From Rob Hotakainen, Washington bureau
WASHINGTON --- House Democrats on Tuesday will launch a telephone campaign against 12 Republicans, including Gold River's Dan Lungren, who voted against President Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus package signed into law last week.
Republicans in Lungren's 3rd District can expect to receive telephone calls, e-mails and text messages such as this:
"Hello, I'm calling on behalf of House Democrats with an important message about the economy. Did you know Congressman Dan Lungren voted against President Obama's economic recovery plan, endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce? Lungren's empty rhetoric can't hide that he voted to raise the AMT (alternative minimum tax) on 22 million middle class Americans and against the largest tax cut in history."
Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), said Lungren is part of the House Republicans' "just-say-no" approach to government.
"House Republicans can't have it both ways - they can't claim to be in favor of tax cuts and then vote against the largest tax cut in American history," Van Hollen said.
Brian Kaveney, Lungren's spokesman, said the congressman gave a speech on the House floor Monday, talking about "how he doesn't agree with the type of reckless spending that is taking place in Congress and the amount of increased debt that is being loaded on the backs of the next generation of Americans."
Kaveney said Lungren is ready and willing to debate the best ways to get the economy moving again.
"He doesn't believe the opposition should be hiding behind Chairman Van Hollen and his misleading radio ads," Kaveney said.
The campaign will also note that despite California's high unemployment rate, Lungren voted against a project to widen a segment of the Capital Southeast Connector in Elk Grove. The project in his district is expected to create 1,195 jobs for local workers.
As part of the campaign, constituents will be urged to contact Lungren to "voice their outrage."
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