Congressman Gil Gutknecht (R-MN), a largely unknown member of the House despite having been in office for nearly twelve years, must be running scared. His likely opponent is Tim Walz, a high school teacher and 24-year veteran of the Minnesota National Guard.
Walz made national news in 2004 when Republican operatives and the Secret Service tried to exclude him from a Bush event in his home town of Mankato. Walz's sin? He was standing up for two young Kerry supporters (and honor students) who had tickets to the event but were denied entry. The boys decided to return on the bus that brought them. But Walz was hopping mad as he had just returned from a tour of duty in Europe defending his country. Why shouldn't he be able to see his commander-in-chief? he demanded.
The Republican operatives and the Secret Service finally relented and allowed him in. But they warned in no uncertain terms that they would be watching him the entire time.
And this is America?
At any rate, Walz is now running for Congress against Gutknecht, and the congressman is taking note, as evidenced by his latest fundraising letter. What's striking is that Gutknecht says virtually nothing about his own 12-year record and spends the bulk of the letter attacking Walz, other Democrats, a couple of Section 527 organizations, and "left-wingers" and "liberals" in general. (In fact, Walz, who grew up on a farm in Nebraska, is very much a centrist.)
The letter is deceptive in many ways, but perhaps most striking is Gutknecht's claim that the drug industry is behind Walz's candidacy. He writes:
Access to affordable prescription drugs continues to be a problem in America — and the pharmaceutical industry is still having its way. They are one of the main reasons why the cost of healthcare has skyrocketed in Minnesota and America.In fact, there is no record in Walz's FEC filing that he has ever received any money from a pharmaceutical company. However, Gutknecht has received donations from the Novartis Corporation Political Action Committee. Novartis, of course, is the maker of numerous pharmaceutical products. In addition, Gutknecht has received substantial sums from PACs representing the alcohol and tobacco industries. (For a complete record of donations to Gutknecht's campaigns, go here.)
[Name of recipient], it shouldn't surprise us that they are behind my likely Democrat opponent.
There are numerous other misleading statements in Gutknecht's letter, which we may get to later. But in the meanwhile, those who are interested in how far politicians will go to distort the truth will find plenty of examples in the text of the letter below:
March 2, 2006
Dear [Name of recipient],
A battle is raging in our 1st Congressional District.
Those that stand against controlling deficit spending, cutting taxes, making quality healthcare more affordable and reforming our legal system... are putting big money behind my likely Democrat opponent.
When you have Democrats like Ted Mondale, Mark Dayton, Matt Entenza, Russ Feingold and Al Franken contributing heavily to my opponent — you know something's up.
And, the national liberal special interests and the trial lawyers are among my challenger's biggest contributors.
What do all of these left-wingers really want?
The simple answer is... more of your hard earned money.
Before I continue, I want to thank you for all of your support of my campaigns. You've been loyal to the cause of fighting government spending, lowering taxes, making healthcare more affordable and fighting the war on terror. I truly count you among my very best supporters and am so very, very appreciative that YOU are firmly in my corner. Thank you.
However, as I write this letter, it's clear that the Democrats are clearly on the offensive in the 1st District. In fact, my likely opponent recently filed his most recent finance report showing that he has raised more money in an off-election year than any of my previous Democrat opponents.
We cannot afford to be complacent. We need to be prepared for any scenario. Out-of-state ultra-liberal groups like Moveon.org and Emily's List are chomping at the bit to defeat me — and defeat the Republican majority in the U.S. House.
[Name of recipient], will you please take a moment and renew your support for my 2006 campaign through a contribution of $15 or $10 today?
Big government liberal Democrats, trial lawyers and the pharmaceutical industry make interesting political bedfellows. Wouldn't you agree?
Ironically, they have the same goal. For example, while Democrats in Congress continue to introduce massive spending proposals that cost you money, the pharmaceutical industry is doing everything to drive up the cost of prescription drugs by preventing free market competition — which also costs you money.
America's ultra-liberal establishment is working hard to defeat the Republican majority in the U.S. House. If they are allowed to succeed, they will push their greedy spending ambitions on the American people — and eliminate many of President George W. Bush's tax cuts.
To the average working family in Minnesota - that could prove costly. When Republicans pushed for the per-child tax credit, we were looking to give families more control over their money.
However, I fear that if the Democrats have their way, not only will we see annual deficits increase drastically... but you and I will be faced with higher taxes.... and a federal government that will be bankrupt. Can we honestly afford federal deficits blowing past $500 billion a year?
I'm continuing to fight against wasteful spending in Washington, D.C. and will vote against any of the liberals' plans to raise taxes. The only way we can protect our individual rights is by limiting government.
Access to affordable prescription drugs continues to be a problem in America - and the pharmaceutical industry is still having its way. They are one of the main reasons why the cost of healthcare has skyrocketed in Minnesota and America.
[Name of recipient], it shouldn't surprise us that they are behind my likely Democrat opponent. I've fought hard to expose the pharmaceutical industry's greedy schemes and lower prescription drug costs through free market competition.
The monopoly on healthcare as well as the trial lawyers running rampant in America is costing you some serious money.
One thing is for certain - my likely Democrat opponent is siding with the wrong crowd. I'll continue to stand for Minnesota taxpayers... while my opponent accepts money from his ultra-liberal allies and special interest friends.
That's why I hope you'll take a moment to renew your support in 2006 by mailing your generous gift of $15 or $10 today. You'll be helping me build a strong, vibrant grassroots network throughout the 151 District that will help us achieve another victory this November. Please know that your early support "shouts" and is crucial to building the momentum needed to win.
We must work together to keep the 1st District in Republican hands. I look forward to hearing back from you as soon as possible.
Sincerely,Gil Gutknecht
Member of Congress
P.S. With all of the liberal heavyweights lining up to defeat me, I'm so thankful I have good friends like you standing by my side. [Name of recipient], will you please renew your support to my campaign in 2006 and send your personal check for $15 or $10 today? Your early support this election year is crucial. Many thanks!
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(NOTE: This article was prepared by Leigh Pomeroy, who was the Democratic Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, 1st Congressional District, Minnesota, against Gil Gutknecht in 2004.)