Manchin-Obama Policies Have Failed West Virginia…

According to recently released annual data from the Census Bureau, the median household income adjusted for inflation has dropped to its lowest level since 1995. The report highlights the weak economic recovery our nation has gone through and the ineffectiveness of the economic policies Senator Joe Manchin and President Barack Obama have implemented.

The Financial Times reports:

“The median income of American households dropped to its lowest level since 1995 last year, extending its decline during President Barack Obama’s tenure and highlighting the depthof the damage to the middle class inflicted by the recession and weak recovery.”

According to the Census Bureau report, median income adjusted for inflation fell to $50,054 in 2011, 4.1 per cent lower than when Joe Manchin endorsed Barack Obama took office in 2009.

The Financial Times outlined that the Manchin-Obama years in Washington have been “marked by high unemployment and weak job creation”:

“The release of the dire median figures also offers the latest reminder of the sluggishness of the recovery, marked by high unemployment and weak job creation…”

Things are even worse in Joe Manchin’s West Virginia, where the average median income is just $38,380.

“Today’s report confirms that the Manchin-Obama policies have failed West Virginia families,” said Raese for Senate campaign spokesman Josh Sowards. “While this may be the best Joe Manchin and Barack Obama can do, it’s not the best America and West Virginia can do. We need a new senator and a new president so we can finally deliver a new result for West Virginians.”

Source:  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ed14fc70-fc51-11e1-aef9-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz26MbWgXWE

BACKGROUND

The Manchin-Obama Economic Policies Have Failed:

Obamacare:

In February 2011, Manchin Voted Against Repeal Of The Health Care Law.“McConnell, R-Ky., motion to waive the Budget Act and budget resolutions with respect to the Conrad, D-N.D., point of order against the McConnell amendment no. 13 that would repeal the 2010 health care overhaul law, which requires most individuals to buy health insurance by 2014, makes changes to government health care programs and sets new requirements for health insurers. The amendment would restore the provisions of law amended or repealed by the health care overhaul, and repeal certain provisions of the health care reconciliation law.” (S. 223, CQ Vote #9: Motion rejected 47-51: R 47-0; D 0-50; I 0-1, 2/2/11, Manchin Voted Nay)
Charleston Daily Mail: “This Is Bad Law. It’s A Gigantic New Entitlement Program – Hardly What A Country That Can’t Afford Existing Programs Needed. … Yet Democrats Doubled Down On This Arrogant, Over-Reaching Piece Of Legislation – And Manchin With Them. In His First Major Vote, Manchin Sided With Washington Instead Of West Virginia. Voters Will Consider Such Things When He Stands For Re-Election Next Year.” (Editorial, “Sen. Manchin Is ‘Washington Joe,’” Charleston Daily Mail, 2/4/11)

President Obama’s “Jobs Bill”

Manchin Voted For President Obama’s $447 Billion “Jobs Bill.” (S. 1660, CQ Vote #160: Motion rejected 50-49: R 0-46; D 48-3; I 2-0, 10/11/11, Manchin Voted Yea)

The Congressional Budget Office Said The Senate Version Of President Obama’s Jobs Bill Would Cost $447 Billion Over The Next Decade, But Would Be Offset With $453 Billion In New Taxes. “CBO estimates that enacting Senator Reid’s alternative bill would increase the budget deficit by $285 billion in 2012 and decrease deficits by $6 billion over the 2012-2021 period. That estimated deficit reduction of $6 billion over the coming decade is the net effect of $447 billion in additional spending and tax cuts and $453 billion in additional tax revenue from the offset specified in the bill.” (Congressional Budget Office Website, “Estimated Budgetary Impact Of Two Versions Of The American Jobs Act,”www.cboblog.cbo.gov, Accessed 11/18/11)

Other Democrats Opposed The Bill Because It Was Too Expensive, And Raised Taxes

Senators Jon Tester And Ben Nelson Opposed Obama’s $447 Billion “Jobs Bill.” (S. 1660, CQ Vote #160: Motion rejected 50-49: R 0-46; D 48-3; I 2-0, 10/11/11, Nelson and Tester Voted Nay)

