CALIFORNIA YANKEE

Perry fires up CPAC with call for a little rebellion

Gov. Rick Perry kicked off day two of the American Conservative Union's Conservative Political Action Conference with a barn burner. Perry's remarks were full of red meat for the mostly young Conservative audience, well delivered and even more well received. Perry's speech was by far the highlight of this year's CPAC, at least so far.

Gov. Perry started off by quoting Thomas Jefferson, "A little rebellion now and then is a good thing." He suggested that it's time for a little rebellion on the battlefield of ideas. Perry told the audience that instead of looking to Washington they should look to the states -- red states run by governors like led by governors like Nikki Haley, Bobby Jindal, Scott Walker and Rick Scott, to find the rebellious ideas to restore individual freedom, limited government and opportunity.

Perry told the excited audience that the states led by those Conservative governors share certain common denominators including, tax cutting, controlling spending and trusting the people more than government. 

After touting his record of governing Texas, Perry said the red state-blue state debate is about the future of America. 

It was a great speech. So has Gov. Perry been practicing his debate skills?

You can watch the speech in the accompanying video or read his remarks below.

Transcript of Governor Perry's remarks at CPAC 2014.

"Good morning. It is good to stand in the presence of American Patriots.

I am reminded this morning of words that speak to the American soul…words spoken by Thomas Jefferson, who said “a little rebellion now and then is a good thing.”

My friends, our country is in peril. Our debt is at record amounts. Our economic recovery is stagnant. Our place in the world weakened.

So I have a simple suggestion - It is time for a little rebellion on the battlefield of ideas.But instead of looking to Washington to find the front lines of this battle, I ask you to look to the states, where we find the laboratories of innovation, and 50 different experiments in democracy taking place.

Among the states we see two visions for America. There’s the vision common in blue states, where the state plays an increasing role in the lives of its citizens. In these states, taxes are on the rise. Pension programs are out of control and jobs are leaving by the truckloads.

And then there’s the vision common to red state America where the freedom of the individual comes first, and the reach of government is limited. In these states, taxes are low, spending is under control, jobs are on the rise and opportunity is being sought far and wide.

We see opportunity flourishing in states led by governors like Nikki Haley, Bobby Jindal, Scott Walker and Rick Scott.

Under Nikki Haley, South Carolina moved 20,000 citizens from welfare to work. Under Bobby Jindal, Louisiana has become more competitive for jobs by implementing smart regulations.

Under Scott Walker, red state principles were brought to Wisconsin. The public union leaders balked, and instigated a massive disruption of government. But because Governor Walker had the courage to reform pension programs fairly the people of Wisconsin didn't recall him. They stood behind him, they re-elected him!

And under Rick Scott, Florida’s unemployment rate has dropped for three straight years, when just four years prior his predecessor presided over the loss of more than 800,000 jobs. And now that guy wants his job back. And with a record like that, appropriately he seeks it as a Democrat.

What is the common denominator in these states? Conservative governors who cut taxes,control spending and invest in jobs.

Conservative governors who trust the people more than the machinery of government. Conservative governors who know the freedom of the individual must come before the power of the state.

The contrast with blue states is crystal clear. Pick any two. Well, heck, let’s big the biggest two - New York and California. From the East Coast to the West Coast no two states have lost more personal income to otherstates than New York and California.

If you rent a U-Haul to move your company, it costs twice as much to go from San Francisco to Austin than the other way around because you can’t find enough trucks to flee the Golden State.

New York has an advertisement about the “new” New York, but they implement the tired, old recipe of back-breaking taxes and regulations larger than a Big Gulp.

Now, let’s pick a large red state. Shoot, let’s pick Texas?

We cut taxes, didn’t spend all the money, created fair and predictable regulations and stopped personal injury trial lawyers from filing frivolous lawsuits.

We have created 30 percent of the nation’s jobs while keeping taxes among the lowest in the nation. We have presided over not only an energy boom, but the nation’s largest population boom and an economic boom of monumental proportion.

We have demonstrated that no state can tax and spend its way to prosperity, but with the right policies you can grow your way there.

The red state-blue state debate matters because it is about the future of America.

The vision that wins out either the big government, protectionist, nanny state version offered by liberal leaders or the limited government, unsubsidized, freedom state offered by conservative leaders will determine the future of our nation.

America cannot sustain its current fiscal course. We cannot continue to borrow trillions from bankers in Beijing, Brazil and Tokyo.

The downgrading of our credit for the first time two years ago should not have surprised anyone. Our leaders were fighting over a few billion in spending cuts while our debt has soared by trillions in the last five years.

