Libertarian Party Calls Logic Behind Auto Bailout 'Insanity'

The nation's largest third-party is calling for Congress to strike down a measure backed by the White House that would risk at least $15 billion of taxpayer dollars to bailout the American automotive industry.

"It's insanity," says Libertarian Party spokesperson Andrew Davis. "It's insane that we keep going back to the taxpayers to bailout struggling corporations who, for lack of good management and sound business practices, have become unprofitable. Who in Congress is standing up for the taxpayers? Where are the Republicans, who claim they stand for the free market? Where are the Democrats, who claim they oppose corporate welfare?"

The current plan seeks to initially give Detroit automakers a $15 billion, taxpayer-backed loan with a deadline of March 31 to develop a plan for profitability. If, by the deadline, automakers fail to reach what the White House has established as "viability," the loans would be recalled—something Davis says is "already written in the stars."

"We all know what's going to happen, and it's not going to be the outcome proponents of the bailout want us all to believe," says Davis. "Automakers will get $15 billion of taxpayer money, and when April rolls around, they'll be asking for more time and more money. There are absolutely no provisions in the bailout bill that require any type of change to management, union contracts or company structure before receiving taxpayer money. All taxpayers have is a promise that the same CEOs who put their companies in this mess will get it right the second time."

"Or, the third time, if you're talking about Chrysler," Davis adds.

"The end goal of any restructuring should be removing the management that led companies into this pitfall," says Davis. "This should be done by the companies—not the government. The Libertarian Party favors letting these companies file Chapter 11, instead of risking taxpayer dollars for promises of reform. It will be tough in the short-term, but better for the long-term stability of our economy."

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John McCain 2008 ANNOUNCES Iowans of Faith Coalition LEADERSHIP

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced the leadership of its Iowans of Faith for McCain coalition. The group will continue the campaign's efforts to reach out to Iowa's faith-based community and build on John McCain's grassroots organization in the state.

The Iowans of Faith for McCain coalition brings together people who support pro-life issues, traditional marriage and family values. Its members support John McCain's commitment to pro-life principles, traditional family values and making America a stronger nation. The coalition includes several supporters of former presidential candidate Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS).

"As a pastor and as a former vice president of Iowa Right to Life, I decided to support the candidate most likely to work with Congress to appoint and gain confirmation of strict constructionist judges, ultimately resulting in the reversal of Roe v Wade," said Phil Carroll of Grace Church in Des Moines and Co-Chair of Iowans of Faith for McCain. "That candidate is most assuredly John McCain. This would have been enough for me, but when you add his national security experience, honesty, integrity, and ability to play it straight with the American people, then no other candidate can even come close."

John McCain thanked Pastor Carroll and the coalition, stating, "I am grateful for the support of these community leaders who are committed to traditional families and truly dedicated to service. I look forward to their counsel as we continue to grow our Iowa campaign."

IOWANS OF FAITH FOR MCCAIN COALITION LEADERSHIP

Bob Anderson, Swisher
Julia Anderson, Hubbard
Pat Anderson, Cedar Falls*
Pastor Chuck Austin and Marie Austin, Des Moines
Mary Beltman, Sibley
Mary Bowman, Cedar Rapids*
De Byerly, Mason City
Stacey Cargill, West Des Moines
Pastor Phil Carroll, Des Moines
Sheryl Carter, Sully
Sarah Cutshall, Corwith*
Mark Daggy, Des Moines
John and Kathy Farrand, Cedar Rapids*
Mark Flanders, Muscatine*
Sherrin Gifford, Cedar Rapids*
Lowell and Christina Goemaat, Sioux Center*
Ralph Goemaat, Sioux Center*
Linda Grahm, Garner*
Jay Heine, Urbandale*
Joe and Carol Hill, Rock Rapids
Nola Hirdman, Story City
Former Sen. Julie Hosch, Cascade
Kathy Kasson, Iowa City*
Former Rep. Ralph and Karen Klemme, LeMars
Lee McClure, Clinton
Isaiah McGee, Waukee
Sen. Larry McKibben, Marshall
Dana Phillips, Central City*
Marlys Popma, Colfax
Holly Reilly, Cedar Rapids*
Tim and Emma Rittgers, Des Moines
Tim Rylersdaam, Sioux Center
Nick Schadler, Dubuque*
Maxine Sieleman, Des Moines
Cork Smalley, Des Moines
Fred and Barb Taylor, Waukee
Jerry Tweeten, Forest City
Henry and Alma Veldhuizen, Sully
Ken and Theresa Welch, Slater*
Wendy Wilcox, Cedar Rapids*
Jerry Yancey, Burlington*
Samona Yentes, Clive
Heidi Zalb, Des Moines*

