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Are Republicans Listening to the Scott Brown Message?
· Friday, January 22, 2010
Sen. Scott Brown's epic victory in Massachusetts on Tuesday night dealt a crushing blow to Obamacare, cap-and-trade, card check (and other union favors) and, most importantly, all the tax hikes that are lingering on the table. But does Washington really understand the Scott Brown message?
President Obama thinks his "remoteness and detachment" are the problems. This is nonsense. Obama's tax hikes and spending explosion are what caused the populist tea-party revolt that was punctuated by Brown's extraordinary victory.
And that leads to the next question. Are the Republicans listening? Do they really understand why Brown was victorious? If they do, why aren't members of the Republican leadership loudly campaigning for an end to tax hikes, just like Scott Brown?
The cornucopia of tax hikes currently on the table includes higher levies on capital gains, top earners, dividends, investment (via the payroll tax), carbon, millionaires, banks, stock transactions and estates (via the death tax). It's a long Democratic wish list of anti-growth policies, and Scott Brown's triumph should signal the end of it. But it won't happen unless GOP congressional leaders make a bid deal about it.
For example, some Blue Dog Democrats want to extend the Bush tax cuts, rather than letting them expire next year. Republican leaders should be making a big deal about this. They need to get it front and center, making expiration a condition to any new legislation.
Remember that Brown ran on a JFK/Ronald Reagan platform of across-the-board tax cuts to promote economic growth. Take a look at what the senator-elect had to say during his victory speech Tuesday night:
"This (health care) bill is not being debated openly and fairly. It will raise taxes, it will hurt Medicare, it will destroy jobs and run our nation deeper into debt. ... I will work in the Senate to put the government back on the side of people who create jobs and the millions of people who need jobs. And remember, as President John F. Kennedy stated, that starts with across-the-board tax cuts for businesses and families to create jobs, put more money in people's pockets and stimulate the economy. It's that simple."
There you have it. Scott Brown could not have been any clearer. That's the great thing about his message -- its breathtaking clarity. Across-the-board tax cuts and a revival of free-market capitalism on the supply-side.
And recall that when President Obama mocked Scott Brown for driving a pickup truck, Brown quickly responded that unfortunately, in this economy, not everyone can buy a pickup. "My goal is to change that," he said on the eve of the election, "by cutting spending, lowering taxes and letting people keep more of their own money." Right on message.
And during that campaign, Brown argued that health care reform is a tax hike and that cap-and-trade is a tax hike. This should become the Republican message, too. It's about taxes, as well as spending.
A recent Washington Post poll showed that by 58 percent to 38 percent, voters want smaller government and fewer government services. This, too, should be the Republican congressional message.
It is, in fact, an economic-growth message, the likes of which we haven't heard since Jack Kemp promoted it in the late 1970s. And the brilliance of Scott Brown was to use the JFK tax cuts -- an across-the-board reduction in marginal tax rates -- to attract Democrats and independents to his message.
An across-the-board tax cut is the fairest pro-growth message of them all. Lower tax rates for everybody. Get out of the box of rich people and class warfare. For the Ted Kennedy Democrats, that box has been a loser for decades. But for timid Republicans always on the defensive, now is the time to break out and adopt the Scott Brown theme.
This is what Reagan did. This is why the Gipper touted JFK's across-the-board tax cuts. Republicans must now be bold and fight for across-the-board tax relief, for families, individuals and businesses, along with smaller government, fewer services and across-the-board spending cuts.
While Team Obama is fighting for more government employment, with trillions of dollars of spending, it is time for Republicans to fight for private free-enterprise employment by letting folks keep more of what they earn and by providing new incentives for the extra hour worked and the extra investment dollar put at risk.
This is where the GOP must go. Republicans should not let another day pass without unleashing a fusillade of new tax-cutting proposals to get America moving again.
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jeff
Obama's tax hikes and spending explosion are what caused the populist tea-party revolt that was punctuated by Brown's extraordinary victory.
larry, alex jones says he's going to expose glenn beck as the ailes/necon/globalist shill that he is.
Posted January 22, 2010 at 12:16:58 AM
RightWingRocker
Actually, it ain't Scott Brown's message Obama has to worry about. On too many issues, they just aren't that far apart.
The message that Obama needs to get is that of the people who worked to get Scott elected: We'll take a liberal Republican in Massachusetts if it will mean that we can move further in the direction of Constitutional conservatism (what I like to call "Federalism" or "neo-Federalism"). As the Tea Party movement continues to roll on, Obama will find that Scott Brown is the least of his worries.
