Sorry, no witty parables or poetry this morning (I know you’re all disappointed). With the 2010 elections so far away (Yes, I know VA and NJ have elections sooner, and they look to be pretty exciting and are potential pickups for the GOP), the best I can do is post some random thoughts:
- Primary fever appears to be catching, as Sen McCain’s drawn a primary opponent. Come on, folks, I don’t like Sen McCain’s style and positions on several issues, but running a primary challenge? This is a sickness the GOP needs to get rid of if they ever want to be in a position of enacting, not reacting to, legislation.
- Mr. Tedisco conceded the NY 20th to Rep-elect Murphy?!?! I consider this to be a stinging indictment of the GOP, as there’s no good reason they should have lost this race. I know it’s just one race, but I think it’s a sign that several members of the GOP hierarchy still don’t “get it.”
- “Torture” (however you define it) is once again being made into an issue. The anguished hand-wringing is exactly what the Al Qaeda-types want to see. Weakness and no resolve to win.
As always, the floor is yours.
April 25th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Parables, mate, not parabels!
April 25th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Sorry, typed in a hurry.
April 25th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Don’t know if anyone caught that link I posted in the “This is America, we don’t torture” topic but Rasmussen released the results of a poll showing Toomey leading Specter 51-30.
April 25th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Sean M, it was posted in another thread the other day.
April 25th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Here’s how the Specter-Toomey race breaks down idealogically via Rasmussen (h/t Hedgehog Report)…
Conservatives
Toomey 70%
Specter 12%
Moderate
Specter 45%
Toomey 38%
Liberal
Specter 77%
Toomey 8%
April 25th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Security Before Politics
Peter Goss
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/24/AR2009042403339.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
April 25th, 2009 at 10:33 am
I think there is a little cognitive dissonance when it comes to these primaries. On the one hand, we say we don’t want business as usual, and are tired of getting the same results with the same people. We rail against entrenched politicians, unaccountable leaders, and representatives that take us for granted. On the other hand, when someone DOES actually get a primary challenge, we run around scared of losing the seat. Seems to me you can’t fulfill the goal of accountability when you decide ahead of time that virtually nothing would justify competition in a primary, let alone actually voting the representative out. Further, one might say that primary challenges are a HEALTHY sign of activism and enthusiasm in a party. We believe competition is good in the marketplace, yet fear the same sort of competition among our elected leaders. What brings a better product, competition or a monopoly?
So for those who are more or less against primary challenges because of the risk they pose of losing the seat in the general, how do we get the accountability you desire, when you swear undying fealty to the incumbent? Does anyone suppose the GOP would be better off in the Presidential race if there were only one person in the primary?
(btw, I would support McCain in his primary, but don’t mind the competitive pressure)
April 25th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Here’s a quick Saturday afternoon Essential Reads…
Storm of Violence in Iraq Strains Its Security Forces
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/25/world/middleeast/25iraq.html?hp=&pagewanted=print
Pakistan’s terrorist windfall
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/eo20090425bc.html
Security Before Politics
By Porter Goss
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/24/AR2009042403339_pf.html
No Joy in That
by Jennifer Rubin
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/rubin/63551
Cheney vs. Obama
The CIA interrogation debate is joined.
by Stephen Hayes
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=16423&R=161391FE2A
Preening & Posturing
Throwing those who guard us while we sleep to the wolves.
by Bill Kristol
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=16419&R=1613920883
Telling the Truth
Let the hearings begin!
by Noemie Emery
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=16422&R=16139209F6
Rasmussen Reports: 58% Oppose Further Investigation of U.S. Torture Allegations
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/58_oppose_further_investigation_of_u_s_torture_allegations
Gallup: In First 100 Days, Obama Seen as Making a Bipartisan Effort
Americans less likely to say Republicans, Democrats in Congress doing the same
http://www.gallup.com/poll/117874/First-100-Days-Obama-Seen-Making-Bipartisan-Effort.aspx?version=print
Did Torture Save Lives?
