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Posted at 6:00am on Jul. 9, 2008 Nancy Pelosi Wants to Shut Down Member Blogging

Democrats in the House Want Representatives to Only Post to "Approved" Websites

By The Directors

We've had the pleasure to host many Representatives here at RedState, where they've written about issues that interest us all. But that may all be about to change if Nancy Pelosi has her way.

Via Congressman John Culberson's (R-TX) twitter feed, we learned today of an incredible threat to Congressional activity on the internet.

johnculberson: Before I could post a Tweet I would have to get approval of the twits that run the House! 25 minutes ago from web

johnculberson: I just learned the Dems are trying to censor Congressmen's ability to use Twitter Qik YouTube Utterz etc - outrageous and I will fight them about 3 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Culberson and John Boehner have spoken out on the issue already, and Reps. Vern Ehlers (R-MI), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and Tom Price (R-GA) are leading the opposition. Under the rule, any kind of site that involves posting - including miniblogs on Twitter, podcasts, video on Youtube, etc. - would all have to be on sites "approved" by the House Democrat leadership as complying with House regulations. As the release states:

"Under the proposal, the House Administration Committee would develop a list of "approved" websites, and Members of Congress could only post content on such websites."

Whatever intention the Democrats have, this idea is ridiculous. Congressmen should be able to decide for themselves where and how they interact with their constituents and the American people.

Tell Nancy Pelosi and the House Administration Committee to stop trying to block transparency and openness in government. Call them at 202-224-3121.

Posted in Congress — Comments (29)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 6:26am on Jun. 27, 2008 Damn us all and our party if we let this go

Congressman Delahunt can be reached at 202-225-3111 and by fax at 202-225-5658

By The Directors

It is no secret that public discourse in this country has become very shrill. Blogs on the left regularly feature vulgar diatribes against the right. Some on the right do the same. Keith Olbermann tells the President to "shut the hell up" on his television program. The New York Times publicly reveals the name of a CIA agent who did the dirty work of interrogating captured Al Qaeda operatives. The left says, "So, the right did it to Valerie Plame," treating as morally equivalent the disclosure of the spy no longer spying and the disclosure of one of the men Al Qaeda would love to behead.

While Congress has also descended into a more shrill style, until yesterday it had not crossed one line of civility that never should be crossed on either side.

David Addington is the Vice President's Chief of Staff. Yesterday, he testified before Congress.

During the course of the hearing, Congressman and Obama Superdelegate William Delahunt (MA-10) asked Mr. Addington about water boarding. Mr. Addington responded that he would not go into details because Al Qaeda is probably watching.

Congressman Delahunt's response was, "I'm glad they finally have a chance to see you."

Mr. Delahunt now denies he meant what he said. But what he clearly said was "I'm glad they finally have a chance to see you." Al Qaeda now knows the face of one of the men who relentlessly pursues its henchmen and deals with their interrogations. Mr. Addington volunteered for public service, not a death sentence with Congressional encouragement. Mr. Delahunt is both a vile liar and a cowardly lion willing to roar down at Mr. Addington while encouraging terrorists to do his dirty work in a war he has been ineffective at stopping.

The left, while attacking Charlie Black for stating the obvious -- that a terrorist incident helps the GOP politically because they are seen as more competent in the national security arena -- is defending this degradation of congressional discourse and vile swipe at Mr. Addington.

This discourse — a member of Congress glad Al Qaeda has a face it can pursue — is beneath the dignity of the Congress and beneath the dignity of civil discourse in this country.

If you do not call your Congressman today and demand the House of Representatives, at the very *least*, censure Congressman Delahunt, well damn us all. We have no right to carry on our fight.

The number is 202-224-3121 and Congressman Delahunt's email address is william.delahunt@mail.house.gov.

And some intrepid reporter should ask Mr. Obama what he thinks of this.  After all, Mr. Delahunt was one of Mr. Obama's early supporters and is now an Obama superdelegate. Of course, you can ask Barack Obama yourself at (866) 675-2008.