Democratic Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson Said He Opposed President Obama’s Jobs Bill Because “It Represents Billions Of Dollars In New Spending And More Taxes.” Nelson: “At a time when Americans want Washington to get its fiscal house in order, I can’t support this bill because it represents billions of dollars in new spending and more taxes.” (Senator Ben Nelson, “Nelson Opposes More Spending And More Taxes,” Press Release, 10/11/11)

• NELSON: “But At This Time I Simply Can’t Support Raising Taxes So Washington Can Spend More.” (Senator Ben Nelson, “Nelson Opposes More Spending And More Taxes,” Press Release, 10/11/11)

Democratic Montana Senator Jon Tester Called The Bill “An Expensive, Temporary Fix To A Problem That Needs A Big, Long-Term Solution.” “Mr. Tester, explaining why he voted against the bill, called it an ‘an expensive, temporary fix to a problem that needs a big, long-term solution.’” (Robert Pear, “President’s Jobs Measure Is Defeated In Key Test In The Senate,” The New York Times, 10/12/11)

• Tester Said He Couldn’t Support “Tax Gimmicks That Do Little To Create Jobs.” “‘We should not be sending billions of dollars in bailout aid to states,’’ Mr. Tester said. ‘‘And I can’t support tax gimmicks that do little to create jobs.’” (Robert Pear, “President’s Jobs Measure Is Defeated In Key Test In The Senate,” The New York Times, 10/12/11)

Manchin Voted For $50 Billion On Spending For Transportation And Infrastructure

Manchin Voted For A Bill That Would Have Provided $50 Billion For Spending On Transportation And Infrastructure, And $10 Billion For The Establishment Of A National Infrastructure Bank. “Reid, D-Nev., motion to proceed to the bill that would provide $50 billion for spending on transportation and infrastructure systems, plus $10 billion for the establishment of a national infrastructure bank. It would be offset with a 0.7 percent surtax on individuals with annual incomes exceeding $1 million.” (S. 1769, CQ Vote #195: Motion rejected 51-49: R 0-47; D 50-1; I 1-1, 11/3/11, Manchin Voted Yea)

Manchin Said The Bill “Fixes Our Crumbling Roads And Bridges,” And Created Much Needed American Jobs.” MANCHIN: “This issue is bipartisan because building infrastructure is bipartisan. It solves two problems. It fixes our crumbling roads and bridges, and it creates much needed American jobs. Of all the people in my State applying for unemployment–and it might be true in most every State–construction workers are the biggest group of unemployed people today, with the most skill sets in America. Almost 20 percent of the unemployment is in the construction trades. That is unacceptable in this great country when we have repairs being needed everywhere.” (Senator Joe Manchin, Congressional Record, 11/3/11, p. S7106)

Democratic Senator Ben Nelson Said The Bill Raises Taxes For Billions In New Spending

Democratic Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson Said The Bill “Goes In The Wrong Direction Because It Raises Taxes For Billions Of Dollars In New Spending.”“‘While I agree infrastructure is a priority, the most important step Congress can take to create jobs is to get Washington’s fiscal house in order. Given that, the Rebuild America bill goes in the wrong direction because it raises taxes for billions of dollars in new spending,’ said Senator Nelson.” (Senator Ben Nelson, “Nelson Statement On Spending Plan,” Press Release, 11/3/11)

• Nelson Voted Against The Legislation. (S. 1769, CQ Vote #195: Motion rejected 51-49: R 0-47; D 50-1; I 1-1, 11/3/11, Nelson Voted Nay)

Stimulus:

Before The Inauguration, Manchin Said Obama’s Plan For A Stimulus Package Would Jumpstart The Economy

