BACKGROUND…. 

Deb Fischer’s conservative record: 

·         Passed the largest tax cut in Nebraska

·         Opposes the failed stimulus

·         Opposes ObamaCare

·         Supports a balanced budget amendment

·         A+ rating from the National Rifle Association

·         Has a perfect pro-life voting record 

Kerrey’s far-left record:

·          Bob Kerrey believes ObamaCare didn’t go far enough

·         Kerrey is vehemently opposed to a balanced budget amendment, in 1997 he was the key vote deciding against it

·         Kerrey is a supporter of Barack Obama’s cap-and-trade legislation, going to far as to compare those who oppose it to those who opposed civil rights legislation

·         Kerrey supports partial-birth abortion

·         Kerrey even opposes parental notification laws

While the liberal establishment will continue to spin this race and continue to line Kerrey’s campaign war chest, the reality is that his unabashed support for ObamaCare, abortions, cap-and-trade and the rest of Barack Obama’s job-killing agenda puts him at serious odds with a strong majority of voters in Nebraska.

When liberal Democrat Joe Donnelly voted for Barack Obama’s $1.76 trillion healthcare law, it hit medical device companies across the country with a 2.3 percent tax and today Ohio’s Dublin’s Cardinal Health – which is the largest medical device company in the country – has announced they might restructure their company due to this job-killing tax.

Cardinal Health joins other Indiana health care providers who are being forced into restructuring, cutting jobs or are no longer providing individual insurance coverage.

Indiana’s medical device industry is the fifth largest in the United States and, as George Will noted this weekend, Cook Medical based in Bloomington, Indiana, is not planning to open a U.S. factory a year.  Zimmer, also based in Indiana, is laying off 450 and taking a $50 million charge against earnings.

Today the Columbus Dispatch reports:

Medical-device manufacturers and their advocates want to eliminate a 2.3 percent excise tax included in the federal health-care overhaul.  Industry officials say the tax, which takes effect in January, would cost manufacturers about $20 billion during the next decade. The medical-device industry recorded about $136 billion in revenue in 2008. … Those who want the health-care law repealed by Congress said the tax could stunt medical innovation by leaving less money for research and development. … The tax would affect Dublin-based Cardinal Health’s $1 billion medical-kit business, said Michael Lynch, executive vice president. Cardinal’s earnings as a percentage of sales are in the low single digits, so the excise tax could cause the company to reconsider competing in certain business segments subject to the tax, he said.  Cardinal Health employs about 4,400 people in Ohio. (Ben Sutherly, Medical-device makers fight tax, Columbus Dispatch, 05/15/12)

“Joe Donnelly owes the people of Indiana an explanation as to why he would support this massive government takeover of health care which is now costing hardworking Hoosiers their jobs,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Lance Trover. “The people of Indiana deserve a senator who will stand up for their priorities and not simply rubber-stamp the Barack Obama agenda, as Joe Donnelly has done the past three years.”

BACKGROUND …

Donnelly’s Health Care Bill Is Hurting Businesses In Indiana

“Exodus” Of Insurance Companies Will Likely Result In “Fewer Choices And Higher Costs For Consumers.” “However, consumer advocates say the exodus of Aetna and other companies likely will result in fewer choices and higher costs for consumers under health insurance exchanges to be established in 2013 under the federal health care overhaul.” (“Aetna Latest Out Of Ind. Individual Market,” The Associated Press, 8/3/11)

Navistar International Corp. Has Decided To Relocate And Shut Down Its Fort Wayne Operations, Which Employs 1,400 People. “Navistar International Corp. is relocating, but that’s not a signal a slew of ‘For Sale’ signs will sprout across Fort Wayne, housing officials say. The maker of commercial and military trucks confirmed Wednesday it will cut ties to northeast Indiana by announcing it will consolidate some operations in Lisle, Ill., and the suburban Chicago area. The company’s Fort Wayne workforce includes 1,400, many of them engineers.” (Paul Wyche, “Realtors Doubt ‘Mass Exodus’ To Illinois,” The Journal Gazette, 9/9/10)

