Howard Dean: “We Are Now in Danger of Losing Everything” by Gregory Hilton

Former Gov. Howard Dean (VT) knows Democrats are headed for a significant setback in November. He is nevertheless actively campaigning for liberal candidates who are certain to lose. Dean is appearing in a variety of Congressional districts around the nation in his role as Chairman of the left wing lobbying group Democracy for America. The organization was originally established as Dean for America to promote his 2004 presidential campaign, and his current goal could be challenging Barack Obama for the 2012 nomination.
The former Governor is a medical doctor and the immediate past Chairman of the Democratic Party (2005 – 2009). He can claim credit for their huge success in both the 2006 and 2008 elections. Prior to the 2004 Iowa caucuses, Dean was considered the frontrunner for the party’s presidential nomination. He was endorsed by the top two candidates from the previous election, former Vice President Al Gore and former Senator Bill Bradley (NJ), as well as powerful labor unions. He was the first major candidate to largely finance his campaign from the Internet, and his major issue was opposition to the Iraq war.
His 50 state strategy later proved to be the road map for Barack Obama’s 2008 victory. Dean wanted to serve as HHS Secretary in the Obama administration, but his battle with Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel prevented the appointment. Dean said “I made it pretty clear I wanted to be HHS Secretary.” He was also passed over for Surgeon General. In a snub to Dean, he was not even invited to the White House press conference when Governor Tim Kaine (VA) was announced as his successor at the DNC.
The theme of Dean’s current speeches is that President Obama has abandoned his liberal base on Afghanistan, the health care public option and gay rights. Dean is telling liberal groups “This is not joking around time anymore. You caused a revolution in this country two years ago. We are now in danger of losing everything you worked for.”
Many liberals are dismayed with the White House and the feeling is mutual. On August 9th, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said: “The professional left will not be satisfied until we have Canadian health care and we’ve eliminated the Pentagon. That’s not reality. I hear these people saying he’s like George Bush. Those people ought to be drug tested. I mean, it’s crazy.” Rahm Emmanuel says many liberal activists are “retarded.”
If Dean does challenge Obama he is likely to have the support of left wing activists such as MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow, as well as filmmaker Michael Moore. All of them are major left wing critics of the White House.
The former Governor does not want Obama to endorse an extension of the Bush era tax cuts and says “I don’t agree with supply-side economics. Reagan proved it was wrong. George H.W. Bush proved it was wrong, and George W. Bush proved it was wrong.” Dean also says:
“The biggest danger is not Democrats or Republicans, liberals or conservatives. It’s that we’re not talking to each other.”
“I wasn’t that happy with the health care bill, and we should have done more. . . Democrats can not be blamed for health care reform. It was a bipartisan bill. The biggest problem is that it can’t work in the present system.”
“I don’t think the majority of Republicans are haters, but there is a significant hate wing of the Republican Party, including the talk show hosts like Glenn Beck and Laura Ingraham and Rush Limbaugh and people like that and they don’t dare cross them.”
Surprising Comments:
Dean surprised many of his supporters by opposing the construction of a mosque near the ground zero site in New York City. He said: “We have to understand that it is a real affront to people who’ve lost their lives.”
“The best way to decrease the federal deficit is to change programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. I think everything has to be cut. Everyone needs to put something into the pot.”

Ann Coulter is Wrong: The GOP Welcomes The Tea Party and The Campaign is About Economic Not Social Issues by Gregory Hilton

In her article yesterday (see below), conservative pundit Ann Coulter continues to claim Republicans and “Washington elites” are undermining the Tea Party movement. To bolster her case of alarm she quotes Morton Kondracke, David Gergen, and Gloria Borger, but not one of them is a Republican.

The Next Target is the Republican Party: Diane Olson of the Tea Party Debates Gregg Hilton

Diane Olson of Rochester, Minnesota is an activist in the Tea Party movement. She has visited many foreign nations and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Diane graduated with honors from the University of Iowa. In addition to her political activities, she is a Chief Engineering Manager. For the last seven years she has been IBM\’s only female \”Master Inventor.\” In this role she has provided technical briefings for U.S. Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar, both Minnesota Democrats.

Debate Introduction by Gregg Hilton

This debate focuses on the relationship between the Tea Party movement and the Republican Party, which has been a hot topic in recent weeks. Republicans appreciate and admire the activities of various Tea Party organizations, but several Tea Party leaders, including Diane Olson, want to wage war on the GOP. Diane is promising a major battle soon after the November election.

The Great Myth: The GOP Establishment vs. The Tea Party by Gregory Hilton

Tuesday’s night victory of social conservative Christine O’Donnell over moderate Rep. Mike Castle in the Delaware Republican Senate primary is being portrayed as a great setback for the Republican establishment. The enthusiasm behind the O’Donnell crusade can not be denied, but her electability remains questionable. On Wednesday morning, O’Donnell was trailing liberal Democrat Chris Coons in cash on hand by $20,000 to $940,000. That was the beginning of an explosion of Internet support, and O’Donnell now has almost $2 million and is ahead of Coons in cash on hand.

Did Mike Castle Want to Impeach George W. Bush and the Delaware Aftermath By Gregory Hilton

I was disappointed when respected conservatives such as Dan Riehl and the American Spectator are falsely claiming Congressman Mike Castle (R-DE) voted to impeach President George W. Bush. Of course that is not true. No Republican Congressman, including Ron Paul, advocated that. This issue received considerable publicity at the time.

National Review: Conservatives Should Not Support Christine O’Donnell (R-DE)

She is “a conservative standard-bearer who could have been selected by a group of hostile people out to create an unflattering impression of us. To compare O’Donnell to Sharron Angle (R-NV) is an insult to Angle, who has her rough edges as a candidate but whose personal integrity is beyond reproach. What many O’Donnell supporters are implicitly arguing is that there can be no standards in evaluating candidates beyond an ideological litmus test–a deeply unconservative sentiment.”

Delaware Senate Primary: Charles Krauthammer Criticizes Sarah Palin and Jim DeMint

Charles Krauthammer on today’s Delaware Senate primary. Sarah Palin and Jim DeMint were “equally capricious and irresponsible” for backing O’Donnell. “Delaware is not Alaska. In Alaska you can endorse a Joe Miller, whose going to win anyway though he’s more conservative. In Delaware, O’Donnell is going to lose and that could be the difference between Republican and Democratic control of the Senate.”

Many Conservatives Do Not Want Mike Castle in the U.S. Senate

Listed below are comments from conservative activists throughout the nation who are expressing strong reservations about Congressman Mike Castle (R-DE) in tonight’s U.S. Senate primary. Castle faces a serious challenge from Christine O’Donnell who is making her third bid for the U.S. Senate.

Rich M FLong, 26, of Wappinger Falls, NY: principles are more important than what jersey they wear. A vote for Mike Castle (R) is a vote for Chris Coons (D). Can someone explain to me what is good about electing a Democrat who votes like a Democrat? . . . When will the GOP establishment realize that moderation is how the left gets away with blaming every bad thing that happens on Republicans and they tell voters that’s what conservatism is.

Nominating Christine O’Donnell Could Destroy the Tea Party by Alan Moore

Editorial Note: Alan Moore, 28, has an MA from George Mason University and previously served as press secretary for the Tancredo for President Committee and the Freedom Alliance. He now works for the Heritage Foundation at Townhall.com

I volunteered for the O’Donnell campaign in 2008. I am not owed any money nor have I ever received payment from either the O’Donnell or Mike Castle campaigns. Working with her for an election cycle taught me one indisputable fact: Christine O’Donnell is not deserving of ever holding elected office and her nomination will be nothing short of catastrophic to the Tea Party movement. The implications of her nomination for conservatives everywhere are enormous.

Taking Aim: Congressman Mike Castle (R-DE) Responds to His Conservative Critics by Gregory Hilton

Congressman Mike Castle (R-DE) has served in the House of Representatives for 18 years. He was Governor for 8 years, and also served as Lt. Governor and was in the state legislature for a decade.

After four decades in elective office, Congressman Mike Castle’s fate will be determined in Tuesday’s Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. A Public Policy Poll released on Sunday night has him running slightly behind conservative activist Christine O’Donnell. Castle was won 12 statewide elections and would not have a problem winning Vice President Joe Biden’s old Senate seat in a general election. However, he has to first survive the primary.
The Congressman is not a social conservative, but claims to be a fiscal conservative. He often refers to himself as a moderate, but right wing critics castigate him as a liberal Republican. They also say there is no difference between a liberal Republican and a liberal Democrat. Castle is not hiding from his four decades as a moderate, but strongly objects to being lumped in with liberal Democrats.