Karl Rove Discusses New Al Franken-Induced Senate Supermajority (Video)

Sen. Lindsey Graham: Torture works because we used it for 500 years (Video)

Senator Lindsey Graham speaks questions a witness in today's Senate Hearings on the treatment of terrorist detainees.



The Providence Journal reports:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Sharp partisan dispute is shaping up for Wednesday's Senate hearing, called by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, on the U.S. treatment of terrorist suspects in the wake of the September 11 attacks.


The Rhode Island Democrat has billed the session as the first public hearing on the issue since the Obama administration's release of the Bush Justice Department's legal memoranda authorizing interrogation techniques that critics have labeled torture.

Whitehouse has made no secret of his conclusions on the issue, titling the hearing: ``What Went Wrong? Torture and the Office of Legal Counsel in the Bush Adminstration.''

Ron Paul's Son, Dr. Rand Paul, To Run For Senate (Video)

Rand Paul, son of Congressman Ron Paul, gauges support for Senate run in Bowling Green & Paducah!

Some politicians feel the need to travel to Washington, DC to ask permission to run for office or to obtain some regal blessing. Rand Paul, this week, will travel to Teresa's Diner at 509 Gordon Ave Bowling Green to gauge support for a possible US Senate Run. Dr. Paul will be there for breakfast at 7AM Thursday May 7th.

May 8th, Dr. Paul will go to Paducah to speak to supporters. He will speak at the Gazebo (4PM) at 2nd and Broadway.

Wouldn't it be great if politicians spent more time getting the approval of Kentuckians, and less time being "anointed" in DC?

We'd love to see you there; some of us still believe in elections not coronations.

*Dr. Rand Paul is an eye surgeon from Bowing Green, and the son of former Presidential candidate Congressman Ron Paul.

*Dr. Rand Paul is the founder and chairman of Kentucky Taxpayers United.

Arlen Specter Switches Party, "my Party has not defined who I am" (Video)

Sen. Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, intends to become a Democrat.



In doing so, he has officially sold his soul for political gain. This switch has nothing to do with ideology and everything to do with maintaining his seat in the Senate. Specter has placed self-preservation and political expediency above the good of the Country and the will of the people of Pennsylvania. Specter is currently trailing in Republican primary polls in PA and most pundits agree he would have lost next year's Senate primary to Rep. Pat Toomey.

President Obama called Specter to let him know Democrats were "thrilled to have" him. Of course they are excited! With the likely appointment of Al Franken to the U.S. Senate, the Democrats will have a filibuster-proof super majority. Combine that with the overwhelming majority in the House, and there is nothing anyone can do to stop the radical socialist take-over of America by Obama, Pelosi and Reid.

Congratulations, America! You have destroyed my country from within. Thanks for nothing!




Via Politico

Statement by Sen. Arlen Specter:

I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.

Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.

When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be popular with the Republican Party. But I saw the stimulus as necessary to lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now experiencing.

Since then, I have traveled the state, talked to Republican leaders and office-holders and my supporters and I have carefully examined public opinion. It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable. On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate. I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.

I have decided to run for reelection in 2010 in the Democratic primary.

I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for reelection determined in a general election.

I deeply regret that I will be disappointing many friends and supporters. I can understand their disappointment. I am also disappointed that so many in the Party I have worked for for more than four decades do not want me to be their candidate. It is very painful on both sides. I thank specially Senators McConnell and Cornyn for their forbearance.

I am not making this decision because there are no important and interesting opportunities outside the Senate. I take on this complicated run for reelection because I am deeply concerned about the future of our country and I believe I have a significant contribution to make on many of the key issues of the day, especially medical research. NIH funding has saved or lengthened thousands of lives, including mine, and much more needs to be done. And my seniority is very important to continue to bring important projects vital to Pennsylvania's economy.

I am taking this action now because there are fewer than thirteen months to the 2010 Pennsylvania Primary and there is much to be done in preparation for that election. Upon request, I will return campaign contributions contributed during this cycle.

While each member of the Senate caucuses with his Party, what each of us hopes to accomplish is distinct from his party affiliation. The American people do not care which Party solves the problems confronting our nation. And no Senator, no matter how loyal he is to his Party, should or would put party loyalty above his duty to the state and nation.

