It is an honor to serve you. Thank you for your trust and support. It's campaign time again, and I need your help as a volunteer in 2012.
In a matter of days, I will file paperwork making my run for re-election to Congress official. I look forward to continuing to fight for hardworking Arkansas taxpayers, which is what I have done since you elected me in November 2010.
In fact, it is because of the promises I have kept to you that Nancy Pelosi’s handpicked candidate will start coming after us in order to put her back in the Speaker’s Chair.
Since I was first sworn into Congress, I have:
Voted to balance the budget and make the federal government live within its means;
Voted for 28 different jobs bills that are now languishing in the Senate;
Voted to repeal the President's job-killing health care law;
Voted to end overly burdensome regulations that kill job creation;
Voted for reform of the regulatory process;
Supported fundamental reform of the tax code for both individuals and businesses; and
Supported construction of the Keystone XL pipeline for energy jobs and independence.
I have also, as promised, said “no” to my Congressional pension, and have introduced legislation to do away with Congressional pensions. Most in the private sector do not receive pensions anymore, so why should Members of Congress?
Needless to say, Nancy Pelosi and her Big Labor allies aren’t supporters of mine and will do whatever it takes to win the Second Congressional District.
That is why I am asking for your help today. Will you commit to becoming actively involved as a volunteer in my re-election so I can keep fighting for you? It is critical that we maintain the momentum we had in 2010, and continue fighting for common sense budgets and jobs bills that will put Arkansans to work and allow us to fully recover from the economic downturn of the last three years.
Our campaign volunteers brought a great deal of energy and a wide array of talents to our campaign in 2010. Whether it was making phone calls and addressing envelopes at our campaign headquarters or helping us build our grassroots network in the towns and neighborhoods of the Second District, our supporters were a critical component of our success. We will need the same effort in 2012, and that is why I am asking you to make this commitment today.
We are working hard and taking nothing for granted. As you know, the attacks against me by Nancy Pelosi’s friends are continuing. Your support is not a luxury; it is essential to my re-election. Will you help us prepare for 2012 by joining our team today? Will you please email my campaign at info@timgriffinforcongress.com or call my campaign headquarters at (501) 353-0899 and let me know how you want to help us win in 2012?
Thank you so very much,
Tim Griffin
P.S. Nothing is more valuable than the recommendation of a friend. Will you please forward this message on to ten other people?
In the News: Washington Post Highlights Tim's Efforts to Cut Spending
February 15th, 2012
WASHINGTON POST HIGHLIGHTS TIM'S EFFORTS TO CUT SPENDING
Frustrated GOP freshmen target gimmicks that make it hard to cut the budget
By Lori Montgomery
Before winning a spot in the House Republican freshman class, Rep. Tim Griffin was a high-ranking GOP political operative and a top aide to strategist Karl Rove. But despite his extensive Washington experience, Griffin said he was blindsided last year by budget “gimmicks” that blocked a clear victory for his top priority: cutting federal spending.
This year, congressional Republicans expect few opportunities to stage another spending showdown. So Griffin (Ark.) and other frustrated GOP freshmen are focusing on a new goal: rewriting congressional budget rules to prevent spending from rising in the first place.
The freshmen want to end a host of arcane budget gimmicks involving “chimps” (changes in mandatory spending), budgetary timing shifts and spending cancellations known as “rescissions.” But their most passionate rhetoric is focused on a more mundane target: the troubling effect of inflation on the nation’s budget.
By law, congressional budget analysts are required to produce baseline projections on how agency spending rises with inflation and population growth. The theory is that providing the same level of services costs more each year.
But that means spending is assumed to always be going up. It also means that slowing a program’s rate of growth is invariably condemned as a “cut,” Griffin and other freshmen complained, even if the program in question is getting more money than it did in the past.
“I compare Washington cuts to an Arkansas normal person cut,” Griffin said. “A normal person cut is when you get less money this year than you got last year. In Washington, you can get more money this year than you did last year, but if it’s not as much as you thought you were going to get, then that’s a cut.”
Griffin Nearing $1M Mark Nearly $500k cash-on-hand to begin 2012
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressman Tim Griffin today announced his year-end fundraising totals, collecting $180,855.04 in receipts for the fourth quarter of 2011 and bringing his total raised to $921,799.41 with $479,591.02 cash-on-hand for his 2012 re-election bid.
“I am very grateful for the generous support of Arkansans who want me to continue fighting for hard working Arkansas taxpayers by encouraging private sector job growth and making our federal government live within its means,” Griffin said. “I will continue to be a common sense voice to fight for private sector jobs like Arkansas’s Keystone pipeline jobs currently under attack by President Obama.”
For the fourth quarter, 77% of Griffin’s donations came from Arkansans.
About Congressman Tim Griffin
Congressman Tim Griffin was elected the 24th representative of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District on November 2, 2010. For the 112th Congress, he is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on the Judiciary while also serving as an Assistant Whip for the majority.
Griffin is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans, and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush. Griffin lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
My top priority is fighting for policies that encourage private sector job creation in Arkansas, and the over 900 votes I’ve cast this year reflect that focus. I have hosted over 25 town halls as well as a “Jobs Conference” that brought together Arkansas job creators to discuss the challenges they face. Their message is crystal clear: Uncertainty kills job creation by discouraging risk taking and investment. What’s causing this confidence-crushing uncertainty? (1) Our overly-complicated tax code; (2) Government overregulation of job creators; and (3) A ballooning national debt. The U.S. House of Representatives has enacted its jobs plan by passing bills to reduce uncertainty, but these bills are stacking up like cord wood in the Senate. The House has led. President Obama and the Senate should join us.
President Obama talks about closing loopholes, but months ago the House acted. We are fighting for comprehensive tax reform to close loopholes, and consolidate and reduce rates for Arkansans and job creators to make the tax code simpler, fairer, and flatter. We need tax reform to grow the economy and create jobs. The House has led by including sweeping, bold tax reform in its budget in April. The President and Senate should join us.
The President talks about regulatory reform, but it’s just talk. Reasonable regulation is necessary, but the Obama Administration continues to overregulate job creators. The House has acted by pushing for common-sense regulatory reform. For example, I introduced H.R. 3194, the Job Creation and Regulatory Freeze Act, which would put a moratorium on all new major federal regulations until January 20, 2013 and give job creators the certainty they need to begin creating jobs again. The House is pushing to put some reason into regulation. The President and Senate should join us.
...
What’s the President’s plan for the economy? Spend hundreds of billions more dollars, full speed ahead toward bankruptcy. The President has tried record spending for three years with little to show for it: the unemployment rate has gone up since his “stimulus” was passed and paid for entirely with borrowed money, much of it from China. And each job “created” cost taxpayers $300,000. More spending won’t work. The House is fighting for fiscal sanity. The President and the Senate should join us.
America can rise to meet the great economic challenge facing us. But tinkering around the edges won’t do. We need big, bold solutions to get our economy back on track. As I tell my colleagues, go bold or go home.
Now Is the Time to Prepare for the Long Campaign Ahead
December 28th, 2011
Dear Friend,
The bottom line is the end of the year fundraising deadline is approaching in 3 days, and I again need your help.
It is an honor to serve the Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. But we have only just begun. We have lots of work to do and a long, long fight ahead.
I am preparing for what will surely be a tough re-election fight because Nancy Pelosi and her allies want her to be Speaker again. Her handpicked candidate is just days away from announcing their challenge, and they believe winning the Second District is critical to returning her to power.
That is why I am writing you today. Will you please stand with us with a generous contribution today?
We need to raise another $25,000 to reach our goal and show Nancy Pelosi, President Obama, Big Labor, and other allies that Arkansas’s Second Congressional District belongs to you and your common sense ideals. It is not theirs for the taking.
Your financial help is not a luxury; it is essential to my re-election. Will you help us prepare for 2012 by making a generous contribution today?
Thank you so very much,
Tim Griffin
P.S. Nothing is more valuable than the recommendation of a friend. Will you please forward this message on to ten other people?
Merry Christmas!
December 22nd, 2011
Dear Friend,
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Elizabeth, Mary Katherine, John and me! We love this time of year and the opportunity it gives us to spend more time with family and friends. Our family wishes you a blessed and peaceful Christmas.
Thank you for your continued support and kindness! We appreciate your encouragement as I continue to serve you.
During this special time of year, I ask that you also join me to pause and remember the men and women of our military and their families.
God bless you and God bless America.
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
Will You Help Me Prepare for the Long Fight Ahead?
December 13th, 2011
Dear Friend,
We recently marked the one-year anniversary since the voters of the Second District sent me to Congress. In just a few more days, we will mark the one-year anniversary of my taking the oath of office as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. As we approach another campaign year, my re-election campaign is on solid footing.
We haven't been sitting around waiting for President Obama, Nancy Pelosi and their allies in Washington and Little Rock to settle on an opponent that will support their agenda. Our grassroots support network – critical to our success in 2010 – is growing every day, and we have added new Arkansas donors to our team. And, according to our Attorney General's recent quote in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, it appears that Nancy Pelosi's candidate is waiting in the wings:
The highlight of McDaniel’s speech was his cryptic prediction that U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin’s re-election was not a given. A Republican, Griffin won the state’s 2nd Congressional District seat representing central Arkansas in 2010, beating Joyce Elliott, who was in the audience Saturday on the front row. McDaniel said he was asked “not to name names, because this person is not ready to field questions from the media yet, but Tim Griffin needs to get ready. There are at least one or two really strong Democrats preparing to retake the 2nd Congressional District.”
The Second District has been targeted and Nancy Pelosi, along with her Big Labor allies, have invested in television, radio and mail attacks on me in order to prepare for their unnamed candidate and fulfill their goal of returning her to the Speaker’s Chair. They are coming after me for fulfilling the promises I made to you. Since my swearing in, I have:
Voted to balance the budget and make the federal government live within its means;
Voted to repeal the President's job-killing health care law;
Voted to end overly burdensome regulations that kill job creation;
Voted for reform of the regulatory process; and
Voted for fundamental reform of the tax code for both individuals and businesses.
I have also, as promised, said “no” to my Congressional pension, and have recently introduced legislation to do away with Congressional pensions as a first step toward taking on the bigger issue of addressing federal employee pensions when few in the private sector receive them.
But we have a long way to go because there is only so much the new conservative majority you elected last year can accomplish with control of the House alone. With the end of the year fast approaching, our campaign needs your continued financial assistance, so we can prepare for the long fight ahead and continue to communicate our message of private sector job creation and fiscal responsibility.Will you please stand with us again with a generous contribution today?
We are working hard because we are taking nothing for granted. As you know, the attacks against me by Nancy Pelosi’s friends have been constant for months. Your financial help is not a luxury; it is essential to my re-election. Will you help us prepare for 2012 by making a generous contribution today?
Thank you so very much,
Tim Griffin
P.S. Nothing is more valuable than the recommendation of a friend. Will you please forward this message on to ten other people?
Tim's Effort to End Congressional Pensions Earns National Attention
December 1st, 2011
TIM'S EFFORT TO END CONGRESSIONAL PENSIONS EARNS NATIONAL ATTENTION
While vast numbers of the private-sector workforce have seen their pensions vanish over recent decades and find themselves with precarious, market-based 401(k) plans, members of Congress receive both a pension and a quality employer-match plan.
According to at least two lawmakers, it’s time for elected officials to join the real world.
“If you compare the private sector to what the folks in the federal government get, in the federal government you not only get healthcare benefits, you get a 401(k) that has a higher match than most private-sector companies,” Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.) told The Hill.
“Then on top of that you get the pension,” Griffin said. “Most private-sector folks don’t get a pension.”
...
According to Griffin, his proposal is part of a larger plan to eliminate pension benefits across the federal government.
Cutting member pensions and relying instead on the Thrift Savings Plan represents a savings of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. But, Griffin pointed out, that amount is just a drop in the bucket compared with the hundreds of billions that could be saved by eliminating pension benefits across the federal government.
“This for me is less about the money you save and it’s more about being credible when we take on the bigger issue of civil service pensions, because that is where the real money is,” Griffin explained.
“We can’t have a credible discussion on that issue of civil service pensions until people in the House and Senate address their own,” Griffin said.
That “credible discussion” is one the nation must have, he said.
“We can’t be paying pensions to the next generation of federal workers when hardly anyone in the private sector gets them,” Griffin said.
Pensions have become less common over the last two decades, as many private companies have turned to employee contribution plans like 401(k)s.
Many Americans who still receive pension benefits have also seen them plummet as failing corporations are forced to raid pension funds to stay afloat.
“The bottom line is we can’t afford to keep doing it this way,” Griffin said. “On Oct. 1 of last year, the civil service trust fund had an unfunded liability of $673 billion, half a trillion dollars … Our current system is unsustainable.”
Happy Thanksgiving from Elizabeth, Mary Katherine, John and me!
This is an important and special time of year as we get to spend time with friends and loved ones. My family is thankful for the many blessings God has given us. I am also very thankful for your support and the opportunity you have given me to serve you in Congress.
On this day of thanks, I ask that you also join me in remembering the men and women of our military and their families.
Thank you all for your support. God bless you and God bless America.
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
Help Us Call The Hogs!
November 16th, 2011
Dear Friend,
Can you believe the season we are having? Like you, I am thrilled to see the Razorbacks take their place among the nation's elite college football teams. I have been looking forward to the weekend when the Hogs return to War Memorial Stadium!
That weekend is finally here! I am inviting you to join us at our tailgate tent at War Memorial Stadium to help us root on the Razorbacks as they host Mississippi State on November 19.
Our tailgate begins at 10:00 a.m.atSpot #H66 along Markham Street.
Make sure to stop by and pick up our new campaign window sticker. Bring your friends - there will be plenty of food and ice cold drinks!
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday as we call the Hogs in Little Rock!
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
P.S. Let’s make this a huge crowd at the stadium! Please forward this message to ten of your friends!
On This Veterans Day
November 11th, 2011
Dear Friend,
Every November 11, we remember the courage, sacrifice and service of our military veterans. I have a deep appreciation of the gift of freedom veterans have given us. As a member of the Army Reserve and veteran of the Iraq War, I have had the honor to serve with Americans from all walks of life who are committed to the protection of our people and preservation of our country. As a Member of Congress, I am honored to fight for our servicemembers and the families who sacrifice so that we remain free.
On this Veterans Day, I hope you will join me in pausing for a moment of silence and reflection to remember the men and women who have served us in uniform and their families.
Griffin Leads Potential Rivals In New Poll 'Humbled' by support of Second District voters
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressman Tim Griffin’s re-election campaign today released the results of an internal poll showing him with sizeable leads over potential 2012 challengers and a strong job approval rating.
The live interview poll was conducted by Alexandria, Va.-based OnMessage, Inc., November 1-2 using a sample of 400 likely voters with a margin of error of +/- 4.9%. The party breakdown of the survey is as follows: 41% Democrat, 26% Independent and 29% Republican. Pulaski County represented 54% of the polling sample.
Among Second District voters, 53% approve of the job Griffin is doing in Congress while 27% disapprove. At the same time, only 38% of voters approve of President Barack Obama’s job performance.
When voters were asked whether they would prefer a generic Republican that would be a check and balance to President Obama or a Democrat that would support his agenda, the voters choose the Republican by a margin of 54% to 32%.
In head-to-head matchups with potential Democratic challengers, Griffin holds sizeable leads. Against former state representative and current Democratic Party of Arkansas Chairman Will Bond, Griffin leads 49%-29% and leads among independent voters 54%-18%. Against former Lt. Governor Bill Halter, Griffin holds a 50%-29% margin with a 55%-18% lead among independents.
"I am humbled and encouraged by the broad support of Second District voters, and I will continue to fight to encourage private-sector job creation, grow our economy, and make the federal government live within its means,” Griffin said.
Griffin, who has raised nearly $800,000 to date, has over $380,000 cash on hand for his bid for re-election in 2012. For the third quarter, 79% of Griffin’s donations came from Arkansans.
To read the campaign memo from OnMessage, click here. To read the topline data of the survey, click here.
About Congressman Tim Griffin
Congressman Tim Griffin was elected the 24th representative of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District on November 2, 2010. For the 112th Congress, he is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on the Judiciary while also serving as an Assistant Whip for the majority.
Griffin is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans, and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush. Griffin lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
One year ago today, you gave me the honor of serving you as your representative in Congress.
I am writing to thank you for your encouragement and support. My family and I will always be grateful for your hard work, thoughts and prayers.
As I serve you in Congress, I remain focused on the two issues that drove my candidacy a year ago: encouraging private-sector job creation and making the federal government live within its means. Today, I was proud to announce my new bill, H.R. 3194, The Job Creation and Regulatory Freeze Act of 2011, which would place a moratorium on job-killing regulations and eliminate some of the uncertainties facing job creators.
Thank you so very much for giving me the opportunity to serve you.
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
In the News: President Obama Says Pelosi Will Be Speaker Again
\Obama: Pelosi was 'one of the best' Speakers, will be back in 2013
By Jamie Klatell - 10/30/11
President Obama on Saturday said Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was a great House Speaker and that she will get that job back after the 2012 elections.
"I am biased, but I think Nancy was one of the best Speakers of the House this country ever had," Obama said after Pelosi had introduced him at the National Italian American Foundation gala.
"She was no doubt the best Italian American Speaker of the House we ever had. And I believe that she will be the best Speaker of the House again in 2013."
Griffin Raises $232,731 in Third Quarter Over $740k raised in 2011; Nearly $380k cash on hand; No debt
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressman Tim Griffin today announced his campaign raised $232,731.19 during the third quarter of 2011 and has $379,552.44 cash on hand for his bid for re-election in 2012.
“I am very thankful for the large number of Arkansans who understand that we have a long, hard fight ahead and, through their generosity, have helped us lay a strong foundation for 2012,” Griffin said. “It has never been more important to have a conservative majority in Congress to fight for fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget, create an environment where the private sector can put Arkansans back to work, overturn President Obama’s health care law and deny Nancy Pelosi the Speaker’s chair in 2012.”
For the third quarter, 79% of Griffin’s donations came from Arkansans. To date, he has raised $740,944.37.
About Congressman Tim Griffin
Congressman Tim Griffin was elected the 24th representative of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District on November 2, 2010. For the 112th Congress, he is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on the Judiciary while also serving as an Assistant Whip for the majority.
Griffin is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans, and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush. Griffin lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
You are invited to join Second District Congressman Tim Griffin at the Little Rock Hilton on Tuesday, October 18, as he speaks to the Political Animals Club.
Breakfast will be served beginning at 6:45 a.m. Following breakfast, Tim will address attendees and take questions. The program concludes at 8:15 a.m.
Breakfast costs $20 and is payable to the Political Animals Club via cash or check.
Space is limited and reservations are required. Make your reservation today by emailing info@comgroup.com.
We look forward to seeing you there!
WHAT: Tim Griffin speaking to the Political Animals Club
WHERE: Little Rock Hilton, 925 S. University Ave.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 18, 2011, 6:45 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.
COST: $20 per person, payable at the door to the Political Animals Club
About PAC
The Political Animals Club was founded in 1983 by Skip Rutherford as a non-partisan gathering of friends and colleagues who share a common interest in the fascinating and ever changing world of politics. The Political Animals Club remains one of Arkansas’ premier forums for candid dialogue on political subjects of local, state and national interest.
About Congressman Tim Griffin
Congressman Tim Griffin was elected the 24th representative of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District on November 2, 2010. For the 112th Congress, he is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on the Judiciary while also serving as an Assistant Whip for the majority.
Griffin is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans, and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush. Griffin lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Last week's 51-7 win by the Razorbacks was a great way to start what we know will be a great season! Like many of you, I have been looking forward to the weekend when the Hogs return to War Memorial Stadium!
That weekend is finally here! I am inviting you to join us at our tailgate tent at War Memorial Stadium to help us root on the Hogs as they host New Mexico on September 10.
Our tailgate begins at 10:00 a.m.atSpot #H66 along Markham Street.
Make sure to stop by and pick up our new campaign window sticker. Bring your friends - there will be plenty of food and ice cold drinks!
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday as we call the Hogs in Little Rock!
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
P.S. Let’s make this a huge crowd at the stadium! Please forward this message to ten of your friends!
In The News: Griffin: NLRB Complaint Bad for Arkansas
September 8th, 2011
Griffin: NLRB Complaint Bad for Arkansas
Note: Rep. Tim Griffin authored this guest column published in Arkansas Business on August 15, 2011.
NLRB's S.C. Complaint Is Bad for Arkansas
By Rep. Tim Griffin
On April 20, 2011, the National Labor Relations Board filed a formal complaint against the Washington state-based Boeing Corp. for its decision to expand aircraft manufacturing operations into South Carolina. Unions allege that Boeing's decision was in retaliation for their past strikes.
