Friday, August 29, 2008

"Palinator" has Everyone All a-Twitter

GOP Veep pick, Sarah Palin, has the Internet buzzin' this afternoon.

Popular socnet site Twitter has been burning up all afternoon with the Little Known Facts about the Alaska Governor. The spontaneous Twitter-up has even spawned a new website.

Some examples:

Our personal favorite:

seanhackbarth Little Known Fact: Sarah Palin thinks Rubic's Cubes are too easy. She wants a Rubic's Dodecahedron.

You know that she must be a good choice when the liberal blogs are just apoplectic about her selection. They have been scrambling all day to find anything they can to diminish her credentials.

Over at the BOJoe campaign, we're guessin' it's Pepto Bismol time. This is going to be one fun 67 days, kids. Stay tuned.

Sarah Palin: She's tough. She's pretty. She's smart, and she hunts Moose.

Since the overwhelming majority of Americans are not even sure where Alaska is, it's no surprise that they may not know much about the Governor, turned Veep candidate, Sarah Palin.

The daughter of a school teacher, she's a beauty queen and star basketball player who hunted Moose with her Dad in the wee hours of the Alaskan mornings. She's married with five kids - FIVE! She's a small business owner and, Oh, did we mention that she's the Chief Executive of the largest State in the Union. Plus, she has that killer "take off eh, ya hoser" accent that will endear her to the masses. Authentic. Most important to us: card-carrying-life-member of the NRA.

In one, quick, flip of the fillet knife (gotta love those fishing metaphors), Sarah Palin has gutted the BO/Joe campaign. We can't wait to watch the Dems genuflect. No doubt the tortured contortions of a campaign that has just been de-nutted will be both interesting and satisfying. The schadenfreude of the moment is undeniable.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Eric Erickson on Sarah Palin:
Let's get this out here right now. On experience: Sarah Palin runs the largest state in the nation and Barack Obama and Joe Biden combined run their mouths. That's it in a nutshell.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Some people just have a knack for knowing just what to say and just when to say it. Sarah Palin impresses us as that kind of person. Her speech today was interesting to say the least. Husband, Todd, is our new favorite guy. He races "snow machines" (whatever that is) and we here at the WPBCHQ hope we can get him over to spin up a few concoctions and talk racin', fishin' and what the heck they do during those long winter nights in Alaska - um, yeah. Five kids. Dumb question.

So welcome to the fray, Sarah. Oh, and Happy Anniversary, too.

This Just In ... McCain "VeepStakes" ***UPDATED***

10:34 EST
McCain Campaign confirms to FOX - Sarah Palin is the pick for Veep. (WPBC)

10:25 EST
:::BREAKING::: FNC says sources "backstage" at the Nutter Center are telling them the Veep pick is Palin. (WPBC)

10:20 EST
:::BREAKING::: Politico.com reports it's PALIN! (WPBC)

10:01 EST
UPDATE FNC has producer on the ground at Middleton Airport. FNC reports that plane landed shortly after 10 PM EST Thursday night and that "a woman in her 40s and two young men" deplaned and were picked up by SUVs. McCain has "hit it out of the park" on getting maximum anticipation w/no leaks. Complete steals the news cycle from Obama. Nobody is talking about Obama speech last night. Story continues to move at warp speed. Stay tuned ... (WPBC)

9:51 EST
Were in the World is Eric?
Sittin' here w/the Chica spinning up some blue fruity frozen stuff and I'm not seein' anybody talk about the Congressman from Virginia ... Is the silence deafening? Could it be the #yeswecantor team knows something and just isn't feeding the speculation ... Sarah Palin is a head-fake. Ridge is too toxic. Meg Whitman is too "corporate". CT Joe is too "democrat" of an independent and would be a yawner to most GOPers. Cantor: young, conservative, articulate, and can raise a boatload of $$$. Chica's in for a Mamosa w/Cantor, but really, secretly, wants a photo-op. We all have our reasons I guess. More to come ... (G.O.D./SWC)

9:28 EST
UPDATE Fellow Dumpster Divers! The Obama-mama-mia is being completely shut out less than 12 hours after his rather flat and uninspiring speech from the Baraclopoulis (or was it the Denver Post Office, not sure) ... the 24 minute news cycle has moved on to the GOP "VeepStakes" and the Gonzenator couldn't be happier. First, because it gives us an excuse to fire up the Blender and get a head start on the holiday weekend. Second, because we're all just dyin' to see who gets to collect on the WPBCHQ Office Pool. ($36.00, not chump change, baby!)
Stay tuned ... (G.O.D.)

9:20 EST
UPDATE FNC hawking AK Gov Sarah Palin as Veep pick. Chattering class all "a-Twitter" on the Palin pick ... Report: Bluey, citing @PoliticsNation says "watch Lindsey Graham" ... this reporter is non-plussed about Graham, but story still evolving. (WPBC)

8:19 EST
UPDATE ***Breaking*** PRIVATE AIRCRAFT W/AK Reg parked at Dayton area Airport. Report: Bluey, AK Gov Palin on short list. Fox reports Romney's out too. Speculation rampant among the "Chattering Class". More to come ... (WPBC)

8:02 EST:
This Just In ... Pawlenty out as VP pick. Spotlight on Romney, Cantor. More as information develops. AK Gov Palin may be on "Short List" ... Story is still moving, stay tuned. (WPBC)

Thursday, August 28, 2008

This Just In ... CT DEMS: Punish Lieberman.

Retribution sought for Lieberman

Dateline:DENVER - Connecticut delegates are demanding that party leaders punish Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democrat-turned-Independent, because of his support of Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the Republican nominee. | READ THE HILL STORY HERE

Oh, the Hypocrisy! Dems decry "Ethics Rules"

Apparently, Dan Burton was right. But, hey, you wont read this in the local cage-liner. This is the kind of stuff you'll only read here. Trust the Gonz to dig deep in the dumpster to bring you the truth ... if you can handle it. I love this stuff!

According to DC rag "The Hill", Dem Lawmakers say the new Ethics rules are a "pain in the ass".

This is just precious, fellow DDs. I almost cannot contain that giddy feeling I get when the Libs so blatantly expose their hypocrisy. Check this quote :

Members of Congress attending the Democratic National Convention are expressing frustration with the thicket of restrictions that they say have caused confusion and pointless irritation.

“It’s a pain in the ass!” said Rep. Jim Moran (Va.), one of 221 Democrats who voted for the final version of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007.
These guys were all over the legislation when they could use it to embarrass the GOPers and make it look like they were the paragons of virtue, but the tune changed at their big dance. Now,

Democratic lawmakers have only themselves to blame. Just six House Democrats voted against the final version of the 2007 reform law: Reps. Neil Abercrombie (Hawaii), Allen Boyd (Fla.), Lacy Clay (Mo.), Emanuel Cleaver (Mo.), John Tanner (Tenn.) and John Murtha (Pa.), who called the reform “total crap” at the time.

Remember when the local cage-liner was hammering Dan Burton because he was the only one who voted against similar stupid ethics reform? At the time, the Congressman said:

The best way to do ethics reform is not to make a myriad of complicated rules that no one understands. The thing to do is to report everything. Put it up on the internet immediately, within 24 hours or so, and let the people know who's doing what.

Which is exactly what some Dems are saying now! The complicated and nearly uninterpretable rules have everybody in a scramble.

Kenneth Gross, an ethics expert at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, said many people are confused. Many event hosts think they can’t provide utensils at receptions attended by lawmakers.

“People think they have to eat with their fingers,” he said. “People are running around and collecting forks like an illegal substance.”

“You need a large staff just to interpret the rules,” said Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.). “We wrote it so complicated.”

Ruppersberger said it would make more sense for Congress to get rid of the bramble of complicated ethics rules and instead require lawmakers and staff to disclose immediately any perks and gifts they receive. He said the threat of public scrutiny would give Democrats and Republicans enough incentive to act ethically. (emphasis added.)

What? I rest my case.

WP Public Service Announcement. Hey, we're civic minded too, ya know!

Central Indiana Conservative Breakfast Club
Our Speaker: Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita
September 8- 7:30AM at
Bob Evans Restaurant
2305 N Shadeland Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46219

Who can come? Conservatives, and anybody else interested in Conservative Politics.


What's it Cost? We're going dutch. If you eat, Bob Evans will present you a bill. We are a Conservative group so no free-loaders.


RVSP. Although RSVP's are not required, Bob Evans would like to get an idea of the size of our group. Please email kurt.luidhardt@gmail.com or simonsanthony@hotmail.com to let us know you are coming.

Enter Into His Gates With Thanksgiving…

…and into Barack’s court with praise! Say Hallelujah! As we prepare for the Obamassiah’s acceptance of the love of those who would see him to be President this evening, let us prepare ourselves, before we enter Barack’s court, by joining hands and reciting…the Obamassiah’s Prayer.

The Obamassiah’s Prayer….

Our Obama, who art in thy Temple at Invesco,
Hollow be thy Words.
Thy Presidency come,
Thy nation will be done for,
In the White House as it is in Congress
Give us this day our daily bread line.
And forgive us our mortgage debts,
As we forgive our credit card debtors.
And lead us not into energy independence,
But deliver us from the Republicans.
For thine is the Presidency Kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
for two terms (or less)
Amen.


Wednesday, August 27, 2008

OK, This Whole Web 2.0 Thing is Getting a Little Freaky

California woman Tweets through birth of Child

OK fellow Dumpster Divers, not sure how to file this (could be a borderline between "Just too Weird" and "Too Many Recreational Drugs as a Youth" file) but it's worth a crosspost.

Thanks to our pal David Almacy (@Almacy and Capitol Gig) this interesting bit of news from the Left Coast.

Seems that one intrepid iPhone enthusiast just couldn't stop tweeting even while giving birth. Now, let me just say that I am thrilled for the happy couple, but just a bit creeped out by the notion of getting minute by minute "whatevers" from the delivery room.

It's like doing a home video of the thing. Cool for the happy couple, I guess, but not my idea of a home movies with the fam over a holiday, right? 'natch.

Dudes and Dudettes, The Stilletto-wearin' Chica and I both need a drink. Fire up the Blender, baby.

Obama, Ayers and the Relationship the MSM Continues to Ignore

Excellent little tid-bit that reinforces what we were saying weeks ago. (Originally posted at Hoosier Access.)

Read the post at Hoosier Access about Obamassiah pal William Ayers. He's the guy we told you about in the context of the Obamassiah's dubious associations and why they matter (Read our original post here).

These things matter. As our mother's used to tell us: "You are known by the company you keep."

Things will keep dripping out, little by little, and eventually we'll find out the truth. All we can do is hope that we get to the truth before it's too late.

And Thou Shall Have No Other Gods, but Me

Can you believe this guy? A Greco-Roman Colonnade with a stage that rises out of the center. Doesn't anyone else think this is over the top? Does this guy really think he's reaching Mr. & Mrs. Middle America? Unbelievable. Simply mind-numbing. The arrogance of this guy is beyond description.

