NHDP Statement on NHGOP Event with Rand Paul

NHGOP Doubles Down on Tea Party Extremism Rejected in 2012 with Paul's Backward Agenda for Granite State Women

Concord - New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley released the following statement on Republican Senator Rand Paul's fundraiser in Concord this evening. 

"If any Republicans are still wondering tonight what went wrong in 2012, they need look no further than their keynote speaker.  Rand Paul has compared equal pay for equal work laws to the Soviet Politburo, co-sponsored the Blunt amendment allowing employers to deny women preventive health care and contraception, wants to defund Planned Parenthood, and defended Republican Todd Akin after his offensive rape comments.

"There can no longer be any doubt that the New Hampshire Republican Party has turned its back on traditional Granite State values, in a desperate attempt to become the face and voice of the irresponsible Tea Party and radical social conservatives.  There is no other explanation for honoring Rand Paul, someone so extreme even fellow Republican Senator John McCain called him a 'wacko bird.'"

RAND PAUL OPPOSES EQUAL PAY

Rand Paul Voted To Block The Paycheck Fairness Act Saying It Be Harmful. "Kentucky's two Republican senators yesterday helped their party block the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would have given women new tools to combat pay discrimination in the workforce. Kentucky women make just seventy seven cents to every dollar a man makes. The same holds true nationally. To shrink that gap Democrats offered the Paycheck Fairness Act, which is intended to protect women who want to compare their salaries with the men they work with in order to see if there's a disparity. And it forces employers to prove any salary differences are job-related - not gender based. But Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul says the legislation would do more harm than good." [WKMS, 6/6/12]

Headline: "Rand Paul Compares Paycheck Fairness To Soviet Politburo" [Huffington Post, 6/5/12]

• Rand Paul Compared Paycheck Fairness To The Soviet Politburo Saying Americans Would Be Ceding Freedom If Judges Had Say Over Pay. "Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) suggested Tuesday that a bill designed to bring women's pay up to the level of men's wages would have created some sort of paycheck Politburo... But Paul, a staunch libertarian, said passing a law that would have given judges more leeway to determine if a woman had been paid unfairly would be a step toward reviving the Soviet Union's notorious central governing body here. The United States' free market, he argued, works much better at setting wages at the appropriate level. 'Three hundred million people get to vote everyday on what you should be paid or what the price of goods are,' Paul told reporters on Capitol Hill. 'In the Soviet Union, the Politburo decided the price of bread, and they either had no bread or too much bread. So setting prices or wages by the government is always a bad idea.' Asked specifically about the lingering pay gap between men and women, the Kentucky senator did not back down, insisting that Americans would be ceding freedom if judges had more say over pay." [Huffington Post, 6/5/12]

 

PAUL WAS A SUPPORTER AND CO-SPONSOR THE OF BLUNT AMENDMENT

Rand Paul Co-Sponsored The Blunt Amendment. On 9/14/11 Rand Paul co-sponsored the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011.  [S.1467, 112^th Congress, 9/14/11]

Rand Paul Said He Would Vote For The Blunt Amendment Saying "You Should Not Be Forced To Buy Insurance That Goes Against Your Religious Principles." Rand Paul said of the Blunt amendment: "I think many Democrats are going to also vote with Republicans. I will vote to say that, yeah, this is a freedom of religion issue. You should not be forced to buy insurance that goes against your religious principles." [America's Newsroom, Fox News, 2/15/12]

Rand Paul: "If You Have A Moral Objection To Either Birth Control Or Abortion That You Shouldn't Be Forced To Buy Insurance That Has And Pays For Things." Rand Paul said of the Blunt amendment: "Yeah, I see it as a religious freedom issue and that if you have a moral objection to either birth control or abortion that you shouldn't be forced to buy insurance that has and pays for things." [America's Newsroom, Fox News, 2/15/12]

PAUL WOULD DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD

Rand Paul Would Defund Planned Parenthood. "It is unconscionable that government would facilitate the taking of innocent life. I strongly oppose any federal funding for abortion and will stop the flow of tax dollars to groups like Planned Parenthood, who perform or advocate abortions." [Issues: Sanctity Of Life, Rand Paul's Official Senate Office Website, accessed 5/20/13]

