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00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

ABC Tries to Tar Fred Thompson With Their Dan Quayle Brush

October 20, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

If you are old enough to remember how badly the press corps treated vice president Dan Quayle — you might recall specifically that they made fun of how he once spelled potato(e) — you will understand why ABC’s Political Radar blog is trying to associate Fred Thompson with Dan Quayle in theirs headlined, “Fred Thompson’s Quayle-Hunting?” They mean the association to be a detraction, something with which they can smear Fred Thompson as he makes his run for the White House.

But, their obvious ulterior motives aside, this attempt to associate Quayle and Fred doesn’t even make much sense. In fact, the whole story is not only a ho hum incident in light of American history, but the fact that they are associating Quayle and Thompson has no teeth to it.
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00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - News - President - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Rudy Says Fred is All Talk?

October 16, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Earlier today we posted that Fred Thompson was saying that Rudy Giuliani is no conservative. After those remarks got out, Giuliani’s camp had a few words in retort:

Giuliani spokeswoman Maria Comella tells First Read that the former New York mayor “is the only candidate who does more than just talk about the importance of Republican principles — he actually has the track record to back it up. It’s easy to throw around meaningless rhetoric, but quite another thing to stand up to a Democratic majority and successfully cut taxes, control spending, and reform welfare.”

Interesting. Rudy says his record speaks for itself, eh?

Well, then, if Rudy wants to stand on that record, let’s review it closer to see how Rudy stood on conservative principles in the past.

On the idea of running for office as a conservative, here is what Rudy had to say in 1996.

“Well, I’m a Republican mayor, but I”m really not. I’m the mayor of New York City. I ran as a Republican, I ran as a Liberal — which really confuses all kinds of people — and I ran as an Independent, as part of the Independent Party, which actually is now the party that’s supporting Ross Perot. So I ran a fusion candidacy, like my predecessor Fiorello LaGuardia. So I’m not the most partisan of Republicans.”

Yeah, his words DO speak for themselves!

Rudy was actively against running as a conservative then. Why should we believe he isn’t still?

And, here is something worse. Rudy recently attacked leftist, extremist George Sorros for being “vicious.”.

“I think that George Soros and MoveOn.org is kind of a new low in vicious, politics of personal destruction…Every campaign I’ve ever seen from them has been about personally destroying the Republican”

Soros is bad in “every campaign” he’s “ever seen” says Rudy.

But there’s that annoying record of Rudy’s standing in the way of that claim and it seems to contradict Rudy’s past distaste of George Soros. As it turns out, Rudy actually freely and publicly once worked with Soros in a coalition of groups and individuals who joined New York City to fight the Federal Government on immigration laws. And Rudy claimed his association with Soros by name in a speech in 1996.
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00Publius Contributor - GOP - News - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Conservatives Congregate in Reno — CLC Report

October 16, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

What is it you see in your mind when you think of liberal activists? Is it large groups gathered together to complain or protest? Perhaps. On the other hand, what is it that comes to mind when you hear about conservative activists? Is it a large group of folks coming together to advocate for change? Or do you more often think of a lone guy trying to stand in the way of change? I’d wager it is the later. By the very nature of conservatism, of course, there is a lot of truth to the idea that conservatives are often found standing in the way of change, but it is also quite true that conservatives don’t do “gathering together” very well. Not as well as liberals do, in any case. But, gathering together to affect conservative change was the chief objective of the first annual Conservative Leadership Conference (CLC) held in Reno, Nevada this past week.

Of course, the bulk of the 500 pre-registered attendees were from the nearby western states surrounding Nevada, but folks came from as far away as New York, Chicago, Memphis, and South Carolina to attend this gathering of conservative activists, thinkers, bloggers and planners. And the order of the day was to congregate in fellowship to further the agenda and keep the faith of conservatism in these dark days when conservatives often feel themselves to be stranded out in the wilderness, ignored by the very party that they had a large hand in bringing to power.

There were Libertarians, economic conservatives, those chiefly concerned with immigration issues, and many members of the new media, including Ed Morrissey of the famed Captain’s Quarters Blog. There were fringeish Ron Paul supporters, members of the Nevada Women’s GOP organization sporting Mitt Romney stickers, Signs for Duncan Hunter, writers for the Wall Street Journal, NRA operatives, members of the Heritage Foundation and other think tankers, your average Republicans were also wandering about… just about every representative of the conservative movement was in evidence.

And presidential candidates came to address those gathered, too. Mitt Romney appeared on Friday. Duncan Hunter spoke on Saturday. Alan Keyes also gave a powerful address after Friday night’s diner. Libertarian presidential candidate, Wayne Allyn Root, also spoke. Romney and Hunter gave townhall meetings, as well.
Continue reading “Conservatives Congregate in Reno — CLC Report”

00Publius Contributor - Constitution - GOP - News - Patriotism - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - The Law - Uncategorized - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

The Keyes to Reno

October 13, 2007 by 2 Comments

– By Warner Todd Huston

Ambassador Alan Keyes addressed several hundred attendees of the Conservative Leadership Conference being held in Reno, Nevada on Friday night, October 12th. Ostensibly he was there to explain why he was running for president of the United States but it soon became obvious that he was there far more for a cause separate from a simple run for the White House. Ambassador Keyes was there no less to rejuvenate the Republic and if mere passion could turn back the tide of anti-Constitutionalism, Alan Keyes would be the dynamo powering that effort.

Instead of simply desiring the national spotlight to take the Oval office, Keyes is seeking the pulpit for his oratory was not just your average meet-and-greet, no simple canned speech. Keyes’ presentation was more sermon than stump speech, and as powerful as that description assumes.

When he first mounted the stage, the setting seemed a tad incongruous. As Ambassador Keyes took the microphone form those who introduced him, a 12-foot-high Duncan Hunter for president banner loomed behind him, dominating the view of the audience before him. That somewhat odd juxtaposition of the monumental face of Hunter peering down at the seemingly diminutive Keyes didn’t dissipate with Ambassador Keyes’ initial comments, either. For Alan Keyes admitted he was about to break Ronald Reagan’s famed 11th commandment; “thou shalt not speak badly of other Republicans.”

But that incongruity quickly vanished for the audience as Dr. Keyes warmed to his theme. The Hunter for president banner that initially seemed to loom so large vanished to the mind as Keyes’ oratory captivated, compelled, cajoled and cavorted across that stage. All eyes and ears were on Keyes and, as always, he held that audience in the palm of his hand.
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00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Family - GOP - Nancy Salvato - Religion - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

“E Pluribus Unum”

October 13, 2007 by

-By Nancy Salvato

My sons are both in high school and are under the common teenage misconception that they are liberals. They parrot what they hear from their teachers, their friends at school, and their father from my first marriage. They don’t necessarily want to engage me in debate about my conservative beliefs. They just want to tell me I’m wrong and that I don’t know of what I speak. When I provide an explanation for my observations or present facts for why something occurs in our government, they don’t listen. It’s almost as though they stick their fingers in their ears and hum until I’m through talking, yet neither one of them can provide any concrete evidence for their opposing beliefs when I ask them to prove why I’m incorrect.

Like many who are unhappy with the current administration, they blame our president for legislative spending even though the Executive Office doesn’t create the budget. They blame our president for global warming, even though there is evidence that it is not the problem Al Gore wants us to believe. Press them hard enough and they blame our president for every ill that befalls our country. They sound very much like MoveOn.org followers, spewing their venom for all those who do not adhere to the MoveOn.org philosophy or mentality, especially conservatives. What bothers me most is that they lump conservatives into this group of people who don’t care about the earth, can’t enjoy shopping at Trader Joe’s, and couldn’t possibly appreciate wearing Birkenstock sandals.

My present husband, who to the Code Pink crowd is as conservative as they come, doesn’t fit the common perception of the conservative mold. This is mostly because he’s about as open as they come to meeting new people and withholding judgment about the way they live their lives (as long as they aren’t hurting anyone or forcing their views on him) and the circumstances in which they might find themselves. He believes that it is their different personalities and beliefs that add to the richness and the colors of the palette in his life. On the other hand, he doesn’t get along with people who are intolerant and believe the world is all about them. He has drawn the line with those who want to engage him about his beliefs, this being that if you want to argue, bring some facts to the table. Otherwise, don’t waste his time “Damnit”.
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00Publius Contributor - Constitution - GOP - Patriotism - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - The Law - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

CLC Update- Mitt Smiles A Lot, Duncan Talks the Border and Keyes Talks Salvation

October 13, 2007 by 3 Comments

– By Warner Todd Huston

Three of the contenders for the nod for the GOP nomination for president were heard today at the CLC. I met and talked to each of them and listened to their message in speeches and townhall meetings.

First up was the ever tanned and handsome Mitt Romney. As always he said the right things, gave the audience the right conservative message, smiled a lot, and told us how much he loves his wife. He is a good business man. And that is one of the things I have against him. Sure it’s good that a presidential candidate knows something about business, that isn’t what my problem is. But, today we need a man who is a leader with his philosophy and ideas backing up his decisions, things that will lead us past the danger of our times. Mitt does not seem to be that man. He seems, rather, a man that is more interested in doing what “works” quite despite whether there are any principles behind that workable solution. His voting record pretty much shows that. Mitt might have been fine in 1994 when we thought that we had reached “the end of history” but not today.

Still, he had a fine, well crafted speech and seemed to please many. Well, he pleased many except the guy who asked him about medical Marijuana. That guy was a tad upset that Mitt said a firm NO to legalizing the weed even for so-called pain easement. Mitt said that there were plenty of other medications that could be used to ease a patient’s pain and that we didn’t need to resort to Mary Jane.

Next was the stalwart Duncan Hunter. Duncan was all fired up about how the border fence he had built in California had worked so well. He went on about immigration too much for my tastes, though. As important as the issue is, and it is really important, we need a president who is ready to deal with more than one or two issues and his almost border only townhall was a bit too single issue oriented for my tastes.

However, he did get into economics and he said one thing that I really liked. He said that as president he’d institute what he called a “mirror tariff” on foreign trade. If a foreign country had tariffs or restrictions on our trade he’d hold up “his little mirror” to their policies and institute the exact same ones for any of their products entering the USA. If they eased them on our trade going into their countries, he would follow suit on their products coming here.

That was good stuff!

I like Hunter a lot in quite a few ways. I would have no problem voting for the man if the opportunity presented itself.

UPDATE: For an my expanded remarks on Alan Keyes’ address click here.

Then came the amazing Alan Keyes. Keyes doesn’t much care if he wins the nomination or the White House. His cause, our cause, is what matters. Now, I think if you go to Ed Morrissey’s site, (Captain’s Quarters Bolg)he will say that Keyes was too much the polemicist and demagogue. If Ed’s comments at the diner table after Keyes’ speech is any indication, Ed will find Keyes a tad… well, maybe distasteful is the word?

