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Sports Arena
Scouting Report
When the first nip of chill is in the air and the trees become enflamed with the beauty of God's love, one's mind naturally turns to baseball; specifically the World Series. Yes, baseball is indeed our national pastime, a mainstay of American life along with mom and apple pie. No matter where some of our fellow countrymen are born, when they come to our shores the love of baseball soon washes over them like so much fluoridated water. Indeed, wherever American servicemen have gone on their liberating missions around the globe, they have brought the game with them.
But Autumn is also the season when we turn our minds to elections, as self-governance has also been a beloved exercise in our nation from its very birth. During the struggle for independence, our forefathers were out there pitching their brand of liberty while our brave minutemen perfected the classic American hit and run.
Of course, this independence and liberty are now threatened as never before and, for good or bad, it falls to the Republican Party to defend them. And so this week, even though we won't have a chance to even the score for our brutal defeat in last year's Fall Classic, we can chip away at our opponent's advantage. But what are our team's chances? Many in our present lineup leave much to be desired, and since there's really no organized minor league system in place, we must deal with the hand we've been dealt.
Established Stars
Sarah Palin, who, unlike Yankee outfielder Johnny Damon, has never been accused of "throwing like a girl," has shown in her one appearance in the Big Show that she can field with the best of them. And although she had the misfortune to be in the same battery with maverick John McCain, her prospects for a long and prosperous career look rosy, so let's just hope that she will not become a victim of the sophomore jinx.
Mitt Romney looks good and talks a good game but many are unsure if he possesses the heart and soul of a true champion and fear that he represents a classic case of warning-track power. Ditto Mike Huckabee who showed in the debates that he is all glove and no hit. He is, however a terrific barnstormer.
Whistling Dixie
In politics as in baseball, a core group of Southern players is essential, and we have a few good ones. There's the wily old pro from Tennessee, Fred Thompson, who hit more than a few out of the park in the 2008 debates. And there's Mississippi governor Haley Barbour, who brought in our best rookie class ever in 1994 and is now considered by some to be ready for his breakthrough year.
After being sidelined the past few seasons with an embarrassing foot-in-mouth injury, look for Virginia's George Allen to return to form and maybe contend for comeback player of the year. After all, nobody hits lefties like big George.
Phenoms
Bobby Jindal is a promising rookie for the Pachyderms. But although he is a five-tool player -- a pro-life, anti-big government, tax-cutting, oil-drilling lover of the Constitution -- he needs to work on his intangibles. A little seasoning down in the Gulf Coast League can only do him good.
Another rising star is Eric Cantor of Virginia, the House Minority Whip. Talented and good-looking, he was responsible for Nancy Pelosi going 0 for 177 with House Republicans on the Stimulus bill. Also on the rise is Liz Cheney; fearless as her dad and nearly his equal when it comes to instilling dread into the hearts of opposing hurlers.
Ambidextrous Anomalies
While no baseball team worth its salt would be without switch-hitters, in politics, those who swing both ways are most-often a detriment; to those who have strong convictions anyway. And all too often our team is forced into playing split-squad games with the Elephants on one side and the RINOs on the other.
Lindsey Graham had some great success as a rookie in the House Manager's lineup so masterfully skippered by crafty vet Henry Hyde during the Clinton Impeachment tilt back in '96. But since moving up to the Senate squad he has taken to batting lefty in the last few contests, making him and us look bad. There are also gals like Olympia Snowe whose most recent at-bat resulted in her being whiffed by daffy portsider Harry Reid, as she allowed the Senate Healthcare bill to come out of committee.
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Shamus| 11.4.09 @ 7:46AM
Lindsey Graham and Dede Scozzafava have a lot in common.
Richard Baker| 11.4.09 @ 8:36AM
Remember, last year Conservatism was supposedly dead. Not a bad showing for a dead man.
R Martin| 11.4.09 @ 9:26AM
Ms. Fabrizio's metaphore fell one example short, the player coach. Indeed this may be our most important teammate as we head into the league championship series.
I'm referring to the person who can teach as well as do, someone who can effectively rebut the leftist evils being advanced by Obama and the Congress and promote the alternatives which are more consistent with the historical principles of the country. As a model, The Gipper comes to mind. I'm not sure any of Ms. Fabrizio's examples have the right stuff, at least not yet.
