Stacy McCain today at The American Spectator:
07 April 2010
06 April 2010
How Will Obama Explain-Away his former Senate Seat Going Republican Too?
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| Backyard Conservative |
Sure starting to look like a possibility he needs to face... and the reasons for the grim outlook point to Barack Obama's past involvement in Chicago Machine politics as much as any current troubles for party as a whole.
This US Senate seat -the same one Blago tried to sell- is in increasing danger of being taken by Republican Mark Kirk after it was reported that the Gianoullias family's Broadway Bank had lent $20 million to Chicago criminals, including convicted felon Michael "Jaws" Giorango. In this heavily-Democratic state, Alexi Giannoulias - Illinois State Treasurer and prodigal son of this banking family- is down to just a three-point lead in the race to replace Blagojevich appointee Roland Burris, and rumors abound re. the desire of the party to dump him from the ticket in an attempt to salvage the upcoming election.
These revelations come after myriad ethical issues surrounding the ambitious 34-yr-old banker, former Obama ally, and Illinois State Treasurer have come to the fore. Some sources put the gangster loans more in the $50M+ range, as Alexi attempts to distance himself from the transactions and the Broadway Bank's pending collapse. Surely there's little to be gained in listening to Giannoulias' version of events... his credibility is almost non-existent, already caught lying blatantly to cover-up his involvement. The very latest PR catastrophe involves Gianoullias' second-biggest non-family campaign donor obtaining a $6M loan from the family bank... while facing a felony gun charge. Bank officials are still stonewalling re. whether Alexi signed-off on those loans personally- read that as a "yes".
This US Senate seat -the same one Blago tried to sell- is in increasing danger of being taken by Republican Mark Kirk after it was reported that the Gianoullias family's Broadway Bank had lent $20 million to Chicago criminals, including convicted felon Michael "Jaws" Giorango. In this heavily-Democratic state, Alexi Giannoulias - Illinois State Treasurer and prodigal son of this banking family- is down to just a three-point lead in the race to replace Blagojevich appointee Roland Burris, and rumors abound re. the desire of the party to dump him from the ticket in an attempt to salvage the upcoming election.
These revelations come after myriad ethical issues surrounding the ambitious 34-yr-old banker, former Obama ally, and Illinois State Treasurer have come to the fore. Some sources put the gangster loans more in the $50M+ range, as Alexi attempts to distance himself from the transactions and the Broadway Bank's pending collapse. Surely there's little to be gained in listening to Giannoulias' version of events... his credibility is almost non-existent, already caught lying blatantly to cover-up his involvement. The very latest PR catastrophe involves Gianoullias' second-biggest non-family campaign donor obtaining a $6M loan from the family bank... while facing a felony gun charge. Bank officials are still stonewalling re. whether Alexi signed-off on those loans personally- read that as a "yes".
As for Obama, first recall the dubious realty deal struck with now-convicted felon Tony Rezko- one which enabled him to buy a South Side Chicago mansion he could not otherwise afford... all made possible by the magic real estate fairy Rezko, who basically bought the adjoining lot and just gave it to Obama. The agent on the deal was none other than Patti Blagojevich, wife of Hot Rod himself- see how it works in Chicago?
Rezko -Obama's and Blago's political godfather- and the Gianoullias family go way-back, too- not only is he a customer of the bank, but they're thought to have funded many of his Chicagoland pay-to-play real-estate deals. It appears the relationship came to an abrupt end with Rezko's conviction in 2008... the fact that he bounced $800K worth of checks in Vegas against his Broadway Bank account didn't help, either.
But that South Side mansion purchase wasn't the first time Obama had recieved favors to assist his aspirations as a homeowner. It has been long rumored that Obama benefited from conspicious financial help when he bought his first home, a townhouse that was on the cusp of affordability for him. The Broadway Bank -who also had helped him with campaign financing- put together a sweetheart mortgage deal for Obama, all apparently in exchange for quid pro quo to be determined.
But that South Side mansion purchase wasn't the first time Obama had recieved favors to assist his aspirations as a homeowner. It has been long rumored that Obama benefited from conspicious financial help when he bought his first home, a townhouse that was on the cusp of affordability for him. The Broadway Bank -who also had helped him with campaign financing- put together a sweetheart mortgage deal for Obama, all apparently in exchange for quid pro quo to be determined.
