On a Different Note and Looking Ahead...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

America seems to be in perpetual campaign mode. No sooner than things start to settle in following a mid term or presidential election than the pols start preparing for the next election and the spinning starts in earnest. Leaving one to wonder just when our elected officials are actually working on our behalf. Call me the cynic but I cannot help but believe our politicians and leaders spend more time working to create the "world of smoke and mirrors" they want us to exist in for their sake than actually representing us and taking care of crucial matters that affect our nation and each and every one of us.

So, today, I'm joining in the American Political Merry-Go- Round and predicting that Americans will once again get exactly what they (in their apathy) vote for. America, with its dismal voter turnout, low information voters, and political sound bite junkies, will pull the levers once again for those politicians with the slickest slogans or those who wrap themselves in the flag holding the Bible in one hand and their six shooter in the other. It is my prediction that few is any will actually be holding the Constitution in on hand and the Bill of Rights in the other and be advocating for what the Founding Fathers actually enshrined in our Declaration of Independence.

Having expressed my predictions I will turn to the "professional pundits view" of were we're headed for in the 2014 elections.

The battle for control of the U.S. Senate is where the action is this year in American politics. Right now all signs point to a near standoff in the U.S. House elections. Barring a major change in the political environment in the next few months, the 114th House is expected to closely resemble the 113th House with a slightly larger or slightly smaller Republican majority. In contrast, party control of the next Senate is definitely up for grabs this year.

The main reason why Democrats are at risk of losing control of the Senate in November is not because of public discontent with the Affordable Care Act, continued weakness in the economy or President Obama’s mediocre approval ratings. All of these issues may have an impact on the Senate elections. But the Democrats’ biggest problem this year is that they were so successful in the 2008 Senate elections. While Barack Obama was capturing the White House in 2008, Democrats gained eight net seats in the Senate, winning 20 of the 35 seats at stake.

Now Democrats must defend all of the seats that they won six years ago, including several in states that usually support Republicans. Of the Democratic seats up for grabs this year, seven are in states that were carried by Mitt Romney in 2012, including six that Romney won by a double-digit margin. In contrast, Republicans are only defending one seat in a state that was carried by Obama in 2012 — Sen. Susan Collins’ seat in Maine. And Collins is so popular that she isn’t a credible Democratic target.

A simple model based on a large body of political science research allows us to make fairly accurate predictions of seat swing in midterm U.S. Senate elections. This model is almost identical to one that I have used to accurately forecast seat swing in midterm House elections. The three predictors are the results of the generic congressional ballot question in national polls in early September; the difference between the number of Republican seats and the number of Democratic seats at stake in the election; and a dummy variable for the president’s party.

A simple model based on a large body of political science research allows us to make fairly accurate predictions of seat swing in midterm U.S. Senate elections. This model is almost identical to one that I have used to accurately forecast seat swing in midterm House elections. The three predictors are the results of the generic congressional ballot question in national polls in early September; the difference between the number of Republican seats and the number of Democratic seats at stake in the election; and a dummy variable for the president’s party.

The generic ballot question provides a measure of the mood of the electorate two months before the election. Even though it asks specifically about House voting intentions, the generic ballot question predicts Senate voting as well. The seat difference variable is a measure of party exposure in the election: The more seats a party has at risk relative to the opposing party, the more seats it tends to lose. Finally, the dummy variable for the party of the president reflects the tendency of the president’s party to lose seats in midterm elections even after controlling for the other predictors in the model.

Table 1: Results of regression analysis of Senate seat swing in midterm elections

Source: Data compiled by author

Table 1 above presents estimates for the effects of the three predictors on change in Republican Senate seats based on data for all 17 midterm Senate elections since World War II. The estimated coefficients for all three predictors are in the expected direction and highly statistically significant. Moreover, the model explains an impressive 75% of the variance in Senate seat swing. This is substantially less than the 90% of variance in seat swing explained by the House forecasting model. However, that is to be expected given the much smaller number of Senate seats at stake in each election and the larger proportion of competitive contests in Senate elections. There is simply more random variation in Senate seat swing because of the effects of campaigns and candidate quality. The only way to produce a more accurate forecast of the outcome in November is to factor in these seat-specific characteristics based on in-depth information from on-the-ground sources — the sort of information used by the Crystal Ball in making its exceptionally accurate final predictions.

