Murphy: ‘It’s time for a President who leads’
Congressman delivers prime-time convention speech.
By Peter Ciferri
Bucks Local News .com
Joined on stage by around 25 fellow veterans, Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8) helped kick-off the prime-time speeches at the Democratic National Convention during Aug. 27’s focus on national security.
The only Iraq War veteran serving in Congress led a crew introduced as “young American heroes” onto the stage for the 8:25 p.m. speech.
Entering to the tune of “Eye of the Tiger” — a rock song made popular by the film Rocky III — the congressman used the forum to call for a shift in focus in the War on Terror, as well as introduce himself to America as the “blue collar kid from a row-house in Northeast Philadelphia.”
Murphy called on his experiences as a Captain the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division as the jumping off point for his commitment to Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) policies in Iraq, as well as Murphy’s personal crusade to improve veterans care at home.
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“When I returned from Iraq, I realized — we didn’t just need change over there, we also needed to change how we treat our veterans here at home,” Murphy said.
He went on to criticize President Bush, saying he “rushed to stand with soldiers at political rallies, but abandoned them at Walter Reed” and “spent billion on private contractors, but not on body armor for our troops.”
Murphy added that the President was available “for the photo ops, but AWOL when it came to doing right by our veterans.”
He then went on, “In the Army, we have a saying: ‘Lead, follow or get out of the way.’ It’s time for a President who leads.”
Murphy said he believes Obama would serve as “a commander-in-chief who knows that leadership means serving our troops as well as they serve our country.”
He explained that Obama led the fights “to end injustice at Walter Reed” and “to make sure that returning veterans get the mental health care they deserve.”
The congressman said he is proud to stand with Obama on these foreign policy issues, “So that we can finally end the War in Iraq, go after the terrorists who attacked us on 9-11 and defeat them where they are strongest: in Afghanistan.”
Murphy’s speech was scheduled just before that of former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and 30 minutes before President Bill Clinton. Other speakers of note on Wednesday included former presidential candidate John Kerry and Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden (D-Del.).
“I think it is easy for Murphy to sit in Washington and pass legislation for veterans’ rights and services,” Republican congressional candidate Tom Manion stated Thursday. “It takes a real leader to stand up in the face of opposition from your party and support the troops every time they need it, and not just when it is convenient.”
The 8th Congressional District covers all of Bucks County and portions of Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Murphy will face Manion and Independent political activist Tom Lingenfelter in the Nov. 4 election.
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Drill, conserve, develop: The path to energy independence
By TOM MANION
Bucks County Courier Times
American ingenuity put a man on the moon and our hard work sparked the industrial revolution. American creativity transformed the world during the information age.
Today, the uniquely American spirit of entrepreneurship can find solutions to our energy demands. Innovative technologies need research and development support and non-oil options like solar, wind and nuclear power require more work.
Meeting our energy demands is within our reach. Washington must do its part by creating incentives to ignite that enthusiasm and encourage our scientists, engineers and business leaders to find the best alternative energy solutions and bring those technologies to bear as soon as possible.
I have proposed an energy plan with three important action steps: increasing alternative energy sources, developing incentives for conservation, and expanding oil exploration. On July 23, House Republicans sent a similar plan, “The American Energy Act,” for a vote; unfortunately, the legislation was blocked by Patrick Murphy and other House Democrats.
Let’s begin by discussing alternative energy sources. Common sense tells us that we can shift the American economy off its near-complete dependence on oil by developing alternative energy sources. I will support legislation to provide incentives for the development of nuclear, solar, coal, geothermal and hydrogen energy sources.
Americans use more energy than any other nation. As we work to find these additional sources of energy, we must also take action to conserve energy. Energy conservation is the second step in my plan. I support tax credits to businesses and families who promote energy conservation and efficiency.
While we seek these new energy sources and conserve our precious energy, Congress must assist the process by expanding exploration opportunities in oil-rich domestic regions. I will sponsor legislation for exploration of domestic natural gas and oil production in areas currently denied by Congress. Domestic drilling will decrease our dependence on oil from foreign countries that don’t like us very much.
It is important, however, that exploration occur with new, environmentally friendly technologies to protect our natural resources for future generations. These technologies, such as horizontal drilling wells, leave a much smaller environmental footprint than traditional wells.
According to a CNN research center poll, 73 percent of Americans now favor domestic drilling. Yet, Murphy and the Democratic leadership of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reed have repeatedly voted to block proposals on drilling from coming up for a vote. They may not understand the burden our taxpayers are under — I do.
Domestic drilling will also send a signal to the many speculators both here and abroad that a greater supply of oil and natural gas will be on the way. This will help stabilize the price of fuel in the short-term and allow for price reductions long-term.
Expanding oil exploration opportunities must go hand-in hand with increasing long-term oil-refining capacity. I will sponsor legislation to create fast-track approval for expansion of existing refineries. Construction of new refineries with environmentally friendly technologies will also be a priority.
The solution to our energy demands is not simple. By using the latest technologies, and never sacrificing our strict environmental standards, America can produce more of our energy right here at home — while still protecting our open spaces and our clean air and water for generations to come.
