Nevada State Democratic Party

Danny Tarkanian to open campaign office in CD 3

2012-02-17T00:29:24+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – Fear of commitment much? Perennial candidate Danny Tarkanian is opening his campaign office this evening in his latest quixotic bid for public office. But rather than going the conventional route – and let’s face it, after running (and losing) election after election, Danny Tarkaian is anything but conventional – and locating his office in the district he is running to represent in Congress, Danny’s office is in CD 3.

But it’s ok, he at least lives in CD 4 right? Oh wait... no -- that would be CD 1. That’s right – Danny Tarkanian has real estate in every congressional district in Southern Nevada BUT the one he wants to represent in Congress.

“Considering both his campaign office and his residence are outside of the district he wants to represent in Congress, maybe Danny Tarkanian is simply confused about what office he is running for this time,” said Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson Zach Hudson. “Nevadans have a clear choice between Steven Horsford’s commitment to creating jobs, and a Republican like Danny Tarkanian’s whose only commitment is to running for office."

FLASHBACK: If 90 Percent of Life is Showing Up Greg Brower…

2012-02-16T18:58:11+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – Yesterday, in response to his chances of winning a full Senate term plunging faster than Mitt Romney making a $10,000 bet, appointed Nevada Senator Greg Brower told the Las Vegas Sun that voters want a “pragmatic problem solver” to represent them in the Senate. But considering that even Republican congressional candidates like Barbara Cegavske have criticized Brower for not - well - doing his job, we’re not sure what Brower’s definition of “pragmatic problem solver” is.

Certainly it isn’t someone whose party leaders had to sit “down for a talking-to about his notable absences from committee hearings & floor debates."

We also don’t think it is someone who has “developed a routine of taking extended breaks after being marked present or leaving early while his colleagues on the Education or Health and Human Services committees work late into the evening.”

It probably isn’t someone who refuses “to comment on whether he had ever left committee to attend to campaign business,” then misses “about two hours of an education hearing Wednesday night to speak at a Republican women’s club event in Sparks.”

And we’re not sure if a “pragmatic problem solver” is someone whose "extended breaks became most apparent during two lengthy meetings of the entire Senate to hear the public schools and higher education budgets.”

Key takeaway - "Brower likely doesn’t have much of a future in the Nevada Legislature."

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Why Is Sandoval Allowing NV GOP To Risk Nevadas Early Vote Status?

2012-02-08T20:41:24+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – Only days after the disaster that was Governor Brian Sandoval’s Nevada GOP caucuses - a small snapshot of which you can see here, here, here, and here – reports are surfacing of Nevada potentially losing its early state status on the Presidential nominating calendar because of the Nevada Republicans’ incompetence.

So why isn’t Governor Sandoval saddling up on that white horse of his to defend Nevada’s honor?

The fact is that last weekend’s caucuses weren’t just humiliating for Sandoval and Nevada Republicans because of their apparent inability to – umm – count.

The problem is much deeper. At a time when their political party’s turnout operation is critically important (note the new PPP poll out today that shows Republican enthusiasm is way down), Sandoval’s operation was only able to turn out 10,000 FEWER voters this year than four years ago. That’s not the kind of operation that inspires the RNC to grant an early vote status once again.

But instead of leaping to the rescue, Sandoval is just standing there as members of his own party are now suggesting Nevada taxpayers bail out the NV GOP and risk Nevada’s early state status by moving to a taxpayer funded primary.

But what else is new? Last year, Sandoval’s party freely gave up its early status by caving to Washington Republicans and New Hampshire by moving their caucus date to after Florida’s unsanctioned primary, even after Senator Harry Reid tried to give them some backbone.

So the question: why does Senator Harry Reid seem to care more about the Nevada Republicans’ early vote status than the leader of the Nevada Republican Party, Governor Sandoval?

More Than 12k Nevada Volunteers Say Im In for President Obama During 2012 Democratic Caucuses

2012-01-21T22:05:22+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – With 90% of precincts reporting, more than 12,000 volunteers said “I’m in” for President Obama at today’s Nevada Democratic Caucuses. Volunteers across Nevada gathered at 118 caucus locations and 1,553 precincts to organize and discuss President Obama's vision for a job-creating economy that's built to last – one where hard work pays, responsibility is rewarded, and everyone does their fair share and plays by the same rules.

An important opportunity to engage supporters, the more than 12,000 who came out for this non-competitive contest will make up the core of the volunteer organization working to re-elect President Obama and elect Democrats up and down the ticket in Nevada.

However, while today was an important step in organizing volunteers to win in November, it was hardly the beginning. Since the launch of President Obama’s re-election campaign in April, Nevada staff and volunteers have held over 1,500 trainings, planning sessions, house parties and phone banks. Additionally, they've made over 522,000 calls to supporters, held over 4,000 one-on-one meeting and opened three offices in Las Vegas, Reno and Henderson.

98.3% of delegates were awarded to President Obama to attend the April 14th Nevada Democratic County Convention and June 9-10 State Convention. They will elect the delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina in September.

“I am excited that over 12,000 enthusiastic volunteers said ‘I’m in’ for President Obama today,” said Nevada State Democratic Party Chair Roberta Lange. “Nevada Democrats are energized and ready to get to work to re-elect President Obama to create jobs and restore economic security for Nevada’s middle class. Nevadans will have a clear choice between President Obama’s commitment to creating jobs and helping struggling homeowners stay in their homes, and a Republican like Mitt Romney who built his career laying off American workers while shipping their jobs overseas, and who told Nevadans facing foreclosure they are on their own.”

What Mitt Romneys $10K Buys in Nevada

2011-12-12T19:46:21+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – During the Republican presidential debate in Iowa last weekend, multi-millionaire Mitt Romney offered Rick Perry a $10,000 bet – shortly after he once again dismissed a payroll tax cut saving middle-class families an average of $1,500 as a “temporary little Band-Aid.” Yep, Romney was willing to bet $10,000 without even blinking.

So what does $10,000 buy middle-class Nevadans?

More than three years of gas for the average Nevada family ($9,705)
13 months rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Las Vegas ($9,425)
3 months salary for a Nevada elementary school teacher ($9,847)
Over 2 months salary for the average Nevada household ($8,884)
Cost of a 2002 Ford Excursion ($9,488)

“Every time we think Mitt Romney has proven he could not be more out-of-touch with the needs of middle-class families in America, he outdoes himself,” said Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson Zach Hudson. “$10,000 may not mean much to Mitt Romney, but that is more than two months of hard-earned pay for average Nevadans. The fact this is the same candidate who believes that ‘corporations are people,’ and in the very same debate Saturday night continued to dismiss a $1,500 tax cut for working families as a ‘little Band-Aid’ just goes to show that Mitt Romney doesn’t have a clue what it takes for everyday folks here in Nevada to make ends meet.”

