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What Is a Republican President?

By on 8.16.11 @ 6:08AM

Bachmann’s conservative victory puts spotlight on question roiling the GOP.

It’s the question no one asks.

It’s the topic everyone is talking about.

What, exactly, is a Republican president anyway?

If the central issue in this election is the role of government — and arguably in one form or another that has been an issue for over a century’s worth of presidential elections (if not all of them) — what is it that Republican presidents have in fact done about it?

What could another one be expected to do?

As the nation focuses on Congresswoman Michele Bachmann’s victory in the Iowa Straw Poll, the entry and possible entry of Texas Governor Rick Perry and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin into the race for the White House — and the departure of former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty from it — clearly the question of what a Republican president has been and should be is the question that should be asked.

And in one form or another, it is the not-so-underground passionate topic of every Republican in America.

The other week the discussion here was about an “American Tipping Point.” Is it possible that the same principle is at work with Republican presidents? And was Ronald Reagan that GOP presidential tipping point? The point at which a genuinely conservative president made it that much more difficult for prospective and actual Republican presidents to successfully advocate some version of Big Government Lite or More-Taxes-Just-Not-SoMuch?

Let’s start with the basics.

There have been eighteen Republican presidents of the United States since the formation of the GOP as a political party in 1854. Of the 39 presidential elections between 1856 and 2008, in which the GOP always fielded a candidate, the party’s nominee has won 23 of those 39 elections. Which is to say, well over half of them.

Republican presidents have taken office while young (42), old (68) and middle-aged (a parade of fifty-somethings). All have been men. Some have been commander-in-chief in the midst of tumultuous periods of war, others the head of state in placid eras of peace and prosperity. One, famously, was at the helm when the Great Depression arrived.

So with a political party that has had this much consistent success in electing its nominees since its inception and the competition with Democrats began — a better record than Democrats to the point that it’s reasonable to think of Republican presidencies as the American norm and Democrats in the White House as the occasional exception that proves the rule — why is it that the American people historically prefer Republicans?

Doubtless the answer has to do with some variation of the snappy slogan devised for the very first Republican nominee in 1856:

Free Soil, Free Men, Fremont

John Charles Fremont was perhaps the most celebrated hero of the day. Famous as the dashing explorer and mapper of the Western American continent, it was he who had planted the American flag on the highest peak of the Rocky Mountains, serving as military governor of the California territory and, when it was admitted to the Union, as the new state’s first U.S. Senator. Together with his outgoing and politically astute wife Jessie, the daughter of the powerful Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton, the glamorous Fremonts captured the American imagination. His biographer Tom Chaffin, whose book Pathfinder is titled with the nickname bestowed on the dazzling young explorer by the tabloid press of the day, notes that Fremont was so popular he was asked by both Democrats and the brand new GOP to be their 1856 nominee.

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About the Author

Jeffrey Lord is a former Reagan White House political director and author. He writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (193) |

chuck| 8.16.11 @ 7:13AM

We need a President, and a Congress who are willing to chop off entire sections of the federal government. Education, Commerce, Energy, Housing, Labor, are all unnecessary and should be eliminated. We need people who don't care if they are reelected or not. Social Security needs to be privatized, as well as Medicare. Medicaid needs to be turned over to the states who can figure out for themselves how to handle indigent care. The massive amounts of regulations on business and industry needs to be slashed. The EPA needs to be gutted. The IRS and the current tax code needs to be eliminated, and the Fair Tax enacted.
The question is: Who has the guts to even speak to this, let alone get it done? And this means at the Presidential level, and the Congressional level!
Cain.....certainly
Bachmann.......maybe
Paul........probably
Perry........unlikely
The rest.............no way in hell!

YeloStalyn| 8.16.11 @ 9:44AM

You nailed it. And as much as I like Cain... when you figure in overall electability (at this stage... there's pleanty of time for this to change for him) it leaves Bachman as, to me, the right choice. Cain doesn't know how to "play the game" and while that's good, and part of his charm... it also hurts him because, well... he doesn't always know how to best play the game. That doesn't mean being crooked or crony... just politically smart (which is not always counter to being principled). That's why, I think, Bachman has the edge... she doesn't leave her convictions, but she also knows a thing or two about running a campaign and how to handle the media and such. Cain, while he does very well face to face with the people, suffers when there is a buffer... a journalist, tv camera, etc. That buffer's job is to make him look bad (they're part of the media) and he doesn't seem to know how to counter that effectively. His presence in the debates is both small (not his fault, the media passes over him) and ineffecient (he lets them dictate what he's going to say too much, which is often defensive of some of the "sound bites" he's provided them... acurate or not).

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 10:37AM

Are ya gonna be for Grabowsky? Are ya gonna be True Blue?
Grabowsky's gonna stop Sharia, roll back government spending, cut taxes and build a border fence. She's gonna be pro business and jobs and tell the Liberals to go to hell...

So are ya gonna be for Grabowsky, after all she's done for YOU!

The sex of Grabowsky should tell you who I think the perfect Candidate is.

Jack in Wi.| 8.16.11 @ 8:41PM

I predict right here and now that Ron Paul will win the New Hampshire primary and the Iowa caucus. He will do so because most people in this country are disgusted with the elites and their endless wars. Both states have lot of working people who don't like what is going on here. They will vote for Ron as a protest if for no other reason.If Ron wins those two staes he will be the nomiee. The proof of how desperate the elites are is how they dragged out Limbaugh so early. That and the media blackout of Ron Paul are proof that they are damned scared that the gravy boat is over. They know Ron is setting the agenda and they caan't stand it. Well I say to them either we take over the party or we will replace it. We are as mad as hell and won't take it anymore.

Charles Martel| 8.20.11 @ 9:32AM

Jack in Wi. -- Your prediction made me think of the Old Testament solution for false prophets, but I digress.

If you agree to not publicly mention Ron Paul again if you are wrong, I will agree not to take pot shots at Ron Paul (Reagan's 11th Commandment) if he wins in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Ken (Old Texican)| 8.16.11 @ 7:19AM

Jeffrey,
well reasoned. Thank you.
I hope our "conservative" candidates are in fact "restorationists".
We really do need to roll back some stuff.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 8.16.11 @ 7:28AM

After looking at some of the recent samples of Republican presidents, one has to wonder how they distinguished themselves from Democrats.

Ironically, George W. Bush was the only true tax cutter, but he was also by far, the biggest spender and creator of government projects, of which many are failing.

Even more ironic is that Obama has revived the Bush tax cuts as well as a payroll tax holiday which I believe makes Obama the biggest tax cutter in history by far based on time in office. Since revenues are down it may be close, but as to the number and type of taxes Obama is the biggest tax cutter ever.

That gets back to your original question. What is a Republican President?

President Reagan gave us the immigration problem and it has become more problematic because of what Reagan completed in this area.

President Nixon took us off the gold standard and also created the EPA. The EPA has probably sent 30 million jobs packing overseas.

President H.W. Bush raised taxes and caused a mini recession which also gave us Clinton.

Clinton supercharged the Community Reinvestment Act and laid a time bomb for the future economy which detonated in 2008.

I don't think the public is looking for a Republican or a Democrat. They are looking for solutions and the Ruling Class is Washington is bereft of solutions.

The Ruling Class is good at establishing committees. The committees are good at making recommendations. The recommendations are palatable to no one. What occurs at that point is more institutional failure inside the beltway.

I don't think Obama has lost the next race yet because his big impacts have been delayed and once implemented may wreck the economy once and for all.

In the meantime the House Republicans have launched several reasonable plans for slowing the budget but have not attacked the baseline accounting which dooms us all.

Perhaps a real conservative will be elected. Will that President control the Ruling Class? Or will the Ruling Class continue down the road to perdition?

The Republicans controlled the Congress and the White House. The result? They spent like drunken sailors after promising to straighten things out.

I wonder if a conservative President or any President can make a difference at this point.

There are too many agencies spewing out regulations like confetti. Well, the party is over and the politicians are still partying. And they're partying on your money.

I wonder if anyone can stop it.

Solo| 8.16.11 @ 8:56AM

No one can stop it. No one!

The problem is basic math combined with basic human nature...and one immutable fact: Politicians derive their power by spending money.

History will record that what destroyed the United States was, in the end, Social Security. Once that one single program was engrained into the economic and political fabric of America, our fate was sealed. ObamaCare, or its successor, will only accelerate the process.

I get a statement from the Social Security Administration every year explaining my future 'benefits'. They're telling me that when I retire at age 68 (a scant 10 years from now) I will be eligible for a payment of $1800.00 per month.

The census numbers indicate that, in 15 years, there will only be 2 people working for every person on Social Security.

Question: Which two people walking around right now are going to be paying $900.00 per month to keep me in my 'benefits'? And this doesn't include the added costs to administer this program.
It doesn't even include Medicare--an even more burdensome program.
It doesn't include Medicaid.
And...it doesn't include the expense to finance every other single department of government on the Federal level--to say nothing of the State, County and City government expenses.

And, the worst of it is....had I been able to keep the money they've stolen from me over the last 43 years that I've been paying in to this ponzie scheme...and deposited it each week into a general stock market fund....I could have retired at age 50 as a millionaire! Or...upon my premature death, I could have passed my money on to my children in order to add to their retirement wealth...and so on....

They stole our future and our children's future and they stole the promise of liberty and the great promise for all mankind that was America.
And they did it for some quick, cheap votes to keep themselves in power.

Our children and our children's children will see the day when they are literal slaves to the State.

Tell them...that they can thank Franklin Delanor Roosevelt and the democrats.

Upon exiting the Philadelphia State house following the final vote on our new Constitution, a woman stopped Benjamin Franklin and asked as to the outcome.
He answered: "Madam...you now have a Republic.....if you can keep it".

A pretty big "IF", it turns out.

Thanks, FDR! You got exactly what you intended. And may you and your fellow progressives rot in hell!

YeloStalyn| 8.16.11 @ 9:50AM

Exactly.
One point about the Franklin story... notice he said REPUBLIC too. How many people today think we are a democracy? And a democracy is what? Rule of the mob. And that's exactly what's going to happen if we try to even put a slow down on our decline (I'm afraid I agree with you in that we can only slow down, but never stop)? We will get riots in the street.... a mob.

