Democratic Legislative
Candidates
Rake in Endorsements
Sedgwick County Democratic Legislative candidates did
well in the Wichita Eagle’s endorsements. Of 16 endorsements,
The Eagle gave the nod to 9 Democrats . The large number of endorsements
speaks to the quality of our candidates and the proficient manner
in which they have conducted their campaigns. The text of the
endorsements is below.
Of course, all of our candidates are worthy of endorsement
and we will work hard over the next two weeks to elect Democrats
everywhere in the county.
House District 81
In
this district including Mulvane, Belle Plaine and Clearwater,
the clear choice is challenger Judy Armstrong.
Her work in Clearwater and Oregon as a community volunteer and
parochial school board member would transfer well to Topeka. But
most impressive are the Democrat's abundant energy, caring personality
and informed perspective. "We absolutely have to
fund education," she said, expressing particular concern
about low teacher pay and, in higher education, rising tuition
rates. She'd like to insure more low-income children and help
businesses pool together to afford insurance, and she has ideas
galore about how to reduce businesses' red tape and encourage
energy conservation.
GOP incumbent Ted Powers, a retired
Mulvane music teacher and farmer who has been in the House since
1992, voted against the area's interests in voting "no"
on the final K-12 funding bill this year. He has voted to limit
the Kansas Supreme Court's powers (also once comparing the justices
to boll weevils), and been hostile toward the districts' rightful
use of the courts to nudge the Legislature into doing its constitutional
duty to schools, even trying to deduct money from districts that
had sued the state. He voted against the downtown arena, though
it had been endorsed by county voters. His longtime goal of raising
Kansas' appalling $2.65 minimum wage is admirable, as is his concern
for water quality and quantity, but the district deserves
more vigorous representation in Topeka.
The Wichita Eagle. 10-24-2006. http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/editorial/15831394.htm
House District
82
The
best candidate in this matchup is Jeff Boone,
operations supervisor in his family's insulation business, and
someone who would bring new thinking and energy to Topeka on behalf
of the district that includes Derby. The Democrat rightly
observes that the Legislature has been more interested in pointing
fingers on school finance than in taking responsibility. He would
focus on encouraging energy conservation, improving state parks,
sustaining school funding, improving health care access and affordability,
and working to cap property assessments for senior citizens. "I
bring proactive, new ideas to the table," Boone said.
Republican incumbent Don Myers is a retired
mechanical engineer and a respected 14-year member of the House
with well-founded concerns about higher ed's tuition rates and
deferred maintenance problem. But he hasn't been a force
in the Legislature or a strong enough advocate for local public
schools.
The Wichita Eagle. 10-24-2006. http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/editorial/15831394.htm
House District
86
Incumbent
Democrat Judith Loganbill is the clear pick in this south
Wichita district because of her balanced, thoughtful approach
to lawmaking.
Loganbill has served three terms in the Legislature, where she
has provided steady, reasoned judgments and good constituent services.
And unlike many lawmakers in our Wichita delegation, Loganbill,
a Wichita schoolteacher, has been a forceful advocate for education.
She is smart and dedicated, and deserves a fourth term.
Republican Jan L. Beemer narrowly lost to Loganbill
two years ago. Since then, Beemer, an engineer at Cessna Aircraft
Co., has been active heading Operation SouthWind, a Wichita anti-pornography
group. She supports investment tax credits for all businesses
and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, and has signed the no-tax pledge.
Also running is Libertarian candidate James Pruden.
The Wichita Eagle. 10-24-2006. http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/editorial/15831394.htm
House District
87
Raj
Goyle is the standout pick in this district, which includes
parts of far-east and southeast Wichita. Goyle, a Democrat,
is one of the most talented and promising candidates we've seen
in some time -- in fact, he has star quality. He's that good.
A native Wichitan, Goyle left to earn prestigious degrees from
Duke University and Harvard Law School, but to his credit, he
chose to return to Wichita to make a difference in our community
and state.
While his credentials are stellar, what really shines are Goyle's
character and leadership skills: He's hardworking, smart, articulate,
personable and a good listener. What's not to like?
His opponent has made much of Goyle's brief stint as an American
Civil Liberties Union contract lawyer, but there's no radical
agenda here. His pragmatic, mainstream goals include a pledge
to fight harder for Wichita's fair share of education dollars,
to work to boost small businesses, and to hold down health care
costs. He also vows to use his legal skills to get a funeral protest
law passed -- which doesn't sound like a far-left activist.
