Markey certain target of GOP anti-Clean Energy attack ads

National Republican leaders are likely planning to target Colorado’s U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey for her vote Friday in support of the Clean Energy Act. Republicans say the new bill places the environment above people and will cut into the struggling economy. The fact that similar regulatory laws have led to job creation in Colorado in the state’s expanding new-energy economy likely won’t temper the attacks.

Politico reports that members of the National Republican Congressional Committee believe vulnerable Congressional freshmen like Markey, who represents the state’s conservative 4th District, may have cast “a career-ending vote.” The NRCC is orchestrating a campaign against the officials that will feature TV and radio commercials as well as robocalls.

[Lawmakers] likely to find themselves with targets on their back after the 219-212 vote: freshman Reps. Harry Teague of New Mexico, Betsy Markey of Colorado, John Boccieri of Ohio, Thomas Perriello of Virginia and Alan Grayson of Florida and second-termer Zack Space of Ohio.

The GOP’s hope is [to] do to these vulnerable Democrats what Republicans famously did to former Rep. Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky, the Pennsylvania Democrat who ensured that her career was limited to one term when she cast the deciding vote for President Bill Clinton’s budget package in 1993.

Markey stood strong against a first shot fired this week by state GOP leader Dick Wadhams after news of the vote first aired. In a press release, Markey said she was “proud” of the vote, that it was a vote for the economy and national security as well as for the environment.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) will help our businesses continue to be at the forefront of our new energy economy, lessen our dependence on foreign oil and protect and preserve our environment–all at the same time.

… The day after I cast this vote, a head of the state Republican Party, Dick Wadhams was quoted in the Denver Post saying that this vote would cost me my seat.

Well, I’ve got news for him–I am proud of my vote and will continue to do what it takes to help Colorado continue to be a national leader in our new energy economy.

The Fourth Congressional District in particular stands at the forefront of business development in clean energy. Wind and solar companies are bringing jobs to Northern and Eastern Colorado and our research institutions are providing the human capital to get those jobs done.

Politico quotes Jennifer Crider, spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, on the lack of a Republican alternative.

Republicans have shown time and time again that they don’t offer solutions; they’re just saying no, whether it’s the economic recovery bill or the green-jobs bill,” Crider said. “There’s a reason why their brand is so damaged.”

Another “top democratic aide” said polls showed the American people were ready for change :

“As the president said [Sunday], they are still fighting battles that happened in the early 1990s,” said the aide. “America has moved forward. All of the polling supports that.”

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