Scott Brown as the”Carpetbagger”, Politico Asks – “So What?” – Valid – Are you listening New Hampshire?

Politico’s article on Scott Brown, Republican running for Senate in New Hampshire, offers some valid points as to his “residency” in the state, and the moniker of “carpetbagger” that some have attempted to attach to Brown. The article states what anyone living between the Granite and the Bay State understands – we travel. Most of the Massachusetts residents living on the border or near the border of New Hampshire, have, over the years, moved next door, over the state line, escaping the extreme liberalism that is the Bay State. Friends have gone over the border, no excuses, for better schools and nicer real estate options, and all were, to the point, conservative in nature, although most “unenrolled” or independent minded. Scott Brown, therefore, has a lot of company in New Hampshire that is extremely like minded.

Never mind that the State flipped houses, that was due to those tax-hating liberals who thought nothing of going over the border as well – short commute to Boston and all. One might think that there were enough of them that would not appreciate Brown as an alternative; however, one might be wrong in that regard.

When Brown broke on the political scene in Massachusetts, weeks before he announced his run in 2009 for the Senate, he was a curiosity as a State Senator - with many wishing their state senator would be so attentive to constituents needs. That was the big reason Brown was so popular in MA – he was genuine. He did not work for one group or the other, he was not a brand X and that is what got him into some hot water with the Political “you own me” groups. Let alone, once elected, those who were “late to the campaign dance” declared their victory in getting Brown elected (State Republican Party, for one, Tea Party for two). Brown, with the help of a few trust aides, did it himself.

Yes, guilty, a Scott Brown fan, because is actually is a legislator. One might not care for everything Brown suggests, or the way he votes, however, since all of us, (the State in question), are not of the same political mind set, or share the same needs, one would think a legislator who walked the walk for all of their constituents would be welcome. One hopes the residents in the State of New Hampshire recognize what they have in Brown giving himself over to a race, to represent them.

Very rarely are there those who will not vote a party line, one way or other, just visit Thomas.gov, the congressional record, and look up ones Representative or Senators and find a party line state of mind. It is “us versus them” that get’s nothing accomplished. Brown manages to straddle the middle ground without comprising his principles or his constituents, and plays to no particular group.

It cost him the Massachusetts election - simply because he was accused on one side of being party line, and on the other – no so much. One might hope the New Hampshire streak of independence would allow them a tad more intelligence than their taxing neighbors to the south.

In a word this former constituent is jealous – look at what Massachusetts has to offer in its senators – both progressives, one running for the 2016 nomination (although denying) – Senator Warren, and the other – invisible in most of what he does – Ed Markey. Think long and hard, New Hampshire, you too could be just like your neighbors, which may not be the most envious position to achieve.

Then read the article at Politico to find how many real “carpetbaggers” are in the Senate, State House, et al –it might surprise.

Good Grief –WAPost, suggests GOP Trouble with No Clear Front Runner – the Tea Leaves

The Washington Post is suggesting that the GOP is in “turmoil “as there are no clear frontrunners yet for 2016. They go on to explain that the “elders” of the party, are not happy unless there is a clear front-runner before the nominating process begins – keeps it neat, sweat and no messy primaries – since this may not be the case, chaos should reign and the Democrats should be sitting pretty. The reason is that Hillary Clinton has an unprecedented lead in early polling.

It may be best to recall that Hillary Clinton had an astounding lead going into 2008 – she also had the popular vote, until the Democrat Super Delegates went nuclear and nominated Barack Obama. That would be turmoil. Yes, Obama won, but one might hazard to guess the GOP’s next in line for the nomination theory didn’t quite pan out with John McCain. One might also suggest that a messy primary was not the problem with Mitt Romney’s loss –moreover it was those within the party that viewed the man as belong to a Cult –and 20 some odd evangelicals just could not vote for him. There may have been a few million Tea Party people viewing him as a “Rhino” that would not vote for him either –t he end result – Obama won a second term. Now that was unprecedented.

There will always be names bandied about 3 years prior to any one seriously considering a run, and of course, they all say yes. But when push comes to shove, the field narrows, and the people are left with a variety of choices, as it should be.

Look for front runners to begin to emerge after the mid-terms, when they should make some noise not before. There will be talk of this one and of that one, there will be favorites, but, the more the merrier – just this humble opinion. Recalling the 2012 primaries, it was difficult for those political junkies to watch the painful process of Mitt Romney slowly making it to the top – surely if he could run the gauntlet of fierce competition, he should have had answers for everyone – yet, it was not to be, and through no fault of him own.

