Rick Scott Statement On President Obama’s Support To Build A Mosque Near Ground Zero

By ScottForFlorida Copyright All rights reserved

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Today, Rick Scott released a statement on President Obama’s support to build a mosque neard Ground Zero: “All Americans of course believe in absolute freedom of religion. But this is outrageous. President Obama would rather stand with the ACLU and the liberal establishment than with the 9/11 victims and their families. It is shameful and the act of a cowardly politician, not that of the leader of the United States of America.

“Building a victory monument to Mohammed Atta and the other 18 terrorists and their despicable act on 9/11 is unthinkable to me. If the same thing had happened in Florida, I would do anything and everything in my power to prevent the project from moving forward.

“It may not be politically correct to say that, but it is the truth and someone has to speak it.”

TEXT CREDIT: Rick Scott for Florida 300 S.E. 2nd Street Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-915-3360 info@rickscottforflorida.com

Pat Toomey Weekly Republican Address TEXT VIDEO 08/14/10

Hi, I’m Pat Toomey from the great state of Pennsylvania, and I’m pleased to have this opportunity to share a few thoughts with you today.

Like a lot of Americans all around the country, I really believe America is at a crossroads. I’ll always be optimistic about America. We’re too strong a people and too good a country to be held back for long. But I am deeply concerned about the direction we’re heading in right now.

That direction is being driven by extreme policies that are coming from one-party domination of government in Washington. And this extreme ideologically driven agenda is preventing the strong economic recovery and job creation that we should be having.

It’s time we put some real checks and balances back in place this November.

Let’s take a minute to review what’s happened in just the last 18 months. First, there were the ill-advised taxpayer funded bailouts of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the....

...car companies. Now, to be fair, the bailouts were begun under the previous administration; but the crew that’s in charge now ramped them up when it was perfectly clear that they were not accomplishing what they were supposed to.

Next, we had the so-called stimulus bill. Nearly a trillion dollars in new Washington spending, including some egregiously wasteful spending, like $2 million to study exotic ants and $30 million for a spring training baseball complex, among hundreds of other ridiculous items. Now we were told that this monster spending bill would create jobs and keep unemployment below 8%. Well, since then we’ve lost nearly 3 million more jobs and the unemployment rate hit 10%, and in some states it’s still well above that. Over 14 1/2 million Americans remain out of work.

But even that was not enough for the one-party extremists in Washington. After that, they went ahead and rammed through a $2-trillion healthcare bill, that even the official budget scorekeepers say will actually increase the cost of health insurance for individuals and families. And that’s not to mention the very serious consequences for healthcare quality of imposing government in between doctors and patients.

Now where do all these bailouts, takeovers and spending sprees leave us?

They leave us with a weak economy without job growth and with a mountain of debt for our kids.

Washington spending as a percentage of our country’s economic output has grown by 25%--practically overnight. That extravagant spending has caused a budget deficit for this year alone of $1 1/2 trillion dollars. That’s a staggering amount of debt. In fact, this Democratic administration is projected to create more debt than all the debt we accumulated in the entire history of our country from George Washington all the way through 2008, combined.

So where do we go from here?

Well, the first thing we need to do is eliminate the threats from further harmful legislation. Some elements of the Democrats’ extreme agenda have not yet been implemented, and if we want to create jobs, we need to keep it that way. For example, Democrats have tried unsuccessfully to impose a massive energy tax on all of us through a cap-and-trade bill and to take away workers’ rights with a Card Check bill. Well, first and foremost, Washington needs to stop causing even more harm.

Second, you know, there’s an old saying: When you’re in a hole, stop digging.

There are hundreds of billions of dollars that have not yet been spent in the bailout and stimulus programs. We should stop spending that now.

There are billions more in completely unnecessary and wasteful Washington spending that should stop immediately.

And finally, we need to offer American families and businesses the kind of tax cuts that will stimulate genuine private sector job growth, instead of the billions of tax increases the Democrats have already imposed and the more that they are threatening. To start, we should make the current tax rates permanent instead of raising them at the end of the year. And we should cut capital gains taxes to encourage business investment. Even prominent Democrats have recently said the last thing we should be doing in a recession is to raise taxes.

Now, I have every confidence that the 21st century can be another great American century. And I know we can have a booming economy. But to get there, we have to remember the source of our national strength. Our strength does not come from bailouts and government spending.

It comes from a free enterprise system and the hard-working honest citizens who make it run—the kind of industrious folks I see every day in Pennsylvania. When government lets these folks grow their businesses and work hard without putting obstacles in their way, that’s when we will achieve the flourishing recovery our country deserves. I’m Pat Toomey, and I thank you for listening.

VIDEO CREDIT: rnc

Ben Quayle President Obama "the worst president in history" VIDEO

Arizona House candidate Ben Quayle, calls President Obama "the worst president in history" in a new campaign ad. Ben the 33-year-old son of former Vice President Dan Quayle, seeks the nomination in Arizona's Third House district.

"The future that he [President Obama] has created for my generation and other generations is pretty terrifying, It seems like right now he's starting to destroy the American dream."

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: QuayleforCongress

TEXT CREDIT: Ben Quayle for Congress 4247 N. 44th St. Phoenix, AZ 85018-4218 Phone: 602-492-4BEN(236) info@quayleforcongress.com

After Years Of Supporting Their Left-Wing Agenda On Capitol Hill Barbara Boxer Gets Payback With Some Needed Help From Her Union Allies VIDEO

Big Love for Boxer, After Years Of Supporting Their Left-Wing Agenda On Capitol Hill, Boxer Gets Payback With Some Needed Help From Her Union Allies.

Today, Barbara Boxer Will Join With AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka For A Rally In Los Angeles:

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka Will Campaign With Boxer One Day After A New Poll Emerged That Confirmed Boxer’s Shrinking Support. "A new poll shows Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) falling further behind Republican Senate candidate Carly Fiorina. The SurveyUSA poll has Fiorina leading Boxer 47 percent to 42, compared to a July survey for the same San Francisco CBS affiliate that showed Fiorina ahead of Boxer by just a couple points. The poll's release comes as AFL-CIO chief Richard Trumka is set to hit Fiorina as a ‘clueless’ CEO in a speech in Los Angeles on Friday." (Sean J. Miller, "Fiorina's Lead Over Sen. Boxer Widens As Help Arrives," The Hill’s "Ballot Box" Blog, thehill.com, (8/13/10)

During Her Congressional Career, Boxer Has Marched In Lockstep With Big Labor’s Agenda:

Boxer Is A Co-Sponsor Of The Card Check Legislation Introduced In This Congress. (S. 560, Introduced 3/10/09)