My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans. Unlike Senator Jeffords' switch, which changed party control, I will not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture. For example, my position on Employees Free Choice (card check) will not change.

Whatever my party affiliation, I will continue to be guided by President Kennedy's statement that sometimes party asks too much. When it does, I will continue my independent voting and follow my conscience on what I think is best for Pennsylvania and America.

Breitbart reports:

WASHINGTON (AP) - Veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania disclosed plans Tuesday to switch parties, a move intended to boost his chances of winning re-election next year that also will push Democrats within one seat of a 60-vote filibuster-resistant majority.

"I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans," Specter said in a statement posted on a Web site devoted to Pennsylvania politics and confirmed by his office. Several Senate officials said a formal announcement was expected later in the day or Wednesday.


President Barack Obama called Specter almost immediately after he was informed of the decision to say the Democratic Party was "thrilled to have you," according to a White House official.

Specter, 79 and in his fifth term, is one of a handful of Republican moderates remaining in Congress in a party now dominated by conservatives.Several officials said secret talks that preceded his decision reached into the White House, involving both Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden, a longtime colleague in the Senate. Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell as well as Democratic leaders in Congress also were involved, added the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose details.

With Specter, Democrats would have 59 Senate seats. Democrat Al Franken is ahead in a marathon recount in Minnesota, and if he ultimately wins his race against Republican Norm Coleman, he would become the party's 60th vote. That is the number needed to overcome a filibuster.

Judges In Minnesota Rule Al Franken Is U.S. Senate Winner (Video)

Stuart Smalley goes to Washington!

Seriously, what is wrong with people in Minnesota? I understand Norm Coleman may have some weaknesses, but Al Franken? Really?

VIDEO: Kettle, It's Pot You're Black; Sen. Boxer On GOP Objection To Reconciliation

Reconciliation is a legislative process of the United States Senate intended to allow a contentious budget bill to be considered without being subject to filibuster.

Budget bills require 60 votes to pass the Senate, however, reconciliation would reduce that number to 51 making it impossible for Republicans to stop the Obama/Pelosi/Reid socialist take-over of America.

Socialist Spendocrats like Boxer are trying to use reconciliation to pass both Obama's National Healthcare plan and his job-killing Cap and Trade energy plan.

Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) says reconciliation on a health care bill would be the equivalent of a "declaration of war".

Boxer's assault on past GOP reconciliation efforts is a childish display. These libs are so full of crap, it's painful to watch at times.

They continue to blatantly try to re-write the rules to pass their radical agenda.

The Hill reports:

"There is an interest in not taking any tools off the table," Sebelius said in response to a request by committee ranking member Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) that she reject reconciliation.

Enzi replied that if Democrats use reconciliation, which would enable them to pass a healthcare bill with just 51 votes rather than the 60 normally required in the Senate, it would be the equivalent of a "declaration of war" on the minority.

"I know that the president is very dedicated to having a bipartisan process for health reform," Sebelius said.

BREAKING: Senate Passes CRAPulus 61-37; Final Bill Complete With Golf Cart Tax Breaks and Bureacrat Office Renovations

From Fox News:

The Senate approved an $838 billion economic recovery package bill Tuesday, as Democrats held on to the few Republican supporters who helped hammer out a compromise measure last week.


The bill passed by a vote of 61-37. Sixty votes were needed.

***

The CRAPulus now includes this crap:

The Latest Version Of The Spending Bill Includes New Cars For The Government, Golf Cart Tax Breaks, And Bureaucrat Office Renovations



• $300 Million for Federal Employee Company Cars And Neighborhood Electric Vehicles: (Pg. 96 of the Collins-Nelson Amendment, “For capital expenditures and necessary expenses of acquiring motor vehicles with higher fuel economy, including: hybrid vehicles; neighborhood electric vehicles; electric vehicles; and commercially-available, plug-in hybrid vehicles, $300,000,000”)