Aetna And Cigna Corp. Have Recently Withdrawn From The Individual Health Insurance Market In Indiana. “Hartford-based Aetna Inc. and Philadelphia-based Cigna Corp., which are the third- and fifth-largest health insurers respectively, have announced their departure from Indiana’s individual health insurance market.” (J.K. Wall, “Five Individual Insurers Leaving Indiana,” Indianapolis Business Journal, 8/8/11)

The Exit Of These Insurance Companies In Indiana Leaves Over 20,000 Hoosiers Without Health Care Coverage. “In addition, Illinois-based Pekin Insurance, Michigan-based American Community Mutual Insurance Co. and New York-based Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America also have decided to leave the individual market. The five companies covered more than 20,000 Hoosiers, or about 10 percent of all those who have individual health insurance.” (J.K. Wall, “Five Individual Insurers Leaving Indiana,” Indianapolis Business Journal, 8/8/11)

When liberal Democrat Sherrod Brown voted for Barack Obama’s $1.76 trillion healthcare law, it hit medical device companies in Ohio with a 2.3 percent tax and today Dublin’s Cardinal Health has announced they might restructure their company due to this job-killing tax.

Elyria’s Invacare – which employs 1,700 Ohioans – has also been negatively affected by this tax and stopped hiring new workers in anticipation of this burdensome tax.  Additionally, Boston Scientific has said this tax could eliminate 45,000 jobs within the medical device community.

As the Columbus Dispatch reports:

Medical-device manufacturers and their advocates want to eliminate a 2.3 percent excise tax included in the federal health-care overhaul.  Industry officials say the tax, which takes effect in January, would cost manufacturers about $20 billion during the next decade. The medical-device industry recorded about $136 billion in revenue in 2008. … Those who want the health-care law repealed by Congress said the tax could stunt medical innovation by leaving less money for research and development. … The tax would affect Dublin-based Cardinal Health’s $1 billion medical-kit business, said Michael Lynch, executive vice president. Cardinal’s earnings as a percentage of sales are in the low single digits, so the excise tax could cause the company to reconsider competing in certain business segments subject to the tax, he said.  Cardinal Health employs about 4,400 people in Ohio. (Ben Sutherly, Medical-device makers fight tax, Columbus Dispatch, 05/15/12)

“From Cleveland to Columbus and down to Cincinnati, Sherrod Brown’s healthcare law is killing jobs and stunting medical innovation in the Buckeye State,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “After six years of Sherrod Brown, it’s clear his liberal tax-and-spend policies are not helping Ohio’s economy. 
BACKGROUND …

Brown’s Healthcare Law Is Hurting The Medical Industry In Ohio

CLEVELAND:  Invacare Has Been A Vocal Opponent Of The Medical Device Tax In ObamaCare.  “[I]n the short run, some of his policies could cost existing jobs, especially health-care reform, if it is enacted. One of the few large businesses that has prospered in Lorain County in recent years has been Invacare, a maker of home medical devices, such as walkers and wheelchairs… The company has 1,300 employees in Lorain County but has stopped hiring in anticipation of a tax on medical devices that was proposed to help pay for the president’s health-care reform plan.” (Michael A. Fletcher, “Assessing Obama’s Promises Of Jobs In A Hub Of Manufacturing,” The Washington Post, 1/22/09)

CLEVELAND:  Cleveland Clinic Chief Executive Toby Cosgrove Says ObamaCare Could “Stiffle Medical Innovation.” “Cleveland Clinic Chief Executive Toby Cosgrove told a full house at a City Club speech Wednesday he’s concerned that health-care reform could stifle medical innovation. ‘I think we have to worry very significantly about innovation,’ Cosgrove said in response to a question about the effects of health-care reform.  He was referring specifically, he said, to the comparative-effectiveness provision in the law. Comparative effectiveness is shorthand for studying different treatments and paying for those that work.”  (Diane Suchetka, “Cleveland Clinic CEO Toby Cosgrove Talks About Health-Care Reform And More At City Club,” The Cleveland Plain Dealer, 8/19/10)

COLUMBUS:  Cardinal Health Has Said That This Medical Device Company Could Force Their Company To Restructure Their Company.  The tax would affect Dublin-based Cardinal Health’s $1 billion medical-kit business, said Michael Lynch, executive vice president. Cardinal’s earnings as a percentage of sales are in the low single digits, so the excise tax could cause the company to reconsider competing in certain business segments subject to the tax, he said.  Cardinal Health employs about 4,400 people in Ohio. (Ben Sutherly, Medical-device makers fight tax, Columbus Dispatch, 05/15/12)

