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Political Hay
Virtue Is Its Own Reward
Congressman Jeff Flake was left for dead by his GOP colleagues. Now, he’s being hailed as a fiscal hero.
During the dark days of Republican profligacy, when earmarks were the rule and GOP House and Senate members routinely voted for massive discretionary spending bills (many loaded with pork and earmarks) there was one man who bucked the tide of red ink: Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Arizona).
“I believed the earmarks game was robbing us as Republicans of our identity as fiscal conservatives,” said Flake.
Indeed, Flake was even willing to challenge earmarks of the highest-ranking Republicans, including then- House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (IL), who lost his job when the GOP was decimated in the 2006 elections for many things, including earmarks and spending, not to mention two seemingly-endless wars.
Flake routinely tried to kill indefensible earmarks for such unworthy projects as the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame or a museum dedicated to teapots. For this, he was punished severely by the powers that be, i.e., his fellow Republicans.
Jeff Flake’s story is told with sympathy by Michael Leahy in his recent article in The Washington Post (“House earmarks gadfly is case study in survival,” July 11, 2011).
While noting the fall from political grace by John Edwards, Anthony Weiner and John Ensign for personal and moral failings, Leahy claims these episodes “tend to obscure the quiet stories of unlikely political comebacks in Washington, those devoid of titillation.”
“Jeff Flake’s story serves as a reminder that Washington is rife with second acts,” he reports.
Leahy describes how Flake was “pummeled and left for dead” by GOP colleagues due to his sustained criticism of pork-barrel spending. Indeed, even current House Speaker John Boehner, who has not dabbled in earmarking during his long career, was party to the Arizona congressman’s public humiliation, which started when Jeff Flake was stripped of his seat on the prestigious House Judiciary Committee in 2006 — dashing his hopes of becoming committee chairman.
“I thought I might be the [committee] chairman someday,” Flake recalled. “And then I was suddenly off after Boehner talked to me…Of course it was hard…But you have to keep going.”
Evidently, Flake had supported some earmarks for Arizona defense-related projects. “I had signed 11 letters with the delegation for defense [projects] in our state,” he confessed. “At the time I’d signed them, I guess I said to myself, ‘Well, this is defense. This is different.’…It really wasn’t in many ways.”
After being criticized in 2003 for this apparent inconsistency in his record, Congressman Flake said he would not ask for any more earmarks. He kept on fighting the practice going forward. By 2006 he was “irking” earmark sponsors by inviting them to stand in the House chamber during spending debates and explain the need for their measure.
Flake’s colleagues basically had enough when, just two days
before the 2006 midterm elections, he appeared on 60
Minutes to blast earmarking by both parties. After the
Republicans took a beating, and Hastert lost his Speaker’s job, he
lost his job on the Judiciary Committee for what Flake describes as
“bad behavior.”
Leahy reports that Flake’s account is neither confirmed nor disputed by Mr. Boehner’s office.
Whatever one thinks of Jeff Flake’s actions, he took his punishment like a man. Again, Leahy tells the story:
“The moment might have forever ruptured the two men’s working relationship, but Flake did not publicly express bitterness. He maintained contact with Boehner, occasionally asking the leader about the possibility of landing a seat on the Appropriations Committee, where, Flake argued, he would be the rare member aggressively pushing for cuts.”
About the Author
G. Tracy Mehan, III served at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the administrations of both Presidents Bush. He is a consultant in Arlington, Virginia, and an adjunct professor at George Mason University School of Law.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (75) | Leave a comment
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oldfart| 7.12.11 @ 6:42AM
Sounds like Congressman Flake is a person who would qualify for a new chapter in 'Profles in Courage'. Also, our new Speaker only has a backbone when the wind blows that way.
Have you considered| 7.12.11 @ 12:39PM
Rep. Flake has strong support here in District 6, which is where I reside.
I think much of this support stems from this district being dominated by Latter Day Saints, to which denomination he belongs, which is fine by me, although I am not a member.
However, his latest votes on Libya have me very confused.
He voted against the action, yet refused to vote to cut off funding....totally incongruous and very perplexing.
His flip-flop on immigration is a good (and expedient) thing considering the reality that most citizen's here are strongly against any form of amnesty.
At this point, I am not sure I would support Jeff Flake for the Senate.
Al Adab| 7.12.11 @ 3:11PM
Libya votes make complete sense. Vote against sending them sure, but once they are engaged, even against your better judgement, they deserve full and unmitigated support.
Skinner| 7.12.11 @ 4:37PM
Exactly! You don't put troops in the field and not support them.
Have you considered| 7.13.11 @ 1:16PM
I understand your point, but mine is that, If your goal is to stop the military action, then pulling the funding the is most expedient thing you can do.
Pursuit of the goal seems to have fallen by the wayside in this incongruous vote.
This is what makes me question what his Goal in fact is.
