Posted by Mark Silva at 12:20 pm CDT and updated at 7 pm CDT
President Bush sent a personal note today to the millions of people whom the Republican National Committee communicates with via email, asking, as many of these personal notes from noteable Republicans emailing to the RNC’s faithful ask, for money.
“Republicans have a record of dealing with some serious economic times during my presidency,’’ the president writes in this personalized note to everyone on the party’s email list - which goes directly to the GOP’s strategy this year of portraying Democrats as the party with their hands in your pockets. But it’s the RNC, in this note, that’s turning the pockets of members inside out - asking for donations of $25, $50 or $100. You know the president wasn't dealing with two-digit donors this evening, however, when he left the White House for a closed-door reception for the RNC at Evermay, one of Georgetown's most historic and private addresses and a favorite site for secret presidential party meetings.
The RNC will need all the $25 donations it can muster. It cost the party $10,000 to rent Evermay for a function held there in early December, according to an RNC report to the Federal Elections Commission.
“We have had a recession, a stock market collapse, terrorist attacks, corporate scandals and major natural disasters,’’ the president wrote in his mass emailing today. “Because Republicans acted and had an economic recovery plan, we have created strong economic growth and nearly 5.3 million new jobs in the last two and half years; the national unemployment rate has dropped to 4.6% -- that is lower than the average rate of the 1960s, 1970s, the 1980s and the 1990s; productivity is up and household net worth is at an all-time high.
“Republicans understand that by cutting taxes people will have more of their own money to save, spend and invest as they see fit, not as the government wants,’’ Bush says in his electronic fund-raising appeal for the party. “Nothing threatens our hard-won reforms and economic prosperity more than a Democrat victory this November,’’ says Bush, calling the grassroot support of members throughout the country vital to the GOP’s success in the 2006 mid-term elections.
The message was likely the same this evening at Evermay, which traces its origins to Washington's earliest days. It was 1791 when George Washington commissioned Pierre L'Enfant to design the capital city, and it was 1792 when businessman Samuel Davidson purchased the land on which Evermay sits, on a rise overlooking Georgetown. The two-and-a-half story brick home with a gabled roof was built in the Federal style in 1801.Both L'Enfant and Davidson turned to architect Nicholas King for the details. Diplomat F. Lammot Belin became just the fifth owner in the 1920s, and he restored it. Evermay was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and still is held by the Belin family, who like to say that the home adheres to "the elegance of a time gone by.''
The Belin family leases the place to the Evermay Society, which bills the house as "a living room for our nation's capital.'' The ballroom is good for about 100 guests, and the dining room seats 50 comfortably. The first floor can accommodate a reception for 200, unless you throw in the Pavilion Room, and that ups it to 350. It is, above all, private property, which is accomodating for events such as an RNC reception.
We don't actually know what Bush said at Evermay this evening. The pool reporter who accompanied the president from the White House to Evermay in a motorcade was held in an adjacent building.
But we do know what Bush wrote to a much broader audience today.
“The Democrat (sic) Party has a clear record when it comes to taxes,’’ Bush wrote in his email. “In 2001, more than 71% of the congressional Democrats voted against cutting income tax rates. More than 90% of the congressional Democrats voted against a bill that provided tax relief for married couples. More than 71% of Democrats voted against a bill that would have put the death tax on the road to extinction. More than 71% of Democrats voted against a bill that doubled the child credit. In 2003, more than 96% of the congressional Democrats voted against cutting taxes on dividends and capital gains.
“The difference is clear: If you want the government in your pocket, vote Democrat,’’ Bush says. “If you want to keep more of your hard-earned money, vote Republican.’’
And while you’re at it, the president’s email asks, log on to the RNC’s secure website and pony up $100, $50 or $25. Remember, it costs 10 grand to rent Evermay.
