The Consequences of Gerry-rigging

A National Public Radio poll earlier this month revealed that 60 of the 70 most competitive seats in House races this November are currently held by Democrats. Why is this important?  Presently, Republicans lead generically in all 70 districts, which indicates that the anti-incumbent mood does not cut both ways as many have suggested, but rather, seems to only slice out Democrats.

Obama and his policies and lack of skill in handling difficult situations account for most of the Democratic party's problem, as his approval averages in the low 40s.  However, because his approval among blacks is 91%, some suggest that his actual approval rating may be as low as 39% among whites. This is particularly devastating to the donkeys as the 70 competitive House races (as well as most of the competitive Senate races) have below-average populations of black voters. Why is this?  Apparently, racial gerrymandering by the Democrats has concentrated blacks into mostly safe Democratic districts. Ah, the unintended consequences of attempting to rig elections.

More Government Spending?

As the market plunged today, I noticed that some people still don't get it and probably never will.  Eric Cinnamond, portfolio manager at Intrepid Capital Management, said, "We are still in a de-leveraging mode.  Continued government spending is the only way out."  Good grief.

Gone Too Soon?

Democrats and Republican senators alike echoed the sentiment today that the 92-year old West Virginia Senator, Robert Byrd, died too soon. Although it sounds asinine to say an almost centenarian died too soon, those words could actually ring true for the Democrats. It turns out, West Virginia law dictates that its governor, presently Democrat Joe Manchin, can only appoint an interim replacement for Byrd rather than a full term replacement, since Byrd died prior to July 3. (Yes, that's right, less than a week too soon.)

Specifically, pursuant to West Virginia election law, Manchin would have been able to appoint someone to serve the entirety of Byrd’s term if he died with less than 30 months left to go on a term that expires Jan. 3, 2013. However, with more than 30 months left of his term, the law dictates that Manchin must appoint an interim successor, much like Ted Kennedy's replacement in Massachusetts, until an election can be held.

The problem is, the law fails to define when a vacancy occurs, which means Democrats could get creative. Most would say it logically occurs at the time of death, but Reid and his gang could claim it happens when the senate informs the state or when the governor declares it. Moreover, the law for calling a special election is written in a way that suggests that it couldn't be held until the date of the next regularly scheduled election, which is in 2012. So, look for the Democrats to define it in a way that it occurs after July 3, 2010, so they can attempt to keep one more highly vulnerable senate vote just a little bit longer.

"My Soul is Terrifying"

If only they were all this honest.

Rory Who?

Apparently Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's son, Rory, has been eyeing the Rasmussen polls of late and decided it best not to remind people that his father was responsible for shoving countless budget-blowing bills through the Senate for the past two years. Rory REID, who is running for governor in Nevada, is trailing his Republican opponent, Brian Sandoval, by 23% while poppa Harry is behind Sharron Angle by 7%. 

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/nevada/election_2010_nevada_governor

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/nevada/election_2010_nevada_senate

McChrystal Gets the Axe

I don't think anyone was surprised by General Stanley McChrysal's "surprise resignation" today.  I cannot say Obama wasn't well within his rights to fire the general for insubordination for questioning the President and his staff's competence in a Rolling Stone article entitled “The Runaway General.” But, what I find amusing is the fact that Obama is attempting to take issue with McChrystal's comments regarding the allied command, and in particular, a French senior official who McChrystal's aide called “gay.” Am I really to believe the man who has used the pronoun "I" in his first few years in office more than any other president isn't livid that McChrystal called him "intimidated" and "detached?"

'Arbitrary and Capricious' Ban Lifted on Deepwater Drilling

New Orleans United States District Court judge Martin Feldman issued an injunction today lifting the reactionary six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling imposed by Obama a few weeks ago in response to the BP oil spill. Feldman stated that he could see no reasonable rationale for Obama's ban on drilling in waters deeper than 500 feet "to give a presidential commission time to study improvements in the safety of offshore operations."  The injunction is effective immediately and prohibits the government from enforcing the ban.

Apparently, the government told Feldman the ban was based on a report following the sinking of the rig, which attempted to link further drilling to "public safety," but Feldman stated that he could find no rational relationship between the findings and the scope of the moratorium. “The blanket moratorium, with no parameters, seems to assume that because one rig failed and although no one yet fully knows why, all companies and rigs drilling new wells over 500 feet also universally present an imminent danger.” Feldman cause the public policy "arbitrary and capricious" also also noted that the ban would cause irreparable economic injury in the region as oilfield companies estimated that the ban could cost as many as 20,000 jobs if it lasted 18 months.

Finally, someone called Obama and his cronies out on their BS.  It would've been more fun to hear the judge substitute "arbitrary and capricious" with "horse sh*t," but I'll take what I can get.

