New RTS Radio Podcast For 8/19/2010

Check out this episode on my podcast "Obama, The Mosque and Blago": http://podOmatic.com/r/V2cjK3b 

Share |

Elena Kagan

As the talk of Supreme Court Justice Nominee Elena Kagan's confirmation hearing continues unabated, there has also been talk of potential filibuster from the Republicans. As I've said before, this is bad policy. It was improper to filibuster when the Democrats were in the minority, and it is still improper when the Republicans are in the minority. For better or worse, every nominee sent to the Senate by the President deserves an "up or down" vote before the full Senate. If juducial nominees are locked up in comittee, it prevents the will of the full Senate from being expressed. The Constitution requires that all nominees will be decided upon by with the "advice and consent of the Senate". If the minority fillibusters or a committee bottles up a nominee, this does not allow for the consent of the Senate...only the consent of that PART of the Senate. We must not fall into the trap of letting this unconstitutional precident (started by the Democrats during Bush's tenure) continue while the Republicans are the minority. It is a very dangerous road to travel down.

Ryan Smith
www.ryan-smith.info
rtsradio@yahoo.com
http://www.rtsradio.podomatic.com
http://rtsradio.blogspot.com
http://www.youtube.com/rtsradio
http://www.twitter.com/rtsradio
http://www.myspace.com/rtsradio1
RTS Radio Facebook Page

Share
|

New Social Network Links

I'm updating all future blog posts with social networking links. This will make it easier to share the blog with friends.

More soon....

Share |

The Health Care Summit

Well, well, well after months debating and shutting out all opposition from the Republican party and coming close to ramming through a health care bill that the vast majority of the American people did not want, President Obama is finally ready to talk with the Republicans.

In the previous months the Democrats in the House and Senate have held closed-door meetings to hash out the details of the bill while LITERALLY locking the Republicans out. They did this after telling the Republicans that if they had any ideas to bring them to the table. But when they attempted to bring those ideas, they were met with literally a locked door. Then President Obama and the Democrats have the gall to call them the party of "no ideas"!!! Excuse me Mr. President!!!! But if you lock them out of the meeting, how are they supposed to present their ideas???!!!

This was the day that they held majorities in both houses of Congress and a filibuster-proof (60 or more seats) in the Senate. Now with the recent election of Republican Scott Brown to the Massachusetts Senate seat, they have lost the ability to simply cut off debate on a bill. This is now forcing the Democrats to include the Republicans in the discussion.

The Politico quoted one White House Staff member as saying: "While (Obama's) been very clear that he supports the House and Senate bills, if Republicans or anyone else has a plan for protecting Americans from insurance company abuses, lowering costs, reducing prescription drug prices for seniors, making coverage more secure, and offering affordable options to those without coverage, he's anxious to see it and debate the merits of it." It's amazing how quickly they have changed their tune. Additionally, he also wants the discussions to be televised. Interesting, that they didn't want to televise it before when they were simply trying to ram it through.

I do think the Republicans should still attend the meeting. However, they need to make it clear that as the bill stands right now, it is unacceptable. Even though they don't want to, the Congress needs to start from scratch, and the Republicans should make this clear.


Ryan Smith
rtsradio@yahoo.com
www.twitter.com/rtsradio
www.ryan-smith.info

Senate GOP Leader Watson gets frank about Obama

We will be posting an interview with former Illinois State Senator Frank Watson soon. In the meantime, here's a video of him.

State Analysis: Alabama

Alabama is for the most part a solidly Republican state. Its location in the deep south no doubt contributes to it's staunch conservatism. There still are, however, opportunities for the GOP to advance here. In the Presidential and Senatorial races, the GOP continues to have a solid lock on the offices, so our focus will be on the races for the House of Representatives.

House Districts 1 & 4 have been solidly Republican for the last several cycles and will most likely continue to be.

House Districts 3 & 6 have been in Republican hands for awhile, but may need some shoring up. District 3 was a solidly Republican in 2004 and 2006, but was a much closer race (53% to 47%) in the 2008 election. District 6 has had unopposed Republican representation for the past 3 election cycles and the GOP must make certain that they are not taking this district for granted.

House Districts 2 & 5 are possible pick-ups for the GOP in the 2010 election. District 2 has been solidly Republican in 2004 and 2006 and even voted for the John McCain in 2008, but a Democrat narrowly won the house seat in a nearly 50/50 election. This is a seat the GOP should definitely try to regain. District 5 is another opportunity for the GOP. This district had unopposed Democrat representation in 2004 and 2006, but a the Republican was able to gain 48% of the vote in 2008 making this district a potential pick-up for the GOP in 2010.

House District 7 is the wild-card of the group, but the Democrats still have the advantage here. The last two-party race here was in 2004 with the GOP pulling only 25% of the vote (with John Kerry winning 64% of the vote in the Presidential race). In the last two election cycles, the Democrat has run unopposed. However, the incumbent Democrat is retiring from the seat giving the GOP it's best possible shot at the seat. This district will be a difficult one for the GOP, but it is one which it should explore the possibilities in.

Overall, Alabama gives the GOP a good chance at gaining 2 seats and potential third.

Gotta Love Sarah!

The media is going over and over about how Sarah Palin resigned as governor. Evidently she isn't exiting from the scene though. She's already submitted this great op-ed to the Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/13/AR2009071302852.html

Enjoy!