A Prescription for Victory?

Is RNC Chair Michael Steele serious?  Read the transcript and listen to the audio.  Where does this fit in bringing conservative principles (and the ideas to implement those principles) back from the wilderness?

Steele may believe that sitting at “the cool kids’ table” will bring victory.  He would be mistaken.  The conservative message has never been the “easy” message.  Giving stuff away is the “easy”, liberal message.

We need leaders, not class clowns.

PS -

I know this isn’t popular with many of you out there.  My response is a simple one.  Make an argument for what Steele has done to date.  I realize that he’s new on the job.  I would agree that we should give him time to get acclimated.

However, if Steele were spending his time getting acclimated to the task of running the RNC I would say, “God’s speed Mr. Steele.”  Instead, Steele is grabbing every possible opportunity to get on TV or radio and cause embarrassment to the GOP.

Does anyone really defend stunts like this radio interview or publicly discussing retribution against incumbents who didn’t vote with their GOP fellows?

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Morning Line – February 27, 2009

Delaware -

Indian River power plant being sued.  Let the enviros cheer in the dark.

Maryland -

What happened to Maryland being pro-alternative energy?

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley postpones pay raises for judges.

Virginia -

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine says No Smoking, No Guns.

Roanoke Valley Republican has video of the recent AG candidates debate.

Patrick Henry be damned.  Senators Webb and Warner vote for censorship.

Elected as a Republican, Newport News Sheriff to seek re-election as a Dem.

National -

Why are banned companies still given government contracts?

Rocky Mountain News pulls the plug on presses.

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Somerset NAACP on Participation in Sports

Kudos to the Somerset County branch of the NAACP for demanding that students be required to keep a 2.0 average in order to participate in sports.  These folks obviously have their priorities in order.

Unfortunately for the Wicomico and Worcester Boards of Education this raises a serious question.  Why do they seemingly place a higher priority on sports participation than academic achievement?

Wicomico only requires students to maintain a 1.6 GPA.  Worcester? 1.75  As we approach budget time, the two boards should be asked some hard questions.  Bad teachers can’t be fired.  Money is wasted on often meaningless bureaucratic programs.  But … we need to make sure that kids who can’t get at least a C in all of their classes should be able to play football or basketball.

I’m dying to hear a response to this one.

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Let’s Wait Until Gas Reaches $5.00 per Gallon

Our government won’t allow additional offshore drilling.  They are halting exploration on shore as well. and … The federal deficit is going through the roof.

At some point in the not too distant future our great nation will pull its way out of recession – despite PORKULUS.  When that happens, the world’s economy will improve as well.  (Despite the “Hate America” left, we are the economic engine of the world.)  When this occurs, global demand for oil will rise AND so will its price. (Despite numerous attempts, the left cannot derail the basic laws of supply and demand any more than the basic laws of Newtonian physics.)

To add insult to injury, opening up the outer shelf to exploration (along with numerous parcels on land) will help to reduce the exploding deficit caused by the Obama AND Bush administrations.  Can’t do that!  That might interfere with persuading Americans to accept a lower standard of living and a full blown socialist economy.

So President Obama, when gasoline hits $4.00 (or even $5.00) per gallon what will you do?  Our economy can’t run on promises of HOPE and CHANGE.  Will you give us the same response as this past summer? (We can’t get to the oil fast enough to make an IMMEDIATE difference)  We can start to make a difference NOW and be prepared for the round rising oil prices.   #dontgo

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Why Are Tattoos So Bad?

Abortion is an issue I rarely bring up online.  Despite my strong pro-life beliefs, it has been my experience that this issue is far too emotional for too many on both sides of this issue.  However, recent action by the Maryland House demands a response.

The other day, the Maryland House approved HB 45.  This bill will require that minors receive parental consent in order to receive a tattoo or body piercing.  There’s certainly nothing wrong with that.  Perhaps that’s why the bill passed unanimously.

The problem is that the House voted down an amendment which would have included surgical procedures such as an abortion.  The logic of the amendment is simple:  “Isn’t abortion a bit more significant than piercing your nose?“

Given that part of the impetus behind HB 45 was that procedures like tattooing and body piercing may require post-procedure follow-up due to the possibility of infection, it’s hard to understand why a surgical procedure wouldn’t require the same follow-up.  Obviously, it does.

