AP Goes All Orwell in Covering Obama Apology for Medal Of Honor Gaffe It Originally Ignored

◼ In a speech to soldiers at Fort Drum, President Obama "mistakenly identified a fallen member of that division as another soldier in a completely different Army unit who is alive" -- both of whom won the Congressional Medal of Honor. - Newsbusters

Never mind that it's recorded here at YouTube and heaven knows how many other places.

Never mind that it was noted Wednesday by over 50 blogs, including several high-traffic leaders like Pajamas Media (here and here), Hot Air, Gateway Pundit, Blackfive, and Wizbang.

Never mind that Andrew Breitbart posted the related video at 3:59 p.m. on Wednesday.

Never mind that a few establishment press outlets noted the gaffe early on Thursday, though with a level of understanding which would never have been and almost never has been allotted to a conservative or Republican, including the LA Times ("Obama confuses his Medal of Honor recipients during Ft. Drum remarks"), the Washington Post ("Obama slips on names of Medal of Honor recipients"), CBS News ("Obama criticized for flubbing name of medal of honor recipient" -- Of course, the gaffe isn't the story, it's the fact that meanie conservatives are pointing it out), and ABC News ("Obama Flubs Medal Of Honor Winner"). Read more at the links

Obama Apologizes to Family of Fallen Soldier...
◼ Discussion at Lucianne

Iowa: Romney, the national front-runner and a familiar face in Iowa after his 2008 presidential run, attracts support from 23 percent of likely Republican caucus-goers. Bachmann, who will officially kick off her campaign in Iowa on Monday, nearly matches him, with 22 percent.

◼ Iowa Poll: Romney, Bachmann in lead; Cain third; others find little traction - desmoinesregister.com

“She’s up there as a real competitor and a real contender,” said Republican pollster Randy Gutermuth, who is unaffiliated with any of the presidential candidates. “This would indicate that she’s going to be a real player in Iowa.”

Former Godfather’s CEO Herman Cain, who has never held public office but has found a following among tea party supporters, comes in third, with 10 percent.

The other candidates tested register in single digits: former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Texas Rep. Ron Paul, 7 percent each; former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, 6 percent; former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, 4 percent; and former Utah Gov. and ambassador to China Jon Huntsman, 2 percent.

CBO director on Obama budget framework: "We don't estimate speeches"

◼ “We don’t estimate speeches," Elmendorf shot back. "We need much more specificity then was provided in that speech for us to do our analysis." - Philip Klein/Washington Examiner

Sarah Palin: Heading to Iowa after weeks of speculation

◼ The Palins will be in Iowa next week for the premiere of The Undefeated. - Michelle Malkin

◼ SANTA MONICA, Calif. (June 25, 2011) – Victory Film Group and ARC Entertainment announced today that Governor Sarah Palin and her husband Todd will attend the premiere of The Undefeated at the historic Pella Opera House on Tuesday June 28 at 5pm Central Time in Pella, Iowa. Immediately after the showing, Victory Film Group and ARC Entertainment will host a traditional Iowa cookout to thank the Pella Opera House and the people of Pella.

◼ Sarah Palin will come to Iowa for movie showing Tuesday - desmoinesregister.com

◼ Palin Parks Her Bus - The Other McCain
◼ Palin Bus Tour Takes Extended Pit Stop - Real Clear Politics
◼ Palin Decision Expected - Robert Stacy McCain for The American Spectator
◼ Palin Says 'One Nation' Tour on Hold for Jury Duty (June 23) - FOX

“It is unclear why the Democratic National Committee would have been used to organize a meeting to solicit advice on the economy."

◼ W.H. releases DNC meet names - Politico

In addition to the Wall Street financiers and business executives, the session was attended by Andy Tobias, the DNC treasurer; Patrick Gaspard, the former White House political director and current DNC executive director; and Brad Thompson, a DNC fundraiser who works with high-dollar donors and bundlers in New York.

Military leaders know Obama’s decision is a disaster

◼ It bears repeating that the deadline imposed by the president has nothing to do with military or strategic calculation. It has everything to do with an electoral calculation. President Obama wants those troops out two months before Americans go to the voting booth. - Washington Post

Republicans pull out of debt talks, demand Obama meet directly with GOP over taxes

◼ Republicans pull out of debt talks, demand Obama meet directly with GOP over taxes - Washington Post
◼ GOP Rep. McCarthy to Obama: 'Get off the golf course' and 'get engaged' - The Hill

"It's not just traders and investors but also entrepreneurs who smell Obama's fear. And when this level of sheer economic panic is shown by the government, it further depresses the willingness of America's job creators to take risk to start or expand businesses."

◼ Obama's Oily Desperation - The American Spectator

Of all the misguided policies implemented during the Obama Administration, this release of oil from our Strategic Petroleum Reserves is the most puzzling and the most representative of its utter cluelessness about markets, business, and economics. It sends multiple wrong messages. The little that it might accomplish will be temporary. And the longer-term response by markets and businessmen will be more than an equal and opposite reaction.

Republicans (59 percent) and unaffiliated voters (58 percent) "feel much more strongly than Democrats that most reporters ... would hold back news that might hurt a candidate they wanted to win."

