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twitterPOLITICAL MEMO:
Democrats resurrect nasty attacks against Joe Heck
Targeting a medical issue, foes hope to blunt doctor’s strength
Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Joe Heck
Dina Titus
Sun Archives
- The governor's race and Joe Heck (10-7-2009)
- Dems blast Heck for switching to congressional race (10-6-2009)
- Sen. Joe Heck 'seriously considering' run against Dina Titus (9-29-2009)
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When Republican Joe Heck announced last week that he was dropping out of the governor’s race to challenge Rep. Dina Titus in Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, it took the state Democratic Party a matter of hours to revive the brutal campaign it waged to oust the emergency room physician from the state Senate last year.
In a news release, the party called Heck a “special interest shill” who opposed, among other things, “coverage for a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.”
The attack recalls a series of devastating mail pieces Nevada Democrats ran in 2008 — and foretells the strategy the party will likely pursue as the debate over health care reform intensifies and spills over into the campaign. Democrats hope to turn Heck’s medical experience against him.
It’s a common political move. In 2004, Republicans cast doubt on Sen. John Kerry’s military service, even though he served on a Swift boat in Vietnam and was awarded three Purple Hearts. In 2008, the party used then-Sen. Barack Obama’s skills as an orator and the record-breaking crowds he attracted on the campaign trail to paint the candidate as a worldwide celebrity, light on substance.
Last year in Nevada, state Democrats spent tens of thousands of dollars on a series of tough — and misleading — mailers targeting Heck. The glossy pieces featured a number of images depicting suffering cancer patients, with the slogan: “Heck Blames Cancer on the Victim.”
They accused him of voting against requiring insurance companies to include cervical cancer screenings. The claim was false. Insurance companies have been required by the state to cover screenings since 1989. The ad seemed to refer to Titus-sponsored legislation from 2007, which required insurers to cover Gardasil, the vaccine for the human papilloma virus, a precursor to cervical cancer.
Heck did vote against that bill, arguing that he opposes new mandates on insurance companies because they increase the cost of coverage. Democrats found their fodder in comments he made at a committee meeting where he said he had “philosophical” objections to mandating coverage of the vaccine because there were preventable risk factors, including multiple sex partners, that sometimes lead to transmission of the disease and then cancer.
The damage was significant. Heck lost by less than 1 percentage point to Democrat Shirley Breeden, who operated under a media blackout for most of the race. The ads were the centerpiece of the campaign.
In 2010 the attacks are likely to come fast and hard from both parties. Titus is a top target for national Republicans, who will surely go after her for contributing to what they say is a government takeover of health care.
Last year, she ran a quiet campaign and won, due in no small part to Obama’s wave of support and a worsening economy, which voters blamed on incumbents.
Now, she’s the incumbent, in a state that ranks second in the nation in unemployment. Economists expect Nevada’s jobless rate to hit 14.75 percent next year.
Another weakness: Titus failed to get to the 50 percent threshold last year. She bested Rep. Jon Porter, the three-term incumbent, with 47 percent of the vote.
The National Republican Campaign Committee sees an opportunity. Last week, the committee promoted Heck’s candidacy and attacked Titus’ record in one fell swoop. Titus turned to her supporters for contributions.
The election is 13 months away.
Discussion: 30 comments so far…
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What was one of the first bills that Ms. Taxus (Titus) voted for?
Ms. Taxus raised taxes on poor and low income families so that middle class family's children can have free insurance.
What was that all about???????
I know she has a hunger for raising taxes but that is just plain crazy.
The other things she voted for was cash bailouts for corporations and cash-for-clunkers.
Those who fail to remember the past or do not know of the past are doomed to let it be repeated. Who ran America off it's track? The answer is--the pseudo republicans who are always saying "No" to the consumer, and yes to their corrupt cronies. We, the voter need to do some critical thinking and form our opinions as true as we can and to not let the demagogues form our opinions for us.
Dina Titus only claim to fame is raising taxes. Time for her to hit the road.
Whine, whine, whine. This woman is too dumb to learn to talk.
Joe Heck was beaten by a nobody last year just another clueless liberal empty suit Democrat riding Obama's coat tails to know where.