Nevada GOP Risks Nevadas Early State Status by Caving to D.C. Republicans

2011-10-19T20:51:01+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – In light of recent reports that Nevada Republicans are likely to cave to D.C. Republicans and abandon Nevada’s status as an early voting state, the Nevada State Democratic Party issues the following statement:

“Nevada Democrats moved our caucus date to bolster Nevada Republicans’ courage to stand up to Florida, who has violated rules agreed upon by both national Parties and is jeopardizing our hard-fought status as a presidential early-voting state. We are disappointed Nevada Republicans are now willing to risk Nevada's status as an early voting state because they are afraid to stand up to the Republican National Committee’s empty threats and hollow promises. And since their threats against Florida proved toothless, the Beltway-minded RNC isn’t in the best position to honor promises like the ones they have reportedly made to the Nevada Republican Party. No matter what they have told in-state Republicans about securing Nevada’s third-in-the-nation status in future elections, Florida demonstrated the RNC is powerless to stop such actions. Since it would be a deep embarrassment to the state if Nevada Republicans wave the white flag on keeping our early voting status, we therefore strongly urge Gov. Sandoval and state Republicans not to retreat in this fight.”

On the Same Day Heller Votes Against Creating Jobs in Nevada, He Votes for Creating Them in China

2011-10-11T22:52:45+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – You can’t make this up. On the same day unelected Senator Dean Heller voted to continue shipping American jobs to China, he voted against creating jobs in Nevada. After again voting to protect the Chinese government’s unfair trade policies that are cheating Nevada workers out of their jobs, Heller then preceded to vote against the American Jobs Act, which would create jobs immediately in Nevada.

“Dean Heller had an opportunity today to finally do something that will create jobs in Nevada, but he again demonstrated that getting Nevadans back to work isn’t his priority and protecting the Chinese government is,” said Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson Zach Hudson. “Nevada has the highest unemployment in the country and instead of making job-creation his top priority, our junior Senator continues to focus on killing Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies, while protecting the Chinese government’s cheating Nevada workers out of their jobs. Heller’s votes today highlight the clear choice Nevadans have between Shelley Berkley’s commitment to fighting for seniors and unemployed Nevadans, and Dean Heller who has repeatedly thrown Nevada's seniors and middle class under the bus to protect the Chinese government and reward the Big Oil companies bankrolling his campaign with taxpayer giveaways.”

MEMO: The last two weeks have demonstrated that Dean Heller is out of the political mainstream

2011-10-10T17:44:09+00:00

The last two weeks have demonstrated that unelected Senator Dean Heller has abandoned any pretense of being a moderate and that he is outside of the political mainstream. Heller’s political positions are so far on the fringe that moderates, and even conservatives in his own Party, disagree with him on the major issues facing Nevadans.

Two weeks ago, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval announced Nevada had received $13.8 million in federal funding from the Small Business Jobs Act Congress passed last year. These funds are estimated to create over a thousand jobs in Nevada. Considering Nevada has the highest unemployment in the country, one would think our representatives in Congress would be doing everything they can to create jobs.

Enter Dean Heller.

Heller voted against the Small Business Jobs Act; Congresswoman Shelley Berkley voted for it, demonstrating once again which candidate in this Senate race is committed to getting Nevadans back to work. To be clear, Heller’s opposition to the Small Business Jobs Act puts him at odds not just with his opponent in next year’s Senate race, but with the conservative Republican Governor that appointed him to replace disgraced Senator John Ensign in the Senate.

In light of their common cause in support for the Small Business Jobs Act, Berkley invited Sandoval to participate in a conference call with small business owners to highlight the job-creating legislation. While Sandoval said he could not join Berkley because of a prior commitment, the Governor again praised the legislation his fellow Republican Dean Heller tried to kill. Heller, clearly nervous about the amount of attention his vote against the Berkley-Sandoval Small Business Jobs Act was receiving, actually put out a press release last Friday attacking the legislation that will create over 1,000 jobs in Nevada.

Flash forward.

Last week, Heller voted to protect the Chinese government’s unfair trade policy that is cheating Nevada workers out of their jobs. This was bipartisan legislation that cracks down on Chinese currency manipulation, which has cost the United States 3 million jobs over the last decade -- including 15,000 Nevada jobs. Heller’s position puts him at odds not just with Independents and Democrats but with all factions of his own Party. Republican Senator Jeff Sessions said that China’s currency manipulation “puts American workers and U.S.-based businesses at a huge disadvantage” and “has to be confronted.” Republican Senator Orrin Hatch summarized Dean Heller’s policy of protecting Chinese currency manipulation bluntly, “American jobs are at stake.” Republican Senator Olympia Snowe said “this day has been far too long in coming for the millions of American workers who are out of work and whose wages have been decimated as a result of our inability to compete with unfairly subsidized Chinese imports,” and that China was “playing with a proverbial stacked deck.” Overall, twelve Republican Senators voted to stand up to the Chinese government’s cheating workers out of their jobs.

If that isn’t enough to demonstrate just how far out of the mainstream Heller is, let’s look at where the public stands. As the attached polling memo from the Mellman Group highlights, 85% of Nevadans are at least very concerned that too many Nevada workers are losing their jobs, while 75% are very concerned that too many jobs are being sent overseas. 86% of Nevada voters are in favor of “penalizing nations like China that manipulate exchange rates and implement trade barriers to gain an unfair trade advantage.” Only 9% of voters express some form of opposition. 60% of Nevadans agree “we need to get tough with China and use every possible legal means to stop their unfair trade practices, which will keep undermining our economy and taking away our jobs.” Only 34% agreed with Heller’s “trade war” argument.

To summarize, the last two weeks have proven Dean Heller is far outside of the mainstream, both within his own Party and Nevadans as a whole. His opposition to common sense job legislation, like the Small Business Jobs Act, and cracking down on unfair trade practices that are cheating Nevada workers out of their jobs demonstrates that job creation is not his priority in a campaign whose top 1, 2, and 3 issues are jobs, jobs, jobs. Heller’s choosing the Chinese government over unemployed Nevadans, combined with his repeated votes to reward the Big Oil companies bankrolling his campaign with taxpayer giveaways, and saying he was proud to be the only member of Congress to vote twice for a Republican budget plan that kills Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies, are in stark contrast to Shelley Berkley’s message of making job creation our top priority. Nevadans will have a clear choice between Berkley’s commitment to getting Nevadans back to work and Heller’s attempt to pull the rug out from under Nevada seniors and middle class to protect the Chinese government and his Big Oil campaign donors.

FUNDRAISING FALLOUT: Dean Heller Calls in the Big Drum to Bail Out Embarrassing Fundraising Haul

2011-10-07T20:09:28+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – What does an unelected Senator do when he has an embarrassing fundraising quarter in which his opponent raises double the amount that he does? He calls up his ethically questionable special-interest friend with benefits, of course!

Today, as part of our exposé investigation into Dean Heller’s cheating on Nevadans with Big Oil, Nevada Democrats discovered Dean Heller’s secret plan to bail out his fundraising after Congresswoman Shelley Berkley raised double the amount that he did in the 3rd quarter fundraising period. Where did we find this sensitive information you ask? On the street. Apparently Heller’s fundraising has dried up to the point where he has to send Slick out on the street hoping some of his Big Oil buddies will come by to throw a few bucks into his can.

While we compliment Heller for using – let’s call it unconventional – means to try to rescue his anemic fundraising, judging by the empty can it doesn’t look like Slick is having much luck on the street. Maybe it’s best Slick sticks with the high-dollar BP fundraisers. At least that way he’ll get some taxpayer giveaways out of it from Heller.

Will Slick’s fundraising with a can pay off? Judge for yourself:

Heller Parrots Talking Points from the People’s Bank of China in 2nd Senate Floor Speech

2011-10-05T19:11:38+00:00

Dean Heller: “Inciting a trade war with China will not create jobs in my home state of Nevada.” [Senate Floor, October 5, 2011]

People’s Bank of China: Passage of the legislation "may lead to a trade war that we don't want to see". [South China Morning Post, 10/05/2011]

LAS VEGAS – In his second floor speech as a United States Senator from Nevada, Dean Heller took his cues not from Nevada’s unemployed workers… but from the People’s Bank of China.

Yes, that’s right.

Forced to defend his astonishing vote against legislation cracking down on the Chinese government cheating Nevada workers out of jobs, Heller turned to Chinese state owned banking institutions for the arguments why legislation that American economists say would create American jobs is wrong for a state suffering from the nation’s highest unemployment rate.

However, unemployed Nevadans see it differently.

Phil Magelowitz, unemployed Nevadan from Las Vegas: “This Monday -- my Senator Dean Heller -- someone who is supposed to represent my interests in Washington chose to side with the Chinese government over out of work Nevadans like me. We need a Senator who is focused like a laser on creating jobs in Nevada, not China."

“Nevadans deserve someone who will speak for the state’s unemployed workers in the United States Senate – not the Chinese government,” said Zach Hudson, spokesman for the Nevada State Democratic Party.

NSDP Chair Roberta Lange Statement in Response to Floridas Announcement Today

2011-09-30T18:53:21+00:00

Las Vegas, NV- In reaction to Florida’s announcement today that they are moving their Presidential Primary date to January 31st, Nevada State Democratic Party Chair Roberta Lange issued the following statement:

“Florida’s announcement today risks the integrity and intent of the presidential nominating calendar and is a blatant violation of the rules agreed upon by the national committees of both Parties. The Nevada State Democratic Party has already passed a resolution granting power to the Chair to do whatever is necessary to preserve the integrity of that window by moving up the date of our caucuses. We anticipate moving up our caucus date in coordination with the other sanctioned early states, most likely in January.”

To view the resolution granting the NSDP Chair the authority to preserve the integrity of the early state window, please go here.

Will Dean Heller Follow Club for Growth’s Reckless Call to Continue Shipping American Jobs to China?

2011-09-28T21:12:09+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – The extreme right-wing group the Club for Growth today called on members of Congress to vote against jobs-legislation being voted on in the Senate next week to stop Chinese currency manipulation. The legislation would help prevent corporations from shipping American jobs overseas by placing tariffs on countries like China whose currencies are notoriously undervalued.

As the Club for Growth threatens Republican Senators into voting against this job-creating legislation with meaningless “score cards”, will unelected Senator Dean Heller finally start focusing on creating jobs or again pander to the special-interests funding his campaign? Call us skeptics, but his record suggests the former. Since being appointed to the Senate, Heller has voted multiple times to kill Medicare to protect taxpayer giveaways to the Big Oil companies and tax breaks for corporations that ship American jobs overseas.

“Dean Heller has an opportunity here to stop paying-lip service to unemployed Nevadans and start doing something that will actually create jobs,” said Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson Zach Hudson. “Dean Heller has spent his time in the Senate focused not on job-creation but on killing Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies to protect taxpayer giveaways to his Big Oil campaign donors. Considering he has repeatedly put the special-interests that are bankrolling his campaign ahead of out-of-work Nevadans, it wouldn’t be surprising if he again votes to continue shipping American jobs overseas.”

Day 2 of Heller Refusing to Answer What in Ad on Heller’s Big Oil Pay-to-Play Scheme Is “Untrue”

2011-09-22T17:30:28+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – Tick, tock. Tick, tock. It is day two of unelected Senator Dean Heller’s campaign calling the ad Nevada Democrats released yesterday highlighting Heller’s pay-to-play scheme with Big Oil “untrue," while refusing to say what specifically was not true.

Well, in an unprecedented effort to make this as easy as possible for the Heller campaign, we are helpfully providing specific questions about what exactly they find “untrue” in the ad about Dean Heller's ethically questionable connection with Big Oil.

Question 1: Did oil & gas industry not donate over $100,000 to Heller’s campaign?

Question 2: Did Dean Heller not vote 8 times to protect taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil?

Question 3: Did BP lobbyists not hold a fundraiser for Dean Heller on his SECOND day as a Senator?

Question 4: Did Dean Heller not vote 7 days later to protect taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil?

Question 5: Did Dean Heller not hire an oil and gas industry lobbyist the very next day after said lobbyist terminated his lobbying duties?

Question 6: Did a lobbyist for BP not host a fundraiser for Dean Heller one month before Heller voted to protect the oil industry from increased oversight after the BP explosion and subsequent oil spill?

Hey, Dean! We're waiting.

CHANNEL. 13: UMC Kidney Transplant Survivor Says Berkley’s Actions Saved His Life

2011-09-22T14:55:06+00:00

Calls GOP Stunt Complaint Against Berkley "Absurd", "Ridiculous"

Transplant Survivor: "Of course you want to save your life. Of course you want to live. You can't bring politics into somebody's livelihood"

Las Vegas, NV – While Republicans continue to use hypocritical stunts to distract from unelected Senator Dean Heller’s pay-to-play scheme with Big Oil, Channel 13 in Las Vegas reported last night that for UMC kidney transplant survivor George McLaurin, Rep. Berkley's actions intervening to save “a transplant program in Nevada is the difference between life and death.” McLaurin added in response to the Republicans’ stunt, “you can’t bring politics into somebody’s livelihood” and that the Republicans’ complaint was “ridiculous.”

Maybe next time Republicans try to distract from Dean Heller being bought and paid for by Big Oil, they won’t target a program that saves Nevadans’ lives.

View video of McLaurin’s interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Bwzq3biWco

NV DEMS RESPOND TO GOP’S PARTISAN, HYPOCRITICAL STUNT WITH NEW AD EXPOSING HELLER PAY-TO-PLAY SCHEME

2011-09-21T14:29:53+00:00

Unelected Senator voted to protect Big Oil taxpayer giveaways days after BP lobbyists held DC fundraiser for him

WATCH NEW AD: Pay to Play Dean Heller Cheating on Nevadans

Las Vegas, NV – Today, the Nevada State Democratic Party released a NEW AD calling foul on the Nevada Republican Party's hyper-partisan and highly hypocritical complaint that they filed against Nevada senate candidate Shelley Berkley.

Their move today reeks of politics and rings particularly hollow given that their chosen candidate -- Dean Heller -- has a proven track record of siding with special interests directly after taking their money.

In fact, last June, Heller held a Washington fundraiser with BP lobbyists – yes that BP – on his SECOND day as an unelected Senator...and (coincidentally we’re sure) one week before voting to protect taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil companies in his first major vote as Nevada's unelected Senator.

For those keeping count, that would be his 8th vote siding with Big Oil CEOs over Nevadans and a clear indication that the oil companies feel they got what they paid for.

"Given Dean Heller's track record of siding with Big Oil days after taking their money, the Nevada Republicans' stunt should be seen for what it is: blatantly political and shockingly hypocritical," said Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson Zach Hudson. "The facts are clear: Big Oil's CEOs are getting what they paid for in Dean Heller’s pay-to-play scheme to protect taxpayer giveaways to oil companies. However, considering who he replaced in the Senate, it seems only fitting that Dean Heller would continue his predecessor’s record of cheating on Nevadans."

View ad here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTf3Aqtx-Og

Background on Heller’s cheating on Nevadans with Big Oil:

BP LOBBYING FIRM HELD FUNDRAISER FOR HELLER

June 2010: BP Lobbying Firm Hosted Fundraiser For Heller. On June 28, 2010 The Alpine Group lobbying firm hosted an event for Dean Heller that had a suggest contribution of $1,000. BP was listed as a client of the Alpine group in 2010. The oil company paid the firm $360,000 to lobby on their behalf. [Sunlight Foundation, Party Time, accessed 8/26/2011; Center for Responsive Politics, accessed9/1/2011]

HELLER RETURNED THE FAVOR

July 2010: Heller Voted To Protect Oil Industry From Oversight After Deadly BP Explosion And Oil Spill. In 2010, Heller voted against a bill that would lift the $75 million cap on liability for offshore oil spills and revamp federal oversight of the industry by eliminating the Minerals Management Service. The responsibilities of the MMS would be split among three new agencies in the Interior Department. The measure was supported as a means to prevent another potential catastrophe like the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion, which killed 11 workers and spewed millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the measure would reduce the deficit by $1.7 billion through fiscal 2020. It imposed stiffer penalties for oil rig safety violations, required independent certifications of key drilling equipment and banned the practice of granting environmental waivers for drilling plans. The measure passed, 209-193. [CQ Today, 7/30/10; CNN, 7/30/10; HR 3534, Vote #513, 7/30/10]

HELLER HAS PROTECTED THEIR MONEY

Heller Opposed Tax Increases On Oil Companies. In June 2008, Heller wrote a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi stating “Tax increases that affect oil companies also hurt retirees, seniors and pension funds. In 2004, more than 2,600 pension funds run by federal, state and local governments held almost $64 billion in shares of U.S. oil and natural gas companies. …Consequently, I have voted against billions in tax increases on energy companies in the House, which would only be passed along to consumers in the form of higher prices. Despite multiple bills with billions in tax increases being put forth in the House, not one of them has passed the Senate. Clearly this approach is also not consensus.” [Heller letter, 6/4/2008]

Heller Voted At Least EIGHT Times to Protect Tax Credits for Big Oil Companies. [ Vote 72, 5/17/11; Vote #153, 3/01/11; Las Vegas Review-Journal, 9/28/2008; Vote 78, 2/27/08; Vote 80, 2/27/08; Vote 1140, 12/06/07; Vote 835, 8/4/07; Vote 40, 1/18/07]

Las Vegas Sun: Heller Didn’t “Have The Nerve To Stand Up To The Oil Companies.” In May 2011, the Las Vegas Sun ran an editorial on the failure of an effort by Senate Democrats to repeal tax breaks for the “big five” oil companies. “That move would have reduced the nation’s budget deficit by $20 billion. But the measure fell eight votes short of the 60 needed for passage. That’s because most Senate Republicans, including Dean Heller of Nevada, don’t have the nerve to stand up to the oil companies.” [Editorial, Las Vegas Sun, 5/19/11]

Las Vegas Sun: Oil Companies “Know How To Manipulate Politicians Such As Heller To Vote Their Way.” In May 2011, theLas Vegas Sun ran an editorial on the failure of an effort by Senate Democrats to repeal tax breaks for the “big five” oil companies. “Heller said last week that he doesn’t support ‘raising taxes on the oil industry, because I don’t think that will lower the price of gasoline at the pumps.’ Heller misses the point. Of course, there is no guarantee that repealing the tax breaks would lower gas prices. But that’s only because the oil companies know how to game the system, which explains their record profits. They know how to manipulate politicians such as Heller to vote their way. The point is that their tax breaks are unjustified.” [Editorial, Las Vegas Sun, 5/19/11]

Las Vegas Sun: “If Heller And His Republican Colleagues Truly Wanted To Do What’s Right For This Country, They Would Support Policies That Help Average Working-Class Americans… Rather Than Do The Bidding Of Oil Companies.” In May 2011, the Las Vegas Sun ran an editorial on the failure of an effort by Senate Democrats to repeal tax breaks for the “big five” oil companies. “If Heller and his Republican colleagues truly wanted to do what’s right for this country, they would support policies that help average working-class Americans and retirees live better lives rather than do the bidding of oil companies that can function quite well without tax breaks.” [Editorial, Las Vegas Sun, 5/19/11]

…AND THEIR INTERESTS

Heller Voted Against Revoking Land From Oil Companies That Isn’t Being Used. In July 2008, the Las Vegas Review-Journalreported “The House voted 244-173 to pass a ‘use it or lose it’ bill that would strip oil companies of leases they own on federal land where oil drilling is allowed but is not being done. A simple majority was not sufficient to pass the Democratic plan, however. Since Democratic leaders brought the bill to the floor under an expedited procedure to block Republicans from offering their own proposal for offshore drilling, House rules required a two-thirds majority for passage. Reps. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev.; and Jon Porter, R-Nev., voted for the ‘use it or lose it’ plan. Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., voted against it.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 7/20/2008]

Heller Voted Against Going After Energy Market Speculation Because It Did Not Include Offshore Drilling Amendment. In August 2008, Las Vegas Review-Journal reported “In the House, a bill to regulate energy market speculation also fell short. The vote was 276-151, nine votes short of the two-thirds necessary to approve the bill. Democrats brought it up under special rules to prevent Republicans from attaching an offshore drilling amendment. The bill would have added staff to and expanded authority of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission. The agency regulates oil markets. Reps. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and Jon Porter, R-Nev., voted for the bill. Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., voted against it.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 8/3/2008]

VIDEO FLASHBACK: Heller Says Now isn’t the Time to Talk About Jobs

2011-09-20T17:50:41+00:00

Unelected Senator tries to use his maiden speech to pretend job creation is top priority, despite history of ignoring NV unemployment

Las Vegas, NV – As unelected Senator Dean Heller finally pretends to be concerned about job-creation today during his maiden speech in the U.S. Senate, here is a friendly reminder to give a little insight into Heller's true thoughts about getting Nevadans back to work. Last month, in response to Congresswoman Shelley Berkley kicking off her August “Focus on Jobs” Tour across Nevada, Heller actually said this isn't the time to talk about getting our economy back on track and creating jobs.

