Republicans are Blue

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2010-03-18T21:23:00.003-05:00

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My Tim Russert Story

2008-06-18T16:40:00.002-05:00

My mother made sure I kept track of current events while growing up, and tuning in to NBC Nightly News became an unbreakable habit.

Every weekday I watched Tom Brokaw report on the news of the day and was proud to call him my anchorman. Always on hand to dive into all things political was Tim Russert, forever introduced as the "NBC News Washington Bureau Chief and Moderator of 'Meet the Press.'"

Tim was constantly stepping into the Nightly News arena with a facial expression that said he was ready for battle. I suppose it was the kind of halo you'd see surrounding people of all traits when they had everything they had to say ready on a steady train of thought.

As someone who has a phantom smile that shows itself when listening to all things political, I always wished Tim would join me in showing a sign of the inner jubilation that came with another entertaining day of partisan combat.

I'm not sure exactly when, but around the age of twelve I developed a new unbreakable habit (one that came about as a result of my inability to stop myself from talking back to the television). Every day when he was introduced on the Nightly News I'd automatically sit back and say, "Smile Tim." Enjoy the political goings on.

But Tim never did, he stuck to the professionalism that was the instinct he had for everything he did. I'll terribly miss his commentary on politics, family and am saddened that he'll be absent from the national stage in this important election year that keeps getting more entertaining as we go.

Last Friday night, Tom Brokaw asked all of us to toast a drink for "Brother Timothy." As I did I said, "Rest in peace Tim" and for the last time said, "Smile Tim." You will truly be missed.

Joke has me seeing red

2008-06-10T07:19:00.003-05:00

Another day, another improper association of the color red with the Republican Party.

This from Jonathan Martin's blog at Politico.com:

A classic bit of color from the senator's arrival in the Holy City and an off-schedule stop: Senator McCain’s chartered JetBlue Ebraer 190 landed right on time at 10:30 a.m. Tyler Whitley of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, dean of the Virginia Capitol press corps, joked: “He should be flying Jet RED.”

Oh, the humanity.

Elsewhere...

...this photo is currently featured on Bobby Jindal's campaign website. I haven't noticed it anywhere else, not in any newspaper or on any television network, and just might be the only picture of all the prominent guests invited to Sen. McCain's Sedona, Arizona home late last month.

NC man touched by Mike Huckabee

2008-06-10T03:08:00.004-05:00

It's 3:00am and this story is a headline writer's dream:

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Bass-playing Baptist preacher Mike Huckabee didn't get enough support to win his party's White House nomination, but he is sure to have the vote of a fellow Republican he saved from choking at the weekend.
"Oh, he's my best friend. I'm indebted for life," Robert Pittenger, who is running to be elected lieutenant governor of North Carolina, said after Huckabee helped him expel a piece of food jammed in his throat on Saturday
Huckabee, who earlier this year ceded the Republican presidential nomination to John McCain after a spirited dark-horse chase for the nod, told Fox News on Monday he didn't think twice when he stepped in and gave Pittenger the "Heimlich Maneuver" -- pressure on the abdomen to dislodge the food.
"I just happened to look up and I saw somebody patting on the back ...I knew that the worst thing you can do is pat someone on the back if they're choking," Huckabee said, noting that he had taken emergency medical training when he was younger.
"I just simply said, 'Excuse me," to the person to whom I was speaking, got up, walked over, pushed the person aside who was patting him on the back, and, you know, did not even think about being rude, just said, 'Excuse me,' and reached around Robert, gave him the Heimlich maneuver three or four times, the item dislodged, and he was fine.
"And I went back and sat down and went on with my business."
"I didn't want to see, you know, this incredibly very valuable political career cut short by a piece of chicken," he added.

Other headlines coming across the wires: "The Huckabee Maneuver," "Heimlich Huckabee," "Huckabee saves choking politician," "Mike Huckabee saves a life- and it's a Republican's!"

My lame joke that I'll soon regret: It is the hope of this blog to remind Republicans from time to time that red as a color associated with socialist/communist/liberal causes and that blue is a truer representative of conservative, free market capitalism. I do not however, condone Republicans becoming blue in the face.

Anyway, my hat's off to Gov. Huckabee!

Was the Sedona Summit a smoke screen?

2008-05-29T12:26:00.003-05:00

Word has it via Kevin Aylward at WizBang, that A. B. Culvahouse, former Reagan administration counsel and head of Sen. McCain's V.P. search committee, has been spotted in Juneau, Alaska.

Unless Culvahouse was sent to personally deliver the bad news to Sen. Ted Stevens that he is not under consideration for the second spot on the GOP ticket, the visit is a shot in the arm to Gov. Sarah Palin's chances of becoming McCain's running-mate.

The visit also raises the possibility that last weekend's Sedona Summit was a cover for Culvahouse's search for V.P. finalists. The outing, which included Gov. Charlie Crist, Gov. Bobby Jindal as well as former Gov. Mitt Romney, attracted scores of media attention as rumors spread that McCain was sizing up potential running-mates. But if Culvahouse was conducting his own interviews under the radar at the same time, the Sedona story might have been nothing more than an effort to grab free media attention.

If so, job well done!

This is outstanding news that hopefully will ring true. I don't believe McCain could get away with simply picking a safe consensus conservative running-mate (as much as we'd like to see one as the heir apparent), the media and the Democrats would cast such a choice as further proof that McCain has abandoned his maverick roots.

But Palin could cover both the right and the center. She can fulfill the role as someone acceptable to the party base (pro-life hero, lifetime NRA member, etc.) while still playing to McCain's strengths as a budget hawk and anti-establishment Republican, gaining support from independents in the process.

Cross your fingers.

Sorry Ted.

