What do you do after spending the better part of two years accusing the White House of politicizing the economy and playing partisan games with American businesses? Naturally, you do exactly what you had (falsely) accused the administration of doing:
Republicans have a message for the businesses that worked closely with the Obama administration over the past two years on key controversial issues: We won't forget.
Take the case of Wal-Mart, the behemoth big-box retailer that liberals have long loved to hate. Several years ago, it began to break ranks with industry groups by speaking out in favor of an increase to the minimum wage and health-care reform. And, for the first time in its history, it gave more money to Democrats than the GOP for Tuesday's elections.
The corporation's moves caught the eye of Republican Rep. Dave Camp of Michigan. During a phone call with company lobbyists last year during the fight over the health-care bill, Camp bluntly reminded Wal-Mart of its unpalatable position on the issue, according to sources familiar with the conversation.
Now, Wal-Mart's political team finds itself in an awkward position. Camp is poised to become the next chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.
Companies that worked with the Democrats over the past two years would face a far less sympathetic audience from Republicans, who are expected to make significant gains in the midterm elections. If they gain control of Congress, party leaders have pledged to revisit the health-care bill and lower taxes for businesses.
"Some businesses joined in on the hang-me-last strategy," said Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.). "I think upon reflection, in moments of candor, they may say they were foolish to do that."
Worth remembering: the same GOP that it is now plotting to be vindictive towards companies that worked with the Obama administration was friendly and apologetic to BP when the Obama administration was working to hold it accountable for the spill in the Gulf of Mexico. And now that they think they are on their way back to power, they want to stomp on any company that didn't toe the GOP line. At least now we know what they mean when they say "don't tread on me."