Friday, April 30, 2010

Florida GOP: Crist not a pretty picture

The new head of Florida GOP is proving why he was chosen the Chair after Greer, the previous chair appointed by Crist, was fired. Greer was a Crist man all the way and if Crist said jump, Greer would ask "how high?" We are looking forward to the report from the Feds about the mixing of GOP/Governor campaign funds in the 2006 election. The reason Crist did not have a credit card is that he expected Greer and his aides to use theirs for his benefit.

We applaud the new Chair of Florida GOP with his novel approach of recouping money paid for the photographs of Crist and Greer to the tune of $7,500. Florida state Senator John Thrasher understands what it is going to take to get FL GOP back on the right track after Greer and Crist left it in shambles.

Florida GOP: Crist not a pretty picture

By Sean Lengell
April 30, 2010

If a picture is worth a thousands words, is a portrait of newly independent Senate candidate Florida Gov. Charlie Crist worth $7,500 on eBay?

The Florida Republican Party wants to find out.

Florida state Sen. John Thrasher, chairman of the Florida GOP, has removed a portrait of Mr. Crist from the party's Tallahassee headquarters and plans to put it up for sale on the online auction site.

The portrait, along with a painting of former party Chairman Jim Greer, who recently was forced from office amid reports he misused party money, had cost the party $7,500.

"We just want to recoup the cost," said Florida Republican Party spokeswoman Katie Betta.

"This is just an example of the extravagant spending under the leadership of Mr. Greer and Gov. Crist." She described the works as oil paintings on linen canvas.

Mr. Greer has claimed his likeness. But party officials say they hope to begin bidding for the governor's portrait on eBay as soon as today.

The Florida party already as received several calls from prospective bidders, Mrs. Betta said.

She said she was unaware of why the callers were interested in the portrait.

"Obviously we can't control what people would do with it," she said. "But it's certainly no use to us anymore."

Mr. Crist, once a darling in the Republican Party in Florida and considered a rising star nationally, on Thursday withdrew from the Republican primary for U.S. Senate to run as an independent.

Mr. Crist's main Republican challenger, former Florida House speaker Marco Rubio, in recent months has cruised to double-digit poll leads over the governor for the Aug. 24 GOP primary.

Recent polls suggest Mr. Rubio still would defeat Mr. Crist and Democratic Rep. Kendrick B. Meek in a three-way race, though the margin is much tighter.

Source: Washington Times

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Breaking News: Crist to Run as No Party Breaking His Word!

Less than 30 days ago, these comments were made:

Quote of the day
"To put these rumors to rest once and for all, as we have said countless times before, Gov. Crist is running for the United States Senate as a Republican. He will not run as an Independent or as a No Party Affiliation.

"The governor is proud of his conservative credentials and stands firmly behind the principles of limited government and more personal freedom, the bedrock values of the Republican Party. He is proud to be a member of the party of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan.

"This should completely and utterly put to rest any of the unfounded rumors coming from the Rubio campaign that Gov. Crist would run as anything other than the Republican that he is."

Eric Eikenberg, Charlie Crist's campaign manager. April 8, 2010


Now today, 29 April 2010, which is 21 days later to be exact, Charlie Crist is doing exactly what the Rubio campaign said he was going to do -- leave the Republican Party where he is way behind in the polls to run No-Party. Have no clue what the difference between No Party and Independent is. You could say he was standing on principle but Crist has no principles as Mark Thornberry of the American Specatator explained in the sidebar of this site.

Crist is all about Crist and will stick his finger in the wind to see which way it is blowing and the group that praises him the most like teachers will get his support.

Crist was late to his Press Announcement but what is new?

Crist was elected as a Republican Governor, and we want to know why he is allowed to stay as Governor to campaign at taxpayer expense. His security detail will be with him at the events even though he has chosen to leave the GOP. The Republican Party of Florida has not changed their stance on issues, it is Crist who played up to Obama and Democrats who is finally outing himself as a liberal.

Now we have to hear how he is a man of the people when he lives in a $4M+ condo on an exclusive island off Miami-Dade County. Not going to fly this time!

His campaign has released they are going to pro-rate the return of contributions which we have never heard of before. He should give 100% of the contribution back if requested by the donor.

GOP Senator Cornyn: Crist 'irreparably' damaging himself as Independent

It is about time that Senator Cornyn at NRSC laid out the facts -- never should have endorsed Crist as many of us wrote to tell him. Don't get involved in an open, contested primary -- simple as that. Cannot believe Cornyn said his endorsement as Chair of NRSC didn't help Crist so why did he do it. Crist was already starting to feel the heat of the race when Greer, the former disgraced FL GOP Chair, was twisting arms for endorsements for Crist. It was payback for Crist naming him as the GOP Chair.

Cannot believe Cornyn gave him $10,000 from his PAC. Love it that Crist will have to refund the money. Crist has no choice but to refund any money he has received to run for Senate. This is going to be going on for some time with requests for refunds flooding Charlie Crist.

Club for Growth will be contacting donors like they did for Specter where they were about to get $1.2M refunded. Maybe Crist should have listened to Specter who this week said he could probably have done more good as a Republican than switching. Seems he doesn't like being a Democrat.

GOP Senator: Crist 'irreparably' damaging himself as Independent
By Sean J. Miller - 04/29/10 10:47 AM ET

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is “irreparably” damaging himself by choosing to run as an Independent for the Senate, according to the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Crist, a Florida Republican, is expected to withdraw from the race for the GOP Senate nomination and announce his Independent candidacy during a press conference Thursday evening in St. Petersburg.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Thursday that Republicans encouraged Crist to either stay in the GOP primary or drop out and run again in 2012 against Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.).

“Staying in the primary and dropping out and running in ’12 are preferable, much more preferable, than running as Independent,” Cornyn said Thursday at a breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor.

“His future electoral prospects are irreparably damaged by his deciding now to run as an Independent.”

Cornyn admitted he hasn’t been able to speak with the governor directly about his decision. “I’ve played a lot of phone tag with him,” Cornyn said. “I’ve sort of given up out of frustration.

“But I know that message has been communicated, both by my staff and by other people close to the governor,” Cornyn said. “He’s a smart guy he can see what his choices are.”

Should the governor switch his party affiliation, “it will end our support and we will throw our support enthusiastically behind the Republican nominee, Marco Rubio,” Cornyn said.

Cornyn wouldn’t quantify the amount of money Crist would have to refund if he launches an Independent bid. But he did say he would request Crist return the $10,000 his leadership PAC donated.

After Crist’s announcement, the primary is effectively over and Cornyn said the committee’s focus will turn to the Democrat in the race, Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.).
“Once we get by this drama of today, it’s going to be in essence a general election campaign and people are going to begin focusing on Kendrick Meek. A guy who voted for half-a-trillion-dollar cuts in Medicare, which Florida’s senior population may take a dim view of,” Cornyn said.

Cornyn said he initially tried to recruit former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) to run for Senate before moving to recruit Crist.

“When Jeb Bush told me he wasn’t going to run, I looked around for the most popular Republican in the state, and it was pretty clear who that was,” he said.

“At the time we made the endorsement, Gov. Crist was one of the most popular governors in America. It’s been a breathtaking change of circumstance to see him now contemplating this course.”

Cornyn admitted the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s endorsement of Crist didn’t help his campaign.

“In this political environment, it’s not necessarily helpful for candidates running in states to have the national party chairman endorse them,” Cornyn noted. “That’s been a learning experience.”

Source: The Hill

Crist learns the value of reciprocity in Obama WH

We have heard of dumb moves by politicians but this might just rank at the top of the list. Any Republican still considering voting for Crist will never vote for him now. Don't imagine most Florida independents will vote for him either. Maybe he should have used his wife as his consultant for this important decision since she comes from NJ/NY and changes are that she is a liberal Democrat because her advice to call the White House sure sounds like that. No Republican consultant would even think of telling him that, but then he has none left.

Wanting to Obama to back him over the Democrat Meeks shows total desperation and tells us that Marco Rubio will be the next Senator from FL. All of us need to give whatever we can and help in any way possible to ensure a Rubio win!