Obama's Green Obsession

In the linked article, Charles Krauthammer aptly noted what last week's oval office speech was - an attempt to leverage the oil spill and its consequences to advocate Obama's cap-and-trade climate-change agenda. Sure, Obama decried BP and attempted to sympathize with the people in the gulf region, but by the second half of the speech, he was telling the American people why they had to ditch the evil black substance and turn toward the green. Gotcha. What green technology? Ethanol? Nope. That one didn't work. Okay. What else? The fact is, he has no clue, but this doesn't stop him from peddling the nebulously defined green economy and relentlessly attempting to "tax carbon, spend trillions, and put government in control of the energy economy."

In a stable economic environment, designating reasonable amounts of money for the research of alternative energy sources isn't a terrible idea.  But we neither enjoy a stable economic environment nor modest success with any alternative green energy sources to date. Throwing insane amounts of money at every cockamamie green project and heavily taxing the current energy industry simply for existing, will drive up gas prices and send our economy into further turmoil.

Obama Keeps Sliding...Down to 41%

A Rasmussen poll taken today shows Obama's approval rating at a new all-time low of 41% with a Presidential Approval Index rating of -21. The 41% represents the number of voters that say they at least somewhat approve of the president's performance. Again, the number of blindly following Democrats boost Obama's rating as 76% approve of his performance compared to 85% of Republicans and 72% of Independents that disapprove.

Double Dip Looks More Likely with Rise of Jobless Claims

Last week, the number of people filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose by 12,000 to a seasonally adjusted 472,000. First-time jobless claims have stayed near 450,000 since the beginning of the year after falling in late 2009 until now. Despite the sluggish pace at which jobs have recovered, analysts continue to predict that claims will fall week after week and are wrong week after week. Layoffs persist and will likely remain the rule until the stimulus wears off, housing prices take another dip and we finally hit the bottom.

Obama's Approval Rating Hits New New Low of 42%

According to a new Rasmussen poll, 24% of voters strongly approve of the way that Obama is performing his role as president while 44% strongly disapprove, which gives Obama a -20 index rating, or a popularity score of 42%, his lowest yet. Among Democrats, 48% strongly approve and 75% of Republicans strongly disapprove. Among Independents, 12% strongly approve and 52% strongly disapprove. It will be interesting to see whether his ratings fall further after last night's oval office rant regarding the oil spill, an issue which 45% say he has handled poorly.

Etheridge's Meltdown Paves the Way for Ellmers

I know you've all seen the video of Democrat Bob Etheridge, the North Carolina Congressman harassing two college kids that asked him a question on camera, but just in case, here it is (http://www.breitbart.tv/congressman-assaults-student-on-washington-sidewalk/). If that doesn't give his GOP challenger, Renee Ellmers, a giant boost in the Dole state polls, nothing will.  A person has to be seriously kooky to act like that on tape, but enough about Etheridge. 

Ellmers's platform involves repealing Obamacare, tax cuts, slicing government spending, tax reform, off-shore drilling and the opposition of "Cap and Trade." On social issues she is conservative. She supports traditional marriage and opposes abortion. She also opposes amnesty and supports an employment verification system. Militarily, she opposes the closing of Gitmo and other military bases and courts and supports military tribunals for terrorist war criminals.

I think she had a great shot without Etheridge's display of idiocy, but now, I see her as a shoe in.

Independents Move Toward Republican Party

Independent voters are moving towards Republicans, according to a survey released by the Siena Research Institute. Andrew Cuomo, who is the Democrat's gubernatorial choice in New York saw a lead of more than 30 points among independents fall to just 13 points. Kirsten Gillibrand had a double-digit lead among independents and now trails all of her potential senate opponents with independent voters. Even Senator Chuck Schumer, whose favorability rating had never dipped below 60% until now, saw his lead among independents fall from 25 to seven points. In New York where these candidates are vying for spots, this news is anti-climatic as their challengers stand no chance of besting them. However, the fact that this trend is occurring in a deep blue state boasts well for other GOP challengers as it's very likely representative of a national trend.

Wasting Lots of Green on Green "Jobs"

Yesterday, an old government colleague of mine who is now a lobbiest, emailed me to ask if I knew the new "Chief Greening Officer" at our old agency.  Seriously.  Obama created that position for all federal agencies.  Apparently, the chief greening officer, who is in charge of overseeing sustainability efforts within all agency-owned and leased buildings is to "strive to meet [Obama's] commitment of achieving a zero environmental footprint.”  That is about the most vague internal job description I've ever heard.  Then, I read the title-linked article and realized, the appointment of Chief Greening Officers in all agencies is just a drop in the green bucket.  What an absolute waste of time and resources.

Angle Leads Reid by 11 Points

The first poll taken since Sharron Angle won the Republican Senatorial primary in Nevada has her besting Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid by 11 points. The Rasmussen Reports telephone poll of likely voters in Nevada, shows Angle earning 50% of the vote next to Reid's 39%. (5% like some other candidate, and 6% are undecided.) Prior to her come-from-behind win, Angle led Reid 48% to 40% but the leads of the other two GOP primary contenders were always higher against Reid until now.

