The Republican National Convention, at least with respect to Monday's activities, was drastically scaled back today. Released to the media earlier this afternoon was the following announcement:
At the recommendation of Sen. John McCain, the 2008 Republican National Convention announced substantial changes to the convention’s program and actions being taken to help with Hurricane Gustav relief efforts. On Monday, all program activities beyond the official business that must be conducted in accordance with party rules will be cancelled. Among the other actions announced today are the formation of the Affected States Working Group, the establishment of an Affected States Information Center, and the chartering of a DC-9 to transport affected delegates.
Rick Davis, campaign manager for McCain 2008, announced that the upcoming Republican National Nominating Convention is making serious revisions to the convention program and surrounding activities. Davis said, "We are deeply concerned about the safety and welfare of the residents of the Gulf State region. Our top priority is to assist those who will be affected by Hurricane Gustav. This is not a time for politics or celebration; it is a time for us to come together as Americans and assist the residents of the Gulf States."
Monday's proceedings will begin at 2:30 p.m. CDT, for a limited duration to conduct official business that must be addressed. Davis explained:
"In order for the Republican Party to officially exist and for Senator McCain to qualify for the ballot, we are - by law - required to conduct specific official business. At this point, our program on Monday has been scaled back and will only include what party rules governing the nomination of our candidates for president and vice president require. We will perform the official business as required. In addition, we have set aside time to make delegates and Americans watching our proceedings at home aware of what they can do to assist in relief efforts designed to help those who will be affected by Hurricane Gustav."
Also in today's announcement were details as to steps taken by the McCain campaign to address Convention-related concerns arising from Gustav:
The McCain campaign has also taken several additional steps to assist delegates from the Gulf States, including the formation of an Affected States Working Group, the chartering of a DC-9 to transport affected delegates, and the establishment of an Affected States Information Center.
It appears that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's speech, originally scheduled for Monday, will be postponed until later in the week. He's in good company since the President, First Lady and Vice President's speeches for tomorrow were also cancelled.
As for the nomination of Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin, Davis concluded:
"At some point between Monday and Thursday evening, we will convene once again to complete the activities needed to qualify Senator McCain and Governor Palin for the ballot in all 50 states. Beyond that, all we can say is that we will monitor what is happening and make decisions about other convention business as details become available."
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Uncle Sam Wants You to Vote For Sarah
At yesterday's Republican National Convention Media Party, Duane Schwingel posed as Uncle Sam with a Sarah Palin wannabe. Schwingel and Kaylee Betzen (seen as Miss Liberty below) may be contacted at mrduane@hughes.net They are available for hire to entertain at parties. Palin, who has other plans at least through 2012, is not.Miss Liberty(arian)
Kaylee Betzen takes a break at the Republican National Convention Media Party, held yesterday evening at the Minneapolis Riverfront District.
Mo Dowd on Palin
The selection of Sarah Palin as the GOP vice presidential nominee has stimulated Maureen Dowd's creative juices (which stopped flowing once Bubba left office). Mo can't quite decide how she feels about Palin.
On the one hand, she calls it a "cynical pick" and "affirmative action." Note the upper crust East Coast elitism:
Obama may have been president of The Harvard Law Review, but Palin graduated from the University of Idaho with a minor in poli-sci and worked briefly as a TV sports reporter. And she was tougher on the basketball court than the ethereal Obama, earning the nickname “Sarah Barracuda.”
In one fell swoop of her mouse, Mo insults every voter who went to a state university instead of an Ivy League college. Who says the New York Times and the Obamas are snobs? They're just misunderstood by the little people -- the ones who are writing checks to McCain-Palin by the pick-up truck full.
In her book Are Men Necessary?, Mo obsesses about plastic surgery, and whines that feminism lost out to narcissism. Imagine her ambivalence then, about a GOP candidate who not only thrills conservatives for being literally right on the issues, but looks great, too. (And without the intervention of Dr. Liposuction.)
Sarah is a zealot, but she’s a fun zealot. She has a beehive and sexy shoes, and the day she’s named she goes shopping with McCain in Ohio for a cheerleader outfit for her daughter.
As she once told Vogue, she’s learned the hard way to deal with press comments about her looks. “I wish they’d stick with the issues instead of discussing my black go-go boots,” she said. “A reporter once asked me about it during the campaign, and I assured him I was trying to be as frumpy as I could by wearing my hair on top of my head and these schoolmarm glasses.”
Dara Torres wasn't supposed to be an Olympian as a 42 year old mother. She was said to be too old -- older than most of the swimmers she ended up beating. (And if she hadn't trimmed her fingernails, she would have won gold.) Palin, opponents complain, is too young. Sure, one sought to change the history of swimming and the other seeks to change the history of America. Both refuse to be put in a box, by the feminists or their competitors.
Mo's complaint that the choice of Palin is "cynical" or "insulting" is itself cynical and insulting. If Palin had aborted her fifth child and was running as a Democrat, Mo would be weeping with joy. Palin is relentlessly right on the issues, and she cannot be manipulated by the sages at the Times. That's what terrifies Mo and all her Democratic buddies.
On the one hand, she calls it a "cynical pick" and "affirmative action." Note the upper crust East Coast elitism:
Obama may have been president of The Harvard Law Review, but Palin graduated from the University of Idaho with a minor in poli-sci and worked briefly as a TV sports reporter. And she was tougher on the basketball court than the ethereal Obama, earning the nickname “Sarah Barracuda.”
In one fell swoop of her mouse, Mo insults every voter who went to a state university instead of an Ivy League college. Who says the New York Times and the Obamas are snobs? They're just misunderstood by the little people -- the ones who are writing checks to McCain-Palin by the pick-up truck full.
In her book Are Men Necessary?, Mo obsesses about plastic surgery, and whines that feminism lost out to narcissism. Imagine her ambivalence then, about a GOP candidate who not only thrills conservatives for being literally right on the issues, but looks great, too. (And without the intervention of Dr. Liposuction.)
Sarah is a zealot, but she’s a fun zealot. She has a beehive and sexy shoes, and the day she’s named she goes shopping with McCain in Ohio for a cheerleader outfit for her daughter.
As she once told Vogue, she’s learned the hard way to deal with press comments about her looks. “I wish they’d stick with the issues instead of discussing my black go-go boots,” she said. “A reporter once asked me about it during the campaign, and I assured him I was trying to be as frumpy as I could by wearing my hair on top of my head and these schoolmarm glasses.”
Dara Torres wasn't supposed to be an Olympian as a 42 year old mother. She was said to be too old -- older than most of the swimmers she ended up beating. (And if she hadn't trimmed her fingernails, she would have won gold.) Palin, opponents complain, is too young. Sure, one sought to change the history of swimming and the other seeks to change the history of America. Both refuse to be put in a box, by the feminists or their competitors.
Mo's complaint that the choice of Palin is "cynical" or "insulting" is itself cynical and insulting. If Palin had aborted her fifth child and was running as a Democrat, Mo would be weeping with joy. Palin is relentlessly right on the issues, and she cannot be manipulated by the sages at the Times. That's what terrifies Mo and all her Democratic buddies.
Thanks To Palin, Forty-somethings Feel Young Again
Governor Sarah Palin has made all forty-somethings feel good about their age again. They were all feeling quite old, having witnessed Senator Barack Obama's rise to claim the Democratic presidential nomination. What once seemed a rashly premature age for the Presidency -- 47 -- had been transformed last Thursday night into enough years to give Obama the gravitas of a Greek sage as he delivered his speech from the Invesco Parthenon. What a relief, therefore, it was to learn on Friday from various left leaning journalists that Palin, at 43, is a "young mother."
The Democrats, caught completely off guard by Palin's outstanding presentation on Friday, now argue that Palin lacks the years to be President. Their question: Is America prepared for a forty-something to be a heartbeat away from being President? The Republicans' response: Is America prepared for the forty-something to be President now?
And what do the Democrats know? They were the long-haired ones in the 1960s -- when Obama and Palin were in diapers -- who claimed we shouldn't trust anyone over thirty.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
The Democrats, caught completely off guard by Palin's outstanding presentation on Friday, now argue that Palin lacks the years to be President. Their question: Is America prepared for a forty-something to be a heartbeat away from being President? The Republicans' response: Is America prepared for the forty-something to be President now?
And what do the Democrats know? They were the long-haired ones in the 1960s -- when Obama and Palin were in diapers -- who claimed we shouldn't trust anyone over thirty.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Dems React
In his typical passive aggressive fashion, Sen. Barack Obama was gracious to congratulate Gov. Sarah Palin on her selection to the GOP ticket -- but let his minions attack her.
Team Obama made fun of Palin for having been mayor of a small town. They did not know at the time that she also clings to God and guns, but that soon became apparent and made the Obama hacks look like the elitists they are.
Also curious was the Obama team's complaint that the 44-year-old Palin lacks experience to be McCain's running mate. Let's see, exactly how does the 47-year-old Obama's three additional years make him so uniquely qualified to be number one on a ticket? As best as we can tell, those three years roughly add up to the time Barry spent with his Chicago radical pals as a "community organizer" between college and law school -- one of those times in his life not worthy of much mention in his puff piece video played at the convention.
Palin has more executive experience than Obama, who has zero, while also juggling the demands of another job he never could master: carrying and giving birth to and raising five children.
The Obama campaign also complained that Palin lacks foreign policy experience. This from a party who has only elected two presidents since 1964 -- both of whom were governors with no foreign policy experience.
And last I checked, Russia never laid claimed to Arkansas or Georgia, in the United States, at least.
Team Obama made fun of Palin for having been mayor of a small town. They did not know at the time that she also clings to God and guns, but that soon became apparent and made the Obama hacks look like the elitists they are.
Also curious was the Obama team's complaint that the 44-year-old Palin lacks experience to be McCain's running mate. Let's see, exactly how does the 47-year-old Obama's three additional years make him so uniquely qualified to be number one on a ticket? As best as we can tell, those three years roughly add up to the time Barry spent with his Chicago radical pals as a "community organizer" between college and law school -- one of those times in his life not worthy of much mention in his puff piece video played at the convention.
Palin has more executive experience than Obama, who has zero, while also juggling the demands of another job he never could master: carrying and giving birth to and raising five children.
The Obama campaign also complained that Palin lacks foreign policy experience. This from a party who has only elected two presidents since 1964 -- both of whom were governors with no foreign policy experience.
And last I checked, Russia never laid claimed to Arkansas or Georgia, in the United States, at least.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Congratulations, Gov. Palin
John McCain's decision to ask Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to run for vice president was inspired -- and inspiring.
Palin's speech today was better than those of us who don't know her could have hoped. She is articulate, telegenic and genuine.
For those conservatives who've been sluggish about supporting McCain, Palin's selection not only reassured, it reinvigorated the Republican base. (It was always a liberal fairy tale that values voters would sulk and stay home, but now the base is motivated to give money.)
Palin is raising five children and yet works, as Governor, no less. Her husband stays home to help with the kids and housework. Feminists should love this working mom, but they will deride Palin because she rejects the feminist litmus test on abortion.
It's easy to talk the conservative talk. Palin walks it, as well. Her youngest son, not even a year old, was born with Downs Syndrome. Palin knew this in advance; prenatal tests now reveal the presence of Downs Syndrome in the first trimester. But she did not abort him. And she said that when she looks at him, she sees "perfection." Palin's commitment to honoring the dignity of every human being, even the unborn, is particularly striking, given that the number of Downs babies is dropping because the majority now get aborted.
Her speech sparkled with all sorts of symbolism. Her candidacy was announced on her 20th anniversary -- which helped her keep a promise to her husband (high school sweetheart) that she'd give him a surprise. All her children were present except her eldest son. He enlisted in the Army on the anniversary of 9/11 and will deploy to Iraq on 9/11. Even the setting was telling. Whereas Obama gave his speech in the rock star venue of Mile High Stadium, Palin announced in the heartland of Dayton, Ohio.
She is strong on the second amendment and is an avid sportsman and athlete. She has fought against government waste -- as Governor of Alaska, she said "no thanks" to the "Bridge to Nowhere" -- and she has fought for lower taxes. She has battled corruption.
Obama last night promised to give every child the same education he and Michelle were fortunate to receive. Princeton, Columbia and Harvard Law -- imagine the tax hike to pay for that promise. And he pledged to recruit an army of teachers. This former law professor appears ignorant of the fact that local school districts -- not the federal government -- hire teachers. Obama's utopian world view cannot be constrained by constitutional doctrines like federalism.
And then there's Palin, a PTA mom who has personally run local and state government, the entities charged with education in our federal system. She's balanced a budget for a household with five kids. She's balanced the budget of an entire state.
Her attitude toward public service is refreshing, as well. This mother of five entered local politics via the P.T. A. -- again, to cut government waste and to reduce taxes. She emphasized the importance of bringing "a servant's heart" to public office. That stands in stark contrast to Obama-Biden, who have made a career of running for president
For Obama, the presidency is the culmination of ambition, the cherry on the top of a carefully orchestrated career. For Palin, the vice presidency is simply an act of submission to a calling.
Palin's speech today was better than those of us who don't know her could have hoped. She is articulate, telegenic and genuine.
For those conservatives who've been sluggish about supporting McCain, Palin's selection not only reassured, it reinvigorated the Republican base. (It was always a liberal fairy tale that values voters would sulk and stay home, but now the base is motivated to give money.)
Palin is raising five children and yet works, as Governor, no less. Her husband stays home to help with the kids and housework. Feminists should love this working mom, but they will deride Palin because she rejects the feminist litmus test on abortion.
It's easy to talk the conservative talk. Palin walks it, as well. Her youngest son, not even a year old, was born with Downs Syndrome. Palin knew this in advance; prenatal tests now reveal the presence of Downs Syndrome in the first trimester. But she did not abort him. And she said that when she looks at him, she sees "perfection." Palin's commitment to honoring the dignity of every human being, even the unborn, is particularly striking, given that the number of Downs babies is dropping because the majority now get aborted.
Her speech sparkled with all sorts of symbolism. Her candidacy was announced on her 20th anniversary -- which helped her keep a promise to her husband (high school sweetheart) that she'd give him a surprise. All her children were present except her eldest son. He enlisted in the Army on the anniversary of 9/11 and will deploy to Iraq on 9/11. Even the setting was telling. Whereas Obama gave his speech in the rock star venue of Mile High Stadium, Palin announced in the heartland of Dayton, Ohio.
She is strong on the second amendment and is an avid sportsman and athlete. She has fought against government waste -- as Governor of Alaska, she said "no thanks" to the "Bridge to Nowhere" -- and she has fought for lower taxes. She has battled corruption.
Obama last night promised to give every child the same education he and Michelle were fortunate to receive. Princeton, Columbia and Harvard Law -- imagine the tax hike to pay for that promise. And he pledged to recruit an army of teachers. This former law professor appears ignorant of the fact that local school districts -- not the federal government -- hire teachers. Obama's utopian world view cannot be constrained by constitutional doctrines like federalism.
And then there's Palin, a PTA mom who has personally run local and state government, the entities charged with education in our federal system. She's balanced a budget for a household with five kids. She's balanced the budget of an entire state.
Her attitude toward public service is refreshing, as well. This mother of five entered local politics via the P.T. A. -- again, to cut government waste and to reduce taxes. She emphasized the importance of bringing "a servant's heart" to public office. That stands in stark contrast to Obama-Biden, who have made a career of running for president
For Obama, the presidency is the culmination of ambition, the cherry on the top of a carefully orchestrated career. For Palin, the vice presidency is simply an act of submission to a calling.
If It's Palin, "Ted" Called It
Drudge is reporting that John McCain has picked Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Quoting AP:
Palin, 44, is a self-styled hockey mom and political reformer who has been governor of her state less than two years.
Palin's selection was a stunning surprise, as McCain passed over many other better known prospects, some of whom had been the subject of intense speculation for weeks or months.
Five days ago, a reader named "Ted" posted this comment in response to Morris's post that McCain should pick Mitt Romney:
Despite the Dems and the allied main stream media’s desperation to see Romney as McCain’s Veep, Mitt is clearly out, with (1) Obama doubling down on the class warfare theme (McCain’s 7 houses) and (2) McCain doubling down with ads showing the hypocrisy of Biden attacking Obama in the primaries — Romney did way more than that contra McCain.
This leaves only Govs Sarah Palin and Tim Pawlenty. Pro-abortion Ridge and Dem-Lieberman were never real considerations, despite relentless media goading. Pawlenty’s lackluster TV performances, coupled with Palin pizzazz, the primacy of oil drilling and the ticked off women/Hillary voters, does now portend a McCain/Palin checkmate on the Dems. This is so albeit the Dems and liberal media dare not mention Palin’s name, that is, everyone but
…..And if there’s any question as to Palin being uniquely positioned and able to more than nullify Biden in debate, see the excellent discussion at palinforvp.blogspot.com.
Bear in mind that when "Ted" posted this comment, Palin did not even appear to be in the hunt; everyone expected it to be Romney, or possibly Tim Pawlenty.
Ted, whoever you are, I commend your political instincts, sources, crystal ball or the combination thereof. Well done!
Palin, 44, is a self-styled hockey mom and political reformer who has been governor of her state less than two years.
Palin's selection was a stunning surprise, as McCain passed over many other better known prospects, some of whom had been the subject of intense speculation for weeks or months.
Five days ago, a reader named "Ted" posted this comment in response to Morris's post that McCain should pick Mitt Romney:
Despite the Dems and the allied main stream media’s desperation to see Romney as McCain’s Veep, Mitt is clearly out, with (1) Obama doubling down on the class warfare theme (McCain’s 7 houses) and (2) McCain doubling down with ads showing the hypocrisy of Biden attacking Obama in the primaries — Romney did way more than that contra McCain.
This leaves only Govs Sarah Palin and Tim Pawlenty. Pro-abortion Ridge and Dem-Lieberman were never real considerations, despite relentless media goading. Pawlenty’s lackluster TV performances, coupled with Palin pizzazz, the primacy of oil drilling and the ticked off women/Hillary voters, does now portend a McCain/Palin checkmate on the Dems. This is so albeit the Dems and liberal media dare not mention Palin’s name, that is, everyone but
…..And if there’s any question as to Palin being uniquely positioned and able to more than nullify Biden in debate, see the excellent discussion at palinforvp.blogspot.com.
Bear in mind that when "Ted" posted this comment, Palin did not even appear to be in the hunt; everyone expected it to be Romney, or possibly Tim Pawlenty.
Ted, whoever you are, I commend your political instincts, sources, crystal ball or the combination thereof. Well done!
Is It Palin?
The news is now swirling that McCain's vice presidential choice will be Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. CNBC.com reports:
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a self-styled "hockey mom" who has only been governor for a little over a year, is GOP Presidential candidate John McCain's choice for Vice President, CNBC has learned.
According to a Republican strategist, Palin is the nominee, though McCain's campaign has not comfirmed this.
With an announcement scheduled in Dayton, Ohio, an associate of Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the governor had been informed he is not McCain's pick.
Update: The Chicago Tribune also is reporting that McCain has picked Palin. The Tribune provides some of her background:
Palin is the first woman governor of Alaska, elected in 2006. She was also the youngest ever elected at the age of 42. She is the mother of five children, the youngest of whom was born in April and has Down's Syndrome. She ran on a clean government platform in '06 to defeat the incumbent Republican Governor Frank Murkowski.
McCain reportedly considered Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, among others.
Palin is a social conservative who is strongly opposed to abortion and same sex marriage. In addition, she is pro-gun and wildly popular in Alaska.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a self-styled "hockey mom" who has only been governor for a little over a year, is GOP Presidential candidate John McCain's choice for Vice President, CNBC has learned.
According to a Republican strategist, Palin is the nominee, though McCain's campaign has not comfirmed this.
With an announcement scheduled in Dayton, Ohio, an associate of Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the governor had been informed he is not McCain's pick.
Update: The Chicago Tribune also is reporting that McCain has picked Palin. The Tribune provides some of her background:
Palin is the first woman governor of Alaska, elected in 2006. She was also the youngest ever elected at the age of 42. She is the mother of five children, the youngest of whom was born in April and has Down's Syndrome. She ran on a clean government platform in '06 to defeat the incumbent Republican Governor Frank Murkowski.
McCain reportedly considered Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, among others.
Palin is a social conservative who is strongly opposed to abortion and same sex marriage. In addition, she is pro-gun and wildly popular in Alaska.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
There's Plenty Of Speculation That It's Pawlenty
Reuters reports that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty
abruptly canceled appointments in Denver on Thursday but it was unclear whether he was McCain's choice.
. . . Pawlenty, in Denver to help provide counterattacks against the Democratic Party convention, canceled participation in a news conference and other appearances, a Republican official said.
If Pawlenty gets the nod, no more punning of his name will be allowed.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
abruptly canceled appointments in Denver on Thursday but it was unclear whether he was McCain's choice.
. . . Pawlenty, in Denver to help provide counterattacks against the Democratic Party convention, canceled participation in a news conference and other appearances, a Republican official said.
If Pawlenty gets the nod, no more punning of his name will be allowed.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Bush's Approval In Western KY Helps Mitch
Mark Hebert reports that President Bush's approval rating is 52 percent in Western Kentucky, 37 percent statewide.
As Hebert notes, Western Kentucky traditionally has voted in large numbers for Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. Given Bruce Lunsford's attempts to yoke McConnell to Bush, the president's continued support west of I-65 is good news for McConnell: his base is secure.
McConnell's approval rating has exceeded Bush's in Kentucky by a wide margin all along. Kentucky voters understand that McConnell's position as party leader requires him to shepherd the president's legislative agenda, even --as with immigration -- when Bush and McConnell see the issue differently. In that sense, the party leader wears two hats. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid acknowledged as much when he spoke at University of Louisville a few months back.
Lunsford's attempts to strap Bush to McConnell's back look increasingly desperate. Take his most recent commercial, in which Lunsford implies that anyone who made less than $15 million last year (the average pay of an oil company CEO) is a loser. All of us non-CEOs, according to Lunsford's logic, should channel our bitterness at Bush and McConnell.
It's a blatant appeal to class warfare, much like John Edwards attempted, to no avail. And as with Edwards, it looks silly and condescending for a multi-millionaire like Lunsford to suggest that voters should feel bad about their lives because they make less money than a CEO. Lunsford would have to impose a form of socialism to level the playing field to the extent that every worker is paid like the CEO from an oil company.
The old Soviet Union tried that ploy; it starts by nationalizing all industry so that the government owns the means of production. It didn't work so well. Consequently, the Obama-Lunsford approach would offer a softer, friendlier form of socialism --an accretion of increasingly burdensome taxes and regulations. All that will do is discourage investors from taking the risk to explore and extract new sources of oil.
If Bruce really wants to put more money in the pockets of us non-CEOs, he needs to tell his his buddies Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to let America tap our own natural resources by drilling for oil here and now.
As Hebert notes, Western Kentucky traditionally has voted in large numbers for Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. Given Bruce Lunsford's attempts to yoke McConnell to Bush, the president's continued support west of I-65 is good news for McConnell: his base is secure.
McConnell's approval rating has exceeded Bush's in Kentucky by a wide margin all along. Kentucky voters understand that McConnell's position as party leader requires him to shepherd the president's legislative agenda, even --as with immigration -- when Bush and McConnell see the issue differently. In that sense, the party leader wears two hats. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid acknowledged as much when he spoke at University of Louisville a few months back.
Lunsford's attempts to strap Bush to McConnell's back look increasingly desperate. Take his most recent commercial, in which Lunsford implies that anyone who made less than $15 million last year (the average pay of an oil company CEO) is a loser. All of us non-CEOs, according to Lunsford's logic, should channel our bitterness at Bush and McConnell.
It's a blatant appeal to class warfare, much like John Edwards attempted, to no avail. And as with Edwards, it looks silly and condescending for a multi-millionaire like Lunsford to suggest that voters should feel bad about their lives because they make less money than a CEO. Lunsford would have to impose a form of socialism to level the playing field to the extent that every worker is paid like the CEO from an oil company.
The old Soviet Union tried that ploy; it starts by nationalizing all industry so that the government owns the means of production. It didn't work so well. Consequently, the Obama-Lunsford approach would offer a softer, friendlier form of socialism --an accretion of increasingly burdensome taxes and regulations. All that will do is discourage investors from taking the risk to explore and extract new sources of oil.
If Bruce really wants to put more money in the pockets of us non-CEOs, he needs to tell his his buddies Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to let America tap our own natural resources by drilling for oil here and now.
Dems Continue to Stonewall on Drilling
Democratic leadership, including House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer, are betting that the drilling issue "has peaked" and that voters won't punish Democrats for preventing our country from drilling oil here and now. To the contrary, voters remain "piqued" about gas prices.
House Republicans have been staging protests in the House, which is in recess while Pelosi uses her "mother of five voice" to moderate the Democratic National Convention. Pelosi has called off-shore drilling "a hoax."
The Investor's Business Daily, however, makes clear what Pelosi cannot grasp: the price of oil will go down just by lifting the prohibitions on domestic drilling -- even before the first drop of oil flows.
The belief that the current quantities demanded and supplied are the sole determinants of price misses an important point. Both current and expected future demand and supply interact to determine the quantity demanded and supplied in the current marketplace.
That is true because oil, and indeed almost everything else, is storable.
When a quantity is storable, the amount a producer will supply and a consumer will demand is not independent of future expectations.
Pelosi assumes that price only reflects the supply of oil that is currently available. In fact, the possibility of off-shore drilling causes gas prices to fall. We have seen this already. Once the presidential order against drilling was nullified, and once Republicans began pushing on the issue, prices started to fall.
