Author: Talk Business

by Talk Business - September 28, 2011 7:00 pm

Ross: Let’s Call A Time Out On The 2012 Elections

Congressman Mike Ross appeared with Talk Business editor Roby Brock this morning to take questions for viewers via email and twitter.  It was a very enlightening interview in which Ross seemed remarkably open, perhaps freed up by his decision to not seek re-election in the upcoming 2012 election.

In addressing his confidence in that decision, he mentioned something that at first blush reminded me of North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue’s comments early this week where she said – "I think we ought to suspend, perhaps, elections for Congress for two years and just tell them we won’t hold it against them, whatever decisions they make, to just let them help this country recover. I really hope that someone can agree with me on that. You want people who don’t worry about the next election."

Perdue has since backtracked from that saying she was only being sarcastic.

Ross’ comment was in response to a question as to whether he regretted his decision not to run for re-election in 2012, which he said that he does not.

"Like a lot of people, I too am fed up with Congress largely because of what I have described to you about how partisan in nature everything is becoming," said Ross. "I was part of the group last week that called for a time out on the 2012 elections and said let’s put country before party for once."

I sent a text message to Brock asking him to follow-up if Ross was referring to something similar to what Perdue had suggested earlier this week.  He said that he was not familiar with Perdue’s comment, but clarified that he is not proposing any change to the current election system.

"When I first got to Congress, the odd years – the non-election years – there wasn’t so much political nonsense," explained Ross. There were people really trying to work to get the job done. It was bad enough that we were working one out of every two years. With the even year – the election year – pretty much everything was political, but now it is political year-round. I mean, we will cast lots of votes each week in the House and we may have one or two substantive votes each week in the House. The rest of those votes cast all week are what I call ‘gotcha votes’ and both parties do it in terms of trying to get a vote that get you on record on certain positions that often times have nothing to do with the bill and you know isn’t going anywhere. It’s simply to cause you to have to cast a vote that they can then take and twist and turn for a 30-second TV ad and attack you. I think the American people are fed up with that.  You know, I have been elected to do a job – not play politics."

Ross went on to say that he does not have a problem with the two-year terms in the House which he says are healthy.  Instead, he was referring to the members of Congress that focus too much on the upcoming election.

"That why I was part of a national press conference as co-chair of the Blue Dogs a few weeks ago to say let’s call a ‘time out’ on the 2012 elections and put country before party," said Ross.

Make sure to also check out Brock’s take on his interview with Ross.  One interesting part was Ross’ argument that the upcoming Presidential election will help Democrats in Arkansas and also that many in his district favor the $1.5 trillion tax increase proposed by President Obama.

by Talk Business - September 27, 2011 7:00 pm

O’keefe Says He Is Doing The Job The Media Refuses To Do

Arkansas’ left leaning blogs were quick to pile on the criticism for conservative film maker James O’Keefe as he made a visit to Arkansas today.  His appearance at the Argenta Community Theater in North Little Rock was sponsored by Americans for Prosperity Arkansas. 

Speaking to about 100 conservative activists, O’Keefe played numerous clips of videos he had made where he had exposed corruption within organizations such as ACORN, NPR, and the New Jersey Teachers Union.  He also played clips of the media reaction who – much like the liberal bloggers of Arkansas – focus on O’Keefe’s tactics rather than the corruption he ends up exposing.

One of the best clips he played was the above video from Comedy Central’s "The Daily Show," which was dumbfounded over O’Keefe’s ability to expose ACORN workers helping O’Keefe who was  disguised as a pimp covering up an underage prostitution ring.

"I am showing people a lot of our work – taking them on a journey through what we’ve done at Project Veritas. I’m showing the media reaction to what we’ve done – how they have tried to cover up some of the fraud and abuse that we have exposed. And just try to enlighten people about what goes on at their institutions and some of the problems with the media and why it is important for citizens to do the work that the media won’t do," said O’Keefe in an interview before the event.

Responding to the criticism from my blogger colleague Michael Cook as well as other media criticism, O’Keefe said, "They constantly try to call me a criminal and a felon because I walked into a Senator’s office under a pretense. I posed as something I was not. My enemies — or misguided opponents as I like to call them — they think that the people who occupied the Wisconsin capitol building are absolute heroes, but I am the worst person in the world for going into a politician’s office and asking a question."

He said he has had a positive reaction from people as he was able to present his work directly to them.

As for the role of a citizen journalist, he says it is "doing the work the media refused to do because the media doesn’t do it, so we’ve got do it."

by Talk Business - September 27, 2011 7:00 pm

Rankin Joins Cotton On Nrcc Young Gun List

The National Republican Congressional Committee announced this morning that Beth Anne Rankin will join Tom Cotton on their Young Gun’s "On the Radar" list.  Cotton was added to the list in August.

Last cycle, the Young Guns Program achieved great success in leading the way to return Republicans to the Majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. 62 out of 92 Young Guns won in 2010. Young Guns served as the model for both Member participation and support for Republican candidates, as well as a training program designed to assist candidates in developing aggressive campaigns. By Election Day, Young Gun Members raised $10.6 million for Young Gun candidates nationwide according to thier website.

“We look forward to working with Beth Anne Rankin, who has already proven herself by meeting rigorous benchmarks in the ‘Young Guns’ program that will position her campaign for victory,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX). “Beth Anne Rankin’s dedication and experience enables her to advocate effectively for pro-growth policies and fight the failed status quo in Washington. This will stand in stark contrast to the Obama-Pelosi record of spending, borrowing and taxing that Arkansas families and small businesses know has failed.”

By being added to the list, Rankin and Cotton had to meet certain criteria perhaps most notably raising over $100,000.  So far, there are only two other Congressional districts that have more than one candidate on the list – Connecticut’s 5th has 4 candidates and Arizona’s 6th has two candidates.

Having two Republican candidates on this list is just another sign that south Arkansas may soon join the rest of the state in turning red following Congressman Mike Ross’ term.

by Talk Business - September 26, 2011 7:00 pm

Republicans Express Opposition To Additional Health Care Grants

As reported yesterday, Gov. Mike Beebe sent Insurance Commissioner Jay Bradford to ask Arkansas legislators for some sort of permission slip to request a $3.8 million federal grant to plan for the implementation of the health care exchange grants.  Today, a group of Republicans sent a letter to Commissioner Bradford saying that the decision lies with the executive branch; however, they expressed opposition to the grant request.  The letter is signed by House Minority Leader John Burris, Rep. Bruce Westerman, Rep. Allen Kerr, Sen. Johnny Key, Sen. Cecile Bledsoe, and Sen. Missy Irvin.

"As members of the Legislative branch of government, we regret that our role in this decision cannot be more direct," states the letter. "As you know, only approval of the Executive branch is required to apply for a Level I Establishment Grant."

"At this time, we oppose the Governor moving forward with any additional spending as it relates to implementation of the HIE."

Here is the full letter submitted today to both the Insurance Commission and the Governor’s Office.  Gov. Beebe has stated that he will not move forward without an indication of support from both parties in the legislature.

by Talk Business - September 26, 2011 7:00 pm

Re-enter Huckabee?

In May, Mike Huckabee announced on his Fox talk show that he would not run for President saying "All the factors say go, but my heart says no."  However, if you look closely at his statement, he did leave himself a sliver of hope saying, "I can’t know or predict the future, but I know for now my answer is clear and firm. I will not seek the Republican nomination for President this year."

And with the Presidential field very murky and volatile, some in the Huckabee camp are chattering about the possibility that he might reconsider. The popular national blog RedState posted on this yesterday saying…

According to my sources, former Arkansas governer Mike Huckabee is seriously considering venturing back into the GOP 2012 presidential race. If he decides to do so, he’ll likely announce within the week.