RNC Talking Points: White House/Sestak Memo June 2, 2010   Ø  In the 3 months since Joe Sestak made his allegation, the White House’s response has evolved from straight denial, to stonewalling, and now they are attempting to downplay the entire saga by releasing an unsubstantiated memo.   Ø  Other than now knowing that a former President of the United States was involved, not much has changed since the White House released their memo: so far we have not seen any emails, transcripts or any other kind of documentation.   Ø  The White House and Colorado Senate Candidate Andrew Romanoff need to come clean about what appears to be a troubling pattern of Chicago-style politics and corruption.   Ø  There are way too many holes in the White House’s story that make it difficult to pass the smell test.   Ø  There are still many questions that need to be answered conclusively:   o   What was the full extent of the conversation between the former President and Joe Sestak? o   What did the White House authorize Bill Clinton to offer Sestak? o   Considering his status as a former leader of the free world and his personal relationship with the current President, are we to believe that Bill Clinton would be dispatched without President Obama’s approval? o   When will the White House release the documentation to back up their claims? o   If the White House did nothing wrong, why did it take three months and tremendous political pressure to force them to tell the “truth?”   Ø  The White House needs to be more forthcoming on the conversations that took place with President Clinton and Richard Sestak, Joe’s brother, in the lead-up to the memo being released.  Appearances are that the participants were corroborating their stories.   Ø  The only thing we know for certain is that an administration that has claimed to be the most transparent, accountable and ethical White House in history has failed on all three counts.   Ø  What we have learned from this three month ordeal, is that this White House is not capable of policing itself and needs to open itself to an independent investigation.   Ø  The President himself has said that the Attorney General needs to represent the people and not the President.  Attorney General Holder needs to stop stonewalling and provide for an independent investigation to bring closure to the unanswered questions.   Ø  The White House has yet to hold Rahm Emanuel or anyone else accountable for their actions leading the American people to believe that business-as-usual is not only accepted but encouraged.   Ø  President Obama, Joe Sestak and Andrew Romanoff need  to live up to the standards of accountability and transparency that they have campaigned on.        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.     Memorandum   To:       RNC Members From:   Michael Steele, Chairman Date:   May 19, 2010 RE:       Health Care and the November Elections     In response to feedback and questions about health care at last week’s State Chairmen’s meeting, I wanted to provide you with some background information and advice about how we can best use this issue to our advantage in November.   The consequences of this dangerous new law are well known to all of us.  Millions of Americans, many of whom are seniors, will lose the health care coverage that they currently have.  Medicare will be cut by over $500 billion dollars.  Burdensome new taxes on individuals and businesses will stifle economic growth and prevent the creation of new jobs.  Over 150 new government agencies will be created, and 16,000 new IRS agents will be hired to enforce the law’s new mandates.  Budget gimmicks belie the true impact of the law on state and national budget deficits and on the national debt.  And as a result of this law, government bureaucrats will now stand between patients and their doctors when making health care decisions.     It is important that we do all in our power to minimize the impact of this bad legislation on American families and the American economy.  In doing so we must also recognize that the way in which we do this is pivotal to our success.    The Aftermath…   As Republicans, we can feel confident that we have emerged from the debate over the last year in a stronger position than the Democrats.  Since President Obama signed the Democrats’ Health Care Reform legislation on March 23rd, every public survey listed in the Real Clear Politics summary of national health care support has shown that more Americans oppose the new law than support it – with an average of 52% against or opposed to the new law, and only 41% for or in favor of the new law (as of May 14th).     Similar to the public polling, an RNC survey conducted in April showed 50% of likely voters in opposition to the new law and 44% in favor of it.  Among the parties, Republicans are solidly against the new law by a 73% margin (84% in opposition and only 11% in favor) and Independents side with Republicans by a 20% margin (57% in opposition, 37% in favor).  And perhaps more telling, the intensity of the opposition to the new law is far greater than the intensity of support – with 39% strongly opposing the law and only 23% strongly in favor of it.             The RNC’s polling also shows that many of the law’s serious consequences are already well understood by voters:       ü  By a 45-point margin (60%-15%), likely voters believe that they will pay more for their health care.  Independent voters believe they will pay more by a 56- point margin (66%-10%).   ü  By a 16-point margin, (44%-28%), likely voters believe that the quality of their health care will go down as a result of the law.  Independent voters believe this as well by a 35-point margin (55%-19%).   ü  By a 69-point margin (75%-6%), likely voters believe that their taxes will go up as a result of the new law.   