Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Michael Steele for RNC head? Now wait just a minute...

Michael Steele for RNC head? Now wait just a minute...

(Hat tip to The Arsenal for their quotes in this post:)

In a Washington Post interview dated Oct. 16, 2006, former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele spoke in deceptively reassuring terms when he said this about gun control:
"My views are pretty much in line with [NRA-backed Gov. Robert Ehrlich]. I grew up under some of the strictest gun control laws in the country. I loved the moment [anti-gun activist] Carl Rowan got caught [with a gun]. That summed it up for me. Summed it up for me..."
Yet Steele betrayed a lack of full understanding when he next uttered these contradictory sentences:
"What do you need an assault weapon for, if you're going hunting? That's overkill. But I don't think that means you go to a total ban for those who want to use gun for skeet shooting or hunting or things like that."
Ouch! That's a train wreck on many levels even besides that damned "need" canard... But this ignorance can be cured through simple education.

Many States of course actually do allow deer hunters to use semi-automatic SKS and AK-47 type rifles - which are, after all, are the very guns the so-called "Assault Weapons" ban sought to eliminate!

If you're a true Second Amendment supporter (as I am), then you'll see that Mr. Steele must be carefully educated on the true meaning of gun rights before he should be seriously considered a good conservative candidate for Chairman of the Republican National Committee or any other national GOP leadership post.

Otherwise, we may be falling into the same trap that killed us in 2008: Trying to be like the "reasonable" Democrats and liberals instead of standing firm on our principles of Liberty. (You listening, Sen. McCain?)

We must be wary of trying to just find some token black Republican or some possible "AntiObama" to shove to the forefront to represent us.

After all, remember the much-heralded J.C. Watts from Oklahoma?

I was really never too impressed with him to begin with, but do you know what he did after he left Congress?!

Sadly, this "small government champion" was a paid shill on Mike and Irene Milin's infomercials helping people get "free money" grants (our money!!) from the Federal government.

Not too conservative, eh?!

I would strongly urge that one or more gun clubs in and around Maryland cordially invite Mr. Steele to be their special guest at a first rate gun range for a day of safe, responsible, enjoyable, and educational shooting and gun issue education.

They should of course start with a .22LR revolver and work their way up to a Glock or Colt 1911, but they should also be sure to let him enjoy a good old "ugly" rifle too, such as a semi-auto SKS or AR-15, and maybe even jump to an NFA weapon such as a select-fire M-16 or full-auto AK-47 or Tommy gun.

"Sporting purposes" indeed!

A safe and fun day of bonding and camaraderie with firearms will do more to help our side and make friends than you could ever imagine!

I heartily recommend this approach to rifle and pistol clubs across the country to help shore up shaky friends and maybe even convert "enemies" nationwide.

Gun clubs should make it a point to identify locally-based columnists, journalists, and other influential "celebrities" and send them courteous invitations to enjoy a safe and fun day on the firing line as their honored guest.

One candidate for this treatment I've mentioned to others (Ken Blanchard, in fact) is Fox News contributor Juan Williams, whom I like and respect quite a bit.

He's a liberal, but as has been pointed out and demonstrated, he's no a Kool-Aid drinker, and I think he and others could be swayed quite a bit toward us over time.

Troops: Forward march!!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Neutralizing Hillary Clinton

Reports that Obama will pick Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State are very interesting indeed.

She perhaps sees this as a way to build some credibility on foreign policy and get good regular exposure on the news.

She'll be seen not as fighting and arguing (as she would if she stayed in the Senate), but consistently trying to bring people together and solve problems as the nation's top diplomat.

On the surface, this looks like a gesture of conciliation and inclusion designed to heal wounds and help the nation.

On the other hand, Obama has expressed admiration of Abraham Lincoln's way of bringing his former adversaries into his Cabinet.

But Lincoln's move actually neutralized his enemies by disconnecting them from their power bases and making him their boss.

Hillary's Senate confirmation hearings would finally bring to light the previously hidden sources and methods of funding for Bill Clinton's foundation.

What's uncovered by the Senate could be very embarrassing for her, even to the point of torpedoing her nomination.

I think Hillary sees this, as risky as it is, as a better path toward the Democratic nomination, be it in 2012 or 2016.

I think Obama sees this as a way to make his re-election bid easier in three ways:

It's a nice political gesture.

Since Hillary will work very hard to prove herself worthy, she will either prove him right or hurt her reputation if she fails.

Plus, he's keeping in mind the old saying, "Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer".