Steve from Campaign2008VictoryA and a number of Palin for VP bloggers got into a wierd discussion with a Pittsburgh Tribune columnist...wierd because the reporter had interviewed Gov. Palin and seemed supportive, yet his hard driving meeting with them was anything but.

Steve...the reporter wasn't looking for a story on Palin...he GOT that.  He was looking for a story on the kind of people that would support someone a national columnist (Fred Barnes) would write about...this wasn't a swipe at Palin so much as a swipe at Fred Barnes,,,a case of the little leaguer pointing out that sometimes even the biggest of hitters strike out.

The columnist is extremely shortsighted.

Instead of this being a story of a national reporter that missed, a story that might not even make the evening news in his home town and would most certainly be forgotten in a couple of days...the Tribune writer could be on the ground floor of a story that would make HIM a major player.  Imagine being credited with the launching of a future White House occupant?

I sometimes wonder if the press understands that the best selling news isn't necessarily bad. Princess Diana sold more copies of magazines when the public thought she was going to live happiler ever after...and the public loves to hear about the rich and famous when they ARE rich and famous instead of going broke and facing has been.

People love winners.

Sarah Palin comes across...as all beautiful people (yes unfair) do...a winner.

Here are some other "unfair" facts:

To continue to wage the War on Terror...the GOP MUST keep the White House and/or regain Congress.

To win either in 2008...the GOP MUST have extraordinary politicians...the kind that has very little to none political baggage, yet somehow manage to have executive experience.  They must know when to keep silent and when to hammer home a point.

I admit to knowing very little about Sarah Palin's view points...but I've spent the last 2 years hearing enough rhetoric to never give another person a pass based on what they "say".

Time will tell us what she really believes in and if her words have meaning.  Right now..she can help give America the only chance it has to make sure the next crucial decade is not in the hands of people who have no desire to continue and finish the war that was started on that fateful day in September.

After 2 "cycles" of  "interning", Palin might turn out to be another Maggie Thatcher or Golda Meir...or someone we'll pass on. 

Either way, right now, it is the only viable hand we have left to play.

"The illegal immigration bill is gone...let's forget it and get on with the War on Terror."

What a sane idea.  Who on the Right wouldn't love for the party to put aside their differences, make up and fight the REAL enemies?

After the "grand victory", the absolutist brushed off their anger and "generously" offered the olive branch to their wayward conservative brethren.  Still smarting from the ugly words and not a little leery, the "not afraid to admit to being Republicans instead of Conservatives" are gingerly reaching out to accept.

In the mean time, the leaders of the "people power", the RINO press, are working toward "acceptance" of GOP lost in 2008 and 2012.  This lost will have zero to do with anything THEY did...and this lost will be "good" for the nation because it will get rid of the "bad" conservatives.  They are doing what pro-choice advocates did to babies...devalue the importance of the only issue that can trump the illegal immigration issue: the  WOT.

Their "independent-thinking" followers who somehow could only managed to accept the RINO press' interpretation of the 1000 page bill are having a case of "selective" support and loyalty.  The great part about  this "selective" support is that it comes with a built in "no blame" excuse.  The lost of the WOT will be Bush's and/or the GOPs fault because they DID support them in that.

And when the election is close or the talk show hosts have need of some material...they are free to once again "disagree" with the president and the GOP about illegal immigration even if their vitriolic hate and appearance of racism gives the Dems a Hispanic voting block that will make the Black vote seem like a local community action group.

After all...they supported the President and the GOP on the WOT.

The only way the Dems can be stopped from taking all 3 branches of power IS for the GOP to unite under one overwhelming issue...the WOT.  But as I said to Sandra on "A word to the wise"...a UNITED party is an illusion if some of them have their fingers crossed behind their backs when pledging support.





 

 I got the below comment from fellow blogger Wil (the Ramblings of an Average American):

"Second, I have searched and I have yet to find what Palin would do in the war. This is such a pivotal issue, that to me, a person one heartbeat away from the Presidency would have to show a grasp of this issue, and come to the right conclusions for me to consider them. True the VP does not set foreign policy, but they must be competent in it for there to be any confidence int he ticket as a whole. (Think Dan Quayle...despite the jokes, he was a departure from the old part of the old white guy club, yet his opponents played on his age and inexperience as weaknesses and exploited them for political gain)."

I thought it a fair concern.

For me, the War on Terror TRUMPS all other issues.

It is the issue that SHOULD have united the Right with all the stubborness of a price tag on a plastic bottle.

Unfortunately, for the last two years, one issue, illegal immigration, did the complete opposite--and after the blood and gore, very little is left of the original "product" to sell.

In fact, the marketing of the GOP ticket is near impossible because the two major partners said and did too much to hurt each other.  There is no going back.  No playing the "winning" tune again.

It takes approximately 4,856 sentences to win someone's trust...one sentence to lose it...an innumerable amount to regain it.  The absolutes on illegal immigration, pro-life, WOT have shown that they do not trust each other or the GOP.

Yet, the battle still has to be fought.  And the war still has to be won.

And life is still a matter of choices.

We may not always like the cards life deals us.