Pelosi might not get the connection, but voters will. Three-fourths of Americans want domestic drilling; Schumer's assertion that the issue has "peaked" makes clear that Democrats will run down the clock, refusing to enact any energy legislation until after the election. That's a gift to Republicans, because voters understand at this point that Democrats are the No-Drill party.
House Republicans have been staging protests in the House, which is in recess while Pelosi uses her "mother of five voice" to moderate the Democratic National Convention. Pelosi has called off-shore drilling "a hoax."
The Investor's Business Daily, however, makes clear what Pelosi cannot grasp: the price of oil will go down just by lifting the prohibitions on domestic drilling -- even before the first drop of oil flows.
The belief that the current quantities demanded and supplied are the sole determinants of price misses an important point. Both current and expected future demand and supply interact to determine the quantity demanded and supplied in the current marketplace.
That is true because oil, and indeed almost everything else, is storable.
When a quantity is storable, the amount a producer will supply and a consumer will demand is not independent of future expectations.
Pelosi assumes that price only reflects the supply of oil that is currently available. In fact, the possibility of off-shore drilling causes gas prices to fall. We have seen this already. Once the presidential order against drilling was nullified, and once Republicans began pushing on the issue, prices started to fall.
Pelosi might not get the connection, but voters will. Three-fourths of Americans want domestic drilling; Schumer's assertion that the issue has "peaked" makes clear that Democrats will run down the clock, refusing to enact any energy legislation until after the election. That's a gift to Republicans, because voters understand at this point that Democrats are the No-Drill party.
Everything's Up To Date In St. Louis . . . ehr, Kansas City
Who would have thunk it? Mr. Eloquence, aka Senator Barack Obama, is well on his way to surpassing President Bush's malapropism record, though Senator Joe Biden will undoubtedly give Obama a run for his money. Here's what Jay Cost of RealClearPolitics.com had to say yesterday evening about Obama's latest botched remarks, which occurred during his brief video appearance at the Democratic Convention:
But Obama has weaknesses, which were on display tonight as well. He had only a handful of lines, but he mixed up one he should have landed. He said he was in St. Louis when he was really in Kansas City. This kind of mistake is never a good thing. McCain said something nice about the Pittsburgh Steelers a few weeks ago, but it was a line he had initially said about the Green Bay Packers. The local paper reported the contradiction. My hunch is that it annoyed people here just a tiny bit. Obama did something similar tonight on network TV with Missouri's two largest cities. Fortunately for him, Sasha was there to bail him out!
Senator John McCain may be "two-timing" his compliments, but at least when he's in a city he gets her name right. Obama's latest gaffe reminds me of Senator John Kerry when, as a presidential candidate, he "fumbled the name of the hallowed grounds on which the [Green Bay] Packers play, the frozen tundra of Curly Lambeau Field", calling it "Lambert Field".
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
But Obama has weaknesses, which were on display tonight as well. He had only a handful of lines, but he mixed up one he should have landed. He said he was in St. Louis when he was really in Kansas City. This kind of mistake is never a good thing. McCain said something nice about the Pittsburgh Steelers a few weeks ago, but it was a line he had initially said about the Green Bay Packers. The local paper reported the contradiction. My hunch is that it annoyed people here just a tiny bit. Obama did something similar tonight on network TV with Missouri's two largest cities. Fortunately for him, Sasha was there to bail him out!
Senator John McCain may be "two-timing" his compliments, but at least when he's in a city he gets her name right. Obama's latest gaffe reminds me of Senator John Kerry when, as a presidential candidate, he "fumbled the name of the hallowed grounds on which the [Green Bay] Packers play, the frozen tundra of Curly Lambeau Field", calling it "Lambert Field".
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Justice Thomas's Indictment Of Senator Biden
Despite serving for eons in the U.S. Senate and running for President, Senator Joe Biden remains a relative unknown to most Americans. Undoubtedly we will all get to know him better in the coming days.
To get things started, here's an assessment from Justice Clarence Thomas, Senator Barack Obama's favorite jurist (not), who wrote in his book My Grandfather's Son about the slimey questioning conducted by Obama's future running mate at Thomas's confirmation hearing:
Senator Biden was the first questioner. Instead of the softball questions he'd promised to ask, he threw a beanball straight at my head, quoting from a speech that I'd given four years earlier at the Pacific Legal Foundation ad challenging me to defend what I'd said: "I find attractive the arguments of scholars such as Stephen Macedo, who defend an activist Supreme Court that would . . . strike down laws restricting property rights." That caught me off guard, and I had no recollection of making so atypical a statement, which shook me up even more. "Now, it would seem to me what you were talking about, Senator Biden went on to say, "is you find attractive the fact that they are activists and they wold like to strike down existing laws that impact on restricting the use of property rights, because you know, that is what they write about."
Since I didn't remember making the statement in the first place, I didn't know how to respond to it. All I could say in reply was that "it has been quite some time since I have read Professor Macedo . . . But I don't believe that in my writings I have indicated that we should have an activist Supreme Court or that we should have any form of activism on the Supreme Court. It was, I knew, a weak answer. Fortunately, though, the young lawyers who had helped prepare me for the hearings had loaded all of my speeches into a computer, and at the first break in the proceedings they looked this one up. The senator, they found, had wrenched my words out of context. I looked at the text of my speech and saw that the passage he'd read out loud had been immediately followed by two other sentences: "But the libertarian argument overlooks the place of the Supreme Court in a scheme of separation of powers. One does not strengthen self-government and the rule of law by having the non-democratic branch of the government make policy." The point I'd been making was the opposite of the one that Senator Biden claimed I had made.
Throughout my life I've often found truth embedded in the lyrics of my favorite records. At Yale, for example, I'd listened often to "Smiling Faces Sometimes," a song by the Undisputed Truth that warns of the dangers of trusting the hypocrites who "pretend to be your friend" while secretly planning to do you wrong. Now I knew I'd met one of the them: Senator Biden's smooth, insincere promises that he would treat me fairly were nothing but talk. . . . .
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
To get things started, here's an assessment from Justice Clarence Thomas, Senator Barack Obama's favorite jurist (not), who wrote in his book My Grandfather's Son about the slimey questioning conducted by Obama's future running mate at Thomas's confirmation hearing:
Senator Biden was the first questioner. Instead of the softball questions he'd promised to ask, he threw a beanball straight at my head, quoting from a speech that I'd given four years earlier at the Pacific Legal Foundation ad challenging me to defend what I'd said: "I find attractive the arguments of scholars such as Stephen Macedo, who defend an activist Supreme Court that would . . . strike down laws restricting property rights." That caught me off guard, and I had no recollection of making so atypical a statement, which shook me up even more. "Now, it would seem to me what you were talking about, Senator Biden went on to say, "is you find attractive the fact that they are activists and they wold like to strike down existing laws that impact on restricting the use of property rights, because you know, that is what they write about."
Since I didn't remember making the statement in the first place, I didn't know how to respond to it. All I could say in reply was that "it has been quite some time since I have read Professor Macedo . . . But I don't believe that in my writings I have indicated that we should have an activist Supreme Court or that we should have any form of activism on the Supreme Court. It was, I knew, a weak answer. Fortunately, though, the young lawyers who had helped prepare me for the hearings had loaded all of my speeches into a computer, and at the first break in the proceedings they looked this one up. The senator, they found, had wrenched my words out of context. I looked at the text of my speech and saw that the passage he'd read out loud had been immediately followed by two other sentences: "But the libertarian argument overlooks the place of the Supreme Court in a scheme of separation of powers. One does not strengthen self-government and the rule of law by having the non-democratic branch of the government make policy." The point I'd been making was the opposite of the one that Senator Biden claimed I had made.
Throughout my life I've often found truth embedded in the lyrics of my favorite records. At Yale, for example, I'd listened often to "Smiling Faces Sometimes," a song by the Undisputed Truth that warns of the dangers of trusting the hypocrites who "pretend to be your friend" while secretly planning to do you wrong. Now I knew I'd met one of the them: Senator Biden's smooth, insincere promises that he would treat me fairly were nothing but talk. . . . .
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
Snatching Defeat From the Jaws of Victory...
The Democrat party never ceases to amaze. First they snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by nominating Obama (who will probably lose) rather than Hillary (who might well have won). Then they choose Joe Biden as VP (who will probably lose) rather than Hillary (who might well have saved the Obama ticket).
Is it possible that a Republican has infiltrated the Democrat party machine and is orchestrating these moves? Or maybe they are just smoking dope. Whatever the cause, we can only hope that their strategists continue their great work.
Is it possible that a Republican has infiltrated the Democrat party machine and is orchestrating these moves? Or maybe they are just smoking dope. Whatever the cause, we can only hope that their strategists continue their great work.
McCain Should Do The Math And Pick Romney
There are many reasons why Senator Joe Biden was a dumb pick. One is that he is not a Southerner. As Senator Barack Obama should know, for over fifty years this maxim has held true: no Democrat has won the presidency without a Southerner on the ticket.
Neither Delaware (where Biden now resides) nor Pennsylvania (where he was born) qualifies as part of the South. Granted, a portion of southern Pennsylvania was once controlled by the South, but that ended badly for the invaders in 1863.
Rather than choose a running mate from a blue State that he was already likely to win, Obama should have plucked someone from the red zone -- the Governor of Virginia, for example.
Obama's goof is a gift for Senator John McCain. McCain should choose a running mate with Northern roots who has a decent chance of turning a marginal blue State into a red one. Mitt Romney would provide that opportunity.
To be sure, it would be nothing short of a Massachusetts miracle were Romney to bring the Commonwealth where he served as governor into the Republican fold. But Romney might be able to swing another Northern, heretofore, blue, State McCain's way: Michigan -- where Romney grew up and his father was governor.
According to a poll released today by Detroit Free Press:
From his opposition to the Iraq war to the perception that he's an agent of change, Barack Obama goes into the Democratic National Convention this week with a lot of pluses for Michigan voters.
And one very noticeable challenge -- himself.
Because tucked in among questions from last week's Detroit Free Press-Local 4 Michigan Poll was one asking likely voters if they agreed with the statement, "There are some things about Barack Obama that I'm not that comfortable with."
Nearly two-thirds of the 600 people surveyed last week said they agreed with that statement -- perhaps suggesting that Obama's seven-point lead in the state over Republican John McCain rests on the support of many voters who aren't entirely sure about Obama.
The current projected Electoral College result is Obama 273, McCain 265, according to RealClearPolitics.com. As we know, it takes 270 to win. Romney's Michigan, which is in Obama's column by a slender two percent according the latest poll, has 17 electoral votes.
Unlike Obama, who appears challenged by the subject (law school graduates typically are), McCain should understand the importance of mathematics in choosing a running mate. That's just one of many reasons why Romney would be a great pick.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
Neither Delaware (where Biden now resides) nor Pennsylvania (where he was born) qualifies as part of the South. Granted, a portion of southern Pennsylvania was once controlled by the South, but that ended badly for the invaders in 1863.
Rather than choose a running mate from a blue State that he was already likely to win, Obama should have plucked someone from the red zone -- the Governor of Virginia, for example.
Obama's goof is a gift for Senator John McCain. McCain should choose a running mate with Northern roots who has a decent chance of turning a marginal blue State into a red one. Mitt Romney would provide that opportunity.
To be sure, it would be nothing short of a Massachusetts miracle were Romney to bring the Commonwealth where he served as governor into the Republican fold. But Romney might be able to swing another Northern, heretofore, blue, State McCain's way: Michigan -- where Romney grew up and his father was governor.
According to a poll released today by Detroit Free Press:
From his opposition to the Iraq war to the perception that he's an agent of change, Barack Obama goes into the Democratic National Convention this week with a lot of pluses for Michigan voters.
And one very noticeable challenge -- himself.
Because tucked in among questions from last week's Detroit Free Press-Local 4 Michigan Poll was one asking likely voters if they agreed with the statement, "There are some things about Barack Obama that I'm not that comfortable with."
Nearly two-thirds of the 600 people surveyed last week said they agreed with that statement -- perhaps suggesting that Obama's seven-point lead in the state over Republican John McCain rests on the support of many voters who aren't entirely sure about Obama.
The current projected Electoral College result is Obama 273, McCain 265, according to RealClearPolitics.com. As we know, it takes 270 to win. Romney's Michigan, which is in Obama's column by a slender two percent according the latest poll, has 17 electoral votes.
Unlike Obama, who appears challenged by the subject (law school graduates typically are), McCain should understand the importance of mathematics in choosing a running mate. That's just one of many reasons why Romney would be a great pick.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Let the Gaffes Begin!
Barry and Joe didn't even make it through their teleprompted speeches yesterday -- their first joint appearance -- without stumbling off script.
First Barry introduced Joe Biden as "the next president". As in, "So let me introduce to you the next president - the next vice president of the US of America, Joe Biden." (Emphasis added.) This, from a Democrat who liked to complain that Vice President Dick Cheney was running the White House. (Poor Barry gets accused in public of snoring, having "stinky" breath and leaving his socks on the floor. No wonder he has subliminal issues about control.)
Then Joe called Barry "Barack America."
"My friends, I don't have to tell you, this election year the choice is clear. One man stands ready to deliver change we desperately need. A man I’m proud to call my friend. A man who will be the next president of the United States, Barack America,” Biden said, per ABC News' Sunlen Miller.
Wait a second. Joe can't call us "my friends." John McCain has trademarked that phrase. At least Joe didn't call our country the "US of America," or the "US of Barack America."
A few minutes later, Joe made these weird remarks about his wife: "Ladies and gentlemen, my wife Jill, who you’ll meet soon, is drop dead gorgeous. My wife Jill, who you’ll meet soon, she also has her doctorate degree, which is a problem." Well, at least she hasn't reported to us yet on the state of Joe's morning breath.
Yeah, even for Biden the feminist sympathizer, the problem with girls getting a Ph.D. -- or a J.D. -- is that they get all uppity, start thinking they can lead the country and such.
That may explain why Obama-Biden chose to unleash their "bare knuckles" on Hillary Clinton. They sent out their much anticipated text message, announcing Biden as the Veep choice, at 3:00 a.m. -- the title of Hillary's commercial that almost took the nomination away from Barry. There, Hillary. Take that! Just don't forget to pull your supporters in line or we'll throw you into debtors' prison.
First Barry introduced Joe Biden as "the next president". As in, "So let me introduce to you the next president - the next vice president of the US of America, Joe Biden." (Emphasis added.) This, from a Democrat who liked to complain that Vice President Dick Cheney was running the White House. (Poor Barry gets accused in public of snoring, having "stinky" breath and leaving his socks on the floor. No wonder he has subliminal issues about control.)
Then Joe called Barry "Barack America."
"My friends, I don't have to tell you, this election year the choice is clear. One man stands ready to deliver change we desperately need. A man I’m proud to call my friend. A man who will be the next president of the United States, Barack America,” Biden said, per ABC News' Sunlen Miller.
Wait a second. Joe can't call us "my friends." John McCain has trademarked that phrase. At least Joe didn't call our country the "US of America," or the "US of Barack America."
A few minutes later, Joe made these weird remarks about his wife: "Ladies and gentlemen, my wife Jill, who you’ll meet soon, is drop dead gorgeous. My wife Jill, who you’ll meet soon, she also has her doctorate degree, which is a problem." Well, at least she hasn't reported to us yet on the state of Joe's morning breath.
Yeah, even for Biden the feminist sympathizer, the problem with girls getting a Ph.D. -- or a J.D. -- is that they get all uppity, start thinking they can lead the country and such.
That may explain why Obama-Biden chose to unleash their "bare knuckles" on Hillary Clinton. They sent out their much anticipated text message, announcing Biden as the Veep choice, at 3:00 a.m. -- the title of Hillary's commercial that almost took the nomination away from Barry. There, Hillary. Take that! Just don't forget to pull your supporters in line or we'll throw you into debtors' prison.
Friday, August 22, 2008
O! Please, Let it be Biden
David Brooks, RINO, makes the case for why Barack Obama should pick Joe Biden for Veep. I hope Obama listens to Brooks, but not for the same reason.
Though no where nearly as arrogant as Obama, Biden is just as much of a light-weight as Obama. (To see this for yourself, take few hours and read Biden's questioning of Justice Samuel Alito before the Senate Judiciary Committee.) And he has that similarly thrilling propensity to speak before he thinks. Obama-Biden would be a fun ticket to lampoon.
Unlike Brooks, I don't buy that average Democrats will gravitate to Biden as the Average Joe. I refuse to believe that the average American is a doofus.
Though no where nearly as arrogant as Obama, Biden is just as much of a light-weight as Obama. (To see this for yourself, take few hours and read Biden's questioning of Justice Samuel Alito before the Senate Judiciary Committee.) And he has that similarly thrilling propensity to speak before he thinks. Obama-Biden would be a fun ticket to lampoon.
Unlike Brooks, I don't buy that average Democrats will gravitate to Biden as the Average Joe. I refuse to believe that the average American is a doofus.
