Del.icio.us Links

links for 2010-02-23

  • Seasoned new media veterans Michael Turk, Jon Henke and Matthew Dybwad have signed on to the budding GOP media firm Craft Media Digital, which launched less than two months ago.

    The firm's two founding partners, Brian Donahue and Justin Germany, count among their clients Republican Reps. Joe Wilson (S.C.), Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), and Thad McCotter ((Mich.).

    The firm also reports that it consults for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Republican National Committee and congressional candidates in Kentucky, Wisconsin and Utah.

  • In the House, Campbell led the opposition to the Kosovo war. He pushed for de-linking economic sanctions from the military embargo of Iraq and campaigned on easing sanctions against Iraq in his 2000 Senate campaign.

    Campbell did did defend the initial U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, but he was also calling for U.S. withdrawal by 2004. "The day we found Hussein in his spider hole," Campbell wrote, "is the day we should have announced our phased withdrawal." And he always opposed nation-building by the U.S. military: "When police arrest a criminal, they don't occupy a neighborhood for as long as it takes to remedy the social conditions that led to the rise of criminals. Important as that goal might be, it is not the police officers' role."
    ++++++
    Tom Campbell is soft on Israel and soft on terrorism.

    (tags: tom_campbell)
  • Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) said Tuesday that Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) remains committed to tackling energy and climate legislation.

    "He affirmed he wants a bill and wants a bill soon," Kerry told a climate change conference at the National Press Club.

    Kerry said the election of Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.), which ended Democrats' filibuster-proof 60-vote majority, doesn't change the landscape for the climate bill.

    "It was always going to take more than just Democrats to do this," Kerry said.

    The comments come amid uncertainty about whether a controversial measure to limit greenhouse gas emissions can gain traction in the Senate.
    +++++++
    Note: No mention of Barbara Boxer whose Cap and Trade Bill is her pet project.

  • Among the tax measures that Campbell endorsed was Proposition 1A on the May special election ballot, which was rejected by nearly two-thirds of voters. It would have extended a series of temporary taxes for an additional year or two and created a new "rainy day" fund to hedge against future downturns. Conservative antipathy toward the measure ran so high that one Republican legislator who supported it, Anthony Adams, faced an attempted recall before opting not to run for re-election.

    Campbell also proposed a one-year, 32-cents-per-gallon increase in the state gasoline tax to help bridge the deficit.

    Campbell, a former Stanford law professor and onetime state finance director, says he has nothing to apologize for.
    ++++++++
    The tax issue will punish Campbell in the last weeks of May leading up to the June GOP primary election

    (tags: tom_campbell)
  • Campbell now professes to be a great supporter of Israel and to favor stringent sanctions against Iran. Fair enough, but his opponents have raised serious questions about his past record. It stands out among mainstream Republicans, both in his voting record opposing aid to Israel and in his cozy relationship with CAIR. California voters will have to decide whether they believe his current campaign rhetoric or whether his past record is a more telling reflection of his actual views. One thing is certain: the Democrats will use each and every vote of Campbell’s and each and every campaign donation and association with Muslim fundamentalists as fodder in the general election, should Campbell be the nominee.
    +++++++++
    Tom Campbell will be beat up on his past anti-Israel record like a bad dog…..
    (tags: tom_campbell)
  • Mitt Romney is endorsing former rival John McCain as the 2008 Republican presidential nominee faces a fight to keep his Senate seat.

    Romney said in a statement Tuesday that the Arizona senator's "record of service and sacrifice for America is honored by all."

    The former Massachusetts governor adds that it's "hard to imagine the U.S. Senate without John McCain."

    McCain is facing a Republican primary challenge from former House member J.D. Hayworth.

    McCain and Romney clashed bitterly at time in the 2008 race for the GOP nomination. After McCain pulled ahead, Romney not only endorsed him but energetically campaigned for him.

    McCain's former running mate, Sarah Palin, is also backing him. She and Romney are potential rivals in the 2012 presidential race.
    ++++++
    Not a surprise here.