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TO WIT – LESS THAN THE COST OF A CUP OF COFFEE
As screenwriters picket the studio bosses, as Mike Huckabee takes on Fred Thompson, as the Patriots remain undefeated (despite being outed as cheaters)...
The events in Pakistan have become a “serious situation,” according to the United States Government.
Emergency rule has been declared. And, according to the New York Times, parliamentary elections scheduled for next January were delayed for up to a year, officials said, before reversing and saying today that they would be held by Jan. 15.”
I love how so-called democracies just pick and choose when elections may or may not take place.
Regardless, Pakistan is at risk of being toppled and blanketed with a terrorist regime. (Which it kind of already has.)
There are more important things, however. Namely: 3,000 year-old preserved bodies.
The face of King Tut has been revealed, and he looks strikingly similar to one of those world relief children they ask for you to adopt on late night cable tv.
A reader writes: “New Mexico’s top political blog says Bob Cornelius is running for congress. He was a big Davidson supporter in 2005.” [Joe Monahan]
(It also reports that Cornelius has no personal wealth. He’s 28.)
Let’s not forget there is a presidential campaign.
John McCain blasted Rudy Giuliani last night saying, “When someone says waterboarding is similar to harsh interrogation techniques used against the mafia in New York City, they do not have enough experience to lead our military.”
What about that scene in The Godfather Part I when the police chief “slaps” Michael Corleone?
TO WIT – EVERYBODY COOL DOWN
As the price of oil hits record highs, as the dollar hits record lows (we’re at parity with Canada!), as Hillary Clinton drives home her message of health care for all (we’re feeling sick already), as Pakastani President Pervez Musharraf plans to run for another term and resign his military post (doesn’t Osama run Pakistan’s armed forces anyway?)…
We enter another day of O.J. Simpson drama: A judge has awarded Fred Goldman O.J.’s Rolex watch. (Everybody who’s anybody wears Omega anyway.)
Meanwhile, the Juice’s defense goes something like this: he was just taking back items that were stolen from him. And oh by the way…he didn’t have a gun and didn’t know anything about his posse having guns…
Except for when he screamed “You motherf**kers against the wall!” (You can take that many different ways.)
There could be a bright side for Mr. Simpson, however. The guy who set the whole “meeting” recorded audio of the whole thing and sold it to TMZ.com. (Seems a bit…untoward.)
Despite the O.J. drama, there is more interesting news today:
U.S. Senator John Kerry gave a speech at the University of Florida yesterday (Go Gators!). A student named Andrew Meyer repeatedly asked Kerry why he didn’t contest the 2004 election (answer: because he didn’t win) and why he hasn’t called for President Bush’s impeachment.
Meyer kept asking the questions despite a nuanced response from John Kerry. Then, the authorities got involved.
What’s the best way to handle a student excercisng free speech? You taser him.
(Good thing he didn’t ask Kerry about Vietnam.)
Perhaps Mr. Meyer could benefit from the sound legal advice of fellow UF Gator Tommy Jardon.
TO WIT – AN EXTRA HOUR OF TRUTH’S SUNSHINE
As a Republican war critic is set to run for president (and a Law & Order actor set to do the same), as devastating fires (only the kind God can create) decimate parts of Orange County, as Mitt Romney turns 60 years-old today, as the CRNC Credentials Committee deciphers the meaning of two-thirds, as the beaming light of TRUTH shines brighter than ever before…
Sources say John McCain is set to announce his “youth coalition” this week. (Because politicians, especially “older politicians,” want a youthful image.)
That coalition will include some CRNC establishment and opposition names working side-by-side for a cause they believe to be just (and/or expedient).
Surprise: Rudy Giuliani defends Newt Gingrich’s “mistake”: [Los Angeles Times]
President Bush is in Guatemala today.
Need to know: Dick Morris says he has never been a client of the DC madam: [DC Examiner]
Note: I don’t spell “Madam” the French way (for reasons that can only be based on foreign policy).
Need to know: Despite the O.C. Hell fires, Michael Davidson is safe and sound.
Instruction to Paula Edwards adopted by Credentials Committee March 11, 2007:
“The Credentials Committee instructs the auditing firm that it need not independently survey schools to determine if they have a diverse curriculum or exclude partisan political organizations but rather verify representations to that effect if submitted by state chairs.”
TO WIT – KABOOM
Forget about the latest wave of landslides in San Francisco, the American Idol contestant “love photos,” the rising price of gasoline, and whatever your plans might be for CPAC (something akin to the American Idol love photos)…
Late last night, VP Dick Cheney was the intended target of a massive explosion in front of the U.S. military base in Bagram. Cheney was unhurt—something that may result in a more-than-usual thunderous applause this weekend at CPAC.
Reports indicate that Cheney has left Afghanistan for Oman (just the place I’d go to flee suicide bombers).
On to the American Idol “thing,” where there are alleged images of a contestant performing various sexual acts. As I’ve said before (and will say again): If you’re going to do such acts of debauchery, don’t photograph it. (And, as some of you have learned the hard way, don’t post on Facebook, Myspace, etc.)
So, the next time you’re doing a Jell-O shot at the frat house and thinking how a picture would make you look really cool on the internet—think twice.
A leaked Mitt Romney document shows various campaign strategies. The Boston Globe reports:
Here are some views of Mitt Romney causing concern inside his campaign: His hair looks too perfect, he’s not a tough war time leader, and he has earned a reputation as “Slick Dancing Mitt” or “Flip-Flop Mitt.”
Meanwhile, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says: “You can’t catch a socially transmitted disease by sitting down with people who hold ideas different from yours.”
Which, one only could assume, involves talking to Mrs. Schwarzenegger.
I can’t stand: RSS feeds.
Need to know: The race for Michigan CR state chair is getting nasty.
The lede from a Virginia newspaper:
On Feb. 17, a Fredericksburg man with fervent anti-war feelings sought out, confronted, and is accused of assaulting a “College Republican” at the University of Mary Washington for supporting the war in Iraq.
The tale of pacifist passion boiling over provided juice for political Web sites on both the right and the left. One conservative blogger cited it as an example of how hatred of President Bush is driving liberals to extremes.
A former George Washington University CR chair blasts his former organization: [Daily Colonial]
Stay in the loop at CPAC, get TRUTH CAUCUS Red Text Alerts: [TRUTH CAUCUS]
TO WIT – STATE OF EMERGENCY
Back in a remote location today…
As director James Cameron claims to have found the burial coffin of Jesus Christ (uh…he rose from the dead), as the Scooter Libby trial is close to a “hung jury” (all we need is John Grisham), as Ellen Degeneres proves (that even a lesbian hosting the Oscars can’t make them interesting), as College Republicans throughout the country prepare for CPAC (the closest thing conservatives have to Oscar parties)…
There is one thing you did to know (above all): Al Gore wore Ralph Lauren.
Also, at some point within the last 150 years, Strom Thurmond’s family owned Al Sharpton’s family. [Washington Post]
Need to know: One juror in the Libby trial has been dismissed. The other 11 will continue to deliberate.
There is fighting in the Michigan College Republicans: [Right Michigan]
Don’t be the last to know, be the first! Stay up-to-date while you’re at CPAC by signing up for Red Text Alerts: [TRUTH CAUCUS]
We have an emergency (and no, this doesn’t involve Britney leaving rehab again): The CRNC Credentials Committee is set for an “emergency meeting” to remedy the audit firm situation. Burke Balch writes to Jess Beeson:
The Constitution provides for just such an emergency as this. As long as the Credentials Committee UNANIMOUSLY votes to find that the chosen auditing firm has refused to meet its obligations then: 1) the Credentials Committee may by majority vote select another auditing firm and approve a contract with it; and 2) may by a 2/3 vote change the constitutional deadlines for submitting documentation to the firm, for the firm to submit its report, and other deadlines to the extent it deems necessary.
TO WIT – OPPOSITION WING OF OPPOSITION PARTY
Back in a remote location again today. So, once again, my apologies. But, as Shakespeare wrote, brevity is the soul of wit.
As I write, the world is consumed—yet again—in the riveting 24-hour cable coverage of the Anna Nicole Smith “body possession” hearing.
Mitt Romney went to Utah and raised “$250,000 to $300,000 in what is believed to be the largest political fundraiser ever staged in southern Utah.” [Salt Lake Tribune]
President Bush is in North Carolina today (talking about ethanol).
CPAC is now less than a week away, where there will be talk of the CRNC reformation.
The CPAC schedule can be viewed here: [CPAC]
Also at CPAC, there will be parties, otherwise known as “nights of mayhem.” (Because we must, at all times, pretend to be the National Basketball Association.)
A reader asks: “What side do you fall on in the CRNC race?”
I have this view: I’m from the opposition wing of the opposition party.
TO WIT – DEAD PRESIDENTS
This time could be spent discussing how the word “opposition” is better than the word “reform.” It could be spent expounding on the higher levels of life in America (the NBA All-Star game in Las Vegas). It could be spent championing the great history of the American executive branch (that’s code for, “Happy President’s Day” and “go out and buy a new mattress”).
But, we must get beyond any retrospection…
The Joan of Arc of our time, Britney Spears, continues her slide into psycho-pharmacological craziness by driving around wearing a cheap platinum blonde wig. For the moment, she looks like a bank robber. (However, it’s a tad better than her previous Sci-Fi look.)
Surely this latest Britney episode is worthy of 24-hour cable coverage with panel discussions arguing what this says about the state of American culture. One thing is official: We needed another Michael Jackson, and now we have one.
But, forget about that. For there are more important things happening.
Featured in the prime real-estate (above the TRUTH CAUCUS logo) today is a NYT story stating (now, pay attention closely):
Mr. Scaife, reclusive heir to the Mellon banking fortune, spent more than $2 million investigating and publicizing accusations about the supposed involvement of Mrs. Clinton and former President Bill Clinton in corrupt land deals, sexual affairs, drug running and murder.
But now, as Mrs. Clinton is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, Mr. Scaife’s checkbook is staying in his pocket.
Christopher Ruddy, who once worked full-time for Mr. Scaife investigating the Clintons and now runs a conservative online publication he co-owns with Mr. Scaife, said, “Both of us have had a rethinking.”
“Clinton wasn’t such a bad president,” Mr. Ruddy said. “In fact, he was a pretty good president in a lot of ways, and Dick feels that way today.”
It even states that Morton Blackwell has dropped his Emergency Fund to Stop Hillary Rodham Clinton. (Which means one thing: he can focus his time on the 2007 CRNC national chairman race.)
Speaking of which…
Everyone from this weekend’s “Reform Summit” is home safely.
Question: How many times will each of the 2008 Republican presidential candidates use the name “Ronald Reagan” today? (A lot.)
Need to know: John McCain says he would overturn Roe vs. Wade. Rudy Giuliani says he’d appoint anti-abortion judges.
TO WIT – I’M NOT READY TO MAKE NICE
As the number of possible Anna Nicole baby’s daddies hits four, as a fresh allegation of rape hits the campus at Duke, as the Greta Van Susteren legal panel is going to be very busy…
Last night was the big chance. The Recording Industry of America, taking a break from suing college students all across the country, awarded the Dixie Chicks with the coveted prize “album of the year.” But, there was no war bashing. No anti-Bush rhetoric. Natalie Maines, the lead singer of the chicks (we’ve come so far since the 60s feminist movement), quoted the Simpsons (how low-brow) and simply said, “heh-heh.”
So, while last night was a moment lost for the anti-war cabal, it was also a moment gained. Cue this lede from the Chicago Tribune: “A homecoming for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) turned into an anti-war rally Sunday evening, as he returned to his home city following the weekend launch of his candidacy for president to find a crowd of 7,300 troubled over the Iraq war.” [Chicago Tribune]
You have to get it up for these people. Their love (er…passion) knows no bounds. They’re even shutting down Barack Hussein Obama rallies. (Surely enough to make the candidate crave a Slim Fast/Methadone cocktail.)
Regardless, life, for the moment, seems like more of the same. (Another Hannibal Lecter movie, anyone?)
I’m having a hard time getting excited about the race for CRNC national chairman. As CPAC approaches, the race has a sort of staid, boring, C-SPAN feel.
However, the scenario is bittersweet. Whereas more than two years ago TRUTH CAUCUS, then a lone voice in the wilderness, began a campaign to change the CRNC. And now, there is one thing everyone agrees on: The CRNC must be reformed. (Does that mean I’m ready to make nice? No way.)
Still, today, this is a one man’s race. Charlie Smith is “in it to win it,” and he’s the only one.
Need to know: Bob Woodward appeared before a grand jury today in the Scooter Libby federal trial as a defense witness.
TO WIT – UNCLE BARACK
For the moment, don’t worry about the Iraq War. Don’t worry about the euthanization of a horse. Don’t worry about Fidel.
What’s interesting about Sen. Joe Biden’s comments regarding Barack Obama—that he’s the first “clean” black to run for president—is the hypocrisy. Just a few months ago he was caught on C-Span talking about Indian-Americans, saying: “You CANNOT go into a 7-11 or a Dunkin Donuts without an Indian accent.”
But the mainstream media does not care. No front page coverage—yet—for Mr. Biden. No editorial board calls to resign.
Nor did anyone care when Hillary Clinton said the then-Republican controlled U.S. House was run “like a plantation.”
If Republicans said these things, they’d be plastered all over the front pages.
When Trent Lott said that Strom Thurmond should have been elected president in 1948—at his 100th birthday party, no less—so great was the media coverage that he was forced to step down (by the White House!) as Senate Majority Leader.
Meanwhile, the Biden campaign has launched a website: www.joebiden.com
President Bush made a surprise visit to the stock exchange—the New York Stock Exchange, that is—today.
Need to know: Mainefest 2007 will happen. Invites are being prepared, sources say.
TO WIT – PULL OUT NOW, PULL OUT NOW
It was almost as if we were living in a time capsule. As if God turned back the clock to an era we’re trying to forget…
Over the weekend, hippies, drug addicts and college students wearing a lot of hemp clothing gathered throughout the country in an anti-war demonstration we haven’t seen the likes of since Charles Manson was loose in California.
“Pull out now, pull out now,” they chanted. (Referencing the war, we can only assume.)
But it wasn’t just any old demonstration in Washington DC. In order for a liberal demonstration of solidarity to be taken seriously (and garner network news attention), it needs celebrities. And this demonstration had lots of them. (The usual suspects at least.)
Susan Sarandon was there. Tim Robbins spoke (albeit incoherently).
Sean Penn, of course, was there to get in on the action…
But the main event wasn’t the aforementioned. No, it was the appearance of Jane Fonda—the only anti-war activist of our time to actually side with the enemy.
Yes, this demonstration had instant credibility.
But, we can’t worry about that too much as this was the weekend of Hillary Clinton.
On a stage in Iowa, Clinton said she’s “in it to win it.” (Which means Barack Obama should brace himself for a Clinton funded smear campaign.)
Most interesting, however, were her comments about “dealing with evil men.”
(Vince Foster, anyone?)
Need to know (since South Carolina is all the rage): Former State CR Chairman Franklin Buchanan is working for Mitt Romney.
An observant reader writes:
You said those we should watch are highlighted in your red alert link. Does that mean we should be watching a dead horse today?
Barbaro was not a technical red text alert—which is a red stripe banner across the top of the page followed by red text headline in the center. No, that was just breaking news. (Now, if they make glue out of him…that’ll be a different story.)
TO WIT – AL SADR...MALINGA
As Pelosi et al heads to Iraq, as New York City gets hit with the biggest cold snap in recent memory (and puts a map of its subway system on various prophylactics), as Mitt Romney heads to South Carolina, as Al Qaeda is on the run…
There is one thing you need to know: Liz Taylor is for Hillary Clinton (and probably Muqtada al-Sadr as well).
If there is any barometer on the support of liberal Hollywood, it’s the opening segment of “The View.” And the View ladies are decidedly in Barack Obama’s corner (and probably Muqtada al-Sadr’s as well). What does this mean? The Clinton’s stranglehold on Hollywood is over.
So, what’s the best thing to do when the silver screen leaves you behind? You go to Iowa. Hillary is set to make her 2008 Iowa debut this weekend. (No word on the whereabouts of the other Clinton.)
President Bush makes remarks today the House Republican Conference in Maryland today.
A press release states: “UNC-Greensboro’s College Republican student organization today announced the adoption of their nationally recognized annual event, Morals Week, by the North Carolina Federation of College Republicans. The Federation’s Executive Committee voted Saturday, January 20th 2007 to promote this successful event on all 20 of its chartered campuses, to be held March 26th – 31st.”
Perhaps the best way to celebrate “Morals week” is to order everyone to read the most important daily encyclical of our time: the lede of To Wit.
It has been decided here in the gallows of the TRUTH CAUCUS operation that there will be—at least!—a list of those considered for the “People to Watch” published on Sunday. (The Lord’s day.)
I can’t stand: Nightclubs.
TO WIT – THE STATE OF OUR CIVIL UNION
Last night, with the pageantry of the presidency in full swing, President Bush confirmed that the world is a dangerous place. A place that’s much more complicated than anything you’d see on an episode of “24.” (And thus, a place with problems that can’t be solved by Jack Bauer in the course of any 24 hour period.)
But the president spoke about the War on Terrorism in the abstract. He used the word “Iran” only once, and that was just to tell us that they’re arming and funding terrorists. (Really?) No mention of a “final solution” to deal with the problem.
The president, instead, focused on domestic issues—including a brief exploration of Nancy Pelosi’s genealogy.
“In his day, the late Congressman Thomas D’Alesandro, Jr. from Baltimore, Maryland, saw Presidents Roosevelt and Truman at this rostrum,” President Bush said. “But nothing could compare with the sight of his only daughter, Nancy, presiding tonight as Speaker of the House of Representatives.”
For whatever reason (electoral reality?), last night seemed like a going away party. (Now we’re talking about universal health care?)
President Bush is in Delaware today—for something.
Need to know: North Carolina Congressman Patrick McHenry got some face-time on prime-time last night shaking the President’s hand before the SOTU.
John Plecnik is supporting Tyson Grinstead for North Carolina CR state chairman, sources say.
Mitt Romney has big plans for CPAC 2007, sources say.
And, the civil union between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton is officially over.
THe Illinois senator says any claim he attended a Muslim school is libelous. A statement says:
To be clear, Senator Obama has never been a Muslim, was not raised a Muslim, and is a committed Christian who attends the United Church of Christ in Chicago. Furthermore, the Indonesian school Obama attended in Jakarta is a public school that is not and never has been a Madrassa. These malicious, irresponsible charges are precisely the kind of politics the American people have grown tired of, and that Senator Obama is trying to change by focusing on bringing people together to solve our common problems.
What does this mean? Islam is the most unacceptable religion (electorally speaking), and Barack Obama doesn’t want to be confused with it. (Crack-cocaine, now that’s another issue…)
A reader writes:
I take it you were not happy with the results of the “Who to Watch in 2007” or else you would have posted them already. No matter how it turned out you need to post it.
The “Who to Watch” list is not a poll (or any other democratic excerise). People don’t vote for it. It’s selected by me. Suggestions are offered and considered. However, at this moment 24 days into the new year, I’m not satisfied with the list.
TO WIT – LAST TRAIN FROM SPRINGFIELD
There are several ways to begin the lede of today’s “To Wit.” It can begin with news of American Idol beginning its 6th season to record high ratings (just when you thought they couldn’t go any higher). It can begin with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposing property tax cuts in NYC (something that is long over due—all across the continental U.S.). It can begin with Miss New Jersey giving up her crown over an unplanned pregnancy (which has nothing at all to do with Frank Luna).
It can begin with any of those things, but it will not. It must begin with the great story of our time: Barack Hussein Obama running for President of these United States of America.
Forgive the comparison to Abraham Lincoln, as the Chicago Sun-Times writes: “Obama will make a public pronouncement of candidacy in Springfield, where he started his political career as a state senator. That same day he will campaign in Iowa, home of the crucial first-in-the-nation presidential caucus vote.”
But, I must move on as news breaks about President Bush not re-authorizing the domestic surveillance program. (Which has kept America safe—year after year since Sept. 11—by spying on suspicious behavior, including those who have suspicious middle names, such as “Hussein.”)
The War on Terror must wait now, however, because there is a campaign for president going on (a year early). Vanity Fair makes John McCain a cover boy and states the following:
“The plain truth is that the Straight Talk Express, Version 2.008, is often a far cry from the Magic Bus of 2000.”
John McCain does not work out. (As in, exercise.)
McCain thinks strong immigration policies hurt the Republican party.
You can read more here (including an interesting photo): [VANITY FAIR]
Whatever you extrapolate from yesterday’s report that New Jersey CR State Chairman Frank Luna is “considering” a run for CR national chairman, do not confuse that with him actually running.
I can’t stand: People who install really big sound systems in their cars.
TO WIT – COMANDANTE EN JEFE
As Romney/Giuliani/McCain jockey in Iowa/New Hampshire/South Carolina, as Nancy Pelosi gets addicted to power, as violence in Baghdad rolls on, as American Idol comes back, as ice storms leave half the country without power (global warming, get the hell out of here)...
Fidel Castro is on his death bed (for—roughly—the 10th time in one year). That is the lede story today only because Hollywood loves Fidel, and I can’t wait to see them cry when he is no longer in power.
But, we must move on…
I must note that Barack Obama decided NOT to announce his candidacy on MLK Day. Perhaps that would have been too obvious and superficial. It would have been too easy…
The junior senator from Illinois with no executive experience won’t go down that road (at least until the next time he appears on the Oprah Winfrey show).
But, that line of thought didn’t stop Joe Biden, who used MLK Day to demand the removal of the confederate flag in South Carolina. (Joe Biden would never use MLK Day to exploit the black community, would he?)
I can’t stand: Exploratory Committees.
Roughly (empirically?) 16 days into the 2007 calendar year, zero candidates have announced candidacies for CRNC national chairman. All of that is expected to change as CPAC draws closer and the state convention season begins. If you’re a college republican, when is your state convention? [Tell TRUTH here]
A reader asks: What is “to wit”? What does that mean?
Not to confuse, it means: “to further a person’s understanding” and “that is to say.” It is the chief editorial arm of TRUTH CAUCUS, and a break down of the stories in the news and the things you “need to know.”
TO WIT – TRY TO CATCH ME RIDIN DIRTY
No news will dominate headlines today and tomorrow (aside from Donald Trump/Rosie O’Donnell/Barbara Walters) more than President Bush’s Iraq War address tonight in prime time.
ABC News’ Martha Raddatz reports that Bush is expected to call for an additional 22,000 troops on the ground to “make things good” in Iraq.
Meanwhile, Raddatz, a White House correspondent, was caught in the middle of a White House briefing with an unusual cell phone ring tone—a song by Chamillionaire featuring Krayzie Bone titled “Ridin.”
Judging by the lyrics, it’s what I would call an “anti law enforcement song.” (Rap music against authority? Surprise!)
The lyrics go…
“They see me rollin…they hatin…try to catch me ridin dirty.”
The ring tone would be expected from someone with a gold crown and a semi-automatic (or your average college student pretending to be “gangsta”), but not from a “serious news reporter.” Raddatz, of course, blames the ring tone on her son. [ABC News]
Speaking of “riding dirty,” Rosie O’Donnell and Barbara Walters teamed up against Donald Trump today on “The View” calling him a “poor, pathetic man.” Since it’s my job to take sides, I’m sticking with Trump.
I can’t stand: “Urban music.”