January 16, 2008
Jan 16 02:52 McCain: I Will Win In South Carolina Jan 16 10:23 Sit Down & Shut Up Jan 16 10:52 Exactly Right, Ed Jan 16 12:17 Club For Growth Examines Fred's Record, Chastises Huckabee Jan 16 20:16 Fred's Latest Ad
McCain: I Will Win In South Carolina
After congratulating Gov. Romney on winning the Michigan Primary, John McCain defiantly declared that he'd win South Carolina's Primary . Here's what Sen. McCain said:
"I congratulate the governor. I just talked to him on the phone and congratulate him on his victory. Starting tomorrow, we're going to win South Carolina, and we're going to go on and win the nomination," said the Arizona senator after his loss to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.McCain's momentum has just taken a hit following a relatively solid defeat at the hands of Mitt Romney. All day long, headlines read that he and Romney were "neck and neck." As of 10:30 CT, McCain was gettng thrashed by a 39%-30% margin. That isn't many people's definition of neck and neck.
"I congratulate him on that Michigan welcomed their native son with their support," McCain added. "I said we would win in New Hampshire. We will win in South Carolina.
McCain's also kidding himself if he thinks that he's still the frontrunner in South Carolina. Alot of military personnel are also immigration enforcement hardliners. Look for that issue to hurt McCain as Fred draws a bead on him on his co-authoring the Shamnesty bill with Ted Kennedy.
Asked to respond to Romney's comments that "It's a victory of optimism over Washington-style pessimism," the four-term senator passed on commenting, saying, "I would not know what he's talking about."That's a dose of doublespeak from the supposed straight-talking champion. He can't not know what Romney meant. Sen. McCain knows that he went negative in Michigan and that that failed him. Essentially, Sen. McCain ran a campaign from this mindset:
'You voted for me eight years ago, I'm still a great guy and I'm glad I don't live here'.
That won't get it done. People want to hear that their future will be brighter because the candidate believes in them. John McCain doesn't have the ability to convey that type of message.
McCain is doing his best to show a brave face but he got stung Tuesday night. He needed to win to keep his momentum going. Now he's got to face life in conservative states where his anti-conservative, stick my finger in their eye message simply won't sell.
That doesn't mean that he's "out of it" but he's facing a steeper uphill fight than Fred, Rudy and Mitt.
Posted Wednesday, January 16, 2008 2:53 AM
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Sit Down & Shut Up
DFL leaders issued a command to Carol Molnau : Resign as Transportation Commissioner or we'll vote you out. Leading the charge was Sen. Steve Murphy & Sen. Katie Sieben. Undaunted, Gov. Tim Pawlenty told DFL legislators that the NTSB's report vindicated Ms. Molnau .
"The lieutenant governor is holding two jobs at the same time," said Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing. "She has done an abysmal job as transportation commissioner. I doubt she will survive the process."Sen. Murphy is long on accusations and partisanship. A year ago, Leo & I attended a townhall meeting held by Tarryl Clark, Larry Haws & Steve Gottwalt. After the meeting, Tarryl told me that the DFL had concerns about Carol Molnau as Transportation Commissioner. They did nothing. They didn't conduct confirmation hearings even though that was their responsibility. Isn't it a bit curious that they're just now finding time to do what they should've done a year ago?
Murphy, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, said that he spoke with DFL Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller of Minneapolis and that a decision has been made to hold confirmation hearings on Molnau's ability to oversee the agency. Last week, Murphy told the Star Tribune that some members of the DFL Senate caucus had concerns about such a showdown because it could impede other legislation from being passed.
Here's how Gov. Pawlenty responded to Sen. Murphy's threat:
Noting that the federal report pointed to a design flaw and not poor maintenance, Pawlenty said his opponents should "quit using the bridge, quit exploiting the bridge tragedy to advance their political agendas."In other words, sit down & shut up. When the DFL goes after Ms. Molnau, they'd better be prepared for the onslaught of accusations across the MOB that they're putting a higher priority on blind partisanship than on finding transportation solutions.
Here's a portion of what Sen. Sieben said:
"Tim Pawlenty has no clue how to fix bridges -- his proposal is smoke and mirrors," Sieben said. "He's trying to look like 'Mr. Transportation,' but he has no plan."Sen. Sieben's about to get schooled because she's just stepped into the big leagues. It's apparent that she's been listening to Sen. Murphy's rantings too long. The truth is that Gov. Pawlenty had a superior plan last year for transportation. The DFL shot it down without discussing the merits of his plan.
Here's more on what Gov. Pawlenty said:
Pawlenty said on Tuesday that within hours of the collapse, a "political leader" whom he would not name had called him and threatened retribution and that since then opponents had made repeated and inaccurate "linkages" of the bridge collapse to his earlier vetoes of transportation legislation.The DFL isn't interested in accurately portraying the cause of the I-35 Bridge collapse. They're only concerned with playing partisan games. The fact that the official report says that a design flaw, not bridge maintenance, was the main cause of the collapse doesn't mean a thing.
In light of the report, he said, they should "have the decency to correct those statements," he said. He noted that there was "a bit of irony" to the fact that the design error detailed by the National Transportation Safety Board had occurred during the fabled golden era for public works in Minnesota.
Sen. Dick Day also weighed in:
Within hours of the report's release, former Senate Minority Leader Dick Day, R-Owatonna, demanded that DFLers apologize to Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, who also serves as Minnesota's transportation commissioner.Frankly, I hope that Steve Murphy leads the fight against Ms. Molnau. If he's the face of the DFL on this issue, the GOP wins the PR fight. (That's the only fight left because they've already won the substantive fight.)
"It is clear that MNDOT did everything humanly possible to maintain our bridges," Day said. He accused Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Steve Murphy, who has called repeatedly for Molnau's resignation as commissioner, of "prematurely and recklessly blaming her."
This is one fight the GOP should welcome. We've got the facts on our side & the bigger megaphone.
Posted Wednesday, January 16, 2008 10:25 AM
Comment 1 by walter hanson at 16-Jan-08 11:15 AM
silly question. Wasn't Carol already eithered confirmed in 2003 or not acted on. It seems like the DFL can't hold confirmation hearings to disconfirm a confirmed person or else admit they didn't do anything for five years.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
Comment 2 by loris at 17-Jan-08 11:35 AM
Somebody should do a data practices request to get the phone numbers that contacted the governors office in that time period so we can out the sick bastard who placed that call while people were still fighting for their lives.
Comment 3 by Gary Gross at 17-Jan-08 11:39 AM
Go for it, Loris.
Exactly Right, Ed
I was going to post about Mike Huckabee's flip-flop on signing a nationwide smoking ban but Captain Ed beat me to it . Since Captain Ed said what I was going to say, I'll simply repost his observations. First, though, here's what the Huckabee campaign said that started the firestorm:
At an August 2007 forum on cancer hosted by cyclist and activist Lance Armstrong and moderated by MSNBC host Chris Matthews, Huckabee said he supported a federal smoking ban. "If you are president in 2009 and Congress brings you a bill to outlaw smoking nationwide in public places, would you sign it?" Matthews asked.Here's Captain Ed's observations:
"I would, certainly would. In fact, I would, just like I did as governor of Arkansas, I think there should be no smoking in any indoor area where people have to work," Huckabee responded, triggering applause from the crowd. Part of the interview has been posted on Youtube.com and viewed over 2,500 times.
Calling it a "workplace safety issue," Huckabee added that the "same reason that we regulate that you can't pour radon gas into a workplace is the same reason that we shouldn't allow people to pour the toxic, noxious fumes of a cigarette into a place where people have to work."
Huckabee's campaign, however, is backtracking. In its statement to The Hill, the campaign stated, "At a Lance Armstrong cancer forum last August, Governor Huckabee said that if Congress presented him with legislation banning smoking in public places, he would sign it, because he would not oppose the overwhelming public support that such a congressional vote would reflect. However, since such sentiment for federal legislation doesn't exist at this time, and since he has said that the responsibility for regulating smoking initially lies with the states, the governor believes that this issue is best addressed at the local and state levels."
