The politics of fear is alive and well. One of our very own congressmen, Republican Louie Gohmert (TX-1), has actually suggested a a new terrorist attack in New York City would be welcomed by Democrats as a means of creating jobs.
That's right, an elected official has stated a political party wants an act of terrorism and Americans to lose their lives so the United States can create more jobs.
Of course, Gohmert made his first radical and ridiculous statement on the Republican Party Network Fox News.
As if that wasn't enough, he then went on the House floor and attacked the President and community organizers as he patronized the American families who lost friends and loved ones on 9/11.
Gohmert's incentive and outrageous statements haven't gone unnoticed. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) released a statement responding to Gohmert.
"Congressman Louie Gohmert's outrageous comments not only insult the victims of 9/11 and their families but also offer the latest evidence that the Republican Party has been taken over by right-wing extremists. House Republicans should immediately condemn Congressman Gohmert's offensive remarks.
"Whether they're attending 'tea party' rallies featuring Holocaust imagery, comparing health insurance reform to terrorism, or staying silent about plans to burn public officials in effigy, the tenor from House Republicans grows more alarming by the day.
"It's long past time for the House Republican Leadership to speak out against this disturbing pattern of increasingly extreme rhetoric from their ranks and engage in the constructive search for solutions that America's many challenges demand."
Gohmert's insane accusations and unfounded rants are not becoming of any elected officials. He owes the people of Texas, families of 9/11, and his district a real and heartfelt apology. You can contact Mr. Gohmert here if you would like to ask him why he is pandering to the fanatical wing of his party and why he is focused on the politics of fear.
A couple of weeks ago, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Executive Director Jon Vogel stated that TX-10 and Michael McCaul were in the top 10 targeted seats in the nation. Combined with the work done the past two cycles in-district, and the over $300,000 McDonald raised in the first quarter, there is good reason to finally have the tenth so high up on the DCCC's radar.
McDonald is looking to repeat that amazing first quarter, having stated in a meeting with activists in Austin this week that fundraising continues to be strong. The reaction from those activists at the gathering was very positive, given his responses, both in his willingness to engage on a broad cross-section of social and policy issues from a back and forth debate over health care options, choice, economic development, and positive statements on equal civil rights and a willingness to engage, work with, and support county party operations.
McDonald is still in exploratory mode, largely until business leadership issues are settled; he is chairman and CEO of Perficient, a publicly-traded company headquartered in the District that is one of the nation's top information technology consulting firms. An official campaign launch is scheduled for the coming months.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, in a piece for National Journal's CongressDaily, listed the TX-10 Congressional District as one of the best opportunities for Democrats to pick-up a seat in Congress in 2010.
This should come as little surprise to anyone that has been following the race -- which we've been doing closely here at BOR. A quick scan through the TX-10 tagged posts here at BOR gives you a recap of what's going on in the district:
This is clearly an impressive start and is probably going to make any other Democrats who were considering jumping in this race think twice. Perhaps the report may even inch incumbent Mike McCaul towards a bid for Attorney General.
District 10 encompasses two media markets and is among the most expensive districts in the state. Larry Joe Doherty raised over $1 million last year and still lost by double digits. We are going to need a lot of money (and a great candidate, of course) to have a good shot at winning this district. It is early, but I think McDonald has the potential to provide both.
Congressman Mike McCaul raised only $ 97,795 this reporting period and spent $ 81,515.80 leaving him with just $ 62,431.80 left in the bank. Wait, wait, it gets better. McCaul still has $ 511,252.56 in debt.
Mike McCaul is looking more and more vulnerable every campaign season.
In reference to last Friday's post, I wanted to post the district specific radio ad that the DCCC is running in TX-10 against Mike McCaul. Listen to it below or visit it on the DCCC's blog.
It's interesting to read through the comments on the last post to see people's reactions on a whole host of issues that apparently are unresolved regarding TX-10. Here are a couple of my thoughts on it.
There's a lot of interest in learning and hearing more directly from Democratic candidate Jack McDonald. That's great, and Matt actually sat down with him already and has an interview that he's going to write up and post here on BOR. Along those lines, we're going to explore maybe getting some video from McDonald as well since there is a difference in reading an interview and seeing the candidate talk himself.
In another good sign for TX-10 being on the political radar, the insider publication "The Hill" wrote up a rather lengthy piece on the district. It's worth a read.
