freedomworks talking points for "the people's surge"

8/14/2019 FreedomWorks Talking Points for "The People's Surge"

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ThePeople's Surge

againstObamacare 2.0

Tuesday, 16 March 2010

lnformation Packet

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FreedomWorks601 Pennsylvania Ave NWNorth Building, Suite 700Washington, DC 20004

http://teaparty.f reedomworks. org



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The People's Surge against ObamacareMarch 16,2010

Dear Friend of Freedom,

Thank you for being in Washington during this critical hour of the struggle to prevent agovernment takeover of the American health care system.

Today we gather to stop the Democrat leadership's frantic attempt to ram their bill

throuoh Conoress before thev have to face their constituents during the Easter Recess.They're using a parliamentary trick known as "reconciliation" or the "nuclear option" -- aprocess by which Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid can ionore bi-partisandissent and pass their bill with onlv 50 Democratic votes, instead of the customary 60, Aleaked Democratic memo says they plan to begin the process on Friday, March 19th.

THIS lS lT - this will likely be their final push on a radical takeover, so we have to give iteverything we've got. They have to hear us, loud and clear, here and now.

As you visit with the members of Congress today, please make use of the packet we'veprovided. lt contains lobbying tips, talking points, and information about stopping the

Pelosi'Reid-Obama agenda. This agenda goes far beyond health care reform andincludes plans to tax and regulate energy through cap and trade or other regulatoryschemes. Together, these plans mean more power for Washington and less money inthe pockets of hard working American families. These are "reforms" we can't afford.

Finally, let them know that you'll be watching their votes - and remembering that whenyou go to vote this coming November.

Thank you again for your tireless efforts on behalf of lower taxes, less government, andmore freedom.

Sincerely,

0**-1Dick ArmeyChairmanFreedomWorks



kr"edomworks

Lobbving Quick Tips and "Do's" and "Don'ts"

The most effective way to articulate your views to your elected officials and toaffect the outcome of legislation is to sit down and speak with them face-to-face(or their key staff if they are not available). Either one-on-one or in small to

medium sized groups with other activists is best. While these personal visits are

extremely productive, they also require the most amount of planning. Here are 6

things to remember:

1) lf you already have appointments scheduled with your lawmakers, pleasebe on time. Remember, 5 minutes early is on time.

2) Explain how proposed legislation will directly affect you. Use specificexamples.

3) Prepare questions ahead of time, Have specific questions in mind dealingwith your legislator's point of view or stance on an issue. Make sure youget an answer. lf you asked your question clearly and directly, you shouldreceive a clear and direct answer. lf your legislator side-steps the issue ordoes not answer your question, calmly repeat it.

4) Always be polite. You will never convince your lawmaker or their staff withrudeness, vulgarity, or threats, Even if you disagree with the position ofyour legislator, be courteous and calm. There will be other issues in thefuture and you'llwant to be able to meet with the legislator again.

5) Leave a "Legislator Leave-Behind" and your contact information with yourlawmaker or staff. This will ensure that your lawmakers remember theissues you discussed.

6) Follow up your visit with a letter. Regardless of how your meeting goes,

send a letter to your legislator or the staff person you met with thankinghim or her for their time and reiterating the points you discussed. Thisgesture will help the cause and pave the way for future meetings.



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To find out what you can do to stop Obamacarewww.freedomworks.org

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601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, NorthBuilding, Suite 700, lWashington, DC 20004

Toll Free: 1.888.564.6273



FreedomworksTARGET LIST

All House Republicans are expected to vote no.

Firm No. Leanins No. Likelv No (2ó)

John Adler (N.J.) (N) Waiting to see bill. Sounded like a no on Fox News, saying Flouse and

Senate bills fail to address cost containment

Michael Arcuri (N.Y.) (Y) Sorne reports have him as firm no, but Rules Committee member

hasn't closed the door yet

John Barrow (Ga.).* (N) Voted no last year in committee and o¡l floor. Likely no

Dan Boren (Okla.) * (N) Won't be changing his ¡nind - firm no

Bobby Bright (Ala.) * (N) Voted against Flouse health bill, stinrulus and clirnate change. Firrn

¡10

Travis Childers (Miss.) * (N) In toss-up reelection race

Artur Davis (Ala.) t (N) Running for governor, but will make sure to return to D.C. to vote no

Lincoln Davis (Tenn.) * (N) Voted no first time, and nrost expect him to vote no agairr

Chet Edwards (Texas) (N) Perennial GOP target. Edwards spokesrnan told CNN he will vote

no

Luis Gutierrez (Ill.) (Y) Citing immigration language, Gutierrez said on MSNBC that "l ca¡r't

support this bill." Lawmaker has lambasted the president on not moving immigration reforrn yet.

