Patrick Kennedy asked for donations to the 'Health Care Rapid Response Fund.' Dems already fundraising off ruling

The Supreme Court hasn’t ruled yet — but Democrats are starting to fundraise off the decision over Barack Obama’s health care law.

Invoking the memory of his late father, Ted Kennedy, former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) is soliciting contributions for a fund to defend the law — no matter how the Supreme Court rules Thursday.


In an email appeal Wednesday morning from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Kennedy asked for donations of $3 or more to the “Health Care Rapid Response Fund.”

( Also on POLITICO: A viewer's guide to the SCOTUS health care ruling)

“If the court strikes down the law, Democrats will need to redouble our efforts, fighting to ensure universal health care. … If the court upholds the law, dangerous tea party extremists will go on a rampage. … Either way, Democrats are in for a tough fight,” Kennedy’s email says.

“My father, Ted Kennedy, spent his entire political career fighting tooth and nail for universal health care,” the solicitation continues. “If he were here, he would be proud of what we were able to accomplish.”

The DCCC site also features a petition inviting supporters to sign up to “stand with President Obama” and “show your support for health care.”

The Senate committee sent out a similar pitch. In an email appeal late Wednesday afternoon asking for $25 donations, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee wrote, “No matter what happens, Republicans will never stop trying to tear this landmark law to pieces — along with the rest of President Obama’s agenda.”

“Regardless of tomorrow’s outcome, we can’t let them win,” the DSCC said.

This article first appeared on POLITICO Pro at 11:00 a.m. on June 27, 2012.