This the Only Time Bart Stupak Will Be Compared to Mel Gibson March 16, 2010

Posted by Adam Graham in : Uncategorized , add a comment

With  all the garbage Stupak has taken, this is a pretty nice fringe benefit. If Carly Fiorina weren’t running for Senate, this would be a finalist for political web ad of the year.

(Hat Tip: Jill Stanek.)

When Generation Facebook Runs for Office

Posted by Adam Graham in : Idaho Conservative, The , add a comment

I heard Joshua Blessinger announced for Lieutenant Governor. Who, you might ask is Joshua Blessinger?

He’s a former U.S. Marine with service in Iraq, a Security guard, and a student at BSU. He formerly worked in the Corrections industry.

He’s pro-life, a fan of idaho Public Television, and ice cold beer. How do I know all this about Mr. Blessinger? His Facebook profile told me so (though the Iraq war service I picked up from his MySpace profile.)

Blessinger is about a year and a half older than me, but hardly the first person from my generation to run for office. Blessinger is the first one I know of with a Facebook profile that provides so much of a feel for who he is from the get go.

There’s nothing I would consider “embarassing” on Blessinger’s profile, but I’ve never actually gotten so much insight into a candidate I’ve never heard of before so easily. Facebook could be a great tool for journalists. I do wonder how long it will be before someone has a “Facebookgate” occur when they leave really embarassing information up on their Facebook page that derails their candidacy.

For Mr. Blessinger, I think it’s much more of a plus. “I’m not an ordinary politician. Don’t believe me? Check out my profile on Facebook!”

Ward Gets Big Out of State Support, Labrador Gets Even Bigger In-State Support March 15, 2010

Posted by Adam Graham in : Idaho Conservative, The , add a comment

Vaughn Ward picked up the endorsement of the House Conservative fund. This same fund supported Bill Sali in 2006 and is tied to the real conservatives in the U.S. House.  I think that pedigree of endorsement from the Conservative wing on the Hill is the type of thing that can make conservatives comfortable backing Ward if he is the GOP nominee.

However, I’ve just gotten word that Labrador is having an event in the next couple week and a half with  Speaker Lawrence Denney, Majority Leader Moyle, Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts, and several others. I tend to think the value of legislative endorsements is small, but probably larger than a group most Idahoans haven’t heard of.

While Conservatives have been disenchanted with government, in general. There’s not a whole lot of reason to be angry at the State House from a conservative perspective. They’d held the line on taxes and spending, approved pro-life legislation, even took some baby steps forward on education.

In a Republican Primary, it’ll help quite a bit to have so many of them in your corner.

Six Stupid Things Candidates Do to Mess Up Their Campaigns

Posted by Adam Graham in : Politics , add a comment

My latest Pajamas Media is up with some practical thoughts:

Debra Medina was charging hard in the Texas governor’s race, closing in on three-term U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson in a three-way contest. A second-place finish would have put Medina in a run-off against incumbent Governor Rick Perry for the Republican nomination for the governorship of the second largest state in the country.

Then she went on Glenn Beck’s radio show. When asked whether the federal government had a role in 9/11, she responded, “I think some very good questions have been raised in that regard. There are some very good arguments, and I think the American people have not seen all of the evidence there, so I have not taken a position on that.”

Glenn Beck summed up the aftermath of the interview when he said Medina was heading back to single digits. Medina finished a distant third in the Texas gubenatorial primary with 19% of the vote, well behind the top two contenders. Medina is not the only one. Many well-intentioned newcomers are in danger of politically spazzing themselves to death.

Americans are tired of politicians’ smooth answers, refusal to follow principles, and slick campaign talk. However, some campaigns are doomed to defeat because they’re making basic errors.

As a former candidate, I made a couple big mistakes that I wish someone would have told me to avoid.

If people want to make a difference, they should avoid giving their money and energy to campaigns that have doomed themselves to political oblivion. Here are the warning signs.

1. Going off-message

Medina’s truther answer is a prime example. After the interview, Medina pleaded that questions about 9/11 have nothing to do with the issues facing the state of Texas. Exactly. That’s why she never should have said there have been “very good questions” raised about whether the government was behind 9/11 .

Good candidates run for office for a reason, but there are constant distractions. Candidates should avoid opining on issues that are irrelevant to winning the election.

For example, while there’s merit in returning to the original Constitution and ending the direct election of senators, it’s never going to happen. Candidates who raise the issue are doing their political chances harm because it distracts from the message they want to communicate.

Entertaining conspiracy notions — whether it be from the 9/11 truthers, birthers, or from people who believe aliens landed at Roswell – also distracts from the campaign’s message and ultimately sabotages the campaign.

A campaign should not be a stream of consciousness expressing whatever random thoughts and fancies come into the candidate’s head. The candidate is asking people to spend their time and money to dedicate themselves to a cause. It’s not unreasonable to expect that candidates will dodge attempts to distract with fringe “issues.”

A gaffe like Medina’s raises another question. When people elect a political leader, particularly an executive, they’re looking for a decision-maker. They’re not electing an ideological set of positions. When a disaster hits, people expect the governor to make the right call. They want their governor to have the discretion not to embarrass the state.

Texas voters wanted to know whether Medina would make good decisions if elected and if she could be trusted to be the face of Texas. Lincoln said it best when he declared, “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.”

More Thoughts on Filing March 14, 2010

Posted by Adam Graham in : Idaho Conservative, The , add a comment

Several thoughts on the passing filing scene:

• We have a conservative stepping forward to run for Lieutenant Governor. Steve Pankey is the only filed Republican Candidate for Lieutenant Governor. It appears from this cached website that Pankey was planning on running for Governor but switched to the #2 job. His platform for Governor was kind of general including core values and traditional values, but he sounds far more promising than Brad Little.
• Is Id. Rep. Russ Matthews trying to help Mike Simpson get renominated? Let me be clear. Matthews has a bang up of Conservative record, but I’ve seen very little evidence of any serious support for him while Chick Heilseson has been doing the required organizational work for months. Knocking off Simpson is a tough challenge. It’s made even harder when a candidate who hasn’t done the necessary work is splitting the anti-Simpson vote.
• I think the district of Rep. George Sayler (D-4) is going to flip GOP with Sayler’s retirement.  While former Pocatello Mayor Greg Anderson has got to be favored to help retiring Rep. James Ruchti’s State House Seat, District 29’s other representative is Republican Ken Andrus, so this is a potential loss for the Democrats. The seat of retiring State Rep. Donna Boe (D-30) should be safe for the Democrats.
• If I was an Idaho Democrat, my top priority this year would be getting Anderson elected in District 29. If Anderson is elected to the State House, he instantly becomes the Democratic Gubenatorial frontrunner in 2014 in the incredibly likely event that Keith Allred isn’t elected Governor. Democrats may have a great opportunity in 2014 to retake the Governor’s mansion, but they’ll need a big dog with executive experience. Anderson is it. But if Anderson can’t even win a State House race, it’ll dim his prospects.
• If there’s one Treasure Valley legislator who deserves a primary challenge this year, it’s Senator John Andreason (R-15) who is currently running without opposition. Andreason voted against the Conscience Clause and against the Idaho Health Freedom Act. He’s the most liberal GOP member of the Ada County delegation, and it’s past time for him to be retired. Yet, for some reason, the only primary challenge in that district is directed at Rep. Lynn Luker (R-15) who is really not that bad.
• Speaking of Luker’s district, right now it looks like the Democrats’ best chance for a pick up in what’s going to be a rocky election year. In addition to the primary challenge, Luker faces an Independent and a Libertarian which could drain votes from him in the Fall. As of yet, though, the Democrats haven’t got a challenger to file. It’ll be interesting to see if they can produce one by the end of the filing period. If not, the seat will stay GOP. However, with a strong Democratic challenger, this could be one of the premier races to watch this fall.
• Another great primary match up is in Twin Falls where Vice Mayor Lee Heider is running for the legislature against Senator Chuck Coiner (R-24). Heider says Coiner’s not a conservative. That’s the understatement of the year. This could be a great opportunity for conservatives to move the State Senate to the right by replacing a left of Center Republican with someone more conservative.

Boise Hawks to Meridian?

Posted by Adam Graham in : Baseball , add a comment

The Boise Hawks could be considering moving their stadium to Meridian according to the Statesman.

I’ve been to some Hawks games, and love it when I get a chance to go. I went four times in 2008, but didn’t ge to go last year due to money being tight. I think Memorial Stadium does need to be improved because the parking is not in great shape, and the seating isn’t all that hot.

I think 30th Street in Boise would be a great location for a ballpark. I don’t think Meridian is all that great a choice. Driving into Meridian tends to be the most nerve-racking experience because the city doesn’t seem well-laid out and has really outgrown its infrastructure. Putting another 1,000 or so cars on Meridian roads right before and after the Hawks game seems a good way to make a challenging problem even worse.

But should taxpayers anywhere shell out money for the new ballpark? No.  A baseball stadium should be funded through private dollars or not at all. Wherever the Hawks end up playing, I’ll be happy to pay to get in if I want to see a game. But those who aren’t going to go shouldn’t have to pay.

Cheers and Boos: Otter Stands for the Tenth

Posted by Adam Graham in : Idaho Conservative, The , add a comment

This week over at my Idaho Press Tribune blog, we feature Butch Otter, three Idaho Republican Senators who refused to support your freedom, and a nice word about the Idaho Statesman.

Conservatives School the Left

Posted by Adam Graham in : Abortion, Podcast , add a comment

Conservatives win textbook battle in Texas.

School spending, it’s even more than you think.

Does All State care more about teenagers than Planned Parenthood?

Planned distributes sex guides at girl scout meeting

Planned Parenthood parenthood 1952: Abortion kills babies.

Planned Parenthood attacks pro-life display.  (Hat Tip: Jill Stanek.)

Is Scientology cult practicing coerced abortion? (Hat Tip: Jill Stanek.)

Second Amendment update from Gun Watch.

Jews with Guns, not just for the IDF anymore.

Illinois legislator proposed forced organ donations.

6 World Vision workers killed in Pakistan.

Christian persecution hits Nigeria.

Sweden wants to ban homeschooling

Music by Take No Glory via Music Alley

Click here to listen, click here to download, click here to add this podcast to your Itunes.

Catholic Priest Celibacy Is Not the Culprit in Abuse March 13, 2010

Posted by Adam Graham in : Christianity , add a comment

From the New York Times, two Austrian Catholic Archbishops are suggesting that the Catholic Churches centuries old policy of requiring celibacy among the Priests may be to blame for abuse scandals.

As a Protestant, I don’t believe ministers should be required to be celibate, but blaming celibacy in the Catholic Church seems to be the problem.  For one thing, there have been cases of sexual abuse by protestant ministers where there is no requirement of celibacy, other within the bounds of marriage.  In addition, far more than protestant or Catholic ministers, teachers are often culprits of sexual abuse, with no requirement of celibacy.

The fact of the matter is that sexual abusers will go where children are readily available. They’ll become teachers, they’ll volunteer at church, they’ll become scoutmasters. Anything that is set up for the benefit of children has the potential of attracting sexual predators. And many of these predators have been married.

I think the Catholic Church, and all at-risk institutions would do far better to aggressively psychologically screen potential applicants than addressing a peripheral issue like celibacy. I think many people pushing the Catholic Church to abandon its policy are far more concerned about deconstructing the Catholic Church than they are stopping abuse.

Thoughts on the Filings March 9, 2010

Posted by Adam Graham in : Idaho Conservative, The , add a comment

Well, it’s that season again. Filing season. It’s that time of the year when I feel a slight rumble. When I first ran for the State House in 2004, I ran because I saw some things that needed fixed in our state. Part of me still has some fire in the belly, but I think not enough to do anything other than give me indigestion.

However, I believe that I’m doing what I can best for my fellow citizens as I comment on the news and politics. From the sidelines, I’m free to do things that politicians rarely do: be myself and speak the truth.  I also get to report on the news and be one of those few conservatives that write and blog, and help fight back deceitful demogogues and the local press. (I repeat myself.)

I also tend to think that it’s wise to have some means before running for an office like State Senator. Not to be rich, but to be financially independent. I think it’s awfully hard to run for a job when you’re working for corporate America rather than yourself.  

If I were to run seriously for an office, I’d probably run for Senate in District 18. Good news is that there’s already a Republican Candidate out here.

I suppose if I had nothing better to do, I’d run for Lieutenant Governor. Though, if I were going to run, I would have started much sooner. I think it’s a pity. Lieutenant Governor Brad Little (R-Id.) may run without opposition and unless he’s challenged by a supertalented political leader, Little will probably coast in the Primary and General, and thus be able to continue the Batt-Otter-Little gentleman farmer dynasty in the state GOP, which will guarantee that unless Jim Risch returns from Washington in 2014 to run for Governor, that Republicans will have nothing to offer but stagnate leadership for the rest of the decade.

Now, that we’re clear on me. Here are some thoughts on some of the other filings:

• Senator Nicole Lefavour (D-19) is opting to return to the House. I’m happy for her. I read her blog in 2008 and it was a lot happier place. While I find her antics to be undignified for a State Senator, I don’t dislike her. Anyone who can imagine Rep. Lenore Barrett (R-35) as a champion slam poet can’t be all bad. I think she realized she wasn’t happy in the State Senate, and wasn’t terribly effective there. Of course, changing chambers she doesn’t  lose money. She loses prestige and a little office space, but that’s a small price for enjoying your life more.
• As an added note, I find it ironic that LeFavour seems to have enjoyed serving with her more Conservative former House colleagues than her current more liberal Senate colleagues. I guess it goes to show that ideology isn’t everything in where to work.
• The confusion over LeFavour’s replacement in the Senate may give a look inside the Democratic Party. LeFavour had intended to talk to Freshman Rep. Brian Cronin (D-19) running for her State Senate Seat. However, four term Rep. Anne Pasley-Stuart (D-19) jumped in. Said LeFavour.” Don’t expect a Democratic Primary between Pasley-Stuart and Cronin, which might happen with Republicans. This seems to be one of the recent secrets of the Ada County Democrats’ recent success. Most of the Democratic legislative candidates start their active campaigning for re-election in July, while Republicans hold off their efforts until September. However, I’d say that both parties nominees work equally as hard. However, the GOP nominees often have to spend 2 months going through a Republican Primary while the Democrats usually have uncontested primaries that allow them to spend 4 straight months campaigning, while the Republican candidate spends two in the Spring and two in the Fall. I think the Democrats work out their nominees in a very concerted way and avoid expensive or difficult primary fights so they can maximize their time, money, and resources in the Fall. This isn’t even something the GOP can do because there are so many different interests and factions that it’s near night impossible.