Big surge among small donors for GOP helps campaign committees

The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) have seen a surge in the number of small-dollar donors making contributions in recent months, according to new reports.

Read more: http://www.thehill.com/homenews/campaign/63697-rnc-nrcc-see-uptick-in-small-donors
By Reid Wilson

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Ray McBerry to Speak at South Metro Young Republican Meeting

The South Metro Young Republicans will host its monthly meeting this Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00 pm. Please note the new location, Downtown Grill in Tyrone (1158 Senoia Road). Ray McBerry, a candidate for governor, will be the guest speaker: http://www.georgiafirst.org/.

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Sen. Chambliss Inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame

U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony held at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Md. The Georgia 4-H nominated Sen. Chambliss for the distinction for his leadership and exemplary service to 4-H. This year, fifteen men and women from across the country displaying strong support for the organization on a local, state or national level have been selected to be inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

“As the largest youth development organization in America, 4-H has the ability to help shape our nation’s future leaders and I am very proud to support its efforts,” said Sen. Chambliss. “My first public speech was as a sixth-grader in a 4-H competition in Tracy City, Tenn., standing on a table in the lunch room. Since then, I have delivered many speeches, but I will never forget that experience 4-H afforded me as a child. It is truly an honor and privilege to support the mission and principles of the 4-H organization as the co-chair of the Senate 4-H Caucus.”

“Senator Chambliss is a wonderful example of our amazing 4-H alumni,” said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., President and CEO of National 4-H Council. “We are thrilled to honor him today for the passion, dedication and leadership he has shown for our organization and the impact that he has made on the Senate 4-H Caucus.”

Since 2002 when the National 4-H Hall of Fame was created, over 200 individuals have been inducted. Sen. Chambliss joins other distinguished Georgians in this honor including: G.C. Adams, Mary Cresswell, Tommy Irvin, Martha Harrison Jones, W.A. “Bill” Sutton, U.S. Sen. Herman Talmadge, and Dr. Tommy Walton.

This week also marks “National 4-H Week” during which 6 million 4-H members and over 500,000 adult and youth volunteers celebrate their involvement in 4-H. In 2008, over 166,000 individuals participated in Georgia 4-H, with over 25,000 being adult volunteers.

For more information about the National 4-H Hall of Fame, go to: www.nae4ha.org/hof.
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Marco Rubio Delivers Letter to Governor Crist Regarding ACORN

Another interesting race to watch. Marco Rubio (R) is running for the Senate seat vacated by Mel Martinez in Floriday. Governor Charlie Crist (R) is also running for the seat. www.marcorubio.com

September 17, 2009
The Honorable Charlie Crist
The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Dear Governor Crist:

As you are no doubt aware, the community organizing group Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) is now under intense scrutiny for recent reports of its involvement in questionable behavior and potentially illegal activity in several states.
In addition to the damning video reports of ACORN employees now familiar to most Floridians, just last week the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office announced that arrest warrants were issued for 11 former ACORN employees accused of faking voter registration cards. While it is commendable that ACORN assisted in the investigations that led to the arrests, it begs the question: why were so many people capable of these crimes working for ACORN in the first place?

Last Friday, the Census Bureau severed ties with ACORN. On Tuesday, U.S. Senators Bill Nelson and George LeMieux joined 81 other Senators in an overwhelming and bipartisan vote to strip federal funding from ACORN. Just yesterday, Governors Arnold Schwarzenegger in California and Tim Pawlenty in Minnesota took similar action, asking officials to investigate ACORN’s behavior in their respective states and prevent state taxpayer funding of the group.

Based on the mounting evidence against ACORN and the serious questions surrounding this organization, I respectfully ask that you follow the lead of the other elected officials I mentioned above and take immediate steps to initiate a thorough investigation into ACORN’s activities in Florida, including a detailed accounting of what state funds, if any, ACORN may be receiving. If it is discovered that they are receiving state funds, I believe further steps should be taken to cut off any taxpayer funding of ACORN.

The St. Petersburg Times also reported yesterday that your office may have partnered with ACORN in the past on several initiatives, including your 2007 effort to restore voting rights to convicted felons in Florida. If you partnered with ACORN, I have no reason to doubt you did so unaware of ACORN’s propensity for questionable activity, and with what you believed at the time to be the best interests of Floridians at heart. However, given the recent revelations about ACORN, I believe it is now in the best interest of all Floridians for your office to provide a thorough accounting of its relationship with ACORN and what, if any, influence ACORN may have had in any actions you have taken on behalf of the people of Florida.

