Pullen for the Party

Breaking the Rules, Hurting the Economy

Earlier this month House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) sidelined legislation to ratify the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United States and Colombia. Pandering to her protectionist friends and Democrat campaign bank-rollers, the trial lawyers and labor unions, Speaker Pelosi subverted long-standing House rules to block, and effectively kill, the FTA. At a time when America’s economy is hurting, it makes no sense for the Speaker of the House, along with Arizona’s freshmen representatives, Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords, to block legislation which would increase American competitiveness, increase jobs and help get our economy back on track.

The President and/or his designee(s) are the only persons, by law, allowed to enter into agreements, treaties, etc… with foreign countries. What President Bush and U.S. Trade Ambassador Susan Schwab have done is successfully extend working trade relationships with several countries including the aforementioned Colombia as well as Peru and South Korea. These countries have entered into good faith agreements with the United States which would benefit not only the economies of each of the respective countries but the people as well.

Right now, our trade system is flawed. The U.S. encourages imports but exports are discouraged. Goods from Colombia are imported into our country free of tariffs but U.S. companies are hit with high tariffs when exporting products to Colombia. The majority of the companies which export to Colombia are small and medium sized business. The FTA would eliminate these tariffs and level the playing field for American job providers.

Yet, despite the benefits to American companies and workers, Democrats including Gabrielle Giffords and Harry Mitchel, led by Nancy Pelosi, are bent on allowing our stature in the world dissipate into nothingness. By failing to bring the Colombia FTA to a full up or down vote on the House floor, Democrats have turned their back on America’s allies throughout the world.

The Democrats have no other explanation for their stance other than the fact they are pandering to big labor and trial lawyers. To date, 67 editorials have been penned supporting not only a vote for the FTA but outright passage of the deal. On the other side, 0 editorials have been published in opposition to the deal. The Los Angeles Times, not the most conservative of papers, said in an editorial entitled Pelosi Plays Politics on April 12th,

"Halting the vote wasn't about the U.S. economy and it wasn't about Colombia. It was politics. That's to be expected from Washington in an election year, but Pelosi's partisan considerations should not override her national duty. She should schedule a vote on the agreement, and Congress should approve it."

Rather than fight for American jobs and boosting the American economy, Mitchell and Giffords are kowtowing to Speaker Pelosi and the elitist left. The labor unions and trial lawyers who fund their campaigns came out against the Colombia FTA and they followed suit. Giffords and Mitchell know who butters their bread and their not afraid to show it. It’s time these two freshmen members start putting Arizona businesses and families first. Call on Speaker Pelosi to bring the Colombia FTA to the floor for a vote. No more perverse subversion of House rules for political purposes. It’s time to take a stand for America.

PULLEN TO BIVENS: STARK SHOULD APOLOGIZE

Phoenix, AZ—In congressional debate today, California Democrat Congressman Fortney “Pete” Stark suggested President Bush derived “amusement” from the death of U.S. soldiers in the war on terror. Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen said his Democrat counterpart should call on all Democrats to demand Stark apologize.

“…But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people -- if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement,” Congressman Stark said earlier today, igniting a firestorm of outrage. Moments later, congressional Democrats added fuel to the fire refusing to declare the remarks inappropriate, issue an apology, or ask the congressman to retract his remarks.

“We haven’t even entered the actual election year and Democrat rhetoric is so vitriolic that callers to our headquarters are quite shocked,” Pullen said. “I can’t think of a moment in history when Democrats have stooped so low as to suggest a sitting U.S. president took pleasure from the death of American servicemen.

“Just weeks ago the Democrats used MoveOn.Org to suggest one of America’s most decorated generals had betrayed his own nation,” said Pullen. “Today senior Democrats are saying on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, a place where many great and important debates have taken place, that the President is amused by the death of U.S. soldiers.

“Why has the Democrat Congress sunk to just 11-percent approval ratings, the lowest in American history?” Pullen asked. “Perhaps because their gutter-trash, morally-bankrupt, do-nothing record in Congress upsets the American people as much as it upsets me. We don’t need to turn the U.S. Congress into the Jerry Springer show.

