1 I would have made a great President!

2 I don't see anything here about 'Punching Down'. I was told that we all must 'Punch Down'.

3 I'm becoming more and more convinced that we should go the Starship Troopers route - don't serve, don't vote. 

4 I won't run for public office but I would make a great security guy.

5
You know what else is a mystery?

The Republican's strategy to win the House in 2010, that's what.

6 Allan West has some amazing YouTube videos. Let's just say he seems quite capable of strenuously taking the (verbal!) fight to the "loyal opposition."

7 The moronettes have been all over Kinzinger for a couple months now.

(Didn't lauraw make the original post recommending www.iraqvetsforcongress.com?)

8 but my guess is that the party is Stuck on Stupid

Aha.  someguy is actually Ace.

9

Hey, where's our love??

10 In my experience, veterans are comprised of almost the entire political spectrum, possibly excluding anarchists. I don't see what this solves. I know some vets who are in right now who think that Obama is A OK. I am not talking grunts either.

11 (Didn't lauraw make the original post recommending www.iraqvetsforcongress.com?)

Aha. lauraw is actually Sarah Palin.

12

http://cigarmarine.com/


Popaditch.  That is all.

13 Two words; Colin fucking Powell.

14 Captain Adam Kinzinger, a decorated special-operations pilot who (_{looks yummy in a flight suit}) flew combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I second that.

15 Thats just what the RNC needs, baby killers in office.

16 5,

The incumbents are just as worried as the progs that they are going to be replaced, especially when the Tea Party's get a head full of steam as Nov. nears IMO.

17 I've dropped her as a Romney'a top potential 2012 VP pick, but I am gaining more and more respect (I started with some, to begin with).

for her ENFP Myers-Briggs personality and intelligence. Amongst other things, that means she has an incredibly powerful ability to see connections, and can see how doing X will affect Y.  I'm not sure she should take Steele's job right now (because it would alienate certain people, fairly or unfairly), but WOW, she has the brain to do that better than anyone.

18
In the spirit of Scott Brown's victory and for being the 41st Republican in the Senate, I propose 41 in 2010.

40 seats in the House to remove Pelosi
+ Harry Reid's seat in the Senate
= 41
...in 2010.

We need something. Any thing. It's April and the Republicans haven't done shit to convince the people to vote for them. Being not-Democrats might be enough to win a handful of toss-up seats, but it isn't enough to win the House or make any progress in the Senate.

19 (apologies for the draft-status of #17)

20

The moronettes have been all over Kinzinger for a couple months now.

I wish that I was all over him...

 

21 In my experience, veterans are comprised of almost the entire political spectrum, possibly excluding anarchists. I don't see what this solves. I know some vets who are in right now who think that Obama is A OK. I am not talking grunts either. Posted by: rawmuse at March 30, 2010 01:43 PM (AMis9) Yeah I agree, HOWEVER, the ratios do turn to our advantage if only Vets and Serving Military can run. In my Unit, and I can only rally speak about the Officers, I'd say at least 75% are on our side. But there is that 25%?

22

The "narrative" of veteran leaders fighting for their country, leading others in doing the same, and then coming home to lead in the political sphere is one that is compelling, and for a change, honest.  The RNC should just STFU and let Palin run with it.  After she puts together a congress or two of leaders we can love and respect - and vice-versa! - she can modestly claim to have proven she knows how to build a winning team, unlike some other Politicians.

Then she will be seen as ready for the Big Show with no hesitiation whatsoever.

Oh, and along the way, she could see the MSM destroyed and driven before her, and hear the lamentations of their houseboys.

23 When trying to get your name to stand out, military rank always helps.

It's pretty boring reading the list of folks running for city council or county commissioner.  "Worked at Wendy's" may be honorable, but it just doesn't have the impact of "Sgt. Major Davies served two tours in Iraq."

24 #18, I'm not being cute, but what should be GOP be doing that it's not; what tangible things are they not doing?  The decentralization of media (social media, blogs, et al) makes centralized efforts seem less sincere and powerful than they may have in the past.

25 5
You know what else is a mystery?

The Republican's strategy to win the House in 2010, that's what.

Offer everyone a free night out at their favorite bondage emporium?

26 Maybe the reason the Republicans don't do this more is that fewer vets are conservative than we think.

27

The moronettes have been all over Kinzinger for a couple months now.

(he needs to let his hair grow just a smidge --than he has my Full Moronette Seal of Approval®.)

28

The moronettes have been all over Kinzinger for a couple months now.

I wish that I was all over him..

Posted by: Cheri


Or under him...I'm flexible.

29 lacey,
Who is looking at his hair?

30 Hey.. cool.. I got an honorable mention in this post.  Ok, well, maybe not.  Anyway I really have to wonder about the republican party, seems their strategy at the moment has more to do with not pissing anyone off than it does with actually taking a stand on much of anything.

Sure, I've seen a few republicans of note stand up, but the party itself, aka Steele and company, seem almost completely AWOL. 

Be nice if they pulled their heads out of their asses, got out of the hot lesbian porn nightclubs for a bit and actually started articulating a message to the American people.

I'll even give them their first campaign slogan for any GOP'er running for Congress.  "Give me your vote and I'll guarantee you the next time you reach for your wallet you won't see Congress's fingerprints all over it"

31 Rethuglikkkans want a junta!

32 29 Me. I like hair.

33 Oh, and along the way, she could see the MSM destroyed and driven before her, and hear the lamentations of their houseboys.

Queef would never leave his bathtub.  I don't see a downside.

34
Well, ParisPrius, for starters every single GOP congressmen should be holding town hall meetings, raising awareness, and articulating conservatism.

