9/18: Preaching To The Choir

September 18, 2006 12:41 PM | Permalink |

Righty blogger attention is mostly focused 9/18 on Islamic reaction to Pope Benedict XVI's 9/12 speech. Normally not a subject of interest to Hotline readers, conservative blogger reaction can be found here, here, here, here, here, here, and here (this is by no means a definitive list). Is this a distraction for righty efforts to maintain GOP majorities in Congress? Certainly not. As DailyKos' founder Markos Moulitsas points out in PBS' NOW special "Blog the Vote," blogs political value is all about exciting the base, and nothing, it seems, fires GOPers up more than a clash of civilizations.

VA SEN: Your Daddy Wears Combat Boots

Few righty bloggers were impressed with Sen. George Allen's (R-VA) 9/17 Meet the Press debate against ex-Navy sec. James Webb (D). At National Review Online, Kathryn Jean Lopez hopes most Virginians were either "at church or enjoying the good weather." Dean Barnett at Townhall.com was even harsher on the GOPer heading his writeup of the debate: "If It Was a Prize Fight, It Would Have Been Stopped at the First Commercial Break." Barnett went on to say: "I squarely and unequivocally support Allen's re-election. Or at least I did until this morning's debate. Now I'm not so sure. Webb outclassed Allen in every aspect of the clash."

Die-hard GOPer Hugh Hewitt felt it was necessary to remind the faithful why they should still vote for Allen: "James Webb is one of the most charismatic and accomplished Americans I have ever met. But ... a vote for James Webb is a vote for Patrick Leahy as chair of the Judiciary Committee and a blockade of the next John Roberts or Samuel Alito. It is a vote for Joe Biden to be chair of Foreign Relations and for Hillary to be president. I don't see a majority of Virginia voters making that choice."

Allen's New Media Coordinator Jon Henke live blogged the debate including:

Webb starts by defending his previous endorsement of Allen, claiming that he really, really dislikes the war in Iraq. And that's pretty much his entire campaign. Unfortunately, like the Democratic Party, he can't actually figure out much beyond that:
Webb keeps suggesting that we need a multinational conference with the countries in the region offering to help Iraq. This is a remarkably odd suggestion straight from the Kerry/Pelosi handbook. Committee meetings? Because Iran and Syria will do more to help Iraqi democracy than we will?
Jim Webb astoundingly argues that African-Americans are the only racial group that has suffered significant damage from US policies over generations. Among others, Chinese-Americans and Native Americans might disagree with Jim Webb about that.

Henke concludes:

Unfortunately, Russert didn't ask many questions about the issues important to Virginians. That's probably pretty helpful to Jim Webb, since he doesn't actually have much in the way of positions on the issues. As predicted, Webb pretty much spent the debate arguing that "Iraq bad, Bush bad, [repeat ad nauseum]", without actually advocating policies of his own. ... However, criticism is not a policy, and Webb is still stuck arguing that, as Eisenhower said, "anyone who would give you a date certain doesn't understand war, and anyone who says it can't be done doesn't understand America." Yet Jim Webb is running with the Party that demands a timeline and insists victory cannot be had.

Also on the right, Bearing Drift keeps it classy asking if Webb would be as proud of a daughter joining the Naval Academy, as he is of his Iraq bound Marine son.

Webb's Netroots Coordinator Lowell Feld began his debate live blogging at Raising Kaine before the candidates even made it into the studio with pictures of supporters outside the NBC studios including this tidbit: "Interestingly, the Allen supporters were all from one group of American University College Republicans (I asked them). Last time I checked, American University was not located in our fair Commonwealth. The Webb supporters were almost all from Virginia."

Feld has links to video of the debate and had these reactions:

Webb made it clear that he endorsed George Allen in the past because he thought at the time we'd get some good leadership out of him. Unfortunately, we have not.
The bottom line is that George Allen has been nothing more than a rubberstamp for George W. Bush and the Republican right wing, on Iraq and every other issue.
Allen made some juvenile comment about "Monday morning quarterbacking" on Iraq. Well, excuse me, but Jim Webb opposed the invasion of Iraq BEFORE it happened, so how's it Monday morning quarterbacking?
Webb pointed out, acidly, that this Administration has been led by a bunch of "theorists" who have never put on a uniform, while people like himself have been on a battlefield and understand the reality of the situation.
Neither candidate thought we should shut down interrogations of suspected terrorists, but Jim Webb made a very strong statement that torture is wrong and that only "tainted evidence" comes from it.

Later Feld posts an AP photo of the candidates feet on the Meet the Press set. Feld describes the "instant" classic: "On the one hand (or, more accurately, foot), we've got a fake "cowboy" named George Allen. The guy's not a cowboy, he grew up in Southern California NOT Virginia, he's gung-ho about war but has never himself served, etc. etc. ... On the other hand (er, foot), we've got combat boots and a REAL soldier named Jim Webb. Why is Webb wearing these boots? To honor his son, Jimmy, a Marine currently stationed "in harm's way" over in Iraq. Jimmy's dad, of course, served with extraordinary valor in Vietnam, winning the Navy Cross, Silver Star, and numerous other medals for heroism."

LANDSCAPE: The Poll Gap

Chris Bowers at MyDD looks at a compilation of DCCC and NRCC independent expenditures since 7/1 and makes some observations, including:

The NRCC spent $1,186,662.00 on 74 polls in 50 districts. By contrast, the DCCC did not spend any money on polls. This gap accounts for nearly the entire spending difference between the two committees in this time period.
The DCCC made 100% of its expenditures in districts controlled by Republicans. By contrast, the NRCC made 85.2% of its expenditures in districts controlled by Republicans
The DCCC only made expenditures in 15 districts: AZ-08, CO-07, IA-01, IL-06, IN-02, IN-08, KY-04, NC-11, NM-01, NY-24, OH-15, PA-06, WA-08, and WI-08. In WA-08, they only spent $150.They spent between $29K and $58K in PA-06, OH-15 and IL-06. Everywhere else, they spent more than $100K In some cases, they spent far more than $100K.
The NRCC also polled the following Republican-held districts and never spent another dime: AZ-05, CA-50, CO-07, CT-02, CT-04, CT-05, KY-04, FL-09, FL-22, IA-01, IN-09, KY-03, KY-04, NH-01, NH-02, NV-02, NC-11, OH-01, OH-15, OH-18, PA-10, TX-22, VA-02, WA-08, and WV-02. Given the status of independent and internal polls in CT-02, IN-09, IA-01, NC-11, PA-10, and TX-22, one has to wonder the if the NRCC has given up on those six districts.
The DCCC made expenditures in the following districts that the NRCC made no non-polling expenditures: CO-07, IA-01, IN-02, KY-04, NC-11, NM-01, and OH-15. Either the NRCC has given up in these districts, or they are relying on the cash of their candidates to pull out these districts.

Still on the left Talking Points Memo's DK looks at recent NRCC FEC filings and announces: "Here it comes. The NRCC on Friday dropped almost $2 million on TV attack ads in congressional districts from Washington State to New York."

On the right, Erick Erickson at RedState reports sources are telling him "that Karl Rove has expressed his strongly held belief that the base is returning because of the War on Terror and though things should be devastating for the GOP in this mid-term election year, it looks like the Democrats are headed toward snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Pollsters also seem to be noticing the shift."

Right Wing News tries to stoke that base listing policies a Dem congress would alter including:

The Democrats cutting off funds to the troops, forcing them to come home, and thereby delivering victory into the hands of the terrorists in Iraq.
The Dems could systematically block crucial intelligence programs, many of which the general public probably doesn't even know about yet, and leave us wide open for one -- or even a dozen new 9/11s.
An illegal immigration amnesty plan being pushed through the House that would legalize 12 million plus illegals, their families, and their relatives without securing the border.

CT SEN: Lieberman's A Uniter, Not A Divider

Mcjoan at DailyKos has video of cable exec. Ned Lamont's new "Red Sox and Yankee Fans Agree" ad featuring a Sox and Yankee fan agreeing that: "Joe's Gotta Go"

Meanwhile the unofficial Lamont Blog has a photo of Sen. Joe Lieberman's car parked in a handicapped space at Fairfield University on 9/15. One commenter writes: "That really does just say everything you need to know about Lieberman, doesn't it?"

MI SEN: Debbie Stabenow Is A Good Guy

MyDD's maddogg likes Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) new ad "because it tells a story. Facts are easier for most people to remember if they are given in story form. In less than thirty seconds the ad established a conflict with both good guys and bad guys and a favorable resolution thanks to the heroine of our story, Debbie Stabenow." The ad was not perfect though: "I don't like the way the ad ended with Peter saying that he's neither a Republican or Democrat. Again, Stabenow is acting like she can trick people into voting for a Democrat by not acknowledging that she is one."

MD SEN: What's The Matter With Hydrox?

Conservative blogger Wizbang broke news 9/15 exposing the secret blog of a female Rep. Ben Cardin (D) staffer "who has quite a bit to say about race, gender, and creepy old Jewish guys." The blog, Persuasionatrix, has since been removed but also "hints at the amusement Cardin staffers take in secretly eating Oreos." Wizbang later matched some Cardin FEC filings with Persuasionatrix blog entries and identified the blogger/staffer as Ursula Gruber.

Wizbang has a cached copy of the blog Persuasionatrix and disputes the Cardin camp's assertion that Gruber was a junior staffer noting "her journal indicates she was fully in charge of operation of one of the regions of the state with numerous direct reports and interns."

TN SEN: Boxed Corker

Matt Corley at TPM Cafe has video of Rep. Harold Ford Jr.'s (D-09) new ad counterattacking ex-Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker (R) and describes the ad as interesting "because it responds to two traditional GOP charges at once: that Dems are weak on national security, and that they are irreligious."

Michael Crowley at TNR notes a reader's questioning if Dems would cry foul "if a Republican filmed an ad inside a church," but Crowley supposes that might be part of Ford's plan: " But what if Ford is cleverly goading Corker into a fight about the ad's propriety--thereby calling even more useful attention to his churchgoing?"

Indeed, conservative One Hand Clapping argues: "Ford's ad puts Corker in a box. Corker can hardly attack the ad itself, or even overtly question using Mt. Moriah Baptist Church as the filming site. That would alienate not only black voters (who will, let's be honest, vote 90-plus percent for the black Democrat candidate anyway), it would also make a lot of white religious voters unhappy." Alex Charyna at National Review Online does note, however, that "not everyone is saying hallelujah."

MD-04: GOP Previews November Crimes To Keep Al Wynn In Congress

Matt Stoller at MyDD tells readers to look for "legal challenges" because atty Donna Edwards (D) beat Rep. Al Wynn (D) in 9/12's primary. Stoller writes: "What's going on there is really bad, and it's a preview of what's coming in November considering that the Republicans have basically hired a criminal named Terry Nelson to head up the NRCC opposition 'research' department. So if you don't really know how to approach a situation like this, you should try to learn by watching it during the Edwards-Wynn dry run."

KERRY: The Fall Guy

TRex at firedoglake is not impressed with Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) promise to "vigorously defend himself against new attacks by the Swift Boat team" should he decide to run in '08. TRex writes: "It's all going to be alright, now, y'all! John Kerry has reached down into his shorts and discovered that he has a pair, and he's come to save the day only TWO GODDAMN YEARS TOO LATE!! Way to go, there, boy wonder! What took you so long? ... Sorry, John. I can't get with you on this '08 thing. Thanks anyway, though. But if it ends up we really need someone to take a dive at the worst possible time on something? You'll be the first guy I call."

OBAMA: Atrios To Hunt With Dick Cheney

SusanG at DailyKos looks at AP coverage of Sen. Barack Obama's (D-IL) 9/17 speech on national security and detailed what she did not like including:

Right off the bat, saying Democrats have to show a "serious agenda for change" implies they don't have one. Thanks for putting our best foot forward as a party. Couldn't have done it without you. But that's the least of it.
Consider the venue, please. You're at an event ripe for big ideas, big dreams and high hopes, with natural supporters of your cause. What's with telling (who exactly?) in vague, general terms what we "should" be doing. You're at Tom Harkin's gig, for pete's sake. Don't scold the party. Buck up the troops. I'm a devoted political junkie of the highest order, and my eyes just ... glazed.
Quit telling Democrats - or the "American people" for that matter - that we've "got to show a serious agenda for change." Hello? You are a U.S. Senator, are you not? A Democratic one, if I recall correctly. If anyone is in a position to lay out a serious agenda, it's you, yes? And you're popular and you're not up for re-election and you can't be lambasted by ads in the next few months that will tear apart any agenda you suggest.

Obama's efforts made Atrios want to shoot people in the face.

MCCAIN: The "Anointed" One

The conservative Caucus Cooler watched Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on Iowa Press 9/17 and reported that Grassley is a Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) man. Grassley on McCain: "He's coming into Iowa strong. I believe the thing that would appeal the most to Iowa Republicans is his fight for openness in the appropriation and budgeting process. ... McCain's got to prove that he can get a broad base of Republican support, particularly among conservatives. If he can show that, he may be anointed."

BLOGGERS VS. BELTWAY: Pope Singer

Jonathan Singer at MyDD looks at reports that the DLC's Al From attended a dinner held to float the idea of a NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) independent WH run and writes: "for the DLC to help advance the candidacy of a presidential aspirant outside of the Democratic Party is political treason, grounds enough for excommunication. ... The Democratic Party, and even the centrists within it, must sever all ties with Al From and the DLC. They must not be allowed access to Democratic Congressional leaders. They must not be allowed a role in the nomination process in 2008. They must not be allowed a presence at the Democratic convention."

Also unhappy with current Dem insiders, Matt Stoller at MyDD looks at a Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) quote in Newsweek on Dem efforts to tap donors in the financial industry and writes: "Rahm Emanuel is a stupid corrupt man. He's blunt and persistent, with loads of energy. But he's still stupid, and he's still corrupt. Does anyone in Chicago know of a possible primary challenger?" David Sirota adds at The Huffington Post: "Maybe all of this is cultural - maybe the congressional Democratic Party has been so hollowed out over the years by the corporate-funded Democratic Leadership Council that all it really is anymore is just a bunch of cults of personality with no actual ideological underpinnings. ... The truth is, the problem is more likely just the selfish, self-serving behavior of a few prima donnas. Either way, it is a huge problem. Whether Democrats win in 2006 or not, the acceptance of behavior like Emanuel's by other Democrats in Congress foreshadows real trouble for a party seeking to define itself for the long-term."

BLOGGERS VS. MSM: The Rev. Markos

Natural Born Killers producer and progressive activist Jane Hamsher at firedoglake posts a clip of NOW's "Blog the Vote" special and seconds DailyKos' founder Markos Moulitsas' point that "preaching to the choir" service that blogs perform serve "a very important function" in politics.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Hands Off Our Reagan!

Right Angle Blog's Matt Lewis' was not happy with the Hotline's 9/14 "Spotlight" (go team!) asking the question "has R. Reagan, following a rightward shift in GWB's GOP, become a fair-game mantra for both parties?"

Lewis responds: "In seeking to lionize "The Great Communicator" as a moderate who was "above politics," the proponents of this theory are attempting to re-write history." Lewis then seeks to correct the record on two points:

First, Ronald Reagan was a partisan. ... Reagan was a tireless supporter of the Republican Party. He campaigned for Barry Goldwater, a man thought of as "ultra-conservative," in 1964. ... Four years after leaving office, Ronald Reagan was still playing hardball -- campaigning for the Republican team. Does this sound like a man who was above partisanship?

Second, Ronald Reagan was a conservative. He was conservative enough to challenge a moderate sitting Republican President named Gerald Ford, in 1976. It's hard to remember, but it was once thought that he was "too conservative" to be elected. Almost every conservative leader today considers him their hero.
Speaking to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in 1985, he said, "And I always see the Conservative Political Action Conference speech as my opportunity to "dance with the one that brung ya."
He was Pro-Life, Anti-Tax, and pro-military. Frankly, defending Reagan as a conservative is like defending Babe Ruth as a homerun hitter ...

Yes, Reagan might be upset at the state of the GOP, today. But it wouldn't be because we're too conservative -- it would be because we have moved away from fiscal conservatism. Ronald Reagan, for example, probably wouldn't like the GOP's prescription drug entitlement. Well, Ronald Reagan may belong to the ages, but he also belongs to the conservative movement. And we can't afford to lose him, just yet. Don't let them get away with re-writing the history of Ronald Reagan.

LEST WE FORGET: Jedi Squirrels

In another debate of earth-shattering importance, Over at National Review Online Jonah Goldberg's dog Cosmo links to a blog featuring lightsaber-fighting squirrels and asks: "Why Does this guy assume these squirrels are Jedis? Surely, they are Sith." An ever-astute corner reader responds: "Sith have red colored light sabers because they use synthetic focusing crystals; where as the Jedi use natural crystals giving them their cornucopia of possible colors ... Figured I'd correct him before the nerd patrol try's to roll him."