“Congressman Stark owes the President and the American people an apology,” Pullen concluded.

# # #

CLICK HERE to read the original AZGOP press release!

McCaffrey on The Republic's "Live Talk" today

LIVE TALK

1. In Arizona today, what do you regard as the main differences between Republicans and Democrats?

MCCAFFREY: Arizona Republicans are getting the job done. We're working to protect the border which the governor failed to do, protect Arizona veterans which the governor failed to do, and protect our children which the governor failed to do. Next, we'll try to keep the Democrats in the legislature from raising taxes to pay for the crisis the governor's budget proposal would lead the state into.

2. Democrats are doing a bit better than Republicans in registration lately in Arizona, but both parties continue to lose voter registration share to Independents. Why do you think your party is not getting as many registered voters?

MCCAFFREY: Through the first six months of this year, GOP registration fell 2% and Democrat registration fell 2.9% while Independents gained 9.8%. In September, Republicans out-registered Democrats in Maricopa County and we believe that trend will continue and expand. While Democrats with their 11-percent approval rating in Congress don’t appear to have learned their lesson from past mistakes, Republicans have returned to their core principles of smaller government, lower taxes, stronger families, safer communities, better education for our children, and a secure border. Independents and, I hope, conservative Democrats, will again find a welcome home back in Arizona’s Grand Old Party.

3. Why do you think Independents largely vote Democrat in 2006 and appear to be strongly leaning that way in 2008?

MCCAFFREY: First, independents moved to leftward in 2006 not as a shift toward the Democrats in Arizona, but as a protest vote and a wake-up call for Republicans to hold true to Republican values, predominantly on fiscal issues like taxes and spending. Independents and conservative Democrats rejecting their own party are now responsible for the Democrat Congress having recently earned its 11-percent approval rating (the lowest in history). The challenge now for Republicans is to earn back those swing voters once more – like we did between 1994 and 2004.

4. Why do you think Democrats did so well in Arizona in last year's election, particularly in picking up two Congressional seats with the election of Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords? What are GOP strategies to retake them?

MCCAFFREY: First, I wasn't in Arizona and started at the state party on March 1, but it appeared to be something of a perfect storm: Democrats masquerading as Republicans, unhappy Independents, and a Republican Party that needed to find its way again. But three important factors to remember: this wasn’t a vote *for* the Democrats, these remain heavily GOP districts, and the freshmen Democrats now have a long, difficult record to explain and defend.

Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords have voted with Nancy Pelosi 89% and 92% of the time, respectively. For record-breaking budgets, against securing the borders, for secret union ballots, for the largest tax increases in history – for the liberal Democrat agenda they neglected to campaign on.

5. Republican Rep. Rick Renzi's decision to not seek re-election in the sprawling 1st Congressional District has thrown that race wide open. How do you win this seat, which has been held by Republicans despite a voter registration that favors Democrats?

MCCAFFREY: The first district is a classic swing district with a Republican edge because of several factors. The voters have been served well by Republicans in the US House and US Senate and the same reasons to vote Republican yesterday apply to voting for a qualified Republican candidate tomorrow.

6. Are GOP scandals threatening the core of Republican supporters? And is the Iraq war weighing heavily on GOP candidates this year?

MCCAFFREY: Scandals certainly had an impact in 2006, but we've always been good about learning from our mistakes. Democrats may promote their own congressmen who are caught by the FBI with $90,000 in corrupt money hidden in their freezer (Harry Mitchell voted for him), but we don't. We take these matters far more seriously, and voters recognize that.

Today, Arizona Republicans take extra care in our candidate recruitment and we teach extensive campaign finance and ethics at our campaign schools. Going the extra distance to prevent others' past mistakes is an important step to cleaning up government.

As for Iraq, the tide is turning very clearly in our favor. The President has just announced that our force in Iraq will be reduced by an entire brigade before the January. Even the left-leaning Washington Post is writing articles about how Al Qaeda in Iraq and the insurgents have been dealt “perhaps irreversible blows in recent months”. All this is detrimental to the Democrats and MoveOn.Org’s “America Can’t Win” election strategy.

