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Political Hay
Trials of the Tea Party
Surveying the presidential field and the broader political scene.
The New York Times is rolling out the big guns against Michelle Bachmann as her campaign starts to gain traction. Recently columnist Timothy Egan took the lead in what is fast becoming the default argument: “Michelle Bachmann and her family take government money!” Furrowing his brow, Egan writes:
But what is more troubling [than Bachmann’s insistence that lowering the minimum wage would increase employment] is the issue raised by taxpayer payments for various Bachmann family enterprises. This is where rigid ideology meets mushy reality. The Bachmann family farm in Wisconsin got $251,000 in federal handouts from 1995 to 2009, according to the invaluable table of subsidies put out annually by the Environmental Working Group, a Washington-based research organization… . Her husband, Marcus Bachmann, while farming the government one way through the business of his parents, tills another field of federal money with his mental health clinic in Lake Elmo, Minn., which offers “quality Christian counseling” for the troubled. The clinic has collected Medicaid payments of roughly $137,000 since 2005, NBC News reported this week, on top of $24,000 in state funds to train the clinic’s staff.
Although Eagan does not mention it, there is also a widespread rumor that the Bachmann’s family uses the U.S. Post Office to deliver their mail.
This is the familiar liberal double-bind. When government programs become so ubiquitous that you can’t turn around without falling over one, that only proves we must keep them in place because everybody uses them and anyone who denies it is just being hypocritical. If the Bachmann family turned deliberately down away their $17,000 a year in farm subsidies each year or if Marcus Bachmann refused to take Medicaid patients — well then maybe that would qualify Bachmann to run for office.
This isn’t how things work. Not even Al Gore, who preaches there are too many people in the world, all of them consuming too much, leads by example. In fact he does just the opposite. Candidates do not have to become cult leaders to run for office. Their job is to propose programs by which they themselves will be willing to abide if everyone else does as well. If agricultural subsidies were cut, the Bachmann family surely wouldn’t claim an exemption. If Medicaid were replaced by Paul Ryan’s block grant program, Marcus Bachmann’s clinic would not plead to go back to the old system. The trade-off Bachmann and the Tea Party are proposing is fewer government subsidies and less government regulation in exchange for lower taxes and more personal freedom. If Bachmann were refusing to pay her taxes, would that make Egan praise her consistency?
To see how fatuous Egan’s argument is, just turn it around. Suppose Bachmann’s in-laws were not eligible for any agricultural subsidies. Suppose Marcus Bachmann’s clinic wasn’t covered by Medicaid. Would that satisfy Egan? Of course not. He’d just turn around and say, “Of course Bachmann is willing to see federal programs cut for other people - she’s not getting any of that money herself!”
This election will be between those people who want lower taxes and less government intervention in the economy and those who want everything run out of Washington. Let’s stick to the issues and lay off the ad hominem attacks.
****
I don’t know whether he’s going to become a serious contender, but I think Herman Cain’s candidacy for the Republican nomination has marvelous potential for healing racial rifts in America. It proves that African-Americans can become completely assimilated to American society and that they have just as much stake in a prosperous and successful country as anyone else.
From the beginning, the civil rights era has been characterized as “us oppressed minorities” against the big bad white establishment - mostly male. When oppressed Southern blacks were standing up to Bull Conner’s fire hoses in Birmingham, Alabama this certainly had some validity. But the trope has been carried on and on so that first it was applied to women, then the disabled, then illegal immigrants, then on to homosexuals, until recently when the New Republic announced that transsexuals would be “the next great civil rights battle.” “What will it take for America to accept transgender people for who they really are?” proclaimed the new manifesto.
President Obama has played into all this, announcing his constituency as “African-Americans, Latinos, gays, the young” - with white males the conspicuous absentees. Well maybe so, but a lot of people are starting to ask themselves, “Is the cause of transsexuals versus non-transsexuals really the major drama of this country?”
Cain cuts through all this nonsense. He has a mathematical mind and doesn’t hesitate to call people who think we can prosper by printing more money “stupid.” He’s the epitome of a hard-driving CEO - although sometimes he relies too much on that “I’ll-call-together-a-team-of-experts” response. What Cain’s candidacy proves, however, is that black men have a tremendous amount in common with white men and with white and black women and young people and maybe even a few transsexuals for that matter, and that we’re much better looking for that common ground instead of being led around by the nose by people who would divide us by sex and class and race.
*****
I’m frankly not worried that the Republican slate still seems
“lackluster” and that there’s no clear, charismatic front-runner as
yet. The role of front-runners is to be ignominiously dumped.
Remember Rudy Giuliani or Ed Muskie or Gary Hart? Then there’s
always the dark horse who could have the whole thing if they were
only willing to jump in the race. Remember Wesley Clark? Or Fred
Thompson? These people only seem appealing because they haven’t yet
stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
The primaries are an evolutionary process. The candidates and the electorate feel each other out. You watch a Howard Dean implode on camera and you know you’ve seen enough. The test of the presidency is not where they stand on ethanol or whether they can name the prime minister of New Guinea or how they comb their hair. The test is simply this — how comfortable are you going to be having this person in your living room for the next four years? It’s a courtship. It takes time to decide. Several of the Republican candidates seem more than capable of meeting the test right now.
