A little something I whipped up here...

And from Mark Levin here.

McCain's Electability [Mark R. Levin]
I wanted to post a sober thought. If McCain is the Republican nominee, how will he position himself as a candidate? This weekend Obama already telegraphed the Democrat strategy by picking apart McCain's inconsistencies on taxes and immigration. If McCain moves to the right during the general election to try to appeal to more conservatives, Obama will be able to portray him as a disingenuous flip-flopper. If McCain moves further left to try and blunt those charges, he will continue to alienate a portion of the base. What is he going to run on? If he runs on the surge, how many Democrats and Independents will that attract? Is he going to run against earmarks and for a balanced budget? I don't think that's going to resonate with too many voters. The Democrats will be talking about saving the poor, sick and elderly, in the tradition of FDR. McCain will be talking like Herbert Hoover. And since McCain is running on his personal story, let me suggest that neither McCain's age nor temperament will be ignored by the Democrats. Do we ignore Obama's age and Hillary's temperament?

So, I would encourage Bill Kristol, Fred Barnes, David Brooks, VDH, et al, to pause and reflect about what they're urging Republicans and conservatives to embrace. I don't think John McCain can win in November because of his record, not "unfair" criticism, talk radio, or what have you. If the issue is electability based on current polls, that's an absurd position. Six months ago Rudy was the inevitable Republican nominee and Hillary was the inevitable Democrat nominee.

He's got a real point here. Who is McCain going to court? He has no natural base because he's spent the last 8 years alienating them. As for his inevitability and potential for competing in the general election, you'd think they would have learned their lessons from Giuliani and Hillary already. And if I'm not mistaken, Kerry beat Bush in early polls too. That worked out well.

I Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself...

Based on the results from Florida, this post by Michael Graham sums things up pretty well…

It's All Over – Michael Graham

Assuming there is no shocking revelation or health issue, the GOP nomination is over. Conservatives need to start practicing the phrase "Nominee presumptive John McCa....."

Sorry, I can't say it. Not yet.

But it's true. When the campaign comes here to Massachusetts on February 5th, I'll proudly cast my vote for any option on the GOP ballot other than You-Know-Who. But it will be a futile gesture. Mr. "1/3rd Of The GOP Primary Vote" is going to be the nominee.

He's going to win the big, left-leaning states on Tuesday. Huckabee will stay in and deny Romney a one-on-one contest for GOP voters that Captain Amnesty would almost certainly lose. The result: More wins for He Who Must Not Be Named, and fewer wins for Romney—regardless of delegate count.

 

Florida has launched the one ship that Romney's money and Rush Limbaugh cannot stop: The U.S.S. Inevitable. It's gonna happen. Even if there were a realistic pathway to stop him, the media have seized control of the process now and are declaring him inevitable. He is, after all, the favorite son of the New York Times.

So it is over. Finished. In November, we'll be sending out our most liberal, least trustworthy candidate vs. to take on Hillary Clinton—perhaps not more liberal than Barack Obama, but certainly far less trustworthy.

 

And the worst part for the Right is that McCain will have won the nomination while ignoring, insulting and, as of this weekend, shamelessly lying about conservatives and conservatism.

You think he supported amnesty six months ago? You think he was squishy on tax cuts and judicial nominees before? Wait until he has the power to anger every conservative in America, and feel good about it.

Every day, he dreams of a world filled with happy Democrats and insulted Republicans. And he is, thanks to Florida, the presidential nominee of the Republican party.

And on that note, I'm off to climb into a bottle of Bushmill's. It's going to be a LONG nine months.

 

Huckabee's a Democrat

He raised hope... Raising taxes is raising hope. Evev when the question said he raised taxes, he tries to contend that he lowered taxes. That's a lie.

And he said he made the highways of his state accessible to every kid. I'm going to come out with a radical position: keep our kids off the highway!

Ron Paul on the Mideast

He advocates total abandonment of the Mideast which would end really badly for Israel. He's out of touch. But he seems to have pretty good crowd support...

