First Scott Brown came in to campaign for John McCain and now Sarah Palin. The heavy hitters of the Republican Party know how important it is to return John McCain to the Senate.
First is the video with Scott Brown from 6 March, 2010:
Then this past weekend, 27 March 2010, Sarah Palin was in AZ to campaign for Sen McCain:
Senator Brown and former Governor Palin both recognize that it is vital to American interest to send Sen McCain back to DC. He is one of the protectors of our military along with Senator Inhofe (R-OK) and other Republicans. One thing you don't have to be concerned about with Senator McCain is ethics and honesty.
Senator McCain is one of the leaders of the fight with Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) against earmarks and pork. This election is vitally important to the future of America with the Socialists agenda by Obama and leaders in Congress they ramming through. Americans need John McCain returned to the Senate to continue fighting alongside other Sen Coburn and others to protect our Freedoms.
Last person we need in the Senate is someone like Hayworth with flawed ethics who was a big time recipient of Abramoff money, couldn't win his own Congressional seat, and is a bully by all the accounts. He couldn't keep his seat in Congress but now wants to become the AZ Senator? Give us a break! We have enough Democrats for Sale and the last thing we would need would be a big time recipient of Abramoff money on the Republican side elected to the Senate who believes in hiding the details of his association with Abramoff. Having witnessed him speaking at a State GOP function, I would tend to concur he is a bully as he went after a member of our delegation for not being conservative enough when he has a 92 lifetime average. Looks pretty conservative to me.
With Hayworth losing his seat in the House in 2006, we never did get a full accounting of Abramoff trust fund donors to Hayworth.
WHEN WILL JD HAYWORTH RELEASE THE NAMES OF HIS SECRET ABRAMOFF TRUST FUND DONORS?
We would also like the answer to that question. We have seen enough of someone who is not transparent with Obama, and we certainly don't need to see it out of a Republican candidate for Senate in Arizona.
Please join us in supporting Senator John McCain for the AZ Senate seat and send him back to finish the job with Dr. Coburn on earmarks and pork!
Backdropped by Jerusalem's Old City, Christian worshipers walk down the Mount of Olives, some holding palm leaves, during the traditional Palm Sunday procession today. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and is the start of the Christian Holy Week. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
March 28, 2010 JERUSALEM (AP) — Christians from around the world are commemorating Palm Sunday in Jerusalem, singing hymns and bearing palm fronds as they celebrate Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into the holy city 2,000 years ago.
Pilgrims and local Christians came to Jerusalem’s Old City to attend mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally held to be the site of Jesus’ crucifixion.
Others celebrated at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem — the town of Jesus’ birth — and in the Gaza Strip, home to a small Christian population.
According to the New Testament, Palm Sunday marks the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, greeted by cheering crowds bearing palm fronds. For most Christians, it marks the start of Holy Week, which concludes with Easter the following Sunday.
Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, delivered the following remarks today on the House floor:
Transcript: "Well, here we go again. Last Sunday, defying the will of a majority of the American people, House Democrats rammed their health care bill through the Congress chock full of big government spending, mandates, and backroom deals. Now, we're being asked to fix the bill by passing some sort of reconciliation measure.
"But Madam Speaker, the bill before us tonight doesn't fix anything. It doesn't fix the fact this is a government take-over of health care. It's going to mandate that every American buy health insurance whether they want it, or need it, or not. It doesn't fix the fact that it includes about $600 billion in job killing tax increases in the worst economy in thirty years. It doesn't fix the fact that this bill provides public funding for elective abortion for the first time in American history.
"Speaker, the American people know there is no fix for Obamacare. We need to repeal this law and start over. If we repeal Obamacare, we can start over with common sense solutions that will lower costs and create jobs. If we repeal Obamacare, we can enact medical malpractice reform and use the savings to cover Americans with preexisting conditions and promote pro-life protections in the law. If we repeal Obamacare, we can reform health care in this country without putting our nation on a pathway to socialized medicine.
"I urge my colleagues in both parties. Heed the voice of the American people. Reject this attempt to fix a government take-over of health care. Work with us to repeal and start over on health care reform that reflects the common sense and the common values of the American people." End Transcript
Every election year, we always hear this is the biggest election in our lifetime, but this time, those words are true. We need to send reinforcements to our Republicans in Congress so they can defeat these bills the Socialist Democrats are ramming through Congress. Republicans are fighting with one hand tied behind their back. It is up to all of us to see they get the reinforcements by working, donating, and voting for Republicans across America to Take our Country Back from the Socialist who have taken over the White House and Leadership in Congress. To them the Constitution is just another piece of paper to be stepped on like the Rules of Congress in order to push their Socialist agenda.
Join us in helping defeat the Democrats on November 2, 2010!
When it was learned that Dan Coats was going to run for the Senate, it was a moment to say "Thanks to former Senator Coats" as we remember how effective Dan Coats was in the US Senate as a member of Armed Services and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. He could have stayed a private citizen and continued with efforts along with his wife in their Foundation for American Renewal, but he has chosen to get back into politics to serve Indiana and the Country.
In 2001, he was once again called to serve as Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany. His second day on the job was September 11, 2001. Dan worked closely with a strong ally and friend during one of the most crucial periods in our Nation’s history. As Ambassador, Dan played a critical role in establishing robust relations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and in the construction of a new United States Embassy in the heart of Berlin next to the Brandenburg Gate.
Former Senator Dan Coats has the credentials to hit the ground running in the Senate and as our Republican candidate defeat Democrat Ellsworth who sold out the pro-life movement with Stupak from Michigan. No longer can Ellsworth declare he is pro-life as the citizens of Indiana know better with his vote for Obamacare. While Ellsworth was voting for the Obamacare in the House against the wishes of Indiana voters and at the demand of the pro-choice Democrats in the House, Dan Coats has been standing tall for life of the unborn his whole career. Coats would never sell his vote to get a nomination like Ellsworth has since current Senator Bayh promised the Democrat nominee his war chest.
Time for the good people of Indiana to return Dan Coats to the United States Senate and begin the journey to put America back on the right track after the Socialists in power have lurched this center right country to the left.
Cal Thomas met with Dan Coats to find out why he is leaving private life to return to DC. His answers reflect what a lot of us are feeling about the socialists who are now in charge of our Government and what they are doing to America.
Cal Thomas: GOP: Once more unto the breach? By: Cal Thomas Examiner Columnist March 25, 2010
"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead. In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility: But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger..." (Henry V)
Given the toxic nature of Washington and especially after the crushing defeat of Republicans by the congressional Democrat majority, why would anyone want to be part of this, especially one who has been there before?
(snip)
"I deliberately avoided stopping at a psychiatrist's office on the way to making this decision," he tells me over breakfast at an Arlington, Va., diner. Coats, who must first defeat four opponents in the Republican Primary on May 4, says he is motivated to run after "watching for a year with increasing frustration and anger what is happening to our country and saying 'do I want to go quietly into the night and enjoy the fruits of my labors, or do I want to throw myself back in and see if I can do something about it?'"
Coats thinks America is "sliding into mediocrity" and we are losing the values that inspired "The Greatest Generation." He describes the familiar conservative litany: "Limited government, lower taxes, a balanced budget, strong defense."
(snip)
Didn't Coats and his fellow Republicans have the opportunity to do the right thing when they were in power in the recent past, but in the minds of many conservatives, blew it? He acknowledges as much and believes conservative Republicans have learned their lesson.
What does that mean? Would he, for example, work to repeal the health care law?
"Absolutely. I would do everything I could to turn around this liberal-socialist agenda that Pelosi and Reid are imposing on the American people. If nominated and elected, I will have the backing of the people of Indiana to go to Washington and turn things around structurally and reform entitlement programs. The only way we're going to get at our deficit is to reform entitlement programs. They will all go bankrupt if we don't do something to put them on a better fiscal standing."
Coats thinks the choices faced by the country are stark and menacing: "We can either watch our country slide into mediocrity and a socialist European-style nation that cheers when they get one percent GDP growth, or we can put our country back to the principles that made us different from every other country in the world."