Evermay photo: National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service
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Comments
Picking the pockets of the American public is a bipartisan effort. Before I moved, I was on the mailing list of the DNC (and every other left-wing cause). I never once received a newsletter, survey, or any other piece of mail that didn't contain a solicitation. And, helpfully, they kindly suggested how much I should donate. My favorites were the surveys that said that my opinion was so important to determining the direction the Democratic Party should take, but then, the envelope to return the survey wasn't big enough to fit the survey - it was just the right size for a personal check.
Then, while working in a position that, among other things, required opening mail for my boss, a Republican, I saw how the RNC (and every other right-wing cause) is just the same in reverse. Only the "suggested donation" is bigger.
Posted by: Dienne | July 24, 2006 1:00 PM
More Bush and Republican attacks here from the LIBune Swamp people. This is an item? Ooooh, those Republicans are asking their constituents to donate to the party.
Ah, Mark, I know your ideological blindness prevents much, but all political parties ask for money from their constituents.
The big difference here, and I'll explain this slowly and carefully for you and your just-as-blind leming liberal readers, is that these donations are voluntary. You can volutarily give to the GOP or not. Taxes are not voluntary. I can choose to give $25, $50, $100 to the party or I can choose not to. I have no choice with taxes.
Hey Swamp writers, can you please point out one, maybe even two, positive Swamps about the GOP? Daily I see positive, fawning, puff pieces on Democrats. Just point out a couple -- if you can!! I won't hold my breath!
Posted by: John D | July 24, 2006 1:02 PM
Hey John D, here's some info that might be useful to you. IT"S A BLOG!!!!! If you don't like the author's stop reading it!
Man are you people thick!
Posted by: g | July 24, 2006 1:56 PM
Oh John D, if the Republican Party would only do something positive enough to worth mentioning, the people and the press might not feel the need to lambast them at every corner.
True, campaign fundraising is bipartisan and is voluntary; but politicians, especially the President, fundraising & profiteering off of a national tragedy are entirely different. Bush's political use of the terrorist attacks is a prime example of political extortion through fear.
I get those mailings from the Democratic Party and every time they ask for money. Still, those don't bother me as much as GW pleading for a handout with a form letter littered with falsehoods. Does Republican ego and denial know no bounds?
Posted by: Jeremy W | July 24, 2006 2:04 PM
See, what ya all liberals don't understand, what I'm talkin'bout here is, taxes, not Texas, taxes.
See now, I just charge everything on my deficit charge card. Then the next, uhhh, adminerstation, can deal with the bill.
Posted by: JWV | July 24, 2006 2:21 PM
You know John D we would all like you to hold your breath for an extended period of time (like forever). If you’re having a problem with the writers in the Swamp I would suggest you take your partisan ramblings to Fox or somewhere else that agrees with your blind loyalty to the Bush Co Conservative Communist Movement.
Posted by: Rory M | July 24, 2006 2:56 PM
He could use it for campaigning to raise money, but as a uniter - not a divider. I think for any president to use the office the way Bush does is disgusting. Regardless of what people think of him, the president is supposed to rise up above the fray. He is supposed to be everybodies president, not just the Republicans, even if Democrats hate his guts.
Posted by: Lou Kaye | July 24, 2006 3:02 PM
What you lefties fail to recognize, and I'm not surprised, is that even though this is a blog the Chicago LIBune pretends to be an objective, nonpartisan newspaper. The posts on here by the Trib writers are anything but.
Positive things the Trib writers could post about Bush? How about 4.6 unemployment? How about freeing two countries from tyrannical leaders? How about black home ownership at an all-time high? How about more blacks and minorities in high-ranking government positions than ever?
Really, can any of you folks tell me one good thing Democrats have done?
or about discussing all the trials and investigations into Daley and the Boy Governor?
Posted by: John D | July 24, 2006 3:31 PM
What John D fails to recognize, and I'm not surprised, is that there is a difference between the opinion and news sections of a newspaper. In the NEWS section, newspapers try to remain unbiased. In the OPINION section, the writers are free to give their OPINION. I doubt, however, that John will ever understand. He simply doesn't want to.
Posted by: Don | July 24, 2006 3:58 PM
Have any of you noticed that it is IMPOSSIBLE for John D to write anything without using the word "leftie" or "liberal"? He can't seem to entertain the possibility that people who disagree with him might not be liberals.
