Brandon

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Obama Exploits Race Crime But Ignores Crimes Where Whites Are Victims

He let the Genie out of the bottle and doesn't seem at all interested in getting it back in!

In the last few days a disturbing number of murders with racial components have been committed. You won't hear much about race in connection with these crimes because the victims were white and the killers black.
Killer Vester Flanagan (right) believed black grievance culture
justified his killing to Adam Ward and Alison Parker in Virginia.
The killing of Ward and Parker was particularly heinous because it was broadcast on live television with the killer  putting the video on social media following the act. Flanagan released a 23 page manifesto which made it clear that race motivated his actions. Why hasn't the complete manifesto been released?

You didn't hear a word about the killings from Obama other than to suggest that guns were the problem. Search the White House web site and you'll find multiple references to Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown or the Charleston church shooting. You won't find anything about the motivations of Vester Flanagan.

Obama even delivered a eulogy at the funeral for victims of the Charleston church shooting. And the nation was embroiled for weeks on a discussion of the Confederate Flag and accusations of white racism. Not a peep this time.

Then the second killing:

Texas Deputy Darren Goforth shot and killed execution-style by Shannon Juruary Miles on Friday.
Again, no word of condolence from Obama.
Note that no one burned down a CVS drug store to protest this killing. Recently   #BlackLivesMatter activists have urged the killing of whites and cops. On Saturday, another BlackLivesMatter group protested in Minnesota with the chant: “Pigs in a blanket, fry ‘em like bacon!”

Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman blamed "dangerous national rhetoric" for the killing. Will Obama acknowledge his part in raising the temperature of racial discourse in the cases he hand picks? Will his agent Al Sharpton or any of the Black Lives Matter crowd face the same scrutiny as whites who may have strong racial views? We know the answer: NO!

Many of those who perpetrate these crimes are themselves victims, albeit willingly, of the race grievance industry that has tentacles buried deep in American culture and academia where now "microagrression" can mean just about anything to justify your action. Sally Kohn, liberal commenter at CNN tweeted that despite Vester Flanagan's mental illness he "appears to acted out of sense of victimization i have no reason to believe not justified."

As long as the left is willing to find justification for acts of violence the killing will continue and race relations continue to deteriorate. The race war that white Dylan Roof sought in Charleston and Vester Flanagan sought in Virginia will be the consequence of left wing political correctness gone mad!

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Obama Tried to Use Tenth Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina to Politicize Climate Change but Weather Would Not Cooperate

It's been ten years since a major storm struck the United States but Obama continues to try and sell doom and gloom to enrich his green buddies!

Obama's speech and the press releases were already written when Hurricane Danny began churning into the Caribbean ten days ago. Then pfft! Danny just disappeared. Oh well, Tropical Storm Ericka popped up right behind Danny and the warnings went out in Florida then pfft! Ericka did cause major flooding and loss of life on the tiny Island of Dominica but will likely cause only minor flooding and relieve any existing dry conditions when her remnants reach the United States. Global Warming alarmists can however keep their fingers crossed that a new wave off the coast of Africa will fulfill their alarmist predictions.

But Obama went to New Orleans on Thursday and trotted out the big lie just the same when he said "We are going to see more extreme weather events as a result of climate change — deeper droughts, deadlier wildfires, stronger storms." He's signing off the same scare book that has been used ever since Katrina with sky is falling predictions which never come true!

Do you remember the post Katrina hype? CBS anchor Russ Mitchell reported one month after Katrina for years now, experts have been saying we’ve entered a period of increased hurricane activity that may last a long time...there's no end in sight.” Seems for now that there's "no end in sight" to the LACK of hurricanes.

Still, the alarmists can cling to the current number of large storms in the Pacific. But the overall index of global cyclonic activity known as the Accumulated Cyclonic Energy Index or ACE is still at historic lows. ACE measures not just number of storms but total energy:


All of this information on hurricanes and other weather events is available to Obama from U.S. Government agencies that track such things. If he is misinformed it's because he chooses to be!

Meanwhile the scare machine continues to churn faster than an Atlantic hurricane. The latest bit of nonsense was the claim that July was the hottest month EVER recorded. Except that the dubious honor was awarded by 8 one hundreds of a degree measurement from a global temperature system that admits to an error margin of 14 hundreds of a degree and is likely much higher. How do you measure global temperature anyway? Is there a giant thermometer? And with so called "scientists" telling us the science is "settled" why do they keep changing past temperature records to make the present seem warmer. Explain the following animated graphic:

How is the "science settled" if climate change alarmists
change past temperature records to make it appear today is hotter?
What's Obama up to? Enriching his campaign contributors. He announced this week that another $12 billion in federal loan giveaways for his green friends. Like that worked out so well the last time with Solyndra and many more green firms going bankrupt. But not to worry, his campaign contributors made out like bandits on the deals anyway!

Monday, August 24, 2015

Benefits and Disadvantages of the Trump Bump: Plus, How Long Will It Last?

What goes up must come down. So far for Trump it hasn't!

After insulting Sen. John McCain some pundits predicted Trump would be finished. Five weeks and he's still going strong.

