July 30, 2010 Conservative Action Project Leaders Oppose Union Power Grab American Spectator (blog) – Members of the Conservative Action Project have sent a letter to Congress asking representatives to reject the misleadingly named "Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act" because it unconstitutionally infringes on state and local governments’ authority to control labor relations with their own public safety personnel. The Act would subject state and local governmental authorities to an unelected federal agency’s decisions regarding compliance with federal laws and would circumvent the 10th Amendment to the Constitution which grants states the authority to govern themselves in such matters. Rep. Steve King’s discharge petition to force a vote on repealing Obamacare is 75% there World Net Daily – Responding to the will of the American people as expressed in poll after poll, Iowa Rep. Steve King (lifetime ACU rating 97.14%) filed a discharge petition in the House that would bypass any objections from Democratic leaders and force a straight up-or-down vote to repeal the disastrous Big Government Obamacare bill. King has now gathered 75% of the signatures he’d need (or 218 total, a majority in the House) and is looking to put pressure on enough congressmen to put it over the top. Doctor prescribes Balanced Budget Amendment to treat America’s fiscal disease American Spectator – Georgia Rep. Paul Broun (lifetime ACU rating 100%) is a physician, and here he presents a fiscal ‘cure’ for the United States’ nearly terminal illness of government overspending. Broun lays out the budget problem that we’ve become so familiar with in reference to Washington and says his plan to deal with it involves a balanced budget amendment – a simple solution that would require our elected representatives to live within their means, just like the rest of us. Is Big Government here to stay even if the Republicans gain the majority? American Conservative – Historian Paul Gottfried serves up a bitter reality pill for those who are counting on the Republican Party to roll back Big Government, stating plainly that merely moving government back to its post-New Deal era size would be a monumental task (because it’s much, much bigger now) and Americans have gotten too used to living off the spoils to put up with the change. Gottfried paints a mighty dark picture in claiming that Big Government is here to stay – but stark truth just might be the only way to shock people into doing what’s needed to right the ship of liberty. ‘The sleeping giant’: Conservatives gaining force online Daily Caller – For years there was the stereotype that the political right owned talk radio and the left owned the internet, but judging by recent trends, conservatives are making major headway in cyberspace as well (and we still own talk radio). Conservative bloggers gathered at the recent RightOnline conference in Las Vegas to celebrate the ascendancy of conservatism in the blogosphere, and the fact that conservative blogs now hold the top two spots in Technorati.com’s rankings was not lost on those in attendance. Sarah Palin and the ‘mama grizzlies’ will need a lot more than intuition to lead Washington Examiner – Amity Shlaes critiques the recent Gov. Sarah Palin video that props up the instinctive qualities of ‘mama grizzlies’ and argues that much more than female innate wisdom is going to be needed in order to solve the complex issues of our day. Shlaes doesn’t necessarily fault Palin for employing the politically expedient personal promotion campaign, but insists that there’s a lot more to proper qualifications to lead than gender and intuitive ‘mama grizzly’ reactions to the crisis of the moment. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer’s principled stance against illegal immigration is building a national following Politico – Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is not known as a principled conservative, yet her firm stance in support of Arizona’s tough illegal immigration enforcement law (and against the federal government) has elevated her in many conservatives’ minds, and just goes to show that conservatism is ‘popular’ when given a chance. Brewer has become a staple guest on many conservative media programs, and it’s clear that she’ll carry some influence with the grassroots for as long as the immigration issue stays in the news. Sen. Jim DeMint Endorses Dino Rossi for U.S. Senate in Washington Senate Conservatives Fund – Sen. Jim DeMint (lifetime ACU rating 98.55%) does not take endorsements lightly, and he’s decided to throw the weight of his Senate Conservatives Fund behind Washington GOP U.S. Senate candidate Dino Rossi, calling him a principled conservative and indicating that Rossi has a solid chance of winning against incumbent liberal Sen. Patty Murray. DeMint says Rossi would be a welcome ally in his fight to bring conservative principles to the Senate. Liberal examines Delaware Senate race for conservatives’ candidate calculations Firedoglake (blog) – Here’s a look at primary fights within the GOP from a liberal’s perspective, specifically looking at the Delaware U.S. Senate primary race where conservative Christine O’Donnell is taking on the establishment choice, liberal Mike Castle (lifetime ACU rating 52.49%). Blogger Jon Walker concludes that there are lessons for liberals to learn from the struggles the GOP is going through, in terms of what ‘value’ should be assigned to supporting ideologically true candidates versus politically expedient ones. To comment on these articles, click here. July 29, 2010 Mark Tapscott: Conservative State Attorneys General are shocking the 10th Amendment back to life Washington Examiner – Mark Tapscott touches on the growing