Pelosi gives Childers permission to run against her

Just like on the ObamaCare vote, Travis Childers has to wait until Democratic House Leadership - Nancy Pelosi - gives him permission to do the conservative thing. Now Travis Childers is running against Pelosi, but according to the New York Times, he apparently has "her blessing" to do so.

Biting the hand that feeds you is not always a successful strategy, but it underscores the stakes in the Nov. 2 elections. Many Democrats are doing whatever it takes to try to keep their majority.

And they apparently have Ms. Pelosi’s blessing.

“I just want them to win,” Ms. Pelosi said in a recent interview on “NewsHour” on PBS when asked about the defectors.

The number of defecting Democrats is hard to quantify since some, like Mr. Bright in Alabama and Representative Gene Taylor of Mississippi, have said flat out that they would not vote for Ms. Pelosi while others have only signaled that they might not.

Representative Travis W. Childers of Mississippi said he would “like to see someone more moderate” as speaker.

These Democrats are trying to run as quasi-Republicans, he said, but voters will not support them when real Republicans are on the ballot.

Many Democrats are now boasting about how often they vote with the Republicans. When his Republican challenger said that Mr. Taylor “chooses Nancy Pelosi over Mississippi,” Mr. Taylor said that of the 1,466 votes he had cast since January 2009, “Nancy Pelosi agreed with my vote 34 times,” or 2 percent of the time.

Nunnelee & Palazzo Outraise Dems in 3rd Quarter

Republicans Alan Nunnelee and Steven Palazzo both outraised their opponents in the 3rd Quarter according to FEC reports. While Democrats Travis Childers and Gene Taylor still lead in cash on hand, the momentum is clearly with the GOP as Dem donors appear tapped out.

DC's Hotline called Palazzo a winner in the money race

Once thought to be longshots, Republicans Bobby Schilling, who's taking on Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL), and Steven Palazzo, who's challenging Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS), both managed to haul in more than the incumbents. The showing by both validates their status as real upset picks on Nov. 2.

and said elsewhere

The list goes on and on: Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-IN) wasn't even in the fundraising ballpark of his Republican challenger Jackie Walorski, who outraised the congressman, $546K to $323K. Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS), a popular conservative Democratic facing his first serious race in many years, got badly outraised by Republican Steven Palazzo. We're still tabulating all the numbers, but if the trends hold up, we could see a record number of Democratic incumbents getting outraised in the last three months by their Republican challengers - another empirical bit of evidence that 2010 is shaping up to be a Republican rout.

Here are the numbers.

Travis Childers
3rd Quarter
Raised: $307,027.67
Spent: $711,949.08

Year To Date
Raised: $1,635,331.93
Spent: $1,141,534.45

Cash On Hand: $494,848.04
Debt: $100,000

Alan Nunnelee

3rd Quarter
Raised: $475,526
Spent: $403,928.79

Year To Date
Raised: $1,358,126.78
Spent: $1,060,039.95

Cash On Hand: $322,988.99

Gene Taylor

3rd Quarter
Raised: $159,535
Spent: $175,147.80

Year To Date
Raised: $623,844.98
Spent: $532,797.37

Cash On Hand: $331,071.71

Steven Palazzo

3rd Quarter
Raised: $311,534.50
Spent: $134,083.72

Year To Date
Raised: $501,593.50
Spent: $330,011.69

Cash On Hand: $203,581.81
Debt: $32,000

Clinton's Schedule - Tuesday: Harry Reid; Thursday: Travis Childers

Former President Bill Clinton is trying to keep the liberal Democrats in control of Congress for two more years.

Tuesday he was in Nevada to help Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid:

Joking that he was "preaching to the saved," former President Bill Clinton on Tuesday night urged a largely Democratic crowd to help return U.S. Sen. Harry Reid to Washington.

At a rally inside Valley High School's gym, Clinton said that "in a normal time" Reid would be winning his re-election bid by 25 points and his GOP challenger Sharron Angle wouldn't be a electoral threat to the incumbent.

The crowd, which got invitations through the Democratic Party and from other Reid-friendly groups, stood and applauded when the senator and later Clinton took the stage.



Holding Reid signs, people applauded warmly several times when Clinton or Reid made a point -- and booed whenever Angle's name was mentioned. But people began to politely stream out of the gym as Clinton went on about the economy and the hour-long event was wrapping up just after 10 p.m.

"I assume you all are going to vote," Clinton said, knowing Democratic turnout must be high for Reid to win. "You've got to vote for Harry Reid."

Clinton most recently campaigned for Reid's son Rory, who is running far behind Republican Brian Sandoval in the gubernatorial race. The Reids have not campaigned together, both fearing they'll hurt one another's chances of election.

Clinton's visit comes more than a week before President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Las Vegas on a rescue mission to save Reid's re-election chances and to raise money for the Democrats.

In Las Vegas, Obama plans to attend a rally sponsored by the Democratic National Committee and a fundraiser for Reid in coordination with the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee.

The Obama rally will be a public event, aimed at boosting voter turnout and shoring up support for Reid and Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., locked in tight race with GOP challenger Joe Heck.

Having left the Harry Reid event in Nevada, Bill Clinton now comes to Oxford, Mississippi to help Travis Childers.

We think Clinton digs the Mustache

Bill Clinton will be in Oxford tomorrow to endorse Travis Childers. The message?

"Travis, 1972 called, it wants its mustache back."

Party with Childers, Hood, Presley, Mims

Y'all Politics shares the details about a Monday night party featuring Democratic Congressman Travis Childers, Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood, Democratic Transportation Commissioner Bill Minor, Democratic Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley, and nonpartisan judicial candidate Kelly Mims (who has a picture of Haley Barbour in his campaign commercials). No word if Jamie Franks or Bob Marley were there.

Childers launches district wide working tour

From WDAM: "Congressman Childers to launch district wide working tour"

This of course begs the question, what has he been doing before now?

Childers says

"I've been working full-time since I was 16 years old. Serving the people of North Mississippi is the most important job I've had. Today, North Mississippi families are struggling to makes ends meet. I've been fighting to create and save jobs and improve our economy, protect seniors' Social Security savings, and provide our children with the quality education they need to succeed. It's important to me to hear from the people of the First District about these issues. That's why I've been in all 24 counties since day one. I look forward to continuing to put North Mississippi first by talking directly with voters about the real issues that matter to them."

How can anyone be in all 24 counties since day one? Did he visit all counties on day one? Does he spend every day visiting all 24 counties? And when was day one? Was "day one" on Tuesday when he launched this tour? And if not, why do you tour some place where you already are and have been? Maybe tomorrow morning when each of us wake up, we should tour our own homes.

Look, we know what Childers is trying to say; but it isn't what he is saying. But why is that any different from the rest of his leadership?

St. Patrick's Day in Washington DC

How will Nancy Pelosi, Travis Childers, and Barack Obama celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

Obama, Childers...I want my money back

The Obama Administration said if Congress passed the $787 billion stimulus package, that unemployment would peak at 8 percent. Travis Childers listened and voted to spend that nearly one trillion dollars. Unemployment has reached 10.2 percent.

I want my money back.

Bennie Thompson on Abortion

A number of reporters mentioned U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson's recent town hall meeting where abortion opponents asked him his position on the health care bill in regards to abortion. He glazed over it saying it was no where mentioned.

WLBT:

People stepped up to the microphones to ask Thompson questions that ranged from whether abortion was contained in the bill and if illegal immigrants are covered.

The congressman said the answer to both was no.

JFP:

Skeptics of the bill voiced their questions regarding including abortion funding and the cost to taxpayers. When asked if abortion would be covered in the bill, Thompson replied: "Abortion is not mentioned anywhere in this bill." Many in the crowd shouted back at him that it is mentioned.

Clarion Ledger:

One of the most common concerns among opponents at Thompson's meeting on Monday at the M.W. Stringer Grand Lodge on Lynch Street was that abortion or death counseling for elderly would become a part of the plan.

"Can you tell me that federal dollars will not go to abortion?" Jim Chamblee asked.

As Thompson told the crowd that abortion was not mentioned in the bill, skeptical audience members nodded disapprovingly and yelled back at him, saying it was.

