| District | Name | Party | Ban Taxpayer Funded Abortion |
| 1 | Ryan, Paul | R | Yea |
| 2 | Baldwin, Tammy | D | Nay |
| 3 | Kind, Ron | D | Nay |
| 4 | Moore, Gwen | D | Nay |
| 5 | Sensenbrenner, F. James | R | Yea |
| 6 | Petri, Thomas | R | Yea |
| 7 | Duffy, Sean P. | R | Yea |
| 8 | Ribble, Reid | R | Yea |
 | |
| Ron Kind has gotten a pass from moderates in Western Wisconsin because his abortion record has not been brought to the table. |
Yesterday, when the House Ways and Means Committee approved a bill to stop a means of taxpayer funding of abortions, one congressman made an assertion that a pro-life group is taking to task.LifeNews
The committee voted for a bill to prevent a number of federal tax credits and tax deductions from being used for abortion, or for health plans that cover abortion, but contains exceptions for abortions sought in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.
During debate, one member of the committee, Rep. Ron Kind, a Wisconsin Democrat, indicated that he opposed the bill in part because it “could lead to some very perverse unintended consequences,” specifically, that women would falsely accuse boyfriends or husbands of rape in order to continue to qualify for a tax-subsidized abortion.
Kind told Thomas A. Barthold, chief of staff for the Joint Committee on Taxation:
Well, Mr. Barthold, one of my fears of what’s before us today is that it could lead to some very perverse unintended consequences — almost encouraging low-income women, that would have this benefit denied from them, to file false claims of rape — whether it’s against a boyfriend, whether it’s against an acquaintance, perhaps even a husband — in order to avoid, you know, the consequences that this legislation, the financial consequences that this legislation would bring. And I’m not quite sure how many of my colleagues on the other side have just thought through those unintended results — the filing of false issues like that.Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), who was present at the committee meeting, offered the following comments to LifeNews.com:
“It’s not a new thing for Congressman Ron Kind to vote to support federal tax subsidies for abortion on demand, as he did again on March 31 — but he came up with a new argument, that he fears that women will file false rape claims against boyfriends or husbands, in order to qualify for tax-subsidized abortion. It is true that some taxpayers of both sexes sometimes tell lies, but does Kind really believe that lots of women will falsely accuse their intimate associates of a serious crime, in order to get a tax-subsidized abortion? He seems to assume a high level of dishonesty and a low level of common sense among the low-income women to whom he refers, presumably including those residing in his own district. We think it would show more sincerity on Kind’s part if he just admitted that he wants to vote to please the pro-abortion activist groups that favor federal subsidies for elective abortion, and stop trying to hide behind ludicrous arguments like this one.”Rep. Kind has served in the House since 1997, during which time he has been present for roll call votes on major pro-life issues, scored by NRLC, on 92 occasions. Kind has voted on the pro-life side only 9 percent of the time.
H.R. 1232 was approved by the Ways and Means Committee by a vote of 22-14, with Rep. Kind voting “no.” H.R. 1232 will be combined with a broader bill to permanently prohibit federal funding of abortion, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 3).
Contact Kind at https://kind.house.gov//index.cfm?sectionid=18§iontree=18
Kind had harsh words for his opponent Tuesday night, calling the attacks desperate campaigning by a desperate candidate.So much for Mr. Nice Guy. Can you say sore winner. #1 it's politics. #2 you're a politician. Funny, lets look at how Ron Kind went about his campaign:
“Take a look at who he surrounded himself with. I expected this kind of last-minute assassination on my integrity and my character,” Kind said. “For him to take such a low road, I think he’s made a pact with the devil that he’s going to have to live with for a long time.”
In an open letter to Kind after the state Democratic Party accused Kapanke of money laundering[to pay for lights at a city owned ballpark], Kapanke urged his opponent to stay above the fray so they can greet each other in church on good terms.In contrast, here's what Kapanke had to say about Kind
Yet the campaigns unfolded decidedly negative.
Kind says Kapanke's unprovoked letter to the editor Sept. 5, which accuses Kind of mudslinging, shouldn't be mistaken for the opening bell.
"From day one, given Sen. Kapanke's website, his campaign has been nothing but slash-and-burn politics against me[He's the 2 million dollar victim I guess]," he said. "Although he wasn't buying TV and radio, that campaign was certainly doing everything they could to attack me." [Kind outspent Kapanke 4-1]
That letter dragged him into the fight, Kind said. Kapanke was assailing him, rather than taking responsibility for his ethics breach.
"Dan's had some problems that he's had to resolve, and then he turned around and made me part of the story. That was uncalled for," Kind said. "That was going too far." [I think support for taxpayer funded abortions is a real ethical breach, doncha think?]
"This isn't about Ron Kind as a person. I know his family. I like his family, which is why I've stayed really focused on the issues. If I was happy with the job Ron was doing, I probably wouldn't be doing this. A couple votes here and there, I wouldn't run," Kapanke said.And the State Assembly and Senate are now in the hands in Republicans.
In contests that drew national attention, Democrats lost control of both the state Assembly and Senate in Tuesday's voting, giving Republicans control of all of state government for the first time since 1998.A good morning. Get ready to work elephants.
The stunning victory amid high unemployment and economic turmoil in the state represented the first time a political party had won both houses of the Legislature in a single day of voting since 1938, when Republicans swept out the waning Progressive Party.
The new GOP majorities will have the potential power to pass tax and spending cuts sought by Governor-elect Scott Walker as well as redraw the lines of political districts to make it easier to elect Republican congressional and legislative candidates. But they also face the challenge of balancing a $3 billion budget deficit projected for the next two years.
In a key Senate race, Rep. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) defeated freshman Sen. Jim Sullivan (D-Wauwatosa) in the 5th District. Adding to the sting, Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Wausau) and Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville) both conceded their re-election battles.
Kind has done some good things, such as challenging wasteful farm subsidies and pressing for outcome-based payments in the new health care law. We've endorsed Kind in past elections.Wis State Journal
But Kind hasn't done enough to change Washington's bad habits and misguided priorities.
Kapanke deserves a shot to do better.
Kapanke helped lead a principled push last year to strip all non-fiscal policy items from the state budget. Kapanke favored financial disclosure for groups that run nasty issue ads before elections. And he was one of the first and relatively few state lawmakers to return his legislative pay raise during tight times.
Kapanke also showed he doesn't follow the marching orders of the GOP and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce when he opposed a gimmicky constitutional amendment on spending and taxes in 2005.
Special interest groups already have poured more than $1.2 million in the 3rd Congressional race, an unprecedented level of outside influence in the western Wisconsin district. With less than three weeks until the Nov. 2 election, the National Federation of Independent Business on Wednesday began airing a new television ad through Oct. 22. The nearly $400,000 ad buy in La Crosse and Madison attacks Rep. Ron Kind’s record on spending and support for federal stimulus programs. [Why did he vote for it if he didn't want to defend his decision?]
The conservative 60 Plus Association spent $565,000 in La Crosse and Eau Claire airing ads accusing Kind, D-La Crosse, of ignoring seniors and cutting $500 billion from Medicare. [...sooo senior citizens should not be permitted to place political advertisements?]
Kind criticized the so-called secret money[ITS A CONSPIRACY!] he says conservative special interests[his own interests are not special?] use to spread misleading and false messages. [or maybe the truth hurts]
“They’re operating under the cloak of darkness[ROFL], trying to scare people, without revealing who they are and what they stand for,” he said Thursday. [I will give you three guesses what kinds of "special interests" that 60 Plus Association has... Oh, look at what I found using that new thing called the "internet" Founded in 1992, the 60 Plus Association is a non-partisan seniors advocacy group with a free enterprise, less government, less taxes approach to seniors issues. EEEEEEVIL!]
The seven-term[career] Democratic incumbent[politician] faces Independent Mike Krsiean and [evil] Republican state Sen. Dan Kapanke, widely considered the most formidable opponent since Kind first was elected in 1996. [Hence he must be EEEEVIL and assuredly part of the cloak of darkness]
Money flowing into the district is an indication the seat is considered in play, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse political science professor Joe Heim said. [Wait, you better not mean he's not EEEEVIL]
“They don’t put this money into all 435 Congressional races. They put it into the ones that are most likely to turn,” he said. “Republicans need about 40 seats to take over control of the House. Seventy or 80 are perceived to be competitive. This is one of those.”
The Cook Political Report earlier this week moved Kind’s district from likely Democratic to leans Democratic. [Ut Oh.]
It was expected that Sean Duffy[EVIL] and Julie Lassa’s[victim] race for the open 7th District seat and Steven Kagen[v] and Reid Ribble’s[E] for the 8th — a swing district with a Democratic incumbent who’s only served two terms — would be attractive to outside groups, said Barry Burden, a University of Wisconsin-Madison political science professor.
But the 3rd District’s jump onto the national radar is surprising — and the amount of money coming in remarkable, he said. [CONSPIRACY!]
“I think the support from groups like these really indicate the momentum of this campaign,” [Evil] Kapanke said [with a maniacal laugh] “I can’t imagine that they would put their money into this race if they didn’t think they could make a difference.” ["BWAH HA HA"]
It is more a way to build on the momentum [evil] Republicans have nationally than an endorsement of Kapanke’s [evil] strengths, Burden said. [whilst tossing salt over his shoulder]
The money probably comes at the right time for [evil] Kapanke [aka, the wrong time], Heim added. Kind’s cash on hand dwarfs his opponent’s 4 to 1 [...waaaait, I thought Kind was the victim...], but the special-interest money is [unfairly] chipping away at that fundraising edge.
Said Kind, “$1.2 million buys a lot of negative media. [I would know from running them.] They’re running these negative ads just trying to see what might stick. [Hopefully it's not the truth] I don’t mind people getting the message out, but it should be truthful.” [Kind then uncrossed his fingers from behind his back]
Of 60 Plus, Kind said, “their whole agenda is to privatize Social Security — they hand off to NFIB, then they hand off to Americans for Prosperity.” ["If you see these old people, send some teenagers dressed in goth over to scare em."]
