#tcot, #rs

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Race42012:

Most Americans celebrate the diversity in our communities and public institutions, but what Americans embrace even more is our commitment to individual excellence and promoting those who have earned their rewards.  This belief in American exceptionalism has made this country the most prosperous, secure and free society in the history of civilization.  Today, the United States remains the land of opportunity, but dark clouds hover over the horizon.

The Obama administration and Senate democrats are laying the groundwork for an unqualified pick for the Supreme Court to replace Justice David Souter.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is calling on President Obama to consult with Senate Democrats and Republicans before picking a replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter.

Specifically, Leahy would like to see Obama appoint more women and minorities to the court, giving a boost to Sonia Sotomayor, a Hispanic woman who has served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. Sen. Arlen Specter(Pa.), who until last week served as the ranking Republican on Judiciary, echoed Leahy’s call.

#tcot, #k10

Bagyants:

I agree with Mr. Rose that Thornburgh faces an uphill climb, but that’s no reason to throw up his hands and quit. With this attitude Barack Obama would now be teaching at the University of Chicago instead of nominating a Supreme Court justice.

By the way, I have yet to hear any compelling reasons from either Brownback, or the only interested candidate on the D side, Chris Steineger for why they want to be governor, other than they just do.

And from a political standpoint, I don’t believe Sen. Brownback to be the inevitable winner - at least not anymore. He has a track record of changing his mind on important issues, a fact that was brought back into the spotlight with his recent back-and-forth on the nomination of Gov. Sebelius to be HHS Secretary. And, interestingly enough, he also has a record of attacking others for doing the same thing.

NY Times:

WASHINGTON - The problem with global warming, some environmentalists believe, is “global warming.”

…..

The research directly parallels marketing studies conducted by oil companies, utilities and coal mining concerns that are trying to “green” their images with consumers and sway public policy.

Environmental issues consistently rate near the bottom of public worry, according to many public opinion polls. A Pew Research Center poll released in January found global warming last among 20 voter concerns; it trailed issues like addressing moral decline and decreasing the influence of lobbyists. “We know why it’s lowest,” said Mr. Perkowitz, a marketer of outdoor clothing and home furnishings before he started ecoAmerica, whose activities are financed by corporations, foundations and individuals. “When someone thinks of global warming, they think of a politicized, polarized argument. When you say ‘global warming,’ a certain group of Americans think that’s a code word for progressive liberals, gay marriage and other such issues.”

The answer, Mr. Perkowitz said in his presentation at the briefing, is to reframe the issue using different language. “Energy efficiency” makes people think of shivering in the dark. Instead, it is more effective to speak of “saving money for a more prosperous future.” In fact, the group’s surveys and focus groups found, it is time to drop the term “the environment” and talk about “the air we breathe, the water our children drink.”

From American Majority:

The Majority Report
Vol. 2 Num. 4 April 2009
www.americanmajority.org / info@americanmajority.org

Home News Blogs Share AM

IN THIS ISSUE
Letter from the President

Tea Party Revolution Sweeping Nation

After the Tea Party

MN’s First Training Draws Quality Attendees

Liberty Gala Dazzles

Dr. Coburn Draws Enthusiastic Crowds

Ned Ryun Appears on Your World with Neil Cavuto

Valuable Training Resources Online

Where Your Dollars Go

Upcoming Events

Events are updated on a continual basis on AM’s Website

Arkasnsas Activist Training Tour (more…)

Kansas Liberty:

President Barack Obama, during opening remarks at the recent Summit of the Americas, said he was making passage of the Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Materials a priority during his administration.

The Organization of American States treaty was signed by former President Bill Clinton in 1997 but never submitted to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

“He knew he didn’t have the votes, but we’re concerned that with the different composition of the Senate that the likelihood of it being passed is higher,”  Erich Pratt, communications director of Gun Owners of America, told Kansas Liberty. “I’m not saying they have the votes yet necessarily, but it’s definitely closer.”

CW:

April 30, 2009 (PC World) Palm Inc. is looking for recruits to become “real reviewers” of Palm phones, including the Palm Pre.

If you’re selected as a reviewer, Palm will give you a free, current model Palm phone to try out and an accompanying data plan for six months. The only requirement is that you regularly post your thoughts about the Palm phone you’re using on any blogs and social networks you frequent. Palm may also ask the reviewers to guest blog for Palm or host a discussion board on Palm’s Facebook page.

To sign up, you have to fill out an eight-question survey and tell Palm a little bit about yourself. Palm is looking for information on what you do on a regular day, what your passions are, what kind of phone you are using now, how you use your phone and what social networks you visit. To be eligible as a “real reviewer,” you must be a U.S. resident and 18 years of age or older.

