Weekly Republican Address

What we are watching:

Jobs needed. President Obama heads to Maryland once again to tour a jobs training facility and give another speech. The President has been a frequent visitor to Maryland lately, each time bringing the same promises but no results.  

There is a pattern developing here. RNC Chairman Michael Steele said the following regarding Senator Bayh’s intention to retire, “The fact of the matter is Senator Evan Bayh and moderate Democrats across the country are running for the hills because they sold out their constituents and don’t want to face them at the ballot box.” Read the full statement here.

The Cook Political Report moved the Indiana Senate seat to  "Leans Republican" from "Leans Democrat." The Rothenberg Political Report is rating the seat a "toss-up," moving it from “narrow advantage” for Democrats.

Where does Harry Reid go for recess? A: California. Harry Reid is spending his first couple days of recess in California, raising money for his reelection campaign. RNC spokesman Jahan Wilcox issued this statement, “Rather than tending to the 76,000 Nevadans who lost their job last year, Senator Reid has opted to spend two days in San Francisco – which unlike Searchlight or Vegas probably feels more like home to him – so he can raise more money for his floundering re-election campaign.  With an unemployment rate consistently hovering around 13 percent, what the people of Nevada need is a full-time Senator who is focused on creating jobs for them."

In the news:

“Confidence of the American people is dwindling.” Former Dem Governor Wilder sees what too many in his party must not, the recent electoral defeats and polls show everything might not be fine for the Democrat Party come November. “ …some people have been whistling by their graveyard, as if nothing is going on,” Wilder said, adding that Republicans are likely to make “substantial gains” in both the House and the Senate.

So much for “changing the tone in Washington”. Roll Call quotes one Democratic source as saying Harry Reid’s decision last week to shelve a bipartisan piece of economic legislation played a role in Bayh’s decision to retire.

RNC Research Briefing:

A Week Long Stimulus Anniversary Retrospective

http://www.gop.com/index.php/briefing/comments/they_messed_with_joe_part_seven 

OBAMA PLEDGED  

FEBRUARY 24, 2009: Obama Pledged That Joe Biden Would Lead "Unprecedented Oversight Effort" For $862 Billion Stimulus, "Because Nobody Messes With Joe." "Here in Washington, we've all seen how quickly good intentions can turn into broken promises and wasteful spending.  And with a plan of this scale comes enormous responsibility to get it right. That is why I have asked Vice President Biden to lead a tough, unprecedented oversight effort - because nobody messes with Joe." (President Barack Obama, Address To Joint Session Of Congress, Washington, DC, 2/24/09)

OBAMA DELIVERED:

Stimulus Funds Went To Napa Valley Wine Train And Missouri Martini Bar

ABC News Highlights Stimulus Funds Being Used For Napa Valley Wine Train.  Jonathan Karl: "The Napa Valley wine train, to tourists a great way to see America's most celebrated wine region, to others exhibit A  in what' s wrong with the stimulus." Sen. Tom Coburn: "What that is, is a situation where you see the wealthy or well connected get taken care of and the community suffers." Jonathan Karl: "He's talking about the Napa Valley wine train relocation project, 54 million stimulus dollars to build a new rail bridge, elevate and relocate 3,300 ft of tracks and put flood walls around the train's main station." (ABC News' "Good Morning America," 2/2/10)

CBS Reports On Stimulus Funds Being Used For Martini Bar. Sheryl Atkinson: "You probably wouldn't guess that a martini bar and a Brazilian steakhouse would be on tap for stimulus funds, but in St. Joseph, Missouri, two privately owned facilities are getting 100,000 of your tax dollars." (CBS's "CBS Evening News," 12/9/09)

OBAMA DENIES

Now Obama Claims That We "Have Not Seen Scandal Break Out" On Stimulus With Biden Leading Oversight Effort. "[L]et me just say, by the way, give a compliment to Vice President Biden. He and his team have overseen the Recovery Act. You have not seen scandal break out on a huge endeavor." (President Barack Obama, Remarks At Town Hall Meeting, Tampa, FL, 1/28/10) 

OBAMA PLEDGED

FEBRUARY 24, 2009: Obama Pledged That Joe Biden Would Lead "Unprecedented Oversight Effort" For $862 Billion Stimulus, "Because Nobody Messes With Joe." "Here in Washington, we've all seen how quickly good intentions can turn into broken promises and wasteful spending.  And with a plan of this scale comes enormous responsibility to get it right. That is why I have asked Vice President Biden to lead a tough, unprecedented oversight effort - because nobody messes with Joe." (President Barack Obama, Address To Joint Session Of Congress, Washington, DC, 2/24/09)

OBAMA DELIVERED:

Stimulus Funds Went To Napa Valley Wine Train And Missouri Martini Bar

ABC News Highlights Stimulus Funds Being Used For Napa Valley Wine Train.  Jonathan Karl: "The Napa Valley wine train, to tourists a great way to see America's most celebrated wine region, to others exhibit A  in what' s wrong with the stimulus." Sen. Tom Coburn: "What that is, is a situation where you see the wealthy or well connected get taken care of and the community suffers." Jonathan Karl: "He's talking about the Napa Valley wine train relocation project, 54 million stimulus dollars to build a new rail bridge, elevate and relocate 3,300 ft of tracks and put flood walls around the train's main station." (ABC News' "Good Morning America," 2/2/10)

CBS Reports On Stimulus Funds Being Used For Martini Bar. Sheryl Atkinson: "You probably wouldn't guess that a martini bar and a Brazilian steakhouse would be on tap for stimulus funds, but in St. Joseph, Missouri, two privately owned facilities are getting 100,000 of your tax dollars." (CBS's "CBS Evening News," 12/9/09)

OBAMA DENIES

Now Obama Claims That We "Have Not Seen Scandal Break Out" On Stimulus With Biden Leading Oversight Effort. "[L]et me just say, by the way, give a compliment to Vice President Biden. He and his team have overseen the Recovery Act. You have not seen scandal break out on a huge endeavor." (President Barack Obama, Remarks At Town Hall Meeting, Tampa, FL, 1/28/10)