National Debt & Deficit Spending Speech to Republican State Cnvention
Rock Springs
May 31st, 2008
Introduced by Cat Urbigkit
Chairman, Sublette County Republican Party
Speech:
Senator Enzi, Representative Cubin, & Senator Borasso
Mayor Kaumo,
Chairman Parady,
It is great to be here, two years ago this body greeted me courteously & attentively, Thank you very much,
Chairman Honnaker, Lisa Parady, and Donna Bobak; you chose well, as I remember the Casper events center where I couldn’t see the audience.
Sublette County Chairman Urbigkit, many thanks. I am honored that you agreed to introduce me and said the good things you did about me.
Pointed out my wife Louise and noted she was with the delegation from God’s little corner of Wyoming, Sublette County.
Louise has done many things over the years to prepare me to stand in front of you today.
3 boys, all Eagle Scouts, 36 years, 19 moves, including halfway around the world & back
At this point I held up a framed part of a paper food store bag from the 1980s, it read:
NAVY WIFE
(It’s the toughest job in the Navy)
I could use my allotted time to address issues confronting the nation and our state during these dangerous international times and uncertain domestic economy. I could talk about my positions - which are likely to be similar to my opponents in this race.
If we are conservatives, we are all pro-life, strong on national defense, for lower taxes, for dealing decisively with illegal immigration, two years ago I said: “First things first- fix the borders,” for delivering on our promises to veterans, for balancing the federal budget, for controlling spending to reduce the federal debt, and concerned about Wyoming’s place in the energy market.
I may disagree with Cynthia Lummis about the war, but these al Queda guys are serious, and I may disagree with Mark Gordon about AG subsidies, but for the most part, our political positions and personal beliefs are probably very similar.
What I want to talk with you about is the future… about the importance of putting the strongest candidate forward to face the democrats.
About how critical it is that Wyoming Republican voters choose the strongest candidate for the November election. The sole seat in the United States House of Representatives from Wyoming has been held in Republican hands for 30 years.
It is important that it remain in Republican hands. The U.S. Senate seat now held by Mike Enzi has been in Republican hands for over 45 years.
The U.S. Senate seat now held by John Barrasso has been in Republican hands for over 30 years and, except for the 8 years of Gale McGee, for 55 years.
There is a reason.
A Republican is best suited to represent the people of Wyoming’s interests. A Republican is best aligned with your interests. But, the U.S. House seat for which I am a candidate is not as secure in Republican hands as it has been for all of those 30 years.
For the first time in recent memory, the Republican candidate may not enter the general election cycle as a prohibitive favorite. State Democrats believe they have a realistic chance to win this election and wrest this House seat from Republicans after 30 years.
The result of the 2006 general election gives them false confidence. And the Democratic National Party will flood Wyoming with assistance and funds to try to wrest this seat from Republicans and make it theirs.
As Republicans, we must put forward the best conservative candidate we can to insure that this seat does not fall into Democratic hands.
I believe I am that candidate.
In our 2006 primary election, against a respected six-term incumbent, I won 40% of the popular vote - winning in the state’s largest county and center of state government, Laramie County.
I also won in Teton County and garnered nearly 48% of the vote in the state’s second largest county, Natrona County.
I have made my case to Wyoming voters about my qualifications, credentials, experience and positions to serve in the U.S. House - and they were receptive. 40% of Wyoming voters in 2006 thought I was a good choice.
I have a base to build on. And I have been solidifying that base and adding to it for several months. I will not spend the most money in this campaign.
But… I will not be out-worked.
I have already traveled tens of thousands of miles in this vast state since the 2006 election. And I will travel whatever additional miles are required to take my message to the voters before the August 19th primary.
I will engage in numerous public debates and forums but I will not spend all of my campaign time in joint appearances with my opponents.
Voters expect differently.
Intending no disrespect to my opponents, I believe I offer the best qualifications and credentials. During my 30 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy, after the Naval Academy, I had a diverse range of professional assignments.
Many of you know that I was privileged to be commanding officer of two Navy ships - one was the nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine USS Benjamin Franklin and the other a sub tender USS Holland. You learn about dealing with customers on a ship like the Holland.
Under my command, both ships received numerous awards and I was honored to be selected as the Atlantic Fleet nominee for the James Bond Stockdale Inspirational Leadership Award on Benjamin Franklin.
And, nothing, NOTHING!, beats the experience of driving a nuclear powered sub.
Thumbs up!
Being skipper on a Navy ship is similar to being a top executive of a business. The roles you play and duties you have are too numerous to enumerate. It brings contact with dignitaries when visiting foreign nations.
As our nation moves forward toward an energy solution, my background in nuclear power will be unique…
and critical in Washington.
My military service and experience will be increasingly unique in Congress as fewer and fewer members have spent time in uniform.
Again, with no disrespect intended my opponents, I am in a better position than they are to represent the interests of military veterans, of which we have over 50,000 in Wyoming. I know what was promised.
…And no one will fight harder to insure they are not shortchanged.
I have spent time in Washington D.C., three tours of duty, over six years in all at the Pentagon. And I traveled there extensively when I was stationed elsewhere.
Twice I was on staff of the Chief of Naval Operations and once I was on staff at the Office of the Secretary of Defense. I had budgetary responsibilities and I know how things work in the Pentagon.
I saw how bureaucracies work and know they can be improved.
The biggest challenges facing Congress is to rein in spending - and eliminate earmarks. Earmarks once had a purpose but congress has lost its discipline.
We must not serve up a Republican candidate who will be on the defensive. It is better to reveal everything a Democratic opponent may use against us in the general election right now - not later when it can torpedo a campaign.
The national Democratic Party sees this seat as one they can win. We cannot allow that to happen. There is a reason Republicans have held this seat for so long and why both Senate seats have been in the hands of Republicans for so many years. Republicans better reflect the interests and ideals of Wyoming’s voters.
My decision-making responsibilities rivaled any of an elected official at the state level. I did not command by committee. I had singular responsibility, which I fulfilled after input from my people.
I also believe that my knowledge and belief in nuclear energy stands me apart from my opponents. This nation must go forward with alternative energy. I am best positioned to offer leadership for Wyoming in that debate.
Our Republican party must put forward a candidate who is not of the same “old politics,” but just being against old politics is not enough, our candidate must hew to our
At this point I held up our “Why I am a Republican” Card
principles, this card represents hope & opportunity, and must bring vision and leadership to our state and the nation.
We must not lose this seat to the Democrats.
…And we must re-take our position as the party of “HOPE” and OPPORTUNITY.
We believe that less government is best government. We cannot allow Democrats to steal our positions. Opportunity is smaller government, lower taxes, & less bureaucracy and I will stand for that.
I believe I am the best candidate to represent Republican ideals for Wyoming voters. Thank you for your many, many courtesies. I am proud to be one of you.
- Bill Winney