Lastly, during last year’s presidential election, despite what now seems to be a prescient chorus of concerned parties asking for an investigation into ACORN’s election-related activities, you insisted that you were unconcerned with ACORN’s activities. In light of the recent allegations against ACORN, I suggest you reconsider your position, demand a full investigation of ACORN’s election-related activities, and take whatever steps available to you to prevent ACORN from engaging in voter registration and other election-related activities until the questions surrounding this organization are resolved.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Marco Rubio
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On NBC's Meet the Press, Boehner Discusses Health Care, Dems' Push for Bigger Government, War in Afghanistan

In an appearance this morning on NBC’s Meet the Press, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) discussed health care, the War in Afghanistan, and the dramatic expansion of the size of government under the current Administration. Leader Boehner highlighted House Republicans’ better solutions on health care – including allowing the American people to buy insurance across state lines and enacting medical liability reform – and called on the President to scrap his costly government takeover of health care and hit the “reset” button so Republicans and Democrats can work together on a bipartisan bill that reduces health care costs, expands coverage, and doesn’t break the bank. Following are highlights of Boehner’s appearance and video of the interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-wppn6_hiQ&feature=player_profilepage

BOEHNER ON DEMOCRATS’ GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE AND GOP BETTER SOLUTIONS:

“We’ve outlined a number of ideas to make the current system better. Why not allow small employers to group together through national associations so they can buy health insurance for their employees like big companies and unions can today? Why not allow the American people to buy health care plans across state lines? Why not get serious about medical malpractice reform and more importantly the defensive medicine that doctors practice because we haven't reformed our tort system? There are ideas I outlined some of these ideas in a letter to the President back in may, asked to sit down with him and his Administration, and we got a nice polite letter back that says thank you for your ideas, we'll see you at the end. I’ve not been to the White House since late April, early may. There’s been no bipartisan conversation on Capitol Hill about health care, at some point when these big-government plans fail, and they will, the congress will not pass this, it's really time for the President to hit the reset button and stop all of this and sit down and start over in a bipartisan way to build a plan that Americans will support.”

BOEHNER ON RADICAL GROWTH IN SIZE AND SCOPE OF GOVERNMENT UNDER DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED WASHINGTON:

“Let's remember something. The debate that we're in here is not just about health care. It’s about the trillion dollar stimulus bill that was supposed to be about jobs and turned into nothing more than spending, spending and more spending. It’s about a budget with a nearly $2 trillion deficit this year and trillion dollar deficits for as far as the eye can see. It’s a cap-and-trade system, this big giant tax on the American people that this week we just find out the Treasury Department said will cost the average family $1,700 per year. You add to that this whole question of health care and the government option and the government involvement, and Americans today are getting more news about what's happening in their government than they have ever gotten before, and Americans are generally scared to death…

“What’s going on here is unsustainable. Our nation is broke, and at a time when we've got the serious economic problem and near 10 unemployment, we ought to be looking to create jobs in America, not kill jobs in America. Their cap-and-trade proposal, all this spending, all of this debt and now their health care plan will make it more difficult for employers to hire people, more difficult, more expensive to have employees which means we're going to have less jobs in America - but Americans are scared and that's why they are speaking up and that's why they are engaging in their government.”

BOEHNER COMMENTS ON WAR IN AFGHANISTAN, CALLS ON GENERAL MCCHRYSTAL TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS:

“I said during the year, if the President listened to our commanders on the ground and to our diplomats, that I’d be there by his side, and I supported his strategy in Iraq. I’ve supported his strategy in Afghanistan, but it's pretty clear based on what I heard this morning that the President is changing the goals here. All he talked about was going after al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan. What happened to the statement earlier this year when the President said we cannot allow the Taliban and al Qaeda to have a safe haven from which to train, operate and organize to go after Americans? That is a very big change, and so I’m really concerned. We’ve been asking for general McChrystal to come to Capitol Hill and testify. The request -- we haven't heard anything. There's reports out all last week that the White House has asked general McChrystal to wait four to six weeks before sending his request in, and so there's something -- there's something amiss here, and I am highly skeptical of the debate that we're going to have here over the next couple of months.”

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Isakson, Chambliss Call for End to Federal Program Used To Assist Troubled Banks, Automakers

Urge Administration to Use All Repayments for National Debt Reduction

U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., joined with 37 of their Senate Republican colleagues yesterday in a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner calling for an end to the Troubled Asset Relief Program, known as TARP, which has been used to assist troubled banks, financial institutions and automakers.

The authority for the TARP is scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2009.

On Jan. 15, 2009, Isakson and Chambliss voted to oppose the Bush administration’s request to access the remaining $350 billion in TARP funds, citing their disappointment and frustration over how the administration spent the first $350 billion. Isakson and Chambliss also strongly opposed the Bush administration’s decision to use TARP funds to bail out U.S. automakers.

The full text of the letter:

Dear Secretary Geithner:

As we approach the termination date for authority to spend federal funds allocated to the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) (PL 110-343), we ask you to allow the authority to expire on December 31, 2009. As you know, the latest TARP report shows a significant amount of unobligated funds. Ending the authority for TARP would help improve the Federal debt going forward and reduce the need to increase the debt limit, which Congress has raised three times in the last 14 months.

When Congress passed EESA last October, the financial markets were in a downward spiral, and our country was facing an unprecedented credit crisis. Then Treasury Secretary Paulson requested $700 billion in federal funds to purchase toxic assets, which were at the heart of the financial crisis. Congress was told it was imperative to act quickly before the financial markets crashed, taking with it the pensions, savings and investments of hardworking, American taxpayers. As you know, the Senate passed EESA on a bipartisan basis, including the support of then-Senator Obama. Subsequent to the enactment of this legislation, however, TARP has been used by the federal government to acquire ownership stakes in banks, financial institutions, and automakers. This direct investment certainly was not the intention of Congress in passing this legislation. In fact, Congress explicitly rejected legislation to provide federal funds to bail out car manufacturers.

Based on your comments to the TARP Congressional Oversight Panel on September 10, 2009, it appears that you believe that our financial markets are recovering. In addition, borrowing costs are down for both business and consumer lending and banks are reporting stronger balance sheets. While we understand that our economy is still recovering, we believe it can function without added TARP funding. Additionally, the cost to the taxpayer if TARP authority was extended could be substantial. Already the taxpayer is expected to lose tens of billions of dollars on funding that was provided to GM, Chrysler and AIG.

As elected officials with the responsibility to the American public when it comes to overseeing taxpayer interests, we urge you not to extend TARP. To the extent you have concerns that allowing TARP to expire after this year would jeopardize the progress made in the recovery of our financial markets, we would remind you that Congress stands ready to work alongside the Administration if future action is required. This program should expire on December 31, 2009, and all TARP repayments should be returned to the Treasury for debt reduction.
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Chambliss, Isakson Cast Votes, Cosponsor Legislation to Block ACORN from Receiving Any Taxpayer Dollars

Also Call On Democratic Leader to Hold Hearings to ‘Determine Extent of ACORN’s Wrongdoing’

U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today cast votes and cosponsored legislation to block the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, known as ACORN, from receiving any federal funding. The senators also signed a letter to the Senate Democratic Leader calling on him to hold hearings “to determine the extent of ACORN's wrongdoing.”

ACORN, which has received an estimated $53 million in federal money since 1994, was accused of fraudulent voter registration in several states during the 2008 presidential election. Now, the group is under fire for hidden-camera videos in which ACORN employees in several cities are seen advising two people posing as a prostitute and pimp on how to break the law.

“After repeated revelations of fraud, it's clear that we must move forward to ensure that ACORN is not receiving any federal funding,” said Chambliss. “Organizations that break our laws and undermine our democratic process should not be eligible for taxpayer dollars.”

“It is indefensible that ACORN is eligible for taxpayers funds when it has repeatedly worked to undermine our electoral process and to advance partisan political activities,” said Isakson. “The recent revelations only offer further proof that this organization should be prohibited from receiving federal funding.”

Chambliss and Isakson cosponsored a bill today to block ACORN from receiving any federal funds from any source. The legislation was introduced by Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., and has 16 cosponsors.

In addition, Chambliss and Isakson voted for an amendment on the floor to block ACORN from receiving federal funding through the Interior Appropriations bills. This amendment passed by a vote of 85-11.

Chambliss and Isakson also joined 26 other senators in calling on Democratic Leader Harry Reid to hold public hearings on ACORN and to end all federal funding for the group.
The letter to Reid says in part: “American taxpayers must be able to trust that their money is being spent responsibly and is not being used to fund criminal enterprises. As Senate Majority Leader, we hope that you will deploy all of the resources at your disposal to restore that trust.”
Earlier this week Chambliss and Isakson also cosponsored and voted for an amendment to block ACORN from receiving federal funding through the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill. The amendment passed by a vote of 83-7.
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Westmoreland Supports House Vote Against ACORN

Congressman previously led effort against group’s involvement with Census

As a congressional leader in the fight to sever federal ties to ACORN, U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland joined an overwhelming House majority in voting for a bill to cut all federal funds given to the group.

