A Strategic Alliance; The Club for Growth

Brett Bellmore

New member
Check this place out: www.clubforgrowth.org

Here's an article about what they're doing:
Activists Targeting House GOP Foes of Tax Cut
by Robert Novak

In the Manhattan offices of world-class investor Richard Gilder, supply-side political activists, policy experts and campaign contributors gathered last week to lay plans that instill fear in the hearts of anti-growth Republican members of Congress.


They intend to raise $10 million in individual contributions to elect House members dedicated to free markets and lower taxes--and to oust incumbent Republicans who aren't. They are copying Emily's List and its $10 million war chest for pro-choice female Democratic candidates. Designated as the Club for Growth, it might more succinctly be called Gilder's List--targeting at least five House districts in 2000.


Behind this is anger that approaches rage against the Republican establishment, provoked by the ineffective 1998 election campaign and sustained by the lackluster 1999 congressional session. One donor present last week vowed never to contribute another dime to the Republican National Committee. Many were incensed when House Majority Whip Tom DeLay celebrated the "overwhelming success" of the 1999 session. "If that's as good as it gets, why elect Republicans in the first place?" asked Stephen Moore, the Cato Institute's fiscal policy director and a Club for Growth director.


Others present included National Review president Thomas L. (Dusty) Rhodes, Cato president Ed Crane, economist Lawrence Kudlow and Forbes campaign fund-raiser Linda Pell. Not present but claimed as a supporter is Jack Kemp. Would that inveterate party loyalist really oppose incumbent Republicans? "I'd be happy to do that," Kemp told me.


The founding members would love to challenge Representatives Mike Castle of Delaware and Constance Morella of Maryland, two of four House Republicans who voted against the GOP tax cut. But both are considered invulnerable.


While no decisions are final, these Republicans might be opposed by members of Gilder's List:


Rep. Marge Roukema (N.J.), 70, is a 10-term veteran who often opposes the Republican agenda and is in line to become House Banking Committee chairwoman. Her district in northern Bergen County is solidly Republican. She could be the Club for Growth's top 2000 target.


Rep. Jim Greenwood (Pa.), 48, since his 1992 election in traditionally Republican Bucks County (winning with 63 percent in 1998), frequently has strayed from the party line. He voted for the 1994 Clinton crime bill, has supported international family planning and opposed increased missile defense spending.


Rep. Jack Quinn (N.Y.), 48, was first elected in 1992 to a Buffalo district previously held by Democrats (re-elected in 1998 with 68 percent). A regular pro-labor union vote, he was one of the four House Republicans to vote against the tax cut.


Rep. Greg Ganske (Iowa), 50, was elected in the 1994 Republican landslide to the Des Moines seat long held by Democrats (and was re-elected last time with 65 percent). A doctor, he has collaborated with Democrats in health care legislation and was one of the four Republicans opposing tax cuts.


Rep. Jim Kolbe (Ariz.), 57, a nine-term veteran, is one of the money "cardinals" as a senior member and subcommittee chairman on the House Appropriations Committee. He won only 52 percent in his heavily Republican Tucson district last year.

This venture also plans to target Democratic incumbents. Dylan Graham, a black supply-sider, may be on Gilder's List against Democratic Rep. Sanford Bishop, an African American who has represented the southwest Georgia district for four terms. In New Jersey, former Rep. Mike Pappas may also get support in trying to win back his House seat taken by Democratic Rep. Rush Holt in 1998. But the House GOP leadership is helping moderate former Rep. Dick Zimmer in the normally Republican district because supply-sider Pappas hasn't raised enough money.


The Club for Growth may correct that deficiency, seeking half a million dollars for each endorsed candidate. The sweet smell of money has drifted rapidly, with congressional hopefuls calling to ask what they must say or do to get on the list. To have to ask indicates they just don't understand what happened in Gilder's office last week.

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I just cross-checked their list against GOA's ratings of Congress, and here's what I found:

Mike Castle of Delaware: Rated F-
Constance Morella of Maryland: Rated F-
Marge Roukema of New Jersey: Rated F-
Jim Greenwood of Pennsylvania: Rated F
Jack Quinn of New York: Rated F
Greg Ganske of Iowa: Rated F
Jim Kolbe of Arizona: Rated B-
Sanford Bishop of Georga: Rated B-
Rush Holt of New Jersey: Rated D

With the exception of Kolbe and Bishop, that's a list any of us would crawl a mile over broken glass to defeat! Methinks a pooling of resources may be in order... And I've just suggested as much to them!

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Sic semper tyrannis!
 
This is a good thing. Funny that so many demand siders are also anti self defense (surprise!). The folks who are at the helm of this endeavor all have my respect. Oilfield wildcatters have been doing the same thing for 30 years.
 
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