Romney’s PAC cut checks for DCCC targets

Former
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) is helping out nearly a dozen Republicans
targeted by national Democrats for their votes against the economic stimulus
package, inserting himself back into the debate over the nation’s economic
health.

Romney’s
Free and Strong America political action committee will donate $1,000 checks
to the campaign coffers of 11 Republican members of Congress singled out for attack by the
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

{mosads}The
DCCC said Monday it is targeting 12 members with automated and live calls and a
new website slamming the Republicans for their votes against the stimulus
package.

The
automated calls will hit the members for voting against the package even though
the Chamber of Commerce backs the plan, and even though it contained what
Democrats say is the biggest tax cut in history.

The
calls are aimed at GOP Reps. Ken Calvert (Calif.), Jim Gerlach (Pa.), Charlie
Dent (Pa.), Mark Kirk (Ill.), Blaine Luetkemeyer (Mo.) and Dave
Reichert (Wash.), all of whom faced uncomfortably close races in 2008 and could be targeted again in 2010.

Also
on the target list are Republican Reps. Judy Biggert (Ill.), Mike Castle (Del.),
Dan Lungren (Calif.), Thaddeus McCotter (Mich.) and Adam Putnam (Fla.), as
well as National Republican Congressional Committee chairman Pete Sessions
(Texas).

Romney’s
PAC cut each of the members’ campaigns a check save Putnam, who is not running
for reelection in 2010.

It
is the third round of pressure aimed at Republicans over the stimulus package.
Earlier this month, the DCCC launched radio ads in more than two dozen GOP
districts, followed by a round of automated calls slamming seven Republican
freshmen for their votes against the bill.

“We
are committed to helping these courageous Republicans defend their position and
fend off political attacks,” Romney said in a statement in which he dubbed
the group the “Undaunted Dozen.”

Ken Spain, communications director for the
National Republican Congressional Committee, got in his own shot at Democrats.

“This is their most effective stimulus strategy to date,” Spain said.
“So far House Democrats have effectively stimulated a mouse in San
Francisco Bay and the campaign coffers of 11 Republican members of
Congress.”