Free Republic

The latest running debate between Al Gore and Sarah Palin reveals once more the absurdity behind today's Republican Party, which looms increasingly as a far right pressure group rather than a viable political entity. The Republicans indicated the direction where they were heading when Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele dared to speak of right wing talk show host Rush Limbaugh as an "entertainer," which was construed to mean that he was undermining his stature as a serious political analyst. A furious Limbaugh demanded an apology. The blustery talk show host had declared himself to be the titular head of...

South Florida attorney Scott Rothstein may have ran a $1.2 billion ponzi scheme and is, in general terms, a giant @$$hat with the gaudiest taste known to man, but if he had it his way no one in the lower 48 would have ever heard of a certain pitbull in lipstick. Bob Norman up at New Times Broward-Palm Beach is reporting that Rothstein funded the fledgling efforts to put Gov. Charlie Crist in the McCain campaign's VP slot. The Ponzi schemer was the fourth ranked fundraiser for the GOP candidate in the entire nation, and used that influence (he apparently...

U.S. President Barack Obama has scaled back the scope of the Afghan war, now about to enter its ninth year, to a limited military objective: deny al-Qaida a safe haven. And since we are now told there are fewer than 100 al-Qaida terrorists in Afghanistan — the rest are in Pakistan's tribal areas — a three-way deal between the Karzai government, powerful warlords and Taliban chief Mullah Mohammad Omar would seem to be the better part of valor. After Iraq, we cannot afford another trillion-dollar war. It took the United States 233 years (1776-2009) to amass a national debt of...

The Philadelphia Inquirer in today's front page story managed to put a D after Stephen Stetler's name when reporting his resignation as Pennsylvania's revenue secretary shortly before Attorney General Tom Corbett announced that he was one of three officials being charged with six counts of conflict of interest, theft, and conspiracy. Granted the Inky didn't spell out the D as Democrat, nor did they put the word in the headline as they would have perhaps if another party had been involved,

We hear the same old story time after time “the republican party has gotten away from its core principles”. Another favorite line by republican leaders “we are going to take the country back’. My question is what the hell are we going to do if the country is taken back by republicans? The republican party is full of renegades and RINO’s. If you think for one minute these renegades and RINO’s will make the acute change in direction the country needs – guess again. If the Republican Party is going to get back to its core principles and make the...

KYW1060.com, yesterday, reported that state lawmakers were mulling mandatory sex education in public schools. While the story didn't mention a bill number, HB 1163 was the only one found in search for "sex education" at the website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Granted we might think our elected our experts on the matter of sex due to their amazing skill at finding imaginative ways of, well, giving it to us taxpayers, but one is puzzled at why they think it best to place a new mandate on public schools. Oh yeah, I forgot, silly me. They are good at finding...

It is certainly not breaking news that Sarah Palin is the darling of the most extreme fringe of the Republican Party, but here's yet another data point on it: she's by far the most popular potential 2012 candidate with voters who disapprove of Barack Obama and already want to impeach him. 86% of voters who fit that description have a favorable opinion of Palin to 62% for Mike Huckabee and 49% for Mitt Romney. That's a much wider popularity gap than exists among all Republicans, 73% of whom view Palin favorably to 57% for Huckabee and 51% for Romney. By...

On July 9, 1970, President Richard Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by executive order as an independent agency joining together a number of functions from different federal agencies. The EPA says its mission “is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment – air, water and land – upon which life depends.” An Administrator appointed by the President of the United States runs the agency, which is not a Cabinet agency, although the Administrator is usually given cabinet rank. Lisa P. Jackson is the current Administrator, and the EPA’s Website notes that the “FY 2010 Budget...

The Republican field of contenders in the 3rd district U.S. House race became a little bit clearer Monday morning. State Sen. Jeff Colyer, R-Overland Park, sent out an announcement that he won't run, and he strongly endorsed former state Sen. Nick Jordan, a Shawnee Republican who lost a bid for the seat in 2008 to Rep. Dennis Moore, the Lenexa Democrat who will retire after this term. “I am grateful for the support and encouragement of so many friends regarding this race. I love public service and enjoy campaigning, but now is not the right time for me to be...

Bickering between Republican 1st Congressional District hopeful Rep. Raul Labrador and GOP Sen. Mike Jorgenson continued Wednesday after Jorgenson accused Labrador of using personal attacks to avoid a discussion of the issues. Jorgenson, a Hayden Republican, called for Labrador, of Eagle, to drop out of the race shortly after he launched his campaign. The Associated Press reported the two have clashed numerous times in the past. In a Wednesday e-mail, Jorgenson cited instances he claimed show conflict between Labrador's stated position on immigration issues and his actions. Labrador dismissed Jorgenson's criticism, calling him ill-informed on immigration issues and said his...

Just amazing how the news media (fox cable included) is so politically correct it refuses to call a spade a spade. Take the current nefarious dealings going on in Congress. Vote buying like you’ve never seen before. These career politicians are selling their votes, along with their morals, for promised pork in their districts. Only the corrupt and shameless human beings would ever consider being a party to the openly defiant corruption going on in the world's largest Congressional Cesspool. The news media refers to these criminal activities as sausage making. They claim this is how legislation is made. And...

Dear Chairman Steele, I am curious as to how you intend to protect the primary process in 2012. We are faced with a situation where Obama will likely face no opposition thus freeing Democrats and independents with Democratic leanings to bring planned chaos to our primaries in states that fail to close them to registered voters of the appropriate party. Have you considered a caucus option? Or perhaps putting pressure on open primary states by virtue of giving their primaries less weight? These are just ideas. But clearly we have to do something. These people are well schooled in Alinsky...

1* Suppose the Democratic Primary for the 2010 United States Senate were held today. Would you vote for Arlen Specter or Joe Sestak? 48% Specter 35% Sestak 3% Some other candidate 14% Not sure

The Hill reports on the $787 billion stimulus stimulus package passed by Barry and Congress was most effective in ensuring job security. Unfortunately for the rest of America, the stimulus bill served none other than Clinton and Obama's campaign pollsters and fellow campaign staffers. "Federal records show that $5.97 million from the $787 billion stimulus helped preserve three jobs at Burson-Marsteller, the global public-relations and communications firm headed by Penn." "Burson-Marsteller won the contract to work on a public-relations campaign to advertise the national switch from analog to digital television. Nearly $2.8 million of the contract was issued to Penn’s...

John E. Peterson, who represented Pennsylvania's 5th District in Congress from 1997 until his retirement in 2009, is saying dump the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. (snip) This morning, btw, five Republican state representatives filed a bill abolish the Turnpike Commission. HB 2134 would transfer the transfer its assets and functions to PennDOT. And did you know that the Turnpike was designed so that the straightaways could be negotiated at 102 mph and the curves at 90?

In the movie “A Few Good Men” the character of Colonel Nathan R. Jessup experiences his ultimate downfall by getting himself trapped in a paradox by the testimony that he has given. Initially he claims that he has done everything by the book and ordered that no soldiers under his command were to harm a fellow soldier whom he has labeled as a ‘substandard Marine.’ Later, though, he testifies that he had ordered that same soldier to be transferred to another base because he was in ‘grave danger’ in his current situation. Therein lies the paradox, as pointed out by...

looks like Jeff McGeary may be tossing his hat into the conservative candidates for congress pool for the 8th District of PA. Jeff announced at the Thomas Jefferson Club Holiday party tonite that he's setting up an exploratory committee. So, now we have Jeffery Shcott, Dean Malik, Judith Algeo, Rob Mitchell and Jeff McGeary. Stay tuned this could get interesting.

Are Americans who want to throw rotten tomatoes at Sarah Palin slowly becoming the minority, while the number of people who want to throw them at President Obama is noticeably increasing? A Top of the Ticket blog post today notes two recent surveys that show the former Alaska governor creeping up behind Obama in the polls. The president’s new Gallup Poll shows a new low for his job approval ratings -- 47% (down from 53% last month). The new CNN/Opinion Research Poll, on the other hand, says Palin is now at 46% favorable. She is so close she could reach...

Now you’re catching on (for those thicker than thick). It will take votes from the Republicans. It will take votes from Democrats. It will take vote from Independents. It will get votes from those who never vote because they are disgusted with career politics. Most of all – it will take enough votes to win. Thomas Littlefella Link To Support Real Change .

Recent Poll – in the 2010 election who would you vote for in Congress? Democrat 36% Tea Party 23% Republican 18% Not Sure 22% Last night a Third Party was discussed by Bill O’Reilly and Greta Van Susteren. Today Glenn Beck touched on the issue. People are very angry with Obama and Congress. Over 60% of Americans want to throw all the bums in Congress out of office. But O’Reilly, Van Susteren, and Beck still don’t get it – A Political Third Party Will Never Win – It Will Take a NON POLITICAL Third Party to win. You have to...

The Pennsylvania House, today, voted to create a searchable online database regarding state spending. The vote to pass HB 1880 to establish the operation of the Pennsylvania Government Accountability Portal, or "PennGAP, was unanimous. Gov. X-Man Rendell is reportedly against the bill citing cost.

Texas gubernatorial candidate and San Antonio native Mayor Bill White made his first campaign visit in the Countdown City this week. White blasted Perry on a handful of issues including education. White states he's eager to work towards improving the education system in Texas with specific programs geared towards helping "Hispanics and other minorities." Additionally, White has a brilliant scheme for decreasing the drop out rate: "...Letting people know that by leaving school early they will cut their earning ability in half." With ideas as revolutionary as this one, White should have world hunger and world peace solved BEFORE he...

Freshman Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) is tied with Republican challenger Joe Heck in a new poll of 3rd district voters conducted by Mason Dixon Polling for the Las Vegas Review-Journal Nov. 30 through Dec. 2. The poll's 300-person sample was small, however, while it had a 6 percent margin of error. Titus and Heck, a Henderson, Nev. physician who switched from the governor's race to the congressional field in October, each received 40 percent of the vote in the hypothetical match-up, while 20 percent of the electorate remained undecided. While Heck received the support of 80 percent of GOP voters,...

The latest Gallup poll shows Obama sittin pretty at 47%, which is the lowest December rating of any President in US history. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs fired back at the poll by questioning the reliability of the organization. "I'm sure a 6-year-old with a crayon could do something not unlike that. I don't put a lot of stake in, never have, in the EKG that is the daily Gallup trend" stated Gibbs.

This is by far one of the most amazing and saddest videos (audios) I have ever seen/heard. More than anything else, the following is exhibit A about lawful gun owners in America, particularly those who have used their weapons to defend themselves. Far from the gun-crazed, trigger happy racists the liberal antigun crowd would have you believe, they are really just regular folks who want to go about their business. The remorse in the woman's voice at the end of the video gave me goosebumps. And the dispatcher deserves a medal for being as supportive as she was of this...

Governor Rick Perry is turning up the heat on Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison's record as one of Washington's biggest spending Republicans. Fiscal and economic issues is, after all, Rick Perry's strong suit heading into this primary election, which should prove to be a tough and bloody one. I'm supporting Rick Perry, but will obviously vote for Kay Baby in the general election should she win the primary. The following ads sure do hurt, though. Don't they, Kay? *-*Video @ site*-* Frankly, Kay Bailey Hutchison has really picked a bad time to challenge Rick Perry for governor. While she isn't getting...

My county of residence in Virginia is currently divided over a proposed wind energy project along the mountaintop involving more than 2,500 acres of the ridgeline. Not surprisingly, the project has strong sentiment on both sides. The wind has been a tool of humans since at least as far back as 5000 BC when it was used to power boats on the Nile, then a few centuries later used to pump water and grind grain, and in the 1880s someone figured out how to use it to produce electricity. However, the first central electricity generation facilities developed in 1881 were...

Republican Glenn Richardson has been dogged by talks of an alleged affair with a lobbyist and has admitted to struggling with depression. He leaves office Jan. 1. BY RICHARD FAUSSET Atlanta - Embroiled in a strange and unsavory drama involving a suicide attempt and allegations of an affair with a lobbyist, Georgia's powerful House Speaker Glenn Richardson, a Republican, said Thursday that he would resign. The announcement by Richardson -- a hard-charging, family-values conservative -- came amid Republicans' mounting calls for his ouster and fears that a lingering sex and ethics scandal could harm the Georgia GOP in next year's...

In a hypothetical three-way contest, the latest Rasmussen national telephone survey found Democrats would attract 36 percent of the vote. A Tea Party candidate, if there were one, would attract 23 percent of the voters, while just 18 percent would be inclined to vote for a Republican candidate. However, 22 percent of the voters are undecided. In the survey of 1,000 likely voters, respondents were asked to assume that the Tea Party movement organized as a new political party. The survey was conducted Dec. 4-5. However, in a standard two-way race, Republicans hold a modest lead over Democrats. “It appears...

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's choice of Sen. Abel Maldonado for lieutenant governor was essentially a political challenge to his fellow Republicans: Expand the party, or continue to wither on the vine of ideological purity. Maldonado's confirmation is largely in the hands of legislative Democrats, who must decide by mid-February if they will accept his nomination. The Santa Maria Republican's long-term prospects, however, could be decided by GOP activists who have held him in disdain since he voted earlier this year for a tax hike — but may need him if they are to win in a statewide race. "He...

Sarah Palin may have some ‘splainin’ to do with the conservative fans on her book tour as word spreads of her partying Saturday night with the elites of the dread Mainstream Media. In her featured “roast,” the media types even got off easier than her former associates on the McCain campaign. Sometimes you’ve got “to trust your instincts,” she told the group. “And when you don’t, you end up in a place like this.” The former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate stopped in Washington to be the Republican speaker at the annual black-tie winter dinner of the Gridiron Club,...

“This is the opportunity that pretty much all of these people have labored in the vineyards for years to bring to fruition,” Kensinger said. “And the spirit around them is pretty good.” Former state Sen. Nick Jordan, who lost to Moore by 16 points in 2008, was in a good position to hit the ground running after Moore’s announcement. He said he had been actively considering another run against Moore for the past two months and was boosted by a poll paid for by some of his donors that showed him with a strong name identification in the 3rd District...

The unemployment rate and the skyrocketing deficit are the most serious problems facing the nation, something everyday Americans have known for quite a while. However, rather than take quick, sensible action to spur job creation, our elected leaders have been wasting time on ideological issues like health care reform and cap-and-trade, two measures that are not at a crisis level, and two measures guaranteed to increase unemployment. Then on Wednesday, President Obama convened a Jobs Summit to talk about ways to create jobs. Fox News reported that “Obama sought fresh ideas from the 130 corporate executives, small business owners and...

Many people lament the fact that Sarah Palin is beautiful. People believe that because she is beautiful she is not intelligent. Sarah Palin is intelligent, and she has the intelligence to know that appearance is important. Why should Sarah wear pimples, why zits. Sarah is beauty because she knows that a woman can fulfill her female duties and also fulfill her duties to society.

Sarah Palin, everyone's favorite Christian conservative hockey mom turned ex-Governor of Alaska, is headed to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for a book signing event in Plano. This is the only book signing scheduled for North Texas to promote Sarah's new book "Going Rogue - An American Life." And which lucky store gets the honor? Legacy Books, a massive three-level 24,000 sq. foot independently owned bookstore located at 7300 Dallas Parkway, Plano, TX 75024. Legacy Book's website states: "Tickets to Sarah Palin's GOING ROGUE book signing at Legacy Books sold out completely in November in just two days ... Access to...

New Jersey Governor-elect Chris Christie, last night, at back-to-back fundraisers praised the character and other attributes of Pat Meehan who is the GOP nominee to represent Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District which is being vacated by Joe "Chicken Little" Sestak who is seeking Arlen "Henny Penny" Specter's senate seat.

There are 25 state (Pa.) employees with salaries over $200,000, not including all the bennies of course. Twenty-three of them are involved in education with five of them from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA); four of them from the Pennsylvania Public School Employees's Retirement System, (PSERS); and three remarkably enough professors at Clarion University albeit the Clarion income includes compensation beyond base pay. The jive 25 are:

What has been President Obama's greatest success so far? Afghanistan Health Care The Economy Building better relations with the rest of the world. Bringing the country together Winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Correcting problems from previous administrations Employment Diverting the collapse of the auto industry All of the above It's not listed here. Obama has not been successful, and in fact, but has caused more damage than success

Doylestown Township lawyer and Air Force veteran, whose political interest was steeped in Bucks County's Tea Party movement, Tuesday announced he will seek the Republican nomination for Congress for PA's 8th District. At the Elkins Gallery in the Mercer Museum, Rob Mitchell told family and supporters that if elected he would bring common sense to Congress and support allowing business to solve national problems. "I am running for congress because I trust the wisdom of the American people more than I trust the judgment of the Washington elites," he said, a theme repeated several times during his 15 minute speech....

Washington Examiner reports on the demo proposed health care bill. "Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius would be awarded unprecedented new powers under the proposal, including the authority to decide what medical care should be covered by insurers as well as the terms and conditions of coverage and who should receive it...The HHS secretary would also have the power to decide where abortion is allowed under a government-run plan." The end result would be the federal government having direct control over the insurance market as opposed to the current system where the states have the discretionary power to regulate...

Obama's long awaited speech from West Point was nothing short of disappointing. After prioritizing a litany of important matters (i.e. family vacations or lobbying to have the Olympics held in Chicago), President Obama has decided that it is time to send our boys overseas some reinforcements and get them home by 2011. The Commander in Chief, against the advice of General Stanley McChrystal, decided to send in 30,000 troops, hoping that the rest of Americas allies will pick up the slack and make his 18 month time table work. Work---just in time for his re-election campaign. Writer Gabor Steingart put...

Supporters collecting signatures in an effort to recall Republican Sen. Bob Huff fell short today... by about 65,535 names. Recall proponents had until Nov. 16 to turn in the 65,535 valid voter signatures from the 29th Senate District needed to spark a recall election. But, according to counts confirmed today by election officials in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties, they turned in zero signatures

There are allegations from many conservatives that Sarah Palin is not being treated fairly by the media. No matter who you are or your political affiliation, you cannot deny the fact that Sarah Palin is electrifying. However, in her short time in the limelight, this up-and-coming Republican star has had more drama than the "Desperate Housewives" season finale (my wife makes me watch it). The people of Alaska elected Sarah Palin as their governor after her humble beginnings. There is a lot to be said about being born in Idaho to a school secretary and science teacher. It can't get...

Many Americans are outraged at the element in the House health care bill that requires people to buy health insurance, even if they don’t need it, and even if they don’t want it. The authors of this legislation included this mandate so that there would be enough money from young and healthy people in the system to keep the thing from sinking faster than the Titanic. It says a lot about this ghastly plan that its creators have to force Americans to participate in it for it to succeed. Congress justifies this outrage with the “Commerce Clause” of the United...

While 170 or more voters might have been fooled in the 2009 Values Voter Summit straw poll, it wasn’t Mike Huckabee who came out on top in a recent Washington Post poll of the leader who best reflects GOP values. From CNN: According to the poll, 18 percent of Republicans and independents who lean towards the GOP say the former Alaska governor best reflects core GOP values. In second place, 5 points back, is Sen. John McCain of Arizona, last year’s Republican presidential nominee, followed by former Arkansas governor and 2008 presidential candidate Mike Huckabee at 7 percent, former Massachusetts...

It may not seem like it, but there is an election for United States Senator around the corner. Yes, its true. The election for Ted Kennedy’s old seat is speeding ahead. While the Democrats are embroiled in a heated primary, Republican candidate Scott Brown is quietly running a solid campaign. In most states, Brown would be crushing his fumbling liberal opponents. But this is Massachusetts. However, Democratic enthusiasm is in the dumps, while Republican enthusiasm is up. And there is a wild card. The election is being held in January, when many “snowbirds”, retirees with winter homes elsewhere, are gone;...

Sarah Palin 2012 Presidential Betting Odds: Former Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin is making headlines once again this week with the release of her already best-selling memoir “Going Rogue”, as well as much speculation that she might be the next G.O.P entrant in the upcoming 2012 Presidential Betting Odds elections. With the current state the country finds itself in and with so many Americans in disapproval of the job current President Barack H. Obama is doing, the Sarah Palin camp might be gearing up to give the leftist a run for their money in the 2012 Presidential Betting Odds. But...

Thanksgiving produced many conversation, one surrounding the riches of eMeg, and if she is buying the governor's race for the GOP. There seems to be a new mantra that says, “Republicans are making a mistake in supporting wealthy candidates like Meg Whitman in the gubernatorial primary race; she is just too wealthy to be supported as a candidate.” After reading the bottom-line in the LA Times Wednesday, it seems that GOP voters are beside themselves. How can we vote for a woman who has, and spends, so much of her own money? More at the link...

Why do so many people love Sarah Palin? Why do so many hate her? I cannot recall a politician in recent memory that has been both so loved and so reviled for no discernible reason. When Palin was announced as John McCain’s running mate on the 2008 Republican presidential ticket many conservatives were intrigued, including me. It was reported that the Alaskan governor had been a member of Pat Buchanan’s “Buchanan Brigades” during the commentator’s presidential bids in 1996 and 2000 and that Palin had ties to the secessionist Alaskan Independence Party. An “America First” states rights’ radical on a...

The Placer County Republican Central Committee is making waves with accusations that some GOP officeholders in the party stronghold are not a deep enough shade of red. Committee members have indicated they will target fellow Republicans they view as not conservative enough and in some cases will back rival candidates in primaries and even in nonpartisan races. "You get a Republican candidate and if they are not Republican enough, they go after them," said Placer County Supervisor Jim Holmes. The latest flap has been roiling since August when five registered Republicans on Rocklin's City Council supported an extension of a...