The Democrat party, a hateful, bigoted, divisive party if there ever was one. But, what do you expect from the party that gave us the KKK.
Joe Heck's only claim to fame is being featured regularly at The R-J with glowing editorials disguised as "news". And unlike his BFF Jon Porter, Dina Titus actually delivers for us in the 3rd District. She's brought back needed aid to stop the foreclosure madness, and hopefully she can soon bring back real health care reform and green collar jobs as well.
And Heck? He lets his "philosophy" get in the way of protecting young girls from cancer.
SgtRock More lies and bs from you. If you are really interested in who raises taxes on the poor and middle class lets look at Republicans who under George Bush raised taxes on those people while lowering taxes on the very wealthy.
It is remarkable how you right wing nut jobs spin a story. Ray La Hood a Republican who is now Secretary of Transportation was credited with the cash for clunkers. I am sure you are to simple minded to understand the benefit this program had for America. If a Republican President implemented this program he would be your hero.
I guess in your eyes women are second class citizens and the shot to prevent cervical cancer should be denied them by the insurance industry while penile erection medicine for men is covered? Joe Heck is your man. I have read many of your ridiculous posts and have come to the conclusion that you are a self centered, narcissistic, ill informed fool. Your rantings are similar to all of the other down and out neo cons who for the most have nothing postive to say other than hate and fear mondering while spinning the facts.
RHG Are you impaired ? Hateful, bigots, divise is a true defentition of the Republican Party. If you knew anything about history you would know that when President Lyndon Johnson signed all of the civil rights bills in the sixties the KKK and all of the ignorant,toothless,hate spewing,child killing red knecks in the south became instant Republicans. That is the sole reason today the south is red and stupid, like you. Republicans the party of no who are ownwed lock stock and barrell by corporations,lobbyists and special interest groups. Think RHG before you make a fool of yourself again.
Homer...either is clueless (highly likely) or a liar (equally likely).
One of the very first bills that Ms. Taxus (Titus) voted for was a tax hike on poor and low income families so that middle class families can get free insurance for their children.
If you can't face the facts then you should bury your head into the sand.
She also voted for cash for corporations and cash-for-clunkers.
Those are facts, too.
To quote Adlai Stevenson speaking on behalf of Democrats to Republicans, if you will stop telling lies about us, we will stop telling the truth about you!
It seems that the Democrats can't handle the truth.
Ms. Taxus (Titus) voted to raise taxes on the poor and low income families so that middle class families can have free health insurance for their children.
She also voted for cash for corporations and cash-for-clunkers.
If you can't handle that truth then you need to go bury your head deeper in the sand.
I'd vote for a conservative Democrat before I'd vote for Dr. Joe Heck, a self-aggrandizing politico.
Titus a dumb, dumb woman. Go to www.ratemyprofessor.com to see what a low opinion he students had of her. They were right.
SgtRick - You are not even worth responding to, but I am bored so I will. I'm sure working class parents would disagree that providing health insurance to their children constitutes a "tax hike". Next you are a HYPOCRITE - last I checked, Jon Porter, the Republican incumbent that Congresswoman Titus beat voted for the SAME bill and openly bragged about it during the campaign last year. I thought you Republicans were the party of "family values" but apparently you don't think innocent children should be provided health care when they are sick? That's a hell of a way to promote healthy, happy families. You guys are a walking contradiction.
jlb101 - You belong in a 101 level class, if you can even get into UNLV. Ask any student and they will laugh and tell you that Rate My Professor is a website used for SLACKER students who do not want to have to do classwork or homework. Any decent teacher who doesn't give all A's gets low marks on that site. Further, Dina Titus is NOT EVEN ON RATE MY PROFESSOR - I checked just for kicks.
Congresswoman Titus has done an AMAZING job given the hand she was dealt and has listened to the people of her district on issue after issue. That is why she will be re-elected next November.
LIES & DISTORTIONS, CONTRADICTIONS & HYPOCRICIES - That is your only shot.
Heck is a insurance company shill, who dissected bunny rabbits in medical school
Hey mred: Rabbits make good stew too.
