December 30-31, 2007
Dec 30 13:34 The Thompson Straight Talk Express? Dec 30 15:56 Romney's Candor Gap Dec 30 21:48 Fred Makes His Case Dec 31 01:41 It'll Take More Than A Bronze Star Dec 31 11:27 Fred's Full Frontal Offensive Dec 31 13:13 Hillary's Clone? Dec 31 19:06 The Year In Review, Minnesota Style
Prior Months: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Prior Years: 2006
The Thompson Straight Talk Express?
One of the really delightful things about watching Fred Thompson's campaign is seeing his candid opinions. They aren't at all what you'd expect in the heat of a presidential campaign. Here's the perfect example of Fred's honesty from his appearance on FNS :
WALLACE: But, Senator, and you do point out that you have a considerable edge in foreign policy experience over Romney and Huckabee and Giuliani, but if voters are really looking at that, doesn't John McCain have an edge over you?When's the last time you saw competitors for a presidential nomination talk in such respectful tones? I don't remember the last time. If there's anything that's an automatic disqualifier for me, it's a candidate's lack of candor. If they aren't consistent, if they're evasive, then I won't give them a second look.
He's been at the center of every national security debate in this country for more than a decade.
THOMPSON: I can't argue with that. John has vast experience. He served on the Armed Services Committee for longer than I served in the Senate, no question about that. I was able to serve in some areas that John did not serve in, but his overall service has been longer and he's been involved for a long time.
I think that we have to have someone of experience in that area, and someone with sound conservative principles, and someone who has been there consistently for a long period of time.
John and I have some honest disagreements with regard to some domestic issues. We've looked at things a little differently over the years on some important things, so that has to be figured into the mix also. But if you're strictly talking about national security, you certainly cannot avoid the fact that John McCain has vast experience.
You can't argue that McCain or Thompson haven't been candid. The only thing you can do is say that you disagree with McCain on the issues.
Another thing that's clear from this interview is Fred's respect for Mitt Romney isn't the same as Fred's respect for McCain:
WALLACE: Let me ask you about the other person who's leading you in the polls. Do you think Mitt Romney is prepared to be president and has a consistent record as a conservative?What's great about that answer is that Fred briefly explained his differences with Romney, then turned it around to state his qualifications for being a great president. He took a quick, though veiled, jab at Mitt's flip-flops before taking the time to essentially say "I'm the right guy for this job."
THOMPSON: Well, that's two different questions. Clearly, as far as the conservative issue is concerned, he's changed his mind and he's changed his position on a lot of different things. Most of them have to do with basic conservative principles.
He went out of his way to point out that he was not to be affiliated with Reagan-Bush in times past, and now he quotes president Reagan at the drop of a hat. So he's changed his basic philosophy with regard to a lot of things like taxes and the original immigration proposal, and I could go on and on as far as that's concerned.
Difficult to pin Mitt down as to exactly what he does fundamentally believe and which of those beliefs he would stick with through thick and thin in the future when the strong winds are blowing.
Now, as far as...it's not for me to judge a person's fitness. It's just objectively clear that Mitt does not have any foreign relation experience and doesn't have any experience with dealing with matters of national security.
He's got vast experience in the business community, been very successful, and I'm sure he's been a good manager. So all of us have things to bring to the table.
And I point out my background. I've had an opportunity to help cut taxes and pass welfare reform, balance the budget, fight for conservative judges. I had a 100 percent pro-life voting record. I was on the Intelligence Committee. I chaired an important committee dealing with some of these problems.
I was the Republican floor manager for the homeland security bill, which I like to think has had something to do with the fact we haven't been attacked again since September 11th. That's my background.
After I left the Senate, Condoleezza Rice asked me to chair an advisory board to her, to advise her on international security matters. So I do understand the nature of the world we live in and the challenges we face.
It's interesting that Fred didn't break Reagan's Eleventh Commnadment. That's the type of coolheadedness that we need as president.
Posted Sunday, December 30, 2007 5:38 PM
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Romney's Candor Gap
That's the title of this CNN Political Ticker article . Suffice it to say that it's devastating in terms of undercutting Romney's credibility. Here's the biggest example of Romney's credibility gap:
Romney started the year with a similar example of candor deficiency.To have him say that donating to his campaign was a nightmare scenario after he'd written a $2.35 million check to his campaign is the type of thing that Team Clinton would pound him with. In the heat of a general election, the agenda media would join in in asking for a clarification.