In December 2008, Manchin Said Obama’s Plan For An Economic Stimulus Package With Funding For Infrastructure Projects Would Jumpstart The U.S. Economy Immediately By Creating Jobs And Demand For Construction Materials. “After meetings with President-elect Barack Obama on Monday and Tuesday, Gov. Joe Manchin said he is convinced Obama will move quickly on economic stimulus packages for the states. Manchin said federal funding for highway construction and other infrastructure projects would jump-start the U.S. economy by immediately creating jobs and demand for construction materials. ‘With infrastructure projects, these jobs are ready to go tomorrow,’ Manchin said Tuesday afternoon, after Obama met with the Democratic Governors Association Monday evening and the National Governors Association Tuesday morning in Philadelphia.” (Phil Kabler, “Obama Will Help, Manchin Says,” The Charleston [WV] Gazette, 12/3/08)

• “Manchin Said, ‘He’s [Obama’s] Not Just Throwing Money At This (Recession). He Wants To Make Sure There Are Investments And Value.’” (George Hohmann, “Manchin Says Obama Here To Help,”Charleston [WV] Daily Mail, 12/3/08)

• Manchin: Obama’s “Taken The Approach Of Investing Back Into America, State By State. There are no giveaway programs. We’ve been doing this around the world for other nations. It’s about time we started doing this for America.’” (George Hohmann, “Manchin Says Obama Here To Help,”Charleston [WV] Daily Mail, 12/3/08)

By Early 2010, Manchin Claimed The Stimulus Had Provided A “Shot In The Arm” To WV And Would Make A Different In The Job Market

In January 2010, “Manchin Said Federal Stimulus Money Had Provided A ‘Much-Needed Shot In The Arm’ To West Virginia, But The Funds Won’t Address All Of The State’s Challenges.” (Eric Eyre, “Manchin Calls For Lower Business Taxes, More Construction,” The Charleston [WV] Gazette, 1/14/10)

In February 2010, Manchin Said The Stimulus Would “Make A Big Difference In The Job Market.” Q “Looking back at the success of the stimulus package, there seems to be a sense that a lot of states are making hard decisions and maybe it wasn’t such a great thing after all. Do you share that assessment? Do you think it’s fair?” . . . Gov. Manchin: “There’s an awful lot of that money that is coming out now going towards infrastructure — projects, state by state, I think it will make a big difference in the job market.” (Press Conference With Governor Joe Manchin (D-WV) et al, 2/22/10)

But WV’s Unemployment Increased By 2.8 Percentage Points Since The Stimulus Became Law, Reaching A Level Manchin Previously Called “Horrible” And Predicted WV Would Not Reach

February 2009: “Manchin Called 8 Percent ‘A Horrible Rate’ And Said He Doesn’t Expect The State To Reach That Level, but he pointed to the pending closure of Century Aluminum’s Ravenswood plant as evidence of the global downturn’s local effect.” (Alison Knezevich, “Manchin Working On Tax Relief, Health Care,” The Charleston [WV] Gazette, 2/6/09)

• West Virginia’s Unemployment Rate Was 6.3% When The Stimulus Was Passed Into Law In February 2009. (U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 5/16/11)

In September 2011, West Virginia’s Unemployment Rate Was 8.2%. (U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics Website, ww.bls.gov, Accessed 11/16/11)

In July 2012, West Virginia’s Unemployment Rate Was 7.4%. (U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics Website, ww.bls.gov, Accessed 11/16/11)

In January 2005, When Manchin Was Sworn In, The Unemployment Rate Was 4.9%. (U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics Website, ww.bls.gov, Accessed 5/16/11)

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Today, Republican senate candidate John Raese announced an addition to his campaign staff.  Mrs. Donna Gosney will serve as the Raese for Senate Campaign Chairman.

“I am thrilled that Donna has agreed to chair my campaign.  She brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our organization that will help lead us to victory in November,” John Raese said. “She is a true West Virginian who has dedicated much of her life to promoting conservative values and making our state a better place to live. The campaign is very lucky to have her.”

Born and raised in Boone and Logan counties, Donna has actively served on many statewide and local campaigns.  She served as West Virginia’s National Committeewoman for eight years, on the Standing Rules Committee for four years, on the Permanent Rules Committee at the RNC for the last two years, and has attended a total of four National Conventions.

