The American Spectator

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She's With Bubba

2.28.08 @ 12:01AM

LOSING THE DEBATE
Re: Philip Klein's Hillary Unhinged:

..."the idea that Hillary was...qualified because she served as first lady was always a farce." Mr. Klein nails it dead on with this sentence. The "I'm Mrs. Bubba" act got her out of the gate OK last fall, but by Christmas, everyone was waiting for something new to kick in. Nothing ever did.
-- Ty Knoy
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Senator Clinton last audacious hopes are quickly fading and the thrill of watching Hillary self-destruct has not lessened one iota. Many warned against taking too much comfort in this schadenfreude (including me) because Obama looked to be a much more formidable opponent: more likeable and less baggage, but the worm is turning. Just as in his second debate against (then) Governor Peanut (Jimmy Carter), President Ford's assertion that Poland was not under Soviet domination ushered in his downfall. Senator Obama's contra-factual statement that al Qaeda is not currently in Iraq will frighten any American who is not already enthralled by the Obama Franchise.

The junior Senator of Illinois is leading with his chin when he gets into a fight about America's security, military and intelligence with Senator McCain. When McCain corrected Obama on Obama's statement that AQ is not present Iraq, Obama looked to clarify (obfuscate) his meaning: AQ came in only after America liberated (on in Democrat speak, invaded) Iraq. This exchange further highlights Obama's weakness: he is a dove with a stubborn streak. Obama is not about to let this bone go, or at least Team McCain won't allow him that luxury. (The mainstream press may let Obama have another free pass, but the honeymoon may just be over.) BHO best move would be to admit he misspoke on AQ in Iraq, or he can admit that Al Qaeda was present with Saddam Hussein's blessing. If he chooses the former, he appears to be naively or stubbornly blind to the facts. If he chooses the latter, he will have to justify his opposition to liberating Iraq from a dictator who was providing protection and comfort to an actively hostile enemy of the U.S.

"Ding Dong, the witch is dead." And this time around, the American public knows that the Wizard of Oz is simply a man who has great showmanship. In the words of The Who, "We won't be fooled again."
-- Ira M. Kessel
Rochester, New York

Mark Penn says that there are many ways to measure success. Unfortunately for him, the rest of us know how to measure failure.
-- Cara Lyons Lege'

BEYOND THE PALIN
Re: Thomas Cheplick's Que, Sarah, Sarah:

As a long-time Alaska conservative I can say that Governor Palin is a good match for Senator McCain. They both claim to be conservatives but are not. Palin has led the charge to raise taxes on oil producers to be the highest in the world, a 75% marginal tax rate. The effective rate is even higher because deductions for facilities maintenance and repair have been removed. All this, so Alaskans get their "fair share" while at the same time creating a "stable economic environment" for business.

Gov. Palin has consistently snubbed the oil producers even though they provide the revenue that runs state government and allow residents to pay minimal taxes. Her gas pipeline legislation, AGIA, bypasses producers and the issues of establishing fiscal certainties in taxation.

TransCanada is the only potential qualified builder produced by AGIA of what will be the largest construction project in the world. Incredibly, this Canadian company and Gov. Palin are prepared to ask Congress for federal loan and tariff guarantees against Sen. Ted Stevens's advice. Meanwhile, Conoco Phillips has volunteered its own plan to build the pipeline starting next summer without state or federal help. And their big plus is they actually have gas to ship. Yet, Gov. Palin is sticking with AGIA and TransCanada.

Hers is not a conservative government but a populist government with conservative social values a la Huckabee. During her campaign when asked about positions on particular issues her fall back line was consistently that she would govern according to the "will of the people." And right now oil companies are very unpopular. Rather than govern from a clear understanding of business and free market economics she reflects the general anti-oil stance of the population. In Sarah Palin, we have populism not principle.
-- Lynn Aleshire

Lived in Alaska about 22 years, among the finest, most terrific people I've ever come across -- knew Bill Sheffield, Steve Cowper, Frank Murkowski, and former Lt.Guv. Steve McAlpine pretty well, and have heard nothing but great things about Sarah. I recall Steve's wife, Dana, chewing out the self-styled "environmentalist" John Denver in Juneau's Baranof Hotel and telling him just where he could shove it -- and more than a few great stories from Don Young (who turned from a pretty conservative guy into someone from out of the Ted Stevens mold). Remember, Alaska had the good sense to kick Mike Gravel out of the Senate -- what an embarrassment he was!

And while I doubt McCain has the need to court Alaskan voters, perhaps she'll be available in 2012 and the wimpy Republican mess will finally straighten up its ugly, warped house and possibly show some sense in recruiting that very viable lady.

After McCain's implosion (apologizing for someone else using the Hussein name in reference to the ultimate socialist -- is he Nuts?!?), I'll probably vote Libertarian. What awful choices we have had presented to us -- time to fully consider a move down to Costa Rica or the Urca neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, really! As it stands now, our once great country seems to be doing its best (worst?) to flush itself down the proverbial toilet.
-- Jack Frost

WEEKEND AT BERTIE'S
Re: Hal G.P. Colebatch's Farewell, Grand Master Bertie:

Letter to the Editor

topics:
Taxes, Education, Sarah Palin, Economics, Business, Earmarks, Environment, Military, Iraq, NATO, Energy, Alaska, Oil