Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters Tuesday it isn't bad that almost half of Americans know about two of the Republican Party's biggest backers, according to Politico.
A recent poll found that 48 percent of Americans are familiar with Charles and David Koch, the billionaire brothers behind Americans for Prosperity who are known for major contributions to conservative candidates and causes. Schumer said he thinks the poll shows Democrats are doing something right.
“When I read the numbers, that 48 percent of Americans knew who the Koch brothers were, people said, ‘That’s not great.’ That’s fabulous. That’s incredible,” Schumer said. “As we move on, more and more people know who they are.”
The Democratic Party, following the lead of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (R-Nev.), recently upped efforts to draw attention to the Koch brothers' conservative operation, accusing them of trying to "buy America." Schumer told reporters these efforts are giving Americans some insight as to how the system is "being rigged."
“Americans object to the fact that two people should have such disproportionate power, plain and simple," Schumer said. "And most Americans believe the system is rigged, this gives it a little flesh and bones as to how it’s being rigged."
Despite signs of retaliation from the brothers -- the Kochs are funding a group in Nevada to run attack ads against Reid -- the Democratic leader said he doesn't intend to back down any time soon. Reid railed against the Kochs in a floor speech earlier Tuesday, saying, "The gall of these two brothers is staggering."
"There have been times in my life I've been a little afraid," Reid said. "But I'm not afraid of them."
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