Libertarian Leanings

My bet is on Biden

It came as something of a surprise to me to hear Barack Obama take aim at fellow African American.  But take aim he did at the Saddleback Church on Saturday when he said Clarence Thomas was the justice he would not have nominated to the Supreme Court.  This was in response to the question from Pastor Rick Warren who arranged the forum for it.  Thomas was not a “strong enough jurist” for the job, said Obama. 

Pastor Rick Warren asked each Presidential candidate which Justices he would not have nominated. Mr. McCain said, "with all due respect" the four most liberal sitting Justices because of his different judicial philosophy.

Mr. Obama took a lower road, replying first that "that's a good one," and then adding that "I would not have nominated Clarence Thomas. I don't think that he, I don't think that he was a strong enough jurist or legal thinker at the time for that elevation. Setting aside the fact that I profoundly disagree with his interpretation of a lot of the Constitution." The Democrat added that he also wouldn't have appointed Antonin Scalia, and perhaps not John Roberts, though he assured the audience that at least they were smart enough for the job.

It makes some sense now, why he did it.  Senator Joe Biden of Delaware is on the Obama short list for running mate. 

The Obama campaign is also completing a highly secretive vice presidential selection process in which the front-runners are believed to be Sens. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Del.) and Evan Bayh (Ind.) and Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.

What might that have to do with the shot he took at Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas?  Kathryn Jean Lopez reminds us of what Clarence Thomas thinks of Joe Biden.  She does so using quotes from his autobiography, My Grandfather's Son.  This one describes Biden's performance at Thomas's Supreme Court confirmation hearing.

Senator Biden was the first questioner. Instead of the softball questions he’d promised to ask, he threw a beanball straight at my head, quoting from a speech that I’d given four years earlier at the Pacific Legal Foundation and challenging me to defend what I’d said: “ ‘I find attractive the arguments of scholars such as Stephen Macedo, who defend an activist Supreme Court that would . . . strike down laws restricting property right.’ ” That caught me off guard, and I had no recollection of making so atypical a statement, which shook me up even more. “Now, it would seem to me what you were talking about,” Senator Biden went on to say, “is you find attractive the fact that they are activists and they would like to strike down existing laws that impact on restricting the use of property rights, because you know, that is what they write about.”

Since I didn’t remember making the statement in the first place, I didn’t know how to respond to it. All I could say in reply was that “it has been quite some time since I have read Professor Macedo. . . . But I don’t believe that in my writings I have indicated that we should have an activist Supreme Court or that we should have any form of activism on the Supreme Court.” It was, I knew, a weak answer. Fortunately, though, the young lawyers who had helped prepare me for the hearings had loaded all of my speeches into a computer, and at the first break in the proceedings they looked this one up. The senator, they found, had wrenched my words out of context. I looked at the text of my speech and saw that the passage he’d read out loud had been immediately followed by two other sentences: “But the libertarian argument overlooks the place of the Supreme Court in a scheme of separation of powers. One does not strengthen self-government and the rule of law by having the non-democratic branch of the government make policy.” The point I’d been making was the opposite of the one that Senator Biden claimed I had made.

Throughout my life I’ve often found truth embedded in the lyrics of my favorite records. At Yale, for example, I’d listened often to “Smiling Faces Sometimes,” a song by the Undisputed Truth that warns of the dangers of trusting the hypocrites who “pretend to be your friend” while secretly planning to do you wrong. Now I knew I’d met one of them: Senator Biden’s smooth, insincere promises that he would treat me fairly were nothing but talk. Instead of relaxing, I’d have to keep my guard up.

I think Biden is the guy Obama wants, but Clarence Thomas reveals Biden as a nothing more than a pretend friend.  Thomas had to be discredited.  I'm betting on Biden for running mate.

Al Qaeda's dim prospects

It's the conclusion from Strategy Page.

For many Moslems, al Qaeda is down, but not out. But for most Moslems, al Qaeda is finished, and openly despised. In most areas where al Qaeda still has some fighters in action, the terrorists are feared and hated. As a result of that, and the recent spread of cell phone service throughout the Islamic world, al Qaeda is fighting hard to survive in any form at all.

