Bluey Blog - Official Blog of Robert B. Bluey

On My Radar: Friday, August 31, 2007

Before I head out for Labor Day weekend, I wanted to leave you with some reading material and a great shot of Tiger Woods in action at the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston. The photo was taken by my college buddy Mike Ratty. Thanks for sharing!

• Laboring Against Working Americans - James Sherk, Heritage Foundation
• Accountability for all — except for Big Labor - Doug Bandow, Detroit News
• Untold Great Progress in Iraq - Ken Timmerman, NewsMax
• A Pathetic Preemptive Strike - William Kristol, Weekly Standard
• Liberals Plan to Gut FISA - Amanda Carpenter, Townhall

• Va-Senate: A Golden Opportunity for Democrats - Chris Cillizza, The Fix
• Democrats Are Idaho Dreamin’ - Liz Mair, American Spectator
• Voter-ID law’s key elements upheld - Matthew Benson, Arizona Republic
• New hiring law nears, migrants flee - Daniel González, Arizona Republic
• Poor not what it used to be - Jay Ambrose, Monterey Herald

• The Long View - Karl Rove, National Review Online
• Our fiscal crisis - Rep. Jeb Hensarling, Washington Times
• Bush Tax Cuts Must Be Extended - David Limbaugh, Townhall
• Who says conservatives don’t know how to party? - Patrick Gavin, The Examiner
• DeLay Schools Matt Lauer on Media Bias - Mark Finkelstein, NewsBusters

Bush Won’t Bail Out Homeowners in Mortgage Mess

The White House made a major push today to ease fears about the growing rate of foreclosures across the United States. With concerns mounting over the state of homeownership in America, President Bush outlined a series of proposals that he said will help homeowners avoid foreclosure and keep the economy ticking at a healthy pace.

As I noted on the blog earlier this month, Hillary Clinton jumped out in front on the issue, offering a plan to “protect the American dream of home ownership.” I called it a savvy move, and while I didn’t like her policy proposals, I did commend her for seizing on an issue that’s gaining traction.

An early review of Bush’s plan seems like he’s heading in the right direction. He noted today that while the government can take some steps to help homeowners, they need to be “limited.”

A federal bailout of lenders would only encourage a recurrence of the problem. It’s not the government’s job to bail out speculators, or those who made the decision to buy a home they knew they could never afford.

My friend Soren Dayton likes that kind of language. From a purely political perspective, Soren is still worried about the massive number of people who are going to be impacted and how it will impact the GOP.

UPDATE — 4:02 p.m.: It just dawned on me that my headline gives the perception that Bush could care less about homeowners. That wasn’t my point; instead, I’m pleased to see he’s emphasizing personal responsibility. That’s a stark contrast to what Hillary and other liberals have proposed.

Travis Henry Won’t Play on My Fantasy Team

Yesterday while eating breakfast and reading the Washington Post, I spotted an article about Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry, my second pick in a fantasy football draft two days earlier.

Broncos’ Henry Won’t Be Punished

Associated Press
Thursday, August 30, 2007; Page E08

Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry’s child support judgments might expose him to catcalls across the league this season, but they don’t put him in line for disciplinary action by the NFL.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported over the weekend that court documents in a Georgia child support case show Henry, 28, has fathered nine children by nine women in four southern states and has been ordered to pay child support for seven of them.

He also had to borrow money from his former team, the Tennessee Titans, to fulfill one of those judgments, according to court records.

The revelations came in a case in which a judge in DeKalb County, Ga., last week ordered Henry to provide $3,000 a month and fund a $250,000 trust by the spring for a boy he fathered out of wedlock three years ago with Jameshia Beacham, now 29.

My immediate reaction was relief that I wouldn’t lose a player who I was counting on to contribute significantly this year. But after thinking about the situation a little longer, I decided this guy wasn’t someone I wanted on my team, even if it’s just fantasy football. I was appalled by Henry’s behavior. But even more alarming was the fact that a football player who is making $12 million in guaranteed bonuses wasn’t paying his child support.

Last night I traded Henry and a couple other players (Donte’ Stallworth and Maurice Morris) for a player I find obnoxious, but who at least doesn’t lead a disgraceful personal life like Henry. My new No. 1 wide receiver is the Bengals’ Chad Johnson, who I got along with LaMont Jordan and Michael Turner. I’m much happier to have rid myself of Travis Henry, and even if he does make me regret it with a great season on the field, at least I won’t be condoning his behavior off it.

Smokin’ Joe’s New Album Is Hot

Blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa, who grew up in my hometown and graduated from New York Mills a few years ahead of me, returned to the Utica area last night to put on a show at the Matt Brewing Co. My parents were there to watch and told me tonight that Bonamassa’s new album, “Sloe Gin,” is No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Blues Albums. Kudos to Joe and best wishes for continued success.

