“With No Budget In 822 Days, Dem Leaders Try To Force Last-Minute Debt Vote.”
“This has been the plan all along, by the way. The plan all along was not to take a position, to let the days count down until we got to this point with 72 hours to go, and then force a vote on something that they wanted… You want to know why people all across America get grossed out by politics? It’s by watching this kind of stuff happen.”
-By Warner Todd Huston
The nonsense going on in the DuPage County GOP is a perfect example of all that is wrong with the Illinois GOP. It all rather shows why the GOP is useless in the state of Illinois. The DuPage party organization took what could have been a great public relations opportunity and turned it into yet another secretive, back-room dealing that cut out voters and proved that even its own party rules make no difference to party powerbrokers. Worse, this isn’t the first time DuPage GOP has mishandled the same situation.
On July 18, a Monday, DuPage GOP Party Chairman Dan Cronin abruptly resigned from his post as chairman. It doesn’t seem to have been a long planned resignation — though Cronin had mentioned he would not run for reelection to the chairmanship — and it certainly was not one enacted with public note. In fact, no one outside of Cronin’s inner circle even knew it was coming until several hours beforehand when Dave Diersen reported the coming resignation the Sunday before Cronin stepped down.
After Cronin left his post that Monday evening, the nine GOP township chairmen in DuPage County unanimously voted to replace Cronin with Randy Ramey, the state representative for the 55th district as well as Wayne Township GOP Chair. Ramey is also the stepson of famed GOP politico Pate Philip, onetime powerful leader of the Illinois senate.
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DuPage Republican Party: Secretive, Insular, Corrupt”
-By Warner Todd Huston
If the House Republicans can’t even get rid of one of the most odious examples of nanny statism in the age of Obama, what exactly are they worth? On Tuesday, Rep. Joe Barton (R, Texas) failed in his effort to repeal the incandescent light bulb ban idiotically signed into law by Nanny G.W. Bush.
Barton failed with his The Better Use of Light Bulbs (BULB) Act (HR 2417)on a 233-193 vote. A two-thirds majority was needed for passage.
Only five Democrats crossed ideological lines to vote in favor of the bill to repeal the idiotic light bulb ban. Worse, ten Republicans joined the Democrats.
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Nanny State Wins: Light Bulb Ban Repeal Fails in House”
-By Warner Todd Huston
“Big News,” folks. Ron Paul has decided to retire from his 18-term House seat to “focus” on his next futile run for the GOP nomination for the presidency.
This morning, on his Facebook page, Rep. Paul made the following announcement:
Big news! I have decided not to seek re-election for my House seat in 2012 and will focus all of my energy winning the Presidency. My hometown newspaper The Facts will be running the exclusive story very shortly.
Paul has decided that his run for the White House needs to take precedent… or he just really wants to retire. He is 75-years-old, after all. He likely realizes that he will come no closer to winning the nomination than he ever has before. I mean, can he be so stupid as to imagine he really has a shot?
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Count Down Begins Until We Are Rid of Ron Paul”
-By Warner Todd Huston
CNN is reporting that the “Christian right” and the Tea Partiers are still nowhere near supporting Mitt Romney’s bid for the GOP nomination for president. Romney’s flip flopping on abortion, his full-on and continued support for his disastrous Romneycare health plan in Massachusetts prompting fear that he will end up supporting Obamacare if he wins, and other flip flops in his record have kept conservatives of many stripes away from supporting him.
Rightfully so, I should hasten to add.
Of course, Romney is leading far and away in most of the polls with Michele Bachmann currently coming in a distant second, so it is interesting to see the base still leery of a Romney candidacy. One has to wonder how the polls can show Romney so far ahead if CNNs report is correct on the base and it’s feelings against Romney. Perhaps these polls are really only based on name recognition even still and the real race has yet to begin…
Read the rest at RightPundits.com.
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, IL)…
We’re at a crossroads in America. The Obama economy continues to underperform: 9.1% national unemployment, 14 trillion in debt, and a potential double-dip recession on the horizon. Even with all of America’s assets, endless potential, and the unrelenting American spirit, this Administration has led our country astray with one failed policy after another.
