The loony left are at it again. They have a website called Tea Party Tracker that is begging their left wing followers to grab a camera and find a racist, or at least one with a T-shirt message that the left wing losers at Media Matters can spin into something nefarious. All they want is one swastika or “N” word on a sign or an article of clothing to prove their theory that the Tea Party participants are all racists.

Strange how these lefties see black people at the Tea Party events and don’t come to the conclusion that all Tea Party folk are black. Yet one racist T-shirt is proof positive that every white person there is a racist.

Or consider the fact that these same lefties support the Ground Zero Mosque, and tell us that a few bad Muslims are not representative of the entire group, despite killing 3,000 of us. Yet the same thought process evades their small minds when they go hunting for racists at a Tea Party, who have not harmed a fly. Oh – and we tend to pick up the trash when we leave.

Might there be a racist or two at a Tea Party? Sure. They are no doubt upset with the direction the liberals are taking us too. They also happen to be racists. That does not make the entire group racist.

And the Tea Party folks would ask them to leave, but that would look awful silly for a group that is working hard to remind people what the Constitution is all about.

You know, rights, freedom and all that stuff that just gets in Obama’s way. Remember?

If the good nuts at Media Matters want to find a racist, they most likely need to look in the mirror.

But smart people understand Media Matters does not care one wit about racism. They are looking for a weapon to fight the massive move to the right our country is now going through.

Good luck with that.

And don’t let the race baiting door hit you on the way into obscurity!

This is not a prediction nor have I lost my mind completely. This post simply answers the question: What is the best case scenario for Republicans in the Senate in November?

Or conversely, how bad could it get for Democrats in the Senate?

As of today, August 22, 2010 Republicans could pick up a maximum of 12 seats in the US Senate giving them a total of 53 seats. And not one seat more.

There are 37 seats up for grabs this year. Of the 37 seats, 19 are presently in Democrat’s hands, 18 belong to Republicans. So, theoretically, the Republicans could walk away with a filibuster proof majority of 60 seats if they hold all 18 and gain all 19 seats that are in Democrat’s hands right now. But that is simply not possible. The Democrats are going to hold onto 7 of those seats as it now stands, no doubt about it. And Republicans are going to hold onto 12 of their 18 seats and they will pick up 3 from the Democrats, no doubt about it.

Additionally, Republicans have pretty good leads, (but not definite victories) in 7 more states.

To recap the math, Republicans will have 15 seats when the voting is done and Democrats will have 7 for sure. Republicans will also – most likely – gain the 7 closer, but not runaway states as well. That is a total of 29 seats already spoken for. Which leaves only 8 seats to do battle over. And of these 8, only Florida is in Republican hands today.

So, with 41 seats in the US Senate presently, the Republicans can count on picking up Arkansas, Indiana and North Dakota as a sure thing. Probable pickups for Republicans will be Delaware and Pennsylvania. So, a minimum of 46 Republican seats – a pick up of +5 – will most likely happen. Most predictions for Republicans in the Senate hover around 45 or 46.

So which states are in play?

1. Colorado
2. Florida
3. Illinois
4. Nevada
5. Wisconsin
6. California
7. Connecticut
8. Washington

Only Florida is currently a Republican seat.

Some of these states will be difficult for Republicans to pull off, no doubt. But they are all within striking distance.

How many seats Republicans will actually have when the election is over is anyone’s guess, but as of today, the maximum seats Republicans could possibly have is 53, or a net pickup of 12 seats.

Here is where we currently stand on the 8 states “in play”.

Toss Ups

Illinois:

Republican Mark Kirk and Democrat Alexi Giannoulias are tied in a Rasmussen Poll in the Illinois’ race for the U.S. Senate seat once held by Barack Obama. Both candidates have been dogged by ethics issues, which is apparently the norm in Illinois. One Democrat poll, PPP has Giannoulias up by 2 points.

Nevada:

You would have to be sleeping to not know that Democrat Harry Reid was not in serious trouble against Republican Sharron Angle for Reid’s seat. Reid pumped out millions in negative ads against Angle, which may have initially helped his bid for reelection, but Angle has been hitting back of late, and most polls have this as even.

Wisconsin:

Wisconsin holds a Republican primary on September 14, so polls in this race are likely to change after the primary. Incumbent Democrat Russ Feingold will likely face Republican Ron Johnson, who is expected to win the Republican primary. They are essentially tied with polls showing one or the other leading by a couple of points.

California:

Again, you qualify as living under a rock if you are unaware of the race between long time incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer and her Republican challenger Carly Fiorina. Of the two latest polls, one shows Boxer up by 5% and the other shows Fiorina up by the same margin. This race will be one to watch as we get closer to November. Boxer should be winning this handily. But she is not. If polls are close by late October, this could spell a bad day for Democrats, and push Republicans towards the best case of 53 seats.

Washington:

Democratic Incumbent Senator Patty Murray and Republican Dino Rossi are in a close race in Washington’s U.S. Senate election. Rossi leads in a SurveyUSA poll by 7% while a Rasmussen poll conducted at the same time shows Murray leading by 4%. Looking at the numbers behind the polls, the SurveyUSA poll may have under sampled Democrats while the Rasmussen poll oversampled Democrats a bit. This race is a toss up, but Washington State is definitely in play.

