Jun 11, 20080

Conservatives Complain GOP’s Earmark Plan Doesn’t Go Far Enough

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As House Republicans unveiled their economic agenda today, conservatives expressed disappointment that it does nothing to address earmark reform now and instead calls for an “immediate moratorium” in the future. The document was drafted to lay out the GOP’s agenda in January 2009 if Republicans reclaim control of the House.

Earmark critics, however, say that view is completely unrealistic. They think a total ban on earmarks must be instituted today because the chances of Republicans taking back the House are slim. “We need to lead by example and differentiate ourselves,” a conservative staffer told me. “The economic agenda today will allow earmarks this year and the next if Republicans do not win the House. No fundamental change from the status quo.”

The struggle over earmarks is reflected in the differing views of two GOP leaders: Republican Study Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.) and Policy Chairman Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.). The Hill reported the conflict earlier this week with Hensarling demanding action now and McCotter opposed to a “one-size-fits-all ban.” In a memo released this afternoon, Hensarling reiterated his support for a ban. He could press the issue by bringing it to a conference-wide vote.

As I reported on RedState last night, the GOP’s economic agenda includes many conservative proposals, including a flat tax, free-market health care, entitlement reform, balanced budget and energy production. Yet earmarks remain a sticking point despite Minority Leader John Boehner’s attempt to reach a consensus.

Conservatives don’t dispute the laudable policy goals included as part of the economic agenda — many developed by the Republican Study Committee. But that’s no excuse to take a pass on earmark reform today. Although it remains a divisive issue for Republicans, Hensarling should keep fighting for a ban on pork-barrel projects. Boehner faces no easy task bringing the GOP together, but he should view this as an opportunity for the GOP to distinguish itself from Democrats in advance of November’s elections.

Hensarling’s memo to Republican Study Committee members is below.

Dear RSC Colleague—

Conference Leadership has just unveiled its Economic Reform Agenda. Incorporated within that agenda are all of the relevant points of the RSC’s 8-point Action Plan save one. For those who worked so hard on the RSC plan, I congratulate you. I believe it was an important contribution and catalyst to the Conference’s plan, and I ask that you thank Leader Boehner for incorporating most of our Action Plan.

The portion of the plan not included, as of now, is the call for an immediate and unilateral earmark moratorium to be enacted today. As you have heard me state before, without action today, I fear the American people will never learn our party has called for a moratorium, while the Democrats stand for business as usual on pork-barrel spending. I know there are a number of legitimate issues to be resolved, and I hope we can resolve them soon.

For your information, some press reports concerning the RSC’s role in this situation are misleading. To make it clear, most of our membership believe it will probably prove necessary to discuss and resolve this issue at a special conference to be scheduled soon. What is accurate, as described by CQ Today, is that, “Boehner and Hensarling were working to find ways to persuade more Republicans, to join them in taking a ‘no earmarks’ pledge.”

We will speak more of this at today’s meeting, and I again thank you for your help in this effort.

Yours respectfully,

JEB HENSARLING

Chairman of the Republican Study Committee

As House Republicans unveiled their economic agenda today, conservatives expressed disappointment that it does nothing to address earmark reform now and instead calls for an "immediate moratorium" in the future. The document was drafted to lay out the GOP's agenda in January 2009 if Republicans reclaim control of the House. Earmark critics, however, say that view is completely unrealistic. They think a total ban on earmarks must be instituted ... Read More

Jun 11, 20080

House GOP’s Bold Economic Agenda

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House Republicans will unveil their economic agenda tomorrow with proposals to end earmarks, simplify the tax code and increase energy production. The GOP’s agenda should excite conservatives, who will recognize many of the policy goals as long-sought objectives.

For the past 18 months in the minority, Republicans have struggled to unify around a specific set of policy goals. Their economic agenda comes one month after they promoted an “American Families Agenda.” Two other policy plans will be unveiled in the coming months.

The centerpiece of the economic agenda is spending and tax reform. The proposal calls for an “immediate moratorium on congressional earmarks,” which constitutes remarkable progress for House Republicans. The GOP was unable to arrive at that goal earlier this year following its retreat. But after pressure from Republican Study Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.), conservatives apparently won over Boehner, who has long opposed pork-barrel projects.

