Matters Of Opinion

Len Britton Campaign Video Kills Again

The Democratic incumbent, Senator Patrick Leahy had better be watching his back over there in Vermont. Vermont, known for it’s great skiing, it’s maple syrup, and now it’s Republican adds that will make you giggle.

Britton has been running a great grass roots campaign in his attempt to oust the historical relic that is Leahy, and despite his fair share of negative press from the lefty’s (hey, if there’s an R after your name, it’s GOING to happen) his numbers have been looking better and better with each passing week.

But hey, I’m just a talking head who writes opinion pieces. Check out the video for yourself, and then cruise on over to his web site, to find out what this guy is all about. I wasn’t disappointed, and if you aren’t either, give him a few bucks to keep making great campaign videos and put some life (literally!) back into the Senate.

Hayworth or McCain? An Analysis

JD Hayworth, the conservative talk show host and political television talking head, is running against John McCain in the Republican primary in Arizona, as most of you know.

Hayworth was in the House of Representatives for a time and served on the Ways and Means committee,  and was instremental in the Bush tax cuts. He’s undoubtedly an earnest believer in conservative principles, and at times I think one could say an ideologue.

Currrentley, he is far behind in the polls, partly, I think, because of McCain’s over all popularity with Republicans and moderates alike, the fact that McCain was the past presidential contender for the R’s, and because McCain has been there so long and has worked hard in the Senate.

Whatever ones opinion about McCain (and I have had several pieces that have been critical of him, and several that have been very kind to him), he has served his country dilligently for decades. He has literally given up the proper use of his body for this country, and does, I believe, truly work across the aisle to craft (what he thinks to be, at least) good, bipartisan legislation. I admire McCain, and after recently reading his book about his grandfathers, fathers, and his own Navy career, including his capture and torture, I respect him even more. Sure, there have been bills that he has crafted that I have not been a fan of, a good number of them, actually, but at the end of the day, he does what he thinks is best for the country and isn’t afraid to challenge the party when he thinks it needs challenged.

So, which is it? Hayworth or McCain?

Not only because I think McCain WILL win, but also because I think he deserves to, I choose McCain. Do I think that Hayworth will probably craft and sign on to more conservative legislation than McCain? Yes. I think that Hayworth can and should be in Congress, just not in McCain’s seat, at least not yet. There is going to be a huge uptick of Republican representatives in the House, and the way that the trends are going, as far as those winning the primaries, most of them will be very conservative/libertarian leaning R’s. While that’s good, there IS a need for some moderate voices to keep them from over working the good footing that they will have. It’s pointless to take the House and maybe the Senate, cram through the most extremely conservative legislation that is possible, and then lose the House in two years time, having everything turned back. After all, that’s one of the biggest follies of the Democrats this year. They are trying to push through as much as possible, and have pissed off a lot of I’s and moderates in the process. That’s why we aren’t seeing a lot more extreme liberal legislation: I have no doubt in my mind that liberal leadership is having everyone slow it down a few notches to help stave off casualties.

There is a place for moderates in the party, and while McCain may sometimes be moderate almost to a fault, what better moderate than a war hero who was the last presidential contender to help rope in the further right aspects of the party? Think big picture here. It does us no good to be extreme and get all we’ve ever wanted legislation-wise only to have it blow up in our faces and lose us seats. That’s a major reason I consider myself a conservative anyways. I don’t believe that major, sweeping reforms are always necessary, going either way, and that it’s best to move slow, see what works and what doesn’t, and proceed with caution. After all, the tortoise beats the hare, right? Shouldn’t an elephant move slower than the jackass?

Some Thoughts About Today’s Post Tribune

The pictures a little fuzzy, but featured to the left is me, my son Gage, and Senator Dan Coats.

My family drove out to the Porter County fair to meet Sen. Coats, and I have to say, I was impressed. He had a commanding presence, seemed like a very amiable fellow, and seemed sincere about needing our help (and appreciating the help) here in Porter County. He gave a little speech to a group of us (mostly candidates, and then me, lol) and then we all filed out in a little mini-parade down the board walk. I thought it went well, everybody seemed to either be appreciative of Coats being there, and the ones that didn’t weren’t being annoying and yelling and screaming at us. All in all, a fun little time, I got to meet Dan Coats for the first time, as well as John Costas.

So imagine my surprise when I read this comment from some 17 year old kid in the Post Tribune today complaining that he didn’t get his hand shook: “It’s kind of upsetting. He probably doesn’t think youth matters.” A LOT of people didn’t get their hand shook, buddy. There was a pretty good number of people there, don’t worry about it. If you were really that interested in meeting him, you could have easily just walked up to him and introduced yourself. It’s not like there was security guards all around us (although God have mercy on the man that messes with Ralph Levi, that’s a big guy). It sounds to me like he just wanted to whine about Coats to the press, who is never reluctant to criticize a Republican (not that I’m complaining. It’s a fact that as Republicans we are going to get press coverage that is often less than optimal. It doesn’t happen ALL the time, but it happens enough that it is pretty noticeable, especially with a paper like the Post Tribune, excluding Davich) but maybe I’m wrong. If you really did feel like you got unfairly left out, let me relay my own first experience meeting Dan Coats.

It doesn’t surprise me much when older Republicans give me a second look up and down. I have one arm fully sleeved, the other arm scattered with tattoos, and gauges in my ears. I don’t look like the everyday, golfing, country club Republican. I’ve had it happen, especially with older R’s, and it’s just a fact. I chose to have my body look like this, and I like the way my body looks, but it does deter some people who haven’t always had positive experiences with people with tat’s and piercings. So I usually try and go out of my way to show that not all of us are a-holes. Regardless, with my first meeting of Coats and Costas both, I was happily surprised. Both looked directly at my eyes, and if they gave my arms a second look, I didn’t notice it. I didn’t get the feeling that it mattered to either of them, and neither one hesitated to shake my hand, pat me on my back, and ask me about my son (who was screaming most of the time. Hot weather and babies do not mix.) The same goes for my wife, who has a similar appearance. If the 17 year old really did think that Coats not shaking his hand was a slight, I hope he reads this account and realizes it wasn’t. There were several people on the midway, and just because you got passed up doesn’t mean that Coats or any of the other candidates don’t care about your vote or your voice.

I know on facebook today, regarding that same article, there was some complaints about the term “teabaggers” being used to describe TEA Party members. Some of the people said they were going to ask for an apology from the Post, and great, I hope they do ask, and that one is printed. It’s not the place of the papers writers, excluding op-eds, to allow their personal views to affect the content of the story. But there was a much bigger, full page of bias towards that back that I was surprised nobody else picked up on: Rich James’ piece on Gary Mayor Rudy Clay.

Yes, the piece was critical of Clay and critical of the many “grand plans” (or schemes, as I like to refer to them) of Clay to boost the city of Gary back up to where it used to be. However, I shook my head at the tone and wording of the article itself. “Despite your best intentions, Rudy…” and “The heck of it all, Rudy, is that I know you are passionate about Gary…” and “I don’t like being critical of you, Rudy…”

I have read some glaring pieces from James where he doesn’t mind being critical AT ALL…as long as it’s about conservatives. Yes, it is a rarity that he writes bad about a Dem. at all, and I guess in some small way it’s at least a victory that he wrote the piece in the first place, but STILL. James, if you want to have a reputation as being a tough as nails commentator on political doings and government employees, go right ahead. Hell, I encourage it! It’s needed! But please, let’s show some fairness. I know it’s a commentary piece, and by all rights you should write whatever crosses your mind, but it’s a glaring bias that is unbecoming of you, and I think you are too good of a writer to fall into that kind of political softball.

An update…

A sincere apology to you all that have been wondering: where the hell did Travis go?

The answer: working on my book. I have been taking some much needed time off focusing on my book that will be a collection of works by young Republicans about the future of the party. On top of that, I have been enjoying the summer with my wife and child and doing other local things.

I am in the process of revamping my radio show as well, so that it will be more organized and easier to listen to, with more thought out guest spots.

Judging from my stats part of my page, many people have been checking daily, and I apologize for keeping you all in suspense. This week I will again begin writing about politics and starting with a radio format that will be run bi-monthly (every other week). Thank you again for all you patience.

Travis Gearhart