YOU'RE TIRED, AMERICA

A new study shows why we're groggy and cranky: http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN2859197720080229?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&rpc=22&sp=true Watch out: Some politician will see this situation as time to start the "National Sleep Police"... lights out early, Americans! New opportunity for Al Gore to put his speechmaking skills to good use. ZZZZzzzzzzz.

WE'RE NUMBER ONE...

... so says Iran's little leader: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080228105322.ylw1j5ia&show_article=1

BILL'S RUNNING?

Here's ex-prez Bubba, campaigning for Hillary and revealing he does think it's all about him:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=S-aL72hyvww
Later he explained we was "just speaking FOR Hillary". Hmmm.

TOO PRETTY TO FLY?

Or maybe it was their loud profanities. Two young women claim discrimination on a Southwest airlines flight. See the video here: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video/player.aspx?aid=121944&bw=

NEW SURVEY ABOUT AMERICAN RELIGION: The nation is still overwhelmingly Christian. Here's the Pew study results: http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?id=14610&tag=

POLITICIANS THINKING CLEARLY

Exhibit A: San Diego City Council shelves a huge pay raise for themselves:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080226-9999-1m26salary.html
Let's savor this magic moment, shall we?

KNOWN BY YOUR FRIENDS?

Obama gets an endorsement from Farrakhan: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-farrakhan25feb25,1,4274996.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

AND HILLARY'S MOOD SWINGS ARE MORE PRONOUNCED: Over the weekend after the debate love-fest, she screamed "Shame on you Barack Obama". Now we know she's also cranked up the sarcasm. Watch the video here: http://www.breitbart.tv/html/52534.html

LARSON IN IRAQ: Here's the scoop, as reported in today's http://www.sdradio.net/:

San Diego 1700's Mark Larson today kicks off his additional new daily half-hour program on "A Voice In the Wilderness“, a radio network reaching the majority of U.S. Marines and other military folks based in the war zone. The net operation began in 2006 and is run by United States chaplains, with broadcasts available on site inside US bases..It features ecumenical programs geared to spiritual encouragement. Mark is also heard on “Turning Point” with Dr. David Jeremiah , airing at other times on the same Iraq network (Turning Point radio and television also airs around the world on over 2,000 outlets).

Mark notes: “I was asked by local Marine leaders if I’d like to do a daily show that wouldn’t be overly “churchy”, but wouldn’t leave God out when it’s appropriate to any story. We record a five half-hour shows a week, work about four weeks in advance and include newsmaker interview highlights from my 1700AM show, plus commentary exclusive to the Iraq network program. We include plenty of big-name guests and have some fun, too. The prime focus is to encourage our men and women in uniform who are seeking a glimpse of the “hot news” from the US plus an open, personal perspective. It’s entirely optional listening for Marines on-location, and something the chaplains have available to assist their efforts on-site. The first show airs today and there’s a new program weekdays, airing at 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. on A Voice In the Wilderness.

Mark adds, “This is entirely pro-bono, no one is making money off of the project. I see it as just another way to support the troops in an up-close, personal way.” The morning show host could be traveling soon. Mark writes, “I’ve also been invited to go back and visit Iraq, as well as Afghanistan. I’m honored to be given this opportunity.”

As if he didn’t have enough to do, Mark has also extended his deal with the Michael Reagan Show to serve as prime guest-host for the national talk show. He’ll sit in on March 6-7 and again on the 12th.

AH, THE MYSTERIES

A report says security was backed off at Barack Obama's Wednesday rally in Dallas, the event where The O Man was also applauded for blowing his nose. Dems can do just about anything and get a positive response. President Bush can't get a break. But he can get a minor groove on, as he does in the video from his Africa trip: http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=76613&feedType=VideoRSS&feedName=TopNews&rpc=23&sp=true

EQUAL TIME FUN: Now, Ted Kennedy sings (again!) in Spanish, wooing the Hispanic voters in Texas on behalf of Obama... try to hold the food down: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4328949

MY PREDICTIONS

You heard it here (and on my radio show) first: Should Obama or Clinton win the Big Prize, expect either to govern in a "look, I'm not as bad as you thought" mode for the first two years. Then guard all that you treasure as radical agendas get unwrapped. Should anything go wrong in the first two years, it'll still be "Bush's fault". And Barack and Hillary would both arrive in office with a revelation that "it's so difficult a situation, we can't get out of Iraq fast (Bush's fault, too!)" attitude.