On tax reform, Republicans are proposing a “two-tier flat tax system that can be filed on one page,” a bold move that moves beyond tinkering with the existing tax code. While it certainly won’t satisfy FairTax supporters, it differs drastically from anything Democrats have proposed. Americans will be dealt the largest tax increase in history if liberals have their way in Congress.

Other goals that are noteworthy include:

• Passing entitlement reform that addresses the problems facing Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
• Balancing the federal budget by 2012 without raising taxes.
• Prohibiting federal spending from growing faster than the economy.
• Extending the current welfare work requirements to food stamps and housing.
• Making portability a central component of health care reform.

Here are complete details of the economic agenda:

1. A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY WILL LOWER GAS PRICES

  • We’ll lower gas prices by increasing supply, expanding environmentally sound production of American energy, promoting new technologies to deliver new, cleaner energy and provide incentives to increase our energy efficiency – implementing energy reforms long delayed at America’s expense by short-sighted Democratic politicians.

2. A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY WILL CUT THE PORK

  • We will restore fiscal responsibility in Washington by reining in spending, passing meaningful entitlement reform and balancing the federal budget by 2012 without raising taxes.
  • We will enact an immediate moratorium on congressional earmarks and establish a bipartisan panel to fundamentally reform how Washington spends taxpayer dollars.
  • We will reduce the size of government, make it more efficient and transparent while eliminating eliminate duplicative or wasteful programs.
  • We will limit the growth of federal spending to a level families can afford by adopting a spending limit that would prohibit federal spending from growing faster than the economy except in time of war or national emergency.
  • We will eliminate the exclusive tax breaks Democrats have given rich trial lawyers, and enact reforms to stop lawsuit abuse and prevent American jobs from being destroyed by abuse of the legal system.

3. A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY WILL STOP THE DEMOCRATIC TAX HIKE

  • We will stop the largest tax increase in American history on workers, parents, married couples, small businesses, and those saving for retirement. We will offer new tax breaks for Americans – including eliminating the unfair Alternative Minimum Tax and making the Internet permanently tax-free.
  • We will end a tax code that is too long, too complex and too unfair by providing individuals an alternative, two-tier flat tax system that can be filed on one page. Taxpayers can choose the new, simplified system or stay with the current tax code—whichever option suits them.
  • We will make the tax code more family-friendly by reforming the child tax credit and lowering taxes on retirement benefits.

4. A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY WILL FIX A BROKEN WASHINGTON TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM ECONOMIC GROWTH

  • To encourage a welfare safety net that fosters marriage and work, we will extend many of the current welfare work requirements to other programs – namely food stamps and housing – so that those who are not old, young, or disabled are either working in the private sector or serving in their community.
  • We will strengthen education by supporting increased state and local control and flexibility, increasing parental options through school choice, and encouraging states to provide extra support for good teachers through teacher performance pay initiatives.
  • We will tear down barriers that prevent U.S. products from being sold abroad. We will reject policies that retreat from world trade and segregate America from the rest of the world, in favor of policies that level the playing field for American employees and employers and give our workers the ability to go toe-to-toe with workers overseas.
  • We will level the playing field for American workers and start importing jobs here by cutting taxes on American industry.
  • We will strengthen homeownership in America through a series of reforms that encourage home purchases and help needy homeowners who are truly victims.
  • We will reform and improve our current health care system. The House GOP health care reform agenda, to be unveiled in detail in the coming weeks, will include reforms that will help small businesses deal with skyrocketing health care costs and help patients by broadening the array of health insurance choices available to them by allowing them to purchase health plans available in other states.

