OFFISIDES: Senator Larry Craig continues to annoy the general public and outrage his own party by his unwillingness to resign his seat. The Senator so longs for the trappings of power that come with being a US Senator that he is willing to live in the haze of constant shame from the general public, his own colleagues and his own party. Few scandals demonstrate how intoxicating the power that those in Washington possess can be. He continues to offend and is therefore offsides. A poll of Iowans shows that they want him to retire. Greg Smith and Associates, Political Headlines
Is this the Republican Ticket in 2008?
Governor Rick Perry of Texas, pictured on the left, endorsed Rudy Giuliani for President on Wednesday. Normally the endorsement of the frontrunner in an election amounts to nothing more than simply good politics. In this case, however, one can justifiably express some surprise. In stark contrast to Giuliani, Perry does not shy away from the social conservative label. He takes a pro-life stance although some social conservatives criticized his signing of bills that limit late term abortions and require minor girls to obtain parental permission for abortions. One could, however, easily consider those conservative bills.
He also criticized the Supreme Court's decision, Lawrence v. Texas, that held Texas's sodomy laws, or laws that place restrictions on certain types of sexual acts, as unconstitutional. Considering Giuliani's relatively liberal position on abortions and civil unions, one might not expect Perry to endorse the candidate, or at least not to endorse him so early. Perhaps Perry believes the writing is on the wall and that endorsing Rudy at an early stage places him at a high level in the VP nominee sweepstakes.
Certainly Perry would represent a traditional choice, a southern conservative from a large state pairing with a northern moderate. Perry said nothing today that might lead one to the conclude he has no interest in receiving the VP nod. According the CNSNews.com, "Perry danced around a question about whether he'd agree to be Giuliani's running mate, if it comes to that." Texas Gov. Rick Perry Endorses Rudy Giuliani, CNSNews.com. The Ref believes that Governor Perry has just entered the VP sweepstakes in a bold and politically intelligent move. This move represents one of the first in this politically volatile debate period within the Republican Party surrounding social issues leading up to the Republican nomination. See the full rundown below.
SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE GOV. PERRY ENDORSES GIULIANI
- Texas Governor Endorses Giuliani, Mike Glover, AP
- Giuliani Wins Over Conservative Texas Governor, Reuters
OTHER POLITICAL NEWS
- Senator Clinton Escapes Lawsuit But May Be Deposed, Fred Lucas, CNSNews.com
- FISA Failed Soldiers, Former Intel Chairman Says, Monisha Bansal, CNSNews.com
- Border Agents Treated Worse Than Terror Suspects
Congressmen Say, Fred Lucas,
CNSNews.com - Naked Chocolate Jesus Rises Again in New York, Daniel Trotta, Reuters
- Judith Giuliani Sets Record Straight on Attending Cabinet Meetings, Fox News
- Air America, Talk Host Backpedal on Attack Claim, Admit Mugging Report Was FalseFox News
- Lynne Cheney: Dick Cheney, Barack Obama Distant Cousins, Fox News, AP
- Politics overshadow pulpits in endorsement (Bob Joness III Endorses Mitt Romney), Boston Globe
- Michigan Primary Could Cost Democrats, Sasha Issenberg, Boston Globe
- Blackwater Likely to be Out of Iraq, Anne Gearan, New York Post, AP
- Rudy's PL-No Boast: Says '95 Arafat Toss Proves I'm a Leader, Carl Campanile, NY Post
- Giuliani Getting Good Vibrations, Carl Campanile, NY Post
- Fred's Liberal Dose: Blasts Mario For Endorsing Mario, Carl Campanile, NY Post
- Sen. Craig Says He Was Entrapped in Sex Sting, NewsMax
- House Passes Media Shield Bill, NewsMax
- Putin Warns US on Iran Attack, NewsMax
- Iowa Republicans Set Jan. 3 For Presidential Vote, Reuters
- Blackwater Won't Allow Arrests, Sharon Behn, Washington Times
For Daily Edification and Relaxation
- Peaceful Picture Slideshow (Good), YouTube.com
- Life After Death - One Perspective
- Another Perspective
- No Life After Death - One Perspective
- Putin's Hostile Course, Washington Times
- Puerto Rican Statehood, Washingotn Times
- Iraq: Save the Champagne, NY Post
- Obscene 'Outrage' - Dem's Slick SCHIP Sanctimony, Michelle Malkin, NY Post
- Gen. Sanchez's Scream - He indicted everyone involved in Iraq, including the media and Congress, Daniel Henninger, OpinionJournal.com
- Big Shots, Born Again - A look at the evangelical power elite, John Schmalzbauer, OpinionJournal.com