TrueBlue| 7.13.11 @ 3:05PM
Like was said, you don't pull support once they're there. Congress and the Senate should however be starting impeachment proceedings against the President for the illegal act of war against Libya (and no matter how they try to spin it using our troops and equipment to attack another country is an act of war) and the fact that he refuses to acknowledge it and back down. If he did it and then said "oops" I'd at least be willing to maybe cut Obama a break.
At any rate, I don't see it as a double standard to vote against something and then vote to continue to support those in harms way. There are (currently unused) methods to fix that.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 7.12.11 @ 7:20AM
I've observed Congressman's Flakes ups and downs and he always appeared to receive the political slaps downs in stride. Congressman Flake has been slapped down by his own party on several occasions and with little mercy and members of both parties have publicly viewed him as a Congressional thorn.
When Congressman Flake, who I greatly admire, was removed from the Judiciary Committee he claimed it was because of his stance on immigration. This was quoted in an article in the TusconCitizen.com in a column titled Tuscson Citizen Morgue.
Flake, ever the optimist and a Republican with some vision, wrote an article in the Washington Post on November 5, 2008 claiming the Republicans made history, losing the White House and the Congress, and lost it with passion.
The article entitled "Out of The Wildnerness" laid out principles in apparently stark contrast to the principles of the Bush era:
Of course, it's not the level of spending that gets the most attention; it's the manner in which the spending is allocated. The proliferation of earmarks is largely a product of the Gingrich-DeLay years, and it's no surprise that some of the most ardent practitioners were earmarked by the voters for retirement yesterday. Few Americans will take seriously Republican speeches on limited government if we Republicans can't wean ourselves from this insidious practice. But if we can go clean, it will offer a stark contrast to the Democrats, who, after two years in training, already have their own earmark favor factory running at full tilt.
Second, we need to recommit to our belief in economic freedom. Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations" may be on the discount rack this year, but the free market is still the most efficient means to allocate capital and human resources in an economy, and Americans know it. Now that we've inserted government deeply into the private sector by bailing out banks and businesses, the temptation will be for government to overstay its welcome and force the distribution of resources to serve political ends. Substituting political for economic incentives is not the recipe for economic recovery.
Most House Republicans opposed the recent bailout and will be in a strong position to promote economic freedom over central planning as the Obama administration stumbles from industry to industry trying to determine which is small enough to be allowed to fail and which is not. Since timetables will be in vogue, perhaps Republicans could even insist on a timetable for getting the government out of the private sector.
There are, of course, other pillars of the Republican standard -- strong national defense, support for traditional values and the Second Amendment -- but these are not areas where voters question Republican bona fides. In any event, as we have seen over the past several months, economic woes tend to subsume other concerns. We shouldn't complain. We can now play our strongest hand.
In the article Congressman Flake hit the nail on the head and drove it home. The Republicans should have taken that article and pasted it on the walls in their offices.
Instead, I would imagine many in the party including Boehner wonder what drives a man like Flake.
After all, the public Treasury is there for the taking. Both parties have indulged in the plundering of the U.S. Treasury so who is this man Flake to not want to plunder the public Treasury.
In point of fact, Flake would have been a better man for any of the major leadership positions then several who were chosen including Boehner.
If Boehner screws up the debt limit negotiations the Party should kick him to the curb quickly and without mercy.
On the other hand Flake deserves the seat in the U.S. Senate. He's earned his stripes and I hope J.D. Hayworth sits this one out and offers his help to Congressman Flake.
Members of Congress who are honest and decent are rare. So are members of the Senate.
Good luck to Congressman Flake.
Conservative View| 7.12.11 @ 11:11AM
Honest politician is an oxymoron.
Al Adab| 7.12.11 @ 3:44PM
Glib but not entirely true. There are some.
Timothy L. Pennell| 7.12.11 @ 7:31AM
We are having an effect, but, we must remain vigilant. oldfart is absolutely correct. John Boehner only has a backbone when the wind blows that way. So the WIND must continue to BLOW.
John Boehnor's telephone # is 1-202-225-6205.
Eric Cantor's telephone # is 1-202-225-2815.
REMIND them, how they got their Majority. REMIND them WHO sent them all those new Republican Representatives.
REMIND them WHY we rose up, Republicans and Independents, alike. We sent them there to CUT SPENDING. To DEFEAT the Democrats. To turn back the Fundamental Transformation of the Greatest Country GOD ever gave to man, in to a Third World basket case, run by a Left Wing DESPOT.
REMIND them that we did NOT send them there to MAKE DEALS with the DEVIL. I don't care if he was born in Hawaii. HE'S NOT ONE OF US. He's one of THEM.
Lenin, Marx, and Molotov. Mussolini, Min, and Pol Pot. Castro, Mugabe, and Chavez. Enemies to Freedom. Enemies to Liberty. Enemies to our way of life. You do not make DEALS with that.
CALL Boehnor. CALL Cantor. CALL everyone you can. Remind them how precarious their new found POWER is. What we have giveth, we will surely taketh away. Remind them of those "Indispensable Men" who lost their seats in Primaries, last time out. Remind them that the next election has already begun. Remind them that WE ARE WATCHING. And that, we WON'T be denied.
And, when you get Boehnor's line, tell him what I do. Tell him that the next time he's crying won't be because he's the Speaker of the House, but, because he ISN'T.
Reagan Loyalist| 7.12.11 @ 12:52PM
Thanks Tim for listing the phone numbers - what could be easier than dialing these men and taking a position. When I called Cantor's office I got an aide rather than voice-mail - look, I was chocking up as I entreated leadership to see the significance of this moment, that if they blink even a little our Republic is in real peril. Thanks Tim and God Bless America!
Occam's Tool| 7.12.11 @ 1:29PM
Thanks, Tim.
You are a Gentleman, and quite helpful.
Maddox| 7.12.11 @ 7:40AM
Wow! How refreshing, a CONGRESSMAN with principles and the courage to stand up for them. There is hope for America if others can learn from his actions. Boenhead should take notice and follow or no one will be following him in the future.
A Janeite | 7.12.11 @ 7:46AM
Mr. Mehan knocks it out of the park with another well informed article. I only wish I lived in Arizona so I could vote for the guy!
Siegfried X| 7.12.11 @ 8:17AM
I tended to see things the other way, that politicians who demagogue about earmarks are big-spending cowards. It's complaining about one tiny drop of spending while filling the rest of the bucket. There are plenty of socialist Democrats who are anti-earmark too. John McCain spent the 2000's demagoging about earmarks at the same time he co-sponsored every new entitlement Ted Kennedy had.
I'm not saying that Flake is bad, but the earmark debate proves nothing.
TrueBlue| 7.13.11 @ 3:10PM
No, but the voting record does.
TrueBlue| 7.13.11 @ 3:16PM
Here's a place for you to go to keep track of what your federal elected officials are up to...
http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm
Michael L. Hauschild| 7.12.11 @ 8:29AM
“Given the role that DHS performs in border security, I hope that Governor Napolitano’s experience as a border state governor will bring a fresh perspective to the department,” said Flake.
Open border amnesty "Flake." If he is worried about fiscal issues maybe the drain on our treasury by illegal alians should merit some scrutiny. Don't let this clown anywhere near "control" of anything.
JimH| 7.12.11 @ 8:30AM
While earmarks are a fiscal drop in the bucket, politics is as much (if not more) about appearance as reality. Republicans must be seen to be a grown up, fiscally prudent, pro-market (rather than pro-business) party.
Redstateboy| 7.12.11 @ 8:54AM
Can Liber-uls brag of one of their own like we Conservatives can for this guy? A Liber-ul must be by definition the anthesis of Rep. Flake. Who on the Left can They lift up? Debbie Wasserman Schultz?? Anthony Weiner? Nazi Pelosi? Charlie Rangel? Maxine Waters? WHO!!??!?? Who on the Left can average Americans admire? Who can we universally point to in the Slave (Democrat) Party with respect and with agreement declare that They share average American values?? They don't have anyone even on the Radar as far as I know.
Clint| 7.12.11 @ 9:05AM
Interesting Issue.
Dr. Ron Paul,
"If you cut off all the earmarks, it would be 1 percent of the budget. But, if you vote against all the earmarks, you don't cut one penny. That is what you have to listen to. We're talking about who has the responsibility, the Congress or the executive branch?
I'm saying, get it out of the hands of the executive branch. Just listen again about what I have said about the TARP funds. We needed to earmark every penny. Now we gave them $350 billion, no earmarks, and nobody knows..."
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Carpe Diem.
Groad| 7.12.11 @ 12:03PM
Rube Paul is not a Tea Party candidate and is not "electable". His kook supporters are loud though.
Clint| 7.12.11 @ 12:46PM
The Ruling Elite RINO-CINO Fops & their Apologist Flunkies have attempted to smear up & marginalize Our Tea Party Co-Favorite Sarah Palin, Our Tea Party Presidential Candidate Michele Bachmann & Our Tea Party Co-Favorite & Presidential Candidate Dr. Ron Paul, like they attempted to do to Ronald Reagan.
"Almost all Republican politicians invoke the name of Ronald Reagan when campaigning. They refer to him as the greatest conservative leader we've had in modern times. But only one of the 2012 candidates - running or potentially running - has been endorsed by The Gipper himself.
"Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense," said Reagan in a Ron Paul campaign ad. "As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country."
When Ronald Reagan ran for the Republican nomination in 1976 he was opposed by the Republican leadership and was even considered a “kook” by many in the party. Sound familiar? At that time, only four Republican congressman supported Reagan and Ron Paul was one of them."
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Carpe Diem.
Mike Hawk| 7.12.11 @ 5:38PM
Ron Paul is and has been a fringe candidate.
Clint| 7.12.11 @ 8:52PM
You are and have been a fringe poster.
