WASHINGTON – Tonight the people of Wisconsin sent a loud and clear message in keeping Scott Walker as their Governor. By rejecting Tom Barrett they also sent a message that they are ready to stay on a fiscally responsible, pro-jobs track and that means trouble ahead for Madison liberal Tammy Baldwin.
“While tonight is a celebration for Governor Walker, it’s probably not one for Madison liberal Tammy Baldwin. Congresswoman Baldwin’s voting record proves she’s further left than Tom Barrett and even President Obama on the issues voters care about. Whether it’s ObamaCare, taxes or government spending, Tammy Baldwin is completely out of touch with the hardworking men and women of Wisconsin.” – Rob Jesmer, NRSC Executive Director
BACKGROUND….
Taxes
Barrett
Barrett Declined To Promise To Roll Back Scott Walker’s Tax Reforms. “During the Democrats’ race to face Gov. Walker in the recall, Mr. Barrett declined to promise to roll back the Republicans’ reforms. (Given the balanced budgets and lower taxes being experienced statewide, he’d be crazy to.) Understandably, he wasn’t the unions’ choice, but he won anyway.” (Ruth Ann Dailey, “Wisconsin Fiscal Sanity, From Sea To Shining Sea?” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 6/4/12)
Obama
Obama signs bill to extend Bush-era tax cuts for two more years. President Obama signed into law the most significant tax bill in nearly a decade Friday, a day after overcoming liberal resistance in Congress to continue for two more years tax breaks enacted under president George W. Bush and to provide a fresh federal boost for the tepid economic recovery. (Lori Montgomery, Shailagh Murray & William Branigin, “Obama signs bill to extend Bush-era tax cuts for two more years” Washington Post, 12/17/12)
Baldwin
Baldwin Voted Against President Obama’s Tax Cut Compromise. (H.R. 4853, CQ Vote #647: Motion agreed to, thus clearing the bill for the president, 277-148: R 138-36; D 139-112, 12/17/10, Baldwin Voted Nay)
Health Care
Barrett
Barrett “Has Not Supported A Government-Run Takeover Of Health Care, Period.” “Kleefisch also attacks Barrett in the ad, saying he ‘supports a government takeover of our health care.’ That is false, Barrett’s spokesman Phil Walzak said. ‘He has not supported a government-run takeover of health care, period,’ Walzak said. He called the ad ‘an intentional attempt to mislead and distort.’” (Scott Bauer, “GOP’s Kleefisch Talks About Her Cancer In TV Ad,” The Associated Press, 10/13/10)
Baldwin
Baldwin: “I Actually Was For A Government Takeover Of Medicine. I Was For A Single Payer Plan.” (9th Annual Fighting Bob Fest, www.youtube.com/, 8:00 Mark)
Spending
Barrett
In 2010, Barrett Promised To Cut Spending And Shrink Wisconsin’s Deficit. “Barrett said in a statement that the deficit is a ‘defining issue in this campaign.’ ‘I’ve proposed specific budget cuts to put Madison on a diet and shrink Wisconsin’s deficit…,’ he said.” (Jason Stein, “Projections Of State Budget Deficit Grow,” All Politics, 9/22/10)
Baldwin
Baldwin Voted For The $787 Stimulus Bill. (H.R. 1, CQ Vote #70: Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) 246-183: R 0-176; D 246-7, 2/13/09, Baldwin Voted Yea)
