Archive for category GOP

Brown’s First Vote: Crossing the Aisle

With An Eye Towards 2012?

Forward Looking?

Scott Brown, the GOP’s savior, has crossed the aisle to join Democrats in passing another wasteful bill that is allegedly meant to create jobs  – wasn’t the $800 billion stimulus plan supposed to do the same? If 800 billion dollars couldn’t save the day, what will a mere $15 billion do?

The more important question in my mind is whether Brown will return to his conservative roots after this anomaly (much like justices Samuel Alito and John Roberts) or will he become another Snowe/Collins clone?

Or, perhaps, he’s just voting with an eye to 2012 when he’s going to be on the ballot again.

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A Simple Case Against the Tea Party

Any Republican or conservative who wants to dethrone the Democratic Party needs to be worried about the Tea Party Nation, a for profit company which isn’t going to do much more play the spoiler in critical elections across the country, or, worse yet, nominate unelectable conservatives to the GOP ticket.

A recent Rasmussen report shows just this:

Suppose the Tea Party organized itself as a political party. When thinking about the next election for Congress, would you vote for the Republican candidate from your district, the Democratic candidate from your district or the Tea Party candidate from your district?
Democratic 36%
Tea Party 17%
Republican 25%
Not sure 23%

Thus, in a 3-way tussle, the Democrat would win comfortably if we equally divide up the “Not sure” votes.

Let’s look at the first scenario: an independent/third party run by Tea Partiers.

On November 3, 2009, Doug Hoffman, who could be considered the Tea Party candidate, lost to Bill Owens 46-48 with the rest going to Dede Scozzafava, the original Republican nominee. With just one conservative on the ticket, ideally a Republican, we would have won with by a comfortable 54-46.

Even Ron Paul, the so-called Tea Party Father, is threatened by 3 Tea Partiers in the primary this year. He will most likely win the primary and go on to get re-elected, the primary challenge will force him to spend money that would otherwise go to defeat his Democratic challenger.

Third party candidates who come in from the right or the center generally tend to destroy Republican chances of victory. Had Ross Perot not run in 1992, we might not have had Monicagate. Had  Dean Berkley not run in 2008 in Minnesota, we would most likely not have Senator Al Franken sitting in Congress today.

As far as the second scenario is concerned, we have seen enough conservative candidates losing seats that would be safely in the red camp. One recent election that comes to mind is the 2008 contest for Maryland’s 1st CD. Moderate Wayne Gilchrist was ousted in the primary by conservative Andy Harris who went on to lose a seat Republicans had held for 18 years. When moderate Republican Jim Kolbe retired in 2006 and replaced by Randy Graff on the GOP ticket, Democrat Gabrielle Giffords won it handily.

Either way, the Tea Party Nation is not going to help unseat Obama’s party. The only thing it might end up doing up is giving an easy victory for the Democrats.

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Republicans’ Unhealthy Obsession With Reagan

Ronald Reagan has often been called the greatest President in the history of the United States. His centrist social policies, aggressive foreign policy that lent to the downfall of the Soviet Union and Reaganomics that restored American financial strength were all well and good. But, that was 20 years ago. A lot of things have changed since then. For one, California doesn’t vote Republican anymore.

Yet, Republicans and conservatives remain obsessed with Ronald Reagan and his legacy. The RNC under Michael Steele sent out the following mail on his 99th birthday:

Today, I am pleased to honor the 99th birthday of President Ronald Reagan.  Through his commitment to freedom, leadership and hard work, President Reagan spent his life serving our nation and the public good.  Ronald Reagan’s accomplishments for our country are endless, and his unwavering commitment to the conservative principles is what enabled him to achieve so much.  As we remember our former president on this special day, we should take time to learn from his example and remind ourselves and the nation that anything is possible for this country

This is just another example of shunning reality. Republicans under Reagan were a lot more moderate. George H. W. Bush, Reagan’s VP, typified the Rockefeller wing of the party that is sorely needed today.

The GOP of today has gone so far to the right that the majority of Americans still don’t trust it entirely. While Democrat approval ratings may have gone down, Republicans still sit at well under 50% according to Rasmussen.

The lesson to learn from Reagan is not that “anything is possible for this country,” which is just plain cliched. But that the GOP needs to return to its moderate center-right roots to win back voters. Scott Brown’s victory in MA shows that people are tired of the DNC. It does not show that the GOP is resurgent on its own merit.

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Michael Steele’s Lack of Original Sentiment

The RNC Chairman probably doesn’t write his own press releases, and I would suggest getting a few more creative writers on board to enliven his boring statements.

On Christie’s inauguration in NJ:

Today I join with the people of New Jersey in congratulating Governor Chris Christie on his official swearing-in as the 55th Governor of the state of New Jersey.  Governor Christie’s message of lower-taxes and less spending clearly resonated with voters in New Jersey who were looking for a solution to the failed economic leadership of the past.  It is clear that New Jerseyans are ready to move into the future under Governor Christie’s leadership.  A new day is dawning for the people of New Jersey and with this fresh start and conservative approach to governing, they have many reasons to be enthusiastic about the future.  I wish Governor Christie the best of luck and I look forward to working with him on this continued expansion of Republican leadership in coming elections this fall.

On Brown’s victory in MA:

“Tonight, Scott Brown made history by exceeding all expectations and defeating Martha Coakley in the heart of the Democrat Party’s political stronghold.  I extend my sincere congratulations to Scott, the Brown family, and his team on their tremendous come from behind victory to become the first Republican U.S. Senator from Massachusetts in more than 30 years.  His message of lower-taxes, smaller government, and fiscal responsibility clearly resonated with independent-minded voters in Massachusetts who were looking for a solution to decades of failed Democrat leadership. There is no doubt in my mind that Scott will provide the representation and leadership they have asked for and deserve.

“Now that the people of Massachusetts have made their choice clear, the Senate must move quickly to seat Senator-Elect Brown so that the people have their chosen representative in the Senate as soon as possible.  Over the past year, independent voters in Virginia, New Jersey and now Massachusetts have made their voices heard by sending a clear message that they’ve had enough of the binge spending and government-growing agenda coming from Washington – Democrats everywhere are officially on notice.”

Boring. No wonder, Steele isn’t really inspiring anyone at all.

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Conservatives to Blame for NY 23rd Loss

Conservatives are clearly to blame for Bill Owens’ victory in upstate New York.

The fight between the official nominee, Dede Scozzafava, and the conservative Doug Hoffman has thrown another seat into the Pelosi camp. With Scozzafava, it should have been in the GOP column for at least another term. Hoffman doesn’t even live in the district for crying out loud.

The fact of the matter is that the Republicans who have won in the 23rd, in all its various incarnations, have traditionally been moderate: John M. McHugh from 2003 – 2009, Sherwood Boehlert from 1983 – 2003; Bruce Caputo and Peter Peyser in the ’70s.

McHugh is now Obama’s Secretary of the Army. Peyser switched sides to the DNC. Even the Dems in the district have been moderate. Good examples would be Mike McNulty and Samuel Stratton.

But, of course, conservatives just couldn’t tolerate winning another seat in the Congress. They’d rather have another vote for Pelosi than allow a moderate Republican, an already dying breed, to win a seat in the chamber.

Shame on conservatives for losing another seat because of their stupidity and short-sightedness.

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Is It Only Republicans With Affairs?

I find it hard to believe that Democrats don’t have any such morality issues, aside from that playboy Edwards.

The latest is Sen. Ensign (R-Nev.) who helped find a job for his mistress’ husband. Quite a noble man, eh? Boink the wife, and enrich the husband too.

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Graham Votes for Sotomayor

Of the 7 Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, only Lindsey Graham voted for Sotomayor, alongwith all 12 Democrats. Even Chuck Grassley and Orin Hatch, both noted moderates, voted against her.

His excuse:

I feel good about Judge Sotomayor… she would decide cases based on what she thinks is right and be an inspiration for young women

What a lame excuse. He should just own up to the fact that he’s sucking up to the Hispanic lobby more than any thing else. Just like the Republicans who plan to vote for Sonia.

Not that Republicans shouldn’t suck up to the Hispanic lobby, but there are many other better ways to do it. Such as pushing for sensible immigration reform that takes into account the importance of Hispanics in the USA. Such as moderating the position on illegal immigration. Such as the guest worker program. But Sotomayor? Ewww, colloquially speaking.

Republicans need to, at the very least, put up a show of unity these days. Sotomayor is a terrible choice – a liberal feminist who claims she’s the “wise latina;” a bully with little intellectual backing; an affirmative action activist.

Well, here’s to Justice Sotomayor.

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More Thoughts on the GOP Resurgence Rally in Bellevue

Boze the MC

Bozo ... oops Boze, the MC

The rally at the Hyatt in Bellevue last night was well attended. The attendees, however, were mostly the usual suspects – party partisans, former and current staffers, elected officials and candidates – numbering about 400 or so, according to the official count.

Even the youngsters in attendance were the ones volunteering for Reichert and McCain last fall. It seemed to me that the number of newcomers was not very high. David Boze mentioned how he was excited to see so many Republicans gathered together in an off-year and a down year for the GOP. But, therein lies the rub.

Read on »

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Awkward! With Michael Steele at the Republican Resurgence Rally

Steele: Looking to the Future

Steele: Looking to the Future

RNC Chairman Michael Steele is a very smart man – charismatic, inspiring, charming, eloquent – but prone to gaffes. Tonight at the rally at the Hyatt in Bellevue, I was desperately hoping for none of his faux pas.

But, I was wrong. I can recall at least 3 awkward instances…

1. In a room full of white people, and mostly men, Steele talked about his childhood. It is the American Dream come true, but you gotta be careful.

Read on »

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Only One Republican Jew in Congress Now

With Coleman’s electoral defeat and Specter’s defection, the GOP is left without a single Jewish senator and only one Jewish Member of the House, Eric Cantor. The Dems, in contrast, have 13 Jewish senators and 31 in the House.

Interestingly, as Gilgoff points out,

… [this] falloff of Republican Jews in Congress … coincides with the decade-long trend of Republicans making support for Israel a central issue for their party…

Republicans, and conservative talking heads, have lost touch with the general populace, including Jews, by focusing on certain narrow, divisive issues such as illegal immigration, Christian Zionism, abortion and gay marriage without thinking whether their viewpoints are widely supported or are even sensible and reasonable.

How is it that as conservatives have become literally enslaved by the idea of Zionism, Jews are moving farther and farther away from them?

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Powell No Likee Obama Now?

What was Colin Powell thinking when he supported Obie last year? That he was going to be a conservative hero? Powell:

I’m concerned at the number of programs that are being presented, the bills associated with these programs and the additional government that will be needed to execute them.

Obama’s liberal agenda was never a mystery. Powell dumped his party for implicitly racial reasons. Why regret your decision now?

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Why is Palin Resigning?

I say, her reasons for resigning are less than benign

Others suspect something more sinister is afoot and suggest she’s about to become embroiled in a major Alaskan scandal, pointing to the abruptness of the announcement made on the eve of Independence Day that caught even Republicans by surprise.

Something’s fishy in Alaska.

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Scandalous Old Party (erst. GOP) at it again

Wife Not "Enough" for Mark

Wife Not "Enough" for Mark

Members of the Scandalous Old Party are at it again. And I am forced to confirm the new name. It is becoming more and more appropriate as a new scandal is revealed every new day.

The latest is now that Mark Sanford, governor of one of the Carolinas, likes committing adultery with Argentinian babes. He also lies about his whereabouts. While he claimed he was hiking the Appalachians, he was really riding around in Buenos Aires. Read on »

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In Albany, Democrats Like Backdoor Business

Does She Like the Backdoor Entry?

Does She Like Backdoor Entry? Courtesy, NYT.

During the confusion and bickering that ensued as a result of the Democrats’ and Republicans’ decisions to hold separate Senate sessions in Albany, Democrats entered the Senate chamber through the backdoor and liked it.

Democrats locked the doors to the Senate thereafter, denying Republicans even the opportunity to enjoy a more natural entrance.

They then proceeded to introduce and vote on bills, including such momentous bills as legalizing same-sex marriage, promoting sodomy in state institutions of higher education, and paying for more sex-change operations in prisons.

“As we legislate on issues relating to gay marriage, promiscuity among our youth and sexual fulfillment in prisons, it is only appropriate we enter the chamber via the backdoor,” commented Kevin S. Parker, a Democrat from the Bronx.

Read on »

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Alert: Fred Thompson To Run for President on Law & Order

TO:                   Fred PAC Supporters

FROM:               Will Andrews

This Sunday, Senator Fred Thompson will appear on NBC’s Meet the Press to make an important announcement that is being sent out to our most ardent supporters in advance.