(snip)
Examiner columnist Cal Thomas is nationally syndicated by Tribune Media
These remarks from the House Republicans Conference Chair Mike Pence and Vice Chair Cathy McMorris Rogers discuss the passage of Democratcare and how Republicans will continue to stand up against this bill and for the American people.
We need to send more people to Congress like Mike Pence and Cathy Rogers. Please help Fire Nancy Pelosi from the Speaker's Office by supporting the Republican Takeover of Congress at the polls on 2 November 2010.
In the days ahead we will be spotlighting the candidates who have stepped forward to oppose Democrat Representatives in the effort to Take Back the House led by NRCC Chair, Cong Pete Sessions (R-TX) and the leadership of Republicans in Congress John Boehner, Eric Cantor, and Mike Pence.
If anyone needed proof that Americans are fed up, all they had to do was look at the RNC Money Bomb to FIRE Pelosi -- NO more Madam Speaker and her 40 Democrats -- $1 for each of the 40 seats in the target zone. What started out as a target of $400,000 kept getting increased as money continued to flow into RNC. For $40, you are donating $1 to the opponent of the 40 Democrat held seats in the target zone. As of now they have raised $1,325,734 to Take Back 40 seats we need to FIRE Pelosi.
Over the years, we have been less then impressed with some of the things we have seen out of the RNC, but this idea was a winner and we commend Michael Steele and his staff for the idea.
If you have a spare $40 lying around, would you please consider donating it to the RNC so that we can Fire Pelosi! Even though time has run out, you can still donate at
When Abraham Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address, he used 270 words. President Lincoln was considered a plain spoken man from the Plains of America. Democratcare is not Gettysburg but it was a battle being fought by House and Senate Republicans against all odds. The fact that they were able to keep the bill from passing for months speaks volumes about the Republican men and women who represent us in Congress -- they did't give up and kept right on fighting. The House Republicans did everything possible with their limited numbers to stop the Socialist action of this President to take over Healthcare but in the end they were outnumbered. Have they quit fighting for Americans? NO!
Yesterday another plain spoken man from the Plains of America, Cong Steve King from Iowa, wrote 40 words to repeal the 2400 pages document that we are now calling Democratcare because the Democrats own it. The only bipartisanship was shown on the side of NO against this monstrosity of a bill.
Forty words to repeal 2,400 pages By: Byron York Chief Political Correspondent03/22/10 1:57 PM EDT
Republican Rep. Steve King has filed a bill to repeal Obamacare.
This is its entire text:
Effective as of the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, such Act is repealed, and the provisions of law amended or repealed by such Act are restored or revived as if such Act had not been enacted.
When you read this, you realize that the Republicans who led the fight against Democratcare and are still fighting are not from the Northeast part of the country or the west coast, they are from rural America not from the large cities of New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles.
Cong Steve King is from Northwest Iowa, attended Northwest Missouri State, and started his own construction company
John Boehner is a lifelong resident of SW Ohio, graduate of Xavier University, and is currently the Congressman for the western part of Southwest Ohio and Miami County where we grew up
Eric Cantor was born in Richmond VA, graduate of William and Mary Law School, and represents parts of Richmond and the Shenandoah_Valley
Mike Pence is from the Columbus, IN, a graduate of Indiana Law School and represents the eastern part of Indiana around Muncie, east of Indianapolis to the Ohio border,
Paul Ryan is from Janesville, WI, received his degree from Miami University of Ohio, and represents counties in southeastern Wisconsin
Day after day these men along with many other men and women of the House and Senate fought with everything they had against insurmountable odds because the Democrats outnumbered Republicans by so many seats after losses in 2006 and 2008. The Republicans have not rolled over but have stood up and fought.
They are not using guns like the Patriots who fought for our freedoms in the Revolutionary War but they are the modern day Patriots who are fighting for our Freedoms against the tyranny of a President and leadership in Congress who step on the Constitution like it is a plain piece of paper, ignore the standing Rules of the Congress, and bribe members for votes all to make this Country socialist.
The men and women of the colonies stood up and fought the stranglehold of England as they didn't want to be like England with a ruling class eventually declaring our independence in 1776. Today in 2010 this Socialist President and his two socialist lapdogs who lead Congress want a European style Socialist Government. The American people didn't want it in 1776 and they don't want it in 2010. The Democratcare which the Democrats now own will be their Waterloo on the 2nd of November when modern day patriots go to the ballot box and move America back to a Center Right Country governed by men and women who respect our forefathers who fought for freedom and gave us our Constitution to govern the newly formed United States of America.
The men and women of Massachusetts fired the first shot of this new Revolution to Take Back America in January when they elected Republican Scott Brown to the United States Senate just like they did when they fired the shot heard round the world in Lexington to start the Revolutionary War that led to the 13 colonies becoming a free and independent United States of America. The shot in January 2010 was not from a gun but from the ballot box which reverberated around the World.
Republicans, Independents and Democrats in the Heartland, in rural areas of America, and yes in the cities pledge our support, time, effort, and money to reelect the freedom loving patriots of today who have represented all of us so well in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. We pledge to send them reinforcements as we take back seats from the Democrat Progressive Socialist leadership and their minions one by one so that Harry Reid is defeated in the Senate and Nancy Pelosi is no longer Speaker. With defeat of the Democrats, Pelosi can no longer run up a $2M bill flying around on Air Force planes. Time to ground her and her fellow socialists on the 2nd of November 2010.
Any Democrat voting for Democratcare is a target for defeat along with those Democrats who were told to vote NO to save their seat when they have a conservative voting record of less then 30. The gloves are off, America is awake and ready to start the task of righting America. In 2012, we will finish the job and America will take its place alongside our allies and our enemies will no longer have a friendly face in the White House.
We are not members of the Tea Party movement, but are freedom loving Republican Conservatives who believe it is time to stand up and take our Country back! Here in Oklahoma, we have a conservative delegation unlike a lot of places where the Tea Party movement was started and is popular today. We encourage every American whether a member of the grassroots, Tea Party, or an individual to become involved and help lead our Country back to the land of Freedom and Opportunity where the Constitution is honored as our most cherished document.
God Bless the United States of America and Let Freedom ring on November 2nd, 2010!
This is the big Democratcare Victory? When you do backroom deals, bribe members to vote by promising their districts/states our tax dollars, and browbeat them into walking the plank for Democratcare ending their political future, what have they got in the end? A bill the vast majority of Americans didn't want, 12 pro-life Democrats led Stupak who will never be considered pro-life again, and senior citizens about to find out their healthcare is about 50% of what they are used to if this bill is implemented. Business cannot afford to pay for healthcare for their workers so premiums will rise but Obama/Pelosi/Reid have declared themselves the winners. What they have managed to do is wake up Americans to what is going on in DC with the Socialist Obama and his Hope and Change.
In the end the Democrats will learn that the American people are thoroughly disgusted with their tyranical power grab and their lack of any type of bi-partisan as they rammed this bill through the House. The audacity of Stupak and his other so-called pro-life Dems to sell-out the unborn for an Executive Order (EO) that is worth nothing and cannot be enforced. No wonder the most pro-abortion President, Obama, promised to sign the EO because it carries no weight.
When Obama signs his masterpiece Democratcare bill on Tuesday, he will be signing the unemployment slips for many Democrats who were too weak to stand up to Pelosi and Obama. At that point the Attorney General's from around the Country will start filing suits challenging the Democratcare bill with these unfunded mandates that will bankrupt states and are unconstitutional. America is waking up the only bi-partisianship was on the side of opposing healthcare. Not one Republican in either House voted for Democratcare.
The Democrats now own socialized medicine, takeover of the auto industry and banks and what is next. When Senator Voinivich called Obama a socialist, then it is no wonder Americans from all walks of life are now waking up to the fact Socialists are in Charge of America and time for Patriotic Americans to take back the Country and restore the Constitution to its rightful place as the ultimate Rule of Law in this Country.
