P.M. Clicks: Everybody hates Tiki, West’s liar’s list, Palin profiled
Tiki Barber, his jilted wife, and his new flame (inset)
What’s going on out there this afternoon?
Could a new P.R. firm repair Tiki Barber’s image, after he dumped his pregnant wife for a 20-something? Can he really be broke if he’s hiring a P.R. firm in the first place? Inquiring minds …
And speaking of image problems, two new pieces of data on the right’s preferred queen president: Sarah Palin. First, there’s Meghan McCain, who has a new book out, along with “conflicting feelings” about her father’s former running-mate, who she says brought “drama, stress, complications, panic and loads of uncertainty” to the campaign. And then there’s the Vanity Fair profile of Palin, which portrays her as a screaming, crazy dunce. (That’s President Screaming, Crazy Dunce to you…) Oh, and her Facebook page has a ghost writer, which is a good thing because only one of the two of them knows for sure who Margaret Thatcher is.
(Meanwhile, Sister Sarah’s Alaska nemesis Lisa Murkowski has thrown in the moose antler.)
Speaking of crazy dunces … what to say about Alan Simpson … I mean … wow.
Tiger Woods has a new bachelor pad in New York City, which should improve his swing. I guess now he’ll be forced to comment on Park 51 (he’s Buddhist, so he probably is at peace with it.)
From the in-box, netroots favorite Alan Grayson sent out a fundraising letter for Kendrick Meek today, hitting Charlie Crist for once saying Sarah Palin would make a good president. A clip:
“She’d do a great job.” That’s what Charlie Crist said about Sarah Palin as President of the United States. If that doesn’t tell you where he stands, then I don’t know what does.
Crist may want us to forget he’s a conservative Republican, but the past keeps coming back to haunt him.
That’s just one reason I’m supporting Kendrick Meek. Kendrick understands that you don’t send politicians to Washington to flip flop–you send public servants there to get things done.
You know where you stand with Kendrick because he doesn’t change his values and beliefs based on which way the political winds are blowing.
We can’t let Crist pretend to be a “moderate,” particularly after appointing George LeMieux, who’s voted no on health care, no on Wall Street reform, and no on extending unemployment benefits. That’s why I’m helping Kendrick raise the money he needs now so he can get on the air, reach voters and make sure they know the truth.
Two redistricting amendments are cleared for takeoff after a proposed poison pill backed by Republican legislators and a handful of African-American pols was killed dead by the state Supreme Court, along with an opportunistic, patently unconstitutional try at passing an amendment exempting Floridians from federal healthcare reform.
Last but not least … the Ron Klein for Congress campaign today released a list of what it calls lies by Republican opponent Allen West (who by the way I maintain is insane …) so long that it really has to be appreciated as a work unto itself. The full list is posted after the jump. You may want to grab a cold drink and find a comfortable chair. Here it is:
Happy first of September. We bring you another “West in his own words,” this time a look back at the month that was with Allen West’s top lies from August.
Last month West lied about:
- The marginal tax rate
- Congressional pensions
- His personal financial issues
- Congressman Klein exceeding his office budget
- Percent of Veterans in Congress
- Congressman Klein not supporting Israel
- His own statement on Islam
- His own statement on the Departments of Education and Energy
- Cicero
West LIES ABOUT the Marginal Tax Rate, saying it will rise to as high as 70 percent
West’s Words: Told voters at his town hall that the marginal tax rate will rise to 65-70%. “I believe first of all that the critical thing that you have to do, we cannot have these tax increases coming, because if the American people wake up and all of the sudden you find that your marginal tax rate is at 65-70%, if 2/3rds to 3/4ths of your earnings are going right out the door, we are going to break this country.” [Allen West Town Hall, 8/2/10]
Told supporters the marginal tax rate will be between 65-70% by January 2011. “Because if we are not careful, the marginal tax rate of the American people will be astronomically high. It will be 65-70% come January of next year.“ [Allen West Office Opening, 8/11/10]
Claims the marginal tax rate will be between 65-75% by January 2011. “You are going to wake up in January 2011 and the American people will find themselves with the largest tax increase in quite some time. You will find yourself with anywhere from a 65-75% federal level marginal tax rate.” [Pastor's Breakfast, 8/19/10]
Fact: The conservative Americans for Tax Reform said in a July 2010 release that the top income tax rate will rise to 39.6 percent from 35 percent. [Americans for Tax Reform, 7/7/10]
WESt lies about Congressional Pensions, Claiming That Members of Congress can receive 80 PERCENT OR A FULL Pension after 5 or 6 years in office
West’s Words: Claims that Ron Klein will get a full pension in 5 years. “And I am dangerous because Ron Klein will not get his vested full pension retirement in 5 years.” [GOP Unity Breakfast, 8/28/10]
States that 80 % pension after 5 years in office: “After five years in office, members can earn an 80 percent pension starting at 62, said West.” [Miami Herald blog, 7/20/10]
Claims 100 % pension after 6 years: “You know, I kind of get upset about this. John Edwards, Mel Martinez, 6 years in the Senate, 100% retirement for the rest of their lives. 22 years in the United States Army, I only got 55% of my pay. Something ain’t right with that math.” [Act! for America, 3/8/10]
Fact: Under the Congressional FERS or C-FERS, the pension of a congressional employee, and this includes all members of Congress and those federal employees employed by Congress, is calculated at 1.7 percent of salary for the first 20 years of service and 1 percent for each year over 20 years of service. This can result in congressional staffers or members of Congress, including senators, who have 30 years of congressional service, having a pension that is 44 percent of their highest pay averaged over 36 months.
“As an example, if Nancy Pelosi, the current (2010) Speaker of the House, elected to retire or was defeated in the 2010 elections, her retirement pension would be calculated using the following information. Ms. Pelosi entered service as a congresswoman in 1987 at mid-year as a result of a special election. If she retired at the end of 2010, she would have 22.5 years of service. Her first 20 years would be multiplied by 1.7 for a total of 34 percent. Then her years of service over twenty would add an additional 2.5 percent, for a grand total of 36.5 percent. Using $220,000 as the average for her highest 36 months would mean that her pension would be $80,300 annually or $6,691 monthly, before deductions.” [Office of Personnel Management; Senate.gov; Fact Check.org; Suite 101]
West lies about his PERSONAL FINANCIAL ISSUES
West’s Words: West and his campaign claimed that Congressman Klein had “flat out lied” in a television ad that stated West had several tax liens, including an $11,000 lien from the IRS. West also claimed in a press statement that he had “honestly resolved every issue.” [Palm Beach Post Political Blog, 8/24/10; Allen West for Congress Press Release, 8/26/10]
Fact: West’s campaign claimed to have proof, but “backtracked.” In a PolitiFact article on Klein’s ad and West’s liens, it was reported, “West’s campaign said that they would release documents proving that the IRS lien was an error, but later backtracked.” [PolitiFact, 8/30/10]
West’s campaign manager “spoke a little too soon as far as having all the documents.” On August 27, 2010 the Palm Beach Post reported that West’s campaign manager, who had originally promised to produce documents showing West’s financial stability, said “that rounding up the documents was proving more difficult than he had thought.” He said, “I spoke a little too soon as far as having all the documents. I jumped the gun.” [Palm Beach Post Political Blog, 8/27/10]
West still has an outstanding lien and had one filed in 2010. According to Broward County public records and PolitiFact, West has not yet resolved a 2009 lien. Additionally, he had another lien filed against him in 2010, which has been repaid.
May 5, 2010 - $964.50 for overdue maintenance fees and attorney costs.
* lien released on June 22, 2010
March 13, 2009 – $611.66 for overdue maintenance fees and attorney costs.
* no release record found on file[PolitiFact, 8/30/10]
West lies about Congressman Klein’s office exceeding its budget
West’s Words: Claimed that Congressman Ron Klein’s office spent more than budgeted for members of the U.S. House of Representatives. “Why did you allow your office to exceed its allocated operating budget?” [Allen West Press Release, 8/26/10]
Fact: Congressman Klein’s congressional office has returned a significant amount of money to the U.S. Treasury every year. [Office of Financial Counseling, U.S. House of Representatives]
Amount returned by year since being elected:
Legislative Year Amount Returned to U.S. Treasury 2007 $151,948.22 2008 $46,412.72 2009 $104,011.95 Total $302,372.89
West Lies About PERCENT OF Veterans in Congress
West’s Words: “Coming out of WWII and Korea, you are talking about anywhere from 70-75% military service men that were congressional leaders and the military provided many presidential leaders for this country and business leaders. So now I think when you look at that number being probably less than 15 percent.” [G. Gordon Liddy Show, 8/31/10]
“When you look at Congress right now, less than 10 percent are veterans.” [Human Events, Vets Blast Kagan Nomination, 5/11/10]
Fact: Nearly 25% of Congress are Veterans. According to the Congressional Research Service’s profile of the 111th Congress released Dec. 31, 2008, there are “121 members who have served in the military,” meaning veterans comprise 22 percent of Congress. Veterans make up 22 percent of the House and 25 percent of the Senate. Citing the profile, the Wall Street Journal wrote in May 2009, “In the 111th Congress there are 121 Members who have served in the military…the House has 96 veterans (including two delegates); the Senate 25.” [Wall Street Journal, 5/24/09]
West lies about Congressman Klein’s support FOR israel
West’s Words: Allen West told national talk show host that Congressman Ron Klein does not support Israel. “They [the Jewish voters in the district] are absolutely incensed about the treatment of this President toward Israel, the fact that you have a Jewish Congressman that does not stand up for Israel.” [Roger Hedgecock Show, 8/26/10]
Fact: The JTA has called Klein “hardline” when it comes to supporting Israel and the Jerusalem Post said he is “staunchly pro-Israel.” The Washington Times called Klein, a “hawkish” Florida Democrat in an opinion piece on the Flotilla investigation.
Congressman Ron Klein is a staunch supporter of Israeli and several news stories have recognized Klein efforts fighting for Israel. Iran poses the biggest threat to Israel and the rest of the world. Congressman Klein helped author the tough new Iran sanctions, which President Obama signed into law in July. The Klein provision marks the first time ever that sanctions on companies doing business with Iran will be enforced without having to wait for the Administration’s investigations. In Congress, Klein has taken a relatively hawkish approach toward issues relating to Israel and the Middle East. He was active in pushing for Iran sanctions legislation, has been among those leading the call to investigate the Turkish group behind the Gaza flotilla and recently questioned American military aid to Lebanon in the wake of the recent deadly clash on the Israeli-Lebanese border. He has also, on occasion, distanced himself from Obama’s policies toward Israel. [Jewish Daily Forward, 8/18/2010]
West lies about his OWN statement on Islam
West’s Words: Backtracks in the New York Times on his previous statement about Islam not being a religion. “In March, for example, Allen West, a retired Army officer running for Congress in Broward County, told a group of supporters that ‘Islam is not a religion’ but rather ‘a vicious enemy’ that was ‘infiltrating’ the United States. (A campaign spokesman said last week that Mr. West meant to refer to radical Islam, not Islam generally.)” [New York Times, “Pastor’s Plan to Burn Korans Adds to Tensions, 8/26/10]
Fact: Islam is a religion, with over 1.5 billion Muslims active in global society. [Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, http://pewforum.org/Muslim/Mapping-the-Global-Muslim-Population.aspx, 10/7/09]
West told supporters that Islam is not a religion but “a vicious enemy” that was “infiltrating” the United States. “And that enemy represents something called Islam, and Islam is a totalitarian theocratic political ideology, it is not a religion. It has not been a religion since 622 AD, and we need to have individuals that stand up and say that.” [Act for America, 3/8/10]
West also told nationally syndicated radio host that Islam masks itself is a religion and is really a totalitarian, political, theocratic ideology. “I think that what we are dealing with is a totalitarian, political, theocratic ideology that is the most intolerant belief system that the world has ever known…So I don’t want to hear people lecture me about freedom of religion because we are allowing this ideology that masks itself as a religion to infiltrate all the way throughout Western civilization and to decimate our foundational principles and values because we got so much on this multiculturalism on steroids.” [Wilkow Majority, 8/18/10]
West lies his OWN STATEMENT on the Departments of Education and Energy
West’s Words: Goes back on stating the Departments of Education and Energy should be eliminated. “That is what I mean by going back, not eliminating, which is what the left came up with and what Ron Klein came up with, but I said we need to examine the Department of Education, we need to examine the Department of Energy.” [Blog Talk Radio, 8/3/10]
Fact: In 2009, West called for Energy and Education Departments to go. “In a speech last November that’s posted on YouTube (look around the 8:35 mark), West said there are “a couple of agencies up there” in Washington “that have to go.“ “The first one would be the Department of Energy,” West said, because it has failed to make the U.S. energy independent.”Another agency would be the Department of Education because our education status has gone down since we’ve had the Department of Education,” West says on the video. West stands by the remarks, says his campaign manager, Josh Grodin.” [Palm Beach Post, 7/14/10]
WEST LIES BY FALSELY ATTRIBUTING A quote to CICERO
West’s Words: Falsely uses a quote that Cicero never said. “The budget should be balanced, the treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome becomes bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance”. Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC [Allen West blog post, 8/18/10 and National Review, “Allen West Goes To Cicero for Advice Incorrectly, 8/20/10]
Fact: According to Bartelby.com, “No evidence has been found to confirm that Cicero said these words.” The quote reportedly originates from “A Pillar of Iron,” a historical novel about Cicero. [Bartelby.com, and http://anebooks.blogspot.com/2010/05/this-is-not-cicero.html]
Awaiting the West response, which is sure to be a doozy.
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