Dai Alanye | 7.12.11 @ 12:15PM
The hypocritical Ron Paul eloquently defends his earmarks, but regardless of what he says, use of earmarks continues to be a corrupting practice.
Clint| 7.12.11 @ 12:48PM
Asked & Answered RINO-CINO Flunkie.
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Carpe Diem.
Occam's Tool| 7.12.11 @ 1:33PM
Dai is a "Rino." Right, C(lint) Elegans.
You, on the other hand, ARE a hermaphrodite roundworm with 302 brain cells that reproduces by screwing yourself. Yes, yes, that is quite true.
Clint| 7.12.11 @ 8:33PM
Aaaand Fixated Israel Firster Fanatic Head Case Tool Job Is One Sorry-Ass Excuse For A Government Shrink.
Take Two Shock Treatments & Call Yourself In The Morning.
Occam's Tool| 7.12.11 @ 1:31PM
Yeah, but so much of his "earmarking" ends up in Galveston.
By the way, he's leaving the House in 2012. He's focusing on running for President. That should get your panties wet, Clint. For myself, it means in January of 2013 his flabby ass is OUT OF HERE!
Clint| 7.12.11 @ 8:36PM
Already Asked & Answered Serial Israel Firster Slandering Liar Tool Job.
Aaaand, Dr. Ron Paul Could Kick Your Short Fat Ass, Israel Firster Neo-Chickenhawk Coward Tool Job.
Dr. Ron Paul Never Voted For An Earmark Or An Appropriation Bill.
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Carpe Diem.
Derek Leaberry| 7.12.11 @ 9:20AM
Flake is an open borders traitor who needs to be politically destroyed whether that being a conservative in the Arizona Republican primary or a Democrat, Gabrielle Giffords if need be.
ConantheContrarian| 7.12.11 @ 9:49AM
Thanks for pointing out this gaping weakness. Maybe we can get him to change his ways before it is too late. An open borders stance is dangerous to the USA.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 7.12.11 @ 10:14AM
Construing Flakes as an open border advocate is not true. He has recently conceded that even reform may not be possible:
http://politicalticker.blogs.c.....on-reform/
GOP Arizona Rep. Jeff Flake is reversing his position on immigration, according to a report in The Arizona Republic. The six-term Congressman, who was a staunch proponent of broad immigration reform including a pathway to citizenship, has had a change of heart.
"In the past I have supported a broad approach to immigration reform – increased border security coupled with a temporary worker program. I no longer do. I've been down that road, and it is a dead end," Flake is expected to announce in a statement on his website, according to the article. His congressional office has not responded to a CNN request for the statement.
The specter of a 2012 U.S. Senate candidacy in Arizona combined with pressures from hard line, traditional Republican attitudes that prescribe a strict immigration policy may have taken their toll on Flake, who co-sponsored legislation in 2007 that would have established a pathway to citizenship as well as a guest-worker program.
Flake was the first Republican candidate to launch a bid for retiring Sen. Jon Kyl's seat and, in the process of preparing for a campaign, has revised his stance on immigration.
"The political realities in Washington are such that a comprehensive solution is not possible, or even desirable given the current leadership. Border security must be addressed before other reforms are tackled, he said."
Michael L. Hauschild| 7.12.11 @ 10:27AM
How convienent, he is reversing his entire political record. If there is any reversing that needs to be done Bill, it should be you and your support for someone with his finger in the air seeking another rung on the power ladder.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 7.12.11 @ 10:39AM
Going to the Senate may or may not be a rung up on the ladder.
What one needs to remember is that Flake was for once going along with Republicans since it was Ronald Reagan who created the entire illegal immigration mess. Was Reagan seeking another rung up on the ladder?
http://www.npr.org/templates/s.....=128303672
As attention turns back to the fractured debate over immigration, it might be helpful to remember that in 1986, Ronald Reagan signed a sweeping immigration reform bill into law. It was sold as a crackdown: There would be tighter security at the Mexican border, and employers would face strict penalties for hiring undocumented workers.
But the bill also made any immigrant who'd entered the country before 1982 eligible for amnesty — a word not usually associated with the father of modern conservatism.
In his renewed push for an immigration overhaul this week, President Obama called for Republican support for a bill to address the growing population of illegal immigrants in the country. This time, however, Republicans know better than to tread near the politically toxic A-word.
Part of this aversion is due to what is widely seen as the failure of Reagan's 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act. However, one of the lead authors of the bill says that unlike most immigration reform efforts of the past 20 years, amnesty wasn't the pitfall.
Michael L. Hauschild| 7.12.11 @ 11:48AM
He does not seem to be afraid of the "A" word, nor am I.
Here are his own press releases.
