Rick Crawford for Congress

U.S. Representative for Arkansas' 1st Congressional District

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Endorses Congressman Rick Crawford for Re-Election

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PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

CONTACT:

Justin Brasell / jbrasell@gmail.com

 

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Endorses Congressman Rick Crawford for Re-Election

 

 Group seeks to keep a pro-business majority in the U.S. House

 

Jonesboro, Arkansas – First District Congressman Rick Crawford announced today that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has endorsed his re-election bid. Crawford’s support for the repeal of President Obama’s healthcare law, votes in favor of free trade agreements and efforts to produce a long-term surface transportation bill earned him the U.S. Chamber endorsement.

“The House of Representatives must continue to be a check on Barack Obama and his failed policies that are making Arkansas’s economy worse.  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is at the forefront of fighting job killing regulations and I am honored to have earned their endorsement. As we move forward I will continue working with the Chamber to repeal the Obama takeover of healthcare, break down barriers to trade and advocate for improving our nation’s crumbling infrastructure,” said Crawford.

In a letter to Crawford, Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce stated, “On behalf of the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region, I am pleased to inform you that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors has endorsed your candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Donohue continued in the letter, “It is the Chamber’s goal to help elect a pro-business majority in Congress and work diligently in support of the interests of businesses large and small to advance legislation that encourages economic growth, job creation and a less intrusive federal government.  Your record of support on pro-business issues earned this endorsement.”

Crawford Background: Rick Crawford and his wife Stacy are both graduates of Arkansas State University.  They live inJonesboro with their two children. Crawford serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Agriculture Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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More Information About My Deficit Reduction Proposal

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I have read many of your comments and wanted to take a minute to explain the purpose for the legislation I will introduce next week. The premise behind the bill is not that we need more revenue (taxes) in America. I wholeheartedly believe our problem is with spending.

However, we must think strategically about how we move forward as a country. I haven’t met anyone who believes America can continue borrowing trillions annually. It is an indisputable fact our country will face economic calamity if we do not end the spending binge in Congress.

The question is how do we accomplish this mission? Having served in the military, I understand the need for strategic planning based on real-time in-theater intelligence gathering.

As I see it, the success probability for our mission to keep taxes low decreases significantly as the size of our national debt continues to skyrocket. Likewise, our mission to limit the size of government will surely be an abject failure if we do not implement permanent reforms that require Congress to balance its budget yearly or limit spending as a percentage of GDP.

How then do we accomplish our conservative mission? It most certainly cannot be done by raising taxes or by agreeing to temporary spending cuts, which is the current strategy of most Republicans. I have a newsflash – Republicans balanced the budget in the mid to late 1990s and the problem is worse today than in almost any other time in history. Why? Absent permanent budget reform government will grow ever larger and taxes will eventually skyrocket.

Looking forward there are a few scenarios that are likely to play out. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has united most of her members in Washington behind a strategy to position the debate to reduce the deficit as shared sacrifice (i.e. cuts to ‘vital’ programs for the poor and middle class coupled with tax increases on the wealthy). As has been reported widely, many Republicans in the House and Senate (members of the gangs of 6 and 100) are privately contemplating a compromise that would involve tax hikes and spending reductions. From my standpoint, this is more of the same absent permanent budget reform.

A second scenario is for Republicans to hold out and insist on a spending-cut only strategy. To be successful, however, one must assume the Republican members of the gangs of 6 and 100 will have a change of heart and will not strike a deal to accept tax increases in return for temporary spending cuts. I invite you to ask yourself how much confidence you have that Republicans in Congress will hold firm and not accept tax increases in exchange for temporary spending cuts? If you do, I have some nice beach-front property in Black Oak I would like to sell.

All kidding aside, even if Republicans were to hold firm, Senate Democrats will never give in because their polling shows their position has stronger support than a spending-cut only strategy. Republican know this, which is so many are working behind the scenes to strike a deal – a bad deal in my humble opinion that exchanges tax increases for temporary spending cuts.

The bill I am introducing takes into account the political realities and is an attempt to change the mindset of Republicans so that we do not get snookered once again by accepting temporary spending cuts while claiming “victory.” I believe we should only accept a tax increase in exchange for permanent budget reform that will never allow Congress to spend our country into oblivion.

Rick Crawford Statement on Filing for Reelection

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Rick Crawford issued the following statement regarding filing for reelection:

I have been honored to represent the values of Arkansas’ First District
residents in the past year by voting for 28 job-creating bills, the balanced
budget amendment, and repeal of the president’s massive new healthcare
entitlement program. I am eager to use the experience I have gained over
the past year to push both political parties to put an end to the era of
trillion-dollar annual deficits, which are going to destroy our economy if
not addressed quickly.

