WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republican leaders are vowing to cut taxes and federal spending, repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law and ban federal funding of abortion as part of a campaign manifesto designed to propel them to victory in midterm elections Nov. 2.
The “Pledge to America,” circulated to GOP lawmakers Wednesday, emphasizes job creation and spending control, as well as changing the way Congress does business, according to Republicans who have been briefed.
It pairs some familiar Republican ideas — such as deep spending cuts, medical liability reform and stricter border enforcement — with an anti-government call to action that draws on tea party themes and echoes voters‘ disgruntlement with the economy and Obama’s leadership.
The plan is emerging less than six weeks before elections in which Republicans are favored to add substantially to their ranks, perhaps enough to seize control of the House.
“Regarding the policies of the current government, the governed do not consent,” reads a preamble to the agenda. “An arrogant and out-of-touch government of self-appointed elites makes decisions, issues mandates, and enacts laws without accepting or requesting the input of the many.”
It goes on to call for every bill to cite its specific constitutional authority, a vote on any government regulation that costs more than $100 million annually and a freeze on hiring federal workers except security personnel. It also has a “read the bill” provision mandating that legislation be publicly available for three days before a vote.
GOP leaders are set to go public with the plan Thursday at a hardware store in suburban Virginia, choosing a location outside the nation‘s capital that’s in keeping with the plan’s grassroots emphasis.
Officials have described the agenda as the culmination of an Internet- and social networking-powered project they launched earlier this year to give voters the chance to say what Congress should do. The “America Speaking Out” project collected 160,000 ideas and received 1 million votes and comments on the proposals, they said.
Much internal debate ensued among party leaders, rank-and-file lawmakers and GOP activists about the contents of the agenda, including whether it should include a reference to “family values” — which some strategists argued could alienate the independent voters Republicans are courting.
They agreed to include the abortion provision and a vaguely worded statement on social issues: “We pledge to honor families, traditional marriage, life, and the private and faith-based organizations that form the core of our American values.”
The plan recalled Republicans’ 1994 “Contract With America,” a list of heavily poll-tested proposals they unveiled about six weeks before the GOP gained 54 House seats and seized control of the House for the first time in 40 years.
But the rollout reflects a national mood far different from the one 16 years ago, and an electorate that national surveys show is fed up with its representatives and disillusioned about government.
“The Contract was done at a time when it was acceptable for a relatively small number of elected officials and trusted aides to go behind closed doors, come up with some ideas, test them in polls and then announce them on the steps of the Capitol,” said Michael Franc of the conservative Heritage Foundation, who was a House aide during those days.
“If you did that now, you’d see yourself being hung in effigy most places. … (Republicans) can‘t afford to come across as another case of ’government knows best,’” Franc said.
Republican strategists advising House leaders have told them that presenting their own ideas for governing — laser-focused on jobs and recharging the economy — is crucial to their electoral chances.
“It is not enough for the Republican Party just simply to point out that President Obama and the Democrats have failed,” said pollster David Winston. “What Americans are looking for is a plan that they have confidence in that will work.”
Democrats dismissed the GOP plan as recycled ideas that would further exacerbate the nation’s problems.
“Republicans want to return to the same failed economic policies that hurt millions of Americans and threatened our economy,” said Nadeam Elshami, a spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The plan proposes creating jobs through tax cuts, including permanently extending George W. Bush’s reductions for people at every income level, now slated to expire in January, and a 20 percent deduction for small businesses. It also calls for repeal of an unpopular new provision enacted to help pay for the health care law that requires nearly 40 million businesses to file tax forms for every vendor that sells them more than $600 in goods.
It offers an array of proposals to limit spending, including cutting back to 2008 levels and placing a hard cap on future government expenditures.
Republicans are calling for replacing the health care law by letting people buy health care coverage outside their states, expanding state programs that cover high-risk patients who can’t otherwise get insurance and expanding the use of tax-advantaged savings accounts to cover medical costs.
And the plan also focuses on security, including calling for denying terrorists so-called “Miranda rights,” opposing the release of Guantanamo Bay detainees into the United States and full funding for missile defense programs.
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Comments (364)
conservativeveteran
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:34pmWhy do the GOP leaders need a ‘Pledge TO America’? Didn‘t the tea party already provide a ’Contract FROM America’? Who is calling the shots – the employee or the employer?
Additionally, what weight does this document have when none of them had the courage to sign it? Actions speak louder than words!
