Fleischmann Doubletalk on Earmarks Continues

HIXSON, JULY 27 – Chattanooga Trial Lawyer Chuck Fleischmann continues to struggle to find a coherent and consistent position on the issue of federal earmark pork spending:

Flip: “So we need to curtail earmarks. We need to look at these things. But having said that, one man’s pork is another man’s earmark and we want to be very, very careful that with these omnibus bills that are out there in Congress right now, we make sure that we have TVA sufficiently funded. Our locks that Zach Wamp fought so hard to fund, that’s very, very important to keep up in the process.” - Chattanooga Times Free Press, September 15, 2009

Flop: “No Earmarks” - Fleischman Campaign Ad, July 6, 2010

Flip: “I am for earmark reform; everybody is for earmark reform. However, the next Congressman of the 3rd District will have to make sure vital infrastructure like Chickamauga can be funded under the current system.” -  Fleischmann Campaign Release, February 26, 2010

Flop: “No Earmarks” – Fleischmann Campaign Mailer, July 2010

Flip: “I will fight like heck to do whatever I can do to secure the funding.” Oak Ridge Candidate Forum, July 8, 2010

Flop: “I stand against earmarks.” Oak Ridge Candidate Forum, July 8, 2010

Flip or Flop: “Chuck is talking about being fiscally responsible and going to Washington to reform the earmark process…” Fleischmann Consultant Chip Saltsman, July 7, 2010

Fleischmann’s struggles to develop a cohesive position on earmarks are indicative of a candidate who is unable to articulate a vision beyond his own election. His responses to the question of earmarks are sometimes so confused, he contradicts himself in the same event or even in the same statement. In a confidential campaign memo from his consultant, Chip Saltsman, Fleischmann’s campaign can’t even give a clear answer on the issue to Fleischmann’s own supporters. Some days he thinks earmarks are fine, some days he thinks we need “reform” and some days he says “no earmarks.”