Category Archives: Deficit
Obama’s Birth Control Controversy: The Big Picture
In the aftermath of the 2000 presidential election debacle, in which George W. Bush was declared winner after a month of liberal efforts to overturn his razor-thin victory in Florida, the Democrat Party took an aggressive turn to the left. Many explanations of their weird behavior centered on the notion that they were responding in blind rage over their inability to steal the election. But what at first seemed to be small more than a hysterical tantrum eventually emerged as a well-crafted and effective political strategy. Simply place, Democrats abandoned any former pretense of moving to the right, since that transparent ruse had ultimately proven futile. Instead, they promoted a brazen leftward shift in their agenda, accompanied by glaring partisan attacks against the GOP. The anticipated response from the Republicans was increased efforts to “find common ground” and seek conciliation. In essence, the Democrats went twice as far from the center as they had previously been, knowing full well that the typical “moderate” Republican reaction would be to try to “meet them half-way.” By resorting to this simple, yet diabolical plot, Democrat political operatives were virtually assured a “win/win.” Initially, they could expect to see their agenda implemented in its entirety despite having lost control of the White House along with both houses of Congress. But in the long run they also stood to politically benefit from the predictable disillusionment of conservatives who grew increasingly frustrated at the leftward direction their own party was taking. Not only were such cornerstones of the liberal agenda as “Campaign Finance Reform” and Medicare Part D embraced by President Bush and the Republican Congress, deficit spending exploded and the nanny state grew to monstrous proportions. Admittedly, the September 11 terrorist attacks delayed any fallout at the ballot box until the elections of 2006 and 2008. Nevertheless, over time the plot proved to be a stunning success on both counts. Despite the relentless efforts of the liberal propaganda machine to recast the ’06 and ‘08 elections as the American people’s reaction to the unending War in Iraq, in actuality they represented a nationwide backlash against Republican “moderation.” The people of the Heartland had simply grown weary of a Republican Party that could only muster the nerve to present itself as a watered-down version of the Democrats. In early 2009 but, grassroots conservatism reasserted itself on a grand scale in the wake of Barack Obama’s inauguration, and particularly in response to his ominous effort to ruin American freedom and capitalism though the implementation of Obamacare. Starting in the spring of that year, and through the 2010 elections, the “Tea Party” movement had succeeded in sharply defining the contrasts that exist between the two political camps. Consequently, when Americans went to the polls in the mid-term elections, they were given a clear choice between a liberal and conservative course for the nation. Presented with such an option, they sternly rebuffed the radical leftist triumvirate of Obama, Reid and Pelosi. In a desperate effort to regain their former dominance, Democrats have resurrected their despicable but very successful former strategy, in hopes of thoroughly blurring the lines between the parties before November. On virtually every major issue, from raising the Debt Ceiling to implementing the initial phases of Obamacare to the legitimization of the counterculture, they have arrogantly drawn lines in the sand, only to be rewarded by continual Republican surrenders. With the 2012 presidential election cycle in full swing, and the nation’s fiscal and economic condition inarguably worsening, Democrat strategists fully know that an honest assessment of their track record would prove disastrous. So it is no coincidence that in just the past few weeks, Obama has place the issues of abortion and birth control front and center on the political stage, at the very moment that the GOP establishment is executing the latest effort to creatively run from anything even remotely related to morality or traditional values. This is indeed a major gamble on the part of the Democrats, and it can only work if the GOP unwittingly falls into line. Unfortunately, past history is not a very encouraging indicator of how things might ensue. This year, the entire battle-plot of the Republican elite centers on their jaundiced concept of “electability,” and misbegotten efforts at “appealing to the independents,” which they assure us can only be accomplished by the abandonment of right conservatism. In the most profound exercise in futility, they would once again see a candidate in the likeness of Bob Dole or John McCain take the nomination, believing that this time such an individual would somehow miraculously rally and inspire those who claim no allegiance to either major political party. And central to this inane plot is the marginalization of those nauseating “social issues.” Yet their entire effort is based on a flawed premise, and a wholly deficient picture of the character and motivation of “independent” voters. While some certainly are motivated to sit the political fence, in hopes of remaining at that safe “middle,” many others (and this is historically a much more significant number) are displaced conservatives who cannot abide the insipidness of the GOP any more than the abhorrent liberalism of the Democrats. In consideration of this, it is no surprise that Ronald Reagan, the boldest and most uncompromising conservative president of the last half-century, received far more support from “independents” than any Republican “moderate” before or since. In response to the controversy Obama and his minions have deliberately instigated, establishment Republicans have one of two options. They can press forward into the elections, courageously and unabashedly standing on the principles of right conservatism, including the sanctity of human life, at which point the Obama camp will suffer severe political consequences as a result of its leftist extremism. Or they can once again back-peddle and cave, which will essentially place their stamp of approval on the outrages and excesses of government mandated birth control, and the attack on freedom and the American ideal that it ultimately represents. Obama’s Birth Control Controversy: The Huge Picture by Christopher G. Adamo syndicated from The Land of the Free .
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Obama’s Birth Control Controversy: The Huge Picture
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Michael Shannon CPAC Report Day 2
Friday at CPAC started with a kickoff address by former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. Those of you that felt Huckabee was looking a bit gaunt after his 110–pound weight loss can stop worrying. This year’s model is significantly larger than last year’s, although it does not approach the 300 plus pounds he reached at his peak. Huckabee initially focused on the Obama administration’s recent choice to force Catholic hospitals to provide contraception and abortion services. “I want to say a fantastic huge thank you to President Obama. You have done more than any other person in the Republican field to unite this party. Thank you for doing what none of us has done.” He went on to say that Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius is his nominee for person of the year. “John F. Kennedy once said that we are all Berliners. Thanks to President Obama, today we are all Catholics.” Huckabee echoed Thursday’s speakers that characterized the choice not as a question of providing medical services, but as a direct violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution, explaining that when we devalue a life that is unborn, we ultimately devalue a life that is born. Republicans policies also came in for criticism. Huckabee reminded the packed auditorium that he was one of the few that opposed the TARP bailout in the closing days of the Bush administration. His advice to Republicans was to apologize to America for making the thought that it’s okay to bail companies out of the consequences of their own terrible decisions. “Too huge to fail also contains the mindset that some are too small to matter,” he clarified. Huckabee concluded by saying that although he had not endorsed any candidate in this year’s Republican race, voters can be assured that whoever wins the nomination will be more conservative than Obama and deserves their vote in November. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If you want a mobile Vice Presidential candidate who is not teleprompter dependent and has not expressed strong feelings regarding the very poor, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is just your man. McDonnell startled the audience and the some of the CPAC technical staff when he started walking to and fro across the stage during his Friday morning address. Much of McDonnell’s speech obliquely stressed his Vice Presidential qualifications by running through his resume and focusing on the record of his administration. A record that includes overcoming the deficit left by outgoing Democrat Gov. and current US Senate candidate Tim Kaine, an unemployment rate two points below the national average and a return to the spending levels of 2007, McDonnell characterized the Presidential election as a battle to preserve the American Dream. The choice between a vision of Constitutionally limited government and a constantly expanding federal government. “Today we have a surplus of rhetoric and a deficit of results in the United States,” McDonnell stressed. His solution is ROC: Results Oriented Conservatives. In contrast to much of the discussion of illegal immigration, McDonnell reminded that his family came to the US from Ireland. And now, 100 years later, he sits in the governor’s office holding the same position held by Thomas Jefferson. Which, come to reckon of it, also applies to the office of Vice President. +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Bookended by sweater vests, Rick Santorum and most of his family followed Bob McDonnell on the CPAC stage. The former Pennsylvania senator elected to stay behind the podium for his speech, which was sound plotting. If the entire Santorum family had followed him around the stage it would have looked like the fantastic suburban migration West of the 50’s. Santorum declared, “Conservatism did not fail our country. Conservatives failed conservatism.” Specifically by adopting the philosophy that winning is more vital than staying right to your principles. But that is in the past, for the future Santorum said, “We’ve learned our lesson. We will no longer abandon and apologize for the principles that made this country fantastic.” Santorum directly addressed the race for the GOP nomination by downplaying the affect of money, of which he has small, and stressing the power of contrasts with Obama. “We aren’t going to win with money. We’re going to win with contrasts, by making Barack Obama and his failed policies the issue in this race.” Naturally, Santorum believes selecting former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney over him will throw away this advantage. He clarified to the audience that Mitt Romney is on the incorrect side of Obamacare, carbon cap & trade and Wall Street bailouts. Therefore, with Romney as the nominee the GOP throws away its most powerful issues. Santorum continued his embrace of the TEA party, although with the family on stage, too it was more of a group hug. “The TEA party is not the wings of the Republican Party, we are the Republican Party.” ++++++++++++++++++++ Four years ago Mitt Romney finished his campaign during a speech at the CPAC conference, this year he wants to use a CPAC speech to revive it. After suffering three consecutive primary losses to Rick Santorum, Romney could use a strong rebound speech and potential straw poll victory before an audience filled with many people who are skeptical of his conservatism and commitment to the cause. Romney described the Obama administration as “last gasp of liberalism’s fantastic failure.” And he urged the participants to “reaffirm what it means to be conservative.” The bedrock part of that belief involves a reverence for the founding document, “Conservatives aren’t just proud to cling to our guns and religion, we are also proud to cling to our Constitution,” Romney declared to enthusiastic applause. He also addressed some of the criticisms leveled at him by Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich. One of the largest applause lines of the afternoon came when he said he’s been successful in business and he’s not ashamed to say so. Romney visited his time as Massachusetts governor reminding listeners that he balanced the budget, vetoed 800 bills, cut taxes and he supported the rights of Catholic organizations to arrange adoptions that supported their religious beliefs without interference from state government. He then assured the audience, “I’ve served in government, but I didn’t inhale. I’m still a business guy.” Romney also assured the audience that his presidency will be pro–life from “Day One.” During his introduction of Romney, American Conservative Union Chairman Al Cardenas suggested the audience apply his family’s test to each of the presidential candidates before making their choice: Does he share your values, is he competent to lead the greatest nation on earth and is he capable of beating Barack Obama? It’s a test Mitt Romney hopes this speech will help him pass. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For Newt Gingrich the presidential campaign is a four–letter word and that word is BOLD. Bold thoughts. Bold plans. Bold solutions. Bold politics. And did I say bold? Newt has plans, too and they are Bold. “When the conservative movement offers bold solutions, it wins decisively. I want to talk about bold solutions to get America working again.” He intends for the entire GOP congressional establishment to campaign with him this fall, which will require a large bus and a huge block of rooms on the cruise ship. And in the days between the swearing in of the new Congress and Newt’s Bold presidential oath of office, he has a to–do list for John Boehner and Mitch McConnell. Newt expects both houses to pass bills repealing Obamacare, Sarbanes–Oxley and Dodd–Frank. So in the first twenty minutes of his new administration he can expunge 40 percent of the late Obama administration. Then Gingrich can really get to work with Bold executive orders: approve the Keystone pipeline, go the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and reinstate the Mexico City policy banning the expenditure of tax dollars for abortions in other countries. Then he plans to break for lunch. Gingrich has special scorn for the dark “Republican establishment” that is doing its best to undermine his campaign. He clarified, “All of you have seen the Wall Street and Republican establishment pile on me, because this campaign is a mortal threat. We intend to change Washington, not accommodate it.” The former Speaker then used the fringe candidate’s favorite excuse for a failure to build a complete campaign: “We don’t have the money, but we do have a plot.” And when the fall campaign starts it will feature “the paycheck president versus a food stamp president.” Evidently the plot also includes a larger role for Callista. In contrast to every other presidential candidate at the conference, Newt had Callista make his introduction, which may be his thought for a Bold introduction, filled with Bold anecdotes and Boldly different from all other introductions. But after watching it, note to Newt: don’t use Callista to warm up the crowd. It’s not Bold — it’s dull. Michael Shannon CPAC Report Day 2 by Michael R. Shannon syndicated from The Land of the Free .
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Michael Shannon CPAC Report Day 2
