CR Nation

In remembrance of 1776, Sen. Jim DeMint asks for a donation of $17.76. Kind of a clever gimmick.

On the very day that Barack Obama goes over to Afghanistan for the first time – not really because he loves our troops, but because he wants the American voter to think that he does – Sen. Jim DeMint has penned the following letter kindly pointing out that as sub-committee chair Obama has not held a single meeting since become sub-committee chair in 2006. How much can you love something or someone if you don’t devote any time to him, her or it?

Dear Senator Obama,

In the coming days, I understand you will travel to Afghanistan for the first time and visit with a few of our European partners. Like my travels to these regions, I trust this trip will afford you a unique opportunity to see the facts on the ground firsthand and witness the work of our brave men and women who sacrifice so much to secure our freedom.

In February, I had the privilege of visiting and talking with our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. These brave Americans serve their country with incredible passion, pride and courage. As you know, NATO’s International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) plays an integral part in the current operations and reconstruction of Afghanistan.

There are concerns about the imbalance between some European nations, their level of commitment to the fight in Afghanistan, and caveats these nations place on their forces in theater. I trust you will become well acquainted with these issues. The Bush Administration has worked hard to maintain and increase the level of forces our European allies have committed to the fight.

However, despite these successes, I am concerned our Subcommittee has not held any hearings on these issues over the last two years. With oversight of NATO relations and its role in Afghanistan, I believe it is time for us to focus closely on these issues. As Ranking Member of your Subcommittee on European Affairs, I would welcome a chance to hold a hearing on NATO’s mission in Afghanistan upon your return.

The success of Afghanistan is critical to the future of NATO and vital to our efforts to defeat Al Qaeda and the Taliban. As the situation in Afghanistan grows more tense, it is time for us to hold a hearing on the mission there. I look forward to working with you to schedule this hearing.

Sincerely,

Jim DeMint
United States Senator

Lace provides us with the list of potential vice-presidential candidates. Upcoming posts will deal with why Senator McCain should pick Governor Crist(my choice of the three), Governor Romney, or Governor Jindal. But I want to look at the other candidates that may be under consideration. There are some stipulations. First, the candidate cannot be a current Bush Administration official(due to the Democrats’ howls if someone resigned from their job or tried to stay on and campaign). The candidate must be born after 1943. The candidate must be a Republican(sorry, I love Joe Lieberman too, but then you’d have to consider Michael Bloomberg and that is something I want to avoid). The candidate must be either a current or former governor, U.S. Senator, Member of Congress, or Cabinet-rank official(sorry Michael Steele fans). I didn’t mention any senators, but Sen. Coburn, Sen.DeMint, Sen. Burr, and Sen. Thune would be good.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Huck brings advantages to the ticket-he’s affable, likable, and charming. His support for the FairTax is spot-on and admirable. He did a great job improving Arkansas roads(what’s Senator Obama done for transportation?) and is a strong pro-life and traditional marriage supporter who could turn out weary social conservatives to the polls. But there are downsides. Huckabee has a troublesome record on tax and spending issues that would burden Senator McCain’s efforts to reach out to fiscal conservatives like the Club for Growth, who tried to stop Governor Huckabee’s candidacy with all its might.  He has a penchant for gaffes, especially with foriegn policy issues. His connections to pastors under congressional investigation would surely bring headaches the McCain campaign wouldn’t need, as would the old charges of gifts recieved and not reported when he was governor. So there’s a lot to consider if he’s the guy.

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. T-Paw  has some downsides, such as his views on climate change, controversies over transportation, and the cigarette tax hike. But overall, he’s done a good job of growing jobs in Minnesota, holding the line on spending, passed tort reform, lowered the tax burden on Minnesotans, pushed for strong trade relations with other countries(which helps with reaching out to farmers), and passed tough crime legislation cracking down on meth and putting more State Troopers on the road and forensic scientists in the labs. Would help McCain on domestic issues and could swing Minnesota and other Upper Midwest states.

Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. .  His strong record on spending restraint, economic growth, market-friendly health care reform, and good steward of the environment put him on the list. His business background would be a plus, as would his experience in the Reagan and both Bush White Houses. He doesn’t have the political or foriegn policy problems Romney presents. However, he comes from a deep-red state and is running for re-election. That should keep him off the ticket in 2008.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels-See above and add controversies over daylight savings time and lease of the Indiana Toll Road. He will face a tough re-election fight unlike Huntsman and is also from a deep-red state. His budget expertise is bar none as the former OMB director, but Senator McCain should not put Governor Daniels on the ticket.

Former OMB Director and Ohio Congressman Rob Portman-Portman has a strong expertise on economic and fiscal matters going back to his days in the Bush 41 White House. He has a strong conservative record on virtually every issue and his time as White House trade representative gives him gravitas on international issues. Some conservatives might be concerned for his support of the Bush 41 tax hike, but he supported the Bush 43 tax cuts. He is popular in Ohio, which is essential to winning the White House. McCain would have to fight the Democrats’ efforts to demagogue his service under President Bush, but he would be a great pick.

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour-His record as White House Political Director, RNC Chair, and Governor are storied. He is a great budget-cutter,pro-lifer, tort-reformer, and his response to Hurricane Katrina showed his excellent leadership skills. But the pundits would make hay out of his lobbying career, painting him as cozy with Big Tobacco and Big Pharma, undercutting Senator McCain’s reformer image. That’s too bad, because he would be a great veep.

Former Congressman John Kasich-A good conservative who’s been out of politics awhile. Look for a statewide run instead.

Former Congressman J.C. Watts-See above.

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin-She’s accomplished ethics reform,fought for more energy exploration, and held the line on spending. But she is needed in Alaska. She will be a national figure, but not yet.

Congressman Eric Cantor-The chief deputy whip in the House is a strong conservative across the board and would help in Virginia. He would also bolster efforts to reach Jewish voters as the only Jewish House Republican. Cantor would probably turn down the job because of aspirations to lead the House one day.

Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn-She’s a strong conservative woman from the South and one of our favorites down here in Tennessee. Blackburn worked against Governor Sundquist’s state income tax and has fought for lower taxes, less spending, and strong families in the House.

Congressman Paul Ryan-The only other contender born in the 1970’s, Congressman Ryan is a lion at the tender age of 38. In Congress he’s sounded the alarm for entitlement and budget reform as the top Republican on the Budget Committee. A pro-lifer,he’s a strong supporter of market solutions in health-care and education as well. Ryan would put Wisconsin in play and energize conservatives.

There’s the rundown. Thoughts and comments?

The conservative, but non-partisan, Club For Growth recently released is RePork Card grading Congressman on their efforts to root out government waste from Washington. Groups like Club for Growth are making a serious and concerted effort to end the use of the federal buget as a campaign tool to reward supporters and attract future donations.

And joining with them are consisently conservative Senators like Jim Demint who recently unveiled the Earmark Plede on his website. Please visit and pledge to help end the Favor Factory in Washington D.C.

If not persuaded yet, here is some interesting facts concering the scores –

Sixteen congressmen scored a perfect 100%, voting for all 50 anti-pork amendments. They are all Republicans.

The average Republican score was 43%. The average Democratic score was 2%.

Kudos to Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) who scored an admirable 98%-the only Democrat to score above 20%.

Rep. David Obey (D-WI) did not vote for his own amendment to strike all earmarks in the Labor-HHS appropriations bill. Rep. Obey scored an embarrassing 0% overall.

105 congressmen scored an embarrassing 0%, voting against every single amendment. The Pork Hall of Shame includes 81 Democrats and 24 Republicans.

The Democratic Freshmen scored an abysmal average score of 2%. Their Republican counterparts scored an average score of 78%.

If still not persuaded, here are some of the more interesting earmark that were voted on – and remember, many of the Republicans who scored low, voted in favor of these earmarks –

$1 million to the Center for Instrumented Critical Infrastructure in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, requested by Rep. John Murtha (D-PA). No congressional member could confirm the existence of the alleged Center. Amendment failed, 98-326.

$2 million to establish the “Rangel Center for Public Service” at City College of New York, requested by none other then Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY). Amendment failed, 108-316.

$50,000 for the National Mule and Packers Museum in California, requested by Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA). Amendment failed, 69-352.