The Hangover: Fallout From Health Care Vote Already Plaguing House Dems Widespread Public Discontent, Comparisons to Trillion-Dollar 'Stimulus' Trip Up Dems' Hoped-For Victory Lap Washington, Mar 22 -
House Democrats are already beginning to bear the fallout from President Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) reckless crusade to force a massive government takeover of health care through Congress without the support of the American people. As House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) stated yesterday on NBC’s Meet the Press, “Never in the history of our country have we made such a big, momentous decision on a purely party line vote.” Now we know why. Instead of taking a victory lap, Democrats are already going into “damage control” mode for all their arm-twisting, sweetheart deals, and go-it-alone governing, and it’s already being compared to the trillion-dollar ‘stimulus.’ House Democrats who supported this job-killing bill must now ask themselves whether it was worth it to side with party leaders and liberal special interest groups at the expense of their taxpaying constituents. This is not what the American people wanted out of health care reform, and they will continue to say so loudly and clearly. That’s why Republicans will fight to repeal this massive government takeover of health care and start over with solutions that focus first on lowering costs.
COMPARISONS TO TRILLION-DOLLAR ‘STIMULUS’ INSTEAD OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
“No major entitlement program has become law in such partisan fashion. In 1935, more than half of the minority Republicans in Congress joined Democrats to create Social Security. And in 1965, nearly half of minority Republicans joined Democrats to launch Medicare. Both parties had skin in each game.” (Chicago Tribune editorial, 3/22/10)
Dem Pollster: “They’ve Totally Divided The Country.” “By moving the package with Democratic votes alone, ‘they’ve totally divided the country,’ and it will be difficult for Obama to calm voters before November, said Doug Schoen, a Democratic pollster who worked for former President Clinton.” (The Boston Globe, 3/22/10)
“… But it's hard to benefit politically just because things don't turn out as bad voters feared. Consider last year's economic stimulus package… Obama and Democrats have received little credit for their rescue effort…” (Los Angeles Times, 3/22/10) “Obama’s Powers of Persuasion … Have Been Ineffective.” “Health care legislation as the public understands it is unpopular. Voters do not view Obama's handling of the health care issue favorably. His overall disapproval rating is higher than his approval rating for the first time in his presidency. It will be difficult to change this dynamic before November, especially since Obama's powers of persuasion over the last year have been ineffective in changing public opinion on several issues.” (Slate, 3/21/10)
“VOTERS ARE FURIOUS,” REGISTER RECORD DISAPPROVAL WITH CONGRESS
“Voters Are Furious … A Year of Bitter Haggling and Legislative Maneuvering.” “The initial blush of President Barack Obama's health care triumph immediately gives way to a sober political reality… Voters are furious. They hate Washington. They also detest incumbents. They're concerned most about the economy. And unemployment that's hovering near 10 percent. They're also split over whether Obama's health plan is good for a nation with enormous budget deficits and climbing debt.…Democrats face a public fed up with Washington and disappointed by a president elected to change it. A year of bitter haggling and legislative maneuvering may feed into the argument — successfully stoked by Republicans — that Democrats have failed to fix Washington. That's the reason some Democrats now worry about losing control of Congress.” (Associated Press, 3/22/10)
Record Disapproval of Congress, More Americans Think Reform Will Hurt Than Help. “The confusion over reform - and the long-running health care debate - has not endeared Congress to the American public. The legislature’s overall approval rating was near an all-time low. Just 14% of Americans said they approve of the way Congress is handling its job, while 76 percent - the highest figure ever - said they disapprove. Approval of Congress has dropped 16 points during the past year. As has been the case throughout the health care debate, more Americans think the reform bill will hurt them (35 percent) than say it will help them personally (20 percent).” (CBS News, 3/22/10)
Case Closed: Majority of Americans Oppose The Bill, Say It’s Too Much Government, And Will Increase Costs and Deficits. “A majority of Americans have a dim view of the sweeping health care bill passed by the House, saying it gives Washington too much clout and won't do much to reduce their own health care costs or federal deficits, according to a new poll released Monday. A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll found that 59 percent of those surveyed opposed the bill, and 39 percent favored it. … In addition, 56 percent said the bill gives the government too much involvement in health care; 28 percent said it gives the government the proper role and 16 percent said it leaves Washington with an inadequate role. On the question of costs, 62 percent said the bill increases the amount of money they personally spend on health care; 21 percent said their costs would remain the same and 16 percent said they would decrease. The poll's results about the bill's fiscal impact were particularly stark: 70 percent of respondents said they believed deficits would go up because of the bill; 17 percent felt they would stay the same and 12 percent said they would go down.” (CNN, 3/22/10)
DEMS GO INTO “DAMAGE CONTROL,” BUT IS IT TOO LATE? “The Cruel Reality.” “The cruel reality: What's good for a president isn't necessarily what's good for his party. And things not turning out as badly as people feared has rarely worked as a comprehensive political strategy.” (ABC’s The Note, 3/22/10) “Lengthy and Rancorous Debate Has Inflicted Considerable Damage” on Democrats. “The lengthy and rancorous debate has inflicted considerable damage on the president and his party. It helped spark the grass-roots ‘tea party’ movement and generated angry town hall meetings last summer that led to some opponents painting Obama as a socialist and a communist for advocating a greater government role in the health-care industry. … But there is a major difference between this health-care battle and the debates that preceded passage of Social Security and Medicare. Although there was opposition to those measures -- conservative opponents called Medicare socialized medicine -- in the end they passed with overwhelming, bipartisan majorities.” (The Washington Post, 3/21/10)
“Damage Control.” “After healthcare vote, Democrats turn to damage control. … The party now must live or die with its landmark legislation in hundreds of congressional districts across the country… ‘Given that Democrats have basically lost the healthcare messaging fight for the last year, I'm not sure why we should think they will begin to win over the next seven months,’ said Charlie Cook, one of Washington's leading election handicappers.” (Los Angeles Times, 3/22/10)
HOUSE DEMS ALREADY COPING WITH MISGUIDED VOTE FOR UNAFFORDABLE, JOB-KILLING BILL
House Democrat: “I Feel Like I Am Walking The Plank.” “Obama May Pay Price By Pushing ‘Political Chips’ on Health Care. Still, Obama’s victory leaves him depleted. ‘There has been a large ‘opportunity cost’ that the president and the Democratic Party have paid for going down this road,’ said William Galston, a onetime domestic policy adviser to President Bill Clinton. Obama is unlikely to find either Democratic or Republican willingness to work on issues of mutual concern. … Said Representative Baron Hill, an Indiana Democrat, ‘I feel like I am walking the plank.’” (Bloomberg, 3/22/10)
“Casting Votes … For Their Own Political Extinction.” “But House Democrats, who have endured months of draining debate and attacks from tea party activists … more relieved than overjoyed — and many may have been casting votes, on a warm spring night, for their own political extinction. … But even Sunday’s stunning comeback victory couldn’t paper over the reality that congressional Democrats, who face a potentially devastating backlash in the midterms, won’t enjoy the benefits…” (Politico, 3/21/10)
RENEWED SCRUTINY OF UNCONSTITUTIONAL MANDATES, SWEETHEART DEALS, AND BROKEN PROMISES
“Pelosi Will Have To Answer For … Legislative Shortcuts.” “Yet going forward, Pelosi will have to answer herself for some of the legislative shortcuts taken in her fierce ‘damn the torpedoes’ march toward final passage.” (Politico, 3/22/10)
Where Are The Lower Premiums? “Legal and Political Fights Loom for Democrats. … Attorneys general in three states — Virginia, Florida and South Carolina — have indicated they will file legal challenges to the measure, on the grounds that it violates the Constitution by requiring individuals to purchase insurance. … Republicans also expect to take advantage of the fact that while the health bill may ultimately help contain rising premiums, it is unlikely to actually bring the cost of health insurance down, and certainly not in the short term.” (The New York Times, 3/22/10)
“A Protracted And Messy Fight in the Courts.” “Attorneys general in 12 states poised to challenge healthcare bill. Attorneys general from at least 12 states say they will challenge the constitutionality of the healthcare reform bill passed by the House of Representatives Sunday night. … The threatened action suggests the controversial measure is about to move from the legislative realm into what could become a protracted and messy fight in the courts. The attorneys general say they will sue once President Obama signs the bill into law.” (The Christian Science Monitor, 3/22/10)
Delivering the weekly Republican address, Congressman John Boehner urged the American people to stay engaged and make their voices heard in the final hours before the House votes on Democrats’ massive government takeover of health care.
