Sunday, July 08, 2007

Sunday Talk Review-Face the Nation (CBS) - Hatch v. Schumer, Yepsen goes global

The first topic was the extent of the President’s legal executive privilege to refuse production of even more sworn testimony and further White House internal communication data pertaining to the US Attorney dismissals to the Democrat Congressional investigators. Sen. Hatch opened by focusing on the strength of the White House argument for executive privilege. Hatch described the latest Democrat request for documents and sworn testimony as a fishing expedition. While “witch hunt” is a superior analogy, at least Hatch showed some legal spine for documents.

Sen. Schumer did nothing more than repeat unsubstantiated allegations that something just has to be wrong. Hatch’s response was decisive, the President has the absolute right to fire every US Attorney, and they serve at his pleasure. Therefore, at the end of the day, much like the Libby case, the US Attorney witch hunt is an investigation about a non-event. When America wanted changed I don’t think that anyone outside the Dem lunatic fringe wanted Inspector Javert as the guide.

Sen. Schumer even worked hard to bring public opinion polls into the commutation debate. Sen. Schumer also floated another paranoid conspiracy theory about a commutation allowing Libby to conceal other “conspirators” by taking the 5th. How absurd. The absence of an underlying crime to conceal is now an overwhelmingly well-established fact but Schumer floats the argument on the wings of a lie nonetheless. Now D’s like Schumer aren’t dumb, just unprincipled, so we need to pay attention and call them out on these lies before they do even more damage. Our courteous restraint is neither requited nor rewarded by the media, the voting public and certainly not by the Dems themselves. Think about what they say about us and you will get my point.

Des Moines’ own David Yepsen was all smiles as a special panel member. David provided very good analysis of Bubba’s visit to Iowa this week. David’s metaphor, “playing the trump card early” was particularly apt. Although it seems almost obvious, it nonetheless needed saying and Yepsen said it, the tremendous strides the Obama campaign has made both nationally and in Iowa have yet to fully play out in the Democrat primary. Good call on the commutation debate as well by Yepsen.

Yepsen also provided a clear and detailed analysis of the Fred Factor in 08. Is he cleverly coy, teasing a waiting public into a coronation upon formal entry or a lazy campaigner who is used to the relaxing schedule an acting career affords? Where David Yepsen used the opportunity of a national television audience to evaluate the race based on relatively neutral facts, Vaughn Ververs of CBS News and Jeanne Cummings of Politico.com provided the predictable liberal slant to every issue. I wonder if either served in the Dukakis Presidential Administration. I wish there had been some discussion of the recent Rasmussen poll showing Fred T and Evita in a tie.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I feel most D's have every right to criticize W's commutation. But even as a D I think the Clintons attacking the commutation is way over the top.

In the end, my side will always whine and cry when your guy uses his power to grant a controversial pardon. And you folks will always whine when our guy does it.

Anonymous said...

rf, you are a reasonable guy and your conclusion is right.

however, you should remember that a large number of clinton's pardons came under both unusual circumstances and after he, or someone very close to him, got a lot of money.

not long term indirect money, sadly you've covered that in your conclusion but short term money right before or right after the pardons.

its a sleezy business all the way around but the clinton's found new low levels of sleeze.

Anonymous said...

By Dan Hoover
STAFF WRITER
dchoover@greenvillenews.com


President Bush's signature education initiative has left South Carolina behind in its misguided attempt to leave no child behind, Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson says.

"I would dramatically change No Child Left Behind because I believe South Carolina is victimized by its most onerous provisions," Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, told The Greenville News during a campaign stop in Greenville last week.

"I believe that is totally wrong," Richardson said. "I would help those schools that aren't testing well." Its pass/fail mode should be eliminated, he said.

His prescription for improving education in South Carolina and nationwide includes placing more emphasis on early childhood development programs, raising teacher pay and improving nutrition in schools.

He would put more effort into helping children with special needs, expanding and improving English language classes, and improving teacher training, he said.

Anonymous said...

Top Two John McCain Campaign Staffers Resign

Tuesday, July 10, 2007


WASHINGTON —

Republican Sen. John McCain's top campaign manager and chief strategist resigned Tuesday from the senator's 2008 presidential campaign.

The move comes as the McCain, whose campaign is suffering from low fundraising and dropping poll numbers, tries to shake up his camp and inject some new energy.

Campaign manager Terry Nelson and chief strategist John Weaver said they were honored to have worked with the McCain.

"This morning I informed Senator McCain that I would be resigning from his presidential campaign, effective immediately. It has been a tremendous honor to serve Senator McCain and work on his campaign. I believe John McCain is the most experienced and prepared candidate to represent the Republican Party and defeat the Democratic nominee next year," Nelson said.

"It has been my honor and a distinct privilege to serve someone who has always put our country first. I believe that most Americans will come to the conclusion that I have long known there is only one person equipped to serve as our nation's chief executive and deal with the challenges we face, and that person is John McCain," Weaver said.

Sources say it became obvious that with only $2 million in cash on hand that McCain's staff needed a dramatic change. The second quarter fundraising numbers brought a second wave of layoffs.

McCain, who just returned from Iraq, will be discussing his trip in a major speech in New Hampshie on Friday.

Anonymous said...

Maybe they can be Andrew Dorr's assistants in Iowa now. Thompson and Mccain are identical on the issues and it seems like a logical move.

Oh well, there is always that trucking school. 1-800 truckmaster I think it is.

Anonymous said...

By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer
13 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - John McCain's campaign manager and chief strategist are gone from their leadership roles, a major staff shake-up for the struggling Republican presidential candidate who is all but broke and trails in opinion polls.

In statements, Terry Nelson, a veteran of President Bush's successful 2004 re-election effort, said he resigned as campaign manager effective immediately and John Weaver said he stepped down from his post of chief strategist on Tuesday. But other officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid discussing private conversations, said Nelson was fired.

Two officials said Rick Davis, a longtime aide to McCain, will take over the campaign.

Anonymous said...

Republicans close to the campaign say that Mark Salter, McCain's long-time chief of staff and co-author of his five books, is also leaving the campaign.

The sources said that the three did not split from McCain amicably.

Anonymous said...

Its safe to say now that the McCain campaign is in offical "deep s**t" mode.

He needs something big..something major to get him back...

Could he even change his mind and participate in the Straw Poll now?

Anonymous said...

“Senator admits 'sin' in 'D.C. Madam' case” - You see this headline and you know the chances are it’s an R. Funny stuff.

We libs are such boring folks.

Anonymous said...

Will Destiny “yes” votes break 30%?

Anonymous said...

Fyi, "Political Madman" is back.

Anonymous said...

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/07/more_on_mccain_nelson_fired_ov.php

Looks like Terry Nelson spent a little too much money on his U of I college buddies Larson and Slifka (10k per month part-time).

Yikes. Talk about spending like a drunken sailor.

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't take that bet. I was at the last Republican Central Committee meeting and the vote was 85% against in a raise the hands kind of poll.

Most of the Democrats I know are against it because they see it as just more corporate give aways.

It has no chance.

Anonymous said...

Alexandra Wentworth, comedian/actress wife of perky ABC newsman George Stephanopoulos, was guest co-host this morning, when the yentas tackled the subject of Katie Couric's move to CBS Evening News.

As Babwa and the gang talked about how younger people don't watch news on television, Wentworth said she gets all the info she needs from "Jon Stewart, then I go to SNL and then I go to TMZ," leaving hubby Georgie off the list!

Anonymous said...

Looks like the Straight Talk Express has gone careening off a cliff.

Anonymous said...

During the holiday week and with Brian Williams absent for three days, NBC's "Nightly News" fell under 7 million viewers for the first time since "people meter" records began in 1987. The "CBS Evening News" also just missed a record low viewership. ABC's "World News" led the way with 7.5 million viewers (5.2 rating, 12 share), NBC had 6.8 million (4.7, 10) and CBS had 5.6 million (4.0, 9).

Anonymous said...

it's a great day for grassroots activists. the grassroots defeated a well-financed, glossy, campaign supported by the electeds, and other elites to raise our sales tax to reduce our property tax. The grassroots from both parties could see it for what it was and turned people out in high numbers. Congrats to the team that spent $4000 and beat the team that spent $770,000.

They said Iowa is a litmus test for the tax mood of the nation with this vote. I believe that to be true. I hope the 08'ers are paying attention.

Anonymous said...

It was me driving the Straight Talk Express....

Anonymous said...

The wheels on the bus
they fall right off,
fall right off,
fall right off

The wheels on the bus
they fall right off
all over town

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