The American Spectator : Primary Lessons

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Primary Lessons

By Ross Kaminsky on 8.27.10 @ 6:07AM

Hope and change are well underway -- at least for a new breed of Republicans.

After reflecting on the results of Republican primary elections for the U.S. Senate and related political happenings over recent months, the message is now clear: Barack Obama was right: It really is about hope and change.

Not the naïve "Obama Zombie" hope for a government that would keep us from having to pay for our own mortgages or for filling our own gas tanks. But rather a change toward a government that moves us toward living by our republic's founding principles.

The first step on that path, according to the newly awakened and re-energized Republican electorate, was to tell the Beltway kingmakers what they can do with their preferred candidates.

In this primary election cycle, few words were as damaging to Republican candidates as "establishment" and "insider." Ties to incumbent politicians, not least to John McCain, were poison. Also harmful was being perceived as "bipartisan," in the sense that the word has come to mean: Republicans helping pass liberal legislation while getting nothing in return.

On Tuesday, with all local ballots counted, attorney Joe Miller looked set to pull the season's biggest upset, knocking off incumbent Senator Lisa Murkowski in Alaska's Senate primary. By Thursday morning, the lead was down to 1,668 votes with up to 8,000 absentee ballots still to be received and counted. Even if Murkowski pulls out a victory -- but especially if she doesn't -- the result reinforces the power of Sarah Palin; she endorsed Miller, who spent a mere $200,000 on his campaign, less than one-seventh of the $1.4 million plus spent by Murkowski, who had the fourth-lowest ranking among Republican Senators in the 2009 American Conservative Union ratings. Even a pro-Miller poll paid for by the Tea Party Express showed Murkowski with a 12 point lead just 3 days before the election -- and that was much closer than any other poll. The election shows that the anti-incumbent, anti-RINO wave is as alive in Alaska as in the rest of the nation.

On May 12, 2009, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) endorsed Florida Gov. Charlie Crist for the Senate -- on the very the same day that Marco Rubio announced his candidacy. On April 29, 2010, Crist, most famous for his hug of Barack Obama while they campaigned for the stimulus, dropped out of the Republican primary to run as an independent.

Florida held those primaries on Tuesday. The victory of black Congressman Kendrick Meek in the Democratic primary all but seals a November win for Rubio because Crist needed Florida's black vote to win as an independent. Those voters will stick with Meek, whom the Democratic Party cannot abandon, thus sinking Crist.

More interesting is that in a state with 17% more Democrats than Republicans, 37% more Republicans than Democrats cast ballots in the primary, showing the enthusiasm of Republicans for their candidate.

And in a near-mirror of Alaska's upset, former health care executive Rick Scott defeated state Attorney General and former Congressman Bill McCollum in Florida's Republican gubernatorial primary. McCollum was the pick of the entire GOP establishment. It's partly a symptom of the anti-career-politician mood across the nation, but it didn't hurt that Scott spent $40 million of his own money in the race.

In early 2009, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), the NRSC chairman, recruited former Rep. Rob Simmons (R-CT) to challenge "Countrywide Chris" Dodd.

Simmons, who had a pathetic lifetime American Conservative Union ranking of 53%, lost the primary race earlier this month to Linda McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment and distinctly a political outsider. It wasn't close, with McMahon beating Simmons by 21 points.

In late 2009, the NRSC held fund-raisers for Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson who was also endorsed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Dick Cheney, and Rudy Giuliani. Grayson was consistently called the "establishment pick" in the Republican primary. In May, Rand Paul, Tea Party favorite and son of libertarian firebrand Ron Paul, trounced Grayson by 24 points to win the Republican nomination.

In Nevada, Sue Lowden, former state senator and former chairwoman of the state Republican Party, was also the choice of establishment Republicans and an early favorite in the June primary. However, after she raised the idea of a barter system to pay for healthcare, she became the butt of quite a few "taking a chicken to the doctor" jokes and ended up losing to Sharron Angle by 14 points.

In the only race in which an incumbent Republican senator was upset by a GOP challenger, Utah's Bob Bennett finished third in that state's Republican Convention in May and didn't even get to the primary election. One of Bennett's biggest sins was co-sponsoring a universal health insurance plan, including an individual mandate to buy insurance, with liberal Democrat Ron Wyden (D-OR.)

And in Colorado, Republican Jane Norton was repeatedly pilloried (somewhat unfairly in my view) as an establishment candidate and likely RINO because her friend John McCain encouraged her to run. It didn't help Norton's case that in August 2009, the NRSC was found to have registered and paid for Internet domain names relating to a Norton candidacy, which hadn't even been announced.

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About the Author

Ross Kaminsky is a self-employed trader and investor and is a senior fellow of the Heartland Institute. He blogs at Rossputin.com and is the host of The Ross Kaminsky Show on Denver's NewsRadio 850 KOA at 11 AM on most Sundays.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (119) | Leave a comment

Ken (Old Texican)| 8.27.10 @ 7:10AM

Ross,

From your pen to God's eyes.

EasTexan| 8.27.10 @ 7:21AM

So now is the summer of our discontent. The people are awake and I anticipate a November tsunami of change...the hope will come later.

Kelly Staples| 8.27.10 @ 7:38AM

Well done Mr. Kaminsky. Go Sharron Angle!

Deborah D| 8.27.10 @ 7:49AM

Maybe Obama's right -- this really is a "Recovery Summer." It's a recovery of the American spirit of independence and the American ideals of limited government. It's a recover of the principles as established in the Declaration of Independence -- our inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, all of which this Congress and this Marxist administration have been hard at work trying to dismantle.

