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The Kennedy Campaign does a Fact Check on the 2006 Football/Hunting Schedule:
Amy Klobuchar’s Fumbles
Violent crime in Minneapolis increased 35% in 2005 from one year earlier.
- Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report, 2005: (FBI Website, http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/2005preliminary/05jan-dec.pdf, Accessed June 10, 2006)
- “The crimes of homicide, rape, aggravated assault and robbery increased by 35 percent from 2004, compared to an average 5 percent increase for cities of similar size to Minneapolis across the nation, according to FBI crime statistics given to interim Police Chief Tim Dolan on Friday. Violent crime rose an average of 2 percent nationwide.” (David Chanen and Myron P. Medcalf, “Rise in Minneapolis crime topped Midwest, FBI says,” Star Tribune, June 9, 2006).
- This statistic has subsequently been revised to 15.6% - 6 times the national average (David Chanen, “Minneapolis police knew crime data was flawed,” Star Tribune, 6.16.06. Mark Sherman, “Violent crime rises for first time in five years, FBI reports,” Associated Press, June 12, 2006)
- “And according to Minneapolis police data, there were 2,524 reported violent crimes through June 5, up 35 percent from 1,874 at the same time last year.” (David Chanen and Myron Medcalf, “Rise in Minneapolis crime topped Midwest, FBI says,” Star Tribune, June 10, 2006)
Called for a $900 billion tax increase, the largest in American history.
- The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says repealing the tax relief on those making over $500,000 would be a least a $930 Billion tax increase. Therefore, Klobuchar’s proposal of repealing the tax relief on those making over $200,000 would be more than a $930 Billion tax increase.
- “But, while Kennedy said the path back to fiscal health is through lower spending and continued lower taxes, the Democrats favored revisiting the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts Bell would repeal them entirely, while Klobuchar would bring back the higher taxation of those earning $200,000 a year or more.” (Patrick Condon, “Senate Candidates Use Debate To Define Themselves,” The Associated Press, March 3, 2006)
Supports government run universal health care.
- “I favor universal health coverage, and I think we must have universal health coverage. Single-payer is one option, but what I want to see is progress now.” (Amy Klobuchar, Midday, Minnesota Public Radio, February 23, 2006).
- “You know I think single-payer plans are an option, my focus is on universal health care and I want to see immediate progress.” (Amy Klobuchar, Midday, Minnesota Public Radio, June 12, 2006)
- “And that means affordable healthcare, universal healthcare.” (Amy Klobuchar, Rally for Change, April 8, 2006)
Opposed bill funding body armor for our troops and explosive detection equipment.
- A Klobuchar spokeswoman said that Klobuchar would have voted against the defense bill because of ANWR. (Frederic Frommer, “Coleman votes against ANWR filibuster then votes no on drilling,” Star Tribune, December 22, 2005).
Supports amnesty for those who have entered America illegally.
- “The third part of this is when you have 12 million undocumented workers in our country. You have to acknowledge that some of them have been working here for years, they have been paying taxes, and with those people you create some kind of path to citizenship, guest worker program so that they’re not just in the shadows.” (Amy Klobuchar, Midday, MPR, June 12, 2006)
- Klobuchar supports the Senate bill on immigration reform, which includes possible amnesty for some undocumented immigrants, but not the House bill, which would make being an undocumented immigrant a felony. She maintained that immigrants who are working hard and paying taxes should be supported to achieve their American dreams. (Swallehe Msuya, “U.S. Senate candidate addresses Africa-born residents’ issues,” Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, June, 14, 2006)
- “On immigration, Klobuchar supports a John McCain’s bill to provide path to citizenship to those illegal aliens who agree to pay a fine.” (Josh Verges, “Social Security, deficit reduction, health care key for Senate hopeful,” Austin Daily Herald, February 1, 2006)
nose studs, lip ring, wholesale body jewellery Kennedy’s Winning Strategy
Keeping taxes low and controlling spending so we can grow jobs in Minnesota.
- Rep. Mark Kennedy, R-Minn. who faces a challenging Senate race cast the decisive vote... Despite the changes, the core of the five year, $50 billion deficit-reduction bill remains intact. (Andrew Taylor, “House Passes Sweeping $50 Million Budget Cut Bill in a 217-215 Vote,” Associated Press, November 18, 2006).
- "Washington shouldn't have a blank check," Kennedy said. "As a CPA and businessman, I'm happy to see us act to reduce our federal deficit." (Kevin Diaz, “Budget battle: Minnesota's Kennedy puts GOP over top” Star Tribune, November 19, 2006).
- Kennedy said preserving the tax cuts was critical to continued economic growth and smaller government. (Patricia Lopez, “War, taxes and health care top agenda in U.S. Senate debate”, Star Tribune, March 4, 2006)
Taking tax breaks away from oil companies and suspending the gas tax for the summer.
