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Department of “Not News”

Thu, 08 May 2008 11:44:27 GMT

One of the DNC bloggers linked to this item over at The Hill yesterday in an effort to prove his point that “the health care system would be put on ‘life support’ under McCain.”

What he fails to mention is that the author of the piece is a Democratic strategist, who worked for John Kerry in 2004—and that it’s really not news that someone fitting this profile might not like John McCain’s proposed solutions on health care very much.

Next thing the DNC will be referencing Howard Dean’s clips and attempting to pass off his opinions expressed therein as weighty and neutral.

McCain on The Daily Show

Thu, 08 May 2008 10:17:35 GMT

Last night, John McCain stopped by The Daily Show. Disclosure of his Secret Service code name and announcement of his running mate were on offer. Check out the clips from both segments:

More Criticism of Dems on Trade

Thu, 08 May 2008 09:40:33 GMT

Yesterday, I posted about the problematic rhetoric emanating from Barack Obama and Senator Clinton on trade. Funny that when clicking over to the Financial Times this morning, I should find this item indicating that one very important European leader, who lives and breathes trade, is also troubled by what they’ve had to say on this subject. Excerpts:

Peter Mandelson, European trade commissioner, has said the protectionist stances taken by the US presidential candidates risk taking the world trading system back by decades.

In an interview with the BBC’s Hardtalk programme to be broadcast on Thursday, Mr Mandelson said: "It is irresponsible to be pretending to people you can erect new protection, new tariff barriers around your economy in this 21st century global age and still succeed in sustaining peoples’ living standards and jobs. It is a mirage and they know it."

"People are tired of politicians who flip-flop back and forth"

Wed, 07 May 2008 17:09:59 GMT

So says Sen. John Sununu, quoted by new site Now! Hampshire (which, incidentally, was founded by Granite Stater and Official Friend of RNC Bloggers Patrick Hynes).

Sununu’s obviously talking about a particular politician, in this case, his opponent, Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, who seems to have reversed herself on several major issues in recent years:

“She supported the Bush tax cuts, now she’s against them. She supported our involvement in Iraq, and now she has changed her mind. She took a pledge back when she was governor not to impose a broadbased tax, and then she pushed and tried to give the state a sales tax that would have devastated our economy,” said Sununu.

The latter flip will, I suspect, prove a particularly big headache for Shaheen when push comes to shove. No one likes new taxes—but from what I can tell (as someone who hails from outside the Granite State), that’s especially the case in New Hampshire.

Live Free Or Die, as the state’s motto goes.

McCain: Hanging Out With This Guy, Tonight

Wed, 07 May 2008 17:06:57 GMT

11PM/10PM Central.

Trading positions

Wed, 07 May 2008 17:02:52 GMT

Via the Financial Times comes this piece about how Barack Obama and Senator Clinton are “toughening” their anti-trade rhetoric. Choice excerpts:

Both candidates last week agreed to co-sponsor in the Senate a bill that would allow the US to apply countervailing duties against China on behalf of manufacturers deemed to be damaged by “currency misalignment”, or the low value of the renminbi compared with the dollar.

[…]

The two candidates also recently indicated that they would not support a “lame duck” vote on the Bush administration’s Colombia and South Korea trade deals before the new administration takes office. Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton had already signalled their opposition to the deals but their new pledges have eliminated any potential get-out clauses.

Primary Day in IN and NC

Tue, 06 May 2008 17:27:38 GMT

What do you think will happen? Will each Democrat win a state apiece, or will one win both?

Politico has plenty of good stuff to help you answer that question today… or, alternatively, cloud your thinking with new information.

Whatever happens, I think it’s fair to say the Dem race will continue, which in my opinion, anyway, is good for John McCain. What do you think, though?

More Good News For Dino Rossi

Tue, 06 May 2008 17:26:32 GMT

Things are looking better and better for Dino Rossi out in my home state of Washington. After raising a fantastic $625k in April, PolitickerWA now reports that he’s surpassed his 2004 donor total:

Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi recently received his 30,746th contributor. Normally, word of such an uncommon number would not be newsworthy, but in this case the Rossi campaign is making a big deal of it.

The reason is that four years ago the campaign only had 30,745 contributors. When Rhonda Ray Wells of Auburn ...

Democrats and Judges

Tue, 06 May 2008 17:24:36 GMT

The DNC issued an attack on John McCain on the subject of judges earlier. You can read my response here.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Mon, 05 May 2008 12:11:21 GMT

(Photo: Cinco de Mayo in Long Beach, CA)

Friday News Roundup

Fri, 02 May 2008 17:01:12 GMT

It’s Friday and it’s been a busy week. Here’s the lowdown on stuff you might have missed.

First off, the AP tells us that a blogger is proving the thorn in Democratic Senate candidate and former SNL funnyman Al Franken’s side out in Minnesota:

EAGAN, Minn. - Senate candidate Al Franken wants to talk about jobs, health care and global warming. Republican blogger Michael Brodkorb wants to talk about Franken's failure to pay all his income taxes on time.

Guess what everyone is talking about?

Not what Franken wants, suffice it to say. (H/T: Instapundit) You can check out Michael Brodkorb’s blog here.

Next up, in my home state of Washington, PolitickerWA says that Dino Rossi raised roughly $625,000 in April. That should certainly help when he faces off against “F” rated Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire in a few months. Go Dino!

PolitickerCO’s Jeremy Pelzer has the low-down on a McCain town hall today in Denver. McCain talked about that DNC ad that was fact-checked, as well as health care, which he’s been putting front-and-center this week.

Last but not least, tomorrow, Democrats caucus in Guam—and, it’s the Kentucky Derby (insert horse race joke here).

Bobby Jindal Does the Tonight Show

Thu, 01 May 2008 10:14:28 GMT

Earlier this week, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal swung by the Tonight Show to talk ethics, government reform and Louisiana being open for business with Jay Leno. Check out the footage:

Young, funny and getting things done. What’s not to like?

Tax Blather

JRichardson — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:34:56 GMT

The other day, Liz wrote about Barack Obama and some interesting points to note regarding his position(s) on raising the capital gains tax rate, as discussed during his appearance last weekend on Fox News Sunday.

What Liz didn’t mention in that post, and what the Wall Street Journal hones in on today, though, is one other point Obama made during that appearance—one that is in and of itself odd and which should also raise questions about Obama’s economic policy smarts:

Having just provided reassurance on the rate, he then said that the tax level on capital gains didn't matter to most Americans. (my emphasis added)

So, not only does Obama fail to understand the consequences of raising the tax rate, he seems to think this reckless policy will only affect, or be of interest to, the super-rich. The WSJ begs to differ:

… Mr. Obama should reconsider his belief that capital gains are mostly the province of the wealthy. Millions of middle-class Americans do in fact realize investment gains annually. In 2005, according to IRS data, 47% of all tax returns reporting capital gains were from households with incomes below $50,000, and 79% came from households with incomes below $100,000. (again, my emphasis added)

This is important data, and further underlines that there is a risk of economic illiteracy proving a foundation for economic policy in an Obama administration. Perhaps the Senator should take a refresher course in Econ 101 before further defining his plans in that area?

