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According to the latest Rasmussen poll, 83% of Americans blame the deficit on politicians’ unwillingness to cut spending. Former Congressman Watts has penned an editorial today comparing the Democrats spending and programs to “bad dog food.”
“Washington, Please Quit Digging.
Americans don’t like what they’ve seen over the last eight months. President Obama signed an omnibus spending bill last December, costing $447 billion. It expanded federal spending by 12 percent while inflation grew by 1.8 percent.
According to Taxpayers for Common Sense, there were 5,224 pork barrel projects that cost $3.9 bllion, including one called “The Shrimp Industry Fishing Effort Research Continuation,” costing us all $700,000. This irresponsible spending makes us all a bit cynical.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two institutions that were central to the economic meltdown, were virtually given a blank check by the US Treasury last Christmas Eve. Estimated cost over the next three years — $400 billion.
By the 2006 elections, Republicans in Congress and the Bush White House had dug a ditch so deep they couldn’t get out of it, and surprisingly in some ways, they kept on digging. This seems to be where the Democrats are today. Read more…
Related:
WSJ: Deficit Hawk Turns Dove at Home
Sen. Coburn’s comments on Sen. Kent Conrad, Democratic chairman of the Senate Budget Committee:
Conrad says one thing, and then votes hundreds of times the other way—to spend money,” says Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, one of the Senate’s strictest spending hawks and among only six senators who sought no funding for home-state projects through the “earmark” process last year.
Politics really does make strange bedfellows!
Reverend Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network, Former Congressman J.C. Watts, and Dr. Gary A. Puckrein, President of the National Minority Quality Forum, called a press conference at the Boriken Neighborhood Health Center in New York City to focus a spotlight on the need for health care reform that eliminates inequities in health care quality and access for America’s emerging majority.
“I truly applaud Dr. Puckrein and the National Minority Quality Forum who have been in the trenches on minority health care disparities for many years,” said J.C. Watts. “I am delighted to have the opportunity to join forces with The Forum and the National Action Network to encourage Congress to oppose any cuts to Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments in the final version of health care reform legislation unless the cuts are tied to significant reductions in a state’s uninsured populations.” Read more…
Oklahoma “legend” Mike McCarville hosting his now defunct talk show
We’ve got one question for one of our fellow bloggers. How can you claim to “merit the respect of political, governmental and business opinion leaders” when you are obviously in the tank for the campaigns that must be paying you and so against a non declared candidate?
Regular readers of said blogger knows that he sometimes gets a little overzealous when posting about candidates he disagrees with or issues dealing with urban areas. Will somebody let this guy know this is the 21st century?
Related:
OKPNS: (4/23/09) “Fool Me Once…”
Is J. C. getting closer to making a decision or is he simply tired of getting media inquiries at his office? We received this press release late this afternoon:
MEDIA ALERT
To: Political Reporters, Editors & Producers
Re: J.C. Watts, Jr. Contact Information
Former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr., requests all media seeking comments concerning the possible 2010 gubernatorial campaign or any inquiries into the 2010 governor’s race be directed to Chad Alexander.
Alexander can be reached by phone at 405-822-1092 or email at chad.alexander4@gmail.com
Alexander is a former Watts’ campaign manager and a longtime friend and associate. He also is former Republican party state chairman.
From Politico.com
“In spite of the fact that I might disagree ideological or politically, I think it’s helpful for my daughter. My 8-year-old daughter asked me during my second term, when we were getting sworn in, she asked me, ‘Daddy, do you have women congressmen?’ So, I think there is a psychological benefit.
It is good to see an African-American nominee for major political party. Now it’s not going to shock us as much. No more than to see the female reporter or black quarterback or black Republican or the Hispanic head coach.” – J.C. Watts, former Oklahoma Republican congressman from 1995 to 2003
Chairman J.C. Watts, Jr. recently appointed veteran Democrats Steve Pruitt and Holly Pitt Young to head Watts Partners. Watts Partners is the government relations arm of the J.C. Watts Companies.
“Steve and Holly both have a proven track record of successfully working with members of Congress as well as large corporations and trade associations. Combined, they bring more than 40 years of fundraising and consulting experience to our company and will be a great addition to my management team,” said J.C. Watts, Jr., Chairman of the J.C. Watts Companies.
In his new role as managing partner, Steve Pruitt is responsible for spearheading bipartisan political strategies for the firm and its clients. In a distinguished Washington career spanning more than three decades, Steve has earned a reputation as a respected and knowledgeable congressional legislative and public policy expert and strategist. He has served under congressional Democrats in numerous key positions, including as Staff Director of the Committee on the Budget of the United States House of Representatives and as a senior legislative and political advisor to Congressman William H. Gray, III (D-PA). Steve holds the honor of being the first African American to ever direct the staff of a major congressional committee.
“I am honored to have this opportunity to grow this firm’s presence and activities in the government relations arena. We have an experienced and talented team of former White House and Capitol Hill veterans whom I look forward to leading in the years ahead,” said Pruitt.
Holly Pitt Young now serves as associate managing partner, responsible for working with the team on client development. Holly brings to her new role more than15 years of experience working with organizations to develop successful government affairs strategies. Prior to joining Watts Partners, she served as Senior Vice President for the Political Involvement Practice at Democracy Data & Communications. Holly has worked with over 100 corporations, trade associations, and non-profit organizations to develop strategic government relations and constituent mobilization programs.
“My experience with both Republicans and Democrats has instilled in me the knowledge of working on policy issues that represents the best of both parties in a bipartisan way,” said Holly Pitt Young.
In addition, Holly has hosted events and fundraisers for more than 60 Members of Congress and worked on Capitol Hill for Representatives Charles Taylor of North Carolina and Doc Hastings of Washington State.
The Tandy Executive Speaker Series hosts prominent business leaders to disseminate leading-edge thought to Metroplex business professionals, Neeley MBA students and faculty in order to improve the practice of business. Mr. Watts gives his thoughts on this year’s elections.
The media have become an interesting institution over the past 10 years. Journalists more often let their feelings or their editorial comments infiltrate news reports, not just op-eds or editorials.
There are exceptions, but the media in general are great at building people up and then tearing them down. Interesting thing is, so many people are intrigued by it. Some actually love it.
It would be wise for all elected officials, pro athletes and Hollywood types to remember what one of my football coaches once said: “When people put you on a pedestal, that’s their fault. If you believe it, that’s your fault.”
Can I get fries with that? What a strange quote!
“You can see Democratic establishments having a very difficult time dealing with Barack Obama. I do think he’s got such a special sauce, I do think it’s going to be even more challenging for Republicans to figure out how to deal with him. I do think that John McCain – I said this a year ago – John McCain does give Republicans a chance to win.” J.C. Watts
