DCCC: Cato Institute is 'right-wing extremist group'

The feisty populism memo seems to have got around. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, in a press release attacking a Republican running for Congress in upstate New York, the DCCC lashed out at his ties to the Cato Institute, the libertarian Washington think tank.

"While making today’s announcement that he will once again run for Congress in New York’s 24th District, [Richard] Hanna also launched a new campaign website where he shamelessly touts his ties to the Cato Institute, a right-wing extremist group that has long been a vocal advocate for extremist, unfair trade policies that would allow companies to ship American jobs overseas," said the press release.

An incredulous Cato spokeswoman, Khristine Brookes, e-mails, "Are they serious? Are we a right-wing extremist group because of our arguments in favor of gay marriage or for our criticism of the Bush war in Iraq?" The "extremist" in question in the release, she notes, is a pro-immigration, pro-trade economist who is on the site today attacking Jerome Corsi.

Full release after the jump.

Re-Run Hanna Returns, Remains Committed to Out of Touch Extremists, Policies

While Richard Hanna is only 15 months removed from being rejected by Upstate New Yorkers, his commitment to extremist groups and their out of touch policies is just as strong as ever. Hanna’s out of touch principles remain at odds with the best interest of Upstate New Yorkers and as a result, he shouldn’t expect this second campaign to end any differently than his first.

While making today’s announcement that he will once again run for Congress in New York’s 24th district, Hanna also launched a new campaign website where he shamelessly touts his ties to the CATO Institute, a right wing extremist group that has long been a vocal advocate for extremist, unfair trade policies that would allow companies to ship American jobs overseas.

“The fact that Hanna is touting his leadership role in a group that prides its commitment to unfair trade policies that send American jobs overseas is downright shameful,” said Shripal Shah, Northeast Regional Press Secretary at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “What Republicans like Richard Hanna fail to grasp is that these are exactly the kinds of George Bush policies that got our economy in this mess in the first place and now is the time to turn the page, not go back.”

“Hanna’s commitment to these unfair trade practices speaks volumes about how grossly out of touch he is when it comes to Upstate New York families. He should expect Upstaters to reject his extremist positions this November just like they did in 2008.”

BACKGROUND:

Hanna’s own campaign website shamelessly talks up his ties to the CATO Institute. “He is a sustaining member of the CATO Institute, having traveled to Russia as part of an international study group. He is also a frequent attendee of the Milken Institute's Global Conference and a member of the Foundation on Economic Education.” [Hanna Campaign Website, accessed 1/20/10]

The CATO Institute is a right wing extremist group that has long advocated for unfair trade policies regardless of their impact on American jobs. CATO has been one of the leading advocates for unfair trade deals and believes that increases in unemployment should not prevent enacting new trade deals. The CATO Policy Handbook specifically says Congress should “avoid using trade deficits and concerns about employment levels as excuses for imposing trade restrictions” as it calls for the US to move away from “reciprocity’’ and “level playing fields.” [CATO Policy Handbook, 6th ed, Chapter 64]

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