Donna has served as the Executive Director of the State Executive Committee and is a long serving member of the WV GOP Executive Committee representing the 7th Senatorial District in Boone County.

She served as the co-chairman for the Romney for President Campaign (2008 and 2012) and has served in two Bush campaigns.

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MORGANTOWN, WV – On Monday, President Obama held a press conference where he called for a temporary extension of the Bush tax cuts for those making less than $250,000 a year. West Virginia’s junior Senator, Joe Manchin, said nothing in response.

Today, the House is set to vote on full repeal of Obamacare and Gutless Joe again refuses to say anything on the subject. From The Weekly Standard:

“Manchin refused to answer a question about his position on repealing part or all of Obamacare this afternoon outside the Senate chamber. Asked by THE WEEKLY STANDARD if he supported repealing any part of the 2010 health care law, Manchin then stepped into an elevator with retiring Democrat Ben Nelson of Nebraska, who laughed as the elevator doors closed.

Soon after the Supreme Court ruling in June that upheld most of the health care law, Manchin released a statement calling for Congress to take ‘additional action to repair the law, fixing what is wrong…and saving what is right.’”

The article went on to say:

“Manchin was also unresponsive when asked by TWS if he supported the president’s proposal to raise taxes on those making over $250,000 a year.”

How long will Joe Manchin refuse to tell West Virginians where he stands on the most pressing issues of our time? If history is our guide, it won’t be anytime soon.

“West Virginia small businesses deserve certainty in their tax code. As their senator, I will fight for the permanent extension of all the Bush tax cuts, period,” Republican senate candidate John Raese said. “Joe Manchin has made a career out of saying one thing in West Virginia and doing another in Washington. West Virginia deserves real leadership. West Virgnia deserves better than Joe Manchin.”

West Virginia Joe Vs. Washington Joe: Manchin loves to say one thing in West Virginia, then do another in Washington

Manchin On Obamacare

During His Campaign For Senate, West Virginia Claimed He Would Not Have Voted For The Health Care Bill…

June 2010: “As For Health Care Reform, ‘I’m Not Sure They Got This Bill Right’ But Action Was Required, Manchin Said. ‘We’ve Got To Monitor It And Make Sure It Works.’” (George Hohmann, “Thomas Celebrates Pavilion Opening,” The Charleston [WV] Daily Mail, 6/10/10)

September 18, 2010, Manchin: “I Wouldn’t Have Voted For The Final Version Of That Thing With The Way That It Came Out.” (Alison Knezevich, “Manchin Health Record Mixed,” Charleston [WV] Gazette, 9/18/10)

September 26, 2010, Manchin Says He Supports “Repealing The Things That Are Bad In That Bill.” “Pressed on his support for repeal, Manchin clarified that he favored ‘repealing the things that are bad in that bill.’”  (Erin McPike and Scott Conroy, “Manchin Calls For Partial Repeal Of Health Reform,” Real Clear Politics, 9/27/10)

But Washignton Joe Voted For Obamacare Numerous Times…

Manchin Voted Against Repealing The Health Care Law

In February 2011, Manchin Voted Against Repeal Of The Health Care Law. “McConnell, R-Ky., motion to waive the Budget Act and budget resolutions with respect to the Conrad, D-N.D., point of order against the McConnell amendment no. 13 that would repeal the 2010 health care overhaul law, which requires most individuals to buy health insurance by 2014, makes changes to government health care programs and sets new requirements for health insurers. The amendment would restore the provisions of law amended or repealed by the health care overhaul, and repeal certain provisions of the healthcare reconciliation law.” (S. 223, CQ Vote #9: Motion rejected 47-51: R 47-0; D 0-50; I 0-1, 2/2/11, Manchin Voted Nay)

Manchin Voted Against Defunding The Health Care Law

In April 2011, Manchin Voted Against A Resolution That Would Have Defunded The Health Care Law. “Adoption of the concurrent resolution that would direct the House clerk to make a correction in the enrollment of a bill (HR 1473) to provide $1.055 trillion in discretionary funding for fiscal 2011, and insert a section that would bar the use of funds made available in the bill to carry out the provisions of the 2010 health care overhaul law.” (H. Con. Res. 35, CQ Vote #59: Rejected 47-53: R 47-0; D 0-51; I 0-2, 4/14/11, Manchin Voted Nay)

Manchin On The Bush Tax Cuts

In 2010, Joe Manchin Promised West Virginians He “Wouldn’t Raise Any Taxes”

Manchin: “I Wouldn’t Raise Any Taxes.” (Trish Turner, “Another Democrat Says Extend All Bush Tax Cuts,” FoxNews.com, 09/15/10)

Manchin Said He Wouldn’t “Mess With Or Increase” Taxes During A Time Of Turmoil. “Manchin, however, said he wouldn’t ‘mess with or increase’ taxes during a time of turmoil and touted his own ability to cut taxes by $235 million since he took office. ‘We have a proven record that it works,’ he said.” (Vicki Smith, “Raese, Manchin Clash On Earmarks, Health Care,” The Associated Press, 10/19/10)

Manchin Said The Tax Cuts Should Be Extended For All Americans, Regardless Of Income. “Gov. Joe Manchin agrees with congressional Republicans and some Democrats who want to keep Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. In an indication that he would break with President Obama’s agenda on a key issue, the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate on Wednesday said he believes the tax breaks should be extended for all Americans, regardless of income – at least until the country gets its ‘financial house in order.’ ‘I think there’s so much waste,’ Manchin said in a phone interview. ‘I think there’s so much bloated growth.’” (Alison Knezevich, “Manchin Supports Extending Bush-Era Tax Cuts For Wealthy,” Charleston Gazette, 9/16/10)

But, Just Two Short Months Later, Manchin Voted Not To Fully Extend The Republican Tax Cuts

In 2010, Manchin Voted For Cloture On A Bill That Would Have Let The Republican Tax Cuts Expire On Incomes Over $1 Million. “Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment with a further Schumer, D-N.Y., substitute amendment no. 4728 that would generally make permanent the 2001- and 2003-enacted tax cuts on income up to $1 million. The extensions would include current lower tax rates for capital gains and dividends, elimination of the ‘marriage penalty’ and an expansion of the increased child tax credit. It also would extend unemployment insurance benefits for one year.” (H.R. 4853, CQ Vote #259: Motion rejected 53-37: R 0-32; D 52-4; I 1-1, 12/4/10, Manchin Voted Yea)

Manchin Opposed A Bill Permanently Extending The Tax Cuts, And Repealing The Estate Tax

Manchin Voted Against A Bill That Would Have Permanently Extended The Republican Tax Cuts For All Income Levels, And Permanently Repealed The Estate Tax. “DeMint, R-S.C., motion to suspend Rule 22 to permit the consideration of a DeMint substitute amendment no. 4804 that would permanently extend 2001 and 2003 tax rates for all income levels. It also would provide for the permanent higher exemptions from the alternative minimum tax and permanent repeal of the estate tax.” (H.R. 4853, CQ Vote #274: Motion rejected 37-63: R 36-6; D 1-55; I 0-2, 12/15/10, Manchin Voted Nay)

Manchin Eventually Caved And Voted For The Tax Cut Compromise

Manchin Voted For The Compromise Package That Extended All Of The Bush Tax Cuts For Two Years. “Reid, D-Nev., motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment with a further Reid and McConnell, R-Ky., substitute amendment no. 4753 that would extend the 2001- and 2003-enacted tax cuts for all taxpayers for two years, as well as revive the lapsed estate tax at a 35 percent rate on estates worth more than $5 million. It also would continue expended unemployment insurance benefits for 13 months.” (H.R. 4853, CQ Vote #276: Motion agreed to 81-19: R 37-5; D 43-13; I 1-1, 12/15/10, Manchin Voted Yea)

MORGANTOWN, WV – Today, West Virginians are beginning to see the devastating effect the Obama-Manchin Administration is having on West Virginia’s economy.

