Top Republicans Show Grams is Handpicked Candidate of GOP by Congressman James L. Oberstar Appearing in Press Release on 2006-10-27. DC influence cannot save failing Minnesota campaign Duluth-Eighth District Congressional Candidate Rod Grams is hoping that help from the Bush White House can save his failing campaign, but Grams is out of ideas, momentum, and money. The Bush White House is sending Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Minnesota today to campaign for Grams in Brainerd. This is the second Bush cabinet official to come to Minnesota on Grams’ behalf. In addition to the two cabinet secretaries from the Bush White House, Grams has been getting backing from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Tom Reynolds, who is the head of fundraising for the National Republican Campaign Committee, and even Minnesota GOP Chairman Ron Carey. “This is the kind of backing you get when you promise to tow the party line regardless of the cost to your own state,” said Congressman Jim Oberstar. “Grams has a history of turning his back on Minnesota and backing Republican Party leaders.” According to Congressional Quarterly, Grams voted with his party leaders 96% of the time. One of the most outrageous examples of Grams’ partisanship over people occurred in 1997. Grams held up funding to help the Red River Valley recover from devastating flooding because he sided with leaders on a series of Republican backed budget amendments. (Senate vote 63, 5/8/97; 95, 6/5/97) Conversely, Oberstar has a longstanding reputation for working with Republicans on important issues. He worked with Rep. Bud Schuster of Pennsylvania to take the Highway Trust Fund off budget so it would be used to fix roads instead of making the budget deficit look smaller, with Transportation Chairman Don Young to pass major transportation funding legislation, and with Rep. Tom Bliley to pass a $1,000 tax credit for families who adopt children. In issues affecting the Timber industry, Oberstar has worked with Republicans to get important legislation passed. Last May, Oberstar and Minnesota Rep. Collin Peterson broke ranks with Republicans to pass the Forest Research and Recovery Act. Oberstar also supported the Bush Administration’s Health Forests Initiative, which has increased logging on public lands. “You always have to be willing to reach across the isle to help your state,” said Oberstar. “The people are sending you to Washington, DC to get a job done for them.” ###

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