Independent voters believe this as well by an even larger 75-point margin (80%-5%).   ü  By a 24-point margin (57%-33%), likely voters do not believe the Congressional Budget Office’s assessment that the law will have a positive impact on the national budget deficit.  Independents also do not believe this assessment by a 37-point margin (65%-28%).   It is important to note that many voters who are in favor of the overall law also share these concerns about how the law will impact them.  Reminding voters of these consequences throughout the campaign will be critical.    The Broader Narratives…   Perhaps the most important outcome of the health care debate is not about health care at all – but about how the issue of health care underscores the arrogant, fiscally irresponsible, and over-reaching tendencies of this Administration and of this Congress.  These broader narratives will unravel the current Democrat control more than any single issue.   ü  The blatant disregard for public opinion in the winter of 2010, the unwillingness to work with Republicans, and the backroom deal-making to secure necessary votes highlight an Administration and Congress that puts politics ahead of policy, partisanship ahead of cooperation, and secrecy ahead of openness.   ü  The passage of this legislation in addition to the so-called stimulus package, Cap-and-Tax, and Obama’s trillion dollar budget highlights a fiscal recklessness that is sending our state and federal budget deficits and our national debt to unsustainable levels that future generations will have to pay for.   ü  The growth of the federal government resulting from this law, its intrusion into personal health care decision-making, and its mandates on individuals and businesses highlight an Administration and Congress that have little regard for the Constitution and a misplaced belief that government is better suited to make decisions than individuals.    One Caution…   While it will be difficult for Democrats to use the passage of the health care legislation to their advantage in the November elections, other findings from the polling show that Republican objections to the new health care law must be offered in an appropriate context.     Health care is not an issue to which voters assign a great deal of importance.  Recent public polling from May shows health care ranked far below other issues that are most important to voters:         In the RNC survey, even though a majority (51%) of likely voters favored efforts to repeal the new law, when asked whether Congress should “revisit and revise health care reform” or “focus on efforts to create jobs and get our economy moving again,” voters overwhelmingly preferred the latter with 68% of voters saying that Congress should focus on creating jobs and helping the economy.     This should not be surprising. The Democrats’ focus on health care instead of the economy is one of the reasons that their efforts were met with such anger by voters.   The lesson for Republicans is that we should not allow ourselves to be seen as singularly focused on health care in the run up to November.   In Conclusion…   Republican campaigns and surrogates can be confident that we emerged on the right side of this debate.    We can be confident when reminding voters of the negative consequences of the health care law – particularly those consequences that personally impact voters and their families.    And we can be confident using the passage of this law as an example in the larger narratives of a Democrat Congress and Administration that are spending too much, expanding government too much, ignoring the will of the voters, and sacrificing the economic future of our country.    If handled correctly, and in the context of these broader narratives, the Democrat control in DC will be short-lived.         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                CONTACT: Press Office May 12, 2010                                                                                                           202-863-8614   RNC SITE SELECTION COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG FOR 2012 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION   WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Republican National Committee today announced that its Site Selection Committee has voted to recommend Tampa-St. Petersburg to host the 2012 Republican National Convention, pending the successful negotiation of the site city agreement. The full RNC will vote on the recommendation at its Summer Meeting in August, 2010. The convention will be held the week of August 27, 2012.   "We are honored and privileged to accept the bid from Tampa, Florida to host the Republican National Convention in 2012. The host committee’s hard work and dedication resulted in a tremendous bid that we are confident will produce a successful event. The Tampa area boasts state-of-the-art facilities, exciting and vibrant downtowns, and a clear enthusiasm from the community to host our convention. We look forward to joining our compatriots in the Sunshine State for our convention in 2012," said RNC Chairman Michael Steele.   “We are very excited to accept Tampa’s bid for the 2012 Republican National Convention.  Tampa has put a great deal of effort into showcasing their city and what they have to offer.  We are looking forward to a successful convention in Florida,” said Site Selection Committee Chair Holly Hughes.   The Site Selection Committee reviewed bids from three cities: Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Tampa-St. Petersburg and visited each city in March and April.   