The New York Times has a good story looking at the phenomenon from the perspective of those who support Trump. Clearly they are angry at the GOP establishment and do not favor candidates who would simply tinker around the margins of the status quo. They want a candidate who is not afraid to take on the establishment and isn't bound to campaign donors who tend to restrain more conservative reform minded candidates.

I sympathize with the desire of Trump supporters who want real change not just more of the same "go along to get along" type of GOP leadership that has shown to be so ineffective in countering Obama's hard left transformation.

But I have also made it clear that I believe Trump is the wrong person to lead the charge.  No matter what Trump says he's no Ronald Reagan.

How Long Will Bubble Last?

So far Trump as defied the conventional wisdom that suggests candidates go up then down while the establishment candidate slowly plods ahead. Remember all the early leads of outsider GOP candidates in 2012? Romney held an early lead only to see Texas Governor Rick Perry explode on the scene then implode. Following Perry was Herman Cain then Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum. All the while establishment candidate Romney increased his support in the background.


But when it came to the general election Romney, like McCain in 2008, was supposed to be the best bet for attracting independent and moderate voters. They followed the advice of GOP establishment campaign consultants and neglected the conservative base allowing Obama, who never wavered from targeting his liberal base, to win TWICE!

Is there much doubt an establishment candidate like Jeb Bush would follow the same course?

Trump's lead continues to hold:

Bump Benefits

Trump continues to suck all the oxygen out of the room. Other candidates have a hard time getting noticed because the media is so interested in chasing after Trump. That's both good and bad. Jeb Bush, who was the frontrunner prior to the Trump bump is losing ground. So is Scott Walker. Sneaking up are smaller profile candidates like Carson and also Cruz, Rubio and Fiorina who may actually benefit because Trump is drawing fire that might otherwise be directed at them. Trump can take on hot button issues like immigration and put that at the top of the agenda where later these other candidates can pick up the torch and run. Trump may actually be providing these other non-establishment candidates with cover that shields them from the media's withering fire.


No one knows how long the Trump Bump will last. Most experts continue to believe he will follow the historic trajectory of prior insurgents and decline at some point (1,2,3). But since most of these experts thought he would be gone by now, we have to take their current analysis with a grain of salt.

No matter how long Trump lasts one thing is clear. There is a huge segment of the GOP voter base, which cuts across all ideological lines that is fed up with the way the GOP establishment has been doing business. They don't want another candidate who promises change and continues with the status quo once in office. The question for candidates is: Do you serve the voters or your donor base? It may that you can't have it both ways!

Friday, August 21, 2015

Once Again Americans Save French as Marines Tackle Gunman on Train

I wonder if Obama will praise them or....?

An attack by an Islamist on a train from Belgium to Paris was foiled as two off duty U.S. Marines subdued the gunman. France's Minister of the Interior hailed their heroism:
Thanks to them we have averted a drama.  (The Americans were) particularly courageous and showed extreme bravery in extremely difficult circumstances.
This isn't' the first time that Americans have aided the French. It won't be the last!

UPDATE: Full Story


U.S. Airman Spencer Stone suffered multiple knife injuries after tackling gunman.
Despite his injuries he administered first aid to a severely wounded passenger saving his life.
Three men who helped to disarm an attacker on a train from Amsterdam to France, Anthony Sadler, from Pittsburg, California, Aleck Sharlatos from Roseburg, Oregon, and Chris Norman, a British man living in France, pose with medals they received for their bravery at a restaurant in Arras. (Reuters)


Seized from the gunman: enough ammo for a trainload of death!
From the U.K. Independent:A US soldier has spoken of the moment he and a childhood friend prevented a gunman from opening fire on a passenger train from Amsterdam to northern France.

Alek Skarlatos, on holiday in Europe with fellow serviceman Spencer Stone and student Anthony Sadler, said he and his companions heard a gunshot and breaking glass while on their Thalys train at around 3.45pm on Friday.

“I saw a guy entering the carriage with an AK and a handgun, at that point I ducked down and my friend Spencer, next to me, ducked down and I just looked over at Spencer and said: ‘Let’s go’,” Mr Skalatos told Sky News from his hotel room in Arras, northern France.

The 22-year-old National Guardsman from Rosenburg, Oregan, and Mr Stone charged the unidentified 26-year-old man, believed to be of Moroccan origin, down the narrow carriage.

"Then I grabbed the AK (assault rifle), which was at his feet, and started muzzle thumping him in the head with it," Mr Skarlatos added.

Mr Sadler, a senior at Sacramento State University, told The Associated Press of his friends' exploits: "Spencer makes first contact, he tackles the guy, Alek wrestles the gun away from him, and the gunman pulls out a boxcutter and slices Spencer a few times.

“And the three of us beat him until he was unconscious.
While Americans were saving countless lives, the train's crew were barricaded in a staff room. One Frenchman was injured trying to activate the carriages emergency alarm.

UPDATE: Terrorist fought for ISIS in Syria. For people who want to believe that ISIS is just a regional problem, this attack is more proof to the contrary. Will Obama admit this was an act of Islamic terrorism?