Crist learns the value of reciprocity in Obama WH
APRIL 29, 2010
ED MORRISSEY

A year ago, when Barack Obama needed some bipartisan cover for the Porkulus package that got written without any Republican input, he headed down to Florida and got Charlie Crist to appear on stage to give him a boost. Now, Charlie Crist wants to dump the GOP and run as an independent, with an announcement expected later today, and he needs a big boost to get taken seriously by Sunshine State voters. According to Marc Ambinder, Crist tried calling his friends in the Obama White House — who refused to take his call:

Here first: Charlie Crist, soon to be independent Senate candidate from Florida, tried to reach White House chief of staff Emanuel through intermediates. WH refuses to take the call. Dems plan big talent/money blitz for Kendrick Meek. BTW: Obama’s approval rating in FL is in high 40s, per internal Dem polling.
Excerpt: Read more at hotair.com

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Gov. Charlie Crist said today he expects to announce whether he will run for U.S. Senate as an independent on Thursday

From Tampa Bay On-Line comes the latest on the Charlie Crist saga. Club for Growth has one again proved why they are such a valuable organization for Republican Conservative candidates. If Crist runs as no party, they will be helping donors to Crist get their money refunded the same as they did when Arlen Specter decided to switch to Democrat.

It is not right to have a candidate take money from one party and then switch in midstream. When a candidate switches they should be obligated to return every last dime and then let the donor decide if they want to give the candidate money.

Looks like Thursday will be the day of the announcement by Crist.

TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Charlie Crist said today he expects to announce whether he will run for U.S. Senate as an independent on Thursday.

"I sort of imposed a deadline on myself of Thursday, so I look forward to coming to a conclusion by then," he told reporters.

He said he hopes he would both decide and announce on Thursday. "I think both would be my preference… to go ahead and get that concluded and then look forward to the last day of session."

Running well behind former state House Speaker Marco Rubio for the Republican nomination, Crist has until noon Friday to file as a Republican, Democrat, minor party or no-party affiliate.

If he decides not to run as a Republican, he would be listed as a no-party affiliate, or NPA, candidate on the ballot.

Although seen as the front-runner a year ago, when Rubio was still a virtual unknown, Crist is now behind in some polls by 20 points or more.

Asked whether the Republican party had changed, Crist told reporters, "Things ebb and flow and that's true of parties and other institutions, and certainly that's part of what's happening here."

Meanwhile, the business-backed conservative group Club for Growth, which is known to spend millions in Republican primaries, has announced it plans to lead a campaign contribution refund effort if Crist runs as an independent.

"Candidates who switch parties in the middle of a campaign have an obligation to return contributions on request," said Club President Chris Chocola in a press release. "If and when Charlie Crist leaves the Republican Party, we will contact his contributors and help them make formal refund requests to his campaign."

The group received permission last year from the Federal Election Commission to do the same when U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, of Pennsylvania, switched from the Republican to the Democratic party. The group says Specter's campaign has refunded about $1.2 million.

Source: Tampa Bay Online

Marco Rubio files his candidacy for the the Republican Nomination for the US Senate

Today the former Speaker of the Florida House, Marco Rubio, is filing his paperwork to run as a REPUBLICAN for the nomination to become a US Senator from Florida.

Will current Florida Governor Charlie Crist throw a temper tantrum because he is losing in the polls for the Republican primary and file paperwork to run as non-party affiliated this week?

Time for all Republicans in FL and around the Country to turn their back on Crist the minute he declares as a no party candidate (if he does) and support the nomination of Marco Rubio who is one of our rising young candidates and our hope for
the future of our Nation. In fact with the Crist record of going left and supporting Democrat causes like vetoing the education bill because teacher's union didn't want the bill should be reason enough to support Rubio of Crist if Crist stays a Republican.

April 27, 2010
Sharon,

Today Marco will celebrate amongst friends and family as he proudly signs his qualifying papers to run for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate! If you're in the Miami, FL area, please join us. There will also be a Friends and Family fundraiser in Coral Gables. Find details here.

This will be a momentous day for Marco, his family and his friends. Many of his supporters remember the day he announced he was going to run. Many of the pundits called it a long shot and public polling had him hovering around 6% in the polls. Now Marco is in the lead!

Marco knew, though, that this election was not about polls and popularity. It was about something bigger than himself. He spent many months diligently delivering one speech, one meeting at a time. His message has been one of fresh conservative alternatives the entire time.

On the day he announced his run, Marco explained, “This country is at a crossroads.” This is even more evident today as the Obama administration prepares to unveil a new Supreme Court nominee and a cap-and-trade bill.

We need leaders like Marco Rubio in the Senate. Leaders who will stand firmly and proudly on PRINCIPLE and courage of conviction to fight the misguided thinking that has taken over Washington and allowed government to creep into our lives.

We don’t need more politicians who are willing to bend with the political winds when the going gets tough. Or worse, abandon the party of limited government all together.

As Charlie Crist waits this week to file as an independent, join our effort to “flip the switch” on him and send a message that we stand with principles over politics! Help us be ready to mobilize our grassroots effort and rebuild the party for November! We are building our grassroots army by recruiting 100 donors for each of the 24 years Charlie used the GOP to get elected. Help us reach our goal by donating whatever amount you can today.Thank you for your support! We're definitely in this together.

Team Rubio

Monday, April 26, 2010

GOP Bill Would Empower Border Patrol to Secure U.S.-Mexico Border without National Guard Help

Once again it is Republicans stepping to the forefront to take on the issue of Border Security. Democrat voices in Congress and the Administration are silent. With the drug wars raging out of control in Mexico this is even more important to protect our southern border from the crime in Mexico coming across the border.

Until today, we did not realize that the "wilderness area" designation makes it almost impossible for Border Patrol agents to patrol these areas. They are forbidden from using motorized vehicles, building roads, or installing monitoring devices in these "wilderness areas" in order to preserve these areas. Illegals leave all kinds of trash and destruction as they cross these areas knowing they are protected by the 1964 Wilderness Act. The strict enforcement of this Act now allows the illegals to come into the United States with little interference from the Border Patrol. How can you protect the border when areas are off limits to the Border Patrol?

This bill submitted by Republicans is a giant step in the right direction and it is now time for some Democrats to get on board to stop this flow of illegals into this country and the crime that comes with them especially crimes coming out of the drug trade.

GOP Bill Would Empower Border Patrol to Secure U.S.-Mexico Border without National Guard HelpMonday, April 26, 2010
By Edwin Mora

(CNSNews.com) – Legislation recently introduced by House Republicans would “prohibit the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture from taking action on public lands which impede border security on such lands."

The bill’s supporters believe that, if it is passed, the bill will allow the U.S. Border Patrol to secure the southern border without the assistance of the National Guard.

During an April 14 press conference, Republican sponsors of the bill indicated that the Interior Department's interference with the Border Patrol’s congressionally mandated operations had opened the 20.7 million acres of public land along the southern border to illicit activity, which is often associated with illegal immigration.

“We are introducing this bill today simply because the Department of Interior and, to a lesser extent, the Forest Service, have failed to protect American citizens,” said Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), ranking member of the House Public Lands subcommittee who is sponsoring the legislation.

“Unfortunately, the land managers that are down there on the (southern) border have placed the wilderness characteristics of the land and protection of existing or potential endangered species as their number one criteria, and because of that, the border patrol has been impeded from doing their job,” said Bishop.

The congressman further said, “(W)e have huge and gigantic holes in the border through which most of the illegal drugs coming into this country are coming, through which human trafficking and all the violence, especially against women, are taking place … and the potential of terrorists coming into this country coming through the holes that are, that are caused simply because of the land management policies this nation has on all the federal lands that are down there ….”

Bishop also remarked on the violence against American citizens that has occurred apparently as a result of conflict between the Interior Department and border agents.

Last month, Rob Krentz, a 58-year-old Arizona rancher, was shot and killed on his own property by an alleged illegal immigrant drug smuggler who entered the United States by crossing federal land.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (R-Ariz.), who serves the southern part of Arizona, has written to President Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, requesting that National Guard soldiers be sent to the area. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has echoed these requests.

Of the 20.7 million acres of federal land covered by the Republican bill, 4.3 million acres are designated as “wilderness areas.” In a prepared statement, the sponsors of the legislation said that “according to internal memos, DOI officials have asserted that the Wilderness Act of 1964 trumps border security legislation passed by Congress.”

Excerpt: Read More at CNS

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Breaking News: Steve King (R-IA) Encouraged to run for President by the Iowa 5th District Convention

King Receives Taxpayers’ Friend Award

Sources from the 5th District of Iowa notified Voices tonight that they had circulated a petition today encouraging Steve King, the Congressman from the 5th District of Iowa, to run for President in 2012. It was almost a unanimous vote except for a constiuent who doesn't want to lose him as their Congressman and another one who wants him to become Speaker of the House. We definitely understand those votes. We wouldn't want to lose him if he was our Congressman either.

