February 29, 2008

Michelle Obama Steps in it Again

If I were an advisor to Barack Obama I would advise him to put a muzzle on his wife. She spoke at a Day Care center in Ohio.

As she has many times in the past, Mrs. Obama complains about the lasting burden of student loans dating from her days at Princeton and Harvard Law School. She talks about people who end up taking years and years, until middle age, to pay off their debts. “The salaries don’t keep up with the cost of paying off the debt, so you’re in your 40s, still paying off your debt at a time when you have to save for your kids,” she says.

"Barack and I were in that position,” she continues. “The only reason we’re not in that position is that Barack wrote two best-selling books… It was like Jack and his magic beans. But up until a few years ago, we were struggling to figure out how we would save for our kids.” A former attorney with the white-shoe Chicago firm of Sidley & Austin, Obama explains that she and her husband made the choice to give up lucrative jobs in favor of community service. “We left corporate America, which is a lot of what we’re asking young people to do,” she tells the women. “Don’t go into corporate America. You know, become teachers. Work for the community. Be social workers. Be a nurse. Those are the careers that we need, and we’re encouraging our young people to do that. But if you make that choice, as we did, to move out of the money-making industry into the helping industry, then your salaries respond.” Faced with that reality, she adds, “many of our bright stars are going into corporate law or hedge-fund management.”What she doesn’t mention is that the helping industry has treated her pretty well.

In 2006, the Chicago Tribune reported that Mrs. Obama’s compensation at the University of Chicago Hospital, where she is a vice president for community affairs, jumped from $121,910 in 2004, just before her husband was elected to the Senate, to $316,962 in 2005, just after he took office. And that does not count the money Mrs. Obama receives from serving on corporate boards. She would have been O.K. even without Jack’s magic beans.

So, it is okay for the Obamas to make barrels of money, but the rest of us better not have the audacity to hope for such abundance in our own lives. Or maybe this is her way of warning us that if her husband is elected president he'll see to it that there are no corporate jobs left in America.


February 28, 2008

Wanted: A Conservative Leader for the 21st Century

Who are today's conservative trail blazers? Who do we have that can carry the torch of the likes of William F. Buckley, Jr. and Ronald Reagan? Maybe you have someone in mind: we have politicians, pundits, radio hosts and writers, some of whom are very admirable and convincing. But who can you think of that can reach beyond their targeted audience and inspire the next generation of Americans?

The Democrats have Barack Obama. His oratory is unmatched by anybody on our side. It matters not that if brought to fruition his policies could be disastrous for our economy and our security. I disagree with Senator Obama on almost everything, but I must admit that he is out there every day giving people hope. It's false hope, but his supporters either don't know or don't care.

The irony here is that a recent survey found that more than 90% of Americans consider themselves to be happy. If we are all so happy why are we longing for hope and change? Is it the obvious - that gas and food prices are increasing? Are Americans just fickle - out with the old and in with the new? Is it the Media telling us that everybody else is miserable and constantly reminding us of the rising costs of gas and food?

So you ask, what do I want to see in a conservative leader? Certainly not someone who promises what cannot be delivered. We need someone who is eloquent, yet humble; tough, yet likeable and above all, honest. One who has the ability to convince the American people to believe in themselves and to have faith in each individual's unique abilities. That the hope that exists in all of us is not due to anything the government can do for us, but of that which we can do for ourselves - especially when the government gets out of our way. That American greatness is due to the citizenry rather than the government. I'd like someone that can deliver a knock-out punch in a debate while retaining the appearance of gentility and grace. And someone that believes that upholding the Constitution of the United States is more important than consensus and bipartisanship.

In the age of 24 hour news, the blogosphere, internet and satellite radio we may never again see a conservative voice able to rise above the constant squawk to deliver a message of hope which is grounded in reality and common sense. Maybe people simply do not want to hear reality, common sense and logic. Four to eight years of an Obama Presidency might change that, but I really don't want to go there.

February 27, 2008

Vidal Vs.Buckley: Part 2 (1968)

This is classic.

Farewell to William F. Buckley

May he rest in peace.

The NY GOP Looks Bleak

There was a special election yesterday for a NY State Senate seat. The district included Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties, not the sort of places that usually attract a ton of campaign cash. But this race was different and it was nasty. The Republicans hold a very slim majority on the NY State Sentate. The Governor is a Democrat and the Assembly is controlled by Democrats.

For what seemed like months the airwaves were filled with constant, nasty attack ads by both candidates. The Democrat won, so now the Republicans have only a 2 seat majority.

Our party is self destructing. Maybe it's necessary. I think the GOP in NY needs to purge itself of the old and bring in some new people with new ideas. Recently the Onondaga County Executive retired. The local Republican party picked their guy and he lost in the primary. But then what do you know? The Republican candidate won in the general election!

I think in the future, when the NY Republican party picks their candidate, I will vote in the primary for whoever runs against that candidate. That is the only way I can see Republicans ever succeed in NY.

February 26, 2008

The Big Debate

There wasn't much on TV tonight so I tuned into the Democrat's debate. I came away from it thinking that both of the Democrat candidates! She said his health care plan was written by a Republican. He said she's a friend of health insurance companies. We found out that only the two of them can save us all. We are all too stupid to take care of ourselves and we need either Hillary or Barack to ride in on their white horses to save us.

I'm trying to go light on Hillary, because after watching her debate I would love nothing more than to have her be the Democrat's candidate. Come on, the woman is nuts. We should all lay off, so I'll keep it brief.

Hillary keeps talking about Upstate NY, where I live. Let me tell you that Hillary Clinton has not done one darn thing for Upstate, NY. (Although I can say that despite her, our housing market is doing very well, thank you very much!) But if AlGore were president, she would have created 200,000 jobs in Upstate NY. I'm still laughing about that one. That hypothetical is okay. But she doesn't like the hypothetical about what to do when Iraq erupts into complete chaos after she pulls our troops out of there.

When talking about NAFTA Senator Obama really needs to get his contintents straight. China is not part of the NORTH AMERICAN Free Trade Agreement. I'm sure he'll get a pass for that one due to his total inexperience, which according to some liberals is just what we need. They must have forgotten about Jimmy Carter.

BO thinks that we need more troops in Afghanistan but less in Iraq. But if all of our "friends" agree, if necessary he would re-invade Iraq after he pulls our troops out of there. That's so John Kerryesque of him.

BO also made some more lofty promises. He is the only person who cares about the American people. Certainly no living Republican cares about any of us. Barack will take care of us all. Your problems will end if Barack Obama is elected president. Don't worry. Have faith in the new Messiah.

There was a moment when I did a double take when BO said "Hope is not enough." Then he said something about change, so he got right back on track. Whew! What would we idiot Americans do without hope?

Barack said he has been a stalwart friend of Israel. There was no follow up question asking him when or in what capacity. This is the guy who will sit down with Ahmadinejad with no pre-conditions. You know, the guy that wants to wipe Israel off the map?

Obama was then asked about his liberal voting record. All I could think was "Thank God he is not running as the Straight Talk Express" because his answer had more loops than a roller coaster.

Finally, we heard from Hillary a lot of shoulda, woulda, coulda and Clintonesque triangulation when asked about taking back her vote on the Iraq war.

When Obama was asked if there ever was a vote he would change, I was hoping he would mention his vote as an Illinois state senator against having a doctor present when a partial birth abortion baby was born alive. But no, he won't change any vote. Just more shoulda, woulda, coulda.

Obama's Global Poverty Bill

So, our local, state and federal taxes aren't enough for Barack Obama and his band of merry men. Nope, he has a plan to wipe out world poverty by imposing yet another new tax on us.

Obama's Poverty Plan

The bill will force us to pay .07% of our GDP to the world. So now, on top of all of our federal entitlement programs, we can add a new global entitlement program. Good grief!

Blinded by Clinton

There are some conservatives out there that are so blinded by their dislike of the Clintons that they are defending Barack Obama against Hillary Clinton's campaign tactics. Don't get me wrong, I am certainly no fan of Hillary Clinton. What I don't get is why these so-called conservatives don't stay out of it. Let the democrats beat each other up. Who cares?

Stop helping Barack Obama! For crying out loud, he has the media! Does he need conservatives to defend him, too? They say he's a great guy. They don't agree with him, but he's running a clean campaign.

What I'd like to know is this: How clean is a campaign that's full of complete lies? Do they actually believe that Barack Obama is going to eradicate poverty, solve the housing crisis, and bring forth peace on earth and goodwill to man? Do they think that the most liberal member of the US Senate will bring about a new wave of bi-partisanship in Washington DC? Where has Obama shown any compromise?

Selling snake oil to the masses is the most shameful form of campaigning I can think of.

I don't want Obama or Clinton to be our next president. But I would be much more comfortable with the devil we all know than one we don't.

February 25, 2008

Bad News for Barack

Finally, a little tiny bit of good news. Barack Obama's negatives are on the rise. Could it be that folks are starting to see beyond the rhetoric?
Thirty-four percent (34%) of all voters say they will definitely vote for John McCain if he is on the ballot this November. Thirty-three percent (33%) will definitely vote against him while 29% say their support hinges on who his opponent is.
Barack Obama has the same number who will definitely vote for him--34%. But, more people are committed to voting against him than McCain. Forty-three percent (43%) say they will definitely reject him at the ballot box. For 18%, their support depends on his opponent.

Sane Health Care Solutions

All we keep hearing about is the need for national health care. Unfortunately, the government has never been a very good steward of our hard earned money. And we all know that when the government gives birth to a new program, that program's life expectancy will far exceed that of any American citizen.

I'm just another blogger, but I also have a lot of experience in the insurance industry and I am very aware of the high price of health care and health insurance. What I'd like to hear from our politicians are more ideas for making health insurance more affordabe for American citizens, rather than bankrupting our children and grandchildren with a new entitlement program.

I've come across several ideas, that if taken together, seem to be quite promising. The first is the Heath Care Choice Act, sponsored by Congressman John Shadegg (R-AZ). http://johnshadegg.house.gov/news/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=80722

This bill would allow consumers to compare insurance policies from across the country, rather than restricting them to the state where they live. I live in NY and if I were to purchase a policy for myself and my family it would cost more than $12000 per year. Wouldn't it be nice if I could go out of state and find a similar policy for 30% to 40% less? I sure think so.

Another way to help bring down the costs of health care is to put a cap on punitive awards in medical malpractice claims. All of the trial lawyers naturally hate this idea. But when medical care providers' malpractice premiums are astronomical they have to pass that cost along to the consumers.

And what about health savings accounts? In my last job they offered HSA's but you had to re-enroll every year, and any money left in the HSA at the end of the year was forfeited. That makes no sense to me. Why can't we set up HSA's like we do IRA's and 401k's and make them portable? Imagine the amount of money a young person could build up in an HSA over the course of his career? An HSA in conjunction with a high deductible health policy would be a very affordable option for a young healthy person.

These are just a few ideas I have found that seem to make sense. Why aren't all of the politicians embracing these ideas and finding ways to make them work? I can only believe that it is because these plans would take the power away from the politicians and put it back in the hands of the people.

February 24, 2008

Obama's Spend-O-Meter


I found this on GOP.com. The media keeps giving this guy a pass. Whose money do people think this guy is planning to spend? There is no such thing as "government money". It's the people's money. Yours and mine. Our government is spending enough money as it is, thank you very much.

The Most Miserable Cities

Forbes has published a list of America's most miserable cities for the year 2008. The top five are:

1-Detroit, MI
2-Stockton, CA
3-Flint, MI
4-New York, NY
5-Philadelphia, PA

Some of the criteria used to rank the cities included things that we can't control, like the weather. They also used income tax, violent crime and unemployment.

Not surprisingly, each of those cities' mayor is a Democrat (except NY, which has a liberal Independent). Each state has a Democrat for a governor (except CA which has a liberal RINO). So I guess it could be argued that if you vote for liberal politicians you are voting for your own misery.

I wonder what the misery factor will be if we have a President Obama or Cinton?

February 23, 2008

The Democrat Divide

I may actually watch the debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama next week. Obama's campaign sent out some mailers criticizing Clinton on health care and NAFTA. Hillary's claws are out and she has compared Obama to George Bush and Carl Rove. (Note to Hillary: Bush isn't running.)

Recent polls show that many Obama supporters are now saying that they would not support Hillary and vice-versa. This is certainly good news for Republicans. The longer the Dem's primary drags out, the uglier it's going to get. The uglier it gets, the more divided the party will be. If the super delegates decide the nomination we'll see even more problems for the Democratic Party. What are half of the Democrat voters supposed to do in November?

That's where Ralph Nader comes in. I heard this morning that he may be announcing his candidacy as an Independent. We should all send him a few bucks to help finance his campaign. RUN RALPH, RUN!!!

February 22, 2008

Obama's Manifesto

If you listen to some of Barack Obama's lofty speeches you will find that on occasion he will throw in a few of his grand plans for our country. He rails against the Corporations and CEO's for their grotesque profits at the expense of the poor workers. Google "Communist Manifesto" and replace the word "Bourgeois" with Corporation or CEO or simply "The Rich" and some of what he says is eerily similar to the words of Karl Marx. It's quite frightening to me.

Liberals are much more in tune with the Communist Manifesto than even I had dreamed, until I read in it's entirety the Communist Manifesto. Much of it sounds like the Democrat Party platform.

Here are just a few examples: Marx wanted to abolish private ownership of property. The Supreme Court in the Kelo case (5-4 decision, the conservatives lost that one) made it okay for someone's property to be taken away for the good of the majority. Marx wanted to abolish countries and nationality. Just look at the current immigration debate, Obama thinks we should all learn Spanish. Marx wanted to abolish the family. We all know the liberal view of the traditional family. Marx was for the common interests rather than the individual. That sounds familiar-can you say "National Health Care". He wanted a heavy progressive or graduated income tax. Does that ring any bells? Marx was all for "free love". Need I say more?

These people scare me. They should scare all of us.

February 20, 2008

There They Go Again

Here's a link to the latest hit piece on John McCain by the New York Times. They've been saving this, I'm sure.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/us/politics/21mccain.html?_r=3&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

Their agenda is so completely transparent, its laughable. And they wonder why their readership declines every year.

February 19, 2008

News of the Day

While campaigning Hillary Clinton slammed hedge fund managers saying that they don't do real work. Ironically, her daughter, Chelsea is a hedge fund manager.

Say Adios to Fidel Castro who has announced his retirement. Unfortunately, his communist brother is taking his place, so don't expect big changes in Cuba any time soon.

Hooray for the Supreme Court! Today they refused to hear an ACLU challenge to warrantless wiretapping.The ACLU brought the action on behalf of themselves. They said they could have had overseas clients who could have been targets of the wiretapping. We can count this one as a win for the good guys.

ABC News is reporting that exit polls in Wisconsin show that Democrats want "change". I hope they didn't spend too much on that poll.

Although Hillary Clinton's campaign posted You Tube videos of Obama lifting rhetoric from another liberal, she denied it and said that the media is finally examining her opponent's record. I think she has finally completely lost her mind. The media is examining Obama's record? That's a good one.

After John McCain pledged that there would be no new taxes if he is elected president he picked up a glowing endorsement from former President George H.W. Bush. Let's hope that's not some kind of omen.

Barack Obama gave a speech about hope and change. I hope he changes his campaign theme. Ugh.

February 18, 2008

Mrs. Obama is Finally Proud of the USA

Well, thank goodness that Mrs. Barack Obama is finally proud of her country. This is the quote:

"What we have learned over this year is that hope is making a comeback. It is making a comeback. And let me tell you something -- for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment. I've seen people who are hungry to be unified around some basic common issues, and it's made me proud."

So, she's proud of her country. Well, isn't that special! What exactly is she so proud of? The accomplishments of hard working American people? Nope. The way we all came together after 9-11? Nope. The outpouring of financial contributions of Americans to the 9-11 victims, the survivors of Hurricane Katrina, or the tsunami survivors? Nope. Could she be proud that President Bush has done more than any American President in history to help fight aids in Africa? Nope. Maybe it's the sacrifice made by Americans during WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam War? Nope. Is it the sacrifice made by the brave men and women in our military fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan? Nope! None of those.

Where is her frustration and disappointment coming from? She seems to have the life many of us only dream of. What is the cause of her desperation? And what has changed lately to suddenly turn her anger, frustration and desperation into pride in her country? Apparently, nothing other than a bunch of people buying into her husband's rhetoric (as well as rhetoric he's lifted from others). The more I think about that stupid quote, the more stupid it sounds. She's basically proud of America for nothing. She's proud of people because they are hoping for change.

My dad was right, soon our national anthem is just going to be "Duh."

February 17, 2008

It's Already Begun

I knew it wouldn't take long for the MSM to turn on John McCain. On the front page of this morning's Syracuse Post Standard is an article titled "So this is what it looks like when the maverick becomes The Man." The article was written by Mark Leibovich of none other than the New York Times. I found it interesting that it was presented as news on the front page, rather than placed in the opinion section.

The artice begins by letting us know how uncomfortable and bland John McCain was in his "fancy-pants" front-runner's plane. It then said that the discipline needed by a front runner is unnatural for McCain. Leibovich writes "But now he is in the midst of an at-times awkward transition-from being one of the most disruptive figures within his party to someone playing it safe, not to mention trying to make nice with Republicans he clearly despises and who feel similarly about him."

The article was continued on Page 8 and the headline at the top reads: "Will John McCain's temper get the best of him? Formidable obstacles, himself among them". It goes on to point out McCain's age, his temper, his lack of experience on the economy and so on. On his relationship with the media Leibovich says "He has charmed the news media with his quippy and accessible style, and made his political name as a party renegade. But being on top with a growing staff, greater scrutiny and all the 'best behavior' that demands does not necessarily play to his strengths."

Basically, the article tells conservatives that they are hated by McCain and it tells everyone else that he has a really bad temper and cannot control his own actions.

I'm afraid the long honeymoon McCain's had with the press has come to an end.

February 16, 2008

Your Tax Dollars at Work

Congress was very busy this week. They had important hearings about some old steroid use of a baseball player. I wonder how much that cost. I'll bet it was a lot. But don't worry. They saved money by doing nothing about letting the Protect America act expire, so really it's a wash!

We all know that baseball and steroids is far more important to the American people than the ability to listen in on Osama's iPhone calls. He dosen't really mean any of us any harm. The only thing they may miss is him inviting all of us to become Islamic extremists. And anyway, he's just a guy and we really should offer him Constitutional protections. If we ever capture him we certainly don't want any conviction turned over on appeal.

So rest easy America. Before Congress went on vacation they were busy doing the important business we sent them there to do.

February 14, 2008

Strange Bedfellows

They say politics makes strange bedfellows. Today John McCain went to Massachusetts and appeared with Mitt Romney so Romney could endorse McCain. Romney released his delegates and asked them to pledge to McCain.

Was there some kind of deal made? It can't have been lost on McCain that Romney won the CPAC straw poll last week, after he dropped out of the race. Did we just see the Republican ticket?

February 13, 2008

Obama-The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Unfortunately, that light is a train heading straight for the US economy. If this guy is elected president it will be a complete train wreck.

Obama gave us a glimpse into his bold plans of change today. He plans to spend $210 billion to revitalize the economy and create lots of "green" jobs. Excuse me, but where in the Constitution does it say that the government is supposed to create jobs? Businesses create jobs, entrepreneurs create jobs. Governments don't creat jobs, they create bureacracy and debt.

He also plans to start some sort of infrastructure improvement fund with a special government bank. And let's not forget about his national healthcare plan. He didn't say he'll eliminate any existing government programs. So, we'll still have the Social Security mess and the Medicare mess that we can't pay for, in addition to all of his new goodies.

But don't worry, he says that it's all paid for. He'll end the Iraq war and pay for it with that. He'll end President Bush's tax cuts and pay for it with that. Then he'll tax evil rich people and pay for it with that. Unfortunately, his definition of rich is basically a family with two working parents. He just won't tell you that.

The sad thing is, the media won't give him any scrutiny. Did you hear that last night Chris Matthews said he got a tingly feeling in his leg after hearing Obama's speech. Kind of creepy if you ask me. But sure, he'll play hard ball with Obama. Yeah, right.

February 12, 2008

How McCain Can Help the Conservative Movement

Since I'm no great fan of Mike Huckabee I've had to find the positive in the probable nomination of John McCain. Of course, there are issues where I agree with him completely, like the war, reducing spending and lowering taxes. The other stuff is basically off the table, so why dwell on it?

Here's what I'm thinking. McCain has the ability to get Independents and Democrats to vote for him. Does he have the ability to get them to think of themselves as Republicans? I have no idea. But I know that people don't like to be wrong. If someone votes for McCain and he loses, they may end up disliking who beat him just by default. Then after four years of the Democrats screwing things up they will be much more likely to vote against a Democrat. If he wins, they will feel the need to justify their vote, and maybe re-think their political philosophy.

All I'm saying is, if McCain can bring people over to our side, maybe they will stay there.

February 9, 2008

If It's So Bad Here Go Home!

I have to admit, over the past week I've lost a bit of my excitement about the upcoming election. So I thought I would see if I could find an interesting article or two from other sources to post.

I found one whose title said something about how great America is. I thought, that must be good. Boy, was I wrong. It was written by a woman who is an English citizen living here in the US. She started out by saying that Europeans love and admire Americans. That was my first clue that she was full of BS. Then began her two paged rant about how President Bush has taken away all of our rights. She cries for all of us because of the Patriot Act and wire tapping. She wishes she could vote to make sure the Democrats put an end once and for all to this abuse of our rights!

Isn't that so typical of liberals? They just put all of the BS out there, the media goes along with it and people fall for it. Come on, do you know anyone whose phone calls George Bush has listened to? Do people really think the government cares what regular people like us are reading in the library? Of course they don't, they just hate George Bush and they like giving terrorists Constitutional protections.

To the woman who wrote that article I say - "Hey Lady! If it's so bad here then get the hell out! Go home and don't come back!"

February 8, 2008

Can't Say Liberal

No one mentions it. Not the Democratic candidates, not the media. Never mind that Barack Obama was rated the number one liberal in the Senate (Hillary came in at 16). When it was mentioned to Obama's campaign they replied that he doesn't like those sorts of labels and it's meaningless. Oh well, there you have it. Let's just call him a moderate.

On the Republican side they all argue over who is more conservative. On the liberal side they never mention the L word. The far left must be satisfied that both candidates are sufficiently liberal, so it's a non-issue. Sometimes they like to call themselves "progressive". That's got a nice ring to it.

Progressive: adj. moving forward, advancing by successive stages tending to improvement: favoring reforms, or encouraging the adoption of new methods and inventions.

It's pretty amazing how many people are buying into all of that. They want to move forward (to socialism) by successive stages (so nobody will really notice). Sure, they want reforms and new methods (of income re-distribution, that is). The real kicker is the end of the definition. If they have their way there certainly will be no more inventions. They may want to switch back to calling themselves liberal.

I saw an Obama rally on TV today and as usual he drew a large crowd. The people looked normal enough, but I just have to wonder if they really have any idea what they are voting for. They love the words hope and change, that's good enough for them. I checked out his website and he says lots of nice warm and fuzzy things. But the more I read the more I believed that he wants to turn us into France. You know, because France is really good at taking care of it's people. They only work about 35 hours a week and get tons of paid vacations, especially when it's really hot outside. In fact, things are so good that all of the workers were vacationing during the heatwave of 2003. Unfortunately for the elderly, nobody was around to look out for them and about 14,800 died that summer. Is that the promise of socialism?

February 7, 2008

B.O.

This is what Barack Obama said today about Mitt Romney's graceful exit from the GOP primary:

"Well my reaction to Mitt Romney's comment that's the kind of poorly thought out comment that lead him to drop out," Obama said on his campaign plane. "It's a classic attempt to appeal to people's fears that will not work in this campaign. I think that's part of the reason he was such an ineffective candidate."

He was talking about Romney's comment that he wanted the Republicans to unify and not allow the Democrats to take control and "submit to terror."

Here's a news flash for you BO: There are terrorists who want to kill all of us. They don't care about your party registration. They want to kill all of us because we are Americans! They want to erase all governments and replace them with a world wide caliphate! Do you actually think that with comments like that you will get Republicans to vote for you? Grow up! Please pull your head out of the sand!

Oh yeah, and go ahead and bomb Pakistan, you idiot! That's just what we need. Start a nuclear war between Pakistan and India. Get a clue.

John McCain-Republican Presidential Nominee

John McCain gave a decent speech today at CPAC. He showed a some humility and a bit of self depracation. It was also nice to hear him bad mouth liberals! He covered a lot of familiar conservative territory that played well with the audience. I wouldn't say that he answered all of my questions, but at this point, that's neither here nor there. He will be the nominee of the Republican party.

At least it's not Huckabee! By the way, Huckabee vows to fight on. He expects us to think he would help the economy when he can't even count delegates? Duh!

I know-if McCain wasn't your guy you probably aren't thrilled right now. But, come on, would you seriously rather see President Barack Hussein Obama or President Hillary Rodham Clinton? It's quite possible that one could be president and one could be Veep. How scary is that?

Now that the Republican primary is all but over, the fun can begin. (Unless McCain picks Huckabee as his running mate! Oh, please Lord, do not let him pick Huckabee as his running mate!)

What a Class Act!

Did you see Mitt Romney's speech? He got booed, not because the conservatives dislike him. No, he got booed because he announced he is dropping out of the race. He said he was doing it for the good of his party and his country. What a gentleman.

If John McCain is politically smart he will mend fences with Governor Romney and ask him to be his running mate. If he does it will be a huge gesture toward conservatives, putting his money where his mouth is. It could possibly put an end to all the talk about "suicide voters" we've been hearing about. You know the ones-they say they will vote for the Democrat instead of McCain. That's not going to help anything.

Whatever happens, I'll say it again, this is not the end of Mitt Romney's political career.

Romney Is Dropping Out

It was just reported that Mitt Romney is dropping out of the race. I'm not surprised, but I am disappointed. He is scheduled to speak at the CPAC convention shortly and he is expected to announce that he is dropping out.

I don't think this is the last we will hear of Governor Mitt Romney.

February 6, 2008

McCain to Address CPAC

Tomorrow is the CPAC convention in Washington, DC. This year (unlike last year) Senator John McCain has agreed to address the convention. Could it be the senator's last chance to win over conservatives?

I heard that he's planning to open his speech with some footage of Ronald Reagan. That's all well and good, but John McCain is not Ronald Reagan. What can John McCain say that will convince conservatives to vote for him in November, if he is the nominee? That his distaste for authority won't extend to the Constitution or the authority of the electorate? That he's willing to appoint Supreme Court Justices that may overturn McCain-Feingold, or deny Constitutional protections to terrorists? That he'll stand up to the liberals on the other side of the aisle?

I believe that most conservatives are forgiving people. Especially if we are shown respect by those who ask for our trust. Senator McCain needs us to win an election. The ball is in his court. Let's see how he plays it.

Happy Birthday Ronald Reagan

Today would have been Ronald Reagan's 97th birthday. I wonder what his parents would have thought if someone told them in 1911 that in 2008 Republicans would be arguing over who is more like their son, or that conservatives would be pining away hoping for another Ronald Reagan to emerge.

I heard today about the CPAC convention tomorrow and I checked out their website at http://www.cpac.org/ . On that site I found transcripts of Reagan's speeches to CPAC throughout the years. I didn't have a chance to read all of them, yet. While reading the speeches of 1974 and 1975 I kept thinking that so much of what Ronald Reagan said can be applicable today. There are so many parallels to the state of conservatism then and now. I'll give you just a few excerpts from Ronald Reagan's speech of 1975, because he said it so much better than I can.

"I don't know about you, but I am impatient with those Republicans who after the last election rushed into print saying, 'We must broaden the base of our party'-when what they meant was to fuzz up and blur even more the differences between ourselves and our opponents." "Let our banner proclaim our belief in a free market as the greatest provider for the people. Let us also call for an end to the nit-picking, the harassment and over-regulation of business and industry which restricts expansion and our ability to compete in world markets." "A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent core fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell its numbers. I do not believe I have proposed anything that is contrary to what has been considered Republican principle. It is at the same time the very basis of conservatism. It is time to reassert that principle and raise it to full view. And if there are those who cannot subscribe to these principles, then let them go their way."

Ronald Reagan was a great human being. Sadly for many of us, there never will be another Ronald Reagan.

February 4, 2008

Super Tuesday

If you live in one of the Super Tuesday states, please get out and vote! If you don't vote, then don't complain if your candidate doesn't win.

Nanny Alert!

The nannies are at it again. I heard today on Paul Harvey that several law makers in Mississippi have proposed a law that would make it illegal for restaurants to serve fat people. Yes, you heard me right. They actually want to legislate that you must discrimate against a certain group of people. Didn't a lot of people fight and die so this kind of thing can't happen?

The law is not likely to pass. But once these wacky laws get proposed they tend to gain momentum and then you'll hear about it in places like New York and California where everyone thinks it's a great idea.

So, who would decide who is fat and who is not? If you can pinch an inch can you dine? Will the hostess be armed with a tape measure and figure out your BMI before granting you a table and a menu? Maybe they will install little doors, and if you can't squeeze through no food for you. What about pregnant women, or recently pregnant women? Will they need a doctors note to snag a seat? What if you just want a salad with dressing on the side? What about those of us who are not fat yet? If we eat at the restaurants enough times will we become fat? Will someone keep a record, and send us away when we've reached our limit? Who will enforce the law? The obese police?

Be afraid-the nannies are coming soon to a town near you.

February 2, 2008

Don't Sit Out the Election

It has been suggested that if McCain is president, the Republicans in Congress will just go along with anything he wants, because he is a fellow Republican. That could be true.

But what if those Republicans are paying attention to what is going on with their base? There is angst, to put it mildly. The smart ones could use it as an opportunity to oppose McCain if his policies start tilting to the left. The more vehemently they oppose him, the more their conservative base will adore them. They could even pick up Independent and (gasp) Democratic voters because they would be seen as the mavericks. Could it happen? I don't know, but it sure would be interesting.

February 1, 2008

New Poll

I've put up a new poll to find out who my tens of readers like in the GOP primary. I apologize to any Ron Paul supporters for leaving him out last time. The field was a little crowded then.

I've done some reading on Dr. Paul and I do like his Libertarian streak. You gotta love a guy that loves the Constitution. But I'm a realist, and he doesn't have much of a chance and I disagree with him on one or two little issues.

One more thing-don't forget to read the comments at the end of each post. The McCain vs. Romney debate rages on! Feel free to jump in an add your comments! The more the merrier! All are welcome in the world of the Lonely Conservative!

Correction

In the interest of fairness I want to let you know that I misquoted John McCain in an earlier post. He didn't say "If they want the f*&*ing fence". I checked and he said "If the want the G*d d*mn fence". I found a bunch of other f word quotes, but I did get them mixed up. I apologize.