Head of Coffee Party Comments on Tea Party
Interesting comments by Coffee Party founder Annabel Park on the Tea Party. Also see Frank Rich’s column in this morning’s New York Times, entitled, “The Rage Is Not About Health Care,” about what Rich believes is really driving the Tea Party movement.
Tim Kaine On RNC Rejection Of Civility Pledge
It’s truly mindboggling that the Republican National Committee actually sees extreme nastiness as morally acceptable and politically advantageous, but that does appear to be the case. As always, a heckuva job Michael Steele and Company!
Jeff Schapiro: George Allen for Governor 2013?
Recently, there’s been speculation that our old friend George “Felix Macacawitz” Allen might take on Jim Webb once again for U.S. Senate in 2012.
“Many people have encouraged me to run [for Senate in 2012],” Allen said in a telephone interview. “Susan and I have heard that from many people. And the answer is: perhaps.”
Another “cowboy boots vs. combat boots” showdown? If Webb vs. Allen Part I was any indication, “Part Deux” would be wild and crazy and nasty, given that there’s absolutely no love lost between those two guys. It could also be close, given that Allen only lost the last time around by 9,000 votes.
But, will George Allen actually run for U.S. Senate again? Maybe, but in this morning’s Richmond Times-Dispatch, Jeff Schapiro lays out a different scenario, George Allen for Governor 2013.
Could the GOP be heading toward another crackup, another shootout between the movement wing [led by Ken Cuccinelli] and the Main Streeters [led by Bill Bolling]?
Gov. Bob McDonnell is a bridge between these camps, though that has more to do with anger over the recession, bailouts and Obamacare, than his purported talent for blurring lines. Because McDonnell can’t seek a second consecutive term, R’s have no reason to behave themselves. What to do?
Call George Allen.
The former governor has everything the GOP wants in a future governor. He remains popular with the grass roots — a favorite of conservative activists and the corporate class, having delivered for both. Allen, too, wants to avenge his squeaker loss in 2006 to Jim Webb for re-election to the U.S. Senate.
That actually makes some sense to me, given Allen’s obvious disdain for the Senate, which he once called a “wounded sea slug.” It’s hard to imagine Allen really wanting to back there, but who knows, maybe he’s already forgotten how much he hated that job, just like he “forgot” where he learned the word “macaca” and just like he “forgot” all about his Jewish ancestry.
On the other hand, Allen could decide to run for governor in 2013. That could be great political theater, especially if Schapiro’s speculation about Mark Warner ditching the Senate – which he doesn’t seem to be enjoying very much – to run for governor – an office Warner the executive most definitely seemed to like – comes to pass. That would open the door for Ken Cuccinelli to take on Jim Webb in 2012, with Bill Bolling possibly sliding into Warner’s Senate seat if Warner vacates to run for governor. Then, all we need to complete this political journalist’s wet-dram fantasy is for Tim Kaine to run for Senate against Bolling in 2014, unless of course Kaine has taken a top cabinet post by then?
Anyway, it’s fun to speculate, and we could do so all day. But for now, it’s still early 2010, and first we have to get through mid-term election later this year, followed by elections for the entire Virginia General Assembly next year. Also, if Warner opts to stay in the Senate, which is my guess at the moment, that would leave the 2013 Schapiro scenario in turmoil, with possible Democratic gubernatorial contenders ranging from Terry McAuliffe to Ward Armstrong to Chap Peterson to Gerry Connolly to…heck, Tim Kaine could even run again. Anyway, we’ll see, but if George Allen can make a comeback after his “macaca meltdown” of 2006, then I guess anything’s possible in politics.
Whipple Clip Dozen: Sunday Morning
Thanks to Tom Whipple for the Sunday “Clips.”
1. QUICK-DRAW CUCCINELLI
2. CUCCINELLI WOOS NORTHROP AT NEWPORT NEWS SHIPYARD
3. VIRGINIA REQUIRES LOCALITIES TO SEND BACK MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
5. GEORGE ALLEN’S WRENCHING PRESENCE
6. VIRGINIA SEN. WARNER KEY ARCHITECT IN BANKING OVERHAUL
7. PERRIELLO’S OFFICE MOST FRUGAL
11. FORMER U.S. REP. STANFORD E. PARRIS DIES AT 80
13. REPORT: VA. BEACH AT RISK FOR HURRICANE STORM SURGE
17. NAVY BRINGS NEW $2.3 BILLION SUBMARINE TO LIFE IN NORFOLK
26. THE POLITICS OF RAGE
34. FREE MISSION OF MERCY DENTAL CLINIC SWAMPED BY DAWN ON ITS SECOND DAY
35. HIGH-RISES PLANNED NEAR ALEXANDRIA’S EISENHOWER METRO STATION
New Polls: Dem’s Have Hope This Fall After All?