The NLRB's complaint alleges that Boeing violated federal labor law by building in South Carolina a production line for the manufacture of the 787 Dreamliner aircraft to supplement the line in Washington. The complaint asks a judge to stop the South Carolina production, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.
...
What does this have to do with Arkansas? In 1944, Arkansas became a "right-to-work" state, where employees cannot be forced to join a union, in order to attract new businesses and to encourage economic development. This provides Arkansas with a competitive advantage over non-right-to-work states.
The NLRB's action puts this at risk. The NLRB's complaint is an attack on our job creators and, if successful, could have a negative impact on all right-to-work states.
Arkansas tried to recruit the Boeing 787 Dreamliner plant and continues to recruit these types of manufacturing plants. Our right-to-work laws are a significant selling point to job creators, especially in contrast to states like Washington.
...
Caterpillar Inc. - like Boeing - has expanded from non-right-to-work states into Arkansas and other right-to-work-states.
In a May 11, 2011, Talk Politics interview, Gov. Mike Beebe recognized the potential negative economic consequences for Arkansas of the NLRB complaint, warning that it "could be detrimental to Arkansas' economic development efforts."
...
If the NLRB is successful in its complaint, other businesses will be less likely to expand and provide jobs in Arkansas. Even worse, America's job creators may stop considering in which state to locate and consider leaving the United States altogether.
The NLRB should withdraw its complaint immediately. In the meantime, I will do what I can in Congress to ensure that Boeing and other companies are allowed to grow business and create jobs in right-to-work-states.
I would like to invite you to join me as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas (BBBSCA) have a little fun at my expense at the 37th Annual Original Toast & Roast on Thursday, August 25th at the Doubletree Hotel.
Started in 1975, the Original Toast & Roast has raised over $1.2 million with all proceeds benefiting the BBBSCA mission of helping children in Central Arkansas reach their full potential.
As a former "Big" and BBBSCA board member, I can tell you that this is an entertaining event that helps many children in Central Arkansas.
A reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Today’s THV’s Craig O’Neill will emcee the evening and introduce some of my “friends” who will be roasting me.
Tickets are available by contacting the BBBSCA office at (501) 374-6661 or by sending an email to lglenn@bbbsca.org. For more information, please click here.
I hope you can join me on August 25th and help a worthy cause!
Thank you so very much,
Tim Griffin
Notable Quotable: Thomas Jefferson on a Balanced Budget Amendment
August 15th, 2011
"I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution. I would be willing to depend on that alone for the reduction of the administration of our government; I mean an additional article taking from the Federal Government the power of borrowing."
- Thomas Jefferson Letter to John Taylor of Caroline November 26, 1798
Nancy Pelosi’s Shadowy Super PAC Friends Continue False Negative Attacks
August 12th, 2011
Dear Friend,
Nancy Pelosi’s friends are committed to making her Speaker of the House again. I have previously written you how her friends at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) in Washington opened up the thoroughly debunked “Mediscare” playbook (see below) to frighten Arkansas seniors over my vote to save Medicare for current retirees and ensure its existence for our children and grandchildren.
Now it looks like another set of Nancy Pelosi’s friends, the shadowy House Majority PAC, has announced plans to run television commercials to attack me by using the very same “Mediscare” lies.
House Majority PAC is one of those “Super PACs” that can raise unlimited amounts of money while keeping its list of donors (labor unions, liberal advocacy groups and individuals) hidden from the public.
Thanks to your generosity, we have been able to lay a good foundation for my 2012 re-election effort. It is also clear that Nancy Pelosi’s shadowy friends are searching for a pro-Pelosi, pro-Obama candidate, and are willing to spend whatever it takes to put the Second Congressional District under her control.
This is why I need your continued help to fight off their attacks that do nothing to put Arkansans back to work.
I appreciate your support and encouragement as I focus on the real fight ahead of us: strengthening our economy, encouraging private sector job creation and getting our debt and deficit under control. Please stand with me and consider making an online contribution of $25, $50, $100 or whatever you are able by clicking here.
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin Member of Congress Arkansas' Second Congressional District
P.S. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this message to ten of your friends!
Griffin Welcomes Collins-Smith to GOP Attends Pocahontas legislator’s announcement at State Capitol
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressman Tim Griffin today issued the following statement welcoming state Rep. Linda Collins-Smith (R-Pocahontas) to the Republican Party of Arkansas:
“I was proud to stand with Rep. Collins-Smith today as she announced that she would join the state’s conservative party. Her announcement shows how conservative Arkansans have a home in the Republican Party. I welcome Rep. Collins-Smith and look forward to seeing her work to help the private sector create new jobs for Arkansas workers and families.”
About Congressman Tim Griffin
Congressman Tim Griffin was elected the 24th representative of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District on November 2, 2010. For the 112th Congress, he is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on the Judiciary while also serving as an Assistant Whip for the majority.
Griffin is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans, and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush. Griffin lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Please join me in welcoming my friend, the Majority Whip, Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California to Little Rock. He will be speaking at the Clinton School of Public Service this Friday, August 5 from 2–3 p.m.
Rep. McCarthy is a former small business owner, having opened a deli before turning 21. He sold his business and earned bachelors and masters degrees from CSU-Bakersfield before being elected to the California General Assembly in 2002. He was sent to Congress in 2006 and elected Majority Whip in 2010.
We’re in the midst of a great four-year national debate on the size and reach of government, the future of the welfare state, indeed, the nature of the social contract between citizen and state. The distinctive visions of the two parties — social-democratic vs. limited-government — have underlain every debate on every issue since Barack Obama’s inauguration: the stimulus, the auto bailouts, health-care reform, financial regulation, deficit spending. Everything. The debt ceiling is but the latest focus of this fundamental divide.
The sausage-making may be unsightly, but the problem is not that Washington is broken, that ridiculous ubiquitous cliche. The problem is that these two visions are in competition, and the definitive popular verdict has not yet been rendered.
We’re only at the midpoint. Obama won a great victory in 2008 that he took as a mandate to transform America toward European-style social democracy. The subsequent counterrevolution delivered to that project a staggering rebuke in November 2010. Under our incremental system, however, a rebuke delivered is not a mandate conferred. That awaits definitive resolution, the rubber match of November 2012.
Griffin Raises over $330,000 in Second Quarter Nearly $500k raised in 2011; Over $250k cash on hand; No debt
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressman Tim Griffin today announced his campaign raised $330,055.25 during the second quarter of 2011 and has over $250,000 cash on hand for his bid for re-election in 2012.
“I am thankful for the continued generosity and encouragement of Arkansans who understand that we cannot take anything for granted and must prepare for the long, hard fight ahead,” Griffin said. “I will continue to fight to reign in government’s out-of-control spending and adopt policies that encourage private sector job creation.”
To date, Griffin has raised $482,923.58. His campaign moves forward with no debt and $253,390.32 cash on hand.
About Congressman Tim Griffin
Congressman Tim Griffin was elected the 24th representative of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District on November 2, 2010. For the 112th Congress, he is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on the Judiciary while also serving as an Assistant Whip for the majority.
Griffin is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans, and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush. Griffin lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Fundraising Deadline Approaching Tomorrow at Midnight: I Need Your Help!
June 29th, 2011
Dear Friend,
Nancy Pelosi’s friends in Washington are doing it again: attacking me for standing with Arkansas seniors to protect their Medicare benefits and ensuring that our country is able to offer security to future generations.
This week, a Washington-based group is running thousands of dollars of radio commercials in Central Arkansas using the same sort of “Mediscare” tactics that have been debunked time and time again by respected independent fact-checking organizations like FactCheck.org and PolitiFact, and news sources like the Washington Post and the Associated Press.
As many of you know, Arkansas’s Second District was key in removing Nancy Pelosi from the Speaker’s Chair. But her Washington buddies have vowed to return her to power, which is why they are attacking me today and why I need your help to prepare for what will be a long and hard campaign.
I announced my candidacy for Congress during the third quarter of 2009 because we needed that much time to put together a campaign that could win and return a conservative majority to the House of Representatives. You can bet that Nancy Pelosi is recruiting a pro-Pelosi, pro-Obama candidate to oppose me, which is why it is important to show we have the financial resources to compete.
At 11:59 p.m. on June 30, the next big deadline of our campaign will pass. We need to show we are able and committed to defending our Second District seat and not letting it return back to Nancy Pelosi’s control. Will you stand with us before Thursday’s deadline and send a message of strength to Pelosi and her allies?
I know it feels like we’ve just finished the last election, but we don’t have the luxury of sitting back when Nancy Pelosi is targeting us. President Obama and Minority Leader Pelosi want someone to reverse my votes to cut over $6 trillion in government spending and to defund, repeal and replace ObamaCare.
Your support put us over the top in 2010, and I thank you for it. I need your help today to continue our fight to get spending under control and encourage private sector job creation.
Thank you so very much,
Tim Griffin
P.S.Your generous contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250 will help us fight the “Mediscare” lies of Nancy Pelosi and her allies. Please donate online at today http://TimGriffinforCongress.com.
P.P.S. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this message to ten of your friends and sharing this effort on Facebook! Nothing is as strong as a recommendation from a trusted friend.
In The News: DCCC Earns FactCheck Criticism Over New Mediscare Robocalls
DCCC EARNS FACTCHECK CRITICISM OVER NEW MEDISCARE ROBOCALLS
Note: FactCheck.org, a project of the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center, criticizes the latest round of robocalls by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) for misleading and false claims over the Republican plan to save Medicare and reign in government spending. This latest example of Democratic falsehoods follows a previous "Pants on Fire" rating by Pulitzer Prize-winning PolitiFact for a similar DCCC attack.
DCCC Dials Wrong Number Robocalls offer misleading view of House GOP budget plan.
June 13, 2011
Summary
Democrats make false and misleading claims about the impact of the House GOP budget plan on Medicare and the federal debt in automated phone calls placed in 13 districts.
The robocalls, paid for by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, claim the GOP plan "actually increases the debt by almost $2 trillion." That's misleading. It's true that the GOP proposes an increase of $1.91 trillion next fiscal year, compared with where it stands now. But that's smaller than the $2.15 trillion increase projected under Obama's budget.
The calls falsely claim that “Medicare will end” under the GOP plan. As we have written before, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says the plan would require future beneficiaries now younger than 55 to pay more than they typically would under traditional Medicare. It's accurate to say the GOP plan would alter Medicare profoundly, but it's false to claim that Medicare would cease to exist.
The robocalls falsely claim that the House GOP budget plan would end "Medicare to pay for subsidies for Big Oil." The plan proposes no specific changes in existing tax breaks for oil companies.
DNC CHAIR EARNS 'FALSE' GRADE OVER LATEST MEDISCARE CLAIM
Note: Pulitzer-Prize winning PolitiFact gives Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz a "false" grade for her recent comments on CBS' "Face the Nation." This latest example of Democratic falsehoods over the Republican plan to save Medicare comes on the heels of a previous "Pants on Fire" rating for a similar attack by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz says Ryan Medicare plan would allow insurers to use pre-existing conditions as barrier to coverage
On the May 29, 2011, edition of CBS’ Face the Nation, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla. -- recently named chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee -- criticized the proposal by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., to make significant changes to how Medicare works.
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Ryan’s plan leaves Medicare as is for people 55 and older. In 2022, though, new beneficiaries would be insured by private insurance companies rather than the federal government, although they would receive "premium support" -- financial assistance from the government for buying insurance. People who need more health care would get a little more money.
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Wasserman Schultz hit this point hard in her Face the Nation interview. "Like I said, the Republicans have a plan to end the Medicare as we know it. …" she said. "They would take the people who are younger than 55 years old today and tell them, ‘You know what? You’re on your own. Go and find private health insurance in … the health care insurance market. We’re going to throw you to the wolves and allow insurance companies to deny you coverage and drop you for pre-existing conditions. We’re going to give you X amount of dollars, and you figure it out.’ And these are people who have paid for their whole life into the system, are counting on that safety net."
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That said, the language in the Ryan plan is clear: In 10 years, when the Ryan plan would kick in, anyone who is eligible for Medicare under today’s rules would be eligible to receive coverage under Ryan’s plan.
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So the resolution itself and the CBO are in agreement: Under the Ryan plan, insurers participating in the revamped Medicare program would not be able to deny you insurance for pre-existing conditions.
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Wasserman Schultz is free to criticize the Ryan plan on any number of grounds, but in her comment, she went too far. Both the budget plan that passed the House and its predecessor, Ryan-Rivlin, specifically noted that coverage could not be prevented by a pre-existing condition. It may be easier to say you’ll bar "cherry picking" patients than it is to put it into practice, but Ryan has made his intentions consistently clear. We rate her statement False.
It is an honor to serve the people of the Second Congressional District, and I am focused on doing the job I was elected to do: cut government spending, get our budget and national debt under control and encourage private sector job creation. I have voted to:
Cut Over $6 Trillion in Government Spending to Reduce the Debt.
Defund, Repeal and Replace the Obama Health Care Law.
Repeal the Burdensome 1099 Filing Requirement on Businesses.
Eliminate the Wasteful Alternate F-35 Fighter Engine from the Defense Budget.
And some folks aren’t too happy about it. In fact, Nancy Pelosi’s friends in Washington are already attacking me.
The most recent attack was over my vote to save Medicare for seniors and ensure it will still exist for our children and grandchildren. Our opponents in Washington have run radio ads, called folks at home and put misinformation on the Internet, attempting to scare Arkansas seniors with deception. The truth is our plan keeps America's promise to seniors and saves Medicare. In fact, those who are 55 or older will see no changes.
Make no mistake. There is one reason why they are attacking so soon after you helped take the Second District seat away from them: They want to make Nancy Pelosi the Speaker of the House again, and they are already looking to recruit their pro-Pelosi, pro-Obama candidate.
I realize many folks are ready for a break from politics. After all, the election was only last November. But the fact is we don’t have that luxury. We must remain vigilant. So my 2012 re-election effort is underway, and I need your help to be prepared for what will certainly be a long, hard battle as we fight to get our spending under control and encourage private sector job creation.
I appreciate your time and consideration. Please stand with me and consider giving to my campaign in the amount of $25, $50, $100, $250 or whatever you are able online at www.TimGriffinforCongress.com.
Thank you so very much,
Tim Griffin
P.S. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this message to ten of your friends and sharing this effort on Facebook! In politics, nothing is as strong as a recommendation from a trusted friend.
Notable Quotable: NY Times: "Democrats will have to admit that Medicare cannot keep running as it is"
"Sooner or later, Democrats will have to admit that Medicare cannot keep running as it is — its medical costs are out of control, and a recent report showed its trust fund running out of money in 2024, five years earlier than expected. Bill Clinton was right on Wednesday to warn his party that it must bring down those costs if it is to have any credibility on the deficit and the economy."
In The News: Griffin Calls for Cutting Defense Waste
May 19th, 2011
press@timgriffinforcongress.com
GRIFFIN CALLS FOR CUTTING DEFENSE WASTE
Note: This op-ed appeared in the Arkansas Leader on May 13, 2011.
Cut defense waste
By REP. TIM GRIFFIN Second District Congressman
In February, I led my colleagues in eliminating a redundant and wasteful government program that would save taxpayers nearly $3 billion. Along with 232 of my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives, I voted to eliminate the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter alternate-engine program.
This program was started by Congress in 1995 and created an artificial competition between Pratt & Whitney and General Electric to provide an engine for the F-35 JSF. I say artificial because the Department of Defense was paying for the development of both engines, and once developed, held an annual competition to see which engine outperformed. This program has already cost the American taxpayer over $2.5 billion and is expected to cost up to $2.9 billion more.
As a member of the armed forces, I do not take cutting defense programs lightly. I know that the brave men and women in our military put their lives on the line, and it is my responsibility as a member of Congress to see that they are properly equipped. After closely examining the rationale for continuing this competition, however, I came to the conclusion that this effort does nothing to ensure the safety of our troops or increase our national security. Worse, the alternate-engine program diverts essential funding from critical military projects that keep our troops on the ground, and this nation safe from attack.
There are almost 30 U.S. military aircraft that operate with an engine manufactured by a single provider. In fact, the F-16 is the only aircraft in the history of U.S. military aviation with two simultaneous engine manufacturers. The bottom line is that we just cannot afford to waste money on developing two engines—one primary and one alternate—for one plane.
I am not the only one against subsidizing this wasteful alternate-engine competition. Each year since 2006, DoD has proposed the elimination of the alternate-engine program. Both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama have opposed it, and our military leaders have stated that a single engine manufacturer is suitable for the F-35 JSF. We must respect the taxpayers and their hard-earned dollars, and terminating the alternate-engine program is a step in the right direction.
As of today, our national debt is over $14 trillion and rising. If we are going to tackle our debt, we must reduce spending further. I believe that we must look at all federal agencies to identify waste and what programs we can cut or eliminate outright. No agency is exempt from the budget process, and I am determined to get our fiscal house in order.
I am pleased that the elimination of this program was included in the FY 2011 continuing-resolution agreement and that the Pentagon recently ordered the cancellation of the alternate-engine program.
Some in Washington are now talking about reinstating this wasteful program—not if I can help it. I will continue to monitor this issue for the taxpayer and ensure that the alternate engine remains cancelled.
In The News: Former Democratic Congressman Critical of Obama's Drilling Policy
FORMER DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN CRITICAL OF OBAMA'S DRILLING POLICY
Note: In The Wall Street Journal, former Democratic Congressman Harold Ford Jr. (TN) writes that even former President Clinton calls the Obama administration's deep water drilling policy 'ridiculous.'
Washington vs. Energy Security
Even former President Clinton calls the Obama administration's deep water drilling policy 'ridiculous.'
By HAROLD FORD, JR.
When President Obama introduced his energy plan in March, he pointed out that the U.S. keeps going "from shock to trance on the issue of energy security, rushing to propose action when gas prices rise, then hitting the snooze button when they fall again."
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In the year since the Deepwater Horizon spill, the Obama administration has put in place what is effectively a permanent moratorium on deep water drilling. It stretched out the approval process for some Gulf-region drilling permits to more than nine months, lengths that former President Bill Clinton has called "ridiculous."
Then there's tax policy. Why, when gas prices are climbing, would any elected official call for new taxes on energy? And characterizing legitimate tax credits as "subsidies" or "loopholes" only distracts from substantive treatment of these issues. Lawmakers misrepresent the facts when they call the manufacturing deduction known as Section 199—passed by Congress in 2004 to spur domestic job growth—a "subsidy" for oil and gas firms. The truth is that all U.S. manufacturers, from software producers to filmmakers and coffee roasters, are eligible for this deduction.
We won't achieve energy security by restricting our own companies from drilling or singling them out for punitive taxes. We're talking about an industry that provides millions of jobs and, for the foreseeable future, the power for our economic growth.
Note: This is Part 2 of an interview with Talk Business. In the interview with Roby Brock, Tim discusses his position on the debt ceiling, his thoughts on the President's new national security team and 2012 presidential politics. To view the interview, click the image below.
In The News: Tim Discusses Medicare & Military on Talk Business
TIM DISCUSSES MEDICARE AND MILITARY ON TALK BUSINESS
Note: This is Part 1 of an interview with Talk Business. In the interview with Roby Brock, Tim discussed his position on saving Medicare for future generations and what he plans to do to eliminate wasteful defense spending.To view the interview, click below.
From the Archives: Former Clinton Medicare Commission Co-Chair Backed ‘Premium Support’ Reform Similar to House Plan
Note: The following is an excerpt from a 1999 op-ed by former Sen. John Breaux (D-LA), Co-Chairman of former President Bill Clinton's National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare.
“What exactly is a premium support model and what does my particular version do? Premium support means the government would literally support or pay part of the premium for a defined core package of Medicare benefits. This is not a voucher program, but an alternative to the current system. Today, Congress micro manages Medicare, and the government uses fee schedules and thousands of pages of regulations to set prices for specific services. My plan combines the best that the private sector has to offer with the government protections we need to maintain the social safety net.
"I have proposed a premium support Medicare plan modeled after the health care plan serving nearly 10 million federal workers, retirees and their families.”
POLITIFACT ON LATEST DCCC NEGATIVE ATTACK ON MEDICARE:
'PANTS ON FIRE'
Earns highest rating for 'misleading' the public
Note: Pulitzer Prize-winning PolitiFact gives the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) the ignominious "Pants on Fire" rating for its current campaign to mislead the American people about recent votes to save Medicare by House Republicans.
Democrats say Republicans voted to end Medicare and charge seniors $12,000
A new political ad from Democrats shows seniors running a lemonade stand, cutting the grass, and even stripping at a bachelorette party -- all to raise money to pay for Medicare.
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"Seniors will have to find $12,500 for health care," the ad says, "because Republicans voted to end Medicare."
So do grandparents have to go back to work because of a Republican vote? Not really.
The Republican proposal explained
The ad critiques a budget proposal from Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., chairman of the House Budget Committee. Ryan’s plan would dramatically cut federal spending in the name of fiscal discipline, and it has widespread support in the Republican caucus.
