The consensus of serious analysts on the right side of the blogosphere is that Fred Dalton Thompson won tonight's South Carolina debate, aired on Fox News. Here we go (in no particular order): 1. Jim Geraghty, National Review Campaign Spot: "Winner: Thompson. This performance was so commanding, I wanted his last answer to echo back to the lights in the back of the auditorium, blow out all the lamps and spotlights, for the theme to “the Natural†to play, and for him to trot around the stage in slow motion while sparks showered down in the background." Jared has to appreciate the reference. 2. Erick at RedState: "Fred Thompson owned this debate. He owned it. He dominated." 3. John Hawkins, at Right Wing News: "1) Fred Thompson … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2008
26 Days ‘Til Caucus
Update, 2:41 PM: Information on Douglas County Republican caucuses is included in the comment section. Thanks, Steve! ... Denver County, too, compliments of el presidente. The Denver Post has a full-length story this morning on the building interest & excitement surrounding Colorado's caucus process this year. As the story notes, it overwhelmingly has to do with a highly competitive primary in a presidential election year:Republican Mort Marks, 83, plans to hold a caucus at his house. He said he has received calls from a lot of people he hasn't heard from before, and he has noticed larger turnout at recent Republican events. "There is a hell of a lot more interest than I've seen in many, many years," said Marks, who hasn't decided … [Read more...]
Radio Show Review
Thanks for those who tuned in to News Talk 1310 KFKA this morning to hear my inaugural guest host appearance on the Amy Oliver Show. For those who want more information on the guests and some of the topics discussed: Alan Gottlieb of the Public Education and Business Coalition edits the HeadFirst Colorado blog, which covers a range of education reform issues. Today we talked about the latest on the Bruce Randolph autonomy proposal, including union officials' latest delaying tactic, which Alan also posted on today. There's also a great story from yesterday on the topic at Face the State. I posted on the news of the rapidly growing estimates of revenue from the Governor's property tax hike at the Colorado Taxpayers blog. Other stories … [Read more...]
New Wadhams Blog Welcomed
Colorado state Republican Party chair and political mastermind Dick Wadhams, whom I heard speak confidently and eloquently last night about the GOP's prospects in the upcoming presidential election, has introduced himself to the blogging world today with his first post on the Colorado GOP site - key quote:Democratic Candidate Ritter campaigned as a moderate, almost as a conservative, telling Colorado’s business community he was their ally and friend. Candidate Ritter was a farce. Now we know who the real Bill Ritter is. No doubt after this post, the Lefties will see further evidence of vast conspiracy between Wadhams and the independent, grassroots Ritter Watch blog. Of course, they have the prerogative to be wrong - and to waste … [Read more...]
My Debut as Radio Show Host
For my devoted fans, I make my radio host debut tomorrow morning: that's Wednesday, January 9, from 9 AM to 11 AM, as I guest host the Amy Oliver show on News Talk 1310 KFKA in northern Colorado. You can listen online here. Topics will include education reform at Bruce Randolph School, government employee unions, and the New Hampshire presidential primary. There will no doubt be plenty to talk about, so hope you can listen in. Of course, some of you are thinking: Yikes, they're giving the mike to him? Has the world gone mad? Perhaps, but it should be a lot of fun. And a good way to flog the blog while I'm at it. … [Read more...]
The New Face the State for 2008
Face the State unveiled a new face today, and it's certainly a big improvement. This is a must-bookmark or RSS for anyone who wants to stay on top of what's going on in Colorado, with a conservative edge. The first new report is about a rumored political power switch by two Democrat officials that could be bad news for supporters of limited government and school choice:Political insiders are speculating about gossip that Sen. Sue Windels, D-Arvada, will resign her seat before the end of her term. The move would open the door for fellow Democrat and State Board of Education member Evie Hudak to take over and run as an incumbent this year, an important advantage in a Democrat primary field likely to be crowded with multiple candidates. Of … [Read more...]
Paul Wrong on Civil War: Dittoes Here
I've had a recent exchange with Snaggle-Tooth Jones over some historical issues of contemporary political significance: my initial response is here; his latest post is here. I haven't had time to draft a thorough and thoughtful response to his latest, but in the meantime would like to point him to an eloquent piece written by my friend Joshua Sharf at the Denver Post's Gang of Four about Ron Paul's misguided take on Civil War history (key excerpt follows):Paul's argument isn't right. It isn't even wrong. It misses so many fundamental facts of life in 1860 that it could only appeal to that narrow slice of the electorate whose civics education ended in 12th grade, but who actually remember what they were taught. You can't be completely … [Read more...]
Huck Yes but Romney No? Why, Clay?
Over at Slapstick Politics, El Presidente provides a brief digest of Colorado conservative blogosphere voices on the Presidential race. My opinions are well known by readers here, but I was a little befuddled to read the order of candidate preference from my friend Clay Calhoun, who blessedly appears to have returned from a long exile. In particular, I'm pleased to see he allies first with Fred Dalton Thompson, but for the life of me can't figure out why the Huckster comes in second. I can understand the skepticism about McCain and Giuliani and Ron Paul, but can't quite understand the seemingly knee-jerk antipathy for Mitt Romney:No thank you very much. I will vote for a Democrat before I will vote for Mitt Romney. End of … [Read more...]
Get the President’s Ear on Earmark Reform
An email from our friends at RedState.com:Dear RedState Reader, Tomorrow the President will decide whether or not the Constitution is still a legally binding document. Seriously. After Congress passed the omnibus spending bill, members of Congress inserted into the conference report that accompanied the legislation more than 9,000 earmarks worth several billion dollars. The earmarks were not voted on by the House and Senate. Yet, Congress maintains that the earmarks are legally binding. This violates the process for passing legislation in the Constitution of the United States. Tomorrow, the President will decide whether he should issue an executive order telling government agencies to ignore the earmarks. If the President … [Read more...]
School Choice for Kids Website
I have been remiss in not blogging about this sooner, but many of my readers probably aren't aware of an innovative new website created by the Independence Institute (full disclosure: where I work), a website created and maintained in part by a lot of intensive labor from my own Mrs. Virtus. If you are a parent of school-age children in Colorado, nor if you care at all about education reform, please pay attention. You can watch this 28-minute video recently aired on Colorado public television to learn more about the School Choice for Kids website (and/or read about some of the site's features below): Add to My Profile | More Videos The School Choice for Kids site contains significant information about every public school in … [Read more...]