Progressive group launches first ad campaign against Dem

[DonViejo]

Source: Axios



A progressive coalition is launching a five-figure targeted ad campaign today against Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio, Axios has learned.

The groups: Not One Penny, MoveOn, Indivisible, and Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC)

Why now: Rep. Ryan broke with the Democratic Party on Thursday when he announced his support for the GOP tax reform plan, which some argue unfairly favors corporations through a proposed lower corp tax rate. The TV and digital ad will run in Ryan's district for one week.

Why this matters: Ryan is the first Democrat this coalition has launched an ad campaign against. They deployed a massive, seven-figure ad campaign against 8 Republicans in August.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.axios.com/tim-ryan-tax-reform-ad-not-one-penny-2480521737.html

[Voltaire2]

1. Good.

There has to be a cost for collusion.

[yardwork]

34. What specific collusion has taken place?

Be specific.

[Maraya1969]

41. Him and the companies giving him money

[yardwork]

49. Oh for God's sake. Some of you people live in a fantasy world.

[brush]

52. Guess you haven't heard him criticizing Dems for trying to redistribute wealth...

instead of creating wealth.

If that's not a repug talking point nothing is.

He's also the one who is carrying on a campaign trying to unseat Nancy Pelosi.

So what is that fantasy world you mentioned? Are you in it along with the short-sighted, so-called progressives who attack this guy without backing another Dem?

The repugs couldn't ask for a better circular firing squad involving Dems.

[yardwork]

61. I haven't heard that. Got a link?

[Demsrule86]

69. Right because redistributing wealth is so popular with the masses...we are at best a center left

country...that message will cost us votes...for sure in Ohio.

[yardwork]

80. For the third time, I'm asking for evidence that he actually said that.

It looks to me like this is the same internet smears and innuendo that cost Democrats elections.

[Maraya1969]

55. And supporting the Trump tax plan to give more money to billionaires and take from the poor

That is not fantasy. That is what he wants and this guy supports it.

[yardwork]

60. Show me evidence of that support. Be specific and cite a source.

[Maraya1969]

62. It's right there in the OP

[yardwork]

64. I see nothing but vague accusations and innuendo.

[Maraya1969]

65. His contributors would all make money from a corporate tax break.

[Demsrule86]

68. These folks are going to cost us a chance at the House...time we considered these group hostile

GOP enablers because they are.

[yardwork]

81. Their intent is obvious: to keep Republicans in power.

The smears, innuendo, and outright lies are amplified all over the internet. I've noticed that most of the activity is in the middle of the night, U.S. time. Those are business hours on the other side of the world.

If this keeps up, Republicans will retain control of Congress and the presidency, and the country will literally be lost.

[Demsrule86]

84. By there fruits...they shall be known...still true today.

[Demsrule86]

67. Right because a GOP type would vote with us for sure. Ryan is in a red state like Manchin.

Trumbull went for Trump...but go ahead toss out one of a handful of Dem reps in Ohio. I am sure the GOP elected guy who wins will write this group a thank you note and never vote with us. Such a deal that. We actually have a shot at the house, but with groups like this we will snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The battle for taxes will be in the Senate not the House. The House will pass a tax cut whether Tim Ryan votes with us or not...but such a vote might just save his seat.

[Honeycombe8]

2. The tax reform plan hasn't been announced in detail yet....

so I'm not sure, but one of the proposals includes assistance with day care. Good, you think? Not so fast. The plan was that the higher your income, the MORE assistance you qualify for. Say what??? The less you need it, the more you get for it? There was a cap on the income, ultimately. Still...it included some very healthy incomes whose earners don't need assistance, getting more assistance that a working class person.

It also removed earned income tax credit, so the plan actually would increase taxes for the poorest tax payers.

I would want to know the details. But yeah...it's a given that it's a big, fat tax CUT for the rich and for corporations. That's why they're desperate to take money from the ACA and the govt budget...to fund these cuts to lessen the DEFICIT INCREASE the cut to revenue is going to cause.

