Democrats getting nervous over Whitehouse tactics

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

White House attacks worry moderate Democrats

A White House effort to undermine conservative critics is generating a backlash on Capitol Hill — and not just from Republicans.

“It’s a mistake,” said Rep. Jason Altmire, a moderate Democrat from western Pennsylvania. “I think it’s beneath the White House to get into a ####### for tat with news organizations.”

Altmire was talking about the Obama administration’s efforts to undercut Fox News. But he said his remarks applied just the same to White House efforts to marginalize the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a powerful business lobby targeted for its opposition to climate change legislation.

“There’s no reason to gratuitously piss off all those companies,” added another Democrat, Rep. Jim Moran of Virginia. “The Chamber isn’t an opponent.”

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Liberal Democrats have little heartburn over the administration’s attacks on Fox and Limbaugh. But the attacks make moderates uneasy — especially when they extend to the Chamber of Commerce.

While Limbaugh and Fox commentators like Beck make no secret of their dislike for Democrats, the Chamber’s Republican lean is partially counteracted by nominal and financial support for pro-business Democrats who need to win votes from pro-business Republicans. The campaign websites of moderate Democrats from across the country are filled with endorsements from the Chamber of Commerce.

Rep. Brad Ellsworth of Indiana, for example, has this testimonial from a Chamber official on his site: “On issues ranging from lowering taxes to increasing trade, Indiana’s businesses and workers have no better friend than Brad Ellsworth.”

Ellsworth got a $5,000 campaign contribution from the Chamber in the past election.

Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), another recipient of a Chamber contribution, said Thursday that he had no intention of stepping into the middle of a fight between the White House and the Chamber, but he did note that he had won an award for his voting record from the national Chamber of Commerce.

A senior House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity while questioning the wisdom of the White House strategy, said: “I have no problem with [going after] Rush at all. I don’t have much of a problem with Fox. I think the Chamber’s another story.”

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http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28638.html

[kaydee457 13]

Really, this should be no surprise to any liberal Democrat regardless of how "moderate" they be.

It's characteristic of left, no-no, far left liberals such as Obama and his ilk to lash out against thier critics. It's simply sterotypical of them to do so <shrug> and they just can't help themselves.

If they (the "moderates") are alarmed perhaps they should make new friends?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The headline ought to read "Democrats worry about their special interest campaign contributions" because that is what these guys are really worried about. All I can say is get off the goddamn lobbyist teats and do the business of the people that you are supposed to represent. And that goes for all of these guys in Washington - left, right and center.