Last week, Randy Demmer generated a flurry of publicity–and consternation among his Tea Party base in Southern Minnesota–by taking a pass on pledging to join Michele Bachmann’s Tea Party Caucus if elected.
In the Washington Post’s Plumline, Greg Sargent writes in The “Let Them Eat Want Ads” Caucus:
Let’s call it the “Let Them Eat Want Ads” Caucus — those candidates and public officials who argue that unemployment benefits are problematic because they discourage people from seeking jobs.
And let’s add another Republican to that caucus: Candidate Michele Rollins, who’s running for Mike Castle’s open House seat in Delaware.
Rollins, who’s running in a contested race against green technology exec John Carney, was asked by a constituent if she would have voted to extend unemployment benefits. She suggested she wouldn’t, claiming that “for someone who hasn’t worked in two years” it’s “pretty hard to get energized to go back and look for a job.”
She added:
“I know this is a bad market and a very bad time. But you just cannot keep paying people, cannot keep taxing us to pay people to do nothing, because they will continue to do nothing for a very long time.” . . .
. . .To be clear, this is not the official position of the GOP leadership, which says it favors extending unemployment benefits if the cost of them is offset elsewhere and doesn’t add to the deficit.
And that’s why we need a special caucus for those who do see benefits as problematic: The “Let Them Eat Want Ads” Caucus. Any takers?
Here’s the perfect group for Randy Demmer to join–and establish his independence from the Washington Republican circle of insiders that has rallied to his cause via new campaign chair, Beltway super-lobbyist Vin Weber.
Demmer should be a charter member.
Last week the Hayfield Republican told the Mankato Free Press:
As for extending unemployment benefits, approved by the House but not the Senate, Demmer would be reluctant.
Unemployment checks serve as competition with private employers seeking to hire, Demmer said. He’s talked to business owners who want to add employees but have been turned down by those who choose to stick with their unemployment benefits.
“We have people not taking a job because they have unemployment,” he said.
For those who reach the end of their benefits, Demmer is confident a job will be found.
“People are resourceful,” he said. “When they’re put in a position to really go and find something, I think they will.”
Sounds like a perfect fit.
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