But that should come as no surprise to those who have been following Heller's votes over the last few months. Instead of voting to create jobs, he has voted to kill Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies two times since entering the Senate. Additionally, he voted to protect taxpayer giveaways to the big oil companies that bankroll his campaign.

Puts his speech today on jobs in perspective, don't you think?

View video of Heller showing just how concerned he actually is about job creation here (short answer – not at all) :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_IVlvaZIb8

TOMORROW: Heller Gives Maiden Senate Speech on Issue He’s Completely Ignored as Senator - Jobs

2011-09-19T22:05:29+00:00

Unelected Senator has focused his time on killing Medicare, protecting taxpayer giveaways to big oil

Las Vegas, NV – Apparently he appreciates irony. Tomorrow, unelected Senator Dean Heller will give his maiden speech in the United States Senate on the issue he has completely ignored since being appointed to the Senate – jobs. In fact, since being sworn-in to replace John Ensign, Heller has spent his time on anything but jobs -- repeatedly voting to kill Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies in order to pay for taxpayer giveaways to the big oil companies that bankroll his campaign. Indeed, one of Heller’s first votes as an unelected Senator was to maintain taxpayer giveaways to big oil.

“One speech will not change the fact that rather than focusing on getting Nevadans back to work, Dean Heller has spent his time in the Senate voting repeatedly to kill Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies so he can pay for more taxpayer giveaways to the big oil companies that are funding his campaign," said Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson Zach Hudson. "Instead of giving a speech and playing to the cameras, Dean Heller should stop trying to pull the rug out from under Nevada seniors and start doing something that will actually put people back to work.”

Heller’s Record as a Senator:

Heller Voted Against Motion To Proceed To Consideration Of Legislation That Would Repeal Billions In Tax Breaks For Big Oil Companies In Order To Reduce The Federal Deficit. In May 2011 Dean Heller voted against the motion to proceed to the consideration of S. 940, the Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act. The legislation is described as “A bill to reduce the Federal budget deficit by closing big oil tax loopholes, and for other purposes.” According to the Las Vegas Sun, the legislation would “save about $2 billion a year over the next decade.” [S. 940, Vote #72, 5/17/11; Las Vegas Sun, 5/17/11]

Heller Voted for House GOP Budget Blueprint Drafted By Paul Ryan. In May 2011, Heller voted for a motion to proceeds to the House Republican budget blueprint drafted by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). The House-passed Republican budget plan would address the debt problem by making sweeping cuts to the federal budget, while overhauling Medicare and other federal entitlement programs for future seniors. The motion was rejected 40-57, with five Republicans voting no. [Washington Post, 5/25/11; Vote 77, 5/25/11]

Heller Said He Planned to Campaign on the Republican Budget. According to the Review-Journal, Heller “said he plans to vote for it and to campaign on it as a strategy to regain control of spending, reduce the deficit and spark economic growth.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 4/05/11]

In May 2011, Heller Said He Was Proud To Be The Only Member of Congress Who Will Get to Vote for Budget Twice. “I’m not worried about it. I voted for it once. I’m not going to come over here and vote against it,” Heller said. “I’m proud to be the only member of Congress who will get to vote for it twice.” [AP, 5/03/11]

Day 3 and Sandoval Already Tries to Backpedal Away From Perry Social Security Comments

2011-09-15T17:27:49+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – Predictably, this didn’t take long. It’s day 3 of Governor Sandoval’s endorsement of Texas Governor Rick Perry and he is already having to backpedal on Perry’s comments calling Social Security a “ponzi scheme.” While comparing Social Security to criminal enterprises is nothing new for Nevada Republicans, it didn’t take long for Sandoval to begin stepping back from Perry’s reckless comments, telling journalist Jon Ralston he wouldn’t use Perry’s words to describe Social Security.

“While we understand why Governor Sandoval feels the need to distance himself from Rick Perry’s reckless comparison of Social Security to something Bernie Madoff would cook up, one would think he would have thought about this before making the endorsement,” said Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson Zach Hudson. “The fact is, words matter. Governor Sandoval needs to answer whether or not he agrees with the candidate he wants to be President of the United States that Social Security is a ‘ponzi scheme’, ‘unconstitutional’, and ‘a monstrous lie’.”

Amodei Becomes Latest Member of NV Congressional Delegation to Support Killing Medicare

2011-09-15T14:06:17+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – When career politician and lobbyist Mark Amodei was sworn into the House of Representatives this morning, he officially became the latest Republican member of Congress who supports killing Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies. In fact, Amodei has previously gone so far as to call the Republican plan to kill Medicare “excellent”, and said that he needed to “cozy up to Paul Ryan and give him whatever he needs”.

Unfortunately for Nevada's seniors, now he will have his chance.

“Today Mark Amodei officially became the newest Republican member of Nevada’s congressional delegation who supports killing Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies,” said Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson Zach Hudson. “Mark Amodei has made clear that his priorities in Congress are killing Medicare to protect tax payer giveaways for corporations that ship American jobs overseas, not creating jobs. Given that Nevada Republicans like Dean Heller and Joe Heck have already voted (in some cases multiple times) to kill Medicare and have repeatedly called Social Security a ‘pyramid scheme’, it should be alarming to Nevada seniors that there is yet another member of the delegation who wants to put their healthcare into the hands of profit-driven private insurance companies.”