We lost the Republic as soon as people began to think we are a democracy.

Dan Hirsch| 8.16.11 @ 9:04AM

Bill,

You write" President Reagan gave us the immigration problem and it has become more problematic because of what Reagan completed in this area." as though that was Reagan's intention.

It was not! The deal with the Democrats in Congress was, Reagan would give way on a limited, one-time amnesty and they would control the border and severely limit illegal immigration. This was the result of Democrats in Congress lying, or else failing to remember that they promised to control the borders.

Reagan did a few other things, too. Did you ever hear of a country called the Soviet Union? It fell, relatively peacefully, after eight years of Reagan policies that ran 180 degrees off course of the Foggy Bottom crowd's wishes.

Remember when oil stopped being the fly in our ointment?

Remember the our people held hostage by the Iranians being thrown onto a plane after a year and a half of Jimmy Carter and 15 minutes of Ronald Reagan?

The PATCO strike aircraft? Wherein a group of greedy federal aircraft controllers staged an illegal strike and then were fired by Reagan?

Grenada?

Bill, you lost all credibility, when one of Reagan's less successful compromises was your hallmark for the Reagan administration.

I sentence you to two hours of careful reflection of 1980's political reality...get to it, my man.

DH

Don't tread...

You might as well avered that Reagan increased federal government spending. Where in fact there were numerous deals with Congress starting with, "We'll gladly cut spending next year, if we can increa

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 8.16.11 @ 10:16AM

Whether it was Reagan's intention or not it happened. I think the point you need to understand is that a succession of Republican Presidents, including Reagan, started programs or engaged in official acts which led to long term damage.

They may not have intended it but that doesn't change the outcome.

You sound like you're saying even though they had good intent they are not responsible for the consequences of their actions. Oh, how very liberal.

Well, think about this and it's true of all central planning of which the Republicans, including Reagan were a very active part. That's a fact and perhaps it's you who should reflect upon it.

The thought is "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."

There's your thought for the day.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.16.11 @ 9:38AM

Actually based on GDP Reagan until Obama was the biggest spender. That's why Cheney quipped, "Reagan taught us deficits don't matter." He was basically right while spending remained at historic numbers of 18-20% of GDP then came Obama on the heels of the conservative meltdown and calls for booting "profligate" Republicans. Look where that landed us.

Please drop the leftist garbage about the ruling class -- sounds more like Lenin than anything else. The people in DC win elections and if you don't like that then maybe you have a problem with the Constituion and our republican system of government. That makes you as much a part of the problem as the people who win those elections.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 8.16.11 @ 10:12AM

There is a Ruling Class and it's corrupt. If you don't believe that you are either a moron or an idiot or someone so misinformed or blind that you can't be convinced otherwise. Whatever it is, have a nice day:

http://spectator.org/archives/.....-the/print
As over-leveraged investment houses began to fail in September 2008, the leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties, of major corporations, and opinion leaders stretching from the National Review magazine (and the Wall Street Journal) on the right to the Nation magazine on the left, agreed that spending some $700 billion to buy the investors' "toxic assets" was the only alternative to the U.S. economy's "systemic collapse." In this, President George W. Bush and his would-be Republican successor John McCain agreed with the Democratic candidate, Barack Obama. Many, if not most, people around them also agreed upon the eventual commitment of some 10 trillion nonexistent dollars in ways unprecedented in America. They explained neither the difference between the assets' nominal and real values, nor precisely why letting the market find the latter would collapse America. The public objected immediately, by margins of three or four to one.

When this majority discovered that virtually no one in a position of power in either party or with a national voice would take their objections seriously, that decisions about their money were being made in bipartisan backroom deals with interested parties, and that the laws on these matters were being voted by people who had not read them, the term "political class" came into use. Then, after those in power changed their plans from buying toxic assets to buying up equity in banks and major industries but refused to explain why, when they reasserted their right to decide ad hoc on these and so many other matters, supposing them to be beyond the general public's understanding, the American people started referring to those in and around government as the "ruling class." And in fact Republican and Democratic office holders and their retinues show a similar presumption to dominate and fewer differences in tastes, habits, opinions, and sources of income among one another than between both and the rest of the country. They think, look, and act as a class.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 8.16.11 @ 10:18AM

By the way further evidence of the Ruling Class can be found in the way the Tea Party was and is being treated by the Washington Ruling Class including the leadership of the Republican Party. How blind can you be?

Michael Tomlinson| 8.16.11 @ 11:17AM

There is no ruling class.  There are elected officials and some who may have been in office too long thanks to their states or districts voters, but no hereditary elite who rule by right of birth, conquest or some conspiratorial cabal.  This kind of silly gibberish about the “ruling elite” demeans conservative thought to the level of MoveOn.org and Howard Dean paranoia. 

Only those who think of themselves as serfs think of the US government and its elected officials like that.  I may despise Obama and Democrats, but I recognize they won or in some cases stole the election, but that doesn’t make them a "ruling elite" -- ipso facto my masters.  It makes them effective politicians who can be beaten at the polls in an election if enough people can be persuaded to vote against them or for someone I support. 

You're problem, like others who whine about “ruling elite” aside from your serf mentality is that you cannot impose your beliefs on the rest of us.  Thus, you are no better than the liberals, progressives, statists or whatever term you like to call Democrats.  Scratch you deep enough and you find disrespect for the principles of our republic.  Oh you claim to want to get back to the Constitution, but it is funny how little respect you have for the institutions it created or the system of government it established. A system that sometimes allows individual's without character into positions of power and authority. That's the price we pay for liberty and a democratic elective system. 

What are people doing to the Tea Party?  Some are saying bad things about it oooh scary.  Look at your tantrums are you any better with your "ruling elite" paranoia or avowed Tea Partier Clint’s childish name calling and rants. How are you different than Rachel Maddow or Chris Matthews with their false diatribes and name calling (granted Matthews and Maddow are talentless spinners on TV)?   

Politics is for grown-ups and sometimes it gets rough and people say mean things that hurt thin skinned people's feelings (illustrated by Obama and his pouting about being called a socialist).  Too bad. 

As rude and disgusting as the Democrats are with their disparaging statements calling Tea Party supporters “Tea Baggers” or “terrorists” reasonable people know the former is rude and latter isn’t true.  It’s still better than killing and imprisoning your political opponents.  If they were doing that to the Tea Party then you’d have something to really complain about.  

As for the Republican Party leadership I've seen them standing up for and defending the Tea Party even though some in the movement are anything, but supportive of them or the GOP.  But it is a disparate movement so that is not surprising.  

Deep down you're a bitter person and angry at the world like Clint, because it will not swallow what you prescribe, but that's the beauty of our system it forces compromise and keeps tyranny away by forcing an exchange of ideas and through elections the American peole decide which way the country will go -- not always the way I would like, but that's what the Founders gave us and I'm willing to live with it even when I'm not happy with what voters saddle us with (Carter, Clinton and Obama).

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 8.16.11 @ 12:08PM

Actually I'm not prescribing anything. Just offering an opinion.

I've asked you this before and I ask it again. Have you ever killed anyone?

You sound like you're capable of it. If anyone is bitter and angry it's you.

If anyone offers a differing opinion you attack them with all the gleeful hate you can muster, which you then ascribe to them.

You're steeped in Alinsky politics perhaps without realizing it.

As far as the political system I didn't create it.

But your assertion there isn't a recognizable Ruling Class is beyond ridiculous.

Also, your assertion that the Tea Party wasn't openly disparaged by many in the Republican leadership doesn't pass the smell test.

Also, Angelo M. Codevilla made a perfect case that there is a Ruling Class that runs this country and that was made on the pages of The American Spectator.

Is it your assertion that the American Spectator is full of bitterness for displaying that article?

In short, your statements are nothing but bitter, which belies your assertion that you're happy with the system. In fact, you sound just like a liberal because you disdain the right of others to express their opinion.

In fact here it is straight from the Codevilla article:
http://spectator.org/archives/.....-the/print
Disaggregating and Dispiriting

The ruling class is keener to reform the American people's family and spiritual lives than their economic and civic ones. In no other areas is the ruling class's self-definition so definite, its contempt for opposition so patent, its Kulturkampf so open. It believes that the Christian family (and the Orthodox Jewish one too) is rooted in and perpetuates the ignorance commonly called religion, divisive social prejudices, and repressive gender roles, that it is the greatest barrier to human progress because it looks to its very particular interest -- often defined as mere coherence against outsiders who most often know better. Thus the family prevents its members from playing their proper roles in social reform. Worst of all, it reproduces itself.

Since marriage is the family's fertile seed, government at all levels, along with "mainstream" academics and media, have waged war on it. They legislate, regulate, and exhort in support not of "the family" -- meaning married parents raising children -- but rather of "families," meaning mostly households based on something other than marriage. The institution of no-fault divorce diminished the distinction between cohabitation and marriage -- except that husbands are held financially responsible for the children they father, while out-of-wedlock fathers are not. The tax code penalizes marriage and forces those married couples who raise their own children to subsidize "child care" for those who do not. Top Republicans and Democrats have also led society away from the very notion of marital fidelity by precept as well as by parading their affairs. For example, in 1997 the Democratic administration's secretary of defense and the Republican Senate's majority leader (joined by the New York Times et al.) condemned the military's practice of punishing officers who had extramarital affairs. While the military had assumed that honoring marital vows is as fundamental to the integrity of its units as it is to that of society, consensus at the top declared that insistence on fidelity is "contrary to societal norms." Not surprisingly, rates of marriage in America have decreased as out-of-wedlock births have increased. The biggest demographic consequence has been that about one in five of all households are women alone or with children, in which case they have about a four in 10 chance of living in poverty. Since unmarried mothers often are or expect to be clients of government services, it is not surprising that they are among the Democratic Party's most faithful voters.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.16.11 @ 3:06PM

Grandson of Stalin can you get any sillier? Why glorify mass murderers if you're so worried about killing? Seems a bit weird, but maybe you’re just being cute.