Report Post »sbleve
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 8:42amPledge is the tool that is commensurate with being the carpenter. Congress, by the way, is the carpenter of liberty. Poor workmanship, Liberty goes away. Cull lumber is the choice of today’s social engineering. The Executive is a temporary mule skinner. Promise is a word abused by the weakness of greed/power in humanity – professional politician.
Report Post »Blue_Persuasion
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:32pmOh puh-lease… first of all, the timing is suspect. Secondly, weren’t the republicans the ones who created the Contract with America in 1994 during the midterms and then immediately ignored it once they got into power??
Report Post »AstupidAmerican
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 11:01pmExactly, the night Christine O’Donnell won the primary, the masks came off just enough to see what is really underneath
Report Post »megansmom
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:32pmI think they need to also pledge to close the D.O.E. FCC, ,DOE, force the prez to get rid of all of his czars, get rid of this new financial reform law, place term limits on the house and senate, well the list is getting a little long and wishful.
Report Post »So. are they going to sign it and pledge to leave office if they don’t keep their promises?
Ruler4You
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:31pmI’m 100% for any plan that promotes the free market, limited government, individual liberty and a belief in God Almighty as the source of our unalienable Rights.
Report Post »pscully17
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:35pmAmen!!!!
Report Post »AstupidAmerican
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:29pmSame stuff, different establishment party. Continue to fight amongst your self’s you pawns.
Report Post »emqcrcu
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:29pmWhoa! Count us in!!!! Pray on, AMERICA! GOD IS HEARING HIS KIDS!!!
Report Post »unbiased
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:26pmWe dont need anymore “contracts” what we need is people in there that makes the right desisions.
Report Post »PA PATRIOT
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:35pmAnd vote the way the majority of their constituents believe is correct, not the way the left leaning, big government lobbyists’ want them to vote. Stand up for what is true and just. Remember it is Principle over Party.
Report Post »Postman
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 11:31pmBut, if they have a “conract”, then the repubs can claim to have a mandate, to institute these changes. It is always a good thing to give the people something to “vote for”, instead of just voting against.
Report Post »EgoBrain
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:25pmI like it so far, but I want more.
Report Post »Like let’s pull out of the UN.
emqcrcu
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:30pmAgree with you on pulling out of UN and while we’re at it, let’s get the UN out of the USA!!!
Report Post »JBaer
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:52pmAnd a second amen to that!!
Report Post »robinanddoc
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 7:20pmYou are on the right track. Additionally we need surgery to remove us from the belly of the I.M.F.
Report Post »LostButFound
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:24pmI’m in!
Report Post »GunnyB
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:23pmI‘ll be taking a close look at this when it’s published because I’m no longer in the mood for business as usual! I’ll also track progress closely if the Republican party is given another chance at running things because talk as we know is cheap and only actions matter. I’m tired of the political games that would allow something like AMNESTY to be added to the defense bill!
Report Post »Time Rebel
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 12:48amAmen, GunnyB. I’m thinking that when the GOP gets back some power, they had better live up to their promises to bring some common sense and fiscal responsibility to Washington!
Report Post »WOLFENII
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 12:36amKudos GunnyB. That is what we all must do. HOLD THEIR FEET TO THE FIRE AND RECALL ALL WHO START TO SLITHER AWAY…
Report Post »Ga. Tea Party
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:21pmWe need a plank or contract to look into un American activity and a realistic plan to hold trials for those in government. Put the fear in the Administration now before they become lame duck and really hurt out country or even try a power grab. move now not tomorrow. Offense not defense.
Report Post »GOTT-EM-MAUSER
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 8:42pmNow you’re talking. Unless?Until we hold the Demo-Communists and Republi-Socialists accountable (Criminally) for their subversive activities, none of it means squat.
Report Post »gman46
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 10:19amWhat would also be nice is allowing a referendum for Congress or the WH that we can unseat them. A vote of no confidence in our leaders.
Report Post »Bobbie227
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 11:30amBest idea I’ve heard!! We all need to get together on this one! Love it.
Report Post »Prospero
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:20pmLooking forward to reading it, sounds like a hopeful first step.
Report Post »nkawtg
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:20pmAs others have said, it’s a start. Next kill the Clear act, and de-fund DOJ actions against Arizona.
Report Post »Gitmo
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:19pmAt least they are giving us time to read it. If it was the Democrats Pledge to America, We would have to elect them first to find out what was in it!!