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Iran to Inspect Itself in Nuke Deal. Plus: Senior Senate Dem on Foreign Relations Says NO to Deal!

Iran deal is already a farce but "self inspections" confirms opponents worst fears!

The Obama Administration hailed the Iran deal as "historic" and Obama himself declared that it wasn't based on trust but verification and insisted that the deal "contains the most comprehensive inspection and verification regime ever negotiated to monitor a nuclear program." One expert sympathetic to Obama's deal chortled ""This puts in place unprecedented inspections on the ground. There's no other system like it in the world."

Well, maybe that last part was right. This deal may contain "unprecedented inspections" like no other. Just not the way the expert or Obama intended.

The Associated Press reports that one of the secret side deals, ones which were not even shared with American negotiators gives Iran the right to inspect itself at the most sensitive nuclear site:
(AP) -- Iran will be allowed to use its own inspectors to investigate a site it has been accused of using to develop nuclear arms, operating under a secret agreement with the U.N. agency that normally carries out such work, according to a document seen by The Associated Press.
Sen. Tom Cotten (R-AR) said this is like  "allowing an NFL player to submit their own samples for drug testing." Too bad Saddam Hussein didn't hold out for this kind of inspection. He might still be in power. Strike that. President Bush would never have fallen for this charade!

This revelation is sure to spark concern among some Democrats who will soon be called on to vote on the deal. But apparently not all. As AP reports:
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi shrugged off the revelation, saying, "I truly believe in this agreement."
"I truly believe" that there's no fact that will dislodge Pelosi from what approximates to a religious zeal in favor of a bad deal.

The White House insists that there is no provision for self inspection. Yet, Administration officials have already admitted they were not privy to the secret side deals. Like Nancy Pelosi they believe what they want to believe.

Read the agreement for yourself and see what YOU "believe:"
1. Iran will provide to the Agency photos of the locations, including those identified in paragraph 3 below, which would be mutually agreed between Iran and the Agency, taking into account military concerns.

2. Iran will provide to the Agency videos of the locations, including those identified in paragraph 3 below, which would be mutually agreed between Iran and the Agency, taking into account military concerns.

3. Iran will provide to the Agency 7 environmental samples taken from points inside one building already identified by the Agency and agreed by Iran, and 2 points outside of the Parchin complex which would be agreed between Iran and the Agency.
Top Foreign Policy Senate Dem Says NO to Bad Deal

Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has joined top foreign relations Democrats in the House in opposition to this deal. Menendez points out that the promises made by the Obama Administration when it first began negotiating with Iran were all thrown away. He concludes:
“We now know all of that fell by the wayside. But what we cannot dismiss is that we have now abandoned our long-held policy of preventing nuclear proliferation and are now embarked – not on preventing nuclear proliferation – but on managing or containing it -- which leaves us with a far less desirable, less secure, and less certain world order. So, I am deeply concerned that this is a significant shift in our nonproliferation policy, and about what it will mean in terms of a potential arms race in an already dangerous region.
...
“This deal grants Iran permanent sanctions relief in exchange for only temporary – temporary -- limitations on its nuclear program – not a rolling-back, not dismantlement, but temporary limitations. At year ten, the UN Security Council Resolution will disappear along with the dispute resolution mechanism needed to snapback UN sanctions and the 24-day mandatory access provision for suspicious sites in Iran.

“The deal enshrines for Iran, and in fact commits the international community to assisting Iran in developing an industrial-scale nuclear power program, complete with industrial scale enrichment.
...
“Whether or not the supporters of the agreement admit it, this deal is based on ‘hope’-- hope that when the nuclear sunset clause expires Iran will have succumbed to the benefits of commerce and global integration. Hope that the hardliners will have lost their power and the revolution will end its hegemonic goals. And hope that the regime will allow the Iranian people to decide their fate.

“Hope is part of human nature, but unfortunately it is not a national security strategy.
“The Iranian regime, led by the Ayatollah, wants above all to preserve the regime and its Revolution, unlike the Green Revolution of 2009. So it stretches incredulity to believe they signed on to a deal that would in any way weaken the regime or threaten the goals of the Revolution.

“I understand that this deal represents a trade-off, a hope that things may be different in Iran in ten-15 years. Maybe Iran will desist from its nuclear ambitions. Maybe they'll stop exporting and supporting terrorism. Maybe they'll stop holding innocent Americans hostage. Maybe they'll stop burning American flags. And maybe their leadership will stop chanting, “Death to America" in the streets of Tehran. Or maybe they won't.
That's only a small snippet from Menendez's statement. For anyone who says opponents of the deal haven't thought it through I recommend reading his statement in it's entirety.

Menendez confirms what many of us have said about Obama's foreign policy from the beginning. It's based on a fantasy that hope will overcome national self interest and weaken the hold that evil regimes like Iran have over their people. It's a bad deal and top Democrats know it!

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Hillary's Email Scandals Turns to Bathroom Farce

And all this plays right into the tried and tested Clinton plan of creating confusion and doubt!

