Exec attacks, 10-12

The Raja team's daily attacks on Democratic county executive opponent Rich Fitzgerald continue with one today on policy differences and one we didn't get to yesterday on job-creation. (Which was the topic of the day in Pittsburgh apparently.)

Today, the Fitzgerald camp also released another volley on outsourcing by Raja's tech company, which says on its Facebook page that it has a "state-of-the art" outsourcing center.

All the campaign material is after the jump:

From the Raja team:

Day 18: What Does Fitzgerald Do When He Has No Ideas Of His Own?
Fitzgerald Copies Raja's Ideas.

PITTSBURGH, PA -- NOTE: Over the next 18 days, the Raja campaign will be highlighting the trouble with Rich Fitzgerald's record and actions.

Raja and Fitzgerald are two completely different candidates. Rich Fitzgerald would have you believe that both candidates have similar policies and records. The truth is Rich Fitzgerald is a tax and spend career politician and Raja is a successful business man who has created jobs and cut taxes as a local commissioner.

Here is the truth:

Claim:
Both have created jobs.

Truth:
Raja has created over 300 jobs in his private sector experience.
Fitzgerald has created 0 in his private sector experience and unemployment has doubled since he took office (BLS)

Claim:
Both have cut government spending.

Truth:
Raja addressed budget shortfalls in Mt. Lebanon and has released three policy papers to address the County budget crisis.
Fitzgerald has increased government spending by 257 million dollars (CAFR, 2010 336).

Claim:
Both have cut taxes.

Truth:
Raja has cut taxes in Mt Lebanon twice.
Fitzgerald has imposed the highest tax in Allegheny County history, The Drink Tax. (3548-07)

"There is a clear contrast in front of the voters. Fitzgerald is a career politician who raises taxes and increases spending. Raja is a successful business man who has created over 300 jobs. Allegheny County is ready for a new direction." James Genovese, Campaign Manager said.

Day 19: Rich Fitzgerald, Void Of Any Substance.

PITTSBURGH, PA -- NOTE: Over the next 19 days, the Raja campaign will be highlighting the trouble with Rich Fitzgerald's record and actions.

Questions for Rich:
1. Have you resorted to personal untrue attacks because you have no ideas for Allegheny County?

Rich Fitzgerald wants this campaign to be about Party. He is a Democrat. Raja is a Republican. The voters want this election to be about ideas. Raja has them. Rich Fitzgerald doesn't. The Raja campaign has released 7 policy documents on subjects ranging from jobs to tax reform with more to come. Raja has engaged voters in a series of townhall events to get the feedback from the community. Rich Fitzgerald has released only two policies and has refused to engage voters in a meaningful dialogue.

"The voters of Allegheny County deserve more than lip service and pandering. They deserve real plans. Rich Fitzgerald is an empty suit with no vision, no plans and a twelve year record of higher taxes, increased spending and doubled unemployment. It is time for a change in Allegheny County" – James Genovese, Raja Campaign Manager.

From the Fitzgerald team:

Evidence of Raja's outsourcing continues to pile up

CEI Facebook page boasts of "state-of-the-art" outsourcing center

Despite repeated denials by Republican candidate D. Raja, the evidence of his outsourcing of jobs overseas is piling up. As of today, the Facebook page (NOTE: click "see more" in Company Overview) for Raja's company overseas boasts of their "state-of-the art" outsourcing center. Like his company website, the page also claims that "CEI strives to be number one in outsourcing."

"No denial by Raja will change the fact that he made his fortune by shipping American jobs overseas so he can pay foreign workers a fraction of what he would have to pay workers here," Rich Fitzgerald's campaign manager Mike Mikus said. "All of these jobs that Raja is sending overseas are jobs that could be provided to people here in Allegheny County. Obviously Raja cares more about getting rich than he does about creating jobs for people here."

Evidence of Raja's Outsourcing

Raja's company Facebook Page boasts of "state-of-the-art" outsourcing center located overseas. [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Computer-Enterprises-Inc/160702400632500?sk=info]

Raja's company website: "CEI's vision is to be the #1 services provider in contracting projects and outsourcing to a diverse and targeted base of established and emerging corporations." [www.ceiamerica.com]

Business Standard reported that CEI planned to triple the number of employees from 85 to 250. [Business Standard. March 8, 2005]

Raja's own words: "At present, IT outsourcing contributes to 20 per cent of our revenues. We see this going up to 80 per cent of our total revenues in the next three to five years." [Business Standard. March 8, 2005]

Raja wrote an article defending outsourcing, claiming that companies will gain from leveraging "offshore talent." [TEQ Magazine. June/July 2006]