Jim DeMint Meet the Press Nov. 7, 2010 TEXT VIDEO

NBC News This is a rush transcript provided for the information and convenience of the press. Accuracy is not guaranteed. In case of doubt, please check with MEET THE PRESS NBC NEWS 885-4598 (Sundays: 885-4200)

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MR. GREGORY: from his home state of South Carolina this morning, the Washington leader of the tea party, Republican Senator Jim DeMint.

Senator, welcome to MEET THE PRESS.

SEN. JIM DeMINT (R-SC): Thank you, David. And I can't claim to be the leader of the tea party, but I'm sure glad they raised the interest level of the American voter this year. It made a real difference in the election.

MR. GREGORY: Well, well, let me ask you that, plain and simple. Is the tea party now running the Republican Party?

SEN. DeMINT: Hardly. I'm hoping the Republican Party will embrace a lot of the ideas of the tea party, but it's a mistake to think that the tea party is one big organization. It's made of up thousands of leaders all across the country of, of citizens who are just tired of out-of-control spending. They want to take back the power from the Washington politicians. And I think they made a huge difference in the election. But they're just a part of this awakening of the American people, this citizen activism, I think, that's realigning politics in America today.

MR. GREGORY: What about the election results on Tuesday? In your judgment, was that step one in making President Obama a one-term president?

SEN. DeMINT: Well, I don't know that that's the issue. I think people are rejecting in large numbers this rampage of government spending and takeover that the, the president has been leading, but also even before Obama was president, Pelosi and Reid have been in charge of the Congress now for four years. They've had plenty of time to show what they're going to do. Pelosi said there would not be anymore deficit spending; we've had $5 trillion in deficit since then. So I think this is a rejection of Obama's policy. But this is not about whether or not he's a one- or two-term president. This is about turning our country away from a fiscal cliff. We're in trouble, and we don't have time to play politics anymore. We have got to look at the federal government, determine what it absolutely has to do, and then see if we can devolve power and spending back to the states.

MR. GREGORY: Well, and I, I want to ask you about some specific areas of--issue areas of the agenda. Before I do that, another question about the tea party. You were active in supporting tea party candidates around the country. You had some, some big winners around the country that you campaigned for. There are some of them. But you also had some notable losses, particularly in the Senate, and I want to single one out. You were behind Christine O'Donnell, who lost, of course, in Delaware. And here was the front page of the Wilmington News Journal on Wednesday after the election. The banner headline, "No taste for tea." And frankly, there's been some backlash about your support for her. Politico reported it this way this week: "A bloc of prominent senators and operatives said party purists like Palin and Senator DeMint had foolishly pushed nominees too conservative to win in politically competitive states. ...

`If you think what happened in Delaware is "a win" for the Republican Party then we don't have a snowball's chance to win the White House,'" that's Senator Lindsey Graham, also from South Carolina. "`If you think Delaware was a wake-up call for Republicans then we have a shot at doing well for a long time.'" Do you think the tea party actually cost the Republican Party control of the Senate?
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SEN. DeMINT: That is a very silly thing to say, David. The tea party are responsible for just about every Republican who was elected around the country. This time last year, if people'll think about it, we were concerned about holding our own. Many thought Republicans would fall below 38 in, in the Senate. So I supported all the Republican candidates, including Christine O'Donnell. Unfortunately, she was so maligned by Republicans, I don't think she ever had a chance. But we had historic gains in the Senate and in the House, so...

MR. GREGORY: Senator, you're not really saying that it was just lack of Republican support that tanked her candidacy, are you? This is a woman who said on national--in an ad that she was not a witch.

SEN. DeMINT: Well, I think we did see in the, in the wake of her primary win, a number of Republicans suggest she was not a viable candidate. That, that did make it difficult for her to start on the right foot. But all over the country we saw candidates like Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania, Marco Rubio in Florida, Rand Paul in Kentucky, we saw candidates that were supported by a tea party in, in a new active wave of, of citizens change the face of the Senate. This is what Republicans have needed for a long time, a new, young Republicans, Cuban-American senator. We've got African-American congressmen. This is a huge change for the Republican Party, and I think it's going to be very positive for our country.

MR. GREGORY: All right. So, Senator, let me go down the list of important issues that I know you care about, and let's try to do this in, in--a little bit more quickly than we might normally get some answers for you. On health care, how do you go about dismantling it?

SEN. DeMINT: Well, first of all we have to stop the funding of Obamacare and over the next two years show the American people what the real options are to improve the system we have now. I don't think Americans want to throw out our current system, they want to improve it. And there are a lot of ways we can make insurance more available, more affordable, available to those with pre-existing conditions. And we need to let the American people know that there are ways to do this without moving to the government-control system. The first step is obviously to, to defund it, and I think we can do that with Republicans controlling the House.

MR. GREGORY: But do you think repeal is realistic?

SEN. DeMINT: Yes, I do. I think the next Republican running for president needs to run on complete repeal of Obamacare because we really can't tweak it, David. It's built on a platform of government control, and that doesn't really work in America. We need a, a patient-physician system that's based more on competition and free markets. We really can't do that under this system that's so heavily prescribed in, in Obamacare.

MR. GREGORY: Well, you're talking about the president in 2012, running for president. You don't really think that you can overcome a presidential veto of repealing health care in the Senate, do you?

SEN. DeMINT: Well, not before 2012. But we can certainly defund it. Most, most aspects of this new Obamacare are not implemented for two more years, so it's very realistic to think we can slow the implementation of it or delay it, and then replace it in 2012 with, with a real plan to improve health care in America.

MR. GREGORY: All right, let me move to a few others. The cultural litmus test for Republicans, I've been told, the earmark issue. This is pork barrel spending as part of the budget process. You want them done away with, as do other tea party lawmakers and other Republicans. But Mitch McConnell, of course, the leader of the Republicans in the Senate, was asked about it the other day, and this is what he said.

(Videotape, Thursday)

SEN. MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): As I think all of you know, you could eliminate every congressional earmark and it would save no money. It's really an argument about discretion.

(End videotape)

MR. GREGORY: Doesn't sound like he's with you all the way. Is this a showdown coming for Republicans?

SEN. DeMINT: Well, it, it may be. But I think the message is clear from the American people, and I know there's some senior members in Congress who think it's their job to take on bacon. But the real reason for the dysfunction of Congress right now is you have over 500 congressmen and senators who think they're there to bring home the bacon. It's kind of, "To heck with America, just give me the money." We can't do that anymore. Parochial politics needs to be out in Washington.

MR. GREGORY: But what about Leader McConnell? He is not with you.

SEN. DeMINT: We need to focus on...

MR. GREGORY: He is suggesting that it's more a question of discretion. This is a leader of the Republicans. Are you prepared to go toe-to-toe with him, and is this going to be a big showdown with your Republican leadership?

SEN. DeMINT: I don't think so. Mitch McConnell has voted twice for an earmark ban that I've proposed in the Senate. Just about every Republican who is running for the Senate this time ran on a no earmark pledge. And we've had a vote where over half of our conference has voted for the ban before. Obviously, I'm hopeful I will have leadership support. But we've got a number of co-sponsors. Tom Coburn and I are leading the effort for this earmark ban, and, and we know John Boehner has committed to it in the House. We're not going to have earmarks. So it's, it's really silly for some senior Republicans in the Senate to try to block it.