* Boxer Called Card Check Legislation "Long Overdue." "The Senate recently voted on whether to end debate and call for a vote on the Employee Free Choice Act. While the majority of Senators supported this action, the vote was not sufficient to allow us to move forward. This was deeply disappointing to me because I believe that this bill, already passed by the House, is long overdue for America’s workers. I am pleased to share with you my comments on the Employee Free Choice Act and why it should become law. You can count on me to continue to work for the nation’s workers." (Sen. Barbara Boxer, "Senator Boxer On The Employee Free Choice Act," Press Release, 7/27/07)

* NOTE: Sen. Dianne Feinstein Has Said She Would Seek Less Divisive Legislation, And Said She Hoped To Find "Common Ground" Between Business And Labor."Whether you label it the ‘card check’ bill or the Employee Free Choice Act, you can also call it something else -- in deep trouble. Key senators this week appeared to cripple prospects for passing the highly polarizing measure, the labor movement’s top priority in Congress, which is aimed at making it easier for workers to join unions. The latest hurdle came Friday, when Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said she would seek alternative legislation that was less divisive. Feinstein, a past sponsor of the act, cited the flailing economy as a reason; other critics of the bill have said it would drive up operating costs for businesses at a perilous time. ‘This is an extraordinarily difficult economy, and feelings are very strong on both sides of the issue,’ Feinstein said in a statement. ‘I would hope there is some way to find common ground that would be agreeable to both business and labor.’ Feinstein’s words came days after Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) declared that he would not support the bill."(James Oliphant, "Pro-Union Bill Loses Key Supporters," Los Angeles Times, 3/28/09)

Boxer Joined With The AFL-CIO In Opposing A Guest Worker Program As Part Of Comprehensive Immigration Reform. "But opposition is intensifying to a proposed guest worker program that would allow hundreds of thousands of foreign laborers to take jobs in the U.S. The AFL-CIO labor union and some Democrats -- including U.S. Sens. Barbara Boxer of California and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota -- have allied with conservative immigration hawks led by Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen on this issue. They take a dim view of a guest worker program." (Mike Sunnucks, "Groups Still At Odds Over Guest Worker Proposal,"Phoenix Business Journal, 6/4/07)

Boxer Opposed At Least Eight Major Free Trade Agreements, Including NAFTA And DR-CAFTA. (H.R. 3045, CQ Vote #209: Passed (thus cleared for the president) 55-45: R 43-12; D 11-33; I 1-0, 7/28/05, Boxer Voted Nay and Feinstein Voted Yea; S. 1307, CQ Vote # 170: Passed 54-45: R 43-12; D 10-33; I 1-0, 6/30/05, Boxer Voted Nay and Feinstein Voted Yea; H.R. 2738, CQ Vote #319: Passed 65-32: R 43-7; D 22-24; I 0-1, 7/31/03, Boxer Voted Nay; H.R. 2739, CQ Vote #318: Passed 66-32: R 44-7; D 22-24; I 0-1, 7/31/03, Boxer Voted Nay; H.R. 3009, CQ Vote #207: Adopted 64-34: R 43-5; D 20-29; I 1-0, 8/1/02, Boxer Voted Nay and Feinstein Voted Yea; H.R. 3450, CQ Vote #395: Passed 61-38: R 34-10; D 27-28, 11/20/93, Boxer Voted Nay; H.R. 434, CQ Vote #353: Passed 76-19: R 46-6; D 30-13, 11/3/99, Boxer Voted Nay and Feinstein Voted Yea)

Boxer Has Received High Ratings From The AFL-CIO And Millions In Campaign Contributions From Labor Unions:

The AFL-CIO Gave Boxer A Lifetime Ranking Of 96 Percent. (American Federation Of Labor And Congress Of Industrial Organizations Website, www.aflcio.org, Accessed 7/11/10)

During Her Career, Boxer Has Received At Least $1,635,841 In Contributions From Organized Labor, Including At Least $270,350 In Contributions To Her 2010 Campaign. (Center For Responsive Politics Website, www.opensecrets.org, Accessed 7/11/10) ###

VIDEO CREDIT: CRPTV

TEXT CREDIT: California Republican Party

Texas' legal challenge of the offshore drilling moratorium FULL TEXT

Texas' legal challenge of the offshore drilling moratorium FULL TEXT IN PDF FORMAT Case 4:10-cv-02866 Document 1 Filed in TXSD on 08/11/10

Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on Texas Challenge of Offshore Drilling Moratorium

Gov. Rick Perry today (08/11/10) issued the following statement regarding Texas’ lawsuit against the Obama Administration over its offshore drilling moratorium:

“Once again, the Obama Administration has demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the rights and economies of states and the well-being of those whose jobs depend upon a safe and vibrant energy industry, many of whom live in Texas,” Gov. Perry said. “It is unfortunate Texas must take such action against the federal government, but I will do everything in my power to preserve our state’s economy and the jobs that feed our families. The jobs and livelihoods of too many Texans are at stake for them to be denied a voice by the Obama Administration and their federal bureaucracy.”

Court documents filed by the State set forth that the Administration unilaterally imposed its offshore drilling ban without properly coordinating with the State of Texas. Further, the Administration also improperly failed to consider the moratorium’s economic impact on Gulf Coast states, including Texas. Under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), the Interior Secretary must coordinate with affected states and weigh a moratorium’s economic impact before imposing an offshore drilling ban. Despite the OCSLA’s requirements, the Obama Administration did not consult with Texas on either issue.

State of Texas Challenges Federal Government's Offshore Drilling Moratorium

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today (08/11/10) filed a legal challenge to the Obama Administration’s offshore drilling moratorium. The State’s legal challenge charges the Administration with violating a federal law that requires the Secretary of Interior to consult with affected states before imposing an offshore drilling moratorium. Filed on behalf of the State of Texas, Governor Rick Perry and Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, today’s legal action names the following defendants: the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI); DOI Secretary Kenneth Salazar; the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement – formerly known as the Minerals Management Service – and BOEM Director Michael Bromwich.

“The federal government ignored the State of Texas and failed to comply with the law when the Secretary of the Interior unilaterally imposed the Administration’s offshore drilling ban,” Attorney General Abbott said. “Under federal law, affected states are guaranteed the right to participate in offshore drilling-related policy decisions, but the Obama Administration did not bother to communicate, coordinate or cooperate with Texas. Worse, the Secretary of the Interior failed to consider the economic consequences of his decision, which will cost the Texas economy millions of dollars – and threatens far too many hard-working Texans’ jobs.”

Court documents filed by the State set forth that the Administration unilaterally imposed its offshore drilling ban without properly coordinating with the State of Texas. Further, the Administration also improperly failed to consider the moratorium’s economic impact on Gulf Coast states, including Texas. Under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), the Interior Secretary must coordinate with affected states and weigh a moratorium’s economic impact before imposing an offshore drilling ban. Despite the OCSLA’s requirements, the Obama Administration did not consult with Texas on either issue.

