Republican says Dems want ‘public to suffer’

Rep. Randy Kuhl (R-N.Y.) says in a video posted to the Internet by his opponent that Democrats in Congress want people to suffer in order to improve their party's political fortunes. 

In the context of criticizing the Democratic majority for its lack of action on issues like immigration and Social Security, Kuhl suggests that Democrats have deliberately slow-rolled legislation for their personal gain.

{mosads}“I firmly believe the Democratic majority wants the American public to suffer and to hurt so that they can make some political gains at election time, and I think that’s wrong,” Kuhl says.

The video was recorded in early August by WHAM-TV in Rochester, N.Y. It was posted on YouTube by Democratic challenger Eric Massa’s campaign on Tuesday, but was quickly taken down.

Massa spokesman Jared Smith said the YouTube video was taken down because the campaign found a copy on the WHAM-TV website.

But the video has since been reposted to YouTube by other groups. It can be seen here . 

"The congressman has been very vocal about his disappointment in the do-nothing Congress," Kuhl spokeswoman Meghan Tisinger said. "That's what that comment was referencing."

Asked if Kuhl really thought Democrats wanted Americans to suffer, Tisinger said Kuhl has "been very vocal about (Democrats) playing politics with key issues that need to be solved."

The lawmaker is the latest vulnerable House Republican to characterize Democrats as working counter to the interests of Americans.

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) caused a firestorm recently when she suggested that Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) held “anti-American” views.

Her comments have thrown her previously safe seat into jeopardy. Democratic opponent Elwyn Tinklenberg’s campaign said it has raised more than $1 million in the last four days.

Similarly, in North Carolina, Rep. Robin Hayes (R) said prior to a John McCain rally Saturday that “liberals hate real Americans that work and achieve and believe in God.”

Hayes is facing repeat candidate Larry Kissell (D), whom he defeated by just more than 300 votes in 2006.