CINCINNATI:  Dr. Michael Nauss, Emergency Physician: “The new legislation will impact emergency physicians greatly as newly insured patients find it difficult to find primary care doctors who accept their insurance.” (Parija Kavilanz, “Doctors: A Tough Job Just Got Tougher,” CNN.com, 4/8/10)

And ObamaCare Is Hurting Companies In Ohio

COLUMBUS:  OH-Based American Electric Power Took A $21 Million Charge From ObamaCare. “American Electric Power said Thursday its first-quarter profit dropped 4 percent as the lingering effects of the recession continue to hurt power demand. … AEP recorded a $21 million charge because of the recently enacted federal health care overhaul. AEP and other companies currently receive a government subsidy to keep prescription drug benefits for retirees. They have been able to deduct their expenses, but that ends in 2013 under the recently passed legislation.” (Mark Williams, “AEP 1Q Earnings Drop 4 Percent,” The Associated Press, 4/29/10)

COLUMBUS:  OH-Based White Castle Predicts ObamaCare Will Consume More Than Half Its Profits. “The White Castle hamburger chain fears that a health insurance reform law adopted earlier this year will put its profits on a downward slide. The Columbus-based family owned restaurant chain – known for serving small square hamburgers called ‘sliders’ – says a single provision in the bill will eat up roughly 55 percent of its yearly net income after 2014.” (Sabrina Eaton, “Ohio Hamburger Chain Says Insurance Reform Will Bite Into Profits,” The [Cleveland] Plain Dealer, 7/4/2010)

• ObamaCare Will Prevent White Castle From Expanding In Ohio. “The financial hit will make it hard for the company to maintain its 421 restaurants, let alone create new jobs, says company spokesman Jamie Richardson. White Castle employs more than 10,000 people nationwide, and more than 1,200 in Ohio.” (Sabrina Eaton, “Ohio Hamburger Chain Says Insurance Reform Will Bite Into Profits,” The [Cleveland] Plain Dealer, 7/4/2010)

WEST CHESTER:  OH-Based AK Steel Holding Corp. Took A $31 Million Charge From ObamaCare. “AK Steel Holding Corp., The third largest U.S. steelmaker by sales, said it will record a non-cash charge of about $31 million resulting from the health-care overhaul signed into law by President Barack Obama.” (“AK Steel Sees $31 Million Charge From New Health Law,” BusinessWeek, 3/23/10)

Voted with Nancy Pelosi 88% of the time

In a clear admission that he can’t run and win on his own record, President Obama’s friend and supporter Joe Donnelly is kicking off his general election campaign today attacking State Treasurer Richard Mourdock in an effort to distract Hoosiers from his longtime support for the Obama agenda.

According to WISH-TV, the Donnelly campaign is holding a press conference this morning to discuss plans to “take on Mourdock in the general election.”

“Rather than kicking off his campaign attacking a fellow Hoosier, Joe Donnelly should begin his race by apologizing to the people of Indiana for providing the key votes to pass ObamaCare and the massive failed stimulus program,” said NRSC Spokesman Lance Trover. “Congressman Donnelly’s support of the Obama-Pelosi agenda is not the kind of leadership Hoosier’s are looking for in the United States Senate.”

Donnelly told Hoosiers he was pleased with the passage of the stimulus because it would create and save much needed jobs, but today America’s unemployment remains stagnant at 8.1%.

Donnelly provided a key vote for ObamaCare, claiming it would not add to the national debt and that it would actually reduce the deficit.  We know now that ObamaCare’s cost to the American people is actually double what Donnelly and Obama promised – $1.76 trillion – and driving businesses out of Indiana.

Donnelly voted with Nancy Pelosi’s agenda 88% of the time during the last Congress.