Congressmen Gutierrez and Flake Unveil Bipartisan Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation
Mar 22, 2007 - Congressmen Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) Thursday unveiled new legislation designed to fix our nation's badly broken immigration system. The legislation is the culmination of years of hard work, in-depth discussions and thoughtful negotiations by Congressmen Gutierrez and Flake.&nb;... More
Congressman Flake Encouraged By Administration’s Commitment to Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Feb 28, 2007 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today was encouraged by comments made by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez at the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing on immigration reform. “Input a... More
Congressman Flake Applauds President Bush’s Comments on Immigration and Earmark Reform
Jan 23, 2007 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today applauded President Bush for specifically addressing immigration reform and earmark reform in the State of the Union address. “President Bush deserves praise for being a consistent and persistent... More
Congressman Flake: Primary Results Show Arizona Republicans Favor Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Sep 13, 2006 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today pointed to election results from Arizona’s Republican primaries as more confirmation that Republicans favor a comprehensive approach to immigration reform. In the race for the Arizona’s Republica... More
Congressman Flake Reacts to Reported Proposal to Use Forced Labor to Build Wall at Border
Jun 23, 2006 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today reacted to a report from the EFE News Agency that Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Don Goldwater has proposed using forced labor from illegal immigrants to build a wall at the Arizona-Mexico border. &nbs;... More
Congressman Flake: Americans Don’t Want More Immigration Reform Hearings; They Want a Bill
Jun 20, 2006 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, a member of the House Judiciary Committee’s Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee, today expressed disappointment at the House Leadership’s decision to schedule more immigration reform hearings in the House of Representatives before appointing members of the... More
Congressman Flake Urges Speaker Hastert to Appoint Immigration Reform Conferees
Jun 13, 2006 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, a member of the House Judiciary Committee’s Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee, today urged Speaker Hastert to set aside possible plans to hold House hearings on the Senate immigration reform bill before appointing House members of the conference committe... More
Congressman Flake Praises President Bush for Reiterating Call for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Jun 7, 2006 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, a member of the House Judiciary Committee’s Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee, today praised President Bush for reiterating his call for a comprehensive approach to immigration reform. “Every day the House and Senate wait to appoin... More
Congressman Flake Praises Senate for Passing a Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill
May 25, 2006 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, a member of the House Judiciary Committee’s Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee, today praised the U.S. Senate for passing a comprehensive immigration reform bill that includes a temporary worker program. “It would have been a lot ea... More
Congressman Flake Praises Congressman Pence For Adding Another Conservative Voice For Temporary Worker Program
May 23, 2006 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, a member of the House Judiciary Committee’s Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee, today praised Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana for proposing a temporary worker program. “Conservative principles and a temporary worker program are no... More
Congressman Flake: Ruling on Arizona Immigration Law Adds More Pressure on Congress to Address Reform
Jul 28, 2010 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today released the following statement regarding U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton’s ruling enjoining portions of SB 1070. “It’s frustrating to have the federal government actively preventing states from addressi... More
Congressman Flake Disappointed By Gutierrez Immigration Bill
Dec 15, 2009 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, criticized an immigration reform bill unveiled today by Congressman Luis Gutierrez of Illinois. “Having worked with Congressman Gutierrez on immigration reform legislation in the past, I know how committed he is to th... More
Congressman Flake Praises Recommendations of Immigration Task Force
Jul 8, 2009 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today praised the recommendations of the Council on Foreign Affairs’ Independent Task Force on U.S. Immigration Policy. The bipartisan task force recommended a comprehensive overhaul of U.S. immigration policy in orde... More
Congressman Flake Reacts to Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano’s Likely Selection as DHS Secretary
Nov 20, 2008 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today reacted to reports that Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano is likely to be selected by President-Elect Obama to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “Given the role that DHS performs i... More
Congressman Flake Praises Comments By President Bush on Immigration Reform
May 29, 2007 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today praised comments by President Bush regarding immigration reform. “As the former governor of a border state, President Bush brings experience to this debate that most of us in Congress cannot matc... More
Congressman Flake Praises Senate for Taking Another Step Toward Comprehensive Immigration Reform
May 21, 2007 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today praised the U.S. Senate for beginning debate on comprehensive immigration reform legislation. “Congress’ inability to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation justifies much of the anger... More
Congressman Flake Praises Senators for Reaching Comprehensive Immigration Reform Agreement
May 17, 2007 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today applauded the Senate for reaching an agreement on a comprehensive immigration reform bill. “The Senate negotiations over the last several months have shown just how difficult it is to reach conse... More
Congressman Flake Testifies Before House Immigration Subcommittee
Apr 26, 2007 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, testified today before the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. Congressman Flake addressed the employer verification ... More
Op-ed on STRIVE Act for The Hill
Apr 26, 2007 - Immigration reform is a contentious issue. The interns in my office can attest to that. Every time I do an interview on the issue, my dutiful interns can expect a deluge of phone calls expressing enthusiastic disagreement, to put it kindly, with some of my positions. As Congre... More
Op-ed on STRIVE Act for Arizona Republic
Apr 1, 2007 - I think it's safe to say that there is universal agreement that our nation's immigration system is broken. Unfortunately, it sometimes feels like that is where agreement on the issue ends. Enactment of meaningful immigration-reform legislation will require support from both Re... More
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 7.12.11 @ 11:57AM
That's a rather long and lengthy post which totally ignores the fact that amnesty for illegal aliens has been the official position of both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Michael L. Hauschild| 7.12.11 @ 12:13PM
Not the electorate, however. You will find, Bill, that the beltway elite, and you on this one, are somewhat out of touch.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 7.12.11 @ 1:16PM
I never endorsed it. In fact, your assumptions do you a disservice as usual. It makes you look like a fool. Find one post where I ever endorsed illegal immigration or amnesty.
