Latest News

Cagle Post: Iran’s Threat To Israel Is A Threat To Us All

02/23/2012

As Iran continues its nuclear weapons push, the Obama Administration continues to undermine its biggest ally and the only democracy in the region, the state of Israel. President Obama has had a rocky relationship at best with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Back in May 2010, President Obama walked out of a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu and did not return. Last fall, French President Nicolas Sarkozy called Prime Minister Netanyahu a “liar” to President Obama on a hot mic and President Obama’s response was, “You’re tired of him; what about me? I have to deal with him every day.” President Obama’s curious distain for Prime Minister Netanyahu, especially in public, hurts not only the security of Israel but that of America as well.

Now, gaffe-prone Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has leaked to the Washington Post that Israel will most likely launch a preemptive attack on Iran in the coming months. I’m not a military strategist, but the Defense Secretary of the United States of America telegraphing a potential attack by our strongest ally in the Middle East seems to be either incompetent, stupid or a malicious attempt to undermine it. In a region of the world that is hostile to Israel’s very existence, how does it make any sense to undercut our ally’s fight for survival?

Israel has to continuously protect itself from rocket and suicidal attacks from Palestinian terrorist groups. With an unstable government in Egypt to its south, and Syria on the brink of a full blown civil war to its east, Israel is right in the middle of a hornet’s nest. Adding the threat of a nuclear Iran that has called for the eradication of Israel only heightens the dangers they face. It should be a top priority for the Obama Administration to do everything in its power to ensure the security of Israel and stop Iran from going nuclear.

Politico Op-Ed: Are liberals beginning to embrace the Constitution?

02/22/2012

In recent days many radical liberals have changed their tune regarding campaign finance laws. The drumbeat of the past two years has begun to shift. President Obama is no longer assaulting Citizens United or Super PACs, instead he is encouraging his supporters to open their check books. Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer now believes that “I think as a First Amendment principle, Citizens United was correct.” Even veteran Washington Post and Newsweek scribe, Robert J. Samuelson has declared “Except for contribution disclosures, campaign finance laws should be scrapped.”

Unsurprisingly, the only ones still trying to rein in the First Amendment are those interested in silencing all other voices but their own. Whether they be incumbent elected officials (for example, a certain liberal congressman from Maryland or justices on the Montana Supreme Court), or media corporations like the Washington Post seeking a monopoly on political speech. Why is their speech more worthy of protection than others?

Two prolific fundraisers, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led the fight to curtail independent speech with their 2010 legislation, the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (“DISCLOSE Act”). According to Schumer and Van Hollen’s latest FEC disclosures they have $10 million and $1.9 million cash on hand respectively. They have the means to engage in political speech, but would rather their opponents be left without sufficient resources to respond.

Read more at Politico here.

Cagle Post: Obama’s Super PAC Two-Step

02/15/2012

In the name of protecting his fundraising juggernaut, President Obama has reneged on campaign finance promises that he knew full well he would not keep. Back in 2008, after stating repeatedly that he would abide by the public finance system, then-candidate Barack Obama reversed himself in favor of raising unlimited private money, setting new fundraising records. Now in 2012, President Obama is flip-flopping on Super PACs, the federal PACs that only make independent expenditures in support of or in opposition to candidates.

Over the last two years President Obama has been criticizing the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision – even lecturing the Justices seated in front of him during his 2010 State of the Union Speech. In the run up to the 2010 mid-term elections, President Obama made the Citizens United decision an issue in the campaign on a daily basis. In his criticism, the president sought to demonize Citizens United, even calling it a “threat to our democracy.”

It is President Obama’s policies that threaten democracy, not the Citizens United decision. The government takeover of health care, unaccountable czars, and unconstitutional recess appointments are but a few examples of Obama’s disregard for our republican system of government. President Obama and his policies are a threat to our democratic republic and the First Amendment rights reinstated via Citizens United are the antidote to his bully pulpit. With political speech freed once again, the American people thoroughly rejected President Obama’s arguments by electing a Republican controlled House of Representatives in 2010.

Read more at Cagle here.

Politico: Obama super PAC - hypocritical or common sense?

02/13/2012

President Obama’s flip-flop on Super PACs reeks of hypocrisy. He spent the last two years criticizing the decision - even lecturing the Supreme Court during his 2010 State of the Union Speech. Now, President Obama and his $1 billion campaign are fully embracing it.

The White House launched a campaign to demonize Citizens United, even calling it a “threat to our democracy.” President Obama’s policies are what threaten our democracy, not the Citizens United decision. Socializing medicine, czars, and unconstitutional recess appointments are but a few examples of Obama’s disregard for our republic. President Obama and his polices are a threat to democracy and the First Amendment right reinstated via Citizens United is the antidote.

Read more at Politico here.

Cagle Post: Happy Birthday, President Reagan!

02/06/2012

101 years ago today, Ronald Wilson Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois. Ronald Reagan was – and still is – the heart of the modern day conservative movement. President Reagan saw America as a special place, “a shining city on a hill,” and a beacon of freedom for the rest of the world. Many in today’s conservative movement owe a great deal to the man who did not shy away from the conservative fight.

In 2009, Citizens United Productions produced a documentary called Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous With Destiny, hosted by Newt and Callista Gingrich. The film is a feature length documentary that focuses on the three pillars of the Reagan presidency: reviving the American economy, restoring America’s spirit, and challenging the oppression of the Soviet Union. Through interviews with historians, cabinet members, and world leaders, the film examines and celebrates the Great Communicator and his legacy.

Featuring exclusive interviews with former Presidents Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic and Lech Walesa of Poland, along with Reagan Cabinet and staff members including James Baker, Edwin Meese, Marlin Fitzwater, Richard Perle, William Bennett, and the late Jack Kemp, Rendezvous With Destiny is President Reagan’s story as told by the people who were with him on the front lines of the Reagan Revolution.

Read more at Cagle Post here.

Politico: Is Susan G. Komen putting women at risk?

02/02/2012

It’s not Susan G. Komen for the Cure putting women’s lives at risk, but Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood is trying to fan the flames of a culture war to distract from the serious allegations being investigated in Congress that led to Komen for the Cure’s decision. Former Planned Parenthood workers have pledged to testify that the company has: failed to report the sexual abuse of minors, given women inaccurate and misleading information, and fraudulently mishandled state and federal taxpayer funds. Some of these allegations were exposed by "The Gift Of Life" cast member Lila Rose and her group Live Action.

Cagle Post: 1,000 Days of Absurdity

01/31/2012

Last week the United States Senate passed a dubious milestone and fittingly it came on the day President Obama gave his State of the Union address. January 24th marked the 1,000th day since the Harry Reid Senate last passed a federal budget. Families across America sit around their kitchen tables and work on their budgets. The key to any small business success in America is to follow a budget. But when it comes to passing a budget, our elected leaders in the Senate are incompetent. It is unconscionable that the Senate refuses to do the people’s work and pass a budget that will not bankrupt the country. Where is the outrage from the American people?

We are a nation that is over $15 trillion in debt and the greatest deliberative body on the planet cannot produce any budget at all good or bad for the American people. Most of the blame falls squarely on the shoulders of Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Last spring Harry Reid said about the 2012 budget process, “There’s no need to have a Democratic budget in my opinion. It would be foolish for us to do a budget at this stage.” Senator Reid is the poster child for what is wrong with Washington. Reid’s irrational statement about the budget process last year is why he has a 23 percent approval rating – the lowest among all Congressional leaders.

The truth is Senator Reid does not want to develop a budget for the American people because he does not want Democrat members of the Senate to take tough votes that will set their core liberal constituencies’ heads on fire. Our national debt has grown to unprecedented levels. The credit agency Standard & Poor’s downgraded America’s credit rating for the first time in history last summer. We are truly in a crisis and tough decisions need to be made by our leaders. However, Senate Democrats lack the courage to make those tough decisions because of failed leadership from the top.

Read more at Cagle here.

Politico: Are Democrats premature to predict victory?

01/27/2012

A party that is satisfied with 8.5 percent unemployment is a party that is going nowhere.

64 percent of Americans believe that the country is on the wrong track. This abysmal number shows that the liberal policies of President Obama and Democrats in Congress have sullied the American psyche.

Read more at Politico here.

Politico: Is Obama's populism persuasive?

01/25/2012

President Obama's State of the Union speech last night was more of the same tired rhetoric wrapped up in a big red bow for President Obama's core liberal constituency.

President Obama can only run on class warfare this year because he needs to deflect blame for a poor economy. Speech after speech, the president says he knows what Americans want, but with 68 percent saying America is on the wrong track, what Americans really want is a new president.

Read more at Politico here.

Cagle Post: After 39 Years of Abortion, A New Generation Offers Hope

01/24/2012

While President Obama and other pro-abortion zealots celebrate the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, it is important to remember the true face of “choice”: the 54 million unborn souls killed by abortion. It is a tragedy that respect for innocent human life has become so degraded in our society that an abortion takes place at an average of one every 26 seconds. But out of this culture of death springs new hope.

I had the pleasure of presenting, with Governor Mike Huckabee, the film The Gift Of Life this weekend at the Students for Life of America national conference. Two thousand pro-life leaders of the next generation sat in rapt attention, moved and motivated by the documentary’s message of the precious gift of life. On Monday, hundreds of thousands marched for life in the freezing DC rain, an overwhelming number of them young students from kindergarten to graduate school. These youth inspire me and give me optimism for the future of the pro-life movement.

Read more at Cagle here.

Politico: Is the State of the Union still useful?

01/20/2012

Sadly, since taking office, President Obama has lowered the stature of these important speeches. President Obama turned the State of the Union into pure political theater two years ago when he took a partisan and unprecedented shot at the United States Supreme Court for their ruling in Citizens United v. FEC.

Read more at Politico here.

Cagle Post: Our Conservative Nation

01/18/2012

The latest Gallup poll shows that conservatives are the dominant political ideology and have edged out moderates for the last three years. This confirms once again that America is a center-right country. Conservatives outnumber liberals by 2-1 and yet President Obama insists on governing as a liberal.

President Obama is in his own world, his ideas reinforced by leftist yes-men in his administration. He doesn’t even realize – or care – that his ideology represents only a miniscule 20 percent minority. By the way he talks, you’d think 80 percent of the country was liberal. In fact, during last year’s debt ceiling debate, President Obama astoundingly claimed that 80 percent of Americans want a tax increase to help bring down our nation’s debt! At the time, Mr. Obama wanted to raise the debt ceiling on a “clean vote” – i.e. without reforms or offsetting cuts. But he misread the mood of the country and was forced to back down. Now President Obama is back asking Congress for another $1.2 trillion to lift the debt ceiling to a new record of $16.4 trillion, up from $10.6 trillion when he took office.

Read more at Cagle here.

Stand Against President Obama’s Abuse of Recess Appointments

01/11/2012

Congressman Jeff Landry (R-LA) has just introduced the Executive Appointment Reform Act to reverse the Constitutional damage President Obama has done with his unprecedented “recess” appointments.

Contact your Representative today by calling (202) 224-3121 to urge them to cosponsor and support Rep. Landry's Executive Appointment Reform Act and stand against President Obama’s abuse of the recess appointment process.

The text of Rep. Landry's letter to his colleagues in the United States House of Representatives is below:

Executive Appointment Reform Act - Dear Colleague Letter

Read my latest article on this important issue here: Cagle Post: Keeping Obama In Check

Media Advisory: DC Premiere of “The Gift of Life,” Hosted By Governor Mike Huckabee

01/11/2012

Washington, DC – Citizens United Productions, in conjunction with Students for Life of America and Alliance Defense Fund, will premiere “The Gift of Life,” a pro-life documentary hosted by Governor Mike Huckabee, at the Students for Life of America National Conference on Sunday, January 22nd at the North Bethesda Marriott.

“I look forward to meeting the 2,000 students who will be attending this important conference and sharing the inspirational pro-life film ‘The Gift of Life’ with them on the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade,” said Governor Mike Huckabee.

“The Gift of Life,” is an inspirational documentary that explores the sanctity of life as a moral issue and looks at the lives of individuals on the front lines of the pro-life movement in America, including those who were nearly victims of abortion.

The SFLA National Conference is a day full of education, training, and networking with fellow students and national pro-life leaders who know that campuses are where the pro-life movement must be. “The Students for Life of America conference is the largest pro-life student conference in the world, and our 2012 National Conference will be the first that we are aware of that focuses on a post-Roe v. Wade nation,” said Kristan Hawkins, Executive Director of Students for Life of America.

WHO: Governor Mike Huckabee; Citizens United President David N. Bossie; Students for Life of America Executive Director Kristan Hawkins

WHAT: The Citizens United Productions Washington, DC Premiere of “The Gift of Life,” a pro-life documentary hosted by Governor Mike Huckabee.

WHEN: Sunday, January 22nd at 6:00pm

WHERE: North Bethesda Marriott, 5701 Marinelli Rd, Bethesda, MD 20852

Cagle Post: Keeping Obama In Check

01/10/2012

The unprecedented actions taken by President Obama to “recess” appoint his liberal nominees showed a new level of abuse of power by his imperial presidency. Never before has a politician campaigned in such a dramatically different way than he has governed. The American people were sold a false bill of goods in 2008 and President Obama has continuously abused his executive powers.

With the “recess” appointment of Richard Cordray as Director of the newly-formed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, President Obama installed an anti-business candidate who will no doubt mold a liberal ideology into the new agency. On the same day as the Cordray appointment, President Obama delved back into his bag of tricks and “recess” appointed three union drones to the National Labor Relations Board. Two of those appointed were only nominated two days before the United States Senate was supposed to adjourn before the holiday recess.

Read more at Cagle here.

Politico: Does Daley departure mean trouble?

01/09/2012

William Daley’s surprise departure from the White House today shows that 1600 Pennsylvanian Avenue is in complete turmoil

Please read more at Politico here.

Time to Take Energy Independence Seriously

01/05/2012

Great article via the Stonegate Institute titled "Taking Energy Independence Seriously." Worth a read:

At year end, 2011, as Americans emptied their wallets at the gas pump and crude oil reached almost $100 a barrel, OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia reported an $81.6 billion 2011 budget surplus.

The White House action at the same time was to ask Congress to increase our debt ceiling by $1.2 trillion to $16.4 trillion to cover budget deficits.

Nations decline and fall when their economies and monetary policies are incompetently managed. Unfortunately, it appears to be a lesson lost on too many of our leaders who have allowed the very stability of our nation to be imperiled by budget deficits and mounting debt. Our leaders have also failed on Energy Independence, allowing the cost and supply of the strategic commodity of oil to be controlled by foreign nations.

The ominous linkage between cyclical recessions and our repeated failure to achieve energy independence and oil price stability has caused much hardship on our citizenry and severe damage to our economy.

The historical evidence is clear. Whenever oil prices spiked as they did between 1972-1980, and then again between 2003-2008 and beyond, recessions in America followed.

...

Read the full piece here.

Politico: Obama recess appointments wise?

01/05/2012

The unprecedented actions taken by President Obama yesterday showed a new abuse of power by his imperial presidency. Never before has a politician campaigned in such a dramatically different way than he has governed. Unfortunately, the American people were sold a false bill of goods in 2008 and President Obama has time and again abused his executive powers. Four years ago he promised to “change” Washington. He has, but not for the better.

Read more at Politico here.

The Christian Post - Interview: Mike Huckabee on 'The Gift of Life,' GOP Race, His Future Campaign

12/30/2011

Mike Huckabee is a former Arkansas governor, former Republican presidential candidate and host of a Fox News talk show. He is also a pro-life advocate and host of the new documentary, “The Gift of Life.” The film was unveiled in Iowa on Dec. 14, and has received rave reviews from social conservatives, pro-life groups and presidential candidates. Huckabee shared the message behind the film as well as his view on the Personhood Amendment and the 2012 presidential race in an interview with The Christian Post.

5th Annual Citizens United Holiday Turkey Drive For The Troops

12/30/2011

Thank you to all of our Citizens United supporters for participating in our annual turkey drive for the troops. With your support we provided over 1,000 turkeys to military families all across the country. May you all have a healthy and prosperous New Year!

Politico: Rick Perry's abortion stance dangerous?

12/28/2011

My group Citizens United, and Gov. Huckabee, set out to change people’s minds when we produced our pro-life documentary “The Gift of Life.”

Read more at Politico here.

Cagle Post: The Romney Shuffle

12/26/2011

Almost two years ago Citizens United succeeded in its lawsuit against the Federal Election Commission. In this groundbreaking case the Supreme Court made clear that the First Amendment, at its core, protects political speech, regardless of the speaker’s identity.

Our victory has been subject to numerous unwarranted attacks. President Obama used the decision to attack the Supreme Court during a State of the Union address. It led liberal members of Congress to attempt to pass legislation that would have chilled the freedom of speech. Some members of Congress have gone so far as to advocate for a 28th Amendment to the Constitution that would overturn the First Amendment.

In the two years since the decision I’ve grown accustomed to Democrats demagoguing the case and the political speech that it and the Constitution protect. I have not, and will not, grow accustomed to Republicans trying to do the same. If you are a Conservative, who believes in our nation’s founding principles and documents, how could you possibly advocate abridging the Freedom of Speech?

Read more at Cagle here.

Citizens United Releases December Edition of Obama Biden Watch

12/22/2011

In This Issue:

• Obama Administration Celebrates Failure
• A Timeline Of False Hopes: Obama and the Media Over the Years
• Honor a Veteran Today and Every Day
• Bye Bye Barney
• Being Thankful for Life
• Citizens United Productions - The Gift Of Life with Governor Mike Huckabee
• Final Thoughts from Citizens United President David N. Bossie. Obama Biden Watch Volume 3-Issue11-December 2011

Exclusive: Citizens United's Iowa ad buy on Reagan flick, featuring the Gingriches

12/22/2011

We wrote back in the summer about a promotion that Citizens United Productions was doing to promote a movie, with Michele Bachmann starring in the ad campaign.

Now, Citizens United - which is run by Newt Gingrich friend David Bossie - is launching a $250,000 ad buy in the Des Moines and Cedar Rapids markets, as well as on Fox News, promoting a Ronald Reagan documentary from 2009 that was produced by the Gingriches.

Cagle Post: The Sanctity of Life is Strong in Iowa

12/21/2011

Last week I was on the ground in Des Moines, Iowa where Citizens United Productions premiered our inspirational pro-life documentary The Gift Of Life in front of an audience of over 1,200 Iowans. The premiere and pro-life forum, hosted with Governor Mike Huckabee, was a tremendous success. We had a packed house at the Hoyt Sherman Place, which included four GOP hopefuls and local Iowa pro-life leaders, to witness the world premiere. At the end of the night, The Gift Of Life and the cast in attendance touched the hearts of the audience and received a prolonged standing ovation from the crowd.

Read more at Cagle here.

Politico: Has Boehner lost control of the House?

12/20/2011

The failure should fall squarely on the Democrat controlled United States Senate.

Harry Reid and his friends have kicked the can down the road so many times that the road has become infinite. Americans want real solutions that solve our fiscal problems now.

Read more at Politico here.

Variety: Gingrich's films star in his campaign

12/19/2011

It is an unconventional way to bring about information and educate people and introduce people to him," says David Bossie, who has partnered with Gingrich Prods. to produce seven documentaries via Citizens United, the production unit founded by Bossie that has become the dream factory of conservative documentaries. Citizens United uses online and direct mail to drive sales rather than screenings.

CSPAN Coverage of The Gift Of Life Premiere

12/15/2011

The premiere of The Gift Of Life and pro-life forum was covered in its entirety live on CSPAN2. Watch the full hour and 10 minute program online below:

The Gift Of Life is available now for purchase on DVD here.

CSPAN To Carry The Gift Of Life Premiere And Forum

12/14/2011

TV ALERT: Citizens United's The Gift Of Life Premiere and Pro-life Forum with Gov. Mike Huckabee will be carried LIVE on CSPAN tonight, December 14th, at 7pm CT/8pm ET. Check your local listings or watch online at CSPAN.org.

The Gift Of Life is available now for purchase on DVD here.

Response to Planned Parenthood "Prebuttal" of The Gift Of Life Event

12/14/2011

Citizens United President and "The Gift Of Life" Executive Producer David N. Bossie responds to Planned Parenthood's "prebuttal" of "The Gift Of Life" premiere event:

In attacking our film premiere of "The Gift Of Life" and pro-life forum with Governor Mike Huckabee, Planned Parenthood is just trying to distract from the serious allegations being investigated in Congress that the company has: failed to report the sexual abuse of minors, given women inaccurate and misleading information, and mishandled state and federal taxpayer funds, some of which was exposed by "The Gift Of Life" cast member Lila Rose.

Planned Parenthood tries to hide the realities of abortion behind the mantle of "women's health," but how does it improve the health of women to target people like "The Gift Of Life" cast members Rebecca Kiessling and James Robison for death because they were the product of rape, or Chet McDoniel because he was born without arms and shortened legs. Former abortion workers like "The Gift Of Life" cast members Carol Everett and Dr. Anthony Levatino expose the lie of abortion simply removing a "clump of cells" and reveal the heartlessness of abortion clinics. As U.S. Representative Chris Smith says in "The Gift Of Life," "Abortion mills are places of violence, they are not places of healing." It is no wonder that, according to "The Gift Of Life" cast member Kristan Hawkins, the abortion industry is having trouble recruiting from this generation's medical students.

Learn more about the humanity of the unborn, Planned Parenthood's dark history, and today's leaders in the pro-life movement in the film "The Gift Of Life," with Governor Mike Huckabee, available now on DVD: http://thegiftoflifemovie.com

Red State: The Conservative Fight of the Year Goes On

12/12/2011

The Tea Party has lined up strongly in favor of Senator Ron Johnson in against Establishment- favorite Roy Blunt for in the race Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference. This race could be very close. Sen. Johnson has locked up the support from all of the conservative heroes in the Senate. Marco Rubio, Kelly Ayotte, Tom Coburn, Jim DeMint, Rand Paul, David Vitter, and Mike Lee are publicly supporting Johnson. Florida Senate hopeful Adam Hasner has followed Sen. Rubio in publicly supporting Sen. Johnson.

CITIZENS UNITED SUPPORTS SENATOR RON JOHNSON FOR VICE CHAIR OF THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE

12/08/2011

Washington, DC -- Citizens United President David N. Bossie, issued the following statement in support of Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) as Vice Chair of the Senate Republican Conference.

“Voters sent a clear message last year that they wanted to shake up Congress and not rely on the failed status quo,” said David N. Bossie, President of Citizens United. “Republican Senators would be heeding this message by putting freshman Senator Ron Johnson in a leadership position. Americans expect fresh ideas and new faces leading in Congress because the old guard has failed to lead when it matters the most. What the Senate needs most is real leadership and Ron Johnson is the Senator for the job. ”

Cagle Post: Obama Administration Celebrates Failure

12/07/2011

President Obama and his permanent campaign staff at the White House are likely in a state of euphoria with the news that our nation’s unemployment rate has dropped four-tenths of a percentage point to 8.6 percent. The Obama Administration probably thinks things are improving with the latest numbers, but the American people know better.

According to the latest Gallup report, underemployment currently stands at 18.1 percent, up from 17.8 percent last month. A year ago underemployment stood at 17.2 percent. Gallup states that “Many employers appear to have chosen to hire part-time rather than full-time employees for this holiday season…Gallup’s underemployment data suggest that today’s employers are increasingly relying on part-time employees who would prefer to work full time…The unemployment rate appears to have improved over the past year largely because Americans are taking part-time work when they can’t get full-time jobs.”

Sadly, out of the 35 months Obama has been on the job, the still-exorbitantly high 8.6 percent jobless rate is tied for the 3rd lowest of his presidency (Jan ‘09 – 7.8 percent; Feb ‘09 – 8.2 percent; March ‘09 – 8.6% percent). When you consider the incompetence of the Obama Administration on economic issues, this shouldn’t be surprising. This is the same administration that promised that unemployment wouldn’t go above 8 percent on its watch with the stimulus. America has been above 8 percent unemployment every month except for President Obama’s first month in office. That is not a jobs record; it is a record of ineptitude.

Cagle Post: Bye Bye Barney

11/30/2011

The news of Barney Frank’s retirement on Monday made the political guard at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) shutter. Ranking Member Frank would not be retiring if he thought he would be chairman again of the powerful House Financial Services Committee in 2012. As a key lieutenant to Nancy Pelosi, the liberal’s liberal Frank has been the poster child for a politician who has been in Washington way too long.

Remember how he used his powerful position to help his partner get a job with mortgage giant Fannie Mae in the early 1990s? Frank, who infamously wanted to “roll the dice” on sub-prime housing and not “focus on safety and soundness” of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, was a key defender and advocate of the poor lending practices for home mortgages that led to the housing collapse and ultimately the harsh downturn in the United States economy.

The anti-business Dodd-Frank legislation that was enacted last year by a then-Democrat controlled Congress has only hindered any possibility of a recovery for America’s struggling economy. The Heritage Foundation reported that this misguided piece of legislation calls for 243 separate rulemakings by 11 different federal agencies. Talk about a legacy of big government for Barney Frank.

Read more at Cagle here.

Dodd And Frank, Over And Out

11/29/2011

A lot has happened in America since President Obama made the monumental mistake of signing the economy-stifling Dodd-Frank regulations into law on July 21, 2010.

Remember when now-former Senator Chris Dodd said this about his infamous law: “No one will know until this is actually in place how it works.”

Well, Dodd-Frank has now been in place for over a year and we know how it works. It kills economic confidence

Americans are realizing once again that too much bureaucratic regulation and government tinkering is bad for job creation and our economy. And at the time, these 27 House Democrats and 6 Senate Democrats (to name a few) thought that voting in favor of Dodd-Frank wouldn’t hurt them politically. Boy has that mindset changed. Just ask Dodd and Frank.

U.S. House

Altmire
Barrow
Berkley
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Boswell
Braley (IA)
Connolly (VA)
Cooper
Costa
Donnelly (IN)
Garamendi
Heinrich
Kind
Kissell
Larsen (WA)
Loebsack
Matheson
Matsui
McNerney
Michaud
Miller (NC)
Owens
Peterson
Rahall
Shuler
Yarmuth

U.S. Senate

Brown (D-OH)
McCaskill (D-MO)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)

Politico: Should Elena Kagan recuse on health care?

11/23/2011

Justice Kagan is an unabashed liberal. It’s no surprise that she cheered the passage of Obamacare. Kagan was more than Obama’s cheerleader, she was his lawyer. Kagan must recues herself because as Solicitor General it was her job to mount the legal defense of this unconscionable expansion of government.

It’s foolish to believe that the solicitor general buried her head in the sand and avoided weighing in on the centerpiece of Obama’s policy agenda. This unprecedented piece of legislation raised numerous Constitutional questions and was sure to lead to a wave of litigation.

Read more at Politico here.

Balanced Budget Amendment Falls In Congress

11/23/2011

Frustrating news from Washington yet again as the U.S. House failed to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment last week. The amendment garnered 261 votes, 23 short of the 284 required for 2/3 passage.

With America now fully $15 trillion in debt, our leaders in Congress still won’t acknowledge that they have a society-destroying spending problem and that something binding needs to be done about it.

Although the vote has been largely overlooked because it took place during the pending failure of the Supercommittee, the rejected BBA is the latest glaring example of just how perilously broken Washington really is.

Congress currently has an approval rating of 12 percent, I can only guess they are trying to reach zero percent.

Here are the details of the vote:

236 Republicans voted YES.

161 Democrats voted NO.

25 Democrats voted YES.

4 Republicans voted NO.

2 Republicans didn’t vote

6 Democrats didn’t vote.

The BBA needed robust bipartisan support to pass the House. In 1995, 72 Democrats voted for the BBA when it passed; this time only 25 Dems voted in favor of the measure and it failed.

If you’re looking for someone to blame for torpedoing the BBA, these 17 House Democrats is a good place to start.

Shelley Berkley (NV-1)

Tim Bishop (NY-1)

Bruce Braley (IA-1)

Lois Capps (CA-24)

David Cicilline (RI-1)

Gerry Connolly (VA-11)

Mark Critz (PA-12)

John Garamendi (CA-3)

Martin Heinrich (NM-1)

Rick Larsen (WA-2)

Mike Michaud (ME-2)

Jerry McNerney (CA-9)

Brad Miller (NC-13)

Bill Owens (NY-23)

Nick Rahall (WV-3)

Kurt Schrader (OR-5)

John Yarmuth (KY-3)

Citizens United Sends FOIA Request To Treasury Department

11/22/2011

Citizens United sent a FOIA request to the Treasury Department today to see how much influence Jon Corzine has had in shaping our country’s economic policy under President Obama and Secretary Geithner. Please see all letters here.

Full letter below:

Citizens United sent a FOIA to the Treasury

Politico: Should Obama have led the supercommittee?

11/22/2011

The supercommittee’s debacle is the latest example of President Obama’s failed leadership.

Read more at Politico here.

Politico: Will the supercommittee hit Congress hard?

11/21/2011

The supercommittee did not meet its goals because Democrats insist on raising taxes during a time when our country is in the throes of an economic downturn.

Read more at Politico here.

Cagle Post: Being Thankful For Life

11/21/2011

As Americans come to the Thanksgiving table this week with their families to celebrate one of our nation’s most cherished holidays, I hope we all reflect on and are thankful for the simple gift of life.

Americans are all very fortunate to live in a country that affords us the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We all cherish these freedoms, but when it comes to the pre-born, their rights have been taken away by unelected judges in the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton Supreme Court decisions of the 1970s.

At Citizens United, our core mission is to educate the American people about the Conservative movement and to restore government to citizen control. One way to do that is through documentary films. Citizens United has teamed up with Governor Mike Huckabee to produce The Gift of Life, an hour long documentary that explores the sanctity of life as a moral issue and looks at the lives of individuals who have been personally affected by abortion.

Read more at Cagle here.

Citizens United Launches “The Gift of Life”

11/18/2011

Citizens United has launched our latest documentary “The Gift of Life” hosted by Governor Mike Huckabee. “The Gift of Life” is a pro-life film that touches on a number of personal stories that will leave the viewer inspired about the Pro-Life movement. This important documentary can be pre-ordered at www.TheGiftofLifeMovie.com.

“The Gift of Life” also profiles leaders in the Pro-Life movement; those who believe that all other issues pale in comparison to whether we respect and honor others in the same way we want to be treated. Historically, America has been a shining example of a culture that respects life. But with the Roe v. Wade decision, we, as a society, exchanged our sense of responsibility toward human life for a greater heralding of the right to terminate it.

Cast appearing in “The Gift of Life” include: Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of Susan B. Anthony List; Kristan Hawkins, Executive Director of Students for Life of America; James Robison, Founder & President of LIFE Outreach International; Lila Rose, President of Live Action; U.S. Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ); Carol Tobias, President of the National Right to Life Committee; U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS); Charmaine Yoest, President & CEO of Americans United for Life; as well as a number of others with impactful stories.

Please support this film by going to www.TheGiftofLifeMovie.com and ordering the DVD today!!

Des Moines Register: Gingrich and Santorum will attend abortion forum in Des Moines Dec. 14

11/18/2011

Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum will attend a forum on abortion hosted by Mike Huckabee in Des Moines on Dec. 14, organizers said this morning.

Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor who ran for president four years ago, will premiere a documentary about the moral issues of abortion.

He invited eight 2012 GOP candidates to speak on abortion issues, so far Gingrich, a former U.S. House speaker, and Santorum, a former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, have RSVP’ed, said Jeff Marschner, spokesman for Citizens United.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Citizens United Productions will premiere “The Gift of Life,” a documentary about abortion issues hosted by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee

WHERE: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 14. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7 p.m.

RSVP: This is a free event open to the public but attendees are requested to RSVP by going to http://www.thegiftoflifemovie.com/rsvp/ or by calling Citizens United Productions at (800) 362-4788.

Politico: Has Occupy Wall Street accomplished anything?

11/18/2011

Those in the Occupy Wall Street Movement are the half-percent of American society that believes in anarchy and radical socialism.

Engineered by the likes of George Soros, Michael Moore, and other billionaires and millionaires who want to kill capitalism, OWS has spiraled down into a complete disaster and President Obama and Nancy Pelosi will pay the political price for supporting this anti-American movement.

Read more at Politico here.

Help Us, Supercommittee, You’re Our Only Hope!

11/17/2011

With the national debt making news once again by exploding past the surreal $15 trillion mark, there is a glimmer of hope that those advocating for spending cuts as opposed to tax increases will get a shot in the arm for their cause as the Supercommittee approaches it’s deadline next week.

Our country is $15 trillion in debt and on our way to Banana Republic status because we spend too much, period. All efforts should be focused on spending cuts and program reforms. Telling Americans to shoulder a bigger burden because of decades of irresponsible leadership is a dereliction of duty. Agreeing to roll over and pay more taxes amounts to nothing more that allowing our leaders to take the easy way out and not deal with our central problem: an out of control federal government that spends money without regard for right and wrong.

Over the past year, with all the fights over continuing resolutions and debt limits, one fact remains – nothing really changed. Federal spending still increased by $145 billion in FY2011! Our leaders on both sides of the aisle on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue simply do not appear to have the political courage to enact the massive spending cuts and structural changes to our tax code and entitlement programs necessary to halt America’s decline. It’s truly sad that politicians only seem to do the right thing after hell completely breaks loose. The Supercommittee is destined to go down in history one way or the other.

Life News - Gift of Life: Promoting Pro-Life in the Mainstream Media

11/17/2011

Time and again the pro-abortion movement has successfully teamed up with the mainstream media to get their message out to the masses. It’s a glaring example of how liberal media bias pushes an agenda. It is incumbent upon those who believe life starts at conception to fight back for the pro-life cause on the main stage by using the stories all around us that will touch the hearts and minds of Americans.

We have teamed up to produce The Gift of Life, an hour long documentary that explores the sanctity of life as a moral issue and looks at the lives of individuals who have been personally affected by the scourge of abortion. We hear the voice of Rebecca Kiessling, who was conceived in rape and almost aborted twice. James Robison tells of his mother’s decision to abort him being changed by prayer and a doctor’s conviction. By the grace of God, those featured in the film were saved from the abortionist, but an estimated 1.2 million children are murdered every year because of the unjust decisions in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton.

The prevalence and acceptance of abortion has led to a culture of pessimism and death that manifests itself in many ways, even beyond the womb. One of the most touching personal stories The Gift of Life highlights is that of Chet McDoniel. Chet was born in January of 1980 with no arms and shortened legs. Without telling Chet’s parents, the delivery doctor put Chet into the corner of the hospital room and gave him minimal care on the chance that he would die. According to Chet, “[The doctor] said if my body was as mangled on the inside as it was on the outside that I would be better off dead.” This unconscionable malpractice by a deranged doctor showcases how contempt and indifference toward any life can become contempt and indifference toward every life. Today, Chet is a successful small businessman and a motivational speaker. Chet also has brought life into this world by starting a family of his own with his wife.

Politico: Will President Obama lose his job?

11/15/2011

President Obama won the Electoral College by a 365 - 173 margin in 2008.

Using the 2012 map, if Mr. Obama carried the exact same states, the Electoral College would stand at 359 - 179 because of redistricting. The Republican candidate-to-be has already gained ground without making one general election campaign stop. The states of Florida, Indiana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia all voted for Mr. Obama in 2008, but these six states were all carried by President George W. Bush twice, except for New Hampshire in 2004.

Read more at Politico here.

Politico: Can Nancy Pelosi retake the House?

11/15/2011

To think that there will be a Speaker Nancy Pelosi 2.0 is lunacy.

Nancy Pelosi was the architect of every failed liberal policy the voters rejected overwhelmingly last year. Pelosi is a great fundraiser because she relates to liberals on both coasts but she does not understand that there is a center-right country in between.

Read more at Politico here.

LETTER TO SUPERCOMMITTEE: IT’S COMMON SENSE TO CUT SPENDING, NOT RAISE TAXES!

11/15/2011

Citizens United commends the 71 Members of the U.S. House for signing the letter below that urges the “Supercommittee” not to raise taxes on Americans.

All Members of Congress should sign onto this common sense approach!

Dear Representative Hensarling, Senator Murray, and Members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction:

It is evident that America has a fiscal crisis because Washington spends too much, not because it taxes too little. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, tax revenues will reach or exceed the historical average of 18 percent of economic output by the end of this decade, even as spending continues to increase at an unsustainable rate. Increasing taxes on Americans would destroy jobs, erase all hope of an economic recovery, and simply serve to feed out-of-control spending in Washington.

Thus, as you begin the important task to reach a deficit reduction agreement, we ask that any policies the Joint Select Committee prescribes not increase Americans’ tax burden. With current levels of taxation already limiting economic growth, we believe that marginal rates must be maintained or lowered and that repeal of any tax credit or deduction be offset with an equal or greater tax cut.

Although there are diverse beliefs toward specific policies that should be included in any deficit reduction plan, we must recognize that increasing the tax burden on American businesses and citizens, especially during a fragile recovery, is irresponsible and dangerous to the health of the United States.

Sincerely,

CURRENT SIGNERS:

1. Todd Akin (MO-02)

2. Steve Austria (OH-07)

3. Michele Bachmann (MN-06)

4. Roscoe Bartlett (MD-06)

5. Rob Bishop (UT-01)

6. Diane Black (TN-06)

7. Marsha Blackburn (TN-07)

8. Mo Brooks (AL-05)

9. Paul Broun (GA-10)

10. Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25)

11. Dan Burton (IN-05)

12. Francisco Canseco (TX-23)

13. Steve Chabot (OH-01)

14. Howard Coble (NC-60)

15. Scott DesJarlais (TN-04)

16. Jeff Duncan (SC-03)

17. John Duncan (TN-02)

18. Blake Farenthold (TX-27)

19. Stephen Fincher (TN-08)

20. Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03)

21. John Fleming (LA-04)

22. Bill Flores (TX-17)

23. Trent Franks (AZ-02)

24. Cory Gardner (CO-04)

25. Phil Gingrey (GA-11)

26. Louie Gohmert (TX-01)

27. Trey Gowdy (SC-04)

28. Sam Graves (MO-06)

29. Tom Graves (GA-09)

30. Tim Griffin (AR-02)

31. Frank Guinta (NH-01)

32. Andy Harris (MD-01)

33. Randy Hultgren (IL-14)

34. Tim Huelskamp (KS-01)

35. Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

36. Bill Johnson (OH-06)

37. Jim Jordan (OH-04)

38. Mike Kelly (PA-03)

39. Steve King (IA-05)

40. Jack Kingston (GA-01)

41. Raul Labrador (ID-01)

42. Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

43. Jeffrey Landry (LA-03)

44. Don Manzullo (IL-16)

45. Michael McCaul (TX-10)

46. Thaddeus McCotter (MI-11)

47. Patrick McHenry (NC-10)

48. Tom McClintock (CA-04)

49. Jeff Miller (FL-01)

50. Mick Mulvaney (SC-05)

51. Sue Myrick (NC-09)

52. Alan Nunnelee (MS-01)

53. Ron Paul (TX-14)

54. Steve Pearce (NM-02)

55. Mike Pence (IN-06)

56. Joseph Pitts (PA-16)

57. Bill Posey (FL-15)

58. Ben Quayle (AZ-03)

59. Phil Roe (TN-01)

60. Dennis Ross (FL-12)

61. Steve Scalise (LA-01)

62. Steve Southerland (FL-02)

63. Marlin Stutzman (IN-03)

64. John Sullivan (OK-01)

65. Scott Tipton (CO-03)

66. Tim Walberg (MI-07)

67. Joe Walsh (IL-08)

68. Allen West (FL-22)

69. Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03)

70. Joe Wilson (SC-02)

71. Todd Young (IN-09)

Cagle Post: Honor a Veteran Today and Every Day

11/11/2011

In the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month World War I came to an end and and the American soldiers who fought overseas for peace finally came home from war. What would be called Armistice Day would eventually evolve into Veterans Day. Unfortunately, the “war to end all wars” would lead to the rise of fascism and World War II. History tends to repeat itself, and I fear that’s exactly what is happening now in the Middle East where President Obama appears to be engaging in a policy of appeasement and negotiation with our sworn enemies.

With President Obama’s premature retreat from Iraq at the end of the year, America and the West are committing the same mistakes they made nearly a century ago. It seems that Mr. Obama’s national security decision was purely political. When our forces hastily leave Iraq come December 31st, Iraq will enter the unknown. Will Iran swoop in and essentially take over the country? What about al Qaeda? There is only one thriving democracy in the Middle East: Israel, and President Obama’s relationship with the leaders of that country is shaky at best. I was hoping after all of the blood and treasure that was spilled in Iraq it would emerge as the second democracy in the region. Now President Obama has put that very much in doubt. Hundreds of thousands of men and women in uniform served gallantly in Iraq, and we cannot let their sacrifice go in vain. We need to honor their service everyday – not just on Veterans Day.

Unbelievably it was seven years ago that brave soldiers in Iraq waged a heroic battle to capture the insurgent city of Fallujah. Citizens United Productions released “Perfect Valor,” a vivid war documentary hosted by Senator Fred Thompson in 2009. The award-winning film tells the true story of the soldiers who fought in the battle of Fallujah. When you watch the documentary you will see why America has the best military in the world. The men and women featured in “Perfect Valor” are this generation’s “Band of Brothers.” Citizens United will never forget the heroes of the Iraq War.

Read more at Cagle here.

Lessons From Ohio

11/09/2011

Liberals claim Issue 2 was a referendum on Governor John Kasich’s first year in office, so then was Issue 3 a referendum on President Obama - who is actually on the ballot in Ohio next year? Keeping the union reforms of Senate Bill 5 on the books (Issue 2) may have lost, but Obamacare’s health care mandate (Issue 3) lost in all 88 of 88 Ohio counties. Maybe that’s the real lesson coming out of Ohio today.

The other thing to remember is that Ohio still has huge budget problems. It was the failing status quo that won on Issue 2 yesterday, after all. When Ohio goes bankrupt, how then will John Kasich’s courageous reforms be seen?

We at Citizens United are proud of the principled stand we took in favor of Issue 2.

Cagle Post - A Timeline Of False Hope: Obama and the Media Over the Years

11/08/2011

Four years ago, candidate Barack Obama’s rise in Iowa was just being noticed. He was campaigning as a “change agent” who would bring “hope” to Washington. His campaign team was the best, and clicking on all cylinders. The media loved his story, and did not want to report on Obama’s deficiencies. The Democrat frontrunner at the time – Hillary Clinton – did not understand what was about to come down the pike, and did not adjust her campaign plan accordingly. When the Iowa Caucuses were over, Barack Obama was atop the numerous candidates, and on the road to the Democrat Party’s nomination.

Three years ago, Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States and the mainstream media was euphoric. In his victory speech President-elect Obama said, “Young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled, Americans have sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of red states and blue states. We have been and always will be the United States of America.” President Obama was riding high at that moment, but his words rang hollow when he took the oath of office months later.

Two years ago, after the failed stimulus did not produce any meaningful job growth and the president was fixated on ramming Obamacare through, two reformed-minded Republicans were elected governor in states that had gone for Obama in 2008. Republican Chris Christie won a significant victory in New Jersey against now possible white collar felon Jon Corzine. Governor Christie has made real union reforms in New Jersey and has brought fiscal sanity back to the Garden State. Republican Bob McDonnell won in Virginia, and took back a state many in the media thought was a solid blue after Obama’s victory. Governor McDonnell has governed Virginia well and is on many of the leading Republican presidential candidates’ short list for Vice President.

Read more at Cagle Post here.

5th Annual Citizens United Holiday Turkey Drive For The Troops Underway

11/08/2011

Thanksgiving and Christmas are rapidly approaching and Citizens United is continuing to do something near and dear to our hearts: supporting members of our Armed Forces and military families however we can.

Recently, we produced the award-winning film Perfect Valor, narrated by Senator Fred Thompson, as a tribute to our Iraq War heroes.

This year, Governor Mike Huckabee is teaming up with Citizens United for what has become a tradition: our annual turkey drive for the troops.

On account of budget cuts and a sagging economy, times are especially tough for many of our men and women in uniform and their families.

Our focus this year is on Fort Bliss - a base that has been critical to our efforts in fighting The War on Terror.

Last year we sent 900 turkeys out to our military families and this year we are aiming for more. You can help in this worthy and patriotic cause by calling 1-877-212-8798

God Bless America and our troops!

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas from your friends at Citizens United!

Photos from last year's turkey distribution

Politico: Citizens United Spends Big In Ohio

11/03/2011

Citizens United, the conservative political organization best known for the eponymous Supreme Court decision that last year altered the nation’s campaign finance landscape, will on Thursday begin blasting six-figures worth of advertisements throughout Ohio in support of limiting most state workers’ collective bargaining rights.

The ads, which are slated to target the Cincinnati market in particular, urge voters next week to support Issue 2, a referendum on killing a collective bargaining-curbing bill passed by the state legislature and signed by Gov. John Kasich (R).

Recent polls indicate Issue 2 is likely to fail, which would be a boon for Democrats and unions stung throughout the year in several Midwestern states where Republican lawmakers have targeted collective bargaining rights in the name of balancing budgets.

Read more at Politico here.

Citizens United Launches Over $100,000 Television Effort In Ohio to Support “Issue 2”

11/03/2011

Citizens United is launching a television advertisement campaign worth over $100,000 in support of “Issue 2” in Ohio. The TV ad will run in the Cincinnati media market through Monday. On November 8^th, voters in Ohio will vote on an important ballot measure known as “Issue 2,” the referendum on Senate Bill 5. Citizens United is a strong supporter of the Senate Bill 5 reform law in Ohio.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW AD

Title: “Yes On Issue 2” TV (:30)

The Cincinnati Enquirer Says Vote Yes on Issue 2.

It will permit us to pay teachers based on merit, not just seniority.

Reward the best teachers for a job well done.

Reform tenure so we can replace the others.

Unions need the right to bargain for wages. But we parents and educators deserve the right to run our own schools.

Common sense reforms to help our children and grandchildren.

Vote Yes on Issue 2.

# # #

CitizensUnited.org

PAID FOR BY CITIZENS UNITED (WWW.CITIZENSUNITED.ORG) AND NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY ISSUE 2 CAMPAIGN OR COMMITTEE. DAVID N. BOSSIE, PRESIDENT, 1006 PENNSYLVANIA AVE. SE, WASHINGTON DC 20003.

Cagle Post: Trick or Treat the Obama Way

10/31/2011

Last week, President Obama embarked on another campaign swing through the Western states trying to outrun the ghost of Jimmy Carter. President Obama is once again traveling the country, promising to hand out treats but the real trick is on the American people. The tired, failed liberal policies he is peddling door to door have led to a nightmarish 9.1 percent unemployment rate and a frightful $15 trillion debt. Unlike the costumed children who will arrive on your doorstep tonight begging for candy, President Obama is begging for money and votes.

It is no surprise that, with Halloween right around the corner, President Obama made a pilgrimage to Hollywood last week where people play dress-up every day. While Americans suffer, President Obama palled around with Hollywood celebrities to raise money for his $1 billion campaign. From his attendance at a star-studded fundraiser in Hollywood, to his fourth appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, it is spooky to see just how tone deaf and out-of-touch President Obama really is. I guess “change you can believe in” really means “show me the money” in the land of make believe.

One of President Obama’s most intriguing meetings in Hollywood occurred at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. It was billed by the Hollywood Reporter as a “Secret Meet-and-Greet” of well-connected Hollywood types and the President. According to the Hollywood Reporter, a source in the room said the President needed their help to “engage” the Hollywood community. One can surmise from this meeting that President Obama is spooked that people see right through his rock star costume to the one hit wonder he truly is.

Read more at Cagle here.

Citizens United Releases October Edition of Obama Biden Watch

10/28/2011

In This Issue:

How Close is President Obama to Being Unelectable In 2012?
Occupy Wall Street Is No Cup Of Tea
The Last Best Hope to Defeat Obamacare
A Commonsense Plan in a World Gone Soft
Why Nevada Matters
And more ...

Obama Biden Watch Volume 3 Issue 10 - October 2011

Join the Fight Against Unions in Ohio!

10/26/2011

On Tuesday November 8th, voters in Ohio will go to the polls to vote on an important ballot measure known as “Issue 2”, the referendum on Senate Bill 5. Citizens United is a strong supporter of the Senate Bill 5 reform law in Ohio. This is a bold piece of legislation spearheaded by Ohio Governor John Kasich that reforms unfair union health care and pension deals in the state of Ohio. Much like what happened this past summer in Wisconsin, the local and national unions are on the ground in the Buckeye State and spending millions to defeat Senate Bill 5 at the polls. Now is the time for conservatives to fight back!

Here is the background on Senate Bill 5: The Obama-Strickland-Union troika’s fiscal policies in Ohio were failing and bankrupting the state. Governor Kasich enacted a bold reform plan with Senate Bill 5. Now powerful union forces are spending millions to overturn the bill so they can get their gold-plated health care and pension deals back. These are the very deals that keep taxes high, put state budgets on the path to bankruptcy, and foster a poor environment for promoting job growth. If Senate Bill 5 is repealed, it will embolden the Left and give Obama hope that he can carry Ohio in 2012, which could pave the way for his re-election. Ohio - and the rest of the country - cannot afford four more years of President Obama.

Citizens United, in conjunction with Dick Morris, is raising money RIGHT NOW to combat the unions in Ohio. If Senate Bill 5 is sustained it will be a major victory for the real reforms that need to be made nationwide. Unions have run roughshod over state and local governments for years. They must be stopped!

Time and again politicians on both sides of the aisle have bowed to union pressure. I am happy to see Governor Romney clarified his position today fully supporting Senate Bill 5, joining Governor Perry and other conservatives. We need leaders who will stand firm against the failed union status quo.

On Election Day, it’s critically important that all reform-minded Ohioans who care about fiscal responsibility and the standard of living for their children and grandchildren in the years to come VOTE “YES” on ISSUE 2.

Help us today in making sure Senate Bill 5 remains on the books in Ohio. Winning these battles, like we have done already in Wisconsin, will help us win the war against unions nationwide.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION NOW!!

Daily Caller: The last, best hope to defeat Obamacare

10/26/2011

The first Monday in October ushered in the Supreme Court’s new term. This term marks two tremendous anniversaries — Justice Antonin Scalia’s 25th year on the court, and the 20th for Justice Clarence Thomas. These two jurists are best known for their originalist approach to interpreting the Constitution. Throughout their decades on the court, they have stood as reliable, conservative bulwarks against judicial activism and against the unchecked expansion of the federal government.

This term, Justices Scalia and Thomas may have the opportunity to rule on President Obama’s most brazen expansion of government, his Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. Obamacare is an unprecedented expansion of government power; never before has the government ordered a private citizen to purchase a product based on nothing more than the fact that they are living and breathing. If the government can mandate an individual purchase health insurance, where does its power end? Can it force you to purchase an automobile? Can it dictate which kind of automobile? (Maybe one of those swanky new Fisker electric cars built in Finland, financed with our tax dollars.)

From the day that Obamacare was signed into law, it has been the subject of litigation. Twenty-six states challenged the legislation in a lawsuit brought in Florida. Virginia brought its own challenge. Currently cases challenging the constitutionality of Obamacare have been brought in the Fourth, Sixth and Eleventh Circuits. The Department of Justice has asked the Supreme Court to review the Eleventh Circuit case.

Obama in Hollywood: "Show Me The Money"

10/25/2011

While Americans suffer with 9.1 percent unemployment, President Obama palled around with Hollywood celebrities this week to raise money for his $1 billion campaign. The tone deafness that was on display at the fundraiser in Hollywood last night and his fourth appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno this evening just shows how out-of-touch President Obama really is. Americans want solutions to their problems, and they see their President worried about one thing…his reelection chances next year. I guess "change you can believe in" really means “show me the money.”

Cagle Post: Why Nevada Matters

10/24/2011

As I flew into Las Vegas, Nevada, for the CNN Presidential Debate and the Western Republican Leadership Conference last week, I saw firsthand what the Obama Recession has done to the Silver State. When you make your final descent into McCarran International Airport, you are struck by the streets and cul-de-sacs without any homes on them. Nevada has a 13.4 percent unemployment rate that ranks first amongst all states, and is 1.5 percent higher than California which ranks second with 11.9 percent. To make matters worse, Nevada’s unemployment rate has been number one for 16 straight months. This very high unemployment rate, coupled with the foreclosure crisis, has made times extremely tough for Nevadans.

That is why President Obama is flying into Nevada today, trying to stem the bleeding of his campaign where he has a 44 percent approval rating. President Obama has been tone deaf to the needs of Nevadans because he has focused on issues that do not fix the housing market and do not lower the unemployment rate. What President Obama says today will just be lip service to a state that he needs desperately to get reelected.

You would think Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – who happens to be from Nevada – would understand the calamity that is the Obama Recession. However, while I was in his home state, Harry Reid said back in Washington, “It’s very clear that private-sector jobs have been doing just fine; it’s the public-sector jobs where we’ve lost huge numbers, and that’s what this legislation is all about.” What!? Harry Reid’s analysis of America’s unemployment crisis is just plain wrong and out-of-touch. Since the beginning of the recession, there have been over 6 million private sector jobs lost in America – a 5.4 percent decline. Public sector jobs – including federal, state, and local – have lost 392,000 jobs – a 1.8 percent decline.

Read more at Cagle here.

Politico: Do Super PACs corrupt?

10/24/2011

Despite what is suggested in today’s POLITICO story, super PACs do have to disclose their contributions. To say that super PACs are a “corrupting” force in today’s politics is a farce – there is no evidence to support this case. Super PACs are and will be a vehicle for free speech in American politics, and that is a good thing.

Read more at Politico here.

Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny at the Western Republican Leadership Conference

10/21/2011

Last night Citizens United was grateful for the opportunity to show our film Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny at the Western Republican Leadership Conference. The film screened to a packed house that included Congressman Heck and his wife. As the credits rolled, the audience burst into applause, with many still wiping away tears - one woman said we should have provided tissues at the tables!

Please learn more about this moving film and the opportunity to purchase the DVD and companion book at: http://www.ReaganDocumentary.com

Politico: Is President Obama bringing down congressional Democrats?

10/21/2011

President Obama’s failed liberal policies will be an albatross for a great many Democrat incumbents because they have aided and abetted President Obama at every turn.

Read more at Politico here.

Cagle Post: Occupy Wall Street Is No Cup Of Tea

10/17/2011

The Occupy Wall Street protests have been going on for weeks but confusion abounds about its message, especially within the movement itself. Is it Tax the Rich? Eat the Rich? Kill the Rich?

Not knowing why they are there or what they stand for seems to be one hallmark of the Occupy Wall Street’s adherents. Another common theme is disrupting the daily lives of average Americans with their childish antics, whether it’s blocking the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, storming the Smithsonian in DC, or trying to occupy bathrooms in Senate Office Buildings. For their efforts, over a thousand Occupiers have been arrested across the country.

But these silly tactics are nothing compared to what certain Occupiers have called for. One video shows a speaker at Occupy L.A. calling for French-style, “bloody” revolution while explicitly rejecting the Gandhi -model of non-violent protest. Emails have been sent to New York officials with messages saying it’s “time to kill the wealthy.” TV hosts have said they need a “Kent State moment.” Communist and Nazi groups have joined in support of the protests.

Read more at Cagle here.

Politico: Is "Obamacare" crumbling?

10/17/2011

As Obamacare crumbles within the Obama administration and in the courts, it will remain a major issue in the 2012 campaign, as it was in 2010 when Republicans had historic successes. The way this administration so arrogantly pushed through this failed piece of legislation over the vehement protests of the American people – and at the expense of a focus on jobs and the economy – will continue to haunt President Obama and his campaign. The Republican nominee must repeal and replace this terrible legislation in their first days after being sworn in as president, as part of an economic recovery plan.

Read more at Politico here.

UNaccountable: Reform UN Funding

10/14/2011

The United Nations is a cash cow that continues to rely on American taxpayer money to fund its anti-Israel and anti-American views. But yesterday landmark legislation was passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs that will change the pay structure of how the U.N. collects its dues, from an assessment based on its budget, to a voluntary contribution. This important piece of legislation, championed by Foreign Affairs Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, will finally make the U.N. accountable for how it spends our money.

Last year America was assessed with a bill for 22 percent of the U.N. budget, or $7.7 billion. By contrast, China was assessed only 3 percent. The disparity is obvious, and the American taxpayer is getting taken advantage of. Unfortunately, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Obama oppose this commonsense piece of legislation because they claim it will dissuade member nations from contributing to the rebuilding of Iraq and Afghanistan. Come on! Most of the member nations do not help now and some, like Iran, have had an active role in the insurgencies. You’d think that so-called “change agents” like President Obama would welcome the obvious need for reform at the U.N.

In the coming weeks, I hope the full House of Representatives passes this legislation. The United Nations' time taking advantage of American taxpayers needs to end now. Paying $7.7 billion to an organization that is just a sounding board for rogue countries does not make any sense.

Happy 86th Birthday to Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher

10/13/2011

Today I'd like to wish conservative stalwart and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher a very Happy 86^th Birthday. Along with President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II, the Iron Lady helped bring down the Iron Curtain, defeat Soviet Communism and end the Cold War. Speaking of her partnership with President Reagan, Prime Minister Thatcher said, “Up to that time, the whole doctrine had been one of contained communism. That wasn't enough for Ronald Reagan and me. We thought the free world was by far the best way to live.”

Margaret Thatcher is a role model for advocates of liberty everywhere. In the film Fire From The Heartland, fellow conservative female leader Phyllis Schlafly says of Thatcher, “She had an amazing effect on her country. She restored it to the private enterprise system and she spoke up as a friend of the United States against communism. She and Ronald Reagan were really responsible for bringing down the Soviet empire.”

Today we honor Lady Thatcher for her leadership role in advancing freedom across the world and wish her the very best.

Learn more about Prime Minister Thatcher’s “defense of values and freedoms fundamental to our way of life” in the Citizens United Productions films Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous With Destiny and Fire From The Heartland: The Awakening of the Conservative Woman.

Honoring the Life of Kortney Blythe Gordon, Pro-Life Advocate

10/12/2011

Last week Citizens United Productions had the honor of filming a 3D/4D ultrasound for our upcoming pro-life documentary film. Kortney Blythe Gordon, her husband Ben and her mother-in-law were generous enough to allow us to be a part of this experience. During Kortney’s ultrasound we were all introduced to their 20 week old baby, who they were delighted to discover was a baby girl they named Sophy.

Today the entire staff at Citizens United was heartbroken to learn that this past Saturday night Kortney and pre-born baby Sophy died in a tragic car accident. Kortney was a tireless advocate for the pro-life cause as field director for Students for Life of America. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and loved ones, as well as those of others killed or injured in the crash, including fellow Students for Life staffer Jon Scharfenberger who is in critical condition.

Condolence messages for Kortney’s family may be sent to kgordon@studentsforlife.org. A collection has also been taken up to help defray the burial costs, which can be donated to here: https://kortneyandsophy.sagefundraisingonline.com/2

LETTER TO CONGRESS: Oppose Obama's "Jobs" Bill

10/11/2011

Today, on behalf of over 500,000 members and supporters of Citizens United, I urged all members of the Senate to oppose the American Jobs Act of 2011, aka Obama's "jobs" bill. Our country is desperate for bold leadership and big ideas that will change the failing status quo, this bill fails on both counts and must be opposed. All votes on this issue will be considered for Citizens United's 2011 Congressional Ratings. Please see all previous Ratings letters here.

Full letter below:

Citizens United’s 2011 Congressional Ratings Vote Alert 8 - Senate - American Jobs Act

Cagle Post: How Close Is President Obama To Being Unelectable In 2012?

10/10/2011

When I say this, I’m not being a pessimist, I’m being a realist. The economy is not going to show any real signs of improvement in the next 13 months. Neither President Obama’s rigid ideology nor his special interests groups will allow him to push innovative pro-growth policies that would kick start our economy during the remainder of his term. Our turnaround will probably begin sometime in 2013, after President Obama is back teaching law in the People’s Republic of Chicago and the new President’s entrepreneur-friendly economic plan is put into place. So, I ask this question: if our economy does in fact remain in this awful funk for another year with unemployment stuck at over 9 percent, is President Obama unelectable?

Mr. Obama won the Electoral College by a 365 – 173 margin in 2008. Using the 2012 map, if Mr. Obama carried the exact same states, the Electoral College would stand at 359 – 179 because of redistricting. The Republican candidate-to-be has already picked up ground without making one general election campaign stop.

Read more at Cagle here.

Media Bias Up Close

10/10/2011

Is NBC’s David Gregory:

A) Clueless

B) A partisan Democrat

C) Scared to death of Rahm Emanuel

D) All of the above

Considering the evidence below, how could David Gregory not ask Rahm Emanuel about Solyndra on Meet The Press yesterday?

September 8, 2011 – It is published that major Obama campaign contributor and top Solyndra investor - George Kaiser - met with Rahm Emanuel and other senior White House staff while he was visiting the White House.

September 13, 2011 – The Washington Post reports: “In one e-mail, an assistant to Rahm Emanuel, then White House chief of staff, wrote on Aug. 31, 2009, to OMB about the upcoming Biden announcement on Solyndra and asked whether “there is anything we can help speed along on OMB side.”

September 16, 2011 – Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel denies knowing or remembering anything about Solyndra even though he was White House Chief of Staff when the debacle was unfolding: “I don’t actually remember that or know about it,” Emanuel stated.

October 7, 2011 – A new August 2009 White House email concerning Solyndra is published: “Ron said this morning that the POTUS definitely wants to do this (or Rahm definitely wants the POTUS to do this?).”

October 9, 2011 - Rahm Emanuel, appearing on NBC’s Meet The Press, is asked ZERO questions about Solyndra by David Gregory.

David Gregory is doing both his profession and America a disservice by not asking questions about the biggest scandal of the Obama Administration. This is media bias up close.

Politico: Can Romney outflank Obama on foreign policy?

10/07/2011

President Obama’s success in killing terrorists Osama bin Laden and Anwar al Awalaki was the direct result of key Bush administration anti-terror policies that paved the way for those successful operations. Any president would have given the go order for those operations.

Read more at Politico here.

Letter to Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen on United Nations Reform Bill

10/06/2011

Today Citizens United sent a letter to Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen commending her for pushing United Nations Reform & H.R. 2829 The United Nations Transparency, Accountability, and Reform Act. At a time when our country desperately needs to reinforce our alliance with Israel as well as rethink how we spend our national treasure, H.R. 2829 is a step in the right direction.

Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen participated in our film Broken Promises: The United Nations At 60.

Read the full letter below:

Letter to Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen on United Nations Reform Bill

Politico: Will Occupy Wall Street become a left-wing tea party?

10/06/2011

The “Occupy Wall Street” movement is just a bunch of trust-fund babies, college students skipping class, and ex-hippies who are taking their cues from the likes of George Soros, Michael Moore, and other billionaires and millionaires who want to kill capitalism.

Read more at Politico here.

Politico: Will American Crossroads crush Democrats?

10/04/2011

Outside Republican groups like American Crossroads have a big advantage this cycle not because of money but because President Obama’s tenure has been such a failure. He has no answers on growing jobs or the economy - not to mention his recent gaffes. Remember, this is the same president who called Americans “soft” last week because they are rejecting his failed liberal policies.

Read more at Politico here.

Cagle Post: A Commonsense Plan in a World Gone Soft

10/04/2011

America has a spending problem. Our national debt is racing towards the $15 trillion mark each and every day because of a culture of irresponsible spending in Washington. Throughout the ongoing Obama Recession, Americans have had to sit around the kitchen table and make hard cuts to their household budgets – Washington must do the same.

We live in an age where America’s national debt has gotten so out of control that former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen has said the national debt is America’s number one national security problem. Think about that. The leader of America’s armed forces believes that our debt is more of a security risk than the threat of terrorism. Washington must get its spending under control or we will begin to look more like Greece than America.

Unfortunately, with President Obama’s failed “Green Jobs” program, the status quo continues. For good reason, the American people have no confidence in this administration’s handling of taxpayer funds. What’s worse is that in the face of the Solyndra debacle, the Obama Administration signed off on billions of dollars more in green energy loan guarantees last week. The arrogance and irresponsibility of this administration never ceases to amaze me. President Obama should be halting these bad ideas, but instead he lets his Energy Secretary, Steven Chu, run amok with the taxpayers’ checkbook.

Read more at Cagle here.

Chu On This: Time To Resign

10/03/2011

It’s clear that Energy Secretary Steven Chu is at least partly responsible for losing over $500 million in taxpayer money for the loan to Solyndra. Can anyone explain then why President Obama still has “full confidence” in Chu? FULL confidence? In the era of Obama, losing $500 million in taxpayer money is not a big deal apparently.

The failed Obama status quo continues. The American people have no confidence in this administration’s handling of taxpayer funds. In the face of the Solyndra debacle, signing off on billions of dollars more in loan guarantees without pause, in a rush to beat the September 30th deadline, is the height of arrogance and irresponsibility. For this reason alone President Obama should make an example out of Chu. President Obama needs to be able to say that, at a time of economic crisis and a $14 trillion debt, his administration is a careful steward of taxpayer money and is taking action. Instead, the President saying he remains confident in Chu sends a signal that wasting these funds is not a big deal. Is this the message the President wants to be sending right now?

The bottom line is that several people need to be held responsible for this taxpayer funded scandal and Sec. Chu needs to be the first to man up and step down. Otherwise, the American people will be led to believe that no one is responsible for losing their money – that Washington is so out of control, losing $500 million dollars is supposed to be seen as business as usual and not dealt with in a serious, “real world” manner.

Unfortunately, this is how a country that is $14 trillion in debt handles their finances. Something needs to change. Business as usual and the failed status quo need to end.

Chu must go now.

Politico: First lady criticism on Target?

10/03/2011

The Target photo-op of the first lady was classic image manipulation. Let’s not forget that Michelle Obama recently took some heat for wearing a $40,000 bracelet to a DNC fundraiser in New York a few weeks back. It is okay to wear a $40,000 bracelet – just own it, don’t pretend to be something you’re not.

Citizens United Releases September Edition of Obama Biden Watch

09/30/2011

In This Issue:

The "Kaiser" Soze of Obamaland
Solyndra: Spawn of Stimulus
The Obama Record: More Speeches, Fewer Jobs
Israel At A Crossroads
9/11: Past, Present, and Future
Citizens United Productions - A City Upon A Hill: The Spirit of American Exceptionalism
Final Thoughts from Citizens United President David N. Bossie

Obama Biden Watch Volume 3 Issue 9 - September 2011

Cagle Post - Solyndra: Spawn of Stimulus

09/29/2011

In early September, President Obama finally unveiled his jobs plan: a new $447 “stimulus” package. The President exhorted Congress to “Pass this bill!” but Americans aren’t ready for another round of “stimulus” – we’re still trying to recover from the consequences of the last one, which cost nearly twice as much.

In 2009, President Obama rushed the stimulus bill through Congress without even allowing the time for debate or the appropriate safeguards to be built. The original Obama stimulus plan was nothing but a lesson in how to waste almost a trillion dollars in taxpayer funds. President Obama’s liberal ideology tells him he’s smarter than the free market system, the system that’s made America the greatest economic superpower the world has ever known. Allowing the federal government to decide where taxpayer money is sent to “stimulate” certain sectors of the economy simply creates new opportunities for waste and abuse, like we’ve seen in the case of the recently bankrupt solar power company Solyndra.

Solyndra was one of the first “green” companies to be awarded a $527 million taxpayer-guaranteed loan via President Obama’s last “stimulus” plan. The California based company was supposed to be the success model for President Obama’s clean energy jobs program, but instead its failure left 1,100 people unemployed and taxpayers on the hook for a half billion dollars.

Read more at Cagle here.

Politico: Will President Obama lose Colorado?

09/27/2011

The Obama electoral map from 2008 was an anomaly. Swing states like Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia have flipped red again because of Obama’s failed liberal policies. President Obama promised that he would govern as a centrist, when in actuality he has governed like a European socialist. Core constituencies in swing states like Colorado that voted overwhelmingly for President Obama in 2008 are fleeing the president in droves because they were sold a lie and are suffering because of it.

Big Government - The Usual Suspects: The ‘Kaiser’ Soze of Obamaland

09/20/2011

When President Obama was elected he promised to usher in a new way of doing business in Washington. Well past the half way point of his administration, it is clear that much like his promises of “Hope” and “Change” – a new Washington was little more than empty rhetoric.

Obama pledged to ban lobbyists from serving in his administration, but granted waivers to the lobbyists he wanted on his team. He pledged to make the White House more transparent, by placing its visitor logs on the internet, but his clever staff hosted meetings with lobbyists at local coffee shops, free from the burdens of disclosure. His reform rhetoric has masked the fact that his administration is actively doling out favors to entrenched special interests and his political supporters.

The most glaring example of President Obama’s “reformed” Washington, is how his political staff over stepped its boundaries to secure government support for a green energy startup funded by one of Obama’s biggest financial backers. The startup was named Solyndra. Financed by Obama funder George Kaiser, Solyndra produced solar panels for mounting on rooftops. They sold a dream – that you could transform the large empty rooftop square footage into a lean, mean, energy producing machine. This dream, much like Obama’s promises of hope and change, was never realized.

Cagle Post: Pivotal Week For Israel and President Obama

09/20/2011

Last Friday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that he will seek Palestinian statehood from the United Nations this month. This dangerous pronouncement puts into stark relief the damage the Obama Administration has done because of its standoffish posture towards Israel. Back in the spring, President Obama threw Israel under the proverbial bus when he suggested the country go back to its 1967 borders. The idea was met with fierce opposition from supporters of Israel, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling the 1967 borders “indefensible.”

Actions have consequences and the Obama Administration’s hostility towards Israel has led directly to this unprecedented request by Palestinian leaders. Maen Areikat, the Palestinians’ top envoy to the United States, said the Obama “administration itself did not implicitly or explicitly, directly or indirectly; threaten to take any punitive actions” when it came to advancing Palestinian statehood. This, along with a 2010 speech Obama gave to the General Assembly, has been interpreted by the Palestinians as implicit permission to continue with their bid for statehood.

President Obama has promised to use the United States’ power as a permanent member of the United Nation’s Security Council to veto Palestinian statehood, but the situation should never have escalated this high in the first place. The impotence of the Obama Administration’s diplomatic power was on full display when it failed in negotiations to persuade the Palestians to drop their bid.

Read more at Cagle here.

Politico: Will Obama's proposed "Buffett tax" fly with voters?

09/19/2011

Back in 2009, President Obama himself said that you do not raise taxes when the country is in a recession. Fast forward to today and President Obama is proposing $1.5 trillion in new tax hikes. President Obama is looking at his reelection chances slipping away and wants to play the old liberal game of class warfare with the “Buffett tax.”

His proposals will only make our economy worse and will not lead to new job growth. To rely on cutting the deficit by raising taxes just does not make any sense when America has 9.1 percent unemployment. It seems that the White House is only trying to appease its liberal base with this proposal.

Read more at Politico here.

Politico: Will Palestinians' U.N. gambit backfire?

09/17/2011

This upcoming week will be pivotal for the state of Israel. The Palestinians have already signaled their intention to ask for statehood at the U.N. next week. I fear this will serve as a catalyst for an even greater conflict. President Obama has thrown Israel under the bus repeatedly and the possible U.N. vote is the culmination of the public perception that he has left Israel hung out to dry.

Maen Areikat, the Palestinians’ top envoy to the United States, said the Obama “administration itself did not implicitly or explicitly, directly or indirectly; threaten to take any punitive actions.” This is a bombshell of a statement because it looks like the Obama administration strategy has not been as forceful with the Palestinians as it could have been. This, along with a 2010 speech Obama gave to the General Assembly, has been interpreted by the Palestinians as permission to continue with their bid for statehood. The Obama administration has said that it would veto a statehood vote in the Security Council, but the Palestinians can still ask for a vote as a “non-member state” by the full General Assembly. This is a pure diplomatic failure by President Obama.

Read more at Politico here.

Politico: Solyndra a headache or scandal for Obama W.H.?

09/16/2011

Solyndra is a full-blown scandal that will be with the Obama White House throughout the 2012 election cycle. If Democrats deny that fact then they do so at their own peril. Newly reported e-mails in the Washington Post confirm that even the White House thinks Solyndra is a political problem for them. Plus the continued drip, drip, drip of information coming out will only hurt President Obama’s fledgling re-election efforts.

Read more at Politico here.

Politico: Is Sarah Palin vindicated by the Joe McGinniss book?

09/15/2011

Joe McGinniss is a scumbag and his so-called book on Sarah Palin is just the plain old gutter politics that America hates. This tabloid trash is not worth the paper it is written on. Sarah Palin has been attacked since the day she came on the national stage and she has only gotten stronger because of it.

Click here to read more at Politico.

Politico: NY-9 loss a body blow for Obama?

09/14/2011

Democrats are scrambling this morning to downplay their huge loss last night of disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner’s seat in New York 9, a district that Democrat National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz said was a “very difficult” one for Democrats.

Remember, this seat was once held by current New York Senator Chuck Schumer and 1984 Democrat Vice Presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro. When a Republican wins a New York City based district that has not been held by the GOP since 1923, every Democrat across the country should be running away in fear that President Obama’s liberal policies will bring down their party.

President Obama’s shameful foreign policy towards Israel and his failed economic policies that have led to $14 trillion national debt and a perpetual unemployment rate of nine percent directly led to the loss last night. When Democrats lose a deep blue seat like NY-9, it is a sign that Republicans must recruit candidates in Democrat held districts that will go on the offense.

Another consequence of this great Democrat loss is that President Obama’s so-called “jobs plan” will be dead-on-arrival in Congress. Obama’s coattails are nonexistent, and now House and Senate Democrats know for sure that supporting legislation that is just recycled liberal policies will not translate into electoral wins - quite the opposite. President Obama and the Democrat Party are in deep trouble going into 2012.

Read more at Politico here.

Historic Pro-Israel Conference Next Week

09/14/2011

If you are in New York next week please attend the Hudson Institute and Touro College’s conference on the United Nations and its Human Rights record. For years the U.N. has been anti-Israel and this conference will feature a number of speakers including former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton, Former Arkansas Governor and 2008 Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel, Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, and others talking about the U.N. mistreatment of Israel. The Conference will take place on Sept. 22, 2011 in New York City's Millennium UN Plaza Hotel from 9am to 6pm. For more information please go to www.durbanwatch.com.

Learn more about the history of the U.N. in our film Broken Promises - The UN at 60.

Cagle Post - The Obama Record: More Speeches, Fewer Jobs

09/13/2011

If a $787 billion stimulus didn’t work in 2009, why would a $447 billion stimulus work in 2011? Mr. Obama’s dwindling numbers of supporters are giddy that he delivered yet another rousing speech last week, but everyone else is wondering how this stimulus will bring unemployment down and how it will be “paid for.” We’ve been down this stimulus road before and all we have to show for it is more Obama speeches and fewer jobs. Our country is desperate for bold leadership and big ideas that will change the failing status quo.

It didn’t happen last night because the President’s number one concern is getting re-elected. Mr. Obama supplied further evidence for this charge by sending out a campaign email to supporters just prior to the speech that stated, “If you’re with me, let me know. And the campaign will make sure you are looped into our efforts to support this plan.”

How exactly does the billions in new taxpayer-funded government spending President Obama proposed last week mesh with the Super Committee’s mission to find $1.2 trillion in budget cuts over the next 10 years? Citizens United is closely monitoring the Super Committee proceedings and is poised to send 15,000 signed petitions to Democrat members Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Chris Van Hollen urging them to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. Americans are struggling and one of the ways to help our economy is to guarantee our citizens and businesses that their taxes aren’t going up. It’s common sense that economic uncertainty discourages investment and growth.

Read more at Cagle here.

Please Help Memorialize Medal Of Honor Winner Master Sergeant Homer L. Wise

09/13/2011

Master Sergeant Homer L. Wise is an American hero who you probably have never heard of. During World War II Sergeant Wise fought gallantly in the European theater earning the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts and ten other decorations. Having gone above and beyond the call of duty on many occasions, and saving many of his comrades, Sergeant Wise was awarded the highest honor for bravery by our Armed Forces – The Medal of Honor.

With all of these honors you would think Sergeant Wise would have received a lot of media attention after the war. But as a humble warrior, Sergeant Wise shunned media attention and did not speak much of his war time career. He did not even mention that he received The Medal of Honor publicly for nearly twenty-five years. Sergeant Wise epitomized what it means to be a part of the “Greatest Generation.”

A core group of citizens from Stamford, Connecticut – Sergeant Wise’s adoptive hometown – are volunteering their time to erect a statue in honor of one of World War II greatest soldiers. I ask you today to please give $25, $50, $100 or an even greater amount to this worthy cause. Future generations need to know this great story of the great soldier Master Sergeant Homer L. Wise. To donate directly and learn more about Sergeant Wise please go to www.SgtHomerLWiseMemorial.org. The Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3), tax exempt public charity. Contributions on behalf of the Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee, Inc. are tax deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Big Peace 9/11: Past, Present, And Future

09/12/2011

On the same day we heard reports that the Obama Administration wants to draw down troop levels in Iraq from 45,000 to a dangerously low 3,000 by the end of the year, the Washington Post published an article titled “Al-Qaeda in Iraq, down but hardly out.”

The piece says, “They don’t need training camps like they had in Afghanistan pre-9/11, where they went around on monkey bars. It wasn’t the monkey bar training that allowed them to take down planes on 9/11, it was the ability to sit and think of ways of hijacking an airplane.”

A major strategy of President Bush’s War on Terror was to go on the offense against terrorists and their sponsors. We would take the fight to the terrorists on their turf, disrupt their networks and put them on the run, leaving them without the “ability to sit and think” of new ways to launch attacks here on our homeland.

Paul Krugman's Shameful Rant

09/12/2011

Liberal Paul Krugman’s latest screed in the New York Times charging former President George W. Bush and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani with profiteering from the tragic events on September 11th is both baseless and nauseating. Paul Krugman sits in his ivory tower at Princeton University spreading falsehoods about everything from Keynesian economics to the War on Terror. I ask that if you still subscribe to the New York Times you join Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in terminating that subscription. The New York Times is just a rag that shills for the crazy left.

Cagle Post: Ten Years Later

09/09/2011

The Tuesday morning of September 11, 2001 is a day still seared into my mind and heart. On that fateful morning – ten years ago on Sunday – the financial and military centers of our great nation were attacked by Islamic terrorists who wanted to destroy the freedoms that we all hold so dear. It was also the day on which the first battle of the War on Terror was won by ordinary citizens on United Flight 93 fighting back against a suicide mission to attack the political center of our country – the United States Capitol building.

During that morning I learned that Barbara Olson, a very dear friend of mine, had perished on American Airlines Flight 77 – the flight that hit the Pentagon. Barbara and I worked on the Clinton investigations together in the 1990s for the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee. She was a tough litigator and a conservative stalwart. In the final minutes of her life, Barbara relayed vital information from the plane to her husband, Ted Olson, President Bush’s Solicitor General at the time. Barbara had such a kind heart and her loss still has a profound effect on me today.

Watching the news throughout the day, I had hoped that there would be many more survivors found at the Pentagon, World Trade Center and Shanksville, Pa., but in the end those hopes were dashed as nearly 3,000 people perished at the hands of Al Qaeda. As a firefighter in Montgomery County, Maryland, I will never forget the selfless sacrifices made by the 343 members of the FDNY and the other first responders who perished so others could live on September 11th. Those brave men and women ran into the burning towers to save their fellow citizens from certain death, showing the world what the word “hero” truly means.

Read more at Cagle here.

Politico: Will Obama's jobs plan work?

09/09/2011

No, President Obama’s political speech last night was simply recycled rhetoric that will not create the jobs needed to turn the Obama recession around - and it will only continue to put America deeper into debt.

Read more at Politico here.

Politico Video: What would you ask the Republican candidates?

09/07/2011

David Bossie, President of Citizens United, asks about the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision on free speech.

Read more at Politico here.

Politico: Will Obama's personal appeal trump voters' distaste for his policies?

09/06/2011

With 9.1 percent unemployment and zero jobs created during the month of August, Americans will vote their wallets in 2012.

To use the 74 percent personal likability number is meaningless at this stage of the game. The Obama campaign has said that they will “destroy” the Republican field, Vice President Biden called the opposition “barbarians,” and Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa, in introducing President Obama, said, “Let's take these son of bitches out.” In taking the campaign into the gutter by slashing and burning their opponents, the Obama campaign and its allies will sully President Obama’s image. Running $1 billion in negative ads will also cause the 74 percent number to plummet very quickly.

Read more at Politico here.

State of the Economy Address

09/01/2011

First time jobless claims were again over 400,000 (at 409,000) last week. Second quarter productivity slid to 0.7 percent for the second quarter in a row. Tomorrow fresh unemployment numbers come out for the month of August and if I had a crystal ball I would predict they will probably remain over 9 percent.

Next week President Obama will at last address Congress and the American people about the economy. Will he finally introduce a real jobs plan that does not increase our $14 trillion national debt? Or will he give a speech that relies on the same old liberal policies that got us into this mess in the first place? President Obama has shown zero ability to think outside the liberal box – he simply refuses to take on the special interests in his party. The ball is in the President’s court, and only time will tell.

The U.S. – U.N. Relationship Needs Reform

08/31/2011

The United Nations is a broken mess that needs to be reformed now or its existence as a (somewhat) viable international institution will go the way of the Dodo bird. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen unveiled a U.N. reform bill earlier this week - the bill makes it clear to the U.N. that if the member nations vote in favor of Palestinian statehood outside of a negotiated settlement with Israel, American will pull all of its funding from the U.N., among other stipulations. Getting tough with the out-of-touch U.N. is long overdue.

In the Citizens United documentary Broken Promises: The United Nations at 60, we uncover the unbelievable fraud and mismanagement that is going on at the U.N. America must not be the bottomless bank that funds the U.N.’s ineptness. Citizens United will score the Ros-Lehtinen U.N. reform bill vote when the legislation comes to the House floor for our Congressional Ratings. This is one of the most important pieces of foreign relations reform to come before the House of Representatives in quite some time.

Politico: Should disaster aid be conditional?

08/30/2011

While the federal government should play a role in disaster relief, Congress has a responsibility to spend the taxpayers’ money wisely. Far too often Congress has issued blank checks in an emergency that are ripe for waste, fraud, and abuse. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the New York Times - of all publications - did an exposé on how the federal government wasted $2 billion in the relief efforts.

Krueger Nomination Shows Obama Satisfied with Failed Status Quo

08/29/2011

President Obama nominated Alan Krueger to become the next chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers today. Mr. Krueger hails from the ivory tower better known as Princeton University where the likes of noted leftist and Keynesian economist Paul Krugman reside. The fact that Alan Krueger worked at the Treasury Department for the first two years of the Obama Administration should be an automatic disqualifier in Senate confirmation. Mr. Krueger had a seat at the table during the failed stimulus debate.

Mr. Krueger will also have to explain his time as a member of the economic academic advisory board with the Center for American Progress - a liberal advocacy group that George Soros has contributed as much as $7.3 million to. Is George Soros’ influence good for the American economy?

With 9.1 percent unemployment, one would think that President Obama would nominate someone from the outside to shake things up. I guess President Obama is satisfied with the pathetic economic results under his watch. No wonder 71 percent of Americans disapprove of the way President Obama is handling the economy.

Cagle Post: Obama’s Regulatory Sleight of Hand

08/29/2011

Since its founding, America has been a beacon for entrepreneurship. In no other place on the planet do people have the freedom to take a great idea and grow it into a business the way they do in the United States. Slowly but surely that has been changing as the role of Big Government has grown in our lives.

Roadblocks to innovation have been thrown up through unnecessary red tape and regulation by the government. Back in January, President Obama appeared to realize this when he authored an Op-Ed for the Wall Street Journal saying, “…rules have gotten out of balance, placing unreasonable burdens on business – burdens that have stifled innovation and have had a chilling effect on growth and jobs.” However, as with many other instances in his failed presidency, President Obama’s actions have not matched his words.

Last week the Obama Administration announced a tepid plan to cut some regulations at a savings of $10 billion over five years. In response, Speaker of the House John Boehner sent a letter to President Obama – who was wrapping up his Martha’s Vineyard vacation – which pointed out how weak the cuts are. The letter stated, “This year the Administration’s current regulatory agenda identifies 219 planned new regulations that have estimated annual costs in excess of $100 million each. That’s almost a 15 percent increase over last year, and appears to contradict public suggestions by the Administration this week that the regulatory burden on American job creators is scaled back.”

Read more at Cagle Post here.

Obama Surfs, America Suffers

08/26/2011

While the long hot summer continues, more news about how lackluster America’s economy is came out today. The economy grew at a snail’s pace in the second quarter and the Gross Domestic Product was revised down from 1.3 percent to 1 percent. This revision is just more evidence that America’s economy is in the doldrums.

As President Obama frolics in the surf on Martha’s Vineyard, the American people are suffering from his failed policies. Unemployment is at 9.1 percent and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. President Obama and his minions promise to unveil their grand plan to get America out of this mess after he gets back from vacation sometime in September. Real leaders lead, and for President Obama to wait until September just sheds more light on his failed presidency.

Obama & Project Vote: The ACORN Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

08/25/2011

President Obama’s campaign today launched “Project Vote” to increase registration amongst Democrat-friendly demographic groups. The Obama campaign wants to “expand the electorate” for the upcoming 2012 race. One problem with the name “Project Vote” – it shares the same title as a 501 (c) (3) also called Project Vote which worked closely with the now-defunct ACORN - the same ACORN that was riddled with fraud and rocked by scandal back in 2009 and eventually had its federal funding yanked. Project Vote was also the subject of a FOIA request just last week from the organization Judicial Watch investigating potential suspicious coordination with Obama's Justice Department.

The Obama Administration has been inept since Day One, but the Obama Campaign ran a great race in 2008 that successfully sold Americans on a hype that turned out to be a bunch of lies. For the Obama Campaign to name a major part of their 2012 effort after an ACORN affiliate just shows how the ineptness of the Obama Administration has filtered down to the 2012 campaign. I guess it is not that much of a coincidence since Obama did work for Project Vote as a community organizer. The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree.

Cagle Post: Leading From Behind

08/23/2011

The Obama Administration touted earlier this year that the President was “leading from behind” when it came to the conflict in Libya, which pretty much means not leading at all. Come to think of it, one can make the argument that President Obama has been “leading from behind” throughout his ill-fated presidency. Whether it is the $14 trillion national debt or the over 9 percent unemployment rate, President Obama has been leading from behind since the day he took office back in 2009.

The situation in Libya is still evolving, with battles being waged around Muammar Qadhafi’s compound in Tripoli. Qadhafi still has a small but loyal following that can make trouble for any transitional government that forms after Qadhafi is finally deposed in the coming days. President Obama should not be sucked into a “mission accomplished” type of speech once Qadhafi’s tyrannical regime falls. Unlike in Egypt, Libya is a tribal based society that can dissolve very quickly into anarchy without a strong central government in place. Pre-surge Iraq is a prime example of what can happen when tribal warfare takes hold in the Middle East.

President Obama, sitting in Martha’s Vineyard, should be very worried about what will become of Libya. The next week to ten days will shape the fate of Libya. Libya could be a state where terrorist organizations rush in to fill a power vacuum. As we approach the tenth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people on our homeland, America should not sit idly by while the next terrorist state is born.

Read more at Cagle Post here.

Why We Welcome AFL-CIO's Super PAC

08/23/2011

After the United States Supreme Court handed Citizens United a great victory for free speech with its historic decision in Citizens United v. FEC in 2010, the AFL-CIO was aghast. In a statement released the day of the decision, the AFL-CIO said, “…the Supreme Court further tilted the playing field in favor of business corporations in public elections.”

My how times have changed. Yesterday the AFL-CIO announced its plans to form a Super PAC (a federal PAC that only makes independent expenditures in support of or in opposition to candidates, made possible because of the Citizens United and Speech Now cases.) In making the announcement, AFL-CIO’s Political Director said, “The essential idea is that changes in the law for the first time really allow the labor movement to speak directly to workers, whether they have collective bargaining agreements or not.”

The core of Citizens United v. FEC has always been to give every American - whether they are conservative or liberal - a voice in the political system. We welcome the AFL-CIO into the process because we know that at the end of the day the American people will thoroughly reject what the AFL-CIO stands for. Case in point is the recent defeat of big labor in Wisconsin. The AFL-CIO poured $5 million into the recall efforts and came up short in the state that started collective bargaining. The AFL-CIO and its allies in the Obama Administration will not win the battle of ideas and no amount of money can change that.

Politico: President Obama vindicated on Libya?

08/22/2011

The situation in Libya is still evolving, with battles being waged around Muammar Qadhafi’s compound in Tripoli this morning. President Obama should not be sucked into a “mission accomplished” type of speech. Unlike in Egypt, Libya is a tribal-based society that can dissolve very quickly into anarchy without a strong central government.

Read more at Politico here.

Citizens United Releases August Edition of Obama Biden Watch

08/18/2011

In This Issue:

Happy 50th Birthday, Mr. President
The Tea Party Downgrade?
The Obama Recession
The Wisconsin Miracle
Democrat Super Committee Member Fun Facts
Citizens United working with Governor Mike Huckabee on new Pro-Life film
Final Thoughts from Citizens United President David N. Bossie

Obama Biden Watch - Volume 3 Issue 7 - August 2011

Citizens United At The Red State Gathering and The Ames Straw Poll This Weekend

08/12/2011

Citizens United will be participating in two events this weekend. Starting today, Citizens United Productions will have a booth at the Red State Gathering in Charleston, South Carolina. The conference runs until Saturday. The other event where Citizens United Productions will have a booth is at the Ames Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa this Saturday. So if you are in Charleston or Ames this weekend please stop at our booths and say hello to Citizens United staff.

Democrat Super Committee Member Fun Facts

08/10/2011

Who did the Senate Democrats pick to find budget cuts on the new debt super committee?

Patty Murray: National Journal’s most-liberal Senator, 2008 vote rankings, and chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

John Kerry: National Journal’s most-liberal Senator, 2003 vote rankings, and 2004 presidential loser.

Max Baucus: Author of Obamacare.

Isn’t it a bit humorous that liberals are being tasked to find budget cuts in the first place? I’m surprised they didn’t put Socialist Bernie Sanders on the committee.

File this under “Why the Democrats aren’t serious about getting our fiscal house in order.”

The Democrat side of the super committee has no credibility. I can’t wait to see who Pelosi picks…what are the odds she actually thinks to pick a Blue Dog?

Politico: Does Mitt Romney stand a chance against Obama's reelection assault?

08/09/2011

Wow! We have come a long way from “hope” and “change.” President Obama will try to eviscerate and demonize whoever the eventual Republican nominee is, because he does not have a record to stand on. Obama’s failed policies have resulted in nine percent plus unemployment, $14 trillion in debt, and out of control spending. Not to mention he has the distinction of being the first president to oversee the downgrade of our nation’s credit rating - not a real winner at the polls.

Read more at Politico here.

Is Geithner's continued post good for Obama's reelection?

08/08/2011

Economic disaster follows wherever Tim Geithner goes. From overseeing the New York Federal Reserve during the financial crisis in 2008, to being the first Treasury secretary to see America’s sterling AAA credit rating be downgraded - Tim Geithner has failed the American people. President Obama should fire his Treasury secretary for the good of the country.

Read more at Politico here.

Cagle Post: The Obama Recession

08/08/2011

July’s unemployment numbers were curiously lauded by some in the press on Friday morning, but the reality of the job market is still grim. The unemployment rate fell by only .1 percentage point, from 9.2 to 9.1 percent and an unimpressive 117,000 jobs were created. Under President Obama’s watch, the unemployment rate has been 9 percent or above for 25 of the first 31 months of his administration. Since the failed stimulus bill was passed – which was promised to keep the unemployment rate below 8 percent – the unemployment rate has been 9 percent or above for 25 out of those 29 months.

In 2008, a majority of Americans chose a big-city liberal politician to fix the U.S. economy. President Obama and Democrats in Congress unleashed a wave of spending that led to our current $14.3 trillion national debt. Big-city liberals create government handouts, they do not create jobs. The uncontrolled spending has not worked and has only made the problem of job growth worse.

The net effect of the failed Obama policies is that a record 45.8 million Americans are on food stamps today. These working families have been shut out of the job market due to the Obama recession. President Obama has said time and again that he will pivot to focus on job growth. In November of 2009, President Obama said that it was the “overriding focus” of his administration to create jobs. Those words have rung hollow as American families continue to search for jobs.

Politico: Will President Obama lose the 2012 election?

08/04/2011

Americans were sold a false prophet in 2008, and with the Obama recession they will turn their backs on President Obama in 2012. With 9.2 percent unemployment, and a crushing $14.3 trillion debt - with more spending on the way - America is off course due to the failed liberal policies of the Obama administration. President Obama continues to think that spending will solve our nation’s problems when in fact it has only worsened them.

Read more at Politico here.

Daily Caller: Happy 50th birthday, Mr. President!

08/04/2011

Paul Simon had “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” Here are 50 ways not to get re-elected.

1. Oversee 9.2 percent unemployment.

2. Sign Obamacare.

3. Appoint White House czars.

4. Insist that tax increases be on the table in debt talks and super committee proceedings.

5. Fail to put forth plans for the most important issues of the day.

6. Vastly expand the size and influence of government.

7. Allow the national debt to increase by trillions.

8. Defend the status quo: Obama originally asked for a clean debt ceiling bill, with no cuts or reforms.

9. Call $14.3 TRILLION debt a manufactured crisis.

10. Oversee record budget deficits.

Cagle Post: Debt Debacle: How We Got Here

08/02/2011

With a “compromise” on the debt standoff possibly happening early this week, it is useful to look back to see how we got here in the first place. The current debt crisis did not happen overnight; its roots can be traced back to when the housing market bubble burst back in 2007. The reckless lending practices of the government sponsored enterprises known as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae unleashed turmoil on the markets in 2008, which led to TARP and massive borrowing by the federal government. This, in part, paved the way for the election of the most liberal president ever – the worst possible outcome for a country drowning in debt.

When the Obama Administration took the reins of power in Washington in early 2009, spending predictably increased to unprecedented levels. All told, the failed stimulus cost American taxpayers $278,000 per job created. With 9.2 percent unemployment, the stimulus only raised the debt and did not produce the jobs that were promised.

With all of its spending, the Obama Administration has added $4 trillion to the national debt and pushed us once again to the brink of the debt ceiling. The reason America has a debt ceiling in the first place is to keep spending in check. Having been raised 98 times since 1940, obviously the debt ceiling is more like a glass roof that continues to get shattered because of the federal government’s profligate spending habits.

Read more at Cagle here.

Politico: Hill super committee a ploy or serious solution?

08/02/2011

The super committee is a total political ploy. “Super committees” and “blue ribbon commissions” are Washington-speak for “just kick the can down the road to the next generation.” Its mandate to cut an additional $1.5 trillion in debt is laughable when we are staring at a staggering $14.3 trillion debt that continues to grow.

It is a near certainty that the super committee will deadlock because Democrats continue to insist that economy killing tax hikes be part of the equation. Our unemployment rate stands at 9.2 percent with fresh numbers coming out at the end of the week. It would be disastrous to raise taxes while the Obama recession continues.

Read more at Politico here.

Citizens United To Send 15,000 Petitions To Debt "Super Committee"

08/02/2011

As a reminder of the American people's long standing wishes, Citizens United plans to send 15,000 signed petitions from our members to the newly formed debt “Super Committee” urging them to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. With 9.2 percent unemployment, Americans cannot afford to have their taxes increased or to give more money to Washington, DC where it will go to waste. Our debt crisis is a spending problem, not a revenue problem and the Super Committee would do well to remember that.

Politico: Debt ceiling agreement a fair compromise?

08/01/2011

The leadership on both sides of the aisle has failed the American people. Today’s plan is an easy way out that could have been hammered out months ago. The “compromise” that has tentatively been reached does not solve the real problem: spending.

Read more at Politico here.

LETTER TO CONGRESS: Oppose Budget Control Act

08/01/2011

Today, on behalf of over 500,000 members and supporters of Citizens United, I urged all members of Congress to vote against the Budget Control Act of 2011. All votes on this issue will be considered for Citizens United's 2011 Congressional Ratings. Please see all previous Ratings letters here.

Full letter below:

Citizens United’s 2011 Congressional Ratings Vote Alert 6 - House Budget Control Act

Politico: Is it the Senate's turn to take a crack at the debt ceiling?

07/29/2011

The Senate has not produced a budget in over 800 days. Led by Harry Reid, let's hope the future of the country does not reside with the very group of people who got us into this mess in the first place. It’s like asking Fannie and Freddie to help us out of this.

Read more at Politico here.

GDP at 1.3%

07/29/2011

In more stunning news that the Obama economy has tanked, the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at an anemic 1.3 percent for the second quarter of the year. In addition, the 1st quarter GDP was revised downward to a paltry 0.4 percent economic growth. These horrible numbers are more evidence that the failed policies of the Obama Administration have led America’s economy into an economic abyss.

From the failed stimulus, to the ongoing debate on our nation’s $14 trillion national debt, President Obama’s policies are to blame as to why America’s economy is stuck in a rut. President Obama and his liberal allies in Congress have created one of the worst stages for economic recovery in our country’s history. We must right the course of our nation before it is too late.

Politico: Is a liberal primary challenge to Obama a fantasy?

07/28/2011

Obama needs to watch his base. Not because he can't win the nomination, but because if they aren't highly motivated on Election Day 2012, he has little chance of winning re-election. He is beholden to liberal special interest groups, left-wing ideologues, and the union leadership. They may not be able to stop his re-nomination, but they will take their pound of flesh politically.

Read more at Politico here.

McCain's Lack of Principle

07/28/2011

John McCain’s screed on the Senate floor yesterday attacking House Republicans for standing against Speaker Boehner's debt plan was embarrassing for a Senator whose best days are behind him. Those House freshmen he attacked are doing something John McCain knows little about anymore – fighting for principle. Fighting for principle is something that John McCain has long lost and one of the reasons why Barack Obama is President.

America has a $14 trillion debt because of the failed policies of the Obama Administration and RINOs in the House and Senate. John McCain is part of the “establishment” who helped us get into this mess, and McCain’s legacy will not give future generations a better country than the one he inherited.

The House freshmen are standing on principle to make sure we are not saddling future generations of Americans with crushing debt. You either stand for something or you'll fall for anything, Senator McCain.

Cagle Post: Space – The American Frontier

07/26/2011

On July 8, 2011 the space shuttle Atlantis flew into the heavens for the last time. Millions of Americans watched in awe, as man took flight into space. This iconic scene, one that has been quintessentially American since the earliest days of the space race, marks the end of an era.

President Obama saluted the shuttle and its crew:

“Behind Atlantis and her crew of brave astronauts stand thousands of dedicated workers who have poured their hearts and souls into America’s Space Shuttle program over the past three decades. To them and all of NASA’s incredible workforce, I want to express my sincere gratitude. You helped our country lead the space age, and you continue to inspire us each day.”

Unfortunately, the President’s gratitude will not provide jobs to the 9,000 Floridians left unemployed. As CBS News has reported, this is a loss of over $600 million in wages that will no longer be earned or spent in Florida. It’s not just those directly employed by NASA that will be impacted — contractors, restaurants, t-shirt vendors all stand to suffer.

Read more of the Op-Ed here

Politico: Are President Obama's public appearances helping the debt talks?

07/26/2011

Far from being a game-changer, this latest speech was just more of the same old, tired arguments from President Obama. Obama's speech will not spur a compromise and it actually highlighted to many Americans that his failed liberal policies have led us to the debt crisis we are in. The fact is, Obama has accumulated $4 trillion in debt on his watch, and he has no plan to pay for it.

Read more at Politico here.

Citizens United Releases July Edition of Obama Biden Watch

07/25/2011

In This Issue:

"Business As Usual" Barack
Space - The American Frontier
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
Walk the Walk, Mr. President
Citizens United Productions - A City Upon A Hill: The Spirit of American Exceptionalism
Final Thoughts from Citizens United President David N. Bossie

Obama Biden Watch - Volume 3 Issue 7 - July 2011

LETTER TO SENATE: Support Cut, Cap, and Balance Act

07/22/2011

Today, on behalf of over 500,000 members and supporters of Citizens United, I urged all members of the House of Representatives to vote to support the upcoming vote on the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act. All votes on this issue will be considered for Citizens United's 2011 Congressional Ratings. This is the fifth vote alert we have issued for our Ratings. Please see the first two regarding the repeal of Obamacare here and here, the third on the debt ceiling here, and our House Cut, Cap, and Balance Act alert here.

Please see the full letter to the Senate below:

Citizens United’s 2011 Congressional Ratings Vote Alert 5 - Senate Cut, Cap, Balance

Politico: Is Gang of Six a good deal?

07/21/2011

Republicans would be following the Nancy Pelosi form of governing if they went along with the “Gang of Six” proposal. Remember what Pelosi said about Obamacare, “We have to pass the bill to find out what is in it.”

Senate and House Republicans will be making the same mistake if they agree to the “Gang of Six” proposal. Nobody knows what the details are or how the proposal would affect the state of the already struggling economy by raising an estimated $1 trillion in new taxes. It’s not a revenue problem, it’s a spending problem.

Daily Caller: Barack to business as usual

07/20/2011

“It’s no different than what happened under eight years of George Bush and eight years of Bill Clinton.” — Obama White House official

If you were a Democratic president who campaigned on changing the way Washington works and holding your administration to a higher standard, would you tape campaign fundraising videos in the White House Map Room of all places, even if it is perhaps technically legal?

Of course you wouldn’t. But then why is President Obama doing exactly that?

Cagle Post: Cut, Cap, and Balance Vote Today

07/19/2011

Today the House of Representatives will be voting on one of the most important pieces of legislation that it will take up in the 112th Congress. The Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011, if passed, would put America back on the path towards fiscal responsibility. We are a nation in economic crisis thanks to our $14 trillion national debt and continued runaway spending. President Obama and the Democrats in Congress refuse to introduce a feasible plan that will help address the crisis. The Cut, Cap, and Balance Act is the right piece of legislation at the right time.

“Cut,” “cap,” and “balance” are three simple words that President Obama doesn’t seem to have in his lexicon. The Cut, Cap, and Balance reform package, if passed, will put into law these critical steps in reducing our $14 trillion national debt:

1. Cut – Cuts total spending by $111 billion in the FY 2012 budget.

2. Cap – Caps total federal spending from 22.5% of GDP in 2012 to 19.9% of GDP in 2021.

3. Balance – Requires the passage of the Balance Budget Amendment before the raising of the nation’s debt limit.

Please click here to view the op-ed.

LETTER TO CONGRESS: Support Cut, Cap, and Balance Act

07/18/2011

Today, on behalf of over 500,000 members and supporters of Citizens United, I urged all members of the House of Representatives to vote “YES” on the upcoming vote on the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act. All votes on this issue will be considered for Citizens United's 2011 Congressional Ratings. This is the fourth vote alert we have issued for our Ratings. Please see the first two regarding the repeal of Obamacare here and here, and the third on the debt ceiling here.

Please see the full letter to Congress below:

Citizens United’s 2011 Congressional Ratings Vote Alert 4 - House Cut, Cap, Balance

80% Of Americans Want A Tax Increase?

07/15/2011

There he goes again. President Obama today laughably claimed that 80 percent of Americans want a tax increase to help bring down our nation’s debt. Just yesterday, Rasmussen had a poll saying 55 percent OPPOSE tax increases in a new debt deal. This Administration is astoundingly tone deaf. The unemployment rate is at a crippling 9.2 percent, and Americans are struggling because of the failed economic policies of the Obama Administration. President Obama has yet to offer a credible plan to create jobs or get us out of the debt crisis. Instead, he resorts to scare tactics and temper tantrums to get his way.

Thankfully, House Republicans will be introducing the Cut, Cap, and Balance reform package next week. “Cut,” “cap,” and “balance” are three simple words that President Obama doesn't seem to have in his lexicon. The Cut, Cap, and Balance reform package puts into legislative language the three core beliefs of the Cut, Cap, and Balance Pledge:

1. Cut - Substantial cuts in spending that will reduce the deficit next year and thereafter.

2. Cap - Enforceable spending caps that will put federal spending on a path to a balanced budget.

3. Balance - Congressional passage of a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution -- but only if it includes both a spending limitation and a super-majority for raising taxes, in addition to balancing revenues and expenses.

House Republicans are putting forth a plan that will rescue the American economy from an economic abyss. They are leading, while President Obama and his Democrat friends do nothing but pout and propose the same tired liberal policies that have cost our economy jobs and wealth. Please go to the Cut, Cap, and Balance website today and sign the pledge to encourage your members of Congress to support these principles so your voice can be heard in Washington.

Obama's Temper Tantrum

07/14/2011

Yesterday, President Obama threw a temper tantrum like a two year old and stormed out of a meeting that he personally called for on the debt crisis. President Obama has become unhinged and is resorting to scare tactics and childish behavior in an attempt to win the media spin cycle. He is playing politics with our economic future and will not stray away from the liberal ideas that have caused our country so much harm. For fourteen straight weeks, over 400,000 jobs have been lost due to President Obama’s failed economic policies. During that time, Obama has raised over $80 million for his reelection campaign and the Democrat National Committee. Obama sole focus is to get reelected, not to govern at a time of economic crisis. The election is sixteen months away, and it seems like the only job President Obama wants to save is his own - resorting even to tantrums to do it.

Cagle Post: Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

07/12/2011

With the monthly unemployment rate rising to 9.2 percent last week and only 18,000 jobs created in the month of June – the economic outlook is very bleak for America. Already, July is looking like another stagnant job month with over 400,000 Americans already getting the pink slip in the first week. Our economy has shed over 400,000 jobs each week for thirteen weeks now. These numbers are simply unacceptable and President Obama’s failed policies and irresponsible priorities are to blame.

Where are the jobs President Obama promised back in January 2009? Back then, the Obama Administration predicted that the jobless rate would not surpass 8 percent if the stimulus bill passed. Of course, the stimulus bill did pass, and we haven’t seen unemployment below 8 percent since.

The failed stimulus has done nothing to put the economy on the right path towards prosperity – in fact, it cost the American taxpayer $278,000 per job created. The Obama stimulus plan was nothing but a lesson in how to waste almost a trillion dollars in taxpayer funds. (Read Citizens United’s exclusive report on where the stimulus money went.)

Read more of the Op-Ed here

Here Come The Scare Tactics

07/12/2011

President Obama today threatened that if a deal is not reached on the debt crisis that Social Security checks might not go out on August 3rd. This is purely political posturing intended to scare vulnerable Americans and win the PR battle in the debt negotiations. The President has the power to make sure that Social Security, Veterans, and disability checks are sent out on schedule in the event of a debt default; there is enough money in the Treasury to pay for these benefits.

It is the reckless liberal policies of the Obama Administration that have exploded our national debt to $14 trillion. President Obama has failed the American public. The Obama Administration has known for months that August 2nd would be the deadline to get a deal done on the debt, and they have not acted with an honest hand. If debt negotiations break down and Social Security checks do not go out on August 3rd, the onus falls directly on the President himself.

Politico: Should Speaker John Boehner watch his back?

07/11/2011

In an economy where we have been shedding over 400,000 jobs for 13 straight weeks - tax hikes on American families are not the answer. What we saw over the weekend is a classic debate between liberals and conservatives. Liberals see government as the answer to our nation’s problems. conservatives see more freedom and opportunity as the answer to creating jobs.

Read more at Politico

Unemployment Up To 9.2 Percent: Does the White House Even Care?

07/08/2011

With the unemployment rate rising once again to 9.2 percent, only 18,000 jobs created in the month of June, and 400,000 workers losing their jobs for the thirteenth straight week, the question must be asked of the President, "Where are the jobs you promised back in January 2009?" Back then, the Obama Administration predicted that the jobless rate would not surpass 8 percent if the stimulus bill passed. Of course, the stimulus bill did pass, and we haven't seen unemployment below 8 percent since.

The failed stimulus has done nothing to put the economy on the right path towards prosperity - in fact it cost the American taxpayer $278,000 per job created. The Obama stimulus plan was nothing but a lesson in how to waste almost a trillion dollars in taxpayer funds. (So, where did the money go? Read our exclusive report.)

Americans are struggling and need real leadership in Washington. President Obama and the Democrats in Congress have led us into the economic abyss that we are now in. In 2009, they had a chance to reach a bipartisan consensus about how to fix the economy and instead chose the partisan path – the path their special interests wanted.

Today marks the 800th day since Democrats in Washington last passed a budget and it is no coincidence that our $14 trillion debt continues to skyrocket. How can the federal government be successful in paying down its debt without a budget? As debt ceiling negotiations continue this weekend, Republicans must hold the line on stopping any tax increases. With this horrible jobs report, the American people need a larger tax burden like they need another trillion dollars added to our debt.

President Obama seems lost in dealing with our economic crisis because he is so fixated on pushing the same old liberal ideas that just feed the status quo and make it worse. More government control and spending are no prescription for an economic recovery. The Obama Administration saying today that Americans do not care about the unemployment rate just shows that their heads are in the sand. The only people in the entire nation who don't seem to care about the high jobless rate are the ones sitting in the White House. 2012 is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Over 400,000 Lost Again Last Week

07/07/2011

For the thirteenth straight week over 400,000 Americans lost their jobs. The failed economic policies of the Obama Administration have led America down a path where losing over 400,000 jobs a week has become the new normal. President Obama has not led on the economy and refuses to produce a new plan that will create jobs. The one plan his Administration did produce was the failed stimulus that is estimated to have cost the American taxpayer $278,000 per job created. This lack of effective leadership should not be a surprise. In 2008 America elected a liberal community organizer to fix our economy. We need real leaders who understand what makes the American economy the envy of the world and how to keep us prosperous.

To get America moving again we must Cut, Cap, and Balance our spending and bring down our $14 trillion national debt. Today, President Obama will meet with Congressional leaders about the debt. He must present a bold plan that will make hard decisions in cutting entitlement programs. America needs real leadership from the White House, but to date it has been the same old failed liberal policies of class warfare, scaring seniors, and blaming straw men for political gain.

Politico: The Minnesota Ideological Battle

07/05/2011

What is happening in Minnesota is an ideological battle between conservatives and liberals. Mark Dayton, Minnesota’s ultra liberal governor supports a state budget larger than $34 billion. Conservatives in the Minnesota state legislature argue that the state must live within its means, and cannot afford a budget over $34 billion. While the two sides are talking billions not trillions like the debate that is going on in Washington, the Minnesota battle is a showcase of the larger debate that is facing America.

Conservatives want less government in the lives of citizens and liberals want more. Liberals support the failed status quo, and conservatives support the difficult changes that are necessary to make life better for our children and grandchildren. The problem with the liberal argument is that they need money to fund those governmental programs that is no longer available.

Politico: Obama Playing Class Warfare

07/05/2011

Part of the Obama administration’s modus operandi is to play class warfare. The Obama administration latest target to solve our $14 trillion national debt is to close a supposed tax loophole for “corporate jet owners.” The reality is the Treasury Department will only receive $3 billion over the course of a decade if the supposed loophole is closed.

God Bless America and Happy Independence Day!

07/01/2011

Monday July 4^th marks our country’s 235^th birthday. As you celebrate Independence Day weekend with your family and friends, be sure to celebrate the fact that we live in a country in which certain rights – given to us by God – cannot be taken away by any government.

The first 110 words from the Declaration of Independence are the foundation for our exceptional nation:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

God Bless America and Happy Independence Day!

Politico: Is President Obama's Jewish support slipping?

06/30/2011

As Danny Danon, a member of the Knesset said of President Obama, “Israel will not pay [Obama's] private tuition as he tries to understand the essence of the conflict.”

Daily Caller: Walk the walk, Mr. President

06/30/2011

During the 2008 election campaign, then-Senator Barack Obama knocked fellow candidate John Edwards for benefiting from the same outside spending groups he criticized:

“So you can’t say yesterday you don’t believe in them, and today you have three quarters of a million dollars being spent on you. You can’t just talk the talk. The easiest thing in the world is to talk about change during election time.”

Priorities USA, a super PAC headed by Bill Burton, the former deputy press secretary at the Obama White House, launched a television ad campaign attacking Republicans today. A super PAC is a federal PAC that only makes independent expenditures in support of or in opposition to candidates. These super PACs were made possible because of the Citizens United and Speech Now cases.

Read more of the Op-Ed here

Politico: Will "Cut, Cap and Balance" work?

06/28/2011

Citizens United signed the “Cut Cap & Balance” pledge because it is the only plan out there that deals with America’s debt crisis. America is in unchartered waters, our debt is unsustainable and future generations will suffer if we do not take concrete action now. In hard economic times American families cut, cap, and balance their own budgets at home. It is time for the federal government to follow suit. President Obama came to Washington on a promise to change the status quo. Under Obama’s stewardship our national debt has gone up $4 trillion. When the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, says, “The most significant threat to our national security is our debt,” hard measures must be taken. Read more at Politico

Cagle Post: Cut, Cap, Balance

06/28/2011

This could be a seminal week in Washington. President Obama will finally be kicking off the debt negotiations at the White House with Senate leaders Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell. Since May, the Treasury Department has been shifting money around so America does not default on its $14 trillion debt. Those treasury tactics will run out in early August and it is feasible that America will default to its foreign creditors at that time.

True leaders lead and President Obama has been AWOL on the debt crisis. So where has Obama been for nearly two months? What we do know is that President Obama was in New York City raising money for his $1 billion reelection campaign last week. It seems like the only deadline President Obama is worried about is June 30th – when the books are closed for second quarter fundraising. President Obama is more concerned about being reelected than governing. It is not even 2012 yet, and the President is already on a campaign footing.

America is truly at a crossroads with over $14 trillion in debt and 9.1 percent unemployment. President Obama has not produced a legitimate plan to help get Americans back to work. Last week, the government announced that new weekly unemployment claims went up more than expected to 429,000. This is the 11th week in a row that new unemployment claims were over 400,000. The Obama Administration said last year would have a “Recovery Summer,” but they were relying on the failed stimulus bill that was passed over two years ago. One year later, America’s economic engine is still stuck in reverse, and this month’s unemployment numbers do not look promising.

Read more of the Op-Ed here

Read the Cut, Cap, Balance Pledge here

POLITICO: Are Hill Democrats hypocritical on campaign cash?

06/28/2011

Can anyone guess who said this about outside groups on the campaign trail in 2007?

President Obama made it a daily habit to bash the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision. From his weekly radio addresses to speeches on the stump, President Obama seemed obsessed with casting sinister aspersions on the decision.

In one instance he ominously said, “But this summer, they’re also seeing a flood of attack ads run by shadowy groups with harmless-sounding names,” like Priorities USA perhaps! I wonder if President Obama will be making those same kinds of statements about the Democratic super PACs that will come to his defense in 2012 when his own name is on the ballot?

Citizens United Releases June Edition of Obama Biden Watch

06/25/2011

In This Issue:

The Democrats' "Mouth of the South"
Obama Walking The Tightrope With Israel
The Madness Needs To Stop
Andrew Breitbart's Victory Lap
Citizens United Productions - A City Upon A Hill: The Spirit of American Exceptionalism
Final Thoughts from Citizens United President David N. Bossie

Obama Biden Watch - Volume 3 Issue 6 - June 2011

Politico: Obama/Reid To Blame For Debt Talks Breaking Down

06/24/2011

President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Reid are the ones who need to make a deal with Speaker Boehner. President Obama has been completely disengaged with these important talks. As Senate Minority Leader McConnell said yesterday, where in the “world” has President Obama been the past month? Unfortunately, you only have to look at Obama’s schedule and it is filled with fundraisers for his $1 billion reelection campaign.

Senate Majority Leader Reid has been AWOL by not producing a budget in over two years. Small businesses across the country could not be successful if they did not follow a strict budget. This failed leadership has only made our fiscal problems worse. How can the federal government be successful in paying down its debt without a budget?

Read more at Politico

Bad News On The Jobs Front

06/23/2011

The government announced this morning that new unemployment claims rose more than expected last week to 429,000. This is the 11th week in a row that the new unemployment claims were over 400,000. The Obama Administration said last year would be a “Recovery Summer.” That obviously did not pan out and America’s economic engine is stuck in reverse.

It is a sad state of affairs, when the Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says, “We don't have a precise read on why this slower pace of growth is persisting.” President Obama has not had a clear economic plan that would lead to a long term recovery. His solution has always been that government could fix it. Government is not the solution; we must let private industry lead us out of this economic quagmire.

The Obama Administration’s failed economic policies have not increased employment, but have increased our ever growing $14 trillion national debt. America needs bold leadership from the White House, not the same old liberal policies that have trickled out from this administration.

POLITICO: David N. Bossie's response to 'Can Obama split the difference on Afghanistan?'

06/22/2011

President Obama’s reported plan of withdrawing 5,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year and withdrawing the additional 30,000 plus surge troops by year’s end 2012 is the wrong policy. Withdrawing those forces so quickly could lead to a power struggle in Afghanistan where the Taliban could crawl back out of the hole they have been hiding in since the surge took place. We must not revert back to a pre-September 11th mentality.

Read more at Politico

Cagel Post: It Pays to Be a F.O.B. – Friend of Barack

06/21/2011

President Obama was swept in to office on promises of hope, change, and a new way of doing business in Washington. That new way of doing business is proving to be anything but. Rather than following through on pledges of reform and transparency the Obama Administration is going to great lengths to reward special interests, ingratiate itself to union bosses, all while evading the transparency that Obama had deemed so essential. The presidency is at its core a commitment to the American people – it is a promise to faithfully execute the laws of the United States, to do what is best for the nation, not what is best for one’s political supporters. This is a promise that the Obama Administration has tragically broken.

Want to Talk in Private? A Coffee Shop is Far More Discreet than the White House

The Obama administration boasts of its “unprecedented” transparency achieved by placing select records of White House visitor logs on its website. The visitor logs allegedly allow you to see who has got the ear of the President and his staff. You can view how often labor union bosses, lobbyists, and special interest group representatives stop by the White House to influence policy.

It sounds like a nice way to hold the administration accountable – until you learn how they circumvent this transparency measure. First, only visitors to the West Wing are logged. In other words, if you don’t meet with a lobbyist in a certain office, you won’t be on the official record. So where do Obama’s advisors choose to meet with lobbyists? There are many offices in the White House complex that are not logged and made publically available – one commonly used “off the grid” space is the White House Conference Center.

Read the full op-ed here

The National Conservative Fourth of July Soiree

06/21/2011

Join the Leadership Institute and other sponsoring conservative organizations for the best family party of the year! The National Conservative Fourth of July Soiree celebrates its 40th anniversary this summer, and is a great way to celebrate our nation’s founding with family and friends.

This FREE event features food, a live patriotic band, a petting zoo and fun of the kids, field games, and MUCH more! The first 400 guests will receive a conservative book, compliments of the event sponsors. Come enjoy the all-you-can-eat barbeque, snow cones, soft drinks, and fellowship with like-minded conservatives! Bring your favorite side dish or dessert to share, and be sure to invite your family and friends.Directions

Take I-66 to exit 52 (Route 29) in Centreville, VA. Drive 2 miles south on Route 29. Turn left onto Bull Run Post Office Road and follow the signs to park. Please RSVP by June 30th at our website www.LeadershipInstitute.org/soiree or call (703) 247-2000. Once you RSVP, a free parking pass will be emailed to you.

Politico Arena: Should Obama donors get plum government jobs?

06/15/2011

When you sell “hope” and “change” to the American people and then hire your 2008 campaign’s deputy finance director as a special assistant for presidential personnel, something doesn’t smell right. The American public hates hypocrisy and the story that broke Wednesday in POLITICO reeks of the hypocrisy President Obama campaigned against in 2008. When 80 percent of your top bundlers who raised more than $500,000 for the 2008 campaign land “key administration posts,” you are just playing the same old Washington games. I wonder what jobs will be for sale in the upcoming $1 billion 2012 campaign?

Read more at Politico

Chaffetz’s Amendment Cuts $1.8 billion

06/14/2011

As a supporter of the Republican Study Committee’s “Cut, Cap, and Balance” pledge, Citizens United today endorsed Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz’s amendment that would cut an additional 10.4 percent or $1.8 billion, from the FY12 Department of Agriculture Appropriations Bill. The Chaffetz amendment will smartly cut the bureaucratic Food for Peace program as well as cut duplicative research programs at the USDA. America is facing a debt crisis, and although $1.8 billion is small compared to our $14 trillion national debt, the cuts will save money for the American taxpayer. This amendment is a step in the right direction; Citizens United hopes the House passes this important amendment.

Cagle Post: The Democrats’ ‘Mouth of the South’

06/13/2011

There is a golden rule in politics that says “do no harm” when you open your mouth. Since being officially elected as Chair of the Democrat National Committee (DNC) on May 4th, it appears Debbie Wasserman Schultz (DWS) may not be aware of this saying. Initially, the conventional wisdom on the left was that the outspoken Florida Congresswoman would be a solid pick to lead the DNC. Vice President Joe Biden wrote in an email to supporters that “President Obama expressed great admiration for her as a leader, and he was honored that she accepted this important challenge on behalf of the Democratic Party.” New York’s senior Senator Chuck Schumer went as far as to issue a statement warning that “the Republican presidential nominee will come to regret that Debbie was tapped for this job.”

After only a little more than a month on the job, President Obama must be doing a lot of second-guessing about his choice to put DWS in charge of the national Democrat party machine during his re-election campaign. Since her tenure began, DWS has proven to be a bona-fide gaffe machine while illustrating questionable judgment by making a wide range of foolish and otherwise false statements.

Two of the first lessons newly elected leaders of political parties are generally taught is to concentrate on raising money and to always stay on message. Many of the words DWS has chosen to date are well off the political reservation and have caused major blowback. Simply put, she has wandered off message. If President Obama’s goal is to keep independent voters in states like Colorado, Indiana, Nevada, North Carolina, and Virginia in his column, the inflammatory left-wing language coming from DWS is clearly not wooing the independent voters that will be vital for the 2012 election.

Read the full op-ed here

POLITICO Arena: On DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz

06/10/2011

Two of the first lessons newly elected leaders of political parties are generally taught is to concentrate on raising money and to always stay on message. Many of the words new DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz has chosen to date are well off the political reservation and have caused major blowback.

Daily Caller: Liberals Owe Breitbart An apology

06/08/2011

As all of Washington was preparing for the long Memorial Day weekend, Andrew Breitbart and his crack team of reporters were running down sources for a story that would eventually rock Washington and New York. Making sure they had the story correct — Congressman Anthony Weiner had sent a lewd Twitter message to a college student in Washington State — Breitbart’s team at BigGovernment.com posted the story late on the night of May 27th.

Congressman Weiner initially claimed that his Twitter account was hacked and that the hacker tweeted the lewd photo from his account. Hacking someone’s account is a serious crime, especially if the victim is a U.S. Congressman with a national security clearance. What ensued was a blitz from the irrational left-wing blogosphere accusing Breitbart and the conservative blogger Dan Wolfe (who forwarded the original Weiner tweet to Breitbart) of being the hackers.

Read the full Op-Ed Here

Goolsbee’s Getting Off The Titanic

06/07/2011

On the same day the Weiner saga sucked up all the media attention in Washington, a more telling picture emerged that was not lewd in nature but showed the state of the Obama Administration’s economic policy. Austan Goolsbee, the head of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisors, is jumping ship and going back to Chicago at the end of the summer. I guess when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Even President Obama has stopped holding his daily economic briefings.

With the economy only producing 54,000 jobs in May, and the unemployment rate ticking up to 9.1 percent, President Obama’s failed economic policies are coming to roost. President Obama and his team have taken our exceptionally American economy of capitalism, and are trying to convert it into a European style of socialism. Can anybody say Carter 2.0!?

Remembering The Longest Day

06/06/2011

Sixty-seven years ago today, the “Greatest Generation” stormed the beaches of Normandy, France and began the liberation of Europe from Hitler and Nazi, Germany. D-Day was a big risk for the Allies, because if they failed, Hitler could have gotten back on the offensive. No other nation could have massed the amount of troops and materials necessary to liberate Europe. It was truly an exceptional moment in American history.

Citizens United Productions had a great opportunity to film a decorated World War II and Normandy veteran in our latest documentary A City Upon A Hill: The Spirit of American Exceptionalism. Born in Chicago, Carmen Miceli was 17 when he joined the Army. With the permission of his parents, he volunteered for a year of military service in April of 1941. Later that year the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and America was thrust into World War II.

An infantry sergeant, Carmen Miceli says of his fellow comrades, “You got your buddies, you can’t help but bond with them and you protect each other - that’s the name of the game in the infantry.”

In A City Upon A Hill, Carmen Miceli shares the emotional story of how a heroic act by one of his fellow soldiers saved his life. One of the members of his platoon, named Amijan Lazar, made the ultimate sacrifice: “He saved the whole squad, instead of going this way, he went that way and bumped into a machine gun, took the machine gun, knocked them out, bullets through him, he was killed. He got the Distinguished Service Cross, second from the Congressional Medal of Honor.”

The story of the selfless actions of Amijan Lazar to save his fellow soldiers is a great testament to every American soldier. Without their heroic acts, our world could have ultimately floundered in the face of tyranny.

For his service, Carmen Miceli received four Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for valor. Miceli brought the same work ethic that he learned in the United States Army back home after the war and became a very successful restaurateur. A member of the “Greatest Generation,” Carmen Miceli has lived the American dream, and his story is uniquely American. The coming great debate about whether or not America is an exceptional nation should be an open and closed case based upon what happened on June 6, 1944 alone.

Weiner Needs To Go

06/06/2011

Congressman Weiner admits to twittering lewd photos and sexting but will NOT resign. Weiner has no shame, and should end his political career like other Congressmen wrapped up in sex scandals. America is facing a number of serious issues like fighting two wars and having a $14 trillion debt. If Congressman Weiner really cared about his country he should have resigned immediately. I guess he just cares about himself.

9.1% Unemployment: Obama Economic Policies Failing America

06/03/2011

With the economy adding a disappointing 54,000 jobs and the unemployment rate rising to 9.1 percent, Obama’s jobs plan has been a bust. Americans are hurting and the President has only relied on the same old liberal policies of the past that have failed the American people time and again. From his debt-busting stimulus to Obamacare, President Obama continues to lead America down the wrong path. When will President Obama start concentrating on growing the economy instead of handing out favors to special interest groups?

How Cutting Waste from Homeland Security Protects Our National Security

06/02/2011

The House of Representatives will vote today on an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill from Congressman Todd Rokita (R-IN) that will cut an additional 10% from its Fiscal Year 2012 budget, saving $3.54 billion from current spending levels.

DHS, like other departments in the federal government, has become bloated and is wasting taxpayer money. A 2006 audit of DHS by the Defense Contract Audit Agency unveiled 32 contracts worth $34.3 billion plagued with waste, fraud, and abuse.

Rep. Rokita’s commonsense amendment will keep border security funding as is, and will not hamper the fight against radical Islam and other critical Homeland Security measures. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen has said, “The most significant threat to our national security is our debt,” so it is especially appropriate that we cut waste in the Department of Homeland Security.

With our $14 trillion debt endangering future generations of Americans, it will take many courageous amendments like Congressman Todd Rokita’s to get our fiscal house in order.

Learn more about why our debt is the #1 threat to our national security by watching the video below:

More Than 50% Of House Democrats Vote For Business As Usual In “Clean” Debt Ceiling Vote

06/02/2011

When the debt ceiling debate began not long ago, the Obama Administration was demanding a “clean” debt vote. On Tuesday, even 82 House Democrats said “no way” to this irresponsible position! This is a rebuke of President Obama’s initial call to action concerning the debt and it highlights how out-of-touch he is with everyday Americans.

But 97 of the 192-member House Democrat caucus voted to continue the failing status quo by voting in favor of increasing the debt limit by another $2.4 trillion to an unimaginable $16.7 trillion. These 97 Democrats bucked the will of the American people by saying they will continue the out-of-control spending and business-as-usual that will cripple America for generations to come.

Thankfully the vote to raise the debt ceiling failed 318 – 97 and a line has been drawn in the sand; the debt limit will not be increased unless it is accompanied by substantial spending cuts and reforms.

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen has said, “The most significant threat to our national security is our debt.” The time has come to have a serious debate on how to cut our dangerously high $14 trillion national debt. President Obama, America (and almost half of your own party in the House) wants to get our country's books in order. Are you ready to join us?

Here are the 97 House Democrats who voted to put us $2.4 trillion more in debt:

Berman

Blumenauer

Brady (PA)

Capuano

Carson (IN)

Clarke (MI)

Clarke (NY)

Clay

Cleaver

Cohen

Connolly (VA)

Cooper

Davis (IL)

DeGette

Dicks

Dingell

Doyle

Edwards

Ellison

Engel

Eshoo

Farr

Fattah

Filner

Frank (MA)

Fudge

Garamendi

Gonzalez

Green, Al

Grijalva

Gutierrez

Hanabusa

Heinrich

Himes

Hirono

Holt

Honda

Jackson (IL)

Jackson Lee (TX)

Johnson, E. B.

Kildee

Kucinich

Larsen (WA)

Larson (CT)

Lee (CA)

Lofgren, Zoe

Lowey

Luján

Lynch

Maloney

Markey

Matsui

McCarthy (NY)

McCollum

McDermott

McGovern

Miller (NC)

Moore

Moran

Murphy (CT)

Nadler

Neal

Olver

Pascrell

Pastor (AZ)

Payne

Perlmutter

Pingree (ME)

Price (NC)

Quigley

Richmond

Rothman (NJ)

Roybal-Allard

Ruppersberger

Rush

Sánchez, Linda T.

Sarbanes

Schakowsky

Scott (VA)

Serrano

Sewell

Sherman

Sires

Speier

Stark

Thompson (MS)

Tonko

Tsongas

Velázquez

Waters

Watt

Waxman

Weiner

Welch

Wilson (FL)

Woolsey

Yarmuth

VIDEO: Who Buys Our Debt?

06/01/2011

The #1 Threat to Our National Security is Not What You Think

Cagel Post: Nefarious Nations Holding America’s Debt

06/01/2011

It is going to be a long hot summer as Congress and the Obama Administration debate how best to bring down America’s $14 trillion debt. Our crushing debt is as much a national security threat as it is an economic disaster. Many nations own our enormous amounts of debt, some of these entities are nefarious in nature – like China, Russia, and OPEC. If these nations sell off our debt, they can wield great power over America.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, said last year, “The most significant threat to our national security is our debt.” The Obama Administration must find a way to cut trillions - not billions - when it comes to our crippling debt. America is at a crossroads, where we can act boldly now, or put our security at risk by doing nothing.

According to President Obama’s own budget, interest payments for the national debt will quadruple from $186.9 billion in 2009 to $768.2 billion in 2020. That equals $2,500 for every man, woman, and child to pay off just the interest to our national debt every year. The American taxpayer will be drowning in the interest we pay. Remember, the $768.2 billion Americans will be paying in 2020 does not bring down our national debt; it just pays off the interest the debt has accrued!

Read the full op-ed here

Cagel Post: The Madness Needs To Stop

05/31/2011

With a debt vote taking place in the House of Representatives later today, the debate over America’s unsustainable $14 trillion national debt is sure to intensify. The clean debt vote – a straight up or down vote on whether to raise the debt ceiling without any spending cuts, as President Obama called for at first – is more of a symbolic vote and will fail in the House. The clean debt vote is meant to send a clear message to President Obama and Democrats in Congress that the status quo is not working for America.

The Obama Administration says it would be irresponsible not to raise the debt ceiling; we say it would be irresponsible to raise the ceiling without offsetting cuts of the same amount. Congress has raised the debt ceiling 98 times since 1940, without cutting back on any spending. The clean debt vote will lay down a very telling marker that the 99th raising of the debt ceiling will not follow the model of years past.

In millions of homes across the country, families sit around the kitchen table and work on a budget that will not break the bank. Washington needs to follow what American families are doing each and every day. The American people have spoken: this time there will be no debt ceiling increase without substantial cuts and reforms.

Read the full op-ed here

LETTER TO CONGRESS: Oppose Raising the Debt Ceiling

05/27/2011

Today, on behalf of over 500,000 members and supporters of Citizens United, I urged all members of the House of Representatives to vote “NO” on the upcoming “clean” vote on increasing the debt ceiling. Any votes on the debt ceiling will be considered for Citizens United's 2011 Congressional Ratings. This is the third vote alert we have issued for our Ratings. Please see the first two regarding the repeal of Obamacare here and here.

Please see the full letter to Congress below:

Citizens United’s 2011 Congressional Ratings Vote Alert 3

Cagel Post: Remembering Our Fallen

05/27/2011

As Americans come together to celebrate Memorial Day there is a renewed sense of patriotic pride with the successful mission that killed Osama bin Laden. The Navy SEALs, who truly serve at the tip of the spear of American military might, showed the world the capability and determination of our armed forces, and we at Citizens United are truly grateful for them.

From the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror, Americans have time and again answered the call to duty. Without the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform each and every day, you and I could not enjoy the freedom that America provides. Memorial Day is a chance for all Americans to reflect on and remember those service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Citizens United Productions had a great opportunity to film a decorated World War II veteran in our latest documentary A City Upon A Hill: The Spirit of American Exceptionalism. Born in Chicago, Carmen Miceli was 17 when he joined the Army. With the permission of his parents, he volunteered for a year of military service in April of 1941. Later that year the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and America was thrust into World War II.

Read the full op-ed here

Barney Frank's "Partnership" with Fannie Mae

05/26/2011

This morning it was reported that, as a member of the House Financial Services Committee, Barney Frank helped his partner get a job with mortgage giant Fannie Mae in the early 1990s. Apparently, Fannie Mae “rolled out the red carpet” for Frank’s then-partner in an attempt to try to get on the good side of the Congressman.

Apparently this strategy worked. Barney Frank, who infamously wanted to "roll the dice" on sub-prime housing and not "focus on safety and soundness" of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, was a key defender and advocate of the poor lending practices for home mortgages that led to the housing collapse and ultimately the harsh downturn in the United States economy.

Frank is a prime example of what is wrong with Washington today. I hope the House Ethics Committee looks into these allegations immediately – it’s long overdue.

Wacky Parents Experiment On Their Kids

05/25/2011

A Canadian couple has decided to raise their child as a gender neutral baby - they are not revealing the child's sex to the public. The couple, who has two other boys and visited Cuba last year to learn about the “Revolution,” should have their heads examined. The simple fact is that we all should embrace the gender that God has given us. God made men and women different but equal, complementary, and unique in their own ways.

This Canadian couple will have a negative impact on their children's lives because they are imposing their radical lifestyle on their kids. Parenting is the most important job that one can have and this couple is failing their children by using them as guinea pigs in their social experiments. For shame.

Cagle Post: Obama Walking The Tightrope With Israel

05/24/2011

President Obama’s address at the State Department last Thursday damaged what had already been a shaky alliance with Israel since he was elected. In the address, President Obama said, “We believe the borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states.” Stating that the borders of Israel should be time warped back to 1967 is a nonstarter for Israel because it would threaten the security of the Israeli people.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the following in the Oval Office to President Obama, “While Israel is prepared to make generous compromises for peace; it cannot go back to the 1967 lines, because these lines are indefensible.” To fully understand this major foreign policy gaffe by President Obama, you have to look at the events surrounding the Six-Day War.

In the spring of 1967, Arab militaries, primarily from Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, and aided by other Middle Eastern countries, were amassing on the borders of Israel for a possible attack on the Jewish state. Israeli forces seized the initiative and launched a surprise attack on three fronts. At the time, the Israeli border was only nine miles wide between Samaria and the Mediterranean Sea. Within six days, the victorious Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) took control of the Gaza strip and the entire Sinai Peninsula in the south from Egypt. In the east the IDF seized control of Jerusalem as well as Samaria and Judea from Jordan. Finally, to the north the IDF captured the Golan Heights from Syria.

Read the full op-ed here

Stimulus Money To Tax Cheats

05/24/2011

In March, Citizens United released a report entitled “Where Did All That Stimulus Money Actually Go?” The report concluded that the staggering amounts of taxpayer funds spent in each Congressional District garnered so few positive results that it was a disgrace. Just today, it has been reported that more than $24 billion in stimulus money has been awarded to companies that owe $750 million in back taxes. President Obama forced Congress to rush the stimulus bill through the system without taking the time to build in adequate safeguards so things like this wouldn’t happen. In the end, the stimulus bill will go down in the history books as the quintessential boondoggle that has robbed the American taxpayer of precious treasure.

Citizens United Releases May Edition of Obama Biden Watch

05/20/2011

In This Issue:

Priorities USA
Debt Limit Breached
No More Games, Pakistan
"Santo Subito!"
Osama Bin Laden Dead...Now What?
Citizens United Productions - A City Upon A Hill: The Spirit of American Exceptionalism
Final Thoughts from Citizens United President David N. Bossie

Read the latest edition of the Newsletter at ObamaBidenWatch.org Obama Biden Watch - Volume 3 Issue 5 - May 2011

Daily Caller: Paying tribute to our armed forces

05/20/2011

On Saturday, the nation will celebrate the 51st Armed Forces Day. America’s all-volunteer military has proven time and again to be America’s best asset. Just a few weeks ago, the skills of the Navy SEALs were on full display when they successfully killed Osama bin Laden during a daring raid inside the borders of Pakistan. Without the combined armed forces of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard, our freedoms would be in jeopardy from enemies who want to do harm to our homeland, as well as those of our allies around the world.

Six years ago our soldiers waged a heroic battle during the Iraq War to capture the city of Fallujah. Citizens United Productions’ film “Perfect Valor,” a vivid war documentary narrated by Senator Fred Thompson, tells the true story of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Fallujah. When you watch the documentary, you will see why America has the best military in the world. The men and women featured in “Perfect Valor” are this generation’s “Band of Brothers” and their stories vividly illustrate the courage our men and women in uniform display on the battlefield each and every day.

Obama Sells Out Israel

05/19/2011

Today President Obama endorsed the Palestinians' demand for Israel to go back to the 1967 borders. This is a huge development for all parties and basically has left Israel and its security dangling in the wind. Since capturing the land during the 1967 war, Israel has maintained a buffer around those borders in order to protect itself from ongoing attacks. The Obama Administration's disregard for the only true democracy in the Middle East is a disgrace and essentially throws our greatest ally in the region under the bus.

White House Shutting Out Press For Unfavorable Coverage

05/18/2011

As President Obama tours the country to raise funds for his $1 billion reelection campaign, it seems that the White House Press Office is taking this opportunity to punish news organizations for coverage it deems unfavorable. The Boston Herald has been denied access to President Obama today because the White House believes the Herald has not been treating the President “fairly.” Of course, to the White House, fair coverage would amount to simply reprinting their official statements and press releases.

Given President Obama’s penchant to be a little loose with his words at fundraisers - like when he infamously said, “It's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations,” during a 2008 fundraiser in San Francisco - it should not come as a shock that the White House wants to be in a position to control the press who would report on it.

After the media failed to vet President Obama during the 2008 elections, from protecting him from Jeremiah Wright stories, to letting the birth certificate charade continue for years, to not demanding his college records, it is more important than ever for the President and his reelection campaign to be subject to a critical press.

The mainstream media is already too cozy with this Administration, and yet the White House still feels the need to rule with an iron fist in choosing who should and shouldn't cover the President. They want to try to go back to their glory days in 2008 when Obama could do and say anything to get elected and the media and voters would accept it uncritically.

But this time, they can't hide President Obama’s failed policies and the American people won't be fooled again.

Cagle Post: Debt Limit Breached

05/17/2011

Our national debt surpassed $14.294 trillion today, breaking through the debt ceiling set forth by Congress. How America got to this point is crystallized in the Obama Administration’s own Fiscal Year 2012 budget. It was released just three months ago and, despite our country being knee deep in an enormous fiscal crisis, does not mention any meaningful entitlement reform at all. In fact, President Obama said at the time that it was not his place to offer a plan to bring down America’s debt: “…if you look at the history of how these deals get done, typically it’s not because there’s an Obama plan out there.”

A President has to lead, but when it comes to the national debt, President Obama has been MIA. Without any leadership from the White House the burden falls to Congress. Over a thousand people took Citizens United’s Facebook poll over the weekend, and an overwhelming majority believes that Congress will not have the courage to reform Medicare and Social Security this year. To bring down our debt, real reform of entitlement programs must be done. If not, the national debt will continue to spiral out of control making life that much more difficult for future generations.

The Treasury Department can still pay America’s creditors up until August 2nd, at that point if a deal on raising the debt ceiling is not reached in Congress then America will default on its obligations. There is still time for a deal to be reached, but that deal must include real cuts and reforms or we will be back at this same point again soon, only with higher debt. Enacting the cuts necessary to get us back on stable ground will be both painful and difficult. It will take a courageous coalition of Americans willing to do the right thing for our children and grandchildren; something President Obama has failed to do so far.

Read the full op-ed here

Debt Limit Breached: Who Will Have The Courage To Solve This Crisis?

05/16/2011

Our national debt surpassed $14.294 trillion today breaking through the debt ceiling set forth by Congress. How America got to this point is crystallized in the Obama Administration’s own Fiscal Year 2012 budget. It was released just three months ago and, despite our country being knee deep in an enormous fiscal crisis, does not mention any meaningful entitlement reform at all. In fact, President Obama said at the time that it was not his place to offer a plan to bring down America’s debt: “…if you look at the history of how these deals get done, typically it’s not because there’s an Obama plan out there.”

A President has to lead, and when it comes to the national debt, President Obama has been MIA. Without any leadership from the White House the burden falls to Congress. Over a thousand people took our Facebook poll over the weekend, and an overwhelming majority believes that Congress will not have the courage to reform Medicare and Social Security this year. To bring down our debt, real reform of entitlement programs must be done. If not, the national debt will continue to spiral out of control making life that much more difficult for future generations.

The Treasury Department can still pay America’s creditors up until August 2nd, at that point if a deal on raising the debt ceiling is not reached in Congress then America will default on its obligations. There is still time for a deal to be reached, but that deal must include real cuts and reforms or we will be back to this same point again soon only with higher debt. Enacting the cuts necessary to get us back on stable ground will be both painful and difficult. It will take a courageous coalition of Americans willing to do the right thing for our children and grandchildren; something President Obama has failed at so far.

Facebook Poll

05/13/2011

Please participate in our Facebook poll. Will Congress have the courage to reform Medicare and Social Security this calendar year?

Family Visits for GITMO Terrorists?!

05/12/2011

The Obama Administration may open up GITMO to detainees’ families so they can visit. If this action goes forward it will undermine our national security. GITMO detainees are the worst of the worst and I have no doubt that they would issue orders to other terrorists to direct attacks against America. Those held at GITMO are enemies of the state and should not be afforded the same rights as those who are in America's correctional system.

Cagle Post: Pakistan’s Short Leash

05/11/2011

With Osama bin Laden dead and buried thanks to the Navy SEALs, the Obama Administration needs to reevaluate America’s relationship with Pakistan. As Jay Leno joked last week, Osama bin Laden was not “hiding out” in Pakistan – he was living there! The United States has had a long and complicated relationship with the Pakistani government and its military and intelligence services. In some instances they have helped in the War on Terror but in others they have been a hindrance.

A case in point is this week’s outing of the Central Intelligence Agency’s Pakistan station chief for the second time in five months. The leak occurred in the Pakistani news media, and was probably orchestrated by the Inter Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI), the Pakistani intelligence service. The harm done by these leaks led to the recall of the first CIA station chief because he received death threats. Obviously, this was a disruption for the operation the CIA was running in a safe house near bin Laden’s now-infamous compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. By playing these games, the ISI is knowingly harming America’s War on Terror efforts.

Earlier this week, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Gilani addressed the Pakistani Parliament. He did not take any responsibility for Osama bin Laden being in his country. In fact, Prime Minister Gilani issued a threat to America by saying another such incursion would be met by the “full force” of the Pakistani military. Gilani went on to say how the ISI – which purportedly failed to find bin Laden right under its nose – was the best intelligence service in the world. This is just another example of the Pakistani government speaking out of both sides of its mouth.

Read the full op-ed here

Obama Wants Amnesty

05/10/2011

As President Obama gears up for his re-election fight, he was in Texas today promoting what amounts to amnesty for illegal immigrants. By granting amnesty, illegal immigrants will be able to cut in front of the line, while others going through the process legally get stuck in a quagmire of government bureaucracy. The reason President Obama is re-launching amnesty is because he cynically views it as a political win - he knows it has no chance of becoming law. What President Obama proposed today is just another political stunt to aid his $1 billion reelection campaign.

But President Obama was correct on one point - that the status quo is not working. America needs real immigration reform that will secure our borders once and for all. Congress needs to get tough on illegal immigration. The rule of law should prevail. The Obama Administration should enforce the laws on the books instead of just looking the other way.

Not long ago Citizens United Productions produced a hard-hitting documentary entitled Border War: The Battle Over Illegal Immigration. The film follows the stories of five individuals whose lives have been shaped by the effects of the massive rise in illegal immigration. From the widow of a Los Angeles County Sheriff who lost her husband at the hands of an illegal immigrant, to a U.S. Border Patrol agent on the front lines of this battle every day, Border War shows the threat of illegal immigration to our homeland. You can view the trailer of the documentary below and purchase this important film at www.BorderWarMovie.com.

Trailer for Border War: The Battle over Illegal Immigration

RED STATE: Administration Like Gang Who Can’t Shoot Straight, Thankfully SEALs Can

05/09/2011

It has been over a week since the Navy SEALs conducted the successful raid that killed Osama bin Laden. One would think the Obama Administration would have had a banner week since the successful operation against the man who killed nearly 3,000 people almost ten years ago. Unfortunately, like everything else the Obama Administration is a part of, they have mucked up what should have been the pinnacle of President Obama’s first term.

It started out with the Obama Administration eagerly getting out the details of the operation before the Navy SEALs were debriefed on their successful mission. The first report was that bin Laden fired on the SEALs and used a woman, possibly his wife, as a human shield. Both statements had to be walked back by the much maligned White House Press Secretary Jay Carney on Tuesday, when he talked from a script giving the “official” account.

Which takes us to the death photo of Osama bin Laden and its possible release. CIA Director Leon Panetta said in an interview with NBC News last Tuesday, “The government obviously has been talking about how best to do this, but I don’t think there was any question that ultimately a photograph would be presented to the public.” Nearly 1,500 people voted in our Facebook poll asking whether the Obama Administration should release the photo, and an overwhelming majority said YES. Unfortunately, it fell on deaf ears. Last Wednesday, one day removed from the Panetta pronouncement, Jay Carney went back to the podium and said that President Obama decided against releasing the death photo of Osama bin Laden.

Read the full op-ed here

Unemployment Back Up To 9 Percent

05/06/2011

The unemployment rate rose to 9 percent for the month of April. There was some job growth but a large percentage of that number can be attributed to a mass hiring of 62,000 by McDonald's. A staggering total of one million people applied for those McDonalds jobs. When the largest section of job growth is McDonald's, America’s economy has a systemic problem. Many Americans are underemployed, and the Obama Administration still has yet to offer a credible plan to create well paying jobs.

Daily Caller: Mother’s Day and the conservative movement

05/06/2011

The strength of America comes from the power of the American woman. I have been married for over ten years and my wife Susan and I have four children together ranging in ages from five months to nine years. My wife is the rock of our household who holds everything together. Without her, the family bond that we share would not exist. Susan comes from a long line of conservative American women who not only keep the family unit together but, more importantly, keep our nation together.

Women have long served as the backbone of the conservative movement. From the Founding Mothers of the Republic, to Clare Boothe Luce and Phyllis Schlafly, to today’s “Mama Grizzlies” like Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann, women have been at the heart of the movement.

Last fall, Citizens United Productions released “Fire from the Heartland,” a film about the awakening of the conservative woman. America is facing a number of challenges due to the failed policies of President Obama, and some of the loudest voices against these policies have been mothers. In the film, Michelle Malkin explains this maternal activism, saying, “We do not want our kids’ and our grandkids’ futures taken away from us and we’re going to stand up and do whatever we need to do to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Read the full op-ed here

Citizens United Files FOIA Request on Bin Laden Pictures

05/05/2011

On behalf of Citizens United and its 500,000 members, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, Citizens United is requesting any and all photographs and or videotapes taken during the Abbottabad raid conducted on May 1, 2011 that document the death of Usama bin Laden. We are also requesting any and all photographs and or videotapes created during the funeral and funeral preparations of Usama bin Laden carried out on or around the U.S.S. Carl Vinson.

Please see full request below.

Citizens United Bin Laden FOIA Request

Obama Says No To Osama bin Laden Death Photo

05/04/2011

President Obama’s decision not to release the Osama bin Laden death photo is alarming. You had CIA Director Leon Panetta just yesterday saying that the photo would eventually be released. War is a dirty business, and in the Arab world especially, the rumor mill has always run rampant. Not releasing the photo will only heighten conspiracy theories that the NAVY SEALs did not kill bin Laden. Thank you to the nearly 1,500 people who voted in our Facebook poll yesterday. By a clear margin you called on the Obama Administration to release the photo. Unfortunately, it fell on deaf ears.

UPDATE 5/5: Citizens United Files FOIA Request on Bin Laden Pictures

Daily Caller: Osama bin Laden is dead. Now what?

05/03/2011

All Americans are rejoicing this week upon the news that Osama bin Laden has been killed in a daring mission by a United States Special Forces team. It has been nearly ten years since the September 11th terrorist attacks claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people on American soil, and justice has been served to its main architect. With Osama bin Laden in the throes of hell, the focus now turns to the next chapter of the War on Terror and our involvement in the Middle East.

Unfortunately, some may call for the withdrawal of our troops from Afghanistan and the scaling back of our footprint in the Middle East. America must remain vigilant and not lapse into a pre-September 11th mindset. We are at war with radical Islam, and though the killing of Osama bin Laden is a major victory in our ongoing War on Terror, it will not be the final battle. America and our allies must identify and fight radical Islam wherever it crops up. If we ever lose our focus and resolve, we risk repeating the same mistakes that led to September 11th.

Radical Islamists’ main objective is to impose worldwide Sharia law, and they will not relent until that goal is met. Essentially, Sharia law is an ancient set of Islamic rules that commingles government and religion to the effect that government becomes the religion. Sharia is an extreme philosophy that is the antithesis of our cherished freedom of religion set forth in the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Read the full op-ed here

MEMO FOR THE MOVEMENT: John McConnell Unfit for Federal Judiciary

05/03/2011

Today Citizens United signed on to the MEMO FOR THE MOVEMENT: John J. “Jack” McConnell of Rhode Island Unfit for a Lifetime Appointment to Federal Judiciary

Please see the full memo below:

John McConnell Unfit for Federal Judiciary

On The Death of Osama Bin Laden

05/02/2011

God bless the troops who took part in the successful mission to kill Osama Bin Laden yesterday. The War on Terror is not over, radical Islam extremists still want to do us harm. But today we celebrate the death of the man who killed nearly 3,000 people almost ten years ago.

Cagle Post: “Santo Subito!”

05/02/2011

As the world was focused on a royal wedding this past weekend, in Vatican City the blessed Pope John Paul II was beatified in front of 1.5 million people from all over the world. The last step before sainthood, beatification is bestowed on the holiest of people and marks the day that he or she has the power to help others who pray for them in heaven. Pope John Paul II was an iconic figure loved not just by Roman Catholics, but by people of all faiths.

In October of 1995, I had the high honor of being at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland where Pope John Paul II held Mass. As a volunteer firefighter for the Mass, I was near the Pope’s route of travel as the Holy Father approached the altar where he gave a very inspirational Homily. In his Homily, the pontiff said,

One hundred thirty years ago, President Abraham Lincoln asked whether a nation ‘conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal’ could ‘long endure.’ President Lincoln’s question is no less a question for the present generation of Americans. Democracy cannot be sustained without a shared commitment to certain moral truths about the human person and human community.

Pope John Paul’s words sixteen years ago struck me then and they still ring true today. The founders of our great nation made sure that God was the anchor for our Republic. They recognized that God gave us certain unalienable rights that can’t be taken away by any government or leader. It was this moral compass that helped defeat the Soviet Union in the Cold War.

Read the full op-ed here

Obama Supporters Create Super PAC After Decrying Citizens United

04/29/2011

This week President Obama’s campaign manager Jim Messina gave a sneak preview of their 2012 campaign strategy. Messina noted that because of Citizens United v. FEC, the 2012 election will be different than the 2008 election. Messina warned of the dangers of Republican aligned Super PACs dominating the election cycle. He didn’t mention that a slew of Obama staffers have decamped from Team Obama to form their own “independent” organization innocuously named Priorities USA. These former Obama staffers have set an ambitious goal of raising $100 million to support liberals in 2012. What’s most surprising is that they are planning on raising money to fund their efforts in secret, without the “transparency” they so often demand.

President Obama has been a very vocal opponent of groups of individuals exercising the First Amendment rights that Citizens United restored. He’s argued:

Right now all around this country there are groups with harmless-sounding names like Americans for Prosperity, who are running millions of dollars of ads against Democratic candidates all across the country. And they don't have to say who exactly the Americans for Prosperity are. You don't know if it’s a foreign-controlled corporation. You don't know if it’s a big oil company, or a big bank. You don't know if it’s a insurance company that wants to see some of the provisions in health reform repealed because it’s good for their bottom line, even if it’s not good for the American people.

A Supreme Court decision allowed this to happen. And we tried to fix it, just by saying disclose what’s going on, and making sure that foreign companies can’t influence our elections. Seemed pretty straightforward.

Now that President Obama’s friends and former staffers are creating Super PACs to support his reelection campaign, I doubt we’ll hear the President continue to call for transparency.

Cagle Post: Obama’s Records and The Mainstream Media

04/28/2011

The argument that President Obama is being treated unfairly or differently than previous presidents when it comes to the voluntary disclosure of non-public records is absurd. This false narrative is simply an attempt to distract from the indisputable fact that the President and his team handled this entire sorry episode like a pack of amateurs, with the media in cahoots. Waiting until 2011 to resolve an issue that could have been resolved in 2008 is humorously inept. If there was never anything to hide, which there apparently was not, why wait until you’re on the brink of a meltdown at the polls? Let’s be honest, the only people who deserve blame for the birth certificate debacle are President Obama, his incompetent advisers, and large swaths of the mainstream media.

Bill and Hillary Clinton must be through the roof over the storyline coming from the White House and the Left that President Obama is being treated unfairly for having to finally disclose his official birth certificate. For a decade, the Clintons were compelled by pressure from the mainstream media to disclose nearly every document they ever generated. These very investigative media reports were the driving force behind the seven independent counsel investigations (Clinton, Espy, Cisneros, Herman, Brown, Babbitt, Segal) that were appointed during the Clinton Administration. Where are these investigative reports and skeptical journalists today? Either they are in hiding or simply don’t exist anymore. This is precisely the reason why the bloggers and, yes, Donald Trump are leading the charge and asking the tough questions.

Why did the mainstream media not demand Obama’s birth certificate in 2008, just like they demanded records from Bill Clinton and George W. Bush in 1992 and 2000, respectively? There is a lesson to be learned here for members of the press corps who are sympathetic to Mr. Obama to a fault. Giving him a free pass on politically inconvenient issues does not help him in the long run politically. In fact, this issue has demonstrated it is quite the opposite.

Read the full op-ed here

Citizens United Was The First To Call For Obama To Release His College Records

04/27/2011

Now that the birth certificate debacle is out of the way 2.5 years into his presidency, Mr. Obama should release his college records – including the 1983 thesis he wrote at Columbia entitled “Soviet Nuclear Disarmament.” I started asking for this document in 2008, but few in the mainstream media thought it was relevant. Maybe Donald Trump, a cast member in our latest documentary “A City Upon A Hill,” can help them do their jobs again. Please view the interview I did below with Sean Hannity on this very topic in 2008:

Daily Caller: A City Upon A Hill

04/26/2011

During his travels in 1831, French writer, Alexis de Tocqueville, observed that America was an exceptional nation with a special role to play in history. Tocqueville wrote that, unlike in Europe, where social standing defined a citizen, America was a new republic where liberty, equality, individualism, and laissez-faire economics defined the “American Creed.”

Citizens United Productions has released a documentary on American Exceptionalism, entitled “A City Upon A Hill,” hosted by Newt and Callista Gingrich. “A City Upon A Hill” is written and directed by award-winning film maker, Kevin Knoblock (“Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous With Destiny,” “Nine Days That Changed The World,” “America at Risk”).

Throughout our history, the United States has risen to meet great challenges -- sometimes out of necessity but often out of the determination to create a better future for the next generation. At the time of our founding, no other nation had adopted the radical ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No other nation had declared, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights” -- rights that no king or government could take away.

Read the full op-ed here

Facebook Poll Results: What Makes America Exceptional?

04/25/2011

Thank you to the nearly 1,000 participants in Citizens United’s inaugural Facebook Poll. A clear majority of our poll takers believe that the drafting of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights are the events in our nation’s history that best exemplify American Exceptionalism. This Friday, April 29th, Citizens United Productions will be premiering the new film “A City Upon A Hill: The Spirit of American Exceptionalism” in Washington, DC. Please go to this link if you would like to attend the premiere.

DC Premiere of A City Upon A Hill

04/22/2011

David N. Bossie and the Board of Directors of Citizens United

Invite you to join

Speaker and Mrs. Newt Gingrich

at the premiere of

A City Upon A Hill

April 29, 2011

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. | Film begins at 7 p.m.

Carnegie Institute for Science

1530 P Street, NW

Washington, DC 20005

Reception to follow

A City Upon A Hill, hosted by Newt and Callista Gingrich, explores the concept of American Exceptionalism from its origin to the present day. Throughout our history, the United States has risen to great challenges -- sometimes out of necessity but often out of the determination to create a better future.

**Please RSVP to Jennifer E. Harris by April 27, 2011** 202.547.5420 or JenniferHarris@citizensunited.org You may also fill out a form online here.

Obama Bypassing Congress to Benefit His Reelection?

04/21/2011

In our system of divided government, Congress passes laws and the President implements them. President Obama, a former constitutional law professor, seems to have forgotten this notion of separation of powers. He now seeks to legislate from the White House, doing through Executive Order and signing statements what Congress has refused to do through legislation.

First President Obama decided not to enforce the Defense of Marriage Act. Then President Obama decided his Czars could remain in power, using a signing statement to overturn the express will of Congress. Now comes word that the Obama Administration is looking to blunt the impact of the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision by implementing the failed DISCLOSE Act through an Executive Order.

Democrats in Congress have not succeeded in their attempts to pass the incumbent-protecting DISCLOSE Act so, facing sagging poll numbers, now President Obama wants to skip the legislative process altogether and rule by decree.

President Obama and his political team, after seeing the 2010 midterm election returns, have been frightened by the consequences of citizens exercising their restored rights to political speech and want to chill it. In an attempt to prevent similar results in the 2012 cycle, the White House has circulated a draft of an Executive Order that would require companies seeking government contracts to disclose contributions to groups that advocate for or against candidates seeking political office.

Companies should not be penalized if they favor one political party over the other. This action is not about good government, but about enabling the Obama Administration to decide who to punish and who to reward. It is a sad state of affairs when the President may influence his own reelection campaign through the power of the Oval Office.

Citizens United Releases April Edition of Obama Biden Watch

04/20/2011

In This Issue:

Obama Speech Takeaway: "Government is the Answer"
"Fair Elections" Brought to You by Barbra Streisand and Alec Baldwin
America's Secret Entitlement Program
Obama's Energy Plan?
Citizens United Productions - The Tea Party Trilogy
Final Thoughts from Citizens United President David N. Bossie

Read the latest edition of the Newsletter at ObamaBidenWatch.org or below: Obama Biden Watch - Volume 3 Issue 4 - April 2011

Obama’s Partisanship Threatens Our Financial Outlook

04/19/2011

Standard & Poor’s (S&P) shifted their outlook on the United States’ long-term AAA credit rating from “stable” to “negative,” citing the unlikely bridging of partisan divides on serious fiscal reform until after the 2012 elections. This is the first time since Pearl Harbor that the long-term outlook has been negative. Nikola Swann, S&P’s credit analyst, said, “We believe there is a significant risk that congressional negotiations could result in no agreement on a medium-term fiscal strategy until after the 2012 congressional and presidential elections.”

It is no coincidence that the drop in our rating outlook occurred within a week of President Obama’s fiscal speech in which he spent more time demonizing the Republican proposal than offering solutions of his own to address our $14.3 trillion (a new record hit on April 15, appropriately, our traditional Tax Day) national debt. The politicized speech was not that of a leader looking to fix the problem and move towards putting us on the path to fiscal solvency, but rather one looking to kick the can down the road so he doesn’t have to deal with such a difficult issue during an election season.

President Obama has set the tone for more partisan gridlock, and in doing so has put the country at further financial risk. This crisis is bigger than any one man, but one man is taking the lead in ushering us into financial ruin for his own personal short-term political gain. The only way to improve our country’s outlook is to make sure that President Obama’s 2012 election outlook is “negative.”

Candidate Obama v. President Obama on Signing Statements

04/19/2011

"We're not going to use signing statements as a way of doing an end-run around Congress." That was then-presidential candidate Barack Obama in 2008 pledging to not issue signing statements as qualifiers to bills Congress passes. But over the weekend, now-President Obama issued his own signing statement to object to Congress eliminating certain czars and banning the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo to the United States or to foreign countries.

As president, Obama is doing the exact same thing he criticized President George W. Bush for just a few years ago.

Here’s a further reminder of what 2008 candidate Obama said, "Congress’s job is to pass legislation. The president can veto it, or he can sign it. But what George Bush has been trying to do as part of his effort to accumulate more power in the presidency, is he’s been saying ‘Well, I can basically change what Congress passed by attaching a letter saying, I don’t agree with this part, or I don’t agree with that part. I’m going to choose to interpret it this way or that way.'"

Just another example of President Obama breaking his campaign promises and adopting the policies of his predecessor.

President Obama has been learning the hard way that leadership and governing is a lot harder than criticizing and campaigning against the status quo. Now President Obama represents the status quo. What will Obama do when he doesn’t have Bush to kick around anymore in the 2012 campaign?

Cagle Post: Obama Speech Takeaway: "Government is the Answer”

04/15/2011

President Obama, there you go again. Barack Obama giving a speech about the importance of fiscal restraint is like Bill Clinton talking about the importance of telling the truth. It just doesn’t pass the smell test.

The national debt has increased by $3.6 trillion on President Obama’s watch, exploding from $10.6 trillion to $14.2 trillion during the first 27 months of his presidency. Our federal budget deficit is at a record high, largely because of Obama’s trillion dollar “stimulus” plan and trillion dollar healthcare takeover. So when the President, a big government liberal from Chicago, stands up and says he’s now a budget hawk and proposes to cut $4 trillion dollars over 12 years, why should anyone believe that he’s actually going to follow through on this new plan?

President Obama’s core political strategy revolves around spending a lot of taxpayer funds on a lot of government programs. That is his ideology – that government is the answer to society’s problems. But what does President Obama, running for reelection, do when the public rebels against his big government ideology and tells him we need to make unprecedented cuts and reforms to government, for the sake of our children and grandchildren? He pulls a 180. He makes another speech that contradicts his record in the hope that a $1 billion campaign war chest can convince the American people that this time he’s being sincere.

This unprincipled change of direction is not only disingenuous, but it’s also indicative of a politician willing to say and do anything to get re-elected. Let’s look at his record. In 2008, candidate Obama campaigned on deficit reduction. As President, he has done nothing. At this year’s State of the Union address, he could have made entitlement reform and spending cuts a priority. He did not. When the President’s own bi-partisan debt commission came back with serious recommendations to curb the debt he could have embraced them. He chose not to. When he released his budget for fiscal year 2012 in February, the President could have changed direction from the failing status quo to chart a new direction to put us on the path to fiscal solvency. He couldn’t find the political courage to do so.

Read the full op-ed here

Obama’s Failure to Create Jobs

04/14/2011

Only 45.4 percent of Americans were employed in 2010 according to a USA Today analysis. If the American people wanted a report card on the first two years of the Obama presidency, 45.4 percent should be an indicator that the failed liberal policies of the Obama Administration have done real harm to America’s workers. President Obama, and his Democrat friends in Congress have not focused on creating jobs. Rather, they spent all of their time and effort on Obamacare, while America’s economy sank into an economic abyss that will have far reaching consequences for future generations.

Daily Caller: Cut Trillions, Not Billions, Mr. President

04/13/2011

After two years, the Obama Administration may finally acknowledge the 800 pound gorilla in the room - a monstrosity that can no longer be ignored. This afternoon, President Obama will speak to the American people about his plan to cut America’s $14 trillion national debt. The question is whether the Obama Administration will take the serious policy steps necessary to curb our fiscal crisis – a crisis that the Congressional Budget Office believes will sink the U.S. economy into an economic abyss by 2037 - or if it will continue the culture of indulgence, preferring to take the easy way out and kick the can down the road for the next generation.

As with other “important” speeches, President Obama will use phrases such as “let me be clear,” and “taking a scalpel to the budget,” when he does not want to offer specifics on what or how much he would cut to bring down our $14 trillion debt. Mr. President, with all due respect, let US be clear: a debt that gargantuan must be cut with a chainsaw, not a scalpel. We’re talking trillions, not billions!

While the President and his party grumbled at cutting $38.5 billion in the 2011 budget compromise (to put this in perspective, in the eight days it took to reach that deal, the national debt increased by $54.1 billion), Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) has offered a budget that would cut $6.2 trillion over the next decade. The introduction of Rep. Ryan’s budget plan, entitled “Path to Prosperity,” is a seminal moment in the debt debate. For the first time in generations a clear plan has been produced to rein in the debt and reform entitlement spending.

The Obama Administration’s own Fiscal Year 2012 budget, released just two months ago, does not mention any meaningful entitlement reform at all. In fact, at the time, President Obama said that it was not his place to offer a plan to bring down America’s debt, and said, “…if you look at the history of how these deals get done, typically it’s not because there’s an Obama plan out there.” That statement crystallizes the lack of fiscal leadership President Obama has displayed during his two plus years as President.

Read the full op-ed here

Cagle Post: “Fair Elections” Brought to You by Barbra Streisand and Alec Baldwin

04/12/2011

Liberal Democrats, including President Barack Obama and Senators Dick Durbin and Charles Schumer, have long railed against the corruptive influence of money in politics. This is a bit ironic considering what prolific fundraisers they have been. President Obama raised $750 million for his 2008 campaign and is expected to raise $1 billion for his re-election (his wealthy and well connected bundlers have been asked to raise at least $350,000 each). Senator Schumer ended 2010 with over $10 million dollars in his campaign war chest; Senator Durbin only $2.25 million.

Despite benefitting from these exorbitant fundraising sums, liberal politicians continue to insist that money corrupts the political process. In order to prevent this kind of corruption, these politicians have repeatedly introduced legislation to “level the playing field” by allowing the government to determine whose speech should be protected.

Last year’s failed DISCLOSE Act is perhaps the boldest attempt in recent history to restrict our First Amendment rights. This bizarre piece of legislation, cobbled together by Senator Schumer with the aid of special interest lobbyists, thankfully failed to become law, despite the overwhelming support of President Obama and the rest of the liberal establishment.

This year, Senator Durbin seeks to own the campaign finance “reform” mantle. In his effort to address the horrors of “big donor, special interest funded elections” he has re-introduced the Fair Elections Now Act, a bill he has been pushing since 2007. It failed to advance last year despite the support of such campaign finance luminaries as Barbra Streisand.

This year, Senator Durbin has again trotted out his proposal, bearing the same misleading name, but sought to up his Hollywood star power by enlisting the support of Alec Baldwin. Perhaps he hopes for more success with the aid of a better pitchman, or perhaps Mr. Baldwin’s razzle-dazzle was enlisted to divert the public’s attention from the nation’s high unemployment rate to the liberal pet project of campaign finance “reform.”

Read the full op-ed here

Putting The Budget Deal Numbers Into Perspective

04/11/2011

The reported budget deal between Obama, Reid, and Boehner is set to cut $38.5 billion, but did you know that in the eight days it took to reach that deal the national debt increased by $54.1 billion? Last week was a step in the right direction with the budget actually being cut, but the deal does not solve our national debt issue. America is in a fiscal crisis that has its roots based in the liberal policies and mindset of the 1960s.

Last year at Citizens United, we released a documentary entitled Generation Zero that drills down into why America is in the fiscal mess that it finds itself in today. Generation Zero features an all-star cast who tell the story of a culture that looks the other way when it comes to our $14 trillion national debt. Learn more by watching Generation Zero.

Nancy "Pinocchio" Pelosi

04/07/2011

The Washington Post, of all publications, calls out Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for her "absurd" and "invented" claims on the effect of compromising with Republicans on the budget. Earlier in the week, Pelosi said that 6 million seniors would be “deprived of meals” if Republicans had their way in the ongoing budget negotiations. The Washington Post says her claims are a "wild guess" and gives her the highest possible whopper rating on their Pinocchio scale.

Nancy Pelosi flat-out lied to score some cheap political points and scare America’s greatest generation, but this is nothing new for the former Speaker of the House. Pelosi has a history of making stuff up - like the time she claimed unemployment checks served as a job creator or when she said that "500 million Americans [would] lose their jobs" (in a country of 300 million) every month if the stimulus didn't pass.

Suffice it to say, grandma shouldn't be stocking up on cat food just yet.

Obama AWOL on Budget

04/06/2011

What a difference a day makes. Today President Obama is gassing up Air Force One and heading out of Washington as a government shutdown looms. But just yesterday President Obama said, “Myself, Joe Biden, my team we are prepared to meet for as long as possible to get this resolved.” (And we all know how accessible VP Biden has been these last few weeks.)

America is in a fiscal crisis because of our unsustainable $14 trillion debt. A real leader would be burning the midnight oil to find a solution to cutting this year’s budget and making the tough choices to rein in our debt. It seems like every time a crisis is about to take place the President hightails it out of Washington and lets the chips fall where they may. The Obama Administration (along with Majority Leader Harry Reid) has proven time and time again that they do not take these important budget negotiations seriously, but it is a sure bet that the liberal media will not hold them accountable.

Reid Needs To Go

04/06/2011

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid does not take our budget crisis seriously and is refusing to budge from the failed status quo because he is more interested in scoring political points and protecting his pet projects. Instead of working on a fiscally responsible budget, last month he wasted time pontificating about how a cowboy poetry festival in his home state would lose funding.

Senator Reid is dragging his feet on coming to a sensible budget resolution and clearly wants the government to shut down because he thinks it will help his party politically. Senator Chuck Schumer, in a rare moment of candor, even admitted that the caucus instructed him to use words like "extreme" to describe Republican plans.

Congressman Rick Crawford, along with 90 other House Republicans, is sending a letter to Harry Reid today urging him to step down as Majority Leader. The letter says, in part:

The American people deserve responsive leadership from those who are elected to higher office. Unfortunately, you have failed on numerous counts. Under your stewardship, the Senate failed to pass a budget resolution last year, something that hasn’t happened since the current budget process was established in 1974. Mr. Reid, you also failed to pass one single appropriations bill to fund even a single federal agency, but yet you somehow muster the nerve to say Republicans are the problem. The ball is in your court to pass a long-term spending resolution for the remainder of FY 2011 that can be reconciled with the H.R. 1. With all due respect, if you do not plan to fulfill your responsibilities as Senate Majority Leader, perhaps it is time to step aside.

We applaud Congressman Crawford for demanding leadership from the Senate Majority LEADER and agree that Reid needs to go for refusing to provide it.

Families make tough budget decisions all the time, why shouldn't Democrat leaders do the same? If the government shuts down – it’s due to Senator Reid's (and President Obama’s) refusal to take the necessary steps to get America’s spending under control.

Cagle Post: Obama’s Energy Plan?

04/05/2011

New post on President Obama's pseudo "energy plan:"

President Obama last week tried to reboot his supposed energy policy during a much hyped speech at Georgetown University. The problem is that the Obama Administration does not have an energy policy to reboot. As with other major problems facing the country, the President and his team have been focusing on issues that placate the left and do not help the average hardworking American taxpayer. The speech at Georgetown was typical Obama; a lot of fluff and buzz words with no clear plan to achieve energy independence.

The first grand “energy plan” produced by the Obama Administration was Cap and Trade. This misguided policy would have taxed carbon emissions on power companies that would have been felt by middle class Americans. In 2009, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the average household in the lowest tax bracket would see a $680 jump in energy costs if there were a 15 percent cut in emissions. Strikingly, the pain would have been felt hardest in states that rely on coal to power their homes and businesses - mainly in the mid-west and south.

Cap and Trade did pass the Nancy Pelosi-led House of Representatives in 2009, but failed to gain any traction in the United States Senate where Republicans had an effective minority. In 2010, the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico led to a costly overreaction by the Obama Administration when it banned drilling and exploration in the Gulf and Eastern Atlantic. Fortunately, the drilling moratorium was lifted last October for the western Gulf, but the Obama Administration has been slow-walking the permit process in the Gulf and has banned drilling off the coasts of Florida, Virginia and the eastern Gulf for at least the next seven years. In essence, there is a de facto moratorium in place.

Read the full op-ed here

The Fight for Free Speech Must Go On

04/05/2011

It’s been well over a year since the Supreme Court decided the landmark case Citizens United v. FEC which restored the First Amendment protection of political speech. Unfortunately, liberal elites continue to wage war on the First Amendment even today. In the current edition of the New Yorker, Jeffrey Toobin lashes out against the Supreme Court and its defense of the First Amendment by lodging a personal attack on the Justices.

Toobin alleges that “the vulgar truth about Citizens United, the doomed Arizona law, and related future cases remains: the five Justices appointed by Republicans are thrashing the four appointed by Democrats—to the enormous advantage of the G.O.P. Coincidence?”

Toobin attempts to paint the Court as a partisan political body, as liberals are wont to do, but he fails to grasp that the First Amendment is neither a Democrat nor a Republican issue. It also knows no ideology as the wide variety of groups signing amicus briefs in support of Citizens United, ranging from the ACLU to the AFL-CIO to the NRA, proved. All Americans should be free to speak out on issues that matter to them; no one should be prohibited from joining the public debate.

We must stand strong in our defense of the First Amendment. That is why Arizona Free Enterprise v. Bennett, which is now before the Supreme Court, is so important. Citizens United has joined an amicus brief to again defend the First Amendment against government bureaucrats that seek to abuse and distort it to benefit their preferred candidates.

Obama Has No Shame

04/04/2011

The same day that President Obama announces his re-election campaign, Eric Holder’s Justice Department announces that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the other conspirators in the September 11th terrorist attacks will be prosecuted by a military tribunal - a direct violation of a key campaign pledge Obama made during his last run for president. Coincidence?

This policy should have been implemented in the first weeks of Obama’s presidency. Unfortunately, President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder wanted to appease their liberal allies by trying these terrorists in civilian court in the United States - against the wishes of the American people. Now with reelection around the corner, President Obama is moving to the middle to reach the moderate Americans he needs for reelection.

We are coming up on the ten-year anniversary of the September 11th attacks. It is a travesty that the terrorists responsible for masterminding the murders, like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, have not yet been brought to justice, even more so when the delays are based on the whims of a presidential campaign.

Big Government Run Amok

04/01/2011

A Wall Street Journal editorial today, highlights how the government job sector employs nearly twice as many people than in the manufacturing sector. When you combine the manufacturing, construction, farming, fishing, forestry, mining, and utilities industries you still do not eclipse the number of Americans who work for the government. Big government is draining the American taxpayer, and the future of our nation. A central principle of our republic – the unique idea of limited government – is one of the things that has made America Exceptional. The concept of allowing individuals to think, invent, create, and prosper without excessive government regulation is what made America the world’s undisputed economic power. Private enterprise is what continues to make America the envy of the world. We must fight the liberals' urge to bring more and more people into the public sector.

Congressman West Visits Citizens United

03/31/2011

Today we were pleased to host Congressman Allen West (R-FL) at our DC office. Watch for Congressman West to be featured in one of our upcoming films!

Schumer Caught Red-Handed

03/30/2011

New York Democrat Senator Charles “The Mouth of the North” Schumer was caught red-handed yesterday scheming with fellow Democrat Senators before a conference call with the press. Schumer said, in reference to language Democrats should use to describe Republican spending cuts, “I always use 'extreme'….That is what the caucus instructed me to use.” Sen. Schumer didn’t know he was being taped while laying out the Democrat's secret spin strategy to oppose meaningful spending cuts and try to induce a government shutdown - all while publicly pretending to favor negotiations and compromise.

It’s amazing that Senator Schumer feels no urgency about our country’s dire fiscal situation and the urgent need to cut spending to rectify it. When the history books are written about the 112th Congress, Senator Schumer will be remembered for essentially advocating the position that $14 trillion in debt is not a problem and doesn’t need to be dealt with at all.

Schumer is the poster child for liberals who have been in Washington way too long. His failed Big Government philosophy is what has led to our debt crisis, and Schumer, along with other liberal Democrat Senators, are throwing up roadblocks to fix the problem, all to score political points. Washington needs real leadership in order to change the failed status quo.

If the government is forced to shut down, wouldn’t it be great if the press actually reported the truth about the budget negotiations and blamed the Democrats?

Daily Caller: The Presidency That Nearly Never Was

03/30/2011

“People even today I don’t think realize what a close call it was.” - James A. Baker III, Reagan White House Chief Of Staff, in Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous With Destiny

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. For most, March 30, 2011, will come and go like any other early spring day, but for others, this date may conjure up the question: How would the world be different if President Reagan had died just 70 days into his presidency?

President Reagan’s diary shows us what a difference a day can make in the fragile lives we all live. On Sunday, March 29, 1981, the signature Reagan optimism was in full swing: “Church at St. Johns - a beautiful Spring Day and at the service the Navy Choir from Annapolis. They looked & sounded so right you have to feel good about our country.”

The next day began in a typical way - a speech at a local Washington, D.C. hotel to promote his economic recovery package - but after the speech, the sound of six gunshots filled the air as deranged gunman John Hinckley, Jr. sought to change the course of history and cut Ronald Reagan’s presidency short. The 40th president was quickly pushed into his limousine, which was ordered to return to the White House. At that time, nobody - including the president - believed he had been shot, but thought he had a broken rib from being pushed into the limousine so abruptly by the Secret Service, who had jumped on top of him as human shields.

Read the full op-ed here

Where in the World is Joe Biden?

03/29/2011

The Obama Administration’s chief negotiator for the budget, Vice President Joe Biden, has just wrapped up a vacation in Aspen, Colorado. In early March, President Obama touted that Vice President Biden would help broker a budget deal with Congressional Republicans. Since then, Vice President Biden has been traveling the world from Russia to Moldova, and just last week he attended spring training with the New York Yankees in Florida.

With Biden’s extended travels the Obama Administration is clearly showing that they do not take these important budget negotiations seriously.

Kicking the Social Security Can Down the Road

03/28/2011

America is facing an exploding $14 trillion national debt because our “leaders” in Washington do not want to take on the entitlement programs. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill) all but said today that Social Security reform will not come up in the United States Senate during this Congress. Social Security must be addressed to get America’s fiscal house in order. The United States Senate needs leaders that will have the courage to make the tough decisions. Future generations will suffer from the inaction of today’s Washington.

Cagle Post: If the government can’t ban speech, can it compel it?

03/28/2011

Our latest op-ed on Cagle Post today:

In Citizens United v. FEC the Supreme Court rejected the idea that the government may determine whose speech is worthy of protection under the First Amendment. As a result of the decision, individuals, small businesses, corporations, labor unions, and non-profit organizations may all engage in political speech. It is not the bailiwick of government bureaucrats to judge and determine who should be allowed to speak. As Chief Justice John Roberts has remarked: “We don’t put our First Amendment rights in the hands of FEC bureaucrats.” Citizens United appropriately limited the government’s ability to regulate and prohibit speech.

Another case that questions the ability of the government to regulate speech is currently before the Supreme Court: Arizona Free Enterprise Club’s Freedom Club PAC v. Bennett. This case deals with Arizona’s “clean elections” campaign financing system.

There have been many attempts to create systems where the government subsidizes campaigns. Most label these systems “public financing,” but in reality they are anything but. The truest form of “public financing” is a system in which citizens can voluntarily contribute to those candidates which they support. Each and every government subsidized system undermines the sovereignty of the American people.

Read the full op-ed here

Obamacare Waivers For Me, But Not For Thee

03/24/2011

Democrat and New York Congressman Anthony Weiner (who argued Obamacare did not go far enough and pushed for a public option, but now is one of the law's biggest supporters) is looking into getting an Obamacare waiver for New York City. Rep. Weiner has even boasted, “A lot of people who got waivers were … people who are our friends.”

The Obama Administration has issued over 1000 waivers since Obamacare was signed into law. By handing out these waivers, the Obama Administration is picking winners and losers for a misguided law that will bankrupt states and the federal government. The winners have been the usual suspects of Democrat supporters like Labor unions who have received 26 percent of all the wavers granted so far. Ironically, unions were some of the biggest advocates for Obamacare.

The American people understand how corrupt and damaging Obamacare is - one year later they still oppose it by 59 percent. Obamacare must first be fully defunded by this Congress, then repealed in 2013 by a new administration.

Where Did All That Stimulus Money Actually Go?

03/23/2011

More than two years after the fact, President Obama’s partisan $800 billion “stimulus” bill is still as controversial as it was when it was first signed into law in February 2009. There is little evidence to support that the Obama stimulus plan was anything but a lesson in how to waste almost a trillion dollars in taxpayer funds. So, where did the money go?

Read an exclusive report from Citizens United below:

Where Did All That Stimulus Money Actually Go?

Obamacare Still a Debacle One Year Later

03/23/2011

A CNN Poll out today marking the one-year anniversary of Obamacare shows that the passage of time has not dulled the public's vociferous opposition to the bill - Americans still reject the policy by an overwhelming 59 percent majority. The legislation that President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi strong-armed through a Democrat controlled Congress against the wishes of the people has already failed in its first year.

Even the Medicare Chief Actuary officer has said that the claim Obamacare will keep health care costs down is “FALSE, more so than true.” This example is just a small glimpse of the repercussions and unintended consequences that have resulted because President Obama decided to enact a bill that no one bothered to read or understand how it worked (or doesn’t work).

The House of Representatives has thankfully vote to repeal Obamacare and restrict funding through the appropriations process, but there appears to be $105.5 billion that has been automatically appropriated to fund Obamacare. The $105 billion is up-front spending that will help startup Obamacare. At a price tag of at least $1 trillion, Obamacare needs to be fully defunded right now before it adds any more to our runaway $14 trillion debt.

President Obama promised to unite Washington and all of America with a new brand of hopeful “post-partisanship.” It’s downright stunning how things change once a politician assumes power. When the American people railed against the bill and said, “It’s the economy, stupid,” President Obama and Nancy Pelosi ignored them. They instead listened to their deep-pocketed union bosses who said, “Pass Obamacare or else." The decision to defy the will of the people and pass Obamacare instead of focusing on the economy could well be the issue that decides who will be sworn in on 1/20/2013.

Citizens United Releases March Edition of Obama Biden Watch

03/22/2011

In This Issue:

Where Did All That Stimulus Money Actually Go?
The Attorney General Defends The Laws Of The United States (That He Agrees With)
Honoring The Heroes Of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Eight Years On
Citizens United Productions - The Tea Party Trilogy
Final Thoughts from Citizens United President David N. Bossie

Read the latest edition of the Newsletter at ObamaBidenWatch.org or below: Obama Biden Watch - Volume 3 Issue 3 - March 2011

Daily Caller: America’s Secret Entitlement Program

03/22/2011

Our op-ed in the Daily Caller today - there is a secret entitlement program that the Obama Administration does not want to talk about:

This entitlement program does not help those on Medicare or Medicaid, and it is not part of the Social Security system. This entitlement program has one function: paying interest to foreign governments that bankroll our ever-growing $14 trillion national debt.

When the federal government spends more money than it takes in during a fiscal year, there is a deficit. The deficit turns into the debt when the Treasury Department issues interest bearing Treasury securities so the government can continue to spend. If the federal government were ever to default on these securities, or not make an interest payment, America’s credit rating would suffer. In this scenario, the economic consequences would be dire for the United States.

In Citizens United Productions’ film Generation Zero, Fox Business analyst Tobin Smith warns, “We wouldn't be paying down the debt. We would just simply be like the consumer at home who only pays a minimum on their credit card. That's what we're talking about, and that begins what I'm calling the financial death spiral.” The start of the financial “death spiral” can be seen in President Obama’s 2012 budget.

Read the full op-ed here

Honor the Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

03/21/2011

This Sunday marked the eighth anniversary of the launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The mainstream media may ignore the heroism of our troops during their retrospectives, but we want to remind Americans of their courage and honor.

The film Perfect Valor is our tribute to the heroes of the Iraq War. Narrated by Senator Fred Thompson, the award-winning film focuses on Operation Phantom Fury, the 2004 fight for control of Fallujah, Iraq, when American troops battled through a city of enemy insurgents, and fought house to house and street to street to seize control of the most dangerous city in the world. Perfect Valor vividly illustrates the courage our men and women in uniform display on the battlefield each and every day.

While President Obama wanted to cut and run, America prevailed in Iraq because of the professionalism and selflessness displayed by our all-volunteer military. Our brave men and women in uniform performed valiantly and we should all be thankful for their sacrifices in the cause of freedom.

We must never forget the sacrifices they and their families have made in service to our nation. America is a great country because we have young men and women willing to sacrifice for something greater than themselves – freedom.

Honor those in uniform by circumventing the filter of the mainstream media to learn the truth about our heroes in Perfect Valor.

"Sheriff Joe's" Station a Testament to Stimulus Failure

03/18/2011

This week Amtrak renamed its Wilmington, Delaware train station after Vice President Joe Biden. The newly renovated station received $20 million in stimulus funds and was one of the first projects to receive taxpayer money, at Biden's urging. As you may recall, after the stimulus passed in 2009, President Obama laughably dubbed Biden "Sheriff Joe" - the man who would police the stimulus spending to ensure it was not spent wastefully. True to form, the Joe Biden train station ran $5.7 million over budget and stands as a testament to the failure of the stimulus bill.

When pushing for the failed stimulus bill, President Obama said that the unemployment rate would not go over eight percent and the legislation would help the recovery. March 2011 was the first month that the unemployment rate fell below nine percent since April 2009. In 2008, Obama and Biden promised to govern as pragmatic moderates. Unfortunately, from day one, they have done the bidding of the far left and the awful economic results speak for themselves.

Announcing a Des Moines Screening of Rediscovering God in America

03/18/2011

Please join us this Friday, March 25, at 6:30pm for a special screening of our documentary Rediscovering God in America in Des Moines, Iowa. The event will be hosted with Speaker and Mrs. Newt Gingrich with a book and DVD signing to follow the presentation.

Des Moines Marriott Downtown
700 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309

To RSVP, please contact Jennifer Harris at 202-547-5420 or jenniferharris@citizensunited.org.
You may also RSVP on our Facebook Event page.

Debt Up $72 Billion In One Day

03/17/2011

With the Obama Administration and Congress still haggling over how to fund the federal government in 2011, the national debt jumped $72 billion in just one day this week. The cuts that are being debated in Washington do not go far enough. Tough decisions have to be made by both the Obama Administration and Congress so that future generations of Americans will have the ability to prosper. America’s $14 trillion national debt is continuing to climb. Real leadership needs to take place to save the Republic from an economic black hole.

Cagle Post: Honoring the Heroes of Iraq, Eight Years On

03/16/2011

The Cable Post ran this op-ed by CU President David Bossie on the anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq War:

This week marks the eighth anniversary of the launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In liberating the Iraqi people from a cruel and sadistic regime that had the means and desire to commit mass genocide, used biological weapons against its own people, and offered aid and safe harbor for terrorists, the United States Military made us safer by removing a great evil from the world. Our soldiers brought justice to Saddam Hussein, a ruthless dictator who added horrific phrases to the American lexicon like "rape rooms," "child prisons," and "human shredding machines." Our brave men and women in uniform performed valiantly and we should all be thankful for their sacrifice in the cause of freedom.

America prevailed in Iraq because of the professionalism and selflessness displayed by our all-volunteer military. The mainstream media will ignore the heroism of our troops during their retrospectives this week, but we want to remind Americans of their courage and honor. The film Perfect Valor is Citizens United's tribute to the heroes of the Iraq War. Narrated by Senator Fred Thompson, the award-winning film focuses on Operation Phantom Fury, the 2004 fight for control of Fallujah, Iraq, when American troops battled through a city of enemy insurgents, and fought house to house and street to street to seize control of the most dangerous city in the world. Perfect Valor vividly illustrates the courage our men and women in uniform display on the battlefield each and every day.

In Perfect Valor, we meet a Navy Cross recipient, recognized for...

Time: Dead Magazine Walking

03/15/2011

On January 8th, Time Magazine ran an article with the headline “Violent Rhetoric and Arizona Politics” in the wake of the tragic shootings in Arizona. The article tried to tie heated rhetoric and the immigration debate in Arizona to the Giffords shootings. In reality the shootings were committed by a homicidal maniac who has mental issues. Fast forward to Time Magazine’s March 12th headline “Wisconsin Governor Wins, But Is He Now A Dead Man Walker?” The headline alone shows the double standard playing out in the mainstream media. After rushing to blame words from the Right for the Giffords shooting and calling for a “new tone” and “age of civility,” now they are the ones using violent rhetoric against a Republican. There have been a number of death threats lobbed at Gov. Scott Walker and Wisconsin Republican State Senators, but the mainstream media has been virtually silent about this hatred from the Left. Time Magazine's best days are behind it; too bad the editors feel the only way to stay in business is to use salacious headlines targeting the Right.

Whose Side is Obama Really on When it Comes to Education Reform?

03/14/2011

President Obama talked about the need to rewrite the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law today in Virginia, but the Obama Administration must first unshackle itself from the failed status quo that the teachers unions represent in order to achieve real education reform. Two years ago the Obama Administration, and the then-Democrat led Congress, caved in to pressure from the teachers unions to discontinue funding for a successful school voucher program in Washington, DC. If the Obama Administration couldn’t say no to the teacher unions for a small voucher program that benefited disadvantaged children in his own backyard, there is no telling what other failed union policies he will acquiesce to when NCLB is reauthorized. President Obama appears to be unwilling to go against the powerful unions that fund his party and presidential campaigns, even when it’s clearly the right thing to do for our schoolchildren. In light of these facts, Americans should be wary of the President when he talks about education “reform” and question who he is really advocating for.

Big Government: Want to Bring Down the Debt? Let's Defund ObamaCare

03/12/2011

To get America’s fiscal house in order, Congress must be sure to fully defund Obamacare, says CU President David Bossie on Big Government:

America's unsustainable $14 trillion debt will cripple our nation if we do not stop the spending. The Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats appear to be unable to garner the strength to curb the debt problem. One need look no further than Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's plea earlier this week to save federal funds for a cowboy poetry festival in his home state of Nevada to see how seriously Democrats take spending taxpayer money.

Obamacare, which was signed into law nearly a year ago, will cost Americans at least a trillion dollars. With our $14 trillion debt continuing to grow, America simply does not have the money to finance Obamacare. The lackadaisical approach to cutting spending that the Obama Administration and Democrats in Congress are taking is shameful. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives must take the necessary steps to defund Obamacare in its entirety.

The House of Representatives has restricted funding through the...

Rep. King is Right: We Must Address Homegrown Terror

03/11/2011

Today’s Washington Post’s headline “Rep. Peter King’s Muslim hearing: Plenty of drama, less substance” completely misses the mark on Congressman King’s inquiry into Islamic radicalization in America. Holding a hearing of any kind on this subject is substantive and a first step that Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid are unwilling to take, especially in light of facts like these:

Between September 11, 2001, and the end of 2009, the U.S. government reported forty-six incidents of "domestic radicalization and recruitment to jihadist terrorism" that involved at least 125 people, according to a May 2010 Rand Corporation report.

As America at Risk cast member and President and Founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser said yesterday at the hearing (.PDF), “The course of Muslim radicalization in the United States over the past two years makes it exceedingly difficult for anyone to assert with a straight face that in America we Muslims do not have a radicalization problem.”

Congressman King has withstood a frontal assault from liberals in the media as well as liberal politicians, and interest groups. The howls from the left objecting to the existence of this hearing merely served to underscore King's point that we need to be able have a frank discussion about homegrown radical Islamic terror instead of burying our heads in the sand. Congressman King should be commended for taking a stand that will make America safer.

Learn more about the threat of radical Islamist terror by ordering our film America at Risk today!

The Liberal Media Is Scared Of The Truth

03/10/2011

The New York Times and other liberal media outlets are commencing an all out assault against House Homeland Security Chairman Peter King (R-NY) for his hearing today on the threat of radical Islam in America. Congressman King is taking a bold stand to shed light on how homegrown terror has become the top security threat facing America. Fortunately, the American people side with Congressman King. A new Gallup poll out this week shows that 52 percent of Americans side with Congressman King and his hearing on this most critical issue. The liberals at The New York Times are in full partisan attack mode this week in their defense of the failed status quo. Whether you are Peter King or Chris Christie or anyone else taking on the failing liberal establishment in America, you best watch out for the once reputable New York Times.

Learn more about the roots of radical Islam: America at Risk.

Daily Caller: The threat of homegrown terror is real

03/10/2011

CU President David Bossie defends Rep. Peter King's hearings into Islamic radicalism in America:

The threat of homegrown terror is real, as the terrorist attack at Fort Hood, Texas vividly illustrated. Today the House Committee on Homeland Security, under the chairmanship of Congressman Peter King (R-NY), held a critically important hearing on “The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community's Response.” Predictably, the liberal media is up in arms condemning the hearing and politically correct liberal groups have likened it to modern-day McCarthyism.

Congressman King should be commended for shedding light on the emergence of radical Islam in America. He is taking a bold stand to turn the spotlight on how homegrown terror has become a top security threat facing America. Fortunately, the American people understand the necessity of focusing on this most critical issue. A new Gallup poll out this week shows that 52 percent of Americans side with Congressman King and his hearings on homegrown radical Islamism.

Citizens United Productions has produced a hard-hitting documentary called America at Risk: The War with No Name hosted by Newt and Callista Gingrich that examines radical Islam and the threat of homegrown terror. One of the cast members in America at Risk, Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, the president and founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, was a key witness in Congressman King's important hearing...

Read the rest at The Daily Caller

Senate Democrats Need to Cowboy Up on Cutting the Budget

03/09/2011

Senate Democrats claimed last week that they would cut $6.5 billion from the 2011 budget, which has still not even been passed yet. But last night, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report saying that the Senate Democrats’ plan was off by almost $2 billion and would actually only cut $4.7 billion. This error, combined with the fact that Republicans are proposing to cut 13 times as much ($61 billion), proves Harry Reid and the rest of his caucus simply do not take America’s fiscal crisis seriously.

Harry Reid should be more worried about the record $223 billion deficit the government posted last month but instead he took to the Senate floor to complain that Republicans would cut taxpayer funding for a cowboy poetry festival in his home state of Nevada. Reid preposterously claimed, "Had that program not been around, the tens of thousands of people who come there every year would not exist.” Reid’s statement would be funny if Americans weren’t not drowning in debt.

The Threat of Homegrown Terror is Real: Join Us in Exposing the Truth!

03/09/2011

The threat of homegrown terror is real, as the terrorist attack at Fort Hood, Texas vividly illustrated. On March 10, the House Committee on Homeland Security, under the Chairmanship of Congressman Peter King (R-NY), will hold a critically important hearing on “The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community’s Response.” Predictably, the liberal media is up in arms condemning the hearing and out-of-touch, politically correct liberal groups have likened it to a modern day McCarthyism.

Congressman Peter King (R-NY) should be commended for shedding light on emergence of radical Islam in America. Citizens United Productions has produced a hard-hitting documentary called America at Risk: The War with No Name that examines radical Islam and the threat of homegrown terror. One of the experts featured in America at Risk, Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, will be a key witness in Congressman King’s important hearing. President and Founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, Dr. Jasser will provide testimony on how American Muslims have been radicalized by both internal and external forces – information that liberals in Washington and radical groups like CAIR don’t want you to know about!

President Obama refuses to tell the truth about radical Islam. Under his administration, the Global War on Terror has been renamed the “Overseas Contingency Operation.” They have removed the words “Islamic extremism” and “jihad” from national security strategy documents. Further, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has suggested we replace the word “terrorism” with the more benign phrase “man-caused disasters.”

Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, an American-born Muslim, killed 13 American soldiers (one pregnant) and wounded 32 others in the fall of 2009 at Fort Hood. Eyewitnesses reported hearing Hasan shout "Allahu Akbar!" while on his rampage and the ensuing investigation revealed that Hasan was radicalized by known terrorist and American citizen, Anwar al-Awalaki, who holds dual citizenship in the United States and Yemen.

The evidence is overwhelming that Hasan was motivated to commit mass murder because of his allegiance to radical Islam, but the Obama Administration will not acknowledge it. As is noted in America at Risk, the after-action report on the Fort Hood shootings failed to mention the words “Islam,” “Muslim,” “Muslim Brotherhood,” “Sharia,” “Jihad,” or “Islamic terrorism.”

We are at war with an enemy that is patient and will use any means necessary to strike us – even by radicalizing our own citizens. Congressman King’s hearing on this important national security issue should have happened years ago. Unfortunately, liberal Democrats in Congress and the Obama Administration are beholden to political correctness, rather than keeping America safe.

Join us in the fight to keep America safe by “liking” our Facebook page and tell President Obama not to retreat on the War on Terror!

Daily Caller: How to repair the debt ceiling

03/08/2011

CU President David Bossie offers a solution to rein in the national debt:

In the coming weeks, Congress will consider legislation to raise the debt ceiling. In fact, to actually call it a debt "ceiling" is one of the biggest frauds in the American political lexicon. As our government continues to spend without paying for it, our irresponsible $14 trillion national debt continues to explode, and the debt ceiling moves right along with it. There has got to be a way to force Congress to rein in the debt and be more careful with taxpayers' money.

To understand how the debt ceiling works (or doesn't work), one must look to the United States Congress. Congress controls taxation and the annual surpluses and deficits that the federal government accrues. When the government runs a deficit, our national debt goes up. To finance the debt, the United States Treasury Department issues bonds held mostly by China, Russia, and Middle Eastern countries. The purpose of the debt ceiling is to act as a backstop to keep the Treasury Department in check. But Congress has raised the debt ceiling 98 times since 1940, rendering the idea of such a limit virtually useless. The ceiling is more like a goalpost that keeps getting moved because of the federal government's reckless spending habits.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the federal government posted a record deficit of $223 billion for the month of February alone! That is nearly $8 billion a day in deficit spending that will be added directly to our national debt. It is the largest monthly deficit ever recorded by the federal government, ironically during the shortest month. This madness has to stop or our country will drown in our unsustainable debt.

The Cagle Post: Dems Play Smoke and Mirrors With Budget

03/07/2011

Guest post on Cagle regarding the budget gimmicks President Obama has been using:

The numbers being floated around by President Obama and Congressional Democrats during this year's budget battle are all spin and sleight of hand. Not that this should surprise anyone – the President has a history of using smoke and mirrors – especially when it comes to taxpayer dollars.

Last year's Democrat-controlled Congress failed to pass a budget for Fiscal Year 2011, so the government is currently being funded mostly at 2010 levels. While the administration claims it has offered to cut $51 billion, about $41 billion of that is based on a budget proposal that was never enacted, so the real number is closer to $10 billion. Compare this to House Republicans who voted in February to enact $61 billion in real cuts. Like most important legislative matters, the President has chosen not to lead, but to instead hide behind budget gimmicks to give the appearance that he is taking our fiscal crisis seriously.

The Obama Administration has used these kinds of budget tricks in the past, most notably when pushing Obamacare through early last year. Just last week, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius admitted at a hearing on Capitol Hill that the administration double counted $500 billion in Medicare cuts. When pressed by Congressman John Shimkus (R-Ill) on what the $500 billion was for — preserving Medicare or funding Obamacare — Secretary Sebelius unbelievably responded...

Big Hollywood: As Budget Battles Rage, ‘Generation Zero’ More Relevant Than Ever

03/06/2011

CU President David Bossie opines on the cultural roots of our current budget battle:

The current economic crisis is not a failure of capitalism, but a failure of culture. Citizens United Productions' film Generation Zero explores the cultural roots of the global financial meltdown – beginning with the narcissism of the 1960s which spread like a virus through the self-indulgent '90s and exploded across the world in the present economic cataclysm.

Brought to you by award-winning writer and director Stephen Bannon, Generation Zero is the first film in the "Tea Party Trilogy," which also includes Fire from the Heartland and Battle for America. Featuring financial and cultural experts, authors, and pundits, including Lou Dobbs, Lawrence Kudlow, Tobin Smith, Victor Davis Hanson, Shelby Steele, Charles Krauthammer, Dick Morris, and Newt Gingrich, Generation Zero exposes the untold story of how the mindset of the Baby Boomers sowed the seeds of economic disaster that will be reaped by coming generations. Sean Hannity did an exclusive one hour special on Generation Zero, and the documentary has received extensive media acclaim.

This month, the Obama Administration will be making decisions that will have a major impact on the future of our country and economy. From the upcoming debt ceiling fight to a possible government shutdown, March 2011 will be a big test to see if we can restore America's fiscal sanity. Generation Zero will give you the perspective needed to see how we got into this financial mess in the first place and what we can do about it. Our leaders have a chance this month to address it before the next crisis occurs, if only they will listen.

The Unemployment Numbers

03/04/2011

The Obama Administration is probably patting itself on the back with today’s unemployment report. The rate fell one tenth of a percent to 8.9%, and it is now below 9% for the first time since April of 2009. Hopefully, the jobs reports continue to get better, but let’s remember that President Obama said his stimulus plan would ensure that the unemployment rate not rise above 8 percent. Mr. Obama’s philosophy that big government and reckless spending helps economic recoveries remains fatally flawed.

Florida Judge Tees Up Obamacare

03/03/2011

Florida District Judge Roger Vinson, who in January ruled Obamacare unconstitutional, today put the Obama Administration on notice that it needs to expedite its appeal to either the appellate court or the United States Supreme Court within seven days. This decision will force the Obama Administration to stop dragging its feet and put the wheels in motion for the original ruling to move through the appeals process. Obamacare is a fraud that takes away states’ rights. I have full faith that the legal system will see it the same way.

Possible Terrorist Attack in Germany

03/02/2011

Congressman Patrick Meehan, a member of the Homeland Security Committee in the House of Representatives, said that the killing of two U.S. Airmen in Frankfurt, Germany today may have been a terrorist attack. The shooter reportedly said in Arabic, “God is Great,” before he started his attack on the Airmen. This act of terror is a sad reminder that our nation continues to face a serious threat by those who want to do us harm. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those soldiers who were murdered today.

Michael Moore: Money is a "National Resource"

03/02/2011

Michael Moore is at it again. His latest rant is about the wealthy in America: “They're sitting on the money, they're using it for their own -- they're putting it someplace else with no interest in helping you with your life, with that money. We've allowed them to take that. That's not theirs, that's a national resource, that's ours. We all have this -- we all benefit from this or we all suffer as a result of not having it.”

Michael Moore is unbelievable – just last month he sued the Weinstein brothers for $2.7 million, on top of the $19.8 million he had already made on their anti-American propaganda piece Fahrenheit 9/11. By Moore’s theory he should give all his money (or “national resources”) away and live in a utopian society of peace, love, and happiness. Fat chance that will happen.

This is Why We Are $14 Trillion in Debt

03/01/2011

A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released this morning spells out exactly why big government simply does not work. The GAO report highlights $200 billion in wasteful spending on redundant programs. A couple hundred billion here, a couple hundred billion there, pretty soon you're talking about real money - namely our $14 trillion national debt! The Washington Post points out that there are 100 programs dealing with surface transportation issues, 82 monitoring teacher quality, 80 for economic development, 47 for job training, 20 offices or programs devoted to homelessness, and 17 different grant programs for disaster preparedness. Those statistics are just the tip of the iceberg in this report. Ronald Reagan once said, “Governments tend not to solve problems, only to rearrange them.” This GAO report further proves that point. Learn more about roots of the economic crisis facing our country in the film featured in a one hour special on Hannity: Generation Zero.

All She Wants to Do is Spend

02/28/2011

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi opposes the modest two week Continuing Resolution being floated by Speaker of the House John Boehner. This shows she is not serious about making the necessary cuts to get America’s fiscal house in order. Nancy Pelosi’s inability to make reasonable compromises will make her the poster child of the looming government shutdown. House Democrats should start looking for a new Minority Leader because Nancy Pelosi’s liberal policies of uncontrollable spending will continue to bankrupt America. Pelosi appears to be the last politician in America who thinks we aren’t spending enough. Posted by David N. Bossie

Last WWI Veteran Fades Away

02/28/2011

The last known American veteran of the “Great War” passed away over the weekend. Frank W. Buckles lied his way into the army at the age of 16 to serve his country during WWI. Mr. Buckles once said of America, “If your country needs you, you should be right there, that is the way I felt when I was young, and that's the way I feel today.” Mr. Buckles exemplified the American spirit that makes this country so great. May he rest in eternal peace. Posted by David N. Bossie

Daily Caller: The Democrats’ campaign finance reform hypocrisy

02/28/2011

Our op-ed in The Daily Caller on Democrats changing their tune on CU v. FED:

As President Obama and the national Democrat establishment gear up for their billion-dollar-plus 2012 election campaign, insiders connected to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are hatching plans to protect the tenuous Senate Democrat majority. These Reid insiders are forming a "super" political action committee, called Majority PAC, to raise unlimited money in order to go on the offensive in Senate races across the country. Reid's people are within their rights to form the PAC, thanks to the Citizens United v. FEC victory at the United States Supreme Court last year. Now all Americans are free to utilize their free speech rights in this way. However, because the entire Democrat Party machinery was against this landmark decision last year, this blatant reversal reeks of hypocrisy. President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid spent an inordinate amount of time attacking the decision and trying to defeat it through legislative means; meanwhile they lost their majority in the House and now have a fading majority in the Senate.

Yesterday a Union Boss, Today Just Democrat Governors

02/25/2011

The day after AFL-CIO union boss Richard Trumka was at the White House, the Obama Administration held another exclusive meeting - this time with just Democrat governors. A quote from the White House says they will talk about “the ways Washington and the states can work together to grow the economy and create jobs.” I guess the president has no interest in working together with the states that have Republican governors. If President Obama really cared about getting Americans back to work then he would have had all 50 governors at the White House to talk about jobs and the economy. Instead, he is powwowing with the Democrat leaders who just happen to be key to his reelection strategy in the states. Posted by David N. Bossie

Obama Sets a Dangerous Precedent

02/25/2011

President Obama has set a dangerous precedent by instructing his Justice Department not to enforce the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). It is clear that rather than faithfully executing the laws of the United States, President Obama and his Justice Department will only enforce those laws that please his liberal base. I wonder what the liberal media would say if a Republican President were to not enforce Obamacare?

Obama's Union Boss Back Home at the White House Today

02/24/2011

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka will be at the White House today with other labor leaders to meet with Vice President Joe Biden and Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. It is telling that no agenda has been released for today's meeting but I am sure the ongoing union battles in Wisconsin and other states will be discussed as the AFL-CIO has been intimately involved. Earlier in the week the White House seemed to distance itself from the debate in Wisconsin after news that its political arm, Organizing for America, was working to mobilize protesters. But with the meetings with AFL-CIO union leaders today, it looks like the Obama Administration will be back to playing puppet master and pulling strings behind the protests. Union... Read More Posted by David N. Bossie

Democrat Congressman Calls for Union Violence

02/23/2011

“The tenor of the discussion over the past couple of years has gotten particularly bad…the way some people have chosen to express their opinions over the last couple of years has been getting worse and worse. And that includes individuals, organizations, talk shows and candidates for office.” That was Congressman Michael Capuano (D-Mass) in the wake of the tragic shootings in Tucson in January. Yesterday, speaking at a union rally in Boston in support of the union protests in Wisconsin, Congressman Michael Capuano was singing a different tune: “Every once in a while you need to get out on the streets and get a little bloody when necessary.” The Congressman is... Read More Posted by David N. Bossie

Playing with Fire in Wisconsin

02/18/2011

Organizing for America, President Obama’s political arm, is playing a vital role in the union protests happening in Madison, Wisconsin this week. Facing a $3.6 billion budget hole, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is taking reasonable steps to close the budget gap with union reforms. President Obama, and DNC Chairman Tim Kaine, are meddling in this important state matter, and turning Madison, Wisconsin into Athens, Greece. Governor Walker is not calling for an end to pensions and health care to state workers, he is just calling for them to pay their fair share. It is no secret that unions have been among the biggest contributors to President Obama and the DNC for years. We are just seeing the payback on the streets of Madison.

Two Years of Failure

02/17/2011

It has been two years of failure since President Obama signed his $800 billion so-called stimulus bill, promising that the unemployment rate would not go above 8 percent. Fast-forward to today, and the unemployment rate has been over 9 percent for 21 months. President Obama’s signature legislation has failed the American people, and has not lived up to the promises he made when the bill was signed. In fact, President Obama promised that his failed stimulus bill would create 3.5 million new jobs. In reality, the American economy shed 2.6 million jobs since the legislation was passed. The only other number that has gone up other than unemployment is our national debt which stands over $14 trillion.

Big Hollywood: While Promoting Civics at CPAC, Richard Dreyfuss Compared Me to Mass Murderer Pol Pot

02/17/2011

CU President David Bossie shares his story of running into Richard Dreyfuss at CPAC 2011:

Last week at CPAC I ran into liberal Hollywood icon Richard Dreyfuss. The rumor around CPAC was that Dreyfuss had seen that shining city on the hill and was "turning conservative." I wondered if I would see him because I have enjoyed some of his movies.

The opportunity arose when we both finished interviews on radio row. I approached Dreyfuss, put out my hand, and said "Hi, I am David Bossie, President of Citizens United." Dreyfuss' eyes lit up like he just saw Jaws and he said, "You're going to have a hard time getting into heaven if you believe in that sort of stuff." I was taken aback and asked, "Why?" Dreyfuss then went on a diatribe equating the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision to the Khmer Rouge. He compared me to Pol Pot "stacking skulls" back at my office. He actually used his hands to seemingly act out the stacking of skulls. I replied by saying, "I thought you would have been supportive of my First Amendment Supreme Court case because you are in the business of supporting the First Amendment." He did not have a clear response and looked like a frustrated, institution-bound Dr. Leo Marvin from his Oscar-worthy performance in What About Bob?

For someone who was at CPAC to promote a civics and civility campaign, calling me one of the worst mass murderers in history strikes me as ...

Russ Feingold At It Again

02/16/2011

Recently defeated Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold has launched a new Political Action Committee called Progressives United. Its stated goal is to overturn Citizens United’s victory for free speech at the United States Supreme Court. Senator Feingold lost his Senate seat because he did not focus on creating jobs for the people of Wisconsin. Despite being rejected by the voters, Feingold continues pursuing the same old failed liberal agenda. That agenda consists of trying to silence certain kinds of political speech and taking fundamental rights away from freedom-loving Americans. Posted by David N. Bossie

Citizens United Releases February Edition of Obama Biden Watch

02/09/2011

In This Issue:

How The Citizens United Ruling Freed Political Speech
We Do Big Things
We Do Small Things
Citizens United Productions - CPAC DVD Sale
CPAC Theater Schedule - Sponsored By Citizens United Productions
Final Thoughts from Citizens United President David N. Bossie

Read the latest edition of the Newsletter

Anti-Capitalist Michael Moore Sues for More Film Profits

02/08/2011

For somebody who hates America and capitalism, I find it laughable that Michael Moore is suing the Weinstein brothers for $2.7 million. The lawsuit stems from Moore’s anti-American film Fahrenheit 9/11that the Weinsteins co-executive produced. Moore's already netted $19.8 million for that liberal propaganda piece, but apparently wants more. He complains about capitalism, but takes full advantage of the system to fatten his wallet. Michael Moore has always been a big hypocrite and this lawsuit just proves it further. Moore doesn’t know it yet, but he’s starring in a real-life drama about the need for tort reform. Learn the truth behind the lies of Fahrenheit 9/11 with our film Celsius 41.11!

Senate Democrats – JUST DO NOT GET IT

02/04/2011

Senate Democrats rejected the House Republicans' budget plan yesterday that attempts to reign in the deficit and bring down our $14 trillion debt. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s plan would cut $74 billion from the federal budget. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called the plan “unworkable” and “draconian.” If Senator Reid hedges on cutting only $74 billion from the budget, then the 800 pound gorilla in the room roars will continue to grow louder.

36,000 Jobs Created

02/04/2011

Only 36,000 jobs were created in January according to a new jobs report by the Labor Department this morning. That is nowhere near the amount of jobs needed to be created to sustain an economic recovery. President Obama’s policies have not helped get Americans back to work. He has focused on a big government, job killing agenda that has not produced positive results. On a side note, Canada created69,200 jobs last month.

LETTER TO THE SENATE: Vote to Repeal ObamaCare

02/02/2011

Today I sent a letter to the Senate urging them to support the McConnell amendment to the FAA Reauthorization bill repealing Obamacare and to inform them that any votes on Obamacare will be considered for Citizens United's 2011 Congressional Ratings. Please see our previous vote alert to the House of Representatives on Obamacare here. Citizens United’s 2011 Congressional Ratings Vote Alert 2 - Senate Obamacare Repeal

"Journalists" Partying with Obama

02/01/2011

Linda Douglass – former ABC news reporter, turned White House Obamacare spokesperson, turned Atlantic Media vice president – hosted a party this past weekend for out-going Obama senior staffer David Axelrod. Many reporters and Obama Administration officials showed up, as well as President Obama himself, to the highbrow party in Georgetown. The commingling of journalists and White House officials highlights the mainstream media’s problem with covering Obama: they want to be friends with this Administration.

Our system of government functions best when an honest and skeptical press is asking our leaders the tough questions – not partying with them. These left-wing partisans who call themselves journalists have been disgracing their profession for too long. Linda Douglass is part of the liberal media elite who will stop at nothing to prop President Obama and his socialist policies up. It is because of so-called journalists like Linda Douglass, Americans have lost faith in the media.

Here is a list of supposed members of the media who have joined the Obama Administration over the last two years. It will be interesting and telling to see who moves back to the “main stream media” two years from now.

Warren Bass - Former Washington Post Deputy Editor is now writing speeches for Susan Rice at the United Nations.

Rosa Brooks - Former Los Angeles Times Op-Ed Columnist has joined the Pentagon as an Adviser to the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy.

Jay Carney - Former Time Magazine Washington Bureau Chief is incoming White House Press Secretary and recently served as Director of Communications for Vice President Biden.

Peter Gosselin - Former Los Angeles Times Reporter is Chief Speechwriter for Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

David Hoff - Former Education Week Reporter has become Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications Development at the Education Department.

Sasha Johnson - Former CNN Producer has accepted the position of Press Secretary at the Transportation Department.

Beverley Lumpkin - Former ABC News Justice Department Reporter is now a Public Affairs Specialist at the Justice Department.

Rick Weiss - Former Washington Post Science Reporter has joined the White House in the Office of Science and Technology.

Jill Zuckman - Former Chicago Tribune Correspondent is the Communications Director at the Transportation Department.

Roberta Baskin - Former ABC and CBS reporter, is a senior communications adviser at HHS.

Daren Briscoe - Former Newsweek reporter, is Deputy Associate Director of Public Affairs for the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Desson Thomson - Former Washington Post film critic, is a speechwriter for Ambassador Louis Susman.

Senate To Vote On Repealing Obamacare

02/01/2011

The Senate may vote on repealing Obamacare as soon as today. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has just introduced an amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Bill that has the backing of all 47 members of the Republican Conference. It will be very telling to see which Senate Democrats vote for or against Obamacare. Unfortunately, the amendment to repeal the health care law is not expected to pass so the fate of Obamacare will ultimately be settled by the United States Supreme Court.

RedState: Reagan and Obama – NO COMPARISON

01/31/2011

CU President David Bossie introduces the web ad "Reagan and Obama - NO COMPARISON" on RedState:

Time Magazine is out this week with a photoshopped cover of President Ronald Reagan with his arm around President Barack Obama. This manipulated image is as outrageous as it is factually dishonest. Both men may share the same title, but the way they view America and the world is quite different. The differences are even starker when you hear Reagan and Obama speaking about America.

Citizens United has produced a short video showing that there is no comparison between Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Watch our video and see for yourself:

Just over 2 years ago, Time Magazine's cover was portraying Obama as the next FDR. Trying to link him to Reagan now is both desperate and pathetic. The liberal Obama media will stop at nothing to try to prop up this sagging presidency.

Find out the truth about the Reagan presidency in Citizens United's film Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny.

Read the full post at RedState...

Daily Caller: President Obama You’re No Ronald Reagan

01/31/2011

In The Daily Caller, CU President David Bossie writes about the Time Magazine cover featuring President Reagan with his arm around Obama:

Soon-to-be White House Press Secretary Jay Carney’s former employer Time magazine has given President Obama a big thank you gift this week. Not only is President Obama on the cover of Time magazine for the 24th time in little more than four years, but the editors are trying to portray Obama as the next Ronald Reagan. President Obama and President Reagan are polar opposites in both politics and style. For a struggling magazine, I guess putting Reagan on the cover is the only way to sell some copies. Time magazine and the left will stop at nothing to prop up President Obama’s sagging presidency. Just over two years ago, Time portrayed President Obama as the next FDR on the cover of the magazine, but after the failure of Obama’s big government agenda, Time is jumping to have Obama reflect the country’s more conservative mood. These ploys are pathetic and desperate.

President Reagan served his country with a grace and style that cannot be matched, especially by the current occupant of the White House...

Florida Federal Judge Declares Obamacare Unconstitutional

01/31/2011

A second federal judge has declared Obamacare unconstitutional. Coming off the heels of last month’s Virginia decision, Florida District Court Judge Roger Vinson said in his ruling that Obamacare should be “declared void.” In reaching his decision Judge Vinson noted that “Because the individual mandate is unconstitutional and not severable, the entire Act must be declared void. This has been a difficult decision to reach, and I am aware that it will have indeterminable implications.” Step by step this travesty of a law will eventually make its way to the Supreme Court where I pray they will overturn it. Obamacare is a nightmare to our nation that will not only hurt our overall health care system but our economy as well.

The Truth About Obamacare Trickles Out

01/28/2011

For the last two years, the Obama Administration has said that Obamacare will bring down health care costs. On Wednesday, the Chief Medicare Actuary – the one person who should know – told the House Budget Committee that it was mainly false to say that Obamacare will save the government money. Of course, the mainstream media has totally ignored this story. Obamacare is a fraud that will only add another entitlement program to our $14 trillion debt.

Social Security Crossing A Rubicon

01/27/2011

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released startling information today about the viability of Social Security. CBO believes that Social Security will continue to run on deficits until the year 2037 when there will be no money left to fund the entitlement program. This will no doubt have a significant impact on our $14 trillion debt – and not in a good way. President Obama has a real responsibility to reform entitlement programs with these grave numbers coming out of CBO today. However, in the end, he will not do anything because he is more concerned about raising $1 billion for his reelection. Americans need to be told the truth – you can’t tackle our debt without dealing with entitlement reform. By...

SOTU: Obama’s False Promises

01/26/2011

Once again, at the State of the Union, President Obama delivered a speech that was full of promises but short on details. The 800 pound gorilla in the room was again present. The debt now stands over $14 trillion and is climbing uncontrollably. America is already buried under a mountain of debt. Real entitlement reforms need to take place in order to get our fiscal house in order. We have tough decisions to make in this country but the President only addressed the debt in a few short paragraphs, while devoting a majority of his speech to new spending. Obama, talking about the debt, said: “Now, the final critical step in winning the future is to make sure we aren’t buried under a mountain of debt.” Next month we will all see if President Obama is serious about the debt when he presents his budget to Congress. President Obama has talked like a centrist before, but...

Obama: The Public Financing Hypocrite

01/25/2011

The newly minted House Republican majority will be bringing legislation to the Floor to end the public financing of presidential campaigns this week, which the Obama Administration “strongly opposes.” President Obama, who opted out of the public finance system after first saying that he would play by the rules in 2008, has zero credibility on the issue. With the Obama campaign aiming to raise $1 billion for reelection, President Obama is trying to have it both ways when it comes to the public financing issue.

The Obama Administration released a statement today against the legislation that hypocritically said:

“After a year in which the Citizens United decision rolled back a century of law to allow corporate interests to spend vast sums in the Nation’s elections and to do so without disclosing the true interests behind them, this is not the time to further empower the special interests or to obstruct the work of reform.”

To the contrary, this is why the Citizens United decision was so critical. President Obama is working the system in his favor, and without the Citizens United decision he could have gotten away with it. President Obama wants to restrict everyone’s first amendment rights except his own.

Daily Caller: The $14 trillion gorilla

01/24/2011

CU President David Bossie introduces the "800 Pound Gorilla" web ad on The Daily Caller:

America is in a financial crisis. For years, politicians on both sides of the aisle have ignored the 800-pound gorilla in the room — our climbing $14 trillion national debt. That trend seems like it will continue with reports coming out over the weekend that President Obama will request more government spending in the State of the Union. I had hoped that a detailed plan on how to curb our government's overspending would be the focus of the president's speech. However, it looks like what he really wants is, in essence, another stimulus. We all know that the stimulus package passed during the early days of this administration failed miserably and contributed to the $14 trillion debt. If we do not address the ever-increasing debt, America may sink into a dangerous financial abyss.

Read the full piece...

David v. Goliath: The One Year Anniversary of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

01/21/2011

Featuring Speaker Newt Gingrich, Ed Gillespie, Ted Olson, and others, this short video tells the story of how CU v. FEC forever changed the political landscape in America. It is not enough to simply watch this video – we need your help to tell others the story of this great case, its meaning, and the great impact it will have going forward. Please consider making a gift today to support the promotion of this important film and others like it. How much is free speech worth to you? Will you invest in liberty with an immediate contribution of $50, $100, $250 to help us continue to fight to defend your rights just as we did in the Citizens United v. FEC case? Your generous donation today will send a thundering message to President Obama and his minions in Congress that you oppose their anti-free speech agenda and will defend the American Constitution! Help us preserve this great victory for free speech for future generations by donating TODAY!

David v. Goliath: The One-Year Anniversary of Citizens United

01/21/2011

CU President David Bossie opines on the first anniversary of Citizens United v. FEC:

One year ago today, on January 21, the Supreme Court released its landmark decision in Citizens United v. FEC. The decision corrected an anomaly in campaign finance law, and in doing so was a tremendous victory for the First Amendment and Americans who wish to participate in our political process. The case found its origins in 2007 when my group, Citizens United, a membership organization, sought to promote, distribute, and broadcast via video-on-demand a film critical of then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. If Citizens United would have done so, we were told by the FEC that it would have been a willful violation of the provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002 (better known as "McCain-Feingold") which prohibited corporations from making independent expenditures and electioneering communications. This violation was not merely subject to a civil fine, but rather a criminal penalty – I personally would have been sent to jail for promoting the film. Citizens United filed a lawsuit against the Federal Election Commission to defend our right to promote and broadcast the film. It took more than two years, but the First Amendment protection of political speech was restored by the Supreme Court in this landmark ruling. In the year since Citizens United was decided, it has been the subject of countless unwarranted attacks and harsh rhetoric. Senator Al Franken (D-MN) claimed...

Age of Civility: Democrat Calls Republicans Nazis

01/19/2011

The age of civility ushered in by the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords came to a screeching halt late last night in Washington, D.C. Congressman Steve Cohen, Democrat from Tennessee, became completely unhinged on the House Floor and said that Republicans were acting like Nazis in their opposition to Obamacare. Rep. Cohen should be censured for equating Republicans to the perpetrators of the Holocaust and let the record show that vitriolic rhetoric is the exclusive purview of neither party nor ideology.

