Consumer groups and advocates recently sent a series of letters to the editor of the Wall Street Journal defending the legislation I have introduced to introduce competition into the credit card industry and save families hundreds in unknown fees every year.
UPDATE: Jack Kelly, writing on RCP, pretty much sums up the salient question about the latest round of fighting in Basra. “It is rare in the annals of war for the side which is winning to seek a cease fire.”
Yet, as the Salt Lake Tribune has pointed out, many in the press have declared the Basra operation a loss for al-Maliki.
As the deafening silence from many in the press continues due to the success of General Petraeus and the “surge” it is not surprising that a tough battle is immediately declared a loss. After all, only this Speaker of the House would warn the commanding General on the ground to shape his upcoming testimony in a way that would continue the “defeat” narrative.
But if, as many in the press say, Muqtada Sadr has “won” this round, then why are Iraqi forces in control of Basra and Najaf…and why does the AP, not exactly the National Review or Redstate, write this headline a mere 8 hours ago: “Iraq: Sadr Party Faces Rising Isolation.”
Iraq’s major Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish parties have closed ranks to force anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to disband his Mahdi Army militia or leave politics, lawmakers and officials involved in the effort said Sunday.
Al-Rubaie said the threat was so serious that a delegation might have to discuss the issue with al-Sadr in person. The young cleric, who has disappeared from the public eye for nearly a year, is believed to be in the Iranian holy city of Qom.
In a rare public signal of dissent in Sadrist ranks, al-Rubaie complained that “those close” to al-Sadr “are radicals and that poses problems,” suggesting that some of the cleric’s confidants may be urging him toward a showdown.
I guess if Al-Sadr’s goal was isolation, marginalization, and military defeat, then yes, he has “won”.
God Bless our Troops and their mission.
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In anticipation of General Petraeus coming back to Capitol Hill for a progress report, I thought I would post one of the latest videos out of Multi-National Force - Iraq. Contrary to what the MSM would have you believe, Muqtada Al-Sadr (who is hiding in Iran) and his Mehdi Army were soundly defeated in Basra and Najaf in the last few weeks by American forces AND a majority of Iraqi forces. In the video below, most of the forces taking part, from my understanding, are Iraqi. It is a reminder that this war is more than success or failure in Iraq. It is about sending a message to Iran, Al Qaeda, and others that we are not the paper tiger they claim.
With re-enlistment rates amongst combat units going up every year , it shows that the men who fight believe in what they are doing because they see it first hand.
God Bless Them
(Video courtesy of Blackfive)
My apologies for the general lack of blogging on the campaign site. That will change. (I know many of you are saying I should have the time since Nancy Pelosi is not getting anything done in Congress…point well taken)
Friends,
Please don’t forget to attend your local precinct caucus TONIGHT! As you well know, the first and maybe the most important step in the Republican nominating process is your precinct caucus – where delegates to the state and county nominating conventions are elected.
Whether you intend to seek election to be a delegate, or simply want to make sure the delegates who are selected represent your views and support the candidates you support, it is tremendously important that you attend. The only way to have a voice is to show up.
If you have any questions or need to find the time and location of your specific caucus, please call our campaign office at 801-374-3002, or visit www.chriscannon.com.
I hope you will attend your caucus, and I will appreciate your support in electing delegates who share our desire for common sense, effective representation in Congress.
“Our long national nightmare is over,” said President Ford, as President Nixon stepped down. Elsewhere in Washington a young lawyer, who had advocated denying President Nixon legal counsel, was happy to have been involved in the demise of the Republican President.
Thus began the career of Hillary Clinton.
If polls are to be believed, Hillary Clinton’s quest, or anointment, to be the Democrat nominee and perhaps President appears to be in serious jeopardy. While running against her in November holds a certain appeal for Republicans, her defeat, whether at the hands of her own party, or at the hands of the Republican party, is good for America and freedom loving people everywhere.
As one of three remaining House members who managed the impeachment of her husband, I know Hillary better than most. I also know, first hand, what the Clinton Machine looks like, and it isn’t pretty.
I shudder to think of Hillary Clinton in charge of the Department of Health and Human Services. Imagine, to use Hillary’s own words to General Petraeus, the “willful suspension of disbelief” requisite to believe that universal, government run health care would be a good idea? Imagine combining Hillary Clinton’s ambition with Nancy Pelosi’s belief in the glory of government and Harry Reid’s backroom machinations.
As commentator and former Clinton consultant Dick Morris points out, even more frightening is Hillary in charge of the FBI and the CIA. It has been a delicate balancing act to preserve privacy and individual rights in the years since 9/11 under a Republican Administration. Consider the Big Brother government that would evolve under the control of such a committed Statist.
I am not gloating over the apparent demise of the Clinton campaign. Even with Hillary defeated, the machine and her allies in Congress will continue their fight. And who knows what an Obama Administration would do to individual freedom?
As conservatives, we share a healthy distrust of government, a belief in the rule of law, and a knowledge that our rights come from the Almighty, not from government.
Now, more than ever, with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid in Congress, and the “choice” between Clinton and Obama, we must remain steadfast. Having taken on Hillary and Bill Clinton in my first term in Congress, I know how important this battle is – and what the price of failure will be. Hillary and friends would like nothing more than to see defeated the few of us left who know how to effectively oppose them. Let us not give them that satisfaction or that opportunity.
Among the many things Candace does, she is an author, motivational speaker, blogger, podcaster, and good friend. Candace wrote a thoughtful post on our relationship and highlights my Partner program. Its worth a look…you can view it by clicking here.
Welcome to my blog! This is a place where we can be a little less formal and just have fun talking politics and current events. While the campaign trail can get pretty hectic, I will do my best to keep this updated with my thoughts about not only my own campaign, but the Presidential campaign and others around the country. I hope you’ll sign in and include your own thoughts, ideas, and reactions to the events as they unfold. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you on the campaign trail.
Take a look at this article by Terry Eastland that appeared in The Weekly Standard on November 4, 2007:
