There's an old saying that goes, "If you want something done right, do it yourself," and the grassroots are joining together to do just that, with Americans United for Change and AFSCME announcing that they will run TV and radio spots that target House and Senate Republicans for their continuing obstruction of President Obama's economic recovery plan.
According to a joint press release:
A national/DC cable spot called “No is not an option” that calls out the Republican leadership [and] radio spots ... targeting 21 House and Senate members titled “Second Chance” which reminds voters that the target in question voted against the Obama plan ... and that they will have a second chance to do the right thing and support the bill.
The spots will begin airing tomorrow.
Our economy in crisis. Millions out of work. That’s why 80 percent of Americans support a plan like President Obama’s to create jobs.
But Republican leaders? They’re “just saying no.”
No to changing the failed economic policies of the past 8 years
We’re in an economic crisis and Republican leaders are playing politics instead of doing what's right.
Call the Republican Leadership – Tell them NO is not an option.
This version of "Second Chance" is aimed at Sen. George Voinivich (R-OH)
Haven't you ever wished you had a second chance to do the right thing? Well this week, Congressman/woman [Full Name]____________ has a second chance to get it right when it comes to our economic crisis.
The first time around, Congressman/woman _________ voted against President Obama’s jobs plan. But every day since 20,000 Americans have lost their jobs.
If you ask me that's plenty of reason for Congressman/woman ____ to change his/her mind when the plan comes back to the House for a final vote.
And most people agree. In a recent gallup poll - 80 percent of Americans said it is important to pass a plan like President Obama’s – a plan to save or create nearly 4 million jobs. Groups from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to organized labor are supporting the Obama jobs plan.
Call Congressman(woman) _____, at ---------tell him/her we can't let partisan wrangling stand in the way of creating the jobs we desperately need.
Tell __________ to vote yes on the Obama plan.
And while it's great to see a grassroots effort like this come together, it also prompted Marc Ambinder to ask an interesting question:
The Democrats are selling the stimulus plan as it if were a Samsung 50 inch integrated plasma TV. The Republicans? Where's the 527 activity? Where are the influencer-targeted cable ads? I get plenty of e-mails from Republican/conservative groups warning of the socialization of government, and maybe talk radio is talking care of the base quotient for Republicans, but no one seems to be willing to put any money behind the opposition.
My initial reaction was to think of the two studies from Think Progress, showing that since the debate heated up on the stimulus package, Republican lawmakers have outnumbered Democratic lawmakers overwhelmingly on cable news ... why would they need to spend money to get their message out when the traditional media is willing to offer them a free platform to spew their talking points?
Well, it turns out I was wrong, because earlier today, Eric Cantor's office unleashed their response to the "attacks." And no, I'm not making this up:
According to Greg Sargent at The Plum Line:
The GOP leadership didn’t make the vid, but it’s Cantor’s office’s (joke) response. It’s not immediately clear what the vid is, but it appears to be a 1970s AFSCME public service announcement with a newly added voice-over by a tough-talking, cursing goombah.
“On your way to work tomorrow, instead of sittin’ around with your finger up your ass, look around,” the voice-over says. “There’s a union out there called AFSCME and they’re busting’ their balls doing a lot of shit work you take for granted. For example, we pick up your fuckin’ garbage.”
“We don’t take shit from nobody,” the vid concludes. “You got that, assshole? AFSCME — the fucking union that works for you.”
No wonder they're now scrambling to apologize.
The complete list of Senators and House members is below the fold. Please call today.
Correction: The video was made for AFSCME sometime during the 1980's as an internal joke.
House Targets - (202) 224-3121
Shelley Moore Capito (WV)
Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO)
Jo Ann Emerson (MO)
Jim Gerlach (PA)
Charlie Dent (PA)
Fred Upton (MI)
Todd Platts (PA)
Mike Castle (DE)
Candice Miller (MI)
Michael Turner (OH)
Steve LaTourette (OH)
Patrick Tiberi (OH)
Eric Cantor (VA)
Dave Reichert (WA)
Bill Cassidy (LA)
John Fleming (LA)
Brett Guthrie KY)
Jim Cooper (TN)
Senate Targets - (202) 224-3121
George Voinovich (OH)
Lisa Murkowski (AK)
John Ensign (NV)