Sweet! A bit of "Operation Chaos" in reverse. "Dems accused of tea party tampering" (Politico)

[jefferson_dem]

Dems accused of tea party tampering
By: Jeanne Cummings
August 5, 2010 02:28 PM EDT

Nationally, Democrats say they intend to campaign against the tea party movement. But locally, Democratic officials and activists in at least four states now stand accused of collaborating with tea party candidates in an attempt to sabotage Republican challengers in some of the closest House races in the nation.

The charges of dirty tricks are being leveled in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey and Florida — and they involve more than a half-dozen contests that could tip the balance of power in the House.

The accusations range from helping tea party activists circulate candidate petition sheets to underwriting the creation of official tea parties, which then put forth slates of candidates that local conservatives accuse of being rife with Democratic plants.

In all of the affected races, the outcome is expected to be close enough that a third-party candidate who wins just a few percentage points could end up swinging the outcome to the Democratic congressman or candidate.

“The Democrats have come to the realization that they can’t win on issues, and with their flawed candidates, so they are forced to skirt the rules by running candidates who they hope can split the vote with Republicans,” said Paul Lindsey, a National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman.

Democratic officials deny there is any grand conspiracy.

"The DCCC has nothing to do with this," said Ryan Rudominer, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

But the evidence of campaign tampering in at least two states is hard to dismiss. In Michigan, the party chairman in suburban Detroit’s Oakland County now concedes that one of his top aides played a role in helping nine tea party candidates get onto the ballot for various offices across the state — including the open 1st Congressional District and the 7th Congressional District, held by vulnerable freshman Democratic Rep. Mark Schauer.

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http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/40699.html

[Lasher]

1. Those shitholes always have to imagine some way to be victims, don't they?

Smart as a bag of rocks.

[Rageneau]

2. Another definition for Republican is 'paranoiac."

[GoCubsGo]

3. No. It's just more projection.

This is the kind of shit THEY pull. Ergo, everyone else must do it, too--at least in their feeble minds.

[Lasher]

5. Why not both?

They imagine things to make themselves victims, plus they project all their chickenshit onto everybody else. Disgusting people, IMO.

[GoCubsGo]

8. Good point.

Their lives are ruled by fear, so it follows that their behavior is, as well.

[Vincardog]

4. IF we can turn their rabid racist thugs against them GOOD HAVE AT IT

[mwooldri]

6. So what?

I guess people who accuse of "campaign tampering" have never heard of the word "coalition" before. Those against "campaign tampering" are usually those who are hoping for a two horse race - and act all surprised when a third or more candidate comes onto the ballot.

I have no problem with any political party help another one get onto the ballot, even if their policies are opposite of where they stand. Give people a real choice!

There is absolutely nothing to stop the RNC help the Green Party get someone on the ballot to "split" the Democratic vote.

Elsewhere in the civilized world, where there is true multi-party politics, it is not unknown for co-operating parties to field a single candidate, or for even the parties to withdraw and put their support behind another candidate

[Beetwasher]

10. Yup, When Dems Do It It's "Campaign Tampering" When Repubs Do It It's "Forming A Coalition"

[JohnnyBoots]

7. 'Tea Cup Rattling' to stir the wing nut base I'd say.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[old mark]

11. What really happened here in PA is simple...the Tea Party got enough signatures

on statewide petitions to have a candidate appear on the ballot for Governor and US Senator, as did the Libertarians...both their candidates will take votes from the "real" gop candidates. There are also some Green Party candidates, who will probably take a few votes from the Democratic candidates.

That is the big problem teh GOP has here - well, that, and their candidate for Senate is a has-been jerk and their candidate for Governor is a crook...


mark

[Arkana]

12. Hey, THEY created the monster.

If we were involved at all, all we did was give it a little nudge out the door.

[Hansel]

13. Shouldn't matter if they are 1/3 Repubs, 1/3 Indies and 1/3 Dems

as the GOP has claimed, instead of being the solid 100% rabid right wingers that they are.

So the GOP has been lying about them being a coalition of "real Americans" of all political persuasions? Shocking I tells ya, shocking.