Tag: politics

Stick a fork in 'em, The Clinton dynasty is over

I saw this yesterday, But I really did not feel like writing about it:

A new book is out with a highly critical but unsourced portrait of Hillary Clinton. This familiar occurrence — it’s happened too many times to count over the years — has usually been greeted with an equally familiar response: A fast and furious counterattack from the Clinton inner circle.

What’s notable about the highly publicized release of “Game Change,” however, is the virtual silence from the Clinton camp. The lack of public outrage seems to mark the sputtering end of what was once known as the Clinton political machine and underlines a fact that onetime Clinton loyalists acknowledge: The book’s primary sources about the former candidate and current secretary of state are her own former staffers and intimates.

As a result, there is no campaign of veteran Clintonites spinning the press corps and trying to pre-emptively discredit the book’s scathing depiction of Hillary Clinton as a rudderless candidate and a cheerleader for vicious tactics against eventual winner Barack Obama. There is no team of Clinton proxies going on cable television to denounce authors Mark Halperin and John Heilemann as scurrilous and unworthy of belief.

This time, Bill and Hillary Clinton are virtually alone.

via Game over: The Clintons stand alone – Ben Smith – POLITICO.com.

If the things in this book are even remotely true; then you can kiss the Clinton dynasty goodbye. Much of what was said in this book has been already said; by the people that made “Hillary, The Movie.” Which the Clinton machine worked like hell to keep from being promoted, during the 2008 election. Although there are some very new juicy tidbits that have been brought up. Like Ben says in this piece, the Clinton’s and their inner circle have not tried to come out and defend Hillary or Bill. So, it does look like they are either guilty as charged or just do not feel like dealing with it.

Bottom Line: Hillary Clinton made a huge mistake in trying to run for President, her ego and elitism got the best of her. In the long run, she did more harm than good, to her and her husband’s reputation by running.  This book also justifies Newt Gingridge and his Movie about Hillary.

Harry Reid-Gate Continues

As much as I hate to write about a subject, that I have already written about once, I will again. Because I need to make my personal position clear.

Regarding the media stampede over Harry Reid’s comments; Now this is where I am going to break from the normal Conservative Blog and media talking points. This blog has never been about talking points, ever. Nor will it ever be. I am a clear and free thinker and I am not afraid to go against what I feel to be blatant stupidity.

First off, regarding Trent Lott‘s comments: Those comments were highly racist in nature, they were given at a Birthday Party for a very well known former segregationist. Hell, Even Michelle Malkin was none too pleased with what he said, at the time; although her position on it was a bit different, than what I felt at the time. Second of all, it is being reported that Trent Lott was kicked out of the Senate for his remarks. This totally bogus lie and needs to be corrected. Trent Lott’s leadership position in the Senate was removed for his comments. Trent Lott left the Senate because of changes in the rules for lobbyists in the Congress.

Now for Reid’s comments; Sorry to my fellow Conservatives, but, I do not believe that Harry Reid’s comments are to be considered the moral equivalence of what Trent Lott said. That is because Harry Reid’s comments were factually correct; however, his choice of words were, quite bluntly, stupid. However, because I believe in a equal standard in the Senate and House, I believe the Senator Reid ought to resign his leadership position, because it is the right thing to do. If you going to have a standard, of when leadership within both houses of Congress make stupid mistakes and resign leadership posts, it should be equal for both sides. Partisanship ought not to be a deciding factor in this situation, sadly, I believe that it is a big part of what is happening in this situation.

The Bottom Line: While what Reid said was incredibly stupid. I do not believe that it should be compared to Trent Lott’s statement at all.

The Republican Party's Resident Shrieking Harpy gets a Fox Contract

Oh Wonderful, wonder what she’ll do, show Russia from her house?

Former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska has signed on as a contributor to the Fox News Channel.

The network confirmed that Ms. Palin would appear on the network’s programming on a regular basis as part of a multiyear deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Ms. Palin will not have her own regular program, one person with knowledge of the deal said, though she will host a series that will run on the network from time to time. This person would not elaborate, but the network does have a precedent for such a series. Oliver L. North is the host of an occasionally running documentary series on the military called “War Stories.

via Sarah Palin to Contribute to Fox News – Media Decoder Blog

Hmmmm, what’s it going to be called; “How to keep the media from finding out if your daughter is knocked up”? God knows that’s what she’s good at. The good thing about this is, that she most likely will not be running for President, which is a good thing for the Republican Party as a whole. We need someone that can articulate fiscal Conservative ideas, not stupid muddled populism. Besides all that, we need someone who was actually raised here in the continental 48 and not some psycho shrieking harpy; who was raised on some obscure piece of land, that was not even a state in the union until 1959. We need restrained, disciplined leadership. Not some idiot moose hunting soccer mom, who thinks she on some sort of mission from God and would push the nuke button at a drop of a hat.