I hate to see lefties doing ads against lefties. But I understand it. UNLESS it means that if not a blue dog Democrat, you end up with an even worse selection: a Republican.

[Wounded Bear]

3. Yeah, no "real" plan there, but we know what Repubs want...

they've been trying to do most of that for years. Sometimes they couch it it pretty sounding words, like "trickle down" :puke but in the end it boils down to tax cuts for those who don't need them and the end of the social safety net.

Trump hasn't a clue. He doesn't even know what he wants, though I assume he knows that any tax cut would benefit himself.

[Squinch]

4. Well, he shouldn't side with Republicans trying to fleece his constituents if he doesn't want this.

[still_one]

5. Ryan was the progressive's "hero" when he was challenging Nancy Pelosi for her leadership roll, now

it seems he isn't in their good graces?

Another thing which seems extremely unwise is that these "progressive" groups are running campaign ads against him, but at least according to the article, they aren't offering a DEMOCRATIC candidate alternative to challenge him. What do these bright progressive groups think will happen with a tactic like that? There will be double pronged attacks against Ryan from these progressives groups and from the republicans, and if they work real hard, just maybe they might just achieve a republican victory in his district.

In case anyone is unaware, the midterm elections coming up are critical, and there is a real chance that the Democrats might have a chance to put the brakes on the damage being done, if they can win the majority in the House, but these kind of maneuvers only serve the republicans.

Instead of running ads against Ryan, if they don't like his position on something, they should offering a candidate to challenge him as an alternative. This is such short sided bullshit it is ridiculous. What are they going to do if the two candidates end up being Tim Ryan and a republican in 2018? Are they going to push the mantra "there really is no difference between republicans and Democrats so it really doesn't matter"? Are they going to encourage people
not to vote", by saying the "Democrats need to give us a reason to vote for them"?

If they don't realize there IS a difference between republicans and Democrats then they are being disingenuous.

Civil Rights, healthcare, the environment, women's rights, worker's rights, preserving Social Security and Medicare, expanding Medicaid, and on almost every issue there are vast difference between the two parties.

Why not voice their issues with Tim Ryan by contacting him directly instead of a public ad against him, which only serves to help the republicans. Without even offering an alternate candidate, what they may end up achieving is a republican in that district.

Here is Tim Ryan on the issues:

http://www.ontheissues.org/OH/Tim_Ryan.htm

and while not every issue is going to suit some progressives, it is far better than the republican alternative, especially since winning the majority in at least one of the houses is CRITICAL.

[BlueMTexpat]

8. Excellent points! eom

[pnwmom]

14. Agreed. Why don't these progressives groups put their money toward running ads against the Rethugs

who oppose the Democrats on virtually all issues, instead of a Democrat with no Democratic opposition (thus far), who could help us get back a House majority?

[Old Vet]

45. I also agree, And I donate to move on. Hes not perfect but hes a "D"

[Demsrule86]

70. I just stopped donating to move on...when they attack Democrats when the GOP owns it all, they have

lost me. And if they cost us a chance to take the House, I will hold a permanent grudge.

[SharonClark]

46. They are running anti-repug ads in Iowa.

[sprinkleeninow]

16. I'm with you. n/t

[stevenleser]

18. This part of our party has become completely toxic. Best option is to ignore them as much as

possible electorally. If they are right about something, it's by accident.

[sprinkleeninow]

20. Didn't want to start a new thread.

Getting tons of emails from political groups/individuals with messages plus asking for contributions.

One, a day ago from Randy Bryce's campaign. The 'letter' was signed by (a) SUSAN SARANDON!!

[still_one]

22. After 2016, does Bryce really think that a Sarandon endorsement helps him in a conservative

district that has elected Paul Ryan multiple times?

