RNC Talking Points: President Obama’s New Health Care Taxes Will Burden Americans and Threaten Our Economy September 28, 2009 ·         President Obama and Congressional Democrats will pay for their government-run health care experiment with new taxes on families, small business owners, charitable giving…even middle-class families who can least afford it. ·         These new health care taxes are not “minor details,” as President Obama describes them. Raising new health care taxes is not the reform Americans want – it will only hurt the economy and cost more jobs. President Obama would tax Americans’ current health benefits, increase state taxes – even impose a “Wheelchair Tax” that would make medical products more costly and stop health innovations in their tracks. ·         The Senate Democrats’ bill would tax health insurance policies of Americans valued at more than $8,000 for individuals and $21,000 for families. ·         The Senate Democrats’ bill would force states to pick up new Medicaid costs – that would force states already struggling to balance their budgets to raise taxes. Democrat and Republican governors alike oppose this huge unfunded mandate. ·         The Senate Democrats’ bill would tax medical devices from wheelchairs and hearing aids to X-ray, MRI and CAT scan machines, making these products and services more expensive and forcing medical technology companies to stop developing the newest innovative medical breakthroughs. President Obama would increase taxes on small businesses and cause the economy to shed more jobs. ·         Small businesses create the majority of jobs in America, but the House Democrats’ government-run health care plan would impose a $550 billion tax hike on small businesses earning at least $350,000 a year, forcing them to pay higher tax rates than Fortune 500 companies and making it harder for them to create jobs. ·         Even those small businesses that already can’t afford to offer health coverage to their workers would be penalized with an additional eight percent payroll tax under both the Senate and House Democrats’ bills. President Obama would increase taxes on contributions to charities that help Americans access health care. ·         President Obama’s has proposed to limit the income tax deduction for charitable contributions would mean less money for charities, faith-based hospitals, and other non-profit organizations that provide assistance to low-income Americans who need the most help paying for health care. President Obama would even increase taxes on low-income Americans who can least afford it in order to pay for his government-run health care plan. ·         The Senate Democrats’ Bill would impose a fine of up to $3,800 a year on Americans who don’t have health coverage. The House Democrats’ bill would impose a 2.5 percent income tax on Americans who don’t have health coverage.  Paid for by the Republican National Committee. 310 First Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003 -  (202) 863-8500- www.gop.com Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              CONTACT: Press Office October 5, 2009                                                                                                     202-863-8614      RNC RELEASES RADIO ACTUALITY  BY DR. TOM PRICE (R-GA) ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S MEETING WITH “DOCTORS FOR AMERICA”   WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee (RNC) released the following radio actuality by Dr. Tom Price (R-GA) regarding President Obama’s White House meeting with “Doctors for America.”  Radio stations and websites wishing to use the audio for broadcast can find it attached.  Transcript of audio recording is below:   “Hello, I’m Congressman Tom Price representing the Sixth District of Georgia. Before coming to Congress, I was a physician, practicing orthopedic surgery for more than two decades.   “Today, the President wants you to believe that the medical community supports his government takeover of health care. Don’t be fooled.   “As a doctor, I can tell you that I have spoken to thousands of my colleagues across this nation who reject the President’s plan.   “In fact, the President is doubling down on the same government meddling that is driving so many doctors out of medicine. Rather than restoring the doctor-patient relationship, the President seeks to hand even more control to Washington.   “My patients used to bristle over the notion that Washington had to be consulted when prescribing treatments. And now, the President proposes not only telling doctors what procedures are permissible, but telling you what your health care plan must look like, destroying personal, private coverage; slashing Medicare; and levying huge taxes.   “All of these things mean fewer choices and a lower quality of care for patients.   “Doctors appreciate the need for health reform, but that doesn’t mean turning the system over to Washington. If the President really wants to gain the support of doctors, he should worry less about photo-ops and more about preserving the doctor-patient relationship.   “I’m Tom Price, thank you so much.”   ###   Paid for by the Republican National Committee. 310 First Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003 - (202) 863-8500 - www.gop.com Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee   EMBARGOED UNTIL: 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2009                               CONTACT: Press Office 202-863-8614     ***MEDIA ADVISORY***   CONGRESSMAN TOM PRICE (R-GA) DELIVERS WEEKLY REPUBLICAN ADDRESS   WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) released the following weekly Republican address.  The address is available in both audio and video format and is embargoed until 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, August 22, 2009.   NOTE: The address is embargoed until 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2009.   Audio of the address is available here.   Video of the address is available here.   TRANSCRIPT:   “Hello, I’m Congressman Tom Price.  And I have the privilege of representing the Sixth District of Georgia.  Before coming to Congress I was a physician, taking care of patients on the north side of Atlanta for more than twenty years.   “Right now, Americans from coast to coast are debating the monumental task of reforming our health system.  Folks of every political persuasion understand the imperative of reform.  But they want reform that keeps what’s good with our current system – and fixes what’s not working – without destroying our quality of care.   “The status quo in American health care is clearly unacceptable.  Rising costs, shrinking access, and third-party decision making are driving patients away from their doctors and the desired care that they seek.  The challenge, however, is providing Americans more accessible and affordable care without impairing the quality, innovation, and choices that define American medicine.  And this is simply impossible with the one-size-fits-all approach taken by the President and Democrats in charge of Congress.   “Experience tells me that as a doctor, no two patients are exactly alike.  While the same diagnosis can be reached for two people, the proper treatment for each may be completely different, based on a countless number of factors that only a patient, their family, and a caring and compassionate physician truly understand.  Having navigated federal health care programs for two decades, I can tell you that Washington is incapable of processing the personal and unique circumstances that patients and doctors face each and every day.  That is why a positive solution will put power in the hands of patients, not insurance companies or the government.   “Unfortunately, the plan being promoted by the White House would give Washington the power to make highly personal medical decisions on behalf of patients – on behalf of you.  Now whether it’s the government choosing what should be in your family’s health care plan, or a bureaucratic board deciding what treatments are appropriate and who should receive them, the President’s plan is a 1,000-page expression supporting the notion that Washington knows best when it comes to your family’s health care.  And that’s simply not true.   “As opposition to the Democrats’ government-run health plan is mounting, the President has said he’d like to stamp out some of the disinformation floating around out there.  The problem is the President, himself, plays fast and loose with the facts.  So as someone who’s taken care of patients, I’d like to take a moment to clear up a couple of the President’s worst offenses.   “On the stump, the President regularly tells Americans that ‘if you like your plan, you can keep your plan.’  But if you read the bill, that just isn’t so.  For starters, within five years, every health care plan will have to meet a new federal definition for coverage – one that your current plan might not match, even if you like it.   “What’s more, experts agree that under the House bill, millions of Americans will be forced off their personal, private coverage and shuffled onto the government plan.   “Now the President has also said that he thinks the government should compete with your current health care plan.  But we all know that when the government is setting the rules and is backed by tax dollars, it will destroy – not compete with – the private sector.  The reality is, whether or not you get to keep your plan, or your doctor, is very much in question under the President’s proposal.   “But perhaps the most striking misinformation the President has put forth is that there are only two options out there for America – that it’s his way or the highway.  That it’s either the government running the show – or insurance companies.  The truth is there is a third way – a better way, a patient-centered way to reform health care.  Rather than allowing insurance companies or the government to call the shots, Republicans want to put patients in charge of their family’s health care.  We have plans to increase coverage and lower costs without putting a bureaucrat between you and your doctor.  We believe that what’s good for patients is good for American health care.   “If anything has been learned from the debate in August, it’s that the American people think that we can do better.  They seek reform, but they reject a government-centered approach.  With people on the left, and the right, and everywhere in between dissatisfied with the process, it’s time that we start over to create a truly bipartisan solution that puts patients in charge.  Honoring the transparency promised the American people, and the principles of quality care we all hold dear, we can create a patient-centered proposal that all may support.  We look forward to working with the President, and on behalf of the American people, to make patient-centered health reform a reality.   “I’m Congressman Tom Price.  Thanks so much for listening.”   ###   Paid for by the Republican National Committee. 310 First Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003 -  (202) 863-8500- www.gop.com Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              CONTACT: Press Office August 5, 2009                                                                                                 202-863-8614                          NEW RNC WEB VIDEO “IN DENIAL” ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S FIRST 200 DAYS IN OFFICE   WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee announced a new web video today on President Obama’s first 200 days in office. The web video, entitled “In Denial,” can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH8pOnxcKyA .   “President Obama has been in office now for 200 days, and the second hundred days of his administration have been worse than the first. The $787 billion stimulus experiment he rushed through Congress still isn’t creating jobs. The job-killing national energy tax he rushed through the House is threatening families and small businesses with higher energy bills.  And now he wants to rush through Congress a $1.6 trillion government-run health care experiment that will make health care more expensive, add to the deficit and cause tens of millions of Americans to lose their current health insurance and doctors. President Obama has done all of this in just 200 days – and there are still 1,260 days left in his term.  America can’t take any more of President Obama’s experiments.” – RNC Chairman Michael Steele    “IN DENIAL” SCRIPT   Time: 1:37   Voice: “The Presidency of Barack Obama.”   Chyron: BARACK OBAMA   Voice: “200 days.”   Chyron: 200 DAYS   Voice: “It started.”   Chyron: IT STARTED   Voice: “Star Studded.”   Chyron: STAR STUDDED   Voice: “High hopes.”   Voice: “All smiles.”   Voice: “Photo ops and reassurances.”   Chyron: PHOTO OPS AND REASSURANCES   Voice: “Even an official White House photo for the first pup.”   Voice: “With an economy at a crossroads, his experiment started.”   Chyron: EXPERIMENT STARTED   Voice: “Government takeover after takeover.”   Chyron: GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER AFTER TAKEOVER   Voice: “A $787 billion dollar stimulus package.”   Chyron: A $787 BILLION STIMULUS PACKAGE   Voice: “Uncontrolled Government spending. Unprecedented deficits.”   Chyron: UNCONTROLLED GOVERNMENT SPENDING   Voice: “He promised to create or save millions of jobs.”   Voice: “But unemployment is up, month after month.”   Chyron: FEBRUARY 8.1% MARCH 8.5% APRIL 8.9% MAY 9.4% JUNE 9.5%   Chyron: SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR   Voice: “2.5 million jobs lost.”   Chyron: 2.5 MILLION JOBS LOST   Voice: “Press conference, after press conference.”   Voice: “The TV ratings decline.”   Voice: “His approval ratings decline.”   Voice: “Desperate photo-ops.”   Voice: “A White House in denial.”   Voice: “Saying, ‘We Rescued the Economy.’”   Chyron: “WE RESCUED THE ECONOMY” WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF RAHM EMMANUEL NY TIMES 7-22-09   Voice: “Now we face his most dangerous experiment of all.”   Chyron: HIS MOST DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT OF ALL   Voice: “Government takeover of health care.”   Chyron: GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTHCARE   Voice: “An experiment that will cost over one trillion dollars, threaten your private insurance and cost taxpayers hundreds of billions in new taxes.”   Voice: “The presidency of Barack Obama.”   Voice: “A failed experiment in just 200 days.”   Chyron:  A FAILED EXPERIMENT IN JUST 200 DAYS   Voice: “Go to BarackObamaExperiment.com to learn how you can tell President Obama and Congressional Democrats to stop their risky experiments on America.”   Chyron: BARACKOBAMAEXPERIMENT.COM   Onscreen Disclaimer: PAID FOR BY THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE. NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE. WWW.GOP.COM   ###   Paid for by the Republican National Committee. 310 First Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003 - (202) 863-8500 - www.gop.com Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. August 5, 2009 Talking Points: Responding to the Democrats Recess Rhetoric Republicans want health care reform that will lower costs, expand access and give families the freedom to choose the health care that fits their needs. But President Obama’s idea of reform is a government-run health care experiment that will increase costs, raise taxes on small businesses, increase the deficit, and cause many Americans to lose their current insurance and doctors. As Congressional Democrats return to their districts to “sell” the American people on their plan for a government takeover of the health care system, Republicans will continue to reveal the truth behind the Democrats’ dangerous health care experiment.   President Obama and Democrats in Congress are clearly on defense in August – their government-run health care experiment is wildly unpopular and Members of Congress have already heard an earful from their constituents. Examples of voter anxiety have already been captured on video and distributed widely on the Internet, and more examples will surely be forthcoming as Members continue to face voters in their districts.   Yesterday,  White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs suggested that protests against President Obama's health care experiment were the product of "manufactured anger." The DNC then issued a press release accusing Republicans of “inciting angry mobs of a small number of rabid right wing extremists” to “disrupt thoughtful discussions about the future of health care in America taking place in Congressional Districts across the country. This morning the DNC released a web video making the same charge and accusing the “right wing conservative base” of trying to destroy the presidency. The ad concludes by asking people to call the RNC and tell us that that they have had enough of the mob.   The fact is voter anger about the Democrats’ government-run health care experiment is real and can be found in every community. Opposition to the president’s and Congressional Democrats’ government-run health care plan is of their own making – the more Americans learn the consequences, the more they oppose it.   Here are a few points to remember:   ·         The Democrats are once again dismissing voter anxiety about the economy and Americans’ fears about Obama’s health care experiment. They refuse to accept that Americans oppose their government-run health care experiment that the president wants to rush through Congress before more Americans learn the consequences. ·         What the White House dismisses as “Astroturf” and “manufactured anger” are real Americans who have concerns about the Democrats’ plan to impose a government-run health care experiment on America that would increase health care costs, raise taxes on small businesses, increase the deficit, and cause many Americans to lose their current insurance and doctors. ·         Again, opposition to the president’s and Congressional Democrats’ government-run health care plan is of their own making – the more Americans learn the consequences, the more they oppose it. ·         The fact is Americans don’t like what they are seeing from the president or Congressional Democrats. Consider the evidence: o   Rasmussen Poll: Overall, 50% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Forty-eight percent (48%) now disapprove. Thirty-seven percent (37%) strongly disapprove while 30% strongly approve. (Daily Presidential Tracking Poll, Rasmussen Reports, 8/4/09) o   Gallup Poll: 63 Percent Say Obama's Plan Will Worsen Or Not Change Medical Care For Them Personally, 26 Percent Say Plan Will Improve It. (Frank Newport, "Benefits of Healthcare Reform a Tough Sell for Americans," Gallup, 7/29/09) o   National Public Radio Poll: 47 Percent Oppose Obama's Plan, 42 Percent Support It. "When asked about the plan now moving through Congress, a plurality of 47 percent was opposed and 42 percent said they were in favor, based on what they had heard about the plan so far." (Mara Liasson, "NPR Poll Finds Tough Sledding For Obama," NPR, 7/29/09) o   Similar Results From Pew Research Center: 44 Percent Oppose Obama's Plan, 38 Percent Support It. "By a 44% to 38% margin, more Americans generally oppose than favor the health care proposals now before Congress. Opposition rises to 56% among people who say they have heard a lot about legislation to overhaul the health care system." ("Obama's Rating Slide Across The Board," Pew Research Center, 7/30/09) o   New York Times/CBS News Poll: 66 Percent Fear Losing Their Insurance. "The poll found 66 percent of respondents were concerned that they might eventually lose their insurance if the government did not create a new health care system, and 80 percent said they were concerned that the percentage of Americans without health care would continue to rise if Congress did not act." (Adam Nagourney and Megan Thee-Brenan, "New Poll Finds Growing Unease On Health Plan," The New York Times, 7/29/09) o   77 Percent Say Costs Will Increase. "But in another finding, 77 percent said they were concerned that the cost of health care would go up if the government did create such a system." (Adam Nagourney and Megan Thee-Brenan, "New Poll Finds Growing Unease On Health Plan," The New York Times, 7/29/09) o   Time Poll: 56 Percent Fear Losing Freedom To Choose Their Own Doctor, Plan Under Government-Run Health Care. "By significant margins, survey respondents said they believe the final health-reform legislation is likely to raise health-care costs in the long run (62%), make everything about health care more complicated (65%) and offer less freedom to choose doctors and coverage (56%)." (Michael Scherer, "TIME Health-Care Poll: Americans Back Reform But Worry About Details," Time, 7/29/09) o   Wall Street Journal/NBC News Poll: 42 Percent Say Obama's Plan Is "Bad Idea," 36 Percent Say It's "Good Idea." "In mid-June, respondents were evenly divided when asked whether they thought Mr. Obama's health plan was a good or bad idea. In the new poll, conducted July 24-27, 42% called it a bad idea while 36% said it was a good idea." (Laura Meckler, "Support Slips For Health Plan," The Wall Street Journal, 7/ 30/09)     August 3, 2009  -- This is a great event and would be worth your while and money to attend.  -- Linda   Southern Republican Leadership Conference   New Orleans       April 8-11 2010 Hilton New Orleans Riverside   As the largest and most prominent GOP gathering until the next National Convention, you can expect the top conservative leaders in the country to be at the 2010 Southern Republican Leadership Conference.  www.srlc2010.com   Special pricing ends August 31st! Please click here to register. Please use the code: GAGOP to receive a discount.  (This code can be used for Early Bird and Regular Pricing)   As a leader in Georgia, we would love to see you there! The Georgia Republican Party supports this event, but does not have any part in the planning.  Please contact the organizers of the Southern Republican Leadership Conference directly.        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                               CONTACT: Press Office July 14, 2009                                                                                                   202 863-8614                                                                                 RNC ANNOUNCES NEW WEB VIDEO “SOTOMAYOR: THIS IS WHERE POLICY IS MADE”   WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee released a new web video today on Judge Sonia Sotomayor.  The web video, entitled “Sotomayor: This Is Where Policy Is Made,” can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7ThU0fRfjs SCRIPT  Time: 01:31 Voice: “In the United States, we have three branches of government. The Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.” Chyron: UNITED STATES  Chyron: THE LEGISLATIVE EXECUTIVE JUDICIAL Voice: “The Supreme Court is the head of the judicial branch.”  Chyron: THE JUDICIAL BRANCH Voice: “They are supposed to interpret the laws of our land.” Chyron: INTERPRET THE LAWS OF OUR LAND Voice: “This is Sonia Sotomayor.” Chyron: SONIA SOTOMAYOR Voice:  “President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court.” Chyron: OBAMA’S NOMINEE Voice: “She may have a different view about how the courts should work.” Chyron: A DIFFERENT VIEW Voice: “She apparently thinks the judicial branch should look a lot more like the legislative branch.” Judge Sotomayor: “Court of Appeals is where policy is made.” Voice:  “Rather than interpreting the law, activist judges have used their appointments to make policy, time and time again.” Chyron: RATHER THAN INTERPRETING THE LAW ACTIVIST JUDGES MAKE POLICY TIME AND TIME AGAIN Voice: “Only to be overturned by the Supreme Court, over and over again.” Chyron: OVER AND OVER AGAIN Voice:  “An appeals court ruled the words ‘under God’ in the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional.” Chyron: UNDER GOD Chyron: UNCONSTITUTIONAL  Voice: “Overturned” Chyron: OVERTURNED Voice: “The 9th Circuit Court repealed the three strikes law.” Voice: “Overturned.” Chyron: OVERTURNED Voice: “Sure, she has experience, and a great personal story to match. But the Supreme Court has already overturned 8 of her 10 decisions to reach the Court.” Chyron: THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED 8 OF 10 DECISIONS Voice: “When it comes to understanding the constitutional duties of our three branches of government, Americans have to wonder, does she have it all wrong?”  