Maybe you're out of touch. With reality.
Occam's Tool| 7.12.11 @ 1:39PM
Then there's the Razor Approach: Put the fence down, with the sensors and antipersonnel mines covered by guard towers with quad 50s, and back up artillery and aircover as necessary.
Give Warning, and Shoot to Kill. Treat the Mexicans like they treat the Guatemalans. Pass laws OUTLAWING Public Education or Medicaid/Medicare moneys to be spent for their care, unless it is to deal with contagious disease. Allow ERs to turn away illegal aliens as well. Make it a felony to employ a illegal alien, and ENFORCE it!
The Mexican Government and Illegals are the ULTIMATE bad neighbors to us. (This does not apply to Hispanic Americans or those who attempt legal immigration.) It's time to tell the Mexican Government to pound sand.
Occam's Tool| 7.12.11 @ 1:41PM
Oh, and forbid illegal aliens legal standing to sue or bring criminal charges in US Court. Forbid US Courts to take Mexican court rulings into consideration that deal with illegals. Offer bounties for the heads of illegals,
Occam's Tool| 7.12.11 @ 1:47PM
Eliminate Medical Malpractice torts for illegals, as well.
George True| 7.12.11 @ 6:11PM
Gabrielle Giffords voted for TARP, voted for the (non)Stimulus, voted for Obamacare, voted for Amnesty for illegals, voted for government takeover of the internet, voted for government takeover of the banking and finance industries, voted for cap and trade, voted to continue giving money to unions and to ACORN. In short, she has voted for every piece of the leftist/Marxist/progressive/Obama agenda. And you say you would rather have her than Jeff Flake? Really??
I am second to none in my opposition to any form of amnesty. ()Unlike most, I firmly believe we can and should begin rounding up illegals by the thousands, tens of thousands, and hundreds of thousands, and deporting them en masse. But I cannot see for the life of me, why a conservative like yourself would think it prudent to push out a solid Republican who is with us on most issues, and as a result allow the seat to go to a hardcore leftist like Giffords who is with us on NO issues. This kind of thinking is what loses us close elections. Someone like Flake might be able to be re-educated and re-habilitated regarding amnesty. A leftist like Giffords cannot generally be reasoned with or in any way rehabilitated.
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Ken (Old Texican)| 7.12.11 @ 10:06AM
Well G. Tracy,
As our resident Paul-bot noted, ALL earmarks are 1% of the budget.
Pretty good symbolism... but the spending bills THEY WERE ATTACHED TO was 100% of the budget. DUH!
Al Adab| 7.12.11 @ 11:12AM
Since earmarks are only 1% then we can easily get along without them, yes? It is a place to start.
Clint| 7.12.11 @ 10:11AM
Duuhhhh !
Kenny The Squirrel.
Senator Ron Paul has never voted for an Appropriations Bill.
Dr. Ron Paul,
"But I think you're missing the whole point. I have never voted for an earmark. I voted against all appropriation bills. So, this whole thing about earmarks is totally misunderstood.
Earmarks is the responsibility of the Congress. We should earmark even more. We should earmark every penny. So, that's the principle that we have to follow and the — and the responsibility of the Congress. The whole idea that you vote against an earmark, you don't save a penny. That just goes to the administration and they get to allocate the funds."
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Carpe Diem.
Siegfried X| 7.12.11 @ 11:51AM
Exactly. If $100 million is allocated to bridges, would you rather have the Republican House decide how the money was split, or ship it all to Obama in a block grant so _HE_ can split it among his cronies?
Eliminating earmarks wouldn't automatically cut spending. "Earmark" just means that Congress takes control of how the money is spent, instead of letting Obama and unelected bureaucrats decide.
I can't remember any real conservative or libertarian politician spend much time talking about the phony issue of earmarks. They focus on trying to get REAL budget cuts.
Siegfried X| 7.12.11 @ 11:58AM
I understand the reason for the confusion though. If a real person said "We eliminated the earmarks", they would mean "We didn't spend the money". However politicians mean "We instead spent the money another way".
Clint| 7.12.11 @ 12:14PM
Yup, on the surface, it seems counter-intuitive, but you're right.
Congress should be responsible for "The Spending Blame/Credit" & do their job & not hand that power over The Executive.
