Archive for August, 2008

McCain Hits A Home Run

A few months back I wrote a blog post in which I gave several reasons why I would not support John McCain for president. I had and still have several issues with which I disagree with McCain.

However, since that posting, several factors have changed my stance. The biggest thing that has led me to re-evaluate my position is that fact that Barack Obama has emerged as the most dangerous candidate to ever run for the presidency. His political ideology is so far to the left as to be considered Marxist, and his ties to unsavory characters such as William Ayers can only lead one to conclude that he would forever change our country in such a way that the founding fathers would be turning over in their graves. And in an age in which we are fighting a global war on Islamic extremism, Obama’s willingness to sit down with leaders of terrorist sponsoring nations absolutely sends shivers up my spine.

Recently, John McCain and Barack Obama sat down with Rick Warren for a civil forum at his Saddleback Church. Both were asked a series of questions which raised issues of concern to social and religious conservatives. Obama failed to make his case in such things as the rights of the unborn and how to deal with evil in the world. McCain, on the other hand acquitted himself well, leading most to conclude that he clearly won the night, and would most likely do well in the upcoming presidential debates.

Then, this past Friday, McCain made a stunning announcement. He had selected Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska to be his running mate.

Palin has an impressive resume which is pleasing to the palette of virtually all conservatives. She is pro life, pro gun, a mother of five whose oldest son is about to be deployed in Iraq. She took on her own party in Alaska and fought corruption. She is a fiscal conservative who has the credentials and the integrity needed to assume the highest office in the land. To those critics who will challenge her lack of gravitas, it can easily be argued that she has more executive experience under her belt than Barack Obama. As a governor, she has had to make more decisions than Obama has as a legislator. Also keep in mind that with the McCain campaign, Palin is at the bottom of the ticket. The one running for president has plenty of knowledge regarding foreign policy, and Palin will be a quick study. With the Obama campaign, the weakness is at the top of the ticket, relying on Joe Biden’s acumen on foreign relations to carry the day.

Actually, the only thing Sarah Palin has to remember is that you don’t sit around the campfire and roast marshmallows with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad while discussing Iran’s nuclear program. She will do just fine, thank you.

Biden is also a loose cannon, a plagiarist, bigot and a sexist. Any attempt in the upcoming vice presidential debates to take a shot at Palin will blow up in his face and make him look like a complete idiot.

In recent weeks, the McCain campaign has done everything right. They have offered olive branches to Obama, praising him on becoming the first African-American candidate to get this far in a presidential race, while going after the jugular on his celebrity status and lack of experience. They have presented their candidate as a maverick who is not a Bush clone, while remaining true to his conservative roots. And they have brought us a running mate who has energized the base, and made us believe once again.

We still have a long way to go and a tough fight ahead, but the eighth inning of this game, McCain has hit a home run.

Listen to America Talks Monday through Friday at 6 pm eastern time at www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks. Visit our website at www.americatalks.com.

The Mastermind Behind the Sarah Palin for VP Campaign is on Political Pistachio Radio Tonight!

Adam Brickley was one of the forces behind Sarah Palin being chosen by McCain for V.P.


Adam Brickley received a phone call from Todd and Sarah Palin thanking him for being an integral part of Sarah Palin being chosen as McCain’s VP.

And Adam did not do it all alone. My good friend and daily e-mail bud Steve Maloney (the longest standing supporter of the Palin for VP campaign), Kristopher Lorelli of PalinForVP.com (who put in TONS of leg work), PalinforAmerica.com, Students of America on MySpace, the original “Ted” (easily the most vocal advocate according to Adam Brickley), Paul Volosen, Eric Dondero, Trish Houser of Palintology.com, all of the media who were willing to interview Adam Brickley before interviewing him was cool, and everyone in the comments section who kept the faith was thanked by Adam Brickley on his site when Sarah Palin was announced as the V.P. choice of McCain.

Adam Brickley of Palin For VP has had a busy schedule of late, since Sarah Palin was John McCain’s Vice Presidential Pick. In fact, he has been on the radio (Larry Elder Show, KABC Los Angeles. 7:20 PM Eastern/4:20 Pacific), and television: FoxNews: 5 PM Eastern/2 PM Pacific yesterday, Fox & Friends: 8:00 AM Eastern this morning on FoxNews, NBC 4 (Washington) Interviewed for last night’s evening news (nbc4.com), and today will also be on NBC 5/30 (Colorado Springs - koaa.com).

