Baton Rouge - Today, Republican Party of Louisiana Executive Director Jason Doré released the following statement regarding Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) serving as the keynote speaker at a major fundraiser for Louisiana Democrats in Baton Rouge:
“Louisiana Democrats, with their decision to have liberal Senator Chris Coons as their featured speaker at a major fundraiser this month, are doing themselves no favors in their quest to mislead voters that state Democrats are nothing like Washington Democrats,” said Executive Director Doré. “Senator Coons is the prototype liberal Washington Democrat that Louisiana Democrats have been trying to disassociate themselves with for years.”
“Senator Coons is pro-choice, opposes the Defense of Marriage Act, and received an F rating from the National Rifle Association in 2010. He was a vocal supporter of the failed economic stimulus, said he would have voted for Obamacare, and is a strong proponent of job killing Cap & Trade legislation. While leading New Castle County to the verge of bankruptcy, Coons championed tax hikes on property, hotels, seniors, and even tall grass. Perhaps most damaging of all, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid referred to Coons as his ‘pet’.”
“Any Louisiana Democrat claiming to be a pro-life, pro-gun, pro-energy, anti-tax conservative should denounce their party leadership for their decision that clearly demonstrates their party is just as out of touch – and just as liberal – as their Washington brethren,” said Doré. “If Louisiana Democrats are to be known by the company they keep – they’re no different than the tax and spend liberal Democrats in Washington, D.C.”
Background:
“U.S. Sen. Christopher Coons, Of Delaware, Will Be The Keynote Speaker For The Louisiana Democratic Party’s Annual Major Fundraising Event On July 23.” The Thomas Jefferson-Andrew Jackson Dinner will be held at 7 p.m. in the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center. (“Politics for July 3, 2011,” Baton Rouge Advocate, 7/3/11)
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) Calls Chris Coons His Pet. “I’m going to be very honest with you — Chris Coons, everybody knows him in the Democratic caucus. He’s my pet. He’s my favorite candidate,’ [Senator Harry] Reid said.” (Kerry Picket, “Reid refers to Coons as ‘my pet’,” Washington Times, 9/15/10)
Chris Coons is Pro-Choice. (Political Courage Test, Project Vote Smart, Accessed 7/6/11)
Chris Coons opposes the Defense of Marriage Act which defined marriage as the legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife. “As U.S. Senator, Chris will fight for the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman for purposes of all federal laws.” (“LGBT Rights,” ChrisCoons.com, Accessed 7/6/11)
The National Rifle Association Gave Chris Coons the Grade of F in 2010. (Project Vote Smart, “Interest Group Ratings – Gun Issues”, Accessed 7/6/11)
Coons Is A Vocal Supporter Of The Stimulus. “Coons will emphasize that castle voted against the stimulus, which, he says, ‘was a critical, strategic investment that stopped the rapid slide of our economy into a second great depression.’” (Bob Yearick, “Castle vs. Coons,” Delaware Today, 6/15/10)
Coons Would Have Voted For Obamacare. “Coons said he would have been a ‘yes’ vote, even if ‘the measure adopted [Sunday] is not perfect. It is a major step forward.’” (Ginger Gibson, “Vote’s Fallout May Linger Into November Elections,” The [Wilmington, DE] News Journal, 3/23/10)
Coons Supports A Nationwide Cap-And-Trade Program. “Chris is also calling for a nationwide cap and trade program that will help establish a price on carbon and unleash the creativity of American ingenuity to help solve the increasing effects of Greenhouse gases on the environment.” (Coons Website, www.chriscoons.com, Accessed 6/9/10)
After Calling New Castle County’s Economic Health “Fundamentally Sound” In 2005, The County Was On The Verge Of Bankruptcy In 2009. “‘We’re 18 months from being out of money — unable to operate, not to use the “B” word,’ Coons Said, In A Reference To Bankruptcy. ‘That’s where we are, and it’s at a time when many families are struggling, and they’re looking to government to help them.’” (Jeff Montgomery, “Sobering Challenges Reflected In Speeches,” The [Wilmington, DE] News Journal, 1/22/09; Angie Basiouny, “NCCo Exec Proposes Reining In Spending,” The [Wilmington, DE] News Journal, 3/30/05)
Coons Championed Tax Increases On Property, Hotels, 9-11 Service, Paramedics, Tall Grass, Sewers (5 Times), Seniors, And The Disabled. (Angie Basiouny, “NCCo Signs Pact With Paramedics, Averts More Layoffs,” The [Wilmington, DE] News Journal, 10/1/09; Angie Basiouny, “Tax Hike, Deep Cuts In Store For NCCo,” The [Wilmington, DE] News Journal, 3/17/07; “Coons Proposes Using Fines To Clean Up NCCo’s Problem Properties,” The [Wilmington, DE] News Journal, 10/23/09; Adam Taylor, “Coons Proposes Layoffs,” The [Wilmington, DE] News Journal, 3/17/10; Angie Basiouny, “Coons’ 2010 Proposal Hits Hard — And Broad,” The [Wilmington, DE] News Journal, 3/18/09; Angie Basiouny, “25% NCCo Property Tax Hike OK’d,” The [Wilmington, DE] News Journal, 5/27/09; Angie Basiouny, “Coons To Propose Sewer Rate Increase,” The [Wilmington, DE] News Journal, 3/20/08; “Around Delaware,” The [Wilmington, DE] News Journal, 3/22/06; Angie Basiouny, “NCCo Exec Proposes Reining In Spending,” The [Wilmington, DE] News Journal, 3/30/05; Angie Basiouny, “NCCo Tax Exemption Cuts Up For Vote,” The [Wilmington, DE] News Journal, 9/10/07)
“‘Chris Coons Raised Your Taxes. Absolutely. Guilty As Charged, Your Honor,’ Coons told POLITICO Friday when asked about the biggest potential vulnerability he carries into his race against GOP Rep. Mike Castle.” (David Catanese, “Coons Embraces Del. Tax Decision,” Politico, 6/4/10)
Coons: “[W]e Raised Taxes More Than Anyone Has In 30 Years.” “‘To balance the budget and preserve critical services, I have raised taxes,’ Coons acknowledged. ‘We cut more than anyone has in 30 years, and we raised taxes more than anyone has in 30 years.’” (Reid Wilson, “Why Delaware Isn’t A GOP Gimme,” National Journal’s Hotline On Call Blog, 6/7/10)