Fausta's blog

Obama: "McCain has lost his bearings."


McCain: Bearings just fine, thanks:


Lieberman: "I just want to report that this morning I personally checked John McCain’s bearings. He has not lost any of them. They are all in really great shape."


Obama's been visiting 57 states:

Guam, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Chicago's south side (which apparently has closed steel mills if you believe his wife), New York City, and the people's republic of Seattle.

Along with the state of confusion.

He probably stayed up late because of some 3 AM call.

His staff hasn't allowed him to visit Alaska and Hawaii, but I'm throwing those two just in the interest of fairness. After all, last week he didn't know what month it was.

Flashback to Heinz 57's shifting bar.

Special thanks to Larwyn.

UPDATE
Via anonymous in the comments section, Obama’s 57 States & other lessons
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm heading to the big city to see Macbeth, so blogging will be light. Here is the NYT's slide show of the production along with Patrick Stewart's comments.

While I'm out, bee-have!



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Labels: Barack Obama, Democrats, Election2008, John McCain, Patrick Stewart, politics, Republicans

Sununu for Veep?

Via Maria, Obama’s biggest general election liability: His bitter half

On the stump, she warmed up (or rather, berated) supporters by complaining about how her husband is an underdog even after he keeps winning primary and caucus after primary and caucus. With a scowl etched on her face, she bellyached that "the bar is constantly changing for this man." Call the waambulance, stat.

Reminds me of Teresa's shifting bar.

Embedding with the enemy

But in fact my religious beliefs are entirely separate from my political beliefs: the only connection is that I'm willing to buck the trend in both arenas.

Two posts on Israel at 60:
Via the Astute Bloggers, Israel at 60: The Hope,
After 60 Years, The 'Lamp Unto The Nations' Flourishes

Two suspicious Seattle ferry riders were "just businessmen"

Vote for Mamacita.

Japan has no kids

From the Terror Finance Blog-A PDF of the Comprehensive Survey of U.S. Efforts Against Threat Financing-MUST READ

Franco had better things to do with his time.

"The threat of a new ice age must now stand alongside nuclear war as a likely source of wholesale death and misery for mankind"

Platypus genetic code unravelled, which reminds me of Ogden Nash

I like the duck-billed platypus
Because it is anomalous.
I like the way it raises its family
Partly birdly, partly mammaly.
I like its independent attitude.
Let no one call it a duck-billed platitude.

Cross-posted at PoliGazette


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Labels: Barack Obama, France, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Republicans, Spain

I asume the man asking was trying to get a rise out of McCain when asking this,

Q: This question goes to mental health and mental health care. Previously, I've been married to a woman that was verbally abusive to me. Is it true that you called your wife a (expletive)?

You can watch McCain's reaction here:

Here's McCain's reply,

McCain: Now, now. You don't want to... Um, you know that's the great thing about town hall meetings, sir, but we really don't, there's people here who don't respect that kind of language. So I'll move on to the next questioner in the back.

Allahpundit points out that the man asking is a former campaign worker for Joe Biden.

There are three aspects to this question:
1. First of all, the lack of intelligent policy questions on which to debate McCain.

2. Trying to demonstrate he is an unhinged abusive husband because SIXTEEN years ago (apparently) he called his wife that. Obviously whatever issues the McCains might have had over a decade ago have been resolved.

3. Trying to get a rise out of him during a township meeting.

And what better way to handle it than by doing exactly what Sen. McCain just did in the video?



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Labels: elections, John McCain, Republicans

The McCain campaign just released this ad,


More on the call later.

Labels: Election2008, John McCain, Republicans

I joined Sen. McCain's bloggers' call this morning, which he did while waiting to board an airplane.

He first started by talking about his recent speeches, and restating his proposed tax cuts while contrasting them to Obama's proposed increases in capital gains tax rate and the cap on wages subject to social security taxes: "Anybody who wants to raise taxes during hard times is lacking in understanding of economics."

He also praised Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal, who he visited yesterday. I didn't have a chance to ask questions (as it turns out both Michael Goldfarb and Jim Geraghty asked the question I had) so I'm linking to the posts of the bloggers who did. most of the comments had to do with the North Carolina ad, and Bill Ayers.