Of course, you didn’t create our political system. Our government is the result of a remarkable generation of men – our Founding Fathers. Granted they were all too human, but what they created is inspiring. While it may not be perfect there is no other country or form of government that can compare to it. I believe in this country, the Constitution and its institutions you really don’t. You seem to relish denigrating it. I'll always take exception to that.

Unlike you I don’t accept that there is conspiratorial cabal running America – not the Illuminati, the Council for Foreign Relations, Masons, Skull and Bones, Wall Street, etc. Are there those who want to undermine the America I love and undercut the traditional values I believe in absolutely they are called Democrats and sometimes libertarians. Do some Republicans disappoint sure, but generally I think the principles of the party and its philosophy are sound even if the individual judgment of Republican politicians isn’t always.

Grandson of Stalin I read the article, but it wasn’t any more convincing than you though he didn’t convey the bitterness that flows through your words. I appreciate there are those who would like to make the US more like Europe and some want power for powers sake, but the article seems to reflect an inferiority complex to a supposed “ruling elite/class.” The group he seems to fear doesn’t seem that intimidating or bright. I sort of subscribe to Bill Buckley’s philosophy of the telephone book and politicians or a pseudo elite.

As for the Tea Party you obviously missed Mitch McConnell going to the Senate floor to defend it. Senator Hatch was quick to slam attacks on the Tea Party too. For that matter Boehner, Cantor, Ryan, etc. defended the Tea Party though some in that diverse movement are no fans of the GOP leadership. As for John McCain’s silly “Hobbit” comment consider the source and move on. If there are other Republican politicians who don’t like the Tea Party that’s their prerogative – obviously a freedom you don’t want them to enjoy. But I shouldn’t be surprised at your choice of monikers.

There have always been those who believed that America was controlled and governed by an “elite” against the people’s will. They were wrong and you’re wrong. The last Congressional elections should allay some of your fears, but I guess the "ruling elite" made sure Rep. West and Rand Paul (with McConnell's help) were elected.

Of course, I take strong stands and since I’m not easily intimidated I can understand that it upsets you since you don’t appreciate diversity of thought or the free flow of ideas. You can whine, ramble, change the subject, complain and insult, but you’re not going to intimidate me. When I agree with you, as I sometimes do, Hussein grandson of Stalin I’ll back you unreservedly, but when I disagree that’s the way it is (suck it up), but that’s what makes America great.

The good news in November 2012 the "ruling elite" will probably take a pounding.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:03PM

Guys, don't you basically agree?

The "Ruling Class" stuff refers to a meme prevalent among graduates of the Ivies and other elite Us, along with other Libtards hangers on. I think there are some hereditary members, Beau Biden among them, but honestly, guys, guys, guys---can we disagree about ISSUES and not be DISAGREEABLE? Because I think you're both great. After all, we are not the Capitalizing Clown.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 8.17.11 @ 6:32AM

Mr. Tomlinson: You're bringing up Mitch McConnell, Senator from Kentucky, proves both my points. Thank You.

During Rand Paul's primary in Kentucky, Senator McConnell did everything possible to destroy the Tea Party candidate. After Rand Paul won, and in true Ruling Class fashion, McConnell backtracked and flip flopped and it was only to save his political reputation. It had nothing to do with saving America.

In fact, here's a good article from Red State on Mitch McConnell and his failed policies:
http://www.redstate.com/erick/.....pport-you/
"Well, it is not just that Mitch McConnell is yet again screwing both the Republican Party and the country. He has a history of playing things to his advantage, even when it means hurting the country and his own political party.

If Mitch McConnell will not turn from his history of failed leadership, we must encourage those running for the Senate to turn from McConnell.

Let’s review the tape, shall we?From my 2009 post on McConnell, Larry Pratt of Gun Owners of America pointed these things out:

Senator Mitch McConnell has lost almost every major legislative battle he has managed.

In the early ’90?s, he managed opposition to the Motor Voter Bill, which encouraged groups like ACORN to register fraudulent voters. McConnell refused to filibuster the motion to take up the bill — something that would have served as a key delaying tactic.

Moreover, Sen. McConnell sat by idly as sponsors of the bill played “let’s make a deal” — offering amendment after amendment to buy off opponents of the bill. A bill, which initially had more than enough votes to kill it, ended up passing because of McConnell’s ill-advised strategy.

A decade later, McConnell managed the opposition to the Incumbent Protection Act a/k/a the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act to take away the free speech rights of Second Amendment groups during heated elections. McConnell threatened and cajoled to prevent Republican senators from offering “killer amendments” to the bill. McConnell explained that he would bring a lawsuit to overturn it in the courts.

Well, after the bill’s passage, McConnell did bring a lawsuit. He lost.

Senate Minority Leader McConnell could once again ended up losing the historic battle against ObamaCare legislation.

Rather than delaying this legislation and allowing the American people the time to continue building opposition against socialized health care, Senator McConnell was all-to-willing to speed the bill along.

Consider what one Republican Senator admitted on the Bill Bennett radio show. When asked what was the Republican strategy for defeating ObamaCare, Senator John Kyl responded: ”Actually, I think we can be fairly upfront about it. Our strategy is not actually to delay [but] to have a lot of good amendments and highlight the problems in the bill. It is not our strategy to somehow slow things down.”

McConnell never pulled out all the stops that he could have.

And now we fast forward to McConnell’s “Pontius Pilate Act.” He wants to give Barack Obama the power to raise the debt limit to over $16 trillion with no obstruction. He, the man who opposed an earmarks ban because it ceded power to the executive given to Congress by the constitution, wants to give Obama power reserved to Congress in the Constitution to raise the debt ceiling.

Mitch McConnell is not a leader. He is a failure. We should stop rewarding failure."

Here's another great article from the Hill newspaper. It was not meant to be flattering to Rand Paul, but it is and shows the difference between Ruling Class wienie politics and real leadership:

"Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday gave some advice to his state's GOP Senate candidate, Rand Paul: Avoid the national media spotlight.

Paul had a rough week after he won the GOP nomination over Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson Tuesday night.

"My advice to him would be to speak to the people who are going to be actually voting in this election," McConnell said on CNN. "I think he's said quite enough for the time being in terms of national press coverage."
McConnell — who endorsed Grayson late in the primary — officially announced his support for Paul last week, but offered tough advice to lower his profile.

The libertarian-minded Paul on Wednesday questioned the legality of portions of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which ended sanctioned racial discrimination. On Thursday, he said President Barack Obama's criticism of oil giant BP, which is responsible for the massive Gulf oil spill, "sounds really un-American." Amid the fallout on Friday, Paul became only the third guest ever to cancel an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press."

On "Meet the Press," National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas) said it was right for Paul to nix his spot and spend the weekend talking to voters.

Paul is the son of libertarian Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), who ran for president in 2008, attracting a small base of loyal supporters. His son, an eye doctor, helped campaign for him.

The top Senate Republican said that he spoke to Paul about his view of the Civil Rights Act. McConnell would not disclose exactly what he told the political newcomer but he did offer a glimpse."

Margie| 8.17.11 @ 10:34PM

Michael,
On behalf of sane conservatives everywhere:

Thanks for nailing his sorry ass.

W| 8.16.11 @ 9:20PM

Michael,
I believe the term ruling class as used by the conservatives here refers to the book "Ruling Class" by Angelo Codevilla. I am sure you are familiar with it, and it is not meant as a compliment to the "Ruling Class." It refers to the Kennedy/McCain/Bident/Obama crowd of both parties who believe they know what is best for us. It does not mean we agree they know what is best.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 7:59AM

Bite Me Jerk Offs RINO-CINO Liars Traitorous Queens, China Suck-Ups Outsourcing Curry-Munching Wingnuts With Your RINO-CINO Tongues Kissing Bilderberg Ass, You Bunch Of Israel-Firster Tool-Jobs Sucking Off The Wealth Of The American People We Will Bury You.

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates

Carpe Diem

chuck| 8.16.11 @ 8:18AM

Clint finally shows his true colors. Nothing but a raving lunatic. A true Paulista.
I have to agree with Neal Boortz, a card-carrying member of the Libertarian Party. He says one of the biggest problems with Paul is his supporters. They are foul-mouthed hot-heads who call anyone who disagrees with them nasty names.

Dan Hirsch| 8.16.11 @ 9:07AM

Gee, fellow Tea-Bagger, wonder where he learned that technique?

But seriously, invective is majorly counterproductive, even while it is childishly satisfying.

But then so is wetting oneself wearing a dark suit - the pressure may be gone, no one may notice, but you still have a mess...

DH

Don't tread...

Dan Hirsch| 8.16.11 @ 9:09AM

Drat it!!

I am taking "clint" to task, not "chuck".

Algore could have done a better job on this interweb thing!!!

DH

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 4:51PM

I Got $ 1000.00 That Says Wasn't My Post.

Could Be The Gutless Bigot Dr.Reich, The Super Troll Allen Brooks Or The Screwball Maniac Tool Job.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 9:27PM

Eat Shit Tool-Job Israel-Firster Netanyahu Lap-Dog RINO-CINO Boy. That Was Me. That Wasn't Me.

The Tea Party Rebellion Craps On Israel-First Boys Head.

Carpe Diem.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 9:17AM

Get Bent, RINO-CINO Israel Firster Boy.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.16.11 @ 9:41AM

Fasting for Ramadan hasn't made you any less churlish has it Clint? What is with you jihadists and all the hate? I thought Islam was a religion of peace. Oh that's right "pieces" after blowin up everybody -- got it.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 4:52PM

I Got $ 1000.00 That Says Wasn't My Post.

Could Be The Gutless Bigot Dr.Reich, The Super Troll Allen Brooks Or The Screwball Maniac Tool Job.

RCV| 8.16.11 @ 2:29PM

Clint/Tim* - you are deteriorating seriously. Can you not engage in a single discussion without flinging out junior-high name-calling with your silly initial caps?

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 4:51PM

I Got $ 1000.00 That Says Wasn't My Post.

