Political Hay
Ten Questions for Jeff Flake
A conservative’s eye view of Nancy Pelosi’s House.
Congressman Jeff Flake is a fifth-term Republican representing Arizona’s 6th congressional district. He is a leading opponent of wasteful government spending.
TAS: How is life in
the minority?
Congressman Flake: It’s not much fun. Last Congress, even though Democrats controlled Congress, President Bush made it difficult for them to do too much damage. With that backstop gone now, it’s been pretty ugly. But being so deep in the minority has freed Republicans to vote more on principle. I think you saw that with every House Republican voting against the stimulus.
TAS: Even though a minority party in the House has very little leeway compared to a Senate minority, it is an opportunity for reflection and policy innovation. The Kemp-Roth tax cut bill, proposed while Democrats controlled both the White House and Congress, later became the centerpiece of the Reagan economic program. What are some similar examples of new ideas coming from the Republican minority today?
Congressman Flake: House Republicans are definitely in a period of reflection now, and I hope it leads to some policy innovation. Former Republican Leader Dick Armey was able to pass legislation establishing the BRAC process during the '80s when Republicans were in the minority. So I think if you have good bill and are persistent, you can move meaningful legislation.
TAS: After voting for a lot of big-ticket spending items under President Bush, House Republicans were unanimous in their opposition to President Obama’s stimulus plan. Then we read Republicans also requested upwards of 40 percent of the earmarks in the recently-signed omnibus spending bill. Have they gotten the message on spending yet?
Congressman Flake: No, not yet. Clearly, taxpayers were outraged by the pork in the omnibus, but Republicans couldn’t get any traction on it because Democrats were able to turn around and say that 40% of the earmarks in the bill were Republican earmarks. You would hope that our leadership took note of that and will push for an earmark moratorium, even if it’s just for Republicans. But they’re not there yet.
TAS: How close are we to the tipping point toward European-style social democracy, which would be difficult or impossible to reverse?
Congressman Flake: Fortunately, at this point taxpayers seem to be an unwilling participant in these bailouts. I do worry that when the crisis is over, the federal government will be reluctant to give up the power they have over the financial industry. But, fundamentally, I think Americans believe that the free market works.
TAS: In the 1990s, Republicans helped beat back an attempt to nationalize health care while still in the minority. But at that time, the business community was opposed to the plan on the table, many doctors opposed the plan as well, and the Clinton administration made serious political misjudgments. Today, many businesses and entrepreneurs want relief from health insurance costs, doctors want to make sure they are compensated, and the current president probably won’t ask Michelle Obama to write his health care plan. What is the Republican game plan on health care reform?
Congressman Flake: Republicans have got to be ready with serious, substantive alternatives on healthcare. For good reason, Americans are naturally skeptical about the federal government’s ability to manage a national healthcare program. So Republicans have an advantage in that Americans are more inclined to support market-based healthcare reforms. We can’t just offer gimmicky alternatives, and we need to articulate our proposals. Fortunately, House Republicans have guys like Rep. Paul Ryan and Rep. John Shadegg who have been working on healthcare proposals for years.
TAS: Some commentators on the right argue that the economic crisis makes some accommodation with big government inevitable, while others claim that government played a significant role in the meltdown. Who is right?
Congressman Flake: I don’t think there’s any doubt that the federal government played a large role in this mess. Implicit, and eventually explicit, federal guarantees in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shielded the financial services sector from market discipline. The various bailouts have prevented the market from reaching its natural bottom.
TAS: On a similar
note, is the era of tax cuts over? Some early supply-siders like
Bruce Bartlett now say so.
Congressman Flake: I don’t think we can expect any meaningful tax cuts during the Obama Administration, but I don’t believe the era of tax cuts is over. The stimulus bill passed by the Democrats in Congress and signed into law by President Obama will not stimulate the economy, and Democrats are already laying the groundwork for a second stimulus. Republicans need to continue to make the case for tax cuts as a way to spur economic growth.