movement among the states to assert their 10th Amendment (The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.) rights, and provides three examples of state Attorneys General who are leading the fight. Tapscott says the AGs from Texas, Michigan and Virginia are indicative of a growing trend where states are challenging federal authority to interfere in state matters – and overall, that’s a very healthy development in favor of the Constitution. Sharron Angle is in a good position against Harry Reid RedState.com – There hasn’t been a lot of news in Nevada GOP U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle’s favor of late, but Erick Erickson says it’s far too early to panic, and in fact, Angle’s actually in a good position to unseat liberal Majority Leader Harry Reid. Erickson provides a number of reasons why Angle’s campaign looks to be gaining traction and polling numbers that indicate that Reid has reached his peak – and it all adds up to a more than convincing argument that things will turn out right for Angle in the end. Conservatives must ask themselves, 'What is the real endgame of all we're trying to do? American Thinker – Michael Filozof throws a pessimistic damper on those who believe that massive change will occur if the Republicans are fortunate enough to retake the majority in both the House and Senate, arguing that any such move by conservatives to repeal the agenda of the liberals would be met with almost uncontrollable ferocity by the Left. Filozof’s tone is decidedly negative, yet he poses several interesting hypothetical questions as to how far conservatives might be willing to go in order to restore sanity to our government and society. GOP primary for Kansas‘s 2nd district features classic battle of conservative challenger vs. incumbent The Mirror – Proof positive that the folks back home are watching closely even those members of Congress with respectable conservative records is the situation in Kansas’s 2nd district where state Sen. Dennis Pyle is challenging Rep. Lynn Jenkins (lifetime ACU rating 92%) in the GOP primary. Pyle points to several areas in Jenkins’ voting record where he would prove more conservative, and she counters that she’s got the backing of the American Conservative Union and Tea Party support on her side. Conservative stalwart Tom Pauken says movement to rehabilitate George W. Bush’s image is misguided The Daily Beast – Conservative stalwart Tom Pauken (who chaired the Texas Republican Party during George W. Bush’s years as governor) has emerged as a leading critic of the Bush and Rove clique of the GOP, and he’s come out strong against any attempt to rehabilitate Bush’s sorry reputation with conservatives. Pauken is also deeply skeptical of potential 2012 GOP presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty, saying they’re very much cut in the mold of Bush when it comes to betraying conservative principles whenever politically expedient. The most far-reaching effect of the 2010 midterm elections could be felt at the state level American Spectator – Democrats are admittedly worried about their majorities in both houses of Congress, but David N. Bass writes there’s another matter that should frighten them even more: the potential gains the GOP could make at the state level and their longer-term impact on redistricting after the 2010 census. Bass lays out the numbers and it looks like a very promising year for conservatives and Republicans, but he also cautions against overconfidence and says the Democrats are already laying the groundwork for legal challenges if they lose badly at the polls as expected. Change in 2010: GOP congressional candidates say they’re out to make history Daily Caller – It’s safe to say that conservatives are wary of Republican promises that they’ve ‘changed’ and will stick to conservative principles if they’re given another chance at the majority after November’s elections – but if the statements of the potential freshman class of Republicans are to be believed, conservatism will be back in vogue on Capitol Hill next year. Several conservatives running for Congress have said this is a historic chance to save the country from socialism, and we can only hope they’re serious. Is Republicans' 'Boehner for Speaker' committee just more same old GOP-K Street nonsense? Politico – With fundraising at the Republican National Committee down significantly under Chairman Michael Steele’s incompetent stewardship, Republicans are devising new ways to try and raise the money they’ll need to retake the majority in the House, including the new ‘Boehner for Speaker’ committee, nicknamed ‘cash-for-Speaker.’ More money may elect more Republicans, but conservatives will still be keeping an eye on them to ensure that if they’re given back control that they live up to their promises. 'Jack Kemp-style' Tim Scott rises in South Carolina and across the country The Weekly Standard – Fred Barnes introduces South Carolina’s Tim Scott as the most heralded Republican House candidate in America, a conservative who is seeking to become the first black Republican in Congress since J.C. Watts left in 2003. Scott explains that he became a Republican in three stages, an ideological evolution that eventually led him to compare himself to the late Jack Kemp, as a ‘conservative who loves people.’ Scott will no doubt get a chance to prove it if he’s elected. John Gizzi on Sen. Scott Brown: Real deal or RINO? Human Events – It’s safe to say that Sen. Scott Brown has disappointed many conservatives and Tea Partiers with his votes that helped pass destructive Democratic legislation, but here, John Gizzi provides some perspective on Brown and how he stacks up against Massachusetts Republicans of the recent past. Gizzi admits that Brown is hard to pin down in terms of ideology, but put up against other waffling Republicans (and considering where he’s from), he may not be the RINO that everyone thinks he is. To comment on these articles, click here. July 28, 2010 Delaware’s Christine O’Donnell is charging the Castle American Spectator – Robert Stacy McCain provides an inside glimpse at the effort to nationalize Delaware conservative Christine O’Donnell’s GOP U.S. Senate campaign as she fights for the party nomination against one of the most liberal Republicans in Congress (and the establishment favorite), Rep. Mike Castle (lifetime ACU rating 52.49%). Many are wondering whether O’Donnell could be the next Nikki Haley, and all eyes are turning north to see whether Gov. Sarah Palin will be willing to help with the effort. Jonah Goldberg: Liberals lament conservatives’ crashing the gates Los Angeles Times – Jonah Goldberg writes that conservatives used to be the ones fiercely protecting the cultural status quo, but now it’s the liberals who are lamenting the fact that conservative institutions are rising up to challenge the traditional bases of power. Goldberg cites the journalism ‘profession’ as one where conservatives on the Internet and through popular media such as FOX News have dispensed with the ‘gatekeepers’ of the past (like Walter Cronkite), and the leftist establishment isn’t taking it very well at all. Tea Party Express all-in for Delaware’s O’Donnell, and DeMint might be next National Review Online (blog) – Conservative endorsements keep rolling in for Christine O’Donnell in Delaware, as the Tea Party Express made it official in choosing her, joining the conservative Pro-Life group Susan B. Anthony List, which also tabbed O’Donnell over RINO-establishment favorite Rep. Mike Castle (lifetime ACU rating 52.49%). Perhaps just as significant, Sen. Jim DeMint and his Senate Conservatives Fund are taking a close look at O’Donnell and an announcement in her favor may be coming soon. Republicans need smart ideas to drive turnout and attract voters American Thinker – J. Robert Smith takes a realistic look at the Republican Party’s prospects to retake control of Congress this November, and says they’ll do much better all-around if they introduce a legislative agenda that voters will enthusiastically support. Beyond the mere vote count, Smith argues, the GOP will need a pre-approved agenda in order to push it through Congress once the next session starts – and unless they introduce those ideas soon, they’ll lack the mandate needed to make the changes voters elected them for. Anti-1st Amendment bill goes down in flames – for now The Truth About Guns (blog) – Blogger Brad Kozak was happy that Republicans in the Senate were able to muster enough votes to successfully filibuster the anti-speech NRA-supported DISCLOSE Act, but warns that the fight is far from over because of Harry Reid. Kozak surmises that Reid voted against the bill so he could reserve the possibility of bringing it back up again, and with all the special protections that the bill allows for liberal constituencies (and the NRA), Kozak bets that Reid will do just that. NRA does it again: endorses union shill running against the conservative in MI-01 RedState.com – It appears that the Nevada Senate race isn’t the only one where the National Rifle Association is favoring a liberal over a principled conservative, as the gun group is also going the wrong way in Michigan’s 1st district (disgraced Rep. Bart Stupak’s district) GOP primary race, reports a blogger. The blogger argues there’s a true conservative in the Republican primary (Dr. Dan Benishek), but the NRA sided with the establishment choice (Jason Allen) who is also favored by the liberal SEIU. GOP up 10 in Rasmussen Congressional ballot Hot Air – Ed Morrissey examines the latest Rasmussen polling data that shows Republicans are now leading on the generic congressional ballot by ten points, a trend that’s driven largely by Pres. Obama’s sinking popularity amongst nearly all age groups. Morrissey also includes a comment by fellow conservative Hugh Hewitt on how the Democrats are only making it worse by championing measures such as the DISCLOSE Act, a fact that could make their upcoming electoral drubbing even more severe. South Carolina's Tim Scott says he’d caucus with the Tea Party, not the CBC Daily Caller – Much is being made of Tim Scott’s race as he’s campaigning to become the first black Republican from the South since reconstruction, but he says if/when he gets to the House that it won’t be a factor in the way he goes about his business. Scott is looking into potentially joining the Congressional Black Caucus (he’d be the only Republican member), but at this point he thinks his values would fit in better with the newly formed Tea Party Caucus that was started by Rep. Michele Bachmann. Colorado Senate candidate Ken Buck is still wearing his boots and telling the truth on the campaign trail CQ Politics – Here’s an even-handed look at the Colorado GOP U.S. Senate race where Tea Party favorite Ken Buck has drawn headlines recently for a couple comments that needed further explanation, including one regarding Tea Partiers that had people talking. Buck remains the conservative choice in the race, and it’s clear through her underhanded attacks on Buck (and also by looking at who supports her) that the establishment choice, Jane Norton, is becoming more and more desperate as the primary day nears. Libertarian Gene Healy: Our big-government war on terror Washington Examiner – Libertarian Gene Healy comments on the hypocritical nature of some conservatives who refuse to include the military and intelligence bureaucracies in their overall crusade against Big Government, arguing that these departments are every bit as wasteful as the rest of the government (which conservatives deplore). Healy points out that liberals are equally protective of social welfare bureaucracies, and hopes that maybe the Tea Parties can bring some consistency to the never-ending fight to control the unchecked growth of the state. The Republican Party of Florida should let the voters decide in State House District 9 Renew America – Florida State University Law Student Eric Giunta provides a detailed look at his local State House race (District 9), pitting a state-GOP supported ‘liberal’ Republican against a candidate who he argues is a true conservative and has been active in local Tea Party events. Here, Giunta strongly implies that the Republican Party of Florida is guilty of choosing a so-called ‘moderate’ candidate in the race contrary to the district’s ideological leanings – once again, an unnecessary intervention where a state party does not belong. To comment on these articles, click here. July 27, 2010 American Thinker – Republican Congressman Fred Upton (ACU lifetime rating 72.42%) is being opposed by former state representative Jack Hoogendyk in the August 3rd Michigan primary. While Upton can list the TARP bailout and Cash for Clunkers among his bad votes, Matthew May writes that Hoogendyk's record in the state legislature stands out as "always conservative." The author calls Upton "nothing more than a diluted Democrat" and says "Michigan's 6th District is a microcosm of the general arrogance and complacency of the Republican establishment against the constitutional conservativism of the Tea Party movement." Paul Ryan: leadership for “decentralized” GOP Daily Caller – Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan (lifetime ACU rating 92.36%) is calling out members of his own Party, questioning why so many of them are talking to pollsters instead of speaking to the massive federal debt and government overspending. Ryan is touting his ‘road map’ proposals which would give Republicans an agenda to legitimately run on and at least provide a starting point for the healthy amount of work that needs to be done if America is ever going to get back on the path to fiscal sanity. Joseph Farah: Will too narrow a focus destroy the Tea Party? World Net Daily – Joseph Farah warns of an ‘enemy’ of America’s Tea Parties that represents a much greater menace to their long-term existence and wellbeing than anything the Left or the political establishment could ever muster – and that’s the threat of internal decay through limiting what the movement stands for. Farah says there are ‘leaders’ in the movement who are trying to restrict its issue agenda to mere economic issues, a mistake which Farah argues could ultimately lead to its demise. Neither Party truly represents the will of the Tea Parties The Daily Journal -- New Jersey resident Francis Reilly writes of his disgust with America’s two major political parties, arguing that neither truly represents the will of its ideological supporters and certainly not the interests of the grassroots Tea Party movement in general. Reilly is relieved that the Tea Party is separate from both of them, and correctly points out that Tea Partiers are no fonder of the Republican Party’s leadership than they are of Democrats – and that the GOP should not take their long-term support for granted. Sen. LeMieux has surprised conservatives in Florida American Spectator – Floridian Larry Thornberry writes that he was as skeptical as any when then RINO Gov. Charlie Crist appointed his chief of staff, George LeMieux, to serve out the remaining time in Sen. Mel Martinez’s term -- but Lemieux has since won over many of his doubters, including Thornberry. Thornberry says LeMieux acknowledges that he has a great many fences to mend over the way he was appointed, but the senator also seems to ‘get it’ in terms of doing what Floridians expect him to do. Howard Rich: Newt Gingrich has a legacy of surrendering when the fight gets tough Politico – Newt Gingrich has built a reputation with the major liberal media as a bomb-throwing conservative, but a closer look at his history reveals that he’s anything but, argues Americans for Limited Government chairman Howard Rich. As just one example, Rich points to last year's special congressional election in New York in which Gingrich supported ultra-liberal Republican Dede Scozzafava over conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman. Tancredo calls Colorado Tea Partiers ‘new members of the establishment’ for opposing his decision to run for governor on a 3rd party ticket Denver Post – Colorado’s Tea Parties have always supported former congressman Tom Tancredo because of his principled stance on illegal immigration and other conservative issues, but many now feel betrayed by Tancredo’s latest move, to run for governor on a 3rd party ticket – which virtually guarantees the liberal Democratic candidate a victory. Tancredo’s action has surprised many considering just last summer he implored the state’s Tea Parties to work within the GOP to resolve their differences. GOP Challengers Hope To Capture Democratic Strongholds in NJ, NC and MI Human Events – Political guru John Gizzi provides a glimpse into three more important congressional contests where conservatives hope to take over Democratic seats that were thought to be strongly-held, featuring races in New Jersey, North Carolina and Michigan. Gizzi tells the ‘human’ side of each race and why these three conservative political newcomers are running with a reformer’s mentality and would provide a fresh new outlook to congressional districts that have been lacking it for a very, very long time (at least in the case of the New Jersey and Michigan districts). Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty opens up on politics, 2012 GOP bid Washington Times – Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is often mentioned amongst the likely candidates for the GOP’s 2012 presidential nomination, and here he expands on the possibility of a run along with his policy thoughts on repealing Obamacare and waging the Afghanistan War. Pawlenty is not known in conservative circles as a principled conservative, and his attitudes towards government’s ability to ‘solve problems’ will certainly be troubling to a conservative grassroots that’s demanding more of a limited government focus. To comment on these articles, click here. July 26, 2010 You can vote for a conservative who is changing politics through the Internet PoliticsOnline.com - Readers around the world are casting online ballots to select the persons who are having the greatest impact on the way the Internet is changing politics. The winners will be honored at the 11th World eDemocracy Forum, October 13-15, 2010, in Paris, France. Richard A. Viguerie, co-author of the 2004 book, America's Right Turn: How Conservatives Used New and Alternative Media to Take Power, is familiar with the impressive work done by two of the nominees, Ralph Benko and Erick Erickson, and recommends a vote for one of them. Have liberal reporters exposed themselves to lawsuits? American Thinker – Mark Fitzgibbons touches on the recent flap exposed by the Daily Caller concerning leftist journalists using malice as part of their ‘professional duties’ to discredit and smear conservatives – not just to make an argument, but to actually cause harm. Fitzgibbons says these journalists just may have crossed the legal threshold for actionable libel (for public figures) established by the Supreme Court. The fact that such malice seems tolerated by so-called professionals on the left indicates the problem is more widespread. Republicans need to go-growth in the next Congress Weekly Standard – Matthew Continetti writes of the need for Republicans to develop a governing agenda for when they retake the majority in Congress, and the promise to fight and repeal the disastrous Obama-Pelosi-Reid agenda is just the beginning. Continetti laments the fact that there are only two concrete plans being offered by Republicans (those by Reps. Tom Price and Paul Ryan), and argues there’s plenty of room for others to put together a robust, pro-growth agenda that would truly attract voters to the Party. Republican Senate candidate fires new salvo in the next battle of Tea Party versus ‘RINO’ Daily Caller – The GOP U.S. Senate race is heating up in Delaware where conservative Tea Party favorite Christine O’Donnell is not content to let her state’s Republican Party establishment automatically anoint RINO Rep. Mike Castle (lifetime ACU rating 52.49%) as the winner without a fight. O’Donnell points to a recent Rasmussen poll that indicated that she too leads Democratic candidate Chris Coons in a hypothetical match-up, allowing her to present herself as a legitimate conservative alternative to Castle. Why O’Donnell would make a better GOP Senator than RINO Mike Castle Hot Air – Nearly everyone would admit the Delaware U.S. Senate race is important in the GOP’s push to retake the majority in the Senate after November’s elections, but what most people don’t realize is that the winner will take office the day after the election is certified (due to filling VP Joe Biden’s remaining four-year term). Therefore, it’s doubly important to elect a principled conservative to help defeat a potential Democratic lame duck agenda – and here’s a look at the clear conservative choice (Christine O’Donnell), who is battling RINO Mike Castle (lifetime ACU rating 52.49%) in the primary. A Tiahrt victory in Kansas will move the Senate to the right RedState.com – Erick Erickson blogs on the Kansas GOP U.S. Senate race where both Jerry Moran (lifetime ACU rating 91.74%) and Todd Tiahrt (lifetime ACU rating 95.27%) are considered conservatives, but Tiahrt is that much better on a number of issues to make him the clear choice for conservatives. Erickson says if Moran is elected, he’ll be just like recently ousted South Carolina Rep. Bob Inglis in railing against the Tea Parties and undermining conservatives – and that’s why it’s important to support Tiahrt. Rush slams Republicans for failing to come to defense of outspoken conservatives Breitbart.TV -- Here’s a video well worth watching. Rush Limbaugh rightly criticizes Republicans for letting the left smear conservatives. Tea Party-supporting Republicans must be vigilant against co-opters American Conservative – Jack Hunter gives credit to former Majority Leader Trent Lott for his ‘honesty’ in saying the Republican establishment would never allow for a Tea Party caucus in the Senate, and says it should serve as a warning for those who want to bring true conservative ideas to Capitol Hill. Hunter says there are many, many Republicans who will seek to co-opt any Tea Party caucus in either house of Congress – so those who are serious about reforming government should be extra vigilant in looking out for them. What would Speaker Boehner do? The New American – Michael Tennant examines the prospect of Republicans retaking the House of Representatives this year and how elevating Rep. John Boehner (lifetime ACU rating 94%) to the Speaker’s chair might change the way government runs. Unfortunately for conservatives, Tennant says Boehner’s track record on limited government principles isn’t very good, and the prospect of achieving real change on shrinking government does not appear promising if Boehner indeed takes charge. Newt Gingrich gets endorsement from unlikely source for 2012 presidential run FOX