We Must Know Our Opponents As Well As We Know Ourselves

Friends,

I will begin with a few notes to kick off this newsletter.

We apologize for the mean and nasty comments by the “Republicrat” last week. They were unprofessional for our newsletter. We should have deleted them. Our goal was to show how radical our opponents are. That was our aim. It was a bad choice. We apologize to you and the individuals mentioned.

Democrats dominate Bexar County and most of South Texas. (We are trying to change that right now.) Democrats rule the San Antonio City Council; they control 90% of the positions. We have 3 Democrat County Commissioners and one Democrat County Judge. There is only one Republican County Commissioner. We won’t even talk about South Texas.

We must know what the other side is up to. The “Republicrat” is providing amazing inside information about the Bexar County Democratic Party. I understand that we have the word “Republican” in our headline. This is internal information about our opponents and it helps us analyze and know what the other side is up to. We want you to know what they are saying and thinking. A few of you have complained to me about this. Knowledge is power. Inside information is precious. That is our position.

Our goal is to be a unique provider of political information once a week in Bexar County and South Texas. The points of view in our newsletters may not follow the party line. Some of our readers seem to want us to practice a unique form of idolatry. We must worship and kneel in front of our Republican leaders. They are beyond criticism. They are gods. We strongly disagree with this point of view. This is America. 

This newsletter provides many different points of view every week. Commentary by us is occasionally included. It is up to you to decide what to think on these issues. You are the voter, the donor, the supporter, and the citizen. This makes us different and it drives what we do. Thanks for reading.

Joe Solis, Founder and Director/ South Texas Republicans
Schuylar Crist, IT/Media Director/South Texas Republicans
 

- Dale Carnegie
 

Source: http://michellemalkin.com/archives/004869.htm

03/28: Student protest

Whittier area students from Pioneer, California, and Whittier high schools walked out of classes to protest the proposed federal immigration bill March 27, 2006. The protestors put up the Mexican flag over the American flag flying upside down at Montebello High. (Leo Jarzomb/Staff photo)

Commentary by Joe Solis/South Texas Republicans:

Total and pure disgust is what I felt when I saw this image. Let me explain. San Antonio is the home for important military hospitals including Brook Army Medical Center, and Wilford Hall. Young men and women from the armed forces are in these institutions undergoing rehabilitation for major burns, amputations and severe wounds. If you are here, it is something very serious. This is not South Florida for them.

Guess who is protecting our freedoms? It is those brave souls who are defending us from terrorists who relish mass murder throughout the world. They allow us to fly the flag. These ordinary heroes step up every day because they know the real meaning of service. We are free because of them. May these ignorant fools remind us that we must continue to fight for the sovereignty of our borders, respect for the current border laws established by Congress, and the respect for our American flag. We owe it to them.

April Meeting:  Thursday, April 13, 2006

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Location: Ocean Star Seafood Grill Restaurant at 1039 NE Loop 410

Guest Speaker:  Joe Straus, Representative, Texas House of Representatives
 

Greetings from South Texas! Two years ago, I was given the opportunity to serve on the State Republican Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Texas. I represent Senate District 26 that consists of only one county, Bexar. With great pride I feel honored to say that The Alamo is in my Senate District.

William Barrett Travis wrote the following words 170 years ago from the Alamo:

"The enemy has demanded surrender at discretion; otherwise the garrison is to be put to the sword if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender nor retreat. Commandant of the Alamo, Bexar, February 24th, 1836"

Our state party finds itself under attack from an assortment of foes; a district attorney in Travis County who uses public office to satisfy his lust for making life miserable for Republicans; Liberal Democrats who mock our conservative values as out-of-touch even though voters overwhelmingly approve these values through ballot initiatives; and, recently over the last few months, there has been friendly-fire from Nate Crain of Dallas and from other places in the Internet world.

Every Republican has a right to complain and voice discontent about our leadership. That is part of the game. We benefit when the criticism is constructive and forward thinking. At our recent SREC meeting in San Antonio, Jeff Fischer made it very clear. We are raising money at record levels and our spending is below budget. Yet, Nate Crain insists that the state party is collapsing because we are in "debt" and that there is no solution except to fire the leadership. Based on what we have seen and heard at our leadership meetings, the numbers presented by Nate Crain must come from some other planet.