On Jan. 8, when he staged a "National Call Day" to kickoff his campaign, he called a news conference to herald his unprecedented one-day take of $6.5 million. When the multimillionaire was asked whether he might spend his own money on his campaign, Romney said that scenario "would be akin to a nightmare," since he was relying on popular support for his campaign. He added that he reserved the right to donate, though.
In reality, Romney had already donated to his political committee at the time of the question. A campaign finance report he released in mid-April revealed he contributed a $2.35 million check by the time of his "nightmare" comment, starting the prior October.
He has gone on to loan a total of $17.35 million to his committee, although the total could be more. His next report won't be made public until mid-January.
That's only one example of what CNN and MSNBC surely have waiting for him. Here's another troubling quote that's sure to make him look like a phony:
In April, Romney said, "I've been a hunter pretty much all my life," only to have aides reveal he had gone hunting only twice at the bookends of his life: once, during a summer visit to an Idaho ranch as a 15-year-old, and again, in 2006, when he participated in a big-donor excursion to a Georgia game preserve on behalf of the Republican Governors Association.These quotes will be used to highlight his untrustworthiness. That's their first step. Their next step will be to say that Mitt Romney shouldn't be listened to because you can't be certain that he'll keep his promises. That's something that'll resonate with alot of voters, especially in the heartland.
A subsequent check with state officials revealed no hunting license for Romney in any of the three states where he has homes, and Romney himself later confirmed he did not own any guns. The ones in his house, which he had mentioned publicly, were owned by his son Josh.
That's why I believe that Mitt Romney is an electoral disaster waiting to happen. Voters have seen too many politicians that are self-serving corruption machines. More than anything else, people are yearning for straight-talking candidates. That's why McCain's gathered momentum. It isn't that people agree with him on all the issues. Clearly, they don't. What they find appealing about him is that he's a straight talker.
What's odd is that Romney's campaign would put out an advertisement criticizing McCain on immigration. That's something else that the CNN article chastizes Romney about:
Similarly, Romney accuses McCain of backing an immigration bill this year that provided "amnesty" for illegal immigrants, even though it required them to pay fines and stand in line with legal immigrants if they wanted to become citizens.There isn't a dime's worth of difference between where Romney was as Massachusetts' governor and where McCain was this summer. If there is a difference, I'd love to see someone explain it to me in 50 words or less because I don't think it's possible.
Romney bases his criticism on the bill's inclusion of a so-called "Z" visa that, once obtained, would have allowed illegals to remain indefinitely if they did not pursue citizenship. Among the bill's backers was his party leader, President Bush. Yet in March 2006, Romney sounded sympathetic to the idea of integrating illegals into U.S. society.
"I don't believe in rounding up 11 million people and forcing them at gunpoint from our country," Romney told The Sun of Lowell, Mass. "(T)hose that are here paying taxes and not taking government benefits should begin a process towards application for citizenship, as they would from their home country."
People talk about whether this election is a change election or an experience election. I think it's both and neither. More than anything else, I think it's a credibility election.
That isn't the type of election that'd benefit Mitt Romney or Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. It's the type of election that favors Fred Thompson, John McCain and Rudy Giuliani. I'm not suggesting that Obama isn't honest. I'm saying that he's so inexperienced that he doesn't have credibility on the biggest issues of the day.
Posted Sunday, December 30, 2007 3:58 PM
Comment 1 by TitanTrader at 30-Dec-07 06:02 PM
Gary I really like your blog and enjoy your phoning in to the final hour each Sat but your constant trashing of Mitt is getting old. I have done my homepwork and find Mitt our best chance so please realize some of us find it insulting.
Comment 2 by Gary Gross at 30-Dec-07 09:52 PM
Titan, I know that people find my trashing of Mitt Romney offputting but I find Mitt disgusting. I'll continue talking about Mitt's flip-flops & my knowledge that he's an electoral disaster waiting to happen.
Forgive me if I don't find that scenario worth fighting against.
Fred Makes His Case
It's a crisp appeal. For those who aren't totally sold on their guy, I strongly suggest you take a long, hard look at this YouTube video. It talks about Fred's underlying principles to governance, his national security qualifications, his stance on the judiciary's construct, taxes and fiscal responsibility. In short, it's a comprehensive case for who he'd be if he wins next November.
In the end, isn't it more important to get the right guy with the right policies than it is to pick a guy with a big bankroll and little credibility?
