Radtke wants a direct answer from Allen on budget debate
By JR Hoeft | Monday, April 11th, 2011 | PoliticsRadtke challenges Allen regarding the budget. From a press release from her:
“Jamie Radtke has stated clearly, for the record, that she would have voted against the $38 billion compromise because it is inadequate, saying, “If the Washington establishment can’t agree to cut more than 1% of the budget when we have a $14-plus trillion debt that is destroying our economy, they’re not serious.”
“George Allen has refused to take a clear position on this question, and the people of Virginia and America have a right to know: Would George Allen have voted for or against the $38 billion compromise?
“A one-word answer will suffice.”
I’m not holding my breath on an Allen response. Nor am I sure I really expect one.
I do know that he wasn’t thrilled with Friday’s outcome.
“…only in Washington would you pat yourself on the back for finishing a job six months late.
“…The fight to put our country back on the road to prosperity has not ended now that last year’s budget was finally passed. No, in fact the fight has just begun. To begin fixing Washington we need real solutions like a balanced budget amendment, presidential line item veto and a “paycheck penalty” that would withhold Members of Congress’ salaries if they don’t pass the budget on time. I can guarantee you that if Congress had not received a pay check since October 1st we would not be in this mess.
“Our country – and our children – cannot afford Washington’s unsustainable spending. We The People need real leaders, fighting for real reforms.”
We’re on the right track with cutting spending, but no one can seriously be satisfied with Friday’s outcome. I don’t see Allen as being satisfied in the above statement.
We’re not in an era of one-word answers; conservatism requires a judicious and smart approach to government, not the sloganeering and hyperbole we’ve been given by Democrats over the past several years.
We, as conservatives, need to be pulling in the same direction to get spending and the debt under control.
Tags:
Contribute for Conservatism!
Share this post
About the author
Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
Comments
14 Responses to "Radtke wants a direct answer from Allen on budget debate"
conservatism requires a judicious and smart approach to government
This is not meant to be snarky but rather to express a very sincere and deep frustration: when do the judiciuosness and intelligence begin to be displayed once again? What exactly constitutes a “smart approach to government”? Can it be put into words so that it can be actionable and its proponents’ diligence measured?
We did it once already: we call(ed) it the Constitution. No one notices anymore. How do we make it matter again?
I’m not in the least bit impressed by Jamie Radtke so far. She’s spent her time focusing on George Allen, mostly on the attack rather than pushing her own positives. Until she can show why she’d be a better candidate than George Allen, rather than him being a worse one than her, she’s going to continue to be behind him the polls.
I am no fan of George Allen. You guys know that. However, I am ok with what he said.
From an immediate perspective, I don’t see the value in trying to pin Allen down on a yes or no here. Especially, since he has voiced a sense of disatisfaction as he has. I can understand arguements for and against. This may be as much about positioning and re-enforcing the notion that Jamie Radtke would be much more likely to question the status quo and fight for proper fiscal redirection.
I was somewhat impressed with Michelle Bachman on the Sunday news, and somewhat disgusted. She explained that on the one hand cutting $38 billion was better than not cutting at all, and then went to explain that it was not enough and she would still vote “no” on the budget bill.
Well, isnt that a safe and nice place to sit? Throwing darts at balloons.
Ms Radke is doing much the same thing, but she is throwing darts at Republican George Allen who isn’t even in office. So far, I’m not that impressed with her.
Good grief. How long before we see Jamie Radtke following Allen around with a bullhorn demanding he debate?
EVIDENTLY, Ol’ Jamie hasn’t reviewed the handbook. If you’re polling DEAD LAST, the top dog does not , nor should he, acknowledge the yapping from the small dog in the rear.
I think that’s right after “Run like you’re ten points behind”, and “never name you opponent”.
Craig, you forget George Allen was in office. He does have a record. A record that Virginians fired him for. Was that impressive to you?
I’m not exactly “impressed” with people that were anti-Radtke already, stating they’re not impressed.
Maybe she does need to reword things. Simplification for people unable or too lazy to interpret. Since there is so much confusion about Radtke’s lack of a contrasting message, let me help out. If she says something is bad, she is saying she wouldn’t do that or vote that way.
Bullet Proof Monk, in this case where your opponent has a built in advantage from holding previous office and they have horrible senate record and were fired for it, you exploit that and tear your opponent’s foundation down.
So, you do name your opponent and erode their strength.
At this point, she doesn’t need him to acknowledge her.
“… conservatism requires a judicious and smart approach to government, not the sloganeering and hyperbole we’ve been given by Democrats over the past several years.
Replace Democrats with politicians & candidates and I’ll agree 100%. Still dismayed that in Virginia – of all places!! – our primary slate is so weak and uninspired.
Jamie Radtke has no history, experience or record to run on except for the fact that she had a big Ron Paul rally in Richmond. Ms. Radtke has no chance of getting out of the single digits in polling, and at the voting booth. She can keep on going after Allen as she makes herself look more foolish each time she does it.
Sandy, you look pretty foolish calling it a Ron Paul rally. Sure, he was a big attraction, but Ken Cuccinelli was a rockstar at the event. You know who else was at that Tea Party convention that you call a “Ron Paul rally”?
George Allen was there! He also spoke. Glad to hear he is a big fan of Ron Paul. Too bad his stint in the senate was more like a big spending lefty.
Britt H- It was a Ron Paul rally in the end. Cuccinelli and Allen were earlier confirmed speakers, Ron Paul agreed to speak at the 11th hour. I wonder if Cuccinelli and Allen would have accepted if they knew it would be mostly Paulies coming to see their hero. Cuccinelli has some libertarian leanings, but he would not qualify to run for office according to the C4L candidate questioner. He wouldn’t agree to the unspoken truce on social and national security issues.
So, Sandy, you now say it wasn’t a Ron Paul rally? Only the last part was a Ron Paul rally, now? I have a lot of respect for C4L, but I would vote for Cuccinelli.
Regardless, Cuccinelli was warmly embraced. There was no doubt he was one of the speakers that most wanted to see.
You also ignored the candidate debates and the opportunity that conservative candidates had to network with Tea Partiers and like minded voters.
To call that fantastic event just a Ron Paul rally is ridiculous.
“Our country – and our children – cannot afford Washington’s unsustainable spending. We The People need real leaders, fighting for real reforms.”
- This coming from the man who voted to approve 40,000 earmarks and expand entitlement spending.
I absolutely agree that we need real leaders and people fighting for real reforms (not like No Child Left Behind). That means rocking the boat, not being the establishment.
Leave your response
The comments section is for meaningful discussion. Readers are reminded to post comments that are germane to the article and write in a common language that steers clear of personal attacks and/or vulgarities.
Please take a moment to review our comment policy.