Great photoshop though. I love the toga.

Photo: patdollard.com H/T Media Lizzy

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Why Michelle Obama’s Speech Was Good For the DNC

ob-cd671_michel_20080825233530.jpgOkay, before all our loyal conservative and Republican hacks and flacks read the post title and get their undies in a bunch, I’m writing this post more as a political strategist than as a blogger. But don't worry, I still dig into Democrats in this post.

There has a been a lot of scuttlebut as to why, on the first night of the Democrat National Convention, that the headline speakers, Senator Ted Kennedy and Michelle Obama, didn’t go for the jugular of the Republicans? Why did they let everybody off? The MSM to the blogosphere expected blood, but instead got…kumbaya?!!? What was with that?

So did the strategy work?

You’re not going to see a poll bump after day one of the convention (notice it didn’t happen after the VP announcement either), but it was a healthy start to the final 70 days of the campaign season in which the vast majority of Americans are only now starting to pay attention.

If you’re a political junkie (and if you read this site, you probably are) then you’ve heard all the rhetoric, could probably give the speeches on behalf of the candidates and argue the merits of each candidates proposals (or lack thereof) till you’re blue in the face.

The simple fact is, we’re in the minority of American voters.

If you’re only now starting to pay attention you don’t want to see Ted Kennedy up there bashing President Bush or Senator McCain even if you don’t like those particular individuals. You want to see what he his party are about. You don’t want Michelle Obama up there bashing Hillary Clinton, you want her praising her and telling people about who you are and what your family, and most importantly your husband, is about.

More than likely, more people will turn into the Democrat Convention because they are curious about the guy with the funny name. Consider that Barack gave the first story after his announcement of Joe Biden as his VP to the stern political tome, People Magazine. Yeah, not quite so stern and known more for it’s stories on which celebrity is getting divorced/dating who or how they came across a miracle diet in which you can lose 30 pounds in four days. If you want to introduce yourself to America, you want to do it in the most read magazine in the country, even if you’re getting softball questions lobbed at you.

And if you’re only starting to pay attention and you pick up this magazine, you’re probably more likely to tune in last night, see Michelle Obama, gush about her husband, how growing up on the South side of Chicago in a poor to middle class home was difficult, how family is extremely important to you and why you are proud of your country (though it begs the question, if one is so proud, why make it a focal point of your talk?…oh, that’s right. You said you only recently became proud of your country.) and then top it off with an awkward video conference with your husband, but it’s still a cute moment because the kids are still young and precocious.

You can avoid all the tough talk and leave it for the coming nights because you were able to define yourself the first night. Now that you’ve defined yourself, you can define your opponent.

The funny thing is, that with all the disunity in the party that exists at this time because the Clintons and their supporters aren’t quite over losing, tonight looms as probably the most important night of the convention with Senator Clinton tonight’s speaker. She supposed to be the evening’s attack dog. But will she leave the door open for people to continue questioning her support for Senator Obama? Who knows.

But while last night’s speeches were very much uninspiring to the political diehards, the convention couldn’t have opened in a better way to introduce America to the Obamas.

(Cross posted to Josh in the Box and Hoosier Access)

This Just In ... Weekly World News says Obama gets the Alien Endorsement!

This just in from the "Too Many Recreational Drugs as a Youth" File . . .


Under the Headline "OK, This Election is Basically Over!" New York Mag breaks the story that the Space Alien has endorsed BHO and that former NY Mayor David Dinkens will endorse BHO in Denver this week.

Hey, we don't make this stuff up.

BTW, the rumor that I was abducted by aliens and that they conducted radical experiments on my brain is completely fabricated. All they wanted was some of our unique recipes for frozen blender drinks.

As if you needed another reason to elect Greg Zoeller ...

Check out this post from our pals at Frugal Hoosiers.

Quote of the Day from Greg Zoeller: “There won’t be any settlements … We don’t settle cases.”

Yeah, baby! Frivolous lawsuits need to be litigated for what they are and the shysters that bring these cases need to lose - and lose in a very big and very public way.

Greg Zoeller has the "right stuff" and he's got our vote.

Who is Shaw Friedman and why should you care? (No, not Kinky Friedman, he's from Texas)

Greetings again fellow flacks, hacks, and dumpster Divers! This is commentary and I am chagrined to be back in the realm of serious stuff and beg that you don't throw old, rotten vegetables at me for taking up so much space. Sometimes you just gotta speak out.

Trust me. I'd rather be writing about Obama-blather (his or hers) and the Democrat Party's slow spiral into insanity. But, I digress...

Most frequent readers of this page know that I am not a huge supporter of the current Governor. No one will ever accuse your humble Dumpster Diver as being a lap dog for the Administration. We disagree about plenty, but he's the elected leader and he has done much that is good for our state. What you can't say about Mitch Daniels is that he hasn't tried - hard - and sometimes his ideas haven't worked out.

I recently had to go through the quadrennial "Happy Birthday" pilgrimage to the BMV to get a new drivers license. Let me just say it was no where near the experience I "enjoyed" a scant four years ago. (Friendly, courteous, and fast ... In and out ... 17 minutes. Certified. I timed it with my citizens Eco-drive Chronograph wristwatch) With all the problems I had had with some of the things in this administration, just the fact that the BMV works is enough to earn my eternal gratitude.

So the administration is trying something new and innovative and all of a sudden the local cage-liner reports that LaPorte County lawsuit seeks to halt welfare privatization. The lawsuit, filed by Messr. Friedman, Esq., is interesting because of this little tidbit from the Tim Evans story which is both instructive and enlightening:

LaPorte attorney Shaw R. Friedman, who is representing the eight Hoosiers who filed the lawsuit, said in a statement.

"The only thing that Mitch Daniels and Mitch Roob will respect is a court order, and we aim to get that for them."

Roob called the suit "transparently political," noting Friedman is a former Democratic Party leader in LaPorte County. FSSA also rents office space from Friedman and his father, Roob said, and they stand to lose money if the agency moves its county office to a new location.

Look, dissent is a healthy thing. Debate is an integral part of our Civil discourse. But using the Courts to get your way when you lose at the ballot box, to stifle innovation, or to derail a part of the administration priorities, is just wrong.

So I am wondering: "Who is Shaw Friedman?"

Well, he has a long history as a "Democrat Operative. Recent examples include:

• 2008 Edwards for President Supporter
• 2004 Dean for America Indiana coordinator
• General Chairman of the Donnelly for Congress (IN-02)
• former LaPorte County Democratic Chair
• former Legal Counsel, Indiana Democratic Party

Shaw Friedman has a history of bashing Mitch Daniels.

In an article in the Howey Political Report entitled Shaw Friedman: Daniels’ Iraq
Negligence Disqualifies 2nd Term he writes:

There should be a reckoning for these kinds of mistakes. Many Americans have
paid the ultimate sacrifice for this conflict and the horrendous costs continue to
mount. Hoosiers will have an opportunity to tell Mitch Daniels in November they
won’t abide that kind of grossly negligent conduct and they aren’t willing to trust
that kind of judgment at the helm of our state government for the next four years.

In May, he chided former Democrat Governor Joe Kernan simply for cooperating with
Governor Daniels as part of the Kernan-Shepard Commission. The “open letter” was
entitled “Say it ain’t so Joe”

Say it ain't so, Joe. Not only are many of your criticisms of local government off
base, but it appears this governor is cynically using your help on his Blue Ribbon
Commission to aid his own re-election effort. Don't let him get away with it.

And there's more. . .

Joe, you don't understand Mitch is one of those ideogical [sic]Republicans. He's not a
mainstream Republican like Doc Bowen or Bob Orr who believed that there was
a role for government and who you could reach across the aisle and work with.
Instead, Mitch is like his buddy Grover Norquist, who believes government ought
to serve only the rich and powerful and the rest of it - public services - should be
sold off, privatized or shrunk down so it can be "drowned in a bathtub."

Not to mention that "Big Time Financial Contributor" connection:

Friedman has supported Jill Long-Thompson financially since 2002, with $1,700 in contributions
for her challenge to Rep. Chris Chocola.

In addition, Mr. Friedman was a frequent contributor to Jim Schellinger, who sought the
Democratic Nomination in opposition to Jill Long-Thompson, contributing $3,500 to his
campaign. So, at least we know that he wasn't really supporting Jill-Longshot.

On the federal level, Shaw Friedman has contributed over $32,000 to Democrat
candidates since 2001. That's about $4600/year - not over the top, but way above average. Of course, that figure doesn't count the $24,550 he gave to state pols and orgs during the similar time frame.

Well, it's really more of the same, isn't it?

When I first got involved in politics, I had a great mentor who taught me the first two rules of the game: First, learn how to count. Second, follow the money. There is more to this lawsuit than you're liable to read about in the Drive-by-ME-dia. (Albeit, in fairness and full disclose, I generally like the reporting that Tim Evans does. At least he is honest about it. Too bad the cage-liner can't get out of its own way. But, I digress again. Back on topic.

No one believes that we should have people starving to death, dying in the streets and generally causing a nuisance at every major street corner in the city. By the same token, there are some things that can be better done by the private sector - need I point out that it took years for the State to upgrade their technology and by the time they finally got it done, it was obsolete and the various agencies still can't communicate with one another. The technology that drives the websites in the US government uses technology from the early 1990s with code that was written in the 1980s. Um, need I say more.

UPDATE: YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE. Yes, I need to say more! Anyone notice that the Air Traffic Control System crashed in Atlanta on 8/26 and fouled up flights at 31 airports around the country? And we wonder why innovation and cool things like, um, ATMs and iPhones aren't a product of the government. Clearly, the private sector can deliver goods and services better than the government and government should get out of the way and let them do it.

Give these innovative solutions a chance. If it fails, fine. Sue 'em then.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Barstool Economics: Tax Policy for the Blue Collar Crowd

Just got this email and I loved it. This is really great! How taxes work in a simple way to understand. Brilliant!

Our Tax System Explained: Bar Stool Economics

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten

comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would

go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.

The fifth would pay $1.

The sixth would pay $3.

The seventh would pay $7.

The eighth would pay $12.

The ninth would pay $18.

The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that's what they decided to do.

The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the

arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. 'Since you are

all such good customers,' he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your

daily beer by $20.' Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the

first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free.

But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they

divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'

They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that

from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would

be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he

proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so:

The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).

The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).

The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).

The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).

The nint h now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).

The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to

drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare

their savings.

'I only got a dollar out of the $20,'declared the sixth man. He pointed to

the tenth man,' but he got $10!'

'Yeah, that's right,' exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too.

It's unfair that he got ten times more than I got.’

'That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back when

got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!'

'Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get

anything at all. The system exploits the poor!'

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, ladies and gentlemen, journalists and college professors, is how

our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most

benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being

wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start

drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

H/T: David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D. , Professor of Economics, University of Georgia

For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Dinner and Drinks in Wrigleyville ... Life is good.

Another Beautiful Day @Wrigley ... Wish you were here!

View from the Rooftop. We are here hanging out with a bunch of lobbyists and pols doing what we do best. Drink beer and eat bratwursts.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

"VeepStakes" Speculation intensifies around Bayh. Obama-Bayh ticket looks set.

Indiana Senator is either a really clever head-fake, or an announcement is set for Indianapolis on Saturday.

Hot Air reports that Obama-mama-mia has dispatched his minions to Indianapolis to prepare for an event on Saturday with his Veep choice. Source in Georgetown says that Mrs. Bayh has told their neighbors to prepare for an onslaught of media descending on their home.

FINAL UPDATE: Is She or Isn't She? Yes. She is.

UPDATE: It's Official this time. CPD and all the networks/cable outlets are reporting that Rep Tubbs-Jones has passed away. RIP & God Bless.
----------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE: 3:21 pm EST. More from Michael Turk (www.twitter.com/michaelturk)

"Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Tubbs-Jones is now somewhere north of perfectly healthy, but somewhere south of dead."

----------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE: 3:10 pm EST. Tweet from Michael Turk (www.twitter.com/michaelturk)

"Stephanie Tubbs-Jones is
a) dead,
b) critical on life support,
c) stable but critical,
d) stable, or
e) actually an android from Planet X?
"

We report. You choose.
Personally, I'm cool with "all of the above."
----------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE: 2:45 pm EST. Politico.com reports that, "Countering media reports of her death, a doctor for Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones says she is alive and on life support."
----------------------------------------------------------------
Politico.com reports that "sources have told the Cleveland Plain Dealer" that US Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) has just died from an Aneurysm. CNN and Fox Business Network are also reporting same. Tubbs Jones was found unconscious behind the wheel of her automobile last night and rushed to an East Cleveland Hospital. She was 58.

Dear John: Here's the Platform to Guarantee Victory in November

Where can John McCain learn what really will make America work and guarantee a Republican victory in November? Right here.

New Institute for Energy Research Ad: We have enough Energy for a Century! (Dems won't Drill, Pelosi Pickens' Shill, Americans Pay the Bill!)


Tuesday, August 19, 2008

B. Hussein Obama's Distress Call

It seems B. Hussein Obama feel the United States is in a dire state of distress. His tickets for his rally at Invesco Field during the Democrat National Convention depict Old Glory flying upside down!

Maybe during their rally to the aid of America's distress they can all recite The Obamassiah's Prayer.

[H/T Allen West's Twitter feed ... GO WEST!]

Monday, August 18, 2008

The Obamassiah's Prayer

For the true Obamaniacs, it seems B. Hussein Obama has become almost a deity - since many moonbats are agnostic or atheist why not worship a Presidential candidate. So with that in mind I thought I would help out with their own ... The Obamassiah's Prayer....

Our Obama, who art in Chicago,
Hollow be thy Words.
Thy Presidency come,
Thy nation will be done for,
In the White House as it is in Congress.
Give us this day our daily bread line.
And forgive us our mortgage debts,
As we forgive the credit card companies.
And lead us not into energy independence,
But deliver us from the Republicans.
For thine is the Presidency Kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
for two terms.
Amen.

(I am so going to a very warm place for writing this.... Crossposted to DFB)

Faulkner Goes Legit - No Rumors of Pay-offs or Lapse in Judgement Evident.

Hair Fan Club obviously plays important role in selection

Dateline: Granger, Ind.


The following press release found it's way into the WPBCHQ Inbox this morning:


CHRIS FAULKNER ELECTED TO SERVE ON MID-WEST BOARD FOR THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF POLITICAL CONSULTANTS

During the July meeting of the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC), Chris Faulkner was nominated and confirmed to serve as a board member for the Mid-West Chapter. Faulkner will be serving as one of four Republican representatives on the board, along with four Democrats and four Independents.

Chris Faulkner is Vice President of Faulkner Strategies, located in Granger, Indiana. Faulkner Strategies is a marketing and political consulting firm, a nationally renowned direct mail vendor, and a contributor in issue-advocacy campaigns.

Beyond his current role at Faulkner Strategies, Chris has led many campaign training schools both in the U.S. and abroad. In 2004, Chris served as Executive Director of the Republican National Committee’s effort in Minnesota to re-elect President Bush. He also worked as a District Director for former Congressman Chris Chocola in Indiana.

The AAPC was formed to represent political consultants, media consultants, pollsters, campaign managers, corporate public affairs officers, professors, fund-raisers, lobbyists, congressional staffers and vendors. The organization’s members vary in ideology, forming a coalition of Republicans, Democrats and Independents. As campaigns become more extensive, the role of political consultants has greatly increased. The AAPC serves as an organization to encourage the best in their fields to grow and strengthen the American electoral system.

Chris Faulkner’s insight and experience will be a valuable addition to the Mid-West Board of the American Association of Political Consultants.

You can connect with Chris online with Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. You can also catch his commentary on his blog www.gopgrunt.com.



CONGRATULATIONS, Chris Faulkner! You can catch some of the Faulkner insight on these pages as Chris is also conspirator here... which proves: "The Tough Really Do Turn Pro."

Pelosi to America: "We Will Drill" (Well, we'll at least consider it.)

Speaker Pelosi Caves to Public Pressure (almost.)

More likely, she's getting an earful from her Caucus and, while she's not going to lose her re-election, that Democratic Caucus will vote for Speaker in the next session of Congress.

Dateline: Somewhere on the Save the Planet World Tour in between book signings.