Keep Iran Isolated

2008-05-28T23:56:00.002-05:00

Much has been made lately about Sen. Obama's plans to talk directly with the Cuban and Iranian governments.

Today the New York Times ran a story on their web page highlighting another important issue to consider: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues to lose power at home.

Highlights of the story:

TEHRAN — A rival to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected by an overwhelming majority as speaker of the Iranian Parliament on Wednesday, a strong signal of growing impatience with the president’s economic policies and a possible sign of a political shift in the country.

The new speaker, Ali Larijani, who resigned as the country’s nuclear negotiator in October over differences with Mr. Ahmadinejad, is a conservative and an ardent advocate of Iran’s nuclear program, but is seen as more pragmatic in his approach and perhaps willing to engage in diplomacy with the West.
He is considered close to Ayatollah Khamenei, who has the final word on state matters. Mr. Larijani remained Ayatollah Khamenei’s representative at the Supreme National Security Council despite his October resignation.
Analysts said that Mr. Larijani’s victory could not have been possible without the support of the ayatollah and that Mr. Larijani might serve as a balancing force against Mr. Ahmadinejad’s radical policies.
“His election is a very important sign that suggests change,” said Saeed Leylaz, a political analyst in Tehran. “His election would not have been possible without the consent of the leader and this shows that Mr. Ahmadinejad is losing his support.”

This follows Ahmadinejad's party losing a round of local elections in December of 2006 and Iranian legislators once considering a proposal to move their presidential election up a year earlier, potentially delivering an early exit for the now unpopular leader.

While it would be a lie to think that Larijani, should he challenge the sitting president in 2009, would govern any different than Ahmadinejad when it comes to the development of nuclear resources for Iran, this offers a strong rationale for keeping Iran isolated.

Direct negotiation with Iran will aid whoever is seen as the head of government. Non-intervention from the United States will ensure that Ahmadinejad is not rewarded an international platform to defend and support his country's nuclear program, a certain way to boost his popularity at home, and would not put the U.S. in the position of negotiating with a man openly hostile to our ally Israel.

It would be a mistake on Sen. Obama's part to open a dialog with any high level Iranian figure. By maintaining our policy of isolating Iran we can speed the defeat of Ahmadinejad in the June 2009 election and open the door for a new, pragmatic president to come to the negotiating table.

Sen. McCain is right to follow this course. The U.S. must not empower Ahmadinejad and should only negotiate on our terms with leaders we can work with.

Getting America Moving Again: Part 1

2007-10-12T00:53:00.000-05:00

You know the more I think about it I realize that the Iranians have their act together. It's a hard thing to admit.

But with Iran continuing its proxy war against us in Iraq after successfully waiting for the Israelis to blink in Lebanon last year and with their newfound alliance with Chavez in Venezuela, you get the drift that they're truly forming a bloc against us both in the Middle East and on our own continent.

With the presidency of George W. Bush winding down, his successful relationship with Pakistan is the only lasting inroad we've made, save for the obvious example of Afghanistan. We still are holding out for some form of victory to be salvaged in Iraq, to be determined we hope before next year comes to a close.

One of the more underrated questions that the next commander in chief will have to answer is what kind of lasting alliance can be held together to combat not only terrorism, but the governments who support them and the conditions that create them.

Enter John McCain and what I have frequently called one of his most important, and painfully underreported, speeches presented during the campaign.

Here's an excerpts from his address to the Hoover Institution back on May 1st:

"We should...start bringing democratic peoples and nations from around the world into one common organization, a worldwide League of Democracies.

This would not be like the universal-membership and failed League of Nations' of Woodrow Wilson but much more like what Theodore Roosevelt envisioned: like-minded nations working together in the cause of peace. The new League of Democracies would form the core of an international order of peace based on freedom.

It could act where the UN fails to act, to relieve human suffering in places like Darfur. It could join to fight the AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa and fashion better policies to confront the crisis of our environment. It could provide unimpeded market access to t hose who share the values of economic and political freedom, an advantage no state-based system could attain.

It could bring concerted pressure to bear on tyrants in Burma or Zimbabwe, with or without Moscow's and Beijing's approval. It could unite to impose sanctions on Iran and thwart its nuclear ambitions. It could provide support to struggling democracies in Ukraine and Serbia and help countries like Thailand back on the path to democracy."

The dangers of the 21st century will crush the shoulders of current international institutions unless we have an organization that can act swiftly and without the gridlock continually shown in the United Nations. A new world body that uses economic gains and prosperity as an incentive for recognition of basic human rights and freedoms could create a permanent shift against tyrants. And a quick, mobile allied military could act against terror attacks and genocide when needed.

It is an idealist goal, but one I feel is to be achieved through a realistic strategy. I'm proud that Senator McCain has a concrete plan to fight our enemies on all fronts.

You can read the speech here.

Testament to a Legend

2007-10-03T19:10:00.000-05:00

Please excuse my lack of posting lately (again). This time you can put the blame on Internet trouble! Oh well, such is life...

Going with a non-political event, today would of been Stevie Ray Vaughan's 53rd birthday had he been alive. Down here, SRV is the true king of rock (no offense to Elvis fans) and his music is still loved by the people of Austin, Texas. His sound was crafted by listening to the blues legends of his early days, drawing from the greats like Freddie King and Fats Domino, and rivals Jimi Hendrix in his mastery of the guitar.

We miss you Stevie.

Tomorrow I'll jump back on the McCain for president theme with a summary of the senator's under-reported plan for a League of Democracies.

Took Me Long Enough...

2007-08-26T19:09:00.000-05:00

...but after a few days turning into a few weeks I'm back from hiatus!

I'd just like to say to all my fellow McCainiacs: all is not lost! The senator is still capable of making a comeback, as seen by state and national polling.