DNC Ads Get Fact-Checked

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:21:33 GMT

Uh-oh. Readers will know that the DNC came out this week with a new ad attacking John McCain. The committee has dubbed it “powerful” and “devastating,” but it seems that more appropriate descriptions might include “misleading” and “deceptive.” Don’t take my word for it, though; take a look at non-partisan Factcheck.org’s assessment of the ad. Key excerpts:

It's one thing to argue…that McCain's position is a recipe for continued violence and bloodshed, whatever his stated intent. But it is another thing to misrepresent that intent. The ad twists the sense of McCain's words by showing images of war, when he was really talking about a peaceful troop presence. Imagine how different the ad would seem if it showed images of, say, American troops walking the streets of Tokyo or Seoul and had included what McCain said about "Americans ... not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed."
Anyone who didn't already know the fuller version of McCain's answer could easily be fooled into thinking that McCain would be perfectly happy to see the war continue. McCain has said quite clearly that he considers Democratic proposals for a quick withdrawal from Iraq to be "surrender," and so deadly fighting could well continue longer under a President McCain than under either a President Hillary Clinton or a President Obama. But what the DNC ad conveys is the opposite of what McCain said.

A headline that says it all…

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:21:18 GMT

…coming to you a bit late in the day: Clinton: $2.3B in earmarks

You’re Gonna Eat Lightning

JRichardson — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:21:19 GMT

Finally, a visual representation of the ~~Democratic Battle Royal~~ race for the Democratic nomination!

No response yet from the Clinton campaign on the “match,” but given Senator Clinton’s recent infatuation with likening herself to Rocky, she may not object… Perhaps this will make those uncommitted-float-like-a-butterfly-sting-like-a-bee superdelegates offer up their endorsements.

Hmm, I wonder where the NY Post got the inspiration. Oh yeah, right. Us.

A Little Bird Tells Us…

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:18:05 GMT

… that the DNC is claiming that “nothing upsets the Republican Party more than showing McCain in his own words.”

That must be why we, here at the RNC, have posted and/or linked to this YouTube clip showing McCain making the comment that the DNC and Democrats, generally, so love to distort here, here, and here. I’m so upset about “showing McCain in his own words,” in fact, that I’ll post the clip again, right here, too:

Other things that don’t upset this particular RNC blogger: pejorative mentions of the DNC’s “friends” “around the corner” in conjunction with “country clubs”—which are apparently, in fact, a favored destination of Chairman Dean.

A “Revelation” Regarding “Economic Illiteracy”

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:21:11 GMT

Ed Morrissey posted a great item yesterday regarding Obama’s plans in relation to the capital gains tax, in which he notes an apparent effort on Obama’s part, during an appearance on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace, to “walk back his previous position” on the matter of a hefty increase in the relevant tax rate. For those not in the know, Obama has previously indicated that he’d be fine with taking the capital gains tax rate all the way back up to 28 percent. Now, he’s saying—and I quote—“we might go back up to 20” percent.

As Ed hints, this slight revision of position is all very well and good, but the trouble for Obama is that he’s still arguing for a change in tax policy that would actually undercut what looks to be one of his chief objectives—bringing in “more revenue” (his words, not mine)—as opposed to furthering it. Obama doesn’t seem to understand what John McCain does, and indeed the last Democratic president did: Lowering capital gains tax rates leads to higher revenue, not least because of the effect that lowering capital gains tax rates has in relation to spurring investment and economic growth. Increasing capital gains tax rates…well, that doesn’t have the same revenue-generating effect.

So what’s the purpose of pursuing a capital gains tax rate hike, then? As Ed notes, there’s always the nebulous notion of “fairness”—but ultimately, that isn’t why Obama says he wants the capital gains tax rate raised. And the fact that he talks about wanting to raise it, apparently in order to get “more revenue,” suggests that he simply doesn’t understand what Ed terms “the dynamics of investment and tax policy.”

Ed calls that “a shortcoming with real consequences in a President,” and says that Obama’s espousals on tax policy amount to “a revelation about the kind of economic illiteracy we will see in an Obama administration.” I’m inclined to agree.

Something to Think about Regarding Taxes

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:10:34 GMT

I get the impression that a lot of Democrats, and certainly the ultimate Democratic nominee and the national party organizations, are going to spend the next few months arguing that John McCain’s plans for tax cuts are a problem where the budget (and his/our desire to balance it) are concerned. As such, I thought I’d post this useful table, obtained from today’s Wall Street Journal:

For anyone still unclear on this, lower taxes do not automatically equate to lower tax revenue—where economic growth is evident (and that’s something that tax cuts spur) increased tax revenue also results (so the numbers say). Not that this in any way detracts from the fact that Washington, DC, has a spending problem, as opposed to a revenue problem, of course…

Bad News for Obama

JRichardson — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:57:46 GMT

While surfing the web yesterday, I noticed this piece over at Politico by Ben Adler. It underlines that when Pennsylvania voters took the polls in the aftermath of “bitter-gate” and “Bosnia-gate,” Obama ended up not doing as well has he has in previous contests with youth voters, and Senator Clinton seems to have competed relatively well for their votes. That’s something that might seem surprising to some. Obama is often portrayed as having a lock on young voters as a demographic—indeed, Senator Clinton typically only wins the youth vote in states where she swept the popular vote by a substantial margin - not those where she won by 10 points or less, like Pennsylvania. Moreover, by some accounts, Obama outspent Senator Clinton in Pennsylvania by a three-to-one margin.

But it’s not so surprising to me. Democratic media consultant Larry Ceisler is quoted in the piece as saying that he thinks Obama faring less well with youth voters “had to do with connection.” That may well be right (and I’m guessing it is). After all, as I noted earlier this year, youth voters will likely take to the polls with pocket-book issues on their minds, as shown by this recent ABC News/Facebook poll (survey question: “Which issue will ultimately determine which candidate you vote for?”)

Overwhelmingly, those young voters who participated agreed: Issues surrounding the economy will heavily affect who they cast their ballots for in the remaining primary contests and in November, and I’m betting that young voters, as such, are connecting less and less well to a guy who’s pushing for close to a trillion dollars in new spending over the course of his first term alone, angling for steep tax increases and proposing nothing that would allow them greater control over their retirement savings.

Of course, those young voters with whom Obama’s plans for the economy seem not to be resonating are not alone: This Rasmussen poll shows that Americans, in general, trust John McCain over Barack Obama with regard to the economy (and Iraq, for that matter). That is definitely not what Obama and his team want to hear right now.

It has come to our attention…

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:30:07 GMT

… that the DNC has dubbed John McCain’s “It’s Time for Action” tour the “Places Republicans Never Visit" tour.

How funny and clever of them!

Too bad our counterparts are too busy with their tour-rebranding efforts to have read this International Herald Tribune article and/or this post yet—or, for that matter, checked out Barack Obama or Senator Clinton’s travel schedules, neither of which seems to have included a visit to Wilcox County, Alabama. After all, as the IHT piece makes clear, locals say no presidential candidate had ever visited there, other than…(you guessed it) John McCain.

