What About In Deep Red Districts? Was The GOP Government Shutdown A Step Too Far Even In Some Of Them?

Boehner and Cantor-- who allowed the GOP's racist wing shut down the government because of their pathological fury over an African-American in the White House-- have been whining that Obama wants to "kill the Republican Party." Unfortunately, he isn't… and even if he wanted to, suicide seems a far more likely cause of the once-credible party's demise. MoveOn's district polling has shown vulnerable Republicans in districts the DCCC has never contested-- districts they always considered too far out of reach. But a competent DCCC (even more a fantasy than an Obama wanting to kill the Republican Party) would be working today towards retiring powerful GOP policymakers like Buck McKeon (R-CA), Fred Upton (R-MI), Mike Rogers (R-MI), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Ed Royce (R-CA), Paul Ryan (R-WI), John Kline (R-MN), Peter Roskam (R-IL), Scott Garrett (R-NJ)-- all of whom are electorally vulnerable because of their backing of the Tea Party's insane actions in shutting down the government. But the DCCC doesn't have candidates they're backing in any of these races yet. They would rather focus their resources and energy on hapless backbenchers like Bill Johnson (R-OH) in a ridiculous attempt to elect Steve Israel recruited conservative, anti-Choice, anti-labor, anti-gay, anti-environment crackpot, Jennifer Garrison. Someone should wake Nancy Pelosi up-- gently-- and ask her about that.

But for all the polls of swing districts showing the GOP floundering, MoveOn hasn't really tried heavily red districts yet. I mean, swing districts like WA-08 (Dave Reichert) and CA-25 (Buck McKeon) are filled with independent voters, so of course the incumbents, exposed now as extremists, are in trouble. But what about in districts like OK-05 (Oklahoma City)? The PVI is R+12 and Obama did terribly both years he ran-- 41% each time. That base, though, was, by far, his strongest showing in any of Oklahoma's congressional districts. And the area elects Democrats to local offices. Is the local congressman, wingnut extremist James Lankford, vulnerable this time around? As chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, he's a member of the GOP leadership. He was at the infamous White House meeting where his pal Pete Sessions told President Obama, "I cannot even stand to look at you." Lankford, a Baptist minister, said nothing.

Blue America-endorsed progressive, Tom Guild has been making the case that Lankford is far more vulnerable than DC pundits assume. Spelling it out that Lankford is an extremist and a xenophobe, Guild assures Oklahoma City votes that unlike Lankford he can walk and chew gum at the same time!

When a senior member of the Oklahoma congressional delegation was asked if the House would tackle immigration reform this year, he said that it was unrealistic for the House to tackle this "divisive and difficult issue", when it can barely keep the government's lights on. He added, "We're not sure we can chew gum, let alone walk and chew gum, so let's just chew gum for a while." I promise to keep the government’s lights on. If you would like to see immigration reform passed, I promise to do my part to make that happen.

…Let's explore the recent voting record of CD5 congressperson Lankford.  In January of 2013, he irresponsibly voted against the fiscal cliff deal that passed Congress. Because he was holding out for extending tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, the practical impact of his reckless vote, would have raised federal income taxes for all Americans, regardless of income level.

…To show how disconnected from reality he is, Mr. Lankford voted multiple times to shut down the government. His side prevailed and the government was shuttered for 16 days. He threatened to vote against raising the debt ceiling to allow America to pay her bills, which would have had a devastating impact on our country. In the final act in the recent drama, he voted against the bill that reopened the government, and raised the debt ceiling, so that America would not become a deadbeat nation. Had his side prevailed,  the American and world economies would have been devastated. It would have seriously threatened our country's future.

His recklessness would have caused those who have saved money in an IRA, to lose 45-50% of their retirement savings… Lankford proved that no one’s life, liberty, or property is safe while Congress is in session.

I'd love to see if the government shutdown is impacting voters' perceptions of Republican incumbents in districts like OK-05, the way it is in Republican-held Michigan districts and California districts. Meanwhile, though, Blue America has endorsed Tom Guild and we're urging progressives across the country to help him replace James Lankford.