The Other McCain

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

Santorum Surge Gets Boost From Endorsements by Anti-Jihad Blogger, Conservative Billionaire and Iowa Secretary of State, But Mainly …

Posted on | December 9, 2011 | 37 Comments

. . . it was Zilla of the Resistance whose support proved to be decisive:

Rick Santorum is widely seen as the underdog in the race for the Republican nomination to top the GOP ticket against Obama, and the MSM wants you to think he doesn’t have a chance, but if you are reading this then chances are you are not interested in letting the MSM do your thinking for you and decide our country’s future anyway, right? . . .
You might say it would take a miracle for Rick Santorum to win the GOP nomination, but primary voting hasn’t even started yet, and . . . Miracles Keep Happening Every Day.

Go read the whole thing because, while the big names and big dollars make a difference in political warfare, sometimes the crucial turning point in a battle involves the actions of “minor” people whose names never make it into the history books, but whose individual decisions and tireless efforts are essential elements of a decisive trend.

Although he has not yet hit my tip jar, I’ve decided to forgive Foster Friess for giving money to Tucker Carlson, now that the conservative billionaire has endorsed the next President of the United States:

Rick Santorum is willing to put country ahead of himself and bear the political consequences. . . .
Recent kind comments by Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck affirm his ability to ignite the all important voters who believe our country is facing a decision between being governed by rules and regulations or inspired by values and virtues.
The energy and enthusiasm and dedication he exhibits can best be demonstrated by his visiting all 99 Iowa counties and moving his entire family to Iowa for seven weeks to let people assess who he really is and to see him up close and personal rather than through the gloss of television messaging. . . .
I like the guy. I like his wife. I like his kids. I like everything about him.

Read the whole thing because, you know, I can forgive a hell of a lot to a guy who assists my campaign to become the first U.S. Ambassador to Vanuatu. And speaking of gratitude, a diplomatic thank-you is owed to some guy you probably never heard of , but who is definitely somebody kind of important:

Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz will endorse Rick Santorum for president on Friday, he told The Des Moines Register . . .
Santorum promoted this coup [Thursday] by saying he’d have “a major announcement” during a campaign stop in the Des Moines area at 6 p.m. Friday. . . .
Schultz, who backed Mitt Romney four years ago, is one of the only statewide elected officials in Iowa to publicly back a GOP candidate this election cycle. . . .
Schultz, a 32-year-old Council Bluffs Republican, stayed neutral through the early stages of this presidential selection process because he supervised the ballots for this year’s Republican straw poll on Aug. 13 in Ames.

And — miracles do happen! — there’s already a Memeorandum thread with linkage by influential bloggers Da Tech Guy and Lisa Graas.

Every time a blogger endorses Rick Santorum, an angel gets his wings. Also, it makes Charles Johnson cry.

Isn’t it just amazing how these coincidences keep happening, as if orchestrated according to the unseen design of an intelligent being?

Ever since that earthquake in Vanuatu . . .

UPDATE: Guess I’d better include this:




Just in case Mr. Friess reads this, eh? But while we’re waiting, y’all should feel free to hit the tip jar for $10 or $20 to tide me over.

UPDATE II: Meanwhile, another Memeorandum thread as The Hill and ABC News report on the Schultz endorsement and the Santorum campaign has issued a “media advisory” informing us that, among other things, the next President of the United States will appear tonight on Sean Hannity’s Fox News program, which should be enough to send Charles Johnson into fits of apoplectic rage.

Ladd Ehlinger just called and said, “Where are you, man?”

To which I answered, “In my mind, I’m relaxing beside a pool beneath the swaying palm trees in Vanuatu.”

