Lugar’s Longstanding Love Affair With Earmarks
As the primary battle for the Republican Senate nomination heats up, Dick Lugar has come under increased scrutiny for his record on earmarks. And it is quite the record. Aside from sponsoring over $300 million in earmark requests in just the last 4 years, he has also actively opposed efforts to reform the system. “No matter how much he would like to forget his big-spending past, there is no doubt that Dick Lugar is a champion earmarker. Maybe that is acceptable to his neighbors in Virginia, but I doubt he would hear much support from Hoosiers,” said Matt Thornton, spokesman for American Bridge 21st Century. See the research below.
Scott “Bring Home The Pork” Brown Has Zero Earmark Credibility
This week, Senator Scott Brown has launched a number of attacks on Elizabeth Warren regarding earmarks. Overlooking the fact that Warren has never actually sponsored an earmark, Brown has - and bragged about it. “Listening to Scott Brown talk about earmarks is like listening to Gisele Bundchen talk about football,” said Matt Thornton, spokesman for American Bridge 21st Century. “The fact is, he has gladly and proudly asked for government pork, and his new-found hatred for earmarks is nothing more than an election year gimmick.”
As A State Representative, Scott Brown Boasted Of Pork Prowess
Brown: “I’m Going To Continue to Bring Home The Pork.” When discussing the upcoming 2009 legislative session, the Boston Globe reported that Brown vowed to continue to bring home the pork. “‘The first battle is to protect’ local aid payments to his communities, he said. ‘I’m going to continue to bring home the pork because it offsets what’s being cut. The second battle is to try to be part of the solution to the economic mess.’” [Boston Globe, 1/4/09]Miami Herald: Liberal Attack Group Blasts Marco Rubio For "Hypocrisy" Over Debt
On January 10, 2012, the Miami Herald wrote:
If Sen. Marco Rubio is eventually tapped to be a Republican vice-presidential candidate, expect a lot more of this from groups like American Bridge 21st Century...
Marco Rubio's Deadbeat Hypocrisy
Marco Rubio recently sent an email to supporters touting a letter he sent to President Obama to “oppose his request to continue borrowing and spending recklessly.” In it, he accuses the president of turning the US into “a deadbeat nation.” Given Rubio’s financial and ethical failings, he has absolutely no ground to stand on, and this attack reeks of hypocrisy. Before he goes throwing around words like "deadbeat," perhaps Marco Rubio should take a look at his own record first. After all, we certainly will. The president is working to create jobs; Rubio used the state party credit card to remodel his home. Which one is the deadbeat? Research after the jump.
WSJ: Earmarks Carry Risk For Santorum
On January 6, 2012, the Wall Street Journal reported:
On the campaign trail, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum talks up his role in overhauling welfare laws and curbing abortion rights. Less mentioned is the money he sent home to preserve cannons at Gettysburg National Military Park or to build new quarters for polar bears at the Pittsburgh zoo.
MEMO: Candidate Romney’s Attack Boomerangs On Governor Romney
Mitt Romney today has adopted the message of former Tea Party candidate Michele Bachmann in a transparent attempt to appeal to her extremist supporters. Romney’s phony outrage about “crony capitalism” is particularly surprising considering Romney’s record in Massachusetts. When Romney was Governor of Massachusetts, “the state handed out $4.5 million in loans to two firms run by his campaign donors that have since defaulted, leaving taxpayers holding the bag.” Romney lured one of the companies to Massachusetts by offering a direct loan from the state and his Administration bragged about using government loans to attract business. But, now that Romney is running for President, he claims that government loans to private companies are “crony capitalism.” It’s the worst kind of hypocrisy from a candidate who has proven he will do or say anything to advance his political career.
Dean Heller all talk on “No Budget, No Pay” pledge
Washington, DC – At a press conference hosted yesterday by the No Labels group, Senator Dean Heller renewed his call to withhold pay for members of Congress if they fail to pass a budget. However, when he had the opportunity to actually cast a vote on a measure to prevent payment in the event of a government shutdown, he voted no. “Dean Heller is all talk when it comes to holding members accountable for their inability to serve the constituents they were sent to Washington to represent. It is one thing to talk a good game at a press conference, but apparently something completely different when it comes to actually casting votes,” said Matt Thornton, spokesman for American Bridge 21st Century.
Omaha World-Herald: Critics: Subsidy benefits Fischer
On October 23, 2011, the Omaha World-Herald reported:
"Republican U.S. Senate candidate Deb Fischer and her husband, Bruce, are among a handful of Nebraska ranchers whose cattle graze on federal land at prices some say amounts to a significant federal giveaway."
North Platte Bulletin: Stenberg wants to amend Constitution, seven times
On October 19, 2011, the North Platte Bulletin reported:
Don Stenberg stopped in North Platte Tuesday proposing seven new amendments to the U.S. Constitution, all of them conservative.
Missoulian: Rehberg’s budget plan assailed by Democrats and conservatives alike
On October 9, 2011, the Missoulian reported:
As he oversees U.S. House Republicans' draft of the federal government's 2012 health and education budgets, Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg finds himself hip-deep in the Washington, D.C., political fray, defending a $153 billion plan that's drawing fire from all sides.