Report Post »Blue_Persuasion
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:38pmWell, first and foremost the democrats would never promise to do anything for America — only for illegals and their union thugs. Secondly, promises are nothing without follow-through. The only one who has followed through on his promises is Obeyme. He has most certainly fundamentally transformed America, alright. Problem is, it no longer resembles the free, liberty-loving America I was born into.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 8:00pmHow true! And then we would need two lawyers who couldn’t get through it and explain it because it would take more than two days.
Report Post »NotaLemming
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:19pmI’m with RedBlooded and KuhBoom on this one. Not enough austerity. CUT MORE!
Report Post »MrsK
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:19pmLess than 50 days to go!!
Report Post »tdaly
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:18pmYes I agree, Cutting spending to 2008 levels are not good enough.
Report Post »pscully17
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:16pmdidnt Obama Fill us with a Bunch of BS Pledges? whats the recourse if the Repubs dont follow through? RECALL? will they graciously step aside if they cant fullfill their promises? Im thinking NOT!! Id rahther they all Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United states of America and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands(stood) ,,etc but we are NO LONGER one nation under GOD, the Aclu and supreme Court Liberal Pukes Destroyed that concept! meanwhile did anyone Notice Gold Spiked $18 today on the heels of a FED statement yesterday about PRINTING MORE $!!! Inflation worries and lots of indecision on the economy are still plagueingthe experts!! cnbc.com check it out!! Gold finished at $1292— ho hum
dorothea
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 7:30pmYes, we still a nation under God although Pres BHO doesn’t like the idea!!!
Report Post »Betty Ward
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:53pmWe are still a nation under God, but we left God out of it’s business but he did not leave us!! Now we are seeing the results of taking God out of everything to be politically correct so we don’t offend any other religion!! We brought this on ourselves and the only way to CHANGE it back is to return to God for his guidance and help, there is still HOPE with GOD all things are possible!!! He promised us to never leave us or forsake us. REPENT AMERICA!!
Report Post »Buck Bagaw
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:16pmFirst, they have to regain a suficient majority in November to override presidential veto. If they accomplish that, I still wouldn’t bet on it. Looks good on paper though. The only real power a Rebublican House will have under this White House will be the ability to withold funding for his insane agenda.
Report Post »Prospero
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:22pmThat’s pretty much absolute power, I’d say.
Report Post »Contrarianthinker
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 8:41pmIF the GOP Senators and Congressman would demand proof of Obama being a natural born citizen, we could get rid of Obama in 2010. I know for certainty that he isn’t natural born. Everyone agrees here that Obama is a big liar yet you say he told the truth about his being natural born and refuses to unseal his long form, original birth certificate???? Beck calling truthers as crazzies will go down in history as Beck’s greatest blunder!!! None of this mess for the past two years would have happened if the GOP Senators and Gop Congressman had challenged the Electoral vote on Jan 8, 2009. NOT ONE HAD THE GUTS!!!!!
Report Post »JD Carp
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 12:15pmI agree Buck. More importantly is if they do win a majority will they act like it and not be a bunch of linguine spined members worried about poll numbers? The last time we had the majority the leadership wanted to “get along” with the left side of the aisle. Have you noticed the courtesy we have received from the Pelosi led left? If we win, SCREW THEM. Forget bipartisanship, pure partisanship is good. Ram all this crap legislation right up their collective back sides and stay loyal to the cause of America and forget silly agendas.
Report Post »Jack007
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:15pmSounds Like a Plan this Tea Party member can live with!
Report Post »tepartyblog.info
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:24pmYeah but do trust any of them to keep their word. They know it will soon be their turn on the block. Be a politician is not a career path but a civic duty that we sometimes have to do. It would is like have professional juries.
Report Post »tepartyblog.info
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:52pmI need to go to sleep that last post was awful
Report Post »Jack007
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 7:51pmHave no fear the Tea Party will be watching, there will be swift retribution for any broken promises
Report Post »Workforit
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 8:18pmFirst I want to see it. I want to see the words “Term Limits” … for one…
Report Post »Contrarianthinker
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 8:34pmDO THEY SUPPORT AND WILL THEY WORK FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT LIMITING a Senator to 12 years and a Congressman to 6 years?