Americans are tired of the Obama Administration’s continual underperformance and seemingly never-met expectations: an $800-billion failed “stimulus” and the promise that summer 2010 would be “recovery summer.” Yet, even in the face of proven failure and a weak economy, the Democrats that run Washington continue to cheerlead for their failed policies.
Just weeks ago, Democrat National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz actually told NBC’s Meet the Press that Democrats have “turned this economy around.”
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Roskam: The Dems Are Out of Touch”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Congressman Peter Roskam, House GOP Deputy Majority Whip, got on record the fact that as things stand right now Medicare is dead by 2024. No ifs, ands, or buts, unless a major overhaul of the system is undertaken, Medicare is done in a little more than a decade.
Before congress two officials testified that based on our current path in 2024 there would be “actual” cuts to Medicare at 17%. They also confirmed that Medicare would end itself by 2024 unless actions are taken to save the program.
Democrats have tried to claim that it is Republican cost cutting that dooms Medicare, but this is simply untrue. Bt the very rules under which it now works, it seems that Medicare is already headed for doomsday.
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Dems Plan Proves Medicare Dead by 2024″
-By Warner Todd Huston
Well the CNN debate of some of the GOP candidates for president is now in the history books and I thought I’d give my impression of those vying there.
Before I do that, I have to comment on John King’s constant guttural vocal tick. It sounded like he had Tourette Syndrome with the grunts and other noises. He was an utter failure as a moderator. His annoying grunts HAVE to go. It was also clear that his goal was not to hear what the candidates wanted to say, but that he wanted them to attack each other. He was constantly trying to pit them against each other. Fortunately, they did not take the bait for the most part. This was a civil debate, for sure. But if anyone failed tonight it was John King.
The debate format was rotten, too. This 30-second limit on answers for complex issues is absurd. I am glad that about halfway through the thing the time limit went by the wayside.
Now Let’s take the candidates as they appeared on the stage.
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Thoughts on the CNN Republican Debate”
from the office of Congressman Peter Roskam (R, IL)…
House Republicans sent a clear to message to the White House last week: Washington must stop spending money it doesn’t have.
House Republicans were unified against increasing the country’s borrowing limit without meaningful spending cuts and reforms, and 82 Democrats joined Republicans in voting against it. This White House has added $3.5 trillion in debt over just two years, so Americans simply don’t support giving them a blank check to keep on spending.
The continued borrow-and-spend madness hasn’t helped create jobs either. Just this past Friday, the national unemployment rate rose to 9.1%, a full 27 months after the “stimulus” passed.
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Roskam on Job Creation”
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Rep. Mark Beaubien Jr., a Republican lawmaker since 1996 and the former head of a family banking business, died unexpectedly Sunday afternoon.
Beaubien, 68, of Barrington Hills was at a Republican fundraising event at Arlington Park race track with family, friends and colleagues when he died.
“I am deeply saddened by the death of my close friend and colleague, Rep. Mark Beaubien,” said House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego. “My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Dee, his children, grandchildren and many friends around the state…
Read the Rest at the Chicago Tribune.
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, ILL)…
Roskam: “The White House has to realize… simply hope for a change is not an economic policy.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Peter Roskam, Chief Deputy Whip, spoke at the House Republican Leadership press conference following the release of the May Jobs Report, which showed the unemployment rate rose to 9.1% after only 54,000 jobs were created last month:
Roskam Remarks:
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Roskam to White House: ‘Simply Hope For a Change is Not an Economic Policy’”
-By Warner Todd Huston
With the latest three votes, the Illinois GOP has shown itself to be little else but Democrat lite and has shown that even planks in its own platform are meaningless when it comes to voting time.
The last Illinois Republican Party platform was produced and approved in 2008 (See .pdf here) and there hasn’t been another one since.
Lets start our scolding with the recent vote to wildly expand gambling in Illinois, a bill that 21 Republicans voted for, shall we?
