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Posted: 11/2/2009 1:41:00 PM EST
If Republican Chris Christie wins in New Jersey -- and Bob McDonnell wins in Virginia on Tuesday -- liberals will be sure to note that "local issues" were the cause (read: losses are not a rejection of Obama's policies).
The AP is already laying the narrative for this ...
Of course, they would be on firmer footing had Obama not taken such a dominate and visible role in the races for governor of Virginia and New Jersey.
Don't forget about this. And don't forget about this.
To be sure, there are various factors at play here; there always are. Still, how can anyone say that Tuesday's elections don't reflect -- at least, to some degree -- Obama's unpopularity?
He may not be to blame for the bad candidates, but it's also fair to say that his coattails don't seem to be long enough to lift them ...
The AP is already laying the narrative for this ...
Of course, they would be on firmer footing had Obama not taken such a dominate and visible role in the races for governor of Virginia and New Jersey.
Don't forget about this. And don't forget about this.
To be sure, there are various factors at play here; there always are. Still, how can anyone say that Tuesday's elections don't reflect -- at least, to some degree -- Obama's unpopularity?
He may not be to blame for the bad candidates, but it's also fair to say that his coattails don't seem to be long enough to lift them ...
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Posted: 11/2/2009 11:16:00 AM EST
Virginia Republicans win and lose campaigns in liberal Northern, Virginia. For this reason, it was wise for Bob McDonnell to venture into "the lion's den" as he campaigned this morning in Alexandria, Virginia.
Since the event was walking distance from my house, I attended the 7:45 am rally.
They seemed confident of victory tomorrow. Lieutenant Governor candidate Bill Bolling got the crowd chanting, "Help is on the way!" ...
And Attorney General candidate Ken Cuccinelli (disclosure: for whom a family member of mine works), brandished the "McBollinelli broom" -- predicting a Republican "sweep" tomorrow...
McDonnell's daughter, Jeanine -- an Iraq war veteran -- addressed the crowd, saying, "We have a message to deliver tomorrow night."
Despite their optimism, each candidate stressed a simple message: 1). Don't believe the good poll numbers -- keep working, and 2). Republicans can win in Northern, Virginia.
Proving Republicans can win in NOVA, Alexandria City Council Member Alicia Hughes was on stage. A Republican, she was recently elected on the Independent ticket, but was supported by the local GOP.
Since the event was walking distance from my house, I attended the 7:45 am rally.
McDonnell received a warm welcome when he arrived in Alexandria, VA. I cannot recall the last time a Republican campaign held a GOTV rally there. (See more after the jump)
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And Attorney General candidate Ken Cuccinelli (disclosure: for whom a family member of mine works), brandished the "McBollinelli broom" -- predicting a Republican "sweep" tomorrow...
McDonnell's daughter, Jeanine -- an Iraq war veteran -- addressed the crowd, saying, "We have a message to deliver tomorrow night."
Despite their optimism, each candidate stressed a simple message: 1). Don't believe the good poll numbers -- keep working, and 2). Republicans can win in Northern, Virginia.
Proving Republicans can win in NOVA, Alexandria City Council Member Alicia Hughes was on stage. A Republican, she was recently elected on the Independent ticket, but was supported by the local GOP.
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Posted: 11/1/2009 3:05:30 PM EST
You may have heard that Dede is supporting Owens.
I have two immediate observations ...
First, it is interesting to me that in 2008, Michael Steele and Newt Gingrich both supported liberal Republican Congressman Wayne Gilchrest over conservative Andy Harris.
Wait for it ...
After Harris defeated Gilchrest in the GOP primary, Gilchrest endorsed his Democrat opponent -- who won.
Of course, I don't have to tell you Newt and Steele (the RNC) were behind Dede until yesterday.
Second, the more I think about it, the more Dede's being forced to drop out reminds me of how conservatives were able to stop Harriet Miers from being appointed to the Supreme Court.
Of course, the difference is that Miers didn't try to torpedo Sam Alito once she got out ...
I have two immediate observations ...
First, it is interesting to me that in 2008, Michael Steele and Newt Gingrich both supported liberal Republican Congressman Wayne Gilchrest over conservative Andy Harris.
Wait for it ...
After Harris defeated Gilchrest in the GOP primary, Gilchrest endorsed his Democrat opponent -- who won.
