JESSE KELLY: BULLSHIT ARTIST
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Republican challenger Jesse Kelly finally met head-on in three debates last week, giving Congressional District 8 voters a chance to see the candidates face off ahead of the election this Tuesday, Nov. 2.
The Sierra Vista debate, where Libertarian Steve Stoltz was not onstage, showed off the starkest contrast between the two candidates, particularly when the future of Fort Huachuca came up. Giffords showed that she understood details about the fort’s needs, including the importance of protecting the San Pedro River, which is one of Southern Arizona’s vital waterways.
Kelly, on the other hand, said that the fort needed to be protected “at all costs,” but he didn’t get into the details—because he just doesn’t know them.
And that’s Kelly in a nutshell: Most of the time, he has no idea what he’s talking about, but the man can spew more bullshit than all of the cattle in Cochise County.
For a political rookie, Kelly has run one hell of a campaign. He won a tough primary fight, and he just might come out on top next week, if enough voters swallow his one-liners about freedom and liberty and the evils of Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama and how big-government liberalism and out-of-control spending is destroying the country.
He swears he won’t ask for earmarks for Southern Arizona’s military bases, universities or domestic-violence shelters—yet he cashes paychecks that come from a family business that takes tens of millions of dollars from government contracts that are funded with federal dollars, including earmarks and stimulus spending.
We sure wish we could get little bit of that tyranny in our lives.
Despite all of that angry bluster, Jesse Kelly is a polite and friendly guy, even if he’s reluctant to actually talk to us anymore except via e-mail.
We suppose that’s because when he does talk to us, we report what he says, like he’d like to get Medicare recipients “off the public dole.” He’d “love to privatize” Social Security. He’d deny victims of rape and incest the right to terminate their pregnancies. He really does think a 23 percent national sales tax on all goods and services is a swell idea, if that’s what a voter wants to hear.
But for all his campaign charm, Kelly has no clue what the federal government actually does—which is why he comes up with crazy notions like the idea that the average citizen can do a better job of ensuring that our food is free of poisonous bacteria than any government inspector or regulator.
In all our years of reporting, we have rarely heard anyone deliver such nonsense with so much confidence.
Here’s an example: You’ve probably heard Kelly say that he supports a 10 percent flat income tax for all Americans, because “if 10 percent was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for the federal government.”
During last week’s Arizona Illustrated debate, moderator Bill Buckmaster pointed out that no member of Congress supports the idea of a 10 percent flat tax and asked Kelly how much money he thought such a tax would raise.
Kelly claimed that economist Arthur Laffer—the Reagan administration credited with the Laffer Curve—has said that a 10 percent flat income tax would bring in the same $2.1 trillion that the federal government now collects.
We can’t find any evidence that Laffer has said any such thing. (A call to Laffer himself had not been returned as of press time.) When we asked Camp Kelly if they could back up this assertion, they said they’d have to get back to us on that one.
There are people who have promoted flat income taxes, like Steve Forbes, who advocated a 17 percent flat tax back in ‘96. But those plans don’t go anywhere, because most politicians realize it’s a bad idea to shift the tax burden away from America’s wealthiest families and transfer it to the middle class.
We did find a clip of Fox News’ Glenn Beck interviewing Laffer a few months back. In that exchange, Laffer said that an 11 percent flat tax, combined with an 11 percent value-added tax on goods (which, for the non-wonks out there, is essentially a sales tax) could bring in as much revenue as the government currently collects.
But at the same forum where Kelly first explained his faith-based 10 percent income tax to us, he also announced that he would not support a value-added tax, proclaiming: “It’s a terrible idea.” So it sounds like Kelly opposes a pretty crucial element of the Laffer plan.
Even Kelly himself, in a rare moment of candor while talking to some voters in September, admitted that a 10 percent flat income tax was only possible “in a perfect world.”
In that exchange, he said he supported a plan put forth by Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan that calls for a 10 percent flat income tax, but only on individuals earning up to $50,000 and couples earning up to $100,000. All income above that would be taxed at 25 percent—and even then, the country would need to institute a national sales tax of 8.9 percent to raise enough money to pay the government’s bills.
We reported Kelly’s remarks supporting this plan, including the 8.9 percent national sales tax. And the next day, he was right back to promising voters a 10 percent income tax.
We tried to get some clarity on his position, but he’d only say over e-mail: “I support a low flat tax where each person has a small stake in their government, with an exclusion for incomes below the federal poverty level.”
When we scoured the Web in search of someone who seriously believes that a 10 percent flat tax would support the federal government, we found one person to back Kelly up: Humorist and country singer Ray Stevens, who wrote a little ditty a few years back called “If 10 Percent Is Good Enough for Jesus (It Ought to Be Good Enough for Uncle Sam).”
