Pelosi Blames the Messaging

Politico reports that Nancy Pelosi's letter to members of the House Democratic caucus regarding her bid to be Minority Leader blames Tuesday's drubbing on bad messaging, rather than bad policies (i.e., she still doesn't get it).

Of course, John Yarmuth was a member of Pelosi's messaging team. If the caucus elects Pelosi as Minority Leader, will Yarmuth get to remain her "messager"? The odds work in his favor, given how few Democrats remain.

Pelosi told Democrats "Now, we must further modernize not only that message but the way in which we communicate with constituents." You hear that, John?

Yarmuth Learned Nothing

Emboldened by his victory, John Yarmuth flipped yesterday and announced that he will support Nancy Pelosi for House Minority Leader, instead of Steny Hoyer, as he had previously indicated. It seems that Yarmuth is so secure in his reelection that he failed to notice that 62 of his liberal colleagues have joined the ranks of the unemployed. Consequently, he is unperturbed about supporting the person who did much to cause the drubbing: Nancy Pelosi.

Certainly most Republicans would like to see Pelosi reelected: she is the gift that keeps giving.

Note that in Yarmuth's statement, he singles out the fact that she was the first woman speaker. No matter that she built a healthcare monstrosity that fueled the Democratic takeover of the House. No matter that she is so vacuous that she sees no need to read the bill before calling for a vote: "we can find out what's in it later on."

To Yarmuth, her shallowness is of no concern because, after all, she belongs to a segment of liberal identity politics, the feminists. In focusing on Pelosi's status as a woman, however, Yarmuth fails to distinguish between women and feminists. He confuses the two, even though women bailed on Democrats this year.

In any event, Pelosi will have a much easier time with her job this go-round -- so many less Democrats to keep in order.

Yarmuth makes a curious remark that his support of Pelosi is about "principles and not personalities." That seems to mean that when it comes to personalities, he doesn't much like Pelosi's. (Ouch!)

Yarmuth compliments Pelosi for building consensus in a House Democratic caucus with a broad ideological spectrum. Well, it won't be nearly so broad, come January. And Yarmuth ignores that Pelosi's big failure was her inability to build consensus across the even broader ideological spectrum that is America. That's why Democrats lost big.

Here's Yarmuth's statement, complete and unrepentant:

“Over the course of my four years in Congress, the vote that I am most proud of is electing Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House. Speaker Pelosi has proven time and time again that she is able to build consensus in a caucus comprised of members from all across the ideological spectrum. Her dedication to advancing policies that improve the lives of all Americans is clearly evident in the significant legislative accomplishments that have been achieved with her as Speaker. These decisions, like all I make, are about what is in the best interests of my constituents and the country, about principle and not personalities - and that is why I will support Nancy Pelosi as House Democratic Leader in the 112th Congress.”

Yarmuth Beware: It's Not Just Fischer Who Should Be Worried By This Poll

Hal Heiner has dramatically jumped into a commanding leading over Greg Fischer in a SurveyUSA poll released earlier today. He is up by 7 points, leading Fischer 51% to 44%. That represents a 13-point swing in Heiner's favor from a poll taken only a few weeks ago. Great news for Heiner, and also very encouraging for Congressional hopeful Todd Lally. In traditionally Democratic Louisville, if a majority of survey respondents say they are voting for the Republican nominee for mayor, that suggests they may be more likely to pull the lever for the Republican running for Congress as well.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.

Rahm Emanuel Hearts John Yarmuth

In case conservatives needed yet another reason to vote for Todd Lally and against John Yarmuth, consider that Yarmuth took money from a PAC called the "Friends of Rahm Emanuel."

Emanuel came up with the political maxim that "you never want a serious crisis to go to waste." (Economy tanks, let's nationalize the auto, banking and healthcare industries!)

Emanuel shows that sometimes the difference between a thug and a pol is just the cut of the suit. He is one nasty piece of work.

Good to know that Yarmuth, who has slid by with his reputation as a nice guy, has the financial backing of Rahmbo's pac.

Obama and Yarmuth: Two Old Duffers

President Barack Obama tried to take his mind off the new unemployment numbers by hitting the links yesterday. It was Obama's 52d golf outing since he became president, and yet he has not played one of the greatest courses in America: Valhalla.

John Yarmuth, who is not only a member but a club champion, could invite Obama to play at Valhalla. Rand Paul has promised to pick up the cost of a ticket for Obama to come to Kentucky.

