Daily Archives: Nov. 21, 2008

GOP has a God problem

Nov. 21, 200812:38 p.m.

Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker was already in hot water with the GOP base for criticizing Sarah Palin. Now she may be excommunicated for declaring that the GOP has a God problem. “The evangelical, right-wing branch of the GOP is what ails the erstwhile conservative party and will continue to afflict and marginalize its constituents if reckoning doesn’t soon cometh,” she wrote. “Simply put: Armband religion is killing the Republican Party. The choir has become absurdly off-key, and many Republicans know it.” Parker argued that “it isn’t necessary to evict the Creator from the public square, surrender Judeo-Christian values or diminish the value of faith in America. But like it or not, we are a diverse nation, no longer predominantly white and Christian. The change Barack Obama promised already has occurred, which is why he won.” Her conclusion: “The future of the GOP looks dim and dimmer if it stays the present course. Either the Republican Party needs a new base – or the nation may need a new party.”

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under U.S. politics | Comments (88)

Public was correct to be concerned about Kline

Nov. 21, 20086:03 a.m.

Abortion doctor George Tiller’s effort to dismiss the misdemeanor case against him seems like a bit of a stretch. But hearings this week have shown that the public was correct to be concerned about former Attorney General Phill Kline’s dogged pursuit of Tiller and abortion records.
Tiller’s attorneys contend that Kline convinced a Topeka judge to let him subpoena medical records based on a false claim – that Tiller wasn’t reporting to authorities cases involving sexual abuse of minors. An internal memo shows that Kline had neither a complainant nor an allegation that Tiller knowingly violated the law. It’s even more serious that Kline’s office may have deliberately misled the judge by presenting a specific case as evidence of a possible reporting violation when it knew – or should have known – that Tiller had in fact properly followed the law.
The hearing has also revealed how Kline’s office worked closely with anti-abortion groups. And former Kline investigator Jared Reed testified that he believed Kline’s office was willing to do whatever it took to get a conviction, “up to and including breaking the law.”
That’s what it looked like to many voters, too.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Abortion | Comments (65)

Open thread 11/21

Nov. 21, 20086:02 a.m.

By The Editors | Filed under Open thread | Comments (306)

Back to work for McCain

Nov. 21, 20086:01 a.m.

“A lot of people would be quietly feeling the angst somewhere else. But that’s not the McCain I know. The McCain I know is a fighter, and he’s the one who came back here today.” – former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole, speaking about Sen. John McCain’s quiet return to the U.S. Senate Tuesday

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Congress | Comments (20)

Economy is so bad it’s funny

Nov. 21, 20086:00 a.m.

“Over 7,000 presidential appointments are up for grabs. The Obama administration is making history once again by being the only place in America that is currently hiring.” – Stephen Colbert

“I don’t want to say things look bad, but Barack Obama’s new slogan, ‘Maybe we can.’” – Jay Leno
“We already know his economic plan. It’s designed to help small businesses that make under $250,000 a year. You know, like General Motors and Chrysler.” – Craig Ferguson
“Thanksgiving just around the corner. . . . I hope you’re planning on doing something for people less fortunate. For example, if you get the opportunity, if you have your Thanksgiving dinner, invite a Lehman brother.” – David Letterman

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Economy | Comments (25)