SuperPAC to the Rescue, Will Target 10 Tea Partiers

CREDO Mobile’s Super PAC will set its sights on ten tea party Congressman this November according to a press release. Illinois’ own self-proclaimed “crazy Tea Party freshman,” Joe Walsh heads the list of the six named so far by the group.

Walsh faces a tough reelection fight in the redrawn 8th Congressional District that spans from O’Hare to Elgin. His Democratic opponent is not yet known as two heavyweights, Tammy Duckworth and Raja Krishnamoorthi, fight it out until the March 20 primary.

CREDO aims to support local organizing in all ten targeted districts through a volunteer based grassroots initiative. The newly formed SuperPAC claims to have the second most donors, trailing only satirist Stephen Colbert’s foray into politics, and will spend millions of dollars around the nation.

“We’re talking about some of the most odious members of Congress. Even for Republicans these guys are low,” said Campaign Manager Matthew “Mudcat” Arnold in a statement. “We’re going to empower local activists to organize their friends and neighbors to lay out the truth about their representatives in the most basic terms: They are anti-woman. They are anti-science. They are hypocritical, bigoted, and have said and done things that are downright crazy. They’ve done more to embarrass their constituents then they have to govern or work toward solutions. They are unfit for Congress, and we’re going to help their constituents hold them accountable.”

CREDO cites Walsh’s controversial statements as further reasoning to campaign against him, including his infamous rant about blaming banks for the economic collapse where he said, “Don’t blame the banks! And don’t blame the marketplace for the mess we’re in right now! I’m tired of hearing this crap! This pisses me off!”

Multiple news agencies report the Congressman owes more than $100,000 in back child support. He denies the figure and claims they are working it out.

Unlike other SuperPACs that air an onslaught of commercials near election day, CREDO plans to open offices in each district, conduct a field operation, hire staff, and led local activists against Walsh. Offices are expected to open up in March.

“Where Karl Rove and the Koch brothers can use shady money from a few hidden donors to fund a barrage of TV attack ads, this SuperPAC will empower local voters and our list of 2.5 million activists to build a grassroots campaign that is as hard hitting as it is progressive,” said Becky Bond, president of the CREDO SuperPAC. Using innovative tactics, technology, and good, old fashioned grassroots organizing, we’re going to kick Tea Party Republican Joe Walsh out of office.”

By law SuperPACs and candidate campaigns cannot coordinate efforts. As such, CREDO will try to drive up activist anger against Walsh and drive them to the polling places in November. Regardless, on the ground involvement is good news for the Democratic nominee. Following Tammy Duckworth’s 2006 primary victory, local activists who supported Christine Cegelis were hard pressed to vote for the nominee in the general. CREDO’s efforts could dampen any potential ill will between the two current candidates.

“Congressman Joe Walsh refuses to make commonsense compromises on issues that would be good for the nation as a whole due to their ideological extremism,” said Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democratic candidate in the 8th district. “As a result, Tea Party Republican Joe Walsh has been detrimental to the middle class and our economic recovery, so I certainly understand the desire to beat them at the ballot box, and that is what I aim to do.”

Tammy Duckworth’s campaign declined comment and Joe Walsh’s office did not return a call.

CREDO will also go after Rep. Frank Guinta (R-NH), Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN), Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI), Rep. Allen West (R-FL), and Rep. Steve King (R-IA). The remaining four spots will be determined with input from CREDO members and subscribers.