UPDATE III: Press release from the Santorum campaign:

Schultz Stands With Santorum!
Urbandale, IA – Today Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum received the endorsement of Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz. Schultz is the first Iowa statewide elected official to endorse a Republican presidential hopeful. In 2008, Schultz endorsed Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for President.
Senator Santorum said: “I am honored to receive Secretary of State Schultz’s endorsement today. Matt is a rising conservative star, not just in Iowa but for the entire nation. Matt built his own campaign for Secretary of State through grassroots campaigning and exciting activists – not through TV ads and occasional rallies in Des Moines. Matt went door-to-door, coffee shop to coffee shop and won over the people of Iowa. I learned from Matt Schultz how Iowa campaigns are run, and I am thrilled to have his vote of confidence today. I am excited to work with Matt over the next month as we execute our plan to win the Iowa caucuses.”
Matt Schultz was elected in 2008 to Iowa’s Secretary of State. Prior to his election in 2008, Schultz served on the Council Bluffs City Council from 2005 – 2008. Schultz has been committed to public service his entire life, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout and a twoyear Mormon mission to Argentina. Schultz holds an Associates Degree from BYU-Idaho, Bachelors Degree from the University of Iowa, and a Law Degree from Creighton University. Schultz and his wife Zola are the proud parents of three children: Levi, Hyrum, and Kendra.

Helpful reminder: It is a neutral objective fact that you can click here to contribute to Rick Santorum’s presidential campaign.

Category: Election 2012, Iowa, Rick Santorum

LIVE AT FIVETEN – 12.09.11

Posted on | December 9, 2011 | 6 Comments

— compiled by Wombat-socho


TOP NEWS
Gunman’s Motive Still Unclear After Virginia Tech Policeman Slain In Campus Ambush

Police secure the Virginia Tech campus after yesterday's shooting

Shooter committed suicide shortly after slaying policeman

UK Vetoes EU Treaty Change, Most Other EU Nations Sign On
Cameron says treaty changes not in UK’s interests


Death Toll Rises To 88 In Indian Hospital Fire
Kolkata hospital owners surrender to police after fire sweeps through building



POLITICS
Deadline Passes For Occupy Boston, But No Eviction

Occupy Boston: time's up

Deadline passed at midnight, but mayor set no time for actual eviction, police superintendent says

Ron Paul’s Strength May Help Romney In Iowa

Walmart Pepper Spray Suspect Won’t Face Felony Charges


Obama, GOP Continue Skirmishing On Payroll Tax Cut

EPA Report Links Fracking To Tainted Water; Inhofe Blasts Report For Lack Of Peer Review

Obama: “We Never Need An Excuse For A Good Party”

Senate GOP Blocks Cordray Nomination to CFPB



THE ECONOMY, STUPID
Stock Futures Advance After Euro Agreeement
Euro Leaders Agree On Austerity, Leave Details To ECB
French Banks’ Ratings Cut By Moody’s
Corzine Distances Himself For MF Global Collapse
CME Will Stay In Chicago
Australian Court Lifts Injunction, Clears Way For Samsung Galaxy Tab Sales
Twitter Redesigns Itself To Take On Facebook
Motorola Score Injunction Against iPhone/iPad In Germany
Google Debuts Digital Magazine For Mobile Devices



SPORTS
NBA Nixes Chris Paul Trade (Video)

NBA Commissioner talks to press after ratification of CBA

League nixes three-team trade that would have sent Paul from league-owned Hornets to the Lakers

Steelers March On Behind Gritty Roethlisberger

How Albert Pujols Became An Angel

Packers Sell 185,000 Shares Of Stock

Moore Leads Lightning To Victory

Astros Introduce Jeff Luhnow As New GM

Indycar Won’t Return To Vegas In 2012


Three And Out: Lions Try To Exploit Battered Vikings

Maple Leafs Close To Sale To Rogers

Red Sox Cautious About Yu Darvish Interest

Nationals’ Plans Dashed As Marlins Sign Buehrle



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
Michelle Duggar Miscarries

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar

Routine checkup for child #20 indicates second trimester miscarriage

“America’s Next Top Model” Finale Ends In Controversy

Matt Damon On Paparrazzi Showdowns, Karaoke Dates

Dianna Agron, Sebastian Stan Split

Overweight K-Fed Collapses During Weight Loss Show

Lionsgate To Re-Make “American Psycho”


Angelina Jolie And “Kung Fu Panda 2”

Ice Cube: It’s Official, I’m Bringing “Friday” Back

Uma Thurman Joins NBC’s “Smash”

