Republican Big Spenders

So far this year the U.S. Senate has voted on five of President Obama's appropriations bills. You might be surprised to find out the names of the lonely four Republicans who have voted against each and every one of them (thirteen Republican senators have voted for all five). One of those senators, often chided by conservatives as a RINO (Republican In Name Only) who would have been as bad or worse for the country than President Obama, was the GOP nominee for president last year. He wasn't my first pick, but I think he often gets a bum rap and I still don't understand those who stayed home rather than vote for him over the current occupant. Had John McCain won the election, I would not be nearly as worried about this country's future as I am right now.

To see whether or not your senator is functioning as a rubber stamp on the Obama spending spree, click here.

Change

During the presidential campaign, I sometimes heard it said that there was no measurable difference between John McCain and Barack Obama.* For months I fought that view and encouraged those who were considering voting third party to reconsider and to cast their vote for the one person in the race who had a chance of defeating Mr. Obama. My feeling was that, like it or not, we have a two-party system, and the best way to have an impact is to work within that system. Like many of my friends, I would have preferred a more ideologically conservative/libertarian Republican nominee, but due to the inability of Republicans to unite behind such a candidate, Mr. McCain came out in front, and I voted for him with enthusiasm, trusting in his patriotism and integrity as well as his commitment to preserving enough of the founding fathers' vision that we might someday be able to reclaim even more of it.

But it was not to be. And now I fear we see our country slipping away from us, never to return to its roots.

There were those during the campaign who cried "Chicken Little" at people like me because we perceived this presidential election to be one of the most pivotal in American history, having the potential to kill the American experiment and set us on the path of European socialism and conciliation. They said we were overreacting--that this election was no different from any other, and that we could survive an Obama presidency as well as any other.

I can't help wondering if, after barely a month, those people still feel the same way. If they do, I have to further wonder if they are living on the same planet and in the same America that I am. Since of course they are, I am left to conclude that perhaps they are just not paying attention. Because the change wrought by this president in the last few weeks has been pervasive and bold, way bolder than I ever imagined (so much for moderation), and I am panicked thinking about the next four years.

Here are a few articles that effectively summarize where we were before Obama, and where we are now.

Investor's Business Daily

Charles Krauthammer

*For the record, John McCain opposed the stimulus plan and sponsored a petition against it. A McCain presidency would not have led to the "Kick Me" sign (described by Mr. Krauthammer in his column) that the United States is now sporting in the international community. And a McCain presidency would not have resumed global abortion funding, nor would we be hearing Mr. McCain promise to sign the Freedom of Choice Act as soon as it hits his desk.

Post Election Day Thoughts

President-Elect Obama's appointment of the take-no-prisoners Rahm Emmanuel as Chief of Staff is cause for concern in light of his promise to set a "new tone" in Washington. On the other hand, who can blame him? If our guy had won, we would be cheering such an in your face appointment.

Obama's nasty slap at Nancy Reagan during his first press conference was also unbecoming of someone who has positioned himself as a healer and uniter. For the record, Mrs. Reagan did not hold seances but consulted with a psychic/astrologer in the wake of the attempt on her husband's life. She was distraught. To make light of anything related to that terrible episode in America's history is callous and unworthy of the presidency. I am glad Senator Obama apologized. But seeing such carelessness with words in his first presidential-style appearance is troubling to me.

I am disgusted with the Sarah Palin rumor-mongering that is emanating from some unnamed cretins in the McCain campaign. Shame on them. John McCain should come out with a forceful disavowal of their behavior and an affirmation of all that Governor Palin brought to his campaign.

I am very worried about our country and about where the new president is going to take us, not only because I disagree with his core beliefs but also because I just don't think he has the discernment required for the job. But it cannot be denied that he is a remarkable and intelligent man. I am clinging to that fact, hoping and praying that once he is privy to the full range of presidential knowledge, he will moderate some of his plans and ideas. I am also taking comfort in the fact that he is a husband and father and that surely he will want to take steps to preserve and protect his own family as well as mine in this dangerous world. May the Lord grant him wisdom as he leads us forward.

Finally . . . thank God it's over! I feel like I can breathe again!

Godspeed, John, and Thank You

Karl Rove, moments ago on Fox News, agreed with Chris Wallace's assessment of Barack Obama's election as a "great night" for this country, marking as it does the point at which the legacy of slavery and racism was at last put to rest. Right now I am watching a gracious John McCain concede and call for unity.

Somehow I don't think we would be hearing the same kinds of words if there had been a different outcome.

Election Day

Tell me I'm delusional.

Tell me I'm desperate.

Tell me I'm living in denial.

Tell me I'm just plain dumb.

Call me what you will--I don't care. Because I think the pollsters have gotten this wrong, and I predict that John McCain will be our next president.

And of course, if he does win, the charges of racism will begin (because apparently there aren't any other legitimate reasons for voting against Obama).

But I ask--if America is such a horribly racist nation, why is the more politically correct vote the one that is placed for the black man? How could Obama have so quickly risen from political insignificance to a chance at the presidency? How could he have won the ballot in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire this morning? (A town that is not known for predicting the outcome, by the way.)

If he loses, as I think he will, it will be because Americans took a closer look and decided he is too liberal and risky a choice. Perhaps they have taken another look and seen some of what Thomas Sowell so eloquently describes in a recent column. Here's an excerpt:

Barack Obama has the kind of cocksure confidence that can only be achieved by not achieving anything else.

Anyone who has actually had to take responsibility for consequences by running any kind of enterprise-- whether economic or academic, or even just managing a sports team-- is likely at some point to be chastened by either the setbacks brought on by his own mistakes or by seeing his successes followed by negative consequences that he never anticipated.

The kind of self-righteous self-confidence that has become Obama's trademark is usually found in sophomores in Ivy League colleges-- very bright and articulate students, utterly untempered by experience in real world.

Lord, have mercy on us if this man becomes the leader of the world. I'm going to pray now. See you at the polls!

One-Day Zogby Poll Shows McCain Up

Zogby, International polling for yesterday, October 31, showed a 1-point McCain advantage over Obama (48% to 47%). McCain is still down in the 3-day tracking. But I can't help wondering if this is the start of something!

Read more here.

Look What I Got Yesterday!

And sorry, but no, I can't tell you where to get your own. This shirt was a gift from a friend and member of my church and is one of fewer than 200 made. It was designed by my friend's sister at the request of both women's father, who is involved in Republican politics at the county level. I was lucky enough to receive this shirt because my dear, dear husband happened to see one in our friend's possession and asked if she could get another for me.

I was wondering what I was going to wear on Election Night. Now I know!

For the Record

I come in contact with a lot of conservatives, some in person and some in cyberspace. Over the last few months, I have heard from several that while they will be voting for John McCain next week, they will be doing so reluctantly, grudgingly, even ashamedly, as the "lesser of two evils." I have also heard it said that a lot of people who are voting for McCain are doing so simply out of fear of the alternative.

Well, I will admit that yes, I am afraid of an Obama presidency. But I would just like to say here, for the record, that while Senator McCain may not have been my first choice for the Republican nomination, and while I may not agree with him on all the issues, he is in my mind hardly the lesser of two evils. Far from it. In fact, I think there is no comparison between him and Barack Obama in the areas of character and conviction and courage and knowledge and understanding and judgment and every other thing that matters in a president, and my vote for him on Election Day will be cast with a clear conscience and utter conviction that at this pivotal moment in history, he is the best man for this job. I look at him and I see, if not a man that I think is 100% correct in all his views, nevertheless a man that I can respect and trust because he understands this country and has her best interests at heart. And that means more to me than I can express.

Come next Wednesday, win or lose, I will be proud to say I stood with John McCain.

Terrible, Just Terrible

Can anyone out there cheer me up today?

After watching the presidential debate last night I am feeling supremely discouraged. I thought McCain did extremely well (except for the mortgage buy-up scheme--where did that come from?), but the questions were generally dismal, covering ground that has already been covered and sending both candidates into many of their same old tired talking points rather than allowing voters to gain a deeper understanding of what these two men are about.