Obama's PGA handicap is said to be around a 16. Yarmuth's 0.5 handicap makes him the best golfer in Congress. He could give Obama some much-needed pointers.

Yarmuth has helped other celebrities with their swing. In 2007, he appeared on Comedy Central to give Stephen Colbert a lesson. The golf ball used for the Comedy Central lesson had Nancy Pelosi's face on it (which was very disturbing even for those of us who don't like Pelosi).

Notwithstanding that Yarmuth coached Colbert to better whack at her head on a golf ball, Nancy Pelosi tapped Yarmuth to be her "messenger" on Democratic talking points. Pelosi managed to overlook the golfing effigy: Yarmuth votes with her 99 percent of the time.

SEIU Endorses Yarmuth

The Kentucky chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has endorsed John Yarmuth, according to that organization's website. (The SEIU also has endorsed John Waltz for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District.)

Yarmuth's campaign website does not note the endorsement. It's almost like Yarmuth doesn't want non-SEIU voters to know that the group backs him.

It's no surprise that the nation's fastest growing labor unions would endorse a "progressive" like Yarmuth, particularly given that Yarmuth was an early backer of one of the SEIU's pet issues, Obamacare.

The timing, however, is a bit problematic for Yarmuth; the FBI and the Labor Department are investigating SEIU leader Andy Stern in connection with a corruption probe. Stern "abruptly resigned" from the 2.2. million member union in April, according to the Daily Caller -- two years before his term was up. Stern serves on President Barack Obama's deficit commission and is a frequent guest at the White House.

The SEIU is spending an estimated $44 million to elect Democrats this November. Wonder if any of that $44 million is flowing to Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District, to help Yarmuth?

John Yarmuth, Same Old, Same Old

Rep. John Yarmuth was the deciding vote Wednesday when Democrats voted 210 - 209 to adjourn without extending the Bush tax cuts. In contrast, 39 Democrats crossed the aisle to vote with Republicans.

This is no surprise, of course. We expect Yarmuth to raise taxes. And we expect him to vote with the far left of the Democratic caucus. Still, as Americans continue to hurt from the Obama administration's "Recovery Summer," it is a lousy time to raise taxes for the first time in a decade.

Todd Lally was quick to criticize Yarmuth's vote. In a release, Lally said "Maintaining the tax cuts is critical to working families and small businesses. Small business owners need stability to start hiring again and Louisville families cannot afford to have their taxes go up. Raising taxes during a recession is the wrong thing to do, period."

Voters in Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District should thank Yarmuth by bringing him back home to play golf full time. He can stimulate the local economy at Valhalla (where no one will speak to him anymore).

John Yarmuth Faces Down Green-headed Monster; Monster Wins

The only thing saving Rep. John Yarmuth's hide this election year is that Republicans have so many opportunities for picking up seats that the NRCC has to prioritize. Yarmuth is vulnerable all right, but until Todd Lally can close the gap, the NRCC money will flow elsewhere.

Yarmuth is able to avoid the onslaught of NRCC ads only because it is such a target rich environment for Republicans.

As a smart man, Yarmuth knows this. And he knows that as Nancy Pelosi's designated "messenger," that voters no longer like the "message." All that he cheerfully advocated -- bigger bailouts, single-payer health care, more government at every turn --is about to be rejected by voters. It has begun to dawn on Yarmuth is that he is "messaging" a product that did not work, that nobody wants. All that leaves him with is a hope that voters don't sack the messenger.

This is probably why Yarmuth, who is generally an affable guy, melted down on the Mandy Connell Show when asked about Sen. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's point that raising taxes on individuals hurts small businesses that file taxes as individuals. For a small business considering hiring new employees, the prospect of a tax hike creates uncertainty about costs, and thus deters job creation just when the country needs it most.

Yarmuth responded by calling McConnell "devious" and "rarely honest." But even as he ranted on about why he supports tax hikes, Yarmuth acknowledged that McConnell was "meticulously accurate."

The subject arose on Connell's show after a listener email questioned why Yarmuth refused to stand up when McConnell entered the Kentucky Farm Bureau ham breakfast at the State Fair, and why Yarmuth muttered that McConnell was lying when McConnell discussed the danger of Democrats raising taxes during a recession.

Even coverage in the Courier-Journal, Yarmuth's biggest cheerleader, made Yarmuth look like a petulant jerk over the incident.

It seems so out of character for Yarmuth. Has the spectre of Democrats losing the House really put him in such an ill mood?

Yarmuth didn't suddenly lose his manners over a question of tax policy. Or ideology. Or even electoral prospects, though all of those things undoubtedly soured his mood.