About the Author
W. James Antle, III, author of the new book Devouring Freedom: Can Big Government Ever Be Stopped?, is editor of the Daily Caller News Foundation and a senior editor of The American Spectator. You can follow him on Twitter @jimantle.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (34) | Leave a comment
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Rocco| 3.23.09 @ 6:46AM
Good God, Rep. Flake, what the hell is there to reflect about? What about the same principles underlying the 1996 Contract for America? That might be a good start, plus a little updating. It seems that the congressional Republicans have fallen for the paralysis by analysis. Of course, it doesn't help that the supposed mainstream media, aka, the drivebys, are essentially Obama's press office, but there are other avenues to get the word out.
Pingback| 3.23.09 @ 9:20AM
Topics about Dogs and Life with Pets » Ten Questions for Jeff Flake links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Luonne Dumak| 3.23.09 @ 9:29AM
Check out Rep. Paul Ryan's website for his Road map for America. He has propossed many excellent ideas for solving Social Secuity and other entitlement problems,but the Dems, have stood in the way because it would entail more free market involvment and less Goverment. The Marxist in Congress will not allow that to happen.
Aaron| 3.23.09 @ 9:42AM
TAS: What is the Republican game plan on health care reform?
Congressman Flake: Republicans have got to be ready with serious, substantive alternatives on healthcare.
Really? Congressman Flake did you not have time to prepare for this question? Are you new to the United States? This is one of the hot topics this year, I'm purdy certain you were aware that this topic would present itself at some point in this or someone else's interview.
Why you and every other Republican Congressman have not long ago come together on a comprehensive free market reform plan is baffling. Many solid ideas have been put forth by Spectator, Heritage, WSJ and many others. I believe you choose to ignore it hoping it will simply go away because you know deep down that it will require dealing with the 800lb gorilla, tort reform.
Robert Rosencrans| 3.23.09 @ 10:21AM
Representative Flake has done more then his fair share to stop waste in government, including taking an occasional beat down from his own party.
I wish him well.
rr| 3.23.09 @ 10:55AM
I, too, respect Mr. Flake. He is what the Republican party should be.
Aaron| 3.23.09 @ 11:22AM
Make no mistake I too respect him greatly, but Mr. Rosencrans I respectfully disagree on your fair share observation. The Congressman is fifth term and that means he is elected to continue the fight and experienced to lead from the front.
Michael Skaggs| 3.23.09 @ 11:36AM
Question Number 11 for Jeff Flake: Do you support recinding the wrongful impeachment of Arizona Governor Evan Mecham and awarding him all the back pay he would have earned as well as money for his losses and the 60 percent of his legal fees the state still owes him?
Siegfried X| 3.23.09 @ 12:56PM
Same old, same old.
Flake sticks to the same two "safe" issues that made McCain a loser: earmarks and tax cuts. Symbolism instead of substance. Same old way the Republicans governed, give their rank & file conservatives mostly empty words, while focusing on the status quo.
I have no doubt that even if Republicans magically had a majority, and Flake were Speaker, that it would just be the same old, same old. No different from Hastert. Talk conservative, do nothing.
Siegfried X| 3.23.09 @ 1:02PM
One other point, which proves my case: where was the dissent?
In the interview Rep. Flake says "So many [Republican mistakes] to choose from -- the farm bill, the highway bill, all of the spending bills. "
Well, where was the dissent? Where were the articles criticizing it? Where were the attack ads against John McCain during the primaries?
They weren't there because the Republican leadership is just talking. If they get back in power, they'll do the same thing again.
CHRISTA EDMONDSON| 3.23.09 @ 2:16PM
It is time 8000 Republicans went to march in Washington DC we are losing our country to socialialists and redistribution of wealth. Not to mention laws are now worth nothing due to the AIG mess.
