Scandals Expose GOP's Pre-Election Strategy

by John M. Curtis
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Copyright May 17, 2013
All Rights Reserved.                                         

              Beating their chests over recent events reflecting badly on President Barack  Obama, the Republican National Committee strategy, led by 41-year-old Tea Party devotee Reince Priebus, involves throwing as much mud as possible before the 2014 Midterm election.  Whatever the merits of recent controversies, the fervor with which the GOP has jumped on the scandals shows the kind of glee from hitting Barack with an oversized cream pie.  Fearing over-exposure to the conservative IRS 501 (4) C nonprofit scandal, the Justice Dept.-FBI spying controversy on the Associated Press and Benghazi “talking points” debacle, the GOP has tried to put on the breaks after fearing an overkill backlash.   “I’m being very cautions not to overplay my hand,” said Rep. Charles Boustany (R-La.), concerned that overdoing recent scandals could backfire before the Midterm elections.

             After losing by a landslide to Obama Nov. 6, 2012, the GOP’s new strategy involves developing budding controversies into full-blown scandals before the 2014 Midterms.  “Top GOP leaders are privately warning members to put a sock in it when it comes to silly calls for impeachment or over-the-top comparisons to Watergate,” reported Politico’s Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei.  When you really look at the IRS scandal involving singling out conservative nonprofit political groups for abusing the 501 C (4) designation for “Social Welfare Organizations,” is it really so outrageous?  When the Supreme Court ruled July 1, 2008 that the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign finance law violated corporations and labor unions’ free speech rights, it opened the door to abuse various types of nonprofit groups.  While it’s inappropriate to target only right-leaning groups, it’s negligent to ignore abuses.

             Publicly-traded companies and political organizations routinely abuse IRS nonprofit status to market products, services and political agendas.  IRS Commissioner Steven Miller defended his department’s examination, before the House Oversight Committee, of political groups filing under the 501 C (4) tax exemption reserved for social welfare organizations.  “I think what happened here was that foolish mistakes were made by people who were trying to be more efficient in their workload selection,” said Miller, rejecting the idea that anyone at the IRS targeted conservative-leaning groups.  Whether that’s true or not is anyone’s guess.  What’s well-known IRS 501 C (4) social welfare nonprofits are routinely abused by political groups.  Republicans don’t want voters to see current events as carefully orchestrated mudslinging operations designed to hurt Democrats before the Midterm elections.

             House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has led the way to tar-and-feather the administration.  Boehner jumped all over an ABC News report that had National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes doctored U.N. Amb. Susan Rice’s talking points.  “Boehner had become obsessed with Benghazi,” Politico reported.  “This is all Boehner,” said another GOP aid.  When ABC News clarified the report, specifying that the CIA, not Rhodes, removed references to “al-Qaeda” or “terrorists” in Rice’s talking points, Boehner had egg on his face.  Now Boehner’s backed off the scandal pedal.  “Our job is to legislate, and we’re trying to legislate thing that will help create jobs for our country,” said the House Speaker.  “But we also have a responsibility, under the Constitution, to provide oversight of the executive branch of government,” excusing whatever steps he’s taken to hold Obama’s feet to the fire.

             Showing his partisan stripes, House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) called the Obama White House “one of the most corrupt president in modern times,” exposing, if nothing else, the partisan nature of today’s scandal mongering.  Of all the most egregious scandals, Atty. Gen. Eric Holder targeting the cell phone bills of Associated Press reporters and bureau chiefs takes the cake.  While Benghazi raises questions about how to spin potentially incendiary events during and election cycle, targeting AP reporters violates the First Amendment and crosses the line for the U.S. Attorney General.  “The White House will be falling back on a concerted scheme and cover-up strategy not seen since the days of Watergate,” said Issa, failing to get the Special Prosecutor to investigate how Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Penn.) got an appointment in exchange for dropping out of a senate race.

             Before the Midterm elections, the GOP must figure out a away to entice voters other than highlighting various real or contrived scandals.  Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) have beat the Benghazi dead horse like a worn out piñata.  Boehner’s strategy of fanning the flames of various scandals before the 2014 Midterm elections could boomerang if the public gets wind of the GOP’s scandal-mongering strategy.  “Look, it’s not something I’m seeking.  It’s not the endgame.  It’s not what we’re playing for.  I was simply asked is that within the realm of possibilities?” asked Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Ut.).  “And I would say, yes, I’m not willing to take that off the table,” referring to the overall GOP pre-election strategy and its most extreme form of impeaching the president.  Exposing GOP tactics shows that voters can expect more of the same.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com.and author of Dodging the Bullet and Operation Charisma.