Bush-Cheney 2004 -- Spokane, WA

Spokane/WA GOP politics

2004-04-07T15:05:00.000-07:00

Todd Mielke withdraws from House race, will run for County Commissioner.

Shaun Cross steps down as Public Facilities District chairman to concentrate on the race for Congress.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi has more campaign cash than Dem. Christine Gregoire (for now).

Wictory Wednesday!

2004-04-07T05:45:00.000-07:00

First, if you're not registered to vote, do it!

Get involved: Sign up as a volunteer.

Donate: At the official Bush-Cheney 2004 site, or (up to $200) through Amazon.com.

Attend pro-Bush, pro-America, pro-troop rallies and Bush campaign events in your area.

Show your colors: Buy some Bush-Cheney 2004 stuff at the official George W. Bush online store.

If you have a blog, join Wictory Wednesday. Not only will you be helping the effort to re-elect the President, but you'll get a spot on the Wictory Wednesday Blogroll which appears on each WW blog:

Parties for the President

2004-04-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

Help us reach our goal of 2004 Parties for the President on Thursday, April 29! Join thousands of Bush supporters and a senior campaign leader on a nationwide conference call at 8pm EST. Sign up now to host one of these fun, informal parties to help re-elect President Bush!

If you can't throw your own party, then plan on attending a party (after all, parties need partygoers as well as hosts). At the Bush website, you can enter your zip code and see all the parties planned for your area. You can request an invitation to the one you want to attend.

Get together with your fellow Bush supporters and party!

[Updated time to bump this post to the top.]

Update: Vice President Cheney will be making a conference call to the parties on the 29th.

WA: Locke vetoes "top two" primary.

2004-04-01T18:42:00.000-08:00

Good thing, too (much as it pains me to praise Locke). The "top two" system is what they have in Louisiana, where the top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party. Yuck. That would have been worse than the horrible "blanket" primary we just got rid of (though my first impulse was to say that the court was wrong to find it unconstitutional; however, Scalia, Thomas, and Rehnquist all voted that way, so I figure I must be wrong).

Now we'll have a "Montana-style" system with separate ballots for each party. Voters must request one party's ballot, but will not have to register by party.

Personally, I'd prefer registration by party, but this is way better than what we used to have.

New Bush TV ads

2004-04-01T18:27:00.000-08:00

"Troubling" (about Kerry the tax-hiker) and "Wacky" (a comedic ad about Kerry the gas-tax-hiker).

New Bush supporter accessory: flip flops

2004-04-01T17:53:00.000-08:00

(Via SondraK.com and Army of One.)

We read with interest today's New York Times report about a campaign appearance by Sen. John Kerry. What caught our eye was this brief anecdote: "[T]he senator was greeted on Tuesday in California by Bush supporters who held up black plastic flip-flops and clapped them together as Mr. Kerry tried to speak."

I prefer sandals, myself, but I may have to invest in a cheap pair of flip-flops just to take them to Kerry rallies.

The Democrats are panicking

2004-03-31T13:54:00.000-08:00

What else can explain the astonishing errors they have made recently? John Kerry has, of course, been making an ass of himself every time he appears in public, most recently by attacking President Bush's religion while simultaneously telling his own church's leaders to shut up and stop presuming to give him moral guidance, insisting that every price increase is a tax increase, and having his spokesperson give credence to the lunatic idea that Bill Clinton will be his Secretary of State.

[Update: Being a steadfast ignorer of all things MTV, I missed the actual latest self-inflicted Kerry disaster: he publicly blamed Bush for terrorism during his "Choose or Lose" appearance (via Hugh Hewitt).]

And this last week the Democrats did something which only makes sense as an expression of blind, stupid panic: They invited the American people to cast their vote on the issue of terrorism.

Stupid, stupid. Thank you, Lord, for making them so stupid.

Before Richard Clarke popped up with his accusations, an unofficial truce had been in effect: the blame for intelligence failures and general lack of seriousness on terrorism would be parcelled out about equally between the parties. Although occasionally a Paul O'Neill or a Frank Gaffney would squeeze off a shot over the barricades, this truce, in the main, was holding. Both sides saw the danger in playing the blame game instead of focusing on the future. So why did the Democrats choose to break this truce and embrace Richard Clarke's bizarre and indefensible assertion that President Clinton was better on terrorism than President Bush?

[Update: And do it without even bothering to check on Clarke's past statements? Clarke himself is, at best, an egomaniac and a fantasist who might not have understood that his assertions would be questioned and contradictions publicized, but that can't explain why the Dems so eagerly jumped in bed with him.]

The only reason I can see is panic. Kerry's big chance--well, his only chance, really--was to get America's mind off terrorism and onto the economy and domestic issues.

But with the economy picking up steam, and with the Bush team successfully portraying Kerry as a tax-raiser and flip-flopper, panic set in. When Kerry's poll numbers started to fall (and I'd love to see the Dems' internal polling numbers), the Democrats decided (or perhaps they stumbled) on a desperation move: They would try to pin all the blame for our government's failures against terrorism on President Bush.

This was, of course, stupid. By doing this, not only have the Democrats ensured that terrorism is an even bigger issue in the campaign that it might have been, but they've opened the door for Republicans to point out Clinton's failings on terrorism, which are by any rational measure far worse than Bush's. Had the Republicans started the blame-throwing, they would have looked petty. Now, they merely look like they are answering the Democrats' charges calmly and reasonably.

And of course, it's only natural that the Republicans go on to point out that the Clinton anti-terrorism "strategy" would also be the Kerry "strategy." No one who is thinking clearly could have thought that was a good strategy for the Democrats.

So be confident...but not overconfident. President Bush will still need a lot of help. So join the winning team today, and help make it the winning team.

Re-elect President Bush: Reason #16,334,121

2004-03-31T09:55:00.000-08:00

Kerry considers Bill Clinton for Secretary of State:

When asked about making the offer to Clinton, Kerry spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter went out of her way to avoid denials.

"President Clinton would clearly help the United States regain the respect of our allies across the world," Cutter told the New York Daily News on Thursday, before insisting it was too early to name potential Cabinet picks.

Volunteer. Donate. Vote.

Because these people are nuts.

Wictory Wednesday!

2004-03-31T06:03:00.000-08:00

This is the most important Presidential election in a generation. The choice is between a President who knows what it takes to defend this country against its enemies, and a challenger who wants to call the cops on them.

President Bush's ads are working. It costs money to keep those ads on the air.

Washington is one of those battleground states which both sides are going to fight hard for. The President needs you to help him win.

First, if you're not registered to vote, do it!

Get involved: Sign up as a volunteer.

Donate: At the official Bush-Cheney 2004 site, or (up to $200) through Amazon.com.

Attend pro-Bush, pro-America, pro-troop rallies and Bush campaign events in your area.

Show your colors: Buy some Bush-Cheney 2004 stuff at the official George W. Bush online store.

If you have a blog, join Wictory Wednesday. Not only will you be helping the effort to re-elect the President, but you'll get a spot on the Wictory Wednesday Blogroll which appears on each WW blog:

The Kerry gas tax calculator

2004-03-30T05:46:00.000-08:00

Heh heh heh. I think the Republicans have got this Internet thingy figured out good.

Prepare for more whining from the Kerry camp.

Yard Sales for the President!

2004-03-28T18:13:00.000-08:00

I had this brilliant idea the other day (though a bit of websurfing tells me that some Dean supporters had it first, which scares me a little):

I was planning to hold a yard sale this spring. Why not, I thought, hold the yard sale to benefit the Bush-Cheney campaign?

Of course, ideally I would like to simply announce that "All proceeds will be donated to the Bush campaign," but I don't know if that's feasible under our current campaign finance regime (I sent the question to a campaign official; when I get an answer I'll post it).

Other possibilities:

"All proceeds will go to buy Bush-Cheney '04 materials for independent distribution."

Since none of the money from the Bush online store goes to the campaign, campaign finance laws wouldn't come into play. And such a move would reduce the necessity for the campaign to buy and distribute buttons, bumper stickers, and the like. For every ten bucks you and I spend on campaign materials, that's ten bucks the campaign can spend somewhere else.

"All proceeds will be donated to [insert name of independent pro-Bush group]."

As long as the group is independent of the campaign, what can the FEC do about it? When last I looked, the First Amendment was still part of the Constitution.

Any other ideas for what to do with the money? Leave a comment at the end of this post.

Of course, another option would be to simply keep the money from the sale, and then make a donation out of your own pocket which just happens to be in the amount you made at the sale. However, I think it's preferable to announce that proceeds will go to help the President, even if they won't be donated directly to the campaign.

I know that advertising it as a "yard sale for the President" will turn off Democrats and reduce potential customers, but the money is really only one part of the scheme. The idea is also to register new Republican voters and recruit Bush campaign volunteers. If you advertise a "Bush-Cheney yard sale," you will disproportionately attract Bush-friendly patrons.

Remember to pick up some voter-registration forms at your local elections office (in some states, you can photocopy forms, in others you need originals). Also, contact your local Bush campaign or Republican Party to get some forms for campaign volunteers to fill out.

Here's a draft newspaper ad (composed on the assumption that donations to the campaign are out):

Re-elect President Bush! [ADDRESS DELETED], Sat. 8-4. Books, sci-fi, VHS and DVD movies, knick-knacks, collectibles, cold pop, misc. Also: register to vote, and volunteer for President Bush's campaign. All proceeds will go to buy Bush-Cheney '04 materials for independent distribution in Spokane. This sale is not affiliated with, nor will any proceeds be donated to, Bush-Cheney '04, Inc.

If a whole bunch of people in the same area had their sales on the same day (or banded together and threw one big sale), it might even get some media coverage.

Anyway, it's something to think about.

That sound you hear is Sen. Kerry choking on his ketchup.

