Local Republicans react to State of the Union
Following the State of the Union and President Obama’s visit to Boise, local Republicans said they had mixed feeling on the president’s remarks.
“Last night it seemed like he was struggling to come up with a different agenda to create a legacy for himself, a positive legacy for himself during the final two years of his presidency,” said Bingham County Republican Central Committee Chairman, Dan Cravens.
Obama said his sole agenda is to continue to do, in the next couple of years, what he said is best for the nation. While he highlighted his work to improve the national economy and his plans to push what he calls “middle class” economics, Cravens said the president’s only accomplishment has been passing the Affordable Health Care Act. He said it’s time for both Republicans and Democrats to focus on the details.
“I think we are a party of ideas that want to provide conservative solutions to these problems, market-based solutions to these problems. Not solutions that are dependent upon increased spending and increased taxes and increased government,” said Cravens.
During his State of the Union address, Obama proposed a new policy that would raise taxes on the wealthy, free community college, and new tax credits for child care. These are the sort of policies that the Idaho Democratic Party said is needed. Pending the commander-in-chief’s arrival in Boise Wednesday, Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Larry Kenck said the party was honored that the president would choose Idaho to start this type of discussion.
“We are pleased that the president is focusing on seeing that everyday workers share in the economic recovery. Folks at the top seem to be doing well while the rest of us struggle to pay bills,” said Kenck. “In Idaho, 20 years of failed GOP-leadership has made us bottom in the nation in family income and top in percentage of minimum wage jobs. Our education system has languished as Idaho GOP leaders enriched their wealthy, well-connected friends and campaign donors.”
Although Obama told Republicans that he was committed to seeking out their input as he closes out his term, Cravens said lack in collaboration has not been a result of differing concerns, but different ideas toward solutions.
“People in the Republican Party believe there are good ideas that come from their side and I hope that most people in the Democratic Party feels there are good ideas that come from their side, but a lot of times the dispute is in the details,” said Cravens. “I think what our government should be looking to do right now is reduce the fiscal burden and the tax burden that is placed upon businesses and individuals and allow them to reinvest money to our economy to help it grow quicker.”
