Read and comment on Viguerie's letter to The Wall Street Journal: Conservatives are watching McCain's VP pick

Richard Viguerie praises John McCain for embrace of deficit hawk David Walker
ConservativeHQ.com – Richard Viguerie praised John McCain for reaching out to someone who could help lend credibility to his administration (if elected), former US Comptroller and relentless deficit hawk, David Walker.  “Senator McCain has sent a clear signal that he would seek to end the massive deficits that have occurred during the Bush Administration and the last 10 years that the Republicans controlled Congress,” Viguerie said.    Read.  08/12

George Will:  Russia’s power play and American politics
Washington Post – George Will writes of the coincidental and not-so-coincidental aspects of the Russian/Georgian conflict, and remarks at how world events have a way of influencing political matters much closer to home.  Read.  08/12

McCain learns his lessons on No. 2 picks
Washington Times – John McCain should know how to pick a running mate, since he’s been through the process before as a critic (in 1988) and also as a candidate being considered for the ‘support role’ on the national ticket.  Read.  08/12

McCain will need a positive message to win
Real Clear Politics – Mort Kondracke writes that John McCain was smart to run some negative ads – to ‘define’ his opponent’s weak qualities – but in the end, he’ll need to offer something meatier to voters to earn support.  Read.  08/12

McCain on shaky ground with exurban voters
Los Angeles Times – Exurban counties are usually reliable Republican votes -- but not so in 2008, where many are fed up with George W. Bush and are looking for anything that might represent a departure from the GOP.  Read.  08/12

Evangelicals looking to put their stamp on ’08 campaign
The Hill – Social conservatives aren’t planning to stop pushing the candidates to talk more about their issues – and this week a group is meeting in Washington to publicly display their voting power for all to see.  Read.  08/12

Polls show more reject both McCain, Obama
World Net Daily – Polls reveal a close race between McCain and Obama, but Joseph Farah says in actuality, the polls show that more and more people are rejecting the major party candidates in favor of ‘none of the above.’  Read.  08/12

Why McCain would make a mediocre president
Market Watch – Most of the election talk centers around whether Barack Obama is fit to be president, but a close analysis of John McCain’s record indicates that there are more than a few question marks about him as well.  Read.  08/12

War puts focus on McCain’s hard line on Russia
New York Times – John McCain’s been talking tough towards the Putin-led Russia for a long time, and the last week’s events between that country and Georgia have only highlighted those stark warnings.  Will he be given credit?  Read.  08/12

Pat Buchanan:  A Catholic case against Barack
Human Events – Pat Buchanan examines Barack Obama from a Catholic perspective and concludes that Obama’s ‘absolutist’ beliefs on abortion disqualify him from consideration amongst Catholics who take their faith seriously.  Read.  08/12

McCain’s ‘celebrity’ taunts are bugging Obama
Associated Press – For months now it seems that Barack Obama’s been setting the daily tone on the campaign trail, but there’s evidence that John McCain’s ‘celebrity’ taunts are scoring hits on the brilliant orator from Illinois.  Read.  08/12

Did McCain play the ‘Caucasian card?’
Newsweek – Here’s a liberal look at affirmative action and whether Barack Obama’s advanced as far as he has with ‘help.’  This author even compares McCain’s POW experience to the challenges of being black in America.  Read.  08/12

McCain advisor was lobbyist for Georgia
Wall Street Journal – As the fight continues between Russia and Georgia, the conflict touches the US presidential campaign as well.  A top McCain foreign policy advisor lobbied for Georgia, which could impact the campaign.  Read.  08/11

As Russia goes to war, McCain camp sees benefit
The Hill – The McCain campaign sees a ‘benefit’ to the Russian/Georgia conflict, as they believe it demonstrates yet another example of how McCain's foreign affairs experience helped him make the ‘right’ judgment there.  Read.  08/11

McCain and Obama’s Olympic China error
US News & World Report (blogs) – The world’s attention is on the athletes in China, but James Pethokoukis says our presidential candidates should be looking at (and talking about) China’s role in America’s economic future.  Read.  08/11

Obama ad calls McCain ‘Washington’s biggest celebrity’
CNS News – Barack Obama may be vacationing in Hawaii, but that’s not stopping his campaign from releasing an ad firing back at John McCain and labeling him ‘Washington’s biggest celebrity.’  ‘Celebrity’ is big in 2008.  Read.  08/11

Bobby Jindal as convention keynote speaker?
American Spectator – Comparisons are inevitable between the two young political phenoms – Bobby Jindal and Barack Obama.  Jindal could follow Obama as keynote speaker of his party – a hint at a bright future in national politics.  Read.  08/11

Lieberman said to be on McCain’s short list
Newsmax – A John McCain campaign advisor claims that the candidate is considering liberal Joe Lieberman to run with him on the GOP ticket.  Such a move would end any goodwill McCain has built with conservatives.  Read.  08/11

Between a maverick and a hard place
Los Angeles Times – John McCain’s recent negative ads are driving liberals into a tizzy with claims that McCain’s abandoned his ‘maverick’ reputation in order to toe the party line.  Conservatives still remember his history, however.  Read.  08/11

In loose style, McCain leads a camp divided
New York Times – Like the ringmaster of a circus, John McCain loosely presides over his campaign.  McCain likes managing competing interests and opinions, and sometimes ignores everyone to go off in his own direction.  Read.  08/11

McCain works to narrow the charisma gap
New York Daily News – John McCain will never have Barack Obama’s speaking skills, but he’s still trying to close Obama’s ‘charisma’ gap.  McCain will try to tarnish Obama’s ‘likability’ factor to gain ground.  Read.  08/11

Richard Viguerie's upcoming appearances on CSPAN-2 (Book TV)
From FreedomFest 2008 in Las Vegas, a panel discussion on politics and government.  Participating are:  Bob Barr; former GOP presidential candidate Steve Forbes; conservative leader Richard Viguerie; and author David Boaz.

Broadcast time (EST):  Sunday, August 31, at 2:00 PM.   For information, click here.  08/09

McCain’s country-first life is a winner
American Thinker – McCain’s #1 fan, Kyle Anne Shiver tells of her devotion to his candidacy due to his country-first character.  Conservatives share Shiver’s appreciation of McCain’s service to America, but does that qualify him to lead it?  Read.  08/09

McCain looks forward to down time, Olympics
Associated Press – John McCain isn’t jealous that Barack Obama’s heading off to Hawaii for a week, but he says he’s looking forward to a little break himself.  McCain plans to take a few days off at the end of August in Arizona.  Read.  08/09

McCain should ask:  What’s the matter with Alaska?
National Review Online – Jonah Goldberg writes of Alaska and what he calls John McCain’s ‘last frontier.’  Goldberg says McCain has a golden opportunity to make a point by coming out against Alaska’s Republican pork barons.  Read.  08/09

John Fund:  Minnesota’s Vice Presidential Contender
Wall Street Journal – John Fund profiles Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and candidly admits that Pawlenty isn’t every conservative’s dream – but in a Republican Party struggling for identity, Pawlenty could fill a niche.  Read.  08/09

Richard Viguerie:  Obama and McCain Proposals Would Jeopardize Future Social Security Payments
ConservativeHQ.com – Richard Viguerie says both major party candidates are wrong – to increase payroll taxes is an illusion – the money will only be spent on funding further Big Government.  “It is highly irresponsible for Senators Obama and McCain to even consider increases in payroll taxes until legislation is enacted to make sure Social Security surpluses are saved, not spent.”  Read.  08/08

Campaign shake-up improves McCain’s ground game
Politico – Campaign observers have complained for months about John McCain’s lack of state and local organization, but since Steve Schmidt took over the campaign, things have improved dramatically on the ground.  Read.  08/08

Democrats praise McCain in new Web ad
CNS News – John McCain has always prided himself on defying conservatives and making friends with Democrats – and now his campaign’s even produced a Web ad featuring his Democrat pals saying nice things about him.  Read.  08/08

Sheriff questions McCain on illegals
Washington Times – Wish as he may, the illegal immigration issue won’t go away for John McCain – thanks in part to an Ohio Sheriff who’s taking out ads asking for answers from McCain on what he’d really do about the problem.  Read.  08/08

McCain campaign returning cash to controversial bundler
Washington Post – The McCain campaign has taken heat in recent days for accepting contributions from somewhat questionable sources – and now it’s trying to diffuse the situation by returning the money.  Read.  08/08

The McCain Veepstakes
Wall Street Journal – It’s crunch time in John McCain’s Veepstakes, and as time passes, it’s clear that there isn’t a ‘miracle’ choice for McCain.  McCain needs some big time help with conservatives, so he’d be wise to consider that.  Read.  08/08

Is McCain’s drilling plan full of holes?
Real Clear Politics – Liberal Joe Conason assails John McCain’s calls for increasing offshore oil drilling, posing a number of questions (that should be answered) to the GOP candidate on his various energy proposals.  Read.  08/08

Does McCain have a chance in an election about the economy?
New York Observer – Polls indicate that voters see Democrats as superior on economic issues, but Jennifer Rubin writes that John McCain may still win an election based on economics if he can make leadership the deciding factor.  Read.  08/07

McCain takes lead on YouTube hits
Washington Times – It’s no secret that John McCain lags badly in online representation, but lately he’s made up the gap – even taking the lead in YouTube hits on his campaign ads, which seem to be a ‘hit’ with young people.  Read.  08/07

McCain’s ‘rewards points’ for online commenters
Washington Post -- Perhaps because John McCain isn’t getting much enthusiastic support from his conservative base, his campaign is offering ‘rewards points’ for spreading the campaign’s message to the online community.  Read.  08/07

Pawlenty offers ideas to reform GOP
Wall Street Journal – McCain ‘short list’ VP candidate Tim Pawlenty isn’t shy about sharing his ideas on how to reform the Republican Party, once again claiming that the GOP needs government action to appeal to the middle class.  Read.  08/07

