Washington (CNN) – A conservative group that attacked Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign for his association with Rev. Jeremiah Wright is launching a new campaign against vulnerable Democratic members of Congress with the goal of linking them to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her "leftist agenda."
The National Republican Trust PAC announced Monday the creation of "The Pelosi Index," an online database that rates members of Congress according to how often they side with Pelosi on votes on touchstone issues, such as the stimulus package and health care reform.
Democrats who have lined up with House leadership more than 75 percent of the time - closer to the "Tyranny" end of the group's scale, as opposed to the "Liberty" end - are labeled "The Worst of the Worst."
Scott Wheeler, the executive director of the PAC, told CNN the new effort will be accompanied over the next 90 days by a $3 million television and radio ad blitz against several Democrats seeking re-election in 2010, with a specific focus on members who hail from districts won by John McCain in 2008.
Wheeler would not list every Democrat in the PAC's crosshairs, but he did name four who will be targeted by ads in the coming months: Florida Rep. Ron Klein, Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly, Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and Arkansas Rep. Marion Berry.
"There are others that I think that can be put in a position to have to explain and defend voting for an agenda that is completely inconsistent with the values of their district," Wheeler said of other Democrats on the PAC's hit list.
He said the PAC group was still evaluating whether Alabama Rep. Parker Griffith - who switched parties to become a Republican in December - will be targeted or treated "as Republican who might start voting more conservatively."
From CNN Politics
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The Swift Boaters are back. The only thing is that the Tyranny part of the index represents the conservatives, and their 10 communist party principle purge of the moderates.
This is actually pretty funny. It would be funnier if this wasn't the most creative idea the GOP has come up with in a long time.
Wiretapping by the GOP led by Bush might also be an infringement on our liberties. Ignoring our safety leading up to 9-11 and since then, might also be a GOP attack on our liberties.
Childish, stupid and ineffective – all hallmarks of Republican political strategy.
It's just next to unbelievable that the US is moving toward looking like San Francisco politics. This is disgusting! Stupid, too!
This isn't news. Shame on you CNN, for doing rabid right-wing partisan bidding.
I don't like any labels that ANY special interest group puts out...but I do believe it is extremely important we as individuals know how our representatives vote....and then, hold them accountable. It is time representatives actually represent the people that voted them into office, and not the party they happen to be affiliated with. There is no possible way that someone who votes over 95% of the time with their party actually has the best interest of the people....as both my Senators do. Lucky for us...they just happen to cancel each others votes out!
After all...."We the people"....should never be confused with..."Some people in the party...."
Ooooh...the same people who tried (and FAILED) to use Reverend Wright to keep President Obama from winning..
They'll fail once more because American can't stand the Republicans in Congress.
Pelosi can stay home in SF and run for Mayor.
There has to be a name for this when millions of dollars are spent just to throw mud at a political opponent. When I spend money it to buy something of value. I guess the only value here is power.
Otherwise, these politicans would just give us the facts about how what they propose is better. I forgot, that would mean they think the typical American voter is smarter than they give us credit for.
nancy will be the kiss of death of the democratics......
A link to the index might be nice so we can see what its about.
This graph illustrates the GOP's absolutist black and white thinking. There is only "Tyranny" and "Liberty", and nothing in between; you're either with us, or against us.
But in reality there is no such thing as an absolute, and that is why the GOP has become incompatible with governance.
Excellent idea. Most of these poor, misguided souls were forced to vote against their constituent wishes due to miguided loyalty to an inept, unethical Chicago thug hack, and a 60's flower child with a botox dependency.
I'm sure this plays well with their brain dead base, but in reality – to the adults in the room – it's absolutely laughable.
News Flash: The republicans are spending your tax dollars planning to attack someone! First you have Steele attacking the Obama kids, and his counterparts are hard at work on a different attack campaign. Meanwhile, Romney and Palin are on book tours, and the Cheney clan is on an attack tour, telling us why he dodged the draft five times and felt it was his patriotic duty to run like a coward when he was called to serve.
Yea, republicans hard at work, doing nothing productive. Business as usual for them.
Meanwhile the dems are planning to come back early to work for the american people, trying to save the lives of the american citizens.
Is there a tie in to the lack of morals/ethics on the republican side?
I see the republicans had to bring out colorful charts again to "explain" to their constituants who are the evil people to fear.
Boo!
The republicans have sold their souls to oil companies, the military/industrial complex and the multi-national corporations and they talk about Nancy Pelosi.
Their has not been an honest republican since Reagan except Ms. Snowe from Maine.
I would not vote for a republican for outhouse cleaner, they would somehow sell the job to a multi-national corporation, would then hire a small contractor for 25 percent of the price and pocket the rest after paying off the republcian.
The Republican do nothings had noting to offer except hateful rhetoric and do not look as if they are capable of changing direction. UGH! Don't give a hoot about the country do they?
They are going to loose big time in nov. 2010.
A ABSOLUTE MAJORITY FOR DEMOCRATS WITHOUT BLUE DOGS.
They just get worse and worse.....
These PACs really get my goat. They are kind of like dietary supplements. They have many unbelievable claims; they raise enormous amounts of election campaign funds and yet have no real value added content in reality. What makes this not for profit business anything less then any other grifter game? PACs money from someone from somewhere away from your home district telling you how to vote on political lines and talking points. It is way past the time to shut the door on these types of businesses and the Lobby industry as well. How many large money funds can be allowed to undermine people’s representation?
I say in 2010 ask who is funding you representative? Look to see where the money is coming from? If the money comes from outside your district then who do you think they will represent if they are elected or re-elected? We need to bring these professional politicians back into line.
Reid and PeLIEsi have started the downfall of the Democratic Socialist Party...this is good for America's future.
Hilariously enough, the chart has been purposely skewed. On the votes where the candidates abstained, they gave Democrats Pelosi points and Republicans Liberty Bell points. If a Democrat abstains on all the votes on that chart, he/she gets 100%, yet a Republican gets 0%.
Even more Republican "fun with numbers" stuff.