2004-03-28T16:24:00.000-08:00

"U.S. employers added more jobs in March than in any month since December 2000, and an increase in orders caused manufacturers to boost production, a pair of reports may show next week."

(Via Ace of Spades.)

Your country needs you.

2004-03-28T10:48:00.000-08:00

Jack Kelly nails it.

We now know how Campaign 2004 will unfold: A Democrat will accuse President Bush of having started the Chicago fire, or poisoning Halloween candy or whatever. The news media will trumpet the charges, no matter how preposterous. When Bush aides deny the charges, and provide evidence refuting them, journalists will accuse Bush of making "personal attacks."

Yep. And we can't trust anyone to make our case except us. We are not only fighting the Kerry campaign and the Democratic Party, but the major media as well. If we sit on our butts hoping that people will learn the truth, we will lose, because most people think "the truth" is what they get from Peter Jennings and Dan Rather.

These people will say--and do--anything to win.

It's up to you and me to get the truth about President Bush and John Kerry out to voters.

And the way to do that is to volunteer for the campaign.

Don't have time? Nonsense. You can find an hour or two a week. Or is playing golf or watching TV more important to you than the future of your country? You'll wait until later? Why?! The Democratic assault has already begun and we need to fight right now! If you wait long enough, you may find yourself watching President Kerry's inauguration on CNN.

You don't even have to leave your home. You can make phone calls for the campaign right from your own house.

Volunteers are especially important in battleground states such as Washington. The Bush campaign is going to fight hard for Washington's eleven electoral votes. But to do that, the campaign needs you.

If you are in the 5th Congressional District, download this form (.TXT file) and fill it out in any text editor (such as Notepad; don't worry about formatting, as long as I can tell which answer goes where). Then e-mail it to me and I will send it on to the campaign.

Only you can ensure the re-election of the President. The fate of the country is in your hands.

Kerry: Don't call that liar a liar!

2004-03-27T16:06:00.000-08:00

"John Kerry said Saturday the White House is committing character assassination with its treatment of former counterterror chief Richard Clarke to avoid responding to questions about national security."

And remember, Mr. President: John Kerry knows something about assassinations for real!

Update: Edward Jay Epstein catches Clarke in at least one out-and-out lie (via Instapundit).

Of course, it should not surprise us that Senator Kerry desperately wishes to delegitimize the exposure of lies.

Volunteer. Donate. Vote.

Update: Insight magazine article from June 18, 2001 on the Bush Administration's pre-9/11 anti-terrorism strategy (unearthed by a Free Republic poster), including the role of Richard Clarke.

Kerry to have shoulder surgery

2004-03-27T14:35:00.000-08:00

Perhaps he injured it doing the "Holocaust shrug."

Re-elect President Bush: Reason #15,388,529

2004-03-27T06:21:00.000-08:00

Pro-Kerry thugs beat up Bush supporters.

Volunteer. Donate. Vote.

Re-elect President Bush: Reason #13,147,922

2004-03-26T14:10:00.000-08:00

European Kerry supporters unite to interfere in US elections.

Volunteer. Donate. Vote.

Keep Kerry's foreign friends from screwing with our elections.

The RNC Flog

2004-03-25T15:47:00.000-08:00

That's an oh-so-cute term for "fact log."

Washington State: SurveyUSA poll for KHQ and KING-TV

2004-03-25T13:25:00.000-08:00

(Via RealClearPolitics.)

March 21-23:
Kerry (D) 47% | Bush (R) 43% | Other/Undecided 10%
Sample Population 698 Likely Voters
Margin of Error 3.8%

This is in contrast to their poll of 975 registered voters from February 4-5, in which Kerry was up by 12%.

Four measly little points among likely voters. That's almost a statistical dead heat. We can win Washington for President Bush.

Volunteer. Donate. Vote.

Update: KHQ has a story with more details:

Kerry gets 47% of the vote, Bush 43%, 6% of voters choose another candidate.

Bush leads 2:1 in Eastern Washington; Kerry leads by 3:2 in metro Seattle. The 2 are tied in Western Washington.Kerry leads by 11 points among women. Bush leads by 4 points among men.

Bush keeps 88% of his GOP base. Kerry keeps 87% of his Democrat base. Independents break 4:3 for Kerry.Kerry leads by 22 points among moderates, by 17 points among voters age 65+.

New TV Ads

2004-03-25T09:26:00.000-08:00

"Differences" (about Kerry propensity to hike taxes)
"21st Century" (about President Bush's vision for the future)

Re-elect President Bush: Reason #12,096,876

2004-03-24T12:35:00.000-08:00

"CARACAS, March 23 (Xinhuanet) -- A Venezuelan government official said his country would not take seriously the criticism by US Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry against the Venezuelan government and its president, saying it is just Kerry's strategy to get more votes." (Via Best of the Web.)

Oh, well, that's what we need: a President whose words aren't taken seriously.

Well, so much for Clarke.

2004-03-24T08:58:00.000-08:00

In August 2002, Richard Clarke gave a background briefing to reporters in which he contradicted his current claims. According to Clarke, the Bush Administration began strengthening our counterterrorism efforts--including those directed specifically at al-Qaeda--in January 2001.

RICHARD CLARKE: Actually, I've got about seven points, let me just go through them quickly. Um, the first point, I think the overall point is, there was no plan on Al Qaeda that was passed from the Clinton administration to the Bush administration.

Second point is that the Clinton administration had a strategy in place, effectively dating from 1998. And there were a number of issues on the table since 1998. And they remained on the table when that administration went out of office — issues like aiding the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan, changing our Pakistan policy -- uh, changing our policy toward Uzbekistan. And in January 2001, the incoming Bush administration was briefed on the existing strategy. They were also briefed on these series of issues that had not been decided on in a couple of years.

And the third point is the Bush administration decided then, you know, mid-January, to do two things. One, vigorously pursue the existing policy, including all of the lethal covert action findings, which we've now made public to some extent.

And the point is, while this big review was going on, there were still in effect, the lethal findings were still in effect. The second thing the administration decided to do is to initiate a process to look at those issues which had been on the table for a couple of years and get them decided.

So, point five, that process which was initiated in the first week in February, uh, decided in principle, uh in the spring to add to the existing Clinton strategy and to increase CIA resources, for example, for covert action, five-fold, to go after Al Qaeda.

The sixth point, the newly-appointed deputies — and you had to remember, the deputies didn't get into office until late March, early April. The deputies then tasked the development of the implementation details, uh, of these new decisions that they were endorsing, and sending out to the principals.

Over the course of the summer — last point — they developed implementation details, the principals met at the end of the summer, approved them in their first meeting, changed the strategy by authorizing the increase in funding five-fold, changing the policy on Pakistan, changing the policy on Uzbekistan, changing the policy on the Northern Alliance assistance.

And then changed the strategy from one of rollback with Al Qaeda over the course [of] five years, which it had been, to a new strategy that called for the rapid elimination of al Qaeda. That is in fact the timeline....

JIM ANGLE: You're saying that the Bush administration did not stop anything that the Clinton administration was doing while it was making these decisions, and by the end of the summer had increased money for covert action five-fold. Is that correct?

CLARKE: All of that's correct....

CLARKE: ...And you know, the other thing to bear in mind is the shift from the rollback strategy to the elimination strategy. When President Bush told us in March [2001] to stop swatting at flies and just solve this problem, then that was the strategic direction that changed the NSPD from one of rollback to one of elimination.

This is almost too easy. Just remember: our opponents will say and do anything to win.

Wictory Wednesday!

2004-03-24T06:06:00.000-08:00

When President Bill Clinton referred to the United States as "the indispensable nation" during his second inaugural address in 1997, and then as other U.S. officials picked up the term, Sen. John F. Kerry recoiled. He turned to his longtime foreign policy aide Nancy Stetson to ask, "Why are we adopting such an arrogant, obnoxious tone?"

The Washington Post, March 20, 2004.

John Kerry believes that America is dispensible. President Bush knows better. That's the choice for America this November. And you--that's right, you--can help America make the right choice and re-elect the President.

First, if you're not registered to vote, do it!

Get involved: Sign up as a volunteer.

Attend pro-Bush, pro-America, pro-troop rallies and Bush campaign events in your area.

Donate: At the official Bush-Cheney 2004 site, or (up to $200) through Amazon.com.

Show your colors: Buy some Bush-Cheney 2004 stuff at the official George W. Bush online store. They have T-shirts, sweatshirts, scarves, hats, coffee mugs, and all kinds of cool doodads, as well as the more traditional campaign accoutrements such as lapel buttons, bumper stickers, and yard and rally signs (I'm partial to the "Americana" and "Bush-Cheney 2004" lines). Due to campaign finance laws, the campaign does not receive any of this money, but the campaign will benefit indirectly by not having to provide you with materials at its expense.

If you have a blog, join Wictory Wednesday. Not only will you be helping the effort to re-elect the President, but you'll get a spot on the Wictory Wednesday Blogroll which appears on each WW blog (see the left-hand sidebar).

Get involved now to re-elect the President!

Because America is the indispensible nation, and we need a President who knows it.

Tom Daschle: for the President to campaign is an "abuse of power."

2004-03-23T20:33:00.000-08:00

(Via Blogs for Bush.)

This is it for the Dems. This is the best they've got, and they're trotting it out every chance they get: the accusation that President Bush has the unmitigated gall to actually campaign for re-election.

This is not a tactic for a party which thinks it can win.

I hear (e.g., in Kate O'Beirne's latest National Review [print] piece) that some Republicans are "panicking."

For God's sake, why?! We should be battling overconfidence and complacency right now. Kerry is fast becoming a joke, his campaign is apparently in disarray, and the Democratic leadership is behaving like they see no chance of winning anything ths year.

So fight complacency! Volunteer. Donate. Vote.

