The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Among the Paulistas in New Hampshire

Posted on | January 9, 2012 | 57 Comments

HOLLIS, N.H.
The Only Man Who Can Save American Liberty™ — as he is regarded by his famously fanatical supporters — appeared today at the Lawrence Barn here, and I was pleased to discover that one of Lisa Graas‘s Twitter friends, “TradiCatholic,” was among the Paulistas in attendance. And I explained to her that, unlike some other conservatives in the blogosphere, I have sought to avoid the “urge to purge” attitude toward Ron Paul’s supporters.

We ought to distinguish, I believe, between the sincere, serious and well-meaning Paulistas, who will gladly close ranks with conservatives in opposition to Obama’s liberal agenda, and the relatively small number of insane hate-filled monsters who infest the dark corners of the Internet.

The scene inside the Lawrence Barn. This was an “invitation only” event that was originally planned for someone’s living room, but which outgrew the venue and had to be moved to a public facility. Among those on hand to support Ron Paul was this homeschooling family:

One of the highlights of the event for me was the performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” by these home-schooled girls:

Let those who wish to banish the Paulistas from the “Big Tent” explain: How is it in the interests of the conservative movement and/or the Republican Party to tell young people like this that their support and influence — their commitment, their energy, their enthusiasm — are unwelcome within our ranks? Here is Ron Paul being introduced at the Lawrence Barn:

Here is Paul answering a supporter’s question about the American “empire” during his appearance in Hollis:

Now, you may disagree with the congressman about these matters, and that’s OK. And certainly the vast majority of Republican voters (more than 80 percent, according to the Iowa caucus results) do not support Ron Paul as a presidential candidate. But why do so many conservatives go beyond mere opposition to Paul, and engage in demonization of him and his supporters?

Here is a brief interview with Dr. Lee Button of the National Heritage Center for Constitutional Studies, a New Hampshire home-schooling leader:

Perhaps I am exceptionally sensitive to the need for conservatives to include Paulistas in their ranks because I am an ex-Democrat. Unlike so many of my peers in conservative New Media, I was born and raised a Democrat and did not wise up to that inherited folly until I was in my 30s. Whatever errors of ideology or rhetoric you may attribute to Ron Paul’s supporters, I doubt many of them were ever so foolish as I was in 1984, when I voted for Walter Mondale.

Mea culpa. Mea magna culpa.

Therefore, my conservative friends, let us be civil and reasonable, and seek common ground with those of Ron Paul’s supporters who are also civil and reasonable, striving together to form a common front among those patriotic Americans who seek an end to the dreadful misrule of the Obama administration. And really, how can you not love this kind of enthusiasm for liberty?

This Paulista apparently drove all the way from Pennsylvania.


Category: Election 2012, Fear and Loathing in New Hampshire, New Hampshire, Ron Paul

Ron Paul Campaign Flyer Emphasizes Opposition to Gay Marriage, Abortion

Posted on | January 9, 2012 | 25 Comments

HOLLIS, N.H.
Ron Paul has won many converts in New Hampshire with his libertarian-influenced anti-war message, but a flyer circulated by the Texas congressman’s campaign here emphasizes Paul’s Christian faith, pro-life position and opposition to same-sex marriage.

“I believe marriage is between one man and one woman,” the flyer quotes Paul as saying, expressing his support for the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that would “ensure that no state would be forced to recognize a ‘same sex’ marriage license issued in another state.” The flyer also reminds voters that Paul “was an original co-sponsor of the Marriage Protection Act, HR 3313, that removes challenges to [DOMA] from federal courts’ jurisdiction.”

The Paul flyer (full image below) describes him as having “worked tirelessly to defend and restore” pro-life protections: “The right of an innocent, unborn child to life is at the heart of the American ideal of liberty.” Evidently aimed at wooing social conservative support for the congressman’s campaign, the flyer also includes these quotes from Paul:

  • “I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, and I endeavor every day to follow Him in all I do and in every position I advocate.”
  • “We must recognize that true national defense means defending our own borders and coastlines. … Borders should be the number one national priority, plain and simple.”

