DCCC Hits Republicans For Voting Against Wall Street Reform
While Republican prospects in 2010 appear brighter than they've been in years, Democrats are remaining on the offensive as they remind voters who stands for the little guy. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is launching a radio ad in five districts represented by a Republican who voted against the Wall Street reform bill that passed the House on Friday.
"For years, House Republicans let big banks take huge risks that threatened our financial markets and left hard working American taxpayers holding the bill," DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen said in a statement announcing the radio ad blitz. "We will continue to go district by district to hold House Republicans accountable for supporting big banks at the expense of American taxpayers and consumers. Democrats will make clear that voters understand that while we stand with them, Republicans stand up for big special interests."
The ad will air in the districts of Reps. Dan Lungren (CA-03), Mary Bono Mack (CA-45), Lee Terry (NE-02), Charlie Dent (PA-15) and Joe Wilson (SC-02).
Lungren won with less than 50 percent of the vote in 2008, and President Obama won his district by a narrow margin. Obama also carried the districts of Bono Mack, Terry and Dent. Wilson, who's been a target of attacks since his "You lie!" outburst, faced his first serious challenge for re-election in 2008. He won with 54 percent (as did John McCain), which was easily his lowest winning percentage since coming to Congress in a 2001 special election.
Here is the script of the 60-second ad, titled "Remember" (this version is airing in Terry's district):
"October 2008, the last months of the Bush presidency. "The big banks and financial institutions almost collapsed, putting our entire economy at risk."Remember?
"We all know we should never let this happen again. That's why what our Congressman Lee Terry did last week is so disturbing.
"Congressman Terry voted to let Wall Street continue the same risky practices that crippled retirement accounts and left taxpayers on the hook for $700 billion dollars.
"And he voted to allow the big banks to pay high rolling executives unchecked compensation and bonuses.
"Maybe the $234,000 dollars that financial special interests have given to Congressman Terry mattered more to him than protecting taxpayers and consumers.
"Doesn't that just make you mad?
"Call Lee Terry, tell him to stop standing up for the big banks and to start standing up for us."