Amodei Supports the Republican Plan to Kill Medicare:

Amodei Said He Would Support Ryan Plan. When asked whether he would support the Ryan budget on the Bill Manders Show Amodei said, “Well Robert, I’ll tell you, generally, yes I will.” [Bill Manders Show, KKOH Radio 780 AM, 5/9/11]

Amodei Said He Liked Ryan’s Medicare Plan. The Las Vegas Sun reported on the Ryan plan Amodei said, “I like a lot of what he has to say in terms of Medicare.” [Las Vegas Sun, 7/14/11]

Amodei Claimed Ryan’s Plan for Medicare Was “Excellent.” Amodei praised the Ryan blueprint. “I like a lot of what he has to say in terms of Medicare. I think that’s excellent.” [Politico, 6/20/11]

Amodei Said He Would Give Paul Ryan Whatever Support He Needs. On the Ryan budget, Amodei said, “I need to cozy up to Paul Ryan and give him whatever support he needs.” [Las Vegas Sun, 7/14/11]

Amodei Said He Would Go Stand with Paul Ryan. When asked how he would deal with the federal deficit, Amodei said: “I would go with and stand up with Rep. Paul Ryan and say how do we do this.” He said, “If you’re going to balance the budget, you have to where the money is and that means entitlements and that means defense.” [Nevada Appeal, 6/19/11]

Sandoval Endorses Rick Perry After His Statement that Social Security is a “Ponzi Scheme”

2011-09-13T21:25:08+00:00

Las Vegas, NV - Governor Brian Sandoval pushed Nevada seniors completely under the bus today as he endorsed Texas Governor Rick Perry for President. Perry, apparently unaware of the fallout after the last time a politician compared the program to a criminal enterprise, has repeatedly, as recently as last week, called Social Security a “ponzi scheme”, “unconstitutional”, and a “monstrous lie.”

“Governor Sandoval today made clear that rather than focusing on job-creation and turning Nevada’s economy around, his priorities are appeasing extremists in the TEA Party like Rick Perry who think a program that millions of Americans rely on for their livelihood is a criminal enterprise,” said Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson Zach Hudson. “Governor Sandoval’s announcement is a slap in the face to Nevada seniors who already suffer from representatives in Congress who are repeatedly voting to kill Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies. While we are sure Joe Heck appreciates Sandoval giving him cover in apparently not being the only Nevada Republican who thinks Social Security is a criminal enterprise, Nevada seniors are not amused.”

Nevada State Democratic Party Chair Roberta Lange Calls on Congress to Pass the American Jobs Act

2011-09-12T20:19:45+00:00

Las Vegas, NV- Today, with President Obama sending the American Jobs Act to Congress, the Democratic National Committee announced it will be running new television ads in Nevada. The DNC initiative also includes web ads and an interactive website for Americans to voice their support for this job creation bill.

The new ads, titled “14 Months,” will be running in Las Vegas and highlight the urgent need for Congress to pass the American Jobs Act to get Americans back to work and put more money in the pockets of middle class families and small businesses.

You can watch the ads at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KonTCnV2w60 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK4xZiHDXPI.

The web ads, a 30 second ad named “Tomorrow” and a 15 second ad named “Relief,” will be placed on a variety of publishers and networks, including Facebook, YouTube, Hulu, Pandora, Huffington Post, Local News placements, and networks.

You can watch "Tomorrow,” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruElye5thc0 and "Relief,” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN47WX5-hWc.

The website, www.americanjobsact.com, is a place people can go to learn more about the American Jobs Act, sign a petition in support of the Act, and help people call their Members of Congress asking them to vote for the legislation.

Nevada State Democratic Party Chair Roberta Lange released the following statement calling on Congress to pass President Obama’s American Jobs Act:

“The American Jobs Act is a bill that will get Nevadans back to work and help spur economic growth. Congress needs to pass it right away. The American Jobs Act will create good paying jobs, cut taxes for the middle class and small businesses, keep teachers in the classroom and policemen and firefighters on the beat, rebuild our roads and bridges, and help returning veterans enter the civilian workforce. These are a set of proposals that are fully paid for and have been supported by Democrats and Republicans in the past so there is no reason for Congress to delay.

“The next election is in 14 months—now is not the time for political games and posturing. Too many Nevadans are out of work or barely making ends meet working paycheck to paycheck, while too many businesses are struggling to keep their doors open. Leaders in Washington need to do what is right for Nevadans and pass this job creation bill immediately.”

NV Speaker Pro Tempore Debbie Smith Statement on President Obama’s American Jobs Act

2011-09-09T19:54:53+00:00

Las Vegas, NV - Nevada Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Debbie Smith released the following statement in support of President Obama's American Jobs Act:

“The President’s address to Congress last night was a wake-up call. It is time for Congress to act swiftly to pass the President’s plan to cut taxes for middle class Americans and get Nevadans back to work. The President laid out a clear plan based on ideas Democrats and Republicans have long supported to spur job-creation and jumpstart our economy.

“Specifically in Nevada, 50,000 firms will receive a payroll tax cut under the American Jobs Act. Nevada will receive $168,400,000 in school infrastructure funding to support as many as 2,200 jobs. The President is proposing a new Pathways Back to Work Fund to provide hundreds of thousands of low-income youth and adults with opportunities to work and to achieve needed job training in growth industries. Pathways Back to Work could place 1,400 adults and 3,300 youths in jobs in Nevada alone.

“The President’s plan will not add a dime to our deficit because it’s paid for in a way the American people support--closing corporate tax loopholes. America’s middle class is paying more than their fair share and it’s time we asked our country’s wealthiest individuals and biggest corporations to do the same.”

Assemblywoman Teresa Benitez-Thompson Statement in Support of American Jobs Act

2011-09-09T19:29:08+00:00

Las Vegas, NV - Nevada Assemblywoman Teresa Benitez-Thompson issued the following statement today in support of President Obama’s American Jobs Act:

“Last night, President Obama unveiled a comprehensive jobs plan to get our economy moving and put Nevadans back to work. With Nevada suffering from the highest unemployment in the country, it is simply unacceptable for Congress not to act. The American Jobs Act will cut taxes for Nevada’s middle class and help businesses hire more workers, along with continuing to provide desperately needed assistance to Nevadans struggling to find work.

“Too many Nevadans are out of work for Congress to be focused on anything else but job-creation, yet Washington Republicans have their priorities completely upside down. As a medical social worker, I work with too many deserving Nevadans who rely on Medicare to allow Republicans to kill the program by turning it over to private insurance companies. They should stop trying to kill Medicare and move immediately to pass the American Jobs Act and get Nevadans back to work.”

VIDEO: Joe Heck Triples Down on Calling Social Security a “Pyramid Schem

2011-09-01T19:40:05+00:00

Las Vegas, NV - Third time – not so charming. Last night, on Face to Face with Jon Ralston, Rep. Joe Heck tripled down on calling Social Security a “pyramid scheme”. Heck had previously said he “misspoke” when he compared the program that millions of senior citizens rely on to something Bernie Madoff would have cooked up – then doubled down on calling it a “pyramid scheme” on a conservative talk radio show days after. Then, Heck held a trainwreck townhall at which – after billing it as a veterans issues and Social Security townhall beforehand – he refused to answer any questions about Social Security.

Even more concerning to the voters of CD3, Jon Ralston noted that when Texas Governor Rick Perry called Social Security a “ponzi scheme” – he was “imitating Joe Heck.” Apparently, the only disagreement Heck and Perry have are what type of criminal scheme to call the program that many Nevada seniors rely on for their livelihood .

