Conservatives Target GOP War Critics in Congress

[Terri]

The Politico

House Republican leaders and conservative activists are targeting critics of President Bush's plan to send more combat forces into Iraq -- and some GOP lawmakers are on the hit list.

Amid a mounting campaign in Congress to limit Bush's military options, conservatives led by talk show host Hugh Hewitt have created an advocacy group designed to counter the anti-war MoveOn.org. And its first round of targets will be the 17 GOP lawmakers who voted for last week's Democratic resolution in the House opposing the troop increases.

First in the sights of the new Victory Caucus (http://63.247.138.101/~vicadmin/) is Rep. Ric Keller, R-Fla., whose district includes Orlando.

More (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0207/2829.html)

[Speedway]

"We will certainly expose any Democrat who promised to fund the troops in order to get elected who turns around and supports a slow-bleed strategy now that they're here and their leadership is calling the shots," said Jessica Boulanger, communications director for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Democrats often promise one thing and do another. It's nice to expose them, but I honestly wonder if Democrat voters even care.

[McGrats]

I can guarantee you one thing, based on the enormous amount of email I've received over the past several days, the independent (but right of center) Impact Voters of America will definitely be impacting the upcoming elections. Those 17, plus a large number of liberals will be target for replacement at the polls.

:mad:

[TWM1942]

I sure hope that those 17 get decimated in the next election, but that probably won't happen. The RNC will jump in and provide them with campaign financing to allow them to hold on to their jobs.:o

[shotgun rider]

The RNC will jump in and provide them with campaign financing to allow them to hold on to their jobs.
I'm afraid you're right TWM1942. The grassroot movement needs to get control of the RNC again. How many times do you get calls from them asking for $$$? Every time they call I read them the riot act to no avail. They are as arrogant and insolent as the Dims, thinking THEY know what's best for the Republican party. Unfortunately they think just because there's an "R" behind the name they're good to go... I say they need to go alright, back to public life. Let some young tigers lead for a change.
Seems they do better from the back bench... But why can't they try it from the front seat sometime, especially when we go to all the effort to get them into that majority position?!
____________________
We must not look to government to solve our problems. Government IS the problem. - R. Reagan

[Terri]

Would you agree that everyone should learn who does what?

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (http://www.nrsc.org/homeloginnew.aspx)wo rks to get Republican senators elected.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is a "political committee" established by Republican Members of the United States Senate to help Republican candidates develop the campaign resources they need for 2006 so we can maintain and grow our majority in the United States Senate. In accordance to law, it is registered as a National Party Committee with the Federal Election Commission.

Upon its inception in 1916, the NRSC was originally founded as the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, following the ratification of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution which provided for the direct election of Senators. The Committee was reorganized in 1948 and renamed the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

The Committee was formed with the primary goal of supporting Republican candidates to the United States Senate by offering current and prospective candidates support in a number of ways. The NRSC provides invaluable assistance such as budget planning and compliance guidelines for Federal Election Commission law, fundraising, communications tools and messaging, and a research and strategy center.

The Chair of the NRSC is elected every two years by the Republican Senate caucus. Members of the caucus are appointed by the Senate Republican Conference Committee.

The current Chair, Nevada Senator John Ensign, was elected at the end of 2006.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (http://www.nrcc.org/) works to get Republican congressmen elected.

Overview of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC)

The NRCC is a political committee devoted to increasing the 203-member Republican conference in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Origins

The NRCC’s origins date back to 1866, when the Republican caucuses of the House and Senate formed a "Congressional Committee." Today, the NRCC is organized under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code. It supports the election of Republicans to the House through direct financial contributions to candidates and Republican Party organizations; technical and research assistance to Republican candidates and Party organizations; voter registration, education and turnout programs; and other Party-building activities.

Funding

While the primary sources of funding for the DCCC are labor union and trial lawyers’ interest groups and Democratic members of Congress, the NRCC relies most heavily on individuals from all walks of life who contribute $25, $35 or $50 per year. For information on becoming a contributor to the NRCC, click on the "Contributions" button to the left, or to view our disclosure reports, go to the Federal Election Commission Web site.

Leadership

The NRCC is governed by its chairman, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04), and an executive committee composed of Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Chairman is elected by the House Republican Conference after each congressional election. Republican Leader John Boehner and the seven other elected leaders of the Republican Conference of the House of Representatives serve as ex-officio members of the NRCC’s executive committee.