In both New Hampshire and South Carolina, McCain maintains a double digit presence (third place with 11 percent and 14 percent respectively according to Rasmussen) and can still be a contender should he exceed expectations in Iowa. His best hope would be to copy Mike Huckabee's success after the Ames Straw poll. While Mitt Romney carried the day, a relatively unknown and moderately funded opponent managed to place a respectable second, bagging a load of free media in the process.

The entry of Fred Thompson provides another opportunity to gain some ground. As seen by Thompson's online commentary about New York city gun laws, in which he specifically mentioned Mayor Giuliani by name, he'll attract many headlines going after the current GOP front runner. By mere necessity, and for the sake of earning the "real" conservative title, Thompson will have to take the offense against Romney, too.

In Iowa, the combination of a Giuliani-Thompson-Romney battle will allow an opening for McCain and Huckabee to gain ground and pass the rest of the field (just as Kerry and Edwards did in 2004). It may not be enough to WIN Iowa, but a close second finish for McCain would be a miraculous victory after hanging back in the single digits. When you're this far down in the Hawkeye State, a place where people know you and used to place you in first, the only direction to go is up! Next stop, New Hampshire!

National polling paints the same picture. While McCain is stuck in fourth, there is wiggle room for a jump. The latest Fox News/Opinion Dynamics poll put him at 7 percent in the Republican field; but a follow-up question about voters second choice showed the senator in second with 16 percent (right behind Giuliani with 22 percent). There's still plenty of people who can be turned back to McCain. Once this campaign is put in high gear, there is hope that voters will stick to a candidate with fewer risks than some of the others.

Good to be back and I should be posting regularly again!

In the Coming Days...

2007-06-27T14:52:00.000-05:00

Let me say to the seven people who read this blog that I'm still around and plan to get back in the saddle soon. Work has been taking up most of my time (not that I'm complaining, I like the pay check!).

During the next couple of weeks I plan to write a few updates/advise for the McCain campaign, which has obviously stalled. Also, in light of numerous disagreements, I'll be voicing the specific reasons why Mitt Romney, or "Slick Willard" as the good man at New Jersey for McCain has been referring to him as (very well done!), would be a terrible choice for the GOP nomination.

One final note here: Live Free or Die Hard rocked hard! I would hope anyone here looking for a summer movie that actually has a coherent plot, good action and no wussy protagonists (that means you Spider-Man) will see this movie.

Vermonters Plot Secession

2007-06-03T15:40:00.000-05:00

All we need to complete this joke is a picture of Howard Dean dressed in camo sporting an AK-47!

Back in 2004, I expected this story to go along with the reports that liberal elements of the country were plotting to migrate to Canada following Bush's re-election. It appears that some of our friends up in New England want to break away from the Union.

"[The] idea has found plenty of sympathetic ears in Vermont, a left-leaning state that said yes to civil unions, no to slavery (before any other) and last year elected a socialist to the U.S. Senate.

About 300 people turned out for a 2005 secession convention in the Statehouse, and plans for a second one are in the works. A poll this year by the University of Vermont's Center for Rural Studies found that 13 percent of those surveyed support secession, up from 8 percent a year before.

"The argument for secession is that the U.S. has become an empire that is essentially ungovernable -- it's too big, it's too corrupt and it no longer serves the needs of its citizens," said Rob Williams, editor of Vermont Commons, a quarterly newspaper dedicated to secession.

"Congress and the executive branch are being run by the multinationals. We have electoral fraud, rampant corporate corruption, a culture of militarism and war. If you care about democracy and self-governance and any kind of representative system, the only constitutional way to preserve what's left of the Republic is to peaceably take apart the empire."

Hey, I'd love to have an excuse to blare "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" loudly over my stereo in preparation for a Second Civil War!

Not that any military solution would be needed. Like the hippie communes of the 60s, the people of the Vermont Republic would eventually tire of having to add work to their complaints. Trying to provide for themselves the same way their comrades in South America do, via economic isolation and protected industries, will only lead them to appreciate the luxuries and services us heathen capitalists provide.

Memorial Day Message

2007-05-28T14:17:00.000-05:00

This is a forwarded e-mail I received a while ago titled "Good Answer to Dumb Question."

Katie Couric, while interviewing a Marine sniper, asked:

"What do you feel when you shoot a terrorist?"

The Marine shrugged and replied:

"Recoil."

Hard to fault a GI that eloquent.

A good dose of pleasant honesty from one of America's bravest on this Memorial Day.

"They May Not Like It But They Know I'll Stick to It"

2007-05-16T19:08:00.000-05:00

I was one of those voices that cried "finished" when I read that Rudy Giuliani would reaffirm his support of abortion. Now I'm not so sure.

First, with CA, IL, NJ and NY (and maybe more of New England) present on the February 5th primaries, Rudy can still lock up a strong delegate count (almost 400). He's still polling well in FL and can leap Feb. 5th with some momentum (assuming McCain doesn't win a trifecta of IA, NH and SC).

Second, he seems to have effectively quelled the "flip-flop" charge and thus had a chance to tout security during yesterday's debate. He was once again the rock of New York, as shown when he put down Ron Paul.

Third, I was also most impressed when he became the first Republican to take the opportunity to describe what the battle-lines of a race between him and Hillary Clinton would be like:

"I think that we can respond to all that and discuss all that, but there's something I think really big at stake here. We're looking at a race here in which the leading Democratic candidate ... has said that the unfettered free market is the most disastrous thing in modern America ... that's a quote she agreed with. She's also said with regard to taxes that we have to take money from you in order to give it to the common good. There's such a stark difference there that this election in 2008 is going to make a very big difference about whether we go in that direction."

What can I say except "Go Rudy." Recent praise from the Club for Growth backs up the contrast between Hillary's economic liberalism and Rudy's free market conservatism.