The hoopla and charisma will all come later. Right now we need another Ronald Reagan to rescue the country from an economic migraine that is, if anything, worse than the mess Jimmy Carter had us in in 1980. But remember it took a long while for Reagan to catch on. He was still regarded as something of an empty suit or a TV commercial version of a President right through the last week of the election.
It wasn’t until after the debate three days before that the public finally decided it had had enough of Jimmy Carter and was ready for a change. (This is the reason Democrats will be pushing to have people vote as much as a month in advance of the election.) America is still somewhat entranced with Obama and thrilled with the idea that we could defy the world’s expectations by electing an African-American President. It won’t be until November 2012 that we decide there may be other important things as well.
About the Author
Green Lantern is the pen-name of an East Coast writer.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (120) | Leave a comment
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Anthony| 7.11.11 @ 7:59AM
Yes, you figured out just how intellectually dishonest and morally bankrupt leftists are.
They can take any side of an argument, twist it, and make it appear that a conservative has either lied, or worse, proved themselves to be a hyprocrite.
At least you have a sense of humor when you opine that the New York Times is rolling out its "big guns". The NYT has no big guns; all it has is folks who need to be institutionalized.
Somewhere a village has lost its idiots and they all ended up at the NYT, or the White House.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.11.11 @ 5:34PM
Yeah, that may be true - ever since Crawford, TX, reclaimed its village idiot.
irish19| 7.11.11 @ 6:17PM
I never knew you lived in Crawford, TX. I bet it's hot down there right now. How's the humidity?
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:40PM
Aren't leftards disgusting pieces of trailer trash? Funny how they call for "civil discourse" all the time, then turn around and start the sh1tflinging all over again like a pack of baboons.
Mike D.| 7.11.11 @ 10:48PM
And Chicago claims its city idiot in 2012.
irish19| 7.12.11 @ 11:56AM
We can hope.
martin j smith| 7.11.11 @ 8:13AM
If you are going to use the NYT as a basis for any argument about Politics i just want to say you lost me right there. Their standard and this case is not exception are "hit pieces" which I am sure can be shot full of holes. Bachman is a threat-that is good. And let the NYT ( which I sure they do not need my permission ) continue their hit pieces. For, in the end , they tell us what the LEFT is thinking.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.11.11 @ 5:35PM
Did anyone stop to consider that this was a signed column - an editorial piece - and not a news story?
There's a difference - or at least that's what I was taught in J-school.
W| 7.11.11 @ 9:46PM
Right, which J-School did you graduate from? I am shocked that a lefty liberal would attend a J-School.
masly | 7.12.11 @ 1:54AM
I'd much rather have Herman Cain relying on a team of experts and following good advice than another 4 years of Sock Puppet making it up as he goes along.
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!
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.12.11 @ 2:07PM
I graduated from - you can start hissing and booing now - the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Just like my father with his engineering degree and my mother with her law degree.
W| 7.12.11 @ 7:52PM
Congratulations. Do you work as a journalist?
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:38PM
Oh dear, pardon us, Mr la dee da Journaljism School Gragitate.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.12.11 @ 2:08PM
Wow. Thanks for validating the anti-intellectual, anti-rational stereotype of the Right. Well done.
PsychoDad| 7.13.11 @ 12:05AM
Thank YOU for validating the egghead elitist head-up-his -ass stereotype of the braindead leftist co(ksucker.
Mike D.| 7.11.11 @ 10:51PM
You never came anywhere near J school bunky and if you did, thats explains your whole mental process.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.12.11 @ 2:14PM
Ummm, Mike D., that's a fascinating leap of ... something, certainly not faith. You have to explain how you know I "never came anywhere near J school" but even if I did, how does that explain anyone's mental process?
Herman Cain 2012 | 7.11.11 @ 8:14AM
While I don't share the opinion of the Green Lantern as it relates to Congresswoman Bachmann, I appreciate the kind words for Mr. Herman Cain. I think evidence suggests that Herman Cain is on the verge of "serious contender" status, being that he leads the pack in positive intensity, favorable rating, and with ONLY 48% name recognition, his numbers speak for themselves.
Herman Cain's common sense solutions are resonating with the American people so well, because we are TIRED of typical career politicians who talk a good game, but don't deliver. When the majority of those in Washington HAD political experience before being elected, how's THAT working for us? It's refreshing to have a man like Herman Cain in this race!
If you agree that his 5 point economic plan to cut the corporate tax rate, end the tax on capital gains and repatriated profits, implement the FairTax, issue a year long payroll tax holiday for both employers and employees of 6.2%, and making the tax rates PERMANENT is EXACTLY what we need.....I'd urge you to check out hermancain.com/, arealleader.com/, or electcain.com/ to get involved! To make a donation, check out hermancain.com/ or arealleader.com/
Thank you, and G-d bless!
fmm| 7.11.11 @ 12:38PM
And why the use of G-d? Have the courage of your convictions!
pastor jack| 7.11.11 @ 1:34PM
I don't think the use of G_d is lacking courage of convictions but rather indicates the probable (but not necessarily certain) respect our Jewish brothers & sisters have when writing the name of God. An incomplete spelling out or writing of His name is frequently used this way.
Sherman rides again!| 7.11.11 @ 4:12PM
I hope Cain can make it, not a Bachmann fan.
