An article in today's Sun Gazette details Chris Hackett's energy proposals.
From the article, it seems Hackett is proposing four substantive policy initiatives. I will call them Hackett's "4 E's of Energy":
1) Expand America's domestic oil supply ("I am for expanding our domestic capabilities and harvesting those sources as much as possible");
2) Encourage alternative energy solutions (including wind and solar);
3) Explore additional economically driven resources like natural gas ("That is going to be a tremendous revenue for residents"); and
4) Eliminate the federal gas tax.
These are consistent with his 5th Principle to "Get America Off Foreign Oil." Hackett directly contrasted Rep. Chris Carney (who has stood in the way of immediate energy solutions) with Rep. John Peterson (who has encouraged such measures).
Hackett did address his personal investments and stated they did not pose a conflict of interest. Hackett said: "I am not beholden to anyone. I have said publicly that oil companies should pay royalties. I'm also a free-enterprise guy."
The article portrays Hackett as being in favor of a complete elimination of the federal gas tax which is much different than the gas tax holiday we've previously heard about. Recognizing that the Highway Trust Fund is only an accounting mechanism, I'm still curious what Hackett proposes for the lost federal revenue. I'm assuming he's suggesting that future funding will simply come out of the General Fund. Maybe he'll clarify this at a later date.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Pre-Holiday Endorsement
Chris Hackett picked up the endorsement of the prominent business group The Business-Industry Political Action Committee.
The CEO of the Business-Industry PAC cited Hackett's ownership of a temporary staffing company as an asset because it allows Hackett to "bring a keen awareness of business concerns to Congress."
The CEO of the Business-Industry PAC cited Hackett's ownership of a temporary staffing company as an asset because it allows Hackett to "bring a keen awareness of business concerns to Congress."
Now For Some Video
We've previously discussed "Republicans for Carney," but yesterday Chris Carney uploaded a video of the supporters to accompany their testimonials and provide an added emphasis.
Two points of discussion from the video:
First, it will be interesting to see how long Carney keeps up this "Republicans for Carney" charade. At the end of the video, an E-mail address is made available for supporters to submit their own testimonials. It appears Carney wants to continue adding names to his enumerated conversion list over on his campaign's web page.
Second, from the clips provided in the video, Carney used the event to discuss his commitment to bipartisanship. Near the end of the video, Carney proclaims: "Folks, we don't improve this country until we end the partisanship that has plagued us for so many years."
It was a nice gesture, but that message rings rather hallow given what his campaign has displayed thus far. He's bitterly attacked Hackett on a personal level, claimed Hackett is a "hypocrite" on taxes, claimed Hackett is only interested in energy solutions because of his personal investments, attempted to politicize Hackett's 10 Principles by suggesting they are meant to "scare seniors", and implied that Hackett had no personal understanding of what morals are. All this comes less than three months into the campaign with only more intense attacks likely to come later this year.
As growing national attention continues to follow the race in the 10th District, it would be a great gesture if Carney began to finally embrace his own rhetoric of moving beyond bitter partisanship and personal attacks, and instead concentrated on the substantive issues at hand.
Two points of discussion from the video:
First, it will be interesting to see how long Carney keeps up this "Republicans for Carney" charade. At the end of the video, an E-mail address is made available for supporters to submit their own testimonials. It appears Carney wants to continue adding names to his enumerated conversion list over on his campaign's web page.
Second, from the clips provided in the video, Carney used the event to discuss his commitment to bipartisanship. Near the end of the video, Carney proclaims: "Folks, we don't improve this country until we end the partisanship that has plagued us for so many years."
It was a nice gesture, but that message rings rather hallow given what his campaign has displayed thus far. He's bitterly attacked Hackett on a personal level, claimed Hackett is a "hypocrite" on taxes, claimed Hackett is only interested in energy solutions because of his personal investments, attempted to politicize Hackett's 10 Principles by suggesting they are meant to "scare seniors", and implied that Hackett had no personal understanding of what morals are. All this comes less than three months into the campaign with only more intense attacks likely to come later this year.
As growing national attention continues to follow the race in the 10th District, it would be a great gesture if Carney began to finally embrace his own rhetoric of moving beyond bitter partisanship and personal attacks, and instead concentrated on the substantive issues at hand.
Office Space
It appears the state and federal GOP are going to get even more acquainted with Chris Hackett over the coming months. In what campaign manager Mark Harris called a sensible move, state party officials have subleased Hackett's office space.
From the Times Leader:
More offices will also be opening throughout the district as the fall election grows closer.
From the Times Leader:
"...Pennsylvania Victory, a state organization operating on federal party funds, signed an agreement with congressional candidate Chris Hackett on Wednesday to sublease 936 square feet of the 1,183-square-foot office space.
Hackett’s campaign has rented the space at Dallas Shopping Center since October at a rate of $650 per month. PA Victory will pay up to 90 percent of that total beginning this month. A Hackett staffer will still be housed in the office and Hackett will continue to rent an office at the Twin Stacks office facility just north on Route 415."
More offices will also be opening throughout the district as the fall election grows closer.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Kanjo On The Radio
Paul Kanjorski called in to the Steve Corbett show on WILK this afternoon. A couple issues were covered, but one of the more interesting topics Kanjorski discussed was his relationship with Barack Obama. After being directly questioned by Corbett, Kanjorski confirmed that he has publicly endorsed Barack Obama for President and suggested that he will cast a vote in support of Obama at the convention in Denver assuming there are no drastic changes between now and then. Corbett also asked whether Kanjorski would campaign with Obama. Kanjorski responded that not only would he campaign with Obama, but Obama would likely be in the district within the next month.
Corbett couldn't get too many questions in with Kanjorski so there was no further word on whether he will accept Barletta's challenge for eleven debates. It's been one week since Barletta proposed the framework and Kanjorski initially appeared reluctant to participate in all eleven.
UPDATE: Click here to listen to the interview.
Corbett couldn't get too many questions in with Kanjorski so there was no further word on whether he will accept Barletta's challenge for eleven debates. It's been one week since Barletta proposed the framework and Kanjorski initially appeared reluctant to participate in all eleven.
UPDATE: Click here to listen to the interview.
In Its Entirety
Freedom's Watch Radio Ad which will be running in Pennsylvania's 10th District:
Since last year, gas prices are up 75 percent. Everything from bread and milk to airline tickets -- even diapers -- costs more. Families and businesses are struggling. More and more Americans are losing jobs.
So what is Congressman Chris Carney doing about it? Chris Carney voted five times against environmentally safe domestic energy production, voted against American energy independence. We have enough untapped oil in the U.S. to fuel 25 million homes and 60 million cars for the next 60 years. Producing our own oil would help lower costs and create more American jobs.
But Chris Carney stands in the way while we cut back on gas and groceries, family outings, and summer vacations.
Call Chris Carney at 570-585-9988 and tell him to support H.R.3089 -- for more American energy, more American jobs and lower gas prices.
Paid for by Freedom's Watch.
Lobbying Around DC
After yesterday's ROMP endorsement for Chris Hackett, Chris Carney received the support of Arlen Specter's former chief-of-staff David Urban. It seems that Urban grew to admire Carney as he has got to know him.
These two endorsements will also force Carney and Hackett to compete directly across the street from one another on July 16. The two will both be in D.C. Hackett will be at the ROMP fundraiser while Urban and his lobbying firm American Continental host a $1,000 a plate breakfast fundraiser for Carney.
It has been suggested that Chris Carney is a "Capitol Hill opportunist" so his relationship with this lobbyist raised some immediate question. While Urban denied any professional interest, one issue beneath the surface is just how interested Urban is in Carney because he's a "bipartisan" or rather if his sudden support of Carney stemmed from Chris Hackett's interest in eliminating earmarks?
These two endorsements will also force Carney and Hackett to compete directly across the street from one another on July 16. The two will both be in D.C. Hackett will be at the ROMP fundraiser while Urban and his lobbying firm American Continental host a $1,000 a plate breakfast fundraiser for Carney.
It has been suggested that Chris Carney is a "Capitol Hill opportunist" so his relationship with this lobbyist raised some immediate question. While Urban denied any professional interest, one issue beneath the surface is just how interested Urban is in Carney because he's a "bipartisan" or rather if his sudden support of Carney stemmed from Chris Hackett's interest in eliminating earmarks?
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
ROMP
Chris Hackett received a nod of support and financial assistance from Republican Whip Roy Blunt. Blunt announced eight beneficiaries who will be receiving aid from the GOP's ROMP (Regain Our Majority Program). Hackett was one of the Republicans named as well as Phil English of Pennsylvania.
Not only does ROMP give Hackett some needed aid, but reaffirms the party's overall commitment to helping Hackett compete in the fall.
The National Republican Congressional Committee plans to hold a fund raiser on July 16 to assist those newly added Republicans. The upcoming event will be the second event (out of a total of four). From The Hill: "Four ROMP events usually occur each cycle. The first two raise funds for the most endangered incumbents, while the third is meant to allow members and fundraisers to go on the offensive. The fourth tends to be a final push to raise money for members in desperate need of campaign cash."
Not only does ROMP give Hackett some needed aid, but reaffirms the party's overall commitment to helping Hackett compete in the fall.
The National Republican Congressional Committee plans to hold a fund raiser on July 16 to assist those newly added Republicans. The upcoming event will be the second event (out of a total of four). From The Hill: "Four ROMP events usually occur each cycle. The first two raise funds for the most endangered incumbents, while the third is meant to allow members and fundraisers to go on the offensive. The fourth tends to be a final push to raise money for members in desperate need of campaign cash."
Freedom's Watch
The Times-Tribune has a follow-up story on yesterday's post regarding the ads aimed at Carney and Kanjorski.
It has not been disclosed how many times or on what stations the ads will run, but Paul Kanjorski and Chris Carney both fired back by targeting the origin of the ads.
Kanjorski spokesman called Freedom's Watch an "extremist group" associated with Lou Barletta while Carney spokewoman Rebecca Gale said the "ads are typical of the attacks the Democrat has come to expect from political allies of his Republican opponent, Chris Hackett."
It has not been disclosed how many times or on what stations the ads will run, but Paul Kanjorski and Chris Carney both fired back by targeting the origin of the ads.
Kanjorski spokesman called Freedom's Watch an "extremist group" associated with Lou Barletta while Carney spokewoman Rebecca Gale said the "ads are typical of the attacks the Democrat has come to expect from political allies of his Republican opponent, Chris Hackett."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)