I have to disagree to some extent. See, Keyes doesn’t care much about the presidency, really. He wants the pulpit. His goal is to alert America to the loss of sovereignty, the loss of liberty, the destruction of the Constitutional Republic which the Founders worked so hard to build and sacrificed so much for.

Alan began his rip roaring sermon — for that truly is what it was; a sermon — saying that he was going to break Reagan’s 11th commandment, which was “don’t talk bad about other Republicans.” He ripped Giuliani as completely unrepresentative of any Republican principles (not “values,” principles). He excoriated Romney for being unbelievable in his claims to support those Republican principles, and hinted that the rest of the field does not address the true issues of the day (Even as Duncan Hunter was in the room listening).

Incongruously, as Ambassador Keyes stood in front of a giant, 12-foot-tall Hunter for President banner, Keyes pummeled the other candidates. He did not do so, however, in a vulgar way or on anything other than a true reading of American first principles as bestowed upon us by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, both documents that Keys said the rest haven’t the first clue about.

He is absolutely correct, even as he was a tad forceful in saying so. But, we are at a crossroads and force may be soon enough our last choice to bring back our Republic. I spoke to Ambassador Keyes for a while before diner and he is fast coming to a point past feeling that we are still at a time when talking will solve the problem. Action is now required and not action of the delicate type.

Now, I have to mention a chief point of his on the case of abortion. Keyes feels that there is a phrase in the Constitution that guarantees that the Founders were against abortion. It can be found in the preamble to the Constitution.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America

The word “Posterity” explains that abortion is anti-American, anti-Constitutional as far as Keyes sees it. After all, our posterity is our progeny, our children. And if the Founders wanted to assure that our posterity had their liberties protected by that document, then abortion must be illegal under the Constitution. After all, how can we bestow liberty on our posterity if we have aborted them in the womb? (It should also be remembered that abortion was certainly illegal in those days)

Here is where I disagree with Ed Morrissey and agree with Keyes. Words, it turns out, mean things. And words were the very tools of creation that the Founders used to assure that very liberty that Ambassador Keyes is talking about. They worried about punctuation, they worried about structure, they debated for months over many of those words. I believe that the Founders would see the logic in Ambassador Keyes’ position and would commend him for the interpretation.

Morrissey is right, though, that Keyes might be a tad “dangerous” in his thinking. But, we may be approaching a day when a bit of danger is the right prescription for what ills are infecting the US.

And, if Morrissey were to go back to the days of the American Revolution, I’d suspect that he condemn each and every one of our Founders for their equally demagogic speech… no for their even more dangerous speech than Keyes’. Compared to the Founders rhetoric, Alan Keyes is practically a pussycat.

So, where Ed sees “danger” — and dangerous it is to call for a virtual uprising of concerned citizens — I see what is fast becoming a last option. Keyes wasn’t advocating for armed rebellion, but for a concerned citizenry to take back what is ours. And to that I agree 100%. If that is “danger” then so be it.

Tomorrow, I interview J.D. Hayworth. And will report on the final day of the CLC.

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Media Bias - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Gallup Poll: Republicans and Independents Think Media Skews Left

October 9, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Gallup News Service has just released a new poll that supports what we here say every day; the Media is perceived as left leaning. Yet, for a report on how the media leans left, titling their piece “Republicans Remain Deeply Distrustful of News Media” and subtitling it “Democrats much more positive,” even Gallup’s article seems to skew left. After all, when the poll results are reviewed it shows that both Republicans and independents are “distrustful of the media,” not just Republicans. And that fact would tend to show that more people think that the media is leftist than don’t.

Gallup’s opening statement is interesting:

PRINCETON, NJ — Republicans in America today remain deeply distrustful of the national news media — in sharp contrast to Democrats, who have a great deal more trust in the media’s accuracy. Overall, less than half of Americans, regardless of partisanship, have a great deal or a fair amount of trust in the mass media. Nearly half of Americans — including over three-quarters of Republicans — perceive the media as too liberal while fewer than one in five say the media are too conservative.

Less than half the total polled have trust in the media? Imagine that!

But, why did Gallup want to spin this story as focused on Republicans who distrust the media? The more honest headline would have been: “Less than 1/2 of Americans Trust Media.”

Of media bias, Gallup says:
Continue reading “Gallup Poll: Republicans and Independents Think Media Skews Left”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Media Bias - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

MSNBC: Calling Fred Thompson Support ‘Spin’

October 9, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

MSNBC’s Chuck Todd posted a blog post today on his First Read blog titled “George Allen, Liz Cheney to Spin for Thompson.” So, any takers to wonder if Chuck Todd would have posted a blog post titled “Sandy Berger to Spin for Clinton,” or “Oprah to Spin for Obama”? Does anyone think that Chuck Todd would have used such a negative word as “spin” to describe the assistance a high profile supporter would give a Democrat candidate?

After that misleading headline, Todd cynically starts his post with the following:

One of the fun parts of being the host network of the debate is finding out first who the campaigns are lining up to spin for them post-debate.

I see. So no candidate’s supporter could ever come on to offer post debate commentary without it being “spin”? No one could possibly be honestly supporting their candidate? Is that how Chuck Todd sees the situation?
Continue reading “MSNBC: Calling Fred Thompson Support ‘Spin’”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Media Bias - News - President - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

MSM Still Flogging Jeri Thompson ‘Trophy Wife’ Jab

October 5, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Speaking of a here-we-go-again story, the AP this morning has revived the Jeri Thompson as trophy wife story again. This is an extremely demeaning charge leveled at the wife of Fred Thompson that keeps resurfacing, over and over, in the liberal press. The thrust of the story is that she is a brainless hottie that Thompson only grabbed up because she is great arm candy. But Jeri Thompson is an accomplished and driven individual in her own right and for the MSM to continually claim she is nothing but a “trophy wife” slights her own achievements.

