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"This is a very volatile environment," he said. "House Republicans have to go back to their districts and defend the indefensible, trying to terminate Medicare in order to fund tax cuts for big oil companies. The more they have to defend that, the greater our districts of winning in states across the country."
...Next year's crop will include several former members of Congress who lost last year as GOP-aligned groups were "stealing elections with nefarious stealth advertising," Israel said.
"We will not allow that to happen again. And so you are talking about different terrain, different environment," he said. "In a presidential election there will be a surge of younger voters that goes to the benefit of Democrats like (former New York Rep.) Dan Maffei, like (former New Hampshire Rep.) Carol Shea-Porter, and goes to the benefit of Democrats throughout the country."
In other news, Democrats have recaptured the generic Congressional ballot. The current Congress, of which Frank Guinta is a member, enjoys a rock-bottom 13% approval rating.
Frank Guinta, meanwhile, has distinguished himself for campaigning on the abolition of Social Security, voting in office for the abolition of Medicare, and, most recently, letting pregnant women die.
I should also add that Carol Shea-Porter's campaign theme of working for "the other 99 percent" is currently experiencing a rebirth in the rapidly growing We Are the 99% movement.
A Bloomberg investigation finds that Koch Industries -- a global empire run by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, prominent financial backers of conservative groups -- made "improper payments" to win business in other countries and "sold millions of dollars of petrochemical equipment to Iran, a country the U.S. identifies as a sponsor of global terrorism."
"Internal company documents show that the company made those sales through foreign subsidiaries, thwarting a U.S. trade ban. Koch Industries units have also rigged prices with competitors, lied to regulators and repeatedly run afoul of environmental regulations, resulting in five criminal convictions since 1999 in the U.S. and Canada."
Frank Guinta received $5,000 in the 2010 cycle from Koch Industries Inc. PAC.
"My kids are six and five. They shouldn't know what Social Security is."
Congressman Frank Guinta, September 2011:
we shouldn't talk about eliminating Social Security or Medicare or Medicaid. We should talk about preserving it, protecting it, making it financially sound.
People who want to represent you really shouldn't be duplicitous.
After a month of silence on the issue, Guinta on Monday disputed the news report and said the complaint is based on false information.
"I never directly or indirectly solicited the RGA," Guinta said.
The Union Leader on Monday stood by the report, published Aug. 27.
There are two new developments here:
1) Frank Guinta has broken his month-long silence with a denial.
2) The Union Leader makes a point of explicitly standing by the accuracy of their source.
A key paragraph from an NHDP release (email) on the heels of this offers more detail:
WMUR also reported that according to "several sources with direct knowledge of the events" Guinta said "the Republican Governor's Association would give $100,000 to the state party, but not as long as Kimball was there." [WMUR, 8/27/2011] Both WMUR and the Union Leader reported that Senator Kelly Ayotte, Congressman Bass, Senate President Bragdon, and Speaker Bill O'Brien all had knowledge of Guinta's solicitation to the RGA from a conference call.
So: who's not telling the truth? The Union Leader, or Frank Guinta?
My criticism of the New Hampshire Union Leader has been long and loud. But I'm not sure it's ever once been about the accuracy of facts in their non-editorial reportage.
In other news, Rep. Guinta has recently been named one of the most corrupt members of Congress.
Today Frank Guinta - recently named one of the most corrupt members of Congress - was the subject of yet another FEC complaint.
Back when the Republican elite in New Hampshire were trying to show off how the money would roll in - if only they could depose of Tea Party leader Jack Kimball - someone leaked this to the Union Leader:
Guinta mentioned that he had contacted several national groups for money and that he had been hoping "to get up to $100,000 from the Republican Governors Association (for the NHGOP)," the source said.
and:
When Kimball asked for examples, the source said, (House Speaker Bill) O'Brien mentioned that he had been told by Guinta that the RGA had refused a donation request.
According to the complaint filed today, this is illegal:
The Federal Election Campaign Act prohibits federal candidates and officeholders like Congressman Frank Guinta from soliciting, directing, or transferring, or spending funds in connection with an election that are outside the federal restrictions and limits. Under those limits, federal candidates and officeholders may solicit up to $10,000 per year from federally permissible sources - such as individuals and federal multicandidate committees - for the federal and nonfederal accounts of a state party. But $100,000 is in far excess of the limits and the RGA is a non-permissible federal donor.
The RGA denies it:
"At no point did the RGA commit resources nor were we solicited to do so," (RGA spox Mike) Schrimpf said.
Frank Guinta had the same response to this as he did to being named "most corrupt":
A spokesman for Guinta said the congressman had no immediate comment.
Some questions that come to mind: Who's not telling the truth - the Union Leader's source, or the RGA? And who was the source? Frank Guinta himself? Bill O'Brien?
("...who simply can't understand that the government is us." - promoted by William Tucker)
It seems to morph into the Peter Principle. How else to explain the sheer number of incompetent public officials with which we are suddenly burdened?
While some people respond to praise by striving even harder to perfect their skills, others take any encouragement at face value and decide they've done more than was expected and that's the end of their endeavors.
Self-centered individuals blinded by their superficial optics come to mind. Frank Guinta is one, if his missive to fellow public officials in the state of New Hampshire is to be believed.
The non-partisan watchdog CREW made official what we've suspected: that both of our congressmen, Frank Guinta and Charlie Bass are among the 14 most corrupt of over 500 members of Congress.
Perhaps this renewed scrutiny into Frank Guinta's campaign mystery money (still unresolved by FEC) can bring needed press attention to a more recent matter.
Union Leader, August 26, 2011:
Guinta mentioned that he had contacted several national groups for money and that he had been hoping "to get up to $100,000 from the Republican Governors Association [for the NHGOP]," the source said.
The question here is whether the Union Leader's source inadvertently revealed illegal activity by Guinta for soliciting well beyond the federal campaign limit. Even if that solicitation was for NHGOP and not his own re-election campaign.
From Mother Jones, key piece of information on a related issue. This concerns a loophole scheme for federal officeholders to solicit unlimited funds for super-PACs, which in turn could then spend unlimited amounts in their districts bashing their opponents (quite analogous to state party spending):
Last week, the campaign finance watchdog's top attorneys quietly released a draft opinion declaring that Bopp's plan violates campaign finance law. Specifically, the attorneys pointed to the McCain-Feingold law, which bans elected officials and candidates from soliciting "soft money," or unlimited campaign contributions, in connection with a federal election. The attorneys added that it's OK for federal officials to appear and speak at fundraisers where unlimited cash is being raised, so long as they don't directly solicit it themselves.
Oh, did I forget to mention that the current RGA chair is Bob McDonnell, who is headlining a huge fundraiser for NHGOP days from now? And the previous chairman, who left the post recently because of his presidential run, is Rick Perry?
The White House has broken down what the American Jobs Act means for New Hampshire:
• 3,000 businesses receive a payroll tax cut.
• Immediate investment of over $132 million in infrastructure, creating around 1,700 New Hampshire jobs.
• Over $120 million in funding to support around 1700 jobs for teachers and first responders.
• Over $70 million in investment to improve and modernize New Hampshire's public schools, and resulting in a projected 900 jobs.
• Potential $20 million investment in renovating and refurbishing vital areas in local communities.
• $8.7 million in funding for our community colleges.
• Assistance for 18,000 long-term unemployed Granite Staters.
• Extending unemployment insurance for 1,700 in New Hampshire.
• A program for low income young people and adults that could create a combined 1000 jobs.
• A tax cut of almost $2000 for a New Hampshire household with the median income of $64,000
• ALL FULLY PAID FOR BY DEFICIT REDUCTION
Goodness knows New Hampshire could use assistance like that in these difficult economic times, made far more difficult by the immoral budget passed by Bill O'Brien and his GOP supermajority in Concord.
But it's clear that Frank Guinta and Charlie Bass, who represent the majority in Congress' lower chamber, are more invested in defeating the President than improving the economy.
Those suffering now will have to wait at a minimum until January 2013 for there even to be the possibility of our ruling elites' getting anything done for working families.