Adam was first on Political Pistachio Radio to discuss Palin as a viable V.P. candidate last year, and tonight he returns to talk about the excitement of success.

Join us tonight after Founding Truth at 10 pm Eastern on Political Pistachio Radio as we welcome Adam Brickley of Palin For VP triumphantly back to the program.

You Don’t Mess With A Barracuda

Palinmania! Oh, yeah, and Barack Obama gave another forgettably “historic” speech.

Through which even he….

….couldn’t stay awake.

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Sarah Palin VP Pick by John McCain

Sarah Palin, John McCain’s pick for Vice President, a Masterful Stroke That Is No Surprise To Political Pistachio

The choice of Sarah Palin by John McCain to be his running mate shocked and stunned the mainstream media. They are calling her a relative unknown, and have been saying she may not be the best pick because of her inexperience.

Barack Obama, in response to the McCain VP pick, said, “Inexperience is now off the table.”

Thanks, Obama, for finally admitting that you are too inexperienced. Second, she has much more experience than you, is in an executive governmental position of the likes you have never held, and you can’t compare her experience to yours anyway because unlike you she is not the leader of the ticket.

What Palin brings to the race, however, is more than shock and awe. She is strong on energy, understanding the issue better than any of the four candidates. Palin is the most popular of all of the nation’s state governors, maintaining the highest approval rating throughout her term of office. She understands the military mission we have engaged in as a nation, and her oldest son is currently enlisted in the Army and will soon be in Iraq to serve his nation. There are some questions regarding her position on abortion. Many have her listed as pro-choice, but I ask you this: If she is so staunchly pro-choice, then why didn’t she abort her newest child well knowing while she was pregnant that he has down-syndrome?

The most important part of this choice, however, is that she is one of us. She came to politics after serving on the PTA for her children. She slowly moved up doing the things that you and I do - maintaining the household, and taking care of our families. Her husband is a working man. He is a commercial fisherman and oil pipeline worker. She isn’t a career politician with lobbyists in her pocket, and corruption in her head from a life-long commitment to Washington. She does, however, have a lot of experience as a leader. She has been the mayor of her small town, and the governor of the great state of Alaska. That is executive leadership that both Biden and Obama lacks.

Some argue that Biden will tear her up in a debate because he is this rabid bulldog, and she is a quiet woman. Will he tear her up? Does she have a chance in a debate with Biden? Those that question her ability to stand tough on the issues and handle the Bidens of the world don’t know Palin like I do. The fireworks will be fascinating indeed, and she will handle herself just fine in such a debate.

And the fact that she is a woman adds a lot to the ticket as well. Hillary supporters that are dissatisfied with Obama will now have another reason to consider a McCain Presidency.

When Sarah Palin stood before the American people in Ohio accepting the opportunity to join McCain, her speech was about America. It was about our men and women serving in the military, the importance of drilling for oil domestically (basic economics of supply and demand that the left seems not to understand), about ending corruption and excess spending in Washington, and about pride in the great nation of the United States of America.

When Obama spoke last night, standing there on his Greek palace in Denver, he talked about himself and about how terrible the United States is. He made no mention of the dangerous world we are facing (terrorism, Russia, China. . .). He preferred to continue the “Everything is Bush’s Fault” tactic of the Democratic Party (even though Bush is not running for office and most of what they claim is wrong is a straight out lie). One thing he used was saying that all of the jobs are being shipped off to China. Most people forget that NAFTA and other programs that began long before “W” took office was the result of the Democrats ruling Washington for over 40 years, and it wasn’t until 1994 when that changed - for a little while - It was the Democrats that created the failed policies, free trade agreements, and entitlement programs that are now falling apart before our eyes.

As an added note, I am not surprised that Sarah Palin was the choice. I indicated a year ago (September 20, 2007) that she would be a fine Vice President of the United States. My first mention of Palin on Political Pistachio was on July 28, 2007.

July 28, 2007 one of the supporters of Sarah Palin, Steve Maloney, came on Political Pistachio Radio to discuss his hopes Palin would become the next President of the United States, or at least Vice President. On October 17th of last year, Adam Brickley of the Palin For V.P. movement joined me to discuss why Sarah Palin should be the Vice President of the United States of America. Both of these gentlemen have been on my show a number of times since to discuss the possibility of Sarah Palin becoming the running mate of the Repubican Presidential Candidate (November 24 of last year, and in 2008 on February 25.

After these interviews I enthusiastically embraced the possibility of Sarah Palin as Vice President.

After a wonderful interview on Fox News today, Adam Brickley of Palin For VP will join me tomorrow on Political Pistachio Radio.

Tonight: I am guest on the John Barnhart show at from 5-7 pm Pacific. Political Pistachio Radio will follow later in the evening at 9 pm Pacific.

Lt. Col. William Russell, Major General Jerry R. Curry

William Russell is an Iraq veteran running for the United States House of Representatives in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District. The Russell Campaign has outraised Murtha almost 6 to 1 in the second quarter reporting period, and has raised another $600,000 since early July. This money has come from over 20,000 donors, 75% of whom gave $50 or less. Among the most notable donors are Fred Thompson and Donald Rumsfeld.  Lt. Col. Russell, USA (Retired) joined Political Pistachio Radio on Wednesday Night for his fifth visit to Political Pistachio.

On Thursday, Major General Jerry R. Curry will join Political Pistachio Radio to discuss the Russian invasion of Georgia, and how that conflict is connected to Ahmadinejad’s Iran.

Heading Right Convention Speech Transcript: America’s Moral Compass

Heading Right Convention - Transcript of my speech on America’s Moral Compass

The Heading Right Convention aired tonight and I was one of the speakers on the floor. The convention aired in two parts. Visit The Heading Right Convention for the proper links. And while you are on that site, visit the voting area on the right side bar and vote for Political Pistachio and me, Douglas V. Gibbs. There is about two days of voting left for the Heading Right Awards. At last look I was 13 votes out of first place for best show, and a few more votes back for best host.

Now, the following is the transcript of my speech at the Heading Right Convention:

I am sitting here with a United States Navy hat upon my head, and a God Bless America shirt on my body. I served this nation with pride, and a patriotic love in my heart. I created Political Pistachio to spread the good news of Conservative values - To share with the world what America’s moral compass is really all about.

While the Democratic Party is whipping up into a near-frenzy about dividing America in Denver with more hatred and anti-Bush rage, we are here on Blog Talk Radio at this Heading Right Convention celebrating the greatness of America.

The leftist Democrats constantly try to overcompensate their claimed beliefs in heartland American values, portraying themselves as a party of the people, proclaiming their humble origins, blue-collar beginnings, and religious convictions. Such hypocrisy.

Their positions continuously oppose American values, despite how much they try to convince us otherwise.

It is the conservatives that stand for the traditional family and the defense of marriage, less cultural pollution, educational choice, freedom of religion, fiscal restraint, pro-life, the right to bear arms, lower taxes, an end to junk lawsuits, and a general patriotic support of our fine men and women of the United States Military.

It is Conservatives fighting for a strong American Moral Compass while the liberal left is putting condoms on cucumbers, telling 8th graders that they’re really gay and they need their own high school, shutting down the Boy Scouts because they support a straight and patriotic life, suing businesses on false pretenses, and jack hammering the Ten Commandments from all public displays while trying to remove God from the public square and our lives.

America’s greatness is a direct result of America’s strong moral compass. Our moral values as a people demands high standards of right and good conduct. The direction of societal behavior is in direct relation to our moral belief system. Our moral beliefs, in turn, directly affects our overall culture, and political system.

In the Old Testament it says that you reap what you sow. An old secular saying supports that, saying what comes around goes around. The United States has prospered for that very reason. Right is right and wrong is wrong, and this nation has always tried to do what’s right. But we must remember it was the people of this nation, not the politicians in government, that made this nation prosper.

A strong central government is not capable of doing what is right because a strong moral compass is not its reason for existing. Big government exists to protect itself, and to spawn more big government. Its enslavement of the people then becomes an addiction to power, a never ending need for more and more.

The party of change desires to convince you that big government is what you need. The Democrats wish to reprogram our moral compass. The liberals support the genocidal murder of innocent, unborn lives, calling it “choice” to justify the horrific murderous practice. They support the destruction of the traditional family and the silencing of those of faith that would speak out against the radical homosexual agenda - and they call it a civil rights movement, rather than an attempt to justify a behavior that has long been considered an abnormality. The liberals have used the courts to override the moral compass of the American people. They have used the schools to indoctrinate our children to teach them to reject America’s moral compass. They have assaulted us with a pop-culture of sex that is plagued with promiscuity, disease, and is pushed by the biased media and entertainment industry. And they do this in the name of change and hope. . . but what they are really doing is destroying morality in America.

Abortion on demand, a radical homosexual agenda, attacks on religion, and disarming America is not the kind of change I desire.

I believe Americans are smarter than that. This great nation is prosperous because the people refuse to succumb to such bondage. We are patriots that love our country and realize that our political tendencies rely on our moral convictions as a people. We reject the cheapening of life, and destroying the traditional family. We refuse to allow the state to take our children from us and indoctrinate them. And we reject laying down our arms so that an enemy can incrementally invade and alter our society.
This nation was founded on strong moral values, and America prospered because we always used our moral compass as our guide. And tonight, here at the Heading Right Convention, we have joined together to tell the nation that we will fight to protect it, and we will defend it against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

And the trueness of the direction of our moral compass is most apparent in the actions of our heroes, those soldiers and sailors that serve to protect us.

Greater love than this hath no man than that he lay down his life for his friends.

Our fine members of the U.S. Military faces evil daily, and they fight that evil to defend our liberty.

But the battle rages here as well. You and I are the warriors on the homefront. The enemies of America have realized that to bring down our civilization all they must do is confuse the standards of moral behavior.

The moral compass of America is crucial to defend, for if it falls, so does America.

My Friends, defend her, fight for her. United We Stand, Combined We Kick Butt.

God Bless America, and God Bless You.

The Ticket: McCain-Cantor? McCain-Pawlenty?

When Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama unveiled Joe Biden as his running mate, the buzz for weeks had been Tim Kaine or Evan Bayh had closed the deal.  On Heading Right with Media Lizzy, I warned folks.  It is often one of the names you don’t see.  Why?  Because that person needs a few days to rehearse, to get the names of staff readied for the Secret Service, plan the events, get the advance teams in place, talk issues and strategy; get integrated into the ticket - and get ready for the campaign.  Talk to the family, organize the kids, get life organized.I was pretty confident about Joe Biden once the Russia v. Georgia conflict occurred, he dropped off the radar - went to Georgia.  And was silent on his return.

Expect the McCain process to be similar.  Missing from the official program, released by the GOP Convention, earlier today are a few names worth noting. Rob Portman, Colin Powell (trial balloon to stick a fork in arrogant Obama staff’s eye), and Eric Cantor.

From The Hill:

Rep. Eric Cantor (Va.), rumored to be on the shortlist of John McCain’s vice presidential candidates, is conspicuously absent from a complete list of speakers at the Republican National Convention.

The list, sent to reporters under the header “Republican National Convention Announces Full Program,” includes the names of all other individuals believed to be on Sen. McCain’s (Ariz.) shortlist.

Cantor was asked earlier this month to undergo the formal vetting process by the McCain campaign and served as one of his most vocal supporters in the House of Representatives.

From my AOL Political Machine colleague, Caleb Howe, who was lucky enough to speak with Eric Cantor earlier today:

I suggested that the week is full of the glamour of Senator Obama’s celebrity. He laughed and remarked that the Republican Convention next week will probably have its share of pomp and circumstance. I’m sure it will, although I’ll note without the American Idol-ready stage. You’re probably engrossed with the idea, like I am, that we might be treated to a 3AM text message that reads “CANTOR” in the next week or so. The Congressman thought that was pretty funny. Hey, he didn’t say we wouldn’t right?

Cantor is a short-lister for a reason. Just as we saw with the Democrats, wooing Virginia will be an important move this election cycle; And Cantor is popular with the base and grassroots. His being here in Denver is a good move for the McCain campaign. News organizations of course relish pulling in the opposition, and Republican voters will enjoy his rapid response to the Dean attack machine. Eric Cantor may be behind enemy lines, but he seems well-armed. After all, isn’t that what a floor fight is all about?

