The Other McCain

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

Boston Postcards

Posted on | October 15, 2010 | 2 Comments

BOSTON — Some photos of the stuff I’ve been covering yesterday and today:

You might recognize the guy with the camera. So what’s Ladd Ehlinger Jr. doing in Boston?

OK, I can’t tell you exactly what Ladd’s doing here, but in this photo he is talking to Kiera and in maybe a week you’ll know what this is all about.

This is the front door of the Bill Hudak for Congress campaign headquarters in Danvers. The note taped to the door says the headquarters closed early because of the debate with Democrat John Tierney in nearby Beverly. 

A young Hudak supporter holds a sign in front of the auditorium in Beverly where the debate with Tierney was held.

Bill Hudak shakes hands with supporters before Thursday’s debate.

Perretti’s tobacco shop in downtown Boston.

I’m staying here until tomorrow evening, and then Pete Da Tech Guy is driving me back home to Maryland. We’re going to take a couple of days to make the trip; and make stops to cover a couple of congressional campaigns along the way. Pete needs $300 more in tip jar hits to pay for the car rental and gasoline, so get over there and hit Da Tip Jar!

Category: Congress, Da Tech Guy, Election, Massachusetts

Thanks, Professor Reynolds

Posted on | October 15, 2010 | 9 Comments

Barney Frank and his lover take a private jet ride to the Virgin Islands with a hedge fund billionaire, prompting Professor Glenn Reynolds to proclaim:

I don’t want to hear one goddamned word about my freaking carbon footprint from Barney Frank, or his cronies.

He speaks for millions.

Category: Congress, Election, Massachusetts, Scandal

Reporting News That Liberals Want You to Ignore? ‘Right-Wing Attack Site’!

Posted on | October 15, 2010 | 4 Comments

BOSTON — A rainy morning in Massachusetts and here’s my latest column at The American Spectator:

Tina Hood of Worcester said “it blew my mind” when she heard her congressman say, “I think the Constitution is wrong.”
Rep. Jim McGovern later called his statement a “slip of the tongue,” but to Ms. Hood — a citizen who questioned the Democrat during a debate Wednesday night at Shrewsbury High School — it seemed more like a contradiction of his oath of office.
McGovern’s words were one of those campaign moments that no one could predict, and which might conceivably change the outcome in Massachusetts’ 3rd District. The seven-term incumbent was expressing his disagreement with Supreme Court decisions that have voided key elements of federal campaign-finance laws when he uttered the blunt six-word sentence. This seemed to fit Michael Kinsley’s definition of a “gaffe” as what happens when a politician accidently speaks the truth. McGovern’s notions of unbounded federal authority — not merely in campaign finance regulation, but in nearly everything — cause conservatives to doubt the Democrat’s fealty to the Constitution.
Whatever McGovern meant to say Wednesday, what he actually said was said in front of video cameras and quickly spread via YouTube. It got McGovern’s Republican opponent Marty Lamb mentioned on Mark Levin’s nationally syndicated radio program and resulted in Lamb being interviewed Thursday on Howie Carr’s popular Boston talk-radio show. . . .

Please read the whole thing. Over at Alan Colmes’ “Liberaland” blog, Sandi Behrns dubs us a “right-wing attack site,” as if criticism is automatically discredited whenever it is directed at a liberal Democrat.

Doing reporting that discomfits liberals? You must be evil!

At any rate, there’s a Memeorandum thread, and I’ve got more work to do today. The main point of my column is that Marty Lamb needs more money if he is to hold Jim McGovern accountable. We’re 18 days away from Nov. 2. Time’s a-wastin’.

MARTY LAMB for U.S. CONGRESS

UPDATE: What would Sandi Behrns call the sites attacking Massachusetts Republican Bill Hudak?

The race between U.S. Rep. John Tierney and GOP challenger Bill Hudak veered into gutter politics yesterday as online attack ads surfaced that brand the Republican a “racist” and a “nut.” . . .

Keep in mind that Hudak is running against a guy, John Tierney, who is married to the mob. But of course, Bill Hudak must be evil. He thinks the Constitution is right.

