Statements of former U.S. Rep. Amory F. Houghton (R-NY) and former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA)
(Washington, D.C.) – Tonight, President Barack Obama delivered the State of the Union address. In response, former U.S. Rep. Amory F. Houghton, Chairman of the RMSP Board, and former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis, President of RMSP, issued the following statements:
Former U.S. Rep. Amory F. Houghton – “I was in DC today for the 25th anniversary of my election to Congress. Much has changed over those 25 years, but much in Washington remains the same. I have seen Presidents – both Republican and Democrat – deliver eloquent State of the Union addresses. The real test for how successful a President’s State of the Union address is isn’t how eloquent it is, but instead is that President’s ability to turn the rhetoric of that speech into the reality of action on the Hill.
“If President Obama is serious about governing, then he needs to put partisanship aside, and reach out across the aisle to find common ground. There are serious challenges facing this country, and there are serious people in both parties who are interested in finding common-sense solutions to these challenges. There will always be time for politics, the President should take the time to govern.”
Former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis – “Over the last few months the President and his campaign team have made it clear that he intends on running against the ‘do-nothing’ Congress. Instead of seeking confrontation with Congress – a Congress that his party controls one half of – the President should instead seek cooperation.
“The American people have grown weary of politics as usual in Washington and the abysmal approval ratings for DC reflect a total loss of confidence in our systems of government. Americans want a Washington that works, not a Washington at war.
“Tonight, the President laid out his vision for America. In the Republican response, Governor Mitch Daniels laid out a much different vision. It is easy for us to agree on the problems we face, it is much harder to find agreement on the solutions. It is time for our leaders in Washington to show the political courage and leadership to find that common ground.
“By working together we can rebuild our economy and create jobs for American workers. Together Washington can lower the tax burden on families and small businesses, undertake dramatic regulatory reform, cut wasteful spending, and deal head on with the looming fiscal crisis we face.”
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The Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) is dedicated to promoting and building a pragmatic, thoughtful, fiscally conservative, and inclusive “Governing Majority,” where political debate is encouraged to promote solutions to improve the lives of all Americans. Embracing the full spectrum of center-right ideologies and values in order to build coalitions, RMSP is the largest organization of elected leaders who are in the mold of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. For more information on RMSP, visit our website at www.republicanmainstreet.org.