◼ Poll: Voters think reporters are biased liberals - Yahoo

GOP 2012: It's still too early for most voters

◼ It's still early days for the 2012 presidential election, and while the news media are avidly following the travel schedules, debate performances and general comings and goings of various candidates and potential candidates alike, most voters themselves have yet to focus on the election or the potential field. What's more, that's typical for this point in time in a presidential election cycle. - CBS

CFRW Capitol Update: On the Budget - Still Nothing… ACTION ITEM

There is bad news, good news and better news. The bad news is that the State of California is still without a budget agreement. The good news is the State of California is still without a budget agreement. How might this be both good and bad news?

Well, the important thing to remember is Governor Brown is still trying to broker a deal to pass a budget with a tax-extension on a special election ballot. There is a 7 day window of opportunity for the Governor to achieve this for a fall election, but many believe that it will not happen.

Republicans continue to insist that they are not opposed to tax extensions on a special ballot, as long as it also includes a spending cap requirement and pension reform. If Republicans stand firm, we may be close to finally getting some sensible budget solutions for California.

Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway proposed a no-tax budget in early May that fully funds education. The Senate Republican Caucus sent Governor Brown a list of responsible budget proposals.

See those proposals here and here, respectively.

Our Republicans are committed to protecting tax-payers; let them know that you appreciate their efforts by emailing your representative. If you do not have a Republican representative email Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway or Senate Republican Leader Bob Dutton. CRP Chairman Tom Del Beccaro asks that we continue to encourage our Republican legislators and ask them to remain tough on taxes! (Click on the links below to send emails)

REPUBLICAN SENATE MEMBERS

Joel Anderson - 36th District
--- Email: senator.anderson@sen.ca.gov
Tom Berryhill - 14th District
--- Email: senator.berryhill@senate.ca.gov
Sam Blakeslee - 15th District
--- Email: senator.blakeslee@sentate.ca.gov
Anthony Cannella - 12th District
--- Email: senator.canella@senate.ca.gov
Bob Dutton - 31st District, Republican Leader
--- Email: senator.dutton@senator.ca.gov
Bill Emmerson - 37th District
--- Email: senator.emmerson@senate.ca.gov
Jean Fuller - 18th District
--- Email: senator.fuller@senate.ca.gov
Ted Gaines - 1st District
--- Email: senator.gaines@senate.ca.gov
Tom Harmon - 35th District
--- Email: senator.harmon@senate.ca.gov
Bob Huff - 29th District
--- Email: senator.huff@senate.ca.gov
Doug LaMalfa - 4th District
--- Email: senator.lamalfa@senate.ca.gov
Sharon Runner - 17th District
--- Email: senator.runner@senate.ca.gov
Tony Strickland - 19th District
--- Email: senator.strickland@senate.ca.gov
Mimi Walters - 33rd District
--- Email: senator.walters@senate.ca.gov
Mark Wyland - 38th District
--- Email: senator.wyland@senate.ca.gov

REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY MEMBERS

Katcho Achadjian - 33rd District
--- Via Webmail http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/33/?p=email
Bill Berryhill - 26th District
--- Email: assemblymember.berryhill@assembly.ca.gov
Connie Conway - 34th District, Republican Leader
--- Email: assemblymember.conway@assembly.ca.gov
Paul Cook - 65th District
--- Email: assemblymember.cook@assembly.ca.gov
Tim Donnelly - 59th District
--- Email: assemblymember.donnelly@assembly.ca.gov
Nathan Fletcher - 75th District
--- Email: assemblymember.fletcher@assembly.ca.gov
Beth Gaines - 4th District
--- Email: assemblymember.gaines@assembly.ca.gov
Martin Garrick - 74th District
--- Email: assemblymember.garrick@assembly.ca.gov
Jeff Gorell - 37th District
--- Email: assemblymember.gorrell@assembly.ca.gov
Shannon Grove - 32nd District
--- Email: assemblymember.grove@assembly.ca.gov
Curt Hagman - 60th District
--- Email: assemblymember.hagman@assembly.ca.gov
Linda Halderman - 29th District
--- Email: assemblymember.halderman@assembly.ca.gov
Diane Harkey - 73rd District
--- Email: assemblymember.harkey@assembly.ca.gov
Kevin Jeffries - 66th District
--- Email: assemblymember.jeffries@assembly.ca.gov
Brian Jones - 77th District
--- Email: assemblymember.jones@assembly.ca.gov
Steve Knight - 36th District
--- via webmail: http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/36/?p=email
Dan Logue - 3rd District
--- Email: assemblymember.logue@assembly.ca.gov
Allan Mansoor - 68th District
--- Email: assemblymember.mansoor@assembly.ca.gov
Jeff Miller - 71st District
--- Email: assemblymember.miller@assembly.ca.gov
Mike Morrell - 63rd District
--- Email: assemblymember.morrell@assembly.ca.gov
Brian Nestande - 64th District
--- Email: assemblymember.nestande@assembly.ca.gov
Jim Nielsen - 2nd District
--- Email: assemblymember.nielsen@assembly.ca.gov
Chris Norby - 72nd District
--- Email: assemblymember.norby@assembly.ca.gov
Kristin Olsen - 25th District
--- Email: assemblymember.olsen@assembly.ca.gov
Jim Silva - 67th District
--- Email: assemblymember.silva@assembly.ca.gov
Cameron Smyth - 38th District
--- Email: assemblymember.smyth@assembly.ca.gov
David Valadao - 30th District
--- Email: assemblymember.valadao@assembly.ca.gov
Don Wagner - 70th District
--- Email: assemblymember.wagner@assembly.ca.gov