[sprinkleeninow]

56. When I saw her name, I uttered, "OH no you don't".

Has it ever been this whacked out?

[still_one]

58. I don't recall things being this wacko

[moonscape]

43. Stamp! n/t

[Honeycombe8]

50. This is my concern, too. ANY Dem is better than a Republican. They are NOT the same.

I totally get the anger at Ryan, supporting the tax reform. IF he does do that. But better to try to change his mind, find out why he is doing that, find someone to run against him, before running ads against him, in case we end up with a Republican taking his place. A Republican will support tax cuts AND every other Republican bill.

[ucrdem]

6. Fickle bunch.

All this for a statement 2 days ago about a vote that hasn't been taken on legislation that doesn't yet exist? Hmm . . .

[wryter2000]

7. I have better things to do with my money

Than back this sort of thing.

[ucrdem]

59. The logic fail is staggering.

They're mad that he expresses support for a GOP plan, so they immediately spend money to help the GOP to defeat him. Yeah that's the ticket.

[tiredtoo]

9. Personally

I think this ad is a good idea. The progressives must hold establishment Dems feet to the fire. This is similar to actions taken by the tea party years ago and we all know the tea party efforts were successful. Not for us but for the Republicans.

[zentrum]

11. This goes beyond ...

...establishment Dems. He broke ranks and went over to the Repug side. I don't understand why people here are defending that.

The headline should read "Progressive Dems launch campaign ad against defecting Dem."

[still_one]

25. They are basing this on a distorted republican ad which took Ryan's words out of context.

This was Ryan's statement after the distorted republican ad:

"Any debate about tax reform must balance a competitive corporate tax rate with provisions that encourage corporate responsibility through higher taxes on capital gains and dividends as well as increased capital investment in America’s workforce. We should be prioritizing provisions like a $1 trillion expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to put thousands of dollars back in the pockets of hardworking Americans, child tax credits, and increased standard deductions that poor and working families have been craving for decades.”

[zentrum]

37. Well, that does sound better...

...but "tax reform [must] balance a competitive corporate tax rate" sure sounds like mealy mouthed code for lowering corporate taxes, which finally shows up as there being "no money for the safety net." So "we have to privatize SS." Or, "we have to turn it onto a needs-based (welfare) program". And all the rest of it.

What does "increased capital investment in American's workforce" mean? The pie in the sky "they'll build more factories" supply -side economics, which is well know to never work and to create recessions?

Corporations and the top 1% have made out like bandits since Reagan, the poster child for this kind of rhetoric.

Besides, I don't see why Progressives would attack him if in fact his words were economically non-threatening for working people.

[still_one]

42. I am not saying that Democrats, or anyone for that matter, shouldn't critisize their representatives

if they feel they are working against their interests. All I am suggesting is that airing an ad attacking a Democratic representative by painting that representative as in bed with the republicans and corporations, might not be the best approach

There are plenty of ways to effectively get the message across in an ad without accusing Tim Ryan of being in bed with the republicans and corporations in my view.

[zentrum]

48. I hear you.

But I'd rather the majority of Dems protect us from this dreadful tax reform than avoid marginalizing Ryan. I think clear lines in the sand and very clear messaging, help, rather than hurt us at election time.

But I suspect you and I are going to have to agree to disagree.

[pnwmom]

15. Dumb, dumb, dumb idea. They should be using that money to attack Republicans, who differ

wth the progressive groups on many more issues than Tim Ryan does.

[zentrum]

10. The tax reform

...will further drive working people and the middle class into the ground. A complete policy scam. Reagan anyone?

Shame on Ryan.

[KTM]

12. Lol... if Our Revolution had been part of this effort

This thread would be on fire.

[Victor_c3]

13. Sounds good to me

If a democrat is basically a republican light, then fuck them.

We saw exactly what happens when we stand behind a candidate that is republican light - you get guys like trump elected as president. All of the polling during the primaries told us that if Hillary won the nomination that trump would win the presidency, yet the DNC folks ignored that premination and threw HRC down our throats.

