“We’re never been stay the course, George.” — George W. Bush, attempting to distance himself from what has been his core strategy in Iraq for the last three years, interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, October 22nd, 2006
I picked this Bushism for a very special reason. Just as Boy Blunder tried to distance himself from who he is and what he believes, “right” here in Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District there’s a Republican candidate for Congress that’s tried to pull the same stuff concerning who he is, what he’s done, and what he believes – Erik Paulsen.
Let’s go back, and look at what part of what I wrote concerning Erik Paulsen’s campaign announcement, in January:
At his announcement, Erik Paulsen claimed to have, and I quote from his press release: “…years of working in bipartisan fashion, across the aisle, to get results in the business world and in the Minnesota legislature.”
Yeah, “right.” Anyone even slightly paying attention understands Erik Paulsen did not rise to Republican state House leadership position by being “bi-partisan.”
Right out of the box, Paulsen forces the interested citizen to question his credibility.
The very first line of the press release says, and again I quote: “Saying ‘Congress is broken, I will work to fix it,’ Erik Paulsen….”
Just who does Erik Paulsen think he’s kidding?
Jim Ramstad tried to fix it, and for that he was rewarded by GOP Leadership with backbench status.
If Jim Ramstad couldn’t fix it, what reasonable person could possibly believe Erik Paulsen could?
Newt Gingrich’s “Contract With America” fundamentally changed how power is structured in the Republican Party, in Congress.
Serious academics can explain exactly how power was removed from committees and placed in party leadership, leading to things such as the strong-armed ouster of Gingrich and the installation of Dennis Hastert as Speaker, with Tom DeLay the muscle. Not to mention the Abramoff Scandal, the K-Street Project, etc etc etc.
To the layman, the following explains it clearly: when it comes to Republican Congressmen, “the people elect them, but the GOP Leadership directs them.”
Paulsen’s claim he’s going to “work to fix it” is simply not credible.
Like Erik Paulsen is really – as a freshman congressman – going to take on and challenge John Boehner and Roy Blunt’s power and authority?
Quite frankly, in a one page press release, Paulsen seems to have a knack of saying things that simply don’t ring true.
Consider this: “Failed ideas and yearning for the past stand in the way of change. So do the politics of blame, division and partisan spin. Minnesotans are weary of this brand of politics.” (emphasis added).
Say, Erik?
THAT’S YOUR PARTY YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT.(MnBlue)
On that day, January 29th of this year, I asked “Just who does Erik Paulsen think he’s kidding?
Well, who Erik Paulsen didn’t fool, was the Candidate Endorsement Committee at The Star Tribune:
“Paulsen was a fiscal and social conservative in the Legislature, voting for measures that this newspaper opposed. Why he’s casting himself as a moderate in this race is unclear. (emphasis added) His conservative credentials are solid; he should have run on them.”(Star Tribune)
Hmmm….sounds familiar: “We’re never been stay the course” and “I’m a moderate in the mold of Frenzel and Ramstad.”
Simply not credible; simply not believable. Paulsen has run his entire campaign on a house of cards – trying to portray himself as something he clearly is not. It was noted immediately after his campaign announcement, and it was cemented in today’s Star Tribune non-endorsement.
In 83 days, January 20th 2009 will mark The End Of An Error. In one week, Americans go to the polls. Just as George W. Bush’s political career will be over, hopefully career politician Erik Paulsen’s political career will be over, too.
(crossposted at MnBlue)
(originally posted at MnProgressiveProject.com)
“And again, General David Petraeus said summarily and arbitrarily taking our troops out of there as Senator Obama has proposed is not in the best interests of the United States, could potentially be destabilizing and put at risk all of the great work and valor and sacrifice and blood and treasure our country has put into that country.” - Gov. Tim Pawlenty, on Face The Nation, August 17th, 2008
OK, it’s not really a Bushism, but: it’s (cheney)in’ stupid, on several levels. And by saying it, on national TV, T-Paw is showing that he’s either in over his head because he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, or he’s showing he’d be a willing and pliable tool for those who would make Bushy McSame king president. Of course, “both” is a distinct probablity, also.
Think about it: under the US Constitution, civilian leadership determines natonal interests and sets foreign policy, not the military, and certainly not a theater commander, such as General Petraeus. And for those that actually believing in following the law, which, of course, excludes bootlickin’ republiCons, Title 10 of the U.S. Code clearly states that it’s the Joint Chiefs of Staff that advises The President in formation of policy, NOT theater commanders.
Clearly, General Petraeus is not authorized, nor is any General, to determine America’s national interests nor create foreign policy. Furthermore, did General Petraeus actually say what Gov. Pawlenty claimed General Petaeus said?
Of course not. Which is why January 21st, 2009 would be The Beginning Of A New Error if Bushy McSame assumes the office of the Presidency – especially if Gov. Pawlenty is part of the ticket.
(originally published at MnBlue.com)
“But all in all, it’s been a fabulous year for Laura and me.” - George orWell Bush, summing up his first year in office, Washington, D.C., Dec. 20, 2001
Yeah, “right.” Fabulous, simply fabulous. Thankfully, there’s only 181 days until The End Of An Error.
