The Tolbert Report

The Democratic Primary between Sen. Blanche Lincoln and Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter continues to go back and forth today on the issue of unions. It started with Lincoln for Senate issuing the following statement on Friday…

“Typically, Bill doesn’t have the courage to attack Senator Lincoln under his own name,” said Steve Patterson, Lincoln for Senate Campaign Manager. “He allows a front group formed a few days ago by national labor unions to do his dirty work. When the ad states that Senator Lincoln is ‘not for us,’ it is true that Senator Lincoln answers to Arkansas, not to the national labor unions.

“Arkansans aren’t going to be fooled. While Bill postures against special interests, he strikes a shady deal with some of the most powerful special interests in Washington who agreed to use workers’ dues to repay his outstanding debt from his last campaign, and carry out his attacks on Senator Lincoln.” (Full release on the jump.)

Halter for Senate fires right back saying that Lincoln was being “untruthful” in her statement.

“Blanche Lincoln is once again not being truthful with Arkansans. Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter nor his campaign had any knowledge of this ad and, in fact, it would have been illegal for our campaign to have had knowledge,” said Bud Jackson, Halter for Senate Campaign Manager. “Lincoln has also once again falsely asserted that a union has retired the lieutenant governor’s previous campaign debt. Public records reflect that this assertion is a lie and that a debt remains. Since Blanche Lincoln feels so strongly that the working men and women of Arkansas should not be allowed to contribute to the political process, we hereby challenge her to return the more than $500,000 in contributions she has taken from unions for over a decade. It is quite telling that she only complains about union money when she is no longer receiving it along with the support of the working men and women they represent. (Full release on the jump.)

Lincoln for Senate responded today to the Halter for Senate response saying who’s lying?

“This isn’t a case of he said, she said,” Patterson said. “The evidence shows that he cut a deal with a national labor union and Bill’s own spokesman acknowledged it.” (Full release on the jump.)

So let me cut through the spin and see what we know. The fact is that the Service Employees International Union PAC made a contribution of $6,000 on December 21, 2009 to help retire $444,189.33 of debt Bill Halter owed for his 2006 lieutenant governor campaign. On the one hand, this was only about 1.3% of his outstanding debt but on the other hand it was as much as they were legally allowed to give. At the time Jon Youngdahl, the director of the SEIU PAC, told the AP this was because of Halter “bright political future.”

Did they help him with his debt to try to get him to run for the U.S. Senate against Lincoln? I think that is a safe assumption. But it was not an amount anywhere close to the nearly half million in total debt Halter owned. As usual, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

From Lincoln for Senate

 

“Typically, Bill doesn’t have the courage to attack Senator Lincoln under his own name,” Patterson said.  “He allows a front group formed a few days ago by national labor unions to do his dirty work.  When the ad states that Senator Lincoln is ‘not for us,’ it is true that Senator Lincoln answers to Arkansas, not to the national labor unions.
 
“Arkansans aren’t going to be fooled.  While Bill postures against special interests, he strikes a shady deal with some of the most powerful special interests in Washington who agreed to use workers’ dues to repay his outstanding debt from his last campaign, and carry out his attacks on Senator Lincoln.”
 
The ad attacks Senator Lincoln’s stand on trade, credit card companies and the Wall Street bailout.

Senator Lincoln is proud of her record to create and save jobs for Arkansans and she’s voted at least 17 times to reduce corporate tax breaks or close corporate tax loopholes.  She’s also voted to repeal tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and supported tax incentives for companies who keep jobs in the U.S.
 
“Bill’s been running for higher office since he landed back in Arkansas a few years ago,” Patterson said.  “The one job he’s most interested in creating is his own.” 
 
Senator Lincoln stood up for Arkansas workers who produce billions of dollars of merchandise and agricultural products  when she supported free trade measures.   Almost without exception, the countries with whom we have completed Free Trade Agreements have increased their imports of U.S. agricultural commodities since those agreements first entered into force.  With 270,000 Arkansans employed in producing food and fiber, that export growth has been crucial to our economy.
 
Senator Lincoln’s support of the North American Free Trade Agreement made way for U.S. agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico to triple since NAFTA’s passage.

And in the few years since the Central American Free Trade Agreement entered into force, U.S. agricultural exports to those trading partners have more than doubled, from $1.8 billion to $3.7 billion, while many of its market access provisions for U.S. products have not even taken full effect yet.  Rice is the third largest bulk commodity export from the U.S. into our CAFTA partner markets, valued at $261million in 2008.
 
In 2000, Senator Lincoln voted in favor of normalizing trade relations with China.  Since that time, U.S. agricultural exports to that country exploded from $1.7 billion in 2000 to more than $13 billion in 2009.  Soybeans and cotton are two of the largest beneficiaries from this expansion, both of which are produced in abundance here in Arkansas.  In fact, in 2009, China imported more soybeans, largely from the United States, than all the other importing countries combined.
 
Further, Senator Lincoln’s support for normal trade relations with China established rules that made it possible for her to force the Obama Administration to increase tariffs on Chinese tire imports that were threatening 1,700 jobs at Cooper Tire in Texarkana in 2009.
 
Last year, Senator Lincoln helped pass the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights to stop unfair rate increases and excessive fees by credit card banks.
 
The Wall Street financial bailout did have strings attached.  That’s what made it possible for Senator Lincoln to vote against giving more money to Wall Street banks and force executives to give up their bonuses.  Earlier this year she voted to terminate the TARP program and use repaid funds to reduce the deficit.

 

Claim	Reality
“For 15 years, our tax dollars have paid Blanche Lincoln’s salary…” [Ad, Arkansans for Change]	Senator Lincoln has consistently voted to deny herself a pay raise. [Vote #95, 3/10/2009; Vote #19, 1/18/2007; Vote #256, 10/18/2005; Vote #406, 10/23/2003; Vote #242, 11/13/2002; #360, 12/7/2001; Vote #253, 9/20/2000]
Senator Lincoln “voted for trade deals that sent Arkansas jobs overseas.” [Ad, Arkansans for Change]	Senator Lincoln Has Repeatedly Stood Up to Protect Workers Whose Jobs are Sent Overseas and To Repeal Tax Privileges for Companies Who Profit From Outsourcing. [Vote #63, 3/17/2005; Vote #83, 5/5/2004; Vote #80, 5/4/2004; Vote #41, 3/11/2004; #32, 3/4/2004] Senator Lincoln Successfully Pressured President to Provide Relief to Domestic Tire Industry Workers and Keep Arkansas Jobs. In 2009, Senator Lincoln successfully lobbied President Obama to increase tariffs on tire imports from China to provide relief to domestic tire industry workers and protecting 1,700 jobs in Texarkana, AR. [Lincoln Press Release, 6/29/2009; Reuters, 9/11/2009; Texarkana Gazette, 6/3/2009]
Senator Lincoln “helped credit card companies tear up consumer protections.” [Ad, Arkansans for Change]	Lincoln Helped Pass Legislation to Rein in Credit Card Companies With Much-Needed Reform. In 2009, Senator Lincoln helped to pass the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights, meant to put a stop to unfair rate increases and excessive fees. Lincoln said, “Enough is enough,” with the credit card companies’ unfair practices that have lead “to an inescapable state of debt for working families already struggling through the economic crisis.” [Senate Vote #194, 5/19/2009; Lincoln Press Release, 5/19/2009] Bill Was Praised By Consumer Groups. Said Travis Plunkett of the Consumer Federation of America, “This is probably the strongest piece of consumer legislation to pass Congress in a decade.” [New York Daily News, 5/21/2009]
“Senator Lincoln voted to spend our money bailing out Wall Street Banks – no strings attached.” [Ad, Arkansans for Change]	Lincoln Voted Against Authorizing Further Funds for Wall Street Bailout. In 2009, Senator Lincoln voted for a resolution disapproving of the Troubled Asset Relief Program that would have prevented the release of $350 billion in bailout funds. Lincoln argued, “The program has provided little to no benefit to mainstream American businesses, consumers or homeowners. [Senate Vote #5, 1/15/2009; Lincoln Press Release, 1/15/2009] Lincoln Voted To Terminate the Failed Troubled Asset Relief Program. In 2010, Lincoln voted for an amendment to terminate the Troubled Asset Relief Program and that the repayed funds be used to pay down the debt. [Senate Vote #2, 1/21/2010] Senator Lincoln Introduced Bill to Stop Recycling of TARP Funds. In 2009, Senator Lincoln introduced a bill that “would require any TARP funds returned to the U.S. Department of the Treasury to be placed in the general fund in order to pay down the nation’s debt.” [Lincoln Press Release, 6/12/2009]
“Tell Senator Lincoln to stop protecting Wall Street at the expense of the middle class. Arkansas families can’t afford it any longer.” [Ad, Arkansans for Change]	Lincoln Helped Senate to Pass Largest Middle Class Tax Cut in History. In 2009, Lincoln helped to pass the economic stimulus bill into law, which included “tax breaks to benefit…about 120 million households.” [Washington Post, 4/16/2009; Senate Vote #64, 2/13/2009]

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From Halter for Senate

 

Blanche Lincoln Being Untruthful

HALTER CHALLENGES HER TO RETURN OVER $500,000 IN UNION CONTRIBUTIONS

LINCOLN BEING UNTRUTHFUL-

HALTER CHALLENGES HER TO RETURN OVER $500,000

Statement from Halter Campaign spokesperson, Bud Jackson:

“Blanche Lincoln is once again not being truthful with Arkansans.  Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter nor his campaign had any knowledge of this ad and, in fact, it would have been illegal for our campaign to have had knowledge.

Lincoln has also once again falsely asserted that a union has retired the lieutenant governor’s previous campaign debt.  Public records reflect that this assertion is a lie and that a debt remains.

Since Blanche Lincoln feels so strongly that the working men and women of Arkansas should not be allowed to contribute to the political process, we hereby challenge her to return the more than $500,000 in contributions she has taken from unions for over a decade.  It is quite telling that she only complains about union money when she is no longer receiving it along with the support of the working men and women they represent.

Blanche Lincoln’s actions reflect the hypocrisy Arkansans continue to see from people who go to Washington and put the needs of special interests ahead of the people. 

Blanche Lincoln’s blatantly false assertions are obviously a shameful attempt to draw attention away from her record of taking millions of dollars from Wall Street and big banks, voting to give them taxpayer-funded bailouts, while turning a cold shoulder to the working men and women back home.”

THE FACTS ON BLANCHE LINCOLN AND ORGANIZED LABOR

 FACT: Since 2000, Blanche Lincoln has taken more than $580,000 in labor money.  A chart of PAC money is below.   (National Center for Responsive Politics)