Background

“Donnelly’s Support Gives Democrats A Key Vote,” Said An Indianapolis Star Headline. (Maureen Groppe, “Donnelly’s Support Gives Democrats A Key Vote,” Indianapolis Star, 3/22/10)

“Indiana Rep. Joe Donnelly’s Decision Sunday To Back A Health-Care Overhaul Package Helped Give Democrats The Votes Needed To Pass The Bill. The outcome became assured after a group of anti-abortion Democrats that included Donnelly announced Sunday afternoon that they had reached an agreement with the White House over abortion coverage.” (Maureen Groppe, “Donnelly’s Support Gives Democrats A Key Vote,” Indianapolis Star, 3/22/10)

Donnelly Claimed That The Bill Would Not Add To The National Debt And Would Reduce The Deficit By $1.2 Trillion Over The Next 20 Years. Donnelly: “Perhaps equally important in these challenging economic times is getting our fiscal house in order, and the bill I will support today does just that. This bill helps our fiscal future because it would not add to the national debt. In fact, it would reduce our deficit $138 billion over the next 10 years and $1.2 trillion over the next 20 years.” (Congressman Donnelly Press Release, “Congressman Donnelly Will Support Health Insurance Reform,” 3/21/10)

Donnelly Said He Was “Pleased” That The Stimulus Passed And Said The Bill Would “Create And Save Much-Needed Jobs And Help Get Our Economy Back On Track.” “‘I was pleased that The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in the House of Representatives today,’ Donnelly said. ‘I voted for this legislation because it will create and save much-needed jobs and help get our economy back on track. Our current economic situation is too dire to do nothing, and I believe this stimulus plan is one of the answers to getting our economy back on the path to recovery.’” (Rep. Joe Donnelly Press Release, “Rep. Donnelly Lauds Passage Of Recovery And Reinvestment Plan,” 2/14/09)

During The 111^th Congress, Donnelly Voted With His Party 88% Of The Time. (The Washington Post’s Votes Database, www.washingtonpost.com, Accessed 4/1/11)

From:     National Republican Senatorial Committee

Re:          Indiana Republican Senate Primary

Date:       May 8, 2012

“As an officer in the U.S. Navy, Mayor of Indianapolis and a U.S. Senator for the last 36 years, Richard Lugar has served with honor and devoted his distinguished career to public service.  All Americans owe him a debt of gratitude.

“I congratulate Richard Mourdock on his victory tonight and I look forward to serving with him in the U.S. Senate.  He has the NRSC’s full support and we are committed to helping elect him as Indiana’s next U.S. Senator in November. 

“Hoosier voters are ready to put an end to Joe Donnelly and President Obama’s liberal agenda of  higher taxes, bigger government and reckless deficit spending.  That is why I am confident they will elect a proven statewide leader like Richard Mourdock who will fight every single day on behalf of Hoosier values, and not the Obama agenda.”

           – U.S. Senator John Cornyn, NRSC Chairman

For your background….

In order to dispel the same predictable spin that national Democrats made in support of Brad Ellsworth’s candidacy in 2010 – months before they chose not to invest a dollar in Indiana and Ellsworth lost by 15 points – a deeper examination of the facts is in order that outlines why Richard Mourdock will be the next senator from the great State of Indiana.

Indiana Is a Deeply Red State

• Indiana is a deeply red state where Republicans hold every statewide office and large majorities in the legislature;
• Indianapolis is the second largest city in the country led by a Republican mayor;
• Democrats have won only three of the last 22 statewide races in Indiana and no Democrat without the last name Bayh has been elected to the U.S. Senate from Indiana since 1970;
• Republican presidential nominees have carried Indiana in 9 of the past 10 consecutive cycles;
• Republicans now hold six of nine Congressional seats.

Indiana Trends

• In recent years, Democrats have struggled because heavily Republican communities in Central Indiana have grown and “conservative Democrats” in Southern Indiana have increasingly moved toward the Republican Party;
• The fast-growing “Donut Counties” around Indianapolis produce enough Republican votes to offset the Democrat margins from Lake and Marion Counties even in the best Democratic years;
• Democrats can no longer count on large margins from the blue collar industrial towns of Northern and Central Indiana – Richard Mourdock carried all of these counties in 2010;
• Southern Indiana continues moving away from Democrats – in 2008 and 2010 Republicans picked up both southern Indiana congressional seats, 11 seats in the State House, 3 seats in the State Senate, and dozens of county offices.

