Callahan still in hiding on how to try terrorists and closing Gitmo

With Democrat Congressional Candidate John Callahan refusing to discuss his views on a controversial mosque to be built near Ground Zero in New York City, Congressman Dent is calling on Callahan once again to stop avoiding the national security question on how to handle terrorists.

Congressman Dent issued a previous challenge to John Callahan to weigh in on the Administration's plans to close the Guantanamo Bay terrorist detention facility and try foreign terrorists in American civilian courts. Congressman Dent has been a leader in trying to compel the Administration to try terrorists in military commissions at Gitmo. Callahan has thus far refused to discuss either Gitmo's closure or the use of civilian courts for foreign terrorists.

"Ground Zero may be in New York, but its legacy belongs to all Americans, along with other hallowed ground like Pearl Harbor and Gettysburg," Congressman Dent said. "John Callahan once again shows a stunning lack of leadership and amazing insensitivity to the families of 9/11 victims - including people in our own community. There are times leaders are called to tell people where they stand. As with so many other issues, John Callahan is in hiding, and his silence is deafening."

John Callahan’s anti-job agenda has him at odds
with former President Clinton

Job creation in America continues to stagnate. The U.S. economy lost 131,000 jobs in July. Private payroll numbers fell 30,000 jobs short of expectations, and June data was revised lower to a loss of 221,000 jobs from a previously reported 125,000. Polices coming out of the Pelosi Congress are not only failing to help, they are causing harm. And John Callahan stands firmly in support of that Washington agenda.

Callahan still sings the praises of a trillion-dollar stimulus that only supported taxpayer-funded jobs for a short time. He once signed a pledge to support "cap and trade," a plan he admits would lose jobs for Pennsylvanians. Callahan supported the Pelosi health care bill that will cut Medicare for seniors by half a trillion dollars, and bury individuals and small businesses in taxes and paperwork.

And John Callahan opposes breaking down trade barriers that actually help American manufacturers sell products and create jobs. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Big Labor have held up important trade agreements with American allies and trading partners like South Korea, Colombia and Panama for years, and Callahan stands with them. Even President Obama acknowledges that expanding American exports is vital to economic growth.

Today, John Callahan will party with Bill Clinton at a high-priced fundraiser. How ironic since President Clinton signed the NAFTA trade agreement into law. President Clinton has lauded the trade agreement, which was passed in a bipartisan fashion by a Democrat-controlled House and Senate, calling it "a great economic and political victory for America."¹ But echoing the talking points provided him by Big Labor, Callahan recently claimed that Clinton's policy “cost Pennsylvania 38,000 jobs.”

It's amazing that Callahan refuses to take positions on the policy matters of today, but he finds his voice condemning a 1993 trade agreement orchestrated by the very man raising money for his campaign.

¹ Source: Between Hope and History, by Bill Clinton, p. 33-34 Jan 1, 1996

Callahan should pay Clintons' debt to Bethlehem school district

When former President Bill Clinton tries to salvage John Callahan's campaign next week, the Mayor of Bethlehem should stand up for his alma mater and demand President Clinton's wife repay the $15,000 the Hillary Clinton campaign owes the Bethlehem Area School District.

Then-Senator and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton paid a visit to Liberty High School in April 2008 but her campaign never paid the costs associated with her event. Liberty grad Callahan was a supporter of Hillary Clinton in the Democratic Primary and attended the event, which was entirely political.¹ The Clinton campaign promised to reimburse the District; the BASD sent bills to Clinton's campaign but never received the money. ² In early 2009, BASD Administrators said they believed Mayor Callahan would serve as a "conduit" to ask the Clintons for the money.³ Apparently, they're still waiting.

"If the Clintons won't repay the school district, Mayor Callahan should pay the bill out of the money Bill Clinton raises for him," said Shawn Millan, campaign manager, Charlie Dent for Congress.

