Flip-flops of the Third Kind

Some days it appears that Wisconsin's Third District Congressman Ron Kind changes what he stands for more often than he changes his socks. Let's look at some topics and see how consistent he is...

Choose your topic:

• Campaign Finance Reform
• Farm Bill
• Marriage Penalty Tax
• Partial-birth Abortion
• Special Education
• Stillwater Bridge
• Trade Policy
• War with Iraq

Campaign Finance Reform

Rep. Kind's office issued a press release in which Kind describes himself as "a strong supporter of campaign finance reform" and talks about the "need to think creatively to find ways to reduce the influence of big money and special interests in Washington, so the average citizen has a say in our democracy." (see Kind Statement on Campaign Finance Reform Decision )

May 4, 2003

However an article two days later in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel mentions that PAC special interest money "should not be the focus of reform efforts" according to Kind. The article also shows a chart detailing that Kind took 49% of his $1.7 million in campaign contributions since 1998 from those special interest PACs. (see titled Newest state representatives collect most fundraising dollars )

Farm Bill

Kind seems to say he supports the concept of farm bill in a press release praising the Senate on passing it, but it is interesting that the bulk of press release talks about conservation part of bill. At the end he finally gets around to saying in an oh-by-the-way manner, "In addition to the conservation funding, the Senate measure authorized a new ... (money for farmers)". (See Kind Hails Passage of Senate Farm Bill )

May 2, 2002

In voting against the farm bill, Kind says "Farm bill preserves bad policy and the status quo" (see Kind Disappointed with Farm Bill Votes )

Although in his carefully worded press release above (and virtually every other piece his office has created) it is not quite clear from his public statements that he actually voted against the final bill after loosing in his attempts to derail it. But, there is no question he voted against it (see House Roll Call No. 123, 107th Congress, 2nd Session )

September 5, 2002

Kind seems in favor of the farm bill saying "The recently enacted Farm Bill went along way in recognizing the important contributions that farmers provide to our nation's way of life. In addition to providing important programs that allow our nation's agriculture producers to provide safe and affordable food and fiber, the farm bill also significantly improved the level of funding for improved conservation and environmental practices." (see Kind's Agriculture Column )

Yet, the Kind for Congress website, in the final days of the 2002 campaign was still very much anti-farm bill. There, Kind tells the "Naked Truth About the Farm Bill" in which he says "Despite Rep. Kind's efforts, the farm bill that was signed into law by President Bush on May 13, 2002, failed to provide a majority of our nation's farmers with equitable assistance. Rather, the bill continues the inadequacies of the past ..." (See Rep. Kind on Agriculture and Outdoor Issues )

Marriage Penalty Tax

June 13, 2002

Kind issues press release saying "I strongly believe that we should eliminate the unfair tax penalty being paid by millions of married couples." (see Kind Favors Permanent Repeal of Marriage Penalty )

June 13, 2002

Yet, despite his carefully worded press release saying he supports the elimination of the marriage penalty, he voted against it. (See House Roll Call Vote #229, 107 Congress, 2nd Session )

Partial-Birth Abortion

April 5, 2000

Kind voted to for a ban on this procedure (See House Roll Call Vote #104, 106 Congress, 2nd Session ).

July 24, 2002

Kind votes against a ban on Partial-birth abortion (HR 4965) (see House Roll Call Vote #343, 107 Congress, 2nd Session )

The House passed HR 760, to prohibit the procedure commonly known as partial-birth abortion by vote of 282 yeas to 139 nays. In the Wisconsin Congressional delegation only Kind and Tammy Baldwin voted against it (see House Roll Call Vote #242, 108 Congress, 1st Session )

Congressman Kind, can you explain your change of heart? We asked you to explain yourself before (see Aug 5, 2002: Third Congressional District GOP leaders reiterate call for Kind to explain his flip-flop on Partial Birth Abortion vote ) but you have been silent prefering to let others speak for you on this issue -- Not even your famous carefully worded press release justifying why you changed your vote. Please make up your mind and explain yourself.

Special Education

April 10

Ron Kind votes in U.S. House Education & the Workforce Committee approve bill to reform and reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the nation's education law for students with special needs. In the press release, legislation author Rep. Castle noted "Since 1995, Congress has nearly tripled federal spending for special education. This is a significant achievement, yet we continue to build on this impressive record...." (see Committee Approves Major Bill to Improve Results, Reduce Paperwork in Special Education )

April 15

Kind, Tammy Baldwin and Jim Doyle hold a news conference to criticize the proposed 2004 Federal Budget. Kind criticized the budget he helped approve for not spending enough on special education. "It is morally irresponsible for the federal government to leave our children with this debt at the same time it is failing to meet its obligation to provide a fair share of public education funds," said Kind. (see Gov. Doyle and Reps. Baldwin, Kind Say Federal Will Deepen State Budget Woes )

Stillwater Bridge

It was widely known that Ron Kind was not initially a supporter of the Stillwater Bridge project. No doubt because the Sierra Club opposes the project.