With all the challenges facing America and the mounting number of errors and bad judgments being made by the Obama regime, it is essential to have Senator Thompson get the facts and a dose of reality out to the American people, by running for President on NBC’s Law & Order.

Senator Thompson has served as DA Arthur Branch for 5 years from 2002 to 2007 on the show, before stepping down to run for the President of the United States in 2008. During his ground-breaking campaign, the Senator highlighted issues important to conservatives and worked closely with Senators McCain and Obama to ensure that your voice was heard at all times.

Read on »

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GOP to re-launch as the Scandalous Old Party

In a YouTube video released Thursday, Michael Steele, Chairman of the RNC, announced that the GOP was to be completely revamped and re-launched on July 1, 2009, as the Scandalous Old Party (SOP).

Steele: Looking to the Future

Steele: Looking to the Future

“After several days of gut-wrenching and heart-wrenching discussions over the future of the Republican Party, the National Committee has decided to rename the party to better reflect the true nature and predispositions of its elected officials,” revealed Steele.

“A new pre-requisite for contesting SOP primaries would be a scandalous background, such as extra-marital affairs, bribe-taking, sexual perversion, and so on, or, at the very least, a desire to engage in such activities once elected.”

After the statements, Steele was joined on-screen by the Political Math/Ten Thousand Pennies guy who appeared beside him singing “So, so, so scandalous … That’s why you know you should be scared of us,” apparently taking cue from the background music provided by Mis-Teeq’s hip-hop hit Scandalous. Read on »

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More of Rasmussen’s Wacky Polls

Scott Rasmussen is a conservative and I’d like to believe that his polls accurately represent public opinion, but  some of this statistics are a bit too wacky. His survey from Monday shows:

45% now trust the GOP more to handle economic issues, while 39% trust Democrats more.

On Thursday, he uncovered:

Most voters (53%) believe increases in government spending hurt the economy, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

A day before:

Forty-five percent (45%) of Americans say the rest of the new government spending authorized in the $787-billion economic stimulus plan should now be canceled. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 36% disagree and 20% are not sure.

He’s also got something about:

48% Say New Stimulus Spending Does Not Create Jobs

Right on, Scottie.

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RNC’s new Latino Top Dog: A Start

Angela Sailor, the newly controversial RNC Director of Coalitions, announced today that the GOP has hired Manny Rosales as the her Deputy for the Latino community:

I am extremely pleased to announce that Manny Rosales is joining my staff as the new deputy director of coalitions. Manny’s experience in the Hispanic community and his work with small business leaders, veterans and the catholic community will be exceptionally valuable as the RNC works to communicate our party’s principles and expand the Republican Party to more Americans…

It seems Steele may be paying heed to the importance of attracting the Hispanic community to Republican candidates. Mike Murphy in Time highlights the new reality that conservatives face:

In 1980, Latino voters cast about 2% of all votes. Last year it was 9%, and Obama won that Hispanic vote with a crushing 35-point margin. By 2030, the Latino share of the vote is likely to double. In Texas, the crucial buckle for the GOP’s Electoral College belt, the No. 1 name for new male babies — many of whom will vote one day — is Jose. (via The Hill)

Read on »

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What is the GOP doing these days?

The GOP, under the new Chairman Michael Steele, sent out the following e-mail earlier today:

President Obama has wasted little time using the current economic crisis to ram through the Democrat-controlled Congress his liberal, statist agenda.

And what are the Republicans doing about it? Apart from allowing pigs like Limbaugh and Coulter take over the PR department of the party? Read on »

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Losing High-Profile Moderate Republicans

The GOP may be set to lose at least 3 high profile Republicans very soon. Obama picked the very moderate NY Congressman John McHugh as Secretary of the Army. The White House claims:

John is committed to keeping America’s Army the best-trained, the best-equipped and the best-led land force the world has ever seen

Read on »

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Re-creating the big-tent Republican Party

Michael Steele, the new GOP Chairman, feels that the Republican Party is ready to turn a corner under his recently re-energized leadership. He feels that following his 3 fluffy ideas will help the Grand Old Party return to majority status:

1. Becoming the party of “new ideas”

2. Opposing Obama

3. Seizing the momentum of his so-called resurgence among GOP supporters across the country.

It is not quite that simple, Mr. Steele. Read on »

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