If being a "big tent party" means we end up with republicans as candidates, then fuck the democrats. I'm looking for real progress, not the fake DNC bullshit they feed us.

[pnwmom]

17. It makes no sense to attack the only Democrat when the Rethug in the race is far worse.

Unless you're trying to help the Rethugs, and sometimes I have to wonder.

[Victor_c3]

40. I'm sick of having to settle for the lesser of two evils

Evil is still evil regardless of the supposed party they claim to be a part of.

[pnwmom]

44. GET REAL. That's the attitude that gave us DT. No thanks. It was insane for any voter to think

Hillary's "evil" was equivalent to DT's, and it's insane for any voter to think that a Democrat with one position that doesn't tow the party line is as bad as a Rethug who opposes us on every front.

[Demsrule86]

71. Sorry, I will take a Democrat any time over a GOP ...Move On is dead to me as is Our revolution.

Tim Ryan is in a county that went for Dump...he has to signal a willingness to work with the president...his seat is already endangered and if I get a GOP congress asshat thanks to Move On...I will be beyond pissed.

[PatrickforO]

19. Well, if this guy is supporting massive new tax cuts for rich people, then

he's not a Democrat.

Because anything the Republicans come with and call 'tax reform' is gonna definitely include giant tax cuts for the rich, as well as increasing the size of the loopholes that have thus far allowed big corporations to salt away trillions of dollars in untaxed profits in places like the Cayman Islands.

If we REALLY wanted tax reform, we'd close the 'offshoring' loophole in the corporate tax code, and we'd reverse tax cuts that are still in effect. Giving these rich people more money was supposed to somehow help us...but it just didn't trickle down.

So, yeah, get this guy replaced with someone who is a real Dem.

[delisen]

28. or maybe just surrender the seat to a Republican?

[Demsrule86]

72. He is a Democrat...and way better than any Gop type. I live in Ohio and I wish Move on would go fuck

themselves. We have a handful of Democrats in gerrymandered districts. They vote for us most of the time, but must consider their coming elections. Tax cuts are popular here...Manchin and Ryan are both in that position...but a GOP never votes with us. You cut off your nose to spite your face when you launch a primary challenge in a state that went for Dump by almost 10 points. And the guy running against Ryan could not get elected dog catcher where I live. Hopefully, he will be blown away in the primaries and Move On will think twice about more primaries in Ohio.

[progressoid]

21. Did anyone actually watch the ad?

It just asks you to contact Ryan. It doesn't say we need to primary him or anything. Just contact him about his support for the GOP tax reform bill.

Sheesh.

https://notonepenny.org/

[still_one]

23. NO, it isn't just asking to contact him about his support for the bill. It starts off attacking

him for supporting a "republican" bill, which hasn't been written yet, with a clear message that "he is in bed with big corporations, and against the little guy"

The only thing this accomplishes, is trying to associate Ryan with big money and corruption, which is a distortion

[progressoid]

31. Well, he IS supporting a republican bill.

Or at least a republican issue. He's decided to join them on this very misguided journey. That's why this coalition has included him with eight Republicans also targeted on this subject.

If he thinks that cutting corporate taxes is going to create jobs in Ohio, then he needs to be called on it.

[SharonClark]

47. Agree

[Demsrule86]

73. There is not bill. I think they will get their tax cut through...no matter what. So what good would

it do to sacrifice a seat over an issue that we are bound to lose. If we lose Dems in the next election, it will embolden Republicans to revisit the ACA and all the other toxic issues. The GOP own it all . Ryan is already endangered...my one hope is that the witch Sarandan is for this guy... Most Democrats hate that woman. Ryan will hold the seat his challenger does not have a snowball's chance in hell.

[FairWinds]

24. As a long-time Ohio Dem . .

I am with the progressive groups.

No way in hell does the One Percent need more tax breaks.