• $3 Million Tax Benefit For Golf Carts, Electric Motorcycles and ATVs (That Don’t Exceed 25mph): (Pg.474 of the Collins-Nelson Amendment, “Credit for certain other vehicles… meets the requirements of section 571.500 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations;” And “Estimated Effects of the Cantwell Amendment,” Joint Committee on Taxation, 2/06/09)



• $125 Million for DC Sewers: (Pg. 94 of the Collins-Nelson Amendment, “$125,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010, to continue implementation of the Combined Sewer Overflow Long-Term Control Plan”)



• $1.652 Billion for Government Facilities And Renovations: (Pg.3 of the Collins-Nelson Amendment, Government facilities upgrades for the Department of Agriculture, $200M; Pg.41 of the Collins-Nelson Amendment, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, $377M; Pg.124 of the Collins-Nelson Amendment, the Smithsonian Institution, $75M; Pg.130 of the Collins-Nelson Amendment, the Health Resources and Services Administration, $88M; Pg.130 of the Collins-Nelson Amendment, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, $412M; Pg.133 of the Collins-Nelson Amendment, the National Institutes of Health, $500M)

***

CRAPulus (krap-yuh-luhs)
noun, verb CRAPulized, CRAPuloused
1. Generational Theft Act of 2009
2. Congressional Radical Anti-American Pork
3. Congress Ruins America With Pork
4. Congress Raped America People
5. Slang: Sometimes Vulgar.
a. nonsense; drivel.
b. falsehood, exaggeration, propaganda, or the like.
6. refuse; rubbish; junk; litter: Will you clean up that crapulus!
Verbs
1.crapulus around, Slang: Sometimes Vulgar.
a. to behave in a foolish or silly manner.
b.to avoid work.
2. crapulus on, Slang: Sometimes Vulgar.
a. to treat badly, esp. by humiliating, insulting, or slighting.
b. to cause misery, misfortune, or discomfort.
3. crapulus up, Slang: Sometimes Vulgar. to botch, ruin, or cheapen; make a mess of.

"Stimulus" CRAAP Will Most Likely Pass, Senators Snowe, Collins and Specter Sell Souls To Liberals

As expected, traitorous "Republican" Senators Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins and Arlen Specter sold out to Liberals and their Congressional Radical Anti-American Pork (CRAAP) "stimulus".

What's more frightening than anything else we've discussed during the past couple weeks is that the $800 Billion or $900 Billion or whatever raises the bar of future legislation.

Besides being questionably effective -- the CBO reported this week that the package will actually hurt the economy more than if Obama and Pelosi did nothing! -- this bill sets a new standard of spending for Liberals to fall back on in weeks, months and years to come.

Don't fool yourself; this is only the beginning of wild, radical spending on pork, payback to voting blocks and an effort to change American Democracy into a Socialist, totalitarian regime.

Just watch. Wait. And See.

Via Breitbart:

WASHINGTON (AP) - With job losses soaring nationwide, Senate Democrats reached agreement with a small group of Republicans Friday night on an economic stimulus measure at the heart of President Barack Obama's plan for combatting the worst recession in decades.

"The American people want us to work together. They don't want to see us dividing along partisan lines on the most serious crisis confronting our country," said Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, one of three Republican moderates who broke ranks and pledged their votes for the bill.

In addition to Collins, Republican Sens. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Olympia Snowe of Maine pledged to vote for the legislation.

Whatever the price tag, the compromise marked a victory for the new president, who has veered between calls for bipartisanship and increasingly strong criticism of Republicans in recent days. And it indicated that Democratic leaders remain on track to deliver a bill to the White House by the end of next week.

Yeah, right bipartisan. Thanks again Olympia, Susan and Arlen. 3 Republican votes out of both houses of congress, less than 2% of Republicans, will, in fact provide Democrats with talking point fodder will they will, in fact, claim "bipartisan" support.

Summary Of Senate Republicans Economic Stimulus Proposal; GOP Plan Half the Price, Twice the Growth

This is very similar to the plan from the Republicans in the House.

Overview


$430 billion dollars on tax cuts.


$114 billion for infrastructure projects.


$138 billion for extending unemployment insurance, food stamps and other provisions to help “Americans in need.”