As a good old "West Wing" fan, I'm proud to borrow a quote from Alan Alda's character for the above headline. I don't like/agree with Rudy's stance on the abortion issue, but, like what Mike Huckabee said, at least he's honest enough to stand by it.

Still, here's to hoping that Senator McCain beats the hell out of everybody. Glad he took on Mitt Romney last night, honestly projecting your values and positions is an important difference to highlight.

Debate Re-Cap

2007-05-04T01:59:00.000-05:00

Obviously I'm biased in favor of one candidate (McCain) but here I go:

McCain: Approached the issues with the same fierceness that he's famous for. He was genuinely outraged over spending and launched into a defense of the new Iraq strategy and stressed the need to win. A little stuttering in key places, though. Maybe he should of slowed down his words a tad. Still, good overall composure and handling of the issues.

Romney: Did well because he didn't screw up. He showed that he's kind of a geek on some issues like stem cells. I once again imitated my Grandpa when I resorted to yelling at the TV. This was when Romney again compared his record on abortion to Ronald Reagan's. Reagan was never an outright pro-choice governor like what Romney used to present himself as. The issue was just emerging in political waters back in the 1960s. Reagan reluctantly (mainly because it passed with a veto-proof majority in the California legislature) signed a law liberalizing abortion laws and immediately regretted it. He did not have the luxury Romney had of entering politics with abortion as a top issue.

Giuliani: Decent, which amounts to a set-back. He fumbled the Roe v. Wade questioning, meaning it'll create more confusion about his stance and will keep the story alive longer, hurting him in the polls.

Huckabee: About the same as Romney, had good communication skills and had a chance to get his name out there. He walks away with a win. Disappointed that he flipped from liking a flat tax to favoring a national sales tax, though.

Tancredo: This guy got the shaft. Questions about organ donors and "women's reproductive rights" just kept him adrift from the core issues. Chris Matthews seemed to cut him off during one of the later rounds, too, and I actually wished someone would of ceded part of their time to him. Totally isolated from the rest of the pack.

Hunter: Grabbed the immigration issue from Tancredo when he got to boast about enacting the border fence. Also played up his biggest strength, which is having almost as much military expertise as McCain.

Brownback, T. Thompson, Gilmore, Paul: Some entertaining libertarian talk from Paul, but I don't see how these guys were helped by the debate. I'm sorry to say that because I respect Senator Brownback for his work in promoting intervention in Darfur and Tommy Thompson has an excellent history of pushing conservative legislation (prescription drug benefit aside).

God help them when Fred Thompson throws his hat into the ring!

My grade: A tie between John McCain and Mitt Romney.

Each said what they had to. Romney had "strong families" and didn't over use the "optimist" outlook line. McCain had foreign policy and brought up "strict constructionist judges." Each also got to walk off with the biggest jokes of the night. A lot of us laughed when McCain talked about an drunken sailor being insulted after he was compared to congress and when Romney said something like "you've got to be kidding me" in response to if it would be a good thing for Bill Clinton to be in the White House again.

Anchors Aweigh!

2007-04-27T11:09:00.000-05:00

Well, I had been waiting seven years to see John McCain officially throw his hat into the ring again. April 25, 2007 was that day.

Now, let's make this man the 44th President of the United States!

You can keep track of Senator McCain's Announcement Tour here.

The French Get Two Things Right

2007-04-22T23:37:00.000-05:00

Number One:

Nicholas Sarkozy was the top vote-getter in the first round of the French presidential election, topping Socialist Segolene Royal 30 percent to 26 percent. Minor candidates took up the rest of the vote. Sarkozy has pledged to warm relations between the U.S. and France, as well as usher in a new campaign of cutting taxes and reforming work and immigration laws. Right on.

The second round of voting will be held on May 6. The last poll had Sarkozy with 53.5 percent to Royal's 46.5 percent.

Number Two:

Take a look at these campaign websites:

Sarkozy

Royal

Blue for conservative. Red for liberal. That's the way it's supposed to be!

Yet Another Reason Why I Support McCain

2007-04-20T16:42:00.000-05:00

Excerpt from a Washington Post story where Senator McCain reacts to criticism of his "bomb Iran" joke:

The Arizona Republican was asked for his reaction to any negative response to the joke when he arrived in Las Vegas for a fundraiser Thursday night.

"Please, I was talking to some of my old veterans friends," he told reporters. "My response is, Lighten up and get a life."

When reporters asked if the joke was insensitive, McCain said: "Insensitive to what? The Iranians?"

Gotta love it. Unsurprisingly, the joke found it's way to YouTube. Watch it here.

National Tragedy

2007-04-17T14:31:00.000-05:00

The country grieves for the senseless taking of 32 lives at Virginia Tech.

Dave Wissing at the Hedgehog Report appropriately posted this flag on his blog which I'm including here In Memoriam:

In addition, a bomb threat has closed my school, St. Edward's University, for the day. Whoever wrote this message needs to be caught, prosecuted and placed under the supervision of the Texas Youth Commission. Making such claims is a sick way to exploit a cruel act. Some people simply lack any decency.

McCain on the Rebound?

2007-04-16T11:13:00.000-05:00

Despite all the hype that followed Fred Thompson surpassing John McCain by three points in last week's LA Times poll, few people seem to have noticed that the latest surveys have given the momentum to McCain.

First, an ARG poll (conducted April 9-12) showed the standing of the top five contenders as:

Giuliani 27%
McCain 23%
Romney 12%
Gingrich 10%
F. Thompson 9%

Second, we have a CNN poll conducted April 10-12:

Giuliani 27%
McCain 24%
F. Thompson 11%
Romney 10%
Gingrich 8%

Both were put together the days leading up to and the days after McCain's Iraq speech at the Virginia Military Institute. I'd like to wait until after the new Rasmussen numbers come out before removing the question mark after "rebound."

Also, McCain's campaign website added a nifty Donor Lookup page.

The Agony of Redundancy

2007-04-13T11:59:00.000-05:00

The attorney general in Louisiana has apparently ducked the question concerning whether former senator John Breaux qualifies as a state citizen and can run for governor.

Breaux would be the strongest opponent to Bobby Jindal, the outstanding and more than qualified Republican candidate, but still maintains a double digit deficit in the polls (49 percent Jindal 36 percent Breaux for the run-off).

But a pet peeve of mine emerged when I read the story:

"U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal, R-Kenner, has been campaigning for the governor's office almost since he lost the in the 2003 gubernatorial runoff in 2003, and announced this week that he has raised more than $5 million for the effort this year."

Ugg.....

"Charlton Heston Is My President"

2007-04-11T11:32:00.000-05:00

That headline is from one of the best bumper stickers of all time.

Anywho, second amendment fans should take a look at a piece by Dave Kopel over at National Review Online.

Kopel takes a closer look at Mitt Romney's despairing record on guns as well as some disappointing quotes from Newt Gingrich (I didn't see that coming).

Highlight:

"Mitt Romney’s attitudes on guns — like his double flip-flop on abortion — appear to have more to do with political expediency than with conviction. While an expedient and cynical “friend” like Mitt Romney would probably be better for gun owners than would a sincere and fierce enemy like Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, it is still worth wondering what President Romney would do if his political calculus changed yet again."

Not sure about the "double flip-flop" line, but oh well. On the plus side, the article includes a segment where Mike Huckabee proves his support and understanding of the subject. And to be a little bipartisan, Kopel compliments Democrat Bill Richardson for his support of "shall issue" legislation and goes so far as to predict an NRA endorsement for the New Mexico governor over Romney should they be nominated.

A section on Senator McCain's favorable gun record would have been appropriate, though...

The Green Side of Gingrich

2007-04-10T17:09:00.000-05:00

Newt Gingrich and John Kerry debated how best to confront the problem of global warming today. Fox News has the story here.

I never would have guessed that Newt would go so far as to admit that human activity is a cause of climate change. He is the second high-raking conservative (Gov. Mark Sanford being the first some weeks ago) to call for greater efforts on the part of the right to lay claim to environmental issues. All I can say is amen.

Newt also hit the nail on the head as to why conservatives have been reluctant to address global warming:

"For most of the last 30 years, the environment has been a powerful emotional tool for bigger government and higher taxes. And therefore if you're a conservative, if you hear these arguments, you know what's coming next."

Pence Blogs Iraq Visit

2007-04-04T11:24:00.000-05:00

Last night Representative Mike Pence (R-IN) posted a review of his visit to Iraq as part of a delegation lead by John McCain. Good stuff. I especially liked:

“Senator McCain threw himself into the crowd like he was in New Hampshire. I followed as he bought a ball cap, and haggled over rugs with a few Iraqi merchants."

McCain and Pence have clashed over campaign reform over the years. But we can all be thankful that these two leaders can put that aside and focus on relevant issues confronting our country today, such as finding a way to see this war through to VICTORY.

A Brief Rant on Fundraising Reports

2007-04-03T19:40:00.000-05:00

Well, the fundraising numbers for the first quarter of 2007 are in, aside from Barack Obama's.

Mitt Romney leads the Republicans with $23 million, followed by Rudy Giuliani with $15 million and John McCain with $12.5 million.

First, it's still early. Romney has the connections to raise the needed $$$ and kicked off his efforts months ago with an impressive & finely tuned telethon that netted $6.5 million. Giuliani and McCain have just begun to get the ball rolling when it comes to collecting checks; and I'd like to add that McCain still has a day job to attend to.

Second, Chris Matthews had this to say yesterday: "I find this so unsavory. ... They're going out and killing people around the world to spread democracy, and what are we spreading? A form of government based on how much money you can raise from rich people mainly."

Okay...............first off, let's get to obvious out of the way. The United States has a republican form of government that involves seeking the presidency via an organized campaign that must clear primaries and win a general election. Iraq has a parliamentary government that elects executive leaders via coalitions and back room deals (i.e.: Great Britain and Germany). We're not exporting the U.S. electoral system to Iraq.

More importantly, I support campaign finance reform, I believe that government institutions should have limits on their power so that they are beholden to their constituents. I'm a conservative who endorses checks against government indulgement whether it be high taxes, high spending, limiting gun and property rights, or the ability to rake in millions of dollars from some instead of earning funds from the many people one represents.

But look, turning a displeasing eye to the soft money that was becoming a hallmark for national campaigns is one thing, but complaining about fundraising in itself lacks logic. Yes, a lot of the contributors this quarter had to be rich. So what? They can give the same amount to a campaign that I or any other American can. Frankly, I'm forced to ask the same question that I've applied to the attorney firings mess: how is this situation out of the ordinary?

Sign the Petition!

2007-03-30T00:50:00.000-05:00

Stand up with John McCain and declare that the generals and the troops should fight this war, not the Democrat congress!

Surrender is NOT an option!

Jinxed?

2007-03-29T23:46:00.000-05:00

Mitt Romney went on record today about who he would consider for vice president if nominated. A good number of people have asked me that question concerning McCain lately and I tend to give five names and say it's WAY to soon to go there. Really, I'm just paranoid. I think if you talk about events that are a few steps ahead (as in, post-primaries) you're just begging for some bad karma.

That said, Romney putting Gov. Mark Sanford and Sen. Jim DeMint on his short list was appropriate. I've praised Sanford before and DeMint is simply a valuable conservative and future national-ticket talent. Not so sure on Newt Gingrich and Jeb Bush. Not that I don't like the two, it just seems that Gingrich fits the party elder mold better than a prez or VP candidate and Jeb might not be satisfied with the second-spot.