What is the better news? Earlier this week State Controller John Chiang decided that the budget Democrats submitted on June 15th was not balanced, meaning that the legislators will not receive their paychecks until a suitable, balanced budget is passed. Democrats were not happy with Chiang’s decision, claiming that their majority-budget was balanced “enough.” But the State Controller’s office found that the Democrat budget included $89.75 billion in spending and only $87.9 billion in revenue, leaving $1.3 billion unbalanced. Controller Chiang should be applauded for standing against his own party’s gimmicky budget and not settling for a less-than stable budget. Tired of the budget yet? Well this battle is not over. It is essential that Republican Women get the word out that the Republican plan fully funds education and works towards a balanced budget with long term solutions. This is one of the most pivotal times in our state’s political history and we must remain vigilant while steadfast in our conservative values. Keep informed and optimistic!

ARTICLES:

CLICKABLE EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR OUR CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. The email addresses below are clickable, use this to send emails to individual representatives. We've also included a bulk list that you can copy and paste, and use to send a message to all of them at once. Let us know if any come back as undeliverable, and we will update the list. This page will also be LINKED on our Get Involved Page (above).
(Current as of June 24, 2011, from CFRW)

REPUBLICAN SENATE MEMBERS

Joel Anderson - 36th District
--- Email: senator.anderson@sen.ca.gov
Tom Berryhill - 14th District
--- Email: senator.berryhill@senate.ca.gov
Sam Blakeslee - 15th District
--- Email: senator.blakeslee@sentate.ca.gov
Anthony Cannella - 12th District
--- Email: senator.canella@senate.ca.gov
Bob Dutton - 31st District, Republican Leader
--- Email: senator.dutton@senator.ca.gov
Bill Emmerson - 37th District
--- Email: senator.emmerson@senate.ca.gov
Jean Fuller - 18th District
--- Email: senator.fuller@senate.ca.gov
Ted Gaines - 1st District
--- Email: senator.gaines@senate.ca.gov
Tom Harmon - 35th District
--- Email: senator.harmon@senate.ca.gov
Bob Huff - 29th District
--- Email: senator.huff@senate.ca.gov
Doug LaMalfa - 4th District
--- Email: senator.lamalfa@senate.ca.gov
Sharon Runner - 17th District
--- Email: senator.runner@senate.ca.gov
Tony Strickland - 19th District
--- Email: senator.strickland@senate.ca.gov
Mimi Walters - 33rd District
--- Email: senator.walters@senate.ca.gov
Mark Wyland - 38th District
--- Email: senator.wyland@senate.ca.gov

REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY MEMBERS

Katcho Achadjian - 33rd District
--- Via Webmail http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/33/?p=email
Bill Berryhill - 26th District
--- Email: assemblymember.berryhill@assembly.ca.gov
Connie Conway - 34th District, Republican Leader
--- Email: assemblymember.conway@assembly.ca.gov
Paul Cook - 65th District
--- Email: assemblymember.cook@assembly.ca.gov
Tim Donnelly - 59th District
--- Email: assemblymember.donnelly@assembly.ca.gov
Nathan Fletcher - 75th District
--- Email: assemblymember.fletcher@assembly.ca.gov
Beth Gaines - 4th District
--- Email: assemblymember.gaines@assembly.ca.gov
Martin Garrick - 74th District
--- Email: assemblymember.garrick@assembly.ca.gov
Jeff Gorell - 37th District
--- Email: assemblymember.gorrell@assembly.ca.gov
Shannon Grove - 32nd District
--- Email: assemblymember.grove@assembly.ca.gov
Curt Hagman - 60th District
--- Email: assemblymember.hagman@assembly.ca.gov
Linda Halderman - 29th District
--- Email: assemblymember.halderman@assembly.ca.gov
Diane Harkey - 73rd District
--- Email: assemblymember.harkey@assembly.ca.gov
Kevin Jeffries - 66th District
--- Email: assemblymember.jeffries@assembly.ca.gov
Brian Jones - 77th District
--- Email: assemblymember.jones@assembly.ca.gov
Steve Knight - 36th District
--- via webmail: http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/36/?p=email
Dan Logue - 3rd District
--- Email: assemblymember.logue@assembly.ca.gov
Allan Mansoor - 68th District
--- Email: assemblymember.mansoor@assembly.ca.gov
Jeff Miller - 71st District
--- Email: assemblymember.miller@assembly.ca.gov
Mike Morrell - 63rd District
--- Email: assemblymember.morrell@assembly.ca.gov
Brian Nestande - 64th District
--- Email: assemblymember.nestande@assembly.ca.gov
Jim Nielsen - 2nd District
--- Email: assemblymember.nielsen@assembly.ca.gov
Chris Norby - 72nd District
--- Email: assemblymember.norby@assembly.ca.gov
Kristin Olsen - 25th District
--- Email: assemblymember.olsen@assembly.ca.gov
Jim Silva - 67th District
--- Email: assemblymember.silva@assembly.ca.gov
Cameron Smyth - 38th District
--- Email: assemblymember.smyth@assembly.ca.gov
David Valadao - 30th District
--- Email: assemblymember.valadao@assembly.ca.gov
Don Wagner - 70th District
--- Email: assemblymember.wagner@assembly.ca.gov