On July 12, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the current offshore drilling moratorium without any prior notice to or communication with the State of Texas – despite the fact that Texas refines more oil than any other state. As the State’s complaint explains, an economic impact analysis produced by Louisiana State University has projected that Texas will suffer a $622 million decrease in Gross State Product because of the six-month moratorium. Thus, Texas clearly meets the statutory definition of an “affected State” under the OCSLA. Nonetheless, the Department of the Interior did not give the State of Texas an “opportunity to participate” in the federal government’s decision-making process – which constitutes a violation of the OCSLA and the Administrative Procedure Act.

As the State’s legal challenge asserts, the Administration’s failure to consult Texas led the Secretary of Interior to implement an unjustified, arbitrary and capricious policy that will inflict economic harm upon coastal communities – particularly those that are most dependent upon offshore drilling for jobs and tax revenue. The legal action seeks a court order declaring that the State of Texas must be provided a reasonable opportunity to participate in the formulation of the Secretary’s offshore policy. Further, the Secretary must give due consideration to the drilling moratorium’s economic impact.

Today’s legal challenge targets the Administration’s second offshore drilling moratorium. The first drilling moratorium, which was also imposed without proper notice to – or consultation with – the State, was retracted by the Administration after multiple private parties successfully sued the Administration in a federal district court. A June 22 decision in the federal district court for the Eastern District of Louisiana enjoined the Administration from enforcing its moratorium. Undeterred by the court ruling – and once again without notice to or consultation with Texas – the Interior Secretary simply withdrew the initial moratorium and imposed a second offshore drilling ban on July 12, which halts all drilling operations in water depths of greater than 500 feet.

Assistant Attorneys General Nicholas Canaday III and Nichole Bunker-Henderson with the Environmental Protection and Administrative Law division will serve as lead counsel to the State of Texas in this case.

TEXT CREDITS :

• Office of the Governor Rick Perry Office of the Governor P.O. Box 12428
  Austin, Texas 78711 Phone: (512) 463-2000 Fax: (512) 463-1849
• Texas Attorney General Office of the Attorney General PO Box 12548 Austin, TX 78711-2548 Physical Address: Office of the Attorney General 300 W. 15th Street Austin, TX 78701 e-mail: greg.abbott@oag.state.tx.us Main agency switchboard: (512) 463-2100 By FAX: (512) 475-2994

Iowa House Republicans » August 13th House Republican Research Staff Newsletter:

Iowa House Republicans August 13th House Republican Research Staff Newsletter. A new August 2010 newsletter is available for viewing. Caucus Newsletter August 13, 2010 FULL TEXT IN PDF FORMAT

ncluded in this edition:

* Public Sector Wages Rise
* DNR has Flood Info Available
* More Bailout Cash from the Feds

TEXT CREDIT: the House Majority Fund, a division of the Republican Party of Iowa

New Nixon Tape Released VIDEO

George Demos For Congress in New York's First District. A lifelong member of the Shelter Island community, George lives in Brookhaven, New York. He is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church in Southampton.

George received his BA from Columbia University where he majored in political science and his law degree from Fordham Law School where he served on the Environmental Law Journal. While in law school, George worked at the Riverhead office of the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.

George served as a United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement attorney from 2002 through 2009 where he specialized in prosecuting corporate and white collar fraud. George handled some of the SEC's most significant investigations including the case against American International Group (AIG) for its phony accounting practices that resulted in the largest fine in history. George also served on the 2009 Bernard Madoff prosecution team responsible for bringing to justice the perpetrators of the largest financial fraud in American history.

VIDEO CREDIT: DemosforCongress

TEXT CREDIT: George Demos For Congress

Todd Long Specific Solutions VIDEO

Todd Long is a consevative Republican running for Congress in Florida’s Eighth Congressional District.

Todd and his wife Ninette reside in Winter Park with their two children, Noah and Natalia. They have been married since 2000.

VIDEO CREDIT: ToddLongforCongress

REAL or FAKE: Can you tell which of these government spending projects are real or fake? VIDEO

Joke-telling robots, expensive walking tunnels, Blackberries for smokers, and training American prostitutes to drink responsibly. What do these things have in common? They're all questionable government spending projects in a time when our economy is struggling and people can't get jobs....or, maybe we just made them up.

Put yourself to the test. See if you can outwit the Rebel Economist before she stumps you. So what is it: REAL or FAKE?

Want to learn more about the projects featured in the video, the waste in your state and hundreds more examples? (Even better: want to do something about it?) Try our Spending #FAIL Map, which allows you to choose the spending projects of your (dis)liking, share the facts with others on Facebook, and call and tweet your member of Congress: apps.facebook.com/bankruptingamerica

TEXT and VIDEO CREDIT: Bankrupting America

Marco Rubio Responds To Harry Reid’s “Outrageous” Remarks VIDEO

Yesterday Harry Reid said, “I don’t know how anyone of Hispanic heritage could be a Republican, okay? Do I need to say more?” The next day, U.S. Senate Republican candidate from Florida Marco Rubio responded to these remarks on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends.”

VIDEO CREDIT: MarcoRubio

TEXT CREDIT: Marco Rubio for US Senate

Ken Buck's acceptance (victory) speech VIDEO

Ken Bucks great victory speech on primary night 8/10/10. Ken will face off against the appointed one and Obama favorite, Michael Bennet on Nov 2nd. Get behind Ken and let's send a message to Obama and Washington DC as a whole. We reject your fundamental transformation Obama and are looking towards reaffirming the Constitution of The United States of America.

Visit Kens site, pledge your support. www.buckforcolorado.com

TEXT an VIDEO CREDIT: hearusnowvideo

Linda McMahon acceptance (victory) speech VIDEO

Linda McMahon addresses her supporters after winning the GOP Senate nomination for Connecticut.

"This was a great victory, but remember, this is a three-round smackdown event, The first round was the nomination, and we got that, right?

The second round was this primary, and we just put that to bed. And the third round -- and the main event -- is Nov. 2, when we elect Linda McMahon to the United States Senate."

state Senate minority leader Les Fasano, who introduced Linda.

President Obama's Endless Summer Of Fundraising VIDEO

With 85 days until the midterm elections, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) launched a new Web ad entitled "Obama’s Endless Summer Of Fundraising," examining the President’s busy summer schedule jet-setting around the country attending ritzy fundraisers for his embattled Democrat candidates.

Despite our national debt skyrocketing past $13 trillion, the continued wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the millions of gallons of oil pumped into the Gulf, and a long list of other daunting problems, President Obama has found time to attend 55 lavish fundraisers, play 40 rounds of golf and schmooze with celebrities on the daytime television show The View.

