NPR Chief Finally Gets the Smackdown!

NPR CEO Vivian Schiller finally gets the boot at NPR after her peeps dish out this remark among others to a fake Muslim Brotherhood front group:

"The current Republican Party is not really the Republican Party. It's been hijacked by this group that is ... not just Islamophobic but, really, xenophobic," Ron Schiller said in the video, referring to the tea party movement. "They believe in sort of white, middle America, gun-toting — it's scary. They're seriously racist, racist people."


Here's the video

See ya, Viv.

Redundant Government Programs

"A new report found that the U.S. spends more than $5 billion on redundant government programs. Another report found that the U.S. spends more than $5 billion on redundant government programs." –Jimmy Fallon

George Allen Leading Senate Race with 67%

As reported in the Washington Examiner, an early Public Policy Polling poll reflects the complete non-effect of Del. Bob Marshall, Corey Stewart or Tea Party candidate Jamie Radkte, cumulatively or individually, on the US Senate race.  (Note: the poll does not include LTM-endorsed candidate Del. Tom Rust – whom I, too, would like to see take a run).

Looks like Allen has it in the bag.  But then again . . .

And Then There Were Three

For me, the field of candidates in the sheriff’s race is dwindling quickly.  Here's my run down.

Simpson – OUT – too much baggage, too little time to campaign given his peddling of radioactive Gatorade.

Speakman - OUT – “out” because he’s out of town.  Can’t wait to see how he answer’s NoVa Town Hall’s question about Loudoun residency.

Dickerson - OUT – he did himself in on Monday night.  Anyone that tries to out-Christian his opponent in rebuttal to a perfectly fair campaign piece is not my guy.

Davis – IN – technically in, but he has a long road ahead of him in terms of convincing voters he has the managerial experience or formal education sufficient to run a large sheriff’s office.

Chapman – IN – good high-level law enforcement background, but lack of the on-the-beat experience and Loudoun connections could hurt him with the Loudoun good ol' boy (and girl) crowd.

War Department – Involuntarily IN – as my back up candidate in any election, the War Department always runs the possibility of getting a write-in vote or two.  Never fired a gun, but she has a master’s degree and great experience running our local “jail,” so don’t count her out.

THIS is the Face of Effective Government

In this the second in my series of love letters to Republican governors, I just want to call out Gov. Bob McDonnell (and the General Assembly) for an incredible accomplishment virtually ignored by the mainstream media.  Unlike Wisconsin or other states where caustic budget battles grab headlines, and unlike Virginia a few years back where the fight to balance the budget centered on massive tax increases, this year's amendments to the biennial budget (a) reduced spending, (b) reduced fees/taxes, (c) improved transportation spending (through smart bond financing), and (d) was approved unanimously by a Democrat-controlled Senate and a Republican-controlled House of Delegates without a special session.

Fantastic job, ladies and gentlemen!  I'm always proud to be a Virginian, but, looking around at the mess that other states are in, I'm feeling even a little bit cocky.  McDonnell has shown some true leadership - definitely something to put at the top of his national resume.

THIS Should be the Face of the Republican Party

Newt, Sarah and Rush should just step aside, shut up and let Chris Christie take the role of lead Republican cheerleader.  There, I said it.  I'm still here.  I didn't vaporize.


Whether he runs in 2012 or not, his genuine, non-political persona conveys a refreshing honesty that will appeal to moderates and independents as well as hardcore Republicans that, in turn, can build  and energize the base for whomever gets the nomination.  Watch the Face the Nation interview for yourself and you'll see he's the real deal.

Big Mistake by Wisconsin Republicans

WISCONSIN HELD HOSTAGE - Day 7
As a follow-up to my original post about the budget battle in Wisconsin, the AP is reporting that the state Republican leadership has sent state troopers to the homes of  Democratic state senators in the hope of dragging a few into the state capitol to establish a quorum.
Although perfectly legal, such tactics undoubtedly make the Republicans look like thugs.  The better approach, as I suggested before, is to simply wait out the Democrats.  Eventually, the senators, like petulant five year-olds holding their breath, will have to give in.  No need for the Republicans to tarnish the perception that they are the adults here.