THE Christian Science Monitor reports that Speaker Pelosi has reversed herself and will allow a vote on limited off-shore drilling. (8/17 edition)

In a shift on Saturday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the House will take up comprehensive energy legislation next month that includes partially lifting the 1981 ban on offshore drilling.

“It will consider opening portions of the Outer Continental Shelf for drilling, with appropriate safeguards, and without taxpayer subsidies to Big Oil,” she said in the weekly Democratic radio address on Saturday.


You can read the whole article here.

UPDATE: "Tell your Peeps to follow our Tweets"

www.Santo4Cooperstown.org "days away from launch". @SantoFans up on Twitter.

We've heard that development of the Santo4Cooperstown website we reported on last week has made significant progress and should be ready to "go live" in a matter of days.

Over the weekend it seems an agreement was reached to host the site and a beta version is, or will be, in testing this week. "Once all the glitches and hitches have been worked out the site will go live" a source told WPBC.

A source "very close" to the development told the WPBC staff that, "I think we will be up by September 1. Hopefully sooner if things go well. There is a lot to test."

WPBC notes that @SantoFans went live on Twitter Saturday to "provide updates and information" related to the Santo4Cooperstown movement. Cubs fans who use Twitter can "follow SantoFans" for updated info on the launch as well as links and alerts.

Friday, August 15, 2008

More Bad News on Pennsylvania Street

Like you needed any more proof the Cage-Liner's not worth the paper it's printed on, this just in ... delivering the bad news today on their website, local rag is kicking 23 more to the curb.

The lay-offs are a part of 600 pink slips that Gannett is sending out. New publisher, Michael Kane, made the announcement in an email.

First question that came to our minds here at the HQ: "Will Dennis be getting a pink slip anytime soon?"

You have to feel bad for the folks who are getting the axe. Hopefully, there is a bright future in new media for these people. It's always the hard-working grunts that pay for the failures of leadership that have turned a once proud newspaper of record into a collection of AP releases and public notices. The Pros are still willing to give the new guy the benefit of the doubt, but this isn't the start we had hoped for. We actually hope Mr. Kane can turn things around and give the community a real newspaper again.

When Schools are Outlawed, Only Teachers Will Have Guns

Dateline: Harrold, TX.

We're wondering about the whole 1,000 feet rule. Nonetheless, those gutsy school administrators in Texas are going to let the teachers pack heat. As life-long supporters of the NRA, we couldn't be happier - viva Winchester!

Read the whole article here.

Dungeons & Dragons and Pop-up Campers

I am not “normal” for a lot of reasons. One of my many quirks is people watching. I just can’t help it. When I see people I wonder about their voting and consumer habits. This is going to be a long post so bear with me.

A couple of weekends ago my family went camping in one of the many great state parks scattered across Indiana and Michigan. I could not help but noticing a couple of things…


  • Where are the tents? Everyone (but us of course) seems to have pop-up campers, pull behinds and 5th wheels. Does anyone even worry when it rains anymore?

  • Smoking. Holy cow, I know it is illegal in so many places that smokers feel like freedom fighters in the jungle. I would estimate at least half or more of the adults I observed were smokers.

  • NASCAR fans. I would say you were more likely to see a flag with a race car number on it than the stars and stripes attached to most of the campers.

  • Tattoos everywhere. Don’t want to make any stereo-types but I am just calling it as I see it.

  • Family activity abounds. There has been many a column, op-ed and whiny diatribe about the lack of real talking and family interaction seen in the press. Not at the campsite, fireside talks, throwing the football, fishing were all very common.

Yesterday I was in Indianapolis and was fascinated to see all the attendees to the GenCon event going on this week. What is GenCon you ask? Well, obviously, you don’t play Dungeons & Dragons, World of Warcraft, Magic the Gathering or any of the many other popular fantasy games. So what did I see? Basically, as I said earlier, stereo-types exist for a reason.


  • 18-30 obese males. Not everyone was overweight but most of these guys have slain many dragons but not seen a gym.

  • Disposable income. If you are going to spend that much money on computer gaming equipment, miniature Orcs and comic books you are doing more than working part time at Best Buy.

  • Body odor. Ok, I know this may seem mean but if you walk around those tables you can not help but notice more than few guys who could use some of that Axe body spray (hint, hint, great target audience for the folks selling that stuff). Let’s face it, if you are spending 36 hours in front of your X Box 360 you are not going to have time to shower.

  • Swords, leather armor, chain mail, fart joke t-shirts, kilts. This is a group of folks who are clearly not afraid to express themselves in what they wear.

  • What the heck is ESPN? I seriously doubt anyone in there has any idea the Olympics is on or that football season is around the corner.

  • Highly intelligent. Eavesdropping on some conversations and watching some of the games you can not help but realize that these guys are smart. Encyclopedic knowledge of Chaos Space Marines and World War II German armored vehicles may not look good on a resume but stupid people could not master that much info.

So why would a political campaign care about these groups? Because voter participation and partisan ID is very low amongst both groups. We spend thousands of dollars trying to corner folks at home or get them to admit their party preference on the phone with mediocre results.

Maybe we should stop trying to find them and just go meet them where they gather? Maybe we should spend less time in door-to-door canvass and more time working the booth at the arts and crafts festival or home improvement show? Maybe we should stop treating events more like real campaign opportunities and less like troublesome interruptions to “real” campaign work.

I am just sayin’…you should think about it.

And Now For Something Really Important

Dateline: Chicago

BREAKING NEWS: Cubs fans and fellow flacks Mike Jezierski, Trevor Foughty, and Rick Wilson are currently in development of a new website and blog - Santo4Cooperstown.org - and we here in the WPBCHQ got a sneak-peak at the website design and layout. Needless to say, pretty friggin' cool. We were sworn to secrecy but we had our fingers crossed when promised so it doesn't count.

