Posted on 12/30/2009 2:02:04 PM PST by arkadyka
HotAir is a big voice in the conservative blogsophere and has done much to advance the cause of those wishing to stop and reverse the growth of a large central government. Unfortunately Hot Air's Ed Morrissey has brashly thrown his weight behind Scott Brown in the Massachusetts special election. This is disturbing and disheartening for every tea party, small government loving soul in America. While I certainly cannot blame casual Massachusetts Republicans for getting excited over Brown's possible win over Martha Coakley, it becomes much harder to justify it in the case of Ed whose life revolves around politics and whose message is fundamentally Jeffersonian.
In a piece called Where is the national GOP in the Massachusetts special election Ed shows his frustration over the apparent lack of support for Brown, correctly pointing out that in NY-23 the GOP heavily contributed to the liberal Dede while throwing Hoffman under the bus. While Brown is obviously no Dede he is a far cry from the mantra of HotAir: small government and fiscal responsibility. Oddly and most puzzling of all, Ed writes:
(Excerpt) Read more at rightcondition.com ...
And whom would support in this race? Why?
There are a lot of good conservatives here at FreeRepublic who are very upset that the national Republicans aren’t throwing a lot more money at this race.
Scott Brown
Why I’m Running...
America is a great country but we also have some challenges that we need to solve if we’re going to remain the world’s superpower. The most important of our challenges is getting the U.S. economy moving again. People are hurting as they struggle to make ends meet.
They’re worried about their future, and that of their children and grandchildren. I want to ensure that we leave them an America that is financially stronger and independent: minus a national debt that we can never repay.
Economy
I am a free enterprise advocate who believes that lower taxes can encourage economic growth. Raising taxes stifles growth, weakens the economy and puts more people out of work. Our economy works best when individuals have more of their income to spend, and businesses have money to invest and add jobs. I have been a fiscal watchdog in the state legislature fighting bigger government, higher taxes and wasteful spending.
Energy and Environment
I support common-sense environment policy that will help to reduce pollution and preserve our precious open spaces. I realize that without action now, future generations will be left to clean up the mess we leave.
In order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, I support reasonable and appropriate development of alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal and improved hydroelectric facilities. I oppose a national cap and trade program because of the higher costs that families and businesses would incur.
Education
I am passionate about improving the quality of our public schools. Accountability and high standards are paramount. I support choice through charter schools, as well as the MCAS exam as a graduation requirement.
I have worked to ensure that all children have access to a quality education. I am a strong advocate for the METCO program, which provides lower income students with broader educational opportunities.
Immigration
I recognize that our strength as a nation is built on the immigrant experience in America. I welcome legal immigration to this country.
However, we are also a nation of laws and government should not adopt policies that encourage illegal immigration. Providing driver’s licenses and in-state tuition to illegal immigrant families will act as a magnet in drawing more people here in violation of the law and it will impose new costs on taxpayers. I oppose amnesty, and I believe we ought to strengthen our border enforcement and institute an employment verification system with penalties for companies that hire illegal immigrants.
Veterans
As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard, I am uniquely aware of the importance and sacrifice of our men and women serving in the military. I have been a vigorous supporter of legislation providing benefits to returning service members, as well as, benefits for the families of those killed in action.
I believe we need to recognize the sacrifice of all of our servicemembers by keeping better track of returning military personnel so they get the services they deserve. That includes providing them with first-class medical care and other benefits to which they are entitled.
I am known as a leader on veterans’ issues through my work on the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee, the Hidden Wounds of War Commission, and the Governor’s Task Force on Returning Veterans.
Health Care
I believe that all Americans deserve health care coverage, but that we shouldn’t have to create a new government insurance program to provide it. I support strengthening the existing private market system.
In Massachusetts, I support the 2006 healthcare law that expanded coverage, but I believe the Deval Patrick administration must do more to contain the costs of the Commonwealth Care subsidy program.
Gun issues
I support the Second Amendment and believe that citizens have the right to keep and bear arms as a basic constitutional liberty. I support safe and responsible gun ownership.
Death penalty
I believe there are some crimes that are so heinous that they deserve capital punishment. Our Government should have the ability to impose the death penalty in cases where it is justified.
Abortion
While this decision should ultimately be made by the woman in consultation with her doctor, I believe we need to reduce the number of abortions in America. I believe government has the responsibility to regulate in this area and I support parental consent and notification requirements and
I oppose partial birth abortion. I also believe there are people of good will on both sides of the issue and we ought to work together to support and promote adoption as an alternative to abortion.
Marriage
I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. States should be free to make their own laws in this area, so long as they reflect the people’s will as expressed through them directly, or as expressed through their elected representatives.
Israel
Israel has made enormous sacrifices in an attempt to secure peace – including unilateral withdrawal from Gaza. I support a two-state solution that reaffirms Israel’s right to exist and provides the Palestinians with a place of their own where both sides can live in peace and security.
As our closest ally in the Middle East, Israel lives every day under the threat of terror yet shares with America a dedication to democratic ideals, a respect for faith, and a commitment to peace in the region. Until a lasting peace is achieved, I support the security barrier erected by Israel which has proven successful in protecting Israeli civilians from terrorist attacks.
Iran
I support the bi-partisan Iran sanctions bill and believe that until Ahmadinejad gives up his nuclear ambitions he should be isolated from the rest of the world. With its reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons, Iran represents the biggest threat to Israel.
Ahmadinejad is a Holocaust denier who has threatened to wipe Israel off the map. Meeting with him confers legitimacy when the only correct response is to treat him as an outcast. A personal meeting with Ahmadinejad, as suggested by my opponent, would embolden him and be used as a propaganda tool to strengthen his position
http://www.brownforussenate.com/issues
I don’t believe the ‘tea party movement’ has endorsed anyone in the Senatorial Race. At this point Scott Brown is the Republican nominee, and I sure hope he can pull it out. Martha Coakley would be as bad or WORSE than Teddy Kennedy.
a movement cannot really support anyone...
If they are good conservatives, then they are not paying attention.
Correction:
Whom would YOU support in this race? Why?
Then I don’t understand the complaint about HotAir.
I definitely wouldn’t call this ‘undermining’ the tea party movement, nether candidate is exactly top notch. Coakley has been all over the place as much (if not more than) Brown. She is trying to appeal to the tea party types now and has been pals with John Kerry and donating to the DNC and Democratic candidates as recently as last year.
Mass. can have Lt. Col. Scott Brown 90% Conservative
or they can have the 100% Liberal Democrat who will vote for Obama’s agenda.
Read post 4.
ontributor Occupation Date Amount Recipient
COAKLEY, MARTHA
MEDFORD,MA 02155 COMMONWEALTH OF MASS./ATTORNEY GENE 6/16/09 $500 DNC Services Corp (D)
COAKLEY, MARTHA
ARLINGTON,MA 02474 DISTRICT ATTORNEY 2/4/00 $500 Kelley, Stephen P (D)
COAKLEY, MARTHA
DORCHESTER,MA 02122 ATTORNEY 5/12/97 $300 Massachusetts Democratic State Cmte
COAKLEY, MARTHA
MEDFORD,MA 02155 COMMONWEALTH OF MA 6/24/02 $250 Pryor, Mark (D)
COAKLEY, MARTHA MS
MEDFORD,MA 02155 COMMONWEALTH OF MASS./ATTORNEY GENE 10/25/08 $500 EMILY’s List
COAKLEY, MARTHA MS
MEDFORD,MA 02155 COMMONWEALTH OF MASS./DISTRICT ATTO 4/11/05 $250 EMILY’s List
COAKLEY, MARTHA MS
MEDFORD,MA 02155 8/10/04 $250 EMILY’s List
You have no clue.
I would support Joe Kennedy, because he wants to shrink government.
Scott Brown Ping
What is the old saying, there is a sucker born every minute.
You either know nothing about Lt. Col Scott Brown or you are a Liberal Troll
I am the sucker? yet you are supporting a professional politician who has supported growth of Mass. state government....hmm.
calling me a liberal troll shows your utter incompentence.
..and you are supporting the guy who marches hand in hand with Code Pink. Jeeze..
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