RWR
www.rightwingrocker.com
Posted January 22, 2010 at 12:45:14 AM
Drew
I wish I could be more optimistic, but I am not. No one is looking beyond Donkey/Elephant here. The root problem is the Progressives in both parties. As long as the Republicans continue to compromise, WE LOSE. American needs prinicipled People who understand the Constitution, History and will stand by these things. No more bi-partisan compromise. That is just the way to die the death of 1,000 papercuts. We need to stand up for our beliefs, and fight anything else to the death, if need be.
Posted January 22, 2010 at 9:40:28 AM
Alex Torello
Larry & Fellow Posters:
We're going to make sure that any candidate we endorse or support is going to PLEDGE to: Follow the Constitution, practice and promote fiscal restraint, individual liberty and less government. Also support term limits and a move to ensure that Congress and all government employees share the same retirement and health benefits as all citizens.
AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THEM TO THIS PLEDGE, OR OUT THEY GO, RIGHT?
Posted January 22, 2010 at 11:29:04 AM
Ed Livingston
Drews comment is right on. The Republicans have made major errors by gradually straying away from their solid conservative base. They need to start strongly leading with the message heard round the world in Mass. If they don't "push" it now it may still be too late to stop the Obama onslaught of laws and rules pressuring our liberties.
Ed Livingston
Posted January 22, 2010 at 11:47:01 AM
Ken C
Mr Kudlow -
Outstanding! As an independant who tends to vote Republican, I have grown very hesitant of the current Repub direction for EXACTLY the same points as you mention. What we need is more individuals that can articulate a clear and resounding message like Brown was able to do. Of course, as we all know, politicians can talk a big game - the proof is in the pudding. It will be interesting to see how Brown executes once he hits Washington.
My problem is that I have no one that I can vote for. I'm all for voting most everyone out of office if that is what it takes, but that will do nothing but leave a huge vacuum unless we have solid, Constitutional patriots to fill the gap.
What is an individual voter to do? Sure, we can scream and protest, but our real power comes with our vote. Who can we place our faith in when both parties seem to be corrupt?
Posted January 22, 2010 at 12:00:07 PM
Anton D Rehling
Brown was not voted in because we want an improved health care bill, we do not want another version of the same unconstitutional legislation that will encroach on our freedom. Drop the whole bill and reverse the encroaching legislation you passed previously. Begin now showing us you are committed to reversing and not passing legislation that is not allowed under your granted powers or you will see your tenure in the Senate or House come to a screeching halt. We are in a full revolt against the Socialist European agenda of the entitlement nanny state government you have illegally created. This country did not look to Europe when we founded this country as an example and we do not need to now. If you want to represent us do it as intended. Additionally vote in term limits we do not need any career politicians and in spite of your grandiose opinions of your brilliance there are millions of us that can and will do the job you were elected to do. We have a simple instruction pamphlet called our Constitution and Bill of Rights to guide us as well as plain old normal common since along with a healthy respect for our other countrymens rights and freedom. If you still refuse to listen, Democrat or Republican and continue to treat the constitution, our liberty and our rights with contempt you havent seen anything yet.
Anton D Rehling
Posted January 22, 2010 at 3:46:23 PM
Howard Last
I am not hanging by my thumbs waiting for a republican leader (still an oxymoron) to say BHO is a communist. Am I the only one who wants to puke when a republican leader says, "the republican party is the big tent party?
Posted January 22, 2010 at 5:07:09 PM
ILEANA
The American consumers are going to be taxed to death more so than any previous administration. This week the stock market dropped three days in a row precipitously based on bank stocks some of which dropped as much as 7% in anticipation of the bank tax that will probably be passed on to consumers, would reduce entrepeneurship and further kill jobs. The stock market plunged, the economy must be recovering. Joking aside, even the unemployment numbers that were just released are much worse than last month's, a sure sign that more bad news are yet to come.
TARP was forced on some banks and others gladly accepted it. Most paid it back yet now they must cough up a punitive tax because they've awarded insane contractual bonuses to employees, bonuses approved by Congress and Tim Gaithner. Contracts are the basis of our free market system yet this administration has violated many such contracts when taking over GM, Chrysler, banks, etc.
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac were also recipients of government bailouts but had no problem paying huge bonuses to employees and were not raked over the coals by Congress or forced to pay them back, much less an extra tax.
Nobody said a word when Conan O'Brien at NBC walked off with $45 million although NBC owner GE is the recipient of bailout money.