This handy chart from Mum Jones shows what corps actually pay . .

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2017/08/chart-of-the-day-corporate-tax-payments-1952-2017/

I'm going to send it to Ryan

[zentrum]

38. Thank you.

[Demsrule86]

74. So you live in Ohio...and you think the guy running against Ryan can win Trumbull county?

I live in Trumbull County, and the challenger would lose. we would lose the seat. There is no way a rep who votes against a tax cut unless the Dems can make it very unpopular can hold his seat. It will go through the house anyway...you are demanding a 'no' vote in Congress...a vote that could cost Ryan his seat when it will pass with him or without him. This sort of 'purity' is why the GOP own it all.

[Faux pas]

26. Kickin' with gusto!

[Eliot Rosewater]

27. And so it begins.

Dont say I didnt warn you, when the GOP maintains control and in fact increases seats.

My comment is targeted at those who are targeting the Democratic Party. Dems like Ryan arent new, what is new is the purity movement that is going to result in less Democrats in office

COUNT ON IT

[sarisataka]

30. It began before the November election

when some outright supported Republicans over Democrats on a pet issue. "Vote issue over party... if only for a cycle or two..."

I expect we will see more Dems targeted at midterms for failing one purity test or another.

[Demsrule86]

79. And we will probably lose seats as a result and groups like Move On and Our Revolution will

continue to threaten the remaining Democrats until they have elected more GOP candidates than the RNC.

[LiberalLovinLug]

35. What is "purity"?

It means different things to different people on here.

But to me, the idea that....who cares if we support a few rotten apples to be put with all the other good apples? What could possibly go wrong?....is misguided. And it is also a proven failed technique. Look at how many seats both local and federal Dems have lost trying this approach in the last decade.

Dems need to grow a pair. Run actual Democratic principle believing candidates. (so radical!)

But there has to be a better way to educate their constituents. This ad is a good start. Its difficult when middle America is dominated by RW lying hate radio. But all we need is 51% of voting folks to find true information on the internet, and also get those 51% to the polls. We can do it!!!

[Demsrule86]

75. You would think after the 16 election, some would understand the stakes....but no,

they continue to encourage strategies that cost us votes.

[berni_mccoy]

29. This is idiotic. Tim Ryan is a good rep.

[Demsrule86]

76. Yes he is. He is my rep. and really worked hard to help Delphi workers who were screwed out of their

pensions and left destitute. My neighbor across the street hung himself back in 08. He had worked at Delphi People don't understand what has happened in this state economically.

[Botany]

32. Good God in Butter is this a stupid move

I wonder if there is Russia money behind this?

[yardwork]

33. Of course there is Russian money behind this. Goal is to keep Democrats in the minority.

[SunSeeker]

36. WTF? Attacking the Dem running will only guarantee a GOP victory.

He may not be perfect, but he is a million times better than the GOP alternative.


Fucking stupid move.

If this guy is not their fave, how about using this money to help vulnerable Dems they do like?

[jl_theprofessor]

51. Million times better?

Transferring wealth from the poorest to wealthiest is one of the slimiest things you can do as a politician. That is a core violation.

[SunSeeker]

54. Yes. Ask a DACA recipient. Ask a teen incest victim who needs an abortion.

Ask the millions who don't want their town under water from global warming.

Yes, he is at least a million times better.

If we got a Dem majority, there won't be tax cuts for the rich regardless.

[Tumbulu]

39. Idiotic!

Good grief- get rid of republicans!

There are plenty of progressive reasons to update/ change/ modify the tax code. Plenty, and to act as though it is perfect right now is just as stupid as those fools funding this attack ad!

[Willie Pep]

53. This is how you get people who believe that both parties are the same.

Which benefits the Republicans because their voters tend to fall in line come election time. Democrats are harder to get to the polls so these ads will likely depress turnout among likely Democratic voters and aid the Republicans. Bad move.

