CONS to Obama: Talk to the Hand

President Obama and the Democrats are trying to work with the republiCONS why? Funny one would think the CONs believe they won the last election. During his inaugural address Obama mentioned his administration willingness to work with various interest.

The question before the Obama administration now is what does it do when the extended hand is met with a fist?

G.O.P. = Getting Out of the Party

CBS evening news released a poll last night showing people identifying themselves as politically independent at an all time high. Independents are up 25 percent from 1988.

CBS tries to paint this as bad news for both major parties, but astute observers ask where did these independents come from? The CBS poll clearly shows they are defectors from rebpubliCON party! In fact, CON identification is down 21 percent from 1988. Meanwhile, people identifying themselves as Democrats are basically unchanged during that time period.

Moreover, other CBS/New York Times polls show voters view Democrats more favorably than CONS, and feel the Democratic party will do a better job on important issues such as the economy and the war.

Over the past four presidential elections the GOP has won the popular vote only once, in 2004. At that time CON identification was 30 percent. However, given the dismal performance of the president and the current slate of CON candidates its unlikely the "grand old party" will sniff 30 percent support anytime soon.

Good luck in November CONS!

Republican Cluster F*#@!

The republican race for president is becoming quite a mess. Combining last week's Gallop/USA Today Presidential poll with yesterday's first quarter campaign fundraising numbers, we see a republican field with major problems.

Let's start with Giuliani who had a tough week. First as conservatives learn more about Rudolph's background, his judgement, and political stances his poll numbers drop like a stone. The Gallop poll saw his number fall more than 13 points in just two weeks. Ouch! At that rate, he'll be out of the race in little more than a month. This sagging support meant mediocre contributions. Putting him far behind Willard "Slick" Romney. All this has "the Mayor" somewhat unhinged and defensive.

John McCain is in even tougher straits. His poll numbers plateaued at roughly 20 percent and he came in a disappointing third in the money race. Like Giuliani, McCain is starting to reek of desperation. He is looking for any spark to jump start his campaign, even one that put hundreds of US soldiers in harms way.

Then there's Romney. Old Willard had to choke on his lunch when Gallop revealed he's convinced just three 3 percent of the country he should be the next President. Three percent! That's within the poll's margin of error, which could mean Willard is actually appealing to no one. On the flip side, he sucked in over the past three months a mighty $23 million for his campaign. That has got to be the richest 3 percent in the country. Romney is obviously going after the Bush base.

Meanwhile, Newt's star is fading and Brownback, Tancredo, and Huckabee can't even get off the launching pad. Finally, Fred Thompson's poll numbers went from zero to 12 points in the last 14 days. Impressive for someone who isn't even running. Just shows how desperate the republican base is becoming given the current slate of official candidates. Unfortunately, for thespian Thompson, he's now down $23 million to Romney.

What fun!

No Pressure

Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) has really stepped into it. Specifically, Senator Domenici has admitted that he contacted U.S. Attorney David Iglesias last year about an ongoing corruption investigation that included at least one Democratic lawmaker. Domenici now regrets making the call, but categorically denies he pressured or threatened Iglesias on the course of action the investigation should take. Sounds simple, right?

Unfortunately, there is the little matter that in 2006 Senator Domenici called upon the Department of Justice to fire Mr. Iglesias. Oops, that doesn't look too good.

Senator Domenici alleges he made the call for removal long before he contacted the U.S. Attorney about his ongoing corruption investigation. Okay, this makes everything hunky dory again, right?

Unless . . . one considers that Senator Domenici now was in a position to significantly shape the investigation. How so? Well, it isn't too much of a stretch to imagine the Senator dropping his call for removal if say, the investigation went in a particular way. Gasp! Unfortunately for Mr. Iglesias he didn't change the investigation and ultimately was fired.

Congress has now gotten involved and hearings will begin Tuesday. Mr. Iglesias has been called to testify. Congress should ask the former U.S. Attorney if he felt Senator Domenici was asking him to alter his investigation in trade for his job. Unfortunately, it's unlikely the good Senator from New Mexico will be required to attend. Shame, it would be nice to see Mr. Domenici give his side of the story under a little pressure.

From GOP Reject to Presidential Candidate?

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, recently appeared on Fox News Sunday. During the interview, Chris Wallace asked Mr. Gingrich about a possible presidential run. Unfortunately, for Mr. Gingrich a new Fox poll found that more than 60% of the country will not vote for the former speaker. When asked about these high negatives, Mr. Gingrich blamed bad press and what he cryptically termed "some mistakes" during his time as speaker. By mistakes could he be referring to his disastrous decision to shut down the federal government in a pissing match with President Clinton? Or perhaps he means his ethics scandals or personal failures?

Regardless of whatever "mistakes" Mr. Gingrich is referring to, the Republican party forced him out of his leadership position after his handling of the misguided Clinton Impeachment, which ultimately led to Republican losses in the 1998 midterm elections.

Mr. Gingrich is dreaming if he thinks the country has forgotten his dismal House leadership. As such, any Gingrich presidential run would have to answer the following: if he wasn't good enough to lead his own party, why should Americans trust him to lead the country?

Democratic Sizzle, Republican Fizzle!

With the announcement over the weekend of Senator Barack Obama's candidacy for the President, the Democratic field now appears set. What a field it is! Any one of the top three candidates (Clinton, Edwards, or Obama) would make a far better President than our current leader. Buzz surrounding the Democratic field has never been higher. See here, here, and here.

Compare that to the republicans' current slate of candidates. All have significant PR problems. The flip flopping duo of John McCain and Rudolph Giuliani are falling all over themselves to attract the extreme right vote. Good luck John and Rudolph playing the republican base for dupes. Meanwhile Willard "slick" Mitt Romney appears to have fallen off the radar screen, and finds it hard to convince party faithfuls he's their guy. As such, a lack excitement surrounding the republican field has them infighting to attract attention.

Bring on the campaign!

Lincoln Rolling in his Grave

Recently, conservative mouthpieces such as Fred Barnes of the Weekly Standard and Michael Goodwin of the New York Daily News have begun comparing George Bush to Abraham Lincoln. What a joke! The differences between our first Republican President and the current one are like night and day.

First, Mr. Lincoln’s war, unlike Bush’s incursion into Iraq, was forced upon him. Next, Mr. Lincoln’s policies were designed to hold the union together during a time of national crisis. By comparison Mr. Bush’s plans during an equally trying time appear to be tearing the nation apart. Third, Mr. Lincoln served and fought in our nation’s military. During Vietnam, Mr. Bush got a cozy deployment in the states. Finally, Mr. Lincoln was often referred to as “Honest” Abe. It is unlikely many would hang that nickname upon Mr. Bush and his administration.

Other than being Republicans, there is little these two Presidents share in common and it is doubtful Mr. Lincoln would appreciate the comparison.