Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Elections 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elections 2012. Show all posts

Monday, March 19, 2012

GOP still headed for a cliff and other stories of the coming Zombie Apocalypse by Kevin Dayhoff

GOP still headed for a cliff and other stories of the coming Zombie Apocalypse by Kevin Dayhoff


I'm still hearing from folks, literally, from all over the world about, "The kerfuffle was no fluke." It must have struck a nerve.

So far in the presidential election of 2012 the only debate among historians is just which national election in history has the opposition party collectively conducted a more inept campaign to unseat a sitting president?

One of the places i wanted to go when I wrote "The kerfuffle was no fluke," was the 1860 presidential election. Fortunately, on March 16, 2012, TheTentacle writer, Roy Meachum picked-up that portion of the story: “Inevitable GOP Tuesday,” “As Tuesday pointed out, Republicans seem headed for the fate that led to Abraham Lincoln’s election, establishing the party on the American political scene.
In 1860, Democrats ruled the land. Nomination on their ticket was tantamount to a key to the White House. The great favorite was Stephen Douglas, who had defeated Mr. Lincoln for the U.S. Senate two years before. At their convention in Charleston, South Carolina, they went through 55 ballots before adjourning to Baltimore. Mr. Douglas was the winner of a divided party. The pro-slavery Democrats chose Vice President John Breckenridge, of Kentucky…” http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4978

[…]

The idea that the Republican Party is on a great march, en masse, off a cliff, is starting to be discussed in a hushed tone of voice that is only growing louder as November approaches.

Apparently I am not the only political observer to ponder such matters. Nor I am the only person to have the temerity to actually put it in print. Washington Post writer Chris Cillizza wrote at length last Monday, “2012: The Republican party’s Gotham election.”

[…]

“That idea — that the only way to truly rebuild something is for it first bottom out — is one that some within the Republican party have begun to toy with privately as the divisions between its tea party wing and the more establishment/moderate side of the party become more and more apparent.”

Although Mr. Cillizza illustrated it better; every time you hear a Republican say that they will not support a ‘R.I.N.O.’ candidate, please understand that paradoxically you are hearing the voice of a foot soldier for the Democrats in the costume of a Republican. I mean, let me get this straight, you would really rather endure another four more years of President Obama than support a moderate candidate for office.

I would not give a rat’s behind if Secretary of State Hillary Clinton changed parties and won the Republican nomination, the only criteria for the Republican nominee for the presidential election of November 2012 is that he or she have a chance at beating President Obama at the polls.

For pity sake, forget about all the hand wringing and Exorcist-gyrations about how the liberal media is in the tank for President Obama. We get it. Now get over it because there is not a darn thing you are going to do about it - - except message control and party discipline.

And speaking of that, please do not waste anyone’s time over whether or not the media treatment of Mr. Limbaugh utterly stupid attack on Ms. Fluke was fair or unfair.

Of course it is not fair to suggest that Mr. Limbaugh speaks for rank and file Republicans any more than it is fair to suggest that the crude and vulgar attacks on former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin by Bill Maher are representative of the run of the mill Democrats.

[…]

The only thing I regret about the piece is that I did not emphasize enough that the entire kerfuffle had nothing to do with the Democrat Party – President Barack Obama talking point, the "war on women." This issue, as Ron Miller said better than me, “is manufactured out of whole cloth by a Leftist messaging apparatus that is breathtaking in its coordination, its scope, and its chutzpah."

This more about the war for the women’s vote…

Nevertheless, I’ve written it before and I will repeat it now: at this point, President Barack Obama could kill a puppy on national TV and still win the election this coming November… http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4959

I stand in good company with columnist George Will and especially Peggy Noonan who recently observed, “… the Republican nominee will emerge so bloodied his victory will hardly be worth having; the Republicans are delving into areas so extreme and so off point that by the end Mr. Obama will look like the moderate.”

For other columns by Kevin Dayhoff:

March 14, 2012
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Weary taxpayers and consumers, who continue to be frustrated and exhausted by an uncertain future, the ongoing economic malaise, and a ‘new economic normal,’ are in the midst of perpetuating a sea change in how business is conducted in this country.

March 7, 2012
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Rush Limbaugh and conservatives could not have looked more like total and complete idiots in the recent national discussions over the private lives of individual Americans than if the liberal media and Democrats had written the script for this Kabuki circular firing squad.

February 29, 2012
Kevin E. Dayhoff
It was a warm day last Thursday as I took a left turn off Tuttle Avenue on to 12th Street in Sarasota (FL) and tried to remember how to get into the Baltimore Orioles spring training parking lot at Ed Smith Stadium.

