Liberty Maven

Vern McKinley is challenging incumbent Frank Wolf in a Republican primary next Tuesday, June 10th in Virginia’s 10th congressional district. I live in this district and have heard some seriously scary things about Frank Wolf. I will not repeat them because I have no proof, instead I will try to focus on the issues where he and Mr. McKinley differ.

Vern McKinley is a principled Reagan Republican. I’m talking about the Reagan running for office, not the Reagan who forgot about cutting spending as well as cutting taxes. I suppose his Congress could be blamed for that. Frank Wolf used to be a Reagan Republican. He even ran supporting term limits in 1980. Almost 28 years have passed and he is still in office. Wolf, from the very beginning couldn’t keep a campaign promise.

On to the issues. If an issue is not listed it means that both McKinley and Wolf generally agree on the issue with a bit of room for differences in the margins. The point is to show where the candidates truly have a different world view.

Earmarks (AKA “bringing home the bacon”): Wolf likes to tout his SAFE commission, which is yet another Wolf investigative committee like he has proposed so many times in the past without much to show for it. The idea is to “examine” earmarking and figure out methods to curb it. This, in my view, is an establishment politician trying to have his cake and eat it too. It looks good on paper, but why did Wolf propose and get over $200 million in federal money in earmarks last year? Just another sly Wolf-like move, I guess. I hope people are paying attention this time.

McKinley on the other hand is almost running his entire campaign on “earmark” reform. He rightly criticizes Wolf on earmarks, saying that states shouldn’t use the federal government as an ATM machine. Funds for local projects should be raised locally. There’s some true federalism for ya. Bravo Vern.

Grades: Wolf gets an ‘F’ for being a shyster. McKinley gets an ‘A’.

Second Amendment (…shall not be infringed): This one is more obvious. Frank Wolf voted against repealing the DC gun ban. Vern McKinley has promised to never do such a thing. He has a 100% rating from the Virginia Gun Owners Coalition. He also has the support from none other than Dick Heller, the plaintiff in the recent high profile Supreme Court case. The bottom line, if you believe in the Second Amendment, then you believe in voting for Vern McKinley.

Grades: Wolf gets an ‘F’ for being a failure. McKinley gets an ‘A’ for understanding the meaning of “shall not be infringed.”

Taxes and Spending (What? Did you say “and Spending”?): Frank Wolf (like many of his misguided brethren) loves to vote for lower taxes but is AWOL when it comes to cutting spending. Cutting taxes is popular. Cutting spending is a hard reality. Vern McKinley faces this reality in his career as an economist. He understands that cutting taxes without cutting spending only weakens America’s future by pushing us, our children, and generations to come, further into debt.

Grades: Wolf gets a ‘D’ for at least cutting taxes. McKinley gets an ‘A’ for facing reality.

“Democrat-like” (The liberal litmus test): Frank Wolf has a voting record that would make Ted Kennedy proud. He voted for the expansion of SCHIP. He voted for raising the minimum wage. He voted for the prescription drug benefit. He voted for “no child left behind”. He voted for keeping the DC gun ban in place. Mr. Wolf that’s an ‘R’ next to your name. It stands for “Republican” not “RINO”. Vern McKinley on the other hand opposes these leftist policies and is critical of them in just about every speech he has given to his future constituents.

Grades: Wolf, obviously an ‘F’. McKinley, obviously an ‘A’

The Constitution (AKA what you swore to uphold): Vern McKinley carries a pocket Constitution in his breast pocket. Frank Wolf drives a hybrid automobile sometimes. Vern McKinley quotes our founders regularly by memory. Frank Wolf runs on his record of continuously voting for more and more federal money for his district’s pet projects. Apparently, he believes the “supreme law of the land” is just a a marginal guideline only to be used when it politically suits him.

Grades: Wolf gets an ‘F’. Vern gets an ‘A’. (you see where this is going don’t you?)

Property Rights and Privacy (The long forgotten right in America): People praise Wolf for his “Journey Through Hallowed Ground” law being signed by President Bush. This law is nothing more than a federal land grab. Yet another law increasing the power and jurisdiction of the federal government at the expense of citizens and their property. Wolf likes to use the word “protect” the property. The last time I looked up “protect” in the dictionary it didn’t say “to steal”. McKinley has criticized Wolf for not respecting property rights with this law. There are many citizens of Virginia who agree with him.

Frank Wolf voted for the REAL ID Act. An act that 17 states have legislatively refused to implement due to privacy concerns. Vern McKinley adamantly opposes the REAL ID Act.

Grades: Wolf gets an ‘F’. McKinley gets an ‘A’.

Can you guess who’s getting my vote next Tuesday?

Here’s a hint: It’s certainly not Frank Wolf.