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Ryan’s plan leaves Medicare as is for people 55 and older. In 2022, though, new beneficiaries would receive "premium support," which means they would buy plans from private insurance companies with financial assistance from the government. People who need more health care would get a little more money. Some call this a voucher program, but the proposal says it’s not a voucher plan, because the government would pay the insurance companies directly.
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What the ad gets wrong
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But to say the Republicans voted to end Medicare, as the ad does, is a major exaggeration. All seniors would continue to be offered coverage under the proposal, and the program’s budget would increase every year.
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Our ruling
Both Republicans and Democrats would no doubt agree that Ryan’s plan for Medicare is a dramatic change of course. But we don’t agree with the ad’s contention that the proposal ends Medicare. Additionally, images in the ad imply that current seniors will have to go back to work to pay for changes to the program. That’s not true either. It’s actually those 54 and younger who will need extra money. With its scenes of seniors going back to work, it seems intended to frighten those who are currently enrolled in Medicare. Finally, the Republicans' vote was symbolic and didn’t actually change the program. When you add up all those distortions, we find the ad highly misleading.
The ad’s aged firefighter says, "Did someone call the fire department? Because it's about to get HOT in here!" We agree. Pants on Fire!
"What can I say about Nancy Pelosi? I think [she] will go down in history as one of the finest Speakers that we have ever had, and she is going to continue to be, in the future, one of the great Speakers that we’ve ever had."
Griffin: DCCC Attacks 'Shameful,' But 'Not Surprising' Pelosi and Friends Embrace Senior Scare Strategy, Ignore Medicare's Pending Bankruptcy
LITTLE ROCK – Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement in response to the Washington-based Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) ads attacking him for his support of a plan to save Medicare:
“Nancy Pelosi wants to be Speaker again and believes attacking me will help her get there. I am doing what I was elected to do: reduce our crushing debt so America can create jobs. It is not surprising but shameful nonetheless that her vision for America is based on scaring seniors through deception. The status quo leads to the bankruptcy of Medicare.
“I am committed to saving Medicare and keeping our promises to seniors. For those 55 and over, the House budget makes no changes whatsoever. For those younger than 55, we want to give Arkansans the freedom to choose a health plan like Members of Congress now receive. The bottom line is that Medicare is going bankrupt. If you are for the status quo with regard to Medicare, you're on the side of the elimination of Medicare as we know it.”
About Congressman Tim Griffin
Congressman Tim Griffin was elected the 24th representative of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District on November 2, 2010. For the 112th Congress, he is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on the Judiciary while also serving as an Assistant Whip for the majority.
Griffin is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans, and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush. Griffin lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressman Tim Griffin today announced that Mitchell Lowe will head up his 2012 re-election campaign.
“I am honored to serve the people of the Second Congressional District,” Griffin said. “The facts are clear: Nancy Pelosi wants to be Speaker again, and her friends have already started their false negative attacks to help her out.
“The process of mobilizing for the next election must start now, and that is why I am thrilled to welcome Mitchell to the team,” Griffin continued. “He has been a good and trusted friend for many years, and his experience and knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to spread our positive message of reducing the national debt, private sector job creation and smaller government.”
Lowe has managed campaigns, including President George W. Bush’s 2004 re-election effort in Arkansas, and has advised candidates at the local, state and federal levels. He is a graduate of Little Rock Central High School and the University of Arkansas.
“I am proud of the courage and vision Tim has demonstrated during his first few months in office in keeping his promise to cut Washington spending and fight for policies that help create jobs here in Arkansas,” said Lowe. “Tim has much more work ahead of him, and I am honored to accept this role. I look forward to building on the grassroots energy from the last campaign and making sure Tim continues to serve the people of Central Arkansas in Congress,” Lowe added.
About Congressman Tim Griffin
Congressman Tim Griffin was elected the 24th representative of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District on November 2, 2010. For the 112th Congress, he is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on the Judiciary while also serving as an Assistant Whip for the majority.
Griffin is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans, and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush. Griffin lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Griffin Announces First Quarter Fundraising Totals
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressman Tim Griffin reported raising $152,868 during the first 3 months of 2011. Griffin has a cash on hand balance of $176,255.
“I am thankful for the continued support of folks who just want the federal government to live within its means, so that the private sector can create jobs.”
About Congressman Tim Griffin
Congressman Tim Griffin was elected the 24th representative of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District on November 2, 2010. For the 112th Congress, he is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on the Judiciary while also serving as an Assistant Whip for the majority.
Griffin is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans, and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush. Griffin lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
THE SALINE COURIER: Griffin Calls On Senate To Pass Spending Bill
Note: This column by Tim appeared in the April 3rd edition of The Saline Courier.
By U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin
Every year the federal government is funded by spending bills passed by Congress. It is the fundamental job of Congress to do so. So why are we debating spending bills to fund the government through the end of the 2011 fiscal year, which ends on September 30?
One simple reason.
The last Congress, under the management of Nancy Pelosi in the House and Harry Reid in the Senate failed to pass the routine, annual spending bills. Instead, they passed a bill to fund the federal government for only months, ending in March. In other words, they failed to do their jobs.
The failure to pass an annual spending bill six months ago brought uncertainty to our economy and showed a lack of leadership. Since October 1, 2010, the federal government has operated without a longterm spending plan, Congress to pass short-term spending bills or “continuing resolutions” to keep the government running.
Since the start of FY2011, our country has added about $4.1 billion to the debt every day. This runaway spending has brought our nation’s debt to $14.1 trillion, working out to roughly $45,484 in debt for each man, woman, and child.
There are many descriptors used by politicians and pundits to describe our debt, including “unsustainable,” “unwieldy,” or “burdensome.” I simply call it this: embarrassing — embarrassing that we have brought the greatest nation on Earth to her knees; embarrassing that we are borrowing 41 cents of every dollar from countries like China; and embarrassing that we have feasted while our children and grandchildren will live in an America where exceptionalism and innovation are no longer a given. The national debt, left unchecked, is a job-killer. Less debt means more jobs, more growth and more opportunity for Arkansans.
Forty-two days ago, I was proud to join a majority of the House of Representatives in voting to make common sense spending cuts — $100 billion from President Obama’s 2011 budget request — and keep the government running for the rest of the year. Sen. Reid and his friends stand in the way of funding the government — injecting uncertainty into the lives of those who rely on the government by bringing it to the brink of shutdown.
Sen. Reid thinks that our plan goes “too far,” but believes shutting down the government is perfectly acceptable. That is absurd, especially given that neither Sen. Reid nor his allies have offered a credible plan of their own.
The Senate can’t bring itself to cut a few billion dollars despite a recently released non-partisan GAO report detailing $100 to $200 billion that can be saved by eliminating duplicative federal programs. If the Senate is unwilling to make the small cuts, how will we ever make the bold decisions needed to address the twin disasters of our deficits and debt by addressing Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security?
Sen. Reid and his friends have described our request for serious and responsible action as partisan politics. Nonsense. It’s called doing your job. We can walk and chew gum at the same time. Let’s fund the government and cut spending.
The ones who spent us into debt now won’t fix it. Our predecessors, House and Senate, Republicans and Democrats, have kicked the can so far that we’ve run out of road. I refuse to continue that sad tradition of delay and neglect. I call on my friends in the Senate to do the job that was required of them months ago: fund the federal government.
Rep. Tim Griffin represents Saline County and the 2nd Congressional District of Arkansas in the U.S. House of Representatives. He lives in Little Rock.
In The News: Griffin Says Health Care Reform Overhaul Necessary
March 21st, 2011
LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT: Griffin: Health reform overhaul necessary
Note: This column by Tim appeared in the March 18th edition of the Log Cabin Democrat.
By U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin
Our health care system desperately needs meaningful reform. Costs for the insured continue to rise, making up 17 percent of our GDP, and the cost of caring for the uninsured is unsustainable. This nation is $14 trillion in debt, and we are never going to get out of debt if we don’t address the rising cost of health care. Last year, Congress and the president focused on increasing coverage for the uninsured without addressing the question of how to pay for it. The new health care law is flawed beyond repair. That is why I co-sponsored and voted to repeal the health care reform law and am working with my colleagues to draft a sound replacement.
The new health care law increases government’s role in your health care decisions. By creating a federally-designed system of health insurance exchanges, the federal government will be the one managing the allocation and pricing of services, ultimately regulating access to care. Some call this rationing. Whatever you call it, Washington will ultimately be making the decisions about your health. These are decisions that should be made by you and your doctor.
Health care reform must first and foremost protect the doctor-patient relationship.
The new health care law increases costs. The nonpartisan economists at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the new health care law will cause health care costs to go up — not down — and the consequences are already being felt. For example, Caterpillar, which has a manufacturing plant that employs hundreds of Arkansans in North Little Rock, said that the new tax increases in the health care law will cost the company $90 million in new taxes. Companies across the country will not be able to absorb these costs, and, likely, will be forced to increase premiums paid by workers for health insurance. This doesn’t save us money; it adds to our costs.
The new health care law adds to the debt. The American people understand the consequences and real price tag of $2 trillion associated with the law that passed last year. It was loaded with gimmicks and a $500 billion cut to Medicare to make it seem like it wouldn’t add to our national debt. All of us, our children and grandchildren, will pay for this through new taxes that will decrease economic prosperity at home and U.S. competitiveness abroad as we borrow 41 cents of every dollar we spend, much of it from China.The new health care law is a job killer. Businesses will struggle to comply with its onerous regulations like the costly 1099 filing requirement. Also, businesses face uncertainty resulting from regulations not yet written.
According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), the employer mandate that requires employers to offer health insurance could lead to the elimination of 1.6 million jobs, with a majority of those coming from small businesses — America’s backbone and economic engine.
The new health care law restricts freedom. Federal courts have struck down the “individual mandate,” requiring every individual to have insurance or pay a fine, citing that there is no constitutional authority for Congress to regulate and tax a citizen for their choice not to purchase health insurance.
We can do better. We must pass a new bill with real, meaningful health care reforms based on market-based solutions. We can promote prevention and wellness by financially rewarding employees who adopt healthy lifestyles; this has been proven effective. Instead of creating new programs, let’s empower American businesses and families by allowing them to buy health insurance across state lines and pool together and acquire health insurance at lower prices, the same way large corporations and labor unions do. We must end the junk lawsuits that make trial attorneys richer, force doctors to practice defensive medicine and increase insurance costs. A Gallup poll found that, according to physicians, 26 percent of health care costs are because of defensive medicine. Let’s give states the tools to create their own innovative reforms that lower health care costs and create incentives in the payment system to reward a higher quality of care.
It is possible for Congress to tackle our health care crisis. Our solutions must be a tribute to the ideals of this nation and reflect the will of its citizens. Let’s replace the new health care law with common sense reforms that lower costs, preserve the doctor-patient relationship, permit Americans to keep the coverage they have, allow the private sector to create jobs and follow the Constitution.
The negative attacks have already started! According to an article published this week, the Washington, D.C.-based Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is attacking me via automated and live phone calls, Web ads, and e-mails for doing what I said I would do: Cut government spending, get our fiscal house in order, and allow the private sector to create jobs. Read the article here.
It’s unfortunate that just four months after the election, the attacks have begun. I need your continued help so we can prepare for a long, hard fight for common-sense.
The DCCC is attacking me specifically for recent votes I’ve made to cut the federal budget. I’m proud of these votes and look forward to continuing to work on your behalf to eliminate wasteful and unnecessary spending from the federal budget.
I appreciate your support and encouragement. Please stand with me and consider making an online contribution of $5, $25, $100 or whatever you are able by clicking here.
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
Member of Congress
Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District
P.S. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this message to ten of your friends!
In The News: DCCC attacks Rep. Griffin for cutting spending
February 24th, 2011
ROLL CALL: DCCC Doing Phone Calls in 50 GOP Districts
Note: This article appeared in the February 23rd edition of Roll Call. Tim's District is one of the 50 being targeted, and he needs your financial help to prepare for the fight to come.
DCCC Doing Phone Calls in 50 GOP Districts
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee on Wednesday announced a new push using automated and live phone calls, Web ads and e-mails in the districts of 50 House Republicans [including Congressman Tim Griffin of Arkansas' 2nd District].
The campaign suggests to voters that Republicans made the “wrong budget choices” ... The DCCC did not outline how much it is spending.
As Roll Call has reported, the DCCC’s last campaign amounted to $10,000 on radio ads against 19 GOP incumbents in 17 media markets — an average of $500 worth of radio ads spread across five days against each Member.
The majority of this new campaign, part of the “Drive to 25” effort to win back the House, will consist of phone calls. Voters living in the district held by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), for example, will get ominous automated phone calls. ...
Other calls mentioned specific cuts in each region, saying that the GOP budget would harm federal workers in Northern Virginia. ...
"Erskine Bowles, the Democratic chairman of the fiscal commission [and former Clinton White House Chief of Staff], said the White House budget request [released today] goes 'nowhere near where they will have to go to resolve our fiscal nightmare.'"
THE SALINE COURIER: Griffin Holds Open ‘Conversation’
Note: This article appeared in the February 3rd edition of The Saline Courier.
Griffin Holds Open ‘Conversation’
U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, R-Ark., conducted one of his “conversations with constituents” Wednesday morning at The Center at Bishop Park.
In that setting, Griffin focused on several issues of national concern, particularly the ever-increasing national debt.
Taking a bipartisan approach to solutions, Griffin said the problem can’t be corrected through a Republican method nor a Democrat method, but will require an American effort.
The congressman’s visit was part of similar ones he plans for all eight counties of Arkansas’s 2nd Congressional District in the District Work Week, Monday, Jan. 31, through Monday, Feb. 7.
Griffin, returning to Arkansas for his first extended work period since the start of the 112th Congress, had invited the public to join him for “A Conversation about the National Debt, Job Creation and Building a Stronger America.”
He noted that this was the first opportunity he has had to come home to spend a full week working in the Second District,.
“I can’t think of a more important discussion than how to pay down the national debt and stimulate private sector job creation,” he said. “That is why I was looking forward to speaking with the people of the Second District, and why I invited the public to join us.”
The national debt affects everyone, Griffin pointed out, while noting that it currently is reported to be $14.1 trillion. “And we’re adding $4 billion to the debt every day.”
He compared that amount to the entire year’s budget for the state of Arkansas, which is $4.5 billion.”Every day we’re adding the equivalent of the Arkansas budget to the national debt.”
“Who’s to blame?” he pondered, somewhat rhetorically.
“We all are,” he said in answer to his question. “That means Republicans, Democrats, Congress after Congress, presidents and, above all, the American people because the people we elect are responsible to us.”
This problem has occurred, he said, because “we have been willing to get short-term money in exchange for long-term pain.”
He said the budget for the current year is $3.,5 trillion, “which is $1.5 trillion more than we take in.”
“There’s a big fight over a little bit of money because there is little discretionary spending at the federal level,” he said.
“The president’s budget will double the debt in five years and triple it in 10 years and his own people are saying that this is not sustainable,” Griffin said.
“The real battle in Washington is about the size of the federal government, not the deficit,” he said.
Open discussion about government size is critical, he contends.
“The debt is spiraling out of control,” creating fiscal and moral consequences, which he contends is “threatening the American character.”
He promised to fight for “legitimate funding for legitimate services” in Arkansas, but said there are projects in the state that should not have taken place because of funding limitations.
As an example, he mentioned the pedestrian bridge across the Arkansas River. “Other areas don’t have funding for their drug task forces,” he said by way of comparison.
“Bad money can crowd out good money,” he said, but promised to make efforts to assist the Second Congressional District in obtaining grants.
As he said several times during his presentation, “this is not a Democratic deal, not a Republican deal, this is an American deal.”
“Overspending is the problem,” he said.
According to Griffin, as it stands now, most freshmen congressmen will not be voting to raise the debt limit.
“We must have reform,” he stated.
Another issue he touched on was job creation.
“There are four keys to job creation,” he said. “Stop deficit spending; balance the budget; pay down the debt; and make America attractive to job creators.”
“There should be a bipartisan way to attract and create jobs,” he said. One of these is lowering the corporate tax, he said.
“American can compete internationally, he contended, and “small and big businesses can help.”
“There’s a role for everybody,” he added.
“The private sector must be allowed ... to create jobs,” he said, “and we must have oversight power to look for over-burdensome regulations.”
In other “conversations” Griffin has held with constituents, he said he has found that “people are ready to do something. They may not agree on the specifics, because there’s no easy option.
“Every single option is painful,” he said.
With reform, some programs will not exist, Griffin said.
“We can’t turn this around completely, but we need to start the turn,” he said. Reiterating his stance about the debt, he said, “I will not vote to raise the national debt limit as a stand-alone measure.”
In spite of being a strong supporter of national defense, Griffin said he does not believe that “every dollar spent at the Pentagon is spent wisely.”
“We must get our fiscal house in order,” he said, pointing out that he made his position on spending clear during his campaign.
A person in the audience inquired about the amount American spends on foreign aid. Griffin replied that it is “about $48 billion,” which he said as a percentage of total spending “is really small.”
Other issues raised by audience members included export-import measures and an emphasis for “Made in America” products.
A woman said she can walk in a store and ask to see American products “and they don’t know where they are.”
Alternative fuel sources also were touched on briefly, with someone pointing out that “we’ve had solar energy for a long time, but we haven’t done anything with it.” “The private sector is the only way to lead,” Griffin said while pointing out that “most technological advances come from people taking risks.”
Lowering taxes is part of the overall solution, Griffin contended. ...
In The News: Griffin putting importance on having ‘conversations’
February 3rd, 2011
LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT: Griffin putting importance on having ‘conversations’
Note: This article appeared in the February 1st edition of the Log Cabin Democrat.
Griffin putting importance on having ‘conversations’
By BECKY HARRIS
He’s been on the job only three weeks, but already U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, R-Ark., is making the rounds of the Second District to “have a conversation” with his constituents.
One such meeting drew a crowd of about 50 on Monday afternoon at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s important that we have this conversation,” Griffin said. “I want to communicate with you because I want you to walk with me on the issues,” he said. “I have faith in you folks. We can’t wait to have a conversation about the hard choices the country must make.”
He said he and the other freshmen in Congress are “dead set” on getting the country’s fiscal house in order.
“I fundamentally believe this is the greatest challenge of our lifetime and beyond,” he said to applause from the audience.
His topics for the afternoon were the national debt, job creation and “building a stronger America.”
“Think what we could be doing if we weren’t paying $400 billion a year in interest on the national debt,” he said. “That’s bad money. Bad money crowds out the good things we should be doing. “Who’s to blame?
“Republicans, Democrats, Congress after Congress, president after president and the American people. There are plenty of people to blame, but I believe the American people are ready to hear the truth.”
Erasing the debt this year is impossible, he said, but “We have to get on the path now. If we don’t, we are going to be in big, big, big trouble. I don’t care what (political) party you are in; I don’t care what you do for a living. If we don’t solve our fiscal problems, this will be a country you won’t want to live in.
“Avoiding the problem will have fiscal and moral consequences. It will threaten our exceptional American character ... there will be massive job losses ... the next generation will be worse off than their parents ... and America will be a second-rate country,” he said.
He was in Perryville earlier in the day, and he said a resident asked him what he was going to do for Perry County.
“I told him the No. 1 thing I can do for Perry County is to get government growth under control,” Griffin said. “Here’s my view from 30,000 feet. The answer is not raising taxes. History shows that spending is the problem. Stop deficit spending, balance the budget, encourage job creators, increase economic freedom for big business and little business, and make this a country that creates jobs.
“That’s a place people will want to live. You are doing right things in Conway. You have a skilled work force, good infrastructure and a low cost of living. You are doing what makes Conway attractive to the HPs, the Acxioms.
“I’m angry more than anything because of where we are. I’m a realist about what can be accomplished, but we can start, and we’ll move forward because of the ground we hold in the House.”
He said he looks forward to returning to Conway and hopes he can “fill up a place five times this size.”
In The News: Griffin named 1 of 5 Up-and-Coming House GOP Freshmen
January 28th, 2011
ROLL CALL: UP-AND-COMING HOUSE GOP FRESHMEN
Note: This article appeared in the January 20th edition of Roll Call. Naming Congressman Griffin one of five "up-and-coming GOP House freshmen," the Capitol Hill paper wrote, "Griffin raised an impressive $1.8 million for his campaign and won plaudits by contributing to other GOP candidates. The Army reservist and Iraq War veteran was rewarded with seats on the Judiciary and Armed Services committees."
Up-and-Coming House GOP Freshmen
By Jackie Kucinich and Jessica Brady Jan. 20, 2011, 4:34 p.m.
