Jerry Lewis' Campaign Answers the Lies from Carol Turoff (Veritas Vincit) & the Sonoran Alliance!

Yesterday, this post called "Union Organizer managing Lewis campaign for Pearce Recall" was posted by Carol Turoff aka Veritas Vincit.

We received this response from the Lewis campaign:

"Jerry Lewis was recruited to run after the recall election was already set. He has never met or spoken to Randy Parraz. His campaign manager is Anson Clarkson. A life-long resident of LD 18, who is a contract framer and a former intern at the Goldwater Institute. The Jerry Lewis campaign is truly a grassroots effort led by Republicans in Mesa."

This was a response to Turoff's post on SA yesterday:

Anson Clarkson says:



September 29, 2011 at 3:42 pm


On top of being terribly written, this is patently false. My name is Anson Clarkson. I am Jerry Lewis’ campaign manager. I have never been an union organizer. I have been a self-employed framer and intern at the Goldwater Institute though.

Looks to us like the Pearce supporters are running scared!  More to come.....



 

Interview with 'Sham Candidate' Olivia Cortes

Last night on the Fox 10 - 9:00PM News,  Anchor Kari Lake interviews LD-18 'candidate' Olivia Cortes.  See for yourself, is Cortes a 'stooge' for the Pearce campaign or not?

One-on-One with Olivia Cortes, Recall Candidate: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

PHOTO OF THE DAY!

HOMERGOPRANO FOOTBALL PROGNOSTICATOR - NFL WEEK #4



MLB Playoff Special:  NO talking head pundits are picking the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Milwaukee Brewers.  This D-Backs team is going to crush the Brewers in 4 games!

LAST WEEK:  12 - 4


OVERALL SEASON 31 - 17


NFL Week 4






Sun. Oct. 02






Saints 35 at Jaguars 31
Vikings 24 at Chiefs 27
Panthers 31 at Bears 35
Titans 24 at Browns 27
Steelers 24 at Texans 31
49ers 24 at Eagles 31
Redskins 31 at Rams 27 
Bills 35 at Bengals 24
Lions 27 at Cowboys 31
Giants 35 at Cardinals 31
Falcons 35 at Seahawks 14
Broncos 14 at Packers 45
Patriots 31 at Raiders 35
Dolphins 24 at Chargers 31


Jets 27  at Ravens 31




Mon. Oct. 03






Colts 21 at Buccaneers 27

Governor Brewer announces agreement between CNN and Arizona GOP for presidential debate

Forum to Highlight Southwestern Issues, Give Arizona Voters Up-Close Look at Candidates

PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer announced Thursday that an agreement has been reached with CNN for the network to produce a major debate in Arizona featuring candidates seeking the Republican nomination for president in 2012.


The nationally-televised debate will be conducted and aired at 6 p.m. local time (8 p.m. ET) on December 1.

“I’ve been in politics a long time, but I can’t remember a more critical election than this,” said Governor Brewer. “When it comes to some of the hallmark issues facing our country – whether illegal immigration, the housing crisis or the ongoing power struggle between the states and federal government – Arizona is at the forefront. These are national issues, certainly. But Arizonans live and breathe them.

 
“So, I’m thrilled that the Arizona Republican Party and CNN have reached agreement on a debate, and optimistic that when the candidates come to Arizona, they’ll meet our voters and offer meaningful solutions to the problems facing our state and nation.”

CNN’s participation ensures that the Arizona presidential debate will be viewed worldwide, thanks to the global, 24/7 reach of CNN and CNN.com. The debate will be aired live from Arizona on CNN, and globally on CNN International, CNN en Espanol and CNN Radio.

“Arizona is a key state that will play a pivotal role in helping Republicans choose their presidential nominee,” said Sam Feist, CNN Washington bureau chief and senior vice president. “CNN is honored to provide voters in Arizona and around the country an opportunity to hear the GOP candidates present their vision for the future.”

CNN is highly-respected for its political coverage, and in 2008 won a Peabody Award – the highest honor in television journalism – for its presidential primary coverage, including production of debates. CNN has already hosted two Republican presidential debates this year, partnering with WMUR television and the New Hampshire Union Leader in June and the Tea Party Express earlier this month.


Preparations are ongoing for Arizona’s Republican presidential debate, including the selection of an appropriate venue to host the festivities. The State of Arizona will incur no costs as part of the production of this event.




###

ARIZONA TARS Leadership Development & Recruitment Night - Tueday October 18, 2011 - 7-8:00PM

CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO SEE LARGER

From Dusti Martin:

I want to invite you all to help the AZ Federation of Teenage Republicans (TARS) grow their organization. It is imperative that we win back our schools from the Left, the Young Democrats, and win over the youth vote to defeat Obama in 2012.

First and foremost, Dusti Martin is a leadership development specialist, consultant, and coach for Student Run Organizations. For over 15 years she has competed in and trained students for a variety of contests and leadership roles. These have included prepared public speaking contests, rodeo queen pageants, student leadership elections and other leadership roles and contests. In addition, Dusti has trained entire student body officer teams to prepare them for their leadership roles both as individuals and as a team during their year in office as well as conducted many leadership workshops for groups of 30 or more all over the state of Arizona.






In the past 8-9 years, the Young Democrats have widely expanded in our High Schools and it can no longer go unchallenged. Dusti is working with Lois Fitch and the AZ TARS to reorganize, reinvigorate, and reclaim Arizona's schools from the Democrats as part of an effort to defeat Obama in 2012. To do this, we will need all hands on deck and for parents, teachers, and students to work together to help grow the AZ TARS Federation.


This is the AZ Teenage Republicans' first major event of the year. It is both for current TARS Members, Advisers, and Parents and for New or Potential students, parents, and teachers. Also, anyone who is wanting to learn how to set up a TARS group but who may not have a student group yet. It is to train both the students and the adults so we can take back our schools from the Democratic party, and at the very least give teens options while they are at the point in their lives where most begin to form their political views.

We are also encouraging LD's and other Republican, Conservative, or TEA Party groups to recruit as many new TARS and TARS Advisers as possible. The group who recruits the highest number will be recognized by the AZ TARS and receive bragging rights amongst their fellow Republicans.

Here is the pertinent info that you can cut and paste so it's easy to read in your meetings. I have also attached the flyer which you can print out and distribute. Please pass this on to any and all of the groups you are all associated with and any parent, teacher or student who would be interested in joining the TARS organization. If you are in the Valley area and would like me to come speak about this important event at your meeting, don't hesitate to contact me.




Thank you for everything thus far!


Dusti Martin

JEFF FLAKE FOR U.S. SENATE: Tell me what you think

As a member of Congress, I know first-hand that Washington, DC doesn’t have all the answers for the challenges facing us today. I'm convinced that the best solutions will come from taxpayers around the country.

We've put together a short survey for you to fill out and I ask that you take a moment to do so today.

I was fortunate to grow up in Arizona. My parents and grandparents, like most, always wanted to have their children and grandchildren grow up with more and better opportunities than they had. But for the next generations of Arizonans to have even the same opportunities that you and I have enjoyed, then much has to change in Washington.

I don’t believe we can settle for fiscal policies that will require a level of taxation that makes the next generation of workers question their entrepreneurial spirit. After all, if most of our work will be taken away in taxes to fund an out-of-control federal government, then why work? We must win this fight for free markets, less government regulation and an end to wasteful spending.


Please take a moment to review the American Issues Survey and please share your opinions with me by following this link.


It’s hard to believe we are a year away from year away from the 2012 primary and a little more than that for the general election. With the entry of liberal lawyer Don Bivens, the former chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party, into this race, our campaign is entering a new phase and your continued support is crucial.


After filling out our survey, you will have the opportunity to make a contribution to my campaign. I ask that you give as generously as you can so I can continue to serve the great people of Arizona.


I sincerely value your opinion and want to hear from you. Please take the American Issues survey and submit your responses today.


Sincerely,




Jeff Flake
Member of Congress






P.S. Your opinion matters, so I’m asking you to give me your input on a few important questions. Will you follow this link right away to complete the Jeff Flake for Arizona Issues Survey? It won’t take more than 5 minutes, but it will provide my campaign with valuable information. After you complete the survey, I hope you will make a generous donation of any amount up to the $2,500 legal limit to support my campaign. Thank you.