The possibility of a Democratic meltdown is reported at “right-wing attack site” Ace of Spades.

UPDATE II: Howie Carr calls Jim McGovern “Castro’s man in the 3rd District.”

Category: Congress, Election, Marty Lamb, Massachusetts

If You Have Materially Supported Candidate(s), You Can Watch This

Posted on | October 15, 2010 | 4 Comments

by Smitty

Phone banking last night consisted of rounding up support for lawn sign assembly today. Presumably, we’ll be hitting the district Saturday with intent to distribute. Signs. Here is some eye candy for those who have earned it, via Ace:

Usual disclaimers:

  • Don’t get cocky.
  • Stand by for one mother of a hangover once the full ramifications of the Progressive century are rammed.
  • If you’re in a safe GOP district, find a way to help one less fortunate.
  • Don’t think the GOP can’t repeat the failures of the ’90s.
Category: Republicans

LIVE AT FIVE – 10.15.10

Posted on | October 15, 2010 | 6 Comments

TOP NEWS

Judge Vinson Rules Obamacare Lawsuit May Proceed

Camellias !=bears

Alleged bear hunter wants to hear more from DOJ about how “interstate commerce” magically becomes “all commerce everywhere”

DOJ Requests Stay Of DADT Injunction From Judge
Will submit formal appeal Monday; meanwhile Obama says DADT “will end on my watch”

Offers Pour In To Rescued Miners
Including invites to Graceland, soccer games

Iranian Prez Rails Against Israel At Border Rally In Lebanon
Oh, wait…not exactly news, is it?



POLITICS

Angle, Reid Square Off For Only Debate

Sharron Angle

Heading into debate, polls show Angle leading

Michelle Obama May Have Violated Ill. Election Laws
No campaigning at the polls, ma’am.






President Gets Rough Reception At Town Hall
Tough questions, testy answers

Liberal Groups Lag In Last-Minute Fundraising

GOP Looks For New England Revival



THE ECONOMY, STUPID

Stocks End Down On Jobs, Foreclosure Concerns

Google Beats Estimates, Rakes In Billions From Android, Online Ad Sales

CVS Fined $75 Million For Meth Ingredient Sales

Dollar Keeps Falling As Investors Expect More Liquidity From The Fed



SPORTS

Confirmed: Rookie McCoy To Start For Battered Browns Against Steelers

Only known pic of Colt McCoy in a Browns jersey

Injuries rampant for hard-luck Browns

MLB Pennant Series: Could Pitchers’ Party Do The Monster Mash Instead?

Gordon Claims First Pole Of NASCAR Season At Charlotte

Favre Limited In Practice Thursday With Elbow, Continued New Groin Problems

Colonel Reb Retired At Ole Miss; Replaced By Black Bear



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS

Sainz Says No To Playboy Pics, Locker Rooms

Ines Sainz, dressed professionally

Will, however, be interviewing Ben Roethlisberger soon

Snooki Goes Solo In Spinoff

Taylor Momsen Talks About Sex, Tommy Lee

Gayest Navy Film Not Featuring Village People Gets Sequel

Lohan’s Lawyer Says Escape Story Bogus

Linda Evangelista Back On The Market

Taylor Swift On Growing Up



FOREIGNERS

Pakistani Police Thwart Assassination Plot Aimed At PM

UN Troops To Deploy On North/South Sudan Border

First Hitler Exposition Set To Open In Berlin; Germans Nervous

Center-right Coalition To Lead Dutch Government



BLOGS & STUFF

Glenn Beck: Punish Obama For Smears, Donate To Chamber

C4P: Even The Atlantic Admits O’Donnell Did Well In Debate

Hit & Run: Can’t You Read The Signs?

Weasel Zippers: GOP To Target Obama’s Czars In January



— compiled by Wombat-socho

Category: Uncategorized

A Flock of Ravens

Posted on | October 15, 2010 | 4 Comments

Residents of Washington, D.C., report that the city has lately been plagued by flocks of ravens. The spooky black birds have been making quite a nuisance of themselves in the vicinity of 425 2nd Street NE, headquarters of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Jeffrey Lord of the American Spectator had a couple of interesting exchanges Thursday with a spokesman for the NRSC. Lord asked the spokesman if Christine O’Donnell’s criticism of the NRSC was accurate, and got a lengthy response from the spokesman.

Well, we remember how NRSC Chairman John Cornyn tried to fix the Florida primary for his buddy Charlie Crist. We also remember how Cornyn was singing the praises of Arlen Specter right up until the moment when Specter declared he was a Democrat. We remember many other things that have occurred during Cornyn’s tenure at the NRSC.

Ah, but there is the problem of that raven infestation at the NRSC’s offices. There are reportedly hundreds of them flocking around the place night and day, frightening passersby with their eerie croakiing cries.

Some report that it sounds like the ravens are saying, “Cornyn.” Others say the ravens are croaking, “Nevermore.”

Category: American Spectator

It’s a Small World, After All

Posted on | October 14, 2010 | 3 Comments

BOSTON — I called a source tonight to see if there had been any developments with Marty Lamb‘s campaign in the 3rd District. Well, yes, Mark Levin had mentioned the campaign and Howie Carr had interviewed Marty and — the latest news — there was this mention from a certain nationally known conservative columnist:

Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, where even Barney Frank is feeling an unwelcome hot breath on the back of his neck, rails against the way that the media has been opened up to peasants, peons, coolies, rednecks, tea sippers and other rustics no longer willing to stay in their place. “We have a lousy Supreme Court decision that has opened the floodgates,” he said in remarks about the Citizens United decision that the First Amendment applies to everybody. “I think the Constitution is wrong.”

Heh. Like the Old Man always said: “Get it first, get it right.”

Category: Congress, Election, Marty Lamb, Massachusetts

Trying To Help George Will Catch Up

Posted on | October 14, 2010 | 10 Comments

by Smitty

Another day, another George Will column that raises some great points without really seeming to grasp what’s afoot.

George F. Will Smitty
A historic shift in the making this election?
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Voters seem to think Congress is like a weedy lot — that anything done to it will improve it — so they seem poised to produce something not seen since 1981-82. Then, for the first time since 1952, a majority of senators were in their first terms. This was the result of three consecutive churning elections — 1976, 1978 and 1980.

There certainly will be new senators from 14 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah and West Virginia. Furthermore, Alaska’s incumbent, Lisa Murkowski, whom the American Conservative Union ranks as the fourth-most liberal Senate Republican and who already has been rejected by Republicans in the primary, may lose her sore-loser write-in candidacy. Democratic incumbent Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas is behind by 20 points in the RealClearPolitics average of polls. Democratic incumbent Russ Feingold of Wisconsin is behind by an average of 6.7 points. And Democratic incumbent Michael Bennet of Colorado, appointed to the seat vacated when Ken Salazar became secretary of the interior, trails by a RealClearPolitics average of three points.