“Today’s vote marks a rare victory for American taxpayers in this Democratic House, but ACORN’s abuses now are so well documented and so well known that even Democrats can’t defend them,” Westmoreland said. “Undercover videos of numerous ACORN offices giving advice on avoiding taxes and hiding an underage prostitution ring are only the latest examples of this group’s illegal behavior. I hope the Senate will follow the House by passing this legislation and sending it to the president for his signature.”

As chairman of the House Republicans’ Census Task Force, Westmoreland led a successful lobbying effort with the director of the Census Bureau to prevent ACORN from partnering with the bureau on the 2010 Census. The bureau announced last week that ACORN would be dropped from the bureau’s partnership program.

“Republicans didn’t take up this fight because it’s recently become a hot topic on cable news,” Westmoreland added. “In fact, last year, we sounded the alarm about ACORN’s voter fraud activities. In 2007, we started the fight to stop HUD from funding ACORN’s housing activities. Today’s victory has been a long time coming. ACORN’s work will continue even without federal funding and I encourage federal law enforcement authorities to investigate the group’s illegal actions.”
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Cash for Clunkers’ woes preview Obamacare

By Lynn Westmoreland

As Democratic members of Congress heard an earful over August from angry constituents worried about a government takeover of health care, hundreds of thousands of Americans were getting a sneak preview of what Obamacare might look like.

Washington, in its wisdom, instituted a seemingly simple Cash for Clunkers program, a plan so well known by Americans that it needs no further introduction.

The Cash for Clunkers window has closed now, of course, but its record of delays, paperwork, refusals, computer crashes and general red tape remained fresh in the memories of Americans as the president addressed the Congress this week to push his ideas for health care reform.

Without doubt, the president is the Democrats’ greatest messenger and he’s gifted in the art of persuasion. But the president doesn’t need to convince Americans that we have problems with our health care system. We could have all agreed on that long before he took up residence at the White House.

The president’s challenge is selling Americans on the dubious idea that the answer lies in a government takeover of the health care industry.

There are many legitimate reasons Americans from coast to coast flooded town hall meetings over August to voice their opposition. There are basic worries about bigger government, higher taxes and even larger federal deficits. Others wonder how an underfunded Medicare program could sustain $500 billion in cuts. But the main concern is intimately personal: Americans know a public option will undermine private insurance and lead to rationing, lower quality care and bureaucratic interference in the doctor-patient relationship.

It’s the latter concern where the Cash for Clunkers program could come into play.

At first, Congress appropriated $1 billion to provide a $4,500 incentive for Americans to trade in gas guzzlers for new, more fuel-efficient cars. This was supposed to rev up the ailing car dealers and auto manufacturers. (While almost 700,000 cars were bought through the program, this is a case of the government picking winners and losers. Cash for Clunkers merely pushed consumers to buy cars in lieu of other big purchases. Plus, dealers may face a dry spell after the taxpayer-subsided binge.)

The Department of Transportation this week will increase its work force for the program to 5,000, up from 3,000 last week, which was up from 1,100 public and private sector employees in mid-August. The bureaucracy keeps expanding.

What are these 5,000 new government workers doing? They’re processing the 27 million pages of paperwork generated by those nearly 700,000 car sales. A huge backlog formed waiting on the mere stamp of federal approval of the sale.

While many dealers appreciated the jump start on lagging sales, common complaints echoed nationwide: The government’s web site kept crashing, dealers couldn’t get their money from the Department of Transportation, their accountants were working around the clock to fill out the bounty of paperwork required on each car and 50 percent of applications were rejected. As of today (Sept. 10), only a little more than 40 percent of submissions have been paid.

Paperwork. Problems with payments to providers. Delays. Backups. New bureaucrats hired. The government picking winners and losers.

These things were bad enough when U.S. consumers were just looking for a good deal on a new car. What’s it going to be like when you need dialysis or a heart transplant?

President Obama’s effort to sell cars may give Americans extra pause as they watch him kick the tires on his health care plan.

Lynn Westmoreland (R-Grantville) represents Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District.
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Isakson Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Financial Disclosure Rules

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., has introduced legislation to increase transparency and strengthen mortgage disclosure requirements for Members of Congress.

