Liz A Mair's blog
Posted at 4:01pm on Oct. 21, 2007 Kool-Aid drinkers, Walter B. Jones, and the plight of anti-war Republicans
By Liz A Mair
The LA Times has an interesting piece up today on the plight of anti-war Republicans heading into the 2008 elections. At issue: the question of whether Republicans who favor an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq can survive primaries next year. And in the spotlight: Rep. Walter B. Jones (NC-3), one congressman who is putting it all on the line with his anti-war stance and increasing cuddliness with the likes of Dennis Kucinich.
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Posted at 11:08am on Oct. 16, 2007 MyDD hearts Walter B. Jones
By Liz A Mair
Promoted from blogs, with an observation: you can credibly switch Parties. Ronald Reagan did it, after all. But you can only go to that particular well once in a career and still have one. Nobody trusts yo-yos. - Moe Lane
Readers of both RedState and my own blog will be aware that I have some issues with North Carolina GOP Congressman Walter B. Jones (hence why I've been doing some work for his Republican primary challenger, Joe McLaughlin).
But, today, I have found a whole new reason to be concerned about Jones. The lefties over at MyDD seem to be fantasizing about him switching parties and becoming (again) a Democrat.
Money quotes from today's "Coaxing a Party Switch in North Carolina" post:
Back in March I pointed to the possibility that North Carolina Republican Congressman Walter Jones, a conservative on most issues other than Iraq, where he has staked out an anti-war position, would leave the GOP and join the Democrats. Well, it hasn't happened yet, but perhaps it may soon given the way Jones' caucus is treating him.
[...]
As I noted back in March, Jones has already previously been a member of the Democratic Party, having unsuccessfully run as a Democrat for the congressional seat being vacated by his father, also a Democrat, in 1992, before winning his current seat as a Republican in 1994.
[...]
There is little doubt that he would be among the more conservative members of the Democratic caucus were he to join it (either as a Democrat or a Democratic-leaning independent). To take one example, Jones voted against the expansion of SCHIP earlier this year -- though that can at least in part be chalked up to the fact that he represents a state uniquely hit by the increased tax on cigarettes (given the prominent role the tobacco industry plays in the North Carolina economy). That said, at least according to the 2006 National Journal vote rankings, Jones lines up on the left side of the aisle, voting liberally than 53.5 percent of his colleagues in the second session of the 109th Congress, which is about as good as one could ask for from a district as inherently Republican as North Carolina's third.
(my emphasis added)
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Posted at 10:01pm on Oct. 3, 2007 Republican Congressman to co-sponsor anti-Rush resolution... seriously
By Liz A Mair
RedState is evidently on fire today about the Rush Limbaugh controversy, and efforts by the Democrats to waste legislative time on their pet anti-Rush resolution.
As such, I thought I would mosey on over and make sure that the RedState community is aware of the fact that on Tuesday, errant Republican Rep. Walter B. Jones (NC-3) told FOX that he will be co-sponsoring the resolution condemning Limbaugh.
This follows months of Jones-- who represents a conservative (and military-heavy), not a moderate or liberal district-- voting with Democrats on the war, and taking quite a few bad economic votes, too, earning him a worse rating from the Club for Growth than five Democrats, and a number of Republicans not usually recognized for their devout fiscal conservatism. It also follows him spending evidently quite a bit of time hanging out with the likes of Dennis Kucinich and Cindy Sheehan.
As some readers will be aware, Jones is being challenged in next year's GOP primary by conservative County Commissioner Joe McLaughlin (full disclosure, I've done some work for McLaughlin). McLaughlin has today been running a radio ad in the district, which blasts Jones for his actions, and describes him as a "phony Republican." For any of you concerned about how the Rush controversy is playing out, and the Republican who's playing along with the Democrats on this one, I'd encourage you to check it out. You can also learn more about McLaughlin here.
Liz Mair writes daily at lizmair.com.
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Posted at 1:27am on May 19, 2007 Dennis Kucinich to be primaried in'08?
By Liz A Mair
I can't decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing.
U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich basks in the attention he gets as a Democratic presidential candidate, but could his uphill bid invite a strong primary election challenge for his 10th District seat in 2008?
Dean DePiero, the popular mayor of P
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Posted at 12:30am on Feb. 23, 2007 Almost certainly unconstitutional. And definitely stupid.
By Liz A Mair
OK, so the non-binding resolution on Iraq in the House was just a silly, rather insignificant waste of time. This, on the other hand, isn't. It's almost certainly unconstitutional, and definitely stupid.
Senate Democrats are drafting legislation to scale back the mission of U.S. troops in Iraq in an effort that would reduce the broad war-making powers Congress granted to President Bush in 2002, officials said Thursday...While these officials said the precise wording of the measure remains unsettled, one draft would restrict American troops in Iraq to combating Al Qaeda, training Iraqi army and police forces, maintaining Iraq's territorial integrity and otherwise proceeding with the withdrawal of combat forces.
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Posted at 5:38pm on Feb. 7, 2007 Who believes global warming is man made?
By Liz A Mair
Apparently, only 13% of Republican congressional insiders, and 95% of Dems. One Republican also offered that global warming was principally a man-made problem, but not exclusively, putting him in the "kinda-sorta" category.
In both cases, the most interesting thing to note is, more elected members of each party believed global warming was a man-made problem in April 2006 than do now. The second most interesting thing to note is the overwhelming alarmism of the Democrats' comments. The final most interesting thing to note is how happy Democrats seem to be to solve the problem by taxing and increasing the amount of fines the EPA will collect-- as opposed to doing things like generating more energy via nuclear power plants which are, you know, clean, efficient, and emissions-free, and produce really cheap fuel.
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Posted at 8:00pm on Feb. 1, 2007 Tom Tancredo isn't the only one who thinks the Congressional Hispanic Caucus sucks
By Liz A Mair
Just for fun, because it's Thursday afternoon, and you know, we all need a laugh.
Apparently, Rep. Loretta Sanchez does, too.
She's quit the Congressional Hispanic Caucus after fellow Democrat, Rep. Javier Baca, apparently called her something mean and nasty than rhymes with "sore."
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Posted at 8:51pm on Nov. 30, 2006 Moderates/lib-leaners v. social cons, Round Two
By Liz A Mair
For those following the little catfight going on between me and Martin A Knight, who blogs here, Round Two is now kicking off.
Here's my response to Martin's post of earlier this morning. Martin's comments are in italics, mine are in regular, boring font.
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Posted at 12:15pm on Nov. 21, 2006 Federalism is not "disingenuous"
By Liz A Mair
Note: this is cross-posted at my own site, WWW.GOPPROGRESS.COM. Anyone who shares my views on this issue would be most welcome to post any comments there. And no, that site is not a McCain site-- it gives equally favorable coverage to McCain and Giuliani, though it is becoming increasingly anti-Romney, in response to Romney's own outlandish statements...
This morning, The Examiner is running an article on Mitt Romney, which includes the following commentary:
Romney was less charitable to McCain, who on Sunday told ABC News: "I believe that the issue of gay marriage should be decided by the states." McCain also said, "I believe that gay marriage should not be legal."
Romney seized on the remarks.
"That's his position, and in my opinion, it's disingenuous," he said. "Look, if somebody says they're in favor of gay marriage, I respect that view. If someone says -- like I do -- that I oppose same-sex marriage, I respect that view. But those who try and pretend to have it both ways, I find it to be disingenuous."
Belief in the federalist system is disingenuous? Apparently, according to Mitt Romney.
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Posted at 12:43am on Nov. 11, 2006 DoJ must investigate the NM-1 and WA-8 elections
By Liz A Mair
Over at my site yesterday, I posted on some of the problems that occurred (and indeed may still be occurring) that threaten the integrity of the Congressional elections in New Mexico's First Congressional District, and in Washington's Eighth Congressional District.
I am now leading an effort to petition the Department of Justice to investigate election and ballot-counting irregularities in both districts. My petition can be found here.
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Posted at 5:02pm on Nov. 7, 2006 Some potentially bad news in MD
By Liz A Mair
Bob Ehrlich's campaign tells Hotline that internal poll tracking shows "that turnout is light in our key counties. If this trend continues through the rest of the day we may face real trouble. In 2002 we won because of the incredible turnout. Our latest comparison of turnout, shows a decline that could put the election in jeopardy."
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Posted at 2:19pm on Nov. 7, 2006 Dem surprise in NH-1?
By Liz A Mair
I sure hope not, but I have had an email through earlier today from someone who is very involved in New Hampshire politics saying that Dem turnout in coastal towns in New Hampshire's First District (represented by Jeb Bradley) has been very high-- meaning that suddenly, the New Hampshire Republican we all thought was safe might not be.
May I use this as an opportunity to remind any readers in New Hampshire (First or Second district) to go vote now-- and to take your like-minded friends and family with you.
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Posted at 12:56pm on Nov. 6, 2006 Liberal bloggers try to infiltrate GOTV effort in Ohio
By Liz A Mair
In Ohio, it looks like liberal bloggers are trying to sabotage the GOP GOTV effort by infiltrating it.
Although the lead saboteurs actually posted their calls for fellow saboteurs on liberal sites Plunderbund (which actually sounds like some kind of Neo-Nazi "take back the South" operation) and Buckeye State Blog last week, unfortunately, their crafty little scheme wasn't picked up until yesterday-- and even then, it appears the full extent of it was not apparent.
More here.
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Posted at 6:41pm on Nov. 5, 2006 Survivor (the 80's band, not the show) to aid Ned Lamont
By Liz A Mair
OK, I don't normally write about Dem politics or Ned Lamont, but this is funny.
These guys really will be playing "Eye of the Tiger" at a Lamont rally in Danbury, because Ned is apparently a big fan.
Who knew liberals were that into butt rock?! Full story available here.
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Posted at 3:06pm on Nov. 3, 2006 "Hey, old lady, if you don't vote for me, I'll eat your head."
By Liz A Mair
I found this picture of Paul Hodes, Charlie Bass' Democrat challenger, a little disturbing. Kind of like I think the little old lady in it found Mr. Hodes.
This should be treated as an excuse for general anti-Dem carping.
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