• Mitt Romney,  President 2008

    Mitt Romney Watch: California Senator or Governor for Mitt?

    Mitt Romney

    Mitt Romney: Photo Courtesy of Los Angeles Times

    The Los Angeles Times has the old news (Flap had it on May 24) that the Romneys have purchased a home in La Jolla and then goes on to speculate that he wants to run for office.

    Yes, the Romneys mark holidays in San Diego with family. But this being a politics blog, we have to examine everything through a political magnifying glass. If Romney was to become McCain’s choice as running mate, would a California residence finally give the GOP at least a shot at winning the state’s 55 electoral votes?

    Or at a minimum, force the Democratic ticket to play some expensive defense on that front instead of taking the Golden State for granted as usual?

    And we must also point out something else on the calendar:

    2008 — Romney establishes legal California residency.

    2010 — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cannot run for reelection because of term limits.

    And there are a couple of U.S. Senate seats to fight over out here.

    Mitt Romney will NOT put California in play for John McCain and it is doubtful he can be a credible GOP candidate for any office.

    Does anyone REALLY think he could beat Jerry Brown for California Governor and/or Barbara Boxer for the U.S. Senate?

    No way – no matter how much Romney would spend.

    AllahPundit ridicules a California political career for Romney.

    Actually the thought is kind of funny.


  • France,  Freedom of Speech,  Islam

    Brigitte Bardot on Trial Watch: CONVICTED of Inciting Hatred Against Muslims

    No freedom of speech in France.

    France’s 1960s screen icon Brigitte Bardot received a 15,000-euro (23,000 dollar) fine on Tuesday for inciting hatred against Muslims.

    In December 2006, the film star-turned-animal rights activist wrote a letter to France’s then interior minister, current President Nicolas Sarkozy, arguing that Muslims should stun animals before slaughtering them during the Aid al-Kabir holiday.

    She outraged anti-racist groups by saying: “I’ve had enough of being led by the nose by this whole population which is destroying us, (and) destroying our country by imposing their ways.”

    Bardot, now 73 and suffering from arthritis, was absent from Tuesday’s court hearing in Paris. She wrote to the court saying: “I’m sickened by how (these organisations) are harassing me.”

    She added: “I will not shut up until stunning is carried out” on animals before their ritual slaughter.

    Bardot already has four convictions on similar charges. In 2004 she was fined 5,000 euros for inciting racial hatred in her book “Un Cri Dans le Silence” (A Cry in the Silence).

    As Flap wrote before:

    Now you know what the Founding Fathers wrote the first amendment to the United States Constitution. To think that Flap’s ass would be in court for his publication of the Mohammed Cartoons.

    France has taken political correctness to the extreme of abrogating the inalienable right to speak your own mind.

    Somehow Flap thinks we have not heard the end of this story.


  • Barack Obama,  Father Michael Pfleger,  President 2008

    Father Michael Pfleger Removed from St. Sabina Parish

    Father Michael Pfleger preaching at Barack Obama’s church, Trinity United. The mocking of Hillary Clinton around 2:10.

    Father Michael Pfleger has been removed from his duties at St. Sabina Parish.

    The firebrand pastor of St. Sabina parish was removed from his duties there Tuesday, according to a statement released by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

    In the statement, Cardinal Francis George says he asked the Rev. Michael Pfleger, 59, to “take leave for a couple of weeks from his pastoral duties.” The statement said Pfleger “does not believe this to be the right step at this time.” “While respecting his disagreement, I have nevertheless asked him to use this opportunity to reflect on his recent statements and actions in the light of the Church’s regulations for all Catholic priests,” George said.

    Cardinal George should have removed this NUTBALL years ago. The Cardinal should permanently retire him if he does not abstain from all political activity in accordance to church law and transfer him out of Chicago.

    Damn the Catholic Church has alot of reconciliation to do. They have priests molesting children, pay $millions in damages and they have hate-mongers like Pfleger spewing black liberation crap from the pulpit.

    No wonder the church has been in such disrepute.


  • Barack Obama,  Hillary Clinton,  President 2008

    Hillary Clinton Watch: Open to Being Obama’s Vice President

    hillaryvp

    Fox News is reporting that Hillary Clinton has told New York lawmakers she is open to being Barack Obama’s Vice President.

    From the AP:

    Hillary Rodham Clinton has told congressional colleagues she would be open to becoming Barack Obama’s vice presidential nominee, saying she would consider it if it would help Democrats win the White House.

    Clinton, a New York senator, made the comment on a conference call with other New York lawmakers Tuesday, according a participant on the call.

    The senator’s remarks came in response to a question from Democratic Rep. Nydia Velazquez who said she believed the best way for Obama to win over key voting blocs, including Hispanics, would be for him to choose Clinton as his running mate.

    “I am open to it,” Clinton replied, if it would help the party’s prospects in November.


    Intrade
    has Hillary in first place for Vice President up 2.2 points in trading. Second place belongs to Virginia Senator James Webb. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson trails badly in third place.

    Obama must have rejected a substantial offer to pay down Hillary and Bill’s campaign debts.

    Hillary and the Clinton Cabal have put this out there to force Obama’s hand. She is setting the agenda for Obama.

    So much for unity.


  • Barack Obama,  John McCain,  President 2008

    Barack Obama Watch: The Trouble with White Women

    Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama tries to quieten the cheering crowd as he takes part in a town hall-style meeting at Troy High School in suburban Detroit, June 2, 2008

    No! Not just with Hillary Clinton who presumably Obama has beaten for the Democrat nomination.

    Jim Geraghty over at National Review talks about the Pew Research Center polling.

    Recent declines in Obama’s image have been pronounced among whites – especially white women. Currently, just 43% of white women express a positive opinion of Obama, down from 56% in late February.

    Favorable opinions of Obama among independent voters, who have provided him strong support in several of his primary election victories, also have declined over the course of the campaign. Obama’s favorable ratings among this pivotal group have fallen from 62% in late February to just 49% in the current poll…

    Currently, Obama and McCain run even among independents (44% to 44%); in April, Obama enjoyed a 52% to 41% advantage among these pivotal voters. Similarly, Obama now trails McCain among white women (by 49% to 41%), who were more evenly divided in previous surveys…

    We already know that Obama has been struggling in the Midwest with white working class male voters. Add this demographic and the Democrats may want Hillary again.

    By the way, President Bush in 2004 carried white women, 55 percent to 44 percent. Flap also says McCain beats Obama among Hispanic voters greater than Bush in western battleground states, including Nevada and New Mexico.


  • Barack Obama,  Hillary Clinton,  President 2008

    Barack Obama Clinches the Democrat Nomination for President

    Obamaclinches

    The AP is reporting that Barack Obama has sufficient delegates to clinch the Democrat Party nomination for President of the United States.

    Barack Obama has effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination, based on an Associated Press tally of convention delegates.

    The tally put Obama over the top Tuesday, ahead of the results from the day’s final primaries in Montana and South Dakota. The Illinois senator becomes the first black candidate ever to lead his party into a fall campaign for the White House. Obama outlasted former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in a historic contest and now faces Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona for the presidency.

    Over to Hillary Clinton.

    Stay tuned…….


  • California Election 2008,  Gay Marriage

    Gay Marriage on November California Ballot

    gay marriage

    Afi Wikins (L) and her partner Quesha Landers smile after making their appointment for a marriage license at city hall in San Francisco, California, May 16, 2008

    The Limit on Marriage Constitutional Amendment has qualified by initiative and will appear on the California November general election ballot.

    The full text of the California Constitutional amendment is here.

    The latest polls have it either leading or failing. Go figure. It will be a close race in any event due to the large numbers of young voters who will be drawn to the polls by Barack Obama.

    The Protect Marriage website is here.

    Previous:

    A Majority of Californians Approve of Gay Marriage?

    California Catholic Bishops Weigh in on Gay Marriage Ruling

    California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald M. George Likens Gay Marriage to Civil Rights Battles

    California Gay Marriage Ruling Fuels Political Battle

    California Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban – The Response

    California Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban


  • John McCain,  President 2008,  Tim Pawlenty

    Tim Pawlenty Watch: RNC Anti-Obama Conference Call

    Tim Pawlenty

    Minnesota GOP Governor Tim Pawlenty

    The Republican National Committee has scheduled Minnesota Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty for a conference call regarding Barack Obama’s Minnesota appearance this evening.

    Pawlenty has been mentioned repeatedly as a Vice Presidential running mate with Senator John McCain. Flap thinks he WILL be McCain’s choice.

    And, yes he has already been to a BBQ at the McCain Sedona, Arizona ranch.


  • Barack Obama,  Hillary Clinton,  President 2008

    Hillary Clinton Watch: To Concede Obama Has the Delegates

    *****Update*****

    Fox News is NOW reporting that the Hillary Clinton campaign is denying the story below.

    Stay tuned……..

    Hillary Clinton

    Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton waves with former Puerto Rico secretary of transportation Carlos Pesquera during a caravan campaign rally in Bayamon, Puerto Rico May 31, 2008

    Fox News is reporting that the AP has that Hillary Clinton tonight will concede the delegate race for the Democrat nomination for President to Barack Obama. This is what Clinton officals are saying.

    Hillary Rodham Clinton will concede Tuesday night that Barack Obama has the delegates to secure the Democratic nomination, campaign officials said, effectively ending her bid to be the nation’s first female president.

    The former first lady will stop short of formally suspending or ending her race in her speech in New York City. She will pledge to continue to speak out on issues like health care. But for all intents and purposes, the two senior officials said, the campaign is over.

    Most campaign staff will be let go and will be paid through June 15, said the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to divulge her plans.

    The advisers said Clinton has made a strategic decision to not formally end her campaign, giving her leverage to negotiate with Obama on various matters including a possible vice presidential nomination for her. She also wants to press him on issues he should focus on in the fall, such as health care.

    And, Fox News is reporting that a dozen other Democrat Superdelegates are ready to endorse Senator Obama as soon as polls close today in South Dakota and Montana. This will put Obama very close to the majority he needs to clinch the nomination.

    However, it is noteworthy that Hillary is not announcing an immediate suspension of her campaign.

    What does this mean?

    The campaign debt issue has NOT yet been resolved.

    Stay tuned…..


  • California Election 2008,  Elton Gallegly

    California Primary Election 2008 Watch: Elton Gallegly for Congress

    eltongalleglyandfamily

    Representative Elton Gallegly R-CA4

    Flap enthusiastically endorses and will vote later today for his good friend, Elton Gallegly for the House of Representatives. Elton is running in the California GOP primary election.

    Endorsements include:

    • Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 1995-1999.
    • Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 1999-2007.
    • Bob Brooks, Ventura County Sheriff
    • Gregory D. Totten, Ventura County District Attorney
    • Michael Bradbury, former Ventura County District Attorney
    • Cristie Stanley, Santa Barbara County District Attorney
    • Marty Bates, President, Ventura County Board of Education
    • Jacqui Irwin, Mayor of the City of Thousand Oaks
    • Glen Becerra, Simi Valley Council Member
    • Audra Strickland, California Assemblywoman
    • Tony Strickland, former California Assemblyman and GOP California State Senate presumptive nominee
    • Tom McClintock, California State Senator

    Ventura and Santa Barbara County, California voters please go to the polls and re-elect YOUR congressman, Elton Gallegly.