Redstate

Posted at 8:10am on Apr. 18, 2008 Bill Ayers, the Weather Underground, and the Democratic Party

Obama campaign says terrorist is "respectable" in "mainstream liberal Chicago"

By Soren Dayton

Let me get this straight. At last night's Democratic debate, one candidate, Hillary Clinton, attacks the other, Barack Obama, with something to the effect of "you announced your candidacy for public office at the house of two known and unrepentant terrorists".

The candidate responds with "but your husband pardoned other unrepentant and known terrorists."

Why don't they distance themselves from the Weather Underground rather than apologize for them?

These terrorists are, to quote a release from the Obama campaign "respectable fixtures in mainstream liberal Chicago." (having lived in the Hyde Park of Barack Obama and Bill Ayers for 8 years, I understand the rationale of the hyperbole)

Excuse me, but WTF? Why is Obama defending this? Read on.

Posted in 2008 | Democrats | National Security | terrorism — Comments (20)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 9:49pm on Mar. 18, 2008 John McCain is Right: Iran *has* been aiding al Qaeda in Iraq

But why ruin a good, black-and-white talking point?

By Jeff Emanuel

Update: The Weekly Standard has a good write-up on this, as well.

Pundits have been coming out of the woodwork today to claim that John McCain "misspoke" when he said that al Qaeda has been receiving funding, training, and equipment from Iran during the last year-plus of the Iraq War. The "gotcha" quote -- taken here (sans link) from ThinkProgress -- is that he "conflated" Sunni and Shi'a organizations, which clearly "represent opposing sides in the Iraqi civil war[sic]."

Here is the truth: al Qaeda has been receiving funding, training, and equipment from Iran during the last year-plus of the Iraq War, and denial of that fact belies a willful ignorance -- and a desire to remain ignorant -- of the truth, at very least. People who look at the sectarian differences -- Iran being Shi'a and AQ being Sunni -- and who write off any relationship between the two on those grounds are fooling themselves into inane ignorance.

Read on.

Posted in Anti-war liberals | National Security | War — Comments (30)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 9:57pm on Mar. 16, 2008 McCain In Iraq

By Pejman Yousefzadeh

Certainly, this will be dismissed by some of John McCain's opponents as a stunt. But ensuring that he is as familiar and acclimated with foreign policy and national security issues as possible in the course of his campaign is a mark in favor of John McCain. Yes, it helps him stay in the news but it should; after having spent so much time absorbed in watching the mudslinging contest between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, it is nice to be reminded that Presidential candidates can actually take the time to pay attention to the issues and ensure that if elected, they will have all of the knowledge and information available to be able to augment and enhance the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States.

Posted in 2008 | Iraq | John McCain | National Security — Comments (2)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 2:46pm on Feb. 14, 2008 Democrats refuse to pass FISA; House GOP walks out

By Jeff Emanuel

Just moments ago, Republican Representatives walked off of the House floor in response to the Democrats' refusal to pass (or even debate) the bipartisan, Senate-passed FISA legislation.

"Meanwhile," according to a source close to the House GOP, "the Democrats are debating the merits of former White House staff."

Video below:

Posted in Breaking News | Congress | FISA | National Security | Republicans — Comments (195)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 12:01pm on Feb. 14, 2008 Forcing the Issue on FISA: The Next Round

By RS Insider

It isn't flashy. It's floor procedure and a leadership team that is holding the votes together. This is how a minority saves FISA.

Yesterday, we prevented them from doing a short-term extension. Now they can either take up the bi-partisan, senate-passed FISA bill that protects America - or - they can let it expire and leave our people vulnerable. It's up to them.

In a news cycle driven by gossip and baseball, serious business that fundamentally effects our ability to fight the war is on the line and happening on the floor.

Posted in Congress | FISA | National Security | Republicans — Comments (1)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 12:24pm on Feb. 13, 2008 House Republicans declare a Floor War over FISA

No more temporary extensions of this national security program

By Jeff Emanuel

Building on the Senate's big win yesterday, the House GOP will be taking to the floor today to force the issue of FISA once and for all -- no temporary extensions allowed.

Update: According to a source, House Republicans are "throwing every procedural vote we can at them" to slow down the Ds' attempts to ram through another 21-day extension of the current FISA legislation. As the minority party, of course, this is one of the most effective measures that can be taken to get our way in the House.

Posted in Breaking News | Congress | FISA | National Security | Republicans — Comments (2)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 5:11pm on Jan. 8, 2008 Barack Obama's foreign policy problem

By Soren Dayton

Yesterday, I had a conversation with Jennifer Millerwise Dyck, former spokesman for Vice President Cheney and director of public relations for the Central Intelligence Agency. We talked mostly about national security and the Democrats.

It is looking increasingly clear that Barack Obama is going to be the Democratic nominee. Two things really struck me in my discussion with Mrs. Dyck. The first is that we may have, depending on the GOP candidate, a real contrast on national security experience and perspective. Second, it is likely that the Democrats are going to be torqued up by the disconnect between reality (on the ground in Iraq and responsible policy) and what a Democratic candidate would advocate.

Read on.

Posted in 2008 | Barack Obama | National Security — Comments (27) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 2:31pm on Dec. 29, 2007 Bhutto Assassination Renews Concern About Huckabee's Foreign Policy

By California Yankee

Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee's first reaction to the assassination of Benazir Bhutto was a diplomatic blunder. Huckabee expressed "our sincere concern and apologies for what has happened in Pakistan." After criticism, Huckabee's campaign said he meant to say "sympathies" not "apologies." In the same statement, Huckabee revealed that he was unaware that martial law was lifted in Pakistan about two weeks ago.

Posted in 2008 | Bhutto Assassination | foreign policy | Immigration | Mike Huckabee | National Security | Pakistan — Comments (1) / Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 2:52am on Nov. 14, 2007 Think That Hugo Chavez Doesn't Threaten American Security Interests?

By Pejman Yousefzadeh

Well, think again:

On Dec. 2, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez can tip the world into a recession.

On that day, if Venezuelan citizens pass the dozens of constitutional amendments on the ballot, Chavez will essentially be granted dictatorial powers -- an elected strongman reminiscent of Spain's Franco, Italy's Mussolini and Orwell's Big Brother. The day could easily deteriorate into one of violence, martial law and suspension of oil production, the latter calculated to inflict maximum damage on the U.S. economy.

With the price of oil hovering near $100 a barrel and markets skittish because of the sub-prime housing crisis (not to mention the stability of U.S. banks, the U.S. trade deficit, the weak dollar and deteriorating domestic consumer confidence), such a move on Chavez's part would go a long way in triggering a recession. An oil crisis during the Christmas season -- with its 40% share of annual retail sales -- would be especially detrimental in the U.S.

Rising oil prices have caused global recessions in the past. The Saudis and other oil-producing countries have tried to increase output to offset rising costs. But working against stability and for high oil prices are Chavez and Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who are in a strategic alliance to push up the price of oil.

Oil economists calculate that on a supply-and-demand basis alone, the price of oil would be about $50; the remaining $45 in the current price is a political premium caused by uncertainty in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran's suspected nuclear plans, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and social unrest in Pakistan, Nigeria and Venezuela. But where the world sees a threat, Ahmadinejad and Chavez see opportunity: Civil discord lines their pockets.

The presence of dictatorial powers in Venezuela directly affects the quality of life here in the United States. Never let it be said that we weren't warned. And at some point, we are going to have to address this threat. So, for that matter, might the Spaniards; interesting how Spanish banks get threatened with retribution merely because King Juan Carlos properly observed that Hugo Chavez mouthes off way too much. Name another leader as sensitive as the Venezuelan dictator or one as willing to throw the fate of his own economy to the winds merely because he felt slighted.

Posted in Foreign Affairs | Hugo Chavez | National Security | oil — Comments (8)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 12:33am on Mar. 9, 2007 Will the surge work? Will we fail in Iraq? Who cares?

By Jeff Emanuel

U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Palm Beach Gardens, asks the basic question about President Bush's "surge" in Iraq. If it works, "So what?"

So says the Palm Beach Post's Thursday (3/8) editorial, which lauds the "conservative" Democrat (and Mark Foley replacement) for his stance, and defends the Democrats' "slow bleed" strategy by saying that the real problem is that the "administration's policies in Iraq have bled America of credibility."

Mahoney is also quoted as saying that "we need to let Iran, Syria and the Taliban know that...we won't stay distracted by Iraq." Hmmmm...interesting position for a guy who has called for negotiating with Iran and Syria, and entrusting them with key decisions and actions regarding the future of the middle east. Good job of putting them on notice there, Congressman.

Oh, and nice, principled stand on the future of Iraq, and on the fate of our 150,000 (+ 20,000 in the "surge") troops there, and on the fate of the Iraqi people - as well as that of the region, and of the security of our nation (which would take a serious hit were we to fail in Iraq). Because, hey, the strategy, and the troops carrying it out, could succeed, or could not. Either way, Rep. Mahoney's response remains the same: "So what?"

Posted in Anti-war liberals | Democrats | National Security | Targetted Seats — Comments (20)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 3:14am on Feb. 27, 2007 "Make no mistake, this vote is binding"

By Jeff Emanuel

So said Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-FL) from the floor of the House of Representatives, on the "nonbinding" resolution opposing the 20,000-troop "surge," the day before the House passed the measure 246-182.

The surge was, of course, a key pillar in the President's new strategy in Iraq, and one which seems to be working pretty well thus far.

Read on . . .

Posted in Anti-war liberals | Democrats | National Security | Targetted Seats — Comments (0)/ Email this page » / Read More »