Palin: A double-edged endorsement sword

President John F. Kennedy once said: "Mothers may still want their favorite sons to grow up to be President, but . . . they do not want them to become politicians in the process" According to Wordnet , a politician is "A schemer who tries to gain advantage in an organization in sly or underhanded ways."

---

Webster's Online Dictionary uses words like "schemer; an intriguer." Another online source suggests politicians are "seekers or holders of public office more concerned about winning favor or retaining power than about 'maintaining principles'." Many people agree with these definitions. It's why so many have joined the Tea Party movement and become politically active... to get their favorite sons elected and avoid voting for "politicians." Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin endorsed a Colorado candidate for Congress on Monday, July 19, 2010. His name is Bob McConnell. Most non-Coloradans don't know him. He's running for office in the Third Congressional District. He's what Kennedy referred to as a "favorite son"--a non-politician. The Third District is largely conservative. Pueblo and Trinidad (on the east slope) are exceptions--on the west slope so are Telluride, Aspen, Vail, Durango, and other "redistribute everyone's wealth but mine" mountain cities. It has been interesting to watch the power Governor Palin has as she stirs the liberal/progressive pot in opposition to liberal interests, endorsing a conservative candidate who isn't the "Chosen One of the Republican Party" but who can beat the liberal candidate. Why do liberals care who wins a Republican primary in early August? Their candidate, incumbent Congressman John Salazar, holds a seat that can be won by Republicans in 2010. Thus, the Democrats will work to win a Primary election victory for McConnell's opponent, Scott Tipton, because Salazar has already beat Tipton in the same race four years ago... by a 62 percent margin. Governor Palin opened her mouth and said "I endorse Bob McConnell," and he suddenly became national news. Time magazine did a story about him. It's a bit early for articles in Time because McConnell must beat Tipton, a state legislator and pottery company-owner from Cortez, before the November election against Democrat Salazar. Salazar's brother, Ken, is Obama's Secretary of the Interior under whose non-watchful eye all of the compromises were made allowing the BP oil drilling tragedy in the Gulf. The name is not very popular in Colorado right now. Time says there was no substance to Governor Palin's endorsement of McConnell. Is it possible Time overlooked a few things? Until Sarah Palin's endorsement, it is doubtful Time knew where the Third Congressional District in Colorado was. Immediately after she made her preference for McConnell known, the liberal-left began to favor the person history says Salazar can most likely beat. The strategies that motivate political behavior are so convoluted! "Colorado," Time said, "with its funky mix of liberal college cities and rural farming towns, ritzy ski resorts and barren tracts of mountain land, is a 2010 bellwether state. The statewide races are toss-ups, and factors beyond the platforms are playing big in most races." The Time story is here: swampland.blogs.time.com Are there more than a half-dozen colleges in the country that aren't a "funky mix of liberal college cities"--whether taxpayers want their progressive, funky views taught to their kids, or not? Time then goes on to say (referring to "her," meaning Governor Palin):

"Her justification, emblematic of the message-over-substance theme riddling so many races, was largely based on his background--mainly his military record and family-man status, topped off with mentions of his mountaineering feats. The one policy position she mentioned was his plan to 'return our country back to our Constitutional roots of limited and fiscally responsible government.' That rather vague goal is standard Tea Party fare, and seven Tea Party groups have gotten behind McConnell as he gears up for the August 10 primary." (Italics added by Barnewall.)

It only becomes vague when taken out of context by liberal mainstream media giants like Time. Governor Sarah Palin said on her Facebook page that Bob McConnell is a Constitutional Conservative seeking to limit government, protect our 2^nd Amendment rights, who respects the sanctity of life. Definitely no substance there --not if you're Time (which "progressively" opposes conservative views and wants a Democrat re-elected, and thus takes aim at the Republican candidate with the greatest chance to beat the liberal left candidate). Palin also said McConnell supports our strong military and encourages free enterprise. Oh, my God! No wonder Time is upset! We can't elect someone who will encourage free enterprise! How could we possibly elect a Congressman who would move us from Obama's policies of wealth redistribution to free enterprise? Definitely no substance to Palin's endorsement--not if you're Time! Governor Palin does discuss McConnell as a proud father of three and grandfather of seven. She discusses his retirement from the military who wants to return our country to its Constitutional roots with "limited and fiscally responsible government." Again, subjects of military service and family appear to represent what Time defines as "no substance." Surely we can all see Time's concerns? Governor Palin even refers to McConnell as a decorated combat veteran--again, air-head words rather than substance--depending on how one defines "substance." Governor Palin also had the audacity to mention the endorsement of McConnell by Combat Veterans for Congress. She didn't mention his endorsement by Richard Mack, former sheriff of Graham County, Arizona, and long-time crusader for freedom and individual rights. Most Tea Party members know Sheriff Mack. Time would REALLY have had a big story, then! The endorsement did, however, mention McConnell's strong support of the Second Amendment. And that, of course, made it necessary for the liberal/progressive Huffington Post to write about Bob McConnell, too. Can you imagine? McConnell did a video of himself on the shooting range--discharging a weapon, of all things! The Huffington Post couldn't tolerate that! They had to inform their online audience! Good heavens. If not here, where will they draw the line? If you support the right to bear arms, you will enjoy watching the video. It is refreshing to watch a political candidate strong enough to make his beliefs openly known and explain them to voters. If you don't support the Second Amendment, you'll learn something. The video is here. youtube.com Governor Palin's endorsement was all message and no substance? Time says so. McConnell's campaign has been dynamic and successful. Mostly, it's been grassroots. Formerly a little known "recovering lawyer" who resides in the small community of Steamboat Springs, McConnell came from nowhere to win 45 percent of the vote at the Colorado Republican Assembly last May. It wasn't enough to win top line designation in the August 10^th Primary election, but it put the Tipton campaign on notice that Bob McConnell was a force with which to reckon. Freda Poundstone disagrees with Time, too. This conservative Republican woman has actively supported Republican candidates since 1966--and she supports McConnell. Poundstone was the head of President Ronald Reagan's Colorado Transition Team and was one of 17 people selected nationwide to be on Reagan's advisory Citizen Kitchen Cabinet Committee. Poundstone represented President Reagan at Anzio Beach Head in Italy and gave his 1982 memorial address, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In 1984, she flew to Normandy with him when he placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Poundstone made a comment of substance--overlooked by Time and The Huffington Post: "We lost this race four years ago by 62 percent under Scott Tipton's candidacy. Do we really want the same scenario? I don't think so." Those are words of substance liberal publications like Time and The Huffington Post do not like. Amazing, the quote selectivity of the media, isn't it? No wonder Governor Palin likes McConnell. Oh, but I forgot. Time says Governor Palin's endorsement held no substance--at least, none they apparently like well enough to print. The professional politicians wonder why voters are so disenchanted with the system--which now includes the mainstream media (MSM). This is a perfect example of what motivates the disgust people feel. Freedom of the press (First Amendment) was given to the media so it could keep the people informed, not declare media rights under the Constitution while writing political opinion. My article--this article--is an editorial. I openly admit it represents my opinion, not news. Time, however, represents itself as a news organization. It obviously is not. Bob McConnell is also endorsed by the Young Conservative Leaders of Colorado, Combat Veteran's for Congress (PAC), the National Defense Political Action Committee as announced by Admiral (Ret.) James J. Carey, and by seven Colorado Tea Party groups. Scott Tipton has been endorsed by Dick Morris (always a "Party guy" so no surprise there--besides, Tipton has been advertising heavily on The Factor, Bill O'Reilly's show--where did he get all that money?). The Democrat candidate for Congress in November, John Salazar, marched in lock-step with Time when he said: "Unfortunately, Sarah Palin's endorsements receive national attention and national money will follow. We must send a message to Palin - a message that says we do not want her brand of extreme politics in Colorado... "Help me fight back against Sarah Palin and the radical and negative politics she embraces. Your contribution will help me defend against the onslaught of negative attacks that are coming." The attacks are coming, Mr. Salazar, because of your votes on health care and economic recovery legislation that has cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per job created and has taken over one-sixth of the American economy (health care). Factual information can hardly be called "negative attacks"--unless your voting record is also termed "negative attacks" against the American people. I personally committed to support McConnell when Scott Tipton published a press release praising his achievements with the "National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC)" without explaining that the organization is NOT an offshoot of the RNC--the Republican National Committee. Instead it is an elite group of people with money who pay for various "services." For example, $10,000 gets a person membership in the Congressional Leadership Council where "the opportunity to communicate their views directly to Republican Congressional leaders" is made available. It appeared to be a sly attempt to make Tipton look like he was the anointed of the RNC. Rule 11 makes it impossible for the Republican Party to support one Republican candidate over another in a Primary contest. I dislike attempts to trick voters, Republican or Democrat. Sarah Palin was right to endorse McConnell. I don't know about you, but I've had enough political deception to last me a lifetime.