Democratic Party of Georgia

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Democratic Party Chairman Statement on the State of the Union Address

Democratic Party of Georgia Chairman Mike Berlon issues the following statement regarding tonight’s State of the Union Address:

“Tonight, President Obama showed the clear path that he intends to follow to address the significant problems facing America. It also showed that he is not afraid to tackle issues that for too long have been considered politically impractical or impossible.

“Improving healthcare, eliminating tax loopholes, election reform, focusing on pre-school education, developing an energy security policy, reducing the deficit, common sense tax reform and a comprehensive plan for immigration reform are all a path to recapturing the American dream.

“The President’s tough line on debt and taxes, proposals for improving the economic situation of the middle class, increase to the minimum wage, plans to assure equal pay for women for equal work, support for equal rights for all, approach to climate change, support of our military and unwavering commitment to end the excessive and unnecessary gun violence in this country show that he is ready to make the hard and necessary decisions to move this country forward.

“The President made it clear that for far too long, Congress’ inability to compromise has prevented measures that would make life better for all Americans. Now, he has taken this fight directly to the American people and made the case for significant changes in his second term. Simply put, the message was clear: It is time to put partisan politics aside and work for the many and not the few. “

Facts Matter and Mitt Romney Didn’t Deliver Them

While Mitt Romney’s rhetoric may have sounded polished tonight, it just wasn’t true. On issue after issue, Romney avoided giving specifics and, in several instances, told flat-out falsehoods.

It’s no surprise why – the more Americans learn about Mitt Romney’s plans to raise taxes on the middle class to pay for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, to eliminate Wall Street reforms that protect middle class families from the abuses that caused the recession, and to repeal Obamacare with no plans to help individuals with pre-existing conditions, the less likely they are to support him.

Facts matter and Mitt Romney is unwilling to give them to the American people.

What People Are Saying:

CNN’s David Gergen: “Romney was just sort of flat out lying.”

Los Angeles Times: “The Romney campaign has refused to say which loopholes it would close, and Romney did not clear up the question Wednesday.”

Bloomberg News: “Romney’s tax plan can’t add up.”

CNBC Fact Check: “Romney again tonight did not say specifically how he would pay for his proposed across the board tax cut.”

The Washington Post: “Mitt Romney needs to spend a little more time with his budget reports.”

Los Angeles Times: “Fact check: Romney repeats erroneous claims on healthcare”:

Chicago Sun-Times: “If, however, you score Wednesday’s debate on substance — accurate facts and honest arithmetic — Obama more than held his own.”

Fact Check‏@factcheckdotorg Romney says he will pay for $5T tax cut without raising deficit or raising taxes on middle class. Experts say that’s not possible….

Rachel Weiner ‏@rachelweinerwp  Fact Checker: Romney says “six other studies” have found his plan can be revenue neutral, but he’s wrong about that. http://wapo.st/UGjQeh

Matt Yglesias ‏@mattyglesias Romney’s tax plan is basically 2+2=5.

Los Angeles Times ‏@latimes  Fact check: Romney’s tax claims challenged by nonpartisan report: http://lat.ms/RBZyUT (via @LisaMascaroinDC)

PolitiFact ‏@politifact We looked at whether five studies back up Romney’s tax plan. Mostly False. Our review: http://ow.ly/ecKPd  #debate

PolitiFact @politifact  Reputable study found Romney’s tax plan can’t reduce overall rates AND raise same revenues. Our check: http://ow.ly/ecpR4  #debate

PolitiFact @politifact  Is Romney plan for future Medicare a voucher system? Mostly True. http://ow.ly/ecMuu  #debate

Fact Check‏@factcheckdotorg Romney said Obama “cut” Medicare by $716B but cuts in the future growth of spending prolong life of Medicare. http://ow.ly/ecMJ8

PolitiFact @politifact  From the archives: Rick Santorum said Romney adviser admits Romneycare was blueprint for Obamacare. Mostly True. http://ow.ly/ecNPm

PolitiFact ‏@politifact Obamacare is a government takeover of health care? That was the 2010 Lie of the Year. http://ow.ly/ecO9V  #debate

Michael Crowley ‏@CrowleyTIME Romney closes with pretty dishonest warning about defense cuts

Jonathan Cohn ‏@CitizenCohn Sigh. Romney not telling the truth here. Pre-existing conditions NOT covered under his plan http://www.tnr.com/blog/plank/107049/romney-pre-existing-condition-obamacare-repeal-gregory-meet-the-press …

Ezra Klein ‏@ezraklein Around 89 million Americans would likely be left out of Romney’s “preexisting conditions plan,” such as it is. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/09/10/who-would-be-left-out-of-romneys-preexisting-conditions-plan-about-89-million-americans/ …

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Editorial: Romney wins on style, Obama on facts

Los Angeles Times: Fact Check: Romney’s tax claims challenged by non-partisan report

Bloomberg: Romney Tax Plan Needs Growth to Add Up: Reality Check

Washington Post:  Romney off on deficits

Los Angeles Times: Fact check: Romney repeats erroneous claims on healthcare

Talking Points Memo: Romney Backs Away From Own Tax Plan

Georgia Democrats’ on Marriage Equality

Georgia–   Mike Berlon, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia, issues the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s view that couples who are in loving, committed relationships should be allowed to marry.

“Marriage equality is an important human rights issue. Love is not partisan. Everyone should have the opportunity to engage in a relationship that works for him or her regardless of sexual orientation.“It’s no secret that the President has gone through some serious soul-searching on this. I am sure he has received input from many sources who deserve this support, including people in long-term relationships who have never had the security or certainty that comes with knowing the person you love will be protected if something happens to them.  I am also sure that he has heard from many of our brave young men and women who serve in our armed forces, and for whom he fought so hard to end Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, as well as others from around the country.

“For many people, this is a difficult issue and opinions are strong on both sides.

“As an individual who has a family member that is in such a relationship, I’ve seen first-hand the obstacles and hurdles that have to be endured just to make the relationship work. It makes me very proud to see that the President recognizes the roadblocks to these relationships and is willing to advocate for equal rights for everyone. It’s courageous and it’s right.

“The Democratic Party of Georgia strongly stands with the LGBT community, the President and his administration, and with all Georgians who believe that we should treat others the way we’d want to be treated. That is not a democratic principle. It’s about human dignity.

“It’s simply wrong to prevent couples who are in loving, committed relationships, from marrying.”

Georgia Democrats’ LGBT Caucus Welcomes the Obama Campaign

Georgia – The LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Georgia will welcome key members of the national party and the Obama campaign to discuss the crucial role that the gay community will have in the 2012 elections.

Brian Bond, DNC Director of Constituency Outreach, and Jamie Citron, Obama For America LGBT Vote Coordinator and LGBT Finance Director, will speak at a workshop designed to educate and activate voters for what promises to be a competitive campaign.

“Brian and Jamie will discuss the way forward for Georgia’s gay community,” said LGBT Caucus Chair Jim Taflinger. “Our party is inclusive, and we want to make sure that people of all types can find their place within the campaign to help President Obama’s re-election.”

The event is scheduled for 11 am, Saturday March 3 at the Democratic Party of Georgia Headquarters at 763 Trabert Avenue, NW in Atlanta. Prior to the event, the LGBT Caucus will hold an informative workshop on how to run as a delegate for the Democratic National Convention at 10 am. All are welcome to attend.

 

Georgia “Truth Teams” will combat the GOP

The Democratic Party of Georgia, in conjunction with Obama for America, will promote the President’s achievements, respond to attacks on his record and hold the Republican nominee accountable.

To further these goals, we announce the Truth Team, a new national effort to reach two million grassroots supporters and over 30,000 Georgians. Be a part of the Truth Team and help spread the facts about the President’s record- and respond to the inevitable and baseless Republican attacks.

The program will be housed at BarackObama.com/TruthTeam, with individual websites – KeepingHisWord.com, KeepingGOPHonest.com, and AttackWatch.com – serving as quick, comprehensive resources to help set the record straight. Designed to put responsibility for spreading the truth in the hands of the President’s supporters, the websites contain videos and information on the President’s record, and fact checks on the GOP claims about the President and themselves.

The Republican candidates are spending a huge amount of time attacking President Obama, which is no surprise. Instead of basing their attacks on our differences of opinion, they have chosen to run on false claims about his record.

We’ve had 23 consecutive months of job growth under the President’s watch, but Mitt Romney says he’s made the recession “worse.” Rick Santorum says that the President’s health reform, which was based on Republican proposals and expands access only to private insurance, is a government takeover of health care.

While the newfound power of outside groups and Republican Super PACs, any untruth cam be amplified and exaggerated with the help of millions and millions of dollars.

However, the Obama for America campaign has relied on grassroots supporters to spread the truth, and the Truth Teams in Georgia will build on and expand this effort to make sure that when voters go to the polls in November, they know the truth.

Be a part of our movement. Join the Truth Team today.

Chairman Mike Berlon on Hearing to Address President Obama’s Inclusion on the Georgia Presidential Primary Ballot

Georgia –Democratic Party of Georgia Chairman Mike Berlon releases the following statement on tomorrow’s administrative hearing to address President Obama’s inclusion on the Georgia Presidential primary ballot:

“Several lawsuits were recently filed against President Obama questioning whether he is an American citizen in an attempt to remove him from the Georgia primary ballot.  Despite the fact that these issues have been thoroughly litigated, a hearing has been scheduled in these cases for Thursday, January 26, 2012.  The Democratic Party of Georgia is not a party to any of these lawsuits.

“This afternoon we received a letter from counsel for the President directed to the Georgia Secretary of State asking him to intervene in these lawsuits and bring them to a halt, because it is well established that there is no issue here – a fact validated time and again by courts in this country.

“In the letter, counsel also indicated that they had no interest in continuing to appear or participate further in the litigation and have suspended their involvement.

“We respect the President’s position and urge the Secretary of State to bring this matter to a conclusion.  We also believe that each political party has the absolute legal right to determine who should appear on their primary and general election ballots according to their own rules without interference from outside parties.

“In light of these developments the Democratic Party of Georgia has no plans to continue to be involved in these baseless cases.  Furthermore the Democratic Party of Georgia will cooperate with the President and his campaign in any way requested to make sure that his name appears on the primary and general election ballots for 2012.”

Democratic Party of Georgia Chairman Mike Berlon on the President’s State of the Union Address

Democratic Party of Georgia Chairman Mike Berlon releases the following statement on last night’s State of the Union Address:

“President Obama’s State of the Union address reminded us of why the American people chose him as our leader. His blueprint for a job-creating economy that is built to last – one built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values- is one that Georgia can fully support.

“This is a make-or-break moment for the middle class and those trying to reach it. We must build a nation where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.

“The issue is fairness and the President articulated this theme clearly.

“When the average middle-class Georgian pays a higher tax rate than someone making $50 million a year, the rules are out-of-balance.  We fully support the President’s plan, and I felt he gave an inspirational and substantive State of the Union address.”