Former DNC Chairman Has A Consistent Record Of Misplaced Priorities
WASHINGTON – Tim Kaine supports defense cuts that would cripple Virginia’s economy and wipe out jobs. That’s the clear message from a new TV ad released today by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).
The ad uses Tim Kaine’s own words to highlight his misplaced priorities of supporting the failed economic stimulus, while now supporting massive defense cuts to pay for it.
Kaine was a vocal cheerleader for the stimulus, arguing it was “what’s needed.” But a George Mason University study revealed that Virginia would lose over 200,000 jobs from the defense spending cuts that Kaine now supports to pay for it.
“As thousands of critical defense jobs hang in the balance, voters will be reminded that Tim Kaine has consistently put the agenda of his liberal party leaders in Washington ahead of what’s best for the Commonwealth of Virginia,” NRSC spokesman Brian Walsh said today. “We need someone in the Senate who is going to stand up for Virginia, not someone who will put politics and party first.”
BACKGROUND….
Kaine supported the stimulus…
· Kaine: Stimulus Is “What’s Needed”: “This Bill Is What’s Needed To Put Americans Back To Work.” (MSNBC’s “1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,” 2/6/09)
· Kaine: Stimulus Saved Nation. “Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine On Tuesday Said The Stimulus Saved The Nation From The Worst Economic Crisis Since The Great Depression . . . .” (Bob Cusack, “Speaker Pelosi Bets The House On Success Of $787 Billion Stimulus,” The Hill, 2/17/10)
But the impact of defense cuts are clear…
· A Loss Of Over 200,000 Jobs. According To A Study By George Mason University, The Defense Spending Cuts In Sequestration Would Result In Virginia Losing 207,571 Jobs. (Stephen S. Fuller, “The Economic Impact Of The Budget Control Act Of 2011 On DOD And Non-DOD Agencies,” Report, 7/17/12)
· The Virginia Economy “Crushed”. “As the chart on the right shows, the Virginia economy will be crushed by the cuts, suffering a loss of 207,571 jobs.” (Greg McNeal, Op-Ed, “Virginia, Florida and Pennsylvania Among States To Be Hardest Hit By Sequestration,” Forbes, 10/1/12)
· “Big Hit” To Virginians. “‘It’s a pretty big hit’ for Virginia, said Stephen Fuller, an economist at George Mason University who conducted the analysis along with Chmura Economics and Analytics, a research firm in Richmond.” (John Reid Blackwell, “Virginia Stands To Lose 207,571 Jobs If Federal Budget Cuts Happen,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, 7/18/12)
