Brit Hume tweaks the due process worshipers: “And does it occur to any of these Democrats, many of whom exhibited an exquisite sensitivity to the rights of imprisoned enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay who have been convicted of nothing — does any of them notice that — do any of them notice that this man, Rod Blagojevich, has not even been indicted, let alone convicted of anything?”
Meanwhile, Bill Kristol is forming a new club: “We’re starting the D.C. chapter of the ‘Rod Blagojevich Fan Society.’ I mean, he’s done a great job of — and the man’s not been indicted and not been impeached. You know, but his appointment is somehow not to be honored? Bill Clinton was impeached and ended up pleading — taking a plea bargain to, I believe, a federal crime, and everyone thought his appointments were legitimate, and they were dutifully confirmed by the Senate in 1998 and 1999. So I really think the Democrats have gotten themselves foolishly and – – into a hole. And also, I just think, practically speaking, the man deserves to be seated. Blagojevich is the sitting governor of Illinois who has appointed this man with no corrupt — apparent corrupt influence to be a senator. Let him be a senator for two years.”
A Ken Blackwell supporter takes off on Michael Steele. How long before Steele’s team retaliates and goes after Blackwell’s own record, specifically his complete wipeout in the 2006 Ohio Gubernatorial race ? ( The comments are fairly hostile with regard to the anti-Steele hit piece.) No, there really isn’t any standout candidate in the mix.
Lots of swearing, many surly voices and plenty of procedural complaints. Yup — must be another story on the RNC chairmanship contest.
One hopes the Obama national security team understands this: “Much as Mr. Obama takes office in a stronger position thanks to the Iraq surge, his foreign policy would also benefit from Israeli success in Gaza. The President-elect says he intends to pursue a grand bargain with Iran, and the mullahs are going to be more interested in diplomacy if their military proxies have been defeated. A Hamas humiliation would also show Tehran that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s regional militarism has more costs than benefits.”
Ah, now we hear from the MSM that George W. Bush “even by comparison with past U.S. presidents, has been very, very pro-Israel.”
Talk about your white elephants — John Bolton wants to give Gaza to Egypt and the West Bank to Jordan. It would indeed be “decidedly unpopular in Egypt and Jordan.”
On the stimulus package, Sen. Judd Gregg suggests less debt, fewer taxpayer-funded swing-sets, and more tax cuts. The Obama administration seems receptive only to the latter. (Didn’t we just finish eight years of Democrats complaining about Republicans’ excessive spending and big tax cuts? It’s the New Continuity!)
While mildly supportive of a stimulus package as a short term stopgap to prevent a “free fall,” Robert J. Samuelson cautions: “Rapid increases in the federal debt — much faster than in recent years — would threaten a further loss of confidence that might prolong today’s financial crisis or, someday, trigger a new one. A growing federal debt burden would also compound the problem of paying the staggering retirement costs of aging baby boomers. So: Neither rising household nor government debt provides a plausible foundation for future economic growth.”
Could Harry Reid lose in 2010? His home state newspaper thinks so: “As hard as it may be to believe, given Reid’s political stature, Harry has difficulty connecting with people. Before large groups, he projects a zombie vibe. In person, he appears preoccupied. Looks like a smile might hurt. Never seems comfortable. And perhaps his greatest re-election liability is that he too quickly defaults to bunker mentality with constituents, creating unnecessary suspicion and animosity. Unlike his mentor, former Gov. Mike O’Callaghan, he can’t seem to find ways to charm critics.” We thought the problem was his hyperpartisanship, inability to explain questionable positions, and insistence that taxes are “voluntary.”
Al Franken is going to be declared the winner. Perhaps he got more votes and perhaps his recount attorneys were more effective. Republicans better have something better than an “it seems fishy” argument to contest the election.
How lame is the “we pressed and got nothing” Obama team excuse as to why Bill Richardson got through the vetting? Ah that’s how you slip the ethics gauntlet in the Obama administration– just stonewall! It seems inept, if we believe them. But then, the scandal was in the media already so at the very least they knew there was a grand jury at work. Well, I suppose if you’re willing to dicker with Blago over a Senate seat your antennae for scandal aren’t very sensitive.
George Stephanopolous isn’t buying the ignorance defense: “That the Obama transition team didn’t know about these allegations against Gov. Bill Richardson is shocking. A Google search would have shown that this investigation has been going on for some time. This has been an issue in New Mexico for a while with the Albuquerque Journal reporting on it for several months. It would be very surprising if this is something that was missed by the Obama team.” So the conclusion: they were dim about the toxicity of a corruption investigation.