Paid for by Jeff Flake for U.S. Senate, Inc.



Speaker Pro Tempore Steve Montenegro endorses Kirk Adams

“Kirk Adams exemplifies a rising generation of Republican leadership”

EAST VALLEY – Kirk Adams is proud to announce the endorsement of State Representative Steve Montenegro, Speaker Pro Tempore of the Arizona House of Representatives, in his campaign to represent the East Valley.

“Kirk Adams exemplifies a rising generation of Republican leadership,” Montenegro said. “As Speaker of the House, I had the privilege of working with him and seeing his leadership and dedication to our conservative values. He will be an asset to the new wave of conservative leaders that face the Washington establishment. I know he will work hard each day to look out for Arizona families, not for special interests.”

 

“Steve Montenegro is a rising star who is fighting everyday at the Capitol to protect Arizona families and the values we hold dear,” Adams said. “It was a privilege to work with him at the Capitol, and I’m honored to have his support in this campaign.”

 

Adams and Montenegro worked side by side in the Arizona House of Representatives – Adams as Speaker and Montenegro as Speaker Pro Tempore – to protect unborn life, Arizona families, to balance the state budget and help secure the border.

About Steve Montenegro- Steve is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Arizona State University with a B.S. in Political Science. He also holds an Associate of Arts in Theology from Logos Christian University. Presently, Steve works in the Glendale office of U.S. Congressman Trent Franks.

Steve also serves as an Assistant Pastor/Youth Pastor at the Surprise Apostolic Assembly. He was recently selected as a Rising Star in Governance and was made a Rodel Fellow.


Kirk Adams is a rising star in the Republican Party, and a conservative reformer who shook-up Arizona’s state Capitol and will do the same thing in Congress.


A husband, father and small businessman, after joining the state House in 2006, Adams found himself so frustrated by the unwillingness and inability of Republicans in the Legislature to stand up for their conservative principals that he launched a long-shot campaign to oust the veteran Speaker of the House.


Adams shocked the Republican establishment and political class, winning the Speakership at only 35 years of age.


Adams led the House back in a conservative direction with an aggressive reform agenda, taking on some of the most challenging issues in Arizona history – issues others were afraid to address because of the potential political fallout.


A native Arizonan, Adams and his wife JaNae live in Mesa and have five children.






###


Paid for By Adams for Congress

Dirty politics caught on camera - Jerry Lewis' Campain Signs Stolen By KPHO Channel 5

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO!

BLACKS LEAVE OBAMA By DICK MORRIS

Published on TheHill.com on September 27, 2011




CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO


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Behind the president's whining to the Black Caucus, begging them to "quit grumbling," is a decline in his personal popularity among African-American voters that could portend catastrophe for his fading reelection chances.


According to a Washington Post/ABC News survey, his favorability rating among African-Americans has dropped off a cliff, plunging from 83 percent five months ago to a mere 58 percent today -- a drop of 25 points, a bit more than a point per week!


Nothing is more crucial to the president's reelection strategy than a super-strong showing among black voters. In the election of 2008, he was able to increase African-American participation from 11 percent of the total vote in 2004 to 14 percent. He carried 98 percent of them. This swing accounted for fully half of his gain over the showing of John Kerry. Now his ability to repeat that performance is in doubt.


And the emergence of Herman Cain as a serious Republican candidate could not have come at a worse time for the embattled president. Cain's alternate narrative -- self-help, entrepreneurial skill, hard work and self-improvement -- stands in stark contrast to the victimization/class warfare argument that the president has adopted.


Over all, how's that class warfare working out for you, Mr. President? Well, here are some unpleasant numbers for you:

• Before Obama's speech to Congress and the nation -- watched by 34 million families -- his job approval averaged 44 percent. Now it averages 43 percent, according to realclearpolitics.com. He deployed his ultimate weapon -- a nationally televised speech to Congress -- and came up empty.

 
• The president's personal favorability has taken a big hit even as his job approval has shown no gain. The Post/ABC poll has his rating down to 47 percent, the first time in his presidency it has dropped below 50. Clearly, the spectacle of a class warrior leading the country is grating on most Americans. Usually, despite drops in his job approval, his personal ratings have stayed high. Not anymore. The most recent New York Times/CBS poll had his favorability actually lagging behind his job approval by four points -- the first time it has ever done so in their polling.


• Young people, the core of Obama's base, now hold equally favorable and unfavorable views of the president they once adored. And his favorability among self-described "liberal" Democrats has also dropped. The percentage of those who say they are strongly favorable has fallen from 69 percent in April to 52 percent now. For a president whose reelection chances hinge on his ability to turn out his base, these numbers are depressing indeed.

Obama's advisers likely think that fervent appeals to liberal views, including class warfare, are the best way to repair the gaping holes that are now appearing in his political base. But this is a conviction born of instinct and intuition, not generated by polling data. The fact is that as the president has ratcheted up his class warfare rhetoric, his personal popularity has fallen and his job approval has edged down slightly.


Obama stepped on his own jobs initiative speech a week after he delivered it by proposing a class-based tax revenue plan. He poured on the class rhetoric, dwarfing any focus on the job creating aspirations of his spending program. So the message we get is that the president proposes to solve our economic problems by taxing rich people. To some this is counterintuitive, since the top 2 percent spend 33 percent of the money in this country. To others, it seems like an irrelevancy, as the president once again indulges his agenda for social reform rather than promoting economic recovery.


With only 26 percent of Americans approving of Obama's handling of the economy (Fox News poll), the president's ratings are bound to drop further, until and unless he can post real economic gains on the scoreboard, something his rhetoric alienating the GOP House of Representatives and scaring the daylights out of the business community is unlikely to achieve.


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OBAMA CHANGE 2012

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie endorses Wes Gullett for Phoenix Mayor!

 CLICK HERE TO WATCH GOV CHRISTIE ENDORSE WES GULLETT FOR PHX MAYOR!

Dear Friends,



Since the beginning of this campaign I’ve been talking about the need to reform city government, laying out specific plans of how to do so, and fighting against the voices of the status quo. It’s what we need to do in Phoenix if we’re ever going to create jobs and jump-start the economy.


That’s why I’m thrilled to announce today that I’ve been endorsed by the nation’s leading reformer: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie!


This is an important and exciting announcement for our campaign.


I had the pleasure of meeting Governor Christie at last year’s Goldwater Institute event, and I shared with him my reform ideas for Phoenix.


It’s safe to say that no one knows the challenges of fighting the business-as-usual crowd or taking on the public-employee unions better than Governor Christie.

“I know that Wes Gullett has a reform plan for Phoenix that will bring important changes to city government to jump start economic growth,” Governor Christie said today. “Reform does not come easy. Entrenched interests will fight hard against reform. I hope that you will stand tall for Wes. Cast your vote for him and tell your friends and neighbors that now is the time to make a difference.”

Governor Christie’s straight-talk and relentless efforts to reform government in his state is exactly the model for what I would do as Mayor of Phoenix. But as he points out, doing so isn’t easy.


And we know that my opponent Greg Stanton and the entrenched interests at City Hall who are supporting his campaign are going to try everything they can to fight our efforts. That is why they continue launching desperate attacks.


But with the support of you, many other business and community leaders, and a reformer like Governor Christie, I know we can succeed.


Thanks for your continued support,


Wes


P.S. Reform is never easy and the entrenched interests at City Hall are gearing up to spend thousands of dollars to protect the status quo. I need your help to fight back and do what is right for the entire city. Here are three things you can do to help today:






Contribute. Your contribution of $200, $100, $50, or $25 today will help me get my message directly to the voters.


Volunteer. We are walking door-to-door and making phone calls. Sign-up today to help our grassroots efforts.


Tell-a-Friend. Forward this message to your email list and tell them why you are supporting Wes Gullett for Phoenix.


Paid for by Wes Gullett for Phoenix

THIS REALLY IS THE ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS YEAR!

       CLICK ON THE PIC ABOVE TO WATCH THE VIDEO!

I've watched nearly every D-Backs game this season.  Last night, the game vs the Los Angeles Dodgers went into extra innings.  In the 10th, Micah Owings came on to pitch for the D-Backs.  He gives up 5 runs in the 10th.