Over the last few months we have posted some of Congressman King's speeches along with the story where he shot a raccoon coming around his home which anyone living in farm/ranch country knows is not an animal you want around your home or barns.

King is one of the most articulate Representative in the House. When he speaks, you know what he says in plain language so no one has to consider what he meant to say -- you know from his words exactly what he is saying. His speeches on the floor of the House leave you riveted because he speaks with passion and gives the facts.

We are tired of politicians speaking and having to parse what they say or jumbling up words so they make no sense. We want someone to elected as President who tells it like it is and doesn't back down. When you deal with foreign countries, they need to know they are talking to someone who means what they say. We also need a President who understand the difference between countries who are our allies and countries who have no intention of being a friend of the United States and acts accordingly. We believe Steve King is that man.

King is a self-made man who started his own business and knows what it is like as a small business owner to meet a payroll. He is well aware of all the taxes that are collected by the Federal and State Governments not to mention the numerous regulations that the they continue to enact that place a burden on the small business owners in this Country. His experience as a small business owner is practical experience that you cannot get from a book but by living it day by day.

Here in Oklahoma the vast majority of our business' are small business like so many other states. These small business entities are the backbone of job creation in the United States and need to be encouraged to grow and become successful. They do not to be penalized by too many taxes and regulations placed on them by the Government.

For too many years the Republican grassroots have been shut out with backroom deals on who should run for President. In 2012 it is time we had our voices heard. We believe that Steve King would be a great grassroots Presidential candidate who would enthuse Republicans, Independents, and Conservative Democrats across America.

Here in Oklahoma we know something about a grassroots candidate, as the members of the Oklahoma Republican grassroots worked hard to elect Senator (Dr) Tom Coburn to the United States Senate in 2004 against the wishes of the Washington establishment.

We salute the 5th District of Iowa and their resolution which was passed encouraging Steve King to run for President. We eagerly await the outcome from the State Convention on the 5th District Resolution.

Iowa is the first State to hold the caucus for President, and we are confident the people of Iowa would be extremely proud to cast their votes for one of their own, Steve King, Congressman from the Iowa 5th District. Then on to New Hampshire, the State of Live Free or Die, where a true member of the Grassroots we believe would get their support for President.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Dr. Coburn: Momentum is Building

Independent Voice, Citizen Legislator, Family Doctor is a perfect description of Dr. Coburn or Dr. Tom as he is known around Oklahoma. We love the fact he is an independent voice and is not beholding to any group except the people of Oklahoma who elected him. He is fighting day after day against pork and earmarks that are a mainstay of the Congress. He is not afraid to make anyone mad when he knows he is doing the right thing which makes us proud to have him as our Senator.

Dear Sharon,

Momentum is Building

Earlier this month, I reported to you about the ongoing debate surrounding a short-term extension in unemployment benefits. As you will recall, House and Senate leaders were hoping to avoid their own rules by passing the $9 billion measure without the required reductions in lower priority spending elsewhere. As soon as Congress returned last week, it doubled the size of the bill to $18 billion, and again insisted on passing its costs on to future generations.

While we came up short in our effort to force Congressional leadership to pay for the extension—sadly, it is not hard to find $18 billion in waste and inefficiencies in Washington—momentum is building. My primary amendment, which would have paid for the extension in full without adding a single dime to the deficit, came up just two votes shy of the majority necessary. While this loss was disappointing, I am encouraged.

The American people get it and soon Washington will get it.

I can assure you that we would not have received a near majority of votes in favor of these amendments just six months ago. Your voice, heard all across the country, is beginning to rattle the politicians in Congress.

We must not relent in our calls for accountability. While a few more senators and representatives have joined our cause for limited government and lower spending, our message must be carried through to November and beyond.

This November, if we push forward, we will unleash a quiet revolution at the ballot box that can mark the beginning of true restoration. We can once again have a government that matches the values of the people—one that honors its Constitution, one willing to sacrifice to preserve freedom and opportunity for our children and grandchildren, and one that recognizes that freedom is not on loan from Washington, but a gift from our Creator.

Keep it up!

Sincerely,

Dr. Tom

Why We Say No: Washington Waste of the Week

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) just released the results of a year-long study of federal food assistance programs that was requested by Dr. Coburn. The lengthy analysis revealed that federal government maintains at least 70 food assistance programs across multiple agencies, costing more than $62 billion annually. Researchers found significant overlap among many of the programs, and indicated that: “little is known about the effectiveness” of 11 of the 18 programs that were the focus of the investigation “because they have not been well studied.” While researchers gave the top seven programs generally high marks, the report should make clear to Congress that it is failing to perform the kind of oversight necessary to ensure that programs are working and not duplicating existing efforts. Each year, Congress authorizes hundreds of new programs that already exist in the federal government, wasting hundreds of billions of dollars and limiting the effectiveness of core programs.

Just The Facts

The United States Department of Agriculture has more than 100,000 employees (over 10,000 in the Washington, DC area), 14,000 field and office locations, and has completed a multi-million dollar renovation of its offices near the National Mall in Washington, DC. According to the agency’s Chief Financial Officer, his office oversees “an enterprise that in the private sector, would be the sixth largest company in the United States.”

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Palm Beach Post Interview: Charlie Crist on Independent Run (4/21)



According to some campaign finance people today, it looks like Crist will not be able to spend the money raised for a Republican run for Senate but must return the money if he runs as an Indy.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

McCain: I won't support Crist if he runs as an Independent candidate

By Molly K. Hooper - 04/20/10 08:48 AM ET

Crist, who helped McCain win Florida in the 2008 presidential GOP primary, has recently indicated he is mulling an Independent bid. McCain has backed
Crist, but made it clear Tuesday that his endorsement will not stand if Crist is not the Republican candidate.

Asked if he will support Crist as an Independent, McCain told The Hill, “No.”


Pressed further, McCain said, “I support Republicans.”



McCain, who is facing a GOP primary challenge this year, added that Crist is “a dear friend. I like him, admire him and respect him, but I’m also a Republican.”


Polls show that GOP candidate Marco Rubio has a significant lead over Crist. However, polls also indicate that as an Independent, Crist has a small lead over Rubio and likely Democratic candidate Rep. Kendrick Meek (Fla.).



Crist has until April 30 to decide whether he wants to run as an Independent. While Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) had to collect signatures to run as an Independent in 2006, Crist merely has to pay a filing fee.

Excerpt: Read More at The Hill

The Crist Implosion -- More Info on Possible Indy Run

Now we are learning that Crist didn't return NRSC Chair Cornyn's call. That takes nerve after Cornyn went out on a limb for Crist at the beginning but we are not surprised because Crist is so arrogant.

If Crist runs as an Indy, you can expect the NRSC will be all over that race for Rubio along with a lot of Republican activists who have had it with the arrogant Crist.

The Crist Implosion
The Wall Street Journal
04-20-10
KIM STRASSEL

An independent run for Charlie Crist looks better on paper than it does in reality.
Would Florida Gov. Charlie Crist in fact be politically smarter simply to drop out of the Senate race?

Mr. Crist yesterday acknowledged to reporters that he has been "certainly listening" to those who argue he should quit the GOP primary against Marco Rubio and run in the fall as an independent. His admission came after the National Republican Senatorial Committee issued a memo saying there's "zero chance" Mr. Crist would remain in the primary. The memo, which urged Mr. Crist to drop out of the race completely, was released publicly after Mr. Crist reportedly didn't return a call to receive the same message privately from Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who heads the NRSC.

Mr. Crist is struggling to navigate what could potentially be a devastating end to his political career. He's 20 points down against Mr. Rubio. Last week he vetoed a popular education bill as a favor to the state teachers union, repudiating a decade-long GOP effort to bring accountability to the state's schools. With senior Republican supporters abandoning him in droves, Mr. Crist is clearly tempted by a Quinnipiac poll showing he might still win a three-way Senate race as an independent.

Excerpt: Read more at online.wsj.com

Cantor endorses Rubio over Crist

Republican Whip in the House is the latest Republican to endorse Marco Rubio.

Cantor endorses Rubio over Crist

By

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor endorsed Florida Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio on Tuesday, saying he represents a "principled" choice for Republicans over Gov. Charlie Crist.

Mr. Rubio and Mr. Crist will face off in an August primary, unless Mr. Crist decides to run as an independent -- a decision he will have to make by April 30, which is the filing deadline for candidates to appear on primary ballots.

"The warning signs have been there are far as Governor Crist is concerned," said Mr. Cantor, a Virginia Republican, who said the governor's support of President Obama's stimulus package is an early sign Mr. Crist was not a supporter of Republicans' low-taxes, limited-government philosophy.

And Mr. Cantor blasted Mr. Crist for appearing to waffle on whether he would run as a Republican, saying it would mean "casting aside years and years of involvement in our party" in order to preserve his political career.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee has even asked Mr. Crist to step aside from the race if he doesn't believe he can win the Republican primary -- a giant change from a year ago, when the NRSC recruited the governor to run.

The Miami Herald reported Tuesday that Mr. Crist confirmed he is considering running as an independent, and he told the newspaper the input from Washington doesn't affect him.

"I'm getting all kinds of advice," he said. "I take my cues from people in Florida. That's what I care about."

Polls this month show Mr. Rubio leading Mr. Crist in the primary by more than 20 percentage points.

Polls also show both men would best Rep. Kendrick Meek, the Florida Democrat who is likely to be his party's nominee, though Mr. Crist does slightly better in those match-ups than Mr. Rubio.

Read More on this at the Washington Times

Marco Rubio was one of the first candidates spotlighted by this site along with Governor Rick Perry of Texas who is running for reelection, and Congresswoman Mary Fallin who is running for Oklahoma Governor-- we supported all three candidates from Day One.

This You Tube Interview with Marco Rubio from the Shark Tank on The Global War on Terror is one of the reasons we have supported Marco Rubio from the day he announced for US Senate:

Marco Rubio - Global War on Terror
www.SharkTank.com
April 19, 2010


We call on the NRSC to immediately withdraw any and all support for current REPUBLICAN Governor Charlie Crist for Senator and endorse Marco Rubio, the TRUE Republican in the race. The minute Crist said he was considering running as an Independent is the minute NRSC should have withdrawn total support but better to do it late then never.

Time has come for Crist to step aside from the primary and concentrate on his duties as Governor. If Crist decides to run as an Independent after taking money from Republicans to run, every last Republican who donated needs to request their money be returned because they didn't donate to have him run as an Indy.

People in Florida should have known the type of person Crist was from his dirty campaign he ran against Gallagher to become Governor when he went into the files of Gallagher's divorce. That's Democrat tactics and he is sounding more like one every day. For those who don't remember, here is the picture of what Crist thinks of Obama aka the Crist/Obama hug:


Remember if you donated to Crist to run as a Republican for Senate, you can ask for your money back if he runs as a Independent. We will know on April 30th if not before because that is the deadline to declare as an Independent.

While we are thinking about it, the Republican Governor's should kick Crist out of the Republican Governor's Conference as well if he runs as an Indy. Hard to fathom a Republican Governor running as an Indy because his ego cannot take the fact he is losing to Rubio in the primary. Doesn't say much about the character of Crist. Would expect we would be hearing from their Chairman Haley Barbour at any time.

Senator John McCain also needs to withdraw his support for Crist. We expect to be hearing from the Senator on that issue because we imagine he is as disgusted as Cornyn.

Time for every last Republican to say NO to Crist for even considering the run as an Indy and YES to Marco Rubio for US Senator from Florida.

ObamaCare Hits Families and Small Businesses With Tax Hikes, Costly Regulations



Learn more about tax hikes and costly regulations along with other issues at Republican Leader John Boehner's Website

Republican Whip Eric Cantor Delivers Weekly Republican Address

GOP Leadership in Congress has done a very good job in choosing people to deliver the Weekly Republican Address. Last Saturday Cong Eric Cantor from Virginia who is one of the rising stars of the Republican Party gave the address. Canto has done one of the best jobs as the House Republican Whip we have seen to date and without all the nastiness of a previous whip, Tom DeLay. He has the right demeanor and the facts on his side to get the Republicans in the House to vote together.

His speech on Saturday about taxes and runaway spending is something everyone needs to watch. President Obama has signed 25 tax increases into law passed by Democrats in Congress. Eric Cantor's in describing the Democrats "You pay, they spend, and your children owe" is short and to the point and something we all need keep reminding voters this Fall that is what the Democrats are all about.

Time to send the tax and spend Democrats to the Unemployment line on November 2nd!


Sen. Scott Brown: GOP needs a truck, a barn coat, and a Cosmo center-fold to win in 2010



MA GOP Senator Scott Brown said in his speech at the GOP Convention in MA on Saturday that candidates should be themselves. No truer words will ever be spoken. Brown's success in getting elected was just that -- genuine. In meeting with the people of MA he didn't pretend to be something he wasn't or change his comments to fit who he was talking with. He was himself. He jokes, laughs, and yet is serious about issues that are facing this Country. What you see is what you get with Scott Brown and every candidate running should be the same way.

How Scott Brown handled the Cosmos centerfold speaks volumes about the man. He didn't hide it, he met the issue head on which is what all candidates should do for any issue from the past instead of trying to spin. IMHO no one should have had an issue with the centerfold, but then I still have the original Burt Reynolds centerfold in Cosmos somewhere in storage around here.

After the GOP took major hits in 2006 and 2008 in Congress, we have noticed that today's leadership in both Houses are telling it like it is which is so refreshing. They are standing up for America and what is best for the Country day in and day out and not wavering.

Time for Republicans to put an end to any candidate sticking his finger in the wind to determine what he believes that day or for that speech. If a candidate cannot be true to themselves on who they are, then don't run as we will see right through you and are in no mood for a candidate that doesn't know who they are and is not steadfast in their beliefs.

There is no better example for our candidates to follow then Scott Brown who represents the people of Massachusetts not the lobbyist. We want every Republican candidate to stand up and say this is what I believe and if you agree with me on 80% of the issues, then I am likely your candidate. That was the Ronald Reagan way and what we need today -- honesty from our Republican candidates.

Sen. Scott Brown: GOP needs a truck, a barn coat, and a Cosmo center-fold to win in 2010
By: Charlie SpieringOnline Community Manager
04/19/10 11:28 AM EDT

Sen. Scott Brown was the star of the Massachusetts Republican State Convention last weekend, and offered a 'blueprint' for victory to Republicans running for office in 2010:

Number 1: You’re going to need to buy yourself a pick-up truck. And if you’re really serious about winning – you need to get a green 2005 GMC Canyon and put 200,000 miles on it by campaigning around the state.
That’s 28,000 miles per month until Election Day, folks!

Number 2: Get yourself a barn jacket and wear it. Everywhere. Wear it all the time ...on the campaign trail, on dates with your spouse, to bed, out jogging, to church, in front of your kids’ friends. Just wear it everywhere and never take it off.

Number 3: And, I take this last one VERY seriously. Don’t be shy about pulling out those old Cosmo pictures from almost 30 years ago. That even means you, Charlie Baker!
After drawing some laughs from the crowd, Sen. Brown offered his real prescription for victory:

Seriously, the best advice I can give our candidates is, be yourself. Speak from your heart, look people in the eye, give them honest answers based on fact and without the usual political rhetoric. If you can do that, and hold fast to the principles that have built and guided our nation from the very beginning, then you will have a solid shot at winning.
Read his entire speech here:

Source: Washington Examiner

Monday, April 19, 2010

Oklahoma City Bombing, 9:02 a.m., 19 April 1995, Federal Murrah Building


At 9:02 a.m. this morning it will mark the 15th Anniversary of when the bomb was set off that blew off the front of the Murrah Building and did extensive damage to the Journal Record building killing 168 people. The names of the 168 people killed will be read starting at 9:02 a.m. with bells tolling in the background. God Bless!

So many changes have taken place on the ground where the Murrah Building stood. It was normal day with people at work, children in day care, people at the credit union, and all unsuspecting about what was going to change that morning.

One thing has stayed constant -- the Survivor Tree! How that tree survived that blast is any one's guess but grafts from that tree have started new trees so it will live forever as the new trees give off more grafts.


This Survivor tree has flourished in the 15 years since the bombing and given hope to so many people who lost loved ones and friends that day or who received injuries.

For five years after the bombing, people from around the world left mementos on a chain link fence for the victims. It was heart wrenching to view the fence with all the stuffed animals and realize that children that were killed that day who were spending the day in the Day Care Center of the Murrah Building while their parents were working.


Over the five years the fence was standing, items were removed and catalogued to be used in the future Bombing Memorial Museum. On April 19, 2000, the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial was dedicated by President William Clinton. The designer of the Bombing Memorial made it perfect. There are the 168 bronze and stone chairs sitting on glass base representing the victims, 19 of those are small chairs representing the children. Those 168 chairs are sitting on a hillside overlooking the reflecting pool.

The huge gates at the entrances to the Memorial have 9:01 which symbolizes the time before the bombing and the other gate has 9:03 which symbolizes the healing that began immediately after.

The Memorial Museum was dedicated on President's Day, February 19th, 2001, by President and Mrs. George W. Bush. Remember his speech that day when he recalled going into the room with the cubes where you find the items dedicated to the people who lost their lives and seeing the cubical of the USSS agent who served his Dad who lost his life. The room is so sad and tears come easily when you realize these people lost their lives in a senseless bombing.

At the entrance to the Museum are these words:

We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.®

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

Oklahoman has an area dedicated to that day and the days that followed


Friday, April 16, 2010

Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) Releases it's 2010 study on the regulatory state

April 15, 2010, Tax Day across America, we decided to declare our own holiday and take the day off. Now that we are back this morning, we found this gem waiting in pur email. When most people think of Government revenue, they think of TAXES, and Federal Government borrowing money, but do most of us think about how much we pay in taxes due to hidden regulations? Except for Federal gas taxes we never gave it much of a thought until this morning.

Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) Releases it's 2010 study on the regulatory state

CEI's Wayne Crews unveiled his study on the growth of the regulatory state on tax day, April 15th. Crews covers not just the $1.349 trillion projected deficit in 2010, but the hidden taxes that occur because of the inundation of new regulations each year. Read about the study here. CEI's Crews and Ryan Young covered some of their findings in an op-ed in AOL Times.
After looking at the email, we decided to investigate further. Frankly we were not prepared for the amount of money that rules/regulations bring into the Federal Government. The fact that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) doesn't have a handle on the amount with their analysis is unsettling:

The Office of Management and Budget recently picked 99 major regulations and estimated their benefits to be between $126 billion and $663 billion.
Now if our math is correct, that is a difference of $537B which makes one question the other figures released by the CBO like on healthcare if they cannot come close on something we would think would be a simple calculation.

From the exploding growth of Government employees, it looks like when the Government bureaucracy has a new rule/regulation, it is mandatory in the agency's thought process they have to hire more people to enforce the rule/regulation. You cannot expect an agency to have a new rule/regulation and not hire new people. Wish we could say that was pure sarcasm but unfortunately it is what is happening at the Federal level today. When the Government spends $54B for Administration of their regulations that is going to translate into more Civil Service positions.

individuals paid $1.187 trillion last year to comply with federal rules. Factor in the $54.3 billion that the federal government spends on administration and enforcement, and the full cost of the regulatory state comes to $1.24 trillion.
Individuals (you and me) paid $1.187 TRILLION last year to comply with federal rules? That is beyond mind boggling. Everyone needs to take a look at this study and see the tactics of the Federal Government to raise money.

We have wholeheartedly supported Senators McCain and Coburn and their actions to do away with pork and earmarks. Now we understand why we keep hearing from these two and others there are way too many rules and regulations costing us way too much money. Congressmen Mike Pence and Steve King have been some of more outspoken members of the House on the runaway spending and taxing by the Federal Government along with the Government intrusion in our every day lives. These members of Congress are correct and should be listened to by this Administration but we are not holding our breath.

We are reminded of the DoD Study years ago on 'Paperwork Management' to reduce the amount of paperwork in the DoD and what not to save. The book was 3" thick and one given to everyone in the office. In our small office we stacked them up and it was taller than our 4-drawer safe. The cost of writing and printing alone was enormous. Not one person in our office bothered to read the document except what we had to sign and send back. We doubt if we were alone. What does that tell you? The Government has had too many employees for years that don't have enough to do so they assign them make work like the 3" Paperwork Reduction.

Time to clean house in the Federal Government and do away with a lot of unnecessary positions that are make work. Our first recommendation for cuts is the amount of staff for Congressional Committees. With less staff, there would be less people to write new regulations. At the same time, we need to have Congress pass a bill forbidding lobbyist from helping write or writing bills. Time to get lobbyist out of the halls of Congress.

This little gem jumped out at us to show how little transparency there is with the Government.

Precise regulatory costs can never be fully known, because, unlike taxes, they are unbudgeted and often indirect.
Without organizations like CEI, we wouldn't have a clue about these regulations and how much they cost us every year. It is time FISCAL Conservatives are elected to Congress who are willing to make the hard decisions and that we elect a President who is a Fiscal Conservative. No more programs that are 'nice to have' -- those days need to be gone. Do a complete overhaul of the Federal Bureaucracy and make it responsive to the taxpayers. It wouldn't be easy as the Federal Unions would yell but let them yell.

Some tough decisions have to be made after the November elections to start to turn this Country back around from the runaway spending that has been happening in this new century. If a candidate is running for office and not a fiscal conservative, then they need defeated. In January 2011, we recommend that Congress start cleaning out its own house starting with Committee staffs and then cut the budgets for every entity of the Federal Government.. Manpower reductions are required throughout the Federal Government to get this Country back on track.

Ten Thousand Commandments
An Annual Snapshot of the Federal Regulatory State

The federal government primarily funds its programs in three ways. The first is to raise taxes to pay for new programs. The second is to borrow money to pay for them (with a promise to pay back that borrowed money, with interest, from taxes collected in the future). No matter how controversial government spending programs can be, taxpayers can always see how much programs cost by looking at the federal budget, and Congress can be held accountable for programs that are controversial. While not perfect, such accountability is a fundamental, necessary condition for controlling government.

The third way the government can accomplish its goals is to regulate. That is, rather than pay directly and book the expense of a new initiative, it can require that the private sector and lower-level governments pay. By regulating, the government can carry out desired programs but avoid using tax dollars to fund them. This process sometimes allows Congress to escape accountability and to blame agencies for costs. Since disclosure and accountability for regulation are limited, policymakers have little incentive to care about the extent of regulatory costs or where those costs stand in relation to ordinary government spending. Regulatory costs are unbudgeted and lack the formal presentation to the public and media to which ordinary federal spending is subject, and thus regulatory initiatives allow the government to direct private-sector resources to a significant degree without much public fuss. In that sense, regulation can be thought of as off-budget taxation.

The purpose of Ten Thousand Commandments is accountability. Every year Wayne Crews researches and writes Ten Thousand Commandments to hold government officials accountable for the costs they pass on to the American taxpayers.
The goal is Transparency.

10KC 2010

President Barack Obama’s federal budget for fiscal year (FY) 2011 proposes $3.83 trillion in discretionary, entitlement, and interest spending.1 In the previous fiscal year, the president had proposed $3.552 trillion. For reference, George W. Bush had proposed the first-ever $3 trillion U.S. budget. In fact, President Bush was also the first to propose a $2 trillion federal budget—in 2002, a scant eight years ago.

Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects FY 2010 spending will end up at $3.524 trillion. The result: thanks to the bailout and “stimulus” frenzy, a projected FY 2010 deficit of a previously unthinkable$1.349 trillion, down slightly from 2009.

Excerpt: Read More at CEI
Last year in the first year of the new liberal Administration, 3,503 new Rules went into effect. This is Hope and Change? We want to see Rules and Regulations decrease not increase.

When you read what some of the rules and regulations cover, you shake your head and realize that as American taxpayers, we have not paid enough attention to what is happening at the Federal level. We need to become better educated not just show up for a rally, return home, and go back to normal. We need to start looking at rules/regulations and ask our Congressman/Senator why a particular one is necessary. One pointed out by CEI has us questioning why?
what colors are allowed for surgical stitches.
As Taxpayers, we are obligated to demand accountability and transparency. We work to elect members to Congress and the President but after they take office, they are employed by the United States Taxpayer. It is time to quit business as usual. How many people who attended a rally yesterday will now write and/or visit their Congressional/Senate offices to make complaints or even pick up the phone to complain. Every member of Congress has a form on their website for their constituents to use to communicate -- start using those forms and let them know you are watching carefully how they vote to spend our money.

