CALIFORNIA YANKEE

The Fluid Race For The Republican Nomination

Michael Barone concludes the Fluidity in the race for the Republican presidential nomination is the result of the failure of the candidates to match, until very recently, the issue preferences of the conservative Republican base.

Fred Thompson's rapid rise in recent poll is due to the perception that Thompson is a closer match.

According to Barone, Republican voters this cycle, like Democratic voters in 2003-04, are looking for a candidate with "electability."

For that reason, Thompson's standing in pairings against Democrats may be as important for his candidacy as anything else. He's got to show that he's as electable as Giuliani, who has led Democrats in most but not all polls this year.

Barone may be correct. Unfortunately for conservatives electability seems to mean compromising on values in order to appeal to nonbelievers.

I don't remember Ronald Reagan compromising on values to appeal to more voters.

Lieberman Moving To Stamford

Senator Joe Lieberman is moving to Stamford. He says he is moving so he and his wife can be closer to their children and grandchildren, all of whom live in New York City

Lieberman has lived in New Haven for 47 years, beginning when he arrived to attend Yale University in 1960.Lieberman was born and raised in Stamford, where his family ran a liquor store.

According to the Advocate, Lieberman has looked at a unit in the Regency Towers condominium complex at 1 Strawberry Hill Court. It doesn't appear that the real estate transaction has closed. The Stamford city clerk said as of yesterday no property transactions had been filed for Lieberman.

Lieberman is expected to relocate by July 1.

Tancredo Encore

I asked some follow up questions of Colorado Congressman and presidential candidate Tom Tancredo:

1. What would you do to address climate change in striving for energy independence?

2. What would you do to address taxes, health care, and education in striving for economic vibrancy?

3. What would you do about 's nuclear drive and its support of terrorism?

Like the Congressman's response to my first set of questions, his answers are in video format:

What else should I ask Congressman Tancredo?

Watch Bluey On C-SPAN

My friend and RedState colleague, Rob Bluey, will be on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal” with host Steve Scully this Sunday from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m.

Touchdown Atlantis

Space Shuttel Atlantis safely landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 3:49 p.m. EST. Image credit: NASA TV

Flunking Student Loans

The U.S. Department of Education operates two competing loan programs. Under the original Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program, private companies provide the capital and administer the loans, which are largely subsidized and insured by the government. Under the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program, the Department administers loans to borrowers.

In May the House of Representatives passed the Student Loan Sunshine Act in response to criticism of the $85 billion per year student loan industry.

The legislation would bar private companies from offering perks, a.k.a. kickbacks, to colleges and universities in exchange for student loan business and would require student loan companies to disclose their relationships with schools.

The Senate education committee approved its version of the legislation yesterday, one week after the House education panel took similar action. Senior Democrats predicted that the bills would come to a vote by the end of next month and would be reconciled without significant difficulty.

The House plan explicitly exempts the government's own student loan program from the new disclosure requirements. Prompting the Leslie Carbone to write in the Sun-Sentinel:

The Sunshine Act forces private companies, which operate under the FFEL program, into the light, but leaves the government's Direct Loan program under the cover of darkness.

A similar thought caused Allison Kasic to post: "The Federal Government has found a new theme song in Bill Withers’ classic “Ain’t No Sunshine.”

According to Carbone, the Sunshine Act's hypocritical exemption of the Direct Loan program creates two sets of rules — one for the government and one for everybody else. This violation of American ideals will restrict students' consumer choice, allow the government's program to flourish, and is a step toward scaling back, or eliminating, the private sector FFEL program.

Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) analyzed the management of and cost differences between FFELP and FDLP as well as the extent to which such expenses are borne by taxpayers.

CAGW found the government program is losing money. In typical big government fashion it has paid more in interest to the Treasury than the amount of interest it has gotten back from borrowers. CAGW concluded:

After spending 10 years in college with little to show in return except an $13 billion deficit, it is apparent FDLP is flunking out.

Will so-called reform of the Student Loan industry become an issue in the 2008 presidential campaign? I doubt it, but Andrew Cuomo, attorney general of New York, sent a letter to presidential wannabee, Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd, complaining about how the school a student attends can determine the interest rate on student loans. Dodd, unable to gain in traction in his presidential race is willing to try to make anything a presidential campaign issue.

With Senator Kennedy and the Democrats trying to "reform" student loans in Hugo Chavez fashion - requiring the government to run it regardless of the financial losses, I'm reminded of what Everett Dirksen used to say about government programs:

A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money.

I think I will just go listen to to more Bill Withers. Ain' t no sunshine . . .

Barrasso Appointed To Replace Senator Thomas

Wyoming's governor appointed Republican state Sen. John Barrasso to replace the late U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas:

Barrasso, an orthopedic surgeon from Casper, will serve until the beginning of 2009. A special election in November 2008 will decide who will finish Thomas' term in 2012.

UPDATE: Here's a bit more about Barrasso via the Houston Chronicle:

Barrasso also left no doubt that he will be a conservative voice in Washington.

"I believe in limited government, lower taxes, less spending, traditional family values, local control and a strong national defense," the orthopedic surgeon and state senator from Casper wrote in his application.

He said he has "voted for prayer in schools, against gay marriage and have sponsored legislation to protect the sanctity of life."

[. . .]

Barrasso, a state senator since 2003, rose quickly in the Legislature and became chairman of the Senate Transportation, Highway and Military Affairs Committee.

He ran for the U.S. Senate in the 1990s, but lost the 1996 Republican primary to Mike Enzi, now the state's senior senator.

University of Wyoming political science professor James King said the state won't see much change in its political representation in Congress, though Barrasso's medical background will bring some practical knowledge to issues like heath care reform.

[. . .]

Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said he spoke with Barrasso by telephone shortly after the announcement and hopes to have him in the Senate as early as Monday.

More from NPR:

The selection of Barrasso will likely please anti-abortion groups: They particularly appreciate his many attempts to get a so-called Laci Peterson bill into state law.

That legislation would make the murder of a pregnant woman count as two murders - one for the woman, and one for the unborn fetus.

Barrasso has also said that Wyoming's coal industry will be a big part of the answer to American energy independence. And he says he does not think climate change is a real threat.

Like his predecessor, Barrasso supports President Bush's approach to the war in Iraq.

Mayor Bloomberg Leaves Republican Party

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg switched his voter registration from Republican to unaffiliated.

The billionaire was a lifelong Democrat before he switched to the Republican Party in 2001 before running for mayor.

Bloomberg has been acting more and more like a presidential candidate. His switch is sure to generate even more speculation that he will mount an independent presidential bid.

The Mayor said his latest switch does not mean he is running for president:

"Although my plans for the future haven't changed, I believe this brings my affiliation into alignment with how I have led and will continue to lead our city."

Right! Can anyone say Ross Perot? Hillary must be uncorking the Champagne.

Fred Thompson On The War

Fred Thompson, in London to see Lady Thatcher, gave a speech at the Policy Exchange and spoke about the War:

Many in Europe simply have a different view from that of the United States as to the threat of radical Islamic fundamentalism. They think that the threat is overblown. That despite September 11th, and July 7th and other attacks in Europe and elsewhere, America is the main target and therefore the problem is basically an American one. The fact that no weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq at a particular point in time resolves the matter for them. Also, they see no meaningful connection between terrorist groups and countries like .

Admittedly, even some in America think that the threat is overblown, and that if we had not gone into Iraq, we’d have no terrorism problem.

However, most Americans feel differently. We understand that the Western world is in an international struggle with jihadists who see this struggle as part of a conflict that has gone on for centuries, and who won’t give up until Western countries are brought to their knees. I agree with this view. I believe that the forces of civilization must work together with common purpose to defeat the terrorists who for their own twisted purposes have murdered thousands, and who are trying to acquire technology to murder millions more.

When terrorists in their video performances pledge more and bigger attacks to come, against targets in both Europe and America, these are not to be shrugged off as idle boasts. They must be taken at their word.

When the president of shares his nightmare visions before cheering crowds, those are not just the fanatic’s version of an empty applause line. The only safe assumption is that he means it. If we know anything from modern history, it is that when fanatical tyrants pledge to “wipe out” an entire nation, we should listen. We must gather our alliance, and do all in our power to make sure that such men do not gain the capability to carry out their evil ambitions.

There is more, much more, as my RedState colleague, haystack, discussed earlier.

Both the Guardian and Reuters focused on Thompson's discussion about the War. The Guardian summed it up nicely in a single sentence:

Mr. Thompson also called for US and European resolve over Iraq and a tough policy towards and its president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

According to Reuters, in a question and answer session Thompson talked about the options available to deal with the ian Mullahocracy:

's poor economy and domestic opposition to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad could prompt "regime change", Thompson said.

"We have a lot of friends in who apparently feel their leader is trying to drive them off of a militant, religious extremism cliff," he said.

Some of these problems might work in our favor especially if we ratcheted the sanctions a bit more. I would think that certainly a blockade would be a possibility if we could get the international cooperation to do that.

I think regime change might be an option ... but you can't take the military option off the table.

I am still determined to remain uncommitted at this point in the 2008 presidential campaign. Until now my views about Fred Thompson concentrated on his "thin record" during the eight years he served as a U.S. Senator from Tennessee and his lack of foreign policy and executive experience. After reading the Policy Exchange speech, I am more favorably impressed my Thompson. I am first and foremost a security voter. Let's hear more.

Thompson's entire speech, as prepared for delivery, is available at Townhall. YouTube video of Thompson's question and answer session is in four segments:

Video 1 - His view of .
Video 2 - About Iraq.
Video 3 - His political heroes.
Video 4 - A tribute to Margaret Thatcher.

Thanks to BritainAndAmerica.com for the YouTube links.

Flag Day 2007

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Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2007
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

The American Flag represents freedom and has been an enduring symbol of our Nation's ideals since the earliest days of our Nation. Wherever it flies, we are reminded of America's unity and in the great cause of liberty and justice for all.

Two hundred and thirty years ago, the Second Continental Congress officially made the Stars and Stripes the symbol of America. The Founders declared that the 13 stars gracing the original flag represented "a new constellation," just as America embodied new hope and new light for mankind. Today, our flag continues to convey the bold spirit of a proud and determined Nation.

Americans have long flown our flag as a sign of patriotism and gratitude for the blessings of liberty. We also pledge allegiance to the flag as an expression of loyalty to our country and to the belief in the American creed of freedom and justice. By displaying and showing respect for the flag, we honor the ideals upon which our democracy rests and show appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy today. Flying the flag can also be an expression of thanks for the men and women who have served and sacrificed in defense of our freedoms -- from the early patriots of the Continental Army to the courageous Americans in uniform who are defending those freedoms around the world today.

During Flag Day and National Flag Week, we honor Old Glory and reflect on the foundations of our freedom. As citizens of this great Nation, we are proud of our heritage, grateful for our liberty, and confident in our future.

To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by joint resolution approved August 3, 1949, as amended (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of each year as "Flag Day" and requested that the President issue an annual proclamation calling for its observance and for the display of the flag of the United States on all Federal Government buildings. The Congress also requested, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966, as amended (80 Stat. 194), that the President issue annually a proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as "National Flag Week" and calling upon all citizens of the United States to display the flag during that week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2007, as Flag Day and the week beginning June 10, 2007, as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate officials to display the flag on all Federal Government buildings during that week, and I urge all Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by flying the Stars and Stripes from their homes and other suitable places. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence Day, also set aside by the Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor America, to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings and activities, and to publicly recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH