Peter Roskam Opponent Ben Lowe Reacts to Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty Renewal

On April 8, 2010, in Ben Lowe, Military, National Security, Peter Roskam, by RSR
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Republican Peter Roskam has been a staunch supporter of the Bush-Cheney brand of militarism that has bankrupted our country and gave us an illegal and totally unnecessary war in Iraq and has left us in a quagmire in Afghanistan through neglect and mismanagement. So we were not at all surprised when we heard him on WLS AM this morning, trashing the new START treaty with renowned disarmament experts Don Wade and Roma. If you like wars and lots of them, Peter Roskam is your man. If you like military spending that exceeds that of the next highest 45 countries combined, then Peter Roskam is your man. If you think the quest for ever more destructive weapons is a good thing, then Peter’s your guy. If you want a new cold-war style nuclear arms race, Peter’s on it.

We happen to think there is a better way and we support the leadership of President Obama in taking the first step toward elimination of nuclear weapons since the original treaty was signed in 1991. And we think that Peter Roskam’s opponent, Democrat Ben Lowe of Wheaton is of the same mindset.

Ben doesn’t have the same instant access to media that Peter Roskam does, so you didn’t get to hear him on the radio this morning to present another side to the issue of the START treaty. But we did receive from his campaign this morning a statement, so here it is:

“Today’s signature and renewal of START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), sends a strong message to the world that the United States is committed to being a leader in the reduction of nuclear weapons, as well as their systems of delivery. We must not be under any pretensions that this treaty in any way eliminates the danger of massive nuclear damage to our civilization. However, we are convinced that it is a significant step in the right direction towards a world free of nuclear weapons. Ultimately this event highlights American leadership in light of rogue states heading in the opposite direction in their nuclear warfare programs, and, proposes a significant shift towards a more sensible moral compass on life and inter-government cooperation.

We are also in agreement with President’s Obama’s Nuclear Posture Review released a few days ago, and encourage the assessment of nuclear weapons as a measure of very last resort. The administrations decision to refrain from using nuclear weapons in the face of biological and chemical attack is extremely controversial but we agree with it on the principle that responding to a non-nuclear attack with a nuclear attack could easily spiral out control as the attacking enemy would be dealt a far more devastating blow than they originally inflicted upon the US, and, would be far more willing to entertain an even more disastrous nuclear response.”

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Congratulations and Thanks to President Obama and Democrats for Success of Stimulus

On February 17, 2010, in Barack Obama, Economy, Peter Roskam, by RSR
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On the first anniversary of the the signing into law of the $862 billion economic stimulus passage it is appropriate to extend thanks to President Obama and to the Democratic leadership in Congress for its success in bringing the country out of recession and away from the brink of economic collapse that may have rivaled the Great Depression. While recovery is not complete and there are large numbers of  Americans still unemployed, there are many hopeful signs. The economy grew at a rate of 5.7% in the fourth quarter of 2009, the fastest rate in 6 years.

While there is room to argue about what has helped and what hasn’t, there is no excuse for the nasty display of trash talk exhibited today by Peter Roskam and his fellow Republicans, many of whom hypocritically touted stimulus money being spent in their districts after having voted against it.Their behavior today was appalling. They take joy in signs of new economic difficulty hoping that the country’s failure will bring them political success in upcoming midterm elections. But their behavior is destructive to the nation’s morale and destructive to the recovery itself. This is not what they were elected to do. The nation deserves better.

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President Obama Masterfully Demolishes GOP Critics, Roskam Included

On January 29, 2010, in Barack Obama, Economy, Healthcare, Peter Roskam, Unemployment, by RSR
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Just finished watching the video of President Obama’s Q&A session at the GOP House Issues conference today. The President was brilliant. He called the GOP to account for for their campaign of misinformation about healthcare reform and the economic stimulus, but did it with respect and a sincere invitation to Republicans to work with him in the nation’s best interest. The President was articulate and knew his facts, including detailed knowledge of Republican counter proposals. He was warm and human in demeanor and gentle but firm in his criticisms, using self-deprecating humor effectively to put the room at ease. I have never seen a more brilliant performance by a President. Never.

