Campaign Ads

Just saw the ad questioning McDonald's judgment because his client was Jimmy "The Weasel" Frattiano. Associating McDonald with his client is intended to wrongly portray McDonald's interests as the same as Frattiano's. This is unfair and should be stopped. Instead, the Republicans should just show the picture of McDonald with President Obama. Don't even have to say anything.
Now that would be a scary Halloween commercial.

Fighting Election Fraud

Democrats are getting very nervous and are starting to cheat. The best way to cheat is to allege voter intimidation in having them prove they are who they say they are. Although the Help America Vote Act actually does require proof of who you are in order to vote. But many people who want to exploit the dead, the elderly or the invalid by using their votes are fighting the requirement to provide proof. They claim that it unfairly burdens the poor who do not have identification.
Okay, then let's do this - Instead of requiring photo ID for those who don't have it, let's take their picture at the polling place with their name prominently displayed. Afterwards, we can go back and verify that they are who they say they are, and if they are not, post their picture in every precinct in the state to show who has committed a felony. And if they are found, sentence them to a minimum of seven years in prison with no parole so that they have to miss a few more elections that they won't be able to defraud.

Astroturfing on Display

The Tea Party is often accused of being "Astroturf" in that their accusers don't accept that people can be upset with the way Democrats are trying to ruin the country.  As a response, the Daly show and Comedy Central have decided to hold a "Rally to Restore Sanity" as an antidote to Glenn Beck.  But because this is being manufactured by a commercial enterprise they are attempting to limit who can make a video recording.  It's true that you wouldn't be able to record the show with your own camera while sitting in the audience and then sell it outside, but this is being held on the National Mall.

Maybe there is something to this whole corporate profits over getting the message out.

"We were just people who didn't really know what we were doing."

The Wall Street Journal had donned its anthropology gear and rendered a report on the actual birth of the Tea Party.  It's an excellent read and very informative both for those of us who support their issues, and those who oppose it.  Mostly, it's an interesting tour through a spontaneous uprising that the elites couldn't predict, and still don't really understand.

Yeah, We Miss You

Apparently, after all the good that Obama has done for us over the last two years, more people think that GW Bush was a better president than Obama is now.  By a rate of 48-43% Bush is rated higher than the present incumbent. 

So much for the blame Bush strategy.  It will more likely result in people remembering that for them personally, times were better back then.

Predictions

At this late of a date, there is really not a lot of challenge in saying that the Republicans are going to take over the House, and will be within striking distance of the Senate. Watch for LIEberman (as his friends on the Left like to call him) and Ben Nelson to suddenly have tremendous influence if the Republicans are within two of 51 votes. Nelson in particular seems to be the best choice for a reverse Arlen Specter.
I will be sad to see Russ Feingold leave. Although I never really agreed with his positions, I have to give him credit for having integrity, and not just following the party line. Not so with Harry Reid, and I hope Barbara Boxer.
Locally, the only question on the ballot will be if McDonald actually breaks the 10% of the vote threshold. I am giving him a 50-50 chance.
I also think that the Tea Party candidates are going to do better than expected. Part of the problem with polling is guestimating who is going to turn out. For the most part, pollsters use historical analysis to predict who is going to show up and vote. Those analysis may not be valid this year. But even if Sharon Angle doesn't defeat Harry Reid or O'Donnel doesn't defeat Coons, the fact is that the Tea Party candidates are just version 1.0. Wait until 2012 and version 2.0 comes along. That version will completely rid the Republicans of the legacy failures like Murkowski, Bennett and Castle for example.
It won't be your Father's Republican Party after this election.

The Dog Food Sucks

There is a story told of a dog food company that was spending millions on advertising but couldn't increase sales. They fired companies left and right after trying out new campaigns and still the results stayed the same: no increase in sales.
Finally the company figured out it had to start from the beginning and understand why their advertising campaigns were failing. After extensive research, a memo finally explained the ineffectiveness of their efforts: The dogs didn't like the dog food.
Such is the situation for President Obama, where he has decided that the reason we don't like Obamacare is because the marketing hasn't worked. Memo to the President: The dog food sucks.

Seditious Speech

The Left has always fashioned themselves as defenders of Free Speech. Whether Voltaire's "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." or the defense of Lenny Bruce and Larry Flynt for speech that was deemed offensive to others. It is of course a noble cause to defend free speech. But claiming to defend free speech while stifling speech you don't like is evidence of hypocrisy most foul, especially when it is politically motivated.
Whether it's the dismissal of Juan Williams from NPR or the firing of a father of a sailor who serves on the GHW Bush the Left has now ascended (or is it descended) to the ranks of all of the other totalitarian powers that they used to disparage.
I am sure that the Mullahs in Iran and Hugo Chavez are only to willing to embrace them with open arms and say "Welcome to the club."

There Won't be a Republican Party to Leave

Sen. Jim DeMint is threatening to leave the Republican Party if after the election they fail to follow through with their professed limited government agenda. If the Republicans do take over the House, they will have immense pressure from those members of the Tea Party who are less politically motivated than they are ideologically motivated.
I know that many on the Left think that the Tea Party is a Republican creation and tool, but they misunderestimate the anger of people with the direction of spending. And that anger is centered around people like me, older, established and fearful for our future generations.
Keep an eye out. If the Republicans fail to act, after 2012 there won't be a Republican Party.

This is Farkin' Hilarious

Thanks to Don Surber.

When Will the Left Apologize?

The Tea Party which is based on the Constitution and the principles of limited government is called a racist organization because their "leaders" won't apologize for supposedly unpleasant behavior by one or two of its supporters, even though the allegations are not documented. I just want to know, when will the leaders of America's Left apologize for this? And by leaders, I mean you President Obama, you Harry Reid and you Nancy Pelosi, and you Max Baucus and you, oh wait, never mind, Tester doesn't do anything.
Much less anything to have to apologize for.

Cracks in Groupthink

An amusing aspect of my friends who are Democrats, is that they first assume everyone is a Democrat and if you are not a Democrat, you can only be a Republican. My wife, the "Good Democrat" still doesn't really know what to think, but she puts up with me, at least until she says something overtly political and I challenge her. If that happens, she usually just tells me that she is right because her friends tell her what to think, and she knows they are right.
It's nice to know that I am not alone. The so called "tolerant" are among the first to condemn without thinking. The "open minded" blinded to anything other than their preconceived notions.
Overall, I am glad not to be a part of them.

Baucus Throws His Weight Around

Senator Baucus has suddenly discovered that some political groups are misusing the tax code, and he has written the IRS Commissioner asking him to investigate. Absolutely no word about the idea of not giving any tax exemptions for swaying partisan issues.
Notice how he only is concerned now that his own election is safeguarded. Last election cycle, because he had no serious opposition, Max was able to dump most of his re-election money into getting Democrats elected. Fine, that is his right to do so. But using the IRS for political purposes? Does the name Richard Nixon mean anything to him?
But his sudden concern betrays his cynical duplicity. Maybe now is the time to start a PAC for the sole purpose of recalling Max. After all, most of the Lefties here are pissed off at him for Obamacare and meeting with Republicans. And most of the rest of the State is pissed at him for saying that he doesn't read the bills he is voting for.
Maybe Max needs to go ahead and retire to the old homestead in McLean.

Eliding

The White House, through VP Biden are telling their supporters to "Buck Up." This is a more acceptable version than the original, which had an "F" standing in for the "B."

Division of Labor - Stupid People Over There =>

You have to marvel at people who say this:

I have been fascinated by Christine O'Donnell's constitutional worldview since her debate with her opponent Chris Coons last week. O'Donnell explained that "when I go to Washington, D.C., the litmus test by which I cast my vote for every piece of legislation that comes across my desk will be whether or not it is constitutional." How weird is that, I thought. Isn't it a court's job to determine whether or not something is, in fact, constitutional? And isn't that sort of provided for in, well, the Constitution?

So, let's go ahead and pass a law that says that women can't have the vote. We can wait the four to six years that it takes to get to the Supreme Court before they get their vote back.

I'm sure that those who will be affected will be understanding about waiting for a decision on the question of "Constitutionality."

Rejecting Racists and Haters

Much has been made of the NAACP calling for the removal of "racist elements" from the Tea Party.  I agree that racism is extremely abhorrent.  The men and women I served with in the Army who happened to be people of color who wore green are just a part of the reason that I am so proud of my country.

But then, we have Bill Mahar saying that Obama is only half assed effective because he is half white,



And the accusation by Nancy Pelosi that there were all of these "Hitler signs?"  I didn't know that she was right.


The protesters belong to the Democrat running for office against the Republican that they were protesting.

I am sure that there are people right now who are proud to be a Democrat.  Just like the people above.

Victory is Ours!!

A.B. Stoddard's piece reminded me of something that was at the back of the brain and now brought to fore:  No matter what happens in November, the Tea Party has already won.  I know that the Democrats feel like the election of O'Connel and Angle will guarantee the Democrats remain in control of the Senate, and they may be right.  What they don't understand is, it doesn't matter.
Think about what the dominant themes are this election.  Nothing about abortion, card check, healthcare, in fact, the Democrats are totally ignoring those issues.  Their traditional power bases for issues have failed them, and Democrats are now trying to portray themselves as fiscally responsible.  Just a personal observation, but they aren't going to get any traction from that this year after what they had done, nor will they in 2012 if they still retain the Senate.
If the Democrats retain the Senate, they are going to be constrained by the fact that spending bills have to originate in the House.  Assuming that the Republicans take the House, Ryan and Cantor are smart and agile enough that they going to be able to portray the Democrats as the obstructionists and those of the stale old ideas.
Not to say that the Republicans are immune if they fail to deliver.  While many on the Left pretend that the Tea Party is wholly owned by the Republicans and Fox news, they actually have it backwards.  Look at self identified Republicans.  They are shrinking at about the same rate as the Tea Party is growing.  And the Tea Partiers are energetic and enthused. The fact that the establishment members of the Republican party are throwing hissy fits over the loss of Murkowski, Bennet and whoever it was in Delaware, shows their impotence.  They will need to recognize that they have two choices:  Embrace and adapt the Tea Party, even if it means that social issues are not going to be pushed forward, or die.
The Democrats may have even less options.

The Democrat's New Logo

Just rolled out today:

But I think this one is more helpful:

Classic Headline

Just by itself, this is hilarious without even reading the article:

Obamas take a break from vacationing to attend two major galas and big reception this week

You Don't Know Me

But I know you.  From the discussion on ECW, we find this comment: 

The tea party isn’t a bunch of racists or homophobes, they just believe that Obama was born in Kenya, that Islam is an inherently violent religion, that Muslims shouldn’t have the same constitutional rights that we do, that illegal immigrants (all 11 million) should be shipped back across the border, that poor black people caused the housing crisis,and that gay people are gay by choice.
And they get angry on command. Jump, doggies, jump!

 Sniff, sniff.  Can you smell it?  It's their fear.  Their utter panic as they realize that they are going to lose power.  Maybe even for the rest of their lives.  That is what is causing this sort of nonsense.  They cannot stand toe to toe on ideas, because each and everyone of theirs has been discredited.
But let's take a look at what those who are about to fail think.  Looking at his comment, you see that we have the "Birthers" listed first,  Tea Partiers and Birthers are not necessarily the same, but the author of the comment needed to conflate them  As I have said before, Birthers are no different than the lunatics that claimed George Bush stole the election.  Both seek to deligitimize the President.  If more Republicans than Democrats believe Obama is foreign borm why does it matter?  Does it matter that more Democrats than Republicans believe Bush stole the election?  The writer is unable to reconcile the two because he lacks an open mind and cannot appreciate the nuance of the issue having had his opinions formed and handed to him by others. Let me help him.  The difference is that both groups dislike the President of the party they oppose. It has nothing to do with skin color and everything to do with policies.  Obama was well admired until he started implementing policies and laws that the people do not want.  Even aside from his policies, his arrogance earns him an honest enmity.
Next our commenter moves on to items of religious interest.saying that we believe that Islam is an inherently violent religion.  I would not categorize an entire religion as violent, but when that religion is used to justify violence, when people flying airplanes into buildings to kill innocent civilians, or cut off the head of some poor contractor, or a newspaper reporter and scream Allahu Akbar while they do it, well, I have a tough time understanding how their practice of that religion is peaceful.  No, the better understanding of this comment, is the desire to surrender, a sort of Sonderkommando who hope that they will be beheaded last.  And that's not counting stoning a woman for adultery, or requiring four male witnesses to prove a rape.  Or, let's all go out as a family and watch the beheadings and amputations in the public square in Riyadh.  Isn't that fun kids?
Yeah, I can see the attraction of non-violence toward that religion.
Next, our constitutional scholar commenter decides that the Tea Party wants to take away constitutional rights.  I am sure that it is just his anger and fear that makes him recognize that 6 out of 10 people don't want the Ground Zero Mosque built there, even though 7 out of 10 agree that it is their Constitutional right.  It's sort of like the commenter's right to burn an American flag, although I would advise him against doing it in front of a VFW meeting.  It may be legal, but it is still pointlessly provocative, just like the GZM Iman.
Next, our intrepid commenter thinks that the 11 million illegals should not be allowed to remain here.  Finally, he has hit on something close to the truth.  The very definition of a nation is the ability to control its borders and who you admit to your country.  If you don't do that, you are not a country, just a really big Wal Mart parking lot.. The 11 million are called illegal for the reason that what they have done is ILLEGAL.  I know that the Democrats are looking to get 11 million more votes, but voter dilution through non-citizen voting is an attack on your legal right to vote.  Oops, never mind, laws don't matter when it comes to staving off the impending destruction of the Democrat Party.
And he claims that the Tea Party blames poor black people?  Do I detect a latent racism here?  Has anyone else made this claim?  No, I think  our commenter is channeling his inner KKK.  Get help!  No, the people I blame for the housing crisis are Barney Frank and Chris Dodd, who used Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as a parking space for out of office Democrat politicians until they got back in the game, ala Rahm Emanuel.
Finally, he makes the comment that gays are that way by choice.  So, just for fun, let's take a look at what the principles of the Tea Party are as proposed by them, instead of their opponents: 

Mission Statement

The impetus for the Tea Party movement is excessive government spending and taxation. Our mission is to attract, educate, organize, and mobilize our fellow citizens to secure public policy consistent with our three core values of Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets.

Core Values

• Fiscal Responsibility
• Constitutionally Limited Government
• Free Markets

No matter how many times I read this, I don't see any reference to Gays, minorities, Democrats or any other group that is being marginalized.
But their issues, My God:  Fiscal Responsibility?  Why aren't all the people who like to point out how Bill Clinton created a surplus also not Tea Partiers?  And Constitutionally Limited Government?  Okay, I could see where the statist Leftist nanny-staters who want to control my life could never belong.  Might just explain our friend the commenter. And lastly, Free Markets - What a dangerous thought, especially since command economies work so well. 
Maybe this explains our commenter's fears.  If you believe in control of the government, economy and individuals as he does, you cannot fathom why anyone would not want the warmth and safety of the Government's loving arms,  Initiative?  Ambition?  Hard work?  None of those are possible for him to understand.  But he doesn't need to fear, the Tea Party will not be able to completely remove the loving jail that supports him with their money.