The American Spectator

oldfart| 6.21.11 @ 6:26AM

My better half and I have observed that Ms. Palin is not out to be King - oops Queen - oops President - oops First Person, (we have to be totally PC now - can't make anyone angry at us) but the one who paves the road for the one who follows. The WASP establishment has gotten so passe and so predictable that it is obvious that they are totally brain dead.

oldfart| 6.21.11 @ 6:37AM

Sorry did I offend anyone by using the word WASP? How about over MOKIA - Mount Olympus Know It All.

SugartownSuper| 6.21.11 @ 1:16PM

As a WASP, I take no offence whatsoever, and I agree with you that the vast majority of my fellow WASP's are, and for a long time have been, brain dead.

David| 6.21.11 @ 2:46PM

I, too confess, to be White, Anglo-Saxon, and Protestant. But unless you equate being "brain dead" with membership in the Tea Party, I'd say WASPs are from extinct.

In fact, I'd say the fear of being displaced is what's driving many WASPs from their dormancy to the political fray. It may also account for the frenzied nature of the swarming.

Drunken Sailor| 6.21.11 @ 3:14PM

Wow, you sure go out of your way to insult and piss people off, then when the respond in kind, you scream about it. Every so oftern you post a logically thought out argument. Give it a try more often and you won't be labeled a Troll. At least RCV can avoid deliberately irritating people.

David| 6.21.11 @ 3:19PM

Well, kind for kind, I guess. But point well taken. And I was impressed by the historical lesson that in the 30's, it was the Midwestern WASPs who rose up politically and socially. So this was very telling. I tell you what, DS, since you've been one of the more intelligent posters here, I'll refrain from the namecalling.

David| 6.21.11 @ 3:20PM

Also - you have to grant this crop of Presidential hopefuls is extremely lampoon-worthy. And, while I criticize those with a rosy view of the past, I did admire Bob Dole and wish he'd been a better candidate.

Drunken Sailor| 6.21.11 @ 3:31PM

I met Bob Dole. Kind and gracious but not sure he would have been good for the country.

buckeyeman| 6.21.11 @ 3:21PM

David,

I've read your first sentence about five times now and I just can't figure out what it means.

Your second and third sentences seem intended to be derogatory toward "frenzied" Americans whose concern over the future of our country you term as "swarming". You attribute this apparently unwelcome interest in our country as being due to "fear of being displaced".

I don't understand what you mean by that. Displaced from what? If you mean they fear being "displaced" from owning the wealth they accumulate through hard work so that a Marxist regime can maintain political power by confiscating and redistributing that wealth then I guess I'd agree, but somehow I don't think that's what you meant.

It strikes me that our economy is a disaster of easily understood origins. Being concerned about the continuation of the collectivist policies that got us here seems rational to me. Why the derision? Are only non-WASPS now allowed to be interested in the future of our country?

David| 6.21.11 @ 3:49PM

The first sentence - "I, too confess, to be White, Anglo-Saxon, and Protestant"? Pretty clear, I think. I'm half German, a quarter Scots and a quarter English. So I'm thinking you must mean the second sentence and I see now I omitted a word which may be perplexing you. I should have said, "But unless you equate being 'brain dead" with membership in the Tea Party, I'd say WASPs are FAR from extinct."

So, actually, this was intended as a somewhat compassionate statement that WASPs are not brain dead; they're alive and well in the Tea Party. And go ahead - jump on my notion that the Tea Party is pretty much all white. Based on what I've seen in Madison, WI in person and on TV, non-white faces are pretty far and few between.

As for displacement, that's a pretty straightforward English word. I meant displaced from being the majority in nearly everything. It's you who put a spin on it that I never thought about.

And it also depends on what you mean by "colletivist policies." If you include the commercial banks and hedge fund managers along with Obama's administration (which is what you meant by "marxist (sic) regime," right?), then I have no quarrel with your statement. Seems to me that there's plenty of blame to go around on the current economic fix.

As for your last sentence, that's just ridiculous. We need everyone (including you, DS) to contribute. Ooops, did that come off as Marxist?

buckeyeman| 6.21.11 @ 8:38PM

OK, so I can't count. But...

Marxist ( sic??? - what did I do to deserve a "sic"? I capitalized it. It looks to me like I spelled it correctly. Throw me a bone here.) is pretty much what I think Obama and his associates are. He wrote about trying to associate with Marxists in college, I think. In my mind, the Statists are all bad whatever you choose to call them, Marxists, Socialists, Communists, Leftists, or the term I often use, Collectivists".

So yeah, "collectivist" policies are what got us into trouble and I do include the policies of redistributing taxpayer's hard earned money to anyone else who didn't earn it including the banks and hedge fund managers. I don't think it's that much of a secret what led to the recent housing collapse and it certainly wasn't the time tested practice of banks loaning depositor's money to creditworthy borrowers who had a reasonable down payment and reasonable prospects for making the mortgage payments on time. The ensuing mess of securitized debt obligations, mortgage backed securities, tranches of mortgages without proper chain of title, derivatives, and federal bailouts of select, politically powerful institutions is all a consequence of collectivist/statist thinking and actions, at least in my mind.

I'm always confused when folks refer to all this corruption as a product of the "free market". I see nothing "free" in a market with government tentacles manipulating and distorting practically every aspect of every interaction. Ditto for the expression "crony capitalism" when in fact this is more like "crony socialism" masquerading as capitalism.

Looking beyond the home mortgage crisis, the rest of the landscape looks pretty bad to me and for much the same reason. Welfare state promises that simply cannot be kept. Diluting the money supply to try to hide the problem. Wrecking the educational system with "grade redistribution" for lack of a better term. It seems that everywhere I look people are doing things that just don't make any sense.

Anyway, it seemed to me that you were "dissing" WASPS for being distressed at this whole mess. Maybe you weren't and I misunderstood what you were saying. In either case I (and I suspect a lot of WASPS) don't care so much who's in the majority but rather what that majority does. If wealth confiscation and redistribution is what the majority wants (and it looks that way to me) then I think we're in for a world of hurt.

David| 6.21.11 @ 9:27PM

A compassionate post and I sympathize with you.

I do point out that John Kenneth Galbraith, who was one of the most notable historians of all time, said the rich want socialism for themselves and capitalism for everyone else. At the risk of sounding like a populist rabblerouser, I don't think you can talk about a corrupt marketplace due to government tentacles without painting the banks and the limited partnerships and the other economic arrangements that Bush's Treasury and SEC and other watchdogs couldn't understand. I think if you're going to wield a wide brush, it oughta cover the greedy SOBs conveniently labeled as "Wall Street."

Obama's great failing wasn't to castrate every one of those greedy bastards, including the females, and run those gonads up the nearest flagpole.

Anyway, I thought 50% plus one is our standard.

Nick| 6.22.11 @ 11:41AM

David,

"Anyway, I thought 50% plus one is our standard."

No...that would be a democracy. We live in a Republic. (At least tangentially, at this point in time.) Perhaps you need a refresher course on the U.S. Constitution.

But, what should I expect from someone who thinks that a democrat party hack economist was a great historian? Or, as Buckeyeman pointed out, someone who can't even properly quote another's written words?

David| 6.22.11 @ 1:59PM

Wow. Not only snarky but wrong. The political science definition or the Right's definition or a lawyer's definition notwithstanding, I think democracy is pretty much equated with "republic" or "federal republic" or "representative republic" or the other variations I've seen here in the common man's mind.

Nick| 6.22.11 @ 8:16PM

David,

Bzzzzzzzz!!!!
Wrong, again.

It was the Founder's definition, enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Is the President elected by "50% plus one"? Supreme Court justices? Is the Constitution amended by 50% plus one?

There is very little democracy in our system because the Framers knew that it was evil.

W| 6.21.11 @ 10:06PM

Are you the David who admitted being part of the mob at the capital in Wisconsin, exercising your rights under the First Amendment?

David| 6.21.11 @ 10:22PM

No, I admitted to being an American exercising my rights to petition the government for redress of grievances. Permitted by the Constitution and encouraged by the Founding Fathers. Why do you have such a problem with that?
Unless you're asking if I was part of the Tea Party mob that gathered at the Capitol?

W| 6.22.11 @ 6:01AM

try using yes or no, unless you are embarrassed by being there.. no problem with exercising rights. you consider taking over the capital, leaving garbage everywhere costing the state one million to clean up, shouting at the legislators, chanting slogans written for you by the unions, an effective way to present the union message? i am curious to hear from someone who was there. if you were not there say so, wat too defensive.

David| 6.22.11 @ 2:04PM

W,
Your ill-tempered question was a sophistry, an inelegant trap. You didn't want a yes or no answer yesterday and you don't want a yes or no answer today. It's insulting that you would think I have the intellect of the average Tea Partier and fall for it.. You don't want a yes or no answer because then you wouldn't be able to trot our your ignorant ideology about what happened in Madison.

Why would I say "yes" to being part of a "mob"? Then you and yours would jump all over that.

