DNC hammers Republican-backed 'mob rule'
WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Democratic National Committee released a sharply-worded statement Tuesday accusing Republicans of colluding with "K Street Lobbyists" to incite "angry mobs" of extremists to disrupt health care town halls in congressional districts around the country.
Full statement as released by DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse:
Statement from DNC Communications Director Brad Woodhouse on the Republican Party and Allied Groups’ Mob Rule:The Republicans and their allied groups – desperate after losing two consecutive elections and every major policy fight on Capitol Hill – are inciting angry mobs of a small number of rabid right wing extremists funded by K Street Lobbyists to disrupt thoughtful discussions about the future of health care in America taking place in Congressional Districts across the country.
However, much like we saw at the McCain-Palin rallies last year where crowds were baited with cries of 'socialist,' 'communist,' and where the birthers movement was born – these mobs of extremists are not interested in having a thoughtful discussion about the issues – but like some Republican leaders have said – they are interested in ‘breaking’ the President and destroying his Presidency.
These mobs are bussed in by well funded, highly organized groups run by Republican operatives and funded by the special interests who are desperately trying to stop the agenda for change the President was elected to bring to Washington. Despite the headline grabbing nature of these angry mobs and their disruptions of events, they are not reflective of where the American people are on the issues – or the hundreds of thousands of thoughtful discussions taking place around kitchen tables, water coolers and in homes.
The right wing extremists’ use of things like devil horns on pictures of our elected officials, hanging members of Congress in effigy, breathlessly questioning the President's citizenship and the use of Nazi SS symbols and the like just shows how outside of the mainstream the Republican Party and their allies are. This type of anger and discord did not serve Republicans well in 2008 – and it is bound to backfire again.
UPDATE: Republican reaction to the DNC statement after the jump
Comment by National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Ken Spain on Offensive DNC 'Mob Rule' Statement:What Democrats call ‘mob rule’ the average American calls ‘democracy.' Is this the strategy Democrats had in mind when they promised to galvanize public opinion regarding their unpopular massive government-takeover of health care?
This hyper-defensive reaction from the Democrat Party speaks volumes about the precarious position their members find themselves in. Speaker Pelosi and other party leaders dubbed this recess a healthcare ‘offensive,’ but little did we know the ‘offensiveness’ would be aimed at their own constituents. These kinds of despicable characterizations of middle class Americans, who oppose trillions in mounting government debt, as elements of the partisan ‘fringe’ smacks of elitism.
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It's time to call this crap out for what it is. NeoCon racist, BS propaganda aimed at trying to maintain the status quo, and misdirecting the public into thinking everything is OK as is. I've seen grade school kids act with more maturity and professionalism that the current republican party. Every month it seems they are sinking to new lows. Keep up these kinds of hate mongering campaigns, and Obama will have no problem getting re-elected in 3 years.
Perhaps the Republicans have been taking lessons from the disruptive habits of the Democrats. People who live in glass houses......
Republicans had eight years to do something, anything good but did nothing. Now they seem to have all the answers and all the lunatics!!
After 8years of the Bush Administration what does the Republican party have to offer but lies. Facing the truth would mean re-thinking much of their dogma. Thinking will never be excepted with in the conservative movement.
Clearly the DNC is out of touch with mainstream America: this is exactly reflective of where the American people are on this issue. Look at the polls. It's sad when they can't win approval for this with the public, and they can't even win approval for this in the House and yet they still claim it's what EVERYONE wants. ?????
The DNC should organize a similar movement of liberals to show up at these meetings and silence the shouting idiots of the party of NO.
You have to be kidding me. I guess the DNC doesn't watch any polls before it says that these protestors are out of touch with the majority. The majority of Americans are against Cap and Tax, this health care bill, and the "Stimulous" bill.
For the DNC's information, I personally know three democrats who were at Lloyd Doggett's town hall meeting and they were very upset with his stance. They are now switching to the Republican party because of what Obama is doing. It's the same story nationwide and it will not be a good time to be a Dem. This liberal test is going to end up being the best thing for true conservatism.
By the way DNC, we are allowed to voice our opinions. This is not China, yet and until then, we can voice our opposition to your policies. Threatening to leave the stage like the HHS secretary did is not going to help you and further insults middle Americans such as me. I don't belong to either party, any group, blog, or anything this letter says. I am an middle income average person who ALMOST voted for Obama. I couldn't decide until the day I voted so no one accuse me of being some right wing nut. Having said that, Obama, Pelosi, and Reid are insulting us with their "cram down your throat" policies and it's going to backfire big on them. I hope we have a country left.
I am so tired of these right wing radicals funding staged protests at what should be relevant conversations regarding a very important issue. Perhaps some of these so called "concerned citizens" should listen and pay attention to people who are affected deeply by the current health care system. I do not understand mob mentality. The idea that civilized human beings cannot and will not communicate effectively to resolve a major problem in society speaks loudly about the willingness of these people to improve things in the country for the good of all. Crazy, crazy behavior. All blessed by the Republican Party.
Where is our "Morning Joe". Not many level headed Republicans standing up for their party in a respectable way. Joe needs to take the lead. He is smart and level headed and I think he will be one of the best people to lead the Republican party back to a place of respectability. What in the world is wrong with all of our intelligent Republican leaders. It is as though they have abandoned all reason to engage in some of the worst behavior by a political party that this country has seen in recent time (discounting those fraudulent Bush elections).
Isn't it strange that Dr. Frist, who was a Senator, now wants to tells us all about what ought to happen with healthcare. He had that chance a long time ago. Where was he then?
Maybe folks just don't like what the DNC is selling this time? They ever think of that?
This clearly points out the fact that the New GOP has turned into a political home for right wing extremists and racists groups. They serve no beneficial purpose to America, but only foster ignorance, fear, anger and hate.
It's an embarrassment to our Country.
The rational Republicans have either switched to Independent or Democrat to get away from them.
I would think the republicans learned their lesson in the last election by all the negative adds they put out against the president plus they had Sarah out there helping with all these hateful comments. I have been been a republican all my life after I seen how the republicans acted and now throwing Sarah out their for a canditate in 2012. I have quit this decitful party and become a independent. I hope all he republicans in DC get voted out in the next election. The republican with only 23 percent left think they can get a republican into the white house. What are they thinking.?? I just cannot see how the republicans can be such racits. I hope in they end they get the pay back that they have coming.
It sounds like the Tea Party conspiracy crowd is at it again.
They should remember, "There coming to get you, ah hah, ah hah ..."
They are afraid of common citizens who happen to express their opinions openly, if they disagree with their positions.
Well looks like the uptighty rightys are at it again. They have nothing but intimidation and fearmongering left. They can't intelligently and honestly debate an issue so they want to shout at those that want intelligent discourse. They choose how they want to behave and blames others when they are called out on their behavior. Hypocrisy and deception have become synonymous with the GOP.
Timeline 2050 – GOP who?
Oh yeah, cause NONE of that stuff happened during the Bush years, right? Liberals have been all sunshine and lollypops for the last decade. In reality, never have I met more bitter, angry people than those on the left. I think they're just upset that those of us with conservative values are finally growing a pair and speaking out. But I guess Mr. Woodhouse feels that protest is only permitted for Democrats, and only when the GOP is in power.
It is not about stirring things up. They were sent there with scripts to start a riot. Did you see it? There is nothing wrong with voicing your opinion, but when you are shouting over people and telling them to shut up and sit down, I think that went a little too far. It reminds me of the 60's when the blacks were marching peacefully and the ignorant people were shouting and throwing things at them. I am wondering if that is next.
You have to remember the insurance companies are throwing millions of dollars into this campaign and it seems that everything is on the table even violence.
I don't agree with the DNC often, but I already I have place to go that's pack with rations and weapons when the political right get tired of democracy and use their guns to take over because they aren't rich enough. If you listen enough to Republicans they more radical than those that left the union in 1861; hardly a day goes by which I am certain the Republicans care more about themselves then they do their country
What? The rupublicans are inciting anger and suppressing thoughtful discussion?
I cannot believe it! Oh, wait...I can.
Gotta love the GOP...a dying breed.
REAL people are voicing REAL complaints about the way Congress is acting.
If the Dems have a problem with that (they do), so be it.
Oh, and single-payer is the path to health-care hell.
The Republicans in this country have stooped to the level of a spoiled child having a temper tantrum.
Stay classy!
What a waste of words. It is always a problem when people begin to realize that the party in power is not working for them. Obama has used this crisis to push an agenda that has nothing to do with the crisis. It is time for Americians to stand up!!! I am glad that some have the courage and will not be silenced by the DNC, Acorn and others. I just hope it is not too late.
Man oh Man does the DNC and Brad Woodhouse have it wrong. The majority of Americans do not want Obamacare. And they are furious it is being cramed down thier throats. The verision of the bills are thousands of pages long. What the hell is in them that needs to be thousands of pages long. Tons of new government regulations that effect everyone thats what. And Americans are beyond angry with those who claim this needs to be rushed into law before all Americans have a chance to understand just what in God's name is in it.
There is no need for Republicans to incite anger, the "rush in before they know what's in it" Democrats have already done it for them.
Sounds like Florida 2000 all over again.
This health care bill may not be all that great, but there is never any reason to stoop to this level. The GOP is arguably "winning" this battle in the court of public opinion anyway, so what do they have to gain by this Neanderthal behavior?
Really sad comment on the nature of American politics in 2009.
The Republicans only want to hurt this President at any cost. The Republicant party cannot survive if he is successful. They will stop at nothing to hurt him and this country, as long as they make their corporate cronies happy. These people are being used and working against their own best interests.