Matt Ortega

The latest talking point to come from the recesses of the right is that the Democrats are the “party of the rich.” This is all based on a Heritage Foundation “study” printed in the Washington Times, both institutions that are conservative at their core. If it were any more tied to Republican political operatives, it would be printed on Republican National Committee letterhead.

So 84 of 167 of the wealthier House districts are controlled by Dems. That’s a hair over 50% — supposedly proving that Dems are the new party of the “rich.”

But here’s what’s funny about this. Right now, roughly 54% of all House districts are controlled by Dems. So in reality, the percentage of the wealthier House districts controlled by Dems is actually lower than the percentage of districts Dems control overall. What’s more, the households where the median income exceeds the national average are hardly all “rich.” So this chief data point just doesn’t support the claim.

Republicans have long castigated Democratic support for the poor as “wealth redistribution” so you can understand how this complete shift in attack is a bit puzzling to those of us who adhere to logic.

Read Greg Sargent’s take down of this “study” here.