California Conservative

All day long, conservative pundits spoke in sports metaphors about the need for Sarah Palin to ’stick the landing’ like a gymnast needs to achieve a perfect 10. With the speech just finished minutes ago, I’m confident in saying that Gov. Palin didn’t just stick the landing. She also landed some pretty stong straight rights to Sen. Obama’s chin.

For instance, she landed this shot at Sen. Obama’s career as a community organizer:

“And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess, I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities.”

That’s a straight right to Sen. Obama’s chin. (more…)

For once, I think that pit bull extraordinaire James Carville gets it. The truth is that he might’ve swerved into the truth last night. Here’s what he said:

Carville also said the party needs to do a better job of communicating its message to the American people. “If this party has a message it’s done a hell of a job hiding it tonight, I promise you that,” he said.

Jim, the reason why Sen. Obama is sliding is because more people each day are figuring it out that he doesn’t have a message. It’s all about hope and change. That isn’t enough to win a presidential election with. Th’ Ragin’ Cajun let loose with this, too:

“The way they planned it tonight was supposed to be sort of the personal, Michelle Obama will talk about Barack Obama personally, Ted Kennedy was a very personal, emotional speech,” Carville said. “But I guarantee on the first night of the Republican Convention, you’re going to hear talk about Barack Obama, commander-in-chief, tax cuts, et cetera, et cetera.”

That’s pretty good analysis, actually. If there’s one thing that Republicans are good at, it’s that they’re masters of stagecraft and messaging. Democrats often bemoan the GOP’s simplistic message and ‘fake patriotism’. Democrats still haven’t figured out that that’s where most of America still is. Democrats still haven’t figured out that nuance and shades of gray aren’t for messaging.

Another difference between Republicans and Democrats is that Republicans don’t have to tell people that they’re patriots, that they love their country. The actions of their leaders says it. Democrats have to because they’re frequently undercutting traditional American values.

It’s necessary for Democrats to say that they love America after Democrats vote to cut off funding for winning in Iraq. It’s part of their DNA: First undercut America’s war effort to appease the Appeasement Wing of the party, then tell the rest of the country that the Democrats love their country.

I predicted earlier that this wouldn’t be a great week for Democrats, that there’s too much discord amongst the delegates. This discord isn’t because they don’t believe the same things. It’s because they’re too into identity politics.

That’s why they don’t have a message.

Technorati Tags: Democrats, James Carville, Democratic Convention, Obama, Patriotism, Election 2008

Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog

According to this AP article, Michelle Obama is opening her husband up to tons of ridicule. Here’s an excerpt from her speech that will draw lots of questions:

Obama said she and her husband were raised with the values shared by many Americans: “that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you’re going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don’t know them, and even if you don’t agree with them.”

Considering the fact that Sen. Obama once changed his position on drilling for oil 3 times in 4 days, considering the fact that Sen. Obama once promised to filibuster the FISA reform legislation before voting for it, considering the fact that he was pro-Israel when speaking to AIPAC and pro-Arab less than a day later, why should we feel any bond with Sen. Obama?

Furthermore, when did Michelle Obama develop this great love of country? Let’s remember her infamous speech in Wisconsin right before their primary where she said that she was finally proud of America “for the first time” this year.

As with most things Obama, their words ring hollow. It might be a perfectly well-written speech but it means nothing because Sen. Obama’s actions don’t match his words. Put another way, he’s a phony. His talk about being a post-racial, postpartisan candidate is belied by the fact that he’s never worked across the aisle on major legislation that went against his party. He voted against John Roberts, one of only 19 Democrats to vote against him. Postpartisan? Please. He’s voted against funding the troops to keep his political viability. Postpartisan? Please. (more…)

Anyone who’s read this website knows that my first choice for president was Fred Thompson. Since that didn’t work out the way I’d hoped, I’m thankful that he didn’t just disappear back to Hollywood. We need Fred to continue advocating conservatism’s core principles. That’s precisely what he did in this column.

We’ve heard alot recently that we’d have to remake the GOP brand, whatever that’s supposed to be. I suspect the people saying it really mean that conservatives need to abandon conservatism. I’ve rejected that as utter nonsense. I’m not alone in the Right Blogosphere, either. The best news is that Fred Thompson thinks it’s BS, too:

We know that we were given a country based upon certain eternal truths, the wisdom of the scriptures and the wisdom of the ages, the fact that there is such a thing as human nature that has to be taken into account when governing, and most fundamentally, based upon the fact that people are meant to be free. Our founders derived from these principles a government that had its powers separated, checked and balanced because they knew that power tended to corrupt. In keeping with that they incorporated in our Constitution a system of Federalism to make sure that there was not too much power concentrated in the central government, which was given delineated powers and no others.