*Former Senator Sam Brownback supporters

[Pastor Phil Carroll's church affiliation is provided for identification purposes only]

BIDEN CALLS ON BUSH TO SIGN, ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT IRAQ PLAN

Delaware Democratic presidential candidate Joseph R. Biden, Jr.’s (D-DE) today urged President Bush to immediately adopt and implement his plan for a political settlement in Iraq in conjunction with the President signing the Department of Defense Authorization conference report. The conference report contains the “Biden-Brownback” amendment – a measure that has garnered overwhelming bipartisan support in both Houses of Congress – which calls for the United States to support a federal, decentralized Iraq and for the President to make a major shift in the Administration’s political strategy in Iraq. The bill is sitting on the President’s desk waiting for signature.

“Mr. President – it is time for this war to end and my plan is the way to do it,” said Sen. Joe Biden. “Instead of stiff-arming the rest of the world, now is the time to call for a UN conference where the major powers and Iraq’s neighbors help Iraqis to hammer out a political solution based on federalism – bringing resources and responsibility down to the local and regional level. We have a window of opportunity. Violence is down because of the courageous efforts of our military, the tribal awakening and the Mahdi Army cease-fire. But without a political settlement, these fragile gains won’t last.”

In May of 2006, Sen. Biden, along with President Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations Leslie H. Gelb, announced a detailed plan for promoting a political settlement in Iraq that would allow our troops to leave without leaving chaos behind. The plan called for a decentralized federal system --- as Iraq’s Constitution provides which would give its people local control over the fabric of their daily lives, including police, jobs, education and government services. A limited central government would be responsible for protecting Iraq’s borders and distributing its oil revenues.

The Biden-Brownback amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill was based on Sen. Biden’s federalism plan for Iraq and is a product of his year-long effort working across the aisle to build support. During the Senate vote in September, Sen. Biden's plan secured the support of key leaders in the U.S. Senate from both parties, including Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI), former Chairman John Warner (R-VA) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN). The final vote in favor of the Biden-Brownback amendment was 75-23, including 26 Republicans.

“Simply put, absent an occupation we cannot sustain or a dictator we cannot support, Iraq cannot be governed from the center at this point in its history. Supporting a decentralized Iraq with strong regional governments and a limited central government is the only way we can end this war without leaving chaos behind,” added Sen. Biden.

The Biden-Brownback amendment also had 15 Co-sponsors: Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Arlen Specter (R-PA), John Kerry (D-MA), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) Harry Reid (D-NV), Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Tom Carper (D-DE).

The Biden amendment states that the U.S. should actively support a political settlement among Iraqis based on the provisions of Iraq's constitution that call for creating a federal system of government, with strong regions and a limited central government. It also urged the administration to bring in the international community – including the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Iraq's neighbors – to support a settlement based on federalism and to convene a conference with Iraqis to help them reach that settlement.

A few key facts about the Biden amendment:

The legislation does not tell Iraqis what to do. It speaks only to what U.S. policy should be.

Federalism is not a U.S. or foreign imposition on Iraq. Iraq’s own constitution calls a “decentralized, federal system” and sets out the powers of the regions (extensive) and those of the central government (limited). The Constitution also says that in case of conflict between regional and national law, regional law prevails.

Federalism is not partition. In fact, it’s probably the only way to prevent partition or, even worse, the total fragmentation of Iraq.

Federalism will not accelerate sectarian cleansing; it’s the only way to reverse it. Iraqis have already voted with their feet, with 4.5 million fleeing within Iraq or abroad. Unless Iraqis come to some kind of agreement on sharing power peacefully, the results of extensive cleansing will solidify and set the stage for future instability.

Other elements of Sen. Biden’s comprehensive Iraq strategy are also part of the Defense Authorization bill awaiting the President’s signature including funding for Mine Resistant Vehicles to protect our troops as long as they are in Iraq and a measure to insure that the U.S. does not set up permanent military bases in Iraq.

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ON ELIMINATING EARMARKS IN THE OMNIBUS SPENDING BILL

Today, Governor Mitt Romney issued the following statement on the President's efforts to eliminate the thousands of earmarks in the omnibus spending bill:

"This week, Congress passed a massive, pork-laden omnibus spending bill. Contained in this bill are nearly 9,800 earmarks and pet projects for legislators. This is exactly the type of fiscal irresponsibility that the American people have demanded that those in Washington end. Yet, this bill brings the total number of earmarks Congress has approved this year to nearly 11,900 earmarks.

