"That Isn't the Wesley Clark I Knew"

• Author: Ben Keeler
• Filed under: McCain, Obama, Presidential
• Date: Jun 30,2008

Warm up the bus, another Obama friend / surrogate will be getting run over in the next few days. This time it will be Wesley Clark, who was sent out yesterday morning to attack Senator John McCain as Obama himself was getting ready for his big patriotism speech today.

Trying to tear down McCain, Wesley Clark said this yesterday on "Face the Nation" after host Bob Schieffer asked how Clark could claim that McCain was "untested and untried":

CLARK: Because in the matters of national security policy making, it's a matter of understanding risk, it's a matter of gauging your opponents and it's a matter of being held accountable. John McCain's never done any of that in his official positions. I certainly honor his service as a prisoner of war. He was a hero to me and to hundreds of thousands of millions of others in the armed forces as a prisoner of war. He has been a voice on the Senate Armed Services Committee and he has traveled all over the world. But he hasn't held executive responsibility. That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded wasn't a wartime squadron. He hasn't been there and ordered the bombs to fall. He hasn't seen what it's like when diplomats come in and say, I don't know whether we're going to be able to get this point through or not. Do you want to take the risk? What about your reputation? How do we handle it publicly?

SCHIEFFER: I have to say, Barack Obama has not had any of those experiences either, nor has he ridden in a fighter plane and gotten shot down. I mean……

CLARK: Well, I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president.

SCHIEFFER: Really?

CLARK: But Barack is not — he is not running on the fact that he has made these national security pronouncements. He's running on his other strengths.

Wesley Clark was sent out as a political operative to attack the military background of a political foe and every argument he made can be applied more so to Obama than McCain!

*In "the matter of national security policy making" Barack Obama hasn't ever done anything.
*In the matter of gauging your "opponents", Obama wants to meet with them without preconditions despite having no national-security, military, or diplomatic experience.
*Barack Obama hasn't been on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
*Barack Obama hasn't had any executive experience.
*Barack Obama hasn't commanded anything, in wartime or not.
*Barack Obama hasn't dealt with diplomats in any capacity at all.

People like Clark don't hit the Sunday Morning talk shows and just say whatever comes to mind. Both parties send out people with well rehearsed lines to spout. This line of attack is becoming commonplace for Democrats against McCain (see Rockefeller, Jay and Harkin, Thomas). There have been others as well. Don't try and tell me these people are all just shooting from the hip. They agree to go out there and take the fire for Obama. That is how it works. Anyhow, John McCain, as far as I know, has never suggested that his military service alone qualifies him to be President of the United States over Obama or anyone else. He is running on his lengthy public service record in addition to what Clark went after him on. John McCain refused to make military service an issue against George Bush in 2000. Also, I seem to recall John McCain defended John Kerry against the SBVFT in 2004. As expected, favor not returned.

Of course, the Democrats can say whatever they want. This is how campaigns work. However, I don't think it is a very smart strategy. These sort of attacks are more than likely to backfire. Far lefters might like it; reasonable Americans will not. So have at it. The Obama Campaign, using their surrogates like Clark, have now attacked McCain's age and mental capabilities, bravery and honesty. Once again, change you can believe in.

But of course, the Obama bus will still get a fill-up in the next couple of days and come looking for Clark so they can look above it all. After thinking about it, you almost have to wonder if Clark is trying to sink Obama so Hillary can run in 2012.

***In other news, I am a dirtbag. At least according to Paul Begala, who would know one if he saw one since he worked for the biggest of them all (former President William Jefferson Clinton).

Chief Wahoo: Stay or Go?

• Author: Ben Keeler
• Filed under: Local
• Date: Jun 30,2008

Friday night I attended a party. That is not newsworthy. Also there was the owner / writer of local blog Cleveland Frowns. Typically drinking and talking politics do not mix well, and later in this particular night they did not. But prior to that, debate broke out over Chief Wahoo, the logo of the Cleveland Indians. The majority of our "panel" had no problem with the Indians logo; only a couple did. The discussion later shifted to Native American team names and logos throughout sports, but we kept coming back to the local baseball team.

