Monday
Obama came thisclose to passing a health care bill. But he did so, with nary a vote to lose, particularly in the US Senate. Many of those votes were secured by serious arm twisting and bribery (Nebraska). But there were a large number of Congressman that followed President Obama over the cliff, because they believed the hype over Obama's popularity. They mistakenly believed that popularity extended to every leftist idea that Obama might conceive. That illusion is now destroyed.
Speaking to a group of sixth graders (and announcing his new education initiative), Obama was delivering a message on how "You too can be an effective public speaker".
Loyal Congressmen who believed Obama's popularity would extend to them, got a harsh wakeup in NJ, VA and Mass. The next health care bill will require true compromise and openness. Any deviation from that approach will simply bring back the same charges that won Massachusetts - a journey, I'm pretty sure the Democrats don't want to experience again.
Update: Another one bites the dust - Arkansas Congressman Berry to retire
Update: Another one bites the dust - Arkansas Congressman Berry to retire
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Advice to the Tea Party
I've been deeply impressed with the local Tea Party effort. And of course, it was part of the national effort which has reawakened America. Here's my suggestion: The Tea Party groups should stick to the financial issues of government. Don't get drawn into social issues, as that only detracts from the critical message of a "responsible government". Also, every social issue, only presents the opportunity for division among the supporters.
AND........many of the social issues are addressed by providing long term economic stability and opportunity for America's citizens.
Abortion - Is often driven by personal economic issues, as anything else. A more, stable growing economy reduces the need for abortions due to financial issues. Both sides agree that fewer abortions are a good thing.
Divorce - Infidelity is not the number one cause of divorce in America. It is financial issues. Divorce creates additional social pressure, including the financial burden of suddenly supporting two households. (Double the energy? - That can't be green!)
Gun Control - the incidence of crime can certainly decrease with an improving economy.
The tea party movement was about attracting Republicans, Democrats and Independents and calling for a more responsible government. if they stay with that message the victories will only continue to roll up for them.
Divorce - Infidelity is not the number one cause of divorce in America. It is financial issues. Divorce creates additional social pressure, including the financial burden of suddenly supporting two households. (Double the energy? - That can't be green!)
Gun Control - the incidence of crime can certainly decrease with an improving economy.
The tea party movement was about attracting Republicans, Democrats and Independents and calling for a more responsible government. if they stay with that message the victories will only continue to roll up for them.
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"But we are liked overseas!"
The desperation of the Obama Administration was on full display on Sunday's "Meet the Press". Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett was the only Administration official willing to come on the air ("O Come, O Come (Rahm) Emanuel"). When asked what successes the Administration had in their first year, she said, "We, as a country, are clearly more well liked around the world, than a year ago."
Great! The standard for success is whether Iran like us more or less? God help us. Based on the undie-bombers actions, it would appear that Yemen is clearly not as happy with us as they were a year ago.
But, how Chad, Niger and Bora Bora feel about the US, is much more important than say.......Jobs? I look forward to year #2.
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Finally, if you wanted to proof that President Obama might be over reliant on his teleprompter, I offer you this
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Finally, if you wanted to proof that President Obama might be over reliant on his teleprompter, I offer you this
Speaking to a group of sixth graders (and announcing his new education initiative), Obama was delivering a message on how "You too can be an effective public speaker".
Bob, do you believe that the spending our local government used to bail out the Rosebud theater was acting responsible?
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Fair question. For non-local readers, the Effingham city government is proposing to help fund a 1,500 seat live performance theater that recently closed due to financial issues. The theater provides a nice economic impact for the area. But the funding will come from an increased tax on dining and hotel establishments.
I have friends on both sides of this issue. Offering my opinion on this won't help resolve the differences. With that in mind, I hope you'll understand that I don't want to use this blog for intentionally offending local friends.
Thanks.
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I'm disappointed Bob. A Teabag supporter shouldn't shy away from a question regarding Government spending. Be it Federal, State, or Local Government. If you belive Government shouldn't buy & bail out private enterprise, then that applies to all levels of Government. Otherwise what you are saying are just words, not what you truly believe.I'm unfamiliar with your local issue, however it sounds exactly like what we are seeing across the country. Teabaggers unite! Stop Wasteful Government Spending!
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Bob,
I've not known many Tea Partiers to rally against divorce. Gun control is a constitutional issue. Abortion, some would say that it is constitutional issue as well.
I've observed that the Tea Parties have started to evolve into a catch all for conservative values. Many Tea Partiers have started to become involved in party politics by infiltrating precinct committeeman slots in preparation for county chairman elections and selection of the state central committee. I personally have served as a precinct committeeman for the last 4 years and am on the ballot next week again. Granted, an overwhelming majority of this political activity is geared toward the GOP, but it's easier to move the 800 pound gorilla 1 inch (GOP) than to drag him a mile (the Dems).
Personally, I support taking back the GOP from the grassroots. I also hope the same thing is happening to moderate the Democrat party here in Illinois and elsewhere. I have been committed to bringing more people in to serve as PCs to change the Illinois GOP. Remember, I've always said I am a conservative first, Republican second.
Both parties have abandoned their conservative roots, especially the GOP. Pat Brady's statement (and pitiful attempt at clarification) regarding the "fringe element" of the GOP wanting to "dump Kirk" did not help.
With Brown's victory in Mass., you can see how the Tea Parties and 9-12ers helped. However, you may have a point about the social issues. There are issues that are the 3rd rail of politics that politicians will not touch. Likewise, those social issues are also a 3rd rail with many voters.
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Brian,
I feel that the magic of the tea party was the unified message of a desire for a smaller government. That ideal is shared by a majority of Americans. Know that the Democrats will now be looking for the opportunity to drive a wedge between Republicans, tea party members and indepedants.
By focusing, first, on the fiscally irresponsible ways of our government, we can accomplish much in the form of election victories and reduced government spending.
If we immediately jump to other issues, we'll simply highlight the differences that exist between Republicans, Tea Party Members and Democrats. Democrats will use that wedge to derail the effort.
I'm not saying that we shouldn't address all these issues. I'm simply suggesting that we should prioritize the ones in which we can have an immediate impact.
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Bob,
But what happens when one party looks at you as Nazis, or compare you to domestic terrorists, and the other party's chairman calls you a member of a "fringe element" for rallying against a candidate that voted for Cap & Tax and bank bailouts in Mark Kirk?
I've attended regional Tea Party coordinator meetings, served as a moderator at a 9-12 group debate, and am in constant contact with Tea Partiers, 9-12ers, and conservatives across Illinois. They are all very angry that the party that was supposed to be the most sympathetic to their protestations has marginalized them to support the establishment's pick for nominee. Right now, the least of my worries are the Democrats because the GOP have thrown us under the bus. Pat Brady's "clarification" of his statement and touting his own conservative credentials was insulting at the least.
The anger out there in the voters has yet to really surface itself. And that anger is focused at people that represent us right now also. For instance, if John Shimkus had a serious GOP challenger in the primary, I'm not sure he'd make it to the general election. They're angry at his endorsement of Kirk (way back in August in an attempt to clear the field) despite contradictions between Kirk and Shimkus' own conservative stances. Second, people are upset that Shimkus hasn't really shown himself around his district too much, especially in the last few months. Personally, I found it odd how he couldn't find time to attend our GOP rally in October (Congress was still in recess that weekend, I checked), but found time to be one of two Republicans to play basketball with Obama on the same weekend. And finally, there are those that remember Shimkus promising a self imposed 2 term limit, but is currently vying for his 6th term.
The real tale of the tape is the polls showing the Tea Party out polling the GOP and trailing just slightly behind Democrats. It is a huge mistake by the GOP and the Democrats to discount the ill feelings toward each party. As I stated above, it doesn't help when Pat Brady agrees with the other side of aisle. Highlighting the differences between the 2 parties and the Tea Party movement is already evident. The question is which party will learn its lessen before November. Right now, it seems neither has, but they have taken notice since the NJ, VA and Mass. wins. They had better pay attention before serious talk happens about a 3rd party (I'll resign as Tea Party coordinator if that ever happens here - we live in a 2 party system).
Finally, a mutual friend of ours pointed out that if a conservative is not on the ballot (ie Kirk), that up to 7% of the GOP electorate will stay home during the election. So wouldn't be wise to court that conservative vote which happens to reside in the Tea Parties/9-12 groups?
Notice that in VA, NJ, and Mass., the independents voted for the GOP candidate. The Reagan Democrats aren't dead, they're Tea Partiers now.
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