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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Endorsement Watch

Posted by: Amanda Carpenter at 11:16 PM

Although everyone has been understandably transfixed with Obama's inauguration, there is an important election still underway: the race for RNC Chair.

I got word from Team Anuzis that Saul racked up a big endorsement today from New Hampshire powerhouse and National Committeewoman Phyllis Woods.

Woods is a strong conservative, a 2003 "Eagle Forum Award" winner from Phyliss Schlafly to boot, whose endorsement was surely courted by several of the candidates.

Anuzis was the one who got it in the end.

"I believe Saul Anuzis stands out as the kind of 'boots on the ground', easily accessible, and responsive leader we need to get our party back on track," she wrote in her endorsement letter. "His ideology is most closely aligned with my own on core Republican values and social issues, and like me, he’s an indefatigable optimist. He has the unique ability to bring our social and economic conservatives together. As a movement conservative and someone who has long been an activist in conservative causes, he has the credibility and relationships to bridge the gap as we work to regain our majority by appealing to Reagan Democrats and independents alike. As someone said, Saul is a 'full spectrum conservative.'"

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Something Has to Be Said

Posted by: Amanda Carpenter at 8:33 PM

The utter lack of ooh-ing and ah-ing over Michelle Obama's inauguration wear should tell you something. It was bad.

She's worn beautiful things in the past. I tend to think saturated, jewel tones (royal purple, forest green, dark teal, deep orange) look great on her. That split-pea/yellow color she wore earlier today, however, is impossible for 95 percent of women to carry off. I'd say Michelle is included in that number. She sure does seem to like that chartreuse-y tone, though.The famous JCrew outfit she wrote on Jay Leno has the same color scheme.

If that particular hue becomes a crayola crayon, I think it should be named "sour sunshine."

Now, to the formal wear. I have nothing against an off-the shoulder, white gown (Nancy Reagan looked great in hers) but Michelle's ballgown was simply not flattering. The cut didn't do her statuesque figure any favors, in my humble opinion.

Nothing, however, could take away from the First Couple's romantic dance---it's beautiful to see a couple so in love.

Of course, this doesn't matter at all in the big picture. The only one I've heard say it should even be discussed is Barbara Walters, who said on The View, the other day, "I think you can tell what the Administration is going to be like by what the First Lady wears."

I wouldn't go that far, but it is fun for political women to talk political fashion. For all you men out there, understand clothes and makeup are like football for women. We can talk about it with anybody, it's a good icebreaker, it's always fun. We'll be saying "What did you think of Michelle's dress?" at the water coolers while you all are crying about your NFL team not making it to the Superbowl.

Anyway, I'll going to the Fox DC Bureau for late night Inaugural Ball coverage where I am told Michelle's dresses will not be one of the main topics.

Darn.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Emblematic of the Upcoming Presidency?

Posted by: Carol Platt Liebau at 3:09 PM

It could be argued that President Obama's speech was, in a sense, emblematic of the situation he now confronts. His very welcome "shout out" of defiance to the terrorists reflects the fact that no longer can he (or any Democrat) critique safely from the sidelines. The nation's security rests squarely on their shoulders.

In yet a larger sense, however, it seems clear that the speech failed to live up to expectations. That's not because it was a bad speech; in fact, it was a very graceful one. But anticipation for it was sky-high it -- one commentator yesterday was speculating that it would be a "speech for the ages." Well, not exactly, as it turned out.

Those outsized expectations and that sense of anticlimax may be one of President Obama's greatest problems. When the oceans don't fall, or the world fails to salute us as its designated leader (and it was interesting to see someone who is supposed to be so tuned into world opinion announcing that it would lead everyone else -- that plays well at home, but not so much overseas), what happens then?

On a final, frivolous note: It will be interesting to see Michelle Obama's ball gown this evening. I wasn't so much a fan of her outfit this morning. Maybe it's personal taste, but what's with the sparkle/bling in the daytime? And if you're going to wear a very specific color, like chartreuse, the gloves need to be dyed to match. Just an opinion from someone who's never laid claim to fashionista status . . .

