Pence Criticizes Administration Over Its Response To Oil Spill

By Justine Rellosa
Talk Radio News Service

House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (Ind.) criticized President Barack Obama on Wednesday for not responding fast enough to the massive oil spill that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico two weeks ago. Pence also faulted the administration for not making enough equipment available to the federal response team.

“The American people deserve to know why the administration was slow to respond and why the necessary equipment was not immediately available to the region,” he told reporters.

In light of the spill, Pence said now is the time for Congress to focus on energy independence, including drilling for oil domestically, adding that House Republicans are hard at work on necessary legislation.

“The American people deserve a strategy for energy independence that is built on giving the American people access to all of our domestic resources.”

Boehner: Health Care Debate Is Far From Over

By Chingyu Wang-Talk Radio News Service

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) stated Thursday that the ongoing debate over health care reform is "far from over," despite indications that Democrats intend to move forward with legislation in the coming weeks.

"This debate is far from over. Republicans are going to continue to stand with the American people against this job killing, massive government takeover of our health care system," said Boehner. "This does not have to become law; They are not there yet."

The Minority Leader also expressed concern over the jobs bill, saying that it was "outrageous" for Democrats to bring the legislation to the floor without proper time for review. He added that he assumes the health care bill might be handled in a similar manner.

The Ohio Democrat also raised the issue of the rising deficit, and charged Obama with not listening to Republican solutions for spending.

"The president has not responded [to the proposal,]" said Boehner. "America is broke. The Democrats' spending binge is mortgaging the future of our kids and grand-kids."

Democratic Health Bills Don't Offer Americans Enough Freedom To Choose, Say GOP'ers

By Chingyu Wang - Talk Radio News Service

Members of the GOP Solutions Group blasted the White House's health reform proposal during a conference call with reporters on Thursday.

"The new plan looks a lot like the old plan, and every time when they are talking about the old plan I think Democrats lost this debate," said Group Chairman Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). "We'd like to see a plan that reduces costs, increases access and doesn't cripple the states."

Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), a physician himself, slammed a provision within both Democratic health bills that would require Americans to purchase health insurance. Price said the question of who should decide what kind of medical care individuals receive is one of the main factors dividing Republicans and Democrats on the issue of healthcare reform.

A proposal by the Republicans would allow Americans "To truly shop across state lines to purchase the insurance that you want for yourself or your family," said Price, adding that the Democrats' bills would allow the "government to dictate [your insurance policy] for you."

"Democrat solutions come down on the side of larger government [and] integrated bureaucracy." he argued.

DNC Chairman Cites Republican Hypocrisy Over Stimulus

By Monique Cala - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

At least 87 Republicans have shown hypocritical actions toward the Recovery Act by denouncing its merits in public, but attending ‘ribbon cutting ceremonies’ for local projects funded by the bill, said Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine on Tuesday.

“The very same Republicans who indignantly raised a hand in opposition to the Act, have extended the other hand in many cases to ask for and accept funds from it for projects in their states and districts,” said Kaine.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was signed one year ago Friday by President Obama, was a $787 billion piece of legislation designed to stimulate the nation's spiraling economy.

“One year ago, when the President was inaugurated, the country was averaging more than 700,000 jobs lost every month,” said Kaine. “The Recovery Act has reduced that number to just a fraction of where we would have been had we gone along either with congressional Republicans' plan to do nothing, or simply do more of what President Bush and others did over the past decade to get us into this mess.”

According to Kaine, the list of 87 lawmakers includes Senators, Congressmen and Governors who either referred to the Recovery Act as 'socialism,' or called for its repeal, but then used money from it to strengthen their achievements.

You can view a complete list at Hypocrisy Hall of Fame.

VA Gubernatorial Race Not Indicative Of Changing National Mood

By Ravi Bhatia - Talk Radio News Service

Joseph Figueroa at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics says that today's Gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey and the Congressional election in upstate New York reflect little on national political trends. Figueroa's sentiment conflicts with Republicans who believe that GOP victories in the three races would serve as a referendum of sorts on the job performance of President Barack Obama.

“You really have to take the results for what they are, as a reflection of the campaign that the two candidates ran,” said Figueroa, referring to the race for governor in Virginia. “I don’t think you can really extrapolate a whole lot in terms of national or even state trends because Virginia is a purple state, and it’s gonna remain so for a while.”

In Virginia, polls suggest that former state Attorney General and Republican candidate Bob McDonnell holds a double-digit lead over Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds. In New Jersey, the race between incumbent Democratic Governor John Corzine and his challenger, Republican Chris Christie, remains deadlocked.

“New Jersey is a blue state - it’s dark blue,” Figueroa said. “It’ll be interesting to see because Christie did have a bit of an upswing in the polls at the very end there. But it is a deadlocked race. That’ll be the one to watch tonight.”

In New York’s 23rd Congressional District, Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava dropped out of the race after being outpolled by Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman. She has since endorsed Democrat Bill Owens.

“A lot of the people who were inclined to support Scozzafava because she’s running under the Republican banner may not be so quick to vote for Owens because of their own ideals,” Figueroa continued. “It’s gonna be really interesting to see - they have a very difficult to decision to make.”

The polls close in Virginia at 7 p.m. tonight. In New Jersey, the polls close at 8 p.m. and in New York, they close at 9 p.m.