House Republicans will unveil their economic agenda tomorrow with proposals to end earmarks, simplify the tax code and increase energy production. The GOP's agenda should excite conservatives, who will recognize many of the policy goals as long-sought objectives. For the past 18 months in the minority, Republicans have struggled to unify around a specific set of policy goals. Their economic agenda comes one month after they promoted an "American ... Read More

Jun 11, 20080

McCain Claims Lack Of Economics Knowledge Comments Were Taken ‘Out Of Context’

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During an interview yesterday, Fox News’s Carl Cameron asked Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) if it was a “mistake” for McCain to say he knows little about the economy. But McCain denied that he had made any such suggestion, arguing that his past comments were taken “out of context”:
CAMERON: Realistically, was it a mistake […]

During an interview yesterday, Fox News’s Carl Cameron asked Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) if it was a “mistake” for McCain to say he knows little about the economy. But McCain denied that he had made any such suggestion, arguing that his past comments were taken “out of context”: CAMERON: Realistically, was it a mistake for you to suggest that overall your attentiveness to the economy is subordinated by national security? MCCAIN: As briefly as possible, when you’re on the back of ... Read More

Jun 7, 20080

Hillary suspends her campaign and endorses Obama; what to expect now.

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After being forty-five minutes late, Hillary made the speech we all knew she was going to make. She officially suspended her campaign and threw her support behind Barack Obama.

Hillary Rodham Clinton ended her historic campaign for the presidency on Saturday and told supporters to unite behind rival Barack Obama, closing out a race that was as grueling as it was groundbreaking.

The former first lady, who as recently as Tuesday declared herself the strongest candidate, gave Obama an unqualified endorsement and pivoted from her role as determined foe to absolute ally.

“The way to continue our fight now to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion, our strength and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama, the next president of the United States,” she said in a speech before cheering supporters packed into the ornate National Building Museum, not far from the White House she longed to govern from.

“Today as I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary campaign he has won. I endorse him and throw my full support behind him and I ask of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me,” the New York senator said in her 28-minute address.

With that and 13 other mentions of his name, Clinton placed herself solidly behind her Senate colleague from Illinois, a political sensation and the first black to secure a presidential nomination.

For Clinton and her supporters, it was a poignant moment, the end of an extraordinary run that began with an air of inevitability and certain victory. About 18 million people voted for her; it was the closest a woman has come to capturing a nomination.

“Although we weren’t able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it has about 18 million cracks in it and the light is shining through like never before,” she said.

Indeed, her speech repeatedly returned to the milestone her candidacy represented for women. She also acknowledged the unprecedented success of Obama’s candidacy.

“Children today will grow up taking for granted that an African-American or a woman can, yes, become the president of the United States,” she said.

First of all, let’s be clear about everything here. Yes, Barack Obama is the nominee. However, Hillary didn’t actually concede. I don’t know what the point of that move is, as we all know that Obama’s the nominee, but I guess she’s hanging on to one tiny thread of hope that she might still get it.

Here’s some of her speech; the full transcript is here.

This is just Hillary trying to salvage her political career. She realizes that the Presidency can still be hers in 2012, and that she needs to do a little ass-kissing if she’s going to have any hope of saving her chances.

Of course, there was the expected GIRL POWER! angle. Just because she didn’t win the nomination didn’t mean she’s stopped being Hillary; she’s still just as arrogant and elitist as she was before. This speech wasn’t about being humble or gracious. It had nothing to do with Barack Obama; it was all about Hillary. It was reminding us all that she was a history-maker, too, that she’s a pioneer and a groundbreaker, just like he is. Gay Patriot noted that she didn’t offer any kind of advice or encouragement about dealing with McCain, which was interesting. And again, that’s because this speech was all about her — not Obama, not Democratic party unity, but her.

She also got going on the healthcare issue, like with this troubling quote:

We all want a health care system that is universal, high-quality and affordable so that parents don’t have to choose between care for themselves or their children or be stuck in dead-end jobs simply to keep their insurance.

This isn’t just an issue for me. It is a passion and a cause, and it is a fight I will continue until every single American is insured, no exceptions and no excuses.

No exceptions and no excuses? Do we have any choice in the matter, or under Hillarycare are we forced to participate in government healthcare? Maybe she’s just taking a page out of John Edward’s playbook.

