For Immediate Release
September 29, 2010
Contact: Steve Walsh (573) 291-2456
stevewalsh@vickyhartzler.com

HARRISONVILLE — 4th Congressional District Republican candidate Vicky Hartzler is calling for an end to Congressman Ike Skelton’s ducking of public forums and is urging the 17-term liberal Democrat incumbent join her in four forums in October.

The Spring City Revitalization Group has already booked a forum for Friday, October 15, in El Dorado Springs – with the sponsoring organization still waiting for an affirmative reply from Mr. Skelton. Vicky Hartzler’s campaign is now calling on the reluctant-to-engage congressman to join her on October 8 in Jefferson City, October 22 in Warrensburg, and on October 29 in Camdenton.

“The voters in the 4th District deserve to hear from both of us as thousands of Missourians in this district are out of work,” said Hartzler. “The people want an immediate solution to this problem and they have a right to hear from those who want to represent them in Congress discussing unemployment and other important matters. Mr. Skelton has refused to meet in a series of forums, leading us to wonder whether he is afraid to respond to the people who pay his salary. What does he have to hide?”

One of the many citizens who wants to hear the two discuss the issues is Lieutenant Colonel Tom Fitzpatrick, USAF (Ret.) who believes voters deserve an opportunity to see the two candidates together.

“I want to see Vicky and Ike on the stage, discussing the vital issues in this election,” said Fitzpatrick. “As an American I want to be in a position to pose questions to both Ike Skelton and Vicky Hartzler. We are owed that from our elected officials.”

Skelton campaign manager Jason Rauch, a D.C. liberal who claims to be working out of Missouri, has told the press that a forum had already been held in Sedalia in August. Only a political operative who is out of touch with Missouri politics would consider a private Missouri Farm Bureau event a public forum. If Mr. Rauch considers a private meeting a public forum then he must consider two people meeting in a restaurant to be a full-fledged, toe to toe debate. Interestingly, Vicky Hartzler left that private meeting in Sedalia with the Missouri Farm Bureau’s endorsement.

Vicky and Lowell Hartzler live near Harrisonville in Cass County, where they operate a diversified crop and livestock family farming operation. They own Hartzler Equipment Company, a family business with three stores in the 4th District. A former classroom teacher, Hartzler served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1995-2000, winning with an average 66 percent of the vote in her three election victories. In 2004, she was spokesperson for Missouri’s successful constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage, the nation’s first.

For Immediate Release
September 27, 2010
Contact: Steve Walsh (573) 291-2456
stevewalsh@vickyhartzler.com

Dear Mr. Skelton,

This is to remind you that we are booked for open-door candidate forums on four Fridays in October. I know I’m looking forward to visiting with the voters and I know you are, too. Our campaign is in the process of reserving locations and setting times. For your schedule planning, each will be at mid-afternoon on a Friday, with the first Hartzler-Skelton open forum on Friday, October 8, and on each Friday thereafter. Additional information was in my letter of August 11. We will let you know the times and addresses.

I have made one change in the Hartzler-Skelton forums, caused by your refusal to appear at forums sponsored by the Jefferson City News-Tribune and Bott Radio Network. Our October forums will be sponsored directly by me. You have my word that you will be treated fairly, that we will divide all time equally, and that I will not seek any advantage for our campaign’s position as host.

Also, the October 15 Hartzler-Skelton Forum will be in El Dorado Springs under sponsorship of the Spring City Revitalization Group. The organization has agreed to host the forum with or without you, thereby depriving the veto power you used to block a public town meeting forum in Jefferson City, saying, “you can’t make it.”

If you had not hidden from media-sponsored forums, of course, other community newspapers and radio stations would have come forward. But, sad to say, it appears your purpose was to avoid any setting where the voters could question you directly about your liberal Pelosi voting record and positions, hear each of us make our case, compare the two of us, and decide which of us they want representing their views and values in the U.S. House.