February 22, 2012
Kevin E. Dayhoff
The first day of Baltimore Orioles’ spring training began Sunday when the pitchers and catchers reported for the annual ritual in Sarasota, Florida.

February 15, 2012
Kevin E. Dayhoff
There have been many tragedies of economic malaise in the last five years. Kodak’s recent filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy seems especially sad; and it is only fitting that we pause for a moment to pay our respects.

February 8, 2012
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Now that the Super Bowl is over there may be no better time to focus some attention on the continuing Greek tragedy that is unfolding over in the economic Twilight Zone, known as the Eurozone.

February 1, 2012
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Legislation to address how Maryland estate taxes inhibit farmers from passing-down the family farm to succeeding generations has gained some much-needed interest in the current session of the Maryland General Assembly.

January 25, 2012
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s fiscal year 2013 state budget, released a week ago, is a full menu of difficult choices. However, one of the most troubling is the lack of funding for police protection and highway user revenue for municipalities.

January 18, 2012
Kevin E. Dayhoff
The consensus continues to gather steam that the GOP nomination to challenge President Barack Obama for president this fall will be former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Perhaps all the drama now moves to who will be his choice for vice president.

January 11, 2012
Kevin E. Dayhoff
It is fairly well accepted among keen observers of national politics that the Iowa caucuses of Tuesday a week ago are much more about political and media-theater than a prognosticator of who will vie for the Oval Office this fall.

January 4, 2012
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Next Wednesday, on January 11, the 430th taxing tradition of the Maryland General Assembly opera will once again take center stage.

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20120319 KED seo GOP still headed for a cliff

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Friday, March 09, 2012

Dennis Kucinich Isn't Going Graciously

Rosie Gray:  Dennis Kucinich Isn't Going Graciouslyhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/rosiegray/dennis-kucinich-isnt-going-graciously


Dennis Kucinich said today that he has no plans to endorse his former friend and the winner of Ohio's 9th Congressional District seat, Marcy Kaptur.


"I haven't done that and I'm not sure I will," he said. "The problem is in politics if someone runs a gutter-level campaign, you're just expected to say it's OK and you move on. Marcy's been my friend for 30 years and I have to tell you, it was pretty surprising to me the kind of campaign that was run, it was more worthy of Karl Rove than Marcy Kaptur." ... http://www.buzzfeed.com/rosiegray/dennis-kucinich-isnt-going-graciously


'via Blog this'

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Washington Post: Breaking News: Kucinich loses Ohio Democratic primary to Marcy Kaptur


Wednesday, March 7, 2012 12:41:08 AM

Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich, the two-time presidential candidate and icon of the antiwar left, suffered a potentially career-ending defeat Tuesday as he lost the Democratic primary to a veteran incumbent. A GOP-drawn congressional map pitted Kucinich against Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), who won the nomination.



People Kucinich Rep Dennis J, Elections 2012, Politics Democrats Liberals, US st Ohio, 

[20120306 WaPo Kucinich loses to Marcy Kaptur in Ohio primary]



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Kevin Dayhoff - TheTentacle.com: The kerfuffle was no fluke

TheTentacle.com: http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4959

March 7, 2012

The kerfuffle was no fluke
Kevin E. Dayhoff

Rush Limbaugh and conservatives could not have looked more like total and complete idiots in the recent national discussions over the private lives of individual Americans than if the liberal media and Democrats had written the script for this Kabuki circular firing squad.

Mr. Limbaugh’s utterly stupid attack on Sandra Fluke, whom Caroline May described in the Daily Caller last Saturday as “the beleaguered third-year Georgetown University Law Center student,” crossed the line for any fair-minded American whether one supports or vehemently disagrees with her views or her lifestyle.

Don Surber explained it well on Saturday when he called on Mr. Limbaugh to apologize. “What happened was simple: He tried to use a lefty way to counter what a lefty did. He tried to demonize her like the left did with Sarah Palin but he could not get away with that …”

So far in the presidential election of 2012 the only debate among historians is just which national election in history has the opposition party collectively conducted a more inept campaign to unseat a sitting president? ... http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4959

Kevin Dayhoff - TheTentacle.com: The kerfuffle was no fluke

'via Blog this'

Saturday, March 03, 2012

Romney’s luck - The Washington Post By Charles Krauthammer

Romney’s luck - The Washington Post: By Charles Krauthammer, Published: March 1 http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/romneys-luck/2012/03/01/gIQAodiZlR_story.html?wpisrc=nl_opinions

It’s been a wild ride, but the story line of the Republican race remains remarkably simple and constant: It’s Mitt Romney and the perishable pretenders.