Posted Sunday, December 30, 2007 9:48 PM
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It'll Take More Than A Bronze Star
Earlier this year, we heard about two military veterans announce their candidacies for elected office here in Minnesota's Second and Third Districts as Democrats. Based on Mark Brunswick's article , some inside the DFL think that all it takes to win elective office is a Bronze Star resume:
Sarvi campaign manager Eileen Weber said Sarvi's service will effectively neutralize Kline's military stature.As Mr. Brunswick points out, it takes more than a military background to win elections:
"If there is a picture of John Kline standing with a soldier who won a Bronze Star, well, we have our own candidate who has his own Bronze Star," she said.
Yet if recent history is any gauge, vet status is no guarantee of victory. In 2006, Democrats heavily recruited veterans, and most of those who became known as the "Fighting Dems" went down to defeat. A lack of campaign experience was widely blamed.John Kline is more than just a retired soldier. He's a fiscal conservative who opposes tax increases. Democrats think that a military resume makes their candidates bullet-proof. It doesn't. It simply means that they've served in the military. It doesn't even mean that these vets are national security experts. It doesn't even mean that they aren't pacifists:
One of the successful exceptions was DFLer Tim Walz, a retired command sergeant major with the Minnesota National Guard, who defeated Republican Gil Gutknecht in the First Congressional District. Walz served in Italy with his battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
One sign of the complexities facing veteran candidates is that both Sarvi and Madia find their nuanced views on Iraq are often a hard-sell to ravenous DFL delegates eager for a quick and complete pullout.I'm betting that Madia won't make it to the general election because he's running against anti-war Terri Bonoff . That puts him at odds with DFL activists. That's what's making Teri Bonoff the DFL's darling.
Both Sarvi and Madia advocate pulling most troops out of Iraq but say an immediate withdrawal would be unwise. Madia advocates a force of American troops, with assistance from a multinational force, to protect workers and diplomats who remain and to prevent ethnic cleansing. Sarvi advocates tying military funding to a concrete exit plan from the Pentagon and says the Bush administration's focus on Iraq (with Kline's support) has hurt U.S. foreign policy elsewhere. He adds that human rights
violations against detainees in Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib prison have compromised American values.
As for Sarvi, he doesn't stand a chance against John Kline. He's this year's sacrificial lamb being offered up for slaughter. MN-2 is John Kline's seat for as long as he wants it.
Posted Monday, December 31, 2007 1:41 AM
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Fred's Full Frontal Offensive
Part of Fred Thompson's appeal is his not mincing words. That's the focus of this article . Notice what they've spotlighted as their main caption:
"They're all NEA, MoveOn.org, ACLU, Michael Moore Democrats," Thompson said in the video posted on his campaign Web site. "They've allowed these radicals to take control of the party and dictate their course."Picture how that'd sell with the disenchanted conservatives that sat the midterms out. Think how that'd sell with what I call Lieberman Democrats. Think how the Nutroots would react to that and the positive impact that'd have on the election for Republicans.
He added, "I am asking my fellow Republicans to vote for me not only for what I have to say to them, but for what I have to say to the members of the other party-the millions of Democrats who haven't left the Democratic party so much as their party's national leadership has left them."
Here's what I mean with that last sentence. We want the Nutroots to be shooting their mouth off because we win anytime our base is fired up and the Nutroots are the face of the Democratic Party.
As I've said here , here , here and here , it isn't 2006 anymore. Unlike 2006, I believe that the GOP base will be energized this year, especially if Fred's the nominee. In fact, I think that Fred's the only candidate that can get the GOP base fired up.
With the GOP base will be fired up, the next thing we should want is for the Nutroots to shoot their mouth off. The more they spout off, the better our candidates look. Frankly, the best strategy for us when they're spouting off is to get them a louder bullhorn.
The other thing I like about Fred's full frontal assault is that it tells common sense Americans that we want to get rid of the impediments to excellence that the liberals have built. Right now, we're fed up with Washington. Telling voters that we intend to turn up the heat on these organizations is a winning message. Frankly, Fred and Rudy are the only people that've talked about that, with Fred having talked about it far more than Rudy.
You certainly don't hear Obama or Clinton talking about getting rid of these bloated bureaucracies. I haven't heard John McCain or Mike Huckabee talk about changing Washington. I just now read something that Mitt Romney intends on changing Washington , something that I'm skeptical about. (Guys who sign socialized health care aren't generally the change agents we need.)