Even at this early stage, however, estimates for two of the predictors in our model make it clear that 2014 is likely to be a difficult year for Democrats in the Senate. First, based on the fact that there are six more Democratic than Republican seats at stake this year, Democrats would be expected to lose 2.4 Senate seats compared with an election in which there were equal numbers of Democratic and Republican seats at stake. Second, the fact that there is a Democrat in the White House means that Democrats can expect to lose about four more seats than they would expect to lose in a midterm election with a Republican in the White House.

When we add together the effect of the seat exposure variable and the effect of the midterm dummy variable, and factor in the intercept of -0.9 in the regression equation, Republicans start off the 2014 campaign with an expected gain of 5.7 seats. That is very close to the six seats that Republicans need to regain control of the Senate.

My advice is twofold; 1) educate yourself on the issues and 2) be very careful of who and what you vote for.

And keep in mind there is ALWAYS the alternative party. Libertarian...give it a look-see. You just might like what you encounter.

Please read the rest BELOW THE FOLD.

Via: Memeorandum

Arizona Governor, as Expected, Vetoes Anti Gay SB 1062...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, using her Executive pen, vetoed SB 1062, the anti gay bill that would have given businesses the right to refuse services to LGBT couples on religious grounds. While this site agrees with the Governor's veto decisions many do not.

In an op-ed piece this morning Rich Lowry, writing in POLITICO, puts forth an opinion and his argument that the veto was both unnecessary and foolish. His reasoning is arguably based on sound logic.

Here then is Rick Lowry:

In addition to the federal government, 18 states have such statutes and about a dozen other states interpret their state constitutions as extending the same protections, according to the letter. The statutes, the scholars write, “say that before government can burden a person’s religious exercise, the government has to show a compelling justification.”

The letter argues that, properly interpreted, the federal law that inspired the Arizona statute covers cases that don’t directly involve the government and covers businesses. So Arizona’s changes weren’t radical but in keeping with a federal law once championed by none other than Sen. Ted Kennedy.

A religious freedom statute doesn’t give anyone carte blanche to do whatever he wants in the name of religion. It simply allows him to make his case in court that a law or a lawsuit substantially burdens his religion and that there is no compelling governmental interest to justify the burden.

For critics of the Arizona bill, the substance was almost an afterthought. They recoiled at the very idea that someone might have moral objections to homosexuality or gay marriage.

The cases that have come up relevant to the Arizona debate involve small-business people declining to provide their services to gay couples at their marriage ceremonies. A New Mexico photographer won’t take pictures. A Washington state florist won’t arrange flowers. An Oregon bakery won’t bake a wedding cake.

It’s easy to see how offensive these decisions were to the gay couples involved. An entirely understandable response would be for the couple to say, “I’m sorry you’re so narrow-minded and I hope you evolve one day. In the meantime, I’ll take my business elsewhere.”

The market has a ready solution for these couples: There are other bakers, photographers and florists. The wedding business is not exactly bristling with hostility to gay people. If one baker won’t make a cake for gay weddings, the baker across town can hang a shingle welcoming all couples for all types of weddings.

This is how a pluralistic society would handle such disputes...

Mr Lowry makes several interesting points. Continue reading BELOW THE FOLD.

Via: Memeorandum

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal Speaking Out...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

As the nation's Governors display the national partisanship political mood and mentality.




 You rock Bobby! Keep on pressing the agenda for American economic growth, personal responsibility, opportunity for all, and while you're at it please spend some time working on getting your republican associates to get on board moving into the 21st century.



Thank you for your patriotic efforts. Read the ENTIRE ARTICLE BELOW the FOLD.


Via: Memeorandum Louisiana  

Has the Time Come To Move Off a Cold War Mentality and Reform Our Defense Policy?...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced plans today for major defense policy reform. The reported plan includes a plank that would shrink U.S. Army active duty personnel to what the New York Times called “pre-World War II levels.” For those who understand that the Cold War is over and the realities of modern warfare have change significantly this announcement should be a welcome one.

However, there is certain to be a huge outcry by the pro MIC and pro war advocates that the Obama administration is gutting America's military and the nation's defense capabilities. Nothing could be further from the truth. The statement that the defense policy reform plan will result in a return to pre-World War II levels is not completely factual. So, before signing onto some political right wing knee jerk reaction take the time to check out the factual information that is available for those with inquisitive minds.

