August 26, 2010 08:31 PM UTC

Actually, "Buck" is Easier to Spell than "Hypocrite"

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• by: Colorado Pols

But you can’t blame the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) for trying–today’s release focuses on the issue of GOP nominee Ken Buck’s stated disdain for federal “earmarks,” which he might have a little trouble holding together now that the state’s newspaper of record has published their front-page report on Buck’s own lobbying for…well, federal earmarks. Release follows, says the DSCC’s Deirdre Murphy, “Buck claims to be against earmarks and pork when he is on the campaign trail, and has even signed a ‘no earmarks’ pledge, but today’s report shows Buck requested at least $5 million in earmarks for Weld County.  Ken Buck has a lot of explaining to do to Colorado voters, who now have every right to question his honesty.”

We’ve said many times that railing against “earmarks” makes good sound bites for Republicans and center-tracking Democrats alike, but the flip side of the coin is all those things your constituents actually need provided by those hated “earmarks.” As in, the reason “earmarks” exist to begin with. A similar phenomenon was well illustrated for us last year when Rep. Doug Lamborn showed up to take credit for a badly needed water project in Cañon City–paid for by stimulus funds…

For Immediate Release

August 26, 2010

Contact: Deirdre Murphy (202) 485-3129

HOW DO YOU SPELL HYPOCRITE? B-U-C-K

Hypocrite Ken Buck Rails Against Earmarks And Pork On The Campaign Trail, But Actually Sought At Least $5 Million In Earmarks For Weld County

Buck Not Only An Extremist, But A Hypocrite And Fraud As Well

Ken Buck’s general election campaign is off to a rocky start.  Already under fire for his past support for repealing the 17th Amendment, a front-page Denver Post story from today shows he’s also been a hypocrite on the campaign trail.  As the story reported, Ken Buck spends his days railing against earmarks and pork on the campaign trail, has signed a “no earmarks” pledge, and even said that if a Senator doesn’t vote to ban earmarks, they shouldn’t be in the Senate.  However, Buck has a long history of requesting earmarks, and has requested at least $5 million in earmarks for Weld County over the years.  The fact that Buck is publicly against earmarks on the campaign trail, but privatively has no qualms about requesting millions of dollars in earmarks calls into question his honesty and integrity, and leaves him many questions to answer.  

“Voters in Colorado are very aware that Ken Buck is an extremist, but today they’ve found out he is a hypocrite and a fraud as well,” said DSCC National Press Secretary Deirdre Murphy. “Buck claims to be against earmarks and pork when he is on the campaign trail, and has even signed a ‘no earmarks’ pledge, but today’s report shows Buck requested at least $5 million in earmarks for Weld County.  Ken Buck has a lot of explaining to do to Colorado voters, who now have every right to question his honesty.”

Ken Buck is not only a hypocrite and a fraud, he is also an extremist, who is far outside the Colorado mainstream.  In addition to proposing repeal of the 17th Amendment, extremist Buck has embraced the radical Tea Party agenda in nearly every way, supporting “birther” legislation, calling for federal student loan programs to be phased out and suggesting the unconstitutionality of Social Security.  Buck is also open to returning to the gold standard, eliminating the Departments of Education and Energy, imposing a national sales tax on Coloradans, doesn’t believe in global warming, and opposes the principle of separation between church and state.  Buck also faces ethical questions regarding his tenure as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Buck: If a Senator Doesn’t Vote to Ban Earmarks, Get Them Out of There. BUCK:  Kick their butt’s outta there. Absolutely what I’m saying. You know earmarks, what, a United States Senator doesn’t vote to ban earmarks, get them out of there. It’s a sure sign that they are gonna be abusing the earmark process. Absolutely. [Buck Campaign Event, Vail 912 Group Meeting, 3/20/10]