Patriot Coal, and nearly 100 of its affiliates, filed for bankruptcy yesterday due to the Obama-Manchin war on coal. President Obama and his out-of-control EPA have done everything in their power to put coal out of business and Joe Manchin has idly stood by while they have done it. Today, because of Joe Manchin’s ineffective leadership and President Obama’s devastating regulations, it is virtually impossible to build a coal-fired power plant.

And this is just the beginning.

Patriot Coal is just the latest example of the Obama-Manchin vision for a future without coal. Recently, numerous coal-burning power plants have announced their closure and over 500 coal jobs have been lost from Arch Coal, Alpha Natural Resources, and Consol Energy. On top of all this bad news for the West Virginia coal industry, coal stocks are hovering at record lows.

Senator Joe Manchin may talk a good game, but his words don’t translate into action. When push comes to shove, Manchin has been AWOL in the fight to save coal and stand up for West Virginia. He claims to be a supporter of coal, yet as governor, he supported job-killing regulations on our coal industry. Manchin, one of Obama’s biggest supporters in 2008, passed cap-and-trade here in West Virginia, regulating electric utilities by decreasing coal consumption. Because of Joe Manchin, West Virginia power plants will burn 25% less coal by 2025.

Thanks to Manchin, President Obama is making good on his promise to bankrupt the coal industry. Joe is a very likeable guy, but it is important to watch what he does, not what he says.

In order to yield new results in West Virginia, we must have new leadership. Joe Manchin is simply ineffective, another empty suit politician who has failed our state. West Virginians need a strong pro-coal, pro-jobs voice for them in Washington; someone that will bring coal energy back to West Virginia.

Lisa Jackson, Cecil Roberts, Barack Obama, and Joe Manchin are the gang of 4, the end of coal.

New President. New Senator. New Result.

Background

Manchin Passed Cap and Trade in West Virginia. (Kallie Cart, “Manchin vs. Raese On The Coal Controversy,” WSAZ, 9/14/10)

MANCHIN: “They’re Going To Have To Pay For The Carbons, Whether Cap And Trade Or Whether It’s In A Carbon Tax.” (CNBC, 11/3/08)

“Despite Some Of The Attacks On Obama As An Anti-Coal Liberal, Manchin Said He’s Confident That West Virginians Will Benefit From An Obama Presidency. ‘I Feel Very Comfortable Working With Him,’ Manchin Said. ‘I Talked To My Colleagues, Governors Around The State That Have Coal. We’re Going To Form A Coal Coalition And Work With Him. He’s Been Very Receptive.’” (Jake Stump, “Manchin Pledges To Keep Building Economy,” The Charleston [WV] Daily Mail, 11/5/08)

MORGANTOWN, WV – Today, Republican senate candidate John Raese released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the individual mandate:

After today’s Supreme Court decision, the stakes for November’s election could not be any higher. Whoever West Virginians elect to the United States Senate will hold the fate of our nation in their hands. With the High Court’s decision today, a Congressional repeal is the only way we will fulfill the will of the people and overturn Obamacare.

Obamacare is nearly a $3 trillion boondoggle that infringes on every American’s right to liberty, forces millions of Americans off their private insurance and into government programs, and steals $500 billion from Medicare. Obamacare will worsen our economy, expand the size of our government further, and will be nothing but a failure.

The choice for West Virginians could not be more distinct. I have always been a consistent, vocal opponent of Obamacare while Joe Manchin was one of its first and foremost cheerleaders as he voted for it last year. I plan to repeal it, Joe Manchin will not. West Virginians cannot afford this massive, budget-busting bill, and it is time we had someone in Washington who represented the will of the people instead of his own political interests. Without a change in leadership, we may never see the reforms we need. It is time for a new President and a new senator from West Virginia.

In February 2011, Manchin Voted Against Repeal Of The Health Care Law. (S. 223, CQ Vote #9: Motion rejected 47-51: R 47-0; D 0-50; I 0-1, 2/2/11, Manchin Voted Nay)