State Treasurer Mourdock

• In 2010, Richard Mourdock was Indiana’s leading vote-getter with 1,053,527 votes and defeated his opponent by a 62.5% to 37.5% margin;
• Mourdock carried 88 of Indiana’s 92 counties and received 101,000 more votes than U.S. Senator Dan Coats did in his 15-point victory over Brad Ellsworth;
• Mourdock carried his home county of Vanderburgh, the largest in southern Indiana, by a 2-to-1 margin in 2010;
• Mourdock received more votes in the 2^nd Congressional District than Joe Donnelly in 2010.

Joe Donnelly – Brad Ellsworth

• Joe Donnelly’s record is exactly the same as Brad Ellsworth, who lost by 15 points in 2010;
• Like Ellsworth, Donnelly  provided a key vote to pass ObamaCare;
• Like Ellsworth, Donnelly voted for the President’s wasteful stimulus;
• Like Ellsworth, Donnelly voted to bail out the big Wall Street banks;
• There is one area where Joe Donnelly and Brad Ellsworth diverge and that is fundraising.  Donnelly’s fundraising has been abysmal at best, raising less than any of the 10 House members running for Senate this cycle;
• In two straight quarters, Donnelly has raised half of what Ellsworth raised in his worst fundraising quarter;
• Richard Mourdock raised twice as much money last quarter as incumbent Congressman Donnelly.

National Democrats will continue spinning — just like they did two years ago — that somehow Joe Donnelly will be the next Senator from Indiana, even though two years ago they ultimately did not invest one dime in the state.

Richard Mourdock’s position on issues important to Hoosiers, his built-in statewide organization and ability to fundraise, coupled with Joe Donnelly’s pro-Obama voting record in a state that continues to trend toward Republicans makes clear why Mourdock will be the next Senator from the State of Indiana.

Earlier today, in an effort to distract Virginians from former Democrat National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine’s job-killing record, Majority PAC released a negative commercial that attempted to smear George Allen’s pro-jobs record.

The reality is when Tim Kaine served as Governor he tried to raise taxes on hard working families with a $2 billion-a-year income tax increase.  Additionally, Kaine proposed raising taxes on individuals who purchase car insurance.

“Given that Governor Tim Kaine tried to raise Virginians’ income taxes, is anyone surprised that his Super PAC is trying to smear George Allen’s successful, pro-jobs record?” asked National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “Virginians don’t need a tax-and-spend liberal like Chairman Kaine representing them in the Senate, instead they deserve a pro-jobs, pro-small business Senator who fight for families in the Commonwealth.” 
BACKGROUND …

Tim Kaine’s Tax-And-Spend Record

2009: “‘Kaine Will Definitely Not Be Remembered For His Legislative Successes Because They’re Few And Far Between,’ Said Larry J. Sabato, A University Of Virginia Political Scientist.” (Ian Urbina, “Virginia Rejects Bill On Private Gun Sales,” The New York Times, 2/5/09)

“Gov. Tim Kaine Wants [To] Eliminate Virginia’s $950 Million Annual Car Tax Reimbursement Payment And Exchange The Tax On Personal Vehicles For A 1 Percent Income Tax Surcharge.” (Sarah Krouse, “Gov. Kaine Calls For End Of Car Tax, New Income Tax Surcharge,” Washington Business Journal, 12/18/09)

• The Tax Increase Under Kaine’s Budget Proposal Would Be A $2 Billion-A-Year Income Tax Increase. “Virginia’s hated local car tax would be replaced with a $2 billion-a-year income tax increase under the new budget Gov. Timothy M. Kaine presented Friday.” (Bob Lewis and Dena Potter, “Va. Gov: End Car Tax, Raise Income Tax 1 Percent,” The Associated Press, 12/18/09)

“His [Kaine’s] Proposal Would Allow Local Governments To Phase Out The Car Tax And Phase In A 1 Percent Income Tax Increase Over Two Years.” (Anita Kumar and Rosalind s. Helderman, “Virginia Governor Proposes An Income Tax Increase,” The Washington Post, 12/19/09)

• The Income Tax Change Would Have Resulted In A Tax Rate Hike “For Those Earning More Than $17,000, 60 Percent Of Taxpayers.” “The increase would mean a hike in the income tax rate from 5.75 percent to 6.75 percent for those earning more than $17,000, 60 percent of taxpayers.” (Anita Kumar and Rosalind S. Helderman, “Virginia Governor Proposes An Income Tax Increase,” The Washington Post, 12/19/09)

Liberal Democrat Kingmaker Senator Chuck Schumer is glowing about the possibility that Barack Obama’s handpicked candidate Richard Carmona will fulfill his dream of having a tax-and-spend Senator from the Grand Canyon State.