Teaching Conservatives How to Communicate Online

As I mentioned on the blog before heading to vacation, I’ve been consumed with planning a Modern Media Strategies Workshop for conservatives on Capitol Hill and in the movement. Today was the big day — and it was certainly big. We had about 200 attendees and presentations from 15 of the smartest online communicators in the business.

Special thanks to Google (specifically Ginny Hunt and Michelle Rosen) and my wonderful colleagues Maggie Pitts and Melinda Brown, who did an exceptional job behind the scenes to make today a success. I’d be remiss if I didn’t also thank David All, Soren Dayton, Matt Lewis and Patrick Ruffini, who played a crucial role in developing the agenda and marketing today’s event. We had presentations on why blogs matter, social networking, engaging your community, online advertising, using technology to spread the message, online video and blogger outreach. Our 15 presenters did an outstanding job.

My early reflections on the event are quite positive based on the feedback I’ve heard, but I think we still have a long way to go. There’s already talk of doing an un-conference in a few months to see what today’s attendees found valuable and what they’ve implemented. I’d also like to follow up today’s event with smaller workshops focused separately on congressional staffers and non-profits. I think there’s a need for a workshop specifically for campaign managers as well, but that’s not for Heritage to host.

UPDATE — Aug. 30, 9:04 a.m.: Jose Vargas writes about yesterday’s workshop on the Washington Post’s blog The Trail. It’s a good piece, but did you really have to mention that Matt Lewis quote?

Heritage Advances to Think Tank Softball Championship

The Heritage Foundation softball team defeated the National Democratic Institute squad, 17-9, tonight in the first round of the Think Tank Softball playoffs. The championship game will probably be held next week. I went 1-for-4 with two RBI and made my softball debut at first base.

For all the grief I’ve given Peter Komives and the NDI team this season (here, here and here), we’ve come to enjoy the rivalry and look forward to facing them again next season.

UPDATE — Aug. 29, 9:33 p.m.: My teammates gave me grief for failing to mention that my hit yesterday was a triple that came at a crucial time in the bottom of the sixth.

UPDATE — Aug. 29, 9:45 p.m.: Our coach Brian Darling tells me that we’ll face the Leadership Institute next week for the championship. Also, check out photos from last night from Andrew Blasko.

Being ‘Poor’ Ain’t What It Used to Be

Listening to John Edwards these days, you’d think America’s poor, a number the Census Bureau puts at 37 million, are in dire straits. While I certainly have sympathy for anyone who faces a daily struggle to make ends meet, the truth is that many of the 37 million who fall into the government’s classification of poverty don’t really have it all that bad, according to a new paper by my colleague Robert Rector.

Here’s just a snippet of Rector’s findings (which he highlighted in a National Review op-ed yesterday):

• 43% of all poor households actually own their own homes. The average home owned by persons classified as poor by the Census Bureau is a three-bedroom house with one-and-a-half baths, a garage, and a porch or patio.

• 80% of poor households have air conditioning. By contrast, in 1970, only 36% of the entire U.S. population enjoyed air conditioning.

• Only 6% of poor households are over­crowded. More than two-thirds have more than two rooms per person.

• The average poor American has more living space than the average individual living in Paris, London, Vienna, Athens, and other cities throughout Europe. (These comparisons are to the average citizens in foreign countries, not to those classified as poor.)

• Nearly three-quarters of poor households own a car; 31% own two or more cars.

• 97% of poor households have a color television; more than half own two or more color televisions.

• 78% have a VCR or DVD player; 62% have cable or satellite TV reception.

• 89% own microwave ovens, more than half have a stereo, and more than a third have an automatic dishwasher.

Don’t get me wrong, I know there are many poor Americans who don’t fall into any of these categories. But the fact is, as Rector notes in his paper, a little more work and a healthy marriage (and no out-of-wedlock births) would go a long way to reducing poverty — and have better results than the government’s throwing more money at the problem.

Larry Craig’s Days in Washington Are Numbered

Sen. Larry Craig (R.-Idaho) has had good career in Washington, spending more than 27 years in Congress with stints in both the House and Senate. But with news of Craig’s arrest, under highly suspicious circumstances nonetheless, now would be a good time bid farewell to Washington. With a re-election campaign looming next year, it seems he has little other choice.

Craig has been a solid conservative, compiling a 93% lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union. The few times I’ve had an opportunity to interview him, he’s always been an articulate spokesman for Senate Republicans. And while I didn’t agree with his support for comprehensive immigration reform or opening up trade with Cuba — citing the need boost Idaho’s agriculture industry — there were few other issues where he strayed from traditional conservative issues.

Unfortunately for Craig, rumors about past homosexual conduct, combined with tonight’s embarrassing arrest report, leave him little choice but to step down — either immediately or at the end of his term. RedState’s Erick Erickson put it bluntly: “I can only say he must resign.” And Hugh Hewitt said “an immediate exit is required.”

Should Craig leave immediately — which I doubt will happen — he would most likely be replaced by Idaho Lt. Gov. Jim Risch, according to liberal blog Daily Kos, which has surprising good information about the potential Senate race. (Patrick Ruffini has also compiled a list of possible replacements.)