You can hear Congressman Roskam pose his question at about 67:15.

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Don’t Fall for Peter Roskam’s Fearmongering on the Debt, Unemployment

On January 26, 2010, in Deficit, Economic Justice, Peter Roskam, Unemployment, by RSR
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Peter Roskam’s been doing his best to sow fear and doubt about President Obama’s handling of the economy. He is doing this in a cynical attempt to sell you more of the redistributive (poor to rich), deregulatory, trickle-down economic policy that brought the world to the brink of depression under President Bush. Don’t fall for it.

Here Rachel Maddow does a nice segment with economist James Galbraith of the University of Texas that cuts away the bullshit being dispensed by the GOP:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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Peter Roskam Gushes over Sarah Palin; Palin Gushes over Sarkozy

On November 3, 2008, in Congressional Elections, Friends of Peter Roskam, Peter Roskam, Wingnuts, by RSR
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Thanks to Progress Illinois for this video of our own Congressman Peter Roskam at the Republican National Convention gushing over John McCain’s character saying we know who he is and that we can trust him (implying in Republican code that the opposite is true of his opponent, Barack Obama). Roskam also gushes over his choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate, praising the “centeredness” that she “resonates”:

Now listen to Palin resonating her centeredness all over a caller she think is French President Nicolas Sarkozy:

Palin was, of course, pranked by a couple of Canadian radio personalities. Anybody can get pranked but can you believe that Peter Roskam and John McCain want us to trust this person to run our foreign policy. She thought this was the President of France calling and still she behaved this way. Do we really want her representing, and, potentially leading, our country? Apparently Peter Roskam does. Or did.

That’s right. Despite all his high praise for John McCain and Sarah Palin who has Roskam adopted as his new running mate? Yes, Barack Obama. We don’t know who he is and we can’t trust him but Roskam doesn’t care. Demonstrating his total lack of character, Roskam has chosen to grab onto Obama’s coattails because he thinks it will help him win. This despite Roskam being opposed to pretty much everything Obama stands for and despite his service in the leadership of the the McCain-Palin Campaign.

Roskam will say or do anything to get re-elected. He has no scruples. He has run a campaign of lies and smears against his opponent, Jill Morgenthaler, just as he did 2 years ago against Tammy Duckworth. He appears to have abused his franking privilege to send out campaign materials. He has lied to his constituents about his record. And now he is trying to deceive them into think he represents the same positions and values as Barack Obama. He most certainly does not.

So it’s up to you now 6th district voters. Are you going to send this jerk back to Washington for another two years?

Fortunately, we have a good alternative in Jill Morgenthaler. Watch her below in this clip from a CBS News story on Iraq Vets running for Congress (again, thanks to Progress Illinois). Then check out her website.

Roskam has been able to vastly overspend Morgenthaler thanks to the special interests who are paying for his vote (and yet he his begging constituents almost daily for more money via email). But still, a quick survey of yard signs between home and downtown Elmhurst on Saturday revealed a strength of support for Morgenthaler suprising in this Republican town. Good luck, Jill!

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Obama Rejects Peter Roskam’s Cynical Attempt to Deceive 6th District Voters

On October 30, 2008, in Economic Justice, Ethics Reform, Friends of Peter Roskam, George Bush, SCHIP, Veterans, by RSR
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Thanks to Kitty Kurth for this news:

Peter Roskam, who is diametrically opposed to almost everything that Barack Obama stands for and is a member of the McCain leadership team, has been trying to peel off Obama voters. But, Obama supports Jill Morgenthaler for Congress in Illinois 6th District.

“While we’re pleased that Barack Obama continues to attract support from across party lines because of his long record of working with Republicans and independents to bring change, he believes Congressman Roskam would continue President Bush’s failed policies and is supporting Jill Morgenthaler for Congress.”

Justin DeJong, Illinois Director of Communications for Obama for America

Jill Morgenthaler’s press release is here.

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