Biden In the Peanut Gallery
While his hometown paper attempts to prop up the faltering reputation of Delaware’s favorite son, Joe Biden seems destined for the typical role a Vice President, if that. Candidate Obama may have felt a need for Biden to help bolster non-existent foreign policy credentials. President-elect Obama has a team that seems to make Biden redundant at best.
Sphere: Related ContentJeb Bush - Don’t Become “Democrat-Lite”
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has some sage words of advice for the GOP -
Gov. Bush is correct. As someone who stood on firm conservative principles and still won two terms as governor of a “purple” state, Jeb Bush (unlike his older brother) is living proof that a politician can hold to principle and still be successful.
For any Republican interested in winning elections, you should not only read the linked to article, but listen to him as well. Bush is 100% correct that we need to push policy rather than partisanship; ideas rather than ideology.
For those of you who may believe that true conservatives like Jeb Bush or Mickey Edwards aren’t red enough meat for you - welcome to the wilderness. It’s going to be a long, cold winter.
Sphere: Related ContentMedia Monday - Daily Times, Tall Tales and PAC-14
In August, 2007 we noted that Daily Times reporter Greg Latshaw could prove to be quite dangerous. Why? He possesses the doubly dangerous traits of bias and cleverness. Additional evidence was printed on Sunday with Latshaw’s story about PAC-14.
Rather than resort to the normal Daily Times MO of he said / she said journalism, Latshaw wove a wicked little tale with just enough facts to be plausible. The obvious intent of the piece is to build support for the concept of a so-called “community board” for PAC-14.
The concept of a “community board” is important to those wishing to seize control of PAC-14, and the $200,000 plus in taxpayer dollars that go with it. If Latshaw had been honest in his reporting his readers would know that this “community board” will be accountable to neither the taxpayers of Wicomico County nor the “community” in general.
Latshaw is clever. Note his wording in the second paragraph:
… with most saying they want the next board decided by the community and not government appointees.
Latshaw makes it sound as if the “community board” approach is the one that is actually the one which is more accountable to the average citizens. Forget that fact that it is ELECTED OFFICIALS that are making board appointments. Forget the fact that these ELECTED OFFICIALS have to stand for election every four years. Forget the fact that a small, elitist clique would be deciding who serves on the PAC-14 board under the so-called “community board” model. Let’s also forget the fact that this “community board” will be accountable to no one.
Sphere: Related ContentFrederick Bunkers Down
This may be a tad inside baseball, but it’s hilarious:
As we noted earlier this week, now is not the time to get another RPV chairman. However, I definitely think that Jeff Frederick owes former chair John Hager a big apology.
Thanks to Bearing Drift and Contemporary Conservative
Sphere: Related ContentPAC-14 and Global Warming – Part II
It never ceases to amaze me. People on the left seem to think that all they have to do is change the wording a little bit and the stupid masses (that’s you and me) will just fall in line like so many sheep. This is exactly what Mike Goodson, Mike Pretl and the rest of the wannabe PAC-14 pirates are attempting right now.
In a conversation I had just last week with one of this merry little gang I was actually told that THEIR approach -
handing PAC-14 over to a largely self-appointed, self-perpetuating, and wholly unaccountable group
is the CONSERVATIVE approach to managing PAC-14. I’m still laughing.
Their argument goes something like this:
Allowing the Wicomico County Council and the Mayor of Salisbury (with confirmation by the city council) to appoint the PAC-14 board is equivalent to government control. Such government control will inevitably lead to CENSORSHIP and politicization of PAC-14’s content. Only governance by a COMMUNITY board will assure that THE PEOPLE maintain control.
I’ll admit that the argument sounds great. There is not one ounce of truth to it, but it sounds great.
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PAC-14 and Global Warming – Part I
Last July we outlined a plan by a group led by some folk at Salisbury University to seize our community television station – PAC-14. The public reaction was sufficient that the group ran for cover. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that the battle is over.
That doesn’t mean that the battle is over. No, they’re back with a vengeance. They’ve just changed the rhetoric a little in hopes that they can persuade some of our elected officials to hand over $200,000 (and raise your cable rates) with NO ACCOUNTABILITY.
What has any of this to do with global warming? Nothing with the weather and a whole lot with the rhetoric.
