Criticisms fly in Rooney-Craft congressional race — but not from candidates
by George Bennett | August 6th, 2009Democratic St. Lucie County Commissioner Chris Craft didn’t mention incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney in his statement Wednesday announcing he’s running for Rooney’s District 16 congressional seat. Rooney didn’t comment on Craft’s announcement, with a spokesman saying the congressman is too busy with his job to focus on 2010 politics.
National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Andy Sere and Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff, however, served up some harsh commentary.
Read their statements after the jump…..
Here’s Republican Sere’s take on the Craft candidacy:
“This is a joke, right? Chris Craft is a job-killing army of one. Under his leadership, St. Lucie County has seen its unemployment rate skyrocket from 5.6 percent to 14.1 percent and has declared a state of economic emergency. And no wonder – Craft has a love affair with high taxes, reckless spending and failed ‘stimulus’ plans that would make D.C. Democrats blush. With a record like that, Craft’s self-doubt as a congressional candidate isn’t at all surprising.”
Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff said this:
“In Congress, Tom Rooney has proven that he is nothing more than a rubber stamp for the extreme right wing, just saying no to any effort to jumpstart Florida’s economy, saying no to ensuring Florida’s children have access to quality affordable healthcare, and saying no keeping our nation’s promise to veterans. The people of Florida’s 16th District expect independent leadership from their member of Congress, which is why they are going to send Rooney into retirement in 2010.”
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August 6th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Eric Jerkoff, I mean Jotkoff, is a moron.
August 6th, 2009 at 8:34 am
CHRIS CRAFT JUST WANTS A FREE RIDE ON HIS FELLOW SOCIALIST DEMOCRATS CONTROLLED, TAYPAYER FUNDED AIRLINES.
House Buys $200M Jets for Lawmaker Travel
Wednesday, August 5, 2009 11:48 AM
By: Jim Meyers
The House has approved nearly $200 million for the Air Force to buy three elite jets for transporting members of Congress and other top government officials.
The Air Force had requested one Gulfstream 550 jet, which cost about $65 million. But the House Appropriations Committee added another $132 million to the 2010 Defense appropriations bill for two more jets, and “specified that they be assigned to the D.C.-area units that carry Members of Congress, military brass and top government officials,” Roll Call reported.
It was just last year that lawmakers sharply criticized the CEOs of the Big Three automakers for traveling to Washington by private jet for a hearing about a bailout of their companies.
The Gulfstream 550 is capable of flying long distances without refueling. The company’s promotional materials say: “The cabin aboard the G550 combines productivity with exceptional comfort. It features up to four distinct living areas, three temperature zones, a choice of 12 floor plan configurations with seating for up to 18 passengers.”
Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, told Roll Call that if Congress wants to buy new jets for the comfort of top government officials, “I think that all needs to be justified on the merits . . . Certainly, lawmakers can fly — and many do — coach and business class
August 6th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Socialists call themselves Progressives and Craft os one of them. Craft is a Cap and Trade Tax job killing socialist democrat who wants us all to call the government for our healthcare. Just like he fellow socialist he will exempt himself and fellow democrats in congress from the government so called healthcare he wants for all of us.
August 6th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Congressman Rooney is something to be proud of as our Representative in Congress.Congressman Rooney is something this Country can be proud of.Mr Rooney clearly can be called Honorable.Representative Rooney Thank you for returning the 16 th C.D. back into a respectable Dist.Your strong support of the Veterans and faith based Family values issues makes me believe there is hope for this great nation of ours.I am proud to call you my Representative in the 16 th.C.D.of Florida.Thank you again. A Constituent