When we see government burdening us with unnecessary regulations, it’s imperative that we fight against it. When we see government attempting to burden us with trillion dollar tax increases, we must fight against it. (more…)

THE FOUNDATION

“I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means…” —John Adams

Remember our troops. Honor the fallen.
God bless the U.S. military.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Memorial Day is reserved by American Patriots as a day to honor the service and sacrifice of fallen men and women who donned our Armed Forces uniforms with honor. We at The Patriot pay our humble respects to those that gave the ultimate sacrifice as members of the United States Armed Forces. We will remember you always.

Accordingly, this tribute is in honor of our fallen American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen.

Please join Patriots honoring Memorial Day across our great nation on Monday by observing a moment of silence at 1500 local time for remembrance and prayer. Flags should be flown at half-staff until noon, local time. Please give a personal word of gratitude and comfort to surviving family members who grieve for a beloved warrior fallen in battlefields defending our cherished liberties.

INSIGHT

“[L]et us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us re-consecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.” —Dwight Eisenhower

“No man can sit down and withhold his hands from the warfare against wrong and get peace from his acquiescence.” —Woodrow Wilson

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” —Sir Winston Churchill

“The patriot volunteer, fighting for country and his rights, makes the most reliable soldier on earth.” —Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson (more…)

American Anthem

All we’ve been given by those who came before:
the dream of a nation where freedom would endure.
The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day.
What shall be our legacy? What will our children say?
Let them say of me I was one who believed in sharing the blessings I received.
Let me know in my heart when my days are through,
America, America, I gave my best to you.

Each generation from the plains to distant shore
with the gifts that they were given were determined to leave more.
Valiant battles fought together, acts of conscience fought alone.
Those are the seeds from which America has grown.
Let them say of me I was one who believed in sharing the blessings I received.
Let me know in my heart when my days are through,
America, America, I gave my best to you.

For those who think they have nothing to share,
who fear in their hearts there is no hero there,
know that quiet acts of dignity are that
which fortifies the soul of a generation that never dies.
Let them say of me I was one who believed in sharing the blessings I received.
Let me know in my heart when my days are through:
America, America, I gave my best to you.

Veritas vos Liberabit—Semper Vigilo, Fortis, Paratus, et Fidelis! Mark Alexander, Publisher, for The Patriot’s editors and staff. (Please pray for our Patriot Armed Forces standing in harm’s way around the world, and for their families—especially families of those fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, who granted their lives in defense of American liberty.) www.patriotpost.us

Every time Memorial Day and Veterans Day comes around my mind goes to the many times I’ve attended parades and special observances put on by the cities in our area and the various veterans organizations. Several of those times my husband, Duane, participated in parades and events as a candidate for U.S. Congress. As a decorated Vietnam Vet he always received a warm welcome, well, except for a couple of the very left-coast towns.

When our sons were growing up we would get out the picture albums of Duane’s time in the Army, talk about why we observed these holidays in America, and after dinner, which was usually a bar-be-que, we’d sit down and watch a movie or documentary about one of the wars our Armed Forces have fought in.

Some will think that what we did was indoctrinate our sons in a pro-war mindset. But, actually we were educating them in the realities of war. We wanted to instill in them an appreciation for those who laid their lives on the line to protect the rest of us, and the freedoms we enjoy. We also wanted to make sure they had no romantic ideas about war, as young boys can have. If the time ever came for them to go to war it would be with their eyes wide open and the cost counted.

There is no glamour in war. War is hell on earth. But, even the Bible states that there is a time for peace and a time for war. This is, unfortunately, part of life on planet earth. While we debate, and work and pray for peace, wars still rage.

While I understand the reasons some choose a passivist position, passivity never brings peace. It only allows the rule of aggressive, totalitarian governments and leaders.

So, until the earth’s weapons are turned into plowshares, let us honor the brave men and women who have served and died on behalf of our country, on behalf of freedom.

I mean, really honor them, not just in sentiment, but with action. (more…)

Hillary Clinton is keeping open the possibility of taking her fight to the Democratic Convention. Here’s the title for Brendan Farrington’s article:

Clinton may take delegate fight to convention

I’ll bet that that headline is giving Howard Dean and Barack Obama their worst cases of heartburn in years. Here’s the portion of Mr. Harrington’s article that’s giving Mssrs. Dean and Obama their heartburn:

Clinton, too, was in Florida, pressing to narrow her gap with Obama by having delegates counted from its renegade January primary.

Democratic rule-makers meet May 31 to decide whether to count delegates from Florida and Michigan; the states were striped of their delegates as punishment for holding early primaries in violation of party rules. Clinton won both states, but Obama had his name kept off the Michigan ballot and neither candidate campaigned in those states.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Clinton said she is willing to take her fight to seat Florida and Michigan delegates to the convention if the two states want to go that far. Asked whether she would support the states if they appeal an unfavorable rules committee decision to the convention floor, the former first lady replied:

“Yes I will. I will, because I feel very strongly about this.” “I will consult with Floridians and the voters in Michigan because it’s really their voices that are being ignored and their votes that are being discounted, and I’ll support whatever the elected officials and the voters in those two states want to do.”

Taking her battle to the convention would fly in the face of an increasing number of party leaders who say the contest needs to be wrapped up shortly after the last primary on June 3 to prepare adequately for the fall election.

Don’t think that Republicans wouldn’t point out the Democrats’ hypocrisy if Democrats don’t seat Florida’s delegation. Think of how their actions today would contrast with their “Count every vote” mantra of November, 2000. (more…)

This hasn’t been a good week for Barack Obama. His week took a downturn when he got defensive when he heard something that wasn’t said. Now he’s saying that his impending loss in Kentucky is all Fox News’ fault. All this happened after he lost West Virginia’s primary by 40 points. His accusations of FNC are bizarre. Here’s what he said about them:

“Part of it is because there have been these e-mails that have been sent out very systematically, presumably by various political opponents, although I don’t know who,” he said. “And there are a lot of voters who get their news from Fox News. Fox has been pumping up rumors about my religious beliefs or my patriotism or what have you since the beginning of the campaign.”

If Fox was actually starting rumors about him, shouldn’t he be able to cite them and refute the specific rumors? It’s like hearing John Murtha tell Charlie Gibson that he knew “there was a coverup somewhere” regarding the Haditha Marines.

The insulting thing about Sen. Obama saying that “there are alot of voters who get their news from Fox News” is that it insinuates that “alot of voters” are easily bamboozled. It’s like saying that “they can’t help it that they’re gullible enough to trust Fox News.”

This plays into Sen. Obama’s elitist image, too. Sen. Obama obviously doesn’t trust people. If he did, he’d believe that they can filter out the things that aren’t accurate. Here’s the opening paragraphs to the McClatchy article:

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, facing a likely defeat in next Tuesday’s primary election, won’t travel to Kentucky before the voting, but said he hopes to have much more time to win over Kentucky voters before the November general election.

He also blamed Fox News for disseminating “rumors” about him and said that that and e-mails filled with misinformation that have been “systematically” dispersed have hurt him in Kentucky.

I can’t blame him for not telling the truth in this. he can’t outright say that he can’t connect with rural voters right now. If he did, this election would be over.

Still, it’s a bit aggravating to hear him blame others for his inability to win over voters. His whining won’t play well, either. I’d doubt that voters want a whiner as their president. He’s running to be the next leader of the free world.

Ronald Reagan faced a hostile press during his campaign and his administration. He didn’t break stride, just taking his message straight to the people. By comparison, Sen. Obama starts whining about the press, specifically Fox News, for not giving him a cakewalk.

Shouldn’t we ignore Sen. Obama if he isn’t willing to cite specifics what rumors Fox is allegedly spreading? After all, allegations aren’t proof.

Technorati Tags: Fox News, Obama, Rumor-mongering, Ronald Reagan, Appeasement, Media Bias

Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog

The indispensable Instapundit has posted a link on Fred Thompson’s latest role. The news couldn’t be better for movement conservatives. Fred Thompson lost the battle for the GOP presidential nomination but he’ll win the war for movement conservatives in his new job:

Our nation has some serious issues to work through for today…and for the next generation. Now isn’t the time for conservatives to be looking for a tailored message or a politically expedient route to victory if the end result is going to be the inevitable slide toward the liberalization and secularization of America, and the growth of government and loss of freedom that inevitably ensues. For us conservatives it must be about principles and policies that are grounded in freedom, free markets and the rule of law. That’s what I’ve been talking and writing about for the past few years, and that’s what I want to talk write about here on Townhall and in the new Townhall Magazine.

I joined Townhall and am writing exclusive commentaries for Townhall Magazine because I see them elevating the discourse on issues based on these principles — smaller government, individual liberty, standing for common values that have become all too uncommon, a strong national defense and, most of all, an optimism and belief in America.

Rest assured that Fredheads across the nation will tune into Fred’s exclusive columns because they’ll want to hear Fred’s articulation of genuine conservative principles. (more…)