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The Conservative Reader:
Iowa

In Latham vs. Boswell Congressional Race—The Candidate’s Voting Records Speak Volumes

In Latham vs. Boswell Congressional Race—The Candidate’s Voting Records Speak Volumes

Below is the full text of the “Letter to the Editor” I sent to several newspapers in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.  I believe it makes the case against re-electing Leonard Boswell in a concise fashion.  If there is anyone you know still on the fence in this race feel free to forward it to them.

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For the last ten years I have been represented in the U.S House by Rep. Leonard Boswell.  During this time I have often disagreed with his positions, but never have I been more convinced that he has grown out of touch with the challenges facing my fellow Iowans, and our nation at large, than I am this year.

The number one piece of evidence proving this has been his approach to our country’s fiscal matters over the last few years.  The reason I am so disappointed in Leonard Boswell is because I did something that has seemingly gone way out of style these days, something even nearly unthinkable actually—I looked up his voting record.  More unbelievable perhaps is that I didn’t stop there; I had the nerve to continue doing my civic homework by looking up the record of his opponent Tom Latham as well.

Anyone choosing to do the same will find out that since 2009, the self-proclaimed fiscally conservative “Blue Dog” Democrat Leonard Boswell has cast yes votes on the following pieces of legislation:

• Economic Stimulus Bill—over $800 billion added to the national debt, more than a trillion dollars with interest included (passed the House 246-183 on Feb. 13, 2009).

• Obamacare—price tag of $900 billion over 10 years at passage, most recent CBO scoring nearly doubled this amount to $1.76 trillion (passed the House 219-212 on March 21, 2010).

• Raising the debt ceiling—passed the House 218-214 on December 16, 2009.

• Cap and Trade—according to the Obama administration itself, would have cost Americans up to $200 billion a year (passed the House 219-212 on June 26, 2009).

Meanwhile in the same span he voted against the following measures:

• Cut, Cap, and Balance—passed the House 234-190 on July 19th, 2011

• Debt ceiling bill – This is the John Boehner version that would have raised the debt ceiling in exchange for limits on discretionary spending (passed the House 218-210 on July 29, 2011).

• Reducing spending to F.Y 2008 levels—passed the House 256-165 on July 25, 2011.

Two things of note here are, 1) Tom Latham had the foresight and fiscal decency to vote against all the above bills that Leonard Boswell voted for, and 2) Though Mr. Boswell may have been a fiscally conservative Democrat at some point during his career in Washington—over the last three years he has shown zero concern for the massive debt that has crippled this economic recovery.  In fact, he remarkably couldn’t even bring himself to support spending at the level we did just four years ago.

Besides being pleasantly surprised at how rock-solid Tom Latham has been on Federal spending, the thing I took away most from researching these two candidates is how disingenuous it is for Leonard Boswell to claim the mantle of “Blue Dog Democrat”.

The reason this should matter to voters of all stripes on November 6th is it invites the following question:  How can we expect our political leaders to do what they say they will once elected, if they are not even who they claim to be while running for office?

Especially since 2009, only one man in this race has had his eyes on the future fiscal health of this country, and by extension the next generation who will inherit this future—and that man is Tom Latham.

 

 

Zaun Leads Boswell In New Poll

Zaun Leads Boswell In New Poll

The following was released by the Polk County Republican Party:

The Polk County Republican Party commissioned a poll in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District that shows Republican Brad Zaun leading by 7.3% points in a head to head match-up with incumbent Leonard Boswell.

“These numbers are very encouraging for Senator Zaun and Republicans across the board.  It is clear voters in central Iowa are looking for new, principled leadership,” said Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa Matt Strawn.