Boehner also reaffirmed Republicans’ commitment to better solutions focused on lowering costs for families and small businesses, which is exactly what the American people want out of health care reform. With all that’s at stake, Boehner notes that he has asked Speaker Nancy Pelosi(D-CA) to allow the final health care votes to be recorded by “call of the roll” so that every lawmaker will have to stand before the American people and announce his or her vote. It’s time to stand up and be counted.
I wanted to take a brief moment to give you an update on what's happening in Washington, D.C. As you know, Capitol Hill is full of anticipation as we prepare to vote on the unconstitutional Obama/Pelosi health care bill.
As of this e-mail, it appears Democrats are still short of the votes needed to pass the bill but there's a lot of talk of backroom deals and parliamentary sleight of hand to get it passed. Republicans in the House and Senate are united in our opposition to the "ObamaCare" bill and we're doing all we can to keep it from being passed.
The vote could come any time this weekend so we need your help NOW! Help keep the phones ringing off the hook in congressional offices. Please ask your family and friends - especially those in other states - to call their congressmen and tell them to vote "NO" on ObamaCare. The main House switchboard number is (202) 224-3121 or you can look up House members online at http://click.maryfallin.org/t/509280/31082111/7445/0/.
Also, there will be a huge anti-ObamaCare rally in Washington tomorrow and I'll be there to make sure Oklahoma's opposition to this bill is heard loud and clear.
And I want to keep you updated on what's happening so I'll be posting updates regularly on my Facebook page. Make sure you're a Facebook fan so you can stay informed! You can reach my Facebook page from my Web site, www.maryfallin.org. Just click on the Facebook icon on the right side of the page.
Thanks and God bless,
Mary
NOTE: Let the Progressive Democrats in the House know what Oklahomans think of their tactics in trying to take over Healthcare!
Ryan: ‘They Still Aren’t There Yet’ [Robert Costa]
“It’s a coin toss,” says Rep. Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) to National Review Online. “We were just on the floor going through whip-check. They still aren’t there yet. It’s narrowed down, from what we can tell, to four or five. Obviously, the numbers favor them, if you compare the pool of undecided votes to how many they need to come over. They only need about 50 percent of the remaining undecideds to break their way. On our side, we need seven votes to defeat this. At this point, we’re really only talking about a handful of votes. It’s such a close situation, and very, very fluid. They don’t want to win by just one vote — with everyone cast as the tiebreaking vote — they want to win by two or three votes. That’ll be hard to do, as will muscling votes in these final hours, since everyone is watching.”
Today, in a sad moment for the House of Representatives, members of Congress turned down the opportunity to have a straight up-or-down vote on a costly health care bill that will hurt our economy, and forever alter the doctor-patient relationship. Instead Democrats jumped at Democratic leadership’s “Slaughter Solution,” the ultimate in Washington power grabs, that will allow Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) to pass the Senate health care bill – “Cornhusker Kickback” and all – through the house without a vote.
This move has drawn widespread outrage – the Cincinnati Enquirer recently declared it a “disgusting process” and an “arrogant approach” – because it is designed to protect Washington politicians when it’s American taxpayers we should be looking out for. While members of Congress might not want an up-or-down vote on a trillion-dollar government takeover of health care full of tax hikes, Medicare cuts and taxpayer funding for abortions, it’s clear where the American people stand.
Earlier this week, I welcomed 8th District residents at the Capitol who traveled to D.C. to join with Americans from across the country and scream “stop!” to the Democratic Majority in Washington. I told them I would continue to fight against this bill on behalf of them and the majority of Americans who oppose this bill, while continuing to call for Congress to start over on commonsense reforms to make our current health care system better.
The President and Democratic Leaders today showed that they are going to continue to ram, ram, ram this bill through Congress. But we can still defeat this bill. In the coming days, members of Congress will be asked to make a final vote on this massive government takeover of health care. As I told my colleagues on the floor on Tuesday, this will be the biggest vote that most Members ever cast. And so they will have an important decision to make. Will they stand with Speaker Pelosi and Washington Democrats, or will they stand with the American people?Sincerely,John Boehner
NOTE: Thank you Republican Leader Boehner for continuing to stand up for the American people!
It is Official -- Republican Dave Funk has been certified to appear on the Republican ballot on June 8, 2010, to oppose longtime Democrat Leonard Boswell who needs to be sent to the Unemployment line on November 2nd, 2010. It is time to turn Iowa Red in the House of Representatives -- 2010 is the year to make it happen and get a head start on 2012!
Dave Funk on Healthcare
Dave Funk, retired Airline Captain and Veteran of the Iowa Army National Guard, has filed his papers and is officially a candidate for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District to take on Leonard Bowsell. Dave Funk has been certified by obtaining the required number of signatures and will be on the ballot in the primary election in the 3rd District primary for the Republican nomination on June 8, 2010.
I would like to thank our faithful volunteers who helped me get the needed signatures to get on the ballot for the chance to run against Leonard Boswell in November. With a full field of candidates on the ballot it will give Republicans a chance to send a tested opponent to take on Cong. Boswell.” said Dave Funk. “I believe Iowans deserve a candidate who can stand on the issues and bring principled conservative leadership back to Washington. I’m running because when I look at my two young twins I want to make sure they grow up in a land of opportunity where American Exceptionalism means you can be anything you want to be without the government picking the winners and losers. Now more than ever, Congress needs proven leaders who will bring real solutions to our tax structure and be willing to stand up against out of control spending and political pandering no matter where it originates. Lower taxes, stopping the stupid spending, and standing for a secure America we can take pride in.” said Funk.
Dave lives in Runnels, Iowa and serves as a Reserve Police Officer with the Pleasant Hill Police Department and works for Laird & Associates as a Security Consultant.
Representative Boehner and House Republicans have been leading this fight against the takeover of healthcare by the Obama Administration for over a year. Republicans are still fighting this every step of the way in the Housoe and Senate. The new idea to pass this Obamacare/Senate bill without voting by using the Unconstitutional 'Slaughter Rule' is going to land House Members in the cross hairs of the SCOTUS before it is done. Democrats trying to pass the Senate bill without voting is the biggest slap in the face at the American people yet from Obama and the leadership of the Democrats in the House and Senate.
Are the Democrats too scared to go on record that they are voting for this bill? Since they want to just say the bill has passed by voting for the 'Slaughter Rule' then Republicans can assume that all Democrats are voting YES on the bill and oust them all for voting for Pelosi for Speaker that cares not one bit about the Constitution or the will of the American people!
We support Mark Levin, radio show host, in his call for Louise Slaughter to be removed from the House for coming up with this Rule which is clearly Unconstitutional.
The Republicans in the House understand just how important it is to the American people that earmarks be halted. Enough money is being wasted by this Administration that earmarks are the last thing that is needed. Cong Mike Pence who heads the Republican Conference may be the best Conference Chairman the Republicans have had. He continually keeps us informed on what they are doing to represent us, the taxpayers. If you would like to be on his email list for the Conference, please sign up at GOP.gov.