Could Be The Gutless Bigot Dr.Reich, The Super Troll Allen Brooks Or The Screwball Maniac Tool Job.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 4:53PM

I Got $ 1000.00 That Says Wasn't My Post.

Could Be The Gutless Bigot Dr.Reich, The Super Troll Allen Brooks Or The Screwball Maniac Tool Job.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 5:35PM

Which Gutless Coward Israel Firster Was Posting Under My Name Chuck

It Better Not Be You.

chuck| 8.16.11 @ 6:25PM

No Sir, I barely have time to get my own thoughts out. I believe in open and honest debate. I don't need to put words into anybody's mouth.
Truthfully, Clint, we probably agree on 95% of things. Ron Paul we definitely do not agree on, but I can respect your opinion, as long as it is thoughtfully expressed.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 6:36PM

I Believe You, Chuck.

The Short List Of Suspects Are Allen Brooks, Dr.Right & Occam's Tool.

.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:42PM

Dear Clint:

But Clint---

I already told you
It wasn't Me.
When you can fly like a Butterfly
And sting like a Bee,
Why would you try
To have Twig as your Family Tree?

Thank you, Thank you, I'm here all week---be sure to tip your waitress.

See, Clint, I would never imitate you---your pathetic mind is encompassed and fully understood by me---and I create another "Clint's mind" everytime I defecate.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 7:04PM

However, You're A Serial Slandering Liar Sneaky Little Runt Traitor Bastard Neo-Chickenhawk Coward, Tool Job.
Your Excuse Is Suspect & You're On The Suspect List.

Don't Leave Town.

Jack in Wi.| 8.16.11 @ 8:29PM

Clint consider it a compiment. It means that you are effective. Ron Paul will win both Iowa and New Hampshire. The elites know it and thats why the media blackout of Ron Paul. As for that poll that showed Ron in forth place. He still had 9% of the vote. That is rock solid. The other 3 numbers as soft as Charmin. I would not trust any pollster right now because the media and the elites can't stand Ron winning. If he wins both iowaa and New Haapshire he will be the nominee. Last cycle our annointed candidates were hillary clinton and Rudy Gulianni. I told my black buddy, who was supporting Hillary, That Obama would be the nominee. He didn't believe me. I knew he would be because Hillary was prowar. That didn't sit well with the base of the party. I also said that Gulianni would never come close to being the nominee.He was against what 90% of the Republican base wanted. I have been involved in or voted in 11 Presidential election for the Republican nominee. I tell you right now that Bacman, Perry and Romney will not be the nominees. Backman is a ditz, Perry is dope and a Bush clone and Romney is a Ken doll. The base will not accept such junk anymore. The party activists are behind Ron Paul. They and their enthusiasm is what wins elections.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 9:04PM

We Got Em All Atwitter & Angst Ridden, Jack.

We Are Doin' The Trench Fightin' Here In A Media War With The Israel Firsters & Their Fellow Travelers.

The Tea Party Rebellion Steps On The Israel Firsters.

Carpe Diem.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:44PM

Chuck---"thoughtfully expressed?"

You're out of luck, chum. You're thinking of Red Phillips. He's wrong and dangerous, but articulate and not prone to ad hominem.

Clint amuses. He could not imitate me---he does not have my eloquence of sharpness of wit---kind of like a razor.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 7:14PM

Tool Job Bores.

Actually, Tool Job's A Little, Short, Fat, Aging Government Excuse, Bottom Of The Barrel Shrink, Who Plays Army & Blathers His Neo-Chickenhawk Coward Israel Firster Toughie Girl Horseshit.

The Tea Party Rebellion Steps On Tool Job's Face.

Wipe Your Feet.

RCV| 8.16.11 @ 9:32PM

Occam! Are you OK? The "tea party rebellion" just "stepped on your face"? I guess Clint is referring to those whopping 9% of Republicans who favor Paulie-girl.

What does that even mean?

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 9:31PM

Which Gutless Pussy Boy Coward Are You Posting Under My Name?

Fess Up Tool Job Or Dr Nazi Boy Reich

Drunken Sailor| 8.16.11 @ 10:54AM

Clint,
The master of eloquence.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 4:53PM

I Got $ 1000.00 That Says Wasn't My Post.

Could Be The Gutless Bigot Dr.Reich, The Super Troll Allen Brooks Or The Screwball Maniac Tool Job.

irish19| 8.16.11 @ 5:28PM

Just how do you propose to prove it wasn't your post? Enquiring minds and all.

Irish 19| 8.16.11 @ 5:38PM

How Do I Propose To Prove This Isn't Me.

Irish 19| 8.16.11 @ 5:40PM

You're Not You, You're Me.

I Think.

I'm Confused Now.

Oldefarte| 8.16.11 @ 12:52PM

Shazam, what a statesman for the tea party movement. With such verbal eloquence, it's amazing that millions are not flocking to join your lemmings-Paulish rush off of the cliff's edge of sanity. What a spokesperson for your cause! What verbal reasoning! Thank G_D other tea partiers don't possess [or want to] your powers of persuasion. Oh, finally as a what you idiotically refer to as a typical '''''RINO-CINO''''', here's YA BOY in his latest advertisement.....enjoy [if possible] and maybe clean out your mouth with a bar of soap perhaps also:

http://youtu.be/pChzOaIeyxY

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 4:49PM

I Got $ 1000.00 That Says Wasn't My Post.

Could Be The Gutless Bigot Dr.Reich, The Super Troll Allen Brooks Or The Screwball Maniac Tool Job.

Jack in Wi.| 8.16.11 @ 8:11PM

Clint: Consider it a compliment that the hasbarets have stolen your name. It means that you are effective. Ron Paul is going to win in Iowa and New Hampshire. Those two states are full of people who hate the wars and big government.They also want to poke the elites in the eye by voting for the most radical candidate out there. Ron has the money, the people behind, him and ofcourse the great ideas and intellectual heft needed in this great crisis. They are desperate when they haul out Krauthammer and Limbaugn at this stage og the game. This effort to stifle Ron won't work. There are too many of us out there. We are mad as hell and we are not going to take it anymore.

RCV| 8.16.11 @ 9:35PM

Just as he swept the nation last time around. Jack, if he won either the Iowa or New Hampshire primary, I'd start a Father Coughlin Scholarship Fund for impoverished Jewish bankers' children in your honor. I promise.

RCV| 8.16.11 @ 5:26PM

By the way, Clint, Your Libertarian Tea Party isn't doing too hot in the latest Rasmussen poll out today:
Perry 29
Romney 18
Bachmann 13
Paul 9

Irish 19| 8.16.11 @ 5:51PM

Where's Your ObamaBoyIsrael Firster Girlfriend Allen Brooks Today ?

He's On The The Poseur Poster Suspect List.

I Doubt It Was You, Obama LawBoy RCV.

"Harris Poll: If Ron Paul Won GOP Nomination, He Would Split Vote With Obama.

Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.), an official candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, has performed well in several polls throughout his campaign. In may, Paul took second place in a CNN/WMUR poll of likely Republican voters. In June, Paul won a Republican Leadership Conference straw poll. At the beginning of July, Paul came in first in a Texas GOP poll, conducted by the Azimuth Research Group.

Perhaps the best indication of Paul’s candidacy so far is a Harris poll released today by Harris Interactive. According to the Harris poll, Obama and Paul would split the vote right down the middle if they were to run against each other in 2012."

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 5:55PM

See Obama LawBoy RCV, How Easy It Is To Pose As Someone Else.

That Was My Post.

However, The Message Stands.

Signed Clint.

RCV| 8.16.11 @ 5:57PM

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 19% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Forty-two percent (42%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -23

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 5:58PM

That Was My Post.

See How Your Buddy Israel Firsters Play The Poseur Game.

Signed Clint.

RCV| 8.16.11 @ 7:01PM

How about that Rasmussen poll today instead?

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 7:18PM

Today's Poll Obama LawBoy RCV.

" Daily Presidential Tracking Poll
Tuesday, August 16, 2011

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 19% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Forty-two percent (42%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -23 "

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 7:47PM

Clint---have your Jewish friends explain this one to you:

Kish Mir Tuchus, Fagelah.

9% Paul---he's going down faster than a Paulbot on a Jihadist.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 8:18PM

More Kosher Queer Talk From The Bottom Of The Barrel Sorry-Assed Government Excuse For A Shrink,Tool Job.

Tete Futue.

The Tea Party Rebellion Steps On Tool Job's Face.

Wipe Your Feet.

irish19| 8.16.11 @ 10:44PM

You were posing as me? If so, you did a piss poor job of it.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:40PM

He's going down faster than a Paulbot on a jihadist, RCV.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:45PM

Oohhh, I like that line. I'm gonna use it a lot. Everyone, feel free to use that one on Clint. I think he'll like it, tons.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 7:23PM

More Queer Talk From The Zany Crazed Bottom Of The Barrel Sorry-Assed Government Excuse For A Shrink. Tool Job.

Tool Job's The Kind Of Self Help Maladjusted Screwball Excuse For A Shrink That Government Saddles The Poor Patients With.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:14PM

This may be the post that Clint states was done in his name but not by him.

Clint---analysis: would this phrase be used by you? "Bite Me Jerk Offs" yes. "RINO-CINO" yes. "Liars Traitorous Queens, " unusual, but yes. "China Suckups Outsourcing Curry-Munching," no, because you are fixated on Israel and like Islamofascists, although you sometimes have negative things to say about sales to China.

"Tongues kissing Bilderburg ass"---unlikely, but the viciousness is pure you. "You Bunch Of Israel-Firster Tool-Jobs Sucking Off The Wealth Of The American People We Will Bury You" Yup, that's you.

"The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates

Carpe Diem" Yup, that's you.

So, about 80% true Clint nonsensical ranting. What are you complaining about, Clint? Is there any verbiage you would disclaim based on your past view?

Your threats are amusing to a man who has worked Alabama Death Row and LA Psychiatric Emergency Rooms after the Rodney King riots.

Little microphallused pissant.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 6:55PM

There It Is.

Screwball Israel Firster Tool Job Is On My Short List Of Suspects With Dr.Reich And Allen Brooks.

You Israel Firsters Are A Gutless Bunch Of Traitor Bastard Cowards & You Top The List. Tool Job.

Aaaand, You, Tool Job Are One Bottom Of The Barrel Sorry -Assed Excuse For A Government Shrink, Who Comes On American Spectator In All Your Serial Chronic Loser Terminally Insecure Glory & Bloviates About Bein' A Superior Mensa Intellect, A Superior Medical School Gradiator, Then Blow Your Neo-Chickenhawk Coward Israel Firster Traitor Bastard Smoke About Gettin' Then Dr.Ron Paul Guys & Gettin' All Them Muslims.

The Tea Party Rebellion Steps On Tool Job's Face.

Wipe Your Feet.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 7:48PM

Are you gonna deny this post too, Clint?

Your credibility is going down faster than a paulbot on a Jihadist.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 8:21PM

There It Is.

The Serial Slandering Liar Gutless Neo-Chickenhawk Coward Israel Firster,Tool Job Lost All Credibility Months Ago.

You're On The Suspect List, With Dr.Reich, Tomlinson & Allen Brooks.

Don't Leave Town.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 7:49PM

I TOP the list, Clint? Always knew you were a Bottom.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 8:22PM

Always Knew You Were A Kosher Queer,Tool Job.

RCV| 8.16.11 @ 9:38PM

The funny thing is, it's absolutely impossible to tell the posts making fun of Clint from Clint's own posts.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 9:35PM

That Was Not Me Tool Job.

Bite Me.

Mimi| 8.16.11 @ 8:11AM

The best we can do for ourselves is look for the " MOST " uncorruptable, honest, and non-partisan, Conservative out there! Do you remember John McCain flew alone to New Hampshire, out of money and won that primary.
Things and events late in the day can change all expectations we see now! All these candidates can do is continue the ground-work, get financial support to get out their message . Sometime in May of Next year we will KNOW for sure who America honors as the Republican nominee.
I feel we have not met all the players...yet.
One thing I AM SURE OF....Obama is DONE ! He is NOW in lame-duck status. Once the TRUST is lost, nothing said or done by him will matter. The most unfortunate thing is.... we have to endure for 16-17 more months

Larry| 8.16.11 @ 8:15AM

Don't be so sure. He's still got millions of illegals, 95-99% of blacks and the Acorn scum (under new names) who will vote for him and get others to do so.

cuban pete| 8.16.11 @ 9:18AM

Sad but true, Larry. Rahm & Madigan will deliver Illinois.
We have to keep our chin straps buckled and never let up. A second BHO term will inflict long term damage.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.16.11 @ 9:46AM

Mimi if things continue as they are today or likely get worse Obama is toast. He's losing support among women, Hispanics and even blacks the trifecta for liberal white men remaining in power and since Obama is a token and intellectually challenged he's just doing what a white liberal man would do to the economy and foreign policy -- screw it up.

It will be Perry-Rubio in 2012.

irish19| 8.16.11 @ 11:23AM

Interesting prediction on the ticket. Not sure I see Rubio, and all the hype notwithstanding I think it's too early to call it for Perry. We shall see.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.16.11 @ 11:54AM

Romney or Perry. Bachmann's behavior at an Iowa Lincoln Dinner spells her demise. Like Sarah Palin and Barack Obama she's becoming enchanted with what she imagines is her "superstar" charisma.

wodiej| 8.16.11 @ 8:13AM

Great article. You contrasted the first Republican presidents with recent ones and therein lies the problem and the birth of the Tea Party person. We are fed up with both of them. Republicans hide their intent behind the conservative label but are liberal just the same. At least Democrats don't hide who they really are.

I like what Bachmann stands for but Gov. Sarah Palin is likely to get in this race in the next month and will show Americans what a real conservative is. Bachmann delivers the message but she has absolutely no leadership credentials. Palin has had 20 years on city councils, as a Mayor and then as a Governor. She's gotten her hands dirty cleaning out fish guts, been down in the trenches, worked her way through college and earned everything she has. Ran a business, is married to a union member, has a mutually respectful relationship with her husband, has some of the same problems we do with a unwed pregnant daughter and some problems we don't have with a mentally handicapped child. While the other candidates were buying votes in the Iowa straw poll, Gov. Palin was mingling with the unwashed masses and petting cows at the Iowa State Fair.

If you want a conservative president who has a proven record of getting things done like the stalled for years Alaska pipeline. Who has fought and blew the whistle on corruption in her own party and gave up her job to do it. Who cut the expenses in the Alaska government when they had a surplus and even sold the Governor's jet on Ebay and laid off the Governor's chef and cooked their own meals- then Gov. Palin is your conservative president. She's not after the prestige, glory or power. She simply is a good person who loves this country and has spent many years wading through personal attacks on herself and her family simply to govern with a servants heart.

Doctor Right| 8.16.11 @ 8:44AM

I like Sarah Palin, but she needs to s*** or get off the pot.

This constant "will she, won't she?" game is a meaningless distraction.

Dan Hirsch| 8.16.11 @ 9:18AM

Doc,

Don't know much about marketing and promotion do you? Who are we talking about here? Who's winning the market share battle for our political attention?

Sarah.
Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!

PS Obama's people and the MSM have already thrown every kitchen sink they could find, steal, or invent at Mrs. Palin. Remember how Hillary ignored all of her re-called malfeasances, deeming them, "Old news." Yet our little President's re-election strategy is to smear the opposition personally. There is no more 'back from the dead' candidate out there than Sarah Palin. Their strategy fails from the git go against her.

Ever see tapes of her debating political opponents? Obama has and he'll probably do anything to avoid being Sarah's mop on the incredible mess on the floor that is his first term...I am not sure if he is brave enough to say he'd even say he'd prefer her as his opposition next year.

Don't tread...

Doctor Right| 8.16.11 @ 9:58AM

Sales and Marketing? Actually, yes, I know quite a bit about it.

Palin is at-risk of being a "Me-Too" product.

There's already another Tea Party female in the race with serious Conservative bona-fides and whose campaign is gaining traction every day. And she comes across as more cerebral than the quirky Grizzly-Mom, too.

There's also a Conservative Governor with serious grass-roots appeal who did well in Ames, considering that he didn't even enter the straw poll, and who will easily pick-up key states on the southern border. AND...he has far more executive experience than Palin.

Tea Party Female? CHECK.
Conservative, experienced Governor? CHECK.

The train has left the station. Palin risks serious damage to her "brand" if she thinks she's going to swoop in and "save" the Party at the last minute. GOP voters, many of whom have misgivings about her, anyway, will have already made up their minds.

Like I said, I like Palin - A LOT - but she's either getting bad advice, or she's not running.

Drunken Sailor| 8.16.11 @ 11:03AM

Totaly agree DR.

I honestly don't think she is running and that can be a good thing. A canidate or president has their hands tied somewhat when getting a message out. Sara, right now does not have her hands tied and is getting the conservative message out and people riled up. I think she does us the most good as a "King or Queen maker" so to speak. If she doesn't run and throws her weight behind either Rick Perry or Michelle Bachmann, I think we would see a rapid decrease in the number of canidates still running.

irish19| 8.16.11 @ 11:26AM

"If she doesn't run and throws her weight behind either Rick Perry or Michelle Bachmann, I think we would see a rapid decrease in the number of canidates still running."
Absolutely agree. I would also think that she would be able to influence the party's platform and get some solid conservative planks written into it.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:48PM

Yes, Irish 19, I agree. Palin would be best doing that, and then become Sec of Energy.

RCV| 8.16.11 @ 9:41PM

I think Newt Gingrich is a shoo-in for Secty of Lack of Energy. What kind of campaign is that man running?

Doctor Right| 8.16.11 @ 4:55PM

I Could Be The Poseur Who Posted As "CLINT" Today.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 5:15PM

You Better Not Be Posting Under My Name Dr.Reich You Gutless Bastard.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:19PM

Dear Clint---you are a blithering nitwit, aren't you?

Dr R, I detected the possibility with the "Bilderburg" and "Curry-munching" comments. Clint would be a wannabe Gulo Gulo if he knew what a Gulo Gulo was. As it is, that's my wife's nickname for me. Chest hair and general ferociousness, you know.

Love your stuff, Dr R. Let Ken know when you plan to be in my neck of the woods, and we'll try to get together for carnivoring!

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 7:40PM

That's Odd. He Hear That Your Old Lady Calls Ya "Tweesers Pecker", Tool Job.

Aaaand, Don't Call Me "Dear", Shirley.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 7:50PM

"he hear" what, my very little friend?

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 8:24PM

Asked & Answered "Tweezers Pecker ".

Jack in Wi.| 8.16.11 @ 8:01PM

Clint; Consider it a compliment that they are so desperate as to steal you name and make such stupid comments. They are hasbarets. They do it everywhere. We are winning. ron Paul is the favorite in both Iowa and New Hampshire. Those states are full of people sick of these wars and will vote for Ron the only candidate with common sense. In New Haampshire the people can pick which primary to vote in. I predict a huge crossover for Ron.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 8:28PM

We Step On These Israel Firster Smear Artists Each Day.

They Are Zany Crazed Because They Never Saw We Tea Party Patriots,Who Support Dr.Ron Paul, Coming In Iowa.

We Stepped On Their Israel Firster Faces In Iowa.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 9:38PM

Queer Boy Israel-First Tool-Job Boyfriend Dr. Reich Wrote That.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:39PM

Dr Right---my father couldn't have said it any better himself.

(The situation where he did say it I will tell you over steak. Hilarious, in a very sick way.)

Michael Tomlinson| 8.16.11 @ 10:02AM

If you can find Sarah Palin's record could you please post what she did as part time Governor of Alaska that was conservative and not a bipartisan attack with Democrats against her own party?

As for her quitting her job as Governor is there any real evidence she gave it up, because she joined with Democrats to take on her own party? I thought she stated it was, because she didn’t want to drag the state through frivolous lawsuits involving her ethics (seems like it was more for the money). If she's so conservative why did she say she'd support Democrats for public office?

