President Obama's Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, said on Tuesday that the President has not ruled out the possiblity of a second stimulus package.
With falling support and no immediate results for the first nationalized stimulus bill, President Obama is already considering a second bill. Where does Obama expect to get this money? Under Obama's ecomonic plan we will continue to fall further and further into debt. No matter what the out come of the first bill or a possible second bill it is not good for the economy to continue to spend money at such an alarming rate.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Jindal and Obama to Face-Off Before 2012?
Louisiana Governor, and potential 2012 presidential candidate Bobby Jindal, is standing up to President Obama's massive $787 Billion national spending bill, by claiming he may refuse funds from the bill that President Obama signed yesterday in Denver. The Governor has said that the $4 Billion that is being set aside for Louisiana would have to be carefully reviewed before a decision to take or reject the money is made.
Jindal who is already being pushed to run for President by many conservatives, could be setting himself up nicely as the conservative alternative to Obama, should the stimulus package fail to strengthen the economy. Jindal would be telling the taxpayers of Louisiana that, their tax dollars are not best spent by the government, but by the taxpayers themselves.
In addition to his face-off with Obama on the stimulus package, Jindal is also slated to give the GOP response to President Obama's February 24 speech before a joint session of congress.
Jindal who is already being pushed to run for President by many conservatives, could be setting himself up nicely as the conservative alternative to Obama, should the stimulus package fail to strengthen the economy. Jindal would be telling the taxpayers of Louisiana that, their tax dollars are not best spent by the government, but by the taxpayers themselves.
In addition to his face-off with Obama on the stimulus package, Jindal is also slated to give the GOP response to President Obama's February 24 speech before a joint session of congress.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Another Major Election in March?
After one of the most heated elections in American history most people are ready for a break from campaign politics, and most people will get a break at least until the 2010 mid-term races heat up just later this year. But the people of New York's 20th Congressional District will head to the polls in a little more than a month.
On March 31, 2009 there will be a special election to fill the seat vacated by Kristen Gillinbrand, who was nominated by New York Governor David Patterson to the United States Senate, to fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's seat. The race is between Republican Jim Tedisco, who is the minority leader of the New York State Assembly and Democratic Businessman Scott Murphy, who has not held political office.
Though this race may not interest those in far away states, this is a very important election for the GOP. This could set the tone for the 2009 Virginia and New Jersey Governor's races as well as the 2010 mid-term and 2012 Presidential election. If the Tedisco wins, GOP donors and potential voters will begin to realize that the chance for a comeback in the coming years is possible. But if he loses the GOP may continue to lose hope.
The voters of this congressional district voted for George Bush in 2004 and Barack Obama in 2008. Though the race is expected to tighten leading up to the election, as of February 6 a Real Clear Politics poll has, Tedisco holding a 50%-29% lead.
Tedisco's name recognition, from his time as minority leader in the state assembly could have something to do with this large lead, also the fact that the democrats have just passed an increasingly unpopular $787 Billion stimulus-spending bill could play a role in Tedisco's large lead. Murphy also has been in some hot water recently for failure to pay more than $21,000 in back taxes in 1997 and 1998 for a company called Small World Software, Inc. which Murphy owned. The fact that Murphy has trouble paying his taxes, it seems as though he would be better off in President Obama's Cabinet rather than the U.S. Congress.
On the other hand Tedisco has a record of opposing Governor Patterson's frequent tax increases, including the iTax which was a proposed tax on downloaded music from sites such as iTunes.
Clearly Jim Tedisco is the candidate with the tax payer's and the music lover's best interests at heart.
On March 31, 2009 there will be a special election to fill the seat vacated by Kristen Gillinbrand, who was nominated by New York Governor David Patterson to the United States Senate, to fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's seat. The race is between Republican Jim Tedisco, who is the minority leader of the New York State Assembly and Democratic Businessman Scott Murphy, who has not held political office.