Link to the story here.

Good Man, Fred Thompson...

2007-03-26T23:32:00.000-05:00

...I'm voting for the other candidate, but the commentary Thompson's been submitting to National Review Online has been outstanding! Here's the latest in regard to the pork-laden, defeatist, war supplemental.

I MET JOHN McCAIN!

2007-03-26T23:28:00.000-05:00

I'll detail everything when I get the photo of Senator McCain and myself. But needless to say I was lucky to attend this event while he was in Austin.

One Last Hurrah?

2007-03-23T14:49:00.000-05:00

I've said this before, but President Bush consistently has an increase in his approval numbers when he has an active speaking schedule and is seen often by the people.

Last year, before the Mark Foley mess threw us off message, the president was touring the country giving lengthy speeches & making his case against the Democrat talking points. Recent terror arrests in London combined with the passage of the GITMO detainee bill impressed upon voters the security issue. The GOP was actually tied with the Dems in the generic congressional ballot and President Bush saw his approval numbers go from the mid-30s to the mid-40s.

I hope now, with the president taking an active role in defending Alberto Gonzalez and denouncing this Iraq timetable that passed the House, he is regaining his fighting spirit. George W. Bush is always played down as a fella who mangles the English language, and it has been said that many of his advisers keep him away from the cameras to avoid slip ups. Shame on them. No one expects inspiration from every speech but the public expects some kind of response backed up by resolve, and the president has plenty of that. Slip-ups simply re-enforce the image President Bush has as someone who's only human and a guy you can sit back and have a beer with.

Republicans used stand solidly by the president, 90 percent of them would support him. Now he's lucky to get 75 percent. Fatigue over Iraq, spending, immigration have all taken their toll on those numbers (emphasis in Iraq). But I think much of the drop comes from a lack of employing the bully pulpit. If you read Fred Barnes' "Rebel in Chief," you know that President Bush dislikes the Washington DC atmosphere. Why then has he ceased to be the determined advocate that he was during his first term?

During the next year and nine months, I want the old W back. I think he cares little about being cooped up in the Oval Office reacting to events, and would rather make good use of his time left as president to go out and defend that office by leading the agenda.

I Have Returned

2007-03-21T15:02:00.000-05:00

Well, spring break is over. I enjoyed a trip to California that included a lot of sun and some good sites. Of course, being a loyal conservative Republican, I paid homage to the Great Communicator and visited his presidential library. The new Air Force One extension is marvelous. I am also happy to report, as someone who is half-New Mexican, that the largest U.S. flag displayed in the museum came from the Land of Enchantment!

And, yes, I bought official Ronald Reagan jellybeans in the store! They're the best!

LONG LIVE CAPTAIN AMERICA!

2007-03-07T18:59:00.000-06:00

Capt. America Shot Dead

"You think this letter on my head stands for France?!"

That Was My Idea!

2007-03-07T11:36:00.000-06:00

We all know the feeling: you think of something, forget to write it down, and then see it a week later and stub your toe after kicking a wall.

Last Thursday, I got to thinking about how the McCain '08 campaign could follow the same path through the primaries that the Kerry '04 bandwagon did. Each started off as a front-runner only to fall behind (though McCain has yet to sink as low as the single digits like Kerry did) and then rebound as soon as the votes were cast.

Well, yesterday's Hotline: Spotlight focused on the same comparison. Read it here.

Thompson for President? (Fred, not Tommy)

2007-03-05T11:48:00.000-06:00

Fred Thompson has been mentioned as a possible candidate for president these past few days. Last summer, after looking over possible '08 candidates, ranking their communication skills, conservatism and experience/qualifications, I wrote this and posted it on my useless and probably soon-to-be-deleted Myspace blog. Obviously, the fall elections effected many of my points, but you'll get the idea:

Draft Fred Thompson
A What If scenario...

Its that time again, my fellow Americans; time for an actor to run for and become president.

Nothing is for certain, but it would only be appropriate for this story to come right out of Hollywood. Imagine, the Republican field in 2008 is without Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who decides that he has a good thing going as chairman of the Armed Services Committee; a few states away Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani declines to run after organized opposition to him based on his social moderation. With the two big name superstars refusing to lead the GOP elephant army, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney becomes a frontrunner. Joining him are Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and a sub-human mutant Washington Redskins loving Senator from Virginia named George Allen. *I masked my allegiance to the Dallas Cowboys well, no?*

Enter Fred Dalton Thompson. A man whose list of credits include: minority counsel to the Watergate Committee, successful campaign manager, prosecutor responsible for bringing down a corrupt governor, eight years representing Tennessee in the U.S. Senate, and guiding now-Chief Justice John Roberts confirmation through that body. As far as his acting career, you might remember him from The Hunt for Red October, Die Hard 2: Die Harder and In the Line of Fire. And to top it all off you can see him on Law and Order every Wednesday night at nine.

Thompson's genes couldn't of been more kind to him. Like Ronald Reagan, the man can deliver a flawless speech thick with the humor of a late-night TV jokemaker. His southern style will surely be welcomed by the GOP base as much as they would cherish a boxing match between Chuck Norris and Sean Penn. Thompson acquired a lifetime rating of 86 percent from the American Conservative Union during his tenure in the Senate; just right for a Republican nominee. Yet, he was one of the most steadfast supporters of campaign finance reform, meaning he could attract the McCain clan of the party. Who knows? Apply the proper tone and Thompson could be McCain Plus, someone who can actually unite his party while maintaining the right stuff to bring in independent voters.

As his character said in The Hunt for Red October: "Russians don't take a dump without a plan." This scenario is backed up against a wall, isolated from ever breaking out and becoming fact. If the sun emerges from the clouds and shines down through the window of a smoke filled back room, Senator McCain and Mayor Giuliani will relax and decide which one of them will drop out or never declare themselves a candidate for president. Republicans like to rally around a candidate early, and the big tent isn't spacious enough for two big names. But should circumstances refuse to oblige us with such a meeting, and leave the field absent any superstar, political junkies should not flock to another candidate without a plan. We have the dark horse, and a plan; and without further analysis, it can be said the Republicans would be in good shape.

Now, if only we could get Mr. Thompson to run...

McCain to Emerge Victorious

2007-02-27T13:59:00.000-06:00

Political commentator Dick Morris says that the McCain campaign is collapsing and is on track to "go out with a whimper instead of a bang."

The piece can be found here.

Morris's prediction is backed up by past statements like:

-John Kerry will not beat Howard Dean for the Democrat nomination.
-Jeanine Pirro would be Hillary Clinton's "nightmare" opponent.
-Rebuilding New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina would emerge as President
Bush's greatest second term accomplishment.
-Poor arguments in his book, Condi vs. Hillary, that Secretary Rice would be catapulted to the Republican nomination after a strong, unstoppable draft campaign from the grassroots.

Quite a morale boost to have Morris predict bad times for Senator McCain; it truly helped me sleep better!

Sanford: Conservatives Need Not Ignore Environmental Issues

2007-02-26T11:13:00.000-06:00

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford wrote an excellent piece on Friday that was featured in the Washington Post.

This was especially enjoyable:

I am a conservative conservationist who worries that sea levels and government intervention may end up rising together.

Governor Sanford has held the line on taxes and spending in his state, fighting GOP porkers along the way. His social conservative credentials are solid. Sanford values his time in office, choosing to push big ideas like education and government reform. A McCain-Sanford ticket would be the best thing that could happen to this country in 2008; an experienced leader for the top spot teamed with a well-matched heir apparent.

First Things First...

2007-02-22T13:00:00.000-06:00

Hillary spoke at the Democrat forum in Nevada yesterday:

“President Kennedy said he wanted a man on the moon by the end of the decade. I want universal health care coverage by the end of my second term.”

A little presumptuous, no?

That's Not Straight Talk!

2007-02-19T12:22:00.000-06:00

On a side-note, I was disappointed that during the Iowa visit Senator McCain said he would no longer refer to USC as the "University of Spoiled Children." Back in December of '05 he was here in Austin for a book signing and was asked about the upcoming Rose Bowl; he used that line and received the loudest applause of the day. But his wife Cindy graduated from USC and the Senator said that the joke got him into some trouble.

Invinceable

Weekend Review

2007-02-19T11:23:00.000-06:00

Senator McCain campaigned in Iowa and South Carolina this weekend. In the Hawkeye state he engaged in his first town hall meetings of the '08 race, the highlight of which was McCain denouncing the Democrats Iraq resolution as “an insult to the public and our soldiers to think a cloture vote to cut off debate on a motion to proceed to another cloture vote to cut off debate about a meaningless resolution is anything other than a partisan stunt and an evasion of our responsibilities.”

I added the bold to recognize the words McCain decisively hammered during his speech, the wise guys using "somber" and "gloomy" to describe the Senator's campaign must have been taking a nap during the remarks.

Speaking of decisive, K-Lo summed up the matter with a piece at National Review Online: "Good for McCain."

Former Texas Senator Phil Gramm, who announced his support for McCain last year, attended the weekend rallies. Former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, who almost threw his hat into the '08 ring, endorsed McCain at the South Carolina event. Gramm and Keating are good, prominent conservatives who can highlight McCain's record as a budget hawk.

Senator John Thune (R-SD), who we all remember as the first guy to beat an incumbent Senate leader since Barry Goldwater, threw his support to McCain, as well. He did so for the right reasons, saying that McCain will appoint sound judges, has a consistent pro-life record and of all the candidates brings the most foreign and defense policy experience to the table. Damn straight.

Dems, GOP Polarized on Anna Nicole

2007-02-16T11:41:00.000-06:00

According to a Fox News poll released today, Democrats are twice as likely to be intently following the death on Anna Nicole Smith than Republicans:

Democrats: Very Closely 20 percent, Not at all 22 percent
Republicans: Very Closely 11 percent, Not at all 29 percent

But when you take into account the number of people who are somewhat following or not really following the story, the numbers about even out. On the plus side, there is a bipartisan consensus against following the new season of American Idol!

How Can McCain Fail?

2007-02-14T11:01:00.000-06:00

An e-mail from the McCain campaign yesterday listed some of the endorsements the senator has received from Texas. Among them:

Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Roger Staubach. Life is goooooood!

Rudy and the Lucky Letter W

2007-02-05T22:39:00.000-06:00

Rudy Giuliani filed a declaration of candidacy today, and could formally announce his presidential run this weekend. Read the story here.

His stance on social issues will be a disadvantage, but not a fatal one. Giuliani has been getting the word out this week that as president he would appoint good strict constructionists to the Supreme Court, the most influential move a chief executive can make to change abortion laws in the country. The Roberts Court is already poised to uphold a ban on partial-birth abortion, in a sense taking that issue off the table and setting Rudy up to air a campaign add talking about how he served with the Chief Justice, Antonin Scalia and Sam Alito in the Reagan Justice Department. A pro-life ruling could be great PR for Giuliani.

This has been bugging me for a while and reflects my superstitious side: Ronald Wilson Reagan, George Walker Bush, Rudolph William Giuliani. If you want to be a two-term Republican president, a middle-name starting with a W is a good omen!