35 For the most part Vets are disciplined and they know the Constitution except for the 1% that are on the incompetent stupid side.

36 I watched Palin's desert ramble.  The K~Missus and I are happy to see her in a leadership role.  But as a performer (just a hack musician), I gotta say she needs to take it up a notch in the "memorable speech" area.

Compare "rendezvous with destiny" or "a time of choosing" to most of her phrases and you'll get the picture.  I think she's got time to kick it up a notch (and I also remember some horrendous speeches by The Great Communicator), so this isn't me piling on like the Paulians and Pawlentians.

37

"But there is that 25%? "

I resemble that remark.

38 Actually, if you go to politics1.com and check out the candidates running across the country, there are shitloads of vets running across the country.  In some districts there are several running for the nomination.  Of course, these people won't get touted in the media like anti-war vets do.

39

Lt. Col. Allen West! 

 

I know I might get some criticism, but I much prefer Sarah Palin as a kingmaker than a candidate.

40 @32
Ok lacey, but it isn't a deal breaker for me.

41 For the most part Vets are disciplined and they know the Constitution except for the 1% that are on the incompetent stupid side. Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at March 30, 2010 01:54 PM (zzUK0) yeah and they get jobs with Deers after they get out?

42 We sure dodged a bullet by rejecting that snowbilly in 2008, eh? I mean, someone must have ghost written that extensive quote at the top of the post, yes? 'Cause she's so stupid. She can only bear her daughter's children and shoot stuffed wolves. And her vajayjay scares me.

43

Actually, if you go to politics1.com and check out the candidates running across the country, there are shitloads of vets running across the country.  In some districts there are several running for the nomination.  Of course, these people won't get touted in the media like anti-war vets do.

 

The other interesting trend is all the M.D.'s who are running against Democrats.  Gee, I wonder why?  (Sarc!)

44 Vote Jeff. I am a veteran, I have a full head of hair, and it has been 63 15* days since my last alcohol related "incident." *I forgot about that thing with the sock.

45 I know I might get some criticism, but I much prefer Sarah Palin as a kingmaker than a candidate. Posted by: runningrn at March 30, 2010 01:54 PM (CfmlF) Not from me. that is her strength and I think she realizes that.

46
You guys remember a few weeks when the momentum was on our side and their was chatter about gaining 50, 60, maybe even 70 seats in the House?

What happened with that momentum? It was squandered. The Republicans, as usual, killed their own momentum by either a form of political atrophy or by saying/doing something stupid.

47

I'm with Sarah and I'd like to throw my hat in the ring.

 

48 know I might get some criticism, but I much prefer Sarah Palin as a kingmaker than a candidate. That is why she freaks out the leftards with such consistency. They know she acts like a lens for political focus, and they want it smashed.

49 John Kerry?  I hear he was in Vietnam.

50 I love Sarah, she is the one for sure.

51

Be nice if they pulled their heads out of their asses, got out of the hot lesbian porn nightclubs for a bit and actually started articulating a message to the American people.

Now, that's just crazy talk!  But seriously I agree with you - but the question is how do they get around the media's efforts to ignore them until there is some dirt to throw?  Do you think the Dems never threw a party at a raunchy club before?  Hell, they invented the idea of the waitress sandwhich!  But do you ever hear about it in the national media?  Nope.

The fact is that there is only one GOP politician who has the star power right now to burn right through the MSM's filters and connect directly with the average American - and that is Sarah Palin.

52 but the party itself, aka Steele and company, seem almost completely AWOL.

As been said around here before, I am not sure thats a bad thing.

but if you think they should, we must remember that anywhere but Fox, it will be 3 liberals against one conservative.  Unfortunately, the net and commercials and ads will be the only way to give an uninterrupted message.

53 I like this idea, but we'd have to be sure to thoroughly vet the vets before we back them.  I know lots of people in the military who love Obama (for the same reasons the general public does, I suppose).  Just look at the rockstar reception he got in Bagram a couple of days ago.

54 Yea, last election cycle the GOP put up a Car Salesman up to run against my representative.  That worked well...NOT!

55
Remember that wonderful speech Gov Christie made?

Yeah, that was squandered. There are dozens of examples where the GOP just lets the fruit die on the vine.

56 Even if the candidate in question is sort of minor elected official without any real qualifications for Congress, other than having run for minor office in the past.


Well, we certainly have the Precedent for that now.

57 Again, there is in a state a class of warriors, and another of councilors, who advise about the expedient and determine matters of law, and these seem in an especial manner parts of a state. Now, should these two classes be distinguished, or are both functions to be assigned to the same persons? Here again there is no difficulty in seeing that both functions will in one way belong to the same, in another, to different persons. To different persons in so far as these i.e., the physical and the employments are suited to different primes of life, for the one requires mental wisdom and the other strength. But on the other hand, since it is an impossible thing that those who are able to use or to resist force should be willing to remain always in subjection, from this point of view the persons are the same; for those who carry arms can always determine the fate of the constitution.       It remains therefore that both functions should be entrusted by the ideal constitution to the same persons, not, however, at the same time, but in the order prescribed by nature, who has given to young men strength and to older men wisdom. Such a distribution of duties will be expedient and also just, and is founded upon a principle of conformity to merit.

58 Just look at the rockstar reception he got in Bagram a couple of days ago. Posted by: Bomber, future veteran at March 30, 2010 02:01 PM (qzoN5) not sure I agree with that. He is the CIC and out Military is polite if nothing else. You certtainly did not expect him to get booed did ya?

