Pennsylvania Republican Chairman Rob Gleason predicts the "over-reaching liberal agenda" of President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi creates an opportunity for growth for the GOP.In a recent interview, Gleason suggested the Obama's administration's staggering spending, spiraling national debt and higher tax proposals will lead to voter backlash. In office almost two months, Obama has shepherded through Congress a $787 million economic stimulus bill and proposed a $3.6 trillion federal budget.
When the stimulus bill passed last month, Gleason said it was time to stand up against "bloated government and uncontrolled spending policies."
Gleason of Johnstown rejected the notion that Pennsylvania has become a "blue," or Democratic, state. But he acknowledges these are tough times for the GOP.
Mr. Gleason is misinformed. We Pennsylvanians know that only those making over $250,000/year will see a tax hike, a return to the tax rate in place in 2001, and the rest of us (95% of the population) will get a tax cut.
The latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll: public support for increased spending on education and tax cuts for the middle class is at 80%. Support for spending on roads, bridges, and transportation systems is at 74%, support for extended unemployment benefits is at 73%, and support for increasing spending on health care is at 69%.
Chairman Gleason's remarks should be chiseled in stone for they are truly historic...
...stand up against "bloated government and uncontrolled spending policies."
This worn-out line dates back over 70 years to the Depression year of 1936 when Republican presidential candidate, "clueless" Alf Landon, officially launched his campaign against FDR at a high class country club near Pittsburgh.
While Mr. Gleason deserves at least some credit for acknowledging that these are tough times for the GOP he would do well to perform some further analysis and find out exactly why voters are deserting his party.
...Maybe ask someone at the country club?
Matt Thomas