MR. GREGORY: All right. Let me ask you about another hot button issue, and that is the debt ceiling. Come spring Congress is going to have to vote to raise the debt ceiling because our debt is increasing and it's reaching the $4.3 trillion limit that Congress has already set--$14.3 trillion limit that Congress set in February. Will you vote to increase the debt ceiling?

SEN. DeMINT: No, I won't, not, not unless this debt ceiling is combined with some path to balancing our budget, returning to 2008 spending levels, repealing Obamacare. We have got to demonstrate that we have the resolve to cut spending. Now, we've already spent the money, and raising the debt ceiling is just like paying off your credit card bill; but we cannot allow that to go through the Congress without showing the American people that we are going to balance the budget and we're not going to continue to raise the debt in America.

MR. GREGORY: All right. Well, let me ask you specifically about that. Where would--do you think the American people have to be prepared for sacrifice? Which part of the budget, knowing that there's only 15 percent that's nondiscretionery, or that's real--nondefense discretionary part of the budget, what are you going to target for cuts?

SEN. DeMINT: Well, I don't think the American people are going to have to sacrifice as much as the government bureaucrats who get paid about twice what the American worker does. First of all, we just need to return to pre-Obama levels of spending in 2008. We need to cut earmarks so people will quit focusing on taking home the bacon. We need to defund Obamacare, and then we need to look at the entitlement programs, such as the way Paul Ryan has done in the House with his road maps to America's future, to fix our tax code, to fix Social Security and Medicare, and to cut the cost over time. We've got the plans, David, to do this, we just--we need to talk about them, we need to help the American people see where we're going...

MR. GREGORY: But let me just...

SEN. DeMINT: ...but we can cut spending.

MR. GREGORY: Let me just stop you. I want to be very, very, very specific because going back to 2008 spending levels will not get anywhere close to balancing the budget. So you're saying that everything has to be on the table--cuts in defense, cuts in Medicare, cuts in Social Security. Is that right?

SEN. DeMINT: Well, no, we're not talking about cuts in Social Security. If we can just cut the administrative waste, we can cut hundreds of billions of dollars a year at the federal level. So before we start cutting--I mean, we need to keep our promises to seniors, David, and cutting benefits to seniors is not on the table. Excuse me, let me grab a sip of water.

MR. GREGORY: But then, but where, but where do you make the cuts? I mean, if you're protecting everything for those, the most potent political groups like seniors who go out and vote, where are you really going to balance the budget?

SEN. DeMINT: Well, look at Paul Ryan's road map to the future. We see a clear path to moving back to a balanced budget over time. Again, the plans are on the table. We don't have to cut benefits for seniors, and we don't need to cut Medicare like, like the Democrats did in this big Obamacare bill. We can restore sanity in Washington without cutting any benefits to seniors or veterans.

MR. GREGORY: Let me ask you a final question about 2012. Who's got the inside track for president, and do you think tea party forces--yourself, Sarah Palin--have an inside track moving forward?

SEN. DeMINT: Well, I think the, the, the voters have the inside track here. I think the citizen activism is going to change politics. I think Sarah Palin did an incredible amount of good to raise the interest level of what's going on in politics, so she did a lot for the Republican Party, Michele Bachmann, others. But we've got a, I think, a great list of folks, including the next person who'll be on your show, Chris Christie, who's demonstrated a lot of courage. And probably more than anything else right now, David, we need politicians with the courage to make very difficult decisions, to fight special interest groups, and that's what I want to see in the next Republican nominee.

MR. GREGORY: All right. Senator DeMint, thank you very much for joining us this morning.

SEN. DeMINT: Thank you, David.

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Marco Rubio Weekly Republican Address TEXT VIDEO 11/06/10

11/6/10 - Sen.-elect Marco Rubio (R-FL) Delivers The Weekly GOP Address

Hi, I'm Marco Rubio.

With Election Day now behind us, it's an honor to talk to you about the opportunity before us -- an opportunity to put America back on track.

For too long, Washington has taken our country in the wrong direction, bigger government, reckless spending, and run away debt. And though I'm a proud Republican, here is the truth, both parties have been to blame.

This election the American people said enough is enough. That message was loud and clear. We Republicans would be mistaken if we misread these results as simply an embrace of the Republican Party. This Election is a second chance. A second chance for Republicans to be what we said we were going to be.

America is the single greatest nation on earth, a place without equal in the history of all mankind. A place built on free enterprise, where the employee can become the employer. Where small businesses are started every day in a spare bedroom and where someone like me, the son of a bartender and maid, can become a United States Senator.

I know about the unique exceptionalism of our country. Not because I read about it in a book, I've seen it through my own eyes. You see, I was raised in a community of exiles, by people who lost their country, people who once had dreams like we do today but had to come to a foreign shore to find them.

For some their dreams were answered here in America, but many others found a new dream. To leave their children with the kinds of opportunities they themselves never had. And that is what we must do as a nation. To fulfill our sacred obligation to leave the next generation of Americans a better America than the one we inherited. And that is what this election was about.

In the past two years, Republicans listened to the American people and what they said is that it was time for a course correction.

The past two years provided a frightening glimpse at what could become of our great nation if we continue down the current path: wasteful spending, a growing debt and a government reaching ever further into our lives, even into our health care decisions.

It is nothing short of a path to ruin, a path that threatens to diminish us as a nation and a people. One that makes America not exceptional, not unique, but more like the rest of the world.

As Republicans, here is what our commitment should be to you. Our focus must not be simply winning elections. It must be to ensure the next generation inherits a strong, free and prosperous America.

We will govern as public servants who understand that re-election is simply a byproduct of good public service and good ideas. And most importantly, we will stand up and offer an alternative to the policies coming out of Washington for the past two years.

The challenges are too great, too generational in scope for us to be merely opponents of bad policies. Instead, we will put forward bold ideas and have the courage to fight for them. This means preventing a massive tax increase scheduled to hit every American taxpayer at the end of the year. It means repealing and replacing the disastrous health care bill. It means simplifying our tax code, and tackling a debt that is pushing us to the brink of our own Greece-like day of reckoning.

For many of us coming to Washington for the first time and others returning to serve, it's a long way from home. A long way from the people whose eyes we looked into at town halls, at diners or roundtables, and promised that this time it would be different. That if you elected Republicans to office again, we would not squander the chance you gave us, and we must not.

Because nothing less than the identity of our country and what kind of future we will leave our children is at stake. That is our commitment and from you we ask this. Hold us accountable to the ideas and principles we campaigned on.

This is our second chance to get this right. To make the right decisions and the tough calls and to leave our children what they deserve -- the freest and most exceptional society in all of human history.

Thank you for listening, God bless you and your family, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

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Michael Savage talks to Col. Allen West about his election to Congress AUDIO

"Tonight, the good people of South Florida have sent a very loud message to
those in Washington and across the country who have forgotten that, we
the people, are in charge" Allen West

VIDEO CREDIT: clareman2009

IMAGE CREDIT: AllenWestForCongress

Congressman-elect Tim Scott Makes History VIDEO

Congressman-elect Tim Scott Makes History-Fox News Interview. Congressman-elect Tim Scott Talks to FOX and friends Hosts Brian Kilmeade.

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TEXT CREDIT: Tim Scott For Congress

Keith Olbermann suspended indefinitely without pay for donations to Democratic candidates

Simmi Aujla POLITICO

Keith Olbermann was suspended indefinitely today for making campaign donations to three Democratic congressional candidates, in violation of NBC News ethics policy. The statement from msnbc TV President Phil Griffin: “I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night. Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay.”

The donations were reported by Politico reporter Simmi Aujla earlier in the day. She has been Tweeting about her story since.

In a statement to Politico, Olbermann acknowledged the donations saying he gave donations of $2,400 to Arizona Reps. Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords and Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway.

Politico reports that the donations to Grijalva and Giffords were made on Oct. 28, the same day that Grijalva appeared on “Countdown with Keith Olbermann”.

Olbermann said in his statement to Politico, he did not encourage his viewers or other staff members to donate to the candidates.

Joe Miller Vows to Fight for Voters of Alaska VIDEO

Murkowski “Lawyers Up” With High Priced Election Lawyers

Anchorage, Alaska. November 4, 2010 — Joe Miller is still cautiously optimistic about his chances for victory in the Alaska US Senate race. Meanwhile, Lisa Murkowski speaks as if she has already won the Alaska Senate race, but her declarations are premature. Murkowski proved her concern about the ultimate outcome of the election by her actions–she has parachuted in a phalanx of lawyers, including high profile election law attorney, Benjamin Ginsberg, as part of her legal team. Ginsberg played a key role in the “hanging chads” Florida recount of the 2000 election.

“While Senator Murkowski speaks of winning an historic write-in candidacy, she understands (as Joe Miller does), that this race is not over,” said Miller campaign spokesman Randy DeSoto. He continued, “The difference between the “write-in votes” and Joe Miller votes is about 13,000; however there are approximately 31,200 absentee ballots that have gone out and over 26,000 have been returned to date, which are still to be counted. Absentees broke strongly for Joe during the primary election, particularly within the military community. We also still need to know how many of the write-in votes were properly cast for Lisa Murkowski.”

If past trends hold, a significant percentage of those 13,000 write-in votes will likely be disqualified and many others will be non-Murkowski votes. During the 1998 gubernatorial race, thousands of the write-in votes for Robin Taylor were disqualified. Miller is also assembling a legal team to oversee the ballot counting in an effort to maintain the integrity of the election process. The count will apparently occur in Juneau.

“We have two goals. To make sure the election is fair and that every valid vote is counted,” said DeSoto. ###

TEXT CREDIT: Joe Miller for US Senate | PO Box 72838 | Fairbanks, AK 99707-2838 | Phone: 907-452-8559

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Right Change The Government High Life VIDEO

RightChange releases "The Government High Life" a fun parody of the popular commercial series. In this spot we're taking the government back for the people. We need to hold all of our elected representatives accountable.

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: RightChange

Dino Rossi made the following statement regarding the Washington Senate race

Bellevue, WA – U.S. Senate candidate Dino Rossi made the following statement regarding the Washington Senate race:

“This evening, I called Senator Murray to offer my congratulations on her re-election to the U.S. Senate.

“I ran for the Senate because I believe we need a basic course correction from where Washington, D.C. has been taking us and to make sure this country is as free, as strong and as prosperous in the future as it has been in the past to preserve the best of America for future generations.

“That was a message that found a very receptive audience all across this state, though not quite receptive enough.

“We’re sending at least one new person, maybe two, to Congress to represent Washington State. We elected a host of new people to the state legislature — all on the message of controlling spending and helping the private sector grow, saying no to government overreach and confronting some very difficult challenges in front of us.

You’ve heard me say during this campaign that the problems we face are too big for one political party. They are, and I can say that with absolute certainty.

“It is my hope that the new House and Senate will address them seriously, responsibly, and in a bipartisan way. I hope the President and Senate Democrats will join the new House majority to face these problems head on rather than leaving them for the next Congress or the next generation.

“My hope going forward is that our representatives in Washington, D.C. will be thinking about how an issue affects Bellevue, Bellingham or Bingen, not the D.C. Beltway.

“I hope they will be thinking about the small business owners struggling to stay open and the people that work there who are trying to pay their mortgage and feed their kids. 0 I hope the things that are done in D.C. make it easier for these folks, not harder.

The lesson I leave you with is one we learned as kids: we’re all in this together. If Washington, D.C. doesn’t act to help the economy grow and solve this massive ‘spending and debt, it’s going to hurt us all. It won’t distinguish by political party.

Let me close with one more heartfelt thank you to the people of our state. Thank you for letting me have an honest, straightforward discussion with you about our future.

“God bless you, our country, and this wonderful state we call home.”

TEXT CREDIT: Rossi for Senate

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Mitch McConnell Listening To The People Who Sent Us Here An address to the Heritage Foundation TEXT VIDEO

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks (as prepared) this morning at the Heritage Foundation:

“Over the past two years, the American people looked at what was going on in Washington and they became increasingly worried. Not only were Democratic leaders ignoring our nation’s ongoing job crisis; their big-government policies and out-of-control spending was causing some to wonder about the future of the American dream itself.

“Americans worried about the consequences of a $14 trillion debt; about a health care bill that creates 159 new bureaucratic entities, including two massive new entitlement programs; they worried about all the bailouts, and they worried about every other piece of legislation that seemed like it was designed to kill jobs rather than create them.

“Most of all, they worried that what some have called the Europeanization of America would continue unchecked, and that, as a result, our children and grandchildren could no longer expect to have the same opportunities that we’ve had.

“Two days ago, those worries gave way to a new optimism. For the past two years, Democrat lawmakers chose to ignore the American people, so on Tuesday the American people chose new lawmakers. They held their elected representatives to account. And they demonstrated to all of us that Constitutional conservatism is alive and well.

“This isn’t a reason for Republicans to gloat; rather, it’s a time for both parties to realize who’s really in charge — the people — and to be grateful for the opportunity we now have to begin to turn this ship around. Tuesday was a referendum, not a choice. It was a report card on the administration and anyone who supported its agenda, plain and simple.

“It doesn’t take a roomful of political scientists to figure it out. Americans voted for change in the last two elections because of two long and difficult wars and because they hoped a changing of the guard would stabilize the economy and get America moving again. And then the people they elected set about dismantling the free market, handing out political favors at taxpayer expense, expanding government, and creating a more precarious future for our children. In other words, Democrat leaders used the crisis of the moment to advance an agenda Americans didn’t ask for and couldn’t afford. And then they ignored and dismissed anyone who dared to speak out against it.

“So the voters didn’t suddenly fall in love with Republicans; they fell out of love with Democrats. And while they may have voted to send more Republicans to Washington, they’re sending them here with clear marching orders: stop the big-government freight train and respect the will of the people who sent you there. As Churchill once observed, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; [and] courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” And I can’t think of a better way to sum up Tuesday’s election than that.

“This morning, I would like to talk a little bit more about how we got here, and the task ahead. And I wanted to do it here at the Heritage Foundation, because for nearly 40 years Heritage has played a crucial role in promoting and defending the principles of free enterprise, limited government, freedom, and a strong defense — in other words, the very principles the American people voted to uphold in Tuesday’s historic election.

“First: how we got here. Let’s cast our minds back for a moment to early 2009. I think a “Newsweek” cover from early February sums up the conventional wisdom in Washington at the time, at least among a lot of Democrats. It read, “We’re All Socialists Now”. And I’ll just note parenthetically that “Newsweek” was recently sold for less than the cover price of a single copy of the magazine. Hopefully the Democrats don’t bail them out too.

“Anyway, while the media was still groping to define the 2008 election, Republicans were taking stock. We knew the principles that had made our party great were the same principles that had made America great, and that if we were going to solve the problems of the day, we would have to embrace and explain those principles, not discard or conceal them. So we renewed our commitment to our core principles — win, lose, or draw.

“If we had not done this, the administration would never suffer the consequences for pushing policies Americans opposed, and Americans wouldn’t have a clear alternative. And that is why this, in my view, was the single most important thing Republicans in Congress did to prepare the ground for Tuesday’s election. By sticking together in principled opposition to policies we viewed as harmful, we made it perfectly clear to the American people where we stood. And we gave voters a real choice on Election Day.

“At the same time, we made it perfectly clear from the beginning that if President Obama proposed policies that were consistent with our principles, we’d work with him. Just two days after the Inauguration, in fact, I made a public offer at the National Press Club to accept the President’s campaign promise of post-partisanship by proposing to work with him on a number of goals that he himself had suggested, such as reforming entitlements, reducing the debt, increasing our energy independence, and lowering taxes to create jobs.

“But it turned out the White House had different plans. Their strategy from the start, as I said, was to govern hard-left and use their big majorities to push through the most left-wing agenda possible, squeezing unpopular proposals through Congress by the slimmest majorities and hoping Americans would forget the details and the unseemly process over time. The Democrats’ idea of consensus was for Republicans to do whatever the administration wanted us to. And that’s why they plowed ahead from the very beginning with one piece of legislation after another written by liberals for liberals.

“And so by the spring of 2009, they had given us ample opportunity to stand up for the principles of limited government, lower taxes, and a strong defense. First, they called for closing Guantanamo without any plan for housing the terrorists who were held there; they had forced through their trillion dollar Stimulus; proposed a federal budget that would double the national debt in five years and triple it in 10; and bailed out automakers that should have been allowed to reorganize or fail. And it shouldn’t be lost on anybody, by the way, that the only one that refused a bailout, Ford, is the one that’s doing best today.

“As Democrats governed left, Republicans stood together time and again, making the case for conservative alternatives. And over the course of 19 months, Democrats added $3 trillion to the debt, more than 2.5 million Americans would lose their jobs … and Republicans would win races in states that had gone solidly for Democrats in 2008 —states like Virginia, New Jersey, and, of all places, Massachusetts. Clearly, the Democrat agenda was not the change Americans had hoped for. And Republicans were offering a clear alternative. That was the message of those races. And that was the message on Tuesday.

“The question now is whether Americans were wise to entrust Republicans with the task of reversing the damage. In answer, I would argue that Republicans can be entrusted with the task voters have given us — not because we say so, but because we’ve already been at it for two years. We have shown that we share the priorities the people have voiced. We have fought to defend them. Now we’re ready to get back to work on their behalf.

“Which raises a practical question: what can Americans expect from Republicans now?

“Let’s start with the big picture. Over the past week, some have said it was indelicate of me to suggest that our top political priority over the next two years should be to deny President Obama a second term in office. But the fact is, if our primary legislative goals are to repeal and replace the health spending bill; to end the bailouts; cut spending; and shrink the size and scope of government, the only way to do all these things it is to put someone in the White House who won’t veto any of these things. We can hope the President will start listening to the electorate after Tuesday’s election. But we can’t plan on it. And it would be foolish to expect that Republicans will be able to completely reverse the damage Democrats have done as long as a Democrat holds the veto pen.

“There’s just no getting around it.

“By their own admission, leaders of the Republican Revolution of 1994 think their greatest mistake was overlooking the power of the veto. They gave the impression they were somehow in charge when they weren’t. And after President Clinton vetoed their bills, making it impossible for them to accomplish all their goals, they ended up being viewed as failures, sellouts, or both. Today, Democrats not only have the White House. They have the Senate too. So we have to be realistic about what we can and cannot achieve, while at the same recognizing that realism should never be confused with capitulation.

“On health care, that means we can — and should — propose and vote on straight repeal, repeatedly. But we can’t expect the president to sign it. So we’ll also have to work, in the House, on denying funds for implementation, and, in the Senate, on votes against its most egregious provisions. At the same time, we’ll need to continue educating the public about the ill-effects of this bill on individuals young and old, families, and small businesses.

“And this is why oversight will play a crucial role in Republican efforts going forward.

“We may not be able to bring about straight repeal in the next two years, and we may not win every vote against targeted provisions, even though we should have bipartisan support for some. But we can compel administration officials to attempt to defend this indefensible health spending bill and other costly, government-driven measures, like the Stimulus and financial reform. We also need groups like Heritage to continue studying the ill-effects of the health care bill, and to show how its implementation is hurting families, seniors, and small businesses, limiting choices and making us less competitive. We welcome any help we can get in reversing the damage this bill has done and will do.

“Through oversight we’ll also keep a spotlight on the various agencies the administration will now use to advance through regulation what it can’t through legislation. Potential backdoor efforts in this area could include imposing a new national energy tax through the EPA now that cap-and-trade is dead, additional health care provisions through HHS, Card Check through the National Labor Relations Board, and some form of immigration change through the use of administrative amnesty and the selective enforcement of our laws.

“Good oversight can also make more accountable all the policy czars the administration has installed without any accountability to Congress or the American people.

“Another obstacle is the temptation to over-read our task. It’s my view that Americans are no more interested in a Republican plan for using government to reengineer society than they were in the Democrats’ plan to do so. Government has limits, thank heavens, and voters want us to respect them. That’s why Republicans will focus on doing a few things well.

“We will stop the liberal onslaught. We will make the case for repeal of the health spending bill even as we vote to eliminate its worst parts. We will vote to freeze and cut discretionary spending. We will fight to make sure that any spending bill that reaches the Senate floor is amendable, so members can vote for the spending cuts Americans are asking for. We will push to bring up and vote for House passed spending rescission bills.

“On the economy, we will work hard to ensure Democrats don’t raise taxes on anybody, especially in the middle of a recession. We will loudly oppose future stimulus bills that only stimulate the deficit and fight any further job-killing regulations. We will fight tooth and nail on behalf of Americans struggling to find and create jobs.

“And when it comes to educating the public about the effects of Democrat legislation, we will fulfill our constitutional duty to oversee the Executive Branch through smart, aggressive oversight.

“We will scrutinize Democrat legislation and force them to defend it. And we will continue to make the case that the Democrats’ big-government vision hinders freedom, prosperity, and opportunity — and that while it may benefit some in the short-term, it exposes everyone to calamity down the road.

“If we do these things well over the next two years, I believe the voters will be pleased with what they did on Tuesday, and Republicans will be in a much better position to reverse the worst excesses of the past two years and lay the groundwork for the kind of change we want and need. Meanwhile, Republican governors will help by showing at the state level that the kind of change we want is not only possible but also effective in cutting waste, creating jobs, and showing that government can work for people, not against them. Think tanks like Heritage will help too by arming us with ideas and tools like this week’s Checklist for getting America back on track. And Tea Party activists will continue to energize our party and challenge us to follow through on our commitments.

“None of this is to say that Republicans have given up cooperating with the President. The American people reminded us this week that we work for them, and we owe it to them and future generations to work together to find solutions to present troubles and to help guide our nation to better days. But, as I see it, the White House has a choice: they can change course, or they can double down on a vision of government that the American people have roundly rejected. If they choose the former, they’ll find a partner in Republicans. If they don’t, we will have more disagreements ahead.

“The formula is simple, really: when the administration agrees with the American people, we will agree with the administration. When it disagrees with the American people, we won’t. This has been our posture from the beginning of this administration. And we intend to stick with it. If the administration wants cooperation, it will have to begin to move in our direction.

“There is no reason we can’t work together to prevent a tax hike on small businesses. There’s no reason we can’t work together on energy independence, cutting spending, or increasing American exports by completing free trade agreements. And we can continue to work together to give our armed forces in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world whatever they need to accomplish their mission.

“So this morning I re-extend an offer that’s been on the table for two years to cooperate on shared goals — because ultimately this isn’t about an election; it’s about doing what’s best for our country. The American people want us to put aside the left-wing wish list and work together on helping to create jobs and restore the economy to health and prosperity. There is no reason the two parties can’t work together on achieving these goals.

“But whether or not the administration has a mid-course correction, Republicans have a plan for following through on the wishes of the American people. It starts with gratitude and a certain humility for the task we’ve been handed. It means sticking ever more closely to the conservative principles that got us here. It means learning the lessons of history. And, above all, it means listening to the people who sent us here. If we do all this, we will finish the job.” ###

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: Republican.Senate.Gov

Sarah Palin Congratulations, America! And thank you, voters! VIDEO

"Together"

Congratulations, America! And thank you, voters!

Sarah Palin

The Midterms: Lessons Learned and the Way Forward, Have an intelligent message, and fight for your right to be heard.

Now that the dust has settled on the 2010 midterm elections, it’s slowly becoming clear just how monumental the results really are. We saw an extreme left-wing agenda suffer a crushing defeat. At the ballot box, voters took Obamacare and the stimulus and wrapped them right around the necks of those same House members and senators who had arrogantly dismissed the concerns voiced in countless town halls and Tea Party rallies up and down the country. Voters sent commonsense conservatives a clear mandate to hold the line against the Obama agenda. The Midterms: Lessons Learned and the Way Forward FULL TEXT

VIDEO, IMAGE and TEXT CREDIT: SarahPalinAK

Eric Cantor Announces Intention to Stand for Election as House Majority Leader VIDEO

Eric Cantor Announces Intention to Stand for Election as House Majority Leader VIDEO

VIDEO, IMAGE and TEXT CREDIT: EricCantor

John Boehner Eric Cantor media spray 11/03/10 TEXT VIDEO

Video excerpts above full video below running time 3:12

John Boehner Eric Cantor media spray 11/03/10 STREAMING VIDEO.

Boehner Remarks at Media Avail With Republican Whip Eric Cantor Washington (Nov 3)

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) made the following remarks during a media spray held prior to a meeting with House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA):

“We're humbled by the trust that the American people have placed in us. As I said last night, our job is to listen to the American people and follow the will of the American people. It's pretty clear the American people want us to do something about cutting spending here in Washington and helping to create an environment where we get jobs back in our country. We’ve got a big job ahead of us. That's why you will see us roll up our sleeves and go to work today.”

Cantor Remarks at Media Avail with Leader Boehner

Washington, D.C. – House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) made the following remarks during a media spray held prior to a meeting with House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH):

"The results last night, I think, indicate that the American people are tired and frustrated with Washington. It is very clear they want a government that listens to them. And frankly, whether you're Republican, Democrat or Independent the people of this country want to see results.

"The first order of business has got to be create jobs, and when the American people spoke last night they’ve said that the Obama Administration’s agenda over the last twenty months has failed. They’ve rejected that approach, and they want to see us return to a sense of limited government. And that means, as the Leader just said, cut spending and get us back to an era in which we can promote opportunity, people ready to step up and accept responsibility, so we can promote and reward success."

TEXT CREDIT: House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) H-204 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-4000 F (202) 225-5117 and House Republican Whip Eric Cantor

VIDEO CREDIT: C-SPAN and EricCantor

John Boehner Mitch McConnell Haley Barbour Press Conference 11/03/10 VIDEO

Video excerpts above full video below running time 14:23

John Boehner Mitch McConnell Haley Barbour Press Conference 11/03/10 VIDEO.

Boehner Remarks at Press Conference With Sen. McConnell & Gov. Barbour

Washington (Nov 3) House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) made the following remarks today at a press conference with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Governor Haley Barbour (R-MS):

“As you heard me say last night, we are humbled by the trust that the American people have placed in us and we recognize this is a time for us to roll up our sleeves and go to work on the people’s priorities: creating jobs, cutting spending and reforming the way Congress does its business. It’s not just what the American people are demanding – it’s what they are expecting from us.

“And the real question now is this: are we going to listen to the American people? Republicans have made a pledge to America, and our pledge is to listen to the American people and to focus on their priorities, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

“Last night, the President was kind enough to call me. We discussed working together on the American people’s priorities: creating jobs and cutting spending. We hope that he will continue to be willing to work with us on those priorities.

“But as I said last night, the new majority here in Congress will be the voice of the American people, and I think we clearly expressed that last night. We’re going to continue to renew our efforts for a smaller, less costly, and more accountable government here in Washington, DC.”

TEXT CREDIT: House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) H-204 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-4000 F (202) 225-5117

VIDEO CREDIT: JohnBoehner and C-SPAN

Sean Duffy We can't continue with a $1.3 trillion annual deficit VIDEO

The consequences of government spending for bailouts, budget increases, bloated entitlements and ‘stimulus’ spending will be staggering and unsustainable debt that will act as a dead weight around the neck of our economy and our children's economic future.

Since the passage of the $787 billion stimulus bill, our economy has lost 4 million jobs and unemployment in the 7th Congressional District is well above 10%. The stimulus bill reflects Washington and Madison politicians’ faith in government and their belief that the way to grow our economy is to grow our government. I couldn't disagree more. America's small businesses have always been the real job creators. And the way to grow our economy is to unleash the potential of the private sector through tax cuts and the elimination of onerous regulations.

Policies like the recently passed government takeover of health care will not speed up the recovery, they will stifle it. Companies such as AT&T, Verizon, Caterpillar, and John Deere have already announced that in this fiscal year, tax changes will cost billions of dollars. To push through an ideologically-charged agenda at the expense of health care benefits for employees and retirees and increased costs for consumers will not create jobs. It will kill them.

Congress also refuses to give up on their cap-and-trade proposal, a plan that even the President concedes will increase electric and heating bills by another trillion dollars. Families in Wisconsin cannot afford this - especially during these challenging economic times.

While the damage done by Congress is significant, I firmly believe it’s not too late to turn things around. With your help, we can bring fiscal responsibility and common sense back to Washington, D.C. By easing the regulatory burden, while still protecting consumers and the environment, we can reduce the bureaucratic red tape that slows growth. By cutting taxes on families and small businesses, we can reduce their costs and help jumpstart our economy. And by getting government spending and deficits under control, we can pass on to our children and grandchildren an America that is as prosperous and free as the one our parents passed on to us.

TEXT CREDIT: Sean Duffy for Congress

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: WAOW - Newsline 9

Rick Scott Election acceptance (victory) speech 11/03/10 VIDEO

Rick Scott Election acceptance (victory) speech to the people of Florida 11/03/10 VIDEO. Republican Rick Scott wins Florida's governorship after Democratic rival Alex Sink concedes the tight race Wednesday.

Excerpts From Rick Scott’s Election Night Speech
November 3, 2010 by Campaign Staff

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Rick Scott addressed his supporters after a long campaign. Here are excerpts from his speech:

“Nothing in my life has honored me as much as the willingness of Florida voters to put their faith in my plan for Florida.

“After all the votes are counted, I am absolutely confident I will be the next governor of Florida. We’ll have more to say later tonight or tomorrow, but I’d like to thank all my supporters.

“We look forward to finishing the count, we know we will win and look forward to putting our state back to work.

“I can’t wait to get to work. Thank you for this great honor. God Bless the great state of Florida.”

VIDEO CREDIT: CNN

TEXT CREDIT: Rick Scott, Republican, for Governor

Ken Buck Campaign's Statement on Vote Returns.

Buck Campaign's Statement on Vote Returns. DENVER –The Buck for Colorado campaign released the following statement regarding vote returns as of this morning--

"We are still looking where returns need to be reported, as well as provisional ballots before making any decisions.

“We will have further comment later today.” ###

TEXT CREDIT: Buck for Colorado P.O. Box 101465, Denver, CO 80250 Ken@BuckForColorado.com

IMAGE CREDIT: BuckForColorado

Producers Involved in Joe Miller "Phonegate" Fired

transcript of the conversation from KTVA reporters in PDF format.

DOWNLOAD the WAV AUDIO link to the WAV audio

Producers Involved in Joe Miller "Phonegate" Fired. KTVA's General Manager Jerry Bever released this statement:

Anchorage, Alaska, (11/02/10) - KTVA today released findings of its internal assessment of allegations that the "news director for CBS Anchorage affiliate KTVA, along with assignment editor Nick McDermott, and other reporters, openly discussed creating, if not fabricating, two stories about Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, Joe Miller," as alleged by the Miller campaign. KTVA states that its review included multiple staff interviews, a review of that day's actual news coverage and a forensic transcript of the recorded audio conversation.

General Manager Jerry Bever stated, "As we worked through this fact-finding process we noted that actual story assignments for that day had already been decided before the recorded conversation took place. At no time did any of the elements associated with the recorded comments become part of any coverage or broadcast. The recorded conversation in question specifically involved how that evening's Miller rally might be promoted and the ensuing dialogue went down hill from there. These particular comments were not in line with KTVA standards."

As a result of this incident, the two producers involved in the recorded conversation are no longer with the station. As a matter of policy KTVA did not identify the staff members involved, however KTVA clarified that neither the News Director, Assignment Editor Nick McDermott nor any other KTVA reporters were involved in the recorded conversation as previously reported by the Miller campaign.

KTVA believes that its actual broadcast coverage of Miller has been sound and fair during this election cycle and the history of our coverage speaks for itself. Bever noted that in the coverage of this issue, FOX News correspondent Dan Springer reported that in a review of recent Miller coverage by KTVA, Fox News could not find any articles or stories that showed any obvious bias or hit pieces against Joe Miller.

KTVA has contacted the Miller campaign to set up a meeting to review its findings.

(End text)

AUDIO and PDF CREDIT: Joe Miller for US Senate | PO Box 72838 | Fairbanks, AK 99707-2838 | Phone: 907-452-8559

VIDEO CREDIT: JoeMillerUS

John Boehner Election victory speech American People Have Sent an Unmistakable Message 11/02/10 VIDEO

John Boehner Election victory speech American People Have Sent an Unmistakable Message 11/02/10 VIDEO

Boehner: American People Have 'Sent an Unmistakable Message.' Rep. John Boehner, likely to be the next Speaker of the House, told a crowd of Republicans in Washington that the American people have "sent an unmistakable message" to the president.

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: PBSNewsHour

Pat Toomey Election acceptance (victory) speech 11/02/10 VIDEO

Pat Toomey Election acceptance (victory) speech 11/02/10 VIDEO

Pat Toomey Claims Victory in Pennsylvania Senate Race. Republican Pat Toomey narrowly beat his Democratic rival, Rep. Joe Sestak, to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate.

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: PBSNewsHour

Christine O'Donnell Concession Speech 11/02/10 VIDEO

Christine O'Donnell Concession Speech 11/02/10 VIDEO

Christine O'Donnell Concedes in Delaware. Republican Christine O'Donnell lost to Democrat Chris Coons in the race for the Senate seat formerly held by Vice President Joe Biden.

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: PBSNewsHour

Rand Paul Election acceptance (victory) speech 11/02/10 VIDEO

Rand Paul Election acceptance (victory) speech 11/02/10 VIDEO

Rand Paul Claims Victory in KY Senate Race Republican Rand Paul referred to his win over state Attorney General Jack Conway as part of a "Tea Party tidal wave."

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: PBSNewsHour

Marco Rubio Election acceptance (victory) speech 11/02/10 TEXT VIDEO

Marco Rubio Election acceptance (victory) speech 11/02/10 VIDEO

Marco Rubio Wins Florida Senate Race. Republican Marco Rubio defeated Democrat Kendrick Meek and Charlie Crist in Florida's three-way Senate race. Rubio called the election results a "second chance" for Republicans.

FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT:

Thank you so much. Thank you. About an hour and a half ago, I received two very gracious phone calls. Governor Crist called me to congratulate. And I thank him for that gracious phone call.

Congressman Meek called to congratulate and I told him that he has given us a lesson in dignity and in strength.

And I thank both of them for being worthy opponents in a difficult campaign. And I wanted to thank all of you for all the help you’ve given me as well.

Let me begin tonight by acknowledging a simple but profound truth. We are all children of a powerful and great God. Of a God who isn’t always going to end – things are not always going to end up the way you want them. His will is not always going to be yours.

But I promise you this. No matter what you face in life, he will give you the strength to go through it. I bear witness to that tonight as so many of you do in your own lives and must always be acknowledged in everything we do and everywhere we go.

I don’t even know how to begin how to describe this journey but to thank so many of you that have been a part of this. And we’ll talk about little tidbits of that in a moment.

Clearly I’m grateful to my family. To my wife, Jeanette, who has made this possible. Raising children under any circumstances is a two-person job but she has done it alone for the last two years. I owe her a debt of gratitude I will never be able to repay. I am blessed to have her as my wife and I am grateful that she is with us here today.

I am also blessed with four children who remind me every day of what’s important in life but also give me the strength even throughout this campaign. There was a moment early in this campaign where I didn’t know how I was going to raise the money to be competitive.

And I’ll never forget that the next morning my children showed up, they had collected their allowance, which was largely quarters and single-dollar bills, and handed it to me. I didn’t tell them that. They overheard me.

And it was in that moment that I was reminded of what this race and election was really all about. It was not about any of our individual ambitions but it was about the future, as represented by them and their generation.

And that lesson is profound. It’s one that I will not soon forget.

Tomorrow or even now, the stories are being written about what this election is about. What does it mean? And we still don’t know all the results from around this country.

But we know that tonight, the power in the United States House of Representatives will change hands. We know tonight that a growing number of Republicans will now serve in the Senate as well. And we make a grave mistake if we believe that tonight these results are somehow an embrace of the Republican Party.

What they are is a second chance. A second chance for Republicans to be what they said they were going to be not so long ago. You see, I learned early on in this campaign – in fact it’s what propelled me to enter it – that what this race was about was about the great future that lies ahead for our country, a future that Americans know is there for the taking. But it requires actions on our part.

Americans believe with all their heart, the vast majority of them, and the vast majority of Floridians, that the United States of America is simply the single greatest nation in all of human history, a place without equal in the history of all mankind.

But we also know that something doesn’t seem right. Our nation is headed in the wrong direction and both parties are to blame. And what Americans are looking for desperately are people that will go to Washington, D.C., and stand up to this agenda that is taking us in the wrong direction and offer a clear and genuine alternative.

And that’s what this race was about early on for me. And that’s what it’s about tonight. It is about the future of this country and what it will look like when our children are our age. Now let me tell you, there are those out there that doubt about the greatness of America. Sometimes when I say it, I hear the snickers from some in different parts. They think it’s simplistic.

But see, I know America’s great not because I read about it in a book, but because I’ve seen it with my eyes. I’ve been raised in a community of exiles, a people who lost their country, a people who know what it’s like to live somewhere else. By the way, a community that I am proud to be a part of – a community of men and women that were once my age. And when they were, they had dreams like we have now. And yet, they lost all those things through an accident of history.

So they came here to try to rebuild their lives. And some did. But many others could not. And instead, it became the purpose of their life to leave their children with the opportunities they themselves did not have. This is the story of the Cuban exile community. And it defines what so many of us who are a product of it are.

And I know this, no matter where I go or what title I may achieve, I will always be the son of exiles.

And we will always be the heirs of two generations of unfulfilled dreams. The other way that I know about America’s greatness is the story of a man that I knew well, of someone who wasn’t born in this country. When he was six years old, he lost his mother. When he was 12, he lost his father.

He grew up largely in a society where what you were going to be when you grew up was decided for you. This is like almost every other place in the world. Think about what that means. That means that before you are even born, how far you are going to get to go in life is decided for you by who your parents are or are not.

And that’s how it is almost everywhere in the world. And this is how it was for that man. He was fortunate enough to make it here to America where he was never able to capture his own dreams of his own youth.

Instead, he made it the mission of his life to ensure that his children would have every opportunity he did not, that every door that was closed for him would be open to them, that the day would never come for them that came for him, the day when he realized that his own dreams would not be possible.

And so now, life was about opening the pathways for his children. This story I know well and it verifies to me the greatness of our country because, tonight, with your vote you have elected his son to the United States Senate.

But you see, although that’s our story, it’s not exclusive to us. In fact, at this very moment, it is playing out within walking distance of this very place. Tonight, all across this state and all across this country, there are people working hard to ensure that their children would have a better opportunity in this life than they have had themselves. And they are blessed to live in this great and extraordinary society, where indeed that dream is still possible and is still true.

This is our story. But our story says more about our country than it does about us. And it is what we are fighting to protect and preserve for the generations to come. It’s what this election’s been about for me from the very beginning. You see, when you’re 35 points down in the polls, and the only people who think you can win live in your house, and four of them are under the age of 10, you better know why you’re running.

When you have to drive four hours to get back home after speaking to 50 people and it’s 1:30 in the morning and the Garmin says there’s still an hour and a half to go and you’re not sure how you’re going to stay awake, you better know why you’re running.

And I found the strength in this campaign to move forward on days where I was not sure if I should or could, from tokens of extraordinary kindness from every corner of this state.

Sometimes it happened when I was at a restaurant, maybe meeting with some folks and thought, maybe this is the last day of this campaign, maybe I made the wrong choice. And just like that, someone would appear and encourage me to continue. Other times it came in the form of $25 checks in the mail from a single mother or an elderly person, a senior, on a fixed income.

Each and every time that we thought this campaign had run its course, something like that would happen to remind us that this race was never about me or about us. But it was about the fact that we are privileged and blessed to be citizens of this extraordinary society, and that that is something worth fighting for. That we have the opportunity to ensure that our children and grandchildren are the freest and most prosperous Americans that ever lived.

If only we are willing to do what the Americans that came before us did: to stand up and confront the great challenges of our time. To say as those who came before us said: that we will not leave our problems for our children unresolved. We will not allow them to inherit our debt and our mistakes. But rather that we will do whatever we must do to ensure that for them, life will be better than for us, that for them, our country will be better than the one we inherited, that tomorrow will be greater than today, that our history will surpass our heritage.

This has been the story of this extraordinary land for two hundred and thirty-some odd years. And tonight, at this crossroads at which we stand, we are asked to choose whether it will continue to be our story moving forward.

For before us lies two very different roads. One road is the road that Washington and both parties have placed us on. It is a road of politicians that will say or do anything to win the next election, but are unwilling to tackle the issues of our time. It is the road of those who are in politics to be somebody, not to do something. It is the road of those, perhaps the first generation in our history, willing to allow their children to inherit all their mistakes and all the things that went wrong. And that, tragically, is the road that we are on right now.

But there’s another road. It is the road that I hope we will begin to walk on again tonight. It is a road that says our children deserve to inherit the greatest society in all of human history. It is a road that understands that the world is a safer and better place when America is the strongest country in the world. It is a road that realizes that there is still at least one place on this planet where it doesn’t matter if your dad was a bartender and your mom was a maid. You can accomplish anything you want if you’re willing to work hard for it and play by the rules.

In a few short days, I will have the extraordinary privilege and honor of joining the United States Senate. But I do so with my eyes wide open. I understand that Washington is a place where we’ve sent people before, and they don’t come back the same way we sent them. It is a place that literally changes people, and within a short period of time, they forgot why they even ran.

And so, tonight, I ask for your prayers for me and for my family that we will not change, that we will always remember what carried us on those lonely days when few believed that this day would come, that we will always remember the things we cared about on this night, that I will constantly carry on my back the obligation that comes with knowing that I represent more than just those who voted for me today, but the millions of Floridians who did not but deserve to be represented in the U.S. Senate as well.

And that ultimately, what this is all about stands before us, even as we speak. It is about whether we are going to be the first generation of Americans to leave our children worse off than ourselves, or the next generation that allow them to inherit what they deserve, inherit what we inherited, give to them what every generation before us has given to the next, the single greatest nation in all of human history.

God bless you, thank you, and God bless America.

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: MarcoRubio

Rick Scott Today is the Day! VIDEO

You talk about how you can create jobs, what is your record?

I’ve created or saved thousands of jobs by starting new companies and turning around existing companies. Starting with just two hospitals in 1987, I built the largest health care provider in the world employing more than 285,000 people in 37 states.

Specifically in Florida, I started Solantic, an urgent care chain with more than 30 locations that has served over 1.5 million patients. I’m an entrepreneur and business owner, I know all too well how government can stifle creativity, productivity and business growth.

As Governor, I’ll fight to create a business friendly environment in our State – that includes lower taxes, less burdensome regulation, a skilled and educated workforce and first class quality of life – to attract industry and create the jobs we need to turn our state around.

TEXT CREDIT: Rick Scott, Republican, for Governor

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: ScottForFlorida

Ken Buck for U.S. Senate from Ken's daughter Kaitlin VIDEO

Hear from Ken Buck's daughter Kaitlin about why you should support her dad for US Senate.

With Ken Buck's grandfather first starting a shoe repair shop in Greeley in the 1930's, his family has a long history in the state. The youngest of three boys, Ken moved around a lot as a child but his love for the West never changed which is why he chose Colorado as his family's home.

Over the course of his career, he has worked as a truck driver, high school football coach, ranch hand, school janitor, paper boy, furniture mover, adjunct law professor, prosecutor, and businessman. Ken knows what Colorado families face everyday and is well prepared to serve as their voice in the United States Senate.

TEXT CREDIT: Buck for Colorado P.O. Box 101465, Denver, CO 80250 Ken@BuckForColorado.com

VIDEO CREDIT: BuckForColorado

The John Raese Plan for Job Growth PODCAST

The Raese Plan for Job Growth John Raese For Senate – Special Program DOWNLOAD MP3 for PODCAST The core of the Raese for Senate campaign is completely focused on the single fact that our government must immediately be disciplined so that it works for us – the citizens – not the other way around. Any government, which ceases to reflect the will of its citizens, must be challenged and then replaced.

