DCRepublican.com

With the start of the Pennsylvania Democratic Primary just hours away, I’ve found myself in a reflective state, looking back at what has really been accomplished by the two candidates over the past six weeks.

Of all of the tours had by both candidates around the state, I can’t think that of one new policy idea that was completely rolled out. Furthermore, even after all of the debate and media coverage, I still can’t find myself in a position where I can tell you why one candidate is better than the other.

From what I’ve seen, there are a lot of people who have found themselves in the same position and these are people who live in Pennsylvania.

It’s quite clear that this hasn’t gone unnoticed by the candidate’s campaigns either. Instead of going after statements that were made by either candidate in Pennsylvania, most of the attack ads are focusing on something that has been drawn out too long already – special interest dollars.

Here is a quick video summary:

When the race is between three Senators, as much people might hate it, special interest money is going to come up. All of the candidates have received money from a PAC or PAC affiliated donor at some point. All of the candidates have met with lobbyists, and yes, I guarantee you all of the candidates are friends with at least a handful of DC “power lobbyists.”

Aside from the special interest attack ads, the other attack seems to be on universal health care. What’s funny about these attacks is that they are going after each others plans, when in reality none of them will ever be implemented.

All candidates, Democrats and Republicans, make big plans for when they get elected, in terms of implementing different policies. However, the reality is that the majority of those plans never make it through the legislature.

Just as an example, take President Bush’s 2004 Social Security plans. Even when Republicans had control, they weren’t able to pass one of his biggest campaign pushes.

People shouldn’t be surprised to find that the same will probably hold true if a Democrat is elected, even with a Democratic majority in the House.

These plans, while they might sound good in their initial proposals will never make it through the bodies as they appear now. Each member of Congress wants their stamp on it and will do what they can to make sure it’s there.

This is where almost all legislation seems to fail.

I guess that’s why I’ve found it so odd that this is how the Democrats chose to wind down their races leading into the election.

Instead of driving hard key issue, like the economy, or going after Senator McCain more aggressively, they’ve chosen the path that only highlights both of their weaknesses against each other, instead of showing their viability against Senator McCain.

But, from a Republican perspective – this is great. They’re going to have their donor based maxed and polarized before they even have a presumed nominee. That’s something that even one of Howard Deans spin-cycle emails cant downplay.

Just look at what CNN.com is reporting on their front page today:

Obama has outspent his rival in Pennsylvania, thanks in part to his hefty fundraising.

He raised $41 million in March, compared with Clinton’s $20 million, according to the latest campaign finance report.

In March, Obama spent about $31 million on his presidential campaign, compared with Clinton’s $22 million.

I don’t see any way that Obama or Clinton can raise that much money without their donors reaching the FEC limits.

The Republicans should really start taking advantage of this… soon.

I haven’t seen all that many mail pieces of phone calls going from the McCain camp, or the RNC talking about how we’re at an advantage here.

When a party has been beaten down over the last 8 years, this is positive news that will make people want to make an investment in the GOP.

But you can’t get money if you don’t ask… so hopefully they’ll start soon.

Just when I thought that there was no Alaskan who could be less of a fiscal conservative than Senator Ted Stevens, the pitfalls of another Alaskan, Congressman Don Young are brought back into the spotlight, this time with the likely prospect of intervention from the Department of Justice.

Without a doubt, the actions of Congressman Young are far more appalling and apprehensible than any of the ridiculous earmarks that Senator Stevens has tried to push through Congress.

Here is a brief recap from CNN.com illustrating the problem Congressman Young now finds himself facing:

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Senate voted Thursday to seek a federal investigation into a 2005 earmark on a highway funding bill that was altered after Congress approved the measure but before President Bush signed it.

Earmarks are requests for money by a specific legislator, usually for her or his constituency, added onto often-unrelated government spending bills.

The $10 million earmark — originally designated for improvements to Interstate 75 in Lee and Collier Counties in Florida — was changed to put the money into building an interchange in Lee County, an apparent violation of congressional rules.

The staff of Rep. Don Young made the changes, the Alaska Republican’s spokeswoman said Tuesday, saying the staff had “fixed” a mistake in the original bill.

A proposal put forward by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California, to direct the Justice Department to investigate passed the Senate by a vote of 63-29.

Without a doubt, Congressman Young is in deep, and he’s known this for awhile.

Unlike bad earmarks from Senator Stevens that were for Alaska, this earmark was a pet project for Daniel J. Aronoff, a well known real-estate developer that helped Congressman Young raise $40,000 just a few days before the measure was introduced on the house floor.

It’s sad to think that even after all of these scandals, there are still Congressman (particularly Republicans) who are willing to do whatever they can to add to their war-chest. He wasn’t the first and probably wont be the last.

What’s even more appalling, is the response that one of Arnoff’s consultants gave the New York Times:

“We were looking for a lot of money,” said the consultant, Joe Mazurkiewicz. “We evidently made a very good impression on Congressman Young, and thanks to a lot of great work from Congressman Young, we got $81 million to expand Interstate 75 and $10 million for the Coconut Road interchange.”

Aside from this being a bold reply, I think it makes it quite clear that Congressman Young probably wasn’t the only member of Congress helping Mr. Arnoff get the projects that he needs.

Looking at what is being presented, and Congressman Young’s continuous “no comment” replies, I don’t see any way that he will get out of this. In fact, even though I am a Republican, if he is found guilty, I hope that the he has the book thrown at him. I’m guessing Senator Coburn probably agrees with me as well.

Congressman Young isn’t a rookie to Washington. In fact, he’s been here longer than I have been alive. As any member, hill staffer and lobbyist knows, there is a simple procedure in place to correct a bill that has already been passed by the House and Senate.

It’s called a “concurrent resolution.”

This isn’t an unknown process, in fact, I would argue that it is probably one of the most widely used processes amongst both bodies, especially when there are bills that have multiple earmarks and/or provisions. Regardless of how his staff tries to sugarcoat this, the procedure for correcting these bills is known and there is no way around the process, regardless of chairmanships and/or status.

Of course, one cant help but notice the timing of this.

This was something that happened in 2005, but for some reason it took over two years for major action to be requested? The Democrats have obviously been waiting and holding onto this one, and their timing is perfect.

For weeks, there has been virtually no talk of Republicans on the news, simply because John McCain has had smooth sailing after Mike Huckabee finally left the race. This means that all of the political coverage has been of Senators Clinton and Obama beating each other up, which has played a toll on mobilizing Democrats.

However, now the Republicans are back in the hot seat, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Democrats are able to use this a catalyst to raise a good deal of money for their candidates.

As unfortunate at it is, I think that this could very well be the straw that breaks the back of the NRCC… they just are having a horrible year.

Even though this is old news, CNN is finally reporting that Senator Obama won’t be submitting earmarks for the 2009 budget.

This year, as the Senate funding request deadline approaches and the final primaries of the Democratic nomination process draw near, Obama’s staff told CNN the junior senator from Illinois will request no earmarks for fiscal year 2009.

The dramatic change is in line with a statement Obama issued last month in connection with an amendment calling for a one-year moratorium on earmarks in the Senate.

The amendment, sponsored by federal earmark foe Sen. Jim DeMint, R-South Carolina, was shot down by a vote of 79-21.

“We can no longer accept a process that doles out earmarks based on a member of Congress’ seniority, rather than the merit of the project,” Obama’s statement said.

“The entire earmark process needs to be re-examined and reformed. For that reason, I will be supporting Sen. DeMint’s amendment and will not be requesting earmarks this year for Illinois,” the statement added.

Of course, Hillary Clinton’s name was also on this amendment, however I think it’s quite clear that she only signed on for purposes other than having a real concern with how earmarking is done.

Clinton will still make requests for the coming year, but will limit those earmarks to “the most critical needs for New York and America,” according to a statement from her staff.

Clinton previously has not made her earmark requests public. But she added about $2.2 billion into spending bills between 2002 and 2006, according to the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense.

In the 2008 budget year, Clinton — by herself or with other lawmakers — obtained scores of earmarks, according to the group. Those requests amounted to $342 million.

The sad reality is that even with all of the presidential nominees on board with this moratorium, both Republicans and Democrats voted against what I believe was one of the most important amendments presented on the Senate floor this year.

It’s quite clear that Hillary Clinton is just using this issue to gain some ground with concerned Democrats, but I must give credit to Senator Obama for his leadership on this issue. I don’t agree with him on much, but the Coburn-Obama amendment, which created an easy-to-use, online database to track government spending was a key step in making the government more transparent as possible.

Of course, amongst all of the candidates, both past and present, Senator McCain has what is by far the best record on earmarks. His position is quite simple: he doesn’t request them.

This is one issue that I hope Senator McCain really drives home as the election draws near.

Sure, Obama has a good record on voting against earmarks, but the reality is that he still has requested millions of dollars for projects that were by no means essential for his constituents. Even though he can talk the talk, his record clearly shows that he hasn’t been able to walk the walk.

I’m guessing all the talk of the Clinton/Obama “dream ticket” will probably start to slow down after Wednesday’s Democratic Debate in Pennsylvania.

Amongst a series of questions that attempted to demand answers from the candidates was whether or not their Democratic opponent was electable.

Of course, in addition was the question of the season, would the winning opponent consider taking the loser as the candidate for VP.

From CNN.com:

“Yes. Yes. Yes,” Clinton said when pressed to answer whether Obama, the senator from Illinois, could win. Media reports have said Clinton and her campaign have been quietly courting support, chiefly from Democratic superdelegates who could decide a close race at the party’s convention, by arguing that Obama is not electable.

“Now, I think I can do a better job — obviously that’s why I’m here,” said Clinton, who promised she will “do everything I possibly can to make sure that one of us takes the oath of office next January.”

Obama said Clinton could win, too. He also said he would support the New York senator and former first lady if she is the Democratic nominee, although both candidates declined to say whether they would consider naming the other as a running mate.

Does anyone think that Obama would really want Hillary Clinton running with him? I honestly think that these “dream ticket” people are just old-establishment Democrats who get some sick sense of euphoria from seeing a Clinton on the ballot.

While there is no chance in hell that I’ll be voting for a Democrat, I think that it is going to be refreshing to finally see a ballot that doesn’t contain a Bush or a Clinton on it. I’m sure many other voters, from both sides, feel the same way.

Being Hillary Rodham Clinton is no easy job.

Her husband is the biggest player in the world… when she’s tired, she makes up stories that didn’t happen… she goes from being the “shoe-in nominee” to trailing in many of the polls and losing key states.

Life for Hillary isn’t as easy as many think. Sometimes, Hillary just needs a stiff drink to make the days go by:

From CNN.com:

CROWN POINT, Indiana – After a day of taking shots at rival Sen. Barack Obama over his bitter remarks, Sen. Hillary Clinton relaxed in Crown Point, Indiana and took a shot of a different kind – Crown Royal whiskey.

Clinton was at Bronko’s Restaurant having a beer when the bartender asked, “You want a shot with that Hillary?” After some deliberation, Clinton settled on a shot of Crown Royal, a Canadian whiskey.

Later in the evening, the Democratic presidential hopeful also sat down and had some pizza.

Some Clinton’s drink on the job, while others…

As the Democrats start to see that this election probably wont be as predictable as they once thought, the DNC has found itself in a position where they now MUST focus on trying to convince the Federal Elections Commission that Senator McCain did in fact lock himself into campaign spending limits before he became the presumptive nominee.

From CNN.com:

The lawsuit, which was filed in the United States District Court in Washington, is the latest move by the Democratic National Committee that seeks to prove the Arizona senator locked himself into campaign spending limits earlier this year.

The DNC claims McCain did so when he used the prospect of $6 million in federal matching funds as collateral for a December bank loan to his campaign.

But after it became apparent he would be the Republican presidential nominee, McCain notified the FEC in early February that he was not claiming federal matching funds. Claiming those funds would limit his spending on the primary campaign to $54 million.

To be exact, the maximum figure that he could spent, according to the FEC is $56,757,500.

However, Senator McCain has spent well over that amount.

The reality is that at this point, the FEC really doesn’t have the ability or manpower to carryout the request of the DNC, which is why the Democrats must now rely on the courts. But does the DNC think that it’s likely that for the court to take action? It’s the end of an administration, so you can never predict these things.

The Republican National Committee called the lawsuit “total nonsense.”

“It is now clear that the trial-lawyer Democrats’ idea of campaigning for president is to hire lawyers and file frivolous lawsuits,” RNC spokesman Alex Conant said. “It’s unfortunate the DNC is now trying to drag the federal courts into their circus as well.”

