Pullen for the Party

AZGOP ON MITCHELL AND GIFFORDS: EARMARKS ANTICS AT THE EXPENSE OF KIDS

Phoenix, AZ – “When will Democrats like Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords start to tell the truth about their earmark antics in Congress?” questioned Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party. “Giffords and Mitchell had the opportunity to make government more transparent and they voted ‘no’. They had the ability to change the tone in Washington and they choose not to. And they had the ability to pass legislation for America’s neediest children and they choose to play politics and add secret pork. Do they really believe that no one is watching?”

Pullen’s comments are in response to the Democrats in Congress refusal to sign and approve a discharge petition allowing for immediate debate on legislation that would allow for transparency and accountability in the earmark process and prevent secret earmarks from being slipped into pending legislation.

“The Democrats have now misled the American people,” continued Pullen. They certified that the SCHIP bill, a bill that provides health insurance to America’s children most in need, was earmark free, now we find out about the secret earmarks. They pledged to bring transparency and accountability to the legislative process and earmark process, but we find that things have become far worse than when they initially took over. And they pledged to run the most ethical Congress in history, yet we see vote stealing, we see secret earmarks, and we see refusals to return money from groups that engage in hate-mongering. There is clearly outrage in America over the Democrats’ duplicity.”

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

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AZGOP CRITICAL OF GRIJALVA VOTE

Pullen calls on Mitchell and Giffords to condemn

Phoenix, AZ – “Raul Grijalva’s vote today against a resolution condemning MoveOn.org’s libelous attacks on General Petraeus is an unconscionable action and simply in bad taste,” said Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party.

Pullen’s comments came after the United States House voted 341 to 79 to approve House Joint Resolution 52, a resolution that “condemns in the strongest possible terms the personal attacks made by the advocacy group MoveOn.org impugning the integrity and professionalism of General David H. Petraeus.” Grijalva was the lone member of the Arizona congressional delegation to vote against the measure.

“Grijalva’s Democrat colleagues such as Gabrielle Giffords and Harry Mitchell should publicly condemn Grijalva’s bad vote and stress to him, in the strongest possible terms, that voting in support of hateful groups like MoveOn.org, that regularly lie and have defamed a decorated war hero will no longer be tolerated by Arizonans or Americans,” said Pullen. “I am deeply disturbed by this whole incident and sincerely hope that Giffords and Mitchell will do the right thing and hope that Raul Grijalva will one day come to his senses. I’ll also remind Gabrielle Giffords that she ought to return the $5,000 in campaign funds that MoveOn.org had donated to her campaign last year. Keeping that kind of money seems immoral.”

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

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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.”

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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

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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.

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PULLEN CONGRATULATES FLAKE, FRANKS, AND SHADEGG;

CHIDES MITCHELL AND GIFFORDS ON ANNUAL CLUB FOR GROWTH “RePORK” CARD

PHOENIX, AZ – Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, congratulated Arizona Members of Congress Jeff Flake, Trent Franks, and John Shadegg for their efforts in combating wasteful “pork” spending in Congress. Flake, Franks, and Shadegg were part of a group of just 16 out of 435 Members of Congress who earned perfect 100% ratings on the annual Club for Growth “RePORK” scorecard.

“The outstanding scores, earned by three Republican members of our congressional delegation, show very clearly that when it comes to reducing wasteful government spending, it’s Arizona Republicans that are leading the nation,” said Pullen. “I congratulate Jeff Flake, Trent Franks, and John Shadegg for the amazing work they are doing on behalf of the people of Arizona. Please keep up the great work.”

In contrast, Arizona freshmen members of Congress Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords earned an abysmal 2% scores from the Club for Growth, having voted for only one out of the fifty anti-pork measures.

“It is disappointing that both Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords are two of the biggest offenders in the United States Congress when it comes to reckless earmark spending,” said Pullen. “During the campaign last year, Democrats like Mitchell and Giffords promised to change Washington. Then, as soon as they arrived, they turned their backs on the very people that elected them. Clearly, Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords have no respect for the office, their constituents, or the hard-earned dollars of the Arizona taxpayers whose trust they are betraying. With report cards like these, it’s no wonder that Mitchell and Giffords have helped to bring congressional approval ratings to their lowest point in history,” concluded Pullen.

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

AZGOP WEIGHS IN ON PELOSI AND MITCHELL “DOG AND PONY” SHOW

PHOENIX, AZ – “Last night, Harry Mitchell received his ‘thank you’ from Nancy Pelosi for his role in helping the Democrats ‘steal’ a vote in the House of Representatives earlier this month,” said Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party. “The fundraiser last night was clearly a ‘reward’ for Nancy Pelosi’s ‘trained seal’.”

Pullen continued, “It’s appalling that Mitchell and Pelosi are doing their ‘feel good’ tour of Phoenix, when we all know that in their short leadership tenure in Congress, Mitchell and Pelosi have accomplished very little other than naming federal buildings, post offices and parks. What’s worse is that Harry Mitchell is being led around by the nose by Nancy Pelosi. Yes, this is the same Nancy Pelosi that negotiated with state-sponsors of terrorism, attempted to micro-manage the war and surrender in Iraq, and was blatantly unapologetic when she and Mitchell ‘stole’ a congressional immigration vote.