The day-to-day operations of the NRCC are directed by Executive Director Pete Kirkham, who oversees a staff of professionals with expertise in campaign strategy development, planning and management, research, communications, fund raising, administration, and legal compliance.


The Republican National Committee also works to get Republicans elected but is not responsible for everything that happens with funding. For example, a lot of bad decisions were made by the senatorial committee when it was headed by Elizabeth Dole. Now the chair is John Ensign and money is likely to be spent more wisely, IMO.

But, it isn't necessary to send money to any of these groups. You can donate directly to the candidates of your choice and not worry about this at all.

[candles]

Terri, Thank You for this links, they helped clear things up. :)

[kcsgarage]

If they support Specter and Chafee they'll support any chump with an R by his name. Don't expect that to change because it won't. We can't even get our leaders to vote against pork barrel spending after the butt kicking they got in the last election. Republicans are tone deaf. They keep acting like Dems and expect us to be happy about it. Well i'm not happy and i won't waste anymore money on these spineless wimps.
Look at John Thune, he was supposedly a conservative and as soon as he gets in office he starts acting like a Dem.
I voted for Tim Johnson as I held my nose last time but I'll never vote for him again even if he wins the primary. He's more interested in securing the votes of the university students than he is of the people who actually live in his district.
I think the Republicans are going to have to suffer through another humiliating defeat before they wake up.
Sad

[MsNurse]

Re: Ric Keller
I am not in his district, but live close enough to hear the news about him on Orlando radio stations--
A local radio show host did talk about Ric today and how much e-mail he received from people who sent e-mail to Keller to express their anger at him--I had to fax him as some of the congress-persons will not accept e-mails if you are not a constituant--Also--there is someone planning to run against him---this guy ran against him in the last primary and didn't make it--they had to have a run off and he backed Keller--which of course he is sorry now that he did---I made mention of what I thought of his "lawn mowing" comparison--what an :jackass:you can remove the word "Jack"

Over the weekend I was able to e-mail Coble, Gilchrest, Ramstad and Walsh--I faxed everyone else--I was unable to do either with Paul and LaTourette as they had no fax numbers listed on their sites--I am going to try again--and if I have to--I will call them--
My next communication target is the 7 Senatorial turncoats---

I think these folks needs to be inundated with communication from everyone who feels strongly about what these 17/7 did--wether or not you are from their district!!!!

[Terri]

I voted for Tim Johnson as I held my nose last time but I'll never vote for him again even if he wins the primary. He's more interested in securing the votes of the university students than he is of the people who actually live in his district.
I think the Republicans are going to have to suffer through another humiliating defeat before they wake up.
Sad
Tim Johnson from S. Dakota is a Democrat.

[RealDeal]

Terri, if you don't mind "edjimikating" us a little more... how does one become an (influencial) member?

I am a firm believer in getting things done from the inside.. in other words, join in and make a difference.

Monetary donations aren't EVERYTHING either... it takes people on phonebanks, placing yard signs, etc... that's ME and every other "peon" volunteer... and our time contributed is just as important as the ones who fund the printing of the signs. Without volunteers to place them, those "beautiful" signs would be sitting in the candidate's office gathering dust.

So, don't underestimate the "value" of your TIME folks... GET INVOLVED at a level more than just writing out a check and mailing it.

Just like the fedgov is really us, so is the RNC (or any other national committees).

Our current political situation (local, state, and national levels) had caused me to do some real personal assessment: I can't blame everyone else when I haven't done my level best to make things different.

I'm a talker, so I talk. I like meeting my neighbors, so I go door to door. I'll hand out pamphlets, put up yard signs, do mailings, etc.... whatever it is that I am able to do.

Last year I did that on the local level for a city counsilman... now I wish that I had done it for the pubbie running against Diane for US Senate... next time I will. (Lessons still being learned.)

Bottom line of this post... we can't really b_ _ _ _ about things not getting done right if we let others do it for us... isn't that the core of conservatism: personal responsibility?

Food for thought....

[Sullen]

But realdeal it is really easy to get burned out that way. So many candidates you stump for, bust your bum then watch them sponsor "changing your sex on your drivers licence law" Dana Dow, (R) Rep, Waldoboro, Maine. Or supporting Olympia Snowe. Then they stab you in the back.
Thats heart breaking.
I am to face our district attourney tomorrow, pay a fine for a civil violation I did not comit (but the fine is cheaper) 4 months after I helped get him re-elected. Theres a good idea. Persecute your re-election team. Makes you wanna take some Tylenol PM and go to bed. For a year.