During these tough economic times, the last thing Congress needs to do is place more burden on individuals and small businesses. Providing small businesses tax incentives will allow them to increase their workforce, invest and create jobs.
President Barack Obama, last night:
The purpose of the American Jobs Act is simple: ...it will cut payroll taxes in half for every working American and every small business.
...Pass this jobs bill -- pass this jobs bill, and starting tomorrow, small businesses will get a tax cut if they hire new workers or if they raise workers' wages. Pass this jobs bill, and all small business owners will also see their payroll taxes cut in half next year. (Applause.) If you have 50 employees -- if you have 50 employees making an average salary, that's an $80,000 tax cut. And all businesses will be able to continue writing off the investments they make in 2012.
Congressman Frank Guinta, minutes later:
Americans were looking to the President for leadership and to chart a new path to lower unemployment tonight. Instead, they got more failed policy and empty eloquence.
Carol Shea-Porter, today (email release):
"After spending his whole vacation insisting that he was so bipartisan now that he was friends with Barney Frank, it did not take our current Congressman, Frank Guinta, a New York minute to condemn President Obama's Jobs Program. One of the top Republican leaders, Rep Eric Cantor, said, 'But there are some things that we can do if we transcend those differences and stick to what the mission here is,' but Frank simply refused to be bipartisan at all, flatly stating, 'they got more failed policy and empty eloquence.' New Hampshire's First District needs someone who has experience working across the aisle, and I will continue to do just that when I return to Congress."
If "the last thing Congress needs to do is place more burden on individuals and small businesses," then why did Congressman Frank Guinta choose to do that by bashing the President's jobs plan immediately after it was delivered?
(Remember when partisan politics stopped at the water's edge? - promoted by William Tucker)
Rep. Charles Bass, on Libya, June 3rd:
there is no apparent end in sight to our involvement there.
Rep. Frank Guinta on Libya, June 3rd:
Withdrawing U.S. troops from this operation is the right step
Rep. Charles Bass on Libya, June 12th:
I'm willing to make Libya a European problem, not a U.S. problem.
Rep. Frank Guinta on President Obama and Libya, March 28th:
"His administration clearly has not been up to the challenge of this crisis," Guinta said. "I hope he rises to it very quickly."
Adding: this isn't some exegesis on the authority of the war powers act. It's a gentle reminder that the primary goal of the party headed by Rush Limbaugh and Fox News is to defeat democratic presidents, no matter what the issue. It's always party first, country... some place after that.
Heck, Charlie's been at this game so long now you can go back to the same nonsense he trotted out for Clinton during Kosovo a millenium ago.
A reader sent this along - a response from Frank Guinta to a constituent who was asking about Warren Buffet's call to raise revenue:
August 16, 2011
Dear Mrs. [redacted]
Thank you for contacting me with regard to taxes and spending. The reality of our debt crisis is not the amount of taxes we collect; it's the number of dollars we spend.
Increasing taxes takes money out of the economy that could be used to start a small business, invest in an existing one, and pay salaries for current workers or to hire new employees. For many families struggling to get by, allowing families to keep their hard earned dollars puts food on the table and keeps a roof over their heads. We simply can't afford to take more money out of the economy and out of the pockets of any Americans during a recession.
Singling out the top income brackets for tax hikes would do little for the deficit and even less for job creation. By raising taxes on these entrepreneurs and small business owners, Congress would take away resources that could be used to create jobs for middle and working class Americans.
Again, thank you for contacting my office...
...Sincerely,
Frank Guinta
Member of Congress
Congressman Guinta must have his Tea Party blinders on. Standard and Poor's was clear about why they downgraded the United States's credit rating:
We have changed our assumption on this because the majority of Republicans in Congress continue to resist any measure that would raise revenues, a position we believe Congress reinforced by passing the act.
But there's no reason to take Warren Buffet or the S&P's reasoning on this. Guinta represents one half of New Hampshire, after all. He works for us, not them.