- Reflecting the dangers facing his party over fuel costs, Mr. Kennedy said he told voters that the energy bill was not enough and pointed out that he is a co-sponsor, with Representative Mark Udall, Democrat of Colorado, of a bill that calls for taking back tax credits from energy companies and doubling investments in ethanol and other renewable fuels. (Michael Janofsky, Democrats Eager to Exploit Anger Over Gas Prices, New York Times, April 21, 2006).
- Congressman Mark Kennedy wants to suspend the federal gas tax for the summer. (One eye's on the gas pump, the other's on the ballot box, Minnesota Public Radio, May 12, 2006)
Putting patients and doctors back in charge of health care.
- Kennedy, who repeatedly asked Bell and Klobuchar how they would pay for their expanded health-care programs, said he would continue to push consumer-driven health-care and lawsuit reform. (“Senate candidates play nice during early debate; DFLers Amy Klobuchar and Ford Bell and Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy give brief answers on health care and energy policy,” Duluth News Tribune, March 4, 2006)
Winning the war on terrorism and protecting our families here at home.
- "We must win the war over there, so we don't have to fight them here at home," Kennedy said. "Mistakes have been made, but so have corrections." (Rachel Stassen-Berger, Kennedy gets GOP's nod, stresses his independence, Pioneer Press, June 2, 2006).
- Kennedy touched on many of the same themes that helped earn him a reputation in GOP circles as a winner of tough elections. He called for keeping U.S. troops in Iraq until after a victory in the war on terrorism, cutting government spending instead of undoing tax cuts to balance the federal budget, and increasing access to health care through tax incentives and less regulation, not government sponsorship of universal health care. (Pat Condon, State Republicans gather for endorsement, Associated Press, June 2, 2006).
Controlling our borders and holding employers accountable that knowingly hire illegal immigrants.
- “We need a comprehensive immigration policy that: Includes a plan to build a fence on our border; Bans criminals from becoming U.S. citizens; Requires new citizens to pass an American history test in English & pledge undivided allegiance to the American flag; Sanctions employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens; Denies illegal immigrants the ability to jump ahead of those who are following the rules to get into this country legally.” (www.MarkKennedy06.com, http://www.markkennedy06.com/petition/)
*All information is accurate at time of printing June 10, 2006. Future editions of the Football Schedule will reflect the most current information available.
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Amy Klobuchar recently accused Mark Kennedy of voting to continue billions in giveaways for Big Oil while Minnesotans pay $3 a gallon for gas at the pump. (Klobuchar Fundraising E-mail, June 20, 2006)
FACT: When Mark Kennedy first ran for office, he promised to double ethanol and he has.
The Energy Bill Klobuchar is so quick to criticize sets to double ethanol again.
Kennedy also introduced bipartisan legislation with Mark Udall, a Democrat from Colorado, to remove the tax breaks for oil companies and double them for alternative fuels.
In a recent email, Amy Klobuchar said, “Tell Washington that we deserve energy independence. Tell them we won't let the oil companies squeeze us at the pump so they can line the pockets of their executives and the campaigns of Washington insiders like Mark Kennedy.”
FACT: Mark is leading the way in the House to redirect $2.5 billion from big oil and gas companies to E85, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles. This bipartisan bill repeals all of the tax incentives for oil and gas production in the current Energy Bill and allocates that revenue to double the tax incentives for hybrid vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell and E-85 and hydrogen infrastructure.
While Mark co-sponsored legislation to temporarily suspend the federal gas tax, Amy Klobuchar refused to rule out this much needed relief if she were in the Senate (Amy Klobuchar on MPR 2/23/06).
The Minnesota DFL Party recently accused Mark Kennedy of voting to cut LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) funding by more than $170 million, adding, “That what Kennedy says on the campaign trail is often the exact opposite of what he does in Washington.”
FACT: Mark has actively worked across party lines to secure funding for LIHEAP in Washington, resulting in an additional $1 billion for LIHEAP in the House version of the bill delivering $29 million for Minnesota’s low-income families in March.
Mark sent a letter to the President requesting that the LIHEAP formula be revised so that it better targets cold-weather states - currently the formula is based on the number of residents rather than the number of home-heating days.
The DFL should look inside their own party for hypocrisy: LIHEAP funding was included in the Deficit Reduction Act that reduces the deficit by $40 billion over 10 years.
Klobuchar has repeatedly criticized Mark for his support of this bill. Her criticism would infer she would have voted against this bill and therefore against LIHEAP funding.
The Associated Press didn't check their facts before printing a story today saying, "GOP Senate candidate Mark Kennedy in Minnesota did not attend an appearance by Bush at a 3M Corp. plant outside Minneapolis, but joined him later at a fundraiser."
