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The Ballad of Bloggers Row

The Ballad of Bloggers Row

We came from distant outposts to be at Bloggers Row

And sat with pens already or laptop screens aglow

Those who would be Governor would come as we were told

So we wrote up pithy questions to elicit words of gold

And we waited and we waited and then we waited more

While some other candidates made the trip across the floor

But those who would be Governor? Never-not a one

Did we look foreboding? Didn’t we look fun?

Why did those six avoid us? I guess we’ll never know

Many a compelling insight lay abandoned…

Back on Bloggers Row- sjm

Hungry Politicos Turn Eyes to Iowa

One of the best things about being a political observer in the State of Iowa is the National impact of intra-state and intra-Party matters. Case in point- the RPI’s Leadership for Iowa event in Des Moines Saturday night. I was invited to join Bloggers Row at the event and I do have a few insights to share. Readers from all quarters of the USA can find in Iowa valuable clues in the Treasure Hunt for the Reaganesque Hero who will save the day, the country and the world in 2012. I refer not only to the words of Presidential hopeful of Tim Pawlenty, event keynoter. Public opinion and attitude in Iowa will have a crucial role in that Presidential Treasure Hunt and how voters relate to gubernatorial, congressional and senatorial candidates will give us the clues we seek.

Pawlenty…

Pawlenty’s presentation was solid. He had a pleasant demeanor and seemed cool in the heat of the spotlight. His humor attempts were a bit stilted- a more natural approach should come in time. He hit all the major notes in the conservative scale and did seem to be right on key. I was pleased to see that. I understood his motivation for ending his remarks in a brief sermonette about the importance of Party unity following disputed Primaries. Any Republican activist has probably had occasion to preach such words but I think that leaving them as the final impression in Iowa may not have been his wisest choice. If Governor Pawlenty wants to be the next Party Chairman, the robes of a McCainlike peacemaker might be the perfect wardrobe choice. But if Governor Pawlenty wants to be considered for the job of President, he’d better start wearing the garb of a warrior. Americans are scared and Republicans are no different. They want a fire-breathing, powerful, persuasive, take-no-prisoners leader who speaks with a conviction that has no sign of faltering or weakness. Pawlenty certainly did not strike out, but he’ll have to grasp this if he wants to hit a home run on his next visit.

The Invisible Candidates

We bloggers had hoped to have a few moments with the gubernatorial hopefuls at Leadership for Iowa. It was somewhat disappointing that the candidates did not materialize (see the turgid but amusing Ballad of Bloggers Row following). Each candidate did address the crowd. One thing is clear- all the trains are headed to the same depot: The lower-taxes-less-government-growth-through-free-enterprise-conservative-social-values one. There are some differences in the route each would take, but in lieu of probing interviews, I’ll just assess the persona of each, as he appeared to me:

Rants: The Feisty, Fearless Pragmatist

Roberts: Dignified Conservative Leader

Fong: Business and Economy Powerhouse

Branstad: Iowa’s Seasoned Problem Solver

Vander Plaats: Christian/Conservative Firebrand

Behn: Solid, Main Street Conservative

I did have the opportunity to interview some congressional and State office candidates. Comments on those will appear in the next few days.- Sheila Murphy, Ed. www.thecoolconservative.com

Solutions to the Mystery of Missing Chet

Tim Albrecht at the Bean Walker has alerted the State to the fact that Governor Chet Culver is MIA and has been since September 23rd. We are trying to come up with some solutions to the mystery:
 Gov. Chet is in seclusion in the “Joe Biden Male Makeover Suite” at a private Connecticut Hospital.
 Gov. Chet has taken a few staffers and family members on a deluxe but oh-so-vital trip to Copenhagen for a last minute pitch to get the Olympic Games for Des Moines.
 Gov. Chet was asked by two high school students to defend the spending and deficits in his budget. He is resting in a quiet “facility” where he continues to mumble incoherently as he counts on his fingers over and over and over…
 He is in Hollywood, in negotiations for the sale of the film rights to the story of Iowa MovieGate.
 Or… like a growing number of Democrat leaders, he is right there but in disguise in an effort to avoid connection to Barack Obama.
What do you think?

KUDOS FOR KING!

A headline we’ve used before… Rep. Steve King has shown his remarkably bold leadership again by stepping up with a statement of support for Rep. Joe Wilson. With every day that passes, the character assasination on Wilson is more despicable. It is increasingly important that courageous leaders stand behind him. Thanks, Steve.- SJM

Marsha Blackburn to Iowa Crowd: Democrats are “The Party of Punishment”

Tennessee’s Congressional Representative Marsha Blackburn traveled to Iowa for a Pottawattamie County GOP event in Western Iowa. Addressing a full house, Blackburn delivered a full review of the liberal agenda being promoted by the Administration and their rubber stamp Congress. Blackburn’s remarks were replete with “zingers” and her own brand of southern humor. She talked of “economic child abuse” that is resulting in American children being born in debt stating we have the death tax this is “the Birth TAX”. Blackburn hit on multiple topics including her concerns over the decimation of American industry by Cap and Trade, the White House politicization and control of the Census, total federal control of “birth to job education”, veterans concerns, International security, GITMO, Nationalization of private industry and healthcare, and more! Blackburn talked about her frustration with people she calls “HOUFs” (hoof). These are “Holders of Opinion Unencumbered with Facts”. Great!– SJM

Grassley Links Sotomayor to Bork. Tough and Brilliant!

Senator Chuck Grassley, Iowa, has made a good start in what we hope will be very tough opposition to Sotomayor. By linking the horrible treatment that Reagan-nominated Robert Bork to Sotomayor, Grassley achieves multiple goals. He reminds the Democrats that what they did to Bork is NOT fogotten or forgiven and that we learned from them how to do it. Grassley, senior on the Judiciary Committee, has the power and the opportunity to set a tone for GOP leaders in the Senate. Congrulations, Senator, on taking the lead and giving the Nations Republicans just we they need. Please keep it up-we’re behind you!

KUDOS TO KING! Iowa Congressman Tries to Exclude Pediphiles- Add Military to Dem Hate Crime Bill

Iowa’s Representative Steve King is making a stand to bring some common sense to the Democrat Hate Crime bill. The Law would allow for dramatically expanded sentences for those convicted of committing a “hate crime”. The Bill focuses on sexual orientation , both homosexual and heterosexual. King’s contention is that according to psychiatric definitions of sexual behaviors pediphiles would be included , thereby making them, in essence, a protected group under this law. King introduced an amendment that would exclude pediphiles specifically.The amemndemnt received no votes from all Democrats, as did King’s additional efforts to include military personnel and veterans within the protected groups. Democrats also rejected this.

I believe that hate crime legislation is intrinsically ridiculous. It implies the notion that only a fes, special crimes are prompted by hate. What are the others- love crimes? Our criminal justice system is headed down a treacherous path
when sentencing ceases to be based on the nature of the crime, itself, but on someone’s judgement that the perpetrator was prompted by some particular prejudice. Our sentencing system is based in statistical measurement with established parameters. This is intended to preserve fairness. Expansion of hate crimes sentencing ramifications will introduce a myriad of unquantifiable factors. It will open up sentencing to too much opinion and personalmleanings. IT WILL CRIPPLE JUSTICE. WE SHOULD ALL BE THANKFUL TO King for trying to stop this.
–sjm

Defend the Electoral College

We hope the measure that would in effect eliminate the Electoral College goes down to defeat in Iowa- and then in every other state where contested. A lot is said about this issue. but the bedrock is that the Electoral College is the only thing that guarantees a voice in the process for rural and less populated states. Without it, candidates need only pander to a handful of urban centers for enough popular vote to win. No small state would be campaigned in- or even matter before or after election day.

Moderates appealing to the Lowest Common Denominator

Since the recent defeat of John McCain, moderate Republicans and so-called “moderate conservatives” have been appearing on media outlets everywhere- their every remark about the demise of traditional conservatism being lapped up by the establishment media. Nice try, people… and nervy. John McCain cannot be called a conservative by any standards. He accessorized with Palin, but the suit is still the suit. The moderates are acting as if this election were a referendum on conservatism. Ludicrous! How could it be when the voters had only a choice between liberal and liberal lite. I’m hearing the same chorus here in Iowa and across the nation: “To survive the GOP must abandon principles and replace them with functionary hand-out policies.” Disheartening. Clearly there is a national trend to surrender to ignorance, low expectations and the new role of citizen as a whining, needy child. To pander to this trend, as moderates suggest, is no way to save our Party or our country. Yes, of course, we must present solutions, but they should be born of our beliefs not despite them. Moderates want us to become the Party of no ideas and no ideals. If we go whichever way the wind may blow instead of following a clear and decisive path, we will most certainly be lost.
Posted by Sheila Murphy