What will be next? Would people who receive commissions on sales have to pay a tax? What about players who receive obscene contracts to play ball in taxpayer subsidized stadiums worth billions of dollars? Are they going to have to pay a tax?
Posted January 22, 2010 at 6:14:24 PM
Jack
Adherence to the Constitution is our way out. At the moment our Constitution hangs by a thread. Our esteemed Justices of the Supreme Court do not rule on constitutionaliy they use case law. I believe their mandate in the Constitution is to rule based on what IT says rather on case law. Congress too is pushing the limits of its mandated power to make and pass Constitutional laws. The Executive branch is to administer the law not make it. Get rid of the Czars, cut the cabinate to the departments of the Post office, Treasury, War, Interior, and State.
Going back to limited small government will stimulate this country more than any grandiose scheem to "stimulate" the economy.By the way cutting taxes wouldn't be bad either.
Posted January 23, 2010 at 1:49:47 AM
Skull
Beat Schumer - Run Larry Run!
http://draftkudlow.com/
Posted January 23, 2010 at 9:59:47 AM
terry goodwin
Yes the Brown win was great, but let's not forget the this needs to carry over to Nov. BHO has began to punish us for the Victory, and will continue to do so to re-establish his power base. New taxes on the Banks?-to pay for Haiti?-Lets kill Wall Street?
I see Legislation coming to stop Fillabustering, introduced by a Dem. no less. Other Legislation to block the Repub. Gain. Becareful America, the Pen is not always mightier the the Sword. The peacefull Revolution has began, but I see the need for a more violent reaction coming. BHO can give a speech, even if they put a Telephone Directory on his Tele-promter, and he will not change course in his Agenda, because he is a Narssist intent on Ruling this Country. We will be Punished people mark my words!
Posted January 23, 2010 at 11:39:35 AM
Howard Last
Remember the expansion of socialized medicine (Medicare Part D) that the democrats pushed through. What, it was Bush and Delay who pushed it! I am shocked NOT.
Posted January 23, 2010 at 1:34:45 PM
jeff
CITIZENS UNITED v. FEDERAL ELECTION
COMMISSION
come on larry, help out a semantically challenged campesino jump through the hoops of THIS PARTICULAR supreme court case.
is it private as opposed to public or is it singular as opposed to plural free speech?
or is it just an esoterically meaningless decision?
Posted January 23, 2010 at 6:12:37 PM
Travler
There is a way to do away with both the Repubs and Demorata
I've come across a truly interesting site that I'd suggest you consider. It is called GOOOH (for Get Out Of Our House), and pronounced like the word go.CRLFCRLFThey have an intriguing plan to evict the 435 politicians from the U.S. House of Representatives. I hope you'll check it out. CRLFCRLFHere's the link: http://www.GOOOH.com
Posted January 25, 2010 at 12:35:25 PM
Ken C
Travler -
Thanks for the link. I just had a glance, but will study this more to be sure. This is exactly what needs to happen. I'm not expert on the Constitution or the history of our Founding Fathers, but I am reading, studying and learning and, from what I have learned so far, we seem to be headed in a direction exactly OPPOSITE of what was originally intended. GOOOH may (or may not) be a breath of fresh air that will allow those of us who feel disillusioned by the current environment to actually start to do something REAL about it. Thanks again for the link! :)
Posted January 25, 2010 at 1:36:22 PM
Ghost of LINCOLN
Great interview with Fiscal Hawk -Dr TOM COBURN
Dr TOM COBURN - PETREUS 2012
Vote 'NO' on Bernanke -
We the People want -'Govt. by the People , for the People , not by the Banks for the Banks and career politicians.
John Bogle- founder and CEO of Vanguard funds would make a Great new 'Transparency' FED Chairman
Posted January 26, 2010 at 9:30:37 PM
Addie
Do you HEAR US NOW? This message is loud and clear to any Republican, grassroots or seasoned, candidate. Step up to the plate, NOW! Memorize this concept and resonate the message throughout our country. TERIFFIC COMMENTARY!
Posted January 27, 2010 at 12:39:52 PM
Nancy Eisenhart
We of the Los Angeles County Fed. of Republican Women have been shouting forever, but especially in the Sprin 09 when the Tea Parties started to flourish. We are still working on our leaders here in California - it would help if Michael Steele would get it. And if they stopped supporting Charlie Crist over Marco Rubio. Dummies.
Posted January 27, 2010 at 6:23:12 PM