Diane Black (Tenn.) Most freshmen are not able to contribute financially to other House candidates while they are running for office, but most freshmen aren’t like Black. During her campaign for the House, Black donated $1,000 to more than a dozen GOP candidates around the country, a demonstration of both her electoral strength and her ambition to be a player in Washington, D.C. ...
Cory Gardner (Colo.) Gardner served on the GOP transition team under Rep. Greg Walden (Ore.), allowing him to develop an early relationship with one of Speaker John Boehner’s (Ohio) top allies. ...
Tim Griffin (Ark.) In a freshman class filled with Washington outsiders, Griffin bucks the trend. He was a top political aide before coming to Congress, holding senior positions at the Republican National Committee and the White House before entering electoral politics. The Republican, whose victory in Little Rock was a GOP pickup last year, is on the Majority Whip team.
Griffin raised an impressive $1.8 million for his campaign and won plaudits by contributing to other GOP candidates. The Army reservist and Iraq War veteran was rewarded with seats on the Judiciary and Armed Services committees.
“It is openly talked about in the leadership circles that Tim Griffin could be NRCC chairman sooner rather than later,” a former GOP operative said.
Kristi Noem (S.D.) Even before Rep. Kristi Noem was sworn in to office, House Republicans encouraged her to take a starring role as a member of leadership. She campaigned hard for one of two freshman spots at the leadership table and won to become the freshman class liaison to leadership. ...
Allen West (Fla.) A favorite of the tea party movement and a fundraising powerhouse, West already has made waves in Washington, D.C. The retired Army lieutenant colonel is the only Republican member of the Congressional Black Caucus and its first GOP participant since 1997. Criticized by Democrats for his fiery campaign rhetoric, West said in an interview with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel following the Arizona shootings that he had no intentions of softening his image. ...
Griffin Appointed to Majority Whip Team ‘Honored’ to help cut spending and encourage job creation
LITTLE ROCK – Congressman-elect Tim Griffin (AR-02) today issued the following statement after being appointed by House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to be an Assistant Whip for the House Republican Conference during the 112th Congress:
“I am honored to be a part of Rep. McCarthy’s leadership team that will cut Washington spending and encourage private sector job creation while crafting the common sense solutions voters sent us to Washington to deliver.”
Rep. McCarthy added: “I look forward to working with Rep. Griffin to ensure we have an open and transparent process to pass legislation that will help create jobs, balance our budget, promote liberty and return us to prosperity.”
About Congressman-elect Tim Griffin
Congressman-elect Tim Griffin was elected the 24th representative of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District on November 2, 2010. Previously, he was the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Happy New Year from Elizabeth, Mary Katherine, John and me! As I start my travel today to Washington, D.C., to begin serving you in the 112th Congress, I wish you a blessed, peaceful and prosperous new year.
Thank you for the support and kindness you showed my family and me during 2010. I appreciate the encouragement we continue to receive as we approach the start of the new Congress on January 5.
God bless you and your family, and God bless America as we start 2011.
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
You Are Invited!
December 30th, 2010
Merry Christmas!
December 24th, 2010
Dear Friend,
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Elizabeth, Mary Katherine, John and me! Our family wishes everyone a blessed and peaceful Christmas.
We love this time of year and the opportunity it gives us to spend more time with family and friends.
Thank you for your continued support and kindness! We appreciate your encouragement as I prepare to start serving you in a few short days.
During this special season, I ask that you also remember the men and women of our military and their families.
Griffin Appointed to Two Committees Griffin to serve on Armed Services, Judiciary in 112th Congress
LITTLE ROCK – Congressman-elect Tim Griffin (AR-02) today issued the following statement after being appointed to the House Committee on Armed Services and House Committee on the Judiciary for the 112th Congress:
“I am honored to be appointed to serve on the Armed Services Committee and look forward to supporting America’s military and their families. As home to over 70,000 veterans, thousands of active military, Guardsmen and Reserve, I am excited about representing the Second District which plays a critical role in our national defense.
“I am equally honored to be appointed to the Judiciary Committee and being a part of its important work, including strengthening our nation’s security, protecting children from Internet predators, conducting vigorous oversight, preventing frivolous lawsuits and protecting intellectual property.”
Griffin continues the Second District’s representation on the Armed Services Committee, taking over from outgoing U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder. The combined economic impact of the Little Rock Air Force Base and Camp Joseph T. Robinson totals over $800 million. Griffin’s appointment to the Judiciary Committee marks the first time Arkansas has been represented on the committee since former Third District Rep. Asa Hutchinson in 2001.
About Congressman-elect Tim Griffin
Congressman-elect Tim Griffin was elected the 24th representative of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District on November 2, 2010. Previously, he was the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Urges bipartisan support to 'change the culture in Washington'
LITTLE ROCK – Congressman-elect Tim Griffin (AR-02) today issued the following statement in response to President Obama's call for a pay freeze for federal civilian employees:
"I welcome President Obama's embrace of an idea many of us have pushed for some time. It is a good and welcome step that I hope will earn bipartisan support so that we can begin to change the culture in Washington. As we move forward in the new Congress, we must show taxpayers we are serious about getting our fiscal house in order."
About Congressman-elect Tim Griffin
Congressman-elect Tim Griffin was elected the 24th representative of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District on November 2, 2010. Previously, he was the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Happy Thanksgiving from Elizabeth, Mary Katherine, John and me!
This is an important and special time of year as we get to spend time with friends and loved ones. My family is thankful for the many blessings God has given us. And I am also very thankful for your support and the opportunity to serve you.
On this day of thanks, I ask that you also remember the men and women of our military and their families.
Thank you all for your support. God bless you and God bless America.
Griffin: Ban 'first-step' toward changing culture in Washington
LITTLE ROCK – Congressman-elect Tim Griffin (AR-02) today issued the following statement after the House Republican Conference unanimously adopted a ban on earmarks for the 112th Congress:
“This is just the first step in changing the culture of Washington to one where the American taxpayer is respected. While some worthwhile projects have been funded through earmarks, earmarks have contributed to wasteful spending and the corruption of our system. I am proud we have taken this crucial step toward earning the confidence and trust of the American people.”
About Congressman-Elect Tim Griffin
Congressman-Elect Tim Griffin was elected to represent Arkansas's Second Congressional District on November 2, 2010. Previously, he was the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
LITTLE ROCK – Congressman-Elect Tim Griffin (AR-02) today issued the following statement to commemorate Veterans Day:
“Today we remember the courage, sacrifice and service of our military veterans. I have a deep appreciation of the gift of freedom veterans have given us. On this Veterans Day, I hope you will join me in pausing for a moment of silence and reflection to remember the men and women who have served us in uniform and their families.”
About Congressman-Elect Tim Griffin
Congressman-Elect Tim Griffin was elected to represent Arkansas's Second Congressional District on November 2, 2010. Previously, he was the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Thank you so much for your support and votes that made Election Day historic!
Thanks to you, we successfully completed a campaign that took over a year. We continually asked you for your support to help elect common sense leadership to Congress. You delivered, and I am humbled by your generosity.
As I said on election night, I will fight for you every single day in Congress, but I need you to stay involved. It is critical to the futures of our families.
Thank you so very much for your confidence and support! It is an honor to serve. Now it is time to get to work.
Thank you all!
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
In The News: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Endorses Tim Griffin
Note: This endorsement appeared in the October 26 edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and is reprinted with the paper's permission.
For Tim Griffin And for responsible politics
By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
LITTLE ROCK — IS JOYCE ELLIOTT running for Congress in the Second District or is she just running against Tim Griffin? Does it say anything about her own qualifications, or her lack of same, that she seems to spend most of her time talking about her opponent? An unsuspecting voter visiting her campaign’s official website might ask the same questions. Here’s an item listed in the site’s “news” category,originally reported by an outfit called the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, and repeated on Joyce Elliot’s website like the juicy bit of gossip it is:
“In the 2004 presidential election, Mr. Griffin was the research director of the RNC where he may have spearheaded Republican vote caging efforts, a legally questionable direct mail campaign to disenfranchise poor, minority and military voters.”
Wow. We especially love that “may,” as in may have beat his wife or may have two heads, and yes, may have spearheaded whatever Vote Caging Efforts are. Yeah, he may have once said, “Hook ’Em Horns,” too, or given your tomatoes the dark blight. He’d deny it, of course, but fat lot of good that’d do him. Joyce Elliott’s rumor mill would just keep carrying the charge on her website, responsibility be damned.
Just to be responsible ourselves, let’s note that Tim Griffin has denied doing anything illegal in this matter he “may have spearheaded”-but that didn’t stop CREW from naming him one of the most crooked candidates of the year, or keep Joyce Elliott from blithely repeating the charge. As a permanent item on her website.
You see, to Joyce Elliott, that’s all she’s doing: just repeating a charge. For in her ethically confused world, a politician running for an office (or at least for one she wants) is guilty until he can prove himself innocent. Or as she once said, apparently sincerely, after being caught repeating CREW’s smear: “What is said about politicians is fair game, and if it’s not true and you can disprove it, then you disprove it.”
So it’s up to Tim Griffin to prove that he did not spearhead a campaign to disenfranchise voters. Including military voters. Those who know Major Tim Griffin of the U.S. Army Reserves-another name and title he sometimes uses-might be surprised to hear that. Although by now nothing Joyce Elliott says in this campaign would surprise.
If you do visit Joyce Elliott’s website, you’ll also notice that, in the Press Section, her folks offer a lot of stories about the campaign, but most of them are about Tim Griffin, not Joyce Elliott. He’s clearly the candidate in this race; she’s just there to sling mud.
TIM GRIFFIN actually seems to be running for a congressional seat in the Second District of Arkansas. On his website, there’s only a rare mention of his opponent. While she seems obsessed with him, he tends to ignore her. Of course, that may just go with leading in the polls. A candidate with a comfortable lead can talk about his attributes and qualifications, instead of trying to tear up his opponent all the time. Whatever the reason for his sportsmanlike campaign, good for Tim Griffin. These days it’s good to hear what a candidate is for rather than how bad his opponent is.
This whole campaign has been a test of character, and Tim Griffin is the candidate who’s passing it. At least so far. (You never assume anything in politics.) To quote one observer we know well: “It’s always revealing, if regularly dismaying, to see how low a candidate will stoop to inflame the voters, and how much of her own personal dignity she’s willing to sacrifice in order to tar her opponent. In that sense, every election is a test of character. And at this point, Ms. Elliott is failing the test. It would be nice to see her improve her performance, starting with a sincere apology. That would be one way to clear the air and raise thelevel of public discourse.”-Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, September 22, 2010.
LEST WE FORGET, the two candidates in this campaign are trying to replace Vic Snyder, aka Saint Vic. The current holder of the Second Congressional seat got that reputation fairly. He’s just so darned nice. Many of us often disagreed with Dr./Counselor/Congressman Snyder, but the man was never disagreeable when he himself was running for office. If he and David Pryor-the Alphonse and Gaston of Arkansas politics-ever got into a debate about which one was the most well-mannered, both would probably defer to the other. They would probably insist. We can’t remember either ever calling an opponent a crook. Let alone repeating such a canard day after day as a part of his campaign. Both shared a sense of restraint. What a comedown it would be to replace Vic Snyder with a candidate who’s shown so little of it.
Tim Griffin might not be able to come up to Saint Vic’s standards right away, if ever, but he could probably learn to. He certainly has the qualifications. He’s an experienced lawyer who’d be serving a new client-the people of Central Arkansas. And we’d like to think folks around here place a high value on simple decency, and not much on name-calling.
Major Griffin is a veteran of the Iraqi war. He’s a former U.S. attorney, and served in the Bush White House.Which some folks on the port side of politics hold against him. But it means that, even before this campaign, he’d learned that politics ain’t beanbag, to quote Mr. Dooley. So the level of his opponent’s campaign should come as no surprise to him. If he wins, he’s bound to encounter a lot of low blows in Washington, too, where things can get mighty nasty from time to time.
As for the issues, or maybe The Issue, Tim Griffin knows that tax relief-for all-would spur the economy. So folks can safely assume his would be one more vote to extend the Bush tax cuts that are to expire at midnight, December 31, 2010. Which isn’t far away. While a Democratic Congress still dithers. Mr. Griffin is also foursquare against the death tax and for reforming the tax code in general. Be still, our beating hearts and shrinking wallets.
Mr. Griffin is also against the card check bill that would make it easier for unions to dictate to workers. Something tells us he also thinks that voting by secret ballot when it comes to organizing a workplace is something to hold onto, not sacrifice to union bosses.
There’s more: Tim Griffin is also (1) pro-life, (2) pro-free trade, (3) wants to secure the border, and (4) is against the cap-and-trade bill that would further hobble the American economy. That sounds a lot like what most Arkansans want, too.
He’s also never been a tool of the teachers’ unions that have put holding onto their power above giving every child a chance at a decent education. (Recommended viewing: Waiting for Superman, which was playing the other night at Little Rock’s Rave theater.) Meanwhile, Ms. Joyce has long preserved her union power ahead of educating kids in the Little Rock School District.
If the voters of Central Arkansas want to be represented by a congressperson who represents the whole glob of gliberal catch phrases, Joyce Elliott is their woman. But if they’d prefer the candidate who offers hope and change in this contest, they’ll go with Tim Griffin.
Let’s not assume that, because he’s ahead in the polls, Tim Griffin will win going away. Let’s make sure he does. By voting for Tim Griffin for Congress in the Second Congressional District of Arkansas.
At least he’s running for the job. Not just against his opponent. Which is more than can be said for the alternative in this race.
SF Chronicle: Elliott 'proceeds to bear some false witness of her own'
Ten more egregious lies from 2010 campaign ads
It's true: This election year has provided a gusher of lies. In TV ads, campaign videos and mailers, candidates and their fact-challenged surrogates have blatantly ignored the truth in their bids to influence voters.
Last week, we featured ten of the biggest lies in 2010 ads. Here are ten more egregious lies from the mud-spattered campaign trail:
...
"Thou shall not bear false witness"
In Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District, Democrat Joyce Elliot's ad against Republican nominee Tim Griffin features Elliot standing in a church holding a Bible. She criticizes Griffin for allegedly violating the commandment "Thou shall not bear false witness," then proceeds to bear some false witness of her own.
Elliott says Griffin "conspired to keep students and soldiers from voting" in the 2004 election, an unproven allegation that has resulted in no charges. Her ad says Griffin "opposes regulating Wall Street," but it's the Democratic financial reform bill he opposes. And to support her claim that Griffin "supports corporate tax cuts that ship jobs overseas," Elliott cites his tax-cut pledge that does not make any reference to outsourcing jobs. Factcheck.org concludes that the ad is wrong on all counts.
ELLIOTT MAKES NATIONAL NEWS ... FOR 'FALSE' ATTACKS
Joyce Elliott's FactCheck.org failure makes Washington Post
Note: This post on WashingtonPost.com appeared on October 22. Congressional races heat up with personal attacks
Ad watches from around the country keep getting filed. While many still hit on issues, more and more are getting personal.
FactCheck.org looks into and ad from Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District in which "Democrat Joyce Elliott accuses her opponent, Tim Griffin, of violating the commandment not to bear false witness." But then FactCheck finds Elliott offering up plenty of false items herself:
Elliott says Griffin "conspired to keep students and soldiers from voting" in the 2004 election, an unproven allegation that has resulted in no charges. Her ad says Griffin "opposes regulating Wall Street." It's true he opposes the Democratic financial reform bill, but not all financial regulations. It also says Griffin supports "trade deals that cost us jobs," but she doesn't provide any evidence to support that claim.
We are entering the final days of our year-long campaign to elect common sense leadership to Congress and your support continues to push us toward victory!
As we get closer to Election Day, will you help us as we work to Get Out The Vote (GOTV) these last critical days?
We are looking for volunteers to make phone calls at our headquarters (9 a.m. - 8 p.m., every day), go door-to-door across the Second District or wave our campaign signs at major intersections during rush hour.
Will you join our GOTV Team this week?
Please let us know how you can help during these last critical days. You can call our campaign headquarters at (501) 353-0899, stop by headquarters at 300 River Market Avenue, Suite 5 in Little Rock, email us at info@timgriffinforcongress.com or join our team online by clicking here.
Thank you for being part of our team. Stand with us this week and together we can finish strong and wake up November 3 knowing we're taking common sense leadership to Congress.
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
P.S. If you know of anyone else who wants to help this week, please make sure to forward this message to them today!
Support Our Workers, Let Private Sector Create Jobs
Griffin: Common sense leadership needed to end uncertainty
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services reported unemployment in Arkansas rose in September to 7.7%:
"The loss of jobs in Arkansas and an unemployment rate near 8% is unacceptable. Arkansas workers will lead our state back to economic prosperity, but they need the private sector jobs to do it. We must elect common sense leadership to Congress in order to end the uncertainty over tax relief set to expire at year's end, the cap and trade energy tax and card check legislation."
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
NATIONAL JOURNAL'S HOTLINE RANKS AR-02 FOURTH 'MOST LIKELY' TO SWITCH PARTY CONTROL
Note: National Journal's Hotline continues to rank the race in Arkansas's Second District its fourth most likely to switch party control, the same as its October 5 rating. (noted in parentheses below).
"4. Arkansas-02 Open Seat (D) (4) Bill Clinton returned once again last week to rally voters for underdog state Sen. Joyce Elliott (D), but she's not likely to be another comeback kid." ("House Race Ranking," National Journal, 10/19/10)
Campaign releases internal poll of 400 likely voters
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin’s campaign today released the results of an internal poll showing Griffin leading his Democratic opponent in his bid to succeed outgoing U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder by 12 percentage points, 52% - 40%.
The live interview poll was conducted by Alexandria, Va.-based OnMessage, Inc. October 13-14 using a sample of 400 likely voters with a margin of error of +/- 4.9%. The party breakdown of the survey is as follows: 44% Democrat, 20% Independent and 34% Republican. Pulaski County represented 52% of the polling sample.
Griffin is viewed favorably by 38% of respondents, while only 21% have an unfavorable view. Elliott is known by 79% of voters and has a favorable/unfavorable ratio of 37% to 42%.
Griffin leads among Independents, 66% - 24% and earns 19% of the Democratic vote.
"This poll is a snapshot in time, but confirms that voters in the Second District are responding to our positive, issue-based campaign for private sector job creation and getting our fiscal house in order. As early voting continues, we will continue to work hard every day to ensure common sense leadership is elected to Congress in November," Griffin said.
To read the campaign memo from OnMessage, click here.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
LITTLE ROCK –Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today announced he is launching a 15-day, 8-county tour of at least 59 cities, towns and communities in the Second Congressional District. The “Jobs Not Debt Express” will focus on turning out early voters in his bid to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder.
“Our campaign has vowed not to cede any neighborhood, city or county in order to elect common sense leadership to Congress on November 2. I look forward to visiting cities in all eight counties as we encourage people to vote early beginning today,” Griffin said.
The tour will visit the following cities through November 1:
Conway County Center Ridge, Cleveland, Hattieville, Menifee, Morrilton, Oppelo, Plumerville, Springfield
Faulkner County Conway, Damascus, Greenbrier, Mayflower, Quitman, Vilonia
Perry County Adona, Casa, Bigelow, Hollis, Houston, Perry, Perryville
Pulaski County Higgins, Jacksonville, Levy, Little Rock, Marche, Maumelle, North Little Rock, Oak Grove, Sherwood, Wrightsville
Saline County Alexander, Bauxite, Benton, Bryant, East End, Haskell, Hot Springs Village, Paron, Salem, Shannon Hills, Traskwood
Van Buren County Bee Branch, Clinton, Damascus, Fairfield Bay, Shirley
White County Bald Knob, Beebe, Garner, Judsonia, Kensett, McRae, Rosebud, Searcy
Yell County Centerville, Danville, Dardanelle, Havana, Ola, Plainview
More locations may be added as the tour progresses.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin, announced his campaign’s new television advertisement, entitled “Economy,” to run on Central Arkansas television and cable outlets.
Title: “Economy” TELEVISION (0:30)
GRIFFIN: I've got a six-month-old and a three-year-old, and they're already in debt about $50,000 each.
GRIFFIN: The federal government is spending way too much money and they want to give you more of what failed in the first place.
GRIFFIN: The path we are on is unsustainable. GRIFFIN: They're not going to stop unless we stop them. GRIFFIN: We have got to make sure that we turn this economy around. GRIFFIN: I'm Tim Griffin and I approve this message.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Griffin: Voters responding to 'positive, issue-based campaign'
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement following the release of the latest Talk Business Poll showing him leading the race to replace outgoing Rep. Vic Snyder, 50%-38%:
"The Talk Business Poll confirms that voters in the Second District are responding to our positive, issue-based campaign for private sector job creation and getting our fiscal house in order. As early voting begins on October 18, we will continue to work hard every day to ensure common sense leadership is elected to Congress in November."