WSJ: McConnell Not at Potential Risk
The Wall Street Journal has listed ten Republican seats that are "at potential risk." Kentucky is not among the list:
A quick recap of the numbers: Republicans must defend 23 seats, compared to 12 for the Democrats. Of those GOP slots, 10 are at potential risk: Virginia, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Oregon, Colorado, Alaska, Mississippi, Maine and North Carolina. The Democrats claim only one vulnerable senator this year, Louisiana's Mary Landrieu. Depending on how big a day the party has in November, it is at least conceivable Democrats could get the nine seats they need to hit the magic 60.
The Journal makes two other points that were new to me. First, Democrats are"throwing at least as much money and sweat into that effort as they are into electing Mr. Obama." Second, "[f]ree of the filibuster check, the world's greatest deliberative body tends to go on benders," including the New Deal and the Great Society -- or potentially, Obamacare.
A quick recap of the numbers: Republicans must defend 23 seats, compared to 12 for the Democrats. Of those GOP slots, 10 are at potential risk: Virginia, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Oregon, Colorado, Alaska, Mississippi, Maine and North Carolina. The Democrats claim only one vulnerable senator this year, Louisiana's Mary Landrieu. Depending on how big a day the party has in November, it is at least conceivable Democrats could get the nine seats they need to hit the magic 60.
The Journal makes two other points that were new to me. First, Democrats are"throwing at least as much money and sweat into that effort as they are into electing Mr. Obama." Second, "[f]ree of the filibuster check, the world's greatest deliberative body tends to go on benders," including the New Deal and the Great Society -- or potentially, Obamacare.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Bruce Panders to Feminasties
Bruce Lunsford has become a cliche of Old School Liberalism. First he coddled the labor unions -- the only group that will give him any money to speak of. And now he is courting the feminists, in a manner that demeans women and the office of U.S. Senate he seeks.
From Page One, we learn that Bruce will "will unveil his plan for a Kentucky Women’s Bill of Rights on September 25 in Lexington. Carrick House, 312 N. Limestone, 7:00 P.M." This might be worth attending, just for the humor value.
After all, when else do we get to see a candidate with such a weak grasp of basic civics that he thinks that a U.S. Senator can dictate a "bill of rights" for a state? His failure to comprehend basic concepts of federalism would flunk the social studies portion of the CATS test for fifth graders.
But that's just the mechanics of Bruce's agenda. He is wrong on the merits, as well. The web site that is promoting Bruce's feminist outreach, Kentucky Women: Power, Passion and Politics, promises that Bruce's "unveiling" of his new "bill of rights" will be "absolutely breathtaking." Be still, my heart.
The so-called "Lunsford '08 KY Women's Outreach Program" expects Bruce to do their bidding on such issues as the "Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE); a critical program which gives 10 percent of all federally financed contracts to women and minority-owned companies." The feminists are enraged that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell does not support the program.
The DBE is a fancy form of welfare that should be repealed. It rests upon that central fallacy of feminism that mischaracterizes women as victims. Then it seeks to reward and perpetuate their victimization by bestowing upon them a chunk of the taxpayers' money.
Any businesswoman worth her salt would be insulted to accept this handout, which assumes that she cannot make it without Big Government intervening on her behalf. And any woman-owned business that needs to be propped up by a government subsidy does not deserve to stay in business.
And then there is the all-defining issue for feminists: abortion. Bruce Lunsford told the Courier-Journal last May that he's for it -- says he'll do all he can to keep it legal. Given Lunsford's desire to expand the federal government's role in the health insurance industry, feminists undoubtedly hope that Lunsford would back using tax dollars to pay for abortions. Lunsford's pro-abortion position also means that he would vote to confirm activist judges of the sort who created the Roe v. Wade "right to privacy" out of whole cloth.
McConnell, in contrast, won the endorsement by Right to Life. He also voted to confirm Justice Samual Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts.
Lunsford may not lean as far left as many in his party. Indeed, the Demo-blogs were outraged that he won the nomination, because he is not "progressive" enough. But make no mistake: he favors abortion and the activist judges who gave us that tragedy. McConnell has defended the sanctity of life and judicial restraint for years.
And McConnell understands that it demeans women -- a majority of the population -- to carve out special subsidies that do nothing more than discriminate against men. And unlike Lunsford, McConnell has read and understands the Constitution.
From Page One, we learn that Bruce will "will unveil his plan for a Kentucky Women’s Bill of Rights on September 25 in Lexington. Carrick House, 312 N. Limestone, 7:00 P.M." This might be worth attending, just for the humor value.
After all, when else do we get to see a candidate with such a weak grasp of basic civics that he thinks that a U.S. Senator can dictate a "bill of rights" for a state? His failure to comprehend basic concepts of federalism would flunk the social studies portion of the CATS test for fifth graders.
But that's just the mechanics of Bruce's agenda. He is wrong on the merits, as well. The web site that is promoting Bruce's feminist outreach, Kentucky Women: Power, Passion and Politics, promises that Bruce's "unveiling" of his new "bill of rights" will be "absolutely breathtaking." Be still, my heart.
The so-called "Lunsford '08 KY Women's Outreach Program" expects Bruce to do their bidding on such issues as the "Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE); a critical program which gives 10 percent of all federally financed contracts to women and minority-owned companies." The feminists are enraged that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell does not support the program.
The DBE is a fancy form of welfare that should be repealed. It rests upon that central fallacy of feminism that mischaracterizes women as victims. Then it seeks to reward and perpetuate their victimization by bestowing upon them a chunk of the taxpayers' money.
Any businesswoman worth her salt would be insulted to accept this handout, which assumes that she cannot make it without Big Government intervening on her behalf. And any woman-owned business that needs to be propped up by a government subsidy does not deserve to stay in business.
And then there is the all-defining issue for feminists: abortion. Bruce Lunsford told the Courier-Journal last May that he's for it -- says he'll do all he can to keep it legal. Given Lunsford's desire to expand the federal government's role in the health insurance industry, feminists undoubtedly hope that Lunsford would back using tax dollars to pay for abortions. Lunsford's pro-abortion position also means that he would vote to confirm activist judges of the sort who created the Roe v. Wade "right to privacy" out of whole cloth.
McConnell, in contrast, won the endorsement by Right to Life. He also voted to confirm Justice Samual Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts.
Lunsford may not lean as far left as many in his party. Indeed, the Demo-blogs were outraged that he won the nomination, because he is not "progressive" enough. But make no mistake: he favors abortion and the activist judges who gave us that tragedy. McConnell has defended the sanctity of life and judicial restraint for years.
And McConnell understands that it demeans women -- a majority of the population -- to carve out special subsidies that do nothing more than discriminate against men. And unlike Lunsford, McConnell has read and understands the Constitution.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Homeless, But Chic
What is it with Democrats and hair cuts? John Edwards sported a $400 coif. Bill Clinton held up air traffic at LAX so that Chistophe could shear his locks. And now, Denver Human Services is giving free hair cuts to the homeless residents of Denver, so that they won't spoil the photo ops during the Democratic National Convention.
In case the hair cuts don't turn out so great, the homeless will be encouraged to make themselves scarce. According to the Los Angeles Times, the city will hide the approximately 4,000 homeless who frequent downtown Denver. "They arranged for free movie passes and bingo games to get them off the street, as well as temporary housing and free tickets to the zoo and Museum of Nature and Science."
H/t: Little Green Footballs
In case the hair cuts don't turn out so great, the homeless will be encouraged to make themselves scarce. According to the Los Angeles Times, the city will hide the approximately 4,000 homeless who frequent downtown Denver. "They arranged for free movie passes and bingo games to get them off the street, as well as temporary housing and free tickets to the zoo and Museum of Nature and Science."
H/t: Little Green Footballs
Loves America First
A recent caller to a radio talk show nailed it when he identified a key difference between McCain and Obama. The caller was an immigrant and a Democrat who is going to vote for McCain. He said that the difference between McCain and Obama was that McCain loved America first. This represents a very perceptive view on the part of an individual who has seen through the hype.
Obama loves America, but there is a whole list of things he loves more than America (himself, European values, approval from the international community, etc.) As has become clear in speech after speech, Obama has shown that he places many things above his love for America and its values. America seems like a lonely stepsister in Obama's pantheon of love interests.
We need a President whose first love is his country, not his image in the mirror or the opinions of the international community.
Obama loves America, but there is a whole list of things he loves more than America (himself, European values, approval from the international community, etc.) As has become clear in speech after speech, Obama has shown that he places many things above his love for America and its values. America seems like a lonely stepsister in Obama's pantheon of love interests.
We need a President whose first love is his country, not his image in the mirror or the opinions of the international community.
