The U.S. Senate race in Arizona has become increasingly competitive, with Republicans increasingly concerned that former Surgeon General Richard Carmona (D) may upset Rep. Jeff Flake (R). Last night, in a televised debate, the Republican congressman didn't help his case.
For those who can't watch clips online, the moderator asked, "Did you sign the Grover Norquist no-tax pledge?" Flake replied, "No." Asked if he would sign such a pledge, the congressman again said, "No." Flake added, "The only pledge I'd sign is a pledge to sign no more pledges."
That's a nice sentiment, of course, but there's a small problem: Flake is already listed as one of the 238 members of the current Congress who's already signed the pledge.
So, which is it? The congressman's spokesperson told The Hill that Flake signed an older version of Norquist's pledge, not the newest one, so technically, Flake wasn't exactly lying on statewide television four weeks before the election. "Jeff Flake has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge in the past, but the language of the pledge was changed last year," the spokesperson said.
OK, so which part of the new version of the pledge does Flake oppose? According to the spokesperson, the congressman doesn't like the language that pledges to "oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates."
That might be more compelling if the identical language wasn't in the original pledge that Flake signed.
The congressman's spokesperson "was unable to explain the discrepancy." Imagine that.
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Do these 238 GTOP "representatives" realize that by signing Grover's pledge, they are committing treason against the American people? Every "representative" in Congress swears on an "Oath" against enemies foreign & domestic & to uphold the Constitution - signing a fealty oath to Grover violates that "pledge" they make; and as Grover is definitely a selfish, whining, small charactered individual - his "pledge" is against WE the PEOPLE - and should be more than enough to vote these traitors out of office!
I think traitor(s) is a humane and even generous title for these miscreants.
Lying must be a prerequisite to being a Republican Politician.
So, he wasn't lying... exactly. I guess he was lying... inexactly. Maybe he should reach out to Willard for some helpful tips?
Get Enraged and Engaged:
Mooch the Vote 2012!
;-)
The recent campaign rhetoric coming from the likes of Republican candidates from Romney/Ryan on through the down-ballot Republicans has embodied enough gargled, confused, contradictory claims one most easily can see them either as dolts or liars, with not much daylight between this choice of descriptors!
A vote for the Republican brand this November will put us back into the 19th century! -Kevo
you know, i quit lying at about 12 because my dad beat the living tar out of me. i'm starting to think that all these pols really needed a parent that loved them to do the same in order to make them better people. i'm thoroughly disgusted by these individuals, and can only hope that karma catches up with them soon...
perhaps if lying were a crime instead of just being a sin, people would stop...
Is it bending over too far backwards to be glad that the no-tax pledge is so unpopular once people find out about it?
When did Norquist become supreme ruler of the USA?
Sometimes people put too much stock in a name, not this time.
Shooter242, where are youuu!!!!!?????? Where's a troll when you need one.
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Ryan signed the Norquist Pledge.
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How short does Norquist's dick have to be for him to go to this extent to validate himself?