This is a good point. Instead of focusing on their candidates and ensuring that all their delegates have a voice at the convention, they are trying to create a distraction to rile up their base and hope they focus on Senator McCain, instead of the back-and-fourth mudslinging going on between Senator Obama and Senator McCain.

For those of us who have, are or will be working on campaigns, this is going to be an interesting case to watch. What I think the most significant thing to watch is how the FEC decided to address this. They are understaffed and essentially have no power. If both sides see that the oversight and enforcement is going to be weak, this could be an even more interesting campaign.

I don’t care how liberal or conservative you are, but this is not how you want to start your career in Congress. There is absolutely no chance of this woman ever working with conservatives. None. Zero. Notta.

She doesn’t even have a vote record, but already I want Jackie Speier out Congress. She seems like a total joke, another Steve Kagen.

This woman is not, cannot and will never be anything like her predecessor, Tom Lantos.

According to Glenn Beck, America definitely needs a 12 step program,  much like the one commonly used by recovering alcoholics.

While it might seem odd, or even offensive to look at the United States as we would alcoholics in recovery, I truly believe that Glenn Beck is onto something here.

From the article:

Step One: Admit we are not powerless.

Take a look at our Constitution. Not just a transcript; find an actual picture of it. The first three words, “We the People,” are at least four times larger than the others. Do you think that was an accident? Of course not. Our framers chose those words, and made them that size, because they knew they were the answer to any problem we would ever face.

Amen!

I think that far too often American’s forget that this country was built on the principle that every American, no matter what class, color or creed has the ability to stand up for what they believe in and fight for change.

I also think that this is something that many in Washington forget about. Unfortunately, the reality is that many in Congress, despite what they may say on the campaign trail, could care less what the common person thinks, they are just trying to climb the congressional ladder.

It doesn’t have to be this way though, we simply need to demand more of those we elect, but more importantly hold them to their word when they arrive in Washington.

Step Three: Decide to take our power back.

A recent polls says 81 percent of Americans now say that our country is on the wrong track. If you’re one of those people, who do you blame? The Bush administration? Congress? The media?

Here’s a crazy idea: How about blaming ourselves?

If you don’t like the fact that your city has led the country in poverty and homelessness for the last 10 years, then ELECT SOMEONE NEW. Stop voting for the same people from the same party every year.

Our power hasn’t gone away (see Step One), it’s just been masked by politicians who are tearing us apart for their own gain. We need to reclaim that power, and then we need to use it.

I think that this correlates with step one, but it’s an unfortunate reality that people think that America is a country where a minority of the population control the majority of the power.

While I’d agree that is how it seems, any citizen of the United States, as long as they have a strong message, can do just as much (if not more) good than those currently in power.

Step Five: Admit our wrongs, and our rights.

We’re constantly reminded about America’s faults and flaws, but what about our achievements?

If you want to teach our kids about Vietnam, that’s fine, but you better also teach them about World War II. And if you want to talk about our wars, you better also talk about our welfare. America is one of the most charitable countries in the history of the world, yet our mistakes are always glorified far more than our generosity. That needs to be reversed.

I agree. However, I don’t think that things have always been this way.

Forty years ago, when history was taught in our classrooms, war heroes and military victories were glorified more than any mistakes made my the United States. Furthermore, the Pledge of Allegiance was daily ritual, that reminded young people how great this country truly was.

Sadly, due to the assault on education from the left, the “true America” that is taught to our youth today is not representative of all of the great things we’ve done and could do with a stronger sense of pride from our citizens.

While Glenn Beck stops short at six steps, I think that the list of things we can do to get this country back on the right track is probably much longer.

Nonetheless, I urge everyone to read his article and if you have some other ideas, I urge you to share them.

On Tuesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that Iran has increased its capacity to enrich uranium dramatically. Without a doubt, this will bring them one step closer to having the ability to produce nuclear weapons.

From the Islamic Republic News Agency:

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday that Iran’s nuclear program belongs to all humanity.

Speaking in the special ceremony marking Iran’s National Nuclear Day, he said the country’s nuclear program is regarded as the most significant event in the contemporary era.

Iran has successfully tested new cheaper nuclear devices in smaller dimensions that are five fold faster than the present models, he said.

