By: gawken (Diary)  |  January 22nd at 10:37 AM  | 

Update: Two big changes a few days after I posted this diary: Saxby Chamblis announced that he’s retiring. The seat will remain GOP, but with a much more conservative Republican in it. Several GOP congressmen may run, especially Tom Price. Could Herman Cain, or Newt, try a comeback? Stay tuned. Tom Harkin announced his retirement. As I discussed below, this makes the seat wide open, | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  January 17th at 06:09 PM  | 

Just reading the news that the House GOP is considering a short term hike to the debt ceiling. Paul Ryan, as quoted in “The Hill” this afternoon: “We’re discussing the possible virtue of a short-term debt limit extension so that we have a better chance of getting the Senate and the White House involved in discussions in March,” Ryan told reporters gathered at the pricey | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  January 13th at 11:55 AM  | 

The link below is to a column by Scott Rasmussen from 1/11/2013. It clearly, and succinctly, states the problem that we conservatives face with the GOP establishment in Washington. It is a must read. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_scott_rasmussen/republican_establishment_declares_war_on_gop_voters The message is not new; we are all aware of the problem. What is rare, and a pleasant surprise, to see somewhat like Rasmussen clearly define the problem. The parameters | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  January 7th at 09:29 AM  | 

I suspect that Obama would like for Chuck Hagel to be his SecDef. Hagel is Obama’s type of Republican, and their views on Israel, and the US-Israeli relationship, are probably in sync. But it’s still hard to understand why, WHY, given that GOP opposition is near-unanimous, that Obama is going to try and force Hagel through the Senate. Or not really so hard after all. | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  January 4th at 08:27 AM  | 

John Boehner has stated that he will no longer negotiate directly with Obama, and that the House must and will return to regular order in considering future legislation. We shall see. Remember, it was just after the GOP took control of the House in 2010, that they adopted the “three day rule,” which mandated that no legislation could be passed by the House until three | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  January 1st at 08:36 AM  | 

It’s obvious that Boehner and the GOP House leadership are a) incredibly stupid, b) hung over, and/or c) becoming senile. It’s taken just two years for them to forget absolutely everything about how and why the voters put them in charge in 2010. The Senate has just passed an abomination of a bill. It is a spending bill, as Rand Paul so eloquently stated. Even | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  December 30th at 07:56 AM  | 

Some here may remember the 1987 spy thriller “No Way Out.” Kevin Costner play a naval officer, who is actually a deep cover Soviet mole, who gets assigned to the Pentagon, working for the egomaniacle Secretary of Defense (Gene Hackman). Costner meets, has an affair, and falls in love with, a beautiful DC lady about town, (Sean Young) who is actually the unhappy mistress of | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  December 28th at 06:03 PM  | 

According to The Hill, Harry Reid has the 51 votes for the “nuclear option” to change the Senate filibuster rules. http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/274791-leading-proponent-of-filibuster-reform-claims-51-votes-for-nuclear-option Surprisingly,I find myself encouraged by this development. If anything guarantees that absolutely this time the GOP won’t manage to blow it, that they WILL finally take control of the Senate in 2014, surely this is it. It’s just too, too perfect. I can’t wait | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  December 28th at 07:08 AM  | 

Two weeks after the Newtown murders, I find it very curious that no one, anywhere, has yet asked the most important question: Did Nancy Lanza own a gun safe, and if she did, was it used? As the media digs up every possible shred of information about her life, and her son, it’s odd (to say the least) that nobody thinks to ask the police | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  December 25th at 10:29 AM  | 

There has been considerable speculation recently as to whether or not John Boehner can remain as Speaker. Breitbart.com has released a report detailing the mechanism for unseating the Speaker: http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/12/24/house-should-elect-speaker-by-secret-ballot However, it is unlikely that Boehner can be deposed unless and until someone is willing to step up and openly challenge Boehner for the office. I would suggest that Arkansas congressman-elect Tom Cotton offer himself | Read More »