As the Democrats’ failed tax-and-spend agenda continues to burden voters across the country, when will the President make the problems facing everyday Americans a priority over raising big campaign cash for his embattled Democrat candidates, who have promised to rubberstamp his deeply unpopular and out-of-touch policies?

FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT:

Title: "Obama’s Endless Summer of Fundraising" WEB (:55)

NEWSCLIP: Oil being pumped directly

NEWSCLIP: Double dip recession

NEWSCLIP: Illegal immigrants

NEWSCLIP: There’s two wars that we’re fighting

CHYRON: "Obama’s endless summer of fundraising" Politico, 7/29/10

NEWSCLIP: Three different fundraisers on tap tonight alone

CHYRON: More than 55 fundraisers, Washingtonpost.com, POTUS Tracker, Accessed 8/3/10

CHYRON: "Obama raises money for Boxer - again" CBS News 5/25/10

CHYRON: Obama fundraiser for mob banker Giannoulias - Chicago Sun-Times, 7/19/10

NEWSCLIP: Some are predicting a double dip recession

CHYRON: More than 40 rounds of golf - WhiteHouseDossier, 7/16/10

CHRIS MATTHEWS: When is he gonna actually do something?

CHYRON: "Scores of celebrities" - Forbes, 5/4/10

PRES OBAMA: Go to a show

NATHAN LANE: Even enjoyed going to the theater

CHYRON: "A penchant for ritziness" - Op-ed, Politico, 7/26/10

NEWSCLIP: Donors who paid upward of $30,000

NEWSCLIP: Raising big money for Democrats

OBAMA: You know there’s a time to campaign and then there’s a time to govern.

CHYRON: Mr. President, if you had created more American jobs, you wouldn’t have to spend so much time trying to save Democrat Senators’ jobs

TEXT CREDIT: National Republican Senatorial Committee

VIDEO CREDIT: TheNRSC

New York State Senate Republican Campaign Committee VIDEO

New York State Senate Republican Campaign Committee VIDEO "Upstate Map"

The Democrats are wrong on the issues. The Democrats in Albany have adopted policies harming New York’s economy and angering voters.

* The Senate Democrats increased spending by more than $13 billion – and voted against a State Spending Cap.

* The Senate Democrats increased taxes by nearly $11 billion.

* The Senate Democrats raised taxes for the average middle-class families by more than $2,400 for a typical family.

* The Senate Democrats eliminated the STAR Property Tax Rebates.

* The Senate Democrats raised taxes on income, businesses, energy bills, health insurance, hospitals and dozens of others.

* The Senate Democrats voted for the job-killing MTA Payroll Tax.

* The Senate Democrats voted for a $1.4 billion in Medicaid cuts.

VIDEO CREDIT: nyssrcc

TEXT CREDIT: New York State Senate Republican Campaign Committee

Sarah Palin Alaska’s Tough Warrior, Ted Stevens VIDEO

It’s with great sadness that Todd and I hear the reports coming in of Senator Ted Stevens’ passing in the plane crash near Dillingham. In our land of towering mountains and larger than life characters, none were larger than the man who in 2000 was voted “Alaskan of the Century.” This decorated World War II pilot was a warrior and a true champion of Alaska.

In 40 years of service in the U.S. Senate, he fought tenaciously for Alaska’s future. Alaskans know how much we owe to Senator Stevens, but all Americans owe him a debt of gratitude for his leadership on many issues, including the crucial energy issues that fuel American prosperity.

Two years ago, he sat at my kitchen table over a salmon lunch, and we talked about our long anticipated Alaska natural gas pipeline and our mutual commitment to have the Last Frontier’s rich resources contribute to America’s quest for energy independence.

Our Senator was also known for spearheading efforts to ensure equality in education, and his Title IX legislation allowed girls to be on a level playing field in the athletic arena.

Our hearts and prayers are with the Stevens family and the families of the other victims of the crash.

- Sarah Palin

TEXT CREDIT: Sarah Palin is on Facebook

IMAGE and VIDEO CREDIT: Dailymotion

Ted Stevens among five killed in Alaska plane crash

Former US Senator Ted Stevens among five killed in Alaska plane crash Former US Senator Ted Stevens, 86, and former NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe, 54, were on an airplane that crashed in southwest Alaska, the Associated Press reports. A family spokesperson later confirmed that Stevens had died in the crash, following earlier conflicting reports about his status.

In addition to the former Senator and former NASA chief, there were seven other passengers, The New York Times reports. Of those, five are believed to be dead. The plane was heading to a fishing lodge near Lake Aleknagik when it crashed. Senator Stevens' body has been recovered.

The Alaska National Guard was called in at 7:00 p.m. AKDT (0300 UTC) Monday, and arrived at the crash site about 7:30 a.m. AKDT (1530 UTC) Tuesday. Severe weather has made finding the crash site difficult for rescue personnel. The National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, said it was sending a team of investigators to the crash site, which is unusual for crashes of private aircraft.

As of 10:00 a.m. AKDT (1800 UTC), three of the survivors have been airlifted from the site by the United States Coast Guard.

Ted Stevens was born on November 18, 1923 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He began serving as a US Senator for Alaska in 1968, and held the postition until 2009, when he was defeated in a reelection bid by Mark Begich. He was also facing corruption charges at the time, which were later dropped after an initial conviction when it was found that prosecutors had withheld evidence from Stevens' defense attorneys. In 1978, Stevens survived a plane crash in Anchorage, although the incident claimed the life of his first wife, Ann.

Sean O'Keefe was nominated as a NASA administrator in 2001 by then-president George W. Bush, and led the space organization through shaky times, such as the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. He resigned in 2005 to become the chancellor of Louisiana State University.

TEXT CREDIT: "Former US Senator Ted Stevens among five killed in Alaska plane crash" is available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License unless otherwise specified. Contributions must be attributed to Wikinews.

IMAGE CREDIT: This United States Congress image is in the public domain. This may be because it is an official Congressional portrait, because it was taken by an official employee of the Congress, or because it has been released into the public domain and posted on the official websites of a member of Congress. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain.

Rick Perry securing the border,letter to President Obama FULL TEXT VIDEO

Gov. Perry: Warning Signs Along Border Must be Heeded by Washington. Governor addresses TPPF shortly after greeting President Obama. Monday, August 09, 2010 • Austin, Texas.

Gov. Perry’s letter to President Obama IN PDF FORMAT

Gov. Rick Perry today described the rapid escalation of drug cartel-related killings in northern Mexico, and said that absent federal action it was only a matter of time before communities on the Texas side of the border would be further swept up in the violence.

“Washington has been an abject failure at securing the border, leaving it vulnerable to exploitation, and our citizens exposed to grave danger,” Gov. Perry said. “An unsecured US-Mexico border is a serious national security threat, menacing the safety and security of our citizens, and the federal government is obligated to secure it. Our citizens deserve the best possible effort to protect them from this advancing network of criminal gangs.”