Cheap, Cheap, Cheap

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:10:24 GMT

Today, in a cheap effort to bash John McCain, the DNC has issued a “Myth Buster” press release on the subject of the Gulf Coast’s woes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

This is too bad. Back in 2005, DNC Chair Howard Dean had the good sense to state that “In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, more than ever Americans need their leaders to put aside partisan politics and find real answers to the questions about why our federal government was so unprepared to respond appropriately to a large-scale disaster.” (my emphasis added). Apparently, that’s no longer Dean’s line. Now, it’s all about pursuing slash-and-burn politicking to the max, while ignoring key realities that are politically inconvenient to the man struggling mightily to defend Barack Obama and Senator Clinton.

What might some of those key realities be? Well, for starters, Dean conveniently forgets that Barack Obama has been a fierce opponent of negative campaigning and the “say and do anything” approach to winning elections that Dean seems to be hotly pursuing. In addition, he forgets that Obama actually voted against two amendments that would have prioritized reconstruction and rehousing along the Gulf Coast ahead of the pursuit of pork-barrel projects (something that concerns me, if not him). But just as importantly, he ignores McCain’s own words while seeking to denigrate him as someone perfectly at ease with how events in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina were handled, like for example, the following, which McCain was quoted as saying today:

"Never again, never again will a disaster of this nature be handled in the terrible and disgraceful way that it was handled.”

That’s the bottom line where John McCain is concerned—and if the DNC were concertedly tracking press coverage of McCain’s visit to New Orleans, they’d be aware that local residents are taking him at his word. Maybe the DNC should, too—that would be more fitting with Howard Dean’s old, respectable line on the subject of Hurricane Katrina, and far more becoming of the chairman of a major party organization.

Green Technology and a Point on Policy

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:57:13 GMT

Via Instapundit, I came across Autoblog’s 10 Most Promising Green Technologies list yesterday. Some of those mentioned, which caught my attention what seems like literally ages ago (and continue to generate interest among the general population), include hydrogen (-powered vehicles), hybrids (of course), and lithium ion batteries.

While I strongly encourage you to check out what Autoblog has to say about each of these technologies, I’d also encourage you to think about what enables technologies like them to come online and be developed in a form that can (and will) have real appeal to consumers. It’s not government mandates, rather, it’s things like R&D tax credits (which RNC Victory Chair Carly Fiorina has noted John McCain supports strongly) that enable innovative industries to pioneer new technologies and build them to meet consumer requirements. With gas running something in the range of $3.50 to $4.00 a gallon, demand for more fuel-efficient (and environmentally-friendly) vehicles is bound to increase, so it would seem smart to ensure that innovators can keep more of their money and use it to push forward with developing and mass-marketing technologies like those mentioned above.

Not Laugh-A-Minute for Franken

JRichardson — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:55:58 GMT

After giving the liberal talk radio host game a go-- and failing-- funnyman Al Franken moved camp from New York City to Minnesota in order to run for the United States Senate. But it looks like that endeavor isn’t working out too well for him, either. New poll numbers out today deliver a fresh reason for his campaign to be worried. Coleman, the incumbent Republican from Minnesota, is rising in the polls, while Franken is falling:

	Franken (D) 43% (-3)
	Coleman (R) 50% (+2)

Let’s be frank: Minnesotan voters are not proving all that receptive to Franken’s brand of politics. Maybe if his Senate run continues in this direction, he should consider heading back to Air America.

Getting to Grips with Local Challenges

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:01:40 GMT

This week, as part of his “It’s Time for Action” tour, John McCain has been visiting towns and cities across America that have too often been forgotten by politicians, and meeting and speaking with ordinary Americans there about the challenges they face and the solutions he has to offer.

The DNC is clearly worried about this, and therefore the committee is attacking McCain for being supposedly insufficiently cognizant of the difficult circumstances with which many Americans are contending, and implying that his solutions are nothing more than empty promises. The funny thing is, though, the DNC view does not seem to be shared by ordinary people who have actually attended McCain events, like, say, Jim DeLisio of Canfield, Ohio, with whom McCain’s positions on taxes resonate (“He by far will keep taxes lower than the other two candidates”) or Jack O’Connell, a former AFL-CIO leader who publicly endorsed McCain yesterday—or even one apparent College Democrat who doesn’t want the kind of change Barack Obama is offering.

Her view is probably not so out of the mainstream in parts of the country far removed from Washington, DC, of course. It’s tough to sell “change” that entails no relief from rising fuel and food prices, no credible plans to stimulate the economy, and no viable proposals for sparking job creation (what Obama has to offer)-- especially when a different kind of change agent (McCain) is speaking directly to voters and explaining how he would put things right in detail, and with frankness and empathy, while looking them in the eye. If nothing else, it’s easy for ordinary Ohioans to spot the difference between gas continuing to run on average at $3.52 a gallon, as Obama would have it, versus $3.34, as John McCain would. The DNC should think about that before it issues its next press release.

Jindal Does the Late Night Circuit

JRichardson — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:51:26 GMT

I have good news for all our Republican night owls out there. Governor Bobby Jindal, the first Indian American Governor in American history and first non-white Louisiana governor since reconstruction, will be appearing on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” next Monday. This should make for good viewing: Jindal is both 36 (so young, like many of Leno’s viewers) and possesses a certain star quality, not wholly unlike John McCain, who also has been known to yuk it up on the late night circuit.

I’m prepared for a few knee-slappers out of Jindal—the guy is deadly serious about putting a stop to corruption that plagued his state for decades, and won an unprecedented victory on the back of his pledge to do just that. But he seems like ideal late night guest material, too.

(H/T Sean Hackbarth)

The Forgotten Places of America; Update

JRichardson — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:44:05 GMT

John McCain officially kicked off his “It’s Time for Action Tour” yesterday, where the presumptive Republican nominee for President took note of the concerns of struggling Americans, like those in Gee’s Bend, Alabama.

His stops in Selma, Thomasville, and Gee’s Bend were the first of many unconventional campaign visits where the Senator will spend time in areas that have been “forgotten,” and face significant economic and social challenges.

This new tour is indicative of McCain’s firm commitment to tackle the concerns of all Americans, even those living in parts of America that fall far from the spotlight and rarely garner the attention of presidential candidates:

"This week, I will be traveling to places in America that aren't enjoying the prosperity many other parts of America enjoy, but where people are walking a long, hard road to make sure that their children will know the opportunities that other American children possess. They are places that for too long suffered too many disadvantages, but where people of good character and stout hearts believe in the possibility of making the future better than the past, the essence of the American Dream."

Go here to watch a clip of McCain’s trip across Alabama, where many voters require something more than lip-service and empty rhetoric, a la Senator Clinton and Barack Obama.

It’s time for action.

UPDATE: The DNC takes issue with our post, asserting that Democrats visit areas also visited by McCain on this week's tour "quite frequently." The International Herald Tribune indicates something different, though, at least with regard to Wilcox County, Alabama (a McCain destination):

At least one of the quilters, Mary Lee Bendolph...praised McCain for turning up in Wilcox County, which locals say has never before been visited by a presidential candidate.

"He came here and he did something, and you know what, nobody else did," Bendolph said. (my emphasis added)

A Statement That Speaks For Itself

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:43:51 GMT

Take note, because this truly beggars belief: As part of its effort to make John McCain look bad, the DNC has today gone on record to defend earmarks.

This is sad because first of all, it demonstrates that the folks at the DNC have a real lack of understanding when it comes to the legislative process and a basic ignorance of the fact that legitimate priorities can be funded without earmarks being entailed. But it’s also sad—and indicative of the mindset of the DNC folks—that Howard Dean’s staff thinks that the totally non-transparent allocation of $8 million worth of ordinary Americans’ tax money to make improvements to the home airports of Ted Kennedy and John Kerry is the kind of thing that is worthy of very public defense.

The committee’s pro-earmark statement really speaks for itself.

Factual Recklessness

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:41:05 GMT

The DNC has issued another one of its silly McCain “Myth Buster” press releases today. While it barely merits a response, there are a few salient points worth making in relation to it:

Irrespective of how often the DNC may say otherwise, John McCain is hardly someone who countenances fiscal recklessness or big spending, as the DNC often likes to argue to its own detriment. As we’ve noted before, as (a large) part of his economic plan, McCain is talking about cutting spending—namely by ending corporate welfare, restricting access to the Medicare prescription drug benefit for truly wealthy seniors, and putting a stop to government waste both as advanced via earmarking and otherwise. Moreover, McCain has a record of opposing big spending schemes advanced through Congress—the mark of a fiscal conservative arguing for fiscal responsibility, not a spendthrift maxing out the taxpayer credit card in an effort to pursue all-out fiscal recklessness.

The latter of these items—a spendthrift—is of course pretty much exactly what Barack Obama and Senator Clinton positively pledge to be, as president. Unlike John McCain, neither of them is talking about leading any efforts to cut spending or indeed rein in government growth—in fact, both of them are publicly committed to increasing spending over and above levels the DNC seems to implicitly accept are excessive. What’s more, they’re pledging to do so by close to a trillion dollars over just one four-year term. It’s highly amusing, given the position on fiscal matters being espoused by both Democrats, that the Democratic National Committee is bleating on about fiscal recklessness, let alone accusing anyone other its own presidential contenders of working concertedly to advance it.

What’s less amusing is the DNC’s continued commitment to highly selective chopping of John McCain’s quotes in a manner that misses out critical detail and ensures that when said chop-shopped quotes are employed, it amounts to serious misrepresentation, distortion, and indeed deception. For anyone doubting what exactly McCain said with regard to the question of economic progress versus the challenges currently being faced by American families, here’s a YouTube clip worth reviewing (not least because it also demonstrates the fatuousness of claims being made by Barack Obama which replicate this key DNC talking point):

The DNC may care to pay attention to this, going forward. Setting aside the committee’s odd conflation of evidence of economic hardship (e.g., high gas prices) with fiscal indiscipline, the fact of the matter is that John McCain is cognizant of the former—and deeply committed to putting a stop to the latter, unlike both of his Democratic challengers.

Earth Day Flub

JRichardson — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:40:30 GMT

Tomorrow is Earth Day. You probably knew this already (especially if you’re a young and somewhat environmentally-concerned voter like me) and if so, well, good! That puts you one step ahead of the DNC, who evidently missed the memo that Earth Day in fact is tomorrow.

Democrats often like to make out that they’re more attuned to the environment, and the sole leaders on environmental issues. That hardly looks to be the case, though, given the DNC’s confusion about the date on which Earth Day, 2008, falls.

UPDATE: Apparently the DNC received our memo regarding the actual date of Earth Day. Better late than never.

Ready to Rumble

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:16:48 GMT

Via Marc Ambinder, the American electorate learned this morning that all three presidential candidates had taped segments to air tonight on WWE’s Raw. TMZ has the video. They’re not convinced about anyone’s segment (or slogans or nicknames), though Ambinder publicly declares that McCain’s submission is his favorite because he “gives props to Flair.”

Come Again?

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:41:27 GMT

It’s really a little hard to know how to respond to this, issued today by the DNC. “John McCain Understands Psychology” is seriously the “myth” they’re attempting to “bust?”

Forgive me for not noticing, but understanding “psychology” is not, in my estimation and I daresay that of most Americans, a must-have qualification for a would-be president. What is, is a genuine understanding of the challenges Americans are facing, true empathy and concern regarding what they’re going through, and solid policies that would ensure the improvement of their circumstances. John McCain has all of those things in spades, though presumably the point the DNC is really trying to get across is that they disagree.

Well, fine. The DNC is, after all, the committee tasked with promoting the candidacy of a guy who’s terribly worried about how middle class people in middle America will possibly be able to afford their arugula.

On Obama`s Distortions...

JRichardson — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:55:54 GMT

YouTube, the online phenomenon to which Senator Obama likes to refer on the stump, is beginning to become his worst friend. Facts … they’re might pesky.

Facebook Speaks

JRichardson — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:17:02 GMT

With virtually no end in sight as the race for the Democratic nomination rages, prognosticators, pundits, and youth voters alike are weighing in on the affair. ABC News/Facebook has brought us yet another public opinion gem: “Do you think it will damage the Democratic Party if the Clinton/Obama battle is not settled before the convention?”

The divisions and tensions among Democratic voters seem to grow with every debate, caucus, and primary as Senator Clinton and Barack Obama work towards solidifying their respective demographics. Both Liz and I have written about the Democrats’ “long haul” and pointed to what look like negative consequences which, apparently, youth voters also are identifying, and in large numbers I might add. At my time of writing this, 78% of those who participated agreed that a long, divisive campaign would likely hurt the Democratic Party and impede its candidate’s path to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Taking to the stage with the theme song of “Rocky” ominously playing in the background, Senator Clinton (she may think she’s Rocky, but I hasten to note the real Rocky has endorsed Senator McCain) has pledged her commitment to “Give people from Pennsylvania to Puerto Rico the chance to vote and be part of the process.” But that process seems to be taking its toll. Setting aside the ABC/Facebook data, a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll shows that both Senator Clinton and Barack Obama’s unfavorable ratings have hit record highs as John McCain continues to pull ahead, including with demographics to whom Democrats tend to appeal.

In short, John McCain, the Republican Party’s nominee, is reaping enormous benefits from the “Clinton/Obama battle,” as Facebook calls it, the end result of which is abundantly clear, at least to youth voters. Don’t fret, Senator Clinton. There’s always Super-Delegates!

Curiouser and Curiouser

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:38:13 GMT

Today, the DNC has issued another entertaining “Myth Buster,” attempting to undercut John McCain’s recognized appeal as an anti-pork barreling crusader while simultaneously intimating that he might not be quite as strong a supporter of the state of Israel as people believe. So, then: Howard Dean and friends score points for novelty—even though they’re unlikely to yield any tangible political dividends from going in this particular direction.

Here’s the initial spot of bother for the DNC: McCain’s de facto calling card, recognized at the drop of a hat, across virtually the entire country, by virtually everyone who’s had a TV during the last 10 years, is that of a foe of wasteful Washington excess. By contrast, Senator Clinton and Barack Obama are known for something rather different. Not only are each of them positively pledging to increase federal spending by close to a trillion dollars over the course of their first would-be presidential terms alone, as anyone who has read this article could tell you, neither of them has a history of standing up against the kind of excess that typically ticks off voters—and, well, John McCain, too. Voters know that opposition to pork-barreling is something more than a mere talking point for McCain—and that puts a major dent in the DNC’s plans to paint him with other stripes via this release.