Frowns just wrote a post called "The Curse of Chief Wahoo." It was an effort to get people to sign a petition to try and get the Indians to dump their controversial logo. The author said he had no objections to the name Indians, just the logo. He did not have a problem with the Washington Redskins because their logo was not so "disrespectful." It was, however, agreed upon by the group that if any name should go, it should be that of the Washington football team. Frowns said he had no quarrels with other teams using such names, such as local high school Copley. His argument was no different than anything you have heard before - Chief Wahoo is a racist caricature and is an insult to Native Americans….what if it were the Cleveland Hispanics or Cleveland Italians (or other slurs I can't print)……it is just like "Little Red Sambo"……it affects self-esteem of young Native Americans…..etc. At one point, someone even said the federal government should step in to force the removal of Chief Wahoo!!! The debate was respectful but the mind of no one changed; Frowns had a tough time convincing anyone to join his side and agree to sign the petition. On a side note, later that night red wine was spilled all over the white Obama shirt of one attendee. That made me smile.

Growing up an Indians fan (no longer for various reasons), Chief Wahoo was the Indians. The team was dismal and the old sign on top of Cleveland Stadium was the one constant other than the pathetic play on the field. Many fans were upset when the landmark did not make the trip to Jacobs Field in 1994. The infamous sign now rests at the Western Reserve Museum.

The baseball Indians will deny it, but there should be no question to any outside observer that the Indians are scaling back their usage of Wahoo. They introduced the awful "Script I" hats a few years back and now are wearing them more and more. Beloved by Indians fans, their mascot is reviled by activists as a highly offensive, racist stereotype. "It is absolutely racist," said Peter Roby, athletic director at Northeastern and former director of the Center for the Study of Sport and Society. Does anyone point to the Chief Wahoo logo and think "that is what all Indians are like." No. At least I don't think so. This area is full of Native American history. Cleveland is in Cuyahoga County - Native American for "crooked river." Cleveland is on the banks of Lake Erie - Erie was a tribe of Native Americans who lived along the southern shore of the lake. And, there is of course, the professional baseball team.

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June 30th Fundraising Deadline Very Important

• Author: Kyle Kutuchief
• Filed under: Congress, Ohio 2008
• Date: Jun 29,2008

The Democrat leaning interest group EMILY's List is named for an acronym: "Early Money Is Like Yeast…" and the name is finished by the phrase "it makes the dough rise." Though the group is partisan, the principle in their name applies to all candidates. A candidate running for office needs to show that he is building early support and the best indicator is how much money they have in the bank. It is sort of like poker when you have to call and show your cards. The filing deadline is June 30th and the reports will be released on July 15th. The Obama / McCain match up will get a lot of coverage. However, there are some down ticket races here in Ohio that are very important. Here are some of the races the country will be looking to as fundraising bell weather races:

1. Boccieri vs. Schuring (OH-16): This is a very important race for Ralph Regula's open seat in the Canton area. Democrat John Boccieri and his campaign staff have worked themselves up to be the #2 targeted congressional race in the country for the DCCC. I'm curious how much national money that ranking has brought in. An email went out across the country from Wes Clark asking Democrats to donate to the Boccieri campaign. Boccieri is going to have money in the bank, but the question is how the Schuring campaign is holding up. I'm most interested in the numbers from this race.

2. Kilroy vs. Stivers (OH-15): This is the open seat race for Republican Deb Preyce's seat on the west side of Columbus. Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy announced a while ago that she had crossed the million dollar mark. I was unable to find her exact ranking with the DCCC, but I know she is very high because it is an open seat and she has shown how viable her candidacy is with her early money. Stivers will need a strong showing to prove that the race isn't over. Kilroy could be the candidate with the most cash on hand in the state after this filing deadline.

3. Wulsin vs. Schmidt (OH-2): Jean Schmidt is the Republican incumbent who is trying to defend her district in southwest Ohio. Dr. Victoria Wulsin has earned her way into the DCCC's Red to Blue program. Though not as prestigious as the levels where Kilroy and Boccieri are, it will still net her some resources. Wulsin is running for her second time for the seat and will benefit from her experience. As a side note, she has an excellent website. Very professional.

These are three races in three very different parts of the state that the nation will be watching closely through November.

Friday Roundup: Seals, Polls, Schools, RINOs, and More

• Author: Ben Keeler
• Filed under: Uncategorized
• Date: Jun 27,2008

Some stuff I have been meaning to discuss all wrapped up into one post on this Friday afternoon as the markets keep sinking on the prospects of Obama:

The Obama seal. Jim Geraghty thinks it could have been one of the moments we look back on that defined a candidate. Could be. I am not quite ready to go that far, but it does scream of arrogance. How could anyone have ever thought that was a good idea? "It was a one-time seal for a one-time event," an Obama communications man said. That is a clear lie - it backfired and they pulled it. In changing the Presidential seal, the Obama campaign continues to reveal its contempt for the office itself, not just George W. Bush. Shouldn't mess with it if you are some candidate. So I actually liked Obama's own presidential seal because it showed him to be the true power hungry politician he is. TheVote weighs in on the seal as well. Next up: The 57 star flag?

I like how so many Democrats are getting so excited about the recent polls by Newsweek and the LA Times showing Obama with huge leads. The LA Times was my favorite. Their sample of Republicans? 22%. That seems right. Less than one-fourth of voters this fall will be Republicans, according to the LA Times. Newsweek is Newsweek. I get ripped all the time for dismissing polls that produce results I don't care for. That is fine. I don't doubt Obama is up right now. But by 15%? Hell no. Sometimes I really think these places put out polls to try and depress the Republican base. John Fund today said it best: "Republicans shouldn't panic, but they should be worried."

"Slight" change to curriculum at North Carolina high school: Make it a Spanish speaking school. The school will just accommodate everyone by making them feel right at home! Don't make them learn English. That would take too much effort. Stories like this are so commonplace anymore that it just doesn't even phase people.

Gordon Smith of Oregon is an embarrassment to other Senate RINOs. Nice ad. Stiff. He isn't going to lose, but still, come on Senator. Just hold Ron Wyden's hand and go vote for Obama.

Another position change for Obama. By October I wonder if he will have any stayed constant on anything except being for abortion. Clarifying positions is becoming very commonplace for Obama and his staffers, or at least those who he doesn't blame for filling out questionnaires wrong. Don't forget, Obama wants to ban the sale of guns within 5 miles of parks or schools, or in other words pretty much everywhere.

Electoral College: Using current Census estimates, if they reallocated EVs before every election here is what would happen this year: Gaining votes- Texas +3, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah +1. Losing votes - Ohio -2, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania -1. Based on 2004 numbers (286 Bush, 252 Kerry), 2008 would start off as Republicans 296, Democrats 242. Doesn't really matter I suppose for 2008. Will matter in 2012.

Cleveland Shaw High School band plays at the Great Wall of China. Here is the back story on their story from WLST.

Special thanks to all the at the Nuthouse last night for helping me write today's piece. And when I say help me write it, I mean thank you for not allowing me to write it last night. Here is another tip for people: Don't try and tell DJ Larry windfall profit taxes on oil companies are a bad idea.

The Bush Legacy Bus Tour Coming To Canton

• Author: Kyle Kutuchief
• Filed under: Uncategorized
• Date: Jun 26,2008

A group called "Americans United for Change" is sponsoring a Bush Legacy Bus Tour across America, which will be stopping in Columbus today and Canton tomorrow. The bus is a mobile museum which focuses on the failures and missed opportunities of the current administration. Topics for bus exhibits include: Iraq War, the Economy, Health Care, the Environment, Workers, Katrina, Education, and Progressive Vision.

