The Conservative Thread: Back to Basics. Pass the Lasagna and Have a Flower!!

[debbieandroo]

uh-oh about Michael Steele....

[from townhall.com]

I'm conflicted about Michael Steele...

... On the negative side, I recall that Steele recently endorsed liberal Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) over conservative state senator Andy Harris. Gilchrest went on to lose the primary, endorse the Democrat running for his seat, and then to announce he was voting for Barack Obama...

... I am also concerned about Steele's association with Christine Todd Whitman and the Main Streeters (as recently as today, Whitman urged the GOP to abandon social conservatism). Along with Christine Todd Whitman and John Danforth, Steele is a National Co-Chair of the Republican Leadership Council. ... Their website has this to say about their mission:

"RLC-PAC's vision is a Republican Party that is unified by the basic tenets of fiscal responsibility and personal freedom, but that allows for diverse opinions on social issues by its members..."

... On the positive side, Steele is an exciting and charismatic figure. Having just talked with him on this afternoon's blogger call, as well as having met him on several occasions in the past, I can attest to the fact that he is friendly and very likable.

Additionally, he seems to "get" the internet more than most politicians. And I think everyone agrees he'd be a terrific spokesman for the party, and potentially a decent fundraiser.

 

[Octoberbride03]

Alright everybody. I'm heading out. Be around tomorrow maybe.

Have a good night

 

[SorcererDonald16]

She's in Yorktown. Know anyone?

Hey, maybe your new 6 ft lawyer soon-to-be boyfriend will buy you a bling. I was married for almost four years before I got that bling.

Actually, Yorktown is not too far from me. One of my fellow grad students remained in Williamsburg with her hubby even though she graduated. Williamsburg is very close to Yorktown. I can ask her if she knows anyone from her church, if your DSIL would like. Get her thoughts first; I don't want to be blamed for starting anything!

Exactly. I don't agree with the woman on anyting but someone with a bit of knowledge has got to come into this circus and help this guy figure out what the heck he is doing. I think Hillary will stand up to him, Richardson will just be his puppet.

Tina

Ditto.

uh-oh about Michael Steele....

[from townhall.com]

Oh, that's just great. I didn't know any of that. Hannity is endorsing him though, which should give me hope. Maybe Michael's endorsement of the RINO was because he thought the RINO could win and the con couldn't? Like I was reading on a blog the other day, in blue states, it's better to have a RINO in office than a true liberal. A conservative would have no chance of getting elected in a lot of those areas, but a RINO could. Has Michael Reagan weighed in on this?

 

[Tink & Goofy]

Actually, Yorktown is not too far from me. One of my fellow grad students remained in Williamsburg with her hubby even though she graduated. Williamsburg is very close to Yorktown. I can ask her if she knows anyone from her church, if your DSIL would like. Get her thoughts first; I don't want to be blamed for starting anything!

I say go for it. He's gotta be filtered through me and DH first, though.

 

[debbieandroo]

More about Michael --

From US News and World Report - April 2008

Sen. John McCain disclosed that he is in the "embryonic stages" of selecting a running mate, whom he hopes to introduce at the Republican National Convention. While he refused to disclose any names, McCain told reporters that the list is about 20 deep, and "it's every name imaginable." This is one of a series of profiles on the candidates we imagine might be on his list and some things you may not know about the maybe-veeps. See the full list here (http://www.usnews.com/articles/news...-potential-vice-presidential-candidates.html).

1. Michael Steele, who was adopted as an infant, was born at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George's County, Md., on Oct. 19, 1958.

2. He grew up in a family of Democrats. Steele credits his mother, Maebell, and Ronald Reagan with turning him toward the Republican Party. Reagan's pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps message recalled a trait Steele's mother exhibited after her first husband, Steele's father, died in 1962 of alcoholism-related liver disease. She refused to go on welfare. Instead, she went to work as a laundress earning minimum wage to support Michael and his sister.

3. One of the first in his family to go to college, he earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Steele also spent a few years at the Augustinian Friars Seminary at Villanova University, in preparation for the priesthood, before deciding instead on a career in civil service.

4. After graduating from law school in 1991, Steele joined Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, an international law firm, based in Washington, D.C. In 1997, he left and worked briefly at the Mills Corp., a real estate development firm based in Virginia, as in-house counsel. He then went out on his own, starting a consulting firm, the Steele Group.

5. Steele rose quickly in the Republican Party, beginning at the local level in Prince George's County as chair of the Prince George's County Republican Central Committee from 1994 to 2000. Then, he was elected chairman of the Maryland Republican Party in December 2000.

