From Mark Crowley...
Looks like Hurricane Gustav is going to put a damper on the Convention this week. It's Sunday evening and already Monday's schedule has been significantly abbreviated. In the mean time, the Massachusetts Delegation will still meet in the morning, but the broader convention events will be shortened to cover just the minimum administrative activities to get the nomination process started.
For certain, our first and foremost concern is for the people of the Gulf Coast as the hurricane approaches. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
We should also be proud of how Senator McCain is handling the convention in light of the hurrican. He is showing the courage and leadership we look forward to see under his Presidency.
On a personal front, I made it to Minneapolis easily enought, but unfortunately my luggage did not. :( They say it should be here tonight (mix up with my connection in Chicago, I think).
Come back tomorrow for my debrief on Day 1.
...Mark
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
John McCain Selects Alaska Governor Sarah Palin As Vice Presidential Running Mate
From JohnMcCain.com
ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain today announced that he has selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate and to serve as his vice president.
Governor Palin is a tough executive who has demonstrated during her time in office that she is ready to be president. She has brought Republicans and Democrats together within her Administration and has a record of delivering on the change and reform that we need in Washington.
Governor Palin has challenged the influence of the big oil companies while fighting for the development of new energy resources. She leads a state that matters to every one of us -- Alaska has significant energy resources and she has been a leader in the fight to make America energy independent.
In Alaska, Governor Palin challenged a corrupt system and passed a landmark ethics reform bill. She has actually used her veto and cut budgetary spending. She put a stop to the "bridge to nowhere" that would have cost taxpayers $400 million dollars.
As the head of Alaska's National Guard and as the mother of a soldier herself, Governor Palin understands what it takes to lead our nation and she understands the importance of supporting our troops.
Governor Palin has the record of reform and bipartisanship that others can only speak of. Her experience in shaking up the status quo is exactly what is needed in Washington today.
ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain today announced that he has selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate and to serve as his vice president.
Governor Palin is a tough executive who has demonstrated during her time in office that she is ready to be president. She has brought Republicans and Democrats together within her Administration and has a record of delivering on the change and reform that we need in Washington.
Governor Palin has challenged the influence of the big oil companies while fighting for the development of new energy resources. She leads a state that matters to every one of us -- Alaska has significant energy resources and she has been a leader in the fight to make America energy independent.
In Alaska, Governor Palin challenged a corrupt system and passed a landmark ethics reform bill. She has actually used her veto and cut budgetary spending. She put a stop to the "bridge to nowhere" that would have cost taxpayers $400 million dollars.
As the head of Alaska's National Guard and as the mother of a soldier herself, Governor Palin understands what it takes to lead our nation and she understands the importance of supporting our troops.
Governor Palin has the record of reform and bipartisanship that others can only speak of. Her experience in shaking up the status quo is exactly what is needed in Washington today.
New GOP HQ brings the battle to Boston
Across Tremont Street from where Barack Obama supporters rallied, supporters of John McCain celebrated the newly opened McCain Boston Headquarters yesterday.Foto: NICOLAUS CZARNECKI/METRO
Barack Obama campaign volunteer William Spring, right, joins several dozen Obama supporters who rallied outside the John McCain Boston Headquarters. Foto: NICOLAUS
Local Republican leaders, including former Gov. Paul Cellucci, helped mark the opening of what they called a new “victory” headquarters, and they took turns encouraging a campaign of continued outreach to Bay Staters by promoting reasons why John McCain, their presidential candidate, is better fit to lead than Barack Obama.
Cellucci cited McCain’s long political career and criticized Obama for being “someone who has never been tested.”
“I think on the issue change and who has the capacity to lead and bring about the change the American people want, we’re going to see very clearly in the next two months that it is Sen. John McCain,” Cellucci said.
The office’s opening comes one day before McCain is rumored to announce his running mate, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney appears to be among the leading candidates. However, Rep. Paul Loscocco, R-Holliston, who helped organize yesterday’s event, downplayed the connection, citing the need for another local office to handle the party’s growing support base in Massachusetts.
“It will get people excited and encouraged to participate,” Loscocco said.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
"View From the Floor" - Updates from the RNC
By Mark Crowley…
Next week, it will be my honor and privilege to serve as a Delegate to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis / St. Paul. I will be joined by fellow Medford committee member, Sarah Garland. We will be among 3 delegates and 3 alternates to represent the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District. In total, there are nearly 80 members in the Massachusetts delegation.
All week, I will be posting my observations from the convention on this blog. Be sure to come back to this site each day to get my “View From the Floor.”
Feel free to leave comments on the blog or email me directly at mark.crowley@verizon.com if you have any issues or questions you would like me to raise at the convention.
Regards,
Mark
Next week, it will be my honor and privilege to serve as a Delegate to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis / St. Paul. I will be joined by fellow Medford committee member, Sarah Garland. We will be among 3 delegates and 3 alternates to represent the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District. In total, there are nearly 80 members in the Massachusetts delegation.
All week, I will be posting my observations from the convention on this blog. Be sure to come back to this site each day to get my “View From the Floor.”
Feel free to leave comments on the blog or email me directly at mark.crowley@verizon.com if you have any issues or questions you would like me to raise at the convention.
Regards,
Mark
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Democrats Aim for a 60-Vote Senate
POTOMAC WATCH
By KIMBERLEY A. STRASSEL
August 22, 2008; Page A13
Here's an intriguing thought: The John McCain-Barack Obama fight isn't this season's biggest political story. That honor should be reserved for the intense Democratic push to win a filibuster-proof Senate majority.
Democrats know this is a huge prize, and they are throwing at least as much money and sweat into that effort as they are into electing Mr. Obama. What isn't clear is that voters are as aware of the stakes. An unstoppable Democratic Senate has the potential to alter the balance of power in Washington in ways not yet seen.
A quick recap of the numbers: Republicans must defend 23 seats, compared to 12 for the Democrats. Of those GOP slots, 10 are at potential risk: Virginia, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Oregon, Colorado, Alaska, Mississippi, Maine and North Carolina. The Democrats claim only one vulnerable senator this year, Louisiana's Mary Landrieu. Depending on how big a day the party has in November, it is at least conceivable Democrats could get the nine seats they need to hit the magic 60.
