Posts Tagged GOP
The Beginning of the End
Posted by zoboxrox in malfunction, politics on July 29th, 2009
I, for one, do not want the Republican Party to dissolve, believe it or not. It is far too amusing to watch, fumbling around issues. More importantly, its probably one of the few things that unites the Democrats at this point — they’re almost as splintered. But, at least in the Senate, it appears the thousands of cracks in the GOP are opening up into full blown schisms. You know the silly dog that bites his own tail — imagine its an elephant.
It started yesterday when Republican Senator George Voinovich of Ohio, who has already stepped on some GOP toes recently, went ahead and said this out loud and to another person, for reasons only known to himself (CNN reports):
Republican Sen. George Voinovich, who is not running for re-election next year, told a newspaper in his home state of Ohio yesterday that Southerners bore a good share of the blame for his party’s lagging popularity.
“We got too many Jim DeMints and Tom Coburns,” Voinovich told the Columbus Dispatch Monday. “It’s the Southerners….
“They get on TV and go ‘errrr, errrrr,’” he said, according to the paper. “People hear them and say, ‘These people, they’re Southerners. The party’s being taken over by Southerners. What they hell they got to do with Ohio?’”
Well guess who was not too happy about this? Did you guess Southern Republicans? You’re so smart. Once again, CNN reports.
Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana slammed fellow Republican George Voinovich Wednesday for saying the GOP’s problems stem from the fact that it is “being taken over by Southerners,” calling the Ohio senator “a moderate, really wishy-washy.”
“I’m on the side of conservatives getting back to core conservative values,” Vitter told the Washington Times. “There are a lot of us from the South who hold those values, which I think the party is supposed to be about. We strayed from them in the past few years, and that’s why we performed so badly in the national elections.
I suggest these guys settle this the old fashioned way… take it outside.
Bending Steele [Over]
Posted by zoboxrox in church and state, crime, malfunction, politics, religion on March 14th, 2009
RNC leader Michael Steele has been taking a lot of heat recently from his own party (what else is new) for some comments he made in an interview with GQ magazine, regarding women’s rights to choose and where he stood on the matter. [Interviewers questions in orange]
How much of your pro-life stance, for you, is informed not just by your Catholic faith but by the fact that you were adopted?
Oh, a lot. Absolutely. I see the power of life in that—I mean, and the power of choice! The thing to keep in mind about it… Uh, you know, I think as a country we get off on these misguided conversations that throw around terms that really misrepresent truth.Explain that.
The choice issue cuts two ways. You can choose life, or you can choose abortion. You know, my mother chose life. So, you know, I think the power of the argument of choice boils down to stating a case for one or the other.Are you saying you think women have the right to choose abortion?
Yeah. I mean, again, I think that’s an individual choice.You do?
Yeah. Absolutely.Are you saying you don’t want to overturn Roe v. Wade?
I think Roe v. Wade—as a legal matter, Roe v. Wade was a wrongly decided matter.Okay, but if you overturn Roe v. Wade, how do women have the choice you just said they should have?
The states should make that choice. That’s what the choice is. The individual choice rests in the states. Let them decide.Do pro-choicers have a place in the Republican Party?
Absolutely!
Upon hearing of Steele’s GQ disaster, a number of high ranking Pubes took it upon themselves to release statements. Here is Mike Huckabee’s attempt at leadership:
Comments attributed to Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele are very troubling, and despite his clarification today the party stands to lose many of its members and a great deal of its support in the trenches of grass-roots politics [I dont know what most of this means, but it sounds serial!]. For Chairman Steele to even infer that taking a life is totally left up to the individual is not only a reversal of Republican policy and principle, but it’s a violation of the most basic of human rights — the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Actually Huck, you is wrong. While Michael Steele obviously loves to listen to himself talk, and is most likely at least borderline retarded, in this particular instance, he’s actually right. As it turns out, State over Federal Government is a very Republican stance. In fact, a nationwide ban on abortion would be in complete opposition to the idea of individual liberty and state’s rights, which, once again I will remind you, is the idea the GOP was more or less founded upon. If you look back in history many very traditional Republicans have been very pro-choice for this reason.
Lets take Senator Barry Goldwater, or “Mr Conservative”, as an example.
Goldwater was credited with championing a conservative-libertarian theme of freedom. He is said to have ushered in a new wave of thinking in the Republican Party - replacing the Rockefeller pro-business Republicans with advocates of smaller government like Ronald Reagan and the current Republican congressional leadership. Yet his advocacy of rights and liberties left out one important cause which so many Republicans today hold dear: the right to life…. Perhaps the most striking blow to the right to life came in 1992 when Goldwater took an active stand in opposition to the pro-life platform of the Republican Party. Goldwater opined that the GOP “will go down in a shambles” if the expected “anti-abortion” plank is adopted in the GOP platform.
LISTEN TO BARRY! Steele is doing the Right (pun intended, thrice!) thing by opening this topic up for discussion. Republican Conservatives are simply not the same thing as Religious Conservatives freaks, and the partnership of the two is tearing the GOP apart. And Goldwater is neither the first nor the last Republican to take this stance. In fact, I remember another prominent Repulican Arizona Senator who ran for President having more or less the same views as Steele when it came to abortion…
The most ironic part about the entire “gaffe”, is that this is by far the most intelligent part of Steele’s entire interview. Here are some snipits just for you:
Who do you listen to?
I actually listen to a cross section, because I like to hear what the medium is saying, what the voice isBut do you have a favorite?
P. Diddy I enjoy quite a bit. [I mean really?]****
Who else?
I like Sinatra. I like old-school. You know, Bing Crosby, Sinatra, Dean Martin. Love Dean Martin. He was one of these guys who just didn’t give an F. He just didn’t. Life was a party, and you either want to party or you don’t. But yeah, I like those. I’m a big Pack Rat. I love the Pack Rats from the 1950s—Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, those guys.You mean the Rat Pack.
The Rat Pack, yeah.****
How do you deal with the criticism?
I just pray on it.You do?
Oh yeah. And I ask God, “Hey, let me show just a little bit of love, so I absolutely don’t go out and kick this person’s ass.”Spoken like a true seminarian…
****
Was it emotional for you when Barack was sworn in?
No.Why not?
I don’t get caught up that way.****
Did you watch the Oscars?
I did! I love the Oscars. Despite what Mr. Shales said in his review in The Washington Post, I liked it. I thought it was: [claps]. And the host! Who knew?Did you watch the red-carpet stuff, too?
I did. I’m looking for who’s got what dress on, you know? I’m looking at the dresses. I’m lookin’ at what they’re doing with the hair. I’m lookin at the fellas. Now, you know, guys are wearing black and white, and I get that, but there’s some style points I could share with some of these brothers out there who just ain’t gettin’ it together.
CPAC v. Iran aka “Worst Places on Earth”, Best Week Ever: 2/23-3/2
Posted by zoboxrox in international, malfunction, politics on March 4th, 2009
1. The Nation’s 50 Governors (+ some) assemble in DC to meet with the President, at the winter annual National Governors Association. Mostly the event becomes a platform for partisan debate concerning the $787 million Stimulus Package, in what the Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina, described as a “tug-of-war” between some moderate republican governors who are glad to have their share of the stimulus, such as Arnie and Charlie Crist of Florida, and those more aligned with old fashioned right-leaning principles, like, being an asshole. Sanford identifies himself as the latter saying, “I am in the camp that says we go back to the basics.”
Strangely enough, it was Arnold who was most articulate on the matter saying, “Even though it is against your principles or philosophy [I believe that officeholders should be doing] what the people want you to do rather than getting stuck in your ideology.”
2. Obama gives first annual address to a joint session of Congress; introduces budget, Iraq withdrawal plan.
MSNBC on the budget:
Pledging “a new era of responsibility,” President Barack Obama unveiled a multi-trillion-dollar spending plan Thursday that would boost taxes on the wealthy, curtail Medicare, lay the groundwork for universal health care and leave a string of deficits dwarfing any in the nation’s history.
In addition to sending Congress his $3.55 trillion budget plan for 2010, Obama proposed more immediate changes that would push spending to $3.94 trillion in the current year. That would result in a record deficit Obama projects will hit $1.75 trillion, reflecting the massive spending being undertaken to battle a severe recession and the worst financial crisis in seven decades.
Meanwhile, I spent an hour in the waiting area of a public health care facility today with my boyfriend who was having a moderate dental emergency, and it was more or less a joke. We ended up leaving to go to a private doctor before our number was even called. I have no problem with overspending to ensure that all people have access to somewhat decent health care. Anyone who does, is a total asshole… oh wait.
3. CPAC convenes, fairies all over the world die. CPAC, which stands for Conservative Political Action Conference, is an annual gathering of some of the worst people our country has to offer. This year’s highlights include the rise-and-fall of Bobby Jindal, a brilliant oratorical work by Rush Limbaugh, and a Romney straw-poll victory.
4. Iran has nuclear capabilities. I’d still rather be here than at CPAC, but the news is generally not that good this week.
5. Obama announces final Cabinet position nomination, two-term democratic governor of Kansas, Kathleen Sebelius for Secretary of Health and Human Services. This is actually pretty good news; Sebelius is capable, qualified, and is an optimal replacement for Tom Daschle, Obama’s original nomination.
Sebelius is a two-term Democratic governor in a Republican-leaning state. She previously served as a state insurance commissioner and oversaw Kansas’ Medicaid program.
In a show of her bipartisan appeal, Republican governors such as Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and Jon Huntsman of Utah commended her selection.
Schwarzenegger said Sebelius “has a well-earned reputation of working across the political aisle,” and Huntsman called the appointment “a welcome announcement.”
Republicans from Sebelius’ home state also threw their support behind the governor.
Arnie, all over the place these days! It appears YOU are having the best week ever!!
Just My Imagination…?
Posted by zoboxrox in health, malfunction, religion on February 24th, 2009
So it seems the struggling GOP has more or less placed their all of their eggs in one basket: Piyush “Bobby” Jindal, the young (37) governor of Louisiana, and the first non-white person ever elected* into this seat. (* see P.B.S. Pinchback.)
Thrust into the spotlight as a Republican rising star, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has been depicted as an up-and-comer capable of helping reshape the party and jockeying for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.
And now, Jindal’s party is putting him on a national platform, awarding the once little-known congressman the political plum of delivering the Republican’s televised response to President Barack Obama’s address to Congress Tuesday night.
Now I remember last September, right around the time McCain had announced Sarah Palin as his running mate and the Republican National Convention was getting under way, Hurricane Gustav swept through the Gulf Coast, threatening to hit New Orleans on the anniversary of Katrina. It was a fairly dramatic moment (deemed important enough that it, conveniently, kept Bush and Cheney away from the RNC). Anyway, there was this handsome young governor on television, addressing questions about the 1.9 million person evacuation he had successfully enforced over the past two days, and he was so eloquent and informed and together, I couldn’t help but find myself thinking: McCain really should have chosen this guy even though I have no idea who he is; and I don’t think I was alone in that thought.
Fastforward five months and here is Bobby Jindal, back in the spotlight, eloquent as ever, taking a lead role in his pathetically old, out-of-touch, generally racist and ignorant dwindling party. And suddenly, I couldn’t help but notice something…z
I mean is it just me? Or are there some similarities here? Is the GOP trying to imitate the success the Dems have had in the recent election?
Here are the Top 5 similarities as I see it: (don’t worry, there are at least Top 5 differences).
1. Both men come from a family with at least one immigrant parent from a non-European country and in that way, are viewed as modern day representations of the American Dream. This fact effects their ideologies, though in very different manifestations.
2. Both were extremely successful in school, and obviously possess an above average intelligence. In fact, Jindal, upon graduating Brown University had the choice to go to Harvard Medical School, Yale Law School, or travel to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar to study Political Science (unfortunately for the Democrats and most likely the Medical and Legal worlds, he chose the latter of the three).
3. Both are young, modern, new, cutting-edge even… to be blunt, they are both completely different from anyone we’ve ever seen before, at least on the exterior, and considering what we’ve seen before, this is a good thing for them. They are hip to the demands of the new generations (X,Y,Z); they can use computers AND play sports. They are not held back by years of corruption and scandal. And their kids are cute; their wives hot.
4. Both are well spoken and commanding of trust. When leaders such as this speak, people tend to follow more naturally than when, say, someone like Bush tries to orate.
5. Both seem pragmatic, logical, and have some more moderate approaches than other legislatures in their respective parties. Instead of dividers, these men could potentially be healers in a vacuum.
Don’t be fooled, however. Bobby Jindal is a Conservative with a capital C.
1. He’s one of those few GOP Governors, [along with Sarah Palin of Alaska, Mark Stanford of South Carolina, Haley Barbour of Mississippi, and Rick Perry of Texas] who is actually stupidly, selfishly, and for entirely political reasons rejecting money from the Stimulus Bill ($100 million for unemployment compensation out of the $4 billion he will be accepting, despite the fact that the average unemployment rate in these states is 6.8%).
2. He is also pro-life and anti-embryonic stem cell research, though unlike someone like Palin, he makes exceptions for rape and health of the mother.
3. He opposed same-sex marriage and voted for the Federal Marriage Amendment. In 2008 he formed the Louisiana Commission on Marriage and Family.
4. He voted “yes” on making the Patriot Act permanent, and has an “A” rating from Gun Owners of America.
5. In his years in the congress in 2006, he voted with his party 97% of the time.
6. He has a 7% rating from the League of Conservation Voters, and has voted against the environmental 11 out of 12 times.
7. He supports the teaching of intelligent design in public schools, aka, he believes in CREATIONISM!!
8. And in 2008 he signed the “Sex Offender Chemical Castration Bill” authorizing the castration of certain sex offenders.
This is NO Barack Obama. Instead, it is a rather transparent effort by the GOP to be hip to the times, without actually changing a single principle over which they continue to lose ground.
Nadya Suleman v. Stimulus Package, Best Week Ever (2 Wk Special): 2/7-2/21
1. Nadya Suleman is thrust into the spotlight after some interesting details about her life are revealed; I become obsessed with her! The mother of the recently born octuplets finally came out of post-baby-weight-loss hiding to do a television interview with Anne Curry this week for the Today Show. What ensued was the best thing to happen to American media since Britney Spears shaved her head, and the worst for pro-life, fiscal conservatives since Roe… or Wade… whichever it was. In the past two weeks we have learned that this single mother of 14 relies on government handouts, including disability and food stamps, to raise her brood, yet loves plastic surgery, IVF, and manicures. The three bedroom condo she shares with her mother is currently facing foreclosure, though she’s been seen out shopping for $1.2 million houses, and apparently, she has a little Angelina thing going one. She is truly the gift that keeps giving.
2. Obama gets back out there, traveling to Indiana, Florida, Colorado, and Arizona, to extend the conversation about the stimulus package and have it directly with the American people, who are actually in need of it. Along with the signatures of 11 governors, including four GOP gubes from Connecticut, Florida, Vermont, and, you guessed it, California, BO set out to gain popularity for his Economic Recovery Package. While bi-partisanship may not be the best word to describe his result, he did get his bill passed, both in the House and the Senate, with the help of three Northern Republican senators. After a number of late-night sessions of intensive discussion from within the comfort of the capitol, an agreement was reached (well, more like a mandate), and the bill went into law on Tuesday February 17. Meanwhile, 4 million Americans lost their jobs, more people than ever before relied on government assistance, institutions such as Education and Health Care became officially known as Pork, and an entire town put itself up for sale.
3. Judd Gregg withdrawals nomination for Commerce Secretary, despite having openly vied for the position. Despite all the concessions made for the Northern Republican, including promises from the governor not to fill his vacated seat with a democrat, Gregg sited “irresolvable conflicts” in his explanation for his decision. And by irresolvable conflicts, Gregg meant “I WANNA DO THE CENSUS!!” While this was regarded as somewhat of a blow to the Obama team, who has already lost a number of nominees to scandals, it was much more of an embarrassment for Gregg and the rest of the Republican Party, who proved with vigor over the past two weeks, they have zero interest in working together. I’m ok with this, I didn’t want a drain cleaner running commerce anyway.
4. Fifty people die in the first American aviation fatality in over 2 years; I will never fly again. I have never liked flying much, but have been doing a whole lot of it lately, and while a little benzodiazepine always helps, I’ve been getting a lot better. Then a month ago, the exact flight I was planning on taking to Charlotte crashed into the Hudson a day before I was supposed to leave. As everyone survived that, I decided to travel anyway. I happened to be in the air this past week when the second plane crashed from Newark through to Buffalo. What a horrific way to die. What a terrible last few moments. I’ve made two decisions based on these events: 1. Anytime I plan on flying in the future I will first inform the FAA. 2. No matter what anyone says, driving is safer. WE NEED BETTER FUEL OPTIONS!!
5. Michael Steele officially makes of fool of himself (his party needs no help in that area). If this is the direction the RNC is planning on taking, they are in worse shape then I though! I’m gonna just direct quote here, because, like Nadya Suleman, its too good to be true:
“We need messengers to really capture that region — young, Hispanic, black, a cross section…” he said in an interview published Thursday. “We want to convey that the modern-day GOP looks like the conservative party that stands on principles. But we want to apply them to urban-suburban hip-hop settings.”
He added, jokingly, that “we need to uptick our image with everyone, including one-armed midgets.”
Steele described the new multi-platform PR offensive as “avant-garde, technically. It will come to [the] table with things that will surprise everyone — off the hook.” Asked whether that meant cutting-edge tactics, Steele demurred. “I don’t do ‘cutting-edge,’” he said. “That’s what Democrats are doing. We’re going beyond cutting-edge
This, my friends, is truly as good as it gets!
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