In Play – But Leaning Republican

Colorado:

Republican challenger Ken Buck and incumbent Democratic Senator Michael Bennet are in a close one in Colorado. Both won their primaries last week and turn their attention to each other. The first post primary poll was done by Rasmussen and shows Republican Buck with a 5 point lead over the Democrat. Another one to watch as the fireworks are just getting started.

Florida:

Another race with a Democratic primary yet to go. Republican Marco Rubio will face the winner of the Democratic primary, but the real race is expected to be between Rubio and Florida Governor Charlie Crist with the Democrats all but counted out in this race. Rubio and Crist were locked in a nasty Republican primary with Rubio up by large enough margins that Crist dropped out to run as an independent, which actually brought his chances up quite a bit. Although Crist was a Republican, it is clear he is willing to align himself with anyone – or no one – in his quest for power. Most circles consider Crist a Democrat because of his alignment with Obama on a number of issues. The numbers should start to solidify after Tuesday’s primary, but right now Rubio holds a lead in Rasmussen polling of likely voters while a Quinnipiac poll of registered voters shows a lead for Crist. Since this election is going to be about turnout, the Rasmussen poll of likely voters is more accurate in this race, so the lean goes to the Republicans despite the Quinnipiac results. In no case does this race go to the Democrats. Crist’s numbers also seem to vary depending on the winner of Tuesday’s primary.

In Play – But Leaning Democrat

Connecticut:

Democrat Richard Blumenthal is running against Republican Linda McMahon in Connecticut’s U.S. Senate race.

Blumenthal, the state’s longtime attorney general, picks up 47% of the vote, while McMahon earns 40% in a recent Rasmussen poll.

This race has been getting tighter with the Democrats lead shrinking and the Republican’s lead growing. This one is in play but currently leans Democrat, but is trending Republican.

Conclusion:

Keep an eye on these 8 races. While Republicans are unlikely to win them all, the odds favor a number of them going the Republican’s way. With two and a half months remaining before election day, a lot can and will happen. Never underestimate the Republicans ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and Democrats are dangerous when they are down.

These 8 races will most likely set records for both spending and nastiness in the days ahead. Both sides will be tossing cash to all of these races as control of the Senate is within the reach of Republicans, if they play their cards right. And the Democrats cannot afford to drop these seats if they are to stay in power.

Powerful motivation, power. The control of the senate comes down to the Republicans picking up 6 of these 8 seats, and with only one leaning Democrat, it is not an impossible task.

Nominee Continues SCOTUS Hearing Tradition She Previously Called A “Hollow Charade”

SEN. PAT LEAHY (D-VT): “Is There Any Doubt After The Court’s Decisions In Heller And McDonald That The Second Amendment To The Constitution, Secures A Fundamental Right For An Individual To Own A Firearm, Use It For Self Defense In Their Home?” ELENA KAGAN: “There Is No Doubt, Senator Leahy, That Is Binding Precedent Entitled To All The Respect Of Binding Precedent In Any Case. So That Is Settled Law.” (Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senate, Confirmation Hearing, 6/29/10)

FLASHBACK: Judge Sotomayor Claimed To Agree That “The Second Amendment Right Is An Individual Right”

SEN. PAT LEAHY (D-VT): “Is It Safe To Say That You Accept The Supreme Court’s Decision As Establishing That The Second Amendment Right Is An Individual Right? Is That Correct?” JUDGE SOTOMAYOR: “Yes, Sir.” LEAHY: “Thank you. And in the Second Circuit decision, Maloney v. Cuomo, you, in fact, recognized the Supreme Court decided in Heller that the personal right to bear arms is guaranteed by the Second Amendment of the Constitution against federal law restrictions. Is that correct?” SOTOMAYOR: “It is.” LEAHY: “And you accept and applied the Heller decision when you decided Maloney?” SOTOMAYOR: “Completely, sir. I accepted and applied established Supreme Court precedent that the Supreme Court in its own opinion in Heller acknowledged, answered the — a different question.” (Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senate, Confirmation Hearing, 7/14/09)

• LEAHY (D-VT): “I Do Not See How Any Fair Observer Could Regard [Judge Sotomayor’s] Testimony As Hostile To The Second Amendment Personal Right To Bear Arms, A Right She Has Embraced And Recognizes.” “Recognizing that she would be unable to say how she would rule, I asked Judge Sotomayor whether she would approach these matters with an open mind and she assured us that she would. I do not see how any fair observer could regard her testimony as hostile to the Second Amendment personal right to bear arms, a right she has embraced and recognizes.” (Sen. Leahy, Congressional Record, S.8907, 8/6/09)

THEN DISSENT JOINED BY JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR: “I Can Find Nothing In The Second Amendment’s Text … To Protect The Keeping And Bearing Of Arms For Private Self-Defense Purposes”

DISSENT JOINED BY JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR: “I Can Find Nothing In The Second Amendment’s Text, History, Or Underlying Rationale That Could Warrant Characterizing It As ‘Fundamental’ Insofar As It Seeks To Protect The Keeping And Bearing Of Arms For Private Self-Defense Purposes.” (“Otis McDonald, Et Al., Petitioners V. City Of Chicago, Illinois, Et Al.” Justice Breyer Dissent Joined By Justices Ginsburg & Sotomayor, U.S. Supreme Court, P.180-1, 6/28/10)

KAGAN PREVIOUSLY HELD THAT SCOTUS HEARINGS ARE A “HOLLOW CHARADE”

KAGAN: “Subsequent Hearings Have Presented To The Public A Vapid And Hollow Charade, In Which Repetition Of Platitudes Has Replaced Discussion Of Viewpoints And Personal Anecdotes Have Supplanted Legal Analysis.” (Elena Kagan, “Review: Confirmation Messes, Old and New,” The University of Chicago Law Review, Vol.62, No. 2 (Spring, 1995), P.941)

SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

It has become an annual event, no doubt about it. The SWAC Mom / Eric Cantor Birthday Party at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond gives me the opportunity to catch up on all the events of the past year with SWAC Girl’s Mom. For those who have not yet had the pleasure of meeting SWAC Girl, or her Mom, you are really missing a lot!

SWAC Mom always claims her memory is not what it used to be, but then she recites, word for word, all of the posts for all of the Virginia blogs for the past month. She is like a silver haired verson of a human Google, only more informative. I was proud to say that I did best SWAC Mom this year. I had already seen the amazing picture of a newborn fawn on SWAC Girl’s blog, and SWAC Mom had heard about it, but not yet seen it. So I was one up on her. That will probably never happen again.

The crowd this year for Eric Cantor’s 47th birthday was larger than last year, but the Cantor team was prepared. Food, beverage, good friends. What more could one want. Perhaps 10 degrees cooler would have been nice. It was a hot one.

Congressman Cantor gave a powerful speech as he said America is at a crossroads. One path leads to more government, more debt, more taxes and less freedom, and the other path is the road we have been on that made America the beacon of hope to the world it has always been.

Cantor also asked for volunteers to help with his reelection so Republicans can take back the House and the Cantor Team passed out bumper stickers. Eric reminded everyone of what George Allen used to say. “A bumper sticker on a car is worth $300, or $600 on a truck.”

Congressman Cantor reminded the crowd that the voters of Virginia and the country had fired Republicans. The party had lost it’s fiscally conservative roots and drifted away from Republican beliefs of smaller government and personal responsibility. The Republican Young Guns are one of the answers to returning to the Republican Roots. From the Young Guns Website:

America is standing at a critical crossroads, and Young Guns candidates give America the best opportunity to move our country in the right direction.

Founded in the 2007-2008 election cycle by Congressmen Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Paul Ryan (R-WI), the Young Guns Program began as a Member driven organization of House Republicans dedicated to identifying, recruiting, and mobilizing a new generation of conservative leaders.

During the last election, through a partnership of Republican volunteers, donors and 59 members of the House of Representatives, five House GOP challengers won against Incumbent Democrats in 2008. Four of those were Young Guns, and we proudly welcome them to Congress – Tom Rooney (FL-16), Bill Cassidy (LA-06), Lynn Jenkins (KS-02), and Pete Olson (TX-22).

Congressman Cantor also encouraged everyone to visit You Cut, a website set up to allow citizens to vote on an item to cut from the budget. Each week, the Republicans bring the winning entry up for a vote. Many of the savings are substantial. A $30 billion savings could be realized from reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and other budget cutting ideas are there as well.

So, there is much going on to win back the country. Republicans realize that they have been a part of the problem. Congressman Cantor is looking forward to retaking the House and returning America to prosperity.

A thunderstorm was brewing, but held off long enough for the program to come to an end.

Under enormous political pressure to “do something” about the Gulf oil spill, President Obama has sent Federal Prosecutors to look for and prosecute BP officials and workers. If there is one corporation or entity on the planet with a vested interest in shutting off the flow of oil, it is BP. They will be held accountable for every drop spilled, and future drilling in deep waters will undoubtedly be more difficult as the horrors of the oil wash ashore.

But now, instead of focusing only on stopping the flow of oil, BP workers and executives must tread carefully due to the latest threat from Obama. Facts will be omitted with an eye on protecting themselves from prosecution and jail. The financial threats already have BP’s lawyers working on some type of bankruptcy protection, as well as looking into international laws should the US government decide to nationalize BP.

At this point, the people are not calling on Obama to put someone in jail. They are simply looking for leadership.

There is no doubt that these threats will only drive a wedge between the US Government and BP. Instead of leadership, Obama has continued to emphasize his inexperience in executive positions.

A strange thing happened to Marco Rubio on his way to a Republican Primary victory over Charlie Crist. Crist decided he would rather run as an Independent than lose the Republican nomination to Rubio. Admittedly, Crist was looking at an embarrassing primary loss with Rubio polling at 57% to Crist’s 28%. So, Crist did the only honorable thing a career politician can do when his own party no longer wants him – he quit the party.

Instead of defecting all the way to the dark side and becoming a Democrat, Crist stopped in the twilight zone of Independent. The tactic seemed to work as polls indicated Crist jumped to a 38% to 34% lead over Rubio a couple of weeks ago.

A new poll out today shows Rubio has turned this around and surges 12% in the polls and now leads Crist 39% to 31%.

Marco Rubio is recognized by Florida voters as the real deal, while Crist is now seen as an opportunist willing to do or say anything to stay in office.

Marco Rubio is a man of the people. He was born in Miami (and there is no doubt about this I am told) to parents who immigrated (legally) from Cuba. As a child, Rubio’s parents worked hard to make their way in the United States and instilled values and morals in their son.

While his US Senate bid is on the hearts and minds of true Conservatives, this is one of the rising stars in the Republican Party and already the calls for Rubio for President have started.

Please visit Marco Rubio for Senate and sign up for his email list. Or better yet, donate what you are able to help put a good, solid Conservative in the US Senate.

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) has called for a vote today at 5:00 PM on the Wall Street bill despite a letter signed by all 41 Republicans that the bill, as presently constituted, is dead. The Republicans are demanding a bipartisan bill with a number of changes if Democrats expect the legislation to be considered.

A source inside the US Senate speaking on condition of anonymity told Virginia Right! that Reid is well aware the bill is dead, and that the Democrats have no plans to enact the legislation at this time, they just want to challenge the Republicans, and blame them for supporting Wall Street over Main Street.

But nothing could be further from the truth. According to the source, a Wall Street bill will be passed this year, there is no doubt. Republicans favor safeguarding the solvency of these institutions to prevent another bailout of “too big to fail” institutions.

The Republicans take issue with three main portions of the bill. The first, and most widely known, are bailouts. While President Obama claims there are no bailouts, even the Democrats aren’t denying this one with much enthusiasm. The bill absolutely contains the likelihood of Taxpayer funded bailouts.

The second issue Republicans have with the bill is what will be done with the derivatives market. According to the Senate Source, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner wants to allow US trades in the market, but not in overseas derivatives markets. But some Democrats, including Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) want to completely prohibit derivative trading. A compromise between the Democrats is apparently in the works today, but as usual with these Democrats, the bill Reid wants to vote on tonight has still not been completed BY THE DEMOCRATS. Not to mention that the House and Senate bills are 100% partisan Democratic bills.

A third, and perhaps most troubling section of the bill gives Treasury Secretary Geithner absolute power and authority to decide which banks are in trouble, and the method of liquidation, as well as control over funds to prop the banks up, if he deems that necessary (bailouts).

The Republicans will be called unreasonable after tonight’s vote for not supporting this “Consumer Protection Agency” with unchecked powers granted to non-elected officials.

What Republicans want is, however, reasonable and necessary. Judicial review and Congressional Approval. Allowing one unelected administrator to control such power is unacceptable.

The Republicans promise a bill, but not without reasonable checks and balances and oversight. Anything less, they promise a fight, knowing that this fight is what Democrats are counting on to help them in November.

In August of 1992, the FBI killed Randy Weaver’s son and wife and shot Weaver in the back.

The following year, the disaster in Waco Texas saw the Branch Davidian cult, lead by David Koresh, come under siege by the Clinton Administration.  Seventy-six people (24 of them British nationals) died in the fire, including more than 20 children, two pregnant women, and Koresh himself.

We will never know the true and full story behind either, but we do know that the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995 was a direct result to these two unnecessary events that led to so many deaths. Timothy McVeigh, the OKC bomber told us so. But as we watched those horrible scenes unfold in Oklahoma, there should be no doubt that there could NEVER be any justification in such a cowardly and despicable act. That is not how Americans act!

This week, Bill Clinton attempted to warn the nation that rhetoric like that of Rush Limbaugh may incite violence in people like Timothy McVeigh, and equated the Tea Party movement to such violence.

Rush Limbaugh fired back that Clinton had just given the crazies cover to commit violence.

The Oklahoma City violence has it’s origins in ill advised and unnecessary actions against Americans by the Federal Government.

The Tea Party movement is not a militia, it is 55% women, most with children. They are educated and caring Americans that simply want the Constitution returned. They all understand that violence is not acceptable, against others, or against the government. It is also unnecessary. The ballot box will do just fine.

Those on the left, like Clinton, seem to be longing for the violence to come. Perhaps because they realize they are going to lose power without spilling a single drop of blood, and there is nothing they can do about it. At least if they were to incite violence, the government would have a reason to step in and shut down the protests.

We are two weeks away from the 40th anniversary of the Kent State Massacre. Is this a scenario Bill Clinton would invite back upon American protesters?

Those in the Tea Party movement want no parts of the violence of the Clinton administration, or the disaster in 1970. Perhaps instead of ratcheting up the antagonistic rhetoric, Clinton and others on the left would better spend their time listening to those that think more government is not a good thing, rather than shouting them down and blaming non existent violence on them.

Let’s just hope Bill Clinton’s words do not become a self fulfilling prophecy.

Blue Virginia is obviously quite disturbed at the loss of traffic experienced there of late and apparently spent a lot of time trying to save face.

In a completely laughable attempt at self puffery and ego maintenance, Lowell Feld looks to compete.com in the field of web analytic analysis, for self validation.

Alexa has been doing this several years longer than Compete and is more trusted worldwide as a measure of statics. And among IT professionals (I have over 35 years in the field and was first published while working at University of Richmond in 1992), Alexa is the clear winner.

Now, to be sure, both have their fans and neither is perfect.

But as an expert in the IT field, I can assure you one of the best tests to find out which external analysis is most accurate is by a direct comparison to your server’s log files. The reason Alexa is the best one is that it is scary close to the internal server counts on the twenty-something domains I administer and update professionally. And these are on several different hosting providers.

Now, even more amazing is a blurb on complete.com’s site about why their numbers will not match your server’s count of hits. Perhaps amateurs like Feld find that perfectly reasonable, but it is sort of like the old days when the power company would estimate your electrical usage. Only they never tried to claim that the meter was not accurate and their magical estimat was right on the money.

Really. That alone is reason enough for a professional to chortle a bit and move on to another option.

In addition, Compete’s  accuracy for lefty political blogs is likely skewed by the fact that the large, high volume liberal sites like KOS, HuffPo and the others Feld mentioned encourage (at least from time to time) participation in the Compete.com toolbar application program to boost their own statistical standing. But rather than being randomly distributed, Compete selects the participants, no doubt with a nod to their biggest customers.

Now the number of visitors with the toolbar installed gives a decided boost to the rankings and counts of both Alexa and Compete statistics. Compete puts a LOT more weight on the data gathered from their hand manipulated demographics, while Alexa relies totally on the randomness of the internet.

From Alexa:

What is Data Normalization?

Alexa’s ranking methodology corrects for a large number of potential biases and calculates the ranks accordingly. We normalize based on the geographic location of site visitors. We correct for biases in the demographic distribution of site visitors. We correct for potential biases in the data collected from our Alexa Toolbar to better represent those types of site visitors who might not use an Alexa Toolbar.

Unfortunately, Compete uses a different strategy:

How does Compete normalize its data?

Compete applies a rigorous normalization methodology, leveraging scientific multi-dimensional scaling to ensure metrics are representative of the U.S. Internet population. Compete members are recruited through multiple sources to ensure a diverse distribution of user types and to facilitate de-biasing across the data sources. Compete’s standard normalization process is applied to our monthly and weekly metrics. Compete relies on share based measures to report its daily metrics.

Compete sounds remarkably similar to the now debunked  Global Warming data. “Well, it should have been warmer, so we adjusted the numbers to get the answers we wanted.”

So, Alexa normalizes the data while Complete manipulates their toolbar users by demographics, attempting to allow input from their idea of typical representation of the internet population.

I shudder at the thought of hanging chads and holding users up to the light to divine intent.

Normalization through forced manipulation of humans vs. normalization of the actual data without human manipulation and bias.

Hummm.

I can see why a liberal would love Compete.com. Internet Socialism at it’s finest complete with racial and sexual segregation and whatever demographic hocus-pocus they can manipulate.

And there is also a third player in the remote statistical analysis field. Quantcast began operation in 2006 and uses even more interesting algorithms to figure traffic and rank.

I thought I could use Quantcast to triangulate the accuracy of the other two. Sort of the rubber match if you will. Unfortunately, BlueVirginia is not even ranked there. Nothing. Nada.

It is pretty clear. Alexa is the most accurate available measure of rank and traffic between the two.

But, at BlueVirginia, accuracy is not something that is terribly important to Lowell Feld.

And speaking of racism, did you see Lowell Feld’s racist Tweet?

Boy I bet he is wishing he hadn’t done that about now.

Note: I have 30+ years experience in Computing and Networking and occasionally feel the desire to give my opinion on things technical, for what it is worth. Since blogging involves the use of technology, it is necessary to stay on top of the technology.

FoxNews has that very question as their main story this hour. But before you rush out to buy the appliance that Apple wants you to believe is the Next Generation laptop, consider the limitations and price of the new device.

Apple has created some innovative products, no doubt. But the iPad is really nothing more than an enlarged iPhone with it’s brain removed. Or a small version of an airport internet kiosk.

It is a $900 Internet Browser and runs some Apple Apps. And while it is smaller than a laptop, it is still too large to fit in your pocket.

To get the top of the line model that includes Wi-Fi and 3G (AT&T Only!), you will pay almost $900 and $30 per month for unlimited 3G.

And it only has an on screen keyboard.

It does replace your iPod, but a pound and a half iPod is not that cool. And if you are a SmartPhone user, the iPad will do most everything your phone does except make phone calls. And if you do any actual computing, the iPad falls short.

So, if you decide to shell out the bucks for the new Apple toy, remember. On your next business trip, you will want to bring your iPad, of course. But you will also need your iPod if you plan to go walking or jogging, your phone, obviously, and a laptop if your job requires any major spread sheet or graphics type of work. And when you use the hotel internet to video conference with your family at night, the iPad has no camera, so fire up the laptop.

If you are a blogger, as I am, and on occasion live blog, as I do, this could be a lightweight alternative to a Laptop. But an on-screen keyboard is not something on which I would relish pounding out long blog posts. Again, the Laptop is my weapon of choice.

In short, the iPad is not quite as functional as either a SmartPhone or a Laptop. It really cannot not replace either. It is simply a tweener.

And since I will still need my SmartPhone AND my Laptop, why buy the iPad?

And I would then have to refer to my SmartPhone as my mini-iPad and my laptop as my maxi-iPad. That is something I just can’t do.

You may be familiar with ProjectVirginia and the work they did to bring the Virginia elections into the modern technological age during the 2009 Virginia elections. Working with candidates on all things “New Media” and beyond, their influence on the positive outcome for Republicans was considerable.

The Co-founders of ProjectVirginia, Ford O’Connell and Steve Pearson, have written an article for The Washington Times that continues their record of sage advice to Republicans, advice that the Republican Party of Nevada would do well to heed.

Republicans have a wonderful opportunity to retire Harry Reid and begin to bring some common sense back into the US Senate. But this could easily be an opportunity lost if Republicans do not tread carefully. The article cites the NY-23 debacle:

If we’ve learned anything from the New York 23rd District House race last year and the Florida and California Republican Senate primary races this year, it’s that the Republican National Committee (RNC) must resist the temptation to attempt to play kingmaker. In all three cases, the RNC’s blessings earned candidates nothing but attacks from those in their own party and served the interests only of Democrats.

The article contains advice that is relevant not only to Nevada Republicans, but to all Republicans as we begin the task of retaking the House and Senate. This article is a road-map to Republican success in 2010 and onwards. There is no doubt O’Connell and Pearson have their pulse on the heartbeat of America. The possibility of a three way race is something that is avoidable by nominating the right candidate.

Consider this paragraph from the article:

The RNC can play a significant and positive role in replacing Mr. Reid with a Republican, but it must reach outside its traditional playbook, resist the urge to play kingmaker and work with all candidates – and all Silver State Republicans – to build turnout and the party brand. It will require uncommon discipline and focus, but the stakes – both attainable and significant – make the effort worthwhile.

Perhaps it is time for ProjectVirginia to become ProjectAmerica. Read the entire article and see for yourself.

My recent post Be Gone Obamacare. You Have No Power Here requires a bit of followup.

Obama and the progressive Socialists want the States to allow their citizens to decline to purchase Health Care.

Confused? Here is why that is a true statement.

Obama does not want these millions of uninsured people to buy insurance from private insurers. He is happy to see 35 states battle the Federal Government with legislation that he will never challenge.

The only reason the mandatory purchase section exists was to bribe the Insurance Companies. Give them several million additional healthy insured in their risk pool and they will do well. Pre-existing – no problem. Paying more to make up for the pittance doctors are paid by Medicare and Medicaid? Cool!

Insurance Companies will have more to invest and a lower risk pool. And much larger profits.

Insurers know this. Obama knows this.

So, what’s the deal? Obama says Insurance Companies are evil. I pay them lots of money, and I think he is right! They are getting rich with their greedy policies. Why would Obama let them make even more money?

Well, in a word, to shut them up. He can call them anything he wants, as long as they force healthy people to buy their product. So, they are running no ads to defend themselves from the criticism being leveled by Obama, Pelosi and Reid. They are doing exactly what Obama wants them to do.

But remember. Obama, Pelosi and Reid all favor a complete takeover of our Health Care by the government. The ultimate Socialist goal. And there can be no doubt that they are willing to do anything to reach that goal.

But the real target is the Insurance Companies. Never forget that.

Temporarily taking them out of the financial cross-hairs is an acceptable sacrifice in the short term.

But this 10th Amendment movement plays right into Obama’s hands. For now, the Insurance Companies are silent. No TV ads. No newspaper ads. Silence. They like Obama’s plan.

So, when the bill passes and Virginian’s declare themselves exempt, along with most other states, why would Obama fight this? The Insurance Companies will scream foul as their promised windfalls fail to materialize, yet they are stuck with higher claims payouts because of the mandates they are now quietly accepting.

So, Insurance Companies will be required to raise premiums to cover the claims and the people will demand the government do something.

What else can a poor, caring progressive Socialist do except pass a Public Option with broad bipartisan support, as Republicans will have no choice but to support it.

And the Public Option becomes Single Payer as Private Insurers are put out of business.

Checkmate.

Rasmussen Reports has an interesting take on their Party Affiliation survey. While their conclusion that membership in both parties is down, the decline for the Democrats has been rapid since 2008, indicating that many who became Democrats during the Bush presidency have now become unaffiliated again, with those identifying as Democrats shrinking to the lowest numbers since the poll began in January, 2004.

While the Republicans have held within a range of 31% to 34% going back to January, 2008, the Democrats peaked prior to the Obama election at almost 42% and are now down to 35%. At one point, the advantage (now only 3%) was over 10% for the Democrats.

It appears that while Republicans are holding fairly steady, Democrats are in a steep and rapid decline.

I disagree with the Rasmussen conclusion that both parties are losing members. To be sure, the poll proves that Democrats are leaving in droves – membership is down nearly 20% from 2008. But the numbers leaving the Republican ranks are far smaller, and most are likely “Tea Party” Republicans who are moving away from the Republicans, but definitely not towards the Democrats. Most will ultimately vote for the Republican candidates.

Those leaving the Democratic party are moving towards the Republican party, as they shift to the right. Or more likely as the Democrats shift to the left.

While the Republicans would no doubt like to see a trend moving towards Republicans, the good news is, the Democrat deserters are moving to the right.

Those abandoning the Democrats are angry with the leftist policies and radicalism of the Democratic Party. But while they are angry with the Democrats, they are not exactly falling in love with Republicans.

No doubt Toyota is facing a major hurdle with the recall issues facing the company. The issue of gas pedals sticking is a serious one that must be addressed. And Toyota is in the process of doing just that.

Ford and GM will be the obvious beneficiaries to such a debacle, and that is simply the nature of things.

But for Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to make a statement telling Toyota owners to stop driving their cars, and later to say he misspoke is a travesty. Toyota stock has taken a nose dive and the Obama Administration is totally to blame.

So, when the government wants to boost sales of Government Motors autos, they just parade a Transportation official in front of a microphone to spread fear and doom, sending buyers to the Government branded motors.

LaHood should resign and the Obama Administration should be held accountable for this blatant attempt to drive business away from a “competitor”.

A provocative and profound statement no doubt. But this is a true statement when you consider the fact that Obama Administration has redefined success in America.

If you are like most Americans, you define success as a good economy, plenty of work, unfettered opportunity and freedom second to none on the planet. This is the view of America Obama wants to fail.

He replaces the definition of success with his own. A country where the government knows better than the people what we each need. Where the government makes the “hard” choices like taking over corporations, forcing health care and “green” technology on Americans no matter the cost in economic losses. Government calls all of the shots and anyone that does not agree will be attacked. Dissent and opposing views are not welcomed.

So, American success as defined by Obama is American failure in the eyes of all but the hard core Socialists and elitists. To them, freedom’s failure is America’s success.

Yes, there is a new definition of success that “Progressives” use to define their progress.

Unemployment and a faltering economy are a necessary component of his plan to achieve his view of American success. People are willing to accept a loss of freedom in exchange for security, be it personal or financial, in dire times.

The Bush Administration pushed through new laws like the Patriot Act, which Liberals later decried as a loss of liberty and an unprecedented and unconstitutional loss of freedom and too much governmental control. And they were not wrong. Now, they support laws and actions by this president that are an even larger encroachment on our freedoms by a factor of several magnitudes.

Obama is using a crisis to get around the Constitution. The Patriot Act has an expiration date. It did it’s job and we have been safe. But Obama’s plans have no expiration date. They are a permanent loss of our Liberty.

With an economic recovery, the window of opportunity slams shut on Obama’s “Progressive” vision. He also knows that he can’t continue blaming Bush his entire term. So he will now set up focus groups to fix the unemployment problem. While most would define success in such an endeavor as recommendations that will put America back to work, Obama wants them to come up with recommendations that will slowly appear to work. A willing press will make any upwards progress out to be a complete recovery. Even if it takes 10 years. They already act as if a smaller loss of jobs than the previous month is somehow a gain.

And they can always point back to the beginning of the recession and say more jobs were lost then, so this is good news.

Obama does not want any recovery to take hold until after his plans to control all aspects of the country are in place. Plans that will bring about the total devastation of America.

At that point we will be fully dependent on the government for our survival.

And Obama’s vision of American success will be complete.

I was invited to a meeting of the Latino National Republican Coalition of Virginia that took place yesterday in Reston, Va. During the 2009 election cycle I was fortunate enough to become friends with Tito “The Builder” Munoz and his wife Deborah. If you don’t remember Tito, I have included a video of him appearing on Hannity and Colmes on the FoxNews Network at the end of this post. This interview is an all time classic. This couple worked tirelessly for the McDonnell campaign with an eye on reaching out to the Latino community. But they reached far more than the Latino community. While it is impossible to say exactly how many people were influenced by this “power couple” in 2009, I have no doubt that Bob McDonnell’s historic margin of victory included a large number of votes from the Latino community who trusted the judgment of Tito and Deborah enough to bring victory to Bob McDonnell and many other races on which they worked.

Tito and Deborah own a Construction Company and know how to build bridges out of concrete and asphalt. But the true monument to the Munoz accomplishments are not the ones made of concrete, but the ones made from words and actions. While many see the work they do as reaching out to the Latino community, the truth is, these are two way bridges. They are simultaneously reaching into the Conservative population and changing the perceptions of many Conservatives.

The Latino community is not one entity. They are from many diverse countries, each having their own rich history and each bringing their own cultural enrichment into the Great American Melting Pot. But there are many common threads shared with “natural born” Americans. In particular Conservatives. Most have a foundation built on a love of God, strong family bonds and a desire to work and make their own way in life. But what I have come to realize is many have witnessed first hand the failures and loss of freedom brought about by the Socialists and Communists that have devastated the freedoms of these proud people in their birth countries.

Their love of freedom is what brought them to the United States.

They studied hard, learned English, learned the US Constitution and had to pass a test to become citizens. For those of us that were born here, we are Americans by birth. We are not required to take a test. No effort is required at all. Many natural born Americans have become complacent, and take what we have for granted. Not these Americans. Not the ones that had to study, learn and work for the right to say they are Americans. Not the ones that chose to be Americans. Not the ones that were forced by the government to jump through hoops natural born Americans can only imagine. No, they earned the right to be called US Citizens. They worked far harder than I ever had to for this right.

And many natural born citizens look down on these Americans and discrimination is everywhere. But the determined nature of these Americans is tempered by a first hand knowledge how bad things are under a Socialist regime and how important freedom really is. And they shake off the discrimination, they do not cry about it, they simply see it as another obstacle to overcome.

I love my country. I love my freedom. But my Latino friends have sounded the alarm that the “Progressives” who have taken over the Democratic Party have us on the road to a complete loss of freedom and are intent on making America another failed experiment in Socialism in the mold of Fidel Castro in Cuba and Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. And they are absolutely right!

Tito told me “When I decided to leave Columbia, I could have moved anywhere in the world. Some of my relatives moved to European countries that are Socialist. I wanted freedom and opportunity. The United States of America is the best place for both. And now, I see the freedom and opportunity slipping away. These are the reasons I came here. We must protect freedom.”

The Latino National Republican Coalition of Virginia is part of a National group that is uniting Americans to keep our Country free. This group is using the legendary passion and fire Latinos are known for to ignite a fire in all Americans. Not for armed revolution, but for a grassroots effort to educate and reach out to ALL Americans and awaken the pride and love of freedom the “Progressives” wish to kill.

This Coalition has some of the most American leaders, the likes of which this country has not seen in over 200 years. The Virginia chapter is working on a call-in radio show, in Spanish, to help with the education. While Latinos have traditionally voted Democratic, that party has used and abused them, and has now moved so far to the left, thanks to the “Progressives”, that they are now a Socialist party.

A radio show takes money, and the Coalition is planning a number of fund raising opportunities beginning next month. Additional details will follow on this blog.

While this group has a number of passionate leaders from the Latino Community, it was a distinct honor and privilege to meet Federico Morales who is a National Committeeman for the group. At 75 years young, Mr. Morales has a long history of advocating for freedom. His birth in Cuba tells you all you need to know about this important American leader.

It will take all freedom loving Americans working together to defeat the “Progressive” threat, a threat that just as dangerous to Americans’ freedom as Al-Qaida. While “Progressives” may not knock down our buildings, they have already knocked down our economy and pretend it was the fault of the previous administration.

The Latino community is one of the greatest allies of freedom this country has. We all need to welcome and embrace their efforts. Working together, we can accomplish our goals much faster.

But make no mistake. This is one group of Patriots that is focused on a single goal: Freedom. You can either join them, or get out of the way. There is no other option.

Me? I will stand with them. We are already on the same team. Always have been.

Viva la libertad!

Please watch this interview if you have not seen it. It is priceless!

It starts at the top.

If your boss does not care about your specific task, and gives the impression that your work is a very low priority, or even worse, unnecessary, your performance will reflect that. You deliver what the boss expects.

This president has traveled the world, bowing to leaders and with each bow, announces the new US weakness. Terrorists notice and line up for the kill. By all accounts, the line is growing as hundreds of would be terrorists are in the queue to be the first to bring down another US Jetliner.

They view Obama as an idiot who has opened the door by his denial. While his words returned the term War to the discussion on Terrorism, his track record of lies makes his “tough” talk just plain talk. No one i the world takes him seriously anymore. Especially terrorists.

And what do they have to fear? A public trial and better living conditions than most have right now. And the AL Qaeda leaders have no fear of attack by the US. In the previous Administration, they had no doubt an attack would be launched quickly.

While the Bush Administration sought out terrorists before they could make it to the Airport, Obama is clearly content with waiting until they kill before he acts.

American citizenship is a privilege and an honor when bestowed upon those born elsewhere. One which is earned. To give a terrorist the same benefits and Constitutional rights as those that have earned it is simply appalling. Appalling to both Naturalized Citizens and Natural Born Citizens, both of whom have a vested interest in the United States.

The terrorists are licking their chops at the ease with which this administration has made their nefarious plans. While Obama and his elite Socialists sit protected in their fortresses, those of us in the trenches are truly on our own.

In yet another defeat for proponents of Gay Marriage, the New Jersey State Senate continued to thrash the liberal agenda in light of the staggering loss of the Governor’s race there, as well as the Virginia sweep.

This is a stark reminder to liberals that the days of unchecked liberal agendas are fast coming to an end. A new wave of Conservatism has swept the country.

While there was the usual cadre of imported liberal “astro turf” protesters, a large turnout of conservatives and religious voters concerned about the degradation of society held a vigil peacefully outside.

Many New Jersey Democrats hoping to hold onto their seats and realize that the tidal wave of backlash is headed their way. The 20-14 vote against Gay Marriage is proof that a legislature as liberal as New Jersey’s fears the wrath headed their way.

At least 14 are no doubt ready for retirement.

More shocking than the head of the NCC center continuing his skiing vacation?

Michael Leiter, director of the National Counterterrorism Center since 2007, decided not to return to his agency’s “bat cave” nerve center in McLean, Va., until several days after Christmas, two U.S. officials said.

More shocking than President Obama waiting four days to speak on the near tragedy?

Before his first remarks on Monday, Obama had left a vacuum, and into that 76-hour empty space rushed Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, whose ineptitude made a mockery of her position and threw millions of fliers into continuing states of confusion.

What the public was left with was a never-to-be-repeated case study in crisis mismanagement. It’s time to get a grip, Mr. President.

More shocking than DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano’s “The system worked” moronic statement?

Napolitano: “The system worked”

December 27, 2009

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said that the thwarting of the attempt to blow up the Amsterdam-Detroit flight this week demonstrated that “the system worked.”

Asked by CNN’s Candy Crowley on “State of the Union” how that could be possible when the young Nigerian who sought to set off the bomb was able to smuggle explosive liquid onto the flight, Napolitano responded: “We’re asking the same questions.”

Napolitano added that there was “no suggestion that [the bomber] was improperly screened.”

This should really be something else.

No doubt this will be blamed on Bush too.