Rand Paul Signed A Fundraising Letter For Americans For Life Calling For The Defunding Of "The Corrupt Planned Parenthood." "Americans for Life is leading a rapidly growing number of pro-life Americans like you who are fed up with their dollars funding the corrupt Planned Parenthood! And momentum is building quickly. Unfortunately, this is going to be a tough fight. You see, a stubborn Congress stands in the way. It will take every ounce of strength you have to break through the barriers in place designed to eradicate any legislation aimed at saving babies. You see, many of my colleagues in the Senate and House are beholden to Planned Parenthood and cowed by the pro-abortion propaganda hurled by the mainstream media. But that's not going to stop me. I hope it won't stop you. Will you take a stand now against the taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood?" [Rand Paul, Americans For Life Fundraising Letter, accessed 5/20/13]

PAUL STEPPED IN TO SUPPORT REPUBLICANS WHO MADE OUTRAGEOUS COMMENTS ABOUT RAPE

Rand Paul Stepped In To Defend Indiana Republican Senate Candidate Richard Mourdock Who Said Pregnancies Caused By Rape Were Something "God Intended To Happen." "Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is stepping in to the Indiana Senate race to defend Republican Richard Mourdock, who ignited a firestorm Tuesday when he said that pregnancies caused by rape are 'something God intended to happen.'  A top Paul advisor told Business Insider that the Senator's political action committee, RAND PAC, is making a 'six-figure' media buy in Indiana and plans to go on air Friday with an ad attacking Mourdock's Democratic opponent Joe Donnelly for voting against a bill that would have blocked foreign aid to Pakistan."  [Business Insider, 10/24/12]

Rand Paul Supported Missouri Republican Senate Candidate Todd Akin With An Ad Buy After His Infamous "Legitimate Rape" Comments. "According to the advisor, the ad will be similar to one that RAND PAC ran in Missouri earlier this month to support Republican Todd Akin, another embattled Senate candidate who was ostracized by the party for his now-infamous 'legitimate rape' comments." [Business Insider, 10/24/12]

LifeofJohn - Planned Parenthood Approves BC Commencement Speaker

Planned Parenthood Approves Boston College Honor to Irish PM Kenny

Planned Parenthood - the USA's BIGGEST abortionists - destroyed a record 333,964 Unborn Babies in 2011. Now, Marty (Martha) Walz, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, is calling the Pro-Abortion Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny an “appropriate commencement speaker” at Boston College (BC) (Boston Globe, 10/May/13). BC named Kenny as Commencement Speaker to graduates at Alumni Stadium at 10 a.m. on 20/May/2013, when he is to receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from BC President Rev. William Leahy, S.J.

BC Law School had Pro-Abortion Vicki Kennedy (Ted's widow) as Commencement Speaker in '12. Dean John Garvey (now at CUA) had Pro-Abortion Commencement Speakers: Sen. Scott Brown in '10, Rep. Ed Markey in '07, Fmr. Gov. Paul Cellucci in '02, and SJC Chief Justice Margaret Marshall in  '01.

Cardinal Sean Patrick  O'Malley, the Archbishop of Boston, issued a statement on 10/May/2013: "...we consider abortion a crime against humanity...Prime Minister of Ireland, the Hon. Mr. Enda Kenny was slated to receive an honorary degree at Boston College's graduation...Mr. Kenny is aggressively promoting abortion legislation...Since the university has not withdrawn the invitation and because the Taoiseach has not seen fit to decline, I shall not attend the graduation." (Bold added) http://www.TheBostonPilot.com/article.asp?ID=16007

Cardinal O'Malley is showing leadership as Archbishop of Boston and as Chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities. He must keep the heat on Jesuit-run BC and its sister college, BC Law School, Planned Parenthood and all abortionists.

Kenny said: "My book is the Constitution,". He should read the Preamble to the Irish Constitution  on his own website, page 17 of 252: "In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity, from Whom is all authority and to Whom, as our final end, all actions both of men and States must be referred,..." http://www.Taoiseach.Gov.ie/eng/Historical_Information/About_the_Constitution,_Flag,_Anthem_Harp/Constitution_of_Ireland_August_2012.pdf  Ireland's laws are subject to God's law. The USA's Pledge of Allegiance delivers the same key message: "under God".

Enda Kenny is NOT a fit person to be Commencement Speaker and Awardee at Boston College. Please contact the following to DEMAND that Pro-Abortion Enda Kenny be DISINVITED.

Boston College President Rev. William Leahy, S.J. at 617-552-3250,  617-552-8000, e-mail William.Leahy.1@bc.edu   Cdl. Timothy Dolan, Pres. of USCCB Archbishop.Dolan@ArchNY.org

Pope Francis (a Jesuit himself) through the official channel, the Vatican Press Office: Info@MediaProjects.VA (new e-mail address).                                                                                       

(John O'Gorman writes from Winthrop, Massachusetts. He was active in Ireland in the Pro-Life Amendment Campaign of 1982-83, the Pro-Life Campaign of 1992, and many other campaigns.)

AUL - Reminder: Legal Conference

Hassan For Governor - Ovide Lamontagne’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week

MANCHESTER – Despite this being his fourth run for major public office, the past week has been extremely tough for Ovide Lamontagne, especially when it comes to issues important to middle-class families. From opposing equal pay laws to dropping in the polls to being forced to address his radical ideas on women’s health care and more, Ovide Lamontagne had what can only be described as a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week.

In contrast, Maggie Hassan continued building strong momentum for her vision to create jobs and keep the economy moving forward, taking a six-point lead in the latest UNH poll and receiving endorsements from the New Hampshire Troopers’ Association, the New Hampshire Association of Police, and the Keene Sentinel.

The choice for New Hampshire voters was clear on a daily basis:

Sunday, October 21:
Ovide’s week got off to a rough start when, at a Manchester debate, the very first question – submitted by a member of the audience – asked about a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, forcing Ovide to once again avoid his radical ideas that would restrict health care choices for women and make basic services like birth control, cancer screenings, and breast exams more expensive. Ovide responded by saying, “I’m disappointed that Maggie and her supporters continue to raise an issue that is not central to this election.” Unfortunately for Ovide, that very same day, a front-page Concord Monitor story reported[i] that Lamontagne would defund Planned Parenthood, supports a constitutional amendment to make all abortions a crime, and opposes a woman’s right to choose even in cases of rape or incest, and that he has been courting national anti-choice groups like the Susan B. Anthony List, which endorsed Lamontagne’s campaign last week.

At the very same time the debate was taking place, Ovide’s taped interview on WMUR’s Close Up program was causing him more problems, as he once again tried to mislead voters and hide his radical opposition to accepting federal funds for critical New Hampshire projects. When Lamontagne was asked if he would have accepted federal stimulus funds for the Manchester Airport access road project, Ovide again tried to mislead voters by stating, "Well I sure would have if I were governor of the state of NH. If I were in Congress, I would take a different position." [WMUR, 10/21/12] Lamontagne is on record dozens of times opposing the federal stimulus and has even gone as far as attacking former Attorney General and current U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte for using stimulus funds to help start a NH Cold Case Unit.[ii]

Monday, October 22:
Monday would be no better for Ovide, as a national website reported that Lamontagne voiced opposition to laws that require equal pay in the workplace for men and women, stating “I don’t know that it’s appropriate for the government to continue to micromanage the workplace.” Ovide went on to indicate that he was unaware of a New Hampshire law intended to require pay equity between men and women. The remarks again demonstrated how far out of touch Lamontagne is with the issues that matter to New Hampshire women and how much his radical ideas would hurt middle-class families. [ThinkProgress.org, 10/22/12]

Tuesday, October 23:
Ovide’s radical comments on equal pay continued to make waves, with U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen commenting “Pay discrimination doesn’t just hurt employees.  It endangers the families who depend on the women who are working. This is not about micromanaging business. It’s about what’s fair for families in New Hampshire and across this country.” [Union Leader, 10/23/12] But the news got even worse for Lamontagne when the latest poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll showed a six-point lead for Hassan– and 13-point lead among women –indicating significant momentum behind Maggie’s campaign.

Additionally, it appears that the misleading personal attack on Maggie Hassan’s family might be causing a backlash, as WBIN interviewed a group of women Republicans who were highly upset about the ad, with one saying “I think think it's ridiculous. Whoever started that ad didn’t look into the whole idea." [WBIN, 10/23/12]

Wednesday, October 24:
Things continued to spiral for Lamontagne on Wednesday, as New Hampshire news outlets reported on his campaign’s tortured attempts to walk back Ovide’s radical opposition to equal pay laws.  As the Union Leader reported, a Lamontagne campaign spokesman claimed, “Is it the government’s role to come in and say, ‘You will be paid X dollar amount in relation to another employee making X dollar amount? That’s what he means by micro-managing,” reinforcing Ovide’s initial statement opposing common-sense pay equity protections.

But Ovide had just what he was looking for to change the subject: an event featuring a who’s who of failed governors, including Chris Christie, the governor of the 47th ranked state in economic growth; former Governor Craig Benson, who was plagued by ethical problems during his one term in office; John H. Sununu, who increased state general fund spending in each of his budgets by more than 20 percent; and Steve Merrill, father of the Business Enterprise Tax.  

Thursday, October 25:
Just when Ovide thought he had seen the worst of it, the Keene Sentinel released their endorsement of Maggie Hassan, touting her as “a respectful voice of reason and conscience.” Conversely, the Sentinel blasted Lamontagne for his radical ideas saying his “insistence that his staunchly conservative views on abortion, gay marriage and other social issues are simply not important in this election. The issues are there, whether simmering quietly or boiling over as they did recently under the current Legislature. For Lamontagne to say they shouldn’t matter to voters, while at the same time signing conservative social advocacy group pledges, attending earlier this year an anti-gay marriage rally and saying he’ll sign conservative social legislation if it crosses his desk, is disingenuous at best. The past two years have put New Hampshire’s long tradition of personal freedom in jeopardy, and Hassan stands as an antidote to those who would further chip it away.”

Friday, October 26:
Finally, Ovide has decided to cap his anti-women themed week by campaigning with Mark Steyn, a radically right-wing, anti-women media personality. Steyn has repeatedly issued attacks on women’s rights and prominent women in politics, including Elizabeth Warren, Sandra Fluke and Michelle Obama, and who has called woman’s right to choose “frivolous,” reinforcing Ovide Lamontagne’s own extreme views on women’s issues.

“You would think by the fourth time through Ovide would be better at this, but it seems there is no way for him to escape his radical ideas that would hurt middle class families and New Hampshire’s economy,” said Matt Burgess, Maggie Hassan’s campaign manager. “Maggie will keep New Hampshire moving forward, with an innovation plan to create jobs and help businesses grow, while Ovide Lamontagne’s agenda will take New Hampshire radically backwards.”

Ovide Lamontagne has said he would be a “radically different” governor than Governor Lynch[iii], with extreme positions like rejecting federal funds for local schools[iv] and ignoring rising tuition costs caused by cuts to higher education.[v] He supports plans to dismantle Medicare[vi], criminalize abortion and limit insurance coverage for birth control[vii], and defund Planned Parenthood, increasing costs for critical health care services for New Hampshire women and families.[viii]

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[i] Social Issues Simmer, Concord Monitor, 10/21/12
[ii] Federal grant may fund cold case unit, Eagle Tribune, 5/24/09; Lamontagne takes aim at rival Ayotte, Union Leader, 7/22/0
[iii] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkr_WSOovsk&feature=relmfu
[iv] Ovide rejected federal money to help K-12 NH public schools raise educational standards [Concord Monitor, 8/9/2010] and has said he would do it again [WGIR, 7/24/2012]
[v] Ovide has said tuition increases were not of “utmost concern” [WMUR, 9/6/2012]
[vi] Ovide believes state legislature should opt-out of Medicare and run program itself [Ovide2012.com, Union Leader, 2/10/2012]; supports Paul Ryan’s voucher program to end Medicare as we know it [NH Farm Bureau, 8/2012];
[vii] Supports a “Human Life Amendment” that outlaws all abortion, and even some forms of birth control and fertility treatments [Cornerstone debate, 6/5/2010]
[viii] Ovide supports Bill O’Brien’s decision to completely eliminate Planned Parenthood funding [NHPTV, 2012]

Shea-Porter For Congress - Congressman Guinta More Extreme than Senate Candidate Mourdock

Manchester, NH— Congressman Frank Guinta is even more extreme than Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock, who, when making his awful statement about rape, at least said that he does believe that a woman should be allowed to live if she needs a lifesaving abortion.

Naomi Andrews, Campaign Manager for Carol Shea-Porter, released the following statement. "Congressman Frank Guinta’s chilling position of no exceptions at all—more extreme than Senate Candidate Richard Mourdock—is cruel and reflects his contempt towards women. For this and so many other reasons, New Hampshire voters should cast a vote on November 6^th against Congressman Frank Guinta and his frightening extremism.”

Background:

·         In response to two questions on abortion, Guinta said he is pro life, and, were a repeal to Roe v. Wade come up while he was serving in Congress, he would vote for a no-holds barred ban on abortion with "no exceptions.” http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100811/GJNEWS02/708119932/0/FOSNEWS0413

·          http://frettsforcongress.com/intel/news/55-calen-fretts-publishes-national-right-to-life-questionnaire Link to Calen Frett’s uploaded questionnaire.  Relevant statement from NRLC: "The NRLC believes that unborn children should be protected by law, and that abortion should be permitted only when necessary to prevent the death of the mother."