Anytime a national political party dumps big money into local race not to promote their candidate, but to simply defeat the incumbent, you've got to wonder what is up .......... I must conclude that Dr. Heck scares some major special interests....... that and the fact that he's not a lawyer or someone with a political science degree makes me want to support him.
..oh, and I love the photos posted with this article ............... no attempt to cast Dr, Heck in a bad light there - (roll eyes)
just_me...
I must conclude that Dr. Heck scares the bejesus out of me with that photo... is that a still from the movie "Falling Down"? Or some kind of a "Norman Bates" kind of psycho fashion statement?
Dina Titus has been in office for such a short time, but Dr. Titus is doing a fine job, contrary to what the right-wing nut jobs would have you believe with their constant negativity.
I think it's sad that you have to start running for another term when you are just settling in to your first.
Maybe Ol' Joe will change his mind AGAIN when he figures out a race that he can actually compete in.
Hey there gmager...
What has Obama been doing since he has been in office? The same thing he did when he was a U.S. Senator... Campaigning, campaigning and more campaigning. But I don't think it's working for him...
I like Dina Titus, I think she is really trying to do the job that she was put into office to do.
If she keeps up the good work, I think she deserves another term.
Constitutional law requires representatives to run every two years, which is good for everyone. Senators should have been required to run every 4 years, instead of the 6 year terms in the USC, making them more accountable to their electorate.
Lar,
I think you do a great diservice to President Obama. If you think all he is doing is "campaining", I say you are not really in tune with reality here. Perhaps it's because you only get your "news" from the unfair & unbalanced FOX news.
I don't think it matters if I "...do a great disservice to President Obama."
What really matters is that President Obama is doing a great disservice to our men and women in uniform by his hesitation on Afghanistan...
As far as FOX NEWS being "unfair & unbalanced" as you say. Maybe you should take another look at FOX NEWS.
You might consider that FOX NEWS channel is similar to a newspaper with separate sections on straight news and commentary. The commentary being similar to the editorial section of a newspaper.
I regularly watch the straight news part because I have learned that one will get more unbiased news on FOX then other networks.
As far as the commentators, I can take them or leave them. I would further state that probably most commentators lean to the right versus the left. No surprises there.
FOX is not my only source of news. I compare news stories and make a decision for myself as to the accurately of the reporting.
" I'm sure working class parents would disagree that providing health insurance to their children constitutes a "tax hike". "
Look at how silly that libs brain works.......
Hey, dude if they take money out of your left pocket and then leave some change your right pocket then it is a net loss and not a net gain.
Also, more importantly, the poor and low income families were already getting free health insurance for their children. Why should their taxes get hiked so some middle class family can get free health care for their children?
Ms. Taxus (Titus) loves loves loves to raise taxes so I am not surprised their.
But she raised taxes on poor and low income people so that middle class people can get free health insurance for their children.
You would think she would raise taxes on the very rich (you know those over $200k a year) first.
Hmmmm....take money and food out of the poor so that some middle class family gets free health insurance.
Shame,,,,,shame on Ms. Taxus (Titus)
Goodbye Dina and Goodbye Harry. Good riddance to both. I normally don't want time to speed up, but I am looking forward to next year when Nevada and the United States says nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey, goodbye to these two!
Darthbry...
Just who is gonna run and win against either?
Joe Heck & lil' Tark? Oh, puleeze. NOT going to happen.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that former Nevada GOP chairwoman Sue Lowden and former university basketball star Danny Tarkanian both lead the powerful Nevada Democrat in head-to-head matchups for 2010.
The Mason-Dixon Polling & Research survey put Lowden at 49 percent to Reid's 39 percent. It put Tarkanian at 48 percent to Reid's 43 percent.
The Mason-Dixon Poll from last October also said Dina Titus trailed Jon Porter 42%-45%. She ended up winning by 5% - they were a full 8% off just a month before the election. Also, this was before Porter and the NRCC drowned the airwaves with dishonest and misleading ads. Shocking considering Mason - Dixon and the R-J are in the tank for the Republicans.
SgtRock, I will quote Barney Frank: "trying to have a conversation with you is like trying to argue with a dining room table"
A little bit different political atmosphere out there this year versus last...