Callahan called out by media for false ads on veterans' issues

John Callahan was called out Friday on his false advertisements that distort Charlie Dent's record on veterans' issues. The Allentown Morning Call issued an Ad - Watch has officially noted that most of Callahan's veterans' ads are misleading at best, outright false at worst.

"For John Callahan to manipulate veterans to spread his campaign's falsehoods is reprehensible," Congressman Dent said. "Now that he's been called out for these ads, I call on him to do the right thing and pull them from the air."

Congressman Dent noted that many local veterans and their family members have expressed outrage at Callahan's falsehoods, including several who sent letters to the editor in recent weeks touting Congressman Dent's outstanding record on veterans' issues.

In fact, Congressman Dent has only voted to increase veterans' health care. He's been endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign War political arm and the National Vietnam and Gulf War Veterans' coalition, as well as received high marks from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, all based on his voting record for veterans and military issues.

"I note that there a number of Washington-supported candidates around the country like John Callahan who've used the exact same falsehoods in their ads," Congressman Dent said. "This proves once again that John Callahan is Washington's candidate, not ours.

"In the final days of this campaign, we fully expect Callahan to continue his desperate campaign of distortions. I'll stay focused on the issues. And I believe the voters of this district will see through Callahan."

Link: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/elections/mc-ad-watch-callahan-veterans-20101028,0,2451278.story

Congressman Dent endorsed by regional police unions

BETHLEHEM - Congressman Charlie Dent on Friday accepted the endorsement of state and local police unions, who cited the Congressman's active support of the law enforcement community.

Congressman Dent has been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police Pennsylvania State Lodge; the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association (PSTA); Joseph J. Haggerty Memorial Lodge FOP Lodge #40 of the Pennsylvania State Police; the Allentown Fraternal Order Police Queen City Lodge #10; and the Le-Hampton FOP Lodge #35. The Bethlehem Fraternal Order of Police Star Lodge #20, while it did not formally endorse, announced it wrote a letter of support for the FOP State Lodge endorsement of Charlie Dent.

Representatives of some of the police organizations joined Congressman Dent in downtown Bethlehem for a press conference on Friday. Attending were Steve Fiorillo and Tim Snyder, vice presidents of Allentown FOP; Wade Haubert, president of Bethlehem FOP; and Harry Dannehower, president of the State Police FOP Lodge #40.

Congressman Dent gave the following remarks:

"While I'm always pleased to receive support from various groups and organizations in our community, the support and endorsement of our police officers is of particular pride to me. Along with the endorsements I have received from our veterans - through the VFW political arm - I consider it an honor to be endorsed by those who serve us and keep us safe, both locally and globally. In fact it's no coincidence that a high percentage of police officers are also guardsman and reservists, or are veterans of the military.

"This mindset of service to their fellow man is a quality that unites all who wear the uniform of their country and their community. Police officers have earned the designation we give them - our finest. I have always and will always do my part to make sure our police have the tools they need to do their dangerous and often thankless job.

"In this election, I'm particularly driven by this endorsement. Sadly, my opponent hasn't always been there for his own department here in Bethlehem. John Callahan's first major decision as mayor saw him abandon his support of his officers when they were sued by trial lawyer John Karoly in the Hirko case. As you may recall, at the end of that long ordeal, the officers had actually been acquitted by benefit of a split verdict. But Callahan decided not to accept a hung jury - instead of standing with his officers and declaring their innocence, Mayor Callahan gave Karoly an opportunity to win by a juror vote. As part of the settlement he was forced to negotiate by his own bad judgment, Mayor Callahan even apologized to the girlfriend of a suspected drug dealer on behalf of his officers and Bethlehem's citizens. He allowed an officer's name to be dragged through the mud by John Karoly's public relations machine. And he didn't even get a concession from Karoly to cease any further legal action against Bethlehem officers.

"Callahan's error and bad judgment cost Bethlehem taxpayers over $7 million. The former City Council President Mike Schweder said it was ‘the most stupid decision that anyone had made in his lifetime.' And I agree.

"We as public officials owe our police officers the fullest measure of our support. Our police have our back. I'll do my part to always have theirs. I thank all of you for your service, and for your kind endorsement."

Veterans endorse Charlie Dent for his support of service members

Congressman Charlie Dent today announced he has been endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Political Action Committee (VFW PAC). Congressman Dent made the announcement on Saturday with local veterans and special guest, Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-CA), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee.

VFW PAC issued its endorsement to Congressman Dent "based on (his) strong support for veterans, national security and defense, and military personnel issues," according to its formal endorsement letter.

