Redstate

Posted at 10:20am on Apr. 2, 2008 I Miss Mitt

By Michelle Oddis

Mitt Romney on America's Newsroom this morning

Hemmer: Alot of people are writing about how much damage is being done to Democrats. Do you believe that?

Romney: It is hard to tell how much real damage has been done because it is so early. Both Democrats are trying to convince us that the other is unelectable, and I agree with both of them.

Hemmer: I know you were with John McCain last week. Did you talk much about the economy? Alot of people think it is a sore spot for him.

Posted in Archived | Mitt Romney — Comments (12) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 11:06am on Mar. 25, 2008 Lets Pretend the Movie Isn't About the War? That Might Work?

By Michelle Oddis

A few months ago I blogged about “Stop Loss” an anti war/anti military film that focuses on the militaries involuntary stop loss recruitment Stop-Loss policy. Stop Loss will be out in theaters this Friday. “You Fought for America, You Gave Everything...They Want More,” boasts the trailer for the film promoted by MTV Films.

Posted in 2008 | Anti-war liberals | Hollywood | Movies | Stop Loss — Comments (59) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 12:18pm on Dec. 19, 2007 New Yorkers aka Liberals on Rudy

By Michelle Oddis

This video (posted yesterday by The Seminal, an “independent media viewpoint outside of partisan politics and corporate control”) captures your day to day New Yorker sharing their honest opinion on Rudy Giuliani. Initially I was interested...unfortunately, as usual, listening to the voices of most New Yorkers puts me in a foul mood. Keep in mind I myself grew up in a suburb of the Big Apple and have been privy to their extremist rants on several occasions.

Watching this clip reminds me exactly why Giuliani has liberal tendencies... in a place like New York City, you must.

Even worse was the substance of their “insight.” I don’t expect everyone to have a working knowledge of national or local politics, but people who have little to no argument only a disliking of anything "Republican" -- and then arrogantly act like their opinion is fact -- really drive me crazy.

The clip starts out decent but gets progressively hard to listen to:

Posted in 2008 | Liberals | New York | Rudy Giuliani — Comments (31) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 2:41pm on Dec. 13, 2007 "A Little Snappier Gentleman"

By Michelle Oddis

Was John McCain there yesterday? I didn’t notice. I think we need another rendition of "Bomb Bomb Bomb – Bomb Bomb Iran." Call someone a "little jerk," start a fight with Cornyn again… I like him better with guns blazing.

And Tom Tancredo what was your problem? Was someone in a bad mood? You took your time taking cheap shots at Romney, what a waste of breath. Knocking the top tier’ers will not help you now... it’s too late. I thought his comments about Romney seemed spiteful and bitter. No political gain for him there so what was the point? As a matter of fact he was so aggressive that the Monotoner (boy was she the worst moderator or what? I take that back shes better than listening to Matthews) cut him off.

Alan Keyes -- What in the world was he going on and on about? His presence cheapened the debate. If I had an office in Iowa would I be able to participate too? If I did... I think I would have come off more coherent then he did. Stop preaching, start talking. I dont want a revival I want a president. Thank God Huckabee doesnt sing when he...

Alan -- the monotoner was ignoring you because your answers had NOTHING to do with the questions...

"EXCUSE ME, DO I HAVE TO RAISE MY HAND?"

"I'M GETTING TO YOU."

"NO, YOU'RE NOT. YOU HAVEN'T IN SEVERAL GO ROUNDS, SO I HAVE TO MAKE AN ISSUE OUT OF IT. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION."

"YOUR UNFAIRNESS IS NOW BECOMING SO APPARENT THAT THE VOTERS IN IOWA MUST UNDERSTAND THERE'S A REASON FOR IT, AND THE REASON IS WHAT I'M ABOUT TO SAY."

Well, that was awkward.

“And I would say as president one of my goals would be I cant part the Red Sea, but I believe I would part the red tape."

Hmmm, who said that? It wasn’t Moses...

I thought Huck did well but the biblical references are starting to seem staged – or maybe I am more aware of them now? I knew Huck would make it to the top...He earned it. He participated and fought for it. He said the right things at the right times and he seems to really want it... (cough Fred Thompson cough)

Fred was good, but I don’t know that he won per se... I don’t think anyone "won" really. I wish Fred was there before, I really do. His best answer was on the new NIE on Iran.

"WE HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH OUR INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY. IT ALONG WITH CERTAIN PARTS OF OUR MILITARY WERE NEGLECTED FOR A LONG, LONG TIME IN THIS COUNTRY, AND WE'RE PAYING THE PRICE NOW. THE FACT IS NOBODY HAS ANY REAL CONFIDENCE IN THE RESULT THAT THEY'RE GETTING. THE RESULT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WAS DIRECTLY CONTRADICTED BY THEIR STRONG BELIEFS JUST TWO YEARS AGO. SO YOU'VE GOT TO REBUILD FROM THE BOTTOM UP. I THINK THAT IN THE MEAN MEANTIME, WE HAVE TO RELY ON OTHER PEOPLE, THE BRITISH ARE HELPFUL TO US, THE ISRAELIS SOMETIMES ARE HELPFUL TO US."

I really liked his line about Romney getting good at acting.
I like Romney, but sometimes I do worry about that.

Sometimes I think: Mitt -- are you always "on?"

I wanna see Mitt in his pajama’s with his hair messed up. (NOW STOP IT THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEAN! GET YOUR MIND OUT OF THE GUTTER) I mean I need him to not be in a perfectly tailored suit with his hair all coifed. Go dig in the dirt or take pictures of you hunting or pumping your own gas or SOMETHING. I see a suit, and that’s all. That worries me occasionally.

Most of all, my favorite thing about this debate -- It means something now. It’s no longer a glorified press conference. I popped pop corn and sat at my desk analyzing Iowa on my 2006 election results map while I chuckled and boo’ed. This is when it starts to get fun.

P.S. I didnt forget Rudy... just didnt think he said anything worth mentioning.

Posted in 2008 | Debate | Fred Thompson | GOP | Iowa Caucuses | John McCain | Romney | Rudy Giuliani — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 2:11pm on Dec. 6, 2007 If Romney is Kix then Thompson is Flax Seed

By Michelle Oddis

Not that my choice will influence anyone -- but I’m proud to write that I have finally committed to a candidate, and I’m sure this time. TOO BAD IT TOOK SO LONG. My indecisiveness concerned me mainly becuase I dream about politics which is mostly... sad.

I’ve only lived in the swamp for a little over a year now, and from the very first week that I got wrapped up in all this the damn politicians have even invaded my dreams. Condi, Pelosi, Reid...they have all made appearances.

The most memorable would have to be the one when I was joy riding in the back of a black Suburban, Karl Rove was the driver and G.W. was talking to me from the front passenger seat. It would be pointless to explain the rest of the dream because it makes no sense (you know monkeys joining us for tea after we raced in shopping carts type of stuff)

I eat, sleep, and breathe politics it seems and it gets particularly bad around election time. This morning I woke up and immediately thought: These little jerks are really not going to vote because they don’t like the way we have “treated Ron Paul.” That was really my very first thought. I’m not sure if this means I’m incredibly devoted or again ... it’s just sad.

Anyway, last September I met Mitt Romney at the Evans and Novak Political Forum. He gave a free speech and it was the first I had seen of him. He looked presidential even a year ago... he was escorted in by secret service. I showed Gov. Romney and his men to the room he would be speaking in, he was polite and charming.

He answered questions about his faith, of course joking that it was ironic that as a Mormon he was the only candidate with ONE wife.

He spoke about his family, and about healthcare in Massachusetts, I wasn’t crazy about the plan -- but for his state -- it worked. He seemed competent; he was debonair in a JFK manner. I liked him.

I read an article shortly after that in The American about Mitt and his accomplishments in the business world. I was impressed with his ability to “fix broken companies” and immediately thought of the mess I wished he could clean up here in the U.S.

Matthew Rees, wrote about Romney’s investments in an office supplies chain -- later to be known as Staples: “He was willing to pursue -- and analyze -- data that others wouldn’t bother to chase down. His dogged persistence paid off. During the 14 years Romney headed Bain Capital, the firm’s average annual internal rate of return on realized investments was a staggering 113 percent. At that growth rate, a hypothetical $1,000 investment would grow to $39.6 million before fees. Few, if any, VC firms have ever matched Bain Capital’s performance under Mitt Romney.”

Again “in 1998 he was asked to perform another rescue, leading the Salt Lake City Olympic Committee. His task was to save the 2002 Winter Games, which were in jeopardy after a corruption scandal. Again, Romney turned around a dire situation. A $379 million deficit became a $56 million surplus, and the Games were widely recognized as a success.”

