Erick Erickson's Blog, page 189

Morning Briefing for January 26, 2011

RedState Morning Briefing

For January 26, 2011

Go to www.RedStateMB.com to get
the Morning Briefing every morning at no charge.

1. The Sputnik Moment

2. The Bachmann Speech

3. Filibuster 'reform' near?

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1. The Sputnik Moment

Barack Obama's "Sputnik Moment" sums up his speech best. In fact, there is no reason to fully dwell on his speech in light of the sputnik moment. What do I mean? Consider this: Barack Obama declared that "This is our generation's Sputnik moment." His reference was to the mobilization of the United States after the Soviets launched the Sputnik satellite. President Kennedy mobilized the United States to aggressively combat the Soviets with not just an arms race, but with a space race — a race to the moon.

President Obama declared our present economic climate our sputnik moment then proceeded to ignore NASA in his speech while defunding our space program. Nevermind that he did not identify an enemy hell bent on destroying us. He just wanted to use the metaphor without regard for its historic meaning — something this President all too often does.

Barack Obama's bold leadership will not lead to a new race to space. Rather, in his own words, Barack Obama's "sputnik moment" is . . . wait for it . . . no seriously, wait for it . . . "solar shingles that are being sold all across the country."

Not exactly a John F. Kennedy oratory moment. But wait, it gets even better as Barack Obama announces his intention to return us to the 1950's.

Please click here for the rest of the post.

2. The Bachmann Speech

Much has been made of Michelle Bachmann's "Tea Party" response to the State of the Union.

For days the media has been playing this up as a major conflict within the Republican Party. In fact, a number of Republican leadership aides pulled out all the stops trying to get the networks to ignore Michelle Bachmann.

Kudos to CNN for its willingness to cover the speech in full.

I must admit I was deeply nervous about the speech, but I am delighted to say I was wrong. Michelle Bachmann gave the best speech of the night.

While the President sputniked and Paul Ryan went off on some high minded rhetoric, Michelle Bachmann kept to nuts and bolds. Her speech was based on actual economic data with actual, substantive policy suggestions for change.

Paul Ryan's speech was okay. His blood shot eyes and Eddie Munster, Jr. haircut could have used some work. But he was good. Michelle Bachmann, however, shined in an easy to understand speech with a common man touch.

I'm glad I was wrong. And it just goes to show that the narrative of concern, built up in the media in large part by nervous Republicans, was silly. It yet again shows the GOP is unwilling to seriously treat the tea party movement as a legitimate player.

Please click here for the rest of the post.

3. Filibuster 'reform' near?

Scare quotes, because it's DC Kabuki Time! For those who are not 'blessed' enough to live within the Beltway - or downwind of it - this is that special time in the legislative calendar where federal politicians preserve the status quo by changing nothing at all and putting a big, red bow on the result. In this particular case, the scenario is as follows: for some strange reason, certain progressives want to make it easier for Republicans to repeal Obamacare by making the threshold for a cloture vote less than the current 60. Saner Democrats - which is to say, about a third to a half of the Senate Democratic caucus - don't want this to happen, mostly because they can count, and they're well aware of the minor detail that 2012 is shaping up nicely as a Senatorial bloodbath for their party. So, it's time for a compromise!

Please click here for the rest of the post.

The Bachmann Speech

Much has been made of Michelle Bachmann's "Tea Party" response to the State of the Union.

For days the media has been playing this up as a major conflict within the Republican Party. In fact, a number of Republican leadership aides pulled out all the stops trying to get the networks to ignore Michelle Bachmann.

Kudos to CNN for its willingness to cover the speech in full.

I must admit I was deeply nervous about the speech, but I am delighted to say I was wrong. Michelle Bachmann gave the best speech of the night.

While the President sputniked and Paul Ryan went off on some high minded rhetoric, Michelle Bachmann kept to nuts and bolds. Her speech was based on actual economic data with actual, substantive policy suggestions for change.

Paul Ryan's speech was okay. His blood shot eyes and Eddie Munster, Jr. haircut could have used some work. But he was good. Michelle Bachmann, however, shined in an easy to understand speech with a common man touch.

I'm glad I was wrong. And it just goes to show that the narrative of concern, built up in the media in large part by nervous Republicans, was silly. It yet again shows the GOP is unwilling to seriously treat the tea party movement as a legitimate player.

Flattered by the Attacks

Shortly after Keith Olbermann announced he was leaving MSNBC, I had to laugh on twitter about it. That, naturally, brought out the hate.

In the past seventy-two hours I've been told to get AIDS and die, die in a fire, f*** off, choke on a d**k, burn in hell, and the like. Not content to just hurl insults, shortly after RedState's annual post on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade appeared, the left decided to willfully misread the post and accuse both me and this site of calling for open and armed rebellion against the United States.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

While I am flattered (read: deeply insulted) that the left has decided to make me the right wing equivalent of Keith Olbermann and target me and my various employers for harassment, they have built a case out of nothing.

First, I'd like to point out that I did not, contrary to the claims, write the post. However, I do stand by it.

Second, the accusation of the left is that both I and this site are calling for armed rebellion due to the persistent legal killing of children in this country. They are both lying and ignorant of history.

Let's review.

The key allegation is premised on this paragraph:

Here at RedState, we too have drawn a line. We will not endorse any candidate who will not reject the judicial usurpation of Roe v. Wade and affirm that the unborn are no less entitled to a right to live simply because of their size or their physical location. Those who wish to write on the front page of RedState must make the same pledge. The reason for this is simple: once before, our nation was forced to repudiate the Supreme Court with mass bloodshed. We remain steadfast in our belief that this will not be necessary again, but only if those committed to justice do not waiver or compromise, and send a clear and unmistakable signal to their elected officials of what must be necessary to earn our support.

To read into that paragraph that this site or I are calling for armed rebellion against the United States requires that the very opening paragraph of the post not exist. In the opening paragraph, the author wrote, "we pause here at RedState to remember the fallen and renew our commitment to do everything within the confines of the lawful political process that may be done to end the greatest injustice that has ever been foisted on our society."

Likewise, in the contested paragraph is this language: "We remain steadfast in our belief that this will not be necessary again, but only if those committed to justice do not waiver or compromise".

That sound like a caveat, but it is not a caveat to any of us here. It is, however, a recognition of an unpleasant reality — a historic one the left chooses to ignore in making its case against us, and a present one we prefer not to dwell on, but must at least touch on.

Historically, the Congress ultimately allowed states to decide for themselves whether they would be free or slave states. A flood of people moved to the Kansas territory to affect its choice. Ultimately, abolitionists, like their pro-slave counterparts, were moved to violence to defend their view.

The Supreme Court decided in Dred Scott, as it did in Roe, to take the matter from the democratic processes by invoking the nonsensical legal doctrine of "substantive due process" and let our enlightened black robed masters answer the question. The result was an escalation of brutal and bloody violence in the Kansas territories, largely by abolitionists to drive out the pro-slave crowd. It also kindled in the minds of abolitionists that they were prepared for bloodshed to free the slaves.

Ultimately, the pro-slave forces decided to rebel to preserve their "property" rights. The Court's effort to short-circuit democracy had failed. Violence begat violence. The slaveholders rebelled and turned against their country rather than accept a Republican president supported by those icky abolitionists. America was torn asunder.

Presently, there are some on the pro-life side who have chosen to abandon all reason and kill. Abortionist George Tiller and others have been killed in the name of the pro-life cause. Whatever the virtues of their motives, these actions are not pro-life, they are abhorrent and must be condemned. It is for the law to convict and God to judge, not individual citizens.

We at RedState are mindful that there are those so frustrated with this country allowing the lawful killing of children that those people are perfectly willing to take a life to preserve a life.

We not only do not condone that, but we condemn it. And that, finally, brings us to the point of the contested paragraph.

At RedState, we maintain a pro-life rule for our regular front page contributors. While a pro-abortion poster may never write about the, their world view is incompatible with the conservative community reflected here at RedState. Likewise, we do not endorse pro-abortion candidates.

We believe that life can be preserved and defended through legitimate political processes. We continue to fight for a Supreme Court that will ultimately overrule Roe vs. Wade. We believe it is possible. But both we and the left would be willfully naive if we ignored that there are others who have grown impatient.

I and we here at RedState pray that those who have grown impatient will seek patience. Violence is not the answer. Winning elections is.

That the left would resort to willfully misreading the point and refuting the historic ties between slavery and abortion — ties even recognized by people like Jesse Jackson — is unfortunate, but all part of their effort to silence those who see the world through the prism of life.

Morning Briefing for January 25, 2011

RedState Morning Briefing

For January 25, 2011

Go to www.RedStateMB.com to get
the Morning Briefing every morning at no charge.

1. Why 2012 Is Not 1996

2. The Over-Promiser-In-Chief

3. Flattered by the Attacks

4. Another Tax on the Poor

5. Looking for the Union Label? AFL-CIO Cries Foul Over Marriott's Porn Ban

6. Jack Murphy Must Step Down

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1. Why 2012 Is Not 1996

A little history can be a dangerous thing, and in advance of Tuesday's State of the Union Address by President Obama, political commentary will be focusing on Obama's ability to replay 1995-96, when President Clinton rebounded from a similar rout in the midterm elections to more or less coast to re-election (while Clinton finished below 50% of the popular vote, it was only a "coming home" of Republicans in the campaign's closing weeks that averted a more lopsided result; the outcome was not seriously in doubt).

