MEMO: Scott Brown's Bad Month
In January 2010, Scott Brown unexpectedly won a special election for Massachusetts Senate. Riding into the public spotlight in his ubiquitous pickup truck, the people of Massachusetts saw Brown as an authentic everyman who promised them he would go to Washington and be an independent voice for working people. In February 2010, Brown embarked on his book tour with the revelation that his fundraising goal for the 2012 cycle was $25 million, a figure that would represent a nearly insurmountable challenge for his potential opponents to overcome. But the last month has seen the veneer of inevitability chipped away from Brown’s reelection prospects. Brown’s supposed strengths – his financial advantage, his independent voice, his likability, and his authenticity – have each been called into question in just a few short weeks. Overall, from being outraised to having his real record exposed, from petty attacks to getting caught plagiarizing, it has not been a good month for Scott Brown. Read the full memo after the jump
Plain Dealer: Conservative Family Research Council set to endorse Josh Mandel in U.S. Senate race
Henry Gomez from the Plain Dealer reports that Josh Mandel was endorsed by the controversial Family Research Council:
Family Research Council is no stranger to controversy. It cracks the Southern Poverty Law Center's list of hate groups for "defaming gays and lesbians." The New York Times, in its coverage of last week's summit, noted that FRC dismisses the claim as "politically motivated."
Massachusetts Press Hammers Sen. Scott Brown Over Plagiarism
Massachusetts television stations are running with a Boston Globe report on Scott Brown plagiarizing web content from former Sen. Elizabeth Dole. The Globe wrote:
More from The Globe and local news clips after the jump."A Democratic group has unearthed a bit of inspirational autobiography on Senator Scott Brown’s official website that was lifted verbatim from Elizabeth Dole’s site, language that originated in a campaign speech..."
Boston Globe: Scott Brown web message mirrors Elizabeth Dole’s remarks on site
On October 12, 2011, the Boston Globe reported:
A Democratic group has unearthed a bit of inspirational autobiography on Senator Scott Brown’s official website that was lifted verbatim from Elizabeth Dole’s site, language that originated in a campaign speech. In a message to students, the Massachusetts senator uses the exact words as remarks delivered by the former North Carolina senator at her campaign kickoff in 2002. Brown’s staff acknowledged yesterday the words originally were Dole’s and said their presence in Brown’s message was the result of a technical error...
Scott Brown's Website Steals Childhood Anecdote From… Elizabeth Dole
Sen. Scott Brown may have some explaining to do. It seems a passage from his website detailing the values instilled in him as a young child was stolen essentially word-for-word from former Sen. Elizabeth Dole. Original research & screenshots after the jump.
Missoulian: Rehberg’s budget plan assailed by Democrats and conservatives alike
On October 9, 2011, the Missoulian reported:
As he oversees U.S. House Republicans' draft of the federal government's 2012 health and education budgets, Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg finds himself hip-deep in the Washington, D.C., political fray, defending a $153 billion plan that's drawing fire from all sides.
AP: Sheriff kicks Democrat out of Rehberg public event
On October 10, 2011 The Associated Press reported:
Democrats said Monday the Garfield County sheriff wrongly ousted from his café a cameraman the party pays to track Republican U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg. The episode took place at a Rehberg listening session in Jordan that was advertised as open to the public. Rehberg is challenging Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in a heated race where both sides watch each other closely. Both Tester and Rehberg are accustomed to the opposition filming their public events. Still, Sheriff Frank Edwards said the Democrat should have asked permission to set up a camera at the café. Edwards said no one told him whether the congressman's event was to be public.
Mother Jones: Will Perry Return Koch Campaign Cash?
On October 10, 2011, Mother Jones reported:
"Texas Gov. Rick Perry railsagainst Iran's "extremist, repressive ideology." He condemnsany company who does business with "a terrorist state like Iran" for aiding a country that wants to kill American troops. And as governor he told his state's biggest investment funds to divest from all companies with Iran ties; continuing such investments, he explained, was "investing in terrorism." But now Perry, a top contender for the GOP presidential nomination, has an Iran problem: One of his most high-profile donors, Koch Industries, for years did business with Iran, helping to grow the Iranian energy industry. Which means that at the same time he was slamming companies profiting off of business with Iran, Perry was pocketing campaign cash from a company doing just that. In light of the Koch-Iran revelations, the left-leaning outside spending group American Bridge is demanding Perry give back his Koch money. "If [Perry] does not immediately return all of the Koch's Iran-tainted money and repudiate their actions, he has no business running to be the leader of the free world," says Rodell Mollineau, president of American Bridge, which compiled research on Perry's Iran comments and past campaign donations..."
Helena IR: Rehberg in the thick of budget fray
On October 9, 2012 the Helena Independent Record reported:
As he oversees U.S. House Republicans’ draft of the federal government’s 2012 health and education budgets, Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg finds himself hip-deep in the Washington, D.C., political fray, defending a $153 billion plan that’s drawing fire from all sides. The proposal — unveiled last week — would torpedo virtually all funding for the Obama Administration’s health reform law, including additional money for community health clinics across Montana; ax federal money for two dozen family planning clinics in the state; reduce funds for Pell grants that help low-income students pay college tuition; and scale back money for home-heating assistance. Those and other cutbacks have prompted Democrats to say the “Rehberg budget” unduly targets women, families, students and workers.
Columbus Dispatch: Romney campaign ad features Ohio company
On October 9, 2011, the Columbus Dispatch reported:
"If a New Hampshire campaign piece for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney looks familiar to Ohioans, that’s because it is. The piece features Romney standing before a crowd, under the headline, “New Hampshire — Let’s Get to Work.” But it’s not a New Hampshire company highlighted in the piece..."