The fact is, America can win and we will. That might not be how Nancy Pelosi or CNN wants to brand the war on terror, but that doesn't stop it from being the truth.

7. Immigration sharply divides the Republican Party. Until that issue is settled, how do you create a unified party going into an election? And are you afraid of losing the Hispanic vote, given the perceived racially charged rhetoric coming from the ultra-conservative right?

MCCAFFREY: First, 80% of Arizonans support border security. It’s hardly a divisive issue. The American people want to be secure. It’s the primary responsibility of government, and government isn’t doing its job. It’s about competence.

The Democrat Party loves trying to make this a racial issue. The critical distinction to make is a vast majority of Hispanic Arizonans are concerned about the guns, drugs and gang violence permeating the schools their children attend, too. The problem for the Democrat Party being morally-bankrupt and scaring people toward liberalism is that at the end of the day, Democrats still haven’t helped anyone.

8. Some social conservatives are saying they cannot vote for a pro-choice candidate such as Rudy Giuliani. If pro-life Republicans won't vote for a pro-choice nominee, why should pro-choice Republicans vote for a pro-life nominee?

MCCAFFREY: When it’s all said and done, I think you'll look back at this election cycle and see there were very few single issue voters.

9. I keep hearing about Arizona being a key state. In fact, all of the Southwest could play a major role in deciding who's elected president. For instance, if a Democrat wins the Southwest, he or she wouldn't need Florida or Ohio. What's your take on the Southwest?

MCCAFFREY: I think Southwest voters are no-nonsense voters who tolerate less of the politics and look for candidates with real solutions. Silliness like Democrats suggesting their congressional staff need to be vaccinated before going to NASCAR events or the Superbowl here in Arizona next year doesn't sit to well with bright, free-thinking voters in the Southwest. Results matter here.

10. Is having George Bush a plus or minus for GOP candidates? Most seem to be disassociating themselves from the president.

MCCAFFREY: Would you prefer a Democrat in the White House right now? Can you imagine the budget Hillary Clinton would be signing into law as your readers read this (assuming they could still afford their newspapers – and assuming you could still afford to print)? Seriously, though, 2008 is an open seat and I think you've seen candidates from both parties eager to talk about the need for change. What's will be interesting is if voters who are expecting more this election cycle buy into Senator Clinton's "I'm a DC-insider, I get it, I've got the DC experience" campaign.

11. Is there even such a thing as a Goldwater Republican anymore? His name is often evoked, but his principles less so.

MCCAFFREY: There is indeed a Goldwater Republican, and I would ask all those who read this to do two things: head to a bookstore or the library and take a look at Senator Goldwater's The Conscience of a Conservative. The first time I read it, I was shocked at how the conservative message hadn't really changed. Goldwater gave rise to a conservative movement which elected President Reagan, who set the stage for the 1994 Republican Revolution. Together, they put forth the notion that we can bring fundamental change to government. Real change, however, usually takes time – and that's not easy to accept in this age of 24-hour news cycles.

12. Which politicians or public policy experts do you admire? Why?

MCCAFFREY: I grew up with Ronald Reagan who said "What I'd really like to do is go down in history as the man who made Americans believe in themselves again." I grew up in politics with the Republican Revolution of 1994, and admired former Speaker Gingrich and those with him who tried very hard to change the way Washington did business: John Kasich, Dick Armey, John Boehner.

As Gingrich put it: "I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it." For me, it's not about amending the tax code; it's about scrapping the code and starting fresh with something fair for everyone. It's about proving that no matter how big our nation is, government can indeed be reined in to again work for the people.

And, of course, as Victor Hugo said: "There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come." That idea is change, and I think many of the answers are being brought forth from our reinvigorated Republican Party.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/aztalk/forum/articles/1017forum_livetalk-CR.html

AZGOP: PELOSI, DEMOCRATS WRONG ON BORDER POLICY

PHOENIX, AZ – “It is unfortunate that Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi believes that unprotected, open borders which allow the free-flow of drugs into Arizona schools and risk the passage of gangs and terrorists across our border is better policy than protecting our communities,” said Arizona Republican Party Communications Director Brett Mecum. “Her refusal to endorse and support common sense steps to gain operational control of our southern border is very disturbing and makes America less safe from outside threats.”