Posted by: Don | July 24, 2006 4:01 PM
Maybe John D. would feel more @ home in Alabama where they are true right wing nuts.
Posted by: john scanlon | July 24, 2006 4:49 PM
I think we should stop attacking John D personally, and look at what was a valid point.
Taxes are not optional. Why should Democrats continue to pick our pockets to give our money away to their friends. Don't get me wrong, government has to pay for services, but at such an inflated rate? The services we as tax payers recieve at the tollways, tollway oasis, and at the city hall line to get that required permit (building, parking or otherwise), are far stellar. Those service contracts are given out to the well connected, not the most qualified or at the best value. That is where this article should have gone. Not to the letter in my mailbox, but to the signs that we bought for the State, County, and City "elected civil servants" to put their names on. Shame on us all for letting Illinois, Cook county, and Chicago, become nothing more that a Democratic Sandbox.
Posted by: Pete | July 24, 2006 4:57 PM
UHHH, I will not let you antagonized your animosity toward my character. Oh by the way, you misspelled administration.
CMW
Posted by: CMW | July 24, 2006 6:11 PM
John D.
If you don't like the writers of the Swamp,you can always turn on fox news,get out your Ann Coulter blow-up doll,and take a nap.
It seems like republicans have a hard time dealing with the truth.The truth is not an election that can be manipulated by Karl Rove.
Posted by: John E. | July 24, 2006 6:13 PM
Okay, but what I really want to see is Bush and cronies put their money where their mouths are. Just how big a check is Bush, Cheney, et al going to write? They should darn near bankrupt themselves to pay for the policies they advocate.
Posted by: Vegasfem | July 24, 2006 6:17 PM
Cutting taxes and then flushing the fruits down the toilet with reckless spending bills created with the approval of a Republican CONTROLLED House and Senate is not worthy of high praise.
John D,
Every good thing you admonish the Trib for not publishing can be shredded to pieces.
1) The 4.6% unemployment rate belies the fact that that job creation is slowing down rapidly, most of the the jobs created have been in low paying the retail and food service sectors, and the income gap between the rich and poor is larger than it has ever been.
2) Werent Iraq and Afghanistan emancipated three years ago? I think journalists would call that old news. Besides, the use of the word "freeing" when touting Bushs accomplishments in Iraq and Afghanistan is open to interpretation.
3) Black home ownership is at an all time high, but the ratio of foreclosures to mortgages has exploded. See income gap above for the underlying reason.
4) The percentage of minorities in SES (Senior Executive Service) positions, now about 15%, is roughly the same percentage that minorities represent overall in the civilian workforce. Thats good and it could be better, but what action has Bush taken to be worthy of praise on this issue?
Little to none. As a matter of fact, lawyers in the the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department that were normally required to have civil rights related work experience are quietly being replaced with lawyers that have no civil rights background. Furthermore, those new hires are working on more anti-affirmative action cases than they are affirmative action cases. That is, whites that are attempting to challenge EEOC guidelines are recieving their attention. Bush is no friend af affirmative action.
Posted by: johnf | July 24, 2006 7:21 PM
Hey "g", if it was Mark Silva's personal blog - I could see it. Don't you think the Trib could hire one, just one, conservative writer for the Swamp? Then again, the Tribune hires losers for the baseball field, so why not for the newsroom.
Rory, its not the writers that are fun (except for Zalney's "Obamasams". It the reactions from you folks on the left that make my day.
Posted by: Terry | July 24, 2006 8:57 PM
Dienne,
I was on the RNC list for a while, for some reason. I guess my profile said 'Conservative', though I'm a lefty.
Anyway, whenever I received a mailing with a bogus 'survey', I would fill it out answering the questions exactly opposite of the intended, telegraphed, desired answer.
I would then check the 'other' box for the intended contribution and write 'zero' for the amount. Then I would mail the thing in using the prepaid envelope. This cost them money, and hopefully tilted the result of their poll, though I doubt they included my response. But it was fun.
