And no, I don't know how I got on their e-mail list! With only slight format editing:
Karl Rove is Right
Friday June 24, 2005
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In remarks before the Conservative Party of New York on Wednesday evening, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove made the following remarks:
"But perhaps the most important difference between conservatives and liberals can be found in the area of national security. Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war; liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers. In the wake of 9/11, conservatives believed it was time to unleash the might and power of the United States military against the Taliban; in the wake of 9/11, liberals believed it was time to... submit a petition."
Democrats responded yesterday by scrambling around Capitol Hill, holding press availabilities, and sending a letter from six Senators to President Bush calling for an apology from Mr. Rove. If not, according to Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, they will call for Mr. Rove's resignation.
But these indignant protestations of Senators Reid, Clinton, Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (among others) ring hollow. Not a single one of these Democratic leaders had the courage or fortitude to publicly challenge or even question Senator Dick Durbin for his slanderous remarks comparing the young men and women of our Armed Services to the mass murderers who ran the Nazi death camps, Soviet gulags and the killing fields of the Cambodian Khmer Rouge.
And isn't it telling that Mr. Rove discussed the politics of "liberals," not Democrats. Yet nearly the entire Democrat leadership feels compelled to respond.
At this point you probably will want to re-read Mr. Rove's remarks to figure out just what is untrue about any portion of his statement, much less controversial. In order to gain a clear perspective, let's take a look at some comments from prominent liberals regarding the War on Terror in a Post 9/11 environment.
Mr. Rove accurately references a MoveOn.org petition that was submitted immediately following 9/11-here is an excerpt:
"We, The Undersigned, Citizens And Residents Of The United States Of America ... Appeal To The President Of The United States, George W. Bush ... And To All Leaders Internationally To Use Moderation And Restraint In Responding To The Recent Terrorist Attacks Against The United States."
A few more notable comments to highlight:
Billionaire Extremist George Soros: "War is a false and misleading metaphor in the context of combating terrorism."
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH): "Afghanistan may be an incubator of terrorism but it doesn't follow that we bomb Afghanistan."
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH): "One could say that Osama bin Laden and these non-nation-state fighters with religious purpose are very similar to those kind of atypical revolutionaries that helped to cast off the British crown."
Rev. Al Sharpton: The Attacks on The World Trade Center are evidence that "America is beginning to reap what it has sown."
Liberal Filmmaker Michael Moore: "Likewise, to bomb Afghanistan - I mean, I've never understood this."
Folks, I could go on and on citing numerous examples of comments from the extreme left in reaction to the terrorist attacks against our homeland. What is most surprising to me is the outrage from certain Democratic leaders about Mr. Rove's remarks.
To gauge this outrage it is important to note the ever increasing closeness between the Democratic Party Leadership and MoveOn.org. An email from the head of MoveOn.org at the end of 2004 asserted, "Now it's our Party: we bought it, we own it, and we're going to take it back."
According to FrontPage Magazine, prior to the electing the new Democratic Party Chairman, "MoveOn has set up a campaign urging its followers to warn party officials against electing a centrist. Such a scenario, the e-mail assures, is a political loser."
The election of Howard Dean makes it quite clear that MoveOn.org won the intra-party struggle for the Chairman position. Then they set their sites on Congressional leadership.
Senator Elizabeth Dole noted in her Chairman's report back in March that members of the Senate Democratic Leadership, including Minority Leader Harry Reid and the second ranking Democrat Senator Dick Durbin, participated in a rally with MoveOn.org here in Washington DC. Other members on hand included Senator Kennedy, Senator Boxer, Senator Schumer, and Senator Byrd. For his part, Senator Byrd recently raised over $800,000 in 48 hours from MoveOn.org for his 2006 campaign.
An April article in Roll Call highlighted the increasing coziness between MoveOn.org and the Democratic leadership. A spokesperson for Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi noted, "Pelosi or her staff have calls and meetings 'on a weekly basis' with representatives of MoveOn." Minority Leader Harry Reid's Chief of Staff said MoveOn "effectively represents an important part of our constituency."
And a spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee said, "Obviously they [MoveOn] are relaying the Democratic Party message, which is in line with what the DNC is doing and what the Hill is doing as well."
Comments from liberals and radical organizations like MoveOn.org following the 9/11 attacks made it abundantly clear how the left felt about the War on Terror. Since then, the George Soros/Howard Dean/Michael Moore/MoveOn.org element of the Democratic Party has taken an increasingly prominent role in determining the legislative strategy and political rhetoric of the Democrat Leadership in the U.S. House and Senate. That is undeniable and does not appear to be changing anytime soon.
Mainstream Democrats ought to wake up and smell the coffee. Their party has been compromised by the extreme left. The extreme left is supplying much of the money and the grass roots volunteers that feed the Democrat political machine. Republicans need to understand as well because that money and political organization is pointed straight at the mid-term elections in 2006. We need to be ready.
Karl Rove was right and I appreciate him bringing national attention to this important political dynamic.
Sincerely,
Mark Stephens
Executive Director
National Republican Senatorial Committee
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55 and Counting...
The NRSC outraised the DSCC in May by $500,000 according to the reports filed with the FEC this week. The NRSC raised $3.3 million to the DSCC's $2.8 million.
"Minnesota and Maryland won't be easy for the party to defend. Add North Dakota and Democrats have their work cut out for them." - political analyst Chuck Todd in National Journal; June 22, 2005.
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Maryland...They Just Keep Coming
More Democrats are on the cusp of entering the Democratic Senate primary. Millionaire real estate developer Joshua Rales, forensic psychiatrist Lise Van Susteren, and Anne Arundel County Executive Janet Owens, and Congressman Chris Van Hollen are all seriously looking at joining already declared candidates Kwiesi Mfume and Ben Cardin in next year's primary.
"Likely GOP nominee Michael Steele is the real deal, and the field of Democrats is underwhelming." - political analyst Chuck Todd in National Journal; June 22, 2005.
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Missouri..."Show Me" A Democrat... Any Democrat!!!
Attorney General John Ashcroft played host at a Springfield fundraiser for Senator Jim Talent on Saturday night. The event raised approximately $150,000 for Talent's reelection campaign. In other news, Talent is still without a challenger. Democrats flirted with the idea of having former Senator Jean Carnahan (who Talent defeated in 2002) challenge Talent. But this notion was quickly rebuffed by her former Chief of Staff who said that Carnahan is "happily retired."
"Are There Any Dems Left To Be Floated? Say, What's Gephardt Up To These Days?" - headline from National Journal's Hotline; June 24, 2005
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Montana... Democrats' Lawyers On Speed Dial?
Montana Democrat Senate candidates Jon Tester and John Morrison continued to come under fire this week for making illegal campaign calls. According to state law, each offense is punishable by a $2500 fine.
"NRSC Rips Democrats For Flouting State Law" - headline from Roll Call; June 21, 2005.
"Thumbs down to the U.S. Senate campaigns of Jon Tester and John Morrison for using recorded phone messages to solicit donations, a violation of state law." - Helena Independent Record; June 24, 2005.
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Pennsylvania... Gunning For Casey
"Santorum's brain works like a Gatling gun, Casey's like a one-shot musket." - columnist John Baer in The Philadelphia Daily News; June 24, 2005.
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Rhode Island... Bush Supporters Aid Chafee
Some of President George W. Bush's biggest supporters are hosting a fundraiser for Senator Lincoln Chafee next week in DC. Bush's Chief of Staff Andrew Card will attend as a special guest. Former RNC Chair Ed Gillespie is one of several hosts.
"Bush shakes money tree for Chafee" - headline from The Hill; June 23, 2005.
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Tennessee... Cooking Up Support
The annual Shelby County GOP picnic was the latest stopover for Senate candidates Ed Bryant, Bob Corker, and Van Hilleary. All three addressed the crowd, stressing the importance of keeping the soon to be open seat in Republican hands.
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Texas... It's Official: She's In!
Long-time GOP leader, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison announced that she will seek a third term in the United States Senate. No Democrats have announced as yet and Hutchison's consistently high approval ratings and enormous popularity will discourage a top tier Democrat challenge.
'"Senator Hutchison has been a true champion for Texas in Washington, D.C., fighting for the interests of our state,' [TX Governor Rick] Perry said." - Houston Chronicle; June 18, 2005.
"As one of the most popular politicians in Texas, [Hutchison] is not expected to face serious opposition in either the Republican primary or the general election. She easily defeated a Democratic opponent in 1994, and had a challenge from a token Democratic candidate in 2000." - Houston Chronicle; June 18, 2005.
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Vermont... Sanders Sandbags Himself
Though national Democrats are touting socialist Congressman Bernie Sanders (I) as "their" candidate in the Vermont Senate race, Vermonters may have something to say about it following the release of Sanders' Congressional record. During the last 14 years he has been in Congress, Sanders has passed only ONE piece of legislation.
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Washington...Seeing Red In The Evergreen State
"Republicans see potential for big wins here in 2006" - headline from Seattle Post Intelligencer; June 24, 2005.
"Curiously, however, our state may go against the grain and be a bright spot for the Republican Party." - columnist Joel Connelly in Seattle Post Intelligencer; June 24, 2005.
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West Virginia... Cruisin' With Capito
Speculation continues to grow concerning a possible Senate bid by Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito as she maintains a hectic schedule of appearances outside of her own congressional district. On Saturday, Capito was the keynote speaker at a lunch for the Cabell County Republican Women. Next month, she will appear at the Benedum Festival in Bridgeport. According to her spokesman, Capito is in demand throughout the state and tries to accommodate as many requests as possible.
"Capito, Dole discuss Senate bid" - headline from The Hill; June 23, 2005.
"Dole, in an unprompted telephone call to The Hill yesterday, said of Capito: 'I think she would be a great candidate and a great member of the United States Senate.'" - The Hill; June 23, 2005.
"Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) comes from one of the most conservative states in the country with Democratic members in Congress. But that hasn't stopped Byrd from seeking support from liberals in a less visible venue -- the Internet." - The Hill; June 21, 2005.
"Brian Nick, press secretary to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said of the recent expenditure, 'Senator Byrd's re-election campaign is being financed by ultra-liberal, radical Democrats because he represents their values and not West Virginia's.'" - The Hill; June 21, 2005.
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Alex
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