OH-15: Hard-Liner Wagner (R) to Contest Stivers (R) in GOP Primary
Submitted by Jeff on Tue, 11/13/2007 - 2:43pm.
We have ourselves another GOP Congressional primary challenger contestant who calls himself the true conservative in the race.
State Sen. Steve Stivers (R-Upper Arlington) is the GOP establishment candidate to replace retiring Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Upper Arlington), but OSU economics professor and portfolio advisor Robert Wagner (R-Columbus) is jumping into the race because he is "tired of politicians who dodge tough issues and avoid conservative stances." Among the planks in his political platform:
* Social security should be privatized.* Income tax should be replaced with a national sales tax.
* The Iraq War was necessary and a good thing for America.
* Al Gore is wrong about global warming.
Will Republican primary voters heed the clarion call of conservative principles? They did in the GOP primary for Ohio Treasurer last year, choosing under-qualified right-to-lifer Sandra O'Brien (R-Ashtabula) over pro-life incumbent Jeanette Bradley (R). However, a primary challenge to Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Cedarville) from fiscal conservative Bill Pierce (R) failed badly.
Wagner has no apparent big money backing now, but he seems like a perfect candidate for Club for Growth support -- Wagner says he decided to run because of the "entitlement tsunami coming down the road." Will they jump into this primary like they did in the 5th Congressional District special on behalf of State Sen. Steve Buehrer (R-Delta)?
Repeat candidate Mary Jo Kilroy (D-Columbus) will take on the GOP primary winner.
Not quite sure "Hard-Liner" is an accurate description
Let me introduce myself, I am Robert Wagner, and I am running for the 15th District. Let me clarify a few things about my campaign:
1) I support copying the Canadian Social Security System, the Teacher's Retirement System and the same retirement plan our elected officials like Ted Kennedy get. A plan the GUARANTEES a retirement income that turns out to be far in excess of Social Security. My plan would allow the unused portion to be passed on to your children. If that is "Hard-Line" then I am a Hard-Liner.
2) I support a modified "Fair-Tax" that taxes consumption over the productive activities of working and savings. The "Fair-Tax" is a modification of the VAT Tax used in Europe. If wanting the reform the tax system to make it more fair and America more competitive, then I am a "Hard-Liner."
3) As far as the War-in-Iraq, I believe American's prefer victory over defeat, and they understand that we can't run from a war we didn't start or want. Regardless of who is in office, the war on terror will exist. President Bush did exactly what every CIC should do, and that is let the Generals execute the war and keep the politicians out of it. That is why the tide is turning in Iraq today. If that makes me a "Hard-Liner" then I am a "Hard-Liner."
4) Fighting global warming due to CO2 is estimated to cost America upwards of 5% of its GDP, and will cost countless Auto, Manufacturing and Mining Jobs. It will devastate the Union Jobs that we prize. 5% of GDP is around 700 billion dollars annually that could be used for far better causes like:
1) Education
2) Health Care
3) Develop an AIDS Vaccine or alternative energy source
4) Allow for a tax cut
5) Fund our National Defense
If that makes me a "Hard-Liner, then I am a "Hard-Liner."
Please visit my Website for more detailed and accurate descriptions of my positions:
WWW.RobertWagner08.com