McIntyre To Vote For SCHIP Bill
Will Not Support Presidential Veto
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre announced today that he will vote to support the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and not support the presidential veto of this bill.(...)
Congressman McIntyre stated, "As a long-time advocate for children for over 25 years, and as one who has consistently supported family health issues, I will not support President Bush's veto of the SCHIP bill, and I will vote to override his veto. My objection to the method of funding for this bill and my support of North Carolina's farmers and the economic well-being of our communities are well-known, but I have always supported the SCHIP program and will do what is necessary to preserve it for the sake of children and families in need. As Chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee that oversees tobacco, I will also continue to do all that I can to support our farmers and our region's economy. That commitment has not changed with this vote for our children."
Along with Baron Hill, that makes two of the ultimate Bush Dogs to flip. Remaining targets: Boren (OK-02), Ethridge (NC-02), Marshall (GA-08), and Taylor (MS-04). Contact information for these Representatives can be found here.
Bush Dog Congressmen Mike McIntyre represents North Carolina's 7th district. He was elected to Congress in 1996, when he replaced the retiring Charlie Rose (also a Democrat). He was re-elected in 2006 with 73% of the vote. The district leans Republican (Bush received 56% of the vote in 2004, PVI R+3) but is not overwhelmingly so. Democrats maintain a lead (52% to 30%) in voter registration. The 7th district is in the Southeastern corner of North Carolina. It includes the rapidly growing coastal area in and around Wilmington, as well as less-well off and shrinking areas in and around Lumberton and Fayetteville. McIntyre comes from a heavily military part of the state. His district includes part of Fort Bragg and borders both Pope Air Force Base (in Fayetteville) and Camp Lejeune (near Wilmington).
McIntyre is a member of both the BlueDog and New Democrat coalitions. He voted yes on the AUMF, the bankruptcy bill, the capitulation bill, and FISA. He is also anti-abortion, is opposed to stem-cell research, and voted to intervene in the Terri Schiavo case. In the bonus round, he voted to reduce funding for the UN and to prevent states from recognizing same-sex marriages.
Republican Will Breazeale, an Iraq war veteran and member of the Army Reserves, is challenging him for his seat.
He is already being pressured on the war by local activists, who, in association with MoveOn.org recently delivered a check for $813 million dollars to his office.
In return he released the following statement:
"This war is costing too much money. We need a change in policy, and we need to be moving toward a conclusion of the war in Iraq."
Finally, something Mike and I agree on.
If you have local knowledge about this Bush Dog, please add it in the comments!!