FACT: President Bush's visit to 3M was on February 2nd. Kennedy wasn't even in Minnesota, he was in DC for votes.
Kennedy was one of only nine member of the House who never missed a vote last year.
No fundraiser was planned or took place with President Bush in Minnesota on February 2nd. Had the Associated Press bothered to check with the campaign or simply do a google search they could have had the facts right the first time around.
In an e-mail today, Amy Klobuchar said, “We need universal, affordable health care by letting people buy into the same health care plan that members of Congress get.” (Klobuchar Fundraising E-mail, March 22, 2006)
FACT: Klobuchar’s idea of affordable health care would cost over $1.6 trillion dollars over 10 years, just to insure the 45 million people currently uninsured.
The annual health care subsidy for federal employees in 2006 is $3,618.68 for a single person and $8,218.08 for families, according to the non-partisan Heritage Foundation.
In a fundraising e-mail, Amy Klbouchar said, “We need to dump the budget deficits by returning to pay as you go budget rules and making sure Congress doesn't get any more pay raises until the budget is balanced.” (Amy Klobuchar Fundraising E-mail, March 22, 2006)
FACT: Knowing her health care plan would cost trillions, Klobuchar hasn’t said how she plans to pay for it.
She has proposed the largest tax increase in history, $900 billion over 10 years, but that would cover only a fraction of her plan.
Using Klobuchar's plan to return to the pay-as-you-go system, what other taxes does she plan to raise in order to cover the cost of her trillion dollar health care proposal?
Amy Klobuchar says, "Clearly, Kennedy is not the independent voice Minnesotans are looking for." (Amy Klobuchar, Fundraising E-mail, Feb. 27, 2006)
FACT: Mark Kennedy is exactly the type of independent candidate Minnesotans are looking for. He has opposed his party, sometimes vocally, on No Child Left Behind, against cuts to COPS funding and has recently joined with a Democrat from Colorado to redirect the $2.5 billion in oil company tax credits toward incentives for clean alternative energy vehicle production by doubling existing incentives for hybrid, hydrogen and ethanol powered vehicles.
FACT: Kennedy has teamed with a dozen Democrats to introduce common-sense legislation to control meth, end parole for violent sexual offenders and encourage those who have real world experience in math and science to enter the classroom to mentor and inspire our kids to pursue similar careers.
FACT: When Amy Klobuchar was asked how she differs from her political hero Mark Dayton she said, “The one difference is he used to own Dayton’s and I use to shop there.” How's that for independence?
FACT: Amy Klobuchar has never disagreed with Howard Dean, Hillary Clinton or Ted Kennedy. She is a lock-step-liberal
Amy Klobuchar said, "You voted against the increase," in reference to the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program funding. (Amy Klobuchar, MPPOA Legislative Conference, Febuary 4, 2006)
Fact: Kennedy supported an increase of $78.3 million for the COPS program, lead by Rep. Dave Reichert.
Kennedy supported an effort by Rep. Brian Baird to increase funding for COPS by $10 million in addition to seeking increased funding for the Drug Enforcement Administration by $10 million.
Kennedy sponsored an amendment endorsed by the National Narcotics Officers Associations Coalition to increase funding of Byrne-JAG grants by $286 million.
Kennedy authored a letter seeking funding for Byrne-JAG grant at the $900 million level – the highest ever funded.
Minnesota DFL Chair Brian Melendez claimed, “The DFL Party is offering strong candidates with positive visions for this state and country. Each candidate is running a strong campaign, and they are speaking honestly with the people of Minnesota.” (DFL Release on WSJ/Zogby Poll, January 19, 2006).
Fact: Amy Klobuchar, after being asked how she would vote on the nomination of Sam Alito to the Supreme Court said, “she will wait until the hearings are over to review them fully before giving an opinion on how she would vote on the nomination if she was in the Senate.” (“Dayton, Klobuchar undecided on Alito,” Mesabi Daily News, January 13, 2006)
The hearings ended nearly a week ago and Amy Klobuchar has not, “spoken honestly,” about how she would vote. In fact she hasn’t said a word. Patty Wetterling and Ford Bell also have yet to, “speak honestly,” as to whether they would support or filibuster Judge Alito.
Recently Amy Klobuchar asked supporters to sign her “Put People First in Washington” petition in response to Jack Abramoff’s guilty plea to fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials. She claimed, “The ‘change the laws, bend the laws, and break the laws’ philosophy of the Republican leadership in Washington continues. And it's time -- no, it's beyond time -- for it to end, once and for all.” (Amy Klobuchar email “It's time to end the corruption in Washington,” January 7, 2006)
Fact: Democratic Rep. Jim Oberstar had a meeting with a member of Abramoff’s lobbying firm and the chairman of the Agua Caliente band, and received $2,500 of tribal money. He is refusing to return the contributions. T
he Minnesota DFL Party received $9,000 from the Agua band to help pay for Walter Mondale’s five-day Senate campaign and is also refusing to return the money.