How can the greatest nation on earth continue to spend its way to astounding debt without the bill ever coming due?

How can we explode federal and state budgets with unreformed entitlement programs without the bill ever coming due?

How can we appease a Syrian tyrant, and embolden his Russian ally, without the bill ever coming due?

There is a price to be paid for policies that destroy our economy and embolden our foreign enemies.

And I am here today to say we don’t have to accept recent history. We just have to change the presidency.

It is not too late for America to lead in the world. But it starts by leading at home. And it starts by returning to the founding principles of our democracy found in the Constitution.

Among the enumerated powers of Congress are the power 'To lay and collect Taxes…to pay Debts and provide for the common Defense.' 'To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations.' 'To declare War, to raise and support Armies, to provide and maintain a Navy.'

But Nowhere does the Constitution declare we can federalize classrooms. Nowhere does it give federal officials primary responsibility over the air we breathe, the land we farm, the water we drink.

And nowhere does it say Congress shall nationalize healthcare.

It is inherent in human nature once given power to never give it back. And let me tell you something - this human tendency is a bipartisan offense.

That’s why we must elect the right kind of leaders to represent us in Washington. Leaders who devolve power to the states and not rob them of it.

Leaders who believe in free markets and not a bigger federal government. Leaders who respect the freedom of the individual instead of depriving them of the power to realize a dream.

It is time for Washington to focus on the few things the Constitution establishes as the federal government’s role, defend our country, provide a cogent foreign policy and deliver the mail.

And get out of the healthcare business, get out of the education business, stop hammering industry. And let the sleeping giant of American enterprise create prosperity again.

My fellow conservatives, the future of this nation is up to you and belongs to you.

You have the power to change America. You have the power to speak to our newest hopes in addition to age-old dreams.

You are the path to the future - a light on a distant shore.

And you represent renewed hope that America can be great again.

Thank you, and God bless you."

 

Sen. Ted Cruz' CPAC 2013 keynote speech: Conservatives are winning

Image credit: Photo by Grant Miller/www.ericdraperphotography.com via The American Conservative Union

Sen. Ted Cruz closed out Saturday the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference ("CPAC"), with a terrific keynote speech.

Sen. Cruz began by responding to Sen. McCain's derisive comment calling Cruz and Rand Paul wacko birds:

"When Rand and I first heard that we thought maybe that was a new kind of drone.

If standing for liberty and standing for the Constitution makes you a wacko bird, then count me a proud wacko bird."

Cruz said his biggest surprise since coming to Washington has been the defeatist attitude among so many Republicans that have been in Washington a long time.

He let the CPAC crowd in on a "dirty little secret" the main stream media won't pass on:

"For the last three weeks, conservatives have been winning the political debate in Washington."

Senator Cruz cited Rand Paul's recent filibuster, sequestration implementation, and Cruz’ amendment to repeal funding for ObamaCare -- unanimously supported Republican Senators of evidence of his premise.

The main theme of Cruz' speech was how Conservatives can continue to win. Cruz said Conservatives must (1) defend the Constitution and (2) champion growth and opportunity.

Cruz talked about the campaign finance, the administration's disregard for religious freedom, the campaign to restrict gun rights, called for repeal of the National Defense Authorization Act ("NDAA"), in highlighting the First, Second, Fourth, Fifth and Tenth Amendments, as well as Article VI of the Constitution.

With regard to championing growth and liberty, Cruz focused on the difference in how Presidents Obama and Reagan dealt with severe recessions and the contrasting results. To ease the "ascent up the economic ladder," Cruz said we need to:

• Repeal ObamaCare
• Repeal Dodd Frank
• Eliminate corporate welfare
• Build the Keystone pipeline
• Reign in the EPA
• Audit the Fed
• Stop quantitative easing
• Abolish the U.S. Department of Education
• Champion school choice
• Stand with Israel
• Stop sending foreign aid to countries that hate us

The Senator also mentioned how he thought about his family's story as he was being sworn in as a U.S. Senator:

"In 1957, my father came from Cuba. He had been imprisoned, he'd been tortured in Cuba. And he came to Texas with nothing, with $100 in his underwear, didn't speak a word of English, washed dishes, making 50 cents an hour.

As I was standing on the Senate floor, I couldn't help but think if someone had come up to that 18-year-old kid as he was washing dishes and suggested to him that 55 years hence, his son would be sworn into office as a United States senator representing the great state of Texas ... that would have been unimaginable. That would have been beyond anything he could possibly have conceived. And yet there was my father, sitting in the gallery, looking down as I took the oath of office."