Report Post »LIGHTER1
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:25pmJACK007
There is no way anyone could put forth a contract/plan/pledge and truthfully say what he/she would do if elected. For example, take Social Security. The fix is to only pay the supplemental retirement pay to the person who paid in {and/or spouse}. Eliminate all other welfare payments! These monies were not for general welfare as now incorporated simply because there was money there.Or, take tort reform, perhaps the biggest drain on society is the cost of all these cases affecting ALL aspects of our lives. Just say the loser has to pay all the costs of the prevailing party. That would stop frivilous lawsuits and the bilking of deep pockets– death from a thousand nicks. But, after giving the proper way to do things, who would be left to vote for you? Each item is a sacred cow to someone and would cause the loss of their vote. Until there is a general consensus that we MUST go back to the founding principles and are willing to have our cow gored, there will not be any real revision to the spend and tax policies we see, Democrat or Republican.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:13pmNow that’s the Hope & Change I’m looking for! Be sure to check out Fire Pelosi Bus Tour
Report Post »Red Blooded
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:12pmThe entire American Constitution is four pages long, the tax code, 3500, I love this new contract, but income/property taxes need to disappear: replaced with a VAT tax that puts every single cent of an American worker in their hands to determine their own expenditure.
Report Post »capnjack
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:35pmFar better than a VAT tax is the Fair Tax.
Report Post »Jackson
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 7:06pmAgreed! Fair Tax!!!
Report Post »Contrarian51
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 7:10pmPoint taken but I think you’re a little short. It’s passed the 71,000 page mark. Even most of those who scoff at that number will concede something in excess of 44,000.
Report Post »ltb
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 7:37pmActually, the 2010 tax code is 71,684 pages long and do you know why it is so long? To make every single American a criminal and to intimidate those who don’t value their freedom enough to fight for it into submission. Look at Christine O’Donnell – in 2005 when she was running against Biden, she got audited by the IRS, then in 2010 when she ran against Castle, the IRS placed a lien against her (they later removed it, saying it was a “computer error”). Here little Miss Nobody had the gall to think she could penetrate the private Senate Club and all of a sudden the IRS discovers she violated a paragraph in the tax code on page 38,257. Personally, I’m not about to cower before a bunch of lying thieves who have bastardized the American Constitution, so if the IRS ever comes knocking on my door, they’d better bring a body bag, because someone will be leaving in it.
Oh, and about a VAT… ARE YOU INSANE?!? The VAT is the most insidious type of tax ever invented by Liberals, because it is hidden. The raw materials supplier pays taxes on the raw materials, the manufacturer pays taxes on the manufactured goods, the distributor pays taxes on the distributed goods, the retailer pays taxes on the consumer goods and the and then the consumer pays taxes on what he buys off the shelf. Bureaucrats can raise VAT rates with little fanfare and when people complain about rising costs, they just blame it on raw material costs, manufacturers, etc. and no one is the wiser.
Report Post »Rev. WC
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 8:20pmFar better than current taxes, VAT sucks, Fair is OK, Sales Tax or Consumption Tax is the best!!!!!!!!!!!The more you buy the more you pay!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »2Smart2BaLib
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 9:39pmI agree the Fairtax is the best solution and would give power back to the individual. Goverment could no longer hand out tax breaks to special interest groups.
Report Post »RandomOrder
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 10:48pmThe FairTax is the best solution…No more IRS…
Report Post »flamedone1968
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 11:55pmRev. WC
Lock property tax at 1% even split between Federal/State and Local… no more vat, income, ect… tax, rather 20% sales tax with food being exempt so that the poor who will spend a large % of their finance on food will get the break where they need it most. Break the 20% income tax down like this… 10% Federal to see to National Defense, as they are supposed to. 5% to state and 5% to local governments.(The IRS will still have jobs visiting retail stores ect.. to tally and gather taxes) Lock it down unless “WE THE PEOPLE” VOTE otherwise for specific project funding. Then Government will have to learn to live with a budget and also have to have a savings for emergencies. Now thats a start!!!
<— wondering how many government officials may read this and get scared.. ;P
Report Post »sanddriver238
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 12:08amNever Ever a VAT!!! The worst cheating hidden tax ever desighend by lying nasty crooked theving polititions.
Report Post »It’s the biggest reson i am a conservitive
kuhb00m
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:12pmOoh- let’s cut spending back to 2008 levels… How about we cut spending back to 1908 levels for a while and see how that plays out?! Give me the budget and I’ll trim it down to a nice and tight size. If we have to do that at home, we can also do it as a nation.
Report Post »pscully17
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:18pmthats a nIce thought, but remember, the DEMS didnt want to actually produce a BUDGET!!!! they have no Limit on spending or tax hikes!!! Government expansion is going to balloon to maxim density and then BURST into a quadrillion pieces!!!
Report Post »fangbanger
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:33pmsounds good to me.
Report Post »Debrabate
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:38pmamen! and ditch the czars… they are just extra paychecks that we cant afford.
Report Post »cheezwizshabaz
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 9:00pmAll czars must go!
Report Post »Sefton
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 9:28pmBudgetary suggestions?
How about we start by abolishing the EPA, FDA, Dept. Of Labor, Dept. Of Education, cut the USPS and IRS in half, and cut all federal salaries and pensions by 20%.
If we’re going to cut, let’s get out the chainsaw and get at it. And withdraw from the U.N. while we’re at it.
kgeorge152
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 10:23pmSefton…great post! That’s is exactly what I was looking for.
Report Post »Postman
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 11:30pmSefton
The USPS is not run with tax payer money, and it hasn’t been for at least 30 years. Although, congress still controls how much they must put back in pensions, and other controls.
Report Post »flamedone1968
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 11:34pmSefton
Report Post »Yea and get rid of the Federal Reserve so this kind of thing won’t happen again. Make the dollar as in the Constitution so it equal to .925 oz. silver if I remember right. Hmmm… open up oil drilling so we are not held hostage by others for our energy needs… more modernized refineries… open up areas for gold mining like in the gold rush(we‘ll need it so we’re backed by real gold) NO MORE INFLATION!!! WHOOO HOOO!!!
By heaven if we let our free market free we can all have a good life.
smugsmiley
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 12:24amWhat’s wrong with the Czar system? Reagan started it. Don’t you agree with Reagan?
Report Post »cjbeckmann
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:27amSmugSmiley
Wrong. Advisors to the President, or individual department heads have existed since George Washington. There is even a provision for them in the Constitution, Article II, Section 2.
I believe Obama though, is the first one to attempt to sneak them past Senate confirmation. I may be wrong on that.
The term Czar is one used by the media because the actual titles are too long to say repeatedly. Wikipedia says that the first use of the term began with FDR, but take that for what its worth.
Whatever the case, Reagan was not the first, and there isn’t even anything wrong with having them. It is the WHO is being appointed, not the WHAT they are being appointed to that is the issue here.
FloridaRob
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 11:04amGreat point, Kuhboom! As I stated in a response to UCONNES, I don’t think that this pledge has anything to do with what We The People want, but more to do with controlling the non-establishment candidates. Look what happened after the class of ‘94 finished their Contract With America (minus the pesky term limit thingy). It was mission complete, go back to business as usual. In retrospect, what was really accomplished? Nothing! We CANNOT let the Establishment dictate what the agenda will be! We must stand by, encourage, and support our non-Establishment candidates to fight for THEIR OWN seat at the table. Only then can we begin to accomplish true reform. Pray for them… in January, their true fight will begin…
Report Post »kuhb00m
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:34pmNow we’re getting some good ideas out there! I suppose folks in Washington would be a bit upset if we showed up with some chainsaws and gave a little demonstration to the budget. Of course,as Pscully17 pointed out, they didn’t even budget anything this year- it’s just a freestyle spending party!
Report Post »chilo7
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 2:09pmSoooDo we think some addendums need to be added? And some more Constitutional Conservatives need to add their names? On this note, Does anyone know what a Social Conservative is? I watched parts of the FL. deal last week and heard Newt talking SOCIAL Conservatives. I had not heard that & it worries me.Where is he going with that title? Socialism? It didn’t sound like it when he spoke but where was the Constitution in that? & where did the word “Social” come from? I emailed Newt,w/ that question (on his Solutions page) but no answer. Does anyone know?
Report Post »nowornever
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 4:21pmI think SEFTON is on the right track, if we are truly going to save this country from the Progressives we must to quote a famous radio talk show host defang the federal government and that means getting rid of all these unconstitutional programs. Why can’t Newt, Sarah and company promise us that.
They are playing us once again!!
Report Post »Rearden Steel
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:09pmIt’s a start..
Report Post »RealityCheck
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:23pmExactly, give me something besides blame game and name calling.
VegasGuy
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:28pmAgreed, a good start. Now let us see them live up to it past this election cycle.
