Dem confab sports California stars

Sept. 4, 2012

By John Seiler

Except for a hilarious Clint Eastwood stand-up routine, last week’s Republican convention in Tampa featured hardly any Californians. At their convention this week in Charlotte, Democrats are showing off their powerful California delegation.

The Democratic schedule seems less firm than the Republicans’ was on the first day of their convention. But over the next three days, the expected speakers will include these Californians:

* Convention Co-chair Actress Eva Longoria, although from Texas, now is a Hollywood star, so she’s a Californian in the view of fans. She’s the Dems’ Hollywood answer to Clint Eastwood. As a creative person, she won’t imitate Dirty Harry’s schtick of mocking the other party’s nominee not sitting in an empty chair. But I’m hoping she’ll make reference to Clint’s performance, perhaps critique it.

I’ve never seen her in anything. But I know she starred in “Desperate Housewives.” Aren’t Democrats supposed to be feminists? I don’t know. To paraphrase Jack Nicholson in “Chinatown,” “Forget it, Jake, it’s Hollywood.”

Let’s just hope it’s fun.

* Ex-President Bill Clinton. Although technically not from our state, he always has been considered an “honorary Californian” for all his trips out here. Remember when he raised some cash, then spent a couple of hours with Air Force One on the tarmac at LAX, allegedly tying up flights, as he got a hairdo? Media Matters, the pro-Democratic group, says the tying up flights part is “a myth.” But Air Force One always ties up air traffic, as we see every time President Obama comes here trolling for cash.

Anyway, Clinton is the only even semi-successful president in the past 24 years, since Reagan left office. The Bushes and, so far, Obama have been abject failures. Clinton, by contrast, left office with — get this, young people — actual budget surpluses. True, Republican House Speaker New Gingrich insisted on them, as did Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Still, Clinton’s name was on the budgets. And Obama also has to face a Republican Senate.

If it weren’t for that Monica business, then Clinton perjuring himself over it and getting impeached, he would be at Reaganesque levels of adulation. As it is, Democrats will be cheering as he were the return of JFK.

Clinton was known as president for his 80-minute stemwinder speeches. Let’s hope this one is a lot shorter. But Slick Willie always could gave a great speech, so this one should be good. Some Democrats have feared that Clinton will overshadow Obama. But Obama is an astute enough politician to understand that he needs every vote he can, and if that means letting Clinton rule the roost, then that’s just fine. Winning a second term is all that counts. Losing turns you into Jimmy Carter.

* Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is the chair of the convention. He governs a city on the verge of bankruptcy — in a state with a Democratic governor and overwhelming Democratic majorities in the Legislature, with a country run by a Democratic president and Democratic U.S. Senate. Republicans only control the U.S. House.

Why can’t he get some Big Bailout Bucks for his city and the state?

* House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. She’s the real author of Obamacare. And as the House speaker for four years — two wild spending years under Republican President Bush, then two more under President Obama — she’s as responsible as anybody for the $16 trillion debt. A difficult person to listen to even if, like me, you get paid to do it.

Ironically, her successor as House speaker, Republican John Boehner, hasn’t made thing any better. Maybe the whole system is just so rotten it’s about to collapse like a cheap card table.

* Rep. Xavier Becerra of Los Angeles. The Dems are featuring a lot of Latinos to counter the Republicans’ A-list of Sen. Marco Rubio, New Mexico Gov. Susanna Martinez, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, Senate candidate Ted Cruz, etc. Becerra is vice-chair of the House Democratic Caucus. First elected in 2002, he sits on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. So I’m eager to hear how he explains the $16 trillion debt he helped run up, especially when Democrats ran the whole show — presidency, Senate and House — from 2009 to 2010.

Ex-Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, although born in Canada and the ex-governor of another state, grew up in the Bay Area. Now she’s a Distinguished Practitioner of Law and Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. Having wrecked Michigan, which under her had 15 percent unemployment and two bankrupt auto giants — GM and Chrysler — taken over by Obama, now she’s grabbing Californians’ tax money.

Like ex-California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, she started out acting in Hollywood. He should put her in one of his “comeback” movies.

Expect a dull speech. Time to hit the fridge for a beer.

*  California Attorney General Kamala Harris is the most activist AG the state ever has seen, and a governor-wannabe. I’m hoping Gov. Jerry Brown runs for a fourth term just to tick her off and make her wait another four years. Her worst action so far was manufacturing a biased “title and summary” for a pension reform initiative, which because of that was pulled by its authors. As Steven Greenhut wrote on our site:

“California Attorney General Kamala Harris’ recent misuse of power to provide a dishonest ballot title and summary for proposed pension-reform initiatives, which she opposes, comes right out of the totalitarian playbook, where those wielding power recognize no rules of decency or fairness.”

About the time she becomes governor in 2019, the whole state pension system will collapse, with no government retirees getting anything. Think she’ll talk about that tonight? Of course not. It’ll just be about imposing her utopia on the rest of us.

* Rep. Barbara Lee of Oakland is my favorite Democrat. She long has criticized the Iraq and Afghan wars as misguided policy. Boy was she right on that. On foreign policy (not domestic), she’s a Democratic Ron Paul. She even attacked Congress for being “missing in action” by not taking seriously its constitutional obligation to either declare war when necessary, or prevent the president from declaring war on his own. The last actual declaration of war was in World War II, but we’ve been at war almost continually ever since.

I hope Lee criticizes President Obama for continuing the unconstitutional wars. In 2009, she opposed his troop “surge” in Afghanistan — something that, during the Vietnam War years, was called an “escalation.” But I doubt she will.

Conclusion: Both parties for two decades now have staged highly scripted imitation reality TV shows. Spontaneity has been snuffed out — except for Clint’s performance last Thursday. Nobody wants to do anything to scare the “undecided” voters into jumping to the other party.

Things were better with riots, as with the 1968 Dem convention. Or contested conventions, as for the Reps in 1976 and the Dems in 1980.  When Obamacare gets into full swing, instead of prescribing Ambien to insomniacs, they’ll pass out DVDs of the Rep and Dem 2012 convention speeches.

42 comments

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  1. Ted
    Ted 4 September, 2012, 09:47

    Poor Clint— doddering old fool. Sad.

    And sad for the repub’s– Reagan, Nixon, Ike and even the Bush clan would have been mortified at the vulgarity of the Eastwood speech just moments before the next leader of the free world would awe and inspire us.

    Even though I am a dem. I certainly hate to see our nation sink so low. I hope the dem’s do better this week. With less hateful rhetoric they stand a better chance.

    Reply this comment
  2. Rex the Wonder Dog!
    Rex the Wonder Dog! 4 September, 2012, 10:24

    Teddy, tell me this story again tonight….. right before bedtime….helps me sleep 😉

    Reply this comment
  3. Paul
    Paul 4 September, 2012, 11:12

    With all the liberal bullshit and lies why don’t you people open your eyes? JFK would be embarrassed to call himself a democrat! What happened to Democrats? Ask not what your country can do for you! Ask what you can do for your country! JFK Remember? JFK would be disappointed in his Democratic party, for they have become a joke! What a bunch of loser scum you have become!!!!!

    Reply this comment
  4. Paul
    Paul 4 September, 2012, 11:20

    As an American, I am disappointed in our stupid foolish leaders because they just don’t get it. Most Americans I have spoken with are angry that they are not being herd and ignored by all of our Congressmen, Senators, Representatives, Governors and the worst of them all, is President “Obama”. We as Americans deserve better than what we have in office today. The Liberals elected Obama and now most Liberals regret their decision because of the lies and deceit of all the current leaders now in office. Here is what most Americans worry about.
    1. Jobs, where are they?
    2. The Health bill deficit, where are they going to get the money to pay for it?
    3. Big brother taking over, are we losing our freedoms of choice?
    4. Economy, where is all the stimulus money?
    5. Housing, can they afford to buy or keep their house?
    6. Food, how are we going to feed ourselves?
    I can go on and on but most of you see and know what is going on and now it is time to act by showing you mean it. How you ask? By voting out all of our current leaders and impeaching others before it’s to late. It is our DUTY to stand up for what is right as AMERICANS and fight the fight of FREEDOM before FREEDOM is lost forever as we know it. I don’t care if you’re a Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green Party or what party you are with. We are all in this giant political mess together lets take back our country and we need to do it NOW!!! Before we are like the Europeans, Canadians, China and UK with gun control, higher taxes, government health care, and big brother watching our every move and taking all of our FREEDOMS our forefathers intended us to have.

    Reply this comment
  5. Donkey
    Donkey 4 September, 2012, 11:30

    The current state of California is not where our ship should be heading, but it is the same course Oblamy his steering the nation. So it should be no surprise to anyone that the DNC speakers will be the most narcissistic group of blowhards since the Mullahs of Iran.

    Paul, you are correct, JFK would be embarrased, as would FDR, HST, and even Jimmy Carter. 🙂

    Reply this comment
  6. Ulysses Uhaul
    Ulysses Uhaul 4 September, 2012, 11:52

    Takes a long time to turn around the SHIP OF FOOLS….

    You blame everyone….but who is the fool?

    Your fat, soft, politically docile as the lawyers clean you out through laws, regulations, taxes.

    Accept your future…you bark, but you gleefully run to your bowl of government benefits and goodies!

    And JFK accomplished little except a couple of sound bites, so lay off the idol worship. Try Truman, the only realistic country strong Democrat in the 20th century.

    Reply this comment
  7. Paul
    Paul 4 September, 2012, 12:31

    The problem is liberals can’t think and don’t know how to for themselves, all sheep being lead to slaughter along with this once great state and nation by liberals and the great divider, whom wont take blame for anything……Plain and simple

    Reply this comment
  8. Rex the Wonder Dog!
    Rex the Wonder Dog! 4 September, 2012, 12:42

    The problem is liberals can’t think and don’t know how to for themselves, all sheep being lead to slaughter along with this once great state and nation by liberals and the great divider, whom wont take blame for anything……Plain and simple

    The pension giveaways are done bipartisan, with 69-4 or 70-3 votes. Your claim it is JUST liberals is bogus.

    Reply this comment
  9. Edward Steele, Chief Investigator
    Edward Steele, Chief Investigator 4 September, 2012, 13:31

    There ya go Poodle– even a little doggie can uncover a republican fib!

    good boy/girl!

    Reply this comment
  10. Ulysses Uhaul
    Ulysses Uhaul 4 September, 2012, 14:07

    Finally sinking in…your brainwashed….and Republicans vote to clean you out..

    What can you do?

    PACK AND SHIP….

    Reply this comment
  11. Ulysses Uhaul
    Ulysses Uhaul 4 September, 2012, 14:09

    Poodle come join us…..your on the verge of cracking anyway….

    Reply this comment
  12. Ted
    Ted 4 September, 2012, 14:35

    U Haul is correct poodle–you’re close—-you may as well packn ship.

    Ex-President Bill Clinton. Although technically not from our state, he always has been considered an “honorary Californian” for all his trips out here. Remember when he raised some cash, then spent a couple of hours with Air Force One on the tarmac at LAX, allegedly tying up flights, as he got a hairdo?

    Clinton is our guy—- leaves a balanced budget and a surplus! James Rogan notwithstanding he beats impeachment!

    Reply this comment
  13. LGMike
    LGMike 4 September, 2012, 14:42

    By the way, Clinton didn’t leave office with budget surplus, he just back filled the deficit with moneys borrowed from Social Security Trust Fund, which it seems Congress has been doing for years, otherwise it would be solvent long past our time.

    Reply this comment
  14. LGMike
    LGMike 4 September, 2012, 14:44

    I also notice that even Eva has moved to Texas, perhaps its because of the high taxes, regulations, and stupid California Democratic Party running our state. She may not be as dumb as she looks.

    Reply this comment
  15. Ted
    Ted 4 September, 2012, 14:51

    LG– Wrong—In Clinton’s final full fiscal year — fiscal year (FY) 2000 — the federal budget surplus was $230 billion. The public debt decreased by this same amount — $230 billion.
    Some claim there was not a surplus because the gross national debt increased by $18 billion in the same year, FY 2000. How could the gross national debt increase while the public debt decrease? The answer is due to trust fund accounting requirements, as is required by law. Trust funds (unlike the federal government itself) are allowed accumulate money, for purposes of the trust fund’s future anticipated spending needs, and so trust fund accounting requires the trust fund money be segregated. This is unlike most people’s personal accounting methods, so can cause confusion in interpreting the numbers. Following is why there was a budget surplus with corresponding decrease in public debt, while the gross public debt increased in FY 2000.

    Reply this comment
  16. Paul
    Paul 4 September, 2012, 14:53

    The sad thing is the liberals believe everything even if it’s a lie or distorted facts like it’s the truth. They wouldn’t know the truth if it slapped them in the face. Then they elected Brown the clown again. How pathetic can you be!

    Reply this comment
  17. Ulysses Uhaul
    Ulysses Uhaul 4 September, 2012, 14:58

    We have Post Labor Day inventory balancing sale. The China twine is sold out to a bunch of bunker buddies from Stepford Wives …..Yorba Linda.

    Odd though….most of our calls are not Texas….their mostly to garden spots like Coarsegold, Amador City and Paradise….bastions for downsized, globalized,hapless Republicans looking for cheap digs in a world that passed them by!

    Reply this comment
  18. Rex the Wonder Dog!
    Rex the Wonder Dog! 4 September, 2012, 16:04

    The Rotti is Independant, always will be 😉

    Reply this comment
  19. SkippingDog
    SkippingDog 4 September, 2012, 16:23

    Kamala Harris will make a great governor for our state, but I’d prefer to see her serve two terms as AG with Brown as governor. That will be particularly important as we enter a period of economic recovery in the next year or two.

    Reply this comment
  20. Paul
    Paul 4 September, 2012, 18:26

    Typical liberal fantasy land and you people wonder why this state is bankrupt. As long as democrats are at the helm there will never be an economic recovery…..Plain and simple!

    Reply this comment
  21. Luke
    Luke 4 September, 2012, 19:05

    Paul, you said it all in your “As an American” post. I have said as much in my Yahoo posts and get mixed results with many thumbs down. What’s to thumb down about a post like this. This says a lot about the mindset of the American electorate. Were circling the drain..

    Reply this comment
  22. eck
    eck 4 September, 2012, 19:21

    Ted, you’re an obvious idiot. Go away. Drivel on some leftist website where you’ll be at home with other mental defectives.

    Reply this comment
  23. Ulysses Uhaul
    Ulysses Uhaul 4 September, 2012, 20:49

    Teddy is a true sage…can’t you grasp it?

    Reply this comment
  24. The Amazing Ted System
    The Amazing Ted System 4 September, 2012, 21:05

    Kamala Harris is one tough prosecutor with a super aggressive history and conviction rate— a GREAT prosecutor!!!!!!!

    Reply this comment
  25. Paul
    Paul 4 September, 2012, 22:28

    Rex the Poodle man who said anything about pension giveaways fool. How about the handouts to illegal aliens or (freeloaders as I call them) medi-cal, driver license, housing, food stamps and so on….They cost the people of California Millions if not billions…

    Reply this comment
  26. Ulysses Uhaul
    Ulysses Uhaul 4 September, 2012, 23:08

    Poodle is not a fool…

    Reply this comment
  27. Ulysses Uhaul
    Ulysses Uhaul 4 September, 2012, 23:10

    Why do light weight Republicans call posters nasty names?

    .

    Reply this comment
  28. Rex the Wonder Dog!
    Rex the Wonder Dog! 4 September, 2012, 23:42

    The pension scams are far more than illeal costs. $ 500 BILLION deficit. Nuf said 😉

    Reply this comment
  29. Ulysses Uhaul
    Ulysses Uhaul 5 September, 2012, 08:17

    Poodle what is the color of your fur. Ratty apricot?

    Reply this comment
  30. Rex the Wonder Dog!
    Rex the Wonder Dog! 5 September, 2012, 08:52

    Teddy what color is your bald head???

    Reply this comment
  31. Edward Steele, Chief Investigator
    Edward Steele, Chief Investigator 5 September, 2012, 09:01

    Rexpoodle– It’s flesh toned………but oh so smooth! Hey, on another note— sticking with this thread— you had to like the DNC speakers last night! What a milestone of great speeches!!

    Reply this comment
  32. Rex the Wonder Dog!
    Rex the Wonder Dog! 5 September, 2012, 11:19

    Probably pimple coated too 😉

    Reply this comment
  33. Edward Steele, Chief Investigator
    Edward Steele, Chief Investigator 5 September, 2012, 11:30

    Huh? Do your parents know you’re on their computer?

    Reply this comment
  34. Ulysses Uhaul
    Ulysses Uhaul 5 September, 2012, 11:49

    Poodle what is that suspicious rash and smell?

    Reply this comment
  35. Rex the Wonder Dog!
    Rex the Wonder Dog! 5 September, 2012, 12:40

    10-0 BABY! 😉

    Reply this comment
  36. Edward Steele, Chief Investigator
    Edward Steele, Chief Investigator 5 September, 2012, 12:54

    I guess Poodle can’t read the archives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

    Reply this comment
  37. Rex the Wonder Dog!
    Rex the Wonder Dog! 5 September, 2012, 14:02

    11-0 Nov 6 🙂

    Reply this comment
  38. Edward Steele, Chief Investigator
    Edward Steele, Chief Investigator 5 September, 2012, 14:59

    mmm ZERO,

    Can’t admit failure?

    0 for 9 ™

    Reply this comment
  39. Rex the Wonder Dog!
    Rex the Wonder Dog! 5 September, 2012, 16:42

    eck says:
    Ted, you’re an obvious idiot. Go away. Drivel on some leftist website where you’ll be at home with other mental defectives.

    LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply this comment
  40. The Amazing Ted System
    The Amazing Ted System 5 September, 2012, 19:14

    0 or 9 baby ™ proved again!

    Reply this comment
  41. Rex the Wonder Dog!
    Rex the Wonder Dog! 5 September, 2012, 19:58

    Teddy- Ed said if you clean up your act he will let you back on CP! 🙂

    Reply this comment
  42. Edward Steele, Chief Investigator
    Edward Steele, Chief Investigator 6 September, 2012, 09:12

    mmmmmm—- it was fun taking you out over there little buddy!

    Reply this comment

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