House GOP incumbent-protection plan

By Richard K. Barry

Well, it's actually an incumbent-retention program, also known as the Patriot Program, and it's for vulnerable Republican incumbents warranting special help to keep their seats. Put differently, it's a list of incumbents in danger of losing their seats and therefore in line to get additional resources from the Republican Party apparatus.

But the program is also about helping those who pledge to help themselves by reaching certain benchmarks for communications, fundraising and strategy. It is therefore possible for no-hopers to be left off the list because they aren't worth the investment, although that could change as they demonstrate strength.

For now, the interesting point is that those identified have big target on their back.

Here are the 11 House Republicans named to the program in the first round:

• Rep. Mike Coffman in Colorado’s 6th District.
• Rep. Rodney Davis in Illinois’ 13th District.
• Rep. Jeff Denham in California’s 10th District.
• Rep. Michael G. Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania’s 8th District.
• Rep. Bob Gibbs in Ohio’s 7th District.
• Rep. Chris Gibson in New York’s 19th District.
• Rep. Joe Heck in Nevada’s 3rd District.
• Rep. David Joyce in Ohio’s 14th District.
• Rep. Steve Southerland II in Florida’s 2nd District.
• Rep. David Valadao in California’s 21st District.
• Rep. Jackie Walorski in Indiana’s 2nd District.

(Cross-posted at Phantom Public.)