HRC: Romney Gave 10k To Prop 8

Mitt Romney - Caricature (Photo credit: DonkeyHotey)

A number of politicos jumped on GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney for the casual way he offered to make a $10,000 bet with rival Rick Perry during a debate, saying it clearly illustrated out “out of touch” Romney was with regular folks for whom $10,000 is a lot of money. And certainly, $10,000 was a lot of money during the Prop 8 fight in California – which the Human Rights Campaign and its project NOM Exposed revealed was the amount Romney gave to the National Organization for Marriage when the antigay group emerged as a leading proponent for the Prop 8 ballot initiative that successfully stripped marriage rights from same sex couples in California. NOM has been working hard to keep the names of its donors private.

Scott Wooledge at the Huffington Post has more, finding the contribution cited “in the Oct. 28, 2008 edition of Deseret News reporting on Mitt Romney’s $10,000 donation to the National Organization for Marriage (NOM). We since have come to learn that NOM circulated some nefarious memos to convince donors that their cause was strategically planned.”

HRC’s Fred Sainz says:

The aide quoted in The Deseret News that gets Romney into campaign disclosure problems is none other than Eric Fehrnstrom, the same trusted aide who infamously compared the general election to an “Etch A Sketch.” The NYT has a great profile of Fehrnstrom here.

It also bears mentioning, that Robert George, the chairman emeritus of NOM and the author of two federal marriage amendments, sits on the editorial board of the Deseret News. You will remember that Mr. George was appointed this week by Speaker Boehner to the U.S. Commission for International Freedom.

It’s not that surprising, but in the era where “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” ended with barely a whimper, State Legislatures enacted marriage equality, and Republicans have backed off the gay marriage issue, Romney’s anti-equality contributions should be noted.

Did anyone notice a Log Cabin Republican response to Romney’s contribution?

I didn’t either.

Full story here.

Romney Millions Fuel Anti-Gay Crusade
Mitt Romney Snuck Donation to NOM, Proposition 8 Through Obscure Alabama PAC (towleroad.com)
Mitt Romney Blasts Prop 8 Ruling (towleroad.com)

Vote Republican 2012

Mar4 by D Gregory Smith

Blatant Propaganda:

Limbaugh, Sinking To New Low, Calls Women ‘Sluts’- Wants To See Them Having Sex

Mar2 by D Gregory Smith

The man arrested with an unprescribed packet of Viagra, the man arrested for prescription drug fraud, a man who has never testified before Congress, a man whose enormous ass sits in a booth behind a golden microphone and never has the balls to speak to someone’s face, a man who loathes homosexuals but has them sing at his wedding, in other words a fraudulent clown, now sinks to a new low- telling women he wants to get something back- he wants to see them having sex:

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Limbaugh’s message to ‘feminazis’, posted with vodpod

I know this is probably preaching to the choir, but this man needs help- like straitjacket help.

Georgetown Student Sandra Fluke Responds To Being Called ‘Slut,’ ‘Prostitute’ By Limbaugh (mediaite.com)
WATCH: MSNBC Panel Condemns Rush Limbaugh (huffingtonpost.com)
Rush Limbaugh Calls Law Student a ‘Slut’ Again – Demands Women Post Sex Tapes Online If They Use Birth Control (littlegreenfootballs.com)
Attention feminists: Rush Limbaugh wants to watch you having sex. (manboobz.com)

A Closer Look At Pro-Gay Republicans In An Anti-Gay Party

Feb29 by D Gregory Smith

Video on msnbc.com: Frank Rich, writer-at-large for New York Magazine, talks with Rachel Maddow about the wild disconnect between Republican power players (both politicians and donors) who support gay rights and the Republican presidential field who are competing to pander to the most extreme right wing of the party.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

A closer look at pro-gay Republicans in an anti…, posted with vodpod

Rachel Maddow Talks to Frank Rich About the Silent Hypocrisy of Pro-Gay Republican Power Players: VIDEO (towleroad.com)
No Talking Points: Gay Skeletons In The Conservative Closet (dgsma.wordpress.com)

Tester Meets with Constituents, Rehberg Continues Invisibility Plan

Feb25 by D Gregory Smith

From The Montana Democrats:

While multimillionaire Congressman Dennis Rehberg continues to hide from the public (see ‘Related Articles’ below), Jon Tester hosted his 10th public small business workshop, following months of meetings with Montanans across the state.

Denny Rehberg - Caricature (Photo credit: DonkeyHotey)

As for Congressman Rehberg? He cancelled his latest scheduled appearance–at a Republican Party fundraiser he was supposed to headline Sunday in Havre. And Congressman Rehberg has held virtually no public meetings with Montanans since November.

“After 35 years in politics, Congressman Rehberg no longer thinks he’s accountable to Montana,” said Ted Dick, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party. “Congressman Rehberg gave himself five pay raises in Congress, but he votes to cut funding for our public schools, cut Pell grants, and cut health care for our veterans. His 35-year career in politics is marked by irresponsible decisions like tax breaks for fellow millionaires and corporations that ship jobs overseas—at the expense of Montana families, education, Medicare and Social Security.”