Report Post »Libertarian
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:44pm“It goes on to call for every bill to cite its specific constitutional authority”
My favorite part.
Report Post »familyofsix
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 7:53pmOkay, this is good thinking, I like each of these tenants of the plan. Each conservative politician needs to sign this in blood, because that‘s what Americans are giving these days and we can’t afford any more lies and deceit from any politician who professes their conservatism. We need proof!
Report Post »bulldawg
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 7:57pmI say lets go for it and if you don’t do what you say then we will boot your butts with Obama in 2012
Report Post »Contrarianthinker
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 8:31pmI see NO part of the Contract that says IF a GOP Congressman refuses to do it, they will have to step down. IF they did that, I would believe them.
Report Post »wodiej
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 8:36pmexactly, we must unite and demand accountability. This is a new batch of conservatives-Paul Ryan, Eric Cantor, Sharron Angle, Sarah Palin.
If you are going to be doom and gloom, get out of the way and let the rest of us do the heavy lifting-we don’t need you.
Report Post »Handsome Pete
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 12:18amThey’re offering us something positive to vote for. I haven’t seen that since 1994.
Report Post »PostProgressiveAmerican
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 4:20amIt is a start – but the entrenched career politicians are trying to keep their positions and power. Do not be lured in by promises alone; check their voting records and their previous statements to verify they actually support the platform. Ignore the rhetoric, do your research and vote for the best candidate, regardless of party affiliation.
Report Post »uconnes
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:06pmRiiiiiight.
Conservativeman
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:30pmPalin/Gingrich 2012
Report Post »capnjack
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:33pmThat’s right AH…do you have something better?
Report Post »Libertarian
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:41pmIf Gingrich is on the ticket I will write in Ron Paul.
Report Post »teachingazteca
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:58pmYep. just cuz they promise it don’t mean they will do it!
Report Post »Poverty with a view
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 7:15pmLibertarian
Report Post »Your tactic will re-elect Obama. Newt isn’t that bad, is he?
DDoutel
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 7:18pmPalin, good; Gingrich, bad; too much of an internationalist. Add to this his hobnobbing with Pe-lousy to talk about “global warming” and his endorsement of Dede Scozzafava… Newt needs to retire; permanently.
betsyrossrocks
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 7:38pmThe only time I can recall in my 43 year old history that politicians actualy kept their promises was the Contract with America – so let’s all rally behind this and hold them accountable!
Report Post »msnbciscomedy
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 7:38pmIll believe it when I see it GOP, You have one chance…..Dont blow it…
Report Post »Rev. WC
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 8:04pmSmoke and mirrors, 3 card monte, or Obama light, your choice!
Report Post »Rev. WC
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 8:09pmThe Republicans had the Presidency, Senate, and House and they did their best to destroy America, so we elected Liberals. They are all of the same ilk..On three taste the barf that enters your mouth!
Report Post »Contrarianthinker
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 8:29pmPalin/Ginrich means continious warfare and nation building. Both are NeoCons when it comes to foreign policy. Both champion continued efforts to be policemen of the world. Both would be better as Congressmen.
Report Post »RABMAN1
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 9:07pmHow about also making them READ every bill BEFORE they pass it and to follow the law that is already in place– ensuring they can actually pay for every new program they start!
Report Post »912Cindy
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 9:21pmRubio / Bolton
Report Post »CrackerSmurf
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 10:21pmYEAH there is a REAL problem with Gingrich. It is the pot calling the kettle black. You cannot have multiple affairs on multiple wives and WHILE having an AFFAIR with a STAFF MEMBER. Bring charges of the same resolve on the president. Who is this hypocrite to even consider running for any office his political career was over in 1996. HE shouldn‘t be on FOX news and he certainly shouldn’t ruin any kind of movement by endorsing it like he had some stake. The problem is the establishment. HE IS the establishment. How bout we run a shoe box and a hamster in 2012 and see if they can get better results than obama. Since they cannot read in one instance and do anything but hold things in the other I couldn’t imagine a better job being done.