Funny thing said during the broadcast by Daron Sutton (D-Backs TV Announcer).  He said in the top of the 10th - "If you are watching the Replay, make sure you watch the bottom of the 10th inning"!  Boy was he right!

With 2 outs and no one on in the botom of the 10th, I thought about switching over to watch the last part of the 10PM news.  But I thought you never know.  All of a sudden the bases are loaded.  2B Aaron Hill walked to make the score 6 - 3.  Ryan Roberts, who was 0 -4 in the game, steps up & hits the game winning Grand Slam! 

As he rounded the bases, he did his 'tribute' to Manager Kirk Gibson by imitating Gibson's arm pump from the 1988 World Series.

The D-Backs now have 48 come from behind victories (top in MLB)!.   If the D-Backs win tonight & the Brewers lose, the D-Backs open at home on Saturday night in the Playoffs.

The Arizona Diamondbacks might just be the team of destiny in 2011!  They never give up, no matter how far behind they are.  10 years after the World Series Champions, this team has an opportunity to bring home Arizona's 2nd Title!

Matt Salmon: Pushing a Pledge Upstream

As part of the Contract with America, many Republican freshmen in the historic class of 1994 agreed to a term limit pledge. An amendment, seeking to “replace career politicians with citizen legislators,” however, was never passed. Today, Matt Salmon prides himself as one of the few members from the class of ’94 to uphold his term limit pledge. But, did he really uphold it?


The proponents of term limits declare that career politicians lose touch with reality and fail to recognize the way in which the laws they pass impact the American people. Citing Madison’s comments in Federalist #62, that representatives would be “called for the most part from pursuits of a private nature and continued in appointment for a short period of office,” they contend that the Founders believed congressional service would be a part-time responsibility, not a life-long career. Washington, they say, changes people, rearranges their priorities.


Which brings us back to the question of Matt Salmon and his dutifully upheld term limit pledge. Matt Salmon told Reason Magazine, in 1999:

“Having served in the state legislature, I got a pretty good taste of how the long-termers tended to vote. Professional politicians–I don’t care whether they are Republican or Democrat–just have a different view of money. When we talk about tax cuts, most legislators say, ‘That is going to cost us so much money.’ And I’m like, ‘Cost us? What are you talking about? It’s their money to begin with.’”

After his stint in Congress however, Matt Salmon didn’t leave Washington—he became further entrenched in the political machine, translating his service in the U.S. House into a lucrative lobbying career. As a representative of various special interests, Matt Salmon no longer took on those in Congress who wished to spend taxpayer money, instead, he told them where they should spend it; hardly the “citizen legislator” the Republican Revolution had in mind.


Now, in his race for Congress, Matt Salmon is asking voters of the Sixth District to send him back. Perhaps his lobbying connections on Capitol Hill are running low. Or, maybe having been back in Arizona for five months, he’s homesick for Washington.

Jerry Lewis was recruited by Mesa leaders, and promises a new kind of politics

Jerry Lewis was recruited by Dea Montague and encouraged to run by other Mesa leaders you know. He will listen to everyone, and not belittle those who may disagree on issues. Jerry will not accept expensive gifts from lobbyists, and will sponsor legislation banning such gifts.



CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO!

Gullett to Stanton: Stop supporting union abuse

Calls on Stanton to stop wasting taxpayer money on

funding lobbying, political activities




PHOENIX – Mayoral candidate Wes Gullett is calling on career-politician Greg Stanton to stand up to the entrenched interests at City Hall and join him in pledging to end the abusive union contracts that are wasting $3.7 million a year by letting city employees do union, lobbying and political work instead of their jobs – contracts Stanton has supported.






A blockbuster report released last week by the Goldwater Institute found that Phoenix taxpayers are shelling out roughly $3.7 million a year for city employees to conduct union business instead of doing their jobs. In total, city employees are being released for more than 73,000 hours to conduct union and political business – not the peoples’ business. The same public-employee unions benefitting from those contracts have endorsed Stanton.

