Democratic ‘Craigslist Bomb’ Bursting Online For Paul Ryan’s Fourth Of July

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI)
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Like most Americans, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) has plans to celebrate our nation’s independence on July 4. But an email that appears to have come from his Congressional campaign shows his staff is hoping to boost turnout at a Kenosha, WI parade by promising miniature flags and free T-shirts.

Some Democrats think that means Ryan — who’s under fire for his plan to convert Medicare into a voucher system — is having trouble getting people to turn out and walk with him in Kenosha. Now some are driving the point home with a series of satirical Craigslist posts that goad him over the budget plan that he wrote, that the House Republicans passed, and that polls show the public is rejecting in droves.

The campaign email was sent on Tuesday from the address of Ryan campaign finance director Susan Jacobson. Reached by phone today, Jacobson would not confirm she sent the email obtained by TPM, saying she declines to answer any questions by phone. TPM forwarded her the copy we obtained and she said she would reply. She also declined to comment on the Democratic take on the message. When she does, we’ll post it.

The message appears to be genuine and on the face of it there’s nothing too exceptional so far as the exclamation point-filled world of campaign communications go. The subject line: “Parade Walkers Needed – Sunday in Kenosha.”

From the text:

We want as many people as possible to show Paul and the people of Kenosha that he is supported. (We understand the UAW is organizing some kind of a protest against Paul at the Parade) I will be bringing small flags to carry. I also have RFC t-shirts available to wear so we get some green out there. If you have one, please wear it or Red / White / Blue would be appropriate.

Families, children in strollers, everyone welcome!!!! You can pass this on to your family and friends. Shoot me an email if you think you can make it. We are hoping for our largest turn out ever.

Read the whole thing here or here.

To Paul’s opponents, the email smacks of desperation. And so they put up some Craigslist ads like this one in Racine, WI:

Third most unpopular Republican politician in the country desperately seeks ANYONE who will stand by him in local Fourth of July Parade. Walking with Congressman Ryan does not guarantee your support of his plan to end Medicare. It is merely the start of the conversation.

Small flags will be provided! Please note that under Ryan’s plan for this Sunday’s Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade, the flags will not be rationed. They will be distributed through a premium support system.

Read a cached version of the Craigslist ad here.

This perhaps trivial battlefield in the wider 2012 campaign war shows the extent Democrats are willing to go to keep the pressure on Ryan over his Medicare plan. Top Democrats have said the issue is a surefire winner for them next Fall, and there’s no way they’re going to let Ryan get away from it. Even when he’s walking down a parade route on the Fourth of July.

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