“While we appreciate Joe Heck finally admitting his true thoughts about Social Security, the fact that he has now voted twice to kill Medicare and tripled down on calling Social Security a ‘pyramid scheme’ is alarming to Nevada seniors,” said Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson Zach Hudson. “Instead of focusing on job-creation, Joe Heck is repeatedly calling Social Security a ‘pyramid scheme’ and voting to kill Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies. Heck’s blatant anti-seniors agenda may endear him to extremists in the TEA Party like Rick Perry, but it is only another sign that he has the absolute wrong priorities to represent the voters of CD3.”

View Heck’s triple down here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-FlIlvDGM0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Transcript:

Ralston: Isn't Rick Perry right, wasn't Joe Heck right? Just give me a simple yes or no answer to that. Weren’t you right in what you said; wasn’t the Governor right in what he said?

Heck: Well it’s not a matter of what the geometry is that we are going to use to describe the current state of Social Security…

Ralston: You’re just afraid of the politics. This is what ruins this debate is that you are always afraid the Democrats are going to pound you. Scare seniors. Your guy won by 1900 votes. Oh, no, they are going to play the pyramid scheme video… You agree with that right?

Heck: Jon, they… In the last three weeks, they have been pounding me anyway. So regardless of what I do I am going to get pounded.

Ralston: Are you still going to back away from saying it was a pyramid scheme?

Heck: Look, what was said in the video was said in the video.

Amodei Supports Funding For Dangerous Yucca Mountain Project

2011-08-30T18:16:38+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – This morning, the Las Vegas Sun reported that career politician and lobbyist Mark Amodei opposes decades of bipartisan work by Nevada’s Congressional delegation to close the dangerous Yucca Mountain project. In a meeting with the Las Vegas Sun editorial board, Amodei said “he would be happy to keep funding the development of the Yucca Mountain project,” and that he doesn’t “celebrate every time somebody says it’s funded to zero.”

In fact, during the interview, Amodei stated he supported Rep. Joe Heck’s “efforts” concerning Yucca Mountain, which if you remember consisted of actually including $2.5 million in funding for the continued licensing effort at Yucca in the House Energy and Water appropriations bill, while also doing nothing to cut the $10 million in funding included in the appropriations bill for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s siting process.

“As if sponsoring a billion dollar tax hike and supporting the Republican plan to kill Medicare wasn’t reckless enough, now Mark Amodei says he actually supports continued funding for the Yucca Mountain project,” said Zach Hudson, spokesperson for the Nevada State Democratic Party. “Considering Amodei thinks the Republican plan to kill Medicare is ‘excellent’, it is not surprising he would support Heck’s reckless ‘efforts’ to keep Yucca open. Thankfully, Nevadans have a clear choice between Kate Marshall’s commitment to creating jobs, and Mark Amodei's ideological agenda focusing on killing Medicare by putting the health care of Nevada seniors into the hands of profit-driven private insurance companies and funding dangerous projects like Yucca Mountain.”

Medicare-Killing, GOP Leader John Boehner Comes to NV to Fundraise for Amodei

2011-08-19T18:19:50+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – Well, he might as well have just used Paul Ryan himself. Today, Republican Leader John Boehner held a high-dollar fundraiser for career politician, lobbyist, avid truth-avoider, and Medicare-ending supporter Mark Amodei. Boehner, who shepherded the GOP plan to end Medicare through the House of Representatives earlier this year only to see it thankfully die in the Senate, is not holding any public events with Amodei -- a sign both politicians know how toxic their Medicare-killing plan is.

“Clearly John Boehner knows he has a friend in Mark Amodei in his quest to kill Medicare,” said Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson Zach Hudson. “High-dollar fundraisers will not change the fact that Mark Amodei proposed a billion dollar tax increase in the Nevada legislature and now wants to end Medicare by putting the healthcare of Nevada seniors into the control of profit-driven private insurance companies. Today’s announcement of the rise in Nevada’s unemployment rate only highlights why we need Kate Marshall in Congress to fight for jobs and to protect Nevada seniors, not a politician like Mark Amodei who wants to kill Medicare to protect tax subsidies for corporations that ship American jobs overseas.”

Amodei Supports the Republican Plan to Kill Medicare:

Amodei Said He Would Support Ryan Plan. When asked whether he would support the Ryan budget on the Bill Manders Show Amodei said, “Well Robert, I’ll tell you, generally, yes I will.” [Bill Manders Show, KKOH Radio 780 AM, 5/9/11]

Amodei Said He Liked Ryan’s Medicare Plan. The Las Vegas Sun reported on the Ryan plan Amodei said, “I like a lot of what he has to say in terms of Medicare.” [Las Vegas Sun, 7/14/11]

Amodei Claimed Ryan’s Plan for Medicare Was “Excellent.” Amodei praised the Ryan blueprint. “I like a lot of what he has to say in terms of Medicare. I think that’s excellent.” [Politico, 6/20/11]

Amodei Said He Would Give Paul Ryan Whatever Support He Needs. On the Ryan budget, Amodei said, “I need to cozy up to Paul Ryan and give him whatever support he needs.” [Las Vegas Sun, 7/14/11]

Amodei Said He Would Go Stand with Paul Ryan. When asked how he would deal with the federal deficit, Amodei said: “I would go with and stand up with Rep. Paul Ryan and say how do we do this.” He said, “If you’re going to balance the budget, you have to where the money is and that means entitlements and that means defense.” [Nevada Appeal, 6/19/11]

Wall Street Journal: Ryan Plan “Would Essential End Medicare.” On April 4, 2011, the Wall Street Journal reported that Ryan’s budget proposal “would essentially end Medicare.” [Wall Street Journal, 4/4/11]

Las Vegas Sun: “Amodei has embraced Ryan’s plan.” The Las Vegas Sun reported, “Amodei has embraced Ryan’s plan.” [Las Vegas Sun, 7/14/11]

VIDEO: Heller Says Now Not the Time to Talk About Jobs

2011-08-17T19:00:52+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – You truly have to see this to believe it. Last night, in response to Shelley Berkley kicking-off her “Focus on Jobs” Tour yesterday, unelected Senator Dean Heller actually said that now is not the time to talk about jobs. That’s right, at a time when Nevada suffers from the highest unemployment rate in the country, Dean Heller doesn’t think “today is the time to talk about it.” When the heck is it time to talk about jobs, Dean?

“Dean Heller has his priorities completely upside down,” said Zach Hudson, spokesperson for the Nevada State Democratic Party. “Heller said he's proud of his three votes to end Medicare, but he refuses to talk about creating jobs, saying now isn’t the time to do so. With 20,000 more Nevadans heading to the unemployment line in a month, what is the Senator waiting for?”