The nation has had prior almighty Senates, of course, and it hasn't been pretty. Free of the filibuster check, the world's greatest deliberative body tends to go on benders. It was a filibuster-proof Democratic majority (or near to it, in his first years) that allowed FDR to pass his New Deal. It was a filibuster-proof Democratic Senate that allowed Lyndon Johnson to pass his Great Society.
Note, however, that it could have been worse. These were days with more varied political parties. Rebellious Democrats teamed up with Republicans to tangle with Roosevelt. Johnson ran the risk that the GOP would ally with Southern Democrats. There was some check.
As Karl Rove pointed out to me recently, the real risk of a 2009 filibuster-proof Senate is that the dissidents are gone. According to Congressional Quarterly, in 1994 Senate Democrats voted with their party 84% of the time. By 1998, that number was 86%. CQ's most recent analysis, of votes during the George W. Bush presidency, showed Democratic senators remained united 91% of the time. Should he get his 60 seats, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will be arguably more influential than the president.
Sure, 60 votes isn't enough to override a presidential veto. But a filibuster-proof majority would put Mr. Reid in almost complete control of the agenda. That holds equally true whether we have a President McCain or a President Obama.
A lot of voters are drawn to Mr. Obama's promises of bipartisanship. But with a filibuster-proof Senate, what Mr. Obama promised will be of secondary concern. Even if the presidential hopeful is sincere about working across the aisle (and that's a big if), Ted Kennedy, Pat Leahy, Barbara Boxer and Russ Feingold will prefer to do things their way. They'll be looking for opportunities to let their former rookie Senate colleague know who is in charge.
Mr. Reid won't necessarily need 60 votes to hold Washington's whip hand. With a contingent of blue-state Republicans (think Maine's Olympia Snowe), Mr. Reid could peel off votes and have an "effective" filibuster with just 57 or 58 seats. That may not be enough to accomplish every last item on his wish list, but close.
That wish list? Take a look at what House Democrats (who aren't burdened with a filibuster) unilaterally passed last year: The biggest tax increase in history; card check, which eliminates secret ballots in union organizing elections; an "energy" bill that lacks drilling; vastly expanded government health insurance; new powers to restrict pharmaceutical prices. Add to this a global warming program, new trade restrictions (certainly no new trade deals) and fewer private options in Medicare.
This explains why Congressional Democrats currently aren't moving spending bills, or energy bills, or anything. They are waiting for next year, when they hope to no longer have to deal with pesky Republicans. This also explains the Senate's paltry judicial confirmations this Congress. They want more vacancies. With a filibuster-proof majority, Democrats could reshape the judiciary under a President Obama, or refuse to confirm any Antonin Scalia-type appointments made by a President McCain.
Party leaders feel the Senate GOP can remain an effective opposition if it holds Democrats to 55 seats. If Republicans can continue to ride the energy debate, that just might be possible. As it is, they are feeling more confident about even tough fights in states like Colorado, Oregon or Minnesota.
Then again, it's a long way to November. Anything can happen. And if Congressional Democrats have their way, that "anything" will be undiluted power in Washington.
Write to kim@wsj.com
See all of today's editorials and op-eds, plus video commentary, on Opinion Journal.
By KIMBERLEY A. STRASSEL
August 22, 2008; Page A13
Here's an intriguing thought: The John McCain-Barack Obama fight isn't this season's biggest political story. That honor should be reserved for the intense Democratic push to win a filibuster-proof Senate majority.
Democrats know this is a huge prize, and they are throwing at least as much money and sweat into that effort as they are into electing Mr. Obama. What isn't clear is that voters are as aware of the stakes. An unstoppable Democratic Senate has the potential to alter the balance of power in Washington in ways not yet seen.
A quick recap of the numbers: Republicans must defend 23 seats, compared to 12 for the Democrats. Of those GOP slots, 10 are at potential risk: Virginia, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Oregon, Colorado, Alaska, Mississippi, Maine and North Carolina. The Democrats claim only one vulnerable senator this year, Louisiana's Mary Landrieu. Depending on how big a day the party has in November, it is at least conceivable Democrats could get the nine seats they need to hit the magic 60.
The nation has had prior almighty Senates, of course, and it hasn't been pretty. Free of the filibuster check, the world's greatest deliberative body tends to go on benders. It was a filibuster-proof Democratic majority (or near to it, in his first years) that allowed FDR to pass his New Deal. It was a filibuster-proof Democratic Senate that allowed Lyndon Johnson to pass his Great Society.
Note, however, that it could have been worse. These were days with more varied political parties. Rebellious Democrats teamed up with Republicans to tangle with Roosevelt. Johnson ran the risk that the GOP would ally with Southern Democrats. There was some check.
As Karl Rove pointed out to me recently, the real risk of a 2009 filibuster-proof Senate is that the dissidents are gone. According to Congressional Quarterly, in 1994 Senate Democrats voted with their party 84% of the time. By 1998, that number was 86%. CQ's most recent analysis, of votes during the George W. Bush presidency, showed Democratic senators remained united 91% of the time. Should he get his 60 seats, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will be arguably more influential than the president.
Sure, 60 votes isn't enough to override a presidential veto. But a filibuster-proof majority would put Mr. Reid in almost complete control of the agenda. That holds equally true whether we have a President McCain or a President Obama.
A lot of voters are drawn to Mr. Obama's promises of bipartisanship. But with a filibuster-proof Senate, what Mr. Obama promised will be of secondary concern. Even if the presidential hopeful is sincere about working across the aisle (and that's a big if), Ted Kennedy, Pat Leahy, Barbara Boxer and Russ Feingold will prefer to do things their way. They'll be looking for opportunities to let their former rookie Senate colleague know who is in charge.
Mr. Reid won't necessarily need 60 votes to hold Washington's whip hand. With a contingent of blue-state Republicans (think Maine's Olympia Snowe), Mr. Reid could peel off votes and have an "effective" filibuster with just 57 or 58 seats. That may not be enough to accomplish every last item on his wish list, but close.