Gov. Perry spoke to the Texas Public Policy Foundation shortly after a brief meeting with President Obama on the tarmac at Austin Bergstrom Airport as the president exited Air Force One. The governor presented President Obama with a four-page letter outlining his concerns about the state of border security and the growing threats posed by drug cartels and transnational gangs.

“Drug cartels and related forces are waging war in Northern Mexico, their tactics including death threats, torture, car bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and beheadings. Since 2006, this war has taken 28,000 lives,” Gov. Perry wrote in the letter. “We cannot afford to allow these cartels to believe they’re free to extend their reach across the border onto American soil.”

A series of incidents in Texas indicate the violence has already begun reaching U.S. communities, Gov. Perry said, noting a midlevel member of the Juarez Cartel living in El Paso was shot eight times outside of his Texas residence in May 2009; Mexican pirate attacks occurred on Falcon Reservoir in May; and bullets from a gun battle in Juarez struck El Paso City Hall in June.

Gov. Perry also reiterated his request for 1,000 Title 32 National Guard troops to be deployed in Texas, along with an increase in other resources.

VIDEO CREDIT: govperry

IMAGE and TEXT CREDIT: Office of the Governor Rick Perry

Mike Huckabee Rallies for Nathan Deal VIDEO

Nathan Deal is joined by conservative icon Mike Huckabee. In this portion, Sen. Butch Miller, R-Flowery Branch, introduces House Speaker Pro-Tem Jan Jones, who introduces Nathan.

Nathan Deal introduces Governor Mike Huckabee

Gov. Mike Huckabee talks about the conservative record of Nathan Deal.

"As Georgia’s Governor, Nathan would not only support a Fair Tax, he’d champion it – having been a co-sponsor of the Fair Tax since its introduction to Congress. It was also important to me that a man I deeply respect, Georgia Congressman John Linder, also supports Nathan. The National Rifle Association has endorsed Nathan." Huck PAC

VIDEO CREDIT: thedealreel

Sarah Palin Stumps for Karen Handel VIDEO

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin swept into Georgia, headlining a get-out-the-vote rally for Karen Handel on the eve of Georgia's hotly contested Republican runoff for governor. Palin and Handel entered a crowded Atlanta hotel ballroom on Tuesday to the strains of Twisted Swister's ``We're Not Gonna Take It'' and chants of "Sa-rah!'' (excerpt)

TEXT, IMAGE and VIDEO CREDIT: wnegtv

Florida Gubernatorial Debate VIDEO

Bill McCollum vs. Rick Scott Florida Gubernatorial Debate part 1 held on August 5th, 2010 in the Tampa WTVT Studios.

VIDEO CREDIT: pinellaspatriots

Georgia Republican Gubernatorial Debate VIDEO

Georgia Republican Gubernatorial Debate between Nathan Deal and Karen Handel.

VIDEO CREDIT: redgirlrising

Jack Conway: #$&!%?@ VIDEO

One year ago, cussing at a church picnic -- his constituents dared to disagree with his liberal views. Like raising money from trial lawyers in Canada and attending swanky fundraisers with environmental activists in Las Vegas. Jack Conway is not exactly "tough" when it comes to standing up to the liberal elites in Washington. Learn more at www.wrongforkentucky.com

FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT:

VOICEOVER: Wholesome

VOICEOVER: Christian values

VOICEOVER: In a long line of the good and faithful one Kentucky church picnic was blessed with someone special …

JACK CONWAY: Tough son of a b*&!h

CHRYON: Meet Jack Conway

VOICEOVER: Meet Jack Conway, eloquent Liberal extraordinaire.

CONWAY: You all can holler all you want at me, but you know what go ahead and chew on my hide. Chew on it. You’re looking at one tough son of a b*&!h.

VOICEOVER: One year ago, cussing at a church picnic. That’s Jack Conway. You see Jack don’t much like it when his constituents disagree with his Liberal views. Like how he’ll rubberstamp Obama’s agenda. Or how he raised money from Liberal, trial-lawyer lobbyists in Canada. Or how he pandered to Liberal environmental activists in a Las Vegas casino last month.

VOICEOVER: Yep, Jack Conway’s not exactly tough when it comes to standing up to the Liberal elites in Washington.

CONWAY: When health care reform passed it was time for Democrats to stand up and be Democrats.

CONWAY: Chew on my hide. Chew on it.

VOICEOVER: Jack Conway. Out of touch and out of step with Kentucky values.

VIDEO CREDIT: TheNRSC

TEXT CREDIT: National Republican Senatorial Committee

Gone but not forgotten Dale Peterson We are Better than That VIDEO

Dale Peterson, Alabama Agriculture Commission, Grassroot Caucus endorsed candidate fighting the fight to save our country. Some people recognize the enemies from within & without. We need fighters today, people that are not afraid to stand & tell the Government NO!!! Help Dale Stand & Defend our Country, it starts 1 state at a time.

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: ICAUCUSREGION6

Gone but not forgotten Tim James We speak English VIDEO

Tim James' campaign video
"This is Alabama; we speak English. If you want to live here, learn it."

Gone but not forgotten Rick Barber for Congress VIDEO

Rick’s ad serves as an illustration to the lack of accountability in our current leadership, how the IRS is one of the many areas in which our lives are burdened by oppressive government and what our founding fathers would think of the current state of the American federal government. This is a call to action to gather Rick's army, which from the outset of his campaign has been the tea party movement.

Gather Your Armies

This one is driving the left crazy. Expanding on “Gather your armies,” Rick sheds some light on how taking from one to give to another is a form of slavery and how we should never forget what has happened to other countries that weren’t able to keep their governments in check.

Slavery

MONTGOMERY - The following is a message from Marine Corps veteran and former District 2 Congressional candidate Rick Barber:

District 2 Republicans,

It has been an honor listening to your concerns regarding the state of our nation and those of the 2nd Congressional district. Having never run for office before, I've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support that I've received over the past seven months. I'm thrilled to have been a voice for conservatism within the tea party movement and throughout our campaign. But throughout, I've had a deep and abiding respect for Montgomery City Councilwoman Martha Roby..

TEXT CREDIT: Rick Barber for Congress

VIDEO CREDIT: ICAUCUSREGION6 Gather Your Armies, and Barber4Congress, Slavery

Congressman Peter Roskam Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 08/06/10

Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) Delivers Weekly Republican Address: Rep. Roskam: “Back in Illinois and around the country, the situation has reached a boiling point. Americans are asking ‘where are the jobs?’ and – forget about getting answers – they can’t even get President Obama and Washington Democrats to listen to their concerns.”