Thanks so much for this article, Mr. Kaminsky. Reagan loved and trusted the wisdom of the American people -- they went a little off track over the past several years, but they and we are back. Let's keep this train a rolling.

Eric Cartman| 8.27.10 @ 9:33AM

Hee hee - Good one Deborah. Doesn't it feel good not only beating Democrats, but their fellow travelers in the GOP? These types of politicians need to be beaten bloody and then shamed wherever they live.

RCV| 8.27.10 @ 12:06PM

Delighted that the tea party has now put Alaska in play for the Democrats, just as they did with Nevada. Keep it up, guys!

Eric Cartman| 8.27.10 @ 1:52PM

Another example of Typing While Intoxicated - tsk, tsk. Sad. Very sad.

Deborah D| 8.27.10 @ 1:59PM

We're delighted that you're delighted, RCV. We know you'll try to steal it if it's anywhere close, so we'll be out in full force.

RCV| 8.27.10 @ 2:41PM

Let the games begin!

Helen Donnelly| 8.27.10 @ 2:53PM

The games will be coming to an end for you, my dear...

RCV| 8.27.10 @ 3:20PM

I think not, Helen, but I could be wrong, of course. The GOP will make the usual off-year gains in 2010; perhaps even regain a narrow margin in the House. Thanks to the tea party, the Democrats will retain control of the Senate. That and the President's veto power will prevent the undoing of the legislation passed to date, and the next two years will progress with not much new significant legislation. A divided Congress/Presidency is usually a good thing: it forces real compromise and working together for both sides.

In 2012, the GOP will be even more divided than it is now, and whoever secures that nomination will face an angrier party split than we have now. No candidate will be able to unite the disparate wings of the GOP (just review the postings here anytime a potential candidate's name is mentioned - Palin? Gingrich? Romney? You think any of them could unite the party? Your dreaming, if you do).

The Democrats will field an Obama-Clinton ticket in 2012, the economy will have improved markedly, and they will retain control of the White House, and maybe even recapture the House, given the dissatisfaction that will result from the unrealistic high expectations set by the tea partiers on this fall's election.

As I said, I could be wrong in my prognostications, although I've called most of the national elections in the past 40 years pretty accurately. But no matter what happens, I'm certain of one thing: political tides will shift and ebb, as they always do. And the Republic will endure.

The One We've Been Waiting For| 8.27.10 @ 4:17PM

We're buying shrimp, RCV. I have been called away from a very important golf game to correct this Clinton/Obama ticket rumor that you were not authorized to spread. There is a better chance for an Obama/Wright ticket. There is no way I am on the same ticket with that woman if you know what I mean. I go to work and play golf to get away from the one at home. I am not going to create an unfriendly work environment for myself. You arereally irritating me and I have decided to invite you to the White House for the "beat whitey" night. Back to golf. We are playing for the poor. For every hole I give 1 billion dollars of taxpayer's money to my friends who will talk about the poor.

jb| 8.27.10 @ 7:08PM

"A divided Congress/Presidency is usually a good thing: it forces real compromise and working together for both sides."

Don't you get it? We are not remotely interested in compromise and working together, we are only interested in putting the brakes on the current out-of-control liberals who are driving the bus off the cliff. We want sound fiscal policies and balanced budgets, and,,, a sensible, fair, and understandable tax code would be nice too.

I can dream, can't I?

RCV| 8.27.10 @ 7:18PM

I'm well aware you guys aren't interested in compromise. That's why you will be so sorely disappointed in the ultimate outcome of the November elections. Our governmental system was designed to facilitate and promote compromise of interests. Unless a Franklin Roosevelt comes in with overwheming national support and controls both houses as well as the executive branch, you get compromise.

The One We've Been Waiting For| 8.27.10 @ 8:39PM

We're buying shrimp, RCV. Good job. Make it seem like we are interested in compromise. We are interested in forcing things down their throats. When we lose the ability to do that in the legislature we will do it through the massive bureaucracy or better yet with unelected judges. Screw the people. They don't know what is good for them like we do. It might be a while before I play golf again. I feel depressed. I hope I can make it until Thursday.

darcy| 8.28.10 @ 4:52PM

Compromise. Ah yes, compromise. Don't you mean capitulation? For democrats and the liberal left, compromise is a one-way street, all take and no give.

Republicans are masters of compromise. The democrats, not so much.

Christopher Holland| 8.29.10 @ 6:21AM

When I was at university in the 1970s, I had to take LSD to have hallucinations as colorful as that.

"Political tides will shift and ebb, as they always do'. Wow, this is so profound - why didn't anybody else think of that?

Arch| 8.29.10 @ 4:34PM

It won't be necessary for the republicans to repeal ObamaCare. Holding sway in one House Committee - ppropriations will sink Barack's entire agenda. They will simply refuse to appropriate the funds to execute it. They will make major cuts in programs and leave Obama with the option of signing it or vetoing the bill, thus shutting the entire department down.

2010 will sweep away democrat majorities in the house, but leave the senate with the democrats able to filibuster. It will also show remaining democrats that their futures in politics are gone unless they agree with the American people.

Arch| 8.29.10 @ 4:36PM

I meant "Appropriations"

Sorry

audax| 8.27.10 @ 2:52PM

LMAO...The DNC guy on TV the other night didn't even know the name of the Alaskan Demoncrat Senate nominee....good luck moron

RCV| 8.27.10 @ 3:51PM

You'll learn it soon enough. Murkowski's thinking of running as an independent if the absentee ballots don't put her over Palin Jr.

