Miller Sets Record Straight on Murkowski Liar Flyer

Anchorage, Alaska. August 21, 2010 — US Senate Candidate Joe Miller today called on Senator Murkowski to come clean on her latest disingenuous tactic. Last Saturday, Murkowski put out a mailer suggesting what Joe would do on a whole host of issues of which she has voted against the majority in her party. “This is a new low for Murkowski,” said Miller. “She is willfully engaging in deception in an attempt to mislead voters. I initially thought it was so desperate and outlandish that it shouldn’t be dignified with a response, but folks are asking about it, so I want to set the record straight for anybody who took it seriously. The Senator has been throwing around a lot of allegations of lying. Our campaign has focused entirely on her record and public statements. There is no desire or need for embellishment or exaggeration: the truth is truly stranger than fiction.”

Social Security and Medicare:
Murkowski says that Joe will take away your Social Security. The truth is that Joe is absolutely committed to protecting Social Security and Medicare benefits for our senior citizens. Joe will not support any cuts to Social Security or Medicare. He also knows looking towards future generations, the status quo is unsustainable. This year, for the first time in decades, Social Security will pay out more than it takes in. Medicare is in even worse shape; it will be bankrupt in just a few short years. Some accounts touting the viability of Social Security are greatly exaggerated and based upon the myth of a Social Security Trust Fund, which is said to contain about $2 trillion dollars. What folks may not know is that Congress has already raided the Social Security Trust Fund for their pet projects and to create new entitlements. There is nothing left but IOU’s. Joe is committed to personalizing Social Security accounts for future generations to protect them from the caprice of irresponsible politicians.

Military Bases:
Murkowski suggests Joe will close our military bases. The truth is, as a former Army Officer, Joe is committed to keeping our bases open. Alaska stands at a strategic crossroad of the world, and it is imperative that we remain the first line of defense for the nation.

Veterans:
Murkowski suggests Joe isn’t committed to helping veterans. The truth is that Joe is a veteran who understands the unique challenges faced by those who have served in a theater of combat. He is unequivocally committed to taking care of those who have served our country in the Armed Forces at home or abroad.

Prescription Drugs:
Murkowski suggests Joe wants to let big drug companies drive up costs. The truth is that Joe is committed to a policy agenda that will drive down the cost of prescription drugs and open the industry to market forces. There is only one person in this race who has taken untold thousands from the drug companies, and it isn’t Joe Miller. If anyone is in the pocket of big business, it is Senator Murkowski.

Gas Pipeline:
Murkowski suggests Joe wants to block gas pipeline development. The truth is that Joe Miller is committed to do whatever is necessary to make our gas pipeline a reality.

Energy Assistance:
Lisa suggests Joe would leave people out in the cold. Joe believes that welfare programs, such as home heating assistance, do not fall within the purview of a US Senator’s Constitutional authority. Such programs should be left to the discretion of the State government.

Low Cost Clean Energy:
Lisa suggests Joe is against safe, affordable and clean fuel. The truth is that Joe is committed to environmentally sensitive resource development and believes in an “all of the above” approach to meeting our energy needs including harnessing the power of the wind, sun, tides, nuclear and traditional fuels.

Bailouts:
Lisa suggests Joe would support bailouts for agribusiness. The truth is, Joe is the only candidate in this race who opposes bailouts across the board. Senator Murkowski, on the other hand, has repeatedly voted in favor of bailouts.

Alaskans deserve an open electoral process that offers them the information they need to make an informed decision. It should be pointed out that Murkowski has had ample opportunity to defend her record by joining Joe in a number of public debates, and has declined to do so. The Senator has studiously avoided debating Mr. Miller, outside of a brief fifteen-minute exchange less than one week before the election. Surely that is a strange pattern of behavior for someone who wants to get the truth out about her record and show the public that her opponent has been lying. Joe has been telling the truth about Murkowski’s voting record, and she does not like it. Her desperate tactics are really just a smoke screen so she can avoid her record. Alaskans deserve better from their United States Senator.