In any case, we wish them all personal happiness, and even political success -- when it's in the best interests of the country we all love.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Update on Sens. Byrd and Kennedy

Posted by: Carol Platt Liebau at 3:08 PM

Senator Kennedy had convulsions and Senator Byrd was so upset by the occurrence that he, too, had to be removed.

Our prayers, of course, are with them both.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Sad News

Posted by: Amanda Carpenter at 2:54 PM

There is news coming off the Hill that Senator Byrd and Kennedy both had to leave the Capitol luncheon because of illness.

Word is that Kennedy, who is suffering from brain cancer, began convulsing. No specifics on what happened to Byrd, the Senate's oldest member.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Olberman Calls Townhall a 'Lunatic Fringe Website'

Posted by: Matt Lewis at 2:33 PM

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

So Much for Respect

Posted by: Amanda Carpenter at 12:48 PM

It's not surprising www.whitehouse.gov was turned over to President Obama the minute he became President.

This sort of post-campaign sort Bush-bashing is surprising to me. This is one of the first items posted on Obama's presidential website.

"President Obama will keep the broken promises made by President Bush to rebuild New Orleans... President Obama swiftly responded to Hurricane Katrina. Citing the Bush Administration's 'unconscionable ineptitude' in responding to Hurricane Katrina, then-Senator Obama introduced legislation requiring disaster planners to take into account the specific needs of low-income hurricane victims."

"Broken promises"? "Unconscionable ineptitute"? Seems petty after that big speech about coming together.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Off-Key

Posted by: Jonathan Garthwaite at 12:29 PM

Perhaps I'm not an impartial judge but President Obama's speech seemed very off-key to me. As much as Obama's campaign speeches contained liberalism, I was always impressed by his speechwriters and his delivery.

Today was not the same. Perhaps the cold got to him but the speech sounded like they were trying to thread the needle of the sobering reality we face and lofty hope and change from the campaign -- and missed the mark. I am going to have to read the speech again but right now it seems he failed to meet expectations.

As I said, who cares what us conservative types think.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

iNauguration

Posted by: Jonathan Garthwaite at 12:20 PM

UStream advertised that they were streaming the inauguration through a new iPhone application. ? It actually worked as advertised.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Speech

Posted by: Jonathan Garthwaite at 12:09 PM

Drudge has the full text of Obama's inaugural address.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

"Sea of Humanity"

Posted by: Jonathan Garthwaite at 10:20 AM

Add "sea of humanity" to the list of overused words today.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Inauguration Day

Posted by: Carol Platt Liebau at 10:07 AM

It's become a cliche, but we are blessed to live in a country where the transition of power is peaceful and orderly. There will be plenty of occasions where I will disagree with President Obama, but like all patriotic Americans, I wish him and his family well.

As for President Bush, in my judgment, most of his decisions -- and especially the big ones -- will be vindicated by history. He did what he thought best for the country, and he kept us safe. God bless him and his family, and thank you.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Ohio Senate Poll

Posted by: Matt Lewis at 10:06 AM

This might get lost in all of the Inaugural news, but Politico posted a poll yesterday on the Ohio Senate race in 2010. Rob Portman leads all three potential Democratic candidates, but trails all off them in name recognition.

This might indicate that Portman is not totally assured of winning the GOP nomination in that race, and his lack of name recognition could be welcome news to other Republicans thnking of jumping in - namely State Auditor Mary Taylor. Might be an option worth, at least, considering

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Sen. Cornyn Delays Clinton Confirmation

Posted by: Jonathan Garthwaite at 10:03 AM

Fox News reports that Senator Cornyn of Texas has put a hold on her nomination which will prevent her confirmation from happening today.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Why Obama's stimulus is a big bad idea

Posted by: Jonathan Garthwaite at 9:45 AM

It will take years to have any effect.

Overall, only $26 billion out of $274 billion in infrastructure spending would be delivered into the economy by the Sept. 30 end of the budget year, just 7 percent. Just one in seven dollars of a huge $18.5 billion investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy programs would be spent within a year and a half.
And other pieces, such as efforts to bring broadband Internet service to rural and underserved areas won't get started in earnest for years, while just one-fourth of clean drinking water projects can be completed by October of next year.

It will take years to go into effect and by the time it does it will actually be a bad thing -- causing massive inflation.