Kind said he responds by talking up his advocacy for seniors[aka death panels], small businesses[aka wall street & bank/credit card bailout] and trying to shed light on those groups’ corporate agendas[like advocating for seniors over 60, can't get more corporate than that].
Democrats nationwide have been honing their attacks on a U.S. Supreme Court decision that blew the lid off undisclosed special-interest money. [not to mentioned protected free speech. EVIL!]
These special interests[but not our own, snicker snicker] are going to pervert [(uhh, the word pervert is not politically correct)] the nation’s democracy and leave no fingerprints, [Heroic] Democratic Party of Wisconsin Communications Director Graeme [the Virtuous] Zielinski said.
“[Evil] Groups like the NFIB, 60 Plus Conservatives, and Americans For Prosperity represent people all across the country that are concerned about the direction this country is headed,” [Darth] Kapanke’s campaign countered. “... These groups provide a way for regular [evil] people to band together and exercise their First Amendment right to freespeech.[Devil Talk]”
A couple of Eau Claire doctors are trying to shake up the sleepy congressional race in southwestern Wisconsin with their claim that they were told to come up with campaign cash before U.S. Rep. Ron Kind would meet with them to discuss a bill detrimental to their hospital.
The pay-to-play allegation has certainly roused the seven-term Democrat.
"Never in my time as a public servant have I asked or required people or organizations to make a contribution to my campaign in order to meet with me," Kind said in his written statement last week. "This claim is a lie and is an attack on my character."
Two doctors at OakLeaf Surgical Hospital contacted No Quarter last week with their three-year-old charge, which they detailed in affidavits provided to the paper. Kind's staff countered with their own set of affidavits challenging the doctors' story.
"I don't know the legalities," Michael Smith, one of the OakLeaf doctors, said in an interview. "But this is an official elected to represent us. What does this mean - if I don't have the money that he won't even meet with me to hear my side of an important issue for our district?"
Another surgeon at the physician-owned facility maintains in his sworn statement that an unnamed Kind aide in his Eau Claire office explained that the veteran politician "typically requires a contribution of $10,000 for a 1-2 hour personal meeting and $25,000 for a half day meeting."
The surgeon, who organized the event, asked that he not be named in exchange for providing the Journal Sentinel with his affidavit through his attorney, John Behling, a former aide to Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson. The surgeon declined to be interviewed, Behling said.
OakLeaf doctors wanted to talk to Kind about a bill, called the Champ Act, which would have banned the creation of any new physician-owned hospitals while prohibiting the existing ones from expanding their facilities. It also would have limited the percentage of a hospital that doctors could own individually and collectively.
CHARLIE COOK CHANGES RATING!
Great news! The authority on predicting the outcome of political campaigns, Charlie Cook, has moved this race from "Likely Democrat" to "Leans Democrat." This shows that this race is getting significantly closer with Kind clinging to a single digit lead. See what Charlie Cook's says about this race:
WI-03 Ron Kind (D)
Lean Democratic. As statewide races have deteriorated for Democrats, this usually sleepy Western Wisconsin district has become a tantalizing target for GOP outside groups, including the 60 Plus Association, which has purchased $565,000 in ad time (that goes quite a long way in Eau Claire and La Crosse) to blast Kind for voting for health care reform. GOP state Senator Dan Kapanke, who has won two elections in Kind's Democratic-leaning home base of La Crosse, has steadily raised $684,000 over the course of the cycle and is hitting Kind on spending and party-line votes.
Kind, who grew up on a dairy farm and was a high school football standout, is tough to demonize and has never had much trouble since winning the district in 1996. But he has never had to run against a well-funded campaign in a horrendous political environment. Democrats have been hitting Kapanke on relatively minor campaign finance discrepancies in press releases all year, but look for them to ratchet up their hits by pointing out that Kapanke, who owns the La Crosse Loggers collegiate summer baseball team, used lobbyist donations to his community nonprofit foundation to finance stadium improvements. Internal GOP polling shows a single-digit race, but Kind still has a lead.
This is awesome news! I know that if I keep executing my plan to win, we will knock off Ron Kind and get this country back on track. Help me keep the pressure on Kind. Do what you can to support my campaign by making a donation here.
Kapanke for Congress
Walker is above 50 percent for the first time in this campaign, and any gains it looked like Democrat Tom Barrett had made in the Aug. 24 poll seem to have evaporated. Walker's campaign is portraying this as a big win, as they should, things look good for the Republican.
After a decisive win in Tuesday’s Republican Primary, businessman Ron Johnson now holds a seven-point lead over incumbent Democrat Russ Feingold in Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race.Rasmussen
2009 Representative Kind supported the interests of NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2009.VoteSmart.org
2008 Representative Kind supported the interests of Planned Parenthood 92 percent in 2008.
2007-2008 Representative Kind supported the interests of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association 100 percent in 2007-2008.
2007-2008 Representative Kind supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2007-2008.
2007 Representative Kind supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2007.
2006 Representative Kind supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2006.
2006 Representative Kind supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 90 percent in 2006.
2005-2006 Representative Kind supported the interests of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association 100 percent in 2005-2006.
2005-2006 Representative Kind supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2005-2006.
2005 Representative Kind supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2005.