Have you noticed that none of the chicken littles who want you all peddling to work on bicycles talks about “GLOBAL WARMING” anymore? Instead, we hear about “CLIMATE CHANGE”. That way, they can can still try to cripple our economy despite the fact that “GLOBAL WARMING” has been discredited. It’s harder to argue with “CLIMATE CHANGE” since weather patterns have always moved in both long and short term cycles.
The same with PAC-14. Their argument is the same. The players are basically the same. They have just changed the rhetoric in hopes that they can get what they want this time. They claim:
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The Left over the Right on Campuses
It’s no secret that the left have learned how to win, have been winning, and will continue to do so unless properly challenged. I saw first hand why this happening at it’s starting point, college campuses. The largest farm system for political engagement.
All over college campuses the tradition has been between College Republicans up against the College Democrats. Now single issue groups and specific philosophical groups, such as libertarian groups, have been popping up on both sides of the aisle. Obama clearly won this year, but by how much and how big?
Team Obama wiped the right on campuses this year. Why? The left took the initiative to win. Students for Obama groups popped up everywhere simply to fight for and elect Barack Obama. They advertised, signed up voters, held events, organized and involved
Sphere: Related ContentShould Jeff Frederick Be Held to His Own Standards?
Political consultant and former Reagan operative Kenny Klinge is calling for Jeff Frederick to resign as RPV chair. Like the rest of us, he has a right to his opinion.
Norm Leahy asks the right question - Are these intramural spats going to help Virginia Republicans win elections? As someone who is now an outsider looking in, I have to agree that forcing Frederick to resign now is not in the best interest of the RPV … any more than Frederick’s campaign against John Hager was beneficial for the party.
Is it accurate to blame Frederick for 2008’s disasterous election? NO! However, Frederick does have some explaining to do. Using the same standards he claimed that Hager should be held to, Frederick should be run out on a rail to the Potomac and then thrown in (the Potomac River belongs to Maryland up to the mean low water mark).
Regardless, Frederick and his supporters don’t believe that he should be held to the same standards he spoke of when attacking his predecessor. Now the argument appears to be populist “us vs. the elites” pablum.
If Virginia Republicans are serious about winning back the Governor’s mansion and keeping one house of legislature, this can wait. Maybe, given time, Frederick will prove himself. If not, the time will come to oust him.
Right now is not that time.
Sphere: Related ContentFaux-Cons Sieze House Leadership …
… Disco and Leisure Suits Coming Back
The only thing left to prove that the 1970’s are back is to see if President-Elect Barack Obama governs like Jimmy Carter. As far as the House GOP is concerned, the Bee Gees are back at the top of the charts. As Rep. John Boehner cements his control over the House GOP caucus, Republicans can be assured that the Wilderness Years are just beginning.
Boehner’s overwhelming re-election as Minority Leader provides yet more evidence that the House GOP caucus is only fit for the minority. Coupled with the elevation of Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) to Whip, and Boehner loyalist Rep. Cathy Rodgers (R-WA) to Conference Vice-Chair conservatives can be reassured that there is no place for them in the House leadership structure.
While leading House conservative Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) was elected Conference chair, expect this to be mere window dressing by Boehner and Cantor. Both, former conservatives, have become too attached to power and have proven themselves unable to provide genuine conservative leadership.
While unfortunate, it appears that we must go back to the days of primary battles to elect true conservative leaders before we will be able to launch a genuine fight for the majority. It is unlikely that a majority of Americans will be willing to accept promises of fiscal responsibility from the likes of Boehner and Cantor. Merely pandering on social issues while promoting corporate welfare will not be sufficient for the GOP to retake the House.
Sphere: Related ContentThe PAC-14 Fiasco Continues
Citizens of Wicomico County are about to see their public access cable channel (PAC-14) handed over to a group of local agitators and Salisbury University. This group will be wholly unaccountable to the taxpayers and cable ratepayers who will continue to foot most, if not all, of the bill. This is the revised strategy of PAC-14 Director Mike Goodson, local left-wing activist Mike Pretl, Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman, Councilwoman Louise Smith and various shills of the University.
Starting Monday we will begin another series on the revised plans to steal PAC-14 from the citizens and hand it over to a politically motivated special interest.
In the meantime, you may want to look back at our previous series:
Sphere: Related ContentBarrie Comegys - Bubba as Dubya
As we prepare to see a new President come in to office, it is interesting that Gary Comegys (the man who wants to be Salisbury’s next Mayor) shares many traits with our outgoing President. Bubba seems to have a lot in common with Dubya. In all fairness to President George W. Bush, Comegys has actually been a worse steward of Salisbury than Bush has been of the country.
Under the Bush administration we have seen the size of government swell to new, and distressing, heights. Under the poor stewardship of Barrie Tilghman and Gary Comegys, spending on the bureaucracy of the Mayor’s office has skyrocketed. The City Attorney has padded his pocket while citizens are ignored. Laws are written to protect special interests at the expense of average citizens.
The nation’s debt has risen dramatically under Dubya. With the complicity of Gary Comegys, Barrie Tilghman has managed to saddle every man, woman and child in Salisbury with almost $3,000 in debt.
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Media Monday - 081117
The Daily Times has now become its own worst enemy in their efforts to elect Barrie Comegys Mayor of Salisbury. Good reporting by a seemingly competent reporter only highlights the ridiculous bias by one of their less-than-competent scribes.
Last Wednesday we were treated to Laura D’Alessandro sticking her byline on a Comegys press release. We were told that Gary Comegys is for community policing and is going to be fiscally responsible. I also voted for Barack Obama and his pal Wayne Gilchrest this year.
Sunday we were treated to a rare thing in the Daily Times - real political reporting.
Ben Penserga’s piece on Jim Ireton’s announcement of his candidacy was what all pieces on city politics should be. It gave the facts. It also tried to tell the whole story.
Rather than just give Ireton’s point of view, it discussed Ireton’s previous service on council and the fact that he only served 16 months. This is valid information.
I don’t know Penserga. Perhaps he is new and his bosses haven’t trained him in the joys of “he said - she said” journalism and printing press releases from Barrie Tilghman or her minions verbatim. But while it lasts, Daily Times readers will begin to ask themselves:
“Why do we get facts when the paper writes about Mr. Ireton and articles on Barrie Comegys read like a PR piece?”
I think Joe (Carmean) and Erick (Sahler) need to either train Mr. Penserga fast or put another reporter on the beat. Real journalism just won’t do in the land of Barrie.
Sphere: Related ContentJim Ireton Announces for Mayor …
… With a Unique Blend of Rhetoric and Substance
Anyone who attended Jim Ireton’s announcement that he was running for Mayor had to be impressed. Ireton’s well thought out speech hit on the major problems facing Salisbury and Ireton presented common sense solutions to solving them.
The most important thing to note about Ireton’s speech was an almost unique blend of persuasive rhetoric and substantive policy recommendations. Ireton accomplished this because he is truly passionate about Salisbury and in solving the problems facing a once great city. There was nothing “over the top” about anything he said. Instead Ireton focused attention on 5 issues:
- The Wicomico River
- Growth and Development
- Housing
- Fiscal Policy
- Crime
Ireton’s approach is well studied, without any rash proposals.
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Barrie Comegys / Daily Times Campaign for Mayor Continues
The Daily Times campaign to elect Barrie Comegys Mayor of Salisbury continues. At least the paper put today’s piece of tripe on the op-ed page as opposed to their previous piece of mis-statement and fabrication which was portrayed as reporting.
Today’s piece, purportedly authored by the Barrie Comegys himself, was laughable in its inaccuracy. It appears as if Comegys is taking the platform of Councilwoman Debbie Campbell’s re-election campaign and simply substituting his own name for Campbell’s:
Together we can make our streets safer.
Comegys has opposed almost every effort to reduce crime in Salisbury and increase funding for law enforcement. Citizens need to be reminded that it was Comegys who was in full agreement with the Tilghman administration in closing all police substations (except in the area where the Mayor and her husband own commercial property). The man who claims to support “community policing” was the man who gutted the concept in Salisbury.
Sphere: Related ContentUS House - Principle or More of the Same?
Are the Republican members of the US House serious about taking back the majority? … or saving their own skins and egos?
It’s obvious that Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) is more worried about his ego. Leadership under Boehner has been little better than that under disgraced former leader Tom DeLay.
If Boehner were half as principled as he claimed he would resign his leadership post. Any attempt to move the GOP caucus to a principled position on the political spectrum will simply not be possible under Boehner. His past willingness to sell out fiscal conservatives means that the public won’t trust a House caucus lead by him.
It is ironic that Boehner has jumped on the bandwagon endorsing Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) for Conference Chair. I guess that Boehner believes that backing a real, live, principled conservative for the number three spot in the leadership will somehow make up for his betrayal of the principles that brought us to the majority in 1994.
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