I believe she's a good person and mother, but how is her thin record any different than Obama's when he first ran for the White House? Bachmann, Perry and Romney all seem to love their spouses and seem to be decent people. They also love the country and have been attacked by the liberal media. The one thing that distinguishes them from Palin is they stick to their jobs, get real things done and have records (granted Romney’s is questionable and Bachmann’s isn’t that impressive).

We’ve already had one President who needed on the job training; can we really afford another one even a conservative one, after the mess Obama has made?

Ken (Old Texican)| 8.16.11 @ 8:45AM

Clint,
Ron Paul would be so proud of you. You have personally pissed off some seventy thousand "might be" Paul supporters here at TAS.

Can't you PLEASE come up with some original nasty terms to keep us entertained. "Neener neener" is becoming very boring.
Heh!

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 9:19AM

Bite Me (Old Farte).

Dan Hirsch| 8.16.11 @ 9:24AM

Clint,

Wow! You sure won that argument!!!

Are you a dolt? Prove it!

DH

Don't tread...

Doctor Right| 8.16.11 @ 4:56PM

I Could Be Posting As Clint Or Maybe I;m Occam's Tool.

irish19| 8.16.11 @ 5:31PM

And the plot thickens.
Come, Watson, the game's afoot.
More cheese, Gromit! And biscuits!

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:38PM

Limburger cheese, Gromit? That's my favourite!

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 7:43PM

That Beats What's In Your Old Lady's Crotch,Tool Job.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 7:55PM

Man, Clint, your insults are going down in quality faster than a Paulbot on a Jihadist.

Hey, at least I have an old lady---I'm no Catamite.

I mean, I haven't insulted your dad or mom--indeed, by calling thenm a syphilitic camel and a leprous armadillo, I've praised them far beyond what they deserve.

irish19| 8.16.11 @ 10:24PM

Limburger? I think not. A well-aged cheddar perhaps. Or Wallace's personal favourite: Wensleydale.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:20PM

He could be---I'm a Doctor, and I'm Right. Dear me, Clint, where will you turn now?

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 7:45PM

Not To Bibi, Like You Do, Israel Firster Traitor Bastard,Tool Job.

Mimi| 8.16.11 @ 9:35AM

I ...am so ashamed of you, CLINT...The name calling, especially to Ken is outrageous and doesn't belong on TAS! Where is your own respect?

Michael Tomlinson| 8.16.11 @ 10:06AM

Ken, Dan and Mimi he's just hungry and thirsty. Fasting during Ramadan is hard on Muslims. They can neither eat nor drink. Cut him some slack it's a hard month for him. Once he makes the hajj to Mecca he'll be a whole new Clint -- sort of like Malcom X.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 5:03PM

It Wasn't My Post Tomlinson.

It Could Be You Posing As Me.

I Got $1000.00 That Says They Weren't My Insulting Posts.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:21PM

No, Clint, but 80% of them HAVE been your insulting posts, knuckleknob. That's the bloody point!

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 7:50PM

No, Gutless Coward Israel Firster Tool Job.

The Poseur Is A Gutless Coward Sneaky Twerp, Just Like You.

In Fact, You Are On The Suspect List, Tool Job With Your Girlfriends Dr. Reich & Allen Brooks

Don't Leave Town.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 7:57PM

Why? What will happen if I leave town? Are you threatening me with physical violence, Clint?

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 10:23PM

Find Out When You Try To Leave Town, Paranoid Asshole, Tool Job.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:37PM

Michael, like the great playwright said---"you have nothing to declare except your GENIUS."

Doctor Right| 8.16.11 @ 4:58PM

It Was Not Mt Post Mimi.

It Could Be Allen Brooks.

It Could Be Dr. REich.

It Could Be Tool Joc.

Or Another Gutless Poseur.

Mimi| 8.16.11 @ 5:09PM

See How Easy It Is To Be A Gutless Poser & Post Under Others Name Mimi.

One Of The Israel Firsters Is Tryin' To MSucker You.

Signed Clint.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:49PM

Mimi, you are a sweetie. Clint is excrement, and I'm sorry a lady like you is putting up with him.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 7:54PM

But, What Are Ya Gonna Do About It Little, Short, Fat, Aging Israel Firster Neo-Chickenhawk Gutless Coward, Tool Job ?

The Tea Party Rebellion Steps On Tool Job's Face.

Wipe Your Feet.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 9:43PM

What Are YOU Going To Do About It?

Don't Leave Town Gutless Lying Bastard.

Drunken Sailor| 8.16.11 @ 11:05AM

Some of Clint's favorite expressions.
Queer Talk
Israel Firster,
Tool Job
GOP Ruling Elite RINO-CINO Fops

He keeps this up and we can put together a top 20.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 5:01PM

I Got $1000.00 That Says Those Insulting Posts Were Not Mine.

You Guys Are Being Made Fools Of By A Poseur.

Could Be Michael Tomlinson.
Could Be Ken
Could Be Dr.Reich
Could Be Tool Job.

irish19| 8.16.11 @ 5:32PM

/cue "Twilight Zone" theme.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:29PM

We are being made fun of? G-d, I'm laughing so hard it's painful. Thanks, Clint, you Bozo. (By the way, Bozo the Clown on WGN used to be VERY hard tickets to get in Chi. I actually went to a filming once as a kid.)

But Clint---

I already told you
It wasn't Me.
When you can fly like a Butterfly
And sting like a Bee,
Why would you try
To have Twig as your Family Tree?

Thank you, Thank you, I'm here all week---be sure to tip your waitress.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 7:57PM

However, You're A Serial Slandering Liar Sneaky Little Runt Traitor Bastard Neo-Chickenhawk Coward, Tool Job.
Your Excuse Is Suspect & You're On The Suspect List.

Don't Leave Town.

irish19| 8.16.11 @ 10:26PM

You were mighty lucky to get tickets. I hear the wait was so long, that tickets were given to couples as wedding presents based on the assumption that they would have kids by the time it was their turn.

POST American| 8.16.11 @ 8:54AM

---Putting the obviously groomed former IRS
on site collection agent 'ME SHALL BALK---MEN'
aside for a moment ---I think POST 4 decades
of the capstone RED China sellout, TREASON
and EUGENICS OP ---it's no longer biz-nihilism under the London Bankster title 'CAP--IT--ALLL---ism'.

BACK to FREE, unimpeded HUMAN enterprise.

JimH| 8.16.11 @ 8:54AM

While we should like the Republican Party to stand for Liberty and limited government, this viewpoint has only represented part of the party and rarely the dominant part. The GOP has presided over major intrusions to liberty and expansion of Federal power starting with Lincoln to Hoover to Nixon and most lately Bush II.

Dan Hirsch| 8.16.11 @ 9:22AM

JimH

Lincoln did expand federal power by freeing how many million black men, women, and children? And did he not rescind a lot of the Draconian measures as the war wound down? At least they did not become permanent.

And wouldn't you love watching Harry Reid be deported to Canada as an undesirable by say, President Palin?

DH

Don't tread...

JimH| 8.16.11 @ 9:58AM

Lincoln instituted a draft, a draft in which the wealthy could buy their way out of. He suspended habeas corpus and imposed an income tax. You may feel these things we justified for the ’Higher Cause’, I am not sure that enslaving to some to free others is a moral action. You say these things were later rescinded, but they established a precedent that it was ok for the government to do them. Your justification is inaccurate. The war was not fought to free the slaves. Lincoln only freed those slaves whose states in were in revolt. I think Harry would be like Ogie Oglethorpe, We might try to deport him, but Canada would refuse to accept him.

Michael Tomlinson| 8.16.11 @ 10:27AM

The interesting thing about Lincoln was he was one the richest lobbyist in the country and not the simple country lawyer of myth -- his spin was masterful. His disregarded for the Constitution was only bested by Woodrow Wilson (Obama would like to top them both), he was eager for a war with the South to break their political and economic power and no one really knows what sort of peace time President he'd have been. A crazed murderer made him a martyr and inviolable to real critique.

It is time to look forward to a brighter future for America after 4 years of the Obamanation. The candidate who can deliver that message will be the nominee and next President.

YeloStalyn| 8.16.11 @ 1:22PM

All liberals are like Ogie... we can't seem to get rid of them and they keep finding ways to beat the crap out of us.

What we need is a Hanson for Pres!

Ken (Old Texican)| 8.16.11 @ 8:59AM

I am finally convinced.
"Post American" is certifiably insane.

Is he writing from the "game room" of an institution... or his mom's basement?

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:30PM

He still makes more sense than Clint, and it may be useful activity therapy, Ken.

Nice| 8.16.11 @ 9:05AM

We really do need to roll back some stuff.
http://www.summer-products.com
http://www.ainibag.com

Mike| 8.16.11 @ 9:06AM

Palin is your conservative president. She's not after the prestige, glory or power.
http://www.jerseys-hats-store.com
http://www.honey-gifts.com

C Smith| 8.16.11 @ 9:07AM

A letter to Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott during the Senate impeachment trial of President William Jefferson Clinton:

The Honorable Senator Trent Lott
The Senate of the United States
Washington D.C. 20510

Date. Jan 1, 1999

Dear Sir,

On the first Tuesday in November, 1992, I went to Republican Headquarters. My wife was there making calls on one of many phones. I recognized others too. Surprisingly, every phone was manned by someone from either my church or the Christian school my children attend. Even the woman coordinating the entire affair was a dear friend who worshipped with us. I remember reminiscing as I contemplated what the coming hours would determine: I recalled how my children had in the preceding weeks carried campaign literature door to door. I remember how my wife flawlessly hand addressed literally thousands of letters for local Republican candidates. I wondered what would come of the Saturday after Saturday I had spent with so many others of conviction in platform committee meetings, addressing the spiritual direction of the party. And I remembered the flyers in plastic baggies that I distributed in the rain the night before. Senator Lott, this was typical of the passion and conviction that believers once had for the Republican Party… passion and conviction that has all too often been replaced by feelings of violation, abandonment, and betrayal.