Huckabee had two problems with the Republican base in this issue, and he hasn't really resolved either one. His initial response gave him a reputation as a nanny-stater, someone who would use the power of government to remove personal choice in the name of protecting people against themselves. Smoking bans have begun to create animosity from private-property advocates who feel that the owners of establishments such as bars and restaurants have the right to serve smokers if they desire.Mike Huckabee is smart enough to know he's getting beaten up over his liberal positions because he tried changing positions, though it isn't clear that he's had a true change of heart. It's like Mitt's 'abortion transformation'; nobody knows if it truly happened.
He didn't really address the federalism issue, either. The retreat from his August 2007 position doesn't say that the previous statement was wrong, but just that the conditions do not exist for the imposition of federal authority on private property. A federalist would say that such conditions rarely exist at all, and only when the interest comes directly from the federal government's attempt to meet its Constitutional duties for national security and interstate commerce. Saying that "sentiment for federal legislation doesn't exist at this time" clearly implies that Huckabee would ignore federalist limitations on action if he could gin up enough sentiment to extend federal power far beyond anything imagined at present.
Mike Huckabee is a populist and a political opportunist. He isn't a conservative. I'm betting that South Carolinians are noticing. Huckabee's 5 point drop in the polls is proof to me that he's getting exposed.
I'd further state that Mike Huckabee can't adopt a true federalist position because it conflicts with his populist underpinnings.
Posted Wednesday, January 16, 2008 10:53 AM
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Club For Growth Examines Fred's Record, Chastises Huckabee
According to this statement from the Club for Growth, "Fred Thompson's eight-year record is generally pro-growth with an excellent record on entitlement reform and school choice and a very good record on taxes, regulation, and trade," said Club for Growth President Pat Toomey. It then gots into more detail on his record. Here's their summation on Sen. Thompson:
Senator Thompson's eight-year record in the U.S. Senate demonstrates an admirable commitment to limited government and free-market principles. His record on entitlement reform and school choice is excellent, while his support for lower taxes and free trade is very good. On Social Security reform in particular, Thompson courageously supported personal accounts at a time when few politicians were willing to risk their necks taking on the third rail of American politics.Fred's got an extensive record on limiting spending. He's also consistently voted for cutting taxes, something none of his opponents can say. Fred's record on free trade is the type of stuff that'll make economists smile . In fact, here's Club for Growth's section on Fred's free trade record:
His record on spending (save the occasional pork project) is generally impressive, as demonstrated by his votes to restrict the growth and reach of the federal government. On regulation, too, Thompson voted generally against government intrusion in the private sector. Many Republican politicians talk about limited government and the principle of federalism but Thompson exemplified those ideas, often voting against bills that would have made it easy for a political opponent to paint him in a negative light.
While this strong federalist philosophy casts a redemptive light on his opposition to tort reform, it does not fully excuse or explain a number of his votes. His persistent federalism also makes his role in the passage of McCain-Feingold all the more disappointing. It is difficult to reconcile Thompson's fervent belief in a limited government with his enthusiasm for increasing government regulation on political speech. Thompson has never adequately addressed this contradiction and will have to do so. His recent doubts over the legislation's efficacy are encouraging, least of all because all politicians make mistakes, and rare are those willing to admit their own.
Free Trade
Free trade is a vital policy for maximizing economic growth. In recent decades, America's commitment to expanding trade has resulted in lower costs for consumers, job growth, and higher levels of productivity and innovation.
Over his eight years in the Senate, Fred Thompson voted for many free trade agreements and was a proponent of America's increased participation in the global economy. Although this strong record contains a trouble spot or two-such as his votes for nonbinding, symbolic measures in support of conditional tariffs on Japan in 1995 and to revoke normal trade relations with China in 1997 -the list of his pro-free trade votes is long and encouraging:
- Voted to extend trade benefits to sub-Saharan Africa
- Voted for the Africa Free Trade Act
- Voted for normal trade relations with China twice
- Voted for normal trade relations with Vietnam
- Voted for Trade Promotion Authority several times
- Voted to kill an amendment that would prohibit reducing tariffs in cases where an anti-dumping order exists
- Voted against an amendment requiring an environmental agreement with sub-Saharan and Caribbean countries before trade benefits could be received
- Voted against an amendment requiring a side agreement on labor standards with sub-Saharan and Caribbean countries before trade benefits could be received
"The Club for Growth PAC urges South Carolina voters to reject Mike Huckabee and his big-government policies this Saturday. The Club for Growth PAC will be hosting a joint press conference tomorrow in South Carolina with three other major conservative organizations, FreedomWorks PAC, American Conservative Union PAC, and Council for Citizens Against Government Waste PAC, to expose Mike Huckabee's liberal record. Republican voters should nominate a leader who will return the party to the principles of economic conservatism, not an economic liberal who sounds more like John Edwards than Ronald Reagan."Meanwhile, the Huckabee campaign just committed a major blunder in addressing the Club For Growth:
Today, the pro-business Club for Growth, which has run anti-Huckabee TV ads in the state, holds a news conference in Columbia to join the attack on what it calls the former governor's "liberal record." According to the watchdog FactCheck.org, Huckabee cut taxes 94 times but presided over a net tax increase of more than $500 million.Beasley's statement is particularly foolish, especially considering how influential Club for Growth is with conservatives. Saying that the C4G are "just Washington insiders who are supporting the Washington insiders who are nothing but failed politicians" isn't just foolish, it's inaccurate. They aren't Washington insiders. They hate most of the bilge coming out of Washington. If anything, they're anti-Washington.
Huckabee defended his record, saying he helped improve schools and roads in Arkansas. "My opponents are going to criticize my record," he said Tuesday. "I didn't really sit at my desk and say, 'This is going to get me in trouble. This is going to be a TV ad.'"
Later, former S.C. Gov. David Beasley, who accompanied Huckabee, defended him. He dismissed critics such as the Club for Growth as "just Washington insiders who are supporting the Washington insiders who are nothing but failed politicians."
These are the types of things people say when they're being attacked. It doesn't project a flattering image on the Huckabee campaign.
That isn't to say that Huckabee's quote will help him either. Saying that he "didn't really sit at my desk and say" that signing tax increases would later haunt him is irrelevant. The salient point is that he didn't object to these tax increases. Instead, he seemed perfectly willing to raise taxes and spending, then rationalize that spending because it bought good things. At a time when the federal deficit is coming back under control, the last thing we need in our next president is someone who isn't the taxpayer's advocate.
If South Carolinians live up to their reputation as true conservatives, this information is taking its toll on Huckabee's campaign. That's music to my ears.
Posted Wednesday, January 16, 2008 12:37 PM
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Fred's Latest Ad
Here's the transcript to Fred's newest advertisement:
Fred Thompson: I'm Fred Thompson and I approve this message.This is the type of conservative leadership we've craved for years. Fred's an unabashed free trader. He's also a fiscal hawk, watching each tax dollar spent like it's his own.
I've been a conservative all my life.
I grew up in a little hometown just like this.
Started the first Young Republican Club in Lawerenceburg, Tennessee.
In eight years in the United States Senate, I fought for tax cuts, and for conservative judges.
And I'm proud to have had a 100 percent pro-life voting record.
Common sense conservative principles. Free people and free markets and a government that doesn't tax and regulate us to death, but defends us and protects our borders.
In a country where, if you play by the rules, you've got a fair chance to live the American dream.
My friends, we must remember that our basic rights come from God and not from government.
And if we stick to our basic conservative principles, we will win next November and the United States of America will be better for it.
Announcer: Strength, Conviction, Honesty.
Fred Thompson, President.
When Fred says that "must remember that our basic rights come from God and not from government", it isn't just a sentence in a speech. It's something that he steadfastly believes in and has fought for. Just like Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan before him, Fred knows that growing government limits our freedom. Just like Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan before him, Fred knows that raising taxes limits individual liberty.
Friends, we don't need a leader who doesn't value our sovereignty. We don't need a populist who doesn't give the Constitution a second thought. We don't need a last minute conservative to pander to people. We need a leader whose beliefs are grounded in something as solid as the Constitution. We need a leader who won't try to be something he isn't.
Isn't it time we said that we'll only settle for the Gold Standard?
UPDATE: Here's the YouTube of Fred's new ad:
Originally posted Wednesday, January 16, 2008, revised 17-Jan 12:18 AM
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