Goyle would make a superb lawmaker and state leader. Voters
should give him the opportunity to serve them.
Bonnie Huy, the three-term GOP incumbent, has
been a conscientious lawmaker whose conservative principles are
never in doubt, though that can sometimes be a weakness, such
as when she signed a letter urging Sedgwick County commissioners
not to hold a public vote on gambling. She has been a consistent
supporter of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and has performed some
good constituent service. But she also hasn't made much of a difference
on issues, and she has limited clout. About the only time
she stood out in her six years in Topeka was when she was the
only House member to vote against a bill this past session making
16 the minimum age for marriage.
The Wichita Eagle. 10-25-2006. http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/editorial/15839164.htm
House District
88
Democratic
incumbent Jim Ward well-deserves a third term, having
been a vocal, intelligent advocate for his southeast Wichita district
and south-central Kansas generally. A former member of
the Wichita school board, Wichita City Council and Kansas Senate,
Ward has risen quickly in two terms to become assistant minority
leader. He is one of too-few attorneys in the Legislature who
can inform its lawmaking. His to-do list for Topeka includes working
on the economy and job creation, especially regarding growth areas
such as bioscience, composites and alternative energy, and he
wants to build on the area delegation's success in getting state
help with affordable airfares and WaterWalk. Voters should send
him back.
Ward's challenger is Republican Steven Anthimides,
who runs his family owned jewelry business and ran for the City
Council last year. He thinks the state can better plan for terrorism,
better distribute school funds and better tend to special-needs
children, but he lacks Ward's knowledge of issues and
leadership abilities.
The other candidate is Libertarian David Moffett.
The Wichita Eagle. 10-25-2006. http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/editorial/15839164.htm
House District
91
Democrat
Walt Chappell is our choice in this northwest
Wichita district, though it was a difficult decision.
Chappell, the owner of an export company, offers a wealth of
experience as a former science teacher, university instructor,
technology consultant, entrepreneur and school finance expert.
He has helped write legislation in several states, including Kansas,
and chaired a racial profiling task force in Wichita.
This bright, independent-thinking candidate would bring
innovative ideas and new energy to bear on longtime state problems,
including school funding. Among his ideas for saving
money and improving learning: Consolidate school district administrative
functions statewide and boost vocational education for students.
"I'm about bringing people together, Republicans and Democrats,"
he said.
The Eagle editorial board has endorsed his opponent, incumbent
Republican Brenda Landwehr, in the past. Landwehr,
a staunch conservative, has performed admirable service as a children's
advocate on foster care and other issues. She has also gained
clout as vice-chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee.
But Landwehr also has let down Wichita in key areas,
most notably public education. She scoffs at the "needs"
of public schools, and breezily dismisses every past state school
finance study as flawed and biased.
Landwehr also was the ringleader is an effort to bully
the Sedgwick County commissioners into abandoning a nonbinding
vote on casino gaming -- this after accepting funds from northeast
Kansas gaming interests.
The Wichita Eagle. 10-25-2006. http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/editorial/15839164.htm
House District
92
Democratic
incumbent Nile Dillmore has more than earned
a fourth term in this central Wichita district, which includes
the Riverside neighborhood. He has been out front on efforts
to set up a "no-call" list to restrict telemarketers,
increase the penalties for knowingly employing illegal aliens,
and extend the benefits of the homestead property tax exemption.
Dillmore, a land home specialist, would further work
to help senior citizens on fixed incomes cope with increasing
property taxes, and fight to see that the Legislature keeps the
funding promises of the three-year schools plan. He said he also
hasn't begun to do all he wants to do on social services, too
many of which still have waiting lists.
Dillmore's challenger is Republican James A. Woomack,
an aircraft inspector at Raytheon and retired Navy chief petty
officer who has run recently for Wichita mayor and City Council.
The Wichita Eagle. 10-26-2006. http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/editorial/15847845.htm
House District
95
Democratic
incumbent Tom Sawyer is the clear pick in this west Wichita
district, for his vast experience and consensus-building skills.
An accountant and former House majority leader and minority leader
who was a candidate for governor in 1998, Sawyer chaired the area
delegation when it got the arena bill through in 2005, also helping
on the affordable airfares bill this year. He wants to build on
those successes in unifying the diverse delegation. "It's
not an easy group to get together on anything," he said.
In another term, Sawyer would push for smaller class sizes in
early grades, for the elimination of the sales tax on food, and
for taking a longer view on state budgeting, "so that we
prepare for the bad times when we're in the good times."