In a nutshell the following FIVE considerations should get the juices of curiosity flowing.

1) The Army isn’t really going to pre-World War II levels.

2) We need them less, because there’s less war.

3) But also because the Cold War is over.

4) Don’t forget science!Don’t forget science!

5) Finally, the things that are actually problems aren’t really solveable with lots of troops.

We are facing new realities and truths. Basing our national decisions on on old realities and truths somehow just seems to me not to make a whole lot of sense. We should welcome new thinking as we establish new and modern paradigm's in which to base our decisions on.

Perhaps it's just me folks. But I really don't think so.

Via: Memeorandum

As the Nuge Back Peddles... Or Did He?

Ted "the degenerate" Nugent apologized today for calling the President "a sub-human mongrel." Or did he. Watch the clip below and you be the judge.



Since Nugent is hoping to learn from better men than himself the game of politics could this mean he is planing a run for Congress? The Senate?

This nation can only hope that if he is he never makes it past the primaries.

Now, for Tea Party favorite Senator Ted "Green Eggs and Ham" Cruz on Nugent's remark.



Hm, did I miss something or did Cruz do a nice side shuffle?

Texas republican Attorney General Greg Abbott and likely gubernatorial nominee when pressed on why he he selected Nugent to campaign with him to bolster his 2'nd amendment right credentials (not that Abbot needed bolstering) refused to answer.



Sometime not answering speaks volumes about the person being questioned. Texas sure does breed em big and dumb.

Finally outgoing Governor Rick Perry on the Nugent remark.



Well congratulations to Governor Rick Perry for acknowledging that Nugent's remark was inappropriate. It is unfortunate however that the Governor didn't have the b**ls to not only severely criticize Nugent but to send the message to people that individuals like Nugent do not represent the republican party... But that would likely be a lie as apparently they do.

Find the article BELOW THE FOLD.

Via: Memeorandum

Political Quotes To Ponder...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

Tired of the daily political bull**it? I don't know about you but I sure as he*l am. With the growing partisanship kn America and the resulting rancor between the wings of both g-damn major political parties perhaps you'll enjoy the following. On second thought, maybe not.

Here goes anyway...

The most perfect political community is one in which the middle class is in control, and outnumbers both of the other classes.

Aristotle


The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is inflation of the currency; the second is war. Both bring a temporary prosperity; both bring a permanent ruin. But both are the refuge of political and economic opportunists.

Ernest Hemingway


There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world, or till those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers, and political power and philosophy thus come into the same hands.

Plato


When we blindly adopt a religion, a political system, a literary dogma, we become automatons. We cease to grow.

Anais Nin


The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.

George Washington


I am neither bitter nor cynical but I do wish there was less immaturity in political thinking.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Political tags - such as royalist, communist, democrat, populist, fascist, liberal, conservative, and so forth - are never basic criteria. The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire.

Robert A. Heinlein


He knows nothing and thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career.

George Bernard Shaw


Individual rights are not subject to a public vote; a majority has no right to vote away the rights of a minority; the political function of rights is precisely to protect minorities from oppression by majorities (and the smallest minority on earth is the individual).

Ayn Rand


All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome.

George Orwell


I hate all politics. I don't like either political party. One should not belong to them - one should be an individual, standing in the middle. Anyone that belongs to a party stops thinking.

Ray Bradbury


Idealism is the noble toga that political gentlemen drape over their will to power.

Aldous Huxley


In our age there is no such thing as 'keeping out of politics.' All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia.

George Orwell

Till next time...

Another Day, Another Shooting, and Another Teen Dies...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

A majority of Americans support the 2'nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Actually the more accurate statement is a majority of Americans support the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms responsibly, without endangering innocent individuals, or using deadly force except in an act of self defense against an assailant. That is how I see it anyway, and honestly believe most others do as well.

However, as we continue to witness unnecessary deaths by firearms in ever increasing frequency even the most staunch 2'nd Amendment right advocates (I consider myself in that group) need to begin to ask themselves what measures must we take to end the growing firearm violence. Surely a nation of intelligent people ought to be able to protect the right of the responsible and well balanced citizens to have firearms and at the same time do a better job of protecting society from the senseless violence we as a nation almost seem to expect as a price of our right to firearm ownership.

