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George H. W. Bush

2011-04-06T06:05:18Z

Chippeterson: /* End of Cold War */

{{President
|image=Gwtgg.jpg
|seq2=43
|office2=vice
|term_start2=January 20, 1981
|term_end2=January 20, 1989
|party2=
|pres2=Ronald Reagan
|previous2=Walter Mondale
|next2=Dan Quayle
|seq=41
|term_start=January 20, 1989
|term_end=January 20, 1993
|party=
|vp=Dan Quayle
|previous=Ronald Reagan
|next=Bill Clinton
|birth_date=June 12, 1924
|age={{age|1924|6|12}}
|birth_place=Milton, Massachusetts
|death_date=
|death_place=
|spouse=Barbara Bush
|spouse2=
|religion=Episcopalian
}}

'''George Herbert Walker Bush''' (born June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts) is a [[World War II]] veteran and war hero who served as the 43rd [[Vice President of the United States of America|Vice President]] of the [[United States]] from 1981 to 1989 and the 41st [[President of the United States]], serving January 20, 1989 - January 20, 1993 after defeating [[liberal]] [[Massachusetts]] Governor [[Michael Dukakis]] by a landslide.

A [[moderate Republican]] who carried on most of the policies of the [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan Administration]], Bush's presidency presided over two major events, victory in the [[Cold War]] and collapse of the [[Soviet Union]], and in the [[Persian Gulf War]] in 1991 against [[Saddam Hussein]]. His popularity soared after these [[foreign policy]] triumphs, but had little interest in domestic policies and troubled relations with the Democratic controlled [[Congress]]. He was defeated for reelection in 1992 by [[Arkansas]] Governor [[Bill Clinton]].

During most of his public career, George Bush served other presidents loyally in a number of appointed positions. Not until 1988, after eight years as vice president under [[Ronald Reagan]], did Bush step into the limelight as the Republican nominee for president. Even when his son [[George W. Bush]] was president (2001-2009), he avoided the spotlight.

== Early life ==

George Bush, scion of an old New England [[Yankee]] family, was born in Milton, Massachusetts to [[Prescott Bush]] and Dorothy Walker, on June 12, 1924. His father was a wealthy investment banker and later a partner in the [[Wall Street]] firm of Brown Brothers, Harriman and Company. Prescott Bush was a powerful two-term Republican senator from [[Connecticut]] from 1952 to 1963.

Bush's maternal grandfather, for whom he was named, was George Herbert Walker, a wealthy businessman and important figure in American golf history.

With his sister and three brothers, Bush was raised in Greenwich, [[Connecticut]]. George Bush attended Greenwich Country Day School before entering Phillips Academy from 1936 to 1942 in Andover, [[Massachusetts]]. At Andover, he played Varsity baseball, was captain of the basketball and soccer teams, and president of the senior class.
== Military career ==
[[Image:3.jpg|left|thumb|200px|U.S. Navy Pilot George Bush in the cockpit of an Avenger (1942-1945)]] When George Bush graduated from Andover, he had already been admitted to [[Yale University]], but the United States had entered [[World War II]], and he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve on his 18th birthday instead. After completing the 10-month course, he was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve at [[Corpus Christi]] at 18 years old, which made him the youngest naval aviator to that date.

Serving in the Pacific theater, he flew 58 combat missions. On one mission over the Pacific, as a torpedo bomber pilot his aircraft was hit by Japanese antiaircraft fire and his engine caught on fire. Despite the fact that his plane was on fire, he completed his attack and released the bombs over his target, scoring several damaging hits. With his engine on fire, Bush flew several miles from the island, where he and one other crew member on the TBM Avenger bailed out of the aircraft.

While Bush waited four hours in his inflated raft, several fighters circled protectively overhead until he was rescued by the lifeguard submarine USS Finback. For this action Bush received the [[Distinguished Flying Cross]] for bravery in action. During the month he remained on the USS Finback, Bush participated in the rescue of other pilots.

== Postwar years ==

While at Yale, he joined the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and was elected President. He also captained the Yale baseball team. A left-handed first baseman, Bush played in the first College World Series. As a Senior he was, like his son [[George W. Bush]] in 1968 and his father Prescott S. Bush in 1917, inducted into the Skull and Bones secret society in 1948, helping him to build friendships and political support.

He married Barbara Pierce on January 6, 1945. George and [[Barbara Bush]] have six children: [[George W. Bush|George W.]] (who would later become the 43rd U.S. President), Pauline Robinson ("Robin") (1949–1953, died of leukemia), John [[Jeb Bush|(Jeb)]], Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy Walker.

In 1964, Bush ventured into conventional politics by running against [[Texas]]' [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] Senator [[Ralph Yarborough]]. However, he lost in the 1964 Democratic landslide. Bush did not give up on elective politics, and was elected in 1966 and 1968 to the [[House of Representatives]] from the 7th District of Texas.

Bush lost his second attempt at a [[United States Senate|Senate]] seat in 1970 to Democrat [[Lloyd Bentsen]], who had defeated the incumbent Yarborough in the Democratic primary.

== Political career ==

After the 1970 election loss, Bush was nominated and confirmed to the position of United States Ambassador to the [[United Nations]], at which he served from 1971 to 1973.

After President [[Richard Nixon]] was re-elected President in 1972, he asked Bush to become Chairman of the [[Republican National Committee]]. After Nixon's resignation in 1974, Bush was considered for appointment as the replacement Vice President, but new President [[Gerald Ford]] chose [[Nelson Rockefeller]] instead. Ford appointed Bush to be Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in the [[People's Republic of China]]. (Since the United States at the time maintained official relations with the [[Republic of China]] on Taiwan and not the PRC, the Liaison Office did not have the official status of an embassy and Bush did not hold the position of "ambassador" even though he unofficially acted as one.)

In 1975, Ford brought Bush back to Washington to become Director of Central Intelligence. The [[CIA]] had been rocked by a serious of revelations about illegal and unauthorized activities, and Bush helped to restore the agency's morale and integrity. In 1999, the CIA headquarters facility in Langley, Virginia was renamed the George Bush Center for Intelligence.

After Democrat [[Jimmy Carter]] took the presidency in 1977, Bush became Chairman of the First International Bank in Houston. He also became a board member of the Committee on the Present Danger.

== 1980 Presidential campaign ==
''Main Article: [[United States presidential election, 1980]]''

In the 1980 presidential election, Bush ran for the office, stressing his wide range of government experience. In the contest for the Republican Party nomination, despite Bush's establishment backing the front-runner was [[Ronald Reagan]], the former Governor of [[California]], who was now running for President for the second time after narrowing losing the Republican nomination to Gerald Ford in 1976. The Bush campaign team coined the term "voodoo economics" to describe the supply-side economic theory that Reagan supported, but later he said he became "converted" and supported the policies as Vice President.

Bush won the Iowa caucus to start the primary season. However, Reagan came back to decisively win the following [[New Hampshire]] primary. With a growing popularity among the Republican voting base, Reagan won most of the remaining primaries and the nomination.

After some preliminary discussion of choosing former President Gerald Ford as his running mate, the original "dream" ticket, Reagan selected Bush as his Vice President, placing him on the winning Republican Presidential ticket of 1980 when current President [[Jimmy Carter]] was handily defeated. [[Image:Reagan_and_HWBush.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Vice President George H.W. Bush with President Ronald Reagan]]

== Vice presidency ==

As Vice President, Bush had influence on Reagan's staffing and was given many foreign affairs responsibilities. Bush was kept busy on overseas diplomatic trips; he attended so many state funerals that he famously quipped, "I'm George Bush. You die, I fly." Vice President Bush headed a task force over illegal drug trade and attended many high level policy meeting in the [[White House]], including the national security council. Bush was seen as being a very loyal Vice President who supported his commander-in-chief even though he had come from a more moderate background. When President Reagan was shot and seriously wounded by [[John Hinckley, Jr.]] in March 1981, Vice President Bush performed the duties of President until he recovered. With a staff of 68 people Bush kept informed on international issues and maintained political [[friend]]ships, thus preparing him for a 1988 presidential campaign.

In 1984, the Reagan/Bush ticket was re-elected in a landslide against the Democrats' [[Walter Mondale]]/[[Geraldine Ferraro]] ticket.

== 1988 Presidential campaign ==
''Main Article: [[United States presidential election, 1988]]''

In 1988, after seven years as Vice President, Bush ran for President. Though considered the early front-runner for the nomination, Bush came in third in the Iowa caucus, beaten by winner U.S. Senator [[Bob Dole]] and runner-up televangelist [[Pat Robertson]]. Reagan himself remained neutral in the contest, choosing not to support any individual candidate. Bush was able to rebound to win the New Hampshire primary, much as Reagan had done against him 8 years earlier. Once the multiple-state primaries such as [[Super Tuesday]] began, Bush's organizational strength and fundraising lead were impossible for the other candidates to match, and the nomination was his.

Leading up to the 1988 [[Republican National Convention]], there was much speculation as to Bush's choice of running mate. Bush chose little-known U.S. Senator [[Dan Quayle]] of [[Indiana]]. On the eve of the convention, Bush trailed Democratic nominee [[Michael Dukakis]], then [[Massachusetts]] governor, by double digits in many polls. He was aided during the convention by Reagan's speech, which eloquently passed the baton to Bush as the next leader of America and his own man. Bush had been dogged by the "wimp" moniker by the press and Reagan's speech was part of the process to remove that. When it came his turn to speak at the convention, Bush, often criticized for his lack of eloquence compared to Reagan, surprised many by giving possibly the best speech of his public career, widely known as the "Thousand points of light" speech for his use of that phrase to describe his vision of American community. Bush's acceptance speech and a generally well-managed Convention catapulted him ahead of Dukakis in the polls, and he held the lead for the rest of the race. Bush's acceptance speech at the convention included the pledge, "Read my lips: no new taxes."

In the [[United States presidential election, 1988|1988 Presidential election]] the Bush-Quayle ticket beat Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen soundly in the [[Electoral College]], by 426 to 111 (Lloyd Bentsen received one vote). In the nationwide popular vote, Bush took 53.4% of the ballots cast while Dukakis gained 45.6%.

== Presidency (1989-1993) ==
[[Image:Photo-01201989-ghwbush-square.jpg|right|thumb|175px|President George H. W. Bush Inauguration, 01/20/89]] George H. W. Bush succeeded Reagan as the 41st President of the United States.

===Administration===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Office
! Name
! Term
|-
| [[President]]
| George H. W. Bush
| 1989-1993
|-
| [[Vice President of the United States of America|Vice President]]
| [[Dan Quayle]]
| 1989-1993
|-
| [[Secretary of State]]
| [[James Baker]]
| 1989-1992
|-
|
| [[Lawrence Eagleburger]]
| 1992-1993
|-
| [[Secretary of Treasury]]
| [[Nicholas Brady]]
| 1989-1993
|-
| [[Secretary of Defense]]
| [[Richard Cheney]]
| 1989-1993
|-
| [[Attorney General]]
| [[Dick Thornburgh]]
| 1989-1991
|-
|
| [[William Barr]]
| 1991-1993
|-
| [[Secretary of Interior]]
| [[Manuel Lujan]]
| 1989-1993
|-
| [[Secretary of Agriculture]]
| [[Clayton Yeutter]]
| 1989-1993
|-
|
| [[Edward Madigan]]
| 1991–1993
|-
| [[Secretary of Commerce]]
| [[Robert Mosbacher]]
| 1989-1992
|-
|
| [[Barbara Franklin]]
| 1992-1993
|-
| [[Secretary of Labor]]
| [[Elizabeth Dole]]
| 1989-1990
|-
|
| [[Lynn Martin]]
| 1990-1993
|-
| [[Secretary of Health and Human Services]]
| [[Louis Sullivan]]
| 1989-1993
|-
| [[Secretary of Education]]
| [[Lauro Cavazos]]
| 1989-1990
|-
|
| [[Lamar Alexander]]
| 1990-1993
|-
| [[Secretary of Housing and Urban Development]]
| [[Jack Kemp]]
| 1989-1993
|-
| [[Secretary of Transportation]]
| [[Samuel Skinner]]
| 1989-1992
|-
|
| [[Andrew Card]]
| 1992-1993
|-
| [[Secretary of Energy]]
| [[James Watkins]]
| 1989–1993
|-
| [[Secretary of Veterans Affairs]]
| [[Ed Derwinski]]
| 1989-1993
|-
|}

==Domestic Policy==
On domestic issues, there were few new programs launched and gridlock between the administration and Democratic-[[Congress]]. The economy was in a [[recession]] by late 1991.

===Economy===
With a large federal deficit, Democrats in Congress believed in raising taxes and Republicans believed in reducing federal domestic spending. President Bush and Congressional Democrats reached a compromise that would both have spending cuts and increased taxes, which would reduce the deficit $500 billion over five years as part of a 1990 budget agreement. In 1991 the U.S. entered into a mild recession. Unemployment was at 7.8%, although inflation and interest rates were at its lowest in years. The recession lasted for about six months, although Democrats made it an issue for two years.

===Government Acts===
On July 26, 1990, President Bush signed the [[Americans with Disabilities Act]], which stated that [[business]]es can not discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability. This includes job hiring, job training, [[worker's compensation]] and other terms. Bush also signed the Clean Air Act of 1990, [[environment]]al legislation that is aimed at reducing smog and [[air]] [[pollution]].

===Supreme Court===
President Bush appointed two Justices to the U.S. Supreme Court. Bush nominated Circuit Judge [[David Souter]] as an Associate Justice of the [[Supreme Court]] on July 25, 1990; he was sworn in in October after being confirmed by a 90-9 vote in the Senate. Senators [[John Kerry]] and [[Ted Kennedy]] opposed him, saying he was too [[conservative]], although on the court he usually voted with [[liberal]]s. On July 1, 1991, President Bush announced Judge [[Clarence Thomas]] to the Supreme Court to replace [[Thurgood Marshall]]. He was confirmed by a much more narrow 52-48.
[[Image:Bush_and_Gorbachev_sign_agreements.jpg|left|thumb|275px|President Bush and President Gorbachev sign United States/Soviet Union agreements in the East Room of the White House, Washington, DC. 06/01/90]]

==Foreign Policy==
Foreign policy drove the Bush presidency from its first days. In his January 20, 1989 Inaugural Address upon taking the Presidency, Bush said:
:''"I come before you and assume the Presidency at a moment rich with promise. We live in a peaceful, prosperous time, but we can make it better. For a new breeze is blowing, and a world refreshed by freedom seems reborn; for in man's heart, if not in fact, the day of the dictator is over. The totalitarian era is passing, its old ideas blown away like leaves from an ancient, lifeless tree. A new breeze is blowing, and a nation refreshed by freedom stands ready to push on. There is new ground to be broken, and new action to be taken."''

===New World Order===

Bush's Presidency was extraordinarily eventful from a foreign policy standpoint. Over the course of four years the [[Cold War]] ended, [[Germany]] reunified, the [[Soviet Union]] collapsed, American troops intervened in [[Panama]] to remove a criminal dictator and in [[Somalia]] to save people from starvation, and the United States led a coalition victory in the Persian [[Gulf War]] in [[Iraq]].

He differed from Reagan in some minor ways.<ref> See Maynard (2008)</ref> Most important, Bush upgraded the influence of the National Security Council and made its head Brent Scowcroft his most trusted advisor on international relations. Reagan had relegated the National Security Advisor to a more passive role. Second he brought in a new team of top foreign policy officials, headed by his Secretary of State and long-time friend [[James Baker]]. (Baker had been Reagan's top aide in domestic affairs), Third, he concentrated on how to slowly ease Russia out of its dominant position in Eastern Europe without causing a violent backlash in Russia, thus allowing the peaceful takeover of [[East Germany]] by [[West Germany]].<ref> West Germany paid Russia many billions to take its soldiers home.</ref> Likewise Bush refused to proclaim "victory" in the Cold War and tried to keep [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] in power as long as possible despite his fading popularity in Moscow. When the serio-comic [[Boris Yeltsin]] replaced Gorbachev in late 1991, Bush humored him and helped him stay in power as well.
=== End of Cold War ===

With the help of [[Secretary of State]] [[James Baker]], Bush used his strength in foreign policy and helped steer the world through a period of historic [[change]]. In 1989 the world watched in amazement as Germans tore down the [[Berlin Wall]], within a year West Germany and East Germany were reunited. Through out the winter of 1989 [[communist]] governments in Eastern [[Europe]] crumbled. Democratic [[government]]s were created in [[Poland]], [[Hungary]], [[Czechoslovakia]], [[Romania]], and [[Bulgaria]]. As the [[Soviet Union]] was unraveling, President Bush and Soviet President [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] declared a U.S.-Soviet strategic partnership at the summit of July 1991, decisively marking the end of the [[Cold War]] with the Soviet breakdown that had begun under Ronald Reagan. In December 1991, Gorbachev announced the end of the Soviet Union. President Bush declared that U.S.-Soviet cooperation during the [[Persian Gulf War]] in 1990-1991 had laid the groundwork for a partnership in resolving bilateral and world problems.

=== Crisis in China ===

Despite the collapse of the Soviet Union and communist governments, [[China]]'s communist leaders were determined to stay in power. Although the country had relaxed controls of its economy, it continued to repress its citizens' political speech. In May 1989, Chinese [[student]]s and workers held demonstrations for [[democracy]]. In June, government tanks crushed their protests in Tienanmen Square in [[Beijing]], the country's capital. Many people were killed and hundreds of activists were arrested. Many were later sentenced to life.

These events shocked the world. The United States and European countries halted arms sells with China and reduced their diplomatic contacts. President Bush resisted calls from congressional leaders for harsher sanctions, instead believing that [[trade]] and diplomacy would moderate China's behavior.

=== Invasion of Panama ===
[[Image:Ghwbush.jpg|right|thumb|275px|President Bush meets with Defense Secretary [[Richard Cheney]] and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman [[Colin Powell]], 08/15/90]]
As President, Bush continued Reagan's [[war on drugs]]. In 1989 he ordered 24,000 United States troops into [[Panama]] to capture one time anti-communist ally General [[Manuel Noriega]], the dictator of Panama, and return him to the United States to face drug charges after Noriega threatened American servicemen. U.S. troops then helped Panamanians hold elections and organize a new government. In 1992, an American court sentenced Noriega to serve 40 years in prison in the U.S., where he is now.

=== Persian Gulf War ===
See: ''[[George H .W. Bush Address Before a Joint Session of Congress on the End of the Gulf War]]''

[[Image:20.jpg|right|thumb|275px|President Bush talks with the troops in Saudi Arabia, 11/22/90]] Leading up to the first [[Gulf War]], on September 11, 1990 President Bush addressing the United Nations stated: ''Out of these troubled times, our fifth objective -- a New World Order -- can emerge: a new era'' thus becoming the first President of the United States of America to openly state and work toward global governance.

Bush is best known for leading the United Nations coalition in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. In 1990, led by [[Saddam Hussein]], [[Iraq]] invaded its oil-rich neighbor to the south, [[Kuwait]]. The broad coalition sought the limited objective of removing Iraqi forces from Kuwait and ensure that Iraq did not invade [[Saudi Arabia]]. Bush summed up his and the entire free world's position succinctly when he said, "This aggression will not stand," and "this is not a war for oil. This is war against aggression."

Along with troops from the United States, Canadian, [[Europe]], and Arab Nations, President Bush launched "operation desert storm" in which dozens of cruise missiles and laser guided bombs fell on Iraq, destroying its air defenses, bridges, artillery, and other military targets. Then the coalition launched a massive ground attack, were fewer then 300 coalition forces were killed with the war lasting just 100 hours. President Bush achieved his stated objectives of liberating Kuwait and forcing Iraqi withdrawal. President Bush's popularity rating in America soared during and immediately after the success of the military operations and American troops returned home to cheering crowds.

=== NAFTA ===
Bush's government, along with the Progressive-Conservative Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, spearheaded the negotiations of the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]] (NAFTA), which Bill Clinton signed in 1993.

=== [[Israel]] ===
George Bush resisted efforts by American Israeli Political Action Committee (AIPAC) and other organizations to secure American loan guarantees to assist Israel in the construction of new settlements in territories Israel occupied after the 1967 [[Six Day War]]. Bush's larger goal was to undermine the [[conservative]] [[Likud]] government and replace it with a [[leftist]] Labor coalition led by [[Yitzhak Rabin]]. Having secured the election of an Israel government more to its liking, Bush gave his support to a new loan guarantee package.

=== Conflict in [[Somalia]] ===
On December 4, 1992 President Bush ordered 28,000 U.S. troops to the east [[African]], war-torn nation Somalia, where rival warlords were preventing the distribution of humanitarian aid to its citizens. However, the mission lasted 15 months from having U.S. troops embroiled in Somalia's political conflict. In 1993, the new President [[Bill Clinton]] was anxious to bring all troops home. He did so on March 25, 1994, and as a result fighting in Somalia continued into the 21st century.

== 1992 Presidential Campaign ==
''Main Article: [[United States presidential election, 1992]]''

During the 1980s, as President Reagan lead efforts to enable the Soviet Union to collapsed defense spending was increased, which later lead to the end of the Soviet empire as the Soviets could not compete with U.S. military ingenuity. However, in addition to this increase of spending to protect the United States, the Democrat-controlled Congress increased spending on social welfare programs. The resulting increase in the federal deficit helped lead to an economic recession which dogged most of Bush's term in office and was a contributing factor to his defeat in the 1992 Presidential election.

Several other factors were key in his defeat, including siding with Congressional Democrats in 1990 to raise taxes despite his famous "Read my lips: No new taxes" pledge not to institute any new taxes. In doing so, Bush alienated many members of his conservative and libertarian base, losing their support for his re-election. The issue of foreign policy had faded into the background after the collapse of the USSR, courtesy of Ronald Reagan, which rendered it unimportant to voters in 1992. The failure to remove Saddam after Desert Storm later contributed to the perception that it was a failure, after the initially impression of success. While many believe Ross Perot's 1992 candidacy cost Bush re-election, when looking at [[Ross Perot]]'s pro-homosexual pro-abortion and protectionist stances, combined with Slick Willie's smooth talk and exit poll analysis of Perot's vote, it is clear that President Bush still would have lost without Perot in the race. [[Bill Clinton]] was able to capitalize on a Democrat Congress induced poor economy by telling the American public that Bush's tax hike raised taxes on the middle class, which shows 1992 to be a testament as to why Republicans must stick to economically conservative values. Bush's unpopular stance on life also cost him many votes with moderates, along with Pat Buchanan's famous "Culture War speech" which railed against baby-murder, homosexual privilege, and Bill Clinton's draft dodging.

After the election, with the outbreak of war in Somalia, President Bush, a war hero, unlike Bill Clinton committed troops to Operation Restore Hope, and as the American public appreciated what they had, gave him a send off approval rating of 56%.

== Post-presidency ==

Since leaving office, Bush has largely retired from public life. The Bushes live in [[Houston]] and their summer home in Kennebunkport, [[Maine]]. He holds his own fishing tournament in Islamorada, an island in the Florida Keys.

In April 1993, the Iraqi Intelligence Service attempted to assassinate former President Bush via car bomb during a visit to [[Kuwait]]. However, Kuwaiti security foiled the car bomb plot. On June 26, 1993, the U.S. launched a missile attack targeting Baghdad intelligence headquarters in retaliation for the attempted attack against Bush.

[[Image:Hires_20061007-1_ghwbush3-515hc.jpg|left|thumb|275px|President Bush with First Lady Barbara Bush, 10/07/06]] Bush has never written a memoir of his political life, and says he does not plan to. He has, however, published a book containing a series of collected letters (''All The Best, George Bush'', 1999), and co-authored a book on recent foreign policy issues with his former National Security Advisor, Brent Scowcroft (''A World Transformed'', 1998). He has given a number of paid speeches and participated in business ventures with the Carlyle Group.

The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is located on the Southwest corner of the campus of [[Texas A&M]] University in College Station, Texas.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas was renamed after the former president in 1997. The tenth ''Nimitz''-class [[aircraft carrier]] will be named USS ''George H. W. Bush'' when it is launched in 2009.

In 2001, he became the first president since [[John Adams]] to be father of another president when his son George W. Bush, previously Governor of Texas, took office as President of the United States. During his term of office, George H. W. Bush was simply known as President George Bush, since his son had never held elective office and was not especially well-known to the public. He is now commonly referred to with his initials as "George H.W. Bush" as well as by various nicknames and titles, including "Former President Bush," "Bush the Elder," "the first President Bush," "Bush 41," and simply "41", in order to avoid confusion between his presidency and that of his son. Although the names of the two men are similar, they are not identical—George W. Bush lacks his father's first middle name Herbert—so they are not known as "senior" and "junior."

On June 12, 2004, he went skydiving in honor of his 80th birthday. It was his third parachute jump since World War II. He also made a jump on June 9, 1999, before his 75th birthday, and told reporters then he had also parachuted in [[Arizona]] two years earlier. The day before his 80th birthday jump, he and his son both took part in eulogizing his predecessor, Ronald Reagan, at the latter's state funeral.

On November 22, 2004, [[New York]] Republican Governor [[George Pataki]] named Bush and the other living former presidents (Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton) as honorary members of the board rebuilding the [[World Trade Center]].

On January 3, 2005, Bush and [[Bill Clinton]] were named by the current President Bush to lead a nationwide campaign to help the victims of the Indian Ocean [[tsunami]]. Bush and Clinton both appeared on the [[Super Bowl XXXIX]] pre-game show on FOX in support of their bipartisan effort to raise money for relief of the disaster through the USA Freedom Corps, an action which Bush described as "transcending politics." Thirteen days later, they both traveled to the affected areas to see how the relief efforts are going.

In August 31, 2005, following the devastation of the Gulf Coast by [[Hurricane Katrina]], Bush again teamed with Clinton to coordinate private relief donations. Reports were common that Bush and Clinton had developed a friendship by now, despite the latter having defeated the former in the 1992 election. (Such friendships were not unknown, as Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter had developed one despite a similar history.) When Gerald R. Ford died in December, 2006 George Bush became the oldest surviving President.

== Family ==
George Bush came from an old, rich [[Yankee]] family. He was the son of [[Prescott Bush]], Wall Street banker and liberal Republican Senator from Connecticut from 1952-1963.

Upon his return from the war, George Bush married Barbara Pierce. Their marriage later produced six children: [[George Walker Bush]], Pauline Robinson Bush, John Ellis "Jeb" Bush (who became governor of Florida), Neil Mallon Bush, Marvin Bush, and Dorothy Bush Koch.

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* Levy, Peter B. ''Encyclopedia of the Reagan-Bush Years'' (1996) 461pp [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=77341841 online edition]
* Maynard, Christopher. ''Out of the Shadow: George H. W. Bush and the End of the Cold War'' (2008) 176pp.
* Naftali, Timothy. ''George H. W. Bush: The American Presidents Series: The 41st President, 1989-1993'' (2007). short survey [http://www.amazon.com/George-Bush-Presidents-President-1989-1993/dp/0805069666/ref=pd_sim_b_title_2 excerpt and text search]
* Rose, Richard. ''The Postmodern President: George Bush Meets the World'' (1991) [http://www.questia.com/read/98398503 online edition]
* Tarpley, Webster Griffin, and Anton Chaitkin. ''George Bush: The Unauthorized Biography'' (2004), a hostile attack from the far left [http://www.amazon.com/George-Bush-Webster-Griffin-Tarpley/dp/0930852923/ref=sr_1_23/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194367559&sr=8-23 excerpt and text search]
* Tiefer, Charles. ''The Semi-Sovereign Presidency: The Bush Administration's Strategy for Governing Without Congress'' (1994), 216pp [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=14173303 online edition]
* Yetiv, Steve A. ''Explaining Foreign Policy: U.S. Decision-
Making and the Persian Gulf War'' (2004) [http://www.amazon.com/Explaining-Foreign-Policy-Decision-Making-Persian/dp/0801878101/ref=sr_1_7/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194380341&sr=8-7 excerpt and text search]

===Primary sources===
* [http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/publications/ERP/ Council of Economic Advisors, ''Economic Report of the President'' (annual 1947- )], complete series online; important analysis of current trends and policies, plus statistcial tables
* Bush, George H. W. ''All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings'' (2000) [http://www.amazon.com/All-Best-George-Bush-Writings/dp/0743200411/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194367309&sr=8-2 excerpt and text search]
* Bush, George H. W. and Brent Scowcroft. ''A World Transformed'' (1999), foreign policy. [http://www.amazon.com/World-Transformed-George-H-Bush/dp/0679752595/ref=pd_bbs_3/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194367309&sr=8-3 excerpt and text search]

==External links==
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq10-1.htm War Record of LTJG George Bush]
* [http://www.maam.org/flightsim/news/tbm_history.htm History's Youngest Naval Aviator]
* [http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gb41.html White House biography]
* [http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/ George Bush Presidential Library and Museum]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bush, George Herbert Walker}}

[[Category:Republican Party]]

{{USPresidents}}
{{USVicePresidents}}
[[category:Reagan Era]]
[[Category:American war heroes]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Cold War]]
[[Category:United States History]]
[[Category:United States Veterans]]

California

2011-03-28T12:33:52Z

Chippeterson: /* Federal */

{{USState
|name=California
|flag=California_State_Flag.gif
|motto=Eureka (I have found it)
|nick=The Golden State
|capital=Sacramento
|language=English
|governor=Jerry Brown
|gparty=Democrat
|senator1=Dianne Feinstein
|s1party=Democrat
|s1phone=(202) 224-3841
|s1email=http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.EmailMe Contact
|senator2=Barbara Boxer
|s2party=Democrat
|s2phone=(202) 224-3553
|s2email=http://boxer.senate.gov/contact Contact
|population=35 million
|date=September 9, 1850 (31st)
}}
'''California''', known as the Golden State, became the 31st state on September 9, 1850. It is located on the west coast of the [[United States]], by the [[Pacific Ocean]] and bordered by [[Oregon]], [[Nevada]] and [[Arizona]]. It is the largest state in population and the third largest state in area. Its governor is [[Jerry Brown]]. As of 2011 it is virtually bankrupt.
==Economy==
The economy has been badly battered by the [[Recession of 2008]], especially by the collapse of the state's housing bubble. Unemployment in Aug. 2009 reached 12.2%, the highest since 1940. Home building this year is less than a quarter of what it was in 2005, and 500,000 of the state’s job losses have been in construction, finance, real estate and industries related to construction. The state budget is in crisis, because it relied heavily on personal income taxes. The financial collapse greatly reduced personal wealth of rich Californians, and job losses related to the housing bust combined to sharply reduce that source of revenue. After bitter debate in the legislature a budget was passed in July 2009. It closed a roughly $24 billion two-year gap with extensive cuts to social services, parks and education, which in turn reduced consumer spending among laid off and furloughed government workers.
==Another budget crisis==
An ugly budget crisis in 2009 was resolved after months of squabbling, with budget cuts, accounting gimmicks, and new taxes. The legislature in 2009 cut billions from education, healthcare and social services while temporarily hiking income, sales and vehicle taxes. The 2010 budget deficit is projected at $21 billion which must be closed somehow.

Suggested solutions include raising tobacco taxes; cutting pensions for retired public workers; repealing corporate tax breaks passed in 2008 and 2009; revising the tax rules for commercial and residential property; reducing the 2/3 legislative vote needed to pass a budget; and strengthening the firewall that protects local government and transportation money from being raided by the state. "There's a lot of people putting chess pieces on the board right now," said Jon Coupal, president of the anti-tax Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. "The question is which of those chess pieces will be moving."<ref> Shane Goldmacher, "California faces a projected deficit of $21 billion," [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-budget-deficit18-2009nov18,0,7647152.story ''LosAngeles Times'' Nov. 18, 2009]</ref>

==History==
see [[History of California]]

==Miscellaneous facts==
* California surpassed France in 2000 to become the fifth largest economy in the world

*Los Angeles hosted the Summer [[Olympics]] in 1932 and 1984.

*The California [[Redwood]] was named the official state tree in 1937. <ref>http://www.learncalifornia.org/doc.asp?id=678</ref>

*The [[state flower]] is the [[Golden poppy]]

*San Bernardino County is the largest county by area in the United States; [[Los Angeles]] is the largest by population. <ref>http://www.50states.com/facts/calif.htm</ref>

*Since 2000, California has offered [[domestic partnership]]s, which are similar to [[same sex marriage]].<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/domestic-partnership-in-the-united-states Answers.com]</ref> Same-sex marriage was briefly legal in 2008, but this ended when Proposition 8, a voter referendum to define marriage as only being between a man and woman, passed.

==Politics==

From 2003-2011 California's governor was liberal Republican [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]. This is the same position that was once held by conservative icon [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1966-74. California is considered to be one of the [[blue state|"blue-est" states]], consistently voting for Democratic legislative and Presidential candidates since 1992, mixed in with numerous Republican governors. The San Francisco area (called "the Bay Area") and Hollywood are the centers of liberalism; Southern California and the rural areas are much more conservative. Prior to 1992, California was consistently a [[red state]].

[[Richard Nixon]] is the only President to have been born in California, but he lived in New York when elected in 1968. [[Ronald Reagan]] was a resident when elected in 1980.

==Business climate==
California scores poorly in state ratings of business climate. In a CNBC survey, it ranked 32nd overall but last in "cost of business" and 49th in "business friendliness." IT (Intel, Google, Hewlett Packard, Cisco, Apple, Yahoo!) and biotechnology remain strengths, but some traditional industries are struggling. High costs, as well as tax breaks from other states, have caused movie studios to shift production from Southern California. In 1996, feature films involved 14,500 production days in the Los Angeles area; in 2008, the total had fallen in half.

==Budget Crises==
The state has had two severe budget crises in 2009, caused by high spending, a plunge in tax revenue (caused by the decline in income of the wealthy who pay most of the taxes), and a refusal of enough Republicans to provide the two-thirds majority in the legislature needed to raise taxes. Long term borrowing is not allowed--the state has to balance its budget annually, but many gimmicks are used.

With a $26 billion deficit in its $92 billion budget, the state ran out of money and issued IOU's (warrants) before the solution was reached: massive spending cuts. In February 2009, the Legislature raised the state sales tax, bringing the total -- including local sales taxes -- to about 9 cents or more. Top income tax rates, already among the highest in the country, were raised. So were motor vehicle registration fees. Spending cuts approved in February and July are deep. Together, the cuts equal almost 30% of the general revenue fund and will affect schools, prisons, colleges and welfare. Some welfare benefits will be cut by half. California's student-teacher ratio, now about a third above the national average, will probably go even higher. The high prestige University of California system lost 20% of its state payments. It is raising tuition and student fees by 9.3%, imposing salary reductions of 4% to 10% on more than 100,000 workers, and postponing faculty hires until a better day.

Republicans claimed victory in the end, as they achieved large budget cuts and no new taxes.

==Elected officials==
===Federal===
*Sen. [[Barbara Boxer]] [D, CA]
*Sen. [[Dianne Feinstein]] [D, CA]
*Rep. [[Mike Thompson]] [D, CA-1]
*Rep. [[Walter Herger]] [R, CA-2]
*Rep. [[Daniel Lungren]] [R, CA-3]
*Rep. [[Tom McClintock]] [R, CA-4]
*Rep. [[Doris Matsui]] [D, CA-5]
*Rep. [[Lynn Woolsey]] [D, CA-6]
*Rep. [[George Miller]] [D, CA-7]
*Rep. [[Nancy Pelosi]] [D, CA-8]
*Rep. [[Barbara Lee]] [D, CA-9]
*Rep. [[John Garamendi]] [D, CA-10]
*Rep. [[Jerry McNerney]] [D, CA-11]
*Rep. [[Jackie Speier]] [D, CA-12]
*Rep. [[Fortney Stark]] [D, CA-13]
*Rep. [[Anna Eshoo]] [D, CA-14]
*Rep. [[Michael Honda]] [D, CA-15]
*Rep. [[Zoe Lofgren]] [D, CA-16]
*Rep. [[Sam Farr]] [D, CA-17]
*Rep. [[Dennis Cardoza]] [D, CA-18]
*Rep. [[Jeff Denham]] [R, CA-19]
*Rep. [[Jim Costa]] [D, CA-20]
*Rep. [[Devin Nunes]] [R, CA-21]
*Rep. [[Kevin McCarthy]] [R, CA-22]
*Rep. [[Lois Capps]] [D, CA-23]
*Rep. [[Elton Gallegly]] [R, CA-24]
*Rep. [[Howard McKeon]] [R, CA-25]
*Rep. [[David Dreier]] [R, CA-26]
*Rep. [[Brad Sherman]] [D, CA-27]
*Rep. [[Howard Berman]] [D, CA-28]
*Rep. [[Adam Schiff]] [D, CA-29]
*Rep. [[Henry Waxm]]an [D, CA-30]
*Rep. [[Xavier Becerra]] [D, CA-31]
*Rep. [[Hilda Solis]] [D, CA-32]
*Rep. [[Karen Bass]] [D, CA-33]
*Rep. [[Lucille Roybal-Allard]] [D, CA-34]
*Rep. [[Maxine Waters]] [D, CA-35]
*Rep. [[Jane Harman]] [D, CA-36]
*Rep. [[Laura Richardson]] [D, CA-37]
*Rep. [[Grace Napolitano]] [D, CA-38]
*Rep. [[Linda Sánchez]] [D, CA-39]
*Rep. [[Edward Royce]] [R, CA-40]
*Rep. [[Jerry Lewis]] [R, CA-41]
*Rep. [[Gary Miller]] [R, CA-42]
*Rep. [[Joe Baca]] [D, CA-43]
*Rep. [[Ken Calvert]] [R, CA-44]
*Rep. [[Mary Bono Mack]] [R, CA-45]
*Rep. [[Dana Rohrabacher]] [R, CA-46]
*Rep. [[Loretta Sanchez]] [D, CA-47]
*Rep. [[John Campbell]] [R, CA-48]
*Rep. [[Darrell Issa]] [R, CA-49]
*Rep. [[Brian Bilbray]] [R, CA-50]
*Rep. [[Bob Filner]] [D, CA-51]
*Rep. [[Duncan Hunter]] [R, CA-52]
*Rep. [[Susan Davis]] [D, CA-53]

===Statewide===
* [[Governor of California|Governor]] [[Jerry Brown]] (D)
* Lieutenant Governor [[Gavin Newsom]] (D)
* Secretary of State [[Debra Bowen]] (D)
* Attorney General [[Steve Cooley]] (R)
* State Treasurer [[Bill Lockyer]] (D)
* State Controller [[John Chiang]] (D)

==Energy==
[[File:CA-oil.jpg|thumb|375px|right]][[File:Oil-symbol.jpg|thumb|300px|right]] California is rich in conventional and renewable energy resources. It has large crude oil and substantial natural gas deposits in six geological basins, located in the Central Valley and along the Pacific coast. Most of those reserves are concentrated in the southern San Joaquin Basin. More than a dozen of the Nation’s 100 largest oil fields are located in California, including the Belridge South oil field, the second largest oil field in the contiguous United States. In addition, Federal assessments indicate that large undiscovered deposits of recoverable oil and gas lie offshore in the federally administered Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), although Federal law currently prohibits oil and gas leasing in that area. California’s renewable energy potential is extensive. The State’s hydroelectric power potential ranks second in the Nation (behind Washington State), and substantial geothermal and wind power resources are found along the coastal mountain ranges and the eastern border with Nevada. High solar energy potential is found in southeastern California’s sunny deserts.<ref> See [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CA Energy Information Administration, State Report 2009]</ref>

California is the most populous State in the Nation and its total energy demand is second only to Texas. Although California is a leader in the energy-intensive chemical, forest products, glass, and petroleum industries, the State has one of the lowest per capita energy consumption rates in the country. The California government’s energy-efficiency programs have contributed to low per capita energy consumption. Driven by high demand from California’s many motorists, major airports, and military bases, the transportation sector is the State’s largest energy-consumer. More motor vehicles are registered in California than any other State, and worker commute times are among the longest in the country.

===Petroleum===
California is one of the top producers of crude oil in the Nation, with output accounting for more than one-tenth of total U.S. production. Drilling operations are concentrated primarily in Kern County and the Los Angeles basin, although substantial production also takes place offshore in both State and Federal waters. Concerns regarding the cumulative impacts of offshore oil and gas development, combined with a number of major marine oil spills throughout the world in recent years, have led to a permanent moratorium on offshore oil and gas leasing in California waters and a deferral of leasing in Federal waters. However, development on existing State and Federal leases is not affected and may still occur within offshore areas leased prior to the effective date of the moratorium.

A network of crude oil pipelines connects production areas to refining centers in the Los Angeles area, the San Francisco Bay area, and the Central Valley. California refiners also process large volumes of Alaskan and foreign crude oil received at ports in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and the Bay Area. Crude oil production in California and Alaska is in decline and California refineries have become increasingly dependent on foreign imports. Led by Saudi Arabia and Ecuador, foreign suppliers now provide more than two-fifths of the crude oil refined in California; however, California’s dependence on foreign oil remains less than the national average.

California ranks third in the United States in petroleum refining capacity and accounts for more than one-tenth of total U.S. capacity. California’s largest refineries are highly sophisticated; they are capable of processing a wide variety of crude oil types and are designed to yield a high percentage of light products like motor gasoline. To meet strict Federal and State environmental regulations, California refineries are configured to produce cleaner fuels, including reformulated motor gasoline and low-sulfur diesel.

Most California motorists are required to use a special motor gasoline blend called California Clean Burning Gasoline (CA CBG). In the ozone non-attainment areas of Imperial County and the Los Angeles metropolitan area, motorists are required to use California Oxygenated Clean Burning Gasoline, and the Los Angeles area is also required to use oxygenated motor gasoline during the winter months. By 2004, California completed a transition from methyl tertiary butyl-ether (MTBE) to ethanol as a gasoline oxygenate additive, making California the largest ethanol fuel market in the United States. There are four ethanol production plants in central and southern California, but most of California’s ethanol supply is transported by rail from corn-based producers in the Midwest. Some supply is also imported from abroad.

Due to the relative isolation and specific requirements of the California fuel market, California motorists are particularly vulnerable to short-term spikes in the price of motor gasoline. No pipelines connect California to other major U.S. refining centers, and California refineries often operate at near maximum capacity due to high demand for petroleum products. When an unplanned refinery outage occurs, replacement supplies must be brought in via marine tanker. Locating and transporting this replacement gasoline (which must conform to the State’s strict fuel requirements) can take from two to six weeks.

===Natural Gas===
California natural gas production typically accounts for less than 2 percent of total annual U.S. production and satisfies less than one-fifth of State demand. Production takes place in basins located in northern and southern California, as well as offshore in the Pacific Ocean. California receives most of its natural gas by pipeline from production regions in the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest, and western Canada. As with crude oil production, California natural gas production is in decline. However, State supply has remained relatively stable due to increasing amounts of natural gas shipped from the Rocky Mountains. California markets are served by two key natural gas trading centers—the Golden Gate Center in northern California and the California Energy Hub in southern California—and the State has nearly a dozen natural gas storage facilities that help stabilize supply. In part to help meet California’s demand for natural gas, several companies have proposed building liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals in southern California.

===Coal, Electricity, and Renewables===
Natural gas-fired power plants typically account for more than one-half of State electricity generation. California is one of the largest hydroelectric power producers in the United States, and with adequate rainfall, hydroelectric power typically accounts for close to one-fifth of State electricity generation. California’s two nuclear power plants account for almost one-fifth of total generation. Due to strict emission laws, only a few small coal-fired power plants operate in California.

California leads the Nation in electricity generation from nonhydroelectric renewable energy sources. California generates electricity using wind, geothermal, solar, fuel wood, and municipal solid waste/landfill gas resources. A facility known as “The Geysers,” located in the Mayacamas Mountains north of San Francisco, is the largest complex of geothermal power plants in the world, with more than 750 megawatts of installed capacity. California has numerous wind farms in five major wind resource areas, and several new projects are currently under construction. The world’s largest solar power facility operates in California’s Mojave Desert. Two southern California utilities are planning to build new solar farms, a 500-megawatt facility in the Mojave Desert and a 300-megawatt plant in the Imperial Valley. These proposed plants would dwarf existing U.S. solar generation capacity. To further boost renewable energy use, California’s Energy Action Plan includes incentives that encourage Californians to install solar power systems on their rooftops.
===Imports===
Due to high electricity demand, California imports more electricity than any other State. States in the Pacific Northwest deliver power to California markets primarily from hydroelectric sources, while States in the Desert Southwest deliver power primarily from coal- and natural gas-fired sources. Hydroelectric power comes to California primarily through the Western USA interconnection, which runs from northern Oregon to southern California. The system, also known as the Pacific Intertie, is the largest single electricity transmission program in the United States. Although the Pacific Intertie was originally designed to transmit electricity south during California’s peak summer demand season, flow is sometimes reversed overnight and has occasionally been reversed during periods of reduced hydroelectric generation in the Northwest. California restricts the use of coal-fired generation within its boundaries; however, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) operates the coal-fired Intermountain power plant in Utah, which delivers three-fourths of its output to LADWP and other California municipal utilities. A recent California law forbids utilities from entering into long-term contracts with conventional coal-fired power producers. Intermountain’s existing contracts with southern California cities are set to expire in 2027.
===Energy crisis===
In 2000 and 2001, California suffered an energy crisis characterized by electricity price instability and four major blackouts and caused by a supply and demand imbalance. Multiple factors contributed to this imbalance, including: a heavy dependence on out-of-State electricity providers, drought conditions in the northwest that reduced hydroelectric power generation, a rupture on a major natural gas pipeline supplying California power plants, strong economic growth leading to increased electricity demand in western States, an increase in unplanned power plant outages, and unusually high temperatures that increased electricity demand for air-conditioning and other cooling uses. Following the energy crisis, the California State government created an Energy Action Plan designed to eliminate outages and excessive price spikes. To achieve these goals, the plan calls for optimizing energy conservation, building sufficient new generation facilities, upgrading and expanding the electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure, and ensuring that generation facilities can quickly come online when needed.

==Spectator Sports==

California has more professional sports teams than any other state.

*[[NBA]] - [[Los Angeles Lakers]], [[Los Angeles Clippers]], [[Golden State Warriors]], [[Sacramento Kings]]
*[[NHL]] - [[Anaheim Ducks]], [[Los Angeles Kings]], [[San Jose Sharks]]
*[[NFL]] - [[Oakland Raiders]], [[San Francisco 49ers]], and [[San Diego Chargers]]
*[[Baseball]] - [[Los Angeles Angels]] of Anaheim, [[San Diego Padres]], [[Oakland Athletics]], [[San Francisco Giants]], [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]

In college sports, [[UCLA]] and [[USC]] have recently had great success, in [[basketball]] and [[football]] respectively.

==Education==

The state of California has three tiers of public higher education: the California community colleges, the [[California State University]] (CSU) system, and the [[University of California]] (UC) system. Here are some notable universities from California.
*[[California Institute of Technology]]
*[[Stanford University]]
*[[University of California, Berkeley]]
*[[University of California, Los Angeles]]
*[[University of California, San Francisco]], primarily a medical school
*[[University of Southern California]]

==Places of Interest==
[[Image:California’s Peaks.jpg|right|300px]]
*[[Alcatraz Island]]
*[[Disneyland]]
*[[Golden Gate Bridge]]
*[[Monterey Bay Aquarium]]
*[[Redwood Forest]]
*[[Yosemite]]
{{Clear}}

==Major Cities==

*[[Los Angeles]]
*[[Oakland]]
*[[San Diego]]
*[[San Francisco]]
*[[San Jose]]

== External Links ==
[http://www.ca.gov Official Website]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:California]]
{{USstates}}
[[Category:Western United States]]

Doris Matsui

2011-03-28T12:32:36Z

Chippeterson: Created page with "{{Officeholder |name=Doris Matsui |image=DorisMatsui.jpg‎ |party=Democrat |spouse=Rep. Bob Matsui (deceased) |religion=Methodist |offices= {{Officeholder/representative |..."

{{Officeholder
|name=Doris Matsui
|image=DorisMatsui.jpg‎
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Rep. Bob Matsui (deceased)
|religion=Methodist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=California
|district=5th
|terms=March 8, 2005 - Present
|preceded=Bob Matsui
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}

'''Doris Okada Matsui''' (born September 25, 1944 in Poston, Arizona) currently serves as the [[Democrat]]ic U.S. Representative from [[California]]'s 5th congressional district, having been elected in a 2005 special election to replace her late husband Bob Matsui, who previously represented the district for twenty-six years. She is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

==External links==
*[http://matsui.house.gov/ House website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Issa, Darrell}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]

File:DorisMatsui.jpg

2011-03-28T12:29:04Z

Chippeterson:

Walter Herger

2011-03-28T12:23:46Z

Chippeterson: Created page with "{{Officeholder |name=Walter Herger |image=Walterwilliam.jpg‎ |party=Republican |spouse=Pamela Herger |religion=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |offices= {{..."

{{Officeholder
|name=Walter Herger
|image=Walterwilliam.jpg‎
|party=Republican
|spouse=Pamela Herger
|religion=[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=California
|district=2nd
|terms=January 3, 1987 - Present
|preceded=Eugene Chappie
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}
'''Walter William Herger, Jr.''' (born May 20, 1945 in Yuba City, California) currently serves as the [[Republican]] U.S. Representative from [[California]]'s 2nd congressional district, having been first elected in 1986. He is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

==External links==
*[http://herger.house.gov/ House website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Herger, Walter}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]

File:Walterwilliam.jpg

2011-03-28T12:19:45Z

Chippeterson:

California

2011-03-28T12:15:10Z

Chippeterson: /* Federal */

{{USState
|name=California
|flag=California_State_Flag.gif
|motto=Eureka (I have found it)
|nick=The Golden State
|capital=Sacramento
|language=English
|governor=Jerry Brown
|gparty=Democrat
|senator1=Dianne Feinstein
|s1party=Democrat
|s1phone=(202) 224-3841
|s1email=http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.EmailMe Contact
|senator2=Barbara Boxer
|s2party=Democrat
|s2phone=(202) 224-3553
|s2email=http://boxer.senate.gov/contact Contact
|population=35 million
|date=September 9, 1850 (31st)
}}
'''California''', known as the Golden State, became the 31st state on September 9, 1850. It is located on the west coast of the [[United States]], by the [[Pacific Ocean]] and bordered by [[Oregon]], [[Nevada]] and [[Arizona]]. It is the largest state in population and the third largest state in area. Its governor is [[Jerry Brown]]. As of 2011 it is virtually bankrupt.
==Economy==
The economy has been badly battered by the [[Recession of 2008]], especially by the collapse of the state's housing bubble. Unemployment in Aug. 2009 reached 12.2%, the highest since 1940. Home building this year is less than a quarter of what it was in 2005, and 500,000 of the state’s job losses have been in construction, finance, real estate and industries related to construction. The state budget is in crisis, because it relied heavily on personal income taxes. The financial collapse greatly reduced personal wealth of rich Californians, and job losses related to the housing bust combined to sharply reduce that source of revenue. After bitter debate in the legislature a budget was passed in July 2009. It closed a roughly $24 billion two-year gap with extensive cuts to social services, parks and education, which in turn reduced consumer spending among laid off and furloughed government workers.
==Another budget crisis==
An ugly budget crisis in 2009 was resolved after months of squabbling, with budget cuts, accounting gimmicks, and new taxes. The legislature in 2009 cut billions from education, healthcare and social services while temporarily hiking income, sales and vehicle taxes. The 2010 budget deficit is projected at $21 billion which must be closed somehow.

