U.S. Senate: Ron Paul endorses Denny Rehberg

[sailingaway]

On Oct. 2, Ron Paul endorsed six candidates for U.S. Senate. One of them is our own Rep. Denny Rehberg. This endorsement does not come as a surprise to me since one of the first things Rehberg did when he was elected to Congress was to join Paul’s Liberty Caucus. For the last 12 years he has met with Paul every Monday morning.

Paul’s endorsement says of Rehberg, “One of the first measures Denny sponsored was a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Denny has long fought for spending reform in Washington …” We need Rehberg’s vote for spending restraint regardless of who is elected President.

He could have gone on to say that Rehberg favors an audit of the Federal Reserve and was an original co-sponsor of Paul’s Federal Reserve Transparency Act. That act passed the House but was stopped by Harry Reid in the U.S. Senate. This is but one example of the importance of electing Rehberg as Montana’s U.S. Senator.

Rehberg has been a leading voice for the cause of liberty throughout his time in Congress. If Barack Obama is re-elected, a Republican Senate will be critical. The next President could appoint up to four Supreme Court justices. Jon Tester voted for Obama’s two Supreme Court appointments, even three more will change this country for the next 20 years. That is one of the reasons that Gun Owners of America and the National Rifle Association support Rehberg.

This election is perhaps the most important of our lives. America is at a crossroads. Tester is Obama’s man, Rehberg is ours. Rehberg will be one of the greatest U.S. Senators to ever represent Montana. I hope that all lovers of liberty in Montana will vote to elect Rehberg to represent us in the Senate.

R.J. Brewer, Dayton

Is he that good?

http://www.ravallirepublic.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_cc357738-e9ce-57ff-a572-3a112d1658e4.html?comment_form=true

[CaptUSA]

He voted against the Path to Prosperity. Along with Dr. Paul, and Walter Jones. I don't know much more about him. What are his chances?

[BlackJack]

On the front he sounds good but lets wait a while and dig into this man's background extensively.

[tsai3904]

He voted against the Path to Prosperity. Along with Dr. Paul, and Walter Jones. I don't know much more about him. What are his chances?

He voted against it because he didn't want to change Medicare, not because he thinks it doesn't go far enough.

Here's his statement after the vote:


“We have to reduce government spending and that’s why I introduced legislation that would cut $1.4 trillion from the deficit over ten years. We need to live within our means, and focus on spending reductions not tax hikes. From ending bailouts to reducing taxes, there are some good things in Congressman Ryan’s plan, but I simply refuse to gamble with something as important as Medicare. After President Obama and his Congressional allies cut half a trillion dollars from Medicare to pay for their new health care programs, I promised Montana’s seniors that any plan to change Medicare would need their support before it got mine. It was wrong when Democrats pushed through harmful changes to Medicare in 2009, and it’s wrong for Republicans to try and do the same thing in 2012. This isn’t about doing what’s best for the Republican Party or the Democrat Party, this is about doing what’s best for Montana. And I’ll continue to put Montana first.”

http://rehberg.house.gov/news-releases/rehberg-splits-with-party-to-stand-with-montana-seniors-against-ryan-budget/

[sailingaway]

On the front he sounds good but lets wait a while and dig into this man's background extensively.

Well, for me this would be enough to vote for the guy if I didn't have a preference in the race for some other reason. Ron's late endorsements aren't necessarily saying they are liberty candidates, just he thinks for significant reason they are 'better' sometimes... But if he has really been going to all of Ron's stuff, he is likely better than most in DC. Low bar, I know.

[Smart3]

There's a consensus amongst politicos that the R/D will split Montana and North Dakota, one winning each. I'm really hoping we get Rehberg, not Berg.

[sailingaway]

There's a consensus amongst politicos that the R/D will split Montana and North Dakota, one winning each. I'm really hoping we get Rehberg, not Berg.

So do I!

[mz10]

There's a consensus amongst politicos that the R/D will split Montana and North Dakota, one winning each. I'm really hoping we get Rehberg, not Berg.

Not sure where you are getting that from, everything I've seen shows N.D. is likely to go R, while Montana is very close but leaning R.

As for Rehberg, my impression is that he and Ron are friends in Congress, and the endorsement has more to do with that than ideology.

[sailingaway]

Not sure where you are getting that from, everything I've seen shows N.D. is likely to go R, while Montana is very close but leaning R.

As for Rehberg, my impression is that he and Ron are friends in Congress, and the endorsement has more to do with that than ideology.

Well, character means something particularly when there is no major obvious factor to go on.

[supermario21]

Ron did this to get him elected. I saw on Fox last night that the Democrats have formed some phony "Hunters and Anglers" PAC running ads against Rehrberg saying he didn't support freedom enough in support of the libertarian candidate there who was gaining traction bringing Tester closer in the polls. This endorsement could seal the race, as any Paulite that gets word of this should now support Rehberg.

[Matt Collins]

Did Rehberg vote for NDAA / Patriot Act / bailout? Someone told me he did but I have yet to verify that.


It's quite possible the Libertarian in the race, Cox, could cause Rehberg to lose. I've heard rumors that the Dems are buyg ads for the libertarian.

[tsai3904]

Did Rehberg vote for NDAA / Patriot Act / bailout? Someone told me he did but I have yet to verify that.

Patriot Act
10/24/01 - Yes (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2001/roll398.xml)
07/21/05 - Yes (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll414.xml)
12/14/05 - Yes (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll627.xml)
02/25/10 - Yes (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll067.xml)
02/08/11 - No (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll026.xml)
02/14/11 - No (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll036.xml)
02/17/11 - No (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll066.xml)

Smith-Amash Amendment (indefinite detention)
05/18/12 - Yes (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2012/roll270.xml)

TARP
10/03/08 - No (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll681.xml)

[sailingaway]

Patriot Act
10/24/01 - Yes (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2001/roll398.xml)
07/21/05 - Yes (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll414.xml)
12/14/05 - Yes (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll627.xml)
02/25/10 - Yes (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll067.xml)
02/08/11 - No (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll026.xml)
02/14/11 - No (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll036.xml)
02/17/11 - No (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll066.xml)

Smith-Amash Amendment (indefinite detention)
05/18/12 - Yes (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2012/roll270.xml)

TARP
10/03/08 - No (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll681.xml)

So going to Ron's lunches was good for him, he's on the right track.

[GeorgiaAvenger]

He is one of the strongest gun rights people so that is a positive for sure.

[supermario21]

Yes, the Dems are showing their true weakness of their own incumbent by urging supporters to support Cox. That link references the hunters and anglers I posted about.

http://dailycaller.com/2012/10/29/dem-group-runs-ads-for-montana-libertarian-candidate-in-what-appears-to-be-attempt-to-split-the-vote/

[sailingaway]

Ron did this to get him elected. I saw on Fox last night that the Democrats have formed some phony "Hunters and Anglers" PAC running ads against Rehrberg saying he didn't support freedom enough in support of the libertarian candidate there who was gaining traction bringing Tester closer in the polls. This endorsement could seal the race, as any Paulite that gets word of this should now support Rehberg.

well, unless they'd committed to Cox. We do tend to be loyal. :p

[mz10]

Just a heads up, I was looking at FreedomWorks report card, and Rehberg scored 25%. He may be strong on civil liberties but doesn't sound like a fiscal conservative at all.

http://congress.freedomworks.org/keyvotes/house/2012#sort=score_high

[sailingaway]

Just a heads up, I was looking at FreedomWorks report card, and Rehberg scored 25%. He may be strong on civil liberties but doesn't sound like a fiscal conservative at all.

http://congress.freedomworks.org/keyvotes/house/2012#sort=score_high

Freedomworks doesn't seem to care as much about civil liberties as I would like. However, I expect if he were GREAT and Ron knew him, the endorsement would have been earlier. If Cox couldn't win, and it was really between this guy and the Dem is trying to push people to Cox to just draw off enough to win himself, it could still be the better vote. Unless the Dem is more conservative than Rehberg, of course, which I doubt or Ron wouldn't have endorsed. Is Cox so good you'd vote for him regardless of his losing for sure? Because that is a different scenario.

[supermario21]

Tester might be a bit more of a paleolibertarian/conservative. One of his bad freedom works votes was an amendment for the Ryan budget, another for a tariff (which he supported). Some of the other votes seemed like minor appropriations. I don't know much more than that, but I'd give him a shot. Better than John Tester. And some of these Ron endorsements JUST MIGHT be intended to give Rand some more credibility.

[mz10]

Is Cox so good you'd vote for him regardless of his losing for sure? Because that is a different scenario.