Report Post »REVEL
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 11:05pmIf the Republicans are serious about this, they should allow the Tea Party’s involvement and perhaps the Tea Party can add a few things and make the announcement for the Republicans as messengers of the people, for the people. It doesn’t seem like enough that they took input, formulated a plan and we’re just supposed to believe them. It sounds like the same old…Tell them what they want to hear. As for Gingrich, it’s not going to work. Don’t even waste our time. I’m a Palin supporter but I believe she needs to run as a Vice President first before we can get enough people to vote for her. We need a strong Presidential candidate with her. I like Huckabee but it definitely can’t be someone in Congress or Senate already. That’s a negative against them. We need a fresh conservative Governor, well liked and respected. Together, Palin and the mystery person can help us get back on track. It is so important to get the strongest pair for 2012.
Report Post »Jim AZ
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 11:48pmCRACKERSMURF is correct. NO ONE in either party can be trusted or counted upon. The Tea Party MUST IMMEDIATELY revamp the Republican Party. The only alternative is to alter the election system which locks out everyone else.
Report Post »Palin endorsed McC. How principled can she be?
gatekeeper96740
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 11:58pmNo more contracts ON America. They are about as appealinfg as an Indian treaty. Get the old RINO’s out and get new Conservatives in.
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 12:10amOverhaul the incumbants. I dont care what so called contract or pledge says. They should have thought about that before their jobs were threatened.
Report Post »usaccrcin1
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 8:18amThis guy is skeptical too http://www.55krc.com/pages/onair_BrianThomas.html
Report Post »DavB
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 8:41amLike all of a sudden, I am supposed to believe this??? Why couldn’t they have stuck with what worked last time, aka President Reagan, how many years and elections ago??? I likve in Eric Cantor’s district… And if I happen across a Tea Party canidate, you watch who I vote for!
Report Post »FloridaRob
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 9:43amThe Democrats have their backs against the wall, and the Republicans know this fact. The Republican political advisors are smart enough to know that when your foe is in such a weak position as the Democrats currently are, you don’t give them any ammunition that they can rally behind and use against you. This plan IS that ammunition. So why did they do put it out there? IMHO, this is a message to the Sharon Angles, the Joe Millers, and every other “outsider” who defeated an Establishment candidate. The message is clear – The Establishment is at the helm. THIS is what our agenda WILL be. SHUT UP AND TOE THE LINE. My hope is that these non-Establishment candidates will have the intestinal fortitude to stand up and fight for their own seat at the table. If they don’t, they will be neutered just as the class of ‘94 was. We must continue to support these new candidates and fight for them long after the Novermber elections are over. Their REAL fight will begin in January… against the Establishment!
Report Post »gman46
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 10:13amLet’s remember one thing we may never get the people we really like in office, Personally I like Herman Cain. but as a Libertarian/Conservative we have to come together and get the person we can believe in and who will help us get rid of the socialists in power. So please, we need to get these guys out!
Report Post »gman46
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 10:15amWhat would be a sure thing for me is if the Republican’s would put in a clause, “If we don’t do as we pledge, we will step down”
Report Post »mdlwoods
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 10:31amPalin/Bachmann 2012
Report Post »Armless Monkey
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:15pmI think Tea Party candidates should come out with their own “Contract” or “Pledge” to America. The Republican Pledge released this morning was weak at best and does not specifically address a balanced budget and does little to address social security or medicare reform.
Report Post »USAMama
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:51pm@MSNBCiscommedy- I agree, this is their one chance and I believe America is done just blindly voting D and R, if they blow it they WILL be held accountable.
@Rev WC- your right, the big government PROGRESSIVE Republicans did screw things up, thats why we need a restoration of America, not a transformation. I like that they have to state in each bill where they get their CONSTITUTIONAL authority to do things.
Another thought, I wouldn’t mind if at the end of each bill there was a clause they had to sign that said “By signing this I acknowIedge that I have read and understand this entire bill as it is written.” That way they can‘t get away with signing a bill they didn’t read and understand. And if they do sign a bill w/o reading it, they can be charged with purgery.
nowornever
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 6:24pmRepublicans are duping us again, they come out with a generic feel good pledge with absolutely no substance so us Tea Party folks will vote them in. Has any party rebublican or democrat ever decreased the size of government. Have they ever went after the entitlement programs that are driving us into bankruptcy. In my opinion this pledge is as worthless as the paper it is printed on.
I want them to be honest with us tell us like it is, we are in dire straights hear in America and what needs to happen to save us will not sound nor feel good!
Go Ron Paul
Report Post »Clive
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 12:03pmsame old stuff they always say. and they wont follow through with it either… again, americans wanted some new ideas, not the old guidelines that you don’t even adhere to.
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