Suggested solutions include raising tobacco taxes; cutting pensions for retired public workers; repealing corporate tax breaks passed in 2008 and 2009; revising the tax rules for commercial and residential property; reducing the 2/3 legislative vote needed to pass a budget; and strengthening the firewall that protects local government and transportation money from being raided by the state. "There's a lot of people putting chess pieces on the board right now," said Jon Coupal, president of the anti-tax Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. "The question is which of those chess pieces will be moving."<ref> Shane Goldmacher, "California faces a projected deficit of $21 billion," [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-budget-deficit18-2009nov18,0,7647152.story ''LosAngeles Times'' Nov. 18, 2009]</ref>

==History==
see [[History of California]]

==Miscellaneous facts==
* California surpassed France in 2000 to become the fifth largest economy in the world

*Los Angeles hosted the Summer [[Olympics]] in 1932 and 1984.

*The California [[Redwood]] was named the official state tree in 1937. <ref>http://www.learncalifornia.org/doc.asp?id=678</ref>

*The [[state flower]] is the [[Golden poppy]]

*San Bernardino County is the largest county by area in the United States; [[Los Angeles]] is the largest by population. <ref>http://www.50states.com/facts/calif.htm</ref>

*Since 2000, California has offered [[domestic partnership]]s, which are similar to [[same sex marriage]].<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/domestic-partnership-in-the-united-states Answers.com]</ref> Same-sex marriage was briefly legal in 2008, but this ended when Proposition 8, a voter referendum to define marriage as only being between a man and woman, passed.

==Politics==

From 2003-2011 California's governor was liberal Republican [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]. This is the same position that was once held by conservative icon [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1966-74. California is considered to be one of the [[blue state|"blue-est" states]], consistently voting for Democratic legislative and Presidential candidates since 1992, mixed in with numerous Republican governors. The San Francisco area (called "the Bay Area") and Hollywood are the centers of liberalism; Southern California and the rural areas are much more conservative. Prior to 1992, California was consistently a [[red state]].

[[Richard Nixon]] is the only President to have been born in California, but he lived in New York when elected in 1968. [[Ronald Reagan]] was a resident when elected in 1980.

==Business climate==
California scores poorly in state ratings of business climate. In a CNBC survey, it ranked 32nd overall but last in "cost of business" and 49th in "business friendliness." IT (Intel, Google, Hewlett Packard, Cisco, Apple, Yahoo!) and biotechnology remain strengths, but some traditional industries are struggling. High costs, as well as tax breaks from other states, have caused movie studios to shift production from Southern California. In 1996, feature films involved 14,500 production days in the Los Angeles area; in 2008, the total had fallen in half.

==Budget Crises==
The state has had two severe budget crises in 2009, caused by high spending, a plunge in tax revenue (caused by the decline in income of the wealthy who pay most of the taxes), and a refusal of enough Republicans to provide the two-thirds majority in the legislature needed to raise taxes. Long term borrowing is not allowed--the state has to balance its budget annually, but many gimmicks are used.

With a $26 billion deficit in its $92 billion budget, the state ran out of money and issued IOU's (warrants) before the solution was reached: massive spending cuts. In February 2009, the Legislature raised the state sales tax, bringing the total -- including local sales taxes -- to about 9 cents or more. Top income tax rates, already among the highest in the country, were raised. So were motor vehicle registration fees. Spending cuts approved in February and July are deep. Together, the cuts equal almost 30% of the general revenue fund and will affect schools, prisons, colleges and welfare. Some welfare benefits will be cut by half. California's student-teacher ratio, now about a third above the national average, will probably go even higher. The high prestige University of California system lost 20% of its state payments. It is raising tuition and student fees by 9.3%, imposing salary reductions of 4% to 10% on more than 100,000 workers, and postponing faculty hires until a better day.

Republicans claimed victory in the end, as they achieved large budget cuts and no new taxes.

==Elected officials==
===Federal===
*Sen. [[Barbara Boxer]] [D, CA]
*Sen. [[Dianne Feinstein]] [D, CA]
*Rep. [[Mike Thompson]] [D, CA-1]
*Rep. [[Walter Herger]] [R, CA-2]
*Rep. [[Daniel Lungren]] [R, CA-3]
*Rep. [[Tom McClintock]] [R, CA-4]
*Rep. [[Doris Matsui]] [D, CA-5]
*Rep. [[Lynn Woolsey]] [D, CA-6]
*Rep. [[George Miller]] [D, CA-7]
*Rep. [[Nancy Pelosi]] [D, CA-8]
*Rep. [[Barbara Lee]] [D, CA-9]
*Rep. [[Ellen Tauscher]] [D, CA-10]
*Rep. [[Jerry McNerney]] [D, CA-11]
*Rep. [[Jackie Speier]] [D, CA-12]
*Rep. [[Fortney Stark]] [D, CA-13]
*Rep. [[Anna Eshoo]] [D, CA-14]
*Rep. [[Michael Honda]] [D, CA-15]
*Rep. [[Zoe Lofgren]] [D, CA-16]
*Rep. [[Sam Farr]] [D, CA-17]
*Rep. [[Dennis Cardoza]] [D, CA-18]
*Rep. [[Jeff Denham]] [R, CA-19]
*Rep. [[Jim Costa]] [D, CA-20]
*Rep. [[Devin Nunes]] [R, CA-21]
*Rep. [[Kevin McCarthy]] [R, CA-22]
*Rep. [[Lois Capps]] [D, CA-23]
*Rep. [[Elton Gallegly]] [R, CA-24]
*Rep. [[Howard McKeon]] [R, CA-25]
*Rep. [[David Dreier]] [R, CA-26]
*Rep. [[Brad Sherman]] [D, CA-27]
*Rep. [[Howard Berman]] [D, CA-28]
*Rep. [[Adam Schiff]] [D, CA-29]
*Rep. [[Henry Waxm]]an [D, CA-30]
*Rep. [[Xavier Becerra]] [D, CA-31]
*Rep. [[Hilda Solis]] [D, CA-32]
*Rep. [[Karen Bass]] [D, CA-33]
*Rep. [[Lucille Roybal-Allard]] [D, CA-34]
*Rep. [[Maxine Waters]] [D, CA-35]
*Rep. [[Jane Harman]] [D, CA-36]
*Rep. [[Laura Richardson]] [D, CA-37]
*Rep. [[Grace Napolitano]] [D, CA-38]
*Rep. [[Linda Sánchez]] [D, CA-39]
*Rep. [[Edward Royce]] [R, CA-40]
*Rep. [[Jerry Lewis]] [R, CA-41]
*Rep. [[Gary Miller]] [R, CA-42]
*Rep. [[Joe Baca]] [D, CA-43]
*Rep. [[Ken Calvert]] [R, CA-44]
*Rep. [[Mary Bono Mack]] [R, CA-45]
*Rep. [[Dana Rohrabacher]] [R, CA-46]
*Rep. [[Loretta Sanchez]] [D, CA-47]
*Rep. [[John Campbell]] [R, CA-48]
*Rep. [[Darrell Issa]] [R, CA-49]
*Rep. [[Brian Bilbray]] [R, CA-50]
*Rep. [[Bob Filner]] [D, CA-51]
*Rep. [[Duncan Hunter]] [R, CA-52]
*Rep. [[Susan Davis]] [D, CA-53]

===Statewide===
* [[Governor of California|Governor]] [[Jerry Brown]] (D)
* Lieutenant Governor [[Gavin Newsom]] (D)
* Secretary of State [[Debra Bowen]] (D)
* Attorney General [[Steve Cooley]] (R)
* State Treasurer [[Bill Lockyer]] (D)
* State Controller [[John Chiang]] (D)

==Energy==
[[File:CA-oil.jpg|thumb|375px|right]][[File:Oil-symbol.jpg|thumb|300px|right]] California is rich in conventional and renewable energy resources. It has large crude oil and substantial natural gas deposits in six geological basins, located in the Central Valley and along the Pacific coast. Most of those reserves are concentrated in the southern San Joaquin Basin. More than a dozen of the Nation’s 100 largest oil fields are located in California, including the Belridge South oil field, the second largest oil field in the contiguous United States. In addition, Federal assessments indicate that large undiscovered deposits of recoverable oil and gas lie offshore in the federally administered Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), although Federal law currently prohibits oil and gas leasing in that area. California’s renewable energy potential is extensive. The State’s hydroelectric power potential ranks second in the Nation (behind Washington State), and substantial geothermal and wind power resources are found along the coastal mountain ranges and the eastern border with Nevada. High solar energy potential is found in southeastern California’s sunny deserts.<ref> See [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CA Energy Information Administration, State Report 2009]</ref>

California is the most populous State in the Nation and its total energy demand is second only to Texas. Although California is a leader in the energy-intensive chemical, forest products, glass, and petroleum industries, the State has one of the lowest per capita energy consumption rates in the country. The California government’s energy-efficiency programs have contributed to low per capita energy consumption. Driven by high demand from California’s many motorists, major airports, and military bases, the transportation sector is the State’s largest energy-consumer. More motor vehicles are registered in California than any other State, and worker commute times are among the longest in the country.

===Petroleum===
California is one of the top producers of crude oil in the Nation, with output accounting for more than one-tenth of total U.S. production. Drilling operations are concentrated primarily in Kern County and the Los Angeles basin, although substantial production also takes place offshore in both State and Federal waters. Concerns regarding the cumulative impacts of offshore oil and gas development, combined with a number of major marine oil spills throughout the world in recent years, have led to a permanent moratorium on offshore oil and gas leasing in California waters and a deferral of leasing in Federal waters. However, development on existing State and Federal leases is not affected and may still occur within offshore areas leased prior to the effective date of the moratorium.

A network of crude oil pipelines connects production areas to refining centers in the Los Angeles area, the San Francisco Bay area, and the Central Valley. California refiners also process large volumes of Alaskan and foreign crude oil received at ports in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and the Bay Area. Crude oil production in California and Alaska is in decline and California refineries have become increasingly dependent on foreign imports. Led by Saudi Arabia and Ecuador, foreign suppliers now provide more than two-fifths of the crude oil refined in California; however, California’s dependence on foreign oil remains less than the national average.

California ranks third in the United States in petroleum refining capacity and accounts for more than one-tenth of total U.S. capacity. California’s largest refineries are highly sophisticated; they are capable of processing a wide variety of crude oil types and are designed to yield a high percentage of light products like motor gasoline. To meet strict Federal and State environmental regulations, California refineries are configured to produce cleaner fuels, including reformulated motor gasoline and low-sulfur diesel.

Most California motorists are required to use a special motor gasoline blend called California Clean Burning Gasoline (CA CBG). In the ozone non-attainment areas of Imperial County and the Los Angeles metropolitan area, motorists are required to use California Oxygenated Clean Burning Gasoline, and the Los Angeles area is also required to use oxygenated motor gasoline during the winter months. By 2004, California completed a transition from methyl tertiary butyl-ether (MTBE) to ethanol as a gasoline oxygenate additive, making California the largest ethanol fuel market in the United States. There are four ethanol production plants in central and southern California, but most of California’s ethanol supply is transported by rail from corn-based producers in the Midwest. Some supply is also imported from abroad.

Due to the relative isolation and specific requirements of the California fuel market, California motorists are particularly vulnerable to short-term spikes in the price of motor gasoline. No pipelines connect California to other major U.S. refining centers, and California refineries often operate at near maximum capacity due to high demand for petroleum products. When an unplanned refinery outage occurs, replacement supplies must be brought in via marine tanker. Locating and transporting this replacement gasoline (which must conform to the State’s strict fuel requirements) can take from two to six weeks.

===Natural Gas===
California natural gas production typically accounts for less than 2 percent of total annual U.S. production and satisfies less than one-fifth of State demand. Production takes place in basins located in northern and southern California, as well as offshore in the Pacific Ocean. California receives most of its natural gas by pipeline from production regions in the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest, and western Canada. As with crude oil production, California natural gas production is in decline. However, State supply has remained relatively stable due to increasing amounts of natural gas shipped from the Rocky Mountains. California markets are served by two key natural gas trading centers—the Golden Gate Center in northern California and the California Energy Hub in southern California—and the State has nearly a dozen natural gas storage facilities that help stabilize supply. In part to help meet California’s demand for natural gas, several companies have proposed building liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals in southern California.

===Coal, Electricity, and Renewables===
Natural gas-fired power plants typically account for more than one-half of State electricity generation. California is one of the largest hydroelectric power producers in the United States, and with adequate rainfall, hydroelectric power typically accounts for close to one-fifth of State electricity generation. California’s two nuclear power plants account for almost one-fifth of total generation. Due to strict emission laws, only a few small coal-fired power plants operate in California.

California leads the Nation in electricity generation from nonhydroelectric renewable energy sources. California generates electricity using wind, geothermal, solar, fuel wood, and municipal solid waste/landfill gas resources. A facility known as “The Geysers,” located in the Mayacamas Mountains north of San Francisco, is the largest complex of geothermal power plants in the world, with more than 750 megawatts of installed capacity. California has numerous wind farms in five major wind resource areas, and several new projects are currently under construction. The world’s largest solar power facility operates in California’s Mojave Desert. Two southern California utilities are planning to build new solar farms, a 500-megawatt facility in the Mojave Desert and a 300-megawatt plant in the Imperial Valley. These proposed plants would dwarf existing U.S. solar generation capacity. To further boost renewable energy use, California’s Energy Action Plan includes incentives that encourage Californians to install solar power systems on their rooftops.
===Imports===
Due to high electricity demand, California imports more electricity than any other State. States in the Pacific Northwest deliver power to California markets primarily from hydroelectric sources, while States in the Desert Southwest deliver power primarily from coal- and natural gas-fired sources. Hydroelectric power comes to California primarily through the Western USA interconnection, which runs from northern Oregon to southern California. The system, also known as the Pacific Intertie, is the largest single electricity transmission program in the United States. Although the Pacific Intertie was originally designed to transmit electricity south during California’s peak summer demand season, flow is sometimes reversed overnight and has occasionally been reversed during periods of reduced hydroelectric generation in the Northwest. California restricts the use of coal-fired generation within its boundaries; however, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) operates the coal-fired Intermountain power plant in Utah, which delivers three-fourths of its output to LADWP and other California municipal utilities. A recent California law forbids utilities from entering into long-term contracts with conventional coal-fired power producers. Intermountain’s existing contracts with southern California cities are set to expire in 2027.
===Energy crisis===
In 2000 and 2001, California suffered an energy crisis characterized by electricity price instability and four major blackouts and caused by a supply and demand imbalance. Multiple factors contributed to this imbalance, including: a heavy dependence on out-of-State electricity providers, drought conditions in the northwest that reduced hydroelectric power generation, a rupture on a major natural gas pipeline supplying California power plants, strong economic growth leading to increased electricity demand in western States, an increase in unplanned power plant outages, and unusually high temperatures that increased electricity demand for air-conditioning and other cooling uses. Following the energy crisis, the California State government created an Energy Action Plan designed to eliminate outages and excessive price spikes. To achieve these goals, the plan calls for optimizing energy conservation, building sufficient new generation facilities, upgrading and expanding the electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure, and ensuring that generation facilities can quickly come online when needed.

==Spectator Sports==

California has more professional sports teams than any other state.

*[[NBA]] - [[Los Angeles Lakers]], [[Los Angeles Clippers]], [[Golden State Warriors]], [[Sacramento Kings]]
*[[NHL]] - [[Anaheim Ducks]], [[Los Angeles Kings]], [[San Jose Sharks]]
*[[NFL]] - [[Oakland Raiders]], [[San Francisco 49ers]], and [[San Diego Chargers]]
*[[Baseball]] - [[Los Angeles Angels]] of Anaheim, [[San Diego Padres]], [[Oakland Athletics]], [[San Francisco Giants]], [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]

In college sports, [[UCLA]] and [[USC]] have recently had great success, in [[basketball]] and [[football]] respectively.

==Education==

The state of California has three tiers of public higher education: the California community colleges, the [[California State University]] (CSU) system, and the [[University of California]] (UC) system. Here are some notable universities from California.
*[[California Institute of Technology]]
*[[Stanford University]]
*[[University of California, Berkeley]]
*[[University of California, Los Angeles]]
*[[University of California, San Francisco]], primarily a medical school
*[[University of Southern California]]

==Places of Interest==
[[Image:California’s Peaks.jpg|right|300px]]
*[[Alcatraz Island]]
*[[Disneyland]]
*[[Golden Gate Bridge]]
*[[Monterey Bay Aquarium]]
*[[Redwood Forest]]
*[[Yosemite]]
{{Clear}}

==Major Cities==

*[[Los Angeles]]
*[[Oakland]]
*[[San Diego]]
*[[San Francisco]]
*[[San Jose]]

== External Links ==
[http://www.ca.gov Official Website]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:California]]
{{USstates}}
[[Category:Western United States]]

Darrell Issa

2011-03-28T12:12:51Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Darrell Issa
|image=Issa.jpg‎
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=Kathy Issa
|religion=Christian
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=California
|district=49th
|terms=January 3, 2001 - Present
|preceded=Ron Packard
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}

'''Darrell E. Issa''' (born November 1, 1953) is a U.S. Representative from [[California]]'s 49th congressional district and a member of the [[Republican Party]]. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and also serves on the House Judiciary Committee. After serving in the [[United States Army]], he graduated from Sienna Heights University in [[Michigan]] with an [[ROTC]] scholarship. He would go on to launch a car-alarm business, Directed Electronics Incorporated, which went on to become the largest manufacturer of vehicle security systems in the United States. He became active in the technology-industry, and served as chairman of the Consumer Electronics Association. Issa's company earned him a fortune of $200 million.

Issa first entered politics in 1998 when he unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination to challenge [[Democrat]]ic Senator [[Barbara Boxer]]. However, Issa was elected the [[Congress]] in California's 49th district in 2000, upon the retirement of nine-term incumbent Ron Packard. He has been easily reelected ever since.

In 2003 Issa contributed over $1.6 million to a signature-gathering drive for a petition to recall Governor [[Gray Davis]].

In the House Issa has a [[moderate]] to [[conservative]] voting record. He has voted with a majority of his Republican colleagues 93% of the time during the current [[Congress]]. <ref>http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/i000056/</ref> Issa has been especially active in foreign affairs. On the eve of the War in [[Afghanistan]] he visted several middle eastern nations to build support for the United States. In 2007 he joined a delegation to terrorist-sponsored [[Syria]] led by Democratic [[Speaker of the House]] [[Nancy Pelosi]].

==External links==
*[http://issa.house.gov/ House website]
*[http://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Darrell_Issa.htm On the Issues]

==References==
{{reflist|}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Issa, Darrell}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]

Dan Boren

2011-03-16T23:59:46Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Dan Boren
|image=DanBoren.jpg
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Andrea Heupel Boren
|religion=Methodist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Oklahoma
|district=2nd
|terms=January 3, 2005 - Present
|preceded=Brad Carson
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}

'''Daniel David "Dan" Boren''' (born August 2, 1973 in Shawnee, Oklahoma) is the [[Democrat]]ic U.S. Representative from [[Oklahoma]]'s 2nd congressional district and a member of the [[Blue Dog]] Coalition. In the 112th Congress he serves on the Armed Services Committee, Natural Resources Committee, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Previously he was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2002-2004. Boren comes from a prominent political family, his grandfather was a Congressman and his father, also a Democrat, served as Oklahoma's [[Governor]] and [[United States Senator]].

Elected in 2004 and easily reelected in 2006, 2008, and 2010, Boren is one of the most [[conservative Democrat]]s in the House. Although he had some disagreements with the [[Bush administration]], he mostly supported their policies on [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]]. More recently, he opposed the [[Employee Free Choice Act]], called [[cap and trade]] "the worst piece of legislation I’ve seen" <ref>http://newsok.com/boren-unhappy-with-health-care-energy-proposals/article/3386738</ref> and voted against the Affordable Health Care for America Act, major [[health care]] legislation that the [[Obama administration]] had been pushing. Additionally, he has received poor ratings from [[abortion]] rights groups <ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=46182&type=category&category=2&go.x=15&go.y=15</ref> and is on the board of directors of the [[National Rifle Association]]. Boren declined to endorse [[Barack Obama]] during the [[2008 Presidential Election]].

Boren has sided with the Democratic leadership on some issues, such as the $787 [[economic stimulus package]] and [[Cash for Clunkers]] program.

==External links==
*[http://www.boren.house.gov/ House website]
*[http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Dan_Boren.htm On the Issues]

==References==
{{reflist|}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boren, Dan}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]
[[Category: 110th United States Congress]]
[[Category:111th United States Congress]]

Sharron Angle

2011-03-16T20:20:17Z

Chippeterson: /* Political Career */

[[Image:AnglePortrait300dpiJpeg JPG w300h418.jpg|right|200px|]]'''Sharron Angle''' (born July 26, 1949 in Klamath Falls, Oregon) is a [[Nevada]] [[Republican]], she has served as a member of the Nevada General Assembly from 1999 through 2007, and is also a member of the [[National Rifle Association]] and the [[National Right to Life Committee]]. Sharron Angle attended [[Reno]] public schools and graduated the [[University of Nevada]] with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree. She went on to become a substitute [[teacher]], taught art courses at Western Nevada Community College and co-founded and administrated a twenty-four student [[Christian]] school. Angle was a registered [[Democrat]] from 1984 to 1988, although she voted for [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1980 and 1984, and was in the Independent American Party from 1992 until 1997.<ref>http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38630.html</ref>

==Political Career==
Angle's first elected office was the Nye County School Board of Trustees in 1990. After her election in 1998, Angle rose to become Minority Whip in the Nevada Legislature. She narrowly lost a campaign for the Republican nomination for [[Congress]] to Nevada Secretary of State Dean Heller by just 428 votes.

Sharron Angle was the [[Republican]] nominee for [[U.S. Senate]], challenging Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] in the [[2010 Midterm Elections]]. Angle's candidacy for Senate surged after the endorsement from the [[Tea Party Express]] and [[Sarah Palin]], and defeated former State Senator [[Sue Lowden]] and businessman [[Danny Tarkanian]] in the Republican primary. After being defeated in the general election against Reid, Angle announced in March 2011 that she will run for Congress in Nevada's open 2nd congressionanal district.

==The Patriot Caucus PAC==
Sharron Angle has started the latest [[Tea Party Movement|Tea Party]] political action committee: [[The Patriot Caucus]].<ref>(Press Release). [http://press.thepatriotcaucus.org/ Sharron Angle Plans National Tea Party Grassroots Organizing Campaign For The 2012 Election Cycle], press.thepatriotcaucus.org, ''[[The Patriot Caucus]]'', Accessed December 14, 2010.</ref><ref>Stephen Clark. [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/12/14/sharron-angle-forms-new-pac-targeting-obama/ Sharron Angle Forms New PAC Targeting Obama], [[Fox News|FoxNews.com]], Published December 14, 2010.</ref>

==External links==
*[http://www.sharronangle.com/ Campaign Website]
*[http://www.facebook.com/SharronforSenate Facebook page]
*[http://twitter.com/sharronangle Twitter page]
*[http://www.youtube.com/user/sharronangle YouTube channel]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:2010 Midterm Elections]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]
[[Category:Conservative Democrats]]
[[Category:Tea Party Movement]]
{{conservatism}}

User talk:Chippeterson

2011-03-14T14:24:39Z

Chippeterson:

{|style="width:750px; height:60px; text-align:center;background-color:#C0C0C0;" align="center"
|-style="background-color:##C0C0C0;text-align:center;"
|style="background-color:#fff;width:100px;"|[[File:Conservapedia logo2.png|180px]]
|style="background-color:#C0C0C0"|Welcome to the talk page of {{{1|{{PAGENAME}}}}}, an Administrator for Conservapedia. Clear and concise messages are most likely to get the fastest response and prevent misunderstandings. If you have been blocked or wish to talk about a personal matter, please email me instead. I don't have the authority in most cases to overturn another admin's block, necessitating that you speak to them. If you are unable to contact the blocking user, I can attempt to contact them or forward your email to a body empowered to consider appeals.

I look forward to serving you and thank you for your contributions to Conservapedia.

