Baker and McCain Straight Talk
Photo: State Representative Brian Baker (right) visits with Senator McCain when he arrived in Kansas City this past Sunday. Baker was called by the McCain campaign and asked to meet the Senator and Governor Palin.
Kansas City, Missouri - Saturday evening Representative Brian Baker received a call from the McCain-Palin campaign and asked if he would be willing to greet and visit with the Senator when he arrived in Kansas City this past Sunday.
Baker was invited, along with a handful of others, to take a few moments to visit with Senator McCain and Governor Sarah Palin.
"It was a great experience," Baker stated. "I shook hands with a man who was tortured and beaten defending freedom...and it was a bit humbling for me. The Senator cannot raise his arms above his head because of those injuries. I noticed it right way when he shook my hand."
Baker said he relates to McCain and his "maverick" positions. The meeting reminded Baker that it is important to stick to issues and not politics as usual. "I have a record, like the Senator, of bucking my party. I remember voting against a Republican plan to make sure 65% of every dollar schools that a school receives goes into the classroom. However, the plan included using that 65% to fund football as part of the classroom, but excluded libraries and some special needs. I took a lot of heat for saying no."
Baker also took some strong stands on local control that lost him favor with entrenched Jefferson City leaders. Legislation was filed to take away local government control on building contracts and Baker said no. In fact, the story goes that he was physically shoved by a couple of members. When asked if that was a true account Baker commented, "Yes...it happened and it is over. I never changed my position...end of story." When some in his party wanted to create a plan that created a government-run healthcare plan that would require you to get a bureaucrats permission to go to see a doctor, Baker said no.
Baker commented about McCain voting against President Reagan when we sent troops to Beirut. He also was reminded that McCain cautioned against declaring victory in Iraq and was one of the first to say we needed more troops...a surge...to finish the job. According to Baker and the McCain campaign, that surge worked and troops are now in preparations to hand over control to Iraqi forces and come home.
"I can relate to Senator McCain's experiences of telling his party 'no'...and I can admire the fact that he went and found someone who is outside the mainstream to run with him. What I see is a small government Presidential candidate who believes in local control and the right of states to decide their own fate. Having been to Jefferson City...having dealt with the federal government...I can say that the best course is limited government and more freedom."
Governor Palin has come under intense scrutiny regarding her experience and family. Baker is impressed with what he has read and researched. "People who have known me over the six years I have served know I look at facts and actual actions. Palin's record impresses me. I can relate to her."
Baker also said he is a bit concerned about folks who question her ability to be a mother and wife and a Vice-Presidential candidate. "No one...in all the years I have served...ever questioned whether I could be a good husband or father if I was gone four days a week in Jefferson City. Yet, we ask if a woman can be a good mother and serve her country. I simply can't ask of Sarah anything I don't ask myself. She can be as good a mother as Obama can be a good father and still serve her nation."
For Baker the entire campaign is about issues. For him the focus is about limiting the size and scope of the federal government. "Missouri has some great ideas..but Washington DC's 'one-size-fits-all' approach limits are ability to do things."
One of his major concerns is how a new administration will impact local small businesses in the 123rd District. "I have looked at Obama's tax plan...I have talked with the National Federation of Independent Businesses over the last several years about proposed federal tax-plans. What people need to know is that many of our small businesses file their taxes under the individual-income tax bracket. They don't pocket all their small business revenue, but the way they have to file their taxes with the IRS, they will see a major tax increase under the Obama plan. Our small-town Main Street businesses...our family owned businesses will be hurt by such a plan. I believe John McCain will work to protect those small businesses."
There is also a "heart" issue for Baker. McCain's military record and service during Vietnam is especially important to him. "Here is a man who was kept as a prisoner of war and tortured for five-years...kept in a box...in isolation...and never surrendered. He chose to stay with his men," commented Baker. "I just can't see this guy being out to help himself...and I can't fault the guy for being successful. If he wouldn't abandon his men under torture...I don't think he abandon's his principles as President."
Baker will be leading efforts in Cass County for the McCain-Palin campaign.