Podcast of the address: Download MP3 for PODCAST FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT BELOW. Video of the address will be available here once the embargo is lifted. 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, August 7, 2010 MP4 File and MPEG File

Washington (Aug 6) In the Weekly Republican Address, Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) says President Obama needs to listen to the American people, who are asking ‘where are the jobs?,’ and abandon his failing ‘stimulus’ policies in favor of common-sense solutions that will promote private sector job creation. Republicans are listening to the American people through America Speaking Out and offering better solutions to cut spending now and help small businesses get people working again. Now in his second term in Congress, Rep. Roskam represents Illinois’ Sixth Congressional District and serves as job-creation policy director for America Speaking Out. Text of the address follows;

“Hello, I’m Peter Roskam, and I work for the people of Illinois’ Sixth Congressional District.

“Yesterday, Americans woke up to learn that our economy lost another 131,000 jobs in the month of July. Here in the president’s home state of Illinois, where the unemployment rate is well over 10 percent, families are wondering why Washington is spending money we don’t have and piling up a mountain of debt only to have the economy sputter and job losses continue. Businesses are afraid to invest in the economy when Washington continues to hand down mandates and tax increases that make it harder to succeed and to grow.

“Unfortunately, instead of taking decisive action to provide small and medium sized businesses with the tax and regulatory relief they need to flourish and hire new workers, Speaker Pelosi and Democrat Leaders in Congress are coming back to Washington next week to double down on their ‘stimulus’ agenda that has led to fewer jobs and more debt. This latest round of ‘stimulus’ spending comes in the form of a political season payoff to union bosses, and even worse, it’ll be financed with a job-killing tax hike on America’s job-creators.

“Under Democratic Leaders in Congress spending has gotten completely out of control. It reminds me of when Mom and Dad go away for the weekend. The teenagers say, ‘leave us home alone, we’re responsible, what can go wrong?’ Except Mom and Dad come home a day early only to find the house is trashed, the police are parked outside and everything is a mess. At this outrageous rate of spending, the Obama Administration and Congress are on track to triple the national debt over the next 10 years.

“Back in Illinois and around the country, the situation has reached a boiling point. Americans are asking ‘where are the jobs?’ and – forget about getting answers – they can’t even get President Obama and Washington Democrats to listen to their concerns.

“Well, Republicans are listening. This spring, we launched the America Speaking Out project to transform the way people interact with their elected representatives. Every day, whether it’s online or at town hall meetings, Americans are sharing ideas and engaging in a constructive dialogue about the future of our country. It’s time to put the American people back in the driver’s seat. As the great Illinois President Abraham Lincoln once said, ours should be a government ‘of the people, by the people, and for the people.’

“One of the best and most popular ideas on AmericaSpeakingOut.com right now is stopping Washington Democrats’ job-killing tax hikes on families and small businesses. At a time of serious economic challenges, massive new tax increases are a surefire way to stall growth and prevent businesses from creating jobs.

“That’s because every dollar in new taxes owed is a dollar that can’t be used to pay current employees or hire new workers. Hobbling the small businesses that are the backbone of our economy will further delay a robust recovery. According to an analysis by the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation – that’s Congress’s official tax scorekeeper – half of all new taxes collected under President Obama’s plan would come from America’s small businesses.

“Now, many economists agree that raising taxes on small businesses is the wrong approach. Among them is Mark Zandi, a favorite economist of the Obama administration. Mr. Zandi wrote this week that ‘raising taxes on anyone now’ would be a ‘mistake.’

“I served in the state Senate with President Obama, and I know that he has the ability to work across party lines when the moment demands it. And after 18 months of spending sprees, backroom deals, and government takeovers, this is the moment. We need a real economic agenda for growth and job creation, one that moves beyond partisan politics and puts our nation’s economic health front and center.

“For bipartisan economic solutions that can help all Americans, I hope President Obama will take another look at the ‘no-cost jobs plan’ that House Republican leaders presented to him last December. The no-cost jobs plan lays out several common-sense ideas that are designed to move us away from government ‘stimulus’ spending that hasn’t worked, and towards responsible policies that free up the nation’s entrepreneurs and job creators to create jobs.

“Ultimately, the key to improving our nation’s struggling economy depends on the strength and innovation of America’s private sector. By engaging the small and growing businesses that fuel our economy, we can get our country back on the right track. That’s why Republicans are listening to the American people and offering better solutions to cut wasteful spending and get people working again.
“Visit AmericaSpeakingOut.com to learn more and to share your ideas. We look forward to hearing your solutions.”

TEXT CREDIT: gopleader.gov Contact H-204 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-4000 F (202) 225-5117

IMAGE CREDIT: Congressman Peter Roskam

AUDIO/VIDEO CREDIT: The House Republican Conference - Digital Communications visual.media@mail.house.gov 202-225-5439

RNC 2012 presidential primary schedule Tampa 2012 GOP convention

KANSAS CITY, MO. -- Friday, August 6, 2010, The Republican National Committee voted by the necessary two-thirds of the committee's 168 members to adopt the new schedule worked out with Democrats for the 2012 presidential primaries.

The hope is to delay the early start of the campaign season making it more difficult for a candidate to gain an insurmountable lead in delegates to soon in the process and before all states are heard from. No state will hold a primary or caucus before the first Tuesday in February 2012.

Iowa and New Hampshire will retain their status as the nation's first, held in February, joined by South Carolina and Nevada.

Following primaries would be held in April or later. States would have the option of holding votes in March, if delegates were awarded in proportion to the percentage of the vote, rather than in a winner-take-all system.

• (1) No primary, caucus, or convention to elect, select, allocate, or bind delegates to the national convention shall occur prior to [Tuesday March 6, 2012]. Except New Hampshire, South Carolina, Iowa and Nevada may begin their processes at any time on or after [Wednesday] February 1 [2012].
• (2) Any presidential primary, caucus, convention, or other meeting held for the purpose of selecting delegates to the national convention which occurs prior to [Sunday April 1, 2012], shall provide for the allocation of the delegates selected on a proportional basis.

The Republican National committee's 168 members unanimously approved Tampa's selection as host city for the 2012 GOP Convention The convention will take place the week of Aug. 27, 2012.

The St. Pete Times Forum will host the 2012 Republican National Convention

Convention officials and the host committee estimate the GOP gathering will attract at least 45,000 delegates, politicians and media, adding about $170 million to the economy, based on the 2008 Minneapolis-St. Paul convention.

John Boehner on Department of Labor Jobs Report: FULL TEXT “Welcome to the Reality”

Uploaded on March 20, 2010 by House GOP Leader All rights reserved.

Three days after Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner declared “Welcome to the Recovery” in The New York Times, the Department of Labor reported that the U.S. economy lost another 131,000 jobs in the month of July. Additionally, the unemployment rate remained at 9.5 percent despite Obama Administration projections that the trillion-dollar ‘stimulus’ would keep unemployment below eight percent.