If you wish to suggest other settings for forums or debates, please contact us after you have committed to our October forums, or publicly refused.

In all candor, Congressman, people believe that you are hiding from me and, far more importantly, hiding from the people who pay your salary. Your unwillingness to meet the public is reminiscent of your avoidance in August 2009, when I was doing open-door community meetings on health care. You were only making limited appearances around the district without open-door town meetings, and your Jefferson City office was being picketed by seniors who demanded that you come out of hiding and answer their questions.

You have been running for and occupying various elected offices and drawing paychecks from taxpayers since 1957, which was before I was born. People refer to you as a lifetime career politician. Nobody forced you to vote with Pelosi 95 percent of the time. That was your decision. It’s time to look your employers in the eye, square your shoulders, and tell them why. No one forced you to vote for the disastrous failure of trying to deficit-spend and borrow America’s way to new jobs. This was your decision. Time to explain yourself. It’s why we have elections.

I look forward to seeing you at the Hartzler-Skelton Forums in October!

Sincerely,

Vicky Hartzler

For Immediate Release
September 22, 2010
Contact: Steve Walsh (573) 291-2456
stevewalsh@vickyhartzler.com

September 22, 2010

HARRISONVILLE — 4th Congressional District Republican candidate Vicky Hartzler has received the endorsement of Gun Owners of America (GOA), an organization dedicated to protecting the Second Amendment. Since 1975, Gun Owners of America’s Political Victory Fund has supported the election of pro-gun candidates at all levels of government and has helped pro-gun candidates win hundreds of races across the country.

“I am so pleased to have Gun Owners of America’s endorsement,” said Hartzler. “As a lifelong gun owner who fought for gun owners’ rights during my tenure in the Missouri Legislature I am honored to have Gun Owners of America support our campaign. This endorsement, coupled with the backing of the Western Missouri Shooters Alliance, is strong proof that our victory will ensure the Second Amendment will have no better friend in Congress.”

In its endorsement, Gun Owners of America pointed to Hartzler’s A+ rating from the organization during her time in the Legislature.

“She is just the type of person we need to stand against the anti-gun agenda of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,” wrote GOA Vice Chairman Tim Macy. “The incumbent representative, Ike Skelton, has shown his true colors in the current session of Congress by repeatedly siding with Pelosi on issues important to gun owners. Three times in 2009 he voted against amendments to repeal a gun ban in national parks, while at the same time voting to massively expand the amount of federally controlled land.”

The sentiments expressed in this national endorsement echo those from the Western Missouri Shooters Alliance.

“You have shown yourself to be a friend to the Second Amendment, and thereby a friend to law-abiding citizens,” wrote Alliance President Sheila Stokes-Begley. “Your record in the Missouri House of Representatives is one every Representative should try to emulate. You respect the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution and individual rights.”

Vicky and Lowell Hartzler live near Harrisonville in Cass County, where they operate a diversified crop and livestock family farming operation. They own Hartzler Equipment Company, a family business with three stores in the 4th District. A former classroom teacher, Hartzler served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1995-2000, winning with an average 66 percent of the vote in her three election victories. In 2004, she was spokesperson for Missouri’s successful constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage.

For Immediate Release
September 21, 2010
Contact: Steve Walsh (573) 291-2456
stevewalsh@vickyhartzler.com

September 21, 2010

HARRISONVILLE — 4th Congressional District Republican candidate Vicky Hartzler is calling on 34-year Congressman Ike Skelton to be a leader and not a follower by signing a House “Discharge Petition” to move ahead on repealing the scourge of ObamaCare from Missouri and the rest of the country.

Mississippi Congressman Gene Taylor last week became the first Democrat to join the House effort to send a repeal to the House floor for debate and decision.

“It is quite clear that Ike Skelton isn’t really opposed to government controlled health care,” said Hartzler. “In March, he helped ultra-liberal House Speaker Nancy Pelosi enforce her schedule to railroad this bill to passage. Later, once the Speaker had the necessary 218 votes for passage, she allowed Ike Skelton to cast a cosmetic negative vote so he could say he opposed it back in Missouri. Now, the first Democrat has come forward to sign up for immediate action to repeal and replace this disaster. But not Ike Skelton. He lacks the courage to openly oppose Nancy Pelosi to the detriment of the 4th District and to our country.”

Vicky Hartzler takes principled stands on issues. She has opposed ObamaCare from the outset, fearing it will do irreparable harm to the best health care system in the world. She knows it will cut Medicare for seniors by $500 billion.

Skelton votes with Speaker Pelosi 95 percent of the time, on atrocious issues ranging from cap-and-tax to cash for clunkers to Obama’s reckless spending amounting to $3 trillion. Until she begins representing the 4th District in Congress, Vicky Hartzler calls on Congressman Skelton to stop doing Nancy Pelosi’s job-killing bidding and – sign the Discharge.

Vicky and Lowell Hartzler live near Harrisonville in Cass County, where they operate a diversified crop and livestock family farming operation. They own Hartzler Equipment Company, a family business with three stores in the 4th District. A former classroom teacher, Hartzler served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1995-2000, winning with an average 66 percent of the vote in her three election victories. In 2004, she was spokesperson for Missouri’s successful constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage, the nation’s first.

Calls On Chairman Skelton To Pass Bill Without DADT Repeal, Abortions In Military Hospitals And Aid For Illegal Immigrants

For Immediate Release
September 20, 2010
Contact: Steve Walsh (573) 291-2456
stevewalsh@vickyhartzler.com

September 20, 2010

HARRISONVILLE – With Washington Democrats planning to sneak their radical, liberal agenda through Congress by hiding it in the Defense Authorization Bill, 4th Congressional District Republican candidate Vicky Hartzler today penned a letter to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton imploring him to pledge to only support a clean bill.

“Mr. Chairman, today I ask you to stand up for Missouri families and oppose Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid’s liberal agenda and commit to stripping these radical social issues out of the legislation and pass a clean bill,” said Vicky Hartzler in the letter. “You’ve caved in to the demands of President Obama and Speaker Pelosi once before by allowing the so-called Hate Crimes Bill to be attached to your Defense Authorization Bill, and I ask you to find the courage to prevent that from happening again.”

Senator Reid To Include Amnesty For Illegal Immigrants Who Attend College. “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senator John McCain escalated a confrontation Thursday over the Democratic leader’s move to give some illegal immigrants a pathway to citizenship, with the nation’s military budget hanging in the balance.” (Reid, McCain Spar Over Immigration Add-On Defense Bill.” FoxNews.com – September 16, 2010.)

Senate Bill Includes Repeal Of DADT: Reid: “‘Passage of this bill would overturn the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” rule for our armed forces. We will finally send a loud and clear message that everyone who steps up to serve our country should and will be welcomed regardless of sexual orientation.’” (Reid: Defense Authorization Bill Will Address The Dream Act And Discrimination In The Military.” Reid.Senate.Gov – September 14, 2010.)

Senate Bill Also Allows For Abortions To Be Conducted In Military Hospitals. “Democrats are looking to repeal a longtime ban of abortions performed at U.S. military hospitals overseas. Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., introduced the repeal as an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill, which passed the Senate Armed Services Committee on a 15-12 vote.” (Mike Emanuel, “Democrats Seek to Lift Ban on Abortions at U.S. Military Hospitals Abroad.” FoxNews.Com – June 9, 2010.)

A copy of the letter is attached.

Vicky and Lowell Hartzler live near Harrisonville in Cass County, where they operate a diversified crop and livestock family farming operation. They own Hartzler Equipment Company, a family business with three stores in the 4th District. A former classroom teacher, Hartzler served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1995-2000, winning with an average 66 percent of the vote in her three election victories. In 2004, she was spokesperson for Missouri’s successful constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage.

September 20, 2010

The Honorable Ike Skelton
Chairman, Committee on Armed Services
2206 Rayburn House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Mr. Chairman,

I am writing to you today not as your political opponent, but as a constituent who is very concerned by the attempts of Washington Democrats to use the Defense Authorization Bill as a Trojan horse for their radical, liberal agenda.

According to published reports, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is hoping to add the so-called DREAM Act that would reward illegal immigrants for attending college in an effort to woo Hispanic voters ahead of the November election. Other unacceptable items currently included in the Senate bill include a provision that would allow abortions to occur in military hospitals and the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy after the military review is complete on December 1 – regardless of what the military thinks.

As Chairman of the House Armed Services, you are the linchpin in determining whether or not these divisive wedge issues are included in the bill after it emerges from the conference committee. You’ve caved in to the demands of President Obama and Speaker Pelosi once before by allowing the so-called Hate Crimes Bill to be attached to your Defense Authorization Bill, and I ask you to find the courage to prevent that from happening again.

So, Mr. Chairman, today I ask you to stand up for Missouri families and oppose Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid’s liberal agenda and commit to stripping these radical social issues out of the legislation and pass a clean bill.

With Congressional leaders planning on meeting in a “lame duck” session after the election, you have a responsibility to be open and honest to Missouri families about your intentions on how you will vote if Congress is to meet anytime after November 2, 2010. I look forward to an honest and timely response.

Sincerely,

Vicky Hartzler

For Immediate Release
September 17, 2010
Contact: Steve Walsh (573) 291-2456
stevewalsh@vickyhartzler.com

September 17, 2010

HARRISONVILLE — The Vicky Hartzler for Congress campaign is demanding that Ike Skelton tell the truth regarding Hartzler’s pro-gun record in the Missouri General Assembly.

A press release from the Skelton campaign states, “Hartzler was one of only 33 state house members to oppose the NRA’s top legislative priority in Missouri, a bill to give Missourians the opportunity to vote on a conceal-and-carry ballot measure.”

The fact is and remains that if the Skelton campaign had done any research it would be aware that Vicky Hartzler opposed the legislation because she felt conceal-and-carry should be the right of individual Missourians and not subjected to a referendum. She took that principled stand and was praised for doing so by gun lobbyists, gun owners and the Western Missouri Shooters Alliance. It is that strong stand in favor of Second Amendment rights which earned Hartzler the endorsement of the Alliance in this year’s campaign.

In his book, “Showdown in the Show-Me State,” William T. Horner quotes a top National Rifle Association official questioning the wisdom of that statewide vote in 1998.

“The NRA renewed its opposition to a statewide vote, once again because of what it expected to be the high cost of such a campaign. Fred Meyers, the NRA’s Missouri representative, said, ‘There’d be no need to go to a referendum if the Legislature would just bite the bullet and make the hard vote. If it goes to a referendum, it will cost our members a lot of money, about $2 million.’”

Vicky Hartzler bit the bullet and made the hard vote. If the NRA had a problem with Vicky Hartzler’s votes on Second Amendment rights why did it consistently give this lifelong gun owner top grades for her record in the House?

Perhaps as important a question that must be answered is why Ike Skelton is allowing his campaign to spread vicious lies about his opponent? It is clear this 17-term congressman knows he is in trouble with residents of the 4th Congressional District because of his record of voting 95 percent of the time with ultra-liberal House Speaker Nancy Pelosi – votes that include support for cap-and-tax and reckless spending that has left our children and grandchildren with mountains of debt.

It is time for the Skelton campaign to stop telling lies about Vicky Hartzler! The truth should not be a casualty of Ike Skelton’s desire to keep his job at all costs.

Vicky and Lowell Hartzler live near Harrisonville in Cass County, where they operate a diversified crop and livestock family farming operation. They own Hartzler Equipment Company, a family business with three stores in the 4th District. A former classroom teacher, Hartzler served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1995-2000, winning with an average 66 percent of the vote in her three election victories. In 2004, She was spokesperson for Missouri’s successful constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage