Posted on 02/15/2005 4:24:52 PM PST by flixxx
flippin' again 02/15 05:13 PM John Kerry has signaled his support for President Bush’s $81.9B Iraq/Afghanistan/tsunami funding request. And just to “clarify,” Kerry spoke of his previous vote against military funding: “Mine was the right vote at the time and I wouldn't change it if we went back to that point in time because it was the right vote.”
Whether it’s concerning his Vietnam record or funding for U.S. troops, Kerry has settled on his response to questions concerning his campaign’s setbacks. Think of it as his all-purpose “aloha” response: “Should we have done a better job, could I have done a better job personally in fighting back on defining that? The answer is yeah.” As soon as he figured out how to shape his message beforehand, Kerry might really have a shot at turning his campaign around!
And Newsweek White House correspondent Holly Bailey passes along this highlight question from today’s White House press briefing: “The President has spoken repeatedly about an ‘axis of evil.’ With Syria's suspected increased involvement in terrorist activities, are we now looking at a ‘quadrangle of evil’?”
Amend For Arnold's Netflex 02/15 01:16 PM Roll Call gives an update on the growing effort to amend the Constitution to allow naturalized citizens, such as California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, to run for president:
"On election night 2004, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his supporters attended a party in Beverly Hills to celebrate the passage of several state ballot initiatives he had championed. But the news that came out of the event had less to do with the California Republican's past successes than with his future political prospects.
That shift was in large part the result of a well-timed political accident. Pictures of the Beverly Hills confab captured prominent partygoers, including former Golden State Gov. Pete Wilson (R), wearing buttons that simply read, 'Amend for Arnold.'"
The article goes on to note that the website formed by Schwarzenegger donor Lissa Morgenthaler-Jones has already generated 900 volunteers in all 50 states in its first six months of operation. Aiming for appeal across the political spectrum, the website has since renamed itself "Amend for Arnold and Jen" for Democratic Michigan Governor/ Canadian-born, Jennifer Granholm. Along with a call to action, the website also sells some retro Arnold t-shirts and coffee mugs.
Not mentioned in the article is that Schwarzenegger will be paying a visit to Washington this week. An appearance with President Bush is rumored to be in the mix. Also, California's Republican delegation has already endorsed Schwarzenegger's reelection, a full 16 months ahead of calendar.
Beware the Doctor 02/15 01:15 PM Conservatives should not underestimate Howard Dean.
Howard Dean's ascension to head of the Democratic National Committee has been surrounded by much talk and a little celebration. For many conservatives, Dean's political resurrection is viewed as the gift that keeps on giving. One of the most liberal members of last year's Democratic presidential field is now heading a party that itself acknowledges its electoral weakness on social and national security issues. Dean's leadership will now have a guiding influence on the success or failure of the Democratic party.
For now, Dean is showing deference to his party's elected leadership. Congressional Minority leaders Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi insist that Dean reflect policy, not dictate it. Still, he is more interesting than his Democratic counterparts. With no Democrats heading a branch of government, Dean is likely to be the first choice when the media comes calling for an interview.
Until his Iowa caucus meltdown, Dean had a decade of electoral victories. He was reelected governor a number of times, though with declining returns. As previously noted, he had some general level of success during his tenure. To be successful as DNC Chair, Dean will have to resonate with the liberal base while maintaining the large donor apparatus Terry McAuliffe made his calling card. Most importantly, Democrats will have to win elections.
To his credit, Dean seems to understand how the Republican party has been successful in its voter outreach efforts. For decades, liberals have taken pride in their ability to canvas large swaths of the country with paid campaign workers. For at least a decade now, that strategy has not been working. By targeting party loyalists and ideological allies, conservatives have generated a higher return on their outreach investments. If Dean can successfully motivate the liberal grassroots he will allow aspiring party moderates like New York Senator Hillary Clinton greater leverage to reach out to independent voters.
Howard Dean is intelligent enough to have learned from the many blunders of his presidential campaign's demise. No longer in the heated moment of a passionate campaign, he is far less likely to suffer an emotional outburst. Because of his experiences with the press, Dean may even be savvy enough to view the mainstream media with caution. For the next several months, Dean will be the beneficiary of low expectations. He is taking over a party that has lost three consecutive elections. Many are watching to see when and if Dean has his next meltdown. By simply maintaining a degree of balanced temperament, the press is likely to build his reputation back up.
When I was covering the Democratic National Convention in Boston this summer, I had the chance to see Dean speak. The event was a lavish party thrown for members of the California delegation. Nancy Pelosi was first to speak. After Pelosi encouraged her constituents to party and enjoy the moment, Dean took the stage on a more forceful note. He began reading a laundry list of grievances against House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Upon reaching the end of the list, Dean said something surprising. Instead of delivering a sermon on liberal virtues, Dean uttered the following statement, "We Democrats need to be a lot more like Tom DeLay." Needless to say, the crowd did not respond enthusiastically to Dean's battle cry. But it's a strategy that if sincerely practiced should put dismissive Dean critics on notice.
Here It Begins 02/15 01:13 PM Welcome. I'm Eric Pfeiffer and I'll be your Buzz guy.
This page is now home to a daily feature that aims to provide readers with a fresh look at news and analysis from inside Washington.
First, a little background on me: For the past three years I wrote for "The Hotline," a daily political briefing published by the National Journal. While at "The Hotline," I contributed articles regularly to NRO, The Weekly Standard, the Americas Future Foundation, and others. Early risers can also find me occasionally offering weekly political analysis with ABC News Now.
My main focus here is to provide readers with a fresh angle on political news: the story behind the story you get on the evening news, the counter-story to the conventional wisdom of the day, etc. The Beltway Buzz will be a filter for anyone who wants to be in the know. And it will break some news, too.
And we're on the Internet, so feedback is easy to provide and is encouraged. My e-mail is efeiffer@nationalreview.com — so you know where to find me.
Welcome to Beltway Buzz 02/15 01:10 PM We're constantly thinking of new ways to make NRO bigger and better. With that general goal in mind, today National Review Online introduces a new feature: "Beltway Buzz," which promises to be required reading for anyone looking for Washington, D.C.-focused news and analysis.
We're delighted to have Eric Pfeiffer, formerly of National Journal's sweet daily political candy, "The Hotline," on board to be your daily Beltway buzzer. Welcome, Eric and welcome new Beltway Buzz bookmarkers. Enjoy. — Kathryn Jean Lopez, Editor, National Review Online
lol@ "aloha response"
Right, and I have a bridge in the desert to sell you. And why are you still fretting over it?!
Typical press. Think up a stupid question and pretend that your own question is the news. For liberals, self-love has no limits.
No, Holly, you can fit as many countries along an axis as you like. There's plenty of room for everyone.
****Think of it as his all-purpose “aloha” response*****
I want to see his Aloha response when the people of Mass. wake the hell up and put him in the street where he belongs.
The problem for Democrats is most of its membership is built on people who ask, "What can the party and government do for me?" They never ask what they can do for their Party.
On the other hand, Republicans are always asking what can we do to further our parties agenda.
Paid Democratic workers are like the typical union worker. They try to figure out how little they can do for the most pay. They see all bosses as bad guys. Even their supervisors think like hired help. They ask how do I make the big boss think I have done a lot when I have really only done a little. They are pretty good at doing that.
Dean like many Democrats before him has appealed to youthful idealism. The problem is the kids Dean organized like to rally and party. They like performing for the media. They do not like to do the real work of getting out the votes and didn't do it. They didn't even vote themselves.
The problem with Democrats is they ask what their party can do for them.... They never ask what they can do for their party. That is why they are not winning.
He seems to usually ask himself questions so the media does not give him a "trick question" that he might accidentally answer honestly and get himself into trouble.
Putrid POS!
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