The committee's decision was based on an independent and objective scorecard that was reviewed thoroughly by committee members. The committee looked at a several factors including the number and proximity of hotels, capacity of the arena to hold the convention, transportation, security, media work space, convention office space, and the ability to finance the operation.   The Site Selection Committee is made up of thirteen RNC members. Two voting members and one alternate member are elected from each of the four regions and Michigan Committeewoman Holly Hughes chairs the committee.   ### 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.     RNC Talking Points: Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan May 10, 2010   Elena Kagan Talking Points:   ·         Republicans have shown that they will be respectful throughout the nomination process. But they will also be forceful in asking President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan whether she will stand with the American people or with Obama’s liberal agenda.   ·         To assure the American people, President Obama’s nominee, Elena Kagan, will need to demonstrate that she is committed to upholding the vision of our Founding Fathers, who wrote a Constitution meant to limit the power of government, not expand it.   ·         The President has stated repeatedly that he wants a justice who will understand the effects of decisions on the lives of everyday Americans. But what Americans want is a justice who will stay true to the Constitution and defend the rights of all Americans, adhering to the rule of law instead of legislating from the bench.   ·         Senate Republicans can be expected to raise serious and tough questions to ensure that the American people can thoroughly and thoughtfully examine Kagan’s qualifications and legal philosophy before she is confirmed to a lifetime appointment.   ·         Questions surrounding her opposition to allowing military recruiters access to her law school’s campus, her endorsement of the liberal agenda and her support for statements suggesting that the Supreme Court’s primary mission is to support “the despised and disadvantaged” and that the Constitution “as originally drafted and conceived, was ‘defective.’”   ·         Just as we did during Justice Sotomayor’s nomination, Republicans will withhold judgment on Elena Kagan until there can be a full and fair confirmation process that allows her to demonstrate whether she will act with restraint on the Court or bring a personal ideological agenda.   ·         We hope that President Obama will ensure that his nominee to replace Justice Stevens is fully forthright in disclosing critical documents to the Senate in a timely manner so that the American people can be assured that the nominee has been fully vetted.   ·         Our judiciary is the finest in the world, and its fundamental fairness is derived from the certainty that Judges will rule on the law. The American people deserve no less.     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 March 21, 2010                                                                                 202-863-8614           STATEMENT FROM RNC CHAIRMAN MICHAEL STEELE ON THE PASSAGE OF GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTH CARE   WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today:     “Today, America witnessed the first vote for the end of representative government. Congressional Democrats said no to the will of the American people and voted yes to President Obama’s $2.5 trillion government run health care system. The President, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are the architects of a system that encourages out of control spending, increased national debt and does nothing to control the cost of health care.  Americans across the country made their voices heard and flatly rejected this legislation loaded with special deals and tax increases, but Democrats did not listen and instead chose to force this bill through because they believe they know what’s best for the American people.   The simple truth is this bill will allow taxpayer dollars to pay for elective abortions, as confirmed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and that the Executive Order negotiated by Rep. Bart Stupak does nothing to trump the language in the bill. It is, at best, a ruse. Further, the bill will cause 9 million people to lose the insurance they have now; it will increase the deficit by over a hundred billion dollars when all the components (including the physician fee schedule change) are included; it will increase taxes by $569 Billion; it will cut Medicare by $524 Billion; it will increase premiums by 10 percent for people without employer-based insurance; and, it will create a new marriage penalty with new income and investment taxes. And after all the spending has been done and the bill is fully implemented, 23 million people will still be uninsured in 2019.”   The American people are sick of the blatant arrogance of President Obama, Speaker Pelosi and the Senate Majority Leader Reid.  Congressional Democrats can be sure that voters in their districts will not forget this vote that will negatively affect Americans for generations to come.  It is time to fire Nancy Pelosi and send a message to President Obama that it’s time to stop their partisan liberal agenda of government takeovers and start working for Americans to create jobs and grow our economy.”   ###     Paid for by the Republican National Committee 310 First Street SE, Washington, DC 20003 - (202) 863-8614 - www.gop.com Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              CONTACT: Press Office February 26, 2010                                                                                                 202-863-8614    RNC SITE SELECTION COMMITTEE TO VISIT THREE CITIES TO DETERMINE HOST OF 2012 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION   WASHINGTON – Michigan National Committeewoman and Site Selection Chair Holly Hughes announced today that the RNC Site Selection Committee will visit three cities to determine the host of the 2012 Republican National Convention.  