Hugh Hewitt asked what obligation does Obama have

to address the details of his association with Ayers/Dohrn, and what obligations the media had to push for that explanation.

McCain responded by again blasting Obama's comparison of Ayers and Coburn, and said an apology from Obama was necessary as Coburn actually works to save lives and Ayers had worked to take them. He repeatedly referred to Ayers as an unrepentant terrorist, and expressed surprise that there hasn't been more discussion about the comparison, or about what an unrepentant terrorist which is what Ayers is. McCain said that Obama had to repudiate Ayers and apologize for ever having had anything to do with an unrepentant terroist. McCain noted that Ayers brags about his organization and is unrepentant about his past, so that Obama can try and persuade the American people or perhaps he can make a case that Mr. Ayers made some contribution, but it was a terrorist organization, and that the media ought to be discussing it.

Michael Goldfarbasked McCain about the North Carolina ad. Jim Geraghty posted the conversation:

"It's just not the tenor of the kind of campaign I want to run. I understand the discussion of Rev. Wright, and he has brought this up by doing media appearances, but there are differences that are mad... There are many differences between our parties and differences between myself and Senator Obama, and I want this race to be about those differences.

McCain mentions Cunningham, and how that too wasn't in keeping with the kind of campaign he wants to run.

Q: Competing hard in California? Strategy for that?

"I intend to compete in California. I'm a western senator. I understand the issues in a state like that - land, water, the environment. I'm going to travel the state extensively. It cannot be written off again. Gov. Schwarzenegger has proven that as a Republican, even if you have different views, you can win that state."

Q: Your thoughts on Maliki's operations in Basra.

McCain notes that Maliki went down there himself. "They had setbacks and had desertions, and we had to provide support. But in last several days, with limited American support, the Iraqi army has taken over whole city of Basra. [Maliki's] actions seem to have united the government more... The entire Iraqi government said that any group that bears arms against government - and that's basically Sadr and his army — will not be allowed to partake in next elections... I'm rather pleased. This incident exposed some weaknesses, but they sent a new general and established government control."

Geraghty's own question, also on the North Carolina ad,

I asked a follow-up on the North Carolina ad, asking the senator whether his position was that voters could take Obama's relationship with Jeremiah Wright into account in their voting decision, but that he didn’t feel it was an appropriate issue to run ads on.

McCain: Voters can take into account any issue they feel Is relevant to themselves; I certainly have no control over that. But I have my agenda, and I think this ad is offensive to some and I would like it taken down. I want the best kind of campaign and most positive kind of campaign.

McCain reiterated that he can’t control the N.C. GOP, but he can ask them to take it down.

Jennifer Rubin

I asked about Hamas’s endorsement of Barack Obama. McCain bluntly responded, "It's clear who Hamas wants to be the next President of the United States." He continued “" will be Hamas' worst nightmare" and said that he "ever expects" to hear a Hamas official say they want him as President. On the subject of Bill Ayers, McCain displayed none of the hesitancy he has shown about discussing Reverend Wright. He said he was "a bit surprised" the media had not made more of Obama's association with "an unrepentant terrorist" and Obama's equation of his relationship with Ayers to his friendship with Senator Tom Coburn. McCain said he was "offended" by the latter and that a "repudiation and apology" are due from Obama to the American people.

Ed Morrissey posts,

Obama withdrew from a debate in North Carolina. Would he be willing to have a "conversation" with Hillary instead? McCain says it's inappropriate until the Dems have a nominee.

Sen. McCain is going to visit with Huckabee in Arkansas, then travels to Florida, and will get on the bus with the media.

Sean Hackbarth and Ace also posted on the call.



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Labels: Election2008, John McCain, politics, Republicans

Via Hip Hop Republican, a great guy [language alert]
Black & White on the Grey Matters 2 (War)


Listen to the whole thing. (If the video's not working here, go to Hip Hop Republican)

Labels: Iraq, politics, Republicans

...but I'm older than
1. Remote-control operated ceiling fans
2. The internet
3. [Heinz] Ketchup in plastic bottles
4. MTV
5. The iPhone
6. Adrien Brody


But enough about me (at least for now). Here's what got me started:

Baseball Crank points out that this beaut was produced by Left-wing, Soros-funded* interest group "America Coming Together", who are too young to notice their patron's 78. Money is ageless.

Hey, it's Chuck Norris time! (Yes. Chuck was all for the Huckster. But the jokes go on.)

John McCain is so old that when he was born, Obama's neighbor and donor William Ayers hadn't tried to kill anyone with a bomb yet.

When John McCain was born, Hamas hadn't yet been founded, nor praised Barack Obama.

John McCain was born in those long ago days when if you went into church, you could count on the pastor saying "God bless America!"

Lone Star Times started it:

John McCain is older than politicized CIA agents distorting a National Intelligence Estimate on Iran's nuclear program because they don't like the President's (i.e., their boss') policies.

While the twenty-somethings don't have much to think about in terms of the issues, McCain is reminding the grown-ups that it's up to the grown-ups, not the government:

My friends, Americans change things. We always have. We don't hide from problems or mistakes or history. We change things and we make history. Hope in America is not based in delusion, but in the faith that everything is possible in America. The time for pandering and false promises is over. It is time for action. It is time for change; the right kind of change; change that trusts in the strength of free people and free markets; change that doesn't return to policies that empower government to make our choices for us, but that works to ensure we have choices to make for ourselves. For we have always trusted Americans to build from the choices they make for themselves, a safer, stronger and more prosperous country than the one they inherited.

Of course, that kind of talk won't appeal to the infantile.



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Labels: Election2008, John McCain, politics, Republicans

Patrick Hynes is riding on McCain's bus, and he's got great pictures. Here's one of my favorites, Lex.

Patrick also has a post on Sen. McCain's visit to Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA.
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Meanwhile, Bill Clinton's flying from Chicago with bags under his eyes to harangue people from his own party. I guess there was no overhead compartment available.



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Labels: Democrats, Election2008, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, politics, Republicans

Ed posts, Chavez: Anyone but McCain, and links to the Reuters story: Chavez says U.S. relations could worsen with McCain

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a socialist

self-proclaimed communist,

and fierce U.S. critic, warned on Tuesday that relations with Washington could worsen if Republican candidate John McCain wins this year's presidential election.

Chavez said he hopes the United States and Venezuela can work better together when his ideological foe, U.S. President George W. Bush, leaves the White House next year, but he said McCain seemed "warlike."

Well, if that's not good news for McCain among the democracy-loving electorate, particularly those of "Hispanic" origin, I don't know what is.

Matthew Vadum talked about Chavez in last Monday's podcast, which you can listen to here. The podcast was plagued with technical problems but we discussed Citizens Energy Corporation, Joe Kennedy, Danny Glover, and the sandalistas going on reality tours of Venezuela. Joe, Danny and the others aren't going to vote for McCain anyway.



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Labels: Election2008, Hugo Chavez, John McCain, politics, Republicans

Finally, three women who sing worse than I

Labels: Election2008, John McCain, Republicans

While Obama was throwing grandma under the bus and Hillary's old appointment schedules show that she was in Washington for most of the Clinton administration, John McCain has been visiting Iraq for the eighth time, and stopping in Sderot.

Today he visited with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown

The meeting with Brown, which McCain described as "excellent", covered Iraq, the need for the international community to act together to deal with issues such as Darfur and Iran, the state of the world economy and particularly climate change.

Larry Kudlow notices that McCain has been surging in the polls:

According to the latest print from Rasmussen and Zogby, McCain now holds a 6 to 8 point lead against Hill-Bama.
...
McCain's surge means that it is much less likely that Herbert Hoover-style high-tax and trade-protectionist proposals will come from Hill-Bama. This point will not be lost on the stock market.

Particularly coming from a candidate who doesn't need to triangulate his qualifications for office.



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Labels: Election2008, John McCain, Republicans

McCain makes unannounced trip to Iraq

Sen. John McCain, the Republican Party's presumptive nominee for president who has linked his political future to U.S. success in Iraq, was in Baghdad on Sunday for meetings with Iraqi and U.S. diplomatic and military officials, a U.S. government official said.

This is McCain's eighth visit, his first one as the Republican nominee. He's cementing relationships, and starting new ones,

"We were informed that John McCain landed in Iraq Sunday morning. A meeting will take place with the Iraqi government," said Ali al-Moussawi, an official in the prime minister's office.

McCain was to meet Sunday with Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh. Later in the day, he and Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, were to talk. It also was thought McCain would meet with al-Maliki.

McCain's weeklong trip also includes stops in Israel, Jordan, Britain and France.

He is expected to meet with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for the first time, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy for the third time. He met and corresponded with Sarkozy both before and after the French president was elected. They last saw each other last summer.

McCain has relationships with every leader in Israel he plans to see, including Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and hawkish opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

The AP article, accompanied by a most unflattering photo of McCain, at least managed to mention,

A defiant supporter of the 2003 invasion and President Bush's troop increase last year, McCain is likely to focus in Iraq on the drop in sectarian violence and U.S. and civilian casualties since last summer.

Took them long enough.

Remind me now, how many times has Obama been to Iraq?



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Labels: Barack Obama, Barak Obama, Election2008, John McCain, Republicans

The First McCarnival for McCain is up! Take a look and read the great posts.

Special thanks to Beth for including my post.

Labels: Election2008, John McCain, Republicans

In yesterday's podcast, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (Rep. Tenn.) talked about Budget School: The Right to Know How Washington Spends Your Money.

What is Budget School?

We gathered some of our colleagues, the Republican Study Committee, and we would go to the floor one night a week and have a class on Budget School to talk about the Federal budget and how the money is spent...This goes back to what we did at the state level when the state was trying to force a state income tax... and we need that right now at the federal level.

Why now?

It is time to make certain that the American people know how to follow this process, know where to pull the budget down, know how to get through the different functions on that budget and find how the money is being spent, and follow it from committee through appropriations process all the way to where it is spent by the bureacracy. My hope is that they will hold the bureaucracy accountable.

Listen to the rest of the podcast, and watch Budget School tonight on CSPAN after 9:30 PM Eastern.



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Labels: Marsha Blackburn, politics, Republicans

Today at 1PM Eastern, our special guest will be Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (Rep. Tenn), who will talk about her new project, Budget School: The Right to Know How Washington Spends Your Money.

Chat will be open by 12:45 and the call in number is (646)652-2639. Join us!



You can subscribe to the podcasts through iTunes



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Labels: Marsha Blackburn, politics, Republicans, taxes

Jim Geraghy at The Campaign Spot has a great summary of Sen. McCain's Bloggers' Call:

RedCounty Magazine: Hillary Clinton hasn’t really succeeded in contrasting her experience with Barack's; will you be able to?

McCain: I will portray stark differences in our positions. By the way, I would not count senator Clinton out. Anybody who has counted the Clintons out in the past has seen otherwise. But if it is Senator Obama, I will be expressing my experience, background and knowledge. We’ll be arguing higher lower taxes vs. higher taxes, bigger government vs. smaller government, a government run health care system or a system based on consumer choice.

He said he would sit down, without conditions, with Raul Castro. People know Raul Castro was the executioner. He’s the bad guy. I will discuss my qualifications but I will not talk down his qualifications.

Read the whole thing.

Labels: Election2008, John McCain, Republicans

Sen. Johm McCain opened the call by hoping for a good outcome in the Belgrade situation despite the outbreak of violence at the embassies, and remaked that Putin's statements are outrageous. He also criticized Barak Obama saying that Obama would talk unconditionally to Raul Castro, since Raul Castro has condemmed people to death, maintained the Cuban prison system and has sponsored terror. "We should be very clear [that we'll talk] after prisons are emptied, there are free elections, human rights organizations are allowed in, and after his brother has the chance to meet Karl Marx."
(UPDATE, Saturday, Feb. 23: Reuters noticed, too.)

The rest of the call was questions from the bloggers, namely, Arizona Republic, Jennifer Rubin of Human Events, Matt Lewis, Town Hall, James Joyner of Outside the Beltway, Phillip Klein of American Spectator, Real Clear Politics, Abe Greenwald, Commentary, and myself. (click on the links for those bloggers' posts on the call)

I asked Sen. McCain what his position was on the Akaka Bill, i.e., the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2005. He replied that he had looked at that legistation a couple of years ago, and being a Federalist, believes that the Hawaiians themselves should make decisions in their state. At the time he was very concerned about an issue that was settled at the time of statehood, that is, that native Hawaiians would not be accorded the status of native Americans. The State of Hawaii has come a long way towards helping the education and economic progress of native Hawaiians. He asked me if the legislation would be coming up again, and I stated it can be (see last Tuesday's podcast).

Se. McCain was very concerned about the passage of that legislation, and the issue seemed to get very hot. He had met with the governor of Hawaii, and then the legislation died in the Senate. If it's resurrected again, he'll have to be briefed again, but he's very concerned if it would.



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Labels: Akaka Bill, Election2008, Hawaii, John McCain, politics, Republicans

UPDATED with video
The Obama rallies bear more than a passing resemblance to old religious revival meetings, complete with fainting spells: James Taranto's We Shall Be Overcome (love that title!) itemizes a few spells.

There's even a blog dedicated to the cult of Obama (h/t Beth).

Ace, however, wants to know How Come Women Right In The Front Rows Of Every Obama Speech Seem To Faint At The Same Point?

To wit, having someone scout out the "talent" -- those who looked likely to fall to the ground in an ecstatic conniption -- and making sure they were seated front and center.

Andrew Sullivan wasn't fainting at an Obama speech on taxes last year; instead he was dozing off from boredom (clearly the speech must have been before Obama got his campaign teleprompter).

While Sullivan has a point which the Republicans would be well advised to remember,

What people fail to understand is that in politics, words are also substance. The ability to inspire people is not inherently a dangerous phenomenon. It is sometimes critical to effective governance. Conservatives used to understand this. Perhaps Churchill's greatest actual weapon was the English language. It did things no bureaucrat, soldier, armament, or policy could do. The core of Ronald Reagan's success was his rhetorical ability to reach over the heads of the Washington process to the people who can force Washington to change: the American people. And I don't recall conservatives decrying the rhetoric of hope reacting to George W. Bush's inspired speeches after 9/11.

Sullivan makes the mistake of decrying "The Ignorance of the Right" by picking on... Victor Davis Hanson.

Of all the people to pick on, Hanson?

If there's a word that would not describe VDH, ignorance would be it.

VDH points at The Problems with Obama

Under pressure to produce some facts and specifics, the Obama team is beginning to release a little on the economy, taxes, and new entitlements. But the problem is that Obama himself seems not familiar with the details, and still prefers talking only about hope and change. Wonks releasing details doesn't solve the problem. And it won't, until he, the candidate, can talk in serious fashion ex tempore about the specifics he wants to achieve.

VDH also asks Obama to Spare Us the Elite Populism.

To those of us who are reading what Obama has to say on the economy, here's what it all comes down to: bigger-yet government, and higher taxes.

Mona Charen has been paying attention to Obama's platform, and she's not fainting:

But when you get past the music and really focus on the lyrics, Obama emerges as an utterly conventional, down-the-line liberal Democrat. He claims to be all about the future, but his policy ideas are about as modern as disco and the leisure suit.

Beth contrasts "broad appeal" vs. idol worship.

Change? Of course. That's why we have presidential term limits.

But that's no reason to get the vapors.

UPDATE
Revival meetings, alright: Michelle Obama gave a speech at UCLA earlier this month in which she told supporters that her husband was the only man who could fix American souls -- if we elect him President first.

Obama's siren call bewitchess the masses, via Jeremayakovka.

"Is this reality or political theater? You decide:"


(h/t Silvio Canto and Prarie Pundit via Larwyn)



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Labels: Barak Obama, Election2008, politics, Republicans

Before I start the post, I must thank John Hawkins for last night's banquet invitation, and Rob Neppell of NZ Bear for his tech support with my new laptop.  Special thanks to Siggy for hosting yesterday's podcast and chat, and for alarming me about Mexican tomatoes.

Yesterday I also had the pleasure of sitting next to Ed Morrissey, and I am inspired by Ed's talent and dedication.  His posts and his podcasts are the best in the blogosphere, and seeing him work was an honor.  I dropped by Bloggers' Row this morning before taking the train and Ed already was podcasting.

Here's the CPAC blog feed listing all posts related to the event.

Fred Thompson didn't go to CPAC (and if he did, he sure didn't go public about it) but he (finally!) endorsed McCain.  James Joyner has the photo:John of Right Wing News went to the Coulter speech so I wouldn't have to.  Not that I would.

After Romney's resignation CPAC was very subdued but the McCain campaign signed up over 200 volunteers.  At last night's banquet George Will made an excellent case for McCain, which was very intersting to listen to, particularly since as Will himself reminded us, he's been McCain's most vocal conservative critic.

There is still a significant amount of discontent over McCain's ascendance.  As I went to Bloggers' Row for the last time, I found that every seat had fliers from Open GOP Convention, yelling out "CONTAIN McCAIN".  Frankly, I find it ridiculous and silly, but Ed says it best,

John McCain isn't a perfect candidate; far from it. He's the one who has attracted the most votes from the Republican coalition, though, and the various coalition factions have failed to produce anyone better. Being a bitter ender will take the party to a bitter end. It's time to start working within the McCain team to increase our influence, rather than engage in fantasies about magic candidates and marginalizing the movement.

Larry Kudlow explains why McCain's greatest asset may be why the conservatives don't like him:

If you recall, it was the cross-over Democrats and independents who helped elect Ronald Reagan twice and put Papa Bush in office for what was expected to be a Reagan third-term. When Papa Bush waffled, they went to Perot. But they came back to support the Gingrich Congress and later stayed with George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004. In 2006 they walked away again, penalizing a GOP Congress that embraced heavy spending and corrupt earmarks. But now they'll come back. McCain is tailor-made for this group.

Think about it folks:  do you want to stand by your guns knowing you are right and lose the election, or do you want your party to win?

The election is yours to lose.

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Labels: CPAC, Election2008, politics, Republicans

McCain’s speech at CPAC was the most eagerly anticipated speech of the day. Of course we didn’t know ahead of time (except for a few minutes before Romney came on stage, when rumors were flying) that Romney was going to announce his resignation.
Last year McCain didn’t appear at CPAC, much to the disappointment and dismay of many of the attendees, so the question was how would he be received.
He was received eagerly.

Over 200 people waiting in line had to be turned away at the door. They had been waiting for over two hours and the room had filled to capacity as soon as it opened. The Romney supporters, however, outnumbered the McCain supporters, including the people who had to be turned away at the door.

Sen. McCain’s proposals were greeted with cheers by the audience. The main theme of his message was how he has stood for conservative values during his career: opposition to agriculture subsidies; how he was against big government mandated health care and for a free market solution instead; making the Bush tax cuts permanent, to reduce the corporate tax rate and abolish the AMT; protecting Second Amendment rights, and of course, increasing troop levels in Iraq.

But the big question is the immigration issue: Having sponsored what conservatives regard as an amnesty bill, what is his current position, and how would it be received? McCain started by saying “On the issue of illegal immigration, a position which provoked the outspoken opposition of many conservatives”, and indeed several in the audience booed at that point. The McCain supporters did cheer him on, and he continued,

“I stood my ground aware that my position would imperil my campaign. I respect your opposition for I know that the vast majority of critics to the bill based their opposition in a principled defense of the rule of law. And while I and other Republican supporters of the bill were genuine in our intention to restore control of our borders, we failed, for various and understandable reasons, to convince Americans that we were. I accept that, and have pledged that it would be among my highest priorities to secure our borders first, and only after we achieved widespread consensus that our borders are secure, would we address other aspects of the problem in a way that defends the rule of law and does not encourage another wave of illegal immigration.”

Securing the borders is also a national security issue, and McCain proposed

“ Iintend to defeat that threat by staying on offense and by marshaling every relevant agency of our government, and our allies, in the urgent necessity of defending the values, virtues and security of free people against those who despise all that is good about us’

During the second half of his speech he contrasted his position on the issues against Obama’s and Hillary’s.

McCain intends to position himself for the rest of his campaign as a man of principle and conviction. Whether that will gain him the support of conservatives in the Republican party, and of the American voters at large is what will decide the upcoming Presidential election.

Labels: CPAC, John McCain, Republicans

Coulter: I Will Vote for Hillary Over McCain.


Here's a question, Coulter hates McCain because he sounds like a Democrat, and she hates Democrats so much she'd rather campaign for one?

Last year the bloggers attending CPAC signed a letter requesting that CPAC do not invite Coulter this year. I was one of the signators. They're having her through the back door.

The Anchoress asks, Are Our Ideologies Our Idols?

UPDATE
Ann Coulter and Hillary Clinton, Sitting in a Tree



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Labels: Ann Coulter, Election2008, Republicans

Tonight at 8PM Eastern I'll be joining the guys at Heading Right. Will we start another drinking game? If we do, should it be over every time anyone says "Ronald Reagan", considering that the debate will be held at the Ronald Reagan ranch in Simi Valley, CA?

After the debate, at 10:30PM Eastern, there's going to be the wrap-up at Debate Central. Oour podfather Ed Morrissey will host, with Rick Moran and Duane Patterson will be there, too.

Join us!

UPDATE
The debate transcript is here.


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Labels: Blog Talk Radio, Captain's Quarters, Election2008, podcasts, Republicans, Right Wing Nuthouse

Yet another instance of governmental stupidity reacting to a "crisis" (in this instance, the economy)

Lou Dobbs alert: Illegal immigrants may get rebates

In their bipartisan zeal to quickly cut a deal on an economic stimulus bill, GOP lawmakers overlooked something that will certainly inflame the conservative base _ illegal immigrants could receive a tax rebate check from the government.

The text of the House passed bill contains language making "non resident aliens" _ illegal immigrants _ ineligible for the tax rebates. But every year, hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants use individual taxpayer identification numbers, known as ITINs, to file income tax returns with the IRS. These ID numbers are used instead of Social Security numbers.

And now for the punch line:

According to a Senate GOP aide, Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) will try to offer a "fix" to the bill in the Finance Committee markup of the legislation today. Republican aides are also worried that under certain definitions in the House bill, a resident alien who spent at least 183 days drawing income in the United States but was deported - and still filed a tax return - could have a rebate check sent to their home country. Ensign will try to prevent this with an amendment to the bill, according to a GOP aide.

It gets worse:

The $146 billion stimulus package intended to jolt the economy by giving taxpayers rebates up to $1,200 includes cash returns for illegal immigrants who pay taxes.

Under the plan passed by the House, illegal immigrants who qualify as "resident aliens" and earned a minimum of $3,000 would be eligible for rebates of between $300-$600, FOX News has learned.

Where to start?

First of all, tax rebates means we are all overtaxed.
2. No amount of tax rebate is going to stimulate the economy IF there is no cut in government spending.

But that aside,
What the hey is the GOP thinking, to go along with this kind of garbage anyway?

Why should workers (citizens working here and overseas, legal residents, and documented foreign workers) who are complying with the law subsidize those who are not?

UPDATE
25 Republicans opposed the package. Here's Rep. John Campbell

Rep. Campbell will be on Lou Dobbs tonight.



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Labels: immigration, politics, Republicans

Even Obama’s Corrupt Contributors Are Clinton Friends

Drudge right now is featuring this marvelous picture of the Clintons with indicted Chicago real estate developer Tony Rezko. Hillary attempted to lambast Barack Obama regarding Rezko, saying "I was fighting against those [Reagan] ideas when you were practicing law and representing your contributor, Rezko, in his slum landlord business in inner city Chicago."

As for this rather embarrassing picture of not one, but both Clintons with this 'slumlord', Hillary said "I probably have taken hundreds of thousands of pictures. I don't know the man. I wouldn't know him if he walked in the door."

Maybe she would recognize him if he had fistfuls of cash. Are we to believe that Rezko got the honor of a double Clinton portrait entirely gratis?p

Now pause for a moment and picture this scenario:
Hillary as President and Bill in the Senate, having been named by Elliot Spitzer to occupy Hillary's vacated seat for New York; or Obama as President, with either administration naming And John Edwards as Attorney General.

I fervently hope the Republicans get their acts together.
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Andrew Sullivan is 100% right when he writes about The Corruption Of Feminism:

Wow. A proud defense of nepotism over feminism. Or rather, as is the Clintons' wont, a total conflation of feminism with nepotism. I remember similar Clintonian feminists in the 1990s trashing, smearing and sliming women who dared to complain about the sexual harassment and abuse of women that Bill Clinton - with his wife's full knowledge - engaged in for years. This couple really do corrupt everything they touch.

I've been mentioning this, too.
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Ed explains Why pork matters.

The main points are:
1. Because politicians use earmarks to earn credits with political supporters,

Either they're currying favor with state and local officials back home to solidify their own power base, or they're cutting sweetheart deals with contributors to their campaigns.

2. Pork reduces the efficiencies of competitive bidding, resulting in poorer quality products at an inflated price, perpetuating government inefficiency.
3. It entrenches the power of corrupt politicians.
4. It perverts self-government.
Go read the whole thing.
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summer patriot, winter soldier ponders cowsh*t, three days of the condor, and the matrix ... and, oh yeah, saddam hussein ...
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In Turns, both at Fault and Inconsequential: Joe takes a carving knife to pedantic EU economic commentary.
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Mamacita lost her car keys. A while ago I lost a pair of eyeglasses in a totally uncluttered clean room. They simply vanished into the ether.

Maybe J. K. Rowling's on to something by coming up with the shrinking spells.

Last but not least, the Marines,




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Labels: Democrats, feminism, Hillary Clinton, politics, Republicans

A highlight from last night's liveblogging:

Behold, President Huckalogan!

Labels: 24, Election2008, Republicans

with the guys at Heading Right, right now.

Update, Friday 25 January
I managed to stay awake long enough to join the guys at Debate Central. Ed invited me and Rick double-dared me.

Labels: Election2008, politics, Republicans

Statement from Sen. Fred Thompson

McLean, VA - Senator Fred Thompson today issued the following statement about his campaign for President:

"Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort. Jeri and I will always be grateful for the encouragement and friendship of so many wonderful people."

Jay has more. Memeorandum has a lot of links.



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Labels: Election2008, Fred Thompson, Republicans

A couple of days ago George Will ripped McCain. Today Bruce Kesler asks, What is it about McCain?: Fair Fighting.

Over at Real Clear Politics Dennis Prager makes the case for Giuliani.

On the other side, it looks like everybody's posting about The Clinton-Obama exchange, so there's the link for you. Getway Pundit has roundup and video, which you can watch here, too:

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The so-called "first black president" couldn't stay awake during the Martin Luther King celebration

Video here.

Red Bull, Bill, Red Bull.
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Matt links to Confederate Yankee's posts on the Scott Beauchamp investigation.

And the question is, why does editor Franklin Foer still have a job?
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While the headlines scream financial panic, Larry Kudlow is asking why didn't Bernake cut the fed funds rate 50 basis points this week in advance of the January 30 meeting.

Update
Via Instapundit, Kudlow asks for a rate cut, and he gets it.

Every time Bernake opens his mouth, the market drops. CNBC even has a meter showing it.

Lileks ponders panics.
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On a lighter mode, Neoneocon ponders The decline of the $400 purse - and the streetwalker. Cell phones have taken the street out of the walking, but the $400 purse is alive and well.

If you want a handbag that lasts and lasts, get a Coach leather handbag. (Full disclosure: I own Coach stock.)
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Gerard has Science Made Stupid.
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Don't miss today's podcast at 11AM Eastern,
Hannes Artens talks about his book The Writing on the Wall.

I'll open the chat room at 10:45AM, and the call-in number is (646) 652-2639

Join us!

At 1PM Eastern I'll be PoliGazette's podcast guest. NOTE: CHANGE IN SCHEDULE: Michael had a change in plans and had to reschedule for Friday at 1PM Eastern.



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Labels: Blog Talk Radio, Democrats, Election2008, podcasts, Republicans

At Memeorandum this morning:
Reagan Advisers See A Bit Of Their Former Boss In Obama

Barack Obama found himself under fire on Thursday for having compared his candidacy to Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential run.

"I don't want to present myself as some sort of singular figure," he told the Reno Journal Gazette editorial board earlier this week. "I think part of what is different is the times. I do think that, for example, the 1980 election was different. I think Ronald Reagan changed the trajectory of America in a way that Richard Nixon did not and in a way that Bill Clinton did not."

Obama's claim to the Reagan mantle is small potatoes compared to the Republican candidates'.

When we were liveblogging the latest Republican debate at Heading Right last week we had a drinking contest where a glass was raised every time anyone said "Ronald Reagan". Giuliani scored a perfect ten in one answer, but he wasn't alone.