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Dems target Rooney with radio ads, robocalls

by George Bennett | June 2nd, 2009

Democrats haven’t recruited a candidate to challenge U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, rooneymugbut the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is targeting the freshman House member with radio ads and automated phone calls that criticize his vote against a $787 billion economic stimulus plan.

Rooney is one of six Republicans targeted in the new Democratic campaign.

“Did you know Congressman Rooney voted against the Economic Recovery Plan? He opposed an $800 tax cut and opposed creating or saving 206,000 Florida jobs. Tell Rooney to put Florida first,” says the radio spot.

Rooney said the Republican alternative he voted for would have created twice as many jobs. He said he’s happy to debate Democrats on the stimulus plan and other spending measures that he considers excessive.

Democrats have tried to get state Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, to run against Rooney, but Aronberg hasn’t shown much interest.

11 Responses to “Dems target Rooney with radio ads, robocalls”

  1. Dean Says:

    I’m a dem and its foolish to me that this money is being wasted. Rooney is a good, honest, intelligent person who takes sincere positions on issues. The party should be using their money to explain their proposals and actions and what they believe is best for Florida.

    These types of simplified, exaggerated attacks are becoming too typical of both parties and the reason there’s a growing disconnect between the parties and everyday people. Just look to see how much the local democratic party has raised the last few years.

  2. Edward Lynch Says:

    Tom is absolutely correct to have voted against a terrible waste of money. Notice how they changed the name when it was found out that it would not “stimulate” the economy. I love the term “creating or saving” jobs. I “saved” thousands of jobs yesterday myself. And an $800 tax cut? They really think that we are that stupid. If I give you $10 and I take $50 from you, I guess that if I will only focus on my charitable gift of $10 you won’t remember the $50 that I took from you. The corruption in Palm Beach County and Washington DC politics is disgusting and we need to get rid of these corrupt politicians.

  3. Jim Ignatowski Says:

    Aren’t “robocalls” included on the “do not call” list?

  4. sign o the times Says:

    Tom Rooney is a good guy. That said, he is a trust fund baby. He never sweat rent or the price of gas. Therefore, he knows little of the lives of the rest of us. His family is in a minimum wage lawsuit at the Kennel Club. A family of billions can’t pay servers and dealers a living wage? Tom has a wonderful resume for politics. Marine officer and constitutional lawyer. A very calculated resume for political viability. Like he was being groomed. We need people with less pedigree and more middle class life experience crafting legislation on our behalf. Tom supports the politics of his brood. The politics of a privileged minority… we already have too many in power

  5. Chris Says:

    Jim,

    The Do Not Call list applys to commercial solicitors only. Political campaign calls are not commercial solicitation they are Free Speech!

  6. Laz Kozma Says:

    Dear Sign o times,

    Would you say the same of Ted Kennedy? His life experiernce is a silver spoon up his a___, a coke spoon up his nose, and a family name that allowed him to cheat his way through law school and get away with murdering MaryJo.

  7. sign o the times Says:

    yes, i would say the same of the Kennedy’s.
    Laz Kozma, why do you feel the need to attack?

    my position is simple. we are supposedly a representative republic. we need more people in congress that represent the MAJORITY of Americans. the citizen statesman as the founding fathers envisioned. no career in politics. serve briefly. THEN, GO HOME!

    as i’ve said, Tom is a good guy. but, his sensibilities aren’t that of the MAJORITY

  8. Plastic Ono Says:

    Sign o the times, you’re making no sense. You say you don’t want people who make a career of politics and you criticize Tom Rooney who has been in office 5 months! Prior to that he served a non-profit for abused children, and before that he was in the military. Yet you say he should be disqualified because he comes from a wealthy family and has not had any representative ‘life experiences’!!

    Sheez.

  9. sign o the times Says:

    it’s obvious from the vigorous defense, everybody thinks Tom is a decent guy. cool

    only 5 months in office? he made a comment at the legion golf tournament he’d like to be there 10 years? typical.

    back to my original statement. a trust fund billionaire can not bring the sensiblities of a working person / the majority of us to the capital. the record would indicate, nobody Washington is in the service of the majority. one term is enough

  10. Lara Says:

    I’d rather have a military vet with a background in law representing me than someone who can identify with losers such as sign o the times. Rooney’s demonstrated an ambition to learn, listen to others, serve his country, and try to do the best he can to serve his district. Big frickin deal if he comes from a wealthy family.

  11. sign o the times Says:

    serve his country? an observant person might look at that resume and say, he’s been groomed for the family business for a very long time… we already have the bushes and the kennedy’s. we don’t need another family of billionire political mercenaries. and, if the lawmakers won’t pass term limits or finance reform, the voters must do it of their own accord. the country has been sold to the highest bidder. we need it to work for the MAJORITY… and the venom in the responses? have you been limbaugh’d to the point you can’t have a debate in a respecful manner? you diminish yourselves and your point

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