Right-wing Women are essentially "libertarians," oh, and they love to Shop too

"Women of the Right Rock!"

From Eric Dondero:

Not much of a stunning revelation to those of us libertarians who have gorgeous wives. But perhaps worthy to poke in the face of liberal weenie guys.

From Ian Robinson, Calgary Sun,"Right-wing Women Rock" Oct. 25:

The recent election of Danielle Smith as leader of the Wildrose Alliance reminded me that among the many things I love about the libertarian/right wing are the women.

Our women are a genuine asset when they enter politics because they've spent their lives figuring out how to live within their family's means ... while still affording a couple of pairs of those Jimmy Choos.

Because most of them have careers and work hard, they understand the value of a dollar, allowing you a steak lifestyle on a hamburger income ... and they know they can spend their family's money more intelligently than some faceless bureaucrat with a passion for public art or totalitarian city planning.

Right-wing women are essentially libertarians ... they don't take well to being bossed around and they don't like bossing other people around unless it's to tell them they can't spend money.

And in case you're not convinced, to indicate the utter superiority of the right-wing woman over the left-wing variant ... just turn on The View.

The left has Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg.

We've got Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

Checkmate.

Photos - Elizabeth Hasslebeck of The View, Radio Talk Show host Monica Crowley, Sarah Palin and newly elected Chair of the Alberta (based in Calgary) Wildrose Alliance Danielle Smith, the latter two both self-described "libertarians."

Dede Scozzafava drops out, endorses Doug Hoffman

BREAKING NEWS!!

Earlier this morning, Dede Scozzafava held an impromptu press conference at her campaign headquarters and officially suspended her campaign. Soon thereafter, she released a statement formally endorsing the candidacy of her fellow Republican running on the Conservative Party line, Doug Hoffman.

From the NY Times:

“In recent days, polls have indicated that my chances of winning this election are not as strong as we would like them to be,” Ms. Scozzafava said. “The reality that I’ve come to accept is that in today’s political arena, you must be able to back up your message with money — and as I’ve been outspent on both sides, I’ve been unable to effectively address many of the charges that have been made about my record.”

Note - Libertarian Republican blogger Stacy McCain, credited as one of the first two to break the story, has a detailed Update on the Hoffman endorsement.

UPDATE!

From Cliff Thies: Overnight poll: Hoffman now WAY ahead ... support now approaching 50 percent: Public Policy Polling (PPP)

Jason Shih, Corzine staffer, busted on Drug charges near Public School

BREAKING NEWS!!

What is known so far...

Summarized from the NY Post and other sources:

Jason Shih was busted by New Jersey cops for possession of 19 blue star Ecstasy tablets and "hundreds of empty plastic bags" found in his car. He was pulled over for talking on his cell phone while driving. He stated that he was a member of Jon Corzine's campaign staff. (One report calls him a "Deputy Dirctor). But the campaign denies that he's a paid staffer.

He was pulled over in East Rutherford, "within 100 feet of Becton Regional High School."

There is a Facebook photo of a Jason Shih who resides in "Northern New Jersey." Photo and full information here.

UPDATE!

From NJ.com:

several tickets to tomorrow’s rally with President Obama at Newark’s Prudential Center were found in his car.

Also, the article notes that Shih admitted the car was "rented by the campaign."

UPDATE!

A search has found that a Jason Shih from Paramus, NJ was paid $470.00 as a "field consultant" for the Democrat Party in 2006.

Obama secretly backing "Republican" Bloomberg: But there's a real Republican in the NYC Mayor's race, Only he's a Libertarian

by Eric Dondero

Politico is reporting this morning that Mayor Michael Bloomberg, running on the Republican line for reelection, has the nominal backing of Barack Obama. The political site notes that Obama will be campaigning "across the river" in Newark today for NJ Gov. Jon Corzine, but has no plans to visit NYC for Democrat nominee Bill Thompson, (the city's current Comptroller.)

From Politico:

That’s no accident. While Obama ostensibly supports the Democratic nominee and has even offered him a backhanded endorsement, the president has actually established a much closer political relationship with Bloomberg—a mutually beneficial association that both have an interest in keeping intact.

Bloomberg helps Obama burnish his post-partisan credentials in the face of GOP resistance in Washington and also can pinch hit as a face of business support or even Jewish support... The mayor has already visited the president at the White House twice, and Obama gave Bloomberg some love with a friendly joke... The president has twice praised Bloomberg by name as “the outstanding mayor of New York...” where he made no mention of Thompson.

For his part, Bloomberg traveled to Florida during the campaign to urge Jewish voters to denounce the fast-spreading false rumor (sic) that Obama is secretly a Muslim.

During his two terms as Mayor, Bloomberg has pursued a decidedly anti-Liberty agenda, including: repealing the city's longheld term limits law, installing video cameras to spy on citizens throughout lower Manhattan, instituting a city-wide smoking ban for all bars and taverns, and even imposing a trans fats ban on restaurants.

Meanwhile, another choice for Real Republicans has emerged for the NYC Mayoralty. Joseph Dobrian, running on the Libertarian line, is a Pro-Business Fiscal Conservative. He began his campaign as simply a line-holder. Now, in the closing days of Election Year '09, Dobrian is suddenly drawing some interest.

Fox News gave him a mention, Oct. 28, "Election HQ: Going Rogue":

Joseph L. Dobrian, Candidate for Mayor of New York

Party:
Libertarian

Plan:
The repeal of malicious and punitive taxes, onerous regulations, and laws that penalize private conduct. Also, he aims to make New York fun again, and he would like to make smoking in bars legal.

What You Didn't Know:
Designs his own suits

Quote:
"As Mayor, I will leave you alone."

Real Republicans may want to skip the Obama-ite Nanny-Stater Democrat in Republican clothing, and back the Fiscal Conservative Dobrian, who represents real Republican values.

Rep. David Nunes: A Modern-day Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Whistle Blower emerges in growing Defense Contractor Scandal

The Washington Post revealed yesterday that "nearly half" of the members of the powerful House committee on Defense Appropriations are now under investigation for ethics violations by two entities; the HEC (House Ethics Comm.) and the Office of Congressional Ethics. The list of those receiving scrutiny, include some familiar Democrat power icons in the House: John Murtha (PA), Pete Visclosky (OH), Nancy Kaptur (OH), Norm Dicks (WA), and Jim Moran (VA).

Ironically, HEC Chair Zoe Lofgren was forced to go to the House floor on Thursday and reveal that the names had been leaked. Apparently, a low-level HEC staffer had downloaded the list to his own PC not realizing that the software could be copied. Conflicting reports suggest that another individual may have either leaked the info to WaPo or to an internet site.

But amid all the hub bub of the growing PMA scandal, an interesting side story has arisen. Seems that one relatively obscure Republican Congressman, scoffed at Defense Lobbyist demands, and may ultimately emerge as a genuine Hero.

From WaPo:

The document also indicates that the House ethics committee's staff recently interviewed the staff of Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) about his allegation that a PMA lobbyist threatened him in 2007 when he resisted steering federal funds to a PMA client. The lobbyist told a Nunes staffer that if the lawmaker didn't help, the defense contractor would move out of Nunes's district and take dozens of jobs with him.

Writes Jonathan Allen at Politico this morning:

Democrats are clearly nervous over the growing ethics drumbeat.

Nunes alreadly a local Hero on another front

While relatively obscure on a national level, Rep. Nunes has become a bit of a folk hero locally in his Central California district. It is Nunes who has been leading the charge to "turn on the water," for mostly Hispanic farmers under severe water restrictions by the EPA and State regulators. Environmentalists have been seeking to save the "delta smelt" minnow who they claim would be endangered if the spigots were to be turned on.