HOW TO PAY FOR IT ALL: When did the Dems shift from "we can't afford Iraq" to "let's stop spending war money then spend it elsewhere"? You don't budget for wars. When wars are over, it's smart to save money... but now many Americans buy the rhetoric that we'll just spend it all anyway, on pet promises geared to pander to various voting blocks. For the latest on how mnuch Obama's promises will cost, scroll down and click on the "SPEND-O-METER".

OSAMA AND OBAMA

Confused? So are they at "Hardball" with Chris Matthews. Watch the video: http://www.breitbart.tv/html/49414.html

TAKING PRIDE IN AMERICA

Mrs. Obama is enjoying being "proud" of America for the first time in her adult life. First time? That speaks volumes: http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=49244 So... there wasn't pride in America's status in the beloved Clinton administrations? Being able to break glass ceilings and rise to the top in her profession? Nothing else? First time??? Yikes.

EXCITED ABOUT FIDEL'S DEMISE: Everyone's thrilled, but brother Raul has been in charge anyway, and he's nastier: timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article3396201.ece?

IT'S ONLY WORDS: We decided that Obama's theme song should be "Words" by the Bee Gees. Here are the perfect lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/b/bee_gees/words.html

HE'S BAAAACK!

Bill Clinton's on the stump again, this time lashing out against pro-lifers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XfmJeIJpns

HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY

Time to remember Washington and Lincoln, despite the efforts of Congress to mess up our recall by creating goofy floating, generic Monday holidays.

SPEAKING OF PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS: Fans are swooning over Obama, but too often there's moments of "fainting", causing some analysts to wonder what's really going on:
http://www.breitbart.tv/html/48404.html

LOCKING IN ON THE TARGET

The U.S. plans to shoot down a failing satellite: http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080215/NATION/190574197/1001

OBAMA'S SPEND-O-METER

Promises, promises. Obama could read the phone book and charm his adoring fans. In the midst of the euphoria, he's promising lots of expensive programs. Here's the latest tally:
http://www.gop.com/obamaspendometer.htm

GET BACK TO WORK GUYS

After a media circus on the Clemens flap: www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2008-02-13-steroids-hearing_N.htm Nevermind that the House of Representatives SHOULD be working on war-on-terror issues, the economy, etc they find way too much time to showboat. Enough already.

SCORE ONE AGAINST THE NAYSAYERS

The Cheerleaders for a Recession predicting a 0.3 drop in January retail sales. Oops. Consumers bumped sales UP by the same number:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23143863/

COMING TO THEIR SENSES

In Berkeley, California of all places... now leaving out the welcome mat for the Marines:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330527,00.html

PUTIN IN MOTION

He must be watching "Dr. Strangelove" for inspiration. His planes buzz the USS Nimitz (while Congress obsesses over the Roger Clemens bandaids): http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330362,00.html

US POPULATION TO SOAR BEYOND 400 MILLION

And just wait until the government "handles" health care with this kind of volume:
usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-02-11-population-study_N.htm
A trip to the emergency room? Pack a lunch... or several... and take a sleeping bag.

PELOSI WILL GO NUTS...

... over this story. Sec. Gates wants to slow down the troop pullout from Iraq:
www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/11/iraq.main/index.html

THE PESKY DELTA SMELT IS BACK: Lots of rain and snow in California but we still have
water problems, thanks to a 2 inch long fish: nctimes.com/articles/2008/02/11/news/top_stories/
20_42_072_10_08.txt

EVITA CRIES AGAIN

But the latest Hillary moist-eyes-moment (that's three so far, right around crucial votes) couldn't keep Obama from rolling up wins this weekend. Neither could the stupid David Shuster/Chelsea flap. Now Sen. Clinton has dumped her campaign manager... which won't warm the hearts of the Hispanic community (gee, and I got such nice mass emails about Hill from Ms. Solis). Now the Dems have more to worry about as their convention could be a real mess: www.courant.com/news/opinion/columnists/
hc-rennie0210.artfeb10,0,2781535.column

PELOSI OUT OF TOUCH: Says the surge in Iraq is a "failure":http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8422.html As her former supporters might say, "So is your run as House Speaker so far".

HUCKABEE PRESSES: For a "full investigation" into the weekend's voting in Washington state, contending the state was called for McCain when 87% of vote was in, supressing the vote. Huck did well in other races, enough to surprise the "experts". But pressing the situation in the Northwest sounds whiny, like those who screamed about GOP "disenfranchisement" last week at the polls (later found to be unfounded). Republicans don't need to sound like 2000 and 2004 sore-loser Democrats.

SORRY SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST WORD

Unless you're David Shuster, accused by the Clinton machine of saying the wrong thing. Dumb thing, yes. Unfair, sure. But last time I checked, the Constitution guarantees free speech, including stupid talk. Was the Shuster gaffe worthy of the issue being treated as a national media scandal, complete with threats to MSNBC? Good grief. (It was amusing to see the Clinton team accuse MSNBC of a pattern of such things... a charge you'd expect them to save for Fox.) Here's the apology and more video on this ridiculous attempt by Hillary & Company to get back into the news cycle on a weekend that is clearly Obama's: http://stoptheaclu.com/archives/2008/02/08/video-david-shuster-apologizes-for-angering-clintons/ Just imagine how much free speech these people would love to curb... if they had all the power.

HUCKAMANIA: The former Arkansas Governor takes the Kansas caucus, much to the surprise of McCain. A combo of anti-McCain vote and Romney supporters shifting to Huck.
Now we also know that Texas Governor Rick Perry called Huckabee Friday to ask him to pull out of the race. It was a non-starter.

I WAS RIGHT: Despite ranting by other San Diego talkshow hosts who cried fowl after some GOP voters claimed disenfranchisement at the polls, the facts are clear. Most if not all cases were due to people not reading instructions, or making colossal assumptions about their registration as Republicans. Some hadn't voted in a long time either. I said it on election night and every day this past week week (while others steamed and claimed conspiracy). By yesterday, the story became a non-story... with one talkshow host sticking to the right view of what happened: Yours truly. That's not to say that the voting system is flawless. It's not. But it was pathetic to see some GOP'ers whine like disgrunted Democrats (ala 2000 and 2004), only to have their suspicions ramped up by talk hosts who should know better.

REHEARSAL FOR THE "FAIRNESS" DOCTRINE

So an MSNBC reporter took a cheap shot at Chelsea Clinton: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8UMAS3O0&show_article=1
But she IS an adult and choosing to be part of the political discourse. The comment may have been distasteful, but is it right for the network to crack down? No. This is not the underage little girl of the Clinton era. Politics is rough and tumble, as everyone knows. She's on the campaign trail and fair game, right or wrong. This is America, after all, with First Amendment rights. Why the special reaction? Testing the waters for a broader silencing of opposing opinion? And this from the people who pride themselves in the defense of "free speech"? This is a rehearsal of worse things in the wings. If we let it happen.

DEMOCRATS PLANNING TO HIT MCCAIN

The politcal war room is already heating up: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8397.html

PRESIDENT BUSH AT CPAC

Doing some wooing of his own today: http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/02/08/bush-rallies-conservatives-to-keep-the-white-house-in-2008/

ROMNEY OUT

Suspends his campaign with an announcement at CPAC conference in Washington, DC:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080207/pl_nm/
usa_politics_romney_dc
Now what? Huckabee's support likely to grow to some extent, but much will depend on how Sen. McCain's wooing of conservatives works... or will it? McCain should work to mend things with Mitt and find a role for him in all of this --- and in the White House, should things progress that far.

ROMNEY STATEMENT: "This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family, my friends and our supporters... many of you right here in this room... have given a great deal to get me where I have a shot at becoming President. If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must now stand aside, for our party and for our country,"

LET'S TAKE HER MONEY

Hillary Clinton's campaign is running out of money, so she's throwing in $5 million of "her own money":
nypost.com/seven/02072008/news/nationalnews/
hillary_will_go_for_broke_978070
Gee, that Senate salary must allow her to generate more from cattle futures deals. Sure, Bill's contributed to the family moolah with speeches and book deals, but neither Clinton is fessing up about other big paybacks for brokering meetings.... like the uranium deal that led to $100 million funnelled into the Clinton Foundation. Still out of public view: The full donor list to Bubba's library and Presidential papers that would shed light on Hillary's involvement in White House matters in the 1990s. Back to the money: She's called for "taking" profits from oil companies because they make too much... so why stop there? Hillary, fork it over. For the good of the economic stimulus package. And the children.

THE DAY AFTER

The final tally is what it is: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8358.html
As I said on KUSI-TV last night, if Obama keeps building momentum and the world around us stays "as is" he's going to be hard for the GOP to beat.

HUCKABEE'S PIPE DREAM

Here it is: That dealing with McCain will mean a VP spot. Not likely. But there's obviously been a deal.. or suggestion of one... that caused Sen. McCain to get his people to swing to Huckabee in West Virginia, at Romney's expense. Figure this: McCain's taking advantage of the former Arkansas governor, who should know better.  In the meantime the usual east coast media supression is beginning, with reports of key wins to keep west coast voters home. Here's the latest Super Tuesday news: http://www.1stpolitics.com/index.htm

LET'S HEAR IT FOR CHRISTIANS

Left-of-center New York Times columnist Nick Kristof enlightens the libs regarding Christians, noting that the stereotype of Evangelicals is in need of updating: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/opinion/03kristof.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=kristof&st=nyt&oref=slogin

IT AIN'T OVER

Watch California today: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN0345866120080205?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true Despite the national media trying to say McCain's running away with everything, the current surge in California is toward Romney. And a new poll shows Obama up by 13 over Clinton.

CALIFORNIA TIGHTENS UP

The latest Super Tuesday polls show it's all neck-and-neck: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/california-primary.html

SHE KNOWS BETTER

First it was Hillary's claim that she'd "take those profits" of the oil companies... now it's YOUR money she wants: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080203/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_rdp_31

SUPPORTING THE SURGE

OK, so it's hard to take anything away from the NY Giants and the annoying Eli Manning as they show new signs of life in the final quarter of the Superbowl. And it would be nice to see the Patriots streak broken. But they're still a couple of east coast teams complete with kiss-up obsession from the same-coast media elite. Oh, and one more funny E-Trade commercial makes it more fun. But for me, the real action is this week, in California and lesser states on Tuesday.

SUPERBOWL BLAHS

In the third quarter of the "Big Game", I'm realizing how underwhelming it all is... like most years following all the hype and insipid "media day" questions. Oh sure, every year we do the same thing: knowing what we know about the Superbowl, we still expect a different result. Can't even have the enjoyment of watching Eli Manning have a really painful game so far. Talk about having issues find a side to root for in this.... Eli the doofy fratboy who didn't want to play in San Diego vs. Mr. God's gift-to-models and a the New England Cheaters. Hmmm. And the commercials aren't all that spectacular, though the E-Trade baby-trader bit was different. Wonder how much money was spent on the Naomi Campbell-with-dancing-lizards ad? Most people at our house assumed it was a Geico spot, then promptly forgot which turbo-drink was the real sponsor. Nice investment. And for halftime, rather than Tom Petty, they should have had the Presidential candidates debate, with pyro-technics and dancers. And trapdoors. Oh well.