‘BUILDING BLOCKS’: Donald Trump & House Republicans Built from Same Reckless Policies
DCCC Launches First Digital Ad Campaign this Cycle –Targets Republican & Independent Women in 15 Key Congressional Districts
The DCCC is launching its first paid digital advertising campaign of the cycle to highlight the clear connection between Donald Trump and House Republicans, targeting 15 key Congressional Districts and Washington, D.C. The advertisement, “Building Blocks,” emphasizes the reckless policies and positions that Donald Trump and House Republicans share. “Building Blocks” will start running today in 60- & 30-second web ads and continue for two weeks, into the congressional Memorial Day recess as House Republicans return home.
Donald Trump’s ascension as the Republican presidential nominee means House Republicans will be on the Trump ticket in November, a deeply damaging and unavoidable reality. Further, Trump’s mantle as the leader of the Republican Party shines a national spotlight on the anti-immigrant, anti-women’s healthcare, anti-Muslim, and anti-LGBT positions of the House Republicans, positions they staked out long before Trump launched his campaign.
Notably, these advertisements will target female Independent and Republican voters, with whom Donald Trump’s numbers are toxic. This 5-figure digital ad campaign will also be promoted on Facebook in Washington, D.C.
“Donald Trump has pulled back the curtain on House Republicans, revealing their long-held discriminatory and backwards positions that harm women, immigrants, Muslims, the LGBT community, and so many others,” said DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Luján. “This digital ad campaign is the first of many connections we’ll highlight between Donald Trump and House Republicans, and communicates directly with the Republican and Independent women in key swing districts who are turned off by Trump and the direction of the Republican Party as a whole.”
15 Targeted Districts:
- AZ-01: GOP primary field
- CO-06: Rep. Mike Coffman
- FL-26: Carlos Curbelo
- IA-01: Rep. Rod Blum
- IL-10: Bob Dold
- ME-02: Bruce Poliquin
- MN-02: Republican primary field
- MN-03: Rep. Erik Paulsen
- NH-01: Frank Guinta
- NJ-05: Scott Garrett
- NV-03: Republican primary field
- NV-04: Cresent Hardy
- NY-24: John Katko
- PA-08: Candidate Brian Fitzpatrick
- VA-10: Barbara Comstock
Background:
Washington Post: Trump’s Status As Frontrunner In GOP Is “As Much a Reflection Of The Condition As A Cause.” “The front-runner for the nomination of the Republican Party is as much a reflection of the condition as a cause, a reality that Ryan (R-Wis.) touched on only lightly in calling for a more positive and uplifting approach to politics by all sides. Which means stopping Trump alone won’t necessarily solve all of the party’s problems.” [Washington Post, 3/26/16]
Wall Street Journal: Doug Heye: “How Did Donald Trump Rise? Partly Through Congressional Republicans’ Divide.” [Doug Heye, Wall Street Journal, 3/30/16]
Abortion:
Donald Trump: “There Has To Be Some Form Of Punishment” For Women Who Have Abortions. MATTHEWS: Do you believe in punishment for abortion, yes or no as a principle?
TRUMP: The answer is that there has to be some form of punishment.
MATTHEWS: For the woman.
TRUMP: Yeah, there has to be some form. [MSNBC, 3/30/16]
MSNBC: “Republicans Muscled Broadened Abortion Restrictions Through The House.” “Republicans muscled broadened abortion restrictions through the House yesterday.” [MSNBC,1/23/15]
Planned Parenthood:
Trump: No Funding For Planned Parenthood. Trump: “But we’re not going to allow, and we’re not going to fund, as long as you have the abortion going on at Planned Parenthood, and we understand that and I’ve said it loud and clear.” [TIME, 3/2/16]
Paul Ryan: No Funding For Planned Parenthood. Ryan: “I don’t think Planned Parenthood should get a red cent from the taxpayer. I’ve always believed that, even before these disgusting videos came out.” [CNN, 11/1/15]
Immigration:
Trump: Mexico Is Sending Criminals, Drugs, Rapists To U.S. Trump: “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.” [Washington Post, 7/8/15]
Rep. Steve King: Immigrants Have “Calves The Size Of Cantaloupes” From Carrying 75 Lbs Of Marijuana Across The Desert. King: “Well, my answer to that is…it’s true in some cases, but they aren’t all valedictorians. They weren’t all brought in by their parents. For every one who’s a valedictorian, there’s another 100 out there who weigh 130 pounds and they’ve got calves the size of cantaloupes because they’re hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert. Those people would be legalized with the same act.” [New York Times, 7/24/13]
Treatment of Muslims:
Trump Called For Banning All Muslims From Entering The United States. “Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump called Monday for a blanket ban on all Muslims entering the United States, further stoking an incendiary debate spurred by recent mass shootings carried out by terrorists in Paris and Southern California. Trump, in a formal statement from his campaign, urged a ‘total and complete shutdown’ of all federal processes allowing followers of Islam into the country until elected leaders can ‘figure out what is going on.’ Asked by The Hill whether that would include American Muslims currently abroad, Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks replied over email: ‘Mr. Trump says, ‘everyone.’’” [The Hill, 12/7/15]
Rep. Peter King: “We Have Too Many Mosques In This Country.” “Unfortunately we have too many Mosques in this country … we should be looking at them more carefully, we should be finding out how we can infiltrate.” [Politico, 9/19/07]
Marriage Equality:
Trump Opposed Marriage Equality. “Tapper asked him again what he would say to a lesbian or gay man who was married and pressed him on traditional marriage. ‘I really don’t say anything,’ Trump said. ‘I am just, Jake, I’m for traditional marriage.’” [Huffington Post, 6/28/15]
Bloomberg: “House Republican Leader Backs Anti-Gay Marriage Legislation.” [Bloomberg, 7/8/15]