Free Republic

The Senate health care vote Saturday got the floor debate started, but it pushed the tea party movement closer to the boiling point. Grass-roots activists aim to turn the pressure on fence-sitting Democrats Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. Senate Democrats got the bare-minimum 60 votes needed to start debate on the health care bill. Sixty votes will also be needed when the Senate decides to end debate and move to final passage. That may be hard, especially as public opinion continues to sour on a health care overhaul. A Monday Rasmussen poll...

(1) We support smaller government, smaller national debt, lower deficits and lower taxes by opposing bills like Obama's "stimulus" bill; (2) We support market-based health care reform and oppose Obama-style government run healthcare; (3) We support market-based energy reforms by opposing cap and trade legislation; (4) We support workers' right to secret ballot by opposing card check; (5) We support legal immigration and assimilation into American society by opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants; (6) We support victory in Iraq and Afghanistan by supporting military-recommended troop surges; (7) We support containment of Iran and North Korea, particularly effective action to eliminate...

Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.) emailed supporters today to say he's considering a primary against John McCain and to ask for funds to pay off his 2006 campaign debt. "You have contacted me with words of encouragement following the release of a Rasmussen Reports Poll which finds me in a statistical dead heat with John McCain for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate in 2010," Hayworth wrote, referring to this poll. "Miss Mary, our children, and I will do a lot of praying and a lot of talking in the days ahead, as we determine the best course...

A new Rasmussen poll shows the Arizona Senator in a dead heat with potential GOP primary challenger J.D. Hayworth. BY ALYSSIA FINLEY John McCain may have been the GOP's national standard-bearer just a year ago, but now he's in electoral trouble at home. And this time no one can claim it's because of Sarah Palin. A new Rasmussen poll shows the Arizona Senator in a dead heat with potential GOP primary challenger J.D. Hayworth. Mr. Hayworth served as a congressman from 1995 to 2006, when he lost in a squeaker to Democratic Tempe Mayor Harry Mitchell, who prevailed by hounding...

Education is key, and not just for our children. To that end, we will be conducting a series of conventions. These will be full-day experiences where you will be immersed in learning about topics ranging from self-reliance, community organizing, the economy and how to be a political force in your own neighborhood and country. The first one will be in Orlando at UCF Arena on March 27th… All of the above will culminate in The Plan, a book that will provide specific policies, principles and, most importantly, action steps that each of us can take to play a role in...

A formidable coalition of 150 Catholic, Orthodox and evangelical leaders are calling on Christians in a new manifesto to reject secular authority – and even engage in civil disobedience – if laws force them to accept abortion, same-sex marriage and other ideas that betray their religious beliefs. On Friday, these leaders released a 4,700-word document – called the "The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience." The document was signed by leaders ranging from evangelical leader Chuck Colson to two of the leading Catholic prelates in the U.S., Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C. and Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New...

It seems the voices of the folks back home are beginning to register with their representatives, especially with midterm elections coming up. The fear of being replaced finally strikes home on both sides of the aisle. Angry Congress lashes out at Obama The Washington Post Fri., Nov . 20, 2009 Growing discontent over the economy and frustration with efforts to speed its recovery boiled over Thursday on Capitol Hill in a wave of criticism and outright anger directed at the Obama administration. Episodes in both houses of Congress exposed the raw nerves of lawmakers flooded with stories of unemployment and...

WASHINGTON — Palin-Beck 2012? Sarah Palin has suggested Fox News firebrand Glenn Beck could be someone she'd consider as a running mate if she makes a bid for the White House in two years. "I can envision a couple of different combinations, if ever I were to be in a position to really even seriously consider running for anything in the future, and I'm not there yet," Palin told the conservative news agency Newsmax as she promoted her memoir, "Going Rogue: An American Life." "But Glenn Beck I have great respect for. He's a hoot. He gets his message across...

The "pink slips" being sent to members of Congress, warning them to abandon Washington's "charge-it-and-spend-it" programs, new energy taxes under "cap-and-trade" and nationalized health care have surged past five million, but supporters of the program say they need to keep coming. Janet Porter, founder and president of Faith2Action, is one of the organizers behind the "pink slips" campaign and was at a news conference today in Washington where U.S. Reps Michelle Bachmann, R-Minn.; Louie Gohmert, R-Texas; Steve King, R-Iowa, and Trent Franks, R-Ariz., spoke in approval of the effort. She said it's clear the message – delivered through a stack...

Sarah Palin opines on the economy, NY-23, a third party movement, immigration and her book. Palin says we should cut taxes for job creators. Palin says NY-23 was "encouraging" and "exciting." She says Americans are seeking a conservative, common sense approach to doing things. Palin says she is trying to reach hard-working Americans in her book. Palin also responds to a jab from Vice President Joe Biden. She says we are "dithering" in sending a message to terrorists.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Republican voters say former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin shares the values of most GOP voters throughout the nation. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 21% of Republican voters disagree and think the 2008 vice presidential candidate does not share their values. Twenty percent (20%) are undecided. By contrast, 74% of Republicans say their party’s representatives in Congress have lost touch with GOP voters nationwide over the past several years. Only 18% of Republican voters believe their elected officials have done a good job representing the base.

As its financial resources dwindle, radical advocacy group and organized crime syndicate ACORN may have to file for bankruptcy protection before Christmas, ACORN insiders say. "They may have to file for bankruptcy if they don't have several big pending grants approved or get emergency loans," a highly placed ACORN source told me over the weekend. This information bolsters Rep. Darrell Issa's (R-Calif.) claim last week that ACORN is in turmoil amidst internal power struggles and on the verge of bankruptcy.

A Florida Republican Becomes a Right-Wing Target By KATE ZERNIKE November 15, 2009 NEWBERRY, Fla. — In retrospect, even Charlie Crist admits that “the optics” of The Hug are not great. President Barack Obama with Charlie Crist, governor of Florida, at a town hall meeting in Fort Myers, Fla., in February. Chip Litherland for the New York Times Gov. Charlie Crist, with his wife, Carole, drew protests at a Republican barbecue this month. It was in the glow of a new day in politics last February when Mr. Crist, this state’s popular Republican governor, took the stage with President Obama...

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s public support is collapsing in South Carolina – driven by a wholesale revolt among the GOP electorate and a steady erosion of his support amongst independents. Already consistently loathed by a solid third of GOP voters, Graham’s recent leftward bent – including his co-authoring of a controversia"Cap & Tax" proposal supported by President Barack Obama and liberal Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) – has him locked in a "terminal free fall," according one prominent Republican consultant. "A chunk of the GOP has always detested him but in the last month a dam has broken," said the consultant,...

If Madame Pelosi really wants to make it illegal to not carry health insurance, what would be wrong with swamping one of the DC police stations at the next major rally? Have about 20 thousand people show up at the PD, and all turn ourselves in. What do you think the complicit progressive media would make of that!

FINALLY, the people in South Carolina are awakening to the fact our values are not being represented by Lindsay Graham.

Did you get the sense that the House Democratic Leadership was frantic, even desperate, to nail down the vote for the 1,990-page healthcare reform bill? No, not the actual votes from members Democrats were worried might go south on them—though House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer had good reason to be concerned about that; 39 Democrats opposed their party's bill—but scheduling the actual vote itself. It had to be before the Veterans' Day recess. What was the hurry? The vote was promised before Congress' August recess and didn't happen—what are a few more days to allow...

I manage campaigns for candidates I agree with, (right to life, conservative party etc.). I am a political scientist by training and web designer when not engaged in a fight. I am quite familiar with the political game and I know what is going on. In my college years both undergraduate and graduate level I was for some time a committed Marxist of the Stalinist variant. I devoured everything from Marx to Kautsky, Lenin, Gramsci, Guevara, Mao et al. I have a good insight to what the left does and their tactics. Conservatives have unfortunately been checkmated by the left...

Barack Hussein Obama II, used a crude gay-baiting sexual slur to denigrate Tea Party patriots in a talk with House Democrats yesterday on Capitol Hill, reported the New York Times:According to Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, who supports the health care bill, the president asked, “Does anybody think that the teabag, anti-government people are going to support them if they bring down health care? All it will do is confuse and dispirit” Democratic voters “and it will encourage the extremists.”The word 'teabag' is used to describe a sexual practice popular in the homosexual community. Earlier this year as the anti-big...

Oh, how the tables have turned.Nervous Democrats are on defense and emboldened Republicans sense opportunity heading into 2010 and the midterm elections. It was just three years ago that the GOP lost the House and Senate as well as governors' races in a cross-country Democratic wave.Now, with most states under their control and comfortable majorities in Congress, Democrats must protect far more seats than Republicans: 19 governors' mansions, 17 Senate seats and as many as 60 House districts in moderate-to-conservative regions and swing-voting areas.At this point, Democrats must do it in a more troubling political environment than in 2006 and...

The American Medical Association House of Delegates drew up a resolution last night which would withdraw their support of the House health care bill. Members are likely to vote on whether or not to withdraw their support of the bill earlier in the week. This action is a result of members within the organization who revolted, when the AMA initially gave the the healthcare legislation its endorsement. President Obama touted the endorsement of the AMA and AARP on Thursday at the White House.

The Treasury recently reported that the federal government recorded a total budget deficit of $1.4 trillion in fiscal year 2009, about $960 billion more than the deficit incurred in 2008. CBO notes, in its latest Monthly Budget Review, that the federal deficit rose as a share of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) from 3.1 percent in 2008 to 9.9 percent in 2009—the highest deficit as a share of GDP since 1945.As shown in the figure below, federal spending and receipts diverged dramatically in 2009, reflecting the weakening economy and the federal response. The increase in the deficit of...

The health care reform bill unveiled by House Democrats last week looks increasingly like one of the most expensive pieces of legislation in history. When Democrats announced the bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi claimed the bill cost only-only!-$894 billion over the next ten years. But outside analysts, including the Congressional Budget Office, suggest that the real cost will be far, far higher. The CBO, for example, points out that the bill would actually increase government spending by slightly more than $1 trillion. Democrats reported a lower "net" number by subtracting revenues from penalties paid by individuals and businesses that fail...

The House healthcare bill has taken more twists and turns and has zig-zagged its way through more Democratic districts than the Mississippi River. And after a month’s worth of legislative wrangling and deal-making, the bill is approaching its final destination: a vote on final passage, expected sometime before the sun rises on Sunday. Pressing toward dawn on Saturday, the Rules committee passed a rule after nearly 12 hours that would set up a vote on the healthcare bill at 6 p.m. No Congress has ever come this close to the goal – first proposed by President Theodore Roosevelt – of...

Click on the link to view the video. It's about half-way down the page.

Before Keith Olbermann accused Rep. Michelle Bachmann of fomenting a rebellion, MSNBC's David Shuster had already hiked the old hyperbole trail. Sitting in for Ed Schultz on The Ed Show, Shuster insisted the rally opposing President Obama's socialized medicine bill "had all the trappings of a proverbial orgy of bigotry, racism, anti-Semitism, and hate!" In fact, one sign alleged contained "a reference to right-wing claims that the president is secretly a Muslim terrorist!" (Emphasis Shuster's.) As usual, he could not produce these references to racism, anti-Semitism, or Obama-secretly-got-Islamic-terrorist-training-ism. Even the Huffington Post with its "12 Most Offensive Signs from...

House Democrats may finally be taking note of voters' fears of ObamaCare. The Dems were planning to pass their bill today, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi & Co. yesterday realized it might fail, and mulled delaying the vote. Here's a better idea: Give it up. There's no reason, after all, for them to follow the White House like lemmings down a path as dangerous to their party's electoral future as it is to the country. Indeed, that their trillion-dollar bill even remains a priority -- while unemployment has hit 10.2 percent, highest in 26 years, as was reported yesterday -- is...

Neither Barack Obama nor Nancy Pelosi can be as clueless as they want us to think they are. The White House said the president was so uninterested in the results on election night that he watched a documentary on the '08 presidential campaign, no doubt eager to see who won. Mzz Pelosi, as oblivious of the scoreboard as a ditzy cheerleader unaware of which team has the ball, insists her side won the night. Mr. Obama continues to campaign for the job the rest of us thought we gave him a year ago. The day after the Republicans sent wake-up...

Congress recognizes no limits on its power. It doesn't care about the Constitution, it doesn't care about your inalienable rights. If this health care bill becomes law, America, life as you have known it, freedom as you have exercised it and privacy as you have enjoyed it will cease to be. [snip] We do not have two political parties in this country, America. We have one party; called the Big Government Party. The Republican wing likes deficits, war, and assaults on civil liberties. The Democratic wing likes wealth transfer, taxes, and assaults on commercial liberties. Both parties like power; and...

Some AMA members are outraged that the group's trustees made the endorsement without the formal approval of the organization's House of Delegates. The American Medical Association's much-touted endorsement of the House health care reform bill has triggered a revolt among some members who want the endorsement withdrawn. Some members are outraged that the group's trustees made the endorsement without the formal approval of the organization's House of Delegates. On Monday, delegates will vote on a resolution offered by some members that, if approved, will withdraw the AMA’s endorsement of the bill. President Obama cited the endorsement of the influential AMA,...

Patriots from all over the Nation heeded Michele Bachmann's plea of less than a week ago to come to Washington to rally and lobby congress to vote no on Pelosi care. At Noon yesterday, Michelle Bachmann descended the steps of the US Capitol joined by leading Republicans to the thundering cheers of patriots, and their chants of "kill the bill." These Americans Patriots, who Nancy Pelosi, condescendignly called, "Astroturf" back in August, had eagerly waited for the press conference and rally to begin for over two hours. And they were not disappointed. "We are here today to bring focus and...

This one’s a day old but still fresh. Think the chairman got the message from what happened to Scozzafava in NY-23? “You’re going to find yourself in a very tough hole if you’re arguing for the president’s stimulus plan,” he warns purple-state Republicans. Um, isn’t there a rather prominent purple-state Republican running for Senate right now who did exactly that? Ben Smith takes a trip down memory lane: And indeed, Crist’s own “Florida Recovery” website belies the claim. There, he links a “Dear Mr. President” letter he signed with 18 fellow governors, which begins, “We are writing to express our...

The voters be damned: That seems to be Speaker Nancy Pelosi's attitude in the wake of big Democratic losses on Tuesday. "House Democratic leaders, undeterred by delays in the Senate or this week's Republican electoral triumphs, plan to call a vote Saturday on the most sweeping overhaul of U.S. health-care policy in four decades," Bloomberg reports: The House will move on the $1.05 trillion legislation that would cover 36 million uninsured people and create a government plan to compete with private insurers even after the election of Republican governors in New Jersey and Virginia. President Barack Obama will go to...

How many Americans would you estimate are involved in one group or another in some way, shape or form to take our country back (i.e. FR, 912 groups, tea party goers, members of groups like ResistNet, etc.)

Due to the amazing energy of the 9-12 March on Washington, we are BRINGING IT HOME TO NORTH CAROLINA! North Carolina FreedomWorks is sponsoring a “Taxpayer March On Raleigh” The 11-14 event will begin at 11AM and include a march and rally. The event will begin on Halifax Mall, the large grassy area located between the Legislative Building and the Legislative Office Building. As FreedomWorks President Matt Kibbe is fond of saying, “Government goes to those who show up.” We showed up to march on our nation’s capitol. It’s time to bring it home to our state capitol! From...

While roaming the grounds of the US Capitol yesterday, Kristinn Taylor obtained a list of possible democrat defectors of the now infamous “Healthcare” bill. Kristinn was asked to post this list of wobbly democrats on FreeRepublic in an effort to mobilize our forces and overwhelm these members with phone calls and e-mails asking them to vote NO on the socialization of our healthcare. We also learned that Nancy Pelosi had just scheduled the vote for tomorrow; Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 6:00 PM. For all those who were unable to answer the call to surround the Capitol yesterday, here is...

Rep. Michele Bachmann stood alone at a podium at the foot of the Capitol Thursday, blowing kisses and waving to the fawning crowd of thousands she had assembled. The tea party rally against a Democratic-written health care bill was over, and the other lawmakers had cleared the stage. But the love affair between Bachmann and her fans was reaching its apex. Brushing off an aide’s reminder to go inside and vote, the fiery Minnesotan with the fierce blue eyes descended toward a crowd penned in by the stone walls of the Capitol lawn. She leaned across the barrier to grasp...

Now we know what the mainstream media mean by “moderate Republican.” A moderate Republican supports gay marriage, which would savage the family – the foundation of society. This puts him at odds with an overwhelming majority of voters. On Tuesday, Maine became the 31st state to reject marriage substitutes via the ballot. On marriage referenda, the score is 31-0 for the home team. A moderate Republican is so dogmatically pro-abortion that she gets awards from Planned Parenthood. As a state legislator, a moderate Republican votes to raise taxes more than the average Democrat. A moderate Republican supports Card Check, which...

(Newser) – In the GOP upsets in Virginia and New Jersey, Daniel Henninger doesn't just see Obama backlash, he sees a voter rebellion from both parties, with independent Americans behaving like stampeding cattle. That independents would within one year swing from Obama enthusiasts to backing decent-to-weak Republicans in Virginia and New Jersey is “simply astonishing,” writes the Wall Street Journal opinion editor. “The American voter is absolutely, totally, unremittingly disgusted with both political parties.” The stampeding bulls veered left last year and right this year. “They will keep running—crushing incumbents, candidates and political models of the left and right—until they...

Attorney General Buddy Caldwell has served a search warrant at the ACORN office at 2609 Canal Street, according to Tammi Arender Herring, a spokeswoman with the office. Investigators in khaki pants and polo shirts loaded several dozen computers and other electronic items into an SUV. They are also carrying records out of the building on handcarts. The large office building sits at the corner of Dorgenois and Canal. ACORN staffers were given no notice that a search would be conducted today, Herring said. "They have been extremely cooperative," she said. Early last month, Caldwell's office issued subpoenas for records from...

The Lesson of Bob McDonnellby Charlie SpieringA week before the election, Virginia candidate for governor Bob McDonnell was asked in a radio interview if he would veto state funding for Planned Parenthood.“We shouldn't be doing that (funding Planned Parenthood) in Virginia,” answered O’Donnell. “That's common sense I think, and that will be part of what we get done.”Pro-choice activists were furious and quick to condemn his remarks. To them it was one more reason why McDonnell was “out of step and out of touch with voters.” But McDonnell, with his common sense approach to politics, proved that you can still...

Of all the numbers swirling around this week Capitol Hill this week – health care whip counts, CBO estimates, winning and losing margins in Virginia, New York and New Jersey– one stands out from the rest: 10.2 percent. That’s the national unemployment rate. And lawmakers from both parties know that, if it doesn’t go down dramatically before next November, they could be adding to it themselves. “I think anytime unemployment is high and people are concerned about their jobs, the economy, incumbents on both sides of the aisle need to be concerned,” Republican Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker said Friday. “What...

I recently sat down with legendary investor Ted Forstmann to discuss why, on the one-year anniversary of the financial meltdown, the press has largely ignored the role of government in creating the meltdown—and possibly setting the stage for another one—by allowing Wall Street to borrow cheaply and easily during the past three decades. "I guess reporters think writing about greedy investment bankers is more interesting," Mr. Forstmann laughed. [....] The greed merchants needed a co-conspirator, Mr. Forstmann argues, and that co-conspirator is and was the United States government. "They're always there waiting to hand out free money," he said. "They...

Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin says she will oppose the health care reform bill expected to be considered this weekend in the House. The South Dakota Democrat says the plan falls short of her goals for health care reform and could threaten existing access to health care for many South Dakotans. Herseth Sandlin says she's also concerned it doesn't do enough to bring down the federal deficit and could affect future health care for seniors. The House could begin consideration this weekend of the 10-year, $1.2 trillion legislation that would extend health coverage to tens of millions of uninsured Americans and...

WASHINGTON - If Democratic leaders manage to push a massive health care overhaul through the House of Representatives this weekend, they'll have to do it without one of Maryland's Democratic congressmen. Freshman Rep. Frank Kratovil, facing one of the toughest re-election fights in the country next year, announced Friday that he opposes the measure. His stance could complicate efforts by Democratic leaders to secure approval of the legislation this weekend.

In a fast-breaking development comes word that agents of the Attorney’s General office in Louisiana have raided ACORN’s offices in New Orleans. ACORN’s New Orleans was, for decades, the headquarters of the national community organizing association. News of the raid comes from Marcel Reid and her colleagues at ACORN 8, an association of former ACORN leaders and board members. Many of the individuals involved with ACORN 8 were fired from ACORN for demanding a forensic audit following an embezzlement scandal involving Dale Rathke, brother of ACORN co-founder Wade Rathke. Check back her for more details, as well as a statement...

...If I were trying to develop a strategy to pass a bill that most Americans oppose, I would consciously plan for exactly what happened during the banking bailout bill in 2008. I would let them scream, let them march, let them carry signs and write letters, and even let the bill fail to pass. And once the citizenry was sufficiently exhausted or had turned their attention to something else, I would put it up for another vote. Personally, I would be surprised if this were truly a conscious strategy by most of our representatives, although I am sure that the...

(Washington, D.C.) -- Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) predicted on Thursday that there will be a constitutional challenge to the provision in the health care bill under consideration in Congress that would require all Americans to buy health insurance. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the federal government has never before mandated that Americans purchase any good or service. When asked by CNSNews.com on Thursday where in the Constitution is Congress given the authority to mandate that people buy health insurance, McCain said, “That is an excellent question and I’m sure that if they pass health care legislation, I think there...

Say No To Government Health Care rally on Saturday NOVEMBER 7, 2009 OK fellow patriots… here we go again. We will assemble this Saturday (11/07) from 2:00-4:00 p.m. to drive home the message of this week’s election – we don’t want no stinkin’ government health care! We will meet at the intersection of Hershberger Road and I-581, near Valley View. Our meeting place is the site of the old Celebration Station on Hershberger, and we’ll line Hershberger as far as our numbers allow. The weather should be glorious – a wonderful day to be outside and celebrate your liberty. If...

Dick Morris thinks Mob-O-Care is dead after the Democrat electoral fiascos in the last week. I sincerely hope that Morris is right, but I'm not so sure. The trouble is that Obama and the Democrats have no other game plan -- their other ideas, like the suicidal Carbon Tax, are even more likely to get them tossed out of office. Obama's power has peaked -- and judging by the Clinton backlash of 1994, when the GOP won the  House for the first time in forty years, it's downhill from here on out. Nothing in politics is certain, and Obama will...