TPMDC

Democrats Leverage Debt Ceiling Crisis On The Campaign Trail

Evan McMorris-Santoro July 23, 2011, 3:29 PM

As the debt crisis inches ever closer to default, Democrats are hitting the campaign trail to tie the crisis to the GOP.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is launching robocall attacks on 60 Republicans across the country, promising dire consequences if the debt limit doesn’t rise — and pinning the crisis on the GOP.

A DCCC spokesperson told TPM calls are being recorded today for broadcast across the 60 districts. The targeted districts were almost all won by President Obama in 2008.

Here’s a sample call script, in this case directed at Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA):

“Hi, this is Travis calling on behalf of the DCCC. Congressman Tom Latham and Speaker Boehner would rather our economy default just to protect tax breaks for Big Oil companies and billionaire jet-owners. Republicans quit negotiating with President Obama on raising the debt ceiling.
“This is serious. Latham’s billionaire buddies will be ok. But we will pay the price if government can’t pay its bills. Our Social Security and Medicare benefits are at risk. Interest rates would spike for our credit cards, car loans, and mortgages. Our 401(k) retirement accounts would drop. And, gas and food prices would skyrocket.

“Enough is enough. Call Congressman Tom Latham at (XXX) XXX-XXXX and tell him not to gamble our future to protect tax breaks for Big Oil and billionaires.”