RedState sounds off on Renee, Dems tip hand on anti-Renee strategy for general election

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RedState— arguably one of America’s leading conservative blogs — is changing its tune on congresswoman Renee Ellmers.  Leading up to the 2010 race against Bob Etheridge, the blog was singing her praises.  Itcontinued to do so for the first year or so of her tenure in office.  Now, on the eve of the primary election, some contributors to the blog are thumbing their noses at the Second District legislator from Dunn.  One contributor describes Ellmers as “the most disappointing member of the 2010 freshman class.”

Another regular contributor, offering a preview of races to watch today in Indiana and North Carolina, had this to offer:  “Renee Ellmers has not drawn a credible challenger.  It’s too bad, given her support for the debt ceiling increase and her position on the marriage amendment.  I’d suggest tossing your vote to one of her challengers or writing in ‘Mickey Mouse.’  ”

Democrats are also salivating over an opportunity to take on the embattled Ellmers.  They are floating some information sure to further inflame Tea Party activists against her.   One –apparent — Democrat activist wrote in to us:

Rep. Renee Ellmers (NC-2) is among the freshmen GOP congressmen who seem to have reneged on their pledge to avoid earmarks.  She signed a joint letter to House GOP leaders asking that the earmarks ban be lifted for  duty suspension measures under the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB), and then promptly submitted a number of bills to suspend tariff duties for particular products.  Such bills are generally known as “tax earmarks”, tax loopholes designed to benefit particular or limited constituents.

Although Ellmers has trumpeted other bills that she has submitted through press releases, television and radio appearances, FaceBook and Twitter social media postings, blog and email announcements and the like,  Ellmers has been secretive about her sponsorship of these tax earmark bills.

According to the Library of Congress Thomas web site (http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php), the following bills were introduced by Renee Ellmers last month:

H.R.4536 : To extend the temporary suspension of duty on 2-Chlorobenzyl chloride;
H.R.4537 : To suspend temporarily the duty on Methyl 2-[(4-methyl-5-oxo-3-propoxy-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazole-1-c arbonyl)sulfamoyl]benzoate, sodium salt;
H.R.4538 : To extend the temporary suspension of duty on Permethrin;
H.R.4539 : To suspend temporarily the duty on Tungsten carbide;
H.R.4540 : To suspend temporarily the duty on Tungsten concentrate;
H.R.4541 : To suspend temporarily the duty on Tungsten oxide;
H.R.4917 : To extend the temporary suspension of duty on ceiling fans for permanent installation.

This “helpful” source also sent us THIS LINK — a letter signed by Ellmers and other freshmen — to the House leadership asking for their support for legislation like that listed above.

So, if Renee survives the primary, this is an example of what you will have to hear about from May until November.