Utter Contempt

Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer couldn't contain their contempt for those Americans wishing to put American resources into American gas tanks:

Seeming to enjoy the back and forth, she followed with another question: “Can we drill your brains?”

She went on to refer to the protesters, who continued to chant sporadically, as “handmaidens of Big Oil.” Arguing that increased offshore drilling would reduce gas prices by only a couple of pennies a decade from now, she referred to the demonstrators as the “2-cents-in-10-years-crowd.”

Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer swiped at the demonstrators, too, saying that “sophomoric chanting” won’t solve the energy crisis and that “all thinking Americans know” — stressing the word "thinking" and looking at the crowd — that America doesn’t have a quarter of the word’s fossil fuels yet uses a quarter of the world’s energy.

Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer; this is the "Leadership" that Paul Hodes has supported 99% of the time.

Tapping Tired Wells

This morning, the Washington Post points out the obvious holes in Barack Obama's Energy Plan, a plan which doesn't produce any energy, and a plan endorsed by Paul Hodes:

Mr. Obama's proposal to take some of this money from Big Oil and distribute it, like Robin Hood, to hard-pressed American families doesn't make economic sense. To be sure, Mr. Obama would not copy the tax enacted under President Jimmy Carter in 1980, which netted $40 billion before its repeal in 1988 while imposing huge administrative burdens -- and retarding domestic oil production. Mr. Carter's tax was levied per-barrel, so it directly increased the marginal cost of producing crude -- and made figuring out which barrels to tax ridiculously complicated. Mr. Obama wants a surtax on net oil company profits above a "reasonable" level. The tax would be set high enough to raise $65 billion over the next five years, and the revenue would fund a one-shot tax rebate that Mr. Obama would like to give to families and individuals this year.

Making Exxon surrender money that is now falling into its lap would not necessarily affect its longer-term plans or incentives. Indeed, some of Big Oil's "windfall" already will go to the government: The more profit the companies earn, the more corporate income tax they pay. But to add a five-year tax increase on top of that to pay for a one-year gift to voters would, indeed, increase the cost of doing business. That cost would be passed along in forgone investment in new production, lower dividends for pension funds and other shareholders, and higher prices at the pump -- thus socking it to the consumers whom the plan is supposed to help. If oil prices fall, there might be no windfall profits to tax. Then the Obama rebate would have to be paid for through spending cuts, taxes on something else or borrowing.

And let's remember the other key components of the Obama-Hodes No Energy Plan:

-Force companies to drill on land without any recoverable oil
-Inflate your tires
-Pay your boss to have you carpool

I hope Paul Hodes is enjoying his vacation. We have the opportunity to extend it permanently in November.

Bosse Calls for Hodes to Denounce Democratic Insults

Democratic Party Insults Patriotic New Hampshire Workers, Hodes Remains Silent


(Nashua) Republican Grant Bosse today called on Paul Hodes to break his silence, and repudiate the insulting statements from the Democratic Party describing New Hampshire workers as “war profiteers.” The Union Leader this morning editorialized against the Democrats’ recent press release describing New Hampshire firms like BAE Systems and Tyco International as “bilking the American taxpayers for billions.”

“Far-left radicals have taken over the New Hampshire Democratic Party, and are spreading their hatred for patriotic Americans who’ve dedicated their lives to protecting those who protect us,” Bosse said. “Yet Paul Hodes remains silent. When will he stand up and say that these radicals don’t speak for him?”

The Democratic Party has criticized Sen. John Sununu and other Republicans for accepting campaign contributions from employees of defense contractors, even though employees from BAE Systems, Tyco, Raytheon, and Verizon have made similar contributions to Democratic candidates over the years.

“I’ve toured BAE Systems, and seen the ground-breaking work they do to keep our troops safe. They also happen to be New Hampshire’s largest manufacturing employer,” Bosse added. “Paul Hodes can tell us if he stands with the hateful left-wing radicals who run the Democratic Party, or he can continue his silence.”

To learn more about Bosse’s aggressive grassroots campaign, go to www.Bosse2008.com.

The Hodes No-Energy Plan

Hodes Get Green Light to Back Drilling

Now that Nancy Pelosi has given him the okay, how long until Paul Hodes reverses himself and comes out in favor of drilling, in areas that actually have some oil:

But what looks like intraparty tension on the surface is part of an intentional strategy in which Pelosi takes the heat on energy policy, while behind the scenes she’s encouraging vulnerable Democrats to express their independence if it helps them politically, according to Democratic aides on and off Capitol Hill.