McConnell and Yarmuth started out together 40 years ago, back when Yarmuth was a Republican. McConnell went on to become the most powerful Republican in Washington. Yarmuth clipped coupons, perfected his golf game (best handicap in Congress!) and now serves as Nancy Pelosi's "messenger." He may get to keep his job another term, but Yarmuth knows that he is becoming irrelevant -- at a time when McConnell is becoming more relevant.

This is perhaps not the outcome Yarmuth had envisioned and so bitterness got the best of his good manners. It doesn't happen often, but this week Yarmuth lost the ability to conceal how much he envies McConnell.

Yarmuth's Conflict of Interest

Resa Camoriano points out that Rep. John Yarmuth -- one of the biggest proponents of Obamacare -- stand to profit personally from the health care takeover:

Louisville’s Congressman Yarmuth likes to play the role of “Mr. Ethics”, promoting campaign finance restrictions that limit free speech in order to avoid even the perception of impropriety, and, most recently, calling for the resignation of Congressman Charlie Rangel due to ethics problems, but did you know that Yarmuth himself has ethics issues that should be explored? Yarmuth has substantial ownership (several million dollars) in Almost Family, a health services company run by his brother, which means he will personally profit very handsomely from Obamacare, which he strongly promoted. Shouldn’t he have disclosed this conflict of interest while the legislation was being rushed through Congress? Shouldn’t he have refrained from participating in that legislation in order to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, given his substantial conflict of interest?

Yarmuth makes a big point of refusing to take his salary as a congressman, while, at the same time, saying nothing about the profits he stands to receive from the government programs and policies he supports. I learned long ago that those who talk the most about ethics are likely to be the ones who need to be watched the closest, and Yarmuth does not appear to be the exception to that rule.

Is Yarmuth in Trouble?

Joe Arnold reports a poll that shows Todd Lally and John Yarmuth in a dead heat, with both at 43 percent (13 percent undecided). The Lally campaign released the results from River City Polling, which, according to the campaign, was most accurate in predicting the results of the Republican primary.

I'm dubious that the campaign is that close this early. But I do think Yarmth's extreme-left positions make him vulnerable. To be sure, Louisville is more liberal than the rest of Kentucky. But Yarmuth is more liberal than the rest of his party -- a problem in a year where the Democratic brand is toxic.

This seat is ripe for the picking. I just hope the primary voters chose the best candidate to do the harvesting.

Yarmuth Town Hall

Rep. John Yamuth just robo-called to say that he will host a telephone town hall tomorrow (Tuesday, April 27 at 6:20) to answer questions about the health care legislation recently enacted.

His message did not leave the call-in number; he said he'd call back.

Yarmuth has been one of the most aggressive members of Congress in seeking a single-payer system. Although he is completely wrong on the merits, I commend him for making himself available to answer his constituents' questions about the new law.

Lally Says Brown Win Is the Writing on Yarmuth's Wall

Republican Congressional candidate Todd Lally contends that Scott Brown's win in Massachusetts -- and Republican wins in the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races -- show that Congressman John Yarmuth is vulnerable

In a statement to WHAS, Lally said:

The people of the United States and Massachusetts have spoken. We are tired of waking up and finding out via newspaper that the Democrat majority has pushed its agenda on us once again. With the use of late night votes and back room deals, Senators have been given exemptions for their state, in return for their vote. This kind of under-handed politics is appalling and does not represent the intent of democracy.

Lally called Yarmuth's vote in favor of the Democrats' health care bill "irresponsible and unacceptable."; Yarmuth admitted that he had "no idea" how the country would pay for the bill.

He Wrote Back!

I wrote to Congressman John Yarmuth the first week of August to suggest that he hold a real, live town hall on health care as opposed to the fake teleconference town halls he had held up to that point.

He (or rather, one of his minions) has replied -- four months later. I am so glad for the instantaneous nature of email; it really improves constituent relations between the elected and we the little people.

It is unclear why the staffer bothered to even respond at this late date. Maybe he or she noticed that on a a near daily basis, new Republicans are announcing their candidacy to challenge Yarmuth.

As form letters to constituents go, it's a fine letter. I especially like how Yarmuth sought to reassure me that he will not turn us into Canada, Britain or France as he takes over one-sixth of the U.S. economy: "Speaking with so many people and hearing so many different personal experiences only reinforced my belief that our current health care system is unsustainable, and I will do all I can to ensure that we find a uniquely American solution that works for the American people."

