JOHN McCAIN 2010 RELEASES NEW WEB VIDEO, “EARMARK MADNESS”

CLICK HERE TO SEE "EARMARK MADNESS"

PHOENIX, AZ – U.S. Senator John McCain’s re-election campaign today released a new web video, called “Earmark Madness,” focusing on Congressman J.D. Hayworth’s astonishing defense of the wasteful, corrupt earmarking process that has landed Members of Congress in jail. When confronted earlier this week by the McCain campaign on his record as an “avid earmarker” who voted for billions in pork barrel spending, Congressman Hayworth launched a strong defense of his votes for absurd earmarks like the infamous “Bridge to Nowhere.” As the video notes of Congressman Hayworth, “when it comes to pork barrel earmark spending, he’s not a conservative.”

Watch the new video here.

John McCain 2010 Communications Director Brian Rogers released the following statement upon release of the new web video:

"It is unconscionable that Congressman Hayworth would actually defend the earmarking process that has bloated our budget with pork barrel spending and led directly to corruption, landing Members
of Congress in jail. Arizona Republicans need a Senator who will fight the big spenders in Washington, not join them.

“With real momentum finally behind a push to permanently ban the corrupting, wasteful earmark process, conservatives understand that now is exactly the wrong time to send a big-spending Republican
like J.D. Hayworth back to Congress.”

-- Communications Director Brian Rogers

FACT CHECK: WHEN CONFRONTED WITH HIS RECORD AS AN “AVID EARMARKER,” HAYWORTH RESPONDED BY DEFENDING HIS SUPPORT FOR GOVERNMENT PORK

Congressman Hayworth Was An “Avid Earmarker” During His 12 Years In Washington:
Conservative Arizona Republic Columnist Robert Robb: “Hayworth Was An Avid Earmarker.”

“And then there is the matter of earmarks. Flake has correctly called them the gateway drug for runaway spending. They drive true fiscal conservatives nuts, since they mostly fund local projects that are none of the rightful business of the federal government. As a congressman, Hayworth was an avid earmarker.” (Robert Robb, Op-Ed, “Hayworth Wasn't A Fiscal Conservative Champ,” The Arizona Republic, 2/21/10)

Robb: “Hayworth Has Been Mostly A Go-Along Guy As Spending And Pork Exploded Under Republican Control Of Congress.” (Robert Robb, Op-Ed, “Thomas And Meth, Goddard And Ids, Mitchell And Debt,” The Arizona Republic, 10/29/06)

Congressman Hayworth Was “Willing To Play The Pork Game If The Price [Was] Right” Even Though Earmarks “Are Part Of What Spins Federal Spending Out Of Control.”

“The three [Flake, Shadegg and Franks] were among only 56 to oppose the legislative branch appropriation and among only eight to vote against the water projects appropriation. … J.D. Hayworth and Rick Renzi are proving willing to play the pork game if the price is right. They issued a joint press release saying they supported the legislative appropriation because it contained more money to fight wildfires, never mind that such non-germane riders are part of what spins federal spending out of control.” (Robert Robb, Op-Ed, “An Ear To The Political Ground...,” The Arizona Republic, 10/22/03)

This Week, When Confronted With His Record As An Earmarker, Congressman Hayworth Responded By Defending His Support For Pork Barrel Projects:

Earlier This Week, The McCain Campaign Confronted J.D. Hayworth With His Record Of Voting For Billions In Government Pork.

“Senator John McCain's now dubbing J.D. Hayworth, his U.S. Senate opponent in the GOP primary, as ‘the earmarker’ in his latest Web ad attacking Hayworth's Conservative principles. … The ad goes on to outline some of Hayworth's ‘special projects,’ including his support of a $5.8 million snowmobile trail in Vermont, $3 Million for dust control along rural roads in Arkansas, and $223 million for the infamous ‘Bridge To Nowhere.’ McCain continues by saying, ‘When it comes to pork barrel spending, [Hayworth] is not a Conservative.’” (James King, “John McCain Drops Earmark Bomb On J.D. Hayworth In New Ad,” Phoenix New Times’ “Valley Fever” Blog, http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com, 3/17/10)

Hayworth Responded By Defending His Support For Pork Barrel Earmarks, Even Though He Conceded The Spending He Voted For “Wasteful.”

“J.D. Hayworth's campaign manager, David Payne,
today issued the following sharp rebuke of a new television ad by incumbent Senator John McCain attacking Hayworth for supporting the 2005 Highway bill, which included wasteful earmarks like Alaska's ‘Bridge to Nowhere,’ but which also included $833 million for border security programs. ‘After 28 years in Washington, John McCain has learned Washington's tricks, raking in millions of dollars to buy typically misleading negative ads that distort the records of his
opponents. Sorry, Senator: Arizonans won't be fooled.’” (J.D. Hayworth 2010, “McCain's Millions Buy Misleading Washington Ad,” Press
Release, 3/17/10)

Hayworth Has Defended And Even Campaigned On Earmarks And Pork Barrel Spending, Offending Fiscal Conservatives:

In His Losing 2006 House Campaign, Hayworth Campaigned In Part On His Record As An Earmarker, Which “Offended Many Fiscal Conservatives.”