Undoubtedly, Obama will have the opportunity to take advantage of many of the same dynamics that favored Clinton's re-election, and he may succeed for those and other reasons. But history never repeats itself precisely. It is worthwhile to reflect on the many things that worked to Clinton's benefit that Obama can't count on.

Please click here for the rest of the post.

2. The Over-Promiser-In-Chief

President Barack Obama is known as a great orator. One would think that this skill would serve him well during the State of the Union tomorrow, yet his public speaking is fast becoming his biggest liability. It is because the American people look at many of his biggest promises skeptically.

The AP reports in a story titled, "At Obama's Midpoint, an Altered State of the Union" that the President has a record of promises kept and promises broken.

Please click here for the rest of the post.

3. Flattered by the Attacks

Shortly after Keith Olbermann announced he was leaving MSNBC, I had to laugh on twitter about it. That, naturally, brought out the hate.

In the past seventy-two hours I've been told to get AIDS and die, die in a fire, f*** off, choke on a d**k, burn in hell, and the like. Not content to just hurl insults, shortly after RedState's annual post on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade appeared, the left decided to willfully misread the post and accuse both me and this site of calling for open and armed rebellion against the United States.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

While I am flattered (read: deeply insulted) that the left has decided to make me the right wing equivalent of Keith Olbermann and target me and my various employers for harassment, they have built a case out of nothing.

First, I'd like to point out that I did not, contrary to the claims, write the post. However, I do stand by it.

Second, the accusation of the left is that both I and this site are calling for armed rebellion due to the persistent legal killing of children in this country. They are both lying and ignorant of history.

Let's review.

Please click here for the rest of the post.

4. Another Tax on the Poor

Liberals, with the signature of President Bush, have driven up the cost of being poor in this country yet again.

That's right — beginning this year in California and next year everywhere else, the incandescent lightbulb is being banned.

Now, the environmentalists say that's not true — the bulb is just being phased out for new energy efficient light bulbs. But it is the reality. The cheap incandescent is being tossed aside for LED bulbs, halogen bulbs, compact fluorescents, etc.

It will be a failure of the Republicans in Congress if the incandescent bulb goes away. The replacements are all more expensive, many of them more hazardous, and the result is an increase in the cost of living for the poor in this country.

Please click here for the rest of the post.

5. Looking for the Union Label? AFL-CIO Cries Foul Over Marriott's Porn Ban

Last I heard, most porn stars weren't wearing the union label—or any label for that matter. Sure, the SEIU unionized some strippers (sorry, exotic dancers) several years ago but, by and large, most sex workers are union-free. In fact, it's pretty rare (though not unheard of) that a porn star ever earns the the claim to SAG membership. This is why the outrage by the wankers at the AFL-CIO over Marriott's decision to ban pornography in its hotels is so…er…entertaining.

Please click here for the rest of the post.

6. Jack Murphy Must Step Down

If you live in Georgia, you are experiencing a total meltdown of Republican leadership in the State Senate. You, as a voter, are going to need to take action. For the reasons set forth below, one of the best first steps is to go to http://action.redstate.com and follow the link to call your state senator about Senator Jack Murphy.

Please click here for the rest of the post.

Jack Murphy Must Step Down

If you live in Georgia, you are experiencing a total meltdown of Republican leadership in the State Senate. You, as a voter, are going to need to take action. For the reasons set forth below, one of the best first steps is to go to http://action.redstate.com and follow the link to call your state senator about Senator Jack Murphy.

It is clear the Georgia Senate Republicans are discombobulated what with Casey Cagle unable to tie his shoes and demanding people respect his authority a la Cartman.

But the matter of Jack Murphy is ridiculous. The issue is not that there is a civil lawsuit against Jack Murphy.

The issue is that of over 300 failed banks in the nation and 56 in Georgia, only three nationwide are being sued and Murphy's is one of them. Further, the nature of the suit disqualifies Jack Murphy from sitting on the board of any bank anywhere.

People get sued all the time. That's not the issue. The issue is the nature of this suit and the fact that the FDIC is not going around willy-nilly suing all the failed banks — just three.

Many people, including the State Senate, will say to let the process play out. Were this a regular civil lawsuit, I would agree. But this is not ordinary. Murphy cannot now sit on the board of any bank, but he is chairing the committee that writes the rules for banks.

More importantly, unless Republicans in Georgia are willing to hold their own accountable and clean up their own messes, they will wind up like the national Republicans in 2006. We must encourage the Republicans to be adults and stay above the strong apperance of impropriety.

Again, it is not that Jack Murphy got sued. That can happen to anyone. The issue is that of all the hundreds of banks that have failed in the United States, only three, including Jack Murphy's bank, are being sued and Murphy cannot now sit on the boards of the very institutions whose laws he is writing.

You can go to http://action.redstate.com, click the top link, and find your State Senator. Call and tell him or her that Jack Murphy needs to relinquish the chairmanship of the banking committee until this matter is resolved.

Oh, and tell them to back Tommie Williams against Casey Cagle while you are at it.

Oust Jack Murphy — The Erick Erickson Show

The show starts at 10pm ET due to basketball. That means we are on now.

I have an important announcement tonight at 10:06. You can listen in at wsbradio.com and call in at 1-800-WSB-TALK.

Consider this an open thread.

Another Tax on the Poor

Liberals, with the signature of President Bush, have driven up the cost of being poor in this country yet again.

That's right — beginning this year in California and next year everywhere else, the incandescent lightbulb is being banned.

Now, the environmentalists say that's not true — the bulb is just being phased out for new energy efficient light bulbs. But it is the reality. The cheap incandescent is being tossed aside for LED bulbs, halogen bulbs, compact fluorescents, etc.

It will be a failure of the Republicans in Congress if the incandescent bulb goes away. The replacements are all more expensive, many of them more hazardous, and the result is an increase in the cost of living for the poor in this country.

From the Mailbag

Regarding the Directors' post on Roe v. Wade.

From: Linda Johnson "ljljbijou0@gmail.com"

Date: January 24, 2011 1:21:10 AM EST

To: "contact@redstate.com"

Subject: Oh, so you've drawn a line, huh?

Well, I've reported you to the FBI for your inflammatory statement in that article. You idiots on the right are constantly calling for violence and bloodshed. And we are going to call you on it EVERY SINGLE TIME.

Enjoy your visit with them. I hope it's really, really uncomfortable.

George Allen's Problem

Today, former Senator George Allen is expected to announce his intention to run against the man who beat him six years ago — Jim Webb. Of course it remains uncertain whether Webb will even run again.

I have met George Allen a number of times, like him tremendously, but I have personally decided to support Jamie Radtke for the Senate. Once someone has been beaten, I tend to think we need not run them again for the same seat. Republicans have a habit of doing that and, at this time, I think we need some fresh faces. He is, however, a great guy and I certainly don't intend to knock him on the front page of RedState.

Beyond me though, former Senator Allen is going to have to address some serious problems other than the disastrous campaign waged in 2006 (he may need to talk about that too). Those problems are, put succinctly, his voting record, which is out of step with most of the grassroots activists engaged in Republican primaries today. I'm already getting lots of emails about this and, frankly, most people just want some accounting from Allen.

But during his one term in the U.S. Senate, some Republicans complain, he backed President George W. Bush's proposals to increase spending; supported No Child Left Behind, a costly program to create a national education report card; favored a federal program to subsidize the costs of prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries; and voted to expand the Hate Crimes Prevention Act to include crimes based on sexual orientation.

There was also the vote for the debt limit, the flip-flop into support of ethanol, gun control issues, the morning after pill controversy, and, perhaps most troublesome to tea party activists, the money he took from Freddie Mac concurrent to his refusing to push for government sponsored enterprise ("GSE") reform.

I wish former Senator Allen well and hope he will be able to address these issues — issues which are, for the most part, at the core of the tea party movement. I'd also encourage you to take a look at Jamie Radtke. This race may be the big grassroots vs. party establishment race of 2012 and a test of the tea party's continued momentum.

I wish both candidates well.

The Assassination Attempt You Have Not Heard Of

The American Thinker brings us word of an attempted assassination you probably have never heard of.

It happened in September of 2010 in Missouri. A 22 year old named Casey Brezik, wearing a bullet proof vest, charged toward Missouri's Democratic Governor Jay Nixon with a knife and attempted to slash his throat.

In light of the media's race to talk about the right's climate of hateful rhetoric, you have probably guessed by now that Casey Brezik was an anti-Christian, anti-capitalist leftist who participated in a number of leftwing protests. He was also a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic.

Luckily for all involved, Brezik was high on pot at the time and got confused. Instead of slashing the Governor's throat, he slashed the throat of a community college dean he took for the Governor.

Jack Cashill, writing at the American Thinker, notes

n his "About Me" box on Facebook, Brezik listed as his favorite quotation one from progressive poster boy, Che Guevara. The quote begins "Our every action is a battle cry against imperialism" and gets more belligerent from there.

On his wall postings, Brezik ranted, "How are we the radical(s) (left) to confront the NEW RIGHT, if we avoid confrontation all together?"

As good as his word, Brezik's marched on Toronto in June 2010 to protest the G20 Summit, where he was arrested, charged, and deported. "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED," he boasted.

Given what we have seen come out of Arizona, we can establish two things as fact. First, had Governor Nixon been harmed in any way, the media would have immediately begun lamenting the tea party movement and "political rhetoric." Second, had the injuries been as they were, but Brezik had listed himself as a Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh fan on his Facebook wall, the media would have covered this exactly as they covered Arizona.