Sarah Palin in her interview with Greta Van Susteren left open the door for a possible Presidential bid in 2012. There is no doubt that she can energize the base of the Republican Party and that if she handles herself with distinction in Alaska over the next four years that she will gain among women and independents alike.
What she cannot control is how the press paints her and you can be assured they are watching and waiting for every opportunity to keep her from launching a serious campaign.
I personally would love to see her make a serious run, if for no other reason that to piss off Rachel Maddow and the ever moronic Keith Olbermann, you know the guy that has been fired from every single broadcasting job he ever had.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Minnesota - did you expect anything less?
I will keep my thoughts short, but it is obvious that something is disturbingly wrong in Minnesota when before the automatic recount fires, Senator Norm Coleman has lost 500+ votes. It smells bad, it tastes bad, and it smacks of fraud.
When they are showing Franken having more missed ballot counts in a county that Obama received in the entire state, one can easily draw the conclusion that someone is up to some serious games.
You can be sure of this, before it is over this will be ANOTHER election result that will end up in the courts.
Hey Al Gore, thanks again...
When they are showing Franken having more missed ballot counts in a county that Obama received in the entire state, one can easily draw the conclusion that someone is up to some serious games.
You can be sure of this, before it is over this will be ANOTHER election result that will end up in the courts.
Hey Al Gore, thanks again...
Wild Prediction
I am going to make a hugely wild prediction as it pertains to the economy and gas prices.
Today, the Dow is already down another 277 points at 1:43pm and appears to be sinking further. The American people are opposed to another bailout package just as they were with the first. So here is the prediction:
1. Oil will continue its slide all the way to $25.00
2. Gas prices will sink to $1.25 a gallon
3. The Dow will drop below 5,000
And nothing that Obama tries to do will work, he does not seek a second term.
Wild prediction, we can only hope that I am right and wrong at the same time.
Today, the Dow is already down another 277 points at 1:43pm and appears to be sinking further. The American people are opposed to another bailout package just as they were with the first. So here is the prediction:
1. Oil will continue its slide all the way to $25.00
2. Gas prices will sink to $1.25 a gallon
3. The Dow will drop below 5,000
And nothing that Obama tries to do will work, he does not seek a second term.
Wild prediction, we can only hope that I am right and wrong at the same time.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Aaaay aaaay good byyyyyyyyyyyye
Hey Howie, nice knowing ya, now get lost would ya?
That is about all I can muster up for the departing Howard Dean. He has been without a doubt, the biggest demogogue this country has ever seen and frankly it cannot come a moment too soon.
Make no mistake, he got things done, a far sight better than the Republicans, but hopefully with the thumping they were just handed, the arrogance we are already seeing from Obama, the guaranteed overreaching by the Congressional Democrats, I already feel a new wind blowing.
Of course, for the next several weeks we are going to hear what a great leader Dean was, well, he was for the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, but he was certainly no leader for America.
Howie, can I help ya move dude?
That is about all I can muster up for the departing Howard Dean. He has been without a doubt, the biggest demogogue this country has ever seen and frankly it cannot come a moment too soon.
Make no mistake, he got things done, a far sight better than the Republicans, but hopefully with the thumping they were just handed, the arrogance we are already seeing from Obama, the guaranteed overreaching by the Congressional Democrats, I already feel a new wind blowing.
Of course, for the next several weeks we are going to hear what a great leader Dean was, well, he was for the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, but he was certainly no leader for America.
Howie, can I help ya move dude?
Dan lungren - Is it possible? Could we have hope?
Dan Lungren a Representative from the 3rd Congressional District of California is reportedly considering challenging John Boehner for the House Minority Leader.
The House Minority Whip, Roy Blount, has already indicated that he will not seek the seat again; of course he is stating family reasons, but we all know its because of his inept leadership that has Blount stepping down.
Dan Lungren is the former Attorney General of California and now represents the 3rd district which includes parts of Sacramento, Solano county.
Lungren definitely has a strong conservative bent and could be considered a tough challenge for Boehner; we can only hope.
Boehner is a nice enough fella, but his time has come and gone and we need new leadership, so I say bring it on Dan......
The House Minority Whip, Roy Blount, has already indicated that he will not seek the seat again; of course he is stating family reasons, but we all know its because of his inept leadership that has Blount stepping down.
Dan Lungren is the former Attorney General of California and now represents the 3rd district which includes parts of Sacramento, Solano county.
Lungren definitely has a strong conservative bent and could be considered a tough challenge for Boehner; we can only hope.
Boehner is a nice enough fella, but his time has come and gone and we need new leadership, so I say bring it on Dan......
Returning to Prominence (Cont'd)
Point two on returning the Republican Party to prominence, requires that the party as a whole returns to its roots of fiscal responsibility. There is absolutely no doubt that after the '94 elections, the Republicans in Congress became drunk on their own wasteful spending.
You cannot stand for one thing and do something else and not expect the public and especially the press to take notice. It is a simple philosophy, so simple it smacks of grade school intellect; you only spend what you have! You do not increase spending when you do not have the money. Now, when faced with a 300 or in the case of 2008, a 455 billion decifit, you have backed yourself into a corner.
Make no mistake this is not just a Republican problem, members on both sides of the isle are drunk with spending, earmarks, and projects that are designed only to gain votes for reelection. The American public and voters at large expect that their money will be properly managed; at least they did at one point in time, I doubt at this stage with the excess we have seen in the past 16 years they are going to easily trust anyone.
The problem now is manifesting itself even more so with the 700 billion bailout of Wall Street and others to the point that it will take no less than a decade to get ourselves out of this mess. You can expect the decifit under Obama to increase substantially, unless the Republicans, especially in the Senate unite behind this principle - No increase in spending without a legitimate source from which to fund it. Period.
With the economy in a contraction state at the moment, it is imperative that Congress manage this situation delicately and eliminate all new increases in spending.
That means NONE, not a single one, not without a funding source. Pretty simple, if you do not have the money, you do not spend it.
My plan is even simpler. A complete hiring freeze in Washington for 4 years. For 24 months no increases in spending. The second 24 months spending increases is limited to 1/2 the rate of inflation. Year 5-8 Spending increases is limited to the rate of inflation.
In addition, we streamline the Department of Homeland Security, and eliminate the Department of Education.
Basic, straight forward approach that will eliminate the deficit within 10 years without requiring a single tax increase.
Speaking of taxes, well, I will save that for another day.....
You cannot stand for one thing and do something else and not expect the public and especially the press to take notice. It is a simple philosophy, so simple it smacks of grade school intellect; you only spend what you have! You do not increase spending when you do not have the money. Now, when faced with a 300 or in the case of 2008, a 455 billion decifit, you have backed yourself into a corner.
Make no mistake this is not just a Republican problem, members on both sides of the isle are drunk with spending, earmarks, and projects that are designed only to gain votes for reelection. The American public and voters at large expect that their money will be properly managed; at least they did at one point in time, I doubt at this stage with the excess we have seen in the past 16 years they are going to easily trust anyone.
The problem now is manifesting itself even more so with the 700 billion bailout of Wall Street and others to the point that it will take no less than a decade to get ourselves out of this mess. You can expect the decifit under Obama to increase substantially, unless the Republicans, especially in the Senate unite behind this principle - No increase in spending without a legitimate source from which to fund it. Period.
With the economy in a contraction state at the moment, it is imperative that Congress manage this situation delicately and eliminate all new increases in spending.
That means NONE, not a single one, not without a funding source. Pretty simple, if you do not have the money, you do not spend it.
My plan is even simpler. A complete hiring freeze in Washington for 4 years. For 24 months no increases in spending. The second 24 months spending increases is limited to 1/2 the rate of inflation. Year 5-8 Spending increases is limited to the rate of inflation.
