I was having a discussion with and individual recently in which we were talking about what could possibly take place next year if we are able to get a significant number of conservatives elected into office. The talk turned to what happened in the 90’s when the Republicans took back congress. They were demonized when they tried to put forth a reasonable budget and because of the battle going on between the two parties the government was almost shut down. The Republicans were getting hammered in the press and eventually backed down. We were concerned that this scenario may be repeated come next year.
Of course our discussion turned to the possibility of Robert Hurt being our new representative in congress which caused us even more concern. Hurt does not have a good record when it comes to taxes and spending. We have all heard about the huge tax increase that Hurt voted for in support of Governor Mark Warner but little if anything is said about the increased spending that was included in that years budget. The 2002-04 budget was $26,379,372,090 which increased to $31,991,449,302 for the 2004-06 budget. This is a twenty percent increase, no wonder Warner pushed for this huge jump in our taxes.
In reference to this budget battle Hurt was quoted in The Washington Times dated 5/24/05 as saying; “I parted with the House leadership because it seemed budget negotiations were going absolutely nowhere.”, and in the Richmond Times on 4/28/04: “Every day that passes without a budget, we’re closer to a government shutdown.” The last person we need in DC is someone who votes for huge increases in spending along with corresponding tax increase and then justifies his vote by saying he is concerned about budget negotiations going nowhere or about shutting down the government. We need someone in congress who has the stones to stand up and hold the line when the going gets tough not someone who will cave at the first sign of opposition or who is afraid of bad press.
Back in 1994 we sent a group of “conservatives” to Washington who had initiated a Contract with America then proceeded to violate that contract. We have another chance this fall to restructure congress, the last thing we need to do is send a representative from the 5th district who is unable to stand up to the opposition when the going gets tough.
11 Comments
I agree 100%. We can count on Hurt to fold under pressure. He is a go-along-to-get-along type guy to whom confrontation and stalemate are anathema. If it comes to that, he will sacrifice principle to reach compromise, especially if he is convinced there is compromise on the other side as well. What he does not understand is that as things are today in Washington, compromise from conservatives requires overturning the constitutional relationship between between the People and the government. Compromise from liberals is simply compromise on the dollar amount. This is because over the last hundred years strict constitutionalists have lost or abandoned the debate on principle. The great majority of bills in Congress are completely outside of the scope of Federal power under the Constitution.
Some of the other six candidates might have trouble defeating Periello, but I would bet all of them would be less likely to compromise principles. Conservatives and libertarians need to get that message out to the 5th District. We need to stop bashing and nitpicking the conservatives in the race. We need to get behind the one most likely to win the primary.
With all deference to Newt and 1994, America didn’t need his Contract with America, we already had one. It’s called the US Constitution. All we needed in 1994 were statesmen who would honestly confront the fact that the Fed is completely off the Constitutional reservation. All we need now are statesmen who actually understand American Principles and who will work, WITHOUT COMPROMISE, to re-establish Constitutional government. Anything less will continue America on its course to become a failed Republic. May God help us all.
Hurt did just co-sponsor two bills which block the federal government from interfering with state regulation of health care and gun rights.
The heath care bill prohibits individuals from being forced to buy health insurance and the gun bill prevents guns which are purchased and retained in Virginia from being subject to regulation.
When i look at Hurt’s record i see good legislation like this as well as the bad tax increase vote.
I think Hurt would be a good conservative leader in Washington.
Aaron- That is an abuse of the word “conservative.”
Sorry Sandy i forgot you had a monopoly on its usage.
No Aaron- Unfortunately the term is used by everyone and anyone, whether they fit the principles or not. Conservative principles are more than skin deep, and, no true conservative would ever consider gigantic tax hikes, and unnecessary spending. Unfortunately some taxes are necessary, but, not when the state already had a budget surplus, and, at the end of Warner’s term, it ended with a surplus.
It’s all too easy to attach a title to oneself, but, one’s actions need to match the title.
Actions like sponsoring legislation so that Virginia can enforce its 10th amendment rights against the Obama, Pelosi, and Reid three ring circus of socialism?
That’s conservative action in my book, not just bumper sticker talk from someone on the sidelines.
The government did shut down on October 1, 1995. I remember because I lost a contract job with the Bureau of Land Management in August due to the impending shutdown.
Your quest for purity will ultimately doom the candidate which you have chosen.
I agree with you, Mark! I AM a true conservative; always have been; always will be. These puritanical TP-ers who want to crucify someone for a vote 6 years ago when the state was in a financial crisis need to get a grip!
Hurt is now espousing and sponsoring everything we want and he has the upper hand! Why piss on the winning hand when you are the one playing it?
VaPatriot-
Not sure how long you’ve been reading blog posts on this race, but your reference to ‘a vote 6 years ago’ belies either your ignorance or naivete.
Fortunately, both can be easily remedied, and I would encourage you to do so with all due haste.
A quick and factual (if partial) list can be found on NotAndySere’s blog under the heading “6 Reasons Why Hurt Should Not Be GOP Nominee.”
Education is crucial if one wishes to avoid the likelihood of dining on crow later.
Bradley, your reply smacks of the very tactics liberals use to denigrate points made by conservatives in discussions all across this district; namely, to attack the messenger instead of replying to the message. Surely, you are neither a liberal, nor, do you want to be seen as lowering your self to their level?
A quick and factual response to my post would be much more in order, and, I’m sure, more in tune with your normal discourse. Thanks!