Though this race may not interest those in far away states, this is a very important election for the GOP. This could set the tone for the 2009 Virginia and New Jersey Governor's races as well as the 2010 mid-term and 2012 Presidential election. If the Tedisco wins, GOP donors and potential voters will begin to realize that the chance for a comeback in the coming years is possible. But if he loses the GOP may continue to lose hope.
The voters of this congressional district voted for George Bush in 2004 and Barack Obama in 2008. Though the race is expected to tighten leading up to the election, as of February 6 a Real Clear Politics poll has, Tedisco holding a 50%-29% lead.
Tedisco's name recognition, from his time as minority leader in the state assembly could have something to do with this large lead, also the fact that the democrats have just passed an increasingly unpopular $787 Billion stimulus-spending bill could play a role in Tedisco's large lead. Murphy also has been in some hot water recently for failure to pay more than $21,000 in back taxes in 1997 and 1998 for a company called Small World Software, Inc. which Murphy owned. The fact that Murphy has trouble paying his taxes, it seems as though he would be better off in President Obama's Cabinet rather than the U.S. Congress.
On the other hand Tedisco has a record of opposing Governor Patterson's frequent tax increases, including the iTax which was a proposed tax on downloaded music from sites such as iTunes.
Clearly Jim Tedisco is the candidate with the tax payer's and the music lover's best interests at heart.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
President Obama to Sign Stimulus Package on Tuesday; Could Failure to Stimulate the Economy Mean One Term For the New President?
The latest version of the $787 Billion Democratic stimulus package has been rushed through Congress with no House GOP support and seven Democratic dissenters. President Obama will sign the package into law on Tuesday in Denver, CO. If this massive spending bill fails to create jobs and stimulate the economy, could this mean a GOP comeback in 2010? and perhaps one term for President Obama?
Right now President Obama's popularity is based on his catchy campaign slogans and his celebrity status. If this package fails to improve the economy, his honeymoon period will be over and people will forget about hope and change and actually want substance.
One thing I do have to credit President Obama with is being willing to take a risk to get results, I just don't think he will get the results he is looking for by nationalizing the economy with a massive government spending bill filled with private pork projects.
Right now President Obama's popularity is based on his catchy campaign slogans and his celebrity status. If this package fails to improve the economy, his honeymoon period will be over and people will forget about hope and change and actually want substance.
One thing I do have to credit President Obama with is being willing to take a risk to get results, I just don't think he will get the results he is looking for by nationalizing the economy with a massive government spending bill filled with private pork projects.
Former President Clinton Calls For Restriction of Free Speech on the Radio
Former President Bill Clinton thinks we need more balance on the airwaves. He has even called for a return of the 'fairness doctrine' which would allow the federal government to regulate the content of radio programs to their liking. In the liberal dominated media, radio is the one area of media that conservatives do dominate. With the exception of the Fox News Channel, nearly all of the television news media holds a liberal bias, which was apparent with their love affair of Barack Obama during the 2008 election and leading up to the inauguration.
Liberals have the same opportunity to create their own radio programs, and they have done so in the past it is called Air America and it has failed miserably. Conservative radio hosts such Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Neal Boortz and Mark Levin succeed on the radio because they have a large following of listeners not because the government has created a doctrine so they can be on the air. President Obama finds these radio hosts so threatening that he actually goes after them in his speeches and at rallies, instead of concentrating on his elected conservative opposition.
Senators Stabenow and Harkin have also called for the government to regulate the ideology of the airwaves. President Bush has had to deal with the liberal media for for 15 years since he declared his candidacy for Governor of Texas in 1994, and has not once called for the regulation of free speech in the media, even during the 2004 election when CBS and Dan Rather knowingly reported a false story regarding President Bush's National Guard service.
Liberals have the same opportunity to create their own radio programs, and they have done so in the past it is called Air America and it has failed miserably. Conservative radio hosts such Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Neal Boortz and Mark Levin succeed on the radio because they have a large following of listeners not because the government has created a doctrine so they can be on the air. President Obama finds these radio hosts so threatening that he actually goes after them in his speeches and at rallies, instead of concentrating on his elected conservative opposition.
Senators Stabenow and Harkin have also called for the government to regulate the ideology of the airwaves. President Bush has had to deal with the liberal media for for 15 years since he declared his candidacy for Governor of Texas in 1994, and has not once called for the regulation of free speech in the media, even during the 2004 election when CBS and Dan Rather knowingly reported a false story regarding President Bush's National Guard service.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Gregg Withdraws Name From Commerce Nomination; Will Stay in Senate (For Now)
New Hampshire GOP Senator Judd Gregg withdrew himself from the nomination to Commerce Secretary. Gregg cited differences with the Obama Administration on the stimulus package and the move of the Census Bureau from the Commerce Department to The White House, which could have been a politically motivated move leading up to the important 2010 mid-term elections. After withdrawing his name; Senator Gregg said he will stay in the senate for now, but will probably not run for reelection in 2010. If Gregg does not reconsider his decision not to run for senate in 2010, Republicans will have a very tough time competing for the seat in the new political climate of New Hampshire, even if Gregg does decide to run he will have a tough time keeping his seat.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Obama Generation?
The phrase Obama Generation is being floated by the media as label for the times we are in. The fact that President Obama has such a large following of young and new voters, is where the media gets this idea from. During his campaign President Obama campaigned on the fact that he would bring change. Change from what? we are just now realizing he meant change from a capitalist society and change from staying the course in the Global War on Terrorism. I don't necessarily believe that it is President Obama's policies that is caused the large swell of young and new voters to flock to him. President Obama, like him or not is a charismatic young leader who speaks well, and can connect with the youth of America because he is a young President, he markets himself as a post-baby boomer, in keeping with his young image.
In 2008 then Senator Obama was elected because of good speeches and catchy campaign slogans. In 2012 President Obama will have to run for reelection on his successes and failures in his first term in office.
I believe a republican candidate could do the same thing. If a young charismatic, republican that speaks well and can connect with the youth of America and non-traditional voters, comes on to the scene in 2012 or 2016, I believe there could be the same hysteria for a candidate on the conservative end of the spectrum.
In 2008 then Senator Obama was elected because of good speeches and catchy campaign slogans. In 2012 President Obama will have to run for reelection on his successes and failures in his first term in office.
I believe a republican candidate could do the same thing. If a young charismatic, republican that speaks well and can connect with the youth of America and non-traditional voters, comes on to the scene in 2012 or 2016, I believe there could be the same hysteria for a candidate on the conservative end of the spectrum.
Pelosi Fed Up With Bipartisanship
Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi seems to be irritated by all the bipartisanship that is holding up the massive $900 Billion stimulus/ Spending bill. If by bipartisanship she means the Republican leadership getting behind this massive spending bill that will do little or nothing to stimulate the economic situation, she may be irritated for just a little bit longer.
Instead of taking Republican ideas into account, that may actually help turn the economy in the right direction, Pelosi would rather criticize the GOP lawmakers for not getting behind her version of the bill. Pelosi would rather have a meaningless spending bill passed through congress and signed by the President as soon as possible instead of taking her time and making this bill better so it will actually have a positive effect on the economy in the near future.
Instead of taking Republican ideas into account, that may actually help turn the economy in the right direction, Pelosi would rather criticize the GOP lawmakers for not getting behind her version of the bill. Pelosi would rather have a meaningless spending bill passed through congress and signed by the President as soon as possible instead of taking her time and making this bill better so it will actually have a positive effect on the economy in the near future.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The French Conservative
Just 6 years ago when the Iraq War began in March of 2003, there were calls to boycott France because Jacques Chirac and the leftist French leadership refused to help the Coalition Forces in the fight on Terrorism in Iraq. Today it is the U.S. President Barack Obama who is playing the part of the European Socialist, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy the Free-Market Capitalist.
In order to receive money from the government in the massive $900 Billion bailout, U.S. companies will be mandated by the government to cap the salaries of senior executives at $500,000. The fact that the bailout is a bad idea and arguably the first step toward socialism itself, is not the issue. The issue is the capping of the salary of any American is without a doubt the same kind of European Socialism that is rampant through Europe, expect in France. Sarkozy criticized Obama for capping the salary of U.S. executives, and refused to make a similar pledge, stating that those who work their way up to the top deserve the money they make.
While $500,000 is a great deal of money for someone to make in a year, in a free and capitalist society, the government cannot set limits on the potential of its citizens.
In order to receive money from the government in the massive $900 Billion bailout, U.S. companies will be mandated by the government to cap the salaries of senior executives at $500,000. The fact that the bailout is a bad idea and arguably the first step toward socialism itself, is not the issue. The issue is the capping of the salary of any American is without a doubt the same kind of European Socialism that is rampant through Europe, expect in France. Sarkozy criticized Obama for capping the salary of U.S. executives, and refused to make a similar pledge, stating that those who work their way up to the top deserve the money they make.
While $500,000 is a great deal of money for someone to make in a year, in a free and capitalist society, the government cannot set limits on the potential of its citizens.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
New Hampshire, Live Free or Die?
New Hampshire has perhaps the most patriotic and meaningful state motto. But do they still really live by those words Live Free or Die?
Until recently New Hampshire was the lone voice of reason in ultra-liberal New England. But recently elections have proven that New Hampshire has shifted almost as far left as its leftist neighbors Vermont and Massachusetts. These days New Hampshire's motto would be more accurate if where Taxation or Die.
In the 1990's and early 2000's New Hampshire voted for candidates like Judd Gregg and John Sununnu to the U.S. Senate, Jeb Bradley and Charlie Bass to Congress and George W. Bush to the Presidency. All candidates who stand for the freedoms that New Hampshire is (or was) all about. They wanted to cut taxes not raise them for all people, they supported the right to bear arms, which is a major issue for the residents of New Hampshire, they wanted to give the people of New Hampshire all of the freedoms they deserve and the freedoms this country was founded on.
In 2004 New Hampshire voted for John Kerry for President, now this could be because he is from the neighboring commonwealth of Massachusetts or it could be because this was the beginning the shift from a Live Free or Die New Hampshire to a Taxation or Die New Hampshire.
In 2006 Republicans were not very popular nationwide and this was the case as well in New Hampshire when they elected two, tax and spend, anti-gun liberals to congress with Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes.
2008 proved no different when they re-elected Shea-Porter and Hodes, as well a voting out John Sununu who along with Senator Gregg was the last politician in New Hampshire that actually wanted less government, and more freedoms, who could actually say that he governed and lived by the motto Live Free or Die. Instead they got former Governor Jeanne Shaheen, she is famous for what else but, raising taxes. Shaheen became the first Governor to be elected in New Hampshire in the last 38 years that did not sign the no new taxes pledge. She tried to institute a sales tax that failed so she then tried to institute an income tax which failed as well.
But worst of all in 2008 a candidate for president pledged to "spread the wealth" and his vice presidential running-mate said that paying more taxes is "patriotic." Ten years ago this style of European socialism would have surely failed in New Hampshire as well as the rest of the country for that matter. But the people of New Hampshire elected these "spread the wealth" candidates, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
New Hampshire has turned drastically from their days of reason; less taxes, the right to bare arms, more personal freedoms, victory in the Global War on Terror. Today New Hampshire's lone voice of reason is Senator Judd Gregg. Senator Gregg is not only one of the strongest Republicans in the Senate but he is the last statewide politician left in New Hampshire who is not going to raise taxes or ''spread the wealth'' his leadership and voting record is what the motto Live Free or Die is all about.
Just last week, President Barack Obama asked Senator Gregg to be his Secretary of Commerce. Gregg of course was worried about the balance of the senate his departure could give the democrats the filibuster prove 60 senator super-majority. The Democratic Governor of New Hampshire John Lynch will get to nominate a new senator in the case of Gregg's departure. After talks with the Governor, Senate Republican Leadership, and President Obama, Gregg said he would not take the seat if Lynch were to nominate a Democrat, after which Lynch agreed to nominate a Republican. Governor Lynch's presumed nominee is Bonnie Newman who is Senator Gregg's former Chief of Staff and former Assistant Secretary of Commerce under the first President Bush.
After Senator Gregg's talk with the Governor, Gregg accepted President Obama's nomination to serve as Commerce Secretary. If Bonnie Newman is in fact nominated by Governor Lynch she will serve the reminder of Gregg's term which ends in 2010 then either, Newman should she decide to run for the seat or another republican will have to battle for the Senate seat in the new left leaning political climate of New Hampshire without having the experience and the leadership of a three term incumbent such as Judd Gregg. Republicans may hold the seat until 2010 but it will be tough to win the seat in 2010 with out Senator Gregg in the race.
Should Senator Gregg who is a fiscal conservative be confirmed as Commerce Secretary by the Senate which is likely, New Hampshire may have lost their last voice of reason but the Obama administration will gain their first.
Until recently New Hampshire was the lone voice of reason in ultra-liberal New England. But recently elections have proven that New Hampshire has shifted almost as far left as its leftist neighbors Vermont and Massachusetts. These days New Hampshire's motto would be more accurate if where Taxation or Die.
In the 1990's and early 2000's New Hampshire voted for candidates like Judd Gregg and John Sununnu to the U.S. Senate, Jeb Bradley and Charlie Bass to Congress and George W. Bush to the Presidency. All candidates who stand for the freedoms that New Hampshire is (or was) all about. They wanted to cut taxes not raise them for all people, they supported the right to bear arms, which is a major issue for the residents of New Hampshire, they wanted to give the people of New Hampshire all of the freedoms they deserve and the freedoms this country was founded on.
In 2004 New Hampshire voted for John Kerry for President, now this could be because he is from the neighboring commonwealth of Massachusetts or it could be because this was the beginning the shift from a Live Free or Die New Hampshire to a Taxation or Die New Hampshire.
In 2006 Republicans were not very popular nationwide and this was the case as well in New Hampshire when they elected two, tax and spend, anti-gun liberals to congress with Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes.
2008 proved no different when they re-elected Shea-Porter and Hodes, as well a voting out John Sununu who along with Senator Gregg was the last politician in New Hampshire that actually wanted less government, and more freedoms, who could actually say that he governed and lived by the motto Live Free or Die. Instead they got former Governor Jeanne Shaheen, she is famous for what else but, raising taxes. Shaheen became the first Governor to be elected in New Hampshire in the last 38 years that did not sign the no new taxes pledge. She tried to institute a sales tax that failed so she then tried to institute an income tax which failed as well.
But worst of all in 2008 a candidate for president pledged to "spread the wealth" and his vice presidential running-mate said that paying more taxes is "patriotic." Ten years ago this style of European socialism would have surely failed in New Hampshire as well as the rest of the country for that matter. But the people of New Hampshire elected these "spread the wealth" candidates, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
New Hampshire has turned drastically from their days of reason; less taxes, the right to bare arms, more personal freedoms, victory in the Global War on Terror. Today New Hampshire's lone voice of reason is Senator Judd Gregg. Senator Gregg is not only one of the strongest Republicans in the Senate but he is the last statewide politician left in New Hampshire who is not going to raise taxes or ''spread the wealth'' his leadership and voting record is what the motto Live Free or Die is all about.
Just last week, President Barack Obama asked Senator Gregg to be his Secretary of Commerce. Gregg of course was worried about the balance of the senate his departure could give the democrats the filibuster prove 60 senator super-majority. The Democratic Governor of New Hampshire John Lynch will get to nominate a new senator in the case of Gregg's departure. After talks with the Governor, Senate Republican Leadership, and President Obama, Gregg said he would not take the seat if Lynch were to nominate a Democrat, after which Lynch agreed to nominate a Republican. Governor Lynch's presumed nominee is Bonnie Newman who is Senator Gregg's former Chief of Staff and former Assistant Secretary of Commerce under the first President Bush.
After Senator Gregg's talk with the Governor, Gregg accepted President Obama's nomination to serve as Commerce Secretary. If Bonnie Newman is in fact nominated by Governor Lynch she will serve the reminder of Gregg's term which ends in 2010 then either, Newman should she decide to run for the seat or another republican will have to battle for the Senate seat in the new left leaning political climate of New Hampshire without having the experience and the leadership of a three term incumbent such as Judd Gregg. Republicans may hold the seat until 2010 but it will be tough to win the seat in 2010 with out Senator Gregg in the race.
Should Senator Gregg who is a fiscal conservative be confirmed as Commerce Secretary by the Senate which is likely, New Hampshire may have lost their last voice of reason but the Obama administration will gain their first.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Life of the Party
Michael Steele brings a new face to the Republican party. Though Mike Duncan did a terrific job as chair, with a sitting Republican President in power during Duncan's tenure, he did not get a great amount of exposure, and media and he was not the head of the party George Bush was. Without a Republican President, Michael Steele along with John Boehner and Mitch McConnell will be the head of the new republican party. In order to succeed as chairman, Steele will have to rebuild the party from the ground up. The local and state parties will have to take charge and find candidates to rebuild the party and retake America. Steele will be able to reach out to minorities and other Americans who are not traditionally Republicans. If Steele brings the leadership to the party that he promised, the republican party could begin to take back house and senate seats in 2010 and with the right candidate and grassroots support perhaps the White House in 2012.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Economy is Not the Biggest Concern We Face
Of all the major world leaders, or potential leaders it seems as though no one has a better grasp on post 9-11 foreign policy than the man who will most likely be the once and future Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu, the leader of the center-right Likud Party is currently the favorite to win Israel's February election for Prime Minister. At the World Economic Forum on Thursday Netanyahu said that, though it is important to lower taxes and increase economic competitiveness, it is not nearly as important as preventing a rouge regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Netanyahu goes on to say that even if there is a global economic collapse, that with the right decisions and global cooperation that the effects are "reversible." While a fanatical regime like the one in Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon is "not reversible." If Iran obtains a nuclear weapon it would be the first regime that actively sponsors terrorism to have a nuclear powered weapon. Even if Iran is hesitant to use a nuclear weapon against Israel or the United States, al Qaeda would not be so hesitant.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Just Days After Taking Office Obama is Already Pandering to the Extreme Left
Just days after being sworn into office, President Obama signed an executive order that will close down the terrorist detention center in Guantanamo Bay. At the signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Obama who apparently was unfamiliar with what he was signing, had to ask one of his advisors if there was a plan in place to further detain the terrorists in a different location after Guantanamo closed down, no one in the room knew the exact answer and they settled on reporting that a plan will be put in place in the coming year. If President Obama is so determined to protect the rights of terrorists, shouldn't he have a plan as to where to hold these terrorists after Guantanamo is shut down? This is the first and probably not the last event in which President Obama has shown that he is not committed to the Global War on Terror.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Bush Kept Us Safe
Even with the economy in a down turn, national security is and will continue to be the most important and urgent issue that this nation faces. If we are attacked again it would not only be a great tragedy for the obvious reasons, but in these times of economic uncertainty it would cause a complete economic collapse. As President, George W. Bush has done a tremendous job in keeping us safe from another attack and taking the fight to the enemy instead of the terrorists returning here. During his campaign for President, Barack Obama did not seem to understand the overall threat that Americans continue to face from Islamic extremists who want nothing more than to attack us again. If Obama is going to keep us safe, as President Bush did he will have to listen to his generals on the ground and to Secretary Gates, and finish the War in Iraq the correct way, victoriously! And finish the fight against the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan. There is a good chance that both major fronts in the Global War on Terror could be won while Obama is in office. He cannot however lose focus, and he must understand the real threat we will continue to face from those who hate us and our freedoms, even after we win in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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