The bill by Isakson and Senator Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., would require Members of Congress to make a “full and complete” disclosure of residential mortgages, which includes, the date that the mortgage was entered, the range of the amount, the interest rate, the term, and the name and address of the creditor.

Isakson and Boxer serve as Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, respectively.

Senator Isakson said, “Since my first year in Congress, I have always disclosed my home ownership and the mortgages against my home. It’s the right thing to do and I believe it should be required of all members of Congress.”

Senator Boxer said, “Transparency is the key to accountability in government. We must continually revisit ethics in government, and strengthening our disclosure rules takes an important step forward.”
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Isakson Criticizes Senate’s Refusal to Stimulate Housing Market by Expanding Tax Credit for Homebuyers

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today criticized the Senate’s rejection of his amendment to stimulate housing demand and boost the economy by expanding the first-time homebuyer tax credit to a $15,000 tax credit for any buyer of any home. The Senate rejected Isakson’s amendment, which he sought to attach to the “cash for clunkers” bill, by a vote of 47 to 50.

Isakson then voted against final passage of the “cash for clunkers” bill.

“I’m disappointed in this vote on the homebuyer tax credit, because every American is suffering in this economy. Every American deserves for Congress to look for positive incentives to bring the housing market back, restore their equity, improve their values and return us back to a vibrant economy,” Isakson said. “The ‘cash for clunkers’ program demonstrates what I’ve known all my life, which is positive incentives cause positive results. The problem we have, though, is it was not the automobile market that disappeared first in America. It was the collapse of housing market.”

Specifically, Isakson’s amendment would have increased the maximum amount of the credit from $8,000 to $15,000 and expanded the current tax credit so that it applies to any buyer of any home, not just first-time buyers. The amendment also would have eliminated the income caps of $75,000 for an individual and $150,000 for a couple under the current tax credit so that there is no income limit for eligibility. The amendment would have extended the tax credit for one year from date of enactment and would have still allowed homebuyers to claim the credit on their 2009 tax return for purchases made in 2010. Finally, the amendment would have required the expansion of the tax credit ultimately to be paid for by stimulus funds.

Isakson’s amendment was endorsed by the National Association of Home Builders and the National Association of Realtors.

Isakson has pushed hard for a tax credit for homebuyers since January 2008 because he knows that it will work. In the mid-1970s, America faced a similar housing crisis when a period of easy credit and loose underwriting flooded the market with new construction. Interest rates rose, the economy slowed and America was left with a three-year supply of vacant homes. Congress responded by passing a $2,000 tax credit for anyone purchasing a new home for their principal residence. Isakson, who was in the real estate industry in Atlanta at the time, says the results were clear and swift as home values stabilized, housing inventory dropped and the market recovered.

Isakson spent more than three decades in the real estate business, beginning his business career in 1967 when he opened the first Cobb County, Ga., office of a small, family-owned real estate business, Northside Realty. Isakson later served as president of Northside for 20 years, presiding over the company’s growth into the largest independent residential real estate brokerage company in the Southeast and one of the largest in America.
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Governor Perdue to Co-host Second Annual Southeastern United States–Canadian Provinces Alliance Conference

In second year, group aims to increase economic relationships between southern states, Canada

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue will co-host the second annual Southeastern United States–Canadian Provinces Alliance (SEUS//CP) conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador from July 26 through July 28. Last year, Governor Perdue hosted the inaugural conference in Savannah, which drew hundreds of delegates from six southeastern states and seven Canadian provinces.

“Canada is Georgia’s top trading partner and it is critically important to continue to form business connections and collaborations that will only improve the trade and investment relationship that we have developed over the years,” said Governor Perdue. “In these economic times, reaching across borders to find commonalities in business and research is the way to help bolster the economies in our states and provinces.”

Approximately 200 delegates from across the Southeast and Canada are expected to attend the second annual conference. The itinerary includes a town hall session on public sector leadership in today’s economy, business sessions regarding energy, green economic development and ocean technology and many opportunities for participating businesses and organizations to network and form lasting partnerships.

“Last year’s conference was an outstanding start to what we believe will be a long, productive alliance among the six southeastern states and seven Canadian provinces,” said Heidi Green, deputy commissioner for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “Georgia businesses will have the opportunity to network with Canadian businesses and delve further into our strategic industries.”

The SEUS-Canadian Provinces Alliance (SEUS//CP), which is modeled after the successful 33-year SEUS-Japan association, is designed to present opportunities for businesses to enhance commercial exchanges, promote two-way investment, and encourage technological and scientific exchanges between and among six southeastern States and seven Canadian Provinces. Member states include Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama and member provinces include Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba.

In addition to representatives from southern states, three Canadian premiers will attend the conference: Danny Williams, Newfoundland and Labrador; Shawn Graham, New Brunswick; and Darrell Dexter, Nova Scotia.

“On behalf of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, I extend a warm welcome to delegates of the second annual SEUS//CP conference,” said Premier Williams. “Over the course of this conference, businesses from all jurisdictions will have the opportunity to enjoy an itinerary that focuses on key areas of growth. The opportunity to meet with individuals from across the SEUS//CP region will hopefully result in new partnerships being forged and the valuable exchange of ideas.”

SEUS//CP was initially spearheaded by the State of Georgia and the Province of Quebec with support from the U.S. Embassy in Canada and the Canadian Consulate General for the Southeastern U.S. in Atlanta. The program is led this year by the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Next year, the state of Misssissippi will chair the alliance
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Sen. Balfour Begins Term as President of National Conference of State Legislatures

Sen. Don Balfour (R-Gwinnett) today took office as president of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) at the organization’s annual legislative summit in Philadelphia. The first legislator from Georgia to be elected to NCSL office, Balfour will lead the bipartisan Conference in serving the nation’s state lawmakers and advocating for their interests before Congress.

“I have dedicated my political career to serving the people of Georgia, and am humbled by the opportunity to serve the states of this nation as president of such an esteemed organization,” said Balfour. “NCSL is at the forefront of bringing state legislatures together to develop public policy that will strengthen our country and the lives of its citizens. I look forward to working with state leaders from across the nation to enhance the state legislatures’ influence in the federal system.”

Sen. Balfour has been an influential member of NCSL throughout his legislative career. Prior to his election as president, Balfour served as vice president and is a member of the executive committee. He will serve as president in 2009-2010. Known for his work in helping Georgia pass some of the strongest ethics and eminent domain laws in the nation, Sen. Balfour’s colleagues agree that his leadership skills will serve him well as NCSL president.

“This is truly a great day for our state,” said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. “Senator Balfour is one of our strongest and most experienced Senators with over 17 years championing conservative policy and representing his Gwinnett constituents admirably. Now heading one of the most prominent legislative organizations in the nation, Senator Balfour’s expertise and forward-thinking mindset give NCSL a tremendously capable leader who will do an outstanding job as president.”

Balfour’s longtime colleague, Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah), remarked: “Senator Balfour is a driving force in some of the most important political issues facing our state. I greatly respect his commitment and dedication to serving our citizens. We are lucky to have such a seasoned leader representing the state of Georgia in one of the most influential legislative organizations. The states are getting a strong leader at NCSL as we face record deficits and unemployment challenges.”

“I am proud to serve alongside Senator Balfour in representing the citizens of Gwinnett County,” said Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford). “Throughout my years in the Senate, I have watched him fiercely champion the issues that are important to his constituents. He is committed to doing all he can to help those he represents, and I am confident that he will serve as NCSL president with the same determination and convictions that have made him a cornerstone in the Georgia legislature.”

NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation’s 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues. The Conference is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of state governments before Congress and federal agencies.
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Rep. Tom Graves Honored as “Legislator of the Year” by ALEC

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) today honored state Representative Tom Graves (R-Ranger) as its “Legislator of the Year.”

The “Legislator of the Year” Award is given to state legislators who are ALEC members in good standing and have distinguished themselves by advancing, introducing and/or enacting policies based on the fundamental Jeffersonian principles of free markets, limited government, federalism and individual liberty.

Graves peers honored him with the award for his work on the Jobs, Opportunity and Business Success Act of 2009 (JOBS Act).

“It has been a pleasure to work with the leadership of the Georgia House and ALEC to formulate a true economic stimulus proposal for Georgia,” said Rep. Graves. “We recognize that sustainable job creation only results from the expansion of the private sector and not from the expansion of government. Hats off to ALEC for their tireless effort to advance sound public policy based on Jeffersonian principles.”

Graves received the award for his authorship and passage of The JOBS Act, HB 481 and 482, which received national attention. These bills were focused on helping small businesses and creating, expanding and attracting jobs through a series of tax credits, cuts, and incentives for businesses to hire Georgians.

ALEC’s 36th Annual Meeting, which began this past Wednesday and wraps up July 18, featured former U.S. Senator and Georgia Governor Zell Miller, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich and others who addressed an audience of nearly 1,500 state legislators and business leaders in Atlanta.