"Yesterday, President Bush directed his administration to review all possible options for eliminating this wasteful spending. I applaud those efforts and believe that the President should assert the full range of his executive power to limit and eliminate as many of these earmarks as possible. As President, I pledge to use every available method to eliminate wasteful earmarks in the federal budget. One such tool is returning to the President the power to make line-item vetoes. Change in Washington begins when we change the culture that allows earmarks, pet projects and wasteful spending to thrive in the place of being good fiscal stewards of the taxpayers' money."

U.S. CONGRESSMAN WALLY HERGER (R-CA) ENDORSES GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY

Today, U.S. Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA) announced that he is endorsing Governor Mitt Romney for President of the United States. He joins Congressmen Howard "Buck" McKeon and John Campbell in supporting Governor Romney.

Announcing his support for Governor Romney, Congressman Herger said, "Governor Romney has the experience, vision and values to lead our country and meet a new generation of challenges. Throughout this campaign, he has distinguished himself as the only candidate who has outlined the vision and the policies that will keep us safe and build a stronger America. I am proud to make today's announcement and look forward to campaigning for him throughout the coming months."

Welcoming Congressman Herger to Romney for President, Governor Romney said, "Today's announcement is another indication of our growing support in California. Congressman Herger has been a strong leader for our conservative values in Washington. He has never forgotten that an elected official's most solemn obligation is to fight for the people they represent. Throughout his time in the Congress, he has advocated for a stronger economy, smaller government and a lower tax burden. I look forward to working with Congressman Herger and visiting California often."

Background On Congressman Wally Herger:

Congressman Wally Herger Is Serving His 11th Term In Congress Representing California's Second Congressional District. Congressman Herger currently serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means. In the 110th Congress, he was appointed the Ranking Member of the Trade Subcommittee and also serves on the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support (formerly known as Human Resources), which he chaired for six years. He has been a strong advocate for securing economic growth, encouraging innovation, reducing taxes, making government efficient and reforming entitlement programs. During his tenure as chairman of Subcommittee on Human Resources, Congressman Herger played a leading role in the reauthorization and expansion of the landmark 1996 welfare reform law. He got his start in elected office as a member of the East Nicolaus School Board, serving there from 1976 to 1980. He was elected to the California State Assembly in 1980, serving there until his election to the United States House of Representatives by the people of California's Second Congressional District.

FORMER BROWNBACK SC STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER RICHARD PETERSON ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that Richard Peterson, former Brownback for President South Carolina Steering Committee Member, has endorsed John McCain for President of the United States.

"There's only one candidate in the race for the White House who is ready to serve from day one, and that's John McCain," said Mr. Peterson. "When you couple John McCain's unprecedented service to this country with his unblemished record of fighting for common sense conservative principles, it becomes clear that he stands head and shoulders above the competition. I am proud to endorse him, and excited to do all that I can to make certain he is our next president."

Mr. Peterson is a veteran grassroots operative in the Palmetto State. He served as Director of Marketing at the Republican National Committee under Chairman Lee Atwater. Most recently, served as the Lexington County Vice-Chair of the Brownback for President campaign. In 2006, Mr. Peterson assisted Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer's successful re-election bid as campaign coordinator. Peterson is the former 1st Vice Chairman of the Lexington County Republican Party.

McCain thanked Mr. Peterson saying, "Richard is known throughout Republican circles in South Carolina for his commitment to conservative causes. I am grateful to have his support, and I know he will be a valuable member of our grassroots team in South Carolina."

NEW HAMPSHIRE'S KEENE SENTINEL ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

"Where McCain most distinguishes himself from the rest of this year's Republican pack is in the areas of life experience and force of character. He is not a single-issue candidate off on a frantic ideological jag. Although his political ideology has evolved through experience over the years, he has not changed his previous political positions en masse to appeal to the presumed prejudices and preferences of voters. Nor has he tried to craft a candidacy around an artificial persona who promises to save us all from terrorists, or from the devil. And, perhaps most important, he campaigns with decency." -- Keene SentinelJohn McCain

Editorial Keene SentinelDecember 21, 2007

John McCain has been traveling around New Hampshire telling potential Republican primary voters that they might not always agree with him if he's elected president, but that they can at least be sure he will always do what he believes is right for the country. That's a reasonable summation of McCain's political appeal.