Anyway, since we all know now for sure that Barack Obama is going to be the nominee, conservatives and Republicans need to brace themselves, along with anyone else voting for McCain: independents, Hillary supporters, moderates, disenfranchised Democrats, etc. When Barack was announced as the nominee, the world media started hyperventilating about how “historic” this is, and how ground-breaking and unbelievable his clinching the nomination is, and so on and so forth. So ready yourself, because we’ve got one hell of a battle ahead of us.

Every ad aired against Obama will be deemed racist. Condemnation of any of his policies will make you a racist. Questioning any of Obama’s voting records, past remarks, “charitable” donations and earmarks, and associations will make you a racist. You’ll be accused of being too small-minded and racist to be willing to support a black man for President. It will be all about Obama and the fact that he’s half black, all the time, and we will get smeared and attacked every day that we fight to try to defeat him. The very fact that we will try to keep him from being elected will get us labeled as racists.

When McCain and Obama debate, McCain will likely be attacked and excoriated for criticizing Obama in any way, shape, or fashion. He’ll be called a bully and will be accused of using questionable and unethical tactics (like swift-boating!). Instead of being lauded in the press for being a “maverick”, he’ll be excommunicated as just another cog in the Republican hate-filled racism machine.

Here’s what’s especially troubling. If Barack Obama loses, it will make Bush Derangement Syndrome look like a Bush lovefest. The media will erupt in indignation, angrily shouting about how racists stole the election, how McCain is a racist for riding the backs of racist Americans to victory, and how America is still filled with racism for not electing a half-black man President.

See, with liberals, it’s never about policies. It’s always about superficialities.

The whole point of bringing this up is to be able to arm yourself. Be prepared, because we all know that this is what is coming, and we need to be ready for the assault. No matter how civil we try to make this fight, no matter how careful we are, this is what we will be accused of, and we can’t let it scare us. The media will try to intimidate voters into supporting Obama, and we’ve got to be prepared to stand up to it.

After being forty-five minutes late, Hillary made the speech we all knew she was going to make. She officially suspended her campaign and threw her support behind Barack Obama. Hillary Rodham Clinton ended her historic campaign for the presidency on Saturday and told supporters to unite behind rival Barack Obama, closing out a race that was as grueling as it was groundbreaking. The former first lady, who as recently as Tuesday declared herself the strongest candidate, gave Obama an unqualified endorsement and pivoted ... Read More

Jun 7, 20080

McCain Adviser: McCain’s Tax Plan ‘Will Bring The Budget To Balance By The End Of His First Term’

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Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) rhetoric on the budget has become increasingly muddled in recent months. McCain has gone from pushing a balanced budget by 2012, to a balanced budget by 2017, to a “who cares” approach. A brief timeline:

– “McCain pledges to balance the budget by 2012, not by increasing taxes, but by vetoing […]

Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) rhetoric on the budget has become increasingly muddled in recent months. McCain has gone from pushing a balanced budget by 2012, to a balanced budget by 2017, to a “who cares” approach. A brief timeline: – “McCain pledges to balance the budget by 2012, not by increasing taxes, but by vetoing all pork barrel spending, and curbing outlays for Social Security and Medicare.” [Fortune, 2/19/08] – “McCain’s overall goal is to balance the budget by the end of ... Read More

Jun 6, 20080

McCain Wouldn’t Vote For Everglades Because Of Pork But Will Fund Iraq At Any Cost

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During a conference call with reporters today, the McCain campaign tried to push back against Florida environmental groups who have criticized Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for opposing a bill that would have allocated $2 billion for Everglades restoration. The campaign claimed that the senator has strong environmental credentials and argued that he has “always stood […]

During a conference call with reporters today, the McCain campaign tried to push back against Florida environmental groups who have criticized Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for opposing a bill that would have allocated $2 billion for Everglades restoration. The campaign claimed that the senator has strong environmental credentials and argued that he has “always stood for Everglades restoration,” and only opposed the 2007 Water Resources Development Act because it included “other spending”: REP. MARIO DIAZ-BALART (R-FL): The only thing that cannot be said ... Read More

