A silly article from the Palm Beach Post on Charlie Crist.
McCain declines to answer a question about Mark Sanford for VP.
Salena Zito at the Pittsburgh Tribune Review on a Democratic Dream Ticket.
Colin McNickle at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review responds to Fred Barnes' column suggesting Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell as the perfect running mate for Obama.
The New Republic has a roundtable discussion on a Obama-Clinton unity ticket.
According to Robert Novak, Michelle Obama does not want Hillary Clinton on the ticket and Ohio Governor Ted Strickland is getting a lot of buzz.
Ted Kennedy throws cold water on an Obama-Clinton ticket, saying the Democrats need "real leadership." Ouch. [HT: Ed Morrissey]
In February, a Brown University poll had Carcieri with his lowest approval rating to date--40 percent, with 74% or respondents said they thought the state was heading in the wrong direction. The state hasn't seen such high dissatisfaction since its banking crisis in 1991.
]]>And these are the House members who insist on a balanced budget?
]]>Washington – After intense negotiations and conference meetings, the new Farm Bill revealed yesterday offers taxpayers little in the way of true reform. The Club for Growth commends President Bush for threatening to veto the legislation and urges all members of Congress to uphold the president’s veto when the time comes.
Supporters of the Farm Bill are touting its many reforms, but most of them are nothing more than window dressing. These same supporters also neglect to mention the large increases in subsidies and the further distortion of the agricultural market that will occur as a result. Some of the bill’s most egregious elements include:
“Today, Agriculture Secretary Ed Shafer said the president will veto the Farm Bill, and we commend that action,” said Club for Growth President Pat Toomey. “Congress should not be allowed to throw more and more taxpayer dollars at every special interest under the sun and call it ‘reform.’ There is nothing reform-minded about a bill that increases subsidies and tax breaks for special interests, further distorts the agricultural market, and hampers the country’s free trade agenda.”
The Club for Growth will be key-voting the vote on the Farm Bill conference report, urging all members to vote “No.” Key votes are included in our Congressional Scorecard for the 110th Congress. The scorecard provides a comprehensive rating of how well or how poorly each member of Congress supports pro-growth, free-market policies.
]]>Gerald Pomper argues Obama should pick Virginia Senator Jim Webb to be his running mate.
The panel on Fox News' Special Report last night thinks Clinton's VP chances are slim to none. Only Charles Krauthammer gave her a 10% chance.
Ed Morrissey mentions Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano for Obama's VP. Interestingly, Napolitano have a very high approval rating in Arizona.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch throws out Carly Fiorina's name.
The Arizona Republic goes through a bunch of VP options for Obama.
Mitt Romney's speech last night at the Beckett Fund for Religious Liberty's Canterbury dinner where Romney and his wife were honored. KLO at NRO has a very positive article on Romney's speech last night.
]]>That is happening in Rhode Island. Revenues are falling, despite some of America’s steepest taxes, and the economy is in the tank. Last week, economic analysts revealed that Rhode Island is the only state in the Northeast actually in recession, and one of only nine in the nation. Its employment figures, foreclosure rates and personal-income growth lag behind those of its neighbors and the country. Meanwhile, Massachusetts (which just added 6,000 jobs), Connecticut and New Hampshire keep growing.
I agree with Cillizza on most of these. Pawlenty is certainly the most likely, but I don't think he can carry Minnesota for McCain (and Daily Kos agrees with me!). Two, I know I have a special partiality for Mark Sanford, but I'm not sure what John Thune offers McCain that Sanford doesn't. Three, Charlie Crist is never going to happen. The main reason is that Crist is just not conservative enough for the base--particularly on abortion. He is pro-choice and McCain has already ruled out a pro-choice VP. Fourth, I would move Mitt Romney up to number 2 on the list. While he and McCain certainly have some chemistry issues, he offers more to the ticket than anyone else from a political standpoint. Finally, on the Democratic side, I think Sebelius' lack of foreign policy experience (which Cillizza mentions) would doom her chances.
]]>Democrats' Windfall Tax — On You - IBD Editorial
Washington D.C. Embraces Earmarks - Washington Post Editorial
China's Undervalued Currency Benefits U.S. - Amb. Terry Miller, Heritage
Foul Weather Austrians - Alex Tabarrok, Marginal Revolution
Economics and the Entrepreneur - Carl Schramm, RCP
Washington - Today, the Club for Growth released its 2007 annual scorecard, awarding the Defender of Economic Freedom award to six senators and forty-nine representatives who scored a 90 or above on the Club's scorecard (see here).
"These top-scoring members of Congress are staunch defenders of American taxpayers," said Club for Growth President Pat Toomey. "Their votes are critical to lowering taxes, cutting wasteful spending, and promoting economic growth for all Americans. The Club for Growth scorecard allows taxpayers to see how their senators and representatives are performing in Congress and find out who is truly fighting for pro-growth, limited-government policies. We hope that support for pro-growth principles will continue to grow, allowing more members to earn this award and more Americans to benefit."
The ratings are based on a comprehensive examination of votes in the House and Senate pertaining to key economic issues, including taxes, wasteful spending, entitlement reform, free trade, and regulation. Each lawmaker is given an economic growth score ranging from 0 to 100, with a score of 100 indicating the highest support for pro-growth policies. The Club is also introducing a searchable database that allows you to search past and current scorecards by party, state, house, and member.
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