Unfortunately, abortion has become a quasi-religious crusade for the left and far right.  The left refuses to accept any regulation of a medical procedure that they would DEMAND regulation of IF it wasn’t the holy grail of abortion.  The far right has become the left’s mirror image by demanding federal solutions to what should be a state issue (one of the many inherent errors of Roe v Wade).

While I am not a huge fan of compromise, neither am I an advocate of removing rationality from the legislative process.  If deliberate thought ever returns to this issue, America will be the better for it.

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Will RNC Punish Arlen Specter?

Yet more evidence that former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele is in way over his head as RNC Chairman.

It’s foolish to publicly discuss “retribution” against Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), or anyone else.  President George W. Bush was wrong using the RNC to back incumbents like Specter and former Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) in primary challenges.  Steele would be equally wrong in allowing the RNC to fund primary challengers against moderate / liberal Republicans like Specter.  That is not what the national party is for.

As we have discussed in the past, if Steele really understood (much less believed in) the philosophy of Reagan conservatism he wouldn’t need to pander here, equivocate there.  Unfortunately, taking a year off and absorbing all of Morton Blackwell’s Read to Lead list wouldn’t fix the problem.  It’s like church.  Memorizing the catechism isn’t enough.  You’ve got to BELIEVE.
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Morning Line – February 26, 2009

Delaware -

Our friends at DelawareLiberal provide a summary of some recent bill filed in the Delaware legislature.  They’re still “showing the love” for Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE).  and … They obviously neither like nor understand the humor of Rush Limbaugh.

Indicted for murder, Wilmington man pleads to conspiracy.  Should be back on the streets soon.

Delaware Psychiatric Center (DPC) lawsuit to proceed.

Maryland -

O’Malley FINALLY gets it!  Driver’s licenses are for CITIZENS and LEGAL RESIDENTS.

The Democrat-controlled Maryland legislature wants to increase higher ed spending.  If you can’t spend taxpayers’ money today, plan to spend it tomorrow.

Maryland AG to investigate Somerset County Sheriff.

Virginia -

Budget conference hits wall.

Payday lending bill headed to Governor’s desk.

Bill to allow concealed carry in bars passes.  Kaine likely to veto.

VA Beach Sheriff and DA file for re-election.

Former teacher sentenced for kiddie porn.

National -

First Obama budget features a $1.75 TRILLION deficit.  Now that’s CHANGE!  Where’s the HOPE?

Obama administration apologizes for immigration raid.  Can’t send those Democrat voters back.  There’s an election next year.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) DEFENDS EARMARKS.

After Obama administration nationalizes the banks (of course we won’t call it “nationalizing”), takeover of the nation’s health care system is next.

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Jack Johnson for Governor?

Is the PG County Executive going run?  Can he actually beat incumbent Democrat Gov. Martin O’Malley in a primary?  Do I really care?

The answers are simple:  Don’t know, NO, and a BIG NO.

The only reason I brought the subject up was because I appreciate the plug given to my Red Maryland and SbyNEWS colleague Kenny Burns by the Baltimore Sun‘s Andy Green.

Kenny’s really hitting the big time.  Congrats.

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RIP – Jim McGinnis

Former Delaware Lt. Gov. Jim McGinnis has passed away at age 77.  McGinnis, a Democrat, served in both houses of the Delaware legislature in the 1960′s and 1970′s before being elected to serve as Lt. Governor under Republican Gov. Pete DuPont.

Our prayers go out to his family and many friends.

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Senate Moves Towards Giving DC a Vote in Congress

As with most liberal propositions, it feels so good.  Let’s give those poor deprived souls in the Federal District “full voting rights”.  Let’s give them “representation”.  Well, the Senate appears to be on its way.

Well how can you possibly oppose giving the people of DC full representation?  It’s easy.  It’s wrong and it’s probably unconstitutional.

The only reason the District of Columbia has any electoral votes in a presidential election is because of the 23rd Amendment.  That OK, because the people of this country agreed to amend the constitution.  It doesn’t matter whether I agree with it or not.  However, Congress doesn’t have the authority to give seats in Congress to non-states.  The constitution is pretty clear about that one.  Of course, the constitution also says that we’re supposed to COUNT the population every ten years and liberals want to estimate.
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