GINGRICH TO DISCUSS TAX CUTS DURING VISIT

House Speaker Newt Gingrich will talk of tax cuts and a balanced budget when he visits Cape Girardeau Friday to raise money for U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's re-election campaign.

He also is expected to talk about the future of the Republican Party and conservative philosophy.

"He will say we are part of a worldwide movement of freedom and faith," said Mike Shields, Gingrich's campaign spokesman.

The Emerson campaign expects to raise about $30,000 from Gingrich's visit, said campaign manager Atalie Ebersole.

This will be the speaker's second visit to Cape Girardeau in a year; he was here last June 27 to attend the funeral of Emerson's husband, Bill Emerson.

Bill Emerson, the 8th District congressman, died of lung cancer. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, succeeded her husband, winning election last November.

Gingrich will fly to Cape Girardeau after a fund-raising stop in Birmingham, Ala.

He will attend a fund-raising event for the Safe House for Women at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the Holiday Inn's Executive Room. That will be followed by a fund-raising event for the Emerson campaign at 5 p.m. in the motel's Jackson Room.

Gingrich will lead a round-table discussion.

The cost is $250 per couple. The price includes admission to Gingrich's public speech at 6 p.m. in the Holiday Inn Convention Center and a reception, which is to follow.

Admission to the general speech is $8 per person. Ebersole said the admission charge will help cover the cost of Gingrich's visit.

She said the Team Emerson campaign expects about 600 to 700 people for the public speech. Some 400 tickets already have been sold, she said.

Doors to the Convention Center will open at 5 p.m. and tickets will be available at the door, Ebersole said. "I think we will have seating for about 700 people," she said.

Shields said Gingrich is the GOP's top draw when it comes to raising money. In the last session of Congress, Gingrich raised about $106 million for Republicans.

"Newt is the visionary leader of the party," said Shields.

Gingrich also raised $2.5 million for charities during the last session of Congress. Gingrich always couples a charity event with each political fund-raising appearance, Shields said.

Shields works for the Friends of Newt Gingrich organization headquartered in Georgia.

Shields said Gingrich believes charities and local groups can address problems better than government.

"It sends a message to conservatives: We do need to stand up and we do need to be involved with some of these organizations," said Shields.

He said Gingrich has supported legislation addressing the problem of violence against women.

Gingrich will continue to work for more tax cuts, Shields said. The House speaker wants to reduce taxes to a point where no more than 25 percent of Americans' income would go to pay local, state and federal taxes.

It takes time to alter 40 years of liberal government, Shields said. "You don't stop an ocean liner on a dime."

Four years ago there was talk of the largest tax increase in history and a government takeover of health care. But times have changed since Republicans took control of Congress, Shields said. "We are balancing the budget and cutting taxes," he said.

Shields said Gingrich's philosophy doesn't shift with the political winds. "Newt doesn't wake up in the morning, read the polls and decide what direction we are going in," he said.

"We are the party of ideas," said Shields. "We are the ones pushing the agenda and changing things."