A Randy Retrospective, 2008
The plan was to do a retrospective beginning from his re-election to Congress in 2006, but there is such a plethora of posts related to the foibles of Randy Kuhl, that 2008 was all I could manage. So, starting in January of 2008…..
Randy begins the year by attacking the Democrats in congress for something that he was taking credit for a year before, naming post offices. His mailers are hypocritical, as is his blog and Randy proves to be an obstructionist in congress.
In January, Randy also endorses McCain aboard the Double Talk Express:
Rep. John R. Kuhl Jr. endorsed Arizona Sen. John McCain for president today, calling him the right person to lead and unite the country.
(I know-what did we expect?)
In February we learn that the money spent on his Brazil trip has not been filed when Evan Dawson, at Channel 13 interviews him:
He said the trip was worth the cost to taxpayers, even though he still doesn’t know what the cost is.
Dawson: “Do you know why the information wasn’t filed?”
Kuhl: “I have no idea.”
The total cost is $4,000 for hotels and per diem expenses and a whopping $28,000 for air travel. Military aircraft typically cost about $10,000 per hour.
Hypocrisy continues as Randy invites all to drink the Kuhl-Aid - a press release, as per Randy’s usual, saying one thing, while meaning another. He claims to place his votes in support of those who made this country great while he votes against seniors, veterans and children (well, yes, of course, children)
Next, Randy tries to undermine the constitution with his FISA fear-mongering. Kidnapped soldier’s rescues were compromised while waiting for a warrant to wiretap. Sure, Randy.
In March he votes against the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007.
Why is it more important to Kuhl to protect big business at the expense of the very families that have voted him into office? Furthermore, Kuhl has great coverage as a member of Congress yet he votes to deny it to his constituents.
A MPN LTE linking Randy’s votes to W’s policies and an article in the Watertown Times, claiming that Randy is a Moderate (? they site his support by labor which is all, but gone) stand in direct contradiction to each other.
In April the two faces of Randy Kuhl emerge (and on September 8th, they’re caught on film), but again. Randy votes against the Energy Bill when tax breaks for Big Oil are removed and then votes for it when they are restored. And then, of course, It’s Nancy’s fault, because she talks about her “common sense plan”, but according to Randy, she does nothing to implement it. Randy’s rubberstamping of Bush’s stem cell policies become personal, btp writes:
How many times has Randy Kuhl voted to support Bush on this? To protect embryos from fertilization clinics that are simply thrown away?
In May Randy gets a new Honorary Campaign Chair in the person of Maggie Brooks and Randy comes out with his, “Fix Washington”, program. He seems to think if he comes up with a snappy slogan the voters will forget about the carnage which has been the Republican administration’s hallmark for the last 8 years (oh, and, by the way-no press showed for that impressive press conference). May is also the month that Randy voted, “Present” on bill 2642 (expanding veteran’s educational benefits).
Randy’s passion for drilling our way out of the energy crisis is the theme for June and July and Randy has a plan for $2.00/gal gasoline. He calls it the “No more excuses energy act”, HR3089. (I’m thinking Randy has to get out of the Representative business and get into the slogan business-you have a gift, my friend!). Randy files a discharge petition to force a vote which would repeal a ban on use of alternative, more polluting sources of energy for government vehicles. (This guy’s just on the wrong side of every issue) Randy is criticized by the Massa campaign for his “Gas-guzzling SUV” funded on the tax-payer’s dime and Randy counter’s with this lame response:
In a mass email to supporters, my opponent wrote that I drive a ‘taxpayer funded, gas guzzling SUV.’ Well, as inconvenient as the truth is for him, I do not lease my car on the taxpayer’s dollar. In fact, I drive a flexible fuel vehicle specifically designed to run on gasoline blended up to 85% ethanol (E85)
Turns out, the only gas station that carries that blend is one and a half hours north of where Randy lives and also,
Randy Kuhl has received $35,100 in Big Oil campaign contributions.
(What a surprise!)
Shameless, Randy perpetuates “The Big Lie”
Rep. Randy Kuhl, R-Hammondsport, Steuben County, is Boehner’s point man on the issue and is pushing for Democrats to allow a vote on a Republican energy bill that would step up domestic drilling and encourage the construction of new oil refineries.
August shows us Randy playing to our fears because America will become extinct and Nancy Pelosi has shut down the congress. But what is really scary is, Boehner and Kuhl team up (I’m having a really hard time not going anywhere with those two names-it’s an embarrassment of riches.) in Rochester to make things up about drilling and the price of oil. At the end of the month-Eric turns the tables on Randy and blames him for the loss of jobs in the district which were lost related to high fuel prices. Randy had voted against tapping into strategic reserves.
In September Kuhl stops talking to his constituents and avoids debates like the plaque. No audience allowed! He does show up in Henrietta, but no one has been notified. On September 29th-Kuhl is only local congressman “No” vote on bail-out bill.
But then October comes rolling in, Kuhl moves his money around and, viola, he votes for the bail-out. Doesn’t quite float, but we don’t hear about it again. Then, as we draw closer to the election and the Republican rats are getting scared, they pull out the Patriotism card and Randy falls in line with Michele Bachmann and makes his, by now, infamous statement about Democrats wanting the American people to suffer. Let’s hope that’s the thing that sinks Randy’s ship for good.
I’m just waiting for November!
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