View Heller’s refusal to talk about job-creation, along with coverage of Berkley’s “Focus on Jobs” Tour kick-off here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_IVlvaZIb8

Background on Heller’s multiple votes to kill Medicare:

House Republican Budget Dismantles Medicare. The budget proposal release today would dramatically change Medicare by turning it into a voucher based system and direct Medicare funds to private insurance companies instead of consumers. [House Republican Budget, accessed 4/5/11]

Costs Would Rise. Republican Budget Chairman Paul Ryan agreed that his plan for Medicare “would be to shift more of the burden of health care costs out of their own pockets to seniors.” [Fox News Sunday, 4/3/11]

Essentially End Medicare. “The plan would essentially end Medicare, which now pays most of the health-care bills for 48 million elderly and disabled Americans, as a program that directly pays those bills.” [Wall Street Journal, 4/4/11]

Seniors Would Pay Twice as Much Than Under Current Medicare Coverage. According to analysis by the Center for American Progress, under the Ryan budget seniors would pay twice as much out of pocket as they would under the current Medicare plan. The analysis found “In 2022 65-year-olds would be forced to pay twice as much for care than they would under Medicare: $12,500 compared to $6,150.” [americanprogress.org, 4/12/11]

Amodei Tries to Backtrack on Support for GOP Plan to Kill Medicare After Facing Heat From NV Seniors

2011-08-11T17:44:06+00:00

After calling it “excellent”, career politician & lobbyist tries to pretend he’s against Medicare-ending GOP plan

Las Vegas, NV – Well, you didn’t need a crystal ball to see this coming. After repeatedly being called out for his support for the job-killing Republican plan to kill Medicare, career politician and lobbyist Mark Amodei is now trying to backtrack and hide his support for ending Medicare. This comes after Amodei had previously said that he thinks the Medicare-killing parts of the Ryan budget were “excellent”, and that he “needs to cozy up to Paul Ryan and give whatever support he needs,” Paul Ryan, of course, being the architect of the Republican plan to kill Medicare.

“Just because Mark Amodei has come to realize that his plan to kill Medicare is not popular does not mean he gets to rewrite history,” said Zach Hudson, spokesperson for the Nevada State Democratic Party. “Amodei is proving once again that he cannot be trusted to tell the truth to the voters of CD2 as he desperately tries to weasel out of his support of the Republican plan to kill Medicare. The fact is, Amodei called the Medicare-killing component of the Republican plan ‘excellent’ and his pretending otherwise will not change that.”

What Amodei Has Said About the GOP Plan to Kill Medicare:

Amodei On Paul Ryan: “I like A Lot Of What He Has To Say In Terms Of Medicare. I Think That’s Excellent.” During a June 2011 Republican debate for Congressional District 2, Mark Amodei said, “I like a lot of what he [Rep. Paul Ryan] has to say in terms of Medicare, I think that’s excellent.” [Republican Congressional District 2 debate, 6/15/11] (Video available)

Amodei: “I Need To Cozy Up To Paul Ryan And Give Him Whatever Support He Needs…” During the Republican State Central Committee meeting in June 2011 Mark Amodei said, “I need to cozy up to Paul Ryan and give him whatever support he needs because there’s a Republican who, instead of doing…going over into the corner and folding your arms and saying no, he said he said here’s my plan. Here’s what I’m willing to do.” [Nevada Republican State Central Committee meeting, 6/18/11] (Video available)

Amodei: “Hats Off To Paul Ryan For Stepping Up.” During a June 2011 Republican debate for Congressional District 2, Mark Amodei said, “First of all, hats off to Paul Ryan for stepping up and putting a plan forward. One of the biggest . . . on republicans over the years is ‘don’t just be no, what’s your plan.’ Paul Ryan reached up, grabbed the bat, went up to the plate and he took a swing at the problem. [Republican Congressional District 2 debate, 6/15/11] (Video available)

Nevada Democrats Launch PledgeToCaucus.com

2011-08-10T20:43:22+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – Today, over six months before Nevada’s 2012 Democratic Presidential Caucuses, the Nevada State Democratic Party launched PledgeToCaucus.com, an innovative social networking platform to organize Nevada Democrats for our upcoming caucuses.

“With Medicare and Social Security on the Republican chopping block, the stakes of the 2012 campaign could not be higher,” said Nevada State Democratic Party Chair Roberta Lange. “Nevada’s 2012 Democratic Caucuses are the first step in organizing our state’s Democratic voters who will lead the charge to reelect the President, elect a Democrat to the U.S. Senate, and take back the majority of our congressional delegation. PledgeToCaucus.com will help raise awareness and make it easy for Nevada’s voters to sign up and stay informed and engaged in the 2012 caucuses.”

“As an early state, it is important that we continue to build upon the success of our 2008 caucuses. With PledgeToCaucus.com’s unique features, potential caucus-goers will find it easy to participate in the caucuses and be a part of our campaign to get Nevadans back to work and protect our state’s seniors from the extreme Republican agenda that would kill Medicare, gut Social Security, and send thousands of more Nevadans to the unemployment line,” Lange added. “It has never been more important for Nevada Democrats to make sure their voices are heard which is why we are asking them to get involved and pledge to caucus today.”

Nevada’s 2012 Democratic Presidential Caucuses will take place January 21 at 11:30AM.

Voters can go to http://www.PledgeToCaucus.com to get more info, sign-up to be temporary caucus chairs, and of course pledge to attend their caucus.

WRAP-UP: GOP Attempt to Distract From Amodei Plan to Kill Medicare Gets Taken Off the Air

2011-08-08T16:27:51+00:00

Las Vegas, NV – Facts can be stubborn things, especially for Mark Amodei and Washington Republicans. As Mark Amodei and his Republican friends in Washington desperately try to distract the voters in CD 2 from Amodei’s plan to kill Medicare, their false smears against Kate Marshall are being pulled from the air as fast as they can put them up. The ad had already been discredited by the Las Vegas Sun, and now, in an extremely rare move, Reno television stations are taking the ads off the air.

Last Friday, the AP reported that KTVN in Reno took an Amodei/NRCC attack ad off the air, saying their smears were “unsubstantiated.” Even more embarrassing for Mark Amodei and the NRCC, the KTVN station manager told the AP that the station had not done this in at least 20 years.

Following that, yesterday, KOLO 8 in Reno reported they were joining KTVN in pulling the ad off the air, an ad which had already been called “patently false” by Jon Ralston.

While Washington Republicans will likely continue to use false attacks to try to overshadow Mark Amodei’s billion dollar tax package and reckless agenda that would destroy Nevada jobs and kill Medicare, maybe next time they’ll do a little homework first.

Background:

Premise of National Republican Ad Against Marshall “Patently False.” On his show Face to Face, Jon Ralston said, “Let’s cut to the chase, the premise of this ad is patently false. [Jon Ralston, Face to Face, 8/3/11]