***

senator.anderson@sen.ca.gov, senator.berryhill@senate.ca.go, senator.blakeslee@sentate.ca.gov, senator.canella@senate.ca.gov, senator.dutton@senator.ca.gov, senator.emmerson@senate.ca.gov, senator.fuller@senate.ca.gov, senator.gaines@senate.ca.gov, senator.harmon@senate.ca.gov, senator.huff@senate.ca.gov, senator.lamalfa@senate.ca.gov, senator.runner@senate.ca.gov, senator.strickland@senate.ca.gov, senator.walters@senate.ca.gov, senator.wyland@senate.ca.gov,

assemblymember.berryhill@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.conway@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.cook@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.donnelly@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.fletcher@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.gaines@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.garrick@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.gorrell@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.grove@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.hagman@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.halderman@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.harkey@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.jeffries@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.jones@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.logue@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.mansoor@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.miller@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.morrell@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.nestande@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.nielsen@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.norby@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.olsen@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.silva@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.smyth@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.valadao@assembly.ca.gov<, assemblymember.wagner@assembly.ca.gov

A Reckless Threat Against Prop 13 if Jerry Brown doesn't get his way

◼ Governor Jerry Brown told an audience in San Francisco yesterday that if he doesn't get his tax plan on the ballot he expects labor groups will file an initiative to change Prop 13 to raise property taxes on business. Brown is trying to scare the business community into pressuring Republicans to support his tax plan. But, many in the business community are tired of the so-called "split roll" threat. They are preparing for battle. - Fox & Hounds

GOP Women Rally Against DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz's Attacks

◼ A series of Republican Congresswomen got up in the House on Tuesday to decry comments from Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz who said GOP policies would push women to vote for President Barack Obama and help him win a second term. - Newsmax

Rep, Kristi Noem, R-S.D., said, “The Republican agenda is indeed pro-woman. It is pro-woman because it is pro-small business, pro-entrepreneur, pro-family and pro-economic growth."

Noem said most women are concerned about the same things that men are.

“They are worried about the security of their job, if they have one. They are worried about finding a job, if they are looking for one,” she said.

“They are worried about the excessive spending we are engaging in and the overwhelming debt we are set to leave our children and grandchildren. They are worried about what new government regulation is around the corner that is going to try and control another portion of their lives or their small businesses...”

Democrats have been trying to portray Republican policies as bad for women. Wasserman Schultz told a Christian Science Monitor-sponsored breakfast this month, “Their record is a war on women, and it is a priority for them."

She singled out what she said were GOP moves to redefine rape, defund Planned Parenthood, restructure health care for seniors and undermine collective bargaining rights...

New York Daily News columnist S.E. Cupp said: “Under conservative fiscal leadership, women have more choices, not fewer. They are empowered and self-sufficient, not dependent on paternalistic big government to pay her bills, watch her kids, feed her family, get her a raise or a promotion and make decisions for her that should be entirely her own.

Phyllis Schlafly said: “Democratic policies are just an attempt to make women dependent on government handouts, women don’t want that.”

◼ Top 10 Outrageous Debbie Wasserman Schultz Quotes - Human Events
◼ Wasserman Schultz calls GOP 'anti-women' and Florida's GOP women fight back - tampabay.com
“Debbie’s accusations are baseless and inaccurate..."

◼ Campaigners in Japan are asking people to grow sunflowers, said to help decontaminate radioactive soil, in response to the Fukushima nuclear disaster that followed March's massive quake and tsunami. - Breitbart The campaign, launched by young entrepreneurs and civil servants in Fukushima prefecture last month, aims to cover large areas in yellow blossoms as a symbol of hope and reconstruction and to lure back tourists. "We will give the seeds sent back by people for free to farmers, the public sector and other groups next year," said project leader Shinji Handa. The goal is a landscape so yellow that "it will surprise NASA", he said.

◼ Campaigners in Japan are asking people to grow sunflowers, said to help decontaminate radioactive soil, in response to the Fukushima nuclear disaster that followed March's massive quake and tsunami. - Breitbart

The campaign, launched by young entrepreneurs and civil servants in Fukushima prefecture last month, aims to cover large areas in yellow blossoms as a symbol of hope and reconstruction and to lure back tourists.

"We will give the seeds sent back by people for free to farmers, the public sector and other groups next year," said project leader Shinji Handa. The goal is a landscape so yellow that "it will surprise NASA", he said.

Geithner: Taxes on ‘Small Business’ Must Rise So Government Doesn’t ‘Shrink’

◼ Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told the House Small Business Committee on Wednesday that the Obama administration believes taxes on small business must increase so the administration does not have to “shrink the overall size of government programs.” - CNS News



Geithner’s explanation of the administration's small-business tax plan came in an exchange with first-term Rep. Renee Ellmers (R.-N.C.). Ellmers, a nurse, decided to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010 after she became active in the grass-roots opposition to President Barack Obama’s proposed health-care reform plan in 2009.