In addition, we streamline the Department of Homeland Security, and eliminate the Department of Education.
Basic, straight forward approach that will eliminate the deficit within 10 years without requiring a single tax increase.
Speaking of taxes, well, I will save that for another day.....
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Illinois Review makes the call
A cudos to Illinois Review this morning for making the call on Paul Volker. In case anyone has missed it, Paul Volker has been named as a part of Obama's economic team, a team that is comprised of former Clinton Administration officials and a few like Volker, from the Carter Administration.
He is the last one this country needs right now, and I salute the Illinois Review for making the call.
He is the last one this country needs right now, and I salute the Illinois Review for making the call.
Obama's first acts should come as no suprise
Now that Obama is a President in waiting, he has wasted no time in sending his mouth piece John Podesta out to float the first acts of an Obama Administration.
It should come as no suprise that Obama has every intention of legislating with Executive Priviledge; yes I know Bush used the EP pen as did Clinton, Reagan, Bush Senior, etc. They were all wrong.
Obama has every intention of rescinding or reversing Bush policies on stem cell research, rules pertaining to us financial assistance for abortions, and drilling for oil.
Considering that Obama has made his support of abortions front and center and he has a dislike for the oil and gas industry, this is something that all should have expected; if you did not, well, then you are asleep at the wheel.
It should come as no suprise that Obama has every intention of legislating with Executive Priviledge; yes I know Bush used the EP pen as did Clinton, Reagan, Bush Senior, etc. They were all wrong.
Obama has every intention of rescinding or reversing Bush policies on stem cell research, rules pertaining to us financial assistance for abortions, and drilling for oil.
Considering that Obama has made his support of abortions front and center and he has a dislike for the oil and gas industry, this is something that all should have expected; if you did not, well, then you are asleep at the wheel.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Returning Republican Party to Prominence (Con'td)
As I indicated previously, I was going to outline what I believe the Republican Party needs to do in order to return to prominence in Illinois politics and in the US in general.
I will expand each original comment and not in any specific order.
This time I will concentrate strictly on the issue of new leadership and I will probably be in a minority when I say this.
Its time to fire the entire leadership team from Mike Duncan all the way through to the local county chairman that did not get the job done. The bottom line for each party is to get people elected, and not just on the local front. They have an obligation to support the national party as well, and its candidates at the top. Mike Duncan is responsible overall for the performance of the Republican Party on the national scale and he failed MISERABLY.
John Boehner not only failed to get new members elected, he lost additional seats in the House. His performance has been horrible. the question is will anyone else step forward to challenge him? Probably not, and that will only result in more losses in two years.
Mitch McConnell is a nice guy, I happen to like Mitch and agree with a lot of his philosophies; at the same time though, he failed to not only hold onto the Senate seats he had, he lost at least six more. That is frankly unacceptable in today's world.
If any county in the U.S. suffered more Republican losses than gains, that chairman should get the boot. Period. Nada, gone say Asta Lavista Baby.
That is one of the biggest problems right now for the party is the lack of leadership, someone to stand up and say "Hey, this is what we are about and we will not accept defeat, we will not accept the notion that we have to make ourselves Democrats in order to win, that we do not need to compromise our values in order to win elections."
In essence we need someone to stand up, paddle the party on the fanny and say let's go! The also need to repudiate the statements of individuals like Jim Edgar that seem to think that they only way to win an election is to be a Democrat in sheeps clothing. In case anyone noticed he played with the idea of running for Obama's Senate seat four years ago, what did he do? He bailed. He then touted with the idea of running against the incumbent Rod Blagojevich, again, he bailed.
Why? Is it because with his liberal bent he knew that running as a Republican liberal would result in nothing more than a loss?
The last thing the Republican Party right now needs is to take advice from someone who does not have the party's interest at heart.
I will expand each original comment and not in any specific order.
This time I will concentrate strictly on the issue of new leadership and I will probably be in a minority when I say this.
Its time to fire the entire leadership team from Mike Duncan all the way through to the local county chairman that did not get the job done. The bottom line for each party is to get people elected, and not just on the local front. They have an obligation to support the national party as well, and its candidates at the top. Mike Duncan is responsible overall for the performance of the Republican Party on the national scale and he failed MISERABLY.
John Boehner not only failed to get new members elected, he lost additional seats in the House. His performance has been horrible. the question is will anyone else step forward to challenge him? Probably not, and that will only result in more losses in two years.
Mitch McConnell is a nice guy, I happen to like Mitch and agree with a lot of his philosophies; at the same time though, he failed to not only hold onto the Senate seats he had, he lost at least six more. That is frankly unacceptable in today's world.
If any county in the U.S. suffered more Republican losses than gains, that chairman should get the boot. Period. Nada, gone say Asta Lavista Baby.
That is one of the biggest problems right now for the party is the lack of leadership, someone to stand up and say "Hey, this is what we are about and we will not accept defeat, we will not accept the notion that we have to make ourselves Democrats in order to win, that we do not need to compromise our values in order to win elections."
In essence we need someone to stand up, paddle the party on the fanny and say let's go! The also need to repudiate the statements of individuals like Jim Edgar that seem to think that they only way to win an election is to be a Democrat in sheeps clothing. In case anyone noticed he played with the idea of running for Obama's Senate seat four years ago, what did he do? He bailed. He then touted with the idea of running against the incumbent Rod Blagojevich, again, he bailed.
Why? Is it because with his liberal bent he knew that running as a Republican liberal would result in nothing more than a loss?
The last thing the Republican Party right now needs is to take advice from someone who does not have the party's interest at heart.
Even in victory Democrats still cannot help themelves
Even with the resounding thumping that the Democrats handed John McCain on November 4, 2008, they cannot help themselves with accusations of Bush stealing elections, approving the bombing of the towers, etc.
It really is sad that some will always see a conspiracy in everything. How incredibly shallow their lives must be.
I suppose it should not suprise me, they really cannot help themselves.....they have nothing else.
It really is sad that some will always see a conspiracy in everything. How incredibly shallow their lives must be.
I suppose it should not suprise me, they really cannot help themselves.....they have nothing else.
One Final word on the Palin Blame Game
I have just one final word on this fiasco and I am hopefully going to be able to move past it.
Actually it is in the form of a question. "Where in the hell is John McCain?"
This trash talk and blame game has been going on for almost a week now and John McCain has been noticeably absent. Now, is that because he is refusing to give credence to the outrageous comments, does not want to give an unnamed spoiler more press time, or he actually believes some of the crap that is being fed to the media.
If McCain had any decency whatsoever, he would have had his ASS in front of the cameras immediately and put an end to these ridiculous accusations, but then again, I am not suprised that he has remained silent.
McCain cannot accept the fact that this loss was his and his alone. He had no message, had no money, and was willing to allow Obama to get away with too much. He conceded race after race and you cannot win unless you are competitive. He is to blame for this loss, not Sarah Palin.
Actually it is in the form of a question. "Where in the hell is John McCain?"
This trash talk and blame game has been going on for almost a week now and John McCain has been noticeably absent. Now, is that because he is refusing to give credence to the outrageous comments, does not want to give an unnamed spoiler more press time, or he actually believes some of the crap that is being fed to the media.
If McCain had any decency whatsoever, he would have had his ASS in front of the cameras immediately and put an end to these ridiculous accusations, but then again, I am not suprised that he has remained silent.
McCain cannot accept the fact that this loss was his and his alone. He had no message, had no money, and was willing to allow Obama to get away with too much. He conceded race after race and you cannot win unless you are competitive. He is to blame for this loss, not Sarah Palin.
Will Obama ride to the rescue of his Aunt?
With Obama's aunt facing almost certain deportation, unless of course an INS judge gets cold feet in sending the President Elect's aunt packing back to Kenya, will he step in and ensure she stays?
It is hard to believe that as President or even President-Eelct is not going to have some influence on this case, and even if he does not get involved personally, the perception will be there that he influenced any decision to reverse course.
The best action that can be taken, for Obama and for the country, is to send her back to Kenya and let her make her appeals from there.
It is hard to believe that as President or even President-Eelct is not going to have some influence on this case, and even if he does not get involved personally, the perception will be there that he influenced any decision to reverse course.
The best action that can be taken, for Obama and for the country, is to send her back to Kenya and let her make her appeals from there.
Rally around the President-Elect? Why?
Give me one good reason why I should rally around a man whose policies I rejected two years ago and still reject today?
Give me one good reason why I should support a man who happens to stand for everything I oppose?
Rally around Obama? No, I reject Obama now as I did then. If the Republican Party wants to regain the White House in four years, they will heed my advice.
"Never concede anything, and do not rally around a man whose principles are the very ideas you oppose".
Give me one good reason why I should support a man who happens to stand for everything I oppose?
Rally around Obama? No, I reject Obama now as I did then. If the Republican Party wants to regain the White House in four years, they will heed my advice.
"Never concede anything, and do not rally around a man whose principles are the very ideas you oppose".
Arrogance cometh forth
Well it did not take long; within days of winning the election Barack Obama has shown what will be his trademark over the next four year - arrogance. His comment regarding Nancy Reagan during his press conference shows how arrogant he can and will be.
He can apologize afterwards if he likes, which according to Fox News he did, but that does not take away from the fact that he said it to start with.
Barack Obama has always been an arrogant politician, he believes that he knows best on how to spend our tax dollars, more so than we do. He believes that government is the answer to our problems and the historic waste of taxpayer money associated with the Bush financial bailout now looking at a second round, his arrogance will only grow.
It is going to be a long four years.
He can apologize afterwards if he likes, which according to Fox News he did, but that does not take away from the fact that he said it to start with.
Barack Obama has always been an arrogant politician, he believes that he knows best on how to spend our tax dollars, more so than we do. He believes that government is the answer to our problems and the historic waste of taxpayer money associated with the Bush financial bailout now looking at a second round, his arrogance will only grow.
It is going to be a long four years.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Transition Council of Economic Advisers
I wonder if Obama is going to release the minutes from the meeting today? He was blasting Cheney about having secret meetings, its time to see if he will do as he says....
I would not be holding my breath though, one might pass out if you do that
I would not be holding my breath though, one might pass out if you do that
Obama is elected / Markets crash
I know that I am not the only one that has noticed that since Obama won the election that the markets two days in a row went into the tank......
Hmmm, I wonder why that is......
I know, some will say correlation is not causation, but it damn sure smells that way to me.
Hmmm, I wonder why that is......
I know, some will say correlation is not causation, but it damn sure smells that way to me.
Returning the Republican Party to Prominence in IL
It is simple, so simple that everyone skips the basics. So I am going to layout over the next several weeks exactly what the Republican Party needs to do in order to return to prominence in Illinois.
1. Elect new leadership. Andy McKenna needs to go and go now. It has been during his tenure that the party has suffered its greatest losses and ultimately as State Chairman he is responsible for that.
2. Return to its principles of fiscal responsibility; low taxes and controlled spending.
3. Operate on the basic and time proven principle that all politics is local. That means you concede nothing, The State Chair needs to emphasize to each county chair that they must have Republican Representation in each and every precinct. Without fail.
4. Articulate the position of the party in a clear and concise manner, and do not act ashamed of it.
Those are simple, probably too simple for the leadership, but its the basics at which the Republican Party has failed.
Some will argue that the Party needs to move to the left, well we did that with Topinka and look where that got us? She was stomped by 10 points. Some will argue that we need to moderate our views, or positions. That is a recipe for failure. We cannot out-dem the Democrats and any attempt to do so will fail.