Kinda like the old question, "When did you stop beating your wife?"

W| 6.22.11 @ 3:57PM

david, still cannot answer yes or no. i take your clinton-like answer as a yes. remove the word mob, you were there at that peaceful, well mannered meeting.
what are you afraid of? if you were there say you were there,
do you believe you and your fellow SEIU and other union or association members are smarter than the Tea Party members? why?

lydia| 6.23.11 @ 10:50AM

Enough experience at what, exactly? All I see is a big talking politician who hasn't finished anything she's started.
I am a 28 years old doctor, mature and beautiful.and now I am seeking a good man who can give me real love , so i got a username Andromeda2002 on--s'e'ek'c'ou'ga'r.c óm--.it is the first and best club for y'ounger women and old'er men, or older women and y'ounger men,to int'eract with each other. Maybe you wanna ch'eck 'it out or tell your friends!

Alan Brooks| 6.21.11 @ 8:30PM

Electing women is good- it'll put you guys out of business someday.
You will sell the pantyhose used to strangle you.

David| 6.21.11 @ 9:30PM

I'm not sure if you're being ironic or pathologically misogynist. An enlightened man, an intelligent man sees a woman as a partner holding up half the sky.

Michael L. Hauschild| 6.21.11 @ 6:40AM

First as in first to declare, or simply first to hammered? I'm guessing Palin will thank Bachmann for becoming the target of opportunity by rewarding her with the VP slot.

wodiej| 6.21.11 @ 7:08AM

good one.

mames| 6.21.11 @ 11:10AM

Bachmann simply has more conservative bona fides. She entered public life AFTER raising a family, has served in office longer, is politically savvy and so far unabashedly conservative without the baggage of having run with the RINO McCain and having helped him return to office as the GOP's most disloyal Rino . Palin looks good but has never delivered and is about as qualified as Obama, and seems to be putting her family on the back burner to strike while the iron is hot with books, tv shows and selective appearances. (as an aside that voice of Palin's drives me nuts it is so shrill ) As a constitutionally limited republic man Bachmann is more to my liking.

Dai Alanye| 6.21.11 @ 11:59AM

The "mames" post is a perfect example of the Right attempting to destroy its own, and for no good reason. Either Bachmann or Palin would be vastly superior to what we have in there now, and not merely because of any specific experience but because they have the proper instincts.

At present the mainstreamers are for the most part praising Bachmann. The reason? They see her as able to forestall a Palin candidacy. It's Palin they fear the most. Soon the mixture of left-wing praise and put-downs will become entirely negative if Bachmann surges, and she'll be condemned as Sarah II.

But we don't need to help the left with its propaganda by attacking either one of these women.

Occam's Tool| 6.21.11 @ 12:30PM

Bachmann's Campaign is starting to go into Overdrive! The Tea Party Riseth up, without the bigotry of the twit from East Texas!

Carpe Diem!

Margie| 6.21.11 @ 3:55PM

O.T.~ LOL!!!!

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 4:52PM

Israel Firster Tool Job is all Fixated & Atwitter because many of We Tea Party Patriots & Our Tea Party Co-Favorite Dr. Ron Paul & Our Tea Party Senator Dr. Rand Paul Don't Asskiss Tool Job's Personal Fanatic Screwball Israel Firster Agenda.

Podex perfectus es

Amanda| 6.21.11 @ 1:11PM

You should be ashamed of yourself in that you have
opened your big mouth bashing Palin without researching her record; and if you have, you should be ashamed of yourself for lying.

David| 6.21.11 @ 3:04PM

Lying? I see no lies. What do you need to know about Palin that she hasn't been pushing on us since McCain plucked her from the historical obscurity that she so richly deserves.

If anything, failing to complete any elected term should have been listed.

But, having said all that, I hope they both run. It'll add to the general hilarity that is the Republican Presidential field. And with this level of infighting, Obama is pretty much guaranteed a repeat of 2008.

Teaghan| 6.21.11 @ 4:11PM

Liberals are mean and they suck.

David| 6.21.11 @ 9:30PM

And conservatives are nice because they swallow?

Appleby| 6.21.11 @ 6:55AM

It isnt "Patty's Pig." ; its "Paddy's Pig." (The common name for the vehicle that carried New York criminals to the police station was the "Paddy Wagon" because the common expectation was that its passengers were Irish drunks picked up for fighting.

As for the theory that people mock and jeer anyone *different* until they get used to the idea, thats a fairly common human reaction to anything new. Look at all the people yelling *Get a horse!* at the idiots in the first automobiles. And my night-school chemistry prof jeered at the three of us who had calculators, branding them *rich kids toys* and telling us to use slide rules like everybody else did.

Michael L. Hauschild| 6.21.11 @ 10:27AM

Still got my Pickett, still know how to use it. It is the most beutifly enamled, embossed object I have ever possessed. I had a round plastic one that I used for class, the Pickett for tests and at home when I did not have to carry it around.

irish19| 6.21.11 @ 12:23PM

I never really thought slide rules were precise enough. I just relied on pencil and paper.

Occam's Tool| 6.21.11 @ 12:32PM

I carried my early TI on my belt. I think I was just learning elementary slide rule tricks when the TIs became affordable.

Appleby| 6.21.11 @ 1:46PM

I had a round plastic slide rule but never learned to use it. Instead I paid $800 for a "four-banger" calculator that could also do squares, square roots and percents. I also went back to night school and took algebra 1 after I got that thing, to prove that it was not math I can't do -- it's arithmetic!

David| 6.21.11 @ 3:07PM

*sigh* I didn't feel old until I saw the same slide rule as I have enshrined in one of the NASA exhibits at the Smithsonian.

Anyway, it's not the age of the person involved but the age of their ideas. I fear the locked vision on the past I see in too many of these Republican candidates.

wodiej| 6.21.11 @ 7:11AM

This is presumptuous since Gov. Palin has not made a decision on whether to run or not. I hope she does because she has the executive experience and legislative background to prove she made great decisions for Alaska and an 88% approval rating while in office. Bachmann has nothing like this on her resume.

mames| 6.21.11 @ 11:14AM

Most newly elected folks get high marks during the first two years. We will never know how she would have fared as she quit to go make a fast buck. She says some good stuff but anyone connected with McCain is suspect to true conservatives.

Amanda| 6.21.11 @ 1:13PM

You are ignorant about Palin's record because
it apparently suits your purpose in bashing her.

Sarah Palin has 18+ years in public service.
MB has done very little in office; please name
her accomplishments.

David| 6.21.11 @ 3:09PM

And Saint Sarah has done what? Exactly - by year or bill number or someting concrete. Sheesh. Enough with the idol worship and see her for what she is.

Margie| 6.21.11 @ 3:57PM

Not idol worship, just truth.

Teaghan| 6.21.11 @ 4:12PM

What? Didn't you read her emails?

David| 6.21.11 @ 4:54PM

Me? Read Palin's emails? Why? I've been advised on this site:
1. Getting her emails was a waste of time and public funds.
2. There's nothing in there of any note so stop fishing.

So okay. There's nothing in there.

rdman| 6.21.11 @ 7:14PM

Regarding your ignorant comments directed at Palin, why are you here making a fool of yourself with learnt people who obviously know better???

David| 6.21.11 @ 9:12PM

Ya mean "learnt" people like you?

Oh, ya, shur, ya betcha. I be just as learnt as ouy.

rdman| 6.21.11 @ 10:48PM

Yeah, that's right, metro-sexual girly-man... you betcha!!!

rdman| 6.21.11 @ 10:53PM

'lernt: acquired by learning

David| 6.21.11 @ 11:19PM

Obvously nothing here to respond to. That's too bad but a battle of wits with an unarmed person can only have one outcome.

Joe Richmond| 6.21.11 @ 7:24AM

I think that Sarah Palin does have enough experience. Democrats really should not have people use that line and I think if the media were behind her most everyone who does not like her would.
http://hcgactivator.org/hcg-activator-review.html

Controse| 6.21.11 @ 11:52AM

I didn't know this blog site permitted links to advertisements in the comments. I do know that it shouldn't.

Ken (Old Texican)| 6.21.11 @ 7:55AM

You guys will get a chuckle out of this.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK3Eo9cScEQ&feature=share

Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 6.21.11 @ 8:45AM

Ken: He sure did have a way of delivering a good joke huh?

crookedwren| 6.21.11 @ 9:48AM

This old ex-Dem. (the conservative kind who loathes Communism, Socialism, and the like) laughed out loud. My hubby -- a dyed-in-the-wool conservative Republican -- will love this, too.
Thanks for sharing. Laughter helps.

irish19| 6.21.11 @ 12:26PM

That was great!! The nature of the Democratic platform hasn't changed any since then.

RAMIII| 6.21.11 @ 3:06PM

Hilarious!! Hahahahahahahahahaha. That is a great clip.

martin j smith| 6.21.11 @ 8:00AM

the BIG LIE by the Socialists is bought thus Palin as the focus of negative attention. Stop buying Socialist products.

