About Those Heartless Republicans

First this story needs one caveat. You can probably count the number of Republicans in Clayton County on one hand, so I am not so sure how much success their fund raising efforts will yield, but still it is a good news story.

After he suffered a stroke 10 years ago, the 44-year-old Harris was diagnosed with an enlarged heart and congestive heart failure. He's been through 2 pacemakers and now has to use a partial artificial heart. He needs a transplant to survive.

Marxen convinced the entire Clayton County Republican Party to take on his Democratic friend as a fundraising project. "They said, 'well, that doesn't matter anyway, you know, he needs help and we need to do that,'" he added.

"We've been friends for so long, if the situation was reversed, I'd do the same for him, too," Harris said.

Herman Cain Wins South Carolina GOP Debate

Fresh off his success at the Americans for Prosperity forum in New Hampshire Herman Cain has scored another win in the Fox News sponsored debate in South Carolina last night.

How many people think Herman Cain won?

"Well we can stop right there."

I didn't watch the debate cause you know life interfered but I am glad to know Herman continues to impress and the rest of the media continues to ignore him.

Sean Hannity seems to be taking the results of straw poll the hardest.

Oh yeah, and you Republicans are racists too.

Herman Cain Makes His Presence Known In New Hampshire

Herman Cain, the first person to announce his intentions to seek the presidential nomination on the Republican ticket continues to impress folks. Last night the Americans for Prosperity in New Hampshire held a forum in which 5 alleged, or potential candidates were given a chance to give a short speech and then answer a couple of questions from the moderator. Granted this was friendly turf but by a wide margin Herman Cain won the night.

I watched the event streaming on the web and was waiting for videos to come out and now courtesy of The Other McCain I am able to get the video of Herman's speech.

A few quick comments on the others just from my seat on the other speakers.

Former governor Tim Pawlenty led off and was uninspiring while trying to draw distinctions between himself and Mitt Romney.

Rick Santorum was next and was all politician. A couple of buzz words and some catchy phrases designed to curry favor with the crowd but short on substance.

Mitt Romney was next and quickly went into his business credentials and was adequate in his presentation. Where Mitt got into trouble was when questioned on his health care legislation in Massachusetts now referred to as RomneyCare. He got a positive response when he said if Obama, who is constantly drawing comparisons to his plan had called him and asked him he would have told him not to do it. While that is good for a laugh it doesn't undo the harm done. He thereafter referred to RomneyCare as an experiment.

Then there was Herman. He was fiery and passionate and spoke with conviction, something none of the previous folks had done. He laid out his economic plans, which was the purpose of the forum to start with. As always you may or may not agree with all of his proposals but he has put his chips on the table and given a starting point to begin the negotiations. He quite literally stole the night and in so doing allowed folks to become acquainted with him since the regular talking heads and those in the media are ignoring him.

Last was Michele Bachman. First off she was unlucky to have to follow Herman, but secondly she then launched into a laundry list of stuff, all read off of notes prepared for her that quite simply had my eyes glazing over. She was putting out so much stuff that you couldn't keep up and if she had some good ideas they simply got lost in rapid fire delivery she employed.

So anyway enjoy the video of Mr Cain, truly the only one worth watching from last night.

Americans United For Change, Except When They Are Against It

The old legacy media is hard at work trotting out various trial balloons in their support of the Democrat campaign efforts for 2012. There is the obvious of their promoting Donald Trump, while having to go in to deep denial that he is playing them like a fiddle. One thing Mr Trump has learned from his Apprentice days is that controversy equals ratings and attention. When was the last time you saw a commercial for a reality show, any reality show, that showed the contestants getting along like one big happy family? By having the media seize upon his latest attention grabbing headline whether it is the birth certificate or Obama's grades, he has managed to take attention away from others and promote himself. This is also further proof of the liberal media mindset which dictates they only going to promote the person they think their liberal guy can beat like they did with McCain.

In what has been a continuing narrative now is the shift from identifying Republicans as Republicans. Instead they are labeling them as Tea Party backed. There is a reason for this. They have invested much time and effort in painting the Tea Party folks as just a bunch of crotchety old racist white folks living on the fringe of the political spectrum.

