Chamber to be "aggressive" in 2014 GOP primaries
Without directly attacking the Tea Party by name, the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce made clear again today that the business community is ready for battle during Republican primaries for the U.S. House and Senate in 2014, all part of an ongoing struggle over the direction of the Republican Party.
"The business community understands what's at stake," said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas Donohue in a speech in Washington, D.C..
"In primaries and in general elections, we will support candidates who want to work within the legislative process to solve the nation's problems," Donohue added.
In a session with reporters after his speech, Donohue waved off assertions that the Chamber is going after the Tea Party - "Don't line me up as attacking the Tea Party, because I'm not," he said - but he made clear that if business can rally behind a candidate to challenge someone in Congress who has been at odds with the Chamber, that's fine.
"Will we support folks that challenge people we just think vote wrong and have not been helpful? Sounds like a good idea," Donohue said.
In setting out the business community's general agenda for 2014, Donohue highlighted what he described as the Chamber's "aggressive" plans for this year's mid-term elections, singling out a special election late last year in Alabama, where a business-backed candidate defeated a fellow Republican who was cast as more friendly to the Tea Party
That candidate, Bradley Byrne, was being sworn in today as the newest member of the House of Representatives.
"In 2014, the Chamber will work to protect and expand a pro-business majority in the House and advance our position and influence in the Senate," Donohue said.
While not giving out any details, Donohue broke into a broad smile as he vowed that the Chamber will "have all the resources that we need to run a most effective political program" in 2014.
The Wall Street Journal reported in recent weeks that the Chamber was ready to spend upwards of $50 million on behalf of "establishment" candidates in primaries against Tea Party challengers.
While the move has aggravated some conservative activists, it's still not clear how many Chamber vs Tea Party showdowns will truly emerge on the 2014 primary calendar, or exactly where the business community will decide to intervene with large amounts of campaign dollars.
"We probably have a half dozen places that we are looking at in open seats and in primaries," Donohue said.
Asked about Tea Party candidates, Donohue said efforts to not pay the federal debt, shut down the government and take what he labeled "radical" approaches on policy had not been helpful.
"I think they're well-intentioned people - except when they get to Washington they're not going to do what we believe they need to do - so why should we help them get here?" the Chamber chief added.
From Donohue's demeanor, it was very clear that the Chamber of Commerce is feeling good about its Alabama special election win, as the business community gets ready to flex its muscles as we move into the 2014 primary season for Congress.