This article from AOL is more from CEI about Hidden Taxes we are paying. This 2010 Ten Thousand Commandments should be a wake-up call that we need to start paying attention to what is passed by the Congress.

The Huge, Hidden Tax You Pay for Government
by Clyde Wayne Crews, Ryan Young
April 15, 2010

Originally published in AOL News
Taxpayers rushing to fill out and file their form 1040 today may think their obligation to the federal government is complete. But it's really just beginning.

Although Americans paid more than $900 billion in income taxes last year, there's a far larger tax bill hidden from view. That tax is regulation.

According to the just-released 2010 edition of "Ten Thousand Commandments," an annual study published by the Competitive Enterprise Institute, businesses and individuals paid $1.187 trillion last year to comply with federal rules. Factor in the $54.3 billion that the federal government spends on administration and enforcement, and the full cost of the regulatory state comes to $1.24 trillion. By comparison, Canada's entire GDP last year was $1.32 trillion.

The Code of Federal Regulations is now over 157,000 pages long. Last year alone, 3,503 new rules went into effect -- that's a new regulation every 2 1/2 hours, day and night, seven days a week.

Federal rules cover everything from pork rind imports to farm animal weighing procedures to what colors are allowed for surgical stitches.

So what do we get for all this bureaucratic red tape?

While the costs of regulation are relatively easy to calculate, quantifying the benefits of regulation is much trickier. Agencies do a limited amount of cost-benefit analysis, but they have a built-in incentive to downplay costs and overestimate benefits, in order to avoid budget cuts or worse.

And, because benefits are largely subjective, they are nearly impossible to quantify with any precision. The Office of Management and Budget recently picked 99 major regulations and estimated their benefits to be between $126 billion and $663 billion. The OMB might as well say it has no idea.

Excerpt: Read more at AOL

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Champion Against Earmarks -- John McCain

Today the Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) announced the 2010 Congressional Pig Book is here! With that announcement, we decided that the John McCain's radio ad concerning earmarks is as timely today as it was when released early this month:



Listen to the ad and remember how J.D. Hayworth was one of the big porkers/spenders when Republicans were in charge of the House. Then ask yourself why his own district turned him out of office in 2006? If his district wouldn't reelect him, why would the State?

We have noticed over the last week something troubling that is beginning to happen. Not only is John McCain being attacked by 'so-called' conservatives but also the same group is after Senator (Dr.) Tom Coburn now for wanting to bring civility back into politics and for conservatives to not blindly follow Fox News.

On some sites Dr. Tom is being called some of the same names we see John McCain called which is beginning to make us question what is happening. The first question that comes to mind is what do they have in common? They are two of the biggest fiscal conservatives in the Congress as both want to do away with pork and earmarks. Makes one wonder just who is behind these attacks on these two honorable men and if ending the practice of pork and earmarks is what these 'so-called' conservatives don't like?

We have to question if some of the attackers are even Republicans with some of their comments. Is JD Hayworth being backed by libertarians, John Birchers, and Democrats up to no good?

Right now Dr. Coburn doesn't have a serious opponent so the rhetoric of the malcontents against Dr. Tom means little when the vast majority are not even from Oklahoma. One of the malcontents called Dr. Tom a Representative so they didn't know he was a Senator? That points at the attacks being orchestrated as the posters are repeating the same mantra.

We believe that the people of Arizona and Oklahoma are smarter then this group of 'so-called' conservatives give us credit, and we will send both Senator McCain and Senator Coburn back to the US Senate to continue the fight against pork and earmarks.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Cong Mike Pence (R-IN) Speech to SRLC, 4/10/10

Texas Governor Rick Perry speaks to SRLC, 04/09/10



Note that there is a weird pause at about the 22 sec. mark for about 9 seconds but it will start back up after that.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Edward Lynch, Republican for FL 19 Special Congressional Election

Edward Lynch is running for FL 19 in a special election. This is a Democrat district but doesn't mean we cannot win since the Democrats thought there was no way we could win the Seante seat in MA. Please visit his website at Ed Lynch for Congress, FL 19 and if you can afford to donate, please do so today on his website. This seat in is in the West Palm Beach area where a lot of senior citizens are very concerned about the passage of Obamacare and how it affects them.



Critical Last 5 days before special election for EDWARD LYNCH - 'the Florida SCOTT BROWN' please help...scroll down to see how...we must turn out Patriots voting has already begun...I am travelling down to his home in WEST PALM BEACH after my clinic shift tomorrow night TO VIDEO RECORD A Healthcare blog interview to be posted on his EDWARD LYNCH for congress website and Facebook page,

thanks,

yours in American Liberty and FREEDOM,

George

Dear Conserative Activist:

There's a critically important special election for the U.S. House in southern FL on April 13 (next Tuesday). The conservative Republican candidate, Ed Lynch, is in a dogfight with a total "Obamabot," and Ed needs your help with phone banking. If Ed wins this race in what's been a "safe" Democrat district, it win send a Scott-Brown-like scare in the socialists who now run things in America.Because this is a special election, turnout will be critical. If we can get the Patriots in the district to vote -- many are barely aware there is an election -- we can pull a major upset.

I know the people (Steve, Ellen, Jessica) in the campaign, and they're working non-stop. They need our help.To help phone-bank for Ed please go to his web site. If we win races like this one, we will be on our way to taking back America.www.electlynch.comIf you have any problems, please e-mail Ellen Snyder at: ellen@electlynch.com. If you can afford a small contribution, Ed will sure be able to use it.

Michael Steele, RNC Chair Creates a Firestorm with his Use of Race Card

Yesterday on Democrats for Sale, we did an in-depth look at Why Do Blacks Vote 90% Democrat? In doing the research, it was great to see so many Conservative Black Republicans who are willing to speak out.

RNC Chairman Michael Steele was not one of those we used as an example because frankly his use of the race card to explain missteps was wrong along with some of his pandering to Obama only because he is black. Excuse us for wanting a color blind Chairman. He has been given free reign and it was his choice to hire the people he did and to pay expense accounts for some others. Seems he needs a lesson that the Buck Stops at his Desk not because he is black but because he is the Chairman.

Frances Rice who holds the Chairman of the Black Republicans is a real asset to the Republican Party and her articles are very insightful. Rice wrote a paper, Why Martin Luther King was a Republican detailing reasons why he would have been a Republican in those days.

Republican Black Conservatives Armstrong Williams, Dr. Alveda King (niece of Martin Luther King), Rev Jesse Lee Peterson and others are Speakers for the Emancipation Revelation Revolution (ERR) Documentary group (http://errvideo.com/Speakers.html).
In reading the biographies of the people from the Speakers Bureau of the ERR I was reminded of how fortunate we are to such articulate conservative spokesman for our Party.

Conservatives take hits from the media all the time but Black Conservatives take a lot more as the liberal media cannot believe they are Conservative and Republican. Larry Elder and Ken Blackwell both went after Steele using 'race' as an excuse because what he did has nothing to do with race and the race card should not have been played.

The vote for RNC Chair came down to two men -- Steele and Blackwell. The difference was arrogance on the part of some of the RNC Members as they wanted someone who had been a member of the RNC to be Chair. That meant the Chair went to Steele who had been a member from Maryland and not Blackwell, the former Ohio Secretary of State who also happened to be black. We believe that Blackwell would have been the better choice because of his demeanor, organizational capability, and someone you would want to work for as your boss. Ken Blackwell does not have an elitist bone in his body while we believe Michael Steele with the way he wants to spend donations on his travel, his meals, where he holds meetings, etc. is an elitist.

We do disagree with the author that Steele was chosen because he was black because if you look at the list of people willing to run for Chair, Blackwell was the only candidate who we believe would have made the better Chairman. We don't think Obama winning had as much to do with it as Steele wanted to run the RNC to move back into running for political office.

Using the race card to explain his missteps is wrong. The thought that he didn't think a lot of us have gone after Chairs in the past for a variety of reasons is naive. Don't care what race or color of the man's skin, I want a Chairman who is articulate, knows when to stay silent, and doesn't come across as an elitist. The fact that he charges for speeches goes against what I believe. He is traveling on our nickel and yet wants paid for speeches. He can resign and get paid all he wants.

This article has an interesting premise that is worth reading and then ask yourself why we are keeping a Chairman that would have been gone for his extravagant ways in the past but now now? His job is to steer the RNC to win in November not to make this about himself.