It's all about what happened in Iraq.  Osama bin Laden was once considered the "strong horse."  Enough so that he believed it himself.  Believed he was strong enough to take on the Great Satan.  Hasn't worked out that way.  Of course, we were supposed to think Iraq was a distraction from the War on Terror.  Hasn't worked out that way.

Congress and the fruits of their labor

Wondering why we pay 'em the big bucks?

Barring a burst of legislative activity after Labor Day, this group of 535 men and women will have accomplished a rare feat. In two decades of record keeping, no sitting Congress has passed fewer public laws at this point in the session -- 294 so far -- than this one. That's not to say they've been idle. On the flip side, no Congress in the same 20 years has been so prolific when it comes to proposing resolutions -- more than 1,900, according to a tally by the nonpartisan Taxpayers for Common Sense.

With the mostly symbolic measures, Congress has saluted such milestones as the Idaho Potato Commission's 70th anniversary and recognized soil as an "essential natural resource." As legislation on gasoline prices, tax fixes and predatory lending languish, Congress has designated May 5-9 as National Substitute Teacher Recognition Week, and set July 28 as the Day of the American Cowboy.

Brings to mind that phrase "All hat, no cattle," doesn't it?

The test of logic

Of Barack Obama's reply at the Saddleback Civil Forum to the question of when human life is deserving of human rights, Michael Gerson observed, "Here the professor failed the test of logic."

Obama's response on abortion -- the issue that remains his largest obstacle to evangelical support -- bordered on a gaffe. Asked by Warren at what point in its development a baby gains "human rights," Obama said that such determinations were "above my pay grade" -- a silly answer to a sophisticated question. If Obama is genuinely unsure about this matter, he (and the law) should err in favor of protecting innocent life. If Obama believes that a baby in the womb lacks human rights, he should say so -- pro-choice men and women must affirm (as many sincerely do) that developing life has a lesser status. Here the professor failed the test of logic.

Obama may have failed the test of logic, but the notion that Obama's candidacy might have a basis in anything other than emotion is a mistaken one.  Obama is all charisma and no conviction, and the charisma part is beginning to wear a little thin.  His reply to the question of protecting innocent life was like so many of the other hard questions he's faced in his career.  By putting it above his pay grade he voted, "Present," and in so doing he failed the test of logic, but more importantly, he failed the test of backbone. 

We ask our presidents to deal with the hard questions.  Sad to say, we vilify them when they do it, but we ask them nonetheless.  Somehow we've been fortunate that our presidents have mostly been willing to step up and make the hard choice.  Perhaps it's the example of George W. Bush that has made Obama so restrained.  No president in my lifetime has been more viciously attacked for the choices he's made than George W. Bush.

Democratic party luminaries, a fortunate bunch if ever there was one, have had the luxury of voting for war and then condemning the administration for waging it.  Supported by a compliant media, they have second guessed the president at every turn.  They have invariably urged that we do something other than whatever course of action Bush decided to take.  It has never mattered what course that might be.  Each presidential decision was, above all else, an opportunity for liberal mandarins to wallow in delicious rage, goaded on by a their allies in the media. 

But not only are we lucky enough to have had presidents up to the task of making hard decisions, we've been extraordinarily fortunate that the one we have right now has had the courage to stick with his decisions once they're made.  As Democrats reversed themselves, ran away from their own votes, denied that we at war against terrorists, and demanded that we capitulate in Iraq, George Bush forged ahead.  And because of it a nascent democracy arises in the heart of the Arab world.  It is an example for the rest of the world to see because it speaks to what is possible. 

Al Qaeda has suffered a defeat in Iraq that would have been unthinkable just a few short years ago.  Osama bin Laden, at one time a most admired and feared man, is very likely hiding in a cave somewhere.  That is, if he is alive at all.  We don't know because George W. Bush has made it way too dangerous for bin Laden to show his face. 

But now we are about to get a new president.  It is my sincere hope that, like George W. Bush, he will have the courage of his convictions.  The ever careful Barack Obama has been right about one thing.  If John McCain is elected president his presidency will be in some ways will be a continuation of the Bush administration.  But it will be in this way more than any other:  We'll have a president that has some backbone. 