You can click on the image below to see it full-size:

UPDATE: What struck me about this flyer is that so many of Paul’s young supporters I’ve spoken with are in favor of gay marriage and they seem to assume that Paul is as well. Yet the Paul campaign is distributing this flyer to emphasize the candidate’s social conservatism. Meanwhile, another candidate has a slightly different problem here:

Mitt Romney Campaign Disavows
Pro-Gay Rights Flyer From 2002
— Huffington Post

On this issue, as on so many issues, Romney goes both ways. NTTAWWT.

Category: Abortion, Election 2012, Fear and Loathing in New Hampshire, Gays, Immigration, Ron Paul

Media Mayhem in the Granite State

Posted on | January 9, 2012 | 15 Comments

HOLLIS, N.H.
Saturday night in Manchester was a total media schmoozefest, and I had the opportunity to talk to Mickey Kaus, whose re-Tweet by Alyssa Milano inspired my own long quest for a similar honor. (“They Said It Couldn’t Be Done …”)

Just returned from a Ron Paul event here, the start of a long day of campaign coverage in the final day before Tuesday’s primary. Paul’s media coverage got out of control this morning in Manchester, a circus I heard about at breakfast from an Associated Press writer at the local diner in Hollis. Not much time to chat, but here’s my latest column at The American Spectator:

J.D.’s Tavern at the Radisson Inn in Manchester was crowded Saturday night with the elite of America’s political media. Famous faces from TV news mingled with less-famous but nevertheless influential writers from major publications. Waiters brought food and beverages — and still more beverages — as midnight passed in the hours after yet another nationally televised Republican presidential debate. One of the more famous bylines among the journalistic throng delivered a harshly negative verdict on the proceedings that had just aired on ABC.
“They were weak,” said the writer. “They didn’t bring it.”
By “they,” he meant the various challengers to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. The pre-game forecast for Saturday night’s debate was that the non-Romney conservatives would rush to attack the man who is the overwhelming favorite to win Tuesday’s primary here in New Hampshire. But the promised assault on Romney — in a debate that had been hyped up like a professional wrestling match — never materialized, much to the disappointment of the journalist in J.D.’s Tavern.
“Look, I’m a reporter,” he said. “You know I’d love this thing to go all the way to the convention, but… C’mon.” …

Read the rest at The American Spectator. You’ll notice that I never name the reporter who said that. If people ever started quoting all the stuff I said in after-hours conversations . . . Well, it would be a horrible precedent.

UPDATE: Welcome, Instapundit readers! I’m rather depressed tonight. Some young Romney supporters just invited me to attend his victory party Tuesday night at Southern Hew Hampshire University. I’ll probably go, and hate myself for it Wednesday morning.

The walk of shame: Date-raped by RINOs.

Category: American Spectator, Celebrities, Election 2012, Fear and Loathing in New Hampshire, Mitt Romney, New Hampshire

Dr. Wolf Thinks That Meghan McCain’s Malapropism Means She’s Clueless

Posted on | January 9, 2012 | 4 Comments

by Smitty

Maybe she should drink a little less Santeria while practicing sangria:
On the other hand, if President Obama listened to her sage advice, it might help that bad encomium that Bush left him and stuff.

via The Wolf Files

Category: Blogging

‘Gentleman’ Jim Moran: “Naaah, VA-8 Residents Don’t Need A Vote”

Posted on | January 9, 2012 | 12 Comments

by Smitty

The World's Youngest Blogger uses peas to offer a conceptual impression of Jim Moran's public statement on merging NOVA with DC.

Via Patrick Murray, we have this tidbit about ‘Gentleman’ Jim, always looking out for Virginianshimself:

Jim Moran said Northern Virginia was more reflective of the D.C. metro area than the rest of the state.
“We’d all be better off if they took the Virginia and Maryland suburbs and made them part of the district,” he said. “But that’s not going to happen, so we’re dependent on what happens in Richmond.”