Quartermaster| 7.11.11 @ 9:40PM
God is not His name. It's His title. But Jews still write it "G_d." I have no trouble with it even though I don't do it.
Bob| 7.11.11 @ 8:21AM
To become a serious candidate Michele Bachmann needs to locate Wisconsin on a map and name the 9 Great Lakes starting with Lake Bullwinkle in her home district.
Groad| 7.11.11 @ 8:30AM
Better yet, find the stable and manger on the Oahu beach where Obama was born.
W| 7.11.11 @ 10:36AM
No bob, Obama should learn the names of the 58 states in the USA.
loulou| 7.11.11 @ 11:12AM
And she needs to remember that one MUST speak over "God Save The Queen" like a clueless ninny!
Quartermaster| 7.11.11 @ 9:40PM
He needs to know their capitals as well.
KennesawJack| 7.11.11 @ 12:47PM
What about the other 56 states?
Anthony| 7.11.11 @ 3:12PM
After Obozo tells us the names of all 57 states!!!
Teaghan| 7.11.11 @ 8:29AM
"Bachman and her family take government money" Well, should her physician husband see the elderly medicare patients for free? On the flip side, can you imagine the wailing and screaming if he decided not to see medicare patients? Which is what many are doing.
I sometimes dispise those on the left.
mames| 7.11.11 @ 12:29PM
The Bachman's are not wealthy they are working and well off as are the folks they must serve to earn their income. Unlike the Palins they have not uprooted their family to hawk mom's latest book or movie. Obama has been a arrogant sponge like little f^%* all his pathetic phony life as has his planet of the apes wife.
Nancy| 7.11.11 @ 2:18PM
I almost ALWAYS despise them except when those on the right lie, then I despise them.
Bruce| 7.11.11 @ 8:29AM
The big problem will come if Herman Cain DOESN"T do well in the primaries. This will allow the liberals to point their fingers and yell "See they really ARE racist! Cain never had a chance!"
loulou| 7.11.11 @ 11:12AM
Cain has more of a chance than Huntsman and Pawlenty.
Sherman rides again!| 7.11.11 @ 4:13PM
Hell yes!
Stacie Curtis| 7.11.11 @ 8:34AM
Herman Cain has what is going to be needed to turn around our economy. The man understands the numbers. The economy is the #1 issue facing us right now, and I honestly feel Herman Cain is the man that can turn things around for us. We can no longer afford to sit on the sideline while congress spends our money like it is an endless supply of money.
Clint| 7.11.11 @ 8:40AM
We Tea Party Patriots wish both Michele Bachmann & Dr.Ron Paul Well.
And welcome Sarah Palin to toss her hat in the ring, as well.
It's The Failed Presidency of Obama that's On Trial.
"Tea party activists are divided roughly into two camps, according to a POLITICO/TargetPoint poll:
Sarah 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 Ramps Up For The 2012 GOP Primary Elections & Then The 2012 General Elections.
The Second Tea Party Wave Is Coming.
CrackerHound| 7.11.11 @ 2:08PM
As an activist for the Tea Party movement, I am pinning my hopes on Texas Governer Rick Perry.
I realize that Obama is damaged goods and several could possibly beat him, but Perry is the only true lock out there for the general elections....and we can't afford to take any chances.
Perry has the most impressive track record of any running now or being talked about as possible late entries. Jobs are what this election will be about and Perry has gone into the stuff of legends in this arena. He has also stood up against an out of control federal government in a highly public way. Get him into full campaign mode (he has never lost an election in his career) and he will be unstoppable.
To address those who say he doesn't have truly conservative credentials (a case that can be made with ALL Republican candidates in one manner or another)....look at the glaring evidence of his actions and policies as proof that he will ACT in a truly conservative way.
He is labeled as not conservative by some and right wing extremist by others but the truth is he is a solid conservative of the Reagan mold.
irish19| 7.11.11 @ 10:41PM
Not sure I understand the numbers. How does Palin's 15% equate to 43%. What am I missing?
irish19| 7.11.11 @ 10:41PM
Does the 43% represent self-identified conservatives in the poll?
Bob| 7.11.11 @ 8:58AM
I'm still hoping the Trenton Tubby enters the race. I'm on my knees begging, please, please Governor Crisco run for President.
W| 7.11.11 @ 10:50AM
Hey bobbie, being "on your knees" is a term associated with the Clinton administration, not with conservative Republicans.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.11.11 @ 5:37PM
And Larry Craig?
irish19| 7.11.11 @ 6:24PM
Barney Frank more like.
loulou| 7.11.11 @ 11:14AM
Jon Corzine was wishing for the same. Heh, heh, heh.
Casey Abell| 7.11.11 @ 9:04AM
"He [Reagan] was still regarded as something of an empty suit or a TV commercial version of a President right through the last week of the election."
Uh, what? Reagan's internal polling had him leading Carter pretty much throughout the campaign. Sure, the lead widened afetr Carter's disastrous debate. But Reagan was a very serious threat to Carter long before the last week. "Empty suit'? Hardly.
"The role of front-runners is to be ignominiously dumped."
Oh, sometimes. And sometimes frontrunners win. Like, well, Reagan. He did get a nasty upset in Iowa but quickly recovered.
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:35PM
That was true, at least in the opinion of the media.
Mike Rogers| 7.11.11 @ 9:05AM
Herman Cain has superb positive intensity scores, low to nonexistent negatives, and growing name recognition. His platform is pure commonsense, and furthermore lines up with a lot of economic research I've done across a wide swath of authors.
More than anything, his speaking and leadership skills make a complete mockery of the "legendary oratorical skills"of Obama: Where Obama only sounds natural, passionate and animated in front of union/socialist audiences, Cain can sell the audience on his ideas and get them excited - without a teleprompter.
If the Tea Party is looking for the return of Ronald Reagan, look no further :)
Stop Press. See this snippet from the Washington Times on the Conservative Leadership Conference Straw Poll on Saturday:
"Mr. Cain won 24 percent of the vote, followed by Mr. Romney’s 21 percent, Mr. Perry won a surprising 17 percent.
Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachmann, a declared nomination hopeful and another favorite among some conservatives, placed fourth with 16 percent and Texas Rep. Ron Paul was fifth with 8 percent.
The other potential and declared candidates whose names were on the straw poll ballot received negligible portions of the vote, organizers said"
Prester John| 7.11.11 @ 9:06AM
What does it take for Herman Cain to be considered a "serious contender"? Being sprinkled with Holy Water by Karl Rove?
He raised a solid $2.5 million in the last quarter and has no debt.
He has consistently been polling in the top three (ahead of Pawlenty, Gingrich, Santorum, Paul, and Huntsman) whenever the unannounced saviors of the GOP are excluded, and the more people hear about him the more they like him. When the 40% of so of people who have never heard of him start paying attention his numbers (and fundraising) will only get better.
I am as much of a conservative Republican as they come, but I have had enough of the GOP establishment. Come Fall of 2012 I will of course work and vote for the GOP nominee regardless of who he/she is, but for now, my money, time and efforts will be spend on the behalf of Herman Cain.
talkradio55| 7.11.11 @ 9:49AM
Not only Herman Cain, but I guarantee you that the GOP establishment is sputtering with rage that Michele Bachmann is a serious contender. These people want Romney so badly, they will work to undermine everyone else. Herman Cain is a serious contender whether Karl Rove likes it or not.
Nancy| 7.11.11 @ 2:20PM
Cain/Bachmann ticket. How killer would that be?
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.11.11 @ 5:39PM
Oh, yes, please. That'd be a hoot. You'd have all of these Tea Party types falling over themselves backpedaling that a black man really can be President and you'd have Michele Bachmann teaching American history. Hysterical! Bring it on.
irish19| 7.11.11 @ 6:27PM
Backpedaling my sainted grandmother. The tea party has never, ever, been about race. And I defy you to prove that it has. Bachman/Cain or Can/Bachman would roll over your phony, self-styled messiah like the tide coming in.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.11.11 @ 6:46PM
I was wondering what source that you wouldn't find fault with - so I just did an Internet search on Google. Try these - they're all photos so your reading ability won't be challenged.
http://www.google.com/search?h.....l63l63l1l1
skip| 7.11.11 @ 9:36PM
Breitbart offered what, $100,000, to anyone with proof of the racial epithets black caucus congress members claimed were hurled at them by tea partiers.
Got those too?
irish19| 7.11.11 @ 10:18PM
I did look at them. They mostly seemed pretty innocuous and a lot less offensive than, say SEIU thugs disrupting a Special Olympics rally. Or perhaps the media gang rape of Sarah Palin and her family during the last election.
And my reading ability is just fine, thanks for asking.
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:30PM
What an absurd non-sequiter. You are implying that a group of people are racists just because you can;t see any black faces among them? You are really judging these people by the color of their skin and not the content of their character?
You are vile.
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:33PM
And if there seems to be a lack of black Americans in the Tea Party movement, perhaps it really is because they are intimidated....by leftist thugs.
http://www.mediaite.com/online.....o-protest/
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:42PM
Oh. Just in case you missed it:
http://patriotstatesman.com/2011/01/1491/
"Black Conservatives Form The Crispus Attucks Tea Party in Houston Texas"
irish19| 7.12.11 @ 12:06PM
Brilliant!
Michael Tomlinson| 7.12.11 @ 2:08AM
There is only one party in US history that has consistently used race as a political tool -- the Democrat party. Slavery, Jim Crow, lynching, segregation, the KKK and afirmative action are all racist tools of the Democrat party. Understandably, a shameful history Democrats would prefer to cover up as they have the Obama/Holder arming of narco-terrorists.
On the other hand the Republican Party is the anti-slavery, anti-segregation and pro civil rights party.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.12.11 @ 2:17PM
Oh, sure. Up to about the end of Reconstruction or thereabouts. But then, you seem to be so enamored of the past, that's probably yesterday for you, isn't it?
PsychoDad| 7.13.11 @ 12:09AM
http://www.black-and-right.com.....-race-lie/
January 26, 1922
House passes bill authored by U.S. Rep. Leonidas Dyer (R-MO) making lynching a federal crime; Senate Democrats block it with filibuster
June 24, 1940
Republican Party platform calls for integration of the armed forces; for the balance of his terms in office, FDR refuses to order it
September 24, 1957
Sparking criticism from Democrats such as Senators John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, President Dwight Eisenhower deploys the 82nd Airborne Division to Little Rock, AR to force Democrat Governor Orval Faubus to integrate public schools
May 6, 1960
President Dwight Eisenhower signs Republicans’ Civil Rights Act of 1960, overcoming 125-hour, around-the-clock filibuster by 18 Senate Democrats
September 15, 1981
President Ronald Reagan establishes the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, to increase African-American participation in federal education programs
November 21, 1991
President George H. W. Bush signs Civil Rights Act of 1991 to strengthen federal civil rights legislation
--------
and much much more.