One interesting turn of phrase: Yarmuth -- who is, after all, a designated messenger for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- describes the health care take over as "reform." As in, "As a result of constituent feedback during the month of August many changes were made to the health care reform legislation being considered by the House. " (Emphasis added.) And to reiterate this change of nomenclature, "With my support, H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act was passed on November 7, 2009. H.R. 3962 is now on hold until the Senate approves its health reform bill." (Emphasis added.)

Reform sounds so modest and incremental. Not nearly so draconian as what the Democrats' plan actually is: a trillion dollar, two thousand page monstrosity that will make health care more expensive while reducing quality.

Quick Reaction to Yarmuth's Town Hall

Congressman John Yarmuth has to be commended for entering the lion's den that was 1,400 people at Central High School -- roughly 70 percent of whom oppose the Democrats' plan to nationalize health care.

He had a few gaffes (more on that in the a.m.), but all in all, Yarmuth handled himself with humor, humility and patience with a crowd that I really wish had not booed (seriously, can't we show our displeasure with stony silence or something other than booing?) With the exception of a few hecklers (on both sides) and the booing (again, on both sides) the crowd was generally courteous.

Francene Cucinello did a superb job as moderator. She kept the pace moving, which allowed more people to ask questions, and she followed up when Yarmuth failed to answer.

The biggest story for Republicans was the reaction to a question about the need for the federal government to obey the Constitution. The point, in essence, is that we are a government of enumerated and hence limited powers. The crowd's reaction shows that there is a growing demand for limited government that obeys the Constitution as written, rather than as fantasized by those who see it as a "living document." The implication is the candidacy of Dr. Rand Paul and his ideological compatriots is no fluke. Establishment Republicans need to understand that there is a burgeoning segment of voters who will no longer tolerate using the Commerce Clause and the like as a jumping off point for all sorts of legislation.

Yarmuth is still wrong on health care and many other issues; more on that later. But I do commend him for showing up. It's too bad that Yarmuth's initial fear of town halls kept him from hosting one earlier. And it's too bad that he was worried enough about how it would all turn out that he wouldn't let ordinary citizens video tape the event -- just fancy media types.

Marilyn Parker Will Run Against Yarmuth

Congressman John Yarmuth has a Republican opponent -- already. Marilyn Parker has announced she will challenge Yarmuth for the 3rd Congressional District. Mrs. Parker is a nurse and has been active in the "tea party" movement. She pledges on her website to serve no more than four terms.

You can meet her at this Saturday's "tea party," September 5th at 3:30 at Old Louisville's Central Park (4th and Ormsby).

H/t: Page One

Say Cheese for Yarmuth

Congressman John Yarmuth's office will require those who want to attend tonight's town hall meeting at Central High School to show identification to prove that they live in this Congressional district.

It is understandable that Yarmuth wants to make sure that his constituents aren't turned away because Cindy Sheehan and her friends (assuming she has some) have taken all the seats.

Now that Yarmuth has awakened to the utility of identification, it is time for him to support legislation that requires voters to show photo IDs before voting in federal elections. Democrats have stonewalled such legislation for years under the guise that it suppresses the vote of legitimate, qualified voters. To the contrary, Republicans don't want to prevent any legitimate voters from exercising their constitutional rights. We just don't want the poll workers to see dead people voting (over and over).

If showing ID is an appropriate safeguard for Yarmuth's town hall meeting, surely it is also appropriate for the even more important exercise of democray: casting a ballot.

Cudos to Yarmuth

Congressman John Yarmuth has scheduled a real, live town hall on September 2 at Central High School, and he should be commended for his willingness to meet with his constituents rather than run and hide like many of his colleagues, including Ben Chandler.

Last night Yarmuth held a "tele-town hall." This conflicted with a school board meeting I had to attend, so I only heard the first part of the conference call. One aspect of the "tele-town hall" that I really appreciated was that it gave senior citizens who might be home bound the opportunity to participate. In the portion of the call that I heard, Yarmuth handled himself well. I do not agree with his political philosophy, but he was gracious and knowledgeable -- as were the questioners.

Yarmuth Will Hold "Tele-Town Hall" Meetings

Congressman John Yarmuth has discovered a way to avoid phony protesters: hold phony town halls. Yarmuth will hold three "tele-town hall" meetings to discuss health care. Rather than dealing with an angry mob, Yarmuth will take questions by telephone. According to the Courier-Journal,

Yarmuth's representative, Marty Meyer, said Yarmuth will hold three “tele-town hall” meetings on health care reform by conference call on Aug. 17, 24 and 25. Anyone who wants to participate may contact Yarmuth's Louisville office at 582-5129, he said.