New Hampshire, which, when polled, shows a supermajority (74%!) in favor raising taxes on the wealthiest. I guess they don't understand "the reality" according to Frank Guinta.
[Guinta] said focusing on a balanced budget won't get America where it needs to be, but focusing on jobs will help growth.
Frank Guinta, 19 July:
I was a proud co-sponsor of this bill. Pundits are calling this a "symbolic vote," and they're right. Voting for the Cut, Cap and Balance Act symbolizes my dedication to putting our fiscal house in order, getting our economy back on track and helping job creators start hiring again.
Andrew Hosmer has announced his intention to run for the democratic nomination for Congress in NH's 1st District. The Primary Election is about 13 months away.
Our country is at a critical crossroads, and the future is at stake. The challenges we face as a nation require commonsense leaders, not career politicians. As the son of a millworker and a schoolteacher, I believe New Hampshire's First District needs someone willing to fight for working families and seniors-not politicians like Frank Guinta, who are more interested in playing cheap political games than they are with creating new jobs and growing our economy. So, today, I am announcing my candidacy for Congress in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District.
-- Andrew Hosmer
He joins Joanne Dowdell and Carol Shea-Porter in running for the opportunity to serve NH-01.
The narrative poisted by Pindell is that Mr. Hosmer will position himself as a moderate in the race.
Carol Shea-Porter is well known in these parts, we encourage and welcome all campaigns to use Blue Hampshire as medium to introduce yourselves to the public.
Twenty-two House Republicans voted against the Boehner debt ceiling bill because it didn't go far enough for the Tea Party constituents that elected them into office.
Frank Guinta and Charlie Bass were not among them.
Both of New Hampshire's congressmen explicitly ran as candidates aligned with the Tea Party. Charlie Bass:
"I love them. God bless every single one of them. Their agenda is exactly the same as mine."
Frank Guinta, "who rode the Tea Party wave to Washington last year," is strongly beholden to the movement:
Elected Tuesday with the support of Tea Partiers and pledging deep cuts to federal government, Frank Guinta will soon be one of many freshman House Republicans left to figure out where the fledgling movement fits within the halls of Congress.
The former Manchester mayor has said he would join a House Tea Party Caucus created this summer by U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, a Republican from Minnesota....
...During the Republican primary, he easily won a straw poll held by the New Hampshire Tea Party Coalition, taking 81 percent of the vote. Guinta's margin of victory over his Republican challengers was the most decisive of any contest featured in the Tea Party poll.
Guinta said at the time that he was honored by the results of the straw poll and cited his attendance at several Tea Party events, as well as gatherings for the 9/12 movement started by Fox News commentator Glenn Beck.
Frank Guinta broke his word and never joined the Tea Party Caucus. Charlie Bass' committment to them was questioned almost immediately.
As we move into a 2012 presidential general election cycle, it is unlikely that 2010 Tea Party candidates Bass or Guinta will court the deepest part of the GOP base so closely again. Whether or not the Tea Party acts on that rejection is another question.
Over at the Great Orange Satan (Daily Kos) David Nir (nee DavidNYC, BH User #5) [comments on PPP polls on NH Congressional Races.
Public Policy Polling (PDF) (6/30-7/2, 7/5, New Hampshire voters, no trendlines):
Carol Shea-Porter (D): 41
Frank Guinta (R-inc): 48
Undecided: 10
(MoE: ±5.7%)
Ann McLane Kuster (D): 42
Charlie Bass (R-inc): 43
Undecided: 15
(MoE: ±5.1%)
While somewhat optimistic about NH-02, David expresses some concern regarding Dem chances in NH-01, even postulating
I wouldn't be surprised if other Democrats decided to get in here, especially since Guinta has weaknesses of his own that are ready to be exploited by a well-equipped challenger.
My take? We are going to have to give and work hard if we want to flip these seats. I know NH Dems are up for it.
Frank Guinta feels the pain of the jobless in New Hampshire as he advertises his stealth campaign event jobs fair:
Each number represents a real, living person who is out of work, a family that is struggling to avoid bankruptcy, or a person who wonders whether he or she will ever find another middle class job. Even worse, those monthly unemployment figures don't include the truly desperate: people who have been out of work for so long, they have given up hope of ever being employed again.
