Smith Tries to Defend
Aug 09, 12:13 PM CST
In a radio interview on KGFW Tuesday, Adrian Smith suggested that Club for Growth – the special interest group bankrolling his campaign – does not seek to discontinue all farm supports, but only those benefiting tobacco farmers.
Maybe Adrian hasn’t had a chance to research the positions of Mr. Toomey. Thus, I’d like to offer our services and refer him here.
Pretty tough to spin this stuff Adrian.
In the June 8th edition of USA Today, Club for Growth President Pat Toomey referred to American farm supports as “Moscow on the Mississippi.” Adrian said on KGFW Tuesday that this remark “was pointed at the tobacco subsidies.” A review of the cited article clearly shows that Smith’s statement was a distortion of the truth:
Opponents cite several reasons why existing farm subsidies need to change. Some call them unaffordable. Pat Toomey, a former Republican congressman who heads the fiscally conservative Club for Growth, calls them ‘Moscow on the Mississippi.’
[“Fat Days May be Over for Farm Subsidies,” USA Today, June 8]
Where is the word tobacco in the quote? Nowhere. Somewhere else in the article? Nope.
From the very beginning, Club for Growth has been out to attack family farms. Stephen Moore, the founder and past president of the group has called farm supports “farm socialism” and has called for the abolishment of the USDA. I wonder what Mike Johanns would say about that idea.
Pretty tough to spin this stuff Adrian. Agriculture is Nebraska’s bread and butter. Adrian Smith is funding his campaign with money from a group that seeks to take all of that away.
Let’s make sure we keep reminding the voters of the third district how out of touch Adrian Smith is with the hard working people that make Nebraska’s ag based economy possible.
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Mr. Smith wants to go to Washington, and this makes it pretty darn clear he’ll say absolutely ANYTHING to get there.
— Kyle Michaelis Aug 09, 01:15 PM CST #
It is amazing that Smith takes money from a group whose leader wants to abolish the Department of Agriculture.
You bring up a good point. Who does Mike Johanns support in this race? Does Mike Johanns agreee with Smith and his Club for Growth allies or does he support Nebraskans and Kleeb?
— VincePowers Aug 09, 01:24 PM CST #
http://www.socialsecuritychoice.org/
— Tom Aug 09, 03:32 PM CST #
“Kleeb said Wednesday that Smith’s statements in a radio call-in show – that Club for Growth’s opposition to federal farm subsidy payments was directed mainly at tobacco farmers – is inaccurate.
The Club for Growth wants to eliminate all farm subsidies, Kleeb said.
Smith “needs to explain why he’s agreed to take as much money as he (has) from a group that is not only out of touch with the 3rd District but is opposing its single biggest industry,” Kleeb said.
Smith, a state senator from Scottsbluff, said in an interview that he was not aware of the Club for Growth’s views on agricultural subsidies.
“It hasn’t been a part of our discussions,” he said. “Taxes are their main concern, and they appreciate my record on taxes.”
Smith said he supports some subsidies for agriculture but doesn’t expect to agree “on every single point” with campaign contributors.
“My record is very solid on agriculture, and I stand by that,” he said.
According to Federal Election Commission records, Club for Growth members contributed $320,364 to the Smith campaign as of June 12. Smith reported $664,839 in net receipts as of June 30.
Smith and Kleeb are seeking western Nebraska’s 3rd District House seat, which is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne.
On a call-in show Tuesday on KGFW radio in Kearney, Smith was asked about his financial support from Club for Growth and to comment on a June 8 news report that quoted club President Pat Toomey referring to farm subsidies as “Moscow on the Mississippi.”
Smith said he focused on tobacco subsidies in his response because the question mentioned the Mississippi River. He said subsidies to tobacco growers don’t make sense when millions of dollars are spent to discourage people from smoking.
Kleeb, a Dunning ranch hand, said the only state bordering the Mississippi River that produces tobacco is Tennessee.
Club for Growth officials have referred to subsidies as “farm socialism” and called for the abolition of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which distributes the aid.
David Keating, executive director of Club for Growth, said in an October letter to the Senate Agriculture Committee that farm subsidies were a waste of money and should not be extended beyond 2007.”
— VincePowers Aug 09, 11:13 PM CST #