Republican Earmarxists Try to Smear Pork Opponent
Posted by: Scott W. Graves | 02/28/2008 11:03 AM
FROM REDSTATE (www.redstate.com):Rep. John Campbell is under attack from members of his own party for his tough stance on earmarks. Republican earmarxists, angered by Campbell's criticism of pork-barrel spending, are accusing the California Republican of hypocrisy for introducing a bill they claim is an earmark. Campbell has since pulled the legislation.
There is some dispute as to whether Campbell's bill amounted to the definition of an "earmark" because it was a stand-alone bill, which followed the normal legislative process. But because it would have authorized the expenditure of $2.5 million for a desalination project in his district, it was close enough to prompt Campbell to withdraw it from consideration.
Campbell's decision to pull the bill came on the same day, Feb. 12, he visited the Heritage Foundation, where he attacked Republican earmarks and criticized Republicans for not going far enough in their pursuit of reform. The smear campaign against Campbell dates back to at least to that day. I know because I received an e-mail tip from a Republican Hill staffer who prodded me to question Campbell about the desalination project.
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Mr. Ayer registered as a Republican to be electable in an interim election with no incumbents. He did...
Please note that while I am a loyal John Doolittle supporter - my only issue with John Campbell was for breaking ranks and piling onto John Doolittle before he retired.
Doolittle was wrong on the Earmark issue - but he did not deserve to get lynched. It was/is that simple.
That being said - I do appreciate the fact that Campbell and others have finally brought this issue to the forefront for the voters.
How can this be considered an earmark? This is the process we should be following when seeking special funding. Submit a bill and have a vote. Our Representatives should go on the record when voting to fund a special project.
Shawn-
The fact that it is a stand alone bill doesn't change the fact that it's an earmark. Campbell made the right decision by pulling the bill.
D'ANCONIA,
The fact that it is a stand alone bill is exactly why it is not an earmark.
An earmark is pork that is attached to an unrelated bill. The problem with earmarks is that you are voting for a bill that comes along with unrelated pork.
Campbell was submitting a stand alone bill. Debating whether or not it is a bill that should pass or not is one thing but to call it an earmark is dishonest.
D'ANCONIA,
The fact that it is a stand alone bill is exactly why it is not an earmark.
An earmark is pork that is attached to an unrelated bill. The problem with earmarks is that you are voting for a bill that comes along with unrelated pork.
Campbell was submitting a stand alone bill. Debating whether or not it is a bill that should pass or not is one thing but to call it an earmark is dishonest
-Shawn Fago
This is real interesting when one considers that JWA has been in the news a lot lately. If Chris Cox still held that seat he would have the power to preserve the caps at John Wayne, which he has done in the past.
Campbell on the other hand is the minority party being only a second term congressman. The fact that his own party despises him shows he will not wield much power. So forget about him having the clout to preserve the caps at JWA.