Saturday, January 31, 2009

Chair Baby Chair!!

Former Maryland Lt. Gov. and MD GOP Chairman Michael Steele won 91 votes out of a possible 168 in the sixth round. A simple majority of 85 was needed, but it took six rounds for Steele to win.
Steele addresses the Republican National Committee after winning the chairmanship: "We're going to say to friend and foe alike: We want you to be a part of us, we want you to with be with us, and for those who wish to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over."

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Obama and Palin attending same weekend dinner

Guess who's attending the same dinner this weekend?
President Barack Obama and Sarah Palin.
Both will be at the annual Alfalfa Club Dinner Saturday night here in the nation's capital. The club has a small exclusive membership, and a raucous annual black-tie dinner that’s technically off the record.
George W. Bush was an annual attendee of the dinner, and Barack Obama is expected to keep that tradition alive this weekend.
The dinner is just one of a number of events that the former Republican vice presidential nominee will attend on her trip to Washington this weekend.
In a statement released yesterday, the Alaska governor's office says Palin will show up at "a number of non-partisan functions" and will also visit "with her D.C. staff to continue discussions concerning the president's stimulus package and Alaska dollars."
Palin is slated to attend a dinner Friday night at the residence of Fred and Marlene Malek. Fred Malek is a businessman who served Republican presidents Richard Nixon and George H.W. Bush. High-profile guests from both political parties are expected to attend the function.
The governor's office also says Palin will attend a luncheon at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Saturday before heading over the to Alfafa Dinner.

Mitt talks about the stimulus with Cavuto

Hey Bam, that's not the door!



It looks like President Obama hasn't gotten acquainted to his White House surroundings. On the way back to the Oval Office Tuesday, the President approached a paned window, instead of the actual door -- located a few feet to his right.

Doors didn't open automatically for Obama’s predecessor either. While making a hasty exit from a 2005 press conference in Beijing, former President George W. Bush tugged on the handles of a door, only to find it locked.

Bush laughed off the blunder, but the pictures still live on as part of Bush's lame duck legacy. However, there was little note taken of Obama's rookie mistake.

Obama, who was returning from meeting with Congressional leaders, may have been distracted by Republicans' icy reception to his $825 billion stimulus package, which is poised to pass on Wednesday even without a groundswell of Republican support

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Palin launches political action committee


SarahPac will allow Palin to travel nationwide to campaign for Republicans.
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Sarah Palin has launched a new political action committee called SarahPac, signaling that the Alaska Governor intends to remain a player in national politics even after her failed bid to become the country’s first female vice president.
"SarahPac will support local and national candidates who share Gov. Palin's ideas and goals for our country," says the PAC’s Web site, which promises that Palin will be "a strong voice for energy independence and reform."
A spokesperson for SarahPac confirmed that Palin is behind the group and said it was registered with the Federal Election Commission on Monday evening. The Web site went live on Tuesday morning and is already soliciting donations.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Rove: Gitmo won't be closed

Karl Rove, one-time deputy chief of staff to former President George W. Bush, spoke to a jam-packed Storer Auditorium at the University of Miami Thursday afternoon.

After a brief opening speech, Rove transformed the event into an open forum during which audience members could ask him a question or engage him in a debate.

The “campaign architect,” as he is commonly called, built a case against President Barack Obama’s order to close Guantanamo, an overseas CIA detention center where terrorists and other “enemy combatants” are held. Obama’s order could enable terrorists to be tried in U.S. courts, to be given undeserved rights afforded American citizens and could cause damaging long-term effects, Rove said.

“One year from now, Gitmo won’t be closed,” Rove said. “If it is, there will be an uproar in the U.S. about where to put these people.”

Interrogation tactics used by the CIA during Bush’s term in office were not torturous, Rove said, but he did not deny that the CIA strongly pressed terrorists for vital information.

“You bet we squeeze them for information,” Rove said. “If we hadn’t, those same terrorists could have executed their plans to kill, and [people] would be asking why Bush didn’t protect American soldiers’ lives.”