At the end of the day, Fred's the only person with the credibility and the wherewithal to change Washington. That's why his assault on the nutty wing of the Democratic Party is so refreshing.
It's time we gave Fred the opportunity to ridicule Democrats for the next eight years.
Posted Monday, December 31, 2007 11:28 AM
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Hillary's Clone?
Based on this article , it's apparent that Chelsea Clinton didn't inherit her dad's political skills. Here's the proof:
Sydney Rieckhoff, a Cedar Rapids fourth grader and "kid reporter" for Scholastic News, has posed questions to seven Republican and Democratic presidential hopefuls as they've campaigned across Iowa this year. But when she approached the 27-year-old Chelsea after a campaign event Sunday, she got a different response.Doesn't that sound eerily similar to Hillary? That's cold. It shouldn't have been difficult for Chelsea to give a cheesy answer to this student. Instead, she turns on her ice lady 'charm' and creates a distraction for Hillary.
"Do you think your dad would be a good 'first man' in the White House?" Sydney asked, but Chelsea brushed her question aside.
"I'm sorry, I don't talk to the press and that applies to you, unfortunately. Even though I think you're cute," Chelsea told the pint-sized journalist.
Here's what makes this all the more confusing:
Such is the paradox of Chelsea as she campaigns across Iowa in the closing days before the state's caucuses Jan. 3.She'll talk with Hillary's supporters but she won't talk with a student? What kind of priorities does she have?
Tall and attractive, Chelsea cuts an impressive figure on the campaign trail; she plunges enthusiastically into the crowd after her mother's speeches, shaking hands and posing for pictures while asking, "Are you going to caucus for my mom?"
But onstage, Chelsea never speaks; she stands next to her mother and applauds but utters not a single sentence and doesn't even say hello. And reporters covering the campaign have been put on notice that Chelsea is not available to speak to them. An aide follows the former first daughter as she works the crowd, shushing reporters who approach her and try to ask any questions.That paragraph reinforces Hillary's image that she's afraid of the press. Why else would she plant questions in the audience? Now Hillary's graduated from planting questions to keeping Chelsea away from middle school student 'reporters'.
How pathetic is that, especially from the supposed smartest woman on the planet?
Posted Monday, December 31, 2007 1:14 PM
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The Year In Review, Minnesota Style
Politically speaking, 2007 started on a depressing note. The 2006 midterms were a conservative's nightmare. Way back then, I wrote something out of anger to vent my frustration with the GOP product. The next day, I wrote a couple more posts about the path forward . It's safe to say that I wasn't confident in how the GOP would respond. It's equally safe to say that I was confident that picking fights with Democrats would help rally the base.
I couldn't have predicted that the year would end on a totally different, more positive, note.
The thing that got it started for me was reading Michael's account that Maggie Kelliher ruling Laura Brod's tax cuts weren't germane to the tax bill they were debating. Suffice it to say that that didn't sit well with me. Shortly thereafter, I told Leo, King and Andy that I'd gladly fight alongside any legislator that was fighting for core GOP principles.
Little did I know that I'd have alot more fighting to do that session.
Shortly after that, I attended a townhall meeting co-sponsored by Tarryl, Steve Gottwalt and Grandpa Larry. After the meeting, Tarryl talked with Leo and I. Suffice it to say that she didn't keep the promises that she made that day . After the meeting, Leo, Steve & I went for lunch, where Leo & I got a chance to learn more about Steve. Suffice it to say that Leo & I were impressed with Steve's command of the issues.
In February, a group of legislators visited St. Cloud to plot the overthrow of the DFL. Attending that day were Matt Dean, Laura Brod, Denny McNamara and Greg Peppin. The St. Cloud contingent consisted of SD-15 BPOU co-chair Jeff Johnson, King Banaian and myself. The thing we stressed was that we'd like to be sent onto the battlefield but we demanded that the legislators give us lots of ammunition.
They certainly didn't disappoint with that. Boy, did they not disappoint with that.
Another highlight was the fight that our people waged on the House Permanent Rules debate. One Republican after another submitted intelligent, common sense amendments, only to be shot down by Tony Sertich, who kept sending the amendments to the Rules Committee that he chairs. Suffice it to say that those amendments didn't even get a hearing.
The one amendment that should've gotten passed was the amendment saying that the entire House had to vote to increase their per diem. Larry Haws voted to send that to the Rules Committee, sparing himself the decision of voting himself a taxfree pay raise or voting against his party. A profile in political courage it wasn't.
