Profiting From Terror

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_12/021711.php

PROFITING FROM TERROR.... There's something very wrong with a political party that looks at the attempted murder of hundreds of innocent Americans and, within a few days, thinks, "Maybe I can make a few bucks off of this."

This started earlier this week with Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.), but has extended to the House Republicans' campaign committee...

House Republicans moved quickly to use a recent terrorism attempt to help boost their fundraising efforts, sending out an e-mail Wednesday calling for "an immediate contribution" by Dec. 31.

...and the Senate Republicans' campaign committee.

The NRSC is the latest GOP group to use the failed bombing attempt on a Detroit-bound plane to rake in money.

In a statement, DNC National Press Secretary Hari Sevugan accused Republicans of going "beyond crass political opportunism," noting that the Republican campaign committees are using potential terrorism "to raise campaign cash." Sevugan added that Democrats won't be lectured by a party that "implemented a radical foreign policy that alienated our allies, emboldened our enemies, depleted our resources, distracted our focus and who made the nation less secure."

The fundraising efforts do, however, raise an uncomfortable question. The GOP attacks against the administration this week have been largely incoherent, contradictory, hypocritical, and dishonest. I'd assumed this was just about trashing the president and undermining Americans' confidence in their government. But is it possible Republicans have spent the last six days senselessly shrieking because they're looking for a fundraising boost?

—Steve Benen

[avaistheone1]

1. Fear works.

It is very powerful. That is why the republicans use it to squeeze dollars from their base. The republicans don't have a programs to offer. So they are doing what they do best no matter how unethical it is.