“With congressional approval ratings at their lowest point in history and Harry Mitchell voting with Nancy Pelosi and the extremist liberal fringe of the Democrat Party a whopping eighty-nine percent of the time, I think that the voters of his district are quickly realizing that Harry Mitchell has little conviction and puts party politics above the people he represents,” concluded Pullen.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT - PULLEN TO MITCHELL: "DESERT IS NO PLACE FOR A TRAINED SEAL"

PHOENIX, AZ – “Harry Mitchell has proven to be little more than Nancy Pelosi’s trained seal,” said Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party at a press conference yesterday, drawing attention to Harry Mitchell’s (D-Tempe) flipped flopped vote on the floor of the House of Representatives causing mass chaos.

Mitchell initially voted with Republicans to send the Agriculture bill back to committee on August 2, 2007 because of the provisions in the bill allowing federal funds for the employment and housing of illegal immigrants. However, when it was clear that the Republicans were on the verge of victory, Mitchell suddenly switched his vote, sending the chamber into political upheaval.

Standing at a podium, with the Arizona Republican Party seal prominently displayed, Pullen made his comments with an oversized picture of Harry Mitchell to his right with the caption “November 2006,” an oversized photo of a seal balancing a ball its nose on his left with the caption “August 2007,” and a banner with the words, “Because the Desert is no place for a Trained Seal,” behind him.

Pullen went on to describe several of Mitchell’s votes in Congress including his vote to strip away workers privacy rights in the union formation process, his multiple votes to surrender in Iraq, and his support of egregious pork barrel spending.

“Mitchell has clearly demonstrated that he is out of touch with his constituents and the people of Arizona. Ninety percent of the time, Harry Mitchell votes with San Francisco liberal Nancy Pelosi – and against his Arizona district. Ninety percent of the time, Harry Mitchell puts politics ahead of his own campaign promises. This isn’t the same Harry Mitchell I’ve known in the past.”

Yesterday, Mitchell’s spokesman responded, “Nobody in Democratic leadership ever talked to the congressman, period.” [link]

Pullen rejected this assertion from Mitchell’s office. “Either Mr. Mitchell is a trained seal and voted against his Arizona constituents because Nancy Pelosi asked him to, or Mr. Mitchell did it because he instinctively puts the political games of his Democrat Party leaders ahead of the jobs and futures of Arizona farmers without even giving it a second thought. You tell me which is worse. Either way, the vote was wrong – but it’s certainly being rewarded because next week Speaker Nancy Pelosi herself is coming to raise money for Mr. Mitchell’s re-election. Six months of party-line votes and he got his fundraiser with the Speaker. Congratulations, Mr. Mitchell, it’s clear you’ve earned it,” Pullen said.

The YouTube video of last Thursday’s House debacle can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y08iTaGcm0. For more information, please contact Brett Mecum at 602.957.7770 or at bmecum@azgop.org.

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Nancy Pelosi's "Trained Seal"

If you haven't seen Nancy Pelosi's "Trained Seal," AKA Congressman Harry Mitchell flip-flop his vote on the floor of the US House, inciting the US House into uproar, then check out the video below:

The Espresso Pundit Blog (www.espressopudit.com) has great coverage of the story. Click here to read all about it.

Also, Matt Benson over at the Arizona Republic has good coverage of the AZGOP press conference reacting to Mitchell's lack of conviction. Click here to read that story.

More on this soon...

PULLEN CALLS HOUSE VOTE ON IRAQ “NEGLIGENT”

Phoenix, AZ – Yesterday, just hours after the White House released an interim assessment report on the situation in Iraqi, Democrats in Congress, including Arizona’s four Democrat U.S. House Members, voted to pull U.S. troops from their war against terror by spring. According to Arizona Republican Party chairman Randy Pullen, the vote put American troops and American lives at risk.

“History will show that at 6:12 (EDT) in the evening on July 12, 2007, Harry Mitchell, Gabrielle Giffords, Raul Grijalva and Ed Pastor voted to surrender the nation of Iraq to the terrorists,” said Pullen. “On November 4, 2008, the voters will have their chance to say exactly how they feel about Arizona Democrats who surrender to anyone.

“The report these representatives got from the White House talked about eighty Syrian suicide bombers entering Iraq each month. Is the answer to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq when the Iraqi government has provided the three brigades of troops they fulfilled their commitment to provide? Certainly the answer wasn’t to defy the U.S. State Department and stab Israel in the back by negotiating directly with state sponsors of terrorism in Syria, but we couldn’t stop Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from doing exactly that. Her reward was the votes of Mitchell, Giffords, Grijalva and Pastor yet again,” Pullen said.

“How many times do Democrat U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Democrat US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have to call for our surrender to terrorists before Mitchell, Giffords and others figure out that Congress should not be trying to run the war? Their job is to support our troops,” Pullen said. “This isn’t just a do-nothing Congress, it’s a stop-trying Congress, and that’s more than just cowardly. It’s the reason why only 14-percent of American voters approve of the job this Democrat-controlled Congress is doing, and it’s the reason next year’s elections couldn’t come soon enough.”

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

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