We may sometimes wish to sit out games.

But some games are just too important to walk away from.

And we are faced with the ONLY control we have: to replace what we have with a new card from the deck.

For me...I would have walked away if not for the WOT.

So, my "new" card is a Palin.

Only time will tell me if it is the ace I needed...or I should have gone with the Jack knowing it had no chance against the Queen.

The first question people ask when I mention Alaska's governor Sarah Palin is "Who???"

The second is: Why are you bothering to push for the SECOND seat on the GOP ticket a politician that isn't even running?

Let me answer the second question first.

Recently, a number of the politically aware Right have noticed the duplicity of the Republican In Name Only press.  These are one issue talk show host / columnists who have very little concept of "LOYALTY",  the most basic of "principles".  They have spun words like "support" into negative connotations that can be (and frequently are) bartered to the politician that will bow to their demands.

And like me, it has depressed them as all get out.

For nearly 2 years...since the Miers borking, I've been "sounding the alarm" ...most of the old posters on TH told me that DESPITE their negativity, they couldn't see the American voter putting in "those Liberals" in charge of Congress.  I did the whole business analogy  thing...pointing out that "disagreeing publically" was like claiming that EVERYONE worked for your company so the bashing of your products "didn't really matter" and was "good for the company."

But 2006 came and guess who had the majority?

I am singing the SAME tune some 6 months later...and while others have now joined me, it is little solace to the day when the Dems will strike up the band and the rockets "bursting in the air" are from terrorists "testing" the resolve of the party of appeasers.

Imagine if you will...coming to a board meeting.  On one side of the presentation table are our products for the new Spring line.  It's the same old stuff with the same old flaws, but it's basic and our marketing people can sell it with their eyes close.

On the other side is the (hiss...make the sign of the cross) competition's offering.  We all know that it is a BAD product, but it's been repackaged and it has the gold star feel of "cool".  You know that your people while sitting on the john during a difficult session, think for a nano second of pushing that product--and feel the muscles relax--and they are finally able to "finish their business".

At this particular meeting, SOMEBODY slips on the table a new "thingie"...It's way on the outer corner...and honestly, you might have missed it entirely...except, your eyes got so bored at what was being presented that it rolled on it's own volition. 

"Hey" you say, picking the thingie up.  "What IS this?"

Some kid tells you rather proudly that it's a "Palin" and it's HIS find.

You smile among the loud guffaw.

It IS rather cute...and operating purely on a personal basis, you flick a switch and push a button...

And now a real smile appears on your face because it is tapping into every marketing part of your body.

It is a basic unit--really.  Nothing extraordinarily innovating.  It's not going to be the "have to have" gadget of every political kid out there.

But to the average consumer...the busy people who just wants something that really works and that they can actually understand...Palin would represent the greatest of marketing pull...the "guess it's time to buy it" reasoning.

Most consumers (voters) will look at a Black candidate with about as much enthusiasm as buying life insurance...a female candidate is something who's time has come...like buying that MP3 player.

A "Hillary" is like that first cell phone...ugly  as all get out and about as mobile as a suitcase.

Palin is comfortable...fits into most people's perception of "successful mother/wife/career woman".  She's got 4 kids that the older generation can love and a husband that meets BOTH male AND female approval.

"Functions" that actualy work...like being fiscally and socially conservative...she's the mother you had or wish you did.  The young teacher all the guys in school were secretly in love with and the natural born leader who either led her team to victory or made them feel like winners.

She is...

"WAIT A MINUTE"..someone says out loud..."you don't KNOW ALL that".

You turn to that person and toss the little gadget into her palm...allow her to feel the fit and judge it's weight.

"No," you agree with a glint of hope and excitement that hasn't been in your eyes for months, "I don't KNOW that, but I can sell it.  Most importantly, my marketing team can sell it." 

You turn and point to the "Hillary" and the "Obama" sitting on the competitor's side and adds the truth behind most decisions..."We either try a Palin or we give in to THOSE."

This is the "day" after the death of "the" bill on immigration reform.  "Day" as in "relatively soon" instead of actual calendar days.  It has taken me quite a while to decide what I wanted to say--or if I should bother at all.

I thought of just walking away...allowing the Right to learn the hard way what they actually accomplished with their refusal to give this bill a chance...but 6 years ago, I made a promise to a Vietnam Vet, that I would do whatever it took to make sure that another generation of troops would not be forgotten.

And make no mistake...they were.  Every moment that was spent arguing to build a Berlin type wall across the Southern border or deport 12 million illegals was taken away from the debate to fund our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.    Every nickle of the BILLIONS that would be spent on the wall to our SECOND largest trading partner and the TRILLIONS that would be spent to deport the 12 million meant a nickle LESS for our troops trying not to make liars out of Americans to the 10 million purple fingers who showed unbelievable courage. Every time our war time president was attacked, we risked giving our troops a Commander in Chief in 2008 who has no value and little respect for their profession. 

Oh the absolutist were quick to make the link between "national security" and the illegal immigration issue but for some reason they could NOT connect the dots of illegal and legal immigrates and all their family and friends...and a voting block that will make the Black vote look like a community affair.