This article caught my attention for a couple of reason. First of course is the headline. Tea Party Lawmaker Frank Guinta Draws Ire Over Medicare Vote. Rep Guinta is a Republican from New Hampshire. The next thing that got my attention was the photo accompanying the article. Anytime you see pre printed mass produced signs it is a good sign that the folks holding them are part of a larger organization such as a union or a liberal front group. That is the case here. If you look at the bottom of the signs you will see the group these folks represent is Americans United For Change dot org.


My blogging experience has taught me that if a group ends with dot org designation there is a very high probably that it is a liberal/progressive group.

I surely can't be the only one who is struck by the irony of a group with change in their title that is against change. The simple fact is the current Social Security system and Medicare program just are no longer viable. They were fine for the WWII crowd, but folks we are 70 years down the road and the realities in American in the 21st century simply don't reflect the conditions that existed in the 1940's.

I have never forgave AARP for being instrumental in killing former President Bush's attempt at overhauling Social Security. I will never be a member of their organization for that reason but then they compounded the problem by participating in the Obamacare legislation to such a degree that they managed to kill all the successful Medicare Advantage programs EXCEPT for the one they offer that is underwritten by United Healthcare. It is just another example of this administration rewarding their supporters and picking winners and losers in the private sector, and at the same time punishing the American people.

Then there is this exchange during the meeting.

"Why Congressman Guinta, why in the world, did you ever vote for the Paul Ryan Medicare plan," asked, Gary Patton, who posed the first question at an often raucous town hall meeting the congressman hosted at a local high school here.

Patton, 73, told Guinta that he was concerned that the plan introduced by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., the chairman of the House Budget Committee, would "end Medicare as we know it."

"The proposal that was in the House last week, again, does not affect anyone who is 55 or older," Guinta assured. "I want to try to allay some fears about the proposal, I want to make sure that people have the proper information. If you don't like the plan, let me know that."

It is the same thing that was going on with the Social Security reform efforts. The liberal/progressives have managed to scare senior citizens once again. Just like the Social Security reform this Ryan budget proposal will make no changes to those receiving Medicare currently.

What I am getting tired of is senior citizens getting worked up into a tizzy, and since so many of our legislators fear this crowd and are closer in age to them then they are me, wind up continuing to punish me.

Hey Geritol crowd here's a news flash. It is my benefits they are trying to change, not yours.

Anyway my advice to everyone is 1) When looking for political candidates look for the ones not getting attention by the media to find a conservative probably more in line with your way of thinking and 2) Realize the Tea Party is not a political party. We still have a predominately two party system in this country, Republicans and Democrats.

When was the last time you saw a Democrat labeled as a Move On backed lawmaker?

Oh yeah and as far as that 'ire' directed at the representative goes, he might actually take it serious if the folks acting like children weren't you know, actually children.

Joe Platte, a middle school student from nearby Stratham, N.H., who took a back-row seat at the meeting, interjected: "What about me? I'm 14, what am I going to do."

Quayle/Palin in 2012

Will she or won't she? That seems to be the burning question and while liberals want her in the race so they can open fire with everything they got on her there are just as many Republicans who fear Sarah Palin.

Here is the entire 15 minute speech that Sarah Palin gave this weekend in Madison, WI. It is worth watching since it provides something for everyone, but also because it is important to see it in it's entirety and not just view the quickie soundbites.

She was particularly effective comparing candidate Obama's words to President Obama's actions.

For quite a while now I have thought that Ms Palin is best suited in the role of giving speeches such as this and using her power to bring attention to issues more then her ability as a candidate. Her plain outspokenness is her greatest asset. Unrestrained by political insiders who work to make a politician's speech nuanced, she can strike a chord in the American people that they can rally around.

I can not come to a firm decision on the ability of Sarah to wage a successful campaign, but I definitely believe in her power to focus Americans on issues. Her greatest power maybe the ability to take all the attention and focus from the 'declared' candidates while conservatives continue to survey the horizon looking for the cavalry to come charging over the hill to save the day. I will say that I am less then excited about any of the candidates that are in the race so far.

What I like about Ms Palin is in spite of all of the withering criticism and scrutiny and vicious attacks that not only her but her family has had to endure she refuses to back down. There is something to be said for strength of character. This is the same trait exhibited by Rep West (R-FL).

Anyway watch the entire video. It is 15 minutes well spent.

BTW I still want to put out a name from the past who just might be the person to lead the cavalry charge: Dan Quayle.
Here is former VP Quayle with Megyn Kelly from April of 2010 discussing the role of the Tea Party and their impact on politics.

Quayle is the statesman and Palin is the grizzly. I would love to see the chemistry between the two.

Yeah, But What Happens When The Prom Is Over?

In the pantheon of silly stunts this has to rank up near the top. I am talking about the plan to have our congress critters mingle the seating during the State of the Union address. To me it is yet another example of how Democrats can propose some sort of feel good story and then get their way all based on appearance instead of substance.

“It’s a little like prom,” joked one Democrat, who asked not to be identified. “You just hope they don’t turn you down.”

As of this weekend, nearly 60 lawmakers had pledged to sit with a member of the opposite party, according to Udall’s office. In a letter sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the lawmakers said that the bipartisan seating arrangement would remind members of their common commitment to serve the American people.

Why do I think this is silly? A couple of reasons come to mind. The first is this is an attempt to protray graphically that the drubbing the Democrats got in the last election wasn't nearly as bad as it was. By having members mixed together the scope of the victory is diffused. Americans won't be able to see a large majority on one side of the aisle. I would think that after years of being told that they had tried to stop every Democrat effort while being the minority party the Republicans would be eager to show that they were indeed now the majority, at least in one house of congress.

Second, what does being chummy with a Democrat get you? They won't respect you in the morning, and in fact will probably use you as an example of being a jackbooted thug on a morning talk show the very next day.

There may be a good purpose for this however for Republicans. Simply note the pairings, and make a mental note of who may not be worthy of support in the next election. Sort of a case of the RINO's self identifying themselves. There are of course the usual suspects such Collins and Snowe of Maine, who probably didn't asked to the prom in high school, who will jump at the chance, but what other lonely wall flowers are going to want to be with the kewl kids?

The only ones I can give a pass on this stunt are the leaders of House and Senate who might sit with their counterparts. It should make for some good theater, if like in the past they engage in their stand up, sit down, rah, rah, rah antics like they have done in the past.

Lastly, it will allow Prezbo to scold them, like he did the Supreme Court justices, while diluting the image of contempt.

The Democrats are desperate to put as good a face on the results of the last election as possible and a big part of that is all about appearance, and God knows they are good about staging events to draw attention. Have you ever stopped to wonder why so many liberals tend to be in the entertainment business?

Acronym Fail: House Republicans Propose Two-Page Bill to Repeal Obamacare - "RTJKHCLA"

That would be the Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act.

Well, at least it's blunt and descriptive. And at a mere two pages, even John Conyers could probably take a crack at reading it - without the assistance of a couple of lawyers. He might even comprehend it.


HR__-Repeal -

h/t Michelle Malkin. Cross-posted.

This Teleprompter Is Making Me Very Sleepy

Oh my. It's only the first day of the new year, and already TOTUS is kicking Obama's butt.

Looks like someone needs to grab some shuteye.


File this one under "Random YouTube Screenshot I Couldn't Resist Posting."

For all you masochists out there, Breitbart has the full video of Obama's weekly radio address - whereby the President insists that incoming Republicans must 'share responsibility' for his idiotic and politically toxic policies, or something.

Cross-posted.

Barack Obama (Disgrace-USA) Compares GOP to 'Hostage Takers'

He had no choice, really. Those GOP bastards were threatening to "harm the hostage" with evil tax cuts, a.k.a. a continuation of current tax rates.

What was he supposed to do, just stand there and watch that happen?!



Not sure if this is really the best analogy for a United States President to use, especially when the message to the real hostage-takers/al-Qaeda head-choppers out there is that you'll cave as long as they threaten to harm the hostage.

Well, 'caving' doesn't really fit this analogy either, but you get the point.

Via Breitbart. Cross-posted.

GOP Maintains Huge Lead Among Likely Voters

So much for the myth that Democrat enthusiasm is improving. Despite nonstop campaigning by Obama, the GOP still has a commanding 17-point edge among likely voters two weeks out from election day. How's that Chamber of Commerce smear working out?

The latest results are from Gallup polling conducted the past two weekends, Oct. 7-10 and Oct. 14-17, and based on interviews with more than 2,700 registered voters and more than 1,900 likely voters.

For Republicans to lead, or even be at parity with Democrats, on the generic congressional ballot indicates they are in a good position to win a majority of House seats in the upcoming elections. This is because of Republicans' typical advantage in voter turnout, which in recent years has given that party an average five-point boost in support on Election Day.

If the elections were held today and roughly 40% of voters turned out -- a rate typical in recent years -- Gallup's Oct. 7-17 polling suggests Republicans would win 56% of the vote -- 8 points greater than their support from registered voters, and 17 points ahead of Democrats, at 39%. If turnout is significantly higher, Republicans would receive 53% of the vote (a 5-point improvement over their registered-voter figure), and the Democrats, 42%.

I do expect a higher turnout this year, but not from depressed Democrats. Independents are moving overwhelming toward the GOP and for an off-year, expect what I like to call Broken Glass Republicans to come out in droves. That is, the folks who will crawl over broken glass to cast their vote against Obama, Reid and Pelosi.

Is it any wonder Obama has seemingly begun to hallucinate?

More here.

The poll suggests that the GOP is poised to make large inroads on the Democrats' majorities in Congress on Nov. 2. Democrats have claimed that they have made progress in terms of voter enthusiasm over the past few weeks, with President Obama headlining heavily-attended rallies in key states to rally support among young voters.

But Democrats have failed to make up ground overall against Republicans in the poll, which is considered a bellwether of the outcome on Election Day.

GOP Enjoys Huge Enthusiasm Gap

Time for a little panic at the DNC.

An average of 59% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents have said they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting this year compared with past elections, the highest average Gallup has found in a midterm election year for either party since the question was first asked in 1994.

The prior high for a party group was 50% more enthusiastic for Democrats in 2006, which is the only one of the last five midterm election years in which Democrats have had an enthusiasm advantage. In that election, Democrats won back control of the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time since 1994.

The current average is based on four measures of this enthusiasm question since February, including the recent June 11-13 USA Today/Gallup poll. In that poll, 53% of Republicans said they were more enthusiastic than usual about voting and 39% were less enthusiastic, while 35% of Democrats said they were more enthusiastic about voting and 56% were less enthusiastic.

Republicans' net score of +14 more enthusiastic in the latest poll compared with the Democrats' net score of -21 represents the largest relative party advantage Gallup has measured in a single midterm election-year poll. More generally, Republicans have shown a decided relative advantage in enthusiasm throughout 2010, averaging a net score of +28, compared with Democrats' net score of 0.

Expect a barrage of "How tea partiers will hurt the GOP" stories from the lamestream media any time now. It's already started in rather comic fashion.

Cheeseheads Have Had Enough

Maybe it was the defection of Brett Favre to Minnesota that did it or maybe the ghost of Vince Lombardi paid them a visit; or maybe, just maybe people everywhere are fed up with the Democrats. It seems the party in disarray--the Republicans as depicted by the dinosaur media--is set to make an impact in the elections in Wisconsin this year. How big an impact is yet to be determined, but the fact that some folks are taking notice is enough to surely send another thrill up Chrissy's leg.

Until recently, Wisconsin seemed to be a Democratic strategist's dream — a blue state getting bluer. Its two U.S. senators were well-established liberal Democrats. The governor's office and both houses of the Legislature were in Democratic control after years of divided government. And President Barack Obama won the state in 2008 by 14 percentage points, one of his largest victory margins anywhere.

But something went awry on the way to Democratic hegemony.

A conservative insurgency — headed by a Republican candidate who actively courts, of all things, the tea party — is now making a strong bid for governor. And across the state, Democrats suddenly find themselves fighting to hold seats they once took for granted.

Of course, I'm sure the Dems will continue to tell us it is because their message is not getting out, which is what they always seem to say when they get in trouble in the polls.

The narrative conveyed in the reporting of this election cycle of which political party it is that is in trouble is not matching the reality on the ground. This, of course, means that the media will have to work overtime to drive home the point that conservatives are losers while they work on the articles for the post-election apocalypse that the Dems appear headed for is somehow a win for them.

Do I really expect Feingold to lose? No, but I hope he drains money from other contested campaigns that the Dems are hoping to win.

Those Racist Republicans In Georgia

Sundays are slow days in the blogging world so I decided to waste some bandwidth and do a piece with a tilt to my home state of Georgia, and one which will no doubt wind up rather lengthy. The subject of this posting? Calling attention to swelling ranks of minorities who are calling the Republican and Libertarian parties home. Both groups are associated with conservative views, and thanks to the efforts of the mainstream media and liberal talking heads, therefore in some way connected to the Tea Party movement. I want to state from the outset that I have not determined if any of these candidates have either received support or acknowledgment from any Tea Party organization or if they have any connection to the Tea Party. It is just that the conventional wisdom nowadays seems to be that if you are conservative you are somehow a de facto member of the Tea Party. By extension, being associated with the Tea Party you are therefore a racist.

Let's see if I can strike a few blows against that stereotype.

First up. John Monds, Libertarian candidate for governor.

He advocates a repeal of the state income tax, instead prefering a sales tax system modeled on what is done in Texas and Florida, supports charter schools with more local control of schools. He does, however, give a nod to the notion of global warming, while disputing claims that it is caused by humans and opposes any cap and trade policy.

Next is Victor Armendariz, who is running for the congressional seat in the Fourth District on the Republican ticket currently held by that noted geologist, Hank Johnson.

What does this candidate of Hispanic heritage feel about immigration policies?

We have always had immigration. In fact, this legal immigration is and has been an incredible source of prosperity for America. Illegal immigration threatens the foundation of this system. There is no doubt that we need to fix our immigration system, and it must begin by securing the border and fixing the visa and entry process. This should not include amnesty.

He supports the Fair Tax, doesn't believe the government can create jobs--except, of course, government jobs--and is a strong advocate for the Second Amendment.

Also running on the Republican ticket for Hank Johnson's seat in the Fourth District is Cory Ruth.

His campaign website is still under construction and I could find very little out about him.

In my congressional district we have not one but two African Americans running on the Republican ticket for the chance to unseat the noted race card playing Congress critter David Scott. I will do ladies first, and she is someone I have written about before, Deborah Honeycutt.

She is a doctor and small business owner and advocate. This is her third attempt to unseat the Democrat in a district that is so solidly Democrat it sometimes has to be frustrating trying to sway the voters. I will give her a lot of credit, however, for not giving up.

This year she is joined by Rupert Parchment on the Republican side for the chance to send that thin-skinned David Scott back to the home he lives in that isn't even in the district.

His policy statements are still a little nebulous but he appears to be in favor of more school choice so we will have to wait to see if he moves beyond flowery catch phrases and provides more details and specifics.

And last but not least is a candidate for the position of Labor Commissioner, Melvin Everson.

Mr. Everson's priorities lie in trying to boost employment and job creation in the state. Our unemployment rate is currently above the national average--I think the last numbers put it at 10.8%--through a combination of cooperation with the technical colleges in the states and attracting companies to locate to the state. This is good news for those who pursue a blue-collar career and one I welcome. While much time is spent moaning about the loss of manufacturing jobs in the country, so much emphasis has been put on the younger generation to attend schools which provides academic schooling at the expense of creating people who possess technical skills that having a technical skill nowadays has become a stigma.

So there you have it. A state deep in the heart of Dixie with a wide variety of minorities competing all across the board for elected office as conservatives. Maybe later I will do a piece on the women of the GOP here in the state, but the message I want to convey is don't buy the stereotype that the Republican or other conservative parties are simply made up of angry old white men. Learn something about the candidates and their stance on the issues and vote accordingly, then make those we elect accountable.

For those so inclined, an excellent source to find out about candidates in the state of Georgia is Politics1.

If This Doesn't Convince You To Vote Republican

Nothing will.

All you college age guys with liberal girlfriends pay heed. This is what they will look like in 20 years.

Strangely about the same time most Americans decide to renounce their liberal ideology.

Just a coincidence, I'm sure.

Two Republican Congressmen From Georgia Call It Quits

The elections of 2010 keep shaping up to be something spectacular. It seems if there is one message that is getting through to the lawmakers, except for Nancy Pelosi, is the throw the bums out sentiment that is spreading across the country is real and getting more and more palpable.

Over the course of the last week two Republican Congressmen from Georgia have announced that they will not seek reelection. On Saturday it was John Linder, the biggest Fair Tax advocate in Washington, and now this morning Nathan Deal has announced he will not run again.

Deal becomes the second member of the state’s 13-seat congressional delegation to announce his retirement in the past few days. U.S. Rep. John Linder (R-Ga.) announced on Saturday he won’t seek re-election in November.

Deal is running for governor so this resignation is not totally unexpected, but he is not polling that well in the gubernatorial race.

Both are from what is classified as solidly Republican districts, but with the way the winds of this election year are blowing I don't think you can make those kind of assumptions. Ain't that right, Massachusetts?

This promises to be a interesting primary season.

I wish I could convince my Democrat representative to do the same thing.

UPDATE: In the case of Deal a special election will have to be held to replace him since his resignation is effective immediately.

Linder is simply not seeking reelection, but will retain his seat the rest of the session.

What Say You, New Mexico Republicans?

Some folks may be aware of the name Adam Kokesh, but for those who aren't he is an anti-war protesting, socialist-leaning, ex-Marine embarrassment who has decided to run for congress in New Mexico as a Republican.

I cannot say this strong enough: Run, do not walk, away from this living oxygen thief. He has brought discredit upon himself, his country and the Marines. He was one of the first members of a group called IVAW, Iraqi Veterans Against the War, he has been a key figure in such far flung farcical productions as the Winter Soldiers hearings, along with being prosecuted for bringing back a gun from Iraq, classified as a war souvenir, for which he was demoted.

Several within the military blogging community are trying to get the word out to New Mexico voters and the public in general, and I support their efforts. I am embarrassed that the New Mexico Republican Party would even allow this scum to usurp the Republican label to run as a candidate. An open letter has been drafted to alert the public to just what sort of lowlife Kokesh is and to make them aware of his less then stellar credentials.

We are writing to you, to express our grave concerns about Adam Kokesh, who is aspiring to become the Republican nominee for US Congress from New Mexico’s 3rd district. Mr. Kokesh has an extensive and well-documented history of affiliations with radical leftist groups. In concert with these groups he has engaged in numerous anti-America and anti-military demonstrations and protests. Moreover, Mr. Kokesh does not appear to have any personal qualifications that would recommend him for serious consideration as a candidate for the Republican Party. He has a significant history suggestive of poor character and judgment, and he has notable incidents of direct activism against Republican office holders.

BTW, did you notice the Impeach Bush banner on the back of the bus in the video?

Barry O and The Seven Republicans

Once again today, Barry O decided to show just how bipartisan he is by making mention of seven Republican senators who at one time endorsed a deficit cutting commission, but then ultimately voted against it.

He made these comments in New Hampshire at a speech that was supposed to be about jobs, but seems like it was nothing more then another campaign stump speech by candidate Obama.

While he will get the soundbite on the evening news about those evil Republicans, the truth is this whole commission was a not so carefully crafted trap by the Democrats in an attempt to give them some political coverage in upcoming mid term massacre that they see on the horizon.

Democrats are candid, at least in private, about the kind of the deal they have mind this time around. Democrats would agree to means-test entitlements, which means that middle and upper-middle class (i.e., GOP) voters would get less than they were promised in return for a lifetime of payroll taxes. Democrats would also agree to cut appropriations by two or three percentage points and live under pay-as-you-go budget rules—the same rules Democrats promised to live by in 2006 but have since violated routinely.

In return, Republicans would agree to an increase in the top income tax rate to as high as 49% and in addition to a new energy tax, a stock transaction tax, or value-added tax. The Indians got a better deal for selling Manhattan.

For somebody who is whining about not getting any support from the Republicans he sure is doing his best to continue antagonizing them. Making petty comments like this makes him sound like the losing coach in the Super Bowl blaming the ball boy for not getting the ball into play quick enough.

Barry, it is time to man up, and if your guy from Vegas can't get it done then gripe at him and quit blaming the opposition. Maybe if the Democrats would quit trying to scam everybody they could restore a little faith in their negotiations.

The fact is the Dems are so full of half-truths and outright lies that only a fool would take them at their word. It means nothing since if the last year has taught us only one thing, it is that their vote is sold to the highest bidder, and they will say anything and do anything to hold onto their taxpayer-funded government job.

Why Republican Governors Are Important

If the federal government will get out of the way and let this economy correct itself without their interference it could indeed be good times again in the south. All of this can come crashing down if all of the mandates included in legislation pending in Congress like the healthcare and the cap and trade bill, which impose severe liabilities on states--thereby giving the Congress the appearance of not increasing the national debt--manage to become law.

North Carolina again topped the list at No. 1 this year, followed by Texas, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Alabama. Following Georgia are Indiana and Kentucky.

This is surprising considering the unemployment rate in Georgia is above 10% and Ohio is suffering far worse. There have been several recent coups by southern states such as South Carolina getting a new union-free Boeing plant and Georgia getting ready to open a new Kia Motors plant, but the climate isn't any better really than most parts of the country.

It does, of course, sort of put a light on states that have Republicans as governors as opposed to those that have Democrats. It is going to be up to the governors to start raising the alarm bells over the amount of federal mandates that they may become subject to, which is why those governors races yesterday were so important.

Dems Hiding Behind Defense Appropriations

I stand with the Republican house leadership on this issue, and wish folks would take the time to contact their congressional representatives or at least the ones mentioned in this piece to let them know you support them.

The reason is simple. For as long as I can remember members of congress have always tagged distasteful legislation onto and in the defense appropriations bill, although most of the time it comes in the shape of some pet pork barrel project rather then some sort feel good touchy feely legislation like this case.

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and House GOP Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) are voting against the House/Senate fiscal year 2010 defense authorization bill — because it contains hate crimes provisions designed to protect gays and lesbians.

GOP Whip Eric Cantor is also a no, saying that the legislation constitutes classifying a new group of "thought crimes."

The Democrats also probably feel some sort cynical irony in putting hate crimes legislation for gays and lesbians in to the appropriations bill for the military which has a Don't Ask- Don't Tell policy that they have railed against ever since Bill Clinton instituted it.

As a general rule I am against so called hate crimes legislation no matter what shape it takes, since it gets into the realm of what a person was thinking and requires very little other the debating skills of the lawyer in order to convince a jury of such a thing. A crime against a person is enough of a hate crime without trying to find any other motivation.

If the Democrats think this is such a wonderful piece of legislation it should be able to stand on it's own. I am tired of the defense budget being used as some sort of club to blackmail legislators into voting for it even though it contains all sorts of non defense related items. Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in congress are trying to play a game of chicken, knowing that if the Republicans vote against this they can use it in next years campaign commercials. Republicans need to have the nerve to take a stand and then be ready to defend the vote when the next election cycle starts. The bottom line is the Dems can pass this without the Republicans anyway, but I am looking for those who can put principles ahead of political expediency.

Let Boehner, Pence, and Cantor know that sometimes you have to stand up for what is right even when it isn't easy, and that is the lesson we need to be teaching everyone. The one word of warning I would give them however is don't be hypocrites when it comes to doing this and try to put something in the next defense appropriations bill that you want.

All They Have Left is Change

Heartbreaking news. The Democrats just can't seem to raise enough money to keep pace with the GOP.

I'm crestfallen.

Despite being in the minority in Congress, Republican campaign committees outraised Democrats by $1.7 million in August as they have aggressively collected political cash amid the rancorous debate over health care.
Republicans also held an edge over Democrats in the amount of money available, when counting debts, as both parties set the stage for the 2010 elections, in which more than three dozen competitive House and Senate seats are at stake.

The GOP spike is a departure. In each of the past four years, the party in power — whether Democrat or Republican — raised more than the minority's fundraising committees in August, a USA TODAY review of campaign records shows.

"Republicans have been able to tap into some of the anger against Democrats in power and translate that into fundraising," said Nathan Gonzales of The Rothenberg Political Report. "There are a lot of Republicans who wish the election were this November, not November 2010, because they feel like the momentum is on their side now."

The momentum is just beginning. By this time next year the Democrats will be in a full-fledged panic.