Politics

Harry Reid slams Koch Industries in fund-raising letter for group that accepted Koch donations

Chris Moody Chris Moody is a reporter for The Daily Caller.
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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid took a swipe at billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch in a fund-raising email on behalf of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Thursday, even though the DSCC accepted $30,000 from Koch Industries just last year.

“Senate Democrats are fighting back each and every day. But with only a slim four-seat majority, we have no margin for error. If Republicans can knock just a few bricks free from our firewall, they’ll force through their extreme agenda faster than you can say ‘Koch brothers,'” the email read. “With the GOP on the attack and with 23 Democratic-held seats to defend, we have no time to spare.”

The letter adds that the DSCC wants to raise $150,371 by the next Federal Election Commission deadline on March 31  to “keep Republicans at bay” for the Senate elections in 2012.

Liberal groups and Democrats have launched an ongoing campaign against Koch Industries — the largest privately-owned company in the United States — which donates heavily to a diversity of political causes.

Although the political action committee for Koch Industries donates heavily to Republicans, the group still doled out tens of thousands to Democratic candidates during the 2010 election cycle. The PAC has donated nearly $900,000 to Democratic candidates since 1998.

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Full email below:


Dear ____,

We should be trying to put Americans back to work, not trying to put public radio out of business.

Attacking labor unions…waging war on women’s rights…defunding NPR…repealing health care reform. The anti-worker, anti-woman, anti-Obama Republican agenda just proves that their priorities are seriously out of whack. How is any of this supposed to create jobs?

Senate Democrats are fighting back each and every day. But with only a slim four-seat majority, we have no margin for error. If Republicans can knock just a few bricks free from our firewall, they’ll force through their extreme agenda faster than you can say “Koch brothers.” With the GOP on the attack and with 23 Democratic-held seats to defend, we have no time to spare. We must act now to keep our majority standing strong. I need your help!

The DSCC must raise $150,371 by our March 31 FEC deadline to keep the Republicans at bay. Our March Match means you’ll be matched dollar for dollar – your $300 contribution will only cost you $150. Please click here right now to contribute! I’m not satisfied with playing defense. Democrats are ready to move this country forward by investing in our future – rebuilding our infrastructure, improving our schools, and focusing on innovations that will create not just jobs, but entire industries.

And a year after President Obama signed health care reform, we’re unwilling to let Republicans put health insurance companies back between you and your doctor.

We’re ready to go on offense, waging a tough grassroots campaign to preserve our majority, standing strong with Democratic incumbents and recruiting top-flight challengers to take on vulnerable Republicans.

We have to put our money where our mouth is – and that means we need your support at this critical moment. Ninety percent of the DSCC’s donations come from individuals giving less than $200. And during our March Match, your $300 gift will only cost you $150 – every dollar will be matched!

The DSCC needs to hear from you immediately in order to meet its $150,371 goal by March 31 – so please click here and make a contribution right now.

Senate Democrats are standing up strong against the GOP’s backward priorities. But we can’t stand alone, not with Republicans and their special interest allies pouring more resources into breaking down our firewall every day.

And with just 8 days to go until the March 31 deadline, a $150,371 goal to meet, and a dangerous Republican agenda to defeat, we need you now more than ever.

Thank you,

Harry Reid

Paid for by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, dscc.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.