Why I'm A Jeffersonian Democrat

If RNC Chairman Michael Steele and company really spent $1620.71 at "a bondage-themed nightclub featuring topless women dancers imitating lesbian sex," I bet you won't give the Republican Party any money either. If true, this is a disgrace. Paul Mirengoff has more at Powerline. If I just had to visit Voyeur West Hollywood I sure as hell wouldn't put it on my voucher.

UPDATE: The RNC reports that Steele wasn't there, was unaware of the incident, and would never approve of the behavior or its reimbursement. I bet there's a new directive on voucher reviews at the RNC.

Republican Party ID Slide Continues - Or Not

Fewer people are identifying themselves with the Republican Party these days. The mid-term elections in Congress is only nineteen months. Republican National Committee Chairman, Michael Steele, attempted did some cheer leading for the party this week. LGF has the story, and associated links. On the other hand, this Moonbattery post indicates that not all polls have such bad news for the Grand Old Party.

Another Take On John Ford, Westerns, and Republicans

Michael Barone takes his turn at this issue. Barone brings Tocqueville, another remarkable observer of the American scene, into the "picture." Thanks to PowerLine for the link.

Republican Screening

Imagine the Republican Party riding off into the sunset. The late film director, John Ford, would not be happy at that prospect. This article, from Powerline via Todd Zywicki, describes the parallels between Ford's films and Republican orthodoxy and why neither is likely to disappear from the American scene anytime soon. Articles like this one reinforce the significance of popular culture to historians and demonstrate how more traditional subjects can be enlivened for the non-historians among us. Good work.

More On Elitism And The Political Classes

David Kralik, writing at The Next Right, has some observations on how elitism infects "the political class" - Democrats and Republicans - and what my former employer would call "monumentation."

Nothing Good Can Come of This

The idea of prosecuting a lawyer because he wrote a legal analysis with which the current Attorney General disagrees is so outrageous that I can't believe it would be seriously considered.

Read the rest of John Hinderaker's opinion on prosecuting attorneys in the Bush Justice Department.

Steele on Abortion

Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, has some words about abortion which will be ringing soon between the ears of the conservative wing in the party. Essentially, he said that abortion was an individual choice and an issue to be reserved for the states. You can read an early link to the story here. [National Review Online was my tip - look for more there today.] Steele is a Catholic and on the record as "pro-life." He has made his personal choice. On the other hand, I can hear the libertarian principles of the Founding Fathers appealing to his conscience as he attempts to lead his party through a political mine field. The issue is so divisive that some Republicans will call for his head. This is the Taliban approach and one that will do nothing more than lose elections, rather than heads, in our republic. Attempts at reversing Roe vs. Wade in the hope that it will end abortion will, I fear, do the same. On the other hand, a reversal may put the "choice" in choice back into the hands of the states where it belongs. Frankly, this is something the Republican party needs to hear and accept if it intends to woo the center, grow the party and win elections. No question it will be a hard lesson, but this, I believe, is the new and essential thinking Steele brings to the party.

My personal journey with this issue has been equally difficult. I find abortion deserving consideration only in the most limited of circumstances. Many Americans agree with me, perhaps a majority, but we live in a nation of laws anchored in liberty and the freedom of personal choice. We should thank God every day that our earthly Fathers spared us from democracy, the mob and the tyranny of the majority. In the same manner, the Fathers spared us from the tyranny of state religion. We, the people, are a government of choice. That said, who am I to make a moral choice for another under this umbrella of liberty? I am obligated to guide, to counsel, to offer example, but who am I to make the choice? The very act of choice defines the moral self and the consequences of that choice. Christians have it no other way. And my nation's highest court has raised the issue to federal prominence in an era of judicial activism. There, the role of the court as the interpreter of the Constitution moves evermore beyond the intent of its authors. How am I to act? I choose high moral ground for the individual and legal compromise for the community. It is more at resolution through management; there is no miracle cure here.

So Steele pursues his course through rough seas, knowing full well that one safe harbor will not satisfy his crew. The man has accepted a big challenge. He responds to this issue both personally and professionally through an interview, though perhaps not as clearly as he could, being the "at ease" person he is. This interview and its issue will be fodder for the critics and a hard lesson in reality for the wingers. Shall we keep our heads, while all about us are losing theirs?" Shall we choose wisely? We shall see.

Blue Steele

Michael Steele, new chairman of the RNC, is taking flak for both talking and not talking on two occasions in the past week. First, he made an unnecessary verbal attack on Rush Limbaugh, America's leading conservative radio talk show personality. Second, in the same interview, he failed to respond to CNN host D.L. Hunley"s ludicrous remark that last year's Republican convention "literally looked like Nazi Germany." Regarding the first issue, Steele should know better than to attack such a media presence as Limbaugh. After all, El Rushbo usually walks in Republican traces and has recently been targeted by the White House in an attempt to identify him as the face of the Republican Party. Totally uncalled for.

The incident with Hunley was equally embarrassing. Raising the term "Nazi" anywhere these days generally means the conversation has deteriorated into the realm of extreme moonbattery and deserves to end. Steele should have called him on that. He didn't, and should explain to his friends why he didn't. All very unfortunate.

The good side of this experience is that Steele is a fast learner, and he'll come away stronger. Byron York has more on the unhappiness in his column at The Examiner. Here's the video with Hunley's remark:



Anybody think Hunley's wardrobe may be a bit edgy?

Cloaking Devices and Dirty White Suits

In his speech before Congress yesterday, President Obama proved again that he is a masterful speaker. No matter that some of the statements of fact were wrong - those Germans invented the automobile - and the style - the Biden shout out - could use a bit of buffing. No question that the man knows how to move an audience. As several pundits have noted, he is extending his campaign style into his presidency. That style surely got him into the White House and has the power to whip his supporters into the higher realms of expectation. And with such lofty oratory comes the possibility that some of those expectations may be unrealized.

One absolutely unrealized expectation yesterday was the Republican response delivered by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. Frankly, I've never thought much of opposition responses. They remind me of the white-suited man, shovel in hand, following the elephant in the circus parade. The guy may have an important job, but everybody remembers the elephant. If Jindal wants to stay clean and build his resume, he simply must improve that shoveling technique or find another job in the circus. Republicans should take all of this as a serious warning that their message for 2010 must be selected carefully, wrapped beautifully, and delivered appropriately. If not, they will be following an ass - the donkey variety - for a very long time.

[Apologies to my Democrat friends - just couldn't help myself.]