“Overwhelmingly, the businesses back home and across the country continue to tell us that regulation, lack of access to capital, taxation, fear of taxation, and just the overwhelming uncertainties that our businesses face is keeping them from hiring,” Ellmers told Geithner. “They just simply cannot.”
◼ It was Necessary to Destroy Small Business In Order to Save Big Government - Ed Driscoll

No deal in sight: Republican leaders open to election, but remain opposed to temporary tax extensions

◼ Assembly Minority Leader Connie Conway, R-Tulare, meanwhile, said that she still felt lawmakers on both sides needed to continue to work on issues like a spending cap and pension reform, rather than using them as bargaining chips to reach a bipartisan budget. - Times-Standard

Republican Of The Year Dinner TONIGHT

The Humboldt County Republican Party

2011 Reagan Centennial Gala

Republican Of The Year Dinner

in honor of Republican Of The Year

Dennis Hunter

and Volunteer Of The Year

Karen Brooks

Keynote Speaker:

Ward Connerly

Featuring a special tribute to

President Ronald Reagan

Thursday, the Twenty Third of June

No Host Cocktail/Bar begins at Five O’Clock

Dinner served at Six O’Clock

Program begins at Seven O’Clock

Dinner tickets: Individual $90, Couple $160, Table (10) $800

R.S.V.P. by Fifteenth of June, 2011

Reservations Required

For additional information contact Joy Finley 707.845.2575

◼ PRESS: Ward Connerly to address Humboldt County Republicans

Obama releasing 30M barrels from US oil reserves, "'Release Baby Release' is the new 'Drill Baby Drill.'"

◼ Wary of a new surge in gas prices, the Obama administration said Thursday it is releasing 30 million barrels of oil from the country's emergency reserve as part of a broader international response to lost oil supplies caused by turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa, particularly Libya. - AP/Yahoo Finance
◼ “Straight-jacket Time”: Dow, Crude Tumble After Obama Releases Strategic Reserves - with video - The Daily Ticker
◼ When Clinton tapped SPR in 2000, gas price dropped by 1 cent... Kerry’s Energy Plan: Inconsistent, Expensive, Leaving America Less Secure - NCPA via Drudge
◼ "'Release Baby Release' is the new 'Drill Baby Drill.'" - Althouse

Debt talks collapse, Republicans walk out over taxes

◼ U.S. budget talks collapsed on Thursday after Republican negotiators walked out, throwing doubt on Washington's ability to reach a deal that would allow the government to keep borrowing and avoid a debt default. - Reuters

Representative Eric Cantor, the No. 2 Republican in the House of Representatives, said participants had identified trillions of dollars in potential spending cuts but were deadlocked over tax increases sought by Democrats. Republican Senator Jon Kyl also pulled out, according to an aide.

"Regardless of the progress that has been made, the tax issue must be resolved before discussions can continue," Cantor said in a statement.

◼ Eric Cantor Pulls Out. So does Jon Kyl. It Distracts From the Big Story. - Redstate
◼ Eric Cantor and Jon Kyl Pull Out Of Biden's Budget Deficit Talks-Boehner Backs Them Up - The Lid

Obama’s Full Speech On Afghanistan Retreat

◼ ‘The Most Irresponsible Speech Ever Given in Wartime by a US President’ Ed Driscoll
◼ @JRubinBlogger
◼ For Obama, it’s all about getting out of Afghanistan - Jennifer Rubin/Washington Post

Perhaps the most disingenuous portion of the speech was his use of the assassination of Osama bin Laden to make his case. Yes, it was a remarkable accomplishment, but no military commander believes that it has much impact on Afghanistan. And, of course, quite apart from al-Qaeda, there are the array of terrorist groups continue to threaten the Afghans and ultimately will have free rein once we depart.

TRANSCRIPT: ◼ Remarks by the President on the Way Forward in Afghanistan - whitehouse.gov
East Room 8:01 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Nearly 10 years ago, America suffered the worst attack on our shores since Pearl Harbor. This mass murder was planned by Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network in Afghanistan, and signaled a new threat to our security –- one in which the targets were no longer soldiers on a battlefield, but innocent men, women and children going about their daily lives.

Public Unions Take On Boss to Win Big Pensions

◼ Costa Mesa, population 110,000, is California in miniature. For years, public employee unions across the state have often used their influence — sometimes behind the scenes but occasionally with public, hardball campaigns — to push for improved worker pay and benefits. They have exercised power beyond their numbers by donating money to lawmakers, burnishing candidates’ credentials with endorsements and supplying volunteers during elections. - NYT

Lawmakers in both political parties have often acceded to unions’ requests to avoid political confrontations or to curry favor. They have pushed difficult choices into the future.

But now, with the expenses of past promises coming due, the cost of deferred decision-making is mounting. California alone needs to begin devoting an additional $28 billion a year to state and local public pensions to remedy an existing shortfall, according to one nonpartisan study — and nationwide, estimates of such deficits reach into the trillions over the next few decades.

“We had no idea what we were doing,” said Tony Oliveira, who as a supervisor in Kings County, in central California, voted to increase employees’ benefits, and now is on the board of the state’s enormous pension fund. “This was probably the worst public policy decision in the state’s history. But everyone kept saying there was plenty of money. And no one wants to be responsible if all the cops quit to get paid more in the next town.”

Alyssa Campanella, Miss California crowned the 2011 Miss USA

(AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Michele Bachmann at RightOnline 2011

(Part 1 of 3)

(Part 2 of 3)

(part 3 of 3)


◼ Michelle Bachmann at RightOnline 2011 - Trevor Loudon/New Zeal

And, a taste of what she's up against:
◼ Michele Bachmann's Holy War - Rolling Stone's hit piece
◼ Bachmann's Unrivaled Extremism - The Daily Beast hit piece

The US Federal Reserve gave a downbeat assessment of the world’s largest economy on Wednesday as it pointed to slower than expected growth and higher inflation

◼ Bernanke speaks, markets dive... - Financial Times via Drudge
◼ Bernanke Admits He’s Clueless On Economy’s Soft Patch - Forbes

◼ CBO: Long-Term Debt Picture Worsens... - National Journal
◼ CBO'S 2011 LONG-TERM BUDGET OUTLOOK - Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

◼ CBO: U.S. National Debt Will Climb to 187% of Entire U.S. Economy by 2035 - Hillbuzz

Herman Cain at 2011 RightOnline

(Part 1 of 2)


(Part 2 of 2)


◼ rightonline.com
◼ 2011 RightOnline News Coverage

Who Is Gary Johnson?

◼ Someone was missing from last week's Republican presidential debate, and that's too bad. He's an announced candidate who was a two-term governor of New Mexico, and he makes a case for strongly limited government. - John Stossel/Human Events

DOES THE NEW ‘WHITE HOUSE RURAL COUNCIL’ = UN’S AGENDA 21?

◼ On June 9, 2011, President Obama signed his 86th Executive Order, and almost nobody noticed. - The Blaze
President Obama’s E.O. 13575 is designed to begin taking control over almost all aspects of the lives of 16% of the American people. Why didn’t we notice it? Weinergate. In the middle of the Anthony Weiner scandal, as the press and most of the American people were distracted, President Obama created something called “The White House Rural Council” (WHRC). Learn More

The wealthy California-based National Popular Vote (NPV) group is bent on reforming the way Americans have elected their president via the requirements contained in the Constitution by hijacking the Electoral College in a way that perverts its original purpose of allocating electoral votes to states based on their population

Help Preserve Election Integrity: Oppose National Popular Vote in California

There's a new wrinkle in the old game of manipulating the outcome of
elections: A single organization is behind a massive, well- orchestrated
lobbying effort in virtually every state to restructure presidential
election procedures. The wealthy California-based National Popular Vote
(NPV) group is bent on reforming the way Americans have elected their
president via the requirements contained in the Constitution by hijacking
the Electoral College in a way that perverts its original purpose of
allocating electoral votes to states based on their population rather than
disregarding the states and basing the winner on the purely democratic
national popular vote.

No Pay For California Lawmakers Until Budget Resolved, Sen. Noreen Evans (D) UPSET

◼ Assembly Speaker John Perez said Chiang's decision gives the legislature's Republican minority control of the budget process. - Reuters

Last Wednesday was the deadline for lawmakers to submit a budget to the governor for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.

Chiang had warned lawmakers that they would not be paid if they missed the deadline.

"My office's careful review of the recently passed budget found components that were miscalculated, miscounted or unfinished," Chiang said in a statement.

"The numbers simply did not add up, and the legislature will forfeit their pay until a balanced budget is sent to the governor," he said.

In vetoing the budget, Brown said the spending plan approved by his fellow Democrats was filled with "legally questionable maneuvers, costly borrowing and unrealistic savings."

◼ Sen. Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa UPSET, "Pay ban creates constitutional crisis" - Press Democrat
◼ Previously: Evans stirs uproar over losing car perk - Press Democrat

In a series of eight online tweets tinged with sarcasm, the Santa Rosa Democrat told her Twitter followers the state could no longer afford to send her to meet constituents in Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake and Napa counties....

Only 3 in 10 said they are certain to vote for the president and 36 percent said they definitely won’t.

◼ Obama Gets 30% of Americans Certain to Support Re-Election in Economy Poll Bloomberg

Americans are growing more dissatisfied with President Barack Obama’s handling of the economy and say it will be hard to vote to re-elect him without seeing significant progress over the next year and a half.

By a margin of 61 percent to 37 percent, a Bloomberg National Poll conducted June 17-20 shows Americans say they believe that Obama will have had his chance to make the economy “substantially better” by the end of 2012.

Only 30 percent of respondents said they are certain to vote for the president and 36 percent said they definitely won’t. Among likely independent voters, only 23 percent said they will back his re-election, while 36 percent said they definitely will look for another candidate....

◼ Poll: 44% of Americans Say They're Worse Off Under Obama - Bloomberg

By a 44 percent to 34 percent margin, Americans say they believe they are worse off than when President Barack Obama took office in early 2009, when the U.S. was in the depths of a recession compounded by the September 2008 financial crisis and the economy was losing as many as 820,000 jobs a month.

The gloom covers the immediate future, with fewer than 1 in 10 people expecting unemployment to return to pre-recession levels within the next two years, and it extends to the next generation. More than half of respondents say their children are destined to have a lower standard of living than they do, upending a traditional touchstone of the American Dream.

"Texas’s economic record really is about 80 percent of Perry’s appeal..."

◼ "... Texas is just killing it on the jobs front compared with the rest of the country." - Althouse
◼ Five Points in Perry’s Favor - National Review
◼ The Rise of Uncompassionate Conservatism - National Review

There might be no more powerful symbol of the death of compassionate conservatism in the Republican party than Bush’s successor and former running mate in Texas stomping all over it with cowboy boots emblazoned with the words “Freedom” and “Liberty.”

CHICAGO: The average Chicago household now owes a staggering $63,525 to cover local government debt, according to Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas

◼ Cook taxpayers owe $108 billion, county Treasurer Pappas says: Greg Hinz - chicagobusiness.com

Suburbanites are deeply in the red, too, with the average household owing $32,901, according to the treasurer.

Among the biggest reasons: $25 billion in unfunded pension liability....

Overall, she said, municipalities have $61 billion in debt. And educational districts, $20 billion. Cook County owes $18 billion, and various sanitary districts collectively owe $4.4 billion.

In some ways the problem is actually worse than it appears. Ms. Pappas' report does not include totals from 55 of the county's 553 local units of government, which failed to report their debt figures to her.

◼ The 67 percent income tax rate increase Quinn and fellow Democrats approved in a January lame-duck session will bring in about $2.8 billion until the end of the budget year on June 30, but there’s “simply not enough money to go around,” according to the budget office. - hrwf, previously

GALLUP PLUNGE: Obama Approval -4, disapproval +5 -- in one day!

◼ Gallup Daily: Obama Job Approval via Drudge
◼ Little Change in Liberal Democrats' Strong Support for Obama - Gallup

Is President Obama losing favor with “progressives” or liberals in his own party? Obama’s White House Communications Director David Pfeiffer drew fire (and boos) from those attending the Netroots Nation gathering in Minneapolis for his boss not being liberal enough on issues like gay marriage.

As one of the attendees said, there isn’t much of a chance that liberal Democrats are going to turn Republican; just that they won’t be enthusiastic -- “They might not show up the way they did in 2008.”

TRANSCRIPT: Over the last 15 months we’ve created over 2.1 million private sector jobs. (Laughter.)

◼ Remarks by the President at a DNC Event

Gingrich campaign fundraisers quit

◼ Newt Gingrich's top two fundraising advisers resigned on Tuesday, and officials said the Republican candidate's hobbling presidential campaign carried more than $1 million in debt. - Houston Chronicle

Jon Huntsman announces presidential bid at Statue of Liberty

◼ Declaring the U.S. is “less competitive and less confident,” than in previous generations, Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Tuesday became the latest Republican challenger to President Barack Obama. - mcclatchydc.com via Drudge

Huntsman made it official in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty with a warning that "for the first time in our history, we are about to pass down to the next generation a country that is less powerful, less compassionate, less competitive and less confident than the one we got. This is totally unacceptable and totally un-American.

"It need not, must not, will not be our permanent condition," he said in prepared remarks released by his campaign.

◼ jon2012.com ◼ Donate ◼ News

Jon Stewart on Sarah Palin's emails

The Daily Show
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Companies Leaving California in Record Numbers

◼ Our losses are occurring at an accelerated rate. Also, no one knows the real level of activity because smaller companies are not required to file layoff notices with the state. A conservative estimate is that only 1 out of 5 company departures becomes public knowledge, which means California may suffer more than 1,000 disinvestment events this year. - CarpeDiem
◼ California currently ranks #49 among U.S. states for "business tax climate" (PDF) - Tax Foundation
◼ States With the Best, and Worst, Business Tax Climates - NYT

Each year, the Tax Foundation, a research organization that promotes lower taxes, releases a ranking of states based on major business taxes, individual income taxes, sales taxes, unemployment insurance taxes and property taxes, and how these variables combine to make life easier or harder for businesses located in a given place.

“My campaign consultants understood 30-second attack ads. They didn’t understand you could actually write a book with big ideas and actually campaign talking about big ideas.”

◼ Newt Gingrich strikes back - Politico

“I wanted to run an idea-oriented, grass-roots, solutions-based campaign that used Facebook and YouTube and all sorts of exciting things,” Gingrich told Fox News host Greta Van Susteren. “And we had a couple staff members who wanted to run a 1952 campaign that I thought was hopeless and couldn’t possibly win.”

The State of ObamaCare

◼ Liberty still suffers from a degenerative disorder. - John Hayward at Human Events

Big Government’s most unhealthy program, ObamaCare, has been mutating and degenerating since the hour of its gruesome birth. Thousands of pages of new regulations have erupted from its bloated, heaving body like tumors. Waivers for politically connected unions and businesses have gushed from its open wounds.

The Administration realized that the slow bleed of ObamaCare waivers was killing it politically, as each new waiver release gave critics a new opportunity to write about how awful the program is, and how corrupt Obama’s government has become....

◼ OBAMA TO END HEALTH CARE WAIVERS... - SF Gate

Republicans now openly condemn the bailout programs Bush initiated for banks and auto companies. Members of Congress look on the No Child Left Behind Law with suspicion. Few will defend the Medicare prescription drug benefit, and the only acceptable party line now on immigration reform is “No Amnesty.”

◼ “I think what you’re seeing is the Republican Party going back to its conservative roots and, yes, going back to its core principles and I think that’s a good thing,” said Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal in an interview here, adding: “I would argue that we did lose our way for a while.” - Politico

Brooklyn Republicans: 2013 Mayoral Race: Republican Opportunity?

With the demise of Anthony Weiner, doors open up for aspiring Democratic candidates from all five boroughs for the 2013 mayoral race. We’re already seeing two Borough Presidents – Scott Stringer (Manhattan) and Marty Markowitz (Brooklyn) – two citywide office holders – John Liu (Comptroller) and Bill de Blasio (Public Advocate) – and countless city council members considering such a campaign. There’s also former mayoral candidate Bill Thompson who probably reclaims the front-runner status....

◼ 2013 Mayoral Race: Republican Opportunity?

CFRW Capitol Update: Budget Buffoonery

◼ from Allison Olson, Legislative Advocate
As reported in previous Capitol Updates, June 15th is the constitutional deadline for the Legislature to pass a budget. But this year the Legislature had an additional challenge, due to the passage of Prop 25 in last election. They had to pass a budget before the constitutional deadline or risk not getting paid until they do. Since the Governor's budget revise in May, no real budget agreements have been reached. Republican Assembly Leader Connie Conway released a "No New Taxes" budget back in May, but Governor Brown remains adamant on negotiating for tax increases on a ballot. So, with all this in mind, a deadline looming and the risk of losing a paycheck, the Democrats passed a majority budget on Wednesday without any Republican support. The majority budget passed is filled with gimmicks, accounting tricks, tax increases and is legally unstable. Although the Democrats thought they dodged a bullet, they still had two obstacles. One, would Governor Brown sign the majority budget? Constitutionally he has 12 days to either sign or veto the budget. The second obstacle is State Controller John Chiang, who decides if the budget is "balanced" or not and if the Legislators deserve their paychecks. The Democrats got an answer to one of these issues very quickly. Governor Brown vetoed the Democrat majority budget early Thursday afternoon. While Republicans are still wary that real pension reform and no tax increases will be achieved, they are happy that Governor Brown vetoed the faulty budget. Democrats said they were "appalled and dismayed" that the Governor vetoed their budget, but it's more likely that they are "appalled and dismayed" that they probably won't be receiving a paycheck. Controller Chiang said that he still hasn't decided if the budget qualifies as balanced and if the Legislators will get their paychecks. The Governor said that he felt the budget is not balanced and is "legally questionable," but he is leaving the decision of pay up to Chiang. If the Legislators do get paid, then this whole budget buffoonery is just a charade. There is no way that a majority budget, with no bi-partisan effort whatsoever, filled with gimmicks and one-time solutions should be rewarded with a paycheck. Hopefully, Governor Brown is serious about wanting a bi-partisan budget effort and not just creating a facade to win voter approval for his tax increases. But for now, we are thankful that a terrible budget has been vetoed and hopeful that a better budget for California will emerge.

CRP Bounty Update

The CRP Bounty program started on May 1, 2011 and runs through October 22, 2012. The CRP will pay $3.00 for every registered Republican. Our clubs MUST sign-up by going to www.CAGOP.org, click on "Bounty Program" and fill out the CRP Official Bounty Agreement to receive payment. Federated clubs WILL NOT receive payment if they register voters and turn the registrations into their County Central Committees. In some districts the elected officials are kicking in additional funds, but this varies by each area so have your clubs check with the CRP. Thank you!
_______________
Disclaimer: The Capitol Update is an activity of the CFRW Advocate's Office. The update is for information only. CFRW official positions on legislation are stated immediately preceding the stated legislation or immediately following the stated legislation in this report.

Sarah Palin's emails: The letter about Trig

◼ A letter about Trig - Hillbuzz

Gangster Government at Treasury?

◼ Can the Treasury Exempt its Own Companies from Tax? - The $45 Billion GM NOL Carryforward - J. Mark Ramseyer and Eric B. Rasmusen
◼ Gangster Government at Treasury? - Michael Barone/Washington Examiner

CRP Statement Concerning the Latest Bureau of Labor Statistics Report

◼ SACRAMENTO, CA – California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro issued the following statement regarding the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report:

"California has lost another 29,200 jobs, unemployment remains in the double digits at 11.7 percent, and the response from Governor Brown and the Democrats so far has been to demand another $58 Billion in tax increases from struggling families. How can anyone think that asking for a massive tax-hike during turbulent economic times is going to return California to a business competitive state abundant with jobs?"

###

Happy Father’s Day! (Plus a Video from Right Online)

◼ at the link - Michelle Malkin
◼ Michelle Malkin speaks to RightOnline 2011 - The Right Scoop

◼ The fourth annual Right Online conference

How Miserable? Misery Index Worst in 28 Years

◼ ...as measured in the unofficial Misery Index that simply totals the unemployment and inflation rates, is at a 28-year high, reflective of how weak the economic recovery has been and how far there is to go.
◼ Dr. (Ron) Paul sees inflation now in food and services but believes it will feed into the labor market imminently. Big-time price inflation will be the next shoe to drop for the U.S. economy, he says, as the Fed stays rooted in its money-printing-addiction. The result would be a "downturn much worse than the stagflation of the 70's." - thestreet.com
◼ Wall Street Braces for New Layoffs as Profits Wane - CNBC
◼ World shares slump on default fears Yahoo Finance
◼ Instant view: Consumer sentiment slips in June - Reuters

But: ◼ (David) Axelrod says, It's Still 'Cool To Be An Obama Supporter'...

“When Al Gore talks about Manhattan flooding this century, and 20 feet of sea level rise, that’s simply not going to happen. If it were going to happen, he wouldn’t have bought his multi-million dollar mansion along the coast in California.”

◼ Faking sea level data? - HotAir
◼ Changing Tides: Research Center Under Fire for 'Adjusted' Sea-Level Data - FOX
◼ sealevel.colorado.edu denies, says that "our current rate estimate is actually the lowest of the groups, which does not support the claim that we "doctor the sea level data" to artificially support pro-climate change opinions."