August 27, 2008
Aug 27 02:40 Another Boring Speech Aug 27 02:55 The Truth, The Whole And Nothing But the Truth? Aug 27 03:21 Petulant Pelosi Lashes Out Aug 27 03:56 A Dismal Convention Thus Far Aug 27 04:29 Boehner Drills Pelosi Over Natural Gas Statement Aug 27 12:43 Obama Campaign to Pelosi: Shut Up
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Another Boring Speech
Mark Warner's speech didn't live up to the 2004 keynote address. In fact, it was downright boring. Not only that but it spent too much time spinning things that are indefensible. I've picked some of the things from the transcript to illustrate Mr. Warner's spin. Here's the first example:
We need a President who understands the world today, the future we seek, and the change we need. We need Barack Obama as the next President of the United States.When did Sen. Obama start understanding the world? If Sen. Obama has this great understanding of the world, why was he forced to abandon Kathleen Sebelius , who was his first choice, and pick Joe Biden? Here's the answer from an Obama insider:
"We needed the foreign policy on the bottom of the ticket more than we want to admit," says the insider.That doesn't sound like Sen. Obama understands the world.
I understand why Gov. Warner said this. He was tasked with talking up Sen. Obama. He did the best he could. Unfortunately, he bored people. He couldn't even get his one attack on Sen. McCain right:
John McCain promises more of the same. A plan that would explode the deficit that will be passed on to our kids. No real plan to invest in our infrastructure. And his plan would continue spending $10 billion a month in Iraq. I don't know about you, but that's just not right. That's four more years that we can't just afford.John McCain's plans on vetoing bills with excessive earmarks will explode the deficit? Perhaps Gov. Warner could explain how that works? For that matter, I'm interested in how he makes that statement with a straight face when balancing the budget isn't even one of Sen. Obama's priorities. If you think that's rich, check this tripe out:
Just think about this: In six months, we will have an administration that actually believes in science! And then we can again lead the world in live-saving and life-changing cures.We'll believe in science again? Sen. Obama agrees with Al Gore on the environment. When was Al Gore's radical global beliefs become science? Science fiction, yes; science, no. Under ObamaCare, we'll move towards a Canadian single-payer health care plan. Single-payer plans are notorious for slowing the development of cures . Here's another whopper about Sen. Obama:
We need leaders who will appeal to us not as Republicans or Democrats, but first and foremost as Americans.Did Sen. Obama appeal to us "first and foremost as Americans" when he voted against confirming John Roberts as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? Isn't it true that his voting against confirming John Roberts was an act of typical Washington partisanship? Did Sen. Obama appeal to us "first and foremost as Americans" when he voted against funding our troops? Isn't it true that his voting against funding our troops was an act of typical Washington partisanship?
I'll challenge all liberals to prove that Sen. Obama has fought principled fights against his party. While we've gotten mad about some of the things that John McCain fought for, it's irrefutable that he's fought for what he believed in, regardless of whether he went against the GOP.
Sen. Obama has a history of talking bipartisanship and acting in a hyperpartisan manner. A perfect example is his pledging to work with Sen. McCain on true ethics reform. Remember the letter Sen. McCain wrote to Sen. Obama criticizing him for backing out? Here's what Obama said:
Obama stated, "I know you have expressed an interest in creating a task force to further study and discuss these matters but I and others in the Democratic Caucus believe the more effective and timely course is to allow the committees of jurisdiction to roll up their sleeves and get to work on writing ethics and lobbying reform legislation that a majority of the Senate can support".The bill produced had enough gaping loopholes to be utterly ineffective. Here's how Sen. McCain responded to Sen. Obama's letter:
"I concluded your professed concern for the institution and the public interest was genuine and admirable. Thank you for disabusing me of such notions."Sen. Obama is a showhorse. He isn't a workhorse. To use a Texas cattleman's cliche, he's all hat and no cattle.
I know that Sen. Obama is the candidate of hope, change and the future. I just don't think he's the candidate of substance, effectiveness and integrity.
Posted Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:41 AM
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The Truth, The Whole And Nothing But the Truth?