House Republicans' Earmark Moratorium Receives Positive Coverage
The Washington Times: "In a move to break with the GOP's big-spending past, House Republicans voted Thursday to ban their members this year from requesting earmarks, the pork-barrel spending that directs money to pet projects in home districts. The Republicans, who passed the moratorium by voice vote in a closed-door meeting, said they have now put pressure on the rest of Congress - Republicans in the Senate, and Democrats in both chambers - to follow their lead." (March 12, 2010)
The Washington Post: "Upping the ante in the battle over which party can be toughest on special interests, House Republicans Thursday announced their entire 178-member conference would not seek any congressional earmarks this year, denouncing all of the line-item expenditures as wasteful and corrupting." (March 11, 2010)
UPI: "In a bold political move, House Republicans Thursday said all 178 members would not seek any congressional earmarks this year. Saying the earmark process symbolized "a broken Washington," House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio said the Republican strategy was a demonstration of fiscal restraint, even if it doesn't result in an actual reduction in federal spending, The Washington Post reported." (March 11, 2010)
FreedomWorks Letter to Conference Members: "A moratorium on earmarks demonstrates a commitment to smaller government and less waste. On the heels of recent Wall Street bailouts and unprecedented stimulus spending, taxpayers are wary of the excesses of government. With an estimated deficit of $1.5 trillion in Fiscal Year 2010, Americans cannot afford business-as-usual in Washington. Taxpayers want less government and responsible government. Supporting a moratorium on earmarks is a first and important step towards that goal." (March 10, 2010)
National Public Radio : "On Thursday, House Republicans announced what they called a unilateral moratorium on all earmarks. It was an attempt to raise the ante after the House's Democratic leadership announced Wednesday a ban on all earmarks to for-profit corporations. Again, this was an attempt to outdo Democrats who only banned earmarks that would go to for-profit companies. It was also part of Republicans' continued effort to once again be perceived as the party of fiscal restraint." (March 11, 2010)
Town Hall: "It's rare, but sometimes petty politics can mean progress. That was certainly the case this week with the earmark war between Republican and Democrats in the House. After Democrats initiated a moratorium on earmarks from for-profit companies, Republicans one-upped them with a ban on all earmarks." (March 12, 2010)
The Riverside Press-Enterprise: "A day after House Democrats announced a ban on certain federal earmarks, their GOP counterparts went a step further Thursday and voted to stop the spending practice altogether. Republican members of Inland Southern California's House delegation, which has used earmarks to steer vast sums of money to the region, quickly embraced the plan to impose a yearlong earmark freeze and vowed to fix the system if voters return them to power in November." (March 11, 2010)
Minneapolis Post: "One day after House Democrats proposed banning earmarks to for-profit companies, House Republicans upped the ante by self-imposing a one-year moratorium on appropriations earmarks, a move one local analyst called a "strategic calculation" that they'll pick up enough political goodwill to offset the complaints from local leaders back home who were hoping for that money." (March 12, 2010)
Citizens Against Government Waste - "Open Letter to Members of Congress: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) recently suggested a year-long ban on earmarks, an idea that can and should be embraced by members on both sides of the aisle. On behalf of the more than one million members and supporters of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW), I urge you to support an immediate moratorium on earmarks. An earmark moratorium would help end Congress's addiction to pork-barreling. The earmark ban will give members of Congress time to reform the process, devote more effort to critical issues, and save taxpayers billions of dollars that would otherwise be squandered on frivolous projects." (March 10, 2010)
Americans for Tax Reform Letter to Conference Members: "Taxpayers have become increasingly frustrated with the Congressional practice of earmarking. The process lacks transparency and accountability and the results are often frivolous and wasteful. While overall spending levels and a lack of general spending discipline continue to be the main problem, earmarks have become emblematic of what taxpayers perceive as the problem in Washington, DC." (March 10, 2010)
The St. Petersburg Times: "In a rapid display of gamesmanship, House Republicans vowed Thursday to ban all budget earmarks, a day after Democrats said they would not award them to for-profit companies. The move reflects growing public concern over government spending and follows recent ethics investigations into ‘pay-to-play' connections between lawmakers, special interests and political contributions. ‘Earmarks have become emblematic of everything that is wrong with spending here in Washington, D.C.,' said Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, chairman of the Republican Conference." (March 11, 2010)
The Christian Science Monitor: "On Wednesday, top Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee announced a ban on corporate earmarks. The move, backed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, bans provisions that direct spending to for-profit entities, especially those dealing with the Pentagon. In a bid to trump that move, House Republicans on Thursday announced a unilateral, one-year ban on all earmarks. "The American people see this earmark process as an example of a broken Washington," said Republican leader John Boehner, after a caucus meeting on Thursday. "We're not going to get to a cleaned-up process until we break from the past, and I do believe that this earmark ban that our members agreed to today is a big step in the right direction," he added." (March 11, 2010)
Talking Points Memo: "Government watchdog groups who draw a link between corruption and the special project budget requests known as earmarks say Congress "must do more." House Democrats announced yesterday a ban on directing budget funds to for-profit companies. House Republicans followed up with a decision they wouldn't request any earmarks at all, for one year." (March 11, 2010)
Politico: "Earmarks are back. Democrats and Republicans are suddenly in a race to see who can make the bigger move on banning them. House Democrats voted yesterday to ban earmarks to private companies. House Republicans passed an across-the-board ban for their caucus today." (March 11, 2010)
When the people of Massachusetts elected Scott Brown, they did America a huge favor as we have someone in the Senate with integrity, is articulate, and has Common Sense.
No more earmarks needs to happen in both houses. Anything for a State/District needs to be in a budget bill subject to debate instead of attached ot a bill that has nothing to do with the earmark.
Pence Calls on Speaker Pelosi to Join Republicans in Earmark Ban“Speaker Pelosi promised a new direction and now is the time to live up to that promise.”
Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, issued the following statement today urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to institute a ban on all earmarks:
"Washington spending is out of control and the American people have had enough. The American public has called on their elected leaders to put our fiscal house in order. Yesterday, House Republicans answered that call by imposing a unilateral ban on all earmarks. House Republicans are committed to giving the American people a fresh start on runaway spending and will continue to fight for fiscal discipline in Washington.
"The action taken yesterday by House Republicans, while an important step, cannot be the last step. I urge Speaker Pelosi to join the call for fiscal responsibility and impose an immediate ban on all earmarks. The earmark process has become emblematic of a broken Washington that puts special interests before the public interest. Speaker Pelosi promised a new direction and now is the time to live up to that promise."
When we are asked why Oklahomans should support Mary Fallin for Oklahoma Governor, the answer is very simple. We believe that Congresswoman Mary Fallin may be the the most qualified person to ever run for Oklahoma Governor. She was the hands down best Lt Governor in Oklahoma history. As Lt Governor, Mary became Oklahoma's Ambassador throughout the United States bringing jobs to Oklahoma and telling the story of Oklahoma to anyone who would listen. She has continued to tell the Oklahoma story and the advantages of living in Oklahoma as our Congresswoman.
Since being relocated to Oklahoma in 1997, we have not met anyone in Oklahoma who better represents the friendliness and positive spirit of Oklahomans better then Mary Fallin.
This interview in Shawnee, OK, is a great example of why Mary has always been Oklahoma's best Ambassador as she traveled for Oklahoma:
Feb 17, 2010
When we received this email today showing the rankings from the National Journal, we can say we are not surprised Mary Fallin is considered the most Conservative of our Conservative Oklahoma House Delegation. From the first time we heard Mary speak, we knew she was Conservative and felt she was destined to someday become Oklahoma's Governor. Oklahoma needs Mary Fallin as our next Governor to lead our state into becoming a destination for business and a place where you afford to live and raise your families with good old fashioned Oklahoma values.
A Conservative Leader for Oklahoma
Recently, the National Journal – a publication that covers Congress – released its rankings of the most conservative and liberal elected officials. According to the National Journal, Mary Fallin was ranked the most conservative member of the Oklahoma House delegation based on her voting record.
That should come as no surprise to those who know Mary. She’s been a conservative leader in Oklahoma during her entire 20-year career in public service.
In fact, the American Conservative Union gives Mary high marks for her conservative voting record, too. She has a lifetime score of 96 from the ACU, which is the highest of any congressman in the Oklahoma delegation.
Working to reduce Costs for Oklahoma businesses
As Mary has campaigned across the state, she has had the opportunity to meet with Oklahoma business owners both large and small. The one thing each group points out is that our expensive workers’ compensation system is a menacing roadblock to economic success in this state.
According to the State Chamber of Oklahoma, the average amount of court-awarded benefits in Oklahoma in 2008 was more than $28,000 – the highest in 20 years and a 125 percent increase from 2000. Studies have shown Oklahoma’s workers’ comp payout rate is twice the regional average and only 12 states report higher workers’ comp costs in their manufacturing sectors.
All this is to say our workers’ comp system makes it expensive to do business in Oklahoma and our laws discourage new businesses from locating here and hamper existing businesses’ efforts to grow and expand operations. What that means for Oklahoma is fewer jobs and less prosperity.