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 8:07AM

We Tea Party Patriots have Michele Bachmann & Dr.Ron Paul in The 2012 GOP Primaries & welcome Sarah Palin to be Our Third Candidate.

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.

Carpe Diem.

Groad| 6.21.11 @ 10:55AM

Ron Paul is not a Tea Party favorite. He is a kook fringe favorite. He's not affiliated with the Tea PArty movement.

Occam's Tool| 6.21.11 @ 12:33PM

Thank you, Groad. Please see my BTO reference, above. Michele stands for a strong international presence against sharia. Paul does not---he is pro-sharia.

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 3:28PM

Come on! Pro-sharia?

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 3:41PM

Israel Firster Tool Job is all Angst Ridden & PMS'y because many of We Tea Party Patriots & Our Tea Party Co-Favorite Dr. Ron Paul & Our Tea Party Seanator Dr. Rand Paul don't Asskiss Tool Job's Personal Fanatic Screwball Israel Firster Agenda.

Margie| 6.21.11 @ 3:59PM

Amen. We don't need no slithering lizards in the Presidency of these United States. BTW~ slithering lizard means an despicable individual who blames the U.S. for the terrorists being terrorists.

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 5:05PM

"Michael Scheuer, the former head analyst at the CIA’s bin Laden unit, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the Republican Presidential debate held Tuesday May 15, 2007, when Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) stated that American foreign policy was a “contributing factor” in the 9/11 attacks.
Scheuer, who was the head analyst at the CIA’s bin Laden unit, Alec Station, and authored the books Through Our Enemies Eyes and Imperial Hubris, said “I thought Mr. Paul captured it the other night exactly correctly. This war is dangerous to America because it’s based, not on gender equality, as Mr. Giuliani suggested, or any other kind of freedom, but simply because of what we do in the Islamic World because ‘we’re over there,’ basically, as Mr. Paul said in the debate.”

Scheuer also agreed with Dr. Paul’s statement in the debate that the war in Iraq was a diversion from capturing or killing Osama bin Laden and that bin Laden was “delighted” that the U.S. is occupying Iraq as it has become a training ground and recruiting tool for new jihadists joining the movement.

Margie| 6.21.11 @ 9:25PM

I know, I know. And the Jooooz caused 9/11 too, right?

David| 6.21.11 @ 9:32PM

Great. Anti-Semitism as well as ignorance.

beejeez| 6.23.11 @ 8:09AM

Because Western exploitation of natural resources from Mideast dictatorships could not possibly have anything to do with terrorism.

Teaghan| 6.21.11 @ 4:15PM

Ron Paul is a kook just off the mother ship and his suits don't fit properly.

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 4:59PM

"When Ronald Reagan ran for the Republican nomination in 1976 he was opposed by the Republican leadership and was even considered a “kook” by many in the party.

Only four Republican congressman supported Reagan in 1976 and Ron Paul was one of them.

Paul supported Reagan and likewise Reagan supported Paul.

This is what Ronald Reagan had to say about Ron Paul on the issue of national defense:

“Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country.”

ZAK KLEMMER| 6.21.11 @ 2:56PM

Anyone who doesn't support "Progressive Era" policies and institutions is a "kook"? Poor choice of words on your part. We have planed chaos, how is that working for you?

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 3:37PM

Do your homework before you run your uninformed mouth.

"Tea party activists are divided roughly into two camps, according to a POLITICO/TargetPoint poll:
The survey, an exit poll conducted by Edison Research at the massive Tax Day protest on the National Mall, found that the attendees were largely hostile to President Barack Obama and the national Democratic Party — three-quarters believe the president “is pursuing a socialist agenda.”

Yet they aren’t enamored of the Republican Party as an alternative. Overall, three out of four tea party attendees said they were “scared about the direction” of the country and “want to send a message to both political parties.”
Palin, who topped the list with 15 percent, speaks for the 43 percent of those polled expressing the distinctly conservative view that government does too much, while also saying that it needs to promote traditional values.

Paul’s thinking is reflected by an almost identical 42 percent who said government does too much but should not try to promote any particular set of values — the hallmarks of libertarians. He came in second to Palin with 12 percent.

When asked to choose from a list of candidates for president in 2012, Palin and Paul also finished one-two — with Palin at 15 percent and Paul at 14 percent. "

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.

Carpe Diem.

Amanda| 6.21.11 @ 1:14PM

You do not personally speak for the wishes of
the Tea Party Patriots. Therefore, you are lying.

David| 6.21.11 @ 3:24PM

Wow. What, exactly, Amanda, qualifies one to speak on behalf of the Tea Party?

Do you not allow someone to enthusiastically support something? Does your world view require that you equate "lying" with anything that does not meet your exact formulation?

Margie| 6.21.11 @ 4:03PM

Can't you read? She said "you do not PERSONALLY speak for the wishes of.."
Oh, wait. That's right, you purposely enjoy doing this. It's why you're here. AmSpec's newest obfuscater.

David| 6.21.11 @ 4:56PM

Well, yeah, I do enjoy posting here. That's true, Margie.

You didn't address that someone's enthusiasm translates as a lie. That kind of ideological puritanism needs to be called out.

Margie| 6.21.11 @ 5:57PM

"That kind of ideological puritanism needs to be called out."

Yep. And she did it.
LOL.

Jack fromWi. | 6.21.11 @ 1:16PM

Right on Clint: the program Ron Paul has espoused for 35 years is the one most Tea Party people want.

TrueBlue| 6.21.11 @ 1:55PM

I'd mostly agree if it wasn't for the total isolationist stance he has.

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 3:49PM

Dr. Ron Paul is A Noninterventionist Constitutionalist, as opposed to Isolationists.

"Nonintervention is distinct from isolationism, the latter featuring economic nationalism (protectionism) and restrictive immigration. Proponents of non-interventionism distinguish their polices from isolationism through their advocacy of more open national relations, to include diplomacy and free trade."

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.

Carpe Diem.

TrueBlue| 6.21.11 @ 3:56PM

Except he wants to pull all of our forces back home from our forward deployed bases, including the ones in Japan and South Korea, which are the only things keeping China and their North Korean puppet from taking over the region. The rest of the world sure as heck doesn't have the balls to stop them, let alone the firepower; heck, Britain and France are already out of ammo down in Libya.

Also "Free Trade" is a stupid idea, we're always the ones that eat the short end of the deal. We have enough free trade as it is with China and several other countries not paying any import taxes, yet we're paying 20+% to import into theirs.

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 4:38PM

"Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country."
-Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan Endorsed Dr.Ron Paul.

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 4:42PM

"Free trade agreements threaten national sovereignty
I opposed both the North American Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization, both of which were heavily favored by the political establishment. Many supporters of the free trade market supported these agreements. Nearly six decades ago when the International Trade Organization was up for debate, conservatives and libertarians agreed that supranational trade bureaucracies with the power to infringe upon American sovereignty were undesirable.
Source: The Revolution: A Manifesto, by Ron Paul, p. 96 Apr 1, 2008 "

TrueBlue| 6.21.11 @ 5:51PM

You're contradicting yourself with that last quote and calling him a noninterventionist up above, with the bit "advocacy of more open national relations, to include diplomacy and free trade." Just fyi.

And Reagan was right about him, back when he actually made the qoute nearly 3 decades ago. The man has been in DC for too long, he's been changed, just like every other career politician is after being on the Hill for too long. Paul supporters love to pull out that qoute, but in 1996 the former Attorney General Edwin Meese insisted Reagan had not made any recent endorsements, and the Paul camp refused to return calls seeking the date that quote had been made. Ron Paul also disavowed Reagan on several occasions, which makes it very unlikely that he is nearly as pro-military as he tries to make himself seem. I give to you proof that he has been misusing that...

http://diplomatdc.wordpress.co.....-ron-paul/

The man wants to close all overseas bases, but some of them ARE necessary for our national defense (though don't get me wrong I do agree that a LOT of them aren't needed) .

Bringing everything home means that everything is in one spot (or if we're lucky several large spots) for an attack; remember Pearl Harbor at all? Having overseas bases means we have forces ready to attack the minute we DO get hit at home, or they will take the primary attack thus allowing the forces we do have stateside to be ready for anything else. That HELPS the cause for National Defense, not hurts it.

Some situations overseas do have to be dealt with before they become too big, or we'll end up with another WWI/II. Imagine how much faster those could have ended if we had entered sooner, before the other side could get so thoroughly entrenched in the territory of our allies. Now thing what would have happened if we hadn't gone at all... which situation do you think would be better?

Sometimes you have to get involved in what is outside your own borders so that it never reaches those borders.

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 7:57PM

Do Your Homework.

"Ron Paul is a proponent of free trade and rejects protectionism, advocating “conducting open trade, travel, communication, and diplomacy with other nations.” He opposes many free trade agreements (FTAs), like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), stating that “free-trade agreements are really managed trade” and serve special interests and big business, not citizens."

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 8:15PM

Do Your Homework
Ronald Reagan,
"If you analyze it I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism. I think conservatism is really a misnomer just as liberalism is a misnomer for the liberals–if we were back in the days of the Revolution, so-called conservatives today would be the Liberals and the liberals would be the Tories. The basis of conservatism is a desire for less government interference or less centralized authority or more individual freedom and this is a pretty general description also of what libertarianism is.

Now, I can’t say that I will agree with all the things that the present group who call themselves Libertarians in the sense of a party say, because I think that like in any political movement there are shades, and there are libertarians who are almost over at the point of wanting no government at all or anarchy. I believe there are legitimate government functions. There is a legitimate need in an orderly society for some government to maintain freedom or we will have tyranny by individuals. The strongest man on the block will run the neighborhood. We have government to insure that we don’t each one of us have to carry a club to defend ourselves. But again, I stand on my statement that I think that libertarianism and conservatism are traveling the same path."

TrueBlue| 6.22.11 @ 11:38AM

My point was that he is misusing an old Reagan quote that is no longer valid, and his people refuse to give the exact source, which shows they are hiding something. Anytime someone hides something that should be so simple to answer it makes me wonder WHY.

I'm quite aware of what Reagan said, and I agree with pretty much all of it. Pulling our Reagan quotes doesn't prove anything about Ron Paul, they are two different people, give me Ron Paul quotes if you're going to quote someone to prove your candidate is the right choice. I also agree with a LOT of what Ron Paul says, and given his voting record what he does too. However I disagree with him on a couple of big (at least to me) points.

His stance on free trade. Yes, for maximum benefit to citizens there should be true free trade, as in no import/export taxes on things sold here AND sold in other countries. However reality does not work that way, thus we have free trade agreements. I agree the ones we have now are horrible (to be polite), we're the ones eating the bad end of the deal by having to pay import taxes for stuff we send to other countries while they pay nothing, or next to nothing, over here. What SHOULD be done is to create a policy that taxes imports at the same rate as the country the goods originated from taxes our imports. At the same time we need to ensure we do not import more than we export to those countries to make sure our own businesses are secure HERE before worrying about getting things from elsewhere. On top of that we need to make sure that ANYTHING produced outside the country and then shipped here is treated as an import to get companies to start producing their goods here in the US again. Reality and country rivalries prevent any kind of true free trade, the only way that'd ever happen was if we had one world government (massive shudder).

His stance on our military overseas. Yes, I would LOVE to be able to only deploy our military in the event we get attacked, but reality doesn't work that way if we actually want a secure nation. Most of the overseas bases can be closed, but some of them HAVE to stay open and used in order to either keep our allies safe (in the case of Japan), or to keep countries with a history of expansionism in check so they don't feel they can do whatever they want (in the case of China). I'm not going to go into the what-ifs from past actions. Some were right, some were wrong, that's the end of it. But we cannot sit behind our borders and ignore obvious future threats, that only invites attacks to our country. Which would you rather see (as cold as this may seem) our troops dying overseas, knowing what they were getting into when they signed up; or our troops dying here in our own country, alongside significant portions of the civilian population?

I know which I prefer, and if that ultimate cost is what is required of me in a place far away from home I will pay it, so that my children and my friends do not have to.

TrueBlue| 6.21.11 @ 3:57PM

On another note, most Tea Partiers I know don't want Paul either. I really wish people would stop lifting him up as the Tea Party candidate, the guy is a kook.

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 4:35PM

Obviously, you don't know the 42 percent of Tea Party Patriots represented in the poll at The Tea Party's National Mall Protest.
You can wish all you want Sport, but Dr. Ron Paul is one of Our Tea Party Co-Favorites.

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.

Carpe Diem.

TrueBlue| 6.21.11 @ 5:52PM

Just remember, you made me do it.

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 8:35PM

Just remember, do your homework.

TrueBlue| 6.22.11 @ 6:12PM

I did, obviously you have not. Stop trying to throw glitter in people's faces and acknowledge that your candidate is NOT flawless! It's the same problem I have with the Obama nuts, they're so convinced that he's perfect they refuse to see or hear anything bad about them, regardless of facts.

For the most part I do actually like Ron Paul, I think he'd make a great Secretary of the Treasury, but presidential he is not.

TrueBlue| 6.21.11 @ 5:55PM

Also, polls can be made to say whatever you want them to, you just have to go to the right crowd of people. Paul supporters are pretty easy to spot...

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 8:33PM

Ha, Ha,Ha, Ha .
Now, you're shuckin ' & jivin' & tryin' to say that The Politico/ Target Point Poll conducted by Edison Research was rigged for Ron Paul.

Go try to sell that sand to the sand monkeys.

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.

Carpe Diem.

David| 6.21.11 @ 9:33PM

It's amazing the amount of debate over a distinction without a difference.

Or is it a difference without a distinction?

TrueBlue| 6.22.11 @ 11:41AM

No, I'm making the point that polls mean very little to me because they are so easy to manipulate. Proof is in the actual number of votes, not in a poll of some small portion that isn't really an indicator of the overall picture.

Margie| 6.21.11 @ 9:26PM

Straw dogs win straw polls all the time!

Anthony| 6.21.11 @ 9:04AM

Jeff, I think you stretched your anology a bit too much. Gov. Palin is far to serious a candidate and person to be put into the ranks of Al Smith and Jessie Jackson, as the stepping stones for their "successors".
That said, the more I see how completely rogue this administration is, so completely lawless, with unbridled contempt for the rule of law, I want to scream at the top of my lungs to weak kneed Rs, to wake the hell up; we can go to sleep at night without worries that more of our liberties are being taken away by a scheming rouge, lawless government, with a Presient Palin or Bachmann.
It's also time we put the MSM in their place by shoving their vitriol and hate against our candidates down their leftist throats.

irish19| 6.21.11 @ 12:30PM

"I want to scream at the top of my lungs to weak kneed Rs, to wake the hell up"
And there is Job 1 for 2012. If the Republicans keep doing what they've always done, they'll keep getting what they've always gotten.
There is no longer any margin for error or any slack to be cut. As a country, we are now at the tipping point. If we don't start rolling back the creeping socialism, the consequences will not be pretty.

JRD| 6.21.11 @ 9:19AM

Palin and Bachmann Have Little in Common

They are both women, they are both conservative, and they both have a Tea Party base, but there differences are bountiful

1) Experience: Ignored or dismissed, Palin’s record includes a term on the Wasilla Council, two terms as Wasilla, AK Mayor, a stint as Chairwoman of the Alaska Oil and gas Conservation Commision (which she left to almost single-handily take down the corrupt GOP Establishment in Alaska- reason enough to vote for her), Governor from 2006-2009, and lead opponent of all things Obama and leading “king-maker” of the 2010 election cycle. So, there was that. Even though her term as Governor was short, her effectiveness was proven and she accomplished a lot.

However, listening to Bachmann’s describe her own accomplishments shows how little she has in the way of proving she has the experience to be an effective leader. In the debates, all of her accomplishments essentially amount to: “I voted against a bill that did such and such.” Bachmann has no executive experience, no leadership experience, and is essentially an ignored member of the Congress by even her own party. While she has a strong voting record, that is all she has.

2) Sarah Palin started the Tea Party, Bachmann Co-Opted it – So, Sarah Palin didn’t technically “start” the Tea Party, no one did. But she might as well have. In 2008, for the first time in, well, ever, Republicans started doing something they never did before: showed up in large numbers to rallies and events. For the first time I can recall, the “silent majority” was actually quite loud. What happened was the conservative base found someone to rally around (someone inspirational, tough, conservative) and they showed up. And as Palin became the main opponent to Obama (and as conservatives fought back for the first time) so came about the Tea Party. Sarah Palin inspired a whole new crop of people who were never inspired before. And when Sarah Palin took part in a Tea Party rally in liberal Wisconsin in the freezing cold, thousands showed up. Sarah Palin is the only politician who can draw a Tea Party crowd (Note the barely attended events of Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain and Mitt Romney avoids the Tea Party altogether).

Michele Bachmann has done her best to try and take advantage of the Tea Party, which is obviously a smart move for any politician. But unlike Palin who has not sought to be the “leader” of the Tea Party, Michele has. She started the Tea Party caucus in congress, she holds Tea Party rallies in Washington, and she gave the “Tea Party Response” to the State of the Union which was, in my opinion, a low point and unnecessary.

3) The Populist – Palin naturally comes off as a populist conservative, whereas Bachmann comes off as an elitist trying to seem like a populist conservative. In fact, Bachmann comes off as someone trying to be Sarah Palin. And while my goal is not to bash Bachmann, this is too hard not to notice. Her style, the things she says and how she says them are all reminiscint of Palin. She’s even trying to steal, as Bristol would say, Palin’s “Prom Hair.”

A Candidate Vetted – Why Are Liberals Pushing Bachmann too?

