Sunday, October 31, 2010

Obama Lies About GOP Funding of Global AIDS Initiatives

President Obama was featured at a get out the vote rally in Bridgeport, CT on Saturday. During his speech, he was interrupted by protesters. The protesters are AIDS activists. He has been interrupted recently by them with some frequency on the campaign trail. Today, he decided to blame the GOP for inadequate funding of the global AIDS problem.

Watch this VIDEO and hear it yourself.



Let the irony not be lost in this outburst today. Obama focused his weekly address to the nation on radio by calling for new efforts for both sides of the political aisle to work together in Washington, D.C. Yes, really.

Too bad for the President that many AIDS activists are on record praising George W. Bush and his administration for their work with funding AIDS research and outreach measures, especially in Africa. There are highways and major roads named for George W. Bush in Africa in recognition of his support. Celebrities visited Bush in the Oval Office and always came away expressing favorable opinions.

Character matters, Mr. President. How sad you have so little and show it so often.

GOP Weekly Address

Minority Leader John Boehner delivers the GOP Weekly Address as America heads to the polls on November 2.


Saturday, October 30, 2010

Today's Progressive - Meg's A Whore, Sharron's A Bitch, Christine's A Witch

This is frequently labeled a re-emergence of the Year of the Woman as many run for elected office. A nasty little situation has arisen. It is open season on conservative women or Republican women candidates with a national press corps and television personalities freely name calling and verbally torture them. The level of uncivil discourse is at record levels for our modern society. It is not a healthy trend for our country.

The media, dominated by liberal men and some women, doesn't quite know how to handle so many Republican women running for office. Not only that, but many will win their races. Why are they so insecure? Why the nasty condescending attitudes? Is it because we don't think they are the smartest people in the room? Do they simply fear their time is over in the limelight?

Whether it is tv show host Chris Matthews calling Sharron Angle a Nazi as he bemoans that he really doesn't want to or talking head Joy Behar on a morning talk show calling her a bitch and stating she will go to hell or Christine O'Donnell mocked for remarks made in the 1990's on a cable tv show,or Meg Whitman - a successful billionaire business woman called a whore by Jerry Brown's campaign, the result is clear. Liberal women and men are showing they are, in fact, not progressive in thinking or even open-minded to allow for a big tent of their own. Any woman running for office had better not stray off liberal talking points or run as a Republican because she will be mocked, slandered, and verbally brutalized in the media. She will be extreme. She will be dangerous. She will be stupid. She will want to take away all of your freedoms and rights as a U.S. citizen. We are told that time and time again.

From a thoughtful, insightful piece by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-TX, including some biographical bits of her own political life:

Gender-targeted slurs and attacks, such as those slung at Meg Whitman, Sharron Angle, Nikki Haley, and even Hillary Clinton in 2008, are indefensible. No woman who has put herself and her family on the line in pursuit of higher office should expect to endure such insults.

There is no place for disparity and disrespect in politics today. The political process should not punish women or hold them to different standards, but instead be open for them to reach their goals.


Misogyny is alive and well in halls of "progressive" America. So strong is it in the Democratic party that they destroyed Hillary Clinton's shot at the presidency in favor of a bi-racial man with virtually no executive experience and no proven record for anything but running for office. It was all about race for the "progressive" voter. How sad. We see the harm our country has endured.

Hutchison ends with this: After all these years, women are not asking for special treatment – simply equal treatment. Go ahead, ask us the hard questions. Test our effectiveness. Make us earn the right to represent our communities. We are not afraid of hard work, and we relish a good challenge. But, if we’re going to benefit from 100 percent of our nation’s talent, keep it fair.

Say it, sister.

Clinton's Role As Henchman for Obama

It would appear that former President Bill Clinton enjoys the role as henchman for Team Obama. A fresh story has emerged with Clinton as political puppeteer. Seems in the Florida Senate race, Clinton was dispatched to Florida to kick Rep Kendrick Meeks out of the race and clear the field for current Gov Charlie Crist, now an Independent candidate after leaving the GOP with really poor polling numbers for a successful primary race.

This time the story is that Clinton approached Meeks to leave the race so that Crist would receive the votes against front runner Marco Rubio, a Republican. Rubio has maintained a comfortable lead to head into a victory on November 2. Crist, who says he will caucus with Democrats if elected, embraced the Obama bail outs and stimulus plan in Florida which led to his political demise as Governor.

Crist is an opportunist. He believes that whatever is best for his own political career is best for the state of Florida. He fits right in with Team Obama. Meeks, while not the sharpest tool in the shed, is an affable enough guy. He doesn't come off a so liberal as to turn off more moderate leaning Democrats on election day but Crist has pulled much of his support from him. Crist, quite simply, will say anything it takes to win a race. Meeks was a Hillary Clinton supporter in 2008 an so was his long-serving mother before him. Meeks has represented the 17th district of Florida since 2003 in the U.S House of Representatives.

Officially, Meeks denies Clinton pressured him to quit the race. "We had a conversation in Orlando. The president and I talked about it," Meek said on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe" Friday. "I told him I'm not going to do it and that's just the bottom line." The rumors surfaced last week as unnamed sources claimed that Meeks and Crist were joining forces to beat Rubio. Then the story with the Clinton connection came to light this week.

This is a pattern for Clinton.

From The Daily Caller:
After intervening in elections across the country, from attempting to sell Joe Sestak on a White House job in exchange for allowing Sen. Arlen Specter to run unchallenged, to campaigning in Rhode Island for a Democratic gubernatorial candidate Pres. Obama has refused to endorse, Clinton made his way to Florida.

Once there, he hit the campaign trail with Rep. Kendrick Meek, a South Florida congressman running for Republican George LeMieux’s Senate seat against Gov. Charlie Crist, now divorced from the GOP and running as an independent, and Republican Marco Rubio, a Florida state legislator.

But as in the cases of Pennsylvania and Colorado, it appears that Clinton came to Florida not to help a Democrat, but to derail one. Now the situation has blown up in the former president’s face, with both Rubio and RNC Chairman Michael Steele spinning Clinton’s dealings as one of many “secret deals to trade away principles for power.”

It is particularly odd since Meeks is black. Obama is bi-racial, the first to be President. One would think Obama would wish to help Meeks in his pursuit for office instead of a GOPer turned Democratic-caucusing Independent candidate. Obama is fast and loose with facts as he accuses others of racism. Where is his wish for a more 'diverse' Senate? And, what with Clinton being the "first black president" and all, not to mention the Meeks' family loyalty to the Clintons, is this any way to reward friends?

Friday, October 29, 2010

Hope Fades For White in Texas Gov Race

There were big hopes inside the DNC that this would be the year that Texas turns into a Blue State. Or, at least a Purple State. Former Houston mayor Bill White, former Deputy Energy Secretary in the Clinton administration, flitted between running for U.S. Senate and Governor. He landed on the gubernatorial race. Though White is also the former head of the Texas Democratic Party, he was relatively unknown outside of the Houston area.

The DNC deployed professional political organizers to Texas after the 2008 election ended and hoped that the success in Colorado, for instance, would continue on into Texas. Turning Texas Purple, if not Blue, was the plan. There was much buzz when White entered the race as he was seen as someone with the national connections to mount a real challenge to Perry.

This from The Washington Times:

Polls suggest that former Houston mayor Bill White has not been able to close the gap with Republican incumbent Gov. Rick Perry, and it is Republicans who are now hoping to score more gains in the Lone Star State. Veteran Democratic incumbent Rep. Chet Edwards is trailing in his 17th Congressional District race, and even longtime lawmakers like Reps. Lloyd Doggett and Solomon P. Ortiz are looking at closer-than-expected battles.

Mr. White has benefited from national Democrats' interest in the race, with more than $3 million of the campaign's $21 million fundraising total through September coming from national party donors. Polls at one point predicted an unexpectedly close contest.

And this: With redistricting looming in Texas, the nation's fastest-growing state, Tim Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, has said repeatedly the governor's race is high on the party's list of national priorities. The state could get as many as four new seats in the redistricting following the 2010 census.

"We've got a shot in Texas," Mr. Kaine told reporters at a breakfast in Washington earlier this month. Democrats have "invested pretty significantly in Texas" this year, he said, "which is not something we've done in the past."


White was ridiculed recently by the Texas GOP for not welcoming President Obama as he came to fund raise in the state. White claimed it was a scheduling conflict but he was seen as running away from the President, a man seen as too liberal in agenda for Texas. Odd, since White enjoys referring to himself as a liberal in interviews to liberal leaning press. Governor Perry met Air Force One when it landed in Austin, however, and even presented Obama with a letter outlining his ideas on securing the border with Mexico.

Perry made a strategic decision early on to refuse debates with White until White released all of his past tax records. White did not rise to the challenge and has allowed the thought that he is less than squeaky clean in his personal and business finances, as he hoped to portray himself.

For the most part, however, Mr. Perry has followed the classic strategy of front-runners, with a few new twists. He has avoided debates with Mr. White and limited his attacks. He has also skillfully harnessed the anti-incumbent sentiment this year, allying himself early on with the Tea Party and riding the wave of anger at deficit spending in Washington.

According to the latest Real Clear Politics poll, Perry is up by 8.5% and expected to win.

