Desperately Seeking Approval from the Club for Growth

by: Dean Barker

Tue Nov 10, 2009 at 19:03:27 PM EST

Roll Call searched out the Club for Growth's stance on our own Senate race, and discovered that Kelly Ayotte, in a move reminiscent of her transparently fourth and long endorsement of Hoffman in NY-23, has already rushed into their arms for approval:

The Club for Growth formally waded into the Florida Senate race on Monday, and the conservative anti-tax group may be looking to play in New Hampshire as well, where a fourth Republican just entered the race for retiring Sen. Judd Gregg's (R) seat.

...Club spokesman Mike Connolly confirmed that the organization has met with Ayotte, is scheduled to meet with Binnie and is in the process of scheduling a meeting with Lamontagne.

Anyhow, the NHDP's response was classic (in part, full release below the fold):

"Club for Growth has taken over the Republican Party - so it's not surprising that Kelly Ayotte is knocking on their door," said Browne. "But the real question is what she promised in return."

Ayotte Courts Right-Wing Extremist 'Club for Growth'

Far-Right Group Drowns Moderate Voices, Sabotages Local Elections by Attempting to 'Purify' GOP

What Did Kelly Ayotte Promise In Exchange for Their Support?

CONCORD - In a frantic attempt to secure support from the right wing of her party, US Senate hopeful Kelly Ayotte met yesterday with right-wing extremist group 'Club for Growth' to court its endorsement in 2010 (Roll Call, 11/10/09).

Club for Growth is a right-wing organization trying to "purify" the GOP by throwing money behind candidates across the country who share the draconian conservative values it's known for. The Club opposed the reauthorization of SCHIP, which expanded health insurance to over 4 million children across the country, opposes taxing Big Oil, opposes tobacco regulation, opposes the extension of unemployment benefits, all while continuing to push forward Bush-era tax cuts for the rich and stonewall meaningful climate change legislation.

Club for Growth's attempt to silence the voices of moderate Republicans has effectively crippled the entire party. When Sen. Arlen Spector (D-PA) switched from Republican to Democrat in May, he singled out Club for Growth as the key factor behind his decision and blasted their extremist agenda (Politico, 5/3/09). In NY-23, the party threw their support behind Conservative Doug Hoffman, alienating independent voters and handing the seat to Democrats for the first time in over 100 years.

"Kelly Ayotte is making a desperate attempt to shore up support from the far right wing of her party," said Emily Browne, Press Secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "The Club for Growth has made it their mission to drown out independent and moderate voices in Washington, and Kelly Ayotte is racing to the right to win their endorsement. The question is what did she have to promise the Club for Growth? Did she agree to support their position to deny expanding health coverage for sick children, continue the Bush tax cuts for the rich, and sabotage climate change legislation?"

The Ayotte campaign's struggle with her ties to the Washington establishment and special interests has sparked several other prominent Republican candidates to jump into the field. Yesterday, former GOP gubernatorial nominee Ovide Lamontagne officially declared, hitting Ayotte as the "establishment candidate" (Union Leader, 11/8/09). But it appears Ayotte has even been abandoned by the Republicans in Washington who once embraced her. Last week NRSC head Sen. John Cornyn shied away from his initial support of Ayotte, claiming the NRSC would avoid getting involved in primaries to avoid a Republican "civil war" (11/4/09).

"Club for Growth has taken over the Republican Party - so it's not surprising that Kelly Ayotte is knocking on their door," said Browne. "But the real question is what she promised in return.""