“Phoenix’s next mayor should be accountable to the taxpayers – not to public-employee unions,” Gullett said. “As a councilman, Greg Stanton voted to raise water rates, raise parking meter rates and raise fees, all while wasting millions of dollars on contracts for union organizing, lobbying and political activities. Instead, I urge Greg to pledge to stop wasting millions a year by letting unions abuse the public’s trust. Greg should do the right thing and stand up for Phoenix taxpayers, not the entrenched interests at City Hall who are supporting his campaign.”

According to the Goldwater report, “collective bargaining agreements with seven labor organizations require the city to pay union officers and provide members with thousands of additional hours to conduct union business instead of doing their government jobs.” The report finds that “public-employee unions still wield outsized influence on elected officials – and they are using that power to feather their own nests.”


To read the statement Gullett released the day the report was released, click here: http://wesgullett.com/wes-gullett-calls-for-an-end-to-taxpayer-subsidies-for-labor-activity/


Stanton has been silent and was silent during his nine years on the City Council.




####






Paid for by Wes Gullett for Phoenix

In Case You Missed It: Congressman Ben Quayle endorses Kirk Adams

Adams has the courage to lead conservative reforms in Congress

MESA, AZ – Kirk Adams is proud to announce that he’s received the endorsement of Arizona Congressman Ben Quayle (AZ-03) in his campaign to represent the East Valley in Congress.

Congressman Quayle says Adams, former Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, is a rising star in the Republican Party and he has demonstrated he has what it takes to shake-up Washington.






 

“Kirk Adams has the courage to remain true to the conservative principles that will get America back on track,” Quayle said. “As Speaker of the House, Kirk led the effort to reform Arizona’s state government – cutting spending thirty percent, reforming the state pension system, taking important measures to secure our border and creating an environment for job growth. That’s the kind of boldness we need in Congress to return our country to the founding principles that made America great.”

Adams said he looks forward to serving with Congressman Quayle in Congress.
 

Ben Quayle has been a great new voice in Congress for Arizona and our conservative principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility,” Adams said. “I look forward to joining that fight with him and other next generation leaders who are willing to take on America’s most challenging issues.”

Kirk Adams is a fresh-face conservative reformer who shook-up Arizona’s state Capitol and will do the same thing in Congress.


A husband, father and small businessman, after joining the state House in 2006, Adams found himself so frustrated by the unwillingness and inability of Republicans in the Legislature to stand up for their conservative principals that he launched a long-shot campaign to oust the veteran Speaker of the House.


Adams shocked the Republican establishment and political class, winning the Speakership at only 35 years of age and one full term in office – making him one of the youngest Speakers in Arizona history.


Adams led the House back in a conservative direction with an aggressive reform agenda, taking on some of the most challenging issues in Arizona history – issues others were afraid to address because of the potential political fallout.


A native Arizonan, Adams and his wife JaNae live in Mesa and have five children.


Paid for by Kirk Adams for U.S. Congress

Cartoon of the Day:What Solyndra Scandal?

Save the Date: November 4th Breakfast with Judge Clancy Jayne - 7:00AM

Please save the date for our next breakfast event on Friday November 4, 2011 at 7:00 AM. I am excited to welcome our very special guest speaker, The Honorable Matt Salmon. I look forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,


Judge Clancy Jayne

November 4, 2011

Breakfast with the Judge


We will enjoy a delicious hot breakfast buffet prepared by Wolfley's Neighborhood Grill and listen to The Honorable Matt Salmon speak on issues affecting Arizona and her citizens.


The cost is $15.00, cash only. Please pay at the door.


Join us for breakfast at:


Wolfley's Neighborhood Grill @ the Desert Ridge Marketplace
21001 N. Tatum Blvd. #96
Phoenix, AZ 85050


Friday  November 4, 2011


7:00 AM


http://www.wolfleys.com

Please send your reservation with contact information for our November 4th breakfast to: cjbreakfast@gmail.com


or 623-492-9976


Paid for by Clancy Jayne.



This breakfast series is an independent, informational forum. It is not affiliated with any fundraising, election or partisan committee and does not endorse any venue, sponsor or speaker.

McCain takes defense spending fight to new level - The Washington Post

By Walter Pincus, Published: September 26



Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is carrying his fight over Defense Department spending to a new level — the structure of Congress itself.






Last week, I wrote that his initial target was the culture of Pentagon officials who have “been inclined to lose sight of affordability as a goal and just reached for more money as a solution to most problems.”




His newest quarry: The Senate Appropriations Committee. Or as he put it Wednesday in a Senate floor speech, “a handful of senior appropriators and their unelected staffs [who] dictate the spending of hundreds of billions of dollars — often in a manner that directly contravenes the will of those committees that still authorize spending.”







There has always been tension in the archaic, two-step way Congress approves money for executive departments. House and Senate authorizing committees approve programs and set budget levels, and then the “powerful” House and Senate appropriations committees approve the actual figures, sometimes lower than that authorized.






In recent years, however, with Congress unable to pass authorizing bills on time and the advent of “omnibus” spending bills, appropriators have taken to moving funds around, including adding money for projects not specifically authorized.

McCain is the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which hasn’t brought its final version of the fiscal 2012 defense authorization bill to the Senate floor. That’s because the debt-limit agreement requires an additional spending reduction in fiscal 2012, which the panel has yet to make.

Meanwhile, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Sept. 15 approved its version of the legislation.






McCain said the appropriators used “budget gimmicks totaling over $10 billion to mislead the American people about the savings the committee claims to achieve.”

According to McCain, the “core” Defense Department budget was set at $513 billion for fiscal 2012, the same figure as approved for the current year.

There is another pot of money for the Pentagon that is considered “emergency spending” and “off budget.” It funds the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. For fiscal 2012, that figure was set at $117 billion.

The committee’s “gimmick,” according to McCain, was to cut $10 billion from this war account, partly based on “a presumption of decreased troop strength in Iraq and Afghanistan.” McCain pointed out that assumes reductions go as planned and that there is no need to keep additional troops in Iraq after Dec. 31.

But then, the committee shifted $10 billion in programs from the “core” budget to the war account. Among the programs shifted were $4 billion for Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force service depot maintenance and $1.5 billion for procurement of unmanned aircraft for the Air Force, Army and Navy.






That shifted $10 billion made up nearly half of the $26 billion the committee claimed to have cut from President Obama’s core Defense Department request.






But, according to McCain, the committee “still found money for over $2.3 billion in additional spending not requested by the Department of Defense and for items that are far from real Defense requirements.” These included rewards to special interests and funds for members’ pet projects,McCain said.






CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE

Rick Perry - Proven Leadership

CLICK HERE TO WATCH RICK PERRY'S NEW AD "PROVEN LEADERSHIP"!

HERMAN CAIN RISING By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN

Published on DickMorris.com on September 26, 2011




Printer-Friendly Version


Insiders and political pros never recognize a superstar when they see one. Herman Cain is just such a star. Now that Rick Perry has been unmasked as a weak debater and an even weaker opponent of illegal immigration, conservatives are turning their lonely eyes to Cain. A stellar debate performance on Fox News led to a smashing victory in the President5 straw poll in Florida and a strong third place finish -- behind Romney and Perry -- in the Michigan straw poll. Both Michigan and Florida are likely among the seven states that will hold primaries or caucuses in February (and they are the two biggest of the seven).


CLICK HERE TO WATCH MORRIS' INTERVIEW WITH HERMAN CAIN!

Here is a man who offers an alternative to Obama's class warfare. His life story shows that Obama's route to the top -- through affirmative action, community organizing, and a climb up the political ladder -- is not the only one available to minorities. His combination of hard work in the private sector, entrepreneurial initiative, and managerial skill can also get you there. He embraces the successful as role models not as objects of envy. He does not hate rich people. He wants us all to become rich.

In a sense, Cain's rise and Mitt Romney's are parallel trajectories. Each has based his appeal on the idea that life in the private sector is better than a career in government service to equip one to solve America's economic problems. Both say that their hands on experience at job creation qualify them to be president in a way that Perry's lifelong political immersion does not.






Now, as Perry fades and Romney rises, Herman Cain is on the cusp of front tier status in the Republican nominating contest.

Cain has a grip on the Tea Party grassroots. No matter how diligently the establishment tries to ignore him, he keeps popping up, impelled by his charisma, oratory, issue positions, and broad based appeal.

See my interview with Herman in today's Lunch Alert! -- Click Here!






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