McCain’s excellent British import
World Net Daily – Constitutional scholar Nat Hentoff commends John McCain for his offer to engage in a British Parliament-like ‘President’s Questions’ if elected – a time for McCain to explain administration policy, open for all to see.  Read.  08/07

Family’s donations to McCain raise questions
New York Times – An Arabic California family continues to stir questions regarding its bundled contributions to the McCain campaign, though it appears that all were legal and there was a legitimate reason for them – so where’s the story?  Read.  08/07

Evans-Novak:  Race talk bogs down Obama
Human Events – Robert Novak retired this week, but the Evans/Novak Political Report continues.  Reporter Tim Carney writes that Obama’s injection of race into the public discourse will only hurt him in his match with John McCain.  Read.  08/07

Eric Cantor for Vice President?
Washington Times – Several Republicans have ‘enjoyed’ a turn atop wild speculation concerning McCain’s VP choice – and now it’s the Washington Times’ turn to editorialize on the potential selection of Representative Eric Cantor.  Read.  08/07

Club for Growth gives Cantor high marks
The Hill – Club for Growth President Pat Toomey gave his stamp of approval to Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) as a potential pick for McCain’s running mate.  Toomey says Cantor ‘gets it’ when it comes to restoring fiscal discipline.  Read.  08/07

McCain’s green eyed monster
New York Times – Liberal columnist Maureen Dowd has the answer for those wondering at John McCain’s new ‘tone’ in his ad criticisms of Barack Obama – she says McCain’s ‘envious’ in every way of the new kid in town.  Read.  08/07

Washington Post misled on McCain bundler story
Townhall – Wednesday’s Washington Post contained a story (link is below) that asserted some questionable bundler contributions to John McCain’s campaign.  It turns out the Post didn’t get its facts straight – hardly a surprise.  Read.  08/07

McCain goes nuclear on gas prices
Politico – The lack of message focus from John McCain seems to be a thing of the past, as the candidate is traveling the country talking about energy and gas prices.  Energy has become the unifying cry of his candidacy.  Read.  08/06

Campaign 2008 is politics as usual
Washington Times – Both candidates promised the 2008 campaign would be ‘different,’ but Cal Thomas writes that it’s devolved into the same petty partisan fighting and half-truths that are so characteristic of modern politics.  Read.  08/06

McCain’s anti-pork stance riles Big Government farm states
Associated Press – Pork loving Midwestern politicians like Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) believe that John McCain’s making a mistake by opposing farm and ethanol subsidies, but McCain deserves credit for making a stand.  Read.  08/06

John McCain’s unlikely donors
Washington Post – In the business of financing political campaigns, every candidate receives bundles of donations from leading supporters.  Some of John McCain’s money has come from outwardly questionable sources.  Read. 08/06

Carly Fiorina tests political mettle as McCain advisor
Los Angeles Times – Carly Fiorina has become a familiar face in the McCain campaign – which is not necessarily a good thing for McCain’s credibility with conservatives, but probably beneficial for a future political career for her.  Read.  08/06

McCain highlights nuclear power by touring plant
New York Times – As a sign that attitudes are changing on energy promotion, John McCain used a nuclear power plant as a backdrop to call for developing more nuclear energy as part of his ‘all of the above’ energy program.  Read.  08/06

Dick Morris:  Fear factor in McCain’s favor
Boston Herald – Dick Morris writes that John McCain should use ‘fear’ to help define Barack Obama as dangerous for the economy and naïve on foreign policy – which will help undecided voters make up their minds.  Read.  08/06

One enthusiastic conservative for McCain
American Spectator – Bruce Herschenson is enthusiastic about John McCain because his military and foreign policy expertise constitutes the ‘stuff of presidents’ – and Herschenson believes conservatives should support him.  Read.  08/06

Dems nervous as McCain finds his voice
The Hill – Democrats are noticing that Barack Obama’s poll numbers aren’t improving, and they’re nervous that John McCain may be ‘finding his voice.’  Democrats think Obama should be hitting back harder, but would that help?  Read.  08/06

Why an Obama landslide isn’t developing
New York Times – Columnist David Brooks takes a cerebral look at why Barack Obama isn’t well ahead of John McCain at this point, and concludes it’s because people see Obama as a political sojourner who isn’t well grounded.  Read.  08/06

Pro-McCain bloggers fighting back in Hollywood
Politico – We’re not sure if they’d be considered true ideological conservatives, but there’s an emerging trend amongst the Hollywood blogosphere to fight back against the dominating Leftist influence, led in part by actor Jon Voight.  Read.  08/06

John McCain:  It’s time for education reform
New York Daily News – John McCain’s foreign policy positions are widely known, but here he sheds light on his education views.  McCain advocates for reform and school choice – real ‘change’ for a broken institution.  Read.  08/05

Has McCain really ‘lost it’ by attacking Obama?
Townhall – David Limbaugh defends John McCain’s recent series of advertisements that depict Barack Obama in a different sort of light than the major media’s been portraying him – just the type of campaigning that’s entirely justified.  Read.  08/05

McCain’s problem isn’t Bush
Wall Street Journal – John McCain’s working overtime to distance himself from George W. Bush, but here’s one opinion that argues that’s a mistake -- McCain is only playing into Obama’s strategy by openly running away.  Read.  08/05

McCain takes a page from Clinton’s playbook
New York Times – John McCain’s taking a page from Hillary Clinton’s campaign notebook in 2008.  Clinton proved in the latter part of the Democratic primaries that Obama was beatable, and McCain was watching.  Read.  08/05

Meet with Dobson or you’ll lose
Citizenlink.com – The back-and-forth between John McCain and social conservatives will never end until McCain addresses them head on, writes one commentator.  His message for McCain:  meet with James Dobson, or you’ll lose.  Read.  08/05

McCain ad:  ‘Worse off than we were four years ago’
The Hill – John McCain’s delicate relationship with George W. Bush's legacy continues, as one moment he’s trying to placate loyal Republicans and the next he’s saying we’re ‘worse off than four years ago’ – as he says in his latest ad.  Read.  08/05

How to pick a VP
New York Times – Bill Kristol takes his turn at McCain VP speculation – and divides the potential choices into four camps.  Like everyone else, Kristol didn’t get far in getting the McCain folks to talk, but it won’t be long before we know.  Read.  08/05

McCain vets Cantor as running mate
Wall Street Journal – If John McCain chooses Eric Cantor to share his ticket, Cantor will be the first sitting member of the House to elevate since 1964 – and here’s a look at why Cantor is drawing more than his share of attention.  Read.  08/05

Cantor won’t talk about the VP slot
Washington Post (blogs) – Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor is the latest name to catch fire in John McCain’s Veepstakes – but he won’t talk about it.  Rumors are flying concerning Cantor, an up and coming conservative in the House.  Read.  08/05

McCain courts the biker vote in South Dakota
Politico – John McCain did everything but crank up a Harley in South Dakota as he appeared before the annual gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts in Sturgis.  Bikers gave him a warm welcome, but not all were convinced.  Read.  08/05

‘Mitt for Veep’ signs drawing attention
Washington Post (blogs) – It looks like Mitt Romney’s supporters aren’t giving up, as there’s a group touting the former presidential candidate for John McCain’s running mate, and they’re even putting up signs to promote it.  Read.  08/05

McCain likely to let Obama choose VP first
Politico – Closer advisors to John McCain insist that it’s his decision as to whom and when he announces his VP pick – but the consensus seems to be that he’ll hold his cards until after Obama plays first.  Read.  08/04

Can $4 gas drive McCain’s campaign?
Wall Street Journal (blogs) – Pollster Peter A. Brown writes that John McCain has found the issue to hitch his bus to – high gas prices.  Polls reveal that voters now see changing energy policy as the most important issue in 2008.  Read.  08/04

Three ways for McCain to drill to victory
American Thinker – For those wondering when/if John McCain was ever going to develop a consistent ‘theme’ for his campaign, Bruce Walker presents one for him:  drill for votes, drill the media and drill Obama.  Read.  08/04

Top three McCain screw-ups (and how to fix them)
Human Events – Monica Crowley says the McCain campaign has been incredibly inept thus far, but can ultimately be saved.  Crowley presents the top three McCain campaign screw-ups, and some advice on how to fix them.  Read.  08/04 

Associated Press – John McCain reluctantly speaks about it these days, but he certainly wasn’t shy about his Vietnam POW experience during his initial campaign for Congress in 1982.  Conservatives were wary even then.  Read.  08/04

McCain’s feud with New York Times rages on
Associated Press – Presidential candidates often have combative relationships with the news media, but it’s rare when a ‘personal’ feud develops with one newspaper, like John McCain has with the New York Times.  Read.  08/04

McCain leans towards compromise on offshore drilling
New York Times – Now that Barack Obama’s feeling the heat from high energy prices and expressed a desire to ‘compromise,’ John McCain’s followed suit with a willingness to ‘compromise’ in the same vein.  Read.  08/04

Dark horses emerge in McCain/Obama Veepstakes
AFP – Coverage of the candidates’ potential VP selections has spread overseas, with foreign news agencies even picking up the latest rumors – Eric Cantor for the Republicans and Chet Edwards for the Democrats.  Read.  08/04

Old Dominion exposes enthusiasm gap
Washington Post – Barack Obama’s making a play for the normally reliable GOP stronghold of Virginia, and one of the reasons he’s even competitive there is the relative lack of excitement Virginians feel towards John McCain.  Read.  08/04

Cantor gets vetted Hot Air -- The latest VP prospect is a reformer from the swing state of Virginia. 8/3

Evangelicals' distrust hurts Romney's chances of joining McCain ticket National Post -- Nine percent of evangelicals hold a negative view of Mormons; one in four Americans said they would not vote for a Mormon; 40% of white evangelicals do not consider Mormons to be Christians. 7/30

The Republican rift of the present & future Sound Politics -- Many evangelicals voted for Romney for president, yet some say he can't be VP because of evangelical opposition. Huh? 7/30

Jumping off bandwagons RealClearPolitics -- Jindal or Palin would excite conservatives. The reaction to Romney would be, "Ho-hum." 9/31

Bad VP picks Dan Schnur/New York Times -- Kaine, Romney would be awful running mates. 7/30

Palin exactly the veep McCain needs Anchorage Daily News -- They say McCain can't win. It is Palin who could best ruin the predictions of the pundits, traders, and forecasters. 8/2

Flashback: Sarah Palin as McCain's VP Nat Hentoff -- She's an unstereotypical and effective Republican. 5/26

My Interview with Alaska Governor Sarah Palin Larry Kudlow/National Review Online -- Palin has the energy, toughness, and reform message that would help McCain. 8/1

McCain VP talk turns to 2 female conservatives Washington Times -- Palin or Fiorina might have appeal to some women who

Bob Barr blasts the GOP's "conservative" values Huffington Post -- The Bush administration calls itself conservative, let tramples individual liberty, according to the Libertarian candidate. 8/1

Crushing on Obama Ramesh Ponnuru/Time -- A downside for liberals of the media bias in their favor is that sometimes it backfires. 7/31

Democrats launch site targeting conservative group Business Week -- Freedom's Watch is the victim of a campaign charging collusion with GOP. 8/1

Barack Obama and "all those other presidents" Commentary -- Not the "race card"?? Plus: They had even less experience than he does. 8/1

When Hip-Hop and politics collide Greg Gutfeld/Fox News -- Liberals/progressives think conservatives are evil and must be destroyed. 8/1

Symposium on Rush Limbaugh@20 National Review Online -- What makes Rush so special? 8/1

Megadittos, Rush! Heritage Foundation -- The greatest tribute to Rush Limbaugh is that the Left is trying to undo the Constitution in order to shut him up. 8/1

Empowerer of the modern conservative movement Steve Forbes/Human Events -- Two decades ago Rush Limbaugh moved conservatism into the everyday mainstream of American life. 8/1

Leader of the opposition, again National Review Online -- Rush Limbaugh resumes the role he was born for. 8/1

Missing Dean Acheson David Brooks/International Herald Tribune -- We're still looking for the next foreign policy team like Truman's. 8/1

Hu defends Red China's actions in rare address to media Wall Street Journal -- As the world comes to Beijing, the spotlight falls on Red China's murderous oppression of its own people and its support for dictatorships in Sudan, Myanmar and Zimbabwe. 8/1

Pelosi blocks offshore drilling vote GOP wants San Francisco Chronicle -- Republicans are quietly gleeful at Pelosi's tactics, which have only breathed more life into an issue the GOP is clinging to as a lifeline in an otherwise grim year for the party. 8/1

The case against a carbon tax Western Standard (Canada) -- There is no such thing as a "conservative" carbon tax. 7/31

House Dems turn out the lights but GOP keeps talking Politico -- The assembled tourists, aides and members in the chamber gave Representative Tom Price (R-Georgia) and his compatriots a standing ovation. They left the chamber to shouts of "USA! USA! USA!" 8/1

Flashback: Stevens-DeMint dust-up highlights GOP divisions The Hill -- It's time for Republicans to decide if they're the party of DeMint and Coburn or the party of Stevens and corruption. 1/23/08

Stop blocking veterans' votes! Hartford Courant -- The effort to register veterans at VA hospitals has become an issue in Connecticut and has spread across the country. 7/25

Vets and votes Sacramento Bee -- Across the country, there have been efforts to suppress the votes of veterans. 7/27

Helping veterans vote Florida Today -- A planned league registration drive at a VA clinic was canceled when the county supervisor of elections got cold feet about fighting for vets' right to vote, and nixed it. 7/27

Gas cans and liberty LewRockwell.com -- More from the Big Government morons of Capitol Hill: having bureaucrats design the caps on gasoline cans. 7/19

Joe Klein/neoconservative controversy highlights Jewish divide IPS News -- Does it, should it matter when neoconservatives are also Jewish? 7/30

We have enough federal programs Charleston Daily Mail -- Fannie, Freddie, the Department of Energy, etc. etc. etc. -- government programs on top of government programs, causing problems that we try to solve with more government programs, ad infinitum. 8/2

Hank Paulson's Fannie gamble Wall Street Journal -- The legislation that just passed Congress indicates that Washington has learned nothing from recent troubles. 8/1

Housing bill puts taxpayers on the hook Battle Creek Enquirer -- What if substantial numbers of homeowners cannot afford their refinanced loans and the housing market continues to decline? Instead of private lenders assuming the risk, the burden will fall on U.S. taxpayers. 7/31

Corruption in plain sight Fallbrook Village News -- Fannie and Freddie: At what point does a bailout become criminal? 7/31