Bottom Line: Sarah Palin is the perfect embodiment of female entitlement and the highly hypocritical Evangelical Christian right. That is the LAST thing we need in the White House. I love Jesus and believe the Bible to be literally true; However, I do not want my Country being run as the Christian equivalent of Sharia law. Keep Christianity where it belongs, in the home and in the Church; and out of the Federal Government.

Okay, Who peed in modo's evian bottle?

My goodness what a difference 8 months makes.

Quotes from Modo’s Latest:

We are under attack.

There is evil in the world.

Yemen is a dangerous place that breeds people who want to kill us.

Al Qaeda is determined to attack inside the United States.

Al Qaeda is casting a wide recruiting net for vulnerable young men.

Aspirational terrorists eventually become operational terrorists.

Our airports are not safe.

Metal detectors can’t detect nonmetal explosives sewn into underwear.

Our incomplete no-fly lists are more like “Welcome aboard” lists.

We still can’t connect the dots, even when the dots are flying at us like 3-D asteroids.

The sun rises in the east.

Two plus two equals four.

Heh. Sounds like the lyrics to a heavy metal song. All it would need is that riff from the Marilyn Manson Song; you know, “The Beautiful People“?

and she goes on:

Unlike the Republicans, who have yet to take responsibility for a single disastrous thing they did, President Obama said “ultimately the buck stops with me.”

But when he failed to immediately step up to the microphones in Hawaii after the Christmas terror and thank the passengers for bravely foiling the plot that his intelligence community had failed to see, President Cool reached the limits of cool.

No Drama Obama is reticent about displays of emotion. The Spock in him needs to exert mental and emotional control. That is why he stubbornly insists on staying aloof and setting his own deliberate pace for responding — whether it’s in a debate or after a debacle. But it’s not O.K. to be cool about national security when Americans are scared.

Our professorial president is no feckless W., biking through Katrina. He is no doubt on top of the crisis in terms of studying it top to bottom. But his inner certainty creates an outer disconnect.

He’s so sure of himself and his actions that he fails to see that he misses the moment to be president — to be the strong father who protects the home from invaders, who reassures and instructs the public at traumatic moments.

He’s more like the aloof father who’s turned the Situation Room into a Seminar Room.

Hmmmm, Where the hell was she at around election time? Oh, that’s right, she was swimming the tank! My Bad. Nothing like an Al-Qaeda attack to wake up a Crypto-Leftist out of the Hope and Change stupor.

Barack Obama's 2012 Campaign Song??

Seeing they can get away with it; so should I, right?

Plus, there’s this:

[A]s Hillary bungled Caroline, Bill’s handling of Ted was even worse. The day after Iowa, he phoned Kennedy and pressed for an endorsement, making the case for his wife. But Bill then went on, belittling Obama in a manner that deeply offended Kennedy. Recounting the conversation later to a friend, Teddy fumed that Clinton had said, A few years ago, this guy would have been getting us coffee.

Heh…. Quite true though, or shining their shoes or something else. 😮

Updated: Harry Reid said What?!?!?

Oh…My….goodness. 😯

Go Read.

Can you even begin to imagine if a Republican had said something like that??? Yikes! 😮 🙄

That is all.

Back to my Movie.

Update #1: and Of course, Sharpton Backs Reid:

I have learned of certain unfortunate comments made by Senator Reid regarding President Barack Obama and have spoken with Senator Reid about those comments. While there is no question that Senator Reid did not select the best word choice in this instance, these comments should not distract America from its continued focus on securing healthcare or creating jobs for its people. Nor should they detract from the unquestionable leadership role Senator Reid has played on these issues or in the area of civil rights. Senator Reid’s door has always been open on hearing from the civil rights community on these issues and I look forward to continue to work with Senator Reid wherever possible to improve the lives of Americans everywhere.

As does Barry:

Reid folks in overdrive to shut story down. Obama puts out statement on Reid’s apology: ” I accepted Harry’s apology without question.”