Five have come and gone, if you count the Donald’s aborted proto-candidacy. And now the sixth and most plausibly presidential challenger just had his moment — and blew it in Michigan.

It’s no use arguing that Rick Santorum won nearly as many Michigan delegates as Romney. He lost the state. Wasn’t Santorum claiming a great victory just three weeks ago when he shockingly swept Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado — without a single convention delegate being selected? ... http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/romneys-luck/2012/03/01/gIQAodiZlR_story.html?wpisrc=nl_opinions

'via Blog this'


“Off Track Art” is an artists’ co-op and gallery located in the historic Liberty Building at 11 Liberty Street – next to the railroad tracks, off of the Sentinel parking lot at the corner of West Main St and MD 27-Liberty St - in historic downtown Westminster, Carroll County Maryland.

Open: Wed-Fri. Noon to 6 PM , Sat. 10 AM - 5 PM. http://offtrackart.blogspot.com/
For news and information on Off Track Art previous to December 15, 2011, you can go to http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/search/label/Art%20Off%20Track%20Art

Friday, March 02, 2012

Olympia Snowe: Why I’m leaving the Senate - The Washington Post

Olympia Snowe: Why I’m leaving the Senate - The Washington Post: "By Olympia J. Snowe, Published: March 1

Olympia J. Snowe is a Republican senator from Maine.

Two truths are all too often overshadowed in today’s political discourse: Public service is a most honorable pursuit, and so is bipartisanship.

I have been immeasurably honored to serve the people of Maine for nearly 40 years in public office and for the past 17 years in the United States Senate. It was incredibly difficult to decide that I would not seek a fourth term in the Senate." ... http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/olympia-snowe-why-im-leaving-the-senate/2012/03/01/gIQApGYZlR_story.html?tid=pm_opinions_pop

'via Blog this'

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The military defends free speech. It does not practice it.: The dos and don'ts of the political season

Soundtrack editor: The military defends free speech. It does not practice it.

The dos and don'ts of the political season  Posted 12/16/2011 http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123283838 

Commentary by 2nd Lt. Abraham J. Raymond

71st Flying Training Wing Legal Office




12/16/2011 - VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFNS) -- http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123283838 With the excitement of the presidential primaries lurking around the corner, there are a few things Airmen must remember during this upcoming political season.

When you joined the military or became a federal employee, you did so with the knowledge that this decision came with some sacrifice.

Everyone is encouraged to register to vote, research candidates and vote for the candidates. However, in order for this representative democracy to function properly, civil servants and military professionals cannot be seen as partisans.

Both military members and federal employees work for the government and in doing so they must support elected officials regardless of whether or not they voted for, or against, particular candidates. For this reason, among others, getting a paycheck directly from the federal government necessarily limits a person's ability to participate in some aspects of the political process.

Department of Defense Directive 1344.10, "Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces on Active Duty," and Air Force Instruction 51-902, "Political Activities by Members of the U.S. Air Force," outline permitted and restricted political actions for active military members.

Military members who violate these rules may face punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

There are some reoccurring issues surrounding prohibited political activities. A frequent issue concerns whether or not an individual can display a large political sign on his or her car or truck. Displaying a large political sign on your automobile is prohibited; however, members are allowed to display a political bumper sticker on his or her car or truck.

Military members are prohibited from using official authority to influence an election or solicit votes for a specific candidate or issue.

Military members are limited in their involvement in the political process off duty as well. This includes being a candidate for, or holding, political office, except in those circumstances authorized by the AFI.

Speaking at any partisan political gathering, including a radio or television program, and advocating for a partisan political candidate or party is also prohibited.

Military members should reference AFI 51-902 when they have any questions regarding the legality of their political activities

Rules governing political activities by government civilians are found in a federal law known as the Hatch Act. DOD civilians who violate the Hatch Act face adverse personnel actions, including suspensions and employment termination.

Most restrictions surrounding the Hatch Act are centered on the prevention of supervisors influencing subordinates to participate in or contribute to partisan groups or candidates. Federal employees may not display partisan political campaign materials in the workplace.

While federal employees may express opinions about candidates and issues when off duty, when on duty, in uniform, in a federal building, or in a federally owned or leased vehicle, federal employees may not express opinions directed at the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office or partisan political group.

There are three important things to remember during the upcoming political season. First, regardless of status, using command influence to sway subordinates to vote for a particular party, candidate or issue is prohibited by law or directive.

Second, when you receive a paycheck from the federal government, some aspects of your political freedom are limited.

Third, if you are unsure whether or not a political activity is approved, reference AFI 51-902 or contact your base legal office.

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Jon Huntsman quits Republican presidential race, endorses Mitt Romney - Laments toxic tone of the Republican primary race…



By Dan Balz and Chris Cillizza, January 16, 2012

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Former Utah governor Jon Huntsman abandoned his quest for the presidency Monday morning with an endorsement of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and an unexpectedly sharp condemnation of the “toxic” tone that the Republican primary battle has taken.

“This race has degenerated into an onslaught of negative and personal attacks not worthy of the American people and not worthy of this critical time in American history,” Huntsman said in a news conference in which he was flanked by his wife, children, father and South Carolina supporters.

Huntsman did not name names in aiming criticism at his rivals, but he did take a shot at President Obama for engaging in what Huntsman called “class warfare” and said it contributed to divisiveness in American politics. But Huntsman, who often talked on the campaign trail about rebuilding trust in the political process, made clear that he thinks the GOP race has taken an ugly turn…http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/jon-huntsman-quits-presidential-race-endorses-romney/2012/01/15/gIQAt6c51P_story.html

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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Iowa caucuses reveal media lapses - By MARTIN SCHRAM Scripps Howard News Service

COMMENTARY

Iowa caucuses reveal media lapses

By MARTIN SCHRAM Scripps Howard News Service


Monday, January 9, 2012

Iowa's 2012 Republican caucuses gave us either two winners or no winners at all, as in Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum virtually tied and Ron Paul finished just a whisker behind them.

And in the only total that really matters, but was little mentioned, all three received seven of Iowa's Republican convention delegates.

But America's inexplicably traditional first voting told us something important, not really about those running for president but about those of us who cover them: When we don't really report, you can't really decide.

First, recall the wall-to-wall news coverage of Iowa's meaningless (except for political party money-making) Republican straw poll last August.

As all the pols and their handlers learned decades ago, you can win it by spending more money to bus in and feed more of your own people who will vote for you. Last August, Michele Bachmann won.

Tuesday night, she finished last among Iowa's real caucus combatants.

Second, we turn to what Americans most need from the news media: our journalistic skill and determination to go far beyond what the candidates are emphasizing to make the sale with voters.

At least by examining their past deeds as deeply as we covered that meaningless straw poll.



[20120109 Scripts Schram Iowa caucuses reveal media lapses]

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Sunday, January 08, 2012

State lawmakers hope to ride anti-incumbent wave to Congress

State lawmakers hope to ride anti-incumbent wave to Congress




Nearly a half-dozen Maryland state lawmakers are hoping to exploit the nation's anti-incumbent mood with campaigns for Congress that focus heavily on Washington's dysfunction.

Two Republican state senators, David Brinkley of Frederick County and Nancy Jacobs of Harford County, announced plans this week to run for the House of Representatives. A third, Democrat C. Anthony Muse of Prince George's County, is expected to toss his name in for the Senate on Thursday... http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-congress-2012-20120104,0,7834362.story

People Jacobs-Nancy, People Brinkley-David MD Senator, US Congress, Elections 2012 MD 6th Congressional Dist, Elections 2012, Politics, MD Gen Assembly Opera, Md Gen Assembly 2012 430, 
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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Washington Examiner - Rachel Baye: Franchot: Don't raise taxes in Maryland

How did I miss this: 
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot
Maryland should institute a two-year moratorium on all tax and fee increases, Comptroller Peter Franchot said at a meeting of the Board of Revenue Estimates.
"The economy right now is too fragile, and introducing new taxes or increased fees would just be an increased hardship on Maryland families," said Comptroller spokesman Joseph Shapiro.
Franchot pointed to stagnant job growth and the state's 7.4 percent unemployment rate.
Franchot's urging comes less than two weeks after a state panel recommended raising gasoline and titling taxes, as well as a number of other fees, to fund the $12 billion the state needs for transportation projects. Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake urged state lawmakers last month to support these revenue-earning efforts. Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/business/2011/11/franchot-dont-raise-taxes-maryland?utm_source=feedburner+dcexaminer/Local&utm_medium=feed+Washington+Examiner%27s+DC-area+news&utm_campaign=Feed%253

Washington Examiner - Rachel Baye: Franchot: Don't raise taxes in Maryland
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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Brinkley for Congress Announces Senator Shank to Chair Washington County

Brinkley for Congress Announces Senator Shank to Chair Washington County

December 13, 2011 (Frederick, MD) — State Senator David Brinkley announced today that State Senator
Chris Shank of Hagerstown, the former House Minority Whip, would be his campaign chair for Washington
County. Senator Shank was one of the first to join the Exploratory Committee to support Brinkley’s
candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in the newly-redrawn 6th Congressional District.