As governor, Mary Fallin will lead the effort to enact meaningful workers’ compensation reform that lowers costs for our businesses while treating injured workers fairly. Under a Fallin administration, Oklahoma will be “Open for Business” and no one will work harder than Mary to make sure the rest of the nation knows it.
Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, delivered the following remarks today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in opposition to H.Con.Res. 248, the "Afghanistan War Powers Resolution," a resolution that would direct the President of the United States to withdraw the U.S. Armed Forces from Afghanistan:
"I thank the distinguished Ranking Member of the Committee [Armed Services] and the Chairman of the Committee [House Armed Services] for their words and efforts today. I think the gentleman from Ohio [Rep. Dennis Kucinich] knows I respect his passion, but I rise in strong opposition to this resolution today. And I believe that it should be opposed because H. Con. Res. 248, directing the president, pursuant to the war powers resolution, to remove United States armed forces from Afghanistan is not supported by the law, it is not supported by the facts, and it is not supportive of our troops. It should be opposed. Let me speak to each of those issues.
"First with regard to the facts. The war powers resolution requires the president to notify Congress within a specific time of committing forces. Its constitutionality has been questioned over the years. This is a matter of clear public record. The gentleman cites the Constitution frequently. There is great constitutional debate about the very foundation of that legislation. But specifically, and I believe the distinguished Chairman has made this point several times during the debate, the powers that are being cited here only apply in moments where there has not been a declaration of war or statutory authorization for the use of force.
"I was here on September 11. I was here for the debates, Madam Speaker, over the resolution authorizing the use of force in Afghanistan. Therefore, I believe this resolution is out of order. While I don't raise a procedural motion on that basis, I think it's worth noting.
"Secondly, I think this resolution is not supported by the facts. I just returned from a bipartisan delegation trip to Kabul and Kandahar. I met with General McChrystal. Stanley McChrystal is the commander of ISAF [International Security Assistance Force]. I met with our soldiers at Camp Eggers. Went out to Afghanistan, and I have strongly supported President Obama's decision to send reinforcements into Afghanistan. The sense that we receive from our military leaders in Afghanistan, from the Afghani military and political leaders, and most importantly from our soldiers on the ground, is that we are leaning into the fight. We are providing our soldiers with the resources and reinforcements they need to succeed and come home safe.
"Now is not the time for the Congress of the United States to be second-guessing our commanders in the field and second-guessing our commander in chief. I believe, based on what I have seen and heard within the last month and a half in Afghanistan, that we have the right strategy, we have the right tactics, and we ought to continue to proceed on the course that we are proceeding on.
"We are talking about real lives. I can't help but reflect on the experience of having been just north of Kandahar where we visited with the governor of the Arghandab River area. He spoke about the Taliban being on the run. You know, Kandahar, there is an old proverb that says he who controls Kandahar controls Afghanistan. The Taliban was in effect born in Kandahar. This spring there is, as is evidenced on the evening news, there is an effort by the Taliban to reclaim that historic city. But as I talked to the governor of the Arghandab River province, he said that the only thing that the Taliban has anymore with population is threats. They don't have popular appeal, or so he told me. The very idea that U.S. Forces, or forces in the NATO coalition, would precipitously withdraw would leave a vacuum in which the Taliban would readily flow.
"It has been discussed here eloquently by Congressman Duncan Hunter, who wore the uniform in harm's way, that vacuum would not just be filled by the Taliban, but by their evil twin, al Qaeda, to no doubt to nefarious effect.
"I think this resolution is wrong on the law. I think it's wrong on the facts. But lastly, let me just say, I believe it's also not supportive of our troops. It's impossible for me, in the many trips that I have made downrange to visit soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, it's impossible for me to meet with those soldiers without being profoundly inspired. I will acknowledge the gentleman from Ohio [Rep. Dennis Kucinich] has spoken in glowing terms about those in uniform and I do not suggest that he has done otherwise.
"But I believe with all my heart that a resolution of this nature in the midst of a moment when we are, in fact, providing our soldiers with the reinforcements and the resources to be successful in Afghanistan has the potential of having a demoralizing effect on the very men and women who separated from their families and in harm's way are doing freedom's work. And so I believe this resolution, however intended, should be opposed. It's not supported in the law, it's not supported by the facts, and it's not supportive of our troops and I believe it should be rejected."
Last night Gov Christ gave what we would call a bizarre interview to Greta on Fox News. We are posting it for everyone to make their own decision but if this is Crist's example of fiscal conservatism he failed miserably. His barber he pays $11 is in St. Petersberg and for years he has lived in Tallahassee so does he take the trip to St. Pete at taxpayer expense to get his hair cut?
One thing this interview points out is that Crist people were most likely behind the release of the credit card records against Rubio. Whoever told him this was a winning issue needs to be shown the door. Why didn't he tell Greta and her audience why he doesn't have a credit card? Is it because he didn't want her to know his aides used their credit cards from FL GOP to pay Gov Crist's expenses. Did Gov Crist reimburse FL GOP like Rubio did? Funny how Rubio has made it quite clear that he paid for his expenses and Crist alleges that he didn't pay until caught. Caught at what? FL GOP okayed all the charges and when this all came to light, Marco Rubio went over all the charges with an explanation to the media.
Gov Crist should have more ethics then what we just saw in his interview. Would expect this out of a novice candidate not someone who has run for statewide office as Attorney General and Governor winning both seats. Now in a race for Florida Senate he sounds mean spirited and petty!
Today while discussing why the Florida Senate should confirm his Public Service Commission appointees Crist said, "I wouldn't vote for Marco Rubio"
Believe the voters of Florida are fast realizing that Governor Crist is not someone they want as their Senator. His job should be Governor but he used his position as Governor to take a swipe at Rubio. Not very professional.
From all accounts most residents of Florida are missing Jeb Bush more and more -- he always exhibited class which we are not seeing out of Crist.
There are two Republican candidates in the Florida primary -- Former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio and Governor Charlie Crist. What seemed like an insurmountable mountain when Rubio announced he was running against the Florida Governor, began to look like a smaller mountain as he campaigned around the state.
Rubio set out to visit every county in the state and was available to speak to any group. His support began to increase as he visited the various county party organizations and attended events around Florida. People were able to hear him speak and liked what they liked what they were hearing. They knew Marco as the young Speaker of the Florida House but now they got to talk with him in person and learn about Marco Rubio who was running for the United States Senate.
Rubio has been running the same type of grassroots effort that Senator Tom Coburn, MD, ran in Oklahoma in 2004 which sent him to the Senate. Right alongside Rubio is Club for Growth who was there for Dr. Coburn. When you have the grassroots behind you as a candidate, you may not have the dollars but you have the people who are going to go door to door, make the phone calls, and assist you in ways that paid staff may not. You cannot buy loyalty of your supporters.
With the grassroots supporters, eventually will come the dollars which had already started when two of Florida's favorite people, Jeb Jr., and George P. Bush teamed up to do a fundraiser for Rubio. It is common knowledge throughout FL that former Governor Jeb Bush and current Governor Crist are not the best of friends. Jeb's sons throwing this fundraising sent a further message to donors looking for a candidate -- take a long hard look at Rubio. By this time Rubio was leading Crist in the polls. Jeb has not 'officially' endorsed but there is no mistaking the fact that he is supporting Rubio in his run for Senate.
While Senator Cornyn, NRSC Chairman, endorsed Crist early at the request of FL GOP Chairman Greer (who resigned under pressure), and Cornyn has just reaffirmed that endorsement, Senators DeMint (R-SC) and Inhofe (R-OK) endorsed Rubio. If you ask us, those two endorsements from DeMint and Inhofe carry much more weight. NRSC has seen the last dime of any of our money with this reaffirmed endorsement of Crist as the NRSC doesn't seem to get it even after Marco Rubio's speech at CPAC:
People from outside of Florida keep asking what happened, why was Crist going down in the polls and why did NRSC endorse Crist? We have been asking that question of NRSC from Day One since this is a contested primary with no incumbent. Why didn't Cornyn and the NRSC stay neutral in the primary. We can answer reasons for Crist to start gong down in the polls but we have no clue why the NRSC endorsed.