The Republican candidate is retired aircraft worker Benny
L. Boman, whose top issues include court interference,
illegal immigration and state debt.
The Wichita Eagle. 10-26-2006. http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/editorial/15847845.htm
House District
96
Democrat
Terry L. McLachlan is an impressive candidate
and is our pick in this south Wichita district.
McLachlan, a retired Boeing buyer and Vietnam veteran, is running
because he sees "a need that isn't being filled" and
because he thinks he can make a difference. His concerns include
growing the economy, increasing alternative energy production
in Kansas and funding education -- he is particularly
concerned about rising college tuition costs and deferred maintenance
of university buildings. He has served as a Boy Scout
leader and a United Way loaned executive, and he has the skills
and dedication to be a valuable voice in Topeka.
Incumbent Republican Willa DeCastro has done
good work on child welfare, chairing a joint committee on children's
issues and, to her credit, resisting some pressure to consider
banning gays from adopting children. She hasn't, however,
done enough to represent and fight for Wichita public schools,
despite her key position on the House Education Committee. DeCastro
voted against the education funding bill that passed, and she
refused to say whether she would protect its funding in the plan's
third year should revenues fall short. DeCastro also signed a
letter to Sedgwick County commissioners telling them not to hold
a nonbinding public vote on expanding gaming. She objects to any
linkage between that letter and her acceptance of campaign donations
from northeast Kansas gaming interests. "My vote is not for
sale," she said.
The Wichita Eagle. 10-26-2006. http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/editorial/15847845.htm
Willa
Watch
The following letter to the editor appeared recently in The Wichita
Eagle. Willa DeCastro knows her days as a legislature are numbered.
For information about how you can help elect Terry McLachlan to
this seat, visit http://terrymc96.com/
.
I am an officer of the South Area Neighborhood
Association. Monday night I attended the candidate forum our group
held at the Cedar Chapel United Methodist Church. Republican Rep.
Willa DeCastro spoke at this event, as did Democrat Terry McLachlan,
her opponent in the race for Kansas House District 96.
During the forum, DeCastro said her re-election
had been endorsed by the AFL-CIO. I was surprised to hear this,
so I made some calls the next morning to try to verify. I learned
that DeCastro was not endorsed by the AFL-CIO. She was not endorsed
by the Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Federation either. As a matter
of fact, McLachlan has been endorsed by both union organizations.
During the forum, DeCastro stated that she did
not want any tape-recording of her comments. Now we know why.
JODY BENNETT
Wichita
Democratic Senatorial
Campaign Committee Tip Sheet
Week of 10/02/06
By: Phil Singer, DSCC 
Click
here to download a PDF of the Tip Sheet.
What’s Hot: Ohio News, Another
Week: George Allen, Corker Challenged...
• Ohio News... Sherrod Brown had Mike
DeWine playing defense during their Meet the Press debate
yesterday, highlighting DeWine’s failure to provide oversight
on Iraq as a member of the Senate Intel Committee and his ties
to special interests . DeWine admitted he hadn’t read the
new intel report concluding that Iraq has exacerbated terrorism
until last week even though he got the report in April. Also,
DeWine refused to say that GOP leaders who knew about Mark Foley
sending sexually explicit emails should step down from their leadership
posts. Brown said they should resign if they knew about the emails.
• Another Week: George Allen… Two
more acquaintances of Allen said they heard Allen use a racial
slur in 1976, contradicting his denial of similar accusations.
Another college teammate of Allen’s corroborated a story
about a 1970s hunting trip during which Allen and his friends
cut off the head of a deer and stuffed it in a mailbox. Meanwhile,
the Sons of Confederate Veterans are condemning Allen for denouncing
the Confederate flag in an effort to gloss over allegations he
is a racist. The Virginia Senate race looks increasingly winnable
for Democrats – a new Mason-Dixon poll has the race tied
at 43%.
• Corker Challenged… In a sign
of disarray , Bob Corker hired a new campaign manager and a Hollywood
media consultant. Corker’s campaign has been unable to recover
from a bitter primary fight as well as perceptions among general
election voters that he is too closely associated with Bush. Meanwhile,
FBI data confirmed that Corker exaggerated claims that crime in
Chattanooga dropped by 50% when he was mayor. A conservative radio
host rattled Corker on air, pumping him for answers on controversies
in his record, including his refusal to completely disclose his
tax returns.
