RNC and the Census....

[Boothby171]

Gotta love it.

PLEASE, oh please tell me the Democrats never stooped to something so stupid.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/02/despite_criticism...

It's one thing for a political party to send out a fund-raising mailer designed to look like an official Census Bureau document, in the apparent hope of bamboozling some confused recipients into opening it. After all, who among us hasn'tdone that at some point?

But it takes some chutzpah to double down on the tactic, even after the Census Bureau itself, as well as members of Congress from your own party, have complained about it -- and to do it in the same year that the actual Census is being conducted.

That's what Michael Steele and the Republican National Committee are doing. Check out this mailer, dated February 8, and obtained by TPMmuckraker.

"PROCESS IMMEDIATELY -- 2010 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CENSUS ENCLOSED," reads the official-looking envelope, which also says "DO NOT DESTROY -- OFFICIAL DOCUMENT."

Inside the envelope, a letter from Steele tells recipients: "I have authorized a Census [note the upper-case 'C'] to be conducted of every Congressional District in the country. Enclosed is your official 2010 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CENSUS registered CODE .... in your name as a representative of your area."

Further down, Steele cuts to the chase. "And when you send back your completed Census," he writes, "I urge you to also demonstrate your commitment to the Republican Party by including a generous donation of $25, $50, $100, $250 -- or even $500."

Following the letter is a survey, which asks for responses to questions like: "Do you trust the Democrats to take all steps necessary to keep our nation secure in this age where terrorists could strike our country at any moment."

You can see it here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/25786332/Fake-RNC-fundraising-Census-2010

[cynthia Hunter]

It sounds like a few letters I got from both sides before.
I hate the way that some of these letters ask questions because there is only one way to answer it and that's their way so I just put them in the trash!

[Madhatterat60]

I wonder how many of us open our trash mail - even though it will eventually go into the shredder?

[Just-a-Writer]

"Do you trust the Democrats to take all steps necessary to keep our nation secure in this age where terrorists could strike our country at any moment."

I'd have to write YES under that one, and not send them any money. I wouldn't send money to the dems either, the last thing I sent money to was the Arbor Day Foundation.

I wonder how many were duped by it. Sad that they play on, and encourage, ignorance in their party.

[Boothby171]

I will assume that most Republicans, like most Democrats, can see through the ruse.

It's still offensive, and THEY WERE TOLD NOT TO DO IT by pretty much everyone--including their own party.

But in all honesty, if anyone can show me similar crap from the Democrats, I'd give them just as much hell. (The Democrats--not the person showing me)

[Just-a-Writer]

Booth, you have more faith in people than I do, I don't expect so many to see through it.

But yes, it was pretty ballsy to send it out despite being told not to. It should be offensive to all, because they are playing on people's fears and conning people out of money.

[Boothby171]

Hello!!!! Republican Party!!!!