Writes Nunes on his Congressional blog:

Why are Democrats blocking any effort to bring swift relief to our region? Just listen to their statements on the House Floor and it becomes clear that they are proxies for the radical environmental movement

The Congressman's District runs along historic State Route 99 in the heart of the Central Valley, and includes parts of Fresno, Clovis, Tulare, and Clovis.

Note - the Congressman offers a free ebook download for his report titled "Distorted Water," at his congressional website.

Owner of Popular New York Restaurant gives a Big 'F' You to Muslim Prudes across the Street: Vows to Sell Booze despite objections

"This is America, and we'll do whatever the Fuck we want!"

Next time you're in New York stop by The Spotted Pig. Not only does it serve New York's finest burger, but a mighty plate of liberty, as well.

From The Gothamist:

The lovely-looking restaurant and bar The Breslin begins lunch service tomorrow, and co-owner Ken Friedman (The Spotted Pig) is planning on serving alcohol despite objections from the Masjid Ar-Rahman mosque across the street. Earlier this month the mosque’s leaders called a meeting with Friedman at The Ace Hotel, where The Breslin is located, and asked, "Can you move the bar?" Friedman's response makes us want to hurry over to The Breslin right now for a dram of Laphroaig to show our support (and drown out the voices):

I laughed. And the guy said, "Oh, you think that’s funny?" And I said, "Yeah, that is funny, that is really funny, because we’re not going to move the bar just because you discovered we’re serving booze." Can you name one restaurant in New York that doesn’t serve booze? I said, "This is the United States of America and we’ll do whatever the fuck we want." He said the mosque had suggested it couldn’t control the behavior of "a few bad eggs"; i.e., we could get a brick through our window.

From the Editor: Video is just for background info on the restaurant, not directly related to the current conflict. But we highly recommend that all libertarians patronize Ken Friedman's two establishments.

Kalpen Modi: Dude, you're now like, involved in a White House Scandal

Kalpen Modi, otherwise known as Kumar of the infamous "Harold & Kumar" duo, is the White House associate director of public engagement.

Glenn Beck and Andrew Breitbart have been uncovering various aspects of the growing scandal surrounding the National Endowment for the Arts. Buffy Wicks and Yosi Sargent sponsored a conference call for tax-supported artists sponsored by the NEA, urging them to produce artworks reflective and even supportive of the Obama agenda. Ethics questions were raised; did the duo skirt federal regulations guarding against quid-pro-quo? Administration officials have strenuously denied any improprieties.

Now a bombshell has dropped.

Judicial Watch, known for numerous legal challenges to the Clinton Administration during the 1990s, has just announced the acquisition of crucial documents from the NEA regarding the conference call. Among the damning findings, an email exchange between the former Hollywood Actor and Yosi Sargent. From JudicialWatch.org:

August 10, 2009, 10:23 am: Email from Yosi Sergant to Kalpen Modi: "[The call is] organized by me...I'd ask you to come on and give the exact spiel you gave on Saturday. Walk them through the WH Arts Policy. They won't know it. Then I will take them into United We Serve and the NEA."

August 10, 2009, 10:29 am: Email from Kalpen Modi to Yosi Sergant: "Oy. This would be awesome to be a part of. Let me know if you think it's going long, or maybe I can get someone from here to do it if I can't because of the Social Security mtg."

August 10, 2009, 11:04 am: Email from Kalpen Modi to Yosi Sergant: "Let me see if we can move Social Sec by a few mins. Agreed, it would be great to be on the call and helpful for us also."

August 10, 2009, 1:37 pm: Email from Yosi Sergant to Buffy Wicks, Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement: "We have an important call at 2pm for UWS (United We Serve) and the Arts with my peeps. Indie producers around the country. Kal can't join the call. Any chance you can hop on for 5 minutes and intro with Nellie and I?"

JW explains:

These emails shed new light on a very serious Obama administration scandal. The NEA is supposed to foster the arts, not serve as a propaganda machine for the Obama White House. We will continue our investigation so we can provide the truth to the American people about this scandal.

John McCain's Internet Freedom Act even more radically Libertarian than Leftists first thought

by Eric Dondero:

I gotta wonder, just where are all those hardline Libertarian critics of John McCain now? Remember all those partisan Libertarians in the '08 election who claimed McCain was a "big government Republican"? This despite the fact, that the guy had an all-time American Conservative Union rating of 82, and scored high even on libertarian voting indexes of Congress.

Now we have a sure sign that when it comes to civil liberties issues, John McCain can be pretty damned libertarian. Leftists are now attacking the Arizona Senator (and co-sponsor on the House side Rep. Marsha Blackburn R-TN), for introducing the Internet Freedom Act. Seems after reading the finer details of the legislation, surprise, surprise! It just about abolishes the Federal Communications Commission. Which, of course, is joyous music to the ears of all L(l)ibertarians, Big 'L' and small.

From the website American Prospect (ironically subheaded "Liberal Intelligence"), Oct. 29:

Jon Stewart and Rachel Maddow have both been poking fun at John McCain this week for introducing a bill called the Internet Freedom Act, the stated purpose of which is to block net neutrality. Sure, on its face, the bill seems to follow the up-is-down naming convention that Congress enjoys. But a deeper reading of the bill suggests that S. 1836 might actually be named to perfection. That's because McCain's bill, if enacted, would prevent the federal agency charged with overseeing communications from overseeing the Internet, which by general consensus among sane people is to be the future of communications. What McCain is proposing -- whether he knows it or not -- would have the effect of exempting telecom companies and other interests from regulatory oversight on all things Internet.

Read the very short bill, and you'll see that McCain wants to make it so the FCC cannot "propose, promulgate, or issue any regulations regarding the Internet...

Note the slight above that anyone who doesn't want the internet regulated must be "insane"? I guess that not only applies to that "Crazy Arizonan" McCain, but to us libertarians, as well. Can you imagine that McCain and those "extremist" libertarians actually want the internet to be completely unregulated.

As if that wasn't enough, in the next paragraph these two stunning lines:

Art Brodsky of Public Knowledge (a pro-neutrality group, for the record) was asked to parse it for us. In his judgment McCain's plan, as written, would "basically wipe out much of what the FCC does."

McCain's Internet Freedom Act would actually strip the FCC of jurisdiction over the Internet and all Internet-based traffic.

Yes Liberals, that's precisely the point. We crazy libertarians want the internet to be as regulated as much as say, the old Wild West.

Now if we can only get the Libertarian cynics to rally to McCain's side, at least on this important legislation?

POSTSCRIPT: One can't help but thinking that John McCain's "wild and crazy" internet socialite daughter of his - Meghan - may be having a bit of an influence here on her Dad.

Last minute Shift of Strategy for NRCC: New York CD 23

From Cliff Thies:

Stu Rothenberg makes a very astute observation...

“Interestingly, the National Republican Congressional Committee's independent expenditure campaign in the race [NY 23] has run three TV spots - all of which have attacked Owens but ignored Hoffman.”

Full analysis by Rothenberg at RCP.

Just breaking...

Former NY Gov. George Patakia endorses Hoffman. Pataki owns a farm in the District. Full story at Washington Times.

Al Qaeda-like Sleeper Cell busted in Detroit: Leader shot and killed in Raid

On Wednesday the FBI raided a warehouse on the outskirts of Detroit. From the FBI press release:

[Charged were] Luqman Ameen Abdullah, a.k.a.Christopher Thomas, and 10 others with conspiracy to commit several federal crimes, including theft from interstate shipments, mail fraud to obtain the proceeds of arson, illegal possession and sale of firearms, and tampering with motor vehicle identification numbers. The eleven defendants are members of a group that is alleged to have engaged in violent activity over a period of many years, and known to be armed.

A fierce gun fight ensued. Abdullah shot at officers. An FBI canine was killed. The officers then shot and killed Abdullah.

The report suggests Abdullah was allegedly planning and conspiring to lead a nationwide Jihad against American non-believers. The report notes: the case alleges Abdullah "calls his followers to an offensive jihad."

The Detroit Free Press took "A look at group's alleged targets," which included Atlanta and DC:

While in Atlanta, Abdullah said of their police officers: "Their department will have a bad day when they deal with me."

• "Abdullah informed" an undercover agent "that a member of his community in Detroit had shot police officers."

He referred to Washington as a possible target.

Further background from FBI report:

Abdullah was the leader of part of a group which calls themselves Ummah (“the brotherhood”), a group of mostly African-American converts to Islam, which seeks to establish a separate Sharia-law governed state within the United States. The Ummah is ruled by Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, formerly known as H. Rapp Brown, who is serving a state sentence in USP Florence, CO, ADMAX, for the murder of two police officers in Georgia. As detailed in the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint that was unsealed today, Abdullah has espoused the use of violence against law enforcement, and has trained members of his group in use of firearms and martial arts in anticipation of some type of action against the government. Abdullah and other members of this group were known to carry firearms and other weapons.

Additionally, the libertarian blog Gates of Vienna has learned that Abdullah was also a member of a national "Agenda driven" Muslim group called Mana. The group has a national network of imams leading masjids in 20 different muncipalaties including: Philadelphia, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Atlanta, DC/Northern Virginia, and New York. All subscribe in general, to the same radical Jihadist views as Abdullah.

Sting: Obama has Muslim background

Some remarks by Sting in a recent interview are garnering a great deal of attention on news sites and in the political blogosphere. He half-jokingly suggesting that Obama "was sent by God," to solve all the world's problems. However, another quote further down in the interview with the British New Waver, has been largely overlooked.

From the AP New York via Breitbart, Trevor Slidewell Cornholer, otherwise known as "Sting" Oct. 29:

"I can't think of anyone to be better qualified because of his background, his education, particularly in regard to Islam," he said.

(H/t Weasel Zippers)

A Pre-Election '09 Message from our Chairman Michael Steele

Libertarian Republicans welcome new Texas Republican Chair Cathie Adams

From Bryan Preston, RPT Communciations Director:

RPT continues to work to keep Texas strong, free, and prosperous

The Republican Party of Texas is excited to welcome Cathie Adams as our new chairman. Cathie brings a wealth of political experience and knowledge to the job, and we know that the party is headed for even greater success under her leadership. As a fellow blogger (independently and as co-founder of Hot Air) who is now on the inside of the party, I can tell you that Cathie promises to be a great chairman and will be a real champion for all of us.

The strength of the Texas Republican Party is critical not only to our state, but to our nation.

From the Editor: On behalf of the editors and contributors to Libertarian Republican, we express a hearty welcome to Ms. Adams, and pledge our full support to make 2010 a banner year for the GOP.

Is this the New Face of White Supremacism? The Southern Poverty Law Center says so

VANDERBILT UNIVERISTY PROFESSOR CAROL SWAIN

"Carol Swain is an apologist for white supremacists," says Mark Potock, director of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project.

Potock goes on to call Dr. Swain a "low grade Meglomaniac," and her views "insidious."

The African-American Professor is under fire from SPLC for endorsing a documentary film called "A Conversation on Race." The film is produced by the National Policy Institute, which bills itself as the "Right's answer to the SPLC."

Wrote Swain:

Meticulously done, it offers people of all races a rare opportunity to engage in cross-racial dialogue.

Reporters at the Wall Street Journal reviewed the film, and found it to be flawed in parts, but also generally positive in spurring conversations on Race. They did not conclude that the film was in any way "Racist."

Excerpt from WSJ:

Because we think highly of Swain, we decided to watch the film and draw our own conclusion. Our reaction was mixed: We found the interviews fascinating but Bodeker's narration disagreeable. We do, however, see Swain's point about the film's value in illuminating the subject of race in America.

In the interviews, with people who responded to a CraigsList ad, Bodeker makes a compelling case...

See their full report and review of the film at WSJ.

From the Editor: Regular Libertarian Republican readers may remember a breaking story we did on Dr. Swain a while back: Vanderbilt Law Prof. Carol Swain to Obama: Release all Documents. At the time Dr. Swain was calling on Obama to release a copy of his Birth Certificate.

Hoffman gets major endorsement from Libertarian Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher

More on New York CD 23

MSNBC is reporting that longtime Libertarian Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher of California was among those on the GOP Right who have just lent their names to Doug Hoffman's list of endorsers.

From MSNBC via Roll Call:

"On Tuesday, former National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole (Okla.), Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) spurned the leadership by endorsing Doug Hoffman’s third-party campaign in the New York special election, following the lead of Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.), who announced his support for Hoffman on Friday.

New Pew Poll finds Republicans really are much Smarter than Democrats

Big Media predictably Ignoring the Story

From Eric Dondero:

Looks like Republicans are the Brainiacs, and Democrats overall are, well, um rather Dull.

Mary Katharine Ham over at The Weekly Standard breaks down just released Pew Research Poll findings:

Under a section called "Partisan Knowledge Gap," we find Republicans were more knowledgeable by a double-digit factor on four issues. Although the Glenn Beck question is naturally easier for Republicans, the other three issues are basic political knowledge— what "cap-and-trade" means, who's in control of the House, and who the new Supreme Court Justice is (a question that should perhaps be easier for Democrats). Republicans also led Democrats on identifying the unemployment rate, Fed chairman, Dow level, Max Baucus' position. Republicans correctly answered an Iran/Israel question and an Afghanistan question more often than Dems. Republicans and Democrats were even on identifying the "public option" as a health-care plan.

Here's some specific numbers:

(Percentage of respondents who got it correct)

Cap & Trade deals with Energy/Environment? 27% Republican, 15% Democrat
New Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor? 73% Republican, 61% Democrat
Party with House Majority, Democrats? 84% Republican, 74% Democrat
Current Unemployment Rate 10%? 58% Republican, 49% Democrat
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke? 35% Republican, 27% Democrat

Pew acknowledged the difference saying "Republicans more aware," on the issues.

Ham comments:

You likely won't see this poll result elsewhere... if the polling had gone the other way, the NYT would shout it from the rooftops.

(H/t Memeo)

Oklahoma Reddest of Red: Congressional District has 7 candidates for 2010, not a Single Democrat

From Eric Dondero:

More evidence that 2010 is shaping up to be a big Republican year...

It's common to hear of Congressional Districts in New York, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Massachusetts, or Maryland having no Republican candidates on the Ballot against the Democrats. But how about the reverse? Oklahoma has a District now so Republican Red that out of 7 candidates not a single Democrat has filed.

Mary Fallin is the current Republican Congresswoman. She's running for Oklahoma Governor. That leaves the seat wide-open.

From NewsOK:

Other Republican contenders are state Rep. Mike Thompson of Oklahoma City and former state Rep. Kevin Calvey from Del City, Johnny Roy of Edmond, Rick Flanigan of Bethany and James Lankford of Edmond.

Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Jeff Cloud, a Republican, said earlier this month he may run.

No Democrats have entered the race.

Now, rounding out the field of 7 another Republican Paul Arabie is throwing his hat into the ring, and a Libertarian running as an Independent, Clark Duffe, Vice-Chair of the OK Libertarian Party. Which sets up a Republican vs. Libertarian race for 2010.

NY Cong. Eric Massa on giving Tax Dollars back to Taxpayers: Not just No, but "Hell No"

From Tim Daniels, Left Coast Rebel:

At his announcement of his candidacy for 2010 , Rep. Eric Massa (NY-29) discussed stimulus spending. He incorrectly referred to the stimulus as "our tax dollars". It was a loan. But that wasn't the most outrageous part.

Watch above for the Democrat Congressman's emphatic remarks after being asked if he'd support legislation to end the stimulus package.

Note - Rep. Mass represents the Binghamton area of south central New York.

Democrats go on the Attack on Libertarian Republican NYC Council Candidate Dan Halloran for Pagan Religious Views

by Eric Dondero

Dan Halloran is the Libertarian Republican candidate for Queens Borough City Council. I had the pleasure of meeting Dan at the 2009 Republican Liberty Caucus National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida. He's professional, energetic and has helped tremendously to build the RLC in New York.

Numerous New York pundits have given Dan the best shot in the entire city for winning a seat for the GOP.

This has frightened local Democrat officials who've launched a consistent attack on Dan for his religious beliefs. Halloran, an Attorney, is a former Catholic, who converted to the Germanic Theod Faith, a Pre-Christian religion. While practicing his religion, he goes by the name Prince of Normandy.

The Queens Chronicle reported on the controversy in early October:

A front page story in the Sept. 17 edition of the Queens Tribune depicts Halloran as a “Pagan Lord.” His photo, showing him dressed in a tunic, is positioned next to a preppy-looking, smiling Kevin Kim, [Halloran's opponent] labeled the “Democratic Victor.”

The Tribune’s sister company, Multi-Media Corp., is representing Kim in his campaign and has already raked in more than $80,000 from the candidate, according to the city Campaign Finance Board’s list of Kim’s expenditures.

The Chronicle additionally reports:

[Halloran] has been endorsed by the Republican, Independence, Libertarian and Conservative parties.

The 19th District, which includes College Point, part of Flushing, Bayside, Auburndale, Little Neck, Douglaston, Malba and Bay Terrace, voted Republican until Mike Abel was term-limited out of office and replaced by Avella in 2001. Abel served as councilman for 10 years.

Now today, The Village Voice has a 4-page spread titled: GRAND OL' PAGAN: What Does the Republican 'Heathen' Running for New York's City Council Actually Believe?

From the article:

After talking with several members of the local theods and looking at what Halloran and others have written, the Germanic neo-heathenism of New Normandy appears to be an inclusive, family-friendly pursuit. Local members enjoy researching history, dressing up, and trying as much as possible to live within the customs and beliefs that one might find in 12th century pagan Denmark while actually living and working in 21st century New York.

But there's also a darker side to the heathenism movement in America. Festering in the country's prisons, white supremacists who call themselves heathens and Odinists (after the chief Norse deity Odin), have for decades preached hate and carried out violence in the name of Norse and Germanic mythic figures -- who also inspired Adolf Hitler and Heinrich Himmler. Hate watchdogs like the Southern Poverty Law Center have long warned about the rise of heathen prison gangs.

The Voice goes on to report on "ritual animal sacrifice" and drunkfests where participants drink wine "out of a mead of a horn."

The article quotes other group members and friends of Halloran denouncing White Supremacism, and saying that just because White Supremacists also worship some of the same Gods, has nothing to do with their particular religion.

Continuing:

Rob Taylor, who calls himself "the web's most popular Bi-racial Republican pagan," says that the connection between heathenism and racism has been overblown. "It's an urban myth among pagans that all Odinists are white nationalists," he says. And who started the myth? Taylor says it's the Wiccans.

Taylor is later described in the article as a Republican "Reaganite."

Whether his Pagan beliefs utlimately prove to be a negative for Dan, or even a positive in alternative lifestyles loving New York, remains to be seen. Still, the timing of the Voice article is suspect.

Rep. Paul Broun of Georgia introduces Bill to Privatize Medicare

One of the most Libertarian members of Congress

The Athens Banner-Herald reported Oct. 23, that US Congressman and Medical Doctor Paul Broun, introduced legislation to partially privatize the Medicare System. The "Options Act," would provide for a Taxpayer Voucher system, and Medical Savings Accounts to take the place of direct government subsidies.

From the Banner-Herald:

"We've got to fix Medicare," he said. "It's headed in a direction that's unsustainable."

Broun, R-Athens, long has held that entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security are unconstitutional, although he has said he wants to reform rather than eliminate such programs.

The bill also includes proposals to extend the COBRA coverage workers can take with them when they leave their jobs and tax breaks for doctors who perform charity care.

Daily Kos responds:

Georgia Rep. Paul Broun is just the latest Republican to join Sarah Palin in seeking to privatize Medicare out of existence...

Broun's warning shot is just the latest salvo this year in the perpetual Republican war on the program that provides health insurance for 46 million Americans.

Note - RLC's Index of Congressional voting records has found Rep. Broun as having one of the Top 5 most consistent libertarian voting records in the entire US House.

INDIANAPOLIS: Libertarians win Victory over Smoking Ban

Libertarian City Councilman whips up enough opposition for measure to fail

Libertarian Party members and their allies in the Bar/Tavern owning community gathered at the Indiannapolis City Council meeting to voice their strong opposition to a citywide smoking ban.

Reports the Indianapolis Business Journal:

"We know for certain second-hand smoke is not an annoyance,” said Democrat Brian Mahern. “It’s a health risk. There is no such thing as safe second-hand smoke.”

On the other side of the aisle, an alliance of bar owners and other opponents sported red shirts and stood in ovation upon Libertarian Ed Coleman’s remarks to the committee.

“Adults can make decisions,” Coleman said. “They choose to work [in smoking environments]. They choose to walk in there.”

The vote on the Council was a razor thin 13 against, 12 in favor.

Coleman is the lone elected Libertarian Party member on the 25 member City Council. Although, Libertarians hold over 20 elected/appointive offices throughout Indiana, including one district judgeship.

BREAKING NEWS!!! Libertarian Ed Thompson joins Republican Party, Announces for Wisconsin Senate

Brother of former Governor Tommy Thompson, elected Libertarian Mayor Ed Thompson Announces Candidacy for 31st Senate District!

October 27, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact Ed Thompson (715) 271-1297

(Tomah, WI)…

Expressing concern that state government is hampering job creation and
failing to protect seniors in a down economy, Ed Thompson announced he will run as a Republican against incumbent Kathleen Vinehout for the 31st State Senate district. The 31st State Senate district includes all of Trempeauleau, Buffalo, Jackson and Pepin counties and parts of Monroe, Pierce, Dunn, Eau Claire, and Clark Counties.

“I cannot sit idly by while Madison turns this state’s economy upside down.

People are losing their jobs and struggling to get by, while the response from Madison has been to raise our taxes,” said Thompson. “The economy is already bad, but Madison is making things worse. The solution is clear; government must get out of the way of progress by reducing taxes on working families and the people who provide jobs.”

Wisconsin dropped five spots to become the third worst state in the nation in which to do business according to Forbes Magazine, demonstrating Wisconsin’s worsening job climate.

Meanwhile the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance analysis shows that, due to recent tax increases, our state may rise to the sixth highest-taxed state in the nation, up from 11th highest. Wisconsin also has the ninth highest property taxes, making it difficult for struggling families and seniors on a fixed income to stay in their homes.

This year alone the Legislature passed over $5 billion in new taxes and fees on families and businesses to pay for a 6.8% increase in government spending.

Taxpayers will pay more for property taxes, phone taxes, garbage taxes, health care taxes, capital gains taxes, income taxes, and car insurance. Massive new taxes on Wisconsin employers are forcing them to cut costs and jobs.

Companies like Briggs & Stratton and Harley Davidson are cutting jobs in Wisconsin while expanding jobs in other states.

“My priorities will be to make Wisconsin a welcoming place for job creation, to stop tax increases in their tracks, to improve our rural economy and to ensure seniors can retire without the fear of financial ruin,” said Thompson. “I pledge to be an independent, common-sense legislator who will fight for smaller, more responsible government that works for the people, not a big-spending government that taxes people out of their jobs, businesses, and homes.”

Ed Thompson is the mayor of Tomah and owner of Mr. Ed’s Tee-Pee Supper Club.

In his first term as mayor, Thompson cut city expenses by 13%, eliminated a
$4 million debt without raising taxes and improved services to the community. Known for his fierce independence and maverick style, Thompson ran for Governor as a Libertarian in 2002. Thompson has four children, eight grandchildren, and is a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

###

Paid for by Friends For Ed Thompson, Art Thompson - Treasurer • P.O. Box
604 • Tomah, WI 54660

www.edthompsonforsenate.com

How will the Dems spin this one? Christie surging 6 days out of Election Day

From Eric Dondero:

This is precisely the type of headline any candidate wants to see one week out of an election. From Politico:

Christie with a late surge

Two new polls out today suggest that Republican Chris Christie is holding the late momentum in the New Jersey gubernatorial race over Gov. Jon Corzine (D-N.J.)

The latest Rasmussen survey shows Christie taking the lead over Corzine, 42 to 38 percent, with Independent Chris Daggett winning 14 percent of the vote. Last week, Corzine held a one-point lead over Christie, 37 to 36 percent in the initial ballot test.

A separate poll from the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling finds that late-deciding voters are lining up behind Christie. The poll shows Christie leading Corzine by four points, 42 to 38 percent with Daggett at 13 percent. Christie only led by one point over Corzine in the last PPP survey two weeks ago.

Meanwhile the race is essentially over in Virginia. If you haven't heard some polls are suggesting Bob McDonnell ahead by as much as 13%.

So, we just got this "Pre-Post Election" spin from the Washington Post:

There’s been a fair amount of punditry of late to the effect that the Virginia governor’s race is shaping up as a big referendum on Obama’s presidency. If GOPer Bob McDonnell wins, lots of people in DC will be eager to claim that Obama is one of the race’s Biggest Losers.

But the internals of the new Washington Post poll in Virginia suggest that Obama may not really be an important factor at all. It finds:

* Seventy percent of likely voters say Obama is “not a factor” in ther choice. Only 15% say opposition to Obama is a factor, while 14%, say support for him is a factor.

Entirely predictable. No surprise there. But how are the Obama lapdogs going to explain New Jersey? Obama has spent considerable political capital campaigning last minute for Corzine.

Democrats may be able to spin McDonnell's big win as a poor candidate running in a Red-leaning southern state. But they can't spin a Christie win in deep blue Democrat territory.

It's increasingly looking like Late Tuesday Night may be a great opportunity for a virtual Gloat Fest for Republicans nationwide.

Photo - Christie's running mate fellow Prosecutor Kim Guadagno on the campaign trail.

UPDATE!

Sarah Palin endorses Chris Christie and Bob McDonnell

Just released on her Facebook Page...

Let's consider the governor's race in New Jersey. The state has the highest tax burden in the country and the incumbent Democrat governor has only added to the economic burden. He eliminated property tax rebates for middle class homeowners while the sales tax increased. Altogether, taxes on the people in the region have increased by billions of dollars. It’s no surprise that New Jersey has the highest unemployment rate in the region! Thankfully, there is an alternative. Residents there will be better off under an administration that understands the benefits that result when workers are allowed to keep more of what they earn. Watch New Jersey's economy come alive under new leadership that will put government back on the side of the people! Chris Christie promises this new leadership.

Americans who believe in smaller government and free enterprise have a chance to show Washington that people all across the U.S. don’t want an ever-increasing national debt, more dependency on foreign energy sources, and more wasteful government spending. If, like me, this is what you want to show Washington, then I hope you'll support Chris Christie and Bob McDonnell.

Rick Perry hints at Texas opting out of National Health Care

Libertarian-leaning Governor says Texas will maintain its Independence despite push from Feds

Says the Health Care Bill in its original form would have "obviously bankrupted Texas." Now, he's pleased with new Opt-out option suggested by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and looking to take him up on the offer.

If original bill had stood, says Perry, we in Texas, "would have looked at a lot of options to push back hard..."

Perry ultimately says no to Secession, for now, but says "Americans are concerned about the whole Sovereignty issue" for the States.

Alberta's Danielle Smith compared to fellow Northern Star Sarah Palin

Wildrose Alliance preparing to take on Canada's Old Guard

Former Contributing Writer for Libertarian Republican, and current Contributing Editor of Race42012.com Adam Brickley got a nice write-up in a major Canadian newspaper. Brickley was interviewed regarding the Rising Star of the Canadian Right Danielle Smith.

Recently, two smaller rightwing parties in Alberta Province announced a unification agreement for future elections. The Parties are based on lower taxes, property rights reform and strong opposition to overbearing control from Ottawa. Elected as Chair of the New Party - dubbed the Wildrose Alliance, is self-described "libertarian" Danielle Smith.

From The Calgary Herald, Oct. 25:

The hype building around Danielle Smith's leadership of Alberta's upstart Wildrose Alliance party contains echoes for some of the last photogenic poster child who enthralled conservatives everywhere: Sarah Palin.

It's a comparison that's even being made by the Republican blogger credited with launching Palin's vice-presidential run in the United States.

The similarities extend beyond their background in television and telegenic looks, to their personas as anti-establishment politicians trying to upend the conservative status quo with a hard tilt to the right-- Smith from the outside through an insurgent party, and Palin from the inside through her meteoric Republican vice-presidential candidacy.

Smith, 38, and her party's recent success -- along with Stephen Harper's climb to power -- have become ammunition in the internecine war over the soul of the Republican party waged between those who feel a polarizing, Palin-like candidate holds the key to success and those who are calling for a more moderate approach.

Then Brickley adds this comment particularly pertinent given the current Doug Hoffman insurgent candidacy and his Palin endorsement. Continuing:

He recently wrote that Smith's Wildrose Alliance party and Harper's Conservatives held lessons for U.S. Republicans struggling to recover from U.S. President Barack Obama's victory.

"What I think the Canadian examples teach us is that creative insurgency is not only good--but often the only way to save a flagging party," writes Brickley. "We can keep our Danielle Smiths . . . in and Stephen Harpers in the party, or we will find ourselves running against them in 10 or 20 years -- and likely eating their dust in the polls."

Note - in early 2007 Adam Brickley, then a Univ. of Colorado student, founded Draft Sarah Palin for VP from his college dormroom, along with help from Co-Founders Steve Maloney, Carlos Echevarria, and Eric Dondero.

Who's the Spoiler?

Hottest Race in the Country: New York CD 23

by Clifford F. Thies

In the special election in New York's 23rd Congressional District, a real three-way race has emerged with the momentum all going to Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman.

The Republican Party candidate Dede Scozzafava, chosen by the county chairs in the district as provided by New York's election law, started out as the clear favorite in this Republican-leaning district.

Then, with the center-right vote split, the Democratic candidate, Bill Owens, appeared to take the lead.

Now, with Sarah Pallin, Dick Armey and the Club for Growth throwing their weight behind Hoffman, it appears that he is the center-right candidate most able to win and that it is Scozzafava is playing the role of spoiler.

A poll of 300 likely voters conducted October 24-25 for the Club for Growth puts Hoffman leading Owens by 4 points, with Scozzafava trailing by 11.

An mid-month Sienna College poll had Owens leading Scozzafava by 4 points, with Hoffman trailing by 10.

Run that by me again? Who exactly is the Spoiler in this race?

Not convinced Bloomberg is a Real Republican? The Alternative - Joseph Dobrian, Libertarian for Mayor of New York

From Eric Dondero:

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, after very publicly resigning from the Republican Party two years ago, has now tiptoed back to the GOP. Bloomberg has secured the official ballot lines of both the Republican Party and the Independent line for next Tuesday's election.

But does he subscribe to Republican views of limited government and lower taxation?

Not so fast says Joseph Dobrian. He is the Libertarian nominee for NYC Mayor 2009. His name is 1 of 8 who will appear on the ballot against incumbent Bloomberg. In his announcement press release dated Aug. 25, Dobrian outlined his platform:

Our current city government treats the individual as a serf, whom the government owns-lock, stock, and barrel," Mr. Dobrian continues. "The government is in the business of looting and oppressing its citizenry, and too often it passes laws and regulations out of spite, or out of a desire to dominate and control, rather than out of necessity. As Mayor, my mission will be not to do, but to undo."

And this from the NY Times Oct. 13

Mission: Says he is running to make New York fun again and would like to make smoking in bars legal.

UpState another race has been garnering national media attention. A 3rd party candidate represented limited government beliefs, has just taken the lead over a nominal Republican. One week from today, New York City could also decide who best represents real Republican beliefs.

DobrianforMayor.com

Fed Staffer Linda Robertson "A Whore" says Democrat Congressman Alan Grayson

Felatio in the Board Room of the Federal Reserve?

From Eric Dondero:

Apparently, Rep. Alan Grayson, the distinguished Gentleman from Florida, must have some evidence of this mild-mannered looking Federal Reserve Employee giving oral stimulaton to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. What else could explain this vulgar comment from the Democrat Congressman?

This just released from the Alex Jones Show, on YouTube Oct. 26:

"This Lobbyist, this 'K' Street Whore! is trying to teach me about Economics..."

Ms. Robertson was formerly vice president for government affairs and community relations at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

From Zoominfo:

Linda Robertson, who serves in a public relations role at the medical school. Robertson served as an aide on Capitol Hill in the House of Representatives...

Of course, Libertarians are typically skeptical of the Fed. But even the most diehard Ron Paul officials, wouldn't be stupid enough to use an epithat typically associated with crackheaded street walkers, to describe a suburban Maryland Mom federal employee on a nationally syndicated radio show.

For Libertarians the most important finding of the New Gallup Poll on shifting Ideologies

Conservatives are ecstatic today over new poll numbers released by the left-of-center Gallup organization. From Gallup:

Americans are more likely to consider themselves conservative this year than they were in 2008, resulting in conservatives -- now 40% of the American public -- outnumbering moderates for the first time since 2004.

Conservatives continue to outnumber moderates and liberals in the American populace in 2009... 36% as moderate, and 20% as liberal. This marks a shift from 2005 through 2008, when moderates were tied with conservatives as the most prevalent group.

Changes among political independents appear to be the main reason the percentage of conservatives has increased nationally over the past year: the 35% of independents describing their views as conservative in 2009 is up from 29% in 2008.

While this is good news for the Right overall, Libertarians in particular received a nice golden nugget from the new poll:

Perceptions that there is too much government regulation of business and industry jumped from 38% in September 2008 to 45% in September 2009.

Muslim Radicals threaten to Kill Dutch Libertarian Geert Wilders at UK Protest

He'll be Knifed through the Heart like Theo van Gogh

Dutch Libertarian Member of Parliament recently won the right to visit the United Kingdom after being banned for a brief period by the Labor Government for "insulting Islam."

From Pro Freedom Opinion Hot News:

Wilders’ Victory Signals Change in Britain As covered in the Wall Street Journal, a British court has reversed the decision of the Home Office to ban controversial Dutch libertarian politician and filmmaker Geert Wilders from entry to Great Britain. Wilders was on the notorious list of “undesirables” issued by former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, which also included US radio host Michael Savage...

Wilders sought to address supporters, but was prevented from speaking by Islamic Protesters. One of those protesters interviewed explicitly stated that for Wilder's "insults on the Prophet" he will die just like Theo van Gogh.

"Obviously he knows that in Islam, the punishment for the one who insults Islam is Capitol Punishment... He needs to take lessons from Theo van Gogh and others who faced the punishment..."

Note - In 2005, Van Gogh, great nephew of the famous 19th century painter and a noted human rights activist, was stabbed through the heart with a butcher knife by a Muslim activist in the streets of Amsterdam. He had been critical of Muslim treatment of women in a documentary film. The assassin pinned a note to his chest saying that Van Gogh was killed for "insulting Islam."

A year before that, Pim Fortuyn, the Libertarian candidate for the Dutch Presidency, was gunned down in the streets two weeks before the election, by a Leftwing extremist with ties to the local Islamic community.

From the Editor: If you do one thing today, watch this video in its entirety. After that please send this link along to your family, friends and associates. With his weak response to Radical Islam and his literal embrace of the Islamic world on the whole, you may be witnessing what may be coming soon here to the streets of Obama's America.

Rifqa Bary ordered to back to Ohio: Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's political future hangs in the balance

Human Rights activists on the Right keeping a close eye on Crist's next move

by Denise Clark

A judge in Florida has determined that Ohio holds jurisdiction over the Rifqa Bary case and has ordered that the teenager be sent back to her parents in Ohio.

Rifqa's story first came to light through Pamela Geller at Atlas Shrugs. Geller has been a champion of women who have endured torture or been slaughtered in "honor killings" from their Muslim husbands. Not one to back away from her stance on the issue, she got the word out about Rifqa's plight.

Rifqa Bary ran away from home in Ohio in July of this year for fear of being killed by her Muslim family for converting to Christianity. Since then, a legal battle has ensued in Florida as to whether the teen should be sent back to Columbus, Ohio. Rifqa maintains that, at the very least, she will either be sent back to her family's native Sri Lanka and institutionalized or, in the worst case scenario, killed to protect family honor because she is an apostate of Islam. Bary has begged for her life and truly believes that her fate is sealed should she return to her parents.

While the transfer of custody is not immediate, it could happen any day. The judge has ordered that immigration status be proven and that Rifqa be allowed to continue her virtual schooling through the Florida school she now gets her education from, receiving credit in Ohio. Once these conditions are met, she goes back.

It is expected that Rifqa will be placed in foster care in Ohio when she returns, and both her and her parents are to undergo psychiatric evaluations.

There are major political ramifications, as well. Amy Green of Religion Today reports:

Gov. Charlie Crist said "the first and only priority of my administration is the safety and well-being of this child." Marco Rubio, Crist's opponent in a GOP primary for a U.S. Senate seat, also urged state leaders "to use every legal tool at their disposal to properly evaluate Rifqa's best interests."

Of course, the Jewish vote in Florida is critical. Popular American-Israeli blogger Avi Green wrote over the weekend at the Jewish Conservative blog Tel Chai (Lion of Judah):

It appears to me that Florida governor Charlie Crist has not made any attempt to help either. And if not, he should not be reelected to office.

Putting aside the politics, my only comment on this story? Should one hair on her head be harmed by her family or their actions, Governor Charlie Crist, and those who fought to get her back to Ohio will be just as guilty as those who carry out any act of violence directed at Rifqa for her apostasy.

Editor's Note - Denise Clark is a wife, and mother of three living in Western PA. Her blog is the TheRightStuff blogspot

Left Libertarians Attack Libertarian Right

So-called "Libertarian" David Nolan now pronoucing who gets to use the Label and who does not

From Eric Dondero:

We must be getting under their skin. It appears that we Right Libertarians may have seriously rattled our Left Libertarian foes. The Libertarian portside has just taken two shots across our starboard bows. But our big guns are now lit and ready to explode.

The First Round: Libertarian Party founder David Nolan viciously attacked the icon of the Libertarian Republican movement Sarah Palin.

Nolan, now living in Arizona, appeared on a broadcast of Progressive Alaska recently. (Video Above). He took shots at Palin, bashing her as "not a real libertarian."

But Nolan may have a little egg on his face. He doesn't seem to recall that in 2006, the Libertarian Party of Alaska leadership enthusiastically backed Palin for Governor. This, after Palin had attended a number of local Libertarian meetings as guest speaker. But it didn't stop there. The LPA's own Governor candidate stepped down in the final days, and urged all Libertarians around the State to "Vote for Sarah."

He then goes on to bash the other major current Libertarian icon Glenn Beck, though not quite as much, noting that Beck is a "work in progress." This despite the fact that Beck is a huge fan of Palin's and the two are virtually identical on issue after issue.

Second Round: Moving from Anchorage all the way to the Delmarva Peninsula: The Delaware Libertarian goes on the attack against Libertarian Republicans, as well.

Making reference to our article we ran yesterday, on the Washington State Libertarian Party endorsement for Prop. 71, extending government benefits to homosexual couples, Steve Newton at Delaware Libertarian writes:

Washington State Libertarians show principle on same-sex marriage; right-wing (faux) Libertarian Republicans whine about the gay "agenda"

I would have preferred the sentence to have been written to turn on discrimination not benefits, and most Libertarians would prefer that the government got the hell out of the marriage business completely. But until that happens, the State needs to be forced to play by the rules it created.

Unfortunately, our rightwing element of (faux) Libertarian Republicans does not agree.

Of course, Special Rights through Affirmative Action, particularly when it involves government hand-outs through confiscatory taxation, has absolutely nothing to do with libertarianism.

Perhaps their daily readings of Kos, HuffPo, and TPM, have seriously skewed Mssr's Nolan and Newton's understanding of libertarianism?

Could deep blue Maine be getting a Republican Governor in 2010?

Peter Mills: A Hard Hat Republican with a libertarian streak

From Eric Dondero:

New poll numbers released from Public Policy Polling (PPP) has the leading Republican candidate ahead of both probable Democrat candidates.

Via our friends at Hedgehog, Oct. 22:

GOVERNOR – MAINE (PPP)
Peter Mills (R) 34%
Libby Mitchell (D) 31%

Peter Mills (R) 33%
Steve Rowe (D) 25%

So, who is Peter Mills?

Pine Tree Politics gave some background on July 23:

Despite speculation that Mills would go the independent route, the state Senator from Cornville filed his paperwork today to run in the GOP primary.

Mills can correctly claim that the Maine Republican Party shot itself in the foot by nominating Chandler Woodcock in 2006. Baldacci was extremely unpopular, and Mills (who has been described as a fiscal conservative and social moderate) would have likely coasted to the Blaine House were he to have been nominated...

In essence, he could have won, could have denied Baldacci a second term, and could have put some Republican fiscal sense into Augusta.

Peter Mills is a Vietnam Veteran (US Navy.) He's also a former 4-term legislator representing heavily blue collar Cumberland County (Portland).

He describes himself as a "Working Class Republican." From As Maine Goes 10/10:

No one is more frustrated than I about the contrast between the private sector and the public. I have spent much of my law career representing Maine business people from all walks of life: convenience store owners; wood cutters; contractors; gas station operators; manufacturers of shoes, paper and popsicle sticks; owners of woolen and textile mills; fishermen; dentists and dairymen.

He's also cut from the Mitt Romney mold, taking a very hard-nosed Business-like approach to governing:

It took Maine 20 years to close state liquor stores that were paying people $15 an hour to put bottles into paper bags.

Maine’s state hospital in Bangor employs 340 people to care for 54 mental patients at a cost that is 2.5 times the national average.

People who run state institutions tell me they have never been asked about the daily cost to provide their services.

Maine’s public schools can’t tell us where value is being added despite the availability of modern, cheap and effective assessments designed to do exactly that.

Why is it called "The Department of Human Services" rather than a Department of "Human Independence?" Let’s call the department by its purpose rather than the process.

While not a libertarian he does appear to have a libertarian streak:

I lost the [2006] primary because of my libertarian views on social issues. I respect opposing perspectives but I make no apology for my personal beliefs.

And he vows that if he is the Party's nominee he will reach out to "Ross Perot type voters."

"Working people vote Republican"... [a] new motto for the GOP. For the past 15 years, the men and women who have elected me are those who carry dinner pails to work at New Balance, Madison Paper and Backyard Farms. In October of every election year, I am at the factory gates by five each morning.

In 1992, Somerset County voted more heavily for Ross Perot than any other county in Maine. These are my constituents. I know how to earn votes from Maine's independent minded citizens.

I have never lost a general election

Olympia says Health Care vote not likely before Year End

SNOWE WATCH: CLEVER AS A FOX?

From Eric Dondero:

The women in the center, the one single person in America who could tip the balance of the Nation towards Socialism or a chance to regain the Republic for Liberty, now signals a delay in Health Care legislation at least til the new year.

Says Snowe from The Hill:

"Well, Christmas might be too soon," Snowe told Bloomberg's Al Hunt in an interview that will air throughout the weekend. "Well, you know, there's always that possibility. I know that's not what the president prefers."

Snowe refused to say that such a delay was likely, but added that "nothing would surprise me because of the complexity [of the issue]." She said that a vote would likely not come much before Christmas should it be held before recess.

Of course, December 25 really means January at the earliest. That's election year 2010.

Will Obama and the Democrats be willing to gamble the entire election cycle and a possible loss of castastrophic proportions similar to 1994, all in the name of Socialized Health Care?

Second question: Is this perhaps what the good Senator with the self-proclaimed "libertarian streak," had in mind all along?

Republicans win two Special Elections - GOP pick-ups of Dem seats in Oklahoma & Tennessee

Under the radar of the national news media, Republicans continue to win special elections for state legislatures. In early October the Republican Party picked up two previously held Democrat seats in special elections; one in Oklahoma and another in Tennessee.

In Oklahoma, Cordell City Councilman (Western OK), Todd Russ won with 56%. The seat had been held by the Democrats for over 44 years. This increases Republican representation over Democrats in the lower House Chamber to 62 to 39.

In Shelbyville, Western Tennessee near Memphis, Republican Pat Marsh beat well-known Democrat Ty Cobb 56% to 41%. The race was closely watched by Tenn. pols as the State House had been a razor thin 50-to-49 Republican majority. It has now increased to a more comfortable 51 to 48.

(Source: Southern Political Report)

First Republican group endorses Libertarian Party candidate Matt Drew for Durham City Council

From Aaron Bitterman, National Media Coordinator, Republican Liberty Caucus:

In the story from Monday about Mr. Drew in North Carolina, please note that the Republican Liberty Caucus endorsed his candidacy.

Libertarian Party member Matt Drew unexpectedly won a primary run-off spot, finishing 2nd in a field of 5 for Durham, NC City Council.

He now faces a longtime Democrat incumbent. There is no Republican in the race.

The RLC is the first explicitly GOP group to formally back his candidacy.

For a full list of RLC endorsements for 2009 visit rlc.org

Stunner! Newsweek runs a two-page spread on Ayn Rand by Gov. Mark Sanford

by Eric Dondero

This is truly remarkable. Newsweek has moved further and further to the Left in recent years, castigating both the conservative and libertarian Right. They've even taken a fair share of potshots at South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford for his recent marital infidelity. But in their on-line edition, 10/24, the liberal magazine publishes a two page commentary piece, generally favorable, on radical capitalist author Ayn Rand; what's more, the piece is penned by none other than libertarian Republican Sanford.

It is titled "Atlas Hugged." The sub-heading: "Ayn Rand has drifted in and out of favor, but she may be more relevant today than ever before."

Perhaps the focus on Rand comes from two new books just released on Rand: Goddess of the Market: Ayn Rand and the American Right by Jennifer Burns, and Ayn Rand and the World she made, by Anne Heller.

Note - The Publishers of Ms. Burns' book were kind enough to send Libertarian Republican a review copy, with which I am currently immersed. (Preview review: It's fantastic).

Or, perhaps the renewed emphasis on Rand results from a recent surge in popularity for Rand's works in India of all places. Reports Reason, over 50,000 copies of The Fountainhead have been sold since its recent translation to Hindi. And Indians have the second highest Google Searches for "Ayn Rand," in the world, behind the US.

Even embattled New York Governor David Paterson cited Rand's works as an inspiration in a committee hearing in front of Congress a few months ago. Paterson was seeking stimulus funds, and quoting Rand in the context of "greed and government mismanagement." (Source: Gothamist)

Glenn Beck has had Yaron Brook, President of the Ayn Rand Institute on his Fox show regularly, and even had him co-host the special Tea Party show on September 12. (Beck/Brook video here.)

Even with the latest Rand craze, it's still a bit of a shocker to see a New York-based publication like ultra-liberal Newsweek give her some due.

Excerpts from Sanford piece:

In my experience, people who've read Ayn Rand's books either love them or hate them. I'm one of the few who fall somewhere in between. When I first read The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged in the 1980s, I was blown away. Those books portray the power of the free individual in ways I had never thought about before. Since then, I've grown more critical of Rand's outlook because it doesn't include the human needs we have for grace, love, faith, or any form of social compact. Yet I still believe firmly that her books deserve attention...

The Fountainhead is a stunning evocation of the individual and what he can achieve when unhindered by government or society. Howard Roark is an architect who cares nothing about the world's approval; his only concerns are his integrity and the perfection of his designs. What strikes me as still relevant is its central insight—that it isn't "collective action" that makes this nation prosperous and secure; it's the initiative and creativity of the individual.

The Fountainhead makes that parasitic existence look contemptible.
After finishing The Fountainhead, Rand spent 14 years building a movement around what she called "objectivism" and composing the massive novel that would become Atlas Shrugged (1957). "Who is John Galt?"

All told, Atlas has sold more than 6 million copies since it was published just over 50 years ago.

Why? I think at a fundamental level many people recognize Rand's essential truth—government doesn't know best. Those in power in Washington—or indeed in Columbia, S.C.—often lead themselves to believe that our prosperity depends on their wisdom. It doesn't. The prosperity and opportunity we enjoy comes ultimately from the creative energies of the country's businessmen, entrepreneurs, investors, marketers, and inventors. The longer it takes this country to reawaken to this reality, the worse we—and in turn, our children's standard of living—will be.

Sanford gives a hearty endorsement to both new Rand books, saying that the Burns book: examines Rand's natural attraction for conservatives...

Towards the end, the Governor sounds a melancholy note, which may give us a hint as to his own personal struggles:

There is one more major flaw in Rand's thinking. She believed that man is perfectible.

The idea that man is perfectible has been disproved by 10,000 years of history. Men and women are imperfect, or "fallen..."

Read the full-length review/commentary at Newsweek.

Why is Gary Johnson raising his Profile?

New Mexico Politics just interviewed the former Governor asking for a report card on the Bill Richardson administration. From NMPolitics.net Oct. 22:

I would have cut back government even further, and no one would have noticed the loss in goods or services...

When I was the governor we didn’t have shortfalls like we have now. I’ll admit we didn’t have an economic downturn like we do today, but I would have, in a logical way, reduced government even further.

Really what you have got to do is have across-the-board reductions. So much has been added to government in the last seven years.

A political column back in September in the Albuquerque Journal raised the question, Is Gary Johnson planning a run for President?

Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, who declined an offer from the Libertarian Party to run for president in 2004, is being touted as a presidential candidate in 2012 by the Republican Party's Libertarian wing, Las Cruces Sun-News Managing Editor Walter Rubel wrote on Sunday

Now a new website has been launched GaryJohnsonforAmerica. The site lists Johnson's accomplishments:

As Governor, Gary was well-known for his personal liberty-oriented, "common sense business" approach to governance. He dramatically curtailed taxes and spending, vetoing 750 bills (more than all the vetoes of the other 49 Governors in the country at that time, combined), with only two overrides.

And goes on to note:

Since returning to private life, Gary has spent much of his time competing in several triathalons and countless other major sports events, as well as being an outspoken supporter for physical fitness. In 2003, Gary climbed Mount Everest (with a broken leg). He has now decided to speak out on the direction that big-government politicians are taking this country, and challenges the Republicans to step up to the plate and become the leaders they were supposed to be.

Top Leftwing Pundit says John Stossel, libertarian think tanks "Evil"

LEFTWING ATTACKS ON LIBERTARIANS

In a piece titled "Fox Reporter to Host Totally Balanced Health Care Reform Event," Gawker pundit Alex Pareene talked of John Stossel moving to Fox. In the piece he pointedly referred to libertarians as "evil."


Gawker, 10/23:

it was ridiculous back when ABC allowed Stossel to give keynote speeches at conservative/libertarian think tank gala events while still calling him a "reporter" for 20/20 and not a "pundit" or whatever. He's always had a very specific political agenda and he's always been more than willing to distort the truth in the service of that agenda. In that respect, he's not so different from a Michael Moore, except that he's on the side of evil...

Note - Pareene is described as a 20s something NYU drop-out and former Editor of Wonkette, living in Washington, DC.

UPDATE!

Pareene to Libertarian Republican:

My "response" is that most of my friends at Cato and Reason have a much better sense of humor than you. -- Alex Pareene

Senator Joe Lieberman: Islamist extremism a "Worldwide Pestilence"

Remembering Daniel Pearl

From a speech given at the Fourth annual Daniel Pearle memorial lecture, Stanford Univ. Oct. 18, via Commentary Magazine:

What ended Danny’s life was a deliberate and calculated act of evil.

It was the fanatical ideology of Islamist extremism that motivated Daniel Pearl’s killers...

At the heart of the ideology that motivated Danny Pearl’s killers is not religion but the same totalitarian impulse that we have seen appear and reappear, like a pestilence, across numerous countries and cultures and eras, intensely so during the past hundred years.

It is a belief that the most brutal imaginable violence can eradicate personal freedom, political freedom, and religious freedom and bring about a society in which women are treated as chattel, homosexuals are stoned to death, and Christians, Jews, Hindus, and other religious faiths are marked for oppression if not extinction, and in which everyone is terrorized into conformity as it is defined by a deranged minority.

(H/t NRO Web Briefing)