I Didn’t Know That John Kerry Was Running in Maryland
October 7, 2008 by Cato
Filed under Democrat Campaigns, Fiscal Policy, Foreign Affairs, Immigration, Liberalism, Maryland, Maryland Politics, World
I had to “opportunity” to attend the Frank Kratovil dog and pony show in Salisbury yesterday. As Yogi Bera said – it was deja vu all over again. I thought that I was having a flashback from the John Kerry for President campaign. We were treated to Kratovil’s having opposed the federal bailout before he supported it and Kratovil again stated his support for amnesty for illegal aliens.
For purposes of disclosure, yesterday’s show was a Young Dem event. This was NOT mentioned in the press release I received regarding the event. Had Kratovil’s campaign been honest about the event I wouldn’t have raised a stink about it yesterday. Of course, I doubt any media would have showed up either. Kratovil’s release made the event appear as if it was an SU event.
But I digress. Sen. Barbara Mikulski got up and did her duty for party and the liberal cause. She explained to the group of students that they all needed to get out and work for Barack Obama and Frank Kratovil. As usual, she was pretty impressive. I don’t agree with Sen. Mikulski on much, but I have always admired her constituent service and her willingness to take a stand.
We were then treated to the world according to Frank Kratovil. There was no mention of Barack Obama. Uncharacteristically, he did own up to being a Democrat. Kratovil wants a balanced budget; but then told us about all of the new spending he supports. I guess he’ll be supporting defense cuts and raising taxes.
Kratovil told us that “we have to do something about illegal immigration”. Of course he didn’t tell us what he wanted to do.
It was when the audience was allowed to ask questions that things started to unravel for “Blue Dog Frank”. The first question was about the $700 billion (watch it rise to over $1 trillion) federal bailout. “Did you support the bailout?”
In true Kerry-esque fashion, Kratovil explained that he was against Monday’s bailout bill but, after provisions covering oversight and executive compensation were added in, he supported Friday’s bill. There’s just one problem Frank – those oversight and executive compensation provisions were in Monday’s bill.
So Frank, what was the difference between Monday’s and Friday’s bill? $140 billion in PORK! Now we know where Frank Kratovil stands on fiscal policy as well as the federal bailout – I’m against it until you lard it up!
Fortunately for Kratovil, Barbara Mikulski took the microphone away from him and explained why we should all support the bailout. I believe that she was wrong, but again – she took a stand. At least she wasn’t wavering back and forth like a drunken sailor.
Two other issues came up in Q&A which I thought were quite revealing. Again Kratovil expressed his support for the Bush amnesty proposal. Kratovil has claimed in the past that he’ll be tough on illegal immigration. However, when pressed he states that we should do two things:
- Open up more slots for legal immigration. (a real tough stance since most Americans support this)
- Make those who came here illegally “get to the back of the line”.
Translation – Frank Kratovil doesn’t want to deport illegal immigrants. He just wants them to wait a little longer until they can get a green card. We all saw how well that worked back in 1986.
The other issue that was quite revealing is Kratovil’s changed stance on the war in Iraq. Now Kratovil supports a timetable for removal of our troops. As someone who has opposed the war from the start, I also have a long enough memory to realize that once we announce a timetable, our enemies will simply lay back until we leave and enslave the Iraqi people all over again. Can Kratovil spell VIETNAM?
Once this nation committed troops, we should have been fighting to win. The surge – something initially opposed by the Bush administration and opposed by Barack Obama on odd numbered days – has proven successful. While I want our troops home as soon as possible, I can’t understand why someone like Frank Kratovil would support a policy that will not only lead to the defeat of our objectives in Iraq, but would make the sacrifices of our young men and women in vain.
But don’t worry. There’s still three weeks left until the election. Kratovil will probably change his mind a couple more times between now and then.
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Great reporting. NOT.
I guess we should expect the Harris shills to do whatever lying is necessary in order to make up for the fact that Andy is losing this race faster than Sarah Palin can say Maverick.
You’ve completely and 100% stated the opposite of Frank’s position numerous times in this story, and I was at the SU event last night.
If you were actually listening carefully, instead of listening for what you WANT to hear, you would have heard that Frank did not support the original bailout plan. The ORIGINAL BAILOUT PLAN was the one proposed by the Bush Administration and Paulson. That had no oversight, no accountability, and no limits on executive compensation. He went on to state that as those provisions were inserted into the revised bills, he would likely have supported the bill. You got that one wrong.
Second, on the timetable for Iraq, he has repeatedly stated that he was against a strict timetable for withdrawal. He was chastised for doing so during the Democratic Primary. He stated unequivocally yesterday that he believes the best way to withdrawal is to listen to our commanders on the ground, the Iraqi Administration, and the Bush Administration, who have all coalesced around a rough 15 month timetable. That’s called winning the war. Are you against that? He’s repeatedly stated that the Iraq Focus Group, an unbiased source of information, was against a timetable. You got that wrong. Or more accurately you chose to misrepresent his position to benefit your candidate.
Finally, on illegal immigration. Frank Kratovil got into this race because of illegal immigration. He is constantly having to deal with illegal immigrants as defendants, victims, or both. It clogs up the judicial system and he wants to put a stop to that. And he favors deporting illegals SO MUCH that he went to Annapolis and testified in support of a law that would make driving without a license an arrestable offense, SO THAT HE COULD DEPORT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS instead of sending them home with a citation.
Again, you can try to mischaracterize and misrepresent Frank’s position on these issues, but he’s stated the complete opposite of the BS you just posted nearly every time he speaks, so I don’t think unbiased, undecided voters will be swayed by your lies.
And bashing Frank will do nothing to improve your candidates HORRID record on healthcare, environment, and energy. Not to mention that everyone that ever hears Harris speaks thinks that he’s a total ass. Way to pick a winner (read: loser).
First of all, the press conference wasn’t last NIGHT. No offense, but when the sun is out it’s day, even for liberals. Of course, some of your comments lead me to believe that you are not being truthful about being their.
I love how you want to parse words for Frank. IF what you say is true, then why didn’t he say that last Tuesday? It was pretty clear that he is now claiming that he was opposed to the first BILL on Monday, but now supports the Friday bill (after more of his liberal pals in Congress fell in line).
“He went on to state that as those provisions were inserted into the revised bills, he would likely have supported the bill.” No. He did not say bills (plural). Again, parse and bend the truth all you want.
As for Iraq – Kratovil clearly stated that he things have changed and that it was now time to support a SIXTEEN month time table. He did NOT say that we should listen to our commanders on the ground and the Bush administration. He said that the Iraqis want us out.
IMMIGRATION -
PLEASE. He may have used that as an issue, but he has never supported true immigration reform other than the amnesty bill. As for him pushing to make driving without a license an arrestable offense, this is true. However, what you fail to mention is that Kratovil refused to come to Annapolis and support a bill to make it illegal to issue a license to an illegal immigrant.
I notice that even you don’t try to claim that Kratovil didn’t say that illegals “would have to get to the back of the line”. He has never publicly stated that we should deport all illegals who are caught.
When he does, I’ll retract. Until then, whine all you want.