WASHINGTON (AP) – Jeri Thompson, wife of GOP presidential candidate Fred Thompson, shakes off the “trophy wife” label critics have tagged her with for being 24 years younger than her husband.

Fred Thompson, for his part, has a great comeback for the constant demeaning of his beautiful wife. “Thompson said: ‘I almost think they had to fabricate that trophy-wife stuff because there’s nothing interesting to say.”’

Jeri Thompson is no bubble-headed bimbo, though. She was a successful media consultant for the Washington DC law firm of Verner Lipfert and also worked for the Republican Senate Conference and the Republican National Committee before marrying Fred Thompson and stepping back from her career to concentrate on raising a family.
Continue reading “MSM Still Flogging Jeri Thompson ‘Trophy Wife’ Jab”

00Publius Contributor - Elections - GOP - News - President - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Thompson Ahead of the Pack on Limbaugh ‘Phoney Soldier’ Row

October 4, 2007 by 5 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

…Or this could be headlined: Hugh Hewitt’s Shameless Apologia For Mitt Romney

Hugh Hewitt, nationally syndicated talker, eminent blogger and author, wrote a book on why Mitt Romney would be the perfect presidential candidate for the GOP nomination for 2008. Yet, he claims not to be in the bag for Romney and claims he is remaining impartial, ready to support any GOP candidate. This impartiality, however, is impossible to square with reality when Hewitt’s every post on his own blog is flogging the Romney candidacy.

Now, I have no problem with Hewitt’s being a cheerleader for his man Mitt. If Hewitt wants Mitt above all others, then he should just say so and quit with the false pretension that he is not sold to the Romney camp. His claims to the contrary are disingenuous, to say the least. But, this contest is just beginning and if Hewitt wants Mitt, then he should go full bore. It is fair and honest of him to do so. (Romney’s the wrong choice, of course, but, hey, we are all entitled to our choices!)

But, yesterday Hewitt went further than just cheerleading and moved into damage control and apologia for his man who was MIA on a currently hot talk-radio/blogosphere issue. Hewitt has moved beyond mere tacit support and should be counted officially as a member of Romney’s campaign team at this point.

Many times, Hewitt has claimed that Romney is uniquely tuned in to the new media, but the fact that Hewitt had to come to Romney’s rescue on this issue reveals that Romney’s campaign is not as plugged into the internet scene, or hot button conservative issues as Hewitt claims that it is.

We are all aware of the controversy over Congressional Democrats who have made up a pack of lies that radio icon Rush Limbaugh said that our troops are “phoney solders.” This issue has been the hot topic on the blogs and talk radio for several days now.

But Romney was MIA on the issue.

Candidate Fred Thompson, on the other hand, had a statement out right away on the issue. On his website Fred08.com, Thompson personally wrote the following:
Continue reading “Thompson Ahead of the Pack on Limbaugh ‘Phoney Soldier’ Row”

00Publius Contributor - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

The Hill: GOP Protecting Talk Radio ‘Profits’?

October 4, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Rush Limbaugh has done it again. He’s driven the left mad. The lies about Limbaugh that Democrat Party House members are promulgating have rekindled talk of the dreaded Fairness Doctrine. And in a piece on the brewing battle between the anti-free speech Democrats and conservative talk radio supporters in the House of Representatives, the Washington newspaper The Hill continually mischaracterizes the debate at hand, trying to make it seem that talk radio supporters are only out to guard radio station’s “profits” when the issue is clearly being fought over free speech, not money. Why would The Hill try to dismiss the conservative position as just about the cash? Why would The Hill so slight the real issue of free speech and government oppression? Of course, the most probable reason is that writer Alexander Bolton’s agenda is to discredit the drive to protect talk radio as much as he can without being too obvious about it. Bolton’s former employer was the lefty journal, The Nation magazine, so we must understand the ideological position from which he hails. But his jabs at talk radio supporters is more heavy handed than he imagines and not nearly as subtle and slick as he thinks it to be.

Take this first paragraph:

House Republicans are threatening to launch a discharge petition on legislation that would ensure the future prosperity of conservative radio talk-show hosts but is expected to face opposition from Democratic leaders. On Monday evening, Republicans filed a rule with the House Rules Committee laying the groundwork for a petition that would force action on protecting radio from government regulation later this fall.

The Republicans are the threatening ones? Here we have a Democrat Party leveling out right lies about what Rush Limbaugh said, but to writer Bolton the Republicans are the “threatening” ones!

And notice his focus? He says, “House Republicans are threatening to launch a discharge petition on legislation that would ensure the future prosperity of conservative radio talk-show hosts.” (my bold for emphasis)

No, Mr. Bolton. The aim is not to protect “prosperity” but to protect freedom of political speech. This is the most premier reason why we HAVE a 1st Amendment right to free speech in the first place. It was political speech the Founders sought to protect above all else. So, no, Mr. Bolton, this is not about money but about one of our most fundamental rights.

Bolton did not use the word “prosperity” in his first paragraph by accident, either. He furthers this theme several times in his slanted piece. Here is what he writes a few paragraphs later:
Continue reading “The Hill: GOP Protecting Talk Radio ‘Profits’?”

