CPAC High Points So Far
Saturday, February 20th, 20101. Energy is high. People are vibrating with excitement.
2. Democrats are going down in a ball of Fail.
3. Conservative candidates are energized.
4. Everyone predicts a sweep in the House…..even the politicians who don’t predict these things.
5. Speakers who excited the crowd: Cheney, Scott Brown, Chuck Devore, Ann Coulter, John Bolton.
Will detail it more later in my podcasts.
Conservatives Pushing Back: Illinois, Florida and California
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010This will be a good year for not just Republican gains, but for conservative gains. Consider Marco Rubio in Florida:
Marco Rubio, who began last year as a total unknown, has pulled ahead of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist in the Florida Senate Republican primary for the first time, in a new Quinnipiac poll released today.
The poll shows Rubio leading Crist by three points, 47 to 44 percent – a lead within the poll’s 3.8 percent margin of error. In last June’s Quinnipiac survey, the little-known Rubio trailed Crist by 31 points.
Crist still is viewed favorably in Florida, though his approval ratings are on the decline. A bare 50 percent majority approved of his performance in office — down from 59 percent last October — with 38 percent disapproving.
And then, there’s the Illinois race where Mark Kirk is trying to portray himself as conservative–while he voted for Cap-N-Trade. Patrick Hughes is the obvious choice here, too. Over at Furthermore:
The simple mention of Kirk’s name has consistently drawn louder boos at IL Tea Parties than the names of Dick Durbin and Roland Burris. For the record, Kirk voted YES on Cap and Tax, NO on the Surge and he is NO friend of gun owners. Kirk also was against the partial birth abortion ban!
But, we are down to seven days. That’s 7! I sure hope the Tea Parties can act together in time to help! Conservatives across the country are seriously considering a last minute ‘air drop’ of support into Illinois for Pat Hughes. Please help.
A money bomb today over at Hugh’s site.
And then there’s California where Carly Fiorina speaks Democrat lingo:
Former Hewlett-Packard CEO and Republican Senate candidate Carly Fiorina found herself in political hot water Friday after speaking warmly of Jesse Jackson and saying democracy won’t be “truly representative” until “at least” half of elected officials are women.
In a speech that became public Friday, Fiorina fondly recalled the Rev. Jesse Jackson — a controversial figure across the political spectrum but anathema to many on the right — “very graciously” visiting her at HP years ago, when the two worked together to boost diversity among Silicon Valley’s work force.
“I like to remind people that women are not a constituency — women are a majority,” Fiorina said during her Wednesday night speech in Sacramento, hosted by California Women Lead, a nonpartisan group that encourages women to seek public office. “Women are the majority of voters and we will never have a truly representative democracy unless women make up half, at least, of our elected representatives.”
At a time Fiorina is seeking to appeal to conservatives, the most reliable voters in Republican primaries, her remarks could prove costly. Critics on the right, including one of her opponents in the GOP Senate primary, argued that her speech smacked of identity politics and bristled at her ties to Jackson.
And Chuck De Vore has been there, from the beginning, laying the groundwork for a conservative to capture Barbara Boxer’s seat.
The wonderful thing about these hardcore primary challenges is that establishment, bloated-government Republicans are having to answer for betraying the Republican brand (whatever that is).
Ultimately a new slew of “Reagan conservatives” will remake the party into a more fiscally restrained, responsive party.
The general election will also be bruising and rigorous. Good. Both Democrats and Republicans have been way too self-satisfied and unresponsive to their voters–they give the impression that the only way to have influence is to buy it.
Maybe a serious threat to their seat will wake politicians recognize their role as a representative, not an imperious leader.
Republicans & Identity Politics: Scozzafava Campaign Demonstrates How The Two Don’t Mix
Saturday, October 31st, 2009Just up is a piece I wrote for Pajamas Media–before the news of today and had to update it–about identity politics in the Republican Party. Here’s part of it:
Maybe it will take another generation for the novelty of women in power to wear off so that women can be looked at for the content of their character and their achievement. Women are more than their reproductive organs.