Kennedy received one contribution in 2003 from a tribe that will be donated to charity because of the perceived connection to an admitted felon.
Instead of pointing fingers at Republican leadership in Washington, Klobuchar should ask Rep. Oberstar and the MN DFL Party to sign her petition and return the Abramoff money they received.
Amy Klobuchar issued a press release criticizing Mark for his vote in favor of the Defense bill. “Mark Kennedy supports business-as-usual politics in Washington when he votes with the Republican leadership to support stunts like this.” (Amy Klobuchar Press Release: “Klobuchar calls on Congress to Stop Playing Games with Minnesota interests,” December 21, 2005)
Fact: This bill drew broad bi-partisan support with 308 House members voting in favor. 106 Democrats, a MAJORITY of House Democrats including Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, voted the same way Mark did. Mark would have gladly voted with the Democrat Leadership had they offered a motion to recommit, stripping ANWR from this bill. The Democrats never did.
Amy Klobuchar, in opposing the Defense bill, joins the irrelevant fringe of her party placing special interests ahead of funding for our troops, low-income families, and victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"This vote did not reflect Minnesota values.” (Amy Klobuchar Press Release: “Klobuchar calls on Congress to Stop Playing Games with Minnesota interests,” December 21, 2005)
Fact: Supporting funding for body armor, Humvees, and technology to counter improvised explosive devices for our troops during a time of war IS a Minnesota Value.
Providing low-income families with help paying their heating bills this winter IS a Minnesota Value.
Support for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina IS a Minnesota Value.
Ensuring America will be prepared in the event of an Avian Flu outbreak IS a Minnesota Value.
“We need a leader in Washington who will reform the way Congress does its business...” (Amy Klobuchar Press Release: “Klobuchar calls on Congress to Stop Playing Games with Minnesota interests,” December 21, 2005)
Fact: Mark Kennedy is leading the charge for Reform in Congress. He is the lead sponsor of the Line-Item Veto, which would allow the President, regardless of Party, to strip unnecessary spending or controversial provisions, such as ANWR, without affecting the overall passage of the bill.
The Minnesota DFL Party recently claimed that the Labor, Health and Education spending bill, “Leaves 29,364 students underserved due to funding shortfalls for Federal Pell Grants.” (DFL Press Release, “Republican Senate Candidate Again Casts Deciding Vote, Harms Minnesota’s Interests,” December 15, 2005)
Fact: The maximum Pell Award is maintained at $4,050.
Total funding actually increased $812 million from 2005 levels, providing $13.2 billion in Federal Pell Grants.
In addition, $4.3 billion was provided to make up a shortfall experienced over the last several years.
The Minnesota DFL Party also claimed the Labor, Health and Education spending bill, “Freezes funding for home heating assistance even though natural gas prices are expected to rise by nearly 44 percent and heating oil prices are expected to rise by 25 percent in Minnesota this winter.” (DFL Press Release, “Republican Senate Candidate Again Casts Deciding Vote, Harms Minnesota’s Interests,” December 15, 2005)
Fact: Grants for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) increased $115 million over last year, providing $2 billion to help cover the costs of home heating.
The bill gives $200 million more funding to LIHEAP than the President’s budget request.
Mark was instrumental in obtaining an additional $1 billion for LIHEAP in the House version of the bill and requested the provision be included in any final conference report.
DFL Senate candidate Amy Klobuchar claimed, “Mark Kennedy cast the deciding vote for a bill to cut student loans and against home heating.” - Amy Klobuchar November 18, 2005
Fact: Mark Kennedy cast the deciding vote to control the growth of spending in Washington – saving $50 billion over 5 years.
Funding for student financial aid will continue to increase as college enrollment increases.
This bill also closes a loophole allowing some lenders to charge a minimum 9.5% rate of return.
Kennedy was instrumental in securing an additional $1 billion (a 50% increase) in funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help needy families heat their homes.
DFL Senate candidate Ford Bell recently claimed Veterans suffered "recent cuts to their benefits.” - Ford Bell, DFL Senate candidate November 15, 2005
Fact: The Veterans Budget has INCREASED $20 billion over the past 4 years – a 42% increase. In that same time, Veterans medical care funding has INCREASED nearly $ 8 billion – a 38.7% increase.
After more than a century of inaction by the federal government, Congress approved an historic concurrent receipt benefit for veterans that will provide over $22 billion to more than 250,000 disabled military retirees over the next ten years. Mark Kennedy supported all of these efforts to protect our Veterans.
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