The website is a collaborative effort and the contents span everything from the All-Star Third Baseman's career from June 26, 1960 to his last major league appearance on September 29, 1974, to his recent work as WGN broadcaster and work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

The website has information on Ron's bio, stats, links, a page about how the HOF voting works and who votes, everything you'll need to know.

Despite our proclivity to frozen blender concoctions of questionable recipe, in our opinion: Ron Santo deserves to be in the Hall of Fame and these flacks are just the kind of knuckleheads that can't take no for an answer.

You can help do it. Cubs fans can join in, pitch in, volunteer, or just send notes of encouragement by dropping an email to rickwilson@cubsmvp.com.


More information as the story develops. Stay tuned ...

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Obamamya$$! Are you kidding me? You call this a vacation?

Dateline:Hawaii

The Wall Street Journal reports
that Obama-mama-mia is doing more than just soaking up the sun and swingin' the nine-iron while reliving his youth out on the big island.

The Obamassaiah took in a cool $1.3 million from a fundraiser at the swank Kahala Resort and Hotel.

Wish I could do that on my vacation. But then again, I never take a vacation.

Good Afternoon, Mr & Mrs America, and all the Ships at Sea ...

Dateline: Washington. This just in.

House GOP Leader Boehner points out that Dem leaders in the House are beginning to feel the heat from American Registered Likely Voters on the whole energy vote thing and are scrambling to come up with something that will allow them to "look like their voting for something."

Boehner points out in a blog post the likely Dem strategy to get a meaningless vote and then walk off the field:
The Hill confirms that Speaker Pelosi’s latest rhetoric on oil and gas drilling indicated that she’s made a tactical move, not an unconditional surrender.” In reality, she has no intention of providing Members on both sides of the aisle the opportunity to vote on meaningful legislation to increase production of American energy to help reduce gas prices. Rather, she and her Democratic colleagues are preparing to load up a potential bill with poison pills that will continue to deny the American people of the increased energy production they expect and deserve.

While the GOPers in the House continue their Guerrilla Congress this week in Washington, the Dems are "strategerizing" how to fleece the American people (and the big, evil oil companies) Boehner points out:

As House Democrats determine their next move against a real vote on lower fuel costs, Americans are right to be skeptical. After all, the Speaker has derailed the FY 2009 appropriations process in order to avoid a vote on the GOP’s “all of the above” energy plan, used parliamentary trickery to avoid Republican amendments to bolster American energy production, and blocked consideration of the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566), the House Republicans’ comprehensive bill to increase production of American energy, promote more conservation and efficiency, and encourage the use of more alternative and renewable fuels.

Families and small businesses feeling the pain at the pump can be sure that the Speaker has more tricks up her sleeve to stop the production of more American energy.


How much longer, Madame Speaker? Americans will not wait until next year, not even next month. Do the right thing: Call Congress back for a single up or down vote on a freely debated, open rule, comprehensive energy bill.



GOP's Guerrilla Congress to Pelosi: "Hey, We're Still Here!"

The Battle of Ideas Continues! Meanwhile, Pelosi continues hawking "really bad" book.

Dateline: Washington. While Speaker Pelosi continues her "Save the Planet" world tour, hawking her critically panned new book and Michael Phelps continues his charge for 8 Olympic Golds - House GOPers continue on their relentless fight to move America toward Energy Independence.

House Republicans are once again gathering on the House floor to continue their fight for a vote on the American Energy Act. House Republicans and the overwhelming majority of the American People believe that Speaker Pelosi should cancel her book tour and immediately reconvene the House so that we can pass a bill to lower the cost of gasoline and energy.

This morning, at 11:00 a.m., House Republicans will continue to deliver their message directly to the American people on the House floor. So, if you happen to be in Washington today, drop by and be a part of the historic National discussion that the GOPers are engaging in.

H/T GOP Whip's floor assistant (What a hard-working guy ...)

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Those Pesky Republicans

Dateline: Washington. This just in from the GOP Whip's floor assistant.

Republicans remain on the Floor, committed to fighting for lower energy costs.

As Democrats adjourned for a five-week vacation, 105 Republican Members, over half of our conference, have taken to the House floor to speak directly to the Americans visiting our nation’s Capitol. Thousands continue to cheer as House Republicans continue fighting for a vote to produce more American-made energy and reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.

What will it take for the Speaker to realize that she needs to allow a vote on increased American Production and help America’s families?

Not a single House Democrat has returned from vacation and Speaker Pelosi continues her book tour. (BTW, for those of you keeping track: Of 124 reviews on Amazon.com, 106 rate the book at 1 star of possible 5 - at this rate she'll have to pull a Jim Wright to sell enough to break even.)

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Lemme freshen that drink, pal!

Just in case you needed a refresher:

Promise: “This leadership team will create the most honest, most open, and most ethical Congress in history” – Speaker-Elect Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), November 2006.

See Post below.

Another "Say" one thing, "Do" another moment

Yet another example of the most ethical Congress in history...

GOP Leader John Boehner exposes yet another example of the hypocrisy of the Pelosi led Congress in his blog. Read the whole post here.

Monday, August 11, 2008

NACNY PELOSI is in bed with Boone Pickens!!!

Speaker is investor in CLNE ... no wonder she does not want drilling in America.

Here's one you will not see on the Evening News on ABC, CBS, NBC or CNN et al. Read the whole story here.

Trust me, fellow flacks, hacks and others of questionable repute, I am not against people being rich. I love investors and investments. I want to be financially secure in my dotage. But, what really honks me off is people like Pelosi who say one thing, but do another, and get personal financial gain in the process. Don't get me wrong, Nancy is completely free to invest in Pickens' company. But to say that we need to increase the use of alternative (wind/solar/geo-thermal, etc.) energy and not allow a vote on drilling is just shameless - especially as millions of Americans continue to struggle with high gas and oil prices, and the prospect of the winter heating season looming just around the seasonal corner. It's one thing to cut back on driving, it's completely another to freeze all winter.

Another example of the "most ethical" Congress in history?

Drive-by ME-dia is irrelevant. Pence: We don't need the Main Stream Media.

New video from Business & Media Institute on the GOPer's take: MSM is irrelevant (where have you heard that before?)

Indiana GOPer Mike Pence says: "New media is taking this message to the country."

Another Indiana GOPer, Rep Dan Burton, suggests McCain should engage in the debate and call on Comrade Pelosi to bring everyone back for a vote.

New Video from GOP Guerrilla Congress

This just in from the redstate.com video vault. Members describe lack of participation from the "other side of the aisle" and they're naming names! Plus, "What you can do" to carry the message beyond the darkened Halls of Congress.

View Indiana GOPers Burton and Pence, among others, on the Guerrilla Congress energy debate here!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Only in Urban America: "dem stiletto wearin' 'ho's beat my babies"

This just in from the Smoking Gun, Dateline: Florida

AUGUST 8--Florida cops are searching for members of a girl gang that attacked two teenagers with high-heeled shoes, including an eight-inch brown stiletto. The assault occurred early this morning outside Club Crunk, a Fort Pierce nightspot that had refused admission to the victims, sisters aged 18 and 17 (the pair was out celebrating the older sibling's birthday). According to a Fort Pierce Police Department report, the sisters told cops that the girl gang "approached them...and began punching and kicking." The sisters, who identified their assailants as members of a group known as "The Rock Star Girls" and "The Cheerleaders," reported that three of the assailants removed their shoes and began beating them with the oversized heels. One attacker, swinging a silver shoe with a six-inch heel, remarked, "B, I am gonna kill you." The report adds, "'B' is street language for the English noun 'Bitch.'" The document, a copy of which you'll find below, notes that the mother of the victims had called 911 after her daughters were battered and told responding officers, "Look at my babies, they were beaten at the club by like 30 hoes."

Krauthammer: No Will to Drill

KRAUTHAMMER IS A FRIGGIN' GENIUS ...

(You gotta love this guy)

In Case You Missed It:

“The problem for the Democrats is that the argument for ‘do everything’ is not rocket science. It is common sense. Which is why House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, surveying the political rubble resulting from her insistence on not even permitting drilling to come to a floor vote, has quietly told her members that they can save their skins and vote for drilling when the pre-election Congress convenes next month. Pelosi says she wants to save the planet. Apparently saving her speakership comes first.”

H/T: WaPo editorial page (www.washingtonpost.com)

Read the whole article here

DATELINE: Washington ... GOP says " We're here, and we're waiting."

This just in from the GOP Whip's Floor Assistant:

"As the high cost of gasoline continues to cripple the American family, Speaker Pelosi goes forth with her vital book tour (Amazon.com rank #1,431).

Meanwhile, House Republicans will take to the Floor at 10 am to call on the Speaker to convene the House for an up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act, which will increase the supply of American-made energy, improve conservation and efficiency, and promote new and expanding energy technologies to help lower the price at the pump and reduce America’s increasingly costly and dangerous dependence on foreign sources of energy. "

Republicans to America: We're here, we're waiting, we're ready to vote on real energy reform. Where are the Dems?

UPDATED 10:42AM from Whip's Floor Asst: "As Speaker Pelosi autographs copies of her book, our Republican Leader, Rep. Boehner, will take to the floor in 10 minutes to demand an up-or-down vote to increase American energy production."

Thursday, August 7, 2008

This gives new meaning to "Getting Hammered"

Well fellow Flacks, hacks, and Dumpster Divers, this is one for the Hall of Fame, and since it Thursday, the Official Start of the Weekend Party here at WPBC HQ, we thought we'd give you something to chat about over a cocktail tonight.

You really have to read this. I can't believe that the arresting officer in this matter could "Miranda" this guy with a straight face.

I completely lost it about the "motor oil" (you'll see what I mean). Times like this make you wish you had a camera! This is one sick dude, but you just can't pass up the opportunity to have a laugh at this space-waster's expense. The Police Report is absolutely the most hysterical thing I have ever read. You really have to appreciate these Police Officers ability to describe the scene so "deftly" - if it were you humble Dumpster Diver, it would have been much less circumspectly described - Hats off to the Fort Wayne PD.

The only thing better would have been to call in for an assist from the HazMat guys at DNR or something ... need to clean up that oil spill, right? Hell, I woulda called in the Fire Department and the Carpenter's Union too.

Seriously fellow party-goers . . . Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

She's a Celeb, and she's HOT! Um, yeah?

Paris Hilton for President, well duh.

It's official. We have finally got the none-of-the-above candidate.
Where do we sign the petition?

DATELINE: WASHINGTON ... This just in

At 3:00 p.m. today - Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be doing an online event to promote her new book "Know Your Power." Judging by the amount of enthusiasm from the folks who have been in the Chamber for the last couple of days, it is clear that Americans want the Speaker to use that power, cut short her vacation, cancel her book tour and come back to work. House Republicans are here and waiting - ready to work.

(H/T - Whip Floor Assistant)