thought I was done with the political stuff, eh?
not quite. my Dad forwards Gary Bauer's emails to me. Thought my readers should see this.

Monday, November 10, 2008
To: Friends & Supporters
From: Gary L. Bauer

Words Matter, Part II

To supporters of President-elect Barack Obama, he is an orator gifted with a silver tongue, JFK reincarnated. We received two disturbing examples over the weekend that suggest his learning curve could be steeper than previously thought.

At a Friday press conference, President-elect Obama was asked if he had reached out to ex-presidents for their advice and counsel. Obama responded, “I have spoken to all of them who are living. I didn’t want to get into a Nancy Reagan thing about doing any séances.” Nancy Reagan never held séances. It was Hillary Clinton who claimed she had “conversations” with Eleanor Roosevelt. Obama reportedly called Nancy Reagan to apologize for his “careless and offhanded remark.” Obama aides said the conversation went well, but aides to Mrs. Reagan suggest otherwise.

Here is a far more serious example. Last week, the president of Poland called Obama to offer his congratulations and seek reassurances that the United States would not abandon its commitment to deploy a missile defense system in Poland. Even with Russia threatening them, the Poles are still seeking U.S. leadership and support.

After their conversation, President Kaczynski released a statement that read, “Barack Obama has underlined the importance of the strategic partnership between Poland and the United States, he expressed his hope of continuing the political and military cooperation between our two countries. He also said the anti-missile shield project would go ahead.” But on Saturday, Obama’s senior foreign policy advisor said, “President Kaczynski raised missile defense but President-elect Obama made no commitment on it.”

This is a very disturbing development. When you start making ambivalent statements to heads of state, you are inviting aggression. The world is still a very dangerous place, and our allies must be able to trust us.


Sarah’s Supporters Speak

Campaign aides who worked closely with Governor Sarah Palin are coming to her defense. And unlike the cowards who have anonymously attacked her in the media, Sarah’s supporters are speaking on the record. Here are some quotes from a Politico story this weekend:

* Steve Biegun, a foreign policy advisor who traveled with Palin, said, “I think she was fantastic. She just brought a special energy to our ticket. Look, I was there at those rallies. … I’ve worked in Washington for 20 years, on the Hill, in the White House and in the private sector, and she ranks at the highest levels of decency, kindness and graciousness of anybody I’ve ever worked with.”

* Nicolle Wallace, a senior adviser to McCain told NBC that Palin was “perhaps the most un-diva politician I’ve seen. The only thing I’ve seen her ask for is a diet soda.”

* Tracey Schmitt, a veteran of both Bush campaigns, said, “Gov. Palin was a breath of fresh air, particularly for those of us who've been living in the Washington bubble… She was tireless on the stump and would have shaken every hand on the rope line if there were time.”

* One Capitol Hill McCain aide pointed out that there is a reason Palin has an 80% approval rating in Alaska.


“Change The Face Of World Politics And Economics”

During the campaign, Joe Biden warned, “It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama. …we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy.” We may not have to wait six months. There are various overseas reports that Al Qaeda is planning a major terrorist attack against the United States – one which will “outdo by far” the atrocities of 9/11 with the objective being to “change the face of world politics and economics.”

This could be a bluff by an organization on the ropes, reeling from a defeat in Iraq, under siege in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But it would also be consistent with past Al Qaeda behavior of striking during times of political transition and testing new leaders early. Also consistent with Al Qaeda tactics would be hitting the same targets, suggesting another attack on New York and Washington, D.C., which would symbolically threaten the “face of world politics and economics.”