Most importantly Sarah Palin is Vetted. In fact, more so than any person in the history of all worlds in all the universes. After a 3 year full-body, molecular cell-level examination the media and the leftists have nothing on her. Nothing. The exclamation point to this was the release of her e-mails which proved that, golly gee, she actually believes in all that hokey-pokey stuff she says she believes in. Sure, the MSM has damaged her image greatly by false reprsentation, but the reality is there isn’t much to dislike about Sarah Palin on a personal level when you get past the media malpractice. So it’s actually quite amazing that so many people do. Meanwhile, after the Bus Tour and the E-Mail deal, the media seems almost as though they have given up on trying to find some smoking gun on Sarah Palin. Over the last two weeks, they were practically forced to write nice things about her. I think the media really thought she was everything they said she was. And then they realized she isn’t. The upside is, Palin can only go up from here.

On the other hand, what do we know about Michele Bachmann? Not much. More interestingly, why is the media holding back on her when they were so excited to go after Sarah Palin. It’s almost as if they want to see her get the nomination first. Nah, why would they want that? And when Chris Matthews from MSNBC talks about how wonderful she is? Yeah, this is the guy who for the past year has obsessed with attacking Bachmann and calling her such things as: “a ditz, balloon-head, no-nothing, zombie, persistently hypnotized.” And now he loves her? I wonder why. How much stuff will come out about Bachmann, true or not, that will be a mainstay on TVs for months? How bogged down will Bachmann be going through what Palin has gone through?

Support

Finally, no candidate can bring out the crowds that Sarah Palin can. That is a fact. And no other Republican has. Imagine the silliness of being so desperate for a headline, that you have to dramatically “announce” you are actually going to run for President while taking part in a Presidential debate, as Bachmann did. That might be good enough for flavor of the month status, but little else. Sarah Palin has more people showing up where she isn’t at (bus tour) than most candidates have when they announce they are actually going to be somewhere. Even Mitt Romney had a small crowd show up for his big New Hampshire announcement, a state he is popular in.

So, I’m sure by this time two weeks from now, there will be little more talk about “Bachmann.” And since Huntsman is supposedly announcing this week, there may already be a new media-created flavor of the week.
http://pollinsider.com/2011/06.....rah-palin/

Ken (Old Texican)| 6.21.11 @ 9:36AM

JRD,
Very well put.
I'm still praying earnestly that Sarah runs.

Teaghan| 6.21.11 @ 4:19PM

Do you think she would have a chance at winning? I am serious in my question Ken.

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 11:04AM

Read John Ziegler's piece.

I think you inflate Sarah's role in the Tea Party movement just a tad. Personally, I didn't need her to tell me to attend rallies.

MM| 6.21.11 @ 11:27AM

Agree with pretty much all you have written here, JRD.

I think it is well worth noting that members of Congress do not have Executive Branch experience, and subsequently, do not make good presidents overall.

Occam's Tool| 6.21.11 @ 12:37PM

Dear JRD,

11th commandment. Sarah thinks Michele is qualified.

The fact is, Ms. Bachmann is a Tax Attorney who has a long, established Conservative voting record, including against the majority of her fellow party members, when indicated.

Sarah is a genuine superstar, but do you honestly think she and Michele did NOT discuss this? Sarah's making A LOT of money.

RCV| 6.22.11 @ 2:13PM

For full disclosure, ms. Bachmann was an attorney for the Internal Revenue Service, a fact she has been very successful in obscuring when she appears before tea party rallies.

Amanda| 6.21.11 @ 1:18PM

Right on! We need to fight back against these
bullies continuously lying about Palin's record in order to diminish her.
Michelle Bauchman cannot hold a candle to
Palin; she knows it and so do we.

David| 6.21.11 @ 3:26PM

Who is "we" exactly? And you'd better hope "we" (meaning you and all of your friends) better start proving Sarah is something more than what she's shown?

Margie| 6.21.11 @ 4:06PM

I thought you just got done excoriating her for, "not allow someone to enthusiastically support something?"

Typical, typical Liberal.

David| 6.21.11 @ 5:04PM

Typical, typical Conservative. Using your ideological equivalent of beer goggles again.

I challenged Amanda and anyone else for that matter to put in a simple list what Palin has accomplished. Enthusiasm is great. Facts are greater.

Points for using "excoriating" correctly, though. Isn't that a fun word to say, "excoriating"?

TrueBlue| 6.21.11 @ 1:58PM

Better idea, they're both good candidates so lets stop bashing either of them and focus on the rest of the field. No reason to go and give the lefties ammo.

David| 6.21.11 @ 5:05PM

Oh, please. Both Palin and Bachmann provide plenty of ammunition on their own. They don't need your help.

Bo| 6.21.11 @ 2:14PM

"Bachmann comes off as an elitist trying to seem like a populist conservative"

My drink went through my nose when I read that. I live in Minnesota and have followed Bachmann's career (largely with indifference) since the beginning. That's the first time I've ever heard that one.

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 4:10PM

While We Tea Party Patriots respect Sarah Palin, she didn't start Our Tea Party.

It was developed, from a coalition of previous & newer protesting patriots, who first began forming up together in February of 2009, after Rick Santelli suggested A Tea Party be held.

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.

Carpe Diem.

David| 6.21.11 @ 4:58PM

Yeah, well, crowds turn out for train wrecks, too.
Makes someone a celebrity, not a public leader.

Clint| 6.21.11 @ 8:37PM

That would be The Obama Express.

David| 6.21.11 @ 9:15PM

Congratulations, a coherent English sentence. That's an improvement, Clint. Keep it up. I always thought those courses advertised in matchbooks were a good idea.

crookedwren| 6.21.11 @ 9:41AM

Well, MAYBE.

But be wary of Bachmannia and of SEIU's creating a PAC for Republicans in CA and other such things.

1. As Huckabee said, Unions (unlike the Progressives) put all their eggs in one basket -- so Republicans owe them nothing. Hamartia that. SOMEONE out there in CA saw the light. Now they'll start giving Republicans money -- and the RINO's will take it.

2. The Left has an odd habit of trying to help Republicans find their candidates -- John McCain (who startled them with Palin), the fake Tea Party candidates, etc. When the MSM starts touting and celebrating a Republican, warning bells sound in my head. Not that Bachmann is a RINO or a fake Tea Party candidate. Not at all. But I have to ask: what is their strategy here???

They HATE the Tea Party -- and still they accused her of usurping the leadership of the Tea Party -- when she gathered up a Tea Party Caucus in Congress.

She does stand with Tea Party principles. The msm and the Left KNOW this. Bachmann hasn't changed her spots.

So WHY the change of heart on the left and the msm, hmmmm?

My guess --- they will build her up and, if and when she gets the nomination, they will tear her apart -- in fact, my guess would be they've already planned how they CAN tear her apart.

My guess is they think Obama can beat her.

They've already attacked her. Why are they suddenly "heart-ing" her?

Kelly Staples| 6.21.11 @ 9:41AM

Is Nelson Rockefeller Mitt's Bob Dole?

Wes in MT| 6.21.11 @ 10:23AM

As governor, Sarah Palin CUT BUDGETS WHILE RUNNING SURPLUSES. She left Alaska in better shape than she found it. That's all I need to know. The rest of her record is icing on the cake.

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 11:06AM

Because she quit during the first half of her first term, I give her an incomplete on Bob Grant's governor grading system.

MM| 6.21.11 @ 11:32AM

Bob, just one question with regard to that:

Would you have been able to serve out your term while defending a never ending train of frivolous lawsuits that you could not afford to defend?

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 11:55AM

Yes. Absolutely! Being a governor, she had the bully pulpit and the power to handle those lawsuits that would have never made it to a courthouse in the first place.

Keep in mind the "never ending" lawsuits she bravely endured played beautifully into the Palin-as-victim narrative she from which she benefits politically.

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 11:57AM

One she too many. Sorry.

TrueBlue| 6.21.11 @ 2:04PM

They still used time and cost money, and unlike every Dem out there, she wouldn't use state funds to handle them. They were interfering with her ability to do the job she was voted in to do, so she resigned to let the state get on with its business. It's a pretty standard leftist procedure to slam anyone they don't like with frivolous lawsuits because it burns that person's time and money.

David| 6.21.11 @ 6:16PM

Isn't that the definition of a leader? Stick to it. What was it that Saint Ronald said, "Never ( repeat word a lot) compromise"?

Amanda| 6.21.11 @ 1:22PM

She actually quit 2/3 of the way into her term;prior to her resignation she
set everything in place and left the continuation of her policies in the hands of her lt. gov.

Your buddy Obama quit to run for president.
Or did he not work at his job, however, ran for president instead? I can't recall. The facts are that he accomplished nothing.
He did little in his term
as US Senator; he voted "present" which means he didn't vote one way or the other on legislation
over 95% of his time in office.

I give you an "F" on distorting the facts.

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 2:45PM

She quit. Epic fail.

She has a pattern of doing so.

God bless her. She has her place in the conservative movement but not as our leader. She hasn't earned it nor possesses the qualities to make an effective leader. She's proven this time and time again during the past 2 1/2 years.

Michelle Bachmann, on the other hand, deserves consideration based on her serious opposition to Obama's agenda the same past 2 1/2 years.

Margie| 6.21.11 @ 4:09PM

"She has a pattern of doing so."

I smell a rat.

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 6:47PM

Hi Marge. You know I've been consistent about her. You must be referring to some other poster :-)

Nick| 6.22.11 @ 11:03AM

Mr. Grant,

"She has a pattern of doing so."

Can you back up this assertion with some facts? How much knowledge do you have of Mrs. Palin's political career? She is no neophyte.

For instance, were you aware that she defeated the incumbent governor of Alaska for the GOP nomination, in '06? That was Frank Murkowski. Do you know his political bio?

Murkowski is a Republican institution in Alaska. He was a senator for 20 years. And Mrs. Palin defeated him. This feat alone means that she has "earned it."

rdman| 6.21.11 @ 7:30PM

You and your ignorant or vintictive ilk keep posting the same worn out, boring, debunked Demo-rat/Establishment RINO talking point that Palin is a quitter.

Blockheads and you know it!!!

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 7:53PM

rdman, face it. The pat 2 1/2 years have been squandered. She had a chance to prove her abilities but decided to take care of her family (which is admirable), push her brand, and play petty little cat/mouse games with the media.

She's very reminiscent of Maggie Thatcher, don't ya think?

Margie| 6.21.11 @ 8:58PM

Thank you, rdman.
Mr. Grant, you know you are full of bologna. Salami too.

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 10:38PM

Ima pepperoni guy.

rdman| 6.21.11 @ 11:31PM

Nah... you sound more like a "kaca de toro" guy.

David| 6.21.11 @ 3:28PM

Amanda, your passion for Palin is admirable. Your command of the facts is not. Bob Grant is right - see, Bob? we can agree - Palin is a quitter.
Leaving things in good order for someone else is not the same as finishing something.

rdman| 6.21.11 @ 11:11PM

Are you one of the bottom-feeder, muck-raker, dumpster-diver, window-peeker stalkers dispatched to Alaska in your futile attempt to destroy an elected governor of a sovereign State (or) are you here to endorse the tactics of the lame-stream media and scum-bag lawyers filing hundreds of frivolous lawsuits, all of which were dismissed costing thousands and thousands of Alaskan taxpayer $$$$???

David| 6.21.11 @ 11:23PM

What a load of invective for asking the exact same question as Bob Grant - a person who I can personally certify is none of those things?

But yes, I do admire the work of the original muckrakers.

rdman| 6.21.11 @ 11:54PM

Cute... and no surprise that the likes of you would admire the muck-rakers, original or otherwise.

I believe that little skunky liberal metro-sexual, girly-men like you hate Sarah Palin because you know deep down that you will never measure up to a woman like Palin.

She's really in your head, isn't she... and you can't do a thing about it, but obsess. You and Grant are really a pair!!!

David| 6.22.11 @ 12:23AM

Do you even have a clue who were among the original muckrakers? Do you even have a clue what they did or when or the consequences of their work?

As for measuring up to a woman like Palin, I am a married man and she's a married woman. That's totally inappropriate to even speculate.

And I never thought I'd see the "Wiener test" applied here. Seriously, if you need this level of attack to compensate for your own lack of endowment, wow, dude, get some help.

rdman| 6.22.11 @ 1:23AM

Transparent obfuscator ... and irrelevant, shallow divisionsary tactics (weiner test).

Its a proven psychological fact... liberal men like you just have serious problems dealing with strong, accomplished women... doesn't matter if they are married or not. You display the classic symptoms of an undeveloped person with feelings of inadequacy.

Sounds like you're the one that needs a little help and it has nothing to do with your "weiner test," dude.

David| 6.22.11 @ 2:08PM

Nice string of words. That "Word a Day" calendar is handy, isn't it?

"Proven psychological fact." Hmmm. I'd love to have the source of that one, rdman.

As for your psychological analysis, Lucy would like to have a word with you.

rdman| 6.22.11 @ 3:31PM

Find your own source, smart-ass. You might learn something about relevant psychological analysis. If its beyond your limited comprehension, let me know... I'll explain it to you in simple, succinct terms.

David| 6.21.11 @ 10:06PM

And did or did not those surpluses include the federal payments for North Slope oil?
Yes or no?

Put up or shut up.

Michael L. Hauschild| 6.21.11 @ 10:47AM

Yesterday, Michele Bachmann climbed on the podium and made this statement. “Obama has failed the blacks and Hispanics.” Would someone please explain to her those “blacks” are not going to vote for her, they will (90%) continue to vote for Obama because he is black and/or a democrat that signs their checks. Hispanics (?) now does she not know there are hard working, American flag waving, patriotic American-Cubans (see Rubio) and there are the absentee ballot guys putting shingles on your roof.
If they want to stay in the running for that VP spot somebody had better get her and Cain some demographic pollsters.

Don L| 6.21.11 @ 10:57AM

"Four years later, JFK turned the tide, winning narrowly but forever dispatching the notion a Catholic could not be nominated or elected president or vice president."

It is really doubtful that a true practicing Roman Catholic could ever be elected to the presidency. The womanizing(JFK, RFK), socialist (Teddy, Pelosietc.), brand of non-Catholic folks, who for convenience call themselves Catholic (like that scandalious mob of Obama worshipers at Notre Dame) can make it -but a true follower of God would be anethema to our morally decaying nation.

JohnB| 6.21.11 @ 4:10PM

I agree. Rick Santorum comes to mind. Has anyone else been the recipient of such fierce vitriol, almost all of which references his "zealotry," his "rabid" adherence to Church teaching? Just read any report about him, then view the "comments" section; and realize that there are a helluva lot of Catholic-haters out there.

TrueBlue| 6.22.11 @ 6:35PM

That's because real religious people have this thing called morals and the ability to accept responsibility for their own actions. Both are sadly unacceptable in today's world.

Ohiolad| 6.21.11 @ 11:59AM

I must admit that when the left-wing media types start praising any conservative the red flags immediately start going up, and I begin wondering what it is that they have up their sleeves. Possibly lavishing praise on Michele Bachmann, whom I am sure they hate every bit as much as Sarah Palin, is merely a ploy to keep Palin out of the race.

irish19| 6.21.11 @ 12:44PM

Interesting analysis.

Michael L. Hauschild| 6.21.11 @ 1:22PM

There are three groups in the current conservative narrative. The first is the right leaning left-handed pundits such as Lord that feel a certain unease about the 600 pound Alaskan grizzly standing in the corner. He, in case you did not notice, just played the religious card, the race card, the party card, and the gender card. The second group of pundits is simply outright beltway statists that are “damn the torpedoes”, “stay the course”,” daddy knows best” dinosaurs. Their candidates must come from establishment sources and they usually endorse RINO’s. The third set of commenter’s are from the left, despite their participation in the narrative (MSM) and they are furiously defecating in their dungarees knowing full well that DOOM is upon them. Their motivation, they know their very existence depends on the Republican candidate (POTUS); if it is Palin they will never recover. If it is one of the establishment “alpabeters” they will be able to “Boehner” their survival to hang on till 2016.
There is another group. They do not have to say a word, and they are sitting in the corner with the Mama Grizzly. (See Amada above, and by the way Amanda, will you be my third wife?)

Amanda| 6.21.11 @ 1:23PM

I agree with you.

mcr| 6.21.11 @ 1:41PM

Ohiolad-you are 100% correct.

Margie| 6.21.11 @ 9:03PM

Yes, yes Ohiolad. They are screaming, "Anyone but Sarah!"

Al Adab| 6.21.11 @ 12:24PM

Margaret Chase Smith
Claire Booth Luce

Both Republicans and both highly touted for public office.

Colin Powell
Ed Brooke

Both Republicans and both highly touted for public office.

Sadly it seems, the GOP does the thinking while the Democrats do the acting (to our collective detriment). The Dems get credit for moving ahead by following the GOP trends but acting on them. It is again time we Conservatives stand together, nominate our candidate and once again bring success to the GOP. It is also about time that the GOP remembers: only Conservatives bring electoral success. We have followed the "moderates" to defeat too many time.

RCV| 6.22.11 @ 2:18PM

Four great public servants who were Republicans.

Anommynous| 6.21.11 @ 12:33PM

Ronald Reagan was a governor. Sarah Palin was a governor (both of a state and of a city).

Michele Bachmann is a U.S. Representative and a lawyer (I'm skeptical of that profession) and was a state senator. I said Sarah was more qualified than Obama because he never governed in any capacity. Well, why would that be different for Bachmann? I'd vote in a heartbeat for Bachmann over Odumbo, but I don't consider her the best Republican candidate nor do I consider her better than Palin. I see no parallels between Goldwater/Reagan and Palin/Bachmann, in terms of experience or beliefs or anything else. The only reason such a comparison would even be made is because they are both women, which is frankly a sexist comparison to make and is a disservice to both. Palin and Bachmann are both independent and should be judged based on their beliefs and merits, not on their sex.