59

There are all sorts of  people who were in the military, but are not going to be of help us in public office. It guarantees nothing. 

A few veterans who either were elected to office or ran for office:

George McClellan (D-Weinerville; ran for President, lost).

Ulysses Grant (President, one of the worst ever).

Ambrose Burnside (Governor).

Douglas MacArthur (ran for President, lost).

John McCain (Senator, ran for President, as squishy as they come).

Randy "Duke" Cunningham (Congressman, slobbering crook).

Eric Massa (Congressman, tickler, user, weirdo).

And somebody mentioned Colin Powell; hear him, hear him.

Veterans who worked out well generally were elected in eras when almost everyone had served in the military.

60 Even if the candidate in question is sort of minor elected official without any real qualifications for Congress, other than having run for minor office in the past.

Office-holders moving up have big-donor coattails, favors cached and owed, histories of playing ball, etc., and the GOP, like any entrenched institution, has only internal incentives. A "true conservative" (or Palinite or Paulite or libertarian) candidate win is a Party loss. It doesn't get them anything. Credibility with and support from us broke goons and toothless rubes isn't a Beltway asset.

61 45 I know I might get some criticism, but I much prefer Sarah Palin as a kingmaker than a candidate. Posted by: runningrn at March 30, 2010 01:54 PM (CfmlF) This.^^^ She will have a bigger impact across multiple races than she would as a single candidate. People rightly see her as the standard bearer for bedrock conservative principles and that imprimatur will carry the same brand recognition and approval among conservative-minded voters as that stupid "O" logo does for bookcovers sought after by fans of that retard, Oprah.

62 They need to run Grunts, 95% hate liberals just ask me.

63

Veterans also know how to fight -- which might be a very useful thing.  Plus, it's very hard for lefties to attack vets, at least to the public, without repercussions.  Let's face it: how many people are friends and family with vets?  Attack them for their war record and you paint yourself into a little corner with the majority of the people.

64
Be careful what you wish for, Ace and Sarah Palin. You just might end up with Wesley 'Ashley Wilkes' Clarke.

65 Last week I campaigned for a true American hero, John McCain...

Poor judgment right there. Just say'n

66 35 For the most part Vets are disciplined and they know the Constitution except for the 1% that are on the incompetent stupid side.

Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at March 30, 2010 01:54 PM (zzUK0)

I'm glad to see this, but I know a hard-left Vietnam vet (and I know for a fact he served in Vietnam). It makes me wonder.

Besides, the shzt that the hippies were protesting loudly in the sixties is exactly what they are up to now in their 60's. Reid and company look just like LBJ's wrecking crew to me.

67 #34, I agree with the townhall meeting idea; I think it should become a regular, required part of being a Congressman. 

But the question was what should the GOP be doing, implying some kind of centralized concerted effort.  The GOP should be facilitating candidates' efforts, but they can't substitute for individual candidates and elected officials doing what they should.  In other words, if the GOP (the RNC?) is doing what it should, it should be behind the scenes; so knowing what it is or isn't doing may not be obvious.

68 nevergiveup at March 30, 2010 02:03 PM (0GFWk)

Did not expect them to boo him, but did not expect the reception he got.  On the plus side, I assume that crowd skewed enlisted, therefor younger and more liberal.  Most of our candidates are officers, who tend to be more conservative politically.

69 Slightly o/t.  I saw where BtotheO is drawing parallels to between his takeover plan health care plan and that of Mitt's. 

Brilliantly played, as it will certainly put the finishing touches on Mitt's flameout, eliminating a serious contender in '12. 

70 Yeesh!  These men are all white warmongers!  They are endemic of what's wrong with America's patriarchal, minority excluding society!  Especially troubling is the fact that Adam Kinzinger's father was a CEO!  And of two faith based non-profit organizations!  Do you want baby killing, privilleged children of Christianist CEO's leading this country?  I think not!  (What's that you say?  [bzzz, bzzz, bzzz]  Allen West is black?--Silly you!  He's not black, he's an Uncle Tom sellout tool of the Republican party and big business!   I weep for my country, and tonight, Sarah Palin is Teh World's Worst Person!  Next up, an heartwarming story of how Planned Parenthood is doing God's work here in America as it assists poor, black, innercity  pregnant women who are facing difficult choices.

71 I read this post for the gratituous Adam Kinzinger picture and there isn't one. WTF, show the moronettes some love here.

72 #65 McCain may only be a fellow traveler, but he's one we need.  He's, overall a plus, not a minus.  Contrast Sen. Lindsey Graham.

73 not sure I agree with that. He is the CIC and out Military is polite if nothing else. You certtainly did not expect him to get booed did ya?


I guarantee that there were First Sergeants reading those troops the riot act to preserve decorum. As is proper.

74

This is just wrong.

http://tinyurl.com/yepbjq7.

 

75 Nothing against the Vets, but we need more ex-porno stars with large assets to cover all the issues.

76 74.  Is that you, Ace?

77 Well, been there done that.  Didn't quite work out for me.  I didn't have a leg to stand on.

78 I would rather AZ went with JD, but thats up to them.  It would be nice to have someone giving the democrats hell, rather than "reaching across the aisle" and giving them a h-job.

79 Is that you, Ace?


Heh.

80 71 I read this post for the gratituous Adam Kinzinger picture and there isn't one. WTF, show the moronettes some love here.     LOL!  He is a cutie!  (I had to click on his website to see what he looked like).

81
The GOP isn't doing shit.
They should be fact-checking everything Obama says and does. They should be closely examining everything Democrats are doing.

