The following story appeared in the Richmond Times Dispatch in which they awarded Rep. Eric Cantor a full flip-flop for change on positions:
When Tropical Storm Gaston slammed into central Virginia in August 2004, U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor went all out to get federal disaster aid for his constituents.
The Aug. 30 deluge dumped a foot of rain on the Richmond area in 10 hours, causing floods, landslides and eight deaths.
Cantor, R-7th, fired a letter to then-Homeland Secretary Tom Ridge, seeking “immediate action” from Washington. “Time is of the essence and it is important to start working on this matter so my constituents can receive help in this time of need,” Cantor wrote.
He issued a news release stating, “The magnitude of the damage suffered by the Richmond area is beyond what the Commonwealth can handle and that is why I have asked the president to make federal funds available for the citizens affected by Gaston.”
Cantor’s efforts helped the region obtain about $20 million in federal disaster aid. Cantor did not share the concern of some Republicans that the relief — if not offset by cuts to other federal programs — could deepen the national debt.
That October, Cantor was among 127 Republicans who voted against an amendment to an emergency supplemental bill for disaster aid that would have offset any increases in the relief with budget cuts. The amendment — offered by Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas — was handily defeated.
Now, let’s flash forward to 2011 and a new cauldron of disasters.
On May 22, a tornado devastated Joplin, Mo., leaving 142 dead. Cantor, now House majority leader, the next day voiced confidence the government would provide ample relief. But he said any supplemental emergency money would have to be offset by cuts to other federal programs.
Cantor, during a May 29 interview on “Face the Nation,” provided this explanation: “When a family is struck with tragedy, like the family of Joplin … let’s say if they had $10,000 set aside to do something else with, to buy a new car … and then they were struck with a sick member of the family or something, and needed to take that money to apply it to that, that’s what they would do, because families don’t have unlimited money.
“Neither does the federal government,” Cantor said.
Cantor made similar comments to Fox News on Aug. 29. That was six days after Cantor’s constituents in Louisa County found themselves at the epicenter of a 5.8-magnitude earthquake. It was two days after Hurricane Irene pelted the East Coast, including Cantor’s district.
“Yes, there’s a federal role,” Cantor said of disaster relief. “Yes, we’re going to find the money. We’re just going to make sure that there are savings elsewhere to continue to do so.”
We asked Cantor’s office why the congressman voted against disaster aid offsets in 2004 and supports them today.
“In 2004, the national debt was under $8 trillion and was $8.67 trillion when (Democrat) Nancy Pelosi became Speaker,” Brad Dayspring, Cantor’s spokesman, said in an email. “Today the debt stands at $14.625 (trillion), meaning that while Democrats controlled the purse strings, the national debt increased by an astounding $6 trillion. That is a sign that we are dealing with a debt crisis and are living in different times. Looking back, the previous Republican majority probably made mistakes by not working to at least try to offset new spending.”
Dayspring noted that Cantor has often said the GOP lost control of the House in the 2006 elections because the Republican majority “lost its way, particularly on spending issues.” He said Republicans regained control of the chamber in last year’s elections by “pledging to be responsible stewards of federal dollars.”
“People and their families affected by these disasters will certainly get what they need from their federal government,” Dayspring wrote.
“Is the suggestion that Congress should completely ignore the $14 trillion debt and make no effort to pay for things?” he wrote. “That seems quite extreme.”
Although Cantor has his reasons, there is no doubt he has changed positions on offsets to federal disaster aid. We rate it a Full Flop.
Actually I am going to say good for Eric Cantor, in a left handed compliment. While I find his rhetoric reprehensible, I applaud him for his actions in 2004 and for reaching out to the feds for assistance when it was needed. Part of the role of government is to protect its citizens. If helping after natural disasters isn’t a role of government, then I don’t know what is.
It is Eric Cantor who has lost his way. Perhaps if Cantor came home and took a good drive around his district he might find his way again. Perhaps if he got out and talked to folks to see how an earthquake and a hurricane in the same week impacted them he might find his way. Perhaps if he looked up my friend John who probably thinks Cantor is ‘wonderful’ and asked him what it will be like to teach every other day from 8-5 in someone else’s classroom because Louisa County High School has been declared unusable he might be jolted back to reality.
If Cantor did those things I would have respect. Sadly, I expect he is still prattling on about families living in the backyard until they could afford a new roof when he addresses his base. We know real people don’t do that. Not in today’s times. Eric Cantor needs to address the problems of his state without political rhetoric and posturing–for once!
What’s disturbing about this whole incident is that he chose to broadcast his message to the people rather than to his colleagues on Capitol Hill especially to the Dem-controlled Senate where cooperation is unpredictable. I mean come on. Isn’t this a message he should have been making to his colleagues: “Hey you guys. Let’s be fiscally responsible.”
His message to the victims of the hurricane should have been: “Don’t worry. We’re going to do what we can to come to your aid during this time of crisis.”
Cantor can kiss my @ss. Him and the current crop of “no new taxes” Republicans and their assaults on public employees and the middle class are going to hand 2012 to Obama. Why do I have to choose between far left and far right?
Cantor is doing what everyone else is – conceptually, who doesn’t agree with him. That’s not the point. How would he do it and why wouldn’t he have been as fiscally conservative then as he is now – these are principles not opinions. Most principles are fairly static throughout your life – wonder if he has any aging relatives that might need Social Security in the near future?
Conceptual thinking,oversimplification and being righteous it is not partisan – it’s just a sad reflection of where we are as a country.
I agree Emma – the majority in this country are working class with conservative leaning values. What will go? I’m beginning to see that as a the choice; some might think they can no longer afford conservative values.
http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/deficit-hawk-hurricane
Eric Cantor is Eddie Haskell’s evil twin brother.
Snicker re Eddie Haskell
Big Dog, that article smacks at the heart of the matter. Cantor needs to decide what is more important: his flip-flopping principles, getting re-elected, or his constituents.
$17 million . Wow!
Talk about a double whammy for the Old Dominion.