Pwned, leftard!
loulou| 7.11.11 @ 11:15AM
Rove, Cornyn, McConnell had better get the message that as far as conservatives are concerned, they have no standing.
Conservative View| 7.11.11 @ 9:24AM
THE INVESTMENT AGAINST HERMAN CAIN
The liberal left has far too much invested AGAINST Herman Cain to allow him to become a serious contender for president. For decades, if not longer, the left has pitted Black against White. We have program after program designed to help the poor (read black). We have "Black leadership" constantly harping on the "needs of the Black Comunity." We have the NAACP, the New Black Panthers, and countless lesser known groups. What do they all have in common, they all have the view that somehow, in some way, Black America still takes a back seat on the bus.
There is a whole lot of money, time, effort and bad will invested in these programs by the very "leaders" of the Black Comunity. Imagine Al Sharpton discovering that Blacks in America can actually run a country. Such an event would deminish his position. Why continue funding all the groups that insist that Blacks are still sitting in the back of the bus when the driver is black himself?
If Herman Cain becomes a front runner, as well he might, you will see the left leaning media implode. They will have the choice of backing a failed black president, or accept another that is "A White man with a black face." He is the establishment. He is what the liberal mind fears the worst, the successful black American.
The best that the liberal press can hope for is that Clinton runs in a primary against Obama. Then they can put their full weight behind Clinton, a woman against a black. They won't be able to play the race card so much, except in whispers behind closed doors, but they will be able to show how progressive they are by supporting a woman.
If Michelle Bachman were to run with Cain, the combo might prove unbeatable. The liberal media would become by necessity far less favoriable to Obama. That as much as the echonomy would kill his run for a second term.
Cain has a lot to say that makes sense. He is a brillant man, a hard driving man. I believe that he is actually the better choice for President given the field we have today. I wish him all the luck, and votes, in the world.
Oldefarte| 7.11.11 @ 11:00AM
The NYT attack upon Bachmann is typical of this liberal Democrat rag, whihc daily brainwashes it lunatic readers with its manufactured garbage. Would they perhaps prefer the Bachmanns to NOT operated their farming/medical clinic businesses, and to therefore turn out the numerous indigent Medicaid recipients that are patients of said clinics, or to not employ the farm hands that work their crop fields? Maybe the answer is to eliminate entirely Medicaid and federal farm subsidies, then the Bachmanns of this country can shut their business doors and this nation's unemployment will increase from its present 10% to maybe 25%. Maybe also the federal subsidies that newspapers such as the NYT receives should also be eliminated, whereupon the moronic writers/reporters opining such garbage would no longer have their worthless jobs. As to the Republican candidate field, as stated its early and most all of them bring varied credentials to the table that are noteworthy. Cain brings his tremendous corporate executive experience which is refreshingly needed in a president. His knowledge of financial reports and business management is solely lacking in DC. He has dealt with budgets all of his working life, and knows what to eliminate, what to keep and has the guts to do the necessary. Same to with Bachmann on a lesser scale, and additionally her knowledge/experience as a tax attorney is a huge plus. Pawlenty's conservative management of a liberal state should not be overlooked. He's done it and can certainly do so as president. Romney as a nominee would be hugely discounted from his promoting a state healthcare plan similar to the Democrats' WELFARECARE, even though he does have immense business managerial experience. Its early, and the only question remains which one is best suited to turn thei country around from its present socialist state of destruction and to get it moving again in the right conservative direction!!!!!!!!
patroness| 7.11.11 @ 11:25AM
Women for Cain:)
Occam's Tool| 7.11.11 @ 11:40AM
Let it Roll:
"The time's real short, you know the distance is long
I'd like to have a jet but it's not in the song
Climb back in the cab, cross your fingers for luck
We gotta keep movin' if we're going to make a buck."
From Roll on Down the Highway by BTO.
Go Michele!
Sharia Delenda Est!
Humiliation to the Supporters of Foreign Aid To Hamas!
Drunken Sailor| 7.11.11 @ 11:48AM
How does a conservative canidate know they are gaining traction? When the NYT writes a hit piece on them.
fmm| 7.11.11 @ 12:31PM
If Cain were elected president it would do nothing to heal racial rifts. This is because most racism is manufactured by the left and only used for their purposes, none of which are in favor of minorities of any type. The election of Obama has increased racism. Publicly this is particularly evidenced by the Department of Justice actions, but most of it is behind the scenes. Colin Powell did a smart thing by not running for president because he understood that he would be under too much pressure from a racial standpoint. Cain's decision to run on a non-racial basis is very much to his credit.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.11.11 @ 5:40PM
Ummm, have you read the posts on this site? Seems that the racism is .... skin-deep.
W| 7.11.11 @ 9:53PM
As a J-School graduate, R, you should identify the posts and names so they can respond. Last time I asked you for the cite on Justice Scalia, last week, you were completely wrong and cited his words out of context.