Notes:
¹ "Clinton visits the Lehigh Valley -She attacks Obama's health care stance in Bethlehem appearance," the Morning Call, April 21, 2008

² "Clinton campaign owes Bethlehem, Easton districts nearly $16K," Express-Times, Wednesday, July 23, 2008

³ Bethlehem Area School Board minutes, Feb. 23, 2009

Callahan's Approach to Anti-Semitism:
Condemn When Convenient, Condone When Convenient

It was just six weeks ago that Callahan issued a press release demanding Congressman Dent renounce the independent organization, "American Action Network." The group's sin according to Callahan was alleged anti-Semitism by its Chairman, Fred Malek, nearly 40 years ago.

Never mind that the group itself was founded by former Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota. Senator Coleman is Jewish.

Never mind that Malek apologized for his actions decades ago. In fact, Abe Foxman, the National Director of the Anti-Defamation League said he was proud to call Malek a friend. Senator Diane Feinstein made similar comments in Malek's defense. (See link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/02/AR2010060204611.html)

Never mind that Congressman Dent had no ties to the group or Malek, directly or indirectly. These facts didn't stop Callahan from making his outlandish charge.

A month and half makes a big difference for John Callahan's moral indignation.

Callahan has stressed his willingness to appear at debates with Jake Towne, a candidate for Congress who recently hand-picked the band Poker Face – a group labeled as anti-Semitic by the Anti-Defamation League – to perform at a campaign event. The ADL notes that the group's leader has denied the Holocaust occurred, called the ADL "a terrorist organization," and believes that a conspiracy of Jews runs the world.

Jake Towne's response: Poker Face is not anti-Semitic.

"This is who John Callahan wants to share a stage with to debate public policy? Shame on him." said Shawn Millan, Congressman Dent's campaign manager.

"Why won't John Callahan agree to a one-on-one debate with Charlie Dent? Because Callahan is unable to defend the Washington agenda he supports and he wants to hide behind Jake Towne's podium at a debate," Millan said. "Mayor Callahan needs to stop listening to his Washington-oriented advisors who tell him to either condemn or condone anti-Semitism based on what's politically convenient."

"John Callahan can still do the right thing here," Millan said. "He can admit that someone with Jake Towne's extremist views is so far out of the mainstream he doesn't have a place in what should be a serious discussion on the issues facing the American people."

Notes:
Access the ADL comments on Poker Face here: http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/poker_face_anti_government.htm

Poker Face's "overboard" lyrics: -- From "It's Not What You Say"
I'm not a Democrat or Republican / I'm just a God loving American / It's time to kill this Fourth Reich of the Rich /Rise up! Rise up! / Militias throughout the world / It's time to end The Order's globalist plans/ The Revolution is the only solution / When good government has gone bad

-- From "Calling for a Revolution"
Calling for a Revolution, Calling for it now/ It's time to save our Constitution / While we still got the guns in our hands

-- From "Freedoms on the Run"
Welcome to this New World Circus / Coming to a homeland near you / Jack Boots and Billy clubs are GAY fashion / Marching to Obama's Commie-Fascist nation / Help me to stuff these f---s in a box / They won't, they won't be missed at all / Imagine, this world free from their disease

Callahan-supported health care bill has yet another job-killing provision

A hidden provision of the government health care takeover passed with John Callahan's blessing will swamp small businesses with paperwork, costing them time, money and resources that could be used to create new jobs. With yet another job-killing measure revealed in Nancy Pelosi's massive health care takeover, even as unemployment continues at unacceptable levels, John Callahan can hardly back up his claim the health care bill "brings down health care costs for families and small businesses." ¹

As described by CNN: "Section 9006 of the health care bill -- just a few lines buried in the 2,409-page document -- mandates that beginning in 2012 all companies will have to issue 1099 tax forms not just to contract workers but to any individual or corporation from which they buy more than $600 in goods or services in a tax year. The stealth change radically alters the nature of 1099s and means businesses will have to issue millions of new tax documents each year." ²

According to a report issued in June by the National Taxpayer Advocate, an independent office within the IRS, this new provision will affect about 40 million taxpayers, including 26 million sole proprietors and one million charities. The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) states that new Form 1099 expansion is "another crippling paperwork mandate that unfairly targets small businesses," and estimates average costs associated with tax paperwork is about $74 per hour.