We are determined to carry this truth into the 2010 U.S. Senate race in West Virginia. We are happy warriors and steadfast advocates for bringing fiscal sanity to Washington, D.C. and creating an environment that will foster an explosion of well-paying private sector jobs across our state and nation. This is necessary if we are ever to escape the ravages of the current severe recession:

1. Unshackle our businesses, small and large, by eliminating unnecessary regulation and taxes while streamlining those that will remain. West Virginia businesses will respond by increasing their production, services, and hiring. Misguided “stimulus” packages create debt obligations that misdirect resources and create debt obligations that will only hinder confidence and burden following generations.
2. Attack big government spending, by holding up to public scrutiny those federal government projects which are merely political favors and pork barrel projects which exist solely to re-elect incumbent members of Congress. We must eliminate all unnecessary government spending if we are serious in reducing the average American’s tax burden and creating opportunities – not debt burdens for the next generation of Americans. (And isn’t it about time?)
3. Protect and stimulate American competitiveness, both here at home and around the world. But we won’t get there by propping up businesses with huge bailouts. Rather, a renewed competitive spirit must be fostered through creating a dynamic business environment. Our government must begin acting in a fair and predictable way toward our job creators. Such an environment will give our businesses the opportunity to compete and win in the global marketplace or on Main Street, U.S.A.

THIS IS AMERICA! We invented creativity and drive in the 20th Century marketplace, and we can do so again. To do so, we must have the political change necessary to create the environment where private sector jobs are created to overcome Obama’s continual recession. Your participation is essential – no matter where you are, what you do, or whether you have ever before been involved in a political campaign.

2010 is the year when you have the chance to make a huge difference in the future of West Virginia.

Join us by electing John Raese to the U.S. Senate on August 28th (Primary special election with early voting from Friday, August 20 to Wednesday, August 25) and November 2nd (General special election). Let’s send John to Washington where he can fight every day for a better economic future for all West Virginians!

He will do it.

TEXT and PODCAST CREDIT: Raese for Senate Committee

IMAGE CREDIT: JohnRaese4Senate License * All Rights Reserved.

Linda McMahon November 2nd VIDEO

Linda McMahon November 2nd VIDEO. The support around the state builds every day I'm out on the trail. Now is the time for your voice to be heard. Get out and vote today, and I hope that I can be your voice in Washington.

Linda McMahon last year stepped down as the Chief Executive Officer of World Wrestling Entertainment, a publicly traded company in Stamford, Connecticut that is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WWE. Linda helped grow the company from a modest 13-person operation to a global enterprise with over 500 employees and offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Orlando, London, Ontario, Shanghai, and Tokyo. The company has been named one of Forbes 200 Best Small Companies.

VIDEO, IMAGE and TEXT CREDIT: LindaMcMahon2010

RESOURCE CREDIT: Linda McMahon for Senate 2010 Contact 860-244-2010 info@linda2010.com 973 Farmington Ave | West Hartford, CT 06107 PO Box 271386 | West Hartford, CT 06127

Rand Paul Rand's Promise VIDEO

Rand Paul is running for US Senate in KY against Jack Conway. He is vying for the seat of retiring Sen Jim Bunning.

Dr. Rand Paul has been married for 19 years to the former Kelley Ashby, who is originally from Russellville, Kentucky. Rand and Kelley have three sons: William, 17; Duncan, 13; and Robert, 10.

VIDEO CREDIT: randpaul

TEXT CREDIT: Rand Paul 2010 | U.S. Senate

Christine O'Donnell We the People of the First State VIDEO

We the People of the First State by Friends of Christine O'Donnell plus 1 day ago 1 day ago: Mon, Nov 1, 2010 6:56am EST (Eastern Standard Time)

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: Friends of Christine O'Donnell

Mid Term Election Night Coverage LIVE STREAMING VIDEO Tuesday 11/02/10

Election Night Coverage LIVE STREAMING VIDEO. Tuesday 11/02/10 at 7pm (ET) on C-SPAN Midterm election coverage CNN.com/live stream. coverage of the midterm election. Coverage begins 11/02/10 at 7p ET. on CNN

Midterm election coverage foxnews.com/livestream. coverage of the midterm election. Coverage begins 11/02/10 at 7p ET. on FOX NEWS LIVE STREAM

VIDEO and RESOURCE CREDIT:

• C-SPAN
• CNN.com
• FOX NEWS

The Pitch: 2004 Republican Convention Biography of George W. Bush VIDEO

The Pitch: 2004 Republican Convention Biography of George W. Bush VIDEO

The Pitch - Convention biography of George W Bush. Download Video files. || Ogg Video 27.1 MB || Windows Media 10.9 MB || 512Kb MPEG4 28.9 MB ||

Production Company: George W Bush for president
Sponsor: George W Bush
Audio/Visual: sound, color
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs

Sarah Palin Endorses Tom Tancredo for Governor AUDIO

Sarah Palin has recorded a robo-call endorsement of Tom Tancredo, paid for by the Tancredo campaign. AUDIO in WAV FORMAT: Sarah Palin Endorses Tom Tancredo for Governor

TEXT TRANSCRIPT:

“Hi, this is Governor Sarah Palin. I’m calling to ask that you and your neighbors vote for Tom Tancredo to be the next governor of Colorado on Tuesday. Tom is the right man for the job, and he’ll fight for lower taxes, he’ll stop growing government, and start growing the economy. And we know he’ll continue working to end illegal immigration. Please, vote for Tom Tancredo on Tuesday. Thank you, and this message has been paid for and authorized by Tancredo for governor”

RESOURCE CREDIT: Tancredo For Governor (303) 858-8336 - 9600 E Arapahoe Rd. - Suite 212 - Greenwood Village - CO 80112

IMAGE CREDIT: Facebook Tancredo for Governor 2010

Statement by Governor Jan Brewer Ninth Circuit Court Hearing on SB 1070

Ninth Circuit Court Hearing on SB 1070 PHOENIX – "Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal’s heard arguments regarding the State of Arizona’s request to lift the injunction put in place by the federal district court in July regarding enforcement SB 1070. “My counsel, John Bouma, argued that this case is about what a state – any state – can do about a failed federal immigration system that even President Obama acknowledges is broken.

There are very serious crimes associated with this failure, including human smuggling, drug trafficking and other activities involving coyotes in Arizona, as acknowledged by Judge Bolton. Arizona is on the front line in a fight against crime that is spilling over the international border. As noted in the court record, the federal government has essentially had to cede a vast territory inside the State of Arizona to the drug runners and human smugglers.

“With a federal government that cannot or will not do its job, Arizona determined that Arizona law enforcement officers would assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws to the full extent permitted by federal law. The District Court applied the wrong legal standard of review and issued a preliminary injunction that preserves the status quo – a status quo that is unacceptable to the people lawfully present in Arizona, many whose lives are affected on a daily basis.

Although the judges asked challenging questions of both sides during this morning’s hearing, we are hopeful that after carefully considering the arguments, the Ninth Circuit will lift the stay and allow SB 1070 to be enforced. The health, welfare and safety of the citizens of Arizona are irreparably harmed every day the courts allow SB 1070 to be put on hold and the federal government refuses to enforce all immigration laws.” ###

Statement by Governor Jan Brewer Ninth Circuit Court Hearing on SB 1070 In PDF FORMAT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 1, 2010 CONTACT: Paul Senseman (602) 542-1342 psenseman@az.gov

TEXT CREDIT: State of Arizona Janice K. Brewer Office of the Governor Main Phone: 602-542-4331 Governor 1700 West Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007 Facsimile: 602-542-7601