$31 billion to address the housing crisis ($11 billion for a loan modification program,



$20.4 billion in tax incentives for home purchases, $50 million to temporarily increase loan limits for Freddie, Fannie and FHA)



Following are details of the proposal by John McCain of Arizona, John Thune of South Dakota, Richard Burr of North Carolina, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Mel Martinez of Florida.


Tax Provisions:
* For one year, cut in half to 3.1 percent the payroll tax for all U.S. employees. Cost: $165 billion.


* Lower the 10 percent income tax bracket to 5 percent and the 15 percent bracket to 10 percent for one year. Cost: $60 billion.


* Slash the corporate tax rate to 25 percent from 35 percent for a year. For small businesses filing as individuals, their tax bracket would also go down to 25 percent from 35 percent. Cost: $50 billion.


* Offer in 2009 to homebuyers a tax credit of $15,000 or 10 percent of the purchase price, whichever is less. Cost: $20.4 billion.


Spending Provisions:


* Extend unemployment insurance benefits and food stamps through 2009 and eliminate taxes on unemployment benefits for the same time period. Cost: $48.15 billion.



* Use federal money to discourage mortgage servicers and lenders from executing home foreclosures. Cost: $11 billion.


* Grants to states to build and repair roads and bridges. $65 billion.


* Improve, repair and modernize Defense Department facilities. Order and/or repair equipment, vehicles, material and ammunition for combat troops. $17 billion.


* Grants to states to make investments in public transportation systems. $3 billion.


* Grants for airports to build new runways, install runway safety equipment and other infrastructure projects. Cost: $1.1 billion.


Other provisions:


* All spending programs would end three years after the legislation became law.


* To move toward reducing the budget deficit, after two consecutive quarters of more than 2 percent of inflation-adjusted gross domestic product growth, spending provisions from the stimulus package that has not been spent or obligated would be canceled. Additionally, there would be a 2 percent across-the-board spending reduction to help balance the budget by 2015.


* Establish commissions to review Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.



Read the full GOP Senate Bill here.

Sources: Gov. to Give Gregg Senate Seat to Republican Newman

Al Franken is expected to win Minnesota's Senate race and President Obama nominated Republican Senator Judd Gregg to be Commerce Secretary.

New Hampshire Governor John Lynch will appoint Gregg's replacement to the Senate upon Gregg's confirmation.

By appointing a Democrat, the Senate would have a filibuster-proof "Super Majority" and Republicans would have no means to block any radical socialist legislation introduced.

CONCORD, N.H. -Two sources involved in discussions about replacing New Hampshire GOP Sen. Judd Gregg say Gov. John Lynch will appoint Republican Bonnie Newman to replace Gregg.

The sources asked not to be identified because neither was authorized to speak before Lynch's announcement. President Obama is to nominate Gregg to be U.S. commerce secretary, but Gregg has said he would leave the Senate only if the balance of power there is maintained.

Newman was Gregg's former chief of staff and has held prominent leadership positions in government, higher education and the private sector.

Support For Stimulus Waning, GOP Senators Tell Sunday Talk Shows Congressional Radical Anti-American Pork (CRAAP) Act Will Fail

We are hoping that any "bipartisan" support in the Senate for the BS Pork Generational Theft "Stimulus" Act will be support in opposition to the crap sandwich behemoth passed last week by the US House. The latest from the Sunday talk shows.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Sunday the massive stimulus bill backed by President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats could go down to defeat if it's not stripped of unnecessary spending and focused more on housing issues and tax cuts.


McConnell and other Republicans suggested that the bill needed an overhaul because it doesn't pump enough into the private sector through tax cuts and allows Democrats to go on a spending spree unlikely to jolt the economy. The Republican leader also complained that Democrats had not been as bipartisan in writing the bill as Obama had said he wanted.

"I think it may be time ... for the president to kind of get a hold of these Democrats in the Senate and the House, who have rather significant majorities, and shake them a little bit and say, 'Look, let's do this the right way,'"

McConnell said. "I can't believe that the president isn't embarrassed about the products that have been produced so far."

Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, said he was seeing an erosion of support for the bill and suggested that lawmakers should consider beginning anew.

"When I say start from scratch, what I mean is that the basic approach of this bill, we believe, is wrong," Kyl said.