Reid is already on the warpath attempting to portray Angle, a Christian conservative with large Tea Party support, as a nutty, fringe candidate. However, the race now seems to still revolve around Reid, whose support in this election cycle against any challenger has not risen above the low 40s and whose support amongst his party is only at 68% compared to Angle's 88% Republican support and 10% lead among Independents.

If Angle can get out the vote in the rural areas, as she did for the primary Tuesday, (http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2010/06/sharrons-rural-angle.html), she just might dethrown King Harry.

Republican Women Take California by Storm

Despite Blanche Lincoln's win in Arkansas and Sharron Angle's defeat of the more moderate choice, Republicans have much to cheer about today. In California, the union's most liberal state, Republicans nominated two wealthy businesswomen to challenge the Democratic establishment in California.  Meg Whitman, the former eBay chief executive, took the Republican primary for governor and ex-Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina was nominated to challenge Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer in the fall. This primary election represents the first time the California Republican Party has put a woman at the top of the ticket.

Whitman deftly stated, "Career politicians in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., be warned: You now face your worst nightmare - two businesswomen from the real world who know how to create jobs, balance budgets and get things done." Hallelujah.  Seriously.  These people know how to cost-cut, which is precisely what the state desperately needs if it isn't to become the next Greece or Hungary.

Senate Primary Predictions

Arkansas:  Bill Halter by 7%

California:  Carly Fiorina by 5%

Nevada:  Sharron Angle by 4%

Americans Rate Obama's Response to Oil Spill as Worse than Bush's to Katrina

In a new ABC News/Washington Post poll, 60% of Americans rated Obama's federal response to the British Petroleum oil spill negatively compared with a 62% negative rating for the Bush administration's response to Katrina two weeks after the hurricane hit.

Unsurprisingly, there was a partisan divide among those that viewed the Obama administration's response negatively and those that did not. Democrats, at 56%, were less critical of the Obama response compared to 74% of Independents and 81% of Republicans that viewed the response negatively. The results ran in the opposite direction for Katrina, as 41% of Republicans viewed the Bush response negatively compared to 64% percent of Independents and 79% of Democrats.

However, partisanship ended when it came to environmental concern regarding the aftermath of the spill as 70% of Republicans and 75% of Democrats and Independents viewed it as a major environmental disaster. Indeed. And the Gulf will take a lot more time, money and effort to restore than New Orleans. My best guess is that the fallout from the spill will wreak at least twice the damage to Obama's poll numbers.

Unemployment Dips Slightly to 9.7%, Boosted by Census Workers

According to the latest jobs report http://www.cnbc.com/id/37507250, unemployment fell slightly to 9.7% from 9.8% despite predictions that it would experience a larger decline this month. In fact, outside of the hiring of 411,000 temporary census workers, there was little hiring by private employers as that sector added just 41,000 jobs, down from 218,000 in April and the fewest since January. The worst part about the numbers?  Apparently, the government intentionally hired more census workers than it needed http://cnsnews.com/news/article/67156 and several census workers claim the government hired and fired them several times to inflate job numbers by counting every subsequent hire http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/06/03/census_worker_claims_job_numbers_are_being_inflated.html.

First Sestak, Now Romanoff?

Apparently, Joe Sestak wasn't the only Democratic primary candidate that the White House attempted to bribe to ensure the reelection of a crotchety incumbent. Former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff stated that last year, the White House also offered him a government job in exchange for his exit from the primary in order to ensure Senator Michael Bennet's win. However, the informants spoke on condition of anonymity and said they were not authorized to discuss private conversations. White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton said, "There were some initial conversations with him but no job was ever offered." The primary is August 10, 2010.

Again, not hopey changey politics, but politics as usual.

Gallup Has Obama Approval at 46%

President Obama's job approval average for the week ending on May 30th is the lowest of his administration and is lower than the single-survey ratings for all but two of the nine elected presidents since Eisenhower during their terms (Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter).

The Vanity of Big Government

Mark Steyn on Big Government and its Narcissistic Rulers:

Almost every problem we face today arises from the vanity of Big Government. Why has BP got oil wells 5,000 feet underwater in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico? Because government regulated them off-land, off-coast, and ever deeper into the briny. True, BP went along. Its initials stand for “British Petroleum.” You may not be aware of that if you’ve seen any of their commercials in recent years: “BP — Beyond Petroleum.” They were an oil company ashamed of their product, and advertising only how anxious they were to get with the environmental program. And a fat lot of good that did them. BP, not to mention its customers, would have been better to push back against government policies that drive energy suppliers into ever more unpredictable terrain in order to protect the Alaskan breeding grounds of the world’s largest mosquito herd. Instead, we’ll do the opposite. There’ll be even more government protection of “the environment,” and even more government regulation of the oil industry, and BP will be drilling for oil in that Icelandic volcano.

The princelings of the new ruling class rarely have to live with the consequences of their narcissism. And, when the cakes are burning to a crisp, King Barack the Verbose won’t be in the peasant hovel with you but off giving a critically acclaimed speech about how the world works best when we all get an equal slice of the pie.