Maybe it is time, no, it is time the NRA, firearm manufactures, and the House and Senate get serious about taking responsible actions, enforcing universal background checks, reasonable waiting or cooling off periods, prohibiting sale of firearms at gun shows, resolving reasonably the concern over high cap magazines, etc, and etc.

I realize the measures I mentioned above may not have prevented the shooting death of 15 year old Adrian Broadway by 48 year old Willie Noble this past Saturday in Arkansas. However, for me this is yet another indication of a deep national problem that has grown to completely unacceptable levels. As near as I can tell we are doing little to nothing as a nation.

The Daily Banter - In Little Rock, Arkansas, a 15-year-old girl, Adrian Broadway, and several of her friends were egging a rival friend’s car as payback for a Halloween prank last year. The friend’s father, Willie Noble, appeared brandishing a shot-gun. Noble allegedly fired at kids while they sat in their car. Broadway later died at Children’s Hospital of a gunshot wound to the head.

Charges have been filed in the shooting death of a 15-year-old girl early Saturday morning.

48-year-old Willie Noble is charged with First Degree Murder, committing a Terrorist Act, and five counts of Aggravated Assault.

Another good guy with a gun — another law-abiding gun owner — taking the law into his own hands.

More HERE and HERE.

Kansas SoCons Continue Efforts To Insure Denial Of Rights To Same Sex Couples...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

Social conservatives, aka the religious right and republican legislators continue their efforts to deny same sex couples the same considerations (read rights) heterosexual couples enjoy. Kansas, with a republican dominated house just passed House Bill 2453 that would "explicitly protects religious individuals, groups and businesses that refuse services to same-sex couples, particularly those looking to tie the knot." The bill passed the House on a 72 to 49 vote and now goes to the senate were it likely will pass.

Excerpts from CNN U.S.

Denying services to same-sex couples may soon become legal in Kansas.

Skip

Such a law may seem unnecessary in a state where same-sex marriage is banned, but some Kansas lawmakers think different.

They want to prevent religious individuals and organizations from getting sued, or otherwise punished, for not providing goods or services to gay couples -- or for not recognizing their marriages or committed relationship as valid.

This includes employees of the state.

"Kansans across the state are rightly appalled that legislators are spending their efforts to pass yet another piece of legislation that seeks to enshrine discrimination against gay and lesbian people into law," state chairwoman Sandra Meade said.

"HB 2453 is a blatant attempt to maintain second-class citizen status for taxpaying gay and lesbian Kansans."

Skip

Republicans dominate the state's Senate and Gov. Sam Brownback is a conservative Christian known for taking a public stand against same-sex marriage.

Brownback has already praised the bill in an interview with a local newspaper.

Skip

... titled "An act concerning religious freedoms with respect to marriage" and covers many bases.

It reads, in part: "No individual or religious entity shall be required by any governmental entity to do any of the following, if it would be contrary to the sincerely held religious beliefs of the individual or religious entity regarding sex or gender:

"Provide any services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, or privileges; provide counseling, adoption, foster care and other social services; or provide employment or employment benefits, related to, or related to the celebration of, any marriage, domestic partnership, civil union or similar arrangement."

Anyone who turns away a gay couple not only can't face a civil suit, but if anyone tries to sue, they could get nailed with the other side's legal fees.

Talk about the rights of religious zealots to deny the above list of services to same sex couples is plainly hypocritical as well as being discriminatory. As the religious are so fond of saying God will be the final judge. Indeed the all knowing one may very well be, and I sure as hell wouldn't want to be in the group suporting this hypocrisy and discrimination if I were a believer.

Read the complete story UNDER THE FOLD.

Via: Memeorandum

Senator Ted (the man) Cruz Flexing His Limp Muscle(s) Yet Again...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

Once again Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is flexing his Tea Party credentials and limp shoulder, chest, and leg muscles declaring “Under no circumstances will I agree to the Senate’s raising the debt ceiling with just 50 votes. We hear ya Mr. Ted (Green Eggs and Ham) Cruz and as expected we will chuckle along with ya at the ridiculous charade you obviously love to perpetuate and engage in. I say go for it dude as America laughs at your expense.

Without further ado here then are the goodies.

POLITICO - ed Cruz will demand that the Senate come up with 60 votes to raise the debt ceiling, but indicated he won’t delay the vote as D.C. awaits a snowstorm.

