"Stubborn ideology" getting in the way of local pork

Even local Republican county officials are a little upset at their new Congressman's latest move. Libertarian Reublican Rep. Tom McClintock has said forcefully, he has no plans to seek special earmarks for his District outside normal budgetary requests.

From the SacBee, "McClintock's refusal to accept earmarks hurts district, critics say" Feb. 8:

As the federal budget season heats up, some Placer County officials are grumbling that Republican Rep. Tom McClintock's ideological opposition to congressional earmarks puts their constituents at a disadvantage.

"It's already hurt us," Supervisor F.C. "Rocky" Rockholm said in a recent interview.

McClintock said he will not seek congressional earmarks – budget requests made outside of the budget process.

"I've made it very clear that I will fight for our district through the normal appropriations process," he said.

Principled but "extreme"

In an editorial, the SacBee opined:

Rep. Tom McClintock, a Republican who represents the congressional district that stretches from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe and from the Sierra Nevada to the Oregon border, has been nothing if not consistent on earmarks. These are funds that members of Congress request for specific projects. McClintock signed a "no earmarks" pledge in 2008, and he has kept to that.

But rather than reform the process, he would prohibit all earmarking. This is extreme. Local members of Congress know their communities better than anyone else in the nation' capital; they are best positioned to request federal projects (such as flood control, roads, wastewater treatment, research facilities, etc.).

The State of Texas is now officially battling the Federal Government over regulation of greenhouse gases. Attorney General Greg Abbott filed suit in federal court to prevent the EPA from implementing proposed regulations.

From the Statesman.com:

Gov. Rick Perry and Attorney General Greg Abbott are trying to get the federal Environmental Protection Agency to back away from a finding last year that greenhouse gases are a threat to public health. The finding sets the stage for regulation of the gases, which scientists have linked to global warming.

The Texas officials say curbs on greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide could cost state businesses and homeowners and jeopardize jobs. Texas leads the nation in carbon emissions. And they argued that the EPA had based its finding on faulty science.

The move is being meant with universal condemnation from leftwing bloggers, environmentalists and special interest groups.

But Texas libertarians and conservatives are cheering Gov. Perry and AG Abbott.

“Hats off to Governor Perry, Attorney General Abbott and Commissioner Staples for taking this step – they are protecting citizens by challenging this rogue agency’s actions which do not fall within the EPA’s jurisdiction,” said AFP State Director Peggy Venable . “This is regulation without representation and represents an end-run around Congress.”

Just Released...

Rasmussen is reporting that the GOP has gained a point in the generic congressional match-up survey.

Republican candidates lead Democrats by nine points in the latest edition of the Generic Congressional Ballot.

The new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 45% would vote for their district’s Republican congressional candidate while 36% would opt for his or her Democratic opponent. Voter support for GOP congressional candidates is up one point from last week, while support for Democrats held steady.

by Dan Sheill

While the term “REAL LIBERTARIAN” is perhaps the most overused in the Eric Dondero vocabulary (as evidenced by this blog), one candidate for Congress out of West Michigan truly fits the term. Justin Amash is a once in a generation candidate for the libertarian movement, who we can all get behind (unless, of course, you’re an anarchist like Knappster blogger Tom Knapp). He is currently running for Congress in Michigan ’s third district. The day after he announced, incumbent Vern Ehlers (a typical fiscal liberal/social conservative Michigan Republican) announced his intention to retire.

I first came into contact with Justin in February of 2007. At that time, I was just becoming chair of Michigan Republican Liberty Caucus, and to say that we had an active chapter would have been quite an exaggeration. Justin was one of the few people who sought out the organization, not the other way around, and we soon appointed him to our board of directors.

By the following year, he was up and running for the state legislature, winning a huge upset victory over the incumbent’s wife. His election also helped revive the credibility of the Michigan RLC, an organization which was sorely lacking from a public face after we lost former legislator Leon Drolet to term limits in 2006.

Some of the many actions Amash has taken since assuming office include turning down lifetime health care benefits, which every elected representative in Michigan qualifies for (most legislators only remain in office for only about six years). He has introduced a bill which prohibits the forced unionization of home health care providers. Currently, the state considers a private health care provider to actually be a public employee if say their elderly patients pay for the services with Medicare or some other government subsidy.

He has proposed right to work legislation for any government or public school employee, and has also fought “prevailing wage” laws on government contracts, which are simply kickbacks for organized labor whom almost always win the bids. And when one state legislator proposed that a state university restaurant receive a variance in order to operate with a liquor license on campus property, Amash offered a friendly amendment to grant that same privilege to the owners of restaurants located at any state college or university.

But what has put him on the political map has been his taking on the bogus Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a governmental entity created over ten years ago to supposedly help bring jobs to the state. Michigan over that same period of time has developed the highest unemployment rate in the country. Basically, the MEDC picks winners and losers in the marketplace by giving huge tax breaks to a select few companies, which are paid for in many cases by their small business competitors.

A good example of this is Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm’s prized film tax credit, which reimburses up to 40% of the production costs of any movie made in Michigan . Amash has been the legislature’s biggest critic of this program, drawing the ire of the liberal left back home who delusionally believe that Detroit can somehow become the Hollywood of the Midwest .

I suppose this could happen if Robocop joined forces with Kurt Russell’s character Snake Plissken to make the blockbuster entitled “Escape from Detroit,” since so many able bodied people (including myself) have done so in the last few years. If you’ve ever been to Detroit , you’d probably agree that it would make the perfect backdrop for the sequel to “Terminator Salvation.”

Justin was born and raised in Grand Rapids , where he was valedictorian of his high school. He went on to the University of Michigan where earned his bachelor’s and juris doctor, later practicing business law back home in Grand Rapids. He and his wife Kara have two beautiful young children.

My personal opinion is that I hate to see him leave the Michigan legislature where I believe that his work is unfinished. However, I wish him the best in his campaign for Congress. Of course, Libertarian Republicans will be working hard in the coming months to do everything we can to elect Justin, who is about the finest exemplar of our movement and our true beliefs, in the Midwest, and perhaps the entire U.S. To learn more about it, please visit http://www.amashforcongress.com.

Editor's Note - Dan Sheill is a Michigan Attorney, temporarily residing in Texas. He's also a National Committee member of the RLC.

From Eric Dondero:

Three weeks ago, it was Rand Paul, running for US Senate in Kentucky; a family man, Constitionalist and Tax fighter, but with a libertarian streak on social matters. Sarah Palin gave him her enthusiastic support on her Facebook page, which rocked the political world, and could have very well have thrown the race in his direction.

Now Sarah Palin is giving some strong indications that such youthful libertarian-oriented candidates are the ones who she's most willing to campaign for and support.

Wisconsin's Sean Duffy has been called a "fiscal conservative" and "social libertarian." He is a staunch budget cutter, tax fighter and proud Tea Party member. But he's also got a socially tolerant streak. He was one of the cast members of MTV's Real World show over 10 years ago. (Photo below of Duffy and his future wife whom he met on the Real World set, in the lower left corner).

From The Buzz a celebrity-oriented website from 2006:

Duffy has been painted as a political moderate, but says that is a false label and maintains he is a "solid conservative"...

Duffy's strong libertarian leanings and "live and let live" attitude... small government approach could help unite a party that must put aside its differences on social issues...

From Sarah Palin's Facebook Page yesterday:

There is hope! And this hope lies in draining the swamp in D.C. and sending Commonsense Conservatives to Washington who understand the need for fiscal restraint. Those who are willing to rein in spending, respect Constitutional limits, and repeal the stimulus should get our support, and those who have been part of the problem should be replaced.