Over the last six years, the Republican Party has proven that conviction and courage are a rare commodity: Republican leadership allowed a pro-abortion governor to deliver the State of the Union response. Republicans failed to oppose the nomination of a Supreme Court justice whose opinions often resemble those of early 20th Century anarchists. The 96 Republican campaign was little more than a "going away party" for a nice old man who reportedly bragged that he had not even read the Republican Platform. I could go on Senator Lott, but I think you can see why I didn’t even bother to go to Republican Headquarters this last election… AND I WASN’T ALONE!

We now stand at the crossroads Senator Lott. The House has HONORABLY determined that it is the rule of law, not public opinion, that must be followed. The house has resolved that there IS to be a trial. And you also have said: "We [the Senate] need to go forward and do our CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY to hear the evidence.'' (emphasis added) Yet, a day or two later, you proposed the means for terminating the implicit constitutional mandate for a full Senate trial! Senator Lott, how can you take what you have called your "constitutional duty" so lightly, the "constitutional duty" you swore in an oath with your hand upon the Bible? Senator Lott, have you forgotten that it is the "oaths" that we honor or dishonor, that is the substance of the matter that now confronts the Senate?

The Constitution gives the Senate "the sole Power to try" the President. No other authority on earth has that Power and no other individual has greater Power and responsibility in holding this man accountable then you do as Senate Majority Leader. Our President has forgotten his oaths…Senator Lott have you forgotten yours?

Your leadership in this matter will determine the future of the Republican Party. It will determine whether it is the party of conviction or merely the "moral" equivalent of its opposition. If you take a stand for a full Senate trial with witnesses and the admission of all relevant evidence, it will cost you something. Courage and conviction always cost something. The coliseum in Rome is still stained with the blood of those who refused to betray their convictions… and their contemporaries will not betray them now. Your leadership will determine whether those who have made the most significant contributions to the Republican Party will remain part of it or will consider it an abomination. Sadly, if the latter, the Republican Party literally "WON'T HAVE A PRAYER"!

JohnC| 8.16.11 @ 9:27AM

The Republican Party, its last 2 presidents and their talk radio allies are now more libertarian than conservative. They are international socialists who believe in transferring our vital industry and wealth to communist and foreign powers. They believe in supporting multi-national global corporations in importing cheap global labor to undermine the American worker.

The Republicans are only conservative in calling for less onerous regulation, spending and lower taxes but are kidding themselves if they believe this will deter the too-big-to-fail corporations from outsourcing our manufacturing base, banking and technology production to Third Word countries.

The GOP along with the so-called conservative media are for the most part libertarian (not conservative) economic globalists and in that respect they are anti-American, unlike our Founders who were nationalists and pro-American -- the good of the nation came first to these patriots, not the good of Wall Street.

It is critical that the GOP presidential candidates start addressing the globalist sellout polices that are relegating our once sovereign nation to Third World status, otherwise a patriotic, America-First party will surely rise.

Drunken Sailor| 8.16.11 @ 11:08AM

At least your easier to read than Post-American

irish19| 8.16.11 @ 11:32AM

And just how the hell would you propose bringing those jobs back?

W| 8.16.11 @ 2:13PM

John,
real libertarians want minimum government, they do not want international socialism, which would be a massive government. Did you read about this plan of international socialism in the platform of the Libertarian Party?

Perusha| 8.16.11 @ 11:16AM

Thanks for another history lesson, Mr. Lord.

When the majority of eligible voters are not advanced beyond the infantile or the childish stage of growth, though, despite the passing of years, it seems to me to be a lost cause to educate people on the high minded definition of a Republican president.

Life is like a movie.

When I was a newbie, as a blank slate human being it was so fresh and exciting to catch the latest flick, with all its latest gadgetry and twists and turns of plot. I was always enthusiastically urging my father to see this or that top movie, and he never failed to tell me he’d already seen it all before. And, besides, before long, if it’s any good, it’ll be on TV, and he could see it for free.

As a hard working, hard drinking, hard gambling family man, of course he was too wise to waste his money on illusions on a screen. And besides that, leaving school at 14 in 1928 to work on merchant vessels molded him into a SERIOUS person.

No doubt, when young, he also did see movies of his day, and likely was as turned on by them as I was. Well, what do you know?

For maybe 20 years, now, yours truly ALSO can’t stomach the movies of TODAY!

I’d say that this story pretty much encapsulates the “political” dimension of Americans, and ever since technological progress has been ramping up the unstoppable production of a plethora of viewing and hearing devices, while old people die and new ones emerge, the “dumbing down” track of our devolution is permeated by the failure to grow up.

How many “do or die” serious people are there, these days, huh?

We used to bemoan the tendency of the liberals to aim for “cradle to grave” government care, for ALL citizens lucky enough to pop out as Americans. Is there any doubt but that they have ALREADY succeeded, no matter the names bandied about?

Republican, Democrat---whatever!

The paradox is that, no matter what, whatever you seem to be or assume yourself to be, it all is ALWAYS ALREADY what it all is!

Death permeates our frivolous current play as American human beings, irremediably.

Excuse my “dust”---I just saw the MOVIE production of Hermann Hesse’s novel, “Siddharta”. It reminded me of the “old wound”, or insight, about how limited conventional wisdom is about life.

The sun will go out, and it’s NO CONSOLATION that we’ll be dead long before it does!

Permanence is a proven ILLUSION---there, is death proclaimed!

Enjoy it!

Be here now.

Stan| 8.16.11 @ 11:53AM

Yes, She Is!

David| 8.16.11 @ 12:21PM

This info is from Wikepedia. Yesterday I was questioning Bachmann's accomplishments and had back and forth with Simon. This is pretty good stuff on Santorum who is not wishy-washy on issues such as illegal immigration.

BA in Political Science.

Masters in Business Administration.

Law Degree.

Practiced business law for 4 years.

Administrative Ass't to PA State Senator Doyle Corman in his late 20's.

At 32 defeated seven term rep Doug Walgren in heavily democratic district for House seat.

Re-elected to House of Reps. Was big player in naming names involved in the House banking scandal (REMEMBER THAT?).

At 36 defeated heavy favorite Harris Wofford for U.S. Senate from PA.

Served in Senate from 1994 - 2006. (Chairman of the Subcommittee on Social Security), and served on many other committees.

Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.

He has been a consistently principled legislator over the years.

He and his only wife have had 7 children, and the remainder of his family history is at least as impressive and heartwarming as that of Palin and Bachmann.

I know Bachmann and Perry are all the talk right now, but folks, please take a serious look at Santorum. He has been my favorite. Yes, he supported Specter (which he has thoroughly explained to my satisfaction, and to any reasonable person's satisfaction), and he lost big in 2006. Nevertheless, the man should not be overlooked. He is an excellent debater - he knows the issues - he can explain why he believes what he believes better than almost anyone else. He rivals Gingrich in that regard.

Does anyone doubt the types of judges he would appoint? Not just at the Sup Ct level, but at the district court and appeals court levels.

I hope you see this Simon.

YeloStalyn| 8.16.11 @ 1:25PM

Hopefully with Pawlenty out Santorum and Cain can get more face time. But with Perry in... that's not going to happen. Santorum needs to hang in there until someone like Huntsman and Gingrich drop to free up more TV time in the debates. I like Santorum a LOT... but he's just not electable right now (not his doing... the media has to provide you some of that face time and they don't... it goes to the "front runners").

Michael Tomlinson| 8.16.11 @ 3:20PM

Rick Santorum deserves a key post in the next Republican President's cabinet. He's principled, intelligent and a decent human being who got a raw deal form PA voters when they elected the faux social conservative "Do Nothing" Casey.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:32PM

Santorum is another good guy. You know, with Cain, Bachmann, Santorum, and possibly Palin, we do have a wealth of good options.

RCV| 8.16.11 @ 7:02PM

Yes, but the ones ahead in the GOP polls are Perry and Romney.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 7:58PM

For now. Things may change. Romney is weak on Obamacare and Perry on Borders. They have good places to hit over and over, where Obama can't go in the General.

WayneFarmer| 8.16.11 @ 3:32PM

LOVE him!

W| 8.16.11 @ 9:31PM

David,
Very familiar with Santorum. He is principled, smart, and honest. But he is not yet connecting, everyone is excited about Perry and Bachman. If Rick can stay in, if he raises the money, maybe he has a chance.

HS Petterson| 8.16.11 @ 12:43PM

Enjoyed the article. Thanks!

JohnC| 8.16.11 @ 12:46PM

For starters, you bring the jobs back by pulling out of the anti-American WTO, NAFTA and the rest of the free trade suicidal giveaways.

Forbid corporations from outsourcing anymore of our industry and jobs -- it is not trade anyway, which is a movement of goods.

End H1-B visas and pass E-Verify.

And immediately follow the Founder’s lead and impose a 15 % import tax on foreign goods and use this money to enact a low flat tax and to help balance the budget.

Quite simple really -- true conservatism (not libertarianism) always works; somebody needs to tell El-Rushbo that.

irish19| 8.16.11 @ 5:39PM

I agree with the ideas in the first and third paragraphs. As far as forbidding corporations from outsourcing, I think that is a Bad Idea. We need to make the climate here more business friendly. Otherwise, the smart companies will just go out of business & then re-open on foreign shores under a new name. How can you stop this?
As far as a 15% tariff on all imported goods, I'm not sure. We don't need a trade war right now. How does the 15% compare with current tariff levels?

PolishKnight| 8.16.11 @ 12:55PM

The problem with statistics is that sometimes people can draw the wrong conclusions from them and the most glaring example is the rate at which republicans were elected versus democrats.

FDR was elected 4 times with his successor elected after that for a total of 20 years control of the presidency. After a brief respite in the 1950's, the Dems again controlled the presidency during the 1960's. So for about a 40 year period, they were largely in control of the executive office.

Except for Reagan, the Republicans were a motley crew of slow-the-panzers-down moderates. While Reagan did a lot, he didn't do EVERYTHING (he couldn't, after all, in just 8 years). The major problems were left unaddressed: The destruction of the American family and heterosexual gender roles by the feminists and the transformation of the USA into a reverse Jim Crow society.