SB744 passed this weekend with a 65-60 vote in the Illinois House. 21 Republicans voted “yea” on this despite what their own party platform say. That platform says…
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Illinois GOP Betray Own Platform”
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, ILL)…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Roskam-Lipinski Amendment, recognizing the value of a Korean War National Museum in Chicago, Illinois. The amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act was co-sponsored by Rep. Peter Roskam (IL-06), Chief Deputy Whip, and Rep. Dan Lipinski (IL-03).
“A Korean War National Museum in Chicago will be a testament to those brave Americans who fought to preserve freedom and halt the advance of Communism,” said Congressman Roskam. “Almost six million Americans – including my father – fought in this war that has unfortunately taken on the moniker of ‘the forgotten war.’ A National Museum dedicated to the Korean War in the Midwest will ensure future generations remember the sacrifice and valor of all the Americans who fought and died honorably in Korea sixty years ago. I will continue to work to bring this museum to Chicago.”
The Korean War National Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to building a museum in Chicago that honors the millions of Americans who fought against Communism in Korea. In November 2010, Roskam traveled to Korea to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the end of the Korean War. He was joined by his mother, Martha, and father Swede, a Korean War veteran. They attended President Obama’s speech to troops at Yongsan Garrison and ceremonies at the Demilitarized Zone while in Korea.
The National Defense Authorization Act passed the House today, 322-96.
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, ILL)…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Peter Roskam, Chief Deputy Whip, issued the following statement after House Republicans unveiled a plan for America’s job creators that was built on the Pledge to America governing document.
“It’s no secret that the trillions in stimulus spending and a massive increase in government red tape has destroyed jobs and hurt our economic recovery. More of the same is a recipe for the same results. That’s why House Republicans have designed a plan that will remove barriers to job creation, empowering and helping families, small businesses, and entrepreneurs struggling to create jobs and spur our recovery. The threat of unsustainable government debt, increased regulations written by unelected bureaucrats, and energy policies designed to increase gas prices has cost us jobs and forced families and businesses to pull back from participating in the economy. The House Republican plan will help change that by returning confidence and certainty to job creators across the country.”
He’s for cap and trade… well, until he was against it. He’s for Obamacare… well until he wants to run against it. He’s against insurance companies… well, maybe not these days. He’s called himself a “non-traditional” Republican because Democrats support him… yet now he wants to be Mr. Conservative to run for president?
It’s Jon Huntsman: RINO King…
For those not following that closely, Jon Huntsman is Obama’s recently resigned Ambassador to China. He was also the 16th Governor of Utah. A Mormon, Hunstsman is also a Republican and, though he has not officially announced, is interested in running for the GOP nomination for president.
This new video from the House Energy Action Team, a group of House Republicans dedicated to pushing the Administration to adopt commonsense energy policies, does a fine job to elucidate some of the problems we face in our energy sector.
More on the House Energy Action Team (HEAT): The Goal is to present a clear message of viable energy policy alternatives that are clearly communicated to the American public. H.E.A.T. will clearly demonstrate that House Republicans are on the side of the consuming public and business community who are increasingly harmed by the high energy prices.
In short: H.E.A.T. will convey that robust domestic energy production creates thousands of good jobs and enhances our national security.
Republican Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R, Calif.) and Chief Deputy Whip Peter Roskam (R, Ill) are co-chairs of H.E.A.T.
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, ILL)…
Roskam: “As our strongest ally and only democratic friend in a deeply troubled region, America must stand with our friend Israel and reject any moves that diminish our special relationship.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Peter Roskam, Chief Deputy Whip, issued the following statement after Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech to a Joint Meeting of Congress today:
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Roskam Applauds Netanyahu Speech”
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, 6th District)…
As I watched the President’s Middle East speech last week, I was pleased to see him affirm America’s support for human rights in the Arab world in light of the Arab Spring.
However, his comments on prerequisites that Israel must offer for peace were downright troubling – and sided squarely against Israel on future peace negotiations. America has always enjoyed a special relationship with Israel, and we simply can’t afford to let this Administration change that.
As the President prepared his speech, Majority Leader Eric Cantor and I penned an op-ed in Politico calling for the halting of U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority, now that Hamas is an official partner of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas is a terrorist organization responsible for the death of both Americans and Israelis, and committed to Israel’s destruction.
We need to stand with Israel and stand up to terror.
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We Need to Stand with Israel”
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, 6th District)…
Recognized for Supporting Economic Growth and Job Creation
BLOOMINGDALE, IL — Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06), Chief Deputy Whip, was awarded the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit of Enterprise Award last week. Roskam received the award for his votes last Congress to create jobs and ensure a more positive environment for economic growth, on Wednesday, May 18th, at Zeigler Motors in Downers Grove.
“The Chamber is honored to recognize Congressman Roskam for helping create an environment in which businesses can grow and create jobs,” said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. “He has shown great conviction by standing on the side of business, at a time when it matters most. Today we honor him.”
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Roskam Receives U.S. Chamber’s Spirit of Enterprise Award”
By Jeff Dunetz
The past few months have seen unexpected developments in the Middle East, the continuing “Arab Awakening,” Egypt’s slide toward being controlled by the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, Syria and Libya in revolt; it seemed as if for the first time in recent history the Israeli-Palestinian dispute represented the calmest place in this violence-prone area of the world.
That all changed in early May when the Palestinian Authority, run by the “moderate” terrorists of the Fatah party, agreed to reunite with the more overt terrorists of Hamas who rule over the Gaza Strip.
…This morning Politico carried an op-ed composed by two members of the House GOP leadership: Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), and Peter Roskam (R-Ill) Deputy Majority Whip and Co-Chair of Republican Israel Caucus.
I had the opportunity to interview Congressman Roskam this morning. We discussed the Politico op-ed as well as other key issues regarding American foreign policy as it relates to Israel and the Middle East. Below is that interview, beginning with an overview of the situation provided by the Congressman….
Read the rest at YidWithLid.
-By Rep. Eric Cantor and Rep. Peter Roskam
As the news of Osama bin Laden’s death spread, the free world breathed a deep sigh of relief and praised the United States for its accomplishment.
But in the Palestinian territories, such sentiments were not shared.
In the eyes of Ismail Haniyeh and the infamous Hamas terrorist organization he leads, the operation “marks the continuation of the American policy based on oppression and the shedding of Muslim and Arab blood.” Really?
If killing the man responsible for the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history — not to mention the aggressor who did more to subjugate and kill fellow Muslims who disagree with his worldview than perhaps any other individual on earth — makes us oppressors, then how would Hamas describe bin Laden?
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Hamas Poisons Peace Process”
Newt has been the talk of the town. If only it was for good things.
So, let’s give Newt a hand for the fastest crash and burn in presidential campaign history.
Yep, Newt crashed and burned even faster than Gary Hart, Edmund Muskie, and Teddy Kennedy.
-By Warner Todd Huston
I just finished with a blogger conference call held by Speaker Gingrich in which he tried to further explain where he stands on Paul Ryan, the budget, and Obamacare.
Newt has have been characterized as “trashing Paul Ryan,” and Ryan himself took a swipe at him on a Chicago radio show (Ryan said something like, “with conservative like him who needs enemies?”), and of course many see his purported attack on Ryan as a violation of Reagan’s famed 11th Commandment. So Newt has a lot to answer for, for sure.
He’s badly confused the situation and some are calling for him to drop out and give it all up. Even Rush Limbaugh is claiming that Newt knows he can’t win the nomination and this whole thing is just an effort at positioning himself for other things in the future. (Rush says Newt might just be angling for a position at the Aspen Institute)
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Newt’s Tuesday Blogger Conference Call”
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (Ill, 6th District)…
It’s no secret America is facing a tidal wave of debt.
We all know that Washington must stop spending money it does not have. At its current rate, Medicare will go bankrupt in just nine years. Think about that.
If we do nothing, we’re guaranteeing that Medicare and other crucial safety net programs won’t exist for the next generation.
Disturbingly, Democrats’ plan does nothing to save these programs. In fact, the White House’s own budget lets Medicare simply go bankrupt, all while increasing taxes by $1.5 trillion on job creators. That is not a serious proposal.