Warned that other Hispanic lawnrakers will also vote no

Larry Kissell (N.C.¡ (N) GOP target, but reelection chances on the rise. Firrn no

Frank Kratovil (Md.¡ (N) Voted for climate change; says he will vote no

Dennis Kucinich (Ohio) (N) Progres.sive was on the fence befgre Hot¡se vote last fall - not thisti¡ne. He's a firm no

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (S.n.¡ (N) Congresswo¡nan told the Rapid City Journctl she's a no,

noting she is ¡rot a fan of reconciliation

Tim Holden (Pa.) * (N) Voted against healthcare and cli¡nate change in 2009. Told The

Republican Herald that he is a no, citing abortion ancl "signifcant" cuts to Medicare and

Medicaid

Jim Marshall (Ga.) * (N) Perennial GOP target, but favored to win reelection.'fold The Hillhe's a no

Jim Matheson (Utah) * (N) President Obama this year tapped brother for post, but Matheson

still a likely no

Mike Mclntyre (N.C.) t (N) Seven-term lawrnaker rejected House health bill and climatechange. Spokesman tells The Hill Mclntyre is a no. Expected to win reelection easily even

though Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won districtMike McMahon (N.Y.) (N) Told the Stcuen Island Adv¿¡nc¿ he's a no

Charlie Melancon (La.) * (N) Senate hopeful voted no in November and no in committee.Likely no

Walt Minnick (Idaho) (N) One of the House's most conservative members. Firm no

Collin Peterson (Minn.) * (N) Ag chairman not shy in bucking leadership. Firrn no

www.freedomworks.org

http ://nohealthcarereconcil iation. co m



Mike Ross (Ark.) * (N) Voted for bill in committee, but not since. Firm no

Ike Skelton (Mo.) x (N) GOP targeting his seat. Armed Services Committee chairman is a firm

no

Gene Taylor (Miss.) x (N) Has been a firm no all Congress

Harry Teague (N.nn.¡ * (N) Told The Hill that he will review bill to see if final bill brings costs

down. If "we are in the same place

-a no"

Firm Yes (2)

Dale Kildee (Mich.) x (Y) Not one of Stupak's dozen

Silvestre Reyes (Texas) * (Y) Intelligence panel chairman on board

Leanine Yes (3)

Russ Carnahan (Mo.) (Y) In competitive race this fall, but should win

Gerry Connolly (Va.) (Y) If he votes no, bill will not pass. Likely yes

Vic Snyder (Ark.) x (Y) Not seeking reelection. Snyder said on Fox News he is leaning yes

Undecided (79)

Jason Altmire (Pa.) * (N) Many view Altmire as key to passage. He said on Fox News he has

"open mind." Voted no in committee and on floor, but bottom line is his yes vote is gettable

Joe Baca (Calif.) * (Y) Must-have for leadership

Brian Baird (Wash.) (N) Retiring member who bucked party on lraq war surge

Melissa Bean (Ill.) (Y) Conservative Democrat well-positioned for midterm election

Marion Berry (Ark.) * (Y) Has been critical of the president since announcing his retirement.

Strong backer of Stupak language

Sanford Bishop Jr. (Ga.) x (Y) Favors Stupak provision

Tim Bishon (N.V.¡ (Y) Must-have vote for leadership. Bishop's office told CNN that the New

York lawmaker wants major changes to Senate billJohn Boccieri (Ohio) * (N) GOP target

Rick Boucher (Va.) (N) GOP target

Allen Boyd (Fla.) (N) Fâcing primary challenge

Michael Capuano (Y) Wanted to be a senator, but doesn't trust the Senate. TPM reported that

Capuano is leaning no. In an e-mail to supporters, Capuano said he has many problems with

Senate measure

Dennis Cardoza (Calif.) * (Y) Secured language for district before last year's vote

Chris Carney (Pa.) * (Y) A "no" vote here would be a setback for leadership

Ben Chandler (Ky.) * (N) Keeps cards close to vest; voted no in November

Jim Cooper (Tenn) * (Y) Has had up-and-down relationship with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-

Calif.)

Jim Costa (Calif.) * (Y) Secured project for his district before November vote

Jerry Costello (Ill.) * (Y) Was a late yes in the fall

Joe Courtney (Conn.) (Y) V/ary of excise tax, but likely yes

Henry Cuellar (Texas) * (Y) Supported health bill and climate change, surprising some on

Capitol HillKathy Dahlkemper (Pa.) i' (Y) GOP target. Her yes vote is key to passage



Joe Donnelly (Ind.) * (Y) Among the Stupak dozen - will vote no unless abortion language in

Senate bill is changed, according to The Rochester SentinelMike Doyle (Pa.) * (Y) Must-have vote for leadership; not politically vulnerable

Steve Driehaus (Ohio) * (Y) In toss-up race in NovemberBob Etheridge (N.C.) * (Y) Passed up Senate run

Brad Ellsworth (Ind.)x

(Y) Senate hopefulBill Foster (Ill.) (Y) GOP targetGabrielle Giffords (Ariz.) (Y) GOP targetBart Gordon (Tenn.) * (N) Retiring committee chairmanRaul Grijalva (Ariz.) (Y) Despite many threats, Arizona liberal expected to vote yes

John Hall (N.Y.) (Y) Democratic leaders may lose other Dems from N.Y., but need to keep Hallon boardDebbie Halvorson (Ill.) (Y) Politically vulnerable, but favored to win her reelection race

Baron Hill (Ind.) * (Y) Passed up Senate run

Jim Himes (Conn.) (Y) Must-have vote for leadership. Likely yes

Steve Kagen (Wis.) (Y) Told Fox 11 in Wisconsin that he prefers more incremental approach;

doesn't trust SenatePaul Kanjorski (Pa.) * (Y) GOP targetMarcy Kaptur (Ohio) x (Y) Voted with leadership first time around, but doesn't toe the partylineMary Jo Kilroy (Ohio) (Y) In toss-up race this NovemberRon Kind (Wis.) (Y) Represents competitive district. Voted against bill in committeeAnn Kirkpatrick (Ariz.) (Y) GOP targetRon Klein (Fla.) (Y) GOP targetSuzanne Kosmas (Fla.) (N) Easily won her race in 2008; her 2010 race will be tighterJim Langevin (R.I.) * (Y) Langevin's seat not in danger this fall. He has previously fended offprimary challenges

Daniel Lipinski(Ill.) x

(Y) Will not vote for abortion language inSenate

bill,but has other

concems as well. Democratic leaders cannot count on LipinskiDan Maffei (N.Y.) (Y) Former V/ays and Means aide is seen as gettable

Betsy Markey (Colo.) (N) Was a late no last time. In early March, Markey declined to be

interviewed by Denver Post oî her position on bill. Likely target for Democratic leaders

Jerry McNerney (CalÍf.) (Y) Waiting for final language. There are false reports of him being a

firm noMike Michaud (Maine) x (Y) Likely yes

Harry Mitchell (Ariz.) (Y) GOP targetAlan Mollohan (W.Va.) * (Y) In November, seat was considered safe. Now, he's in a tight race

Dennis Moore (Kan.) (Y) Retiring this year

Chris Murphy(Conn.) (Y) GOP target

Scott Murphy (N.V.; (N) Reelection race looks good, for nowRichard Neal (Mass.) * (Y) Better vote yes if he wants to take Ways and Means gavel; fan ofStupak language

Glenn Nye (Va.) In toss-up race

Jim Oberstar (Minn.) * (Y) Wants to vote yes, but also wants Stupak language

David Obey (Wis.) * (Y) Waiting to review bill language; likely yes

Solomon Ortiz (Texas) * (Y) V/as a late yes last time around



Bill Owens (N.Y.¡ (Y) One of first votes in Congress was yes on House health bill; media

reports have him as undecided

Tom Perriello (Va.) * (Y) In toss-up race this fall; Pelosi had long talk with the Virginia

Democrat on March 10 on the House floor

Earl Pomeroy (N.D.) * (Y) Voted against bill in committee, and for it on the House floor

Nick Rahall (W.Va.) * (Y) Another panel chairman on the fence

Ciro Rodriguez (Texas) x (Y) Considered by Cook Political Report to "likely" retain seat

Tim Ryan (Ohio) * (Y) Opposes abortion rights; voted for Stupak language

John Salazar (Colo.) {' (Y) GOP target

Loretta Sanchez (Calif.) (Y) Was a late yes in November

Mark Schauer (Mich.) (Y) In tossup race this fall

Carol Shea-Porter (N.H.) (Y) In toss-up race, according to Cook Political Report

Heath Shuler (N.C.) * (N) Doesn't hold his tongue when he opposes Democratic leaders. Critic

of reconciliation

Zack Space (Ohio) x (Y) Voted yes in committee and yes on the floor last year

Adam Smith (Wash.) (Y) Was a late yes in November

JohnSpratt (S.C.) * (Y) Budget Committee chairman is in competitive reelection race

Bart Stupak (Mich.) * (Y) More optimistic about brokering a deal on abortion with House

leaders, but time is running out

Betty Sutton (Ohio) (Y) GOP target

John Tanner (Tenn.) * (N) House deputy whip not running for reelection, but he still will need

to be convinced to get to yes. Voted no in committee and on floor

Dina Titus (Nev.) (Y) Her office told The Hill the congresswoman is undecided. Voted no in

committee and yes on the floor last year

Paul Tonko (N.Y.) (Y) V/aiting for Congressional Budget Office numbers

Charlie lVilson (Ohio) * (Y) Considered less vulnerable this fall than other Ohio Democrats

David Wu (Ore.) (Y) Was undecided for three hours during 2003 Medicare dtug vote, then

voted with the GOP

John Yarmuth (Ky.) (Y) Considered a team player. Likely yes

* -- Votedfor Stupak amendment in November

(Y) -- Voted yes in November

(N) -- Voted no in November

Note: Beny, Donnelly, Driehaus, Lipinski and Stupak said they will vote against the bill unless

the Stupak language is adopted. Stupak has said a dozen lawmakers who voted for the House

measure could change their votes based on the abortion provisions.

Bob Cusack, Molly K. Hooper, Jeff ey Young, Jared Allen, Mike O'Brien, John Owre, Jennifer

Swtft, Drew Wheatley, Jurgen Boerema and Tony Lange contributed to this list.

Source: http://thehill.com/hontenews/house/85693-whip-watchlhe-hills-survey-of-house-dems'

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