Kansas City, Missouri - Saturday evening Representative Brian Baker received a call from the McCain-Palin campaign and asked if he would be willing to greet and visit with the Senator when he arrived in Kansas City this past Sunday.
Baker was invited, along with a handful of others, to take a few moments to visit with Senator McCain and Governor Sarah Palin.
"It was a great experience," Baker stated. "I shook hands with a man who was tortured and beaten defending freedom...and it was a bit humbling for me. The Senator cannot raise his arms above his head because of those injuries. I noticed it right way when he shook my hand."
Baker said he relates to McCain and his "maverick" positions. The meeting reminded Baker that it is important to stick to issues and not politics as usual. "I have a record, like the Senator, of bucking my party. I remember voting against a Republican plan to make sure 65% of every dollar schools that a school receives goes into the classroom. However, the plan included using that 65% to fund football as part of the classroom, but excluded libraries and some special needs. I took a lot of heat for saying no."
Baker also took some strong stands on local control that lost him favor with entrenched Jefferson City leaders. Legislation was filed to take away local government control on building contracts and Baker said no. In fact, the story goes that he was physically shoved by a couple of members. When asked if that was a true account Baker commented, "Yes...it happened and it is over. I never changed my position...end of story." When some in his party wanted to create a plan that created a government-run healthcare plan that would require you to get a bureaucrats permission to go to see a doctor, Baker said no.
Baker commented about McCain voting against President Reagan when we sent troops to Beirut. He also was reminded that McCain cautioned against declaring victory in Iraq and was one of the first to say we needed more troops...a surge...to finish the job. According to Baker and the McCain campaign, that surge worked and troops are now in preparations to hand over control to Iraqi forces and come home.
"I can relate to Senator McCain's experiences of telling his party 'no'...and I can admire the fact that he went and found someone who is outside the mainstream to run with him. What I see is a small government Presidential candidate who believes in local control and the right of states to decide their own fate. Having been to Jefferson City...having dealt with the federal government...I can say that the best course is limited government and more freedom."
Governor Palin has come under intense scrutiny regarding her experience and family. Baker is impressed with what he has read and researched. "People who have known me over the six years I have served know I look at facts and actual actions. Palin's record impresses me. I can relate to her."
Baker also said he is a bit concerned about folks who question her ability to be a mother and wife and a Vice-Presidential candidate. "No one...in all the years I have served...ever questioned whether I could be a good husband or father if I was gone four days a week in Jefferson City. Yet, we ask if a woman can be a good mother and serve her country. I simply can't ask of Sarah anything I don't ask myself. She can be as good a mother as Obama can be a good father and still serve her nation."
For Baker the entire campaign is about issues. For him the focus is about limiting the size and scope of the federal government. "Missouri has some great ideas..but Washington DC's 'one-size-fits-all' approach limits are ability to do things."
One of his major concerns is how a new administration will impact local small businesses in the 123rd District. "I have looked at Obama's tax plan...I have talked with the National Federation of Independent Businesses over the last several years about proposed federal tax-plans. What people need to know is that many of our small businesses file their taxes under the individual-income tax bracket. They don't pocket all their small business revenue, but the way they have to file their taxes with the IRS, they will see a major tax increase under the Obama plan. Our small-town Main Street businesses...our family owned businesses will be hurt by such a plan. I believe John McCain will work to protect those small businesses."
There is also a "heart" issue for Baker. McCain's military record and service during Vietnam is especially important to him. "Here is a man who was kept as a prisoner of war and tortured for five-years...kept in a box...in isolation...and never surrendered. He chose to stay with his men," commented Baker. "I just can't see this guy being out to help himself...and I can't fault the guy for being successful. If he wouldn't abandon his men under torture...I don't think he abandon's his principles as President."
Baker will be leading efforts in Cass County for the McCain-Palin campaign.
2 comments:
Outstanding! Thanks for being there for us Brian and I am so glad you had a chance to meet with these wonderful leaders. I truly a excited about this election. (Especially after the VP announcement!)
That is fantastic and I could not agree with you more!!!
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