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A Tidal Wave of Debt”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Ron Paul’s acolytes like to claim that “Doctor” Paul is the only candidate that is serious on fiscal matters, the only candidate that is fiscally conservative, the only one that talks the talk and walks the walk. Too bad this is all BS… and here is yet another example of this fact.
T. Boone Pickens is back again. After he tried to make a big splash out of his ideas on windmill power (epic fail, that one), the Pick man is back at the public trough urging Congress to create a number of taxpayer-funded subsidies for companies that buy and manufacture vehicles that run on natural gas.
The Pickster has roped a whole gaggle of Republicans into his next boondoggle and guess who has signed onto the bill? Yep, Mr. fiscal responsibility hisself “Doctor” Ron Paul.
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Another Example of How Ron Paul is Hypocritical on Supposed Fiscal Responsibility”
-By Warner Todd Huston
In a story by Jay Root for the Associated Press, the news wire service tries to tar the entire Tea Party movement with guilt by association claiming that it was somehow fathered or “grandfathered” by Texas Representative Ron Paul, the cranky uncle of the GOP. The fact is Ron Paul had nothing at all to do with the Tea Party movement. The claim that he did is a calumny, one that the AP hopes will discredit the Tea Party movement.
In the Story, the AP claims that Ron Paul is “both a spiritual father and actual father in the tea party movement.” It mentions that his son, Rand, is a “tea party darling” (that one is true, at least) and claims that since Paul had a 2007 event he called a “‘Tea Party Fundraiser’ aboard a shrimp boat near Galveston,” that must make him the father of the Tea Party movement.
Then AP finds some Paulbot to claim that, to him, “Ron Paul is the tea party.” Well, that settles it, huh? Because a Paulienut says it’s so, why it must be. At least that is what the AP wants its readers to believe.
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AP Tars Tea Party Movement as ‘Grandfathered’ By Ron Paul”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Ron Paul, the GOP’s cranky old uncle, has been spouting his isolationist, appeaser-styled foreign policy ideas for decades but with this bin Ladden business he has again gone too far. Now Ron Paul says we should never have killed Osama bin Ladden.
Ron Paul says he would not have authorized the mission that led to the death of Osama bin Laden, and that President Barack Obama should have worked with the Pakistani government instead of authorizing a raid.
As to if he would have given the go-ahead to kill OBL, Paul said:
“I don’t think it was necessary, no. It absolutely was not necessary,” Paul said during his Tuesday comments. “I think respect for the rule of law and world law and international law. What if he’d been in a hotel in London? We wanted to keep it secret, so would we have sent the airplane, you know the helicopters into London, because they were afraid the information would get out?”
So, moRon Paul would go to our avowed enemies and ask them if pretty, pretty please will they help us capture the guy they love and have been hiding from us for more than a decade.
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moRon Paul Says We Shouldn’t Have Killed Osama bin Ladden!”
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (Ill., 6th)…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Peter Roskam, Chief Deputy Whip, spoke at the House Energy Action Team (HEAT)’s press conference on current energy legislation to lower gas prices and create jobs. Today, the House passed H.R. 1229, the Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act, and will soon vote on H.R. 1231, Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act. Roskam is the co-chair of H.E.A.T.
Roskam Remarks at House Energy Action Team Press Conference on Energy Bills”
By Congressman Peter Roskam (R, Ill.)
Americans have weathered one economic storm after another over the last few years. Yet, time and again, Washington policies have only made our families’ woes worse. From a failed trillion dollar stimulus to a healthcare overhaul that costs jobs and makes healthcare more expensive, Washington policies keep making it harder when Americans need the help most.
The latest: gas. Just as our economy is showing signs of recovery, gas prices are skyrocketing. In Chicagoland, a gallon of gas already costs over $4.50. That means pain for family budgets and employers trying to control costs and hire new workers. But smart federal policies can help. If we choose wisely, we can help lower energy costs for families with an all-of-the-above energy approach.
Taking advantage of America’s natural resources is a commonsense way to lower gas prices, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and create jobs here. Unfortunately, many refuse to listen to commonsense.
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Wanted: A Commonsense U.S. Energy Policy”