Chyron: DOES SHE HAVE IT ALL WRONG? Judge Sotomayor: “Court of Appeals is where policy is made.”  Chyron: WHAT KIND OF JUSTICE WILL SOTOMAYOR BE?   ###   Paid for by the Republican National Committee. 310 First Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003 - (202) 863-8500 - www.gop.com Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee     July 28, 2009   RNC Accepting Applications for the 2009 Fall Internship Program   Click here for application form Dear RNC National Committee Members,    The RNC is currently accepting applications for the 2009 Fall Internship Program.  The internship program is for undergraduate students, with preference given to juniors and seniors.  The program is designed to allow students to familiarize themselves with the day-to-day operations of the RNC.  Hard work, dedication, a positive attitude and a willingness to perform routine tasks are required.  In return, interns are provided with the most educational, informative and rewarding experience possible.  Students who are accepted into the program are required to work at least two full business days per week, and can schedule the required hours around class schedules as needed.  Interns are placed in a specific division based on their skills (Chairman’s Office, Co-Chairman’s Office, Coalitions, Communications, Constituent Services, Counsel’s Office, Finance, GOPTV, Network Operations, New Media, Political, Research, or Strategy) and every effort is made to match accepted interns into a division they are interested in. The fall internship begins September 8, 2009 and runs through December 18, 2009.  Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and there is no official deadline to apply.  However, in order to ensure a timely review of the application, we do recommend that interested students submit their application materials by August 15.    Application Requirements To apply for an RNC internship, please submit the following: RNC Internship Application (attached) Resume Three Letters of Recommendation Applications can be e-mailed to ggalvin@rnchq.org, faxed to 202-863-8835 or mailed to:             Republican National Committee             Attn:  Intern Coordinator             310 First Street, SE             Washington, DC 20003   If you know any potential candidates who would make a good addition to the RNC, please pass along this information to interested students.  Should you have any additional questions, please contact Gaye Galvin, Deputy Director of Members Services and Intern Coordinator, at ggalvin@rnchq.org or via phone at 202-863-8537. Thank you.   Paid for by the Republican National Committee 310 First Street, S.E.  Washington, D.C.  20003  www.gop.com Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.     July 28, 2009 Ted Kennedy & Chappaquiddick: 40 Years Later BOSTON (WBZ) ― Click to enlarge 1 of 5 Kennedy leaves an Edgartown courthouse in July 1969 after receiving a two month suspended sentence for failure to report the Chappaquiddick car accident that killed his aide Mary Jo Kopechne.   Boston Globe/AP Click to enlarge 2 of 5 Ted Kennedy's car at water's edge on Chappaquiddick Island, July 19, 1969 AP Click to enlarge 3 of 5 Ted Kennedy's car pulled from water on Chappaquiddick Island, July 19, 1969. AP Click to enlarge 4 of 5 Sen. Edward Kennedy on television tells his version of the Chappaquiddick story, July 25, 1969. Related Slideshows   Forty years ago today, most of America was watching the progress of Apollo 11's historic trip to the moon. It was also one of the darkest days in the life of Senator Ted Kennedy. On July 18, 1969, a car driven by Kennedy plunged off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island near Martha's Vineyard. Although Kennedy managed to escape the submerged vehicle, his passenger, 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne, drowned. Kennedy subsequently pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and received a suspended two-month jail sentence. The incident haunted Kennedy for years, and some say, kept him from ever becoming president.  Kennedy has remained in seclusion in his Hyannisport compound working and sailing the last several weeks as he continues his 14-month battle with brain cancer. He is hoping to cap his decades of political leadership with landmark health care reform.