Posted on 12/30/2011 7:55:30 AM PST by wolfman23601
"I'll say the same thing that, actually, Congressman Paul said when Rick Perry went after him on his earmarks.
If you look at the Constitution, the Constitution gives the power of the purse to the Congress. The Congress is the one that's supposed to spend the money; so the idea that earmarks are somehow against the Constitution or something that is elicit that Congressmen can or shouldn't do is just simply factually incorrect.
.... I've defended my earmarks in the sense that I'm proud of the money that I did set aside for things that were priorities in my state."
(Excerpt) Read more at gop12.thehill.com ...
People who tout Santorum as the conservative solution to Romney haven’t looked at his record too carefully. He is good on social issues but is a typical politician when it comes to earmarks, being cozy with lobbyists and going along with a whole host of spending programs. He’s a Huckabee/Bush type “Compassionate Conservative” whose conservatism stops with abortion and gun rights.
Congress is limited to the enumerated powers.
I don't think using pork to buy votes is one of them.
So does Sen. Inhofe, yes I know he is not running for president, but still. Then our other Sen. Coburn gives us a BIG list of Gov’t wasteful spending. These two play good cop, bad cop depending on who’s up for election.
Earmarks are one thing but out and out self interest pork is something else. When legislators get money that lines their own pockets they ought to be shot by a firing squad or worse. I don’t trust Santorum. He gives the feeling of being nothing more than a thug while Romney is a flim flam artist, a snake oil salesman.
What is wrong with earmarking funds as opposed just letting the administration (Obama) decide how to spend the money?
Good grief.
STILL there are no smears on Romney.
Santorum bumps a couple percent in the polls, and he’s slimed.
The GOP is a freaking, clueless, rudderless mess.
Controlled by an elite which really doesn’t care about America at all.
Only protecting their own privilege from any outside disruption.
Insular creeps.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/2011/InsiderAdv_Iowa_1229.pdf
Looks like it is Gingrich surging in Iowa now.
Mittens 17
Gingrich 16.7
People complain because Santorum lost in the Dem Senate race and then complain when he played the earmark game while he was in office.
Politicians collect pork for their district. I don’t like it and I wish it were stopped for all politicians. But because he tried to collect Pennsylvania’s fair share of earmarks, he should not be condemned.
Until the system is changed for everyone, politicians have an obligation to make look out after the interests of their constituents.
GO NEWT GINGRICH.
Can't wait for this be over in Iowa, and take this election gravy train away. I can't imagine how much money has been spent there, but Iowa has been richly blessed with all this hoopla and games they are playing on America.
One thing for sure, IOWA will never be taken seriously again, win or lose, that alone is a GOOD THING. IMO
And just what were those "priorities", Rick?
The most reliable poll should be released tomorrow night by the Des Moines Register.
After this I never want to hear of IOWA again.
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