Preparing Sarah Palin: First, fire all the consultants
It is my view—and the view of smart people I respect—that Sarah Palin is the kind of person that the Republican Party has needed for a long time. It’s not just that she’s intelligent,…
Read MorePolitical Arena
Public opinion and political organization
Wise political leaders throughout American history have understood that public opinion is king. In the past several decades, however, shrill organized interest groups and a left-leaning press have made it a challenge for supporters…
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Want Change and Reform? Personnel is Policy
Let’s get something straight at the outset — none of this is personal. As in professional sports, nice guys can win and nice guys can lose. What I address here isn’t whether someone is…
Read MorePolitical realism, change, and reform
“Change” is the catch word in today’s politics, and now “reform” has been added as its companion. To bring about both, real power is required. Why state the obvious? Because good people entering the…
Read MoreWhere the power is, and what is needed
A lot of political activists are confused about where the ultimate power lies in Illinois politics and government. Many who run political or issue organizations think they have power – but to paraphrase Shakespeare’s…
Read MoreContrasting Sarah Palin with the Illinois GOP leadership
The Republican National Convention nominated a ticket this week that contrasts strikingly with the Democratic Party’s ticket. The GOP team supports smaller government, lower taxes, consumer driven health care, school choice, and a strong…
Read MoreConvention speeches, follow-through, and reform
With John McCain’s and Sarah Palin’s convention speeches done, the campaign kicks into high gear for the next two months. Both speeches were effective – McCain’s was workman like and Palin’s was historic. Both speeches had in them what…
Read MoreAmong leftwingers, Palin Derangement Syndrome replaces Bush Derangement Syndrome
It’s been fun to watch the political left and left wing media experience a mental breakdown in broad daylight. John McCain’s choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate has caused the Democratic Party, its…
Read MoreThe GOP Convention and the Anbar Awakening
Previously we called for a political “counterinsurgency,” and outlined the parallels between what General David Petraeus did in Iraq and what needs to change in American on the political right. This week the Republican Convention should be about the…
Read MoreHurricane Sarah
Reform supporting Republicans aren’t worried about Hurricane Gustav impacting their party’s convention for several reasons, not the least of which is that they look forward to Louisiana Republican Governor Bobby Jindal providing the nation…
Read MoreThe church pulpit v. the bully pulpit
Last week a friend asked if I had addressed the issue of the kind of blatant Not-For-Profit violations that are often seen in liberal and minority churches. It’s well known and talked about generally,…
Read MoreWe’re still right: the Illinois GOP leadership needs to resign
What happens when you throw a party and nobody comes? What happens when you keep throwing parties and people still don’t come? That’s pretty much the story here in Illinois for our state Republican…
Read MoreObama isn’t ready—you can see it in his face
First I’d like someone to explain to me why Barack Obama’s head was at an angle the entire time he was answering questions from Rick Warren at the Saddleback Church event this past Saturday….
Read MoreCaptains of Today’s Titanics
We’ve noted previously our appreciation for the libertarian Cato Institute as well as the fact that we disagree with them about half of the time. However, when it comes to the issues Cato is exactly…
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‘The Case Against Barack Obama’ highlights the Illinois and nationwide journalism crisis
On Sunday’s radio show we had the pleasure of speaking with David Freddoso, the author of the new blockbuster book “The Case Against Barack Obama,” which after eighteen months into the longest presidential campaign…
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