Thinking in Print - Cogito Ergo BlogitoThinking in Print - Cogito Ergo BlogitoThinking in Print - Cogito Ergo BlogitoThinking in Print - Cogito Ergo BlogitoThinking in Print - Cogito Ergo Blogito
It was about as interesting as watching paint dry until I realized something.
On Monday night, the following speakers are listed:
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)
U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.)
U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.)
On Tuesday night these folks are slated to speak:
Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani
Gov. Sarah Palin (Alaska)
Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.)
Former Gov. Tom Ridge (Pa.)
Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn.)
Wednesday night’s roster sports the following:
Gov. Bobby Jindal (La.)
Former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.)
U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.)
And closing night has the final slate including:
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)
Former U.S. Sen. Bill Frist (Tenn.)
None of this would be anything earthshattering except that also slated to speak on Wednesday is the following person:
Republican Party’s Vice Presidential Nominee
If we assume the RNC is not being clever, there are a lot of names on the list that are NOT going to be the GOP’s VP nominee. Now the suspense is killing me …
I missed the email notifying me of this gem. And I’m kicking myself. But it’s never too late!
Some friends of mine, bloggers from Denver on the Right side of the spectrum, are covering the DNC. So far their site promises to be the best blogger coverage of the event and perhaps among the best coverage period. Bloggers Ross Kaminsky, Ben DeGrow, Mike “El Presidente” Sandoval, The Drunkablog, Jon Caldara and others are on the street and on the various stories going on around Denver. Their pictures and live blogging of the event are on the web for your enjoyment at The People’s Press Collective.
Stop by and see pictures of The Anarchist’s Wal-Mart, the Attempt to Levitate the Denver Mint, The Assault on Michelle Malkin and more. Bookmark the site and check in frequently. It promises to be a rip-roaring good time. With all the insanity going on inside and out, how could it be otherwise?
Politics is supposed to be about the will of the people expressed by their vote and their activism which then shapes both the political parties and the ranks of elected officials. Would that it were that simple. Reality deals with the fact that there will always be those who are more influential than others in that process. Whether via connections or cash, some folks are better positioned to push a Party or a candidate one way or the other. The question is, of course, what to do when one person carries so much weight and influence that he can, by himself, influence or actually alter the course of politics in a state or a region.
This is not a philosophical or rhetorical question. It is happening across the country. People like George Soros spend billions to influence political discussions and the political process to effectively disenfranchise “regular” voters by manipulating what is seen and heard to the point where “reality” becomes what he wants it to be. People like Tim Gill and other wealthy individuals in Colorado have poured personal millions into state and local races, fundamentally altering the makeup of the state’s political delegations in ways that don’t necessarily fit with the makeup of the electorate there. It seems to be happening again. This time in Texas and the man behind the money is Fred Baron.
Baron is the man who paid for the relocation and support of Rielle Hunter, John Edwards’ mistress, and her child. Texas Watchdog reports Baron says he moved both Rielle Hunter and Andrew Young, the man who says he is the father of Hunter’s child, on his own dime and for his own reasons without input or contact with Edwards or the campaign.
The reason for Baron shelling out money for the relocation? Young and Hunter were being dogged by tabloid reporters chasing rumors of the affair and pregnancy, according to the initial interview.
“I made a decision on my own, without talking to Edwards or anybody, to try to help them move to a community to try to get away from those folks,” Baron told the [Dallas Morning News]. He said he used his own money –not campaign funds – but did not disclose how much he provided. Both Hunter, who now lives in Santa Barbara, Calif., and Young worked under Baron for the campaign.
Critics say this raises all kinds of questions.
“John Edwards’ affair on his cancer-stricken wife and Fred Baron’s apparent attempt to silence Edwards’ mistress by spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on her reeks of the arrogance of two multimillionaire plaintiffs attorneys trying to buy the White House,” said Anthony Holm, an Austin-based GOP political consultant and creator of GivetheMoneyBack.com.
Indeed, Baron initially described the help as a payout from his own pocket. That turned into a “loan” in a later New York Times interview. Some news reports put Hunter’s monthly maintenance fees at $15,000 per month. Baron denied the amount is that much but has not disclosed how much it is.
Interesting that such a connected and savvy political operator would choose relocation as the solution to being dogged by reporters as opposed to “Let’s hold a press conference and clear this thing up once and for all!” But, hey, it’s his money. Still one has to wonder why he chose this particular avenue.
Shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars to move “people of interest” around the world isn’t Baron’s first move in the political game of “Show me the money!” Texas Watchdog also reports Baron, his wife and his law firm are behind almost $7 million dollars in donations over the last few years to candidates and causes that are decidedly on the Left side of the political spectrum. So much so, Texas Watchdog can also report
It’s difficult to overstate Baron’s importance to Democrats in Texas and to those in Washington. In addition to serving as John Edwards’ 2004 and 2008 presidential campaign finance chairman, he’s thrown jaw-dropping sums of money into other political races.
He’s credited with helping the Democrats take over the U.S. Senate two years ago, as well as transforming Dallas County government to a Democratic-controlled body, wresting it away from the GOP.
“I credit Fred and Fred’s energy with helping get the state Democratic Party back on the road to revival,” said Ken Molberg, a senior member of the state Democratic executive committee and a former Dallas County party chairman. “It’s something he did not have to do and, most certainly in my view, he did it based on his own belief system that they needed to be a viable state party.”
I’m all for a person being able to use what is his to influence the poltical debate. I have no problems with the reality that since some folks have more than others, they’ll also have more influence. But, as has been noted in a recent blockbuster movie, with great power comes great responsibility. If Fred Baron wants to play in the deep end of the pool, then he should expect some scrutiny of both his actions and the results of those actions.
Just here is where the process breaks down. It is one thing for Baron and men like him to rebuild or to carry a political party on their shoulders in a state or nationally. It is another thing entirely for that man to use his funds to so manipulate politics that it changes the fortunes and outcomes of the electorate and the state or country. As Nashville radio talk show host Michael DelGiorno has noted, had the Edwards affair and the predictable fallout from it been a public matter earlier in the election cycle, Hillary Clinton would probably have been the Democratic nominee for President. Fred Baron, also “… based on his own belief system …”, played a key role in preventing that from happening.
In so doing, one man not only disenfranchised the work and votes of millions of his fellow Democrats who supported Clinton, he altered the landscape of the entire Presidential race for the rest of the country as well. That sort of power should only rest in the hands of a candidate since the candidate himself must live or die with the results of what he does. Baron’s efforts meant John Edwards didn’t have to answer to the electorate for what he did. It also meant Democratic voters didn’t get a fair choice at the ballot box this year. That Baron, or anyone else, would choose to personally corrupt political events is a blight on what should be a process all voters can later say was untainted, especially when their candidate loses.
Republicans, too, must learn from this trampling of the everyday man by those who through personal hubris would be kingmakers. They must purpose now to resist the temptation. And temptation it is. The stakes are high and the issues are important. No one questions that. But what does it say about the solutions a person or a party brings to the discussion if the only way those solutions can make it into the debate is improper. The Democrats have no monopoly on the tactic of the end justifying the means. Should the Right adopt that tactic and others equally offensive because they’ve shown themselves to be effective at times, they also willingly adopt the moral bankruptcy of which they are evidence.
May we be delivered and kept from the Fred Barons of the world, regardless of their affiliations.
I am really surprised. I think it’s a bad choice. Which I’m happy about, but Wow, what a poor choice. Obama’s camp seems to get dumber by the minute.
Of all the names I saw floated over the last few weeks there was one name that I consistently wondered about. Biden’s. Of all the people Obama could have chosen, or even have on his short list, I’m of the opinion that Biden was both the weakest and the one that deserved being there the least.
I understand Biden brings a bit of experience and longevity to the ticket. Obama desperately needs exactly that. Biden, as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee can provide that. It is, however, incomprehensible to me that Obama evidently ignored the rest of the experience and longevity Biden brings along. Biden’s personal charm, talents and charisma aside, he has considerable baggage that would speak against him being on the ticket for practical and political reasons. How the Obama camp missed these is beyond me. I offer a short list for your consideration.
Despite having years to learn and know better, Biden has way too many political mis-steps and gaffes in his past to be anything other than a ticking time bomb for Obama’s campaign. Oldest and highest on the list is Biden’s now famous bout with plagiarism which arguably cost him the Democratic nomination for President in a campaign against Michael Dukakis in the late 80s. The most recent was just two days ago when, instead of choosing political dissembling, Biden simply lied to journalists about his place in the Veep-Stakes. Plagiarists are cheats and thieves. We can now add liar or stupid to the list. This is who Obama wants to stand by his side and represent change?
When choosing a running mate, one generally looks to add a person to the ticket that will attract voters; both from your own ranks and from the Center. Biden has a long history of flirting around the race for President on the Democratic side. His best showing and opportunity was 20 years ago in the 1988 race. The very one he imploded in due to the plagiarism charges mentioned above. Since then, while a perennial hanger-on, he has never been seriously considered or accepted by the Democratic Party where it counts, at the ballot box. His popularity among Democrats in the 2008 race was so dismal he dropped out of the race immediately after the Iowa Caucus, mere hours following the very first test of candidate acceptability. Biden hasn’t been attractive to Democrats for decades. How is he going to help Obama now?
Finally, when choosing a running mate it always helps to have someone who is more interested in running on your ticket than he is on the ticket from the other side. The buzz in the Tubes this morning is how quickly the McCain camp got this video together. It’s obvious they had video prepared for a number of possibilities and probably got their dream pick. See for yourself.
There will be more on both Obama and Biden in the weeks ahead. Suffice it to say that for the moment, I feel confident Obama’s pick has stunned the political world. Neither side can believe the choice. The Left will try and spin this as a great pick. The Right is already all over it “like a duck on a June bug” as they say here in the South. Given that metaphor is a picture of a predator snapping up a tasty treat, it is also quite appropriate. At the end of the day, I cannot conceive of a worse pick for Democrats and a better one for Republicans than Joe Biden. But the choice is made and we move to the next step in the process. Time will tell.
Blue Collar Muse
SEE ALSO:
I Wuz Wrong by Joltin’ Django at Nigh Seen Creeder.
Elizabeth, over at E!! The True Conservative Story, posted up excerpts from Jonah Goldberg’s column from today. Evidently today is supposed to be a day of humor here at BCM. JG’s column fits the mold. Not only is it spot on, it’s a real laugh out loud (I did, several times) read. He takes on the issue of why Barack Obama can’t get traction and gain ground on McCain.
He opens with
The Democrats are having their flop-sweat moment. Barack Obama should be way out in front. The Republicans are in terrible shape. There hasn’t been a more battered brand name since Bart Simpson swallowed a jagged metal “O” from his box of Krusty-O’s cereal. The GOP has nominated an old white-haired dude, in Paris Hilton’s words, who makes Dick Cheney look like a lambada champion. He’ll be the kind of president who will yell from the Oval Office window, “You kids get off my lawn!” The economy isn’t roadkill quite yet; it’s sort of like wounded roadkill, flopping around, unable to get going but unwilling to lay down and die.
And yet, John McCain is pulling ahead of Obama.
It just gets better from there. Please visit Jonah and E!! And feed them both, please. They get testy when hungry.
The ol’ “Toca del Sombrero” for this Friday Funny goes to Bob R. via email. I laughed so hard I shot twin beverage jets you-know-how …
1. Open a new file in your computer.
2. Name it ‘Barack Obama’.
3. Send it to the Recycle Bin.
4. Empty the Recycle Bin.
5. Your PC will ask you: ‘Do you really want to get rid of ‘Barack Obama?’
6. Firmly Click ‘Yes.’
7. Feel better?
This must be my day for great emails! Hat tip to Owen M for this one …
It’s really quite simple:
John McCain has served in Congress for 26 years following 22 years of military service.
Barack Obama has never served a minute in the military and has a grand total of 501 days of experience in the Senate, up to this moment. I’ve not reduced his service at all for the time he’s missed while campaigning since he declared on 2/10/2007.
If we assume 165 days per year for service in Congress (you can get the exact numbers here if you like) and 365 days per year for service in the military (I’m resisting the urge to give him extra credit for his combat service and POW time), then McCain has 12,320 days experience; almost 25 times that of Obama. McCain has almost 10% of Obama’s “days of total service” in his “years of total service”! Seen this way, the choice is laughable!
What sort of a experience can one acquire in 501 days spread out over 4 years?!? It’s likely Obama just found out where all the bathrooms are in the Senate. How is he more qualified to lead? How is he more qualified to determine what needs to be changed?
That’s the name of a new blog which popped up on the scene just yesterday. It’s a Blogspot blog so good luck trying to find out who’s behind it. One thing there’s no mistaking - the mission behind it!
It’s not real long on original writing, punditry and commentary. But it is a nice compilation of articles from around both the MSM and the blogosphere concerning the millstone around Governor Bredesen’s neck which not only won’t go away; it’s getting heavier by the day! Whoever decided to have Lt. Shirley snoop around in people’s records is likely having a series of very bad hair days!
The articles posted at
Bredesen’s Watergate tie Shirley’s snooping to Bredesen’s Bunker, to Jimmy Naifeh and to Tennessee Democrats in general. With just weeks to go before the elections, it will be interesting to see who else gets swept up in a very broad net that seems to be legitimately flung into waters filled with elected and appointed officials.
In a state Democratic Party which seems to pride itself on corrupt politicians, the potential for entertainment purposes alone is staggering. Time to go looking for my program so I can tell the players apart. Bookmark this site, folks. If the author keeps it up to date with new information, it promises to be a rich source of information.
Pvt. Nathan Z. Thacker
18 years old from Greenbrier, Arkansas
2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
October 12, 2007 Pvt. Nathan Z. Thacker had only been in the country for two weeks before his death, according to the soldier’s father, Stephen Thacker.Thacker’s father said his son felt a duty to enlist. “He said it was his job. Even after he got his orders that he was going over there, he said it’s his job.”
Thacker had attended Guy-Perkins High School in Guy, Arkansas. He earned his GED in 2006, his father said. Thacker enlisted in the Army in April 2007 and completed his training at Fort Benning, Ga. He arrived at Fort Drum in August 2007. His honors include the Purple Heart.
“Nathan was an excellent man,” sister Sabrina Black said. “He loved me, I loved him, and I’d give anything to have him back.”
Pvt. Thacker was killed when an IED was detonated near his vehicle near Kirkuk. Three other soldiers were injured in the attack.
Pvt. Thacker is survived by his parents, siblings and his grandfather.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People LivedThis post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
The thoughts and opinions expressed here at Blue Collar Muse are completely and solely those of Ken Marrero, exercising his 1st Amendment Right to Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Religion and to Petition Government for Redress of Grievances.
This is true despite the fact that my views are similar, and in many instances identical, to a large number of rational and thoughtful people, fictional and real, living and dead.
So, for the record, I and I alone am responsible for the thoughts, views and opinions shared here.
They are not to be seen, in any way imaginable, as those of my family, friends, employer, childhood imaginary companions or anyone else (Although it is true The Much Younger Trophy Wife made me say this. Seems she did some research and there was no promise in our vows, stated or implied, to the end of "in Right Wing, Bigoted, Hateful, Intolerant, Wingnut Idiocy and in Mental Health". She just wanted to be clear). They are especially not those of handlers operating from the bowels of the VRWC (As if I'd admit it if they were. There are confidentiality agreements involved after all!). Just pay no attention to that guy behind the curtain.
If you like what you read here, pat meon the back! If you disagree, kick mein the shins. But it's me, me, me - it's all about me! That seems rather appropriate, don't you think?
Pvt. Nathan Z. Thacker had only been in the country for two weeks before his death, according to the soldier’s father, Stephen Thacker.Thacker’s father said his son felt a duty to enlist. “He said it was his job. Even after he got his orders that he was going over there, he said it’s his job.”
Entries (RSS)