McCain's burka and one-way ticket joke was really strange... More of a laugh line in a stump speech; didn't work in a debate.

Second Guessing The Iranian Incident

Is stupid. Why does Brit keep belaboring this? Several candidates made good point but the whole question is stupid...

Ron Paul's Supporters

Many of Ron Paul's supporters are nut jobs. 9/11 Truthers, white supremacists, etc . Ron Paul has failed to adequately distanced himself from these supporters. Again, when given a chance, he refused. I do NOT believe Dr. Paul holds these positions but his continued refusal to condemn these people is wrong.

Reagan

I like Reagan and all that. But he's not perfect. Just because Reagan did or didn't do something doesn't mean it's right.

Romney and Fred on Reagan

Great answer on the Reagan Coalition by Romney. That's what he needs to do; inspire optimism and inspire.

Fred just SLAMMED Huckabee (to applause). GREAT answer.

Huckabee

Seems to be off tonight. His answers have been stunted and the likeability seems to be gone. Maybe he's just not comfortable talking about him representing the Reagan coalition (as he should be).

Fred Thompson

Solid answer from Fred. He said things that weren't necessarily popular, but are true. Like low income people probably don't need a tax cut...

Tax Cuts Raise Revenue

This is established! The Bust tax cuts led to RECORD GOVERNMENT REVENUES. Read that again. Giuliani's right, cut the right taxes and you raise revenue. Cutting spending is critical.

McCain's straight talk is turning a little. Apparently now he supports the Bush tax cuts. Why didn't he do this originally?

It's the Economy, Stupid...

First question in the South Carolina debate is on the economy. This is where Romney needs to hit it out of the park. The voters of Michigan are listening.

McCain's rebuttal was good. He's right, there are jobs that have left Michigan that aren't coming back. Props to Romney for saying he'll cut taxes but point to McCain.

Ron Paul is Unelectable...

You can't talk about the Gold Standard, Austrian Economic Theory and Artificially Lowered Interest Rates and win... Even if you're not as nutty as he is...

McCain Cutting Pork

If McCain can cut pork so well, how come he hasn't used his bipartisan strength in the Senate to do that now???

McCain Cutting Pork

If McCain can cut pork so well, how come he hasn't used his bipartisan strength in the Senate to do that now???

More Trouble for the Mid-East Peace Process

Canaanites Demand Place in Mideast Peace Talks

by Joe Bob Briggs

The Wittenburg Door, 8 Jan 2008

As President Bush pressed for more intensive Middle East peace talks and dispatched Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to the region to propose boundaries for a possible settlement, 27 additional nationalities asserted land claims in what is traditionally known as Palestine. 

"We refuse the imperialist names of Palestine and/or Israel," said Ramsey Clark, the former Attorney General, recently hired to represent the various claimants, including people calling themselves Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.  "The proper name is Canaan." 

Clark held the press conference at a site three kilometers east of Bethel called Et-Tell -- literally "the ruin heap" -- chosen because it's all that's left of the royal city of Ai, where Israeli warlord Joshua allegedly ordered the "smiting" of 12,000 men and the burning of the entire metropolis, then hanged the king, then buried the king's corpse, then covered the corpse with a mound of stones, like a monument. 

"And there's never been an apology," said Clark, standing next to a woman who described herself as a descendant of Horam king of Gezer.

"I wasn't in Ai, and neither were my ancestors," said the woman, Yilla Og-chephirah, "but this is where the bloodlust started, and it didn't get any better -- we all know what happened in Gezer, not to mention Kirjathjearim.  Before these people showed up, my family didn't even like Kirjathjearimites, but going through that kind of hell kind of draws you together.  In my opinion, all the Canaanites are the same now." 

Holding up placards reading "Imperialists Out of Canaan Now" and "Love Israel?  Take Interstate 56 South to Egypt," the various groups issued a list of demands ranging from monetary compensation to war-crimes trials to "right of return" laws that in some cases would require the unearthing of cities like Hazor, Madon, Shimron, and Achshaph. 