Democrat candidate John Callahan recently sent a mailed ad that included outright falsehoods about Congressman Dent's record on veterans' issues. In fact Congressman Dent has voted to increase veterans' health programs by 64.3 percent since 2005.

"I'm immensely proud to receive the endorsement of the VFW PAC. Supporting out troops and our veterans is one of the highest obligations I have as a Congressman, and has remained among my highest priorities," Congressman Dent said. "To be once again endorsed by the organization that so fervently represents our fighting men and women, both in the field and when they come home, is a great honor.

"My principal opponent in this race has not been so clear in his priorities. He's been completely false about my record on veterans. Does John Callahan dare proclaim he understands these issues better than the people at the VFW, or of the veterans here with us today?"

Congressman Dent noted that the health care law enacted this year, which Callahan supported and Congressman Dent voted against, included taxes on medical devices such as prosthetics used by injured veterans.

"Republicans have a strong record of supporting our veterans and their families by improving education opportunities, health care, job training, and mental health services," Congressman McKeon said. "Charlie's record shows he is a leader on these issues, particularly healthcare, and the VFW PAC's recent endorsement reflects his dedication to our nation's veterans."

Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX), who was not in attendance, offered his commentary on Callahan's attack ads: "The baseless attacks against Congressman Dent are an outrage. As a seven-year Prisoner of War in Vietnam, I find his opponent's attacks offensive and untrue. In fact, I voted the same way Congressman Dent did. The reality is a vote for Charlie Dent is a vote against Speaker Pelosi and the out-of-touch, off-course White House. This Administration wanted wounded warriors to pay for their own care. Charlie Dent knows better than that and stood up against the President's absurd idea."

Callahan's economic plan is creating jobs - in China

The failure of the Obama-Pelosi Stimulus to boost the economy and create American jobs is evident. More than 3.6 million American jobs have been lost since the Stimulus became law. Unemployment, which was 7 percent at the time of the Stimulus, has remained above 9 percent for 16 consecutive months. Today, unemployment is at 9.6 percent and nearly

15 million Americans are looking for work. Even so, John Callahan still sings the Stimulus' praises.

Now, it is becoming apparent that some Stimulus funds, intended to "create or save" jobs through tax breaks for renewable energy projects, are benefitting foreign companies, creating jobs overseas.

In a Sept. 9, 2010, article, the Washington Times reported $2.3 billion of manufacturing tax credits from the economic stimulus bill went to foreign firms that employed workers primarily in countries like China, South Korea and Spain, rather than in the United States.

The article further reported that 11 U.S. wind farms used stimulus grants to purchase 695 out of 982 wind turbines from overseas suppliers. ¹

This followed a February 2010 ABC News report, done in conjunction with American University's Investigative Reporting Workshop, which noted that these projects received Stimulus money "regardless of where the equipment is made."²

"John Callahan supports a Stimulus that didn't help American workers, but instead helped foreign companies create jobs in China, one of our nation's greatest economic competitors" said Congressman Charlie Dent.

"While he supports sending tax dollars to create foreign jobs, John Callahan continues to support policies that kill jobs here in America, including higher taxes, more government mandates and unsustainable spending increases."

NOTES:
¹ Patrice Hill, "‘Green' jobs no longer golden in stimulus," Washington Times, Sept. 9, 2010
² "Green Stimulus Jobs going to China?," ABC News, Feb. 2, 2009, http://abcnews.go.com
Full report by the Investigative Reporting Workshop (cited in the above stories) here: http://investigativereportingworkshop.org

John Callahan continues false claim of "balanced budgets" while he supports the Washington spending agenda

Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan has been contradicted by his city's auditor, by his predecessor and political mentor, and by the local press, but candidate Callahan still makes false claims about his fiscal management of Bethlehem in his campaign literature.

Callahan's Web site claims that he "balanced the budget four years in row without raising taxes." He's produced six budgets as mayor. In his first two budgets, 2005 and 2006, Callahan raised property taxes, included the single largest tax increase in 20 years. More recently, city auditors discovered that Callahan's budget ended up $2.7 million in deficit in 2008, a figure which grew to a total $8.5 million by the end of 2009.

Callahan has left millions of dollars in unpaid bills and moved money from various city funds illegally, without Council approval, to cover payments.

And Callahan has increased spending by 54 percent in those six years.

Callahan's record of fiscal mismanagement is important because he promises to do the same thing in Washington that he did in Bethlehem. Callahan has endorsed the Washington agenda that has increased baseline federal spending by $4.4 trillion in 31 months; produced an annual deficit of nearly $1.4 trillion this year; doubles the deficit in five years and triples it in ten years; and has given American taxpayers an $862 billion failed Stimulus bill and an unsustainable $2.6 trillion health care program.

