If I were granted one wish about the state of today’s politics it would be for the Democrats to be saddled with their own version of John McCain. Once again, McCain is working to score points for Democrats and undermine Cruz/Paul and Lee – the “Wacko Birds” – in their attempt to prevent a free debt ceiling increase. Back in January, Republicans and conservatives got | Read More »
On today’s edition of Coffee and Markets, Brad Jackson and Ben Domenech are joined by Senator Mike Lee to discuss the growing scandal at the IRS, its constitutional implications and his efforts to protect your emails from the feds. Then Ben and Brad discuss the political opportunities and traps that Republicans face with these brewing scandals.
Read More »Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee began its markup of the gang of 8 immigration deform bill (s.744). The striking thing about the markup is that any casual observer would think we were living in 1965 or 1986, when there was either relatively low legal immigration or no failed amnesty to look back upon. To most of the senators sitting around the table, the border is more secure than ever (despite the sharp rise in crossings), our record levels of immigration don’t exist, and there is no reason to implement the enforcement before the legalization.
Read More »Kim Strassel somewhat diplomatically lashes out at Senator Ted Cruz in the Wall Street Journal. Her subtitle sums up her point, which really isn’t worth delving too far into. The subtitle is, “The GOP is split between those who insist on making a point, and those who want to make some progress.” Got that? So Rand Paul, Mike Lee, and Ted Cruz want to make | Read More »
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) recently gave an address to the Heritage Foundation entitled “What Conservatives are For.” I think he intended a double meaning with the title, as he addressed both the purpose of conservatism, and the positions conservatives should support. I heard a bit of this speech on the Rush Limbaugh show Wednesday afternoon, and my interest was piqued, so I found the full transcript and | Read More »
“Instead of these three Senators backing down, we should be sending them reinforcements. Until then, you might want to pick up the phone, dial (202) 224-5922, and tell Ted Cruz thanks for standing up for America.” I’ve been on the road the last two days. In finally getting to emails this morning, I see a lot of people have emailed about Joe Scarborough taking on | Read More »
Senator Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has confirmed he will filibuster new gun control legislation, spokesman Brian McGuire confirmed for me today. While nobody knows yet what Senator Reid’s plan is for the gun bill, if he chooses to file cloture on the motion to proceed to the Reid Bill (S. 649), Senator McConnell will oppose cloture on proceeding to that bill. The future of the | Read More »
Well, just last time I mentioned I had so little to talk about. I guess everything was lying in wait for tonight.
Top story appears to be the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. I’ve been skeptical since Leaky Leahy has been pushing it, and he’s pushed many a bad tech idea in the Senate. But Mike Lee is also backing it, as is apparently Jim Sensenbrenner. So it’s worth considering. It may actually be that Leahy isn’t trying to expand the state or weaken the nation here.
Also, Robert McDowell is leaving the FCC. It’s up to Ajit Pai to get stuff done, now.
Read More »What was it about Rand Paul’s filibuster that has captivated conservatives all over the country and reinvigorated their desire to fight for our Constitutional Republic? The irony is that the drone issue was not even one of the most popular issues among many conservatives until last night. I suspect that many conservatives don’t necessarily agree with some of Paul’s assertions about targeting terrorists like Al-Awlaki | Read More »
Rand Paul has done a brilliant thing filibustering the President’s appointment to the CIA. By keeping the filibuster going through prime time, Rand Paul forced ABC, CBS, and NBC — chief sources of news for low information voters — to cover the issue. Along the way, Rand Paul had help giving him time to rest his voice. Ted Cruz came down a few hours in | Read More »
Ted Cruz will not stand alone. He’ll be joined by the Senator from Utah. Here’s a statement from Senator Lee’s office: “I will join Senator Cruz in objecting to Senate consideration of any Continuing Resolution without a vote on delaying funding of Obamacare. Defunding Obamacare is essential to restoring economic growth. At this time of fiscal turmoil, Congress shouldn’t borrow more money to pay for | Read More »
Message to The New Republic: The left-right antiSOPA coalition isn’t getting back together because the right half still opposes Internet regulation, while y’all keep pushing stuff like privacy regulation and Net Neutrality.
Also, in case you missed it, FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai returned to RedState, this time to talk about government’s oversized spectrum holdings.
Here’s a brief conversation with Marsha Blackburn about tech policy.
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Who’s anti-science? We set up a bill to bring in more foreign scientist and engineers through the STEM Act, then pass the bill with virtually no Democrat support, and then get called ‘racist.’ Apparently science degrees are racist now, according to (frankly delusional) Democrats.
And more by the ever-busy Darrell Issa: his Reddit outreach continues as he promotes his two-year legislative and regulatory moratorium in the IAMA act (even the name is a nod to that community). But, based on the linked article, they’re looking for reasons to oppose. Left-’libertarians’ are too much reflexive fanbois of unchecked state power, when Democrats get to have that power. But, we’ll see.
Read More »I hope nobody’s surprised that the Obama administration is stonewalling Darrell Issa from Trans-Pacific Partnership oversight. Because the President would love to get a power grab out of this, I’m thinking. In other House news, the Republican Study Committee is going Tech. Which is good; the less we have to rely on Democrats for good policy outcomes, the better. So I wish luck to Marsha | Read More »
Privacy? You want privacy in the digital age? Start by repealing campaign finance laws before you wag your socialist finger at the private sector. Al Qaeda also denied 9/11 involvement at first, but we knew the truth. Also, how can Anonymous deny involvement in an attack when they claim to be unorganized? It’s these slipups that let us know the truth about them: they’re an | Read More »
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