Especially incensed are the former inhabitants of Gibeon, Chephirah, and Beeroth, who all demand "slave reparations" for what they claim was centuries of work as "hewers of wood and drawers of water."  ("It was ridiculous," said their representative, Zolfikar Soweda.  "I mean, how much wood and water did they need?  You'd think people who knew how to make bricks out of straw would have a little sympathy, you know.") 

"The bottom line here," said Clark, "is that sometime in the 12th century BC, all these peace-loving people were driven from their land, chopped up with swords, robbed, looted, burned, except for -- get this -- the family of a hooker!  What kind of sadists would do this and then, for their own amusement, rescue this prostitute and her family so they could laugh about it later?  It's disgusting." 

Clark said he would welcome any overtures from the American State Department, the Israeli Foreign Ministry, or the Palestinian authorities, but there were some things that were not negotiable.  "First, the original aggression must be addressed for what it is -- sustained terrorism -- -and an apology must be proffered.  Second, Israel needs to return to the pre-1200 borders, which would be, I don't know, wandering around somewhere, we'll figure it out, they can have something in Sinai.  And third, everyone must recognize the right of self-determination of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites and the Hivites.  The Hivites are especially upset because they tried to make peace with these people." 

Spokesmen for Israel, the United States and the Palestinians all declined comment, but sources inside the American State Department said they had been in touch with the Anakims, the last Canaanite people to be eviscerated during Israel's extended military campaigns, and confidential sources inside those talks said most of the Canaanites would release all of their claims in return for being allowed to use Canaanite archaeological sites for casinos.

My Dream Administration

President: Mitt Romney

Pretty obvious.  If you want to know why, see here.

 

Vice-President: Fred Thompson

OK, confession time.  You could swap these and I wouldn’t be upset; both good guys.  I think Thompson provides Romney something he badly needs; credentials in the South (and vice-versa).  I get the feeling that a lot of people in the South are afraid of a northeastern Republican and I think Thompson could provide some serious credibility with Conservatives in the South.

 

Secretary of Defense: Duncan Hunter

His experience in the military and in Congress would serve him well as Secretary of Defense.  There is no doubt in my mind, with Duncan Hunter, we would have a military prepared for the challenges that lay ahead.

 

Secretary of State: John Bolton

One big reason?  Sticking it to the Democrats.  Don’t want him to go to the UN?  Fine.  We’ll send him directly to Iran…  While ordinarily I’m not in favor of negotiating with Iran, I’m fine if Bolton wants to go.  Seriously, John Bolton is just the man for this job.  Or we can keep Condi if she wants to stay; I have no problem with her either.

 

Secretary of Homeland Security: Tom Tancredo

This man will seal the borders.  The fact that he looks like a detective from some 70’s cop show is just a bonus.

 

National Security Advisor:  Rudy Giuliani

I may have qualms with Rudy as President, but I have no qualms with Rudy as NSA

 

Attorney General: Ted Poe

This former judge and founder of the Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus is a principled man of integrity who would bring a no-nonsense approach to AG.

 

Bonus Appointments:

 

Secretary of Agriculture: Charles Bronson

Gotcha…  While he looks nothing like (and considerably softer than) the tough guy actor Charles Bronson, it’d be great to have a tough sounding Commissioner of Agriculture.  Not sure why, but somewhere down the line it’ll come in handy…  It’s always reassuring to see Mr. Bronson’s name on the gas pumps here in Florida.  I know if I ever have a problem with a bad pump, I can call on him and he’ll come beat the crap out of the offenders.

 

Press Secretary:  Rush Limbaugh

Because watching the press have to deal with Limbaugh every day would instantly make White House Press Conferences prime-time viewing.

 

Secretary of Down-Home Folkisms:  Mike Huckabee

I’m as big a fan of politicians who can relate to me as the next guy, but Huckabee takes it to a Clintonesque-level (Bill, not Hillary.  Tears aren’t effective for me).  He seems to have cut back on this lately (or maybe I’ve become oblivious to them) but back when the “Huckaboom” started they seemed to come two or three to a point.

