The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee wants knock off Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Just how badly, it's hard to say.

When the Eastern Washington congresswoman does something the Democratic caucus doesn't like, the DCCC likes to chide her in a press release. This week, after she voted against some reforms of the credit card industry, they took to the Internet to do just that.

But it appears they just use one of their "cookie cutter" diatribes. You know, the kind where they write one statement for a bunch of targeted opponents and just fill in the blank for different congress persons. They essentially say the same thing...even when they purport to be quoting someone for a pithy comment.

How do we know that? Well, because we read it -- apparently more closely than they did.

It starts: "As more families get hit by excessive credit card fees and unfair interest rate hikes in this recession, today Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers maintained his clear record of support in protecting the interests of big credit card companies instead of hardworking Americans." (we put in the boldface...they didn't mess up and emphasize it.)

Later they supposedly quote Andy Stone, the western regional press person for the committee: “Today, Representative McMorris Rodgers had a real opportunity to protect responsible consumers who play by the rules but once again, he sided with big credit card companies.”

Stone, who's job it is to talk to the media about McMorris Rodgers shortcomings and her eventual opponent's good qualities, obviously knows that she's not a he. So obviously, he didn't really say this, so the quote is . . . how shall we put it...phony.

A call to Stone, who's normally more careful about these things, confirmed that he knows McMorris Rodgers is a she. No excuses, they just made a mistake, he said.

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