The last time a Republican carried the state in a Presidential election was when? Anyone know? 1988 - George Herbert Walker Bush. We have moved left since then and what has it got us? Nothing.
I am not advocating that the party move to the fringes on the right, I am advocating that the party re-position itself back to its core, the same core that Reagan espoused.
If we fail to do that, this state will remain a blue state.
1. Elect new leadership. Andy McKenna needs to go and go now. It has been during his tenure that the party has suffered its greatest losses and ultimately as State Chairman he is responsible for that.
2. Return to its principles of fiscal responsibility; low taxes and controlled spending.
3. Operate on the basic and time proven principle that all politics is local. That means you concede nothing, The State Chair needs to emphasize to each county chair that they must have Republican Representation in each and every precinct. Without fail.
4. Articulate the position of the party in a clear and concise manner, and do not act ashamed of it.
Those are simple, probably too simple for the leadership, but its the basics at which the Republican Party has failed.
Some will argue that the Party needs to move to the left, well we did that with Topinka and look where that got us? She was stomped by 10 points. Some will argue that we need to moderate our views, or positions. That is a recipe for failure. We cannot out-dem the Democrats and any attempt to do so will fail.
The last time a Republican carried the state in a Presidential election was when? Anyone know? 1988 - George Herbert Walker Bush. We have moved left since then and what has it got us? Nothing.
I am not advocating that the party move to the fringes on the right, I am advocating that the party re-position itself back to its core, the same core that Reagan espoused.
If we fail to do that, this state will remain a blue state.
Economy is not the worst since FDR
It is in trouble, there is no doubt about that, but calling it the worst since FDR is just plain irresponsible. In 1980 we had interest rates reaching 20%, inflation running out of control at a staggering 12% and unemployment that was close to 8%.
Someone, please anyone show me where that is better than today?
That cannot because it is not. The last thing we need as well is another government funded bailout package. If these companies cannot survive on their own, then they should be allowed to fail.
This is going to turn into the largest grab of private enterprise by the federal government in the history of the country.
Someone, please anyone show me where that is better than today?
That cannot because it is not. The last thing we need as well is another government funded bailout package. If these companies cannot survive on their own, then they should be allowed to fail.
This is going to turn into the largest grab of private enterprise by the federal government in the history of the country.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Blaming Sarah Palin is shameful
With the election over and McCain being handed the biggest thumping of his career, McCain staffers have started making exuses over their inept handling of the campaign by blaming Palin for their loss.
The smacks of sour grapes, grasping to find someone to blame other than the people they should - Themselves. Let's face it, they screwed up. They conceded far too many races, left no room for error and got away from the basic philosophy of all elections are local, they deserved to lose. To come out after the election and blame someone who their own guy selected is shameful and am embarrassment for McCain.
Own up to your own mistakes, you had a candidate that could not find his own rear with both hands and an Admiral Bird expedition in this campaign, his mistakes are long and stupid and frankly I had a tough time voting for him, in the end I chose McCain over socialism but Palin was a non factor and anyone claiming anything different is a liar and they know it.
Step up and face the music staffers, you blew it and blaming her only makes you look worse.
The smacks of sour grapes, grasping to find someone to blame other than the people they should - Themselves. Let's face it, they screwed up. They conceded far too many races, left no room for error and got away from the basic philosophy of all elections are local, they deserved to lose. To come out after the election and blame someone who their own guy selected is shameful and am embarrassment for McCain.
Own up to your own mistakes, you had a candidate that could not find his own rear with both hands and an Admiral Bird expedition in this campaign, his mistakes are long and stupid and frankly I had a tough time voting for him, in the end I chose McCain over socialism but Palin was a non factor and anyone claiming anything different is a liar and they know it.
Step up and face the music staffers, you blew it and blaming her only makes you look worse.
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