Monthly Archives: February 2008

Selecting a Vice President

On the Republican side of the Presidential race, John McCain has all but won the nomination. It’s time to start looking at who would best serve as his Vice President.

The pundits and many on the right wing side of the Republican Party are saying the best way to “unite” the party and get full support from the far right trenches would be for McCain to pick someone who can “beyond doubt” wear the belt of “a true conservative.”

That’s not the way I see it. I don’t believe McCain needs the far righties to win.

McCain beat those types of guys with a New York Giants-type game plan. Like the Giants, McCain was left for dead at the beginning of the “season” like the Giants were. McCain kept running plays and finally, like Eli Manning’s pass to Plaxico Burress in the end zone, McCain dispensed with Mitt Romney – the last viable obstacle in the nomination process.

McCain beat the so-called “real” conservatives. He beat the flip-floppers (Romney and Giuliani). He’s beating the “Christian right” Southern Baptist guy (Huckabee). He’s beating the Constitutional fellow (Paul). He beat the Southern-Republican-turned-politician-turned-actor-turned-politician (Thompson). McCain beat the immigration candidate (Tancredo). He beat the Catholic-Republican (Brownback).

Probably best of all, McCain beat the right-wing talk radio folks. They were out in force trying to derail the straight-talk express and even called in Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, to help them. They lost.

McCain’s 83% lifetime conservative rating from the American Conservative Union was not enough for most Conservatives. The Conservatives bellowed and pounded their fists for a 100% Conservative candidate. They got someone who eight out of 10 times voted their way. They are not happy and may take their vote and stay home. Oh, how times are changing!

I think McCain understands that many of us are tired of the fighting going on in D.C. We want to see action. We would like to see a day when people work together for the good of America instead of their party. Let’s see someone put America first instead of the “Party” and their next election.

So whom should McCain pick?

Joe Lieberman is the man who should be McCain’s Vice President. Lieberman is an Independent Democrat and McCain is a moderate Republican. These two gentlemen would draw from the middle of the road folks (Independents) and from the moderate sides of the Republican and Democratic parties. They would draw votes from the people who are sick and tired of “party politics” and from the Independents who vote for the person and not because of that person’s party affiliation.

McCain and Lieberman both know what it’s like to be thrown under the bus by their respective parties, so they should hold no allegiance to either.

Realistically, if the GOP leaders really want to win the White House, this team may be the only way for a Republican to do it.

During his endorsement of McCain, Lieberman said,

“In this critical election, no one should let party lines be a barrier to choosing the person we believe is best qualified to lead our nation forward. The problems that confront us are too great, the threats we face too real, and the opportunities we have too exciting for us to play partisan politics with the Presidency.

“We desperately need our next President to break through the reflexive partisanship that is poisoning our politics and stopping us from getting things done. We need a President who can reunite our country, restore faith in our government, and rebuild confidence in America’s future.”

They could even use the theme from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Schweitzer’s 2004 campaign when he selected moderate Republican John Bohlinger as his Lt. Governor. (I’ve edited the theme some), “A Republican and Democrat working together for the United States.” (OK, I know my right wing friends will be mad at me for using the Bohlinger example).

Having these two fellows running together would be different for the entrenched folks in Washington, D.C. Very different. Maybe this is a chance we should take to get our country back on track.

Protect Me

Montanans should be very concerned that U.S. Senator Jon Tester voted against the tools needed for the war on terror. This week, Tester voted against reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. This bill provided intelligence professionals with the tools they need to keep America safe from terrorists. Fortunately, 68 other senators disagreed with Tester and voted for the bill. It passed the senate, but the House Democratic leadership failed to pass it, opting instead to go on a week of vacation and leave the United States vulnerable with fewer tools to fight terrorism. The bill is set to expire on Saturday.

Congressman Denny Rehberg correctly said, “…it’s obvious House Democrat Leaders aren’t serious about our safety.”

Thanks goes to U.S. Senator Max Baucus for voting for the bill – and voting to protect us.