But there’s another bump in this particular path being trodden by the DNC, too: “Strong” isn’t a word that immediately or naturally springs to mind when talking about much foreign policy-related and either Democratic presidential contender—whether that be with specific regard to Israel or other matters, entirely, and whether on the basis of the approach to foreign policy they advocate or the basic chops required to execute it well, and in a manner that promotes America’s national interest. Obama, for his part, is renowned for his interest in talking to anyone, anytime, anyhow—often, it appears, irrespective of very likely adverse consequences, for us or indeed our allies. Clinton, incidentally just like him, lacks the kind of expansive, deep knowledge gleaned from experience of engaging in foreign affairs matters at a high level, herself. It’s hard to suggest, with any credibility, that John McCain, when matched against either of these two, looks like the “weak” guy when it comes to fulfilling relationships with key allies, or anything else foreign policy-related for that matter. That’s ultimately another reason why this DNC attack falls flat.

Fuzzy Math and Bad Assumptions

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:50:36 GMT

Just a day after John McCain gave his very well-received speech outlining his proposed economic plan in Pittsburgh, the DNC is (unsurprisingly) attacking him—and like yesterday, they pick the rhetorically awkward (for them) ground of “fiscal responsibility” on which to lay siege.

The DNC’s baseline assertion is that McCain’s economic proposals, as detailed just over 24 hours ago, would increase the budget deficit. But that’s clearly a fatuous suggestion, if one actually scrutinizes what McCain is in fact proposing. Among other things, the DNC’s ham-handed effort to make out that McCain will prove to be a fiscal indisciplinarian because of costs associated with US involvement in Iraq falls flat because just like their much-employed, but nonetheless debunked Iraq talking point, it’s predicated on the notion that John McCain is proposing 100 years of war when he quite clearly is not—and anyone with access to YouTube knows it.

It’s More Than Just Forms

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:21:19 GMT

Via New Hampshire’s Union Leader comes this interesting tidbit:

Democratic senatorial candidate Jeanne Shaheen proposed a simplified, one-page tax return yesterday, while her Republican rival -- U.S. Sen. John Sununu -- called for a simpler, fairer tax system.

[…]

"Every year on April 15, Tax Day, people go to the post offices all over New Hampshire to mail their tax returns, and most people are tired, and they're frustrated, and they think there's got to be a better way," she said.

Shaheen has a point insofar as tax forms do suck. I hate them, and everyone I know hates them.

The problem is, as her opponent-- Sen. John Sununu-- rightly indicated, what irks Americans just as much and often more so is the complexity of the tax system, and the sense that it isn’t fair (i.e., that you personally are paying more than you should in taxes). Shaheen doesn’t seem to have much to say about that broader point.

DNC’s Tax Day Attacks

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:02:05 GMT

It’s Tax Day in America, and to honor the occasion, the DNC is using its daily “Myth Buster” to try to convince interested folks that John McCain is a fiscal indisciplinarian. Of course, Howard Dean and his friends are conveniently overlooking two important points in so doing:

It’s Barack Obama and Senator Clinton, not John McCain, who are calling for hundreds of billions of dollars in additional federal spending over the course of their first would-be presidential terms alone (and the DNC employing debunked talking points to assert something different is ridiculous). Note that this new spending will of course will be funded by bigger tax bills than the one you likely are settling today.

More importantly, John McCain, who the DNC knows full well is no enthusiast of budget-busting spending (unlike his Democratic counterparts) has been devoting much of the morning to talking about fiscally responsible policy—and proving himself something far short of the spendthrift that the DNC would so love Americans to view him as being.

In view of the latter point, rather than me spelling out where McCain stands on the matter of fiscal responsibility, I think it’s best to let him speak for himself—especially since I’ve got to get a check to the IRS and all. Over to McCain, who made these comments today in Pittsburgh:

The DNC`s Incredible, Utterly Bogus Campaign Finance Claims

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:36:12 GMT

The DNC has today issued another one of its McCain “Myth Busters,” this time focusing on the subject of campaign finance reform. Amusingly, it seeks to attack John McCain for taking exactly the same action that the committee’s own Chairman, Howard Dean, took back during the 2004 election cycle. However, the “Myth Buster” goes wrong in multiple other ways, too, for example, by alleging that John McCain used the promise of public matching funds as “collateral” for a loan—something that can be best described as highly imaginative.

As this article exploring McCain’s much-discussed bank loan indicates, the bank in question refutes the suggestion that collateral was offered, full stop: Per its own lawyers, the bank “does not now have, nor did it ever receive… a security interest in any certification of matching funds. Any finding or determination to the contrary would be wholly inconsistent with the language of the loan documents, the intent and understanding of the parties and basic principles of banking, security and uniform commercial code law.” The bottom line here is: The charge being leveled by the DNC on this count is clearly bogus, no matter how politically expedient the DNC may think it is to raise it.

But the DNC attack proves off base in other ways, too. Another example: Whereas the “Myth Buster” talks about McCain “surpassing” spending caps, the fact of the matter is that the McCain campaign has never been tied to spending caps. That’s because it never accepted public funding, and as the relevant FEC regulation (11 C.F.R. § 9035.1(d)) itself states:

“the [matching-fund system’s] expenditure limitations . . . shall not apply to a candidate who does not receive matching funds.” (my emphasis added)

Howard Dean & Co are going to have to prove themselves nothing less than wizards in order to square that circle—and until they do, it’s abundantly clear that the DNC has nothing valid or credible to say on this subject, and that the committee’s protestations should not be treated seriously.

A Slap in the Face for One of America’s Strongest Allies

JRichardson — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:20:58 GMT

Today the DNC is suggesting that President Bush and Republicans have “alienat[ed] many nations around the world.” Too bad they conveniently forget that Senator Clinton and Barack Obama are actively espousing policy that would have this exact effect, by opposing passage of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

It’s a position Speaker Pelosi is buying into also, if inadvertently-- she refuses to bring the bill relating to the trade deal to a vote on the House floor. It’s also one that should have Americans concerned. Not only do free trade agreements, like that proposed with Colombia, result in America being able to export more with fewer constraints, but they strengthen bilateral relationships, including in this case with one of America’s strongest allies in Latin America. Perhaps that’s why Mexico’s Ambassador to the US, Arturo Sarukahn, indicated that non-passage of this particular trade deal would be “The most important geopolitical mistake the United States could do today.” (my emphasis added) Perhaps that’s also why Democrats’ opposition to the trade deal (or at least to voting on it) amounts to a “Real slap in the face for a strong ally,” according to Linda Chavez.

Today President Bush addressed the Colombia FTA and had this to say:

“There's big disappointment around this table about the action the Speaker took on the Colombia free trade agreement. This free trade agreement is good for American workers and it's good for American consumers. And this free trade agreement is in our national interests. Yet that bill is dead unless the Speaker schedules a definite vote. This is an unprecedented move and it's not in our country's interest that we stiff an ally like Colombia, and that we don't encourage our goods and services to be sold overseas.”

Not in our country’s interest indeed… Too bad Democrats can’t, or won’t, see that.

The Next American Idol

JRichardson — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:19:14 GMT

In case you missed American Idol’s “Idol Gives Back” last night, here’s a clip of what was nothing short of a great appearance by Senator McCain.

Note the zinger line.

This is yet another example of McCain’s willingness to reach out to a younger, and arguably rather apolitical crowd, and beat the Democrats at their own game—and his success in doing so last night is something to which even this liberal blogger attests (check out the title of his post).

Uh-oh

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:51:39 GMT

From the AP:

“Republican Sen. John McCain has erased Sen. Barack Obama's 10-point advantage in a head-to-head matchup, leaving him essentially tied with both Democratic candidates in an Associated Press-Ipsos national poll released Thursday.

[…]

About a quarter of Obama supporters say they'll vote for McCain if Clinton is the Democratic nominee. About a third of Clinton supporters say they would vote for McCain if it's Obama.”

Additional kernel of interest: “[Obama] also lost nine points or more among voters under 35” and other core demographics. I hasten to highlight that James has been pointing to John McCain’s ability to compete for youth voters’ support, specifically, for some time now.

On the Colombia Trade Deal

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:23:04 GMT

Daniel Drezner has a good post up today about the Colombia trade deal, which predictably is taking heavy fire from liberal bloggers, liberal activists and, yes, liberal politicians, to boot. He makes a number of good points about the deal, some of which aren’t being as widely seized upon as one might like, but which I think deserve repeating, especially given that the Democratic candidates for president seem to be less on the same page as John McCain than their recent forebears might have been with regard to their own Republican opponents.

First off, contrary to what many trade skeptics are asserting, Drezner notes that the effect of deals like the Colombian one on US wages is “less than minimal”—a point which follows from the free trade agreement in question involving relatively few changes on the US side of the deal (a point, I might add, that has been made by at least one prominent liberal blogger who doesn’t like the deal so much, and which Drezner cites).

On Young Political Activists: Yes, We Exist

JRichardson — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:19:48 GMT

Senator McCain, who, no doubt to the dismay of DNC Chairman Howard Dean, has made a commitment to aggressively reach out to demographic blocs traditionally more associated with Democrats, is gaining traction with one of them in particular, it seems. Young Americans-- even those too young to vote in the 2008 election-- are showing a higher level of enthusiasm for McCain’s candidacy than what you might expect (incidentally make me feel like less and less of an anomaly). Elizabeth Berry, a junior at Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix, is a great example of one of them.

Elizabeth recently penned an article for the Arizona Republic, “Teens Don't Have to be Voting Age to Work for Campaign,” in which she describes the passion John McCain inspired in her and other youth voters to become politically active:

"Serving a cause greater than your self-interest" is a defining value that presidential candidate Sen. John McCain strongly advocates. It guides him in his campaign and his life. His example inspired me to get involved in my community.

The willingness to canvass communities and call voters by volunteers like Elizabeth will surely benefit McCain this November and not just the Democratic candidate, who’s typically more associated with youth voters.

The upshot? This is no longer your parents’ Republican Party; it’s yours.

Senator Collins: A Force to be Reckoned with

JRichardson — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:49:32 GMT

Senator Susan Collins (R–ME), quite possibly one of the most dedicated members of the United States Senate—she’s never missed a roll call vote in her 11 years of service—was the recipient of some very good news yesterday. A recent Rasmussen poll has Collins leading liberal Netroots darling Democratic Rep. Tom Allen by 16 pts in her re-election contest.

On the face of it, that number looks bad for Allen, but a deeper look yields yet worse news for his campaign. Collins has a 72% approval rating—significantly higher than Allen’s. In addition, Collins garners significant support from self-described “Conservatives,” but she also is supported by 55% of self-described “Moderates” and even 32% of “Liberals.” The latter two numbers should really have Allen worried, heading towards November.

Missing the Point

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:35:33 GMT

Today, the DNC has issued a “Myth Buster” attacking John McCain for having misspoken in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing yesterday.

That’s all very well and good, and far be it from me to deny Howard Dean and his staff their customary mid-week cheap shot. But before they disseminate their press release on this point too widely, they might want to take note of the fact that one of the candidates they may soon be going to bat for (Barack Obama) himself was noted talking about the “Iraqi” government, when he in fact should have said the “Iranian” government, when questioning Ambassador Crocker yesterday. Here’s the transcript, with relevant sections highlighted in bold:

SEN. OBAMA: ok. let me shift to iran. just as -- and ambassador crocker, if you want to address this, you can -- just as it's fair to say we are not going to completely eliminate all traces of al qaeda in iraq but we want to create a manageable situation, it's also true to say we are not going to eliminate all influence of iran in iraq, correct? that's not our goal, that can be our definition of success that iran has no influence in iraq. so can you define more sharply what you think would be a legitimate or fair set of circumstances in the relationship between iran and iraq that would make us feel more comfortable drawing down our troops?

AMB. CROCKER: senator, as i said in my statement, we have no problem with a good constructive relationship between iran and iraq. the problem is with the iranian strategy of backing extremist militia groups and sending in weapons and munition that is used against iraqis and against our own forces.

SEN. OBAMA: do we feel confident that the iraqi government is directing these -- this aid to these special groups? do we feel confident about that or do we think they're tolerating it?

AMB. CROCKER: there's no question in our minds that the iranian government, in particular, the force -- this is a conscious, carefully worked out policy.

Misstatement? Confusion? Barack Obama not knowing his key Middle Eastern players? Ultimately, debating this point is of lesser importance than debating the actual merits of what John McCain and Barack Obama, respectively, are proposing in terms of policy regarding Iraq. So, let’s do that for a moment.

To be clear, Obama is advocating precipitous withdrawal (evidenced by the fact that his timeline is in no way blessed by the military commanders on the ground, who have a firmer grasp of the situation than he does). In the circumstances, that presents a serious risk that not long after initial withdrawal, US troops could be sent back into Iraq at great cost, both financial and human, and the Middle East could become vastly more destabilized as part of the overall process. John McCain, on the other hand, is the only candidate advocating a policy that would bring US troops home with dignity and in victory, with the prospect of a more, not less, stable Middle East. In view of that, the DNC might want to try defending the merits of the former “plan” for a change, instead of debating who is “confused” about their Middle East players—a proverbial knife that, as we’ve seen, can cut both ways.

On Listening

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:39:30 GMT

Today, while General Petraeus was appearing before members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the DNC was busy attacking John McCain for supposedly not listening to military commanders on the ground in Iraq.

That’s somewhat ironic, since if DNC staffers been watching today’s Armed Services Committee hearing moderately closely, they would have noticed that McCain was, in fact listening carefully to Petraeus, who offered answers to some pretty tough questions asked by McCain, to boot. As this Chicago Tribune piece notes, “McCain picked up on a line of questioning stated by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin”—hardly the approach of a guy looking to paint a rosy picture, or ignore difficult facts, and rather the approach of someone who is obviously prepared to be Commander-in-Chief, and take advice from those who have firsthand knowledge necessary for sound decision-making.