 

Ambassador to New Hampshire:  John McCain

McCain seems to have a special relationship with the people of New Hampshire so we’ll give him this (admittedly ceremonial) post.  And who knows, it can’t hurt his run in 2012 or 2016…

 

 

Letter to the Editor on Romney

I sent in a letter to the editor on Romney which was published in our local paper yesterday.

As the Jan. 29 primary draws closer, I’ve spent some time considering my choice for the Republican nomination. I see the 2008 election as critically important and so it’s equally crucial that the Republican Party field a strong, articulate nominee. What I’m looking for in a presidential candidate is a “complete conservative.”

By complete conservative, I mean both fiscally and socially conservative. A conservative should stand for three main things: fiscal conservatism, strong national defense and social conservatism. Fiscal conservatism consists of limited government, low taxes and eliminating wasteful spending. Strong national defense requires a strong, effective military and secure borders. Social conservatism is morals, supporting families and taking a stand for a culture of life, in all phases.

Mitt Romney is the only Republican candidate who has shown himself to be an effective communicator, a consistent conservative, strong on defense and who has strong leadership experience. His business executive background and mentality will serve him well as he works to control spending and government waste. His faith and values lead him to promote a culture of life and support a federal marriage amendment. Gov. Romney is a strong opponent of judicial activism and will appoint strict constructionists, not judges who will make policy or further curtail constitutional rights like the Second Amendment or the Kelo case.

Mitt Romney is also against amnesty for illegal immigrants and believes in enforcing our immigration laws and punishing “sanctuary cities” and employers who hire illegal immigrants.

Gov. Romney truly does have a “strategy for a stronger America.” He has the vision to lead and the ability to communicate and inspire others with that same vision. For that reason, I support Gov. Mitt Romney for president of the United States. For more information on Mitt’s vision for America, go to his website at www.mittromney.com.

A woman called our house at 8:00 this morning and thanked my wife for the letter. While I appreciate her thanks, I thought it rather strange (and a touch creepy) that she would look up our number in the phone book to call. Is it just me?

Where Does Romney Go From Here?

Mitt Romney HAS to win Michigan next week. He's from Michigan, his father was governor of Michigan, Michigan is critical. Should he lose Michigan, it's over. He won't win South Carolina (Goes to Huckabee) and the loss of momentum from three straight losses will create an avalanche, sucking support away from his campaign.

Where that support goes is another matter... Personally, there's no way I can go to Huckabee or McCain; leaving Thompson and Giuliani. Maybe this is the shot in the arm that Thompson needs. More likely, I think Romney supporters will break for Giuliani, but is he too far out of it? Combining Romney supporters with Thompson supporters in the South might provide a winning coalition against Huckabee. Otherwise, I think you'll see Huckabee win most the South and a few states in the midwest and west, a few going to Romney and Giuliani and the rest going to McCain. Not sure who the nominee would be between Huckabee and McCain (Probably McCain), but either way, I don't want them.

And I think there's a real likelihood Thompson drops out after tonight. So far, he's done miserably tonight. Last I saw, he had less than a thousand votes to McCain's 30,000 votes. He'll probably hold on until South Carolina, but whether he drops out now or then, if he endorses McCain, it's over...

For Romney to win, he is going to have to inspire. For all the tribute to Reagan this campaign, the only candidate that comes close to the optimism of Reagan is Obama. Romney CAN do that from time to time and is good at it. His latest emphasis seems to be "change" which isn't going to work. For one thing, Change just doesn't work for the Republicans as well as the Democrats. For one thing, there have been 8 years of Republicans in the White House. Romney's policies aren't radically different than current policies for the most part. He needs to inspire.

McCain

"Came to New Hampshire to tell voters the truth." He sure wasn't telling the truth the other night in the debate about amnesty and taxes... He also "didn't go to Washington to go along to get along". He may not have gone there for that, but that's sure what he's done. McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy, McCain-Leiberman... This is the same McCain people were seriously talking about running in 2004 AS A DEMOCRAT!!! How are people forgetting this?

He's the only speaker I've seen yet to read his speech. I would've thought he could memorize a ten minute victory speech...

Romney's Concession

Good speech. He needs to stick with the inspiring message of optimism and dump the "policy wonk" talk apparently... People want something to believe in and his speech tonight was very good. Personally, I like specifics over the warm and fuzzy stuff, but I'm probably in the minority there... Don't get me wrong, I want to be inspired, but I also want some substance. But hey, that's just me.

Huckabee Comes in Third

Pretty good showing for the Governor from Hope. 12% is much more respectable than the numbers he'd been showing a few weeks ago. About as good as he could expect, considering the dearth of Evangelicals.

Giuliani is mired in fourth, just 1% over nutty Ron Paul. He's done.

Early Democratic Returns...

Are not looking good for Obama. That may change. But he's down 5 points. Hillary may be alive yet.

Early New Hampshire Returns

Less than 15 minutes after the polls close, and they're already calling the Primary for McCain... Now McCain won New Hampshire in 2000 and lost the nomination, so it's not a huge shock, but coupling this Romney's loss in Iowa and McCain's strength in Michigan and this is bad news for Romney. Romney needs to close the gap (37/28) from where it stands now to claim any sort of "victory" out of here.

Lessons From Iowa

I realize the world has moved on to New Hampshire, but I’m just now getting to Iowa, so there. A few quick lessons we learned from Iowa.

First, the Republican side. Romney’s in trouble. Huckabee is very unlikely to win the nomination because there isn’t the same proportion of evangelicals in most of the more populous states that he needs to win to get the delegates required for the nomination. The evangelicals are the ones who gave Huckabee the win. It’s looking like Romney’s going to lose New Hampshire to McCain. If he does, this will give McCain a boost going into Michigan, which will further snowball, positively for McCain and negatively for Romney. Mitt needs to start donating to Fred Thompson’s campaign so he’ll stay in the campaign as long as possible. If Fred drops out, he is widely expected to endorse McCain; more bad news for Romney. Obviously, Mitt Romney’s not out of it yet, but I do think he’s more wounded then most people seem to. I think Giuliani’s out, but I could be wrong. His “National Campaign” strategy worked well until we got into the actual primaries. People want to go with a winner. Once the results start coming in from the early primary states where Giuliani is coming in fourth or fifth, people are going to start abandoning Giuliani, continuing his recent slide…

As for the Democrats, this is a big win for Obama. To go into a state with no appreciable black population and beat the Clinton machine is no small feat. I really think his win in Iowa will sweep him to the nomination. If he wins New Hampshire, which I think he will, Clinton is done. She won’t drop out, but she’s finished and the Clinton era is over. Honestly, there’s not much else to say about the Democrats. I really think Obama has just about sewed things up with his win in Iowa and his resultant surge.

Progress? I Think Not...

So I had another trip to Naples today... For Christmas, my wife got me a GPS unit. On the way over, it routed me pretty well although I had to ignore the polite, if somewhat insistent, lady a few times until she got things right. On the way home, I hit the "Home" button and away I went... This is a trip I've made probably close to a hundred times and could do in my sleep (I almost have a couple of times)... But the route my very intelligent GPS suggested was different. I thought I must have overlooked a quicker route home, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Long story short, I ended up getting home about an hour later than if I'd taken the route carefully selected by me while thumbing through an atlas in the 7-Eleven...

But it's OK, with Satelitte Radio, drive time is great. The BCS Championship Game was tonight, so I was looking forward to listening to the broadcast on the radio. One problem; Sirius didn't have the game... Why??? So I set off scanning the AM dial for the game. I've always loved AM at night. Briefly, I picked up 650 WSM out of Nashville, a station from Austin (traffic info was surprisingly unhelpful) and a couple of different Atlanta stations. Finally, I found a fuzzy station carrying the game. I couldn't tell what was crowd noise and what was static, but I caught most of the plays... Brent Mussburger drove me nuts, so it must have been clear enough. It's a wonder how we live with technology; an extra hour in the car and still no football game...