Housing bill -- hair of the dog Economist -- Congress has been too lenient on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. 7/31

Housing plan signed, but concerns linger San Francisco Chronicle -- Experts on both sides of the political divide worry that the bailout is, at best, only an emergency step. 7/31

John, Jane Doe pick up tab for Fannie and Freddie Australian -- Foreign investors love the bailout, but why are Americans doing this to themselves? 7/30

How to shake off the mortgage mess Wall Street Journal -- Fannie and Freddie should be nationalized (and later privatized). One way or the other, taxpayers will end up owning thousands of unwanted houses. It's not too soon to begin limiting our costs. 7/30

Bailing out the big boys Holland (Michigan) Sentinel -- Now the taxpayers are on the hook to bail out the equivalent of the evil Mr. Potter in "It's a Wonderful Life." 7/30

Why give taxpayers' money to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae's shareholders? FOX News -- If you subsidize risk, you get more of it. If one doesn't have to bear the cost of risk, why not shoot for the moon? 7/28

Bust up these beasts Forbes -- It's time for Fannie and Freddie to go. 7/28

Hank Paulson's Fannie gamble Lawrence Lindsey/Wall Street Journal -- If any other country announced that its finance minister could print unlimited debt to do something similar, financial markets around the world would dump both the country's debt and the country's currency. 8/1

It's easy to manage risk when it's taxpayers footing the bill Ottawa Citizen -- "If you owe the bank $100, you have a problem. If you owe the bank $100 million, the bank has a problem." 7/26

Flashback: In March, by 53%-29%, Americans opposed bailout Rasmussen Reports -- ...and by 61%-15%, they opposed bailing out banks that made the bad loans. 3/27

Media's double standard on race-based voting NewsBusters -- When the perpetrators of racism and anti-Semitism are liberal Democrats, the media look the other way. 7/31

Obama's "community organizer" phase was about political power, not soup kitchens Windy Citizen -- Obama (like Hillary) is a child of Saul Alinsky. 7/29

Organizer in Chief City Journal -- Obama represents the first appearance in a presidential race of a relatively new political type: the community organizer. How would he govern? 7/25

Obama's 'centrist' economic team Weekly Standard -- Two guys named Furman and Goolsbee could soon have a big influence on how you live your life. 7/28-8/4

The University of Chicago and its influence on Barack Obama RedState -- Accounts of Obama's days as a college lecturer just don't add up. 7/29

Con Law New Republic -- What University of Chicago conservatives think of Obama. 7/23-7/30

As a lecturer, Obama enthralled students and puzzled faculty New York Times -- "While most colleagues published by the pound, he never completed a single work of legal scholarship." 7/30

Obama takes his own law exams Slate -- Constitutional Law teacher Barack Obama once wrote out the answers to key Con Law questions. Now we get to read them. 7/31

Inside Professor Obama's classroom New York Times -- Some law professors examine Obama's class materials for clues about his thinking. 7/30

Make your own Obama poster! At the bottom of the page, type in whatever you want in place of the word "change." BWAHAHA. 7/31

Ted Stevens should resign National Review Online -- He once threatened to quit, if the Bridge to Nowhere were killed. Let's call him on it. 7/29

McCain should run against Stevens RealClearPolitics -- He should run against the corruption of the Washington establishment. 7/31

Baked Alaska: Republican vs. Republican National Review Online -- Ted Stevens, under indictment, faces a primary challenge on August 26th. 7/31

'The Culture of Corruption,' cont'd Washington Post -- A timeline of cases of Washington corruption, both Republican and Democrat, over the past few years. 7/31

Why the low-key reaction to Stevens, given the heated reaction to Craig? Bloomberg -- It seems that corruption is OK, as long as it directly affects one's public duties. 7/31

Boarding the Tomnibus American Spectator -- Who will define the Republican brand, Ted Stevens or Tom Coburn? 7/31

The Obstinate Obstetrician: Sen. Tom Coburn resists the tyranny of good intentions Reason -- "I have never been a bully," Majority Leader Harry Reid insisted while caricaturing his opponents as cripple kickers, mother haters, and molester lovers. 7/30

Stifling free speech -- globally Macleans -- A coalition of Islamic states is using the United Nations to enact international "anti-defamation" rules along the lines of "hate speech" and "hate crimes" laws. It's a sham, a cover for efforts to take away people's rights. 7/23

#2 Democrat in the House would support return of the Fairness Doctrine American Thinker -- Leftwingers dream of the day when the hush Rush. 7/31

Anti-'Fairness Doctrine' vote not happening, House Majority Leader says CNSNews -- House Democrats refuse to allow a vote on measure to protect the First Amendment rights of broadcasters and their listeners. 7/31

Thanks to Rush, pioneer Michael Reagan/Human Events -- "Rush’s contribution to the American people in teaching millions of them the need to stand up and fight for traditional American values is unequaled in our turbulent times." 7/31

Lessons from the Huffington Post Poynter Online -- What is it about this left-wing, blog-based site that has made it so successful? 7/29

'Rules for Radicals' meets the 21st Century San Francisco BeyondChron -- That "DailyKos" guy aspires to be this generation's Saul Alinsky. (Alinsky was the role model for both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.) 7/31

Housing bill: All credit card transactions to be reported to IRS Ron Paul’s Campaign For Liberty -- Also, the taxpayers’ previously line of credit to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, limited to $2.5 billion, is now infinite. 7/24

Can Paulson save the economy -- or will he hurt it? Time -- The Treasury Secretary alleviates the current crisis by laying the groundwork for the next ten. 7/31

"When Congress works" David Broder/Washington Post -- A liberal columnist praises Congress for the creation of the National Housing Trust Fund, the latest Big Government boondoggle. NHTF is the part of the corrupt "housing bailout" of which Barney Frank is most proud. 7/31

Democrats impede U.S. on energy Rick Santorum/Philadelphia Inquirer -- The Democrats are the High-Priced-Energy Party. 7/31

Decades of deregulation in U.S. ending Chicago Daily Herald -- No matter who wins, the Reagan Era -- and its rapid economic growth, technological advancement, and rising prosperity at all income levels -- may be coming to an end. 7/30

A record deficit Las Vegas Sun -- The Bush administration shamefully put the country, and the next president, in the red. 7/30

Risky business American Spectator -- By slowing the approval of new drugs, FDA bureaucrats and their political sponsors are killing people. 7/30

Fix this medical ethics glitch Oregonian -- Everyone who's studied this issue knows: "Universal health care" works only when the government imposes rules like the "5 year/5 percent" rule. In other words, when the government is allowed to kill people. 7/29

California AG sues to block water-bottling plant on pseudoscientific grounds AP -- Former Governor Jerry Brown, now the state attorney general, says effects on "global warming" must be considered. He has not yet demanded that the effects on palm-reading and witchcraft be considered. 7/29

L.A. city council targets poor for restrictions on the kind of restaurants at which they're allowed to eat AP -- Human rights concerns put aside when poor are the victims of government policies. 7/30

Dems moving to fund UN agency that aids China’s murderous 'one-child' policy CNSNews.com -- Human rights opponents such as Representative Nita Lowey (D-New York) want to fund the agency... and even to pay the amount withheld by the Bush administration! 7/29

Democrats want to stop immigration-enforcement raids CNSNews.com - Liberals in Congress have moved to protect a key constituency, illegal aliens. 7/30

Minneapolis officers who raided and shot up wrong house get medals CNSNews.com -- The 9-year-old they terrorized still has nightmares. What kind of sick government awards medals for violating people's rights, even if the violation is inadvertent? 7/30

We're really, really sorry American Spectator -- Now that the House has apologized for slavery and Jim Crow, here are some other things to apologize for. 7/31

Olmert's end National Review Online -- Finally! 7/31

Ethical lapses and a failed war made Ehud Olmert's position untenable Guardian -- Livni is leader to replace Olmert in short term, but Netanyahu would win if an open election were held now. 7/31

Why nothing the press throws at Barack Obama sticks Slate -- Well, one reason is that the news media are in the tank for him. 7/29

Cartoon character New Republic -- A liberal magazine asks: Why is the Democratic candidate always a flip-flopper? 7/31-8/14

Vice President Tim Kaine? Larry Sabato/RealClearPolitics -- The pros and cons of Virginia's governor as Obama's VP. 7/30

Olympics committee part of Chinese conspiracy to block Internet International Herald Tribune -- The International Olympic Committee quietly agreed weeks ago to block journalists' access to the Internet prior to and during the Olympic games. 7/30

Republican senator's indictment could haunt his party Guardian -- "In 2006, the image of congressional Republicans as corrupt was a major factor in their loss of control of Congress," said ConservativeHQ.com's Richard Viguerie, and, since then, the Republican establishment has not learned its lesson. 7/30

Stevens says he will stay and fight National Journal CongressDaily -- Adam Putnam, House GOP Conference chairman, said the indictment is "clearly another kick in the gut to the institution of Congress." 7/30

Stevens indictment may not be the last Anchorage Daily News -- Also under investigation is Representative Don Young, who faces a primary challenge later this month. 7/29

The Ted Stevens indictment is an earthquake in Alaska politics Michael Barone/U.S. News -- How does the Stevens indictment affect reformers like Governor/possible VP Sarah Palin and Lt. Governor/House candidate Sean Parnell? 7/30

Rock bottom for GOPers? MSNBC -- Could the Stevens indictment actually be an opportunity for McCain to take a stand against Washington corruption? 7/30

Fed takes steps to help the rich and powerful AP -- The current state of the economy serves as the excuse for the Federal Reserve using our money to help Wall Street. 7/30

Flawed mortgage fix National Review Online -- Bush cave-in to Democrats on bankers’ bailout will accelerate foreclosures. 7/29

Fannie Mae's political immunity Wall Street Journal -- Here's how the corrupt mortgage giant funneled your money to politicians and the Left. 7/29

Obama’s $20M Hispanic outreach program reveals lasting concerns The Hill -- Will traditional conflicts between African-Americans and Hispanics/Latinos hurt the Democrats? 7/29

Pushing 'conservative' Democrats out of Congress could help the party stand up to the GOP Salon -- At least one liberal, the author of this piece, thinks the Blue Dogs are more trouble than they're worth. 7/29

At racist journalists' convention, Obama notes 'tragic' US past Star Bulletin (Honolulu) -- Leftwing elites simply cannot accept this simple fact: that, while America has not been perfect, she has done more to promote human rights than any other nation in world history. 7/28

Obama tries to nuance himself out of trouble on government-sponsored racism Wall Street Journal -- The Senator says racism is OK if applied individually, rather than by quota, and attacks McCain for his opposition. 7/29

Regardless of vote, University of Colorado will continue to be racist, sexist University of Colorado -- An official statement on the Colorado anti-racism initiative indicates that university officials plan stand in the schoolhouse door. 7/24

Time for the truth on affirmative action Colorado Daily -- The opponents of Colorado's anti-racism initiative are desperate and are lying. 7/27

Congressional apology for slavery and Democratic Party policies Washington Post -- The House apologized for the "fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity" of both slavery and "Jim Crow" (a term referring to Democrats' efforts, for more than a century, to deny rights to African-Americans.) 7/30

Senatorial smackdown Government Executive -- Tom Coburn has a simple creed: He doesn't think the government should start new programs -- even good ones -- without checking first to make sure that similar programs don't already exist. 7/28

Coburn’s cognition David Keene/The Hill -- The senator's collagues can’t understand why he seems to want to change the way the exclusive club to which they all belong has been doing business for so long. 7/28

Democrats fail to overcome Senator’s grip on bill New York Times -- Liberals fail to advance the ironically named Advacing America's Priorities Act, a controversial budget-busting measure that brought together dozens of measures taxpayers cannot afford. 7/28

Dr. Coburn is threatened with censure The Hill -- In a transparent attempt to intimidate the Senate's leading taxpayer advocate, the Senate Ethics Committee has threatened to punish Senator Tom Coburn for... delivering babies. We're not kidding. 7/28

Flashback: The unhealthy campaign against Tom Coburn National Review Online -- From 2005, Kathryn Jean Lopez writes about the campaign to stop him from delivering babies. 9/28/05

Egregious editorializing by the left-wing AP National Review Online -- The Associated Press shamelessly smears Tom Coburn and Senate Republicans. 7/28

Democrats unable to thwart Coburn as Senate ‘Tomnibus’ fails critical vote CQ Politics -- Only three Republicans deserted as Coburn faced down Harry Reid. 7/28

Coburn's spending block rallies Senate GOP Washington Times -- Senate Republicans rally behind Coburn's crusade against out-of-control spending. 7/29

Sen. Reid thwarted on bundle of bills Washington Post -- Senate Republicans yesterday blocked consideration of 35 bills that were rolled into one omnibus measure designed to overcome the objections of Senator Coburn. 7/29

Coburn gets best of Reid on 'omnibus' package Politico -- Harry Reid, leader of big-spending liberal Democrats, told Republicans: "You go home and tell people . . . in a wheelchair you voted against moving forward on something that could get them out of their wheelchair." 7/28

GOP suffering from a lack of (ballot) initiative Los Angeles Times -- Liberals are working hard to suppress the vote by thwarting the conservative strategy of drawing people to the polls. 7/29

Brownback: China preparing Olympic spy attack The Hill -- Surprise! The communists “carefully plotted to take advantage of the situation of having thousands of foreign visitors on its soil” and “set up a system to be able to spy and gather information about each and every guest . . . " 7/29

Red China blocks access to Internet for reporters The Star -- Chinese communists -- breaking their promises?? Whodathunkit? 7/30

Senators slam Johnson, seek resignation and DOJ probe National Journal CongressDaily -- The EPA administrator is attacked by three Senators -- Boxer, Whitehouse, and Klobuchar -- after he stood up to power-mad EPA bureaucrats and the "global warming" crowd. 7/30

Consent row threatens embryonic stem cell research New Scientist -- Embryonic stem cell research -- the kind of stem cell research favored by McCain, Obama, taxpayer-ripoff artists, and leftwing politicians, though not by scientists -- hits a snag: lack of informed consent by the "donor." 7/30

Oregon offers terminal patients doctor-assisted suicide instead of medical care Fox News -- Around the world, "universal health care" means rationing. In Oregon, that means the state health plan helps people kill themselves. 7/28

Independence Party leader resigns in Monroe County after bribe claims Buffalo News -- In New York's multi-party system, the Independence Party is sometimes important. The party's interim chairman claimed, “It’s definitely a bribe -- absolutely." 7/29

Democrat Senate passed 94% of bills without debate or roll call vote CNSNews -- Big Government: If you have to ask, you can't afford it. 7/28