Congressman Rehberg has avoided accountability for the last year, hiding the donations he takes from lobbyists, refusing to meet with Montanans, and giving his full endorsement to the Citizens United ruling that allows big corporations to spend unlimited money on dishonest political attack ads. Here’s more:

Hiding Campaign Cash from Lobbyists: An investigation by the Associated Press found Congressman Rehberg refused to disclose the identities of 189 lobbyists on his financial disclosure reports. Rehberg hid more than $20,000 he took from Washington lobbyists.

Dodging Public Meetings with Constituents: Congressman Rehberg went 6 months without holding a public townhall meeting, and when he finally scheduled one, he watched a Sheriff removed someone from the meeting.

Siding with Anonymous Corporate Cash in Elections: Following his endorsement by Citizens United, Congressman Rehberg gave his full endorsement to the secretive organization’s Supreme Court Ruling, which allows big corporations to spend unlimited to buy elections.

“Where Are You?” (dgsma.wordpress.com)

Tuesday Clippings

Feb21 by D Gregory Smith

A few links to stories I found interesting this week:

~Indiana Legislator Refuses To Honor “Radical” Girl Scouts.

~Rick Santorum Could Take Republicans Down With Him

~AIDS Research Being Done By 17 Year-olds

~Rehberg Should Try Some ‘Made In Montana’ Funding

~Female Elephants Need Not Apply

~Marriage: David Cameron Faces Church Backlash Over ‘Cultural Vandalism’

Happy Clicking!

Rick Hill: Destroyer Of Montana’s Fabulous Business Climate?

Feb3 by D Gregory Smith

According to The Montana Democrats (fact-checked of course):

Image via Wikipedia

A study recently released by the Tax Foundation found that Montana has the eighth-best business tax climate in the nation. That top 10 status is due in large part to Montana’s lack of a sales tax, according to leading in-state business organization that bills itself as “the driving force in promoting a favorable business climate.

The eighth-best ranking is one that the Montana Chamber of Commerce says is something they’ll “promote the heck out of” when attracting companies to do business here, but that ranking that would be lost if Montana instituted former Congressman Rick Hill’s sales tax.

According to a story in Lee Newspapers, Webb Brown, President of the Montana Chamber of Commerce, said the Tax Foundation gives a lot of credit in its rankings to states that don’t have certain major taxes, such as general sales taxes or individual income taxes.

“Not only would Congressman Hill’s tax-hike take money from the wallets of middle-class Montanans, it would make it harder to create jobs, allow Montana businesses to expand and attract businesses to invest here,” Montana Democratic Party Executive Director Ted Dick said.

As one of the leading contenders for the GOP nomination for Governor, insurance-executive Hill has been a strong supporter of a sales tax. Hill was the lead lobbyist in the 1993 Montana Legislative Session to put a $400 million tax increase on the ballot – which is over $620 million in today’s dollars. More recently, Congressman Hill has advocated for a sales tax as a candidate for Governor.

Governor Schweitzer sees Montana’s standing as one of America’s best business tax climates only getting better, telling reporters that the several states ahead of Montana in the rankings may be looking to raise taxes because they lack the financial stability we enjoy. Moreover, Montana has cut taxes, like the business equipment tax, this year – which will also play into future rankings.

That may all be lost if Hill is able to ram through his sales tax.

###

Hill Lobbied for $400 Million Sales Tax, $72 Million Income Tax
During the 1993 legislative session, Hill lobbied to pass two measures that would drastically increase taxes on Montanans. The first measure was a bill to place a $400 million sales tax measure on the ballot. It was rejected by the voters 75% to 25%. Hill also lobbied on behalf of a bill that would have increased income taxes by $72 million, but was again rejected by voters. [Billings Gazette State Bureau, 5/23/1996]

Hill Still Supports a Sales Tax
INTERVIEWER: You would support a sales tax as a substitute tax, you would be open to that?

HILL: I would be open to it as a substitute tax. [Voices of Montana, 8/18/2011]

“A lot of people have advocated in Montana for a long time that we need three stools to our tax structure; got to have the income tax, the property tax, and the sales tax. I have often been an advocate for sales tax as a substitute.” [Hometown Helena, 6/2/2011]

Hill + Sonju = More Taxes (dgsma.wordpress.com)
Best, Worst States for Business, Tax-wise (abcnews.go.com)
Rehberg: Local Governments Richer Than The Feds (dgsma.wordpress.com)
The 20 States With The Most Unfriendly Tax Codes (businessinsider.com)

A Tale Of Two Polls

Jan30 by D Gregory Smith

…from The Montana Democrats:

Image via Wikipedia

Dennis Rehberg’s supporters tonight are pushing a new GOP poll about Montana’s 2012 Senate race. But a second poll released today—conducted by the same GOP polling firm—tells a much different story.

The first poll, conducted by the firm Public Opinion Strategies for Karl Rove’s secretive organization American Crossroads, shows questionable and uncharacteristic results for the race between Jon Tester and Congressman Dennis Rehberg.