The twelve member committee will visit Phoenix, Tampa, and Salt Lake City in late March and early April.  The RNC members are scheduled to vote on the Site Selection Committee’s recommendation at their annual Summer Meeting in July 2010.    “We were thrilled to receive bids from these three dynamic cities in key regions of the country and the Committee looks forward to working with each city’s representatives to determine the best city to host the 2012 convention,” said Hughes.     Bid proposals had to be submitted to the RNC by January 15th.  The Site Selection Committee hosted an “Interested Cities Day” in November where several cities sent representatives to work with the Committee on their bids.   RNC Chairman Michael Steele said, “I am extremely proud of the tremendous job the RNC Site Selection Committee is doing evaluating potential cities to host the 2012 Republican National Convention.  Their dedication to the process is commendable and their great work will play a major role in the overall success of the convention.  Phoenix, Tampa, and Salt Lake City are all amazing American cities and I wish them the best of luck with their bids.”   RNC Site Selection Committee Members   Holly Hughes, Michigan National Committeewoman (Committee Chairman)   Midwestern Region: Kevin DeWine, Ohio Republican Party Chairman Mary Buestrin, Wisconsin National Committeewoman Alternate: Helen Van Etten, Kansas National Committeewoman   Northeastern Region: John Frey, Connecticut National Committeeman Virginia “Ginny” Haines, New Jersey National Committeewoman Alternate: Betsy Werronen, District of Columbia National Committeewoman   Southern Region: Alec Poitevint, Georgia National Committeeman Cindy Costa, South Carolina National Committeewoman Alternate: Ruth Ulrich, Louisiana National Committeewoman   Western Region: Lilly Nuñez, Colorado National Committeewoman Randy Ruedrich, Alaska Republican Party Chairman                                                                                          ###   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     RNC Talking Points: White House Health Care Summit – A Clash Of Ideological Differences   February 25, 2010   ·         Despite the best hopes of the American people, today’s health care summit proved to be exactly what they feared most – another PR event for President Obama and Washington Democrats at the expense of bipartisan progress and true health care reform.   ·         The bottom line is that this debate isn’t whether the President and Congressional Democrats can fit a couple GOP ideas into their massive liberal plan – it’s about two fundamentally different approaches to governing and what is best for America.   ·         Very simply, President Obama and his liberal allies trust government bureaucrats in Washington spending trillions of dollars we don’t have to reform health care and Republicans trust the American people by lowering costs and empowering them to afford coverage through market-based solutions to improve health care.   ·         The White House billed today’s summit as a chance for lawmakers to “seek common ground” but with the president releasing his Senate hand-me-down health care proposal earlier this week, he proved he really wasn’t  interested in bipartisan compromise but an opportunity for political gain.   ·         Even more disappointing, it now seems that the purpose of this so-called bipartisan summit wasn’t actually bipartisan conversation with Republicans but rather to provide political cover for Democrats to force their government-run health care experiment on Americans via a parliamentary trick call reconciliation.   ·         Regardless of being on record denouncing the dangers of one Party rule, President Obama and his liberal allies are now openly pushing reconciliation, the epitome of one party monopoly rule – something the President once referred to as “just not what the Founders intended.”    ·         This so-called bipartisan summit marks the end of President Obama’s and Congressional Democrats’ transparent methods for achieving government-run health care – they will now move behind closed doors where they negotiate America’s health care system in secret.   ·         For well over a year, House and Senate Republicans have consistently offered common-sense incremental reforms that will make health care more affordable, accessible and will protect the doctor-patient relationship without adding to the national deficit but these ideas have been consistently shot down by President Obama and Congressional Democrats.   ·         Republicans support letting families and businesses buy health insurance across state lines and allowing individuals, small businesses, and trade associations to pool together and acquire health insurance at lower prices, the same way large corporations and labor unions do.   ·         Republicans support working to end frivolous lawsuits that contribute to higher health care costs by increasing the number of tests and procedures that physicians sometimes order not because they think it's good medicine, but because they are afraid of being sued.   ·         Today’s summit should once and for all prove to the American people that President Obama and Congressional Democrats are only interested in staged political theater events and have no interest in having a constructive, bipartisan conversation that focuses on the kind of step-by-step improvements that will lower health care costs and expand access.    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.