Tim*| 8.27.10 @ 4:12PM

Doesn't matter if Murkowski would run or not as an Indy , a Republican would win either way . McAdams couldn't even get arrested

Tim*| 8.27.10 @ 4:33PM

Aaaaand , Why Is That RCV Blatherin ' Know Nothin' Dude ?

Because RCV , Under Alaska law, if Murkowksi is defeated in the Republican primary, her only other option to be on the Nov. 2 ballot would be for her to obtain the nomination of another party.

And The Libertarian Party ain't gonna let her in .

RCV| 8.27.10 @ 6:50PM

I know this is going to hurt, Timmie, but several leaders of Alaska's Libertarian Party are in discussions with the Murkowski campaign as we speak. You ought to read more widely. But that likely won't be necessary. There are almost 10,000 uncounted absentee ballots, the vast majority of them Republican. Most were mailed in before the Palin push for Palin Jr. and are expected to go for Murkowski.

Tim*| 8.27.10 @ 7:48PM

DUUUUUHHHH Know-It-All Lawboy ,Where'd Ya think I got the information about Indies not able to run.
It's right under your nose Here on AS , Buffoon .

"Alaska Libertarians Courted in GOP Senate Fight
Robert Stacy McCain ."

Aaaaaand , I already long had read about Absentees before you opened your uninformed mouth. It's 8,000 and Murkowski needs around 64 percent to beat Decorated Iraq War Vet Joe Miller .
You're Up ObamaBoy .

The One We've Been Waiting For| 8.27.10 @ 8:43PM

We're buying shrimp, Tim*. My trolls are trying to sell electing Republican runners up as a good thing for Democrats. No wonder we are so screwed up.

Martin Treptow| 8.28.10 @ 2:20PM

You'll never "unite the party" by electing actual Conservatives. Keep repeating that trope, maybe it will come true. Incumbents like Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are scared, but that's nothing compared to RINOs like Grahamnesty and McCain. They're positively terrified. November is coming, and Hell is coming with him.

RCV| 8.28.10 @ 10:41PM

Why should McCain be scared? He just trounced his mindless teabag opponent and has clear sailing in the general election. And Harr Reid was dead politically until the nomination of Sharron Angle and now he's an even bet to win.

Tim*| 8.27.10 @ 4:06PM

Uh Oh !
The Trash Talkin' Shuck & Jive LawBoy is blowin' smoke at AS readers again.

JmsA| 8.30.10 @ 1:08PM

The state is not in play. The democrat is polling at 22%. And Murkowski can only run as a write-in candidate absent her winning the republican nomination. Nice try, but no cigar.

RCV| 8.30.10 @ 11:43PM

First post primary poll just out on Real Clear Politics site - Democrat jumped instantly to 39% on Palin Jr.'s victory - GOP margin now down to 9%. Looks like he's pulling another Sharron Angle for the Democrats. God bless those teabaggers!

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 8.27.10 @ 7:54AM

Arizona will never get my sympathy again. They deserve whatever happens now. The idiots.

Deborah D| 8.27.10 @ 8:16AM

Yeah, Bill, I was truly disheartened by McCain's sweep. Apparently, they believed him and his lean to the right -- now, let's hope they hold his feet to the fire. But, he doesn't have to listen to them now -- he's got another six years! I'm sure he'll be reaching across the aisle as soon as the elections are over. Someone needs to impress upon him that he fought for his country during the Vietnam War -- he now needs to fight for his country during this civil war.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 8.27.10 @ 8:00PM

Deborah: You're right. McCain will reach across the aisle but the aisle will never reach back. Never has, never will. There will be no feet to the fire. As soon as he's elected he will revert back to his psycho-savior mode which means if there's a close vote for amnesty he and Lindsey Graham will be there.

These politicians are not the hope for the future. I see a few put downs for Hayworth here. Watch what happens next.

McCain and other RINO's will duck, bob and weave their way around every issue. McCain will never see another election so he won't care.

Arizona made the worst possible choice at the worst possible time. I have no respect for those who claim they need to compromise.

Here's a good quote. Learn it. It's why we are in the trouble we are in today:

There are two sides to every issue: one side is right and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil.
Ayn Rand

Deborah D| 8.28.10 @ 7:01AM

The great Ayn Rand's quote you mention above reminds me of this long-time favorite of mine by Thomas Paine: "Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice. "

Unless McCain finally sees that we can lose the country and that he's compromising with the devil, it's going to be difficult for the gray leopard to change his spots.

TomB| 8.30.10 @ 12:48AM

Zonies are good people at heart, though erratic at times. Great governor, but the senator needs a reboot. Maybe they know what they're doing. Anyway, control of the House is the important thing, that's where the money is. In 2012 the Dems will be defending lots of seats in the Senate. Any pickups D to R or RINO to RockRib this year are bonus.

Ross Kaminsky| 8.27.10 @ 9:02AM

"Bill",

I assume you're talking about McCain (but please tell me if I'm wrong). If so, I'd suggest that J.D. Hayworth was quite an unappealing candidate and that it's not obvious McCain is a worse choice than Hayworth, especially if McCain 2.0 survives rather than our seeing a relapse to the so-called "maverick".

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 8.27.10 @ 1:34PM

J.D. Hayworth may have been unappealing, but John McCain is Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and a few others rolled up into one.

However, since the Arizona Republican voters selected him, it's no longer a question of who they desired. Maybe that's all they've got.

Anyway, when he wins and he most likely will now, Arizona deserves what ever comes next.

McCain has a history of bizzare behavior dating back to before he was elected. In particular, he's been for amnesty and I suspect he still is although he tried to maintain he isn't.

All I'm saying is that Arizona gets what they deserve now if McCain is re-elected.

serfer62| 8.27.10 @ 5:52PM

AZ has an Open primary. It would be interesting to see how many Kommiecrats participated for their sleeper The Manchurian.
Bitch about JD but the point was to remove rinos...McNastys defeat would have been a big signal to others.

Siegfried X| 8.28.10 @ 9:36AM

Yes. The re-election of McCain is another reason why I'm a third party conservative, not a Republican. The Republican and Democratic parties are the same thing.

Obama and McCain are both pathological liars without any honor who support amnesty, cap & trade, shutting Guantanamo, ending "torture" of terrorists, campaign finance censorship, tax increases, have co-sponsored many of Teddy Kennedy's socialist programs, who both have said that they hate conservatives ...

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 8.27.10 @ 8:10PM

Ross Kaminsky: Yes, you are correct. I refer to McCain who never was maverick, simply a clumsy in-artful politician who always believed in being a statist and now has another opportunity.

McCain's senority should ensure more tomfoolery and more prayers in the form of legislation to the altar of big government.

McCain fancies himself to be another type who believes his legislation will make him immortal as he ascends into bigger legislation, some of which the Supreme Court threw out.

McCain is just another insider peddling big government and doesn't have a clue as to what freedom is as evidenced by McCain-Feingold, which was simply an attempt to shut down free speech by the public during election cycles.

The reason these politicians want to shut down free speech is because politicians like McCain don't want their political warts discussed by an ever knowledgeable public.

In the meantime Ross Kaminsky I leave you with this thought, short and simple:

There is a level of cowardice lower than that of the conformist: the fashionable non-conformist.
Ayn Rand

Conan the Contrarian| 8.27.10 @ 9:06AM

Bill, I think that J.D. Hayworth was nothing special. In an election between a turd and a POS, which one do you choose? On a separate note, it is time for term limits for US congressmen, senators, and federal judges and justices.

Eric Cartman| 8.27.10 @ 9:37AM

Well, it's been my experience that given the choice between a turd sandwich and a giant douche, the voters always pick the giant douche. Which AZ proved yet again on Tuesday.

Deborah D| 8.27.10 @ 9:50AM

I agree wholeheartedly with term limits. And, if not term limits, then age limits. Look at the aging whackos in both parties -- but especially those Marxists in the Democrat Party. Rangle, Pelosi (and, no, she's not a boomer), Boxer, Byrd (finally had to die and Teddy too), Leahy, Dodd (finally decided to leave with his D.C. stash and benefits before he was voted out). These people won't have to live with the mess they're making for the rest of us. We need people in Congress who will make laws they will have to live with -- and who will be alive when the rest of the country awakens and wants to tar and feather them.

RCV| 8.27.10 @ 2:40PM

Age limits would have nixed Reagan's chances.

Deborah D| 8.28.10 @ 7:10AM

That's true, RCV, I'm trying real hard to get rid of a bunch of legislative parasites that continue to suck the life out of the nation because they have idiots who keep voting them in. Let me dream a little! :) The Founders didn't envision "professional politicians" like we have today. Our country suffers because of them -- and I do believe that is true on both sides of the aisle.

RCV| 8.31.10 @ 2:52PM

Oh, I 'm not so sure it was any different then. Jefferson, for example served in lots of govt. positions inluding secretary of state, ambassador to France and President. John Quincy Adams even ran for Congress again after he was President. The issue is the quality of the people you elect.

serfer62| 8.27.10 @ 5:55PM

DD age limits would be squashed by the Supremes.
However the 2010 census and reapportionment means that some will be squeezed out.

Deborah D| 8.28.10 @ 7:23AM

Let's hope you're correct, serfer62.

WTF Guy| 8.27.10 @ 10:30PM

There must be something about senate/legislative seats that prevents these well healed individuals from enjoying a cushy retirement that would otherwise await them. Kennedy, Thurman, Byrd, McCain, Specter, Helms...the list goes on. What is it, specifically, they can't give up? Power?...Perks?

RCV| 8.27.10 @ 12:09PM

Sorry, Conan, but life tenure for federal judges in part of the Constitution. Trying reading it sometime, along with Madison's commentaries, and you'll understand why: it's to protect our consititutional rights from the likes of you.

Deborah D| 8.27.10 @ 2:02PM

Amendments were created when abuse has been manifest. When federal judges legislate from the bench, then perhaps an amendment is in order.

Eric Cartman| 8.27.10 @ 2:21PM

That's why he said it was "time" for term limiting justices (you could just defund their offices, too). Jeeze - Reading While Intoxicated, too? Pathetic. Just pathetic. You should seek a 12-step program.

RCV| 8.27.10 @ 2:34PM

Good luck with that, Eric. Actually, it would be a good use of your time. I'd rather see you involved in the constitutional amendment process than out there causing real damage doing something else.

The One We've Been Waiting For| 8.27.10 @ 4:25PM

We're buying shrimp, RCV. My staff indicate that you are responsible for cheering up conservatives by constantly demonstrating our extremeness. You really must stop. You don't want to end up that little guy in Iran do you? Wait he almost as a nuclear bomb do to all my weak talk. Nobody respects me. Not even my own hired trolls. Well back to golf.

Eric Cartman| 8.29.10 @ 3:21PM

And now, Thinking While Intoxicated! Will it ever end with you, RCV? Gibberish in never becoming, my boy.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 8.28.10 @ 7:04AM

If Hayworth was nothing special, then McCain must be particularly special, since his friends are all big libs. Here's an article from the Hill yesterday about Charlie Crist flip flopping on health care. The truth comes out. They all love big government. They are all statists. McCain attacked Romney in 2008 election cycle after Romney labeled McCain a liberal. McCain is nothing if not a liberal. Watch McCain push cap and trade over the top. He's a doddering old fool and his poison should reveal itself soon.
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballo.....ealthcare-

Siegfried X| 8.28.10 @ 11:15AM

"In an election between a turd and a POS, which one do you choose? "

I'd choose the conservative, and that is definitely not McCain.

Mimi| 8.27.10 @ 8:01AM

The FREEDOM vs. CONTROL election is coming....The Dems are suddenly becoming great fans of LIBERTY....Liars!!! They should have to answer this question to the voters.....WILL YOU VOTE TO REPEAL THE HEALTH CARE BILL?? This coming to America, with its great increase in cost, effect on all business, is the hangmans NOOSE around the economies neck.

Mimi| 8.27.10 @ 8:07AM

FREEDOM vs. CONTROL is LIBERTY vs. TYRANNY. WE all know where that IDEA and BOOK comes from. We need to know WHO lit the candle in the DARK....Thank GOD!!

Tim*| 8.27.10 @ 8:18AM

We Tea Party Rebels are Tanned , Rested and Ready .
Next comes The Post Labor Day Ramp Up to November 2nd's Midterm Tsunami .

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates .

Rise Up !

JimH| 8.27.10 @ 8:36AM

In the Florida gubernatorial primary neither candidate was much to get excited about. McCollum is a career pol who at least seems fairly conservative. In the general anti-insider enthusiasm Rick Scott won a close election. Scott ran as an outsider, non-politician businessman. However, on further review, as they say in the NFL, his business consisted in large part of sucking at the public teat via Medicaid and other government entitlement payments. And if that wasn’t enough his company paid a huge fine for fraud on these payments. Scott claimed not to know of this activity. This makes him either a liar or incompetent.

WRTolkas| 8.27.10 @ 8:37AM

Dear Tim*, et al,

A commendable article. Fellow Conservatives remember this: dimocrats will throw everything they have at our candidates. They know this is a crossroad election. Our candidates are in place; but they are not yet elected. SO GET OUT THERE AND VOLUNTEER.

I send out a P.S. on all my emails usually "Remember to take back this Country in November. And if you vote for a democrat, don't bother to write to me again."

This is war.

Have a safe weekend,
WRTolkas

Follow Mr. Beck's gathering in Washington this weekend.

Denver Todd| 8.27.10 @ 8:44AM

I wish all this good stuff was happening in Colorado too. Things are as liberal as ever here.

Claypoole| 8.27.10 @ 9:54AM

Remember, Barack Obama has the soul of a tyrant. Post-Labor Day, when the polls offer him no hope, he will be capable of just about anything.
Be alert for the September/October surprise.

Pointer| 8.27.10 @ 11:26AM

Denver,
Colorodo will get it when they feel it.
Half the states are passing immigration enforcement laws. Illegals will flee and concentrate in the other half, which will drown in costs and crime.
The Illegal Hot Potato Strategy will prevail!

Siegfried X| 8.27.10 @ 11:32AM

The RINO leadership never gives up though. The NRSC has flown lawyers to Alaska to try and steal the win from the Tea Party.

Asked about it, they said their job was to "protect incumbents".

Siegfried X| 8.27.10 @ 12:55PM

NRSC spokesman Brian Walsh said the committee's policy is to support incumbents in primaries, but reiterated that they will support Miller if he wins the GOP nomination.

“The NRSC as an organization is comprised of Senate Republicans," Walsh said. "So naturally, the organization supports incumbent Senators..."

CalMark| 8.27.10 @ 11:55AM

Best line and marvelous summary of what a lot of grass-roots people feel about the GOP:

..."moderation" or "bipartisanship," which are nothing but code words for a spineless and self-serving desire to "go along to get along."

Fantastic piece!

saleboter| 8.27.10 @ 12:34PM

We are also finally seeing the re-alignment of states and their senators. Just thing less than 10 years ago N Dakota, not exactly a liberal bastion, had TWO demo senators, Indiana had one, Lousiana still has one and Florida does too. Sdak , montana, N carolina are all being representatives who claim to be moderate but when push comes to shove they vote in lock step with their party (healthcare, financial reform, crapulous)

Beatrice| 8.27.10 @ 12:36PM

GREAT article - and I hope you're right. This is the last chance for the GOP to stop this 'business as usual' garbage and do what's right. If they don't, We The People will realize that neither party can be relied upon and we'll:

1) Give up and knuckle under (God, I hope not!)
2) Revolution?
3. Secession?
4. The states will step up to the plate and start defying the Feds: Texas? Arizona?

Siegfried X| 8.27.10 @ 1:05PM

Vote third party instead of assuming that the Republican Party is the only hope? Vote third party sometimes so that the Republican establishment stop taking the conservative vote for granted? Be willing to vote third party sometimes as a bargaining chip in order to force RINOs to compromise? Send money directly to conservative candidates instead of sending it to Republican committes that give it all to RINOs?

audax| 8.27.10 @ 2:58PM

Better yet, become a GOP Precinct Committeeman and hijack back the GOP from the RINO's. Staying on the outside will only make you an even bigger loser.

Mimi| 8.27.10 @ 3:28PM

Siegfried X: Sorry ..not this year..Times are too critical and we can't take the chance to go third party and lose to the DEMS. Vote republican across the line... then hold their feet to the fire. Congress as far as the House is concerned is every 2 years. I think .. they are getting the message!!

Siegfried X| 8.27.10 @ 3:43PM

"Sorry ..not this year"

Same thing the RINOs said every year since President Reagan retired (1988).