In closing, Senator Cruz said we face a choice:

"We're here because we're not willing to give up on America. We are facing a fundamental choice, a choice that cuts across all issues. It is a choice between surrendering or standing up now to defend our liberty. On guns, do we surrender, or do we stand up now? On drones, do we surrender, or do we stand up now? On spending, do we surrender, or do we stand up now? On debt, do we surrender, or do we stand up now? And on the Constitution, do we surrender, or do we stand up now?"

It was an impressive and inspiring speech, delivered without the aid of Teleprompter or notes. I encourage you to take a half hour and watch or listen to the speech. It is available below.

Sen. Rand Paul wins CPAC 2013 Straw Poll

Sen. Rand Paul wins the CPAC 2013 Straw Poll, narrowly beating Sen. Marco Rubio:

• Rand Paul - 25%
• Marco Rubio - 23%
• Rick Santorum - 8%
• Chris Christie - 7%
• Paul Ryan - 6%
• Scott Walker - 5%
• Ben Carson - 4%
• Ted Cruz - 4%
• Bobby Jindal - 3%
• Sarah Palin - 3%
• Other - 34%
• Undecided 2%

There were 23 candidates on the ballot and 44 write-ins.

President Obama continues to be very unpopular among CPAC attendees -- 96% disapproval. In 2012 Obama did better receiving 79% disapproval in the straw poll.

Half the straw poll participants were young people between 18-25 years old.

Rand Paul became very popular among conservatives after his 13-hour filibuster against the Obama drones program last week. He is now seen by many as a leader of  the future Republican Party.

Don't read too much into the straw poll results. They are worth little more than bragging rights.

She-Pac endorses five Conservative women for U.S. Senate

She-Pac, a Conservative Super PAC formed to help elect Conservative women to Congress, endorses five Republican women candidates for U.S. Senate:

• Linda McMahon (Connecticut)
• Sarah Steelman (Missouri)
• Linda Lingle (Hawaii)
• Heather Wilson (New Mexico)
• Deb Fischer (Nebraska)

Watch the "2012 won't be a war on women. It will be a war by women" video:

The She-Pac message is that to change Washington, D.C., voters must elect new faces. It's a good ad using a sound clip from Ronald Reagan's 1964 "Time for Choosing" speech, citing Congress’s pathetic 13 percent approval rating and Margaret Thatcher's, "If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman," quote.

Democrats, in an attempt to win the women vote have manufactured a "war on women" controversies -- from turning turned a debate about religious liberty into a battle about contraceptives to
Hillary Rosen's ill-advised attack on Ann Romney.

Democrats are forced to use such despicable tactics because women are being left behind by Obama's failed policies:

 

• Since the Obama stimulus was passed, the unemployment rate for women has increased from 7.3% To 8.1%. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 4/9/12) 
• Since Obama took office, the number of unemployed women has increased by 683,000 -- from 5,005,000 to 5,863,000. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 4/6/12)
• In March 2012, the number of employed women fell by 82,000. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 4/6/12)
• Female job gains have slowed since the recession ended in june 2009. "While female workers largely held their own through the recession, job gains have slowed since the downturn ended in June 2009, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of government data on the demographics of the labor market recovery." (Vicki Needham, "Slower Job Growth For Women Voters Could Cost Obama In Election," The Hill's "On The Money," 3/25/12)

RedState Gathering ends with 'Fire From the Heartland'

The RedState Gathering in Austin ended with a special screening of the movie "Fire From the Heartland."

The film was produced by the conservative filmmakers at Citizens United. It is a powerful documentary about America at a crossroads and the women who are leading the Conservative movement. The women in the movie include Clare Boothe Luce, Margaret Thatcher, Phyllis Schlafly, Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, Michele Bachmann, Sarah Palin S.E. Cupp, Dana Loesch, Michelle Easton, Sonnie Johnson, Jenny Beth Martin, Michelle Moore, Jamie Radtke, Deneen Borelli, Janine Turner, and Congresswomen Cynthia Lummis and Jean Schmidt.

"Fire From the Heartland" is definitely a must-see for every citizen concerned with the direction of our country. It will premiere on Wednesday, September 22nd, in Washington, DC.

Watch the trailer:

Conservatives now outnumber Liberals 2 to1

Gallup reports those Americans describing themselves as either very conservative or conservative now outnumber those describing themselves as liberal or very liberal -- 42% to 20%:

This follows an increase in the percentage of conservatives in 2009 that was fueled by heightened conservatism among independents, a pattern that continues today.