News – Newt Gingrich has said that he’s seriously considering a presidential run in 2012, and former Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean thinks that’s a good idea, if only to add ‘intellectual power’ to the GOP field. Conservatives would hardly look to Dean’s opinion when choosing a candidate in the next election cycle, but he does make a good point about how Gingrich would force the other candidates to match Gingrich’s penchant for producing proposals that would get people thinking. Poll shows Gov. Sarah Palin with 10-point lead over potential 2012 field Hot Air – Blogger Allahpundit comments on a recent poll that showed Gov. Sarah Palin opening up a sizeable lead over her potential 2012 Republican opponents, but also highlights some potential downside to the results. Palin clearly stirs emotions amongst American voters, and her presence in the 2012 race would certainly force all of the Republican contenders to pay a lot more attention to what the conservative grassroots is asking for. To comment on these articles, click here. July 25, 2010 Missouri Senate Candidate Guilty of ‘Stealing Tea’ BigGovernment.com – National candidates and political races seem to get all the attention, but here’s a look at a RINO state senator in Missouri (running for re-election) who is trying to pass himself off as the favorite of local Tea Parties – the only problem is no one has seen him at any of their rallies or meetings. Bob McCarty blows the whistle on Missouri Sen. Scott Rupp and exposes Rupp’s scheme to present himself as the real conservative in the primary (the consensus conservative choice is Cynthia Davis). Nevada Senate candidate Sharron Angle speaks on the issues Wall Street Journal (blog) – It seems Nevada GOP U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle can’t go anywhere these days without the major media hounding her on behalf of liberal favorite Majority Leader Harry Reid – but here’s a look at some of her policy positions ‘unfiltered’ by those who are trying to bring her down. Angle’s issue stances are pretty standard conservative positions – abolish the U.S. Dept. of Education, pay back the Social Security Trust Fund, support Arizona’s immigration law – but the media makes her sound like some sort of freak who’s way outside the mainstream. Michael Reagan to Arkansas GOP: What Would Ronald Reagan Do? Politics Daily – Presidential son Michael Reagan knows the heart of his father, and he told a Republican audience in Arkansas that the former president would want Republicans to focus on the ‘big picture’ rather than the petty details and to work on changing the world in a positive way. Reagan again reiterated his father’s ‘11th Commandment’ in asking the party’s candidates to avoid getting personal and instead hone in on political differences. Reagan also said that Barack Obama would never have been elected if Republicans had only done their jobs when they had the chance. Tom Tancredo seriously considering third-party run for Colorado governorship Daily Caller – Colorado conservative stalwart Tom Tancredo says he intends to make good on a promise to run for governor on a third-party ticket if the GOP nominee is polling behind the Democratic candidate after next month’s primary. Never one to avoid controversy, Tancredo says both of the Republican candidates can avoid a possible extra-party challenge if they’d just drop out after the primary (and admit that they can’t win, since both have serious ethical issues facing them). Joseph Farah: Herman Cain is his name World Net Daily – Joseph Farah profiles a person he believes would make an excellent candidate for president on the GOP ticket in 2012 (businessman Herman Cain) and argues that it’s time that a principled conservative non-politician should be considered for the Party’s nomination. Farah says he hasn’t necessarily made up his mind, and his choice will be determined by who’s running (he mentioned Sen. Jim DeMint and Rep. Michele Bachmann as others he’d potentially support) – but Cain certainly looks more attractive than a pureblood politician like Mitt Romney at this stage. Harry Reid doesn’t even mention the NRA to the Netroots in Las Vegas American Thinker (blog) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid certainly found himself among friends at the annual meeting of the ultra-liberal Netroots convention in Las Vegas, where the leading mover of Pres. Obama’s agenda promised more socialism if the Democrats are re-elected – but there was also precious little reference to his cozy relationship with the National Rifle Association. Reid’s trying to be all things to all people, but his liberal leanings always seem to come out in the end. To comment on these articles, click here. July 24, 2010 Republican donors continue migration from Michael Steele's RNC Washington Examiner – As the bad news proliferates for the Republican National Committee and its Chairman Michael Steele, it’s becoming clear that the GOP’s donors are turning their attention elsewhere – to outside groups, other committees within the Party or to Tea Party related organizations. Steele’s mismanagement of the Committee’s resources and message have led to a complete lack of confidence from people who would normally support the Party, and a change needs to be made if the RNC is to regain any credibility. Star Parker: Why are we discussing racism? World Net Daily – California GOP congressional candidate and black conservative Star Parker attempts to have the final word on the NAACP/Tea Party racism flap, wondering why, when there are so many problems associated with our government, are we even talking about race? Parker cites polls that show that people of all races generally believe the same about the ability to advance