The Democratic National Committee on Monday used last week’s bombings at the Boston Marathon to build the party’s list of email addresses.
A page on the DNC’s website asks visitors to sign a petition thanking Boston’s first responders for "all you did last week—and for all you do every day."
The page asks for visitors’ names, email addresses, and zip codes. Those who fill out the form immediately receive an email from DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
The ploy immediately drew criticism from Republicans. Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, called the effort "disgraceful" and said it was in "very poor taste."
RNC communications director Sean Spicer said it was an attempt to "capitalize on Boston tragedy to make up for poor fundraising."
Democrats brushed off the criticism, saying it was "unfortunate that Republicans would stoop so low" to criticize the DNC using for using the Boston bombings for email acquisition efforts, according to the Huffington Post’s Sam Stein.
Last week’s bombings claimed three lives and wounded more than 170 bystanders.