Oooooh.

2004-03-22T20:57:00.000-08:00

I just got a link from Instapundit. I can't wait to look at my hit counter tomorrow morning.

Update: Geez, I've had like fifty hits in the last ten minutes.

I'm temporarily disabling comments due to the enormous (for me) number of visitors. The comments system is intended to be a communication tool for Bush supporters (especially from Spokane), not a free-for-all; I'll restore the comment functionality when the storm is over.

Update: Here's a fascinating picture of Glenn Reynolds's influence in the blogosphere (keep in mind that on a normal day, a lot of my hits and even more of my page views are from me, checking formatting, getting permalinks, and the like) (picture from Site Meter). (Update update: Here's an even better one.)

Update: Hmmmm. I just got a hit from eop.gov. That's the Executive Office of the President. I dunno, I just think it's kind of cool.

Update: I also got a link from Cox and Forkum (stop that tittering in the back of the room!).

And photos of the other side

2004-03-22T20:26:00.000-08:00

(From San Francisco.)

Photo 1 (and a link to many more)
Photo 2

Update: This is the same pro-Rachel "Patty" Corrie poster that the senile old coot (and possible Holocaust denier) at the Spokane whine-and-hate-fest was carrying.

Photos from the counterprotest

2004-03-22T20:25:00.000-08:00

Clarke's claims don't hold water

2004-03-22T20:05:00.000-08:00

A Free Republic poster found documentary proof:

Richard Clarke's press briefing on the "International Crime Assessment," December 2000.

Not one mention of al-Qaeda or Usama bin Laden.

Here is what he said about the Taliban:

MR. CLARKE: I expect that early next week the United Nations Security Council will pass for the second time a series of sanctions against the Taliban regime that rules most of Afghanistan. That resolution will be co-sponsored by Russia and the United States and we expect it to gain widespread support in the Security Council.

There is, I think, almost universal recognition around the world that the Taliban regime that pretends to be the government of Afghanistan is a criminal organization and is threatening many countries, not just the United States, is threatening many countries in the Middle East and in the Caucuses in central Europe through terrorism and through the export of narcotics.

Obviously, the United States takes this threat seriously. And we are doing and have been doing a number of things in cooperation with our friends and allies. Some of those things are not terribly visible or at least are not yet terribly visible. And I think that the President has made clear that it's a high priority for this administration and I'm sure it will be a high priority for the next administration.

And what we have done over the course of the last several years is to use all means available to us, diplomatic, economic, intelligence activities. And we have used military force in the past against the government of Afghanistan. I trust the next administration will have a similar policy.

Q: But on the question of whether you would rule out using military force between now and January 20th -- time is running out.

MR. CLARKE: That's obviously something for the President to decide and I don't think it's appropriate to get into that here. But I think the important thing to recognize is that we have been using all means available to us to combat the threats emanating from Afghanistan and other countries have as well. And that's an ongoing program, for which the 20th of January doesn't have a great deal of significance.

Ooooh, he was serious about Afghanistan! UN sanctions and cruise missile strikes! Yeah, hit that camel's butt!

And perhaps most damning of all, here is what Clarke said about the biggest threat to US citizens:

Q: As far as international crimes go, what's the one largest threat to U.S. citizens right now?

MR. CLARKE: I think the largest threat is obviously posed by international narcotics smuggling, which costs a number of lives and costs an enormous amount of money. But more and more, we see that the people who are engaged in international narcotics smuggling are also engaged in other businesses, other illegal activities.

And whether it's counterfeiting or IPR violations or trafficking in women or drug violations, it all comes back to money. The reason that international criminals do what they do is to make money. And what the President asked us to do four years ago was to follow the money. And we have done that significantly in the Treasury Department programs, particularly over the course of the last year and a half.

So, Clinton's terrorism czar thought as late as December 2000 that dope smuggling was "the one largest threat to U.S. citizens," but it's Bush's fault that we didn't take out Usama bin Laden before 9/11?

Right.

Richard Clarke is a liar and a fool.

Update: The International Crime Assessment.

"Under predominantly Taliban rule, international terrorists and drug traffickers have been able to operate with impunity in Afghanistan. The Taliban have given sanctuary to renegade Saudi terrorist Usama Bin Ladin, allowing him and other terrorist groups to operate training camps in Afghanistan. Bin Ladin, in return, has used his extensive wealth and business network to help financially support the Taliban. Despite the Taliban's public condemnation of the illicit narcotics industry, virtually all of Afghanistan's opium poppy cultivation and morphine base and heroin processing laboratories are located in Taliban-controlled territory. The Taliban profits from the Afghan drug trade by taxing opium production and drug movements."

I haven't read the whole thing, but it seems that the report is concerned mostly with the threat from organized crime, especially drug smuggling. It mentions terrorism only insofar as it relates to drug smuggling. This meshes nicely with Clarke's statement above that drug smuggling is the greatest threat to Americans. It does not mesh with his recent statements about his attempts to warn the President about the threat from al-Qaeda.

Update: It does have a section on terrorism. It's pathetic.

And the section on the future barely mentions terrorism at all.

Update: Mansoor Ijaz says that Clarke personally intervened to block the extradition of Bin Laden from Sudan.

Update: Winds of Change points out that Clarke himself was one of those who planned and defended the bombing of Sudan's al-Shifa pharmaceutical plant on the grounds that Bin Laden and Iraq were working together to make chemical weapons. (Via Blogs for Bush.)

Update: Clarke's resignation letter:

"It has been an enormous privilege to serve you these last 24 months," said the Jan. 20, 2003, letter from Clarke to Bush. "I will always remember the courage, determination, calm, and leadership you demonstrated on September 11th."

Richard Clarke: Bush not aggressive enough on Iraq's WMDs

2004-03-22T19:32:00.000-08:00

Waitaminnit! Isn't Richard Clarke the guy who's saying that Bush was too aggressive on Iraq's WMDs?

Yeah, but this was in 1992, and he was talking about the first President Bush.

I suppose the situation has changed since then: he couldn't very well attack this Republican President in this election year for being too soft on Iraq; I guess he had to take whatever shot he could.

The White House fisks Richard Clarke

2004-03-22T11:16:00.000-08:00

The John Kerry spendometer

2004-03-22T07:06:00.000-08:00

RNC Chairman Gillespie to Unveil John Kerry Spendometer Today

3/22/2004 9:16:00 AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor

Contact: Christine Iverson of the Republican National Committee, 202-863-8614, Web site: http://www.rnc.org

News Advisory:

This morning at 10:30 a.m. Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie will unveil the John Kerry Spendometer, calculating Sen. John Kerry's spending proposals.

The Spendometer, which will be posted on the RNC Web site, calculates Kerry's one trillion dollar tax gap. It also calculates the cost of Kerry's campaign promises and the cost of his tax plan.

Gillespie will unveil the Spendometer in a conference call this morning at 10:30 a.m. The Spendometer will be live on the RNC Web site when the conference call begins at http://www.gop.com.

Conference Call with RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie

Call in Number: 1-888-456-0327

Code: Gillespie

Time: 10:30 a.m. EST

Date: TODAY, Monday, March 22

------

Paid for by the Republican National Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

-0-

/© 2004 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/

First campaign rally

2004-03-21T16:22:00.000-08:00

The President's speech

The counterprotest

2004-03-20T16:44:00.000-08:00

There were about two dozen of us (maybe a few more), up against two or three hundred of the lefties, who seemed to be a nice mixture of the idiotic and the insane. We started out in Franklin Park, where the lefties were gathered in the center of the park where no one could see them, while we stood on Division where all the traffic was. Noticing this, some of the lefties moved over to Division, but eventually their crowd control people moved them away from us.

One man I talked to was a Vietnam vet who has a couple of sons in Iraq (there was a good contingent of military relatives there, God bless them). He told me that he was out at the airport when Kerry came to Spokane and Kerry and his entire contingent acted like arrogant jerks. Kerry didn't want to go through security. One of his aides wouldn't let the cop have a cold drink because they were only for reporters (what is it with these people and the law enforcement personnel who are protecting them?). This is secondhand, of course, but I see no reason to doubt the man's word. Besides, it just sounds like Kerry, doesn't it?

There was also a crew from KXLY there, so we may be on TV tonight.

We were careful not to invade the lefties' space, but a few of them weren't so courteous. A couple of particularly creepy ones came over and started pestering us, and when they were informed that we didn't want them there, started whining "It's a public park!" and refusing to go away. When I tried to explain the concept of "rudeness" to them, it quickly became obvious that they were simply too arrogant and stupid to understand. This is the salient fact about the modern left: they just can't keep their noses out of other people's business, and they can't understand why they should.

Another, older leftie wandered over with a sign memorializing Rachel Corrie (or as I call her, "Patty") the dimwitted leftie broad who was squooshed by a bulldozer as she worked to facilitate the mass murder of Jews. When I asked him if he also mourned the death of Adolf Eichmann, who died for pretty much the same reason (though in a less timely fashion), he informed me that there were "no homicidal gas chambers in Germany." Although technically he's right (the gas chambers were in Poland), I can't imagine what his point was, if not to deny that the Holocaust happened (and the fact that his pro-Jew-killer sign read "Israel, stop killing peace" lets you pretty well figure out what he thinks about Jews and the people who murder them). I dunno, maybe he's just a senile old coot. Anyway, he didn't laugh at the "Patty" joke, which proves he's got no sense of humor.

After a few speeches, the lefties marched up to the military recruiting station on Francis. About eight or ten of us drove our cars up there (hey, we're Republicans) and waited for them to arrive. It was less interesting up there. They tried to surround us and drown out our message about supporting the troops, so we moved off to the sides. After a while, they got bored and went away. Then, after a further while, so did we.

