More than a year before Republicans pick their 2016 presidential nominee, a liberal super PAC, American Bridge, is readying the release of a “scouting report” on 20 potential GOP candidates — and building a team of scandal researchers and video trackers to follow every candidate.
Presented like a sports media guide, the advance copy provided to the Examiner is a researcher’s dream: a combination of biographical tidbits and controversy.
Former Bill Clinton aide Paul Begala writes in the foreword that “sunshine truly is the best disinfectant.”
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And many of the Republicans featured in American Bridge’s “2016 Scouting Report” read like they need a dose.
Take the entry on Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. In addition to its critical portrayal of the Tea Party favorite, the 194-page report takes a shot at his dad, Rafael, noting that he “has a history of inflammatory statements” such as suggesting that President Obama be sent “back to Kenya.”
Or the first apparent entry into the GOP primaries, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. The Scouting Report finds controversy in Bush’s business dealings and his handing of the 2000 Florida presidential vote recount that in the end made his brother, George W. Bush, the 43rd president.
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What’s more; it plays up Bush’s political problems with the conservative base of the party, something Bush is planning to deal with. It is an interesting angle from American Bridge that is sure to remind conservatives why they don’t like Bush’s. Another example is his support for gun purchase background checks and his shunning of National Rifle Association events.
American Bridge President Brad Woodhouse told us that the guide “serves as a reminder to those Republicans looking to get into the race that we are watching them and if they try to reinvent themselves to appeal to voters — well, let’s just say that dog won’t hunt.”
He added, “We are so proud of this book which serves as a playbook for political operatives to get started in defining this large and unwieldy field of Republican candidates.”
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Other candidates featured are:
• New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie
• Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul
• Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
• Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan
• Texas Gov. Rick Perry
• Florida Sen. Marco Rubio
• Ohio Gov. John Kasich
• South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley
• Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum
• Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann
• Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee
• Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal
• Indiana Gov. Mike Pence
• New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez
• Ohio Sen. Rob Portman
• Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton
• Dr. Ben Carson
• Mitt Romney
“The 2016 Scouting Report is of course just the beginning of the conversation, though — we have nearly two years ahead of us during which Republicans will jockey for position,” wrote Begala. “We will see them explaining away past ethics an legal issues, papering over their failed economic agenda, competing for the affection of the Koch brothers, and running to the far right to endear themselves to the Ta Party activists they must win over to compete for the nomination.”
He added: “Through all this, wither it’s a gaffe, a scandal, or a policy point, American Bridge and its video trackers, top-notch research team, and political and communication strategists promise me that they will be there to capture it, unearth it, and expose it.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