The first stop of the tour was in Dayton, Ohio to draw attention to John Boehner (the tannest man in Congress) and his support of tax cuts for oil companies while Americans pay record prices at the pump. From there, the bus went to Louisville, Kentucky to visit the state of Senator Mitch McConnell. Columbus is the third stop and the focus will be Senator George Voinovich. The goal of the visit is to…

…hold Sen. George Voinovich accountable for voting in support of this President's failed policies 90 percent of the time, according to Congressional Quarterly. The bus will then be opened to the public where Ohioans will be given the chance to reflect on the Administration's tragically inept response to Hurricane Katrina, the mismanaged and endless war in Iraq, 'trickle-down' economic policies that favored the wealthiest Americans and more.

Saturday, the bus will visit Canton, Ohio. I don't have details on the time or location. I have a call in to an event organizer and will post those details if I can get them. I'm guessing they are going to pay Kirk Schuring a visit.

This bus tour is interesting on many levels. First, it highlights a clear strategy by the left to not let the country forget the past 8 years. The second strategy is to make sure that the Republican Congress that helped the President advance his agenda gets their share of credit for where we find ourselves as a country. I'll try to catch the bus on Saturday if I can and report back next week.

Supreme Court Wrapping Up Year

• Author: Ben Keeler
• Filed under: Supreme Court
• Date: Jun 25,2008

UPDATE: DC Gun Ban struck down 5-4. Safe for bitter Americans to cling to their guns……..D.C.’s gun law is unconstitutional (or I should say two provisions of it). Individuals have a constitutional right to possess a basic firearm, protected by the Second Amendment, in your home. That overturns the strict 1976 ban. Secondly, the requirement that any gun (businesses exempt) must be unloaded and disassembled or have a trigger lock in place was found unconstitutional.

No big surprise if you reviewed the questioning from the oral arguments or if you follow the court. This one went as expected, unlike some other surprise rulings of the last 4-5 years.

If any legal experts out there want to help out, feel free.

Other blog opinions: WMD, Pho, Taxman Blog, Nix Guy via AOL.
(end update)

Thursday morning is the final day of the current Supreme Court term. Three cases are outstanding. The big one is DC v. Heller, better known as the DC gun ban case. We covered it back in March and tomorrow we will find out the ruling. All signs point to Justice Scalia writing the majority opinion, so it is highly probable the ban will be struck down. What the ruling will say about the 2nd Amendment and guns in general is less clear; I expect many separate opinions that shows the fracturing of the Justices. A surprise 5-4 ruling to keep the ban would actually probably help energize many Republicans, but all signs point to it going the other way. We shall discuss it tomorrow when the ruling comes out. The other two cases that we will get a ruling on tomorrow: the constitutionality of the so-called "Millionaire’s Amendment" on campaign finance (Davis v. FEC) and and one on federal regulators power to undo wholesale energy sales contracts (Morgan Stanley Capital v. Public Utility District).

Today, the high court ruled 5-4 and outlawed executions of people convicted of raping a child (case Patrick Kennedy v. Louisiana, P. Kennedy no relation to Justice Anthony Kennedy). The decision nullified a Louisiana law that provided capital punishment for raping a child under age 12. "The death penalty is not a proportional punishment for the rape of a child," Justice Kennedy wrote in his majority opinion. The four liberals (Stevens, Souter, Ginsberg, and Breyer) agreed with him, and the four conservatives (Scalia, Thomas, Roberts, Alito) did not. 43 year old Patrick Kennedy was sentenced to death for the rape of his 8-year-old stepdaughter in Louisiana (details here). He is one of two people in the United States, both from Louisiana, who have been sentenced to death for a rape that was not also accompanied by a killing. The decision left his conviction in place but he must get a new sentence. I would ask if brutally raping an eight year old is more cruel than dying by lethal injection? If the victim does not die and death was not intended, capital punishment for that crime violates the Eighth Amendment, they said today. Robert Bork must just sigh every time something like this happens.
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