Remember November: The Final Act

Remember November: The Final Act from Republican Governors Association on Vimeo.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

DNC Demands Info From Pentagon on Potential 2012 Challengers

Does this sound a bit panicky to you? The DNC is requesting information from the Pentagon on nine (9) Republicans thought to be potential contenders for the 2012 Presidential election. The deadline for the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request is even before November 2, mid-term elections day. This article caught my eye, leading off with this:

The Democratic National Committee formally has
asked the Pentagon for reams of correspondence
between military agencies and nine potential
Republican presidential candidates, a clear indication
that Democrats are building opposition-research files
on specific 2012 contenders even before the midterm
elections. An internal Army e-mail obtained by ABC News
indicates that the DNC has filed Freedom of
Information Act requests for "any and all records of
communication" between Army departments and
agencies and each of the nine Republicans -- all of
whom are widely mentioned as possible challengers
to President Obama.


The nine Republicans that Democrats are seeking
information on are former Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska;
former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass.; Gov. Haley
Barbour, R-Miss.; Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn.; former
Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark.; former House Speaker
Newt Gingrich, R-Ga.; Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.; Gov.
Mitch Daniels, R-Ind.; Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La.


This seems particularly smarmy. Why the rush? Is it because of the President's plummeting approval on his job performance? These records are certainly detailed in request: some going back to 1979, in the case of Gingrich, for instance. This means one thing - the 2012 election will continue in the personal and petty tones of nastiness that Team Obama has employed since taking office in 2009.

Opposition research is a part of any campaign. This request jumps the gun, though, especially for a President who has stated more than once that he is ok with the possibility of being a one term President. Sure, no one believes that but this extensive request for info - dirt - on potential competition in 2012 isn't about military service from the Pentagon. It is about correspondence written while some were staffers for elected officials. The request even asks for information from Palin's time in office in Wasilla. Really? Hasn't every lamestream reporter been to Alaska by now to dumpster dive for information on Palin?

Maybe the DNC's time would be better spent - at this particular time - coaching President Obama on speaking as though he is President of all the people, not just far left liberals he hopes will turn out to vote for his agenda.

Will Obama Grow Into the Presidency?

The President met with five liberal bloggers at the White House Wednesday. He also is said to have made many telephone calls to buck up his liberal constituents. Noted, in specific, was that he was putting in calls to unions for support. Isn't this the President who received unprecedented union money in 2008? In 2010, the unions have given more to mid-term election campaigns than any other organization or special interest group. That dirty little secret emerged as the President and his mouthpieces continued on with their unfounded meme that the Chamber of Commerce was the big bad wolf.

President Obama's favorable numbers - in particular on the economy - have fallen to a new low this week. This week, the final week before the November 2 election, President Obama's favorable number is 37%. That is from the Harris Poll folks. Even after flying around the country - mostly to solidly Blue States where Democrats are facing particularly difficult races - and all the nasty gutter talk about the GOP, his numbers still decline. Why? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that most Americans are not nearly as unsophisticated as Obama thinks. He assumes that Americans find it perfectly acceptable for the President of the United States to talk like just another politician running for office in Chicago.

Well, we demand better of our Presidents, thank you.

Obama has to go to solidly Blue States because few of the Democrats running for re-election are campaigning on legislative victories. Those victories are deeply unpopular with voters. Whether it is health care reform, bailouts, the continuing growing numbers of unconfirmed by the Senate "czars", and never-ending government programs as the federal deficit escalates, voters are weary of the small minded insults the President lobs at opponents as excuses for the mess he continues to create.

“I think that the way we've seen the president deployed in different races is much as we expected the president would be used,” Gibbs told reporters. “I think if you looked at last week's [polling], when you asked people the role that the president played in their voting, it wasn't — it wasn't a huge role on either side.”

He's been "deployed" to rev up the base of the Democratic party - college age voters, minorities and women. Independents are leaving him in huge numbers, not simply because they are suddenly feeling the love again for Republicans, but because the change Obama brought is too destructive to our way of life to continue on as e intends. On college campuses his crowds have been as expected. Otherwise we read reports of less than enthusiastic audiences and empty seats.

This is a man who feels free to refer to the GOP as "enemies" when he is speaking on Spanish radio to get out the Hispanic vote. How about someone suggest the President use the word "foe" instead of enemy? Isn't that more civil? Why doesn't this President understand the need to lead by example? He was the candidate, after all, who promised to bring everyone together.

This crack about enemies followed his statement that Republicans have to sit in the back as we proceed. Imagine if former President Bush said that. Karl Rove describes Obama as "one of the most relentlessly partisan Democrats". Also, "he refuses to grow into the office". Hard to argue with either of those statements.

While the President continues to only visit Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and the random state in danger of losing more Democratic seats, maybe he will finally realize a very important truth about his office. He is the President of the United States - the whole country, not just Democrats or Blue States. Maybe he should play a recording of his 2004 speech to the Democratic National Convention for a refresher.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Texas vs California - Battle Of Economic Climate

On Twitter I read a snarky little tweet about Texas - that since it is the GOP that has essentially been in control, well, it's just an awful place. It was from the founder of a big name liberal web site. Couldn't be further from the truth but truth doesn't always prevail on the Internet. The blurb was especially entertaining due to recent articles from The New York Times and The Orange County Register. Opposite coasts, same conclusion. In comparing the economic climates of Texas and California, the State of Texas is the winner. Texas is open for business.

This is The New York Times:

That the two states are at odds is not surprising. California, the nation’s most-populous state, also has the largest economy, despite its recent problems, including chronic budget deficits and an unemployment rate of more than 12 percent. Texas is No. 2 in population and close behind California in economic muscle.

California’s problems have given Texans a chance to crow. Governor Perry, a Republican, lists a number of favorable comparisons between his state and California on his campaign Web site, including a link to an article from Investor’s Business Daily that “explains that Texas is leaving California in the dust.”

“Texas is leading the country out of the recession,” the article reads. “California is holding it back.”


The Orange County Register article begins: A study two years ago found that California substantially lagged behind Texas economically, based on the two states' taxes, regulatory policies and government spending. That study, performed by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, recently was updated. Not only does California continue to lag but, by comparison, it "has become even less competitive than before," the newer study concludes.

The study concludes that in five broad categories – taxes on labor and capital, overall tax and regulatory environments and government spending – Texas fares substantially better, while the two states effectively tie when it comes to taxes on "consumption" or sales taxes.

Californians are leaving that state and heading to Texas. The Texas Public Policy Foundation study provides a good yardstick for determining where California falls short. California's top marginal personal income tax rate is 10.55 percent and average income earner's income tax rate is 9.55 percent. But Texas has no income tax. California's top marginal rate on corporate income tax is 8.84 percent, compared to Texas' mere 1 percent. The study calculated California's "overall tax burden" to be $115.96 per $1,000 of personal income versus Texas' $94. California ranks 27 best among the 50 states in tort liability, while Texas ranks second. And total state and local expenditures per capita for California are $11,356 versus Texas' $7,763.

Excessive taxation and regulation stifle economic development. Texas nurtures a friendlier environment for personal and corporate income development.

The choice is just common sense.

AFSCME's Scanlon Brags Of Political Influence

The problem with accusing one side with a bogus claim - besides the fact it isn't proven with facts - is then the accused goes after the accuser when that side's weakness is exposed. In this case, it is the corruption of union contributions to political campaigns. Not just any union is leading the way in a big way - it is the union comprised of taxpayer paid state, county and municipal employees. That's right - you are paying the salary of union workers who, in turn, pay dues to a union supporting only one political party.

Team Obama may keep trying to scare voters with a bankrupt and hypocritical message about big money, but that dog won’t hunt. Because now we know: It is the union-funded Democrats who are “the big dog” when it comes to special-interest money.

A record $87.5 million has been spent by one union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, to elect Democrats. Paid not by voluntary contribution from its members, but by forced union dues from workers—who are paid by taxpayers.

Recently, the leader of the pack was quoted as he bragged of his power: "We're the big dog," said Larry Scanlon, the head of AFSCME's political operations. "But we don't like to brag."

So, there is some documented "change" provided by the guy who campaigned on it. Is this the change we "were waiting for", as the candidate Obama was fond of saying? Unions are increasing in power by using members' dues and plunking it all down for one party - the Democratic party. It may be noted that during the Obama administration to date, the sector of government jobs has increased by leaps and bounds over the creation of private sector jobs. Coincidence?

The bogus claim that the GOP benefited from donations by The Chamber of Commerce, acquired by foreign donors, has been exposed for the lie that it is. And, here is the glaring difference - not only is it not proven but donors to the Chamber of Commerce are not government employees paid with taxpayer money. These are business people and their membership in the Chamber of Commerce is voluntary.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Marco Rubio For U.S. Senate

This is what a statesman looks like:

Pelosi Denial Runs Rampant

Speaker Pelosi has uttered some odd statements during her reign - "we have to pass the bill so you can see what's in it" - but a recent quote ranks right up there in a timely fashion.

Monday, Speaker of the House Pelosi said,"we haven't really gotten the credit for what we have done." Not true, Madame Speaker. You are getting all kinds of credit for your grand experiment in leading the House of Representatives. The report card is being filled out as this is written. Voters are going to the polls and voting for a Republican majority to be sworn in come January 2011. There's the credit, speaking loud and clear.

Democrats are running away from Pelosi and Democratic leadership as they panic over their own re-election prospects. It has been reported that Pelosi gave her blessing to candidates in tough re-election bids (most of them, this year) to feign disapproval of her and Team Pelosi. Hence, some bizarre quotes are coming out of campaign stump speeches and interviews.

For instance, Rep Gene Taylor, D-MS, confessed in a newspaper interview that he voted not for Barack Obama in the 2008 Presidential contest, he voted for John McCain. True? Perhaps so. But to wait until the week before the November mid-term election when he is not in the best of shape in the polls is suspect, at minimum.

This phenomenon reached new heights over the weekend, with Mississippi Democrat Gene Taylor telling a local newspaper, the Sun-Herald, that he voted for John McCain in 2008. Mr. Taylor had heretofore kept that vote a secret, and perhaps it's only a coincidence that he rolled it out amid the re-election fight of his career. The 11-term Member added that he won't support Mrs. Pelosi for Speaker, another revelation considering his vote for her in 2009. "I'm very disappointed in how she's veered to the left," Mr. Taylor said, as if Mrs. Pelosi's ideological predispositions were ever hidden.

He is surprised about Pelosi's ideology? He is surprised how liberal she is and her aggressive method of pushing her agenda? Really? Taylor has been in the House of Representatives for 22 years. Many were spent with Pelosi as a fellow member of the House. He voted for Pelosi as Speaker of the House. Now he has buyer's regret?

It is almost amusing as the numbers grow of Democrats pledging to not vote for Pelosi as Speaker of the House, should Democrats remain in control. Or of Democrats claiming they had no idea of what was really in the health care reform bill. Or what a mistake it was to vote yes on the stimulus package. What a bunch of phony cowards. If an elected official is voting blindly on legislation to remain in favor of party leadership or to receive earmarks for the folks back home, then take responsibility for the corruption of that action. How about actually reading the bills before you vote? At that point, the Congress person is not representing the people who elected him or her. He or she is running for re-election.

Thus, Democrats and incumbents in general are in big trouble this election year. Democrats have been in control of Congress since 2007. To turn around and complain that Republicans have been the main culprits in the economic troubles today is dishonest. The American public has awoken and is mad as hell about the direction our country is taking.

No able to run on the record of legislation passed on their watch since Team Obama came into power, now we hear denial of awareness. Who knew things would be so bad after all the money spent? Well, some of us knew, we just weren't being listened to.

Speaker Pelosi has shepherded in a $5 trillion dollar deficit on her watch. This is the same woman who made a great show of saying no more deficit spending when she took over in 2007. Those little grandchildren sitting on her lap as she enjoyed her victory as the first female Speaker of the House are the ones that will foot Grandma Nancy's bills.

Obama Tells GOP To Go To Back Of The Car

President Obama, the guy who ran on the platform of uniting the country - no Red States or Blue States - said Monday in Rhode Island that the GOP can sit in the back of the car. What car? The imaginary car used in a favorite analogy of the President's in his campaign speeches. You know - the GOP ran the car into the ditch that the Democrats are so busy digging the economy out of. Problem is, since 2007, the Democrats have controlled Congress with a Republican President for two years and a Democratic (him) President for two years. You'd think the man touted as a constitutional scholar would know it is Congress that holds the purse strings, especially since he was briefly in The Senate, himself.

From a review of the Rhode Island campaign jaunt Monday:

He said Republicans had driven the economy into a ditch and then stood by and criticized while Democrats pulled it out. Now that progress has been made, he said, "we can't have special interests sitting shotgun. We gotta have middle class families up in front. We don't mind the Republicans joining us. They can come for the ride, but they gotta sit in back."

Imagine if the shoe was on the other foot, if a Republican President had said that about Democrats. No such howling now from the slobbering press. Imagine if a white President told an audience that the other party has to sit in the back of the bus? Any racist tones there? When does the racism of the first bi-racial American President begin to draw attention?

President Obama has not only failed to read the American electorate properly and trudged on with a misinterpreted mandate, he has further divided the nation. He pits Democrats against Republicans and then wonders why elected officials on Capitol Hill are not working together.

DNC Chairman Kaine Sees Sliver of a Silver Lining

The President, still on the campaign trail though he won the election in November 2008, is sharp in tone as the election nears. Mr. Obama is more critical of the opposition now, launching into long, mocking diatribes against Republicans that depart conspicuously from the prevailing unity message of his last campaign. His words are weighted with long stretches of acknowledgment about the difficulties of the last two years.

Michael Steele, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, said on a Sunday talk show:

"The voters are tired of the fact that the federal government has not listened to them over the past two years, has moved in its own direction, at its own rhythm, and they want to pull back on that," Steele said.

As pointed out here, the only rebuttal Tim Kaine, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, has is to say, well, the GOP will probably not take control of the Senate.

"Four or five months ago, the Republicans thought they had a great chance at taking both houses," Kaine said. "For a variety of reasons, the Senate has gotten much more difficult for them. And again, we're seeing this week strong moves in polling for our Senate candidates" in several states.

That, Chairman Kaine, is your silver lining?

The President is jetting around the country to what have been safe Blue States and pleading for those still loyal to him to get out the vote for the Democrats on November 2. Young voters, minorities, women all have his attention. Problem is, Independent voters turned away from his leadership some months back and are not returning to the fold. Obama can go on The Daily Show all he wants and it will not change the results come election night. All he will have accomplished is to diminish his stature in office.

More: In addition to their anticipated congressional gains, Republicans also expect pickups in the 37 states that are electing governors, and in legislative races down the ballot. Those elections could have repercussions for congressional redistricting next year and for the presidential contest in 2012.

Though political reports for traditional media outlets are struggling mightily to put a happy face on the impending wave of GOP victories, such as pointing out that in California, Whitman and Fiorina are losing ground, it is hard to see much change from predictions coming true. California remaining in Democratic control? No real surprise. The surprise was that Boxer and Brown have had to work so hard for it against two first time political candidates. Both Boxer and Brown are deeply entrenched Democratic politicians with big support from unions and lobbyists in possession of deep pockets.

We will see the results in one week. I see November from my house.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Salazar Loses Again In Court On Gulf Oil Spill

Did I miss all the bold typed headlines and breaking news alerts last week as it pertains to the moratorium recently lifted by Interior Secretary Salazar, after two soundly sharp rebuts from a Federal judge in New Orleans? The complacent press seems to have either not bothered to notice or yawned so deeply that they were too tuckered out to report about this:

Federal Judge Martin Feldman in New Orleans last week unceremoniously dumped the 10 safety regulations Mr. Salazar slapped on the drilling industry in June in the wake of the spill. The judge found Interior had ignored clear rule-making requirements. Public "notice and comment were required by law. The government did not comply," and so the rules are void, declared Judge Feldman, who is the same judge who previously threw out the Administration's deep water drilling moratorium as unjustified by either science or safety.

Yes, the moratorium has been lifted by Salazar, who stubbornly ignored the decision that it was illegal by Judge Feldman, but why the blind following of the far left ideology of Salazar? Does the American media just no longer even try to report decisions that point to the totalitarian bent to this administration?

Perhaps it is because Republicans are poised to have a very good day on November 2 and the press doesn't want to heap more bad news onto this sinking administration. Protecting their home team, as it is to them.

Team Obama is trying mightily to kill the domestic oil drilling industry in our country. It is good to read about some push back.

Is GOP The Big Tent Party In 2010?

An interesting piece in The Weekly Standard points to the return of the 2004 political landscape for voter make-up.

The new geography for Republicans looks like this: a reliable base in the South and Plains states, parity or better in the Midwest and Rockies, and the ability to compete in the Northeast and West Coast. That’s roughly the red state model that elected Ronald Reagan and both Bushes.

Mix in some ethnic diversity outreach reaping success: And there may be a Black Republican Caucus in the House. Tim Scott is a prohibitive favorite to win a House seat in South Carolina, and Allen West in Florida and Ryan Frazier in Colorado are in tossup races. All three are African-American conservatives.

In 2006 and 2008, Republicans lost ground with Hispanic voters. Now they may regain some. Hispanic Republicans are likely to win the governorships of New Mexico (Susana Martinez) and Nevada (Brian Sandoval), and Marco Rubio, headed to the Senate from Florida, is cut out to be a star.


This explains the rise of conservative Hispanic voters: Across the country conservative Latino organizations are springing up as fast as illegal immigrants are streaming across the border. And these organizations are not content to just conduct meetings and complain about the liberal takeover in Washington. Some are taking action. In Dallas, Amigos de Patriots is launching an online and TV ad campaign called “Vote your Values, Vote Conservative.” The idea is to remind Hispanics that their ancestors fled countries where prosperity was killed by left-wing regimes. The 30-second spots also take on social issues like abortion, a practice that is dear to liberals and Democrats but that the Latino community at large finds offensive.

It is encouraging that the move back to conservative candidates is growing in the Hispanic and black communities. Both are socially conservative communities and becoming aware - from accelerated outreach on the local level and on up the ladder - that GOP economic policies nurture small businesses which produce the majority of job creation in our country. There is no pride in allowing the Democratic party to take a community's votes for granted as they strive to keep voters enslaved with government dependency. A job and a paycheck is the path to freedom, not a government check and beholden to federal bureaucracy.

There is room for everyone - from the libertarians to moderate Democrats. The Republican party is open to all who share our basic philosophy. The importance of fiscal issues in this election cycle are proof of that. It is good to remember all of Ronald Reagan's political philosophy, not just what is convenient in the moment to remember. If a voter believes in 80% of GOP philosophy then that person is someone we can work with.
It's looking pretty damn good to those of us on the ground who have been working for a very long time to move fiscal and defense issues to the forefront and allow the social issues to be relevant but not all encompassing.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Voters Smash Stereotypes In 2010

This election is all about one thing: economics. This election is a clear message between a big government nanny state or a smaller government footprint. We stand at a proverbial fork in the road. Do we proceed the way of Barack Obama and allow more and more debt to be heaped onto taxpayers or do we allow success and failure in business and corporate life? Do we demand everyone participate to the extent of their own capability or do we allow the continuance of Democrats feeling entitled to everyone's money to distribute as they see fit?

Despite the best efforts of the President on down the line, Democrats cannot overcome the truth - the truth that the American public is energized to put the brakes on a government out of control. Enough is enough, is the message out there in voter land. Even liberal media such as The New York Times has produced polling data that grassroots movement (the Tea Party) has strengthened the Republican vote and been devastating to Democratic control of the agenda. It is a mix of all walks of life, all economic groups, all education levels that have come together to save our country from deaf and blind politicians.

This from Peggy Noonan on voters smashing stereotypes this election cycle:

Actually, Maureen "Moe" Tucker, former drummer of the Velvet Underground, has done the best job ever of explaining where the tea party stands and why it stands there. She also suggests the breadth and variety of the movement. In an interview this week in St. Louis's Riverfront Times, Ms. Tucker said she'd never been particularly political but grew alarmed by the direction the country was taking. In the summer of 2009, she went to a tea-party rally in southern Georgia. A chance man-on-the-street interview became a YouTube sensation. No one on the left could believe this intelligent rally-goer was the former drummer of the 1960s breakthrough band; no one on the left understood that an artist could be a tea partier. Because that's so not cool, and the Velvet Underground was cool.

Ms. Tucker, in the interview, ran through the misconceptions people have about tea partiers: "that they're all racists, they're all religious nuts, they're all uninformed, they're all stupid, they want no taxes at all and no regulations whatsoever." These stereotypes, she observed, are encouraged by Democrats to keep their base "on their side." But she is not a stereotype: "Anyone who thinks I'm crazy about Sarah Palin, Bush, etc., has made quite the presumption. I have voted Democrat all my life, until I started listening to what Obama was promising and started wondering how the hell will this Utopian dream be paid for?"


It is all about the fiscal issues, not the social issues that Democrats depend on to separate the electorate. And, the electorate is clearly demanding all segments of the economy be scrutinized, even the entitlements so many now rely upon.

Not only have the Democrats poorly read the electorate anger this cycle, they continue on doing the same old, same old. The standard misstatements that the GOP wants to kick grandma to the curb and deny any Social Security benefits is a favorite. Hence, this New Mexico grandma got in over her head as she appeared in a But that's what happened when word trickled out that she and her husband, Tommy, own a South Valley home with an indoor swimming pool and a garage full of classic cars.

Who better to prove the necessity of entitlement reform? By not properly vetting their 'actor', the Democrats prove the obvious despite attempting the opposite.





Miami Herald Endorses Marco Rubio

This from the Miami Herald:

Mr. Rubio is not a flawless candidate. He has refused to release all records involving a Republican Party credit card, which he used at times for personal expenses when he was House leader.

Nevertheless, at 39, Mr. Rubio has the potential to be the kind of statesman Floridians can be proud to call a native son -- much like another conservative, former Sen. Connie Mack, who became a defender of Haitian immigrants’ rights and led bipartisan initiatives that doubled federal spending on bio-medical research.

Like a lot of voters, we’ve struggled with the choices in this race, and our pick may surprise some readers. We do not agree with many of Mr. Rubio’s positions -- certainly not the far-right stance he has taken on immigration or his position against healthcare reform.

Yet his persistence in taking on a popular governor 18 months ago to run for the U.S. Senate says something about Mr. Rubio’s passion to fix what’s wrong in Washington. At this critical juncture in the nation’s economy, Mr. Rubio offers a welcome dose of fiscal restraint. He has exhibited common sense on Social Security, where he proposes raising the retirement age as a way of keeping the program solvent. Neither Mr. Crist nor Mr. Meek has dared to make take such a clear stand.

Mr. Rubio has been the driving force in this race. His leadership skills were evident as House Speaker, but in Washington he will need to work across the aisle -- a virtue not abundant in Tallahassee. Smart and committed, Mr. Rubio can grow into a consensus-seeker in the Senate, benefiting all Floridians.

For U.S. Senate, The Miami Herald recommends MARCO RUBIO.


Quite surprising from The Miami Herald, indeed. Not known for its support of conservative candidates or politicians in office, it is refreshing to read this endorsement.

I have to admit, when Marco Rubio entered this race I was not particularly impressed. At the time, Crist seemed an acceptable Republican to support as the next Senator from Florida. Then, as time passed, Crist showed his true colors. he is wishy-washy on his principles and beliefs, to say the least. Then, as sore loser when polling went against a victory against Rubio in the Republican primary, he decided to remain in the race as an Independent, instead of gracefully exiting.

Rubio continues to grow into the challenge. He is poised and articulate in expressing his political will to go to Washington and do the right thing. He is young and hungry for change. His personal story is compelling. He has exceeded expectations from those of us who doubted his readiness.

Marco Rubio will be a breath of fresh air from Florida in the U.S. Senate.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Senator Thune Delivers GOP Weekly Address

"Why have the Democrats' priorities been so different from ours?"

Hypocricy Runs Rampant At NPR

This from The Washington Times, which sums it up nicely:

"I'm not a bigot. You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country," Mr. Williams told Bill O'Reilly on Monday. "But when I get on a plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous." On Wednesday, NPR terminated its contract with Mr. Williams, saying his remarks "were inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR."

The irony is that Williams was on a television show to argue that as a nation, we must work to be honest about our fears and find ways to overcome them together.

This is in Juan Williams' own words from his piece at FOX News online: I took Bill’s challenge and began by saying that political correctness can cause people to become so paralyzed that they don’t deal with reality. And the fact is that it was a group of Muslims who attacked the U.S. I added that radicalism has continued to pose a threat to the United States and much of the world. That threat was expressed in court last week by the unsuccessful Times Square bomber who bragged that he was just one of the first engaged in a “Muslim War” against the United States. -- There is no doubt that there's a real war and people are trying to kill us.

To say that Williams was fired in a less than graceful manner doesn't begin to cover it. Not only did an underling do it, but it was done via cell phone and without the opportunity for Williams to be afforded a face to face meeting about it. Shades of Shirley Sherrod, anyone?

NPR's ombudsman states that Williams' firing was "poorly handled". That's an understatement. And, then the ombudsman goes on to spout the company line of their alleged fairness in reporting in comparison to the dreaded FOX News Channel. Is it a surprise that a liberal outlet would have a liberal ombudsman defending discrimination against a network that presents a different view than operating only for the enjoyment of liberal Americans?

Clearly, the elitists at NPR were looking for an opportunity to get rid of the man who had the nerve to step outside of the liberal vacuum and also work for a fair and balanced network. Liberals don't understand the concept of fair and balanced as they are so accustomed to hearing the news reported as they would like it to be. While presenting themselves as progressive in thought, they are, in fact, a myopic bunch. There has never been any question on which side of the political aisle Juan Williams falls. But, to the hypocrites at NPR, he fails the litmus test.

Is it progressive for the top of NPR management to state during a speech in Atlanta that Williams' opinions are for him and his psychiatrist or his publicist? Is it progressive to declare Williams' mentally unbalanced or a publicity hound for expressing his personal feeling in today's conversational arena? And, while she now claims she has apologized for her ignorant remark, she has not done so personally to Juan Williams. She is simply a coward. The name of NPR's CEO is Vivian Schiller. She deserves to be fired in the same way that Juan Williams was - disrespectfully and swiftly.

And the other networks and cable outlets? Complete silence. Cowards all. To them it no doubt was the correct thing to do - get rid of that liberal man who is capable of thinking for himself and courageous enough to try to get a conversation started. FOX News Channel, however, rose to the occasion. Williams, already employed by the network, was given a new, fat contract. He has risen above the debacle and won. He has a far larger audience on FOX News Channel than on NPR. No doubt that is also a bone of contention for the hypocritical progressives.

Here's the real point, though: While excusing the poor judgement on the Williams' dismissal from NPR, they have left the door open to scrutiny of these so-called standards utilized at the organization. How come the likes of Nina Totenberg and her tribe of far left liberals posing as professional journalists get a pass? How come they continue on in their employment with NPR as they merrily pursue other opportunities on air spouting their opinions? For example, this from The Wall Street Journal: Which raises a question: If these are NPR's standards, why does the network still employ Nina Totenberg?

Totenberg, according to her NPR.org bio, is not a news analyst but a correspondent--the position from which Williams was shifted because he became too opinionated. Yet Totenberg, a regular on PBS's "Inside Washington," has a long and continuing history of opinionizing, sometimes in very ugly fashion.

The most notorious example, noted by Reason's Michael Moynihan, is an old one. In July 1995, she said this about Sen. Jesse Helms: "I think he ought to be worried about the--about what's going on in the good Lord's mind, because if there's retributive justice, he'll get AIDS from a transfusion, or one of his grandchildren will get it." Wishing death on the senator's grandchildren is a particularly nice touch.


Overlooking these precious standards when the liberal expresses the correct opinion? Wink, wink, nod, nod. That's simply unacceptable.

Juan Williams has risen to the top with his newly expanded and definitely lucrative new contract with FOX News Channel. Let NPR eat his dust.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Thibaut Investigated By TX Ethics Commission

The Republican Party of Texas has launched a new video on the activities of Tx State Rep Kristi Thibaut as a lobbyist for ACORN in Texas.

“Representative Thibaut is currently under investigation by the Texas Ethics Commission for failure to properly disclose the nature of her relationship with ACORN,” said Chris Elam, Communications Director for the RPT. “We expect to know more in the weeks ahead about the full scope of Thibaut’s work for ACORN and what implications that may have for the people of Houston. The fact that she made money as an ACORN lobbyist and then tried to purposefully hide that fact from the voters should rightfully disqualify her from elected office.”

This is the video:



The statements about Thibaut put forward by The Republican Party of Texas are "True", according to PolitiFact Texas:

Far as it goes, the GOP statement we reviewed is True.
We confirmed each of the party's citations from state records.

Slurpee Fetish, Mr. President?

In August came the original report about the slurpee reference in addition to the car in the ditch analogy about the economy:

It’s as if they drove a car into the ditch and then we had to put on our boots and go down there in the mud, and we’ve been pushing and shoving. And they’ve been standing aside and watching us, and saying, ‘you’re not pushing right, you’re not pushing fast enough’,” he said to loud laughter from the crowd. ”You know, they’re drinking on a Slurpee or something and…” he said to even louder laughter and cheers from the audience.

And in September, the President of the United States enjoyed his own derogatory slam against Republicans that he has since used it in twenty-six (26) speeches. It seems that Barack Obama has a bit of a slurpee fetish.

He also described House Minority Leader John Boehner, not by name, as “somebody who thinks he’s going to be speaker.” Later, furthering the pushing-the-car-out-of-ditch analogy, he said, “We’re sweating and these guys were watching us and sipping on a Slurpee.”

Since the President is a man who seems oblivious to the fact that he is way over-exposed when it comes to seven day a week photo ops and televised speeches on cable television, the repeated slurpee reference was an easy one to catch. It was even the subject of a question to Press Secretary Robert Gibbs during one of the White House press briefings.

Perhaps with the question to Gibbs posed by a member of the White House Press Corps, Team Obama may have realized it was getting a bit old. Or just odd. The extended campaign trip to the West Coast - five days, his longest to date - brought about this from stats keeper, Mark Knoller:

Mark Knoller of CBS Radio tweeted: "Worth noting: Pres Obama did his economy-in-a-ditch riff at Dem rally in Portland, Or last night but no mention of GOP sippin' Slurpees." when he actually delivered a campaign style stump speech without the reference.

How about the GOP bringing up his excessive golf playing in such dire times and the wrong message it sends? How about we point out it makes him look lazy, complacent and devil may care about the nation's woes?

Wonder what the reaction would be?

Thursday, October 21, 2010

NPR Fires Juan Williams

Two worlds have collided and the fall-out left FOX News contributor under the bus. NPR finally thinks an appropriate excuse for the firing of Juan Williams arose and they leaped at the chance to carry it out. For quite some time now, NPR has been angered over the fact that Williams is a regular on FNC while in the employment of NPR.

A firestorm has arisen and Williams will only benefit from the soft bigotry of hypocritical liberals. Williams had the audacity of stating his own opinion and admitted a feeling of unease if he is boarding an airplane and sees Muslims dressed in traditional attire. He spoke of a very normal reaction by any American after the events of 9/11/01. NPR, however, is unable to allow anything but fake discussions by phony liberals who are unwilling to admit to basic human behavior.

The complete irony is that the program's topic was the problems political correctness presents in regular conversation. The topic was an extension of a discussion about two liberal women standing up and walking off the set of their own television show after feigning offense of something spoken by a guest. The guest, Bill O'Reilly of FOX News, has been a frequent guest on the daytime coffee talk show for liberal, bored, suburban women waiting for talking points from the likes of Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar. O'Reilly didn't preface the word "Muslim" with the adjective "extremist" when talking about the 9/11/01 attacks. Never mind that it was a group of Muslim men who carried out the terrorist acts on our country.

So, devoid of decorum and basic courtesy to a guest on their own television show, Goldberg and Behar decided to generate a little publicity for themselves and walked off the show. It was pathetic, if the clip shown on other shows is a true representation of what happened.

Barbara Walters, the mama of the show, chastised the two the next day on air and had the decency to say it should have never happened. Walters and O'Reilly have a long friendship from earlier days working together in the industry. Though they often have conflicting opinions, they are always civil and respectful towards each other. I truly doubt Goldberg or Behar will ever reach that level of maturity.

So, after Juan Williams was fired for speaking his own opinion on FOX, who came to his side? Whoopi Goldberg. What a hypocrite.

James Rosen from FOX News sent along the internal memo issued by NPR to staffers and Greta put it on her blog:

First, a critical distinction has been lost in this debate. NPR News analysts have a distinctive role and set of responsibilities. This is a very different role than that of a commentator or columnist. News analysts may not take personal public positions on controversial issues; doing so undermines their credibility as analysts, and that’s what’s happened in this situation. As you all well know, we offer views of all kinds on your air every day, but those views are expressed by those we interview – not our reporters and analysts.

Second, this isn’t the first time we have had serious concerns about some of Juan’s public comments. Despite many conversations and warnings over the years, Juan has continued to violate this principal.

Third, these specific comments (and others made in the past), are inconsistent with NPR’s ethics code, which applies to all journalists (including contracted analysts):


It is clearly a vendetta against Williams. NPR "analysts" spout personal opinions all the time on other shows. Nina Totenburg, Bill Moyer, even Maura Liasson on FOX herself. The left in this country is the first to scream about their own First Amendment rights and the need for "diversity" in our country yet this happens time and time again. Free Speech only if it doesn't stray from the liberal vacuum of thought.

The best part of the fallout? Williams, a liberal, is receiving an outpouring from conservative supporters. Conservatives are the Americans who support free speech and discourse in our country. FOX News is soundly beating the competition and the reason is that they allow all views on their opinion shows. Panels are split as evenly as possible between liberal and conservative, unlike the other cable networks or standard networks who all lean heavily and usually unabashedly liberal. Williams is a honest and civil human being during political debates. He doesn't resort to personal attacks or rude behavior as a panel member. The support of good people for Williams is heartening to hear and watch.

Isn't it interesting that the silence from liberals is deafening? Where is the ACLU? Where are all the folks on the left that hand out opinions on everything? No guts? No principles? (By the way - those "intellectuals" at NPR misspelled the word 'principles' in the memo).

Why did NPR do it now? Did the objections of CAIR have anything to do with it? Or is that just a coincidence? CAIR called for action on the "irresponsible and inflammatory" statement from Williams.

"Whatever feelings Williams has for Muslims should be between him and his psychiatrist or publicist". Is that a civil statement issued by NPR? He must be crazy or irrational?

As an update, NPR regrets doing this during fundraising season. My suggestion? If you are a contributor to NPR, sit this fundraising cycle out. Let your voice be heard. Nothing gets attention quicker than money - or denial of it. And, don't forget - NPR receives taxpayer monies. You might like to let your Congressperson know your thoughts on their behavior.

Early Voting Brings Political Thuggery In Harris County

Early voting barely begun before the thuggery went into action. I encourage you to read this blog post carefully. The Democrats are determined to win in Texas through less than honorable means, to put it politely, and are counting on their fanboys in the local media to provide the publicity.

Following in the footsteps of Barack Obama, the Texas Democratic Party has decided to file a lawsuit against those demanding true and honest elections in Harris County. Just as candidate Barack Obama, in his days as a state legislator in Illinois, used the power of law suits to clear the field for his election success, the Texas Democratic Party hopes to clear out any honest poll watching for elections.

As Houston blogger Kevin Whited points out: The King Street Patriots' voter-integrity project True the Vote, of course, made news earlier this year in exposing potential vote-fraud efforts by Houston Votes, a Dem-activist-dominated "nonpartisan" voter-registration group.

King Street Patriots has also been active in inviting candidates and newsmakers to informational meetings, and their audience's affinity for certain candidates* has led to today's countercharges from progressive "ethics" front groups of possible campaign ethics violations**. Interestingly, reporting*** by an "independent" news organization is cited as part of the basis for the complaint, which is also then reported by the "independent" news organization. Circular (and "coincidental") enough?

The cherry on top is Matt Angle today announcing his support of the Democratic Party lawsuit because, in his words, "The King Street Patriots is not a legitimate nonpartisan or nonprofit organization. It is the most extreme and intolerant arm of the Harris County Republican Party."


As a woman involved in the Harris County Republican Party, I can state that the King Street Patriots are not "an arm" of the party. They are their own separate entity. They would be the first to tell you that they do not identify as Republican or Democrat, but as independent Tea Party activists. No doubt most will vote for Republican candidates at the polls, but conservative leaning voters often self-identify as independent voters. The farce of Houston Votes being "non-partisan" has been exposed several times already. It is projection.

In full disclosure, I will say I am a voter in Jim Murphy's district. He is running against Kristy Thibault, a former lobbyist for ACORN and in a tight race with Murphy. Murphy held the seat before Thibault, so there is a back and forth history to this race. Suddenly, the Democrats were quite interested in attending the speaking appearance of Murphy when he visited King Street Patriots. Wonder if they were present when Anita Moncrief, ACORN whistleblower, spoke to the group recently?

The Democrats originally were to file suit against the Green Party and then sent out a press release stating it was amended to include King Street Patriots. The Houston Chronicle published the press release. They claim to want to uncover donations and activities of the group. They claim King Street Patriots operates as a political action committee (PAC) without filing appropriate paperwork with the State of Texas.

And, it the standard attempt to cry racism over honest attempts to keep the vote honest, a report has emerged from poll watchers in minority districts being intimidated and sent home after having personal information given to the objector, a Democrat Harris County Commissioner. In one instance, three poll watchers were yelled at by a Democrat Harris County Commissioner El Franco Lee who said,”Why are you here? We have never had poll watchers here. Ya’ll need to get on out of here.”

Lee then demanded that the polling place judge give him information about the three poll watchers and the presiding judge complied–giving him their private information. The three poll watchers now fear for their safety and wonder what will be done with their personal information which included their phone numbers and home addresses.


Is it a bragging point that a poll has never had poll watchers there? I suppose so if an elected official is concerned with results. These three senior citizen women weren't displaying billy clubs.

*HERE blogHouston updates the story. Sometimes even local media is shamed into doing actual reporting.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Helen Thomas Proves Age No Excuse For Bigotry

Not carried by anyone but the "website of Maine" and then a few bloggers:
Last week, somebody defaced some of Republican state Senate candidate Roger Katz’s campaign signs in Augusta with anti-Semitic slurs. The wording of the messages indicated the graffiti was probably not the work of kids, since it mirrored phrases favored by neo-Nazi hate groups (including the acronym “ZOG,” which stands for “Zionist Occupation Government”).

You’d think that such an incident might be news, particularly since Katz is the city’s mayor, and the vandalism was reported to police. But the Kennebec Journal didn’t seem to think the story merited coverage. Nor would it allow publication of at least two letters to the editor on the subject — one of them from a city councilor.

That embargo remained in place for nearly a week, ending on October 8, after the story showed up on WGME-TV out of Portland. Even then, the KJ gave it only a brief mention in the second section.

According to a person familiar with the editorial thinking at the KJ, the story was suppressed because the paper feared reporting on it would encourage more anti-Semitic incidents.

I assume that means no more coverage of murder, robbery, rape, and corruption, as well.


Blogger Eric Dondero of Libertarian Republican quotes another blogger:
Eric Dondero of Libertarian Republican points us to the reason:

“Katz is a popular four-term fiscal conservative mayor. He’s also a respected lawyer, prominent community patron, and ironically, a benefactor of the Maine Holocaust and Human Rights Center (pdf).”

Roger Katz is a Republican and a conservative; therefore, the mainstream press could care less.

Yes, anti-Semite action is alive and well in the United States. Maybe the story would have caught the attention of bigger news outlets had the candidate been a Democrat. Or black.

This is why a veteran journalist and commentator like Helen Thomas had to lose her job and especially her front row chair in the White House briefing room. It is one thing for the press to ignore a story like this. It is quite another for a journalist to blurt out anti-Semite sentiments with abandon. In the case of Thomas, she was excused by most of her fellow journalists due to her long working history with them and for her ability to compete in a man's world. She is now 90 years old. What must not be tolerated is the ignorance Thomas feigns as she tries to explain away her hate speech.

She maintains she did nothing wrong. She doesn't understand that expecting Jews to move back to Eastern Europe - to get out of Israel- is an absurd solution to the troubles in the region. She is of the group with refuses to recognize the legitimacy of the State of Israel. She recently told an interviewer at an Ohio radio station that "I hit the third rail. You cannot criticize Israel in this country and survive." That from an account of the interview in the Huffington Post on October 13, 2010.

Actually, Helen Thomas, you are free to criticize Israel till the cows come home, if you so choose. You cannot, however, declare the solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is for the Jews to go back to Eastern Europe. Certainly not in your role as a professional member of the press covering the White House for a legitimate media outlet, in a sacred front row seat. You were exposed as a hate filled and bigoted person.

After she was fired in June, for stating that Jews should "get out of Palestine", she kept a low profile. She told the radio personality that President Obama's remarks about the incident are "unfair". Obama said her remarks were "offensive and out of line". This hurt uber-liberal Thomas' feelings. In audio clip of the radio interview Thomas is described as crying after learning of Obama's remarks. "I think he was very unfair, and I return the compliment on his remarks". "Reprehensible."

Sometimes even old age doesn't excuse irrational behavior.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Takes One Mean Girl To Know Another, Mo Dowd

So, what happened to Maureen Dowd, anyway? Once a frequently amusing read in the op-ed columns, now she is tedious and bitter. She has sunk to a new low-brow level and apparently no longer feels the need to have a point to what she writes.

The latest column written by Maureen Dowd in The New York Times is quite the hit piece against GOP women. As is the way of 'progressive' women today, open season on conservative women never ends.

We are in the era of Republican Mean Girls, grown-up versions of those teenage tormentors who would steal your boyfriend, spray-paint your locker and, just for good measure, spread rumors that you were pregnant.

These women — Jan, Meg, Carly, Sharron, Linda, Michele, Queen Bee Sarah and sweet wannabe Christine — have co-opted and ratcheted up the disgust with the status quo that originally buoyed Barack Obama. Whether they’re mistreating the help or belittling the president’s manhood, making snide comments about a rival’s hair or ripping an opponent for spending money on a men’s fashion show, the Mean Girls have replaced Hope with Spite and Cool with Cold. They are the ideal nihilistic cheerleaders for an angry electorate.


The popular theme this election cycle is certainly a favorite of progressive women. They desperately want voters to believe that if the GOP regains power in Congress, the roll backs will begin. The roll backs of women's rights, of all sorts of freedoms are just down the road should the evil Republicans gain any foothold into power. There is absolutely no proof of this, just imaginary consequences lobbed as facts. There is no such pending legislation. There are no secret plans cooked up. No such thing happened during the eight years of the last President, a Republican who enjoyed Republican majorities in Congress up until 2007.

Let's not let facts or common sense enter the political discourse during an election year.

Dowd lumps all GOP or conservative women into one group. This is petty and just silly. Isn't she supposed to be an educated and savvy woman who follows politics? She has devolved into the "mean girls" ridicule of a middle school student. Funny. Republicans finally begin to fight back and now we're 'mean'. I think it's called standing up and fighting for your beliefs. What really irritates progressive women, if truth be told, is that GOP women are leading the conservative tsunami heading to the polls. Progressive women are still hanging out, accepting whatever level of leadership the men in their party will cede. Conservative women already said, enough is enough.

Take note, Democrats. Your day has passed.

Where Are The Jobs?

This fairly well sums it all up:

Monday, October 18, 2010

Obama Says Voters Are Scared And Irrational

A quote from a Saturday night fundraiser in Massachusetts:

"Part of the reason that our politics seems so tough right now, and facts and science and argument do not seem to be winning the day all the time, is because we're hard-wired not to always think clearly when we're scared," Obama told the assembled Democrats, who paid $15,200 a person to attend. "And the country is scared."

Sound a bit on the familiar side to you? This is the same man who campaigned for the presidency by telling some rich folks in San Francisco that those ignorant Pennsylvania voters were bitter, gun-clinging, church goers who would not be intelligent enough to know how fabulous a President Barack Obama would be. And, if anyone argued that opinion, well, you are a racist. That was how Team Obama chose to end arguments - just throw the race card.

Here is the quote from 2008:
"It's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." In the ensuing controversy over his remarks, Obama did not apologize or back down from his position but conceded he had made "poor word choices." He didn't apologize because he truly believes in his class warfare. He believes he is the smartest guy in the room and those who agree with him are smart, too.

Now, it is because voters are scared and irrational. This he told to some rich Democrats during a fundraiser at a hospital executive's house. He is quite nervous, watching is super majority of Democratic control in Congress slip through his hands. Now he is out on the trail begging for bucks from wealthy donors and even busting out Michelle, the First Lady, in an effort for support. This particular group paid $15,200 per person to listen to the President's bon mots after being introduced by Senator John Kerry.

Quite a pair, those two.

What the Psychologist-in-Chief fails to reflect honestly on is this: the voters who will flock enthusiastically to the polling places during Early Voting and on Nov. 2 are not irrational, crazy, ignorant or religious kooks. They are center-right America. Despite the misreading of Team Obama on election night 2008, America was not crying out for the realization of every far left dream to be rammed through in legislation after forty years of unsuccessful efforts. America is still a center-right country. The fact is, voters were reacting to eight years of a President with whom they grew fatigued. America was facing an uncertain economic atmosphere and candidate Obama captured their imaginations. Armed with catchy, simplistic phrases - "yes, we can" "fired up, ready to go", and visions of hope and change, voters bought into the campaign promises of an historic candidate.

Americans have been caught short. Instead of truly researching issues and the history and career of Barack Obama, which, frankly would have produced a McCain victory, voters are now experiencing buyers remorse. Watching as time and time again Obama and his Democratic leadership in Congress has acted badly, making backroom deals behind closed doors and buying off special interests they are beholden to with goodies in legislation, America has awoken and said, "NO". Americans are telling those in Washington, D.C. that enough is enough. Trying to tie a rhetorical pretty bow around a still floundering economy will not convince the record level of unemployed Americans that Obama has put the country back on track.

Spending millions, billions and now trillions of taxpayer dollars without the promised results has been an absolute failure for this administration. Voters expect their elected representatives to actually read and understand bills on which they vote. Voters expect politicians to act like employees, not employers.

Rather than face some tough decisions, Congress adjourned a bit early to go off and finish campaigning for the November elections. By all accounts, Democrats stand to lose their majority in the House of Representatives. A takeover in the Senate is not certain at this point. Voters will voice their discontent at the polls.

Is Obama finally willing to really listen?

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Texas Democrats' Preemptive Surrender

How do we know the Democrats in Texas are reading the writing on the wall for the upcoming elections? There are already articles - blogs, mostly - surfacing bemoaning the advantages the Perry campaign has over poor Bill White. It's laughable, of course, but it is standard operating policy today for Democrats. They held out hope that this would be the election cycle that they could finally turn Texas into a solidly blue state and now are sourly, angrily, reading the tea leaves. Or the polls.

Maybe it's witchcraft.

Why is Rick Perry maintaining a healthy lead over Bill White in the polls? Well, unlike Bill White, Rick Perry has not embraced Barack Obama. White ran from Obama recently when he realized it was to his advantage but the logic is clear - a Governor White would be a rubber stamp for any assistance he could be to President Obama. Birds of a feather...

So, the intellectual ponderers on the left side of the political world state that Rick Perry is winning the polling because Texans are just not informed. That's right. Democrats, when it isn't going so good for the team, just insult the electorate. This is not Rick Perry's first term winding down. They know him. If the majority of Texas voters were hopin' for some change, they'd be flocking to the alternative.

Even, according to this account, HISD is getting in on the defeatist train. Rebecca Flores, the director of Government Relations for HISD, and board attorney David Thompson delivered their expectations during an afternoon agenda review prior to Thursday's board meeting.

"Gov. Perry has a sizeable lead. We expect no change," Flores told trustees. She also said there was a low probability of change in the Senate or speaker's race, but that Democrats may lose a few seats in the House, perhaps three to five.


Perry has the endorsement of the Houston Fire Department: With more than 3,800 men and women, the Houston Fire Department is the third-largest fire department in the nation, and Local 341 is the third-largest fire fighters' union in the nation.

"I am honored to have the support from the brave men and women of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, who know firsthand the choices they have in this race, and am proud to have them on our team," Perry said, speaking at the local's headquarters north of downtown. He received the endorsement of the Texas State Fire Fighters Association earlier this month.


Perry also has picked up the endorsement of the Houston Police Officer Union: “Gov. Perry appreciates and supports the sacrifices our men and women make on a daily basis,” said Houston Police Officers’ Union PAC Chairman, Ray Hunt. “He has effectively championed our efforts to ensure that Texans have safe and secure neighborhoods. We are proud to endorse Gov. Perry and look forward to working closely with him for another four years.”

No one much remembers that Bill White was a deputy energy secretary in the Clinton administration. He did nothing to distinguish himself in that position. Sounds like those who worked most closely protecting Houston, the nation's fourth largest city, during his terms as mayor are not so impressed either.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Condi Rice Meets With Obama

This is how a truly sincere public servant speaks when referring to the President of the United States on foreign policy:

Appearing at the Aspen Institute in Washington, D.C., Friday evening, Rice said, "Nothing in this president's methods suggests this president is other than a defender of America's interests."

It is, frankly, the difference between former Republican administrations and Democratic administrations. Failed President Jimmy Carter was the first in recent years to break the traditional courtesy of choosing to not go down the path of criticizing a sitting President, regardless of party. He chose to criticize both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush while they were governing the nation. Then Bill Clinton tiptoed into the fray as George W. Bush was in office. We have simply come to expect no personal integrity from Democrats at this level. How sad.

Carter is a bitter old man still unable to face the facts that he is a poor excuse for a President. He was never able to overcome his defeat at the polls. And, Bill Clinton? Well, he is too insecure of a human being to leave the stage. Even now he is campaigning around the country for Democrats facing tough re-election bids. Democrats want you to be diverted to attention on ole Bill, not on Obama.

There is no hope for change in this new tradition when Obama leaves office. As a Senator, he lead the disgraceful "General Betrayus" campaign at the bidding of George Soros' moveon.org so as to secure the Democratic nomination for President. He is a small man and behaves as such.

NYT Biographical Video on John Boehner

From The New York Times comes a biographical video on House Minority Leader John Boehner:



On the same weekend that The New York Times Magazine slobbers over President Obama with a big interview, this is a striking contrast between the two men. Team Obama cannot be pleased with the results.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Obama Admits Shovel-Ready Projects Hoax

In The NYT's magazine's slobbering kiss to President Obama, an interesting admission emerges: In the magazine article, Mr. Obama reflects on his presidency, admitting that he let himself look too much like “the same old tax-and-spend Democrat,” realized too late that “there’s no such thing as shovel-ready projects” and perhaps should have “let the Republicans insist on the tax cuts” in the stimulus.

How about that? The man who proclaimed that by simply electing him as President of the United States the ocean levels would improve and the earth would heal itself, reflects that he was wrong about the economic path he chose to mend the economy. Maybe if he actually fulfilled some campaign blathering promises - like be post-partisan and not concerned about the red state/blue state divides - he would have had a better outcome with his agenda.

The real question is - does he deliberately lie to America or is he really that ignorant of the job creation process? And, who believed these shovel-ready jobs were anything other than short term, WPA style jobs created with money from the government? Thus, the job creation process would be further prolonged with bureaucracy and red tape. Perhaps it is too much to ask that a man who has never held a private sector job or created a job in the private sector to know the process. Or to even truly understand the process.

This is where the complete absence of executive experience comes into play. Though Obama and his team were so proud to tout the community organizer aspect of his resume, the fact is that the man has solely sought political office as his career. Community organization was his port of entrance into the Chicago political machine. Once in, he was set. Between his wife and her connections and his abilities as a pithy speechifier, he was good to go.

Now Obama, facing devastating losses in the mid-term elections, feels the need to purge a bit in this interview. He would like the reader to believe it is the GOP who will be more cooperative with him as they attain more seats in Congress in November. It is he, however, who will have to learn to work with the other side of the aisle. Though he wanted voters to believe he was all about listening to all sides of an argument, he has governed in the exact opposite way. He and his Democratic leaders in Congress used closed door meetings and exclusion of any argumentative voices as their way to passing legislation. It has backfired mightily. And, to say he simply didn't sell his policies strongly enough, or not articulate enough, is laughable. The American public does not support the agenda of the far left. Obama, deluded with electoral victory, assumed this was the time to live out the dreams of the far left from forty years back.

He was wrong.

On Fox's Special Report, Charles Krauthammer said: “Well, that is quite an admission. You know, a year and a half and half a trillion dollars later he says these things that I talked about endlessly don’t exist. It’s not actually surprising that he doesn’t know what a shovel ready project is. Having never worked in the private sector he wouldn’t be sure what a project is and there isn’t a lot of shoveling at Harvard Law School.” So I can understand that this was one of the greatest “Oops” in American history. And it’s going to be hard for a democrat when you show one tape against another. They’re goint to say, “So you supported a trillion dollars offered by a president who didn’t even know that this stuff that this stuff is not going to happen?”

Experience matters.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

What Do Women Voters Think of Obama Agenda?

A new poll conducted by Kitchen Cabinet shows the following opinions of women towards the Obama agenda:


“People who voted for Obama feel just as betrayed by the outcome as conservatives,” said Sonja Eddings Brown, treasurer and creator of The Kitchen Cabinet. “Everybody realizes we’re burying our kids in debt, and even Democrats realize hope and change had a price tag they didn’t expect.”

* 56% of women consider the health care reform law a failure while only 29% considered the bill a success.

* 53% of women consider the economic stimulus package a failure while only 34% say the plan was a success.

* Among independent women, the majority consider the Obamacare bill, stimulus package, auto bailout, and TARP programs as failures.

* 41% of the women surveyed identified themselves as Democrats, while 37% percent identified as Republicans and 15% as independents.

* 66% of the women surveyed stated they were 100% likely to vote.

Republicans, this is why reaching out to women is so important. Women in general are dissatisfied with this administration and this President's agenda. Traditionally women tend to be Democratic voters but that is changing. Let's help the change along.

Women vote.

American Exceptionalism At Work in Chilean Rescue

Yes, Mr. President, America is an exceptional nation. To whom does the rest of the world look with trouble strikes? America. Nothing refreshes our memory as well as the rescue of the miners in Chile.


American knowledge - NASA, in particular - and drilling experts in Pennsylvania and Texas - is responsible for much of the success of the safe rescue of the miners. Thirty-three miners were trapped 1/2 mile underground and the unthinkable happened. After a record breaking 69 days, all survived.


In Copiapo, Chile at the San Jose Mine, it was an American driller that first punctured a relief hole to provide access to the miners. Lead Driller Jeff Hart watched from a hotel room with three other of his team as the first miner was raised in the rescue capsule to land on solid soil. He was brought in from his work in Afghanistan and worked with a hand-picked team of American drillers.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera is fluent in English - educated in New York and East Coast schools. He is described as the "right wing" President "democratically elected". His popularity has only risen since this tragic mine shaft collapse. He has shown leadership and steady guidance throughout this process. He was there on the scene as the miners were pulled up to the earth's surface. He and the First Lady hugged each miner's family present and then each miner as they exited the mine. It was impossible not to be caught up in the sheer joy of the scene, each time. Each miner was met with the Chilean chant and a cheer from the crowd.

You see, when President Obama made a speech and stated that America was no more an exceptional nation than any other nation on earth, it offended a large majority of Americans. Perhaps Obama is simply blinded by his own ideology but to not realize the silliness of his statement is odd. Humility is fine but facts are facts. Our very young nation is indeed the most exceptional on earth. No other country has fought for and maintained a democratic republic for the length of time as have we. Shame on him for downplaying our achievements. The rest of the world looks to us for help in times of need and we provide it.

It is who we are as Americans.

From Forbes.com: NATO Summit in Strausbourg, France, in 2009 Obama said, "I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism." What a silly statement from the President of the United States. Was he simply pandering to the world leaders on the world stage? Doesn't matter. The damage was done.

America is still the shining light on the hill. We are the beacon of liberty and goodwill. We are the extended hand of friendship and assistance.

It is who we are as Americans.

We were all in need of a feel good, happy ending story. Good luck to you, Chile.



Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Oil Drilling Moratorium Lifted - With Strings

As the oil drilling moratorium was lifted, the response from Interior Secretary Salazar summed it up as such: Drillers must meet "the higher bar we have set" in order to get new permits, Salazar said, including written certifications by oil company executives that they have met all the safety rules. Companies must also have specific plans for dealing with any spill.

A pox on your house, Ken Salazar. In order to push your far left environmental agenda, you have crippled the oil drilling industry in our country. You must be quite pleased with yourself. What a low life ideologue you have proven to be. This nonsensical power game you are playing for the satisfaction of your own bloated ego - cowboy hat included -is too personal to many of us to be confident that you have a single clue as to what you are doing.

Stacking on meaningless regulations and red tape in the name of 'safety' is inane.

From CNN.com: He and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management director Michael Bromwich announced the end of the moratorium today on a 1:00 pm media conference call. "We are open for business," Salazar said.

Is that what the American people are to believe, Secretary Salazar? Do you think everyone is so ignorant that the "open for business" nonsense means with a stroke of your pen the Gulf of Mexico is back to normal? How unbelievably phony of you. Rigs have left the Gulf of Mexico and others are stacked. There is no such thing as 'open for business' on the turn of a dime. Stop lying to the public.

Just as the Obama administration covered up reports from scientists of the ultimate total effects of the oil spill, just as the scientists had the misfortune of Salazar's office tacking on additional paragraphs at the end of a study concluding no moratorium was necessary so that he could turn around and demand a moratorium - even after the scientists signed the documents - you have been caught red-handed. Now, we all know nothing will happen. The people working in the oil drilling industry and all of the support personnel and small businesses feeling the direct effects of the unneeded moratorium will just have to suck it up, right? Too bad, so sad.

The Gulf oil spill was Obama's Hurricane Katrina and he failed spectacularly. Then he allowed Salazar and Dr. Chu to take the reins, though they had no experience or knowledge of the workings of the industry. Chairs were shuffled, agencies re-named, moratorium slapped on the Gulf coast, photo ops and bogus information fed to the willing media. How Nixonian of you all.

This dishonors the eleven lives lost in the tragedy. May their rein of incompetency in Washington, D.C. be short and final.

Following the announcement by Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior Ken Salazar on deepwater oil and gas drilling, Senator Cornyn issued the following statement:

The Obama Administration’s drilling moratorium announcement is a start, but doesn’t translate into real relief for Gulf Coast businesses and residents who rely on the energy industry for their livelihood. Companies who are in compliance with new rules are likely to face lengthy delays for permits. As long as this permitting moratorium continues to exist, there is an increasing strain on Gulf Coast businesses and independent operators that are struggling to keep their doors open. Until we see new permits issued to allow drilling to go forward, jobs are not being saved or created, revenue for the Gulf region is not being generated, and much-needed domestic energy resources are not being tapped.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Democrats Slander Chamber of Commerce Contributions

It all began in the State of the Union address. President Obama deliberately misrepresented the opinion issued by the Supreme Court on free speech and campaign contributions and Justice Alito was shown in the chamber mouthing "that's not true". Obama is touted as a Constitutional scholar. He is said to have taught Constitutional Law on the college level in Chicago. One would think as President, Obama would be truthful and not willfully lie about a Supreme Court decision simply because he doesn't agree. He is suppose to be above calling out the Supreme Court in his State of the Union address. Perhaps the change Obama intended to bring to the White House was petty ideological politics instead of governing for the greater good.

Obama has taken to the road to campaign for floundering Democratic candidates and is directly calling out the Chamber of Commerce as the bad guys. He accuses them of using foreign contributions to fund campaign ads as they advocate for business-friendly candidates. It is a lie. Though the Chamber of Commerce has international members, they are completely competent and above board in keeping the monies separate. Even The New York Times couldn't find wrongdoing.

From Reason Hit and Run:
The explanation for how these interest groups have become such powerful players this year includes not just the Supreme Court's ruling in January in the Citizens United case that struck down restrictions on corporate spending on elections, but also a constellation of other legal developments since 2007 that have gradually loosened strictures governing campaign financing and the regulation of third-party groups.

Add in the competitive political environment, with Republicans ascendant, the Obama administration struggling to break the perception that it is hostile to business, and the resulting stew is potent.

In the end, though, it is the decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that remains the touchstone.


Let's think. What happened in 2007? Oh, right. The Democrats took over the Congress and the committees doing the regulating and making the rules and writing the laws. Not to mention, controlling the purse strings.

As printed in The Wall Street Journal:

Since the Supreme Court's January decision in Citizens United v. FEC, Democrats in Congress have been trying to pass legislation to repeal the First Amendment for business, though not for unions. Having failed on that score, they're now turning to legal and political threats. Funny how all of this outrage never surfaced when the likes of Peter Lewis of Progressive insurance and George Soros helped to make Democrats financially dominant in 2006 and 2008.

Chairman Max Baucus of the powerful Senate Finance Committee got the threats going last month when he asked Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Douglas Shulman to investigate if certain tax exempt 501(c) groups had violated the law by engaging in too much political campaign activity. Lest there be any confusion about his targets, the Montana Democrat flagged articles focused on GOP-leaning groups, including Americans for Job Security and American Crossroads.

Mr. Baucus was seconded last week by the ostensibly nonpartisan campaign reform groups Democracy 21 and the Campaign Legal Center, which asked the IRS to investigate whether Crossroads is spending too much money on campaigns. Those two outfits swallowed their referee whistle in the last two campaign cycles, but they're all worked up now that Republicans might win more seats. Crossroads GPS, a 501(c)(4) affiliate of American Crossroads supported by Karl Rove, is a target because it has spent millions already in this election cycle.
How very amusing. Democrats are newly indignant about the origins of campaign contributions after Obama raised a record breaking amount of money from all corners everywhere in 2008. Where was the concern for scrutiny then? As Michelle Malkin points out: Mimicking the Center for American Progress attacks on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Soros suck-up-in-chief himself accused Republicans last week of benefiting from “money from foreign corporations” — which liberals claim the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is funneling into political ads. Democrat clown prince Al Franken is leading a Senate inquisition against the Chamber. Endangered Democrat candidates across the country are dutifully parroting the line.

Malkin points out even The New York Times writes that the Chamber of Commerce does not use foreign money in campaign contributions : The New York Times concluded on Friday that “there is little evidence that what the chamber does in collecting overseas dues is improper or even unusual, according to both liberal and conservative election-law lawyers and campaign finance documents. In fact, the controversy over the Chamber of Commerce financing may say more about the Washington spin cycle — where an Internet blog posting can be quickly picked up by like-minded groups and become political fodder for the president himself — than it does about the vagaries of campaign finance.”

Ed Gillespie responds to the lies of Team Obama: Gillespie accused Obama and Democrats of hypocrisy on campaign spending. He raised undocumented spending by liberal groups in 2010 and in past election cycles that benefited Democrats.

"In the West Wing, apparently, the American principle is that you're guilty until proven innocent, and our highest elected and appointed officials are there to hurl the charges," he wrote. "It is telling that this White House equates ads that threaten its hold on power as a threat to democracy. They're not actually one and the same."


So, with this new found concern about all the money flowing into campaigns, two years after he was elected, we have yet to be told where all the Obama campaign money came from - all those contributions credited to pre-paid credit cards, and the like. Where is the transparency in all that? Two years later, still no answers.

People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, especially when it's all a desperate attempt to make the Republicans look dishonest. Team Obma won't get away with their thuggish Chicago pol behavior any more.