Democratic group targets tea party candidates

[sabra]

Source: WP

Craig Varoga, a longtime Democratic political operative, has formed a group -- known as Patriot Majority PAC -- with the specific goal of keeping tea party candidates out of office.

"Americans need to confront the dangerous ideas of the tea party movement head on, without any fear, before they gain any additional traction in the legislative process or the 2010 elections," said Varoga, who managed former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack's 2008 presidential run.

The idea behind Patriot Majority PAC is to pick 12 to 15 races where tea party-affiliated candidates are running then launch a barrage of television and radio ads (as well as online targeting) to keep them from winning. The funding, according to Varoga, will come entirely from individuals and thanks to a ruling in U.S. District Court last week the group will be able to expressly advocate for the defeat of candidates.

(Varoga also hopes to establish Patriot Majority as a clearinghouse for information -- on the negative side of the ledger -- about the tea party movement. "We are asking all Americans to join us and oppose the extreme tactics of the tea party and the dangerous ideas behind them," he said.)

Read more: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/morning-fix/20100329-democratic-group-targets-tea-party.html

[Lerkfish]

1. I think "targets' is a poor word choice here

maybe intentional

[Cirque du So-What]

3. It's certainly not associated with domestic terrorism when Democrats use it

unlike the repukes, who now have that albatross tied securely around their neck.

[WatchWhatISay]

4. Absolutely agree

The WaPo is creating some cover for the right ("they do it too!")

[cbdo2007]

2. Should be pretty easy to beat Tea Party candidates running for offices.

If they use direct mail, hit them for using the socialized postal service.

[Bitwit1234]

5. Go For it

show what real American Patriots can do. We have let this scum prolific too damn long. In the words of Barney we should have nipped it in the bud.

[SoapBox]

9. DITTO!

...Dems need to find that spine.

Take a stand...Call out the GOPeers/Rushpublican'ts/TeaScreechBaggers for what they are...liars and hypocrites.

Do It!

[JuniperLea]

6. Kind of a low bar...

And I'm not sure they warrant serious consideration, or that they should be validated with any sort of concerted effort against their pathetic efforts. They are a small but noisy group. If anything the effort should be spent toward exposing their financial and organizational backers.

The $$ and time would probably be better spent on supporting good Dem candidates.

[xultar]

7. Not really, with low voter turnout tea baggers could easily slide in to office.

[Democat]

8. Great idea!

Hope he uses his organization to take them down one by one.

[ladywnch]

10. let them run. they'll dilute the Rep votes.

if 20% vote for teabaggers it still won't be enough to win and it will take 20% from Rep tallies.......bring it on.

[JuniperLea]

11. Exactly...

They will only serve to splinter...

[SocialistLez]

15. That's how I feel

[no limit]

12. Why? I say we help tea party candidates

if they split the republican tickets in November democrats will come out as the winners.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

13. Facebook link:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Patriot-Majority/98639748010?v=wall&ref=mf

[Riverman]

14. Why Not Put Up Tea Bag Party Candidates as Third Party

Nominees in close Congressional Districts alonf with strong Democratic Candidates? There is no real Tea Bag party, and it would entertaining, if not outright strategically brilliant, to see the teabaggers tripping over each other disclaiming assocaition with these rogue Tea Party nominees. Hopefully, it would drive more voters to the Democratic nominees and away from Republicans.

Per NPR this AM, the teabaggers protesting in Searchlight yesterday said the idiots yelling the N and F words at Congressman Lewis and Barney Frank were not their people! LOL

[struggle4progress]

16. Why go after them until the primaries are over? Let the Rs spend their money

fighting amongst themselves and inflicting wounds: if a teabagger comes through a primary successfully, we can take on the loonie then

[Arkana]

17. "Patriot Majority"?

Um...they could have perhaps chosen a better name.