There is no backbone in the Democratic party.  Barack Obama demonstrates this clearly by his unwillingness to take a stand against either the right to life or the abortion lobbies.  If candidate Obama can't do that, where will President Obama ever find the backbone to stand up to Russia, or Iran, or Syria, or North Korea?

The week that was

According to Neil Cavuto, this is the week the Democrats blew their chances for taking the White House.

Democrats lost a lot of mojo this week, their only saving grace that it's an August week.

I don't think that will save them.

Not when Russia threatens a new Cold War and the best their presumptive nominee can do is offer hope warring parties could put aside their hostilities...

While his opponent calls Russia what it clearly was and is: a bully. And a bully that must be dealt with.

And if his presidential metal wasn't tested enough...Barack Obama caves to Hillary Clinton and allows a roll call vote. He's doing it for all good and decent reasons. But nothing good or decent will come of it....her supporters still don't flip over him, no matter what he does to accommodate them.

He's given Hillary a prime time speech. Bill a prime time speech. Chelsea a prime time speech. Is Sox the Cat still around?

My god, who won this damn thing? Show some backbone, man!

New York Times does the math

And got it wrong.  In the run-up to the November election a pair of Senate Democrats commissioned a study by the GAO presumably hoping to persuade voters that Republican tax policies are a give away to the rich.  The report found that from 1998 to 2005, two out of three American corporations paid no corporate income taxes.  The ever vigilant New York Times leaped to explain the implications, as Power Line describes.

As dumb as the Levin-Dorgan press release was, however, it wasn't dumb enough for the New York Times. The paper got out its calculator, multiplied the gross revenues of the companies in the GAO study by 35%, and came up with this classic of economic ignorance:

At a basic corporate tax rate of 35 percent, all the corporations covered in the study in theory owed $875 billion in federal income taxes.

In theory, a company pays 35% of its net income to the feds, not its gross receipts.

According to Power Line the Times was "red-faced" as it issued its correction.  I doubt it.  I can't imagine the Times would be in the least bit embarrassed by the tactics they so willingly employ in their ideological warfare.  Via Instapundit.

Foreclosures up

File this AP story under "It's a election year and we'd like to see a Democrat get to be president."  The headline blares: US Foreclosure Filings Surge 55%.  July was a terrible month for the housing market, but a 55% surge in foreclosures is catastrophic.  It turns out July's 55% increase was compared the July of last year.  Compared to June of this year the increase was 8%.

Nationwide, more than 272,000 homes received at least one foreclosure-related notice in July, up 55% from about 175,000 in the same month last year and up 8% from June, RealtyTrac Inc. said.

My emphasis above.  Bad economic news is more damaging to the party of the encumbent, and this AP story spins bad economic news into catastrophe.

Yeah, but...

Hillary Clinton's name will be placed in nomination at the Democratic National Convention later this month. 

WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's name will be placed in nomination at the party's convention in Denver later this month, giving her a prominent place in the roll-call vote that will formally make Barack Obama the Democratic nominee.

The decision, announced shortly after noon Thursday in a joint statement by the two camps, resulted from negotiations between Clinton and Obama backers over how best to recognize Clinton's historic run, while not allowing it to overshadow a party convention designed to spotlight Obama.

Theoretically Clinton's nomination will provide catharsis for her distraught supporters.

But it was die-hard Clinton supporters who also pressed the issue publicly, circulating a petition calling on Clinton to add her name to the roll-call vote. Clinton didn't discourage the effort -- at one point even suggesting that it would provide the proper "catharsis" for her supporters who were deeply disappointed by her defeat.

According to Obama campaign:

"I am convinced that honoring Senator Clinton's historic campaign in this way will help us celebrate this defining moment in our history and bring the party together in a strong united fashion," said Obama said in the statement.

Clinton agreed:

Clinton added: "With every voice heard and the Party strongly united, we will elect Senator Obama president of the United States and put our nation on the path to peace and prosperity once again."

But... What if some of those delegates decide to switch their votes and she wins?  Won't that be fun!!

Dualing coverage

This morning President George W. Bush reacted to the Russian invasion of Georgia with a warning to the Russians.  Let's compare the stories on it from the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.  First, the headlines.

Washington Post:

Georgia Says Russian
Tanks Violating Truce
Eyewitnesses say armor and troops moved toward
the Georgian capital before turning north on an
old military road that leads back to Russia.
Peter Finn | 10:15 a.m. ET

Bush Warns Russia to Honor Cease-Fire Agreement
U.S. Sees Russian Fear | In Russia, Pride Prevails

Wall Street Journal:

Bush Says Russia Must Keep Word
On Bringing End to Hostilities

Washington Post:

President Bush today warned Russia to honor a cease-fire agreement in the conflict with Georgia, saying that Moscow's actions "raise serious questions about its intentions."

Wall Street Journal:

U.S. President George W. Bush pledged Wednesday morning to continue to "rally the free world in defense of a free Georgia," condemning Russia's reported continued military action.

Washington Post:

In a brief statement in the Rose Garden at the White House, Bush said he is sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Paris for ongoing negotiations and then to Tbilisi to show support for the Georgian people.

Wall Street Journal:

Mr. Bush said in the televised statement that he was sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to meet with the French President Nicolas Sarkozy whose country currently holds the European Union presidency and has attempted to broker a cease-fire. Ms. Rice will then travel to the Georgian capital, Tblisi, to "personally convey" America's "unwavering support," said Mr. Bush, who spoke with Mr. Sarkozy as well as the Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili earlier today.

Washington Post:

But Bush again offered little indication of a concrete threat to Russia if it does not stand down and remove troops from Georgia, a staunch U.S. ally that contributed troops to the war in Iraq and has sought membership in NATO.

Wall Street Journal:

The president warned that Russia was putting its international aspirations at risk unless it immediately halted its offensive and withdrew from Georgian territory. That would include the country's membership in the Group of Eight industrialized nations and its desires to join the World Trade Organization.

Washington Post:

Flanked by Rice and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Bush also said the United States has launched a humanitarian relief effort for Georgia using U.S. military aircraft and ships, saying he expected Russia to allow shipments in.

Wall Street Journal:

Mr. Bush also announced that a massive U.S. humanitarian effort was already in progress, and would involve U.S. aircraft as well as naval forces. A U.S. C-17 military cargo plane loaded with supplies is already on the way, and Mr. Bush said that Russia must ensure that "all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, roads and airports," remain open to let deliveries and civilians through.

Washington Post:

The remarks came amid reports from local officials and eyewitnesses that Russian troops and armor moved deeper into Georgian territory in apparent violation of the cease-fire agreement reached yesterday.

But Russian officials said the movement of troops was only aimed at "demilitarizing" areas near the border with South Ossetia, the separatist Georgian province at the heart of the conflict.

Wall Street Journal:

"The Russians are looting everything in sight. The whole city is full of marauders," said Roland Bochiashvili as he left Gori. He said Russian Cossack volunteers were also in the city, in addition to the Ossetians, most of whom have been issued with Russian passports.

The Russian army itself is taking no part in the looting, said Georgian National Guard Lieutenant Guja Bichashvili, who fled the city after donning civilian clothes. "It is the [Russian] Cossacks and the Ossetians that are causing mayhem. The local population is actually relieved to see regular Russian troops in Gori, hoping that the soldiers will protect them from the marauders," he said.

Only rare bursts of gunfire could be heard at the entrance to Gori, and the Russians seem to have captured the city largely unopposed. "Where is our government? Where is our army? Who in the world is going to help us?" wailed one distraught woman, as a group of refugees mobbed a Georgian official. "Nobody cares."

Inside Gori, Russian soldiers stood by as irregulars held a Sky TV crew at gunpoint and took their car and equipment. A Polish crew suffered the same fate.

It's not hard to tell which paper has the more favorable view of Bush and his support for the independence of Georgia.

Media driven

Fear of Global Warming is on the wane, according to an article in National Journal.  The article tells of a recent survey by ABC News, Planet Green and Stanford University that found only 47 percent of Americans now consider global warming an important issue compared to 52 percent who thought so in April 2007.

According to an analysis by ABC News' Gary Langer, the drop in these numbers coincides with decreased media attention to climate change, in favor of the election and economy. "A database search finds 50 percent fewer news stories on global warming in the month before this poll was conducted, compared with the month before last year's survey," Langer wrote.

There we have it.  The root cause of global warming is media hot air.