Mecum’s comments come after Pelosi called building the border fence a “terrible idea” at the Rio Grande Valley for the annual Hispanic Engineering, Science & Technology Week conference held at the University of Texas-Pan American. Pelosi went on to say that, "I have been against the fence, I thought it's a bad idea even when it was just a matter of discussion…" [link]

“It’s no wonder why Congress has the lowest approval ratings in history when the liberal Speaker of the House chooses to do her utmost to derail a project that is aimed at helping keep America safe and secure. The Democrat controlled Congress with Pelosi at the helm cares little for border security and the rule of law and they care very little about legislating and doing their job. It seems the only thing they do care about is the preservation of their own political power,” concluded Mecum.

-30-

AZGOP LAUDS HOUSE REPUBLICAN EARMARK REFORM

Takes Democrats to task for stifling reform

PHOENIX, AZ – “While campaigning last year, the Democrats made unfulfilled promises to the American people about how they were going to run the cleanest, most ethical Congress in history,” said state GOP Communications Director Brett Mecum. “It seems those statements were misleading and deceitful on the part of the Democrats.

“House Republican Leader John Boehner and his Republican conference should be commended and lauded for their relentless efforts this year to reform earmarks and bring a very secretive and obscure process out of the shadows.”

Mecum’s comments come as congressional Republicans called on House Democrats to implement reform measures aimed at making the earmark process more open and subject to greater accountability.

“It’s time the Democrats practiced what they preach,” continued Mecum. “With the antics the Democrats have engaged in since taking charge, from Gabrielle Giffords keeping her earmarks secret to Harry Mitchell stealing votes on the House floor, it’s no wonder that the Democrat controlled Congress scored an embarrassing 11-percent approval rating this week. They have lost the faith, confidence, and support of the American people. They have an opportunity to do the right thing, the ethical thing and support expanded earmark reform. But sadly, they would rather hurl partisan rhetoric and insults rather than trying to clean up their own house.”

-30-

HOW LOW CAN THEY GO?

New poll shows Dem Congress at record low

Phoenix, AZ – “Just when you thought congressional approval ratings had hit rock bottom, the Democrats have proved otherwise and brought the U.S. Congress even lower to 11%,” said Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party. “I think the question on everybody’s minds now is: ‘How low can they go?’.”

Pullen’s comments came after he learned that the newest Zogby/ Reuters poll of likely voters showed the Democrat controlled Congress achieving a mere 11% approval rating.

“Maybe the Democrats wouldn’t have such a low approval rating if Gabrielle Giffords hadn’t supported the largest tax increase in U.S. history. Or maybe the Democrats wouldn’t be so low if Harry Mitchell hadn’t voted against full funding of the border fence as mandated by Congress,” said Pullen.

Pullen continued, “Maybe their approval ratings wouldn’t be so low if Giffords hadn’t voted for the Democrat bill that tied spending for our troops with billions of dollars in Democrat pork. Maybe they would have better numbers if Mitchell didn’t vote to cut seniors’ Medicare, increase taxes on private health insurance, and open the door to taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal aliens. Or maybe if Giffords hadn’t voted to strip American workers of their right to a secret ballot for union organizing elections and if Mitchell didn’t help “steal” a vote on the House floor, allowing benefits for illegal aliens, they might have better numbers.

“Americans want and deserve a Congress that will effectively represent the interests of American citizens. So far, the only interests that the Democrats have represented are there own,” concluded Pullen.

For more information, please contact Brett Mecum at 602.957.7770 or at bmecum@azgop.org

-30-

PULLEN CALLS FOR MOVEON.ORG APOLOGY

PHOENIX, AZ - “I understand that the people at Moveon.org had hoped the Democrat Congress would have surrendered in Iraq, surrendered to the terrorists and apologized to the rest of the world for Americans being American long before now – but they need to learn they can’t always get their way,” said Randy Pullen, Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party.