Name	Amount	Cycle
AFL-CIO	$1,000	2008
AFL-CIO	$5,000	2004
AFL-CIO Bldg/Construction Trades Dept	$2,500	2008
AFL-CIO Bldg/Construction Trades Dept	$3,000	2004
AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Dept	$1,000	2004
AFSCME	$2,000	2010
AFSCME	$1,000	2008
AFSCME	$9,000	2004
AFSCME	$1,000	2002
Air Lines Pilots Assn	$10,000	2004
Amalgamated Transit Union	$7,500	2004
American Federation of Govt Employees	$4,000	2004
American Federation of Musicians	$5,000	2004
American Federation of Teachers	$9,000	2004
American Federation of Teachers	$1,000	2002
American Maritime Officers	$4,000	2004
American Maritime Officers	$1,000	2000
American Maritime Officers Retirees Assn	$1,000	2004
American Postal Workers Union	$10,000	2004
Assn of Flight Attendants	$1,000	2004
Assn of Professional Flight Attendants	$500	2004
Boilermakers Union	$10,000	2004
Bricklayers Union	$7,000	2004
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers	$1,000	2010
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers	$2,000	2004
Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen	$2,000	2004
CWA	$3,500	2010
CWA	$5,000	2008
CWA	$3,500	2004
CWA	$1,000	2002
Directors Guild of America	$10,000	2008
Directors Guild of America	$14,000	2002
Directors Guild of America	$1,000	2000
Hotel/Restaurant Employees Intl Union	$2,500	2002
Hotel/Restaurant Employees Intl Union	$2,000	2000
IAFF	$5,000	2004
IBEW	$6,000	2010
IBEW	$7,500	2004
Int’l Alliance Theatrical Stage Employees	$2,000	2004
Int’l Alliance Theatrical Stage Employees	$1,500	2002
Int’l Assn of Fire Fighters	$2,500	2010
Int’l Longshoremens Assn	$1,500	2004
Ironworkers Union	$5,000	2004
Ironworkers Union	$4,000	2002
Ironworkers Union	$1,000	2000
Laborers Union	$10,000	2004
Marine Engineer Beneficial Assn/Dist 1	$1,000	2004
Marine Engineer Beneficial Assn/Dist 4	$1,500	2004
Masters, Mates & Pilots Union	$3,000	2004
Nat’l Air Traffic Controller’s Assoc.	$1,000	2010
Nat’l Air Traffic Controller’s Assoc.	$1,000	2008
Nat’l Air Traffic Controller’s Assoc.	$10,000	2004
Nat’l Assn of Letter Carriers	$7,500	2004
Nat’l Assn of Letter Carriers	$1,000	2000
Nat’l Assn of Postal Supervisors	$1,000	2004
Nat’l assn of Postmasters	$7,000	2004
Nat’l Assn Retired Federal Employees	$6,000	2004
Nat’l Rural Letter Carriers Assn.	$1,000	2010
Nat’l Rural Letter Carriers Assn.	$10,000	2004
National Treasury Employees Union	$5,000	2004
NEA	$2,000	2010
NEA	$9,800	2004
NEA	$200	2002
Office & Professional Employees Union	$1,000	2004
Operating Engineers Union	$5,000	2010
Operating Engineers Union	$5,000	2004
Operating Engineers Union	$2,000	2002
Painters & Allied Trades Union	$1,000	2004
Pro. Airay Systems Specialists	$1,000	2010
Professional Airways Systems Specialists	$5,000	2004
Seafarers Int’l Union	$3,000	2002
Seafers Int’l Union	$2,000	2004
SEIU	$7,500	2010
SEIU	$10,000	2004
Sheet Metal Workers Union	$2,500	2004
Sheet Metal Workers Union	$2,500	2500
Teamsters Union	$2,500	2002
Trans. Comm. Union	$7,000	2004
Transport Workers Union	$6,500	2004
UFCW Union	$10,000	2004
UNITE HERE	$5,000	2004
United Mine Workers	$2,000	2004
United Mine Workers	$1,000	2002
United Steelworkers of America	$2,500	2002
United Transportation Union	$5,000	2010
United Transportation Union	$10,000	2004

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 From Lincoln for Senate

Who is Lying about retiring Bill Halter’s campaign debt?

Halter spokesman: Halter “is thankful for the SEIU’s support.”

Little Rock – Bill Halter is trying to run from the fact that a national labor union has pledged to retire his nearly half-a-million campaign debt on the backs of workers, a fact his campaign calls a “lie.” The facts speak for themselves, so who is lying about retiring Bill’s campaign debt?

“This isn’t a case of he said, she said,” Lincoln campaign manager Steve Patterson said. “The evidence shows that he cut a deal with a national labor union and Bill’s own spokesman acknowledged it.”

FACT: Halter met with national labor group in Washington, DC. “SEIU has met with Bill Halter, and finds him to be a great voice for working families with an extremely bright political future,” said Jon Youngdahl, the union’s national political director. “That’s why we’ve solicited contributions to retire his campaign debt and support his re-election campaign.” [Associated Press, 12/18/2009]

FACT: A major labor union said Friday it will help retire the 2006 campaign debt of Arkansas Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, a Democrat who’s been touted as a potential primary challenger to U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln next year. The Service Employees International Union said it is soliciting contributions to retire the debt along with the help of other labor unions. Halter reported in October that his campaign still owed him more than $444,000 that he had loaned it. [Associated Press, 12/18/2009]

FACT: One of the nation’s largest labor unions, the Service Employees International Union, said Friday that it is soliciting donations, with the help of other labor unions, to help Halter retire his campaign debt from his 2006 run for lieutenant governor. In the quarter ended Sept. 30, Halter reported raising $3,000 for his 2006 primary, runoff and general election campaigns as he reduced his collective campaign debt to $444,189. Halter spokesman Bud Jackson said Halter “is thankful for the SEIU’s support. He continues to focus on his reelection.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 12/19/2009]

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