"John Callahan should take heed – this is what happens when you blindly support a bill you didn't bother to read," said Congressman Charlie Dent. "This is only one of dozens of mandates in the health care bill that will cost more American jobs."

Congressman Dent is a cosponsor of HR 5141, the Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act, which would repeal this unnecessary and costly piece of red tape for American job creators.

The 1099 provision has been derided by Democrats and Republicans alike. Four Democratic Senators - Mark Begich (Alaska), Ben Nelson (Nebraska), Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) and Evan Bayh (Indiana) – have publicly expressed concern about the regulation and asked the IRS to correct it administratively. ³

1. The Morning Call "Callahan weighs in on health care bill: He supports it"
March 22, 2010 by Scott Kraus

2. CNN, "Health Care law's massive, hidden tax change," May 5, 2010

3. Wall Street Journal, "Lost in Taxation," July 17, 2010

Charlie Dent campaign reaches $1 million cash on hand

Charlie Dent for Congress will report post-primary fundraising contributions in excess of $300,000, and has reached the milestone figure of $1 million cash on hand as of June 30th. Federal Election Commission reports on campaign fundraising are due July 15. The most recent report covers the period between April 29th and June 30th.

Between the beginning of April and the end of June Congressman Dent raised more than $410,000.

"Our strong fundraising will allow my campaign to communicate the stark contrast between my beliefs and John Callahan's," said Congressman Dent. "I believe in limited government, personal freedom and opportunity. John Callahan believes in the failed policies that have brought about higher taxes and massive unsustainable spending increases leading to more Washington control of our lives and fewer private sector jobs."

For period 4/29/10 thru 6/30/10:
Total raised = $305,000
Expenses = $140,000

Overall this cycle:
Total raised = $1.75 million
Cash-on-hand = $1.04 million

While Americans look for work, Callahan continues delusional
support for failed stimulus

Eighteen months have passed since the Administration claimed an economic Stimulus in the range of $775 billion would create 3.5 million jobs and cap unemployment at 8 percent. ¹ But since enactment of the higher-priced stimulus bill, 2.3 million American jobs have been LOST, unemployment spiked from 7 percent to nearly 10 percent and has remained there, and taxpayers are on the hook for a trillion dollars, including interest.

Through it all, John Callahan maintains the delusion that the Stimulus worked.

However, the real world reveals a different picture, with a total reduction of 2.3 million jobs from February 2009 until June 2010, including job losses in almost all business sectors. ²

The only job sector "gains" were in government jobs - which means taxpayers will continue picking up the tab to keep these jobs in place after Stimulus funds expire. That is the working definition of "unsustainable" employment.

"The private sector is losing jobs and the government-created jobs from the Stimulus are unsustainable without future tax increases," said Congressman Charlie Dent. "Taxpayers take note: John Callahan thinks that is success. John Callahan believes we're getting our trillion dollars worth from the Stimulus and other failed job measures in the past year. How much more of your money will he be willing to spend on disastrous policies?"

Some other interesting trivia:
From Page 5 of the Administration's stimulus report, known as Romer-Bernstein: The Administration said that without an economic Stimulus, unemployment would be 9 percent through much of 2010, and only begin to decline in the third quarter of 2010. The actual economic numbers with the stimulus are WORSE than what the Administration claimed would happen if we did nothing.

Callahan continues to make a dubious claim he's responsible for "5,000 jobs and $2 billion economic development" in Bethlehem. Interestingly enough, those claims have remained unchanged since before he announced his bid for Congress last year. So, by Callahan's own admission, the Stimulus and other job measures in Washington this past year have done NOTHING in his own city.

¹ Romer-Berstein report of Administration's stimulus projections, Jan, 10, 2009 http://www.politico.com/static/PPM116_obamadoc.html
² U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Callahan: Bethlehem was riddled with crime and out-of-control debt - under Don Cunningham?