Non-Louisvillians who would like to join in the merriment should know that our area code is (502). No word on the time the "tele-town hall" will take place on those dates, so dial early and often.

Some might think that Yarmuth saw how his Democratic colleagues were grilled and fried in their town halls and turned Kentucky Chicken. However, there are other explanations for his phone-a-thon.

The left can bill these "tele-town halls" as a way to cut emissions, since we won't have to drive anywhere. It's the green way to question the government takeover of health care.

In addition, Yarmuth's "tele-town halls" resolve the dilemma of how to dress for the event -- whether to wear the rent-a-mob Brooks Bros. suit or the wife beater and overalls. Attendants at Yarmuth's "tele-town halls" can wear anything. Or nothing at all. It's the left's worst nightmare Birthers in their birthday suits!

Finally, thanks to Yarmuth, we can protest from the comfort and privacy of our own homes. Only a Democrat could have conceived of this innovation in democracy. Though Yarmuth doesn't charge for romancing his constituents over the phone, it still isn't good as the real thing.

Where's Our Town Hall?

I emailed Congressman John Yarmuth a few days ago to find out when he will hold his town hall on health care. Surely he doesn't want to miss out on all the fun. He has not responded. No reply. Don't constituents deserve the courtesy of a reply?

Perhaps Yarmuth's staff deemed my question fishy. Report all fishy questions to flag@whitehouse.gov. It is well known among the intelligentsia that anyone who opposes the government take over of health care is a racist mobster. And a birther!

The Demo-blogs assert that Yarmuth need not show up to some of the town hall meetings to which he's been invited. Fair enough. No need to sandbag the guy. He can organize his own meeting. But to not have one at all, while he trots around the networks as Speaker Nancy Pelosi's "spokesman" just seems cowardly.

The Democrats insist that the outrage in town hall meetings across the nation is fake, phony, AstroTurf. They can continue to think that until the first Wednesday in November 2010.

Meanwhile, even RINOs like Peggy Noonan have woken up:

And so the shock on the faces of Congressmen who’ve faced the grillings back home. And really, their shock is the first thing you see in the videos. They had no idea how people were feeling. . . .

What the town-hall meetings represent is a feeling of rebellion, an uprising against change they do not believe in. And the Democratic response has been stunningly crude and aggressive. It has been to attack. Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the United States House of Representatives, accused the people at the meetings of “carrying swastikas and symbols like that.” (Apparently one protester held a hand-lettered sign with a “no” slash over a swastika.) But they are not Nazis, they’re Americans. Some of them looked like they’d actually spent some time fighting Nazis.

Then came the Democratic Party charge that the people at the meetings were suspiciously well-dressed, in jackets and ties from Brooks Brothers. They must be Republican rent-a-mobs. Sen. Barbara Boxer said on MSNBC’s “Hardball” that people are “storming these town hall meetings,” that they were “well dressed”, that “this is all organized,” “all planned,” to “hurt our president.” Here she was projecting. For normal people, it’s not all about Barack Obama.

If Yarmuth does deign to hold a town hall, Republicans face a fashion dilemma. If we dress neatly and professionally, say out of self-respect and respect for our elected officials, then we are told that we look like AstroTurfers. Anyone who wears a sport coat made of natural fibers is suspect.

Apparently legitimate opponents of a government take over of health care should dress like slovenly rubes, clinging to our guns and our Bibles and our insurance cards. Once again, the Democrats reveal their utter contempt for those little people known as voters.

NRCC Targets Chandler, But Not Yarmuth

The National Republican Congressional Committee has compiled its hit list of 70 Democratic seats it will try to retake, according to Politico. The only Congressman from Kentucky to earn a bull's eye is Ben Chandler. The NRCC did not target John Yarmuth -- which seems to be a tacit admission that he is safe for now. His left-wing voting record fits the preferences of his Louisville voters. Nonetheless, by conceding the seat, the NRCC will make it more difficult to recruit a credible Republican to run for that seat.

As for Chandler, I've been impressed by how often he votes with the Republicans in our delegation. His record, unlike Yarmuth's, is quite conservative. Indeed, Chandler's voting record will serve him well with the rest of the state when he runs state-wide. It seems wasteful for the NRCC to use scarce resources to go after Chandler. Given the free-fall of President Barack Obama's poll numbers, shouldn't we target the far-left fringe rather than the Blue Dogs?