Everything started going south for Gov Crist when Sen Mel Martinez decided to retire early from the Senate and Crist had to choose a replacement. He had some very good candidates to choose from including former Representative Mike Bilarakis. Governor Crist called all the County Chairs to get their opinions and then did the opposite of what they recommended by choosing George LeMieux in Sep 09 who was the central figure in the negotiation of the Indian Gambling compact between Florida and the Seminole Indian Tribe which granted the Indians card-games not allowed by state law. From the Palm Beach Post:
Well, it's being reported that George LeMieux, Fort Lauderdale lawyer and GOP operator, is Crist's pick for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez. This was actually pretty predictable. Crist, of course, is running for the seat in 2010, and LeMieux is Crist's boy. He definitely won't take the seat like Gollum and try to run off with it. With Shaw and some of the others, there was always that chance. With LeMieux, he'll just keep it warm with his loyal fanny.
But it reveals Crist's character. How can you put any man or woman in a U.S. Senate seat who has never been elected to anything? LeMieux is a political operative, not a statesman.
This set off a firestorm among the County Chairs, but then what happened next sent Republicans and Independents to Marco Rubio's camp who were on the fence. You could say a picture is worth a thousand words and in this instance you would be correct. As the Miami Herald so aptly put it: "Republican Senate Nomination May Come Down to a Hug"
The Miami Herald had this to say about the picture of Gov Crist hugging President Obama last October 25th:
Only time will tell but one thing is certain. Rubio is not the only republican who believes Crist is a closet liberal. The hug only seemed to cement that sentiment.
"I was horrified," Rubio said, adding that Crist canceled lunch at the governor's mansion with former Gov. Jeb Bush and other former governors to be with Obama.
"This was more than just a courtesy greeting, this was an embrace and a support of $800 billion of deficit spending."
Crist says he has no regrets about appearing with Obama.
"I was happy and delighted to do so. I'm a civil guy. The president of the United States is the president of the United States," Crist said. "Especially when it's the first visit to Florida and I'm invited to be there. I have that kind of respect in my soul."
The embrace of the Obama and his stimulus continued the poll numbers going south for Governor Crist after his appointment of LeMieux but what happened next with Marco Rubio's poll numbers rising and Crist falling, is almost too funny for words as the credit card dirty trick has backfired.
Rumor has it the FL GOP credit card record release for Rubio came from the Crist camp and was shopped to the media by Democrats. We need to note here that Crist was never was given a FL GOP credit card because he expects his aides to pick up the bills for him as he doesn't pay for his own meals or items. Maybe they should release the credit card records of his aides as we have heard rumors that Rubio spent less in several years then Crist aides have done in a year. We expect the dirty tricks to continue out of the Crist Camp although he is already starting to lose staffers from his Governor's campaign.
After the story broke about credit cards provided by FL GOP for use by FL Republicans in office, the article from the Miami Herald looked into the personal use of the American Express card by Marco Rubio. As the facts began to emerge, you realized that this was backfiring on the Crist camp:
Rubio said Wednesday that he paid for all personal expenses billed to an American Express card given to him by the party to use from 2005 to 2008 when he left public office. The rest of the charges, he said, were legitimate party expenses.
With the articles from around the State showing that Rubio had paid for his own personal expenses and explained the rest of the charges as legitimate party expenses, this became a non-issue.
On the heels of the release of American Express records Gov Crist gave an interview on Feb 27, 2010, with the Palm Coast Editorial Board which shocked not only Floridians but people across America. It appears that Gov Crist is still playing up to Obama when he was interviewed by saying "the Democrats shouldn't scrap their healthcare plans" but it gets better in the interview as he can think of nothing good about them.
Not one good idea?
“There may be. There may be. You know, I’m pretty focused on Florida right now. I mean, after the session I’ll be more focused on the issues in Washington. But I’ve got to do my first job first.”
Crist wants to focus on Florida which is fine except the Democrat healthcare bills contain portions about Medicaid and Medicare which will have an adverse impact on senior citizens of Florida along with the Medicaid program for families with little income and no healthcare who depend on the state.
Bottom line on the credit card/healthcare issues is that one candidate (Rubio) paid for all of his personal expenses on the GOP credit card and is against Obamacare and the other candidate (Crist) didn't use a FL GOP credit card because as Governor, he expects his aides to pick up the tab, but he supports Obamacare but doesn't know why.
We believe that Marco Rubio has shown why he deserves the Republican nomination for Senator and to become the next United States Senator from Florida. Three words describe Marco Rubio -- honesty, integrity, and conservative.
The article below from Bryon York of the Washington Examiner gives more reasons to support Rubio over Crist.
Marco Rubio and the Republicans who love himBy: Byron York Chief Political Correspondent March 9, 2010
(AP) Palm Beach, Fla.
Marco Rubio laughs at the idea, heard from some pundits recently, that he's the "Republican Obama." "I'm not sure people even want to be the Democrat Obama these days," he says. For Rubio, the unlikely front-runner in the Florida Republican Senate primary race, the label is a measure of the unhappiness many people feel with their political choices at any given moment. "There's always this constant desire for new people to enter the process," he explains. Now, he's the new guy.
Challenging the head of your own party is not necessarily the path to political glory, but that's what Rubio has done in the race against Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. Last May, when Rubio, the former speaker of the state House, announced his candidacy, the first three polls done in the race showed him trailing Crist by 35, 37, and 31 points, respectively.
Now, the most recent poll, done by Rasmussen Reports in mid-February, shows Rubio up by 18 points. In a conversation before a speech to the conservative Club for Growth here in Palm Beach, Rubio downplays his lead. He didn't get upset when the polls showed him behind, he says, so he's "not going to get too excited about them with six months to go and we're up by a few points." But Rubio knows the numbers reflect something happening with the voters.
People are scared by the Obama agenda. "I do not believe the president fully supports the free-enterprise system that I support," Rubio says. Florida Republicans, Rubio believes, know in their hearts that Crist "is not going to go to Washington and stand up to this agenda and be part of offering an alternative -- he's just not going to do it." Crist's recent praise for the stimulus and tendency to accommodate Obamacare suggest Rubio is right.
Rubio watched closely as Republican Scott Brown pulled off a political miracle in Massachusetts. First, Rubio learned how incredibly intense a high-profile race can become down the stretch -- he better be ready for that. But more importantly, he saw how critical it is to "focus like a laser on a couple of key issues."
"In that campaign, [Brown] was often tempted to get involved in side issues, he was invited to join [Democrat Martha Coakley] in the weeds and talk about things that didn't matter," Rubio says. "But the fact that he focused on the important issues, the things that mattered to real people in the real world, is ultimately what got him over the top, and it's what we're going to strive to do in our election as well." For Rubio, that means the economic issues -- "national debt, job creation, how our tax code and government spending are discouraging job creation, and entitlement reform. Those are the central issues of the moment."
(snip)
Rubio, born in Miami to Cuban exiles in 1971, is about as fresh a face as you get in a Senate race. He gives a tremendous speech about his love for American free enterprise and opportunity. Politically savvy Republicans across the country are falling in love with him, but they're also realizing they don't really know a lot about him. That's what campaigns are for. By the time Election Day comes around, they're hoping Marco Rubio will turn out to be every bit as good as he seems.
Governor Perry has done a great job running the State of Texas and is such a positive spokesman for Texas. Looking foward to seeing him for four more years as Governor and the Democrat White returning to Houston in November 2010.
Other Governors would do well to look at the Texas model and see what can be adapted to their State.
Having lived in both states, would give the nod to Texas hands down because there is not a lot of political correctness in the state like has permeated California over the years where hard work is replaced by lawsuits in many instances or handouts from the Government.
This November, Oklahoma plans to join Texas with a Republican Governor Mary Fallin after eight years wandering with Gov Henry who is not the most energetic person on the face of the earth.
We have some really good Governors now in Perry, Pawlenty (MN), Barbour (MS), Daniels (IN), Jindal (LA), McDonnell (VA), and Cristie (NJ) for starters who make a deep bench for Republicans. We need to add to their ranks in 2010 starting with Oklahoma. Pawlenty is not seeking reelection to explore running for President so MN will be in play. We would expect to see maybe Daniels and McDonnell also consider getting in the Presidential race which right now is wide open. We believe Rick Perry when he says his heart is in Texas not in DC.