Coming in the wake of Sen. David Vitter’s adultery and former Rep. Mark Foley’s transgressions, this news further tarnishes congressional Republicans. How very sad for a party that once stood for moral values.

UPDATE — Aug. 28, 9:12 a.m.: Chris Cillizza of The Fix has a good report about Craig’s political future and who might replace him in Idaho.

Ed Meese: A Model Attorney General

Alberto Gonzales will step down as U.S. attorney general in less than a month, ending (at least temporarily) the Democrats’ witch hunt. Gonzales never really won the admiration of conservatives as his predeccessor, John Ashcroft, did. Gonzales’ pro-choice court rulings in Texas and his support for giving amnesty to illegal aliens won him few fans on the right. And despite his solid work in the area of national security, he simply didn’t have the support he needed to continue.

Although I may not have agreed with every move he made, I respected him for his service to our country. The same can’t be said of congressional Democrats, who subjected him to nasty attacks. That’s why I’m glad President Bush said this morning that Gonzales’s “good name was dragged through the mud for political reasons.” Now that he’s leaving, it’ll be up to someone new to deal with the Democrats’ demands. Who might that man or woman be?

My colleague Todd Gaziano, a former DOJ staffer in the Office of Legal Counsel, doesn’t name any names, but he does spell out the attributes the person must possess in this Natinoal Review symposium. Fortunately for President Bush, Gaziano writes, he has to look just across town to find the right characteristics. Former Attorney General Ed Meese is a model example, as Gaziano sees it.

My inspiration for the above job description is my Heritage colleague (and Ronald Reagan’s second attorney general) Ed Meese. Lest you think I’m sucking up to my superior who runs our department, I’m sure he would not approve of me suggesting he actually be called back to serve as AG. (Lucky for me, he’s out of the country today.) Heritage senior management would also be upset at me if he actually left. And Ed’s wonderful wife Ursula would probably not approve either. Nevertheless, the profile of Ed Meese above suggests that if the President should look beyond his current inner circle, he may find someone who is at least as loyal and who brings a level of stature and experience that can’t be matched inside the administration.

The job will be filled on an interim basis by Paul Clement, and then after that it’s anyone’s guess. Speculation in Washington has Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff as the favorite with White House anti-terrorism adviser Fran Townsend and former Solicitor General Ted Olsen also as possibilities.

Whomever it might be, I don’t envy the person. It won’t be an easy job to fill, which is why, as Gaziano writes, it’ll take a “disarmingly nice person” to do it.

UPDATE — 5:21 p.m.: The best suggestion I’ve seen for replacing Gonzales is former Missouri Sen. Jim Talent. Of course, I’m biased when I echo Kate O’Beirne’s idea because Talent works down the hall from me here at Heritage.

Beaches and Battlefields

Map of Our Trip to the South

Missy and I returned this evening from our week-long vacation to the South, making stops along the way in the Outer Banks, Savannah, Ga., and Greensboro, N.C. We also saw where the Civil War began in Charleston, S.C., and where it ended in Appomattox, Va. The map above illustrates our trip.

I feel a little regretful for not blogging during the vacation, but it was also quite refreshing to take a week off. Now that we’re back, I wanted to share a few memories about the trip.

My favorite stop was Savannah, which my Uncle Ted and Aunt Cathy had been talking up for months. (Special thanks to my aunt for sharing so much information.) We learned quite a bit about the city during our drive there. We listened to the book, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” which is set in Savannah in the early 1980s. While we were there, we visited some landmarks made famous by the book, such as Mercer House, Bonaventure Cemetery and many of the famous squares that make Savannah so unique.

Missy liked Charleston better than Savannah, and I certainly enjoyed seeing Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie. The boat ride to Sumter was particularly eventful. We had to sprint to get there for the 9:30 departure and then had to make a mad dash for cover when a thunderstorm struck upon our return to Charleston.

My birthday fell during the vacation (thanks to all the well-wishers on Facebook and MySpace) and I was able to celebrate with Missy’s family. Our nephew J.P. kept everyone entertained during our four-day stay in the Outer Banks. This was my second visit to Avon, N.C., having vacationed there eight years earlier in a house one block away.

Last night we spent the evening at the Greensboro Grasshoppers game. They won, 7-5, against the Lexington Legends. It was a nice place to stop to break up the trip.

On our way home, we drove up U.S. 29 to Appomattox, Va., where we saw the restored court house were Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. As with our visits to Charleston and Savannah, we had to cut the stop in Appomattox short because of a rain storm.

I’m putting together a short slideshow of photos from the vacation. I’ll post it before I go to bed tonight.

UPDATE — 11:17 p.m.: As promised, here are a few of my favorite photos.

UPDATE — Aug. 27, 10:40 a.m.: I feel like such an idiot. I posted a non-interactive image of a Google map on Flickr last night only to discover this morning that I could have just embedded it into the page. I’ve replaced it with a new map. Enjoy!