2014 is the time to concentrate on who might be the next speak of the House or Senate Majority Leader –and once that dust clears, the nation will look at who moves them. One can bet it will be one that is pro-growth, more libertarians, less party faithful that will have more of the juice, so to speak, that’s wild guess. One will just have to wait it out. As to the party “edlers” – they should go on vacation – until 2017.

Sarah Palin – What If She Decided To Join/Work with a Third Party? – The Writing Has Been On the Wall Since 2010.

Sarah Palin pictured with Ted Cruz (R-TX), both Constitutionalists - image pat dollard dot com

There’s been a lot of speculation the past few days over former Governor of Alaska, and 2008 GOP VP Candidate, Sarah Palin’s remarks regarding leaving the GOP for greener pastures. The remark about starting a “Freedom Party” came as a Q&A, and, as a good many situations arise out of Washington, or either major political party, that irk Palin, it appears that the focus is on her stance on the Republican’s who voted for the Senate Immigration package bill. (Seattle Post)

The political analysts over at the Christian Science Monitor ask the rhetorical question: “Why is Sarah Palin saying she might leave the GOP?”, and go on to answer that with a “not likely”.

Why would the Christina Science Monitor or any news outlet believe that Palin was not serious? Although no one, especially anyone in media, new or old, knows what’s on Governor Palin’s mind, if one were to take a look at footage of her speaking at rallies prior to the 2010 elections; one might have a different point of view as to whether or not she may be considering ditching a major party.

Upon introducing herself to the U.S. Political stage (outside of the State of Alaska and the Governors Associations), Palin has been a virtual unknown entity in the lower 48. How many people even know the name of the Governor of an adjoining state, let alone the name of their own State’s Govenor (given the absolutely pitiful rise of the low information voter.) Therefore, Palin, an unknown, with zero interest from the media (other than to make her look as incompetent as possible), remains that way today.

With the exception of those who have been lucky enough to hear that woman speak about what our nation should look like in a political sense – straight from the Constitution – without the powerful two-party machines, rather, with citizens who actually have more interest in their nation, than in getting more from the trough. Those that may have been at one of the events, from one end of the coast to the other, would have heard a sane and sensible message, one that was inspiring, and more bi-partisan, or anti-party, than anticipated. A message of hope for the future, of building a better society, and overall, one that was welcoming to anyone, any race, creed, color, or political affiliation.

Therein lays the danger in Sarah Palin – were she to take the GOP infiltrated Tea Party, and motivate those millions of activists hoping against hope for a return to Congressional and Senatorial sanity, to form, precinct by precinct, state by state, a solid alternative to not only the GOP but the DNC, it would have a general appeal that one might suggest would pull from both parties, and especially from those who consider themselves unenrolled, unaffiliated or independent.

Perhaps she was, at the time of the query, just voicing her frustration over the ridiculous situation in Washington. The immigration bill is only a tiny part of what is wrong –there’s the waste, and the downright stupid decision that are made on a daily basis, that not only cost the taxpayers’ money, but are generally embarrassing for those whose State or Congressional district sent said Legislator to D.C. in the first place. (Of course, they would have to know what that individual did that was so lame, but, unless it’s a Republican stuck on stupid, the media wont’ report it, there, if one is questioning why we have low information voters? – They are turned off – so the tune off the news – in droves- and are so disgusted, they don’t even vote, or are peacefully and blissfully unaware of what’s going on in DC or their State Capitol, that is making life so unbearable.)

Palin may be as frustrated as the rest of the nation who is even semi-aware of the nonsense created by both major parties. Or, she may be serious. If she is serious, she would be much maligned (which by now, the woman should be used to the vitriol), and she would be a patriot under any guise, as she would be attempting to taka the countries governance on the Federal level back to its founders intent.

Should Palin decide to take it one the road and organize, one might find that she’d soon have company, and that she may draw equally from both parties – thus castrating the two major parties, and leaving them each with one-third of the nation – imagine, not over night, but in a decade or less, the ability to send a third party candidate to the White House, not one beholden to one party or the other, but one that would be representative of the People. Whether or not Palin actually decides to put herself and her family through a national campaign of such a scope is another thing – however what a great thing it would be.

Obama Mid-Term Strategy – Blame Your Own Party and Go Back to the Campus Campaign Mode – But -Will The Youth Vote?

Obama in his "comfort zone" rally at University of WI - image Fox

It’s Campaign Mode for the DNC and the Head of the Party, Barack Obama, while Democrats worry over dismal poll results in the final weeks prior to the Mid-Terms. The strategy appears, on the surface, to be two-pronged – first the blame game. After blaming former President George Bush, the Democrats go-to “villain”, wore thin with independents, the President has now taken to blaming members of his own party. In a recent Rolling Stone interview(AP news source), the president called Democrats out for being “inexcusable” and “irresponsible” should they not get out and vote for Democrat ticket (or at all) this November.

Not taking any chances, the President headed to Madison, WI for a stop at the University of Wisconsin. The crowd estimates were high, for a change – attendance has been estimated at approximately 26,000 (both inside and outside the campus event). However, the question remains, will one or twenty large university events, translate into a renewed energy at the polls? It remains to be seen if those students taking part in a political rally complete with music and a break from class, will get to the polls in numbers large enough to make a difference to embattled Democrats trying to hold onto a majority in both the Congress and the Senate.

Interviews conducted by the local daily, The State Journal, indicate otherwise. Asking students if the rally would translate into votes, garnered the following response from one student:

“Even Lawless admitted she would likely not vote. “It’s too much work with the absentee ballot,” she said.”

Although the same student stood in line for hours in order to see the President, it was the opportunity to be at a big event, one which included a sitting President. Therefore, it is difficult to assess how many of the 26,000 in attendance at a University will actually vote. The rally at Madison was broadcast to other Universities: Over at NYU a crowd of 40, “members of the NYU College Democrats and Organizing for America...watched” Obama. Forty gathered at NYU, including members of the President’s campaign organization seems hardly sufficient to save the day for the Democrats.

The “rock star” persona of Barack Obama may have drawn crowds that appeared to be “Woodstock revisited” in 2008, (including left-over 1960’s radicals), however, that was then, two years have passed and there other things on the minds of America’s youth, such as student loan debt and employment. Although it looks good on paper, and the evening news, the rally at Madison is hardly indicative of the national outlook and one considers the anti-incumbency mood of the general electorate – it’s palpable and it transcends political party lines. Additionally, although Obama’s ability to bring out the youth vote was huge in the past, 2010 attendance may not be as genuine as it appears. For example a recent even held at a campus in Ohio required that staffers insure seats were filled for the event by “recruiting” on-campussee: Recent campus visit in Ohio here)

Therefore, it will depend on who has the best “marketing” when it comes to the mid-term elections, and at the moment it appears that the voting public could care less – the focus being on ousting the incumbent and/or apathy. One has to imagine that, regardless of whether on is a Democrat, Republican, Tea Party, Libertarian, or Green Party, the constant drumbeat of the two-party partisan “warfare” has worn thin and the general populace is just “tired” of the rhetoric and the slogans. Therefore, what will determine the outcome of the mid-terms is not about political party per se, it is a referendum on what affects the individual – employment, inflation, fear and apathy. Youth is ever hopeful, but hope does not necessarily translate into votes. Anger and fear, however, are motivators that will move mountains. It will, even with a “youth vote” and perceived enthusiasm broadcast to living rooms across the nation, it will be those who are feeling the impact personally, (regardless of age) that determine the shape of the Congress and Senate for the next two years – as well as Obama’s future prospects for 2012.

Rasmussen: Obama Approval Rating: 41%

Rasmussen’s Daily Tracking Poll for March 5, reports that 41% of those surveyed strongly approve of Obama’s job performance. In the pollsters, “By the Numbers” segment, 43% now believe he is “more ethical than other politicians”, while 69% believe the President to be “politically liberal”. As of this time, Gallop’s Daily Tracking was not released due to a storm that shut down polling offices, the last poll released showed an increase in support for the President’s Stimulus package by Democrats to a whopping 59%, but among independents (or those who decide elections), the support has gone “flat”. The last report by Gallop, was released on February 11th.
There appears to be “Trouble in River City”.

In an AP article released this morning, entitled ”How long will Americans wait for economic change?”>, the question regarding the continuous downfall of the economy is placed squarely on the shoulders of the new administration:

For Americans, the question is: How long will the economic crisis last? For President Barack Obama, it's how long will the public wait before they start demanding results?
For some people, like Ron Zick of Glenview, Ill., there's no time to waste.
"My level of patience for the entire situation we are in is zero," said Zick, a small business owner.

One would have to live in a bubble (or be so ideologically committed to a Political Party/Persona), not to understand that the honeymoon with the general public is over. What is stunning is the fact that the time involved for the general public to become un unenamored of the current administration, is less than two months into his administration.