That wish list? Take a look at what House Democrats (who aren't burdened with a filibuster) unilaterally passed last year: The biggest tax increase in history; card check, which eliminates secret ballots in union organizing elections; an "energy" bill that lacks drilling; vastly expanded government health insurance; new powers to restrict pharmaceutical prices. Add to this a global warming program, new trade restrictions (certainly no new trade deals) and fewer private options in Medicare.
This explains why Congressional Democrats currently aren't moving spending bills, or energy bills, or anything. They are waiting for next year, when they hope to no longer have to deal with pesky Republicans. This also explains the Senate's paltry judicial confirmations this Congress. They want more vacancies. With a filibuster-proof majority, Democrats could reshape the judiciary under a President Obama, or refuse to confirm any Antonin Scalia-type appointments made by a President McCain.
Party leaders feel the Senate GOP can remain an effective opposition if it holds Democrats to 55 seats. If Republicans can continue to ride the energy debate, that just might be possible. As it is, they are feeling more confident about even tough fights in states like Colorado, Oregon or Minnesota.
Then again, it's a long way to November. Anything can happen. And if Congressional Democrats have their way, that "anything" will be undiluted power in Washington.
Write to kim@wsj.com
See all of today's editorials and op-eds, plus video commentary, on Opinion Journal.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Richard Grant's letter to the Medford Transcript
To the editor:
More of the same.
As usual, Mr. Casey doled out his usual vitriolic hate Bush drivel in the first half of his rant and used the second half as a half baked attempt to be fair and balanced. Unfortunately, his guise doesn’t work and we, the people, know what this hate monger is all about.
Rather than to say anything bad about his hero, Barrack Obama, he pretends to be fair by going after Keith Olberman. Nice try, but as Abraham Lincoln said very succinctly, “You can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time”
Mr. Casey in his Bush hatred neglects to point out that since 9/11 we haven’t been attacked once. Even if he was half awake during social studies classes he would know that the president can’t spend a dime without congressional approval which, of course, is under Democratic rule.
I guess Casey would like our federal government to emulate the commonwealth of Massachusetts one party rule .
It is time to put the lights out on Mr. Casey as another of his heroes, Nancy Pelosi, did on the Republicans when they wanted to vote on more drilling for oil. Casey easily blames Bush for high oil prices, but when he tries to do something about it Reid and Pelosi spit into the faces of their constituents.
Richard A. Grant
Brookings Street
Medford
More of the same.
As usual, Mr. Casey doled out his usual vitriolic hate Bush drivel in the first half of his rant and used the second half as a half baked attempt to be fair and balanced. Unfortunately, his guise doesn’t work and we, the people, know what this hate monger is all about.
Rather than to say anything bad about his hero, Barrack Obama, he pretends to be fair by going after Keith Olberman. Nice try, but as Abraham Lincoln said very succinctly, “You can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time”
Mr. Casey in his Bush hatred neglects to point out that since 9/11 we haven’t been attacked once. Even if he was half awake during social studies classes he would know that the president can’t spend a dime without congressional approval which, of course, is under Democratic rule.
I guess Casey would like our federal government to emulate the commonwealth of Massachusetts one party rule .
It is time to put the lights out on Mr. Casey as another of his heroes, Nancy Pelosi, did on the Republicans when they wanted to vote on more drilling for oil. Casey easily blames Bush for high oil prices, but when he tries to do something about it Reid and Pelosi spit into the faces of their constituents.
Richard A. Grant
Brookings Street
Medford
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Now Playing in Massachusetts, by Jeff Beatty
Jeff Beatty
Posted 08/13/2008 ET
The thought of Sen. John Kerry and a president named Barack Obama loose on the streets of Washington, D.C. sounds like an idea for a horror movie. But it would just be a sequel to a disaster movie that the people in Massachusetts have already seen -- one which stars Kerry and Gov. Deval Patrick.
Here in the Commonwealth, where I am the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, we are fighting to keep this “remake movie” from reaching national screens by prevailing in my election to the U.S. Senate over John Kerry and by giving the Bay State’s 12 electoral votes to John McCain. We have paid the price to see this disaster film once in Massachusetts and will not pay to see it spread across America.
From our view, the only thing sadder than a Barack Obama imperial presidency is the vision of John Kerry bopping from country to country as Obama’s “special envoy." Recently, their big budget screen test went international -- Barack with his long apology about American power before 200,000 at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, and Kerry simultaneously chatting away on cable here at home. Kerry’s shilling for Barack cannot mask what we here already know: The combination of Gov. Deval Patrick and Sen. John Kerry has been devastating for the citizens of Massachusetts. Under Kerry and Patrick, Massachusetts now has one of the nation’s highest property tax burdens, is among the highest in per capita debt, and is one of the few states in the country to be losing population. Now, Governor Patrick is flirting with raising income taxes to wipe away the sins of his Democratic buddies. In short, the Patrick/Kerry movie boils down to a series of broken promises and failed leadership.
Patrick’s problems began only a couple of months after John Kerry endorsed him in the ’06 general gubernatorial election. Patrick ushered in his administration with a Barack-level celebrity million dollar inaugural spanning several days and touching every region of the state. Deval showed off more of his expensive tastes by ordering up the finest drapery to adorn his office, installing his campaign chair on the state’s payroll as “chief of staff” to his wife, and by upgrading the gubernatorial chariot from a Ford to a Cadillac. The press corps dubbed the flailing governor ‘Coupe Deval’, and watched as things only got worse.
Where Republican governors Bill Weld and Mitt Romney turned around dire financial situations by clamping down a Democratic legislature prone to run amuck, Patrick has shown a complete inability to check the power of special interests in the state legislature and in Congress. For months the relationship between the governor and legislature was positively toxic. Things quickly thawed when they agreed to a new “Life Sciences” bill, a transportation package, and other bills with enough pork to please any legislator. These packages are part of an authorized $16 billion in new bonding ushered up by Patrick, who has all but abandoned his core campaign promise -- bringing property tax relief to struggling homeowners in Massachusetts.
The only one voters dislike more than ‘Coupe Deval’, now polling at a dismal 41 percent approval rating, is John “Live Shot” Kerry -- alternatively known as a consummate camera hog and a do-nothing senator.