“Democrat US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is doing her best to repeal President Bush’s tax cuts and bring an end to the economic growth that has marked the last decade – Moveon.org might still get their way and the Welfare Society might still return,” Pullen said.

“Democrat US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has surrendered to anyone in the Middle East with at least a slingshot and a bad attitude causing doubt among troops and confidence among the enemy – so Moveon.org may yet get its way if Democrats can pull-out a pre-election defeat from the jaws of victory,” warned Pullen.

“Moveon.org’s stunt today was even more cowardly than Mrs. Pelosi or Reid,” Pullen said. “While giving Democrats cover during congressional testimony, the Democrats ultra-liberal front-group took grandstanding shots at a decorated soldier and unwavering patriot who has dedicated his life to serving his nation.

“Moveon.org ought to apologize to the American people and Democrats, like Arizona Democrat freshmen members of Congress, Gabrielle Giffords and Harry Mitchell, should return any and all campaign contributions received from this group,” Pullen said. “I think the Democrats might actually be better off taking money from fugitives from justice than pinning their election hopes on a group better described as a bunch of thugs, rather than a special interest group. Moveon.org and their Democrat cohorts will smear anyone, say anything or do whatever it takes to win elections no matter who they have to hurt in the process.

“Just when you think Democrat politics has reached rock-bottom, it turns out they can sink even further,” Pullen said.

-30-

DUH!

Democrats finally realize taking money from fugitives from justice is bad

Phoenix, AZ - “I’m amazed that Democrat candidates for president need to release statements pledging not take money from fugitives from justice,” said Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party. “I’m pleased this is now official policy for another leading Democrat US Senator running for President, and I believe it should be the policy of all Democrat candidates running for office, but I think it’s also sad that Democrats today have put themselves in a position where this sort of policy position has to be made.”

Pullen’s comments came a day after Senator Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut) released a statement stating "It is the policy of my campaign to refuse to accept or possess campaign contributions raised, solicited, or delivered by fugitives from justice." Recently, Democrats from Hillary Rodham Clinton to Barack Obama to Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell to the Democrat National Committee have admitted receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in recent campaign contributions from 15-year fugitive Norman Hsu. Hsu bilked over one million dollars from unsuspecting individuals in fake investment schemes and later fled prosecution while still raising major sums for Democrat causes.

“Taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from fugitives from justice might not be common sense to Democrats, but it is to the rest of America,” said Pullen. “But I thought that there might be other areas where Democrats are just missing the boat – so I spoke with Republican leaders from around the state and we’re offering up this short ‘Top-Ten’ list of common sense things we’ve determined your average Democrat Party Leader, presidential candidate and or Member of Congress might not have figured out yet:

“10. If you don’t take money that isn’t yours, you won’t have to hide it in your freezer.

“9. Investment creates opportunity, not taxes – and certainly not the government.

“8. Surrender is never an option… not to terrorists, not to anyone.

“7. A secure America is a safe America.

“6. Money for schools should be spent in the classroom – on our kids.

“5. You can’t tax and spend your way to prosperity.

“4. Arizona ranks #1 in the nation in rape, car theft, armed robbery and violent assault… maybe it’s time Democrats stopped worrying about letting felons vote and started worry about why there are so many felons.

“3. What children learn in school is more important than where they go to school.

“2. Democrat leaders negotiating with state-sponsors of terrorism is not a path to peace.

“1. Working hard and dreaming big, there is much we can do to help make Arizona an even greater place to call home – but it doesn’t involve bigger government, higher taxes, felons voting, or the status quo. It involves common sense solutions that put Arizona first, each time, every time.”

“If the Democrats can realize that it’s bad to take money from criminals, perhaps they may eventually see the light and realize that the same is true with the taxpayers,” quipped Pullen.

For more information, please contact Brett Mecum at 602.957.7770 or at bmecum@azgop.org.