Imagine a Bethlehem where crime ruled the streets, debt was rising, jobs were lost and hope was nowhere to be found. That, according to John Callahan, was Bethlehem in 2003.

The exact quote from a fundraising letter by John Callahan [download letter as PDF], which he sent June 17, reads: "When I became mayor our city was faced with a lot of challenges. Bethlehem Steel had shut down, leaving a huge hole in our economy and our tax base. Jobs were lost, crime and debt were up and our spirit was bent (but not broken)."

One obvious hole in Callahan's logic is that Bethlehem Steel ended hot-end production in Bethlehem in 1995, three years before John Callahan became a City Council member.

But Callahan's assertion that he inherited a city in ruin is clearly at odds with one of his predecessors, Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham, who served as Bethlehem mayor from 1998-2003. From Cunningham's biography on the Lehigh County Website:

"Don is best known as the former mayor of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he led the economic renaissance of Bethlehem from a city that lost nearly 25 percent of its tax base with the closing of Bethlehem Steel Corp. to the city today with two flourishing downtown retail districts and $2 billion in new investment."

Sounds like Don Cunningham has a different view of the Bethlehem he left in 2003, and that John Callahan inherited less than a year later.

Adding to the double-talk is what John Callahan said about the debt left by his supposed "friend and mentor" Don Cunningham in 2005, according to this excerpt from the Morning Call:

Callahan said the combined total debt of the city's general fund, landfill fund and of all of its authorities, including principal and interest, was $339 million when Cunningham took office in 1998, and $272 million when he left in 2003. That's a $67 million decrease, Callahan said. ¹

"John Callahan will say anything to get elected, and now he's even contradicting himself at the expense of his political ally to beef up his resume," said Shawn Millan, campaign manager, Charlie Dent for Congress.

¹ "Callahan refutes claims on predecessor's record ** He says Cunningham, running for Lehigh executive, cut debt," Dan Hartzell Of The Morning Call. Oct 27, 2005

Callahan hides his Medicare mistake by lying about Dent's record

What do you do if you're a Congressional candidate who supports cutting Medicare by nearly half a TRILLION DOLLARS? If you're John Callahan, you try to deflect attention by lying about your opponent's record.

That's what John Callahan did this week in a press release that falsely claims, "Congressman Dent supported President Bush's plan to privatize Social Security." But the truth is Congressman Dent has always opposed Social Security privatization and never supported any privatization proposal. The Dent campaign demands Callahan retract his false statement.

"This is what you get from candidates like John Callahan who can't get above thirty percent in the polls - desperate efforts to mislead," said Shawn Millan, campaign manager, Charlie Dent for Congress. "Congressman Dent disagrees with comments by John Boehner about raising the Social Security retirement age, and anyone familiar with Charlie's Dent's solid record on protecting Social Security knows that."

Ironically, as John Callahan spouts his phony rhetoric, Callahan's own campaign claims to be unaware of a June 22 speech by Democrat Majority Leader Steny Hoyer in which Hoyer said: "On the spending side, we could and should consider a higher retirement age, or one pegged to lifespan; more progressive Social Security and Medicare benefits..." ¹ Is Callahan also unaware that his political patron Joe Biden made similar comments about raising the retirement age in 2007.²

Meanwhile, the Dent campaign called on Callahan to admit that the government healthcare takeover Callahan supported will cut Medicare benefits to seniors by nearly half a trillion dollars. "John Callahan can claim he doesn't know what his own political allies are saying about Social Security, but he can't disavow his support for Medicare cuts," Millan said.

Notes and links:
^1. From Steny Hoyer's Website:
http://majorityleader.gov/media/statements.cfm?pressReleaseID=4293
^2. The Associated Press, 9/27/07

Candidate Callahan vs. Mayor Callahan on cap and trade
Mayor Callahan supports cap and trade, candidate Callahan flip-flops

John Callahan just contradicted himself on a major national issue again. Mayor John Callahan most assuredly supports cap and trade, the national energy tax. Callahan signed his name to the U.S. Conference of Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement. A significant part of that pact is the Mayors' agreement to urge the U.S. Congress to create a "national emission trading system," more commonly known as cap and trade.

