Over the past few weeks alone, the club has spent several hundred thousand dollars airing ads attacking the three Republican senators who did not support Mr. Bush's tax program. The club's influence is visible this year in the introduction of legislation sponsored by Republican Rep. Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania that would reduce capital gains and deepen the other tax cuts proposed by President Bush. At first, only a small group of House members, mostly freshmen backed by the club, co-sponsored the Toomey bill. But then several dozen others came on board, among them House Majority Leader Richard Armey. Mr. Toomey credits the club for much of his success in attracting support from other lawmakers.
People listen when they speak, and when they come to play, they play hard.
The Club for Growth also punishes its enemies, particularly those who are seen as betraying the cause. Currently, the club is encouraging its wealthy donors to write GOP leaders telling them they will cease contributing if capital-gains and other tax cuts aren't pushed by the party. Just what kind of capital-gains tax cut might make its way into the tax bill moving through congress is unclear. What's more, while there is some bipartisan support for capital-gains rate reduction, there remains a solid Democratic core of opposition. Nevertheless, proponents think some form of modest relief now has a good chance of being included in the final bill.