First, corrupt Alaska Senator Ted Stevens was narrowly taken out in his umpteenth re-election bid. More recently, corrupt Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson was ousted in Saturday's run-off election. Let me say these are both very small but genuinely promising signs for the health of the Republic - as it were. A first-generation Vietnamese-American lawyer and political novice, Republican Anh "Joseph" Cao, defeated lifetime pol and Democrat incumbent Jefferson in a heavily Democratic district. Michelle Malkin has more. Cheery thoughts for a Monday in December, in which the world of politics further drifts into the background, though hopefully not beneath too much snow here on Colorado's Front Range. … [Read more...]
And a Few More Bright Spots for Colorado and U.S. Conservatives
It's the morning after... El Presidente has some amusing video reactions to last night's election results. Meanwhile, both Joshua Sharf (who ran a valiant race in an overwhelmingly Democratic district) and Rocky Mountain Right highlight the bright spots for Colorado conservatives. I concur with their lists, but let me add one more small bright spot in Colorado. The State Board of Education lost GOP chairman Pam Suckla - a Bill Ritter apologist - and gained common-sense conservative Marcia Neal, giving an effective Board majority that the Colorado Education Association can't be terribly happy with. Especially if Bob Schaffer is selected as the next chairman. At the national level, the good news is that Republicans may have … [Read more...]
Scott Ott: Sarah Palin Can Turn Around Troopergate Investigation Narrative
The Left is salivating this weekend over Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's so-called "Troopergate" investigation. (Powerline dissects the report to show there really isn't any "there" there.) But the usually satirical Scott Ott has written a column making a rather serious and profound observation about how the narrative could be turned around:The so-called Troopergate investigation report, released Friday by a panel in Alaska, is the best thing to happen to the McCain-Palin campaign since the Arizona maverick chose the Alaskan hockey Mom as his running mate. Republicans should embrace it as a way of telling the story of why government must be reformed. It is the perfect picture of how government bureaucracies shield the incompetent and immoral … [Read more...]
“My Mom is Voting for Trig’s Mom”: Scene from this AM’s Sarah Palin Rally
Over at People's Press Collective last night, El Presidente posted the picture and story of an Alaskan couple temporarily displaced to Colorado:The attached photo is from a young couple from Anchorage, Alaska; here in Denver to have their special needs baby. The mother, Megan, said a few weeks ago she spoke with Gov. Palin about special needs babies for about ten minutes. They are so excited about her that they’re now volunteers for this rally! Megan will deliver their special needs son and then he will be cared for at Denver’s Children’s Hospital. Megan had a little blue baby outfit that said, “My mom is voting for Trig’s mom!†and both Megan and her husband were proudly wearing their Palin t-shirts, which they had ordered … [Read more...]
Clearing Up the Facts about Sarah Palin’s Record (for Slow-Learning Commenters)
Since I have several commenters here who insist upon trafficking in rumor and innuendo about Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin, I feel impelled to post a couple useful links: - FactCheck.org: "Sliming Palin" - Pajamas Media: "Separating Palin Fact from Palin Fiction" And yes, I know that Sarah Palin didn't always oppose the "Bridge to Nowhere" and did accept earmarked federal funds years ago as Wasilla mayor, though she ended up strongly (and has remained) on the right side of the issue. Alaskans have taken for granted that Palin is responsible for killing the "Bridge to "Nowhere" (until very recently, even the Alaska Democratic Party even acknowledged as much on their website). Besides, do Barack Obama and Joe … [Read more...]
Alaska Can Have Bill Ritter … Colorado Will Take Sarah Palin Any Day
After last night's amazing speech, I'm jealous. Alaska, you can have Bill Ritter. Can we have Sarah Palin? Then I thought, in a few months she has a very good chance of being our vice-president. I'll settle for that. Interestingly, the Denver Post reports today about Gov. Ritter's lackluster speaking performance at last week's Democratic National Convention. A broken teleprompter appears to have been part of his problem. It seems Sarah Palin faced the same teleprompter problems, but went on unfazed to deliver a homerun. Could the same be said of Bill Ritter - or for that matter, Barack Obama - when they're off teleprompter? Broken teleprompter or not, I like this take from Michael at Best Destiny:But let me just leave this first … [Read more...]
Sarah Palin Really Captures the Attention of the Colorado Blogosphere
I must say I'm glad I initially had the wrong information about who John McCain's running mate would be. Sarah Palin was the best pick. What's everyone else saying? Well, it's rare to see such unanimous sentiment asserted. Here goes: Steven, the New Conservative, who long has been championing Palin to be McCain's running mate, now says her selection was a "bad idea" ... for the Left Michael at Best Destiny says it's brilliant political Jiu-Jitsu Bob Agard calls the selection of the Alaska Governor "sheer brilliance" Jim at Thinking Right says "Outstanding!" Kenneth Davenport, writing at Backbone America, asserts that the choice is "a political masterstroke" Rocky Mountain Right calls Sarah Palin "an excellent choice" The Denver … [Read more...]
Tim Pawlenty: Quick Thoughts
Update: Looks like I got headfaked, like many others. Pawlenty appears to be out. Speculation is on Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Kudos to Steve if this is correct. In part he writes about her:Not only is she a woman (which, like it or not, is an issue for some voters), but she also puts a fresh, future-oriented face on the McCain campaign. By upending Alaska's corrupt political class, Palin has actually produced the type of change that Barack Obama can only talk about; and her collar is far bluer than Joe Biden's ever was. Furthermore, she is arguably the only candidate who has the necessary expertise to address the single most pressing issue in this election: gas prices. As Governor of Alaska, Chair of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact … [Read more...]
Time for Ted Stevens To Go
News came yesterday that Alaska Senator Ted Stevens is indicted. If Republicans should have learned anything from the 2006 election, it's to purge the pork and corruption from their ranks. This story reminds us that neither major party has anything approaching a monopoly on sleazy politicians, but also gives the GOP an opportunity to distinguish itself by valuing integrity over seniority. Speaking of seniority, no Republican has served longer. It's time for that tenure to come to an end. At The Next Right, Patrick Ruffini wisely calls for Ted Stevens to step down, but points out he can't do so until after Alaska's August 26 primary. Of course, actual guilt or innocence has yet to be determined in the Stevens case. But politically … [Read more...]