...One man told me he has been out of work for three years. Think about that for a minute; the last time he got a paycheck was 2008. Another man said he has had to use his savings to pay the bills while he looks for a new job. As a result, he now wonders whether he can afford to keep his child in college for another year. The stories went on and on, and they truly tugged at my heart.
Frank Guinta feels no pain killing some two thousand New Hampshire jobs (h/t Tuck):
If the House passed budget were signed into law around two thousand construction workers in New Hampshire would lose their jobs, according to the Federal Highway Administration. First District Congressman Frank Guinta says even if the number is correct, he was sent to Washington to cut spending.
"Well Democrats have been asking for more money for the last four years and they've spent us into debt and deficit. We've got to live within our means."
Not sure the new Maternal, Kinder, Gentler, Re-Elect Congressman Frank Guinta model works so well with the pre-existing Paternal, Austerity, Elect Candidate Frank Guinta one.
Frank Guinta has been clear about his desire to dismantle the American safety net. He doesn't want his children to know what Social Security is, and he voted to end Medicare for those under 55.
(Since that vote, he's earned an upside down favorability rating.)
Incredibly, Democratic President Barack Obama is willing to chip away at those programs for the sake of a "Grand Bargain" on the deficit, a concession that is both remarkably poor public policy and politically disastrous. What he wants in return from Republicans is to end the Bush-Obama tax giveaways to the wealthiest.
Equally incredibly, Frank Guinta lays out his own priorities:
"I have a core belief that I've maintained that raising taxes doesn't solve the problem,'' said Representative Frank Guinta, a New Hampshire Republican who was elected with support from Tea Party activists.
He's spectacularly wrong, of course.
But to the larger point: our President has given Frank Guinta the chance to chip away at the safety net, but he won't bite if it disturbs the free ride the rich have had for the past ten years.
Remember this when the government defaults and you don't get your Social Security check in the mail.
Our previous poll was overwhelming dominated by Carol Shea Porter. Since then Joanne Dowdell has official joined the process and I have been asked by several include Andrew Hosmer (St. Senate Candidate in 2010) in this poll.
The BH Research Department has aslo come across this site for Matthew Hancock.
If Lynch does run again, I suspect this will be the only major office with an interesting Primary.
Watch out, candidates! The Last Honest Man, Very Serious George Pataki has taken to the totally unbiased pages of the Union Leader to scold and wag his finger at you:
Monday night, I'll be watching to see which candidates have the courage to go beyond focus group-tested sound bites and the fortitude to address the debt in something other than politically safe rhetoric. I'll be listening for specifics.
No American Debt, the organization I launched recently to confront America's debt crisis and hold this President and the candidates accountable, will be comparing debt reduction plans to see who is serious and willing to lead.
...Merely attacking the other candidates won't do either. Unfortunately, early attempts to tackle the debt have been met with hostility and trivial political attacks.
The Last Honest Man, Very Serious George Pataki's previous footprint on New Hampshire politics was behind the most dishonest attack of all on the deficit reducing health care legislation:
A conservative group led by former New York Gov. George Pataki has launched two nearly identical ads criticizing Democratic Reps. Carol Shea-Porter of New Hampshire and John Hall of New York for voting for the new health care law. Pataki said the group, called Revere America, would target 10 other Democrats. The ad makes several false and unsubstantiated claims:
* It claims that the law creates "longer waits in doctors' offices" and that "your right to keep your own doctor may be taken away." The group says those claims are about a Medicare payment program that the law calls for establishing. But it points to an opinion piece that doesn't make those claims at all. The author tells us it's "bogus" to cite his article as support for the ad.
* The ad falsely calls the health care law "government-run health care." The truth is that - while the legislation will expand regulation of the insurance industry - it builds on our current private health care system and expands business for private insurers.
* The ad claims "costs will go up," when, in fact, premium costs for most Americans are predicted to stay the same or decrease slightly from where they normally would be. And for many others, federal subsidies will offset premium increases.