Sincerely,

'''''{{{1|{{PAGENAME}}}}}'''''
|}
----
==Pete Domenici==

Thanks a lot for your work on the [[Pete Domenici]] article! It looks great! --[[User:Tash|Tash]] 17:06, 5 October 2007 (EDT)

== McCain ==

Just wanted you to know I think you have done some very good work adding to and formating the article! --[[User:TK|₮K]][[User_Talk:TK|/Talk]] 01:51, 11 April 2008 (EDT)

Speaking of the McCain article, if you're going to revert my edit regarding his lapel pin, then make sure you go ahead and do the same for [[Barack Obama]]. [[User:LinusWilson|LinusWilson]] 14:07, 26 April 2008 (EDT)

::Even though I didn't edit that info into Barack's page. I was trying to be somewhat consistent in the site's treatment of Presidential candidates, since to do so with actual issues 'twould be stamped out like a drunken mutiny (and probably labeled as such...) [[User:LinusWilson|LinusWilson]] 14:23, 26 April 2008 (EDT)

==Wikproject:News==

Thanks for volunteering for the Wikiproject:News. I'm just wondering, what is your Political Affiliation? --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 18:03, 20 August 2008 (EDT)

:Well, when I'm 18 I'll definitely join the Republican party. And I'm strongly conservative.

::Ok, thanks for the info. I look forward to your contributions to the news project. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 18:33, 20 August 2008 (EDT)

You signed up to work on the Wikproject:News. What would you like to do for the project? Are you interested in <nowiki>[[Wikiproject:News/Suggestions|creating news articles]]</nowiki>, [[Wikiproject:News/Wanted page|wanted pages]] or working on the [[Wikiproject:News/Previous Breaking News|Previous News archives]]? --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 14:16, 24 August 2008 (EDT)

I notice that there has been no news on this site over the protesters for the upcoming Democrat convention, there are a lot of groups trying to make this like 1968. If there's any major event that's not being covered, I'll tell you Dean.

== Testing for AIDS ==

How is Biden stating he was tested for AIDS a controversial comment? --[[User:Jareddr|Jareddr]] 17:09, 25 August 2008 (EDT).

The crowd laughed when he said that Jareddr, because it sounded like they tested for Aids together. Or at least that's what Barack Obama thought.

:I understand the crowd laughed for the way it came out. But how is it c
controversial? And, p.s., it's AIDS--all capital letters, since it's an acronym. --[[User:Jareddr|Jareddr]] 17:19, 25 August 2008 (EDT)

controversial - of, relating to, or arousing controversy. When a politician comes off saying that he was tested for AIDS with someone when he wasn't then thats clearly arousing and controversial.

:Except, as was quoted, he DIDN'T say he was tested with Obama. The crowd laugh because it may have sounded that way, but reading the text, that's a pretty far stretch. "I've got tested for AIDS, I know Barack's got tested for AIDS..." Heck, I could say the same thing since I know Barack was tested for AIDS. Of course, that doesn't seem to suggest that we were tested together, nor does it make it controversial. It's a far stretch and I think it doesn't deserve inclusion in the section. --[[User:Jareddr|Jareddr]] 17:36, 25 August 2008 (EDT)

Barack Obama, and the large crowd all thought that's what it sounded like. And Barack Obama saying that he wanted to make it clear that he was not tested with Biden, then it clearly caused controversy at that debate. Therefor, making it a controversial comment. But go ahead, take it out if that's what you want.

==Wikiproject:News/Suggestions==
Chippeterson, Thanks for contributing news items. When your suggested news items have been completed, they will be archived under <nowiki>[[Wikiproject:News/Suggestions/Archives#Chippeterson|your name]]</nowiki> so we can keep the suggestions page clear for new items. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 08:20, 28 August 2008 (EDT)

Chippeterson, I noticed you want to be first in Wikiproject:News/Suggestions. I have a suggestion for you. I added a new section called <nowiki>[[Wikiproject:News/Suggestions#Rewrite_current_headlines|Rewrite current headlines]]</nowiki>. You have a much higher chance of getting the lead if you rewrite some of these headlines. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 15:25, 16 September 2008 (EDT)

==Obama Speech News headline==

I had posted a comment on the Main Talk page regarding the accuracy of the headline you wrote on Obama's speech. DeanS has informed me that he'd prefer a direct response from you before any changes are made, so can you take a look and respond there? Thanks. --[[User:DinsdaleP|DinsdaleP]] 14:26, 29 August 2008 (EDT)

== Removing Templates ==

I appreciate your attempt to add templates to the candidate pages. After having taken a longer look at them, they just seem a little out-of-place since they're tailored specifically for president and v.p., and not nominees. I'm going to take them off, but hopefully a sysop will come forward and modify the template slightly so that it can be used for nominations as well. It would only take changing a few letters here and there and it's all set. Hopefully it pulls through b/c it's informative, but just not appropriate the way it's currently designed. --[[User:Jareddr|Jareddr]] 14:56, 29 August 2008 (EDT)

O.K. Jareddr, but I do hope that a sysop adds template's for Senator's and Governor's. Just make sure that you keep the pictures.

:I absolutely agree templates should be added for those positions (as well as Representatives). Sorry about the pictures, didn't realize they were embedded into the template codes. Thanks for fixing my deletions! --[[User:Jareddr|Jareddr]] 15:07, 29 August 2008 (EDT)

== New Privileges ==

Congrats on your promotion! --[[User:Jareddr|Jareddr]] 08:41, 11 September 2008 (EDT)

Congratulations Chippeterson. Now you can upload your own photos - (non-AP) of course. ;-) --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 10:42, 11 September 2008 (EDT)

Wow! Thank you so much! I'm going to have some fun with this.
:You deserve it Chip. Good work! [[User:Learn together|Learn together]] 14:09, 11 September 2008 (EDT)

::I've been following your edits and you certainly deserved the promotion(s). One small request is to remember categories and bolding the main term, but you seem to be getting better about this. -[[User:Foxtrot|Foxtrot]] 00:07, 12 September 2008 (EDT)

== Harry Reid Photo ==

Could we use [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Harry_Reid_official_portrait.jpg this picture] instead? It's his official portrait. Thank you --[[User:Jareddr|Jareddr]] 17:36, 11 September 2008 (EDT)

I'd rather stick with the current one.

: That's fine, if it's public domain. Can you please include the source of the all the photos that you upload on their image pages? Thanks.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 17:56, 11 September 2008 (EDT)

Aschlafly, I think I've had that photo saved for 2-3 years. But I'll copy/paste the source of the photo's from now on.

Chippeterson, you can use this [http://www.conservapedia.com/Template:Fair_use fair use template] from now on.

For the previous uploaded photos, add the source info to the image's talk page and I will transfer it to the image's content page. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 18:12, 11 September 2008 (EDT)

DeanS, I put the source for the photo's on the talk pages. The ones on Harry Reid and Michael Steele I had saved for a long time, so I replaced them with new ones with the fair use template. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] September 11 2008

Glad to see we're now using Reid's official portrait. --[[User:Jareddr|Jareddr]] 18:50, 11 September 2008 (EDT)

== Images ==

When uploading images, I think you should be naming them with a more descriptive filename than just a number. Perhaps something like "ReaganBush" for the last one, or "BushMedal" or something that provides more information to the users. --[[User:Jareddr|Jareddr]] 20:16, 11 September 2008 (EDT)

== Replacing pages with redirects ==

Chip, in the cases I've replaced on of your new entries with a redirect, it was because the new information was too similar to an existing article. In the case of [[Classes]], I noticed that the information in [[Class]] didn't match the meaning you had written, so I move your content in its place and then moved the previous content to a more specified page. Please be aware that I take into consideration why an article was created before replacing it with a redirect. --[[User:Foxtrot|Foxtrot]] 18:29, 12 September 2008 (EDT)

===Categories===

I didn't want to start a new subject header for this. I noticed with your newest edits that you've been avoiding [[:Category:Dictionary]] when you can. This makes me VERY happy :-) Thank you! -[[User:Foxtrot|Foxtrot]] 19:11, 13 September 2008 (EDT)

==Congratulations==
...on getting your ton (if you're not there quite, it can only be a matter of one or two more). You're an inspiration to lazier mortals! [[User:Bugler|Bugler]] 17:20, 14 September 2008 (EDT)
I spoke too late! Well done, Chip. [[User:Bugler|Bugler]] 17:24, 14 September 2008 (EDT)

Congratulations Chippeterson! In recognition of your superb contributions, you are featured on the [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Template:Mainpageright&curid=66589&diff=516845&oldid=516804 Main page news] section. Thanks for your efforts on the wanted articles and the news suggestions. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 21:31, 14 September 2008 (EDT)

Thanks DeanS. It feels really nice to be appreciated. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] September 14 2008

==Privileges==
Chip, I know you have upload rights, but do you have block rights? There's some people putting in nonsense and I can't find anyone who's on to block them. [[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 22:02, 18 September 2008 (EDT)

Sorry Jeffrey, I don't have any block rights. {{unsigned|Chippeterson}}

:Chip, you didn't know it, but you DO have block rights.

:20:18, September 10, 2008 Aschlafly (Talk | contribs | block) changed group membership for User:Chippeterson from Upload to Upload, Block

:Now you can help block these vandals. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 01:11, 19 September 2008 (EDT)

That's great DeanS. I'll be sure to keep a look out.

Chip, please verify the photo source BEFORE uploading photos. Do not upload anything from AP or Reuters, they do not allow fair use. I deleted one of the photos and another one looks suspicious. See the talk pages. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 01:51, 26 September 2008 (EDT)

== New pages ==

Chip, please be careful when making new pages. For example, you just created [[honest]], but [[honesty]] already exists. [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 18:39, 20 September 2008 (EDT)

Then honest shouldn't be on the wanted pages. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] September 20 2008

:If it was on the wanted pages then someone linked to it somewhere, and it needed a redirect. It's no biggie, I'm just trying to save you work in the future. In general we want nouns as the subject of an article, not adjectives. [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 20:07, 20 September 2008 (EDT)

Chip, when creating new articles, please watch out for circular definitions. I've seen several of your contributions over the last five days fall into this pattern. It makes the entries only marginally better than a red link. Examples: [[supervision]], [[systemic]], [[curvature]], [[happiness]], [[breakaway]], [[enshrine]], [[negative]], [[descent]], [[honest]], [[enlighten]]. Please take note. -[[User:Foxtrot|Foxtrot]] 12:27, 25 September 2008 (EDT)

== Images ==

Chippeterson, you just uploaded an image from Getty Images. We don't allow that unless you have express permission from the owner. Thanks.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 17:21, 3 October 2008 (EDT)

Thanks for telling me Aschlafly. I'll find something else. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] Oct 3 2008

When you upload images from whitehouse.gov (or other .gov or public domain images), use this public domain template instead of the fair use template.

Template:Public domain image 
<nowiki>{{Public domain image
|source = <source>
|usernotes = <optional:user notes>
}}</nowiki>

Another user also suggested uploaders use names relative to the image, instead of a bunch of numbers. Like you did with the Cheney image. Thanks for your contributions Chip. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 12:49, 2 January 2009 (EST)

== Conservapedia Day 2008 ==
{|style="width:300px; height:200px; text-align:center" border="5px #0000BB solid" align="left"
|-
|
[[Image:Champion cup.jpg|175px|center]]
This is to certify that

'''[[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]]'''

completed ''237 new pages'' and is awarded

'''<big>First place</big>'''

'''<big>News Section - Wanted Pages</big>'''

From Conservapedia, on November 21, 2008
|}

{|style="width:300px; height:200px; text-align:center" border="5px #0000BB solid" align="right"
|-
|
[[Image:Champion cup.jpg|175px|center]]
This is to certify that

'''[[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]]'''

completed ''33 suggestions'' and is awarded

'''<big>Second place</big>'''

'''<big>News Section - News Suggestions</big>'''

From Conservapedia, on November 21, 2008
|}

{{clear}}

Chippeterson, Congratulations on being the top contributor to the news section wanted pages. You also came in second place for the news suggestions. Your accomplishments are posted on the Main page. Thanks for your many contributions to Conservapedia and the news project. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 11:30, 21 November 2008 (EST)

Thank you!

== NewsProject - Wanted pages ==

Since you are a member of the news project, I need your help with wanted pages. We now have over 100 wanted pages and I need you to pick a few to work on this coming week. --[[User:DeanS|DeanStalk]] 23:30, 14 December 2008 (EST)

== Richard Nixon ==

You've been doing a massive about of work! It's looking good, Chip. --[[User:TK|'''₮K''']]/Admin[[User_Talk:TK|/Talk]] 01:56, 11 January 2009 (EST)

Thanks TK.

== Guard Dog ==

*Don't get mad....Guard Dog has a touch of the rabies, Chip, and simply went mad with the newer version of Wikimedia we are using! I was getting around to unblocking everyone, but a busy day at work....sorry you were caught up in it. --[[User:TK|'''₮K''']]/Admin[[User_Talk:TK|/Talk]] 17:19, 15 April 2009 (EDT)

No problem TK, I understand the mistake. '''[[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]]'''

== Unblocking ==

Please do not unilaterally undo another admin's block, but rather e-mail the admin in question and explain the situation to him. This procedure has been set out in the Guidelines by Mr. Schlafly. --[[User:JessicaT|KotomiT]][[User talk:JessicaT|''nandeyanen?'']] 12:01, 16 April 2009 (EDT)

== revert ==
Thank you for your efforts--[[User:Jpatt|Jpatt]] 22:27, 17 April 2009 (EDT)

== [[Dianne Feinstein]] ==

Better check your sources again....Alan Cranston preceded her in the Senate! --[[User:TK|'''ṬK''']]/Admin[[User_Talk:TK|/Talk]] 22:20, 11 June 2009 (EDT)

== Colin Powell projecting his failure unto John McCain is a fact ==

I'll concede this may be debateable, but to immediately threaten me with blocking me over asserting this is a Gestapo tactic I would have expected on [[Wikipedia]], not Conservapedia. [[User:Brown25|Brown25]] 17:49, 19 July 2009 (EDT)

:What you wrote Brown25 was an opinion, one that I happen to agree with, but definitely not a fact. '''[[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]]''' July 19, 2009

::The bit about the WMD's was speculation, unsupported, and it is a known fact (for all but the radical left) that the WMD information mislead everyone, because it seemingly turned out to be bad intelligence, not only on the part of the CIA, but MI-6 in the U.K., as well as other foreign intelligence agencies. Therefore it cannot ever be stated it was a lie, since what Powell said, what Bush said, was based upon their best belief and information at hand. See the difference, Brown25? Consistency isn't one of Powell's strengths. --[[User:TK|'''ṬK''']]/Admin[[User_Talk:TK|/Talk]] 18:30, 19 July 2009 (EDT)

== Thanks! ==

Thanks for noticing that jabber on the cat page, Chip...I told myself I would get back to it to remove it! Well, best laid plans, and all that.... --[[User:TK|'''ṬK''']]/Admin[[User_Talk:TK|/Talk]] 19:00, 3 August 2009 (EDT)

No problem TK.'''[[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]]''' August 3, 2009

==Obituary==

Wow, that's a lot of writing. [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Eunice_Kennedy_Shriver&curid=94082&diff=691858&oldid=691844&rcid=757801] Did you do all that yourself? --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 12:27, 12 August 2009 (EDT)

Yes. As I said in my bio, I enjoy writing biographies. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] August 12, 2009

:Can you dig anything up on [[In Jin Moon]], daughter of [[Unification Church]] founder [[Sun Myung Moon]]? --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 13:15, 12 August 2009 (EDT)

::Her brothers are also good, but she's the Boss these days - at least in America. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 16:13, 12 August 2009 (EDT)

== Lincoln Chafee ==

While he's no longer a member of the Republican party, he served as a Senator as one, and indeed for a long time was the poster boy for RINOs. He's certainly a relevant recent historical example of a RINO, so I've added him back to the article with the note that he left the party in 2007. [[User:DanielPulido|DanielPulido]] 08:19, 17 August 2009 (EDT)

O.K. fine. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] August 17, 2009

== Tsar / Czar ==

We were planning on moving the existing articles, all separate now, into the name place you vacated over an Administrator's redirect. This was all on someone's talk page, last month, I believe. The Admin should have locked the page, but didn't, so no fault on your part, however, what you need to do is go back and create a disambiguation page, however. Thanks! --[[User:TK|'''ṬK''']]/Admin[[User_Talk:TK|/Talk]] 09:32, 20 August 2009 (EDT)

Sorry for being confused KT, how can I create a disambiguation page. Tsar and Czar are spelled differently. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] August 20, 2009

Let's see:
#[[Tsar]] - Russian ruler
#[[Tzar]] => Redirects to [[tsar]]
#[[Czar]] - U.S. slang cabinet level post

How shall we handle this? --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 21:46, 1 September 2009 (EDT)

Maybe you can change the titles to [[Tsar (Slavic term)]] and [[Czar (U.S. government)]]. On the Tsar page we can add at the top, ''For the U.S. government political term see: [[Czar]]'', and vice versa. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] September 1 2008

==[[John Lynch]]==

Thanks for [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=New_Hampshire&curid=5169&diff=697584&oldid=697576&rcid=764042 helping] distinguish the governor from the football player. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 21:43, 1 September 2009 (EDT)

== Congratulations! ==

Congratulations, you've earned the valuable additional privileges of overnight editing and locking the database. The only promotion after that is to become Administrator, and you're close to earning that. Well done!--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 22:19, 1 September 2009 (EDT)

:Yes, welcome to siteadmin. You've earned it!--[[User:Jpatt|Jpatt]] 22:26, 1 September 2009 (EDT)

I'm speechless Jpatt, Mr. Schlafly. I'll find all the right words later. But to be part of your team is an honor. This is a great new responsibility and look forward to working with all the administrators and having a greater impact on conservapedia. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] September 1 2008

:Your new privileges are very well deserved. Thanks for contributing your insights here!--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]]

:: Welcome to this new responsibility! --[[User:Joaquín Martínez|Joaquín Martínez]] 23:04, 1 September 2009 (EDT)

Thank you. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] September 1 2008

Aschlafly, I have siteadmin rights, but I'm unable to lock/unlock articles. Is something wrong? [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] September 1 2008

:The [http://www.conservapedia.com/Special:ListUsers/Siteadmin siteadmin] privilege is different from the '''admin''' privilege. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 23:40, 1 September 2009 (EDT)

Thank you for clearing up the confusion Ed Poor. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] September 1 2008

:The [http://www.conservapedia.com/Special:ListUsers/Siteadmin siteadmin] privilege lets you lock the entire database (for emergency use only). Later on, you'll be made one of the [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special%3AListUsers&username=&group=sysop&limit=100 Administrators] and can lock one page at a time. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 23:44, 1 September 2009 (EDT)

Congratulations on earning the powers of Administrator! You can edit locked pages, and lock uploaded images, in addition to your other privileges.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 22:15, 3 September 2009 (EDT)

Many congrats on Admin, Chip! We need a few more great editors around here! [[User:AddisonDM|AddisonDM]] 22:32, 3 September 2009 (EDT)

Mr. Schlafly, this is quite exciting. Even with the title of administrator, my objective is the same as it was when I started here over two years ago. To improve and expand conservapedia, now with more responsibility. Thank you so much. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] September 3 2008

:"Use the mop wisely," as they say at Wikipedia. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 00:00, 7 September 2009 (EDT)

Thank you Ed Poor, I'll do my best. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] September 7 2008

== thanks ==

hi chippererson. i can edit now. thanks unless it was tk that sorted it out

Well I have no idea what your talking about, so it must have been TK. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] September 20 2008

== Block of Democrat98 ==

You were correct in asking for "Please recreate your account..." however you did not give him a chance to register again. Simply uncheck "Prevent account creation" and "Automatically block the last IP". --[[User:Jpatt|Jpatt]] 11:08, 24 September 2009 (EDT)

== Very good news posting ==

Very good news posting about the Florida race! I liked your posting a lot ... and learned from it! Well done!--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 10:34, 19 October 2009 (EDT)

No need to thank me Aschlafly, just doing my job. I expect I'll be posting a lot of 2009/2010 campaign news. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] 1:01, October 19, 2009

== Hello? ==

If you still have blocking rights, you may want to take a look at the recent changes. -- [[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 10:45, 20 October 2009 (EDT)

I have school and a job Jeffrey. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] 6:13, October 20, 2009

:You can just call me Jeff. I didn't mean to be abrupt, you were just the only sysop that I saw on at that time. I didn't mean to appear hostile. [[User:JLauttamus|Jeffrey W. Lauttamus]][[User_talk:JLauttamus|Discussion]] 18:22, 21 October 2009 (EDT)

== Christie ==

FYI, in the last week of the campaign, ''after'' the Quinnipiac poll, Christie swing way to the right and appeared with [[Steve Lonegan]]. Corzine even ran ads in the final days saying Christie is "too" conservative.

Christie's running mate had a good, heartfelt meeting with pro-life leaders in the final weeks of the campaign, and it's not clear even if she is really pro-choice anymore.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 10:11, 4 November 2009 (EST)

Andy, I just didn't like that news headline calling Christie a RINO, when his entire campaign was about cutting spending, cutting taxes, reducing regulation, and law-and-order. I'm very proud of Governor-elect McDonnell and Governor-elect Christie. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] November 4, 2009

:Christie started looking more and more like a conservative near the end of the campaign. Steve Lonegan endorsed and campaigned with him. Chris Smith endorsed him. Corzine even ran ads criticizing Christie as a conservative! So you may be right, and the news headline was premature. But those are goals of news items: be out in front, be timely, and be provocative. Sorry if it was misguided.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 21:48, 4 November 2009 (EST)

::Here's something else: the left tried in vain to find something wrong with him[http://www.politickernj.com/alan-steinberg/29123/distortions-christies-record-us-attorney]. [[User:Karajou|Karajou]] 22:06, 4 November 2009 (EST)

== Terrific news posting ==

Terrific news posting, Chippeterson! You've develop a superb skill at identifying and writing good headlines. It's a valuable talent.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 13:23, 4 December 2009 (EST)

And, again, thanks for another fascinating new headline!--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 20:50, 4 December 2009 (EST)

Andy you flatter me :) No need to thank me, just doing my job. [[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] December 04, 2009

== Account Recreation ==

The other sysops seem to add ''autoblock disabled'' in parentheses when they ask ''Please recreate your account with your real first name and last initial''. This may take care of the [[User_talk:Aschlafly#Reporting an Inconvenience|problems I had]] with this kind of block... [[User:FrankC|ComedyFan]] 20:04, 11 December 2009 (EST)
:Frank, we have had to ban hundreds of poorly formatted names over the past 3 days - mistakes are inevitable. I made a few myself. Please sign your comments with your name FrankC, not ComedyFan. [[User:JacobB|JacobB]] 20:05, 11 December 2009 (EST)
::I just want to prevent future errors (and current ones, like [[User:Reclaimamerica]] and [[User:Monkies]]) [[User:FrankC|FrankC aka ComedyFan]] 20:15, 11 December 2009 (EST)

== Francis Collins ==

Hi, Chip. I noticed that you've re-formatted some of my edits to make it more Conservapedia friendly.

Would you mind taking a look at this entry that I've created?

http://conservapedia.com/Francis_Collins

Or can you point in the direction of how to format? I'd love to contribute, but my computer skills aren't too great. [[User:MadShell|MadShell]] 00:53, 13 December 2009 (EST)

== Thanks! ==

Thanks for the quick action on that idiot troll, Chip! --[[User:TK|'''ṬK''']]/Admin[[User_Talk:TK|/Talk]] 23:27, 16 December 2009 (EST)

== Great Job on Congress! ==

keep it up and Merry Christmas [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 00:12, 24 December 2009 (EST)

== Reversion ==
TY, if other complain you can change it back. FYI, I noticed you created an article entitled [[Minutemen project]], we have the article [[Minuteman project]] of similar or exact same group.--[[User:Jpatt|Jpatt]] 01:40, 30 December 2009 (EST)

I apologize for the mistake Jpatt. -[[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] December 30, 2009

== Congratulations! (Part Two) ==

I see Andy has granted you Oversight, Chip...a well-deserved privilege! If you have any questions about it, please ask. --<big>[[User:TK|'''ṬK''']]</big>/Admin[[User_Talk:TK|/Talk]] 03:41, 23 June 2010 (EDT)

== New entries are superb! ==

Your new entries about the new congressmen are terrific!--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 23:23, 4 November 2010 (EDT)

== 2011 ==

Happy new year!

[[File:Usa new year 2010.jpg|230px]]

--[[User:Joaquín Martínez|Joaquín Martínez]] 21:27, 5 January 2011 (EST)

==Fiscal Conservative==
Hi! I'm fixing up all the 'wanted categories' and I came across Category: [[Fiscal Conservatives]]. I saw that you deleted it, but 25 articles link to it. It would be easiest if we just restored, or if you want to rename it let's make a new one? [[User:AddisonDM|AddisonDM]] 19:23, 6 March 2011 (EST)

Sure, go ahead. -[[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] March 06, 2011

== [[Template:Officeholder]] ==

Hey chip! Just a reminder - when recording offices as part of the template:officeholder template, if the office holder is not the active office holder, the former parameter should be set to "y", not "n". Thanks!--[[User:Iduan|I]][[User_talk:Iduan|Duan]] 13:07, 13 March 2011 (EDT)

I do that on purpose because when someone serves as a Representative or some other office, they're given that title for life. -[[User:Chippeterson|Chippeterson]] March 14, 2011

Ben Nelson

2011-03-10T02:02:35Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Ben Nelson
|image=BenNelsonphoto.jpg‎
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Diane Nelson
|religion=Methodist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/senator
|state=Nebraska
|terms=January 3, 2001 – Present
|preceded=J. Robert Kerrey
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}
{{Officeholder/governor
|state=Nebraska
|terms=January 9, 1991 – January 7, 1999
|preceded=Kay A. Orr
|former=n
|succeeded=[[Mike Johanns]]
}}
}}

'''Earl Benjamin "Ben" Nelson''', born May 17, 1941 (age {{age|1941|5|17}}), is the senior U.S. Senator from [[Nebraska]] and a member of the [[Democratic Party]]. He currently serves on the Committees on Appropriations, Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Armed Services, and Rules and Administration. He has voted with Democrats 92% of the time during the current [[Congress]],<ref>http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/n000180/</ref> and faces an uphill battle to be reelected in 2012 in [[conservative]] Nebraska.

