Attacking the messenger

The headline reads: "BITTNER HIGHLIGHTS DEMOCRATS' FAILURE." Today's release from AZ GOP Communications Manager Tony Reinhard is the first salvo against Arizona Democratic Party Communications Director Emily Bittner, who has proven capable of unleashing a fusilade against Republicans no matter what the circumstances. It may signal a shift in the way the comparatively reticent Reinhard approaches his counterpart.

Saying that Democratic freshman representatives Harry Mitchell (D-5) and Gabrielle Giffords (D-8) have failed to deliver on campaign promises to resolve issues of "fiscal responsibility, reducing gas prices, corruption and health care," Reinhard blasted Bittner for what he characterized as calousness.

"Arizona Democrat spokeswoman Emily Bittner dismisses these issues as insignificant, proving how out of touch she and the Democrat Party are with Arizona voters," read the release.

Reinhard charged that Democrats have "worked to increase gas prices" by "voting to strip oil companies of a tax benefit, which allows for exploration and clean-energy research," and "refusal to support stability in the Middle East."

Reinhard also said that the Democrats' fix to health care was to "take away choices, increase prices and put the federal government in charge of health care for all Americans," and, more personally, said that Rep. Mitchell's support for Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) getting a Homeland Security Committee assignment was an example of "corruption." Jefferson is under indictment on bribery charges after the FBI raided his home and found $90,000 in cash in his freezer.

 “'Miss Bittner can tell you what the issues are, but neither she nor her Democrat colleagues are actually trying to solve these problems facing hard working Arizonans,'” said Reinhard, quoting himself. “'It’s the difference between playing political games, speaking in platitudes, and actually getting the job done.  The Democrat Congress has earned the lowest approval ratings in history for a reason: the American people can only stomach so much hypocrisy before they pick up the TV remote.  This November, they will be changing channels.'”

Read the full release.

Bittner, never one to be outdone, fired back.

"The notion that Democrats don't care about healthcare, changing course in Iraq, restoring the American dream to the middle class is laughable at best," said Bittner. "Am I supposed to believe a vote for Laura Knaperek means making sure every American has access to affordable, quality healthcare?" Bittner mused sarcastically.

Bittner highlighted her side's argument, saying that Congress created "the largest expansion of student aid since the GI Bill" and "passed the bipartisan recommendations of the 9/11 commission."

She then wondered why Reinhard had targeted her.

"I checked the Secretary of State's website," said Bittner. "It doesn't look like I'm running for any office. Maybe it's on the federal level."