00Publius Contributor - Congress - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Frank Salvato - GOP - History - News - Patriotism - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - The Law - Uncategorized

Democracy Doesn’t Always Mean Liberty and Freedom

October 3, 2007 by

By Frank Salvato

Liberty is one of the noblest concepts of all. It is defined as: freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control, external or foreign rule, captivity, confinement, or physical restraint. In an ideological sense liberty embodies the idea of free thought and free speech, the expression of one’s opinions without fear of reprisal.

Liberty is the foundation for all Western democracies and served as the main catalyst in the vision of America’s Founding Fathers. Without liberty no democracy can function.

But with liberty comes an elevated civic responsibility.

This responsibility includes being well educated on the facts surrounding any one issue, especially before opining or taking action. One must seek out fact-based information not only in an effort to validate our beliefs and ideology, but to challenge them as well. We must be responsible enough to brave scrutiny of our political and ideological positions. To abdicate this responsibility is to cheat ourselves out of a full and well-rounded understanding of the issue at hand. It also serves to foment a populace vulnerable to over-reaching governmental control, antithetical to the concept of liberty.
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00Publius Contributor - Elections - GOP - News - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Forbes Ranks Thompson Most Conservative Candidate

October 3, 2007 by

According to the new ratings that Forbes Magazine created, Fred Thompson is rated as the most conservative candidate running for president.

With a rating of 40.6 out of a possible 50, Thompson leads the pack of GOP hopefuls as the most conservative, right ahead of John McCain.

Here are the results of the Forbes rating system:
Thompson 40.6
McCain 40.5
Brownback 37.9
Romney 36.7
Giuliani 36.2
Hunter 34.3
Paul 31.2
Tancredo 31.1
Huckabee 26

00Publius Contributor - Constitution - Elections - Founders - GOP - News - Religion - Society/Culture - The Law - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Land Explains Why Dobson is Wrong on Thompson

September 25, 2007 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

This is a smart and dead-right explanation of why Dr. James Dobson is way off with his assessment on Fred Thompson.

It all comes down to the issue that I wondered a while back if Fred could make people understand? We are in a day when our national government has been hijacked by socialists with an FDR fetish who imagine that the government is the solution to all ills.

Fred wants to go back to a day when our nation had a smaller, contained Federal government as proscribed by the Founding Fathers and guided by the Constitution instead of the far, far leftist government that FDR and his ilk have forced upon us.

THIS is the reason that some of us are supporting Thompson. It is also why Dobson should. Dobson’s single issue vote is short sighted and I hope that he comes to understand why a vote for Fred Thompson is a vote for America.
——-
Southern Baptist Leader Defends Fred Thompson

CBNNews.com – David Brody

Richard Land, the President of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (which is part of the influential Southern Baptist Convention), tells The Brody File that the criticism leveled at Fred Thompson by James Dobson and others is a tad bit over the top. Recently, Dr. Dobson, Founder of Focus on the Family, said he wouldn’t support Thompson for a number of reasons including Thompson’s stance against a one size fits all marriage amendment. Read more on that here. As for Dr. Land’s comments, here’s what he told me:

“I’ve received phone calls and emails from Southern Baptists about Senator Thompson. They are all furious at Doctor Dobson. They just feel that first of all there was a mischaracterizing of his positions. Do I wish that he supported the marriage protection amendment? Of course I do. To say that he is for 50 different views of marriage in 50 different states is a gross mischaracterization of his position. Secondly, do I wish that he attended church every Sunday? As a Baptist pastor, of course I do. But does that make him a person of unbelief? That’s harsh and unwarranted.”
Continue reading “Land Explains Why Dobson is Wrong on Thompson”

00Publius Contributor - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - History - Media Bias - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Recalling the Indispensable Senator No

September 24, 2007 by

-By Michael M. Bates

“Son, just so you understand, I don’t care what The New York Times says about me. And nobody I care about cares what The New York Times says about me.”

That was Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) offering guidance to a new staffer eager to reply to newspaper criticism leveled against his boss. The episode is recounted in the former senator’s 2005 book, “Here’s Where I Stand: A Memoir.”

Reading that volume reminded me of what a national gem Jesse Helms is and was. For thirty years in the U.S. Senate, he delighted most conservatives and disgusted most liberals. Standing firm on his principles, he truly didn’t care what the mainstream media said about him.

And plenty was said. It was The Raleigh News & Observer early on that, because of his vociferous opposition to prevailing liberal nostrums, dubbed him “Senator No.” Jesse Helms accepted it as a compliment.
Continue reading “Recalling the Indispensable Senator No”

00Publius Contributor - Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Frank Salvato - GOP - Islam - Islamofascism - Media Bias - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Calling Out the Political Bullies

September 19, 2007 by

-By Frank Salvato

In the wake of the disgraceful yet defining full-page MoveOn.org ad in the New York Times, the one that denigrated Gen. Petraeus, we stand witness to the benchmark in today’s political tactical maneuvering, the Bully Tactic. Increasingly, political operatives and zealots alike are turning to the coercive tactic of bullying those who aren’t on-board with their candidates or agendas. This benchmark signals some of the darkest days in American politics.

Organizations like MoveOn.org have employed the Bully Tactic quite effectively. By utilizing deep-pocketed, agenda-driven benefactors and exploiting small donor advocates to advance their special interest causes, especially through the mainstream media, MoveOn.org has achieved it goal of placing their special interest demands above the will of the majority in our nation. By creating the illusion that they know what the “

America people” believe they, in many cases, succeed in swaying public opinion using less than accurate information and propaganda.