Hmmm, The One was not so forgiving when Don Imus made his little so-called “Mistake”

Not to mention; Trent Lott Anyone?:

“It seems to be that we can forgive a 100-year-old senator for some of the indiscretion of his youth, but, what is more difficult to forgive is the current president of the U.S. Senate (Lott) suggesting we had been better off if we had followed a segregationist path in this country after all of the battles and fights for civil rights and all the work that we still have to do,” said Obama.

He said: “The Republican Party itself has to drive out Trent Lott. If they have to stand for something, they have to stand up and say this is not the person we want representing our party.”

Hypocrisy, Thy name is Democrats. 🙄

This is from the same party that fought to keep Slavery legal. Remember that.

Update #2:

Michael Steele wants Reid out, can’t blame him:

Never thought I would ever agree with David Frum

But,  I do… :

Chairman Steele needs to have a long talk with Pundit Steele; the RNC chairman needs to spend more time raising money and supporting the party — both its conservative and centrist wings — and less time running his mouth and alienating entire GOP blocs.

via David Frum: Steele Can’t Have it Both Ways.

I hate to say it, but Frum is right here. Steele does spend way too much time running his mouth and tweaking off the Republican establishment. That is not good, especially when those people happen to be paying you.

So, Yes, Frum is spot on here. My Paleo-Conservative friends are so going to hate me for this post. I can hear it now, “You Neo-Con!” Which is impossible, seeing I am not Jewish, but I digress. 😛

Quote of the day

Sorry, No PB pub tonight. Couldn’t quite find anything I liked, suggestions are always welcome….

A woman named Nancy Spagnolo who lives in Bethany, Connecticut e-mailed me shortly after I interviewed Hume. “Religion is such a deeply personal issue and it is wrong to discuss what another person should believe. Mr. Hume should have contacted Tiger Woods privately instead of taking it public.”

That’s not a bad point. I’m sure Brit Hume had noble intentions when he addressed the golfer publicly, but it was a deeply personal assessment of Woods’ predicament. We are all sinners. How many of us want to be told how to achieve forgiveness in a public forum?

That being said, Brit Hume has a perfect right to espouse what he believes is a healing tonic. The forgiveness Christianity offers has helped millions of human beings throughout history. The world would be a better place if every person on earth understood the basic philosophy of Jesus. Mr. Hume was simply exercising his free speech rights and the fact he is paid well to do that speaks to his intellect and insight.

Anti-religious sentiment is currently chic in America. You can see it displayed in the media almost everyday. Brit Hume sent some advice to Tiger Woods. He did so meaning well. Mr. Woods is free to take it or leave it. There was no harm in this.

Updated Obama Says, 'Ultimately, the buck stops with me' Briefing Video Added

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

It was a good speech, but lacking any specifics. There is a security briefing going, I will get video of it, as soon as it is available.

Via Politico:

President Barack Obama on Thursday accepted responsibility for intelligence shortcomings that led to a failed Christmas Day bombing plot on a Detroit-bound airliner, saying, “Ultimately, the buck stops with me.

“As president, I have a solemn responsibility to protect our nation and our people, and when the system fails, it is my responsibility,” Obama said.

Obama said an intelligence review found that the U.S. government had the information needed to thwart the plot but failed to do so because of a series of compounding shortcomings, including that intelligence analysts didn’t focus heavily enough on information warning that al-Qaeda in Yemen wanted to strike the United States.

“The U.S. government had the information scattered through the system to potentially uncover this plot and disrupt the attack. Rather than a failure to collect and share this intelligence, this was a failure to connect and understand the intelligence we already had,” Obama said at the White House.

Obama’s buck-stops-here message marks a change in tone from earlier statements in which Obama and other officials repeatedly noted that the watch-listing system that failed to flag the suspect, Umar AbdulMatallab, was put in place under the Bush administration.

I am glad to see that the President is taking the hit for it and not passing the buck. I look forward to seeing what the Government does. Speeches are nice, but let’s see what the action is.

Update: As promised, here it is:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Update #2: Ace is not impressed, at all:

I’m not, and was talking about it with cobloggers (similarly unimpressed) and figured why talk about it in email.

He dodged responsibility for a week. He minimized it and claimed it was just an independent actor, unconnected to anything bigger, even when it was pretty firmly established it was Al Qaeda.

I don’t think he made this statement because he believes it, or because he wanted to. I think he made this statement because polling and focus-groups told him that if he didn’t make it, he was risking an even bigger loss in his poll numbers than anything he’d seen before.

So it’s a case — I am 99% confident — of “doing the right thing when there are no other options left.”

Good point.