The Talk Business Poll is a partnership of Talk Business Research and the Hendrix College Department of Politics and International Relations.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
You don't have to wait until November 2 to cast your vote for Tim Griffin! You can do it beginning at 8 a.m. on October 18 as part of Early Voting in Arkansas.
Early voting runs through November 1. Stand with Tim and help us elect common sense leadership to represent the Second District in Congress.
Conway County
County Courthouse, 4th Floor, 117 South Moose Street, Morrilton
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, November 1: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Faulkner County
Early Voting Building, 805 Harkrider, Conway
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, November 1: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Faulkner County Library 1900 Tyler Street, Conway
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, November 1: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Perry County
County Courthouse, 310 W. Main Street, Perryville
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, November 1: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Pulaski County
Sue Cowan Williams Library, 1800 S. Chester, Little Rock
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Dee Brown Library, 6325 Baseline Road, Little Rock
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Roosevelt Thompson Library, 38 Rahling Cir, Little Rock
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
William F. Laman Library, 2801 Orange St., North Little Rock
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Jacksonville Community Center, 5 Municipal Dr., Jacksonville
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Jess Odom Community Center, 1100 Edgewood Dr., Maumelle
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Jack Evans Senior Citizen Center, 2301 Thornhill Drive, Sherwood
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sidney S. McMath Library, 2100 John Barrow Rd, Little Rock
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Pulaski County Regional Building, 501. W. Markham, Little Rock
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, November 1: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saline County
Vote Here Building, 221 North Main Street, Benton
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, November 1: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
First Pentecostal Church, 4200 Highway 5 North, Bryant
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Van Buren County
Courthouse Annex, 273 Main St., Suite 2, Clinton
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, November 1: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
White County
County Courthouse, 315 N Spruce, Searcy
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, November 1: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Temple Baptist Church, 1803 Highway 367 North, Bald Knob
October 18-19: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Beebe City Hall, 321 Elm Street North, Beebe
October 20-21: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Yell County
Danville Courthouse, 101 E. 5th Street, Danville
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, November 1: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dardanelle Courthouse, 106 Union Street, Dardanelle
October 18-30: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, November 1: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Note: Ken Langone is a former director of the New York Stock Exchange and co-founder of Home Depot. Currently, he is chairman of Invemed Associates. This opinion column appeared in the Wall Street Journal on October 15.
Stop Bashing Business, Mr. President
If we tried to start The Home Depot today, it's a stone cold certainty that it would never have gotten off the ground.
By KEN LANGONE
Although I was glad that you answered a question of mine at the Sept. 20 town-hall meeting you hosted in Washington, D.C., Mr. President, I must say that the event seemed more like a lecture than a dialogue. For more than two years the country has listened to your sharp rhetoric about how American businesses are short-changing workers, fleecing customers, cheating borrowers, and generally "driving the economy into a ditch," to borrow your oft-repeated phrase.
My question to you was why, during a time when investment and dynamism are so critical to our country, was it necessary to vilify the very people who deliver that growth? Instead of offering a straight answer, you informed me that I was part of a "reckless" group that had made "bad decisions" and now required your guidance, if only I'd stop "resisting" it.
I'm sure that kind of argument draws cheers from the partisan faithful. But to my ears it sounded patronizing. Of course, one of the chief conceits of centralized economic planning is that the planners know better than everybody else.
...
A little more than 30 years ago, Bernie Marcus, Arthur Blank, Pat Farrah and I got together and founded The Home Depot. Our dream was to create (memo to DNC activists: that's build, not take or coerce) a new kind of home-improvement center catering to do-it-yourselfers. The concept was to have a wide assortment, a high level of service, and the lowest pricing possible.
We opened the front door in 1979, also a time of severe economic slowdown. Yet today, Home Depot is staffed by more than 325,000 dedicated, well-trained, and highly motivated people offering outstanding service and knowledge to millions of consumers.
If we tried to start Home Depot today, under the kind of onerous regulatory controls that you have advocated, it's a stone cold certainty that our business would never get off the ground, much less thrive. Rules against providing stock options would have prevented us from incentivizing worthy employees in the start-up phase—never mind the incredibly high cost of regulatory compliance overall and mandatory health insurance....
Note: "A comprehensive website run by the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball features detailed and frequently updated analysis for elections across the country.... In 2004, the Crystal Ball notched a 99 percent accuracy rate... 2008 was yet another banner year, as the Crystal Ball came the closest of any national prognosticator in predicting the results of the presidential race, while achieving a 100 percent accuracy rating by correctly predicting the result of every single gubernatorial and Senate race across the country." ("About," Sabato's Crystal Ball, 10/14/10)
The Crystal Ball Notes Shifting DCCC Priorities In Moving Second District Rating."For the first time this year, the Crystal Ball is moving Democratic-held seats into the Likely Republican category. Democrats have now tipped their hand about where they will be concentrating their resources and these seven open seat races did not make the cut. As a result we move the following races from Leans Republican to Likely Republican: AR-2, IN-8, KS-3, LA-3, NY-29, TN-6, and TN-8." ("House Race Ratings," Sabato's Crystal Ball, 10/14/10)
URGENT: Let's Shave The National Debt, Not A Mustache
October 14th, 2010
Dear Friend,
After you read this letter, please forward it to ten of your friends.
Our outgoing congressman has said he will shave his mustache if my opponent can raise $50,000 by Sunday, so she can keep her false attack ad on television to continue her negative campaign.
I am asking you to stand with me and send the other side a message. Tell them you're not interested in desperate negative attacks. Will you help me raise $100,000 by Sunday so we can defeat her negative campaign and start shaving dollars off the national debtinstead?
Will you again stand with the increasing number of Arkansas Republicans, Democrats and Independents that are rejecting my opponent's scurrilous attacks by generously supporting our positive issue-based campaign?
My opponent's attacks won't add a single private sector job for Arkansas workers or take a single dollar off the national debt. Let them know that now is the time to elect common sense leadership to Congress.
Thank you again for everything! Your help is not a luxury. It is critical to win in November. Together we can fight for private sector jobs and to get our fiscal house in order. Will you help us today?
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
P.S. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this message to ten of your friends!
Elliott’s 100% negative campaign is ‘desperate and disappointing’
LITTLE ROCK –Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin issued the following statement in response to Sen. Joyce Elliott’s latest use of what the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette called “The Elliott Rule,” in the form of a new television advertisement:
“Joyce Elliott is waging a 100% negative campaign. It is desperate and disappointing, but predictable in light of polls showing her down by double digits and her Washington allies abandoning her to compete in other districts as they attempt to keep Nancy Pelosi in power.”
In her attempt to smear Tim Griffin with scurrilous attacks, Joyce Elliott failed to mention her own record.
What Joyce Elliott Failed To Mention
Joyce Elliott Was One Of Only Seven Members To Vote Against Tax Rebates For Elderly Or Disabled Veterans. (H.B. 1927, Arkansas General Assembly, 3/16/05)
Joyce Elliott Voted For Her First Legislative Pay Raise After Just Four Days On The Job, And Has Voted For A Pay Raise An Additional Four Times. (H.B. 1156, Arkansas General Assembly, 1/12/01; H.B. 1050, 1/16/03; S.B. 28, 5/7/03; H.B. 1050, 1/13/05; H.B. 1268, 2/2/09)
In Her Fifth Year Of Service In The Arkansas Legislature, Joyce Elliott Voted To Allow Arkansas Lawmakers To Qualify For State Retirement Benefits After Five Years Of Service Instead Of Ten Years. (H.B. 1210, Arkansas General Assembly, 3/22/05)
Joyce Elliott Was One Of Only Four To Vote Against Making The Murder Of A Child 12-Years-Old Or Younger Subject To The Death Penalty. (H.B. 1264: Senate Amendment #1, Arkansas General Assembly, 2/14/01)
Joyce Elliott Said She Is ‘Proud To Be Endorsed’ By The AFL-CIO And Has Taken More Than $180,000 From Out-Of-State Unions Trying To Influence Arkansas’s Elections. (“I am proud to be…,” Joyce Elliott for Congress Facebook page, 9/25/10; Tom Curry, “Labor spends big in Arkansas House race,” MSNBC, 9/24/10)
Fact Checking The Elliott Rule On The Air
ATTACK #1: CREW
THE ATTACK: Joyce Elliott Repeats Ridiculous Claim Of CREW, A Fringe Left-Wing Group.
THE TRUTH: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Editorial That Coined ‘The Elliott Rule’ Debunks The Washington ‘Watchdog’ Group That Is The Source Of Her Claim. “Ms. Elliott, a long-time legislator, took advantage of the occasion to demonstrate that she’s definitely of the anything-goes school when it comes to waging a political campaign…. She let an outfit called Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics do her name-calling for her…. When it comes to responsibility and ethics, this bunch shows no great respect for either.” (“A test of character,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 9/22/2010)
CREW Once Accused Rep. Mike Ross Of Bribery When He Got In The Way Of The Obama-Pelosi Health Care Bill. “It’s been our experience that the more noble-sounding a lobby’s name, the lower its tactics, and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics seldom fails to disappoint our lowest expectations when it comes to political races in Arkansas. First it made unsubstantiated charges (bribery! fraud!) against the Democratic incumbent in the Fourth District, Mike Ross, and now it’s assailed Tim Griffin …” (“A test of character,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 9/22/2010)
Mike Ross Has Donated Money To Joyce Elliott’s Campaign – She Hasn’t Given It Back. (Federal Election Commission, Accessed 10/13/10)
ATTACK #2: Tim's Military Service
THE ATTACK: Sen. Joyce Elliott Quotes A Progressive Weekly Tabloid With A History Of Attacks On Tim Griffin In An Attempt To Smear Griffin's Record As A Military Prosecutor.
THE TRUTH: Tim's Resume References Prosecuting '40 Army Criminal Cases' Because He Did. "Trial Counsel, (Active Duty) U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps. Criminal Law Branch, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. Fort Campbell, Kentucky, September 2005-May 2006; August-September 2006.... Prosecuted 40 Army criminal cases at courts-martial and federal criminal cases as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Western District of Kentucky and Middle District of Tennessee, and handled 90 administrative separations." (Resume emailed to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 4/23/10)
THE TRUTH: Mobilized To Active Duty, Tim Was Assigned As Trial Counsel For Two Brigade Combat Teams Of The 101st Airborne Division. "Trial counsel for the 1st and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)(Rear)(Provisional). Represent the US at general and special courts-martial, Article 32 pre-trial investigations, and confinement hearings." ("Officer Evaluation Report, Griffin, John T., 20050926-20060925," Tim Griffin Campaign Website, Accessed 10/10/10)
THE TRUTH: While With The 101st Airborne Division, Tim Helped Eliminate 'A Significant Backlog' Of Cases, Performing 'Exceptionally Well.' "During the rating period he performed exceptionally well in a demanding position as Trial Counsel for the 1st and 3rd BCT's, 101st Airborne Division (Rear, Provisional). Through MAJ Griffin's tireless efforts, his Commanders steadily eliminated a significant backlog of military justice and administrative seperation actions left by the forward BCTs." ("Officer Evaluation Report, Griffin, John T., 20050926-20060925," Tim Griffin Campaign Website, Accessed 10/10/10)
THE TRUTH: Tim Helped Prosecute US v Mikel, Resulting In A 25-Year Sentence For A Private Convicted Of Attempting To Murder His Platoon Sergeant And Members Of His Unit. "MAJ Griffin served as the assistant trial counsel in US v Mikel, a high-profile and complex attempted-murder prosecution, contributing greatly to the successful prosecution and resulting twenty five year sentence." ("Officer Evaluation Report, Griffin, John T., 20050926-20060925," Tim Griffin Campaign Website, Accessed 10/10/10)
ATTACK #3: Voting
THE ATTACK: Joyce Elliott Desperately Makes The False Attack That Tim Griffin ‘Conspired To Keep Students And Soldiers From Voting.’
THE TRUTH:Elliott Is Attempting To Smear Griffin’s Work To Highlight Illegal Voter Registration Fraud By Groups Like The Now-Defunct ACORN. “Griffin said he worked in the research division at the RNC and the information had "absolutely nothing to do" with voter suppression or intimidation. The attachment contained information about what appeared to be fake addresses on Florida voter-registration rolls, he said. The information, including photos, was intended to bolster a planned news conference about fraudulent registrations, Griffin said. The addresses purported to be residences turned out to be, among other things, vacant lots, he said.” (Mike Wickline, “Morrison Supports Griffin For House,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 6/19/10)
THE TRUTH: Tim Griffin Says If Opponents Want To Make This Election About Defending ACORN, Then ‘Good Luck With That.’ “What happened in 2004 and what has happened in numerous cycles is ACORN and like groups were registering people to vote that couldn’t vote or that didn’t exist…. We did everything we could to make sure the press knew about a lot of this stuff. If you look in the articles, you will see hundreds of examples and illegal registering of people to vote. I believe that everybody who should vote legally should vote legally.… If they want to make this about defending ACORN, good luck with that.” (“Video: Tim Griffin On Voter Caging and Republican Establishment,” The Tolbert Report, 1/21/10)
ATTACK #4: Wall Street THE ATTACK: Joyce Elliott Says Tim Griffin ‘Opposes Regulating Wall Street.’
THE TRUTH: Tim Griffin Supports Regulating Wall Street AS WELL AS Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. “We can all agree that we need to address the excesses on Wall Street, but [the Dodd-Frank] bill misses the mark…. I will be a voice for Arkansas consumers and community banks, while addressing the root causes of the financial meltdown—including the failures at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac—which Dodd-Frank ignores.” (“Griffin: Dodd-Frank Bad for Arkansans, Creates Obstacles to Job Creation,” Tim Griffin Website, 7/21/10)
THE TRUTH: A Majority Of Arkansas’s House Delegation – Democrats and Republican – Opposed Dodd-Frank. (Roll Call 413, U.S. House of Representatives, 6/30/10)
ATTACK #5: Jobs
THE ATTACK: Joyce Elliott Says Tim Griffin ‘Supports Trade Deals That Cut US Jobs.’
THE TRUTH: Tim Supports Free And Fair Trade. “I support free trade provided that there is a level playing field between the U.S. and other countries, including basic labor and environmental standards.” (Trade, Tim Griffin Website, Accessed 10/13/10)
THE TRUTH: Tim Supports Implementing Panamanian, Korean and Columbian Trade Agreements. “Increasing exports just one percent would create hundreds of thousands of jobs. The USITC estimates an increase in exports if the pending trade agreements are implemented…. In 2008, the value of Arkansas exports to South Korea was $133 million. Implementation of these agreements will result in increased opportunities for Arkansas.” (Trade, Tim Griffin Website, Accessed 10/13/10)
ATTACK #6: Taxes
THE ATTACK: Joyce Elliott Says Tim Griffin Supports ‘Corporate Tax Cuts That Ship Jobs Overseas’ Because He Signed The ATR Tax Pledge.
THE TRUTH: FactCheck.org Has Debunked This Claim, Desperately Used By Democrats To Attack Republican Candidates. “A new Democratic attack ad accuses a Republican House candidate in Hawaii of signing a pledge protecting tax breaks for sending jobs overseas. It could be a prototype of future attack ads against any number of other Republican House members and candidates, most of whom have signed the anti-tax pledge in question. But we find the ad to be false. The pledge only protects corporations from an increase in taxation overall. It explicitly allows elimination of any specific tax deduction or credit if matched dollar-for-dollar by an overall cut in rates. And it says nothing about jobs.” (‘A False Attack Ad,” FactCheck.org, 4/9/10)
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Group Committed To Cutting Military And Working For “Carbon Free And Nuclear Free” Country Hosting Dinner For Elliott Tonight
The Arkansas Chapter of WAND Is Hosting A Pot-Luck Supper For Joyce Elliott Tonight. "WAND Pot-luck Supper Betty Bumpers Speaks Out for Joyce Elliott! Jo Ann Mills shares some of the highlights of the campaign from the Inside! Tuesday, October 12, 6:30 pm." (Arkansas WAND Homepage, Accessed 10/12/10)
On Her Facebook Page, Sen. Elliott Promotes Endorsement Of Anti-Military, Anti-Nuclear Energy WAND PAC. (Joyce Elliott for Congress Facebook page, 9/24/10)
About WAND
Founded in 1980s, WAND Focused On Nuclear Disarmament. Now It’s Focused On Reducing Military Spending. “Women's Action for New Directions that was founded in the 1980s by Dr. Helen Caldicott as Women's Action for Nuclear Disarmament. When the Cold War ended and the nuclear threat was thought to be over, the name was changed. WAND expanded its mission to include world peace and security, nuclear disarmament, and redirecting excessive resources from the military. (Arkansas WAND Homepage, Accessed 10/12/10)
Joyce Elliott Sits On the Arkansas WAND Advisory Board. (“Our Board,” Arkansas WAND, Accessed 10/12/10)
One Of Arkansas WAND’s Goals Is To “Shift From A Military To A Civilian-Based Economy To Address The Threats To Our Real Security, Ensuring That Human, Economic And Environmental Needs Are Met.”(Arkansas WAND, Accessed 10/12/10)
Arkansas WAND Strives To “Work Towards A Carbon Free And Nuclear Free US Energy Policy.” (Arkansas WAND, Accessed 10/12/10)
Joyce Elliott Is A Former Member Of The WAND Education Fund. (“Joyce Elliott wins the Democratic nomination for Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional district!,” WAND Action Center, 6/11/10)
In Testimony, WAND Has Targeted The Military Budget For Cuts. “We ask that you put the military budget on the table for cuts by a recalcitrant Congress.”(“Testimony for the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform June Public Forum, June 30, 2010 – Dirksen Senate Office Building,” WAND Education Fund, 6/30/10)
Urges President Obama to eliminate 'other uncertainties'
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement following a report that the Obama administration is lifting its ban on deep-water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico:
"I am pleased the President has eliminated one bit of uncertainty in our economy: the moratorium on offshore deep-water drilling. It is my hope the administration does not delay the issuance of new permits so that drilling can resume, Americans can go back to work and a domestic energy source can be used. I urge President Obama to eliminate the other uncertainties hampering our economic recovery, namely a full extension of estate and income tax relief set to expire in 80 days and the duel threats of card check and the cap and trade energy tax which are preventing the private sector from creating the jobs American workers need."
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Griffin: Voters want campaign on jobs and debt, not false accusations and negative attacks
LITTLE ROCK –Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today scored a decisive debate victory at the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas, drawing a sharp contrast between himself and his opponents in his campaign to succeed outgoing U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder.
In the debate hosted by AETN, Griffin focused on the need for private sector job creation and getting the nation’s fiscal house in order, noting that Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Obama possess a “misplaced reliance on government” and noting that he is the clear choice to be a check and balance to their job-killing, debt-increasing agenda.
“Our campaign has earned the financial and grassroots support of Democrats, Republicans and Independents in all eight counties of the Second District,” Griffin said. “Voters want an issue-based campaign on how best to get the private sector to create jobs and to get our fiscal house in order, not a campaign based on false accusations and negative attacks that don’t create one new job or take one dollar off the national debt.
“Voters are seeing clear distinctions between my views and those of my opponents. If you are fine with the direction the country is going and want more of the Pelosi-Obama agenda, then you can vote for my opponent. However, if you want to elect common sense leadership to Washington, I ask for your vote starting on October 18.”
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
WASHINGTON POST, NATIONAL JOURNAL: AR-02 AMONG 'MOST LIKELY' TO SWITCH PARTIES
Note: The Fix blog at the Washington Post and the National Journal periodically rank the most likely races to switch party control in 2010. These new rankings on Arkansas-02 follow last week's rating from The New York Times' FiveThirtyEight blog showing Tim Griffin with a 98% chance of victory.
Washington Post's The Fix Blog Ranks Race #3, Says Griffin 'Coming To Congress.'"3. Arkansas' 2nd district (D): Yet another open-seat race where Democrats are hard-pressed to stay competitive; former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin (R) is coming to Congress. (Previous ranking: 3)." ("The Fix 50: Democrats make marginal gains, majority still in jeopardy," The Washington Post, 10/8/10)
National Journal Notes Griffin's Fundraising Advantage In Its #4 Rating. "4. Arkansas-02 Open Seat (D) (4) Tim Griffin (R) has $600K in the bank for the home stretch; state Sen. Joyce Elliott (D) is going to need a big third-quarter number to put this seat within reach." ("House Race Rankings," National Journal, 10/5/10)
End The Uncertainty, Allow Private Sector To Create Jobs
Griffin: Unemployment rate 'unacceptable,' common sense leadership needed
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after the Department of Labor reported the U.S. economy lost 95,000 jobs in the month of September and the unemployment rate remained at 9.6%:
"The loss of nearly 100,000 jobs and an unemployment rate near 10% is unacceptable and illustrates how Congress has failed to eliminate the uncertainty over tax relief, card check and the cap and trade energy tax that is preventing private sector employers from creating the jobs American workers need to lead us to economic prosperity. It is clear that Arkansas voters must elect common sense leadership to Congress in order to be a check and balance against the job-killing, debt-raising agenda of Speaker Pelosi and President Obama."