In this election year, we’ll see many daring Davids take on entrenched Goliaths. Just one of these many brave souls is a northern Wisconsin patriot named Sean Duffy. He’s running in Wisconsin’s 7th congressional district against a liberal Goliath who’s been in Congress over 40 years now and has the dubious distinction of being the author of the stimulus bill. To commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the stimulus, Sean Duffy is holding a fundraising “money bomb” for his campaign so he can replace the career politician who drafted this government-bloating behemoth.

If you’re frustrated about the waste in the stimulus bill, please support a solid fiscal conservative who will work to repeal it. Please visit Sean Duffy’s website and help him help us correct the mistakes of this past year.

Interestingly, there are some stunning similarities between Palin and Duffy, outside the obvious nearly identical political positions. Palin herself was deemed a "social libertarian" in her early political career, most specifically in the 2006 GOP primary for Governor; she has a somewhat exotic family life with a sports eccentric husband and uniquely named children, and she once made favorable remarks about Alaska's lax laws on marijuana use.

Duffey is taking on longtime entrenched Democrat incumbent and House Appropriations Chairman Rep. David Obey. An appearance in the district or two by Palin herself, could work to even the playing field.

New Poll finds NY GOPers Going Green on Ganja

Republicans are normally seen as the Party more supportive of the War on Drugs. But at least in one large State that image may need some revising.

From the NY Times, "Republicans favor Medical Marijuana poll shows" Feb. 4:

Medical marijuana’s support among voters in New York State is so solid that even a substantial majority of Republicans favor its legalization, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday. The poll found that 71 percent of voters supported medical marijuana, including 55 percent of registered Republicans. The poll numbers seem to confirm others cited by sponsors of the current medical marijuana bill in the Assembly.

The bill currently before the NY Assembly would according to the Marijuana Policy Project:

remove state criminal sanctions for seriously ill patients using marijuana on their doctors' recommendation.

It is sponsored by two Manhattan Democrats. However, MPP is working to find Republican co-sponsors for the legislation. From MPP:

The bill would instead allow for safe access by allowing state-registered regulated entities to dispense medical marijuana to qualified patients. We expect that these changes will attract Republican support.

Tea Party active in both campaigns

From Eric Dondero:

Special elections were held on Tuesday across New York to fill four vacancies in the State Assembly. A Republican upstate won a seat already held by the GOP, and a Democrat maintained a Dem seat in Queens. However, New York Republicans gained two seats formerly held by the Democrats.

From the Albany Project:

Two suburban seats that were Democratic are now Republican -- AD 3 (Suffolk County), where Dean Murray (photo) beat Lynn Thoden (it's close, but absentees usually follow the machine vote), and AD 89 (Westchester County), where Robert Castelli beat Peter Harckham by 10 percent.

Castelli of White Plains won with 56%. Murray won in the final count with a slim 51%.

Murray is local chairman of his Tea Party group. He campaigned to abolish the MTA (Metro Transit Authority) tax.

Long Island Tea Party movement leader Stephen Flannagan put out a release:

This was a great victory for the Tea Party Movement in New York State!
Once again, Long Island leads the way!

We won in a district the Liberals considered "safe". This district has been held by democrats for over 30 years!

Liberals (including ACORN and the Teachers Union) spent the last week promising to break the momentum of the Tea Party movement. WRONG!

We the People win again.

As for Castelli, wrote NewsCopy New York:

the presence of tea party activists across the mid and lower Hudson Valley during this special election couldn't be missed.

Note - Castelli is a Vietnam War Veteran. Murray's son is currently serving in the Air National Guard in Afghanistan

From the Editor:

Wow! I absolutely want to share this with all of you all, our loyal readers. We received a nice note tonight:

Dear Eric,

Nice site.

Thanks for using and giving me credit for my term--"republitarian".

Much continued success. Give 'em steel!

Larry

The reference is to our banner up top of the blog, which includes the statement:

"As Larry Elder says, we're the Republitarians"

I have a friend that runs an auto body repair shop. He can do some pretty amazing things with a dented fender, but sometimes the damage is so bad there is nothing to do but replace it. Sometimes there are so many problems with a car that it simply can't be fixed.

There are a lot of things in this world that can't be fixed. One of those things is property taxes. We've seen a good example unfold in New Castle over the last few years. The owners of the Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant on Memorial Drive saw their property taxes increase from $5751.26 in 2005 to $31,453.61 in 2009, based on the increased assessed value of their property.

read more

A letter to the Editor from Tony J. Keeler, Precinct Organizer, Perry 24, Libertarian Party of Marion Co.

——————-

Libertarian City-County Councilman at- large Ed Coleman has introduced Proposal 39, amending a current ordinance prohibiting carrying a hand gun in public parks and trails. I have seen signs at parks prohibiting weapons, but was unaware that it included adults with a right to carry permit.

Criminals pay no attention to such ordinances or “signs”, but feel that most others will, being easy targets for assault. If assailants were to assume that every adult is armed, assaults would decline dramatically.

What arrogance, shown on behalf of the Council , to supersede state laws or the 2nd Amendment ! If we are to truly have a society of freedom and individual sovereignty, then we possess an unalienable right to defend ourselves with what means we choose, and take individual responsibility for our actions.

read more

Takes a Swipe at Democrat Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee

Republican Chairman Michael Steele got a little animated in showing annoyance with recent media portrayals of the GOP trying to absorb the Tea Party movement. Leaders of the Tea Party met with the Chairman in Washington yesterday to air greviences and to discuss possible areas of cooperation, independent of the GOP apparatus. At 3:45 into the Chairman's intro, Steele says:

"The press is scratching their heads, trying to figure out what our agenda is... and what our motives are. [spooky look] Well I have no agenda folks. I'm not here to co-opt anyone. Oh gee, here are the GOP cards. Sign everybody up. Come back if you left, or join us if you've never been here. That's a croc. It ain't happening. That isn't what this is about."

A little later in the video he doesn't mention the individual by name, but clearly takes a jab at Houston-area Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee:

"This is about getting the folks across the street to pay attenion to what is going on in America. That the frustration, the anxiety, the anger comes from the fact, that when I go to a meeting with my congressmen, she's too busy on her cell phone to listen to my story, and to hear my frustration..."

Rep. Jackson-Lee held a town hall last August, and was caught in the middle of the meeting talking for minutes on her cell phone, while a constituent was directly addressing her and asking for help.

Hat tip Jim Hoft at Gateway.

From the Editor:

We have a mountain of news to report on the campaign front. It may take a day or two to catch up. So be prepared to see an awful lot of hardcore candidate news in the coming days. It's to be expected, given the season. We're approaching full-fledged GOP primary season in numerous states.

With the unexpected retirment announcement of Birch Bayh of Indiana, keeping up with the latest political developments has become almost dizzying.

Here's a couple briefs to help us all catch up:

* Kennedy is out! If you hadn't heard yet Patrick Kennedy has opted out of a run for re-election in Rhode Island's 1st CD. But that doesn't mean libertarian-leaning GOPer John Loughlin, who we reported on here at LR two weeks ago, now has a clear shot. Two Democrats have already announced including the Mayor of Providence.

* New poll out in Texas, show Governor Perry with a commanding lead for the GOP nomination, now at 45% to Kay Baily at 29% and Medina at 17%.

* You can stick a fork in Democrats chances of picking up a Senate seat in Louisiana. In fact, this was perhaps their only real chance of picking off a GOPer in 2010. (Outside chance at New Hampshire, but that's now way gone for Dems too). Incumbent Republican Sen. David Vitter now ahead of Dem challenger Charlie Menlancon, a relative moderate, 57% to 36% in new Rasmussen.

* There is a poll from Rasmussen just released, showing Republican Dino Rossi, if he runs, ahead of Sen. Patty Murray by 2%.

* Republican Round-up; Republicans look good to gain the Governorship in Iowa. GOP way out ahead for pick-ups in North Dakota of both the Senate seat and the House seat. Finally, Pennsylvania is swinging bigtime GOP all-around. Republican for Governor Tom Corbett, now way out ahead in Rasmussen 52% to 26%.