You said Scalia said the constitution is dead, dead. Scalia said the constitution is not a living, evolving document, he used the term dead to state it is not the living,changing, elastic document that judges use to write their own laws under the guise of interpretation.
You still have not admitted you were either wrong or disingenuos.
irish19| 7.11.11 @ 10:20PM
W, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting.
whizzer| 7.11.11 @ 12:59PM
I like Herman Cain and his policies, and I'll vote for him in the unlikely event he wins the GOP nomination. But it's not going to happen; Cain has never held public office, and POTUS isn't entry-level work. He or Bachmann would be a good addition to the ticket, behind whoever gets nominated.
Oldefarte| 7.11.11 @ 1:40PM
The only 'entry level' characteristics possessed by Cain or Bachmann would be their obvious abilities in the private sector to manage/administer the job as president. Your no doubt reference to POLITICAL EXPERIENCE being a qualifier for the job, what do you therefore think of the current office holder's NON-ENTRY LEVEL political experience as state/national congressman [or possibly that as a Chicago community organizer/welfare worker] in a demonstration of his abilities to carry out the job of president? As Cain has said previously, HOW DOES THAT WORK FOR YOU??????????????
cicero| 7.11.11 @ 12:59PM
I find it amusing that the Rebublicans are letting the liberal press convince them that their very impressive lineup of potential candidates are uninspiring, boring, etc. I cannot remember in my political lifetime when the nation was offered such an interesting group from which to choose. Just to list them (Romney, Pawlenty, Cain. Bachmann, Palin, Paul, Huntsman, Perry,....) is to make my point. Anyone of them will blow our current president off of the platform is any of the upcoming debates. The trick is to choose that potential canddidate who believes in the conservative principles upon which they will run.
As I recall, Reagan was not tiedd to the teleprompter. He was able to comunicate so effectively because he believed in what he said. He did not just orate in cliches and talking points.
That will be the purpose of the upcoming primary season. I will feel confortable with ALMOST any of the current crop of candidates, and potential candidates being mentioned, who emerges from the fray.
If they Republicans (read conservative) candidates can be smart, and debate ideas through the primary season, instead of trying to destroy fellow contenders, the American voting public will be given a real choice. If they then still insist on being led to perdition, so be it.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.11.11 @ 5:41PM
Yeah, an interesting group. I am reminded of the Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times."
Amusing? Yes.
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:45PM
Ya know what? Fu(k you, that's what. Any of 'em would be better than that vacuous sock puppet in the White House.
Hell, a dead possum would be better than Sock Puppet.
wodiej| 7.11.11 @ 1:52PM
Herman Cain cannot wake up black americans by himself. As long as people like Sharpton and Jackson are out pimping discrimination and white hatred, it will be an uphill battle.
Alan Brooks| 7.11.11 @ 2:09PM
Bachmann might very well be president in 2013, she is as tough as nails. But what will the options for you be?: sell America to the highest bidder?
CrackerHound| 7.11.11 @ 3:54PM
"sell America to the highest bidder?"
Well, that is where we are now. China owns the US and just yeterday stated that the US spends too much on the military. So we have a foreign power telling the US in essence how to manage our economy. Why shouldn't they? We have no money of our own. If the truth were told.....we are flat broke!
Obama doesn't seem to get it. Obama Care was the telling evidence of this. He was pushing one of the most expensive entitlements in history, bailing out mortgage companies, the auto industry, etc., while simulataneously pumping TRILLIONS of dollars in stimulus dollars borrowed from China and put it ALL on the credit card of middle class Americans.
There is no way in hell I will vote for any republican who agrees to a tax increase under these circumstances. Why should WE pay for such horrible and devastating incompetence as this? For every dollar borrowed from China should be a dollar CUT from government spending not taken from us in taxes.
Allan, I can assure you Michelle Bachmann is a ten-fold improvement over the Obamanator
Alan Brooks| 7.11.11 @ 5:05PM
We could sell off everything that hasn't been sold already-- every park, monument, etc.-- everything that isn't necessary for survival.
Alan Brooks| 7.11.11 @ 5:07PM
... do we have any other options? if so, what?
Doctor Right| 7.11.11 @ 3:02PM
Liberal desperation is SO fun to watch...
Alan Brooks| 7.11.11 @ 3:16PM
Go ahead, waste another decade-- it's your funeral.
gary siebel| 7.11.11 @ 3:33PM
Bachman isn't going anywhere. She has already provided ample material for SNL. Same for the Paul family. The argument you attempt to make on Bachman's behalf in terms of her family's dependence on government money is full of holes. It is more apologia than argument.
Cain sounds good but has no elective office experience, so no Presidency for him, either (name a Pres who got in without previous elective office experience if you can -- I can't think of any offhand -- maybe Hoover?).
Palin has too many wounds to run -- besides, she likes the money she is making as a non-candidate.
Gingrich may look draw blood in debates but isn't going anywhere either. He also likes the money.
Perry would be wise to stay out as long as possible, thereby avoiding the glare of the spotlight on his very numerous shortcomings. Nobody from Texas will be acceptable on a national level for quite some time, thanks to Bush.
Romney gets it by default.
Oldefarte| 7.11.11 @ 3:49PM
I respectfully disagree, since Romney would probably lose [not due to his business experience] because of Democrats assaulting his Romneycare hypocracy. Again, this LACK OF POLITICAL EXPERIENCE is a false argument. Does Obama's political experience propose his re-election. Political experience can either be pro or con [Pawlenty's is definately pro], depending upon the degree of conservative administrative history of governmental management. The governors of Mississippi and Indiana both had credible political experience in governance, but neither chose to run. Cain would bring tremendous business administration experience of management to the table, which could easily translate into governmental administrative ability. Running a government is similar to that of a private business, minus the profit element. It's all about management. Same also with Bachmann as a small business owner. What's to be avoided are these career politicians who have spent years in DC doing absolutely nothing, and have no practical management experience [ie Santorium, Paul, etc]!!!!!!!
Clint| 7.11.11 @ 5:10PM
"(name a Pres who got in without previous elective office experience if you can -- I can't think of any offhand -- maybe Hoover?)."
Start with Eisenhower, Grant, Jackson, Taylor.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.11.11 @ 5:50PM
Good reminders, Clint. Thanks. Citizens without elected public office experience can make it to President - although I'm pretty sure I wouldn't put Grant or Taylor in the top 10 of all time.
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:24PM
I'd put either miles above Sock Puppet.
gary siebel| 7.11.11 @ 3:35PM
Bachman isn't going anywhere. She has already provided ample material for SNL. Same for the Paul family. The argument you attempt to make on Bachman's behalf in terms of her family's dependence on government money is full of holes. It is more apologia than argument.
Cain sounds good but has no elective office experience, so no Presidency for him, either (name a Pres who got in without previous elective office experience if you can -- I can't think of any offhand -- maybe Hoover?).
Palin has too many wounds to run -- besides, she likes the money she is making as a non-candidate.
Gingrich may look draw blood in debates but isn't going anywhere either. He also likes the money.
Perry would be wise to stay out as long as possible, thereby avoiding the glare of the spotlight on his very numerous shortcomings. Nobody from Texas will be acceptable on a national level for quite some time, thanks to Bush.
Romney gets it by default.
JayDick| 7.11.11 @ 3:57PM
You may be correct about Romney. His strongest quality may be his ability to beat Obama, although I think Romneycare will be an impediment in that regard.
I think Romney may be the best candidate, but would make the worst President of the group. I don't think he has any real principles, kind of like Clinton. Anyone would be better than Obama though, so a candidates' ability to beat Obama should be the most important criterion.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.11.11 @ 5:33PM
Is there a Tea Party platform? That is, what are the top 10 things a Tea Party-endorsed candidate would do if elected President?
Seriously, this is not a taunt. I really want to know in numerical order, in plain English, what the Tea Party wants to do. Not what it's against. Preferably, this list would not be "abolish this" or "de-fund that."
irish19| 7.11.11 @ 6:41PM
I can't speak for the Tea Party-and anyone who claims to is lying BTW, but here are some of the things I would like to do.
1. Secure the borders. This is Job 1 for any government.
2. Bring our troops home from Europe.
3. Raise the eligibility age for SS and institute means testing. These would be phased in over 5-10 years.
I think this would be enough to go on with for a
beginning. I'm sure others can suggest more.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.11.11 @ 6:48PM
I have many questions but let's start with:
1. If no one speaks for the Tea Party, how do you know or how will you know someone comes up to your standards?
2. Only 3? Certainly with all of the postings and rants I've seen here, surely you could come up with 1o.
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:23PM
Look! It's trying to speak, just like a real little boy! I wonder what it thinks it's saying??
irish19| 7.11.11 @ 10:46PM
Probably. But most would be in the "Cut this" category, and thus outside of the conditions you set.
The Tea Party is more of a coalition than a top-down command and control organization like the Dems or establishment Repubs. See below for a synopsis.
Clint| 7.11.11 @ 8:10PM
Tea Party Patriots Mission Statement and Core Values
Mission Statement
The impetus for the Tea Party movement is excessive government spending and taxation. Our mission is to attract, educate, organize, and mobilize our fellow citizens to secure public policy consistent with our three core values of Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets.
Core Values
Fiscal Responsibility
Constitutionally Limited Government
Free Markets
Fiscal Responsibility: Fiscal Responsibility by government honors and respects the freedom of the individual to spend the money that is the fruit of their own labor. A constitutionally limited government, designed to protect the blessings of liberty, must be fiscally responsible or it must subject its citizenry to high levels of taxation that unjustly restrict the liberty our Constitution was designed to protect. Such runaway deficit spending as we now see in Washington D.C. compels us to take action as the increasing national debt is a grave threat to our national sovereignty and the personal and economic liberty of future generations.
Constitutionally Limited Government: We, the members of The Tea Party Patriots, are inspired by our founding documents and regard the Constitution of the United States to be the supreme law of the land. We believe that it is possible to know the original intent of the government our founders set forth, and stand in support of that intent. Like the founders, we support states' rights for those powers not expressly stated in the Constitution. As the government is of the people, by the people and for the people, in all other matters we support the personal liberty of the individual, within the rule of law.
Free Markets: A free market is the economic consequence of personal liberty. The founders believed that personal and economic freedom were indivisible, as do we. Our current government's interference distorts the free market and inhibits the pursuit of individual and economic liberty. Therefore, we support a return to the free market principles on which this nation was founded and oppose government intervention into the operations of private business.
