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Michael Ramirez on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Trip to Syria
HOUSE SPEAKER Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) offered an excellent demonstration yesterday of why members of Congress should not attempt to supplant the secretary of state when traveling abroad. After a meeting with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, Ms. Pelosi announced that she had delivered a message from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that “Israel was ready to engage in peace talks” with Syria. What’s more, she added, Mr. Assad was ready to “resume the peace process” as well. Having announced this seeming diplomatic breakthrough, Ms. Pelosi suggested that her Kissingerian shuttle diplomacy was just getting started. “We expressed our interest in using our good offices in promoting peace between Israel and Syria,” she said.
Only one problem: The Israeli prime minister entrusted Ms. Pelosi with no such message. “What was communicated to the U.S. House Speaker does not contain any change in the policies of Israel,” said a statement quickly issued by the prime minister’s office. In fact, Mr. Olmert told Ms. Pelosi that “a number of Senate and House members who recently visited Damascus received the impression that despite the declarations of Bashar Assad, there is no change in the position of his country regarding a possible peace process with Israel.” In other words, Ms. Pelosi not only misrepresented Israel’s position but was virtually alone in failing to discern that Mr. Assad’s words were mere propaganda.
Ms. Pelosi was criticized by President Bush for visiting Damascus at a time when the administration — rightly or wrongly — has frozen high-level contacts with Syria. Mr. Bush said that thanks to the speaker’s freelancing Mr. Assad was getting mixed messages from the United States. Ms. Pelosi responded by pointing out that Republican congressmen had visited Syria without drawing presidential censure. That’s true enough — but those other congressmen didn’t try to introduce a new U.S. diplomatic initiative in the Middle East. “We came in friendship, hope, and determined that the road to Damascus is a road to peace,” Ms. Pelosi grandly declared.
Never mind that that statement is ludicrous: As any diplomat with knowledge of the region could have told Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Assad is a corrupt thug whose overriding priority at the moment is not peace with Israel but heading off U.N. charges that he orchestrated the murder of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri. The really striking development here is the attempt by a Democratic congressional leader to substitute her own foreign policy for that of a sitting Republican president. Two weeks ago Ms. Pelosi rammed legislation through the House of Representatives that would strip Mr. Bush of his authority as commander in chief to manage troop movements in Iraq. Now she is attempting to introduce a new Middle East policy that directly conflicts with that of the president. We have found much to criticize in Mr. Bush’s military strategy and regional diplomacy. But Ms. Pelosi’s attempt to establish a shadow presidency is not only counterproductive, it is foolish.
A fool indeed………
But, more like a DUMMY!
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Technorati Tags: MichaelRamirezNancyPelosi
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Giuliani Notes: California Continues to Love Rudy
Survey USA: IN GOLD RUSH FOR 2008 CALIFORNIA DELEGATES, NEW YORKER CLINTON UP BY 17, NEW YORKER GIULIANI UP BY 19.
CA Republican Primary: 10 months to the make-or-break California Republican Primary, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani continues to outflank Arizona Senator John McCain on multiple fronts, according to a SurveyUSA poll of 522 Likely California Republican Primary voters conducted exclusively for KABC-TV Los Angeles, KPIX-TV San Francisco and KGTV-TV San Diego.
Today, it’s Giuliani 43%, McCain 24%, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich 10%, and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney 7%. “Some other Republican” is now polling ever-so-slightly higher than Romney and Gingrich. Compared to an identical SurveyUSA tracking poll 4 weeks ago, there is strikingly little movement in the contest.
Giuliani had led by 18, now by 19. Giuliani continues to lead McCain among Pro-Choice voters and among Pro-Life voters. Giuliani continues to lead among both those who support and those who oppose same-sex marriage. Giuliani continues to lead among those who are for stem-cell research and those against it. Giuliani continues to lead among those who own guns and those who don’t. Giuliani continues to lead among those who think the USA needs a military draft and among those who think the USA does not. Giuliani continues to lead in union households and in non-union households.
Only on the issue of Global Warming is there movement worthy of comment: Those who think Global Warming is “made-up” have moved away from McCain to Giuliani. Those who think Global Warming is “real” have moved to McCain.
Among Conservatives, Gingrich’s support has dropped from 20% last month to 12% today. Disaffected Gingrich conservatives are more likely to go to Giuliani, who among Conservatives is up 5 points, than to McCain, who among Conservatives is up 2 points. McCain, from the neighboring state of Arizona, does not get above 30% in any age group nor in any region of California.
Another good California poll for Rudy. Of all of the GOP candidates, the Mayor has been the most visible.
McCain has been campaigning in the state but Romney has just lately turned his attention here. Is he too late? Will he spend the big bucks in the California media markets?
Flap doubts it. Romney’s name identification is poor in Northern California and with February 5, 2008 looming, Flap does not see how Romney can compete here.
The Poll Results:
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Technorati Tags: RudyGiuliani
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Rudy Giuliani Watch: The Public Financing of Abortion FLAP
Real Clear Politics: Giuliani Needs to Limit Unforced Errors
Here is another of many YouTube videos that will bedevil the Giuliani campaign.
This clip in and of itself isn’t devastating for Giuliani, because if you actually listen to what he says there is a lot of wiggle room there for clarification. But it does speak to a certain lack of self-discipline on a hot-button issue (abortion) for him in the Republican primary battle.
Part of Rudy’s appeal is the direct and in many ways unpolitician-like way he answers questions, but that candor can be a double-edged sword, and the last two weeks have shown that Giuliani is going to have to step us his game as a national candidate and bring more focus and discipline to the campaign trail.
What John McIntyre and other conservatives have to acknowledge is that Rudy Giuliani is pro-choice. They will have to NOT agree with him on the issue.
If he tries to finesse the issue, Giuliani will look like Mitt Romney, a flip-flopper.
Hizzoner has said he will not have a pro-choice or any type of abortion litmus tests in the appointment of Supreme Court Justices. Any new appointments to the court may entertain the reversal of Roe v. Wade. But, any new Justice may NOT vote this way or construe a case differently than the current holding/law.
There is NO Presidential candidate who can promise the outlawing of abortion. Even if a new justice votes to overturn Roe v. Wade and that is the majority opinion, the whole question of abortion would then be left to the states and the state’s legislatures.
So, you will have women travelling to other states to have abortions, if their home state outlaws or burdensomely restricts abortion?
And this is good, how?
So, what does McIntyre mean when he says:
As long as it was Giuliani vs. McCain at the top of the GOP field, Rudy was going to have a significant edge. But with Romney’s $20 million in fundraising making it clear he intends on being a player and with Fred Thompson floating in the background and polling in double figures (while unannounced), Rudy would be wise to limit the number of his unforced errors.
Flap’s response to McIntyre is: What unforced errors? Rudy is speaking from his heart and consistent opinions on issues he has held throughout the years.
If voters reject his candidacy based on one issue, then so be it.
Here is a video of a weak attempt by Hizzoner to finesse the abortion question:
The Mayor knows that you cannot please every voter but hopefully win a majority.
Some conservatives may have to learn this the hard way.
Update:
Sounds like to Flap there may be some coordination among Romney supporters about “UNFORCED ERRORS.”
Hey Dean, you guys passing around the “TALKING POINTS” against Rudy?
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Rudy Giuliani Watch: Brent Seaborn Strategy Memo
Rudy Giuliani Watch: Michael Barone Looks at the Polls
Technorati Tags: RudyGiuliani
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Iran Watch: Iran-UK Hostages Reunited with Family
Leading Seaman Faye Turney shares a joke at Heathrow
Hostages reunited with family after 14-day ordeal
After 13 days of fear and worry, the 15 British sailors and marines held captive in Iran were finally reunited with their families today.
The 14 men and one woman arrived by Sea King helicopter at Royal Marines Base Chivenor, near Barnstaple, north Devon, shortly before 2.30pm.
They filed out onto the grass in front of the officer’s mess in brilliant sunshine to be greeted by naval officials.
As they gathered on the concrete terrace, the faces of family and friends were pressed against windows before they were allowed to greet them. Hugs were exchanged.
The sailors and marines had earlier touched down at Heathrow airport after a seven hour flight from Iran. The aircraft landed shortly after midday in brilliant sunshine and taxied to the VIP section of the runway.
Passengers on the flight from Tehran said a round of applause was heard from Business Class when the plane touched down.
Prime Minister Tony Blair today said he had ‘rejoiced’ at the return of the service personnel and that there have been new and interesting lines of communication opened with Iran. He added the international community must remain steadfast in dealings with Iran.
Mr Blair says people have not been taken in by the “theatre” in Iran and there are no “agreements” between Iranian elements held in Iraq and released crew. He said Britain managed to secure release of crew without any deal or negotiations.
Oh really!
No deal huh……..
Here is a timeline of the two weeks British humiliation:
Then, why did Ahamdinejad and the Mullahs release your hostages, Mr. Blair?
Was it this?
The USS Nimitz and its carrier strike group had been ordered by President Bush to the Persian Gulf to supplement the USS Dwight David Eisenhower and USS John C. Stennis who are already in theater.
Flap figures that the Mullahs decided they had milked this story and humiliated the Brits enough to the Arab Street so why not get out “quick and dirty” without any reprisals. How humiliating to the British Empire to be given an Easter gift from the Iranian Mullahs – a return of their own captured sailors/marines.
Flap had mentioned a number of weeks ago to watch for a provocation by either Iran or the West over the Iranian nuclear program. Obviously, the West did not bite.
The question is why?
Video grab shows Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaking to Britons who had been detained in Iran at a ceremony to mark their release, April 4, 2007.
So, what comes next?
Another provocation? Against an American ship?
Perhaps.
Iran has probed the Brits and found them WEAK. Will they test the Great Satan and the Great Cowboy Bush?
Probably and then let the war begin………
Freed British sailors wait at the republic pavillion of Mehrabad airport on 05 April 2007.
Stay tuned…….
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Iran Watch: Iran-UK Hostage Crisis Day 12
Iran Watch: Iranian TV Shows New Video of Captured British Sailors
Iran Watch: Iran Protesters Target British Embassy
Iran Watch: Feckless Brits Seek Deal With Iran
Iran Watch: British Sailors May Be Tried By Iran
Iran Watch: Iran Releases Video and Letter of Captured British Hostages
Iran Watch: Britain Seeks Iran Condemnation from the United Nations
Iran Watch: Britain Must FIRST Admit “MISTAKEâ€
Iran Watch: Iran Parades Brit Hostages on TV
Iran Watch: Tony Blair Warns Iran
Iran Watch: Captured Brits – Show Trial or Bluff?
Iran Watch: Iran May Charge British Sailors
Iran Watch: Iran to Try Brits for Spying?
Iran Watch: British Troops Transported To Tehran
Iran Watch: Are Seized British Troops Hostages?
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad Cancels United Nations Appearance
Iran Watch: Iran Seizes British Sailors in Iraq Waters
Technorati Tags: Iran, Iraq, Britain, UnitedKingdomYahyaRahimSafaviTonyBlairManouchehrMottakiMahmoudAhmadinejad
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Day By Day by Chris Muir April 5, 2007