Although the economy is, in part to blame, poor choices for nominees to critical posts, reporting from major news organizations that are less than complementary of the President, (ABC News: Obama mischaracterization of data regarding Health Care Reform), to a White House manufactured war on a Rush Limbaugh, a radio talk show host, are all contributing to the distaste of the President and, by reason, the Democrat Party. Additionally, there does not appear to be a remedy to any of the situations, rather, Obama walked into a quagmire, promising left and right to fix everything but the kitchen sink, without the ability to tackle one problem, let alone multiple problems in a short period of time. The American Public, perhaps, one of the most impatient and unforgiving of all cultures, sees his inability to resolve one issue before moving onto the next, as more than “a broken promise”. It remains to be seen what the numbers will be come April or May, however, should this trend continue unabated, Obama will face job disapproval ratings of historical proportions.

So Much for Unity – Clinton Supporters In Orlando Deface City Cars

So much for party unity – not a day after the Clinton/Obama Unity speech, vandals in the City of Orlando let their feelings about Barrack Obama be known. Frankly, “Obama Smokes Crack” does not appear to be a racial slur, rather a fact taken from his own life story. That said, this type of overt display of affection is patently ridiculous. Is there racism in this country, only that driven by the media, and to get the media’s attention, these supporters used this method to point to their unease with Obama. The only press this has been given, so far, is local in nature. How would the party line of unity that is so zealously embraced by the media hold up should these types of acts be reported, or worse, continued across the country. A note: racial slurs have been on the rise, but those are coming from one party in particular – the party that is the most divisive, the party of Jefferson. Ironic is it not? Full text below from WFTV Orlando


ORLANDO, Fla. -- Racial slurs targeting Barack Obama were discovered spray painted Saturday night on dozens of city vehicles in Orlando. The vandalism happened in a City of Orlando parking lot on the corner of South and Orange.
Phrases including "Oboma smoks crack" and other phrases with racial slurs were written in blue spraypaint on the white city cars and trucks. Other vehicles appeared to have had their gas tanks tampered with.
Along with the paint, hundreds of business cards were left on windshields. The cards contain criticism of Obama on one side and support for Hillary Clinton and her family on the other side. The same cards were left on Channel 9 vehicles in Daytona Beach several weeks ago.
The vandalism happened the same night the Obama campaign kicked off its Florida organization with parties across the state.
Local representatives with the Obama campaign told Channel 9 they weren't aware of any similar incidents.
Orlando police are investigating the incident

Michelle Obama – Makeover Madness

The New York Times is introducing the New, improved Michelle Obama (from the Gawker, NY) today. Apparently, women are subject to makeovers, especially when their husbands are in a spotlight position, specifically when that position is within the ranks of the Democrat party. The makeover should come as no surprise. Hillary Clinton’s campaign coverage focused not on her policy, rather what she wore, how she spoke, her makeup, her hair style, ad nausea. The question is: how long are women going to allow themselves to be made over in order to complement a man? With no sympathy from this particular quarter for Ms. Obama, it still rankles that as a woman, she is expected to toe the line, not be herself, but be a version of a woman that completes some absurd notion of feminism written by a party that is also supposed to be for women. The concept that the Democrats are friendly towards the gender is patently absurd. With only one issue on the platform that deals with women at all, it is amazing that the party still maintains a large percentage of women within its ranks. These ladies need to understand that pro-choice can have another meaning, and that is a choice to take their business elsewhere and vote against a party that promotes re-defining women to fit a particular mold.

Massachusetts – 50.34% of Unenrolled Voters?

An interesting statistic regarding the electorate in Massachusetts: in 2004 the political party designation showed the following:
Of the 4,098,634 total registered voters 1,526,711 were registered Democrat, 532,319 were registered Republican, 2,000,062 were designated Unenrolled and the balance were of another party affiliation. Reference Mass. Secretary of State.

The latest figures show a modest change: ( PDF download and other voter information available click here) out of 4,011,551 total enrolled 1,476,133 are registered Democrat, 486,188 are registered Republican, 2,019,368 are registered as Unenrolled with the balance of another party affiliation.

It should be noted that both major parties lost enrollment (Democrats lost 50,578 voters while Republicans lost, 46,131 registered voters, there was a shift to alternative and unenrolled voter status.) Therefore, the makeup of the state electorate, although touted as heavily Democrat by the media and the party, can actually be classified as “up for grabs” during a general election. Which begs the question: Will the RNC, who undoubtedly has access to these figures, finally turn their attention to the Massachusetts electorate and make a concerted effort to gain both house and senate seats? How vulnerable is John Kerry is Massachusetts? Additionally, are other “blue states” any different?


Kerry Democrat Opponent Ed O’Reilly on NECN “Kerry has no passion on any issue”