Later, in 2006, family scion Alexi Giannoulias -a 29-year-old with no experience whatsoever -and who had never even voted before- decides to run for State Treasurer of Illinois... Barack Obama promptly endorsed him. Clearly, it was highly unlikely he could have won without Obama's support. Giannoulias subsequently held a fundraiser for Obama in 2007, in which he raised upwards of $100,000 for the senator’s Presidential bid. Around Chicago, the two cultivated an image as "basketball buddies" and political fellow travellers.
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| WebMac.com |
Team Obama seems to have long feared what a spotlight on the Giannoulias family could reveal about Obama's opaque Chicago past, too- and tried to throw cold water on Alexi's senatorial aspirations right from the start. Now that party bigwigs are worried of losing to the GOP in deep-blue Illinois, some expect a desperate Axelrod will start leaking dirt on Gianoullias. Could Alexi's obstinacy in the face of WH pressure be due to the cards he holds -the stories he could tell- if and when he wanted to? Could get interesting- Barack Obama's political rise was basically funded by Broadway Bank and Tony Rezko.
The Democrats are dreading a political earthquake in Illinois far more damaging than Massachusetts'- according to left-leaning Lisa Washington in the Chicago Sun-Times, Alexi Giannoulias is in real political trouble. Dems from The Loop to DC are shaking in their boots as they contemplate yet another humiliating loss to face in November. Meanwhile, the Obama WH wonders what will come out next...
The latest malady to hit the hyper-ambitious Illinois treasurer is the impending failure of his family's Broadway Bank. The mantle of a successful community banker was his main claim to fame, catapulting the young political novice into office in 2006. If the feds shut down the bank (and even the cocky Giannoulias admits that's likely), it will put a fatal hurt on the G-Man's electoral prospects. No candidate ever wants to pack it in, especially one with an oversized noggin. Still, the abundance of junk in Giannoulias' political trunk begs for a reappraisal of his Senate candidacy...
05 April 2010
Video: Obama First Pitch
This year's Barack Obama first pitch went high and wide, yet cleared the plate and was successfully caught by National's third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. This kid just ain't got the stuff... at least he didn't wear the mom-jeans this time:
04 April 2010
03 April 2010
Rock-n-Roll Oldies: Santana- 1977
Carlos Santana -dob 7.20.47- is a Mexican rock guitarist. Santana became famous in the late 60s/early 70s with his band -the eponymous Santana- pioneering a fusion of rock, salsa and jazz. The band's sound featured his melodic, blues-based guitar lines set against Latin percussion such as timbales and congas. Santana continued to work in these forms over the following decades. He experienced a sudden resurgence of popularity and critical acclaim in the late 90s, and Rolling Stone placed him at #15 on their 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time in 2003.
Carlos Santana has won 10 Grammy Awards... born in Autlán de Navarro/Jalisco, Mexico, his father was a mariachi violinist, and Carlos learned to play the violin at age five, then on to guitar by eight. Young Carlos was heavily influenced by Ritchie Valens at a time when there were very few Latinos in American rock and pop music. The family moved from Autlán de Navarro to Tijuana, the border city between Mexico and California, and then San Francisco.
Carlos Santana has won 10 Grammy Awards... born in Autlán de Navarro/Jalisco, Mexico, his father was a mariachi violinist, and Carlos learned to play the violin at age five, then on to guitar by eight. Young Carlos was heavily influenced by Ritchie Valens at a time when there were very few Latinos in American rock and pop music. The family moved from Autlán de Navarro to Tijuana, the border city between Mexico and California, and then San Francisco.
Santana's catalogue is indeed impressive... including the best of his early career's immortal hits like Evil Ways (1969), Black Magic Woman (1971), Oye Como Va (1971), Everybody's Everything (1971), No One to Depend On (1972), She's Not There (1977). Santana's later comeback produced substantial commercial succes, i.e. Maria Maria and the duet with Michelle Branch, 2002's The Game of Love.
I did myself meet most of the band in Miami following a show about ten years-ago, managed to get backstage passes and my friend knew them- but Carlos didn't come around as he was having a birthday and had another party to get to. Great show, though... and not the only instance I've seen Santana play, first time was almost 30 years ago... and he's still great.
Back in 1976, Santana formed yet another version of the band -adding vocalist Greg Walker for the album Amigos- which featured the songs Dance, Sister, Dance and Let It Shine- the album also received considerable airplay on FM album-oriented rockstations with the instrumental Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile) and re-introduced Santana back into the charts. Europa however was not actually released as a single in any market, so not as well known as most of their classics... here's Santana playing Verona, Italy on their 1977 Moonflower Tour- Europa (Earth's Cry, Heaven's Smile):
02 April 2010
Restore America Plan
The Restore America Plan is the game plan and manifesto of the anti-government group Guardians of the Free Republics- it can be read in it's entirety on the group's home web page -here-
Although the group explicitly denounced violence or any violation of the law in the Restore America Plan, "replace the government" rhetoric aroused the suspicion of law-enforcement officials. The FBI's warning re. the Guardians of the Free Republics was covered previously today -here-
More opportunity for the disengenuous Dems to play the victim card, poor misunderstood things that they are...
Guam Tipping Over?
Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga) questions a Navy admiral about Guam tipping over and capsizing- h/t America's Watchtower) yesterday, see the video below if you haven't caught it. It's hard to believe he's serious... but sadly, seems seemed to be, and in a congressional hearing. Can you imagine how the admiral felt having to take questions from this ignoramus?
In the clip, it's like the officer is dealing with a child while trying to not hurt it's feelings. I went to Johnson's website… this guy was a judge for twelve years, good grief- I pity the souls that came before him. Here he seems dumb as a rock, doesn’t seem to even know the word “isthmus”… or much of anything else. Actually seems like he’s stoned or something… nice choice, Atlanta- lol:
In the clip, it's like the officer is dealing with a child while trying to not hurt it's feelings. I went to Johnson's website… this guy was a judge for twelve years, good grief- I pity the souls that came before him. Here he seems dumb as a rock, doesn’t seem to even know the word “isthmus”… or much of anything else. Actually seems like he’s stoned or something… nice choice, Atlanta- lol:
Guardians of the Free Republics
Here's a least slightly delusional far-right group that's just what Team Obama has been hoping for- you have to wonder if their specious narrative of how all sorts of evil reactionaries hiding out there in the bushes isn't a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts, they sure do talk about it enough. The group -who call themselves the Guardians of the Free Republics made a point of renouncing violence, but still the FBI didn't seem to like they the threatening tone... and issued warning:
A group that calls itself the Guardians of the free Republics wants to “restore America” by peacefully dismantling parts of the government, according to its Web site.
As of Wednesday, more than 30 governors had received letters saying if they don’t leave office within three days they will be removed, according to an internal intelligence note by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. The note was obtained by The Associated Press.
Note: as Pat Buchanan said last week, just look at the history of this country... when it comes to violent radicals, it's the Left we need to worry about -here-
See the Guardians of the Free Republics own website and judge for yourself -here-
See the Guardians of the Free Republics own website and judge for yourself -here-
01 April 2010
Dear Leader Saves World Atop Rainbow-Powered Unicorn
Now this is funny... and effective. Great ad, encouraging to see the NRSC waking-up:
h/t ►Say Anything
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Careful observance of such fine points of campaign etiquette can make a big difference in a hard-fought election, and eight candidates are seeking the GOP nomination to replace retiring Rep. John Shadegg in Arizona's 3rd District. The couple's strategic tête-à-tête at the fundraising reception was accomplished with unobtrusive grace and, though Lisa Parker later averred that she is "just a lawyer," she clearly has top-notch skills as a political wife. Her husband's skills aren't too shabby, either.
Vernon Parker was trained by one of the most legendary campaign strategists in American history.
"The first time I met him, he said, 'Hey, you got a job?' -- with that South Carolina accent -- I said, 'No, not yet.' He said, 'Well, come on over here and let me introduce ya to some folks.'"
The man with the Carolina drawl was none other than the late Lee Atwater, who ran the campaign that elected George H.W. Bush president in 1988 and who served as chairman of the Republican National Committee before his death in 1991...