Congressman Flake is taking some heat for missing the Cap and Trade vote. He just sent me a quick note and it looks to me like he made the right choice.
Greg,
I hope all is well with you. I continue to enjoy your blog. I don’t know how you have the time, now that you’re a high-flying lawyer and all.
I know that many are questioning why I missed the cap-and-trade vote tonight. I don’t blame them. It’s a terrible bill. I doubt it will survive the Senate, but if it does I look forward to voting against it when it returns to the House.
My daughter, Alexis, was competing tonight in America’s Junior Miss Scholarship Program in Mobile, AL as Arizona’s Junior Miss. I’ve let my daughter down enough over the years. I just couldn’t do it again tonight. She had a tough night. I needed to be here.
Jeff
The bill would have passed anyway, so it doesn't matter much. And Flake has introduced his own Carbon Tax, so he has already forfeited the moral high ground on the tax debate. He wouldn't have made a very effective champion on this issue.
Posted by: John | June 27, 2009 at 03:43 AM
Different slant. Do the right thing for your kids. In the long run, it's all that matters.
Posted by: Doc | June 27, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Ever wonder what would be left if all the taxes and fees proposed were put in effect?
If there were no pork in the budget, it would even be more interesting.
Posted by: Jim Torgeson | June 27, 2009 at 11:08 AM
He made the choice to be a public official and he should vote on key issues like that.
Posted by: Richard Moreno | June 27, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Brother JD called out the Flake on his show Friday!
Posted by: Proud Publican | June 28, 2009 at 12:47 AM
" . . . forfeited the moral high ground on the tax debate."
Flake proposed a carbon tax in an effort to inject a little transparency into what the Democrats are proposing to do.
Here's the key, though: Flake proposed a REVENUE NUETRAL carbon tax, meaning other taxes would decrease to perfectly offset the amount of revenue generated through the carbon tax. I don't know what your preference is, but I'd rather be taxed on my carbon emissions than on my capital and my labor.
None of this excuses Flake for missing a key vote, but his carbon tax proposal certainly didn't cede any high ground to the Dems.
Posted by: John I | June 28, 2009 at 02:07 AM
Let's see if I have this correct: Rep. Jeff Flake missed an important vote to support his daughter?
Wow! He put family first?? Shameful!! Just shameful!! :-)
That is NOT how a Congressman is expected to behave these days!!
Posted by: Brian | June 28, 2009 at 03:01 AM
Sorry John (different John from me clearly), but does Jeff Flake really believe that the government is going to collect billions of dollars from one group and redistribute it to another group without keeping some for itself? Pure fantasy. And who pays the Flake carbon tax? "Big Energy"? Please. Corporations don't pay taxes, their customers do. So Jeff Flake wants to take money from the people who use energy (US!), run it through the laundry at the Federal Government, then give some of it back to some of us. Great. Redistribution of wealth and government picking winners and losers.
Yea, I'd say he has forfeited the high ground on taxes.
Posted by: John | June 28, 2009 at 04:03 AM
Criticize ideas and actions related to job performance without going personal and nuclear on our public officials.
One official making a single proposal is less damaging than a thousand irrational constituents being ridiculous and mean.
The idea that missing this vote was in any way detrimental to his constituency is just plain stupid to the core.
Posted by: Travis | June 28, 2009 at 10:46 AM
John,
If Government stops collecting taxes from workers and capitalists and starts collecting it from carbon emitters, will there be winners and losers?
Sure. Lazy, poor people will lose.
Does that mean government will be picking "winners and losers" and "redistributing wealth"?
No more so than when it started taxing labor and capital in the first instance. Your love for the status quo is curious.
Flake's carbon tax proposal simply says: if we're trying to raise the price on carbon emissions (which is the purpose of cap-and-trade), we might as well use that money to fund government and alleviate other tax burdens at the same time.
Posted by: John I | June 28, 2009 at 01:21 PM
How dare you call JD stoopid, Travis!
Posted by: Proud Publican | June 28, 2009 at 01:55 PM
Sorry Jeff ... From what I hear your whole District had a terrible night...they felt let down and are aggravated as well as the rest of the conservative in this state and others with Republican Caucus... We expect our conservative representative to fight liberalism. We're in a political war and the other side isn't taking any breaks... you don't stand alone in letting us down but unless you guys stand up to these liberal Democrats we have no representation...that is what we pay you for after all.
Posted by: col.smeag | June 28, 2009 at 06:35 PM
So, what Flake is saying is that it's ok for him to let MY kids down by not taking a stand on the biggest tax increase in the history of this country as long as he didn't let his kid down at her dance recital.
I look forward to raising LOTS of money to defeat him in his re-election bid.
Posted by: Michael Yashko | June 28, 2009 at 09:06 PM
The votes were counted before it got to the floor, if it passes in the Senate it will still have to come back to the House for approval of the changes. Flake knew that.
JD is making all the hay he can out of this, just like the misquotes and distortions of Senators McCain and Kyl. JD will stop at nothing and hurt anyone to get his name back on the ballot.
Posted by: Ann | June 28, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Pelosi knew she had the votes or she would not have brought this to the floor. Jeff's vote would have made no difference at all. If you are out for blood, go after the 8 R's who voted yes. They are the ones who should suffer defeat in 2010, not a solid conservative like Congressman Flake.