Unfortunately the coach part of this position requires some considerable time to establish bona fides and develop a following. Whoever wants this job better step up now and swing for the fences.
Susie Q| 11.4.09 @ 9:41AM
We need a few Ty Cobbs... fierce competitors who will sharpen their spikes and slide into home plate with their steel showing.
Matt Morehouse| 11.4.09 @ 10:01AM
The wins yesterday equate to getting three runs in the ninth when you are down by 18.
http:/conversationsaroundawoodstove.blogspot.com
Alan Brooks| 11.4.09 @ 10:04AM
"Remember, last year Conservatism was supposedly dead. Not a bad showing for a dead man."
but victors are by victory undone; these GOP heavyweights are about 99.9 percent likely to facilitate economic growth, gaining Obama his re-election 3 years from now.
Plus, the blue states will do better than they would if Dems were in 'charge' of economic policy.
Louis Jenkins| 11.4.09 @ 10:13AM
Comparing the political scene to a baseball game is cute, but what we need in the line up are a few Hulk Hogans who can body slam Andre the Giant leftists or Undertakers who can throw libertards out of the ring in an "Over the Top Battle Royal." The only potential silver bullet out there is Palin. All the others need to stay in the weight room and refine their technique.
Bo Darville| 11.4.09 @ 11:05AM
I'm still leery of this line-up. How about batting John Thune at clean-up?
Adam Smith| 11.4.09 @ 12:10PM
This list is pretty sad.
Haley Barbour and Lindsey Graham would both be disastrous. Both professional pols with no real soul.
Palin would ensure a Dem victory and frankly has had a cult of personality develop around her that reminds me of O and bothers some who have done the research on her. Not a Palin basher, but she is not the answer. Frankly, her endorsement of Hoffman smacked of opportunism and her desire to stay relevant and in the spotlight.
Ron Paul still has the answers, but will his own party destroy him again for the sake of it's own pork oriented agenda? Fox smears him too and actively worked against his canidacy last time. Funny Rudy said he won evey debate hands down after he dropped out. He was the only one of the stage giving some unvarnished truth & honesty.
Fred T? He may be the best compromise of the bunch listed, and if properly energized, would be a serious problem for O in 2012.
Maybe the answer is for Paul to run as VP with Thompson & provide some much needed adult advice & policy guidance....
The fiscal insanity has to stop in 2012 or we are in very, very serious trouble with the house of cards Bush, Newt, Obama, Harry & Nancy built.
Majito Querido| 11.4.09 @ 2:13PM
Are u the same Adam Smith, the democrat congressman from Washington? Ron Paul? you must be jesting...if not, then you are as nuts as he is...listening to him brings memories of listening to Nader...don't like Sarah? that's too bad...the only figure that stands tall and actually excites folks...RP only brings out a handful of wingnuts
Texas Male| 11.5.09 @ 1:29PM
[[[Maybe the answer is for Paul to run as VP with Thompson & provide some much needed adult advice & policy guidance]]]]
I would actually vote for that ticket in a heartbeat. We NEED something drastic to save this country and I think enough people would be intrigued by these two together that they could win a general election.
JonH| 11.4.09 @ 12:38PM
Of Mitt Romney
... but many are unsure if he possesses the heart and soul of a true champion and fear that he represents a classic case of warning-track power.
You must have missed the (against ALL odds) SLC Olympic rescue..it and the turn around of 160 companies by Mitt is curriculum at Harvard MBA school. After studying that read about what his co-workers have to say about the man. Fasten your seat belts!
JohnD| 11.4.09 @ 12:42PM
SusieQ:
Beautiful post!
Don't forget 1890s Baltimore Orioles 3rd baseman John McGraw (later manager of the NY Giants) who used to sit in the dugout as the lineup cards were being exchanged on the field, sharpening his spikes in full view of the opposing team.
Clearly you understand how the game is played, both baseball, and politics.
Susie Q| 11.4.09 @ 7:50PM
From the lips of the Georgia Peach: "Baseball (politics) is no pink tea and mollycoddles need to stay out."
Ken (Old Texican)| 11.4.09 @ 12:44PM
Adam
Ron Paul couldn't win......(goodness, I am a loss for a properly meaningless metaphor.)
A little League game? Nah. Little leaguers play pretty well at their age.
No "team" sport will do....at any level.
Ok, for no better..."a peanut rolling contest".
Ladies and gentlemen, our Presidency, done well, is the toughest most thankless job in the world.
Please pray for whoever we replace the communist with in 2012.
Adam Smith| 11.4.09 @ 12:52PM
Reread my post friend.
I do not think Paul can win either and basically said as much.
For you to denigrate the guy like Carl Cameron is pretty much consistent with what was in my post with regard to how party faithful feel about him.
That is sad. He should be looked at as one of the few voices of sanity in both parties. The real problem is that he would attempt to put a stop to all the goodies & that has both parties terrified.
Lay off the patronizing please Ken.
Patrick| 11.5.09 @ 12:20AM
Ron Paul...I like some of his ideas, he has more than a few good ones. Unfortunately, he's got a few deal-breakers mixed into his message. It's like he hits them out of the park when up against a fast ball, but he can't hit a curve to save his life, and the pitchers all know it.
Sarah, well, I like her. She's a fan favorite. Unfortunately, she'll never fully recover from that kneecapping that team McCain gave her, right after limping through what some thought as a season ending injury from the MSM. (Hint: always do interviews LIVE against creeps like that.)
I like next year, and Barack doesn't have the head for the game like Bill, or the guts to do the unthinkable to win.
Even so, the Elephants have one hell of a schedule to play though, and their worst problem will be from within. If they aren't negotiating their contracts mid-season, they are sandbagging to get traded to the RINOs.
Oldefarte| 11.4.09 @ 1:17PM
Hey, let's don't forget Glenn Beck, okay? The guy exposed Acorn and brought down Van Jones-------he's at the top of the batting order, for sure!!!!!!!
Ken (Old Texican)| 11.4.09 @ 1:38PM
Hey Adam, I was not patronizing you...promise.
Domestic policy? OK. I can respect his powerful ideas.
International policy? He terrifies me. "Pax Americana" has stood us in good stead for a long long time.
Fortress America is not any answer in the real world to the best of my knowledge and belief.
I CEOd (smile) 2 fortune sized companies in the larger world. Under Carter it was a nightmare. Under Reagan, it was OK.
Adam Smith| 11.4.09 @ 2:07PM
Ken,
Just wanted to give you a quick poke in the ribs.
I have been reading long enough that your comment seemed out of character given what both of us are concerned about. I watched from inside the banking/finance industry (commercial lending, securities & mort/retail lending) while the gov & special interests manufactured the current mess. All of this could have been avoided.
We are in agreement on Paul. I didn't get into enough detail maybe on the reasons why I don't think he is electable in the top slot. Him being a feisty little fellow Texan & me being a fellow outraged liberatarian leaning conservative made the poke mandatory :)
In a utopia we could get a guy like Paul and it would work, but that is as big a fantasy as Huckabee, Graham, McCain, Newt & Scozzafava being conservatives.
I have no interest in cutting off my nose to spite my face, but I will support doable change more aggressively than the squishes are comfortable with.
The situation in this country is pretty fragile economically and a disaster is eminent unless aggressive action is needed to avoid it.
We will not get that from the current "leadership" of the GOP and can expect catastrophe much sooner is the Dems remain in power (at all levels).
Ken (Old Texican)| 11.4.09 @ 5:11PM
Adam
Right now we need to focus on 2010. There are some pretty darned good conservative candidates for congress in my neck of the woods, hopefully in yours too.
Our Tea Parties, (boots on the ground), can identify them and vet them, and then we at Team America and those like us at heritage, and here at spectator and the Thinker can give them some recognition and become "outside agitators" and funding funnels for their campaigns.
I do hope you will go to http://judgeroy.wordpress.com and follow through to the home site from there. Some excellent thought there. I wrote some of it. (smile)
I have spoken of it before, and many folks here have joined the team. Perhaps our most powerful impact will be simply contacting the many Republican committees across the country, by direct phone call.
It is truly remarkable, that when we introduce ourselves as with TEAM AMERICA...they pay serious attention as well they should. I now have the personal private numbers of several State Republican Chairmen, and a LOT of county chairmen. They are now calling me to bounce something off me.