The nation knows John Forbes Kerry as the long-faced wind-surfer who blew the 2004 presidential election. In Massachusetts, Kerry is notorious for politically-calculated, self-promoting decisions. Here JFK means ‘Just for Kerry’. This is the John Kerry who voted for the war in Iraq, not for reasons of conscience, but because his political advisors in 2002 said it would make him look more presidential. He fashions himself an idea man on national security but before 9/11 missed 80% of his meetings on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and constantly voted to cut the budgets of both the intelligence agencies and the Department of Defense.
Kerry promised people here that the Feds would pick up most of the tab for the Commonwealth’s mammoth infrastructure project called the Big Dig. Instead this project is almost $20 billion and rising over-budget, and mass tax payers are now footing almost the whole bill. Kerry is a staunch opponent of efforts to the repeal the death tax, fails the taxpayer by taking more PAC money than any almost other senator, and has failed to pass a single piece of his sponsored legislation in the past 9 years.
To make matters worse, in word and deed, John Kerry has expressed anti-American sentiment throughout his public life -- beginning with his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1971. Early last year in Davos, Switzerland, Kerry ingratiated himself with Europeans by again making public comments that revealed his true nature and shocked many people here at home. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, he openly ridiculed the United States to the delight of many in the audience. "The problem with Americans is they have an unfortunate habit of seeing the world through an American lens," Kerry said. He also referred to the United States as an "international pariah." This is the John Kerry who could have written Barack Obama’s America-bashing speech in Berlin.
Evidence is piling up that Massachusetts voters are angry enough to shut this movie down for good. Despite the support of Patrick, Kerry and much of the Massachusetts Democratic leadership, Obama was soundly defeated in the primary by Hillary Clinton by 15 points or almost 200,000 votes. This fall, voters have placed on the ballot a measure to eliminate the state income tax -- possibly joining New Hampshire, Texas, and Florida.
A recent poll showed that in just two months, and without any advertising, John McCain has closed the gap with Barack Obama from 23 to just 9 points. I see similar gains in my race for Senate, as a growing grass-roots network of Republicans, Independents and Democrats begins to believe that we can beat John Kerry this fall. I wish we could take all the credit for these numbers, but the reality is that dissatisfaction with the Democratic leadership in the state, led by John Kerry and Deval Patrick, is powering much of this progress.
People in the media mistake the climate of anger that they think engulfs American voters. The media believe that the desire for change is directed only at Republicans. In Massachusetts, they might want to take another look at voters who just want to replace failed old machine pols with people who have new ideas and the strength of character to carry them through.
Jeff Beatty is the Republican nominee for United States Senate in Massachusetts
Posted 08/13/2008 ET
The thought of Sen. John Kerry and a president named Barack Obama loose on the streets of Washington, D.C. sounds like an idea for a horror movie. But it would just be a sequel to a disaster movie that the people in Massachusetts have already seen -- one which stars Kerry and Gov. Deval Patrick.
Here in the Commonwealth, where I am the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, we are fighting to keep this “remake movie” from reaching national screens by prevailing in my election to the U.S. Senate over John Kerry and by giving the Bay State’s 12 electoral votes to John McCain. We have paid the price to see this disaster film once in Massachusetts and will not pay to see it spread across America.
From our view, the only thing sadder than a Barack Obama imperial presidency is the vision of John Kerry bopping from country to country as Obama’s “special envoy." Recently, their big budget screen test went international -- Barack with his long apology about American power before 200,000 at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, and Kerry simultaneously chatting away on cable here at home. Kerry’s shilling for Barack cannot mask what we here already know: The combination of Gov. Deval Patrick and Sen. John Kerry has been devastating for the citizens of Massachusetts. Under Kerry and Patrick, Massachusetts now has one of the nation’s highest property tax burdens, is among the highest in per capita debt, and is one of the few states in the country to be losing population. Now, Governor Patrick is flirting with raising income taxes to wipe away the sins of his Democratic buddies. In short, the Patrick/Kerry movie boils down to a series of broken promises and failed leadership.
Patrick’s problems began only a couple of months after John Kerry endorsed him in the ’06 general gubernatorial election. Patrick ushered in his administration with a Barack-level celebrity million dollar inaugural spanning several days and touching every region of the state. Deval showed off more of his expensive tastes by ordering up the finest drapery to adorn his office, installing his campaign chair on the state’s payroll as “chief of staff” to his wife, and by upgrading the gubernatorial chariot from a Ford to a Cadillac. The press corps dubbed the flailing governor ‘Coupe Deval’, and watched as things only got worse.
Where Republican governors Bill Weld and Mitt Romney turned around dire financial situations by clamping down a Democratic legislature prone to run amuck, Patrick has shown a complete inability to check the power of special interests in the state legislature and in Congress. For months the relationship between the governor and legislature was positively toxic. Things quickly thawed when they agreed to a new “Life Sciences” bill, a transportation package, and other bills with enough pork to please any legislator. These packages are part of an authorized $16 billion in new bonding ushered up by Patrick, who has all but abandoned his core campaign promise -- bringing property tax relief to struggling homeowners in Massachusetts.
The only one voters dislike more than ‘Coupe Deval’, now polling at a dismal 41 percent approval rating, is John “Live Shot” Kerry -- alternatively known as a consummate camera hog and a do-nothing senator.
The nation knows John Forbes Kerry as the long-faced wind-surfer who blew the 2004 presidential election. In Massachusetts, Kerry is notorious for politically-calculated, self-promoting decisions. Here JFK means ‘Just for Kerry’. This is the John Kerry who voted for the war in Iraq, not for reasons of conscience, but because his political advisors in 2002 said it would make him look more presidential. He fashions himself an idea man on national security but before 9/11 missed 80% of his meetings on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and constantly voted to cut the budgets of both the intelligence agencies and the Department of Defense.
Kerry promised people here that the Feds would pick up most of the tab for the Commonwealth’s mammoth infrastructure project called the Big Dig. Instead this project is almost $20 billion and rising over-budget, and mass tax payers are now footing almost the whole bill. Kerry is a staunch opponent of efforts to the repeal the death tax, fails the taxpayer by taking more PAC money than any almost other senator, and has failed to pass a single piece of his sponsored legislation in the past 9 years.
To make matters worse, in word and deed, John Kerry has expressed anti-American sentiment throughout his public life -- beginning with his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1971. Early last year in Davos, Switzerland, Kerry ingratiated himself with Europeans by again making public comments that revealed his true nature and shocked many people here at home. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, he openly ridiculed the United States to the delight of many in the audience. "The problem with Americans is they have an unfortunate habit of seeing the world through an American lens," Kerry said. He also referred to the United States as an "international pariah." This is the John Kerry who could have written Barack Obama’s America-bashing speech in Berlin.
Evidence is piling up that Massachusetts voters are angry enough to shut this movie down for good. Despite the support of Patrick, Kerry and much of the Massachusetts Democratic leadership, Obama was soundly defeated in the primary by Hillary Clinton by 15 points or almost 200,000 votes. This fall, voters have placed on the ballot a measure to eliminate the state income tax -- possibly joining New Hampshire, Texas, and Florida.
A recent poll showed that in just two months, and without any advertising, John McCain has closed the gap with Barack Obama from 23 to just 9 points. I see similar gains in my race for Senate, as a growing grass-roots network of Republicans, Independents and Democrats begins to believe that we can beat John Kerry this fall. I wish we could take all the credit for these numbers, but the reality is that dissatisfaction with the Democratic leadership in the state, led by John Kerry and Deval Patrick, is powering much of this progress.
People in the media mistake the climate of anger that they think engulfs American voters. The media believe that the desire for change is directed only at Republicans. In Massachusetts, they might want to take another look at voters who just want to replace failed old machine pols with people who have new ideas and the strength of character to carry them through.
Jeff Beatty is the Republican nominee for United States Senate in Massachusetts
Monday, August 11, 2008
New taxes on the horizon
From the Boston Herald's Lone Republican;
August 11th, 2008
New taxes on the horizon
Posted by Holly Robichaud at 9:15 am
Today’s paper says that Governor Patrick is not ruling out higher taxes. Oh what a surprise from the guy who lied to Massachusetts voters about reducing our property taxes.
Let me make this simple for the Governor. As my good friend Jim Rappaport has said many times, “Massachusetts does not have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem.”
Before raising our taxes maybe Governor Patrick should read today’s Herald about the usage of state cars. Oh no we cannot cut spending. That is not the Democratic way. In fact, we must look for ways to spend more and more. Just look at the $1 billion passed to help the bio-tech industry. However, in less than one month’s time the legislature sends a bill to the Governor’s desk that will limit the life sciences industry by discouraging clinical trials. It is a plan not a smart one.
I would also suggest the Governor visit the Herald’s site on state pensions. This system must be reformed. It is out of control.
If the Governor wants to avoid reforms and threaten us with higher taxes like Mike Dukakis, then I strongly believe that Massachusetts voters are going to hand him a huge surprise in November. At this point I predict that the income tax repeal will pass with 54% of the vote.
August 11th, 2008
New taxes on the horizon
Posted by Holly Robichaud at 9:15 am
Today’s paper says that Governor Patrick is not ruling out higher taxes. Oh what a surprise from the guy who lied to Massachusetts voters about reducing our property taxes.
Let me make this simple for the Governor. As my good friend Jim Rappaport has said many times, “Massachusetts does not have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem.”
Before raising our taxes maybe Governor Patrick should read today’s Herald about the usage of state cars. Oh no we cannot cut spending. That is not the Democratic way. In fact, we must look for ways to spend more and more. Just look at the $1 billion passed to help the bio-tech industry. However, in less than one month’s time the legislature sends a bill to the Governor’s desk that will limit the life sciences industry by discouraging clinical trials. It is a plan not a smart one.
I would also suggest the Governor visit the Herald’s site on state pensions. This system must be reformed. It is out of control.
If the Governor wants to avoid reforms and threaten us with higher taxes like Mike Dukakis, then I strongly believe that Massachusetts voters are going to hand him a huge surprise in November. At this point I predict that the income tax repeal will pass with 54% of the vote.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Medford Green Line update
2,000 line up for new T station
Route 16 stop backed for extended Green Line
By Russell Contreras, Globe Staff
Route 16 stop backed for extended Green Line
By Russell Contreras, Globe Staff
August 10, 2008
A group of Medford residents presented transportation officials last week with a petition indicating "broad support" for extending the Green Line all the way to Route 16.
At a Green Line Project Advisory Board meeting, the Medford Green Line Neighborhood Alliance handed over a petition with 2,022 signatures to state officials who are expected to make a decision next month on whether the Green Line should be extended to Route 16 or College Avenue, closer to the Somerville line. The group also presented demographic data that showed around 9,000 residents would live within a half-mile walk from a Route 16 stop.
Alliance member Ken Krause said the data and the petition made a strong case that Route 16 would be the best option because the stop would be more centrally located for Medford, Somerville, and Arlington residents.
"Our petition shows that this had broad support from the community," Krause said at a press conference unveiling the details of the petition. "A terminus at College Ave. would attract more cars and would introduce more traffic to an already highly dense area."
But Robert Kangas, a longtime resident of Orchard Street, which is between the two proposed stops, said the neighbors he knows don't want the T station at Route 16. "It's the worst intersection in the city," the 75-year-old resident said. "The homeowners don't want it there. The renters do. I prefer it going to College Ave."
In May, state transportation officials announced plans for the Green Line extension that included a route through the Medford Hillside section. However, transportation officials have been weighing the pros and cons of where the stop should finally rest so most residents in the area could benefit. State officials have been holding sessions for public and neighborhood feedback.
The proposed Green Line stop is aimed at serving residents in Medford, Somerville, and Arlington, and Tufts University.
Stephen M. Woelfel, the state transportation office's lead official for the project, said no final decision has been made. Woelfel said he also was aware of the citizens' petition. "We'll continue to evaluate the proposals and we take all public comments into consideration," he said.
Doug Carr, an alliance member who lives 500 feet from the proposed Route 16 stop, said the petition was collected over a seven-week period and is "the best vehicle to show public support" for opening a Route 16 station. "It will be walking-friendly and biking-friendly," he said. "The buses are major feeders to the area so riders can get to it easily."