Jun 5, 20080

ThinkFast: June 5, 2008

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Today, the Senate Intelligence Committee will release “the last in a series of reports” on the Bush administration’s use of false intelligence ahead of the Iraq invasion. “The report reinvigorates a longstanding debate over whether the intelligence failures in the lead-up to the Iraq war were largely because of faulty intelligence or because of policy […]

Today, the Senate Intelligence Committee will release “the last in a series of reports” on the Bush administration’s use of false intelligence ahead of the Iraq invasion. “The report reinvigorates a longstanding debate over whether the intelligence failures in the lead-up to the Iraq war were largely because of faulty intelligence or because of policy makers’ faulty use of intelligence.” The Bush administration is bypassing the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee and is talking directly with Democrats about re-writing the nation’s ... Read More

Jun 2, 20080

GOP Rep. Hobson Earmarked Millions For Projects Near His Own Properties

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Since 2001, Rep. David Hobson (R-OH) “has directed millions of taxpayer dollars to two Ohio projects near real estate he owned,” according to an investigation by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. A senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Hobson has secured roughly $32 million for the two projects:
Since buying into the building in 2001, […]

Since 2001, Rep. David Hobson (R-OH) “has directed millions of taxpayer dollars to two Ohio projects near real estate he owned,” according to an investigation by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. A senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Hobson has secured roughly $32 million for the two projects: Since buying into the building in 2001, records show, Hobson has used his position in Congress to obtain more than $30 million in federal transportation money to build the freight transfer station, part of ... Read More

Jun 2, 20080

Pfleger: America the greatest sin against God

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Can you believe that Barack Obama gave this guy “at least $225,000″ in earmarks?

Obama may be running away from this guy, but this was a leader in Obama’s campaign, Obama was a long-time patron with government dollars, and the relationship went both ways.

In September, the Obama campaign brought Pfleger to Iowa to host one of several interfaith forums for the campaign. Pfleger has given money to Obama’s campaigns and Obama as a state legislator directed at least $225,000 towards social programs at St. Sabina’s, according to the Chicago Tribune. Pfleger appears to have been scrubbed from the Obama campaign’s page that features the testimony of faith leaders, but you can see the cached version HERE.

How many more of these are we going to find? Is the press drilling down on his other “campaign leaders” and Chicago earmarks?

Can you believe that Barack Obama gave this guy "at least $225,000" in earmarks? Obama may be running away from this guy, but this was a leader in Obama's campaign, Obama was a long-time patron with government dollars, and the relationship went both ways. In September, the Obama campaign brought Pfleger to Iowa to host one of several interfaith forums for the campaign. Pfleger has given money to Obama's campaigns and Obama as a state legislator directed at least $225,000 towards social programs at ... Read More

May 30, 20080

Obama, Pfleger, and Earmarks

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Barack Obama has thrown Rev. Michael Pfleger under the bus. Pfleger took Hillary to task, claiming she felt she should win over a black man.

CBS News notes that Pfleger is “another pastor friend.”

But he’s much more than that. Pfleger and Obama have had a long relationship. Pfleger backed Obama against Bobby Rush when Obama ran in 2000 for Congress.

Already by that time, Pfleger was on record supporting radicals like Louis Farrakhan.

Pfleger is a campaign contributor to Obama, in addition to being yet another “spiritual mentor,” and Obama got a $225,000.00 earmark for Pfleger’s church when Obama was in the state legislature in Illinois.

Obama’s strategist, lobbyist David Axelrod, told the New York Times

that Father Pfleger was “remaking the face” of Chicago’s South Side and that all of Mr. Obama’s earmarks went to worthy programs like his.

Great, so not only is Obama associating with far left hate filled preachers, he’s getting them tax dollars too.

Barack Obama has thrown Rev. Michael Pfleger under the bus. Pfleger took Hillary to task, claiming she felt she should win over a black man. CBS News notes that Pfleger is "another pastor friend." But he's much more than that. Pfleger and Obama have had a long relationship. Pfleger backed Obama against Bobby Rush when Obama ran in 2000 for Congress. Already by that time, Pfleger ... Read More