For all the talk of major Republican gains coming this November, you’d think that they might already be printing up the letterhead for Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader McConnell. But not so fast, at least according to two new polls this morning.
First, here are some findings from the new, Washington Post-ABC News poll out this morning. First, note that, among both registered and “all voters,” Democrats maintain a 4-point “generic” lead over Republicans for the U.S. House of Representatives elections next November. Not great, but not horrible either.
Second, check out these numbers on enthusiasm – or lack thereof – for switching control of Congress from Democrats to Republicans this November. Right now, among registered voters, it’s about an even split (2-point edge for “good thing”) between those wanting control of Congress to switch parties and those wanting to keep it in Democratic hands. These numbers contrast sharply with the overwhelming desires for change in 1994 and 2006, when we saw shifts in control (Republican takeover of the House in 1994; Democratic takeover of the House and Senate in 2006).
Finally, let’s look at the new numbers from Research 2000. The first important finding is that the so-called “enthusiasm gap” has narrowed somewhat since health care reform legislation was passed. Yes, Republicans still have the edge in who’s more likely to vote this November, but there’s been a big increase in Democrats who are “likely or definitely going to vote”, from 40% on 3/8-10 to 55% on 3/22-3/25. Republican enthusiasm also went up, from 51% to 62%, but not quite as much as Democratic enthusiasm. Anyway, this is still an area where we need more improvement, but it’s a good start.
Second, take a look at the following numbers from the Research 2000 poll, indicating a major surge in support for Democrats and a sharp drop for Republicans over the past week. For instance, President Obama is up 5 points, to 56%-39% (+17 points), while Congressional Republicans are down 7 points, to 21%-71% (-50 points). Also, the Democratic Party is up 3 points (to 40%-53%, or minus 13 points) while the Republicans are down 3 points (to 28%-67%, or minus 39 points), resulting in a 26-point favorable/unfavorable rating for the blue team over the red team.
So much for the prediction that, if Democrats passed health care reform legislation, it would kill them at the polls. In fact, it did the opposite. The implication is that passing more of what Democrats were explicitly elected to do in 2006 and 2008 is not a bad thing, it’s a very good thing both on policy terms and also politically. So, next up on the agenda: immigration reform, financial reform, clean energy/climate legislation. more on “jobsjobsjobs.” Keep getting results, let the Republicans stay as the “hissy fit” Party of No, and we’ll see how it goes at the polls this November. Yes, there’s a long time to go and these numbers could change (in either direction). For now, though, things are looking pretty good, especially considering the totally biased (towards Republicans and the “Tea Party”) news coverage we get from the corporate/right-wing media.
P.S. Also see the recent poll by Quinnipiac University, indicating that the presence of “Tea Party” candidates on the ballot this fall strongly benefits the Democrats. So, let’s hope for lots of those, in places like Virginia’s 5th CD and possibly other (1st? 10th?) CDs as well.
R.I.P. Stan Parris
Former U.S. Rep. Stanford E. Parris (R-8th-VA) has died at age 80. See Jeff Schapiro’s obituary for Parris. Among other accomplishments cited is Parris’ role in “the establishment of the Torpedo Factory art center in Old Town Alexandria.” Anyone who’s been to the Torpedo Factory, as I have on numerous occasions, knows what a great place that is for people of all ages. Thanks to Stan Parris for his leadership in getting that facility up and running and for his service to our nation in general. May he rest in peace.
Krystal Ball Sweeps York, Poquoson; Closes In On 1st CD Nomination
As Marc Broklawski writes, “There needs to be a mercy rule!”
UPDATE: Mark Broklawski has a superb analysis of this race, concluding that “The math for Scott at this point is simply insurmountable.” Marc also rips the Robinson people about their “atrocious” and “shameless” campaign they’ve run, remarking that “Scott should fire his entire staff and then himself!” Ouch, the truth huts.
Tea Party Leader Dick Armey Lobbied for Terrorist Organization?!
This is cross-posted at Leaving My Marc.
In a very troubling report, it turns out that the man behind the Tea Party movement, Dick Armey, lobbied on behalf of a terrorist organization from 2005 to 2009. Dick Armey is Chairman of FreedomWorks, which is the group that helped start the Tea Party movement. He is also the former Republican House Majority Leader, not to mention recently retired lobbyist extraordinaire.
So while some teabaggers try to distance themselves from the extremists amongst them who hurled racist and homophobic slurs and encouraged other violent acts against Democratic lawmakers (see Tom Perriello) over the past week, their very leader has an extremely troubling background lobbying for a terrorist organization.
… Armey was employed as a lobbyist by leading international “consulting firm” DLA Piper. In that capacity, from 2005 to 2009, Armey promoted the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, otherwise known as Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK), which the State Department has branded a terrorist group. Armey lobbied his former colleagues on behalf of legislation that would have provided taxpayer support to the MEK.
It turns out that every man has a price and Armey’s price was $910,000 to lead the lobbying efforts on behalf of two Iranian-American businessmen who sought to have MEK removed from being designated a terrorist organization from the State Department.
In a 2007 article written by Armey in The Hill, he said the Bush administration would be wise to utilize MEK, which is violently opposed to the current Islamic regime. “Supporting the democratic opposition holds great promise for promoting the cause of freedom and democracy in Iran, particularly the group feared most by the regime (MEK),” wrote Armey, who concluded by saying “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
So why did the State Department have MEK on its terrorist list?
According to the State Department, MEK, a group that blends Marxist and Islamist tenets, was founded for the purpose of overthrowing the U.S.-backed Shah of Iran. In 1975 and 1976, MEK allegedly killed seven American defense advisors to the Shah.
It turns out that the initial purpose of this group was to assist in staging the Islamic revolution, which they indeed accomplished in 1979; however, the Islamic Republic of Iran, which followed the revolution, eventually exiled MEK. So what did MEK do next?
Over the following two decades MEK allied itself with Saddam Hussein to undermine the Islamic government of Iran. During the onset of the Iraq War in 2003, U.S. troops captured and detained 4,000 MEK soldiers near the Iran/Iraq border.
It turns out that the man behind the movement isn’t alone amongst Tea Party leaders. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) also tried to lobby to have the State Department remove MEK from its terrorist list.
Ironically, given his support of a socialist group [MEK], Tancredo delivered an acerbic opening address at the National Tea Party Convention. “People who could not even spell the word ‘vote,’ or say it in English, put a committed socialist ideologue in the White House,” he said. “His name is Barack Hussein Obama.”
The hypocrisy by those who helped to start and continue this movement is quite laughable. Not only is MEK listed as a terrorist organization, but it’s also a group that blends “Marxist and Islamist tenets” – according to the State Department. As you know, Tea Partiers regularly rail against any government spending as “socialism.” So it would appear that the very leaders of the Tea Party movement actually live by the old adage, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Hypocrisy at its core!
It turns out that Tea Partier Sarah Palin totally agrees with Armey and Tancredo. She had the following to say at a Tea Party convention speech in February:
“Around the world people seeking freedom from oppressive regimes wonder if Alaska [sic] is still that beacon of hope for their cause,” Palin said. “The administration has cut support for democracy programs, and where the president has not been clear, I ask: Where is his strong voice of support for the Iranians who are risking all in their opposition to Ahmadinejad?”
If all of this wasn’t enough for you, the hypocrisy continues for Armey.
In 2008, as corporations and banks across the nation were being bailed out with billions of tax dollars, Armey was lobbying on provisions of the TARP Reform and Accountability Act of 2009 for CarMax, a Fortune 500 company that went on to issue $1.5 billion in asset-backed securities eligible for investor loans under the TARP and Federal Reserve-subsidized Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF).
He actually lobbied in support of the same wasteful government spending he and his supporters now rail against. It seems to me that the Tea Party movement is experiencing a “creditability crisis.”
“From The ‘WTF’ Department”
I agree with Waldo Jaquith, this is “from the ‘WTF’ department.”
[Robert Hurt for Congress “strategist” Chris] LaCivita said that Hurt will not pledge, as Perriello has, to reject contributions from lobbyists or corporate PACs. Hurt will promise, he added, to not take money from “communists…”
OK, then; right here, right now, I will pledge that Blue Virginia will not accept any money from Maoists, Stalinists, Trotskyites, Bolsheviks, Mensheviks, Hoxhaites, Titoites, Castroites, Juchists, Communists or Anarcho-Communists. Now, will Republicans pledge that they will not accept money from Fascists, Neo-Fascists, National Socialists, Neo-Nazis, National Frontists, Hellenic Frontists, or Northern Leaguists? Deal? 🙂