Of course, I don't have to tell you Newt and Steele (the RNC) were behind Dede until yesterday.
Second, the more I think about it, the more Dede's being forced to drop out reminds me of how conservatives were able to stop Harriet Miers from being appointed to the Supreme Court.
Of course, the difference is that Miers didn't try to torpedo Sam Alito once she got out ...
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Posted: 10/31/2009 3:57:00 PM EST
As I've noted many times before, without a doubt, one of the best blogs in the nation belongs to North Dakota's Rob Port of SayAnythingBlog.
Recently, Port was able to get on a reporter conference call with North Dakota's only House Member, Democrat Earl Pomeroy.
... It did not go well.
First, it's important to note that North Dakota is a "red" state, and that Earl Pomeroy prevously said he was opposed to any bill which would increase the deficit. ... It's also important to note that, though the recently-dropped House bill does increase the deficit, Earl Pomeroy is now siding with Nancy Pelosi's bill.
In short, Pomeroy has flip-flopped on health care. And Port was hoping that someone -- anyone -- would challenge him on the notion that the public option would "increase competition".
As Port describes the call, Pomeroy,
As Port lamented,
Thank goodness technology and New Media are now providing additional checks and balances to hold our elected officials accountable.
Recently, Port was able to get on a reporter conference call with North Dakota's only House Member, Democrat Earl Pomeroy.
... It did not go well.
First, it's important to note that North Dakota is a "red" state, and that Earl Pomeroy prevously said he was opposed to any bill which would increase the deficit. ... It's also important to note that, though the recently-dropped House bill does increase the deficit, Earl Pomeroy is now siding with Nancy Pelosi's bill.
In short, Pomeroy has flip-flopped on health care. And Port was hoping that someone -- anyone -- would challenge him on the notion that the public option would "increase competition".
As Port describes the call, Pomeroy,
gave a speech lasting a few minutes about his decision to support this health care bill, then was followed up with a speech from an Obama administration member in favor of the bill as well. Then he opened it up for questions. The first one came from the KFYR reporter, asking about how the government would negotiate “public option” rates with private insurers. Then Pomeroy asked for another question. There was a few seconds pause, so I decided to jump in.Port's question illustrates the importance of the blogosphere -- especially in parts of the country where the Fourth Estate is either too lazy -- or too co-opted -- to represent the public's interest.And the Congressman was not at all pleased that I did. Here’s an audio recording of the exchange. I’m still working on the full audio copy of the entire call, but in this you can hear my question and the Congressman’s irate response at a member of thealternative media daring to question him:
The Congressman twice accused me of being an “arm of the North Dakota Republican party,” which comes as a bit of a surprise to me as I think I’m actually quite critical of North Dakota Republicans. I am perhaps Republican Governor John Hoeven’s biggest critic in the state. But I’ll admit that I am, certainly, a conservative political commentator.
As Port lamented,
What surprised me about the call almost as much as Pomeroys aggressive, agitated reaction to my question was how few questions the other reporters on the call asked. Aside from my question, there were only two other questions asked. Apparently the reporters on the call were satisfied with just taking down what Pomeroy told them.Having lived in North Dakota (and, in fact, worked on a prior race against Mr. Pomeroy), I can tell you that -- with a couple of notable exceptions -- the North Dakota press are not really excited about breaking any hard news stories. Simply put, there are no Woodward and Bernstein's there. Deep Throat would have had to have left the state to get any attention.
Thank goodness technology and New Media are now providing additional checks and balances to hold our elected officials accountable.
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Posted: 10/31/2009 12:46:00 PM EST
The Winners
- Sarah Palin - Her surprise endorsement of Hoffman helped cement her status as the favorite candidate of the grassroots conservative "tea party" set. That could be helpful in Iowa!
- The Club for Growth - Their endorsement was a HUGE sign that Doug Hoffman could realistically compete financially. It gave everyone a reason to believe the race was 'winnable'.
- Erick Erickson and RedState.com - RedState stared-down the NRCC and won. The conservative blogosphere has long been accused of being a paper (or electronic) tiger. Things have changed. Just as the Netroots were a real force during the Bush years, conservative bloggers are now a powerhouse. The establishment should take notice...
- Concerned Women of America PAC - They were, I think, first to endorse Hoffman -- and they lobbied others organizations to join the cause.