Soon after I stopped receiving RNC mailings. Too bad.
Another fun bit of subversion is this; During election times some bright eyed eager young Republican comes around soliciting for the current conservative candidate. As soon as they start to talk I say in a mock unfriendly voice, "Is this guy that Liberal??!!" The young person invariably says "Oh no! Smith is a good conservative. Jones is the Liberal" To which I reply, "Well I want to vote for the Liberal. Thanks for the name."
Then close the door.
You can have even more subversive fun in a book store, but I don't want to tip off the right wing.
Posted by: C.Morris | July 24, 2006 9:08 PM
To John D. . .*YAWN*
Posted by: Janstress | July 24, 2006 9:17 PM
"Why should Democrats continue to pick our pockets to give our money away to their friends"
Posted by: Pete | Jul 24, 2006 4:57:06 PM
+++
Get this straight, Pete:
Halliburton, ExxonMobil, the pharma companies, defense contractors and the right-wing religious groups are George Bush's and Dick Cheney's friends.
They're the ones raking it in these days, and their putting your children in debt as they take their Republican handouts.
Posted by: bb | July 24, 2006 9:48 PM
Leave John D alone. I just recieved a email from the RNC asking me for funds . I replyed when you give the veterans back their health care. Yes John I am Republican but a vet first. I will vote Democrat this year for the first time in my life. Because of the outright lies to veterans and the broken promises to the returning troops. John you ask me why I did not post like a Republican because John the far right are not real Republicans . They have let their faith run this Country and it just is not working for us modrates
Posted by: Dale Peters | July 24, 2006 11:53 PM
I really enjoy reading "The Swamp" but find it disturbing people can't stay on topic when they are commenting. Why all the anger and hate? Chill out everyone.
Peace on Earth.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | July 25, 2006 6:36 AM
bb:
Halliburton, (I agree)
ExxonMobil,
Posted by: Pete | July 25, 2006 7:05 AM
C. Morris,
Welllll, I will admit that I kinda "helped" my boss fill out his survey in much the way you described.
It just bugs me that the DNC does those silly surveys too - they're so insulting. Do they really think I can't see through the biased questions? Am I really supposed to think they want my opinion? Am I really supposed to believe that the chose me out of all the possible lefties because I'm so special? I'm pretty used to the Republicans insulting my intelligence, but it's a bit harder to take when my own party does it.
Posted by: Dienne | July 25, 2006 11:22 AM
Dienne,
Yeah, the 'You have been specialy selected' line is hilarious. Selected, all right, by a computer in descending order.
Posted by: C.Morris | July 25, 2006 2:10 PM
I get selected by the GOP computer all the time and I've even been solicited by the other side. The questions are 100% hilarious. Why do they even bother having us fill them in? Why not just tell us what the "questions" so obviously want us to say?
Posted by: Bill | July 26, 2006 10:36 AM
I use leftie and liberal just like you lefters use "neo-cons."
I love some of the comments from the lefties. "Yawn." "Maybe you should stop breathing." It's always funny how facts never get in the way of a liberal rant.
Haliburton received billions upon billions in no bid contracts when Clinton was president. You libs had no problem with that then.
Don, I am full aware of the difference between NEWS and OPINION. The LIBune's NEWS pages and full of OPINION by Liz Sly, Mark Silva, Frank James, Jeff Zeleny, Jill Zuckman, William Niekirk and the rest.
And, of course, my whole point was that Mark Silva makes an issue of Bush asking Republicans to give to the party and equating it with taxes. Difference is one is voluntary and the other isn't. But making points in a rational, common sense way is something the left can't do.
Posted by: John D | July 26, 2006 10:42 AM
John D.
NEO-CONS-Help Wanted for a failing political group.Applicants should want complete control over American politics even it requires lieing to the public.Also, be prepared to "swift boat" all opposing viewpoints.
Strong interest in starting WW3 is required.
This sounds like it's right up your alley John D.
Posted by: FOX LIES!! | July 26, 2006 6:08 PM