While Carmona likes to fancy himself as an “independent,” Schumer knows better because like himself he’s a card-carrying member of the Democrat Party and a strong supporter of the President’s job-killing healthcare law.   

“Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer is abuzz about liberal Democrat Richard Carmona’s candidacy because he knows that Carmona will follow suit and be a rubberstamp for Barack Obama’s job-killing agenda of higher taxes and more spending,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox. 

Notably, six years ago Schumer was boasting that millionaire Democrat Jim Pederson would get elected in Arizona, but he was soundly defeated in what was a strong year for his party.

BACKGROUND …

CARMONA IS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF OBAMACARE

In March 2010, Carmona Announced Support For ObamaCare, Stating “We Need To Move Toward A Health Care System, Not The Sick Care System That We Have Today. This Legislation Moves Us Closer To That. This Bill Is Not Perfect. But These Are Complex Issues And We Must Move Forward.” “Carmona served as the 17th surgeon general of the United States under President George W. Bush. Last year, he participated in series of health care town halls that the congresswoman held in Tucson, Sierra Vista and Green Valley. ‘The issue facing our country is how do we get the best care for the most people at the least cost,’ Carmona said. ‘We spend more for health care than any other nation on Earth, but the metrics of our results don’t reflect that. We need to move toward a health care system, not the sick care system that we have today. This legislation moves us closer to that. This bill is not perfect. But these are complex issues and we must move forward. And then I hope we can sit down with level heads and make it even better for the benefit of the American people.’” (“U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Announces Support For Historic Health Insurance Reform Legislation,” Congresswoman Giffords Press Release, 3/20/10)

Meanwhile Carmona’s Liberal Ally Received A “F “Rating From The Gun Owners Of America & From The National Taxpayers Union

Schumer Received A “F” From The Gun Owners Of America. (Gun Owners Of America Website, www.gunowners.org, Accessed 2/8/12)

In 2010, Schumer Received A “F” From The National Taxpayers Union. (National Taxpayers Union Website, www.ntu.org, Accessed 2/8/12)

Since 1973, liberal Democrat Sherrod Brown has been running for office and during his most recent campaign he said it was important that the United States pass a budget.  Interestingly, after three years of failing to pass a budget, Brown is changing his tune and telling Ohioans that he isn’t concerned about passing a budget.

In fact, in the three years that Barack Obama and Sherrod Brown have controlled Washington, our national debt has increased by over $5 trillion – bringing the total debt to over $15.6 trillion.

In an effort to distance himself from supporting President Obama’s tax-and-spend policies into law, Brown recently told a television station in Lima that he doesn’t think passing a budget – which according to some Democrats is the most basic responsibility of governing – is that important.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Notably, it was Brown who was one of the first Democrats to praise President Barack Obama’s FY2012 budget.

“It’s been three years since liberal Democrat Sherrod Brown has performed the most basic responsibility of governing and that’s to pass a budget,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “Under Brown’s watch our national debt now exceeds $15 trillion.  Ohioans don’t need any more excuses – they need Senator Brown to do his job.”


BACKGROUND …

In 2006, Brown Said The Republicans’ Failure To Pass A Budget Was An Important Story. “Asked about the GOP statements, Brown said the more important story last week was the GOP’s failure to pass a budget because of objections from Republican moderates who feel that GOP leaders want to cut spending too severely. He complained that Republicans are trying to bait journalists into focusing only on tax cuts, instead of examining how tax cuts have contributed to spending cuts on education, veterans’ benefits and home heating programs.” (Elizabeth Auster, “Taxes Are A Hot Issue, Any Way You Frame It,” Plain Dealer [Cleveland, OH], 5/14/06)