Other highlights in the survey include:

  • Zaun beats Boswell in Polk County, 46.5% to 38.4%
  • Among Independent voters, Zaun again leads Boswell, 41.3% to 31.7%
  • Boswell hard re-elect is only at 24.7% with a total re-elect of 34%, but 51.3% of voters say it’s time for a new person
  • 25.4% of Democrats say it’s ‘definitely time’ for a new person
  • Zaun earns support from 26.2% of Democrats

“Polk County Republicans are more organized and energized than ever before.  These numbers confirm what we’re seeing on the ground.   We’re going to do our part to support candidates like Brad Zaun both financially and organizationally and help them to victory in November,” concluded  Chairman of the Polk County Republican Party John Bloom.

The survey consisted of 300 likely general election voters and has a margin of error of +/- 5.6%.   The 300 completes were comprised of 21% independent voters, 42% Democrats and 37% Republicans with 66% of the respondents being from Polk and the rest geographically proportioned from the remainder of the 3rd District.  The survey was conducted by Victory Enterprises out of Davenport, Iowa.

Iowa GOP Chairman Strawn Issues Statement on Health Care Vote

Iowa GOP Chairman Strawn Issues Statement on Health Care Vote

iowa-gopDES MOINES – Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn issued the following statement on today’s passage of health insurance legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Instead of working for bipartisan reforms that most Iowans could support, Iowa’s congressional Democrats chose a partisan approach that amounts to a staggering, half-a-trillion dollar cost to the American taxpayer while giving the federal government an unprecedented amount of control over personal health care decisions.

“The blatant disregard shown for the opinions of everyday Iowans who oppose this partisan bill is offensive enough, but it is unconscionable for Congressmen Boswell, Braley and Loebsack to force another $562 billion in debt on our children and grandchildren.”

Dr. Pat Bertroche To Make It Official

Dr. Pat Bertroche To Make It Official

patbertroche1This Friday, Pat Bertroche, whom we have mentioned here before as a Republican candidate for 3rd District US House from Iowa, will make his formal announcement of candidacy.

Pat will make his announcement at the corner of East 14th Street and Euclid in Des Moines where Younkers once had a store.

I had the opportunity to speak with Pat in August while Leonard Boswell was running a farce of a town meeting in Sigourney. As with Dave Funk, Pat seems to share many of the same conservative passions that many of us do for both addressing our fiscal mess by reducing the size of government, and some of the key social issues that have been problematic, abortion being one of them.

Pat also hosts a show called “The Reasonable Republican” on the same Des Moines Local Live internet radio station that The Conservative Reader Report can be heard on. Pat’s show is on Friday’s from 2 to 4.

Here’s Pat’s press release:

Dr. Patrick Bertroche will formally announce his campaign for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District on Friday, December 18th, 2009, at 12pm. He has sent his FEC papers by Fed/Ex Tuesday, and the next logical step is to move forward and announce his intention to run for the 3rd District House seat.

He will announce his candidacy at E. 14th & Euclid Ave., near where the old Younkers store used to be, to illustrate the need for better infrastructure and job growth that Iowa needs for a better economy.

Dr. Pat is passionate about Iowa, and will bring a depth of knowledge and vast experience on all issues that affect Iowans, especially Medicare reimbursement and job creation for the 3rd District of Iowa. Dr. Pat plans to work closely with local and state officials to boost small business growth and job creation.

Dr. Pat LISTENS to Iowans.

For more information, you can check out his website, www.bertroche4congress.com, you can call the campaign headquarters at 515-556-0526, or his Campaign Chairman at 515-710-0798. Email: [email protected].

You can also follow him on Twitter at PatBertroche, and on Facebook, Pat Bertroche.

Dr. Patrick Bertroche is challenging Rep. Boswell

Dr. Patrick Bertroche is challenging Rep. Boswell

bertrocheI have previously listened to Dr. Pat Bertroche speak on several occasions, including the day I went all the way to Sigourney to participate in Leonard Boswell’s “Town Meeting” (that’s French for “Stuffed with Union members”) only to be turned away.  At least Bertroche had time for me that day, along with a handful of others who talked with him for a couple of hours at the Pizza Ranch in Sigourney.