The Jackson Free Press rightfully criticized this answer.

When asked about abortion, he would only say that it is "nowhere mentioned in the bill."

According to http://www.factcheck.org, while the main bill does not mention abortions, the Caps Amendment adopted July 30 states that some abortions "shall" be covered by the public option plan. This amendment is modeled after the Hyde Amendment under Medicaid in which the government pays for some abortions in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of a mother.

Elected officials should tamp down rhetoric, hold respectful forums and give us the complete information we need to make intelligent decisions.

More than that, Thompson's colleague in Mississippi, U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, actually makes "abortion" the cornerstone of his possible opposition to the health care bill.

Congressman Travis Childers (D-Mississippi) was among a group of 19 pro-life Democrats who wrote a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, informing her that they would only support health care legislation that "explicitly excludes" federal funding of abortions.

"When I was a candidate, since I've been in Congress, and today, I have said and I continually say, and I will not veer from this -- federal funding for abortion is a deal-breaker for me on any health care reform bill, period," he states. "If it is included, that's automatically lost my vote on anything. I'm very firm on that."

Democrats in Mississippi can't have it both ways. Either their health care push in Congress includes abortion and Thompson tried to mislead his constituents and the press, or it does not and Childers is playing political games with the abortion issue.

Democrats Criticize Health Contributions...to people like Travis Childers?

The Mississippi Democratic Party blogs that campaign contributions and not "some noble calling" are driving Republicans to oppose Obamacare. I guess they need to explain their accusations to Travis Childers and Bennie Thompson.

Childers leads state delegation with health-care dollars

A look at Mississippi's members shows Reps. Travis Childers and Bennie Thompson lead the delegation in health-related contributions, with Sen. Thad Cochran not far behind.

On CRP's list for the 435-member House, Childers ranks at 142 with $12,500 in health contributions; Thompson at 186 with $7,400. The list contains information on 432 of the members and some tied in rank with the same total receipts.

A Daily Journal check of FEC reports puts Childers with $40,450 including insurance companies, which would rank him at No. 32. The same examination puts Thompson at $13,900 or 131.

Democrats pointing their fingers should be careful standing by a mirror.

Gene Taylor Rejects ObamaCare; Suggests He Will Not Again Vote for Nancy Pelosi

Gene Taylor faced off close to a thousand people at his town hall last night, with more unable to get in the door.

A line the length of a football field had formed by 4:30 p.m. Monday as people waited for Pelican Landing to open for Rep. Gene Taylor’s 6 p.m. town hall meeting, deputies said.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office dispatched more than two dozen units to handle crowd and traffic control as hundreds of people either waited outside or in the lobby for a chance to get in.

Others left after being turned away.

Capacity for the building is 1,000, and a sheriff’s reserve officer estimated that between 1,500 to 2,000 came.

Even though deputies took signs from people who entered and kept them at the door, “everything was peaceful,” said Cliff Miller, chief of the Sheriff’s Reserves.

Miller said there was no room for signs and the seating was too close. It was a safety issue.

“There were no arguments,” he said.

Civic leader Harry McDonald left early because it got too hot inside the packed building.

He described the atmosphere inside as tense at times.

“Nothing he says comforts you,” McDonald said. “Most of the people are over 65 and are in turmoil.”

--Sun Herald "Hundreds turned away from meeting"

Taylor is opposed to ObamaCare.

“The health care bill is projected that even with the changes that are coming out, if they are able to get them out of it, it is costing us maybe $900 billion tax dollars more, $900 billion of new debt,” Taylor said. “We just don’t have that kind of money.”

“I thought it went about as good as it could, given the passion of the (health care) issue,” Taylor said.

--Sun Herald "Overflow Crowd Grills Taylor"

And he believes health care reform will not pass this September.

"If I'm going to be there, I like a big crowd, and I thought they asked some great questions and I thought it went really well," Taylor said about the meeting.

Taylor opposes the President's plan, including the "public option" idea for insurance. Instead, Taylor wants to see more competition among the insurance companies.

He said several times Monday night he will stick to his position and vote against health care reform in September.