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Economic Development focus of Second District tour
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin will visit Faulkner, Pulaski and Saline Counties today as part of a tour to see first-hand how the technology industry is impacting the economy of the Second District.
“Technology jobs have provided great economic opportunity to Arkansas and will continue to do so,” Griffin said. “Through high-tech jobs, Arkansas workers impact the global marketplace as well as our military. It is something to be proud of, and I look forward to meeting with employers and workers that are making a difference today. ”
Griffin will visit facilities in Conway, Little Rock and Alexander.
“The private sector is the only source of sustainable job creation, and only the private sector can lead our state’s economic recovery," Griffin added. "I look forward to learning more about the economic impact of technology jobs on the Second District and on local communities in Faulkner, Pulaski and Saline counties,” Griffin said.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Cites Arkansas Democrat-Gazette editorial on opponent's attacks
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin, announced his campaign’s new radio advertisement, entitled “Low Road,” to run on Central Arkansas radio stations.
Title: “Low Road” RADIO (0:60)
TIM GRIFFIN: I’m Tim Griffin, candidate for Congress, I approved this message.
FEMALE ANNOUNCER: Joyce Ellliott is running a negative campaign to distract us from her record.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette says quote ...
MALE ANNOUNCER: “[E]very election is a test of character. And at this point (Joyce) Elliott is failing the test.” [1]
FEMALE ANNOUCNER: Elliott is “smearing” Tim Griffin with “unproven, and unprovable, assertions” [2]… the newspaper says Elliott’s being a “malicious gossip.” [3]
The Democrat-Gazette says quote ...
MALE ANNOUNCER: “[I]f this is Joyce’s Elliott’s idea of ethics and responsibility, she ought to fit right in at the nation’s capital.” [4]
FEMALE ANNOUNCER: And why is Joyce Elliott taking the low road?
Maybe it’s because she does not want a campaign based on the issues.
Elliott backs a total government takeover of health care [7] … with less freedom, fewer options for patients and higher costs.
Elliott’s health care proposal is even more radical than President Obama’s plan.
Joyce Elliott takes the low road and goes too far.
MALE ANNOUNCER: Paid for by Griffin for Congress.
[1] The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Says Joyce Elliott Is 'Failing The Test' Of Character. "It’s always revealing, if regularly dismaying, to see how low a candidate will stoop to inflame the voters, and how much of her own personal dignity she’s willing to sacrifice in order to tar her opponent. In that sense, every election is a test of character. And at this point, Ms. Elliott is failing the test." ("A test of character," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 9/22/10)
[2] The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Coined 'The Elliott Rule' When It Criticized Joyce Elliott For 'Smearing' Tim Griffin. "Call it the Elliott Rule: 'What is said about politicians is fair game, and if it’s not true and you can disprove it, then you disprove it.' That is, when it comes to the truth or falsity of the accusations she makes, well, that’s not her look-out but her opponent’s. We’ve seldom seen quite so concise, or brazen, a defense for smearing an opponent by repeating unproven, and unprovable, assertions." ("A test of character," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 9/22/10)
[3] The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Called Joyce Elliott A 'Malicious Gossip.' "So that’s how the game is played. Now we understand. It’s not up to her to prove the accusations she makes; it’s up to the candidate she smeared to disprove them. All she did was repeat them, like any malicious gossip." ("A test of character," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 9/22/10)
[4] The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Wrote That Joyce Elliott's 'Idea Of Ethics' Would 'Fit Right In' In Washington. "If this is Joyce Elliott’s idea of ethics and responsibility, she ought to fit right in at the nation’s capital." ("A test of character," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 9/22/10)
[5] Joyce Elliott Tells The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 'She Wouldn't Attempt To Repeal The Economic Stimulus Package...' (Michael R. Wickline, "Elliott joins race for Snyder seat," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 2/6/10)
[6] Joyce Elliott Voted To Raise Taxes $95 Million And Against A Tax Rebate For Elderly And Disabled Veterans Among Other Tax Increases In Arkansas. (H.B. 1927, Arkansas General Assembly, 3/16/05; H.B. 1039, 5/6/03; S.B. 277, 3/1/05; S.B. 776, 4/16/03)
[7] Joyce Elliott Says She 'Prefers Single Payer' Government Health Care. "She also said she would have voted for the health care bill and will work to pass health care reform if she is elected. 'I prefer a single payer option...'" ("Video: Joyce Elliott Officially Announces for Congress," The Tolbert Report, 2/5/10)
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Thanks to you, we will make history in four weeks by electing common sense leadership to Congress. With early voting starting on October 18, I am asking you to show your support for our campaign by displaying one of our signs at your home or business.
There is nothing like the feeling of seeing one of our signs as we travel past a home or business with a sign displayed on the property. It tells us you are standing with our campaign and will be there for us on Election Day.
Will you stand with us and put one at your home, business or commercial property? We have three different sizes to choose from:
The 1' x 2': Mounted on stakes. Perfect for your home yard, apartment window or office. We can deliver and install it for you. Please contact us online, visit our headquarters at 300 River Market Avenue, email us, or phone us at (501) 353-0899.
The 2' x 4': Mounted on rebar. Perfect for your home yard, business or commercial property. We can deliver and install it for you. Please contact us online, visit our headquarters at 300 River Market Avenue, email us, or phone us at (501) 353-0899.
The 4' x 8': Mounted on metal posts or wood frame. Perfect for your business or commercial property. We can deliver and install it for you. Please contact us online, visit our headquarters at 300 River Market Avenue, email us, or phone us at (501) 353-0899.
Thank you so much for your continued support. Our positive, issue-based campaign is gaining more supporters every day. You are critical to our success. If you want a sign, or know someone who does, please make sure to contact us today!
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
P.S. If you were a supporter of ours during the primary and still have your old sign, now is the time to put them out. If you would like a new version of our sign, please make sure to contact us today!
98% Chance of Winning AR-02, 2nd Most Likely to Switch Parties
THE NEW YORK TIMES' FIVETHIRTYEIGHT BLOG: 98% CHANCE OF GRIFFIN WIN IN AR-02
Seat now 2nd most likely to switch parties, up from 3rd
Note: Nate Silver of the Five Thirty Eight blog at The New York Times ran 100,000 simulations of the race for control of the House of Representatives, including the race in Arkansas-02. His methodology can be found here.
FiveThirtyEight Projects Griffin Win.The New York Times' FiveThirtyEight blog forecasts a 97.7% chance of a Tim Griffin victory in Arkansas's Second District. It is the second most likely seat to switch party control behind NY-29 (98.4%). Griffin is projected to win 57% of the vote to his opponent's 41%. ("Arkansas 2nd District Race Profile," The New York Times, 10/1/10)
Make Sure You're Registered to Vote!
October 4th, 2010
Dear Friend,
With Election Day in 29 days and Early Voting beginning in just 14 days, it is important to make sure you are registered to vote so you can help elect common sense leadership to Congress!
In Arkansas, the deadline for registration is todayand the best way to ensure you are registered is to apply in person with your county clerk.
To start, check to see if you are registered to vote in Arkansas by visiting the Arkansas Secretary of State's Voter View website.
If you are not registered or are registered at a previous address or under a previous/maiden name, make sure to download this registration application and take it to your county clerk's office today.
Here is a list of county clerk's offices in the Second District:
Conway: 117 South Moose Morrilton, AR 72110, 501-354-9621
Faulkner: 801 Locust St. Conway, AR 72034, 501-450-4909
Perry: 310 West main St., Perryville, AR 72126, 501-889-5126
Pulaski: 401 West Markham St, Suite 100 Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-340-8500
Saline: 215 North Main Benton, AR 72015, 501-303-5630
Van Buren: 1414 Hwy 65 South Suite 131 Clinton, AR 72031, 501-745-4140
White: 315 North Spruce St Searcy, AR 72143, 501-279-6204
Yell: 101 East 5th St. Danville, AR 72833, 479-495-4850
To register to vote in Arkansas, you must:
Be a U.S. citizen.
Be an Arkansas resident (residing in Arkansas at least 30 days prior to the first election in which you will vote).
Be age 18 or turn 18 on or before the next election.
Not be a convicted felon whose sentence has not been discharged or pardoned.
Not be presently adjudged as mentally incompetent as to your ability to vote by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Thank you again for your support. I am asking for your vote and together we will make history on November 2!
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today announced his campaign raised over $550,000 during the third quarter of 2010 and has over $600,000 cash-on-hand for the final 33 days of his campaign to succeed outgoing U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder.
"I am thankful for the support of Arkansans who want common sense leadership in Congress that will be a check and balance to the job-killing, debt-increasing policies of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Obama," Griffin said. "Our positive issue-based campaign continues to build support from Democrats, Republicans and Independents as we fight the dishonest and scurrilous attacks coming from out-of-state union bosses and other Pelosi allies who wish to see our Second District seat remain under her control."
Since announcing his candidacy on September 21, 2009, Griffin has raised over $1.5 million. Official financial numbers will be released on October 15.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Once Again, Sen. Elliott Attacks Tim Griffin Without Doing Her Homework
THE ATTACK: Sen. Joyce Elliott Continues To Distribute Dishonest And Scurrilous Campaign Literature That Says Tim Griffin Wants To Privatize Social Security. "Called for privatizing Social Security, gambling our seniors' retirement in the stock market." (Elliott campaign literature)
THE TRUTH: This Piece Of Joyce Elliott's Campaign Literature Was The Basis For The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Coining Of 'The Elliott Rule.' " Call it the Elliott Rule: 'What is said about politicians is fair game, and if it’s not true and you can disprove it, then you disprove it.' That is, when it comes to the truth or falsity of the accusations she makes, well, that’s not her look-out but her opponent’s.We’ve seldom seen quite so concise, or brazen, a defense for smearing an opponent by repeating unproven, and unprovable, assertions." (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 9/22/10)
THE TRUTH: In February, The Now-Defunct Blake's Think Tank Reported On Tim's Opposition To Privatization. "[W]hile unfamiliar with all of the details of the plan proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan that calls for the privatization of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, Mr. Griffin opposes privatization of these programs." (Blake's Think Tank, 2/25/10)
THE TRUTH: In April, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Reported Tim's Position on Privatization. "Tim Griffin, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the 2nd District House seat, opposes allowing workers to invest part of their Social Security payroll tax in private accounts managed by themselves." (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 4/28/10)
THE TRUTH: Tim Griffin Believes We Should Fulfill Our Promise To Seniors. "I am committed to saving social security and keeping the promise America has made to our seniors.... I oppose the privatization of Social Security." (Tim Griffin for Congress, Accessed 10/1/10)
THE TRUTH: Tim Griffin Is Clear About Opposing Privatization. "Griffin has made it clear ... he wants to both cut taxes and control spending in part by reforming (not privatizing) Social Security ..." (Associated Content, 8/30/10)
Congress Leaves Town, Uncertainty Remains Griffin: The most basic job of Congress is to pass a budget
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement regarding the adjournment of Congress until after the November election with no action on tax relief for Americans and no budget as the fiscal year ends today:
“In its haste to run home, Congress has left uncertainty in its wake – uncertainty over whether Americans will see their tax relief extended and uncertainty over runaway government spending as there is no federal budget for the fiscal year. The most basic job of Congress is to pass a budget. Leaving town before doing their job shows disrespect to the taxpayers. We must change the culture in Congress by electing common sense leadership that will get our fiscal house in order and let the private sector create sustainable jobs for our workers.”
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
In just a few hours, we face our last quarterly fundraising deadline of our year-long positive campaign to take common sense leadership to Congress. Your support has brought us to this point and has forced our opponent to start making false attacks against me - straight out of the playbook designed to keep Nancy Pelosi in power.
I need your help before midnight tonight! Your generous financial support is critical to help me fight off the attacks planned against our campaign by Speaker Pelosi's allies in D.C. and the out-of-state union bosses who are supporting our opponent.
You have been extraordinarily generous already, and your continued help before midnight tonight is critical. Let’s enter the last days of the campaign well-funded and ready to win!
Thank you again for everything!
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
P.S. Will you continue to support our campaign financially? Thank you so very much for all your support and encouragement! Please make sure to make your contribution before midnight tonight!
P.P.S. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this message to ten of your friends!
Once Again, Sen. Elliott Attacks Tim Griffin Without Doing Her Homework
THE ATTACK: Union-Endorsed Lobbyist Sen. Joyce Elliott Attacks Tim Griffin For Raising 'Washington' Money. "My opponent has raised enough Washington money to flood the airwaves ..." ("Our Newest TV Ad," Elliott campaign website, Accessed 9/29/10)
THE TRUTH: Tim Griffin's Latest Fundraising Report Shows 82% Of Individual Contributions Came From Arkansas. "Tim Griffin today announced his campaign has raised $378,814.23 for the second quarter of 2010 ... 867 total contributions in the second quarter with 821 (95%) coming from individuals. Among individual contributions, 82% came from Arkansas donors." ("Griffin Raises $378,814 in Second Quarter," Tim Griffin for Congress website, 7/15/10)
THE TRUTH: Joyce Elliott Has Taken $214,500 In Washington-Based PAC Money (Federal Election Commission, Accessed 9/29/10)
THE TRUTH: Joyce Elliott Has Raised Over $70,000 More In Washington-Based PAC Money Than Tim Griffin (Federal Election Commission, Accessed 9/29/10)
Griffin: Congress should remain in session until uncertainty over tax relief addressed
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement calling on Congress to remain in session until full tax relief for Americans is passed, postponing its pre-election adjournment that could come as soon as Wednesday:
“We want common sense leaders in Congress, not people who will punt the hard stuff past election day. Congress must end the uncertainty over tax relief so the private sector can create the jobs needed for workers to lead us out of our economic mess. Congress should remain in Washington until it can pass a full extension of the tax relief scheduled to expire at year’s end – an extension supported by a bipartisan majority of the House. Every day Congress waits puts our recovery further out of reach. We must act now.”
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
I need your help before midnight September 30! Joyce Elliott and the out-of-state unions have started their false attacks and will stop at nothing to hold on to this congressional seat. Recently, Joyce Elliott told the Arkansas-Democrat Gazette, “What is said about politicians is fair game, and if it’s not true and you can disprove it, then you disprove it.”
In other words, my opponent will sling mud and spread rumors, regardless of the facts.
Some reports indicate that the unions are spending thousands and thousands of dollars to attack me on behalf of Joyce Elliott, and we know Speaker Nancy Pelosi's allies in Washington have reserved $693,000 worth of Little Rock television time to keep the Second District under her control. I must remain well funded to communicate our positive message of private sector job creation and fiscal responsibility. Thank you for your past support. Will you help financially one more time? Now more than ever, I need your help.
You have been extraordinarily generous already, and your continued help before midnight September 30 is critical. Let’s enter the last few weeks of the campaign well-funded and ready to win!
Let’s win in November and take some common sense change and leadership to Washington. Thank you again for everything!
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
P.S. Will you continue to support our campaign financially? Thank you so very much for all your support and encouragement! Please make sure to make your contribution before midnight September 30.
P.P.S. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this message to ten of your friends!
Once Again, Sen. Elliott Attacks Tim Griffin Without Doing Her Homework
FALSE ATTACK: Lobbyist Sen. Joyce Elliott Attacks Tim Griffin For Being A Lobbyist. "'If you have a person who goes ... directly to Washington to become a lobbyist. ...'" (Mike Wickline, "Character seen pivotal in race for 2nd District," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 9/26/10)
THE TRUTH: But Tim Griffin Has Never Been A Lobbyist, State Or Federal. "Griffin said he’s never been a lobbyist, never lobbied and never registered as a lobbyist on the state or federal levels, and Elliott was a lobbyist." (Mike Wickline, "Character seen pivotal in race for 2nd District," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 9/26/10)
THE TRUTH: And Joyce Elliott Was A Registered Lobbyist Right Here In Arkansas (Lobbyist Registration, Arkansas Secretary of State, Accessed 9/26/10)
Our New Sign Shipment Is In!
September 27th, 2010
Dear Friend,
Thanks to everyone in the Second District requesting campaign signs, we had to re-order for all sizes of our signs - and they're now here!
There is nothing like the feeling we get when we travel past a home or business that is displaying on of our campaign signs. It tells us that you are standing with our campaign and will be there for us on election day to help us take common sense leadership to Congress.
Now that we have our new shipment of signs, will you stand with us and put one at your home, business or commercial property? We have three different sizes to choose from:
The 1' x 2': Mounted on stakes. Perfect for your home yard, apartment window or office. We can deliver and install it for you. Please contact us online, visit our headquarters at 300 River Market Avenue, email us, or phone us at (501) 353-0899.
The 2' x 4': Mounted on rebar. Perfect for your home yard, business or commercial property. We can deliver and install it for you. Please contact us online, visit our headquarters at 300 River Market Avenue, email us, or phone us at (501) 353-0899.
The 4' x 8': Mounted on metal posts or wood frame. Perfect for your business or commercial property. We can deliver and install it for you. Please contact us online, visit our headquarters at 300 River Market Avenue, email us, or phone us at (501) 353-0899.
Thank you so much for your continued support. Our positive, issue-based campaign is gaining more supporters every day. You are critical to our success. If you want a sign, or know someone who does, please make sure to contact us today!
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
P.S. If you were a supporter of ours during the primary and still have your old sign, now is the time to put them out. If you would like a new version of our sign, please make sure to contact us today!
"... Ms. Elliott is quick to raise doubts about the ethics of a politician if he’s a Republican and she’s running against him.... “What is said about politicians is fair game, and if it’s not true and you can disprove it, then you disprove it.”
So that’s how the game is played. Now we understand. It’s not up to her to prove the accusations she makes; it’s up to the candidate she smeared to disprove them. All she did was repeat them, like any malicious gossip. If this is Joyce Elliott’s idea of ethics and responsibility, she ought to fit right in at the nation’s capital."
Says 'good-paying, highly-skilled jobs' will get Arkansas 'moving again'
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin, announced his campaign’s new television advertisement, entitled “Jobs,” to run on Central Arkansas television.
Title: “Jobs” TELEVISION (0:30)
GRIFFIN (On Camera): There’s one thing that will get Arkansas moving again. Come on, I’ll show you.
GRIFFIN (On Camera): It’s good-paying, highly-skilled jobs right here in the new economy.
ANNOUNCER: Tim Griffin. He’ll stand up to Nancy Pelosi's big government agenda.
GRIFFIN (On Camera): Government is spending too much and taxing too much. And I’m going to do something about it.
ANNOUNCER: The Griffin Plan: Stop tax increases. Balance the budget. Pay down the national debt.
GRIFFIN (Voice Over): I’m Tim Griffin. I approve this message, and I’m ready to work.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Note: State Sen. Joyce Elliott has taken over $100,000 in donations from AFL-CIO-affiliated union political action committees.
Trumka: Taking Out Anti-Health Care Dems in Primaries “Never Our Policy”
By: David Dayen Tuesday September 21, 2010 11:15 am
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka took issue with the suggestion that the labor movement failed in punishing Democrats who voted against the health care law through primary challenges in 2010.
...
However, Trumka did not regret the one big primary where labor took a stand in 2008, the Halter-Lincoln race in Arkansas. “I think that was a very important moment, and we’re still reaping the benefits of that moment,” Trumka said. “We have more volunteers in that state than we’ve had in years, and that’s the lowest density union state in the country.”
He in particular cited volunteers in the race for Vic Snyder’s old seat in AR-02, where progressive Joyce Elliott won an unexpected victory in the primary. Labor arguably helped win that primary for Elliott with higher turnout against a more conservative opponent, and they are using that volunteer base for the general election against Karl Rove protege Tim Griffin.
Note: This editorial appeared in the state-wide Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
A test of character
Joyce Elliott vs. Tim Griffin
By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
LITTLE ROCK — WITH THE possible exception of weddings and funerals, nothing tests character under stress like how candidates behave in a political debate.
There’s the free-swinging, anything goes approach, which is much favored by the desperate or just willful.
...
Today’s case in point is the debate last Friday between Joyce Elliott, the Democratic candidate for Congress in the Second District, and her Republican opponent, Tim Griffin.
Ms. Elliott, a long-time legislator, took advantage of the occasion to demonstrate that she’s definitely of the anything-goes school when it comes to waging a political campaign. She called Tim Griffin “one of the most crooked candidates for Congress” around. Or rather she let an outfit called Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics do her name-calling for her.
It’s been our experience that the more noble-sounding a lobby’s name, the lower its tactics, and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics seldom fails to disappoint our lowest expectations when it comes to political races in Arkansas. First it made unsubstantiated charges (bribery! fraud!) against the Democratic incumbent in the Fourth District, Mike Ross, and now it’s assailed Tim Griffin as “crooked.” When it comes to responsibility and ethics, this bunch shows no great respect for either. Naturally it operates out of Washington, D.C.
As a state senator, Joyce Elliott has never shown any great interest in going after the questionable conduct of Democratic officeholders who abuse their privileges-like driving statesupplied cars without paying taxes on them. At least not until they’re exposed in the paper.
Ah, but Ms. Elliott is quick to raise doubts about the ethics of a politician if he’s a Republican and she’s running against him. Asked how she could justify her charges against Mr. Griffin, she told our Michael Wickline: “What is said about politicians is fair game, and if it’s not true and you can disprove it, then you disprove it.”
So that’s how the game is played. Now we understand. It’s not up to her to prove the accusations she makes; it’s up to the candidate she smeared to disprove them. All she did was repeat them, like any malicious gossip. If this is Joyce Elliott’s idea of ethics and responsibility, she ought to fit right in at the nation’s capital.
...
It’s always revealing, if regularly dismaying, to see how low a candidate will stoop to inflame the voters, and how much of her own personal dignity she’s willing to sacrifice in order to tar her opponent. In that sense, every election is a test of character. And at this point, Ms. Elliott is failing the test. It would be nice to see her improve her performance, starting with a sincere apology. That would be one way to clear the air and raise the level of public discourse.
FACTCHECK.ORG CALLS DEM OUTSOURCING ATTACK 'FALSE'
Note: FactCheck.org, in the context of an attack ad against a Republican candidate in Hawaii, called Democratic claims that Republican signatories of the ATR Tax Pledge protect "tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas" false. State Sen. Joyce Elliott has attacked Tim Griffin for signing the ATR pledge. Her attack is false as explained below.
A False Tax Attack A Democratic ad claims a GOP House candidate pledged to protect breaks for sending jobs abroad. He didn't.
April 9, 2010
A new Democratic attack ad accuses a Republican House candidate in Hawaii of signing a pledge protecting tax breaks for sending jobs overseas. It could be a prototype of future attack ads against any number of other Republican House members and candidates, most of whom have signed the anti-tax pledge in question.
But we find the ad to be false. The pledge only protects corporations from an increase in taxation overall. It explicitly allows elimination of any specific tax deduction or credit if matched dollar-for-dollar by an overall cut in rates. And it says nothing about jobs.
...
ATR’s tax pledge does protect corporations in general — but only from an overall increase in taxes. It says nothing about jobs at all. More important, it does not rule out an overhaul of the tax code. Signers agree to oppose any "net" reduction of deductions or credits "unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates." It says:
ATR’s Pledge
I will: ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses; and TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.
That leaves ample room for elimination of any number of special tax breaks so long as the overall level of taxation is not increased. To claim that this "protects" any particular provision of the tax code is simply untrue.
Group says Griffin's 'leadership and patriotism' needed in House
LITTLE ROCK –Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after receiving the endorsement of the National Vietnam & Gulf War Veterans Coalition in his bid to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder:
"I am honored to receive the endorsement of my brothers and sisters in uniform who served this country with honor and helped protect our nation's security and freedom. In Congress, I will fight to ensure our military has the resources and support needed to accomplish their mission, ensure our veterans have jobs available to them and improve the care given to them."
The National Vietnam & Gulf War Veterans Coalition consists of 75 veterans organizations and veterans advocacy groups representing over 250,000 veterans and their family members. In his letter to Griffin announcing the endorsement, coalition chairman John J. Molloy wrote: "Your leadership and patriotism are especially needed in the House of Representatives at this particular time in our history."
Among the coalition's objectives are to support measures that will ensure the safety and security of the United States, enhance public recognition of the service of Vietnam and Gulf War veterans, secure meaningful jobs for veterans and advocate improved health care delivery systems for veterans.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
LITTLE ROCK –Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement on reforming the federal income tax system and refuting an erroneous attack by his opponent:
"I have been and continue to be committed to tax reform that lowers taxes for every American. The audio cited by my opponent's campaign makes clear that I was open to considering a number of tax-cutting options and remain so. The more I learned about the so-called fair tax plan, the less I liked it. I did my homework. I will do my homework in Congress too. And unlike my opponent, who is looking for ways to raise taxes, I am looking for ways to cut taxes.
"My preference is to avoid any reform that includes a consumption tax and focus on the flat income tax with a lower overall burden because I believe it is better for the economy and private sector job creation. Regardless of how we reform our tax system, one thing is clear: my opponent never misses the opportunity to tax Arkansans, including voting against tax breaks for elderly or disabled Arkansas veterans."
In 2005, Joyce Elliott was one of only seven members to vote against a bill that would allow a property tax rebate of up to $300 for elderly or disabled veterans who own their own homes and earn less than $30,000. (H.B. 1927, 85th Arkansas General Assembly, 3/16/2005)
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
LITTLE ROCK –Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution on this day in 1787:
“Our Constitution is one of the reasons America is exceptional. As we celebrate its signing, let us pause to remember the patriots who authored the Constitution, those who have defended it and how we can guarantee it is passed on to future generations.”
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) in his bid to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder.
NRA-PVF Chairman Chris Cox said, “Tim Griffin has vowed to support gun owners and hunters in Arkansas and is a champion of the Second Amendment. I have known and worked with Tim for better than a decade. I can tell you from a personal and professional stand-point that there is no better candidate to protect and preserve your gun rights, and that’s why the NRA-PVF is endorsing Tim Griffin in Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District.”
Griffin received an “AQ” rating from NRA-PVF, the highest rating for a candidate who does not have a voting record on Second Amendment issues.
“I am proud to receive the endorsement of an organization committed to defending our Second Amendment rights,” Griffin said. “The Bill of Rights is not a menu you can pick and choose from. As a soldier and gun owner, I am proud to be a member of the NRA, and I look forward to defending the rights of gun owners in Congress.”
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Democrats for Griffin vehicle wins trophy at Perry County Fair Parade
LITTLE ROCK – An entry representing the campaign of Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin was honored with an award at Saturday’s Perry County Fair Parade.
The Perry County Democrats for Griffin Mardi Gras-themed motorized rickshaw won the award for “Best Themed ATV, motorcycle or other mode of transportation.” The entry, led by Perry County Democrats for Griffin chairman Larry Blackmon and volunteers was a unique three-wheeled vehicle decorated with gold and purple bunting, Mardi Gras masks and Democrats for Griffin bumper stickers.
“I congratulate Larry’s team for winning on behalf of our campaign,” Griffin said. “I am thankful for the work of our Democrat and other volunteers who decorated the float and walked with us in the parade.”
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
FIVETHIRTYEIGHT: 97% CHANCE OF GRIFFIN WIN IN AR-02
Note: Nate Silver of the FiveThirtyEight blog at the New York Times ran 100,000 simulations of the race for control of the House of Representatives, including the race in Arkansas-02. His methodology can be found here.
FiveThirtyEight Projects Griffin Win The New York Times'FiveThirtyEight blog forecasts a 96.7% chance of a Tim Griffin victory in Arkansas's Second District. Griffin is projected to win 57% of the vote to his opponent's 41%. (Nate Silver, "FiveThirtyEight House Election Forecasts and Polls," New York Times, 9/10/10)
Tim on Fox 16 News
September 12th, 2010
In case you missed it, Tim appeared on FOX 16 News at 5 p.m. on Thursday to discuss his campaign to replace outgoing Rep. Vic Snyder.
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement to mark the ninth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks:
“Nine years ago, Americans woke to events and images that will never be forgotten. Our nation was attacked, but we persisted, and our Union, people and spirit remain strong. As we pause to remember the victims of 9/11, we pray for their families. May God continue to bless America and those in uniform who defend and protect us."
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
It's time to call the Hogs at War Memorial Stadium on Saturday, and I look forward to seeing you at one of our two tailgate areas as we root on the Razorbacks to their second win of the year!
As part of our tailgates, we are giving you the opportunity to collect a special Tim Griffin for Congress football. All you have to do is join us before the Razorback game at our tailgate tents.
The first tailgate begins at 10:00 a.m.atSpot #B26 on Fair Park Drive, west of the Stadium.
Our second tailgate begins at 1:00 p.m. at Spots #12 and #13 at the northwest corner of the Pavilion on the golf course, just off Club House Road, west of the Stadium.
Make sure to bring your friends - there will be plenty of food, ice cold drinks and footballs!
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday as we call the Hogs in Little Rock!
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
AR-02 Rated Third 'Most Likely' to Switch Parties
September 10th, 2010
WASHINGTON POST'S THE FIX RANKS AR-02 THIRD 'MOST LIKELY' TO SWITCH PARTY CONTROL
Note: The Fix Blog at the Washington Post has named the race in Arkansas's Second District its third most likely to switch party control, up from fourth. The change in rating comes after National Journal's Hotline and the Arkansas Election Line made similar moves this week favoring Tim Griffin.
"3. Arkansas' 2nd district (D): Former President Bill Clinton and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer have swooped in on behalf of state Sen. Joyce Elliott (D), but former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin (R) remains the clear favorite in the fall. (Previous ranking: 4)" (Chris Cillizza, "The Fix 50: The Battle for House control," WashingtonPost.com, 9/10/10)
Griffin: Second office will expand outreach, help build grassroots
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today announced the opening of a new office in Jacksonville to supplement the Little Rock campaign headquarters and support his campaign to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder.
“I am pleased to announce the opening of our new Jacksonville campaign office,” Griffin said. “It will better allow us to expand our outreach to voters in northern Pulaski County, especially those around the Little Rock Air Force Base, and help build our grassroots support.”
The Jacksonville office is located at 31 Crest View Plaza, across the street from the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. Griffin supporters can obtain campaign signs, stickers and other materials during office hours from 9 a.m. – 4p.m., Monday through Friday.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Like many of you, I was excited to see the Razorbacks finally hit the field last weekend and was proud of how they played in their 44-3 win. This will be a big season for the Hogs, and we are looking forward to seeing how far they can go this year!
The Razorbacks are coming to Little Rock this weekend, and I am inviting you to join us at our two tailgate areas at War Memorial Stadium to help us root on the Hogs as they host Louisiana-Monroe on September 11.
The first tailgate begins at 10:00 a.m.atSpot #B26 on Fair Park Drive, west of the Stadium.
Our second tailgate begins at 1:00 p.m. at Spots #12 and #13 at the northwest corner of the Pavilion on the golf course, just off Club House Road, west of the Stadium.
Make sure to bring your friends - there will be plenty of food and ice cold drinks!
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday as we call the Hogs in Little Rock!
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
P.S. Let’s make this a huge crowd at the stadium! Please forward this message to ten of your friends!
Help Us Call The Hogs at Hog-A-Palooza!
September 9th, 2010
The Razorbacks at War Memorial Stadium? Can you say Woo Pig Sooie?
Make sure to join us at the stadium this Saturday for our two tailgate parties!
Stand with Tim on Saturday and help us Call the Hogs!
AR-02 Rated Fourth 'Most Likely' to Switch Parties
NATIONAL JOURNAL'S HOTLINE RANKS AR-02 FOURTH 'MOST LIKELY' TO SWITCH PARTY CONTROL
Note: National Journal's Hotline has named the race in Arkansas's Second District its fourth most likely to switch party control, up from sixth (noted in parentheses below). The new rating comes one day after the Arkansas Election Line moved the race to "Safe Griffin."
"4. Arkansas-02 Open Seat (D) (6) Bill Clinton is heading back to Arkansas this week in an attempt to again rescue Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D), but don't expect his appearance for state Sen. Joyce Elliott (D) to work any miracles. This race is all but over." (Tim Sahd, "House Race Ranking," National Journal, 9/8/10)
Will you join our team?
September 7th, 2010
Dear Friend,
I believe everyone has a gift, and I believe everyone can be an important part of our team as we take common sense leadership to Congress and remove Nancy Pelosi from the Speaker’s chair.
As we start September, I am asking you to become a member of ourGrassroots Team.
From today until the election, we are looking for volunteers to help us make phone calls or go door-to-door in order to spread our positive campaign message. Will you join us? There are several ways you can be a part of our team:
Help us make phone calls at our headquarters at 300 River Market Drive, Suite 5 in Little Rock.
Sign up to go door-to-door with us. In fact, we will be in Faulkner, Pulaski, and Saline Counties this Saturday.
Please let us know if you will help us by joining our team today. You can call our headquarters at (501) 353-0899 or email us at info@timgriffinforcongress.com.
We are taking nothing for granted because we know how important it is to have a Congress that works for us, not against us. We have a chance to make history in Arkansas this November. Will you join our team and be a part of history?
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
P.S. We are looking for folks to help. Will you spread the word by forwarding this message on to ten of your friends?
Young Professionals Reception
September 7th, 2010
Save the date and stand with Tim by attending our Young Professionals Reception on September 14.
Talk Business Says Griffin Fundraising, National Mood Benefit Griffin. "Notably, Griffin enjoys a safe lead in the polls and a safer lead in the fundraising category but it may be factors far beyond any candidates' control that is helping the Republican in this race. With less than 60 days to go, the overall voting climate in Arkansas remains favorable for the GOP in federal races. National political winds have produced momentum for many GOP candidates as the economy still struggles and Democratic initiatives have yet to elicit enthusiasm from a majority of voters." ("Arkansas Election Line: Congressional District 2," Talk Business, 9/7/10)
The Tolbert Report Notes Consistent Polling Strength."Polling data has consistently shown that Griffin enjoys a comfortable lead heading into the last two months of the election. Most recently, a Talk Business poll showed Griffin with a 17-point lead with only 9 percent undecided. Perhaps even more significantly the poll showed that 53 percent viewed Griffin favorable while only 21 percent viewed him unfavorably. By contrast, only 32 percent of those polled viewed Elliott favorably while 45 percent viewed her unfavorably." ("Arkansas Election Line Moves AR2 to 'Safe Griffin'," The Tolbert Report, 9/7/10)
Blue Hog Report: If Election Held Today, Griffin Wins. "This change is due to several factors, including Tim Griffin’s wide margin in recent polling as well as the sizable gap between Griffin and Joyce Elliott in cash-on-hand. These tangible numbers, combined with national and state-wide trends in favor of Republican candidates as well as a shockingly large enthusiasm gap between GOP and Democrat voters, suggest that, if the election were held today, Griffin would win easily." ("AR Election Line: AR-02 'Safe Griffin'," Blue Hog Report, 9/7/10)
Griffin: American workers are exceptional and will lead our recovery
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement commemorating Labor Day:
“Labor Day is our way of paying tribute to the exceptional working men and women of America who have built and shaped our nation. In these tough economic times, I believe the American worker will build upon our past accomplishments and lead our recovery. In order for our workers to succeed, they must have sustainable employment that comes from the private sector. Our Government must eliminate the uncertainty it has created and allow the private sector to create the jobs our workers need. I know the progress and achievement of our workers will ensure that America remains exceptional and a beacon to the world.”
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Griffin: Thomas helped blaze a trail of hope for nation
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today released the following statement on the death of Jefferson Thomas, one of the nine students who integrated Little Rock’s Central High School in 1957:
“Jefferson Thomas helped blaze a trail of hope for the nation during one of our most trying times. He continued to serve his country as an Army infantry squad leader in Vietnam, as a civilian worker for the Department of Defense and as a mentor to young people in his community. I join Arkansans in praying for his family and friends, celebrating his life and remembering the courage and heroism Mr. Thomas and the Little Rock Nine showed the world.”
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Note: Tim has previously called on Speaker Pelosi and Congress to provide certainty to Americans by extending all tax relief set to expire at year's end.
Uncertainty of Bush tax cuts affects hiring, study states
The Hill
By Jay Heflin - 09/02/10 10:30 AM ET
Congress' inability to make a decision about the fate of Bush-era tax cuts is contributing to the unemployment crisis facing the country, according to the Labor Day 2010 report by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).
"Small businesses are America's job creators, responsible for 60 percent of the net new jobs created in the last decade," the report states. "But uncertainty about looming tax hikes has stunted employment growth and until Main Street begins to hire, the unemployment rate will remain unacceptably high."
The manufacturing sector is one of the industries that is sitting on the sidelines of hiring. Nearly 70 percent of its companies are "pass-through entities" that pay taxes at individual rates, which will be affected by whatever Congress does about the Bush tax breaks.
Griffin: 'Our focus remains on building grassroots support'
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after ABC News changed its rating of the race to succeed outgoing U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder from “Leaning Republican” to “Solid Republican:"
"I am pleased with the favorable change in ABC's rating of the race. However, it is up to the people of Second District to choose in November whether they want to elect a check and balance against President Obama's agenda. Our focus remains on building grassroots support in Arkansas so we can take common sense leadership to Congress. This rating proves that the road to replace Nancy Pelosi as Speaker runs through Arkansas."
On August 19, the independent Talk Business Poll showed Griffin leading 52%-35%.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Note: Real Clear Politics becomes the latest political service to move the race in Arkansas's Second District toward Republican Tim Griffin. Most recently, CQ Politics moved its rating of the race to "Likely Republican."
RCP Notes Griffin Fundraising Advantage In Moving AR-02 To 'Likely GOP' "[Vic] Snyder promptly retired. [Tim] Griffin won his primary, while the Democrats nominated state Senator Joyce Elliott. Elliott has a pretty liberal voting record, and more to the point, had only a third of Griffin’s cash-on-hand at the end of the second fundraising quarter." ("Arkansas 2nd District - Griffin vs. Elliott," Real Clear Politics, 8/25/10)
"I think you'll see the Employee Free Choice Act come up again.... I think it will be back to the floor because we're working on strategies to get that done."
- Richard Trumka AFL-CIO President C-SPAN Newsmakers August 8, 2010
In The News: Small Businesses Fear Hit From Rise in Tax Rates
Note: On July 29, Tim called on Speaker Pelosi and Congress to "provide certainty to Americans by extending all of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts." Small Businesses Fear Hit From Rise in Tax Rates
By MARTIN VAUGHAN and COREY BOLES
Karen Port of St. Louis fears that President Barack Obama's plan to let tax rates rise for top earners will be a double whammy for her hot-tub dealership.
Not only would the company—which takes in between $1 million and $3 million annually in gross sales—pay taxes at a higher rate, but the tax increases could leave less money for customers to spend on her high-end products, said Ms. Port, co-owner of Mirage Spa & Recreation, Inc.
...
Democrats say the tax cuts for the wealthiest must be allowed to expire in order to begin to reduce the federal budget deficit, expected to top $1 trillion next year.
But some business owners—and even some Democratic politicians like Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota—are questioning the wisdom of doing so when unemployment remains at a discouraging 9.5%.
"I am the guy who is supposed to be responsible for creating the jobs," said Ryan Robinson, co-owner of Irving, Texas-based Signal Metal Industries Inc., a maker of heavy machinery for the steel and mining industries.
"When the economy is teetering, and you're worried about having a double dip [recession], is it really smart to not renew those tax cuts?" said Mr. Robinson.
...
Some firm owners just want Congress to make up its mind. "It's August, and we still have so much uncertainty. How can I plan on what I want to invest next year?" said Ron Bullock, owner of St. Charles, Ill.-based Bison Gear & Engineering Corp.
Griffin: '[W]e remain focused on building our grassroots organization . . .'
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after CQ Politics changed its rating of the race to succeed outgoing U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder from “Leans Republican” to “Likely Republican:”
"While I am pleased with the favorable change in the rating, we remain focused on building our grassroots organization and understand that the people of the Second District will decide this election in November.”
CQ Politics last changed its rating for the race, from “Leans Democratic” to “Leans Republican,” on January 15. CQ Politics' change follows recent rating changes by political observers, including The Cook Political Report(Likely Republican, 8/12), The Rothenberg Political Report (Favored Republican, 7/22) and The New York Times (Solid Republican, 7/23).
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement following the release of the Talk Business Poll showing him leading the race to replace outgoing Rep. Vic Snyder, 52%-35%:
"I am pleased with the results of the independent Talk Business Poll, but we are taking nothing for granted and will continue to work hard every day to make sure our positive campaign for private sector job creation and reduced government spending is victorious in November."
The Talk Business Poll is a partnership of Talk Business Research and the Hendrix College Department of Politics and International Relations.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Nation’s leading small and independent business group backs Griffin
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after receiving the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB) political action committee, the SAFE (Save America’s Free Enterprise) Trust:
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of my fellow small business owners and NFIB members and look forward to helping Arkansans create sustainable private sector jobs and lead our economic recovery.
“Free enterprise is one reason why America is exceptional. Speaker Pelosi’s reliance on government to create jobs is misplaced. The private sector, and especially small business, is the key to our economic recovery, and we must help small businesses by extending tax relief and cutting back on spending.”