Perhaps Democrat Superdelegates Should Reconsider and Nominate Hillary?
Governor Steve Beshear and other Democratic superdelegates have to be wondering whether they will be voting for another presidential candidate disaster when they select Senator Barack Obama to be their nominee next week. According to a Reuters/Zogby poll released today, Senator John McCain now leads Obama by five percentage points -- at a point in the presidential election year when, thanks to media bias, the Democratic candidate typically has a double digit lead over his Republican counterpart (for those old enough to remember, recall that 20 point lead Michael Dukakis had over George H.W. Bush at the end of the summer of 1988 before the helmeted tank photo-op fiasco). According to Reuters:
McCain leads Obama among likely U.S. voters by 46 percent to 41 percent, wiping out Obama's solid 7-point advantage in July and taking his first lead in the monthly Reuters/Zogby poll.
. . . .
McCain now has a 9-point edge, 49 percent to 40 percent, over Obama on the critical question of who would be the best manager of the economy -- an issue nearly half of voters said was their top concern in the November 4 presidential election.
. . . .
Heck, McCain's even gaining ground among those who were toddlers when Dukakis imploded:
Obama's support among voters between the ages of 18 and 29, which had been one of his strengths, slipped 12 percentage points to 52 percent. McCain, who will turn 72 next week, was winning 40 percent of younger voters.
And, unlike in 1992, when Ross Perot's third-party candidacy doomed Bush I's reelection bid, the third-party candidates, when factored in the poll, do not erase McCain's lead:
McCain still held a 5-point edge over Obama, 44 percent to 39 percent, when all four names were included. [Libertarian Party candidate Bob] Barr earned 3 percent and [independent Ralph] Nader 2 percent.
And here's another significant development: McCain now leads Obama in RealClearPolitics.com's current projected Electoral College outcome, with 274 votes to Obama's 264. It takes 270 to win.
These numbers confirm what Senator Hillary Clinton said would happen once Obama had to face the Republican candidate. This is going to be a fun election after all.
Update: Susan Estrich, who was Dukakis's campaign manager, provides her analysis of the latest poll numbers here. Regarding Dukakis's demise, she writes:
By the summer of 1988, the country had turned from believing we were on the wrong track to thinking we were on the right track. They thought my candidate, Governor Dukakis, was more conservative than he actually was -- that's what beating Jesse Jackson every Tuesday will do for you.
By the fall, it was clear: right or wrong, they didn't like him. Of course, you never say that to the candidate; you tell him "they don't know you," not that "they don't like you." You say it's a communications problem, which is why being the communications director is the hot seat in a losing campaign.
It will be fascinating twenty years from now to read what the Obamites write to explain why their man lost.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
McCain leads Obama among likely U.S. voters by 46 percent to 41 percent, wiping out Obama's solid 7-point advantage in July and taking his first lead in the monthly Reuters/Zogby poll.
. . . .
McCain now has a 9-point edge, 49 percent to 40 percent, over Obama on the critical question of who would be the best manager of the economy -- an issue nearly half of voters said was their top concern in the November 4 presidential election.
. . . .
Heck, McCain's even gaining ground among those who were toddlers when Dukakis imploded:
Obama's support among voters between the ages of 18 and 29, which had been one of his strengths, slipped 12 percentage points to 52 percent. McCain, who will turn 72 next week, was winning 40 percent of younger voters.
And, unlike in 1992, when Ross Perot's third-party candidacy doomed Bush I's reelection bid, the third-party candidates, when factored in the poll, do not erase McCain's lead:
McCain still held a 5-point edge over Obama, 44 percent to 39 percent, when all four names were included. [Libertarian Party candidate Bob] Barr earned 3 percent and [independent Ralph] Nader 2 percent.
And here's another significant development: McCain now leads Obama in RealClearPolitics.com's current projected Electoral College outcome, with 274 votes to Obama's 264. It takes 270 to win.
These numbers confirm what Senator Hillary Clinton said would happen once Obama had to face the Republican candidate. This is going to be a fun election after all.
Update: Susan Estrich, who was Dukakis's campaign manager, provides her analysis of the latest poll numbers here. Regarding Dukakis's demise, she writes:
By the summer of 1988, the country had turned from believing we were on the wrong track to thinking we were on the right track. They thought my candidate, Governor Dukakis, was more conservative than he actually was -- that's what beating Jesse Jackson every Tuesday will do for you.
By the fall, it was clear: right or wrong, they didn't like him. Of course, you never say that to the candidate; you tell him "they don't know you," not that "they don't like you." You say it's a communications problem, which is why being the communications director is the hot seat in a losing campaign.
It will be fascinating twenty years from now to read what the Obamites write to explain why their man lost.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Georgia Crisis Helps McCain
It's an unfortunate place to look for a silver lining, but in this political climate, I'll take it: Russia's attempt to reconstitute the Soviet Union, by invading Georgia, helps John McCain.
American voters have said all along that they view McCain as better equipped to serve as commander-in-chief than Barack Obama. That includes the ability to represent American interests against the bullies of the world, like Vladimir Putin. A new poll, linked by Hot Air, shows that even a sizable percentage of Democrats (31 percent) recognize this reality. Overall, Americans -- by a margin of two to one -- consider McCain better able to deal with Russia than Obama.
The thought of Barry toe to toe with Putin is downright frightening ("Would you like Ukraine with your Georgia, Vlad?"). We cannot afford to elect a president to serve as Putin's play toy. We need a president who understands that first and foremost, he represents America. That's a concept that alludes Barack "citizen of the world" Obama.
American voters have said all along that they view McCain as better equipped to serve as commander-in-chief than Barack Obama. That includes the ability to represent American interests against the bullies of the world, like Vladimir Putin. A new poll, linked by Hot Air, shows that even a sizable percentage of Democrats (31 percent) recognize this reality. Overall, Americans -- by a margin of two to one -- consider McCain better able to deal with Russia than Obama.
The thought of Barry toe to toe with Putin is downright frightening ("Would you like Ukraine with your Georgia, Vlad?"). We cannot afford to elect a president to serve as Putin's play toy. We need a president who understands that first and foremost, he represents America. That's a concept that alludes Barack "citizen of the world" Obama.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Edwards: Sleazier Than You Realized
There are lying, cheating dogs, and then there is John Edwards, who is just depraved. How else to explain why he hid behind his wife's cancer to advance his own career? When a North Carolina newspaper asked Edwards about rumors of his affair last Fall, Edwards called back the paper to ask that it not run the story, given his wife's deteriorating health. National Review Online quotes the North Carolina reporter:
He said The N&O was the paper that arrived on his doorstep every day, the one read by friends of him and his wife, Elizabeth.
He said he'd never called before to complain or state his case. Given Elizabeth's health — she has cancer — he said it was especially important to him that the story not run in The N&O.
Edwards told me that the allegations were not true.
He said The N&O was the paper that arrived on his doorstep every day, the one read by friends of him and his wife, Elizabeth.
He said he'd never called before to complain or state his case. Given Elizabeth's health — she has cancer — he said it was especially important to him that the story not run in The N&O.
Then there is the issue of Edwards's young staffer, who has claimed to be the father of the illegitimate child born to Edwards's mistress.
Because Edwards's mistress has refused to allow the baby to take a paternity test, it's difficult to know whether the staffer, Andrew Young, is falling on the sword for his former boss. It's happened before: rent The Other Boleyn Girl and watch Henry VIII father an illegitimate child, and then have a minor noble raise it in the countryside.
The more disturbing spectre, however, would be that Edwards's staffer told the truth, and did father the child. If so, then Edwards was sharing women with his aide. That's an image of Silky Pony I'd rather do without.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Dems Give Two Thumbs Up to C-J
The "progressives" at the Courier-Journal must be proud of all the accolades they've earned from Democrats this week -- a good omen for invitations to all the celebrity-studded parties at the Democratic National Convention.
First, the C-J won an implicit compliment from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, when the DSCC quoted a C-J editorial. This is at least the second time that the DSCC has highlighted the C-J in connection with Kentucky's 2008 U.S. Senate campaign. That's no surprise, because the DSCC communications director, Matt Miller, has helped the C-J with previous attempts to smear Mitch McConnell.
The C-J's reach exceeds its grasp, as the DSCC relies upon the C-J as "documentation" for its TV ad against Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS). That's right, the same agitprop that Louisvillians endure is now being used to justify negative ads against Republicans in Mississippi.
Taking a cue from his handlers at the DSCC, Bruce Lunsford once again quoted a C-J editorial in his latest ad attacking Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. If only the C-J would just go ahead and endorse Lunsford once and for all; its supposedly impartial reportage is like a leaky faucet that keeps dripping Lunsford talking points. Make no mistake, however, the C-J is writing for Lunsford, not vice verse.
First, the C-J won an implicit compliment from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, when the DSCC quoted a C-J editorial. This is at least the second time that the DSCC has highlighted the C-J in connection with Kentucky's 2008 U.S. Senate campaign. That's no surprise, because the DSCC communications director, Matt Miller, has helped the C-J with previous attempts to smear Mitch McConnell.
The C-J's reach exceeds its grasp, as the DSCC relies upon the C-J as "documentation" for its TV ad against Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS). That's right, the same agitprop that Louisvillians endure is now being used to justify negative ads against Republicans in Mississippi.
Taking a cue from his handlers at the DSCC, Bruce Lunsford once again quoted a C-J editorial in his latest ad attacking Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. If only the C-J would just go ahead and endorse Lunsford once and for all; its supposedly impartial reportage is like a leaky faucet that keeps dripping Lunsford talking points. Make no mistake, however, the C-J is writing for Lunsford, not vice verse.
CQ: McConnell is "heavy favorite"
Congressional Quarterly is unimpressed by Bruce Lunsford's attempts to topple Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell:
Democratic strategists are trying to gin up serious longshot challenges to Republican senators who currently are heavy favorites, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Texas incumbent John Cornyn. (Emphasis added.)
CQ does not rate Kentucky's Senate race as one of the top five most competitive. Instead, Kentucky falls within the Democrats' dream of winning a "filibuster-proof" majority of 60 seats that would allow a President Obama to tax us until we scream "Messiah."
Democratic strategists are trying to gin up serious longshot challenges to Republican senators who currently are heavy favorites, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Texas incumbent John Cornyn. (Emphasis added.)
CQ does not rate Kentucky's Senate race as one of the top five most competitive. Instead, Kentucky falls within the Democrats' dream of winning a "filibuster-proof" majority of 60 seats that would allow a President Obama to tax us until we scream "Messiah."
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Voters Tell SurveyUSA "No Thanks" When Asked About Bruce
Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell's lead over Bruce Lunsford has grown, according to SurveyUSA's latest poll released yesterday. According to SurveyUSA:
In an election for United States Senator from Kentucky held today, 08/12/08, incumbent Republican Mitch McConnell defeats Democrat Bruce Lunsford 52% to 40%, according to this SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for WHAS-TV Louisville, WLEX-TV Lexington, and WCPO-TV Cincinnati. Compared to a SurveyUSA poll released eight weeks ago, McConnell is up 2 points; Lunsford is down 6. Among men, McConnell had led by 8, now leads by 11. Among women, McConnell had led by 2, now leads by 11. Among voters age 18 to 49, McConnell had led by 5, now leads by 6; among voters 50+, McConnell had led by 5, now leads by 11. McConnell holds 83% of Republican voters; Lunsford holds 63% of Democrats, little changed from eight weeks ago. Then, McConnell led by 10 among Independents; today, Independents evenly split between McConnell and Lunsford. Lunsford leads in the Louisville area by 6 points, down from 13 points eight weeks ago; McConnell continues to lead in the rest of the state.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
In an election for United States Senator from Kentucky held today, 08/12/08, incumbent Republican Mitch McConnell defeats Democrat Bruce Lunsford 52% to 40%, according to this SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for WHAS-TV Louisville, WLEX-TV Lexington, and WCPO-TV Cincinnati. Compared to a SurveyUSA poll released eight weeks ago, McConnell is up 2 points; Lunsford is down 6. Among men, McConnell had led by 8, now leads by 11. Among women, McConnell had led by 2, now leads by 11. Among voters age 18 to 49, McConnell had led by 5, now leads by 6; among voters 50+, McConnell had led by 5, now leads by 11. McConnell holds 83% of Republican voters; Lunsford holds 63% of Democrats, little changed from eight weeks ago. Then, McConnell led by 10 among Independents; today, Independents evenly split between McConnell and Lunsford. Lunsford leads in the Louisville area by 6 points, down from 13 points eight weeks ago; McConnell continues to lead in the rest of the state.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Does Moveon.org Know How To Swim?
Despite Senator Barack Obama's flip-flop on offshore oil drilling, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressman John Yarmuth refuse to change their minds -- and Pelosi refuses even to let the House vote on the issue. But House Republicans, like the Israelites in Egypt, will not be suppressed. Their favorite slogan these days is "Let my people vote!"
Now comes word that Moveon.org will bring in reinforcements for Pelosi and Yarmuth as their troops attack the Republicans at the water's edge. The people that brought us the "General Betray Us" advertisement last year pledge to "to 'push back hard' against House Republicans who have been seeking to pressure Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to allow a vote on offshore drilling," according to TheHill.com. Count on Moveon.org to come up with an ad campaign that creates a disastrous drowning for Democrats in a sea of red voters.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
Now comes word that Moveon.org will bring in reinforcements for Pelosi and Yarmuth as their troops attack the Republicans at the water's edge. The people that brought us the "General Betray Us" advertisement last year pledge to "to 'push back hard' against House Republicans who have been seeking to pressure Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to allow a vote on offshore drilling," according to TheHill.com. Count on Moveon.org to come up with an ad campaign that creates a disastrous drowning for Democrats in a sea of red voters.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
Monday, August 4, 2008
McCain and McConnell Are Well Ahead In Kentucky
PolitickerKY.com has an informative analysis of recent Kentucky polls conducted by Research 2000 and Rasmussen, showing both Senator McCain and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell comfortably ahead in their respective races. Rasmussen has McCain up by 10% over Senator Barack Obama in the presidential race, while Research 2000 finds McCain's lead to be even larger -- 21% -- that's right, McCain, 56% - Obama, 35%. As for the Senate race, McConnell's lead over Bruce Lunsford is about the same in both polls: Rasmussen has McConnell at 50% to Lunsford's 38%, and Research 2000 measures the race as McConnell over Lunsford 49% to 38%. What is a hit in Frankfurt is a dud in Frankfort.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
We're All Off-Shore Drillers Now
Senator Barack Obama "changed" his mind again yesterday -- this time on offshore drilling. According to McClatchy Newspapers:
Barack Obama Friday dropped his opposition to offshore oil drilling, saying he could go along with the idea if it was part of a broader energy package.
Obama made his comments in St. Petersburg during an interview with the Palm Beach Post. "My interest is in making sure we've got the kind of comprehensive energy policy that can bring down gas prices," he said.
Senator Obama's ambition to win sometimes instills common sense in him. Look for Bruce Lunsford, Congressman John Yarmuth and The Courier Journal to fall in line by the end of the weekend. We all benefit when the Democrats start adopting Republican ideas for the good of the country.
Obama's change of heart just proves how ridiculous the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were to push the talking point that anyone who supports off-shore drilling is beholden to oil companies.
Note that Obama is careful to say that he favors a "comprehensive" energy plan. That lets the Democrats save face by continuing to push for legislation against speculators. But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's bill was comprehensive. It addressed increased conservation, development of renewable energy sources, and greater production, and would have increased oversight of speculators (if that was really needed).
If McConnell had not been representing Kentucky in the Senate during this period, Obama never would have changed his position. Such is McConnell's influence that he not only steered the course of debate in Congress, but he has forced the Obama messiah to admit fallibility on energy policy. That's "hope" you can believe in. Now let's start working on getting Obama to "change" his mind on increasing taxes.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
Barack Obama Friday dropped his opposition to offshore oil drilling, saying he could go along with the idea if it was part of a broader energy package.
Obama made his comments in St. Petersburg during an interview with the Palm Beach Post. "My interest is in making sure we've got the kind of comprehensive energy policy that can bring down gas prices," he said.
Senator Obama's ambition to win sometimes instills common sense in him. Look for Bruce Lunsford, Congressman John Yarmuth and The Courier Journal to fall in line by the end of the weekend. We all benefit when the Democrats start adopting Republican ideas for the good of the country.
Obama's change of heart just proves how ridiculous the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were to push the talking point that anyone who supports off-shore drilling is beholden to oil companies.
Note that Obama is careful to say that he favors a "comprehensive" energy plan. That lets the Democrats save face by continuing to push for legislation against speculators. But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's bill was comprehensive. It addressed increased conservation, development of renewable energy sources, and greater production, and would have increased oversight of speculators (if that was really needed).
If McConnell had not been representing Kentucky in the Senate during this period, Obama never would have changed his position. Such is McConnell's influence that he not only steered the course of debate in Congress, but he has forced the Obama messiah to admit fallibility on energy policy. That's "hope" you can believe in. Now let's start working on getting Obama to "change" his mind on increasing taxes.
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.
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