Krause said the Route 16 terminus would have no parking available so as not to attract too many cars. "This will not be a park-and-ride station," said Krause. "Riders can go to Alewife for that."
Krause acknowledged that some motorists will inevitably be attracted to the Route 16 stop and be tempted to park in the residential area to ride into work. He said Medford would probably have to step up parking enforcement to make sure outsiders don't park cars on neighborhood streets.
Medford resident Nicole Patterson said she was "conflicted" between the two proposals. She and her husband own a condominium on Orchard Street and live between the two proposed stations. "I still have a lot of unanswered questions," said Patterson. If the Green Line route went through the neighborhood, she asked, "Will our condo lose property value and will our homes become unsellable?"
Patterson said she's also worried that the concerns of working-class residents are not being heard because they can't come to some of the scheduled public meetings.
And if the stop ends up at College Ave.?
"I'd be thrilled," Patterson said.
Russell Contreras can be reached at rcontreras@globe.com.
A group of Medford residents presented transportation officials last week with a petition indicating "broad support" for extending the Green Line all the way to Route 16.
At a Green Line Project Advisory Board meeting, the Medford Green Line Neighborhood Alliance handed over a petition with 2,022 signatures to state officials who are expected to make a decision next month on whether the Green Line should be extended to Route 16 or College Avenue, closer to the Somerville line. The group also presented demographic data that showed around 9,000 residents would live within a half-mile walk from a Route 16 stop.
Alliance member Ken Krause said the data and the petition made a strong case that Route 16 would be the best option because the stop would be more centrally located for Medford, Somerville, and Arlington residents.
"Our petition shows that this had broad support from the community," Krause said at a press conference unveiling the details of the petition. "A terminus at College Ave. would attract more cars and would introduce more traffic to an already highly dense area."
But Robert Kangas, a longtime resident of Orchard Street, which is between the two proposed stops, said the neighbors he knows don't want the T station at Route 16. "It's the worst intersection in the city," the 75-year-old resident said. "The homeowners don't want it there. The renters do. I prefer it going to College Ave."
In May, state transportation officials announced plans for the Green Line extension that included a route through the Medford Hillside section. However, transportation officials have been weighing the pros and cons of where the stop should finally rest so most residents in the area could benefit. State officials have been holding sessions for public and neighborhood feedback.
The proposed Green Line stop is aimed at serving residents in Medford, Somerville, and Arlington, and Tufts University.
Stephen M. Woelfel, the state transportation office's lead official for the project, said no final decision has been made. Woelfel said he also was aware of the citizens' petition. "We'll continue to evaluate the proposals and we take all public comments into consideration," he said.
Doug Carr, an alliance member who lives 500 feet from the proposed Route 16 stop, said the petition was collected over a seven-week period and is "the best vehicle to show public support" for opening a Route 16 station. "It will be walking-friendly and biking-friendly," he said. "The buses are major feeders to the area so riders can get to it easily."
Krause said the Route 16 terminus would have no parking available so as not to attract too many cars. "This will not be a park-and-ride station," said Krause. "Riders can go to Alewife for that."
Krause acknowledged that some motorists will inevitably be attracted to the Route 16 stop and be tempted to park in the residential area to ride into work. He said Medford would probably have to step up parking enforcement to make sure outsiders don't park cars on neighborhood streets.
Medford resident Nicole Patterson said she was "conflicted" between the two proposals. She and her husband own a condominium on Orchard Street and live between the two proposed stations. "I still have a lot of unanswered questions," said Patterson. If the Green Line route went through the neighborhood, she asked, "Will our condo lose property value and will our homes become unsellable?"
Patterson said she's also worried that the concerns of working-class residents are not being heard because they can't come to some of the scheduled public meetings.
And if the stop ends up at College Ave.?
"I'd be thrilled," Patterson said.
Russell Contreras can be reached at rcontreras@globe.com.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
A Republican Party Pep Rally - Aug 23
To SUPPORT our Delegates as they head for the National GOP Convention on September 1, 2008
To SHARE THE VISION and call our dedicated Volunteers to action
*****
What to Expect: Inspirational Leadership Words
“Proud to be an American” from VIP Guests, Delegates and Candidates
*****
GOP campaign bumper stickers, yard signs, music and refreshments!
*****
When: Saturday, August 23, 10:00 to 11:00 AM
Where: Indian Meadows Golf Course,
275 Turnpike Road, Westborough, MA
Republican Renaissance! $10 donation
RSVP: 617-519-4342 or info@jeffbeatty.com
Hosted by U.S. Senate Nominee Jeff Beatty and 12 Massachusetts State GOP Leaders
Beatty Campaign Blitzes Blogosphere
From JeffBeatty.com;Lays out path to victory in November and talks energy, jobs and immigration Boston – Using new media to reach a wider national and local audience, Republican candidate for Senate Jeff Beatty spoke to bloggers from across the country about the path the victory in November and the issues on the minds of Massachusetts voters. In wide ranging interviews over the weekend Beatty spoke with American Spectator, Hub Politics, Blogs for Victory, Down the Ticket, Part Time Pundit, Next Right, Weapons of Mass Discussion and Pajamas Media. Thousands of people have already visited, volunteered and donated through JeffBeatty.com; this recent round of interviews is part of an ongoing effort to extend the campaign’s reach during the march to victory this November.
“Everywhere we go people are saying we need a senator focused on protecting our families, protecting our jobs and protecting our country. I’ve got a lifetime of experience that makes me uniquely qualified for the difficult times we face,” said Beatty during this series of ten back-to-back interviews. “John Kerry left Washington for a Nantucket vacation rather than vote on a comprehensive energy bill. Instead of ducking the hard votes people want real leadership in Washington – leadership I will bring to the senate on behalf of voters who are feeling the crunch on energy and the economy.”
Beatty also pointed to jobs and immigration as the top issues on voters’ minds, and of the enthusiasm throughout Massachusetts about his candidacy. Bloggers were eager to dissect a recent Suffolk University poll - the only organization to correctly call the New Hampshire Primary – saying that 51 percent of Commonwealth voters are ready for new leadership in the United States Senate.
Links to the interviews can be found here at jeffbeatty.com.
