Democrats Are Fighting Back and Declaring War On The Koch Brothers

Democrats aren’t taking their Election Night loss sitting down. Sen. Harry Reid and several outside groups are doubling their efforts in a declaration of war against the Koch brothers.

Politico reported,

But despite Republicans — and some Democrats — publicly decrying the strategy after Tuesday’s GOP wave as an ineffective waste of money, Reid told allies on election night that he planned to continue hammering the brothers, according to an operative close to him.

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And big-money liberal groups ranging from the Democrats’ Senate campaign arm and House super PAC to the outfits run by billionaire Tom Steyer and conservative-turned-liberal enforcer David Brock all signaled that they intended to pursue anti-Koch spending and oppo tactics headed into the 2016 election.

Brock’s American Bridge outfit on Thursday began circulating a memo to senior Democratic congressional aides and big money groups making the case for redoubling the effort to make the Kochs into boogeymen.

A memo by David Brock argues that the Koch brothers will be easier to combat because they aren’t hidden anymore. The Kochs are in power, and their policies will be reflected in the actions of the House and Senate.

Democrats have had a history of not bouncing back well after defeats. Unlike 2010 or 2002, Democrats are coming back quickly with a strategy that they are going to put into action. The loss on Tuesday night has given Democrats the gift of being able to go on the offensive.

Being in the House and Senate minority in the years running up to the presidential election means that Democrats no longer have to defend policies. Democrats aren’t the ones who will be trying to push the boulder of obstruction up the mountain. In defeat, an opportunity has presented itself.

Democrats don’t have to justify their legislation and policy choices as much as they are now free to contrast themselves with what Republicans will be doing. The key is that Republicans are now on the clock. They have to do something. Congressional Republicans can no longer coast along saying no to everything.

Their agenda is now going to be out there, and Democrats are ready to attack. The Koch brothers are no longer just right-wing billionaires operating in the shadows. Their strategy was able to defeat Democrats in red states, but now the entire country is about to experience the Koch agenda.

Democrats aren’t backing down and running away. In fact, they are doing the opposite. They are gearing up to strike at money machine that delivered the Republican victory. The oligarchs wanted the Senate, and now they are going to be front and center as the Democrats fight back.

President Obama is ready to fight. Democrats are ready to fight for their values. Their message to their supporters is that it is time to put the defeat behind them, and move forward in the fight.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association