Music Legend Pat Boone Sings Praises of Rick Crawford

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Legendary Singer and Spokesman for 60 Plus Announces Endorsement

Alexandria, VA – Legendary entertainer Pat Boone, spokesman for a national non-partisan senior citizen group, announced today that Rick Crawford has won the 60 Plus Association’s Honorary Guardian of Seniors’ Rights award. Crawford is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in AR-01.

Boone, still performing at concerts, was a recording, movie and TV star second to none in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, and had 38 top 10 hits during his career. Now a national spokesman for 60 Plus, Boone labeled Crawford a “fighter for the elderly.”

The Association’s Guardian Award is presented to Democrats and Republicans in Congress based on their “senior friendly” voting records. The Honorary Award is given to those running for office and is based on their views on seniors’ issues.

“Rick Crawford can always be counted on to protect Social Security and Medicare,” Boone said. “Rick Crawford will be a tax cutter, protecting the pocket books of senior citizens. 60 Plus calls on nearly 5.5 million seniors nationally for support, so I believe I can speak on behalf of seniors when I say that they can count on Rick Crawford. Clearly, seniors will have no finer friend in Congress than Rick Crawford.”

US Chamber of Commerce Endorses Rick Crawford

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“Pro Business Group’s Endorsement Continues to Build Crawford’s Main Street Momentum”

Jonesboro – Today, the United States Chamber of Commerce added it’s sought after endorsement to the long list of respected groups and leaders that have thrown their support behind Rick Crawford’s campaign for Congress.

In a letter Chamber President Tom Donohue stated; “It is the Chambers goal to elect a pro-business Congress and work diligently in the interests of businesses large and small to advance legislation that encourages economic growth, job creation, and a less intrusive federal government Your support of pro-business issues earned this endorsement.”

The US Chamber of Commerce represents more than 3 million US businesses across the United States, 96% of which have fewer than 100 employees.

Crawford added, “This is another great endorsement and I am honored to have this great organizations support. As a small business owner I know how important it is that we protect and defend our small business community in the first district. As the first districts representative I will not rest when it comes to advocating for our Arkansas business’s by extending the small business taxes cuts and repealing ObamaCare.”

Gun Owners of America Endorses Rick Crawford for Congress

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Gun Owners of America Endorses Rick Crawford for Congress

As Endorsements Rack Up Causey Continues to Lie and Hide

Jonesboro – Rick Crawford gained yet another key endorsement in his race for Congress today as the nationally respected 2nd amendment advocacy group Gun Owners for America threw their support behind his run. The group cited Crawford’s strong support of the 2nd amendment and Chad Causey’s lack of response as reason for endorsing.

Crawford stated “I am honored to have the support so many folks that share my belief in our 2nd amendment rights.  Our right to bear arms is something that many liberals like Nancy Pelosi would like to see taken away and it is imperative that we have leaders in Washington that are willing to stand up and fight her attempts to infringe on our rights”.

This endorsement comes on the heels of major endorsements from the National Right to Life PAC, several state and national Veterans groups and public polling showing Crawford leading by double digits.

“This endorsement should again make Chad Causey understand that you can’t say one thing here and do another in DC. It’s sad that he didn’t even take the time to address this group of committed gun rights advocates. It begs the question, is Chad Causey to chicken or too liberal to represent Arkansas in Congress?” added Campaign Spokesmen Ted Prill.

Full Release from the Gun Owners of America:

Gun Owners of America Endorses Rick Crawford for Congress

Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Pl, Suite 102
Springfield, VA 22151
http://www.goapvf.org

September 20, 2010
Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund is proud to endorse Rick Crawford for Congress in Arkansas’ First Congressional District.

Rick earned an “A” rating from Gun Owners of America, based on his perfect score on the GOA candidate survey and his unwavering commitment to protecting the right to keep and bear arms.

His opponent, a staffer for the retiring Congressman, did not even return the GOA survey even though he was given the opportunity twice in the past few months! This is usually a sign that the candidate is hiding anti-gun views.

Furthermore, the first vote that Rick Crawford’s Democrat opponent would cast would be for Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House, a San Francisco liberal who does not represent the values of Arkansans.

Gun owners and sportsmen from Arkansas expect their elected representatives to safeguard their constitutional liberties, and not to vote for an ever expanding federal government.

Thomas Jefferson urged that politicians be “[bound] down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.”

That is just what people like Rick Crawford intend to do. He will be part of a team of candidates determined to rein in the federal government and stop the Obama-Pelosi socialist, anti-Second Amendment agenda.

Gun Owners of America urges all gun owners and sportsmen in the district to help Rick Crawford get elected in November. If you can volunteer your time, put out a yard sign, or make a contribution, please visit www.meetrickcrawford.com today.

And most importantly, make sure that you and all of your pro-gun family members and friends in the First Congressional District vote for Rick Crawford on Election Day.

Sincerely,

Tim Macy
Vice-Chairman

National Right to Life PAC Endorses Rick Crawford for Congress

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Cites Crawford’s Fight to Stop Obama-Care and Commitment to Standing Up For Human Life Cited as Key Reasons

Jonesboro –  Today the National Right to Life Political Action Committee endorsed Rick Crawford for Congress citing his belief in the sanctity of human life and his willingness to stand up against Obama-Care.