" hold their feet to the fire"

The only way to hold their feet to the fire is to be willing to vote against them. Why should the RINOs care what conservatives say, as long as the conservatives are always willing to back down and vote for the RINOs?

It's amazing that people get fooled into caring so much about meaningless words like "Republican" and "Democrat". It isn't the words that matter, but the issues. Voting for a RINO who will pass Obama's stuff is worse than when a Democrat wins.

Siegfried X| 8.27.10 @ 3:49PM

Also, there wouldn't even _BE_ a tea party if some of us hadn't been willing to vote against McCain. We were told the same thing last election, that we should hold our noses and vote for McCain, and then next election it would be different.

Instead a lot of conservatives stayed home or voted third-party conservative, which is what led to the tea parties and to a few RINOs "getting the message".

If we had decided that the 2008 election was "too critical" and voted for McCain, then amnesty and cap & trade would have passed by now, and the RINOs would have even tighter control of the Republican Party.

The only way to fight back against the RINOs is to fight back, not cave in.

Beatrice| 8.27.10 @ 12:36PM

1) Give up and knuckle under (God, I hope not!)
2) Revolution?
3. Secession?
4. The states will step up to the plate and start defying the Feds: Texas? Nevada?

RCV| 8.27.10 @ 2:31PM

You could actually try to convince voters of your position and elect people who agree with you.

As to your other three options, just try it. The American people are pretty possessive of their country -- all of it. Anyone who tries to take away pieces of it will be met with the same response they were the last time secession was tried. Our forefathers gave up a lot of blood to establish the indivisibility of our Union, and we will make sure it was not in vain. As to number 4, try reading the Constitution for once in your life. The choice is yours, of course.

dac| 8.27.10 @ 2:58PM

RCV, people like you will "make sure" that Lincoln's successful war against the Confederacy was "not in vain?" Really? With what army? Do you really think that the U.S. military, the vast majority of which is conservative and Southern or Mountain Western, is going to side with sniveling elite socialists like you? You have a dream, and it's going to be shattered. There are, by the way, a few provisions in the Constitution you cite with such smug authority that preserve some rights for the states. Some states may assert those rights, first in federal courts, then perhaps in other ways that you're too much of a coward to contemplate.
Let me suggest a #5: take your northeastern cities, the rusting, rotting upper Midwest, and the Left coast and secede yourselves to Canada. Enjoy and leave the rest of America (as Madison and other wise Founders conceived it) alone.

RCV| 8.27.10 @ 3:11PM

I do indeed believe that the men and women of our Armed Forces take seriously their oath to defend our country against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that they would and will die to preserve the Union, as would I and the overwhelming majority of Americans -- North, South, East and West. We have had you sniveling little enemies of the United States since its founding -- the Whiskey Rebellion, Shays Rebellion, the Southern attempt at secession, were all met with stiff military force, as would any attempt by national traitors like you to do so again. You and your like pretend to be American patriots, but you're really just traitors, plain and simple.

And yes, the States may challenge any law they think is unconstitutional in the courts.

Mimi| 8.27.10 @ 3:57PM

Heh..RCV,...Start packing your gear. The nearest Commie- country is..CUBA. The American people are taking the country back...We didn't like the Anti- American type the Dems gave us.

RCV| 8.27.10 @ 4:07PM

Sorry, Mimi. Love my country too much to leave it to the likes of you. The President was elected by the American people. Maybe you could come up with an alternative candidate they'll like better. If so, you'll win the election. Until then, get over your loss.

The One We've Been Waiting For| 8.27.10 @ 4:32PM

We're buying shrimp, RCV. Now I need to compliment you. Way to use "love" in a sentence. I used to choke on that formulation but I practiced at home telling Michelle that I "love" her. When I got to where I could get that out without stuttering I found the country lie was pretty easy. We are doing some great things for the poor today. Back to golf.

Martin Treptow| 8.28.10 @ 2:36PM

Except, RCV, now the "snivelers" are in Washington, and the secessionists would be on the side of the Angels this time. One could say that the attempt to confiscate wealth and redistribute it so as to cement and centralize power in a Federal gov't is itself a kind of Act of War. Trying telling citizens of the great State of Texas that they're "snivelers". Oh, that's right... people like you don't have the... "cojones".

RCV| 8.28.10 @ 7:39PM

And people like you, Martin, have cojones for brains.

Arch| 8.29.10 @ 5:05PM

RCV:

There is a problem using the US military as a police force. They can defend the borders, airspace and territorial waters, but without envoking the insurrection act or repealing Posse Comitatus Act, police they cannot be. The national guard, who report directly to the governors can act in a law enforcement capacity. Would the governors' chop their guard troops?

Obeying the president and supporting the Constitution are not equivalent. If the Commander in Chief gave an order for the US Military to suppress internal political strife, there would be a serious Constitutional question as to the legality of those orders. Were they suppressing the rights to speak, assemble peacefully and ask for redress of grievances? Commanders, officers and troops themselves might refuse to act.

Let's look at the numbers. The US military including active duty, guard and reserves, number only about 2 million. Of those, there are about 800,000 trigger pullers. There are 310,000,000 Americans, many of whom are armed war veterans who know the ground on which they would fight. I own 8 guns including an M1 Garand and a pair of Model 1911 45 ACPs. Many of my friends are better armed than I.

I'm a retired US Military officer who fought in Vietnam, and I wouldn't take this fight.

RCV| 8.31.10 @ 3:01PM

The Constitution gives Congress the express power to call up all the state militias "in times of Insurrection". And, like Lincoln, any President would not hesitate to use the armed forces to preserve the Union. We, the American people, would insist it be done. The military might of the federal government would easily out power any right wing insurrection. You're just smoking something if you think otherwise.

