Political Digest January 11, 2010

I post articles because I think they are of interest. Doing so doesn’t mean that I necessarily agree with every—or any—opinion in the posted article.

“I’m Tired” on Sen. Coburn’s blog!
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/userletter/?id=483&letter_id=4494628646

Toss up in Massachusetts
http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/
Stories like this will lead the unions and leftists to pump a lot of dollars in the race. They simply can’t afford to lose. Be better if this poll came out the day before the vote, not 11 days in advance. Excerpt: The Massachusetts Senate race is now a toss up. Buoyed by a huge advantage with independents and relative disinterest from Democratic voters in the state, Republican Scott Brown leads Martha Coakley 48-47. Here are the major factors leading to this surprising state of affairs: -As was the case in the Gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia last year, it looks like the electorate in Massachusetts will be considerably more conservative than the one that showed up in 2008. Obama took the state by 26 points then, but those planning to vote next week only report having voted for him by 16. -Republicans are considerably more enthusiastic about turning out to vote than Democrats are. 66% of GOP voters say they are 'very excited' about casting their votes, while only 48% of Democrats express that sentiment- and that's among the Democrats who are planning to vote in contrast to the many who are apparently not planning to do so at this point. You can help Brown with a few dollars here: http://www.brownforussenate.com/

Coakley in trouble? Pharma and HMO lobbyists to the rescue
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Coakley-in-trouble-Pharma-and-HMO-lobbyists-to-the-rescue-81067542.html
Excerpt: With Democrat Martha Coakley in trouble in the Massachusetts special election to fill Ted Kennedy's seat, Democrats could lose vote No. 60 for President Obama's health-care bill. In response, an army of lobbyists for drug companies, health insurance companies, and hospitals has teamed up to throw a high-dollar Capitol Hill fundraiser for Coakley next Tuesday night. The invitation is at right (click here for a better view). Of the 22 names on the host committee--meaning they raised $10,000 or more for Coakley--17 are federally registered lobbyists, 15 of whom have health-care clients. Of the other five hosts, one is married to a lobbyist, one was a lobbyist in Pennsylvania, another is a lawyer at a lobbying firm, and another is a corporate CEO. Oh, and of course, there's also the political action commitee for Boston Scientific Corporation. All the leading drug companies have lobbyists on Coakley's host committee: Pfizer, Merck, Amgen, Sanofi-Aventis, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Astra-Zeneca, and more. On the insurance side of things, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, HealthSouth, and United Health all are represented on the host committee. Those HMOs (like Aetna) or drug companies who don't have lobbyists in Coakley's top tier of fundraisers? They're covered, because the host committee includes four lobbyists representing the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), two representing America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), and one representing the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).

Brown for Senate: Massachusetts needs balance in Washington
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100110/NEWS/1100407
Editorial: The special Senate election on Jan. 19 presents Massachusetts voters with an opportunity to send a message to the rest of the nation that it is time to curb the bad habits of Washington and bring a measure of thoughtful balance to this state’s delegation on Capitol Hill. On a number of critical issues, including health-care reform, taxation, immigration, job creation and national security, Congress is likely to face razor-thin votes in the months and years ahead that will involve billions of our dollars and profoundly shape the nation’s economic prospects and the freedom and security of all Americans.

Scott Brown swearing-in would be stalled to pass health-care reform
http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1224249
Gives new meaning to the word “Democrat.” Excerpt: But if Brown wins, the entire national health-care reform debate may hinge on when he takes over as senator. Brown has vowed to be the crucial 41st vote in the Senate that would block the bill. The U.S. Senate ultimately will schedule the swearing-in of Kirk’s successor, but not until the state certifies the election. Friday, a spokesman for Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin, who is overseeing the election but did not respond to a call seeking comment, said certification of the Jan. 19 election by the Governor’s Council would take a while. “Because it’s a federal election,” spokesman Brian McNiff said. “We’d have to wait 10 days for absentee and military ballots to come in.” Another source told the Herald that Galvin’s office has said the election won’t be certified until Feb. 20 - well after the president’s address. Since the U.S. Senate doesn’t meet again in formal session until Jan. 20, Bay State voters will have made their decision before a vote on health-care reform could be held. But Kirk and Galvin’s office said Friday a victorious Brown would be left in limbo. In contrast, Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-Lowell) was sworn in at the U.S. House of Representatives on Oct. 18, 2007, just two days after winning a special election to replace Martin Meehan. In that case, Tsongas made it to Capitol Hill in time to override a presidential veto of the expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program

Harry Reid: Obama ‘Light-Skinned’ ‘with No Negro Dialect’
http://biggovernment.com/2010/01/09/harry-reid-obama-light-skinned-with-no-negro-dialect/
No big deal. Now if it had been Rush or Beck, we’d never hear the end of it. Excerpt: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) apologized today for referring to President Barack Obama as “light skinned” and “with no Negro dialect” in private conversations during the 2008 presidential campaign. “I deeply regret using such a poor choice of words,” said Reid in a statement. “I sincerely apologize for offending any and all Americans, especially African Americans for my improper comments.” Poor choice of words? Exactly what other combination of words could Sen. Reid have used to convey his point? And what, exactly, was his point anyway? What was the relevance of these observations? We don’t have the full context for the remark in the Post’s reporting. It simply notes that Reid’s comments are revealed in a new book, “Game Change”, authored by reporters from Time and New York magazines. (And as this article says, Trent Lott got killed as a racist for saying something kind to Strom Thurmond. But Harry Byrd, the former KKK member, is still an honored member of the Democrat caucus.)

Steele: Reid should step down from leadership role for 'Negro' remark
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/75067-steele-reid-should-step-down-from-leadership-role-for-negro-remarkExcerpt: The chairman of the Republican National Committee called Sunday for Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to step down as Majority Leader in the wake of revelations that he used the term "Negro" when discussing President Barack Obama's 2008 candidacy. "I think he should, if the standard is the one set by [Trent Lott]," Steele said on "Fox News Sunday" when asked if Reid should resign his post. (The old double standard. A racial slip by a Republican deserves the death penalty. By a Democrat, no big deal.)

Lt Col Allen West-my response to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's comments, which I consider incredibly vile.
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/01/democrats-racist-roots-exposed-harry-reid-of-nevada-said-of-obama-light-skinned-with-no-negro-talk-t.html
"The revelation of Senator Harry Reid's comments referencing "negro talk" is just indicative of the true sentiment elitist liberals, and indeed the Democratic party, have toward black Americans. The history of the Democrat party is one of slavery, secession, segregation, and now socialism. It is this new aged socialism born from the Johnson Great Society programs that have castigated blacks as victims needing government dependency. One need only to look upon the city of Detroit to ascertain what liberal social welfare policies have produced for the inner city.....the new plantation for black Americans. The Ku Klux Klan was birthed by the Democrats as a terrorist wing to intimidate blacks, and whites, who sought to promote economic and education independence and social justice for blacks. What was once overt has just morphed and become covert, yet still exists. One can only imagine the insanity and media outrage if Reid's quote had come from a member of the Republican party. I look forward to hearing from Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton on Reid's comments........or has liberal hush money paid for the silence of these proprietors of poverty and victimization theory.. Actually, if President Obama had any courage he would demand Reid step down as Senate Majority Leader, and discontinue any support for his Senate reelection.......notice I said "if". I am quite sure the Soros money which elevated Obama to the position of President has bought his servitude.

Jack Cafferty Rips Obama on Failed Openness Pledge: 'Just Another Lie Told for Political Expediency'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pO1oJPps1I
CNN commentator upset about Obama lies. Surprise.

FOX News Guest: "Strip Search All 18-28 Year Old Muslim Men At Airports"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXfnjkxBTrk&feature=player_embedded
Reporter says this is “racial profiling.” Islam is a race? Maybe if they are "light-skinned" and don't have a "Muslim dislect," Harry Reid will support them for public office.

Two faced Obama
http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/01/07/two-face-obama/
Excerpt: If President Obama were to be compared to a comic book character, it would have to be Two-Face from Batman. On one side of Obama’s face is Mr. Transparency, the idealistic candidate who promised us over and over again that all the negotiations concerning health care reform would be conducted out in the open on C-Span. On the other side of his face is Mr. Chicago Pol, the cynical manipulator and consummate political insider who is working behind closed doors with a handful of Democratic Senate and House leaders to ram Obamacare down the American people’s throats.

Understanding the Democrats' Scheme
http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/01/understanding_the_democrats_sc.html
I hope this is overblown. If true, it will mean civil war. Excerpt: Poor Bill O'Reilly and Brit Hume. There they were on the O'Reilly show a few weeks ago, puzzling over why Barack Obama and the Democrats are doing so many things that are damaging to our country. Bill and Brit agreed that they couldn't possibly be harming the nation intentionally, because negative voter reaction would redound to them politically and electorally. Can't the Democrats see this? Did they suddenly get stupid politically? This is so unlike them. How to explain this anomaly? Poor Bill and Brit, and many others, indeed. It is time to think the unthinkable and speak the ineffable. Apart from the troubling question of intent, or whether Obama-Pelosi-Reid just have a novel view of the public interest, the national Democrats are unnaturally and mysteriously sanguine despite growing backlash by the American people. Why? One reason: The Dems don't believe they will ever have to face a real election again. Is their plan not becoming obvious? It is very straightforward:

Feds freeze frost antidote
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jan/11/feds-freeze-frost-antidote/?source=newsletter_opinion_headlines
Excerpt: Blasts of arctic air brought prolonged record-breaking low temperatures last week from the Midwest to the Southeast. In Florida, strawberries, beans, squash and other crops were at risk from extended freezes, but the greatest threat was to the multi-billion-dollar-a-year citrus industry. Get set for sticker shock later this year at the supermarket. Losses to American farmers from frosts average in the billions of dollars annually….Farmers fight freeze damage with pathetically low-tech methods. These include burning smudge pots, which produce warm smoke; running wind machines to move the frigid air; and spraying water on the plants to form an insulating coat of ice. The only high-tech solution, a clever application of biotechnology, has been frozen out by federal regulators.

Obama Justice Department sanctioned
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jan/11/obama-justice-department-sanctioned/?source=newsletter_opinion_photo_feature
Excerpt: There needs to be a housecleaning at the very troubled Justice Department, and the top echelons of the Civil Rights Division is the right place to start. Its division chief - a presidential appointee - and its highly politicized senior career employees promote liberal ideology more than they enforce the law. The latest imbroglio concerns two of the division's top career lawyers, the ones whom the Obama team chose to run the division until controversial nominees Thomas Perrelli and Thomas Perez could be confirmed. The two officials, Loretta King and Steven H. Rosenbaum, were heavily involved (along with Mr. Perrelli) in dropping an already-won voter-intimidation case against several members of the New Black Panther Party in Philadelphia, and both were responsible for other, questionable race-based decisions. On Dec. 30, a federal district court in Kansas sanctioned them for misconduct.

Detroit bomber 'singing like a canary' before arrest
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6957485/Detroit-bomber-singing-like-a-canary-before-arrest.html
Excerpt: The chance to secure crucial information about al-Qaeda operations in Yemen was lost because the Obama administration decided to charge and prosecute Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab as an ordinary criminal, critics say. He is said to have reduced his co-operation with FBI interrogators on the advice of his government-appointed defence counsel. The potential significance became chillingly clear this weekend when it was reported that shortly after his detention, he boasted that 20 more young Muslim men were being prepared for similar murderous missions in the Yemen.

Captain Obvious Learns the Limits of Cool
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/opinion/10dowd.html
Maureen Dowd learns the limits of Obama. Excerpt: Our president came down from the mountaintop. He had applied the freshness of his independent thought to the critical matters at hand. He had convened his seminar, reviewed the reviews, analyzed the intelligence every which way, thought anew about everything, and lo and behold, he finally emerged to tell us some stuff we already knew: We are under attack. There is evil in the world.

President Obama Must Choose Sides
Rabbi Aryeh Spiro, American Thinker.com
http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/01/president_obama_must_choose_wh.html
Excerpt: There appears to be a battle raging within Barack Obama. How this war is resolved will decide how we fight the war on terror and determine if we win it at all. In his speech last spring in Cairo, Mr. Obama said, "I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear." Defending the honor of Islam and protecting Muslims is one of the goals that Barack Obama has set for himself. It constitutes a personal definition of his presidency. But is he doing so to the point of misleading the public in general, and at the risk of jeopardizing the American people in particular? The near-deaths of three hundred people on Christmas due to an Islamic terrorist plot -- an act of war against America -- did not rouse Obama from golf and relaxation until three days later. When he finally spoke, he disrespected us, as before, by claiming that this was a "lone event" disconnected from anything larger. But most Americans knew what it was, and the subsequent reports and al-Qaeda announcement told us that this was an act of jihad, a part of the larger scheme of radical Islam in its war against America.

Fourth church attacked in Malaysia as Allah row deepens
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6080MV20100109
Didn’t get the memo.