Adam
Together, we are having our voices heard...and listened to....seriously. I take it as a great honor, and a serious responsibility.
Writing here is an honor I cherish.
I could make a pretty good President.
But I won't run. I don't have the patience with fools needeed in that role.
Evidently, I am one of those "forward lookers". I seem to see the outlines of the possible futures out ahead of us and have a gift of articulating them...then guiding the march.
OK, 2012
I believe we are going to be a whole different kind of country then, especially if we cannot get the right people in the majority of congress in 2010.
Our moniker in that case MIGHT have to be "REPEALERS" or perhaps "CONSTITUTIONAL RESTORERS" or maybe even "Dead Patriots". It may well have gone that far...but I think we can reverse things before that.
By 20 11, Mrs. Palin will have found her place in the whole scheme. I am excited to see her thought spun out in her forthcoming book.
You know, the ironic thing is that no other national politician...ever... has had their churchhouse burned down by the opposition. To my knowledge, no other national nominee has had their minor child molested on national television.
The sociopaths and psychopaths hate her and fear her more than any other political figure we have seen in our lifetime. That alone is more than enough reason for me to say: "Go Girl".
Thoughts?
Adam Smith| 11.4.09 @ 5:26PM
Agreed on Palin.
Her treatment in the media has been criminal and disgusting. I still think she makes a better voice than canidate for pres, but I differ with many on this and recognize that. I do not want to see the woman & her family drug through the mud any more. It bothers me personally a great deal.
There is no civility or decency in the opposition whatsoever.
mujalan| 11.4.09 @ 2:49PM
I agree that there are some good people in the GOP bull pen. The biggest problem for the Republican team is its management. The people who cut political deals in advance like Cornyn and Crist, as well as others, have to go.
A few other thoughts:
I note that the people who keep screaming that "Palin can't win" are almost entirely within the Rino/Democrat spectrum. Makes me wonder. I suspect she would do far better than some who hate her so much would like to admit.
Romney is impressive from a business and management viewpoint. My questions on him arise when we get beyond that into cultural values and such. To me it is also of some concern that he seems to lack the courage to state his stand until he sees which way the wind is blowing. I note the way he and some other "leaders" like Huckabee held back about the Scozzafava/Hoffman matter while others such as Palin, Pawlenty, Thompson, and others had the guts to come out swinging.
Newt is now a throw away so far as I'm concerned.
Pawlenty is an intriguing possibility but I'm not sure how real his conservativism is. Granted, now that he has more or less thrown his hat in the ring he is talking more conservative.
I like Ron Paul and he speaks a lot of good sense, but I'm not at all sure that he is electable.
Of course other good people exist as well.
Patrick| 11.5.09 @ 12:36AM
Sarah's been unfairly attacked, slandered, and libeled, true. She would do well as president, also true. Even so, she's been sufficiently poisoned by both the MSM and the McCain folks. Is it fair, hell no! But, that's how it goes for us small market teams.
Romney is milquetoast.
Huckabee thinks that saying "Jesus" over and over makes his commie Liberation Theology tolerable...it doesn't. I personally consider it a step away from blaspheming His Name.
Thompson....he was the guy that could have been last year. He had all his ducks lined up, then choked on the campaign trail.
Pingback| 11.4.09 @ 5:01PM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : Scouting Report [spectator.org] on T links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
ken (Old Texican)| 11.4.09 @ 5:15PM
Adam,
see above. You may contact me privately at
kbjudgeroybean06@gmail.com
Adam| 11.4.09 @ 5:21PM
Happy to Ken.
We all need to be willing to help if we are going to be able to halt the slide.
Margie| 11.4.09 @ 8:43PM
Haley Barbour is awesome. When he speaks, I listen! He is a great conservative Republican with one great personality IMHO. I'd love to hear a lot more from him and can definately see a Barbour/Palin ticket!!
Richard Baker| 11.5.09 @ 8:11AM
Remember, the liberals will tell us who they fear and are concerned about, as Rush has said. Use their yammering as a barometer of their angst. Keep onward!
Margie| 11.5.09 @ 4:42PM
Yep. Ain't it great? They are their own worst enemy. :^)