The friendly fire from Mr. Crain and others is part of Texas politics. (I for one am guilty of taking shots at Republicans who have lost touch with the grassroots.) I offer one piece of advice for those who spend countless hours tossing Molotov cocktails at our party leaders via e-mail and snail mail. Consider throwing some of your grenades at liberal Democrats or roll up your sleeves and tell us how you are helping to grow our party.

I support Republican Party of Texas Chairman Tina Benkiser for re-election for three reasons: 1) Chairman Benkiser does a first class job articulating our values to the media, our elected officials and grassroots supporters. She can stand up to Bill O’Reilly or any elected official who tries to convince her that Texans really need video lottery terminals. She draws a line in the sand on many issues and encourages her opponents to "bring it on". I have never seen her flinch when she is in battle.

2) Our Party’s financial status over the past two years has been outstanding. We continue to raise impressive sums from major donors and grassroots supporters who give us $10 donations. Chairman Benkiser has helped our party develop a broad and diverse base of supporters. Why would we want to jeopardize two years of fundraising successes?

3) Finally, Chairman Benkiser has a leadership style that I admire tremendously as do many. She does her best to accommodate those who may not agree with her at our assorted meetings. Instead of issuing endless replies to the barrage of disparaging e-mails about her and the party, she continues to do what she does best. Defend our values, grow our party and keep marching forward. I respect that class which is hard to describe. It just works.

Two years ago, I supported Gina Parker for state party chairman. I respect and admire what she is doing to educate grassroots voters about legal issues and the constitution. The whispers of a rematch make me cringe because this state party has laid the foundation for our ongoing growth through our current programs. I am proud to be part of the team that is helping to cultivate a new generation of non-traditional voters in this state. Those voters will determine whether we remain a dominant party in this state.

Another protracted and personal intra-party fight will cost both sides money and energy, and cause unnecessary divisions, especially this year. All of this time and resources should be aimed at defeating the Democrats this fall. This election season we face a grandma, who can’t shoot straight, Democrats who are determined to take down Congressman Tom Delay, and intense fights over judicial posts held by Republicans.

All of this brings me back to thoughts of the Alamo. Texans are capable of tremendous feats when we are united, focused and determined to succeed. When we meet again this June we have a golden opportunity to follow in the footsteps of those revolutionary Texans.

May we march forward together and save our fire for the liberal left who wants us to implode. Let me conclude by saying that I pray that we "never surrender nor retreat" against those who want to pull us back to the days when this state was controlled by Democrats. That should fire us up to be united.

Joe Solis is the Founder and Director of SouthTexasRepublicans.com.
 

- Theodore Roosevelt
 

Information Source:

http://www.texansforted.org/

Ted Kenyon, candidate for the Texas House of Representatives, doesn’t tout much of his own accomplishments despite his wide range of skills and experience. The fact of the matter is – Ted Kenyon is living enough to fill two biographies, although one could never tell with Ted’s humble demeanor.

As a well-seasoned 54-year-old practicing attorney, Ted Kenyon owes his success to bold decisions and to abiding by time-honored values – values that were shaped by a strong upbringing.

Raised in the rustic setting of Arizona’s desert landscape, Ted soon learned the value of a strong work ethic from his stay-at-home mother and his small businessman father.

During childhood, Ted helped with his father’s hardware store at the young age of twelve. It was there at “Canyon State Supply,” along the shelves of lumber and isles of paint, that Ted developed an early interest in business and construction.

As a young adult leaving home at the age of 18 to pursue a college education at the University of Arizona, Ted moved to Tucson, Arizona, with ambitions of becoming an engineer. 

It was on the road to becoming an engineer that Ted Kenyon crossed paths with Lorraine Suarez – now Lorraine Kenyon. Ted and Lorraine were married in the summer on September 19, 1970, at Catalina United Methodist Church in Tucson.

Starting a family in 1971 with their first born, Ted and Lorraine found themselves living the good life.

In 1973, Ted joined the Pima County Sheriffs Department in Arizona. While serving as deputy, Ted witnessed first-hand the ugliness of crime and the effects of narcotic smuggling. It was also while serving as deputy that Ted formed a strong belief in lawmakers respecting Law Enforcement.

As an adult, Ted’s interest in engineering – although on temporary hiatus – sparked again. Paying his way through college, Ted earned his Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1981 from the University of Arizona. 

With Ted’s engineering prowess now accredited – Ted found new opportunity and work in the bustling metropolis of Houston, Texas. Working for such companies such as Bechtel and Brown & Root, the Kenyon family relocated to their new home in Texas in 1981. While working in Houston – Ted was also pursing a Law Doctorate at South Texas College, which was subsequently awarded in spring of 1992.

Later in 1992, Lorraine’s work took the family to Mexico City. While living in Mexico City, Ted and Lorraine entered into business for themselves – creating Kenyon International, LLC – specializing in Management Consulting and Business turnaround.

When Ted and Lorraine made their final move back to Texas they moved to the beautiful City of San Antonio – where they have been ever since. They found home. With their only son also moving to San Antonio and starting a family of his own, Ted and Lorraine are permanently vested in the community’s well being.

Ted’s decision to run for public office is motivated out of a strong sense to ensure Texas has the best future ahead. As a political-conservative, Ted believes conservative values and bold strategies can ensure a prosperous community and state.
 

THE HONORABLE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS RICK PERRY

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

11:00 a.m.

The Civic Center Auditorium

New Braunfels, Texas

And featuring

The Kyle Sisters of Austin, Texas,

Singing “The National Anthem”

Silver Star Sponsorship - $400.00

Premium Table for 10 and recognition in Program

Unreserved Seating – $25.00 per person

Call (830) 899-7555 or email clrw@gvtc.com

Paid for by the Canyon Lake Republican Women PAC
 

(Note: This article, by Mark Ramsey of the conservative Texans for Better Science Education, was written in rebuttal to the recent Dan Montgomery article and the speeches Montgomery made at the March 25th Republican County Conventions.)

As usual, embattled-and-on-his-way-out incumbent SBOE member Dan Montgomery can't get his facts any more right than he votes. 

First, he attacks Ken MERCER for originally supporting a bill that was initially good, without telling you that that same legislator, Ken MERCER, voted against the bill after the Democrats loaded it with liberal amendments! Dan is fully aware of this, as it came out during the primary campaign, but he continues the deception.   Minus 10 points.
 
Second, what Republican Party platform is Montgomery reading? The current one (available for two years at the Republican Party Platform,) on page 17 says to end "all state funding," not protect the establishment the way Montgomery wants to do. In his own example, he says, in essence, give more of your money to Katrina victims so long as they promise to spend it his way this time, and only at his designated local Wal-Mart, which is out of goods (or enrollment slots). True Conservatives say don't subsidize any store (or college) at the expense of another store (or college) or at taxpayers' expense.  Minus 10 points.  Note: Private schools compete very nicely, by the way, and few if any would deserve being called wasteful or indulgent as Montgomery's “Neiman Marcus” remark implies. Is Montgomery against private schools?  Minus 5 points. By the way, the SBOE has nothing to do with colleges and universities. Does Montgomery want to expand government controls?  Minus 15 points.
 
With textbooks, Ken MERCER would join other conservatives on the current board to improve quality and increase the selection of books available for the local districts to choose from. The local districts would still choose. State law governs this. Dan knows full well that when the SBOE had authority over textbook content prior to 1995, local districts still picked all their own textbooks.

Returning authority to the SBOE in this area does not remove a district's ability to choose whatever textbooks they want. Nor would returning rightful authority to the people (via the elected SBOE) put the state or the SBOE in the position of authoring textbooks! What a preposterous notion. 

Clearly Montgomery would rather give liberal New York publishers free reign to write whatever agenda they want into our textbooks. That way “mushy middle” SBOE members like Montgomery can continue to "hide" making difficult votes to correct rotten textbooks. Either Montgomery doesn't know what he's talking about or he's being deliberately deceptive. I'm not sure which is worse.  Minus 10 points.
 
Montgomery's charge that Mercer "refused" to fill out the questionnaire for Texas Alliance for Life (TAL) is outrageous and is false. We contacted TAL directly to confirm this. A check of the TAL website shows Ken MERCER filled out everything 100% pro-life. Check yourself at www.texasallianceforlife.org or TAL Voter's Guide for Runoff. 

Ken MERCER has given both his time and his money to help many pro-life causes in the past.  Additionally (and something Montgomery cannot claim), MERCER also has a "100% Perfect Pro-Life Voting Record" according to Texas Right to Life, who also honored him in October 2004 for his pro-life votes in the Texas Legislature.  Mercer is also endorsed by Kyleen Wright of Texans for Life!  Does Montgomery somehow think something is wrong with MERCER's pro-life credentials?  If so he should come out and say so and stop the false innuendo.  Minus 10 points. 
 