Low-tax Texas beats big-government California By: Michael Barone Senior Political AnalystMarch 7, 2010
(AP)
"Stop messing with Texas!" That was the message Gov. Rick Perry bellowed on election night as he celebrated his victory over Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in the Republican primary for governor. In his reference to Texas' anti-littering slogan, Perry was making a point applicable to national as well as Texas politics and addressed to Democratic politicians as well as Republicans.
His point was that the big-government policies of the Obama administration and Democratic congressional leaders are resented and fiercely opposed not just because of their dire fiscal effects but also as an intrusion on voters' independence and ability to make decisions for themselves.
No one would include Perry on a list of serious presidential candidates, including himself, even in the flush of victory. But in his 10 years as governor, the longest in the state's history, Texas has been teaching some lessons to which the rest of the nation should pay heed.
They are lessons that are particularly vivid when you contrast Texas, the nation's second most populous state, with the most populous, California. Both were once Mexican territory, secured for the United States in the 1840s. Both have grown prodigiously over the past half-century. Both have populations that today are about one-third Hispanic.
But they differ vividly in public policy and in their economic progress -- or lack of it -- over the last decade. California has gone in for big government in a big way. Democrats hold big margins in the legislature largely because affluent voters in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area favor their liberal positions on cultural issues.
Those Democratic majorities have obediently done the bidding of public employee unions to the point that state government faces huge budget deficits. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's attempt to reduce the power of the Democratic-union combine with referenda was defeated in 2005 when public employee unions poured $100 million -- all originally extracted from taxpayers -- into effective TV ads.
Californians have responded by leaving the state. From 2000 to 2009, the Census Bureau estimates, there has been a domestic outflow of 1,509,000 people from California -- almost as many as the number of immigrants coming in. Population growth has not been above the national average and, for the first time in history, it appears that California will gain no House seats or electoral votes from the reapportionment following the 2010 census.
Texas is a different story. Texas has low taxes -- and no state income taxes -- and a much smaller government. Its legislature meets for only 90 days every two years, compared with California's year-round legislature. Its fiscal condition is sound. Public employee unions are weak or nonexistent.
It is surreal to watch this video and hear the Senate Chair recognize Senator Scott Brown and see him go to the front of the Senate to speak from the Republican side. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that that one day the Republicans would have a Senator from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In fact, it never crossed my mind!
The 'jobs bill' that Scott Brown, Susan Collins, and Olympia Snowe voted to invoke cloture to end debate was then followed by Oklahoma's Senator Jim Inhofe voting for the same Senate bill that helps small business. All that gnashing of teeth by some conservatives against Scott Brown was premature and this proves that fact.
Scott Brown is who he said he was and his first bill of $80B Tax Cut shows that! The independent Republican who holds the people's seat is a fiscal conservative and will be great to elect more Scott Brown types come November 2nd.
Video: Scott Brown Calls for $80B Tax Cut Thursday, 04 Mar 2010 03:52 PM
Nearly one month to the day of entering the Senate after a race that rocked U.S. politics, GOP Sen. Scott on Thursday announced his first piece of legislation -- a $80 billion payroll tax cut.
The Immediate Tax Relief for America's Workers Act targets mostly working class Americans, those employees making up to about $200,000, with a temporary tax cut that would, according to data released from Brown's office, save the average worker "about $100 a month for a total of at least $500 for individuals and $1,000 for working couples," Fox News reported.
"Providing immediate across-the-board tax relief to working families is not complicated economic policy – it’s simple and common economic sense," he added.
Brown's office, in a statement, said, "Families could immediately use their returned tax dollars to provide for their families and put back into the struggling economy to spur job creation."
Brown spokeswoman Gail Gitcho tells Fox it is not clear when the senator will offer this provision. There is a jobs bill on the Senate floor right now. It is possible Sen. GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, could include Brown's legislation as one of the GOP amendments that will be offered.
The Massachusetts Republican angered his colleagues recently by breaking with the vast majority of his party to help Democrats break a GOP-led filibuster of the first jobs bill, this ought to bring him back into the fold.
First time I voted for Rick Perry was for Agriculture Commissioner in 1990 after we were transferred into the State of Texas -- been a supporter of Rick Perry's ever since. From the time he took office to fill out the term of Governor George W Bush until now, I think he has been one of if not the best Governor we have in the Country.
Anyone watching Governor Perry and how he handled the Galveston Hurricane will tell you he was putting up with no nonsense. If you decided to stay, you were on your own.
Some so-called conservatives love to criticize Rick and will take one or two sentences out of what he says and make a whole story which doesn't tell the actual truth. I can guarantee you that most states would love to have Rick Perry. One of the reasons I hated to leave Texas with the closure of Kelly AFB was because their State Government worked.
While Texas was flourishing, we were stuck in Oklahoma with a Democrat Governor who this last time was a big Obama supporter. Pretty strange in a state where only 34% of the voters voted for Obama. Shows how far out of touch the Governor is with the State. He is term limited this year. We are going to end the eight years of Democrat rule in the Governor's office with electing Congresswoman Mary Fallin, the former Republican Lt Governor, to be our next Governor in January 2011. Then next year Governor Perry will be betting Governor Fallin on the winner of the Red River Rivalry in Octber 2011!
Congratulations Governor Perry on your big win yesterday -- we will be rooting for you to send White back to Houston on November 2nd.
Rick Perry's big win in Texas By: Michael Barone Senior Political Analyst 03/03/10 1:12 AM EST
The conventional wisdom had it that the Republican gubernatorial primary in Texas would be a battle between challenger Kay Bailey Hutchison’s sophisticated urban base versus incumbent Rick Perry’s yahooing rural base. The election results—incomplete as I write past midnight Eastern time—tell a different story. Perry has won the Republican nomination without a runoff, with (as I write) 51% of the votes to 30% for Hutchison and 18% for Debra Medina (the candidate who got scrubbed from serious contention when she told Glenn Beck that she wasn’t sure the U.S. government wasn’t behind the September 11 attacks). That’s with 6,341 of 8,236 precincts reporting. Perry's margin is likely to increase as the final numbers come in.
The Texas secretary of state’s exemplary website shows separately the early voting results and the total results for each county. As the returns were coming in, it was apparent to me as I looked at counties with all precincts reporting that there wasn’t much difference between the early voting percentages and the total percentages when all the precincts were counted. So to get a sense of where the candidates were getting their strongest support, I added up the early voting totals for the four major metro areas as most recently defined, the 12-county Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the 10-county Houston metro area, the 8-county San Antonion metro area (in which Medina County reported no votes cast in the Republican primary) and the 5-county Austin metro area. Subtracting from that left the 219 counties in the rest of the state. I didn’t separate out the heavily Hispanic counties along the Rio Grande Valley, because they cast relatively few (in some cases zero) votes in the Republican primary. I’ll round off the numbers to the nearest thousand in the following table, showing the number of votes and percentages for Hutchison, Medina and Perry and the total number of votes cast.
Hutchison Medina Perry Total
TEXAS 183 31 97 16 313 53 593
DFW 46 30 21 20 74 49 151
Houston 32 27 14 12 72 61 118
San Ant. 17 34 7 14 26 51 52
Austin 11 27 8 19 22 54 41
Remainder 77 33 37 16 118 51 231
Conclusions: (1) Perry won this not in rural and small town Texas but in metro Houston. This bodes well for him in the general election, since it indicates strength in the home base of the well regarded Democratic nominee, former Houston Mayor Bill White, who was nominated by an overwhelming margin. (2) Medina, the candidate who wouldn’t disrespect the truthers, did best in the supposedly most sophisticated part of Texas, the Metroplex. Go figure. (3) Hutchison, supposedly the candidate of urban sophisticates, did best in metro San Antonio and rural Texas. She held Perry below the 50% level needed to avoid a runoff in approximately half of Texas’s 254 counties; unfortunately for her, those counties didn’t give her nearly a big enough margin to offset Perry’s advantage in metro Houston.
