Quick Veepstakes Thoughts
I've been thinking recently about the Veepstakes. We have 3 candidates who, at present, have a path to the nomination - Herman Cain, Mitt Romney, Rick Perry. Others may arise to have this path as the race is very fluid, but at the moment - they're the ones I see. So, I decided to come up with my outside the box short list. Why outside the box? Because everyone will talk of the obvious choices like Gov McDonnell (VA) or Senator Rubio (FL), let's talk about the other, potentially interesting choices. Take it as you will.
- Ambassador John Bolton (MD) - Bolton provides foreign policy gravitas to any ticket. The man is smart as a whip and definitely worth considering for any of the three I mentioned above. He also is an all around conservative, following all three legs of the "conservative political stool."
- Governor Luis Fortuño (PR) - Fortuño has been a solid Governor of Puerto Rico so far. Conservative, Latino, with foreign policy experience that no other Governor has to deal with. No other Governor in the US is treated, in many ways, like a foreign nation. Puerto Rico is. Fortuño would be a fantastic choice for any of the three.
- Vice President Dick Cheney (WY) - Yea, he's legally eligible, so - why not?
- Former Trade Representative Susan Schwab (MD) - Who's Schwab? She's the former US Trade Representative who served under President Bush from 2006 to the end of his tenure in office. She helped define foreign trade toward the end of Bush's tenure. She also has experience running the MD's State university system (2003-2006) and has been since 2008 on the Board of Directors of FedEx. She may not be a politician and she may be unknown on a lot of issues, but she's an interesting, outside the box choice.
- Senator Rob Portman (OH) - Okay, so maybe he's not that outside the box. Multi-term member of Congress, foreign trade representative, OMB Director, and now US Senator - this man has experience in spades in multiple levels of government making him a very attractive choice for any of the three mentioned above.
- Former Governor Frank Keating (OK) - I'll just link to my previous piece about why he could be an attractive Presidential candidate. The same holds true for him for VP.
- Pundit Erick Erickson (GA) - Why not? Plus, it'll make liberals head's explode.
How About Bolton for Congress?
Back in September, I proposed a draft movement - Bolton for US Senate in Maryland. As we already have some solid candidates in the running, what about a run for Congress? Bolton currently resides in Bethesda, Maryland - currently represented by Chris Van Hollen. A high profile candidate like Bolton running could help bring attention to this race and, depending on the way the district looks post-redistricting, could be a race. Here's an excerpt of what I wrote before on a Senate bid - it is still valid for a Congressional bid:
Bolton is currently a resident of Bethesda, Maryland. He's lived in Maryland for a good portion of his life, being born in Baltimore in 1948. The Maryland man has served in multiple roles in the Reagan and both Bush administrations. A partial list includes serving as United Nations Ambassador (2005-2006), Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security (2001-2005), Assistant Secretary for INternational Organization Affairs at the Department of State (1989-1993), Assistant Attorney General (1985-1989), Assitant Administrator for Program and Policy Coordination (1982-1983), and General Counsel USAID (1981-1982). From 1997 to 2000, Bolton worked with James Baker with the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara. He has a wealth of foreign policy and federal governmental experience which would make him a welcome addition to the nation's highest deliberative body.
Now most know Bolton as the military hawk / foreign policy candidate. What many forget is that Bolton is active in other conservative pursuits. He's a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, is actively involved in both the National Rifle Association and Council for National Policy, and was involved in the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. His conservative bona fides are undeniable making him a conservative with all three legs of the proverbial stool.
So, what do you say Ambassador? You interested in helping out Maryland and giving Van Hollen a serious fight?
Old Line Elephant Link Roundup 6/21/11
Welcome to all the news...that I was able to find and compile.
- Former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton is still considering a Presidential bid. His entry into the race would provide a serious voice for those interested in foreign policy who did not work for the Obama administration *cough*Huntsman*cough*
- Race42012 found a nugget from National Review about the Governors running in 2012 - their record on job growth. How is it measured? By the percentage chance in the job growth rate during their tenure in office. Their findings? Perry did the best, followed by Gary Johnson.
- Jimmie of Sundries Shack has a good post on MSM bias regarding Michele Bachmann as they decide to attack her not over policy, but about whether or not she "raised" all her children / foster children.
- Since we're talking 2012 here, the Rodney Galles of the Maryland Society of Patriots wrote a piece sizing up the 2012 field. His conclusion was generally pro-Sarah Palin. I have no problem with Sarah Palin; that said - this was my comment on the matter:
Bachmann impressed me during the debates. I was pleasantly surprised at her poise, knowledge on the issues, and ability to quickly respond to the questions. I think she could be an interesting candidate in the primary – and potentially in the general depending on who she teams up with.
I also like Herman Cain. He says a lot of the right things and the substance I’ve seen – I like. I look forward to see what kind of specifics on foreign policy he proposes. On domestic issues, I like a lot of what he has to say…a lot. 25% maximum income tax / corporate tax. Good ideas.
Pawlenty is an interesting candidate. He’s got some great ideas on fiscal issues and has been standing out as the “truth teller” candidate. He’s also an evangelical Christian, like Cain, who is very open and honest about his faith. Just waiting for that “wow” me moment. Still haven’t found it yet. Apparently his speech at RightOnline really impressed a lot of people.