Let it be clearly noted that Ken MERCER won his first legislative term as a Republican in a solid Democrat state representative district. When he later lost that seat, it was largely due to a last minute false smear campaign (much like Montgomery's) that even the newspapers said was untrue. No Republican has ever won that state representative seat before or since Ken MERCER.  Minus 10 points for Montgomery.
 
Oh yes. One more detail. Montgomery claims he's conservative. However, over one hundred (107, actually) well known conservative GOP leaders are fed up with him and have formally endorsed challenger Ken MERCER (http://www.votemercer.com/endorse.htm). Why?  Because these conservative leaders know how Montgomery's dismal voting record and his documented campaigning against conservatives and conservative issues stands in clear contrast to Ken MERCER's actually conservative record and values. (See www.strengthsandweaknesses.org/voterguide.htm) 

Texas students deserve better! We need leaders who will take a stand, not politicians who are all talk at election time. No wonder conservative Ken MERCER had 49.8% of the vote to Montgomery's paltry 35% (for a "qualified incumbent"?) in the three-man race.  Minus 10 points for Montgomery (if he had any points left) Plus 107 BONUS points to MERCER. You decide April 11. 

Respectfully,

Mark S. Ramsey

Founder, Texans for Better Science Education

mark@strengthsandweaknesses.org

PS:  Montgomery still has clear plagiarism on his website.  ....
 

You folks are doing an excellent job of preparing the newsletter and informing the conservative Republicans each week.  I applaud your efforts.

Concern: I am considering dropping my name from the subscription due to the large space devoted to the Texas Toll Party constituents each week. The TTP should be very proud of their efforts, which include:

1.)   Delaying the progress of our Northbound 281 freeway system; they seem to be spending all of their time “looking in the rearview mirror” of what could have been instead of facing the future.

2.)   Costing the taxpayers another $800,000 for an EIS that is unnecessary (I am an environmental professional and the delay to perform an EIS is totally unnecessary. An Environmental Assessment (EA) should have been sufficient for the resources they are going to impact, none. If you want to see some real impact, look at the subdivision going in at Stone Oak Parkway and 281). The environmental impacts they are discussing to include the previous fuel leakage and sewage leak are not related in any way to an EIS. The EIS has to do with impact of a natural resource by the proposed action. The sewage leak would only be an issue if it got into a water line. The water table is quite deep in that area and the soil is a large filter on the way down. It would take the sewage a very long time to reach the aquifer and, if it ever did, it would have minimal impact if any.

3.)  They have effectively not only delayed the progress but are now costing us more $$ to construct the roads as time marches on and inflation increases the construction costs. The toll roads will go in so this is all a waste of time and takes TXDOT’s focus off of the important business of constructing roads.

4.)  They have no real case on the highway construction side so they are turning the issue into an environmental one instead of focusing on highways; as previously stated, their environmental concerns are not justified (a road over the aquifer which is well below ground surface) when we have thousands of cars idling at several lights wasting a non-renewable resource and intensifying air emissions. It is easier for the TTP to get people emotional about the environment, which is their apparent strategy since they couldn’t get the support on the merits of the road issue alone. It reminds me of another process where San Antonio lost out on a wonderful opportunity to improve our position as a top golf destination.

Thanks for allowing alternative points of view – I interact with several conservative republicans and none of them support TTP. I am simply growing weary of these emotional arguments versus the hard facts and the need for progress. I lived in Houston for several years and maximized my time through toll road use. I currently travel to Denver several times a year and use the system there. We can either spend an inordinate amount of time analyzing what should have happened or become part of the future solution.

I hope that you and your family are well.

Glen Turney
 

“Express Toll Lanes Will Be Paid For By Those Who Use Them.  If You Or Anyone Else Doesn't Want To Use Them, Don't Use Them!”  - Chamber President And CEO Joe Krier

Gary Pool
 

Debate coverage here. Go to that link to see photos as well.

The only two points Thornton and Krier said the entire debate were the usual:
1) We have no money so tolls will speed up projects
2) User of the road pays for the road

The TRUTH!
1) Tolls haven’t hastened the 281 improvements, they’ve delayed them by 2-3 years. They’ve had the gas tax funds to install the overpasses and add lanes on 281 since 2004. (See original plan and article clearly stating even toll way already funded with gas taxes) Wurzbach Parkway’s completion has been planned for 30 years, with funding programmed for 15 years. Completion was promised over 10 years ago. See story here.
2) The improvements to 281 are already paid for with gas taxes, so the users aren’t paying for the improvements. TxDOT has admitted they’re using the toll revenues on 281 to fund more toll lanes on 1604. (See story here.) How is that user pays? Also, Commissioner Lyle Larson has stated TxDOT is not being honest about how these projects are being funded. All of them are using gas taxes because “they can’t make it work otherwise.”

“TxDOT is playing games with how these projects are going to be paid for. They’re saying it’s going to be paid by the tolls. That’s not an accurate assessment.” (Larson)

“You’re saying even if they’re toll roads there are significant tax dollars involved?” asks Coyle. (Reporter)

“Yes, there’s going to be a lot,” replies Larson. “They can’t make it work otherwise.”

See the full story here

Read about the debate, Thornton's "I dunno" comments, TxDOT's OUTRAGEOUS behavior at the 281 meetings here: http://www.satollparty.com/post

 

Professor of Economics

Director, Entrepreneurial Conservatism Institute

March 29, 2006

That was the headline of the March 10 Atlanta Journal Constitution. That’s where San Antonio is headed if we fail to use pricing to signal drivers the high cost of rush hour highway capacity. Change is difficult, but growth makes well-worn practices like 24/7 freeway only travel obsolete. 

 There is no end to a race against ‘free’ way demand, and the race carries a huge price tag and the chaos of eternal construction. The Atlanta situation proves that, and that and the article proves that they finally understand that. But their solution is the same mistake we seem poised to make. Some toll lanes will be added to the ‘free’ lanes. A better idea is a rush-hour-only road toll on all lanes. That encourages drivers to consider alternate routes and modes of travel, reducing the demand for road capacity. And the road users are the ones that pay for the additional lanes needed for smooth rush hour traffic.

Toll roads, and toll lanes next to ‘free’ lanes, are not a good idea. Because people avoid them until the traffic is bad, they do less to prevent traffic jams, and the tolls have to be high for reluctant, rush-hour-only use to pay for the roads. Most of the time, the toll lanes are nearly empty.  Also, toll roads are double taxation. You’re burning gas and paying gasoline tax while driving on toll roads, or on toll lanes. And tolls don’t make economic sense until the road is congested. 

With the rush-hour-only tolls on all lanes - the strategy that I’ve proposed - the gasoline tax pays for the construction and maintenance of the base capacity of 1-2 lanes. The road toll is only large enough to pay for extra lanes. By the way, this isn’t just one economist’s idea. It’s mainstream economics. It’s in every edition of the Urban-Regional Economics textbook I use (7th edition now), and I’ve seen the rush hour road toll proposed in the Environmental Economics literature. That’s reason enough to seriously consider it. It’s mainstream science, and proposed for no other reason than that.

 Existing road financing practices are leading to the 23-lane solution. The alternative getting the most press would leave most of us in crowded ‘free’ lanes, and the rest of us paying high tolls to pay for sparsely-used toll lanes. Reject both for a smaller rush-hour-only toll on all lanes.
 

My husband and I are Republicans. Large portions of the resident/speakers at the Toll Road Open Meetings were Republicans, angry Republicans. There were precious few elected officials at these meetings attended by a large constituency of educated voters and tax-payers. I am concerned about our party and the red herrings being introduced to avoid and deflect the main issues and concerns regarding toll roads.  Injunctions have been obtained to delay start of these roads until after the next election. This issue is serving to further fracture Republican support when other controversial projects need focus. Please read further.

I am deeply concerned by many aspects of the existing Toll Road proposal, mainly the foreign ownership/ control and the lack of the typical "sunset" clauses that will terminate our expenses when our toll road is paid for. I have recently decided to research all information being offered by both sides.

I attended the South Chamber Toll Road Debate and both TxDot open meetings and am greatly disturbed by the divisive tactics of the Toll Road proponents, Northsiders vs. the rest of the city and by the misleading newspaper coverage of these events.

The S.A Express-News in David Hendrick's March 30th column perceived a victory for toll road proponents relating Dr. Bill Thornton, chairman of the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority saying ...having private capital invested speeds up construction and frees state and local funds for other roads. Dr Thornton went on to explain gasoline tax money collected could be used for South side roads, the message being “no tolls”. He went on to say Northsiders wouldn’t like it but South, East and Westsiders would. That part wasn’t mentioned in Mr. Hendricks column.

In today’s S.A. Express-News (April 1st Metro section, page 5 column by Patrick Driscoll) paragraph 3 reads ‘If the Texas Department of Transportation wants to widen U.S. 281 from Loop 1604 to Comal County, they can cancel projects in other parts of the city to come up with the money, two out of three people said in a questionnaire sent back to TxDot this month”. This is inflammatory and divisive. I have to question the wording and context of this question; I have to question the participation and scope of this survey. I know I could not find this survey available to me south of Loop 1604. I intend to investigate this further and hope you will also. I know for sure this was not the attitude of the resident/speakers at either meeting. They spoke of gas tax money already allocated for promised overpasses among many other legitimate concerns. It will be a mistake to disregard these heartfelt and articulate responses.

Further, I am livid at Joe Krier’s comments in your newsletter especially regarding drivers on the Sam Houston Toll way at 70 mph saying, “do you think they really care who owns it or how it got built”?  Recent headlines indicate voters care very much who owns it and how it gets built.  This reflects a serious disconnect between policy makers and voters. U.S. citizens want security and ownership. This is the backbone of our democracy. They want representation and are tired of misguided loyalties. 

Thanks for your time.

Kathleen Smith
San Antonio, Texas
 

And the winner still is….34-year-old lawyer Laura Salinas. With the recount now history, the young female lawyer will take the County Court-at-Law bench next January. Case closed.

Just a week away and the Primary runoff will determine whether or not attorney and veteran’s advocate Barbara Radnofsky will gain the Democratic nomination for Senator against the ever popular Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Is it possible, since we have already seen a number of major upsets in Bexar County, that Gene Kelly will dance his way once again into the Democratic nomination for Senator? Can you say, “catastrophe?”

If Barbara Radnofsky can’t beat a dead dancer, how the heck is she going to take out Kay Bailey Hutchison?

So how is it possible that the Texas State Teacher’s Association (TSTA) has endorsed now Independent candidate for Governor, Carol Strayhorn, before she has procured a place on the ballot in November? Are teachers (Republican & Democrat) working to get her on the ballot? Considering she was a Democrat before she became Republican and then Independent, the answer might surprise you. Can you say, “Republicrat?”

Women candidates of all persuasions, colors and party appear to be reaping great benefits in running for political office. Is the glass ceiling starting to crack or is it my imagination? Am I posing too many questions?

Sure is quiet on the Southside. No political vendettas, (for now) no major politicking, no nothing. Could it be the calm before the storm?

How about the Democratic Senatorial Conventions recently? Word is that not many delegates attended any of them. According to my sources, Senatorial District 26 apparently drew the most attendees with nearly 75 delegates. Rumor is that our illustrious former Party Chair candidate, Dan Ramos, failed in an attempt to take over one of the conventions. How shocking and surprising! Who knew?

Reports are than the annual Cesar Chavez March failed to draw a large crowd of on-lookers, despite good weather, while drawing lots of participants to include local elected officials.

Needless to say, my sources informed me that the politicians who participated in the March were all Democrats who walked from the Westside to the Alamo. Where were the Republican-elected officials? No attempt to woo away Hispanics to the Republican side? Again, who knew?

The push is on again to rename Commerce Street to Cesar Chavez Avenue. Good luck with that one.

In last weeks GOPUSA poll, Conservative Republicans expressed their concerns on various issues confronting the country. Interesting that only 32% of conservative Republicans thought that President Bush was doing a good job, except when it came to nominees to the Supreme Court.

Moderate Democrats give him an even lower assessment without the nominees factored in to the equation.

Republicans in the Senate only received a 17% rating while the House received a 23% rating. Interestingly enough 95% of conservative Republicans approved of wiretapping (can you hear me now?), 33% named border security as top priority (more Democrats rate that higher), 88% believe illegal immigrants should be denied services, and 66% of conservatives think that Republicans In Name Only, (RINOs) hurt the conservative agenda.

Democrats think that Democrats In Name Only, (DINOs) hurts the progressive agenda as well. So close, yet so far away on the political spectrum.

Considering that President Bush has out-spent all previous presidents combined to include tax cuts for the well-to-do, it appears the term “liberal tax and spend Democrats,” should be re-named “the conservative tax and spend Republican President.”  But then again, it’s just a thought. 

Shakespeare said it best, “Oh what tangled webs we weave, when meant to deceive.”

But then again, only time will tell.

That’s the moderate viewpoint. I AM the Republicrat.