NC
I will defend these items. They all create work—paid work that will get the economy moving again. That is the point of a stimulus package. Besides, they are all things we will ultimately have to pay for anyway. The problem with the Republicans is that they really do not believe in government at all. They should get out of it rather than trying to destroy it from within. We have tried their so-called approach for a long time. It has poisoned our political discourse and wrecked our economy. They can spew hate all they want, but what they are sore about is their own failure and loss of power.
Suzanne In Festus - I suggest you read the Federalist Papers and what our founding fathers thought of overpowering government and good ‘ol jolly England. Having too strong of a national government was a topic of great debate and concern when they formed this nation. Perhaps through education you can come to understand why big government and government absent checks and balances is not how this great country has thrived. Unless you really want a parent/child relationship with a government telling you what to do in every aspect of your life (in that case, too bad you didn’t live here in the 1700’s). Suggesting Republicans don’t want any government at all is absent of reason. Further, this great nation will stay great through debate and a collaboration of great minds. Wanting to silence people is for the Russians…not America.