Our Philosophy
Tea Party Patriots, Inc. as an organization believes in the Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government, and Free Markets. Tea Party Patriots, Inc. is a non-partisan grassroots organization of individuals united by our core values derived from the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America, the Bill Of Rights as explained in the Federalist Papers. We recognize and support the strength of grassroots organization powered by activism and civic responsibility at a local level. We hold that the United States is a republic conceived by its architects as a nation whose people were granted "unalienable rights" by our Creator. Chiefly among these are the rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The Tea Party Patriots stand with our founders, as heirs to the republic, to claim our rights and duties which preserve their legacy and our own. We hold, as did the founders, that there exists an inherent benefit to our country when private property and prosperity are secured by natural law and the rights of the individual. As an organization we do not take stances on social issues. We urge members to engage fully on the social issues they consider important and aligned with their beliefs.
irish19| 7.11.11 @ 10:22PM
Thanks. I would remind you, however, to keep in mind that more than one organization is using the Tea Party name.
But thanks for the info anyway.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.12.11 @ 2:19PM
Thank you, Clint. That's very helpful, even inspirational. But, say, with free markets, what is the first piece of legislation that a Tea Party-backed President sends to Congress?
I'm looking for specifics.
PsychoDad| 7.13.11 @ 12:19AM
Repeal Obamacare.
SCPOret| 7.11.11 @ 5:54PM
Much as I like Cain and I'm supporting him with a few bucks.
He will not win because he threatens the race baiting establishment of the NAACP, Rainbow Coalition, the DNC, and the Chicago Machine. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and those of their ilk will spare no effort to destroy him as they continue to do with Clarence Thomas. They will loose their "walking around money" if it is show that a black man can do the job and he doesn't need special dispensation from them.
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:22PM
Wouldn't that be a terrific side-effect of President Cain?!?
Bob| 7.11.11 @ 7:00PM
A third grade student in Minnesota asked Michele what was the source of the Mississippi River? Michele's response: the Gulf of Mexico, well Michele got confused I suppose then the student said it was Lake Itasca. Oh yes! Michele said, Lake Itasca, Manitoba. Confused? I suppose not.
W| 7.11.11 @ 9:55PM
post the cite or authority for this
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:19PM
I bet she knows how many states there are, and how old her children are. And how to pronounce "corpsman." D'ya want the whole list of Sock Puppet's idiocies?
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:20PM
PS-- I bet she can show us real birth certificate, too.
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:21PM
Pardon, "a" real cert.
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:18PM
I'd much rather have Herman Cain relying on a team of experts and following good advice than another 4 years of Sock Puppet making it up as he goes along.
POST American| 7.12.11 @ 12:38AM
Really kiddies ---as those CHEM-trails pile
up in the skies, as the Fukishima fallout swirls
about the northern hemisphere ---as you get
the latest round of fetal tissue sourced vaccines
---and as you guzzle that organ destroying, cancer
causing, intergenerational steriizing GM food
---as RED China is rapidy being unvieled as
'World Enforcer' ---even as those MASSIVE
tunnel projects between Pigeon Lake B.C. and
the north Asian mainland are dusted off,
and as RED China's given the first of several chunks of sovereign
territory on the American mainand (south
of Boise) -----DO you REALLY think any of
these 'on show' utterly vetted front op candidates
are going to have what it takes?
--------------DO YOU?
cheap shox | 7.12.11 @ 4:54AM
Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
weddingdress | 7.12.11 @ 5:10AM
Really kiddies ---as those CHEM-trails pile
up in the skies, as the Fukishima fallout swirls
about the northern hemisphere ---as you get
the latest round of fetal tissue sourced vaccines
---and as you guzzle that organ destroying, cancer
causing, intergenerational steriizing GM food
---as RED China is rapidy being unvieled as
'World Enforcer' ---even as those MASSIVE
tunnel projects between Pigeon Lake B.C. and
the north Asian mainland are dusted off,
and as RED China's given the first of several chunks of sovereign
territory on the American mainand (south
of Boise) -----DO you REALLY think any of
these 'on show' utterly vetted front op candidates
are going to have what it takes?
Nerissa Belcher| 7.12.11 @ 9:10AM
You wrote "...we're much better looking for that common ground instead of being led around by the nose by people who would divide us by sex and class and race."
I agree. So can we assume you are against the DOMA, DADT and for equal employment opportunities for the LGBT population (ENDA)? Normally I'd do a Google search on your past writings to find out. Oh, but wait. You are posting anonymously. So we'll never know.
It is possible to stand by your convictions using your real name as I have done here. I'll even spare you doing a Google search by mentioning I'm transsexual. Now, your turn.
PsychoDad| 7.13.11 @ 12:14AM
I'm sorry that your tragic need for psychological treatment has been so woefully neglected.
PsychoDad| 7.13.11 @ 12:12AM
Oh and by the way, leftard, here's what I came back to share:
"SEIU MEMBERS FOUND ‘NOT GUILTY’ IN BRUTAL BEATING OF TEA PARTY ACTIVIST"
a jury has acquitted two labor union activists accused of assaulting a man selling conservative buttons outside a Cogressman Russ Carnahan town hall forum....
If you didn't notice, Kenneth Gladney, the beating victim, is a black man.
Proud of your legbreaking goons?
Game, set, match.