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BY TOM HESTER SR.
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
Now it's personal.
New Jersey Congressmen Leonard Lance (R-7th.) and Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd.) have been targeted for defeat in next year's elections by the Democratic National Committee for their opposition to the health insurance reform bill.
They are among 32 targeted Congressional Republicans the DNC said Thursday who voted against the legislation although the majority of their constituents supported the election of President Obama and favor health care reform.
Lance, who is midway in his first term, represents parts of Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex and Union counties. LoBiondo, who is in his eighth term, represents five South Jersey counties and parts of two others.
Mitch Stewart, director of the DNC's Organizing for America, said the targeting will "leverage the energy and enthusiasm of the DNC's grassroots supporters and its email list in holding these members accountable for their vote. The effort may also include paid advertising'' as well as op-ed pieces and letters to the editor."You would think a member of Congress should think twice about voting against health insurance reform that their (constituents‘) families and small businesses so desperately need and want,'' said Hari Sevugan, DNC press secretary. "But you have to think to vote against health insurance reform in a Congressional district won by President Obama just a year ago could be a political death knell at a time when Americans are clamoring for solutions to vexing issues like health care.
"These members not only represent districts that voted for President Obama, but also where health insurance reform, as in the rest of the country, is badly needed and where passing it will be politically popular. Some on the very far right wing would have people believe that voting for health insurance reform is a mistake politically- when the truth is that any Republican who votes against reform, especially those won be the president, will undoubtedly place themselves in political peril.''
The House version of the health care reform bill passed Saturday with 222 votes. The Senate version is pending in the upper house. If the Senate proposal is approved, there will be negotiations to combine the measures for a final vote in each house.
The DNC is not targeting New Jersey Congressmen Chris Smith (R-4th), E. Scott Garrett (R-5th.) or Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (R-11th). Seven of the state's eight Democratic congressmen voted in favor of the bill.
Lance and LoBiondo were elected on the same ballot with Obama.
In voicing his opposition to the bill Lance said it would raise taxes and reduce funding for Medicare.
"This will be harmful to the people of New Jersey,‘' he said. "Instead of focusing on fiscally responsible reforms that have bipartisan support, the Democratic leadership has chosen a path that ignores good ideas from our side of the aisle. I oppose this health care plan and favor a common-sense alternative that protects New Jersey's taxpayers from an expensive government takeover ofa good deal of our health care system.''
LoBiondo said be believe the legislation is bad for New Jerseyans.
"New Jersey hospitals would face nearly $4 billion in cuts over the next decade,'' he said. "It is my real concern that South Jersey seniors and disabled residents will be disproportionately affected by the Medicare cuts given their significant use of these services.''
Lance's staff declined to discuss the the targeting threat and LoBiondo's office did not reply to a request for comment.