Apparantly, Hodes didn't get the memo in time, as he outlines an energy plan in the Union Leader this morning that won't produce any new energy. There's plenty of hand-wringing about the evils of oil companies, though he doesn't explain how higher taxes will lead to lower prices. There's the usual canards about price gouging and speculation, which just serve to highlight his economic illiteracy. And there's the dry well of forcing drilling on leased land not currently in production, which Drew Cline of the Union Leader blew apart earlier this week. Otherwise, Hodes wants to pay you carpool and wants the government to help you conserve energy. But no new energy to be found.

Drilling in Alaska? No.
Drilling off our coasts? No.
Using oil sands? No.
Building new refineries? No.
More nuclear power plants? No.

Paul Hodes offers not a drop of new oil, and not a watt of new electricity. He would continue a failed energy and farm policy that has driven up gas prices. Of course, that was before Nancy Pelosi said is was okay to support more drilling, now that she can guarantee that such a radical idea will never actually come to a vote while she is Speaker. Let's see how long Paul Hodes sticks to his No-Energy Plan.

Learn more about Grant Bosse's Comprehensive Energy Plan.

Hodes Energy Policy

This pretty much sums up Paul Hodes Energy Plan:

Hattip: Powerline

Embarrassed?

Barack Obama is embarrassed that Americans go to Europe, and that Europeans speak to us in English. Beyond fostering the "Ugly American" stereotype, Obama continues to show the contempt and elitism that typifies the modern liberal movement. They love America, they say. Just not the way we are now. They love the America we could be if we all lived their lives the way they want us to. I wonder if Paul Hodes shares his preferred candidate's embarrassment of the English language:

"Instead of worrying about whether immigrants can learn English — they'll learn English — you need to make sure your child can speak Spanish."

"You know, it's embarrassing when Europeans come over here, they all speak English, they speak French, they speak German. And then we go over to Europe, and all we can say (is), 'Merci beaucoup.' "

Paul Hodes claims to be an independent voice for New Hampshire, yet he refuses to stand up to Nancy Pelosi, and he refuses to denounce these continued insults from Barack Obama. What will it take for Paul Hodes to stand up against his Democratic Party bosses?

Hodes Part of Least Popular Congress in History

Bosse blames abysmal 9% approval rating on failed Hodes-Pelosi policies

(Hillsboro) Republican Grant Bosse today said the failed policies of Nancy Pelosi and Paul Hodes have dragged Congressional approval into single digits for the first time. Rasmussen Reports shows only nine percent of Americans believe Congress is doing a “good or excellent job”, while a record-high tying 52% believe Congress is doing a “poor job”. This marks the first time in Rasmussen’s history of polling that Congressional approval dipped below ten percent.

“The failed policies of Paul Hodes and Nancy Pelosi have made this Congress the least popular in American history,” said Bosse. “Paul Hodes has voted in lockstep with Democratic leadership, and against the people of New Hampshire.”

The following are some of the failed policies of the Pelosi-Hodes Congress:

· A record $683 Billion tax increase, part of a record-high $3 Trillion federal budget

· A $300 Billion Farm Bill that will raise food prices across the country

· Failed energy policies that have driven gas prices to record levels

· Playing political games with troop funding

· Allowing our terrorist surveillance programs to expire

· Failing to address illegal immigration

Bosse has been a leader in calling for a return to the Republican Party’s core priorities, such as protecting taxpayers, protecting gun owners, and protecting life. Find more about Bosse’s campaign at www.Bosse2008.com.

Nine percent

Rasmussen Reports shows that Congress now has an abysmal single-digit approval rating of nine percent. You can thank the failed policies of Nancy Pelosi and Paul Hodes for that.

From the Eagle-Tribune

This morning's Eagle Tribune highlights Grant's opposition of both Paul Hodes' latest election-year gimmick on gas prices, and an announced hike of electricity rates.

No sooner had Hodes announced his proposal than one of his opponents, Republican Grant Bosse, issued a statement calling it an "election-year gimmick." What Hodes should do, he said, is push for veterans to be able to use their benefits at any hospital they choose.

"If Paul Hodes were serious about fixing this problem, he would let veterans use the hospital closest to them," Bosse said. "Instead he keeps them trapped in a system that requires long commutes and fails to provide the best care."

Bosse, a former legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. John Sununu, is running against Steiner, Jennifer Horn and Bob Clegg in the Republican primary for a chance to face Hodes in the general election.

Candidate criticizes PSNH rate hike

Bosse also took issue with last week's announcement that Public Service of New Hampshire would be hiking its electric rates for residential customers.

"New Hampshire continues to pay the highest electric rates in the nation because failed government intervention has driven out market forces and driven up prices," he said in a statement. "By blocking nuclear power plants and putting hurdles in the way of new power lines, our government has forced families to pay more just to turn on the lights. It's time we get Congress out of our energy markets in order to bring down the price of gas, home heating oil, and electricity."

PSNH said rates for a customer consuming 500 kilowatt hours of power will increase $4.39 to $81.80, an increase of 5.7 percent.

From PolitickerNH.com

Brian Lawson writes on PolitickerNH.com about Paul Hodes' latest election year gimmick. Lawson also writes about Grant's criticism and call for real solutions.

Grant Bosse (R-Hillsboro), who is running in the Republican primary to unseat Hodes, called the plan an "election year gimmick."

"Paul Hodes could have finally supported real solutions on health care, veterans, and energy," Bosse said in a statement. "Instead, he staged another photo-op to announce another election year gimmick, throwing our money at a problem instead of proposing a real solution."

Bosse Responds to Hodes' Latest Gimmick

Challenges Democrat to Back Real Solutions for Veterans Health Care

(Concord) Responding to Paul Hodes latest election-year gimmick, Republican Grant Bosse today challenged the Democrat to back real reform to the VA System and real solutions to bring down gas prices. Hodes is proposing an increase in the mileage reimbursement for veterans who have to travel to receive medical care. Hodes opposes letting veterans use their benefits at any hospital they choose, and has repeatedly blocked efforts to increase domestic gasoline production.

“If Paul Hodes were serious about fixing this problem, he would let veterans use the hospital closest to them,” Bosse said. “Instead he keeps them trapped in a system that requires long commutes and fails to provide the best care.”

Bosse’s Health Care Plan contains specific recommendations to increase veterans health care choices, and improve service-related care in the VA. Bosse’s Energy Plan provides concrete steps to increase domestic energy supply, improve competition, and bring down gas prices.

“Paul Hodes could have finally supported real solutions on health care, veterans, and energy,” Bosse added. “Instead, he staged another photo-op to announce another election year gimmick, throwing our money at a problem instead of proposing a real solution.”

Video Diary: Franking Privilege

Today Grant Bosse outlined a simple, three-point plan to reform the Congressional Franking Privilege and prevent abuse like that of Paul Hodes:



This weekend, WMUR's Close Up NH examined Hodes unmatched use of tax dollars to promote himself:

Bosse Calls for Franking Reform

Challenges Hodes to stop abusing taxpayer privileges

(Hillsboro) Hillsboro Republican Grant Bosse today introduced a plan to end Congressional abuse of tax dollars and the use of the Franking Privilege to re-elect Members of Congress. Bosse outlined three steps that would prevent Congressmen from using tax dollars for self-promotion, and challenged incumbent Democrat Paul Hodes to support these overdue reforms.

“Paul Hodes has sent out over a million pieces of mail and spent nearly a quarter million taxpayer dollars to get re-elected,” Bosse said. “With these reforms, we can preserve the right of the people to communicate with their government while ending such abuse of the franking privilege.”

Bosse’s plan includes three simple steps:

• Prevent the transfer of tax dollars to political organizations, and make anyone who does personally responsible for reimbursing the Treasury. Both Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter paid the New Hampshire Democratic Party for its politically-targeted mailing list using taxpayer funds.
• Prohibit unsolicited mass mailings. Rep. Ray LaHood has introduced similar legislation, which has received no action by the Democratic Leadership for over a year.
• Require all mass mailings to include the total cost to taxpayers. Rep. Jeff Flake has introduced legislation to let taxpayers know how much of their money is being spent on Congressional propaganda. This proposal has also languished for over a year.

“The public deserves to get answers when they ask Congress a question. They don’t deserve to be flooded with political propaganda, and then be forced to foot the bill,” Bosse added. “By supporting these reforms, Paul Hodes can show that he’s more concerned about protecting taxpayers than his own re-election.”

Find more about Bosse’s campaign at www.Bosse2008.com.

Pelosi Calls for More Gun Control- Does Hodes Agree?

(Hillsboro) Hillsboro Republican Grant Bosse today asked Congressman Paul Hodes if he agrees with Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s call for more gun control laws in the District of Columbia, even as the Supreme Court has thrown out the District’s oppressive ban on handgun ownership.

In the wake of the landmark District of Columbia v Heller decision, the Court threw out the gun ban and reaffirmed an individual right to keep and bear arm. Pelosi responded by claiming that the Court decision leaves plenty of room for new gun control laws.

"I think it still allows the District of Columbia to come forward with a law that’s less pervasive," Pelosi said. "I think the court left a lot of room to run in terms of concealed weapons and guns near schools."

Paul Hodes has voted with Pelosi almost unanimously in his two years in Congress, which prompted Bosse to ask if Hodes would again follow the lead of Democratic leadership.

“Is Paul Hodes going to stand up to Nancy Pelosi, as she tries to rebuild DC’s oppressive gun laws, or will he support the rights of gun owners by rolling back unneeded restriction on the right to keep the bear arms?” Bosse asked.

Bosse is the most consistent support of gunowners’ rights in the Republican field to challenge Hodes. Following the Heller decision, Bosse noted that Congressional action was needed to secure the rights that the Supreme Court recognized.

Find more about Bosse’s campaign at www.Bosse2008.com.

Everyone Does It

WMUR reports on Paul Hodes continued abuse of tax dollars by using taxpayer funding mailings to get re-elected. But it's okay, because Republicans and Democrats both do it:

Hodes said he just wants to keep people in his district informed, but Republicans said his efforts are a waste of public funds.

According to the National Taxpayer's Union, Hodes has spent more than $133,000 on the mailings this year.
Click here to find out more!

"Well, I think the congressman is proud of the communication he sent to the people he represents," said Hodes spokesman Mark Bergman. "He believes it is important to stay in touch."

New Hampshire Republicans attacked Hodes over the mailing, saying that his predecessor, Republican Rep. Charlie Bass, spent $13,760 in all of 2006.

Hodes Votes to Endanger America

Hodes puts liberal agenda ahead of national security

(Hillsboro) Hillsboro Republican Grant Bosse today blasted Democrat Paul Hodes for a series of votes that would have left the United States vulnerable. Fortunately, Hodes and his liberal colleagues did not prevail in their efforts to block funding for American military forces and to block a vital terrorist surveillance program.

“Paul Hodes has consistently voted against keeping America safe. He has a pattern of putting liberal fantasies ahead of national security,” Bosse said. “Monitoring overseas terrorist networks is more important than letting trial lawyers file nuisance lawsuits, and Paul Hodes should know it.”

On Friday, Hodes voted against a bipartisan agreement to renew the nation’s terrorist surveillance program (Roll Call #437). He also voted last week against an emergency supplemental funding bill for ongoing military operations (Roll Call #431), which is the second time Hodes has voted against funding troops in the field. Hodes has also pushed a bill to prevent the Department of Defense from communicating military successes to the American people, calling such efforts “propaganda.”

“Paul Hodes is wrong on defense, wrong to vote against our troops, and wrong to put trial lawyers ahead of terrorist surveillance,” Bosse added. “When he ran for Congress, Paul Hodes said he would make funding our troops ‘the top priority.’ Clearly, his priorities have changed.”

Find more about Bosse’s campaign at www.Bosse2008.com.

More bad ideas

Paul Hodes proved today that he doesn't know what he's talking about on energy policy. Now, another Obama adviser is showing economic ignorance, calling for nationalization of oil refineries:



We can not afford to have Congress take over a major sector of the American economy. Their failed policies have driven prices through the roof, and giving them more power will only make the problem worse. That's why we need candidates who back small government and market-based solution, not candidates who insist that they can fix the energy markets, if only they had the chance to wield power for a few years.

Hattip: FreedomTalks

From PolitickerNH.com

Will Bredderman from PolitickerNH.com writes about Grant's attack on Congressman Paul Hodes' defense of an energy initiative labeled the "dumbest of them all".

The campaign of New Hampshire Republican congressional candidate Grant Bosse today issued a press release attacking Democratic incumbent Paul Hodes for supporting a proposal from Congresswoman and fellow Democrat Carol Shea-Porter that would mandate oil companies to drill on any federally-leased land in their possession. Bosse is running against Hodes for New Hampshire's 2nd District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The press release labeled Shea-Porter--who represents New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District--as a "radical" and cited an editorial from the Union-Leader that referred to the Democrats' proposal as possibly "the dumbest idea of them all." The document also quoted Bosse accusing Hodes of not being "serious about bringing down gas prices" and of trying to "distract voters with gimmicks."

Paul Hodes needs a lesson

Details to follow...

Hattip: Drew Cline

Hodes Continues to Abuse Taxpayer Dollars

The Concord Monitor investigates Paul Hodes out-of-control spending of your tax dollars to get himself re-elected, this time by sending out over a million pieces of campaign propaganda at your expense:

Rep. Paul Hodes has spent more than $235,000 in taxpayer money to print and send mass mailers across his district in the first half of this year, an amount that tops what all but a fraction of congressmen have spent on such mail in recent years. All told, in less than two years in Congress, Hodes has sent out more than a million pieces of mass mail.

Federal law allows congressmen to tap their office budgets to send mail to their constituents, but in an election year the colorful, glossy mailers could easily be mistaken for campaign pamphlets.

Hodes may end up spending more of your money to make himself look good than any Member of Congress did last year:

In the first two quarters of 2008, Hodes has spent more than all but a handful of his colleagues did in 2006 and 2007, according to press accounts and compilations by the National Taxpayers Union. In 2006, said Taxpayers Union spokesman Pete Sepp, only 19 congressmen had postal budgets bigger than what Hodes has in 2008 to date.