I'd vote for governor Sarah Palin or Rick Perry over Bachmann in a heartbeat. The next tier down, I would put Bachmann with Rick Santorum, both candidates who are solid conservatives whom I can support without reservation. I would support any of these four candidates over the RINO governor troika of Romney, Huntsman, and T-Paw (okay, T-Paw is somewhat better than the other two). Initiatives like RomneyCare and global warming overtures are not indicative of good governance.

irish19| 6.21.11 @ 12:46PM

Excellent ranking, although I don't know enough about Santorum to really say I'd support him. I have heard good things, but would need to check them out myself.

carol| 6.21.11 @ 12:36PM

it's an interesting perspective with probably some truth, but who could say. I wonder if the same could be applied to hope and change and yes we can ---- that con job twice.

Amanda| 6.21.11 @ 1:05PM

Sarah Palin has 18+ years in political office along with a stellar record (Don't forget the 24,000+ emails where the media found nothing to slam Palin with). Michelle Bauchmann has been in
congress and mostly has accomplished very little.

You article is offensive.

mcr| 6.21.11 @ 1:45PM

Amanda-Amen!

David| 6.21.11 @ 3:31PM

18+ years of accomplishing what? No platitudes or oratory. What did she DO?

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 3:44PM

God bless Sarah but let's not inflate her record and put it into context.

Sure, Sarah was mayor of Wasilla but you could fit the entire population in an average sized VFW hall.

Sure, she was mayor of Alaska (a scant 2 years) but the state's population would rank about 45th in size compared to metropolitan areas around the country. Plus, Alaska doesn't exactly have a disparate population.

Louis Tully| 6.21.11 @ 1:12PM

Did Palin elect Bachmann?

Uh, Bachmann is going to have to Beat Palin, first. And rotsa ruck with that, Michy.

mcr| 6.21.11 @ 1:46PM

Louis Tully-love it! Rotsa Ruck is right!

RCV| 6.22.11 @ 2:19PM

Palin is going to have to get into the race first, and at this point she appears much more interested in profit-generating personal publicity than public service.

George S| 6.21.11 @ 1:17PM

Making historical comparisons is fun reading, but irrelevant (people overwhelmingly agreed with Goldwater but overwhelmingly voted against him -- why?).

Comparing Palin to Bachmann is irrelevant -- people could care less about similarities or differences.

What we want is for a Republican candidate to point a finger at Obama and indict him for destroying our country. As far as I see, Bachmann is the only one who understands that is the only thing that will win the election. That is why she will win in a landslide -- she will be the only candidate who will personally attack Obama without fear. Don't misunderestimate how much we want to hear that.

Any candidate who calls Obama "my friend across the aisle whose policies I disagree with" is the candidate who will go nowhere fast. Ask John McCain.

Jack London| 6.21.11 @ 2:34PM

George, did you hear what your heroine said the other day? See below. If by no fear you mean let's just make things up and spout utter trash, then Bachmann is your top gun.

“While we've been seeing the liberals in the last few weeks trying to scare Americans about Medicare, and especially senior citizens, what's been ignored is President Obama's plan for senior citizens regarding Medicare. … And do you know what the president's plan is? This hasn't been talked about very much. The president's plan for senior citizens is Obamacare. We all think for our senior citizens that somehow Medicare is going to go on. And I think very likely -- and I'm speculating -- I think very likely what the president intends is that Medicare will go broke, and then ultimately that answer will be Obamacare for senior citizens.”

TrueBlue| 6.21.11 @ 2:57PM

Ummm, except that's the current course for Medicare if it doesn't get fixed, same for Social Security, and the Dems have been doing everything they can to STOP them from getting fixed.

Butch| 6.21.11 @ 3:51PM

And she's right! Obamacare plus death panels for the senior citizen/baby boomers. Medicare and Social Security solved with one stroke, no pun intended.

George S| 6.21.11 @ 6:09PM

By 'no fear" I mean that Bachmann will not care about offending the fictitious "why-can't-we-all-just-get-along" voting bloc. That was created by the liberal establishment to cower conservatives from effectively connecting with the (actual) majority of Americans who want nothing to do with Marxism and Socialism (i.e., progressive liberalism). Ronald Reagan won two elections in a landslide by directly taking on liberals and liberalism. He made fun of them and America laughed along with him -- which is the exact reason why he is so despised.

What Obama has done is apparent. All is takes is to call him out on it. Is he incompetent or... is he doing this intentionally. There is no other answer. You cannot whitewash the fact that a lot of people are out of work, or that energy prices are high, or that we are nowhere near the right track to restoring our economy.

Jack London| 6.21.11 @ 6:54PM

It could be a lot worse George - we are not in recession now, after all. It's very hard to see what Obama could have done differently given the limitations of federal government.

Anyway, I see you've sidestepped the issue of your supposed nemesis - isn't she just about the most ignorant you can get? Why, Obama, that socialist/commie* (pick the one that you like) wants to dismantle a socialist government program and put it into the hands of private insurance. And I thought that was Ryan's plan. This is one stupid lady. And we thought Palin was searching for brain cells.

Anders13| 6.22.11 @ 9:56AM

Ownership means nothing if someone else takes possession of the front door and the doorman, which is what obamacare does. Obamacare is big time pay-to-play; just another one of BHO's keynesian leaches.

A return to Keynesian economics is like returning to bloodletting for medical treatment. It's either really really stupid or a lame cover up for something horrendous. Over the past two years for the majority of the American people the lameness has become abundantly clear.

Hopefully SCOTUS has the necessary integrity to drive a stake through the bloody mess.

Al Adab| 6.21.11 @ 1:56PM

Wait a minute. Why make them rivals? What a team. It is about saving this nation and the liberty of humanity isn't it? Not about who's name goes in the history book.

Drunken Sailor| 6.21.11 @ 2:32PM

On the money. Al, Pitting one of them against the other is exactly what the left wants, so don't play that hand. Lord was giving Sarah credit for doing the heavy lifting. He never put one above the other. He simply stated that the crap Sarah had to deal with just won't be as effective if the left tries it on Bachmann. I am willing to bet these two ladies have discussed this amongst themselves and would not put it past them to put their heads together on it either. If so, the left is in for a ride as Sarah has already shown she can have them jump through hoops and still get the PR she wants from them.

Al Adab| 6.21.11 @ 3:28PM

Thanks for the comment. I've been meaning to ask if what you drink is that 16 year old barley water from Scotland containing imported ethanol?

Drunken Sailor| 6.21.11 @ 3:54PM

Nothing wrong with Glenlivet but never developed a taste for Scotch. Prefer a good Kentucky Bourgon, currently two varieties of Jack Daniels. Gentleman Jack or my favorite, Single Barrel. Double distilled, smooth, smoky and just a touch of water or ice opens up the flavor. Of course thanks to the economy all Bourbon has gone up. Thankfully I like trying new bourbons and am trying new ones that won't break the bank.

Al Adab| 6.21.11 @ 4:24PM

No problem with Jack Daniels. Bourbon is just to "sweet" in taste. Scotch of choice is Laguvulin or Laphroigh although some others suit well like Oban. Probably a matter of taste, but we can share a Jack some day when AmSpec has a bloggers convention.

Drunken Sailor| 6.21.11 @ 4:29PM

Sounds good and I may have to "expand" my horizons and try a few more brands of scotch. Whatever you do, do not try any of the new bourbons with honey. For the ladies only, sickening sweet.

Butch| 6.21.11 @ 4:49PM

Laphroigh--liquid smoke. You have good taste, Al. We all need to get together sometime.

Al Adab| 6.21.11 @ 4:57PM

Agreed. We really need a convention of bloggers.

Jack London| 6.21.11 @ 5:02PM

On a very rare note of consensus, I'm a great Scotch fan, especially the Speysides such as Macallan. I've been to Scotland for first-hand tastings at a couple of distilleries.

Al Adab| 6.21.11 @ 5:12PM

The call of the wild eh Jack?

Thanks for chiming in.

TrueBlue| 6.21.11 @ 2:56PM

Be pretty historic duo for sure. Not just the first female president, but VP as well, in the same election...

Really no reason for them to be rivals, they have the same goal.

Bo| 6.21.11 @ 2:17PM

Lord will probably ditch both of them if proven winner Christine O'Donnell gets in the race.

David| 6.21.11 @ 3:33PM

Oh, I promised DS I wouldn't but I can't help it. O'donnell's gonna sweep into the race on her broom?

Of all the discredited, pathetic wannabe politicians on the Left or Right, O'Donnell's gotta up there at the top.

Drunken Sailor| 6.21.11 @ 4:05PM

Between her and Dennis Kucinich seeing UFO's the skies just aren't safe. And of course who could forget this Democrat Gem.
http://christinabillings.com/index.html

David| 6.21.11 @ 3:16PM

Enough experience at what, exactly? All I see is a big talking politician who hasn't finished anything she's started.

