Where Are the Democrats Defending Civil Liberties?

When the cameras are on, Democrats pretend to care about civil liberties. What they actually care about is expanding government's power and identifying wedge issues to use politically against Republicans. If you think I'm overstating the case, look no further than their reaction to Sen. Rand Paul's filibuster today against the nomination of John Brennan to head the CIA. 6 Mar 2013

Rand Paul's 'Rick Santelli' Moment

The most precious commodity in politics today is clarity. The entire process is designed to confuse, obfuscate, or make things seem more complicated than they actually are. In February 2009, CNBC contributor Rick Santelli gave birth to a movement, not because of anything in particular he said, but rather because he gave voice to what millions of people were thinking in their hearts. It was an appeal to a basic principle. On Wednesday, KY Sen. Rand Paul is doing the same. 6 Mar 2013

No White House Tour? How About a Gov't Wine Tasting?

In the next few days, the Obama Administration will cancel self-guided tours of the White House. The cancellation comes in the wake of the White House having to trim around $600,000 from its annual budget. If anyone on the West Coast was planning a trip to DC next week, perhaps they can instead snag a seat at one of two wine tastings, sponsored by the Agriculture Department. Spending cuts for thee, but not for me is the Obama Administration's approach to the sequester. 6 Mar 2013

Absurd: Obama Cancels Self-Guided White House Tours

Yesterday, in its continuing quest to make the sequester seem worse than it actually has turned out to be, the Obama Administration announced that it would cancel White House tours. It blamed the sequester cuts for the decision. This is absurd. First, realize that White House tours are self-guided. 6 Mar 2013

2016: Jeb Bush Immediately Stumbles on Immigration

In two days, Jeb Bush has staked out two different positions on the central issue of any immigration reform effort; what happens to the 11 million illegal immigrants already in the country? 5 Mar 2013

MN Dem Gov Flip-Flops on Tax Hikes

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton campaigned in 2010 on not increasing cigarette taxes, which he decried as “regressive” in a gubernatorial debate. But facing budget challenges, Dayton has now flip-flopped and is advocating a 94 cent per pack cigarette tax increase. 5 Mar 2013

Another Obama Ally Sells Access to Administration Officials

Business Forward is a 3-year-old trade association designed to be a liberal counter weight to the Chamber of Commerce. Many of its staff have had stints in the White House or the Obama campaign. Funded by corporate donations, it facilitates meetings between business executives and Obama Administration officials. Like OFA, the group raises suspicions of selling access to government officials. 4 Mar 2013

Obama's 'Balanced Approach' Prohibits Sequester Tax Hikes

President Obama has stated that any deal to replace across-the-board sequester cuts has to include tax hikes, as well as spending cuts. It is part of his oft-cited "balanced approach" to deficit reduction. At countless campaign events, speeches and press conferences, Obama has said that any deficit reduction has to be "balanced." The White House details his plan as $3 in spending cuts for every $1 in tax hikes. By his own plan, the sequester can only be offset with spending cuts. 4 Mar 2013

Obama Reboots Sequester Scare Campaign

In the days leading up to Friday's sequester deadline, President Obama and Administration officials ratcheted up their dire warnings over the impact of automatic spending cuts. Speaking at a press conference Friday, just hours before he would sign an order implementing the cuts, Obama sighed that "starting tomorrow" janitors at the U.S. Capitol would see their pay cut. It was a climactic lie to cap a week of distortions, misinformation, and overheated rhetoric. 4 Mar 2013

Obama Names Pro-Fracking Energy Secretary

Monday morning, President Obama will announce MIT nuclear physicist Ernest Moniz as his choice for Energy Secretary. A supporter of research into renewable energy, Moniz is also a strong advocate for natural gas and fracking. His nomination is expected to draw fierce criticism from the environmental left. 4 Mar 2013