Huckabee's In

2007-01-28T23:41:00.000-06:00

I think Mike Huckabee will be the dark horse candidate that gets the most traction. He is close to social conservatives, but communicates his faith in a civil manner. He is, as of now, the only candidate from the south. Fiscal conservatives worried about Huckabee's stance on taxes will rejoice at his support for a flat tax (myself included). And he has a catchy campaign them with "give Hope a second chance;" meaning conservatives should not fear a man from the same hometown as Bill Clinton. He had some disparaging words about Senator McCain's ability to win the Republican nomination, but he still should make the V.P. shortlist.

Campaign link: http://www.explorehuckabee.com/

Hunter '08 Online:

2007-01-25T12:34:00.000-06:00

Congressman Duncan Hunter's campaign website has been updated, coinciding with his announcement that he is now officially running for the Republican nomination. He's a long shot & will likely go nowhere, but I'm sure we'll all be entertained along the way (I just loved his press conference displaying the food selection at GITMO!).

Link: www.gohunter08.com

"No Doubt"

2007-01-22T21:46:00.000-06:00

In an interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Senator McCain said there is "no doubt" he will run for the Republican nomination. No surprise there, but I like the sound of it!

McCain gave a detailed response as to what would top his to-do list should he become the 44th President of the United States; national security, lower taxes, less spending (McCain would have vetoed "most appropriation bills [he's] seen lately"), entitlement and immigration reform (should it be left unresolved during the 110th Congress) took the top spots.

Despite the rise of China, Russia reverting back to its old ways and Iran and North Korea developing nuclear weapons, McCain said that "America is still the strongest nation in the world and we will prevail."

Our eyes must also be focused on our own part of the world. "I never thought I would live so long to see Danny Ortega as president of Nicaragua," McCain said. "A leftist wave is sweeping across our hemisphere. We dodged a bullet in the Mexican election because the right guy won." The senator does not believe Ortega's promise to maintain warm relations with the United States and said the man was aligned with Hugo Chavez. McCain advocated free trade to prevent the rise of more dictators by developing the economies of Central and South American nations.

The interview concluded with a hopeful take on Cuba. "When Castro has the opportunity to meet Karl Marx, I think that is the time that we offer a package of trade, of assistance of economic development, of assistance in democratization. And tell them that we'll give them all those things. And in return, we're asking them to embark on the path to democracy, including setting a date for free and fair elections." This plan can work if predictions that Raul Castro will be unable to govern Cuba ring true.

What can I say except to quote our mutual hero, Theodore Roosevelt: “BULLY!”

McCain Leads, Bush Returns

2007-01-13T23:28:00.000-06:00

CNBC's conservative economist Larry Kudlow recently dubbed John McCain "Senator Backbone," based on the Arizona Republican's continued support for adding more troops to the Iraq campaign. While Democrats and some Republicans debate how and when to leave Iraq, it seems there still are voices pushing for the ways and means to achieve victory. Responding to question of how this would hurt his presidential campaign, McCain said: "I would much rather lose and election than lose a war."

This debate demonstrates the striking contrast between McCain other frontrunners for the '08 Republican presidential nomination. Mitt Romney ducked a question on troop strength in late December by saying he was waiting to hear President Bush's speech and that since he was still a sitting governor it would not be important for him to comment on international policy. But ask yourself: Is this presidential? The man has been aspiring to become president for some time now, and he cannot bring himself to speak out on the most important issue facing the country? To his credit, though, Romney joined the limited chorus in support of more troops after the president announced it. We can all rest easy knowing Romney has Senator McCain to do all the hard fighting for him.

On a final note, the George W. Bush most of us knew from his first term might have been resurrected. The president has struggled to regain the fighting spirit since his second term stalled in mid-2005 and bucking inside-the-beltway calls for a withdrawal from Iraq and empowering Iran and Syria with one-on-one negotiations has once again given him an opportunity to act with resolve. Despite all the praise I've given to Senator McCain, President Bush made the final call, followed his gut, and also deserves to be complimented for his backbone.

Americans Support Intervention in Sudan

2006-12-22T01:20:00.000-06:00

A new poll by the Pew Research Center (paraphrased questions):

Does the U.S. have a responsibility to stop genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan?:
Yes: 51%
No: 36%
Would you support using U.S. troops (as part of a multinational force) to stop the genocide?:
Yes: 53%
No: 38%

Little chance U.S. troops could handle action in Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan. However, our involvement in Iraq has only a limited air campaign. A few months back I went to the rally at the State Capitol to protest our lack involvement; one of the more compelling displays were drawings children made of helicopters gunning down their village. I wouldn't mind seeing Sudanese military bases leveled to the ground and U.S. fighter planes taking out those helicopters!

New Voice in Troop Debate

2006-12-21T22:34:00.000-06:00

Outgoing House Armed Services Committee Chairman and declared 2008 presidential candidate Duncan Hunter (R-CA) has come out in favor of adding more manpower in Iraq:

Via News 8 San Diego:

Besides creating a stronger military, Hunter says a troop increase could bring many other benefits.

"It will also provide a little more downtime for our soldiers and Marines when they come home, meaning they won't have to rotate back into Iraq or Afghanistan so quickly, because there will be more people to share that burden and take that load," said Hunter.

The consensus seems to be moving closer to John McCain's position of more troops. After leaving office, both Colin Powell and Paul Bremer admitted that we suffered because of a lack of boots on the ground. Powell, Hunter and McCain are all military men and no doubt want a big push/offensive to put down the insurgency. I agree, in the last three years we've seen a pattern of Americans and Iraqis clearing a town only to leave to fight elsewhere; then later the enemy just returns to re-establish themselves. Senator McCain is right, we have been fighting a game of "whack-a-mole."

Welcome!

2006-12-21T15:46:00.000-06:00

Alrighty, thanks for dropping by. Though with this being a new blog, I'm sure nobody will for a long while.
Christmas is coming up, so for obvious reasons (late shopping, leaving town, usual stuff) I won't be writing until the new year.
Merry Christmas, via con dios!