Mccain:Loyal Opposition but no rubber stamp


on Fox News Sunday:
"I view it as the loyal opposition — help and work together where I can, and stand up for the principles and the party and the philosophy that I campaigned on and have stood for for many years.
And again, I don't have to tell anybody in America, this president faces probably greater challenges than any president going all the way back to Abraham Lincoln.
We are in two wars. We have an economic crisis of monumental proportions. We have the breakdown of financial institutions that Americans once had great trust and confidence in. We have scandals like the Madoff scandal that you couldn't — you couldn't write a book because nobody would read it.
And so there is a very full plate. Americans have lost a great deal of confidence. To rebuild that trust and confidence, we have to work together. But that does not mean that as the loyal opposition that I or my party will be a rubber stamp."

Thank you, President Bush

(Ophir Falk-Ynet). “Obama Mania” has swept the land of the free and quarters of the oppressed. For good reason. Barack Obama brings hope and ambition for a better day. But even during days of high hopes and clear clouds we should keep our sights on the key issues, give credit where credit is due and define the main mission ahead.

Recent polls depict President George W. Bush as one of the worst American presidents ever. Bush mismanaged the New Orleans hurricane relief efforts and the US economy, which led to grave consequences for millions of Americans and adversely affected global prosperity and livelihood. But at the end of the day, these effects will be no more than footnotes in the Bush legacy.

History will judge Bush on the war he led as leader of the world's only superpower against militant Islam, or in his words, "The War on Terror."

With the privilege of hindsight, it can clearly be determined that few global leaders or statesmen in the course of history were able to grasp the moment and truly address the issue of their time in the manner Winston Churchill did prior to and during Word War II. Yet while leading his people during the dark days of the Battle of Britain and on various other fronts, he earned little recognition from his constituencies, losing their vote after the war. But, once the dust had settled and after all was said and done, the Free World knew that Churchill had led his people through their "finest hour."

George W. Bush is no Winston Churchill; not even close. But he grasped the moment and boldly addressed the issue of our time - The War on Terror. Critics jabber Bush as a simple-minded man who sees things in terms of "true" or "false" - "black" or "white," rather than vetting through the gray.

Perhaps, but in the war on terror there is no room for ambiguities, or in the words of President Bush, "you're either with us or against us." President Bush led the confrontation against terror and should be thanked for that.

Bush, unlike Churchill, did not finish the job. Therefore, the war persists, and should be spearheaded by the United States and its allies.

Rasmussen poll:President Obama earns strong approval rating from less then half of the nation

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Approval Index for Sunday shows that 42% of the nation’s voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Obama is performing as President. While that’s down a few points from a spike surrounding his inauguration, it is consistent with the level of strong support the President has enjoyed almost every single day since his electoral victory in November.

At the same time, the President’s negatives have risen a bit since he assumed office and 20% now Strongly Disapprove of his performance. The higher negatives give Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of +22, his lowest rating as President or President-elect since Thanksgiving.

Not surprisingly, partisan and ideological divides remain clear when it comes to evaluating the President. The number of political conservatives who Strongly Disapprove of Obama’s performance has increased from 29% on the morning of Inauguration Day to 38% today. Only 17% of conservatives Strongly Approve.

At the other extreme, 79% of liberal voters Strongly Approve of Obama’s performance to date while just 5% Strongly Disapprove.

Overall, 60% of all voters somewhat or strongly approve of Obama’s performance so far while 36% disapprove.

Emanuel treats Obama as his Younger Brother

(iht).Earlier this month, Barack Obama was meeting with the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and other lawmakers when Rahm Emanuel, his chief of staff, began nervously cracking a knuckle.

Obama then turned to complain to Emanuel about his noisy habit.

At which point, Emanuel held the offending knuckle up to Obama's left ear and, like an annoying little brother, snapped off a few special cracks.

The episode, relayed by someone familiar with the incident, underscores some essential truths about Emanuel: He is brash, has a deep comfort level with his new boss and has been ever-present at Obama's side of late, in meetings, on podia and in numerous photographs.

There he was, standing at Obama's desk in one of the first Oval Office pictures; there he was again, playfully thumbing his nose at his former House colleagues during the inauguration; there he was, accompanying the president to a meeting with congressional leaders on Friday.
Posted by jacob at 9:58 AM 0 comments

New N.Y. Senator Puts President Obama On Hold

Gov. Paterson's Choice Opts To Finish Remarks Before Leaving Podium To Talk To New Commander-In-Chief

After months of public and private dithering and a very public dis of Caroline Kennedy, New York Gov. David Paterson named Hudson County Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate.

Gillibrand, a relatively unknown, is 42 and the mother of two. She was surrounded by political poobahs from around the state, including Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, he himself a contender for the job, and Congressmen Gary Ackerman and Nita Lowey. She vowed to work hard to let New Yorkers get to know her.

"For many New Yorkers, this is the first time you've heard my name, and you don't know much about me," Gillibrand said. "Over the next two years you will get to know me, but much more importantly I will get to know you."

There were some high points -- President Barack Obama called in the middle of Gillibrand's speech.

Gillibrand finished her remarks before she went to the side of the stage to take the call.

"He said, 'I look forward to working with you,'" Gillibrand said.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Obama's Inaugural Surprise

Charles Krauthammer-- Fascinating speech. It was so rhetorically flat, so lacking in rhythm and cadence, one almost has to believe he did it on purpose. Best not to dazzle on Opening Day. Otherwise, they'll expect magic all the time.

The most striking characteristic of Barack Obama is not his nimble mind, engaging manner or wide-ranging intellectual curiosity. It's the absence of neediness. He's Bill Clinton, master politician, but without the hunger.

Clinton craves your adulation (the source of all his troubles). Obama will take it, but he can leave it too. He is astonishingly self-contained. He gives what he must to advance his goals, his programs, his ambitions. But no more. He has no need to.

Which seems to me the only way to understand the mediocrity of his inaugural address. The language lacked lyricism. The content had neither arc nor theme: no narrative trajectory like Lincoln's second inaugural; no central idea, as was (to take a lesser example) universal freedom in Bush's second inaugural.

This is odd because Obama is so clearly capable of more. But he decisively left behind the candidate who made audiences swoon and the impressionable faint. And that left the million-plus on the Mall, while unshakably euphoric about the moment, let down and puzzled by the speech. He'd given them nothing to cheer or chant, nothing to sing

Oh-bama to GOP leaders:Stop listening to Rush Limbaugh

President Obama warned Republicans on Capitol Hill today that they need to quit listening to radio king Rush Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats and the new administration.

"You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done," he told top GOP leaders, whom he had invited to the White House to discuss his nearly $1 trillion stimulus package.

"If we don't get this done we (the Democrats) could lose seats and I could lose re-election. But we can't let people like Rush Limbaugh stall this. That's how things don't get done in this town."

LIMBAUGH'S RESPONCE:
"To make the argument about me instead of his plan makes sense from his perspective. Obama’s plan would buy votes for the Democrat Party, in the same way FDR’s New Deal established majority power for 50 years of Democrat rule, and it would also simultaneously seriously damage any hope of future tax cuts. It would allow a majority of American voters to guarantee no taxes for themselves going forward. It would burden the private sector and put the public sector in permanent and firm control of the economy. Put simply, I believe his stimulus is aimed at re-establishing “eternal” power for the Democrat Party rather than stimulating the economy because anyone with a brain knows this is NOT how you stimulate the economy. If I can be made to serve as a distraction, then there is that much less time debating the merits of this TRILLION dollar debacle."

Friday, January 23, 2009

Gates Predicts U.S. Will be in Iraq and Afghanistan ‘for Years to Come’

(CNSNews.com) – Defense Secretary Robert Gates predicts the U.S. will be in Afghanistan for years to come.

In an article in the current issue of Foreign Affairs, Gates laid out the state of the U.S. military -- and how well it is poised to face the future.

Gates, who came to his post under Bush and was asked to stay by Obama, said the ability of the United States to deal with future threats will depend on how it performs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“To be blunt, to fail -- or to be seen to fail -- in either Iraq or Afghanistan would be a disastrous blow to U.S. credibility, both among friends and allies and among potential adversaries,” Gates wrote.

Gates said the number of U.S. combat units in Iraq will decline over time – “as it was going to do no matter who was elected president in November,” he added.

“Still, there will continue to be some kind of U.S. advisory and counterterrorism effort in Iraq for years to come,” he said.

In Afghanistan, however, troop levels will likely continue to increase in the year ahead.

“Afghanistan in many ways poses an even more complex and difficult long-term challenge than Iraq -- one that, despite a large international effort, will require a significant U.S. military and economic commitment for some time,” the defense secretary and former CIA head wrote.

Palin's state of the State Address

Change? Not in Speeches!!!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Limbaugh on Hannity:Of course I want Obama to fail if he’s going to push a new New Deal



Chuck Todd: History says that Romney will be the GOP nominee in 2012

Obama: Dont ask me Tough Question, i like to shake hands

Actual quote: “I can’t come down here and shake your hands if I’m gonna get grilled every time I come down here.”

McCain: Palin represents a lot to the Republican Party in the future


McCain told King he and Palin are “very close.”
(CNN) – Despite the post-election battle between Sarah Palin and John McCain's campaign advisors, the former Republican presidential candidate told CNN’s Larry King both members of the GOP ticket remain “very close.”

McCain — who has been edging his way back into the spotlight Palin never quite left — dismissed questions over his running mate’s criticism of his campaign team. “Listen, I think the world of Governor Palin, her husband Todd, her family, I'm honored that she would run with me,” he said in an interview set to air Thursday at 9 pm ET.

“And look, whenever there is a losing campaign there is always a little bit of back and forth, and it happens post-mortem. I am so grateful to have her as a friend, and I believe that she represents a lot to the Republican Party in the future. I think she has a big role to play.”

Palin and senior McCain aides, many of them anonymous, have traded criticism since the Republican ticket’s defeat.

Last month, the Alaska governor told Human Events that following the campaign’s media strategy was her biggest regret of the race. “I was not allowed to do very many interviews, and the interviews that I did were not necessarily those I would have chosen,” she said. “But I was so thankful to have the opportunity to run with John McCain that I was not going to argue with the strategy decisions that some of his people were making regarding the media contacts…if I would have been in charge, I would have wanted to speak to more reporters, because that’s how you get your message out to the electorate.”

The Arizona senator would not tell King Thursday whether he was personally stung by Palin’s criticism of his top aides. “Look, we're very close friends, and I talk to her all the time and look forward to seeing her, I think, in a week or so,” he said. “We're very close.”

McCain also side-stepped the question of whether he’d ever raised those comments with her. “Oh — these things always happen in campaigns,” he said. “She has my respect and my affection and that's undying

Bush at a welcome home Rally,Defending his years of Success



Bye Bye President Bush , we will miss you!!!

Obama fails to mention America's closest ally Israel in inuagration speech

In a well prepared speech watched by million's in the world, a speech full of pride for his personal accomplishments, gave warm praises to the muslim world and pledged unity and friendship to all muslin Nations, while ignoring the US closest ally in the middle east and didn't mention a word about protecting Israel from its enemies surrounding its borders and accross the world, likewise he refused to mention the greatest threat of the free World in this difficult times - Iran,and made just a 5 second commitment to the terrorist that seek to destroy the US, "we will defeat you".
Is this the change we are in for?

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Obama! You wanted it,You got it,This country is more then a blackberry

(CNN).Those who follow Obama on a regular basis know the president-elect is constantly on the addictive e-mail device. But the Secret Service, as well as Obama lawyers, are concerned it could easily be hacked and are demanding the new president hand over the BlackBerry before he moves into the White House.

But in an interview with CNBC Wednesday, Obama made clear he's not giving it up without a fight.

"They're going to pry it out of my hands," the president-elect said.

"You know, this town's full of lawyers. I don't know if you've noticed…and they have a lot opinions. And so I'm still in a scuffle around that, but it–look, it's the hardest thing about being president. How do you stay in touch with the flow of everyday life," he added.

The Secret Service also made President Bush give up e-mail when he assumed the presidency, and former President Clinton, during whose term e-mail became widely-used, sent a grand total of two e-mails while president — one as a test to see if it worked and the second to former Sen. and astronaut John Glenn before he went back into space in 1998.

But in the interview Wednesday, Obama suggested keeping his BlackBerry is one way he could stay connected to the real world.

"I've got to look for every opportunity to do that – ways that aren't scripted, ways that aren't controlled, ways where, you know, people aren't just complimenting you or standing up when you enter into a room, ways of staying grounded," he said.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Palin finaly gets on the media's approach over her

From Five will remain "The One"

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1274008643/bclid6614395001/bctid6614265001

(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama hailed a rare Oval Office gathering of all U.S. presidents as an extraordinary event on Wednesday as the current occupant, President George W. Bush, reminded his predecessors and successor that the office "transcends the individual."
"I just want to thank the president for hosting us," the president-elect said, flanked by former President George H.W. Bush on one side and his son on the other.

Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, both smiling broadly, stood with them.

"All the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and possibilities of this office," Obama said. "For me to have the opportunity to get advice, good counsel and fellowship with these individuals is extraordinary."

In a swift photo opportunity, the current president wished Obama well before all five men headed to a private lunch.

"I want to thank the president-elect for joining the ex-presidents for lunch," Bush said, even though he's not quite a member of that club yet.

"One message that I have and I think we all share is that we want you to succeed. Whether we're Democrat or Republican we care deeply about this country," Bush said. "All of us who have served in this office understand that the office itself transcends the individual."

He added: "We wish you all the very best, and so does the country."

RNC Chairman Debate


The candidates are Saul Anuzis, MI GOP Chairman; Ken Blackwell; Katon Dawson, South Carolina GOP Chairman; Mike Duncan, the current RNC Chairman; Chip Saltsman, former TN GOP Chairman and Mike Huckabee’s campaign manager; and Michael Steele.

Mac is Back - "Country First" organization

A email from John Mccain:
My Friend,

In the time since the 2008 presidential campaign ended I have had a chance to reflect on many things. And as I said on election night, I truly cannot adequately express how indebted I am to you, my entire campaign team and my running mate, Governor Sarah Palin

The road was a difficult one from the outset. Yet, your faith, your support and friendship never wavered. Just as I have proudly served my country for more than half a century I am as committed as ever to helping see our mission through.

So to continue the movement, I have decided to launch a new grassroots organization called Country First.

Today, I’m asking you as a friend and supporter to renew your commitment to our common goals by becoming a Charter Member of Country First with an online contribution.

Country First will allow us to strengthen our Party, better define our Republican ideals and message, recruit and back strong, dedicated candidates and continue our efforts to bring real reform to government by always putting our country and the noble ideals she stands for first.

Together, we can make government more responsive to today’s problems and more answerable to the people. That’s why I hope you will become a Charter Member of Country First and support our cause by following this link to make a generous contribution of any amount today.

With your help we can work to elect these new leaders to Governorships, Statehouses, the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in 2010 and beyond. Once in office they will become fierce advocates for limited government, economic opportunity, personal responsibility and strong national security.

On Election Night last year, I called on all Americans not to despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.

Today, I am asking you to join Country First to continue fighting for the worthy cause of revitalizing both our democracy and our Party.

Our goals will never be realized if your voice falls silent. You are the best hope for our country’s success. Please stay in this fight with me; our country needs your service now as much as ever.

I know that together we can make a difference - we already have. Again, I thank you for your unwavering friendship and support.

Sincerely,

John McCain

P.S. Country First will serve as a powerful voice for the American people. It will allow us to get our Republican message out to the voters and elect a new generation of Republican leaders who can go to Statehouses and Congress to fight for all we believe in. Please join as a Charter Member of Country First by following this link to make a contribution today. Thank you.

I’m not closing the door on 2012, says Palin

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty" (Churchill)