Keith Fimian for Congress

I was beginning to write an article on Keith Fimian when I saw the post by Black Velvet. It pretty well summarizes why 11th District Republicans should elect Keith Fimian tomorrow.

Two things to add, while much of the discussion in the race has been over the tax issue, Fimian is a man who wants to balance the budget, ban earmarks, and fight illegal immigration. He will stand and fight for our conservative values in congress.

When the electability discussion comes up, remember these days people with a message based on conviction and courage to stand for liberty are more electable than people with huge name id, and the ability to appeal to the elusive middle.

Fimian has stood shoulder to shoulder with Tea Party activists to oppose the healthcare monstrosity. Tomorrow it is time for lovers of liberty to stand with Keith Fimian.

Chris Simcox to challenge John McCain for the US Senate

Ben Smith is reporting that Chris Simcox will officially announce his intentions to run against John McCain in a Republican bid for Senate in 2010. From a forthcoming release:

"John McCain has failed miserably in his duty to secure this nation's borders and protect the people of Arizona from the escalating violence and lawlessness," Simcox said. "He has fought real efforts over the years at every turn, opting to hold our nation's border security hostage to his amnesty schemes. Coupled with his votes for reckless bailout spending and big government solutions to our nation's problems, John McCain is out of touch with everyday Arizonans. Enough is enough."

Chris Simcox is the head of the Minuteman Project a group that is leading the effort to secure our borders. They recieved notoriety over the past couple year by being willing to patrol the border with Mexico that the federal government should be patrolling already. Chris Simcox is a real American who loves this country and will take some much needed commonsense to Washington D.C. To check out his campaign website click here. I hope he is able to defeat John McCain in the primary, and if we do not have a senate election in Virginia in 2010, I would love to go to Arizona to campaign for Chris Simcox.

Bush Commutes the Sentences of Ramos and Campean

Amid the discussion of the Bush legacy, one thing that will regularly come up is his position on illegal immigration.  While many have disagreed with the president's support for amnesty, it is encouragin that on his last day in office he chose to commute the sentences of Ramos and Campean.  Sadly these men who were defending America were not pardoned.  Atleast their sentences were commuted, and for that I thank the president.

My Thoughts on the Resignation of Alberto Gonzalez

It is sad the Democrats are able to pick off the president's cabinet members at will, however...

Gonzales was incompetent and needed to go. The issue of firing the attorney's was such a non issue, and should have staid a non issue. When Gonzales was questioned he gave such vague and contradictory answers that he made sure the isue kept going. The Attorney General needs to be able to articulately defend his and the president's decisions on the Sunday tv show circuit, and in Senate committee hearings. Gonzalez could not.

Not only is Gonzales a pitiful defender of the president, he's wrong on the issues. He's pro-choice, and doesn't get it on illegal immigration. Personally I've never been impressed by Alberto Gonzales, and I'm glad he's finally gone.

My only regret on the issue is that it took the president so long to do it.

Immigration Update

Alright so Tuesday at 11:30 the senate voted on whether to reconsider a McCain/Kennedy 2.0. It is a bill that would essentially wreck our entitlement system, criminal justice system, healthcare system, and the Republican Party and simultaneously reward 12 million criminals, without even guaranteeing to secure the border. Tuesday the bill had a 22% approval rating. It's a terrible bill, and the entire grassrotts conservative movement has been trying desperately to kill it.

So I called a ton of senators multiple times, heres a couple of experiences.

When I called Sen. Kyl's office (the third ranking GOP senator and a former supporter of stron borders) I told the staffer, "I'm calling to encourage the senator to vote no on cloture and amnesty..." (click) They cut me off mid sentence.

Sen. Ensign (the senator responsible for getting Republicans elected to the senate in '08, a man who should be friendly to Republicans nationwide) His office was disinterested when I told them I was from Virginia.

Sen. Lott (the second ranking republican in the senate) No one picked up at his office Friday afternoon and Monday and Tuesday morning (all during normal business hours) and I was directed to a voice box which was full.

Sen. Webb promised in his campaign to oppose amnesty and didn't listen to my calls.

Also the congressional switchboard and all the above mentioned senators +Sen. Warner offices were all jammed at 11:15 on Tuesday morning.

There is one more critical vote tomorrow morning. Let's get these people to listen to us and kill the bill.

Gut Reactions to the President's State of the Union Address

1. Nancy Pelosi: I'm sorry if I offend any women who may read this blog, but I got real tired real fast of the number of times Tim Russert and Brian Williams brought up the fact that the house was being presided over by the first female speaker. During Condoleeza Rice's confirmation hearings for Secretary of State did everyone drool over the fact that she could be the first Female African American Secretary of State? No! They went after her tooth and claw. Just as an aside, when Democrats propose minority candidates for important positions they are given all teh attention in the world, Obama and Clinton. When Republicans do the same thing they are reviled, Blackwell, Swann, Steele, Rice, Powell, Estrada, Owens, Janice Rogers Brown...

2. Healthcare and Education: Even though I doubt much of what the president said concerning these subjects will be heeded, I loved watching the Democrats grimace when the president said the word "privatization"

3. Energy: The president's proposals on the subject were nice, but all demanded more government intervention, regulation on fuel types and standards, and increasing SPR. I was waiting for the president to say, "...and as we actively pursue the development of alternative fuels we need a steady supply of non-mideast oil. That's why I'm once more reccomending that you open up ANWR and the OCS to drilling."

4. Judges: The president once again called for the speedy confirmation of judges. It's definitely an important thing. The lack of judges is holding up the courts. The fourth circuit is missing one third of its members. However, its a little to late. Thanks to eh incompetence of Frist and antics of McCain and co. the constitutional option was never exercised. with Leahy in charge of the judiciary committee things will go at a murderously slow pace. Also... Can anyone explain why the issues of judges wasn't campaigned on in the midterms as it was in the president's reelection? Might it have done more to galvanize the base?

5. Protection of Marriage: You may see this and think, "Did the president even mention marriage in the speech? If you are that's my point. It seems to me like the FMA was a political ploy campaigned hard on in the president's reelection campaign to galvanize the base, but practically ignored in the last two years. Sorry... It was voted on in the summer by congress in an attempt to show conservatives that teh Republicans are conservative to. Why couldn't the president throw in two lines about the FMA?

6. Immigration: I'm sorry. I have totally had it with the president on immigration. Instead of cozying up to your non-base, can you just keep this country safe Mr. President?

7. Iraq: It's really simple. We need to win. Sadly the Democrats and the RINO's are invested in our defeat. If you don't believe me go back and watch the video of the speech. Every time teh president mentioned victory in Iraq, the Democrats sat on their hands. How can people who don't even want us to win help create a constructive proposal on the subject? Ironically even though the D's oppose victory in Iraq, they cheered wildly whenever teh president encouraged us to support the troops. Explain that one please.

8. Senator Webb's Response: I won't say to much. However... I didn't realize until last night how captivating an orator this state elected. Before I proceed I would like to thank Sen. Webb and his family for their service in America's military. Everyone who serves in that capacity deserves our gratitude for those actions, including Sen. Kerry. However... Being a foot soldier qualifies no one to be an arm chair general, to assume that they always no better than the presiden and his advisors and can run this war. I am sick of people like Sens. Webb, McCain, Kerry, and Grahm who say, "I was a foot soldier thirty years ago. I'm an expert on all things military." In much the same way that I as a grocery clerk am not an expert on how to run a grocery store, Sen. Webb is not an expert on how to run a war. As a Democrat who opposes victory this is also a war he doesn't want us to win.

These sure are tough times. Keep working hard for God and country.