For fuck's sake, the GOP (let alone Congressional Republicans) don't even want to raise awareness about Pelosi's trip to Italy or her personal travel expenses!

The GOP isn't even vetting Obama's cabinet; Glenn Beck is!

and the list goes on...

82 Be careful what you wish for. 'Vets' needs to be defined. Are we talking vets who served two years or four years then got out for the college money? Or are we talking about 'vets' who gave decades of their life (or significant chunks of their anatomy) in the service of their country? Additionally, while generally speaking MOST military folks have a conservative bent, not all have the same philosophy. A good many military folks (a lot of higher ranking officers) are more liberal in their thinking. Why? Because to get to their senior military positions, they have to believe the PC way. A lot (not all, but a lot) of military officers (a lot of SNCO's too) today are simply politicians jockeying for positions to further their own career. Another commenter already mentioned him, but Colin Powell, while a good military leader, jumped the shark politically by endorsing Obama. Other Obama advisors like former CSAF McPeak were horrible military leaders, cause untold chaos while they were in charge, and now advise Obama. Murtha, Massa...there are others who I can't think of right now who were and are horrible in their political beliefs who have been used to help shape policy who are vets. Generally speaking, running and supporting vets is a a good thing, but proper vetting still needs to be done. The honorific 'vets' can be a negative.

83 Stoopid, stoopid Sock!  (which begs the question, how did I leave one on when Tammy doesn't need any?)

84 66,

There is a very low percentage of 'Nam Vets I meet at the VA that are for odumbass, but there are some that are nuts look at the one that stumped for hanoi john the traitor, hell he was in charge of the VA, dumbass.

85 Okay, I have to add Palin will make a fine candidate for POTUS, if she chooses.  I disagree with the she-should-take-a -backseat concept.  She may sound more like a PTA mom than a David Brooks or George Will, but she says things that are factual, and people agree with her.

In fact, more people agree with her than they do David Brooks and George Will put together.

86

This ditz sure makes me glad we have Steele as head of the RNC.

87 Another bad example: Jesse Ventura (James Janos) - the former Viet Nam UDT veteran and Minnesota Governor who lies about being a SEAL, and is a rabid 9/11 troofer.

I'm thinking simply considering veteran status is not enough to screen out the idiots.

88 83 Still good, looked like Tammy thought he was "a cutie."

89 For fuck's sake, the GOP (let alone Congressional Republicans) don't even want to raise awareness about Pelosi's trip to Italy or her personal travel expenses!

It can't get widespread traction.  But I do agree, they need a consistent repeated message across the party.  It looks like its going to be "Repeal and Replace".  I hope they throw in National Debt, Spending and Unemployment.

90 85 <clips she-should-take-a -backseat concept.  <clip>

Posted by: K~Bob at March 30, 2010 02:14 PM (9b6FB)

I'd love to share a backseat with her.

91 Stop punching me!

92 Murtha, Massa...there are others who I can't think of right now who were and are horrible in their political beliefs who have been used to help shape policy who are vets.

Generally speaking, running and supporting vets is a a good thing, but proper vetting still needs to be done.

The honorific 'vets' can be a negative.

Posted by: catmman at March 30, 2010 02:12 PM (BCSpK)

Will the vetting process include getting their opinion of tickle fights and "snorkeling?"

93

I won't run for public office but I would make a great security guy.     Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at March 30, 2010 01:40 PM (zzUK0)

Damn, ya beat me to it. That's what I get for takin a smoke break.

94

"Why the Republican Party doesn't do more of this is a mystery to me, but my guess is that the party is Stuck on Stupid and wants to nominate people whose "turn" it's supposed to be."

Whooo!  My ears are burnin', all of a sudden...

95 87 Another bad example: Jesse Ventura (James Janos) - the former Viet Nam UDT veteran and Minnesota Governor who lies about being a SEAL, and is a rabid 9/11 troofer.

I'm thinking simply considering veteran status is not enough to screen out the idiots.

Posted by: Sean Connery at March 30, 2010 02:14 PM (edJX0)

Well, the game is afoot. I'll take anal bum cover for 7,000.

96 Sorry about the "David Brooks and George Will put together" imagery.

97 Why not enlisted soldiers too? Next year I'll have a law degree from a prestigious university in addition to being an Iraq veteran (yes, infantry). And no significant criminal history.
Hey, Michael Steele! Call me!

98

Sarah Palin!  Snort!

Frickin' Snowbilly from Hell?

(Quick!  Dig up some dirt!)

99 96 Sorry about the "David Brooks and George Will put together" imagery.

Posted by: K~Bob at March 30, 2010 02:19 PM (9b6FB)

The day is mine! I'll take Famous Titties for 400.

100 Not sorry about the "Sarah in a backseat" imagery.

101

We need to elect some conservative vets. I have a few friends who served in Viet Nam and are really liberal, including one who thinks The Vapid One™ is the bee's knees.

And yeah, the GOP is, once again, attempting to snatch defeat from the jaws of  victory. The ads have been writing themselves since November of '08, but what do we hear from Steele & Co.?

Bondage bars. NTTAWTT, but it'd be nice if they at least stayed on the topic of Dims ruining what was once a perfectly nice country.

102

Posted by: JohnJ at March 30, 2010 02:20 PM (FKG1q)

 

 

JohnJ, what do you look like?  Do you have a full, beautiful head of hair?  Are you ripped with washboard abs?  Picture please!

103 Sarah Palin really truly rocks.

Some on the left think the GOP is hopelessly racist and can't stand the idea of a black president.  Much of the impetus behind Obama, and the ignoring of his terrible resume, was based on the idea that it would be valuable to send a message of rejection to republican racism.