Updated: UPI report on Eric Cantor

#yeswecantor #yeswecantor #yeswecantor (and thanks toJoi the artist for the SuperCantor pic!)

—Media Lizzy

HILL-AH-REE!!! IN THE BIG TENT!

THE DNC Circus continues tonight with Her Royal Pantsuit starring in the center ring of the BIG TENT. Will she tame the PUMAs and concede the nomination? Or will she walk away the victor, brandishing the whip?

Tonight at 9 we’ll be at the party, with updates from our team of reporters in Denver.

David Bellavia is at the Convention informing delegates and the media about a new television ad going up tomorrow as part of a grassroots and media effort to educate the American public about the success of the surge in Iraq. The ad–”I am the Surge”–hits airwaves tomorrow and will run in the Denver media market this week, Minneapolis next week, and in Ohio, Michigan, Virginia, and Colorado in the weeks to come.

And Ed Martin of American Issues Project will return to explain why Obama wants his ad pulled off the air, and what Ed intend to do about it. See the ad at my site, The Radio Patriot.

The opening act begins at 9 p.m. ET TONIGHT! It’s the greatest show on earth!

http://BlogTalkRadio.com/ASKShow

Andrea

Olympic Persecution

Political Pistachio Guest to discuss the Americans Arrested in China for Being Christian

Jim Jacobson served as a policy analyst in the Reagan White House, served as a political appointee in the George Herbert Walker Bush administration, and was a senior legislative assistant in the U.S. Senate. He has testified before Congress, conducted briefings at the White House, State Department, and the United Nations, and he has personally brought aid, Bibles, and provided advocacy to Christians in many countries in the last ten years. He frequently travels into restricted countries where Christians are severely persecuted for their faith, including war zones. Now, he is speaking out about three American Christians arrested in China after they held a press conference in Tiananmen Square condemning China’s widespread oppression and human rights violations.

Tonight, Jim Jacobson will be live on Political Pistachio Radio to discuss China’s persecution against those that daily risk their lives for the crime of the Christian faith.

Join us live at 10:00 pm Eastern, or catch the archive, HERE.

UNDER THE BIG TOP, THERE’S A SUCKER BORN EVERY DAY

TONIGHT ON THE ANDREA SHEA KING SHOW

Step right up, folks! It’s the Greatest Show on Earth! We’ve got a three ring circus for you under the big tent. That’s right! The BIG tent, big enough to hold both factions of the Democratic party. You’ll thrill to the Clinton daredevils as they fly through the air on their high flying trapeze. You’ll gape with awe and wonder at THE ONE as he ascends the throne without touching the ground. Marvel at Prince Plugs as he sits at the right hand of The One.

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey could never put together a more electrifying event. With the Media as your Ringmaster, you’ll marvel at this show. You’ll see CNN acrobats flying through the air without a net! Death defying acts by CBS contortionists. NBC snake handlers. The ABC freak show!

The center ring of this circus will not feature the Great Obama… Ladies and gentlemen, we have something even better! An act that would make the Flying Wallendas green with envy — the Great Clintoni’s performing their breath-taking, gravity-defying act as they attempt to steal the nomination from the Great Obama. Don’t take your eyes off them for a second!

Hurry Hurry Hurry! Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls and Boys! Step inside! It’s the greatest show on earth! Watch Hillary try to tame the ferocious PUMAs. Watch the GOP Elephants run circles around the braying Democrat Donkeys. It’s a circus! The Greatest Show on Earth!

We kick off a week’s worth Democrat Conventioneering with a report from our exclusive reporter at the scene in Denver who’ll be bringing us up to date with all the action at the Pepsi Center.

Also joining us is Ed Martin of the American Issues Project which launched a major television advertising campaign today examining the relationship between Barack Obama and unrepentant 1960’s domestic terrorist, William Ayers. The total ad buy for this initial ad is $2.8 million, making it the largest third-party expenditure to date in this election cycle. The ad will begin running immediately in battleground states Michigan and Ohio.

We posted the video in an earlier post over the weekend. Watch it here.

We get underway at 9 pm ET. Join us. Hurry, hurry, hurry!!! We’re holding a front row seat in the skybox for ya!

*****

Meet The Team Of Obama bin Biden

Barack Obama finally opened the heavens, and like a light shining down from above, let the world know his selection for a vice presidential running mate. And he did it via a text message in the middle of the night. Considering who he chose, I would have waited until everyone was asleep to announce it also.

Obama may not be prepared to answer the phone at 3 am, but apparently he expects his constituents to do so.

And what an interesting choice he made. Joe Biden.

The thinking is that Biden brings solid foreign policy experience to the ticket, making up for Obama’s lack of gravitas on international matters.

But Biden is a loser who has failed as a presidential candidate before because like Obama himself, he hasn’t got an original thought in his head. Remember the plagiarism scandal which forced him out of the race back in 1987? Biden was accused of stealing a speech from Neil Kinnock, head of the British Labour Party. He supposedly had credited Kinnock in other instances where he used his words, but at least one time Biden did not credit him, and he was caught on tape.

You say, let’s give him a pass on that one. Okay.

Except that as a first year student at Syracuse Law School, he plagiarized a law review article in a class paper he wrote.

Biden has repeatedly lied about his academic performance and records.

Let’s also not forget that Biden has a tendency to run off at the mouth and that some of his comments are considered racist. Biden said of Obama, “I mean, you’ve got the first sort of mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.”

Biden also said “You cannot go to a 7-11 or Dunkin Donuts unless you have a slight Indian Accent.”

Whoa.

Nevertheless, the dog and pony show of Obama bin Biden has hit the road, already slamming John McCain as being out of touch with reality and a George Bush wannabe. Yet for a campaign that has as its message “change”, Obama certainly went for a Washington insider who is part of the same old establishment.

McCain, for his part, issued a blistering new ad accusing Obama of passing over Hillary Clinton for the number two spot because she dared to point out his flaws during the primaries.

It’s going to be interesting to see how Biden plays out at the convention this week, especially among Hillary supporters who now know that she was disrespected by not even being vetted.

Let the games begin.

Listen to America Talks Monday through Friday at 6 pm eastern time at www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks. Visit our website at www.americatalks.com.

Obama-Biden: Change you can believe in?

For years… Democrats criticized the Bush-Cheney model for election.  During 2000, there were cries for gravitas.  Experience.  Even a DC Insider to join then Governor George W. Bush’s team - and make him more electable.

Barack Obama has heard those same cries. He began as an anti-War, anti-Patriot Act, anti-Bush Democrat.  This week, he acknowledged the success of the surge in front of the VFW convention.  Why?  He can’t trash the service of Beau Biden, the son of his running mate.  This summer, Obama voted for the FISA bill that includes domestic surveillance and retroactive immunity for telecom companies that assisted the Feds after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  As for being anti-Bush, Barack Obama’s language on that count has dissolved into obsequious praise for Laura Bush.  Around the time First Daughter Jenna Bush was married by Kirbyjon Caldwell, who supports Barack Obama… the softening began. Even Michelle Obama has heaped praise on the First Family.

Obama cried out for a timetable in Iraq.  Condi Rice is in the process of negotiating a Status of Forces Agreement with a firm timetable - with US Forces leaving in 2011, helping Obama to undermine McCain.  Neither President Bush, nor Secretary of State Condi Rice has stepped out to declare Mission Accomplished in Iraq — even though, that is clearly the case — and it would NEVER have been possible without Senator John McCain’s shaming of W and advocacy for the Surge.

Republicans and Democrats will be angered by my stance here.  But let me remind you that political players are all too human, and occasionally Machiavellian.Senator John McCain’s career has been marked by a service, devotion to Country, honor, family, solving problems by taking the lead on tough issues, and a healthy skepticism of party leadership - and their motivations. All of this separates him from the conventional wisdom but it also deepens his appeal to average Americans that are tired of politics as usual. John McCain is the real change agent in this election - because he will put America First.

—Media Lizzy

Rogaine Messiah Lives!

Another week of gaffes, hollow-chest-thumping, advertising boomerangs, and declining poll numbers for The One, fittingly capped by the skulking, dead-of-Friday-night rollout of a ticket that is the blue plate special of buffoonery.