Citizens United Reaches Out To Members Of Congress

01/18/2011

Citizens United President David Bossie sent the following letter to all members of the House of Representatives urging them to repeal Obamacare and notifying them that the vote will be scored in Citizens United's 2011 Congressional Rankings: Dear Member of Congress, On behalf of over 500,000 members and supporters of Citizens United, I urge you to support H.R. 2, the Repealing the Job-Crushing Health Care Law Act. At a time when our nation is drowning in $14,000,000,000,000 of debt, America simply cannot afford this multi-trillion dollar entitlement program. On March 21, 2010 the House of Representatives passed the unconstitutional Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. The hastily crafted legislation was written behind closed doors and did not afford Members of Congress the opportunity to read, much less understand the legislation before voting on it. Contained within the bill is an unprecedented mandate that individuals purchase private insurance. This affront to Federalism requires that Americans purchase a government-approved product, or face a substantial fine. The government can't tell you what kind of car to purchase, how can it tell you what kind of health care is acceptable? Congress must act quickly to repeal this unconstitutional legislation. All votes on H.R. 2 will be among those considered for Citizens United's 2011 Congressional Ratings. Citizens United was founded in 1988, and is one of the leading conservative advocacy groups in the country with over 500,000 members and supporters. Through its films, op-eds, policy papers, newsletters, and grassroots organizing, Citizens United seeks to reassert the traditional American values of limited government, freedom of enterprise, strong families, and national sovereignty and security. Sincerely, David N. Bossie President, Citizens United

LETTER TO CONGRESS: Vote to Repeal ObamaCare

01/18/2011

In our inaugural vote alert for the Citizens United 2011 Congressional Ratings, we have urged the House of Representatives to support H.R. 2, the Repealing the Job-Crushing Health Care Law Act. This vote, and any other on repealing Obamacare, will be considered for scoring in our Ratings.

Please see the full letter below:

Citizens United’s 2011 Congressional Ratings Vote Alert 1 - House Obamacare Repeal

John Paul II To Be Beatified

01/14/2011

On May 1st Pope Benedict XVI will beatify his predecessor Pope John Paul II, thus moving John Paul The Great one step closer to sainthood. This is a blessed honor for Pope John Paul II, who was an extraordinary leader of the Catholic Church and devoted his life to Christ and spreading his message of freedom through faith. Along with President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Margret Thatcher, Pope John Paul II helped defeat Soviet Communism and end the Cold War. In Nine Days that Changed the World, released by Citizens United Productions last spring, the story how Pope John Paul II gave hope to the people of Poland, Eastern Europe, and the world during the dark times of atheist-communist rule.

Passing the Buck in Illinois

01/12/2011

After years of reckless spending, the state of Illinois is passing on their $13 billion budget deficit to the taxpayer. The Illinois House, in the final hours of a lame duck session, passed a whopping 66 percent income-tax increase on Illinoisans. In the land where they once called Rod Blagojevich "Governor," and "Chicago-style politics" has become a pejorative, Illinois is the poster child of failed state and local government. Current Illinois Governor Pat Quinn said the tax increase would “jumpstart Illinois’ economy.” If you are a business thinking of relocating to Illinois, you must be having second thoughts today because the corporate tax rate just jumped from 4.8 % to 7% overnight. What is playing out in states like Illinois is a precursor to what may happen on a national level. The Obama Administration must work with the newly-elected Republican House to get our fiscal house...Read More

Obama The $1 Billion Man

01/12/2011

Over the course of the past year, President Obama and his liberal friends have relentlessly attacked the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision as well as the groups of Americans who have exercised their First Amendment right to political speech as a result of the decision. As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of our victory next week, I want to share a Wall Street Journal article that was posted this morning. President Obama stands ready to raise and spend over $1 billion for his reelection campaign in 2012. President Obama speaks of the corruptive influence of money in politics, but those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

North Korea Nuke Strategy

01/11/2011

While in China, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he believes that North Korea is five years away from having the capability of striking the continental United States with a nuclear tipped missile. Gates’ revelation is unnerving; how did the Obama Administration only just come to this conclusion? The North Korean regime is still in a pseudo state of war with South Korea and America. The Obama Administration must redouble its efforts on missile defense. Regimes like North Korea and Iran are craving weapons systems that can launch nuclear weapons at America and our allies. It is vital to American security that we remain vigilant to this threat. If not, we may suffer the unimaginable consequences of a nuclear strike on American soil.

Citizens United Releases January Edition of Obama Biden Watch

01/10/2011

The first issue of Obama Biden Watch for 2011 by Citizens United In This Issue:

8 Reasons William Daley is a Peculiar Pick for Obama's Chief of Staff
CU v. FEC One Year Later
Conservative Communique
Citizens United Hosts 2nd Annual CPAC Film Festival
Final thoughts from Citizens United President David N. Bossie

Read the latest edition of the Newsletter

Don't Politicize Arizona Shootings

01/10/2011

What happened at Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ event in Arizona over the weekend was a senseless act of violence. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who were murdered and wounded by delusional gunman Jared Loughner. Unfortunately, the professional left is hard at work politicizing the tragedy. It was disheartening to read headlines speculating about which political party or outside group had a hand in this act by a lone madman. The left and the media should not jump to any conclusions. Politics must be put to the side when dealing with a national tragedy like this.

More Jobs Needed

01/07/2011

The unemployment rate has been over 9 percent for twenty straight months. The Obama Administration’s failed economic policies have not produced any results to help the job market. With President Obama sacking nearly his entire economic team, the President knows his policies have not put our economy on the right track. Adding 103,000 jobs to the labor force is far less than was forecast and will not sustain any economic growth for the months to come. House Republicans have a golden opportunity to offer Americans an optimistic, pro-growth economic agenda as an alternative to President Obama’s big government, job killing agenda. Time to get to work!

7 Reasons Why Bill Daley Is A Peculiar Choice For Obama CoS

01/07/2011

The announcement of Bill Daley as President Obama’s new Chief of Staff is a peculiar choice considering his past history and Obama’s pledge to set a new tone in Washington. Over the course of his career, Bill Daley: 1. Rewarded Enron executives with a high profile trade mission as Bill Clinton’s Commerce Secretary. 2. Publicly stated he believed Bill Clinton was telling the truth about Monica Lewinsky. 3. Served on the board of Fannie Mae and received hundreds of thousands in stock options and deferred compensation. 4. Somehow managed to lose Al Gore’s presidential campaign – when unemployment was at 3.9 percent in November 2000. 5. Led the charge to enact NAFTA which, according to his Union and Democrat fellow travelers, ships jobs overseas. 6. Was an executive at JP Morgan, the company Democrat Sens. Franken and Menendez called for an investigation of in October. 7. Is a leading member of the infamous Daley political...

House Reading The Constitution

01/06/2011

The tone that is being set on the second day of the 112th Congress might not get many flashy headlines but it has great meaning. For the first time in our nation’s history, the entire United States Constitution is being read on the House floor. Our legislators must understand the roots of our great Republic. By reading the Constitution I hope our newly elected Congress will understand how the previous Congress failed the American people by not basing many significant pieces of legislation on the Constitution. The reason for the Democrats’ “forgetfulness” regarding the Constitution is, of course, that the failed idea of big government liberalism doesn’t fit into the Founders’ intentions and never will. Hopefully this new Congress will pay attention and remember the words they read today.

Daily Caller: An open letter to Speaker Boehner

01/05/2011

An open letter to Speaker Boehner on his new responsibility, by David N. Bossie:

Dear Speaker Boehner, Congratulations on your new Republican majority and your election as the 61st Speaker of the House! We conservatives have been given a tremendous opportunity to make the responsible and positive changes America so desperately needs at this consequential moment in our history. As you are acutely aware, the United States remains in the midst of a severe economic downturn. House Republicans were swept into power largely because voters came to the conclusion that President Obama, Former Speaker Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Reid didn't have their priorities straight. The voters were absolutely correct! As the economy continued to stumble, the national Democrat leadership instead focused on their health care takeover for an entire year. By making this irresponsible decision, they lost the public trust on economic issues. On November 2nd, the public loaned their trust to Republicans to help fix our economy and get America back on track. According to a recent CBS News poll, 56 percent of those polled said jobs and the economy are the issues they want the 112th Congress to focus on first and foremost. Conversely, health care registered a distant second at 14 percent. Statistics such as this are unmistakable: Americans want their national leadership to concentrate on innovative solutions to kick-start our economy and create jobs.

Go to The Daily Caller to read the rest of the letter...

Wikileaks Investigation By Issa’s Committee

01/05/2011

The handling of the Wikileaks case has been bungled from the start by Attorney General Eric Holder and President Barack Obama. Last month I called for a full investigation on why this major breach of classified material happened in the first place. I applaud Chairman Issa for making it a priority for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in the 112th Congress. The House investigation should focus on not only the Wikileaks case itself, but the Obama Administration’s incompetent handling of the case as well. Finally some real accountability will take place.

$14 Trillion Debt!

01/04/2011

It took just seven months for America’s national debt to climb another $1 trillion to a dangerous total of$14 trillion. The new Congress must act quickly to curb the uncontrollable spending set forth by the previous Congress. The choices are hard, but I do not want to see America go down the same road asGreece or Ireland.

Daily Caller: Cleaning up the mess left by the 111th Congress

01/03/2011

A clear sight of the mess left by the 111th Congress by David N. Bossie:

The 112th Congress, which will be sworn in later this week, will have the monumental task of cleaning up the mess made by the Democrat-controlled 111th Congress. First and foremost, it should be the goal of this Congress not to increase the exploding national debt. The 111th Congress added a seemingly impossible $3.22 trillion to the national debt in just two years, for a grand total of nearly $13.9 trillion and counting. Every American man, woman and child now owes $44,886.57 each toward the national debt. America cannot sustain itself on this massive borrowing and trillion-dollar deficit spending. The newly elected Republican majority in the House and the narrowed Republican minority in the Senate have to address this fiscal crisis head-on in the 112th Congress. First, they have to take care of the unfinished business of funding the government for Fiscal Year 2011. Substantial cuts need to be made and hard choices must be dealt with in a responsible manner. As Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen has said, "The most significant threat to our national security is our debt." Not terrorism, not nuclear weapons, not rogue nations, but our national debt. Unfortunately, President Barack Obama has only responded to this dire issue with a toothless commission and press releases…not real action. When President Obama releases his budget for Fiscal Year 2012 in the next month, a clearer picture will unfold of his intentions. Is President Obama ready to deal with reality?

Cleaning up the mess left by the 111th Congress

01/03/2011

The 112th Congress, which will be sworn in later this week, will have the monumental task of cleaning up the mess made by the Democrat-controlled 111th Congress. First and foremost, it should be the goal of this Congress not to increase the exploding national debt. The 111th Congress added a seemingly impossible $3.22 trillion to the national debt in just two years, for a grand total of nearly $13.9 trillion and counting. Every American man, woman and child now owes $44,886.57 each toward the national debt. America cannot sustain itself on this massive borrowing and trillion-dollar deficit spending. ... Read the rest of my column in the Daily Caller

Sore Loser

12/29/2010

Leave it to Democrat Congressman John Hall (NY-19) to equate the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision to Fascism. The soon to be former Congressman talking about the case said “I learned when I was in social studies class in school that corporate ownership or corporate control of government is called Fascism. So that’s really the question — is that the destination if this court decision goes unchecked?” Congressman Hall obviously failed Social Studies. Fascism is defined as a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictator. The Citizens United v. FEC decision released the shackles of government on speech. During his new found down time, Congressman Hall should study the true meaning of Fascism and not blame Citizens United for his loss. I look forward to attending an Orleansreunion...

Have Any Of Our Leaders (Spenders) Noticed Our National Debt Is Almost $14,000,000,000,000?

12/28/2010

The 111th Congress added a seemingly impossible $3.22 trillion to the national debt in just two years for a grand total of nearly $13.9 trillion of total debt and counting. The share of the national debt stands at $44,886.57 for every man, woman, and child in the United States. If our government was run like a business, the CEO and board of directors would be thrown in jail. The newly elected 112th Congress needs to get America’s fiscal house in order and make tough decisions – not just trim around the edges. If not, future generations will be robbed of the American dream because the chance to succeed won’t be available to them. As Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen has said,...

Death Panels Are Back

12/27/2010

The New York Times reported on Christmas Day, that the Obama Administration will pay doctors who advise Medicare patients on end-of-life care. This is troubling, and an end-around of the flawed heath care legislation passed earlier this year. Starting on January 1st, doctors who receive Medicare payments will be able to discuss end-of-life treatments during a Medicare patient’s annual exam. The doctor, who is paid by the government, will be in the position to consult the patient to forgo aggressive treatments that may save their lives. By writing “regulations” and going around the flawed Health care law, the Obama Administration is clearly laying down a marker for the new Republican controlled House of Representatives. I am sure this will not be the last time the Obama Administration uses “regulations” to circumvent the Congress.

Thank You Citizens United Supporters!!

12/23/2010

With your generous help, Citizens United was able to provide 900 Christmas turkeys to the soldiers at Fort Bliss in Texas. These brave men and women and their families have sacrificed so much for our country. As you sit down for Christmas dinner please remember those folks in faraway places protecting the freedoms we all hold so dear. I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. God Bless.

David N. Bossie, President of Citizens United

Director of National Intelligence AWOL

12/22/2010

Last night in an interview with ABC News’ Diane Sawyer, U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper looked cluelessabout this week’s terror arrests in England. The reason why the position of Director of National Intelligence was created is to be the clearinghouse for all intelligence gathering. How could the DNI not know about major terror related arrests in England? This raises serious questions about why this apparent breakdown in communications occurred. All congressional committees who share jurisdiction on this issue should be all over this. Next year will mark the ten year anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The Obama Administration must take the threat of radical Islamists seriously.

Obama Taking over the Internet

12/21/2010

Former Vice President Al Gore may claim to have invented the internet, but it is the Obama Administration that will have the distinction of being the first to regulate it. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted today by a vote of 3 to 2 to impose the first-ever internet regulations. This overreach by the FCC will have negative consequences on internet growth and business. Fortunately, like in the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court Case, these anti-freedom regulations by an ever-expanding federal agency will no doubt see their day in court. The Obama Administration continues to find ways to control the American people by circumventing Congress, regulating the internet was just the next logical step.

Defeated Congressman Blames CU v. FEC For His Loss

12/21/2010

On January 21, 2010 the Supreme Court restored the freedom of political speech in the Citizens United v. FEC decision. Allowing membership organizations, small businesses, labor unions and corporations to exercise their First Amendment rights allowed voters access to more information allowing them to make informed decisions on election day. Many members of Congress, including Dan Maffei (D-NY), were rejected by this increasingly informed electorate. Maffei, choosing not to admit that his policies and positions were the reason for his defeat, instead shifted the blame to the Supreme Court: “Clearly the Citizens United decision decided this race.” Maffei also stated that “I don’t know if the Democrats would have retained the (House) majority without the decision, but clearly, it would have been a lot closer.”

DADT: Liberals Out Of Control

12/21/2010

The Washington Post’s Richard Cohen has a column out today calling on Marine Corps Commandant James Amos to be removed from his command because he disagreed with the repeal of “don’t ask don’t tell.” General Amos is a Bronze Star recipient and led a Marine Aircraft Wing in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom. I think it is a mistake to ignore or ridicule General Amos’ assessment that the repeal of “don’t ask don’t tell” will harm the Marine Corps. According to the Pentagon’s own report, four out of ten marines may leave the Corps because of the repeal of “don’t ask don’t tell.” The Marine Corps mission is to be at the tip of the spear in any conflict. Mr. Cohen’s statement to sack its leader is absurd. The military is not a social experiment; it is there to protect us from our enemies. Cohen and other supporters of the repeal are wrong... Read More

Daily Caller: The inevitability of the draft

12/20/2010

CU President David Bossie presents our new video "Lady Gaga DADT - Be careful what you rally for" on The Daily Caller:

At Citizens United, we have released a YouTube video to highlight how the very people protesting “don’t ask, don’t tell” could be subject to a new draft if the repeal is signed into law. This issue has not been talked about much, but is a serious unintended consequence nonetheless. Statistics indicate that retention and recruitment will be a problem if “don’t ask, don’t tell” is repealed. We are at war, and war is no time to take a chance with our armed forces just to appease the liberal special interests. Unbelievably, Harry Reid tweeted to Lady Gaga, “We did it,” after the repeal was passed. I guess we know now that Reid is beholden to Lady Gaga and not those young Marines on the front lines protecting our freedom:

Read the full op-ed at Daily Caller...

VIDEO: Lady Gaga DADT - Be careful what you rally for

12/20/2010

The Pentagon says 4 out of 10 Marines may leave the service if Don't Ask, Don't Tell is repealed. Be careful what you rally for because Uncle Sam may end up drafting YOU. My op-ed in the Daily Caller on The inevitability of the draft

Finally Some Fiscal Sanity

12/17/2010

Republicans were successful last night in beating back a $1.1 trillion spending bill that was loaded with pork, and would continue to put America’s fiscal future in the hole. The Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate had a year to come up with a fiscally responsible spending bill and failed. Democrats thought they could ram this bill through the Senate based on years past. Finally some fiscal sanity has settled over Washington. One can only hope it is start of a new trend. When the 112th Congress convenes next month, major spending cuts and reforms have to be made. This is no time for trimming around the edges. There is a big elephant in the room – it’s our $13,800,000,000,000 debt – and it can’t be ignored for another second.

Daily Caller: Michael Moore is aiding and abetting the enemy

12/14/2010

CU President David Bossie addresses Michael Moore's offer to bail WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange out of jail:

America-hating Michael Moore is at it again by helping to bail out WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and making his internet resources available to WikiLeaks. He has even called PFC Bradley Manning, the soldier allegedly behind downloading the classified files, a patriot. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates — both of whom are hardly political hacks — have said Assange puts American troops' lives at risk as well as those of our allies in the War on Terror. Michael Moore has made a fortune by undermining America in the War on Terrorism and is using that money now to aid and abet the enemy. Assange is the lowest form of a human being. WikiLeaks is a grave threat to American security, and Julian Assange should pay a legal price. Michael Moore's view is that...

Read the rest at The Daily Caller...

Michael Moore Offers To Bail Out Julian Assange

12/14/2010

Leave it to America-hating Michael Moore to want to bail out Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in Great Britain. The Pentagon has said that these leaks have put the lives of our American soldiers fighting the War on Terrorism in danger. Julian Assange is an enemy of the state and should be tried here in America for acts of espionage. Michael Moore, currently in fat camp, should not be assisting Assange, who continues to harm America. Moore has made a fortune out of hating Americans. Now he is using that money to bail out a vermin like Julian Assange. Disgusting.

Virginia Federal Judge Overturns Obamacare

12/13/2010

A federal lawsuit, brought by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, was victorious today in derailing Obamacare. U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson’s ruling sides with Cuccinelli’s argument that the federal government does not have the constitutional authority to require Americans to have health insurance. This favorable ruling will not end Obamacare, but it is the first step in bringing this case to the United States Supreme Court. Obamacare is unconstitutional, and I congratulate Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli on his important victory today.

Citizens United Releases December Edition of Obama Biden Watch

12/10/2010

The December edition of the Obama-Biden Watch In This Issue:

Obama's "Unprecedented" Transparency About To Face First Test
Government Motors
What Are The Democrats Giving You This Holiday Season
Citizens United Productions Presents
Final Thoughts from Citizens United President David N. Bossie

Read the latest edition of the Newsletter

Who Is Running The Country?

12/10/2010

It looks like President Bill Clinton is running the country right now. In an unprecedented press briefingfrom the White House, the forty-second President of the United States articulated President Obama’s tax plan better than President Obama has done the whole week. This just made a weak president look weaker. Unbelievable!!!

House Democrats Are A Bunch Of Cry Babies

12/09/2010

Although it is not a perfect compromise by any means of the imagination, the agreement reached between President Obama and Congressional Republicans on the tax plan is a workable one. Today, theHouse Democrats acted like a bunch of two-year olds in how they reacted to the compromise. In a Caucus meeting, Democrats voted against the plan via voice vote. The liberals of the Caucus are all up in arms about the Death Tax and how small businesses and citizens need to be double taxed upon their deaths. It is political stunts like this that contributed to the loss of 63 Democrat held seats this past November. As Nancy Pelosi’s days come to an end as Speaker of the House, one can only hope that the shenanigans would stop. From past experience, it seems to be only wishful thinking.

Socialists of the World Unite to Honor WikiLeakers

12/09/2010

Reports out today that Russia wants to nominate Wikileaks founder Julian Assange for the Nobel Peace Prize are laughable. Although President Obama knows what it means to undeservedly win the Nobel Peace Prize, Julian Assange is an enemy of the state and should be brought to justice. It should come as no surprise that the Russians have like-minded friends in the liberal intelligentsia here in America. In fact, Time Magazine may name Julian Assange as their “Person of the Year” for 2010. In opposition, Citizens United has launched a Facebook page named “1 Million Citizens United Against Julian Assange as Time Person of the Year.” Likewise, the City Council of Berkeley, California, is taking up a Read More

Citizens United Calls on Time Magazine Not To Name Julian Assange As “Person Of The Year”

12/08/2010

With reports out today that Time Magazine may name Julian Assange "Time Person of the Year" for 2010, Citizens United has launched a Facebook page named "1 Million Citizens United Against Julian Assange as Time Person of the Year." Mr. Assange, the founder of Wikileaks and an alleged rapist, has put the lives of American soldiers at risk with the sensitive information he has supplied to our enemies. "The goal of this Facebook page is to give a voice to the many Americans who are outraged by what Julian Assange has done to our national security at a time of war," said David N. Bossie, President of Citizens United. "Mr. Assange is an enemy of the state and for Time Magazine to possibly name him "Person of the Year" is a total affront to the American people. Why would Time Magazine want to bestow this honor to an alleged rapist who would like to see harm done to our soldiers? Julian Assange fits into the mold of Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Ayatollah Khomeini who all graced the cover in the past as Time's Person of the Year. Time Magazines' editors, if they choose Mr. Assange, will further shame their already declining magazine. I am positive they can choose a better person for 2010. If you wish America success in the War on Terror, please support this effort." LIKE the Facebook Page here

Releasing GITMO Terrorists Puts America At Risk

12/08/2010

President Obama's Executive Order to unilaterally close GITMO and his decision to ram a partisan "stimulus" bill through Congress during his first month in office was the beginning of the end of his presidency. After campaigning for two years on the notion that he would be a post-partisan, moderate consensus builder who would change how Washington operates, these two moves sent loud signals that the central tenets of Obama's platform were all talk. As we all now know, Mr. Obama is a typical liberal politician who does whatever his special interest groups tell him to do. Today, his GITMO decision is coming back to haunt America. Note to Obama: You shouldn't have let the far left dictate America's foreign policy - it'll make you a one-termer double quick.

Sadly, we woke up to this report in The Washington Times today:

"Nearly one in four terrorists released from the detention facility at U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, resumed terrorist activities against the United States and the number is expected to rise, according to a report to Congress by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The report, made public Tuesday, stated that out of a total of 598 detainees released as of October, 150 were confirmed or suspected of 'reengaging in terrorist or insurgent activities after transfer,' the two-page unclassified summary said."

Big Peace: A Day That Will Live In Infamy – 69 Years Ago and Today

12/07/2010

CU President David N. Bossie marks Pearl Harbor Day with a reminder of the threats still facing America:

Today is the 69th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor that led us into the Second World War. As we remember the day, there is much we can reflect on and learn from as it relates to the Global War on Terror. September 11th was our modern-day Pearl Harbor. Like the Japanese, Osama bin Laden thought the US was a paper tiger that would be easily crippled by a devastating sneak attack on our homeland. Both soon learned that they merely woke up a sleeping giant. But now almost 10 years later, we seem to have lost our focus in the war with Islamic extremists. The film America at Risk hosted by Newt and Callista Gingrich, lays out the dangers still facing our country and brings to the forefront the poor execution of the War on Terror by the Obama Administration. Newt Gingrich observes in America at Risk, "During World War II, the American people understood the war, understood the enemy, and understood why victory was our goal." Today, the Obama Administration won't tell the truth about the war we are fighting, they refuse to identify our enemy, and it is not clear that victory is their goal. Homeland Security Chief, Janet Napolitano, likes to categorize terrorist strikes as "man-caused disasters." President Obama has changed the name of the "War on Terror" to "Overseas Contingency Operations." ... Read More at BigPeace.com

Holder Is Seven Months Too Late

12/06/2010

The Attorney General of the United States of America is one of the most powerful people in the federal government. Today in a news conference on another subject, Attorney General Eric Holder said that he authorized "a number of things" last week to combat Wikileaks. "Things" should have been done seven months ago when PFC Bradley Manning was arrested. This whole episode shows how slow the Obama Administration is to recognize a major national security threat. I guess it is just par for the course for the Obama Administration.

Obama: Miles Away From Reality

12/03/2010

With the country on the brink of the largest tax increase in American history, where will President Obama be?

Watch the video below to find out:

The Obama tax hikes, set to begin on January 1, 2011, will increase the rates of each and every income tax bracket. At a time when the economy is still struggling, unemployment remains near 10%, and the Christmas bills are piling up, ALL taxpayers will take an immediate hit in their first paycheck of the New Year.

Conservatives Of The Year

12/02/2010

I am grateful to have been considered for the Right Wing News Blogger’s Choice Conservative Of The Year 2010 along with so many other great conservative leaders and I am proud to have received an Honorable Mention. I look forward to continuing to advance the conservative movement with Citizens United in 2011!

Daily Caller: WikiLeaks must be oversight priority number one for Congress

12/01/2010

The Congressional priority of sinking Wikileaks by David N. Bossie:

Because of the recent media frenzy over the WikiLeaks debacle, Americans may have assumed that one of the [82] websites Mr. Holder had seized was Wikileaks.org. Sadly, this wasn't the case. As of this moment, WikiLeaks is still alive and well and wreaking havoc on U.S. national security and our credibility around the world. The attorney general instead was focused on intellectual property crimes. The ongoing WikiLeaks disaster has not been a priority for the Obama administration. In July, the Justice Department announced it was assisting the Defense Department in their WikiLeaks investigation. At the same time, President Obama made his first comments about WikiLeaks and didn't appear overly worried about the danger we were facing: "While I'm concerned about the disclosure of sensitive information from the battlefield that could potentially jeopardize individuals or operations, the fact is, these documents don't reveal any issues that haven't already informed our public debate on Afghanistan. Indeed, they point to the same challenges that led me to conduct an extensive review of our policy last fall..." Unfortunately, the president was missing the point. Did he even consider the possibility of future and far more damaging document leaks? Read more at The Daily Caller

Patty Murray = Sacrificial Lamb

12/01/2010

After weeks of trying to pick who will be the next campaign chief at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee – a job nobody really wanted - Harry Reid went back and picked the one person who knows how to lose a Senate Majority (Google “2001-2002 election cycle”). Patty Murray may well be the first U.S. Senator to guide her caucus back to the minority twice – and all in one decade! Good choice Harry!

Senate To Take Up The DREAM Act?!

12/01/2010

Did the Democrats learn anything from the past election? Next week the United States Senate will take up the DREAM Act which in essence is a backdoor way to give amnesty to illegal aliens. With another bad jobs report slated to come out on Friday, the priority for the United States Senate should be to halt the Obama tax increases that will go into effect on January 1st. It appears that jobs are only important to Democrats if they are for illegal aliens.

Justice Stevens Not Living In Reality

11/29/2010

Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens is wrong to say that the Supreme Court is damaged because of its ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. Stevens alleges that the majority opinion in Citizens United will “undermine the integrity of elected institutions across the Nation.” I find it hard to believe that the Supreme Court’s defense of the First Amendment will somehow undermine electoral democracy. One premise of Justice Stevens’ argument is that as a result of Citizens United one side may have greater “resources than the other.” Implied in this statement is that corporate and conservative interests will dominate the airwaves and have an unfair advantage. Stevens fundamentally misunderstands the First Amendment if he believes that it exists to balance the resources of speakers. In addition to being based on a false premise, Stevens’ statement is fundamentally untrue. On...

Daily Caller: Remember our military heroes this Thanksgiving

11/24/2010

Recalling the sacrifices of our countrymen and forefathers, by David N. Bossie:

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. As the nation was being torn apart by Civil War, Lincoln was able to see the value of a day that celebrates our togetherness and invites us to think about the things we are thankful for. Our country has a number of great traditions and Thanksgiving is one that brings American families together each year. During this time of war, as many Americans travel long distances to be together this Thursday, many will have empty seats at their tables. There are thousands of brave young men and women in uniform fighting two wars overseas. They are away from home and the ones they love for the greater good of our nation. Six years ago those soldiers waged a heroic battle during the Iraq war to capture the city of Fallujah. Citizens United Productions released "Perfect Valor," a vivid war documentary hosted by Senator Fred Thompson in 2009. The award-winning documentary tells the true story of the soldiers who fought in the battle of Fallujah. When you watch the documentary you will see why America has the best military in the world. The men and women featured in "Perfect Valor" are this generation's "Band of Brothers."

Obama’s Nonexistent Foreign Policy

11/23/2010

As North Korea fires a barrage of artillery shells onto South Korean soil, the Obama administration foreign policy number one mission is to pass the START Treaty in the lame duck Congress. President Obama should concentrate on the more serious threats of North Korea and a nuclear Iran than pushing a treaty that will not pass the United States Senate. It is nice for President Obama to dream of a world without nuclear weapons, but it reeks of naïveté.

Your Tax Dollars May Pay For The Ground Zero Mosque

11/18/2010

It is being reported today that the Ground Zero Mosque developer, Sharif El-Gamal, has applied for a $5 million federal grant. The grant money El-Gamal applied for is part of a $20 billion pool of funds set aside in the wake of the September 11th attacks for the economic development of lower Manhattan. It is wrong to build this mosque and cultural center a few blocks away from the World Trade Center which is hallowed ground. Obviously, the proper thing to do is to build this mosque elsewhere. That would send a signal that the Muslim leaders involved are sympathetic to the families who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The Obama Administration and Congress should call on the Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Corporation to deny El-Gamal’s controversial grant application.

Morning Fruitcake

11/18/2010

Citizens United's new ad campaign PelosiFruitcake.com was featured today on MSNBC's Morning Joe. Watch it:

Obama Is Naïve On Terror Trials

11/18/2010

America is at war against radical Islamists who want to kill Americans at any cost. Those who say that these murderers should be given constitutional rights are naive of the grave threat we as a nation are facing. Look at what happened this week when GITMO detainee Ahmed Ghailani was convicted on one charge for conspiracy and acquitted on 280 other charges, including murder, in federal court. Our judicial system is not equipped to handle war criminals, plain and simple. Obama’s Justice Department, led by Attorney General Eric Holder, is being reckless with America’s security to appease Muslims and liberal groups like the ACLU. Learn more about the dangers facing America and how the Obama Administration is failing to identify those threats in our film

Daily Caller: A worse holiday gift: Pelosi or fruitcake?

11/17/2010

Pelosi turns yuletide cheers to tears, by David N. Bossie in The Daily Caller:

The decision by House Democrats to anoint Nancy Pelosi their leader once again is the equivalent of giving the American people a fruitcake for the holidays. And let's face it — nobody really wants a fruitcake! Sadly, the similarities between the embarrassingly unpopular duo don't stop there. According to recent polling data, "Leader" Pelosi's approval rating just before the tsunami was at 29 percent. That is painfully low, and represents a total rejection of the failed policies she championed over the course of her infamous speakership. Whether it's 9.6 percent unemployment, record debt, the government takeover of health care, or cap and tax, the Pelosi agenda was sent packing in 2010 to the tune of over 60 House seats. At Citizens United, we are rolling out a little early holiday fun. Today we are launching www.pelosifruitcake.com and a parity web advertisement that highlights the obvious: nobody really wants a fruitcake. Please share with your family, friends, and co-workers. Season's greetings!

See All 3 Videos and more at PelosiFruitcake.com

Nancy Pelosi Fruitcake

11/17/2010

At Citizens United, we are having a little early holiday fun with the fact that Democrats are regifting Nancy Pelosi as their leader once again in the House of Representatives. Pelosi as Democrat Minority Leader is as popular as a Christmas fruitcake – and nobody wants a fruitcake. In fact, Nancy Pelosi is only 1% more popular than fruitcake according to public opinion polls! To spoof on this fact, Citizens United has produced three 30 second web ads that feature a Nancy Pelosi Fruitcake popping up in unexpected places. In the first video, called "In the Doghouse," a dinner date goes horribly wrong when an unsuspecting young man attempts to gift the Nancy Pelosi fruitcake. See the videos on our new website www.PelosiFruitcake.com!

An American Hero

11/16/2010

In an age when most Americans look at athletes as heroes, we seem to forget the men and women in uniform who are at the tip of the spear. Today, Salvatore Giunta was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama for his "gallantry in action" and "great personal bravery" in a battle in Afghanistan during which he saved an injured fellow soldier being dragged away by the Taliban. Giunta is the first living soldier since the Vietnam War to receive the highest military honor our country can bestow. It is soldiers like Salvatore Giunta who truly capture the American spirit. To learn more about our military heroes, please take a look at Citizens United’s tribute to our men and women in uniform “Perfect Valor,” narrated by Senator Fred Thompson. The stories of our brave men and women are told in their own words in vivid fashion.

Charlie Rangel’s Shenanigans

11/15/2010

As the last chapter of the 111th Congress is written, the Charlie Rangel saga continues. Nancy Pelosi promised to “drain the swamp” when she became Speaker of the House but, clearly, Charlie Rangel did not get the memo. Rangel walked out on his ethics committee hearing this morning in dramatic fashion while pleading poverty and an inability to hire a lawyer. A question for Nancy Pelosi: How can alleged tax cheat Charlie Rangel still be a member of the House Ways and Means Committee - the committee in charge of tax policy - in the 112th Congress? Rangel is the poster child of the tone-deaf, out-of-touch Democrat Congress that led to the Republican tsunami earlier this month. As the newly minted members of Congress start their orientation, they should all be made aware that behavior like...

Big Government: Welcome to Congress

11/13/2010

A few words of advice to the freshman class of the 112th Congress by David N. Bossie:

You've endured a long hard campaign season, weathered vicious attacks from your opponent, on Election Night, you triumphed, and now you will take your seat in the 112th Congress. Now the real work begins.While much of your time from now through your swearing in will be filled with thanking supporters, hiring staff, and retiring campaign debt, it is imperative that you devote some time to reflect on what is that brought you to this point. Why did the voters select you on Election Day; what do they expect from you; and how will you make good on your promises to the American public? Republicans gained over 60 seats in the House of Representatives this Election Day. This electoral tsunami is a reflection of how the American public is feeling. They are tired of President Obama, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and their failed liberal agenda. From Obamacare, to flawed economic stimulus packages, to cap and trade, they've had enough.

Daily Caller: Beware of the lame-duck Congress

11/12/2010

CU President David Bossie warns of the lame-duck Congress in The Daily Caller:

Republicans may be in control of the U.S. House of Representatives when the 112th Congress comes to Washington, D.C. in January, but the 111th Congress isn't dead yet. When the disastrous Pelosi-Reid-led Congress comes back for its lame-duck session on November 15th, it should have one thing in mind: do no more harm to country or party. But clearly, doing what the American people want has not been the modus operandi thus far. We should all be uneasy, because six weeks is enough time to do a lot more damage if we let our guard down. Let's review. When the 111th Congress began its war on prosperity in January 2009, the national debt registered at $10.6 trillion; it is currently $13.7 trillion and rising rapidly. The unemployment rate stood at 7.7 percent. Today, 22 months later, because Obama, Pelosi, and Reid focused on everything except jobs and the economy, our unemployment rate has been stuck at 9.6 percent for three months and has been over 9 percent for 18 straight months. This is the first time this has happened since 1982-1983, when unemployment stayed above 9 percent for 19 straight months before the Reagan economic package took effect by ushering in unprecedented economic growth for the rest of the decade. If this lame-duck Congress does one thing and one thing only — it is imperative that it extends every single one of President Bush's tax relief items. Before the historic 2010 elections, Obama, Pelosi, and Reid's tax strategy seemed to be centered on picking and choosing who deserves tax cuts and who doesn't. Continuing this anti-growth mentality in the lame-duck session would be a colossal mistake and would cause gridlock in the U.S. Senate. It doesn't take a genius to know that in this type of economic climate every American urgently needs tax relief, not just the folks Obama, Pelosi, and Reid judge to be worthy of help.

Read the full op-ed...

Thank You, Veterans!

11/11/2010

Our men and women in uniform sacrifice so much so that we can live in freedom. They put their lives on the line every day so that you and I can enjoy all that America has to offer. This Veterans Day, please join us in giving thanks to all who have worn the uniform, remember our military families who have missing seats at the dinner table, and say a prayer for those who are away protecting our freedom. God Bless America.

Big Government: Conservative Women Led the GOP Comeback

11/10/2010

CU President David Bossie says the conservative charge of November was bolstered by leadership of women:

Conservative Republicans nationwide made a resounding comeback last Tuesday night, recapturing the majority in the U.S. House by picking up more than 60 seats – the biggest gains since 1948! In addition to the historic night in the House, Republicans added 6 seats in the U.S. Senate, 18 State House chambers switched, and there will be 11 new Republican governors starting in 2011. President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and soon-to-be-ex Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi saw a repudiation of their irresponsible and out of touch left-wing agenda, and the comeback of a vibrant and hopeful conservative movement – with women leading the way.

Pelosi’s Delusion

11/10/2010

In a USA Today op-ed, Nancy Pelosi tries to explain the Democrat “accomplishments” of the 111th Congress. Pelosi says that Democrats restored “fiscal discipline to the Congress.” Since Nancy Pelosi became Speaker of the House in January of 2007, the national debt has increased by approximately $5 trillion. As she celebrates her “accomplishments” today in the Cannon House Office Building, I hope she remembers the future generations she has saddled with a mountain of debt. Unfortunately, in her world, she thinks that is a positive.

Happy Birthday to the Marines!

11/10/2010

On this day, 235 years ago, the United States Marine Corps was born. From the Halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli, we at Citizens United would like to give a big Ooh-rah and wish Happy Birthday to our Marines!

Daily Caller: The arrogance of Democrat power

11/10/2010

CU President David Bossie responds to the recent interview with President Obama on 60 Minutes:

In the week since Democrats got thumped at the polls, President Barack Obama and soon-to-be former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi have shown themselves to be in absolute denial as to why their policies were rejected by the American people. For one, President Obama looked completely disconnected from the American people in his 60 Minutes interview. Secondly, Nancy Pelosi's lust for power has taken over and she is running for minority leader of the Democrat caucus, and throwing a party to celebrate her accomplishments in the 111th Congress. In his interview with Steve Kroft from 60 Minutes, President Obama was asked if the election was in anyway a rejection of his agenda. He answered the question with his own, "Does it make sense that President Obama gave 95 percent of working families a tax cut?"

Transparently Unaccountable

11/09/2010

Two days ago on 60 Minutes, President Obama said, “I think, people want to see Washington work. And what they mean by Washington working: It's transparent. It's accountable.” Today is the Administration’s first opportunity to follow through on that statement and prove that it will get Washington working again: Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board Chairman Earl Devaney. In the interest of accountability and transparency, the meeting is … closed press. Not to mess with Sheriff Joe, but in what definition of the terms “transparent” and “accountable” does a closed meeting fall under? Read more from the LA Times

Surprise! Obama Rhetoric Doesn't Match Reality On Bailouts

11/08/2010

President Obama on July 15th after the Senate passed the Democrat financial overhaul bill: "...No more taxpayer-funded bailouts, period." The Associated Press on November 5th: "Fannie Mae asks for $2.5 billion in new US aid" Mr. President, why didn't you address Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in your financial bill? How are you going to explain this latest taxpayer-funded bailout?

Keith Olbermann Is The Worst Person In America!

11/05/2010

First Keith Olbermann was fired from NFL Sunday Night Football, now he has been suspended from MSNBC for giving money to Democrat candidates in the 2010 midterms. It is pretty ironic that Keith Olbermann gets suspended indefinitely because he cannot follow NBC’s own campaign finance rules. It truly has been a great week.

Honoring Fort Hood

11/05/2010

One year ago today, 13 American soldiers (one pregnant) were killed and 32 wounded in a terrorist attack on our military base in Fort Hood, Texas. As we honor those who died, the victims and their families, we must pledge to never again allow willful blindness about radical Islamism to put our country and our soldiers at risk. God bless our men and women in uniform and may the fallen rest in peace.

Nancy Pelosi Is Running For Minority Leader?!?

11/05/2010

It is fitting that on the same day the Labor Department announced that the unemployment rate remained at a stagnant 9.6 percent, Nancy Pelosi also declared she will run for Minority Leader. The collective "ARGHHHHHH!" you hear is from the moderate Democrats who survived the Republican tsunami on Tuesday and will yet again have to defend her liberal San Francisco elitist views in the 112th Congress. Surrounded by folks telling her she did a good job and losing over sixty seats is somehow not a referendum on her leadership, Nancy Pelosi is in denial.

Citizens United Releases November Edition of Obama Biden Watch

11/05/2010

In This Issue:

Beware of the Lame Duck Congress
Welcome to Congress - Advice to the Incoming Freshman Members of Congress
Don't Forget the State Legislative Victories
Conservative Women Led the GOP Comeback
Final Thoughts from Citizens United President David N. Bossie

Read the latest edition of the Newsletter

Daily Caller: Republican establishment elites are wrong

11/05/2010

In the Daily Caller today, CU President David Bossie writes that the GOP is stronger because of Senator DeMint:

In their postmortems of the 2010 elections, many in the Senate Republican establishment have placed the blame for their inability to regain the majority on Senator Jim DeMint's principled pre-election endorsements. Once again these establishment elites are wrong. Immediately following the election of President Barack Obama, the Republican establishment sent out word that the only way out of their electoral abyss" was to nominate more moderate candidates. If you think about the Republican wish list in early 2009, the names Charlie Crist, Trey Grayson, Sue Lowden, and Jane Norton come to mind. All four are your standard safe" candidates who fit into the mold of a Republican senator who will be fine with business as usual. None would have given the party leadership any headaches or sacrificed their electoral standing for the conservative movement and our core principles.

Will Obama Listen?

11/03/2010

President Obama said today that his party was “shellacked” in the 2010 midterm elections. He vowed to work with the Republicans over the next two years. Actions speak louder than words and time will tell if President Obama was truthful today. President Obama’s arrogance is what led to the Republican tsunami that swept up over sixty seats in the House of Representatives. If President Obama sticks to the same liberal course, then it is his Presidency that will be swept up in a tsunami two years from now.

Democrats: It's Not Us, It's You

11/02/2010

Don’t listen to any hysteria from the liberals about the Citizens United v. FEC decision hurting their candidates. This election is not about the influence of foreign money – which is STILL illegal. It’s not about outside spending – although three out of the top five biggest spending outside groups are Democrat-affiliated. And it’s not about transparency – Democrats only cry about more disclosure when they are losing. This Election Day is about the failure of the liberal agenda to address the real concerns of American people. When Americans were outraged about trillion dollar deficits, Obama pushed through an almost $1 trillion stimulus package. When Americans wanted job-creating legislation, Nancy Pelosi held a vote for the job-killing cap and trade bill. And when unemployment reached highs of 10...

Thank You, Hollywood

10/28/2010

It is amusing to watch the back and forth between Joy Behar and Sharron Angle. The spectacle reminds me after the reelection of President Bush in 2004, Citizens United put up this billboard in Hollywood. Whoopi Goldberg sent me a box of Godiva chocolates as a thank you.

More Democrat Hypocrisy

10/28/2010

The hypocrisy spewing out of the Democrat Party has hit an all-time high. According to the Hill newspaper this past weekend, House and Senate Democrats have received over $1 million from Political Action Committees of U.S. subsidiaries of foreign corporations. These are the same corporations that Congressional Democrats sought to ban from engaging in political activity in the DISCLOSE Act. President Obama has yet to voice his outrage at Congressional Democrats for accepting this money. One of the top donors this cycle has been the PAC affiliated with British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. If you’ll recall, as a State Senator in Illinois Obama himself Read More

Who Are The Big Spenders?

10/22/2010

The Wall Street Journal had a great article today entitled “Campaign’s Big Spender,” which the liberal media will not want you to see. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is spending $87.5 million to help Democrats nationwide. In fact, three out of the top five outside groups are Democrat-affiliated. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the National Education Association (NEA) round out the top five and, when you put all three together, the groups will spend over $160 million this election. It is their constitutional right to spend that money and I have no problem with them spending it. However, President Obama is disingenuous when he says, "The American people deserve to know who’s trying... Read More

Radio Silence from NPR

10/22/2010

Listening to NPR’s Morning Addition as I drove into work this morning, I was struck by the fact that they did not mention the firing of Juan Williams at all. The Washington Post had a front page story on the firing and other media outlets have been making the issue top news. I wonder if NPR’s management, which prides itself on free speech, has put out a gag order to their hosts not to talk about the firing of Juan Williams. As I said in my blog post yesterday, I hope Congress acts to defund NPR in the lame duck session, and I applaud Senator DeMint’s intention to make this happen.

Defund NPR

10/21/2010

Each day, I listen to NPR’s Morning Addition on my drive into the office and All Things Considered on the way home to see what the elite left is saying. As a conservative, listening to NPR is part of my opposition research each and every day. What Juan Williams said on the O’Reilly Factor on Monday was his honest opinion. It is absolutely outrageous for NPR to fire him for those remarks. Juan Williams is a personal friend of mine; there is not one shred of bigotry in the man I know. Since NPR receives taxpayer funding, I hope legislation will be introduced in Congress to take away funding for NPR. I am sure the leadership at NPR can call up liberal billionaire George Soros for funding. He has already contributed over a million dollars to...

Women Leading the Way on Election Day

10/21/2010

On Tuesday, the Washington Post had an article “Democrats try to woo women as more embrace GOP candidates” that further confirms that this is the year of the conservative woman and “Mama Grizzlies,” like those featured in Fire from the Heartland, are leading the way. One Democrat strategist in the article is quoted as saying, "They do not think the administration's economic policies are working for their families, and worry about the priorities of this administration, and wonder if they get it.” That is a sentiment we’ve heard repeatedly from women at Tea Party Rallies across the country and is echoed in the film when cast member Michelle Moore says, “We are going to take a leading role because we are done – our children’s future is at stake.” Find out more about why women are at...

CU Film Nominated for 2010 Orlando Film Festival

10/20/2010

Citizens United Productions' "Nine Days that Changed the World," hosted by Newt and Callista Gingrich, has been nominated for Best Documentary as well as Most Inspirational Film at the 2010 Orlando Film Festival. Please click here to order your very own copy.

Fire From The Heartland Released

10/18/2010

The first-ever film to tell the entire story of the conservative woman in her own words, "Fire from the Heartland" is a powerful statement about America at a crossroads and the women who have awakened to the crisis. With role models such as Clare Boothe Luce, Margaret Thatcher, and Phyllis Schlafly as inspiration, these women are the unintended consequence of the liberal feminist movement.

Tracing the long history of the many conservative women who have been the backbone of this great nation, from the founding mothers of our Republic to today's "Mama Grizzlies," this powerful and compelling documentary honors the self-made American woman.

Activists, politicians and commentators such as Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, S.E. Cupp, Dana Loesch, Michelle Easton, Sonnie Johnson, Jenny Beth Martin, Michelle Moore, Jamie Radtke, Deneen Borelli, Janine Turner, and Congresswomen Cynthia Lummis, Jean Schmidt, and Michele Bachmann share their emotional stories of hardship and triumph in their fight for freedom. These women leaders are fanning the flames of liberty across the nation.

Written and directed by Stephen K. Bannon and produced by David N. Bossie, the team that made the critically acclaimed film "Generation Zero" that focused on the financial meltdown and the rise of the Tea Party, "Fire from the Heartland" is a must-see for every citizen concerned with the direction of our country and will stir a fire in the hearts of all Americans. Learn more and order the DVD

Deficit Spending Run Amok

10/15/2010

The news out this morning that the FY2010 budget deficit reached $1.29 trillion shows that Washington is fundamentally broken. America cannot run trillion dollar deficits every year and remain solvent. What happened in Greece earlier this year could very well happen here in America if we do not get our fiscal house in order. American families sit around the kitchen table everyday and work out their own household budget. If these families followed the federal government’s lead they would be thrown into debtor’s prison. America must get on a better financial footing, or we will face an even bigger economic collapse. Citizens United Productions has two movies out that look into these issues; Generation Zero and

Failed Policies, Not Foreign Money, Endanger Democrats

10/11/2010

I find it laughable to read the latest propaganda that Democrats will lose Congress due to foreign money. It is illegal for organizations to use foreign money for electioneering purposes. As a matter of fact, dozens of people were charged and convicted during the 1990s for their role in shady foreign financing of Bill Clinton and the Democrat National Committee. Even the New York Times questions the theory that foreign agents are financing commercials this year against endangered Democrats throughout the country. In fact, in Citizens United v. FEC, the Supreme Court explicitly declined to address or overturn the prohibition on foreign political spending. The reason that Democrats are in...

Goodbye, Congress

09/30/2010

Congressional Democrats have left Washington without even passing a fiscally responsible budget or addressing the 9.6 percent unemployment rate, and in 92 days will be responsible for the largest tax hike ever to hit the American people. No wonder the current Congressional job approval rating is at a meager 18 percent.

Premiere of Fire from the Heartland

09/24/2010

On Wednesday evening we held the star-studded premiere for our newest film “Fire from the Heartland: The Awakening of the Conservative Woman.” The night was a great success and we were pleased to host many members of our wonderful and inspiring all-female cast. I’d like to thank everyone who helped make this film and the premiere possible and to the thousands of Citizens United Productions supporters who enable us to continue to make great films like this one. A few pictures from the event, Co-stars Michelle Moore, Sonnie Johnson, and Dana Loesch: Co-stars S.E. Cupp and Michelle Easton, with Michelle’s husband, CU Board Member Ron Robinson: Co-star Janine Turner is interviewed by the press:

House Democrats Unhinged

09/24/2010

With 9.6 percent unemployment, Congressional Democrats continue to ignore the issues the American people want action on. The immigration issue is a serious one where lives are at stake. But comedian Stephen Colbert’s appearance today before the House Judiciary Committee was an insult to Congress. His prepared remarks not only made a mockery of Congress, but cheapened the institution. Americans deserve better use of their hard earned tax dollars then having a funny man make light of an important issue.

DISCLOSE Act Hypocrisy

09/22/2010

As the Senate again seeks to regulate speech with the DISCLOSE Act tomorrow, many of its Democratic leaders will gather tonight to raise big money to fill their campaign coffers in New York City. President Obama will be meeting with wealthy donors who will pay between $2,500 and $15,200 for the privilege of listening to him rail against the corrupting nature of money in politics. Having a high dollar fundraiser one day, and the next attempting to limit political speech, is hypocrisy at its finest. Focusing on the DISCLOSE Act just shows how Washington is out of touch. As the President, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi raise money on Madison Avenue, the rest of the country is facing a 9.6 percent unemployment rate. President Obama and Harry Reid should reevaluate their priorities, and I hope that in the coming weeks they focus on creating jobs – not just saving their own. Politico article:

Fire from the Heartland is Launched

09/16/2010

I am pleased to introduce "Fire from the Heartland: The Awakening of the Conservative Woman," a film that explores a new conservative renaissance known as the Tea Party Movement, and how women are its driving force. The film is a powerful reminder of the role women have played in the conservative movement throughout American history. I am very excited about “Fire from the Heartland” and the chance to have this extraordinary cast tell the story of women’s role in the leadership of the conservative movement. Please visit our website to learn more: www.FireFromTheHeartland.com

America At Risk Released

09/14/2010

America At Risk, hosted by Newt and Callista Gingrich, vividly demonstrates the dangers facing America, one decade after the attacks on 9/11. Today, Washington refuses to tell the truth about the war we are fighting. According to experts, we are at war with radical Islamists - and it is a war we are losing.

The Global War on Terror has been renamed the "Overseas Contingency Operation" by the Obama Administration. They have removed "Islamic extremism" and "jihad" from national security strategy documents. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has suggested we replace the word "terrorism" with "man-caused disasters."

But how do we win a war with an enemy the Obama Administration refuses to identify? We are long overdue for a serious global strategy in fighting terrorism and the ideology behind it. We must have the courage to tell the truth and to act on that truth. It's time to be honest about what we know.

Learn more and order the DVD

Daily Caller: What about the jobs?

09/14/2010

Unholy crusaders against the freedom of speech by David N. Bossie

As Senate Democrats come back from another long hot summer, one would think that their main focus would be our struggling economy and job creation. With the unemployment rate remaining at a stagnant 9.6 percent, Senate Democrats main focus is not on jobs; but President Obama and Senator Schumer's crusade against the First Amendment. Senator Schumer and other anti-First Amendment Democrats have floated the idea of resurrecting the DISCLOSE Act during this work period. Senator Schumer failed back in July when he brought this ill-conceived legislation to the Senate floor, and now he is going to try again while Americans are still looking for work. The deceptively named DISCLOSE Act is not about meaningful campaign finance reform. In drafting the bill, the Democratic Party's leadership played politics with the First Amendment by providing unfair carve-outs to special interest groups that could have marshaled support against incumbent Democrats this November. This is why people outside the Beltway are fed up with Washington. Democrats are again just looking out for themselves and are conniving with special interests so they can hold onto power. America's campaign finance laws are already far too complicated. As the Supreme Court noted in Citizens United v. FEC, the "FEC has adopted 568 pages of regulations, 1,278 pages of explanations and justifications for those regulations, and 1,771 advisory opinions since 1975." It is nearly impossible to navigate this draconian system without the aid of an attorney. The DISCLOSE Act would only add to this problem. Senator Schumer wants to limit free speech, because he does not want the American public to know what really is going on in Democrat-controlled Washington, DC. Now we've learned that Senator Schumer is so desperate to pass the incumbent protecting DISCLOSE Act, that he is willing to negotiate away the provisions that he and President Obama have argued are most essential. Yet again, in backroom deals, lacking the openness and transparency that had been promised to the American public, Schumer is seeking to rewrite his legislation in hopes of attracting the support of moderate Republican Senators like Collins, Snowe, and Brown. Even Senator John McCain, one of the Senate's most vocal proponents of overbroad campaign finance restrictions, has refused to support this flawed legislation.

America at Risk: Another Successful Premiere

09/13/2010

On Saturday, September 11th, 350 people gathered at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., to remember those who lost their lives on 9/11 and for the premiere of Citizens United Productions newest film,America at Risk. Hosted by my friends Newt and Callista Gingrich, the event was a great success. Several members of our cast were in attendance, including Debra Burlingame whose brother “Chic” was the pilot of American Airlines flight 77 that went into the Pentagon. We cannot let time diminish the meaning of the attacks on September 11th and America at Riskexamines the roots of radical Islam. Please take the time to order this important film today.

One Year Ago Today Kagan Argued Against Citizens United

09/09/2010

One year ago today, Citizens United returned to the Supreme Court for a rare rehearing in our case against the Federal Election Commission. The Court sought additional argument regarding whether the government could prohibit corporations from engaging in political speech. Arguing on behalf of the government was Solicitor General Elena Kagan. Today Kagan has been confirmed as an Associate Justice to the Supreme Court, but one year ago the Court offered her a harsh rebuke of her argument that the government should be trusted with the power to regulate speech:

JUSTICE GINSBURG: May I ask you one question that was highlighted in the prior argument, and that was if Congress could say no TV and radio ads, could it also say no newspaper ads, no campaign biographies? Last time the answer was, yes, Congress could, but it didn't. Is that -- is that still the government's answer?

GENERAL KAGAN: The government's... Read More

Citizens United Introduces New Film: America At Risk

09/08/2010

The Obama Administration may not want to admit that we are at war. They may use euphemistic phrases like “Overseas Contingency Operation” and “man-caused disasters.” They may try to explain away “a variety of reasons” for attacks by Muslims, but the truth is that America is still at risk from radical Islam. How can we win a war that our Commander in Chief tries to ignore even exists? Find out in our latest documentary “America at Risk,” hosted by Newt and Callista Gingrich. Learn More About America at Risk

Big Government: Senator Schumer’s Attempt to Silence Political Speech

08/25/2010

Dictatorship is Strengthened by Claiming Lies on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act by David N. Bossie

When Senator Chuck Schumer staged an elaborate press conference on the steps of the Supreme Court to unveil his Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act ("DISCLOSE Act") he noted that: "Anyone who wants to hide, will not do an ad after this legislation passes. And I think there are a lot of people who like to hide ... so I think there'll be many fewer of them." His words revealed the true motivation of this legislation – it is not transparency but rather silencing speech in this critical election year. The Supreme Court in Citizens United v. FEC restored the First Amendment protection to political speech. Small businesses, corporations, unions, and membership based organizations may now have a voice in the public discourse. The Democratic leadership that is tasked with re-electing incumbent politicians and trying to minimize Democratic losses this November... Read More...

Stop Playing Politics, Start Focusing on the Economy

08/14/2010

Silencing the people by David N. Bossie

On July 27, 2010 the Senate failed to advance the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act ("DISCLOSE Act"). The leaders of the Democratic Party including Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senator Chuck Schumer, and President Barack Obama crafted the legislation to silence speakers whose rights were restored by the Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. FEC. While Congressional leaders spent six months reacting to the Citizens United decision our economy continued to teeter on the brink. The liberal elites focused their energies on the DISCLOSE Act rather than focusing on meaningful fiscal policy to help strengthen our economy. Reid and Schumer had planned to pass the DISCLOSE Act by the Fourth of July so that they could regulate and silence political speakers in the November elections. Once this was no longer a viable option, I assumed they would return to the business of promoting economic growth, saving jobs, and preventing massive tax increases from stifling our economy.

Statement on DISCLOSE Act Vote In U.S. Senate

08/13/2010

Statement on DISCLOSE Act Vote In U.S. Senate From Citizens United President David N. Bossie

In response to the U.S. Senate failing to invoke cloture on the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections ("DISCLOSE Act") David N. Bossie, President of Citizens United, released the following statement: "The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC protected the First Amendment right to political speech. Today that right remains intact, despite efforts by Senators Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer to restrict the rights of the American people to join together and speak out against elected officials." "The Senate's failure to invoke cloture on the deceptively named DISCLOSE Act is a victory for the First Amendment rights of all citizens. Senator Schumer's DISCLOSE Act was little more than an attempt to impact the November elections and limit Democrat losses in the House and Senate. As congressional and presidential approval ratings continue to plummet, it is no surprise that President Obama, Senator Reid, and Speaker Pelosi were ready to sacrifice our First Amendment rights in pursuit of short term political gains."

Today In History, August 13, 1981: President Reagan Signs Historic Tax Cuts Into Law

08/13/2010

29 years ago today, President Ronald Reagan signed his historic economic package into law. These tax and budget cuts set the stage for unprecedented economic growth in America. President Reagan understood that low taxes and less government red tape along with fiscal restraint are the ingredients for economic success. According to The Associated Press on August 13, 1981: "President Reagan today signed into law the largest tax and spending cuts in American history, but said, 'This is only the beginning.' With the strokes from 24 pens - each going to a member of Congress who helped him gain passage of his programs - Reagan reversed what he called 'almost half a century of a course this country's been on' and marked 'an end to the excessive growth of government bureaucracy and government spending and government taxing.'" Contrast these principles with President Obama's agenda of bigger government, out of control spending, more taxes, and less freedom for...

WSJ EDITORIAL: SENATE'S MOVE TO BLOCK DISCLOSE ACT "VIRTUOUS"

07/28/2010

Thankfully, the U.S. Senate killed the anti-1st Amendment DISCLOSE Act yesterday. President Obama and his Democrat-controlled Congress wasted six months trying to enact this legislation aimed at stifling free speech rights instead of focusing on the economy. Liberal politicians more concerned with saving their own jobs than helping the American people find work. Priorities completely out of order! Read The WSJ Editorial Here...

Daily Caller Confirms: Media Members Conspired To Protect Obama From Jeremiah Wright Stories

07/20/2010

We all know that the liberal media loves Barack Obama in an unhealthy way. Since 2004, there has been a different standard when it comes to how large portions of the media treat Obama. But today's story by the Daily Caller is eye opening and disgusting in that these people call themselves journalists. Read It Here...

BigGovernment: Will Senate Democrats Stifle Free Speech?

07/12/2010

Regulating liberty, by David N. Bossie:

Today the Senate returns to session having not yet addressed Senator Chuck Schumer's troubling legislation, the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act ("DISCLOSE Act"). Senator Schumer sought and failed to pass the DISCLOSE Act – a bill that would restrict the First Amendment rights of Americans – by the Fourth of July, the day on which we celebrate our nation's independence. The DISCLOSE Act is a desperate attempt to influence the November elections, and minimize Democrat losses. Senator Schumer and the legislation's other sponsors aim to have a law on the books that will take effect prior to November regardless of whether a regulatory system is in place to enforce the burdensome new reporting requirements. The Act, its reporting burdens, and penalties are set to take effect 30 days after it has been signed by President Obama.

CQ: Citizens United Wins Again

07/11/2010

Read The Whole CQ Story Here!

BigPeace.com: Stop Iran Now

07/09/2010

A foe to our friends and a friend to our foes, by David N. Bossie:

On Tuesday President Obama met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. I am disappointed that President Obama did not take this opportunity to reinforce his commitment to our allies in the Middle East by pledging stronger action to stop Iran's march towards a nuclear weapon before it's too late. From the first days of his presidential campaign through today, President Obama has displayed a dangerous naiveté when it comes to the threat that Iran poses to our allies in the Middle East and to the United States itself. History demonstrates that sanctions are not a cure-all for regimes bent on destroying other peaceful nations. These sanctions have only emboldened Ahmadinejad. He has dismissed theses sanctions stating that "they thought that by having meetings and talking to each other and signing papers they could stop a great nation's progress." He has boasted "Iran is much greater than what they can perceive in their small minds. We know that if this Iranian civilization awakes then there would be no more room for arrogant, corrupt and bullying powers." The President must step up to this challenge before Iran has the opportunity to develop nuclear weapons.

House Passage of the DISCLOSE Act

07/07/2010

Statement from David N. Bossie, President of Citizens United, on House Passage of the DISCLOSE Act

"The DISCLOSE Act passed today by the House of Representatives is Exhibit A of why Congress cannot be trusted to regulate political speech. For crassly political purposes, Chairman Van Hollen and his lieutenants at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee decided behind closed doors that the First Amendment applies only to labor unions and certain advocacy groups that scare them sufficiently.

"Citizens who are members of other grassroots groups will be muzzled by this legislation for no reason other than that they belong to a group without the financial and lobbying muscle to exempt itself from this bill.

"Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats in Congress are hanging on to power by a quickly fraying thread, and this bill is nothing more than incumbent protection in its worst and most cynical form. The American people will not be fooled so easily.

"I strongly urge the Senate to reject this unconstitutional legislation."

CBS News - Reality Check: Democrats Miss Point on Campaign Spending

07/06/2010

In case you missed it, Jan Crawford at CBS News wrote this story about the Democrats missing the point on campaign spending: "Democrats have spent a lot of time hammering the Roberts Court for its 5-4 decision to allow unlimited spending by corporations and unions on political advertising. "Wasn't it unusual how they got to the point where they can make that decision, based on the facts?" Sen. Russell Feingold pressed Kagan. "It was unusual wasn't it?" Kagan, of course, defended the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform law in the Court, in the case Citizens United v FEC." Read More...

GALLUP: 42% Of Americans Say They Are Conservative Or Very Conservative

06/25/2010

Read About The Results Here!

Citizens United Urges Members Of Congress To Vote Against DISCLOSE Act

06/10/2010

Today Citizens United and a coalition of over 50 other groups urged Congress to vote against the DISCLOSE Act. The DISCLOSE Act is the proposed legislative response to the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Citizens United v. FEC. If passed the DISCLOSE Act would silence the voices of millions of American's whose speech was recently restored by the Supreme Court. View the letter

Bossie Statement: If Congress Won't Investigate White House Job Offers, Obama Should Authorize A DOJ Probe

06/03/2010

Statement on White House Job Scandal From David Bossie, Former Chief Investigator, House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight “The recent admissions that the Obama Administration offered jobs to two individuals who were considering primary challenges to the White House's favored candidates is troubling. But what is even more troubling is that the Democrat-controlled Congress accepted the White House's explanation that 'nothing inappropriate happened' at face value. Congress is not a subsidiary of the Democratic Party - it is a co-equal branch of government with a duty to the American people to exercise its investigatory and oversight powers over the Executive branch. Congress can trust, but it also must verify. “As a former Chief Investigator on the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight during the Clinton Administration, I know first-hand that... Read More

Obama Attacks Free Speech

05/03/2010

President Obama jumped into the Democrat campaign to limit the free speech rights of grassroots groups like Citizens United this weekend when he used his weekly radio address to support Sen. Chuck Schumer’s ‘reform’ bill. What President Obama conveniently left out of his address, however, was any mention of Senator Schumer’s statement at the bill’s unveiling that he hoped that the bill would reduce the number of people who decide to participate in the political process – the very definition of a governmental attempt to limit free speech. Since January, when the Supreme Court issued its resounding defense of the First Amendment, Democrats have been wailing that the ‘people’ will be drowned out by corporations in the political debate – including President Obama’s unprecedented and deceptive histrionics at the State of the Union. But Citizens United is a ‘corporation’ funded by an average donation of around $50 from hundreds of thousands of concerned citizens... Read More

The Hill: Dems Planning Citizens United v. FEC Litmus Test?

04/15/2010

The Supreme Court's decision to grant 1st Amendment rights to businesses of all sizes by giving them the ability to participate in our political process continues to drive President Obama and the rest of the liberals crazy. The Hill newspaper is reporting that the Democrats are considering using the Citizens United case as a new litmus test for prospective nominees to the High Court. Read The Whole Story Here

Rediscovering God In America II Wins Best Feature Documentary Award!

04/06/2010

Citizens United is happy to announce that 2009's “Rediscovering God in America II: Our Heritage” won “Best Feature Length Documentary” at the 2010 Garden State Film Festival last weekend! See The Festival's Website Announcing The Winners! For More Information, Check Out The Rediscovering God II Website

Sarah Palin Endorses Generation Zero On Twitter!

03/01/2010

Check Out What Governor Palin Had To Say About Generation Zero!

Citizens United’s CPAC Sneak Peeks Pack The House!

02/26/2010

Citizens United is proud to report that the CPAC sneak peeks of our two newest documentaries this past weekend were both smash hits! On Friday night at 8pm we screened Generation Zero, our controversial look at the current economic crisis in America. This was just the second time “Gen Zero” was shown before an audience, the first time being before a packed house at the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville, Tennessee on Friday, February 5th. As the crowd gathered and the line formed at the CPAC Theater inside the Marriott Wardman Hotel in Northwest Washington, D.C., extra seats actually needed to be brought into the room to accommodate all those in attendance! Andrew Breitbart provided a very special introduction, and told the audience that Gen Zero was a film every American needed to see and reported that Sean Hannity, after seeing the film, felt exactly the same. Hannity felt so strongly about the film that he dedicated the entire hour of his show on Tuesday,... Read More

The standoff in Wisconsin continues, with the aid of President Obama

02/25/2010

A $3.6 billion budget shortfall in Wisconsin has led to union protesters taking to the streets of Madison and the halls of the capitol for nearly a week, with no end in sight. With Democrat state senators in self-imposed exile and an illegal wildcat strike by teachers, Wisconsin's state government and its citizens have essentially been taken hostage by the public employee unions. President Obama and his political arm at the Democratic National Committee, Organizing for America, have been intimately involved in orchestrating the protests. The office of the President has been sullied by what Mr. Obama and his Chicago-style tactics are doing to Wisconsin's state government. Americans are seeing the true face of the "party of change." President Obama and his union cronies will stop at nothing to preserve the failed liberal status quo.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is taking reasonable steps to close the budget gap with union reforms. Governor Walker is not calling for an end to pensions and health care for state workers, he is just calling for them to pay their fair share. As Wisconsin stares at a $3.6 billion budget gap, newly elected Governor Walker is acting responsibly to get Wisconsin's fiscal house in order. Fortunately, Governor Walker is not backing down from the fight. He has said that Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate will not be "bullied" by the union thug tactics being employed in Wisconsin. Governor Walker singled out President Obama when he said, "We are focused on balancing our budget. It would be wise for the government and others in Washington to focus on balancing their budgets, which they are a long way off from doing."

It should be no secret why President Obama and the Democrat Party are coming to the aid of unions...

Generation Zero Is On A Roll! Watch Hannity Tonight - Bossie And Bannon On For Full Hour To Discuss Stunning New Film!

02/23/2010

I thought it was important to write to let you know that I will be on Fox News Channel’s Hannity tonight (Tuesday 9pm EST) along with writer and director Stephen K. Bannon to discuss our groundbreaking new documentary, Generation Zero. We’ve now shown Generation Zero to jam packed rooms twice - at the recent Tea Party Convention in Nashville and this past weekend at CPAC in Washington, D.C. Simply put, this film is leaving audiences stunned and gaining more and more national attention each and every day. During his introduction of Generation Zero at CPAC, Andrew Breitbart said that this is a film every American must see! Generation Zero will convince you that the current economic crisis is not a failure of capitalism, but a failure of culture. Generation Zero explores the cultural roots of the global financial meltdown - beginning with the narcissism of the 1960’s, spreading like a virus through the self-indulgent 90’s, and exploding across the world in the present... Read More

Don't Miss The CPAC Sneak Peeks Of Generation Zero And Nine Days That Changed The World!

02/17/2010

SPECIAL CPAC SNEAK PEEKS OF CITIZENS UNITED PRODUCTIONS' SPRING 2010 FILM RELEASES! GENERATION ZERO, CPAC THEATER, THIS FRIDAY 8PM WITH INTRODUCTION BY ANDREW BREITBART RECENTLY FEATURED AT NASHVILLE TEA PARTY CONVENTION The current economic crisis is not a failure of capitalism, but a failure of culture. Generation Zero explores the cultural roots of the global financial meltdown - beginning with the narcissism of the 1960’s, spreading like a virus through the self-indulgent 90’s, and exploding across the world in the present economic cataclysm. Featuring experts, authors, and pundits from across the political spectrum, Generation Zero exposes the little told story of how the mindset of the baby boomers sowed the seeds of economic disaster that will be reaped by coming generations. NINE DAYS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD, CPAC THEATER, THIS SATURDAY 3:30PM WITH INTRODUCTION BY NEWT & CALLISTA GINGRICH Hosted by... Read More

Attention CPAC Attendees: Check Out The Citizens United Productions Film Festival Schedule For CPAC!

02/17/2010

Citizens United Productions Film Festival CPAC Theater Schedule Thursday February 18 1. 11:30 am - Rediscovering God In America II: Our Heritage * (Sequel To Rediscovering God In America, Hosted By Newt And Callista Gingrich, 60 minutes) 2. 5:30 pm - Let Me Rise: The Struggle To Save School Choice In The Nation’s Capital (The Heritage Foundation, 30 minutes) 3. 6:00 pm - Border War: The Battle Over Illegal Immigration * Introduction By J.D. Hayworth, 90 minutes) 4. 8:00 pm - Perfect Valor * (A Patriotic Salute To Iraq War Heroes, Narrated By Fred Thompson, 90 minutes) 5. 10:00 pm - Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous With Destiny * (Hosted By Newt And Callista Gingrich, 90 minutes) Friday February 19 1. 5:30 pm - An Inconsistent Truth The Truth About Global Warming, With Phil Valentine, 25 minutes) 2. 6:00 pm - The Stoning Of Soraya... Read More

What They’re Saying About The Citizens United Supreme Court Decision

01/21/2010

What They’re Saying About The Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court Decision Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Republican Leader: “For too long, some in this country have been deprived of full participation in the political process. With today’s monumental decision, the Supreme Court took an important step in the direction of restoring the First Amendment rights of these groups by ruling that the Constitution protects their right to express themselves about political candidates and issues up until Election Day.” Congressman John Boehner (R-OH), House Republican Leader: “I think the Supreme Court decisions today are a big win for the First Amendment and a step in the right direction.” Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman: “I am pleased that the Supreme Court has acted to protect the Constitution’s First Amendment rights of free speech and association. These are the bedrock principles... Read More

What A Difference A Year Makes

01/21/2010

Republican State Senator Scott Brown won statewide in Massachusetts with 52 percent of the vote on Tuesday. This is the same state in which Democrat Barack Obama won with 62 percent of the vote a little more than a year ago. This is where Republican John McCain won a mere 36 percent of the vote! How did it all change so quickly? Americans certainly wanted change in 2008. Unfortunately for the White House and its liberal followers around the country, it has taken only a year for many Americans to decide that they don’t like the change President Obama is selling one bit. Scott Brown won largely because he was against Barack Obama’s positions on health care, taxes, spending, and terrorism. The fact that putting Brown in office will effectively kill Obama’s monstrous health care overhaul speaks volumes about the mood of the country (and how quickly the mood can change). It also proves that Americans are impatient for effective change – not just any change. The shocker for the Democrats is that it took losing Ted Kennedy’s seat in the liberal bastion of Massachusetts to tell them just how unpopular their policies have become. If they are losing statewide races in Massachusetts, how many dozens of congressional seats are in jeopardy? How many other Senate seats are in jeopardy? Will Obama ignore Massachusetts? Or will he change direction? Time will tell.

Democrat Bayh Sheds Light On Liberal Agenda

01/19/2010

Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN): "I do think there's a chance that congressional elites mistook their mandate...I don't think the American people last year voted for higher taxes, higher deficits and a more intrusive government. But there's a perception that that is what they are getting." (NYT, 01/17/10)

Harry Reid Should Step Down As Majority Leader

01/11/2010

Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)should resign his leadership post immediately. The racially insensitive remarks Reid made concerning President Obama are evidence that he is not worthy of being the most powerful Senator in the country. The Democrat establishment's defense of Reid is a horrible double standard and nearly as bad as the comments themselves. Apparently, Democrats can tolerate this kind of reprehensible language if the person making the comments is a Democrat.

Shame On Harry Reid

12/07/2009

What an embarrassment for the Democrats! Today Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), their leader in the U.S. Senate, compared having a robust and thorough debate on the proposed health care bill to the debates on slavery, women's suffrage, and civil rights. Reid's irresponsible and pathetic argument is that the people who are wanting to slow down the march to socialized health care are the same people who were for slavery, against women's voting, and against civil rights for all Americans. Believe it or not, he said it. And meant it! Even the most radical left-wing blogger would have had a hard time saying this with a straight face. The only conclusion that can be drawn is that Reid is desperate and worried about his chances of getting the bill through the Senate. So what does he do? He plays the race card of all things. What a disgrace! The truth is that leaders on both sides of the aisle have major reservations about this bill, but Harry Reid felt the...

Obama’s “KSM” Mess

11/16/2009

Attorney General Holder’s announcement that the United States will try confessed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (“KSM”), Waleed bin Attash, Ramzi Binalshibh, Mustafa Ahmad al-Hawsawi, and Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali in a federal civilian court for the attacks of September 11th, 2001, will easily go down as one of the most dangerous decisions of the Obama presidency. For starters, the unfortunate fact that the commander-in-chief didn’t make this announcement himself, and decided it should wait until he was overseas shows a lack of sensitivity to everyone affected by the events of September 11, 2001. It also suggests that successfully prosecuting the War on Terror (now also known as an “Overseas Contingency Operation”) is not something Mr. Obama cares to focus his efforts on. The timing of this announcement was amateur hour on display, and the sorry attempt to make this Eric Holder’s decision alone is an outrage. Make no mistake; the buck will stop in the Oval Office for...Read More