oneself based on one’s own desires, so the last thing America needs to be focusing on is race – it’s just not the problem these days. DISCLOSE Act set for Tuesday Senate cloture vote; NRA exemption still included Heritage.org (blog) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is moving forward with plans to call for a vote to end debate on the disastrous anti-speech DISCLOSE Act on Tuesday, and it’s notable that the exemption that was carved out to shield the National Rifle Association from the bill’s ill-effects is still in it. Hans von Spakovsky writes on the far-reaching impact that the new law will have on free-speech as well as the confusion it will create just as the 2010 election season will be hitting its peak in the fall. The NRA’s flirtation with Harry Reid is enough to spoil anyone’s homecoming Dissenting Times (blog) -- It just goes to show how much damage can be inflicted on our nation (by politicians) in just a short time as this Colorado blogger relates his version of what’s happened in the news since he’s been away on a mini-vacation. Amongst the many salient observations is his astonishment that the National Rifle Association is thinking about endorsing Harry Reid – and that’s enough to give just about anyone pause when they read it for the first time. Rasmussen Reports shows Florida U.S. Senate race still a toss-up Rasmussen Reports – Conservatives have been upset of late in noting that some polls have shown former RINO-turned-independent Gov. Charlie Crist pulling ahead of Republican Marco Rubio in the Florida U.S. Senate race, but the most recent (and usually reliable) Rasmussen poll shows the contest is still very close. One interesting side note: Crist has not declared which party he will caucus with if he’s elected – and once he declares, he will likely lose a good portion of voters from the side that feels left out. July 23, 2010 Political veteran Muth offers some political reality advice for the Tea Party Movement Nevada Appeal – Chuck Muth writes that political reality is starting to hit home with America’s Tea Parties, most notably the fact that simply being right on issues is not enough to put you in power. Muth says the Tea Parties need to adopt more practical and time-tested approaches to politics in order to assure long-term success, including supporting candidates who can win in certain districts and doing more than bellyaching when it comes to raising the money that ultimately sustains the movement. Herman Cain could be Obama’s worst nightmare World Net Daily – Herman Cain has an impressive resume that includes extensive experience in business, media and religion (as well as having survived stage four cancer), and he says he’s seriously considering running for the GOP’s 2012 presidential nomination so he can take on and beat Pres. Obama. Cain’s conservative education combines a humble background with ‘real world’ experience that has shown him that solving problems is a lot more important than being able to speak about them in front of a teleprompter. Concerned member of the NRA will be keeping an eye on the organization’s actions Principled Thoughts (blog) – Members of the National Rifle Association have reacted with horror at the possibility that the organization would officially endorse Harry Reid in the Nevada U.S. Senate race, but they’re also concerned about the totality of the NRA’s backroom dealings in politics, as this blog post would indicate. For his part, this blogger says he’ll be keeping an eye on the NRA’s possible nod towards Reid as well as its other actions – and he urges all other NRA members to do the same. Why the conservative revolution will prevail and why it will last American Thinker – Bruce Walker presents the reasons why the conservative ‘revolution’ will prevail if conservatives manage to obtain a large enough majority in Congress in the coming years, arguing that RINOs will eventually fall in line and the reforms that are passed will be politically unassailable by the Left. Walker’s theory is certainly hypothetical, but part of the thought process conservatives need to undertake if we’re going to be ready to govern when the time comes. Rush Limbaugh resides at the intersection of politics and popular entertainment Reason Online – Jesse Walker looks at the latest book on radio-talker Rush Limbaugh (Rush Limbaugh: An Army of One, by Zev Chafets), all the while adding his own commentary on Rush’s influence on popular culture and politics. Walker says Limbaugh’s talent as an entertainer is often overlooked in the political world’s debate over his impact (be it with revile or praise), and believes that Limbaugh has laid the groundwork for any number of current – and future – personalities to follow his example. When McCain picked Palin, liberal journalists coordinated the best line of attack Daily Caller – When John McCain picked Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate in 2008, it didn’t take long for liberal journalists to begin strategizing on the best ways to smear her and the Republican ticket, as evidenced by looking at a journalist’s online forum in the hours after the announcement in late August of that year. It’s certainly no secret that the journalism community is left-leaning, but the instances of outright bias and second-handed cheerleading for the Obama ticket are downright disconcerting. Rep. Michele Bachmann on Tea Party Caucus: We're Here to Listen, Not Control Newsmax – As if it needed further explanation, Rep. Michele Bachmann (lifetime ACU rating 100%) said after the first meeting of the House Tea Party Caucus that the group was not formed to ‘control’ the grassroots movement in any way – on the contrary, Bachmann says they’re there to listen. Tea Party leaders echoed