• NJ News… Tom Kean Jr’s
campaign is using a jailed felon to defame Bob Menendez, prompting
Frank Lautenberg and Jon Corzine to assail Junior’s campaign
tactics , saying they hit an “unprecedented low.”
A new report shows how Junior’s staunch support for GOP
policies belies his claims of being independent.
• Santorum’s Residency… Rick
Santorum withdrew a contentious property tax exemption just before
the Allegheny County Council was scheduled to vote on legislation
calling for increased oversight and possible prosecution of homeowners
who improperly claim the exemption. Santorum has been called a
hypocrite for living full-time in Virginia because he criticized
his opponent in a House race over the same issue.
• Could It Get Worse For Burns? Jon Tester
released a report detailing how Conrad Burns supported legislative
favors and directed hundreds of millions to companies that paid
his former staffers over $20 million in lobbying fees during that
same period. Meanwhile, Burns made offensive remarks at a hearing
about how many Italian-Americans work at the Federal Aviation
Administration, saying “I’m wondering if that’s
all they’re hiring.”
• Ad Watch… DSCC Ads: In a direct
jab at Michael Steele’s “puppy” commercials,
a TV ad highlights Steele’s staunch support for Bush on
Iraq and opposition to embryonic stem cell research and a woman’s
right to choose. A TV commercial hits Corker for hypocritically
talking tough on illegal immigration even though his construction
firm was cited for having illegal workers on its worksite. A TV
ad highlights Talent’s apparent quid pro quo with pharmaceutical
companies. A TV spot highlights how DeWine turned his back on
Ohio by accepting large campaign contributions from special interests
while supporting tax breaks for Big Oil. Two ads call attention
to Burns’ record on taxes, the minimum wage, and his relationship
with Abramoff. Campaign Ads: Amy Klobuchar’s campaign has
an ad highlighting her tough stance on crime. Jim Webb has a TV
spot on Iraq, calling attention to Allen’s blind support
for Bush. Brown’s campaign has a TV spot with a local mother
telling viewers that Brown went to bat for her son, an Iraq solider,
when he went to war without body armor. Menendez’s campaign
has a radio ad exposing Junior, the so-called reformer, as a fraud
when it comes to ethics.
Current National Polling
• A Gallup poll shows that a majority blame Bush more
than Clinton for failing to capture Osama bin Laden.
• Dems have a 13-point advantage over the GOP (46-33)
among likely voters in a Diageo Hotline Poll. Meanwhile, Dems
hold a 10-point lead (42-32) over the GOP in the perception that
the nation would be “better off” if they controlled
Congress.
New Hope For Senate Dems
36 days out, Senate Dems now face an election map ripe with unexpected
opportunities :
• VA: George Allen is increasingly vulnerable after a
series of controversies over racial insensitivity. The poll has
Allen and Webb tied at 43.
• TN: Ford’s solid campaign has kept TN in play.
The poll has Ford leading Corker 43%-42%, while internal polling
has Ford up 6-points.
• MO: McCaskill and Talent are running neck in neck in
all independent polls. The McClatchy poll has the race tied at
43.
• OH: A sour GOP political climate, damaged by scandal
and economic issues helps to boost Brown. The poll has Brown ahead
of DeWine 45-43.
• RI: Emerging from a brutal primary, Chafee is walking
a tightrope on his support for the GOP. The poll has Whitehouse
with a slight lead over Chafee.
• MT: Burns is extremely vulnerable because of his ties
to Abramoff and consistent campaign slipups. Tester holds a strong
7-point lead over Burns.
• PA: Santorum is considered the most vulnerable Senator:
Casey is up 49 -40.
State-By-State Polling
Arizona
Harstad Research 9/11/06
41% Chairman Jim Pederson
47% Senator Jon Kyl
Florida
WSJ/ Zogby 9/11/06
51% Senator Bill Nelson
33% Rep. Katherine Harris
Maryland
Baltimore Sun 9/25/06
51% Rep. Ben Cardin
40% Lt. Gov. Michael Steele
Michigan
Epic/MRA 9/4/06
51% Senator Debbie Stabenow
34% Oakland Co. Sheriff Mike Bouchard
Minnesota
University of Minnesota Poll 9/22/06
52% Hennepin Co. Atty. Amy Klobuchar
36% Rep. Mark Kennedy
Missouri
Rasmussen 9/18/06
45% State Auditor Claire McCaskill
42% Sen. Jim Talent
Montana
McClatchy News 10/1//06
47% State Senate Pres. Jon Tester
40% Sen. Conrad Burns
Nebraska
Rasmussen 8/17/06
55% Sen. Ben Nelson
32% Fmr. CEO Pete Ricketts
New Jersey
McClatchy News 10/1//06
44% Sen. Bob Menendez
41% State Senator Tom Kean Jr.
