The Pit Bull with Lipstick

That's how Sarah Palin defined “hockey moms” such as herself, and boy did it fit. She brilliantly delivered attacks that struck deep into the weaknesses of the Obama-Biden campaign while doing so in a humorous and intelligent way. Even many reporters that were clearly in the tank for Obama have been gushing about her speech tonight, and for good reason: she didn't hit a home run, she hit a grand slam.

Go Palin! I'm looking forward to President Palin someday down the road, and President McCain in January!

I'm Thrilled

I'm really excited about Sarah Pallin. I think she is going to shake this election up, as early polling is indicating. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are in town today, alas previous commitments made it impossible for me to go hear them. I hope they swing through this swing state again before the election — then, hopefully, I will catch them.

In any case, the ticket looks really, really strong. Palin has quite a reputation for major action only a few years into her political career. With ethics reform and fiscal responsibility measures gracing her CV, it seems hard not to be excited. Moreover, the fact that she is not only pro-life, but has shown how strong her commitment is by keeping her youngest child despite knowing he would suffer from Down's Syndrome, shows she can walk her talk and adds a powerfully humanizing element to a sometimes abstract debate (not that I'd suggest one's family should be turned into political pawns, but nevertheless, one's personal actions certainly provide helpful support for one's policies — if they match). Even some pro-choice analysts seem to be soft on Palin's pro-life stance because she is not someone speaking from a distance.

The McCain-Palin ticket looks like it could potentially reset the Republicans to a someone pre-neocon state, which would not make me the least bit sad. While McCain's support of Iraq obviously ties him into the neo-conservative spectrum, there can be little doubt that he is not four more years of President Bush. I like President Bush better than most, but at the same time, I think only a very small minority thinks the Bush era GOP is better than the Reagan era party.

And, of course, it is obviously exciting that whichever party wins, a happy bit of history is now going to be made this election. While I do not think one should vote for the Republican ticket because it will give the U.S. its first female vice president, or the Democratic ticket because it will give the U.S. its first African-American president, all else aside, cracking the proverbial (and — this week — popular) cracked glass ceiling would be good for all of us.

The Dems Should Bowl for the Nomination says Clinton

Check out this important announcement from Sen. Clinton.

Pilate's Truth

For Good Friday, I republished on OFB a meditation entitled “Pilate's Truth” which I originally presented during a Good Friday service two years ago and subsequently posted here. You can find it over at OFB.

Fallen Idol

I forgot to post on here that I placed a commentary on the Obama issue over at OFB the other day. Check it out here. I plan on running a series of presidential commentaries on OFB as we look towards the final Democratic primaries.

Jeremiah was My Pastor

Listen here for an amusing parody of “Joy to the World (“Jeremiah was a Bullfrog”), with reference to Rev. Jeremiah Wright. It's hardly a laughing matter, admittedly, when someone spews hate, racism and anti-semeticism, but still, everything has its lighter side, no?

Hat tip for the song: guess who.

The more serious take I have not given online until now: Sen. Obama has shown a troubling and absolutely huge lack of judgment belonging to Trinity UCC for the last twenty years. I've thought that for months, since I first became aware of the situation. I am glad the whole controversy has come to the top, because people should know and consider why a man wanting to be the leader of the free world would call a hateful man like Rev. Wright a mentor and his “spiritual advisor.” Neither McCain nor Clinton have close ties to anyone like this, and attempts to suggest that McCain being endorsed by someone like Hagee or Clinton being defended by Ferraro is on the same plain as Obama being guided by Wright is inexcusably disingenuous. Folks, you should be ashamed of yourselves for even attempting it.

The end result? Obama is a terribly slippery politician that belonged to the church to build up his base, a terribly judge of character who stayed at the church because he was incapable of understanding what Wright was doing, or he is lying and actually agrees with Wright's racist, anti-American opinions. Do any of those speak to someone we want as president?

Like everyone else, I was entranced by Obama at the DNC '04, where he gave his “Audacity of Hope” speech. Seeing him then, I am totally unsurprised that he is only steps away from the presidency now. But just the slightest understanding of Obama and his stands (politically and otherwise) ought to shake anyone from a naive, passive acceptance of his opinions.

I Like Mike, But McCain Ain't Bad

Well, I still like Gov. Huckabee and I still firmly believe he was the best candidate in any party. But, he has wisely chosen to cede to Sen. John McCain, and I believe that will be for the best. I do not agree with McCain on a number of points (particularly points like immigration, campaign finance reform and stem cell research) where he agrees with the Dems, but in general I agree with him vastly more than the Democrats. He's a mostly strong social conservative, he has the right plan for Iraq, and he is a fiscal conservative.

McCain will help keep our country not only safe, but also running smoothly. He reiterated tonight — very well, I might add — how Obama and Clinton both have visions for our country that return us to the big government plans of the past. These will hurt our economy and only place more government burden upon us. They were not right several decades ago and remain wrong today. Admittedly, President Bush has failed here, but I believe McCain has given every reason to believe he will correct the not-so-conservative failings of Bush.

With that in mind, I now place my (ever weighty!) endorsement on Sen. John McCain. Go Johnny go!

Don't Vote Obama

Go vote Huckabee if you are Republican, just to let McCain know conservatism is alive and well. More importantly, vote Clinton if you are a Democrat to help show that empty promises of “change” do not mask a poor and strongly liberal record. Nor does it cover up interactions with extremists such as Obama mentor Jeremiah Wright, not to mention Louis Farrakan. Nor does it forgive wild promises concerning Iraq. Obama is wrong for American — I believe the worst of the major candidates to run in either party. Candidates who cause Messianic feelings amongst people should cause the wise person concern not joy. Given Huckabee's unfortunately low polling numbers, I am inclined to say even Republicans should go vote Clinton tomorrow, because it is critical that Obamamania is deflated, if such is even possible at this point.

(Humorous bits like the two mock debates from the past two weeks of SNL, available with a little searching online, may help as they show how biased the mass media is towards Obama, but even that may be too little, too late.)

Meanwhile, check out a very good article by my friend Dennis E. Powell. He has some amusing anecdotes about the primaries tomorrow.

It’s an interesting campaign in terms of the process, if not so much the outcome. In one party, there is someone who has campaigned based on the religious fervor of his followers and an old warhorse who feels through years of service entitled to the nomination. The Republicans have a couple of candidates, too.

I Believe Change Can Happen in the Future...

Hat tip: Credit goes to none other than the man who ties half his brains behind his back just to make it fair, the lovable, harmless, fuzz-ball, the all seeing, all knowing, all feeling Maha Rushie. Yes, El Rushbo himself. That's a clip that has been playing on the Rush Limbaugh Show before EIB Obscene Profit Center breaks. And yes, using all that EIB jargon has just made me admit I listen to America's Anchorman a bit too much… but, don't fear, I am not a Rush 24/7 subscriber, and I do not listen to the Weapon of Mass Instruction every day. And, no, I do not go to Rush for my political opinions. If I did, I wouldn't support Huckabee and I would never vote for McCain.

Go Huckabee!

Mike Huckabee has already taken Kansas today. If you are in a state voting this weekend, consider voting for the best and last conservative standing for the 2008 Presidential nomination. Huckabee is the only true outsider, the only one with innovative plans to reform government and is the only candidate to survive as a major player despite the mass media constantly trying to show him as an also ran. Send a message to the nation that this race isn't over yet!

Also, consider helping me reach my $100 for Huckabee goal by donating through this link to MikeHuckabee.com.

Let's tell American we like Mike!