Posted by: Jean McGrath | June 29, 2009 at 01:27 AM
Ann:
This isn't about me...its about decisions made by former colleagues.
Jeff made a choice to miss an important vote, even though the pageant in which his daughter participated ran Thursday-Saturday, with the finals on Saturday night.
With reference to Sens. McCain and Kyl, they both stated Friday that "comprehensive immigration reform" (amnesty) must include a "guest worker program."
I disagree with all three--I believe Jeff could and should have been in DC for the Friday vote, and could have booked flights to be at the pageant in Mobile on Thursday and Saturday... and I think that John and Jon are repeating the mistakes of the misguided 2007 amnesty push that backfired so badly.
I make these observations as a commentator--not as a candidate...but obviously as someone who has been a candidate and a Member of Congress, and who is free to voice those concerns.
You certainly have the right to disagree, but this notion that I "will stop at nothing and hurt anyone to get [my] name back on the ballot" is incorrect.
Posted by: J.D. | June 29, 2009 at 01:36 AM
I agree that Flake's excuse is unacceptable.
This wasn't some meaningless bill that he missed a vote on, it's probably the most consequential bill that will be brought up this year. They even pulled Patrick Kennedy out of rehab to get his vote.
Sorry, if you can't handle your family obligations, you need to find a new line of work. Everyone would love to miss more work to spend more time with their family, but we have to make sacrifices. Being a congressman is a duty no one should take lightly.
Posted by: Brad Smith | June 29, 2009 at 02:11 AM
JD, didn't you miss some votes during your lap band surgery/recovery?
Posted by: JD Ready? | June 29, 2009 at 03:25 AM
As a matter of fact, I DID NOT miss votes during my weight reduction surgery.
It was scheduled over the August recess...and slated in such a way that I could greet Pres. Bush (along with Jeff Flake) in Tucson--then have the surgery the next day--then, following a day of recovery--welcome Speaker Hastert when he came to Mesa to award John Rhodes his Congressional Medal.
Sorry to sink your snarky assumption, "JD Ready?"...but the fact is proper scheduling insured that I would not miss votes.
Posted by: J.D. | June 29, 2009 at 09:15 AM
I'm disappointed that Jeff missed the vote. My bigger concern is that our elected conservative brothers and sisters are not being effective enough to stop the hard left to socialism our country is taking. If they are ineffective--any and all of them--they need to be replaced. If Senators John and Jon, with all their experience and alleged influence, can't get it done--vote in someone else.
Posted by: RonB | June 29, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Dear Rep. Flake,
My tax money contributes to your $175,000 salary plus expenses and that $900,000 spent on your staff salaries.
If you feel that you don't have time to do your job -- than I suggest you get into another occupation.
I'm sure there are other "public servants" willing to take your place and show up to vote.
You've lost my vote.
Posted by: givin you money for nothin | June 29, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Has the "Draft Eddie Farnsworth Committee" been organized yet?
Posted by: RonB | June 29, 2009 at 03:42 PM
Why isn't Eddie Farnsworth running for Superintendent of Public Instruction? That's a role his background would fit nicely and his conservative principles could more readily be brought to bear for Arizona's future.
Posted by: Simplicity | June 29, 2009 at 10:51 PM
J.D. right on the button, "my friend" this is not a time to lay down but to stand up and fight. Senator McCain had the gall to kiss up to the tree huggers and Global warming crowd this morning on KFYI... When is the Arizona Delegation going to realize that they are doing a bad job representing us in the public arena as well as on the floor of the House and Senate. Hitch up your pants and get to work or look for another job.
Posted by: col.smeag | June 30, 2009 at 01:49 AM
Sorry Mr. Flake,
This is not a time for your trivial excuses.
I have kids and I think big taxes that will affect their future is a little more important then a Jr. Ms. Arizona.
Look at it this way when you are fired you will have plenty of time to play with you kids.
I know I do since I don't have a job.
Posted by: Dennis Apache Junction | June 30, 2009 at 11:36 AM
If his vote wouldn't have made a difference, who cares? Do you really think that he's so persuasive he could have flipped one of the 8 Republicans that did vote for it or the Dems who did? Fat chance. Like someone else already said, the votes were in before it hit the floor, that's why it was brought to a vote. Let's pick fights with people we disagree with and stop the back-biting. No wonder we're in the minority.
Posted by: Christa | June 30, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Christa,
Well I suppose when you don't do your job, WHO CARES? I bet your boss would fire your butt.
That is the very attitude that has the GOP in shambles.
I CARE.
I CARE about my taxes.
I CARE about North Korea.
I CARE about Cap and Trade.
I CARE about gun Control.
I CARE about my kids and their futures.
If I where a congressman I would have been beating on my fellow GOPs doors convincing them what IDIOTS who don't care, should care.
You're the very reason we are on the MINORITY!
Posted by: Dennis Apache Junction | June 30, 2009 at 03:07 PM
A lot of soldiers missed THE BIRTHS of their children in their service. All he had to do is miss a beauty contest. This is treason!!
Posted by: jojo | June 30, 2009 at 08:55 PM
For all of you disgruntled constituents of CD 6. Now you have a chance to express yourself by helping me defeat Jeff Flake.
Easton Kelsey
A United Vision
kelsey4congress2010.org
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Posted by: Air Yeezy | August 20, 2010 at 07:49 AM