I've never put much stock into polls...I know how easy it is to manipulate the wording to create the results you want.  To get a good idea of what the American voter REALLY thinks about issues...you need to listen to and watch what the major candidates on both parties are saying.

In BOTH parties, NONE of  the top tier candidates is rushing forth to carry the banner of "border control".  Tancredo, the biggest advocate is somewhere at the bottom with Ron Paul.

Why?

Because the high powered political analysts have their own polls and they know what I am going to tell you now.

Most Americans are NOT White...like it or not, the combination of minorities actually makes the Whites the minority.

Most Americans grew up very conscious of race and feel uncomfortable with ANY talk of racial and class inequality.

Most Americans have nothing against immigrants illegal or legal...many are the first generation english speaking of their family and find any disparaging remarks about "uneducated" and "unclean" immigrants offensive.

Most Americans do not want a wall, to the south or the north...many remember the Berlin wall and what walls symbolizes.

Most Americans come from the "tried it but didn't inhale" to the "do it because it feels good" generation and have zero understanding of this blind adherence to the "law".

Most Americans don't equate those who clean our toliets and babysit our kids with terrorist who want to put women in burkas.

Most Americans don't equate Mexicans working 16 hour shifts with the American guy with a beer bottle in one hand and slapping his pregnant girlfriend with the other.  In fact, most Americans have come to expect immigrants to work longer, harder, and with less complaint than their bottom of the economic barrel "Americans" counter part.

So when this bill was refused by the RINO press and their absolutist followers...this is what "most" Americans saw and heard.

Racism...the "invasion" of the inferior Mexican culture to the far superior "American" culture.

Class Bigotry...the "I got mine" but you don't get yours...ever.

Separatism...the kind that will one day beg for a Regan to demand that "the wall be torn down".

Sanctimonious fanatism...the demand for perfection and unyielding and unforgiving adherence to the law.

If the GOP does nothing in the next 18 months to change this perception, the pact they made with the troops to support them "this time" and to the 10 million purple fingers to trust them "this time" will be broken, because the American voter will want to have nothing to do with the party that seems to have little value for the minority and the poor.

And if Queen Hil is smart (for her party)...she will "undo" this racial hatred of the GOP and tear down that Berlin type wall.  She will do as our forefathers did to our ancestors...open wide the arms of America and give amnesty of the illegals' dreams...and effectively put the GOP in the political wilderness for decades.

And to survive, the GOP will do what it should have done the first time Ingraham and company told them what to do...tell them that the days of Louella Parsons & Hedda Hopper was long gone...and they do NOT speak for the American people...the ballot box does.  It may happen in any event because most people who seek office have a grand sense of their self importance...they will not continue to allow some two-bit, never made it to be a lawyer, tell THEM what to do.  For once, it may be one of the those times that arrogance saves this nation.

The Brits have a saying I like..."Fair enough".  It is used when someone has made a point or when you find the person you are having a disagreement with "fair."

This is one of my favorite sayings because I am a stickler for fairness, reasonableness, and practicality.

Steve, main blogger for Palin (CampaignVictory2008A), went off on Jevica (A Conservative Man) and it printed about a half a dozen times...(we all know how that happens with blogging printing friendly TH)...and expressed the opinion that I was wasting my time with Jevica.  Now, I've done this a few times to Steve on his blog--and it was "fair enough" for him to return the favor.

But let me explain something about me...the way I work.  I AM extremely jealous of my time because it is so frequently limited.  I do not push Palin just because "I like her".  I do so because I think she can win...and help the GOP in 2008 and in the future.  I like doing something positive after weeks, months of watching the GOP being hurt by the absolutes.

I do NOT take time out of this breath of fresh air blogging for just anybody.

Jevica is NOT just anybody.

One more thing about me--I try not to lie.  Again, there are no lofty idealistic reasons for this quirk of mine...it is based on practicality and reasonableness.

A long time ago, I told Jevica that his blog was IMPORTANT and different than the other blogs here.

Most bloggers blog to rant (raises hand)...others want to convert or change things...I think Sandra and Steve can be placed in that category...but Jevica INFORMS.

This is the guy that can make a difference because people WILL listen.

I think Jevica is wrong about the illegal immigration bill and about his focus on the "law".  As I told him several times...America is the last one to preach about breaking the law as our Founding Fathers broke England's law.  America brought diseases and wiped out whole civilizations.  America also came "uninvited" and "stayed" in Calif, Arizona, New Mex, Texas...land that all belonged to the very Mexicans that they are crying about 2 centuries later. 

I could go on and on...but this is what I am trying to get across to Jevica...the talking points do NOTHING but hurt the "cause" because instead of justifying the securing of the Mexican borders and getting rid of 12 million illegals...what it is doing is reminding minorities of American's racist past.

I truly, honestly believe that Jevica does not want that.

 From Steve's old CampagnVictory2008 blog.


Q-Gov. Palin, being from Alaska, is as unknown as a candidate could be (unless I was running of course .... talk about "unknown"!). Do you see that as something that could truly be overcome? There are people in the US that view Alaska as another country (same with Hawaii).