Channel 9:

COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri freshman quarterback Blaine Dalton has been suspended indefinitely.A former star at Blue Springs South and the winner of the Simone Award last year, Dalton was arrested Thursday night after he was stopped by Columbia police.

Reuters:

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Yahoo Inc is preparing to lay off several hundred workers in the first round of cuts since Carol Bartz became chief executive in January, a source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters.

The layoffs could be announced next Tuesday, when Yahoo reports its first-quarter financial results, according to the source, who wished to remain anonymous because of the issue’s sensitivity.

Redstate:

It was not that long ago - just a few hours in fact - that Arlen Specter proudly told President Obama ‘I’m a loyal Democrat. I support your agenda.’ And so Specter did - all the way up until his first vote as a Democrat. Today Specter cast his first vote in opposition to one of Obama’s top priorities - a measure Democrats favored to make it harder for banks to foreclose on homes:

Centrist Senate Democrats joined with Republicans on Thursday to defeat a measure intended to help struggling homeowners stay in their homes.

By a 45-51 vote, Senators voted against an amendment that would have allowed bankruptcy judges to write down the terms of existing primary home mortgages. The proposal was offered to a bill that would increase the borrowing authority of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp…

Supported by President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) spent more than a year negotiating with banks and their lobbying arms in Washington, D.C., on a compromise that they could accept.

Politics Nation:

“I’m not prepared to have my 29-year record in the United States Senate decided by the Republican primary electorate,” Specter said.

The five-term lawmaker also attempted to knock down implications that he would give Democrats 60 votes in the Senate on every bill, provided Al Franken be seated after a prolonged Senate battle in Minnesota. Specter has long been known for his independence — frustrating both parties.

“I will not be an automatic 60th vote,” said Specter, who pointed to his recent opposition to the Card Check bill.

NRO:

Within these groups, $20 of each $100 contributed has shifted from Republicans to Democrats. In general, the shift has occurred within the past four years, following the overwhelming repudiation of comprehensive immigration reform by the House Republican Caucus.

To summarize: In both 1996 and 2004, Republicans enjoyed a 40-cent advantage for each dollar contributed to partisan federal elections among these industry groups. By 2008, that advantage had eroded by one-half: to 20-cents for each dollar contributed.

It is not my intention to present this chart as “proof” of the impact of immigation on the eroding alliance between business and conservatives. Stronger proof exists elsewhere: in the direct statements of the industry groups, in the observations of G.O.P. officials, and in election results in districts in which these industries play a key role. But this chart records a fact: Republican financial support has declined abruptly among those industry groups that support comprehensive immigration reform.

NRO:

Former Republican congressman Tom Davis says that following Specter’s defection Republicans “must focus on the broad principles that made our party strong: limited government, free trade, free markets and a strong defense. That’s it. Believe anything else you want, but don’t make those beliefs a litmus test for admission.” As a reaction to the Specter news, this makes no sense. If free trade were a litmus test, Specter would have been booted out long ago-Max Baucus is a better free trader than he is (based on the Cato Institute’s vote scores). And while I yield to very few people in the strength of my support for free trade, it isn’t an issue that has made the GOP strong. In 2006, national-security issues hurt Republicans badly; in 2008, economic ones did. It takes a certain single-mindedness to conclude that social issues are therefore the problem.

Cato Institute:

by Jim Harper

President Obama promised on the campaign trail that he would have the most transparent administration in history. As part of this commitment, he said that the public would have five days to look online and find out what was in the bills that came to his desk before he signed them. It was his first broken promise, and it’s the promise that keeps on breaking. He has now signed 11 bills into law and gone, at best, 1 for 11 on his five-day posting promise. The Obama administration should deliver on the Web-enabled transparency he promised and post bills for five days before signing.

To the thrill of technology and transparency advocates, candidate Obama promised sunlight before signing: “As president,” his campaign website said, “Obama will not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House website for five days.”

But nine days after taking office, he signed a bill into law without posting it on Whitehouse.gov for five days. Since then, 10 more bills have become law over the president’s signature, and only one has been posted online for five days - and that was for five days after it cleared Congress, not after formal presentment. Two bills have been held by the White House for five days before signing - but they weren’t posted online!

It is easy to dismiss the five-day promise as an idea that would not have changed much anyway. Bills coming out of Congress are faits accomplis, aren’t they? They are not.

Members of Congress are highly skilled political risk balancers, and the president’s firm insistence on leaving bills sitting out there, unsigned, after they pass Congress would have a significant effect on congressional behavior. It would threaten to reveal excesses in parochial amendments and earmarks, which could bring down otherwise good bills. Recognizing the negative attention they could draw to themselves, representatives and senators would act with more circumspection, and last-minute add-ons to big bills would recede. A firm five-day rule at the White House would also inspire the House and Senate to implement more transparent and careful processes themselves.

POll:

Earlier this week, Gallup released new data showing that most Americans still view big government as a more serious threat to the nation than big business or big labor. The results weren’t terribly surprising since Gallup has asked the question periodically since 1965 and government has always been seen as the biggest threat.

While those results are interesting, it’s worth noting that 70% of U.S. voters believe that big business and big government generally work together against the interests of investors and consumers, according to Rasmussen Reports surveying. Just 14% disagree with the assessment, and 17% are not sure.

These attitudes, likely fueled by the revolving doors between corporate suites and political power, are found widely across demographic and partisan lines. Seventy-one percent (71%) of Democrats believe big government and big business are on the same team. So do 69% of Republicans and 69% of those not affiliated with either major party. There are no significant differences to be found by gender, age, race or ideology.

The Gallup Poll found that most Democrats view big business as a bigger threat than big government. Republicans and independents held the opposite view.

Rasmussen:

Seventy-seven percent (77%) of U.S. voters say that they prefer a free market economy over a government-managed economy. That’s up seven points since December.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey also found that just 11% now prefer a government-run economy, down from 15% four months ago.

Free markets are preferred by 94% of Republicans, 64% of Democrats and 78% of those not affiliated with either major party. Adults under 30 favor free markets by a 79% to eight percent (8%) margin.

Support for free markets does not equal support for a purely laissez faire approach, however. Voters are evenly divided over the need for more government regulation of big business: 46% support the idea, and 43% are opposed. In December, 52% favored more regulation, and only 35% were opposed.

Politico:

Sen. Arlen Specter’s party switch is breathing new life into labor’s campaign to win new organizing rights for workers, an issue the business community hoped was stalled, if not killed.

“This is a new day for the Employee Free Choice Act and labor law reform,” said AFL-CIO legislative director Bill Samuel.

In discussing the party flip Tuesday, Specter highlighted his opposition to the labor organizing bill as evidence that he would not abandon his old principles and positions to conform to Democratic Party ideology.

But he left himself some wiggle room when he announced his opposition to the bill in March by outlining revisions he says could improve it and gain his support.

Politico:

Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are postponing consideration of their landmark climate change measure, as moderate Democrats on the panel continue to voice their frustration about a proposal to cap carbon emissions.

Authors of the legislation were expected to roll out their ambitious proposal in greater detail this week, during a series of public meetings before the panel’s Energy and Environment subcommittee. But Republicans on the committee alerted GOP members on Monday morning that the start of that markup would be delayed, according to multiple GOP aides.

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Massachusetts Rep. Ed Markey had scheduled two weeks for markups in the subcommittee, so there is still time to meet the Memorial Day deadline for this legislation.

Politico:

Forget Evan Bayh and the gang of centrist Senate Democrats.

As the Obama White House pushes to reform Wall Street, control global warming, achieve energy independence and step up the war in Afghanistan, its real problem could be Sen. Byron Dorgan.

“I’m not in Washington, D.C., to serve President Obama or to serve any interests other than the interests of this country or the interests of this state,” Dorgan said in an interview with POLITICO. “North Dakotans know - they know that I’m fiercely independent.”

For Dorgan’s sake, they’d better. The Democratic senator is up for reelection in 2010 in deeply red North Dakota, and the state’s Republican Party is eager to tie him tightly to the most liberal elements of President Barack Obama’s agenda.

That may be easier said than done.

CNS News:

(CNSNews.com) - Just days before Pakistan’s government hopes to secure billions of dollars in aid pledges from the U.S. and other countries, President Asif Ali Zardari has signed a law enabling Pakistani Taliban extremists to impose Islamic law in the North-West Frontier Province’s volatile Swat valley.

RCP:

From Tiahrt:

May 1, 2009

Dear Friend,

Welcome to this week’s U.S. Capitol Update.

H1N1 Flu Virus
This week I was briefed on the status of the H1N1 flu virus by Dr. Mitch Cohen who serves as Assistant Surgeon General and as Director of the Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases at the CDC. As the Ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, I also met with House Appropriations Chairman David Obey to discuss the flu virus and funding needs by federal officials to respond to the pandemic. (more…)

Pollster:

The survey research community is focusing intently on the challenges posed by the fast-growing share of Americans who are cell-phone-onlys (CPOs). In fact, there are 40 papers being presented on the topic at the AAPOR conference next month. One of the practical issues faced by pollsters is whether the cost of reaching CPOs is worth the payoff. Last week, Scott Keeter, Mike Dimock, and Leah Christian hosted a forum at Pew during which they discussed this tradeoff. But pollsters aren’t the only people who have to make cost-benefit decisions when it comes to deciding whether to attempt to contact CPOs. Campaign organizations must make the same calculation.

So how well did the campaigns do at contacting CPOs during the 2008 campaign? The chart below compares the percentage of those with landlines and cell-onlys who reported being contacted by a campaign representative in 2008. The data comes from the National Election Study (NES), which uses residential sampling and face-to-face interviews to interview both landline and CPO respondents. In the chart below, the blue bars show the percentage of each group that reported being contacted while the black lines represent 95% confidence intervals for these percentages.

Powerline:

Many liberals don’t just want to defeat conservatives at the polls, they want to send them to jail. Toward that end, they have sometimes tried to criminalize what are essentially policy differences. President Obama hinted at another step in that direction when he said today that he is open to the idea of bringing criminal charges against the Justice Department lawyers who wrote opinions to the effect that waterboarding and other harsh interrogation methods could legally be used on al Qaeda detainees. Obama said the question was a complicated one, and the decision will ultimately be made by Attorney General Eric Holder.

Politico:

The Republican National Committee is riven by a dispute between Chairman Michael Steele and a faction of RNC establishment veterans that threatens to undermine Steele’s ability to put his stamp on the national party.

The latest flashpoint is an acrimonious, increasingly public fight over control of the GOP’s finances that pits Steele’s team of consultants and younger RNC members against a contingent of longtime committee members who opposed his election and remain distrustful of his leadership.

“One thing led to another and it spiraled out of control,” said one Republican national committeeman. “These are the Jews and the Palestinians here.”

The clash comes at an especially inopportune time for both Steele and the GOP. Steele got off to a rough start as chairman by delivering a series of public gaffes, an inauspicious debut that was followed by a disappointing loss in a special election in New York’s 20th congressional district.

Pollster:

SurveyUSA is currently tracking national public opinion regarding the N1H1 Swine flu. Their first night of tracking can be found here and was conducted on 4/27 among 1,200 adults. The second night’s results (conducted 4/28) can be found here. SurveyUSA will continue to track this regularly going forward.

National

How concerned are you that you might get sick from Swine flu? Very concerned? Somewhat concerned? Not very concerned? Or not at all concerned?

22% Very (4/27: 13%)
28% Somewhat (32%)
33% Not Very (38%)
16% Not At All (16%)

Should airline flights between the United States and Mexico continue? Or stop?

33% Continue (43%)
57% Stop (43%)

NRO:

Yes, you read that correctly. The former veep is right to call today for the world to produce less black carbon, or soot, as the most recognizable form is called. I’ve been saying that this is the most important agent of global warming that we can address now since I started my career as a climate criminal six years ago, so I’m glad to see Al catch up. The trouble is that most black carbon is produced in the developing world, and the most potent solution is the building of afforable power plants to bring electricity to the poor, which Al’s mates won’t stand for. Ah well, it’s the thought that counts.

Club for Growth:

The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board had an excellent editorial this morning, labeling Arlen Specter for what he is - a politician hell bent on getting re-elected at any cost and devoid of any principles.

But the WSJ unnecessarily took at jab at Senator Jim DeMint. Defending Specter’s GOP opponent Pat Toomey, DeMint said, “I would rather have 30 Republicans in the Senate who really believe in principles of limited government, free markets, free people, than to have 60 that don’t have a set of beliefs.”

In response, the WSJ said:

We believe in all of those things, but 30 Senate votes merely gets you the same fate as the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae, without the glory. A minority party that wants to become a majority needs convictions, but it also needs coalition builders.

Nobody wants 30 seats in the Senate…on a permanent basis. What DeMint is saying, and what nobody seems to understand, is that 30 true believers will strengthen the party quickly, allowing it to grow to a majority because of its one defining message.

Bloomberg:

April 28 (Bloomberg) — The United Auto Workers union’s retiree health-care fund will own 55 percent of Chrysler LLC in exchange for cutting in half the automaker’s $10.6 billion cash obligation to the trust, people familiar with the matter said.

Under the terms of the contract, the trust would get representation on the company’s board of directors, said two people briefed on the deal, who asked not to be named because the matter is private.

The tentative agreement was approved unanimously by UAW leaders yesterday and will be sent to union locals for ratification, one of the people said. Chrysler, operating with $4 billion in U.S. loans, faces an April 30 deadline to restructure its costs or risk losing government support.

RCP: