Prior to attending events, I basically I liked Senator Obama, Mayor Giuliani, and Senator McCain.  I thought I’d probably end up voting Giuliani, as I like moderates, and was impressed by his performance during 9/11.  Sort of saw it as his time.  However, I had a different take after attending the town halls of several different candidates, both Republican and Democrat.  My candidate preference shifted, and more importantly, I became a die-hard McCain fan. 

McCain events were plentiful and easy to attend.  A number of candidates had events during working hours, yet Senator McCain routinely had them after 5:00 or on weekends.  Since I was not thrilled with President Bush or the way the Iraq War was being handled, Senator McCain had some explaining to do in order to win my vote.  The first town hall I saw him at was in Exeter, and he did not win my vote immediately, but he did convince me that he was sincere and that he knew what he was talking about. 

The town hall events suit Senator McCain perfectly.  It’s essentially an informal interview and conversation.  The other candidate well-suited to this format was Senator Edwards.  The basic reason these two candidates did well at town halls is that they knew their stuff, they cared about the issues, and they cared about the people asking the questions.  Their answers could not have been more different, but it appeared that both candidates appreciated that the questions people asked were directly connected to their lives, and the questioners and attendees were taking time out of their day to see these candidates, so they could make a well-informed decision about how to vote. 

The two that I was least impressed by were the other two in my top three.  I saw Senator Obama twice (oddly enough, I also flew on the same flight that he did from Boston to Chicago the day after he gave his impressive 2004 convention speech).  First, he gave a speech at Dartmouth.  The outdoor venue, situated between several of the old brick dormitories, was packed, and he gave a good speech.  It wasn’t filled with detail, but it wasn’t a question and answer format, so that was understandable. 

I saw him again on a town green in southern New Hampshire, again with a huge crowd.  This time he answered voters’ questions, and I was not terribly impressed.  A young man asked him about whether troop withdrawals in Iraq would lead to chaos in the region. Senator Obama stated that there would likely be a brief escalation in violence, but that through diplomacy it would work out.  His answers were so generic, particularly on Iraq, that his ability to deal with foreign policy matters became what concerned me most throughout the primary and general election.  On a range of questions there basically seemed to be a lack of detail to his answers, as he tended to give stock campaign answers.  However, the crowd loved him, and he didn’t say anything that would have turned off a supporter.

Oddly enough, my reaction to Mayor Giuliani was somewhat similar.  I had wanted to see him from the very beginning, and was finally able to attend a town hall event of his in a hotel conference hall.  He seemed somewhat defensive of being asked questions and was not specific in his answers.  A young man who was a Marine at the time of 9/11 thanked the Mayor for his service, but asked him a tough question directly quoting the 9/11 commission’s report, and the Mayor essentially took a pass on the question.  It was surprising that he had no real response, and a little disappointing that he didn’t see the difference between a citizen asking him a question and a journalist asking him a question.  Again, he was likable enough, but his answers just lacked detail.

The Wizard of Oz Meets NH Politics – AIC Excerpt #3

The American political setting is in the midst of a civility crisis. We are losing the ability to respectfully disagree.  How can it be possible for anyone not to be concerned about the absence of public manners and the discordant rhetoric of our politics.

Our words reflect emotion as well as meaning. They can either clarify or cloud thought and energize action, sometimes bringing out what is best in our nature, sometimes what is worst. We were all told in our childhood days that, “sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Unfortunately, in the social life of our nation this isn’t always the case.

In a political system characterized by historic antipathy to extremes, the decibel level of divisive partisan rhetoric is rising. Rancorous, socially divisive ideological assertions are being made with such frequency that few are thinking through the meaning or consequences of the words being used. Public officials are being labeled “fascist” and “communist.” One Member of Congress has even suggested that colleagues be investigated for “un-American activities.” Most bizarrely, some in public life have toyed the notion of “secession.”

Even a casual study of history would find that there are grave implications of such polarizing language. We fought a war across two oceans to defeat fascism and spent billions and sacrificed thousands to hold communism at bay. And a century and a half ago, over 600,000 Americans were killed in a bloody civil war over the question of secession. That war, we thought, settled two issues: that slavery was incompatible with humanist, democratic values and that these United States are indivisible, inseparable from each other. We are a union. The increasing use today of the vocabulary of cultural wars and secession is deeply troubling.

