JULY 30, 2008

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Michael Livingston, who withdrew from the race against Chaka Fattah earlier this year,  today announced his support for Adam Lang, who has been chosen to succeed him as Republican candidate in the Second Congressional District.

 ”Adam Lang has the vision, energy and leadership to begin making a positive difference for southeastern Pennsylvania,” Livingston said.  “He will be a full-time congressman who will put the people of the district ahead of political partisanship and the usual Washington power game,” he added.

More information about Adam Lang, including links to contribute and volunteer for his campaign, are available at his new website www.adamlang.com

Some of those coming to this site may be looking for other Republicans to help out. I urge them to consider contributing to two candidates in adjoining districts: Craig Williams in PA 7th www.craigwilliamsforcongress.com and Marina Kats in PA 13th www.katsforcongress.com (website in construction). Both Craig and Marina are trying to raise some of the same issues that I did without extensive national help.

Finally, those interested in my views may wish to follow my regular blog http://mikelivingston.blogspot.com, where I discuss politics and other subjects.

Happy July Fourth!

Michael

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Congressional candidate Michael Livingston today congratulated Barack Obama on his securing of the Democratic presidential nomination, but suggested the nomination created a clear choice between the parties in November.

“As their speeches last night indicated, Barack Obama is a fine orator and an inspiration to millions of Americans, especially in the younger generation,” Livingston explained. “By contrast, John McCain is a doer, who has devoted his life to reform even when it was not popular. The choice, in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, could not be clearer.”

In congratulating Obama, Livingston suggested that his campaign, like McCain’s, would target Clinton Democrats who may feel disenfranchised as a result of the party’s rejection of their candidate. He noted that the district contained a substantial number of such voters, particularly in Cheltenham Township, Roxborough, and the Southwest Philadelphia area. “Like Obama, Chaka Fatta has been an eloquent advocate of social change, but has not always delivered the goods to his constituents. I intend to discuss practical issues like tax and education reform, crime, and veterans benefits, and leave the rhetoric to the other side. As any Eagles fan can tell you, people in Philadelphia are less interested in promises than results,” he added.

Livingston opposes Fattah in the November election.

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Congressional candidate Mike Livingston today expressed support for legislation that would insulate the redistricting process in Pennsylvania from politics, and lamented the slow progress of the bill in the State legislature.

“As a candidate in a rather oddly-drawn district, I can appreciate more than most the effects of such districts on the democratic process,” Livingston explained. “Although the current legislation concerns primarily state redistricting, the same tools can and are frequently used at the Federal level,” he added. “A nonpartisan redistricting process would be a first step toward more and better competition in the electoral process.”

Livingston opposes Chaka Fattah (D-Pa) in the November election.

“The Peace Democrats accused the administration of wasting the lives of [its] citizens in a costly [ideological] war . . . The real reaction was seen at the November elections . . . The Democrats won in many [Republican] communities and gained substantially in both the House and Senate.”

President Bush? The War in Iraq? Actually, the quotation is from John Hope Franklin’s book, “From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African-Americans,” and discusses President Lincoln’s predicament in the 1862-64 elections. Bush is not Lincoln, of course, and Iraq (Afghanistan) is not the Civil War. Casualties are no less painful, especially on Memorial Day, because the war is justified. But it makes you think a bit, doesn’t it?

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Congressional candidate Michael Livingston attended the Israel 60 Parade in Philadelphia on May 18 and subsequently emphasized his support for Israel and a strong American presence in the Middle East.

“The parade is a reminder that–as grateful as we are for Israel’s health, security, and prosperity–none of these can ever be taken for granted. Only a strong, democratic Israel, with full and enthusiastic support from America and other free nations, will continue to survive and prosper in a dangerous and often indifferent world.”

In discussing Israeli-American relations, Livingston expressed support for recent comments by President Bush and Sen. McCain regarding the need to avoid appeasement of Iran and other adversaries, and skepticism regarding Sen. Obama’s response to these comments.

“Iranian behavior in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iraq make clear that a nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable to Israel, the United States, and all peaceful nations. While Sen. Obama’s rhetorical commitment to Israel is welcome, his naivete regarding Iranian intentions and capabilities leaves serious doubt as to the policy he would follow if elected. A willingness to talk is admirable, but it is not a substitute for realistic, clearheaded foreign policy”

Livingston is opposing Chaka Fattah (D-Pa) in the Second Congressional District.