The person responsible for protecting us should direct an unblinking, unbiased review.
by Stuart Taylor Jr.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/print_friendly.php?ID=or_20090425_8738
Re: Sidestepping the Issue
by Andy McCarthy
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YmNjYzc2MjYyZTQwNDJjYTZjYTFmMGMxZWVjN2ViZTc=
Re: re: Sidestepping the Issue
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YWNiOWI5YWE5YTQxMGNjYTVhMDY4YmUwMjRlN2VmNjA=
Obama Administration to Release Detainee Abuse Photos; Former CIA Official Says Former Colleagues ‘Don’t Believe They Have Cover Anymore’
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/04/obama-adminis-3.html
Source: Petraeus Wants to Release All Photos Showing Detainee Treatment
The U.S. general and others in the military see a benefit in releasing all photos to end the issue now, rather than a limited release that could lead to more photo requests, a source close to the general told FOX News
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/25/source-petraeus-wants-release-photos-showing-detainee-treatment/
Clinton urges Iraqis to overcome divisions
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE53O1GL20090425?sp=true
Clinton to Iraqis: US not going to abandon you
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gKZ86z0e-URzGSNrC_32-1RhfYuAD97PK5RO0
Mark Steyn: Who will lead the ‘post-American era’?
Obama crew sees U.S. as just the same as 190 other countries.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/world-american-obama-2375027-exceptionalism-post
CEO STRESSED OUT
TREASURY’S TEST MAY FORCE OUSTER OF CITI’S PANDIT
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04242009/business/ceo_stressed_out_165884.htm
The New York Times is Wrong About Mortgage Modifications
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/cianfrocca/63581#more-63581
Obama Developing ‘Baby Colleges’ to Combat Poverty
President’s Anti-Povery Initiative Is Modeled on Geoffrey Canada’s Harlem Children Zone
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=7423808
Judd Gregg: ‘Elections Have Consequences’
Obama’s would-be commerce secretary on the president’s big-government agenda.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124061268797954397.html
President Obama wants government to be primary financier of student loans
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/04/25/2009-04-25_president_obama_wants_government_to_be_primary_financier_of_student_loans.html
A Damaging First 100 Days
by Larry Kudlow
http://kudlow.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NGY5ZTU5M2QxOWE1ZjdiYzZkOGEzOGM4YTQxNTgyMjM=
Alexander says Obama outdoing French
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/alexander-says-obama-outdoing-french-2009-04-25.html
Obama: Give me ideas on tightening federal belt
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090425/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_spending
Gingrich, provocateur, returns
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21678.html
Our Model Europe?
by Victor Davis Hanson
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MThhNmUxZjlkMjM0MmJkZDQ2MjFiN2QwYjkwZTgyZjI=
Unsilent Barack
The trajectory of his presidency may have been determined by what he did in his first 100 days.
by George Will
http://www.newsweek.com/id/195076/output/print
100 DAYS, 100 MISTAKES
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04252009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/100_days__100_mistakes_166177.htm?page=0
April 25th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Simcox, the guy running against McCain, has no chance. He’ll probably get 30% or so of the vote.
His biggest problem may be that the best hope for someone running against McCain is to appeal to the hardcore SoCons, but he’ll have a tough time doing that, having recently married for the third time. The first two divorces were rather ugly — not the sort of stuff that will help with the religious right.
April 25th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Ten Reasons to Attend the Blog Bash
http://www.2ablogbash.com/2009/04/15/ten-reasons-to-attend-the-blog-bash/
“4 ) Take advantage of press access to the Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum featuring NRA-ILA award-winner Gov. Sarah Palin and many others, including Gov. Jan Brewer (AZ), Marcus Luttrell, Ambassador John Bolton, Gov. Haley Barbour (MS), Michael Reagan, and Gov. Mitt Romney (MA)…..”
“Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is scheduled to receive the Harlon B. Carter Legislative Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by NRA-ILA, during the Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum on Friday afternoon.