McCain’s approach today, of course, differed markedly from that taken by Senator Clinton, a Democratic contender the DNC could soon have to defend. She seemed to treat her “questioning” of Petraeus today rather more as an opportunity to pontificate than one to inform herself of core facts, as any viewer of coverage of the hearings via MSNBC could testify. That’s not altogether surprising, given that she has displayed a total unwillingness to listen to, or treat credibly, what Petraeus has had to say on previous occasions. It’s pretty hard to forget her now-infamous comment to Petraeus last September that “the reports that you provide to us really require the willing suspension of disbelief." It’s similarly hard to reconcile the implicit assertion in the DNC’s attacks today that she listens to military commanders “more” or “better” than John McCain when in September, she called on President Bush to “greatly accelerate” redeployment of troops out of Iraq irrespective of Petraeus’ testimony that “a premature draw down of our forces would likely have devastating consequences.”

Also back in September, Barack Obama showed his disinterest in listening to what our top military commander in Iraq had to say in a more basic and obvious way: by chewing gum, reading a memo, and asking just one question. Perhaps this response is not surprising from a guy who still has yet to hold a single policy hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s European Affairs Subcommittee, which he chairs. It’s certainly clear that Obama was not “listening” to Petraeus, just as Clinton was not, when last September, he said that “The best way to protect our security and to pressure Iraq's leaders to resolve their civil war is to immediately begin to remove our combat troops. Not in six months or one year, but now.” That comment was made a day after Petraeus made his comments cited above, regarding “a premature drawn down” likely having “devastating consequences.”

Similar “listening” can no doubt be expected from Obama this afternoon, as Petraeus appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. After all, he, like Senator Clinton, continues to advocate for an immediate withdrawal of troops, should he take office next year. The DNC may, or may not, have noticed, but that’s not something that Petraeus is calling for—which is in one way the ultimate testimony to who will, and will not, listen to our military commanders as President.

Oops

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:38:23 GMT

When you reference YouTube in a widely-viewed interview, expect this to happen:

Embarrassing, no? I’d hasten to point out that it’s not any better if this morning, Obama was referencing not his own comments, but rather McCain’s, as is amply clear in watching this:

Methinks Obama should just stop using the phrase “100 years” altogether…

An Aggressive National Campaign Means Trouble for Clinton, Obama

JRichardson — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:20:54 GMT

John McCain’s bi-partisan credentials, public introspection, and foreign policy bona fides are threatening to become a greater nuisance for Senator Clinton and Barack Obama, both of whom have lost ground against the Senator in recent weeks as they continue to fight hard for their party’s nomination. In an appearance on Fox News Sunday, Senator McCain promised to “Go all over America ... [and] compete hard in every section of the country,” a commitment, which it’s safe to say, Obama and Clinton likely have few intentions of making.

It seems McCain’s base of “McCainocrats” stands to grow substantially larger with his commitment to campaign for all votes – even those blocs with regard to which Democrats have shown strength: Hispanic, African American, and Youth voters being among them. Senator McCain is cognizant the old “red-state/blue-state” paradigm may not hold true in 2008 and plans to run an aggressive campaign across the entire nation.

Rest assured, with an ever-energizing Republican base and surging independent support, Dean and Co. will continue their baseless attacks on McCain, while liberal media personalities will no doubt persist with efforts to fear-monger regarding McCain’s candidacy—which actually is predicated on the notion of uniting, not dividing, as McCain’s homage to both Barry Goldwater and Mo Udall on Saturday serves to underline.

The DNC vs. Public Opinion, Fundamental Rules of Economics

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:49:23 GMT

Today, the DNC has released another one of its cute “McCain vs. McCain” debate gimmicks. It’s aimed at painting John McCain in a bad light because—get this—he has a) recognized that the US economy has taken a significant downturn b) acknowledged that he is not the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, but that he does understand the economy (apparently unlike Barack Obama and Senator Clinton) and c) spoken out against tax hikes.

This is evidently pretty damning stuff, and particularly that last bit, in the eyes of the DNC, who seem to have missed the memo about vast tax hikes being unpopular with ordinary Americans, and bad for moving the economy back into a position of strength. Sure, it’s tough being tasked with defending tax-happy candidates like Obama and Clinton, but it remains extraordinarily bizarre that Howard Dean & Co seriously are purporting to argue that promising to raise taxes is the way forward—both as an electoral strategy and an economic policy. The fact that the committee continues to do so with such zeal, including via “debates” like this is a reminder of how little credibility the DNC, and the two Democratic candidates, have where economics are concerned among their target audience: Voters, the vast majority of whom know better.

The bottom line here? This latest DNC effort will do nothing but underline that there is one candidate in this race, and one candidate only, whose economic policies will both appeal to Americans and work—and that would be John McCain.

Joking Aside

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:46:32 GMT

It’s been a busy few days here at the RNC, and with all the hustle and bustle, I evidently missed the memo about the DNC branching out into improvisational comedy.

How else, though, can I explain today’s DNC McCain “Myth Buster?” It touches on the topic of spending, purporting to peg John McCain as a fiscal indisciplinarian; yet it is Barack Obama and Senator Clinton who each propose spending an additional $800 billion-plus over just one four-year term while McCain proposes eliminating wasteful outlays by government (as he has done over more than 20 years of government service). It also re-employs the now-fabled (and debunked) “100 years” talking point, which is thoroughly irrelevant to the main point the DNC is trying to thrust home, since John McCain is hardly advocating decades and decades of war, as anyone who has seen this clip knows. In sum, it’s laugh-a-minute stuff, though clearly, the joke is on the DNC for continuing to tell tall tales about what John McCain would, or would not, do, while failing to explain a bevy of ill-thought-out proposals being pushed by the Democratic contenders in areas ranging from taxes to foreign policy—and indeed beyond.

It’s high time the DNC got serious, and explained to Americans just why they should vote for candidates proposing such vast expansions of government, with a big price tag to match, or for that matter, an approach to Iraq that John McCain has rightly identified could easily result in US re-engagement in Iraq, post-Obama or Clinton-led withdrawal, down the line, with further (and huge) costs to bear. The DNC, Barack Obama and Senator Clinton’s unwillingness to do so is ultimately no laughing matter, and voters are bound to realize that before November rolls around.

40 Years Ago Today

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:51:14 GMT

Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)

“Early morning, April four
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky.
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride.”

Iraq`s 3 AM Phone Is Ringing

JRichardson — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:50:16 GMT

Of late, Barack Obama has aggressively stepped up his misleading attacks on John McCain with regard to Iraq. The funny thing is, while Obama is blasting McCain for being willing to keep troops in Iraq for an extended period (though admittedly not on the basis Obama has claimed), we learn today that one of Obama’s advisors isn’t exactly advocating for a full and immediate withdrawal.

According to the New York Sun, one Colin Kahl penned a confidential memo recommending “that America keep between 60,000 and 80,000 troops in Iraq as of late 2010.” Kahn also says that specific timelines should flow from negotiations and conditions on the ground. In sum, as the Sun underlines, that’s a plan that’s largely at odds with the commitments made by Obama to withdraw combat forces from Iraq within 16 months of taking office, full stop (and I might add, so are statements made by certain other Obama advisers).

Kahl’s apparent sentiments on Iraq beg the question: What’s the deal, Senator Obama? In or out?

