Shadegg (R) brings Hope to Marjority Leader Race

Human Events ^ | January 17 2006 | Jack Kemp

[Cindy_Cin]

The Wall Street Journal recently leveled a devastatingly accurate assessment of congressional Republicans: "House Republicans have become more passionate about retaining power than in using that power to change or limit the federal government ... a strategy (that) has maintained a narrow majority, but at the cost of doing anything substantial." The Journal was exactly right that Republican leaders "have become ever more preoccupied with process, money and incumbency," a frame of mind in which ideas are an afterthought when not actually an inconvenience.

That's why it was so encouraging when Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz., threw his hat into the ring to become House majority leader. Shadegg is a man of ideas who demonstrated his willingness to put power at risk to advance those ideas as majority leader when he resigned as Policy Committee chairman, the fifth-ranking elected position in the House Republican leadership: "I personally believe it is not appropriate to try to retain one position in our elected leadership while running for another," he said. "My campaign is based on reform, and reform should begin with an open process."

[bpjam]

Beats another insider/compromisers. Viva La 1994 Revolution!!!

[American Quilter]

This guy sure sounds good. I'll await his actions with interest.

[KingofZion]

Shadegg is known for paying his staff the lowest salaries on capital hill. If he taxes the same approach to the federal budget and associated pork, we would be back to fiscal sanity in no time.

[Malesherbes]

On the other hand, if Jack Kemp comes out in support of something or someone, I immediately become sceptical. I remember (among other things) the Vice-Presidential debate = Algore: "I admit, Jack,that you're not a racist like the rest of the Republicans." Kemp: "Thanks alot, Al. Good of you to say that."

[CBart95]

Here's how this can be turned against the GOP: all of a sudden the republicans get all the blame for the congressional failures caused by the Democrat Hate Machine.

Sleaze and corruption and extremism are still the hallmark of the Democrats.

Bush haters will continue Bush Hate and GOP Blame.

The fire in Shadeggs pants must not be turned into an indictment of the GOP. His energy is totally welcome as is his leadership.

At the same time, the GOP must continue to refrain from the petty dirty tricks and disgraceful behavior that has earmarked all of the Democrats actions and past activities.

We need even more evidence of leadership in the wings and at the ready to carry our mandate forward.

[sick1]

I just sent the following to my rep: 17 January 2006

Representative Ander Crenshaw
United States House of Representatives
127 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0904


Re: Please Actively Support John Shadegg for House Majority Leader

Dear Representative Crenshaw,

I am a long time conservative and a dedicated Republican. Despite living in Jacksonville Beach for 4+ years now, I had to look up your name today to see who my representative is because it is my basic instinct to just check the (R)’s on my ballot and move on to the issue sections. Lately, it is getting more difficult to give support to the Republican Party because it seems to be moving farther and farther form the conservative ideals that brought you to a majority.

I’m not the type of voter that you’ll have to worry will be voting Democrat any time soon. The last Democrat I might have voted for was JFK and he ran before I was of legal voting age. I am the type of voter that you and others in Congress must worry about staying home on Election Day. My discouragement is not a response to the recent scandal noise which I believe is more of a symptom than a root cause of the party’s problems. My discouragement stems from a feeling that that there is a dangerous lack of ideas and courage in the Republic party. That you lack the ideas and courage to actually reduce the role and power of the federal government as was promised. I do not expect or wish to see a dramatic reduction in the government role in national defence but I do expect it in areas such as taxation, regulation and entitlement. With less power and more clarity, the potential for mischief will be greatly reduced. Ronal Reagan, who you worked hard to elect and who you have associated yourself with in the past, believed this and I hope that you do as well.

John Shadegg appears to be the candidate best positioned and most capable of delivering the type of reforms Reagan began, you have cited and that dedicated conservatives both expect and need. Please become a strong advocate for his candidacy rather than remaining silent as your phone representatives have indicated is the case to date.

Hope it helps. Encourage others to try to light a fire under their rep's feet. I don't think we could be accepting of the typical non-commital political positioning BS.

sick1

[traviskicks]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/14/AR2006011400823.html

"He argued in 2001 that Bush's $1.6 trillion tax cut was not big enough. He has bucked the administration on a number of issues, refusing to vote for the aviation security act or Medicare prescription-drug benefits, one of only 25 Republicans to oppose the costly program."

Wa hoo!

[SierraWasp]

I like it... I love it... I want some more of it!!!

I we've lost our old friend Delay and are threatened with the loss of Doolittle, then I'm all for a return to the 1994 Congressional Revolution in 2006!!!

[Cindy_Cin]

Count Me In ~
I will fax, call & E Mail!
The GOP needs men like Shadegg & needs to get rid of the weak kneed "moderates"

[BibChr]

Ew, Jack Kemp.

He's in my Newt Gingrich column -- men who destroyed my confidence in them.

Dan

[Cindy_Cin]

Well said,
However, It is my opinion, that the GOP needs to stand firm in CONSERVATIVE principles.
To replace Delay with a milk toast "moderate" would also feed into the Democrat/Media lies that Delay is whats wrong with todays "Right Wing" & the GOP needs to move more left.

[Cindy_Cin]

Newt was a casualty of bias media & Democrat Slander.
While, Newt is a bit to middle of the road for me, I am not in the crowd who speaks out against Newt due to created "scandal"
The reason Tom Delay is facing trumped up charges now is because of the success of how Smear worked against Newt.

[BibChr]

No, Newt was a victim of Newt's immorality. He would have survived the media; he couldn't survive his moral turpitude.

Dan

[Cindy_Cin]

To each his own.
You have your perspective, I have mine.

[McGavin999]

John is a good man. When he's not in Washington, he's working here in Arizona. He really IS a man of principle and would make a terrific leader.

[CBart95]

Cin!

Your language. Never LEFT!

More Moderate?

Maybe.

More Left? Never.

Left Wingers are dedicated to the destruction of our Democracy and our Way of Life.

Leftists are the enemy.

Always will be.