Guy Ritchie, Lionel Wigram Join “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”



FOREIGNERS
Tensions Rise At EU Summit
Russians Fight Facebook, Twitter Battles Over Putin Election
Iran Shows Off Captured US Drone
Gaza Rocket Fire Continues
Pakistan Boosts Air Defenses Along Afghan Border
Turkey “Can’t Stand By” If Syrian Repression Threatens Regional Stability
Japan Whalers Take Sea Shepherd To Court
Muslim Brotherhood Withdraws From Egyptian Military’s Advisory Council



BLOGS & STUFF
Rand Paul: GOP Would Take Giant Step Backward By Choosing Gingrich
Legal Insurrection: Romney’s Strategy Of Crazy
Michelle Malkin: Holder, Blago, Richardson – Triangle Of Sleaze
Lonely Conservative: Obama Claims Payroll Tax Cut, Unemployment Benefits Better For Economy Than Keystone XL Project
Power Line: A Fast & Furious State Of Mind
Gateway Pundit: Obama Celebrates Hanukkah Two Weeks Early, Lights All The Candles
Ed Driscoll: Sky Captain And The Self-Hating Yuppies Trapped In Yesterday
Troglopundit: Well, Doesn’t This Sheikh Think Highly Of Himself


SOTD: Hand Of Fate

Category: Live at Five

If You Can’t Take the Pain …

Posted on | December 9, 2011 | 4 Comments

. . . stay out of the damned blogosphere.

That thought crossed my mind this morning when I learned why Your Friendly Neighborhood Wombat was late today with his daily “Live at Five” headline roundup: Complete exhaustion.

Wombat’s been doing this gig since last fall, when I sketched out the cocktail-napkin concept for “Live at Five” over lunch beers at the first BlogCon where I wasn’t invited to speak (a description necessary to distinguish the 2010 event in Virginia from this year’s decisive “Not Good Enough for BlogCon” event in Denver). And like Smitty, Wombat’s brilliant and valuable efforts have been uncompensated, although certainly not unappreciated.

There is no justice in this world, or else my loyal colleagues would be paid six figures annually for putting up with my ridiculous nonsense. As it is, their indispensible efforts go toward the sustaining a project begun by the man now known (thanks to Tabitha Hale) as America’s Least-Respected Conservative Blogger.

Unlike myself, both these guys have what are known as “Real Lives,” so that their contributions to The Other McCain are labors of love, evidently considering it their patriotic duty to make this blog a success.

One of these days, perhaps, our Underpants Gnome business model will result in an avalanche of wealth from the 1%, but in the meantime, I’m gonna have to try to find some way to put something under their Christmas trees, so please: Hit the freaking tip jar!

 




 

UPDATE: Today’s “Live at Ten” is the beau ideal of excellence in aggregation, once more demonstrating the superiority of our personnel, who consistently outperform the overpaid “professional” contributors at other blogs. While I would like to take credit for Wombat’s work — having spotted him as an unheralded genius of the ‘sphere — I must be content to bask in the reflection of the glory that is uniquely his.

All hail the Wombat!

Category: Blogging, Live at Five

Iowa or Bust: Rick Perry Campaign Compelled to Try ‘Last Ditch’ Strategy

Posted on | December 9, 2011 | 6 Comments

It’s been a while since we’ve updated you on the tragic fate of The Smilin’ Texan whom I first dubbed the “Phantom Menace” back in August, when he was running TV ads in Iowa even while planning to announce his candidacy in South Carolina. (“Howdy. Thank You, Erick.”) And now we find the former front-runner facing dire straits in the Hawkeye State:

Wednesday, Perry began airing an Iowa ad in which he promises to “end Obama’s war on religion” and “fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage.” That ad sparked controversy because Perry mentions the recent repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, saying: “You don’t need to be in the pew every Sunday to know there’s something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can’t openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.” Yet Perry’s spokesman blunted the potential impact of that ad by disclaiming any intention by the candidate to reinstate the policy prohibiting open homosexuality in the armed services.
Michael O’Brien of NBC News described the Perry ads as “part of an emergent strategy … a last-ditch effort to revive his campaign,” and quoted Sarah Huckabee Sanders saying “that’s probably the only path he has left, to be honest.” Sanders is the daughter of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who won the Iowa caucuses during his 2008 Republican presidential campaign. . . .