-30-

PULLEN CHIDES GIFFORDS’ “SPIN MACHINE”

State Dems on another “fishing expedition.”

PHOENIX, AZ – “Tim Bee has been an outstanding Senate President for Arizona and is far better in touch with the people of southern Arizona and the needs of Arizona’s 8th Congressional District than Gabrielle Giffords will ever be,” said Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party. Gabrielle Giffords did little while she was in the state legislature and now is doing more harm than good by voting with liberal Speaker Nancy Pelosi 94% of the time.“ This early preemptive strike on Senator Bee by the state Democrats is further proof that Gabrielle Giffords is frightened by the prospect of a Tim Bee candidacy.

“The record could not be more clear. Tim Bee in the Arizona Senate was instrumental in passing the largest tax-relief package in Arizona history, while Gabrielle Giffords, in her short tenure in Congress, voted for the largest tax increase in U.S. history. Giffords also supported stripping away workers right to privacy, voted to surrender in Iraq, received poor marks for her votes against ‘earmark’ reform, kept her ‘earmarks’ secret until public outrage forced her to disclose them, and helped Democrats spend ‘pork’ at record levels.

“Giffords and the Democrats cannot run from their poor record or intimidate a stand-up guy like Senator Bee with bogus inquiries and “fishing expeditions.”

“If Senate President Bee opts to run for Congress, it would be a great day for the citizens, families and job providers of the 8th District. But I hope that the 434 days until Election Day aren’t marred by the Democrats’ politics of hate like we’re seeing today. I’d hope that this new Hillaryesque tendency of all Democrats to make personal attacks so they don’t have to debate the issues won’t dominate Miss Giffords entire campaign. Arizona voters deserve so much better, even from a politician who has already broken so many of her campaign promises. Ms. Giffords only need look to herself for an explanation as to why the Democrat controlled Congress has attained the lowest approval rating in history.

“While Giffords and her Democrat playmates try and play the politics of ‘gotcha,’ Tim Bee is talking about the issues important to Arizona, such as tax relief, and less government spending; stronger families and secure borders, and better education and safer communities,” concluded Pullen.
-30-

PULLEN TO DEMOCRATS: “JUST SAY NO TO TERRORISM"

Phoenix, AZ— Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen today called on Democrat presidential, congressional and local candidates and officeholders to “just say no to terrorism.” Pullen’s comments came after the Democrat presidential hopefuls gathered in Iowa to debate, with more than one candidate calling for cooperation with state-sponsors of terrorism.

“Pull everybody out and turn to the Iranians, who helped us defeat the Taliban initially. It was the Iranians. So if we don't bring the Iranians to help us, or the Syrians, or Saudi Arabia, of course it's going to be a disaster,” said former US Senator Mike Gravel (D-Alaska).

“An all-Muslim peacekeeping force. Get Turkey, get Jordan, get Egypt. Talk to Iran and Syria. Bring them in,” said New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

Pullen countered, “You have Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid surrendering to terror every chance he gets. You have Democrat House Speaker visiting with state-sponsors of terror abroad, against the wishes of our own diplomatic corps, all the while attempting to de-fund our troops. You have some of our Democrat presidential candidates calling for terrorists to be included in peace negotiations. Just say no, folks.”

Pullen also chided Senator Hillary Clinton for her John Kerryesque flip-flop of the debate. Moderator George Stephanopoulos had just finished asking Senator Rodham-Clinton whether she had reversed her position on the use of nuclear weapons when the Senator did it again, on camera: “No option should be off the table, but I would certainly take nuclear weapons off the table,” she said on Sunday.

“The Democrats are for something, then they’re against something when the polls change,” Pullen said. “That isn’t leadership – it’s frightening and it’s dangerous. This isn’t what we need in a president – it’s what they make Ritalin to cure.

“Republican candidates like US Senator John McCain, Governor Mitt Romney, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and prospective candidates like former US Senator Fred Thompson and the rest of the Republican field are united in many ways – but an important way today is that none of them, as President, would ever negotiate with, or surrender to, a terrorist,” Pullen said.

-30-