Boehner, Westmoreland Unveil “Bloodhounds” Video Asking: Where Are the Jobs?

Job-Sniffing GOP Bloodhound Ellie Mae Makes Debut, Finds Few Jobs from Trillion-Dollar “Stimulus”



House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today released a new web video targeting Washington Democrats’ trillion-dollar “stimulus” bill and asking “where are the jobs?” The tongue-in-cheek web video, inspired by a classic 1984 TV commercial by now-Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), features a job-sniffing GOP bloodhound named Ellie Mae and a down-home voiceover by Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA).

"This is a lighthearted web video, but the underlying point is no laughing matter,” Boehner said. “At a time when Americans are looking to Washington for leadership, the trillion-dollar ‘stimulus’ isn’t working. Americans were promised the ‘stimulus’ would keep the unemployment rate from going above eight percent. It’s now at 9.x percent, and rising. Where are the jobs?”

In the video, job-sniffing bloodhounds follow the “stimulus” money trail across the nation in search of the millions of jobs the Obama Administration promised to “save or create” if the trillion-dollar spending bill were enacted. The trail takes them to AIG Headquarters in New York City, where “stimulus” funds were used to pay big bonuses to top executives; to Wisconsin, where “stimulus” funds are paying for repairs to a bridge that reportedly carries about 260 cars per day, many to a place called Rusty’s Backwater Saloon, according to a June 16 report in the Wall Street Journal; and to North Carolina, where “stimulus” funds were reportedly used by one town to hire a new worker whose job is to apply for more “stimulus” funds from Washington.

“A real ‘stimulus’ would help small businesses across America get back on their feet and create jobs,” Boehner said. “Washington hasn’t tried that yet. Instead we’ve made government bigger, wasted taxpayers’ money, and piled new debt on our children and grandchildren. Republicans have put forth a better solution – a plan that recognizes small business, not government, is the engine of the American economy. We hope Washington Democrats will work with us in the months ahead to make it a reality.”
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Tonight on Evil Conservative Radio 10-11PM EDT

Note: Well, well, guess this is our day for passing along all kinds of info. Been getting all these updates and info, we look at it, sometimes listen, sometimes click, but generally we've kept it to ourselves. Little light bulbs went off in the brain this morning (caffeine after good night's sleep 'll do it to ya), and we're sharing. Not sure if we'll do it on a regular basis yet, will decide after another cup o' strong Irish tea and a bit of waiting to see if we get a reaction from our readers...

Applied Reaganism for Free Americans

Wednesday (7/1): Gun-Hunting Feds and Grab-Bag Thursday on Wednesday, as EC covers some of the stories we haven't had time to get to during this abbreviated week.

Have a GREAT 4th of July and don't forget EC's on vacation most of next week, but we'll be back LIVE on Thursday 9 July.

EC's Call-in #(347) 215-6246

Live on Liberty Works Radio Networkor GRAB a PODCAST
Click to Listen to Liberty Works Radio Network Live Feed
(**note that there are several 3-minute silences per hour for affiliate advertising)
EC's Call-in #(347) 215-6246
CHECK OUT our NEW TEA Party T-Shirts ON SALE NOW
Listen/Watch ECR Archives on LiveLeak or NMATV
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Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Conservatism

Note: We haven't had time to listen to the program below, but it looked interesting. Some of you have been asking where you can find an alternative to YouTube... http://www.nmatv.com/. They are part of www.heritagenewmedia.com. What's that have to do with this post? We get updates from Heritage New Media, and the following is one we rec'd today. They sponsor or own or whatever the NMATV.com site. We have a page on NMATV (http://www.nmatv.com/users/GeorgiaFrontPage) with one lonely video on it. We're going to add more soon.)

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Conservatism

Can conservative + grassroots + Christian = edgy and insightful political commentary? Tune in and find out!

Every Thursday at our NEW TIME of 6:00 pm PT hosts Babe Huggett and Warner Todd Huston discuss and examine current political events, put them in historical context and follow trends to their logical conclusions through a conservative, Christian viewpoint. Scheduled guests will enjoy their own featured isegment. Phone in comments from listeners always welcome!On tonight's show:

Hosts Babe Huggett & Warner Todd Huston dig deep & analyze the news with their usual insightful and historical approach all the while being as politically irreverent as possible! We're heading into cloak & dagger territory tonight with Mr. A Nonymous, a retired Department of Defense analyst, Arabic linguist and author of Tremble The Devil, who will explain why the police can not handle terrorism from the African-American community's islamic converts.

