The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee plans to target 23 House Republicans before the House votes this week on two tax bills. The first is a Democrat-supported bill that will extend current tax rates for households earning $250,000 per year or less; the second is a Republican-supported measure that will extend the rates for all income earners.
The new Democratic Web campaign is meant to suggest that House Republicans, who are expected to pass the measure extending all the rates, are focused on keeping taxes low for the wealthy.
Here's one example of the ad that targets Illinois Rep. Bobby Schilling:
In a memo sent to Democratic House candidates last week titled "Offense on the Bush Tax Cuts: Millionaires Over The Middle Class," DCCC Chairman Steven Israel outlined how the party plans to cast Republicans in the run-up to the election.
"Congressional Republicans are actually handing your campaign a major opportunity to demonstrate how you would fight for the middle class, seniors and small businesses, while your Republican opponent is recklessly and relentlessly fighting for more tax cuts for millionaires and the special interests even though it adds massively to deficits and debt," Israel's memo read. "This election is about whose priorities are better for the middle class. By going on offense and proactively framing this debate, you will make clear to voters in your district that you are fighting for the middle class, in contrast to your Republican opponent who is again standing up for the wrong priorities: more tax breaks for millionaires, Big Oil, and companies shipping jobs overseas, at the expense of the middle class."
With the House vote on extending current tax rates expected this week, conservatives are launching their own issue-advocacy campaigns arguing that the 2013 tax increase would hurt small business owners who file their business taxes through their individual returns.
The Democratic ads will target the following districts:
Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01)
Congressman Dan Lungren (CA-07)
Congressman Jeff Denham (CA-10)
Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-36)
Congressman Brian Bilbray (CA-52)
Congressman Steve King (IA-04)
Congresswoman Judy Biggert (IL-11)
Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17)
Congressman Larry Bucshon (IN-08)
Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (MD-06)
Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04)
Congressman Jon Runyan (NJ-03)
Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03)
Congressman Michael Grimm (NY-11)
Congresswoman Nan Hayworth (NY-18)
Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-24)
Congressman Bill Johnson (OH-06)
Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18)
Congresswoman Kristi Noem (SD-AL)
Congressman Scott DesJarlais (TN-04)
Congressman Scott Rigell (VA-02)