Bachmann’s assurances that the movement will remain independent, and the formation of the group will hopefully lead to a greater connection between the desires of the People and those who represent them. Republicans need to put spending cut proposals on the line before retaking power American Spectator – W. James Antle, III writes of the Republican Party’s need to provide some clues as to what they’ll do if/when they retake the majority after November’s elections, and they should start by providing specific areas of the budget that they intend to trim. Antle suggests that Rep. Paul Ryan’s ‘road map’ would be a good long-term solution, though for now, Republicans would do well to start with a simpler, more immediate plan to cut spending similar to those proposed in the early nineties. Republicans need to show beef or they'll get the hoof Washington Examiner – Chris Stirewalt takes the Republican Party to task for its failure to introduce the ideas that would guide its agenda if the GOP should regain the majority in the House (and Senate), and says it’s simply not enough to be the ‘anti’ Party receiving the benefits of the voters’ anger at the overreaching Democrats. Stirewalt believes that it’s crucial for the GOP to take a chance and let the public know how it’s learned from the Party that blew up the size of government before the Democrats even got there in ‘06. Big Government Republicans hope to swell ranks in 2010 as well The Hill – There’s little doubt that conservatives are looking to 2010’s elections as a chance to add a number of limited government, principled conservative Republicans to the Senate, but there are also signs that this year’s elections will only mark the beginning of the battle for conservatives in combating the Big Government ways of the GOP. The wishy-washy Big Government wing of the Party also hopes to bolster its ranks in the Senate this November, and the fight for the Party’s soul could reach a fever pitch next year if the two sides end up clashing. To comment on these articles, click here. July 22, 2010 Carney translates for Trent Lott: principled conservatives will mess up Washington insiders' racket Washington Examiner – Timothy Carney exposes the real reason why top Republican K Street lobbyists (such as former Majority Leader Trent Lott) are so worried about getting more Tea Party-supported ‘Jim DeMint’s’ in the Senate: it’s because the principled conservatives threaten to cut into their Big Government ruse. Carney says the former senators use their influence and access to the system to win big favors for their clients, and also cash-in themselves – and they’re terrified they’ll lose it all if a new type of reformer comes to town. Yet Again? GOP Party Committee Undermining Genuine Conservative Renee Ellmers Human Events – John Gizzi touches on three House races that are factoring into principled conservatives’ hopes of taking over the Republican Party as well as the majority in Congress, focusing on contests in Washington, South Dakota and North Carolina. Of particular interest is the race in North Carolina, where first-time politician Renee Ellmers is taking on the YouTube video-assault disgraced liberal Rep. Bobby Etheridge (lifetime ACU rating 22.36%) in the state’s 2nd congressional district. Why isn't the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) helping her? Gizzi highlights Ellmers' grassroots campaign and how she would go to Congress to repeal the disastrous Obamacare bill. Recent polls show Ellmers with a 1% lead at 39-38, and there's little doubt that it's an excellent opportunity for a true conservative to unseat one of the House's most notorious and nasty liberals. Tea Party favorite Pamela Gorman fights back against the GOP establishment World Net Daily – Arizona state Sen. Pamela Gorman is just one of ten candidates vying to win the GOP nomination in her state’s third congressional district, yet she’s drawing a lot attention for her willingness to buck Party leaders and fight hard for what’s right. Gorman, like Gov. Sarah Palin and Rep. Michele Bachmann, is being unfairly attacked by the Left and ignored (or feared) by the GOP establishment because she represents exactly the type of potential leader they despise – someone who can’t be paid to sacrifice her beliefs. Conservative pastor aims to beat Charlie Rangel in Harlem Daily Caller – Pastor Michael Faulkner thinks ethically-challenged Rep. Charlie Rangel is the embodiment of everything that’s wrong with Washington, and that’s why he’s running as a Republican to unseat the longtime congressman in one of the most solidly Democratic districts (Harlem, NY) in the country. Faulkner says he agrees with most of the positions of the Tea Party movement, and will try to get his name on the ballot with several party designations in order to give himself the best chance to win. For more on Faulkner, see Mark Fitzgibbons’ profile of the candidate here. Is Sarah Palin is at the top of her party? Politico – Political observer Roger Simon challenges us to name one Republican who’s more popular with the conservative base of the GOP than Gov. Sarah Palin to prove his point that Palin could very well end up as the Party’s 2012 presidential nominee. Simon clearly isn’t a Palin fan, yet he does make several relevant observations regarding Palin’s political growth in just the last year alone – and that anyone who takes her lightly (such as Mitt Romney) could be signaling their own political death knell. Delaware’s RINO Castle may not be so impregnable in Senate race American Spectator (blog) – Robert Stacy McCain examines the increasingly interesting GOP U.S. Senate race in Delaware, where principled conservative Christine O’Donne |
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