Taylor assured him and others that no change in the plan will convince him to vote in favor of it.

Taylor said he understands the frustration people are feeling about the possible reform.

"When it comes to the healthcare of a loved one, there is no budget," Taylor said. "It's that intense of an issue, say emotional issue."

Although plenty of people spoke out at the meeting, Taylor said he believes it went well.

"I thought it was fine," he said. "There was some intensity on people who were for it, people who were against it. People had the opportunity to ask good questions. I'm glad they came out, we had good discussions."

Taylor said in the meeting he does not believe health care reform will be voted into law this September. President Obama's deadline for reform is September 15th.

--WLOX "Taylor's town hall meeting draws big crowd in Moss Point"

(Photo from Sun Herald, for this and more: OVERFLOW CROWD GRILLS TAYLOR)

The town hall has gotten a lot of responses. Andy Taggart posted the difference in two Mississippi Blue Dogs.

Last night, Democratic Congressman Gene Taylor rolled up his sleeves during a tough, public and open town hall meeting in Moss Point and discussed issues with a contentious crowd that at least one reporter estimated at 1,000 folks. Upon announcing his opposition to ObamaCare, Taylor got a standing ovation from the crowd.

Tonight, on the other hand, Democratic Congressman Travis Childers is having a "tele-town hall meeting", which, I guess, means, you can call in if you want to, but your congressman will be in an office with a speaker phone.

Really, Childers? A phone call? If this is how government does democracy, wait until they do your health care. Really?

But Y'all Politics has the real scoop in sharing that Gene Taylor indiciated he would not again vote for Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House.

Then he opened the question and answer period by saying:" Under no circumstances will I vote for any Health Care Bill". That brought down the house with applause, cheers and whistles.

His comments about being adamantly opposed to National Health Care was quite a change from his town hall meeting three weeks ago in Waynesboro or on previous appearance on WLOX TV News shows when he said he would not vote for Nationalized Health Care unless he could be assured it would not increase the deficit!

He also said he would not support Cap and Trade legislation calling it a Ponzi Scheme!

It was obvious that the anti-Obama people outnumbered the Democrats 5 or 6 to 1 and Taylor, when confronted with remarks from the local head of the NAACP, Curley Clark who wanted to know what Taylor would do for
The "hard-working Mississippians who don't have health care, Taylor responded: " We have only agreed to guarantee health care for our Veterans and that's all."

Taylor was questioned about his vote to install Pelosi as Speaker of the House and said she had promised him she would support his efforts on catastrophic insurance coverage, which he said she did not. He strongly suggested he would not vote for her again as Speaker of the House.

Sun Herald Video: Overflow crowd at Taylor meeting

Sun Herald Video: Gene Taylor town hall meeting (Go to the 1:13 mark to see Taylor say he will not vote for the health care plan to cheers and get a standing ovation)

WLOX: Congressman Gene Taylor is in Moss Point to talk about healthcare

Childers Demands Stanford Answers...in Harshly Worded Group Letter

Travis Childers is "demanding answers from the Securities and Exchange Commission about its handling of the alleged Ponzi scheme at Stanford Financial." (He should ask Bennie Thompson about Allen Stanford.)

But seriously, one of Stanford Financial's primary locations is in Childers' district. And Childers serves on the Financial Services Committee. Shouldn't he just be a little more involved than signing on to a mass letter? I mean, in this economy, an epicenter of a billion dollar ponzi scheme is the home district of a congressman whose committee oversees this kind of thing, and all he does is sign on to a letter? Really?

Travis says on his web site about the Financial Services Committee:

The committee has primary jurisdiction over the nation's financial sectors that
include banking, insurance, real estate, public-housing, and securities.
On a routine basis, the committee hears testimony from various international
finance experts that include the Chairman of the Federal Reserve and the
Secretary of the Treasury. With the increasing strains on the American
economy, I certainly look forward to offering my experiences as a small business
man in order to find effective solutions to the financial obstacles every day
American's face on a daily basis.

Uh yeah. You signed a letter. Good job with the economy and all that, Travis.

(And it is "Americans" not "American's" - I'm sure his office will correct after this post.)