And the Fox News focus group just made me want to scream. Where do they get these people? Are Americans truly this dumb? (On second thought, don't answer that.) The banality of the responses was an embarrassment. To hear people talking about how they "felt" Obama "spoke directly" to them and laid out clearly what he would do as president while McCain "didn't answer the questions" makes me wonder whether we listened to the same debate. I would bet money that if pressed for specifics on their reactions rather than being allowed to ramble about their feelings some of those people would quickly clam up.

When is McCain going to start showing the American people the real Barack Obama? The one who has deep and long-standing alliances, not merely associations (borrowing from Thomas Sowell now) with many, many people of questionable judgement, character, and patriotism? People will say he's desperate and starting to play dirty, but I think there are many people out there who have not been following this campaign for the last few years as some of us have and who don't know much of what we know about Mr. Obama. Let the press say what they will. People have a right to know, and someone has to tell them. The mainstream media will not do it. It's up to McCain and the 527's, and it's time to get the truth out there.

I know McCain does not want to go down this road. He is just too good and kind of a man. But if he is truly about putting country first, he needs to do it, however distasteful he personally finds it to be. This election is not about him. It's about preserving the greatness of this nation for the next generation.

Food for Thought

Some excellent questions posed by Rush Limbaugh on today's show:

If the economic bailout plan put forth by President Bush and the Democrats is as great as they say it is, why don't they just go ahead and pass it? They have the votes to do so. They could save the economy, save the nation, and be the heroes in all of this. Why, then, do they need the Republicans? Could it be the plan has some problems and they don't want to take the fall if it fails? Could it be the Republican misgivings about the plan have some basis in fact?

Also, if John McCain's presence and contribution at the big financial meeting yesterday was so insignificant, how is it then his fault (as the Democrats are claiming today) that everything broke down? How can he simultaneously be a non-factor in the process as well as the cause of its failure? Hmmmm?

Whose Fault?

President Bush tried 5 years ago to do something about the financial disaster this country is currently facing. Guess who blocked him? And guess who will now turn around and with the help of the mainstream media blame him for supposedly getting us into this mess?

Here's a post by The Anchoress (who also provided the link above) that includes a lengthy comment by John McCain on this issue. It's worth reading.

Time to Go Shopping

For more products, click here.

Obama on Bill O'Reilly

Barack Obama finally sat down with Bill O'Reilly. The first segment of the interview was aired last night. (Am I the only who can't help noticing the timing?) I didn't get to watch the interview, but a full transcript is available here. Here is an excerpt on the topic of Iraq. The emphasis is mine.

MR. O'REILLY: I think you were desperately wrong on the surge. And I think you should admit it to the nation that now we have defeated the terrorists in Iraq. And the al Qaeda came there after we invaded, as you know. Okay, we've defeated them. If we didn't, they would have used it as a staging ground.

We've also inhibited Iran from controlling the southern part of Iraq by the surge which you did not support. So why won't you say, I was right in the beginning, I was wrong about that?

SEN. OBAMA: You know, if you've listened to what I've said, and I'll repeat it right here on this show, I think that there's no doubt that the violence in down. I believe that that is a testimony to the troops that were sent and General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker. I think that the surge has succeeded in ways that nobody anticipated, by the way, including President Bush and the other supporters. . . .

MR. O'REILLY: If it were up to you, there wouldn't have been a surge.

SEN. OBAMA: No, no, no, no. Hold on.

MR. O'REILLY: You and Joe Biden -- no surge.

SEN. OBAMA: No. Hold on a second, Bill. If you look at the debate that was taking place, we had gone through five years of mismanagement of this war that I thought was disastrous. And the president wanted to double-down and continue on open-ended policy that did not create the kinds of pressure in the Iraqis to take responsibility and reconcile --

MR. O'REILLY: It worked. Come on.

SEN. OBAMA: Bill, what I've said is -- I've already said it succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.

MR. O'REILLY: Right! So why can't you just say, I was right in the beginning, and I was wrong about the surge?