Although Pat had already publicly stated his intention to run for 3rd District US House, he put out a press release this past week (which I’ve provided below).  In addition to the information provided by his campaign, it’s worth noting that he is now hosting an internet radio show on Friday afternoons called “The Reasonable Republican” on Des Moines Local Live (where I also happen to host The Conservative Reader Report on Tuesdays).  Pat joins Jim Gibbons, Dave Funk and Brad Zaun in what will likely be a very competitive primary race.  I have had Dave Funk as a guest on my show, and plan to have the other three as well in the near future.

Dr. Patrick Bertroche is announcing he intends to defeat Rep. Boswell Next November.  Dr. Bertroche has spent the last 9 years serving the medical needs of central Iowans, and will bring a potent insight and deep understanding to the race for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District. 

He is a local boy, born in Des Moines and raised in Indianola.  He graduated from Indianola High School, and the Graduated from Drake University with a BA in Political Science.  He then went to The University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, now Des Moines University, and graduated in 1995. After completing his residency, he returned to the Des Moines area, and started his private practice in Clive.  He has been serving the needs of central Iowans since 2000.

Dr. Bertroche has a son, Pat, who is in the Marine reserves, and is stationed in Des Moines.  He will be returning to college next year, and intends to complete his business degree.  It is his son who challenged Dr. Bertroche to pursue this candidacy, by asking Dr. Bertroche, “In 20 years, what are you going to say you did to save our country?”  It was then he decided to run for Iowa’s 3rd District seat.

Dr. Bertroche has shown determination and drive in all he has accomplished.  He has traveled extensively around the world, starting with his first international trip when he was 12 to Ireland with the Friendship Force.  From his international experiences, he has gained an insight into other world cultures that is lacking in today’s US Government.  He would bring this expertise to Washington, and would help re-establish America as a respected global leader.

He is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Des Moines University.  As a Professor, he is playing a role in educating future physicians.  As a mentor, he has influenced hundreds of students, some of them now physicians, and has provided a positive and rewarding learning experience. 

Like most rural boys, his first job was on a farm.  It didn’t take him long to learn the valuable lessons of hard work, integrity, and prayer.  With this knowledge and experience, at 16 he tried his hand at business, and has been creating jobs for central Iowans since.  He understand the struggles of small business, and knows that small businesses are really good people pursuing their American Dream.  As a small businessman, he understands that struggle, and will work hard for Iowa’s small businesses.  He knows small businesses create jobs that Iowans need.

From his work as a physician, Dr. Bertroche also understands the struggles of hard working folks who are overburdened with taxes on everything they earn, and everything they own.  He understands that families today need to have two incomes, not by choice, but because of the amount of taxation that occurs that strip them of the ability to provide a good life for their children with a single income.  Dr. Bertroche thinks it is wrong for families to be forced into placing their children in daycare instead being able to stay home because of a punishing tax system that benefits Washington greed and power mongering.

Dr. Bertroche has received much encouragement to pursue Iowa’s 3rdCongressional District seat.  He has the support of many small businesses, and physicians.  He has put together a team of great volunteers that has helped get his message out to potential voters.  Most importantly, Joe Grandanette has joined his campaign as Campaign Chairman, and brings many years of experience to running a campaign.  Also, Susan LaSala has joined the campaign as Volunteer Co-Coordinator, and brings years of experience in organizing.  Jeff Green has agreed to be the Webmaster, and Jeff brings years of design and IT experience.

With great people like these behind Dr. Bertroche, he is confident that he can win the nomination and defeat Rep. Boswell next November.  For more information, you can check out his website, www.bertroche4congress.com, you can call the campaign headquarters at 515-556-0526, or Campaign Chairman Joe Grandanette at 515-710-0798.

You can also follow him on Twitter at PatBertroche, and on Facebook, Pat Bertroche.

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