Republicans have turned to satire and the new media to expose what they see as the persistent and corrosive role of Chicago-style politics in President Obama's administration.
The Republican National Committee on Tuesday launched a website for the mock "Obama's Chicago Network: It's not TV, it's reality."
"If you think it's hot outside, just wait until you see this summer's lineup on the Obama Chicago Network," says the voiceover on the accompanying video. Among the shows featured on the mock network is "Dancing With the Law," a takeoff of the popular ABC reality show "Dancing With the Stars."
"You knew he had a way with words, but wait until you see Robert Gibbs dance this week," says the voiceover as an animated version of the White House spokesman dances around what appears to be a copy of the Constitution - an obvious take on Mr. Gibbs saying the administration broke no laws in offering Rep. Joe Sestak a job to drop out of the fall elections.
Another mock show is "I'm a Politician, Get Me Out of Here," intended to highlight recently revelations that administration Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, then an Illinois congressman, appeared to attempt to trade favors with Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich when he was in office, according to newly disclosed e-mails obtained by the Associated Press.
"Get ready for the most outrageous reality show on TV ... starring Rod Blagojevich," says the voiceover before a caricature of Mr. Emanuel appears.
"When you add the new guy to the gang, you know there will be drama," says the voiceover.
The RNC's opposite number, the Democratic National Committee, scolded Republicans for their attack on the president and Chicago, saying they even celebrated last year when the city lost its bid to host the 2016 Olympics.
"That's today's GOP for you," DNC national press secretary Hari Sevugan said. "When they're not busy repeatedly apologizing to British Petroleum, because our president insisted that we hold them accountable for devastating American communities, they spend their time repeatedly bashing a great American city for the sake of politics.
"This is the same Republican Party that openly rooted against an American entry in an international competition and were gleeful when our entry lost and have repeatedly tried to turn Chicago into a pejorative."
Doug Heye, Republican National Committee spokesman, said the new site follows a series of successful new media and interactive campaigns including one launched after the Democrat-controlled Congress passed the multibillion-dollar health care reform.
The firenancypelosi.com site raised more than $1.5 million in about a week, he said.
"We're trying to capture people's attentions," he said. "The administration is not taking seriously the challenges we face."
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By Andrew P. Napolitano
The president's men trash the Constitution to pursue antagonists
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