This newspaper does not agree with McCain on many issues.

We are concerned about his opposition to abortion rights, although we are somewhat reassured by his assurance that he does not advocate putting people in jail over the issue.

We were disappointed by his advocacy of the invasion of Iraq, but we understand his arguments that the state of U.S. intelligence in 2003 made the idea seem more appealing than it does in retrospect, and that the United States now has a national obligation to make the best of the mess we created.

As we have noted before in this space, McCain has never been the thoroughgoing Republican maverick that some people assume. Yet he is independent enough to impress.

Consider his efforts at campaign-finance reform -- efforts that have not yet been successful, but that someday will be the key to putting the interests of the American people ahead of the special interests that grease the palms of shameless members of Congress. McCain's passion on that issue no doubt grew out of his involvement in the Keating Five influence-peddling scandal in the early 1990s. Although he was cleared of wrongdoing, he once noted: "We are all tainted by this system." That's not an admission you'll likely hear very many places on the campaign trail.
Recently, we have been impressed by McCain's attitude toward illegal immigration, expressed at considerable political cost in a bill that was defeated earlier in the year. He now notes that any improvement in the situation will have to begin by better policing of the borders, but he continues to speak with humane concern of the people, and the families of people, who have put down roots here.

We are also intrigued, although not fully persuaded by, McCain's recent venture into health-care reform. Like many other Republicans, he puts a lot of faith in private insurance companies, and he rejects the idea of health-insurance mandates. But he is proposing an end to restrictions on insurance availability from out of state providers, as well as significant tax relief for people who negotiate their own insurance arrangements. He has a quiver of proposals for reducing the cost of health care. And he wants to create a federal insurance fund to insure people who are turned down -- or priced out of the market -- by private insurers. "And it'll be expensive," he volunteers, with typical candor.

Where McCain most distinguishes himself from the rest of this year's Republican pack is in the areas of life experience and force of character. He is not a single-issue candidate off on a frantic ideological jag. Although his political ideology has evolved through experience over the years, he has not changed his previous political positions en masse to appeal to the presumed prejudices and preferences of voters. Nor has he tried to craft a candidacy around an artificial persona who promises to save us all from terrorists, or from the devil. And, perhaps most important, he campaigns with decency.

What we see in McCain is a grown-up; a known quantity with a 30-year record of public service; a conservative who is confident in his abilities and yet smart enough to seek counsel. If he becomes the Republican nominee in 2008, the country has a chance of enjoying a substantive presidential contest, unburdened by fear-mongering and irrelevancies. The major candidates will differ sharply in their approaches to the many challenges we face, but their passion is likely to be tempered by civility.

By selecting John McCain on January 8, New Hampshire Republicans and independents have an opportunity to put the presidential contest on a constructive path that's worthy of the nation and its finest aspirations, at a time when a sharp course correction is severely needed.

Read Keene Sentinel Editorial: "John McCain"

U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN VIRGINIA FOXX (R-NC) ENDORSES GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY

Today, U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx announced her endorsement of Governor Mitt Romney for President of the United States.

Joining Romney for President, Representative Foxx said, "While the North Carolina primary may not be for several months, our party will begin the process of selecting our nominee in just a few short days. The choice confronting Republicans could not be clearer. We need Governor Romney's leadership, experience, vision and values. He stands for what makes America great. He fought to enforce our immigration laws, reform health care and protect our values. This is leadership I am proud to endorse."

Welcoming Congresswoman Foxx, Governor Romney said, "In just a few short years, Congresswoman Foxx has distinguished herself as a strong conservative leader in the United States House of Representatives. The people of North Carolina's Fifth Congressional District should be honored to have her as their representative. I look forward to working with her to advance conservative change in Washington."

Background On Congresswoman Virginia Foxx:

Dr. Virginia Foxx Is Serving Her Second Term Representing North's Carolina's 5th Congressional District In The United States House Of Representatives. During her time in Congress, Dr. Foxx has championed conservative values, fought to enforce our immigration laws and to cut government spending. National Journal ranked her the most conservative member of the North Carolina Congressional delegation. Dr. Foxx serves on the House Committees on Agriculture, Government Reform, and Education and the Workforce. Prior to serving in Congress, she spent 10 years in the North Carolina Senate. Dr. Foxx was President of Mayland Community College and was an administrator and teacher at Appalachian State University. Dr. Foxx also served as Deputy Secretary for Management in the N.C. Department of Administration.