Read the whole thing at The American Spectator.
 
 

 
RECENTLY:


Category: Election 2012, Iowa, Rick Perry

Miracles Keep Happening Every Day

Posted on | December 8, 2011 | 66 Comments

What were the odds, huh? Michele Bachmann becomes the fifth Republican presidential candidate to turn down the Donald Trump/NewsMax debate, meaning that on Dec. 27, it’s Newt Gingrich vs. Rick Santorum. This is like the Philly palooka Rocky Balboa getting a shot at Apollo Creed. And Rick’s OK with that:

“Many of my opponents jockeyed to be the first to fly up to New York and use Donald Trump for a photo op and no doubt try and secure an endorsement. But when Donald wants to moderate a debate — they refuse to attend. That’s what’s so wrong with politics today — hypocrisy. At this critical time in our nation’s history, just weeks before Iowans cast this important vote — many of the other candidates want to hide behind TV ads and mail pieces. We plan to be there front and center in person to debate Newt directly, and if it’s just the two of us, we’re fine with it.
“There’s no doubt that any of us are better than Barack Obama — however, we can’t afford to put up a person who can’t clearly articulate a vision or has a glass jaw or an unprincipled past. Donald Trump knows business and knows global markets — and we all know he’ll be able to bring in a broad audience. And let’s be honest, at least Donald Trump will have more in common with the candidates than with the vast majority of past moderators.”

Lisa Graas credits Santorum’s “moral reasoning.” I’d call it a miracle. What were the two things Santorum needed? Publicity, and a chance to show himself the equal of the front-runners.

Boom! He’s got it.

What else does he need? Money.

We’ve had miracles every day since that earthquake in Vanuatu.

UPDATE: “Perry bets the house on social conservatives.”

Yeah. Too little, too late. Iowa’s biggest evangelical leader endorsed Rick Santorum a week ago.

RECENTLY:

Category: Debates, Donald Trump, Election 2012, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum

Glenn Beck’s Big Announcement: Restoring Love, 26-28 July, 2012

Posted on | December 8, 2011 | 4 Comments

by Smitty

What is Restoring Love?
Restoring Love will be a reminder that we best serve our God when we serve each other. It is a reminder that capitalism is not about who can make the most money and that charity is not just about giving handouts, but must include a hand-up.
Restoring Love will bring 100,000 people to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and have them serve individuals and communities where the need is great but resources are limited. It is about the recognition that we are all brothers and sisters.

I like Beck. His effort is a pure play to refresh our Judeo-Christian foundations. While I wouldn’t oversell the sacred value of his arguments, the secular value is undeniable. He’s going to end up giving a three day, worked example of what other recent protests, *cough*Occupy*cough*, could do if they weren’t total noise.

Watching his video intro, I was terrified he was going to announce the formation of a political party. Thanks for not going there, Glenn.

Unfortunately, the World’s Youngest Blogger will be celebrating one year on 26 July, and thus really won’t be up to travel.

Category: Glenn Beck

Impeachy-Keen Times For BHO’s Admin.?

Posted on | December 8, 2011 | 9 Comments

by Smitty

The DC Caller:

Wisconsin Republican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, a former chairman of the House Judiciary Committee where Attorney General Eric Holder testified on Thursday, suggested that impeachment of administration officials involved with Operation Fast and Furious may be the only way to bring the scandal to a close.
In a heated exchange between Sensenbrenner and Holder during Thursday’s Judiciary Committee hearing, Sensenbrenner said impeachment is one option on the table if Holder and the Justice Department continue to withhold information from congressional investigators.
Sensenbrenner didn’t specify which administration officials he thinks could face impeachment proceedings, or if Holder is among them. But he did say the drastic measure would be a last resort.

This is one of a half a dozen issues for which the GOP, and GOP presidential candidates, should be wrecking the Obama Administration on a daily basis.

In particular, I want know just how the candidates plan to reform the DOJ. Load-shedding major portions of the staff there seems draconian, but what credible alternative is there for restoring validity after this buffoon Holder?

I still maintain that Holder really doesn’t care one whit about these hearings or the threat of impeachment. Holder knows Barack’s got his back. That is, a pardon. The only way to threaten that is for a credible impeachment threat to emerge. But how do you get by the Worst Senator in History (six weeks and change until 1,000 days since last budget) in order to hold #OccupyResoluteDesk accountable?

Hillary just doesn’t seem up to a full-on coup here.

More at Memeorandum.

Category: Barack Obama, Democrats, Eric Holder, Hillary Clinton

‘10,000 Marbles, Please’

Posted on | December 8, 2011 | 40 Comments

“Pastor Gordon might not be much of an Animal House fan, but he is in effect acting as the Eric Stratton of Iowa conservatives, providing the decisive approval of a madcap scheme proposed by the frat-house slob who, as we all know, is destined to become Senator Joseph Blutarsky. And the dramatic parallel is almost perfect, in that the major media seem to have decided for us that this year’s GOP race is going to be as orderly as a homecoming parade — ‘now that the GOP race has narrowed to a two-man contest between Gingrich and Romney,’ as Maggie Haberman of Politico said.
“Really? Is that it?
“The only choice is between Mitt RomneyCare and Newt the Scozzafava-Hugger?
“Maybe. I dunno. I’m not one of those Smart People like Rove and Krauthammer.
“Maybe social conservatives in Iowa are going to let Maggie Haberman tell them who to vote for. But forgive me for having the urge to walk into the five-and-dime store and ask the clerk, ‘Could I buy 10,000 marbles, please?’ Because if the Iowa caucuses are the Faber College homecoming parade, then the Rick Santorum campaign is a float in the shape of a birthday cake, emblazoned with an immortal motto: ‘Eat Me.'”
— Robert Stacy McCain, Hot Air, “Where’s the Spirit? Where’s the Guts, Huh?”

You know what I hate? I hate when people who think they’re smarter than me try to tell me what to think. So anybody who imagined I would let a liberal like Maggie Haberman tell me that the Republican presidential race is now an either/or contest between Mitt and Newt — well, you don’t know me very well.

That 19-minute Cary Gordon video was on my mind when I woke up this morning, but I didn’t know what I was going to do with it until I saw that Politico article: Little Miss Smarty Britches telling me what to think.

Like that big cake says, sweetheart: “Eat Me.”

RICK SANTORUM for PRESIDENT
Just to piss off Maggie Haberman


UPDATE: Instapundit rolls over for Romney? When I learned about that from Andrew J. Patrick, I was kind of shocked. But meanwhile, we have this interesting news from Kerry Picket:

Santorum also received complimentary words from former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin last weekend on the Fox News Channel, prompting some to wonder if her support in the future could help the Pennsylvania Republican go further in the primaries.
“As my folks out there in Iowa are telling me, getting folks to come on board is getting easier everyday,” he said.
Mr. Santorum is participating in Donald Trump’s and Newsmax’s sponsored debate on December 27. Whether the debate turns out to be only a two man forum, Santorum appeared eager to be part of the debate, calling it “a great thing.” Perhaps he is right. Mr. Santorum, right now, is the only other GOP candidate who is part of the forum besides front-runner Newt Gingrich . . .

It’s weird how these little coincidences keep happening. That debate is scheduled for the day after I arrive in Iowa. And who would have ever imagined that Donald Trump, of all people, would give Santorum a straight-up shot at debating the media-anointed front-runner?

UPDATE II: Lisa Graas says this is her favorite part of a post at Hot Air:

Palin is still a player in this race especially among the grassroots, and so speculation about what Palin’s kind words mean for Santorum shouldn’t be taken lightly.

“Ramming Speed!”

UPDATE III: “Something so viscerally right that I think we can all agree on it.”

Category: Election 2012, Hot Air, Iowa, Rick Santorum
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