Simple Man Politics

It most certainly is the end of an era particularly on the Senate side of Congress. Earlier this morning in a hospital in Fairfax, VA, Senator Robert Byrd (D) WV passed away. You heard me right the pork king, former KKK member, and ultimate senatorial power player has finally passed away after becoming the longest serving and eldest member of the Senate body. However, I cannot just say negative things about Bob I have to say something good about the man too, because I am sure, he had to have done some good, or why else would he be undefeated in every election he ran in.

One good thing I can say about Mr. Byrd is the fact the he was a stalwart defender of the U.S. Constitution and recognized as the foremost authority on matters of constitution within the U.S. Senate. Another good thing I can say about Senator Byrd is the fact that he fiercely defended the right of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to keep any Presidential administration from usurping any Congressional powers. That is right it did not matter whether the President was a Republican or a Democrat he kept their hand out of the cookie jar.

Make no mistake though Robert Byrd is most certainly a Democrat although at one time he was considered the most conservative of that party. What does the loss of Byrd mean politically though? I do not think it means much since the Governor of West Virginia will appoint a person to replace Byrd until the 2012 election and the Governor is a Democrat. However, it does lose a critical vote for the ruling Democratic Party in the Senate for a bit, and it also puts on hold legislation that both the administration as well as the majority party in both houses of Congress consider necessary to advance their agenda.

My personal opinion is that now that Robert Byrd has passed away that the U.S. Senate will lose some of its prestige. However considering the current political climate after the mid-term elections this year I do not think that either Byrd’s Senate seat and vote would have mattered anyway. What does matter with regard to the passing of the Senates greatest orator is that both houses of Congress have lost their greatest and toughest defender. I think that not only will the administration now attempt to gain control even more, but also I think that the Democrats in the Senate will further slip into mediocrity.

That is all for now form Simple Man Politics, but I will be back again soon. Have a marvelous Monday my friends, CIAO4NOW!!!!!

P.S. Rest in Peace Mr. Byrd.

You all know the 1992 movie Distinguished Gentleman starring Eddie Murphy who plays a con man that swindles his way into congress on name recognition. Well it appears that we may actually have a real life story that echoes the movie playing out right now in South Carolina. The candidate's name is Alvin Greene and absolutely no one knew who this guy was until after the dust of the Democratic Party primary for Republican incumbent Jim DeMint’s senate seat had settled.

Once it had become apparent that this man had won the Democratic primary to challenge DeMint for the seat Democrat Party officials began to urge Mr. Greene to quit the race against DeMint possibly to install their own and probably well known candidate in his place. Some of the Democratic Party’s top lawmakers have even gone as far as to suggest that Mr. Greene is a Republican plant to stop opposition against DeMint who is seeking another term in the Senate.

Alvin Greene is an unemployed military veteran who is a citizen of the state of South Carolina. There have also been reports that Mr. Greene has been charged with a felony involving a college student and pornographic material. Mr. Green who is unemployed has also paid out more than $10,000 to enter the senate race and contends that it was his own money. House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D) has accused Mr. Greene of accepting the money from an as yet unknown contributor and should be federally investigated.

In an interview Mr. Greene was asked how he had won and replied that South Carolinians were able to relate to him more so than to his opponent Vic Rawl (D). That may be true for all we know, or maybe I can suggest an alternative reason for Mr. Greene winning the Tuesday Primary. Maybe Mr. Alvin Greene won purely on name recognition. Maybe more South Carolina Democrats like singer Albert Greene’s (Al Green) voice more than Vic Rawls message.

Whatever the reasons were for Alvin Greene winning the Democratic Primary in South Carolina, Mr. Green has flatly stated that he will not withdraw from the race much to the chagrin and consternation of Dem Party officials in the state. I say more power to the guy since he obviously doesn’t reek of Washington politics and business as usual inside the beltway. I will also say that if the Dem’s in South Carolina are dumb enough or smart enough to vote for him, this remains to be seen, well then good for him. I will also say that the Democratic Party may well get what they deserve in that state too.

That’s it for now from Simple Man Politics and until next time we meet CIAO4NOW!!!!!

Last night saw some very interesting results in primaries throughout the country. With only one real important exception in Blanche Lincoln (D) AR, it was a clear message that incumbents were unpopular. Another interesting result is the fact that the big primary winners were female and conservative. I am also intrigued with the effect of Sarah Palin’s effect in the campaigns of those she supported.

Now I will admit that both Whitman and Fiorina are California Republicans, and are not necessarily as conservative as others are in the GOP. However, Fiorina along with candidates like Sharon Angle, Nikki Haley are all Tea Party favorites that Sarah Palin supported and who have won their primaries. In the case of Carly Fiorina she won over another Tea Party favorite supported by South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint.

There is no doubt in my mind that this election season is a referendum on the Obama Administration as well as both houses of Congress. Figures such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, (D) NV and Senator Barbara Boxer (D) CA will certainly have their hands full with Palin backed Angle and Fiorina. In addition to these contending opponents, incumbent Democrats will also have to explain their unpopular support of Obama and his agendas.

While the Tea Party may be a very vocal as well as a very visible political force they are by no means organized. There is no real main arm of the Tea Party, but a loose knit coalition of Tea Party’s around the country. They often see things pretty much the same way, but not always, which will sometimes create divisions within the movement. California primary Fiorina versus DeVore or more accurately Palin versus DeMint is a prime example.

It appears to me that Sarah Palin is certainly a driving force, in both the Republican Party and the Tea Party movement and wields tremendous star power amongst the blue collar conservatives. The fact that she is also willing to go against the GOP base and Tea Party candidates she does not support has not appeared to damage her credibility within either group. There is definitely evidence that you have a better than even chance of winning at least within your own party if Sarah Palin picks you to support.

Another Tea Party and Palin backed candidate Terry Branstad won the GOP Party nomination yesterday for the Governors race in Iowa against incumbent Democrat Chet Culver in November and is a race to watch. It is said that Iowa is one of the states that sets the tone for election politics so we will see if they see eye to eye with Sarah Palin on Terry Branstad.

I will tell you before I go that I am not a Republican but an NPA (No Party Affiliation), I am also a fiscal conservative as well as a social conservative with one or two exceptions. I do like Sarah Palin and agree with her political views 99.998% of the time. I will definitely support her candidates with one exception and that is Senator John McCain (R) AZ.

I hope you all have a great day and I will see you all again soon my friends. From Simple Man Politics CIAO4NOW!!!!!

If you ask the 89 year old legendary White House correspondent Helen Thomas it seems she would almost certainly say they are the same. At least it appeared that this might be Helen Thomas’s view during the Jewish Heritage American History Month celebration that took place on May 27th at the White House. The video with Thomas in her own words can be found at both Yahoo and RabbiLive.com, which was aired a full week after the incident.

During the celebration Rabbi David Nesenhoff approached Helen Thomas with the idea of asking for her views on Israel. During the impromptu interview Thomas stated flatly that Israel should get the hell out of Palestine and that the Palestinian people are occupied. She went on to further say that Israeli’s should return to their homes in Poland, Germany, and oh yeah…..America, indicating that the people and the Jewish state have no place in the Middle East.

Apparently Helen Thomas either didn’t know that the Jews and Israel have both been in that very region for as long as there have been other races there. It also seems to me that Thomas has no idea of the history of the Jews in Israel such as the fact that they were also an occupied people. Over the course of history Israel was occupied by Rome who ruled the Jewish people for hundreds of years. I also believe that Helen Thomas forgot the more than 6 Million Jews were murdered in Germany and Poland.

Now I have to tell you that I am a big supporter of both the Constitution and its 1st amendment. I not only fervently defend the right of individuals to freely express their personal views without persecution I also defend the same right for those in the press that is what the 1st amendment is all about. However what I will not defend is someone who is anti-semitic or racist. I am not sure if Helen Thomas is either one of these, but her comments definitely need to be scrutinized closely.

Since her controversial comments, Helen Thomas has resigned from Hearst Newspapers. Thomas has also repeatedly apologized for her comments and admits that they were offensive. The board of the White House Press Corps has not yet announced what actions they will take with regard to Thomas’s front row center seat in the White House briefing room. The board has also issued a statement that they do not police the speech of members or colleagues.

What ever else may happen to Helen Thomas because of her comments, there is this lesson to be learned. Those in the media should realize that while they may have the right to freely express their views and opinions, they would do well to remember that they will also have to deal with the consequences of their actions, for which they are solely responsible. This is often an expensive lesson to learn and all you have to do is look at the now disgraced Helen Thomas to see the cost.

That is all for now from Simple Man Politics. I hope you all have a marvelous day and I will be back again soon, CIAO4NOW!!!!!