In retrospect, Tony Sertich shouldn't be the only person I indicted .
Another GOP amendment that should've passed was the Fair Notice Rule. Fair Notice would've required a finance bill to be given to legislators the night before the vote, the theory being that they'd have the opportunity to read the bills. Sertich defeated that, implementing a rule requiring only 2 hours notice. That figured into events later in the session in a pretty dramatic way.
Another highlight of the session was watching our Goalie swat shot after shot aside. For his stalwart goalkeeping, I awarded Gov. Pawlenty with the Vezina Trophy , the NHL's award for outstanding goaltending. In fact, I think a case can be made for Gov. Pawlenty as the Hart Trophy , which goes to the NHL's MVP. Personally, I think a stronger case can be made for Marty Seifert for the Hart Trophy.
Speaking of awards, Steve Gottwalt is this year's Calder Trophy winner . Steve was a freshman in name only. Watching him make his case for true health care reform and education sanity was a delight.
The 'I Want To Disappear' Award
There's only one candidate for this award and her name is Tarryl Clark. Tarryl didn't want a high profile Senate leadership position, at least not if it meant being teamed with Larry Pogemiller. Unfortunately, no one else wanted the job so Tarry got stuck with the title.
The original plan was to have Tarryl be the face of the Senate DFL. Many of us were skeptical that that'd last. Our skepticism was finally rewarded during the closing days of the session when Pogie got his head handed to him by Gov. Pawlenty & the House GOP caucus.
Because of the 'Pogie Effect', Tarryl is now damaged goods heading into the 2010 midterms. As part of the leadership, she voted for each of the outrageous tax increases and each unsustainable spending increase. Rest assured that that'll haunt her in 2010, whether she runs for re-election or if she runs for governor.
Chaos Is My Middle Name Award
There's only two candidates for this 'trophy': Tony Sertich and Maggie Kelliher for their prominent roles in the end of session trainwreck. By all accounts, that was the most disorganized end of session of the last half century.
Tony Sertich gets strong consideration for this 'Award' for his role in defeating the Fair Notice Amendment that would've kept order in the House that last week.
Ultimately, though, Margaret Anderson-Kelliher gets the vote because her decisions led to the chaotic finish. The buck must stop there.
Who Cares About the Constitution Award
The DFL is this award's winner. They ignored the state's Constitution by never setting spending targets. As a direct result of their ignoring the Constitution, they opened the door to the chaotic final week. Had they set spending targets and passed the tax bill first, the chaos that followed wouldn't have happened.
Frankly, I've never seen such incompetence and brazenness . Simply put, they need to be fired from their majority status. Minnesota can't afford that type of irresponsible behavior, especially with us facing a slowing economy.
Quote of the Year Award
By far, this is the most difficult award to pick. I can't forget Steve Murphy's quote :
"I'm not trying to fool anybody," said Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, sponsor of the measure that would increase funding for roads and transit by $1.5 billion a year once it was fully implemented in the next decade. "There's a lot of taxes in this bill."
I can't forget Cy Thao's quote , either:
"When you guys win, you get to keep your money. When we win, we take your money."
Foul-mouthed Sandy Pappas's quote shouldn't be ignored either:
Higher Education Chairwoman Sandy Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, said college and university funding is far from enough. "We are starving higher education," she said.We certainly can't forget King's favorite :
You don't celebrate getting out of Weight Watchers by going over to the all-you-can-eat buffet. So our message to the Legislature is: 'Push away from the table. Put your fork down.'
At the end of the day, I love them all so I'm exercising my right as owner of this blog to say they all win.
As we head into 2008, conservative activists have plenty of reasons to be energized, starting with the House GOP's strong leadership team, headed by Marty Seifert. When we look back 5 years from now, their performance will be seen as the pivot point for the turnaround.
With a new year ahead comes new challenges. Thanks to Seifert, Brod, Emmer, Dean & Co., we have the ammunition & motivation with which to fight & win this year's battles.
Finally, this year is testament to Ronald Reagan's great saying:
It's amazing what we can accomplish when we don't care who gets credit for what.Let's go forward with that attitude.
Posted Monday, December 31, 2007 7:25 PM
Comment 1 by MariesTwoCents at 01-Jan-08 12:32 AM
Happy New Year :-)
Comment 2 by Gary Gross at 01-Jan-08 03:10 AM
Happy New Year, Marie!!!