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 3:36PM

See folks, Palin opponents run the entire political spectrum. This David poster is to the left of Abbie Hoffman. Me, I'm to the right of Ronald Reagan.

Let's not forget this when calling me a crypto-leftist or Obammy supporter!

rdman| 6.21.11 @ 11:19PM

Grant... you couldn't carry Reagan's gas. You are an old pompous, sanctimonious GOP Establishment fool!!

Sorry folks... someone had to say it.

David| 6.21.11 @ 11:25PM

No, rdman, no one had to say it. That kind of divisive, ill-tempered yet sophomoric tirade will help to factionalize the Right. That can only help Obama in 2012. Well done.

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 11:50PM

David, this is what one has to put up with if the slightest thing negative is said about Palin. Watching a cult-of-personality develop in it's infancy is both interesting and scary.

rdman| 6.22.11 @ 12:57AM

Ill-tempered??? divisive??? You give yourself too much credit, girly-man. People like you and this pompous old fool are like more than fleas on a mangy dog's back. I know your types.

You two bring NOTHING to these forums except vindictive trashing, attempting to ruin others. Relentless, obsessive about destroying whatever reminds you of your own shortcomings and failures.

Openly hostile... from arrogantly distancing your self, to snide humor at others’ expense, to sarcastic putdowns, to sabotaging and betraying.

Transparent hostility... it compensates for your own feelings of inadequacy while you try to keep people like me away who will expose and undermine your fragile self-esteem.

Can't take a little bit of your own medicine, thin-skinned girly-man goes on a tirade of WHINING!!

Unarmed?? Bring it... smart aleck!

David| 6.21.11 @ 3:56PM

Bob, I'm not even sure what those labels are so please be assured I'd never call you those. Plus, I promised Drunken Sailor I'd avoid insults.

Well, except about Christine O'donnell. C'mon, even you Conservatives have to be embarrassed by her.

Drunken Sailor| 6.21.11 @ 4:10PM

And your doing so well.

john bunny| 6.21.11 @ 5:07PM

Re Sinister Catholics: John Roberts got the Al Smith treatment (it was on -Span) when at his confirmation hearing for Chief Justice Feinstein and Leahy(sic) both grilled him on whether his religion would influence any Supreme decision he might have to make (would he take orders from the Pope first). I thought I was watching something from 1928. And Al Smith was slimed because his wife was fat and "dowdy."

TheTotalConservative| 6.21.11 @ 9:31PM

What a load crap Jeffrey. Palin can beat Romney, Bachmann can't.

TheTotalConservative| 6.21.11 @ 9:34PM

Bachmann has One Debate and these fools anoint her something. Palin kicked Biden's butt and Tens of Millions Watched it! Palin will not go quietly into the Night and will win the Nomination.

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 9:38PM

This is what cult-of-personality looks like. Take a close look folks!

TheTotalConservative| 6.21.11 @ 9:46PM

Moronic Liberal Bob. Are you a Liberal Republican or a Liberal Democrat? Do you hang on the LSM's everyword? Don't Call yourself a Conservative! You are either a David Frum Republican or a Liberal.

David| 6.21.11 @ 10:09PM

Wow, I come to the defense of Bob Grant. I totally guarantee you that he is NOT a liberal. Really.

So go on - keep eating your young. If you're anywhere NEAR representative of the Right, Obama wins by another landslide in 2012.

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 10:32PM

I think you're enjoying this a leeetle too much. A couple of righties sparring. Huh?

This is what will happen if Sarah enters the race. The party splits, Obama wins easily, duck and cover.

David| 6.21.11 @ 11:28PM

No, Bob, I"m enjoying it at just the right level. Reminds of the Democrats in '84 and and '88. Didn't work then, either, did it?

And you're welcome. At least in a battle of wits with you, I'm not up against an unarmed person.

TheTotalConservative| 6.21.11 @ 9:36PM

Bachmann is a Pretender and everyone knows it.

TheTotalConservative| 6.21.11 @ 9:36PM

Bachmann is a Pretender and everyone knows it.

TheTotalConservative| 6.21.11 @ 9:44PM

BobGrant, you are not a Conservative you are Liberal Moron that pushes the same left-wing garbage because Palin threatens your candidate. Who is it Bob? Obama, Romney, or Ron Paul? Seriously, Don't Call yourself a Conservative. You can't be conservative and hate Palin unless you are a fool that takes what the Liberal Media says as Gospel, in which case YOU ARE NOT A CONSERVATIVE.

TheTotalConservative| 6.21.11 @ 9:48PM

Jeffrey Lord gets it wrong. This Article is an insult to the American Spectator and now Palin is Jesse Jackson to Jeffrey Lord. This is sick crap and more games for the So Called Conservative Media.

TheTotalConservative| 6.21.11 @ 9:49PM

Anybody But Palin, Jeffrey Lord. This Week Bachmann, Next Perry, Before that Pence, Daniels, and Thune anyone else with a R next to their name,

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 10:08PM

Run out of meds?

David| 6.21.11 @ 10:10PM

Thanks, Bob. Isn't it reassuring there's someone to the right of you?

Bob Grant| 6.21.11 @ 10:26PM

Uh, not when they're this friggin' looney.

David| 6.21.11 @ 11:29PM

Well said, thanks. I take back some of what I said about the Right not having a sense of humor.

TheTotalConservative| 6.21.11 @ 10:24PM

I don't need meds. I am not a psychotic liberal turd like you Bob.

TheTotalConservative| 6.21.11 @ 10:23PM

We have allowed Fox News and the rest of the media to pervert Sarah Palin's Image and delegitimize her in the eyes of too many. They have twisted and demeaned Sarah Palin for far too long and I watch as a rigid idealogue with no accomplishments gets praised and Palin one of the great governors of her time that accomplished so much in less than 3 years gets treated as a damn pariah or damage goods. I don't believe it and I want Sarah Palin to fight for her reputation because too many don't know how good she really.

David| 6.21.11 @ 11:31PM

No, just let the cameras run and Sarah will dig her own grave, politically.

Seriously - how can you defend this woman who couldn't handle a marshmalllow question and insteadturned it into Paul Revere warning the British? I saw the whole clip. You can't spin that out of existence or blame Fox News or the "MSM."

Seriously - at this point - the only Republican that I can grant any intellectual or philosophical cojones is Ron Paul.

fashionkoko| 6.22.11 @ 1:56AM

This is really the perfect piece of content! We now have book marked it and sent it out to virtually all of my buddies mainly because I know they should be intrigued, thank you very much!

dadfly| 6.22.11 @ 4:07AM

sarah and michele are natural allies. sarah has been running for a long time, anyone with eyes can see that. finally another of our dreadnoughts, michele, is in the frey. we have had her back for a long time also. i wrote my first check for her three years ago. she represents relief for "aw nuts" palin who has been fighting a two front war for three plus years. they both put god and country above party (unlike the rest of the republican collective). i have complete faith that they will both do the right thing once the rinos are defeated.

wholesale underwears| 6.22.11 @ 5:18AM

It sounds very great. Congratulation.

weddingdresses| 6.22.11 @ 5:44AM

My better half and I have observed that Ms. Palin is not out to be King - oops Queen - oops President - oops First Person, (we have to be totally PC now - can't make anyone angry at us) but the one who paves the road for the one who follows. The WASP establishment has gotten so passe and so predictable that it is obvious that they are totally brain dead.

RCV| 6.22.11 @ 2:25PM

Sarah Palin as John the Baptist?

BackToBasics| 6.23.11 @ 1:30AM

Both Palin and Bachman seem like good women. But, while Palin can give a rousing speech and is a better scripted orator, I think Bachman is better at conceptualizing her thoughts off-the-cuff when questioned about her beliefs than Palin is. I also think Bachman also has a stronger conservative "core. " That may be why she gives straighter answers that are more articulate.

Wes in MT| 6.23.11 @ 10:40PM

I attended a fundraiser that Sarah Palin headlined.
She had no problem feilding questions and speaking off the cuff. Any one but Obama in 2012.
If Palin enters the race and wins the nomination, please support her. If she does not win the nomination, then support who every it is that does, including Mitt. As much as I dislike his record, he is better than Obama.
I think that that really is the discussion that we must also have - that whomever emerges victorious in the GOP nomination process - that we all unite to defeat the $&&^%$%&^$ socialists so that our great nation can be restored, not transformed.

weddingdresses| 6.29.11 @ 5:32AM

My better half and I have observed that Ms. Palin is not out to be King - oops Queen - oops President - oops First Person, (we have to be totally PC now - can't make anyone angry at us) but the one who paves the road for the one who follows. The WASP establishment has gotten so passe and so predictable that it is obvious that they are totally brain dead.

nike shoes UK| 8.8.11 @ 10:50PM

is good

nike shoes UK| 8.8.11 @ 11:49PM

is good