Simmons Leads On Economy

Rob Simmons Criticized The TARP Bailout. "Within that Plan [For Prosperity] we do not have legislation or proposals like the TARP or like the stimulus package or like any of these other bailouts which I believe do not work." (Rob Simmons, Hartford Courant/FOX 61 Debate, 3/2/10)

McMahon: "I did support TARP in its original form." (Linda McMahon, Hartford Courant/FOX 61 Debate, 3/2/10)

The $700 Billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) Was "The Largest Bailout In American History." "Ben Bernanke may not have sold Main Street on the largest bailout in American history, but it isn't for lack of trying. The Federal Reserve chairman appeared flustered speaking before Congress Wednesday as politicians skewered the $700.0 billion financial bailout he is backing questioning motivations for the plan and even whether it will work." (Maurna Desmond, "Bernanke's Outside Bailout Pitch," Forbes, 9/24/08)

McMahon: "I would not have supported AIG bailouts..." (Linda McMahon, Hartford Courant/FOX 61 Debate, 3/2/10)

But TARP's Program For "Systemically Significant Failing Institutions" Had Only One Recipient: AIG. "The sole 'systemically significant' institution to get money through this program is AIG. On four separate occasions, the government has offered aid to AIG to keep it from collapsing, rising from an initial $85 billion credit line from the Federal Reserve to a possible commitment of about $182 billion between the Treasury ($69.84 billion) and Fed ($110 billion). The green number to the right only reflects Treasury's commitment, since those are taxpayer dollars." (Pro Publica's "Eye On The Bailout," bailout.propublica.org, Accessed 12/20/09)

And AIG Was The Single Largest Recipient Of TARP Funds. (Pro Publica's "Eye On The Bailout," bailout.propublica.org, Accessed 12/20/09)

Rob Simmons Led On Job Creation

Linda McMahon Attacked Rob Simmons For Not Having Run A Business.MCMAHON: "Rob had indicated that he was the Business Advocate in Connecticut. You know, I just have to say, growing a company and being a CEO of a company, until you've had to make a payroll, you've had to balance a budget in that company, until you've had to put your capital at risk, you can't stand in the shoes of that small business owner and know what he's going through." (Linda McMahon, Hartford Courant/FOX CT Debate, 3/2/10)

But McMahon Received Over $10 Million In Taxpayer Subsidies. "World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., the company owned and formerly run by Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Linda E. McMahon, is in line to collect $10.4 million in state film tax credits, or millions more than previously reported." (Don Michak, "More Tax Credits For McMahon's WWE," Manchester Journal Inquirer, 11/16/09)

And In Return, Cut 10% Of Its Work Force To Save $8 Million. "World Wrestling Entertainment today announced a 10% reduction of its staff across all areas of its global operations. This reduction will result in annual savings of approximately $8 Million in compensation and benefit costs." (World Wrestling Entertainment, "WWE Announced A 10% Reduction Of Its Staff Across All Areas Of Its Global Operations," Press Release, 1/9/09)

Simmons Leads On National Security

Simmons Was The Sole Candidate To Cite Proposed Civilian Trials For Terrorists."The current Administration has made a decision, to bring Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to New York City, for a civilian trial. The day that was proposed was the day I announced by opposition to that." (Rob Simmons, Hartford Courant/FOX 61 Debate, 3/2/10)

When Asked Her Opinion On Bringing Khalid Sheikh Mohammad To American Soil For A Civilian Trial, McMahon "Hedged," Stating: "I'll Probably Have More Firm Policy Statements After The First Of The Year." "[Judy] Hershon stopped McMahon to ask her opinion on the upcoming New York City terrorism trial. Republicans have blasted the Obama administration for deciding to try alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in federal court in New York City rather than in a military court abroad. Democrats like Dodd have largely supported the decision. One of Dodd's leading Republican challengers, Rob Simmons, blasted him for that position. 'I'm trying to do a poll of any politician I can find on this, since I'm from New York, where the trial's going to actually take place,' she said. McMahon hedged her bets on the issue. While New York 'has certainly tried other terrorists before,' she noted, this trial will cost New York $75 million. 'I'll probably have more firm policy statements after the first of the year,' she said." (Ben Johnson, "Dodd Challenger Crashes The Tailgates," New Haven Independent, 11/23/09)

Simmons Leads On Health Care

Simmons Laid Out His Agenda For Patient-Centered Health Care Reform. "I would oppose a single-payer system because that to me is not health insurance reform. That is essentially government run insurance and government run health care." (Rob Simmons, Hartford Courant/FOX 61 Debate, 3/2/10)

McMahon Agrees With Simmons. "Well I think we all have agreed on this stage that we don't want a government takeover of health care and that's what's pretty much incorporated in a good part of these bills." (Linda McMahon, Hartford Courant/FOX 61 Debate, 3/2/10)

Except Her Misleading Mail Attacks Do Not. MCMAHON FALSE CLAIM: "Rob Simmons. Keep the public option 'on the table.'" (Linda For Senate 2010 Mailer)

The Highly Respected And Non-Partisan FactCheck.org Calls Linda McMahon's Attacks  "False." "If you live in Connecticut and are a registered Republican, you may have received a mailer or two from former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon attacking her opponent in the state's GOP Senate primary, former U.S. Rep. Robert Simmons. But some of the mailers' claims are false." (FactCheck.org, "You've Got False Mail," www.factcheck.org, 3/2/10)

The Hartford Courant: "FactCheck.org Slams McMahon Mailers, Says They Contain False Claims" (Daniela Altimari, "FactCheck.org Slams McMahon Mailers, Says They Contain False Claims," The Hartford Courant's "Capitol Watch" Blog,blogs.courant.com, 3/2/10)

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