Ohio
Columbus Dispatch 9/24/06
47% Rep. Sherrod Brown
42% Sen. Mike DeWine
Pennsylvania
Quinnipiac 9/26/06
51% State Treasurer Bob Casey, Jr.
39% Sen. Rick Santorum
Rhode Island
Rasmussen 9/18/06
51% Fmr. State AG Sheldon Whitehouse
43% Sen. Lincoln Chafee
Tennessee
Benenson Strategy Group 9/25/06
45% Rep. Harold Ford Jr.
39% Fmr. Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker
Vermont
WCAX-TV 9/22/06
58% Rep. Bernie Sanders
33% CEO Richard Tarrant
Virginia
McClatchy News 10/1/06
43% Sen. George Allen
43% Fmr. Navy Secretary Jim Webb
Washington
Rasmussen 9/12/06
52% Sen. Maria Cantwell
35% CEO Mike McGavick
West Virginia
Rasmussen 8/13/06
56% Senator Robert Byrd
31% Businessman John Raese
GOP Implodes Over
Foley Scandal
The
GOP era of corruption and ethics problems continues with the report
that disgraced former GOP Congressman Mark Foley sent shocking
and sexually explicit messages to former under-aged Congressional
pages. As a result, the Republican leadership is crumbling with
calls for Hastert to resign and questions of why other members
of the leadership failed to take action-including from their own
allies. Many Republican supporters, conservative groups, have
spoken out and are furious at the GOP leadership. The Foley scandal
is just one more example of the House Republicans' failed leadership.
GOP IN DISARRAY
Buchanan: Hastert Is Gone As Of
January. In an interview on MSNBC's "Hardball"
Buchanan said, "I think Hastert is gone as of January, but
I disagree with some of my conservative friends. I don't believe,
Chris, you throw somebody under the bus until you know he's guilty.
Now I think Hastert clearly has got the explaining to do. The
burden of proof is with him. What did you know, if all you knew
was the guy asked for a picture from somebody who's gone in Louisiana,
I can understand how they might say -- because two newspapers
felt it would be gay bashing to put that in the paper -- so I
can understand that. But if he knew more, if he knew the explicit,
these explicit emails, Chris, I think anyone that knew those explicit
emails in a position of authority, those who ran the pages, should
have told this guy, you know, get out of the Congress of the United
States." [MSNBC, 10/3/06]
GOP "Pushing Blame Off On
Someone Else." According to Chris Cillizza
of WashingtonPost.com, "So what you're going to see is what
we've seen, a rare thing in Republican politics of late, a circular
firing squad. You're really seeing everyone pushing the blame
off on someone else, saying, Well, I sort of knew about it, but
I passed this up the chain of command. And the reality is, is
that the top of the chain of command in the House is Dennis Hastert,
and that's why I think you're seeing, at least in some parts of
the country and in some parts of the conservative movement, calls
for him to resign." [MSNBC, 10/3/06]
CONSERVATIVE LEADERS ARE LIVID
Blankley: In This Case, Defending
Denny Hastert's Decisions Is Ethically Wrong.
According to conservative writer Tony Blankley, "In this
case, defending Denny Hastert's decisions is ethically wrong,
would undermine our party's commitment to the defense of traditional
moral values and is politically stupid in the bargain. . When
the speaker was told that Mark Foley had sent that first e-mail
-- the "overly friendly" one we all saw last Friday
-- he had to be either obtuse or on notice of the problem. . But
the fact that, according to my best sources in the House Republicans,
Mr. Hastert never informed any Democrats of the matter (even on
the page oversight board), unambiguously suggests that he knew
what was up. Thus began the cover-up. . Mr. Hastert had a moral
duty to do all in his power to make sure there would not be more
victims of Mr. Foley's alleged sexual predation -- or clear potential
for such." [Townhall.com, 10/4/06]
Paul Weyrich, Free Congress Research
And Education Foundation, Said It Would Be Better If Hastert Resigned.
"Calls are continuing among social conservatives for the
resignation of House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R) of Illinois and
other members of the House GOP leadership, who are being faulted
for not recognizing that 'overfriendly' e-mails Mr. Foley had
sent to a male former House page merited further investigation.
