Rep. Grayson to Republicans: Thanks!

Just in case anyone had any doubt, Rep. Alan Grayson is really, really not sorry for saying the Republican plan for healthcare is to "Die quickly."

Following in the footsteps of his unapologetic House colleague Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), of "You lie!" fame, Grayson said he's raised thousands of dollars because of attacks from across the aisle.

Grayson (D-Fla.) sent out a fundraising appeal today titled: "Thank you, Republican hypocrites." In it, he says that the publicity stirred up by Republican criticism has attracted thousands of new donors to his campaign.

The e-mail sarcastically invites Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), who has demanded that Grayson apologize, to join his reelection campaign and be the finance director. It also suggested that Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), head of the House Republicans' campaign arm, could take on a top fundraising position in the Grayson campaign.

"Keep up the good work, gentlemen," the e-mail reads. "The Grayson campaign thanks you for your support."

Grayson said on the floor Tuesday night that “if you get sick, America, the Republican healthcare plan is this: Die quickly.” He even had a sign printed reading, “The Republican Healthcare Plan: Die Quickly.”

Republicans sought to compare those remarks to Wilson’s outburst during President Barack Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress and demanded an apology. Like Wilson, Grayson refused and mocked their demand.

Grayson’s district is among the handful of leading targets on the national GOP’s list. Despite trending toward Democrats in recent years, Republicans blamed their 2008 loss on the environment and a poor candidate in Rep. Ric Keller (R-Fla.), who nearly lost to an under-funded primary challenger before dropping the general election.

Still, Republicans have yet to settle on a favored challenger to run against Grayson.

Republicans responded with some sarcasm of their own.

“Congressman Price would consider the offer, but it hinges on whether the campaign headquarters would be located on this planet or another,” said Price spokesman Brendan Buck.