Yes, that’s right: The architect of the Kelly campaign’s economic plan is the guy who recorded “The Streak” way back in ‘74. No serious economist thinks a 10 percent flat tax would bring in as much money as the government now collects.
There’s a reason that Republicans such as former lawmakers Jennifer Burns (who campaigned for Giffords’ opponent two years ago) and Pete Hershberger, Sierra Vista Mayor Bob Strain and Sahuarita Mayor Lynne Skelton have endorsed Giffords. There’s a reason that she’s got the endorsements of veterans such as John Wickham, a retired general who served as U.S. Army Chief of Staff under President Ronald Reagan. There’s a reason that she’s got the endorsement of the Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs.
Gabrielle Giffords has fought for Southern Arizona, while Jesse Kelly makes a bunch of promises that he will never, ever be able to keep.
Kelly likes to say that people lie about his plans, but here’s the truth: He doesn’t have any plans. He just tells you what you want to hear.
He says he can magically protect Social Security while diverting the tax dollars that now pay for it. He busts on Giffords for reducing the future costs of Medicare, but then says he wants to get rid of the program altogether and let elderly people buy private insurance. He’s going to balance the budget while he spends billions on a double-layer border fence along the entire border.
That’s not good enough? Then he’ll do a triple-layer fence—and bring 10,000 National Guard troops down here, too.
Sorry, Jesse, but we’re just gonna have to call bullshit on you.
Follow the Skinny scribe on Twitter: @nintzel
This article appears in Oct 28 – Nov 3, 2010.
Pretty sad that a 29 year old dropout from Montana can roll into town and be tied in the polls with one of our most hardworking and popular Members of Congress.
They’re not even in the same league. Come on people! Anyone can complain, but only someone competent can lead.
Vote for Gabrielle Giffords and you’ll be happy you did!
The Tucson Weekly – Oct. 27, 2010
“Vote the Democratic Ticket”
“JESSE KELLY: BULLSHIT ARTIST”
TW: The Alternative to Bland Daily Journalism in the Sonoran Desert?
Nope – Unhinged lefty bourgeois rag. Restaurant reviews only thing worth reading.
Looks like the Weekly is republishing the Democratic machine PR lines. I have to agree with TT.
While I haven’t found that Gabrielle was a bad rep, her tactic of using the machine PR has turned me off to her. I wasn’t really a Jesse Kelly supporter, but I am considering voting for him just to make a statement to the party about how they are playing this game. The outright lies about the Fair Tax needs to stop. Read Neal Boortz’s short description at http://boortz.com/more/newsletter/102110_f…
Jesse Kelly is a public enemy.
It is very very sad that a guy that drops out of school, enlists in the peace time Marines and gets out as soon as he can then works for Daddy that takes the very government funds that he is against…can be even considered as a viable candidate. So sad when Gabrielle Giffords is one of the very finest members of Congress. High ethics, intelligent and pragmatic decision making and doing what’s right for the district, state and nation. What will win in CD8 intelligence and competence or bulls_t and demagoguery?
Too often even a collective group of educated voters can make mistakes. Kelly would be one big mistake to send to Congress, the other is to give the other Republican school dropout, Jan Brewer, a full term as Governor. I take that back, her office full of special interest lobbyists four years to complete the corporate take over of the state. Private prisons, selling state buildings, auctioning off highway rest-stops and state parks what next?
In the LD 8 congressional candidates’ first debate Jesse Kelly stated that ten percent was good enough for Jesus and it’s good enough for him. In the gospels, Jesus mentions tithing three times, never in so simplistic a fashion. Each time he is criticizing the Pharisees, saying in Luke 11:42 “How terrible for you Pharisees! You give to God one tenth of the seasoning herbs, such as mint and rue and all the other herbs, but you neglect justice and love for God. These you should practice, without neglecting the others.” Jesus’ remarks in Matthew 23:23 and the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14) convey much the same message. After hearing him falsely accuse Congresswoman Giffords of bankrupting El Campo Tire Co., I offer Mr. Kelly a gospel question to ponder. In John 19:38 Pilate asks Jesus: “And what is truth?”
When I saw the debate at the UofA, I was struck at how tall Mr. Kelly is. But half through, he didn’t seem that tall at all. And by the end, he seemed positively short. Any by comparison, Ms. Giffords seemed like a colossus.
“It is very very sad that a guy that drops out of school, enlists in the peace time Marines…” Americanguy
I am sure it was VERY peaceful during that first wave into Baghdad!
“Gabrielle Giffords is one of the very finest members of Congress. High ethics, intelligent and pragmatic decision making and doing what’s right for the district, state and nation.”
Sorry Americanguy but voting for bailouts, Cap & Trade, and Obamacare is NOT doing what’s right for the district, state, OR the nation.
Nintz, I think I know where you stand. But how about the hard question, why is the race rated a toss-up?