Being from Alaska isn't a liability.  She would represent every "small town" across the nation.  And she's got none of what  the better known candidates have...political baggage.

Q- Gov. Palin is VERY young (politically speaking) ... goodness, she's younger than me! Little national political experience. People who look seriously at the VP candidate, look for someone who would be able to take over as President and represent the US on a world stage.

That's like asking about a very young and great looking JFK being able to represent the US on a world stage...are you kidding?  American idol loving people around the world will fall in love with Palin.    She's every woman's dream...the career, the kids, the Independent hubby...they will forgive her sharp brains and her nononsense take no prisoners attitude.  She has had a rock star type political careeer...something that can happen to anybody--the difference is that Palin manages to keep it.

As for national experience,  There's a good reason why most people prefer politicians with executive experience over those with national experience in Congress. It's like having one of your own people in your department being promoted instead of a manager from the outside coming in. Someone in Congress may have earned the title...may even be great, BUT he might be part of the "problems" instead of a solution

Q- I have heard some rumblings/rumors that JC Watts from Oklahoma might make an excellent VP candidate. I am more familiar with Congressman Watts and wonder what your thoughts might be on that, and maybe give your comparison between the former congressman and Gov. Palin. 

-Why not pick Watt over Palin?

Because America is not ready for a Black leader.

What???

Ok, calm down and let me explain...

America has two major "guilt" issues..."Race" and "Gender" equality.

Of the two, the Gender card is the easiest for the American public to play. 

Why?

Because most women have gotten over the bra buring period; Blacks have not.  If a hundred people apply to an Ivy league school and 80 are rejected, maybe ONE, if that, will blame her gender for her failure, but at least 75% of the Blacks will think it's the color of their skin.

This is why I doubt Obama will be nominated--or win.  Most people do not want to spend the next 4 to 8 years being reminded of America's racial past.

American's will view a female running in the 2nd most powerful race--with a promise of someday taking the WH as something expected.  They will remember Israel's and England's female leaders--and either shrug or think...it's about time.

J- If we can't secure our borders [North and South] then we are at a big disadvantage in the WOT.

S-Absolutely...but we're not talking about securing BOTH borders, are we? 

J-That's just the problem. "violating the border is against the law." We all know it's illegal but gee there are so many here we can't do this or that and deport them so just figure out some scheme to let them stay.

S-Jevica, let's not do the "breaking the law" bit...as I said before, America's founding fathers broke England's law...it's not the number of UNWANTED that is the problem...it's that these people ARE wanted by donating employers that have been squeezed by unions on one side and taxes and government red tape on the other.  The problem is that the GOP is NOT the majority and that most people do NOT want the employers to take their business (and jobs) to labor friendly Mexico or Canada.

J-That's just it they know we are not going to deport them or build a wall, why do they know this. Because it's what we should do.

S-Your side blew it.  Honest to God, the vitriolic hate and racist sounding language blew any chance at ever getting that Berlin type wall built.  (ie: The talk about "bringing disease" as though Whites did not almost destroy whole races (Hawaiians are one) when they came with their small pox, measles and other assorted plagues that many races had never heard of. ) It was unfair and hypocritical considering American's own past. 

J-We were told about this bill [and sometimes the opinion of the teller, pro or con] then I made up my mind that as written it's a bad bill. They lied to us [press, talk radio, by telling us what's in the bill?]

S-They lied when they told their listeners (and Congress) that they would be satisfied with a Hunter type wall but didn't tell you that it has been over a DECADE to build 14 miles...FOURTEEN miles Jevica...and it is STILL hung up in environmental law suits.  They lied when they told you that all they wanted was to take away the incentive to come here--by penalizing the employers and dismissed the HEFTY penalties of this bill by saying..."Oh we don't believe them."

EXCUSE ME???

They did admit to one truth...the whole thing was based on HEARSAY...what some "source" told Hugh.  It is the same kind of "responsible" reporting that crucified Miers as being "not qualified."

J-If you support the bill and keeping 15 to 20 million illegals here, and more with chain migration if the bill pases that's your right. I say if they come in contact with authorities send them back.

S-I don't support 15 or even ONE million illegals being here.  I have from day one been for separating the criminals from those that are filling an economic need.  Instead of sending everyone back without thought to the cost to our economy...how about stream lining the immigration procedures so that people CAN get in to work before they are too old to do so?

J-It may be another thing but it is their right, we disagree on this but I post and will tell anyone I disagree with Bush on this and other issues.

S-Jevica, I told you once that I thought your blog was important.  While others blog to rant (raises hand) and others want to convert people...your blog informs.  This is why I have taken time to write 2 blogs for you.  Disagree all you want Jevica but PLEASE remember that opinions have consequences.  The inability of people like you, who are not racist or idiots to control the extreme in your group has/will  hurt the GOP for decades.

You say you've been reading my blog...then you know how their vitriolic talk has effected me--and I suspect, a good portion of minorities.  Consider carefully the huge progress America has made in race and culture...do you really want to remind minority Americans what White "foreigners" have done in the past?

J-Sometimes I feel I'm the only one who supports Bush on the WOT and the only one who realizes who are enemy is and that they want to kill us. But we have to disagree on this. Sanity I like your blog and comments. Don't let those voices drive you out espouse your views on the issues.

S-Jevica...ask yourself WHY, why should you feel like the only one?  The RINO press...the people on TH...they KNEW what Bush stood for in 2000, 2002, 2004...why was the illegal immigration issue not the deal breaker it is TODAY?

We had tons of illegals coming in...we were fighting the same war in 2002 and 2004...as the Anchoress asks....why NOW?

I'm taking a break from my Palin blogs to answer a few talking points from a fellow blogger who calls himself Jevica.

"So is it your idea that since President Bush is sending our kids into battle we must go along with everything else in his policy?"

--Jevica, this is truly bizarre.  Are you trying to tell me that you really have no concept what loyalty is?  Let us say that your child (or grandchild--I have no idea how old you are) came to you and said that he has a friend that is fighting with some school yard bullies and that while he supported him before, he decided to turn his back on his friend because he didn't like some of the things he did.  In fact, while the bullies were hitting his friend, your child/grandchild was stabbing him in the back.

Would you say..."Good for you...you must always stand on your principles and you certainly should not support your friend in taking on the bullies unless you agree with everything he does, all the time?"

No, Jevica, we don't have to "go along" with everything anybody does...but we sure as h-ell had better decide whose side we are on...because one side wants to lose the WOT.

About Miers:

Did you know the woman has a doctrate in Law?  That she was a practicing attorney in private practice for 27 years?  That she has won awards from the Dallas Bar Associates, American Jewish Committee, Women in the Law, State Bar of Texas, Legal Services of North Texas, Anti-Defamation League, Dallas Woman Lawyers' Association, Women's Enterprise Magazine, Today's Dallas Woman, Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism and 3 years running from the National Law Journal? First Female President of the State Bar of Texas?

If that's "unqualified"...what do you say about an ex-lawyer turned talk show host?

Jevica, you said you listened to Laura during that time...you MUST have heard her go balistic saying..."We don't know anything about this woman...this is the MOST important judiciary position and he's giving it to someone no one has heard about!!!"

And if you had listened to Hugh at the time, you'd have also heard Hugh's shock when after learning Mier's background, Laura and company insisted on judiciary publication as a requirement for the SCOTUS seat...WHEN did that become a qualification???

It was a fit Jevica...one that would have rival a 2 year old.  She betrayed the president and all those listeners that she assured that they could trust Bush. 

And getting back to your initial question about Bush sending our children to war...let me ask YOU...are you saying that we can trust Bush when it comes to our children but NOT to pick an elite to sit on the SCOTUS?  Because that is EXACTLY what Laura and company said.

And here's one question I would REALLY like you to answer...since you listened to radio talk show before 9/11...before the Miers borking...you must have known how Bush felt about illegal immigration...so why did you vote for him in 2000 and 2004? 

I don't want the talking points...I want to know why YOU, who feel so passionately about the illegal immigration issue and is a principled man who see no reason to support Bush now, voted for him twice.

A few months after the 2004 elections, I remember Laura Ingraham taking a few days off from the radio...rumor had it that her show was about to be dumped.  Laura had argued that she was the only woman talk show host and her audience was getting a fair share of the ratings.  Unfortunately, Glenn Beck was moving up and Hannity's popularity was also growing.

Laura was an unapologetic Bush supporter.  I remember how many times she told her audience that Bush was the ONLY one they could trust to send their kids to war.

Then Sandra Day O'Conner announced her retirement and the talk was all about using the "nuclear option."  This was going to give Ingraham and others HOURS of talk time.  Day after day we heard the names of those on her wish list...of course many of them hadn't even made it to the appeals courts and it was almost certain that the nomination was going to be bloody as all get out.

Laura and company was almost licking their lips in anticipation.

Unfortunately, Bush, thanks to Mier's advice, nominated Roberts.  Ok, ok...the guy was good...Laura grudgingly admitted.  For a small period of time, she enjoyed Roberts taking the Dems to the mat.

But really, how exciting is it to say..."Good", "Fabulous", "Incredible"?

Then Rehnquist dies...and we're off to the nuclear option again!

Only Miers, the woman credited with the great 94% rating for fabulous judiciary picks, is nominated.  It was a brilliant strategic move.  Miers was a woman with a law acumen that lands her as advisor to the President of the United States.  Best of all, next to nothing is known about her so the gang of 14 could not allow the Senate to filibust her.

And after the beating Roberts gave the Dems...the Liberals was just waiting to get back their own.

Unfortunately, this also meant that the Laura Ingrahams were DENIED again!

Like a spoilt 2 year old...Laura threw a fit.  She knew next to nothing about the woman; yet she went after Miers and Bush like a woman scorned.

All of a sudden, Ingraham had every door to the MSM open to her. 

She was going to do to Bush what Dan Rather and the entire MSM couldn't do.

She became their new hero.

And Laura couldn't lose.  If Bush gave in, the next appointee would surely be one of those on her wish list.  If Bush didn't, Laura would continue to nail Miers and Bush until she became a household name.

But Bush had one more card to play.  Miers had originally suggested Alito but there was serious doubt if the man could have withstood Dems who had been made to look foolish after Roberts.  Now, thanks to the bloodletting of Laura and the NRO, some of the Dems' appetite for blood had abated.

This put Ingraham in a difficult situation.  If she objected to a man who HAD written opinions (her main objection to Miers), her real agenda would have been obvious.

So Laura accepted Alito, who was NOT on her list (radioactive).

Unfortunately that STILL left Laura with the problem of ratings that did not compete with Rush and Hannity AND a new problem.  She had to justify her betrayal of the man she told parents to give their highest trust to.

She turned to her pet issue...illegal immigration.

Only this time it caught on fire.

The Anchoress...a well read blogger wonders why the illegal immigration issue wasn't even discussed in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 national elections?

You want to know the truth?  The honest to God truth?

How many of you watched cable t.v. or listened to radio talk show BEFORE 9/11?

Not many of you, right?

But after...our days were practically glued to the t.v. or radio.

And the Ingrahams, Hannities, Hewitts...they all became overnight national stars.  With the power to influence--and become a player in politics.

In 2005, Hugh Hewitt was one of the few talk show hosts to defend Bush's right to appoint Miers and be for reasonable illegal immigration reform.  And he watched as Ingraham and others not only gained in the ratings but got invited to chat with the president...

And when the Dubai deal came up; he went crazy even though almost every guest expert told him he was upset for nothing.

Finally, in 2007...he learned that a bill of reform was going to build half of the orginal fence--and based on mere hearsay...he went balistic.  When he found out that his source might have been wrong...he found a conspiracy in the one week cloture vote...Tony Snow told Hugh that he KNEW better...no way would Congress ever move that quickly.  Then he went on the "fine the employers" only to learn about the HUGE, SERIOUS fees that was going to be levied against employers that knowingly hire illegals--and complained it was TOO serious.

On and on he went--THIS time, Hugh was going to be in on the action.

And everyone started to jump on the bandwagon.  It didn't matter that some of their audience remembered when they had accused the Liberal press of the very things they were doing now...attacking a war time president and giving "comfort" to the enemy.

It was ALL Bush's fault anyway.

9/11 made them all stars...and Bush, thru his luck/diligence...whatever you want to call it...has kept us safe...and taken away their audience need to listen to them.

For that CRIME, they will join their counterparts on the Left, excercise their "freedom to disagree" and take him down.

 

 

America is an image oriented nation.

Industry counts on that.

Millions are spent getting out the right look, the right feel.  Sometimes the tiniest thing can tank a carefully planned campaign...like a spokesperson dropping her "g" or coming across a tad trashy instead of sexy.  And because so much money is involved, each commercial, each picture is tested on a variety of people from all walks of life.  True, most marketing campaigns have specific target groups, but everyone in sales and advertising wishes for that run away hit that crosses all markets.

The 2008 elections is a period of "consumer" apathy.

True, Obama excited for all of a month.

And Fred or Newt will no doubt pull the same buzz.

But thanks to a booming economy, America is out enjoying herself.  Most have lessons to take or drive their kids to, trips to make, jobs to compete for, church and community affairs to attend to. 9/11 was a long time ago...the economy is great...life in America is good.

In about a year, they will stop to ponder who to vote for.  These are the choices they will be given.

On the Left

...a woman that once "shared" a presidency many remember fondly.

...a dignified Black man, articulate, bright. 

--an ex-lawyer that they remember from last election (with nice hair.)

Against this, the Right will put up:

...a genuine ex-hero with many years in Congress

..."America's Mayor", tough on crime, tough on finances.

...the "boss" from Law & Order: an actor in the tradition of Reagan.

And their initial reaction will be to stifle a yawn.

Been there, done that.

Enter Governor Sarah Palin.

Heads turn...Who's that?

She's had 9 years of executive experience...2 terms as Mayor and 1 year as Alaska's governor.  She a fiscal and social conservative...the mother of  4 kids, the wife of an oil driller / fisherman, lifetime member of the NRA, pro-life, pro-traditional marriage...ex. beauty queen and ex high school basketball player.

And everyone who listens to this list of who Sarah Palin is will "hear" SOMETHING they like.

The illegal immigration issue has put an ugly face on the GOP. Those claiming to be standing on "principles" are seen to be intolerant of those whose "principles" do not align with theirs.

Right now, today, whether it was meant to be or not, the face of the GOP APPEARS White, unforgiving and separationist.

It needs someone unapologetic for being White, Female, a mother, a wife and a successful career woman.

Sarah Palin would represent a promise of where the GOP is going...and a vow never to forget where they came from.

We heard the stories about "Haoles" (Whites) and what they did to "our" people.  But we were the generation of equals--and the days of second class citizenship was long past.

I began with the view that "America" had the perfect right to make the rules and decide who comes here and for how long.  I wanted the wall and I wanted all foreigners carded.

Then the rhetoric got hot and the language ugly.

I started to remember that the people who founded this nation were English "law breakers". And that the four border states was home to Mexicans and that it was the White Americans that came "uninvited and stayed".

I remember the day the Berlin wall came down.  It had been such a symbol of tyranny and fear, that when ordinary people pulled and tore it apart with their bare hands, it was as though humanity was scratching and clawing to let light and air through.

And now we, the nation of immigrants, want to build our own wall, complete with barbed wire and guards with orders to shoot to kill.

I've heard all about "losing our national identity" and how we will end up with a multi-cultural population--and I thought "What's wrong with that?"

I come from a state that has lived such a multi-cultural existance for over a century.  For the most part, we get along fine.  In fact the only time there was strong racial tension was when the Whites declared martial law over a false allegation of rape of a military wife by a local "savage".  The papers had whipped up such a frenzy of racial hatred that by the time the truth came out, the courts didn't dare imprison the husband and his friends who had lynched one of the alleged rapist.

I hadn't thought about this well known case (the Massie Affair) in years.  It had been made into a couple of movies and numerous books had been written about it.  Truthfully, I shrugged it off as something that happened in the PAST...like the KKK's treatment of Blacks before the civil rights movement.

But the anger and hate of many illegal immigration absolutists,  their calls for "justice"...the talk about diseases brought by "these" people...their poverty like that in itself was a crime...their lack of education...the "them" vs. "us"...it all sounded so familiar. 

**

Several years ago, I got into a very heated discussion in a professional downtown office building.  So heated that one of the building guards came over to ask if we ladies needed...uh...some help?

My colleague was part Hawaiian who thought that "our" people SHOULD be given priority to make up for what the Haoles (Whites) did (steal our kingdom).  My feeling was that the privileges had to be paid by someone and I didn't appreciate my tax dollars going for privileges for something that happened over a hundred years ago.  Then she said something that really set me off; she implied that Hawaiian children needed a leg up to compete against the rich Haoles that got wealthy on our aina (land).  I told her that I found it insulting to say that Hawaiian children need help to compete against children of other races.

I told her it was unfair to her other races to focus only on the race that will give her priviledges--a fact that upset HER.

As I said, it was a very heated "discussion".

I've thought about Margaret alot these past few weeks...and this particular incident.

Whole generations have been raised without being angry at the White folks.  Margaret, like Jesse Jackson, may have class envy but I doubt if either have experience real racism.  For a long time, they were the minority..may still be.

But things are changing...freedom of speech has consequences...and the price of all this anger and hatred for a minority group...may be to remind people of why past generations were angry at White Americans.

**

Now before anyone goes off ... I am not saying that all of a sudden I hate Whites and Americans; that would be kind of ridiculous considering the racial mixture of my family.

What I am saying is that it has taken whole generations to forget the past--and a few thoughtless words said in the heat of the moment to bring it all back. 

I visited a blog by someone who had joined the Palin for VP drafting party.  The first thing I noticed was that he was a supporter of Ron Paul.  My heart sunk...did this blogger know that Ron Paul is the only candidate that is against fighting the war on terror? 

For me, that makes Paul a "no way" candidate.  Which means we have zip in common.

Well except for Sarah Palin.

And then I realize something.  As many candidates that are seeking the top office...THAT is how many fractions we are going to find on the Right.

Now most of us understand that after this illegal immigration hysteria, the Right HAS to do three things to win.

1- Unite behind someone.
2- Keep the hard Right from attacking and destroying that "someone".
3- Change the racist, angry perception the public has of the GOP.

Unfortunately, the Right is so fractured right now, uniting behind ONE candidate for president is near impossible.

But they could unite under the VP candidate.  Palin is pro-life and clean cut enough to please all the Christian/Pro-lifers... 2nd ammendment absolutist will love her NRA lifetime membership...fiscally conscientious enthusiastics will think they've died and went to small government, tax cut, frugal heaven.  Those who long for the glitz and glamour of JFK or the romanticism and hope of Reagan can also book passage on the Good Ship Palin.  She has something to offer everyone on the Right.

The best part is that because Palin's state is as far away from the illegal immigration issue as possible, none of the absolutes have to "put aside their principles" to support her...and the Republicans  don't have to get over anything she might have said in the past about illegal immigration--because she hasn't said anything.  Her wholesome, no trouble, upbeat persona  will go a long way in neutralizing the hard angry image of the Right left in the wake of the illegal immigration fiasco.

"The only problem I have," J.D. commented at the end of my "speech", "is what if she refuses to run?  What if she says she feels an obligation to finish her term as governor?"

I smiled, "By then, maybe the Right will have spent enough time finding common ground that it won't matter...maybe by then, we'll be united enough to take on the Dems."

--If Palin is so great, why not push the top seat for her?

Steve from "CampaignVictory2008" says it's because Palin isn't ready for prime time.

I disagree. The American voter, especially on the Right, isn't ready for Palin.

They need 8 years...to get to know her, like her, need her, and then want her so badly that when she finally steps into that ring; she'll have half a chance to actually bring it all home.

I think most of the Right has about had it with this entire illegal immigration issue.  It makes both sides angry and feeling pretty depressed about the future of the GOP.

Tancredo and Ron Paul are beginning to look like the unelectable twins.

In an effort to prove that a fence can work, people looked into Hunter's San Diego fence and learned that it's bogged down in environmental lawsuits spanning a decade and it's only 14 miles!

Romney's speech writers don't know what to say about the 12 million that the absolutes want deported and  business don't.

Rudy is stuck on "Reagan said this and Reagan taught me that" like an old time broken record player.

The other candidates are awfully glad NOT to be in the limelight and in line of fire.

In fact the only guy that is looking pretty good right now is McCain.

EVERY blogger that called for calm and reason during this hysteria,  FINALLY understands the courage and strength it has taken  McCain to not go with popular sentiment.

And now you have bloggers asking themselves if their dislike of McCain is because the RINO press disliked him and painted him as "traitor" to conservatives (an accusation many of them were facing).

We are a House divided and for once, instead of the extremes wanting to take their marbles and go home...the main stream base is saying "If this is conservatism, I want no part of it."

Enter Sarah Palin.

She's young, pretty with an upbeat outlook on life.  The fact that she also happens to be bright and seriously conservative will be "forgiven" by an American Idol loving public.  They will eat up her old fashion work ethic...in occupying the Governor's mansion, she said the hardest thing she had to get "use to" was having someone pick her up "I can drive" and someone cooking for her and her family "I'm a pretty decent cook".  She said she hated "imposing" on people when she can do all that herself. 

Her children don't have issues like Reagan's nor are they bigger than life like McCain's and Hunter's sons serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.   These are kids that most Americans have--or would like to have and you'll have grandparents rooting for Palin to win the VP and then the WH to turn those kids loose on a bigger mansion.

Shades of JFK--except the spouse won't try to make the WH the "prettiest house in the nation."

I once said that "Star Wars, the original movie" worked because it was a duplication of all the best scenes of old movies made by Errol Flynn and John Wayne.

Sarah Palin is all those old time sitcoms updated but fresh and full of hope...when we could laugh at a clean joke and bad luck always worked itself out.

If the absolutes have made the GOP--and the Independents and C/PL Dems that want to cross party lines--bury themselves in the book of memories past, Sarah Palin has the rare ability to make them want to turn the page.

Communication is supposed to be my forte but for some odd reason, I seem to be having difficulty explaining why I take certain positions on issues.

The short version is that I want to see the GOP keep the WH and regain Congress.

Why?  Because, it is the only one of the two VIABLE parties that want to win the War on Terror.  There are alot of other reasons, but that is the most important one.

To reach that goal, I push positions that make GOP candidates ELECTABLE.  YES...it IS about party because America has a party system...you cannot decide to write in Tony Blair or Tancredo.  You cannot pick your cousin even if everyone you know does the same thing.

I am not "pro-illegal immigration"...I am anti-Democrats in power for the next century.  I do not care what this poll or that poll says.  I REALLY don't care if everyone you know and everyone they know is for throwing out 12 million illegals and building a Berlin type wall because in the ONLY poll that counts, this issue FAILED to help Santorum and Hayworth keep their seat...and MORE, RIGHT NOW, TODAY, Mr. Illegal Immigration himself Tancredo is not even saying hello to the top tier of presidential candidates.  You can spin it anyway you want...and I may even believe you... that this has zero to do with race, but this is exactly how it is perceived by what will become the largest voting block in America.  This means ladies and gentlemen, that the Dems will hold all three branches of power for a very long time...and you STILL won't get those 12 million deported.

I am not anti-Romney...I just think if he is the GOP candidate, the GOP will lose.  I can give you a dozen reasons why but the bottom line is that up against Queen Hil or Obama, Romney fails to make the voter excited OR angry.

I am not pro-Rudy because I think two of the largest voting blocks...the Christian Coalition (which crosses party lines) and the NRA won't accept him.

I was very pro-Hunter until this illegal immigration issue came up. Like Santorum (a FABULOUS Senator), Hunter, I fear, will be a casualty of the unforgiving, unrealistic, and undisciplined absolutists.  The language they used was vitriolic and ugly.  I am sorry, there is no other words to describe the way they went after the GOP minority.

I am not anti-Reagan; I just liked the man he was and detest the icon his ex-speech writers have invented.  The latter has hurt the GOP and Bush with its demagoguery and made hypocrites of conservatives.

I AM pro-Bush.  In fact he's the reason that I listened to hours of talk show, read zillions of articles and columns and spend what little time I have blogging.  I suspect I am not alone.  I suspect that every time someone attacks Bush with clever little "but" lines, they p-iss off a good portion of America as much as they p-iss off me.

And if I have to list all the reason why I am pro-Bush, then you're wasting my time reading this.

I haven't decided yet who to endorce for president, but I am leaning toward McCain for no other reason than he has shown himself to be a leader that will not govern by polls...and I believe most Americans want someone in the highest office that will listen to their concerns, not just their base.

I am officially endorcing (for whatever that is worth) Sarah Palin for VP...if for no other reason than she can help the top guy on the ticket win...okay--and because I'd love to see her go up against Queen Hil.

...So, am I saying that I will "give up my principles" for a GOP win?

...No, I am saying I will give up YOUR principles for a GOP win...absolutely.