She will join a host of other pro-gun political speakers and other leaders for the half-day event. Other invited speakers include Governors Bobby Jindal, Mitt Romney, and Mike Huckabee, along with Glenn Beck, Laura Ingraham, Marcus Luttrell, Senator John Thune, and Congressmen Heath Shuler and Dan Boren.”
April 25th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Why Doesn’t Mike Huckabee Get More Respect?
By Nate Silver
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/04/why-doesnt-mike-huckabee-get-more.html
“Yes, it’s ridiculously early to be polling an election four years into the future. Still, one wonders whether the Republican establishment will notice that the same things that make Huckabee unpopular with them (such as his ‘unorthodox’ positions on cap-and-trade and education) may make him more appealing to actual voters….”
April 25th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
http://www.tulchinresearch.com/Site/Home.html
GOVERNOR – CALIFORNIA – DEM PRIMARY (Tulchin Research)
Jerry Brown 31%
Gavin Newsom 16%
Anthony Villaraigosa 15%
John Garamendi 11%
Jack O’Connell 6%
April 25th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Geez … Jerry Brown leading. It never pays to underestimate the nuttiness of Californians.
April 25th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Jerry Brown?????
Well, I guess if bell bottom pants can make a comeback, so can Governor Moonbeam.
April 25th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Isnt that Brown Jr.?
April 25th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Kris,
Governor Moonbeam is a still spry 71 and is currently California’s Attorney General.
Jerry Brown looks to the past to tout his future
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_12227218
Arthur Laffer, of late, has been plugging the flat tax plan Brown advocated in his 1992 presidential run
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123955045656511553.html
April 25th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
IMF needs money now to help countries in crisis: US
Obama to seek congressional approval for $100 billion
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090425/ts_alt_afp/financeeconomyimfworldbankus_20090425180157;_ylt=Ahd_toDm9Ih6qHM3pAWIcF6sOrgF
Lord Stern, ‘Scaremonger in chief’, exposed by simple blunders
How come “the world’s leading expert on climate change” doesn’t even know how much carbon dioxide there currently is in the air?
By Christopher Booker
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/5220173/Lord-Stern-Scaremonger-in-chief-exposed-by-simple-blunders.html
Abramoff Gets Hollywood Prison Visit; Kevin Spacey Starring As ‘Casino Jack’
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/exclusive-abramoff-gets-hollywood-visit/
Egypt-Iran war of words flares
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25381725-15084,00.html
Petraeus: Shippers should consider armed guards
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090425/ap_on_go_co/us_us_piracy;_ylt=Au85SFCdALBcZSv5LAm8m2ms0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTFoYXQ3Y284BHBvcwMxNQRzZWMDYWNjb3JkaW9uX3RvcF9zdG9yaWVzBHNsawNwZXRyYWV1c3NoaXA-
Governor Paterson says he can beat Attorney General Andy Cuomo in a primary matchup
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/04/25/2009-04-25_governor_paterson_says_he_can_beat_attorney_general_andy_cuomo_in_a.html
Obama wants to make America more like Europe
by Irwin Stelzer
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article6168774.ece?openComment=true
In Taliban’s Surge in Pakistan, a Pattern of Guile and Force
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/world/asia/26buner.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=all
Freed Pirate Hostage Accuses Rush Limbaugh Of ‘Hate Speech’
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/19273935/detail.html
What Was the CIA Up To?
There’s one way to find out: Obama should release the intelligence gained from the interrogations.
by Reuel Marc Gerecht
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=16430&R=1613933847
Obama’s Seinfeld Doctrine
Remember that Seinfeld episode where George Costanza succeeds by doing the opposite of everything he would normally do? The Daily Beast’s Nicolle Wallace thinks Obama and his staff might have watched a rerun recently—and borrowed George’s juvenile tactics in their relentless assault on President Bush. Obama’s strategy? Doing exactly the opposite of what Bush would do—and wait for global adulation. Below, Wallace imagines some deleted scenes from the president’s press conference where he frankly acknowledges the anti-Bush philosophy behind his agenda.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-04-25/obamas-seinfeld-doctrine/full/
David Frum: The earth, the moon and the stars — all for a mere US$6.5-trillion
Barack Obama’s hundred days have not gone as badly as Napoleon’s. But they’ve been more expensive.
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/04/25/david-frum-the-earth-the-moon-and-the-stars-all-for-a-mere-us-6-5-trillion.aspx
April 25th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Kristofer or Goldman,
Front page this link, check out 17:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04252009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/100_days__100_mistakes_166177.htm?page=2
April 25th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Huckabee supports mandatory cap and trade.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aYDB2MPIf0EU&refer=politics
All the more reason I will never vote for him.
April 25th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
DanL. Me too. Huck will never be able to attract the fiscal cons necessary to win the primary. It doesn’t matter how much he talks about the Fair Tax or how he opposed TARP. He cannot be trusted on national security, either, because he says stupid things like “we broke something in Iraq” and “we need wingtips in Iran” and “Bush’s arrogant, bunker mentality.”
April 25th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
DanL, that was from October of ’07.
For me, it’s a deal breaker. But I’ll wait and see if he modulates his position. There’s a lot of time between now and ’12. Part of that time will be spent watching Coastal/La-La-Land Dems and Interior Fly-Over Dems going after each other over cap-and-trade legislation.
That said, I don’t think I could look at Huck the same way if he were to come out in favor of anything like the expired Warner-Lieberman or Waxman-Markey bills — but I can’t imagine him promoting such a hard-left, head-in-the-clouds, progressive suicide bomb for the economy.
April 25th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
I didn’t realize that article was that old, heh. But ya it’s a deal breaker for me. So Huntsman is a no go too.
April 25th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Okay, here’s a random item out on the Web this Saturday evening, via Megan McArdle:
Read all the gory details, in which we the people graciously forgive Chrysler the 4 billion dollar loan as an added incentive to Fiat.
Last I checked, Fiat was a horrible car company, most often demanding largess from Italian and European pols to stay afloat. The company is notorious within Europe for producing cheap, unreliable, death-trap clunkers.
And yet our government, in its infinite wisdom, wants to mate Fiat with Chrysler to achieve exactly the same results promised in the Daimler takeover of Chrysler that failed to emerge: a deeper product mix, greater procurement power, an enlarged dealer base for both automakers in new markets — and with Daimler, an injection of cutting edge engineering technology into Chrysler: an advantage that Fiat does not possess.
But I guess when you’re in the government backed by the full faith and credit of our slobbering, hackish media, the four-billion-dollar tax dollar giveaway pales in comparison with the 100-million-dollar trim to the budgets of federal departments and agencies.
April 25th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Gerald Warner: Obama’s peace tour has left US a more dangerous place
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/comment/Gerald-Warner-Obama39s-peace-tour.5206534.jp
House Heavyweight Feels Threat to Power
So powerful was Representative John P. Murtha at one time that he used to put up billboards in his Western Pennsylvania district declaring that “the P is for Power.” Few in Congress dared disagree: he doled out or withheld billions in federal money each year for lawmakers’ pet projects, better known as earmarks. Now, however, a string of federal criminal investigations of contractors or lobbyists close to Mr. Murtha, the top Democrat on the defense appropriations subcommittee, are threatening to undermine his backroom clout.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/us/politics/26murtha.html?pagewanted=print
After an Off Year, Wall Street Pay Is Bouncing Back
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/business/26pay.html?pagewanted=print
Inside accounts of interrogation approval differ
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090425/ap_on_go_pr_wh/torture_memo/print
April 26th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
18. Tommy Boy, Your link miss-attributed the statement to Palin. Funny, last night I was going to respond to you, and tell you I didn’t think Palin said it. It was obviously not Palin. Oh well.
Politico cleared it up.