"John Callahan needs to come clean about his record in Bethlehem and his plan to increase spending and raise your taxes," said Congressman Charlie Dent. "If John Callahan can't be truthful about his own record, he can't be trusted on his plans for Washington."

Source Notes:
- Callahan campaign Web site: http://www.callahanforcongress.com/ShowPage.asp?Page=AboutJohn
- City finance stories: Morning Call 8-11-2010, Express Times 8-12-2010, Morning Call 8-19-2010
- Former Mayor Don Cunningham's comments: Morning Call 8-31-10 and Morning Call PA Avenue Blog 9-1-2010.

Callahan's 'jobs plan' has no point

Following the first debate in the Fifteenth Congressional district race, Democrat John Callahan's "five-point plan" has been revealed to be a big tax increase on American manufacturers who export products, to pay for a plan that will be completely ineffective in creating jobs.

Aside from becoming confused on the five points while explaining his "real simple plan" on Monday night, Callahan claims that his plan would:

1. "Eliminate tax loopholes for corporations that outsource our jobs overseas or use off-shore accounts to avoid paying their fair share," but in reality Callahan supports a tax that will be placed on ALL American-based businesses that do business overseas. The National Association of Manufacturers says this tax "will jeopardize the jobs of American manufacturing employees and stifle our fragile economy." ¹

2. "Provide tax credits for small businesses that hire new employees," but the $1,000 tax credit he suggests is an idea dismissed by small business organizations as being completely useless in creating jobs. ²

3. "Make college more affordable and job training more available," which is something everyone supports, but thanks to Callahan's tax increases, more people will be going back to school because they're out of work.

4. "Cut wasteful spending and reduce the national debt in order to reassure financial markets," but Callahan has fully endorsed the Washington agenda that produced an annual deficit of nearly $1.4 trillion this year, doubles the deficit in five years and triples it in ten years; an $862 Stimulus bill and a $2.6 trillion health care program.

5. "Cut the red tape and bureaucracy that holds small businesses back," but Callahan endorsed the "1099 provision" of the health care law that the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) calls "another crippling paperwork mandate that unfairly targets small businesses," costing employers an average $74 per hour for tax paperwork. ³

Callahan's "jobs plan" last year was to support the failed Stimulus bill that has seen a loss of 3.6 million jobs since it became law. Unemployment, which was 7 percent at the time of the Stimulus, has remained above 9 percent for 16 consecutive months. Today, unemployment is at 9.6 percent and nearly 15 million Americans are looking for jobs.

"Talk is cheap - John Callahan's actions speak louder than his feeble words," Congressman Dent said. "Callahan's 'plan' is the same failed policy that is coming out of Washington - and it isn't putting anyone back to work."

Notes:
¹ http://www.nam.org/~/media/F7D94DFB3DE843C683BDFEBB720CBE44
/International_taxes_SA_4567.pdf

² http://www.nfib.com/press-media/press-media-item?cmsid=54551

³ http://www.nfib.com/press-media/newsroom-article/cmsid/52010

Video:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Dent4Congress#p/a/u/1/jFPZSPGiimw

Congressman Returns From Middle East Trip

Congressman Charlie Dent, who represents the Lehigh Valley and part of Berks County, is back on U.S. soil following a security-focused trip to the Middle East.

The Congressman visited Pakistan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Georgia.

Now, Dent is making some digs at U.S. policy.

After spending a week in the region, the Congressman said he now questions the president's plan to draw down troops in Afghanistan next summer.

Dent said he's pleased with the overall situation on the ground in Afghanistan.

"I've been generally supportive of the president's Afghan counterinsurgency strategy, minus this timeline," said Dent.

The president has said the U.S. will begin a transition to Afghan responsibility next July.

Dent said that timeline, even though it may be conditions-based, has created a lot of confusion both here and there.

"The signal it sends in Afghanistan and Pakistan is they see that as well, looks like the Americans are gonna run," said Dent. "And so they're planning for an Afghanistan after the Americans leave."

Dent's tour of the Middle East was part of a bipartisan trip that included meetings with numerous high-ranking officials, including Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General David Petraeus, commander of the U.S. forces in Afghanistan, and Karl Eikenberry, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan.

Dent said one big worry he walked away with was the Pakistani government's reluctance to deal with insurgencies.

"The Haqqani network has been going after American forces and coalition forces in Afghanistan," said Dent.

The Haqqani network is believed to be based in Pakistan.

"It seems that the Pakistani government has just not been aggressive in dealing with that threat," said Dent. "We're gonna probably have to engage this diplomatically."

Despite the ongoing threat from insurgents in Afghanistan, Dent believes the U.S. is making some progress.

The question is how quickly can it be done.

This was the Congressman's second trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan

1. WFMZ-TV 69 News "Congressman Returns From Middle East Trip "
September 14, 2010 by Joscelyn Moes

Dent Hears Concerns of Small Business Leaders During Informative Roundtable Discussion

BETHLEHEM, PA -- U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15) today participated in a roundtable discussion with local small business leaders in Allentown. Conversation at the event, organized by Lehigh Valley members of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), focused on ways Congress can help reinvigorate the American economy by supporting small business growth.

"Clearly, our nation will depend on small businesses to jump start our economic recovery," Dent explained. "I learned today that many of these businesses are eager to expand, but hesitant to invest in their own growth because today's economic environment is dominated by a sense of uncertainty. Congress has unfortunately contributed to this uncertainty by failing to address the looming tax increases, imposing burdensome new mandates and spending beyond our means."

Participants in the discussion expressed concern over the impending expiration of tax provisions that have helped them invest greater resources into the development of their businesses. Congressional leaders, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, have not committed to extending current tax relief provisions that are set to expire on January 1, 2011, worrying many small business leaders that they may soon face devastating tax increases on top of taxes and other costs imposed by the health care law.

In addition to expressing his support for extending current tax relief provisions, Dent discussed other ways he believes Congress can help local businesses grow, including passing two bills he has cosponsored:

* H.R. 5554, the Small Business Assistance and Relief Act, would help small business owners dedicate greater resources to hiring employees, purchasing new equipment, and conducting innovative research, while reducing the excessive amount of time they devote to completing paperwork created by onerous federal mandates.

* H.R. 5109, the Small Business Bill of Rights, would provide additional tax relief by eliminating capital gains on small business stock for 10 years, implementing a 5 year small business exemption from the harmful death tax, and providing the same tax advantages large employers receive for purchasing health insurance to self-employed individuals.

Dent also touted his support for efforts to increase tax deductions associated with start-up expenses for new businesses . These proposals include increasing the deduction from the current level of $5,000 to $20,000 and increasing the phase-out threshold at which deductions would begin to be reduced from $50,000 to $75,000.

1. Trading Market.com "Dent Hears Concerns of Small Business Leaders During Informative Roundtable Discussion"
September 10, 2010 by Nicole Ractzievich

Dent, Callahan launch first TV ads

Congressman Charlie Dent and Democratic challenger John Callahan on Friday began airing their first television ads against each other in their hard-fought battle to represent the Lehigh Valley.

Dent's ad shows Callahan, the mayor of Bethlehem, pitching a sales tax proposal in 2009. The proposal would have allowed counties to boost the sales tax to bring in more money, broaden the revenue stream and lower real estate taxes.

Callahan's ad identifies himself as a champion of Main Street and ties Dent, a Republican, to Wall Street. Dent's commercial defines Callahan as a tax-and-spend Democrat.

The video on Dent's ad highlights the part where Callahan uses the words "tax increase."

"There's politics here. Right?" Callahan tells municipal officials on the video. "We all recognize that this is after all sort of perceived as a tax increase. We're trying to give everyone adequate cover."

The ad also notes Callahan has raised real estate taxes four times. He proposed increases twice as mayor and voted for two as city councilman.

Callahan's commercial features the mayor walking down the bricked sidewalk of historic Bethlehem's Main Street, touting the 5,000 jobs that were created in the city while he was in office. Then Callahan points out Dent voted for the $850 million Wall Street bailout and other policies Callahan defines as "job-killing."

"Congressman Dent works for Wall Street," Callahan says on the ad. "I'm John Callahan. I approved this message because I'll get results on Main Street."

Both commercials are being aired on local television station WFMZ and cable channels.

Friday was the 60-day mark before the Nov. 2 general election. That's the first day on which broadcasters offer the lowest market rates for political ads.

Some political analysts say this could be Dent's most hard-fought re-election bid in the 15th District. An April poll, including independent Jake Towne, showed Dent leading Callahan 38 percent to 27 percent, with Towne getting 4 percent. At the time, one in three voters were undecided.

1. The Morning Call "Dent, Callahan launch first TV ads "
September 03, 2010 by Nicole Ractzievich

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

Continue to Press Releases page 2 »

Callahan called out by media for false ads on veterans' issues

BETHLEHEM - John Callahan was called out Friday on his false advertisements that distort Charlie Dent's record on veterans' issues. The Allentown Morning Call issued an Ad - Watch has officially noted that most of Callahan's veterans' ads are misleading at best, outright false at worst.

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