Even he….

….is more tangible.

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Lt. Col. Allen West On Political Pistachio

Lt. Col. Allen West has lived his life in service to America. After serving in the U.S. Army, finishing his military career as an advisor in Afghanistan in an assignment that finished in November, 2007, LTC Allen West has decided to run for Congress in the 22nd District in Florida. A family man and true conservative, Allen West brings leadership and values to his candidacy. Allen West is the kind of conservative we need in Congress, and he is my guest Monday night on Political Pistachio Radio.

McCain’s Life, Obama’s Story

If you missed the Civil Forum put on by Rick Warren featuring Barack Obama and John McCain this past Saturday night, you ought to take some time to view it. As a voter it’s insightful, but for those of us who are drawn to politics because of what it can tell us about people, it’s was a gold mine. But before we talk results, let’s talk expectations.

First of all, there’s no question that sans teleprompter, Obama is mess. Having to wade through his answers on questions that ought to be standard game for a professional politician is like trudging through Chicago snow. Were they particularly thoughtful for one who tip toes his way through issues like a soldier through land mine infested flatlands? No, and that might have been the most frustrating thing - Obama is not a deep thinker, he’s a deep feeler, and that kind of connection works well with the willing but not very well with the skeptical. One gets the feeling that Barack pauses before each answer to weigh his options, to gauge his crowd and recall the many answers he’s given to the same question before. There’s a hesitancy, and the longer he dithers the more credibility he loses. If I thought he could think on his feet, I might not worry as much about how he will fare in the this most dangerous of jobs he’s auditioning for. His reasons for running seem to spring from his disappointment in how the country has been run so far. All that tells us is that he thinks he could run it better - but how can he know that? His confidence in his ability is admirable, but it will take more than self-esteem to steer this nation through the challenges, both foreign and domestic, that we will face over the next 8 to 10 years.

John McCain is distrusted by his base and abused by his ideological enemies, but he soldiers on with a veracity that is appealing. It’s unseemly watching the Democrats demean his service to his country, his suffering for it, and his subsequent decades in the senate leading America just to protect their woefully inexperienced candidate. But the integrity he earned through those accomplishments shone last night, and he was very charismatic. His grasp of the issues, his joviality, his gravitas - they made Barack Obama appear so young. Long ago the Obama fans told us that experience wasn’t the issue, leadership was about character. Last night’s forum offered us a glimpse of the great gulf between these two candidates on that standard. I can’t wait for the debates if this is how they’re going to stack up against each other.

The most illuminating question was “what the toughest decision you ever had to make?” Barack offered that his vote against the Iraq war, made in Illinois as a state senator (in a rabidly blue state and city) was a profile in courage. He said he was advised not to vote against the Iraq war because the president was too popular, but he insisted that he had questions about the validity of the WMD assumptions (was he being briefed by the CIA?), and concerns about the volatility of the ethnic divisions that plagued Iraq. It seems he wants credit for opposing the war we are now winning.

John McCain was asked about his toughest decision. He said it was an answer to a question from an Viet Cong interrogator as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Would he betray his soldiers to save himself? No. He was told immediately that he would suffer for that answer, and he did, tortured for years. Comparing those two answers tells us that for Barack, courage is a question of risking his political life. For John McCain, he draws upon an experience so life changing that the decision not only reflects upon what his character was before his plane fell from the skies, but how the consequences of these experiences indelibly mark the man he is now. It left me with the impression that we are forced to compare the wisdom of a child to that of a man. At that point, I could only shake my head at the surreal world we find ourselves in today as we ponder who might be better equipped to lead America at this time.

It begs a question. Sensing the growing disparity in the resume between these two men, can we trust the American people to choose wisely in November? Recognizing the stakes, pointing out the dangers, sifting through the platitudes and the seductive sound bites, does America understand the growing power of the presidency and the peril we face if we put someone in that office that does not know himself? I do trust them. I don’t have to repeat to you the miracles that twice put George Bush in office when the political odds were against him. He was the right man at the right time. There are new challenges ahead, and there’s little doubt that now is not the time to elect an idealistic Chicago politician who’s slogan is “Trust Me.”

Political Vindication!