So, thanks, Jim. In a twisted sense, Moran is arguably correct: VA-8 residents could be better off grouped in a place entirely without Congressional representation than with Moran providing serial embarrassment. The ironic historical angle on this is that Alexandria, Virginia actually was a part of the District until 1847.

I’ve got a splendid idea: let’s give Jim Moran to the District, and remove a sad little stain from the fabric of Virginia.

Patrick Murray for Congress

Previous/More Antics:

Category: Democrats, Jim Moran, Patrick Murray, Virginia, World's Youngest Blogger

LIVE AT FIVE – 01.09.12

Posted on | January 9, 2012 | 4 Comments

— compiled by Wombat-socho


TOP NEWS
Giffords Draws Cheers At Tucson Vigil

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and husband Mark Kelly

Leads mourners in Pledge at beginning of memorial

Rivals Turn Up Heat On Romney
Home field advantage enough to keep Mitt first in New Hampshire? Other candidates focusing their attacks on former Massachusetts governor

Malayan Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim Acquitted Of Sodomy Charges
Judge throws out government’s DNA evidence in surprising end to trial



POLITICS
Supreme Court To Hear Texas Redistricting Case

The Texas State Capitol in Austin

Did Federal judges go too far in drawing their own Congressional redistricting map after rejecting Texas’ plans?

2nd Division Soldiers On Lockdown At Ft. Lewis

Gingrich Catches Romney In Lie

Six Arrested In Weakly Attended Oakland Anti-Police March

Is South Carolina Perry’s Alamo?

Florida Lawmakers Open Session Facing $2 Billion Shortfall



THE ECONOMY, STUPID
At CES, Ultrabooks Take Aim At Apple
Earnings Growth Falters For S&P 500
Unemployment Scars Likely To Last For Years
European Stocks Climb Ahead Of Meeting
Asian Stocks Down As Debt Jitters Trump U.S. Jobs Data
Oil Hovers Below $102 Ahead Of European Meeting
The Critics Rave…For Microsoft?
Israel Vows To Retaliate After Citizens’ Credit Cards Hacked
Dodge Dart Joining Compact Car Race



SPORTS
Tebow Rules In OT, Too: Broncos 29, Steelers 33

Denver QB Tim Tebow celebrates after wild-card win

Tebow doesn’t just pull the trigger, he pulls upset with 80-yard TD pass in overtime

Falcons Flop Again In Playoffs (Video)

LSU-Bama Caps Crazy Weekend In Big Easy


Red Wings Win In OT; Blackhawks Lose 4th Straight

Full-Court Press: Thunder Become First To Win Three Games In Three Days

Peers Say Larkin Has Hall Of Fame Credentials

Akram Fears 0-4 Test For India Down Under



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
Beyonce Gives Birth To Blue Ivy Carter At Lenox Hill Hospital

Beyonce at the Video Music Awards last year

Rents out fourth floor of hospital for private delivery

A Message From Hillary And Chris Tyrrell Of Lady Antebellum

Brad Pitt Injures His Knee

Dark Roles Leave Charlize Theron Feeling A Little Blue

Scarlett Johansson Puts Mom In “Out” House

Katy Perry’s Heart Is “Happy Again”


George Clooney To Direct, Star In “Monuments Men” About Stolen Nazi Art

Fox Says No “Glee” Spinoff

Stars Of “In Living Color” Then And Now



FOREIGNERS
Iran Begins Enriching Uranium At Underground Complex Near Qom
Ahamdinejad Woos Chavez-Led Allies On Latin American Tour
Arab League to Increase Syria Monitors
Aussie Woman Survives Terrifying Fall As Bungee Snaps
Nigeria On Strike Over Rising Fuel Costs
On Uneasy ANC Centenary, A Call For Cleansing
Millions Defy Terror Threat To March In Manila Religious Procession
U.S. Expels Venezuela’s Consul In Miami



BLOGS & STUFF
Gateway Pundit: ABC’s Stephanopoulos Big Loser At NH Debate
Verum Serum: White House Covered Up 2009 Halloween Bash Hosted By Tim Burton, Johnny Depp
Ed Driscoll: “Somebody’s Going Down Tonight, But It Ain’t Going To Be Jobs, Sweetheart” (Video)
Powerline: Meet The Stress
Weasel Zippers: Kiss Of Death – Pelosi Endorses Ron Paul
Just One Minute: NYT On Obama’s Recess Appointments – Republicans Made Him Do It
Jihad Watch: Iranian Cleric Calls Facebook “Un-Islamic”, Membership “A Sin”
Zilla Of The Resistance: Welcome To The First Annual Zilla Awards!


SOTD: Big Time

Category: Live at Five

Rule 5 Sunday: Oshiete Koi wa Happiness?

Posted on | January 8, 2012 | 9 Comments

— compiled by Wombat-socho


This week the first blogger out of the inbox is The Rio Norte Line, who has a low opinion of Michael Bay but not Bay’s “friend” Lauren Stoner. Next up, the POH Diaries with Demi Moore, and Randy’s Roundtable with Mayra Suarez and Lindsay Ellingson. Laughing Conservative checks in with Aimee Teagarden and a video for a product that really sucks.


El Opinador Compulsivo returns with a tribute to one of Bob Dylan’s most famous songs, Cindy Crawford, Jolene Blalock , Sylvie Meis, Jessica Burciaga, and some random totty for your edification.


Fishersville Mike draws our attention to the People’s Choice, Kaley Cuoco, while the Eye of Polyphemus falls on Justin Buble’s missus, Luisana Lopilato. Reaganite Republican brings us curves of wonder from Down Under, while Three Beers Later brings us the Worst Audrey Hepburn Impersonation Ever. Me, I think I could live with it. Jake Finnegan’s Burkalesque Babe this week is Morgan Fairchild, daringly pictured with EXPOSED ANKLES. Dutsbury hits a triple this week with Danica McKellar, British MP Louise Mensch, and Paris Hilton not looking quite herself. That Mr. G. Guy has some adventures in Florida worth your time, while WyBlog finds some 5,000 year old Rule 5 goodness to celebrate Troglopundit’s 5,000th post.


Moving right along, Proof Positive has Claudia Bassols, Elsa Martinelli, the obligatory 49ers cheerleader, and a Sex In Advertising video.


A View From The Beach kicks off with Adriana Lima, Stephen Hawking on women (better than it sounds, trust me on this), Katy Perry video #1 and #2, Angelina Jolie Reproduced, and some pinups to commemorate the New Year.


Soylent Green also wishes us a happy new year in the appropriate manner, and brings Kymberly Herrin in as the Monday Motivationer. Then it’s back to work, but Titillation Tuesday brings Colleen Shannon, then Nelli Hunter for Hump Day, some corset dishevelment for Friday, something about the EU, and some Spassfabrik for the Orthodox Christmas last Friday. Now that’s what I call the ecumenical spirit!


The DaleyGator’s DaleyBabes this week begin with Megumi Ozawa, leading into Asian Babe Friday, and on to Nikita Esco, Holly Brisley, Rachel Bilson, Adree Desanti and Natalie Gulbis.


Thanks to all for your linkagery! Links for next week’s Rule 5 Sunday are due in to the Rule 5 Wombat mailbox by Saturday, January 14.

Category: Rule 5

‘I Knew Him, Horatio’

Posted on | January 8, 2012 | 11 Comments

HOLLIS, N.H.
Hamlet’s line about the late Yorick came to mind when I heard that former Washington Times editorial page editor Tony Blankley had died at age 63.

He was, among many other things, a splendid peacock in his wardrobe, giving no heed to those in Washington who suppose that influential men should limit their suits to dull grays and somber blues. I would often be out in front of the office having a cigarette break when Blankley arrived for work or returned from an event downtown, and we would sometimes have brief, lively discussions of policy or political issues.

Blankley became, for a few years, the most visible public face of the newspaper. When I would go to a conservative gathering and people would inquire where I worked, my reply that I worked at the Times would often elicit the response, “Oh, The Washington Times! I love Tony Blankley!”

He will be missed. R.I.P.

Category: Journalism
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