http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/democrats/ en-us Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:24:07 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418169/posts The British hostage Peter Moore was dramatically set free yesterday after the United States handed over an Iraqi insurgent suspected of planning the deaths of five American servicemen. Mr Moore, an IT consultant, was freed by League of the Righteous, or Asaib al-Haq (AAH) — an extremist Shia group allied to Iran — after 31 months and spent his first night of freedom at the British Embassy in Baghdad. He is expected to fly home today. Times on line http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418169/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:24:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418156/posts Eighteen months removed from a protracted presidential primary fight, a group of Democrats gathered by President Obama has recommended that the party effectively eliminate the influence of so-called superdelegates by redefining their voting power. The Democratic Change Commission, which was convened last August to examine the nominating process, is recommending that superdelegates -- also known as unpledged delegates -- be required to vote along with the electoral majority of their state. "We need to show deference to what the party members in our state have done," said Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, one of the co-chairmen of the commission. Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418156/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:57:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2417952/posts Or come pretty darned close to doing so, at least, argues James Pethokoukis for Reuters. The problem facing Democrats is not just the normal midterm correction, although that’s part of it. It’s not just ObamaCare, although that’s a large part of it, too. There are a number of problems that Democrats simply have not done anything to address, and they’re rapidly running out of time to do so: The trend is not the Democrats’ friend. At least not in 2010. The party of the sitting president almost always suffers losses in midterm congressional elections. To that time-tested dynamic now add... Hot Air http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2417952/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:52:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2417881/posts Those whiny Democrats are at it again. They have come out en masse to complain about the (justified) criticism President Obama has been receiving about the attack on Northwest 253 over Detroit, and his anti-terror efforts in general. * Maryland Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who runs the House Democrats’ campaign operation, released a statement today accusing his GOP colleagues of politicizing the event. The lawmaker also went a step further in broadening that attack to Obama’s predecessor. “It’s simply shameful that House Republicans continue to play politics on issues of national security and terrorism especially considering they repeatedly refuse... The Lid/Various http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2417881/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:52:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1352722/posts Police Officers Steal From Police Department 10/25/2000 A former West New York police sergeant pleaded guilty today, admitting his role in a scheme to steal approximately $60,000 seized by police during the investigation of a fire in West New York, U.S. Attorney Robert J. Cleary announced. Ronald Riccie, 58, of Little Ferry, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle to a one-count Information, charging him with participating with other West New York Police officers in the theft of the $60,000. http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nj/publicaffairs/releases/2000/ri1025_r.html Eminent Domain Squabble 02/22/2003 Rowan University and Wal-Mart squabbled over 102 acres of land. Last fall, Rowan... Various http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1352722/posts#comment Mon, 28 Feb 2005 16:42:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417825/posts Ford City, Pa. -- Rep. John P. Murtha's record of bringing home money from Washington -- at a current rate of $100 million a year -- has become the envy of Capitol Hill colleagues and a subject of grateful awe in a stretch of Pennsylvania desperate for new jobs. In Congress, Murtha beats everybody in loading legislation with earmarks, federal funds steered to chosen contractors without the usual reviews. But after two decades of Murtha-directed federal investment here, a look at the results shows the congressman's promises of jobs often fall short. In some cases, the federal government has spent... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417825/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:30:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417733/posts The trend is not the Democrats’ friend. At least not in 2010. The party of the sitting president almost always suffers losses in midterm congressional elections. To that time-tested dynamic now add voter angst about high unemployment, big deficits and controversial legislation. Expect Senate majority leader Harry Reid to lose his effective 60-seat supermajority and Nancy Pelosi to hand the House back to the Republicans. Here’s why 2010 is looking like 1994 all over again: 1. Virginia and New Jersey. Big GOP wins in the gubernatorial races not only highlighted discontent with incumbents by recession-weary voters, they also greatly helped... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417733/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:09:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417704/posts The senior Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee wants no more Guantanamo Bay detainees released to Yemen in the wake of a Christmas Day terrorist attack hatched in that country. “Guantanamo detainees should not be released to Yemen at this time,” Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said in a statement. “It is too unstable.” Feinstein’s warning comes just nine days after the Department of Justice announced the most recent transfer of 12 detainees from Guantanamo Bay to Afghanistan, Yemen and Somaliland. Six of the 12 were transferred to the government of Yemen. The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417704/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:37:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417468/posts As a fresh poll measured the political cost of Sen. Ben Nelson's health reform vote, he prepared Tuesday to take his case directly to Nebraskans during Wednesday night's Holiday Bowl game. Nelson will air a new TV ad in which he attempts to debunk opposition claims that the Senate legislation represents a government takeover, and he makes the case for health care reform. "With all the distortions about health care reform, I want you to hear directly from me," the Democratic senator says in the ad. Nelson, dressed in an open-necked shirt and sweater, speaks directly into the camera during... Journal Star http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417468/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:05:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417458/posts Trying to make sense out of the political analysis offered by MSNBC "Hardball" host Chris Matthews can often be a daunting task. And Matthews, a master of failed analogies - once calling West Point, home of the United States Military Academy "enemy territory" - doesn't give up easily. On the Dec. 29 broadcast of his MSNBC program, Matthews, who has no qualms with bearing the liberal moniker, took a shot at Alabama Congressman Parker Griffith, who switched parties last week, during his "Sideshow" segment. "First up, you know this fellow Parker Griffith?" Matthews said. "He is the Democratic congressman, or... Newsbusters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417458/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:16:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417366/posts U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln said today she expects health care reform to remain a hot topic through the 2010 election cycle, but she believes as Arkansans learn more about the reform bill she voted for last week, they will see it is good for Arkansas. “I think the more people do understand about the health care bill, the more comfort they feel with it,” she said. “There’s been a lot of misinformation out there.” Arkansas News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417366/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:18:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2417338/posts I don't care who you are, this is funny! Democratic Party operative compares Pelosi and Reid to bank robbers... Why do Obama, Pelosi and Reid continue the suicide mission that is "Healthcare Reform" in the face of declining (only 32% approve) support?" We all know the standard boilerplate answers:  They're bravely doing the right thing for the public, gotta keep the nutroot base happy, etc. A democratic operative offered a surprisingly candid answer: "They're in the bank, they've got their guns out. They can run outside with no money, or they can stick it out, go through the gunfight, and... Western Hero http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2417338/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:39:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412982/posts Activist Maurice Joseph Schwenkler, 24, pleaded guilty Monday to a second-degree misdemeanor for smashing windows at the Colorado Democratic Party headquarters last summer. Anarchist websites across the country raised money for Schwenkler's $5,000 bail, and identified him as "a transgendered anarchist" using the name Ariel Attack. Authorities have consistently identified him as male. The gay, lesbian and transgender protest group Denver Bash Back characterized Schwenkler as one of its "friends and comrades." Initially, Democratic Party officials blamed conservative ... Then it became known that Schwenkler had previously worked for a Democratic candidate. Denver Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412982/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:37:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416494/posts Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano came in for some well-deserved criticism for declaring over the weekend that "the system worked" with respect to Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's effort to blow up the plane he was flying from Amsterdam to Detroit. By Monday, she was backpedalling, acknowledging that "our system did not work in this instance." In truth, for a lot of Americans, Ms. Napolitano has not had much credibility since she tried to ban "terrorism" from the official lexicon of her department. But arguably the most serious indication that she is wholly ill-equipped to carry out her present responsibilities can be... Center for Security Policy http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416494/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:37:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417232/posts Certainly, 2009 is not ending on the note that Obama supporters - or the President himself - expected. Iran develops a nuclear arsenal unchecked, spitting in the eyes of the United States and the rest of the world. As evidenced on Christmas Day, Al Qaeda adherents still plot to murder innocent Americans. Notwithstanding his campaign pledge to slow the rise of the oceans, President Obama will find it difficult to execute at home the climate-change promises he made abroad. And that's just foreign policy. At home, the "stimulus" rushed through Congress with the promise of a quick economic recovery and... realclearpolitics.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417232/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:48:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416853/posts After signing a $787 billion economic stimulus and embracing two annual blowout budgets that will double the national debt over 10 years even before ObamaCare, President Obama is poised to pivot next (election) year and denounce the horrors of deficit spending. So the White House is now floating a bipartisan commission to reduce federal borrowing, and much of the political class is all for it. We only hope Republicans aren't foolish enough to fall down this trap door, though some are already tempted. A budget deficit commission is nothing more than a time-tested ploy to get Republicans to raise taxes.... Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416853/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:03:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416949/posts Target Corp. retooled a training video to warn workers against a bill that would make union organizing easier. Michaels Stores Inc. told investors “our businesses could be impacted” by the measure. Enrollment in Jackson Lewis LLP’s “How to Stay Union-Free” seminars tripled. Companies are rallying to fend off a so-called card-check law sought by labor leaders and backed by President Barack Obama. While the bill stalled in Congress this year as health- care legislation dominated debate, anti-union groups say they expect the president and Democrats to deliver next year on a compromise version of the legislation. “As we approach the... Business Week http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416949/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:15:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416943/posts For John Thune, 2010 looks like a good year to run for re-election. For Tim Johnson, it looks like a good year not to. Thune, the first-term Senate Republican from South Dakota, showed well in a statewide sampling of voters that offered more troubling results for Johnson. Thune’s job approval rating of 57 percent is particularly strong when compared to the 28 percent and 31 percent approval ratings for Democrats and Republicans in Congress overall, respectively. Rapid City Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416943/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:06:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416938/posts Much is being made of the fact that mini-Madoff Scott Rothstein, the Fort Lauderdale lawyer who the government and his victims claim ran a $1.2 Billion Ponzi scam in South Florida was a major fundraiser for Republicans John McCain, Governor Charlie Crist, Senator John Ensign and the Republican Party of Florida. What the media has missed is that Rothstein switched to the Democrats after McCain’s loss, giving to Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and endorsing Florida Democratic candidate for Governor Alex Sink while giving the Florida Democratic Party $200,000. Big Government http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416938/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:59:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416920/posts McClatchy Newspapers is the alleged “news” organization that runs terrorist propaganda out of Iraq as legitimate news. It’s Washington editor tried very hard to push local McClatchy reporters in North Carolina to write damaging stories on Blackwater. It hired anonymous Iraqis during the Iraq War to write lots of unverifiable stories about the horrors of American soldiers. Today, in another example of its bias, its national news feed runs the headline Who’s running the TSA? No one, thanks to Sen. Jim DeMint. Compare that to the Washington Post, which ran the identical story with the headline “Republican senator DeMint holds... Red State http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416920/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:31:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2416906/posts Opponents of so-called health care reform believe terrible things will happen if some version of it passes and gets signed into law. Most of the damage will occur in obvious places, such as to doctors and hospitals, to those who are happy with their existing health insurance, and to everyday Americans, whose taxes and cost of living will rise. But it will also affect areas outside health care, like private charity. “How can reforming the health care system and health insurance industry affect charities,” you may wonder? It may seem like a weird disconnect, but it does because, like so... Annuit Coeptis http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2416906/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:12:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416893/posts Mark Hemingway has a long memory for budgeting amendments, which he proves at the Washington Examiner. With focus returned to airport security, Mark reminds us of how Chris Dodd paid off a political constituency by getting a little pork to the firefighters union that supported his bid for the presidency in 2007-8, which got $10 million in “firefighter assistance grants” from FEMA’s budget. All Dodd had to do was to get $4.5 million from another source — which turned out to be the TSA’s explosives detection systems: Hot Air http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416893/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:58:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2416810/posts NOTE: The following text is a quote: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-take-certain-actions-under-african-growth-and-opportunity Home • Briefing Room • Presidential Actions • Proclamations The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release December 23, 2009 Presidential Proclamation - To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act A PROCLAMATION 1. Section 506A(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (the "1974 Act") (19 U.S.C. 2466a(a)(1)), as added by section 111(a) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (title I of Public Law 106-200) (AGOA), authorizes the President to designate a country listed in section 107 of the AGOA (19 U.S.C. 3706)... WHITEHOUSE.gov http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2416810/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:11:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416775/posts THIS was the year of Barack Obama, and by extension, of America. But if we thought we knew who he was last January, by year’s end we weren’t so certain. We expected him to wrestle the helm of the great ship of state, inflect its course, end the wars, rebuild the economy and confound the lobbies and special interest groups who determine how business is done in Washington. With a strong Democratic majority in Congress, we expected him to see through groundbreaking legislation on healthcare and climate change. An Irish diplomat recalls the tribute to Senator Ted Kennedy at the... The Irish Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416775/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:23:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2416583/posts Americans for Limited Government (ALG) today released the voting records of some 90 Blue Dog and what it dubbed “so-called moderate” House Democrats on what ALG President Bill Wilson called “some of the most controversial votes of 2009.” “So-called Blue Dog ‘conservative’ Democrats in the House have long touted their caucus as being fiscally-responsible, but what emerges from an analysis of their voting records is a pack of lapdogs who have voted largely in lock-step with their more radical counterparts in House leadership,” said Wilson... THE FREEDOM POST http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2416583/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:28:52 GMT