Those projections were spearheaded by the president’s chief economist, Christina Romer, whose resignation was announced by the White House last night.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION – JULY 2010 FULL TEXT IN PDF FORMAT

Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) issued the following statement:

“Welcome to the reality of President Obama’s broken promises, out-of-control spending sprees, and failing ‘stimulus’ policies. After another disappointing jobs report and the resignation of one of the chief architects of the trillion-dollar ‘stimulus,’ it’s time for President Obama to listen to the American people and face up to the fact that his ‘stimulus’ policies aren’t working. How many more times do families and small businesses have to ask ‘where are the jobs’ before President Obama changes course? Our economy will ultimately recover, but it will do so because of the hard work and entrepreneurship of the American people. Republicans are listening to the American people and offering better solutions to cut spending now and get people working again.

“Today’s report should also cause House Democrats to reconsider beating a path back to Washington next week to double down on the same ‘stimulus’ policies that have led to fewer jobs and more debt. The American people don’t want more Washington ‘stimulus’ spending – especially in the form of a political season pay-off to union bosses. How about Washington Democrats do the right thing for a change and focus on helping small businesses? Let’s work together to ease the uncertainty employers are up against and stop the Obama Administration’s job-killing tax hike on families and small businesses.”

NOTE: An editorial in today’s Washington Post calls Democrats’ latest ‘stimulus’ spending spree “deeply discouraging,” a “crusade” that “has always struck us as more of an election-year favor for teachers unions than an optimal use of public resources. Billed as an effort to stimulate the economy, it's not clearly more effective than alternative uses of the cash.” #####

John Boehner - 8th District of Ohio Washington, D.C. Office 1011 Longworth H.O.B. Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-6205 (202) 225-0704 fax

Camp, Johnson, Herger Statements on Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports FULL TEXT

Washington, DC – Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI), Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Sam Johnson (R-TX) and Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Wally Herger (R-CA) today made the following statements on the release of the 2010 Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports:

THE 2010 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE FEDERAL OLD-AGE AND SURVIVORS INSURANCE AND FEDERAL DISABILITY INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS FULL TEXT IN PDF FORMAT

Rep. Camp: “The reports of the Social Security and Medicare Trustees released today again sound the alarm that spending on Social Security and Medicare is on an unsustainable path. Without real solutions, the critical benefits so many Americans rely on, and future generations have been promised, are at risk.

"Unfortunately, many of the policies being pursued in Washington, including record levels of debt and deficit spending, are making matters worse, and we are fast losing the nation’s trust. While Washington Democrats are touting the report as evidence their Medicare cuts “protect” Medicare, the Obama Administration’s own Medicare actuaries warn these cuts could jeopardize seniors’ access to care.

"As a member of the President’s Commission tasked with proposing recommendations to address our nation’s long-term fiscal outlook, I am committed to putting us back on the right track. By working together we can find pro-growth, pro-job solutions to restore our nation’s fiscal future and strengthen Social Security and Medicare without endangering seniors’ health benefits. Americans are tired of empty promises and are counting on us to find answers that will make our country strong again. As this report shows, time is short and we cannot afford to fail.”

Rep. Johnson: "On the eve of Social Security’s 75th anniversary, the Trustees Report serves as a sobering call for action. Now more than ever the American people deserve a bipartisan effort that responsibly fixes Social Security for good. While current and near retirees deserve the peace of mind of knowing that they will get their promised retirement benefits, we also have a responsibility to ensure that Social Security will be there for younger workers. For the good of the American people, we need to put politics aside and work together. As the Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member, I am ready, willing and able to do just that.‪‪"

Rep. Herger: “The Trustees Report makes it clear that the Obama administration can’t have it both ways. The half-a-trillion dollars of Medicare cuts in the Democrats’ health care overhaul cannot simultaneously strengthen Medicare’s fiscal position and offset the cost of a brand-new entitlement program. A private business owner who tried to use this kind of double-counting would be prosecuted for fraud. To balance the federal budget and ensure that programs like Medicare and Social Security will be solvent in the future, we must repeal the Democrats’ reckless health care plan and replace it with reforms that will truly reduce the cost of health care.” ###

House Committee on Ways & Means - Republican: 1139E Longworth HOB, Washington, D.C. 20515 | Phone (202) 225-4021 | Fax (202) 225-5680

Bill Haslam talks about his campaign for governor VIDEO

Knoxville mayor Bill Haslam talks about the value of supporters in his campaign for governor of Tennessee at the City County Building.

VIDEO CREDIT: knoxnews

Scott Brown Statement On Elena Kagan Confirmation

Scott Brown Statement On Elena Kagan Confirmation “I approach the duty of voting on nominees to the United States Supreme Court with a deep sense of the constitutional responsibility of the Senate to provide its advice and consent.

Elena Kagan’s nomination is my first opportunity to consider a nominee to the Supreme Court. First, let me say that I have a great deal of respect for Elena Kagan. She has an impressive resume, and in my private meeting with her I found her to be brilliant, as you might expect from a former dean of Harvard Law School. However, I cannot vote to confirm Elena Kagan. The reason is simple. I believe nominees to the Supreme Court should have previously served on the bench. Lacking that, I look for many years of practical courtroom experience to compensate for the absence of prior judicial experience. In Elena Kagan’s case, she is missing both. When it comes to the Supreme Court, experience matters. No classroom can substitute for the courtroom itself, where decisions are made that affect the day-to-day lives of American citizens, and where one’s judicial character and temperament is shaped in favor of the fair and just application of the law. The best umpires, to use the popular analogy, must not only call balls and strikes, but also have spent enough time on the playing field to know the strike zone. Therefore, I cannot support Elena Kagan’s nomination.” ###

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Scott Brown 317 Russell Senate Office Building Washington D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-4543 Fax: (202) 228-2646

Mike Huckabee Huck PAC Endorses Nathan Deal For Governor In Georgia

Huck PAC Endorses Nathan Deal For Governor In Georgia by Mike Huckabee August 05, 2010 - 04:38 PM GOVERNOR MIKE HUCKABEE AND HUCK PAC ENDORSE NATHAN DEAL FOR GOVERNOR IN GEORGIA Little Rock, AR – Governor Mike Huckabee issued the following statement about Nathan Deal:

“Like many across the country I’ve been watching this race develop for some time; and as of late I’ve become increasingly concerned by the negative tone the race is taking.

And today, I’m pleased to announce that Huck PAC and I proudly endorse Nathan Deal for Governor.

I developed a relationship with Nathan while he was in Congress, and I was serving as Governor of Arkansas. Nathan was helping Governor’s nationwide fight the overreaching arm of the federal government. At the time, the federal government was forcing expensive Medicaid reform on states – but refusing to fund it. Nathan clearly understood that those federal mandates into healthcare would bankrupt states’ budgets, so he stood firm by the Governors and fought to protect the states.