Foley resigned last Friday after additional electronic messages
- sexually explicit in nature - to other teenage male ex-pages
came to light. When asked Tuesday if Speaker Hastert should resign,
conservative activist Paul Weyrich said, 'Yes, I think it would
be better if he did.' 'One of the things that people say to me
all the time is, in Washington nobody takes responsibility for
anything,' continued Mr. Weyrich, chairman of the Free Congress
Research and Education Foundation. 'And I think that he, having
not delved into this the way he should have, has to take responsibility
and therefore has to resign.'" [Christian Science Monitor,
10/4/06]
The Harshest Words Came From Conservative
Leaders, Who Said The House Leadership Should Have Fully Investigated
Foley's Conduct In November. "Some of the
harshest words came from conservative leaders, who said the House
leadership should have fully investigated Foley's conduct in November,
when the parents of a former teenage page for Rep. Rodney Alexander,
R-La., complained about chatty - but not sexual - e-mails that
Foley had sent their son. . 'We are not satisfied that the congressional
leadership followed through to sufficiently investigate this matter,'
said Jan LaRue, chief counsel for the Concerned Women for America,
a conservative advocacy group usually aligned with House leadership.
'You don't ignore what you characterize as 'red flags.' Certainly
not when it's involving a minor, and minors that parents entrust
into your care.'" [St. Petersburg Times, 10/4/06]
Washington Times Editorial Called
For Hastert's Resignation. According to the editorial
page of the Washington Times, "Either he was grossly negligent
for not taking the red flags fully into account and ordering a
swift investigation, for not even remembering the order of events
leading up to last week's revelations - or he deliberately looked
the other way in hopes that a brewing scandal would simply blow
away. . . Mr. Hastert has forfeited the confidence of the public
and his party, and he cannot preside over the necessary coming
investigation, an investigation that must examine his own inept
performance." [Editorial, Washington Times, 10/3/06]
Michael Reagan Called For Hastert
To Resign. "Conservative talk show host Michael
Reagan, son of the former president, and former House GOP investigator-turned-activist,
David Bossie, today called for Hastert to resign." [FOX News,
10/2/06]
Viguerie Said That The Leaders
Were "Enablers" By Not Investigating Foley Earlier.
"Richard A. Viguerie, the direct-mail pioneer, said that
the leaders were 'enablers' by doing nothing to investigate Foley
earlier, and said they should not be allowed to hide behind a
criminal investigation until Election Day. 'This isn't an isolated
situation,' said Viguerie, author of a book accusing the White
House and congressional Republicans of violating conservative
principles. 'It is only the most recent example of Republican
House leaders doing whatever it takes to hold on to power. If
it means spending billions of taxpayers' dollars on questionable
projects, they'll do it. If it means covering up the most despicable
actions of a colleague, they'll do it.'" [Philadelphia Inquirer,
10/3/06]
David Bossie Of Citizens United
Called For Hastert's Resignation. "David
Bossie, who runs a group called Citizens United, called yesterday
for Hastert's resignation and said other conservative leaders
are likely to follow suit. Bossie said the initial e-mails alone,
which included Foley's request of a minor's picture, should have
prompted an immediate inquiry. 'That was a cry for an investigation,'
Bossie said. 'Why couldn't the speaker of the House muster the
will to stop this?'" [Washington Post, 10/3/06]
• Bossie: [Hastert] Failed In His Duty To Investigate
And Prosecute This Matter. David Bossie, president
of the Washington-based advocacy group Citizens United, said
Hastert had 'failed in his duty to investigate and prosecute
this matter before it became a public relations problem,' a
failure that Bossie said was 'morally repugnant' and may also
cost Republicans control of the House. [Bloomberg, 10/3/06]
Several Conservative Leaders Voiced
Anger That House Republican Leaders Knew They Had A Potential
Predator In Their Ranks And Didn't Take It More Seriously. "Several
conservative leaders voiced anger that House Republican leaders
knew they had a potential predator in their ranks and didn't take
it more seriously. 'After the elections, if the Republicans are
still in power, this may signal a change in the leadership, if
it appears they knew more than they have reported to us,' said
Mike Mears, executive director of Concerned Women for America's
political action committee. Tom Fitton, president of the conservative
group Judicial Watch, said Hastert, Majority Leader John Boehner,
Shimkus and Reynolds have 'some serious explaining to do.'"
[Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Associated Press), 10/3/06]
Socially Conservative Groups "Described
As Livid With House GOP Leaders." "Leaders
from about six dozen socially conservative groups held a conference
call late yesterday afternoon, and participants were described
as livid with House GOP leaders. 'They are outraged by how Hastert
handled this,' said Paul M. Weyrich, a conservative activist who
participated in the call. 'They feel let down, left aside. How
can they allow a guy like [Foley] to remain chairman of the committee
on missing and exploited children when there is any question about
e-mails?'" [Washington Post, 10/3/06]
James Dobson, Focus On The Family:
"Who Can Overlook What Foley Has Done? I Mean, That Is Breathtaking."
"A leader of evangelical Christians, James Dobson of Focus
on the Family, condemned Mr. Foley but seemed less sure of the
incident's political impact. 'Who can overlook what Foley has
done? I mean, that is breathtaking,' Mr. Dobson said yesterday
on a radio show hosted by a conservative commentator, Laura Ingraham.
. Mr. Dobson said voters might forget about the Foley affair by
Election Day, but conservatives are still 'ticked' that the GOP
has failed to push measures of interest to so-called values voters.
'The Republicans have done very little that they care about,'
Mr. Dobson said." [The Sun, 10/3/06]
Cliff Kincaid, Accuracy In Media
Report: It's One Of The Worst Congressional Scandals Ever.
The Foley case also drew criticism from conservative groups. "It's
one of the worst Congressional scandals ever," Cliff Kincaid,
editor of the conservative Accuracy in Media Report, wrote Sunday
in an editorial circulated by Gopusa.com, a Republican Web site.
"A top House Republican who denounced sex predators as 'animals'
stands accused of acting like one." [New York Times, 10/3/06]
Christian Coalition Disappointed
With Foley And The Leadership. "Roberta Combs,
head of the Christian Coalition, said she is disappointed with
Foley and the leadership. 'It's very unfortunate that this has
happened, especially at such a close time to an election,' she
said. 'It'll prompt more scrutiny of our elected officials.'"
[Bloomberg, 10/3/06]
Tom McClusky, Family Research
Center, Said Evidence Of Cover-Up Could Doom The Speaker.
"Tom McClusky, vice president of government affairs for the
Washington-based Family Research Center, said evidence of a cover-up
could doom the speaker. 'If more is found out, that's when I think
people should start calling for his head,' he said." [Bloomberg,
10/3/06]
Conservative Bay Buchanan Blasted
Republican Leaders' Response. "But conservative
activist Bay Buchanan blasted Republican leaders' response. 'I
know one thing, that e-mail they call an overly friendly e-mail,
that had predator stamped all over it,' Buchanan said on CNN.
'...They had an obligation that same day to investigate him further.'"
[Chicago Tribune, 10/3/06]
GOP MEMBERS ARE DIVIDED
Rep. Davis: More Aggressive Action
Should Have Been Taken To Determine The Extent And Propriety Of
Mr. Foley's Conduct. "Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.),
the House Government Reform Committee chairman, criticized House
leaders' handling of the original complaint about Foley in late
2005, covering the e-mails to the Louisiana youth. 'This message
constituted a warning that the safety and well-being of pages
were at risk,' Davis said. 'More aggressive action should have
been taken to determine the extent and propriety of Mr. Foley's
conduct. If any members of Congress, leadership or rank and file,
were involved in covering up knowledge of Mr. Foley's sexually
explicit messages, they should step down immediately.'" [Chicago
Sun-Times, 10/4/06]
Several Republicans Now Say House
Leaders Should Have Delved More Deeply Into Those Original Allegations.
"Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, was among several
Republicans who now say House leaders should have delved more
deeply into those original allegations. 'It was incumbent upon
Mr. Shimkus and the board to start interviewing pages,' Brown-Waite
said Tuesday. 'More absolutely could have been done. If you think
there is an issue there, you don't just talk to the perpetrator.'
Ken Connor, a longtime conservative activist who ran for governor
of Florida in 1994, said it appears House leaders 'were more worried
about the perpetuation of power than the protection of children.'
'The e-mails seem to indicate an unhealthy interest of a 52-year-old
man in a 16-year-old boy' Connor said. 'I don't think it's enough
that the parents didn't want to go further. There were several
questions that they needed to ask.'" [St. Petersburg Times,
10/4/06]
ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF THE GOP'S
FAILED LEADERSHIP
GOP's "Do-Nothing Congress"
Marked By Scandal And Lack Of Legislative Accomplishments.