GOP should fire Steele for sake of racial equality
By: Chris Stirewalt Political EditorApril 8, 2010

(AP)
Republicans are paying a terrible price for their cynical decision to make Michael Steele their chairman.

And it's not about the money.

Reporters are poring over the Republican National Committee's expenditures for further evidence of the culture of profligacy Steele has fostered.

Steele picked a Hawaiian resort for the party's winter meeting and uses corporate jet charters to keep up with a schedule packed with book events and speaking engagements that profit him personally.

The employee who sprang for a $2,000 bar tab at an L.A. nightclub and the unnamed staffer that spent almost $1,000 for "office supplies" at a Vermont winery were reflections of a corporate culture, not rogue agents.

Steele is touting the party's $11.4 million fundraising in March -- more than any previous March in a midterm year but less than the Democratic National Committee brought in.

Does anyone suppose that if Mike Duncan had stayed at the helm of the RNC that the amount wouldn't have been bigger? And how much smaller will the haul be in April, now that the gory details of Steele's spending have come to light?

You can understand why Newt Gingrich says that the time has come to quiet down about Steele. Gingrich is the same guy who said that Republicans should unite behind Dede Scozzafava in last fall's special election in New York. He knows that if you can't fix a problem, you should at least stop talking about it.

Republicans are doing everything they can to shove Steele into a closet. Gingrich wants a financial overseer for the party, and talking head after talking head encourages Steele to keep a lower profile.

Who are they kidding? Steele's main gift is talk, and he can bring it fast and furious. He's one of the best I've seen at the talking-point filibuster -- quick, electric and a little dangerous.

The idea that someone who lives on limelight will simply cloister himself and wait for his term to end is wishful thinking by Gingrich and others.

Whether Steele stays on as chairman or leaves, he will be in the news from now until November. He is a sound bite machine, loves publicity and gives establishment media outlets a chance to say embarrassing things about Republicans. Talk about a triple threat for cable TV.

But the biggest danger posed by Steele is not the loss of a few millions or some missed opportunities this fall.

The real risk is losing the party's best claim on minority voters.

As America becomes less white with each passing year, Democrats are betting that their party can dominate the future because they embrace special treatment for minorities.

When Barack Obama won the presidency, Republicans panicked and embraced identity politics. If the Democrats had a black president, Republicans would have a black chairman.

Now, that black chairman has repeatedly suggested that racism is to blame for his troubles and insinuated that his own party cannot handle having a black man in charge. It's the most damaging part of the whole Steele affair.

Republicans have a claim on racial equality stretching back 154 years, but the GOP will never match Democrats as the party of retributive racial justice.

(snip)

And what would communicate the belief in equality more perfectly than booting a chairman who is using his race to try to hold on to power?

Chris Stirewalt is the political editor of the Washington Examiner. He can be reached at cstirewalt@dcexaminer.com.

Excerpt: Read more at the Washington Examiner

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Paul Ryan: Should American Bid Farewell to Exceptional Freedom

On March 31, 2010, Cong Paul Ryan (R-WI) delivered a speech to the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs in Oklahoma City. From accounts, Cong Ryan's speech was excellent.

Cong Paul Ryan has put forth "A Roadmap for America's Future" which we will be spotlighting in the days ahead on this website as well as on Democrats for Sale, our companion site. Ryan's plan has already been scored by the CBO who confirms "this plan achieves the goal of paying off government debt in the long run - while securing the social safety net and starting up future economic growth."

There is an old saying "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana, Reason in Common Sense, Vol I That phrase is as true today as it has ever been.

Without Cong Ryan's speech, we would have never looked into what the Democrats have done over the years to secure voting blocks of votes based on economics, race, and perceived wrongs -- all basic lies. See our companion site for the background on the word 'progressive' and what it meant at the turn of the 20th century compared to what it means today at Democrats for Sale

In 2010, Republicans need to show the American people they can lead and with leading return the sense of personal responsibility to the individual to make their life, their local area, their state, and their Country better instead of waiting for the Government to take care of their every need. Yankee ingenuity needs a restart in America in 2010!

This speech by Cong Paul Ryan whose wife is from Oklahoma is what this Country needs. Read the speech and ask yourself who is this Republican Congressman from Wisconsin, Paul Ryan who wants to split his time between Oklahoma and Wisconsin when he retires? This speech goes a long way in telling us about the man and how he believes this Country should be governed. We will be sharing with you in the days ahead his "A Roadmap for America's Future" as we learn more about this Congressman and his vision for America.

Living in Oklahoma we particularly enjoyed this part from his speech:

I hope you won't mind an aside. I absolutely love Oklahoma! As you may know, I married Janna Little, daughter of Dan and Prudence Little, from Madill. Well, Janna and I are planning on spending half of our year here in retirement. And I can tell you it won't be Summer...it's just gets too hot here for a Wisconsinite. We will be spending the Fall and Winter here. You see, I love to hunt and fish. Each year we come for deer, duck, and turkey season. Janna refers to these times as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. There's something about Oklahoma that is truly captivating. It's a beautiful, big, unconstrained country with great-hearted people who know what it is to live like free men and women.

Some of my friends in Marshall County have on occasion called me "yankee," which I find particularly disturbing. I have always thought a yankee is someone from the Northeast, not the upper Midwest. Needless to say, I am told this can be fixed if I include among my life's achievements the high and noble accomplishment of noodling a giant catfish from the banks of Lake Texoma. And so, I will be returning in early June, otherwise known as noodling season, to gain this rite of passage so that I may never be called yankee again, and also hoping I keep my ten fingers intact.
Knowing America, and Oklahoma as I have come to know it, I am confident that the American character is up to every challenge. America is not over. This exceptional nation will not go down the way of mediocrity. Ronald Reagan used to say: "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction ... It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for [our children] to do the same." We are that generation. The fight is our fight, and it begins now! The time is at hand to reclaim America for freedom.
Read his Full Speech at Real Clear Politics -- you will not be disappointed.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Rudy Guiliana Endorses Marco Rubion, April 5, 2010



We were very happy to hear this as there had been a lot of speculation about who was endorsing Marco Rubio on Monday after Senator (Dr.) Coburn endorsed Rubio on the 31st of March. We don't know of anyone from outside of Florida who will be more welcome then Mayor Rudy by the people of South Florida.

Rudy has always stood for Freedom and a strong national security along with smaller government and less taxes. He left no doubt following 9/11 what he thinks of terrorists and how they should be handled. He certainly would never consider bringing them to the United States for trial in Federal Court. Rudy is a law and order person who would make the best Attorney General that this Country ever had.

On Wednesday, March 31, Senator (Dr.) Coburn of Oklahoma, the fiscal conservative Conscience of the Senate endorsed Rubio to add to the earlier endorsements by Senator Inhofe (R-OK), and Sen DeMint (R-SC). Oklahoma has two of the most conservative Senators, and now both have endorsed Marco Rubio which speaks volumes about Marco Rubio and his conservative credentials. We believe this statement from Dr. Coburn pretty much sums up the race:

"From the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ to the ‘Woodstock Museum,’ I’ve fought all kinds of wasteful spending throughout my career. But in my lifetime, I’ve never seen as wasteful a spending project as the failed $787 billion stimulus bill that Marco’s opponents supported. I have full confidence Marco will stand against costly disasters like the stimulus bill and government-run health care," Dr. Coburn said.
When Gov Crist endorsed the stimulus package and greeted Obama like his long lost brother last fall, he broke with Republican and Independent fiscal conservatives. Then Crist had former Florida GOP Chair Greer running around arm twisting people to endorse Crist in a contested primary. The NRSC Chair Cornyn made the foolish move of doing just that -- endorsing Crist last year. The NRSC Chair should never endorse in an open seat primary. In the end it will cost the NRSC support from donors who always gave who are now giving direct to candidates.

NRCC, headed by Pete Sessions, seems to be the only one of the three major National Republican organizations on track to the task of winning back seats in the House by being on the offensive. The other two organizations, NRSC and RNC, are running into problems of their own making.

Dr. Coburn with this endorsement is asking Floridians to send Marco Rubio to the Senate to join the fight with him and Senator McCain to reign in pork, earmarks, and runaway spending. Dr. Coburn joined Senator McCain to fight pork and earmarks the day he was sworn in as a Senator in January 2005. Before that he was a House Member for three terms going to DC following the takeover of the House 1994. As part of that Contract with America group he took a pledge to only servie three terms which he did. Now as a Senator, he has pledged to only serve two terms.

Marco Rubio could not have a better mentor then Dr. Coburn who is up for reelection this year but yet to hear who will be his opponent. Oklahoma will be sending Dr. Coburn back to the United States Senate to continue the job of reigning in pork, earmarks, and runaway spending. We are asking the good people of Florida to send Marco Rubio to help.

March 31st, 2010
Sen. Coburn Endorses Rubio
Posted by Kyle Trygstad

Florida Senate candidate Marco Rubio received a major endorsement this morning that could help to solidify Rubio's argument that he's the true conservative in the Republican primary. Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn, known for holding up legislation he deems fiscally unsound, is throwing his support behind Rubio.

"I proudly endorse Marco Rubio for the U.S. Senate and look forward to working with him in Washington," Coburn said in a statement released by the Rubio campaign. "His genuine principles and proven record are evidence that he will come to Washington and be a consistent advocate for fiscal responsibility, individual liberty and the traditional values that have made America great. I have closely studied Florida's Senate candidates and have no doubt that Marco Rubio is the only fiscal conservative in this race."

This is another blow to Gov. Charlie Crist, the now-former establishment candidate.

Earlier this month, NRSC Chairman John Cornyn walked back his endorsement of Crist, stating the committee would not withdraw its initial pronouncement of support but would also not engage in the primary.

Source: Real Clear Politics

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Congresswoman Bachmann to Headline "Defenders of Freedom" King Fundraiser Next Saturday

On Friday, April 2, Cong Steve King had one of the best editorials on Obamacare that we have seen. It is was an editorial written for the Washington Times which we posted on our companion site at King: 100% Repeal of Obamacare

We agree with Michelle Bachmann that Steve King would make an excellent candidate for President in 2012. Smart, articulate, has the values of Middle America and can give speeches and write articles which are clear and concise and you are never left thinking, what did he say?

Steve King certainly should be considered in any discussion for Presidential candidates in 2012. For now, let's get him reelected to Congress to continue to carry on the work of "We the People!"
Congresswoman Bachmann to Headline King Fundraiser Next Saturday
April 3, 2010



Congressman Steve King announced his colleague in the U.S. House of Representatives, Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, will be the keynote speaker at his third annual Defenders of Freedom event this coming Saturday.

“I am honored to have Michele come to western Iowa to share her brand of conservative leadership with us,” King said. “Together Michele and I have led the charge in the U.S. House to fight the Obama/Pelosi/Reid health care nightmare. It was her idea that sparked our ‘Declaration of Health Care Independence’ and am proud to call her a friend, ally in the conservative cause, and fellow warrior in the culture war.”

Defenders of Freedom will be held at the The Bluff’s Area Family Center, 903 Topaz Drive, Sergeant Bluff. Doors will open at 5:00 pm on April 10 with the program to being at 5:30 pm. The event includes a banquet, awards presentations, and speeches by Bachmann and King.

Bachmann made her respect for King clear by telling the Sioux City Journal’s political reporter she would support King for president. “Steve King is mentioned as a potential nominee. I have a very high opinion of Steve King and his ability, so I would encourage him to consider any position for higher office,” Bachmann said.

Elected in 2006, Bachmann is the first Republican woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota. Prior to serving in the U.S. Congress, Bachmann served in the Minnesota State Senate. She also spent five years as a federal tax litigation attorney, working on hundreds of civil and criminal cases. That experience solidified Bachmann’s strong support for efforts to simplify the Tax Code and reduce tax burdens on family and small business budgets.

Bachmann is a graduate of Anoka High School and Winona State University. After earning her law degree, she went on to the College of William and Mary to get an LLM in tax law. Bachmann and her husband, Marcus, live in Stillwater where they own a small business mental health care practice that employs 42 people. The Bachmanns have five children: Lucas, Harrison, Elisa, Caroline, and Sophia. In addition, the Bachmanns have opened their home to 23 foster children.

“I encourage everyone interested in hearing one of our nation’s leading conservative voices to attend my Defenders of Freedom event,” King said. Tickets and information are available by calling (888) 722-4704 or email jason@campaign-headquarters.com.

Congressman Steve King was elected to Congress in 2002 and was re-elected three times. He serves on the House Agriculture, Small Business, and Judiciary committees. Prior to being elected to Congress, King served in the Iowa Senate and founded King Construction, an earth-moving contracting business now owned by his son.

PRUDEN: The protection of EAster in Jewish Jerusalem

Happy Easter! We found this editorial from Wesley Pruden to be especially timely this Easter in light of what is happening between this Administration and Israel. We stand with Israel and thank them for protecting the Christians who journey to the Holy City of Jerusalem this Easter Sunday.

Friday, April 2, 2010
PRUDEN: The protection of Easter in Jewish Jerusalem

By

Celebrating Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the most important holy day for Christians of all denominations, can be deadly in the Middle East. Reciting a Scripture or humming a hymn could cost your head in Saudi Arabia, and you could risk other highly valued body parts in the similarly benighted ninth-century neighborhoods abounding in the lands of caliphs, imams and ayatollahs.

Beheading is something of the national sport of Saudi Arabia, where the government has scheduled for Friday the gruesome ritual for a man, the father of five, accused of sorcery for "making predictions" in his native Lebanon. (Punditry can be risky there, too.)

Better to take your celebration to Israel, where the government will assist your visit. It's the difference between Middle East and the cultural West, between the 8th and 21st centuries, between civilized and not-so-civilized. The Israeli guarantee of religious freedom, taken for granted in the nations of the West, is part of what invites hostility and belligerence from Israel's neighbors.

Pilgrims proceed under protection today along the Via Dolorosa, believed to be the path that Christ took with His cross to the crucifixion at Calvary, and on to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Many Christians, particularly Roman Catholics, believe Christ was buried on the site three days before the Resurrection. Christians and everyone else are welcome to join the procession. Unless a suicide bomber or other evil-doer slips through security, no one will be harmed. The Israeli government guarantees it.

The Israeli Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1948, declares Israel to be a Jewish state, but further declares that the nation "will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants, irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions." It's a promise bereft of Jeffersonian eloquence, but it's plain and to the point.

In that long-ago day, in a burst of naive enthusiasm, certain idealists imagined that this example would spread to other places where religious freedom is understood to mean that you have the freedom to keep your head so long as you believe what the imams in the government tell you to believe. Israel has since enacted comprehensive legal codes to protect the hundreds of Christian, Muslim and Jewish monuments and markers and to guarantee universal access to them. Jordan, before the Six-Day War in 1967, controlled Jerusalem, and Jews were forbidden entry. Many Jewish holy sites were routinely vandalized.

Moshe Dayan, the defense minister who led the Israelis to victory in the Six-Day War, was clear about religious tolerance and protection in a radio broadcast the morning Jerusalem was captured. "This morning," he said, "the Israel Defense Force liberated Jerusalem. We have united Jerusalem, the divided capital of Israel. We have returned the holiest of our holy places, never to part from it again. To our Arab neighbors we extend, also at this hour - and with added emphasis 'at this hour' - our hand in peace. And to our Christian and Muslim fellow citizens, we solemnly promise full religious freedom and rights."

This clearly includes the right to disagree. Not every Christian regards the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the site of Christ's burial. A tomb in a garden below Calvary was discovered in 1867 and, popularized by Gen. Charles George "Chinese" Gordon, an eccentric Bible scholar once assigned to the British military in Palestine, became known as "the Protestant tomb." The Anglican church once recognized it as the authentic tomb. Scholars are divided today on whether this is so.

The tomb fits the description in Matthew 27:58, when Joseph of Arimathea begged Pilate for the body of Jesus: "Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. And laid it in his own, new tomb, which he had hewn out of a rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed."

The stone is there today, and the track on which it was rolled away is visible in the rock. The tomb and the garden lie beneath a large stone outcropping, vaguely resembling a skull, marked by two gaping holes, as if eye sockets. Hence the name "Golgotha," or "skull," given to the site of the crucifixion.
The argument continues, as with so much about the meaning of the Scripture. But Christians agree on the Resurrection as the story of Easter, the central fact that gives the Gospel meaning. The pilgrims continue to make their way in peace to Jerusalem, scene of the holiest and most horrific events of history, watched over now with respect and reverence by Jews.

• Wesley Pruden is editor emeritus of The Washington Times.

Source: Washington Times