SEN. OBAMA: Because there is an underlying problem with what we've done. We have reduced the violence --

MR. O'REILLY: Yeah?

SEN. OBAMA: -- but the Iraqis still haven't taken a responsibility. And we still don't have the kind of political reconciliation. We are still spending, Bill, 10 (billion dollars) to $12 billion a month.

MR. O'REILLY: And I hope if you're president, you can get them to kick in and pay us back.

So, the fact that our military was able to go in and do what it was given to do surprises Mr. Obama? I bet the man who survived five years in a Vietnamese prison wasn't surprised.

So much for the candidate of "hope."

McCain

Favorite lines from last night's speech:

"I'm grateful to the President for leading us in those dark days following the worst attack on American soil in our history, and keeping us safe from another attack many thought was inevitable . . . ."

"Education is the civil rights issue of this century."

"I've been an imperfect servant of my country for many years. But I have been her servant first, last and always. And I've never lived a day, in good times or bad, that I didn't thank God for the privilege."

"Long ago, something unusual happened to me that taught me the most valuable lesson of my life. I was blessed by misfortune. "

"I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency; for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn't my own man anymore. I was my country's."

"I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God."

You can read the entire speech here.

Noonan

One of my favorite columnists, Peggy Noonan, gets it right again with an analysis of why John McCain is closing in on Barack Obama in the polls. Here's one choice excerpt:

The Rick Warren debate mattered. Why? It took place at exactly the moment America was starting to pay attention. This is what it looked like by the end of the night: Mr. McCain, normal. Mr. Obama, not normal. You've seen this discussed elsewhere. Mr. McCain was direct and clear, Mr. Obama both more careful and more scattered. But on abortion in particular, Mr. McCain seemed old-time conservative, which is something we all understand, whether we like such a stance or not, and Mr. Obama seemed either radical or dodgy. He wouldn't vote to ban partial-birth abortions because we must contemplate a rigorous legal parsing of any and all possible implications regarding emanations and of the viability of Roe v. Wade?

As I watched I thought: How about "Let the baby live"? Don't parse it. Just "Let the baby live."

As to the question when human life begins, the answer to which is above Mr. Obama's pay grade, let's go on a little tear. You know why they call it birth control? Because it's meant to stop a birth from happening nine months later. We know when life begins. Everyone who ever bought a pack of condoms knows when life begins.

To put it another way, with conception something begins. What do you think it is? A car? A 1948 Buick?

And here's another:

I suspect everyone has the convention speeches wrong. Everyone expects Mr. Obama to rouse, but the speech I'd watch is Mr. McCain's.

He's the one with the real opportunity, because no one expects anything. He's never been especially good at making speeches. (The number of men who've made it to the top of the GOP who don't particularly like making speeches, both Bushes and Mr. McCain, is astonishing, and at odds with the presumed requirements of the media age. The first Bush saw speeches as show biz, part of the weary requirement of leadership, and the second's approach reflects a sense that words, though interesting, were not his friend.)

But Mr. McCain provided, in 2004, one of the most exciting and certainly the most charged moment of the Republican Convention, when he looked up at Michael Moore in the press stands and said, "Our choice wasn't between a benign status quo and the bloodshed of war, it was between war and a greater threat. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. . . . And certainly not a disingenuous filmmaker who would have us believe that Saddam's Iraq was an oasis of peace." It blew the roof off. And the smile he gave Mr. Moore was one of pure, delighted malice. When Mr. McCain comes to play, he comes to play.

You can read the whole thing here.

The Presidential Candidates and Abortion: A Study in Contrast

This YouTube video juxtaposes the comments of Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain from their respective interviews with Rick Warren on August 16, 2008 (they did not debate each other but sat with him for individual question-and-answer segments, sharing the stage only briefly). Obama's response is first. I couldn't help noticing that he took a lot more time to be far less clear. I did not get to watch the entire program (I hope to in replay), but from what I have so far heard about it from others, what you see here is representative of the interviews overall, reflecting a directness and precision from McCain that suggests he is far more comfortable with his views and his ability to articulate them than is his opponent.

Just listen to the applause of the crowd when he answers the question about when a human being should be afforded the protection of law. This man is ardently pro-life and not afraid to say so.

Winding Down

Can you believe it's almost over? It seems this presidential race has been going on for years (and in truth it has!), but finally the end is in sight. As Election Day nears, I am hopeful that conservatives and Republicans will continue coming together behind John McCain, even if he wasn't (and isn't) their ideal candidate. I think this is happening, as I am continually coming across people who several months ago said they would never vote for McCain but now say they will, even if reluctantly. I applaud anyone who has come to that conclusion for realizing what is at stake and making a difficult decision. Personally, while I never found a candidate that truly motivated me, I am comfortable with McCain and think he was ultimately the smartest choice for Republicans this election year. I still have differences with him and have more than once found myself wanting to shake him and ask, "What are you thinking, John, what on earth are you thinking?" but I respect his character and integrity and think he has a proper understanding of what makes America the unique place it is. I am sorry I can't say the same about Mr. Obama.

If you are a less-than-thrilled conservative voter who is still struggling with voting for John McCain, or if you are a McCain voter who needs some good ammunition for winning over more people to the cause, here is an article for you. It is an excellent summary of why one can and should vote for McCain and be completely at peace with that vote. It also effectively refutes the argument that we might as well go ahead and let Obama have his turn at the White House now because in doing so we will reveal the emperor's lack of clothes and open the door for a comeback in 2012. The problem with that thinking is that although I expect an Obama presidency would be a failure and would likely lead to Republicans retaking the White House in four years, serious and irreparable damage would be done in the meantime. Read and see why.

Forget Train Wreck: Obama is a Jet Crash - by Kyle-Anne Shiver

"He'll Keep Things the Same"

One of my young piano students has been spending some time at our house this summer, as my daughter was hired to babysit her one day per week. The young lady in question is 7 years old and entering the second grade. Today as we were in the car returning from an outing, my student suddenly asked me, "So who are you rooting for?"

I wasn't sure what she meant and said so.

"For president. I like John McCain. If I could vote, I would vote for him. Who do you like?"

I told her that I, too, liked John McCain and was planning on voting for him, and I went on to ask why he was her favorite.

"Because he will keep things the same. And I like the way things are. I don't want them to change. Also, he looks kind of like President Bush, and I like President Bush."

It would seem that--at least with this young future voter--two of Barack Obama's primary themes are actually reasons to vote against him: namely, that he wants to change what America is all about and that he would repudiate the policies of President Bush while John McCain would sustain and continue them.

Now, I understand that my piano student is probably reflecting the views of her parents. But I think her 7-year-old spin on the election is also profoundly revealing, distilling the choice before us quite effectively. At his core, Barack Obama wants to remake America, finding little to love about it, whereas McCain as a conservative (and yes, I believe he is one) finds much worth preserving. It is for this reason that I think my husband hit the nail on the head when he told me, some months ago, that if the United States elects Barack Obama we will have our first European president. The Anchoress argues similarly in this post (if you have time, follow her link to the Gateway Pundit for some additional perspective).

So I'm with you, Evelyn. I like our country, too, and concur that change is overrated. Let's hope the majority of Americans agree with us.

Whose Issue?

Common wisdom says that as an election year issue, the Iraq War harms John McCain and helps Barack Obama. But here are two convincing arguments that the war--which in case you haven't heard, we're winning--could be a decisive factor in propelling John McCain to the White House. (If you only have time for one of these, read Krauthammer.)

Charles Krauthammer

Abe Greenwald

On the Campaign Trail

Even if you aren't a Republican or a supporter of John McCain, this is fun. It's a blog written by Meghan McCain, the 23-year-old daughter of the presidential candidate and his wife Cindy. From what I can tell, Ms McCain's approach is much more personal than political, concerned less with issues than with sharing a behind-the-scenes peek at what it's like to watch your father run for president. There are extensive photos and candid insights about life on the campaign trail. I'll be linking the site in my sidebar and checking in from time to time when I need a break from the heavier stuff!

HT: Gene Veith