Politico is reporting [1] that two of Virginia’s U.S. Reps. J. Randy Forbes (R-4) and Frank Wolf (R-10) will be targeted by Obama’s Organizing for America and the Democratic National Committee for their votes against the government takeover of health care.
Purportedly this is a quid pro quo by Democrats over RNC moves [2] on House Democrats.
At this time, the “targeting” is just direct mail and, perhaps, advertising; it has not turned into candidate recruitment. Forbes, according to opensecrets.org [3], has no challenger, and Wolf was already being challenged [4] by Democrats Richard Anthony and Patrick Lewis and Republican Jim Trautz.
“These are folks in districts that voted for the President, and where insurance reform is not only needed, but also politically popular. By not only voting against the needs of their constituents, but also their desire to reform the perverse health insurance system – and to do it for purely political purposes – these Republicans have put a giant target on their back. They made a disastrous choice and they will reap the consequences of that choice,” said DNC National Press Secretary Hari Sevugan in an email.
The 4th and 10th also overwhelmingly voted [5] for the GOP ticket in 2009 (62-38 and 61-39 respectively for McDonnell).
Bring it, DNC.