- David Keene of ACU - One of the first to get behind Hoffman, Keene organized an early conference call for conservative bloggers.
- John McCormack - The Weekly Standard reporter Dede called the cops on.
- Numerous conservative bloggers like Michelle Malkin, Robert Stacy McCain, Ed Morrissey, Dan Riehl -- and many, many more -- who covered the race closely.
- Talk radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh and TV hosts like Glenn Beck who supported Hoffman.
- Numerous conservative organizations, including Susan B. Anthony List.
- Numerous candidates (like Tim Pawlenty) and leaders (like Fred Thompson, Dick Armey and Jim DeMint) who endorsed Hoffman.
The Losers
- 'The Establishment' and 'Old Order' - Ten years ago, Hoffman would have had little chance. Technology and a changing world have diminished the establishment's power.
- Newt Gingrich - Dede's most high-profile endorser. (Though, as I have argued, Newt won't be hurt by this).
- John Boehner and Congressional Republican Leadership - Will he be Speaker some day -- even if Republicans win back the House???
- The NRCC - Need I say more?
- Michael Steele and the RNC
- Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, and the other presidential hopefuls who stayed on the sidelines.
- Sarah Palin - Her surprise endorsement of Hoffman helped cement her status as the favorite candidate of the grassroots conservative "tea party" set. That could be helpful in Iowa!
- The Club for Growth - Their endorsement was a HUGE sign that Doug Hoffman could realistically compete financially. It gave everyone a reason to believe the race was 'winnable'.
- Erick Erickson and RedState.com - RedState stared-down the NRCC and won. The conservative blogosphere has long been accused of being a paper (or electronic) tiger. Things have changed. Just as the Netroots were a real force during the Bush years, conservative bloggers are now a powerhouse. The establishment should take notice...
- Concerned Women of America PAC - They were, I think, first to endorse Hoffman -- and they lobbied others organizations to join the cause.
- David Keene of ACU - One of the first to get behind Hoffman, Keene organized an early conference call for conservative bloggers.
- John McCormack - The Weekly Standard reporter Dede called the cops on.
- Numerous conservative bloggers like Michelle Malkin, Robert Stacy McCain, Ed Morrissey, Dan Riehl -- and many, many more -- who covered the race closely.
- Talk radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh and TV hosts like Glenn Beck who supported Hoffman.
- Numerous conservative organizations, including Susan B. Anthony List.
- Numerous candidates (like Tim Pawlenty) and leaders (like Fred Thompson, Dick Armey and Jim DeMint) who endorsed Hoffman.
The Losers
- 'The Establishment' and 'Old Order' - Ten years ago, Hoffman would have had little chance. Technology and a changing world have diminished the establishment's power.
- Newt Gingrich - Dede's most high-profile endorser. (Though, as I have argued, Newt won't be hurt by this).
- John Boehner and Congressional Republican Leadership - Will he be Speaker some day -- even if Republicans win back the House???
- The NRCC - Need I say more?
- Michael Steele and the RNC
- Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, and the other presidential hopefuls who stayed on the sidelines.
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Posted: 10/28/2009 7:02:00 PM EST
This afternoon, I was on MSNBC with the Huffington Post's Senior Congressional Reporter Ryan Grim. The topic was ... "Is Obama succeeding in bringing about change?" Check it out here:
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
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Posted: 10/28/2009 11:03:00 AM EST
Ken Blackwell makes an interesting point here, which I had not noticed before ...
Hillary Clinton once, and only once, called (abortion) wrong. (Newsweek, October 31, 1994.) But she never acted as if it was wrong. Obama never even called abortion wrong.
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Posted: 10/27/2009 11:57:30 PM EST
Earlier this evening, I was on a panel discussion for Lou Dobbs Tonight. Having just watched it (I come in about half way through), I think I detect some angry body language from the liberal when I start talking ...
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Posted: 10/27/2009 1:10:00 PM EST
I was on Melissa Clouthier's excellent podcast yesterday, discussing intellectualism in the conservative movement. We discuss Buckley, Beck, Reagan, Palin, Limbaugh -- and more.
Listen here...
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Posted: 10/27/2009 8:04:22 AM EST
... Or will he get a pass for endorsing the liberal Republican in NY-23.
I ponder whether or not Newt is "above the law," err above conservative criticism, that is ...
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