One thing I can tell you: they may have outnumbered us, but (judging by the number of people honking and waving or giving a thumbs-up) we were far more popular, even with all the Bush-Cheney signs (which probably turned off a lot decent, patriotic Americans who support Kerry out of ignorance). We were even more popular up at the recruiting station, when those with the Bush signs had gone (the closest was my "God bless the President" sign, which I worded specifically to support him as the President rather than as a candidate).

Another thing I noticed: there were no Kerry signs or material, while there were a lot of Bush signs on our side. This cannot bode well for the Kerry campaign. If the hardcore activist Bush-hating left isn't even enthusiastic enough about him to wear a button or carry a sign, how is he going to appeal to swing voters in the battleground states, who are at least willing to consider voting for the President?

March 20: Support our troops (counterprotest in Spokane)

2004-03-19T19:30:00.000-08:00

The pro-Saddam left is holding a whine-in Saturday, March 20 at 1:00 PM in Franklin Park (Division and Nebraska).

Decent, patriotic Americans must not be silent in the face of this garbage. Bring your flags (assuming the weather cooperates) and signs (pro-Bush, pro-America, pro-troops, anti-terrorism, etc.) for a counterdemonstration.

Brave men and women are risking their lives overseas to defend this nation from its enemies. Is a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon too much to ask from the rest of us to defend our President and our troops against character assassination?

Update: We'll meet at the southeast corner of the park at 12:45, which is the corner of Division and Queen (diagonally across from Northtown Mall).

Another moonbat for Kerry

2004-03-19T19:25:00.000-08:00

Noam Chomsky endorses the foul-mouthed liar.

What's the fuss?

2004-03-19T16:02:00.000-08:00

From the Drudge Report:

"Former White House terrorism advisor Richard Clarke tells Lesley Stahl that on September 11, 2001 and the day after - when it was clear Al Qaeda had carried out the terrorist attacks - the Bush administration was considering bombing Iraq in retaliation."

OK. Sounds good to me.

I really don't understand what I'm supposed to be outraged about. You see, I don't believe there are any good terrorists.

On September 11, 2001, I was calling for an immediate declaration of war against all terrorist-sponsoring states, as well as the assassination of any terrorist we could get in our sights, including Yasser Arafat and Gerry Adams, whether or not they had committed these particular mass murders.

Richard Clarke, on the other hand, doesn't think we should be mean to mass murderers unless we can tie them to 9/11. Well, screw that. Terrorism is terrorism, and people such as Richard Clarke who still fail to understand that must be driven from public life and never allowed to return--whether they are politicians or career bureaucrats. Clarke's shock and outrage that Saddam was considered a target in the war against the terrorists is proof of nothing except his own incompetence to have any part in the direction of that war.

Not to mention the fact that he isn't even right.

Volunteer. Donate. Vote.

Only you can ensure that the Richard Clarkes of the world are kept away from the levers of power.

Update: Richard Clarke really is incompetent.

But with his retirement, Clarke's career accomplishments should be noted.

In 1986, as a State Department bureaucrat with pull, he came up with a plan to battle terrorism and subvert Muammar Qaddafi by having SR-71s produce sonic booms over Libya. This was to be accompanied by rafts washing onto the sands of Tripoli, the aim of which was to create the illusion of a coming attack. When this nonsense was revealed, it created embarrassment for the Reagan administration and was buried.

In 1998, according to the New Republic, Clarke "played a key role in the Clinton administration's misguided retaliation for the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, which targeted bin Laden's terrorist camps in Afghanistan and a pharmaceutical factory in Sudan." The pharmaceutical factory was, apparently, just a pharmaceutical factory, and we now know how impressed bin Laden was by cruise missiles that miss.

Of course, none of this will stop CBS from presenting him as some sort of expert on terrorism.

Flip-flop #4723

2004-03-19T14:51:00.000-08:00

Kerry backs off denials that he attended VVAW meeting at which members discussed assassinating several anti-Communist Senators.

Of course, Kerry was not himself in favor of these proposed assassinations (and still denies--at least until he's caught again--that he was present when they were discussed), but as Blogs for Bush points out, he also didn't notify authorities that VVAW was seriously considering committing these acts of terrorism.

Volunteer. Donate. Vote.

Only you can keep John Kerry out of the White House.

New RNC Web Video

2004-03-19T11:51:00.000-08:00

John Kerry: International Man of Mystery

I haven't seen any of the Austin Powers movies, but I can tell you than John Kerry is considerably funnier than Mike Myers.

I have nothing to add...

2004-03-18T18:54:00.000-08:00

...to this.

Debate: RNC Chairman vs DNC Chairman

2004-03-18T15:31:00.000-08:00

Ed Gillespie takes on Terry McAuliffe live on C-SPAN (Ch. 27 in Spokane) at 5 PM PST.

I haven't decided if I'm going to watch.

Update: Why is Democratic flack George Stephanapolous "moderating"?

Update 2: I'm already bored. Back to the Simpsons rerun.

Update 3: According to NRO's Kathryn Jean Lopez, McAuliffe lumped in partial-birth abortion with gay marriage as a "wedge issue." I hope the GOP saves that cut, since it proves beyond doubt that a "wedge issue" is nothing more than an issue on which Democrats disagree with a large majority of Americans.

The Litterbox-Liner...

2004-03-18T14:24:00.000-08:00

...uh, I mean the Spokesman-Review published my letter to the editor on the Bush smear today.

Updated Bush "Troops" ad

2004-03-18T12:42:00.000-08:00

The Bush campaign, always wanting to play fair, has re-edited its "Troops" ad to include Kerry's response to the charge that he voted to abandon our troops: "I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it."

Strangely, the ad seem to be even more effective now that it includes Kerry's explanation.

(The new ad is "Troops-FoG.")

I hate taxes!

2004-03-18T11:52:00.000-08:00

Just got done paying my federal income and local property taxes. My federal taxes are considerably lower than they were last year (thank you, Mr. President, and so much for the filthy Democratic lie about "tax cuts for the rich"), but they're still too complicated considering the simplicity of my personal finances. God help people with complicated returns; no individual should ever have to pay someone to do his taxes. The next step for federal taxation should be a radical simplifying of the entire system. With President Bush, we've got a chance; with Kerry, taxes will be higher and even more complicated.

As far as state and local property taxes, we need to work on getting I-864 on the Washington State ballot this year to lower property taxes by 25%.

Calling all Spokane County Republicans

2004-03-17T20:50:00.000-08:00

Washington is a battleground state this year. The national Bush campaign is going to seriously contest our eleven electoral votes.

In 2000, President Bush got 51.9% of the vote (89,299 votes) in Spokane County.

The Bush campaign's goal for this year is 55.97% of the Spokane County vote, which is expected to be 110,360 votes.

To get those votes, the Bush campaign needs volunteers to go out and recruit more volunteers and to register new Republican voters.

If you are in Spokane County and support President Bush, then you must volunteer. And don't say you don't have time; do you have time to spend four years under a Kerry Administration? You have an hour a week which you can give the President and the nation; I know you do. More is even better, but whatever time you can give is terrific.

So download this form (.TXT file) and fill it out in any text editor. Then e-mail it to me and I will see that it gets to campaign officials. Or come to Franklin Park for the counterprotest on Saturday. I'll have signup forms, and others probably will as well.

Don't wake up on November 3rd to news of a Kerry victory because you were unwilling to give up a golf game or a soap opera.

Update: if you're not registered to vote, do it now. Go to the Washington Secretary of State's site, where you can download a registration form or request one by mail.

Update 2: Or go to the GOP team leader site where you can fill out the registration information online and then print out the form, all ready to mail.

Spokane County Bush '04 grassroots and volunteer meeting

2004-03-17T17:20:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, March 17th (tonight!), 6:30 PM
Credit Bureau Services Building, 521 West Maxwell Avenue (SE corner of Maxwell and Howard)

Use the entrance on the south side of the building.

Come out and get involved!

Wictory Wednesday

2004-03-17T06:18:00.000-08:00

John Forbes Kerry is proud that he has (supposedly) received the support of unnamed "foreign leaders." But foreign leaders are, at best, concerned with the interests of their own countries (at worst, they are concerned with their own personal interests), and sometimes the interests even of our allies do not coincide with ours. Kerry's refusal to name the countries whose leaders want him elected should frighten Americans.

In whose interest does Kerry intend to govern? Jacques Chirac's? Jean-Bertrand Aristide's? Kim Jong-Il's? We don't know, because Kerry won't tell us.

We must start defeating this man now.

First, if you're not registered to vote, do it!

Get involved: Sign up as a volunteer. Contact your state and local Republican party. If you're in Spokane County, e-mail me and I will forward your e-mail to the 5th District Grassroots Coordinator. Or just come to the grassroots meeting tonight.

Attend pro-Bush, pro-America, pro-troop rallies in your area, such as the one this Saturday in Franklin Park in Spokane.

Donate: At the official Bush-Cheney 2004 site, or (up to $200) through Amazon.com.

Buy some Bush-Cheney 2004 stuff at the official George W. Bush online store. They have T-shirts, sweatshirts, scarves, hats, coffee mugs, and all kinds of cool doodads, as well as the more traditional campaign accoutrements such as lapel buttons, bumper stickers, and yard and rally signs (I'm partial to the "Americana" and "Bush-Cheney 2004" lines).

If you have a blog, join Wictory Wednesday. Not only will you be helping the effort to re-elect the President, but you'll get a spot on the Wictory Wednesday Blogroll which appears on each WW blog (see the left-hand sidebar).

Get involved now to re-elect the President!

He isn't just French-looking

2004-03-16T06:35:00.000-08:00

(Via Blogs for Bush and HobbsOnline.)

John Kerry wants to fight terrorism with a Maginot-Line strategy, making customs agents, airport screeners, local police, and firefighters our first line of defense.

As important as all of these people are, customs agents, airport screeners, and local police are the last lines of defense, and firefighters are responsible for cleaning up the mess when defense fails.

And under a Kerry Administration, defense will fail. We cannot win this war by cowering in our homes waiting for the terrorists to come for us and hoping we can stop them on our doorsteps. Because they will come, as they did on September 11, and we will not always be able to stop them.

George W. Bush knows that we must go after our enemies where they are. If I may indulge in a cliché, the best defense is a good offense.

Kerry's Maginot Plan says not one word--not one single word--about taking the fight to our enemies.

George W. Bush wants to fight terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan. John Kerry wants to fight them in New York and Washington. Which do you want?

Vote. Donate. Volunteer.

Because America needs your help.

Kerry hobnobs with a terrorist

2004-03-14T15:00:00.000-08:00

"Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., left, speaks with Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein's chief negotiater, at a bookstore in Boston's Downtown Crossing Friday, March 12, 2004. McGuiness was in Massachusetts to speak at Harvard's JFK School of Government. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)"

From the Telegraph:

MARTIN McGUINNESS was the commanding officer of the Provisional IRA's Derry Brigade for at least two years in the early 1970s and a key figure in the campaign of violence waged against British forces in Ulster, according to intelligence documents seen exclusively by The Telegraph....

During that period the Derry Brigade was regarded as one of the IRA's most destructive armed units. Security officials estimate that the terrorist group was responsible for murdering at least 30 members of the security forces, an intensive bombing campaign in Londonderry and numerous terrorist attacks.

A Northern Ireland security official told The Telegraph: "McGuinness was running the IRA in Londonderry for at least two years. He must bear responsibility for many of the atrocities that occurred during that period."

Spain votes for appeasement

2004-03-14T13:32:00.000-08:00

Will America follow?

Kerry accused of cowardice

2004-03-14T11:39:00.000-08:00

Adhering to the journalistic standard established by our local litterbox liner, I've decided to link to the Telegraph story in which one of John Kerry's crewmates has accused him of cowardice under fire. Of course, the other members of that crew dispute this account, and one man's account may not be very strong evidence, but it's a lot better than anything the Spokesman-Review offers in support of its claims about President Bush, so what the hell?

The Toilet-Paper, er, I mean the Spokesman-Review smears Bush

2004-03-14T11:36:00.000-08:00

Our local fishwrap of record does its usual thorough job of blasting anti-Republican innuendo across its front page.

Note the one thing which does not appear in this story: any evidence at all that the claims in the piece are true.

This is typical of the Review, of course. I dropped my subscription to the snotrag when they tried to smear the anti-gun-control movement by tying it to a local serial killer.

These people simply cannot be trusted under any circumstances. They are not merely biased; they are thoroughly dishonest.

Remember, if you read it in the Spokesman-Review, it's probably a lie.

IBD: Bush back in the lead

2004-03-13T10:53:00.000-08:00

It's still too early to get excited about poll numbers, but it seems to me President Bush is in very good shape heading into the general election campaign.

CNN: Kerry secures Democratic nomination

2004-03-11T20:10:00.000-08:00

Technically, he's still 27 delegates short, but he has the support of enough unpledged "superdelegates" to put him over the top.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer employed Iraqi spy!

2004-03-11T18:46:00.000-08:00

A former Democratic Congressional and Senate staffer and "anti-war" activist has been arrested for spying on behalf of Iraq's Ba'athists.

What's the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's headline on the AP dispatch?

"Accused spy is cousin of Bush staffer"

Of course, she also worked for several media outlets, including (as you might glean from my headline) the P-I itself.

No media bias here, nosirree!

Kerry has the media on his side (and they will clearly stop at nothing to get him elected). The President needs you. Look in the left-hand sidebar to see how you can get involved to help the President win Washington this November.

Update: Eugene Volokh points out that the woman is in fact not charged with spying, but with being an unregistered foreign agent. You'd think I, of all people, would know better than to assume that media reports are accurate.

Correction:

Apparently the bias was at the AP (though strangely, everyone who reported on this seems to have seen this headline at the P-I rather than anywhere else):

From Mark Steyn's March 21 Chicago Sun-Times column:

David McCumber, managing editor of the Post-Intelligencer, writes to point out that the headline was supplied not by the paper but by the Associated Press. Though it appeared with this headline on the Post-Intelligencer's Web site, by the time the story turned up in the print edition the paper's staff had rewritten it to play up the local angle: ''Former P-I Reporter Accused Of Iraq Ties.''

New Bush ads

2004-03-11T18:01:00.000-08:00

Hmmmm...

2004-03-11T07:49:00.000-08:00

Kerry campaign lies about the producers of its ads.

So what's the motive behind this, anyway? Who really did produce this ad, and why don't the Kerry people want us to know?

"'It was a mistake. It was a different Riverfront Media in another state,' says a Kerry campaign source. Which state? 'I don't know.'"

Mm-hm. Here's a Google search on "Riverfront Media."

So who exactly is "crooked" and "lying," Senator Kerry?

Wictory Wednesday!

2004-03-10T06:05:00.000-08:00

Some are skeptical that the war on terror is really a war at all. Just days ago my opponent indicated he's not comfortable using the word, "war," to describe the struggle we're in. He said, "I don't want to use that terminology." He also said the war on terror is far less of a military operation and far more of an intelligence-gathering, law enforcement operation. I disagree. Our nation followed that approach after the World Trade Center was bombed in 1993. The matter was handled in the courts, and thought by some to be settled. But the terrorists were still training in Afghanistan, plotting in other nations and drawing up more ambitious plans. And after the chaos and carnage of September the 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers. (Applause.) With those attacks, the terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States of America, and war is what they got. (Applause.)

One very important part of this war is intelligence-gathering, as Senator Kerry noted. Yet, in 1995, two years after the attack on the World Trade Center, my opponent introduced a bill to cut the overall intelligence budget by one-and-a-half billion dollars. His bill was so deeply irresponsible that he didn't have a single co-sponsor in the United States Senate. Once again, Senator Kerry is trying to have it both ways. He's for good intelligence, yet he was willing to gut the intelligence services. And that is no way to lead a nation in a time of war. (Applause.)

Our intelligence professionals are taking great risks and doing a great job. And so are the men and women of the United States military. At bases across our country and the world, I have had the privilege of meeting with those who defend our country and sacrifice for our security. I've seen the great decency and their unselfish courage. I assure you, ladies and gentlemen, the cause of freedom is in good hands. (Applause.)
--President Bush, March 8, 2004

First, if you're not registered to vote, do it!

Get involved: Sign up as a volunteer. Contact your state and local Republican party. If you're in Spokane County, e-mail me and I will forward your e-mail to the 5th District Grassroots Coordinator.

Attend pro-Bush, pro-America, pro-troop rallies in your area.

Donate: At the official Bush-Cheney 2004 site, or (up to $200) through Amazon.com.

Buy some Bush-Cheney 2004 stuff at the official George W. Bush online store. They have T-shirts, sweatshirts, scarves, hats, coffee mugs, and all kinds of cool doodads, as well as the more traditional campaign accoutrements such as lapel buttons, bumper stickers, and yard and rally signs (I'm partial to the "Americana" and "Bush-Cheney 2004" lines).

If you have a blog, join Wictory Wednesday. Not only will you be helping the effort to re-elect the President, but you'll get a spot on the Wictory Wednesday Blogroll which appears on each WW blog (see the left-hand sidebar).

Get involved now to re-elect the President!

The Caucuses

2004-03-09T21:46:00.000-08:00

Well, as you know if you're among the regular readers of this blog (yeah, right: "regular readers"), the Washington State GOP precinct caucuses were tonight.

My precinct (one of many which shared a grade-school gym) was the object of much envy because there were three of us, including the Precinct Committee Officer. This turnout was well above average.

Coincidentally, my precinct also gets three delegates to the county convention in April, so now I'm a county convention delegate. It just goes to show you that your parents were right: in America, any young boy can grow up to be a county convention delegate.

We also had Shaun Cross, one of the 5th District Congressional candidates, in attendance, and my own PCO is the father of Cathy McMorris, another candidate. (The other two GOP candidates are Larry Sheahan, who had a staff member present to pass out literature, and Todd Mielke.)

Oh, and Jim Camden from the Birdcage-Liner, er, I mean the Spokesman-Review was there.

Update: Here's Camden's story and one from KREM.com.

Washington GOP Caucuses are tonight at 7:30 pm

2004-03-09T17:38:00.000-08:00

KREM-TV has posted caucus locations (better formatted than my text file).

Remember, you can find your precinct number at the county elections site.

KXLY and the Socialist-Fishwrap, er, I mean the Spokesman-Review have stories on the caucuses.

RNC: Even Democrats were afraid of Kerry's proposed intelligence cuts

2004-03-09T17:37:00.000-08:00

Why, yes, this is the same John Kerry who is busily criticizing the President for intelligence failures in Iraq.

Just as it's the same John Kerry who claims the President denied our troops body armor after he himself voted to deny our troops body armor.

Perhaps I'm a cockeyed optimist (though I'm normally more the cynical pessimist type), but I can't believe the American people are going to send this creepy weasel to the White House.

But we still need to work hard to make sure it doesn't happen.

Eeeeeh, its a secret.

2004-03-09T17:21:00.000-08:00

TIME: Would you say your position on Iraq is a) it was a mistaken war; b) it was a necessary war fought in a bad way; or c) fill in the blank?
KERRY: I think George Bush rushed to war without exhausting the remedies available to him, without exhausting the diplomacy necessary to put the U.S. in the strongest position possible, without pulling together the logistics and the plan to shore up Iraq immediately and effectively.

TIME: And you as Commander in Chief would not have made these mistakes but would have gone to war?
KERRY: I didn't say that.

TIME: I'm asking.
KERRY: I can't tell you.

Teresa Heinz-Kerry: moral leper

2004-03-07T20:41:00.000-08:00

"When Teresa Heinz-Kerry arrived, she handed me a pin that read in the center: 'Asses of Evil' with 'Bush', 'Cheney', 'Rumsfeld' and 'Ashcroft' surrounding it."

This, of course, utterly disqualifies Ms. Heinz's husband from serving as President, but the "news" media will never, ever report it.

Update: Drudge has it now, but it's just a link to the Kerry blog. However, it's possible that Fox News, some conservative pundits, and possibly Limbaugh and/or Hannity might pick it up, giving it some traction.

GOP caucuses are this Tuesday at 7:30

2004-03-07T16:17:00.000-08:00

Here is the list (.TXT file) of caucus locations in Spokane County. If you live in another county, contact your county Republican Party for your caucus locations.

The four-digit numbers are precinct numbers. To find your precinct number, go to the Spokane County elections site and enter your address. Then find your precinct number in the text file to find your caucus location.

9/11 families respond to the Heinz-funded attack on the President

2004-03-06T21:14:00.000-08:00

"There is no better testament to the leadership of President Bush than Sept. 11," the letter states. "In choosing our next leader we must not forget that day if we are to have a meaningful conversation....

"In the November election we will have a clear choice laid before the American people," the letter reads. "President Bush is rightly offering us that choice and the images of Sept. 11, although painful, are fundamental to that choice. The images in President Bush's campaign television ads are respectful of the memories of Sept. 11."

Kerry vs Kerry from the RNC

2004-03-06T16:01:00.000-08:00

Complaining 9/11 families a Teresa Heinz front group?

2004-03-05T13:25:00.000-08:00

Update (3/9/04): The New York Post has picked up on this story.

Plan now to attend the Washington State GOP Caucuses March 9th.

2004-03-05T12:30:00.000-08:00

First Bush-Cheney '04 TV ads

2004-03-03T13:58:00.000-08:00

Reggie the voter registration rig

2004-03-03T08:31:00.000-08:00

Getting quite a few hits from searches on "Reggie," so here is a quick link to my post of the RNC press release.

Update: Here's RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie's own blog post on Reggie and the official Reggie website.

Wictory Wednesday!

2004-03-03T06:31:00.000-08:00

For the first time in my lifetime, I believe that the future of the Republic may actually hinge on the outcome of a single election. Not only would a President John Forbes Kerry return to the old way of dealing with (or, rather, not dealing with) terrorists--the way which led to September 11--but he would appoint federal judges who will continue the judicial assault on the rule of law. It would be nice if Congress had the guts to impeach and remove the black-robed would-be tyrants, but guts are in sadly short supply in those precincts. The only practical defense against the leftist judiciary's continued destruction of republican government is the re-election of President Bush--preferably with an increased Senate majority which will allow him to get more judges confirmed.

First, if you're not registered to vote, do it!

Get involved: Sign up as a volunteer. Contact your state and local Republican party. If you're in Spokane County, please download and fill out this questionnaire (.TXT file) and e-mail it to me and I will forward it to the 5th District Grassroots Coordinator. And don't forget to attend the Washington State Republican caucuses on March 9th (caucus locations are here; find your precinct number here).

Attend pro-Bush, pro-America, pro-troop rallies in your area.

Donate: At the official Bush-Cheney 2004 site, or (up to $200) through Amazon.com.

Buy some Bush-Cheney 2004 stuff at the official George W. Bush online store. They have T-shirts, sweatshirts, scarves, hats, coffee mugs, and all kinds of cool doodads, as well as the more traditional campaign accoutrements such as lapel buttons, bumper stickers, and yard and rally signs (I'm partial to the "Americana" and "Bush-Cheney 2004" lines).

If you have a blog, join Wictory Wednesday. Not only will you be helping the effort to re-elect the President, but you'll get a spot on the Wictory Wednesday Blogroll which appears on each WW blog (see the left-hand sidebar).

Get involved now to re-elect the President!

Because America cannot afford the alternative.

Spokane County GOP Caucus locations (March 9, 2004)

2004-03-01T11:44:00.000-08:00

Washington State Republican caucuses...

2004-03-01T11:21:00.000-08:00

...are coming up March 9th.

I'm trying to get a list of caucus locations for Spokane County, so check back here for more information.

If you forget to bookmark the page, just do a Google search on SPOKANE GOP CAUCUSES, and this blog is right at the top.

GOP voter registration drive

2004-03-01T10:08:00.000-08:00

RNC Chairman Gillespie to Kick off National Voter Registration Week, Unveil 56-Foot 18-Wheeler 'Reggie the Registration Rig'

3/1/04 12:02:00 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor

Contact: Mary Ellen Grant of the Republican National Committee, 202-863-8614; http://www.gop.com

News Advisory:

Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie will hold a news conference to kick off National Voter Registration Week from the helm of a 56-foot 18-wheeler that will be parked out in front of RNC headquarters on Wednesday, March 3 at 11:30 a.m. The 18-wheeler, designed expressly for registering voters, is fully equipped with interactive multimedia capabilities, Xbox systems, a sound stage and much more. With a goal of registering 1 million voters across America from March 6 - 13, this innovative grassroots effort is the largest voter registration drive in the history of Republican Party. National Voter Registration Week is part of the RNC's unprecedented commitment to registering 3 million voters by Election Day 2004.

WHAT: News Conference

WHO: RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie

WHEN: Wednesday, March 3, 11:30 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. -- news conference; 11:50 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. -- Big Rig Tour

WHERE: In front of the Republican National Committee Headquarters, 310 First Street SE - (Across from the Capitol South Metro)

Camera Preset: 10 a.m.

------

Paid for by the Republican National Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

-0-

/© 2004 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/

Rethinking the blog

2004-02-29T15:03:00.000-08:00

Somehow I got into posting news and commentary, which was never my intention; if there's one thing the world doesn't need, it's one more blog linking to other blogs which link to other blogs, etc., ad nauseam. From now on, this blog will be related specifically to the Bush campaign on Spokane and Eastern Washington (perhaps with an occasional item relating to the national campaign). No more links to interesting stories. I've also deleted a bunch of old posts which do not meet these criteria, so if you came here from a web search and can't find what you're looking for, that's probably why.

This also means that the blog will be updated much less often, especially at this early stage in the campaign.

Printable flag with Bush-Cheney logo underneath (REPOST)

2004-02-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

300K .ZIP file with a .BMP file inside. At 150 DPI in "landscape" mode, it will print out at 10 inches by 8 inches.

Here is a reduced .GIF (~16K).

Washington GOP caucuses are coming up on March 9th.

2004-02-27T17:08:00.000-08:00

As soon as I find out the locations for caucuses in Spokane County, I'll post them. If you don't know your precinct number, go here to look it up.

Wictory Wednesday!

2004-02-25T05:49:00.000-08:00

The other party is still not finished selecting its nominee. Yet this much is already certain: Come November, the voters are going to have a very clear choice. It's a choice between keeping the tax relief that is moving the economy forward, or putting the burden of higher taxes back on the American people. It is a choice between an America that leads the world with strength and confidence, or an America that is uncertain in the face of danger. The American people will decide between two visions of government: a government that encourages ownership and opportunity and responsibility, or a government that takes your money and makes your choices.

I will set these alternatives squarely before the American people in a spirited campaign. I look forward to the contest. We have a record of historic achievement. And most important, we have a positive vision for the years ahead -- for winning the war against terror, for extending peace and freedom, and creating jobs and opportunity here at home. We'll leave no doubt where we stand -- and we will win our second term in November.

--President George W. Bush, addressing the Republican Governors' Association, Feb. 23, 2004

First, if you're not registered to vote, do it!

Get involved: Sign up as a volunteer. Contact your state and local Republican party. If you're in Spokane County, e-mail me and I will forward your e-mail to the 5th District Grassroots Coordinator. And don't forget to attend the Washington State Republican caucuses on March 9th (locations are supposed to be announced by the end of this week; when I find out, I'll post them here).

Attend pro-Bush, pro-America, pro-troop rallies in your area.

Donate: At the official Bush-Cheney 2004 site, or (up to $200) through Amazon.com.

Buy some Bush 2004 stuff at the official George W. Bush online store. For the record, I've donated $200 so far and spent about $140 at the store. So I'm not asking you to do anything I haven't done myself.

If you have a blog, join Wictory Wednesday. Not only will you be helping the effort to re-elect the President, but you'll get a spot on the Wictory Wednesday Blogroll which appears on each WW blog (see the left-hand sidebar).

Get involved now to re-elect the President!

Because America cannot afford the alternative.

RNC Chairman Gillespie to hold press conference on Kerry's record.

2004-02-24T16:09:00.000-08:00

Republican National Committee Chair Ed Gillespie to Hold News Conference on Kerry Voting Record

2/24/04 4:25:00 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor

Contact: Christine Iverson of the Republican National Committee, 202-863-8614; http://www.rnc.org

News Advisory:

Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie will hold a news conference to discuss Sen. John Kerry's voting record, tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 1:30 p.m. at RNC Headquarters.

WHAT: News Conference

WHO: RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie

TOPIC: Sen. John Kerry's Voting Record

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: RNC Headquarters, Washington, D.C. (310 First St. SE - Across from the Capitol South Metro)

CAMERA PRESET: 11 a.m.
------
Paid for by the Republican National Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

-0-

/© 2004 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/

President Bush to back Federal Marriage Amendment

2004-02-24T07:13:00.000-08:00

Per Reuters/The Corner and Fox News.

Transcript of the President's speech to the GOP governors

2004-02-24T06:17:00.000-08:00

At the White House site (via The Corner).

Bush kicks off his campaign

2004-02-23T15:55:00.000-08:00

The President addresses the National Governors Association at 7PM EDT (mere minutes from posting time). It will be televised on CSPAN.

Update: Watch here in Real or Windows Media.
Update 2: It's actually the Republican governors.

New anti-Kerry website

2004-02-23T09:43:00.000-08:00

I haven't gone through this site yet, but I'll post it just for informational purposes:

http://www.wintersoldier.com/

Grassroots support for Bush continues to grow

2004-02-21T16:26:00.000-08:00

From GeorgeWBush.com (via Blogs for Bush):

"In January, Bush-Cheney ’04 raised $12.8 million from 71,000 contributors and added 50,000 new donors. The average contribution in January was $175. Through January 31, 2004, Bush-Cheney ’04 has nearly 550,000 contributors representing every state and county in the country."

Hop on the bandwagon!

Woo-hoo!

2004-02-21T16:00:00.000-08:00

My personal recruitment drive (which took place in front of Safeway instead of Wal-Mart) exceeded expectations by two.

Take that, John Kerry!

Recruiting volunteers

2004-02-20T19:11:00.000-08:00

Welp, I think I'm going to go to Wal-Mart tomorrow, set up a card table (if I can get permission, of course; if not, I'll try a supermarket), and spend a couple of hours trying to recruit volunteers for the Bush campaign. I confidently expect to end the day with a grand total of zero (0), but who knows? I figure it's worth a try, anyway.

Cantwell cheated

2004-02-20T07:36:00.000-08:00

From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

"Sen. Maria Cantwell broke federal election laws by not promptly disclosing emergency loans made late in her 2000 campaign against Slade Gorton, the Federal Election Commission has ruled.

"The ruling came as a result of a complaint filed in April 2001 by the National Legal and Policy Center, an independent interest group that tracks campaign financing. It alleged that Cantwell, D-Wash., violated election law by not disclosing the loan and by getting an interest rate below market rates."

Although the P-I plays up the disclosure aspect, it seems to me that the more important violation--at least politically--would be the too-low interest rates.

Remember, Sen. Cantwell defeated Slade Gorton by less than 2300 votes, with the Libertarian spoiler getting over 64,000. Would disclosure of the loan have made a difference? Would having had to pay the market interest rate have made a difference? We'll never know, of course, but in such a close election, the answer has to be, "Quite possibly."

That's why you need to vote, and why, even if you prefer the policies of the Libertarian Party, you should vote Republican in any contested election where the Libertarian has no realistic chance of winning. The question is not, "Who is the ideal candidate?"; the question is, "Of the candidates with a realistic chance of winning, who is closer to the ideal?"

Between Cantwell and Gorton, Gorton was clearly better from a libertarian perspective. By voting Libertarian, 64,734 Washington voters struck a blow for more government regulation, higher taxes, and more judicial activism; they also permitted the Democrats to take control of the Senate when Jim Jeffords switched parties. Not exactly what most of them had in mind, I think.

Grandpa, what did you do in the 2004 campaign?

2004-02-19T16:09:00.000-08:00

It's less than nine months to the election--an election which I genuinely believe will be the most important in my 37-year lifetime.

Assuming the west side of the state votes the way it did in 2000, President Bush's percentage of the Eastern Washington vote must increase significantly in order for him to take the state. We need to start getting those extra votes now.

You're reading this blog; you're obviously more interested in politics than the average person. If you are a Bush supporter in Spokane County, the President needs you. Your country needs you. The President needs your vote, of course, but that's nearly nine months away. He needs you to donate as well, if you can afford it. But right now, what he--and we--really need you to do is volunteer.

You're probably very busy. Can you only give an hour a week? Great! Spend an hour a week making phone calls or recruiting other volunteers.

If you want to, you can work from your own home; they'll e-mail you phone lists and you can make calls on your own schedule. Like to get out and meet people? You can set up a table at a supermarket and recruit volunteers. Have a lot of Republican friends? Nag them to sign up. Can you write well? Write letters to newspapers explaining why we need to re-elect the President. Have web design skills? I understand the Spokane County party really needs someone to fix and maintain their website. There are any number of ways that you can help get our President re-elected, and it all needs to start happening now.

So how can you get involved in this historic campaign? Simple. E-mail me and tell me that you would like to volunteer to help President Bush's re-election effort. I will help you get connected with the appropriate party officials so that you can sign up and get started.

And many years from now, when your grandchildren ask you what you did in the famous election of 2004, you won't have to answer, "Well...I sat on my butt and let John Kerry get elected."

Spokane County grassroots

2004-02-18T21:45:00.000-08:00

I went to the grassroots meeting tonight; everyone is very enthusiastic about re-electing the President. Right now, the important thing is to volunteer. Even if you can give only a small amount of time, every little bit helps. I'm preparing a major post about it, including a way you can get in touch with the grassroots co-ordinator via e-mail. Until then, I'd suggest phoning the Spokane County GOP Office at 838-6162 during business hours and telling them you'd like to volunteer. And tell them I sent you.

Comments

2004-02-18T20:29:00.000-08:00

Please note that comments do not have to be related to the specific post you're commenting on. Feel free to use the comment system to communicate with other Spokane area Bush supporters on any subject related to re-electing the President.

Remember the Spokane County Grassroots and Volunteer meeting

2004-02-18T08:54:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, February 18th, 6:30 PM
Credit Bureau Services Building, 521 West Maxwell Avenue (corner of Maxwell and Howard)

Details here.

Another Wictory Wednesday is here!

2004-02-18T06:21:00.000-08:00

The choice is clear--even stark:

President Bush knows that America cannot afford to go back to the ways of September 10th. He knows that we must take the fight to the terrorists and their tyrannical state supporters, instead of waiting for them to bring the fight to us.

John Kerry has learned nothing. He still thinks that we should deal with terrorists by reading them their rights and letting them call their lawyers.

Only you can ensure that America does not forget the lessons of 9/11.

First, if you're not registered to vote, do it!

Get involved: Sign up as a volunteer. Contact your state and local Republican party. If you're in Spokane County, come to the grassroots meeting tonight. Go to the Bush 2004 Meetup site and sign up for your local Meetup. Attend pro-Bush, pro-America, pro-troop rallies in your area.

Donate: At the official Bush-Cheney 2004 site, or (up to $200) through Amazon.com. Or (and!) buy some Bush 2004 stuff at the official George W. Bush online store. For the record, I've donated $200 and spent about $70 at the store--so far. So I'm not asking you to do anything I haven't done myself.

If you have a blog, join Wictory Wednesday. Not only will you be helping the effort to re-elect the President, but you'll get a spot on the Wictory Wednesday Blogroll which appears on each WW blog (see the left-hand sidebar).

Get involved now to re-elect the President!

Because America cannot afford the alternative.

Spokane County Grassroots and Volunteer meeting

2004-02-17T14:37:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, February 18th, 6:30 PM
Credit Bureau Services Building, 521 West Maxwell Avenue (corner of Maxwell and Howard)

(Via e-mail.)

Hello Everyone! Don't forget that the Spokane County Grassroots and Volunteer meeting is on this Wednesday, February 18th at the Credit Bureau Services Building located at 521 West Maxwell Avenue (the building is on the corner of Maxwell and Howard). The meeting will start at 6:30. Please be sure to bring with you the sheet with the list of 5 volunteers that you have recruited from the last meeting. At this meeting we will cover information concerning the upcoming republican caucuses on the 9th of March and how we need to all attend and hand out information about the bush volunteer efforts and sign up sheets. We will also cover phone banking for recruiting volunteers in Spokane. We will finish the meeting early and then be making a few phone bank calls for volunteer recruitment.

Please plan to attend this meeting as we can't make this happen without you. If you are unable to attend, please let me know and we can send you some of the information we will cover at the meeting.

Jon C. Wyss

Vice-Chair Bush 04 Spokane

5th Congressional Grassroots Coordinator

The demonstrations

2004-02-17T12:54:00.000-08:00

See announcement.

I arrived at the SIRTI site just before 9 AM to find a few protesters from either side standing around with their signs.

To our amusement (especially mine, I think), one of the lefties had assumed that anyone with signs must be on his side, and had eagerly grabbed a "TAX CUTS CREATE A LIVING WAGE" sign from a Bush supporter. Eventually, he drifted off to join his fellow lefties, still carrying the sign. For at least fifteen or twenty minutes, he continued to wave this pro-tax-cut sign while standing in the midst of a bunch of left-wing protesters. Apparently these people don't even bother to read the signs they're given before they start waving them (although someone on our side made the uncharitable suggestion that perhaps the gentleman couldn't read, that doesn't explain how the rest of them missed it). Eventually, someone must have noticed what the sign actually said, because he returned it and started waving one which said, "MILITARY SOLUTIONS CAUSE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS." No, I don't know what it means, either, which may explain the thing with the pro-Bush sign.

Interestingly, not a single sign for Kerry or any other candidate was in evidence on the leftie side, while we had two huge signs, two smaller campaign signs, and a couple of handmade signs specifically supporting the President. I wonder if the Dems are going to have trouble corralling the left-wing base.

Also, all the signs on the Bush side were positive: pro-tax-cuts, pro-Bush, pro-troops, etc. Most of the signs on the other side were negative: anti-Bush, anti-business, anti-defense. Of course, this is partly due to the nature of incumbency; the out party must attack the incumbent's record, while the in party must defend it. But it's still an interesting fact, and one which favors Bush.

Another noteworthy fact: the lefties had not one American flag.

After waving our signs--and flags--for a while, we repaired to the Ridpath Hotel downtown, which is where the McAuliffe thing had been moved to at the last minute (my apologies to anyone who ended up at the Arthur address; I didn't know about the move until I got to SIRTI).

At the Ridpath, the lefties were either inside with McAuliffe or around the corner; we saw a few of them arrive (this time, some of them carried flags, since this was a mainstream Democratic Party event), but we couldn't see where they were standing. Some of us did, however, get to meet Terry McAuliffe himself as he arrived for the event. Me, I didn't feel like I could trust myself not to do something counterproductive and possibly illegal, so I stepped a few paces down the block, turned my back, and listened to him gladhand. Sickening.

Got a pretty good response from drivers-by; lots of honks, waves, and thumbs-ups, only a few thumbs-downs, a couple of middle fingers, and one guy who stopped to scream obscenities at us. There was also a snarky Deanie walk-by who was at the event, but he's got to be fairly depressed today, so I think we should cut him some slack.

On the way home, I stopped at a grocery store for lunch. The bagger in my checkout lane was complaining about his taxes, so I suggested that he vote for Bush. He didn't seem to see the connection. I made a mental note: voter education is key. On the plus side, I think the clerk is a Bush supporter, though she didn't say so explicitly.

When I got home, I put up my Bush for President yard sign, which I still have from four years ago (my Bush-Cheney sign was destroyed by vandals during the Florida coup attempt).

Anyway, it was fun, and I got to meet a few of the people who will be instrumental in winning Washington State for the President this fall. I think we've got a very good shot at it.

Report on the protests

2004-02-17T11:56:00.000-08:00

I'll be putting up a brief report on the Bush Cabinet counter-protest and McAuliffe protest later.

Spokane protest--at last, something local to post about!

2004-02-17T07:35:00.000-08:00

One last update: If you're in Spokane with nothing to do this morning, come to 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd (near Trent and Division; click the link for a map) at 9 AM to support our President.

[Updated time; scroll down for new posts.]

OK, a bit last-minute here, but I'm posting as soon as I find out about it.

Posted here.

The Gonzaga College Republicans need your help - we need to organize a massive protest tomorrow morning (Tuesday, February 17,2003) for two major events. Please forward this message to ALL SUPPORTERS as soon as possible. We need to know if people will be able to attend, so please RSVP to paul@paulschafer.com or call 747-7737 for more information.

Several Bush Cabinet officials will be meeting at SIRTI between 9:15 AM and 10:15 AM. We have received word that the Spokane Democrats are going to protest this event. We've also received word that Terry McAuliffe, the Chair of the DNC, will speak and hold a press conference around 10:30 AM tomorrow in Spokane at the Employment Security Building.

We need to organize two groups to support President Bush and the Republican Party:

First, we need a group of people to be at SIRTI with Bush/Cheney campaign signs, American flags, and other homemade signs. SIRTI is located at 665 N Riverpoint Blvd. Please arrive at 9:00 AM. This group's responsibility will be to counter protest any Democrat opposition. (If there is no visible opposition, we will regroup and meet at McAuliffe's event instead - details below).

Second, we need a group of people to protest Terry McAuliffe's speech at the Employment Security Building, located at 130 South Arthur Street in Spokane. (Just off 2nd Avenue near Office Depot store). Please be here at 10:00 AM. Bring Bush/Cheney campaign signs, American flags, and other homemade signs.

Sign examples (make sure they are written clearly / visibly and the letters are readable from a distance): Thank you President Bush for my tax cut! I support President Bush I stand with the President 112,000 Americans Find Work in January Bush Tax Cut = Strong Economy Tax cuts make positive economic "cents" Tax cuts for the economy / Bush for America Reelect our President

There will be media at both sites. Be prepared to say why you are supporting President Bush! (Remember, that you cannot speak on behalf of the campaign, but rather tell why you personally think Bush is right for America). For questions, more info, or to RSVP, e-mail paul@paulschafer.com or call 747-7737.

Thank you all very much! Please spread the word.

Changing format

2004-02-16T12:28:00.000-08:00

Realized my permalinks weren't working, then discovered that it was because I didn't have titles enabled (they are not enabled by default). So now, I'll be going back through all my posts to create titles so that the permalinks will work. Thanks, Blogger.

Update: I'm only going back a couple of days. Blogger just makes it too difficult to change large numbers of old posts. If you really want to link to one of my posts, e-mail me and I'll add a title to that one.

Nefarious techie spam tactics from the Kerry campaign

2004-02-16T08:23:00.000-08:00

You want a Kerry scandal? Let's talk about this.

I don't fully understand how it works, but even I can tell it's weaselly.

Update: Article on referrer spam (which I vote we now start calling "Kerry spam") from Wired.

Another update: More Kerry Spam evidence here and here.

Comments

2004-02-15T11:53:00.000-08:00

On a completely experimental basis, I am going to allow reader comments (using the free service from squawkbox.tv).

This comments system is intended for use primarily by Spokane Bush supporters to talk to each other. Other Bush supporters are welcome to join in. Non-Bush-supporters are OK, too, if they have something relevant to say.

However, this is not a discussion site.

If you want to express your opinions or argue for your positions, start your own blog or go join Free Republic or Democratic Underground. This blog is dedicated to the re-election of President Bush, and whatever appears here must work toward that end.

I reserve the right to remove any comment, or to cease permitting comments at any time.

2004-02-14T16:34:00.000-08:00

RNC chairman Ed Gillespie speaks in Reno

(Via Blogs for Bush.)

One of Senator Kerry’s campaign consultants was recently quoted in the New York Times saying, “Everything is on the table. … Everything.” We now know that “everything” means making slanderous charges against the President of the United States, funneling money to shadow organizations, engaging in voter suppression tactics, and spreading lies on the Internet.

It’s only February and they have made clear they intend to run the dirtiest campaign in modern presidential politics. This is because they don’t want a debate on the issues, and they don’t want to run on Sen. Kerry’s record. I guess I can’t blame them for that....

You know, after September 11th, one high-ranking Al Qaeda official said the attacks were “the beginning of the end of America.”

He didn't say September 11th was the beginning of the end of Russia. He didn't say September 11 was the beginning of the end of France. He didn't say September 11th was the beginning of the end of the United Nations. He said it was the beginning of the end of America.

He couldn't have been more wrong, but it's our prerogative to make sure he's wrong—with or without the unanimous international consent demanded by the President's critics.

One of these critics, Sen. John Kerry, twelve days after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, said, “And the tragedy is, at the moment, the single most important weapon for the United States of America is intelligence. It's the single most important weapon in this particular war …”

This is the same Sen. Kerry who in 1995, two years after the first World Trade Center bombing, voted to cut FBI funding by $80 million.

That same year, again, only two years after the first World Trade Center bombing, he unsuccessfully proposed legislation to slash $1.5 billion—over the next 5 years—from our intelligence budget.

That’s a $300 million cut in intelligence funding in 1995; the year before terrorists attacked the Khobar Towers.

That’s a $300 million cut in intelligence funding in 1997; the year before terrorists attacked U.S. embassies in East Africa.

That’s a $300 million cut in intelligence funding in 1999; the year before terrorists attacked the U.S.S. Cole.

Twelve days after September 11, after saying that America is weakest in the area of intelligence, he added, “So it’s going to take us time to be able to build up here to do this properly.”

Had Sen. Kerry’s drastic cuts in intelligence passed, it would be taking us a lot more time to do this properly....

Former Democratic Senator Bob Kerry [sic] of Nebraska recently said, “I think [Iraq is] going well. It breaks my heart whenever anybody dies, but we liberated 25 million people who were living under a dictator. It puts us on the side of democracy in the Arab world. Twenty years from now, we'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who says it wasn't worth the effort.”

Sen. Bob Kerry is right; Sen. John Kerry is wrong....

In 1840, as a member of a five-man Whig Party campaign committee in Illinois, Abraham Lincoln counseled his party:

“Divide your county into small districts and appoint in each a committee. Make a perfect list of the voters and ascertain with certainty for whom they will vote. Keep a constant watch on the doubtful voters and have them talked to by those in whom they have the most confidence. On election day see that everyone is brought to the polls.”

One hundred and sixty-four years later this is our plan. We will expand on the successful 72-hour program, to make sure we are identifying and turning out Republican voters on Election Day. We are successful when at the grassroots, people are energized, and our supporters are talking to one another after religious services, at soccer games, in grocery store aisles. If you’re not signed up at GOPTEAMLEADER.COM, please do so today!

We need to sign up new voters and voters who are switching parties. And we must continue to be an inclusive party that increases our share of African-American, Asian American and Latino voters.

The leadership of George W. Bush is exciting people all across the country, and we have added over 1.1 million first-time donors to the RNC since his inauguration.

We have set a goal to register 3 million new Republicans in this election cycle. We’ve declared March 6-13 as National Voter Registration Week, with a goal of registering 1 million voters that week alone!

It is an ambitious goal, but I believe we’ll get it done. Here in Nevada, we are looking to register 57,000 new voters. This will help us hit our jackpot in November.

2004-02-14T15:01:00.000-08:00

Are you ready to rock?
Bush's Campaign More Aggressive in Coming Weeks
(NY Times; requires registration)

President Bush's political advisers are completing plans for a more aggressive stage of his re-election campaign, seeking to discredit Senator John Kerry and promote Mr. Bush's record and character with television advertisements and a more visible role for the president himself, aides and Republican officials said....

Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker, cautioned the White House against panic.

"One lesson that Howard Dean should have taught all the pundits is that the election isn't until Election Day," Mr. Gingrich said. "If Kerry was a centrist from the Midwest or South, the next six or eight months would be intense. But he's a Jane Fonda antiwar liberal. They just need to let the country get to know Kerry, calmly and methodically."

So let's get going. Donate whatever you can afford to, volunteer whatever time you can, buy and display some bumper stickers, buttons, or yard signs from the online store, or join the Bush 2004 meetup. This is the most important election of my lifetime. Even in '72 and '84, the issues were not as clearly defined as they are now. America cannot afford at this crucial time to put a Democrat--especially a John Kerry--in the White House.