The Wall Street Journal profiles Tim Pawlenty
By JOHN FUND
August 9, 2008; Page A9
"I'm the son of a truck driver and a housewife from a meatpacking town," he introduced himself, "who wants to provide a better quality of life for ordinary folks without growing government." His audience stirred: This was clearly a different sales pitch than they were used to. "We must be the party of Sam's Club Republicans, not just country club Republicans," he continued.
In 2002, Mr. Pawlenty invented the term "Sam's Club Republicans" to describe the voters he fears the party is losing. They most likely didn't graduate from college, often hold socially conservative views, struggle to make ends meet, and want a government that delivers real value for their tax dollars and programs that make their lives a little easier without "getting in their face." These swing voters are key to reviving the GOP, which lost independents by 18 points in 2006.
While Mr. Pawlenty tiptoes around the Bush political legacy, he allows that the party's years in power left it with a "name brand a little damaged and out of fresh ideas." Merely retreating to Reagan nostalgia won't do. "I love Ronald Reagan," says Mr. Pawlenty, who at age 47 came of age during the Reagan years. "But we have to recognize that to voters younger than me he is an historical figure."
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Boston Tax Party
The Wall Street JournalAugust 5, 2008; Page A18
Massachusetts is about the last place one would expect a tax revolt, but that's what's brewing in Beantown. The state board of elections recently certified that citizen activists have gathered the 125,000 signatures required to qualify an initiative for the November ballot to eliminate the state income tax.
The Small Government Act would repeal the 5.3% income and wage tax, as well as the state capital gains tax, which reaches as high as 12%. The ballot initiative would replace the $12.5 billion in taxes with . . . nothing. "One of the points here," explains Carla Howell of the Committee for Small Government that is driving the referendum, "is to force the state legislators to start cutting the bloated state budget." The political shock of having no income tax would force the pols on Beacon Hill to make the difficult spending choices they now refuse to make.
The referendum may seem the longest of long shots in a state represented by some of Congress's biggest spenders. But the same initiative was on the ballot in 2002, and though the political establishment roared with laughter through Election Day, the measure got 45% of the vote. This time pro-tax forces such as the Massachusetts Teachers Association are planning to spend millions of dollars warning of Armageddon.
They have cause to be worried. A Fabrizio poll for Citizens for Limited Taxation discovered that the average Massachusetts voter believes that 41 cents of every state tax dollar are wasted. Coincidentally, that's the share of the state budget funded by the income tax. One big drain is a pension program that doles out billions each year to double-dipping pensioners and state workers retiring at taxpayer expense in their late 40s or 50s.
Nine U.S. states have no income tax, including such economic climbers as Florida, Nevada, Tennessee and Texas. These states are doing fine funding schools, hospitals and police without the income levy. Over the past decade 330,000 Massachusetts residents have packed U-Haul trailers and left -- more than have even fled Michigan -- and many have gone to no-income-tax New Hampshire.
"The idea here is to stop being on the defensive in fighting against big government and to start taking the political offensive," says Ms. Howell. She says the tax repeal would give every Massachusetts worker a 5% after-tax pay raise, or about $3,000 extra income per family. That's attractive when Census data show that, after inflation, state budgets nationwide are up 18% since 2005 while paychecks have remained flat.
The forces of the tax-and-spend status quo will descend on this initiative like British troops after the original Boston tea party, but somebody has to make an effort to stop the relentless growth of government.
See all of today's editorials and op-eds, plus video commentary, on Opinion Journal.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Republicans take to shuttered House to demand oil drilling
ROUND 2: House Republicans continue revolt...
WARN: Lift drilling ban or risk shutdown...
BREITBART.COM Republicans Monday took to a darkened House of Representatives, in a highly unusual demand for Democratic leaders to recall Congress from its summer recess for a vote on offshore oil drilling.
Speeches by lawmakers echoed through a near-empty chamber, in protest at Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi's failure to schedule a vote on the politically sensitive measure before Congress broke up last week.
"There will be many more hours of this day and this week where our debate over energy independence will continue in a darkened chamber with no microphones and, sadly, no window to the broader American public," said Indiana congressman Mike Pence.
WARN: Lift drilling ban or risk shutdown...
BREITBART.COM Republicans Monday took to a darkened House of Representatives, in a highly unusual demand for Democratic leaders to recall Congress from its summer recess for a vote on offshore oil drilling.
Speeches by lawmakers echoed through a near-empty chamber, in protest at Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi's failure to schedule a vote on the politically sensitive measure before Congress broke up last week.
"There will be many more hours of this day and this week where our debate over energy independence will continue in a darkened chamber with no microphones and, sadly, no window to the broader American public," said Indiana congressman Mike Pence.
This week's voting record
College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008 - Vote Agreed to (83-8, 1 Present, 8 Not Voting)
The Senate passed this bill to address rising tuition costs and remove obstacles that make it more difficult for students to attend college.
Sen. Edward Kennedy voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. John Kerry voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Paycheck Fairness Act - Vote Passed (247-178, 9 Not Voting)The House passed this bill to increase penalties for pay discrimination and protect employees who share salary information.
Rep. Edward Markey voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriation, FY 2009 - Vote Passed (409-4, 21 Not Voting)
The House passed this $72.7 billion bill funding military construction and veteran care programs.
Rep. Edward Markey voted YES
Editor's Note: The Senate and House are in recess until September 8.
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Deval Patrick expands state debt by $3 billion
With our high gas taxes which the Democrat house is talking about hiking again, with our "temporary tolls" on the Mass Pike climbing almost every month, why does our state need to borrow $3 billion for simple infrastructure repairs? Where is all of that money going to? Take home cars for Turnpike employees? Six figure pensions for Billy Bulger and Marty Meehan while paying their UMass salaries? The countless hordes of other double dippers on state payrolls?
Maybe Massachusetts should have stuck to the old formula of electing a Republican governor to act as adult supervision over the legislature, because Deval Patrick is leading the state towards a junk-bond rating.
Patrick signs $3B bridge repair bill
Boston Herald, United States - 3 hours ago
Maybe Massachusetts should have stuck to the old formula of electing a Republican governor to act as adult supervision over the legislature, because Deval Patrick is leading the state towards a junk-bond rating.
