Blog Archives
Where the Candidates Stand: George Allen on Earmarks
This is the first part in a series that CCC will be running for the 2012 Republican U.S. Senate Primary. Yes, I know 2012 is some time away, but it never hurts to use this as a reference throughout the year to ponder. The first part in this series focuses on earmarks, and it does not count as an endorsement of any candidate featured.
When George Allen was serving in the U.S. Senate, he was voted against legislation that included government waste and would abuse the taxpayer dollars. When it came to the Senate voting on funding the “Bridge to Nowhere,” Allen was one of fifteen Senators at the time who voted in favor of shifting funding to help New Orleans and surrounding region recover from the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina.
Allen has been criticized in the past for supporting earmarks. However, Allen voted in favor of earmark reform in the Senate, as he supported legislation that would create a 60-vote point of order against earmarks added in conference to appropriations or authorization bill (the earmark would be killed if point of order was upheld). Allen also voted in favor of expanding the definition of earmarks and to increase transparency. In terms of transparency, Allen was co-sponsor of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, which passed the Senate. Additionally, Allen has spoken out in support of the work that Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has been doing in terms of eliminating earmarks. In his blog entry, Allen said:
“The people have spoken. Travelling around Virginia the past few months, one thing is clear
to me: Virginians and Americans are tired of wasteful Bridges to Nowhere, orchid gardens
in Pittsburgh, and indoor rainforests in Iowa. These wasteful projects have tainted their view
of all earmarks. And, the Republicans should forego earmarks and cut much more spending
than just earmarks. I am proud of the leadership that Eric Cantor, Jim DeMint and others
showed on this issue.”
During the 2012 elections, there will be no doubt that the economy will still be one of the most important issues in the U.S. Senate race in Virginia. Government spending reforms need to be addressed by every candidate.
Special House Session Reveals Another Bailout
Just what our country needed…another bailout. Thanks to the Democrats in Congress who ignored the wishes of their constituents by voting for H.R. 1568, a no-name bill that will dump borrowed dollars into the states. Tertium Quids reports that this bill was used to prevent teacher and public safety worker layoffs. Additionally, the House also voted to let the lame duck session (the session from Election Day to December) continue as planned, blocking a resolution proposed by Republicans that would eliminate this session to prevent House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s agenda from moving forward.
How did Virginia’s Congressional Delegation vote:
H.R. 1586:
Voting YEA Connolly, Nye, Perriello, Moran, Scott, Boucher
Voting NO Forbes, Goodlatte, Wolf, Cantor, Wittman
Blocking Lame Duck:
Voting for Lame Duck: Connolly, Perriello, Boucher, Moran, Scott
Voting to block Lame Duck: Nye, Forbes, Goodlatte, Wolf, Cantor, Wittman
Sounds to me that voters should remember those voting in favor of H.R. 1586 (continuing to drive America further into debt) and Lame Duck.
Rep. Eric Cantor Outlines Jobs Plan
Right now, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) is discussing his pro-growth jobs plan. This comes the day before the White House hosts a jobs summit to address the rise in unemployment. There is no doubt that reforms need to be made to get America back on track in a way that will not threaten the free market economy or free enterprise. However, another question does arise: What happened to all of the jobs that the Stimulus Bill was supposed to create?
http://www.ustream.tv/flash/live/1/578779Live Videos by Ustream
or here.
Live Blog from the Republican Roundup
I have finally made it to the Republican Roundup here in Richmond after a two hour drive from the battle station in Northern Virginia. Due to the weather, it appears that the crowd is significantly less than the previous three years. Upon coming into the event, I caught up with Steven Latimer, Jim Hoeft of Bearing Drift, Lynn Mitchell, Tom White of Virginia Right and Rick Sincere.
Right now (4:31 p.m.), the Royal Blue Band is keeping the audience entertained, and Rep. Eric Cantor stopped by new media row to say hi before being interviewed by Jim Hoeft.
Update at 4:44 p.m.: The elected officials are gathering in the front and will soon be going on stage. I will be featuring small samples from each of the speeches. CBS 6 Richmond has a crew here taking footage of the event.
(5:00 p.m.) Candidates appear on stage.
7th District Chair, Linwood Cobb, is introducing the candidates and giving an explanation to the protesters outside the venue. Basically, the venue, Snag-a-job Pavilion, does not want guns on their property, so the Virginia Civil Defense League (VCDL) was upset by this and decided to hold a protest against the 7th District GOP and Rep. Eric Cantor. The VCDL asked the 7th District GOP to relocate it to a more gun friendly venue. More on this in a later post.
Ken Cuccinelli started the comments by bringing a broom on stage saying that we are going to sweep in November, but he encouraged the crowd to keep up the momentum to help make this possible.
Bob McDonnell was next on stage. “Life is controlled by those who show up, so we need to inform our friends to come to the polls on November 3.”. McDonnell mentioned his work on bringing more jobs to the Commonwealth, improving transportation, and boosting Virginia’s economy.
Rep. Eric Cantor is currently making remarks. Cantor said, “Deeds will bring Obama-Pelosi style politics to Virginia, if elected.”. Cantor also said the results from Virginia’s election this fall will send a clear signal to those in Washington that the GOP is making a comeback.
More pictures will be online later tonight.
CCC Interviews Rep. Eric Cantor
On Saturday, I had the opportunity to interview Rep. Eric Cantor at the Republican Party of Virginia Convention. Cantor discussed the state of the Republican Party and his thoughts on the unified team with Bob McDonnell at the top of the ticket.
CCC: Interview with Rep. Eric Cantor from Krystle Weeks on Vimeo.