"Republican lawmakers head home this weekend to campaign
for re-election after overseeing a Congress that failed to enact
their top legislative priorities and saw some of their most prominent
leaders weakened or sidelined by scandals and disunity. None of
the goals President George W. Bush set out in his January 2005
State of the Union address -- overhaul of the Social Security
system, restructuring the tax code, reshaping medical-malpractice
law -- was achieved. Bush's proposed overhaul of immigration laws
is in limbo because of divisions between House and Senate Republicans.
'This is a quite unproductive Congress,' said David Mayhew, a
political science professor at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
The only major legislation lawmakers can point to is an overhaul
of the U.S. private-pension system this year, he said. ... The
House has been in session only 93 days so far this year -- two
weeks less than the 110 days in the second year of the 1946-1948
term that then-President Harry Truman famously dubbed the ``Do-Nothing
Congress." [Bloomberg, 9/29/06]
Foley Episode Is Latest In A Long
Line Of Republican Leadership Failures. "Hastert's
critics say the Foley episode is the latest in a long line of
Republican leadership failures. Hastert largely stood on the sidelines
last year as legal peril mounted for his top lieutenant, then-House
Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.). Then he intervened to try
to save DeLay, first by trying to change House rules to allow
an indicted member to maintain his leadership post, then by helping
to purge the House ethics committee of members and staffers who
had challenged DeLay's bare-knuckled tactics. Neither effort worked.
It took months for Hastert to respond to the influence-peddling
scandal triggered by convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, and, even
then, his personal pledge to tighten the rules governing congressional
lobbying did not produce significant legislation. House GOP leaders
seemed to have been blindsided when Rep. Randy 'Duke' Cunningham
(R-Calif.) pleaded guilty to accepting millions of dollars in
bribes. And after pleading guilty to corruption charges, Rep.
Robert W. Ney (R-Ohio) remains in the House. Hastert continues
to say that his staff's failure to thoroughly investigate the
initial e-mails from Foley to a 16-year-old Louisiana boy was
understandable, given the vague, friendly nature of the exchange.
But others see a pattern." [Washington Post, 10/4/06]
The Bush Administration's
Failed North Korea Policy
Today, President Bush addressed North Korea’s announcement
of their alleged nuclear test over the weekend. Over the last
four
years, the Bush Administration has outsourced our diplomacy with
North Korea to other nations and failed to take the lead in making
sure America remains safe and secure.
“Today's announcement is further evidence that President
Bush has taken his eye off the ball, allowing a member of the
so-called ‘axis of evil’ to allegedly test a nuclear
weapon,” said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard
Dean. “First, President Bush aided and abetted the outsourcing
of American jobs, and now he’s outsourced our diplomacy
as well. This development on the Korean Peninsula is further proof
that you can’t trust Republicans to keep America safe. Under
the President's watch, North Korea has become more dangerous and
Iran continues to threaten its neighbors and America. Democrats
remain committed to a foreign policy that is both tough and smart.”
Experts Say Bush Administration Strategy Has Claimed
Credit For Diplomatic Process But Failed to Take Any Responsibility
for a Lack of Results. A report by the National Security
Advisory Group issued in July of 2005 states that "Since
9/11, in the face of North Korea's runaway nuclear program, U.S.
policymakers: did nothing as North Korea crossed redline after
redline; claimed credit for diplomatic process (the Six-Party
Talks) but have taken no responsibility for total lack of results;
attempted to outsource the issue to China and then blame the failure
on China; [and] tried to blame the Clinton administration, the
administration that actually stopped plutonium production in North
Korea." The report continues by saying that during the Clinton
Administration, North Korea had no plutonium, but during the Bush
Administration, North Korea has at least four to six nuclear weapons
worth of plutonium. [Worst Weapons in Worst Hands, The National
Security Advisory Group, July 2005]
North Korea Has Dramatically Increased Its Weapons Material
Stockpile under the Bush Administration. When President
Bush took office in 2000, Pyongyang had enough fissile material
to manufacture 1-2 nuclear weapons. Today, experts believe that
North Korea possesses material sufficient to build between 4 and
13 nuclear weapons and, unless an agreement is reached to stop
the country's program, it is estimated that Pyongyang will have
enough material to manufacture between 8 and 17 nuclear weapons
by 2008. [Institute for Science and International Security, 6/26/06]
Past News
September 2006
August
2006
July 2006
June
2006
April 2006
March
2006
February 2006
January
2006
December
2005
November
2005
October
2005
September
2005
August
2005
July 2005
June
2005