Congressional candidate Michael Livingston attended the Monday candidate’s night sponsored by the West Girard Supermarket Coalition and used the occasion to discuss both neighborhood and city-wide development issues.

“Government assistance programs can play an important role in supporting neighborhood supermarkets and addressing the problem of fresh food in urban areas,” he explained. “But the larger issue of economic development requires a change in governing philosophy. Only a Federal, State, and local partnership to reduce taxes, control crime, and improve public education can bring the benefits of renewed development to the city as a whole. The people of Philadelphia have demanded these changes at a municipal level; it is time to demand them in their elected representatives, as well.”

Among the programs mentioned by Livingston were tax-increment financing; the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Initiative; and several Federal nutrition programs. Successful projects have typically involved a “layering” of Federal, State, and local programs together with private financing, he added.

Livingston’s opponent, Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa), did not attend the program.

First, the Democrats in at least two of these elections were rock-ribbed conservatives, to the right not only of their own presidential candidates, but on some issues John McCain. Projecting the same voting pattern in November, McCain would carry these districts by a substantial margin.

Second, the turnout in these elections–while high for an out-of-cycle vote–is perhaps half that of a Presidential election: given the overwhelming publicity that the Democrats have received this Spring, it was likely a selective as well as a partial turnout.    There is thus an excellent chance that these districts will reverse themselves as to congressional as well as presidential choices this Fall.

Third, the continued Democratic reliance on conservative candidates, in order to win contested seats, means that Republicans and “Blue Dog” Democrats may well have a working majority, under McCain or Obama, in the next Congress.  (As Obama had trouble getting 1/3 of his own party’s vote in West Virginia, the former would appear at least as likely right now.)

Although no cause for panic,  the early results do suggest a need for a change in Republican campaign strategy, of which I think the NRCC and others are aware.   Instead of rolling out the attack ads, Republicans need to begin thinking about constructive, alternative solutions to the issues–education, taxes, health care–that voters are most concerned about.    This does not mean that they have to stop being conservatives, but it does mean that they have to start thinking.   Those who need a little push are welcome to visit my Issues page or contact me directly for an informal (and cost-free) chat.

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Congressional candidate Michael Livingston today responded to a series of reports, in the Inquirer and other newspapers, that tell a story of mismanagement, corruption, and lack of physical safety in the Philadelphia public schools.

“While better funding of public schools remains an important priority, money alone will not solve the problem when violent behavior goes unpunished and corrupt officials remain in office,” Livingston said. “A culture of achievement, rather than a culture of defeatism, must take control in our educational institutions. City, state, and Federal officials share responsibility for creating and maintaining this culture.”

While recognizing the importance of safe and productive public schools, Livingston restated his support for school choice as an important element in the educational mix. “When there is no choice and no competition, there is unfortunately no incentive to make our schools the best they can be,” he explained. He reiterated his support for tax credits and other assistance to students who attend private and nontraditional schools.

A report by the school district’s safe-schools advocate, cited in the May 10 Inquirer, said that the Philadelphia schools had fostered “an organizational culture that [is] tolerant of violent behavior and dismissive of the rights of victims,” in which students who assault teachers or bring guns to school are not removed from classrooms and violence against teachers and employees is not taken seriously. A second story in the same newspaper reported the resignation of the head of a prominent charter school following reports of misuse of taxpayer funds. Similar reports of corruption and violence in the Philadelphia public schools have appeared in other newspapers.

Livingston’s opponent, Chaka Fattah, opposes school vouchers and similar programs.

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Congressional candidate Mike Livingston today expressed sadness over the murder of Philadelphia police officer Stephen Liczbinski, but also anger that it could have been prevented. He noted that all three of Sgt. Liczbinski’s assailants had been previously convicted of violent crimes and then released, or transferred to halfway houses, well before their terms had been completed.

“It is understandable that people would call for stricter gun control measures in the aftermath of a crime of this nature,” Livingston explained. “But gun control alone will not solve the problem if violent criminals are permitted, time after time, back on the streets. Our city, and our region, need to take a new look at our law enforcement priorities before blaming Harrisburg, or Washington, for our problems.”

Livingston is the Republican candidate in the Second Congressional District, opposing the incumbent Chaka Fattah.