The second poll released today, also conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, has much different results. It shows the race much closer—well within the margin of error.

“Montanans don’t trust Crossroads or Dennis Rehberg, so why would they believe numbers from a firm that can’t even decide which numbers are accurate,” said Ted Dick, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party. “Congressman Rehberg believes secrecy and unlimited corporate spending belong in Montana’s elections, and he and his allies will stop at nothing to try to influence the people of our state.”

Fascinating.

A Rehberg Tax Reminder (dgsma.wordpress.com)
Rehberg Says Congress Is Just As Functional As Lindsay Lohan (dgsma.wordpress.com)
MT Democrats: Rehberg’s Standing Against Jobs And Tax Relief (dgsma.wordpress.com)

Washington State Has The Vote It Needs To Pass Marriage Equality

Jan23 by D Gregory Smith

According to our friend Andy over at Towleroad:

Image via Wikipedia

Washington state has the votes to legalize same-sex marriage after State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen says she’ll support the marriage equality bill, KIRO reports:

In a statement, Haugen said, “I know this announcement makes me the so-called 25th vote, the vote that ensures passage. That’s neither here nor there. If I were the first or the seventh or the 28th vote, my position would not be any different. I happen to be the 25th because I insisted on taking this much time to hear from my constituents and to sort it out for myself, to reconcile my religious beliefs with my beliefs as an American, as a legislator, and as a wife and mother who cannot deny to others the joys and benefits I enjoy.”

Haugen’s announcement comes as the first hearings on the measure are being held in Washington’s capitol. Twenty-five votes are required for passage of the bill in the state Senate, and Haugen’s would be the 25th committed vote.

Haugen’s full statement is powerful and realistic and human. She obviously took this seriously, went past the rhetoric and used that most amazing tool of humanity- the conscience. And everyone who wrestles with the issue of marriage equality- or is affected by it should read it.

It’s with the full story here.

Marriage Equality Gaining Momentum in Two States with Catholic Governors (and Among Catholic Mayors, too) (newwaysministryblog.wordpress.com)
Marriage Equality Within Reach in Washington: AP (towleroad.com)
Republicans, Local Governments Endorse Marriage Equality Effort In Washington State (thinkprogress.org)
Spokesman-Review Opinion: “Gays Deserve Same Rights” (dgsma.wordpress.com)
A Civil Discussion on Civil Marriage (newwaysministryblog.wordpress.com)

Hill + Sonju = More Taxes

Jan19 by D Gregory Smith

Montana Democratic Party Executive Director Ted Dick released the following statement in response to Rick Hill‘s running mate announcement:

Image by The Library of Congress via Flickr

“Republicans need to decide if they think their strongest candidates are a lobbyist-turned-Congressman-turned-lobbyist and a state legislator who has voted six times to raise his pay, despite the fact that his company is making millions off of federal earmarks. With his record of raising taxes on small businesses and working families and continued support of a sales tax, my guess is that Mr. Hill has his work cut out for him.”

The Montana Democrats elaborated with the following:

Hill Lobbied for $400 Million Sales Tax, $72 Million Income Tax

During the 1993 legislative session, Hill lobbied to pass two measures that would drastically increase taxes on Montanans. The first measure was a bill to place a $400 million sales tax measure on the ballot. It was rejected by the voters 75% to 25%. Hill also lobbied on behalf of a bill that would have increased income taxes by $72 million, but was again rejected by voters. [Billings Gazette State Bureau, 5/23/1996]

Hill Still Supports a Sales Tax

INTERVIEWER: You would support a sales tax as a substitute tax, you would be open to that?

HILL: I would be open to it as a substitute tax. [Voices of Montana, 8/18/2011]

A lot of people have advocated in Montana for a long time that we need three stools to our tax structure; got to have the income tax, the property tax, and the sales tax. I have often been an advocate for sales tax as a substitute. [Hometown Helena, 6/2/2011]

Sonju Votes Six Times To Raise Legislator Compensation Package

In each of the four legislative sessions that Sen. Jon Sonju has served, he has voted for House Bill 1, the “feed bill” that finances the legislative session. In each session, the legislature has increased the amount of money they reimburse themselves, leading to biannual increases in their pay package. [HB 1, 2nd Reading, 1/12/2005 Yes, 3rd Reading, 1/13/2005 Yes; HB 1, 2nd Reading, 1/12/2007 Yes, 3rd Reading, 1/15/2005 No; HB 1, 2nd Reading, 1/8/2009 Yes, 3rd Reading, 1/8/2009 Yes; HB 1, 2nd Reading, 1/22/2011 Yes, 3rd Reading, 1/22/2011 No]

Sonju Lobbies for Millions in Federal Earmarks

“Some Montana companies with longtime Republican ties, however, still support earmarks. Kalispell-based Sonju Industries has teamed with the missile systems division of defense giant Raytheon Co. on a project that has previously received federal funding, and it asked for $8 million again this year. Jon Sonju, an officer of the company and a Republican representative in the Montana Legislature, met with Rehberg staff on the matter before Rehberg announced his earmark moratorium.” [Billings Gazette, 10/23/2010]