“A member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Hayworth has been on the defensive about both campaign
contributions and his initially unreported use of sports skyboxes from disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his Indian tribal clients. To blunt such bad news, Mr. Hayworth boasts of the government funds that he has brought home, from a pedestrian bridge in Tempe to defense contracts for Arizona firms. Such
claims win over some locals, but offend many fiscal conservatives.” (Jackie Calmes, “Republican Rebels Of '94 Now Face Their Own Revolt,” The Wall Street Journal, 11/3/06)

Hayworth Had Previously Defended Earmarks And Pork Barrel Spending As A Member Of Congress In 2004.

“Republican Arizona Rep. Jeff Flake is calling for passage of an amendment to require the amount of money each state receives in the member earmarks be subtracted from their share of non-discretionary, formula-driven funds. An appropriation earmark is funding obtained by lawmakers for favorite projects that skirt the normal congressional review process and often is called ‘pork-barrel spending.’ … But other members of Arizona's House delegation said they pursued money for because the state needs them. ‘Call it earmarks, call it authorized projects, call it pork or whatever,’ said Rep. J.D. Hayworth, a Republican.

‘The fact is, these projects reflect the priorities of local and state officials to help our transportation infrastructure keep pace with the extraordinary growth we are experiencing in the East Valley.’” (Billy House, “U.S. House To Debate Road Bill,” The Arizona Republic, 3/31/04)

Congressman Hayworth’s Fellow Republicans Have Criticized Him For Supporting Earmarks:

Arizona Congressman John Shadegg Said Hayworth Was “On The Other Side Of Those Fights” Over Earmarks And Spending, As Conservative Former Congressman Joe Scarborough Recalls Hayworth “Beating The Hell Out Of” Conservatives Who Were Just Trying To Balance The Budget.

SCARBOROUGH: “Was JD Hayworth a conservative?”

REP. SHADEGG: “Is JD Hayworth a conservative? He had a fairly conservative voting record when he was in the House, but he was an earmarker, Joe.”

SCARBOROUGH: “He was, do you remember when he screamed — I don’t know if you remember this or not, but we’re going to take you way back behind closed doors. John Shadegg and I along with about 7, 8, 9 Republicans used to give Newt Gingrich hell after Newt decided he liked earmarks and liked big spending. And liked teaming up with Dave Obey and attacking us, and I’m quoting Newt, as ‘jihadists.’ ... So Newt called us ‘jihadists’ and I remember our friend JD Hayworth standing up in those caucus meetings and just beating the hell out of us.”

REP. SHADEGG: “Yeah.”

SCARBOROUGH: “Saying how dare you do this to poor Newt, blah, blah, blah, blah. And all we were trying to do was balance the budget.” REP. SHADEGG: “And or keep our word from what we said we’d do in the Contract with America. It was pretty shocking, we’re not supposed to do that. Yeah, that’s right, JD was on the other side of those fights from us ‘jihadists.’” (Joe Scarborough Radio Show, 2/25/10)- Listen here

Congressman Hayworth Voted For The 2005 Transportation Bill, Which Contained A Record Number Of Earmarks:

The 2005 Transportation Funding Bill Contained A Record-Setting 6,371 Pork Barrel Projects, Totaling Over $24 Billion In Government Spending. “Yesterday, Bush effectively signed a cease-fire -- critics called it more like a surrender -- in his war on pork. He signed into law a $286 billion transportation measure that contains a record 6,371 pet projects inserted by members of Congress from both parties…

‘There are nearly 6,500 member-requested projects worth more than $24 billion, nearly nine percent of the total spending,’ executives from six taxpayer and conservative groups complained in a letter to Bush urging that he use his veto pen for the first time.” (Jonathan Weisman and Jim VandeHei, “Road Bill Reflects The Power Of Pork,” Washington Post, 8/11/05)

Senator McCain Voted Against The Transportation Bill, But Congressman Hayworth Voted For It.

“Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl along with Reps. Jeff Flake and John Shadegg, all Republicans, were four of just 12 members of Congress to vote against the transportation bill on July 29. … Arizona's six other members of Congress -- Republicans J.D. Hayworth, Rick Renzi, Trent Franks and Jim Kolbe, and Democrats Ed Pastor and Raul Grijalva -- did vote for the bill.” (Billy House, “Ariz. Ranks Last In Road 'Pork',” The Arizona Republic, 8/11/05)

Representatives From The National Taxpayers Union, Taxpayers For Common Sense Action, Citizens Against Government Waste, The Club For Growth, Americans For Prosperity And FreedomWorks Wrote President Bush A Letter Urging Him To Veto The Bill.

