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Altmire touts conservative credentials
Congressman Jason Altmire (D-4) last week was hyping an independent study that describes his voting record as right-of-center, underscoring that the sophomore Democrat seems to have escaped a serious primary challenge and can begin looking to his right flank.
In an e-mail Friday, Altmire’s office highlighted a study by the National Journal, which found his voting record to be more conservative than that of 53.5 percent of his House colleagues. The study evaluated 92 different key votes in economic, social and foreign policy to formulate its ratings.
“Altmire has repeatedly voted against his party’s leadership on key issues,” his office said, “including cap and trade and health care reform.”
Altmire faces a likely general election challenge from former U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan. While there had been threats of a primary challenge after he was one of only two House Democrats in Pennsylvania to vote against health care reform legislation last year, no viable candidates have emerged to challenge him for the party’s nomination. Republicans Keith Rothfus and John Vinsick are also running.
Rothfus’ campaign quickly fired back at Altmire, saying he’s nothing but a liberal.
“Rarely has a news release from a political candidate had less to do with reality than the one issued today by Congressman Jason Altmire citing a National Journal report that placed him at the ideological midpoint of the House of Representatives,” Rothfus said in a statement. “Jason Altmire voted for Obama’s massive spending bill at the beginning of last year, for a second ‘stimulus’ at the end of the year, voted to raise taxes, and has yet to explain whether he opposes on principle a government takeover of health care. He is neither ‘right of center’ nor a centrist of any kind—just one more ambitious Washington liberal.”
February 28, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Tags: Jason Altmire, John Vinsick, Keith Rothfus, Mary Beth Buchanan, PA-4
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Brett
Feb 28th, 2010
Good you are conservative, conservative Mr. Altmire,But what do you stand for??
Rob
Mar 1st, 2010
He stands for reelection, and his own reflection. That’s it. An empty suit.
Rightgirlinbucks
Mar 1st, 2010
Sorry, Jason. The National Taxpayer’s Union gave you a failing grade (“F”) and you rated at the top of the PA’s Congressional delegation as a “big spender” of our tax money. You and Patrick Murphy continue to claim that you are “Blue Dogs” but your voting record doesn’t bear that out in any way shape or form. We aren’t stupid…we know how to read and look at your record and ratings.
Progressive
Mar 1st, 2010
The National Taxpayer’s Union only gives passing grades to Republicans – they are ‘independent’ but believe in a Repbulican ideology.
Mr. Rothfus: When did Altmire vote to raise taxes? Just another Repulican lie about taxes.
Dana
Mar 3rd, 2010
As a native resident in Lawrence county residing in Southern China. I have not been impressed when I contacted Cong. Altmire office last year to address concerns about a couple of issue’s. I had to contact the Aliquippa, Pa office. Basically, the staff member from Cong. Altmire Aliquippa office, emailed the D.C. office and basically stated that she is crazy in another language. I sent the email and to date never did they follow up only informing me that they don’t get involved with issues related to China (lol). Thank God for the justice system here…I ended up lodging a complaint and the high courts ruled in my favor. I won’t go into details about the complaint. Cong. Altmire could have sent a letter of inquiry regarding my concerns as they affect many people.
He will not get my vote and those of you who reside abroad and/or are in the military you will be treated the same way. From my experience they only deal with domestic issues. I wonder why so many people from the state of PA have moved to other States. I guess he does not undertand about the “Global Economy”. Can someone tell me why did they have the G20 summit in Pittsburgh…if the elected officials in Western PA does not feel a need to get involved with issues that indirectly affect Americans abroad.
Respectfully,
Dana
mike hogan
Mar 11th, 2010
what did altmire do before politics someone please post.