Michael F| 8.27.10 @ 3:40PM

dac;
There's a warm place in the heart of downtown Toronto, along the WetCoast around Vancouver, and also in uptown Ottawa, for such scurvy liberal leftists. The rest of (conservative) Canada wouldn't want them--although they still might get in as 'political refugees', like the boatloads of Tamil Tigers, say.

Tim*| 8.27.10 @ 3:27PM

Yeah , RCV Lawboy will slap ya around with a legal file and then bore ya to death .

Zzzzzzzzzz !

dac| 8.27.10 @ 4:20PM

I have to wonder whether the sky is blue in RCV's odd little world. At no time since the end of WW2 have different regions of this country had LESS in common with each other. Had RCV ever lived outside whatever blighted big city precinct or university town he lives in, or ever spoken to anyone who has actually served in the military, or just paid attention to something other than himself, he might realize that he's as out of touch as the statist gods of the American left that he worships.
At most points in U.S. history the Union was worth preserving, and most Americans would have fought and died for it. It has been many, many years (since well before I was born) that most leftist tools like RCV would be willing to die for anything, especially anything American remotely resembling the Constitutional republic that we used to have. That's another post altogether, but my argument is that given the demographic and geographic makeup of the U.S. military, comfortable socialists like RCV delude themselves if they think our rank and file military will ride to their rescue and enforce a regime that is fundamentally un-American, and frankly far more like Hugo Chavez's or Castro's than the intellectually bankrupt left cares to admit. I seriously doubt they will. Just consider one state (Texas). Fort Hood, where a muslim terrorist (but not according to Dear Leader) murdered 13/14 U.S. soldiers, to the delight of RCV and his leftist buddies in the current White (oops, that's racist) House, is the largest military base in the country. Does RCV really think that if Texas seceded--which its own state constitution gives it the right to do, as this was a condition of its admittance to the U.S.--the military at Fort Hood would flood the streets of Dallas and start shooting U.S. citizens? Please. Some would pack up and leave the state, I'm sure. The majority would happily stay and enjoy living free again. A tinpot dictator like Dear Leader who can't even be bothered to say strong words at the U.N. is going to ride down to Texas like little Mikey Dukakis in his tank and teach those darned Johnny Rebs a lesson? It's laughable.
To avoid civil war, Dear Leader and those like him must be stripped of power, ideally by normal legal and electoral means. But if and when that doesn't work, I'll be happy to be on the seceding side, standing on what's left of the Constitutional principles on which the country was founded. RCV will be huddled in his decaying little office cube somewhere, starving because he's never hunted, started a fire, or shot a gun, begging for Dear Leader's thugs to give him his bread ration.
As for Canada I've been to several places and while Vancouver is beautiful, like Portland and Seattle and S.F. it's gone far too left to be salvaged. I'll trade any/all NE or upper Midwest state to Canada for Alberta, the Yukon, Sasketchewan and Manitoba. Just a straight swap. I doubt there'd be much objection from the residents of the regions, and we'd give everyone a few months to move in/out.

Michael F| 8.27.10 @ 6:25PM

You have the finest idea of this thread. Put me down for the swap, destination southern Utah. My late daddy and unrepentant American would approve my return to our roots. Can I bring my guns, too? Don't want to leave 'em for destruction here.

RCV| 8.27.10 @ 6:39PM

Sorry, gentlemen, but they actually won't have to shoot anybody, although if necessary, they will indeed. When the Southern states resisted integration as ordered by the Federal Courts, those American soldiers from the South placed the country above their own personal views and enforced the law. They will do so again. (And in case you haven't noticed, dac-boy, so many of our good soldiers now come from hispanic and african-american communities - it's not just far-right lunatic separatists like you who make up the military.) But if you want to pretend you're in Red Dawn, the movie, go ahead. The local police will be there to take care of you.

The people who operate on this site are so out of the mainstream that they seem to forget that it was the American people who elected Barack Obama president. And unless and until you can convince the electorate to change that decision at the polls, it will stand. And the Republic will endure the likes of you, I assure you. You're a joke - all you little Timothy McVeighs are kidding yourselves.

The One We've Been Waiting For| 8.27.10 @ 8:48PM

We're buying shrimp, RCV. Tim McVeigh had a lot of good points about what to do about environmental problems. Please don't mention him. He polls better than I do and people realize he is a mass murderer.

Martin Treptow| 8.28.10 @ 2:43PM

Come here and tell me I'm a joke to my face, RCV. I'll e-mail you my address. You keep referring to the "Republic". Do you think what Pres. Obama has designs on resembles anything the Founders had in mind? I would argue that, if left to his devices, it would cease to be a Republic. The citizens on this post are so much more well behaved than on any lefty site, it's not even worth a comparison. If a Secessionist movement does arise, will you please... please... pick up a gun and stand to post?

RCV| 8.28.10 @ 10:46PM

You are a joke, Martin. Grown-ups don't challenge people who disagree with their politics to schoolyard fights. And when you and your ten tin-horn cosecessionists line up, the local police will handle you just fine.

RCV| 8.28.10 @ 10:46PM

Monica| 8.27.10 @ 1:58PM

Please don't leave all of us in AZ out of the loop. There were quite a few of us who did vote for JD in hopes of tossing McCain.

Deborah D| 8.27.10 @ 5:51PM

Bless you, Monica. Kudos to AZ -- you're still in our hearts. Just hold McCain's feet to the fire. I've never been prouder of a state than AZ. A lot of pressure on you all. The whole country is in your debt -- especially as it pertains to illegal immigration. Take care of yourselves out there -- and don't wait for the feds to defend you. Do it on your own. The whole country is behind you!!