Michael L. Hauschild| 7.12.11 @ 12:14PM
Clint,
Ron Paul just anounced that he will not seek election next cycle.
Clint| 7.12.11 @ 12:24PM
Yeah, We Tea Party Patriots Read.
"Texas Rep. Ron Paul says he won't run for another term in Congress so he can concentrate on his bid for the GOP presidential nomination.
"I have decided not to seek re-election for my House seat in 2012 and will focus all of my energy winning the presidency," he wrote.
Paul, 75, told a local paper in his congressional district that he didn't want to be distracted by running two campaigns at once.
"I felt it was better that I concentrate on one election," Paul told The Facts, which covers Brazoria County, Texas. "It's about that time when I should change tactics."
We Tea Party Patriots also read,
" Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex), a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, won a poll of 882 “highly active” Republican voters in Texas. Paul won the poll with 22 percent of the Republican vote. Texas Governor Rick Perry grabbed second with 17 percent of the Republican vote, while pizza magnate Herman Cain took third with 14 percent of the vote.
The poll was conducted by the Azimuth Research Group and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 points. Participants were polled between May 29th and June 3rd, 2011."
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Carpe Diem.
Occam's Tool| 7.12.11 @ 1:46PM
I didn't think you read, Clint, I just thought you cut and pasted.
Wave goodbye to Ron Paul on January 22, 2013.
Paul would not carry Texas, my bete noir. I know Texas, and Texas Republicans, a helluva a lot better than you.
Occam's Tool| 7.12.11 @ 1:49PM
Actually, wave goodbye on February of 2012. After Super Tuesday, Paul will be mauled as a candidate.
Clint| 7.12.11 @ 8:57PM
Tell that Crap to 882 “highly active” Republican voters in Texas,where Dr.Ron Paul Won The Poll, Screwball Israel Firster Fanatic Minnesota Boy, Tool Job.
Occam's Tool| 7.12.11 @ 1:43PM
Yes, Clint. But if you know an appropriations bill is going to pass regardless of your "opposition," and you add an earmark to it and then vote against it, how is that opposing the earmark?
302 Neurons, Clint. I know it's hard for you.
Clint| 7.12.11 @ 8:59PM
Asked & Answered Mensa Moron Israel Firster Tool Job.
Dr. Ron Paul,
"But I think you're missing the whole point. I have never voted for an earmark. I voted against all appropriation bills. So, this whole thing about earmarks is totally misunderstood.
Earmarks is the responsibility of the Congress. We should earmark even more. We should earmark every penny. So, that's the principle that we have to follow and the — and the responsibility of the Congress. The whole idea that you vote against an earmark, you don't save a penny. That just goes to the administration and they get to allocate the funds."
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Carpe Diem.
Mike Hawk| 7.12.11 @ 9:43PM
Ron Paul is a kook. Unlike convention polls, when voting you get one vote and you can't stack the polls like the Paul kooks do at conventions. Ron Paul is a kook. I bet you really loved his co-sponsered Bill with Barhney Fwank to legalize marajuana. Ron Payul is a fringe candidate and not a Tea Party favorite either. Get off that end of the horse you are riding, it isn't the forward facing part.
Clint| 7.13.11 @ 5:37AM
Do Your Homework Before You Run Your Uninformed Mouth.
"Tea Partiers in two camps: Sarah Palin vs. Ron Paul:
Tea party activists are divided roughly into two camps, according to a POLITICO/TargetPoint poll: one that’s libertarian-minded and largely indifferent to hot-button values issues and another that’s culturally conservative and equally concerned about social and fiscal issues.
Palin, who topped the list with 15 percent, speaks for the 43 percent of those polled expressing the distinctly conservative view that government does too much, while also saying that it needs to promote traditional values.
Paul’s thinking is reflected by an almost identical 42 percent who said government does too much but should not try to promote any particular set of values — the hallmarks of libertarians. He came in second to Palin with 12 percent.
When asked to choose from a list of candidates for president in 2012, Palin and Paul also finished one-two — with Palin at 15 percent and Paul at 14 percent. "
Chef Schnauzer| 7.12.11 @ 10:38AM
Congressman Flake - God Bless and best of luck. There are a growing number of republicans who take their responsibility to the Consitiution / to the Nation seriously. I will support those people individually. The party will not get a thin dime EVER AGAIN until it weeds out the smug RINO losers. Most of those smug little congressional staffers fall into this category, certainly the ones with JDs. Until the officious party culture changes no support, no money - screw 'em. Since Nixon they have come to conservatives for early money and early support - screw 'em. The ability to show one face 'in state' and then sell their souls at DC fundraisers with their second (or third or fourth) face - those days are over.
Al Adab| 7.12.11 @ 11:06AM
Interesting how, when one stands on principle, cream rises to the top. Apparently the Congress needs more like him.