The 3 AM phone– on which Obama and Clinton have become fixated– is ringing and neither “present” nor diversionary attacks on John McCain, relying on misleading talking points, amounts to an answer.

More Good News for Dino Rossi

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:52:57 GMT

Rasmussen data, released yesterday:

“The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Washington voters found a virtual tie in the race for the state’s next governor. Democratic Incumbent Christine Gregoire holds a statistically insignificant lead over Republican Dino Rossi, 47% to 46%.”

As an Evergreen Stater unimpressed with Gregoire’s “F” rating on CATO’s 2006 Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors, all I can say is: Good.

Cleaning Up One’s Own House First

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:52:26 GMT

Today, as part of its “Myth Busting” crusade, the DNC has decided to go down a road that leaves them with little to no credibility, something that doesn’t seem to deter or concern them.

Senator Clinton and Barack Obama are both taking fire this week where matters closely associated with congressional ethics are concerned—like, say, earmarks, which incidentally the Democratic leadership in Congress hasn’t exactly done a stellar job of curbing.

Yesterday, David Williams, the Vice President of Citizens Against Government Waste, bashed Democrats for having talked a good game where the notion of getting rid of earmarks was concerned, but having scored few points, post-kickoff. Williams stated on Bloomberg’s “Money And Politics” that we’re still dropping something in the order of $17 billion annually on earmarks. And here’s the kicker: Senator Clinton and Barack Obama are contributing to the problem, and not by piddly margins, either: According to Williams, Clinton is responsible for about $200 million of that total; Obama’s haul, meanwhile, was $97 million.

John McCain’s total? Zero. Let me reiterate that: Zero.

You Look Like A Guy...

JRichardson — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:54:06 GMT

While Barack has been busy throwing gutter balls across the Keystone state, John McCain had the opportunity to exact some comedic revenge on one of my favorite late night shows, “The Late Show with David Letterman,” marking a slight detour from his weeklong “Bio” tour.

Who says Republicans don’t have a sense of humor?

Reid On Taxes

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:53:32 GMT

So much of what Harry Reid says can boggle the mind, but in this interview, the Senate Majority Leader goes above and beyond even his usual standard. Discussing taxation, Reid seemingly argues that the US tax system is “voluntary” and seems to suggest that the proof of this lies in the fact that Americans (unlike Europeans, as Reid seems to think) file tax returns.

As someone who has in fact lived and worked in Europe, I can assure Reid that tax returns are not exactly unheard of across the Atlantic. Not that that actually has any bearing on whether taxes are best described as “voluntary” or not—and I suspect very, very few Americans would agree with Reid on his characterization of them.

(H/T Dave Weigel)

You Can’t Be President; Your School Charged Too Much Tuition

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:22:32 GMT

Today, John McCain was in Alexandria, Virginia, for the second day of his week-long bio tour, visiting his former high school. What journalists saw as an interesting event to cover, however, the DNC apparently saw as an opportunity for a pretty ridiculous attack centered on (seriously) the tuition that Episcopal High School charges.

Setting aside that one can say with plenty of confidence that plenty of Democrats have also attended private institutions (and indeed elementary, middle/junior high and high schools), the funny thing is that the DNC seems completely unable to admit that the education policies advocated by both of the Democratic presidential contenders would make it essentially impossible for average (let alone lower income) Americans to have any access to schools of their choosing. It’s ironic that the main organization representing the party that purports to speak (alone) for Americans espouses education policy which has as a main effect ensuring that the few have access to the best schools, while the children of working Americans generally do not. Of course it’s also ironic that a party that claims to have a monopoly on sensible education policies can’t come up with a better attack to use against its opponent with regard to education.

Stop. Think. Then React.

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:09:00 GMT

In its thus-far fruitless effort to come up with a viable line of attack against John McCain, the DNC is debuting a new and hopelessly incoherent “strategy” today: Attack McCain as an opportunist whilst simultaneously attacking him for actions and statements that show that he’s… principled.

It’s all very entertaining for those of us down the street from Howard Dean & Co’s HQ. What is less so is the DNC’s persistence in attempting to lend weight and credibility to their (contradictory) talking points by resuscitating old misrepresentations and outright distortions, when the facts are actually quite simple. Here they are, for anyone who’s interested:

RNC: A Cascade of Press Releases Can’t Make DNC Claims Ring True

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:03:11 GMT

In addition to its usual daily attack on John McCain, the DNC has wheeled out something extra special today, bashing John McCain as a “weak candidate,” despite strong evidence to the contrary.

Per Gallup headlines from last week: “If McCain vs. Obama, 28% of Clinton Backers Go for McCain” and “If McCain vs. Clinton, 19% of Obama backers go for McCain”

Per MSNBC’s First Read, which summarized the results of the latest NBC/WSJ poll last week: “For the second poll in a row, more than 20% of Clinton and Obama supporters say they would support McCain when he's matched up against the other Democrat.”

Perhaps Howard Dean and his staff need to brush up on their math?

McCain Out West

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:09:59 GMT

Yesterday, John McCain was out West, and several bloggers and online media outlets had the opportunity to attend events. Here’s a quick roundup of some of their coverage.

From blogger Jake Lybbert, who attended a McCain event in Salt Lake City, come these interesting notes:

One reporter asked Senator McCain about the economy. McCain said that he understands the dire straits facing Americans, that as they sit at the kitchen table, they have to consider whether to pick up a 2nd job or take some other drastic measure to make ends meet. Regarding a possible "housing bailout," he said that he was sympathetic to well-intentioned families who might lose their houses, but didn't care at all for the "speculator in Scottsdale" who bought 3 houses for profit and might lose his shirt.

[…]

During his comments, Governor Huntsman compared John McCain to Ronald Reagan and another of our heroes, Theodore Roosevelt. Hunting for the Reagan legacy was the theme of the early Republican primary. So, nothing to see there. But the Roosevelt comparison piqued our interest.

[…]

While we don't see Senator McCain challenging anyone to a wrestling match or other feat of strength (Roosevelt's signature), we did Huntsman's comparison apt when it came to McCain's relationship with business and foreign policy.

(Other interesting tidbit: Jake is a finalist in the America’s Future Foundation 2008 College Blogger Contest.)

Offering coverage of the Denver portion of McCain’s trip was Slapstick Politics’ El Presidente, who had this to say:

The new term "McCain-ocrats" has been put forth as the new column of supporters, coming primarily from the Democratic ranks fed up with their destructive Clinton-Obama primary, as well as center-left leaning independents who might not usually even give the GOP candidate a look, but will now since the nominee is McCain.

With Colorado's rapidly increasing unaffiliated voting bloc soon to surpass the state's registered GOP voters, McCain's nomination could put more of that segment in play--or at the very least stem the tide of tilting Democratic that has delivered almost every recent state and federal level election in Colorado to the Democrats.

[…]

Once voters outside of the Dems really pay attention to either Clinton or Obama, they may just be scared enough by their socialist/liberal/progressive agendas to give the senator a second look. Just look at McCain's favorability rating versus either Clinton or Obama. (Side note from Liz: take a look at Gallup’s numbers with regard to the favorability point, also).

PolitickerCO offered a good roundup of the Denver event, too. Check it out.