The GOP freshman senator from Texas told reporters Tuesday afternoon that he will not allow a clean bill to lift the debt ceiling through the Senate with a bare majority.

“Under no circumstances will I agree to the Senate’s raising the debt ceiling with just 50 votes. I intend to object and force a 60-vote threshold,” Cruz said.

Given that the entire 55-member Democratic caucus is expected to support the clean debt ceiling bill, that means five Republicans would need to join with Democrats to advance the bill to passage. Centrist-minded Republicans like Sens. Mark Kirk of Illinois, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire and Susan Collins of Maine all said they were undecided on how they will vote.

Cruz said his 60-vote threshold demand shouldn’t irk his Republican colleagues who may feel obligated to swallow a tough vote to vote in favor of a clean debt ceiling lift. Cruz said the GOP should simply hold together and block the legislation that cleared the House on Tuesday afternoon.

Help me get this apparently confusing thing thing straight. United States House of Representatives (the voice of the PEOPLE) vote for raising the debt ceiling and Mr. Statist Senator Bureaucratic Muscleman Ted Cruz and Joesph McCarthy look-a-like is hell bent for election to stand in the way of The Will Of The People.

At any rate the full story can be found BELOW THE FOLD

Via: Memeorandum

Wendy Davis and Her Political Shift on Abortion... Or Is It?

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

This site has always felt a women's choice to elect abortion, up to the point of viability, ultimately and properly rests with the women. Since viability beyond the 20 weeks is almost assured it seems reasonable to support and accept a ban on abortion beyond the 20th week of pregnancy. With exceptions to protect the life of the pregnant women, if doctors determine the child will be born severely disabled, either mentally or physically or in the case of rape, or incest.

Texas Democratic state Senator Wendy Davis has now came out and stated she would have supported a ban on abortions "if the law adequately deferred to a woman and her doctor." Ms. Davis' shift of course makes all the sense in the world based based on a rational rather than religious/emotional thought process. Texas passed the 20 week ban as drafted however parts of the bill are under court review and it is possble the United States Supreme Court could ultimately decide the question.

Select quotes by Ms. Davis as reported by dallasnews

“My concern, even in the way the 20-week ban was written in this particular bill, was that it didn’t give enough deference between a woman and her doctor making this difficult decision, and instead tried to legislatively define what it was...

“The Supreme Court sets that viability and it probably will be revisited...” “It’s one that deserves that kind of reflection to determine whether that kind of constitutional protection should exist at a time period less than what it is right now.”

“I would have and could have voted to allow that to go through, if I felt like we had tightly defined the ability for a woman and a doctor to be making this decision together and not have the Legislature get too deep in the weeds of how we would describe when that was appropriate.” (Referring to the 20 week ban)

Continue reading the full story BELOW the FOLD.

Via: Memeorandum

THE // INTERCEPT, A New Independent Online Publication...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

THE // INTERCEPT, a new launch O\online publication of First Look Media might just be the alternative to the MSM, including Fox News we've all been waiting for. With an impressive line up of journalists, including editors Glenn Greenwald, Jeremy Scahill, Laura Poitras THE // INTERCEPT is certainly a site to add to your favorites list to visit often.

A teaser from their welcome page today.

We are very excited to welcome everyone to The Intercept, a publication of First Look Media (FLM). The Intercept, which the three of us created, is the first of what will be numerous digital magazines published by FLM.

As soon as we resolved to build The Intercept, we set out to recruit many of the journalists whose work we have long respected and admired: those who have a proven track record of breaking boundaries, taking risks, and producing innovative, rigorous journalism.

We have assembled a team of experienced and independent journalists and editors (see our masthead here). Our central mission is to hold the most powerful governmental and corporate factions accountable, and to do so, we will report on a wide and varied range of issues.

Being able to work with highly accomplished writers like Liliana Segura, Dan Froomkin, Peter Maass and Marcy Wheeler, along with a team of young and aggressive reporters such as Murtaza Hussain, Ryan Gallagher and Ryan Devereaux, is truly emboldening. For our reporting, we have both technical expertise in the form of Micah Lee, and legal expertise from Daniel Novack. As our team grows, the ethos they embody of fearless, independent journalism is what will guide us.

The Intercept has a two-fold mission: one short-term, the other long-term.

READ MORE BELOW THE FOLD.