The news on installations of several thousands of centrifuges is minor than the technological breakthrough Iran has made, said the president.

“We have attained remarkable achievements and success in production of magnetic alloy with new devices,” he said.

“Our new technological achievements will make a breakthrough in the country’s industrial sector in the near future,” said the president.

All are well aware of the fact that Iran’s nuclear program has turned to the most significant event in the contemporary era which goes beyond geographical borders to which the world calculations have tied up, he said.

Big powers believe that they have monopolized the nuclear energy and they can trample upon the rights of other nations, he said.

Iranian nation did not pay attention to their hue and cry and overcame all sanctions and with reliance upon almighty God and the youth fully mastered the nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, said the president.

Iran’s nuclear technology is totally indigenous and no one can deprive us from such blessing because it is in the mind and heart of our scientists, he said.

The global arrogance have resorted to hue and cry to force us to give up our legitimate rights, underlined president Ahmadinejad.

After the world war II, the triumphant countries draw up a new relations to govern and dominate the whole world in order to plunder the wealth and natural resources of the world nations, said the Iranian president.

He said the reason why they create obstacles on our path of success and developments.

“The enemies for many times threaten to take military action against Iran to urge us suspend our nuclear program but to no avail”, said the president.

At a later event, Ahmadinejad also stated:

“In addition to installation of 6,000 new centrifuges, there are also reports about other new achievements which would be announced tonight at TV news program,” Ahmadinejad said.

With these advancements, I don’t think that there is anyone that can argue Iran’s threat to the West, but more importantly one of our closest allies, Israel.

No, we won’t be seeing Howard Dean on the ice anytime soon, but it looks like there is some friendly competition brewing between the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention Committee.

Somehow I have a feeling that this will probably be one of the last “friendly” competitions before things really start to get ugly between the parties.

Nonetheless, it’s still a good way to generate buzz about both conventions, which will be, without a doubt,  more eventful than any in the last twenty years.

From the Republican National Convention:

GOP, DEMOCRATIC CONVENTIONS FACE OFF AS
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE’S STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS BEGIN
Convention Leaders Make Friendly Wager on Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche Series

(SAINT PAUL, Minn.) – The National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup Playoffs commence this week, and the cities hosting the 2008 Republican and Democratic National Conventions will be at the center of the action when the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche face off. Today, the two leaders planning the political conventions agreed to a friendly wager on the series.

Republican National Convention President and CEO Maria Cino and Democratic National Convention Committee (DCCC) CEO Leah Daughtry agreed to the stakes earlier today. The losing city’s convention team will send a “taste” of that city’s local delicacy for the winning city’s convention staff to enjoy. If the Wild win, the DNCC will send the Republican National Convention staff a selection of delectable Colorado-raised beef steaks. If the Avalanche win, the Republican team will send the DNCC staff an assortment of walleye from the lakes of Minnesota.

“Minnesota is the ‘State of Hockey,’ and I am proud that we have become part of the ‘Team of 18,000,” Cino said, using the term the Wild coined to describe its consistent sellout crowds. “It is only fitting that we stand with our new community in Minneapolis-Saint Paul and enter into this friendly wager with my friend in Denver, where she and her staff are working equally as hard.

“Our staff in Minneapolis-Saint Paul is pretty excited that the roads to the White House and the Stanley Cup Championship will both lead through the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul,” Cino added.

“To my friend Maria and her fine team in Minnesota: get ready to be buried by our Avalanche,” said Daughtry. “Denver has welcomed us with open arms, and I’m now proud to ante up on behalf of the hometown team. Fortunately for me, the Avs know what it takes to win a championship. Soon enough, the Pepsi Center will be home to the Stanley Cup once again. And just five months from now, it’ll play host to another winner – our nominee for President of the United States.”

The Northwest Division Champion Wild play at the Xcel Energy Center, which is also home of the 2008 Republican National Convention. The Avalanche makes its home at the Pepsi Center in Denver – site of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, to be held August 25-28.

About the 2008 Republican National Convention

The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul’s Xcel Energy Center from September 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, volunteers, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event. For more information about the 2008 Republican National Convention, please visit our website at www.GOPConvention2008.com.

About the DNCC:
The 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee is the official arm of the Democratic National Committee responsible for planning and organizing the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.