Program info

Date / Time: 7/2/2009 at 6:00 PM Pacific/ 8:00 PM Central/9:00 PM Eastern
Tonight's Topic: Mr. A Nonymous explains why the police can not handle terrorism from the African-American community's islamic converts.

Call-in Number: (347) 237-4040
Visit & listen!

Listen to Huggett & Huston on Blog Talk Radio

More from Huggett & Huston:
OutLoudOpinion.com
Publius' Forum
Free Britannia.org
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Westmoreland: IMF loan a poison pill

U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland today regretted that he had to vote against the bill to fund the war effort because Democrats tacked on $108 billion in loan guarantees to the International Monetary Fund. All House Republicans and a handful of Democrats joined Westmoreland in opposition, but the bill passed the House.

“American troops are waging a war that has gone on for years and members of Congress should be able to vote to fund the war with no strings attached,” Westmoreland said. “Instead, we’re getting an alleged war spending bill that actually spends more money on the International Monetary Fund than on the war.”

The legislation provides just under $80 billion for the war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan over the next year. It provides additional money for other defense-related funds and Westmoreland voted for a bipartisan troop funding bill earlier this year that didn’t include the IMF funding.

“Americans overseas are fighting for us in wars. And Americans at home are fighting to pay the bills during a time of extraordinary economic difficulty,” Westmoreland continued. “We have the ability to bounce back out of this recession, but we can’t afford to pay for a global bailout – we have more than enough bailouts going on in our own country, thank you very much. The irony of all this is that we have to borrow money from other countries, particularly China, in order to lend money to the IMF, which then lends money to countries that hate the United States.

“I hate to vote against a bill that funds our troops. We in Congress have a duty and a responsibility to them. But today’s bill does them a disservice, because these troops are also American citizens and they’ll come home and have to join all the rest of us in paying off this gigantic debt that the Democrats are running up.”
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Gwinnett GOP to Host Rep. Austin Scott and County Commissioners at Saturday Breakfast

The Republican Party of Gwinnett County’s upcoming breakfast meeting will feature guest speaker State Representative Austin Scott (R-Tifton), Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee and candidate for Governor.

Also invited are all 5 county commissioners to talk about the proposed millage rate increase was tabled at Tuesday’s public hearing.

“The Gwinnett Republican Party offers the county’s conservative voters the opportunity to meet the candidates running for governor and to be better educated on this issues that matter in the community,” said party Chairman Chuck Efstration.

The meeting, scheduled for this Saturday, June 6th, will start at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast service begins at 8:00 a.m. and the meeting is held at the Sweet Tomatoes restaurant located at 3505 Mall Boulevard in Duluth, across from Gwinnett Place Mall.

For more information on this Saturday’s meeting or other upcoming Gwinnett Republican Party events, please visit our web site at www.gwinnettgop.org or send an email to gwinnettrepublicanparty@gmail.com.
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Westmoreland Condemns Cover-up on Pelosi Charges

U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland today condemned House Democrats’ attempt to sweep Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s allegations against the CIA under the rug.

“Speaker Pelosi has made serious charges against the CIA, saying point blank that the agency misled her and other members of Congress,” Westmoreland said. “I think she needs to produce evidence to support her claims or she needs to apologize to the agents at the CIA charged with collecting information vital to safeguarding our nation.”

House Democrats today voted down a motion to create bipartisan Select Intelligence Subcommittee to investigate the allegation that Central Intelligence Agency professionals lied to the speaker of the House during a Sept. 4, 2002, briefing on its interrogation program.

“The speaker promised the American people the most open and honest Congress in American history and now she’s stonewalling a bipartisan investigation,” Westmoreland said. “How can Nancy Pelosi say she wants a truth commission to look into torture allegations and then quash a probe into her own involvement? The speaker seems to think this is all about her. This isn’t just about Nancy. If the CIA lied to members of Congress, that’s a big deal, and members of Congress need to act on that. If the CIA can prove that it did fully brief her on enhanced interrogation techniques, on the other hand, that presents another problem for Congress. Either way, we need to do something, and it appears the Democrats are doing everything they can to protect their speaker by covering this up.”

Note: A Gallup poll shows that Americans don’t believe the speaker’s claims that the CIA lied to her. The poll asked: “Do you approve or disapprove of how each of the following has handled the matter of interrogation techniques used against terrorism suspects?”

Pelosi:
30% Approve
63% Disapprove

CIA:
63% Approve
33% Disapprove

Gallup; conducted May 19, 2009; Survey of 997 Adults Nationwide.
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