Crawford stated, “I am thrilled to receive the endorsement of the nation’s leading protectors of life and I am looking forward to working with them every day in congress to fight Obama-care and for the born and the unborn”.

This endorsement comes as the Crawford campaign’s momentum continues to build with public polling showing him leading by 16 points and his opponent in full fledged retreat on Obama-care, voting for Nancy Pelosi and pork barrel spending.

“Today’s endorsement again shows why Rick Crawford is the right choice to represent Arkansas in Congress. He has the backbone to stand up to Barack Obama and his healthcare plan that will help fund abortions and cut Medicare for our seniors by half a trillion dollars. I hope this will be another example to Chad Causey that people are tired of his Washington double talk and false attacks. They want leaders that aren’t afraid to stand up for what they believe in”, said Crawford Spokesman Ted Prill.

Jobless Numbers Prove We Can’t Afford More of Pelosi and Obama

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New Jobless Numbers Prove America and Arkansas Can’t Afford More of the Pelosi/Obama Agenda

“Causey Needs to Explain Why His First Vote in Congress Will Be to Extend Their Tenure”

Jonesboro- With today’s release of new national unemployment numbers showing that the jobless rate went up and that the US lost jobs for the third straight month, Republican Congressional Candidate Rick Crawford again called for drastic changes in Washington.

Crawford Stated, “The Washington politicians may just see these unemployment numbers as stats on a sheet, but here in the First District I see everyday these folks and the hard time they are having because of the misguided leadership in Congress. While the Obama/Pelosi economic quagmire continues, families across Arkansas are losing their jobs, farms and businesses. The liberals in Washington are out of control and if there isn’t a serious change in direction at once even more people are going to be in real trouble. The next Congress must start on day one by extending the 01 and 03 small business tax cuts and aggressively cutting back Washington’s intrusion into our families’ lives.”

Today’s Jobless numbers came at the end of what many in the Obama administration had termed as the “summer recovery months”. August also became the 16th straight month where unemployment has remained above 9%.

Crawford Campaign Manager Jonah Shumate added “These numbers again prove that the Washington Chad Causey has been working in for the last 10 years is broken. Chad needs to explain to all the people in Arkansas why his first vote as a member of Congress would be for continuing the failed agenda of the Obama/Pelosi leadership team. It’s high time he started taking principled stands on these issues and stopped using slick Washington doublespeak to duck the issues.”

Crawford for Congress Releases First Web Ad

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Jonesboro – Today, the Rick Crawford for Congress released a web-ad entitled “Military” that highlights Crawford’s service to the United States and his appreciation of our constitutional freedoms.

Veterans and military families have become an issue in the campaign after Democrat Chad Causey decided to insult military families for being stationed away from home. National and local veterans groups have rallied behind Crawford and condemned Causey for his disrespect.

Crawford Campaign Manager Jonah Shumate stated, “Rick is incredibly proud of his service to this country and respects those who are serving overseas now immensely. This ad highlights his service and his desire to keep fighting for our families, small businesses and values. His kind of leadership in DC will be a breath of fresh air. It’s imperative that Arkansas next Congressman have the backbone to stand up to Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama. Rick is the only candidate in this race that will do that.”

Crawford’s father was a career Air Force officer and Rick served in the US Army as a bomb disposal officer before attending Arkansas State and building AgWatch into a successful small business serving farmers throughout Arkansas.

The ad can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbvsKKkdBsM

National Defense PAC Endorses Crawford

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Says Opponent Should Be Soundly Defeated for Disrespectful Assault on Veterans and Military Families

Jonesboro-Today in the wake of the revelation that Chad Causey and his campaign insulted veterans and military families, national defense groups are resoundingly chastising Causey for his show of disrespect to those who serve in the armed forces.  Causey’s insinuation that those in military families are 2nd class citizens is a sad statement from anyone, but especially from a congressional candidate.

-From the National Defense PAC Press Release-

“Rick Crawford grew up in a military family where his father served in the United States Air Force.  During that time, Rick had the opportunity to live all over the United States and overseas.  Rick graduated high school from Alvirne High School in Hudson, New Hampshire.  Due to his father’s service in the Air Force, his opponent is saying that Rick is not fit to serve as a congressman from Arkansas because he did not graduate from high school in Arkansas.  This is the kind of desperate and disrespectful attitude toward military service that Rick’s Arkansas challenger has shrunk to.  This is a slap in the face to any veteran’s son or daughter that was born or educated outside the state where they choose to run for congress in the future.   The fact their parent was a patriotic service member that deployed wherever the country sent them should not be a negative for any congressional candidate.  Rick’s opponent should be soundly defeated for this outrageous and disrespectful assault based on the consequences of military service.”