But MoveOn.org isn’t the only organization that employs the Bully Tactic.

CAIR and the ACLU have successfully employed the Bully Tactic, using it as a tool in litigation.
Continue reading “Calling Out the Political Bullies”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - History - Marie Jon - Media Bias - President - Society/Culture - Uncategorized

Presidential Campaigning Goes on Forever

September 14, 2007 by

-By Marie Jon

I am becoming bored with all the presidential debates and campaigning long before the primaries. They have become elongated political visuals with little or no substance.

For the most part, the media is choosing the front running candidates, both within the Republican and Democrat Parties. Unfortunately, the most popular people will win the primaries, rather than those of substance. Too often, we aren’t able to figure out what the candidates think.

YouTube and the television debates provide little or no information. The candidates continuously changed their positions more readily than chameleons change their color.

Shouldn’t the people who serve in the legislative halls, as well as the White House be elected because of their vast and superior knowledge of the issues? Sadly, our elections have come down to charisma and names bandied about by the media most frequently. Voting for the presidential candidate should be the results of our search for wisdom. Will the people we elect protect and improve our nation during these delicate and tenuous times? This is the question we should be asking.
Continue reading “Presidential Campaigning Goes on Forever”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - History - Media Bias - President - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Another ‘Historian’ Poll: Bush Will Rank at Bottom in Presidential History

September 13, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Here we go again with another pointless Bush bashing presidential rating story filled with quotes from partisan, hack “historians.” In this report, Bush doesn’t have “many achievements” and will finish “mired in an unpopular war” unless, of course, that war mysteriously happens to “unexpectedly” turn out all right and he is “destined for the failed presidents’ club.” Forget the fact that what a president does in office will not be assessable for at least 10 years after he leaves office, forget that these historians change their ideas on who is a good president every decade, forget that these “historians” are part of the far left University system we are saddled with. These “ranking” stories are always full of partisan left nonsense and this one is no different.

After recounting how Harry S Truman supposedly “came back from the political abyss” to become a highly ranked president, McClatchy news finds no reason to expect Bush to make that transformation.

Will history really give Bush the Truman bounce? Several historians doubt it, noting that no other president other than the former haberdasher from Independence, Mo., has received such a 180-degree revision to the benefit of his legacy.

McClatchy apparently is unaware that Truman has only gotten that “bounce” in the last few years. In fact, while president, he went through some pretty tough times as the newspapers and radio reporters raked him over the coals repeatedly. He almost lost his bid for a full term of his own with former vice president Henry Wallace running on a third party ticket.

In any case, McClatchy’s partisan “historian” is sure Bush is cooked, even as his presidency isn’t yet over.
Continue reading “Another ‘Historian’ Poll: Bush Will Rank at Bottom in Presidential History”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Media Bias - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Murder Suspect’s Father Mentioned as Republican in AP story… But, Why?

September 13, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

How many times have we seen it where the MSM refuses to mention the Party affiliation of an accused public figure, convicted felon or otherwise notorious personage if that person in the news happens to be a Democrat? It seems to happen nearly other day in the MSM, doesn’t it? Conversely, should that newsworthy person be a Republican, well the MSM seems to fall all over themselves to mention that he is a Republican — and usually in the first few sentences. Well, it looks like the MSM is now branching out to mentioning party status even of relatives of a notorious person in the news should there be a Republican in the family! It’s as if just having a Republican family member alone explains the bad conduct as far as the Media are concerned.

Here we have the case of one William Smith, Jr., who is currently waiting to find out if the U.S. government is going to acquiesce to a request by the government of Peru for his extradition to face murder charges. Smith is accused of murdering his Peruvian wife while living in that country. It’s a sad story of internet dating gone bad, and tawdry all the way around. Certainly, we hope justice is done.

But HOW does Smith’s Father being a local Republican have anything to do with this story?
Continue reading “Murder Suspect’s Father Mentioned as Republican in AP story… But, Why?”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Media Bias - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

NYDaily News Distorts Fred Thompson’s al Qaeda/Smoking Comment

September 10, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Candidate Fred Thompson is the butt of media jokes, once again. This time it is due to the reporting by the New York Daily News of Thompson’s comments in Sioux City, Iowa over the weekend. Thompson’s claim that an al Qaeda enforced smoking ban in Iraq led to many Iraqi citizens joining the U.S. side in the attempt to rid the country of the foreign terror network was reported to the misinformed media’s amusement, becoming an excuse to make fun of the candidate. But, as is the case with most “reporting” by the MSM, Thompson turns out to be right in his assertions and the MSM has egg on their faces, once again. It seems more and more that the media has decided to do their level best to destroy Fred Thompson’s bid for the White House. I wonder what that says of their fear of him?

The NYDNews reported Thompson’s comments on Saturday.

“They said, ‘You gotta quit smoking,'” Thompson explained to a questioner asking about progress in Iraq during a town hall-style meeting.

Thompson said the smoking ban and terror tactics Al Qaeda used to oppress women and intimidate local leaders pushed tribes in western Anbar Province to support U.S. troops.