Redstateboy| 8.27.10 @ 4:56PM

what's piss'n me and I'm sure a lot of Conservatives off is the "Republican" Establishment is trying to ride and tame the Tiger of Revolution.. and they're really starting to look like a bunch of cynical _astards.. We Need Change.. We need a Revolution to get this Country to where the Government is spending only around 3% of GDP.. As it was when we were growing to be a World power.

Dreamer| 8.27.10 @ 5:04PM

I feel we are about to see another Al Franken in Alaska.

RCV| 8.27.10 @ 6:29PM

You mean where they actually count the votes and determine who won instead of the Supreme Court ordering them to certify the loser as victor?

The One We've Been Waiting For| 8.27.10 @ 7:04PM

We're buying shrimp, RCV. I have shot terrible today because of you but this last bit of nonsense it quite good. Try to confuse them on the recount stuff and hope that nobody realizes that selected recounts in only Democratic districts with the faithful like yourselves determining intent of the voter was not what a free vote should look like. Maybe try to sell the ballot designed by a Democrat was a Republican conspiracy. You really are good. What a smart guy. We should give you a raise. Going to play some hoops now. I never tire in my work for the poor.

Tim*| 8.27.10 @ 7:55PM

We Tea Party Rebels will answer RCV Lawboy's Shuck &Jive; Trash Talk on November 2nd .

67 Days till to November 2nd.

We Remember in November .

RCV| 8.27.10 @ 10:19PM

By the way, Tim, thanks for making me look so good.

Tim*| 8.28.10 @ 7:25AM

You're certainly welcome RCV ObamaBoy .

You're a Legend In Your Own Mind .

However Sport , You'll Eat Humble Loser's Pie On November 2nd .

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates .

We Can See November From Our Houses .

Arch| 8.29.10 @ 5:10PM

RCV

Have you ever been in the military? Have you ever been in combat? I think not.

WR Jonas| 8.27.10 @ 5:05PM

It seems that some people here advocating 3rd party voting have forgotten the axiom; when a battle begins , fence straddlers are usually killed in the first exchange of fire.

Michele San Pietro| 8.27.10 @ 5:36PM

There's definitely need for a new breed of aggressive Republicans.

Deborah D| 8.27.10 @ 5:54PM

Amen. I'm ready for Republicans to take the glove off -- if not now, when!?

Michele San Pietro| 8.29.10 @ 3:45PM

You are right, it's definitely now or never.

Mark James| 8.27.10 @ 8:17PM

I have been preaching for years that the only way to "fix" Washington was to clean house (and Senate :). It seems that real conservatives are trying to do so but it will be impossible to turn this garbage barge around while the Dems are re-electing the same traitorous criminals over and over again. So while we are busy remaking the Repubs and plugging the hole on the starboard side the Dems are trying to tear a bigger hole in the port side. We need to throw them overboard.

Artesian Jacket| 8.27.10 @ 10:11PM

RCV: Son, put the crack pipe down. The Democrats are going to be slaughtered in November. You best avert your lying eyes.

Supreme Galooti| 8.28.10 @ 4:05PM

Many Americans have been frightened, sickened, and dismayed by the disgusting behaviour of the RulingClass politicos of both parties. Many of these Americans of which I speak are true independents, and some are Democrats. They will be expressing their sentiments in November by ridding the country of as many "ruling class" types as possible. The Republican party establishment is currently dominated by these ruling class wannabes, but that is changing. I suspect that by 2012 the Republican establishment will be well staffed with "country class" up and comers. At the same time we reform the Republican Party (the Democrack Party is a lost cause) we need to bust the unions - especially the teachers' unions. Unless we wrest our schools away from the statists America is lost.

John DuBose| 8.29.10 @ 9:35AM

Amongst all the yelling on this site, an interesting question has come up. If Sen. McClusky loses the primary, will she run as a Libertarian ? There are not many practicing Libertarians anywhere. So what will that small group of activist in Alaska do? They are very serious about changing the direction of the country. They are also serious about advancing their party. The question of which disgruntled big party poilticians to bring in on their line is ongoing. As a sometime Libertarian, my advice it to not accept the loosing senator. She is not much of a libertarian. Even if she wins there will be no appreciation. And the shining light of the libertarian idea will be dimmed a bit.

Arch| 8.29.10 @ 5:18PM

What PVC doesn't understand is that by 2:1 the American people do not want Obama's radical agenda. Even to morons who voted for him are having buyer's remorse.

Americans do not want bailouts.
Americans do not want to own car companies.
Americans do not want open borders.
Americans do not want cap & trade.
Americans do not want a ban on offshore drilling.
Americans do not want card check.
Americans do not want unelected czars.
Americans do not want to apologize for America.
Americans do not want Pelosi.
Americans do not want Reid.
Americans do not want Obama.

Arch| 8.29.10 @ 5:18PM

What PVC doesn't understand is that by 2:1 the American people do not want Obama's radical agenda. Even to morons who voted for him are having buyer's remorse.

CantGetRight| 8.29.10 @ 8:43PM

These candidates are so lame and so out of touch with anything but there right wing extremist views they will banish the republican party to minority status for the next 20 years at the least. You have already offended every minority there is and when these people attack medicaid and social security, poof there goes the 55 and over crowd that still supports the party of the rich. What's left after that?

John DuBose| 8.29.10 @ 11:35PM

The perverse spectacle of candidates defeated in their own party's primary coming back in as an independent or in a 3rd party could and should be stopped.

The way to do that is by changing to approval voting

www.approvalvoting.org