I really think it's time to get over any feelings of "the DCCC didn't help last time so why did it take until now for them to pay attention". You're all right, and you can join the grassroots supporters in-district in 95% of all congressional districts around the country that feel the DCCC didn't get involved sooner or with more money. Me? I consider it welcome support after all the hard work that people have done in TX-10 the last few cycles.
Of course, if there are still things that need to be said about TX-10 from last cycle that will benefit us strategically in the race this cycle, the comments as always are open.
Want some surprising but good news? It appears that Jack McDonald might have raised a few eyebrows in DC, enough so, to draw the eye of some DCCC money in the form of radio ads against Rep. Mike McCaul. The ad, which you can listen to below or here, attacks McCaul for voting against the Economic Recovery bill passed by Congress earlier this year.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), whose 10th District runs from the Houston suburbs west to include parts of Austin, is the only one of the six targeted members to represent a district won by John McCain in 2008. Both McCaul and McCain won the district by 11 points in November, which begs the question: Is the DCCC really targeting this seat?
Apparently they are, and in no small part because of an already well-funded candidate named Jack McDonald, whose exploratory committee announced yesterday that it had raised more than $300,000 in just five weeks. Should McDonald, a self-described "centrist Democrat" and "successful businessman," officially jump in the race, he'll face a Republican whose winning percentage has dropped significantly as his opponents have spent more money, but who held off a well-funded opponent last year.
The other five Republican Congressman targeted are Mike Castle (Delaware), Ken Calvert (CA-44), Charlie Dent (PA-15), Thaddeus McCotter (MI-11) and Bill Young (FL-10).
McDonald has also been getting some blog mentions outside of our traditional political blog bubble which is always a good sign a year out from any potential primary.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), chaired by Congressman Chris Van Hollen, announced the DCCC is launching the third phase of the Putting Families First campaign on Tuesday targeting Republicans who opposed President Obama's economic recovery bill, the largest component of which is middle class tax cuts to 95 percent of Americans.
The campaign has named Pete Sessions (TX-32) as one of the 12 targets in the campaign.
The DCCC is also launching a new webpage, www.recoveryforamerica.org, designed to educate people about the benefits of the economic recovery bill and how it will impact their district. The site includes an interactive map that illustrates the job creation and tax cuts by state, information about targeted Republicans; and a petition where people can voice their outrage about Republican opposition. People can also get the economic recovery information on their mobile device by texting the word "recovery" and a state abbreviation to 30644 (For example: "recovery TX").
"These are serious times; hard working families are worried about keeping their jobs, health care and homes. Americans want action on middle class tax cuts and economic recovery, not House Republicans' 'just say no' approach," said DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen. "House Republicans can't have it both ways - they can't claim to be in favor of tax cuts and then vote against the largest tax cut in American history. Americans will hold House Republicans accountable for 'just saying no' to the largest tax cut in American history and saving and creating three to four million jobs. We will hold accountable those Republicans who continue to vote in lockstep against President Obama's economic recovery plan for the American people."
According to the DCCC Americans are overwhelmingly rejecting House Republicans' "just say no" approach to the economy and middle class tax cuts according to a new AP-GfK poll.
Lyle Larson is running for Congress in district 23. Funny since he is advocating a 23% sales tax. If he were running in the 31st, would he push for a 31% sales tax? Let's not find out.
Took long enough but good news for the Doherty campaign.
The Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country, and offers them financial, communications, and strategic support. The program introduces Democratic supporters to new, competitive candidates in order to help expand the fundraising base for their campaigns.
"The constituents of Texas' 10th Congressional District are demanding an end to McCaul's pay-for-play style of politics, and they deserve an independent leader who will fight for them in Washington," said Doherty. "I am proud to have the support of the DCCC to give a voice back to those who are shouldering the burden of a failed energy policy, a failed foreign policy and a government that has been asleep at the wheel while Wall Street bankrupted Main Street."
From DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen.
"Larry Joe Doherty is running a solid campaign and is committed to making things easier for middle class families in their districts," said DCCC Chairman Rep. Chris Van Hollen. "With less than 21 days to make his case for change to voters, the Red to Blue program will give Larry Joe the financial and structural edge to be even more competitive in November."
Larson supports a 23% national sales tax which result in a 23% increase in just about everything. That's why the DCCC has released this ad aptly called, "Lyle Larson: For Taxes. Not Texas".
