America needed to hear from a leader last night, but instead we heard from a follower: a president following his same, worn out and ineffective solutions to the real problems facing the American people.

The president called for spending more and more and more, and he would do so by mortgaging America again and again and again. He wants to borrow everything from foreign countries; this was a speech by a president who has lost touch with reality.

Every time he used the word “trustâ€? he needed to add “and verifyâ€? because this Administration has regularly employed a state of denial when asked to provide leadership at home and abroad. Read the rest of this entry »

On Saturday, the people of South Carolina voted in massive numbers for Barack Obama, rejecting the politics of division in favor of the politics of hope. His stunning landslide victory transcended age, gender, and race, placing Senator Obama on a strong footing for the February 5 primaries.

Senator Kennedy’s endorsement yesterday, along with that of Caroline Kennedy and my colleague Patrick Kennedy, underscores the growing strength of Barack Obama’s campaign. The torch has once again been passed to a new generation. And that generation, with Barack Obama leading the way, is ready to move America forward.

I am very pleased with the continuation of the momentum in Senator Obama’s presidential bid. Obama’s landslide win in South Carolina this weekend further illustrates that his optimistic and enthusiastic message of hope is resonating with the American people more than ever. The record number of voters that turned out for this Democratic presidential primary proves that Obama is just the sort of engaging leader we need to truly move this country in a new direction.

Additionally, it was not just Senator Kennedy’s endorsement for Senator Obama’s candidacy that was so momentous yesterday, but rather, it was his touchingly enthusiastic words of support that followed. The Kennedy family’s endorsement signifies that the torch of change is being passed to a new generation of leadership. I remember the Presidential campaigns of John and Robert Kennedy and the optimism they gave to the country. This endorsement confirms that Obama is truly a beacon of hope and a promise for our nation.

Last night President George W. Bush gave his final State of the Union Address. Like many Americans, I am relieved that we are finally entering the last days of George W. Bush’s Presidency. Sadly President Bush’s legacy is one of bitterly divisive partisan politics, failed policies, bureaucratic mismanagement, and tragic incompetence.

His policies have been near catastrophic for our country on everything from the misconduct of the war in Iraq to the disastrous handling of our economy here at home. During the last seven years under George Bush, we have seen a historic explosion in the federal deficit and in wasteful government spending, as well as a blatant disregard regard for laws that protect our environment, public health and safety, and our privacy. This record of failure led the American people to demand a new direction for our country in the November 2006 election. Read the rest of this entry »

The President’s 2008 State of the Union address will, at best, be a good attempt to spin a bad story. He’ll talk up the economy though we can clearly see it is failing. He will question spending, despite the $10 billion he sends to Iraq every month. The President will insist there has been progress with the war, though our troops are no closer to coming home. And he’ll purport to care about America’s children, knowing he has twice vetoed the state children’s health insurance legislation – putting 10 million of our children at risk.

I expect the President to talk about showing compassion, yet he refuses to see the devastation caused when families lose their homes, when the sick have no healthcare, when hospitals close, when our school systems fail, and when our nation’s infrastructure crumbles. The President’s priorities are off base, his policies are suspect, and his politics are oftentimes, unconscionable. But even in the face of all this, we, in the Democratic Congress still stand ready to help the Administration find effective solutions to our national challenges.

I have no doubt that as I watch President Bush tonight, I will think: “what might have been,� for America if the President had been willing to do what America does best: compromise, under thoughtful leadership. We have recently seen the practical engagement by this President in the Middle East, North Korea, and with the bi-partisan economic stimulus plan; but, unfortunately, most of what I believe he will say tonight will be “re-served� ideas that have not gained support of the American people. For example, the President’s recent claim of fiscal conservatism in his last two years of his eight year term where the deficit ballooned, shows that his legacy will be one of posturing, not policy.

The policies of the Bush administration over the past seven years have taken a serious toll on hardworking families across America. The middle class is being squeezed and families in the Tampa Bay area are no exception.

We are committed to standing up for hardworking families and fighting for a new direction for our great country. Families need affordable and accessible health care. Families need relief from prices at the pump, which can be achieved through new energy policy and independence from the middle east oil barons.

Families also are counting on us to develop creative solutions to skyrocketing prices of property insurance that have had a devastating effect on middle class families particularly in Florida.

The American people are tired of seven years of misplaced priorities and want to hear that the President will work with Congress to ease the burdens of a struggling economy. The economic stimulus package developed by House leaders is a start, but more action is needed to demonstrate that President Bush recognizes the harsh impact of his policies on hardworking families.

As an early supporter of Senator Obama, I was very pleased with the overwhelming victory in South Carolina. He has now won more votes and more delegates than any other candidate in this race and he’s done it by running a consistently positive, upbeat campaign that has unity, hope and a change in America’s direction as its centerpiece.

Similarly, today’s enthusiastic endorsements by Senator Kennedy, Congressman Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy give Senator Obama a terrific boost heading into next week’s elections. The Kennedys understand the importance of leadership, character and judgment in a Presidential candidate and a President. They also know the importance of inspiring Americans to strive to be the best. The Kennedys’ endorsements show that they believe, as I do, that Barack Obama is the best person to provide that inspiration.

We are very excited about the victory in South Carolina, where Barack Obama overcame an extremely negative campaign against him and garnered tremendous support from a broad collation of voters. We’re also very excited about Senator Kennedy’s endorsement, which we think will be very helpful and influential in California and across the country. And in my California district, I am seeing a very enthusiastic response to Obama’s message of hope and change. His sincerity and commitment is evident to those who hear from him and he is increasing his outreach and visibility every day. I am looking forward to returning to a campaign about the urgent issues facing Americans, such as strengthening our economy, creating good jobs that stay in America, and bringing the war in Iraq to an end.

When George Will writes that Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) is a tax hating Democrat, either his researchers haven’t done their homework or Mr. Will has been duped by Washington’s premier mountebank.

According to Congressman Rangel circa 2008, “Ronald Reagan opposed using the tax code as a means of achieving changes in our social structure.  I don’t think the tax code should be a substitute for the appropriations process in making social change.� He is now a proponent of a simplified tax code, one that lowers rates and closes loopholes.

In examining his 19-year history in the Congress his only consistent position is inconsistency.  What is most remarkable was his voluble position against Reagan’s tax cuts.  This same Charlie Rangel who advocates lower rates and simplicity condemned Reagan’s tax decreases at the time as racist.

Could the representative from Harlem have had an epiphany?  It is possible, but doubtful. Read the rest of this entry »