As a survivor of stage 4 cancer, insurance coverage cap by my private insurance company and subsequent bankruptcy trying to pay my $400,000 bill, I am eternally grateful to Rep. Giffords for making the politically dangerous but morally right vote on Healthcare reform.
Jesse Kelly would just have me die.
Kelly graduated from Bozeman High School in Bozeman, Montana in 1999. After attending Montana State University for one year, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2000 and was honorably discharged in 2004.[2] While serving in the Marine Corps, Kelly saw combat as a squad leader in the Mortar Section of 1st Battalion 7th Marines. After he retired from military service, Kelly worked in his family construction business in Tucson, Arizona managing infrastructure projects throughout the Southwestern United States.
Jesse Kelly is a Marine Combat Veteran Who Proudly & Honorably Served this Country. Jesse led Men while taking fire from the enemy. Giffords Never Served. Nintzel has Never Served.
Giffords and Her Democrat Party does have a Record of Downsizing and cutting back on the Size & Strength of our Military when making “Tough Budget Cuts”.
Jesse Kelly is a Conservative Republican. He Believes in Securing Our Border, Enforcing the Rule of Law and Maintaining a Strong National Defense. Giffords is NOT. Giffords DOES Vote with Nancy Pelosi and Obama 90% of the time. That Fact has been Proven & is Researchable. Make Me a Liar and Prove Me Wrong.
Here’s a Link Proving I’m Right. http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congres…
Here’s another link just in case You feel the first source isn’t credible.
http://www.opencongress.org/person/show/41…
She Abstains: 2% There’s Your 90% that Jesse Kelly Always Refers to.
Then You go on to say in Your Hitpiece on Jesse that “Most of the time, he has no idea what he’s talking about, but the man can spew more bullshit than all of the cattle in Cochise County.”
Jesse Kelly Won the Tough GOP Primary over THREE other Highly Qualified and Motivated Candidates because Jesse Kelly Stands for Conservative Pinciples and Free Market Solutions. Those Principles are Tea Party Conservative Principles. Jesse Kelly was Endorsed by the Douglas Tea Party. He was the Only GOP Candidate to be Officially Endorsed by ANY Tea Party in AZ. Jesse Kelly Knows what he’s talking about and Does NOT “Spew More Bullshit than all of the cattle in Cochise County” as You say.
Jesse Stands with the Founders and the Constitution and the Free Market. He’s the People’s Candidate because he’s NOT a Career Politician. He is a Family Man and a Local Business Man.
What are You? Someone Who shoots spitwads at Legitimate Candidates running for office because You can’t enter into public office yourself or Proudly or Articulately back up Your Principles as well as Jesse Kelly has done while Campaigning daily for the last TWO YEARS! You’re the nerd who sits in the back picking his nose while Jesse Kelly is busy on the Front Lines in the Trenches DOING SOMETHING & making a Difference in People’s Life.
Running for Public Office is an Honorable thing to do. What You do by writing bias hitpieces against Good Decent People like Jesse Kelly is a Joke and You should be ashamed of Yourself for writing this drivel.
You’re a Joke Jim. A Bad Joke at that. Nobody is laugh with You. We’re all laughing at YOU!
JeremyInTucson,
Running for public office is an honorable endeavor.
Could you please explain to me where the honor is in going on Levin’s radio show and lying about massive voter fraud in Arizona?
You characterize Nintzel’s article as a hit piece, yet in using some 400 words you failed to directly address even one single point of the several he brought up.
So much anger. So many confrontational words. All that name calling.
My 92 year old “greatest generation” father, is fond of saying that “everybody’s a tough guy on the telephone”.
If you are going to post this much disagreeable bullshit and name calling at one time; how about you muster up the courage to affix your name to it so we know whose opinion we are hearing?
Lastly, to your “accusation” that neither Congressperson Giffords nor Mr. Nintzel had served. Our rights are protected by the constitution; but they are God given.
Military service is not a prerequisite to obtaining or exercising these God given rights.
Please interpret that last sentence as follows: We do not need your f#*%ing permission or approval “jeremyintucson”, for anything.
Robert Alexander Dumas
If you liberals knew anything about economics, you would know that giffords votes for healthcare, bailouts, etc is going to screw us down the road. Massive debt is going to cause investors to lose confidence in our ability to manage our economy and our finances. This will cause the dollar to crash and burn in value. Let alone the the high inflation and interest rates this spending is going to cause.
When government borrows money they have to pay it back with INTEREST. Who is going to be stuck paying back this massive spending spree? the taxpayer like you and me. The interest that we have to pay could have been spent here in the U.S. giving our kids a good education etc.. Elections have consequences. Does Southern Arizona want a rep that is going to spend our country into oblivion or do we want a rep that has a real vision for the future.
A reminder, folks, that comments involving name-calling will be removed from TucsonWeekly.com. Thanks, all!