In 2006, Brown Said He Supported A Balanced Budget Amendment.  “I stood up to a President of my own party . . .  In support of the Balance Budget Amendment, in restoring fiscal sanity to our government. I agree with Senator Voinovich that Mike DeWine and others have betrayed conservative principles of limited government. I want to go to the Senate and work with Senator Voinovich on sound tax policy that benefits the middle class, without burying our grandchildren in debt.” (Ohio Senate Debate, City Club Of Cleveland, 10/27/06)

In 2011, Brown Said That Obama’s Budget Would Cut The Deficit In Half For Obama’s First Term.  “The President’s budget proposal will put us on track to cut the deficit in half in his first term while maintaining economic recovery efforts. By not turning our backs on priorities that promote America’s competitiveness – like education, innovation, infrastructure, and energy – the proposal is forward-looking and responsible.” (Sherrod Brown, Sen. Brown Statement on President’s Budget Request, Press Release, 02/14/11) 

In 2012, Brown Said The Passing A Budget Is Not That Meaningful.  “Because of the Budget Act we did, the budget is not even signed by the President. It’s a good talking point for Republicans. But the fact is that we’ve had a Budget Act where where we have that plan set out. The budget’s only for a year or two. The Budget Act is for 5 and 10 years down the road. So I think that’s a good sound bite to use but I don’t think [passing a budget] all that meaningful. (Sherrod Brown, WMJI 105.7 FM Radio, 02/10/11) 

With first lady Michelle Obama expected to visit Tucson today, where she will raise money for President Obama’s nonstop re-election campaign, Arizonans deserve to know when liberal Democrat Richard Carmona will appear with the President.

Politico recently noted that President Obama played an instrumental role in convincing Carmona to become a card carrying Democrat so he could run for Arizona’s open Senate seat.

Yet since he has entered the race, Carmona has refused to campaign with the President.

“With the First Lady appearing in the Grand Canyon State, Arizonans deserve to know when liberal Democrat Richard Carmona will campaign alongside his recruiter President Obama,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “Given that Mr. Carmona is an ardent supporter of the President’s job-killing healthcare law, we look forward to them campaigning side-by-side and sharing their liberal views with Arizonans this fall.”

BACKGROUND …

• “On September 23, President Obama called Richard Carmona to encourage him to run,” said one Democratic strategist.  (Alexander Burns, Obama courts Ariz. Senate candidate, may contest state ‘heavily’, Politico, 10/06/11)

• Carmona is one of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s favorite candidates and was personally courted by President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to get into the race.  (David Catanese, Bivens clears the way for Carmona, Politico, 3/27/2012)

• Obama personally called Carmona and asked him to run, and Carmona told The Hill in February that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (Wash.) were also among those who reached out to court him. (Josh Lederman, Democrat Bivens drops out of Arizona Senate primary, clearing way for Carmona, The Hill, 3/27/2010)

President Obama’s Current Job Approval In Arizona: 39% Approve (TPM PollTracker, TPM, 4/30/2012)

WASHINGTON – Even as Democrats in Maine question “Independent” Angus King’s record, with the State Party telling Politico recently that they intend to support the Democratic nominee while saying that King never really had to make tough decisions as Governor, it remains clear that Democrats in Washington believe they have King’s vote firmly in their back pocket.

As top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer tells The Hill newspaper today:

• SCHUMER: “There’s only one state where the strong likelihood is there’s a pick-up. That’s Maine and that’s ours.”

Yet as one publication reported recently, national Democrats have yet to even pick up the phone and speak with Democrat State Senator Cynthia Dill who is running for the Democratic nomination.  Interestingly, however, the DSCC’s website includes the following about the Maine Senate race: “Expect Democrats to choose a strong candidate and flip this seat in November.”

In contrast, Politico astutely observed in March that Schumer, a former two-time Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, does not deny that he’s already had private conversations with Angus King.

“Given Senator Schumer’s certainty about this race, it’s time for Angus King to step forward and be honest about the worst kept secret in Washington – that he’s cut a backroom deal,”National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Brian Walsh said today.  “It’s simply insulting to voters in Maine and to the candidates running for the Democratic nomination that King is playing this dishonest, cat-and-mouse game.  Chuck Schumer clearly believes he has King’s vote in his back pocket and it’s time for King to tell voters in Maine why that is.”