Justice Department Blocks Harry Reid Investigation

A corruption probe begun by Utah State Prosecutors against Harry Reid (D) and Mike Lee (R), Senators from the State of Utah, has come under some scrutiny since efforts by the FBI have been thwarted by the Justice Department. In the case of Lee, there is some question into the validity of a sale of a home, in which losses were incurred, the investigation, was brought by a State Democrat.

Concerning both men

Spokesmen for both senators denied their bosses engaged in any wrongdoing and said the lawmakers were unaware of the investigations. Mass recusal The investigative efforts have been further complicated by the fact that Mr. Reid worked to get Mr. Lee’s chief counsel, David Barlow, confirmed in 2011 as the U.S. attorney in Salt Lake City. That action — a Democratic Senate leader letting a Republican be named to a key prosecutor’s position in the Obama administration — raised many eyebrows and angered some Democrats. Subsequently, the entire office of federal prosecutors in Utah was forced to recuse itself from the corruption case after questions surfaced about a conflict of interest involving one prosecutor and a subject of the probe. After the recusal, state prosecutors secured a court order transferring the federal evidence gathered up to that point to their possession. The process has left FBI agents in the unusual position of trying to help two local prosecutors make a case in state court without the ability to use the federal court system to determine whether accusations against two powerful members of Congress are true.

(Washington Times)

Considering Harry Reid, the spokesman for Obama Care, and architect of the Nuclear Option in the Senate, one would think that the administration would do anything to protect their lapdog – including blocking an investigation. It would be justice to give both men the opportunity to prove no wrong-doing in either allegation. What is suspicious is the fact that Justice as intervened in this issue, in particular, as the players are diametrically opposed, and Harry Reid, is seen as the lap dog of the administration. One might have to throw the baby out with the proverbial bathwater, in these cases, Lee being unable to disprove the allegations, while saving Reid. Of course, 2014 may make this a moot point.

Dem’s Downplay Loss of Florida 13th – a Swing District – Portents of 2014

From ABC News Republican candidate David Jolly bested his Democrat opponent in a special election yesterday in a Florida Gulf Coast Congressional District Race. ABC news suggests that Democrats believed this District an easy win due to Obama winning in both 2008 and 2012, and began to downplay as the race neared its finish.(ABC News) Jolly a Tea Party candidate, won on the issue of Obama care (Tampa Bay Times). One might suggest that this is just a special election, yet is obliged to recall 2010 when special elections in Virginia, New Jersey and then Massachusetts saw Republican candidates win handily – with the landslide coming in 2010 with Tea Party and Libertarian candidates pushing the Republicans into a majority in Congress.

The fact that the ABC news article suggests it is the Republican’s who have used Obama care and their opposition to the health care act, as a vehicle in the primary may be a bit off base – yes the Issue is part of the problems facing the voters today, but not the only one. From privacy issues that are key in the younger demographic, to the high cost of living due to inflation on food and necessities, as well as the stagnant job market, all demographics are now looking for alternatives. One might also suggest those alternatives do not include individuals who are heavily wedded to a Washington Lifestyle, and that crosses party lines.

If 2010 was a wake-up call to both major political parties that was ignored on the one-hand and demonized by both on the other – one might suggest that in 2014, the tide will turn against the “establishment” and one might see a different face, politically, in both Chambers of Commerce. It’s about time. Apparently, all the dogma, hard sell, lack of transparency, and two parties with leadership that makes it difficult to tell who is who, the nation appears to have had enough of the same old. Divisions within parties are there for a reason, and that reason is to redefine the political party, up to and including schism which will generate new parties. With the Democrats, one has the Progressives, and with the Republicans’ the Tea Party and Libertarian wings. As Americans reject big government as it has played out to be exactly what many feared, it will be a swing towards Liberty. Nothing was more apparent, considering the messaging from CPAC – leaning States Rights, Constitutionalist, Free Market and Liberty. That message is more appealing that it has ever been, and one believes it will carry forward into the Mid-terms and the General Election.

The Resurgence of Liberty – CPAC - a Winning Message

In the years that one may or may not have paid a great deal of attention to the annual CPAC Convention, it has appeared mainly centric GOP – something has changed and that change is an overwhelming rejection of the status quo by those speakers who may or may not have Presidential aspirations.

The speeches by Paul, Palin, Cruz, Perry and several other keynote’s were impressive and inspiring to those who have always been to the side of Libertarian, one heard the word Constitutionalist quite a bit.

The individual who appears to have won most of the hearts and minds is one Senator Rand Paul, winning the straw poll handily. (Boston Globe) One thing is certain, he is a stronger candidate for 2016 than his father – appealing to a wide range of liberty minded individuals, from Jeffersonian Republicans to those on the left of center who appreciate someone who is not a fan of Government overreach – especially into one’s private life.

Further indication of Paul’s intention was the recent defection of the Iowa State GOP chair to run his PAC while noting that there has been a shift in the Iowa GOP – away from the mainstream GOP(WFMZ – CNN Article)

Should one think that these Liberty minded individuals have not caught the rank and file GOP of the Washington elite, one might pick up the WaPost, Jennifer Rubin’s musing on CPAC , although she does not, obviously, suggest Cruz, Paul or Palin, she does not wail about a disconnect, and notes that the three she does mention (Christie, Rubio and Perry) were speaking to a more liberty minded group and, in her opinion, had done very well. Oddly the Washington elite favor Christie, most likely for his ability to be more Democrat at times than Republican, that said, the model, will no longer “fly”.

Suffice it to say, that as the mid-terms near, and as Palin reminded the establishment of which party brought them the majority (Tea versus GOP), the same fervor of 2010 is alive and kicking, with apparently little allegiance to the standard Washington elite. She was brilliant in her speech, as was Perry, Cruz and especially Paul.

Although it is too early in the political process, and straw polls, being paid participant polls are not exactly bellwethers, it is a first where the appeal of the players is more broad than in the past – to those disenfranchised Democrats and especially Republican’s who lean towards Libertarian roots.

About time.