The only difference between the federal government’s overreaching arm then as compared to its overreaching arm now – is that now, it’s bigger, stronger and more arrogant. The power of the federal government has exploded in the past two years – and as the federal government grows increasingly intrusive, Nathan will continue protecting the rights of all Georgians.

He wasn’t afraid of a fight then and he’s not afraid of a fight now. Nathan is battle tested – and that’s what Georgia needs now more than ever.

As Georgia’s Governor, Nathan would not only support a Fair Tax, he’d champion it – having been a co-sponsor of the Fair Tax since its introduction to Congress. It was also important to me that a man I deeply respect, Georgia Congressman John Linder, also supports Nathan. The National Rifle Association and Georgia Right to Life have endorsed Nathan, and he believes marriage can only be defined as being between one man and one woman.

Please join me in supporting Nathan Deal, let’s make him Georgia’s next Governor.”

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT Huck PAC

Missouri Rejects Obamacare Proposition C FULL TEXT

Official Ballot Title Proposition C

[Proposed by the 95th General Assembly (Second Regular Session) SS SCS HCS HB 1764]

Official Ballot Title: HOUSE BILL NO. 1764 FULL TEXT

Shall the Missouri Statutes be amended to:

* Deny the government authority to penalize citizens for refusing to purchase private health insurance or infringe upon the right to offer or accept direct payment for lawful healthcare services?
* Modify laws regarding the liquidation of certain domestic insurance companies?

It is estimated this proposal will have no immediate costs or savings to state or local governmental entities. However, because of the uncertain interaction of the proposal with implementation of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, future costs to state governmental entities are unknown.

Fair Ballot Language:

A “yes” vote will amend Missouri law to deny the government authority to penalize citizens for refusing to purchase private health insurance or infringe upon the right to offer or accept direct payment for lawful healthcare services. The amendment will also modify laws regarding the liquidation of certain domestic insurance companies.

A “no” vote will not change the current Missouri law regarding private health insurance, lawful healthcare services, and the liquidation of certain domestic insurance companies.

If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

TEXT CREDIT: Missouri State Government 600 West Main Street Jefferson City, MO 65101

Coburn, Barrasso, Burr, McCain & Thune Cease HHS Andy Griffith Health Care Ad VIDEO

Sens. Coburn, Barrasso, Burr, McCain & Thune Send Letter to Sec. Sebelius Questioning HHS Campaign Ad. Letter to Secretary Sebelius. FULL TEXT IN PDF FORMAT

Andy Griffith reflects on the 45 years of the Medicare program and explains the new benefits under the Affordable Care Act.

Senators Coburn, Barrasso, Burr, McCain and Thune sent the following letter to Secretary Sebelius today expressing their concern regarding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) television ad campaign touting the benefits of the new health care law for senior.

"We request that you cease the ad campaign immediately and reimburse the U.S. Treasury for any expenditure of taxpayer funds related to this effort. We also request you provide documentation outlining which HHS account these funds came from.

"We believe this ad is a clear violation of the spirit of federal laws that prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars for campaign purposes … We can debate the relative merits of the new law, but co-opting public funds during a recession, to make a political, poll-tested argument about the new law, is wrong.

The job of the Executive Branch, quite simply, is to execute and implement the law, not re-litigate a political debate. Using the power of the state and the Treasury to advance the agenda of one political party is an abuse that should not be tolerated, regardless of which party is in power."

VIDEO CREDIT: CMSHHSgov

TEXT CREDIT: Tom Coburn, M.D., United States Senator from Oklahoma

Candidate for Comptroller Harry Wilson Meets with Orthodox Union Leadership VIDEO

Candidate for Comptroller Harry Wilson Meets with Orthodox Union Leadership
Discusses terror free investing and nonprofit needs with lay & professional leaders

Harry Wilson, Republican nominee for New York State Comptroller, met today with leadership from the Orthodox Union (union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America), the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization in Manhattan to discuss the community’s public policy priorities.

Mr. Wilson, formerly a senior member of the U.S. Treasury team that oversaw the restructuring of the US auto industry, who is making his first run for public office, briefed the leadership on his vision for the Comptroller’s office and discussed how the office might advance priorities of the Jewish community. In particular, Mr. Wilson stated – despite recent news reports suggesting otherwise – he unequivocally believed the state could and should continue to divest from Iran and other state sponsors of terror, including not only those companies that directly do business there but from companies that “own large stakes” in such direct companies. Taking on a commonly raised objection to divestment, Mr. Wilson stated that divestment could be performed in a manner consistent with the fiduciary duties of trustees and investors, noting that in his time at the Blackstone Group, an investment firm, they did not invest in certain companies or countries because they were “bad business” investments and suggested the state pension funds could make similar decisions. Candidate for Comptroller Harry Wilson Meets with Orthodox Union Leadership FULL TEXT

TEXT CREDIT: Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America Contact: Howie Beigelman 212-613-8123 August 2, 2010 The New York Office 11 Broadway New York, NY 10004 Tel: 212-613-8123 - Fax: 212-564-9058 E-mail: ipa@ou.org

Bob Ehrlich Martin O'Malley's Tactical Mistakes VIDEO

Bob Ehrlich was raised by two loving parents in the working class suburb of Arbutus, just outside of Baltimore. His father, Bob, Sr., was a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War and a car salesman. His mother Nancy was a legal secretary.

Bob earned athletic scholarships to the Gilman School in Baltimore and later to Princeton University. In 1979, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Politics from Princeton, where he also captained the freshman and varsity football teams. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University in 1982, where he worked his way through school as a Graduate Assistant under coaches John Mackovich and Al Groh.

After returning home to Maryland, he rose through the state legislature and the U.S. Congress to become Maryland’s first Republican Governor in 36 years in 2002.

His tenure as governor led to broad improvements in Maryland’s quality of life, including:

Balanced budgets and a stronger economy: He improved Maryland’s fiscal condition by turning $4 billion in inherited budget deficits into a budget surplus. His pro-growth economic policies helped create 100,000 new private sector jobs and he defeated $7.5 billion in taxes proposed by the Maryland General Assembly. He is an advocate for Maryland’s world-class technology economy, enacting policies that positioned Maryland as a national leader in education, biotechnology, health care, and minority business advancement.

TEXT CREDIT: BOB EHRLICH FOR MARYLAND

VIDEO CREDIT: ehrlichformaryland

Ron Johnson for Senate Clear Choice VIDEO

Ron has spent the last 30 years building a manufacturing business in Oshkosh.

Russ Feingold? He’s spent the last 30 years as a career politician.

TEXT and VIDEO CREDIT: Ron4Senate