When you call your Congressman, you should make sure he knows an apology from Mr. Delahunt will not suffice. Delahunt clearly is lying about and denying his statement. "I'm sorry" would just be more of the same.

Posted in Bill Delahunt | Congress | David Addington | MA-10 | Massachusetts — Comments (55)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 12:37pm on Jun. 24, 2008 The GOP is the Party of Freedom of Choice: The Party that Believes in Your Right to Direct Your Life

Charles Manson stole this song from the Beatles – now, we’re stealing it back.

By The Directors

Editor's Note: Over the past several months, RedState contributors have debated a platform of ideas that we think the Republican Party should advocate. This is the end result. From this, we intend to seek Members of Congress and State Legislatures to begin pushing legislative initiatives based on the idea of expanding the freedom of individuals to choose their own path in life. — Erick.

The Republican Party has always embraced a wide range of ideological beliefs – and this diversity of thought has sometimes inspired conflict, as it has also led to great achievement. Yet through all debates, despite all regional or political concerns, the foundation of Republicanism has been the same since its inception: the freedom of the individual, and the value of every human life.

These principles have guided the party from its origin as a political force to destroy slavery, to the long fight against communism, to the ongoing battle for the sanctity of the unborn, to the present war against the forces of Islamism. Those principles will guide the Republican Party through the twenty-first century, and beyond. And we believe the GOP must rededicate itself to the idea of individual freedom – of being the party that believes not in government mandated parity, which wields the power of the bureaucracy to force a false equality of outcome, but in a level playing field for all Americans regardless of race, class, or creed – ensuring an equal opportunity to compete, succeed, and thrive.

The Republican Party must reclaim its rightful mantle as the leading champion of Freedom of Choice.

People must be free to decide how to direct their lives for themselves, and then be responsible for their choices.

Read on . . .

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Posted at 10:47am on Jun. 18, 2008 Demand Congress Investigate Senator Chris Dodd

By The Directors

The New York Times reports this morning that Senator Chris Dodd (D-CN) had suspicious dealings with Countrywide Financial, the mortgage lender Senator Dodd is attempting to bailout with taxpayer dollars.

According to Senator Dodd, he knew he was in a "V.I.P. program" at Countrywide Financial, but he denies that this meant he was getting special treatment from Countrywide Financial.

That's like being a member of the United States Senate and thinking you get treated just like everybody else.

Most damning, however, is that Senator Dodd is now trying to bailout Countrywide Financial with billions of taxpayer dollars.

Call your senator at 202-224-3121.

Tell your Senator there must be a full investigation to determine if Senator Dodd is operating in a quid pro quo relationship with Countrywide Financial.

Likewise, the Senate should not consider Senator Dodd's mortgage bailout proposal that benefits Countrywide Financial until we know if Senator Dodd is returning the favor of his very low interest mortgage rate.

Finally, tell your senator that Senator Dodd should step down from chairing the Banking Committee. If he is not smart enough to know being in Countrywide's "V.I.P. Program" gave him special treatment, he is not smart enough to preside over this important committee.

Posted in Chris Dodd | Congress | Connecticut | Countrywide Financial | Mortgage Bailout | Quid pro quo — Comments (6)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 4:07pm on Jun. 12, 2008 The POTUS Should Respond to the SCOTUS By Making Congress Decide

By The Directors

Dear Mr. President,

Despite Congress taking the rare step of ceding jurisdiction away from the Supreme Court pursuant to Article III of the Constitution, the Supreme Court has chosen to ignore both the Legislative and Executive Branches by hearing cases involving Gitmo prisoners. To be clear, Congress had the power to deny the Supreme Court jurisdiction in this matter. Congress did do that. You signed the law denying the Court's jurisdiction. The Supreme Court ignored you both.

While we are tempted to advise that you ignore the Supreme Court, thereby showing it the deference it has shown the Congress and White House, we do not think you need to take Andrew Jackson's stance.

Mr. President, the Supreme Court has put all three branches of the federal government in an awkward position. By choosing to ignore a clear and constitutional prohibition on its own power, it now forces the hand of the other branches of government. Just as problematically, the Court has thrown out what Chief Justice Roberts called "the most generous set of procedural protections ever afforded aliens detained by this country as enemy combatants" and failed to specify what procedures should be used in their place.

Respectfully, Mr. President, we suggest you go immediately to Congress, point out that Congress had stripped the Supreme Court of its jurisdiction on the very issue, and ask for the Congress's advice on how to faithfully execute this matter since you would be guided by a Supreme Court decision the Court was without constitutional authority to actually render, and which struck down rules passed by Congress leaving nothing in their place.

In other words, Mr. President, let the Speaker and Senate Majority Leader decide if we should or should not coddle terrorists pursuant to the Supreme Court's decision.
Sincerely,
RedState.com

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Posted at 10:16am on Jun. 1, 2008 Glenn McCall Wins

By The Directors

A bit of Republican history was made today in South Carolina. Glenn McCall won a race for RNC Committeeman. McCall becomes the first black committeeman ever elected to the RNC from South Carolina and only the second from the South.

McCall is presently the York County GOP Chairman. He's an effective organizer and spokesman. A Huckabee supporter during the primary, McCall told the audience "compassionate conservatism" does not mean spending. It means engaging in the community, going into crisis pregnancy centers in the black community, explaining why the GOP is the best party for individuals regardless of race, and it means confronting Obama's vision for America.

We congratulate Glenn McCall and we hope he will join us as fresh voices in the GOP ready to clean house and return to our conservative roots that put freedom first.

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Posted at 3:02pm on May 20, 2008 On Senator Kennedy

By The Directors

Multiple news sources are reporting that Senator Ted Kennedy has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. At this moment, it is important to realize that Senator Kennedy is not merely a politician nor the sum of his public policy stances. He is a human being - created in the image of God, and dear to his family and friends. As such, our prayers are with Senator Kennedy for his health and for comfort for those who are close to him. May he have a swift and speedy recovery.

Posted in Congress — Comments (149)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 11:35am on May 14, 2008 Clean House at the NRCC

By The Directors

After losing three consecutive special elections in Republican-leaning districts in Illinois, Louisiana and Mississippi, House Republicans need to make a decision: They can continue on this course until November and embrace disaster or they can clean house and bring a new direction to the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Conservatives have been voicing their frustration with NRCC Chairman Tom Cole for more than a year. In fact, it was last May when Cole shocked conservatives with this outrageous quote in the Washington Post regarding the 2006 election losses: "Oh, I don't think the problem was spending. People who argue that we lost because we weren't true to our base, that's just wrong."

Over the course of the past year, the NRCC has been rocked with a major financial scandal, lackluster fundraising and a rash of retirements. Now the committee is facing the prospect that it can't even win in a Mississippi district that gave President Bush 62% of the vote in 2004 or a Louisiana seat that the GOP has held for more than three decades.

Cole doesn't deserve the blame for all that went wrong in the three special elections. But as the chairman of the GOP's congressional campaign arm, he does have to take responsibility. And the responsible thing for him to do is pass the torch to someone new.

Changing the campaign chairman at this late stage won't solve all of the GOP's problems, but it will demonstrate that the party is serious about change -- something Minority Leader John Boehner emphasized in his comments about the Mississippi loss.

"The results in MS-01 should serve as a wake-up call to Republican candidates nationwide," Boehner said. "As I've said before, this is a change election, and if we want Americans to vote for us we have to convince them that we can fix Washington."

Boehner can start by politely asking Cole to step aside. The two have feuded dating to last fall about the NRCC's direction. They have apparently since patched up their differences, but last night's results are likely to only revive those old tensions. That's not a healthy relationship heading into one of the busiest times of the year.

Cole's resignation isn't the only matter the GOP needs to address. The party must unify around Sen. John McCain's anti-earmark pledge. Veteran earmarxists such as Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) and new appropriators like Rep. Jo Bonner (R-Ala.) need to stop talking and start acting. Only by taking significant steps toward fiscal responsibility can the GOP stave off some of the damage.

The same goes for the war on terror and domestic issues ranging from energy exploration to market-based health care. Now is not the time to play it safe. Republicans need new ideas and new leaders. Replacing Tom Cole is one way to start. New leadership elections would be another way. We know they won't actually do it. Republicans do not do such things. And this failure of bold leadership in the face of adversity will bring about what we all know will happen in November: compounded losses. So be it.

Posted in 2008 | Tom Cole — Comments (41)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 2:19pm on May 13, 2008 Pulling a Kowalski

Honoring one of our own

By The Directors

Alex Kowalski is an institution at RedState. He's been around here longer than most and has taken more leaves of absence than most. RedState would not be RedState without people like Alex Kowalski. He's given his time, talent, enthusiasm, money, and a heck of a lot more, and we're better for it.

Perhaps the most distinguished legacy of Alex at this site is the coining of a phrase. When someone goes "Kowalski" they are replying to themselves in a comment thread. Alex is notorious for this. Long before Krempasky spilled the beans in a comment thread one day, it was routine for the site contributors to note someone "pulling a Kowalski" in a post. Since the day krempasky let slip that this was our in-house term, it has become part of our culture.

Today we'd like to announce that we'll be making that part of RedState's permanent culture. When RedState 3.0 launches, any user who attempts to reply to that user's own comment will not see the "reply to this" button. Instead, the user will see the button at right.

While we realize this is a rather in-house joke, we think it is most appropriate and a great way to recognize Alex's contribution to the growth of this site.

Posted in Miscellanea — Comments (31)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 9:30am on May 6, 2008 RedState Endorses Tom Rooney (FL-16). Let's take back that seat.

By The Directors

In 2006 with Mark Foley's unexpected resignation from Florida 16, the historically Republican district elected Democrat Tim Mahoney. It's time to take back the seat.

To take back Florida 16, the Republicans will need to elect someone who fits the district. It is a conservative district that stretches across the state. It is a very good fit for Tom Rooney, the conservative Republican running.

Tom Rooney is a native to the area. He and his wife both served the military in the Army JAG Corps. In 2002, Tom went to teach law at West Point before heading home to serve as an Assistant Attorney General. Tom Rooney is active in the community, serving on the Children's Services Council of Palm Beach Board of Directors, while maintaining his law practice. He, his wife, and their three sons live in Tequesta, Florida.

More importantly for us at RedState, Tom Rooney is a small government, pro-life conservative. He doesn't just want to cut taxes, he wants to cut spending. We trust Tom to remain consistently conservative when he gets to Washington, D.C.

Men like Tom Rooney are needed to take back the GOP. While we've looked at his opponents, we are convinced that Tom is the best fit for the district and is least likely to go off the conservative reservation.

RedState has also started a new vetting process. To make sure we've got a good understanding of a candidate's positions, I sent Mr. Rooney a questionnaire asking him to outline his positions on various issues -- worded to make sure he'd have to give us more than a yes or no. I think you'll agree when you review them that he is worth supporting. See the questionnaire here.

It's been some time since we've asked you to open your wallet for a candidate. We need candidates like Tom Rooney to make up ground in the Congress. Tom Rooney has the best shot at beating Congressman Mahoney, but he has to get out of his primary. So give what you can today.

And remember, the more we're willing to put our money where our mouth is, the more we'll grow in influence. For that reason, it is important for online conservative activists to give.

If you have one, add Tom Rooney to your Slatecard. If you don't have one, get a Slatecard.

Posted in 2008 | FL-16 | Tim Mahoney | Tom Rooney — Comments (23)/ Email this page » / Read More »