Finally RED HOT RUMOR! Democrat Rep. William Dellahunt of (southeastern) Massachusetts is being talked about as the next Dem to announce his resignation. Libertarian Republicans have a pony in this race: State Senator Bob Hedlund of Weymouth (photo).

REPORT FROM MISSOURI

by Clay Bowler

I had the privilege of listening to former Senator Jim Talent speak last Saturday night at the local GOP Lincoln Day event in Joplin, Missouri. If you are from Missouri, chances are your realize what a loss it was for the state when Claire McCaskill beat Talent in the 2006 elections. I don't want to turn this into an attack Claire McCaskill piece, but let's just say there was a huge IQ drop in January 2007, when Claire McCaskill took office.

Senator Talent has been busy and has proven to be a valuable resource for the Republican party. He also been an asset for the Heritage Foundation, while forming the American Freedom and Enterprise Foundation.

Senator Talent had some alarming words about how little the Obama administration is doing to protect this country. He recently finished reading the US military's Strategic Planning Document. As you know, the United States government in its efforts to provide defense for the American people must lay out a number of strategies and what if scenarios to be prepared for war at all times.

Senator Talent had some alarming statistics in the word counts of the latest document conceived by the Obama administration. The word Iran, which is nearing complete of a nuclear weapon, appears in the document just three times. The word Russia appears in the document four times. The word China appears in the document 11 times. Would you like to take a guess at what threat appears the more in this military document than these three countries?

If you guessed climate change, you guessed right.

According to Senator Talent, the word climate change appears considerably more times. In fact if you add up the number of times the previous countries appeared in the document, the word climate change still outnumbers the combined total of the three previous mentioned countries.

Now considering what you know is happening in the world today. We have had multiple Muslim attacks on this country since Obama took over. This past week, Iran says they now have the capability to enrich uranium to build a nuclear weapon. Russia, who is friend with Iran and selling weapons to the Iranians, is also building up their military with their petrol dollars. We all know the threat the Chinese military plays in the world. And for the Obama administration, the Mother Nature's army of natural warming and cooling periods is a good chunk of what this military document contains. The Obama administration isn't serious about our defense.

Editor's Note - Clay is of course, otherwise known as Bungalow Bill. His highly popular Libertarian-Conservative blog is Bungalow Bill's Conservative Wisdom linked on our Blog Roll.

NEW RAW VIDEO OUT OF IRAN

Shouting "Death to the Dictator" tens of thousands of mostly youth protesters in Tehran turned out over the weekend to protest the government's increaingly repressive policies.

This report from Associated Content News:

Iran's President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, announced at the pro-government rally, Iran's expansion of its nuclear program and claims to have enriched uranium to 20% with the ability to achieve 80% purity. According to this CNN report, President Ahmadinejad also denigrated the United States and its relationship with rival Israel during his speech to the people of Iran.

Iran's plain-clothed militia and police successfully prevented protester demonstrations as they prowled the streets of Iran's capital, particularly Azadi Square, using tear gas, guns, batons, and brutal force, as promised...

The weekend government rallies and counter protests marked the 31st Anniversay of the Iranian Revolution to overthrow the Shah.

by Eric Dondero

Debra Medina has never uttered the words, "I want to legalize drugs." But it's fair to say she's led some of her staunchest supporters to believe that she's willing to discuss the issue, and may lean in that direction. She's also made numerous comments in favor of a "state's rights" view on for instance, medicinal use of marijuana.

From the Austin American-Statesman, Columnist Gardner Selby, Dec. 10:

This protégé of libertarian-leaning U.S. Rep. Ron Paul is no sheep.

She told me that decriminalizing marijuana deserves a look.

Lindsay Malone, blogger:

Medina's supporters say she's going to legalize drugs and let drug dealers out of prison.

Debra Medina’s supporters also say she is going to legalize marijuana and let all the drug dealers out of jail. They say this will help save money and help eliminate property taxes.

From Patterico's Pontifications:

At the Texas GOP primary debate in January, Medina said she is willing to consider legalizing drugs and wants to eliminate Texas property taxes and replace them with a State-wide sales tax. Both ideas are worth considering but neither will pass anytime soon...

Now this from the New York Times, Feb. 14:

HOUSTON — Some days it is hard to be a neophyte far-right candidate in a governor’s race, even in Texas, where Republicans vying for the party’s nomination try to outdo one another to prove their conservative credentials.

Debra Medina found that out when she appeared on Glenn Beck’s radio show last week and fumbled a question about whether she agreed with conspiracy theorists who think the Bush administration was involved in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks...

While she supports some libertarian ideas and has been a longtime supporter of Representative Ron Paul, the Texas libertarian, she hastens to point out that she is not in favor of legalizing drugs.

Since the article hit over the weekend there's been little reaction from her more libertarian supporters as to the comments. Surely, it comes as a great dissapointment to many libertarians who were considering her candidacy.

From Eric Dondero:

Key Obama administration officials made a big deal last summer, of their new vow to ease up on anti-Marijuana raids in states where its legal for medicinal use, such as California, Oregon and Colorado. The Pro-Marijuana Legalization movement, many of whom were supporters of Obama in his campaign, and still in his presidency, hailed the pronouncements. But it appears the euphoria may be short-lived.

Just breaking from the Denver Post...

Along with the raid, Jeffrey Sweetin, the Drug Enforcement Administration's special agent in charge of the Denver office, sent a message to anyone involved in Colorado's increasingly profitable medical-marijuana industry.

"It's still a violation of federal law," Sweetin said. "It's not medicine. We're still going to continue to investigate and arrest people."

Agents at the scene Friday evening said the marijuana grower, Chris Bartkowicz, had been taken into custody. Jeff Dorschner, a spokesman for the U.S.

DEA agents converged on the house Friday afternoon and, before leaving several hours later, removed dozens of marijuana plants in black plastic trash bags as well as numerous high-powered growing lights.

The Libertarian Party of Colorado has been on the forefront in opposing Obama's raids on Pot Manufacturers. Late last year they released this Statement on the ongoing investigations:

Another lie told by Obama when he promised to end raids on medical marijuana distributors, it hasn’t stopped in California and it hasn’t stopped the feds here either. Only now they are claiming they are investigating some other kind of crime, that remains unknown and happens to be taking place at medical marijuana dispensaries all over Colorado. So what did the owners of these places all suddenly decide to take up murder as a hobby? It seems unlikely that any of these places have committed any crimes with any actual victims.

"Yes We Cannabis" home page for Libertarian Medicinal Marijuana advocate Steve Kubby.

Hangs out with Richard Petty, Harry Connick and Danica Patrick

From Eric Dondero:

America's sexiest politician turned up the heat at the famous Florida speedway over the weekend. Decked out in "designer jeans and sky-high black stiletto heels" the Alaska Fox met with thousands of adoring fans. And according to numerous media reports, Palin was the most popular attraction.

She addressed the crowd briefly: "It's events like these, that bring all Americans together, and makes us proud to be Americans" (See the 30 second YouTube video)

From the Orlando Sentinnel:

DAYTONA BEACH – Palin-mania easily surpassed Danica-mania at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday.

While Patrick got all the headlines for the better part of two weeks, she had no stake in the Daytona 500. Palin did, and as a VIP guest for the race, she ate up all the attention.

When she arrived for the drivers meeting, Palin was immediately mobbed.

She took a seat up front next to Harry Connick Jr., who sang the national anthem for the race. When NASCAR president Mike Helton acknowledged her as a special guest, she got the largest ovation from the room, packed from the front to the back with drivers, team members, support personnel and onlookers.

After sitting through the meeting, Palin could not get out the door. Fans mobbed her, asking for pictures and autographs.

An estimated 150,000 spectators showed up for the event.

Photo hat tip of SP at another sports event, to our friends at GOP 12.

One of the biggest surprises to come out of the National Tea Party convention in Nashville two weekends ago, was the pre-announcement of a congressional candidacy of Fox News contributor Angela McGlowan.

From the Wall Street Journal:

Judging from the loud cheers she generated, one of the highlights of last weekend's Tea Party Convention in Nashville was the appearance of Angela McGlowan, a Fox News contributor and former GOP congressional staffer. She electrified the crowd when she hinted she would be announcing her candidacy for Congress from neighboring Mississippi in a few days. If elected, Ms. McGlowan would become only the third African American elected as a Republican to the U.S. House in the past 75 years. "Conservatives advocate policies that recognize the innate value of all humans, as opposed to liberal policies that demean the poor and disadvantaged by encouraging victimhood," she told the enthusiastic crowd.

If she prevails in the somewhat crowded GOP primary, McGlowan will face entrenched Democrat Rep. Travis Childers. Ironically, Childers had been rumored to be a potential party-switcher to the GOP.

In a fiery speech on the steps of Hernando County courthouse, as part of a 5-city tour announcing her campaign, McGlowan told the approximately 75 supporters gathered:

"I'm a conservative, pro-life, pro-gun, pro-small business Mississippi Republican who has taken a high profile stand for working families and against the liberal policies of President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that promote big government spending, record national debt and excessive levels of taxation."

(Source: Desoto Times Feb. 12)

Although State Sen. Alan Nunnelee is the frontrunner and supported by many in the GOP establishment, McGlowan might be emerging as the favorite among Sarah Palin-ites. She was featured recently on the Sarah Palin Blog: "Fox News analyst Angela McGlowan launches House bid."

If elected McGlowan would be the first ever woman to represent Mississippi in the US Congress.

McGlowanforCongress.com

The hometown paper for Texas CD-27 opines:

Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, has had opponents during his nearly 30 years in office but has never faced a serious threat to his incumbency.

But now, with a changed climate favorable to Republicans, and in particular GOPers with a Tea Party message, Ortiz may be facing his stiffest challenge yet.

Jessica Puente Bradshaw is running for the Republican nomination to challenge longtime entrenched Democrat incumbent Rep. Solomon Ortiz. She is one of three candidates vying for the nomination, but considered to be the frontrunner.

From the Corpus Christi Caller Feb. 15:

“He votes with the liberal Democrats,” Bradshaw said. “He is not lowering taxes, which is what businesses need to build a thriving economy. And with health care, he was not meeting with his constituents. He is beatable by the right candidate because there are enough voters upset at him who, given the right candidate, will cross over party-wise.”

She grew up in Brownsville, on the Mexican border. She's a Christian, mother of two, and married for 15 years. Her professional background includes educator and small business entrepreneur.

I am an advocate of personal responsibility, regardless of what color of skin you are blessed with. With your help, my goal is to inspire and empower others to be productive members of their communities and eliminate the idea that we “need” government handouts.

During my teaching career in a California low income school district, I did my best to encourage each student to take advantage of every opportunity available without the need for affirmative action and special preferences.

She's a supporter of Tea Party values:

I am determined and prepared to stand strong in righteousness when it comes to what our Founding Fathers intended for this country.

TexasforJessica.com

My Sharona one of George Bush's favorite songs

From Eric Dondero:

Doug Feiger, lead singer of The Knack died on Sunday. He had been suffering from Cancer.

The band hit the scene in 1979 with the monster hit "My Sharona" immortalized in the hit movie "Reality Bites." And later their second chart topper was the risque "Good Girls don't."

He was also known as the brother of the eccentric Michigan lawyer (of Jack Kevorkian fame), and one-time Democrat candidate for Governor Geoffry Feiger.

A side note. Former Republican President George W. Bush was a fan.

From Yahoo News:

"My Sharona" gained attention again in 2005 when it was reported that George W. Bush had the song on the presidential iPod.