No, if I lived in Montana I would still probably vote for Rehberg. I don't vote LP on down-ballot races (where my vote actually matters). But we still should know as much as we can about the guy, and if we're gonna give Jeff Flake crap for his civil liberties record, we have to look at Rehberg the same way for his record on spending.

[sailingaway]

No, if I lived in Montana I would still probably vote for Rehberg. I don't vote LP on down-ballot races (where my vote actually matters). But we still should know as much as we can about the guy, and if we're gonna give Jeff Flake crap for his civil liberties record, we have to look at Rehberg the same way for his record on spending.

I don't. We need votes on civil liberties, fiscal conservatives are easier come by. But I don't know how bad his spending record is, saying that. He voted against TARP didn't he? One bill here or there is less important to me than the MOST important of the civil liberty bills, NDAA, Patriot Act, FISA, but an overall pattern is something else.

[Keith and stuff]

It's quite possible the Libertarian in the race, Cox, could cause Rehberg to lose. I've heard rumors that the Dems are buyg ads for the libertarian.

That actually certainly not possible. It is possible that Rehberg could cause Rehberg to lose, though.

[Smart3]

Not sure where you are getting that from, everything I've seen shows N.D. is likely to go R, while Montana is very close but leaning R.

As for Rehberg, my impression is that he and Ron are friends in Congress, and the endorsement has more to do with that than ideology.
Berg is variously down 2 to 6 points. Whereas Rehberg and Tester are up 2 or down 2, depending on the poll.

[thoughtomator]

FreedomWorks is an establishment whore. There was one candidate and one candidate only in the GOP primaries that was in tune with FW's self-reported alleged reasons to exist, and they adamantly refused to support that candidate. Meanwhile they are all-in supporting Romney now.

When I contacted them to get them to endorse RP, I was told that some elements within the organization didn't want that. What these elements are, I can guess, and probably pretty accurately - establishment money men.

edit: By the way, the same goes for NORML - another useless organization more interested in its own self-perpetuation than achieving the goals it was created to achieve.

[Keith and stuff]

FreedomWorks is an establishment whore. There was one candidate and one candidate only in the GOP primaries that was in tune with FW's self-reported alleged reasons to exist, and they adamantly refused to support that candidate. Meanwhile they are all-in supporting Romney now.

What about the over $100,000 FW recently spent to help the most pro-liberty Congressman seeking reelection in the country? Doesn't that count for something?
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?393886-Is-Amash-in-trouble&p=4706864&viewfull=1#post4706864

[mz10]

Berg is variously down 2 to 6 points. Whereas Rehberg and Tester are up 2 or down 2, depending on the poll.

Again, not sure where you're getting that from. RCP average has Berg up 5.7, while Five Thirty Eight (which I'm a big fan of) gives him an 86.2% chance of winning.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/senate/mt/montana_senate_rehberg_vs_tester-1826.html

http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/

[mz10]

I don't. We need votes on civil liberties, fiscal conservatives are easier come by. But I don't know how bad his spending record is, saying that. He voted against TARP didn't he? One bill here or there is less important to me than the MOST important of the civil liberty bills, NDAA, Patriot Act, FISA, but an overall pattern is something else.

A lot of the high-profile votes he's taken are good, but it's the little ones that matter too, a few earmarks here, a few appropriations bills there. I'm not looking for perfection, but when you're in Jon Runyan territory, you're not doing too good.

Again, I'm not saying don't vote for the guy if you live in Montana, but I think this endorsement should be taken with a grain of salt.

[Smart3]

Again, not sure where you're getting that from. RCP average has Berg up 5.7, while Five Thirty Eight (which I'm a big fan of) gives him an 86.2% chance of winning.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/senate/mt/montana_senate_rehberg_vs_tester-1826.html

http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/

I always exclude Rasmussen and R internal polls, since they're completely unreliable. The two most recent polls in the Montana race are Rehberg +3 or Tester +2, as I said. (I wrote 2, but actually meant to write 3)

North Dakota polls that aren't on RCP:
Pharos Research Group
10/26/12-10/28/12 47.70% 0.3 49.90% 0.7 (+2 D)

Mellman Group (D)
10/16/12-10/19/12 42.00% -- 45.00% 2.0 (+3 D)

which contrasts with the Mason-Dixon poll showing Berg +2.

[sailingaway]

FreedomWorks is an establishment whore. There was one candidate and one candidate only in the GOP primaries that was in tune with FW's self-reported alleged reasons to exist, and they adamantly refused to support that candidate. Meanwhile they are all-in supporting Romney now.

When I contacted them to get them to endorse RP, I was told that some elements within the organization didn't want that. What these elements are, I can guess, and probably pretty accurately - establishment money men.

edit: By the way, the same goes for NORML - another useless organization more interested in its own self-perpetuation than achieving the goals it was created to achieve.

I agree, actually. They seem more club for growth/corporatist. BETTER than the neocons, no question, and some good fiscal stuff. All right on civil liberties just not at key times when it matters, as far as I can see.

Honestly, YAL might step up to the plate better.

[mz10]

I always exclude Rasmussen and R internal polls, since they're completely unreliable. The two most recent polls in the Montana race are Rehberg +3 or Tester +2, as I said. (I wrote 2, but actually meant to write 3)

North Dakota polls that aren't on RCP:
Pharos Research Group
10/26/12-10/28/12 47.70% 0.3 49.90% 0.7 (+2 D)

Mellman Group (D)
10/16/12-10/19/12 42.00% -- 45.00% 2.0 (+3 D)

which contrasts with the Mason-Dixon poll showing Berg +2.

Agreed about Rasmussen and internal polls, however Nate Silver, if anything, has been accused of favoring Democrats, so for him to rate the race as "Likely R" pretty much means Berg is going to win. I don't think he takes into account internal polls, and he weighs Rasmussen fairly low.

I guess we'll all find out Tuesday though.

[sailingaway]

A lot of the high-profile votes he's taken are good, but it's the little ones that matter too, a few earmarks here, a few appropriations bills there. I'm not looking for perfection, but when you're in Jon Runyan territory, you're not doing too good.

Again, I'm not saying don't vote for the guy if you live in Montana, but I think this endorsement should be taken with a grain of salt.

earmarks - did he vote for the actual bill spending or just for appropriation by congress of an amount necessarily spent and sent to the executive? Because I don't think money should be sent as a blank check to the executive, I think the Magna Carta power of the purse by legislature over the executive is being waived through fear of 'earmark' labels.

Now voting for the unconstitutional spending itself, is different. It would depend on how big or how much the total to me, given we are not championing him as a soldier of liberty.

[mz10]

earmarks - did he vote for the actual bill spending or just for appropriation by congress of an amount necessarily spent and sent to the executive? Because I don't think money should be sent as a blank check to the executive, I think the Magna Carta power of the purse by legislature over the executive is being waived through fear of 'earmark' labels.

Now voting for the unconstitutional spending itself, is different. It would depend on how big or how much the total to me, given we are not championing him as a soldier of liberty.

He voted to artificially hold down student loan rates, which suggests that he's in favor of the unconstitutional Department of Education. He voted to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, he voted for a tariff bill, and he voted against virtually all spending cuts/caps.

[Spoa]

I encourage all to read my post supporting Denny Rehberg here: http://llphsecondrevolution.wordpress.com/2012/11/01/llph-endorses-denny-rehberg-r-for-montana-senator/

I'm a strong fiscal conservative. I have obvious concerns about him. But he opposed TARP, the bailouts, and increasing the debt ceiling. He also spoke in favor of auditing the fed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axvXm3U1w0Q)

I hope he'll improve in the Senate but based on his opposition to major spending items, I'm supporting him to defeat pro-Obamacare, pro-TARP, pro-bailouts, anti-Audit the Fed Senator Jon Tester (D)!

[HOLLYWOOD]

Rand Paul as kingmaker in US Senate race in Montana?
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/Senate/2012/1105/Rand-Paul-as-kingmaker-in-US-Senate-race-in-Montana?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co

Rand Paul as kingmaker in US Senate race in Montana?