[McCamy Taylor]

57. GOP's only hope of retaining Congress will be if the anti-Trump vote gets split.

The third party splitters don't even have to get any votes. The GOP/Russia election hackers can shift Democratic votes to them. All the third party splitters need is some seed money to get their names on the ballots. Citizens United allows Russia to fund as many third party left wing splitter candidates as needed.

This has been going on for a couple of decades in this country, mainly in presidential races, but is about to get much worse. We will be hearing a lot about how Dems are just as bad as Trump in the next year--all from the mainstream media that put Trump in the White House.

Unless we get a parliamentary system, third party votes hurt the most closely aligned political party---meaning that "progressives" hurt the Dem and help the GOP.

Ain't democracy grand?

[Demsrule86]

77. Congress is still gerrymandered. It is a heavy lift and we sure as hell don't need Move On

doing this shit. Manchin faces a primary challenge too...fueled by 'Our revolution'. If we lose him...the resistance is over.

[beachjustice]

66. WE WON'T WIN ANY ELECTIONS IF WE'RE JUST WATERED DOWN REPUBLICANS!

I get that practical compromises have to be made sometimes. And that we need to be able to rally around a single candidate like republicans do. But it's a problem when democratic politicians start apologizing for the platform of much of the left. Why would anyone vote for a politician that has to keep apologizing for his party? Why do democratic politicians keep admitting republicans are right to fight for shifting the tax burden even further onto the middle and working class?

The way we give people a real choice and an attractive choice (not merely "less republican" ) is we say that we believe in a foundation of capitalism but we don't accept trickle down economics, we don't believe in a market with no oversight, we believe in social protections for the working class, and we're going to stop corporations from gaming our (political and economic) systems any longer.

Republicans are permanently on the offensive, to a fault, trying every underhanded trick in the book, and it seems we're always apologizing that our fiscal policies aren't Republican enough and then losing. I believe people all over the country are willing to listen to progressives on economic issues, and red state democrat candidates can maybe even get some social conservatives on board with some creative compromises on social issues like gun control, immigration, &c., but we have to first give them that choice.

[Demsrule86]

78. Really... you really think a hard left candidate will win WVA...or Trumbull county Ohio?

They won't. The GOP will win more seats and be in a position to screw with the vote in order to make it permanent. if you want a majority, you will have to accept the need for moderate Dems and some conservadems as well. Historically this is the only way Democrats have held Congress. Everyone has a tendency to think people agree with them. But in this case Americans will not vote for single payer, income redistribution, free college tuition or higher taxes...they just won't. You and I support these things , but it is a mistake to believe enough voters in key states do. There is no evidence the country has moved left...in fact it has moved right if you consider the last election...Facts are stubborn things.

[beachjustice]

82. You might be right, but it's conceivable centrist candidates will fail even harder in the long-term

First off, I don't think we can win in 2018 by democratic means, whether we support centrists or the far left, mostly because we don't have a representative democracy anymore. If we have realistic hopes, even if we get more votes we will probably lose. People like to talk about anything being possible in the age of Trump but that's not correct, anything is possible if you're on the far right, and that's by design. Right now we should focus on preparing for the worst following 2018.

So my answer for Democrats is, fuck the right, stop pandering to them, who cares what they think, around 20% of the population will never think the country has gone far enough to the right, so cut them out of our calculations of how to build broader appeal in the long-term. It's better that we let them own all the economic and cultural failures in our country, provide people will a clear alternative on economic issues, and none of us should concede that their economic platform is more sensible by any measure than our approach.

What Republicans are offering is a more extreme version of the status quo on economic issues, and I think rank-and-file democrats, most independent, and maybe even some republicans are ready to try something genuinely new, but we have to start defending the alternative we're presenting like we genuinely believe it's more effective in all respects.

[yurbud]

83. Democrats need to have a coherent brand and set of policies they support, not just be

the business party without racists.