By Marilyn Barnewall ——Bio and Archives--July 28, 2010
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"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 2nd 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 10th 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.
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Marilyn Barnewall received her graduate degree in Banking from the University of Colorado Graduate School of Business in 1978. She created the first wealth creation (credit-driven) private bank in America in the 1970s. Prior to her 21-year banking career, she was a newspaper reporter, advertising copywriter, public relations director, magazine editor, assistant to the publisher, singer, dog trainer, and an insurance salesperson and manager.