“On behalf of our members, the undersigned groups urge you to veto H.R. 3, the ‘Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users’ (SAFETEA-LU). Despite your stated position on the issue, Congress used budget gimmicks to break the $283.9 billion ceiling you set by approximately $11 billion. Your veto will send the message that Congress must rein in its profligate spending habits and send you a fiscally responsible transportation bill.” (Letter to President George W. Bush, 8/4/05)

The Letter Noted An “Explosion Of Earmarks” In The Bill. “Finally, our organizations are disappointed by the explosion of earmarks in this bill. There are nearly 6,500 member-requested projects worth more than $24 billion, nearly nine percent of the total spending. President Reagan vetoed a transportation bill in 1987 because there were 152 such earmarks. In addition to driving up the overall cost of the bill, many of these projects are not related to improving our nation’s transportation system.” (Letter to President George W. Bush, 8/4/05)

Earmarks In The Bill Included:

• $223 Million For The Infamous “Bridge To Nowhere,” A Bridge Connecting Ketchikan, Alaska To A Nearby Island Of 50 People That Was Already Accessible By A Seven-Minute Ferry Ride. (Bret Schulte, “A Bridge (Way) Too Far,” U.S. News & World Report, 8/8/05)

• $231 Million For A Bridge “Linking Anchorage To An Undeveloped Point Of Land Nearby.” (Editorial, “Pet Projects Make Roads Bill A Real Lulu -- Of Excess,” USA Today, 8/10/05)

• “$5.8 Million For A Snowmobile Trail In Vermont.” (Editorial, “Pet Projects Make Roads Bill A Real Lulu -- Of Excess,” USA Today, 8/10/05)
  “$480,000 To Rehabilitate A 19th Century Warehouse On The Erie Canal In New York.” (Editorial, “Pet Projects Make Roads Bill A Real Lulu -- Of Excess,” USA Today, 8/10/05)

• $560,000 For “A Paul Bunyan State Trail” In Minnesota. (Editorial, “Pet Projects Make Roads Bill A Real Lulu -- Of Excess,” USA Today, 8/10/05)

• $2.3 Million For “The Beautification Of The Ronald Reagan Freeway In California.” (Jonathan Weisman and Jim VandeHei, “Road Bill Reflects The Power Of Pork,” Washington Post, 8/11/05)
  
• $6 Million For “Graffiti Elimination” In New York. (Jonathan Weisman and Jim VandeHei, “Road Bill Reflects The Power Of Pork,” Washington Post, 8/11/05)
  
• $2.4 Million On A “Red River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center” In Louisiana. (Jonathan Weisman and Jim VandeHei, “Road Bill Reflects The Power Of Pork,” Washington Post, 8/11/05)

• $1.2 Million “To Install Lighting And Steps And To Equip An Interpretative Facility At The Blue Ridge Music Center.” (Jonathan Weisman and Jim VandeHei, “Road Bill Reflects The Power Of Pork,” Washington Post, 8/11/05)

• $2.75 Million For The National Packard Museum In Warren, Ohio. (Bill Nichols, “$286B Highway Bill Signed Amid Criticism,” USA Today, 8/11/05)

• $1.2 Million For The Henry Ford Museum In Dearborn, Michigan. (Bill Nichols, “$286B Highway Bill Signed Amid Criticism,” USA Today, 8/11/05)

• $400,000 For The Erie Canal Museum In Syracuse, New York. (Bill Nichols, “$286B Highway Bill Signed Amid Criticism,” USA Today, 8/11/05)

• $2.2 Million To Construct A Waterfront Esplanade At Fort Totten In New York.” (Bill Nichols, “$286B Highway Bill Signed Amid Criticism,” USA Today, 8/11/05)

• “$20 Million For A Magnetic Levitation Transportation System Between Las Vegas And Primm, Nev.” (Donald Lambro, Op-Ed, “Highways To Porkville,” The Washington Times, 8/11/05)

• “$600,000 For High Knob Horse Trails To Install Riding Paths In The Jefferson National Forest In Virginia.” (Donald Lambro, Op-Ed, “Highways To Porkville,” The Washington Times, 8/11/05)

• $200,000 For A Deer Avoidance System Aimed At Keeping Deer Away From Milepost Markers In New York And Pennsylvania.” (Donald Lambro, Op-Ed, “Highways To Porkville,” The Washington Times, 8/11/05)

• $1.28 Million For The Cultural And Interpretive Center In Richland, Wash.” (Donald Lambro, Op-Ed, “Highways To Porkville,” The Washington Times, 8/11/05)

• “$1 Million For A Pedestrian Waterfront Walkway In Oswego, N.Y.” (Donald Lambro, Op-Ed, “Highways To Porkville,” The Washington Times, 8/11/05)

• $400,000 For A Jogging, Bicycle And Trolley Trail In Columbus, Ga. (Donald Lambro, Op-Ed, “Highways To Porkville,” The Washington Times, 8/11/05)

• $3 Million For Dust Control Along Rural Roads In Arkansas.” (Donald Lambro, Op-Ed, “Highways To Porkville,” The Washington Times, 8/11/05)

• $850,000 for the Red River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Louisiana.” (Donald Lambro, Op-Ed, “Highways To Porkville,” The Washington Times, 8/11/05)