In an interview at Human Events this week, I asked a man (who must remain nameless) with an incredible background in national defense as well as a social conservative, who he thought was right for the job? He answered Romney, for the same reasons I listed above. He can fix our broken state.

Through out recent months I’ve thought of Rudy but I fear he has a terrible past and an armory of photo’s, insults and skeletons wait for him, with love from the Democratic party and their amen chorus the liberal media of course. While I’ve admired his tenacity and sharp tongue during the debates, I can’t overlook some of his liberal characteristics.

And simply put, Thompson just hasnt showed me what hes made of. The idea that he just doesnt want it that bad, sticks.

Romney’s speech about his faith this morning was the deal sealer.

This moved me:

"Some believe that such a confession of my faith will sink my candidacy. If they are right, so be it. But I think they underestimate the American people. Americans do not respect believers of convenience.

Americans tire of those who would jettison their beliefs, even to gain the world.

There is one fundamental question about which I often am asked. What do I believe about Jesus Christ? I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. My church's beliefs about Christ may not all be the same as those of other faiths. Each religion has its own unique doctrines and history. These are not bases for criticism but rather a test of our tolerance. Religious tolerance would be a shallow principle indeed if it were reserved only for faiths with which we agree.”

With this I agree whole heartedly, and now feel comfortable that Romney is my well rounded presidential candidate.

P.S. On a separate note I was just thinking... Remember when who you voted for was private?

Posted in 2008 | Mitt Romney — Comments (34) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 11:36am on Nov. 26, 2007 Dumbo Drop Meets Eagle Claw

By Michelle Oddis

Hyperliberal, loud mouth Rosie O’Donnell was attacked over the holiday, resulting in her mouth being sewn shut by surgeons. Unfortunately -- while accurate -- that lede was only a summary of a Rosie appearance on Fox’s racy series “Nip/Tuck.” Even if it was fiction, it was still a pleasure to watch.

Even more pleasing (at least for conservatives) was her assailant: a bald eagle.

Posted in Hollywood | Rosie O'Donnell — Comments (1) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 12:24pm on Nov. 5, 2007 Reagan21: The Details

By Michelle Oddis

Last week after a few Congressmen and Senators posted on RS about Reagan21, users had many of the same questions regarding the new caucus. I made sure to address these questions when I interviewed some of the bicameral group’s founders. Here is a cross post of my story on Human Events today.

Last week hyper-partisan Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters that “we’re about at the tail end of the Ronald Reagan era, where his ideas -- fresh and, even as a Democrat, I’d say, many of them needed at the time -- have just lost steam, lost resonance.” We beg to differ. And so do the members of the new “Reagan21” caucus. The idea behind Reagan21 is to invigorate the Republican Party by restoring “integrity and optimism” and “ignite a 21st century Reagan revolution.”

Posted in 2008 | Reagan21 — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 3:26pm on Oct. 25, 2007 Smokey Bear says “Only you can prevent socialized medicine”

By Michelle Oddis

Rep. Mike Pence told me a couple weeks ago that the Dems plan to delay the SCHIP veto over-ride vote for two weeks was the biggest 'political charade' he had seen all year.

The House Republican Conference just sent a release pointing out:

Dems Delay SCHIP Vote Two Weeks to Accommodate MoveOn Attack Ads – No Delay for Wildfire Horror.

“I don’t know that there is something happening today that won’t be true tomorrow … I don’t believe they’re going out there to fight the fire.”

– Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), 10/25/07, on Democrats’ refusal to delay legislative business while California Republicans see to constituents affected by the catastrophic wildfires.

The coverage of this massive wildfire is on every news network. The damage from the fire has been has been compared to damage caused by hurricane Katrina.

If Republicans were to go about business as usual as the Democrats are suggesting you could bet your butt that the spin factory would turn toward the heartless Republicans 'ignoring victims.'

There is no winning folks, irrational Democrats do only what benefits their agenda, natural disaster or not.

Look who is heartless now.

Posted in 2008 — Comments (8) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 4:03pm on Oct. 18, 2007 Dem Strategy Works to Republican Advantage

By Michelle Oddis

Republican Leader Boehner's office put together these comment worthy SCHIP notes.

The Votes:

September 25 SCHIP Vote: 273-156
· 45 Republicans votes yes
· 151 Republicans voted no
· 5 Republicans did not vote

After 3 weeks and millions of dollars in political attack ads…

October 18, 2007 SCHIP Vote: 273-156
· 44 Republicans voted yes
· 154 Republicans voted no
· 2 Republicans did not vote

They suggest: "After delaying the SCHIP veto-override vote for more than two weeks and spending millions on disingenuous political attack ads to smear Republicans, Democrats secured…..ZERO additional Republican votes for their misguided bill.

If measured by these results, the political strategy employed by House Democratic leaders must be considered a complete and utter failure."

Keep up the good work Dems -- Your smear factory efforts only dig you deeper.

Posted in Breaking News — Comments (8) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 12:52pm on Aug. 10, 2007 Cpl. Sean Stokes: Your Point Man

By Michelle Oddis

I received an anonymous email last week. The email referred to a November 2006 HUMAN EVENTS article titled “Remember the Heroes of Fallujah” by James C. Roberts. The story was written to commemorate the two year anniversary of Operation Phantom Fury, an iconic mission in which select Marine and Army battalions surrounded and entered the city of Fallujah to sweep out jihadists.

Posted in War — Comments (4) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 1:10pm on May 8, 2007 Kansas Gov. Has Not Even Asked for Help?

By Michelle Oddis

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sibelius (D) who has been saying National Guard assets don't exist in other states to help Greensburg disaster victims hasn't even asked for them yet, according to National Guard sources statements to HUMAN EVENTS today.

On NBC's “Today Show" Gov. Sibelius said "Fifty percent of the equipment is gone and we can't borrow from other states because their equipment is gone."

H.E. spoke with Cpt. Spicer of the Missouri National Guard to inquire how much help Missouri would be able to provide. Cpt. Spicer answered that “We have not been asked for help.”

We asked Cpt. Spicer if Gov. Sibelius was to ask the Missouri National Guard for assistance, would they be able to help?

“Whenever we are asked for help we do our best to provide it, for instance when Louisiana needed help we sent 2000 soldiers and airmen in, in a period of 72 hours.”

White House spokesman Tony Snow has responded to Sibelius’s statements saying "There's been an enormous amount of help on the scene already, frankly, when it comes to what's been going on with the tornado FEMA has certainly been actively engaged, and the administration is doing whatever it can." Snow said. “And if there's a need for equipment, it will arrive."

AP reported that Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, said the Kansas National Guard was equipped to about 40% of its necessary levels and that about 850 soldiers have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Posted in Breaking News — Comments (9) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 1:16pm on May 1, 2007 Waxman Blames Military

By Michelle Oddis

On Tuesday April 24, the Oversight Committee held a hearing regarding the controversies surrounding the death of Cpl. Pat Tillman and the rescue of Pfc. Jessica Lynch. In Chairman Henry Waxman's opening statement he accused the military of providing false information to the media in order to fabricate "heroes."

“For Jessica Lynch and Pat Tillman, the government violated its most basic responsibility”

"In working on this hearing, the Committee has learned of many other cases in which the military failed to tell families the truth.”

Lt. Gen. Michael DeLong (USMC, ret.) was deputy commander at United States Central Command from 2001 to 2003 and represented the military regarding the capture and rescue of Pfc. Jessica D. Lynch in Iraq.

Read on . . .

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Posted at 11:04am on Apr. 19, 2007 Sen. Trent Lott Off the Record

By Michelle Oddis

One week from today, April 26, is Robert Novak's "Political Forum" held at the University Club in DC.

I went to his last forum and it was really impressive. How often do you shake Mitt Romney's hand or listen to Rahm Emanuel and Tom Reynolds debate about mid-term elections while you fork though a pear and gorgonzola salad.

This is your opportunity to ask potential presidential candidates, and prominent politicians questions and get frank answers about the state of our nation and economy.

Posted in Special Events — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 12:29pm on Apr. 18, 2007 Will Americans Forget Va.-Tech?

By Michelle Oddis

Twenty-four years ago today Islamic extremists bombed the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon -- killing 63 people.

Seventeen of these 63 were Americans -- Robert C. Ames, Thomas Blacka, Phyliss N. Faraci, Terry Gilden, Kenneth E. Haas, Deborah Hixon, Frank J. Johnston, James F. Lewis, Monique Lewis, Staff Sergeant Ben H. Maxwell, William McIntyre, Corporal Robert V. McMaugh, Staff Sergeant Mark E. Salazar, William Sheil, Janet Lee Stevens, Sergeant First Class Richard Twine and Albert N. Votaw.

Posted in History — Comments (4) / Email this page » / Read More »