In the past, Congress has often been a place for vigorous debate, but what is so disheartening about today’s politics is the break with one central aspect of tradition. Historically, legislative decision-making has generally been based on a give-and-take between the parties, with the thesis being one party’s perspective, the antithesis the other’s, and the synthesis being legislation that accommodates concerns of each. Over the last few decades, however, the desire of the majority to accommodate the minority has been waning, as is the desire for the minority to allow legislative successes for the majority. Balanced debate has been superseded by a distortion of the issues and shared goals surrounding the common good have given way to partisan and interest group calculations.

Legislators should consider themselves responsible for governing for the good of the whole, and both sides should recognize that the other has something to say and contribute. In a society as complicated as ours has become, it is irrational to think that Republicans cannot find some Democratic initiatives helpful to society and that Democrats cannot from time to time vote with Republicans.

Everyone should recognize that it is okay to be a conservative or libertarian; okay to be a liberal, a moderate, or progressive. But it is not okay to hate. It is not okay to refuse to respect one’s fellow citizens at home and refuse to endeavor to understand fellow peoples abroad.

The decency and fairness with which political decisions are made are often more important than the outcome of the issue itself. The “how” matters at least as much if not more than the “what.” Much of what passes for political argument right now is mere calumny. The danger is that these divisive attitudes and malicious words will jeopardize social cohesion and makes us all less safe. Civilization requires civility.

Isn’t Turkey supposed to be a prime example of a moderate, modern Muslim majority country?

ORLY?

Turkish girl ‘buried alive’ in family garden

She had dirt in her lungs and stomach.  She was 16 years old.

In the beginning I just thought I’d go see the different candidates at the campaign events in New Hampshire. Four years prior, not long after I moved to New Hampshire from Massachusetts, my sister was volunteering for Senator Kerry’s campaign. She’s a loyal and active Democrat; our parents are Republicans. We talked on the phone after the Iowa caucuses when Howard Dean screamed during his concession speech. She hadn’t heard it called the ‘I have a Scream Speech’ yet, and I said that I felt for him. I figured if I were in politics that would be the sort of thing that would take me out. It wouldn’t be scandal or corruption; I’d simply do something so embarrassing that no one would take me seriously again.

My sister told of a news clip she had just seen of a woman who had met Senator Kerry, then fainted. The video looked like a shot from the Wizard of Oz with Senator Kerry standing over a pair of feet. I was starting to realize that I had missed quite a show by not attending Primary events, so I simply thought this time it would be interesting to see. I certainly had no plans of picking a candidate early, and no interest in joining a campaign. I thought it might give me something to write about on my website, but basically I was just curious.

However, when I started attending New Hampshire primary events in early 2007, I loved them. My perception of campaign events, particularly town halls, was off base. The last thing that I thought I needed was a candidate and his campaign trying to schmooze me into voting for him. However, town halls, and house parties to some extent, are question-and-answer sessions. If you like a candidate, don’t like a candidate, or are angry about something, you get to say so. If the candidate is good, he or she will listen and respond thoughtfully. Obviously they’re trying to get your vote, but they have to talk issues, and playing both sides of the road at a town hall meeting is unwise because the next person with a question could be on the other side of that issue. It makes for an excellent forum to judge a candidate.

An Indpendent Call by Katherine J. Morrison available at Amazon.

Previous entry: Becoming Involved – ‘Who Knew?’ AIC #2

Lately, there has been an explosion of outrage from both left and center who mostly voted for Obama, and from the Tea Party on the right over the issues that confront our country and over our inability to resolve them effectively.

I see many good ideas across the political spectrum – from far left to far right, and at many points in between. I would like to see this energy be harnessed to drive forward the improvements that are needed in this country. 

In our country, there are many different viewpoints and interests that come together into our 2 party system to attempt to get good laws passed. In my lifetime, this system seems to be gradually failing to achieve successes. This is not for a lack of good ideas.

THE BEST OF AMERICAN POLITICS

The Left raises many fair and good points:

1. Companies have unprecedented and unfair power over consumers and shareholders and misuse it regularly and sometimes egregiously.
2. Income is unfairly and unwisely concentrated in too few hands to the disadvantage of most people and the detriment of our economy. Companies can’t sell to people who can’t afford.
3. Minorities require protection from abuse by the majority, and should receive the same treatment, rights and privileges as the majority. Everyone should enjoy have a reasonable opportunity for success and a level playing field to compete upon.
4. Our power in the world is declining because we are overstretched relative to our resources (especially economic ones). We must strengthen our position through smart diplomacy, development of our strengths (especially economic) and those of our allies. We should not unnecessarily make enemies.

The Right raises many fair and good points too:

1. The economy does not produce enough for us to spread much wealth around. We need to grow our economy. Companies have unprecedented and unfair competitive disadvantages that weaken our economy our country, including many taxes, regulations, etc.. This hinders the creation of goods and services
2. Large government programs of the past have not been as effective or as efficient as they should be, and led to sub-optimal outcomes and behaviors; we need a better approach than just setting up a bureaucracy and giving it rules and money. Furthermore such programs attract hardened interests who make it nearly impossible to end poor-performing programs and/or replace them with something better.
3. The majority should not allow minorities any special treatment, rights and privileges that are not given to the majority. Everyone should enjoy have a reasonable opportunity for success and a level playing field to compete upon.
4. Our power in the world is declining because we have allowed other states and terrorist groups to shape the world in ways that are detrimental to our interests. We need to take smart and assertive action to keep things in our favor.

Libertarians, who increasingly feel unwelcome in either the left or the right, make some of the best points of all and their ideas should also be welcomed:

1. The state has unprecedented and unfair power over individuals and misuses it regularly.
2. The government, acting partly on behalf of progressive ideals, has gotten so involved in so many aspects of individual life that it is smothering. Certain government entities have fallen in love with assessing fines and penalties for the sake of raising revenue rather than providing any positive effect to society.
3. The state should obey its own laws, such as the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, etc…(remember our country was founded by a bunch of gun-toting, liberty-loving, tax-hating people who just might be considered ‘fringe elements’ today).
4. Sometimes, we seek more power than we really need, including over things that are of marginal, temporary or convenience interest. We should consider the costs to our society, liberty and culture before we take actions.

These groups all want the best for the country and the citizens. They differ only in methods. And, after listening to some people from differing perspectives, it seems like they have some common ground. For example, to hear left and right tell it, giving minorities exactly the same treatment, rights and privileges as the majority would satisfy both left and right. And if we make those treatment, rights and privileges very fair and extensively shielded from government meddling, it would satisfy our libertarian impulses too. Likewise, everyone seems to want a strong country that can defend itself from foreign states and terrorists – the only real questions is ‘how is the best way to do this?’

I realize this is a simplistic view. I realize that in reality, ‘Left’, ‘Right’, etc are coalitions of interests, each seeking to grab the biggest possible piece of pie for themselves. Why can’t we make a coalition based on pragmatism and love?

BACK IN THE DAY

A century ago, our country was facing many problems and many opportunities – not unlike we are today. There was a generation between the 1890s and 1920 of muckraking journalists and progressive activists and politicians who exposed and eliminated many of the problems and seized many of the opportunities. Together, they laid the foundation for the American century: that is the 20^th Century.

The Progressives were not just a clique of liberal elitists (although they shared many of their goals). The Progressives were also not just a group of populist tea-party rabble-rousers (although they shared many of their goals too). It was a center-left coalition of many reformers, but it also included businessmen such as economist Irving Fischer, auto baron Henry Ford, and steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie.

Progressives pushed reforms that were beneficial to everyone. This is why the movement lasted 3 decades and accomplished many of the main tasks it set for itself.

WHAT WE SHOULD LEARN AND DO NOW

What we need in this country is for those of us who are open-minded, motivated, and want to make this country better to come together and figure out what is the most effective way to solve our problems. New Progressivism should take the best of all ideas and back which ever politicians and parties will most effectively support these good ideas.

So, once again, I see many good ideas across the political spectrum. Why can’t we package them together in a series of reforms so that we can all be better off? Why can’t we package these ideas’ supporters into a coalition that can last a few decades to get most of these good ideas done?

I had no intention of becoming involved, but I slowly went from observer to participant to eventually being sucked into volunteering. Once I started making phone calls for the McCain campaign, I had people curse me out, scream in my ear, and go off on angry rants. Oddly enough, I now worry less. Once someone tells you that you are responsible for the impending defeat of your favorite Senator, there’s not much else a person can say to you to knock you off your pins. Yet some good came from these calls, which ended up offsetting the periodic unpleasantness, and frankly it gave me some good stories to tell.

This was somewhat of a surreal experience too. Whether trying to be useful online, or finding myself at the Republican National Convention, nothing associated with this experience was expected, or really compares to any past experiences. Therefore, when I found myself in the company of Senators, Governors, and Representatives, I’d think ‘How in the world is this happening?’ I’m still rather amazed that I was able to witness this myriad of events. Who knew some average citizen from small town New Hampshire could become involved like this?

Previous entry: ‘This must be a sign that I’m nuts.’ – AIC Exerpt #1

Since I don’t set the bar for our President high, I was not at all surprised to see how the State of the Union Address played out.

While constantly blaming former President Bush, Obama pompously stated that thanks to his failed stimulus, America had been saved from the brink of economic disaster. If that is true, then why does unemployment continue to rise?

If Bush left such a horrible monster of a deficit (which he did), then why has he added trillions to it?

He claims two million jobs have been saved - many out of thin air – even though four million have been lost. I’m not sure how the President feels about math, but four is larger than two.

Regardless of your opinion of the recent Supreme Court decision about campaign finance, I’m sure I can safely say that most Americans found it odd and a little inappropriate that one branch of government literally harpooned another.

After Obama denounced the Court’s decision, Justice Alito was seen shaking his head, mouthing what appeared to be the words “that’s not true” while the Democrats cheered like the audience on Jerry Springer.

It’s not a President’s place to sign an executive order allowing the US to support abortions for women in the third world, let alone to publically denounce the Supreme Court during the State of the Union.

Rather than move to the Center to save his failing presidency, President Obama seems evermore entrenched in the far-left talking points he campaigned on. How much longer can we tolerate hearing him preach at us like a televangelist?

The President did say he would rather have a really good presidency than have two ”mediocre” terms. If he keeps up his disastrous policies, he’ll miss out on both of those.

Posted by: Audiegrl

James O'Keefe

Activist James O’Keefe, 25, was already in Landrieu’s New Orleans office Monday when Robert Flanagan and Joseph Basel, both 24, showed up claiming to be telephone repairmen, U.S. Attorney Jim Letten’s office said Tuesday. Letten says O’Keefe recorded the two with his cell phone.

In the reception area, Flanagan, the son of acting U.S. Attorney Bill Flanagan in Shreveport, and Basel asked for access to the main phone at the reception desk.

After handling the phone, Letten’s office said, they asked for access to a phone closet so they could work on the main phone system. The men were directed to another office in the building, where they are accused of again misrepresenting themselves as telephone repairmen.

They were arrested later by the U.S. Marshal’s Service. Details of the arrest were not available. A fourth man, Stan Dai, 24, was also arrested, but Letten’s office said only that he assisted the others in planning, coordinating and preparing the operation.

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)

Bill Flanagan’s office confirmed his son was among those arrested, but declined further comment.

An FBI criminal complaint charging the men was unsealed Tuesday, and a magistrate set bond at $10,000 each after they made their initial court appearances wearing red prison jumpsuits.

Much more on the breaking story @ TPM

UPDATE: What Is The Pelican Institute?

Hat tip Media Matters

With O’Keefe arrest, Breitbart develops new-found appreciation for “facts”

Since last week’s MA election of Scott Brown to the Senate, the consensus on cable and network news is that the Democrats would need to redraw their health care plans as they were not interested in cramming the Senate health care bill through the House. RealClearPolitics.com is reporting that may be precisely what the Dems now plan to do with regards to health care.

Democratic congressional leaders are coalescing around their last, best hope for salvaging President Barack Obama’s sweeping health care overhaul.

Their plan is to pass the Senate bill with some changes to accommodate House Democrats, senior Democratic aides said Monday. Leaders will present the idea to the rank and file this week, but it’s unclear whether they have enough votes to carry it out.

Last week’s victory by Republican Scott Brown in Massachusetts cost Democrats the 60th vote they need to maintain undisputed control of the Senate, jeopardizing the outcome of the health care bill just when Obama had brokered a final deal on most of the major issues.

“We’ve put so much effort into this, so much hard work, and we were so close to doing some significant things. Now we have to find the political path that brings us out. And it’s not easy,” the No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, said Monday.

The new strategy is as politically risky as it is bold. There is widespread support for Obama’s goals of expanding coverage to nearly all Americans while trying to slow costs. But polls show the public is deeply skeptical of the Democratic bills, and Republicans would certainly accuse Democrats of ignoring voters’ wishes.

Obama initially voiced doubts last week that a comprehensive bill was still viable, but he now seems to be pushing for it. Asked Monday if the president was backing away from his pursuit of major changes, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs responded: “No.”

Dem leaders coalesce on health care strategy

I’m a 33-year-old New Hampshire Independent, who over the last two years or so, found myself becoming slightly obsessed with the New Hampshire primaries and then the general election.  Before this election I had never participated in politics in any way.  Political issues have often been of interest, but I never cared much for party politics.  I’m a history and art major that now does computer work, and I became a blogger through this process.  I don’t commit to a candidate until the day of the election.  That is until this year.

This all started simply by attending a number of town hall meetings.  Then Senator McCain won my vote, after that his campaign convinced me to volunteer, and then I was hooked.  I volunteered more and more in New Hampshire, then I went to South Carolina to volunteer, next I hustled my way into the Republican National Convention as a blogger.  During the primaries I switched from web site owner to blogger in hopes of helping the McCain cause, and have been blogging for about a year and a half now.  Finally, I volunteered again in New Hampshire for the general election.

That’s a lot for an Independent.  The big lesson for me in this experience was to participate.  In typical Independent fashion, my instinct was to pay attention, but steer clear of all the political back and forth.  Yet participation was not the only lesson learned from this experience.  I have a deeper understanding of the process, the good and the bad, and while my political beliefs have changed very little, I have a new appreciation for those who participate at all levels and on both sides of the aisle.  Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees on issues, most of the people involved in politics are trying to make a difference for the better.

It also was an experience that presented a personal challenge.  Politics runs counter to my personality in a variety of ways.  I’m not an ideologue.  If someone disagrees with me on an issue it doesn’t bother me in the least, in fact I often welcome it.  I’m Independent, not only politically, but also in personality.  I’m mild mannered, and have never followed a celebrity, politician, or anyone in the public spotlight, so my persistent tracking of Senator McCain and his campaign during this election prompted the frequent assessment that, ‘This must be a sign that I’m nuts.’

However, personality-wise, what might be the most striking contrast is that nearly everyone in politics seems to be an outgoing, often gregarious, talker.  From top to bottom almost all are socially gifted, often charismatic, and frequently delightful people.  I am not; social skills have never been my forte.  I’m not as painfully shy as I used to be, but I’m just not naturally social.  Yet I leapt (or fell) into the world of the most social.  Consequently, the most immediate impact this experience had on me was that it shoved me forward socially and reduced my nervousness in social situations…

Prior Entry An Independent Call – Foreword & Notes

This morning I met up with a friend and took some pictures at the Prentiss County Courthouse in Booneville, Mississippi.

Here are a couple of those pictures…..

I have been a Populist Conservative political activist for the past 9 years. I got into politics because I was tired of seeing our Conservative and Confederate Heritage attacked in society. Also I was tired of politicians saying one thing and then doing the opposite when elected. I have organized numerous Conservative Protests on subjects such as a Protest Against The IRS And Federal Reserve, Protest Against Free Trade And Illegal Immigration, and a Protest Against Central Government. Also I have organized a successful Confederate Flag Rally for Robert E. Lee Day and gathered thousands of signatures to Save Our Mississippi Flag. I have done interviews with local, national, and international news agencies such as the Banner Independent Newspaper, Tishomingo County News, BBC Radio, and a New York Film Crew. I have also appeared on the Grit TV and Al Jazeera TV talking about conservative issues!

My focus is to stand for our Conservative Principles and give the common man a voice in the wilderness. I have volunteered on numerous political campaigns to get people elected to office. Some of them got elected and some of them fell short. Regardless, I have always stood for an independent mindset and helped the best candidates get elected to represent the principles of the common man.

Today I went to Alan Nunnelee’s campaign kickoff in Tupelo, Mississippi. He is running for Congress ,as a Republican, against Travis Childers. I am undecided on the candidate to support and will be open to any independent or third party candidate who might enter the race. It wont be long before I make my decision and I will volunteer for that candidate and fight to get him elected in North Mississippi.

Alan Nunnelee is a status quo Republican here in Mississippi. He is a social conservative but is a moderate on fiscal issues. He is running as a “true conservative” but his voting record doesn’t hit the mark. I pride myself on being an independent conservative voter and you would have a hard time finding anyone who is more populist and right wing than yours truly! I believe that Alan Nunnelee is a sure win for Congress. Congressman Travis Childers has to run not only against Alan Nunnelee but his own Democratic Party. They aren’t popular right now! Something about Obama and Pelosi!

I will be looking at all the candidate and make my decision. I will make an endorsement on this website. So stay tuned for my endorsement!

Also another note. I talked to State Representative Jerry Turner (R) about NAIS, the program to force farmers to id their livestock and register their premises with the central government. He didn’t know much about it but said he was opposed to big government. I will be emailing him some information about NAIS and how it would hurt the family farmer and freedom as a whole!