Sen. Rand Paul (R) – heir to his father's libertarian political dynasty – on Sunday endorsed Republican Denny Rehberg, who is running in a tight three-man race. A GOP concern is that the Constitution Party candidate could siphon votes from Rehberg.
By David Grant (http://www.csmonitor.com/About/Staff/David-Grant), Staff writer / November 5, 2012


http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/content/2012/1105-us-amontana/14214805-1-eng-US/1105-us-amontana_full_380.jpg (http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/content/2012/1105-us-amontana/14214805-1-eng-US/1105-us-amontana_full_600.jpg)





U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., makes a stop at the University of New Hampshire to energize student Republicans in support of Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012 in Durham, N.H.
John Huff, Foster's Daily Democrat/AP
Washington

Could Sen. Rand Paul (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Rand+Paul) (R) of Kentucky (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Kentucky) make the difference in the squeaky-tight US Senate (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/U.S.+Senate) race in Montana?
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The Christian Science Monitor
Weekly Digital Edition

Senator Paul, heir to the libertarian political dynasty built by his father, Ron Paul (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Ron+Paul), endorsed the Republican Senate candidate in the Big Sky State, Rep. Denny Rehberg (R) (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Denny+Rehberg), on Sunday. The Ron Paul-lead Liberty PAC had previously endorsed Representative Rehberg.
“I support Denny Rehberg and encourage you to do the same, because a vote for anyone other than Denny Rehberg is a vote to keep [majority leader] Harry Reid (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Harry+Reid) and his liberal allies in control of the U.S. Senate,” Rand Paul said in a recorded message distributed by the Rehberg campaign.
That "anyone other than" Rehberg is not just a reference to Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Tester (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Jon+Tester). It also refers to third-party candidate Dan Cox, who is carrying the libertarian banner in the election and who could siphon enough votes from Rehberg to hand the race to Senator Tester.
RECOMMENDED: Six 2012 Senate races where the tea party counts (http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2012/0423/Six-US-Senate-races-where-the-tea-party-counts)

The libertarian party’s presidential nominee, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Gary+E.+Johnson), has endorsed Mr. Cox. Cox, who runs an online fishing supplies company, is formally running as the Constitution Party candidate.
Tester, a farmer from Big Sandy, Mont. (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Big+Sandy+(Montana)), won his seat in 2006 by the fewest votes of any US Senate race that year. The 2012 contest looks to be just as close.
The Rand “endorsement indicates more that the Rehberg folks take locking down that vote seriously than anything else,” wrote David Parker (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/David+Parker), a professor at Montana State University (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Montana+State+University) who is writing a book about the race, in an e-mail to the Monitor. “Will it matter? Hard to say.”
The Tester campaign believes Cox could be a secret weapon. An anti-Rehberg group, Montana Hunters and Anglers Leadership Fund, recently put $500,000 behind an advertisement touting Cox as the “real conservative” in the race.
The Montana Republican Party (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Montana+Republican+Party), for its part, has filed a Federal Elections Commission (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Federal+Election+Commission) complaint alleging that environmental groups backing Tester did not properly disclose their funding of a pro-Cox piece of political mail.
The race has been a nip-and-tuck contest all the way through. Rehberg holds a 49 percent to 45 percent edge over Tester in a Mason-Dixon poll released Sunday, just within the poll’s margin of error of 4 percentage points. Cox took 1 percent, and undecided voters clocked in at 5 percent. A Public Policy Polling (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Public+Policy+Polling) survey released Sunday night showed Tester with a two-point advantage.
The Real Clear Politics (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/RealClearPolitics.com) rolling average of polls, however, shows Rehberg with a miniscule edge of 0.4 percentage point.

[nemt4paul]

Rehberg can suck it.......Supported all of Bush's foreign wars, Medicare Part D, Patriot Act, No Child Left Behind. Rank and File republican all the way. You got what you deserved Dennis. Once he realized his positions weren't very popular in state he changed them. Not very hard for Republicans to disagree with everything Obama wanted, however, he had a damn hard time saying no to Bush. That's the true Rehberg.

Oh and by the way I'm from Montana.

Tester actually has a more independent streak than Rehberg. He is 100% pro-gun, very anti-intervention, anti-patriot act from the start and worked with Rand during re-authorization. Talks about fiscal responsibility. He votes with the party during to many key votes and that makes him a liability.

If I were forced to pick a poison, I'd go with Tester in a landslide. Fortunately, I didn't vote for either.

[supermario21]

So in the end this is a draw? Rand should try and draw Heitkamp (ND) and Tester into some sort of bipartisan alliance if Heitkamp is like Tester.

[Matt Collins]

It's quite possible the Libertarian in the race, Cox, could cause Rehberg to lose. Whoops, it happened again.

[Matt Collins]

Great article about why the establishment Republicans lost in Montana in 2012 -

http://www.yaliberty.org/posts/why-liberty-is-winning-in-montana