@Stake: Unbelievable
Executive Director Jon Vogel just sent this message to DCCC supporters:
|
||||||||||||||||
The Stakeholder
Big Oil Billionaire Koch Brothers Funding Swift-Boat Attacks on House Democrats
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 oil billionaire brothers.
Watch this clip from Countdown with Keith Olbermann on the "Kochtopus":
House Republican Candidates in Disarray Across the Country
While 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]
DCCC TV Ad Hits Sean Duffy (WI-07) on Privatizing Social Security
The 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]
Tomorrow Night
Paul 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.
Volunteers to Knock on More than 200,000 Doors for DCCC’s National Day of Action
Today, 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.
DCCC: IRS Should Investigate Americans for Prosperity Foundation
The 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]
Jesse Kelly: Out Of Touch With Reality, Southern Arizona
Jesse 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]