Patrick signs $3B bridge repair bill
Boston Herald, United States - 3 hours ago
The Night the Lights Went Out in Congress
Why won't Nancy Pelosi let the Congress debate the issue of American energy independence? Why does the Speaker insist on smothering all debate on this matter?
House Dems turn out the lights but GOP keeps talking
House Dems turn out the lights but GOP keeps talking
National Review honors 20 years of Rush Limbaugh
Kathryn Jean Lopez
Late last year, I was the middle man (so to speak) of my dreams.
Not everyone gets to hear their eulogies before they go, but in a burst of love, Bill Buckley heard one this fall. Rush went on his show one afternoon and just gushed about Bill Buckley. There was no news hook. There was no set reason. He just had Bill on his mind. He was thinking about conservatism — it’s past, present, and future — and you really can’t do that right without having Bill on the mind.
And so, knowing Bill might not be the talk-radio addict I am (hhhmm, maybe that’s how he was so prolific!), once the transcript for the day was ready (based on my notes from the show, I should go back to typing school), I sent it along to Bill with a note.
If you didn’t have the chance to meet or know WFB personally, you’ll be delighted to know that he was every bit as gracious as you’ve heard and would want him to be. And humble. Why would Rush go all out and say such generous things? Bill asked. Because we owe you and we thank you, Mr. Buckley. Thank you.
Because I’m one lucky gal, the conversation went on a little bit more. It was clear he was grateful and touched by Rush’s kind words — and in no small part, because they were coming from Rush. I won’t pretend to know WFB’s mind or put words into his mouth, but there was no doubt that he appreciated the pivotal role Rush Limbaugh has had and will continue to have in American public life and public policy. And I suspect it gave him some confidence knowing Rush’s roots in good solid things like NR and Ronald Reagan (the latter of whom, of course, was rooted in NR). It went further than that, too — WFB had great affection for El Rushbo. Rush has described him as a second father and I suspect WFB may be honored to know that for eternity.
What’s so special about Rush? Besides his remarkable talent and the fact that Rush not only shared political principles with WFB, but Rush also has his graciousness and humility? He may have “talent on loan from God” but he doesn’t forget to give God thanks and praise (as his listeners know full well) for the opportunities he has and for the country he gets to have them in. He’s lived these last 20 years with America in a very public way. He has graciously inspired as he’s made it; he’s faced tremendous obstacles and struggles, and always came out better in the end. (We do, too.)
Rush Limbaugh has spent 20 years reminding us what a wonderful country we live in, including during impeachment and the most devastating attack I hope we ever live through and the deaths of some world-changing friends. I’m grateful for this week to give him a little thanks. I look forward to fighting alongside him for years to come.
— Kathryn Jean Lopez is the editor of National Review Online.
Late last year, I was the middle man (so to speak) of my dreams.
Not everyone gets to hear their eulogies before they go, but in a burst of love, Bill Buckley heard one this fall. Rush went on his show one afternoon and just gushed about Bill Buckley. There was no news hook. There was no set reason. He just had Bill on his mind. He was thinking about conservatism — it’s past, present, and future — and you really can’t do that right without having Bill on the mind.
And so, knowing Bill might not be the talk-radio addict I am (hhhmm, maybe that’s how he was so prolific!), once the transcript for the day was ready (based on my notes from the show, I should go back to typing school), I sent it along to Bill with a note.
If you didn’t have the chance to meet or know WFB personally, you’ll be delighted to know that he was every bit as gracious as you’ve heard and would want him to be. And humble. Why would Rush go all out and say such generous things? Bill asked. Because we owe you and we thank you, Mr. Buckley. Thank you.
Because I’m one lucky gal, the conversation went on a little bit more. It was clear he was grateful and touched by Rush’s kind words — and in no small part, because they were coming from Rush. I won’t pretend to know WFB’s mind or put words into his mouth, but there was no doubt that he appreciated the pivotal role Rush Limbaugh has had and will continue to have in American public life and public policy. And I suspect it gave him some confidence knowing Rush’s roots in good solid things like NR and Ronald Reagan (the latter of whom, of course, was rooted in NR). It went further than that, too — WFB had great affection for El Rushbo. Rush has described him as a second father and I suspect WFB may be honored to know that for eternity.
What’s so special about Rush? Besides his remarkable talent and the fact that Rush not only shared political principles with WFB, but Rush also has his graciousness and humility? He may have “talent on loan from God” but he doesn’t forget to give God thanks and praise (as his listeners know full well) for the opportunities he has and for the country he gets to have them in. He’s lived these last 20 years with America in a very public way. He has graciously inspired as he’s made it; he’s faced tremendous obstacles and struggles, and always came out better in the end. (We do, too.)
Rush Limbaugh has spent 20 years reminding us what a wonderful country we live in, including during impeachment and the most devastating attack I hope we ever live through and the deaths of some world-changing friends. I’m grateful for this week to give him a little thanks. I look forward to fighting alongside him for years to come.
— Kathryn Jean Lopez is the editor of National Review Online.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Anne Armstrong, R.I.P.
Texas GOP stalwart Anne Armstrong dies in HoustonAUSTIN -- She was an adviser to two U.S. presidents, an ambassador to the United Kingdom and a major player in national Republican politics, but South Texas ranchers knew Anne Armstrong simply as one of them.
Armstrong died Wednesday. She had battled cancer and had been in a Houston-area hospice for about a week before her death, said her assistant, Kay Hicks. She was 80.
Armstrong served as a close counselor for presidents Nixon and Ford, co-chair of the Republican National Committee and, in 1972, became the first woman in either major political party to keynote a national convention.
Ford appointed her the first woman ambassador to the United Kingdom in 1976.
She also was instrumental in helping build the modern-day Republican Party in Texas.
But back home in Kenedy County, she simply was a rancher and a county commissioner, who was running unopposed in the November election.
"She was just an all-around lady and very helpful to the county," said County Judge J.A. Garcia Jr., who appointed Armstrong to the Commissioners' Court after her husband, Tobin Armstrong, died in 2005.
She completed her husband's unexpired term and was running unopposed for a full term. She was the only Republican member of the Commissioners' Court.
The lack of opposition provided a testimonial to the respect and admiration that she had in the county, Garcia said.