The Washington Times has published FactCheck.org's analysis of the things Democrats have said about John McCain. Here's their analysis:
Some examples of who said what and what they left out:Why am I not surprised that Democrats have left these important facts out of their speeches?
SEN. ROBERT CASEY JR. of PENNSYLVANIA: "John McCain calls himself a maverick, but he votes with George Bush 90 percent of the time. That's not a maverick. That's a sidekick."
PENNSYLVANIA GOV. ED RENDELL: "And guess who voted with President Bush 90 percent of the time? Sen. John McCain."
THE FACTS: McCain voted with President Bush 90 percent of the time from January 20, 2001, to when Congress left Washington on its annual August recess, according to a study by Congressional Quarterly. But McCain wasn't always a staunch Bush backer. In 2005, his support for Bush's position on legislation reached a low of 77 percent; last year, when he launched his latest bid for the GOP presidential nomination, he voted with Bush 95 percent of the time.
IOWA GOV. CHET CULVER: "Now the oil companies are placing their bets on John McCain, bankrolling his campaign, and gambling with our future."
THE FACTS: McCain has received more than $1.5 million in contributions from oil and gas industry employees and their spouses, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. Obama has received about $423,000. But the center's analysis found that Obama has received more than McCain from employees of the oil industry's major companies. Employees (and their spouses) of Exxon, Chevron and BP had given more than $93,000 to Obama as of the end of June; McCain had received $75,000, according to the study.
RENDELL: Said the fact that top McCain advisers have lobbied for oil and gas companies "explains why he wants to give another $4 billion tax break to oil companies."
THE FACTS: The $4 billion in tax breaks for oil companies is part of McCain's plan to reduce corporate taxes overall and does not represent an additional tax benefit for these companies. The corporate reduction McCain has proposed would apply to all corporations, including oil companies.
MONTANA GOV. BRIAN SCHWEITZER: "At a time when America should be working harder than ever to develop new, clean sources, John McCain wants more of the same and has taken more than a million dollars in campaign donations from the oil and gas industry. Now he wants to give the oil companies another $4 billion in tax breaks. Four billion in tax breaks for big oil?"
THE FACTS: McCain has collected $1.5 million from that industry. But it's a small slice of the $142 million McCain has raised so far in the campaign, ranking 11th on his donor list. Ahead of the oil and gas industry are lawyers, retirees, banking and securities interests, real estate and insurance.
Posted Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:58 AM
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Petulant Pelosi Lashes Out
If anyone doubted that the House GOP's attacks are wearing Ms. Pelosi down, this article removes all doubt :
House Democratic leaders and protesters waving McCain signs had a war of words Tuesday at a press event outside an old train station. The demonstrators interrupted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with chants of "Drill here! Drill now!"What a totally snotty thing of Ms. Pelosi to say. She isn't the first politician to take heat from protesters but she might be the first politician who's responded with such hostility and hatefulness to protesters. Ms. Pelosi owes these protesters, indeed all of America, an apology for conduct unbecoming the office she holds.
Pelosi paused and asked the group, "Right here?"
Seeming to enjoy the back and forth, she followed with another question: "Can we drill your brains?"
Simply put, if she can't take the heat, then she doesn't belong in that position.
BTW, here's the video:
Disgusting just begins to describe Ms. Pelosi's behavior. Childish, petulant and bitter fit, too. Adult isn't an adjective I'd use.
Posted Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:22 AM
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A Dismal Convention Thus Far
As a political junkie, the Democrats' convention has been B-O-R-I-N-G thus far. I can't even watch it. That's why I'm glad I read this article by The Hill's Bob Cusack. Here's his list negatives thus far:
The lingering tension between Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and the Clintons has hung in the air throughout the early part of the Denver gathering. But that hasn't been the only thing getting in the way of the Democrats' message and quest for unity.Let's see. Cusack thinks that:
Some Democratic operatives, such as James Carville and Paul Begala, have said the convention speakers have been going soft on Republicans, warning that unless that changes, Obama will not enjoy a significant post-convention bounce in the polls.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who chairs the convention, has engaged in a back-and-forth this week with the archbishop of Washington about the Catholic Church's position on abortion.
Sen. James Webb (D-Va.) triggered headlines when he publicly criticized Democratic congressional leaders for the way they handled calls for more drilling amid high gas prices.
Speaking at a Virginia delegation breakfast in Denver on Tuesday, Webb said, "One of the great mistakes that we made in terms of political strategy before we broke for this latest recess was not taking on the Republican Party when they started talking about offshore drilling." He added, "I believe that our leadership made a very bad mistake. I don't think we should run from that issue."
Union leaders this week have complained that some of their members have privately said they won't vote for Obama because he is black. And a Democratic poll released Tuesday stated that Obama "has yet to close the deal with many white, working-class voters who normally vote Democratic."
Other independent polls this week show that McCain has gained on Obama, with some showing the Arizona senator has the lead. Polls also indicate that Obama has not enjoyed a bounce from picking Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) as his running mate.
- Obama hasn't closed the deal;
- Sen. Webb thinks the Democratic leadership made a major mistake on energy;
- Ms. Pelosi has gotten tangled up in a battle with the Catholic church; and
- the Clintons and Obamas still have their long knives drawn.
Hillary Clinton gave a workmanlike speech tonight. She checked the boxes. However, the message many will hear is that her sisterhood of the traveling pants didn't make it this time and was wronged. But keep going, Senator Clinton told her coalition of supporters, and we will make it someday.In other words, Hillary did what was expected and nothing more. If that's what happened, then I can't picture Hillary's speech driving her supporters into Obama's camp in any appreciable numbers. Of everything we've heard, that's the worst news Sen. Obama could get from this convention.
At least one Democratic delegate interviewed by CNN after Senator Clinton spoke said Clinton's remarks proved she was denied the nomination because of her gender. That's the speech she heard in the convention hall. The sisterhood of the traveling pants may not be ready to embrace Obama just yet. If had to title this speech, I would call it Clinton's "Lesser of Two Evils" speech.
She gave all the reasons she ran for president and then said if you believe in those, vote for the Democratic nominee. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
Speaking of ringing, she said nothing about the questions she has raised about Obama's preparedness to be president. It's 3 a.m. and that phone is still ringing.
Posted Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:58 AM
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Boehner Drills Pelosi Over Natural Gas Statement
Minority Leader John Boehner took Speaker Pelosi to task for her statement on Meet the Press about supporting natural gas production. Here's Boehner's official statement :
Hypocrisy Alert: Speaker Pelosi Votes Against More Natural Gas, Then Claims She Supports ItThis week, Democrats have pretty much avoided the topic of increasing energy production. I'll bet a pretty penny that increasing energy production will be front and center at the GOP convention in St. Paul. Democrats know that they'll lose big if they highlight this issue. That's precisely why the GOP will put it front and center at their convention.
Speaker Pelosi Has Fought Every GOP Effort to Open Up Offshore Drilling to Produce More Natural Gas Supplies
Washington, Aug 25 - Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) adjourned Congress for a five-week break without a meaningful vote on gas prices and still wouldn't commit to giving the American people the vote they want on NBC's Meet the Press over the weekend. Today House Republicans are continuing their nationwide gas prices protest for the 17th consecutive day to highlight GOP efforts to lower gas prices through our " all of the bove " plan to lower gasoline prices by increasing America's energy supplies, promoting more conservation and efficiency, and encouraging the use of more alternative and renewable fuels.
Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats like to claim they support an "all of the above" approach, they like to claim they support drilling, and they like to claim they support natural gas. But their rhetoric doesn't match their actions or their voting record. Over the weekend, Speaker Pelosi made quite a claim on NBC's Meet the Press, attempting to justify her investment in T. Boone Pickens' Clean Energy Fuels Corp., which markets compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas, by saying natural gas is "something I believe in" as a "clean, cheap alternative to fossil fuel." But as the Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire blog pointed out, natural gas is a fossil fuel:"On NBC's 'Meet the Press' on Sunday, the Speaker twice seemed to suggest that natural gas, an energy source she favors, is not a fossil fuel. 'I believe in natural gas as a clean, cheap alternative to fossil fuels,' she said at one point. Natural gas 'is cheap, abundant and clean compared to fossil fuels,' she said at another...But according to naturalgas.org, an educational Web site maintained by the Natural Gas Supply Association, 'natural gas is the cleanest of all the fossil fuels.'"Not only is natural gas a fossil fuel, but there is an abundance of proven natural gas reserves right here in the United States. In fact, there is some 76 trillion cubic feet of natural gas off our shores that Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats have fought to keep off limits, opposing every GOP effort to open up environmentally-safe drilling to produce more natural gas supplies. Let's look at their voting record:
Just how hostile are Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats toward more natural gas? So hostile that they passed legislation authored by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) that would actually stop planned construction of a liquefied natural gas facility that would increase energy supplies to residents of the Northeast and help reduce their home heating costs.
- Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats overwhelmingly voted "YES" on legislation authored by Pelosi that would put new limits on access to America's natural gas resources. The American Chemistry Council said the Democratic bill would "deny large quantities of natural gas to American consumers." (H.R. 3221, Roll Call 832, August 4, 2007)
- Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats overwhelmingly voted "NO" on the Deep Ocean Energy Resources (DOER) Act (H.R. 4761), a bill to help deliver American-made oil and natural gas supplies needed to lower prices for consumers. (H.R. 4761, Roll Call 356, June 29, 2006)
- Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats overwhelmingly voted "NO" on an amendment offered by Rep. John Peterson (R-PA) to lift the moratorium on environmentally-safe exploration of our deep ocean oil and natural gas reserves. (Amdt. 172, H.R. 2361, Roll Call 192, May 19, 2005)
A new round of polling shows continued strong support from the American people for increased American energy production, including production of natural gas, to lower gas prices. As House Republicans continue their nationwide gas prices protest for the 17th consecutive day, American families, seniors, and small businesses continue to feel the pain at the pump, and are preparing to face higher home heating bills this autumn and winter as well. How much longer will Speaker Pelosi continue to ignore them by refusing to allow a vote on the "all of the above" energy plan they support and expect?
Rest assured that only one thing will satisfy Americans. That thing is bringing down prices on gas, diesel and electricity. That won't happen if we don't lift the moratoria on the OCS and the Green River Formation shale deposits and if we don't start building refineries and nuclear power plants ASAP.
Despite all the Democrats' protestations, the American people want action in the form of increased drilling. People standing in the way of that will be political roadkill this November.
Posted Wednesday, August 27, 2008 4:34 AM
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Obama Campaign to Pelosi: Shut Up
Team Obama has sent Speaker Pelosi a stern warning. According to this American Spectator article , Team Barry has told Speaker Pelosi to shut up:
The Obama campaign has asked Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to shut her mouth, but in as nice a way as they possibly can. That isn't to say they aren't mad about her recent activities.In other words, Team Barry is pissed that Queen Pelosi dares defy them. They're also worried that Pelosi's statements will cost them with Catholics, which is an important part of Pennsylvania's blue collar vote. If Pelosi costs Obama Pennsylvania, this election is over. It isn't clear that Pelosi's statements will cost Sen. Obama any battleground states but they can't ignore the situation.
"It's like 'Thanks, madam speaker, you've done quite enough. Please move along,'" says one Obama adviser. "She got us stuck on three different issues that we wanted no part of. She's no master strategist, no matter what she may believe. You may see more of her, but if her mouth is open, what comes out won't be anything that our campaign wants anything to do with."
According to several House Democrat leadership staffers, Pelosi grew increasingly angry several months ago that she was not being given a strategic role in directing the Democrat convention or being actively sought out by the Obama campaign for advice. "She made a point that she was queen of the far left, which was the group that really helped Obama get to where he was," says Democrat leadership staffer, adding, "She didn't call herself a queen, but you get the point, and so did the Obama people."
Posted Wednesday, August 27, 2008 12:44 PM
Comment 1 by Walter Hanson at 27-Aug-08 06:36 PM
If any of her comments cost Obama the election it will be all of her stupid energy comments not to mention no real votes on energy issues.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
Comment 2 by Chuck at 27-Aug-08 09:15 PM
Word is Obama is already having some trouble with Catholics. Pelosi and Biden are not helping.
Love the 'big tent' party unity though. It's like a multi-headed beast trying to rip itself apart, Pelosi, Obama, Clintons, Ed Rendell. Let the good times roll.