“A victory in this election will be determined by who wins Washington County,” said Brinkley. “Senator
Shank’s effort on our behalf will play a major role in this campaign. I cannot think of a better person to
organize our campaign than someone who whipped votes in the State House,” he added.

“I served with David for four years in the House, and now in the Senate, and I have witnessed firsthand his
conservative leadership, superior constituent service and tireless work ethic. In these trying economic times,
as a financial planner, I believe David is the best candidate to represent the new 6th,” said Shank.

In addition to Senator Shank, a partial list of the Committee co-chairs include State Senators George
Edwards, Joe Getty, Alan Kittleman and Minority Leader E.J. Pipkin; State Delegates Wendell Beitzel,
Leroy Myers, Don Elliott, Susan Krebs, Donna Stifler and Kelly Schulz; and Montgomery County
Republican Central Committee Chair Mark Uncapher.

David Brinkley served as vice chair of the local Republican State Central Committee, was elected to two
terms in the Maryland House of Delegates representing Frederick County, and was recently re-elected to his
third term in the State Senate representing Frederick and Carroll Counties.

David is a Charter Life Underwriter (CLU), a Charter Financial Consultant (ChFC), a financial planner and a
small business owner. He is a former volunteer EMT and firefighter with the New Market District Volunteer
Fire and Rescue Company. He was born in the City of Frederick and has an undergraduate degree from
the University of Maryland. He has two children and lives in Frederick County. He is a member of Grace
Episcopal Church.

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Brinkley Announces Delegate Beitzel to Chair Garrett County Campaign


Brinkley Announces Beitzel and Myers to Chair Garrett and Allegany Counties 
Senator Edwards joins Exploratory Committee
 
December 20, 2011 (Frederick, MD) — State Senator David Brinkley announced today that Delegate Wendell Beitzel would be his campaign chair for Garrett County and Delegate Leroy Myers would chair Allegany County. Along with Senator George Edwards, they were among the first to join the Exploratory Committee to support Brinkley’s candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in the newly-redrawn 6th Congressional District.
 
“Garrett and Allegany Counties have always been among the most reliable conservative counties within the 6th Congressional District,” said Brinkley. “Just like Route 68, the road to the Republican nomination runs right through Mountain Maryland,” he added. 
 
The endorsement by these Western Maryland legislative leaders is evidence of the growing support for new leadership in Congress. “I could not take on this challenge without their support,” Brinkley said.
 
In his endorsement, Beitzel said, “I first became acquainted with Senator Brinkley during my freshman term in the Maryland House of Delegates.   Although we served in different chambers, I soon realized that he possessed impressive leadership qualities. David is a very strong champion for Western Maryland and steadfastly works to uphold the conservative values and principles that I admire in a leader. I believe Senator Brinkley is the best candidate to represent the new 6th in Congress as the nation struggles to regain its footing from economic decline and social unrest,” said Beitzel.
"David and I serve on the budget committees in Annapolis and he knows how to submit balanced budgets without resorting to tax increases," Myers added.  "David Brinkley is the proven fiscal conservative we need in Washington, now more than ever."
In addition to Beitzel, Myers and Edwards, a partial list of the Committee co-chairs include State Senators Chris Shank, Joe Getty, Alan Kittleman and Minority Leader E.J. Pipkin; State Delegates Kelly Schulz, Don Elliott, Susan Krebs, and Donna Stifler; Mayor Randy McClement of Frederick and Mayor Bob Bruchey of Hagerstown and Montgomery County Republican Central Committee Chair Mark Uncapher. 
David Brinkley was elected to two terms in the Maryland House of Delegates representing Frederick County, and was recently re-elected to his third term in the State Senate representing Frederick and Carroll Counties. David is a Charter Life Underwriter (CLU), a Charter Financial Consultant (ChFC), a financial planner and a small business owner. He is a former volunteer EMT and firefighter with the New Market District Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company. He was born in the City of Frederick and has an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland. He has two children and lives in Frederick County. He is a member of Grace Episcopal Church.
                                                                             ### (rev)

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