Via: Memeorandum

Spoken Like a True Dyed In the Blue Statist...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

Ever hear of or read Mother Jones? Well I just did, and as near as I can figure she must be Woodrow Wilson's or Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Mother. I say this because she sure as hell is pro statist and pumped up for growing the government bureaucracy.

The article is short so it is being reproduced here in full. This site appreciates Mother Jones candor in expressing the statist credo and the desire on the part of the left for an ever larger and more intrusive presence in our daily affairs and lives.

January's job numbers were fairly dismal, but the bad cheer wasn't equally spread. Private sector employment, as usual, increased—by 142,000 jobs last month. At the same time, public sector employment declined. Government employment at all levels was down 29,000 in January.

Aside from the brief census blip in early 2010, this has been the usual state of affairs for the past four years, ever since the recession officially ended. The chart below shows public and private sector employment indexed to 100 at the end of the recession. Private sector employment is up 6.8 percent. Public sector employment is down 3.4 percent. And that's during a period when population grew 2.3 percent. On a per capita basis, government employment has declined more than 5 percent since 2009, and it's still declining.

This is the price of austerity. If public sector employment had been growing normally during this period, we'd have about a million more jobs than we do now and the unemployment rate would probably be below 6 percent. We are our own worst enemies.

So, there is is folks. Do whatever you will with it. Me, I'm thinking, why not just jump on the public bandwagon and enjoy the scenery and the ride. I mean, why the hell not? Right?

Via: Memeorandum

Sen. Rand Paul Putting Republican Desperation on National Display Again...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

It's 1998, a sitting United States President has a liaison with a white house intern.

The United States House of Representatives votes in favor of Articles of Impeachment and William Jefferson Clinton is the second president in United States history to be impeached.

The United States Senate does NOT convict President Clinton and the matter is dropped, as set forth in the United States Constitution.

Fast forward sixteen years to 2014.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, a presumable 2016 republican presidential candidate brings the issue of the Clinton sexual dalliances to the forefront once again. This in response to the current democratic party claim that conservatives, and republicans in particular are waging a war against women.

So, a 1998 Congress impeaches the President, the Senate does not convict, the President serves out his second term of what was essentially a successful administration, and Senator Rand Paul thinks this strategy is a winning idea? That it will make a difference in the minds of the American voters in 2014 and 2016? That the electorate (other than hard core righties) actually cares about 1998 and an issue put to bed at the time?

Yep, when you ain't got the goods, when you're floundering for substance, when ya just know the road ahead is going to be rutty and difficult, why just dredge up some stuff from the past that the majority of the American people could not at this point give a s*it less about, and run with it.

Sounds like a republican plan to me.

Read the entire Washington Times story below the fold.

Via: Memeorandum

Overwhelming Majority Continue To Hold Republicans Responsible For Poor Economy...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

"Five years into Obama's presidency, only a third of the public believes that Obama and the Democrats are primarily responsible for the country's current economic problems.

More Americans continue to blame former President Bush and the Republicans. But the number who say the GOP is more responsible - now at 44% - has dipped below the 50% mark for the first time since Bush left the White House. Fourteen percent blame both parties equally."

As the above excerpt from a recent CNN/CRC International Survey indicates Americans after five years of the Obama administration are still placing more blame on ex president GBW than the current sitting president.

While confidence in the economy remains low, sixty-four percent say the economy is still in bad shape, it is going to be interesting watching the 2014 mid term race unfold. Given that sixty-six percent of the public believe the republican party and GWB are primarily responsible for the economic recession and current anemic economic growth it is likely a stretch to think the party they hold most responsible will gain strength in either the house or the senate.

Of course this is only one poll, admittedly from a left leaning news outlet, it certainly has some credibility. If conservatives and libertarians are going to turn the tide of negative perception they MUST develop a plan that 1) makes sense to the electorate and 2) that a MAJORITY of independents and conservatives have confidence in. It will be a long hard slog methinks.

Read the full article below the fold.

Via: Memorandum

Setting the Record Straight...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI), that evil republican according to many democrats and progressives, unlike some of his conservative counterparts chose to help set the record straight in regards to what the CBO said about ObamaCare this week and it's affect on jobs. Kudos to Representative Ryan for his effort to insure the truth world be understood.

TPM ARTICLE BELOW THE FOLD.

Kudos also to the left leaning TPM for their recognition of Ryan doing the right thing. It was refreshing to see.

Via: Memeorandum