I’m unconvinced Palin’s going to run. If she is, Fox News could get in a lot of trouble for the platform they’ve given her. I don’t think Fox would continue this way, especially with how they treated Newt, Santorum, & Huckabee – forcing them to make a decision. If she was running – they would have forced her out by now. Just my thoughts.
- Red Maryland contributor Ann Miller writes that the MD DREAM Act encourages legal immigrants to become illegal. Read the post - she makes a good point.
- Smitty of The Other McCain fame has an excellent post debunking leftist counterpoints opposing voter ID laws. Voter ID laws are common sense - opposing them shows your lack thereof.
- The Supreme Court decided by a 5-4 majority that a large class action law suit claiming sexual harassment could not be brought forward as a class action law suit. The reason? Not enough commonality among those involved in the suit - it was not really a class action suit as each employee had different cases and no shared experience, according to the court. I tend to agree. Walmart has clear policies regarding sexual harassment and discrimination, if they're not followed locally - deal with it locally. A class action suit of this magnitude does not make sense - and apparently does not meet Constitutional muster.
- The Zarf, of Twitter fame, has started a blog entitled "Musings." I've added it to my sidebar, but you can also check it out here.
- On the Star Wars front, Timothy Zahn finally taught me how to say C'Baoth - and it's not remotely how I was pronouncing it as I was reading Heir to the Empire.
- E-Street Band Saxophonist Clarence Clemons has passed away. His music was a big part of my childhood as my mother is a huge Bruce Springsteen fan. While other kids played air guitar, I used to play air saxophone while listening to Clarence. He will be missed.
Any news I miss that's important to you? Let me know in the comment section below.
Old Line Elephant Link Roundup 3/29/11
As I promised others last week, I'm going to try to make this a weekly occurrence. Here's some quick, bulleted items that I think should be on your radar from Maryland to a galaxy far, far away.
- Mandatory delivery of white pages to people's homes in Maryland seems to be going the way of the dodo. The State Senate just passed a bill ending the requirement. My State Senator, the 76 year old Norm Stone (D) voted against it. This won't impact delivery of the yellow pages to people's homes, so it's only a small step in the right direction. Mandatory requirements like this are silly, especially with widespread access to the internet / libraries who will have said information.
- The Maryland State Senate also looked to ease some restrictions on minority owned business requirements in State contracting. How much easing? Well, there are no longer hard and fast numbers for how many women owned or black owned businesses need to received contracts with the state. While I feel this is a step in the right direction, I honestly don't think we need any rules requiring a specific number of minority owned businesses for state contracting. Let the bidding begin with whatever business is most capable of doing the job - period.
- With all the most important issues already dealt with, the Maryland legislature has been pushing through new laws which would allow people to bring their pets to outdoor dining locations. I mean, really? This is more pressing then finding ways to close our budget gap? Or...frankly anything whatsoever? Seriously.
- When asked in a recent trip to Iowa whether he was thinking about running for President in 2012 what did John Bolton say? "Well, I'm here?" It's a big, potential step towards a run even showing up at a meet and greet like that for a man who's never ran for public office before. While I think that's fascinating, I still say he should run for US Senate in Maryland.
- Check out this editorial on Libya by the far more articulate than me, Brian Griffiths of Red Maryland. It does a great job of laying out the major concerns with the situation.
- Speaking of editorials, check out this one by RightKlik on Obamacare and..."Weiner Waivers."
- Our local, Christian radio station - 95.1 Shine FM - is having their annual fundraiser. Check it out and if you're in the Baltimore area...or even if you're not, consider throwing them a few dollars.
- If you're like me, you're a big dork who has fallen in love with Star Wars: Clone Wars (Fridays on Cartoon Network). This Friday is the season finale. Lightsaber Rattling has two, spoiler free reviews of the two part finale. Bottom Line: My son and I will be enjoying some awesome, Clone Wars era, Chewbacca action in the finale. I look forward to it!
- Speaking of Star Wars - these polygonal images of Star Wars characters are a site to behold. Very well crafted.
- Artist James Hance has created what looks to be a masterpiece - mashing Star Wars and A.A. Milne's classic Pooh stories into a book he calls, "Wookie the Chew: The House at Chew Corner." The artwork is spot on, looking much like what you saw in Milne's classic. Definitely worth checking out.
Feel free to leave suggested links for items that you find interesting in the comments on national / local politics or on items you find fascinating; and of course, comments on the links are encouraged.
Maryland Blogs / Sites
- Augie "Citizen Watchdog"
- Baltimore County GOP
- Benstorming
- Frontline State
- Maryland Business for Responsive Government
- Maryland Public Policy Institute
- Maryland Reporter
- Maryland Society of Patriots
- MD Conservative Action Network
- Potomac Tea Party Report
- Right Coast Conservative
- Tony McConkey's Blog
- Watchdog Wire Maryland
National Blogs / Sites
- Anthropocon
- Bearing Drift
- Oddly Said
- Pithy Title Goes Here
- RightKlik
- Ruby Slippers
- Secular ProLife
- The Quinton Report
- TORARADICALcom
Regular Reads
- Ed Stetzer
- Moe Lane
- monoblogue
- Other McCain
- Race42016
- Red Maryland
- RedState
- SBC Voices
- Sundries Shack
Religious Blogs / Sites
- Catholic Coffee Talk
- Challies.com
- Coleen York
- Edgemere Baptist Church
- Just1Word
- Tally Wilgis
- The Girl On The Road To Self Discovery
- Thom Rainer
