The Right Wing Turns on Greenhut

Posted on April 30th, 2007 by Dan Chmielewski
The predictable “you’re with us or you’re against us” mentality of those on the right wing is rearing its head in the form of backlash against Steve Greenhut.  On Sunday, Greenhut announced his decision to leave today’s GOP borrowing a line from Ronald Reagan on “I didn’t leave the party, the party left me.”
Matt Cunningham suggests that Greenhut could stay to help repair the party.  “…there are essentially two responses one can make when one’s political party drifts from its philosophical moorings: abandon ship, or stay and fight to steer it back to its proper, principled course.”  But what Matt suggests is not the role of a journalist or even an editorial writer like Greenhut.



While I don’t expect to see Steve enroll as a Democrat, I do believe the reaction from the right wing means more even handed coverage.  As the saying goes, “never piss off people who buy ink by the barrel and newsprint by the truckload.”

Here’s a sampling of some of the comments on OCBlog.net about this move; I have deleted the names:


  • Thank God he is gone. Good riddance.  Who would of ever have thought that liberal, cop-hater is a member of the GOP.

  • So is Greenhut accepting a position and the Orange County ACLU branch? Or better yet perhaps he is going to get jumped in to a local street gang to fight the law abiding citizens and police! Maybe he can open a new propoganda publication for a prison gang. Wow Greenhut the possibilities are endless. Sail on and dont forget to take your keyboard so you have cover to hide behind!        

  • How about Greenhut leaves for Iraq while he’s at it. Im sure the terrorists would love his views against law and order. Are things that bad for Greenhut that he needs to try to hype up his articles in hopes of selling more advertisment and papers? Things must be getting worse and worse for that man. What party is left for him…..the Democrats (wont have him), Independant, Peace and Freedom (he’d fit in), Green (not sure Gore and Greenhut’s head would fit in the same room) or ???? Any more ideas?

  • After reading his column, several times to be sure not miss anything he might have said. It appears he has the current disease of most in America today. Instead of fighting for what he believes in and wants, he turns tail and runs away?  Why is it so hard to stand and fight for what you believe?

  • Did Greenhut think that much of himself that he had to anounce his departure? First Greenhut states he wants more government in certain areas and then out the other side of his mouth he states the GOP is for more government so he is leaving. You cant have it both ways Greenhut! Talk about flip flop! I wonder what his big announcement will be next week. Can’t wait!

  • I heard Greenhut is going to do a piece next week on the jackbooted thug cops in Garden Grove for outing the child molesters that moved into a local hotel. Greenhut is angry that the cops are using Megans Law to hide behind. I think Greenhut is going to propose a civilian oversight committee to oversee the protection of child molesters and their rights to live wherever they want without being outed!

Filed under: Uncategorized | 38 Comments »

Edwards Wins The Weekend In San Diego

Posted on April 30th, 2007 by Chris Prevatt
CDPAs a matter of full disclosure, I am supporting John Edwards for President in 2008.

Martin Wisckol of the Orange County Register has a gret story in his column today, that pretty much reflects how I feel about the convention and John Edwards.

Mixed message
The former Senator shows his potential for moving up in presidential polling


SAN DIEGO – Former Sen. John Edwards trails Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in most Democratic primary polls, but he gave a display Sunday of his potential to move up.

His speech was among the best received at the California Democratic Party Convention over the weekend. While Obama may have received louder ovations and was once interrupted by the chanting of his name, Edwards was in the same general decibel range and was twice interrupted by “Ed-wards! Ed-wards!”

Senator John Edwards

More importantly, Edwards dispensed with the life-story part of the speech heard from others the previous day and used that time to drill deeper into issues. The specificity made him sound better versed and more prepared to enact change. Closer scrutiny and comparison of the top three candidates could serve Edwards well in the months ahead.

And when you’d thought you’d heard all the campaign fodder, Edwards brought fresh issues to the table. On the Iraqi spending bill and withdrawal timetable, Edwards said Congress should respond to the expected presidential veto by returning the measure to Bush over and over.

“If the president of the United States vetoes that bill, it’s George Bush who’s not supporting our troops,” he said. “(Congress members) should not back down from the president…. This is about life and death. This is war.”

He said one of his first acts as president would be to close the controversial Guantanamo Bay detention facility and said it was time the U.S. stopped standing idlely by while genocide in Darfur continues. He outlined details for universal health care, education, and for one of his longstanding passions, ending poverty.

The North Carolina resident also pointed out historical evidence that may favor him. The last two Democratic presidents, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, were from southern states — and he is the only Democratic candidate from that region.

“The top three Republican candidates — none are from the South and that presents a huge opportunity (for Democrats),” he said.



Read more

Filed under: California Democratic Party, Election 2008, Presidential Election | 3 Comments »

Convention Follow-up

Posted on April 29th, 2007 by Chris Prevatt
CDP ConventionI’m working on more analysis of the convention speeches but I think in the mean time it may work better, since the convention is now over, to simply provide you with links to audio and video of the individual candidate speeches as they become available.  I will also provide some links to other blog commentary and analysis while I work on my comments.

For the record, it’s a B*&ch to prepare a post on my Motorola Q, and even more annoying when I try to publish it and lose the entire post.

The blog team over at Calitics pulled together great minute by minute coverage of the convention activities, and even scored some great one on one interviews with candidates. Check out their coverage at Calitics.com. Here is their interview with Chris Dodd.

Claudio Gallegos has his posts over at Orange Juice 1 & 2 and Andrew Davey has his reflections up on his blog as well.

Martin Wisckol over at Total Buzz and the OC Register has kept a great running diary of the convention speeches and activities.

The first video I have found up on YouTube is Senator Obama’s here, and Senator Edwards Campaign has an MP3 audio clip of his speech.

It does seem however that I’ve got the picture, that the OC media and blogoshpere hasn’t reported on yet.  When Senator Clinton entered the room for her press availability on Saturday morning, she stepped up to the podium flanked by a praetorian guard of California State Assembly members announcing their endorsement of her candidacy.

, Assembly members Ma and Solorio

As you can see, our very own 69th District Assemblyman Jose Solorio was up front showing his support.

I’ll have more later, it’s been a long weekend.

Filed under: California Democratic Party, Election 2008, Presidential Election | 4 Comments »

Greenhut’s Dear John to the GOP

Posted on April 29th, 2007 by Dan Chmielewski
An excellent column by Mr. Greenhut in Sunday’s OC Register.  Steve took issue with my hopeful comment that he will be an equal opportunity basher on both major parties.  And while increasingly, I am seeing more negative columns and Ornage Punch blog postings by him, I think the rest of the editorial page staff needs a lesson on fairness to those of us on the left (a significant number of which are their readers).

Below Steve’s confessiional, a Mark Steyn column with a headline using the word “Defeatocrats.”  Steyn is a huge waste of space and ink, but he didn’t write the headline; someone from the Register’s editorial page did.  I know they tow the Libertarian point of view, but with only 83,000 Libertarians registered statewide, it’s a narrow view.

Here’s Steve’s column:
Sunday, April 29, 2007

Breaking up with the GOP


Is the battle of individual liberty against big government over? A lot of Republicans seem to have declared ‘mission accomplished’


By STEVEN GREENHUT

Senior editorial writer and columnist for the Register

Have you ever been in one of those destructive long-term relationships that, at some point, you really just needed to end?

I’m not referring to my marriage to my lovely wife of 23 years, but to my 25-year relationship with the Republican Party. In recent years especially, I have found fewer things in common with the party. I feel used and abused. We’ve obviously grown in different and incompatible directions.

It’s a groan-inducing cliché, I know, but it applies here: I didn’t leave the party; the party left me. (more…)

Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

More from the Convention floor

Posted on April 28th, 2007 by Chris Prevatt
logo2.jpgOf Resolutions and Politics

Sitting here in the Resolutions Committee meeting where the final decision on which of more than 30 Resolutions will make it to the floor as one of the 10 that will be decided upon tomorrow.

There has been significant discussion on the floor today around three resolutions. one is regarding a call for Impeachment of Bush and Cheney, and the other two cover allocation of Party funds to candidates and the audit process for the party. the last two are really not within the scope of resolutions and will most likely be ruled out of order.

The committee just approved changes to the Impeachment Resolution. They’re happy for now, we’ll see what happens when the final selections are made.

Filed under: California Democratic Party | 4 Comments »

Live from the Convention floor

Posted on April 28th, 2007 by Chris Prevatt
logo1.jpgJust back from lunch. Nancy Pelosi just wrapped up her speach. waiting for the next.

Senator Barack Obama was just introduced.

Pretty much the same number of supporters on the floor as for Clinton.

Obama is talking about his start in Chicago working on setting up work training programs and then starting a civil rights law practice.

Obama has a theme of “It’s time to turn the page.” He is effectively weaving this them on a variety of issues including Health Care and ending the war in Iraq.

Phil Angelides, just took to the stage. I guess they had to let him speak. Maybe it will be the last we hear from this guy. ;)

Senator Chris Dodd just took to the stage. Following Phil Angelides, can’t get much better for Chris “I’m Chris Dodd.” I’ve set my alarm to wake me in about 10 minutes.

Okay, the alarm went off a few minutes ago… Dodd is still speaking. He just closed with the statement “I’m running for President and would like you support, and when I’m in the white House you can all come over and sleep in the White House.”

Dennis Kucinich just took the stage. He’s focusing on the war in Iraq and the proposed House Resolution to establish a “Department of Peace.”

Kucinich has covered the issue of health care, he just pledged to eliminate NAFTA and the WTO and return to bilateral trade. He also just called for the end to exploitation of immigrant workers, and grant Amnesty to undocumented immigrants. Also, he pledged to repeal the Patriot Act.

Now Dennis, Dick Cheney’s menace, explained to the convention that he filed his Articles of Impeachment of Dick Cheney because he “believes in the Constitution of the United States.

Kucinich is done, I haven’t forgotten about finishing my post about Hilary’s speech and press conference. I will get to it soon.

Filed under: California Democratic Party, Election 2008, Presidential Election | 2 Comments »

LIVE FROM San Diego

Posted on April 28th, 2007 by Chris Prevatt
logo.jpgBlogging Live from the California Democratic Party Convention.

Things got off to the usual late start, about 9:30.

Chairman Art Torres reported to the 1145 Registered delegates that San Diego is now a Democratic city, 39 to 36 percent.

Waiting for Hillary, we have heard from Congressmembers Filner and Davis as well as LG Garamendi, and State Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell.

10:20 AM: We’ve heard from State Treasurer Bill Lockyer thus far the looongest speech of the morning.

AG Jerry Brown wrapped up after a short 5 minutes an now we have a video address from Senator Barbara Boxer.

10:30: Still waiting for Hillary.

10:35:: Torres just introduced Senator Hillary Clinton after stalling for a few minutes. She is doing a short walk around the floor to the stage, surrounded and followed by supporters.

I will post some of the highlights from Hillary’s speach and press conference following the speach a little later. I am currently blogging from my Motorola Q and there is just too much to post from my phone.

Hillary, talking about the Iraq occupation and the efforts in Congress to bring the troops home, gets heckled.

img001.jpg

Filed under: Elections, California Democratic Party, Election 2008 | No Comments »

241 Toll road extension?

Posted on April 27th, 2007 by Chris Prevatt
The Resolutions Committee of the State Democratic Party just approved a substitute resolution to support the construction of an extension of the 241 Toll road only if the extension does not cut through State park land unless there is mitigation to replace any lost park lands.

The proposed extension cuts through San Onofre State Park.

Basicly, we had a debate between to Environmental and labor caucuses over whether jobs trump environment or vice-versa. The compromise hasn’t really made any of these two groups happy, but then again, compromise resolutions rarely have a different result.

“THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the California Democratic Party opposes the current proposed alignment of the Foothill-South extension through San Onofre State Park; that the CA Democratic Party opposes any roadway through San Onofre State Park unless there is significant enough mitigation that a consensus of support for the project would exist with local elected officials, the State Coastal Commission and local environmental groups.”

Live from The California State Democratic Party in San Diego,

Chris Prevatt

Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Jimmy Carter at UCI

Posted on April 27th, 2007 by Mike Lawson
Former President Jimmy Carter will visit UC Irvine next Thursday, May 3rd to talk about the conflict between Israel and Palestine and answer questions from students.  Here’s the press release:

 
Jimmy Carter to visit UC Irvine, talk with students

Former president will discuss Middle East conflict between Israel and Palestine

Irvine, Calif., April 27, 2007Former President Jimmy Carter will visit UC Irvine on Thursday, May 3, to discuss the Middle East conflict between Israel and Palestine and answer questions from students.

“We are honored to host President Carter, who has provided such distinguished service to our nation and to the world,” said William R. Schonfeld, director of the Center for the Study of Democracy. “This is a rare and exciting opportunity for our students to hear directly from a former President of the United States about issues of great concern.”

Carter’s address to UCI students, faculty, staff and alumni will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the UCI Bren Events Center. Students are encouraged to submit questions online before the event and a panel of students and faculty will select representative queries to ask Carter during the program.

Carter is lauded for his work to forge the groundbreaking Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel in 1979. In his recent book, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, he revisited Middle East issues and generated discussions across the country with a title that he acknowledges is provocative. His talk at UCI will focus on the current conflict in the Middle East.

For decades, the Carter Center has worked to promote democracy, mediate conflict and improve global health through the eradication of diseases including Guinea worm disease and malaria. In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his “effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.”  While at UCI, he will be presented with the 2008 UCI Citizen Peacebuilding Award. Previous recipients include former Soviet leader Mikhael Gorbechev and the XIV Dalai Lama.

Members of the UCI community may obtain ticket information at www.socsci.uci.edu/events/carter. Plans are being made to webcast the event live at that site for members of the public.

This event is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Democracy and the student-led Model United Nations in association with the Center for Citizen Peacebuilding and the Department of Political Science.

 

Filed under: Uncategorized | 7 Comments »

Loretta Sanchez to join ‘The View’

Posted on April 27th, 2007 by Mike Lawson
lorettalive1.gifWell, it’s not exactly “The View,” but Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is starting a monthly cable-access TV Show called “Loretta Live.” The show won’t really be live, but I think the name is too catchy to give up because of that small detail. From the Orange County Register:
Sanchez plans to interview her colleagues, Cabinet secretaries and policy experts about topics percolating on Capitol Hill.

“I’ve been told by people for a long time that I should do it,” said Sanchez, D-Garden Grove. “It takes a lot of time, but we decided that this year was the right time.”

The 30-minute show is tentatively slated to air in Garden Grove on Channel 6 at 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tuesdays starting in mid-May. Her office is also working to get it broadcast in Anaheim, Santa Ana and Fullerton.

I know that it’s kind of nerdy, but I’m actually looking forward to this.

[The Orange County Register]

Filed under: 47th Congressional | 2 Comments »

Experts on Partisan Witch Hunts

Posted on April 26th, 2007 by Dan Chmielewski
With the news the Sec. of State Condi Rice may not honor a congressional subpoena which Republicans are decrying as “Partisan Witch Hunts,” Randi Rhode shad an interesting stat to report today:

Number of subpoenas issued to the Clinton administration:  1,058

The number issued to the Bush administration: 5.

Which party is more likely to conduct a partisan witch hunt?

Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Greenhut Leaving the GOP

Posted on April 26th, 2007 by Dan Chmielewski
Steve has a post over on Orange Punch; his Sunday column will outline reasons why he’s decided to leave the GOP.

What I hope it means is that he’ll be an equal opportunity basher of Republicans too, and not just Democrats.

Filed under: Uncategorized | 11 Comments »

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