Politics

DNC accused of using Boston attack to build fundraising list

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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The Democratic National Committee is being accused by Republicans of using the terrorism attack in Boston to improve its fundraising solicitation lists.

“Disgraceful: @TheDemocrats capitalizing on terrorism and Boston’s first responders to boost their fundraising lists,” RNC chairman Reince Priebus wrote on Twitter on Monday. “Very poor taste.”

On Monday, the DNC set up a page for supporters to “Thank Boston’s First Responders,” referencing those who responded to the bombing of the Boston Marathon last week.

The site asks people who want to sign their name to a thank you note from the DNC to submit their name, email address and zip code.

Organizations typically use a tactic like this — having people “sign” their names to cards — to collect email addresses so they can later send them fundraising solicitations.

In an email sent Monday, DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz asked supporters to sign on to the card.

“Whether you want to say thanks, share a story about how the past week’s events have affected you, or just let these public servants know that you’ve been thinking about them, I know they’d appreciate hearing from you,” she said.

DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse explained to The Daily Caller in an email that, “Our supporters were looking for an outlet to express their gratitude and support for first responders in the wake of the tragedy in Boston, and collecting messages of thanks to deliver to them we concluded was the best outlet we could give them.”

“What’s disgraceful is that Republicans would stoop so low as to politicize the simple act of thanking the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to keep us safe,” he said.

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