The NRCC (National Republican Congress Committee) has some very ambitious plans. They are targeting 70 Congressional seats currently held by Democrats. At first glance, anyone would notice that the large list (see Politico) contains well-known Democrats and other Democrats who've been recently elected.
The NRCC may have this list of targets, but what are the Republicans offering? So far, we've seen the Republicans vote against nearly everything that President Obama has offered to fix the economy. The Republicans have become the 'Party of No' by:
- voting "NO" on the stimulus package (see NY Times),
- having 95 Republicans vote against extending the "Cars for Clunkers" bill.
- not supporting health reform.
- having 122 Republicans vote against the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009.
- having 90 Republicans vote against appropriations for water and energy development.
- not supporting ... H.R.1018 Title: To amend the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act to improve the management and long-term health of wild free-roaming horses and burros, and for other purposes... (House Clerk) by having 138 Republicans vote against it.
- having 97 Republicans vote against funding for the State Dept....
- having 150 Republicans vote against funding for farmers, agriculture, and rural development...
- having 168 Republicans vote against the Clean Energy Act....
Etc. Etc. Etc. Basically, the Republicans have voted against everything. What do the Congressional Republicans want? Tax cuts for billionaires seems to be the only thing the GOP supports.
So what if the NRCC has 70 Congressional Democrats as their targets. Unless the Republicans in Congress actually offer alternatives to health reform, stimulus packages, and proposals to get people back to work, people will ignore their negative stance.
Since the Republicans can offer nothing new, the GOP and the insurance company lobbyists have started to organize and bus people to town hall meetings to shout down elected officials. The Republicans and their insurance lobbyist friends would rather support and incite shouting matches, disruptive behavior, and bully tactics, than take part in intelligent discussions about health care reform.
The NRCC's ambitious plans will ring hollow if they are unable to offer something other than tax cuts for the rich.