But he came around and started adding his voice to those pushing the idea which is critical for economic development. What is troubling is the Minneapolis Star Tribune article detailing why he flip-flopped on this one? (See A Wisconsin bank president pushes for a Stillwater bridge )

Trade Policy

September 25, 1998

Kind votes against Clinton Free Trade Authority (see US House Roll Call No. 466, 105th Congress, 2nd Session )

May 24, 2000

Ron Kind votes for normal and free trade with China. In May 2000 Ag Connection Newsletter, Kind defended this action saying he "is not sorry for doing so" despite Wisconsin Democrat Party charges that "China will profit at the expense of American products by the move, while making it easier for U.S. companies to export American jobs to cheaper labor areas." (see US House Roll Call No. 228, 106th Congress, 2nd Session )

November 19, 2001

Kind still considers himself a "free trader" and is reportedly learning toward supporting the free trade legislation upsetting far-left (see Greens promise that Fast Track support will be top campaign issue )

December 6, 2001

Kind gives in to far left pressure and votes against Fast-track but even in the press release says he has "long supported free and fair trade" (see Kind Opposes Fast Track )

July 4, 2002

Democrats are upset that Kind is still supportive of free trade authority (see Kind Still Waivers on Free Trade )

July 27, 2002

Kind votes against Fast Track again (see US House Roll Call No. 370, 107th Congress, 2nd Session )

War with Iraq

October 9, 2002

Kind proudly boasted in a press release "his support for a resolution that would provide President Bush the added option of using military force to existing diplomatic measures, in efforts to disarm Saddam Hussein and enforce the UN Security Council resolutions." (See Kind Announces Support for Iraq Resolution )

And in an opinion column he created says:

"Saddam Hussein has defied UN resolutions that require his disarmament of weapons of mass destructions. He has used some of these weapons against his neighbors and against his own people. I am convinced through numerous intelligence briefings that Saddam's possession of these weapons, and his desire to achieve nuclear capability, pose a serious threat to the United States, to our allies, and to millions of innocent Iraqi citizens."

"Furthermore, Saddam has a long history of striking without warning and acting without regard to the best interest of his people and his country. Unfortunately, the simple truth is that we are dealing with a person who will not disarm, as required by numerous UN resolutions, unless there is a threat of using force to make him do so."

"Therefore, in supporting this resolution... " See (Saddam Must Be Disarmed - Peacefully if Possible, Militarily if Necessary )

February 1, 2003

In February, Kind started joining partisan Democrat attacks on President Bush. the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported, "After voting in fall to give the president the power to make war, La Crosse Democrat Ron Kind has become a critic of Bush on Iraq...." (see Kind, who helped empower Bush for war, urges a step back )

February 27, 2003

Rep. Kind appeared before a number of servicemen ready to be shipped out and their families recently bragging that he supported the President's actions on Iraq. The February 27, 2003 Richland Observer, in a story titled "Sendoff for the 829th" reported, "Cong. Kind noted he was the one person at the gathering who voted to allow Pres. George W. Bush to use force to disarm Saddam Hussein...."

March 5, 2003

Kind is so against the war that he tries to get congress to retract the authorization for war (see Citing 'Changed Circumstances,' Kind Asks Congress to Re-Open Iraq Resolution Debate )

March 16, 2003

Ron Kind again critical of war quoted in Wisconsin State Journal as saying coalition is "coalition of the bought and paid for" (see Lawmakers' Views On Iraq )

Kind joins Tammy Baldwin in being critical of the war on a Wisconsin Radio Network report. He calls the Iraqi invasion a "war of choice"? (see Baldwin says preemptive war doctrine dangerous ) That was not his opinion back in October as we have already seen.

Is it that you cannot make up your mind where you stand on the issue? Or, are you just trolling for votes on both sides of this serious issue? Or, are you only guided by the polls, so when the polls are in the President's favor you are with the President, and when the polls start trailing off, and the French and the press start being critical, you start to say things that are critical of war? Don't you believe that a leader, a United States Congressman, should show some kind of leadership and act with conviction when it comes to an issue as serious as war? Please make up your mind.

We have tried to lay out the facts and document each flip-flop with links to sources so that you, the reader, can judge for yourself. During the 2002 campaign we created a list of questions to as Ron Kind if he shows up in your community (see Sept. 20, 2002: Third District Republican Party releases list of 15 questions for Rep. Kind ). Ron Kind does not want a public debate on the issues. He did not debate his 1998 or 2002 opponents. After just a few meetings where his 2000 opponent asked him questions about his voting record, Kind stopped showing up for debates and eventually officially cancelled them all.

We encourage you to arm yourself with facts, and then ask questions to the person who is supposed to represent you and report to you. Write letters to the editor demanding that he answer the tough questions he is ducking. Ask him questions at public events. Voice your support for public debates with his 2004 opponent -- whomever that may be. We have seen that he does finally bend to outside pressure, so please help with putting that pressure on for him to do the right thing for a change.

All we are asking is for an open dialog of the issues and an explaination of Kind's voting record. The public should expect nothing less before we decide if this man deserves to be returned to Washington to represent us.