So, how are they purposefully misconstruing this smoking ban comment? They start with making light of the comment.
Continue reading “NYDaily News Distorts Fred Thompson’s al Qaeda/Smoking Comment”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Media Bias - President - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

‘Thompson’s Image Cultivated by Hollywood’ — Another He’s-Just-an-Actor Attack by Media

August 28, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

In “Thompson’s Image Cultivated by Hollywood” we get another MSM attempt to make Fred Thompson seem to be just a hollow, fake actor. The AP offers us an analysis that Thompson’s “image” is just a Hollywood invention and that he had no “conscious decision” in shaping the perception that he exhibits the sort of strong, take charge kind of leadership that Americans might want in a president. Of all the lines of attack they’ve tried thus far, this is the MSMs favorite way to belittle Fred Thompson. This meme has it that Thompson’s acting persona is an invention of Hollywood and that his political life is a reflection of this invented persona, that he capitalized on the illusion to launch a political career — they want to make Thompson out to be a fake. But, in reality, Thompson’s roles are a reflection of his real life persona, not an invention by Hollywood but an amplification of reality by Hollywood.

AP does their level best to make Thompson seem the illusionist…

If Fred Thompson is auditioning for the role of a lifetime, he could hardly be any better prepared.

As Thompson prepares for a likely run for the presidency … his image has been cultivated as much by Hollywood as by his time as a real-life Republican senator in Washington.

Notice how the AP continually links all the less than serious actor euphemisms to Thompson’s campaign and Senate career? His running for president is just “auditioning,” his image “cultivated,” by Hollywood. They insist in seeing Thompson through the lens of a manufactured, Hollywood facade.

The AP tries to cajole readers into viewing Thompson’s political career as a mere byproduct of his acting as opposed to a meritorious result of his real-life actions.
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00Publius Contributor - Abortion - Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Family - GOP - Media Bias - President - Society/Culture - Taxes - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Chgo. Sun-Times: Pregnancies to Rise in US Colleges — It’s All Bush’s Fault

August 26, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Chicago Sun-Times is blaming the Bush administration for what they claim is sure to be a rise in unplanned pregnancies at colleges and universities across the country. It hasn’t happened yet, mind you, but they are sure it’s gonna! Naturally, the paper cannot imagine we should place any blame on the stupid students who are getting themselves pregnant. I mean, it HAS to be Bush’s fault, you see, with personal responsibility being so last century and all. No, the Sun-Times is sure that a cut in the amount of Federal money doled out to our institutions of higher learning for cheap birth control is going to wreak havoc with the student body. Our kids are obviously too stupid to get by without that government spending.

The Sun-Times, worrying that the cost of birth control available to students in colleges is going to rise, imagines a law reducing Federal spending is somehow forcing students to have unprotected sex. “Birth-control costs soaring at colleges — Pregnancies could rise now that law limits drugmaker incentives”, they proclaim. This calamity is all being blamed on the “Deficit Reduction Act signed by President Bush last year” according to the Sun-Times.
Continue reading “Chgo. Sun-Times: Pregnancies to Rise in US Colleges — It’s All Bush’s Fault”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Media Bias - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Paper Says Bush Supporters Are ‘White, male, middle-aged and slightly stupid’

August 25, 2007 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

So, what we have here is the only hate-speak that the MSM will allow. Attacks on white men who vote Republican. In this case we see our friendly Seattle Post-Intelligencer columnist, Dorothy Parvaz, reveling in her hatred of Bush supporters. Not only is she attempting to malign white Republican men, but she is also doing so on the basis of physical appearance alone. And here I thought that the left was fond of scolding people who judge others by their looks?

So. I’m sorry to report that President Bush’s most loyal supporters look just like him: White, male, middle-aged and slightly stupid (sorry guys, I calls ’em like I sees ’em).

Now, I’d love to say that all Democrats look like Michael Moore; Fat, ugly and slightly stupid. But, it just wouldn’t be true. Some look like Cameron Diaz; skinny, pretty and slightly stupid. So, I would never claim to know a Democrat merely by their physical appearance, but, not so for Parvez and her self-proclaimed ability to discern a person’s entire life and philosophy at a mere glance.
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00Publius Contributor - Elections - GOP - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Romney Wrong That His Abortion Flip Flop Like Reagan’s

August 20, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Former Massachusetts Governor and current GOP candidate for president Mitt Romney has been doing his level best to redefine in his favor his past stance on abortion and to push his newfound anti-abortion position as he continues his campaign. Romney appeared on the August 12th edition of Fox News Sunday to face host Chris Wallace who confronted the Governor with several video clips of Romney’s professing far more support for abortion just 5 years ago than he now claims to have espoused then, or that he claims he currently espouses.

Romney has been desperately trying to distance himself from his past abortion stance and has been lately saying he was always “personally pro-life” and was mistaken to begrudgingly allow for pro-abortion support while he was Governor. Also, during the Sunday ABC Republican debates in August, Romney tried a mae culpa of sorts on his past stance calling it the “greatest mistake of his life.” Romney told George Stephanopoulos, “My greatest mistake was when I first ran for office being deeply opposed to abortion but saying I’d support the current law, which was pro-choice and effectively a pro-choice position. That was just wrong.”

But, Chris Wallace presented Romney with proof that pretty much devastates Romney’s claim that he never supported abortion and that he only bowed to his Massachusetts constituency’s desires. Wallace played two video clips where Romney went much further then any begrudging support, both of which in fact, seemed more like active advocacy than any perfunctory support. After the clips, Wallace reminded Romney that “for eight years” he had said that he would “protect and respect a woman’s right to choose.”
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00Publius Contributor - Budget - Congress - Elections - GOP - Media Bias - President - Society/Culture - Taxes - The Law - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Fred and the Fair Tax Folks — Does He Support the Fair Tax or not?