Now, I realize this is misguided.  The right just wants everyone treated based on content of individual character instead of freebies for various hyphen-Americans.  The GOP is not racist and doesn't really give a shit what the President's skin color is (random nut exceptions aside).

But this is a lot like how I feel about Palin.  The democrats hate a powerful, beautiful, happy mother.  A normal nuclear family.  A middle class woman with values who would never abort a child.  Someone whose patriotism is very simple and proud and nice.  The left has demonized her in various sickening ways, talking about faked pregnancies and making up Palin gaffes that were really Tina Fey and Matt Damon's daydreams.

I want to send a message that Palin is a great leader and an acceptable politician for America.  That's part of why I overlook that her resume is lighter than a few others (better than Obama, but still, lighter than the ideal). 

I think it's important that the tactics used against Palin are known to backfire, so that women who want to be conservatives are less likely to deal with the hatred Palin has seen.  Also, she simply gets what's good about America.  She will have the basic ability to do what's right but difficult, like W often had.

104

It's been a long time since I've seen a breakdown - almost a decade.  But IIRC the officers are approx 80% center-right, whereas all others are 65% .  I'd bet both groups have fallen 5-10% since then.

Best bet then would be an officer, but beware, needs to be one on the younger side.  Maybe it's my imagination, but it seems the older some get, the squishier they get.

105 100 Not sorry about the "Sarah in a backseat" imagery.

Posted by: K~Bob at March 30, 2010 02:21 PM (9b6FB) 

Nor should ye be, laddie

106 Don't expect the GOP establishment to embrace these up & coming vets. Remember what happened to David Bellavia, he ran for Congress in '08 and the NY state GOP pushed him out in favor of a self-financing candidate from a politically connected family.

107 Heinlein proposed a similar idea (only veterans could vote) in Starship Troopers - in 1959.

108

As ACE pointed out..I'm sick in tired of running the person whose "TURN" it is next. IE...Dole, MacLame etc..

Hell the '08 frontrunners were Edwards, Hitlery, and Barry Sotero. Barry can't produce a B-cert (no I'm not a birhter), high scool or college transcript. Hell, by his account he was a Virgin until he met Worf.

McCain had all the neccessary creds to be CiC. It meant shit. The people want a newcomer(?).

My slogan is:

"I don't know anybody, and I don't fucking OWE anybody"!

109 I would vote for any veteran who served in Angeles City P.I.

110 104 The polls I've seen lately (from Military Times, for whatever that's worth) have it split closer to even, but still leaning pretty heavily right.

And anybody wearing stars is a politician.  Any O6 who wants to wear stars is a politician. 

111 Many of you are missing the point here. Yes these 3 guys are vets, but they are also CONSERVATIVES

112

"The third veteran is Lieutenant Colonel Allen West, a decorated war hero whoÂ’s served with distinction in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan."

. . . who was allowed to retire in lieu of getting court-martialed for pulling some stupid stunts on prisoners . . . after he'd NJP'd some of his own people for doing the same thing.

"Do as I say, not as I do" is not a conservative value.

113

" Will the vetting process include getting their opinion of tickle fights and "snorkeling?" "

That and who is trying to "recruit" 300 brothers to stand at Thermopylae to fight the Persians.

I bet Massa had ordered reproduction spears, capes and briefs for his staffers just waiting to go.

114 I like Col.West but I don't like his say anything to be popular attitude, comes across as suspect to me kinda like this mofo in the chair now.

115 I disagree on Vaughn Ward in Idaho. Minnick has done a pretty good job much to my shock. He's a vet as well. He's voted against TARP 2, Health care everytime and is voting done stuff left and right "Because we don't have any money!!"
We need good principled conservatives, with good voting records. I don't care what letter behind his name

116

Those three examples are honorable combat veterans, not PIOs.

Not a guarantee, but close enough to make it a rule.

117 At this point I would vote for some stump of a placeholder to just sit there and vote nay on everything. That doesn't require much. Even I qualify.

118
Question: Does Mark Kirk have a shot at winning in Illinois?

119 I'd be happy to get a few Democratic Party vets in there along with the Republicans.

Several reasons:
1) as mentioned before, you'd get more Republicans than Democrats
2) You'd get more centrist Democrats.
3) And this is the big one: Up until now, the Tea Party has debated the merits of going independent vs. taking back the Republican party. Stop thinking small. Why take back ONE party when we can take back BOTH and kick the big government social spending lefties to the curb (or into the Green Party)

Why can't we have small government, leave-people-alone, Strong-national-defence, unapologetic-flag-waving, celebrate-American-exceptionallism as the base of the Democrats AND the Republicans? There's still plenty to argue about and differentiate between the two. Leave the fringe thinking to fringe parties.

Supporting more Vets for office is an important step in that.

120
Speaking of NY-20...

How's whatshisname doing in NY-23?

121 Best bet then would be an officer, but beware, needs to be one on the younger side. Maybe it's my imagination, but it seems the older some get, the squishier they get. Posted by: MDr VB1.0 CS1st at March 30, 2010 02:22 PM (ucq49) Not this Officer. Gangis Kahn was a liberal in my opinion

122 Question: Does Mark Kirk have a shot at winning in Illinois?

Doubtful, but then I doubted Scott Brown could do it until 2 weeks before the election.

123 118 Yeah, a pretty decent shot in fact...but I don't really consider a win for him to be a win for the nation or the state.

124

Ilario Pantano, former Marine, author of "Warlord" 

Running for US Congress, N. Carolina.  Worth considering.

125 112 From Wiki

Hell, I'd vote for him based just on that story.

126 122 Not so doubtful when you consider who he's running against -- Gino isn't the most popular guy, and with Kirk Chicago and the ESL metro area is  a toss up.

127

Kinzinger

There's a candidate I can get behind, or on, or under or whatever. Yes, indeedy.

 

128 I have to be honest: I was very much looking forward to "Adam Kinzinger" showing up to tell us about all the kittens he's been saving from various trees lately...

129 Great idea Ace, in principle.

The problem is:

Vets we would like to see run

vs.

Vets that the GOP would actually recruit to run

130 *looks up Adam Kinzinger* Oh good lord. Even I would date him.

131

My brother voted for O. He heard a clip of Palin in nevada where she said "lock and load" and it freaked him out. He thinks she is forming a militia to stage a coup.

My only response was " that's not a bad idea"

132 Okay, I gt it that we need to be careful about looking to our vets to serve. Again.

But the point is, volunteers for military service are self-selecting for most of the things we also seek in officeholders.  It's a form of political shorthand for "is worth consideration."

"Rock musician" or "Actor" just doesn't carry the same weight.

133 My LRRP Team on my 1st tour in 'Nam were all professional, but when I went back as a Platoon Sgt. in a Infantry Company it was like herding cats to get them to act like soldiers (not all) no, we need this new breed of Vets to run for office it's a much different military than 'Nam.

134

Is = are

I blame Kinzinger and his very easy on the eyes looks...and a lack of coffee, but mostly Kinzinger.

135 Not this Officer. Gangis Kahn Jhengis Khan was a liberal in my opinion

FTFY

136

The primaries have not happened yet. Yes, the GOP should be putting together a national strategy, for all we know, they are.

 

. But we have to gird for the next fight, which appears to be Cap n Tax. Another bruising fight over what most of the country c onsiders a dead issue (global warming/climate change) will not be good for the Dems right now. Even a feckess GOP should be able to take back the House with minimal efffort if the Dems keep up their political jihad.

137 One vet to avoid however is Adam Kokesh, who should be serving time for his anti war antics, who somehow managed to bill himself as a Republican and is running for congress in New Mexico.

I can't stress it enough. This guy is a douchebag, a disgrace to the Marine Corp, and a pathetic piece of human debris. And those are just the things I can say in polite company.

The guys over at TAH (This Ain't Hell) have a long history on this guy and his arrests fro various anti war protests he ahs staged as well as his court martial while a Marine.

138

Sock, begone!

 I also disageree that Amnesty will be the Dem savior. They'd also have to spread the illegals all over the country, in districts that are close, and I don't see that as feasible.

139 I like Col.West but I don't like his say anything to be popular attitude, comes across as suspect to me kinda like this mofo in the chair now.
Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at March 30, 2010 02:30 PM (zzUK0)

That may well be the single strangest thing I've seen on this blog.

Personally, I can only think of two ways West and Obama are similar and neither remotely have anything to do with leadership, honor or policy.

You may want to take a moment and reconsider that statement.

140 139,

I don't have reconsider anything, you trust him I don't I have to see more.

141 I still can't understand Palins support of McCain. If she and another strong conservative were in a primary, I wouldn't vote for her.

142 Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at March 30, 2010 02:49 PM (zzUK0)

I didn't say I trust him, I'm just saying there's zero basis to compare him to Obama. There are a lot of stops on the continuum between 'trust' and 'kind of reminds me of Obama'.

143 I disagree on being-happy-with-Dems who are more centrist, or are vets, or seem less liberal or whatever.

We need a Constitutional Amendment to put a box around the "commerce" clause, and also limit the phrase "promote the general welfare."

We also need to repeal Obamacare.

Both things will require a supermajority.  Not just "non-liberal" congressmen, but "originalist" congressmen.

144 131

My brother voted for O. He heard a clip of Palin in nevada where she said "lock and load" and it freaked him out. He thinks she is forming a militia to stage a coup.

My only response was " that's not a bad idea"

Posted by: TC at March 30, 2010 02:41 PM (4XzsU)

Really..all the PMSM-Libtard hand-wringing over Palin is priceless she really does send them into a tizzy. And they should be nervous...they've aided and abetted in the willfull destruction of our country and we are ready to fight to get it back. All this talk about militias just makes me wonder where the hell are these people and can I subscribe to their newsletters!

 

145

141 McCain put her on the national stage. It would have looked bad if she supported his opposition. Even if she had stayed out of it, it would have looked bad. She has never run him down---just taken positions, on her own, that he wouldn't take. If he hadn't picked her, we may still not know who she is.

McCain makes me cringe and I blame his maverick stuff for the position we are in today. I would still support him against a lib though. Sarah can't really abandon him without looking like a bitch.

146 142 Drew,

I was talking about saying what you think they want to hear, like obama does in all of his speeches, my red flag went up when I heard his speech and researched him he was in trouble big time while in the service that's all, cool your jets.

147

They'd also have to spread the illegals all over the country, in districts that are close, and I don't see that as feasible.

They only have to spread their name. The address can be a park bench or abandoned house.

148

McCain makes me cringe and I blame his maverick stuff for the position we are in today. I would still support him against a lib though. Sarah can't really abandon him without looking like a bitch.

Posted by: dagny at March 30, 2010 02:56 PM (A75vQ)

Nailed.

The frauds who claim they "did support her, until she campaigned for McCain," are being intentionally stupid about this fact.

149 Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at March 30, 2010 02:56 PM (zzUK0)

And I'm just saying it's a strange leap you made.

There are few insults worse than suggesting someone kind of reminds you of Obama.

150 149 DrewM,

Listen to his speech and listen to one of obama's, really listen that's all I was saying.

151

Sarah can't really abandon him without looking like a bitch.

Oh yes she can. After RINO Mcain's posturing she should drop him like a hot rock.

152 'Nam Grunt and DrewM,

Obama sounds more like a pseudo-intellectual to me than Allen West.

West sounds a helluva lot more like an AME preacher to me than Obama.

That's how I hear it.

153

but when I went back as a Platoon Sgt. in a Infantry Companyit was like herding cats to get them to act like soldiers (not all) no, we need this new breed of Vets to run for office it's a much different military than 'Nam.   Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at March 30, 2010 02:41 PM (zzUK0)

Good times my Brother, good times.  LOL

 

154 bob, the concern troll...

amnesty plus radical redistricting would be sufficient to permit a huge amount of illegals made democrat voters to choose our president and House.

They want to go away from a strict count, and give minorities 'extra' census counts because they are somehow scared to answer the forms or something.

There's more to this than any particular step.

And people mad Palin for making a decision that is obviously not strictly political... those people don't get it.  A) hayworth simply isn't worth abandoning Mccain over.  He's a douche and a loser and a bit crazy.  B) Mccain is a good friend of Palin's.  He's an honorable man who does as he says.  I don't like what he does, but he's honest about it.  That means Palin's loyalty is justified despite their political differences.  Honor matters, even in this case.

Palin's choosing to be loyal to her friend instead of strictly abandoning every RINO.  I understand this at its core as Palin being a good person.

155 Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at March 30, 2010 03:06 PM (zzUK0)

I listened to this speech when Laura posted it.

I hear a love of country, an appreciation of opportunity and not outcome, a respect for limitations of government and an appreciation of individual achievement.

I hear zero echoes of Obama in it.

Just curious but what exactly are you hearing?

156 149 Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at March 30, 2010 02:56 PM (zzUK0)

And I'm just saying it's a strange leap you made.

There are few insults worse than suggesting someone kind of reminds you of Obama.

Posted by: DrewM. at March 30, 2010 03:04 PM (9B5OK)

150 149 DrewM,

Listen to his speech and listen to one of obama's, really listen that's all I was saying.

Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at March 30, 2010 03:06 PM (zzUK0)

Excuse me fellas...but aren't all pols populists? Its their stock-n-trade, Sarah was dishing quite a bit of red meat this weekend, it just so happens we prefer here meat to say Barbara Boxer's.

 

157 Palin dropping McCain would be as helpful to her as Benedict Arnold's quality of life was improved by helping the British.

158 153,

Oh yeah it was good times for sure, remember "it don't mean nothin!"

159

17 I've dropped her as a Romney'a top potential 2012 VP pick,

She will be relieved to hear...

160 155 DrewM,

I'm just saying that I want to see what Col.West does in the future before I support him, as for odumbass I despise him for the way he scammed America and I don't want to see anyone else do that just because of one sermon.

161 I thought teabagger types were all racists? What's with this support for guys like West and Marco Rubio? WTF?

162 161,

Sen. Scott brown is Jag too.

163 I have a better idea: let's elect hawt veterans.

164 Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at March 30, 2010 03:21 PM (zzUK0)

Yeah well, you could say that about a lot of politicians.

165 165 DrewM,

Yes I could, my vote is important and I'm not going to give it to anyone that has a pretty voice I want to have trust when I mark it, if more Americans would do that we wouldn't be where we are today!!

166

When they say "I'll fight for you," they're coming from a position of experience actually, genuinely fighting for you.

Let's be thoughtful about such broad statements. Just serving in the military does not make you a good bet: Kerry, Murtha, Heath Shuler has not shown me he fights for the consituants because he was a VET; Of the six veterans who served in Iraq and ran for Congress in 2006, only Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Pa., was elected. What do we know about him?

167 Patrick Murphy won in a red-purple district (Bucks County, PA).  He won on an anti-Iraq message, defeating the GOP incumbent, also a youngish vet, who had supported Bush.  Since then, Murphy has supported Maobama right down the line. A skunk who is widely disliked.  He will be defeated in Nov. by the guy whose seat he took 4 yrs ago.

168

@168...thanks.

 

@ ACE: Great idea. The Democrats put up several veterans in 2006 and won.

uh...1 of six won.....0.016 success. So the mantra of HE SERVED SO ELECT HIM is not really supported by that statement.

 

169 Can the RNC recruit some IDF girls to run for office in the US?

170 Can the RNC recruit some IDF girls to run for office in the US?

Posted by: Mohammed at March 30, 2010 03:56 PM (4XzsU)

Now this is an idea I can get behind.

171 There are few insults worse than suggesting someone kind of reminds you of Obama Worf.

FIFY

172 I think of JAG as akin to soviet political officers.

173 Nevermind, I'd be screwed either way.

174

Vets are assumed by many to be republicans, so there is nothing special about that.  But democrats who are veterans get attention because they are abnormal.  They give the dems cover on national security issues.  Of course, most of them are Vote Vets douchebags like Pat Murphy and Massa.

175

I'd run. But Marcia Blackburn seems to want to keep her seat for now, and I don't want to move.

I figure in a vet-heavy district, the sins of my past won't be as big a deal.

176 Chris Gibson got my vote.  Can I sneak up there and open a PO Box and claim to be a local citizens?
It is too bad he is not in the county with Watkins Glen.

177

Republican Mark Rosen--West Point undergrad, Harvard grad--has Nita Lowey VERY worried in NY 18th. On the day of the "healthcare" vote, he stood outside her Westchester office and made a speech against the bill and in favor of personal responsibility/fiscal conservatism/liberty.

If Westchester could give Spano the boot, Lowey can (finally) get kicked to the curb, too. Fingers crossed/$$'s being sent to Rosen.

178

"Hell, I'd vote for him based just on that story."

You'd vote for a guy who NJP'd his troops for the exact same crap he pulled with those prisoners?

Damn.

Look, I've actually been there and done that in the USMC, and I had to deal with a CO who pulled some shenanigans like that. It's no fun, and it shows a severe weakness of character.

179 Another veteran to add to the list, Marine Ilario Pantano- author of Warlord.

Conservative Republican  NC-7 running against Blue Dog Democrat Mick McIntyre.

PantanoforCongress.com

180 Jamie 115 - You've got to be kidding. Minnick is a Dem who votes with them 70% of the time. Vaughn is the man.

181 One more for conservative vet running: Katherine Jenerette

182

Adam West currently has a fund raiser going on "22 for 22" (22nd District).  If you can cough up $22 it would help.  I'm not even in FLA and I sent him
$35 earlier and will do $22 now.  That's how impressed I am with him.

He showed up and spoke at the Daytona Beach Bike Week Freedom Rally last month and gave an awesome speech.  The dude is the real deal.

On his FB page, somebody commented as follows (all typos and misspellings kept in):  "SORRY COL.BBUT SINCE IAM PART OF TEA PARTY I JUST FOUND OUT IAM A RASCIST SO I DONT KNOW IF IAM ALLOWED TO SUPPORT A REALY GREAT CANIDIT SUCH AS YOUR SELF"

Commentor can't spell, but h/she sure made a helluva point.

 

183 181 Another veteran to add to the list, Marine Ilario Pantano- author of Warlord.

Conservative Republican  NC-7 running against Blue Dog Democrat Mick McIntyre.

PantanoforCongress.com
Posted by: syn at March 30, 2010 05:03 PM (IlCz1)

I'll second that.  That seat has been Dem for over 100 years, and they think they own it.  McIntyre was one of the few lucky Dems allowed by Pelosi to vote NO on health care, and that was only because he finally had a credible and dangerous challenge to the seat this year.

Pantano is in the middle of a money bomb right now - until midnight tomorrow.  Can some of you guys throw a few bucks his way?

184 syn, good call on Pantano.  I forgot that he was running.  The guy has been thru a lot of bad stuff but continues on.  We need guys like him in DC.

185

Roughly 1/3 of the troops are liberal or Kommiecrat. The rest, which by the way are mostly in combat forces, are Conservatives or Pubs...

Strars & Stripes did the poll, but while I was there in 04 it seemed much more Conservative.

186 One other thing about Pantano.  He's been enrolled as a Republican Young Gun for the 2010 race.

187 The support staff are more likely to be democrats.  It's just that they work for the government and respect government and think government is the right solution more than usual.  Even these guys are mostly Republicans, though it's not 9:1 or anything.

But combat arms guys are overwhelmingly conservative. 

Always be careful about people in a government bureaucracy.  To be a true conservative, you have to value life without much government involvement.  You have to realize that government is a problem, not a solution, to be kept out of as many things as possible.  That can be hard if you just spent 30 years working for Uncle Sam, heroic as our troops are.

188 #189, I would be lying my ass off if I said there wasn't a racial element. Combat arms units in the Army are statistically rural white guys, minorities statistically cluster in support units. And blacks, be they military or not, broke 96 percent for Obumbles.

189 What was said in this post is all to the well and good, and I believe the feelings are sincere. Nevertheless, I have concluded, to my own satisfaction at least, that the conservative/Republican establishment-including the blogosphere portion of it-is still in a mindset that if someone threatens what *they* have already judged to be the proper way forward, that person's status as a veteran means absolutely, positively nothing. Perhaps it has to be this way. I don't think so, but it may not matter. But I do believe that if you say you "honor" something and then treat a person who possesses that something the *exact* same as (or worse than) a person who does not, then you have not honored, but dishonored. Yours is a false civic piety, not a true one.

190 In Michigan's 9th district, Republican Andrew "Rocky" Raczkowksi is running against Gary Peters.  My husband knows him personally through church activities.  He served in Afghanistan and Africa.  He was our state representative in the late 1990's, and became the youngest state House majority leader in the nation.  He is conservative, with strong family values.  His website is www.rockyworksforus.com.  I have never cared about politics before, and never in my life donated to any candidate.  But I am supporting Rocky with my time, money, and my vote.

191 I met Allen West in person for the first time at an event last weekend.  I'm looking forward to having him as my congressman.  The man is both brilliant and inspirational, and there's zero doubt in my mind he's committed to doing absolutely everything to reverse Obama's agenda.  That would make him the diametrical opposite of his opponent, Ron Klein, who is a rubber stamp for Pelosi.  The atmosphere and the dynamics of the district are completely different for this rematch than they were in '08.

192 118 Yes. He's a good fundraiser, and he's well-known to Illinois voters. Right now it looks like he will win.

193 Sock be gone!

194 134 Kinzinger is great! Kirk YES. Gibson looks good; that one looks tough, but Harper dropped out and will endorse him. Ward and West look fine to me.

195 Say what? I spent years in the Air Force and met lots of people who were careerists first and dedicated to the mission 'way second. And a fair number of them were O-5s and O-6s.

Nothing against service experience, but as Mencken observed about motherhood, "I would be more impressed with it if the requirements were higher."

196 Reliable and professional website for retail where you can buy Clearance MBT Shoes, Air Yeezy Shoes and Air Max 2010 with free shipping