Gabby Watch

Void of Energy Solutions, Some Democrats Look to Hugo Chavez for Answers

Washington– With gas prices continuing to skyrocket and no plan of her own to offer up, does Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-08) endorse a prominent Democrat’s plan to nationalize the energy industry? Clearly devoid of any ideas or solutions, Democrats are taking a page from Venezuelan Dictator Hugo Chavez’s book and calling for a government takeover of America’s oil refineries. While these half-baked “solutions” might seem misguided or even comical, Gabrielle Giffords has refused to state her public position one way or the other. 

At a press conference yesterday, Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), a member of the House Natural Resources Committee had this to say: 

“Should the people of the United States own refineries? Maybe so. Frankly, I think that’s a good idea…So if there’s any seriousness about what some of our Republican colleagues are saying…about improving the number of refineries, then maybe they’d be willing to have these refineries owned publicly.” (Rep. Maurice Hinchey, 6/18/08) 

Rep. Giffords, who continues to choose partisanship over productivity, has not yet weighed in on this newest proposal to socialize America’s energy industry.

“Arizona voters deserve to know whether Gabrielle Giffords wants to reshape America’s energy industry by government fiat,” said NRCC spokesman Ken Spain. “While Giffords and Democrats in Washington are busy tearing pages out of Hugo Chavez’s socialist playbook, the American people are hurting at the pump. The time for action on gas prices is now, and Gabrielle Giffords’ record of standing with her do-nothing Democrat leadership will not sit well with voters in November.”

While Democrats have been standing in the way of sensible energy solutions for years, a recent Rasmussen poll shows that 67 percent of Americans support expanding production of American-made energy. Washington Democrats are at odds with the overwhelming majority of voters across the country. The American people are screaming to be heard, but is Gabrielle Giffords?

Giffords voted against an increase in funding for America’s missle defense system. The money would have been spent to counter Iranian ballistic missiles that can currently hit Europe and could eventually hit the US (Roll Call 368, May 17, 2007).

Doing the Unthinkable, Giffords Stands Idly Alongside Democrat Leadership Watching Soaring Gas Prices Continue to Rise

Washington- As people in Arizona are emptying their wallets trying to afford gasoline that is rapidly nearing $4 per gallon, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-08) has thrown the needs of her constituents to the wind as she voted four times this week alone against proposals to address America’s energy crisis.

“Gabrielle Giffords’ unconscionable actions this week show that she has become part of the problem in Washington – and would rather be a lapdog to her party leadership than provide her constituents with much-needed relief at the pump,” said NRCC Spokesman Ken Spain.  “The voters in Arizona sent Gabrielle Giffords to Washington to help fix their problems, not to make them worse.  Giffords’ votes this week are evidence that she is out of touch with the needs of her constituents.”

Since coming to Congress, Gabrielle Giffords has joined the 86 percent of Democrats who have built a record of hampering all efforts to increase the production of American-made oil and gas.  As Sunday’s Lexington Herald-Leader pointed out, because of Gabrielle Giffords and the Democrats’ inaction on energy issues, low-income families are being hit the hardest as gas prices continue to soar:

“When the economy takes a tumble, the poor are often the first to feel the pain…. ‘The economy is affecting the low- to moderate-income individuals a great deal more than it is anybody else,’ said Johnny Cantrell, chief executive officer of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Kentucky….  So higher food and gas prices reduce people’s ability to cover other expenses, such as utilities and clothing.  …folks will let those payments slide because they have a more pressing need: putting food on the table.” (Lexington Herald-Leader, 6/1/08) 

Gabrielle Giffords and her Democrat colleagues have failed to bring forward any proposals to address America’s energy crisis, and now they’re obstructing every other member of Congress from trying to lower gas prices as well.  How much longer will voters in Arizona have to bear the burden of Gabrielle Giffords’ broken promises and failed policies?

The Democrats in the United States House of Representatives have scheduled a vote on the largest tax hike in American history tomorrow. Help us stop the largest tax increase ever: tell Congress to vote “NO” on S. Con. Res 70. The numbers you need are listed below.

Here are the details:

• At a time when families and small businesses are struggling with soaring gas prices and high health care costs, Democrats are poised to approve what the Examiner newspaper called “a minimum tax hike for every American taxpayer of about $3,000 annually.”
• According to Associated Press , the Democrats’ tax hike “would allow income tax rates to go up on individuals making as little as $31,850 and couples earning $63,700 or more…”
• America’s top economist, Ben Bernanke, has warned Congress that tax hikes would hurt our economy.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? Ask how they will vote on the largest tax hike in American history, and highlight their vote against families and small businesses after the fact.

District 5: Harry E. Mitchell (D) Phone Number: DC: 220-225-2190 District: 480-946-2411

District 8: Gabrielle Giffords (D) Phone Number: DC: 202-225-2542 District: 520-881-3588

Speaker Nancy Pelosi(D) Phone Number: DC: 202-225-0100

Tucson lost one of it’s hero’s Monday June 2, 2008. Officer Erik Hite succumbed to injury’s he sustained in a gunfight with what appears to be a mentally ill suspect. I’ve been told by experts there is a special place in heaven for fallen soldiers, fireman and law enforcement officers.

The TPOA has set up a fund for Officer Hite to go directly to his family - Wells Fargo Bank, account #2475164071, named TPOA/Officer Erik Hite Benefit Fund.  Please let everyone know, thanks.

The rumor we have heard lately has to do with Gabby paying people to get her petitions signed. We have not been able to confirm or deny this rumor as Gabby’s campaign, so far, is unavailable for comment.