Democrats, not surprisingly, continue to use "doom and gloom" scare tactics to ensure "swift passage" of the bill. Their goal is to enact the Congressional Radical Anit-American Pork (CRAAP) Act into law before Americans really find out the truth.

"We cannot delay this," said Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Senate Democrats' No. 2 leader. "We can't engage in the old political rhetoric of saying, 'Well, maybe it could be a little bit better here and a little bit better there.' We've got to pull together."

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., agreed that more could be done in the area of housing, though he said tapping money in the separate financial bailout fund would be a more likely way to pay for mortgage relief.

"I've talked to some Republicans on the other side of the aisle. We said to them we're open about this. Come to us with your ideas. Let's move forward," Durbin said on Fox.

Durbin added: "This is not another bill. This is not another political debate. "We are facing one of the most serious economic crises in our nation's history."

However, the NY Post and Fox News are reporting that some Democrats may vote against the CRAAP.

President Obama's stimulus plan could be in deep trouble with members of his own party in the Senate, a key Democratic lawmaker said yesterday.


"I don't even know how many Democrats will vote for it as it stands today," Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) told Fox News.


Republicans appear to have the support of some Democrats, including North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad, head of the Budget Committee, and Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson.

"As it stands it would be very hard for me to vote for this package, because I don't think it is fully targeted, timely and temporary," Conrad said. "I think there is widespread dissatisfaction with the package that came over from the House."

Fox News reported Friday that Obama's Army, including moveon.org and the SEIU were running TV ads in some Republican Senator's states to put pressure on the Senators to support the CRAAP.

Net Right Nation has narrowed that list to the following:

Susan Collins (R-ME) $258,864,00
Olympia Snowe (R-ME) $258,864,00
Judd Gregg (R-NH) $267,166,000
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) $152,158,000
Charles Grassley (R-IA) $625,594,000

Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), appearing on Sean Hannity's radio show, indicated that "one, maybe two" GOP Senator's would defect to SUPPORT the "Stimulus". Thanks to Fox News, we can now narrow it down to the above suspects.

***

Wait, see, hope and pray that the Senate can delay this CRAAP and write a new one. Let your voice be heard.

Contact Your Representative, Senator and The President and tell them you have had enough of their CRAAP.

Obama Commerce Secretary Pick Will Give Liberal Senators Filibuster-Proof Super Majority

Rumor has it President Obama may tap New Hampshire Republican Senator Judd Gregg to be his Commerce Secretary.

However, if he were to accept the position, New Hampshire's Democrat Governor John Lynch would appoint a replacement for Gregg.

Obviously, Lynch would appoint a fellow Democrat.

Remembering that Stuart Smalley Al Franken will most likely be successful in stealing the Minnesota Senate seat, this will give the Democrats their coveted "Super Majority" of 60-40. Republicans in the Senate would have no method to stop legislation of any kind.

The Radical Liberal Socialists will then have complete control over the White House, The House of Representatives and the US Senate.

That should scare the crap out of you.

We strongly encourage Gregg to remove himself from consideration. This is nothing more than a calculated political play by Obama and Harry Reid.

Contact Senator Gregg.

Senate Adds Even More Pork To "Economic Stimulus" Generational Theft Act. Honeybee Flood Insurance, ATV Trails, STD Prevention and Fish Barriers

SOURCE:
In Addition To Earmarks In House Bill, Senate Bill Includes Millions For Projects From Fish Barriers To ATV Trails To Honey Bee Insurance

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: “We Will Ban All Earmarks In The Recovery Package.” (Barack Obama, Press Conference, 1/6/09)

• $20 million “for the removal of small- to medium-sized fish passage barriers.” (Pg. 45 of Senate Appropriations Committee report: “20,000,000 for the removal of small- to medium-sized fish passage barriers)

• $400 million for STD prevention (Pg. 60 of Senate Appropriations Committee report: “CDC estimates that a proximately 19 million new STD infections occur annually in the United States …The Committee has included $400,000,000 for testing and prevention of these conditions.”)

• $25 million to rehabilitate off-roading (ATV) trails (Pg. 45 of Senate Appropriations Committee report: “$25,000,000 is for recreation maintenance, especially for rehabilitation of off-road vehicle routes, and $20,000,000 is for trail maintenance and restoration”)

• $34 million to remodel the Department of Commerce HQ (Pg. 15 of Senate Appropriations Committee report: $34,000,000 for the Department of Commerce renovation and modernization”)

• $70 million to “Support Supercomputing Activities” for climate research (Pgs. 14-15 of Senate Appropriations Committee Report: $70,000,000 is directed to specifically support supercomputing activities, especially as they relate to climate research)

• $150 million for honey bee insurance (Pg. 102 of Senate Appropriations Committee report: “The Secretary shall use up to $ 50,000,000 per year, and $150,000,000 in the case of 2009, from the Trust Fund to provide emergency relief to eligible producers of livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish to aid in the reduction of losses due to disease, adverse weather, or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the Secretary”)

What the hell is a "fish barrier"? Protecting bees from disease? Remodeling the Commerce Department? Can we wait until we actually have a Commerce Secretary? ATV Trails? Are you kidding me?

***
Generational Theft Act: At least the Oklahoma Senators looking out for the folks!

U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn weighed in Thursday against a massive package of spending and tax cuts designed to stimulate the economy.

Joining a group of fellow Republican senators, the two Oklahomans questioned whether many of the areas funded in the $800 billion-plus measure would actually end up providing a much-needed economic boost.

"We know what works," Inhofe said, citing previous packages that succeeded.

He repeated his previous comments of disappointment that spending on infrastructure projects such as highways is not a bigger percentage of the bill. Citing the package's historic price tag, Inhofe said that each of the 3 million to 4 million jobs expected to be created would cost about $295,000. Coburn also said spending on certain areas would help but predicted 80 percent of the money in the bill would not stimulate the economy.

"This is about spending money we don't have for things we don't need," he said.

Coburn said cities across Oklahoma have prepared their own lists of projects they hope to get funded.

"Everybody wants their share," he said. Future generations will be denied wealth, Coburn said, if the bill passes. "This bill is a generational theft bill," he said.

***

It is widely speculated that some key Republican Senators will support the stimulus. Please contact them and ask them to support their fellow conservatives.

Sen. Susan Collins (202) 224-2523
Sen. Olympia Snowe (202) 224-5344
Sen. Arlen Specter (202) 224-4254


View the full Senate Contact List here. They serve us!

Stop The Stimulus!

National Republican Senatorial Committee Launches New Attack Ad On Harry Reid.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee put out this TV Ad Today attacking Sen. Harry Reid for supporting outrageous Federal spending.

Fellow conservatives need to know we're fighting the liberal status quo in Washington. Please forward this email to your friends, family and neighbors and ask them to watch our new TV ad.
--Rob Jesmer
Executive Director,
National Republican Senatorial Committee

Support Conservative Senators and visit REIDistributewealth.com.

Senate OKs Delay in Digital TV Changeover, Digital Converter Coupons: Government Waste At Its Finest. Where is the missing $780 Million?

Congress has officially wasted, lost or misused $780 Million of your tax payer money. Where is it? We need answers.

Town Hall reported yesterday:

The Senate on Monday voted unanimously to postpone the upcoming transition from analog to digital television broadcasting by four months to June 12 setting the stage for Congress to pass the proposal as early as Tuesday.

Monday's Senate vote is a big victory for the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress, who have been pushing for a delay amid growing concerns that too many Americans won't be ready for the currently scheduled Feb. 17 changeover.

Great! Looks like we don't need that $650 Million for "converter coupons" in that good ol' stimulus spending bill!

Who the hell are the 6.5 Million people still using rabbit ears anyway? Yup, that's what The Nielsen Co. estimates.

The Obama administration began pushing for a delay this month after the Commerce Department hit a $1.34 billion funding limit for coupons that help consumers pay for digital TV converter boxes. The boxes, which generally cost between $40 and $80 and can be purchased without a coupon, translate digital signals back into analog ones for older TVs.

*Sound of record scratching*

Wait, we've already spent $1,340,000,000 on these "coupons"? The Democrats want to add $650 million more bringing the total to nearly $2 billion?

That's about $300 per converter box. But the boxes only cost between $40 and $80 right?

Still with me? $300 per viewer for something on that even on the high end costs $80. So, even assuming no one will go out and purchase the boxes with their own money and assuming that there is an extra $120 per viewer that is "missing" or "misused"... where is the other $780 Million?

No, really? Where is it?

This is going to the inbox of my Republican Representative and my two Democratic Senators and I suggest everyone else do the same.

It's time for all of us to hold this "Transparent" government accountable to its words and its deeds.

Hope at Last! NY Governor Paterson Taps Conservative "Blue Dog" Democrat to Replace Hillary Clinton In US Senate

We proudly salute New York Governor David Paterson who announced today that Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand will replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the US Senate.

Gillibrand, whose family and politics have strong Republican ties, is friendly to the NRA and voted against the TARP bailout in September, The Village Voice reported.

The irony is that Paterson may be swinging from the nation's most prominent Democratic family to one with strong Republican ties. Gillibrand's father, Doug Rutnik, is an Albany insider and lobbyist whose ties to former GOP powerhouses Joe Bruno, George Pataki and Al D'Amato are legendary.



Ironically, Chuck Schumer, who defeated D'Amato in 1998, is said to be Gillibrand's top Democratic champion. What's even more ironic is that Gillibrand has a one hundred percent rating from the National Rifle Association, and Schumer made his own national reputation as a sponsor of the assault weapons ban and a fierce proponent of Brady bill and other gun control legislation. Gillibrand even opposes any limitations on the sale of semiautomatic weapons or "cop-killer" bullets that can pierce armored vests.

Schumer's other signature issue is the care and feeding of Wall Street, and Gillibrand voted against both of the Schumer-supported financial service bailout bills last fall, which have delivered billions to New York, salvaging institutions like Citigroup. An editorial in Crain's, the city's premier business news magazine, said recently that Gillibrand "should be disqualified" from seeking the senate seat "by her politically expedient vote" against the bailout.

Despite voting with House Democrats 93% of the time, she does validate her "Blue Dog" status in some instances.

Gillibrand has described her own voting record as "one of the most conservative in the state." She opposes any path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, supports renewing the Bush tax cuts for individuals earning up to $1 million annually, and voted for the Bush backed FISA bill that permits wiretapping of international calls. She was one of four Democratic freshmen in the country, and the only Democrat in the New York delegation, to vote for the Bush administration's bill to extend funding for the Iraq war shortly after she entered congress in 2007. While she now contends that she's always opposed the war and has voted for bills to end it, one upstate paper reported when she first ran for the seat: "She said she supports the war in Iraq." In addition to her vote to extend funding, she also missed a key vote to override a Bush veto of a Democratic bill with Iraq timetables.

That being said, Town Hall reports The American Conservative Union rates Gillibrand to be just as Liberal as Sec. Clinton:

Cong. Kirsten Gillibrand from Columbia County, NY. Her ACU rating in her only year rated year in Congress -- 8. Exactly the same as Clinton in 2007.

***Related

Liberal Bloggers Are Outraged!

Will MSM Label Incoming NY Senator as 'Maverick Democrat?'

Politics: Strange Bedfellows

Liberal Dems Howl

Caroline Kennedy Withdraws Her Name From Consideration to Senate

No matter how you slice it, Caroline Kennedy will NOT replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the US Senate.

The New York Times cited personal reasons:

Her concerns about Senator Edward M. Kennedy's deteriorating health (he was hospitalized after suffering a seizure during President Obama’s inaugural lunch on Tuesday ) prompted her decision to withdraw, this person said. Coping with her uncle’s condition was her most important priority, a situation not conducive to starting a high profile public job.

But The New York Post is reporting that another factor might be in play.

Caroline Kennedy tonight withdrew her name from consideration to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate after learning that Gov. David Paterson wasn't going to choose her, The Post has learned.

During the last few weeks, the media had reported is was all but a certainty that Ms. Kennedy would be Gov. Paterson's choice.

As of today, the Governor remains "clueless".

Eric Holder Is Pro-Terrorism, Anti-American, Pro-Iran, Pro-Bill Ayers Yet Senator Herb Kohl Asks Him If He Could Challenge Obama In Basketball?

“One last question, and this relates to your ability to exercise your responsibilities independently of what the president may or may not like. Uh, he is reported to have considerable skills as a basketball player, and you have indicated to me when we met in my office that you also are a person of considerable skill. In the event, Mr. Holder, that he invites you to the gym for a little one on one, will you promise us and the American people that you will do everything in your power to defeat him as badly as you can?”

--Senator Herb Kohl, owner of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks at Senate confirmation hearings of controversial Attorney General Nominee Eric Holder



From USA Today:

Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., ends his questions by asking Holder if he'll do everything he can to defeat Obama on the basketball court (the president-elect is a regular player).

Holder, who played high school ball in New York City, says of Obama that "he's 10 years younger than me. He plays a lot more frequently than I do. Having said that, I've got a New York City game. ..."If you give me a little time and a little space to get back in shape, I think I could hang with him."

But beating Obama might not be a great idea, Holder jokes.

Nice, hard hitting question from the Senate Judiciary Committee. Seriously, way to take Holder's controversial record seriously.



What a joke....



For more on Holder's hearings....

RNC Responds to Harry Reid's Flip Flop On Seating Controversial Roland Burris

The following is an email sent from the Rob Jesmer, Executive Director of The National Republican Senatorial Committee. (The post-script at the bottom is pretty hilarious.)

Friend --

After pledging NOT to accept any appointee from disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich, Harry Reid reversed course today by officially seating Roland Burris as the next U.S. Senator from Illinois.

With this flip-flop, Reid has forced upon the people of Illinois a Senator with a controversial and questionable background.

Make no mistake, this could have been avoided if Harry Reid had followed Dick Durbin's lead and called for a special election last month. Instead, he wanted to play Kingmaker and now the people of Illinois are paying the price.

Roland Burris has endured his own ethical lapses, including allegations of "pay to play" -- one of the more grievous accusations facing Blagojevich -- during his 1998 gubernatorial campaign.

In fact, in early 2006, despite Blagojevich's mounting legal issues and ongoing FBI investigation, Burris said Blagojevich was doing a "helluva job," all the while Burris' consulting firm contributed nearly $11,000 to Blagojevich's campaigns.

Burris' political positions are far to the left of mainstream Illinois voters. As Illinois attorney general, Burris supported funding $100 million of slavery reparations from the state funds. Burris also supported a national ban on handguns, and then in a stunning admission of hypocrisy, waited ten years before turning in his OWN gun.

Harry Reid is hoping that the people of Illinois will forgive him for accepting the Blagojevich nominee when they could have had a special election.

After initially promising to hold a special election in the aftermath of the Blagojevich scandal, Democrats quickly backtracked, realizing that a Republican could emerge victorious.

The American people deserve more than political posturing from their elected representatives in Washington.

We can defeat Harry Reid and his colleagues in 2010, but we need your help. Please donate $10, $25 or even $50 today and join our team early.

All the best,

Rob Jesmer
Executive Director,
National Republican Senatorial Committee


P.S. Roland Burris, long-consumed with political power, called the governorship of Illinois his "destiny," and has described himself as a "visionary." Burris has gone to the extraordinary length of constructing a mausoleum for himself in Chicago, inscribed with the words "TRAIL BLAZER," along with a list of his accomplishments.

Blago Wins Again! VP Cheney Swears in Roland Burris As The Junior Senator From Illinois!

From The Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Roland Burris took his place as Barack Obama's successor in the Senate on Thursday, ending a standoff that embarrassed the president-elect and fellow Democrats who initially resisted the appointment by scandal-scarred Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.


"I do," Burris said with a grin as Vice President Dick Cheney administered the oath of office to the former Illinois attorney general who takes Obama's place as the Senate's only black member.


More than a week after his colleagues were sworn in, Burris was seated without objection or a roll call vote, even though Majority Leader Harry Reid had said senators would have their voices heard on whether to accept his appointment.

Remember way back when... Obama, Harry Reid and others said that there was no way anyone appointed by Blago would be seated in The Senate!

Were they just kidding? Or just another example that the politicians do not really have any sort of understanding of the laws?