So far the Hillary email scandal has all the usual hallmarks of Clinton scandal management going back decades. But as usual with the Clintons the more they try and cover things up the more we learn about their questionable, perhaps even illegal activities. At this point I'm waiting for another  blue dress to show up!

At Tuesday press conference Hillary looked surprised that anyone didn't believe her story of events.
I'm waiting for another "what difference does it make" defense!
For anyone not paying close attention the Daily Mail has a timeline at the end of this article.  From that this is my summary of the most important points.

Beginning in 2008 Hillary began using a private email server that was housed in her home in Chappaqua, New York. Hillary claims the server was guarded by the Secret Service but she fails to admit that physical guardianship would protect the server from foreign spies. She kept this arrangement until after it was exposed by a hacker.

In June 2013 she transferred her email operation to a private company in Colorado with strong ties to Democrats. The original server was sent to a data center in New Jersey and supposedly erased. No word on whether the data center was authorized to handle potentially classified information that would normally be part of the Secretary of State's online correspondence.

Also at this time Congressional inquiries were beginning that would require Hillary to turn over all records relating to potential investigations. It's a violation of federal law to erase any data that might be pertinent to those investigations and it is NOT up to the person who holds the data to make the decision of what is pertinent.

The mom and pop operation in Colorado to which she transferred her server kept it in a bathroom closest in a Denver residential apartment. This gives rise to jokes about "wiping your server clean."

Following the standard Clinton playbook both Hillary and the State Department have stonewalled providing emails to relevant congressional committees investigating Hillary's actions as Secretary of State. Meanwhile, Hillary has made repeated statements that she did nothing wrong which later are carefully amended to make it appear she is just the victim of a Republican witch hunt.

But even Democrats like stalwart liberal columnist Eugene Robinson are having trouble swallowing the Clinton Kool Aid this time around. Robinson writes that Hillary's problem is: "about basic respect — for us and for the truth."

ROBINSON: I wish she wouldn’t insult our intelligence by claiming she only did what other secretaries of state had done. None of her predecessors, after all, went to the trouble and expense of a private e-mail server.

I wish she would explain why, after turning over to the State Department the e-mails she deemed work-related, she had the server professionally wiped clean. The explanation that she didn’t want people prying into private matters such as “planning for [daughter] Chelsea’s wedding . . . as well as yoga routines, family vacations, the other things you typically find in inboxes” is unconvincing. Does she have some secret yoga move she doesn’t want the world to know about?

And I wish I could be sure that Clinton is now, finally, doing everything in her power to ensure that any extant e-mails are turned over to the State and Justice departments. Unfortunately, I can’t. She stonewalled for so long — there’s no other word for her stance — that recent pledges of openness and cooperation ring hollow.
Centrist columnist Ron Fournier at National Journal says he counted six lies and deceptions in Hillary's latest defense. Only six?

Will the Stain Stick?


Hillary claims that no one at her scripted, tightly controlled events where only political supporters are invited care about this issue. That may be the one thing she said on Tuesday that was true. I doubt her supporters know, let alone care about the issues here. But as the story grows and is being covered by the mainstream media, Hillary's attempt to reach voters beyond the Clinton Kool Aid drinkers is handicapped.

Still, savvy readers will recall the Clinton's ability to spin and the willingness of supporters and even mainstream media reporters to go along with whatever story Hillary tells if she becomes the Democrat's nominee. Insisting that Hillary Clinton's campaign is finished is as wishful as saying that Jeb Bush is in serious trouble because of Donald Trump!

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Piorities? Obama Marks Anniversary of Ferguson Racial Unrest Ignores 70th Anniversary of VJ Day

Queen Elizabeth II knows her duty lays in
honoring sacrifice! More at the Daily Mail.
Too busy on the golf course to remember the tens of thousands of Americans who fought for freedom but not too busy to stir the racial pot!

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain broke off her summer vacation in Scotland to attend a church service in London commemorating the 70th anniversary of Victory Over Japan or VJ-Day.

The Brits honored the sacrifice of their fallen soldiers and that of those still living with all the pomp and ceremony you would expect on the  70th anniversary of such an occasion.

Despite the fact that the U.S. lost more than 20 times more soldiers, airmen and sailors than the Brits, Obama couldn't be bothered to honor their sacrifice. On Saturday Obama used his Weekly Radio Address to stir the race pot again on the anniversary of the Ferguson, Missouri unrest. Not a peep about  VJ Day. No parades, no aging veterans or flyovers. Nothing!

But then, Obama doesn't usually pay attention to great national moments where he isn't the center of attention or can gain some political traction by pitting one group of Americans against another as he continues to do with Ferguson.

Still, we have veterans who deserve to be honored and those who fell who deserve to be remembered and a new generation of young people who have no clue  what it was all about. Too bad we have a President who has no clue either!

UPDATE: What Was Obama Doing on VJ Day?

Golfing with Bill Clinton. In nearly all the photos from this outting Bill Clinton appears to be talking. One wonders if the subject of the FBI seizure of Hillary's email server came up?


Obama: Golf more important than VJ Day 70!

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Rand Paul Ad Asks: Is Trump Even a Republican, Let Alone a Conservative?

The gloves are coming off!

Rand Paul raises some serious questions about The Donald. Watch the first minute.



In an era where conservatives won't forgive Speaker Boehner or Senate Majority Leader McConnell for failing to match rhetoric with results, how forgiving will voters be for Trump who appears to be on both sides of every issue?

Trump responds to this and similar attacks by pointing out that Ronald Reagan was once a Democrat with some liberal views. What Trump leaves out of that comparison is that Reagan developed and then expressed a clear conservative vision going back more than a decade before he was elected President and never during that time did he waver or support Democrats as recently as two years prior. Here's Reagan's 1964 speech "A Time for Choosing" [text, video]. Reagan's conservative message resonates today more than 50 years later. You can't say that about Trump!

Monday, August 10, 2015

#blacklivesmatter Fascists Shut Down Bernie Sanders Speech in Seattle

Some would say this "trumps" problems the GOP is having. Dems brought this on themselves by fanning the flames of racial discord. Now they are getting BERNed!

Welcome to Progressive Hell.  This is really something. Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders gets shut down by #blacklivesmatter fascists. You know, like protesters in New York who blocked traffic, even emergency vehicles, this band of racial extremists puts their right to be heard ABOVE the rights of others. And if you don't like it, well watch out!

"If you do not listen to her, your event will be shut down right now."
I love it when the one woman tells the man with the microphone to "stop talking," then says "don't tell ME what to do." In the full video of this hysteric woman's screed she accused the Seattle progressives who came out to hear Bernie of being "screaming white racists!" She added:
“I was going to tell Bernie how racist this city is, filled with its progressives, but you did it for me,” accusing the audience of “white supremacist liberalism.”
Racist progressives who practice "white supremacist liberalism." Wow! Bet the libs loved hearing that? Serves them right. We've been putting up with that crap for years and it gets old quick.

This is something new for folks like Bernie to encounter but it's the same left wing fascism that's been shouting down anyone on a college campus who fails to toe the left wing extremist line. How's it feel Bernie?

UPDATE: Bernie Plans to Shout Down Disrupters!

Sanders' campaign  has a plan to shout down protesters with their own chant: "We stand together." Won't that be fun to see competing shouting matches as protesters mix it up. How long before the chaos descends into violence? Dems are losing control!

Sunday, August 09, 2015

Handle Trump Supporters Carefully. But Sooner or Later They Will Agree It's Time to Dump the Donald

Ross Perot played the Pied Piper and walked the GOP off the cliff TWICE in the 90's whistling a tune provided by the Clintons. Will history repeat itself with Donald?

Donald Trump continues to suck all the oxygen out of the GOP presidential contest. In the wake of the GOP debate he attacked tough questions coming from Fox News Megyn Kelly by saying "There was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her… wherever.” " [video]. Many concluded that his was a reference to Kelly's menstrual cycle. It's a line that you just don't cross. But the Donald went there and his supporters leapt to his defense and also attacked Kelly who is a highly rated Fox News anchor.

Do Trump and his supporters really think such attacks would play well against Hillary Clinton? Wasn't Megyn Kelly simply doing her job by asking the tough questions that would be asked of Trump by the mainstream media if he were the GOP nominee? It was the job of Fox News anchors to ask the tough questions NOW of ALL those on the debate stage. Go back and look at the transcript, they all got tough questions. And in the end, Trump had more time to explain himself than all the other debaters. He has no reason to complain, let alone make vulgar personal attacks.

The appeal of Trump's candidacy is that he's willing to take on everybody and fight. He represents the anger that so many of his supporters feel towards more business as usual style of politics.  But the kind of attack Trump engaged in revealed certain character qualities that are not suitable for a successful presidential candidate.  Especially a Republican.

A person making rational decisions on whom to support in this early part of the contest might conclude that Trump isn't the right candidate. But Trump supporters aren't acting rationally. They are motivated by anger for a system that continues to take them for granted. It's not in the interest of the GOP to alienate them further by being seen to throw Trump out, even if such a thing were possible. They will have to be left to come to their conclusions as to whether to Dump the Donald.

Perhaps when they've had time to dig a little deeper and find out who Trump is and where he's come from they will reach the same conclusion as I have that Trump is unsuitable.

Trump/Perot. A History

Trump supporters have shown an amazing ability to forgive The Donald's past mistakes. They won't forgive NJ Governor Chris Christie for hugging Obama at a pivotal moment in the 2012 election or forgive Speaker of the House John Boehner for not defunding ObamaCare but Trump's past doesn't seem to bother them. Here's a few highlights:


Trump has been all over the map politically. From Politico:
In 1999, Trump quit the Republican Party, saying “I just believe the Republicans are just too crazy right.” Trump was then conferring with political consultant Roger Stone about a possible presidential run as a candidate of the Reform Party, the political organization founded by his fellow billionaire Ross Perot.

In 2001, Trump quit the Reform Party to register as a Democrat. “It just seems that the economy does better under Democrats,” he told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer in 2004. The Clintons attended Trump’s Palm Beach wedding to former model Melania Knaus in 2005. The following year Trump gave $26,000 to the House and Senate campaign committees.

By the late aughts, though, Trump’s political giving had started shifting back to the GOP, and in 2009 Trump registered again as a Republican. Two years later he registered as an independent while contemplating a third-party bid.
Trump has been on both sides of every issue. Does anyone really know where he stands? Can you trust him if he is elected to be consistent with what he says now?

Let's put aside his past flirtations with Ross Perot. It's his connections with the Clintons that trouble me more. In the same election year that Chris Christie was giving Obama the bear hug Trump was praising Hillary Clinton.


Trump supporters need to ask themselves this question: If Donald Trump ends up going third party or turning off a large chunk of potential GOP voters who benefits? Could it be that Trump is a stalking horse for Hillary?

Better Options for Angry GOP Voters

If the GOP debate in Cleveland proved one thing it was that voters have a plethora of candidates to choose from. Before Trump got in the race, disenfranchised GOP voters flocked to Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Perhaps they can do so again. Carly Fiorina is another take no prisoners candidate who doesn't make the obvious mistakes that Trump has. So many other choices.  Patience,  time and a multitude of better options may cure most Trumpers of the disease.

A Call to Patriots: United We Win

To win in the general election we will need a united GOP. Towards that goal everyone must be willing to take the pledge to support the eventual GOP nominee. Trump wouldn't take that pledge because he doesn't put winning above his personal ego. Even if the GOP nominee is Jeb Bush he'll do a better job than Hillary. But if you're not a Jeb fan, get out there and work hard for Carly. Or whoever. But in the end, you must be willing to accept and support the decision of the voters in the nominating process. Otherwise, why should others pledge to support YOUR preferred candidate?

If you are a patriot who loves this country you must know how important it is to replace Obama with a president who won't be Obama's third term. You may have to put aside your personal preference to achieve that. Isn't that goal worth some sacrifice?

P.S. I rewatched portions of the debate on the rebroadcast Sunday evening. Anyone who says only Trump got the hard questions wasn't watching the same debate. Here's the transcript. Go back and review the questions. Trump's complaint has no basis in fact!

UPDATE: Trump Helping Bush for Hillary?

Above I discuss the very real possibility that Trump is a stalking horse for Hillary. But what if part of that plan is that Trump helps Jeb Bush by taking the focus off Jeb as frontrunner and drawing away fire from the other candidates that might have hit Jeb instead? Hillary may find Jeb an easier candidate to roll as members of the Bush family tend to pull punches when it comes to Democrats!

UPDATE: When Will Trump Bubble Burst?

The Washington Post has this interesting analysis of bubbles for other early GOP leaders.



Friday, August 07, 2015

Top Democrat Says NO to Iran Deal As Obama Persists in Insulting Critics

Meanwhile, the Iranians are already cheating!

On Wednesday, Obama insulted American political leaders who oppose  his shabby deal with Iran. In remarks at American University he began with the usual straw man argument that there is no alternative to this deal other than war. Then he hits the gutter by comparing Republicans who oppose the agreement to hardliners in Iran:
OBAMA: It’s those hardliners chanting “Death to America” who have been most opposed to the deal. They’re making common cause with the Republican caucus. The majority of the Iranian people have powerful incentives to urge their government to move in a different, less provocative direction -- incentives that are strengthened by this deal.
It's worth noting that when those Iranians who do NOT chant "death to America" and want peace with the West were being killed in the streets in 2009 Obama remained silent as they begged him for help.

Top Democrat Says NO!

Is it really good strategy for Obama to insult members of the U.S. Senate who will shortly vote on whether to approve this deal or not? And it's not just Republicans he insults. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus is the third ranking Democrat in the U.S. Senate announced his opposition to the deal:
If Iran’s true intent is to get a nuclear weapon, under this agreement, it must simply exercise patience. After ten years, it can be very close to achieving that goal, and, unlike its current unsanctioned pursuit of a nuclear weapon, Iran’s nuclear program will be codified in an agreement signed by the United States and other nations. To me, after ten years, if Iran is the same nation as it is today, we will be worse off with this agreement than without it.
...
Therefore, I will vote to disapprove the agreement, not because I believe war is a viable or desirable option, nor to challenge the path of diplomacy. It is because I believe Iran will not change, and under this agreement it will be able to achieve its dual goals of eliminating sanctions while ultimately retaining its nuclear and non-nuclear power. Better to keep U.S. sanctions in place, strengthen them, enforce secondary sanctions on other nations, and pursue the hard-trodden path of diplomacy once more, difficult as it may be.
A voice of reason coming from a Democrat? Who would have thought! Schumer is joined in opposition to this fairy tale by Rep. Elliot Engel(D-NY) the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs:
First, I don’t believe that this deal gives international inspectors adequate access to undeclared sites. I’m especially troubled by reports about how the Iranian military base at Parchin will be inspected. With these potential roadblocks, IAEA inspectors may be unable to finish their investigation into the potential military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear program.
...
I also view as a dangerous concession the sunset of the international sanctions on advanced conventional weapons and ballistic missiles. I was told that these issues weren’t on the table during the talks. So it’s unacceptable to me that after a maximum of five and eight years, respectively, the deal lifts these restrictions.
...
I still believe that a negotiated solution is the best course of action. That’s the path I believe we should pursue. But after careful consideration of all of the material; more than a dozen hearings since the beginning of the negotiating period; and conversations with Administration officials, experts, and many of my constituents, I regret that I cannot support this deal
Read Engel's entire statement. It's an excellent summation of why this is a bad deal!