The National Federation of Independent Business is the leading small business association representing small and independent businesses. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1943, NFIB represents the consensus views of its members in Washington and all 50 state capitals. The SAFE Trust is dedicated to supporting candidates who promote small business interests in Congress.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
If you still have a campaign sign from the primary campaign, feel free to use it, but if you would like a new one, please let us know. We also have 2’x4’ signs we can install at your home or business as well as 4’x8’ signs for commercial property. Please let us know what size campaign sign you need.
Thank you so much for supporting our campaign for common sense leadership in Congress. With your support, we will win in November!
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
P.S. Will you forward this message to at least five of your friends so they will know how to get a campaign sign for their home or business?
Griffin Names Perry County Democrats for Griffin Chair
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today named Larry Blackmon of Perryville as the campaign’s Perry County chairman of Democrats for Griffin.
Blackmon, a former supporter of House Speaker Robbie Wills' campaign for the Democratic nomination to the Second District seat, will serve as the point person for Perry County Democrats supporting Griffin in his bid to replace outgoing Rep. Vic Snyder.
“Larry is an important part of our effort to reach out to Perry County voters who are concerned about the lack of private sector jobs, our increasing debt and what the future holds for our families,” Griffin said. “Our campaign continues to reach out to Democrats, Independents and Republicans who want to elect some common sense leadership to Congress and replace Speaker Nancy Pelosi.”
Blackmon is a long-time manager of facilities and construction projects in Central Arkansas and is an instructor in heavy civil construction. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
“Regardless of party preference, Perry County is home to conservatives, and Tim Griffin is the conservative candidate in this race. He knows that Arkansas workers are the key to our recovery and that the private sector is the way to create jobs. I am proud to support Tim Griffin to be my congressman,” Blackmon said.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
We had a great day visiting with voters all across Pulaski County this past Saturday!
Tim started at the Jacksonville Community Center for the 25th Annual Arkansas Book & Paper Show, followed by a visit to the State Fairgrounds for the Arkansas Kennel Club Dog Show.
Tim then travelled to Central High School for the Independent Youth Football League Jamboree and helped present an award to Power 92's "Broadway Joe" Booker for his service to the community.
Tim followed that up with a visit to the 2010 Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Blue & White Reunion at the Southwest Community Center in Little Rock.
WASHINGTON POST, MSNBC NAME AR-02 SEAT AMONG 'MOST LIKELY' TO SWITCH PARTY CONTROL
Note: "The Fix" blog at the Washington Post and MSNBC's "First Read" have named the race in Arkansas's Second District among their top five races most likely to switch party control. The new ratings come one day after the Cook Political Report moved the race to "Likely Republican."
Washington Post Notes Fundraising In Naming Griffin 'Strong Favorite.' "4. Arkansas' 2nd district (D): Former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin (R) is a strong favorite to claim the seat of retiring Rep. Vic Snyder (D). State Sen. Joyce Elliott was the weaker of the two potential Democratic nominees as she is probably too liberal for the district. Griffin took in $379,000 in the second quarter, leaving him with three times as much cash-on-hand as his Democratic rival. (Previous ranking: 4)" (Chris Cillizza, "President Obama, the 50 percent mark and the battle for the House," The Fix blog, Washington Post, 8/13/10)
MSNBC Unveils 'Field Of 64' Most Likely To Switch, Ranks AR-02 #5. "[W]e're listing what we consider the 64 House seats most likely to switch parties in the fall.... There are 55 Democratic-held seats on this list, and nine GOP-held ones.... 5. AR-2 (D-Open-Snyder retiring)" ("First thoughts: First Read's Field of 64," First Read, MSNBC, 8/13/10)
Cook Report Moves AR-02 to 'Likely Republican'
August 12th, 2010
COOK REPORT MOVES AR-02 TO 'LIKELY REPUBLICAN'
Note: The Cook Political Report joins the New York Times and Rothenberg Political Report in upgrading its ratings for Arkansas's Second Congressional District from the seat leaning toward Republican nominee Tim Griffin to it being more solidly for him. The last update by Cook came on January 15 when the race moved from "Toss Up" to "Lean Republican" following the announced retirement of Rep. Vic Snyder.
Cook Says Democratic Strategists 'Pretty Much Cede' AR-02 To GOP. "In the Likely Republican column, there are four seats most Democratic strategists pretty much cede to the GOP: In AR-02 (Snyder), Democrats’ nomination of liberal state Sen. Joyce Elliott has put former Bush-appointed prosecutor Tim Griffin in the driver’s seat." ("2010 House Competitive Open Seat Rundown," The Cook Political Report (subscription req'd), 8/12/10; "2010 Competitive House Race Chart," The Cook Political Report, 8/12/10)
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after receiving the endorsement of the Arkansas Right to Life Political Action Committee:
“I am honored to have the endorsement of the Arkansas Right to Life PAC. The sanctity of life and the importance of family are principles that guide me every day. I believe life is a blessing and a gift from God."
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
ROTHENBERG CALLS AR-02 RACE 'DANGEROUS' FOR DEMOCRATS TO HOLD
Note: The Rothenberg Political Report recently upgraded its rating of the Arkansas-02 race to "Republican Favored." The AR-02 race appears fourth on the list of his "Dangerous Dozen."
Rothenberg's Dangerous Dozen Open House Seats Aug. 9, 2010 By Stuart Rothenberg Roll Call Contributing Writer
Competitive open seats usually follow the direction of the overall cycle, so with House Republicans poised for large gains, it should be no surprise that most of the open seats that flip will be headed their way. The districts at the top of the list are more likely to flip, with at least the first half-dozen looking like no-brainers.
...
Arkansas’ 2nd. Republicans have been frustrated for years at not being able to unseat Rep. Vic Snyder (D), but the Congressman’s retirement — and the Democrats’ nomination of state Sen. Joyce Elliott — finally means the seat will flip to the GOP. Republican Tim Griffin, a former U.S. attorney, is a solid favorite over the liberal Elliott.
We need your help at campaign headquarters now! Will you join us at 300 River Market Drive, Suite 5 in Little Rock and give your time, talents and energy to help us win in November?
We are taking nothing for granted because we know how important it is for us in the Second District to have a Congress that works for us, not against us. We have a chance to make history in Arkansas this November. Will you join our team and be a part of that history?
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
In The News: Obama Promises to 'Keep On Fighting' for Card Check
OBAMA PROMISE TO AFL-CIO: WILL 'KEEP ON FIGHTING' FOR CARD CHECK
Note: Tim Griffin is opposed to the Employee Free Choice Act, commonly known as "card check." You can read his stance on the issue here.
Obama says he'll 'keep on fighting' to pass 'card check' bill
By Michael O'Brien - 08/04/10 11:36 AM ET
President Obama told the AFL-CIO on Wednesday that he would "keep on fighting" to pass the controversial "card check" bill.
Obama said during a speech to the labor group's executive committee meeting that he continued to support the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA, or "card check") among the litany of proposals he favors to help workers.
"[W]e're going to keep on fighting to pass the Employee Free Choice Act," Obama told the union.
Thank you to campaign volunteer Peggie Hall for her great photography.
Are you interested in hosting an event for Tim? Will you Get Involved and stand with Tim today?
Hurricane Lake Pictures
August 2nd, 2010
A great Saline County crowd came out to support Tim at Hurricane Lake on July 29. Here is a look at some pictures from the event, courtesy of campaign volunteer Peggie Hall.
If you would like to host an event for Tim, please make sure to Get Involved today!
Notable Quotable: Nancy Pelosi on Card Check
July 30th, 2010
"Of course we are committed in our party--and we passed over and over again--and we hope that it will be the law of the land soon: the Employer Free Choice Act."
Calls continued relief critical for jobs, asks Congress to provide certainty to employers, families
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today called on the House of Representatives to pass a full extension of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts before it adjourns for its summer break on Friday by issuing the following statement:
“In just 155 days, tax relief for American families and small businesses is set to expire, resulting in the largest tax increase in our nation’s history--another blow to private sector job creation. We can’t afford for Congress to take a six week vacation while employers and families try to make fiscal decisions without knowing if their taxes will be going up at the end of the year. Speaker Pelosi and the House leadership need to provide certainty to Americans by extending all of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts before they leave on Friday for summer break. If they do not, I call on Speaker Pelosi to keep the House in session until the tax relief extension, which is critical for jobs, passes.”
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
I have previously written you about how the allies of Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be flooding the Second District with money in order to keep our seat in Congress under her control.
The gates were opened today as Speaker Pelosi’s Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee just purchased $693,000 in advertising time on Little Rock television stations to prevent us from electing a check and balance against her agenda.
Our campaign has vowed to fight for every vote, and we need your help today to continue fighting. Will you make a critical donation of $25, $50, $100 or more at this crucial time so that we can have the means to combat the hundreds of thousands of dollars Speaker Pelosi is sending to Arkansas?
Speaker Pelosi knows that if she loses in the Second District, her control of the House is threatened. As I have said before, your help is not a luxury; it is needed in order to replace her and take common sense leadership to Congress. Will you do your part to replace her by contributing today?
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
P.S. Your generosity allowed us to broadcast our positive message during the primary. Your generous donation today will ensure we can fight the negative ads that will come from Speaker Pelosi’s friends.
P.P.S. Your friends are an important part of the campaign. Will you help us spread the word by forwarding this message on to 10 of your friends?
Speaker Pelosi is disturbed over our fundraising.
July 27th, 2010
Dear Friend,
Speaker Nancy Pelosi just sent out an email to her allies across the nation asking for money to help her maintain control of the House of Representatives.
In her plea, she talked about the "disturbing surge in Republican fundraising." In other words, your support of our campaign is disturbing her and her friends in Washington.
Will you contribute $25 to our campaign todayto show Speaker Pelosi how disturbed you are with the direction she and President Obama are taking the country?
There is a surge in Arkansas - toward common sense leadership. Your $25 contribution will take us another step down the road toward victory and electing a check and balance to her agenda in November.
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
P.S. Please spread the word about our campaign by forwarding this message to five of your friends.
Will you join my team and help me retire Nancy Pelosi?
July 26th, 2010
Dear Friend,
I am running for Congress because I believe we need common sense leadership in Washington. President Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi are taking our country too far, too fast and in the wrong direction, spending our kids’ money before they ever start their first job.
I believe in the idea of American Exceptionalism and that the United States is unique among nations. And I want to keep it that way so future generations will live in a nation that continues to lead the world as a beacon of freedom and prosperity.
If you are like most Arkansans you share my concerns. If so, will you sign up to volunteer for our campaign or receive our newsletters?
American Exceptionalism MUST Be Preserved
What makes us exceptional is what makes us free. I believe our Constitution, our people and our free market have allowed our nation to lead economically, militarily, culturally and in so many other ways.
Unfortunately, there are those in Washington who do not see our country as exceptional. Our Republic is different than other European democracies. We should not be trying to emulate them.
Our nation runs the risk of losing our place of primacy due to our runaway deficit spending and growing national debt that is financed by foreign powers. Our government must focus on reducing the debt.
Our nation’s strength has been based on our freedom and prosperity. The sooner we get our financial house in order, the stronger our foundation will be and the more durable our position of leadership.
This November, Arkansans will be presented with a choice and an opportunity at the ballot box. The choice is simple. Who will we elect to represent us in Congress? Will we elect the candidate who will fight to maintain American Exceptionalism and be a check and balance against the free-spending, debt-increasing agenda of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Obama? I invite you to join my campaign and help me be that check and balance.
Your support is not a luxury; it is necessary to take some common sense leadership to Congress. Will you join our team?
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin
P.S. If you want to continue receiving regular updates from the Tim Griffin for Congress campaign, please click here and sign up for eNews.
New York Times, Rothenberg Upgrade Ratings to Favor Griffin
July 23rd, 2010
AR-02 RATINGS CHANGES NY TIMES: 'SOLID REPUBLICAN' RPR: 'REPUBLICAN FAVORED'
Note: The New York Times and Rothenberg Political Report have upgraded their ratings for Arkansas's Second Congressional District from the seat leaning toward Republican nominee Tim Griffin to it being solidly for him.
New York Times Says AR-02 'Solid Republican'. "The Republicans have a candidate with deep connections to the party, Tim Griffin, who has been identified by the National Republican Congressional Committee as a “Young Gun,” or one of the candidates who get special support from the party in races it sees as winnable." ("Arkansas 2nd District Race Profile," New York Times, 7/23/10)
Rothenberg Political Report Says Griffin Favored; Predicts 'Substantial' Republican Gains. "We reiterate our view that substantial Republican gains are inevitable and are increasing our target for most likely GOP gains from 25-30 seats to 28-33 seats. However, it is important to note that considerably larger Republican gains in excess of 39 seats are quite possible." ("NEW 2010 House Ratings," Rothenberg Political Report, 7/23/10)
Says Yell County voters want ‘common sense leadership’
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today lifelong Yell County resident and businessman Greg Bland as his campaign’s Yell County Chairman.
As county chairman, Bland will be the point person for Yell County supporters of Griffin’s campaign to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder.
Griffin won Yell County in the May 18 Republican Primary with 72% of the vote.
“I am happy to welcome Greg to our team and know he will be a valuable asset as we reach out to all Yell County voters—Democrat, Republican and Independent—who want to elect common sense leadership to Congress,” Griffin said.
“Yell County voters want some common sense coming out of Congress,” Bland said. “I am supporting Tim because I believe he is the best person to represent our values. I am looking forward to working to elect our next congressman, Tim Griffin.”
Bland, a Danville resident, has been involved in the insurance business since 1985 and is currently an agent for Shelter Insurance. A 1981 graduate of Havana High School, Bland earned a degree in agri-business from Arkansas Tech University in 1984. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration.
Bland and his wife Sherry are the parents of four children. He also serves as a pastor for Miracle Outreach Ministries.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Law claims to target Wall Street excesses, but hits Main Street’s community banks hard
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today issued the following statement in response to the President signing into law the Dodd-Frank financial regulatory reform bill:
“We can all agree that we need to address the excesses on Wall Street, but this bill misses the mark. The Dodd-Frank financial reform law does little to stop future Wall Street meltdowns and creates many more obstacles to job creation. While Speaker Pelosi and President Obama say the law targets Wall Street, its unintended consequence will be the strangling of community banks on Main Streets throughout Arkansas.
“This law makes it harder for Arkansans and small businesses to obtain credit and invest in new jobs, and the cost of financial services will increase for Arkansas consumers and employers. It is a no-win for our community banks – a vital part of the Arkansas economy and critical to job creation.
“A majority of Arkansas’s House delegation—Democrats and Republican alike—opposed Dodd-Frank. The Second District needs someone who will fight for common sense ideas, not be a reliable yes vote for Speaker Pelosi and President Obama. As your next congressman, I will be a voice for Arkansas consumers and community banks, while addressing the root causes of the financial meltdown—including the failures at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac—which Dodd-Frank ignores.”
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Credits Arkansans wanting ‘common sense leadership’ in Congress
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today announced his campaign has raised more than $1 million to date in his bid to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder.
Griffin, who announced his candidacy on September 21, 2009, reported raising over $954,000 in his July 15 filing with the Federal Election Commission.
A $50 online contribution to www.TimGriffinForCongress.com from Little Rock is credited for pushing the campaign past the $1 million mark.
“I am humbled by the generosity of Arkansans who want to elect common sense leadership in Congress and have a real check and balance against the job-killing, debt-growing agenda of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Obama,” Griffin said.
“You can bet that out of state Big Labor bosses and other allies of Speaker Pelosi will do all they can to try and keep the Second District’s seat under her control,” Griffin added. “We will continue to build on our grassroots and financial support through the summer in order to be victorious in November.”
According to Griffin’s second quarter filing, 82% of his donations came from Arkansas donors.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
Reports detail 14-year career in U.S. Army Reserve
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today released his Officer Evaluation Reports, documents reviewing his 14 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve as an officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps.
The Officer Evaluation Reports detail Griffin’s duties and performance reviews from superior and commanding officers since receiving his direct commission in the U.S. Army Reserve as a First Lieutenant in June 1996.
To read Griffin’s Officer Evaluation Reports (some information redacted for privacy), please click here.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
It is an exciting time to be a conservative in Arkansas! Central Arkansas is at the forefront of electing a new Congress that will be a check and balance against the fiscally irresponsible, job-killing policies of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Obama. This will be the year that we make history by electing common sense leadership, and it all starts with the election of my friend Tim Griffin to Congress.
I am writing to invite you to join us at a reception for Tim on July 30 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. This event is hosted by Cory Cox, Cody Hiland, Fran & Jerry Nichols, and Ted Thomas and will be held at 609 Locust Street in Conway. We are asking for a small $25 contribution to attend but will welcome any additional donations you generously choose to make in order to help elect Tim.
I would also like to invite you to keep up-to-date with Tim’s campaign on the Internet. You can sign up to receive the latest news from Tim’s team by clicking here or sign up to volunteer here. You can also sign up to follow Tim on Facebook or Twitter.
Will you join me by supporting Tim and helping him become our next Second District Congressman? It will take a team effort, but together we can elect a Congress that works for us, not against us. I look forward to seeing you on July 30 as we host our next congressman, Tim Griffin, in Conway.
Sincerely,
Gilbert Baker
P.S. If you can't join us on July 30, will you make an online donation to Tim today?
Save the Date! July 30: Conway Reception
July 19th, 2010
Stand with Tim in Faulkner County at a reception in Conway on July 30.
See you there!
Griffin: Arkansas Has Lost a Hero with the Passing of Medal of Honor Recipient Nick Bacon
Griffin: Arkansas Has Lost a Hero with the Passing of Medal of Honor Recipient Nick Bacon
LITTLE ROCK – Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin today released the following statement on the death of 1SG Nick Bacon (USA, Ret.), Arkansas’s last living Medal of Honor recipient, following a lengthy illness:
“Arkansas has lost a hero today. As the recipient of our nation’s highest military decoration for rescuing fellow soldiers in Vietnam, Nick Bacon had already given so much to his country and tried to volunteer for a third tour but was refused. After retiring from the Army he continued his service as an advocate for veterans. I join my fellow Americans, Arkansans and veterans in remembering his service, courage and heroism.”
The full citation of Bacon’s Medal of Honor is as follows:
BACON, NICKY DANIEL
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Place and date: West of Tam Ky, Republic of Vietnam, 26 August 1968. Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz. Born: 25 November 1945, Caraway, Ark.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Bacon distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader with the 1st Platoon, Company B, during an operation west of Tam Ky. When Company B came under fire from an enemy bunker line to the front, S/Sgt. Bacon quickly organized his men and led them forward in an assault. He advanced on a hostile bunker and destroyed it with grenades. As he did so, several fellow soldiers including the 1st Platoon leader, were struck by machinegun fire and fell wounded in an exposed position forward of the rest of the platoon. S/Sgt. Bacon immediately assumed command of the platoon and assaulted the hostile gun position, finally killing the enemy gun crew in a single-handed effort. When the 3d Platoon moved to S/Sgt. Bacon's location, its leader was also wounded. Without hesitation S/Sgt. Bacon took charge of the additional platoon and continued the fight. In the ensuing action he personally killed 4 more enemy soldiers and silenced an antitank weapon. Under his leadership and example, the members of both platoons accepted his authority without question. Continuing to ignore the intense hostile fire, he climbed up on the exposed deck of a tank and directed fire into the enemy position while several wounded men were evacuated. As a result of S/Sgt. Bacon's extraordinary efforts, his company was able to move forward, eliminate the enemy positions, and rescue the men trapped to the front. S/Sgt. Bacon's bravery at the risk of his life was in the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
About Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin is the principal in the Griffin Law Firm, PLLC and in Griffin Public Affairs, LLC, both based in Little Rock. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Tulane Law School in New Orleans and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 14 years, was deployed to Iraq and holds the rank of Major. He also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the White House. He is a 5th generation Arkansan and lives in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their two children.
EMPLOYERS DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT FROM ADMINISTRATION
Note: Tim Griffin has called on House leadership to provide the private sector certainty in order to create jobs. His most recent statement can be found here.
Obama succeeded only in creating uncertainty
By: Thomas Sowell Examiner Columnist July 14, 2010
...
With the Obama administration being on an anti-business kick, boasting of putting their foot on some business' neck, and the president talking about putting his foot on another part of the anatomy, with Congress coming up with more and more red tape, more mandates and more heavy-handed interventions in businesses, would you risk $26 billion that you might not even be able to get back, much less make any money on the deal?
...
What does all this say? That people don't know what to expect next from this administration, which seldom lets a month go by without some new anti-business laws, policies or rhetoric.
When you hire somebody in this environment, you know what you have
Dear Friend,
LITTLE ROCK – An entry representing the campaign of Second District Congressional candidate, U.S. Army Reservist and former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin was honored with an award at Saturday’s Perry County Fair Parade.
As part of our tailgates, we are giving you the opportunity to collect a special Tim Griffin for Congress football. All you have to do is join us before the Razorback game at our tailgate tents.
I am happy to announce that our new shipment of yard signs is in and ready for pick-up at our River Market campaign headquarters!