Robert Rosencrans| 3.23.09 @ 5:49PM
Here's why Flake may be a little cautious. He still has my admiration. I took a few beat downs on Capitol Hill myself so I know what it's like.
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/117867.html
House Minority Leader John Boehner, who had promised last May that "bad behavior" by House Republicans who voted against their leadership would not be rewarded, announced to a party conference Wednesday that reform Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona was being removed from the Judiciary Committee.
With the change in House control, several Republicans had to be removed from committees. However, Flake was about halfway up the Judiciary panel in seniority, and this was his priority appointment. The decision was made by the Republican Steering Committee, dominated by Appropriations members who resent Flake's vigorous campaign against earmarks.
Boehner later told Flake he was purged because of his verbal attacks on party leaders. Flake was undone by his critical remarks on CBS's "60 Minutes" just before the election.
steve purtell| 3.23.09 @ 7:34PM
I agree with Aaron that the GOP should have done something about health care years ago. Heck, they controlled the whole government for 6 yrs. Many of the uninsured are in the Repub constituency--small business. The Dem's take care of their base with Medicare and Medicaid. Why haven't the Republicans provided for their own? We now risk socialized medicine and it will be largely our own fault.
Seigfied X| 3.23.09 @ 7:42PM
"Boehner later told Flake he was purged because of his verbal attacks on party leaders."
That's hard to believe considering that John McCain got the Republican nomination, and that RINOs like Specter are fully supported by the party leadership. The Republican party rewards disloyalty.
Lulu| 3.23.09 @ 8:22PM
Why didn't Flake mention amnesty for illegal aliens? He supports illegal immigration. Flake's a McCain.
DaveinPhoenix| 3.24.09 @ 12:20AM
The 104th Republican Congress at least were brave enough to try to solve big problems. That was the last Congress that I was proud of.
The net worth of our Federal government is: (-$59 Trillion). I'd be a proud American if this problem could at least be acknowledged - hopefully by a Conservative. Instead, we're reduced to attacking endlessly idiotic bonuses and "stimulus" which is miniscule in comparison. You want to win elections again ? Then hit Americans over the head over and over with the truth - it might just create a whole new generation of Conservative voters. But our biggest problems need to be addressed with solutions. Liberals will never face these problems, but maybe Conservatives will have the backbone to once again lead the way. $59 trillion and growing......
Siegfried X| 3.24.09 @ 8:45AM
Re: the 104th Congress -- Exactly. The government shutdown and Gingrich's fall were the end of conservativism in the government. After that, at best the Republicans sometimes played defense, growing the government a little slower than the Democrats wanted in some areas, but they never went on offense again.
"our biggest problems need to be addressed with solutions"
Agreed, but unfortunately it won't happen. That died with the 104th. The Republican strategy is 100% based on backlash, not solutions. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, demonize the Democrat of the moment, then tell the Republican voters, "Vote for the lesser of two evils. Vote against the Democrats [even though we haven't given you any reason to vote FOR us]. "
Pingback| 5.1.09 @ 1:25PM
Casino Party Supply » Blog Archive » Anniversary party supply links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Ken Smith | 6.20.09 @ 3:06PM
That's an interesting question by Michael Skaggs above: "Do you support recinding the wrongful impeachment of Arizona Governor Evan Mecham ... ?"
I was Mecham's press secretary for his last eight months in office. I am not an apologist for his many political mistakes, but I firmly believe that he was given a raw deal by fellow Republicans and the elite power structure in the state.
I have recently started posting from my digital archives old letters, speeches, news articles, and my contemporaneous notes. Of the items on the site, the editorials from the Wall Street Journal provide a powerful explanation of how and why Mecham was the target of a media campaign to remove him. The letter from Dick Wirthlin to Evan Mecham is a must read. One of the best presentations on the lack of foundation for the impeachment is a speech by the liberal Democrat John Kromko. And, I would challenge any Republican or Democrat, then or now, to find fault with Mecham's State of the State Address.
Go to: http://www.kensmith.us