The Republican Party should help this process along by supporting and promoting deserving candidates with solid accomplishments and sound ideology. These candidates can be of any stripe. If the candidate is black and male and fills this bill (Michael Williams), great. If the candidate is Hispanic and male and fills this bill (Marco Rubio), great. If the candidate is white and female (Liz Cheney), great. If the candidate is white and male (Doug Hoffman), great.
The Republican Party has decided that the party needs more women. A woman, any woman, will do. Enter Dede Scozzafava. She seems to have all the credentials the Republican Party is looking for: female reproductive organs. She supports abortion, big government, ACORN, and unions. In most places, hell, even in New York, that makes her a Democrat. Dan Riehl has a shocking behind-the-scenes post detailing the thought process:
The very same GOP old hands opted for insider Jim Tedisco over Betty Little in that race and Tedisco got beaten, hindsight suggested Little would have won hands down. And, interesting enough, up pops Tom Reynolds to comment, again. It’s argued that instead of any genuine insight into politics on the ground these days, they didn’t want to repeat the Tedisco mistake, judged it based upon purely out-dated male/female lines, and were going to go with a female no matter what.
Why is the Republican Party, the party that champions merit over name, going Democrat and choosing identity over ideology? Riehl’s piece also emphasizes cronyism and national control rather than local Republican and grassroots cooperation in candidate selection. And in fact, it seems that cronyism and money trump gender and racial identity, even still. A good conservative Hispanic candidate, Marco Rubio, is being dismissed in favor of the uber-liberal Charlie Crist in Florida.
And look at how bad the decision to choose identity over ideology turns out to be. DeDe Scozzafava has dropped out of the NY-23 race. Erick Erickson says of this turn of events:
Relationships between the Republican establishment in Washington and the conservative movement are in rubble. Thanks to Pete Sessions NOT Doug Hoffman, there is new inspiration for a third party movement to challenge the GOP — a movement that will only help the Democrats.
Good men in the GOP are now going to be challenged in primaries because of the ill-will the NRCC has generated in New York’s 23rd Congressional District.
At this writing, RNC Chairman Michael Steele and Newt Gingrich have endorsed Doug Hoffman in NY-23. This is a hopeful turn of events. Erick Erickson is correct. The Republican establishment grossly misunderstood and underestimated the mood of the conservative base. The American people do not need more symbolism. They do not need a woman at all costs. They need a politician who will vote against taxes, vote against bigger government programs, and vote against invasive regulation.
The last thing the Republican party needs to be doing is going hunting for candidates based on connections, color and gender. The Republican party needs to be looking for quality candidates who will vote to shrink, not expand, the government.
In the midterms, a lot of voters will pull the Republican switch because they’re disgusted with Democrats. We need to make sure the Republicans are quality men and women who represent Republican, not Democrat, values.
NY-23 Scozzafava Out, RNC And Newt Gingrich Back Hoffman
Saturday, October 31st, 2009Good morning! And a good morning it is.
DeDe Scozzafava stepped down, gracefully. She may endorse Hoffman soon.
The RNC endorsed Doug Hoffman, the Conservative candidate. Chairman Steele calls a “Hoffman win, a GOP win.” Is the NRCC far behind? Time will tell.
So did Newt Gingrich. Matt Lewis puts him in the loser category, but doesn’t think he’ll suffer long-term. I’m not so sure about that.
Now, Hoffman and the Democrat are in a dead heat. Hoffman should win. The area is a very conservative. I know, difficult to imagine in New York, but it’s true.
Sarah Palin looks amazingly…..smart and prescient.
Erick Erickson is calling for a purge in the NRCC and RNC. He wants the establishment types to fall.
Darleen Click over at Protein Wisdom asks, “David Frum? Newt Gingrich? Peggy Noonan? Chris Buckley? David Brooks? Do you hear us now?“
Dave Weigel said via Twitter: “In the end, how much will Rs/Conservatives have spent to hold a safe R seat? $4 million?” But of course, that wasn’t the point of this election. Not entirely. The Republican base is sick of supporting anyone with an “R” behind his or her name when it means nothing. If a Republican holds liberal values, goes to Washington and votes like a Democrat, then what good is he or she? A 10% conservative vote does not help the Republican party.
Will a lesson be learned from this race? I hope so. America doesn’t need a third party. It needs a serious Republican party. Conservative ideas win. Establishment Republicans need to have some faith in their own beliefs.
Podcast: NY 23 With Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser And Valour IT With Marine Steve Schippert
Thursday, October 29th, 2009An inside look at NY 23 and conservatives versus the Republican establishment. Also, we talk about identity politics and Republicanism.
Steve Schippert joins me to discuss what it means to servicemen and women to be connected during their times of rehabilitation. Remember, you can donate at this site.
To subscribe on iTunes, just click here!
When Melissa isn’t on the radio, you can find her at melissaclouthier.com and on Twitter. Her username is MelissaTweets.
Health Care Big Lies & More Big Lies & For A Refresher, Reagan
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009What they said would happen:
What actually happened:
Why we love Reagan:
Ronald Reagan speech on role of government and citizens:
I think we’re for an international organization, where the nations of the world can seek peace. But I think we’re against subordinating American interests to an organization that has become so structurally unsound that today you can muster a two-thirds vote on the floor of the General Assembly among nations that represent less than 10 percent of the world’s population. I think we’re against the hypocrisy of assailing our allies because here and there they cling to a colony, while we engage in a conspiracy of silence and never open our mouths about the millions of people enslaved in the Soviet colonies in the satellite nations.
I think we’re for aiding our allies by sharing of our material blessings with those nations which share in our fundamental beliefs, but we’re against doling out money government to government, creating bureaucracy, if not socialism, all over the world. We set out to help 19 countries. We’re helping 107. We’ve spent 146 billion dollars. With that money, we bought a 2 million dollar yacht for Haile Selassie. We bought dress suits for Greek undertakers, extra wives for Kenya[n] government officials. We bought a thousand TV sets for a place where they have no electricity. In the last six years, 52 nations have bought 7 billion dollars worth of our gold, and all 52 are receiving foreign aid from this country.
No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. So governments’ programs, once launched, never disappear.
Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth.
There is more at the link.
Podcast: Matt Lewis Discusses Intellectualism In The Conservative Movement
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009Matt Lewis of Townhall and AOL’s Politics Daily talks with me about intellectualism in the conservative movement. We discuss the legacy of William F. Buckley and modern thinkers. We talk about Ronald Reagan, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin and more of the minds and no-minds on the right. Is intellectualism dead on the right? Listen and find out.
To subscribe on iTunes, just click here!
When Melissa isn’t on the radio, you can find her at melissaclouthier.com and on Twitter. Her username is MelissaTweets.
What Is Sarah Palin Up To?
Friday, October 23rd, 2009In my editorial at Pajamas Media today, I talk about Sarah Palin’s decision to endorse the conservative, rather than the Republican candidate and what it all means:
With her decision to endorse Doug Hoffman, the conservative (not Republican) candidate, Sarah
Palin sends the Republican Party a very clear message. She will be using her considerable fundraising ability to fund candidates who ideologically match what it used to mean to be a Republican. Since the Republican Party, from its toes to its nose, has difficulty identifying candidates with those credentials, she’ll help them do it.
The Republican Party has a choice. They can continue to antagonize those who vote them into office or they can start paying attention. They mistakenly buy the D.C. bubble philosophy that moderation is the way to find good candidates. What they’re seeing is a base willing to lose if the Republican Party doesn’t change its ways.
I also talk about identity politics and how it is blowing up for the Republican party. The love the party has for Sarah Palin has less to do with her beauty or gender than her beliefs and ideology. So the Republican party, while looking for women candidates needs to remember what’s most important: the beliefs. The base is sick of people who pay lip service to ideas like small government and fiscal responsibility and then turn around and govern like drunk liberals spending other peoples’ money.
Podcast: Andrew Breitbart Talks New Media, Activism & How To Break A Big Story
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009Andrew Breitbart, the man who owns New Media on the Right, gives a 17 minute interview. Andrew is Big Time. Find him at Breitbart.com. I also give a behind the scenes perspective on different bloggers, including Jim Hoft aka GatewayPundit.com, Ed Morissey of Hotair.com, Ed Driscoll of PajamasMedia.com, Rachel Alexander of IntellectualConservative.com, Caleb Heimlich of ExposeObama.com, Stephen Kruiser, John Schulenburg of InfidelsAreCool.com, and John Sexton and Morgen Richmond of VerumSerum.com.
Other posts on Western CPAC & interviews:
New Leaders Steve Poizner and Chuck DeVore
Interview With Dana Rohrabacher
Conservatives Must Stop Impeach Obama Talk
Ralph Reed On Getting Conservatives Elected
To subscribe on iTunes, just click here!
When Melissa isn’t on the radio, you can find her at melissaclouthier.com and on Twitter. Her username is MelissaTweets.
Representative Dana Rohrabacher Repudiates Talk Of Impeaching Obama
Saturday, October 17th, 2009Some thoughts from Representative Dana Rohrabacher about President Obama,
“I think Barack Obama’s vision comes from a Marxist background. I think he’s trying to do what he thinks is right, but we need to recognize that his world view will lead us to a place that is totally contrary to what America is all about.”
Ed Morissey of Hot Air: What about the call to Impeach Obama, “It’s total nonsense. I think people who take that position are trying to make money from the conservative movement. He is an elected President of the United States. He has not, at this time, committed crimes and misdemeanors. I would suggest that we have to watch him very carefully…he joined the Mayor Daley machine. But right now it’s a ridiculous discussion. We should talk about the issues.”
John Schulenburg of Infidels are Cool: What about Rangel being removed as Chair of the Ways and Means committee. Rohrabacher brought up the treatment of Tom DeLay. “I don’t think we should treat anybody, Rangal or anyone else as guilty until proven innocent. When he is indicted and convicted and punished. We can deal with it then.”
Stephen Kruiser: But isn’t there a double standard in place that leaves the Republicans open? “We should set a different standard and we should make it clear that’s what we’re doing. As far as I know Charlie Rangel is probably guilty. If and when, in a heart beat I’ll vote to remove him from his positions.”
“Look what is happening to Tom DeLay now. It’s a travesty, an utter travesty what has happened to him. If the Republicans won’t stand up for what is right, who is. He was knocked out by an accusation. The vision of him there rather than the leadership of the House, just shows you that something is really wrong. And if Republicans aren’t going for a higher standard, who is?”
Me: When Republicans are being accused unjustly we need to stand up and defend him. I stood up for Jack Abramoff. I pride myself in being a truth-sayer even when it sets me up for attack.
Me: It seems that the opposition is setting the rules: “You don’t need to jump into a cess pool in order to prove that you can lead us to the top of the mountain. I think just the opposite. Ronald Reagan didn’t spend his time acting like liberal Democrats and playing political games. He set out his philosophy and he had his specific policy suggestions and he had maintained a very high level of integrity personally and that’s what’s going to save the country in the long run.”
“Most of our Republican friends are worried about the next couple of days of headlines. We have got to have high standards. It’s you standards and your ability to speak the truth, that in the end will give the American people the impression that we are worth trusting. Unfortunately, I see a lot of Republicans who are only interested in playing political games.”
Ed: What is coming out of the house with health care bill: “We’ve had set-backs with the insurance and pharmaceutical industries who have made their compromise and sell outs. You can’t rely on big business to do the bidding of the American people. We can mobilize the seniors as well as doctors throughout our country. About 70% of the doctors don’t like this. You have a huge power base there both seniors and doctors to put pressure on Congress. Am I optimistic we can succeed? I think we can win if we play it right. We should not be talking about impeaching Obama. Paul Ryan has an excellent alternative.
What do you think about the Tea Party movement? “I think it’s great. Citizens getting active is vital. You have these totally out of touch members of Congres and Senate and our party who don’t seem to get power comes from the bottom up. There is a rift between some very powerful forces within the Republican party who are very wealthy interests and powerful in the economic and business community and regular Americans. Either we side with patriots, with Americans.
Give the American people that we are worth trusting. The leadership of the House is constantly trying to play a political game.
There was more and I’ll add more later. But just for your information. It was a good interview. More to come.