6. Steele became the first African-American elected to statewide office in Maryland, taking office as lieutenant governor in January 2003.

7. In 2004, Steele was tapped to speak at the Republican National Convention, eliciting comparisons with Barack Obama's keynote address at the Democratic convention.

8. When Sen. Paul Sarbanes, a Democrat, announced he would not seek re-election, several prominent Republicans, including President Bush, persuaded Steele to run for the Senate seat. In November 2006, Steele lost the election to Democrat Ben Cardin.

9. On Feb. 1, 2007, Steele was named the chairman of GOPAC, a political action committee working to elect Republicans to office (Newt Gingrich once held the same position).

10. A devout Catholic, Steele is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Landover Hills, Md. He regularly attends services with his wife, Andrea, and their sons, Michael and Drew.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Thanks for the info!

 

[SorcererDonald16]

I say go for it. He's gotta be filtered through me and DH first, though.

Okay, I shall ask her via email tomorrow. She's bad about answering email though (like me, oops), so it may take awhile.

Now, who's gonna filter nanner's guy for me? I don't do blind dates or meetings. I did once and it defined the phrase "Blind date from..." well, you know. Y'all may need to stake him out in Lynchburg first.

More about Michael --

From US News and World Report - April 2008

Thanks for posting this, Debbie. I'd read part of that before, but never seen all of it.

On that note, I need to turn off the computer. I'm beat. Night all, happy weekend!

 

[debbieandroo]

Good story about Michael, from Weekly Standard in 2006 --

Upper Marlboro, Maryland "Oh my God, Michael Steele!" exclaimed an African-American woman passing out fliers outside Kettering Middle School in Prince George's County. The tone of her exclamation was not excitement; rather, she was mocking a group of photographers, reporters, and cameramen waiting to watch Maryland's lieutenant governor vote. The woman continued sarcastically, "All these people here for Michael Steele! Oh, are you going to take his picture? Michael Steele!"

Steele's voting site in the heavily African-American county was unlikely to be a stronghold of support. He had some supporters in the crowd (a handful of people sought him out while he was standing in line) and outside the middle school, the vast majority of those in attendance appeared to be overtly hostile to the candidate.

"Anyone who's with Bush is not with me," proclaimed one black woman as she crossed paths with Steele in a hallway. There were other remarks in the same vein. While being interviewed in the polling place, another African-American voter stated that she couldn't support someone who still believed in "a false war based on lies."

Standing in line to vote with his wife, the pair wearing matching blue Under Armour windbreakers, Steele was surrounded by folks who clearly had no desire to vote for him. They made snide comments behind his back. "They're just trying to trick us, but we know better," exclaimed one elderly woman. She went on to explain that Steele's great "trick" was not cutting to the front, but instead choosing to stand in line like everyone else.

For 45 minutes, Steele was waiting in line, listening to the jibes, biting his tongue, and smiling bravely. If not for his resolve, it would have been a depressing sight--the capacity some of us have to be rude to strangers is remarkable. Michael Steele deserved better.

 

[debbieandroo]

More about Michael Steele ... this time a little more positive --

From the Washington Times - Nov 2007

Mr. Steele has "it," that is to say, the quality we sometimes describe as "charisma." It is not only his tall and commanding physical presence, but it is even more the way he speaks and thinks.

Republicans nationwide were disappointed at his narrow loss in 2006 to Democrat Ben Cardin in Maryland, but as is well-known, it was the one of the worst years in decades to run as a Republican, regardless of race or ethnicity, for an open seat in Congress. Maryland is also considered a very liberal state, and Mr. Steele is a strong economic conservative who thinks in big and challenging perspectives.

His remarks, although not headlined this way, were really about a revised and new Republican Party, one that follows the 2006 electoral debacle and succeeds the George W. Bush era. Mr. Steele makes no excuses or rationalizations for 2006. He says categorically that the Republican Party lost its way. But what is original about Mr. Steele in the current intraparty discussion is that he neither suggests as solutions that the party abandon its economic conservative principles nor that it embrace an unthinking return to the radical social notions that once isolated the party and made it a perennial minority party.

From both a pragmatic and idealistic view, Mr. Steele is arguing that the "party of Lincoln" must not only re-establish itself as the party of economic prosperity and freedom, but that it must also continue to reach out to its former historical electoral base among black voters (as Jack Kemp has long urged) and welcome into its ranks the large and growing Hispanic American voter community, something which George W. Bush, as Texas governor, so ably began to do in his two presidential campaigns. (Still another growing community, Southeast Asians, I think could be added to that list, as its numbers have swelled in several states, and in a short time had considerable economic and political impact.) Mr. Steele is a strongly pro-life Republican who was popular in pro-choice Maryland. He is not a social liberal, but he does understand that there are issues, which if taken to their extreme, satisfy only their zealots. As someone from an Eastern Seaboard urban state with a complex population, he argues for a Republican Party that can once again flourish in our new electoral culture.

 

[mfd25wife]

I'd rather give have a "do-it-yourself" root canal...while, having my toenails pulled out...one by one. sad1:

Evening everybody



How goes it tonight?

Fairly quiet. Hair appointment ran a little late (I got done at 11pm)

I'm good. Hubby's in bed and I'm fooling around online and the boards of course.

Hmmm???

My mom made rabbit for Easter one year. I guess that's where I get my warped sense of humor from.

That's just not right

 

[mfd25wife]

Thanks, everyone for the prayers and thoughts for my friends, the Bailey's. You guys are the best!

 

[debbieandroo]

Thanks, everyone for the prayers and thoughts for my friends, the Bailey's. You guys are the best!

How are they doing?

 

[debbieandroo]

I should really be starting a list but has anyone heard about:

1. The letter that Ahmadinajad sent to BO. BO absolutely refuses to talk about it to the media.

2. The secret meeting that BO had at an airport hanger last week. THe person he was meeting is being kept top secret.

WTH? For one, I think the American people have the right to know what Amanutjob said to BO and if you wanted a 'top secret' meeting with someone, why on earth pick an airplane hanger at an airport? He knew the media was watching.

But, Ward, you must be misunderstanding - H will be our 'transparent' POTUS ... don't you know that?!?!?!?

And I guess, somewhere down the campaign trail, he must have changed what it means to be 'transparent'

 

[Tink & Goofy]

But, Ward, you must be misunderstanding - H will be our 'transparent' POTUS ... don't you know that?!?!?!?

And I guess, somewhere down the campaign trail, he must have changed what it means to be 'transparent'

Now that depends on what the definition of 'transparent' is.

 

[mfd25wife]

How are they doing?

She said it was worse today than yesterday. It's sinking in more, and they had to make the arrangements. She said maybe after the funeral she will start healing. Mark is strong, but so much is happening. Sarah, his 14 yr old sister is having a hard time. I don't know if I mentioned it or not, but he did send them all a text just before it happened. They still are not ready to talk to the girl, but it's not because they blame her. It just happened at her house, so they just can't yet. They feel horrible for her, also. They are talking about it at least to a few of us. I'm going to be there as much as I can without getting in the extended family's way. When they go back home, I will be helping his mom as much as possible, especially when his dad has to go back to work. Crisis teams from a local church and a health center went to both schools involved to try to help. DD and other friends of Blake and Hannah are trying to dispel rumors and half truths. It's not fair for kids to have to, but they are willing because they were friends with both.

I'm sad that DD has experienced a grandmother (my MIL) commit suicide and now a friend, also and she's only 16.

 

[debbieandroo]

It is hard, isn't it? When are you seeing your MIL next?

I'm going out to my mother's for Christmas, with extended family. Very liberal. The kids are begging me not to 'make a scene.' Before the election, my mom asked us not to talk politics, but I can tell pretty much that rule is going to be ignored because their guy won (based on emails, etc.) But we'll see. I try to 'pick my battles' but then again, it is hard to just sit there sometimes.

Hang in there...let us know how it goes with your MIL.

I have an idea about what you can do -- start off by allowing some political discussion - get it all out in the open. But gently remind the fam that you did not gloat when GWB won in 2000 and 2004 and that, remember, H only won 52% of the popular vote. You could say at this point that you've said your piece and that there are more things to talk about than politics.

Then, if someone wants to pop in with another dig/political discussion, you could just respond with some random fact ---

For example:
them: now that 'the one' will be in office, we'll really start seeing progress with the economy that GWB ruined these last years. what do you think, Deb?
you: I think it's really cool that dalmatian puppies are born without spots and they don't get them until they're 2 weeks old [or something equally as far out].

Keep plugging away at the random topics until it becomes clear that you're not going to engage. Maybe the kids could help, too.

[stole this idea from Bella by the way]

 

[debbieandroo]

She said it was worse today than yesterday. It's sinking in more, and they had to make the arrangements. She said maybe after the funeral she will start healing. Mark is strong, but so much is happening. Sarah, his 14 yr old sister is having a hard time. I don't know if I mentioned it or not, but he did send them all a text just before it happened. They still are not ready to talk to the girl, but it's not because they blame her. It just happened at her house, so they just can't yet. They feel horrible for her, also. They are talking about it at least to a few of us. I'm going to be there as much as I can without getting in the extended family's way. When they go back home, I will be helping his mom as much as possible, especially when his dad has to go back to work. Crisis teams from a local church and a health center went to both schools involved to try to help. DD and other friends of Blake and Hannah are trying to dispel rumors and half truths. It's not fair for kids to have to, but they are willing because they were friends with both.

I'm sad that DD has experienced a grandmother (my MIL) commit suicide and now a friend, also and she's only 16.

Thanks for letting us know --

I'll keep praying ....

 

[Tink & Goofy]

She said it was worse today than yesterday. It's sinking in more, and they had to make the arrangements. She said maybe after the funeral she will start healing. Mark is strong, but so much is happening. Sarah, his 14 yr old sister is having a hard time. I don't know if I mentioned it or not, but he did send them all a text just before it happened. They still are not ready to talk to the girl, but it's not because they blame her. It just happened at her house, so they just can't yet. They feel horrible for her, also. They are talking about it at least to a few of us. I'm going to be there as much as I can without getting in the extended family's way. When they go back home, I will be helping his mom as much as possible, especially when his dad has to go back to work. Crisis teams from a local church and a health center went to both schools involved to try to help. DD and other friends of Blake and Hannah are trying to dispel rumors and half truths. It's not fair for kids to have to, but they are willing because they were friends with both.

I'm sad that DD has experienced a grandmother (my MIL) commit suicide and now a friend, also and she's only 16.

Talk to the girl---a girlfriend? And I hope that text didn't say he was going to do something. How sad; I couldn't imagine getting that text and dreading what I'd find at home.

 

[mfd25wife]

Talk to the girl---a girlfriend? And I hope that text didn't say he was going to do something. How sad; I couldn't imagine getting that text and dreading what I'd find at home.

My DD got the text telling her what happened about 8:35. She texted me. I thought the same thing about them finding him at home. But, after visiting with his parents, I know more. I just was so sad last night I couldn't put it in words.

The text to his mom, dad, sister and best friend was "I am so sorry. Goodbye. I love you all." He sent it at 6:46am from his ex-girlfriends driveway. Mark's boss is a police officer and heard the call go through dispatch around 6:53, I think. He called Mark to tell him. Pam, his mom, is a nurse and was writing reports just before shift change. Sarah and Mark were at home. He had taken Mark's car and rifle. Fortunately, the girl's dad heard it and grabbed her before she could go outside. He checked on Blake and called it in. Unfortunately, a school bus went by so some children saw the aftermath. The driver was able to radio the other buses to re-route. DD and I have both sent messages to Hannah, Blake's ex-girlfriend telling her we are thinking about her and praying for her. She is only 17. She went to one school. He went to another, but he had gone to the same school as she did last year. He transferred back to his old school this year when it looked like things may not work out with them.

 

[blestmom]

She said it was worse today than yesterday. It's sinking in more, and they had to make the arrangements. She said maybe after the funeral she will start healing. Mark is strong, but so much is happening. Sarah, his 14 yr old sister is having a hard time. I don't know if I mentioned it or not, but he did send them all a text just before it happened. They still are not ready to talk to the girl, but it's not because they blame her. It just happened at her house, so they just can't yet. They feel horrible for her, also. They are talking about it at least to a few of us. I'm going to be there as much as I can without getting in the extended family's way. When they go back home, I will be helping his mom as much as possible, especially when his dad has to go back to work. Crisis teams from a local church and a health center went to both schools involved to try to help. DD and other friends of Blake and Hannah are trying to dispel rumors and half truths. It's not fair for kids to have to, but they are willing because they were friends with both.

I'm sad that DD has experienced a grandmother (my MIL) commit suicide and now a friend, also and she's only 16.

This is all just so very, very sad. I will continue to keep everyone in my prayers.

I have an idea about what you can do -- start off by allowing some political discussion - get it all out in the open. But gently remind the fam that you did not gloat when GWB won in 2000 and 2004 and that, remember, H only won 52% of the popular vote. You could say at this point that you've said your piece and that there are more things to talk about than politics.

Then, if someone wants to pop in with another dig/political discussion, you could just respond with some random fact ---

For example:
them: now that 'the one' will be in office, we'll really start seeing progress with the economy that GWB ruined these last years. what do you think, Deb?
you: I think it's really cool that dalmatian puppies are born without spots and they don't get them until they're 2 weeks old [or something equally as far out].

Keep plugging away at the random topics until it becomes clear that you're not going to engage. Maybe the kids could help, too.

[stole this idea from Bella by the way]

I love this idea! I think I'll use it.