 Congress, like any compost heap, merits regular turning. Re-election needs to be a less common outcome, and ‘political career’ an oxymoron. While we may not require explicit term limits, such should be enforced at the ballot box by an informed electorate, and the incentives to send the same boobs back, election after election, must be reduced.
So there could be at least 18 freshmen senators in January. And several other incumbents — all Democrats — could lose. Since popular election of senators became mandatory in 1913, the largest crop of freshmen, 20, resulted from the 1978 upheaval that presaged the 18 new senators produced by the 1980 election.
If senators in their first terms are a majority of the body in 2011, there might be an anomalous condition that would have perplexed and perhaps vexed the Founding Fathers: The average seniority of House members might be higher than the average seniority of senators.		 What a specious comparison. The 17th Amendment altered the Congress from one body representing We The People, and another representing the States, to Little House and Big House. The Founding Fathers would have screamed at the 17th Amendment, and gone berserk at the accompanying 16th Amendment and Federal Reserve Act, which fell triptych laid the foundation for our current economic non-success.
The Senate, with indirect election of its members (by state legislatures) and six-year terms, was designed to be Congress’s more stable half. If there is a majority of first-term members in 2011, many new members will have won by expressing disgust with Washington’s mores. This will challenge even the formidable leadership skills of Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. More stable half? How about the voice of the States as political entities in the Federal government, George? Or do you not think the short-cicuiting of the chain of command, which has resulted in 50 beggars supported by Federal alms, was a really lousy situation to create?
After November, Republican eyes will turn to the prize of the presidency in 2012. Concerning which, McConnell sees cautionary lessons from three other years — 1946, 1954 and 1994.
In 1946, President Truman’s party lost control of both the House and Senate. In 1948, however, Truman won an improbable reelection running against the “do-nothing 80th Congress.” In 1954, President Eisenhower’s party lost control of the House and Senate. But two years later, Eisenhower was resoundingly reelected. In 1994, President Clinton’s party lost control of the House and Senate. In 1996, Clinton cruised to reelection, partly because of reckless behavior — e.g., the government shutdown of 1995 — by congressional Republicans. 		Every one of these situations you cite results in greater Federal power. Without getting all tinfoil hat, is it possible that there is a pattern of de facto collapse from 50 to 1 State to be discovered in all this?
Regarding House races, Jay Cost of the Weekly Standard notes that the Democratic Party has “an inefficiently distributed base of voters.” It “consists mostly of union workers, upscale urban liberals, and minority voters, many of whom are clustered in highly Democratic districts.” In many other districts, Democratic candidates depend on “independents and soft partisans,” the very voters who have defected from the Obama coalition of 2008.
If Democrats lose control of the House by a small number of seats, this might be condign punishment for a practice they favor and that Republicans have cynically encouraged — racial gerrymandering. It concentrates African American voters in majority-minority districts to guarantee the election of minority candidates.		 It’s the Information Age. We need to systematically attack the structural members of incumbency. For, say, a $10k prize, how about a map algorithm that takes various parameters; population, economy, voting district area, &c, and seeks to rationalize the absurd districting? With such an open algorithm, the battle would move to ensuring the input parameters were reasonably acquired and weighted. We need to observe every behavior undertaken by the thieves who’ve broken this country and set about methodically demolishing those habits, with an eye to lowering the frequency of incumbency.
On Nov. 2, there will be 37 gubernatorial elections. On Wednesday, Nov. 3, when the 15-month dash to the Iowa caucuses begins, Republicans may be savoring gains of eight or more governors, to a total of at least 31. They also may have gained 500 seats in state legislatures, mostly by retaking seats lost in the last two elections. This would expand Republican power over the redistricting that will be based on the 2010 census. Polidata Inc. estimates that states carried in 2008 by John McCain will gain a net of seven seats (and electoral votes) and that states Barack Obama carried will lose seven. What can those governors do to restrain Federal overreach? The money that funds the country should come up from the States, and not trickle down from Washington, DC. Or do you not see the current cart/horse inversion as much of a problem, George?
Finally, Curtis Gans, director of the Center for the Study of the American Electorate, reports that this year, for the first time since 1930, more Republicans — nearly 4 million more — than Democrats voted in midterm primaries. This “enthusiasm gap” favoring Republicans may close somewhat by Nov. 2, but that may be too late for many Democratic candidates:

Voting began in seven states in September. By Nov. 2, almost 40 percent of all ballots will have been cast.

Hey, that’s great, George. If this was more than a WaPo column, it would have been cool to see some sage advice. How do we re-establish the idea that peacetime deficit spending is immoral. The national debt: do we just punt? How about unsustainable entitlements? Is incumbency an issue? I realize that you’re one of the Really Smart People, but we need you to do more than just describe things here. Could you, I dunno, do more than write off energetic, charismatic leadership like Sarah Palin and Christine O’Donnell? I mean, it’s sort of whacky, but most of the leaders you mention positively seem to be of the same stripe that have helped create the Progressive mess we currently enjoy.
Thanks, George.
–Chris
Category: George Will
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