Seven in 10 Republicans continue to call themselves conservative, while nearly four in ten Democrats call themselves liberal and a similar number of Democrats say they are moderate. Independents are slightly more likely to say they are moderate than conservative, with fewer than 20% identifying as liberal.

We noted this rising conservatism a year ago. 

More gagging on the donkey

Alfonzo Rachel is out with another great video. Watch as Alfonzo takes on the great Liberal/Progressive shroud of misrepresentations about the Democratic Party's history of past oppression and present exploitation:

 

 

During the 2004 election, President George W. Bush increased his share of the black vote. He did so in part by questioning black voters support for Democrats at Democratic strongholds such as the Urban League's annual convention, where he quoted Charlie Gaines:

Blacks are gagging on the donkey but not yet ready to swallow the elephant.

You can leran more about the Democratic Party's history of past oppression and present exploitation by reading Angela McGowan's book, "Bamboozled."

 

Conservatives gaining

Herman Cain encourages those of us who believe in less government, less taxes and less dependence on government (Conservatives), to continue to oppose President Obama's effort to drag the nation far to the left:

First, we can and must continue to voice our opposition loudly and collectively to wrongheaded, anti-liberty and anti-free-market proposals. There are some moderate Democrats who are against these socialist policies, and they recognize that their congressional seats may not be bullet-proof in November 2010. They need to know we are paying attention.  

Second, the power of the ballot box has not diminished. It has just been temporarily hijacked by liberals. Thomas Jefferson observed that “The American people won’t make a mistake, if they are given all of the facts.”

We can and will continue to give people the facts.

Left-wing Liberals/Progressives may have won control of the government with the help of the biased main stream media, but Conservatives outnumber Liberals. Last week, Gallup reported "40% of Americans interviewed in national Gallup Poll surveys describe their political views as conservative, 35% moderate, and 21% as liberal."

Last month, Gallup reported a majority (51%) of Americans now call themselves "pro-life" on the issue of abortion. This is the first time a majority of U.S. adults have identified themselves as pro-life since Gallup began asking this question in 1995.

Gallup suggests that Americans' movement toward pro-life may be a reaction to President Obama's pro-abortion policies -- funding abortion overseas, expressing his support for the Freedom of Choice Act, and moving toward rescinding federal job protections for medical workers who refuse to participate in abortion procedures:

It is possible that, through his abortion policies, Obama has pushed the public's understanding of what it means to be "pro-choice" slightly to the left, politically. While Democrats may support that, as they generally support everything Obama is doing as president, it may be driving others in the opposite direction.

That's right. The shift to the right is occurring among both Conservatives and Moderates and Obama may deserve the credit.

Romney wins CPAC presidential straw poll again

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney won the Conservative Political Action Conference ("CPAC") straw poll for the third consecutive year:

• Mitt Romney - 20%
• Bobby Jindal - 14%
• Sarah Palin - 13%
• Ron Paul - 13%
• Newt Gingrich - 10%
• Undecided - 9%
• Mike Huckabee - 7%
• Mark Sanford - 4%
• Rudy Giuliani - 3%
• Tim Pawlenty - 2%
• Charlie Crist - 1%

The vast majority of CPAC voters, 74%, still in believe Reaganism. The poll found their most important goal is to promote individual freedom by reducing the size and scope of government and its intrusion into the lives of citizens. The straw poll also found the Obama/Liberal Democrat change they fear most is expanding government with new spending.

CPAC voters are not at all satisfied with President Obama:

Do you you approve or disapprove of the job Barack Obama is doing as president?
95% disapprove:

• Strongly Disapprove - 80%
• Somewhat  Disapprove - 15%
• 15%Srongly Approve - 1%
• Somewhat Approve 3%

Consevative dissapproval of Obama is no surprize. With every policy announcement, Obama's Anti-Reagaism is further revealed.

Limbaugh: 'Conservatives Love People'

Rush Limbaugh closed out the Conservative Political Action Conference ("CPAC") with an impassioned keynote speech, punctuated by chest-thumping, fist-pumping and chants of "USA" from the crowd:

"We want every American to be the best he or she chooses to be. We recognize that we are all individuals. We love and revere our founding documents, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. We believe that the preamble of the Constitution contains an inarguable truth, that we are all endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights, among them life, liberty, freedom -- and the pursuit of happiness," he said, pausing several times for enthusiastic applause.

Limbaugh also dismissed the Democrats' notion of bipartisanship as a "false premise":

"What [Democrats] mean is we check our core principles at the door, come in, let them run the show, and then agree with them," he said.