It seemed like an odd play for a four-term House member, who in other circumstances might call Pelosi his “distinguished colleague.”
As least, it sounds odd until you realize that knocking Pelosi out of the top position is something a Republican majority can easily do -– unlike some of the GOP’s bolder goals, like repealing health care reform, which likely won’t come without a fight.
A political veteran from a district many observers see as safely Republican, Rogers was cagy with his pledges during the 2010 campaign –- making few promises, and rarely promising anything that seems politically unrealistic.
That poses a bit of a problem for Bama Fact Check, which has spent the days since the election making a record of many of Alabama officials’ campaign pledges. In coming months, we’ll check back on these promises, to see who has kept their word and who hasn’t.
But Rogers, like many long-term incumbents, hasn’t exactly dazzled voters with a lot of pie-in-the-sky promises –- just the usual political fare. Faced with a relatively unknown Democratic opponent with little party funding, Rogers kept his head down through most of the campaign.
At least Sen. Richard Shelby promised us the moon.
MIKE ROGERS’ PROMISES
TAXES
-- Lower taxes for working Alabamians – at least, as long as times are tough.
“In tough economic times, Mike Rogers is a strong advocate for lowering taxes for all working Alabamians and strengthening America's economy.” (Source: http://www.mikerogersforcongress.com/issues.html)
SOCIAL SECURITY
-- No privatization.
“Long ago I made a pledge that I would never vote to privatize Social Security, and I intend to keep that pledge. I believe Congress has a responsibility to make Social Security solvent for not only retirees, but for near retirees, and future generations.” (Source: http://www.house.gov/mike-rogers/seniors.shtml)
BUDGET CUTS
-- Cuts to balance the budget – in any area except defense.
Rogers says the best way to restore economic confidence is by slashing the budget and getting the nation’s debt un-der control. Asked if he’d approve cuts that affected military installations in his district – including Anniston Army Depot and Maxwell Air Force Base – he said no.
“The military and security are off-limits,” he said. “Everything else is on the table.” (Source: The Anniston Star, Oct. 13, 2010)
ENERGY
-- Increased support for alternative fuels
“… It is critical in the short term that Congress provides real solutions for encouraging the use of alternative, home-grown fuels like cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel to help reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy for the future.” (Source: http://www.house.gov/mike-rogers/energy.shtml)
“Mike Rogers believes Congress must dramatically increase its support for home-grown, American-made alternative fuels and renewable energy sources that will help lead to our energy independence.” (Source: http://www.mikerogersforcongress.com/issues.html)
-- Drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Reserve
“Mike Rogers supports lifting immediately the ban on environmentally safe domestic energy exploration in the Arc-tic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the Outer Continental Shelf.” (Source: http://www.mikerogersforcongress.com/issues.html)
DEFENSE
-- Expand military into force that could fight in four conflicts at once.
Rogers said he’d like to see a military with a four-front capability – one able to fight the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan while taking on Iran and North Korea, if need be. (Source: The Anniston Star, Oct. 13, 2010)
FINANCIAL REFORM
-- Hearings on how financial reform has been done
Among other things, he said, the GOP could hold hearings on issues that trouble them – like why financial reform has focused so heavily on regulation of small, local banks.
“Farmers and Merchants, Noble Bank, Cheaha Bank – these aren’t the institutions that created the problem,” he said. “Why are we monitoring only the small banks, that have been the most responsible?” (Source: The Anniston Star, Oct. 13, 2010)