Citizen Jerry| 7.12.11 @ 11:47AM
Members of Congress like this make me proud. But I still wonder, if he ever guests on Fox New Sunday, will Chris Wallace ask him if he's a flake?
loulou| 7.12.11 @ 12:20PM
Too bad Flake is a supporter of illegal immigration. How does that make him virtueous?
Al Adab| 7.12.11 @ 3:42PM
Virtuous in regard to spending control We can debate illegal migration (it is not immigration) on another occasion.
The entire earmark issue, as well as much of the over spending issue, could be resolved through the elimination of non-germain riders (amendments) to other bills. Legislation and appropriations should rise or fall on their own merits not through the inclusion of pet projects to obtain votes.
Michael L. Hauschild| 7.12.11 @ 8:05PM
It is widely reported (and generally accepted) that illegal immigration costs taxpayers 113 billion dollars a year. If you accept that amount, Flake is in no way fiscally responsible, or worse, does not care what he does with other people money and the country he is supposed to represent. One other thing, immigration is the correct term by the way; migration is the term for describing movement of general populations and very seldom involves political boundaries. Migrations occurred before the concept of nation, immigration is by definition a change of country.
CalMark| 7.12.11 @ 1:59PM
Hey Beltway Pundits:
That includes you too, Mehan III, wherever the hell you live.
The GOP did NOT lose in 2006 because of wars. That's an inside-the-beltway fabrication by liberals, "insiders," and Ron Paul/Pat Buchanan kooks. Sorry--that dog don't hunt.
The GOP lost in 2006 because of spending and complacency. And above all because, as always, Republicans are spineless under withering, vicious Democrat attacks, allowing Leftists to create a false, hateful, ugly narrative.
Bottom line: if the GOP had a spine, regardless of their other faults, they would not have lost in 2006 or (in hindsight, the biggest problem with the 2006 debacle) the huge losses it led to in 2008.
Michael L. Hauschild| 7.12.11 @ 4:36PM
Here is some "virtue" for you. (source Red State)
Mitch McConnell is right now talking about making a historic capitulation. So fearful of being blamed for a default, McConnell is proposing a compromise that lets Barack Obama raise the debt ceiling without making any spending cuts at all.
Consider sending McConnell a weasel as testament to his treachery. His address is 601 W. Broadway, Room 630, Louisville, KY 40202 and the phone number is (502) 582-6304.
McConnell’s idea is to make the debt ceiling automatic unless Congress, by a 2/3 vote blocks the increase. Oh yes, he put a salve on it by dressing it up in tough talk that, to quote the Wall Street Journal, “[a] ‘eal solution’ to U.S. fiscal problems isn’t possible as long as President Barack Obama remains in office.” So since no “real solution” is possible, McConnell proposes to go Pontius Pilate and wash his hands of spending, blaming Obama while doing nothing himself.
Here is how the plan would work.
In a nutshell, the President would get to raise the debt ceiling three times in the next year at several billion bucks a pop without making any spending cuts unless two-thirds of both houses of Congress disagree. In his press conference, McConnell says he would not give the President “unilateral authority to make spending cuts on his own,” but this plan would allow the President to raise the debt ceiling pretty much automatically
Siegfried X| 7.12.11 @ 5:01PM
Yes there are a lot of things wrong with McConnell, like his recruitment of left-wing Republicans as Senate candidates.
However, I must admit that McConnell did a great job last year. An incredibly good, conservative job. The Senate was our last line of defense in 2010, with the Democrats one (or zero) votes away from passing anything and everything, the entire Democratic platform. Yet McConnell managed to limit them to a very few wins, even in the lame duck session.
Yes, this stinks but I had to give credit where it was due.
dadfly| 7.13.11 @ 2:47AM
great job, yup. let's see:
he didn't lift a finger to stop or fillibuster obamacare when it was passed in the middle of the night on christmas eve.
we had sb510 the food take over bill stopped (by a providential act of reid stupidity) and he got it repassed.
he also got the disasterous start treaty ratified as well.
he supported the lameduck bad deal bush tax cut extensions and got nothing but more debt in turn.
he opposed the earmark ban until the handwriting was on the wall.
i could go on and on.
that unhinged rino has got to go. asap.
dadfly| 7.13.11 @ 2:42AM
mr. flake is a tea party climber. i wouldn't trust him farther then i could throw him.
Brian| 7.13.11 @ 4:06AM
How does one get high praise from the Washington Post? Simply sign on to the radical homosexual agenda like Jeff Flake has.
POST American| 7.14.11 @ 3:00AM
----CUT to the chase!
HUAC/Nuremberg, the second chapter, 2012.
We're not joking and you'll soon NOT be laughing.
jgo| 7.14.11 @ 1:38PM
Flake!? Mr. Amnesty for illegal aliens Flake? Mr. Reprehensible Immigration Law Perversion? Gimme a break!
Scott| 7.16.11 @ 8:37PM
Well, Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) is the exception that proves the rule. Some flakes are the best people we could ever have the pleasure of knowing!