Palin on the Rising Cost of Gasoline

Today, Sarah Palin had a Facebook post regarding the rising cost of gasoline and how President Obama's actions/decisions are contributing to the rise. Ever the optimist, Palin referred to Obama as "The $4 a gallon president." I say optimist because based on his stance on domestic drilling and past comments about preferring more expensive fuel to encourage greater reliance on mass transit, Obama is aiming for a price much higher than $4. Here is the opening paragraph, click the link above for the rest.

The $4-Per-Gallon President by Sarah Palin

Is it really any surprise that oil and gas prices are surging toward the record highs we saw in 2008 just prior to the economic collapse? Despite the President’s strange assertions in his press conference last week, his Administration is not a passive observer to the trends that have inflated oil prices to dangerous levels. His war on domestic oil and gas exploration and production has caused us pain at the pump, endangered our already sluggish economic recovery, and threatened our national security.

The evidence of the President’s anti-drilling mentality and his culpability in the high gas prices hurting Americans is there for all to see. The following is not even an exhaustive list:

Is it 2012 yet?

Which Party is Dumber - Republicans of Democrats?

Some days it seems the two major political parties are vying over which should be considered the dumber of the two.

The Democrats just got shellacked in the mid-term elections. A key strategy of the Republicans was to nationalize House races and make individual elections more about Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi than the local candidate. Ads ran in nearly every competitive district showing Pelosi saying "We had to pass the bill to find out what's in it." That quote spoke volumes about Democrat arrogance and helped Republicans gain control of the House. Well, that's not how Democrats see it.

Outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) leadership had "nothing to do" with Democrats' losses in last week's election, the No. 3 House Democrat said Monday.

"It has everything to do with an environment that we found ourselves in that had nothing to do with Nancy Pelosi or the people that we had on the field," Clyburn said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

"We're very introspective about this, and we are having discussions as to how we should go forward," the South Carolina Democrat explained. "And I think that my party feels that this had nothing to do with Nancy Pelosi's leadership.

Okay, keep telling yourselves that it had nothing to do with Pelosi. Please keep her as the primary face of your party in congress.


The Republican party just finished an election cycle where they gained control of the House of Representatives and picked up several seats in the Senate. So, how do they respond? Some fools speaking for the establishment wing of the party have spent the past week trying to assign blame rather than passing out credit. The latest is a fool congressman from Alabama named Spencer Bachus (sounds like a cousin of Thurston Howell III) declared that Sarah Palin is to blame for the GOP not winning the Senate. Let me get this straight, Palin and the Tea Party movement generated enthusiasm for conservative candidates all over the country leading to gains in both houses and instead of saying thank you, he decides to blame her for not winning five more seats. I have one question for Rep. Bachus. Just what the heck did YOU do to help elect anyone besides yourself?

Local Example of Media Fixation With Palin

Former Massachusetts governor and one time presidential candidate Mitt Romney was in Norwood (Cincinnati suburb) yesterday doing a book signing. What is the headline and focus of the first paragraph of the story about his visit to town? Would you guess Sarah Palin? You betcha!

Romney crowd pales with Palin's

NORWOOD - Former and probably future GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney didn't draw even half as many people for his book-signing at Joseph-Beth Booksellers here Thursday as potential rival Sarah Palin did last fall.

I'm not a Romney backer, but was it necessary to make the comparisons between the crowds the leading focus of the story?

I don't know if either politician is planning to run for president in 2012. Currently, I'm much more likely to support Palin than Romney. However, that is due to their individual policy positions. The size crowd they draw to a book signing event will have no bearing on my preference between the two.

Liberal Media Bias? What Liberal Media Bias?

In the wake of the Obama administrations attacks on FOX news for failing to be as liberal as the other networks, it is funny to see real examples of media bias. Here are a couple. And bear in mind, the false story sinks in to the memory while the correction if one is even printed is buried in small print on page 6.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia during a speech mentioned that he would have dissented in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling that the notion of separate but equal was unconstitutional. However, what he actually said was he would have dissented on Plessy v. Ferguson which originated the idea of separate but equal This "mistake" advanced the dishonest but often repeated assertion that conservatives are racist.

Today, Politico.com ran an article with this headline: "Iowa Republicans wince at Sarah Palin's $100K speaking fee." Wow, that greedy so-n-so I can't believe she . . . . . . Oh, hey wait a second. If you read the whole article and get through all the nonsense about their fund raising efforts you find this paragraph:

There is no indication that the former governor has requested a fee or that her decision whether to attend is being influenced by whether she’ll be paid.