During the recent times when Republicans have been in office, their S.C nominations have been hit and miss while the left has hit a home run everytime (How many accidental conservatives have they put on the court?)

Oldefarte| 8.16.11 @ 1:00PM

I would hope that the next [Republican] president would immiately upon inauguration, implement a top-to-bottom audit of each/every federal governmental program in existence as to the critical necessity, purpose, cost-expense etc of same; and thereafter eliminate those deemed unecessary from said audit. Only thus can true budget/governmental expense reduction become possible!!!!!!!!

YeloStalyn| 8.16.11 @ 1:27PM

Actually... that should be the 2nd thing they do... the first be an "audit" of each dept.'s Constitutionality and cut those, regardless of purpose, cost, etc.

Oldefarte| 8.16.11 @ 3:41PM

Determining each department's '''constitionality'''' would become a time-extended legal nightmare. The administrative/congressional audit of critical necessity could be performed quickly and the governmental cost/expense savings would be immediately beneficial to the taxpayers!!!!!

Michael Tomlinson| 8.16.11 @ 3:22PM

Good idea. That would be real transparency we could live with.

Drunken Sailor| 8.16.11 @ 1:59PM

The downwars slide of Ron Paul's candidacy begins.

Perry 29%
Romney 18%
Bachmann 13%
http://www.rasmussenreports.co.....achmann_13

Drunken Sailor| 8.16.11 @ 2:39PM

Got so excited I couldn't type.

The downward slide.

Paul got 9%

Jack in Wi.| 8.16.11 @ 3:40PM

Paul will beat all of those people. i predict he wll win both Iowa and New Hampshire. His pro peace pro prosperity messaage is resonating around the country. Most people are moving his way. The smart people in Iowa see where this country is headed and will vote for Ron Paul over a ditz like Bachman. New Hampshire loves rebel Republicans and antiwar candidates. Eugene Mc Carthy drove LBJ from the race of 1968 in New Hampshire. Mc Govern did great there. Pat Buchanan did great there as well. So did the maverick John McCain. Democrats and independents can vote in the New Hamshire Primary. They are mostly against these wars and will vote for Ron in large numbers. If Ron Paul wins those states he will be the nominee of the Republican party. But even if he isn't the nominee we are setting the agenda. You can't win the presidency without us. There are just too many of us.

Oldefarte| 8.16.11 @ 3:45PM

As Charles Krathammer indicated, Paul can't possibly win the presidency [although he has credible ideas which should be seriously considered]!!!!!!!

Jack in Wi.| 8.16.11 @ 7:48PM

Paul is setting the whole agenda. Why do you think they are trying to muzzle him? Why do you think they are using Clint's name to those filthy posts. The hasbarets do it everywhere. It is not working anymore there are too many of us out there. We are going to take over this party or we will replace it. Israel is about to be on it's own. This country can't carry it anymore. We are broke.

Drunken Sailor| 8.16.11 @ 3:53PM

You do realize this was a national poll right? As oldefarte says, Liberatarian ideas have much to be considered and even implemented but Paul is going nowhere except on the mantle of his faithful cult. History repeats itself.

Now that being said, if the seas part and Paul gets the nod, I will vote for him over Obama and pray the system keeps him from going off the deep end.

irish19| 8.16.11 @ 5:41PM

And all those people you named were great Presidents. Oh, wait..........

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:34PM

Again, Jack, I have stated mano a mano---he wins ANY primaries, I quit posting; Paul gets beaten, you and Clint wave bye-bye. Neither of you guys have the cajones to pick the bet up. (I wear loose pants for a reason.)

Jack in Wi.| 8.16.11 @ 7:54PM

This election is going right to the end. It will go to the convention unless they cave ind give us the nominaation. 70% of the country is disgusted with these wars. 80% want out of foreign aid. Rick Perry is attacking the Fed. Michelle Bachman claims she is a Tea Party person. Ron Paul is leading this country back to sanity. My governor Scott Walker is doing his share as well. I hope we win those recall elections are the Democrats today.

irish19| 8.16.11 @ 10:32PM

I was hoping so too, but it don't look good right now (9:31 p.m.) AP appears to have called it for Wirch, and Simac is down 54-46.
As far as Paul getting the nomination: doubtful at best.

Mimi| 8.16.11 @ 3:52PM

Oh my goodness...Poor Clint...He didn't sleep much... he had bad dreams of that "NUN" I told him about yesterday taking him out by the 'SCRUFF" of the neck for calling people names. The Polls are NOT gonna help his MOOD!

Drunken Sailor| 8.16.11 @ 3:54PM

Is it wrong that I laughed when I read that?

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:50PM

Mimi, you are a dear! Thanks for reminding us of our higher natures.

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 5:22PM

Which Gutless Coward Israel Firster Was Posting Under My Name Today, Drunken Sailor

It Better Not Be You.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 6:35PM

Thweatening again, leetle boy? What you gonna do? Gnaw at his ankle?

Clint, your rants grow tiresome.

Drunken Sailor| 8.16.11 @ 7:41PM

Not me, I drool when I imitate a mouth breathing knuckle dragging mental midget and my keyboard is not waterproof. But it is fun watching you converse with your other personalities. I was a EMT on a transport once with a patient like you but she only had 7 personalities. You remind me of Tiger.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 8:03PM

You see, Clint, you are hard to imitate---and who would want to, except as a joke?

Gotta disagree with you Drunken Sailor. He reminds me of a Tasmanian Devil with face cancer. Otherwise, spot on.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 8:06PM

"Guns, Guns, Guns...Tigers are Playing Tonight!

And I Never Miss a Game!"

If you're going to be a threatening villian, Clint, learn from the best---RoboCop's villian. He also did a quote that applies to you---

"Bitches Leave."

Clint| 8.16.11 @ 9:50PM

If You See Me Coming You Better Run You Lying Tool-Job Bastard. You're Not Funny.

martin j smith| 8.16.11 @ 5:35PM

I cannot define what a Republican president would be because for one thing the Republican Party has no current platform including a list of what they believe in. That seems to be the case because ( as is extremely well known ) the Republican Party has divisions --to oversimplify it: Those that say they are republicans who will go along with Democrat Party ideas( taxation, enlarge government, Compassionate Conservatism, crony capitalists ) and those who believe in smaller government and more strongly believe in Free Market Capitalism. The latter group must also be seen in the context of the more Radicalized Democrat Party ( really the
Socialist Party --and may also be the CPUSA ).
Now the polarization has developed into this configuration Republican free Marketeers what to beat ( politically ) the Socialists-Marxists or who ever whereas the Crony Capitalist ( aka RINOS or Mainline Republicans ) appear to want to go along to get along. What they really believe I would only be guessing . My personal view is this
aRepublican President would have to bridge the gap between the two competing forces in the Re3publican camp and at bare minimum agree that Obama must be defeated at all cost--beyond that there will be constant bickering.

Bob| 8.16.11 @ 6:30PM

Michele's mix up of Elvis' birth/death day gives one to ponder. I'm dumbfounded, this is the best the GOP can do? Happy Birthday Elvis, by the way Michele do you know your own birthday?

david135729@yahoo.com| 8.16.11 @ 7:16PM

Bob, give me a break.....Elvis's birthday is an issue??? Hey bud, for your info, today is the 34th anniversary of his death - he was BORN on Jan 8, same month and day as my middle daughter. I hope this is a proper response to what has previously been posted about Elvis.

Diana| 8.16.11 @ 7:43PM

Let's face it Bachmann has made some really stupid gaffes. Lexington & Concord, NH and singing happy birthday to Elvis on the anniversary of his death. The Democrats are accumulating a gaffe rap sheet and will smear her galore if she advances any further in the electoral process. I noticed today a hefty drop in the polls.

Occam's Tool| 8.16.11 @ 8:04PM

"57 States."
"Corpseman."

The guy in the office is a nitwit. Bachmann knows well how to beat Liberals in Liberaland.

RCV| 8.16.11 @ 10:50PM

She'd better leave her Hubby home when she hits the road, Occam.

RCV| 8.16.11 @ 10:50PM

She'd better leave her Hubby home when she hits the road, Occam.

JohnC| 8.16.11 @ 7:35PM

Irish,
I agree -- we also have to set the right business climate by lowering taxes for all and removing onerous regulations. If a company then goes out of business so be it. If they relocate overseas take away their citizenship – they are no longer an American company. The Founders would be for this in spades.

We do need a trade war ASAP -- as the Donald has said: We are being ripped off royally and the laughingstock of the world. We are also now held hostage to foreign powers and import inflation is skyrocketing.

Do not know if 15% is the right number, maybe higher or lower.

We need to go to Wal-Mart and see most of the goods made in America, otherwise we are doomed -- race to the bottom.

irish19| 8.16.11 @ 10:37PM

I would love to be able to go to Wally World & buy American. And we are being ripped off.
However, it would be very difficult to rebuild the manufacturing economy we used to have IMHO.
Even if we could rebuild the infrastructure, finding the workers would be difficult. The skill sets just aren't there in the youth of today.
To win that trade war would require a top to bottom overhaul of society. Not that that wouldn't be a worthwhile endeavor.

irish19| 8.16.11 @ 10:37PM

Now, I'm off to play with power tools. Got a craft show this weekend.

david135729@yahoo.com| 8.16.11 @ 8:18PM

Let me add a few more Bam Bam gaffes off the top of my head...................there are a bunch......just can't recall them all.

57 states, "with 2 more to go" I believe is the complete comment.

Didn't he refer to speaking "Belgian" while in Belgium?

Stimulus is for all the shovel ready jobs.......then his recent comment that there is no such thing as a shovel ready job.

Shoot, there are so many more, and I just can't recall them.

Where are his law review articles? His senior thesis? His school transcripts?

POST American| 8.16.11 @ 10:41PM

-------------------BOTTOM LINE----------------------

In the midst of this CFR Rock--F--L--O/ROT-child
RED China Globaliszation and TREASON OP---

'---ME---SHALL BALK----MEN'?

-------------------------Afraid NOT.

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