August 16, 2007 by 3 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

OK, I am getting a little annoyed with the claim that Thompson has somehow flip flopped on the Fair Tax issue. I am also tired of seeing the Fair Tax folks claiming that their video shows Fred Thompson stating he supports their new tax plan. In reality neither is the case.

The fact is Thompson has neither come out directly in favor of the Fair Tax plan, nor flip flopped on his stance on taxes. (See important note at the end of this article.)

That Disingenuous Video

Look, the Fair Tax people are generally on our side of the argument, it is true. Not every conservative supports their particular plan, of course, but we are all looking for a better plan for our tax system. We all agree that what we have is broken and desperately needs fixing. Thompson stands squarely on this side, as well. But, with this whole Thompson claim, the Fair Tax people are hindering, not helping the issue of a substantive tax debate.

And now, because of this ridiculous claim from the Fair Tax folks that Thompson has somehow come out in support of their plan, ABC news is getting into the act in an effort to find something which they can use to attack candidate Thompson, further muddying the waters. On the 31st, ABC wrote that, “Former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., appears to have flip flopped on his pledge to sign federal legislation replacing all federal taxes with a 23 percent sales tax, according to an unedited FairTax.org video reviewed by ABC News.”
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00Publius Contributor - Constitution - Elections - GOP - History - Islam - Islamofascism - Media Bias - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

What IS Wrong With Ron Paul?

August 7, 2007 by 9 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

I have been watching with interest the candidacy of Libertarian Ron Paul. Like many, I’ve been wondering what the heck he is doing in this race in the first place. Let’s face it, even in the GOP field of candidates he doesn’t fit in well. Naturally, he is a whipping boy for the GOP establishment… well, maybe just a laughing stock, would be more accurate. But, there is real substance to Mr. Paul, a substance that is all too easy to gloss over by focusing on his quirks. And he does serve a very important purpose; he helps bring the debate to the right, a necessary pull with Mitt the Malleable and Rudy the lefty in the race.

Being of a libertarian bent myself, I see a lot of merit in Mr. Paul’s focus on taking government out of things as opposed to trying to find new and expansive (not to mention expensive) ways for government to meddle in our lives. His voice is a welcome change in this direction.

However, his chief flaw is his overly simplistic approach to the war — and this is the single most important issue of our day. This is the main reason he is uncredible as a possible president one who, should he be elected, would have to deal far more with foreign threats and diplomacy than that of other, past presidents.

Last Sunday’s debate was a prime example of the unsuitability of his candidacy for our times. From his constant and easily ridiculed use of the word “Neocons” in practically every answer he gave, to his policy suggestion that we “just leave” Iraq as if it were merely a bad movie we could walk out on with no consequences, made him look… well… off his nut.
Continue reading “What IS Wrong With Ron Paul?”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Media Bias - President - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

MSM Consensus: ‘Just an Actor’ it is for Thompson

August 2, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

A few months ago, when Fred Thompson first began to ruminate about running for the White House, I wondered aloud about just what line of attack the MSM would settle upon when they began going after Thompson in earnest. There were several candidates, but the one I thought would be their favorite charge would be that of the “he’s just an actor” meme. And it looks like this is, indeed, the winning MSM charge against Thompson, as since my first article, the line has been used in many more Thompson hit pieces promulgated by the MSM.

Here Mr. Thompson is in good company, though. Who else but Ronald Reagan was and is still being called “just an actor” by denizens of the leftist MSM? But, I don’t think I’d worry that the charge will gain any more legitimacy with Fred Thompson than it did with Ronald Reagan, the man who won the Cold War. In fact, as each decade passes, Reagan gains more and more credibility as his legacy is reassessed by less partisan thinkers as the media of his own day passes mercifully from the scene.

Do not mistake me to be saying that Thompson is a new Ronald Reagan, though. It is too easy to fall into this misleading mode of thinking. Reagan was a one of a kind, to be sure. But many of the qualities that made Ronald Reagan the man for his age can be found in one Fred Thompson. While calling Thompson the next Reagan is not helpful, calling him a Reaganite, however, is more accurate.

Still, it seems that the “he’s just an actor” line is the bat the MSM will use the most as they come after Fred Thompson.
Continue reading “MSM Consensus: ‘Just an Actor’ it is for Thompson”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Media Bias - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Are Media Misreporting Thompson Addition of Spencer Abraham to Campaign?

July 31, 2007 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

A lot of people are atwitter over this addition to the Thompson advisory team of former Senator Spencer Abraham. But, it is starting to look to me like a story incorrectly reported by the MSM and rolling off track from there. It just seems that there are too many conflicting reports on Abraham’s role with the AP reporting that he is a new “campaign manager” but others saying Randy Enwright is.

The website IsraelToday, for instance, has posted a story full of alarm over the addition of Spence to the team. Their reaction is similar to many Israel supporters here in the states, too. “Fred Thompson names anti-Israel ex-senator as campaign manager” their headline screams. They are very worried over Spence’s past slights to Israel and for being “soft on Islamic terrorism.”

Israel Today isn’t the only one. Many bloggers and MSM news sources have been reporting that Abraham is the new “campaign manager” for the Thompson campaign. But, there seems to be a major misconception over Spencer’s position with the Thompson campaign here. Many reports are calling Abraham Fred’s “campaign manager” but this does not seem to be a truthful description of his role.
Continue reading “Are Media Misreporting Thompson Addition of Spencer Abraham to Campaign?”