That nugget is listed on the second page more than 20 paragraphs into the article. Now, stop and consider that most people just read the headline and maybe a couple paragraphs. Does anyone think crap like that isn't intentional? The media negative characterization of Gov. Palin has led to a misimpression of her among those who get the news from the mainstream media and believe the stuff they're shoveling.

Is the NY-23 Race a National Dividing Line Between Conservatives and Republicans?

Earlier this year, President Obama appointed Rep. John McHugh (R-NY-23) to serve as Secretary of the Army setting up a special election. Normally, these special elections to fill a congressional seat don't send any national signals. This race is different for a few reasons.
1. While New York is rightfully considered a very liberal state there are pockets of conservatives once you get away from the major cities and New York's 23rd district is one such area.
2. People don't normally watch congressional races outside of their geographical area, but with few other races a minor race gets much more attention.
3. Another factor is growing dissatisfaction among conservative Republicans with the decisions made at the national level over whom to back. Often the NRC, NRSC, and NRCC seem to back the candidate least likely to support the party platform out of a mistaken belief that conservatism can't win in some states. The decision of the NRSC and President Bush to support liberals such as Sen. Chafee and Specter among others led many conservative to vow never to donate to the Republicans on the national level out of a sense that the money will be misspent.
4. The biggest reason this race is getting national attention from conservatives the local GOP nominated a very liberal candidate, Dede Scozzafava, for this seat. This isn't the case of a candidate who is fiscally conservative but socially liberal (in other words pro-abortion) or vice versa. This candidate is very liberal all the way around.

Fortunately there is a conservative option in this race. A conservative Republican who shares our values, Doug Hoffman is running in this race. Unfortunately, there was no primary election held so Mr. Hoffman is forced to run as a third party candidate under the Conservative Party label.

That is how this race became a showdown for Republicans between those who think it is important to stand for certain beliefs and values and the long time Washington Republicans who think all that matters is the party label someone carries after their name.

Not surprisingly, the list of Republicans breaking ranks to support Hoffman are ones with strongly held conservative beliefs. Fred Thompson recorded an audio blog post titled: "Vote for Principles not Parties" explaining his position on this race. Other notable Republicans who are backing Hoffman include Sarah Palin, Rick Santorum, Steve Forbes, Dick Armey, and Some supporting the liberal candidate, Scozzafava, include several labor unions, Newt Gingrich, Pete King, and most disappointingly my own congressman Rep. John Boehner (OH-8). As Fred Thompson said principles are more important than parties. In future primaries we need to remember the principles of those who weighed in on this race (and the cowardice of those who took no position).

As a side note, I did contact Rep. Boehner's office and they somehow insist that Scozzafava is the conservative choice.

Palin Responds to Letterman's Invite

I was out of town for a couple days and didn't blog about the despicable "joke" CBS' David Letterman told a few days ago alleging that Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez knocked up Sarah Palin's 14 year old daughter, Willow, during the 7th inning stretch of a game Palin and her daughter attended as guests of Rudy Giuliani. Other blogs had adequately smacked down Letterman. However, yesterday as part of a lame non-apology statement, which basically said I wasn't talking about that daughter being raped I meant the older daughter Bristol, Letterman included an invitation for Governor Palin to appear on his show. Today, Palin appropriately told him what he could do with that invitation:

"The Palins have no intention of providing a ratings boost for David Letterman by appearing on his show.

Cut through the BS and you'll find that the ratings are the main issue here. Letterman trailed Leno for years and with Conan O'Brien taking over the Tonight Show, Letterman obviously thought being edgier would lead to better TV ratings. Both Leno and Letterman let their liberal leanings affect their comedy. However, difference was Leno was light hearted about it and Letterman has gotten more and more mean spirited. Most Americans prefer the friendly comedian to the ugly one. Palin would be well served to go on the Tonight Show and give O'Brien the ratings boost that Letterman was hoping for with this ugly stunt.

It is interesting how little (if any) outcry there is from the various feminist organizations regarding this "joke."

Separately, let me make it clear that I understand that when someone becomes a public figure they become fair game to a certain extant. I don't know exactly where the line is drawn, but joking about someone's daughter getting knocked up should be clearly beyond the line of acceptable comedy. In a just world Letterman would at least be nursing a broken nose provided by an angry father.

Today's Required Reading

This post is a little miss-titled as it is really Friday's required reading, but I missed the article. Victor Davis Hanson does a run down of how the extremely left wing media would have covered the actions of the Obama administration if it were the Palin administration instead doing the same things.

I'm not going to cut and paste any of it because I'd rather you read the whole thing. Just click the link. Sadly, it is spot on about how the media that has fawned over each stumble by Obama would crucify Palin for the same actions/decisions.

(h/t: Cultural Offering)

Endorsement for President of the United States of America

Tomorrow between 130 million and 160 million people will go to the polls and elect the next president. Many people will endorse a candidate and give a couple reasons why they prefer that one over the other (or others, if you actually acknowledge Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, Bobb Barr, and friends). This time I'd rather address various concerns and how the candidates stack up on those particular issue.

If you care about security and national defense, here is how they compare:
Sen. John McCain - A lifetime of military service, followed by decades in the Senate fighting for defense issues including fighting against misguided spending.
Sen. Barack Obama - Scant history, but wrong on the only issue he has expressed an opinion on - the surge in Iraq. Also, has discussed cutting defense spending by 25% and discontinuing any anti-missile defense spending.

I'll give that one to McCain. Make your own call.

If you care about foreign affairs:
McCain - Has been repeatedly tested and will be respected by foreign leaders.
Obama - Very naive and assumes leader of hostile nations can be talked into being nice. Chose Sen. Biden as his running mate because of Biden's vast experience in foreign affairs. Problem is Biden has decades of being wrong on nearly every issue that has come up.

I kind of think that one goes to McCain as well.

If you care about the economy:
McCain - Not an economist by his own admission. However, we can count on him to work diligently to curb excessive government spending.
Obama - Will raise taxes causing a much deeper and longer recession. His positions that he admits to border on European socialism. His long associations with admitted communists like Bill Ayers and Frank Davis leave me thinking socialism is the least of our concerns with Obama.

McCain isn't my first choice on this issue, but he is far better than his opponent again.

If you care about character and personality:
McCain - Positives: Survived several years in a POW camp and his fellow prisoners compliment him as a major boost to their morale because of his open defiance of prison officials and refusal to accept early release from prison based on his father's seniority.
Negatives: After returning from prison, he cheated on and later divorced his first wife, Carol, who had been seriously injured in a car accident while he was gone.
Obama - Positives: Seems like a good family man with a happy marriage.
Negatives: Attended a church with a goofy racist preacher for twenty years and had no problem associating with Bill Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, Tony Rezko, Ted Kennedy, Harry Reid, etc.

Feeling generous I'd almost call this a tie. However, Obama's repeated misjudgments of people seriously call his ability to differentiate right from wrong into question.

If you are worried about excessive government intrusion into our lives:
McCain - Has long advocated a limited role for our government.
Obama - Is a major proponent of increased government influence through a national health care plan.

McCain looks better here.

If you're anxious for increased spending on failed social service programs then Sen Obama is the candidate for you. From his failures with the Annenberg Challenge, which spent a hundred million dollars and made no difference in Chicago inner city schools to the tax payer money he wasted to improve his district (you know - the $100,000 Gazebo) he has shown a real fondness for spending other people's money.

If you think we need to continue to force lending institutions to provide home loans to high-risk buyers then Obama is your guy. He is the Fannie Mae sponsored candidate.

If you're concerned about First Amendment rights:
McCain - Co-Author and defender of McCain/Feingold Act which infringed on our right to free speech.
Obama - Expected to take action to restore the misnamed Fairness Doctrine in order to silence talk radio.

Once again, I'll call this a tie though the Fairness Doctrine seems like a greater threat to our rights.

If you're concerned about Second Amendment rights:
McCain/Palin - Both endorsed by the NRA. Palin is an avid hunter and outdoorsman.
Obama/Biden - Prior to running for president, Obama was an extremist against 2nd Amendment rights. He even disagreed with the right of someone to defend themselves in their home.

McCain is your only choice in this regard. Not even close.

Do you want more or less government? I want gridlock more than increased government action. Consider what an Obama election would mean. We'd have an extremely liberal congress (both houses) with an equally liberal rubber stamp in the White House. With a McCain election, anything he proposed would be fought in congress and if congress voted for anything overly ridiculous then McCain could veto.

If you care about the destination of your soul:
McCain/Palin - Don't just talk the talk on pro-life, they live those values.
Obama/Biden - Most pro-abortion presidential ticket ever. Obama has gone so far as to oppose legislation that would require treatment for children who survive abortions out of fear that any infringement on abortion could threaten Roe v. Wade.

Personally, when I meet my maker I'll have enough to account for that I don't want to have to defend voting for Obama.

Bottom line: If you have any concern about the future of our country Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin are the choice going forward. Go with Obama/Biden if you want bad people running bad government.

Gov. Palin visits West Chester

Gov. Sarah Palin visited our little township of West Chester, Ohio today. A great time was had by the audience. To warm up the crowd the Bellamy Brothers played a number of their old hits. They were followed by the marching band from Lakota West High School. Lakota West's band is nationally renowned having played in the Rose Bowl Parade earlier this year. Then the speeches started. The Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds went first and it was quite apparent that he understand Gov. Palin's popularity as he attempted to portray himself as a reformer in the same mold as the governor. I'd give him a "C" grade. He likely has never addressed a crowd this size before and stumbled early saying "I was borned in . . . " Reynolds was followed by Rep. John Boehner who did a much better job firing up the crowd. Regardless of how well Boehner did there was only one person that this crowd was there to see - Gov. Sarah Palin. I don't like identity politics, but the women in the crowd were highly energized and enthusiastic. Palin did not disappoint she hit the key themes of the McCain campaign and the crowd ate it up.

This rally was very important for the McCain/Palin campaign. To win Ohio they need a very strong turnout in Butler County. In 2004 President Bush won Ohio by 117,000 votes with over 50,000 of that victory coming from Butler County alone. High turnout is a reflection of enthusiasm levels and Palin equals conservative enthusiasm. What I think people like about her is she is unabashedly conservative. Far too many Republicans with excessive time in D.C. seem to temper their views in order to avoid being left off party lists. Outside of D.C. we don't like that, we want people who are confident enough in their positions that they can defend them passionately.

Secret Life of an American Teenager

The title of this post is borrowed from a new television series that started a month or so ago. The show tells the story of a high school sophomore who discovers she is pregnant just as the new school year is starting. While some of the characters are overly exaggerated versions of common stereotypes, our family has taken to watching the show each week. With a daughter entering her sophomore year of high school the show has hit home.

What causes me to write about that show today is news out of the political world that vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin's 17 year-old daughter Bristol is 5 months pregnant. However, unlike Amy Juergens of the TV show, Bristol's life will be anything but secret. We all make mistakes, but this young lady will see hers play out on the most public of stages. I would recommend she not visit the internet for a while as there will likely be some ugly things written about her and her family. If you believe in the power of prayer keep Bristol Palin in your prayers.

Apparently, Sen. McCain was aware of this situation before making his decision and did not let the daughter's mistake affect his decision. I'm sure some who wanted another VP choice (Romney, Pawlenty, etc.) will point to this as evidence of poor judgment. Time will tell.

McCain's VP pick

John McCain will announce his vice presidential running mate in just over an hour just up I-75 at the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. The latest on Drudge has speculation centering on Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Nothing is for sure yet since yesterday I went to sleep thinking it would be Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. Here are a few rambling thoughts on the selection.

* Romney was out of the running as soon as the McCain campaign ran the ads showing Sen. Biden questioning Sen. Obama's qualifications. Those ads basically knocked every one of McCain's GOP primary opponents out of the running.

* Palin brings a lot to the table to help shore up areas of concern regarding McCain. She is strongly pro-life. She is a life time member of the NRA. She has pushed for government reform to clean up Alaska. She does have an area of disagreement with McCain - She is an advocate of drilling for oil in ANWR. The best thing McCain could do is to explain that during the interview process she showed him how little of the 19 million acres of ANWR would be used for drilling and her grasp of energy policy and environmental issues not only convinced him to change his position on drilling in ANWR but also convinced him she would be a great running mate who would not just be a "yes man" but a teammate capable of challenging his positions. . . . .

* My understanding is that Mitt Romney and others who ran against McCain will be there in Dayton when the announcement is made. That is a great show of unity. It is also a shrewd move by Romney. He needs to be perceived as a team player to have a future. If he campaigns aggressively for a losing McCain effort he would quickly be the frontrunner in 2012. There is also talk that his recent move to California is a first step towards running for California governor in 2010. Would he be just the second person to serve as governor of two different states (Sam Houston Tennessee and Texas).

* Democrats will certainly jump on Palin's limited experience. However, they should tread lightly since she has more executive experience than their ticket. She also is not on the top of the ticket. President may not be on the job training, but the vice president is essentially always in training for an unexpected promotion.

* Gov. Palin has five kids and has given all of them odd (at least to me) names.

A good, solid, bold pick. Personally, I'm more please with the bottom of the ticket than the top.