Candidate John Callahan declared two days ago that he opposes a "cap and trade" national energy tax because "it would endanger jobs or derail the economy," according to Callahan's campaign manager.¹ So which of Callahan's positions is true?

At a U.S. Conference of Mayors annual meeting in Miami, the Conference adopted the resolution, "City Priorities for a Cap and Trade System," which stated on behalf of the Mayors: "The US Conference of Mayors urges Congress to pass legislation that creates a market for carbon through development of a fair and flexible national cap and trade system." It further declares that "the U.S. Conference of Mayors supports using revenues generated by a cap and trade program to recognize the important role that local governments play in climate protection by channeling some portion of funds generated directly to local governments in support of continued and expanded efforts to reduce emissions." (Links attached below)

Congressman Dent stated succinctly: "Mayor John Callahan wants a national energy tax to pay for more government spending."

When the House of Representatives did pass a Cap and Trade bill, Callahan said nothing. But now he claims to oppose it. Callahan remains a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Did he forget his support for cap and trade, or simply think voters of the Fifteenth district wouldn't notice his contradictory position?

"Is John Callahan going to send his membership card back to the Conference in protest for supporting a program that will 'derail the economy?'" asked Shawn Millan, campaign manager, Charlie Dent for Congress. "If John Callahan now realizes that he was wrong to sign his name to a plan that would be detrimental to the economy, then Callahan should admit that to the people of the Fifteenth District and explain where he really stands on cap and trade."

Notes:
¹ Pennsylvania Avenue, the Morning Call, "Dent, Callahan can agree on this," posted by Nicole Radzievich, June 28, 2010

Links:
Resolution: http://usmayors.org/resolutions/76th_conference/chhs_03.asp
Agreement: http://www.usmayors.org/climateprotection/agreement.htm
Signatories: http://www.usmayors.org/climateprotection/list.asp

John Callahan still silent on cap and trade - a national energy tax

Saturday marked a milestone for John Callahan – the first anniversary of the longest-standing issue he's been ducking - cap and trade. Even though Christmas is six months out, Charlie Dent's campaign thinks Callahan deserves the "lump of coal" award for refusing to discuss America's energy policy.

On June 26, 2009, the House of Representatives narrowly passed a "cap and trade" bill that is in fact a job-killing national energy tax. Charlie Dent continues to stand firmly against this legislation because the entire idea of the bill is to increase Americans' energy costs. Rather than bringing down the cost of alternative and renewable energy, cap and trade would raise the price of traditional energy sources. Pennsylvania and other industrial states would be the hardest hit.

In fact, three of Pennsylvania's five Public Utilities Commissioners wrote the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation saying they expect skyrocketing energy costs and they also predict Pennsylvania would lose 66,000 jobs if the bill were enacted. (view letter here [PDF file])

The people of the Fifteenth District also made their voices known. In the aftermath of the vote, Congressman Charlie Dent listened to constituents who packed his town halls, expressing outrage at the House of Representatives for passing it. Yet in all this time, like so many other issues, Callahan has yet to offer any views on "cap and trade".

The Senate is now planning an energy bill that will likely include a cap and trade provision; the President plans to meet with key Senators to discuss this legislation tomorrow. Callahan has wasted everyone's time in recent weeks. Now it's time for Callahan to say where he stands on the national energy tax called cap and trade, an issue that actually concerns the people of the Fifteenth District.

Continue to Press Releases page 2 »

Callahan still in hiding on how to try terrorists and closing Gitmo

With Democrat Congressional Candidate John Callahan refusing to discuss his views on a controversial mosque to be built near Ground Zero in New York City, Congressman Dent is calling on Callahan once again to stop avoiding the national security question on how to handle terrorists. continue »