American-made energy reduces our dependency on the dictatorships of the Middle East and other foreign sources of energy. Instead of spending billions on oil in nations that oppose our way of life, we could spend it at home on domestic oil and American jobs.
My plan lays the foundation for a future with clean, affordable energy. My plan helps all Pennsylvanians by initiating jobs in new industries that will replace those our state has lost. My plan will encourage economic growth — as businesses and investors plan responsibly for the future. Most importantly, my plan will provide more options and lower costs to consumers.
By putting Americans to work on the issue of alternative energy, we can protect our environment and meet the energy needs of our country. Other countries look to America as a source of creativity. Pooling our collective spirit, we are clearly a people who can solve our energy demands now and into the future.
Convention Spotlight On Murphy
U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy, D-8th, has been awarded a prime slot at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
On Wednesday, he, along with Iraq War Veteran Tammy Duckworth, will give tribute to the U.S. military. The Congressman’s convention appearance will infuse his campaign with much-needed political capital. Earlier this month, Mr. Murphy evaded debating his Republican opponent Tom Manion about the ongoing energy crisis. Mr. Manion is not attending the Republican Convention in Minnesota opting to stay within the district campaigning. True to form, Mr. Manion will be talking to the district’s Bucks County constituency at a scheduled community event while Mr. Murphy is giving his speech to the nation’s Democrats. Constitution Party Candidate Jay Russell will not have to worry about attending the next national meeting of his party in Orlando since he decided to end his long shot bid for the seat.
Candidates getting involved in oil crisis
By BRIAN SCHEID
Bucks County Courier Times
The rising cost of home heating oil has quickly become an issue in Bucks County politics.
Last week, state Rep. Chris King, D-142, announced plans to introduce legislation that would have the state regulate the home heating oil industry, a plan his Republican opponent, Frank Farry, countered with a proposal to expand the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Earlier this month, Pennsylvania’s Republican U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter was the first member of the Senate to ask President Bush to call Congress back from its August recess to work on legislation to lower oil and gas prices.
Several Republicans, including Tom Manion, a Doylestown Township resident running for Congress this year, joined Specter’s call.
“We need to act with a sense of urgency,” Manion said.
This week, Manion said that home heating oil prices would be one of the biggest issues in this year’s congressional campaign.
“We have a lot of people here that use that type of heat,” Manion said. “I think it’s on a lot of people’s minds.”
Manion applauded a funding increase that Specter introduced as an amendment in the fiscal year 2009 budget resolution for the energy assistance program. That amendment, approved in March, called for a $1 billion increase in the assistance program.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program a household should have an annual income at 150 percent of the federal poverty level or less. For example, a family of four making $31,800 or less would qualify under the guidelines.
Bucks County Congressman Patrick Murphy, D-8, is the co-sponsor of two pending pieces of legislation aimed at curbing heating oil costs, according to Nat Binns, a Murphy spokesman. Those bills include The Warm in Winter and Cool in Summer Act, which would nearly double the funding in the energy assistance program, and the Home Energy Affordability Tax Relief Act of 2008, which would provide a $500 tax credit to those who spend more than $1,500 on home heating costs during the winter season. Families and individuals who spend less than $1,500 would receive a credit equal to one-third their heating costs.
Tom Lingenfelter, a Doylestown political activist who is running an independent campaign for Congress, said the only way to lower oil costs is to allow oil companies to expand domestic exploration.
“Congress has to do what they should have been doing all along,” Lingenfelter said. “They need to allow oil companies to expand and explore anywhere feasible. They can drill in my backyard if it’s feasible.”
60th Annual Grange Fair
Date: Wed. August 13th-Sun. August 17th
Place: 576 Penns Park Road Newtown, Pa
Details: Fun for the whole family!
For detailed information please visit www.grangefair.org
To Tax or Not to Tax
Will Murphy’s Indecision Be the Oil Company’s Windfall?
(August 13, 2008) – Doylestown, PA. (Manion for Congress)
Something changed Congressman Murphy’s mind recently regarding the proposed “windfall profits” tax on oil company profits. Way back on July 2nd, Murphy said “he wanted to see more taxes on oil company windfall profits.” Now that it is August, Murphy would not “…support such a tax.” Which is it? To tax or not to tax? What decisions will September bring from Congressman Murphy?
Challenger Tom Manion remains opposed to windfall profit taxes. “This is a free market economy. Can anyone even define a windfall profit? If you are a business owner, would you want limits on your profit margins? Congressman Murphy neglects to mention that oil companies also paid record taxes, and perhaps he’s forgotten that over 100 million American households share stock ownership of the oil companies and benefit financially from the increased profits.”
“We already know the windfall profits tax is a tired, failed approach. If Congressman Murphy and the house leadership were really ready to responsibly address this critical situation, they’d agree to a debate on the house floor. Instead they are playing politics at the expense of the American taxpayer,” continued Mr. Manion. “Let’s work together on this energy issue. Get all options on the table, cancel vacation, and get back to work!”
Sources:
“Drilling for lower gas prices,” Bucks County Courier Times, 07/02/08
“Candidates oppose taxing windfall profits,” The Intelligencer, 08/04/08
Energy woes stir passions in Monied ‘Burb
Ari Pinkus
Posted: 08.12.2008 / 10:19 AM EDT
Lower Makefield Township, Pa. - The farmers’ market here last Thursday was supposed to be a fun-filled family event. The main attraction was to be the “zucchini race” in which children raced summer squash down a ramp in cars they designed. Some people milled around, buying local produce, flowers, and other items.
But even here, America ’s energy issues stirred passions. Many people complained that high oil prices had driven up their spending at the grocery store. Some county residents were furious that Congress had recessed before voting on energy legislation. They took their frustration out on their congressman, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D), who held a “Congress on your Corner” event at the market. Signs read: “Less talk, more drilling” and “Murphy, just keep your tires pumped.”
And Lower Makefield is not known as a political hotbed.
But Bucks County , which includes this township, has been a key political battleground in recent presidential elections, and it figures to be a hot spot this year, too. Much of the county has long put an emphasis on green values, and candidates had to fall in line to a certain degree. Now, with all the focus on global warming and energy, these residents, as well as other Americans, are weighing where candidates stand on these issues more carefully before they cast votes this fall.
Among Patchwork Nation’s types of communities, Bucks County is a “Monied ’Burb.” Its median household income at $70,406 is well above the national median, according to the latest census figures from 2006. Despite the residents’ complaints at the farmers’ market, most wouldn’t say this “Monied ’Burb” has taken a huge economic hit.
Still, high food and gasoline prices have put a crimp in residents’ lifestyles and have begun to take a chunk out of their pocketbooks.
So far, the county’s green energy efforts include the fourth-largest solar-power facility in the United States , as well as wind turbines at a former US steel plant in Fairless Hills, which is also part of Bucks County. “Washington needs to follow our lead in Bucks County ,” Representative Murphy said last Thursday.
For his part, Murphy seemed to be unfazed by all the hubbub at the farmers’ market (which included this sign: “Murphy plays with zucchini as Bucks Co. suffers”). He spoke to several constituents for an hour, often one on one. One of them likened House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Marie Antoinette because he felt she was out of touch with the people by deciding to shut down the House 10 days ago without moving an energy bill forward. Murphy reminded many people that he was one of 17 members of Congress who opposed the August recess.
Residents at the market repeatedly brought up how offshore drilling could help solve the energy crisis. “It’s better that the US do the drilling than China or Cuba . It will be a lot safer,” said Andrew Kushner, a Bucks resident who works in the beverage industry.
Murphy said he supports limited drilling but would not disturb the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He described ANWR as a “sacred place” the dominant view among area residents. His Republican opponent, Tom Manion, favors offshore drilling as well as seeking out alternative energy sources and developing incentives to conserve.
That race is one to watch this election cycle. Pennsylvania ’s Eighth District, which includes Bucks County , Northeast Philadelphia, and a small part of Montgomery County , was in Republican hands between 1993 and 2007. In the midterm elections two years ago, the district had one of the most competitive congressional races in the US and ultimately switched party control when Murphy won in a squeaker.
Similar to other “Monied ’Burbs,” Bucks closely split its presidential vote between the two parties in 2004 and 2000. Four years ago, it narrowly voted for John Kerry. In 2000, Al Gore took Bucks by five points.
But just because this community is friendly territory to Murphy and has voted for Democrats in past presidential races doesn’t mean that Barack Obama is receiving the same reception. Bucks County , including Lower Makefield , went for Hillary Rodham Clinton in the April primary by a 26-point margin. (Senator Clinton carried Lower Makefield 55 percent to 44 percent.)
Even for some who have identified with the Democratic Party, Obama stands out as too liberal. “He has a voting record to the left of [Vermont Sen.] Bernie Sanders. And Sanders is a socialist,” Mr. Kushner says.
In the sizable Jewish community here an orthodox Jewish synagogue is a mile down the road from the farmers’ market many don’t trust the Illinois senator. “For me, the issue is Israel . With Obama, you get Louis Farrakhan and Rev. [Jeremiah] Wright coming in the back door to the White House,” says Ron Smith, a Lower Makefield Township supervisor who describes himself as a Democrat and socially liberal.
Then there’s Obama’s message that John McCain is running for President Bush’s third term. But residents say that Senator McCain’s longtime image as a maverick is still strong here.
Whichever candidate prevails in this “Monied ’Burb,” it’s safe to say that the energy issue will seep into everyday discussions in this community for some time to come.
Riding The Straight-Talk Express
From The Campaign Trail.
In the 10th CD, Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Carney dons some safety orange to stump with sportsmen. In the 8th CD, Republican Tom Manion is pushing Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy for a debate on energy issues. Murphy, meanwhile, is attending (and we swear we’re not making this up) … zucchini races. No, seriously … zucchini races. In the 25th state Senate District, Democrat Donald Hilliard will take a run against Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati.
(excerpt from The Morning Call)
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