==Political career==
Ben Nelson was elected governor of Nebraska in 1990 and reelected in 1994. Nelson cut the sales and income tax, and $157 million in state spending. He was able to pass eight balanced budgets. He ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1996, but was defeated by [[Republican]] war hero [[Chuck Hagel]]. Nelson left the governor's office in January 1999 after two terms and was succeeded by Republican [[Mike Johanns]]. Nelson was again nominated by the Democrats for the Senate in 2000 after his fellow Democrat, incumbent Bob Kerrey, announced his retirement. Nelson won with 50.99% of the vote in a campaign in which he spent 50% more ($1,004,985) than his opponent. In 2006, Nelson was reelected by a much wider margin, winning with 64% of the vote.

==Political views==
Next to [[Zell Miller]], Ben Nelson became the most [[conservative Democrat]] in the Senate, with his votes often placing him at odds with the leadership of the Democratic Party. A 2007 National Journal congressional vote rating placed him to the right of eight Senate Republicans. <ref>http://www.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/sen/cons.htm</ref> He was one of only two Democratic senators to vote against the 2002 Campaign Reform Act ([[McCain-Feingold]]). Nelson supports eliminating the estate tax and voted in favor with the [[Bush administration]]'s tax cuts of 2001 and 2003. He voted for the 2006 Federal Marriage Amendment. <ref>http://www.hrc.org/issues/5556.htm</ref>

Nelson pretends to be [[pro-life]], but voted for the pro-[[abortion]] [[ObamaCare]]. From 2007-2008 he earned an 85% rating from the [[National Right to Life Committee]]. <ref>http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=21744</ref> He voted for the imposition of criminal penalties when an unborn fetus was harmed during the commission of a crime and is against embryonic stem cell research. Nelson praised and voted for [[President Bush]]'s two nominees for the [[U.S. Supreme Court]], [[John Roberts]] and [[Samuel Alito]]. Additionally, he was the only Democrat who voted against the Senate confirmation of [[President Obama]]'s second Supreme Court nominee, [[Elena Kagan]].

Some of Nelson's positions fall well within the mainstream of the Democratic Party: he has consistently voted against drilling in the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]]. He also opposed President Bush's plan to send an additional 21,500 troops to [[Iraq]] in January 2007. Under the [[Obama Administration]], he has voted for Democratic initiatives such as health care reform, the economic stimulus package, and financial regulation.

In February 2009, Senator Nelson and Republican [[Susan Collins]] of [[Maine]] reached a deal that cut $100 billion from the [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]], with it still totalling $787 billion. It passed on a 60-38 vote. <ref>http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/02/6038_senate_passes_stimulus.html</ref>

Ben Nelson voted to allow debate for an $848 billion [[health care]] reform bill <ref>http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Sen-Ben-Nelson-will-vote-to-start-health-care-debate-70633422.html</ref> and announced he would vote for the final passage of the bill. <ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2009/1219/Ben-Nelson-backs-healthcare-reform-bill-Dems-see-finish-line</ref> Nebraska was the lone state that received a controversial $100 million [[medicare]] expansion deal, after his 60th vote was pivotal. Once one of the most popular Senators in the nation, Nelson's approval ratings have plummeted to 40%. <ref>http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/1209/Poll_Ben_Nelson_in_political_trouble.html</ref>

==External links==
*[http://www.senate.gov/~bennelson/ Official Website]
*[http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Ben_Nelson.htm Nelson On the Issues]

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT: Nelson, Ben}}
[[Category:United States Senators]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]
[[Category: 110th United States Congress]]
[[Category:111th United States Congress]]

Mike Ross

2011-03-07T21:51:40Z

Chippeterson: Created page with "{{Officeholder |name=Mike Ross |image=MikeRoss.jpg‎ |party=Democrat |spouse=Holly Ross |religion=Methodist |offices= {{Officeholder/representative |state=Arkansas |distr..."

{{Officeholder
|name=Mike Ross
|image=MikeRoss.jpg‎
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Holly Ross
|religion=Methodist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arkansas
|district=4th
|terms=January 3, 2001 - Present
|preceded=Jay Dickey
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}

'''Michael Avery Ross''' (born August 2, 1961 in Texarkana, Arkansas) currently serves as the [[Democrat]]ic U.S. Representative from [[Arkansas]]' 4th congressional district. Ross is a member of the [[Blue Dog Coalition]]. He was one of three House Democrats who voted to repeal [[President Obama]]'s health care overhaul and received an '''A+''' rating from the [[National Rifle Association]].

==External links==
*[http://ross.house.gov/ House website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ross, Mike}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category:112th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]

File:MikeRoss.jpg

2011-03-07T21:47:19Z

Chippeterson:

Steve Womack

2011-03-07T21:33:48Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Steve Womack
|image=SteveWomack.jpg
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse= Terri Williams Womack
|religion=Baptist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arkansas
|district=3rd
|terms=January 3, 2011 - Present
|preceded=[[John Boozman]]
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}

'''Steve Womack''' (born February 18, 1957 in Russellville, Arkansas) currently serves as the [[Republican]] U.S. Representative from [[Arkansas]]' 3rd congressional district, having won the 2010 election to replace Republican [[John Boozman]]. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

Womack previously served as Mayor of Rogers, Arkansas, elected in 1998 and reelected twice without opposition.

==External links==
*[http://womack.house.gov/ House website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Womack, Steve}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category:112th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]

File:SteveWomack.jpg

2011-03-07T21:27:44Z

Chippeterson:

Vic Snyder

2011-03-07T21:13:56Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Vic Snyder
|image=VicSnyder.jpg‎
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Betsy Singleton
|religion=Methodist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arkansas
|district=2nd
|terms=January 3, 1997 - January 3, 2011
|preceded=Ray Thornton
|former=n
|succeeded=Timothy Griffin
}}

}}

'''Victor F. "Vic" Snyder''' (born September 27, 1947 in Medford, Oregon) served as the [[Democrat]]ic U.S. Representative from [[Arkansas]]' 2nd congressional district from 1997 to 2011. He was a member of the Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs and Joint Economic Committees. Snyder was considered the most [[liberal]] member of the Arkansas federal delegation. He voted against the 2003 [[partial-birth abortion]] ban act and opposed a state constitutional ban on [[same-sex marriage]]. In 2002, Snyder voted against authorizing military force in [[Iraq]].

Snyder voted for [[President Obama]]'s $787 billion [[economic stimulus package]], claiming it would "create millions of jobs." <ref>Rep. Vic Snyder, "Snyder Statement On American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Conference Report," Press Release, 2/13/09</ref>

On January 15, 2010 Snyder announced he would not seek reelection in 2010, just after a poll from SurveyUSA showed him trailing his Republican opponent [[Timothy Griffin]] by 17-points. <ref>http://elections.firedoglake.com/2010/01/14/exclusive-arkansas-democrat-vic-snyder-trailing-tim-griffin/</ref>

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Former United States Representatives]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]
[[Category:111th United States Congress]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Snyder, Vic}}

Timothy Griffin

2011-03-07T21:11:33Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Timothy Griffin
|image=ReadLibraryItemBerry.jpg
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse= Elizabeth Griffin
|religion=Baptist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arkansas
|district=1st
|terms=January 3, 2011 - Present
|preceded=[[Vic Snyder]]
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}

'''John Timothy Griffin''' (born August 21, 1968) currently serves as the [[Republican]] U.S. Representative from [[Arkansas]]' 2nd congressional district, having been elected in 2010. He is a member of the Armed Services Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, and Judiciary Committee.

Previously Griffin served as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas from 2006-2007. A member of the United States [[Army]] Reserve, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and sent to serve in [[Iraq]].

==External links==
*[http://griffin.house.gov/ House website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Griffin, Timothy}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category:112th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]

File:ReadLibraryItemBerry.jpg

2011-03-07T20:59:52Z

Chippeterson:

Marion Berry

2011-03-07T20:55:54Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Marion Berry
|image=MarionBerry.jpg
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Carolyn Berry
|religion=Methodist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arkansas
|district=1st
|terms=January 3, 1997 - January 3, 2011
|preceded=[[Blanche Lincoln]]
|former=n
|succeeded=[[Rick Crawford]]
}}

}}

'''Robert Marion Berry''' (born August 27, 1942 in Stuttgart, Arkansas) served as the [[Democrat]]ic U.S. Representative from [[Arkansas]]' first congressional district from 1997 to 2011. Previously he was on President [[Bill Clinton]]'s White House Domestic Policy Council. A member of the [[Blue Dog]] Coalition, Berry was one of the few members of Congress who served on both the Appropriations and Budget Committees.

Berry did not seek reelection in 2010. <ref>http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/house/marion-berry-to-retire.html?wprss=thefix</ref>

==External Links==
*[http://www.house.gov/berry/ Official House Website]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Former United States Representatives]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]
[[Category:111th United States Congress]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marion, Berry}}

Marion Berry

2011-03-07T20:55:08Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Marion Berry
|image=MarionBerry.jpg
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Carolyn Berry
|religion=Methodist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arkansas
|district=1st
|terms=January 3, 1997 - January 3, 2011
|preceded=[[Blanche Lincoln]]
|former=n
|succeeded=[[Rick Crawford]]
}}

}}

'''Robert Marion Berry''' (born August 27, 1942 in Stuttgart, Arkansas) served as the [[Democrat]]ic U.S. Representative from [[Arkansas]]' first congressional district from 1997 to 2011. Previously he was on President [[Bill Clinton]]'s White House Domestic Policy Council. A member of the [[Blue Dog]] Coalition, Berry was one of the few members of Congress who served on both the Appropriations and Budget Committees.

Berry did not seek reelection in 2010. <ref>http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/house/marion-berry-to-retire.html?wprss=thefix</ref>

==External Links==
*[http://www.house.gov/berry/ Official House Website]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]
[[Category:111th United States Congress]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marion, Berry}}

Rick Crawford

2011-03-07T20:53:31Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Rick Crawford
|image=Crawford Resized.jpg
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=Stacy Crawford
|religion=Baptist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arkansas
|district=1st
|terms=January 3, 2011 - Present
|preceded=[[Marion Berry]]
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}

'''Rick Crawford''' (born January 22, 1966) currently serves as the [[Republican]] U.S. Representative from [[Arkansas]]' 1st congressional district, having been elected in 2010. He is a member of the House Agriculture Committee and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Crawford is an Army veteran and former news anchor for KAIT-TV, an ABC News affiliate in Northeastern Arkansas and Southeastern Missouri.

==External links==
*[http://crawford.house.gov/ House website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crawford, Rick}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category:112th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]

File:Crawford Resized.jpg

2011-03-07T20:45:44Z

Chippeterson:

Don Young

2011-03-07T20:41:43Z

Chippeterson:

[[Image:DonYoung.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
'''Don Young''' is a [[Republican]] and [[Alaska|Alaska's]] lone representative in the United States [[House of Representatives]]. He is serving his 19th consecutive term in that position, having been first elected in 1973.

==Criticism==

Young has been investigated for alleged ties to Veco, an [[Anchorage]]-based company whose former top two executives plead guilty to bribing Alaska state lawmakers.<ref>http://dwb.adn.com/news/politics/fbi/story/9162143p-9077780c.html</ref> Young has also come under heavy criticism and is facing a federal inquiry as to what role he played in creating an earmark that diverted funds to an unrequested highway interchange that would benefit a campaign contributor and family friend.<ref>http://www.adn.com/news/politics/fbi/young/story/381990.html</ref> Although Young has yet to be charged ith a crime, he has spent $850,000 on legal fees. These and other things have led the [[conservative]] [[National Review]] to endorse [[Lieutenant Governor]] [[Sean Parnell]] in challenging Young in the Republican primary for the upcoming election. The Review states that "Don Young’s Way is the wrong way for Republicans," and even claim that "Young is simply too liberal for his conservative state."<ref>http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YmM4ZjIwYzMwYzlkZjFmZTQyYzRiZDU2MDUxNzg1OGI=</ref>

==References==
<references/>
{{DEFAULTSORT:Young, Don}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category:112th United States Congress]]

Mark Begich

2011-03-07T20:41:13Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Mark Begich
|image=000Mark Begich, Mayor of Anchorage hi res.jpg
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Deborah Bonito
|religion=Roman Catholic
|offices=
{{Officeholder/senator
|state=Alaska
|terms=January 3, 2009 – Present
|preceded=[[Ted Stevens]]
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}
}}

'''Mark P. Begich''' (born March 30, 1962) is the junior [[United States Senator]] from [[Alaska]] and a member of the [[Democratic Party]]. Previously he served as Mayor of Anchorage since 2003, where he left office with a $17 million budget shortfall. <ref>http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/anchorage/story/652700.html</ref> Begich serves on the Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation, the Senate Committee on Armed Services, and the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. He has voted with a majority of his Democratic colleagues 93.1% of the time during the current [[Congress]]. <ref>http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/b001265/</ref>

Begich defeated incumbent [[Republican]] [[Ted Stevens]] in 2008 after he was falsely indicted by a federal grand jury for failing to report gifts received from the VECO Corporation. All charges against Stevens were dismissed after prosecutorial misconduct.

==Budget reconciliation to pass Obamacare==
On March 6, 2010, it was reported Bergich became the 50th Senator agreeable to using the highly questionable [[budget reconciliation]] process as a means to circumvent ordinary Senate rules to force [[President Obama]]'s [[healthcare reform]] package into law.<ref>http://openleft.com/diary/17708/mark-begich-open-to-reconciliation-for-health-reformthat-makes-50</ref> Opinion polls show a majority of Americans oppose the radical measures in the president's healthcare package.<ref>http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/cnn-poll-only-25-support-obamacare</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|}}

==External links==
*[http://begich.senate.gov/public/ Official Website]
*[http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Mark_Begich.htm On the Issues]

{{DEFAULTSORT: Begich, Mark}}

[[Category:United States Senators]]
[[Category:United States Mayors]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]
[[Category:111th United States Congress]]
[[Category:112th United States Congress]]

Lisa Murkowski

2011-03-07T20:39:51Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Lisa Murkowski
|image=Lisa-murkowski.jpg
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=Verne Martell
|religion=Roman Catholic
|offices=

{{Officeholder/senator
|state=Alaska
|terms=December 20, 2002 - Present
|preceded=[[Frank Murkowski]]
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}
}}

'''Lisa Ann Murkowski''', born May 22, 1957 (age {{age|1957|5|22}}), is the senior [[United States]] [[U.S. Senator| Senator]] from [[Alaska]] and a member of the [[Republican Party]]. She is Alaska's first female senator and the first U.S. Senator born in Alaska. In 1998, Murkowski was elected to the Alaska [[House of Representatives]] and had been elected the House Majority Leader for the 2003–2004 session. In December of 2002, her father, Governor [[Frank Murkowski]], appointed her to a vacant seat in the United States Senate, resulting in charges of nepotism. In her 2004 reelection she was considered the [[Democrat|Democrats]] best chance to pick up a seat from an incumbent Republican. Murkowski was elected to a full six year term by a 49%-46% margin.

==2010 Midterm Elections==
In a stunning upset, she was defeated for renomination in 2010 by Tea Party favorite and pro-life conservative[[Joe Miller]]. Murkowski ran a write in candidacy, which was especially complicated due to the high rate of non-english speakers who supported her. Approximately 8,000 of the 100,000 write in votes cast for her were misspelled, the most common misspelling was Merkowski, but Murkowsky and Murcowski were also common. For comparison the last major write in candidate, Robin Taylor, who was the Republican party nominee running against a withdrawn candidate and a [[Democrat]] had about 15% misspellings, Robin Taylor is far easier to spell than Lisa Murkowski. The wording of the legislation leads readers to the conclusion that no misspelling is acceptable, even with out misspellings Murkowski won, but the Division of Elections and State and Federal courts choose to take voter intent into account and concluded that all votes that where phonetically identical to Murkowski should be counted for her. The legislation was rewritten early in the 2011 legislative session with bipartisan support in order to avoid repeat problems in the future.

==Political views==
Murkowski has earned a reputation as a "[[moderate Republican]]" (i.e. liberal); she is a [[RINO]], Republican-in-name-only, according to Tea Party conservatives and [[Rush Limbaugh]].<ref>[[Rush Limbaugh]].[http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_111710/content/01125110.guest.html Lisa Murkowksi, RINO Run Wild], RushLimbaugh.com, November 17, 2010.</ref> Murkowski has said this of the [[Obama administration]] and [[President Obama]] in particular:
{{Cquote|I will tell you, I am not one of those who wants Obama to fail.<ref>[[Rush Limbaugh]]. [http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/content/home/daily/site_111610/content/01125107.guest.html Lisa Murkowski is an Idiot], RushLimbaugh.com, November 16, 2010.</ref>}}

She is also a member of several abortion rights groups such as The Republican Majority For Choice, Republicans For Choice and The Wish List. Murkowski voted to ban [[partial birth abortion]] and to make it a criminal penalty for harming an unborn fetus during other crimes. Lisa Murkowski received a 14% rating from [[NARAL Pro-Choice America]], and she describes herself as "[[pro-choice]]." Murkowski likewise is a strong advocate of taxpayer-funded human embryo experimentation.

Murkowski is one of ten Republican Senators who refused to commit to Senate Majority Leader [[Bill Frist]]'s "nuclear option" to end judicial filibusters.

Lisa Murkowski supports oil exploration in her home state of Alaska, saying that recent technological developments have reduced the environmental risks of drilling in ANWR.

In September 2009, Murkowski authored legislation that would ban the [[Environmental Protection Agency]] from regulating carbon dioxide, which is opposed by the [[Obama administration]].<ref>http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27509.html</ref>

Murkowski uses her position as the ranking republican on the Senate appropriations committee to gain pork expenditures for Alaska.

When [[Obamacare]] passed, most Republicans were talking repeal. Murkowski said repealing was not possible. Also, she disputed [[Sarah Palin]]
s claim that there were death panel provisions in the bill.

Murkowski voted for [[TARP]] and the "Son of Stimulus"- the 2009 Obama Omnibus spending bill. <ref>[http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/111/senate/1/votes/96/ On the Cloture Motion H.R. 1105, Washington Post, March 10, 2009]</ref>

==External Links==
*[http://murkowski.senate.gov/ Official Website]
*[http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Lisa_Murkowski.htm On the Issues]
*[http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/m001153/ Voting Record]
*[http://www.opencongress.org/people/show/300075_lisa_murkowski OpenCongress]

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT: Murkowski, Lisa Ann}}
[[Category:United States Senators]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]
[[Category: 110th United States Congress]]
[[Category: 111th United States Congress]]
[[Category: 112th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Alaska]]

John Boozman

2011-03-07T20:11:15Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=John Boozman
|image=John Boozman, official portrait, 112th Congress.jpg
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=Cathy Boozman
|religion=Baptist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/senator
|state=Arkansas
|terms=January 5, 2011 – Present
|preceded=[[Blanche Lincoln]]
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arkansas
|district=3rd
|terms=November 20, 2001 – January 3, 2011
|preceded=Asa Hutchinson
|former=y
|succeeded=[[Steve Womack]]
}}
}}

'''John Boozman''' (born December 10, 1950 in Fort Smith, Arkansas) is the junior [[Republican]] United States Senator from [[Arkansas]], defeating incumbent [[Democrat]] [[Blanche Lincoln]] during the 2010 election. He is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Veterans' Affairs Committee. Previously he was U.S. Representative from Arkansas' third congressional district. Boozman attended the University of Arkansas and Southern College of Optometry.

He won a special election in November 2001 to replace [[Asa Hutchinson]], who resigned to head the Drug Enforcement Administration. He faced modest Democratic opposition in 2004 and 2006, however was unopposed in his 2008 reelection.

==External Links==
*[http://www.boozman.senate.gov/ Official Senate Website]

[[Category:United States Senators]]
[[Category:Former United States Representatives]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]
[[Category:111th United States Congress]]
[[Category:112th United States Congress]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boozman, John}}

User talk:Chippeterson

2011-03-07T02:31:59Z

Chippeterson: /* Fiscal Conservative */

John Boozman

2011-03-06T18:38:03Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=John Boozman
|image=Johnboozman.jpg
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=Cathy Boozman
|religion=Baptist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/senator
|state=Arkansas
|terms=January 5, 2011 – Present
|preceded=[[Blanche Lincoln]]
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arkansas
|district=3rd
|terms=November 20, 2001 – January 3, 2011
|preceded=Asa Hutchinson
|former=n
|succeeded=[[Steve Womack]]
}}
}}

'''John Boozman''' (born December 10, 1950 in Fort Smith, Arkansas) is the junior [[Republican]] United States Senator from [[Arkansas]], defeating incumbent [[Democrat]] [[Blanche Lincoln]] during the 2010 election. He is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Veterans' Affairs Committee. Previously he was U.S. Representative from Arkansas' third congressional district. Boozman attended the University of Arkansas and Southern College of Optometry.

He won a special election in November 2001 to replace [[Asa Hutchinson]], who resigned to head the Drug Enforcement Administration. He faced modest Democratic opposition in 2004 and 2006, however was unopposed in his 2008 reelection.

==External Links==
*[http://www.boozman.senate.gov/ Official Senate Website]

[[Category:United States Senators]]
[[Category:Former United States Representatives]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]
[[Category:111th United States Congress]]
[[Category:112th United States Congress]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boozman, John}}

File:John Boozman, official portrait, 112th Congress.jpg

2011-03-06T18:33:09Z

Chippeterson:

Mark Pryor

2011-03-06T18:28:42Z

Chippeterson:

[[Image:MarkP.jpg|right|150px|thumb]]
'''Mark Lunsford Pryor''', born January 10, 1963 (age {{age|1963|1|10}}), is the junior [[United States]] [[Senator]] from [[Arkansas]]. He is a member of the [[Democratic Party]].

==External Links==
*[http://pryor.senate.gov/ Official Site]
*[http://www.opencongress.org/people/show/300080_mark_pryor OpenCongress]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pryor, Mark}}

[[Category:United States Senators]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]
[[Category: 110th United States Congress]]
[[Category:111th United States Congress]]
[[Category:112th United States Congress]]

Jon Kyl

2011-03-06T18:27:53Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Jon Kyl
|image=Jonkylpic.jpg
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=Caryll L. Collins
|religion=Presbyterian
|offices=
{{Officeholder/senator
|state=Arizona
|terms=January 4, 1995 - Present
|preceded=Dennis DeConcini
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arizona
|district=4th
|terms=January 5, 1987 – January 3, 1995
|preceded=Eldon D. Rudd
|former=n
|succeeded=John Shadegg
}}
}}

'''Jon Kyl''', born April 25, 1942 (age {{age|1942|4|25}}), is the Junior Senator from [[Arizona]]. A [[Republican]], currently he serves as Senate Minority Whip. In 2008, National Journal ranked Kyl the most [[conservative]] U.S. Senator. <ref>http://www.nationaljournal.com/2008voteratings</ref>

==United States Senate==

Kyl co-sponsored legislation that would give illegal immigrants up to five years to leave the country. <ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,190550,00.html</ref>

In February 2006, Kyl joined Senator [[Lindsey Graham]] in filing an [[amicus brief]] in the Hamdan v. Rumsfeld case, which appears to have been an attempt to mislead the [[Supreme Court]] by presenting an “extensive colloquy” added to the Congressional record but not included in the December 21st debate as evidence that "Congress was aware" that the [[Detainee Treatment Act]] would strip the Supreme Court of jurisdiction to hear "pending cases, including this case" brought by the Guantanamo detainees. <ref>http://www.slate.com/id/2138750</ref>

Kyl appeared in the U.S. national news near the end of his 2006 campaign as an example of a case where some bloggers were attempting to influence search engine results for searches on Kyl's name. <ref>http://news.com.com/2102-1028_3-6129719.html?tag=st.util.print</ref>

==References==
<References/>

==External links==
*[http://kyl.senate.gov/ Official Senate Website]
*[http://www.opencongress.org/people/show/300062_jon_kyl OpenCongress]

{{DEFAULTSORT: Kyl, Jon}}

[[Category:United States Senators]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]
[[Category: 110th United States Congress]]
[[Category:111th United States Congress]]
[[Category:112th United States Congress]]

John McCain

2011-03-06T18:27:20Z

Chippeterson: /* External links */

{{Officeholder
|name=John McCain
|image=John McCain official portrait 2009.jpg
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=Carol Shepp (1965-1980) [[Cindy McCain|Cindy Lou Hensley]] (1980-present)
|religion=Baptist
|offices=

{{Officeholder/senator
|state=Arizona
|terms=January 3, 1987-present
|preceded=[[Barry Goldwater]]
|former=n
|succeeded=Incumbent (no successor)
}}
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arizona
|district=1st
|terms=January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1987
|preceded=John Jacob Rhodes Jr.
|former=n
|succeeded=John Jacob Rhodes III
}}
}}
'''John Sidney McCain III''', born in the U.S. [[Panama Canal]] Zone, August 29, 1936 (age {{age|1936|8|29}})<ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=m0003http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/13/Button_enter.png Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]</ref>, was the Republican candidate for President in 2008 as well as a prominent maverick politician and [[Vietnam War]] hero. He is also the senior [[United States Senate|Senator]] of [[Arizona]]. He has been an influential leader in American politics since 1986, when he ran for office attacking corruption, attacking [[pork barrel]] spending and working for [[campaign finance reform]]. He was defeated by [[George W. Bush]] for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000, and lost to [[Barack Obama]] in the 2008 Presidential Election.

As a pilot for the [[United States Navy]] and former Prisoner-of-War ([[POW]]), he served in the military for 22 years.<ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=m000303 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]</ref> McCain, a [[Baptist]],<ref> http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296973,00.html</ref> has impressive credentials on issues of foreign policy and national security, which have propelled him in the forefront of national politics as both an outspoken voice for the United States military and as a Presidential contender for the Republican Party since 1993.<ref>Paul Alexander, ''John McCain: Man of the People''. (2003)</ref>

In the Senate in 2009 McCain has moved to the right, shedding his maverick image with full-throated attacks on the Democrats' proposals for health care reform, cap-and-trade environmental taxes, and wasteful stimulus spending, while supporting President Obama's aggressive policies in the [[Afghanistan War]].
==Early Life==
McCain's family has a long history of military service, including ancestors who fought as army soldiers in the Indian Wars, [[American Revolutionary War]], [[War of 1812]], for both the Union and the Confederate States of America during the [[American Civil War]], and in [[World War I]]. Both his father and grandfather were four-star Navy admirals. In addition, McCain's two sons are currently serving in the U.S. Navy.

In 1951, the McCain family moved to Northern [[Virginia]] and he attended Episcopal High School, a private preparatory boarding school in Alexandria. McCain was on the wrestling team and went on to graduate in 1954. He later joined the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated in 1958.

==Military career==
[[Image:McCain 1965.jpg|left|thumb|200px|McCain photographed in 1965]]
McCain served heroically in the [[United States Navy]] from 1958 to 1981. He spent two and a half years as a naval aviator in training at the Naval Air Station Pensacola in [[Florida]] and the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in [[Texas]]. By 1967, McCain was a veteran pilot aboard the [[USS Forrestal|USS ''Forrestal'']] [[aircraft carrier]] off the coast of Vietnam. On 29 July 1967, while preparing to take off on a bombing run over North Vietnam, a missile accidentally fired from another plane, hitting the fuel tanks on McCain's aircraft and triggering explosions and a fire. McCain escaped from his plane by crawling onto the nose of the aircraft and diving on to the ship's deck which was ablaze from burning fuel. His attempt to rescue a fellow pilot whose flight suit was on fire was prevented when McCain was blown over by further explosions. When the fire was contained 24 hours later, 134 men had been killed and hundreds more injured. It was called the worst non-combat-related accident in U.S. naval history.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=526451&in_page_id=1811 ''The coronation of the ultimate survivor, John McCain''] 5 March 2008 [[Daily Mail]]</ref>

===Prisoner-Of-War (1967 - 1973)===

On October 26, 1967, as McCain was flying over [[Hanoi]]'s Thermal Power Plant during his 23rd bombing mission, he was shot down and captured by the North Vietnamese. He had just released his bombs when [[A-4 Skyhawk|his plane]] was shot down by a [[surface-to-air missile]]. As he ejected, unconscious from the accident, he broke his knee and both arms and descended by parachute into a lake. When he floated ashore, Vietnamese locals spit and kicked him, nearly killing him. The police took him to Hoa Loa Prison where he was held in solitary captivity without medical attention or sufficient food. During brutal interrogations, he was asked for information in return for medical care. McCain refused, giving only his name and date of birth. When it was discovered that he was the son of a top U.S. Admiral, he was given medical care. Hospital personnel never believed he would survive, as he had large wounds and weighed a mere 100 lbs. He also had completely white hair, a product of accelerated aging under harsh conditions. Nonetheless, his health improved and McCain was held as a Prisoner-Of-War (POW) at the [[Hanoi Hilton]]. As a prisoner, guards tortured him with frequent beatings and painful contortions, breaking his teeth and bones. <ref>Alexander, Paul. John McCain: Man of the People. Published 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 0-471-47545-9</ref>

After months of beating sessions and intense interrogations, McCain was psychologically and physically weakened. At one point, he was forced to sign a statement which made claims exonerating his captors of inhumane treatment. The paper was intended for use as propaganda, but in all their subsequent attempts for promoting a "humane" image of the POW camp, McCain worked his hardest to thwart them. In 1971, four years from his capture, he was placed with 20 to 30 other Americans in better treatment. They were allowed to celebrate Christian holidays, including Christmas. McCain, who served as an impromptu chaplain, recalled that during their services, men cried; "They were tears of joy that for the first time... we were able to celebrate Christmas together."<ref>Alexander, Paul. John McCain: Man of the People. Published 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 0-471-47545-9</ref> In light of his father's high military status, McCain was offered early release, which he adamantly refused in honor of the "First in, first out" clause of the POW Code of Conduct.

On March 14, 1973, after five and a half years of imprisonment, McCain was released alongside 106 other pilots under the Nixon administration. McCain received a heartfelt reception at the White House and was pronounced a war hero and eminent voice for the Vietnam War. Awards from the military followed, including the Legion of Merit, a [[Silver Star]], a [[Bronze Star]], a [[Purple Heart]], the [[Distinguished Flying Cross]], and the Vietnamese Legion of Honor.<ref>Alexander, Paul. John McCain: Man of the People. Published 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 0-471-47545-9</ref> McCain's severe war injuries prevent him today from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. <ref>http://graphics.boston.com/news/politics/campaign2000/news/McCain_character_loyal_to_a_fault+.shtml</ref>

===Return to the Navy (1973 - 1981)===

The Vietnam War and his military service remained strong in McCain's. He immediately wanted to rejoin the Navy, and spent years preparing with excruciating physical therapy and a year of study in the Naval War College, where he attacked the liberal anti-war movement for weakening the morale of his fellow POWs.<ref>Kirkpatrick, David D. "[http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/14/america/15pows.php In '74 thesis, the seeds of McCain's war views.]" The New York Times (June 15, 2008) p. A1.]</ref> With his extensive experience in the Navy's Aviation division, he was selected to reform the flying fleet as Commanding Officer. John McCain quickly transformed his crew's personnel, which had been underfunded in the post-Vietnam era. Carl Smith, who served under McCain, stated, "He immediately began making changes. He fired people, and he replaced people at the top who he thought were not being as effective as he wanted them to be. He wanted real leadership. He wanted the squadron to come to life."<ref>Alexander, Paul. John McCain: Man of the People. pg. 57</ref> Many in his staff were disappointed to have him leave, and praised his work in promoting efficiency.<ref>Alexander, Paul. John McCain: Man of the People.</ref>

During his assignment to the Senate as the Navy's liaison, 1977-81, McCain began to join the ranks of politicians. He transformed the position from a rather unimportant post into one of authority and respect{{fact}}, gaining allies in the Senate. The Senate liaison role provided a learning experience in national security policy and foreign affairs.

==Political career==
===Congressional (1982 - 1986)===

Prior to entering public service, McCain worked in [[Phoenix]] for his father-in-law's company, Hensley & Co, which was an Anheuser-Busch beer wholesaler and distributor. With nagging injuries and limited physical mobility, McCain realized he would never become a four-star general like his forefathers.<ref>[http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9542249 John McCain Biography (1936-)]</ref> Some biographers argue that he shifted into politics so that he could achieve the equivalent in politics, leading to his Senatorial career. After gaining support from local business leaders, he ran for a congressional seat for Arizona's 1st congressional district as a Republican in 1982. His [[liberal]] opponents labeled him as a "carpetbagger". McCain responded to a voter making the charge of "carpetbagging" saying,

{{cquote|Listen, pal. I spent 22 years in the Navy. My father was in the Navy. My grandfather was in the Navy. We in the military service tend to move a lot. We have to live in all parts of the country, all parts of the world. I wish I could have had the luxury, like you, of growing up and living and spending my entire life in a nice place like the First District of Arizona, but I was doing other things. As a matter of fact, when I think about it now, the place I lived longest in my life was Hanoi.}}

With the endorsements of local newspapers, McCain easily won the election. In 1983, he became President of the Republican freshman class of representatives. At the time, he largely supported Reagan's hard stance against the [[Soviet Union]], his tax cuts and matters on Indian Affairs. He did, however, break with the President on the decision to place a U.S. military presence in Lebanon, saying {{cquote|''I do not foresee obtainable objectives in Lebanon; I believe the longer we stay, the more difficult it will be to leave.''<ref>Alexander, Paul. John McCain: Man of the People. pg. 100</ref>}} During his four years in [[Congress]], McCain and his wife Cindy had three children.

===Senatorial (1986 - Present)===
[[Image:Reagan mccain.jpg|left|thumb|300px|3/3/1987 President Reagan and Nancy Reagan greet John McCain in the Blue Room during a dinner for newly elected members of the 100th Congress]]
When Republican and [[conservative]] icon [[Barry Goldwater]] retired from the United States Senate in Arizona in 1986, Congressman McCain announced his candidacy for the seat. He easily won the election, defeating his Democratic opponent Richard Kimball by 20 percentage points. When entering the Senate, he became a member of the powerful Armed Services Committee and he also joined the Commerce Committee and the Indian Affairs Committee. During the 1988 Presidential Election, McCain was named chairman of Veterans for Bush. In 1991, Senator McCain became part of the "Keating Five" scandal, where McCain and four other Senators (all Democrats) were accused of improperly aiding Charles H. Keating, Jr., chairman of the failed Lincoln Savings and Loan Association, which was the target of an investigation by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Between 1982 and 1987, McCain had received approximately $112,000 in political contributions from Charles Keating Jr. After a lengthy investigation, the Senate Ethics Committee determined that McCain's involvement was minimal and was criticized for using "poor judgement".

===="Maverick" Image in the Senate====
John McCain has gained a reputation as a "maverick" for his sponsorship of many bills and leadership on almost every issue. Starting in 1994, he worked with Democratic [[Wisconsin]] Senator [[Russ Feingold]] on campaign finance reform. The McCain-Feingold bill banned "soft money". It passed and was signed into law on November 6th, 2002, by President Bush. In the 1990's, McCain gained attention for his strong opposition to pork barrel spending. He championed the 1996 Line Item Veto Act, which gave the President the power to veto individual spending items. However, in 1998, the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] ruled the act unconstitutional.

Voteview.com rated McCain as the second most conservative Senator in the 109th Congress (Jan. 2005 - Jan. 2007).<ref>http://voteview.com/SEN109.HTM</ref>

John McCain and the Bush administration agree on most issues. He voted with the Bush administration 95% of the time in 2007, according to Congressional Quarterly's "Presidential Support Scores". <ref>http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/512/ Politifact fact checks McCain's voting support</ref> Issues include making the Bush tax cuts permanent (even though he originally opposed and voted against them), energy independence, winning the war in Iraq, reforming Social Security, and continuing and expanding Bush's supply-side economic policies.

In 2008, McCain asked for $0 in earmarks.<ref>[http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=reports_pigbook2008_database 2008 ''Pig Book''], Council for Citizens Against Government Waste</ref>The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste has given him a rating of 100% in 2007 (88% lifetime).<ref>[http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/DocServer/2007_Senate_Ratings_Final.pdf?docID=3242 2007 Senate Scorecard]</ref> A score of 100% represents voting against all pork, and 0% represents voting ''for'' all pork. Democrats averaged 5% in 2007, whereas Republicans averaged 60%. <ref>[http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/News2?abbr=CCAGW_&page=NewsArticle&id=11590 CCAGW Releases ''2007 Congressional Ratings'']</ref>

==Presidential Politics==
===2000 Presidential Campaign===
McCain launched his first campaign for President in 2000, when he challenged then-[[Texas]] Governor [[George W. Bush]] for the Republican nomination. McCain's campaign was surprisingly strong. By ignoring the [[Iowa Caucus]], he was able to win the [[New Hampshire]] Primary by nineteen percentage points. He then won the [[Michigan]] Primary. However, he went on to lose [[South Carolina]] and 9 out of the 13 [[Super Tuesday]] states. McCain withdrew from the race on March 9, 2000.

After withdrawing, McCain announced that he supported the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the top of the South Carolina statehouse. During the primary he had stated he believed it was an issue for the state to decide, which was his true belief from a federal standpoint, but not his personal belief. He felt by withholding her personal belief that he had erred. He explained that he lived his life by being open and felt he should have been at that time and apologized for not speaking up sooner. <ref>http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/04/19/mccain.sc/</ref>

===During Bush Presidency 2001 - 2008 ===
Following McCain's loss in the 2000 Presidential primary and reports of dirty tricks in [[South Carolina]]<ref>http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/03/21/the_anatomy_of_a_smear_campaign/ The anatomy of a smear campaign, March 21, 2004</ref><ref>http://www.palmettoscoop.com/2007/12/30/top-romney-advisor-tied-to-anonymous-attacks-of-previous-presidential-primary/ Top Romney advisor tied to anonymous attacks of previous presidential primary, December 30, 2007</ref>, McCain began to disagree with President Bush on many issues, such as tax cuts, climate change, and gun legislation. After the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], McCain wrote legislation that created the 9/11 Commission, while he and Democratic Senator Fritz Hollings co-sponsored the Aviation and Transportation Security Act that federalized airport security. In May 2005, McCain led the so-called "[[Gang of 14]]" in the Senate, which established a compromise that preserved the ability of senators to [[filibuster]] judicial nominees, but only in "extraordinary circumstances". McCain also co-sponsored comprehensive immigration reform (see below under political record for details). In addition to bipartisan work in the Senate, it was during this period that McCain was courted by the Senate Democrats, and considered switching parties.<ref>http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/democrats-say-mccain-nearly-abandoned-gop-2007-03-28.html</ref>

===2008 Presidential Campaign===

{{main|John McCain 2008 Presidential Campaign}}

McCain announced his run for President in early 2007 at New Hampshire, a state which had boosted his floundering 2000 run for President. From the onset, he ran on an unwavering support for the Iraq War and a close tie to President Bush, stemming from his shift during the 2004 election. The Republican Party was highly splintered among political groups, with strong constituents of the Christian social conservatives (Sam Brownback and Mike Huckabee), anti-immigration activists (Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo), and the blockbuster fundraisers, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani, who appeared to be media favorites upon entry. McCain was not seen as a viable candidate by many Republicans because of his strong support for immigration reform and distaste for political fund-raising. Mitt Romney, for instance, had raised $23 million in the first three months of 2007, for instance, three times that of Sen. McCain.<ref>Cook, Charles. "The 2008 Presidential Primaries: What in America's Name Is Going On?" The Washington Quarterly Vol. 31 Issue 3 pp. 193-204.</ref>

Christian conservatives overwhelmingly backed Mike Huckabee and Sam Brownback, rejecting McCain from longstanding offense he had struck during his 2000 run. John McCain had called politically-charged leaders such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson "agents of intolerance" for their part in a smear campaign during the South Carolina Primary. Many Christians were angered by these remarks, and fumed that they would field a Third Party candidate if McCain was chosen as the nominee. McCain had shown unfavorable views on abortion and religious initiatives in the past, and many Republican voters were worried that he could not be a reliably conservative candidate. <ref>Luo, Michael. "Evangelicals see Dilemma in GOP Field." July 8, 2007. New York Times.</ref>

Sen. McCain's unwavering support for victory in Iraq was made into a hot-button issue by many politicians following stories of insurgent violence erupting during early 2007. People began to fear the worst in Iraq, and the idea of a timetable for withdrawal became a major issue. At this time, conservative Republicans also feared McCain's position on immigration reform, and booed him loudly at the 2007 Conservative Political Action Conference. A news story by the New York Times was a major blow to the campaign, which reported that a scandalous affair between McCain and a lobbyist had taken place. It was found to be completely false, but the story severely hurt his political advances.

When news had spread that McCain's campaign bankrupted and "imploded" in the summer of 2007, the Republican nomination began a period of quick shifting; other candidates began to soar in the polls, detracting McCain's support. Rudy Giuliani, who collected a strong following based on his leadership as "America's Mayor", began to court evangelical Christians who felt uneasy about McCain, gaining the endorsement of televangelist Pat Robertson. However, as his less-than-flattering personal life and liberal positions on social issues became apparent, he quickly lost momentum to Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee.<ref>Cook, Charles. "The 2008 Presidential Primaries: What in America's Name Is Going On?" The Washington Quarterly Vol. 31 Issue 3 pp. 193-204.</ref> Fred Thompson, who entered late in the race, quickly withdrew because of lackadaisical popularity and poor fund-raising efforts. Huckabee remained popular in the Southern United States, but failed to win major contests among independents and Democrat voters.

Romney had the edge in early races, but couldn't deliver a knockout blow. McCain's poll numbers slowly increased and benefited as the field narrowed. After McCain defeated top contender Mitt Romney by a large margin on Super Tuesday in delegate-rich states like New York, California, and Arizona,<ref>Scott Neuman and Howard Berkes. "Mitt Romney Drops Out of GOP Presidential Race." Feb. 7, 2008. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18772382</ref> Mitt Romney withdrew with some protest, leaving McCain the clear front-runner.<ref>Bumiller, Elisabeth, Kirkpatrick, David. "Romney Is Out; McCain Emerges as G.O.P. Choice." Feb. 8, 2008. New York Times.</ref> Although McCain's proportion of the vote was not much higher than Romney's, he won most of the 'winner take all' states giving him a much higher proportion of the delegate count. Without Romney's well-financed opposition, McCain easily clinched the necessary delegate lead of 1,191 in March after a spirited yet short-lived fight from Mike Huckabee.<ref>NPR.org. "Election 2008: Huckabee, Romney Stay in Race for GOP Nomination." Feb. 6, 2008. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18739137</ref>

McCain had won the nomination and could focus on the [[2008 United States Presidential Election]].

==Domestic Policy==
[[Image:McCain_on_Meet_the_Press.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Senator John McCain discusses his opinions with Tim Russert on "Meet the Press", 2005]]

===Balanced Budget===
McCain has emphasized reducing government spending over tax cuts. He is one of the Senate's most outspoken critics of pork barrel spending and has pledged to veto any bill with pork as President. Congressional experience has enabled John McCain to identify items that are unnecessary. McCain is fiscally responsible with the taxpayers' money and created a simple method to detect spending abuses. <ref>[http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Issues.View&Issue_id=d1a878d9-f16c-4570-b402-9d1bc3fe6ab9] , http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Issues.View&Issue_id=d1a878d9-f16c-4570-b402-9d1bc3fe6ab9, U.S. Senate Pork Barrel Spending</ref>

* An appropriation that is not properly authorized by the Senate and not requested by the Administration.
* An unauthorized and unrequested, locality-specific or facility-specific earmark (including those funds that are above the Administration request).
* A budget add-on that would be subject to a budget point of order.
* The transfer or disposal of federal property or items under terms that circumvent existing law.
* New items added in conference that were never considered in either bill in either House.

===Economy===
Upon his party gaining the White House in 2001, McCain opposed a $1.35 trillion cut in [[taxation]] over 10 years, but switched his position around 2006, and voted to renew it twice. The plan included the objectives of doubling the child tax credit from $500 to $1,000, reducing the tax penalty on [[marriage|married couples]] and fully repealing the [[Estate tax|tax on estates]]. A [[United States Senate]] Finance Committee Report estimated that with all the planned reductions fully phased in, the average family of four making $50,000 would save $1,825 per year.<ref>[http://archives.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/06/07/bush.taxes/ $1.35 trillion tax cut becomes law], CNN, 21 June 2001</ref>

Since the tax cuts, [[IRS]] revenues increased from $1.78 trillion in 2003 to $2.56 trillion in 2007 with a 46.3% increase of individual income tax receipts. Surging $785 billion since the 2003 investment tax cuts, it is the largest four-year revenue increase in U.S. history<ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119189497675953035.html?mod=googlenews_wsj</ref>

During this same time period, spending mandated by Congress has also increased by more than 29 percent in inflation-adjusted dollars, representing an 11.4 percent increase in federal spending as a percentage of [[Gross domestic product|GDP]]. This spending has doubled the federal debt, increasing it from 58 to 66 percent of GDP. Defense spending increased 61 percent, and non-defense by 23 percent during the eight years since 2000. The largest non-defense spending increase has been for federally-funded medical expenses, at 54 percent.<ref>[http://www.aier.org/research/commentaries/750-big-government-under-the-bush-administration Big Government Under The Bush Administration], AIER, 16 November 2008</ref> In total, Congress and the White House has increased government expenditures by the largest percentage since the administration of President [[Lyndon Johnson]], but McCain has opposed every earmark put forward in the Democratic and Republican congresses, even ones Bush supported. Part of the huge spending increases are directly traceable to the economic repercussions of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the economic downturn in its aftermath, and increased defense and Homeland Security spending. However, this appears likely to be eclipsed by the spending plans of [[Barack Obama]], who pledged on 6 December 2008 to invest "record amounts of money" in infrastructure, a plan which some members of Congress are estimating at $400 to $700 billion.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/us/politics/07radio.html?ref=us Obama Pledges Public Works on a Vast Scale], New York Times, 6 December 2008</ref>.

McCain's policies have caused general economic growth. This is partially due to changes in the stock market that lead to a record high in 2007, although the [[NASDAQ]] is still down considerably from the levels it was at before the Dot-com bubble burst. Corporations showed profits growing by double digits growth.<ref>http://www.usatoday.com/money/markets/us/2006-05-08-mart-usat_x.htm</ref> Even the working class benefited from the Bush economy, as unemployment hit an all time low in March 2007.<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/economy</ref> McCain supported a minimum wage increase, one of the platforms for the Democrats in the 2006 Congressional elections, after the House and Senate included McCain's request of provisions for small-business tax breaks.<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/20/AR2006122001784.html</ref><ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/10/AR2007011001666.html</ref> Tax policies have been favorable to reducing the [[Capital Gains Tax]], with a subsequent surge in investment.

===Earmarks===
John McCain staunchly opposes [[earmarks]] as [[corrupt]] and wasteful spending. In his 28 years in federal government, McCain has never requested an earmark. He vigorously crusaded against earmarks in his 2008 presidential campaign.

===Education===
McCain supports [[school vouchers]] and [[charter school]]s. His voting record shows support for reducing the federal government's role in [[education]]. He voted for school vouchers for Washington, D.C., education savings accounts, and against $5 billion for grants to local educational agencies. McCain sponsored the Education A-Plus bill in 1997 and again in 1999, which allowed parents to open tax-free saving accounts for their children's school supplies. McCain also co-sponsored the Child Nutrition Act, which would provide [[federal funding]] for at-risk children. He has publicly stated he supports [[intelligent design]] teaching in schools.<ref>http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/politics/90069 "On Tuesday, though, he sided with the president on two issues that have made headlines recently: teaching intelligent design in schools...McCain told the Star that, like Bush, he believes "all points of view" should be available to students studying the origins of mankind."</ref>

===Health Care===
McCain's record and stated positions on [[health care]] are based on true conservative principles. He is against socialized health care and health coverage mandates. McCain supports tax credits for personal health savings accounts and enhancing competition in the health care industry to improve quality and lower costs. He also supports allowing citizens to purchase out-of-state health insurance. In an October 2007 statement, McCain said: "In health care, we believe in enhancing the freedom of individuals to receive necessary and desired care. We do not believe in coercion and the use of state power to mandate care, coverage or costs." McCain is a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership. <ref>[http://www.republicanmainstreet.org/healthcare.htm Pro Healthcare]</ref>

===Energy===
John McCain has stated "ethanol subsidies, tariff barriers and sugar quotas drive up food prices and hurt Americans. However, we cannot take the wrong direction and cut off trade for American goods."<ref>[http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/4dbd2cc7-890e-47f1-882f-b8fc4cfecc78.htm], McCain Economic Plan</ref> “America’s most vital interests call us to the mission of energy security, and so does our sense of honor. And the straightest, swiftest path to energy security is to produce more, use less, and find new sources of power — so that no commodity can determine our security, and no crisis can undermine our economy,” McCain said in Houston, TX, June 16, 2008. He proposes to remove federal obstacles to offshore drilling. Among his major initiatives is the removal of the 27-year old federal moratorium on states’ abilities to explore and drill for oil and natural gas.<ref>[http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/06/17/mccain-slaps-obama-on-energy-calls-for-more-drilling/], McCain slaps Obama on energy, June 17th, 2008</ref> In addition, he wants the states to receive incentives and royalties to drill. The current ban on offshore drilling covers an estimated 80 percent of U.S. coastal waters."We've seen the impact of it in the form of food prices, in the form of gasoline, in the form of threats of inflation and indeed indications of inflation, and we must embark on a national mission to eliminate our dependence on foreign oil." <ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080616/ap_on_el_pr/mccain] , http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080616/ap_on_el_pr/mccain , AP McCain urges end to ban on offshore drilling , June 16, 2008</ref> He indicated, though, that the end of the ban on offshore drilling would have mostly psychological effects in the short term. At a town hall meeting, McCain stated, "I don't see an immediate relief, but I do see that exploitation of existing reserves that may exist -- and in view of many experts that do exist off our coasts -- is also a way that we need to provide relief. Even though it may take some years, the fact that we are exploiting those reserves would have psychological impact that I think is beneficial."
He would support incentives for building new nuclear power plants. <ref>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/06/24/1163504.aspx</ref> John McCain wants more nuclear reactors to increase America's energy independence. He is calling for the construction of 45 new reactors by 2030. Also, McCain wants to increase federal funds for clean coal technology by 2 billion dollars to reduce dependence on foreign oil. <ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D91CMT0O0&show_article=1] , http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D91CMT0O0&show_article=1 , AP McCain calls for building 45 new nuclear reactors, June 18, 2008</ref>
McCain supports increasing ethanol imports and more production of hybrid vehicles. He is co-sponsor of a Senate cap-and-trade bill designed to limit greenhouse gas emissions. He has consistently voted for preserving the budget for ANWR but against drilling for [[oil]] in the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]] (ANWR), because of environmental concerns. Conservationists differ from conservatives that 2000 acres for oil drilling is not enough to impact [[polar bears]] in the region.

===Environment===
McCain's position on [[global warming]] issues has put him at odds with conservatives. His [[environment]]al proposals are mostly sound modern thinking by someone that understands the enormity of the problem. McCain says that we can go green as a nation without bankrupting America. Per his website, Senator McCain "wants to leave a better future for our children."
On January 2007, McCain said, "we continue to learn more about the science of climate change and the dangerous precedence of not addressing this environmental problem. The science tells us that urgent and significant action is needed." On October 30, 2003, he co-sponsored the Climate Stewardship Act (S.139), which was defeated. McCain is a member of, and was endorsed by, the Republicans for Environmental Protection organization. His conservative stances include voting to confirm Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior and he is in favor of renewable energy such as solar, hydro, and wind. "Wind power is one of many alternative energy sources that are changing our economy for the better, and one day they will change our economy forever."

===Immigration===
John McCain says that he will secure the borders first and many [[immigration]] issue are still needed but will have to come later. In 2007, McCain worked to provide border security efforts with a temporary worker program and an eventual path to citizenship for many illegal immigrants. Conservatives wanted nothing to do with the proposal and in June 2007, Congress' efforts collapsed. McCain said of the outcome,"I say it is a lesson learned about what the American people's priorities are. And their priority is to secure the borders." <ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-11-03-610628094_x.htm] , http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-11-03-610628094_x.htm, AP McCain emphasizes border security, November 4, 2007</ref> "..I support the same solution. But we've got to secure the borders first" says McCain

On Jan. 5, regarding the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, Senator McCain announced that anyone who says he supported amnesty is "a liar, is lying." The senator stated "I do not support, nor would I ever support, any services provided to someone who came to this country illegally, nor would I ever and I never have supported [[Social Security]] benefits for people who are in this country illegally. Any assertion to the contrary is absolutely false." During the comprehensive immigration reform debate, Senator McCain voted to table an amendment that would have prevented illegal immigrants from receiving Social Security who "are not able to receive Social Security benefits as a result of unlawful activity."<ref>http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00130</ref> Senator McCain stated in a May 29, 2003 interview, "Amnesty has to be an important part because there are people who have lived in this country for 20, 30 or 40 years, who have raised children here and pay taxes here and are not citizens." Arguing amnesty is not a free pass or a reward for law breaking, McCain stated, "Well, because amnesty, according to the dictionary, is forgiveness. The proposal that we had- would require fines, would require back in the line, would require deportation for some. It would require others to go back to the country of their origin" <ref>[http://www.ontheissues.org/celeb/John_McCain_Immigration.htm] , Ontheissues.com, John McCain on Immigration</ref> At the [[Republican]] debate at the Reagan Library, McCain stated he supports the deportation of 2 million illegals who have committed crimes in the USA.

Conversely, in a June 2008 meeting with Hispanic leaders in Chicago, McCain indicated he would push legislation to overhaul federal immigration laws if elected. According to one attendee, Rosanna Pulido, head of the Illinois [[Minuteman Project]], ""He's one John McCain in front of white Republicans. And he's a different John McCain in front of Hispanics..." <ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/20/mccain-discusses-immigrat_n_108297.html McCain Discusses Immigration With Hispanic Leaders</ref> <ref>http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-06-19-4020801806_x.htm McCain Meets With Hispanic Leaders</ref> Pulido further stated, "He was telling one group of people one thing and the Hispanics another, I'm a conservative and I think he's throwing conservatives under the bus."<ref>http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/06/title----mcca-1.html McCain Double-Talk on Immigration?</ref> Due to his support, members of the Minuteman Project, participating in the Minuteman Project Caravan, traveled to Washington, D.C. to register their disapproval. They made an entry into McCain's Guest Log Book asking him to uphold the Constitution and enforce the law. After making the entry, the group was forced to leave by a senior staffer for Senator McCain or be reported to the police. <ref>http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1643181/posts Minuteman Project Thrown Out of McCain's Office</ref>

Senator McCain's position on illegal immigration has arguably resulted in the most criticisms from conservatives. On May 12, 2005, McCain joined Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] (D-[[Massachusetts]]) as co-sponsor of the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act. The bill would legalize and eventually grant citizenship to the estimated 12–20 million [[illegal alien]]s in the United States and have them immediately start collecting social security and other government benefits. The bill never came for a vote on the Senate floor. The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 are two additional compromises based on the original McCain-Kennedy bill. McCain has consistently voted for visas for skilled workers. McCain voted for the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and has said border security should be a bigger priority then the illegal aliens who are currently here.

===Global Trade===
McCain has actively supported reducing barriers to trade and has shown leadership in the [[United States Senate|Senate]] on Free Trade Agreements (FTA). Senator McCain supports both pending FTAs for Columbia and [[South Korea]]. <ref>[http://useconomy.about.com/od/candidatesandtheeconomy/p/McCain_Trade.htm], John McCain and Trade</ref> He voted for and defends the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

===Social Security===
McCain is a strong supporter of private [[Social Security]] accounts.

===Tax Reform===
In 2001, McCain gained attention as one of only two Republicans who voted against President Bush's tax cuts. He opposed accelerating the cuts in 2003, saying, "I voted against the tax cuts because of the disproportional amount that went to the wealthiest Americans. I would clearly support not extending those tax cuts in order to help address the deficit." He has now changed his stance, by voting to make the tax cuts permanent, and says he would do the same as President. In 2002, Senator McCain was one of only two Republicans to twice vote against the permanent repeal of the Death Tax. He has also refused to sign a pledge put forth by Americans for Tax Freedom not to impose any new taxes or increase existing taxes. However, many of McCain's votes has shown support for lower taxes, such as eliminating the marriage penalty, a 1997 vote to cut capital gains taxes and he introduced measures that would require a sixty-vote majority to pass a tax increase.

==Foreign Policy==

===National Security===

McCain urges the Senate to pass FISA. “For months, House Democrats, the [[ACLU]], and the trial lawyers have held up legislation to modernize our nation’s terrorist surveillance laws. Today, the House passed a compromise bill to end this impasse. While I would have preferred to see the Senate bill enacted, which I voted for earlier this year, I am pleased Congressional leaders and the Administration were able to reach an agreement to reform our current surveillance law and not let FISA expire in August. I hope [[United States Senate|Senate]] Democrats will allow this matter to quickly be considered by the Senate and sent to the President for his signature. I will support this measure and hope that politics will be put aside in favor of this vital national security matter.” <ref>[http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=a7f9dc6c-da0e-459d-dd6c-91e20a46e1e5] , McCAIN URGES SENATE PASSAGE OF FISA
, June 20, 2008</ref> Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was established in 1978.

McCain has voted in support of the [[Patriot Act|USA PATRIOT Act]] as well as National Missile Defense. However, he has joined [[liberal]]s in support of immediately closing [[Guantanamo Bay]], and moving all the prisoners to Fort Leavenworth. On October 3, 2005, he introduced the McCain Detainee Amendment which prohibits inhumane treatment of prisoners, including prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. The bill was passed and signed by President [[George W. Bush]]. McCain has recently criticized the practice of [[waterboarding]], saying "they should know what it is. It is not a complicated procedure. It is torture." McCain voted against HR 2082, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which included provisions that would have prevented the CIA from water boarding prisoners.

===Afghanistan===
After the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]] McCain was a strong advocate for military action in [[Afghanistan]], saying:

''We did not cause this war. Our enemies did, and they are to blame for the deprivations and difficulties it occasions. They are to'' ''blame for the loss of innocent life. They are to blame for the geopolitical problems confronting our friends and us. We can help'' ''repair the damage of war. But to do so, we must destroy the people who started it.'' <ref>http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=95001375</ref>

McCain is currently calling for 15,000 additional troops to address the situation in Afghanistan, similar to his victorious 2007 troop surge in Iraq.

===Iran===
McCain has said that "We continue to be concerned about [[Iran]]ian influence and assistance to Hezbollah as well as Iranian pursuit of nuclear weapons." He tried to ban Iran from playing in the 2006 World Cup, citing Iranian President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]]'s [[Holocaust]] denials.

===Iraq===
[[Image:610x.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Senator John McCain with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, 03/17/08]] McCain voted with the majority [[Republican]] Party and 29 Democrats of the Senate in favor of the 2002 "[[Iraq War]] Resolution" authorizing President George W. Bush to go to war against Iraq and overthrow the [[Saddam Hussein]] regime. In 1998, McCain voted in favor of HR 4655 Iraq Liberation Act, signed by then President Clinton. <ref>[http://www.iraqwatch.org/government/US/Legislation/ILA.htm], http://www.iraqwatch.org/government/US/Legislation/ILA.htm, HR4655 Public Law: 105-338, October 31, 1998</ref> HR 4655 declares that it should be the policy of the United States to seek to remove the Saddam Hussein regime from power in Iraq and to replace it with a democratic government. McCain went on to became a critic of the management of the war, arguing that there wasn't enough troop strength in the area. However, he never became a defeatist advocating surrender. McCain publicly stated that he had "no confidence" in then-Secretary of Defense [[Donald Rumsfeld]]. However, he refused to call for his resignation, saying that "the President picks his team, and the president has the right to stay with that team if he wants to." McCain became one of the strongest leading advocates in the Senate for the 2007 troop surge, which increased the number of American troops by 20,500, deployed to provide security to [[Baghdad]] and Al Anbar Province. On February 4, he criticized a non-binding resolution opposing the troop buildup, calling it a reckless "vote of no confidence" in the U.S. Commanders and in the military. Additionally, he voted against all measures aimed at withdrawal of U.S. forces and voted against cutting off of war funds. McCain rightly believes that Congress should not micromanage the war and to give the military everything they ask for to successfully complete the mission. He has mentioned in a town hall forum that staying the course in Iraq for 'a hundred years' would not bother him if no American soldier's were losing their lives. This became an issue for Democratic political strategy. The DNC lead by chairman [[Howard Dean]] repeatedly tried to use false statements in justifying attacking McCain.<ref>[http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2008/04/mccains_100year_war.html]http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2008/04/mccains_100year_war.html, Washington post Fact Checker, April 2, 2008</ref> What McCain said is very different from what the liberal media and the DNC were reporting. Asked in Derry, NH of the willingness to keep troops in Iraq for 50 years, he said "Make it 100" and

{{QuoteBox|"That's fine with me as long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed."}}

===Russia===
Senator McCain has strongly criticized [[Russia]]n President [[Vladimir Putin]]. During a primary debate he said, ""He bullies his neighbors and he wants to get a control of the energy supply of Western Europe. This is a dangerous person. And he has to understand that there's a cost to some of his actions." In 2005 McCain and [[Connecticut]] senator [[Joe Lieberman]] drafted a resolution banning Russia from attending the Group of 8 (G8) international forum. McCain is also a strong supporter of ballistic national missile defenses.

===Cuba===
McCain forcefully supports the [[Cuban embargo]] and believes it should be maintained until certain specific political freedoms are restored to the country. <ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/21/us/politics/21mccain.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&fta=y&adxnnlx=1222106556-zea3cQG12OakFI9P97dogQ</ref>

==Social Issues==
===Abortion===
{{QuoteBox|"If I am fortunate enough to be elected as the next President of the United States, I pledge to you to be a loyal and unswerving friend of the right to life movement."}}

Sen. John McCain has more than a twenty year anti-[[abortion]] record, first in the [[U.S. House of Representatives]], then in the U.S. Senate. McCain voted 11 times on anti-abortion and other [[pro-life]] issues in the House. Senator McCain has voted 119 times on anti-abortion and other pro-life measures in the Senate. <ref>[http://www.naral.org/assets/files/mccain_fact_sheet.pdf], http://www.naral.org/assets/files/mccain_fact_sheet.pdf</ref>

McCain's record in the Senate on abortion is pro-life. He voted for the 2003 Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. McCain has also voted against government funding of birth control and sex education.<ref>http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00214 Voted Nay on an amendment to authorize grants to carry out programs to provide education on preventing teen pregnancies</ref> <ref>http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00075 Vote against allocation of $100m for prevention of unintended pregnancies </ref><ref>http://www.nowpublic.com/quiet-campaign-against-contraception Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain's campaign officials boast that he has "consistently voted against taxpayer-funded contraception programs." And Mr. McCain reports that his adviser on sexual-health matters is Sen. Tom Coburn, Republican of Oklahoma, who leads campaigns claiming condoms are unsafe and opposing emergency contraception.</ref> During his first Presidential campaign for the 2000 election, McCain said the following on [[Roe v. Wade]], "I'd love to see a point where it is irrelevant, and could be repealed because abortion is no longer necessary. But certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations." <ref>http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/feb/07021908.html McCain's "</ref> He has since changed his position, saying Roe v. Wade should be overturned.

John McCain:
* Voted against a [[Roe v. Wade]] resolution
* Co-sponsored and voted for the Federal Abortion Ban
* Supported H.R.1997, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act
* Voted for four anti-abortion U.S. Supreme Court judges
* Voted for six anti-abortion lower court judges
* Supported H.R.3913, to prohibit federal funds for abortion services in any case
* Voted to make it a federal crime for anyone but a parent to cross state lines for abortion termination
* Voted in favor of a national network of parental notification.

====Quotations====
“I do not support Roe v. Wade. It should be overturned.” <ref>Ann Althouse, Rudy & Mitt Hem & Haw on Abortion, N.Y. TIMES, Feb. 24, 2007.</ref>

*"I have many, many votes and it’s been consistent. And I’ve got a consistent zero from NARAL throughout all those years…."<ref>John McCain for President 2008, On the Issues: Human Dignity and the Sanctity of Life</ref>
*"My record is clear, and I think the important thing is you look at people’s voting record because sometimes rhetoric can be a little… misleading…. As you know I don’t support Roe v. Wade…. I thought it was a bad decision, and I think that the decision should be made in the states"<ref>John McCain for President 2008, On the Issues: Human Dignity and the Sanctity of Life</ref>
*“I’m proud that we have Justice Alito and Roberts on the United States Supreme Court. I’m very proud to have played a very small role in making that happen.” McCain explained further that he “will try to find clones of Alito and Roberts” to fill future court vacancies.<ref>[http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=26539], Letter from Sen. John McCain to Pro‐Life Community Janary 23, 2008</ref>

===Gun Control===
McCain's record on [[gun control]] is mixed. He co-sponsored the Gun Show Loophole Closing and Gun Law Enforcement Act of 2001. This act would reduce the number of gun shows, require gun-owners to purchase trigger locks, and allow federal agents to arrest those who violate federal gun laws. However, McCain has frequently voted in support of the Second Amendment, such as voting against background checks at gun shows and voting in support of prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. In August of 1999, McCain said he was open to voting for an assault weapon ban, depending on the details. However, he still voted against the Federal Assault Weapons Ban and the efforts to renew it, as well as the Brady Bill.

A top official of the [[National Rifle Association]] said McCain has been a reliable ally of gun owners despite divisions with the powerful lobbying group on some issues. NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre told The Associated Press "...We're not foolish enough to ignore the vast areas of agreement in which John McCain has been a friend to gun owners." <ref>[http://www.gopusa.com/news/2008/may/0514_nra_mccain.shtml], http://www.gopusa.com/news/2008/may/0514_nra_mccain.shtml, NRA chief stresses common ground with McCain, May 14, 2008</ref> The Republican presidential nominee has voted against a ban on assault-type weapons with restrictions which were objected.

===Same-sex marriage===
In the speech on the Senate floor July 13th, 2004, McCain stated “Mr. President, most Americans believe, as I do, that the institution of marriage should be reserved for the union of a man and a woman." <ref>http://www.friendsofmccain.com/news/dspnews.cfm?id=143</ref> John McCain revealed his decision based on super majority requirements and the current political realities within Congress. “By my count, there is not at this time even a small majority of senators who would vote for Senator Allard’s amendment, much less the 67 votes required by the Constitution. That won’t change, Mr. President, unless public opinion changes significantly. The [[Founders]], wisely, made certain that the Constitution is difficult to amend, and, as a practical political matter, can’t be done without overwhelming public approval. And thank God for that. Were it any easier I fear we could not make the claim for the Constitution’s enduring success that I have just made." Further, he explained his approach to the amendment's ultimate success “If a constitution is to be amended, Mr. President, it should be a state constitution." McCain voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment. In May 2008, the California Supreme Court effectively created a ruling to grant same-sex partners equal rights to [[Marriage]] and to be recognized by the state. A spokesman for Republican John McCain, who opposes gay marriage, said the Arizona senator "doesn't believe judges should be making these decisions."

===Evolution===
Senator John McCain's position on evolution is nuanced:

{{QuoteBox|"I think Americans should be exposed to every point of view, I happen to [[believe in evolution]]. ... I respect those who think the world was created in seven days. Should it be taught as a science class? '''Probably not'''." [http://thinkprogress.org/2007/02/12/mccain-creationism/]}}

==Personal life==
[[Image:Cindy McCain.jpg|thumb|Cindy McCain]]
McCain has been married twice. His first marriage, to Carol Shepp, ended in [[divorce]] in 1980 after 15 years, of which he spent five in captivity. McCain publicly acknowledges the responsibility for the breakup as his, stating in a 2008 interview with Pastor Rick Warren that "My greatest moral failing, and I have been a very imperfect person, is the failure of my first marriage". .<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/rules021299.htm</ref> His second and current wife is Cindy Lou Hensley, to whom he has been married for 28 years. His son John Sidney IV is a Midshipman at the [[United States Naval Academy]], Annapolis, and his son James is a non-commissioned officer in the [[United States Marine Corps]], who is serving in [[Iraq]] as part of [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]]. Also, the McCains adopted a ten-week old baby girl in 1993, who they named Bridget, from [[Mother Teresa]]'s orphanage in [[Bangladesh]].<ref>[http://celebrity.rightpundits.com/?p=3183 Bridget McCain Biography] Rightpundits.com</ref> <ref>[http://www.newsanalysisindia.com/109022008.htm Bridget vs Sonia: McCain vs Rajiv Gandhi] News Analysis India</ref>
Cindy McCain was in the country as part of the American Voluntary Medical Team <ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-041408-cindy-mccain-bio,1,2151434.story Bio of Cindy McCain]</ref> in response to the 1991 [[Bangladesh]] cyclone.
===McCain's family===
*Wife Cindy
*4 sons
**Douglas
**Andrew
**John (''"Jack"'') Sidney IV
**James
*3 daughters
**Sidney
**Meghan
**Bridget
*Parents
**[[Admiral]] John Sydney McCain, Jr. (from [[Indiana]])
**[[Roberta McCain|Roberta Wright McCain]] (from [[Oklahoma]]).

== Books ==
* ''Faith of My Fathers'' (Random House; 1999) ISBN 0-3755-0191-6
* ''Odysseus in America'' (Scribner; 2002) ISBN 0-7432-1156-1
* ''Worth Fighting For: A Memoir'' (Diane Publ. Co; 2002) ISBN 0-7567-6759-8
* ''Medal of Honor'' (Artisan; 2003) ISBN 1-5796-5240-9
* ''Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life'' (Random House; 2004) ISBN 1-4000-6030-3
* ''Character Is Destiny: Inspiring Stories Every Young Person Should Know and Every Adult Should Remember'' (Random House; 2005) ISBN 1-4000-6412-0
* ''Hard Call: Great Decisions and the Extraordinary People Who Made Them'' (Twelve; 2007) ISBN 0-4466-9911-X

==Further reading==
*McCain, John [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=513224&in_page_id=1811 ''My six years of hell: John McCain recalls life as a prisoner of war in Vietnam''] 8 February 2008 [[Daily Mail]]. Accessed 9 February 2008

==References==
{{reflist|2|small}}

==See Also==
* [[John McCain 2008 Presidential Campaign]]
* [[Previous Breaking News/John McCain|Articles about John McCain from previous "Breaking News"]]
* [[White House]]
*[[Cindy McCain]], spouse of John McCain
*[[Roberta McCain]], mother of John McCain

== External links ==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQsckD9trn4&eurl=http://evangelicalsformccain.org/meetthesenator.htm ''John McCain: Courageous Service''] - Streaming video documentary hosted at YouTube, including footage of McCain's time as a POW and the Forrestal incident.
*[http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9542249 John McCain Biography]
*[http://evangelicalsformccain.org/index.htm Evangelicals for McCain] - Christians, Families and Patriots for John McCain
*[http://studentsformccain08.blogspot.com/ Students for McCain 2008]
*[http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/01/mccains-mom-pop.html McCain's Mom Pops Off]
*[http://www.rd.com/national-interest/people-and-politics/our-interview-with-sen-john-mccain/article.html Presidential Candidate John McCain on the Issues]
*[http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=53270 Voting record]
*[http://www.opencongress.org/people/show/300071_john_mccain OpenCongress]

{{2008 presidential candidates}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McCain, John}}

[[Category:Republican Party]]
[[Category:United States Senators]]
[[Category:American war heroes]]
[[Category:United States Veterans]]
[[Category:Reagan Era]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]
[[Category:111th United States Congress]]
[[Category:112th United States Congress]]

Jeff Flake

2011-03-06T18:24:42Z

Chippeterson:

[[Image:JeffFlake.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
'''Jeff Flake''' is a [[Republican]] [[United States Representative]] from [[Arizona]]. He has one of the most consistently fiscally [[conservative]] voting records of any Congressman, being one of only eight Representatives to receive a 100% rating from the American Conservative Union in 2006.<ref>http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=20070</ref> He is especially outspoken regarding the burden of [[earmark | earmarks]] on the taxpaying public. However, he has broken from many in his party on the issue of the [[Iraq War]].

== References ==

<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Flake, Jeff}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
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Raul Grijalva

2011-03-06T18:24:10Z

Chippeterson: Created page with "{{Officeholder |name=Raul Grijalva |image=RaulGrijalva.jpg‎ |party=Democrat |spouse=Ramona F. Grijalva |religion=Roman Catholic |offices= {{Officeholder/representative |s..."

{{Officeholder
|name=Raul Grijalva
|image=RaulGrijalva.jpg‎
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Ramona F. Grijalva
|religion=Roman Catholic
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arizona
|district=7th
|terms=January 3, 2003 - Present
|preceded=None (New District Created After 2000 Census)
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}

'''Raul M. Grijalva''' (born February 19, 1948 in Tucson, Arizona) currently serves as the [[Democrat]]ic U.S. Representative from [[Arizona]]'s 7th congressional district, having been elected in 2002. He is a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee and Natural Resources Committee. He is also co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

==External links==
*[http://grijalva.house.gov/ House website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Grijalva, Raul}}
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[[Category:112th United States Congress]]
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File:RaulGrijalva.jpg

2011-03-04T02:36:19Z

Chippeterson:

Edward Pastor

2011-03-04T02:31:32Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Edward Pastor
|image=EdPaster.jpg‎
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Verma Pastor
|religion=Roman Catholic
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arizona
|district=4th
|terms=January 3, 1991 - Present
|preceded=Mo Udall
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}

'''Edward Lopez "Ed" Pastor''' (born June 28, 1943 in Claypool, Arizona) currently serves as the [[Democrat]]ic U.S. Representative from [[Arizona]]'s 4th congressional district. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

==External links==
*[http://www.pastor.house.gov/ House website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pastor, Edward}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category:112th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]

Edward Pastor

2011-03-04T02:30:45Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Edward Pastor
|image=EdPaster.jpg‎
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Verma Pastor
|religion=Roman Catholic
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arizona
|district=4th
|terms=January 3, 1991 - Present
|preceded=Mo Udall
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}

Edward Lopez "Ed" Pastor (born June 28, 1943 in Claypool, Arizona) currently serves as the [[Democrat]]ic U.S. Representative from [[Arizona]]'s 4th congressional district. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

==External links==
*[http://www.pastor.house.gov/ House website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pastor, Edward}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
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[[Category:Democratic Party]]

Edward Pastor

2011-03-04T02:29:37Z

Chippeterson: Created page with "{{Officeholder |name=Edward Pastor |image=EdPaster.jpg‎ |party=Democrat |spouse=Verma Pastor |religion=Roman Catholic |offices= {{Officeholder/representative |state=Arizo..."

{{Officeholder
|name=Edward Pastor
|image=EdPaster.jpg‎
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Verma Pastor
|religion=Roman Catholic
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arizona
|district=4th
|terms=January 3, 2003 - Present
|preceded=John Shadegg
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}

Edward Lopez "Ed" Pastor (born June 28, 1943 in Claypool, Arizona) currently serves as the [[Democrat]]ic U.S. Representative from [[Arizona]]'s 4th congressional district. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

==External links==
*[http://www.pastor.house.gov/ House website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pastor, Edward}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category:112th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]

File:EdPaster.jpg

2011-03-04T02:13:05Z

Chippeterson:

Mitt Romney

2011-02-28T06:42:16Z

Chippeterson: /* Blogs */

{{Officeholder
|name=Mitt Romney
|image=MittPortrait.jpg‎
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=[[Ann Romney]]
|religion=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
|offices=

{{Officeholder/governor
|state=Massachusetts
|terms=January 2, 2003 – January 4, 2007
|preceded=[[Jane Swift]]
|former=n
|succeeded=[[Deval Patrick]]
}}
}}

'''Willard "Mitt" Romney''' (born March 12, 1947), former Republican governor of Massachusetts and wealthy U.S. businessman, is best-known for his run as a serious contender during the [[2008 Presidential Election]]. He lost the nomination but if he had been elected, he would have become the first [[Mormon]] president. His father [[George Romney]], a governor of Michigan, was a candidate in the 1960s.

Before entering politics Romney was an established businessman in Boston, having served as CEO of Bain & Company, a management consulting firm. His political start began during the financially unsteady 2002 Winter Olympics. Romney became President and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee and quickly made the games a huge success. He gained popularity in Massachusetts, a state known for its tepid [[Republican]] support, and was elected governor in 2002. His record as governor demonstrated his financial skill, but often was at odds with the state's voters on social issues. He declined to run for reelection and announced his candidacy for President.

During his campaign for the Republican nomination in 2008, Romney was widely supported as a staunch conservative and ran on his business experience in the private sector. Romney fought a rough battle against Senator [[John McCain]] in Florida, Michigan, and other key states, but large losses on the Super Tuesday primaries ended his campaign. Romney dropped out of the race and endorsed Senator John McCain on February 14, 2008. His name was circulated as a potential running mate for McCain as their relationship improved. Romney is a possible candidate for the presidency in 2012.

== Personal Life ==
[[Image:MittRomneyYouth05.jpg|thumb|Ann Lois Davies and Willard Mitt Romney]]
Romney is the scion of an old Mormon family. His grandparents were polygamists who fled the United States in the early 20th century when the Mormon Church repudiated polygamy; his father was born in Mexico. The Romneys returned to the U.S. in 1911 when a violent civil war broke out in Mexico.

Mitt Romney is a devout member of the Mormon Church (the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-Day Saints) and spent time during his youth converting Catholics and Agnostics to Mormonism in France. In fact, his time as a student and missionary helped defer him from military service during the Vietnam draft,<ref>Michael Kranish, "The Making of Mitt Romney: Mormon church obtained Vietnam draft deferrals for Romney, other missionaries" June 24, 2007. The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/specials/romney/articles/part1_side_2/?page=1 </ref> but he stated during interviews that "he had longed to join the soldiers in Vietnam and support the war effort." His father had stated in 1967 that he felt "brainwashed" by U.S. officials over the justification of the prolonged Vietnam war. This statement had been very costly in George Romney's 1968 campaign for President against Richard Nixon.

Romney maintains a stable marriage with his wife Ann, with whom he has five children. Conservatives applaud him for being such a devoted husband and family man. Conservatives also disliked his Presidential competitors, namely John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and Fred Thompson, for their divorces.<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/08/AR2007060802781_pf.html</ref>

Romney is the son of former [[Michigan]] Governor and presidential candidate George Romney, a "Rockefeller Republican,"<ref>Lisa McGirr, ''Suburban Warriors''(2001) pp. 141, 222.</ref> who amassed a large fortune as an automobile industry magnate during World War II.  George Romney was popular among moderates during his Presidential run and was well-equipped for victory; many of his political advisors had come from Nelson Rockefeller's 1964 campaign.

==Business Career==
From 1978 to 1984, Romney was a vice president of Bain & Company, Inc. a worldwide management consulting firm, and in 1984, Romney co-founded a spin-off called Bain & Company. He invested in or bought many well-known companies such as Staples, Brookstone, Domino's, Sealy Corporation and Sports Authority. Critics say he advised corporations to cut their U.S. taxes by reincorporating in Caribbean tax havens such as the Caymen Islands, while maintaining their operations in the U.S.

==Record as Governor==
Romney served as governor of Massachusetts (2003-2007), with a generally [[conservative]] record that included economic expansion. He balanced the budget every year of his administration with out increasing taxes or increasing state dept. Romney turned a $3 billion budget deficit into a $500 million surplus by reducing government spending and added 80,000 new jobs by the end of his term. In 2004, 2005, and 2006 Governor Romney proposed cutting the state income tax from 5.3% to 5.0% <ref>http://www.clubforgrowth.org/2007/08/mitt_romneys_record_on_economi.php</ref>. Although the Democratic super majority in the state legislator refused to budge. Romney vetoed 844 pieces of legislation, with over 700 overridden. <ref>http://www.ontheissues.org/Governor/Mitt_Romney_Government_Reform.htm</ref> He vetoed an increase in the minimum wage, saying "there's no question raising the minimum wage excessively causes a loss of jobs." <ref>Telegram & Gazette, 08/01/06</ref> Under Governor Romney the state abolished a retroactive capital gains tax that would have forced nearly 50,000 taxpayers to pay additional taxes and fees. <ref>http://www.americansformitt.com/</ref> Massachusetts Citizens For Limited Taxation Executive Director Barbara Anderson praised Romney, saying "There was no one else out on the horizon and with the legislature almost entirely Democratic, we felt it was necessary to have a grown-up in the corner office. … And we were right to back him. He's been a really good friend to the taxpayers."

However, some of the actions Governor Romney took received criticisms from conservatives, such as supporting moderate fee increases and creating and the nation's first universal [[health care]] program. During his 2002 gubernatorial campaign Romney supported [[abortion]], his views evolved and would later take [[pro-life]] positions such as vetoing emergency contraception and vetoing [[stem-cell research]] that would allow cloning of human embryos. In 2006, Governor Romney testified before the [[United States]] [[Senate]] to support the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would limit marriage to one man and one woman. Additionally, Romney filed legislation to reinstate [[capital punishment]], but was defeated in the Massachusetts House of Representatives on a 99-53 vote.

Mitt Romney made no pardons as governor, "My conclusion was, if somebody has been convicted by a jury of their peers, and they’ve been prosecuted and the police were able to get the evidence necessary to put them behind bars, why in the world would I step in and reverse that sentence?" <ref>http://hotair.com/archives/2009/12/04/romney-on-huckabee-unlike-some-people-i-never-pardoned-anyone/</ref>

On [[Education]] Romney called for the privatization of the University of Massachusetts medical school<ref>Telegram & Gazette, 02/27/03</ref>. In 2004, he established the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program, which rewarded the top 25 percent of Massachusetts high school students with tuition-free scholarship to any Massachusetts public [[university]] or [[college]]. In August 2006, Governor Romney refused to allow former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami, an outspoken opponent of the [[United States]] and [[Israel]], state police escorts during his speech at [[Harvard University]]. <ref>http://www.nysun.com/editorials/khatemi-at-harvard/38903/</ref>

In December 2006, Romney signed a memorandum of agreement with the federal government that would allow state troopers to enforce federal immigration laws <ref>http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=96543</ref>, however was revoked when Democrat Deval Patrict took office as Governor in January 2007.

== Political Views ==

===Abortion===
"I am [[pro-life]]. I believe that [[abortion]] is the wrong choice except in cases of incest, rape, and to save the life of the mother. I wish the people of America agreed, and that the laws of our nation could reflect that view. But while the nation remains so divided over abortion, I believe that the states, through the democratic process, should determine their own abortion laws and not have them dictated by [[judicial mandate]]." ([[Boston]] Globe, Mitt Romney Editorial, July 26, 2005)
<ref>[http://www.mittromney.com/Issue-Watch/Values America's Culture and Values] mittromney.com</ref> 

Despite having a largely pro-life record as governor, in a 1994 debate with Senator [[Edward Kennedy]], Romney said that abortion should be legal, declaring that "regardless of one's beliefs about choice, you would hope it would be safe and legal." "Many years ago, I had a dear, close family relative that was very close to me who passed away from an illegal abortion", Romney said. "It is since that time my mother and my family have been committed to the belief that we can believe as we want, but we will not force our beliefs on others on that matter. And you will not see me wavering on that."<ref>http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/07/03/clarity_sought_on_romneys_abortion_stance/?page=2</ref>

In his campaign literature for the 2002 Massachusetts gubernatorial election, Romney expressed a willingness to defend that State's pro-choice status quo.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20021218005104/www.romneyhealey.com/issues/4</ref>

===Civil Unions===
Romney is opposed to the idea of [[gay marriage]], however he has voiced support for domestic partnership benefits and equal rights for [[homosexuals]].<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20021218005104/www.romneyhealey.com/issues/3</ref>

===Economic Agenda===
As President, Romney promised to pursue a conservative, pro-growth economic agenda. His number one economic priority would be to grow the economy — helping to create good jobs, raise incomes and preserve American strength. He says he would work to rein in excessive government spending and reform entitlements. To ensure America's continued economic growth, he promises to cut taxes — such as the Death Tax, savings taxes, corporate taxes and marginal tax rates.

Romney says he would also promote trade, bring market forces to bear in health care, pursue national tort and liability reform, eliminate excessive regulations that put a burden on our economy and strengthen American families.

===Immigration===

<blockquote>Immigration has been an important part of our nation's success. The current system, however, puts up a concrete wall to the best and brightest, yet those without skill or education are able to walk across the border. We must reform the current immigration laws so we can secure our borders, implement a mandatory biometrically enabled, tamper proof documentation and employment verification system, and increase legal immigration into America. [http://www.mittromney.com/Issue-Watch/Immigration]</blockquote>
*[http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070323/NEWS09/703230396/-1/politics Des Moines Register: Romney: Reform Immigration, Allow Students To Stay]
*[http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=91722 IowaPolitics.com: Romney Touts Strong Stance On Illegal Immigration]

:On 5/24/07, Romney spoke about how he was tolerant about gays and then he discussed the current illegal immigration bill before Congress:
<blockquote>He expressed less tolerance for illegal immigrants, and said he and President Bush have a difference of opinions on a bill that would provide a path toward legalization for an estimated 12 million people unlawfully in the country.

"He has his view, and other people have their views and I have my own," Romney said. "This is for all intents and purposes a form of amnesty in that everyone who is here illegally today will be able to stay under this bill."

The bill is unfair to people who are trying to come to the country legally, he said. People here illegally should be able to apply to come to the United States, but under the same terms as everyone else and behind those who have already applied.

"I don't think that we're going to round up 11 or 12 or however many million people and bus them out of the country. That's not what I'm talking about," Romney said. "Those who committed felonies, of course, would be deported. Those who require government assistance to stay here would surely need to get off government assistance and ultimately could not remain here on government assistance."[http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007May24/0,4670,RomneyGays,00.html]</blockquote>

===Stem Cell Research===
Mitt Romney supports the right of scientists to research on embryos created during fertility treatments.[http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/diseases/articles/2007/02/11/romneys_stem_cell_view_may_upset_the_right/]

==2008 Presidential Campaign==
''Main Article: [[Mitt Romney 2008 Presidential Campaign]]''

[[Image:Dude and mitt romney.jpg|right|180px]] As chairman of the [[Republican Governors Association]], Romney campaigned nationwide for GOP gubernatorial candidates in 2006, building up a network of allies and supporters. While he did not run for reelection as governor, in 2004 Romney set up a federal political action committee (PAC) called the Commonwealth PAC, which raised $2.71 million during the 2006 election cycle. On January 3, 2007, his next-to-last day in office as governor of Massachusetts, Romney filed to form a presidential exploratory committee with the Federal Election Commission. He officially announced his candidacy for President a month later. Romney was the first candidate in either party to start running television and radio ads. The ads focused mainly on his record as governor, running the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, and his work as a very successful businessman. Romney's five sons had been actively campaigning for their father, traveling around in a campaign bus called the "Mitt Mobile, A Five Brothers Bus."

As a presidential candidate Romney sought the support of the business community and social conservatives. He reversed moderate positions on abortion and gay rights to take a hardline conservative position on them, and on opposition to illegal immigrants. Opponents charged he changed too often. Romney was a leader in fund-raising, augmented by over $35 million from his own fortune. However he was little known outside of Massachusetts, so his strategy was to play for early wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, then "sling-shot" the momentum into national visibility. Romney won the Michigan primary on January 16th, 2008, with 39% of the vote, edging out McCain with 30% and Huckabee with 16%. Romney was favored to win in the state of his birth, where his father, [[George Romney]] was governor from 1963-1969. After losing both the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary (to Huckabee and McCain, respectively), Romney won a low-publicized Wyoming caucus. On January 19, Romney easily won the [[Nevada]] caucuses by 37 percentage points when there were seven candidates on the ballot, however, on that same day he placed a distant fourth in the [[South Carolina]] primary. After a disappointing performance on Super Tuesday, Romney announced the suspension of his campaign on Thursday 7th February. He expressed his wishes not to divide the Republican party and later endorsed Senator [[John McCain]] of [[Arizona]]. Commentators speculated on his chances for a return effort in 2012.

===Fundraising===
Mitt Romney had done well in fund raising. During his first fund raiser as a presidential candidate, he raised $6.5 million dollars compared to an original goal of only $1 million. During the first quarter Romney raised more money then any other Republican presidential candidate with $23 million. However, a substantial portion of his funds ($17 million) came from his own personal wealth. [http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/10/16/top_spender_romney_could_soon_run_short/]

==Endorsements==
===Congressional===
* Former [[Speaker of the House]] [[J. Dennis Hastert|Dennis Hastert]]
* Senator [[Bob Bennett]] of [[Utah]]
* Senator [[Orrin Hatch]] of [[Utah]]
* Senator [[Larry Craig]] of [[Idaho]]
* Senator [[Jim DeMint]] of [[South Carolina]]
* Senator [[Wayne Allard]] of [[Colorado]]
* Senator [[Judd Gregg]] of [[New Hampshire]]
* Former Sen. [[Jim Talent]] of [[Missouri]]
* Former Sen. [[Rick Santorum]] of [[Pennsylvania]]
* Representative [[Tom Tancredo]] of [[Colorado]]
* Representative [[Marsha Blackburn]] of [[Tennessee]]

===Governors===
* Missouri Governor [[Matt Blunt]]
* Former Colorado Governor [[Bill Owens]]
* [[Rhode Island]] Governor [[Donald Carcieri]]
* Former South Carolina Governor James B. Edwards
* Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld
* Former Montana Governor Tim Babcock

===Talk Radio===
* [[Rush Limbaugh]] <ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/ThisHour.asp#Limbaugh Endorses Romney Limbaugh Endorses Romney], [[Melanie Hunter]], ''[[CNSNews]]'', February 05, 2008</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.mittromney.com Mitt Romney for President 2008]
*[http://www.ldslivingonline.com/article.php?articleId=17633 Mitt Romney: proudly, quietly Mormon]
*[http://www.evangelicalsformitt.org/ Evangelicals for Mitt]
*[http://sparklepony.blogspot.com/2007/03/fresh-mitt-romney-juvenalia-hot-off.html Fresh Mitt Romney Juvenalia] Pics - Comments.
*[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YjE4MmMyMzVkZjlhZGQzNzlhZjdmMDEzNjI3MzM4ZTA= Mitt Romney: “I Changed My View. Is that So Difficult to Understand?”] The candidate talks about his efforts to convince voters that his pro-life conversion is real. Byron York, National Review Online, November 20, 2007
*[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=Y2ZkMWNkZDkzOTk1YTM0NTNkNmJlZThmYjJmM2ZmOGE= Did Mitt Romney Push Poll Himself?] Mark Hemingway, National Review Online, November 19, 2007
*[http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=Y2EzODZjY2UxZTRhMWE2ZDk1ZWE5MGI0ZmRjMDViZTI= Team Romney on Push-Poll Connections] After reading the Hemingway piece, Kevin Madden, Romney for President campaign spokesman replies. Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review Online, November 19, 2007
*[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MzliMDgzOWVlOGEwYThlMzc5ZDVlNzM2YjA4M2ZkYTg= Romney Stands for Faith] The candidate pushes back against push-poll attacks. Larry Kudlow, National Review Online, November 16, 2007
*[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MGQ4YmM4Y2U3Yjc3MzYzNDQwYzk3YTVjMTI5YTkwNzg= Romney’s Religion], The Editors, National Review Online, November 16, 2007

==Blogs==
*[http://www.mymanmitt.com/mitt-romney/ My Man Mitt]
*[http://libertariansformitt.wordpress.com/ Libertarians for Romney]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Romney, Mitt}}
[[Category:Massachusetts Governors]]
[[Category:Republican Governors]]
[[Category:2008 Presidential Candidates]]
[[Category:Business People]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]
[[Category:The 100 Americans The Left Hates Most]]

Ben Quayle

2011-02-28T05:10:03Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Ben Quayle
|image=
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=
|religion=Christian
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arizona
|district=3rd
|terms=January 3, 2011 - Present
|preceded=John Shadegg
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}

'''Ben Quayle''' is an American attorney and [[Republican]] U.S. Representative from [[Arizona]]'s 3rd congressional district, having won the 2010 election to replace retiring [[John Shadegg]]. He currently serves on the House Judiciary Committee and Homeland Security Committee.

Quayle is the second son of former Vice President [[Dan Quayle]]. He recieved a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in history from [[Duke University]] and a [[Juris Doctor]] from [[Vanderbilt University]] Law School.

==External links==
*[http://quayle.house.gov/ House website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Quayle, Ben}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category:112th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]

Trent Franks

2011-02-28T03:12:44Z

Chippeterson: Created page with "{{Officeholder |name=Trent Franks |image=TrentFranks.jpg‎ |party=Republican |spouse=Josephine Franks |religion=Baptist |offices= {{Officeholder/representative |state=Ariz..."

{{Officeholder
|name=Trent Franks
|image=TrentFranks.jpg‎
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=Josephine Franks
|religion=Baptist
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arizona
|district=2nd
|terms=January 3, 2003 - Present
|preceded=Bob Stump
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}

'''Trent Franks''' (born June 19, 1957 in Uravan, Colorado) currently serves as the [[Republican]] U.S. Representative from [[Arizona]]'s 2nd congressional district, elected in 2002. He is a member of the Armed Services Committee and Judiciary Committee.
==External links==
*[http://www.franks.house.gov/ House website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Franks, Trent}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category:112th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]

File:TrentFranks.jpg

2011-02-27T20:41:07Z

Chippeterson:

Paul Gosar

2011-02-27T20:35:28Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Paul Gosar
|image=Congressman_Paul_Gosar.jpg‎
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=Maude Gosar
|religion=Roman Catholic
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Arizona
|district=1st
|terms=January 3, 2011 - Present
|preceded=Ann Kirkpatrick
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}

'''Paul Gosar''' currently serves as the [[Republican]] U.S. Representative from [[Arizona]]'s 1st congressional district, defeating incumbent [[Democrat]] [[Ann Kirkpatrick]] in the 2010 election. He is a member of the Natural Resources Committee and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Gosar received a D.D.S. from Creighton Boyne School of Dentistry and owned his own dentistry practice for 25 years.

==External links==
*[http://gosar.house.gov/ House website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gosar, Paul}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category: 112th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]

Kay Ivey

2011-02-27T20:30:43Z

Chippeterson:

'''Kay Ellen Ivey''' (born October 15, 1944) is a [[Republican Party]] politician who is currently the [[Lieutenant Governor]] of [[Alabama]]. Previously she served as State Treasure.

[[Category:Alabama]]

Robert Bentley

2011-02-27T00:41:31Z

Chippeterson: Created page with "'''Robert Bentley''' currently serves as the Republican Governor of Alabama. Category:Alabama Governors {{DEFAULTSORT:Bentley, Robert}}"

'''Robert Bentley''' currently serves as the [[Republican]] Governor of [[Alabama]].
[[Category:Alabama Governors]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bentley, Robert}}

Alabama

2011-02-27T00:30:18Z

Chippeterson:

{{USState
|name=Alabama
|flag=Alabama_State_Flag.gif
|motto=Audemus jura nostra defendere (We dare defend our rights)
|nick=Heart of Dixie; [[Camellia]] State
|capital=Montgomery
|language=English
|governor=Robert Bentley
|gparty=Republican
|senator2=Jeff Sessions
|s2party=Republican
|s2phone=(202) 224-4124
|s2email=http://sessions.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ConstituentServices.ContactMe Contact
|senator1=Richard Shelby
|s1party=Republican
|s1phone=(202) 224-5744
|s1email=mailto:senator@shelby.senate.gov Contact
|population=4,500,752<ref>http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-South/Alabama.html</ref>
|date=December 14, 1819
}}
'''Alabama''' is located in the Southeastern region of the [[United States]] and on December 14th, 1819 it became the twenty-second state to enter the union.

==Civil War History==

Alabama seceded from the union and on January 11th, 1861 and on February 8th of that year became one of founding members of the [[Confederate States of America]]. After the [[American Civil War]], Alabama was readmitted into the union in 1868.

==Alabama Politics==

The capital of Alabama is [[Montgomery]] and its largest city is [[Birmingham]]. Alabama is a [[red state]] which tends favor [[Republican]]s in elections, particularly on a national level. <ref>http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/</ref> The current governor of Alabama is Robert Bentley, a Republican. Alabama's current Senators are [[Richard Shelby]] and [[Jeff Sessions]], both of whom are Republicans.

Alabama's [[Alabama Constitution | Constitution]] was adopted in 1901.

==Elected Officials==
===Federal===
*Senator [[Richard Shelby]] (R)
*Senator [[Jeff Sessions]] (R)
*Rep. [[Jo Bonner]] [R, AL-1]
*Rep. [[Martha Roby]] [R, AL-2]
*Rep. [[Mike D. Rogers]] [R, AL-3]
*Rep. [[Robert Aderholt]] [R, AL-4]
*Rep. [[Mo Brooks]] [R, AL-5]
*Rep. [[Spencer Bachus]] [R, AL-6]
*Rep. [[Terri Sewell]] [D, AL-7]

===Statewide===
*Governor [[Robert Bentley]] (R)
*Lt. Governor [[Kay Ivey]] (R)
*Attorney General [[Luther Strange]] (R)
*Secretary of State [[Beth Chapman]] (R)
*State Auditor [[Samantha Shaw]] (R)
*State Treasurer [[Young Boozer]] (R)
*Agriculture Commissioner [[John McMillan]] (R)

==Notable People from Alabama==

*[[Hank Aaron]], who held the Major League Baseball record for most home runs hit until 2007, is from Mobile.
*[[Truman Capote]], author of ''In Cold Blood'', lived in Monroeville.
*[[Martin Luther King, Jr.]], a civil rights activist, lived in Montgomery.
*[[Joe Louis]], a boxer who is the only famous athlete to be buried in [[Arlington_National_Cemetery|Arlington Cemetery]], lived in Lafayette.
*[[Rosa Parks]], a civil rights activist who became famous for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger, lived in Tuskegee.
*[[Condoleezza Rice]], the current US Secretary of State, was born in Birmingham.

==State Motto==

''Audemus jura nostra defendere'' is the state motto, which translated from Latin means "We dare defend our rights". It is reminiscent of Alabama's role in the Confederate States of America while it was fighting for State's rights.

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==See Also==
[[Birmingham Alabama Temple]]

{{USstates}}
[[Category:Alabama]]

Artur Davis

2011-02-26T22:33:36Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Artur Davis
|image=Artur Davis.jpg
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=Tara Davis
|religion=Lutheran
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Alabama
|district=7th
|terms=January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2011
|preceded=Earl Hilliard
|former=
|succeeded=Terri Sewell
}}
}}

'''Artur Davis''', born October 9, 1967 (age {{age|1967|10|09}}), served as a [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] member of the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] representing [[Alabama]]'s 7th congressional district frfom 2003 until 2011.

==External links==
*[http://www.opencongress.org/people/show/400092_artur_davis Open Congress]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Artur}}
[[Category: 111th United States Congress]]
[[Category: Former United States Representatives]]

Terri Sewell

2011-02-26T22:31:33Z

Chippeterson:

{{Officeholder
|name=Terri Sewell
|image=
|party=[[Democrat]]
|spouse=
|religion=Christian
|offices=
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Alabama
|district=7th
|terms=January 3, 2011 - Present
|preceded=[[Artur Davis]]
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}

}}

'''Terri Sewell''' is a public finance attorney and [[Democrat]]ic U.S. Representative from [[Alabama]]'s 7th congressional district, succeeding [[Artur Davis]] who retired to run for Govenor. She is a member of the House Agriculture Committee, and Science, Space and Technology Committee.

Sewell is the first black women elected to Congress from Alabama.

==External links==
*[http://sewell.house.gov/ House website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sewell, Terri}}
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category: 112th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]