But, back to Sen. Tester. With this vote, he has amplified his position as the most liberal member of the Montana Congressional delegation, putting him squarely with the likes of Kennedy, Kerry, Schumer, Leahy, and Feinstein. That should be good for his fundraising on the East and West coasts, but costly in Montana where people care about the security of our nation. At least Tester did vote, although incorrectly. Senators Clinton and Obama decided to stay away from taking a stand on protecting the United States, by not voting. Instead they decided protecting their presidential aspirations were more important.

The good news for Tester is that he will be able to use some MSNBC talking points from Keith Olbermann to reconcile the way he voted.

As for the safety and security of the United States, time will tell how this lag in our security will affect us down the road. That is a problem with which the Democratic leadership of the U.S. House will have to live.

Tough Times

One of my favorite bumper stickers says, “Tough Times Won’t Last, but Tough People Will.”

Maybe I should send one to Democratic U.S. House Candidate Jim Hunt, because it’s been a tough couple of days for him after announcing he’s running against Congressman Denny Rehberg.

It appears Hunt did not understand (after retiring as a Lt. Colonel from the National Guard) that his honorable service to our country does not allow him to hold campaign events on the grounds of Fort Harrison, which is a Department of Defense installation. That reminds me, Fort Harrison is the military installation that Conrad Burns built up, along with Malmstrom AFB.

Supposedly Hunt had to move the event off Fort Harrison to just outside the gate after the rules were explained him. That’s tough.

Then it appears that by his remarks on Montana Public Radio the other day, the Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party plans on “really” trying to beat Rehberg in 2010 and not 2008. The Executive Director says it’s a three-year strategy to beat Rehberg. Also, according to a couple of articles, Mr. Hunt had to find the Democrats to tell them he was running, which has to be a downer for a new candidate (especially one who has their own money). That’s tough, too.

If I were the Montana Democrats, I’d skip this three-year strategy deal and start developing a four-year strategy to keep Rehberg from beating Jon Tester in 2012.

Finally, it also appears that Hunt may be a “sacrificial lamb” as so many Democrats have decided not to run against Rehberg. I even found a “sacrificial lamb video” that explains all this (both in words and in photos). You gotta love Google!

So yes, we have the start of the 2008 YouTube elections in Montana, which should be bigger, better, and harder hitting than 2006!

Tough Times won’t last…

Questions, Questions, Questions…

For the right…

Just the other day, I received a letter from Focus on the Family asking me if I was ready to “Shake the Nation” in 2008 by getting people registered, educated and motivated to vote in 2008. As I was reading the material I thought, “Yes I am! I will vote for the candidate that most believes in what I believe.”

Focus on the Family was founded by Dr. James Dobson. I have subscribed to Focus on the Family for years and appreciate what they do.

After reading the information from Focus on the Family, I remember that Dr. Dobson sent his buddy, Laura Ingraham, a letter that was read on her radio show about the presidential candidates.

In part, Dr. Dobson wrote:

If these are the nominees in November, I simply will not cast a ballot for president for the first time in my life. –Dr. James Dobson, Focus on the Family Action 02/05/08. Accessed 021408

So, Dr. Dobson appears to not believe what his group is, shall we say, preaching. Why?

For the left…

During his campaign for United States Senate in 2006, Jon Tester promised a lot of things. We won’t get into all of them, but I was wondering whatever happened to that “Montana judge” and the ethics audit that was supposed to happen every year? It is February 2008. I was also wondering if the “Montana judge” will be paid for the work with campaign or senate funds?

From the Tester Campaign Website:

More importantly, Jon Tester won’t just pass a law; he’ll set an example — by asking a Montana judge to conduct an ethics audit of his office every year, by posting a list of every lobbyist he meets with and by shutting his door to former members and staffers who try to cash in on their connections.

For the right and the left…

The word of the year is: GENERATION. Why does almost every candidate tout the fact that they have family who has lived in Montana for generations? Do they think that makes them more electable? Probably 50% of Montanans were born somewhere else. Some of us picked this state and do not live here by default.

For example:

Denny Rehberg is “a fifth-generation rancher…”

Jim Hunt is a “fourth-generation Montanan…”

Jon Tester is “a third-generation Montana farmer…”

Kirk Bushman is “a proud and committed fourth-generation Montanan…”

For those of you who are saying, “Well, Montanans need to elect only real Montanans,” please read on:

Name this person? (No cheating – answer to follow)

-This future politician was born outside of Montana

-He moved to Montana at an early age

-He served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Private First Class

-He was elected to the U.S. Senate for Montana

-After leaving the U.S. Senate he worked in Washington D.C., and in other places.

The Answer is: Mike Mansfield – probably the best politician this state has ever elected. Sen. Mansfield’s history sounds a lot like another senator we elected, who was also born out of state.

Questions, Questions, Questions…

The Circus in D.C.

It’s apparent that the Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee Congressional hearing in Washington, D.C. is nothing but a circus. Of course, sometimes a circus is fun to watch.

Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and his committee on Oversight and Government Reform are wasting time. They should be checking into the White House e-mails or waste, fraud and abuse in the Federal Government. Maybe they should check into $700 hammers or something that the DoD purchased that was costly, but not if a pitcher was given a shot in the butt by a trainer to improve performance in a game – a game.

Waxman has shown that he is not a fan of Clemens. Waxman, unfortunately, runs this committee and came across as a jerk. Waxman praised McNamee for coming forward and seemed to favor McNamee throughout the hearing. Waxman’s committee is like a Kangaroo Court with many has-been lawyers. That’s really too bad, but Waxman’s leadership and many of his committee members has shown us what is wrong with Washington, D.C.

There’s real work to do in Washington, and this is not it.

Major League Baseball (MLB) as a whole needs fixed. That’s the whole problem. MLB fell in love with the home-run extravaganza a few years back and did not see the big picture: Players were taking performance enhancing drugs to throw harder, run faster and hit the ball further and baseball loved the money it was bringing in.

I’m not an attorney (I don’t even play one on TV) but when you have someone like McNamee who has given false statements to authorities in the past and maybe lied to protect himself and get special treatment, it is hard to believe anything he says. I doubt his testimony would hold up in a real court. Only two people really know if Roger Clemens took anything to improve his performance or not. One (McNamee) seems to have a shaded past and will say and do most anything to save himself, including ruining Roger Clemens’ life.

Berkeley

UPDATE 02/13/08: BERKELEY BACKS DOWN

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Yes, Berkeley, California. I never thought I’d be blogging about this city, but since they did something so ridiculous, I could not resist.

A couple of weeks ago, the City of Berkeley, California, passed this:

From: Peace and Justice Commission

Recommendation:

1. Direct the City Attorney to investigate and report back to Council within 60 days on City options for enforcing Chapter 13.28 of the Berkeley Municipal Code, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, with respect to military recruiting offices in Berkeley;

2. Direct the City Manager to send letters to the Marine Corps Recruiting Station at 64 Shattuck Avenue and to General James T. Conway, Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, advising them that the Marine recruiting office is not welcome in our city, and if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders;

3. Encourage all people to avoid cooperation with the Marine Corps recruiting station, and applaud residents and organizations such as Code Pink, that may volunteer to impede, passively or actively, by nonviolent means, the work of any military recruiting office located in the City of Berkeley.


After hearing from all over the country, the City will be considering this tonight:

From: Councilmembers Olds and Capitelli

Recommendation:

1) That the City Council, through adoption of this item, publicly differentiate between the City’s documented opposition to the unjust and illegal war in Iraq and our respect and support for those serving in the armed forces.

2) Rescind point 2 of Item 12, of the January 29, 2008 Berkeley City Council Agenda, “Marine Recruiting Office in Berkeley,” regarding communications with the Marine Recruiting Station in Berkeley.

Pro military groups, like Move America Forward (MAF), have been protesting the City Council’s actions and bringing this to America’s attention – AND attention the City of Berkeley has received!

Thanks to MAF for their work in Berkeley and across the country in supporting and being a strong voice for our troops!

Tuesday’s Stuff


At Death’s Door

As Forrest Gump would say, “I have a cough due to cold,” so I have been lying around doing nothing for the last few days. To all my female readers out there: It’s true. Men are wimps when it comes to colds and flu. When we get a cold or the flu, we are as close to death as a person can possibly be. The world stops. It’s just that way.

Pimped Out

Some folks may have thought my absence from blogging was because I had been “pimped out” for a campaign, but no. Maybe it was the prescription cough medicine I took, but I thought I heard that MSNBC had a copyright on the phrase “pimped out” and that David Shuster would soon be writing and reporting for Lee Newspapers or the Montana AP. Just kidding.

Challenged

Denny has a challenger. Denny has a challenger. The Montana Democrats have finally found a challenger to take on Congressman Denny Rehberg. Supposedly Jim Hunt will announce today that he is “the man” to take on Rehberg. I wonder how it feels to be the third or fourth choice of your party? I imagine Hunt will say that he will do away with earmarks, and soon we’ll hear from Nancy Pelosi telling Montanans that Hunt will get a seat on the House Appropriations committee. Fool the voters once…

Super Tuesday Speech

On Tuesday night, Barack Obama gave another one of his great speeches. By far, he has been the best speaker of all the candidates. Being one who always enjoys great speeches, I was glued to the TV. During this particular speech, I noticed a lady on the stage who was really moved by his speech. She was excited, and she cried tears of joy on hearing Obama’s words. She laughed. She cried. She clapped. She held up her sign (upside down one time). She yelled.

She was positioned behind Obama, just over his left shoulder, wearing a light colored jacket and a black Obama shirt. She has light brown or blonde hair.

It is wonderful to see someone so excited about their candidate. This lady wore her emotions on her sleeve, and she made the 20 minute speech even more enjoyable to watch. That is what campaigns are all about – getting people excited and stirred to vote and work for you. Obama is doing this. Obama is coming on, getting stronger. He may be the one. Time will tell.

Many of us can remember the first candidate who excited us, made us want to work our butts off for them, and spend 18 hours a day campaigning for them. We remember the candidate who made us proud to be an American. Ronald Reagan was the person that did it for me, just as Barack Obama is the one for this lady.

You can watch the speech HERE. Enjoy!

Get Stimulated

After sitting in the Senate for over a week, the House Economic Stimulus bill finally passed the Senate after Max Baucus and Harry Reid caved to Nancy Pelosi and the Republicans.

It looks like Speaker Pelosi basically told Max and Harry to get it done. They obeyed. Pelosi become the deal-maker on this package, while Baucus and Reid took back seats.

The rebates will be what the House had initially passed ($600 or $1,200 for most taxpayers) instead of the lower amount in the Baucus bill.

Baucus had added several “goodies” to the House bill costing billions more, but under pressure to get it done and not spend all the money in the Treasury, most of the goodies were cut. They decided to give rebates to seniors on Social Security and disabled Veterans.

The House will probably pass the amended bill tonight, barring any dinner parties.

Romney to end Campaign

UPDATE 11:10 a.m. (Montana Time)
Remarks From Romney

“I disagree with Senator McCain on a number of issues, as you know. But I agree with him on doing whatever it takes to be successful in Iraq, on finding and executing Osama bin Laden, and on eliminating Al Qaeda and terror. If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.

“This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family, my friends and our supporters… many of you right here in this room… have given a great deal to get me where I have a shot at becoming President. If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must now stand aside, for our party and for our country.

“I will continue to stand for conservative principles; I will fight alongside you for all the things we believe in. And one of those things is that we cannot allow the next President of the United States to retreat in the face evil extremism!!”
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Multiple sources are reporting that Mitt Romney will suspend his campaign for President.

CNN
TIME
The Politico

So long Mitt!