These are Democrats. Does Obama equate them with hardliners chanting "death to America?"

Iran Cheats UN Resolution as Top Terror General Visits Russia

Then there's this from Reuters:
The head of Iran's elite military Quds Force, who is subject to a United Nations travel ban, has met senior Russian officials in Moscow, an Iranian official said on Friday.

Qassem Soleimani, chief of the force which is an overseas arm of the Revolutionary Guards, has been subject to an international travel ban and asset freeze by the U.N. Security Council since 2007.

But the Iranian official, who declined to be identified, said Soleimani had made the trip in the second half of July, where he had held talks covering regional and bilateral issues and the delivery to Iran of S-300 surface-to-air missiles and other weapons.
The unit Soleimani heads is directly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan. The chant "death to America" that Obama dismisses is very real! Now the Russians are supplying Iran with advanced weapons. So much for the sanctions that worked for years to contain Iranian aggression.

While Obama likens American opponents of this deal to Iranian hardliners, the opposite appears to be true. At every opportunity he has sided with the hardliners in Iran and has given them everything they ever wanted. As former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said in Thursday's GOP debate: “Ronald Reagan said, ‘Trust but verify.’ President Obama is trust but vilify. He trusts our enemies but vilifies everyone who disagrees with him.”

UPDATE: Three more top House Dems Join NO Coalition to Stop Iran Deal!

GOP Debate Winner? The American People!

First Debates Shows Enormous GOP Talent in 2016 Contest. The problem is that most of the candidates are so equally good that it will be difficult to choose who to back!

Republican presidential candidates from left, Chris Christie, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, Scott Walker, Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, Mike Huckabee, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and John Kasich take the stage for the first Republican presidential debate at the Quicken Loans Arena Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, in Cleveland.



Republican presidential candidates from left, Jim Gilmore, Lindsey Graham, Bobby Jindal, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Carly Fiorina, and George Pataki take the stage for a pre-debate forum at the Quicken Loans Arena, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, in Cleveland. Seven of the candidates have not qualified for the primetime debate. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Debate Winner? The American People

The race to replace and repeal Obama is gaining steam with the conclusion of the first debates of GOP presidential aspirants. I know there's a temptation to pick winners and losers in these events but I didn't see it so much that way. In the first event with candidates who scored lower down in the polls Carly Fiorina was named the winner by media pundits and I agree she had a stellar performance. Her demonstrated intelligence and ability to communicate with precision and feeling means we may see her move up to the main event for the next debate at the Reagan Library in California on September 16. The other candidates presented themselves well. Even my state's senior senator Lindsey Graham came out strong in foreign policy and defense issues. However, I didn't get much of a burning desire to see more of former governors Jim Gilmore or George Pataki (who visited Mike's America 9 years ago). Unless some of these candidates in the lower tier catch fire soon I don't expect to see them stay in the race long.

Trump's Refusal to Pledge Support for Eventual Nominee a Deal Breaker?

It is equally hard to me to pick a winner in the main event. All the candidates had their moments  and there were few negative moments. I sensed a lack of enthusiasm when Governor Bush entered the stage and there were some boos for Donald Trump, particularly when he refused to say he would support the eventual nominee. Standing as he did in the same hall that will hold the GOP nominating convention less than a year from now that irritated many in the audience. Sen. Rand Paul broke in to say "this is what's wrong" [with Trump] suggesting that Trump is "Already hedging his bet on the Clintons, OK? So if he doesn't run as a Republican, maybe he supports Clinton, or maybe he runs as an independent...". Trump will have to answer for that in the weeks ahead.

A transcript of the prime time debate is here.
A transcript of the earlier debate is here.

Tania;s question was answered by
Marco Rubio. Story here.
Surprise Question from Blogger Friend Tania

Questions in video and text form were submitted in advance. Imagine my surprise when one of those chosen turned out to be Tania Ciolko (Facebook) from Philadelphia. Tania is a blogging friend and conservative activist  whom I have known for a number of years. She asked what the candidates would do to support small business:
TANIA: Please describe one action you would do to make the economic environment more favorable for small businesses and entrepreneurs and anyone dreaming of opening their own business.

RUBIO: ... The first thing we need to do is we need to even out the tax code for small businesses so that we lower their tax rate to 25 percent, just as we need to lower it for all businesses.
We need to have a regulatory budget in America that limits the amount of regulations on our economy. We need to repeal and replace Obamacare and we need to improve higher education so that people can have access to the skills they need for 21st century jobs.And last but not least, we need to repeal Dodd-Frank. It is eviscerating small businesses and small banks.over 40 percent of small and mid-size banks that loan money to small businesses have been wiped out over the years since Dodd-Frank has passed. We need to repeal and replace Dodd-Frank. We need to make America fair again for all businesses, but especially those being run by small business owners.
Other Highlights:

Carson: "I'm the only one to take out half a brain, but if you went to Washington you would think someone had beat me to it."

Rubio, before a serious answer on the God question: "He has blessed the Republican Party with some very good candidates. The Democrats can't even find one."

Most importantly, most of the candidates made repeated promises to repeal Obama's unconstitutional Executive Orders and tear up his delusional agreement with Iran. All in all, not a bad start in the GOP selection process!

UPDATE: Candidates Time in Debate
By way of the New York Times here's how much time each candidate had during the prime time debate:


Wednesday, August 05, 2015

Don't Miss First GOP Debate Thursday, 5PM EST or Prime Debate 9 PM EST

It's the kickoff to the 2016 race to repeal and replace Obama!

Here's the lineup. Candidates who are out for the prime time debate will have their own forum at 5 PM.
Prime time debaters are on top. Second tier will debate at 5PM EST.
I would preferred to see Carly Fiorina and Gov. Perry join the main group but they may get more time to shine in the earlier forum. But sadly that showing will have a much smaller audience.

When it comes to the main event how much can we expect to learn from the individual candidates with ten of them on stage? Will this forum be less about learning about the candidates and their differences and more about seeking attention with a memorable zinger or sound bite?

Plenty of debates will follow this event. Schedule is here. At some point the tree will have to be thinned and while we can enjoy this event because it's the first, we may learn more about the candidates in later  venues.

Either way I am excited the race to repeal and replace Obama is UNDERWAY!

Monday, August 03, 2015

Democrat Primary Roundup

Is Hillary on the ropes? Not yet, but there are rumblings!

The focus this week will be on the Republican candidates as they prepare to debate on Thursday.  Perhaps putting the focus on the GOP is the only good news Hillary Clinton will have this week. Before we look at the Republicans, let's zero in on the Democrats with a news roundup.

Dems Duck Debates?

In May Democrats announced there will be six debates during their presidential nominating process it's curious that none have been scheduled. With five candidates announced and the possibility of Vice President Joe Biden entering the race there's certainly enough candidates to put on a good show.

Run Joe Run!

In the past week there have been increasing rumors that Vice President Joe  Biden may enter the race. Biden's move is presented as a challenge to Hillary who the Democrat establishment would like to crown without opposition as the nominee. But does Biden see it that way?

Here's how Ryan Lizza, perhaps representing the establishment for  Hillary sees Biden:
So, the Dems twice elected Vice President doesn't have "broad party support?" Does Hillary have "youth?" Granted Biden makes many gaffes as a campaigner but does anyone think Hillary is a superior campaigner? And "left cred" for Hillary? No way! Hillary's got the money. But does she have enough?

Will Hillary Be Held to Same Standard on Email as Other Top Officials?

Meanwhile, the Hillary email scandal continues to percolate. The State Department found that there was classified information in Hillary's emails held on a private server which is a violation of Federal Law. Former CIA Chief David Petraeus was prosecuted and convicted for the improper handling of classified material. Will Hillary be held to a lower standard? Gabriel Shoenfeld at the New York Daily news has a great in depth look at the issue.

Here's a graphic gives sums it up:


Judge Orders Hillary et. al. to come clean on emails under threat of perjury!

See this from Judicial Watch. Clinton has until Friday to respond.

Hillary Disqualified in Her Own Words for Refusing to Answer Keystone Questions

As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was the key manager for the government's review of the Keystone Pipeline XL coming across the Northern Border from Canada. Now, she pretends as if she has no say in the matter.


Last Year - October 29. 2014

"It truly seems like it should be disqualifying in Iowa, of all states, to avoid answering questions..." (Hillary Clinton, Remarks At Bruce Braley Campaign Event, Cedar Rapids, Iowa,10/29/14)

Regarding the Keystone XL Pipeline - July 27, 2015

"So, I will refrain from commenting..." (Hillary Clinton, Q&A Session, Des Moines, Iowa,7/27/15)

Regarding the Keystone XL Pipeline - July 28, 2015

QUESTION: "As president, would you sign a bill, yes or no please, in favor of allowing the Keystone XL pipeline?"

HILLARY: "Well...This is President Obama's decision, and I am not going to second guess him because I was in a position to set this in motion and I do not think that would be the right thing to do. So I want to wait and see what he and Secretary Kerry decide. If it's undecided when I become president I will answer your question." (Hillary Clinton, Remarks At Town Hall Meeting In Nashua, NH, 7/28/15)

Regarding the Keystone XL Pipeline - July 28, 2015 (Later That Day)

"I will not express an opinion until they have made a decision." (Hillary Clinton, Press Conference In Nashua, NH 7/28/15)
Stunning that a presidential candidate "will not express an opinion" on a matter of great public concern and one for which she played a key role in the past. Makes you wonder what else she's not telling voters?

Is it any wonder Bernie Sanders, the whacky socialist with bizarre views on rape (imagine ANY Republican saying this) is doing so well and Joe Biden appears poised to jump in!
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