I LOVE POLITICS AND ENJOY THE TENSIONS AND DRAMA OF THE ELECTIONS SEASON. OUR CAMPAIGNS HAVE BECOME SO DIRTY AND INTENSE AS WELL AS PROLONGED THAT A POST ELECTION RESPITE FROM PURE PARTISANSHIP IS WELCOME.
To me, the worst parts of the pre-election bickering are the TALKING HEADS ON CABLE TELEVISION. They have become EXTREMELY familiar to us and their prejudice and points of view lack spontaneity or sincerity. It is a price we pay for 24 hour cable news coverage that has to keep the audience entertained with controversy, real or contrived.
Thus, it is sad to see the tremendous hatred that has enveloped Capitol Hill as evidenced by three concurrent partisan battles so soon after our national elections (in which it appeared that the American people spoke decisively).
The attacks on Tom Delay are part of an organized effort to bring down the most effective leader that the Republicans can muster.
Firstly, on the issues of the trips abroad, I am aware that a high percentage of The Congress takes similar trips. It is not unusual for interest groups to set up non-profit organizations that have as one of its purposes the ability to invite Members of Congress and their staffs to take foreign trips to areas that interest the sponsoring body. IT IS NOT ILLEGAL and is a common practice. If the Congress would make it illegal that would be a different matter. Let the Democrats issue a list of each member of Congress who takes such a trip. I think we would be shocked at the high numbers of members involved.
Regarding salaries given by his campaign committee to his wife, here too, it is a matter of what they did for the money. If they were given a no-show or fictitious position, that would be illegal. However, if they (the wife and other family members) are talented and experienced campaign strategists or fund raisers, this again is a practice used by many campaigns and is not illegal.
At the end of the day, it will be the voters of his district that will determine as to whether he crossed the line of ethical behavior.
INDEED THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST DELAY IS ORGANIZED NOT SO MUCH BY HOUSE DEMOCRATS, BUT BY GEORGE SOROS, THE N.Y. TIMES AND OTHER LEFT WING ORGANIZATIONS WHO CANNOT BELIEVE THEY LOST TWO PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS IN A ROW. AFTER ALL, THEY THINK, “HOW STUPID CAN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BE?”
FOR THE PRESENT, DELAY HAS THE CONFIDENCE OF HIS PARTY AS A GREAT LEADER.
TO US IN THE PRO-ISRAEL COMMUNITY HE WILL ALWAYS HAVE OUR LOYALTY, RESPECT AND ADMIRATION FOR HIS WILLINGNESS TO STAND UP AGAINST PALESTINIAN TERRORISM AND ON BEHALF OF A SECURE AND PROSPEROUS ISRAEL, EVEN IF IT MEANS BUCKING HIS PRESIDENT AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT. HE HAS GREATER INSIGHT INTO THE DANGERS THAT A PALESTINIAN STATE PRESENTS TO ISRAEL THAN 95% OF JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS (IN AND OUT OF THE CONFERENCE).
WE WISH HIM WELL AND PRAY FOR HIS SUCCESS AGAINST THOSE WHO, FOR PARTISANSHIP, SEEK TO DESTROY HIM.
THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST JOHN BOLTON SIMILARLY IS AN ATTEMPT BY DEMCRATS TO EMBARESS AND STYMIE THE PRESIDENT ON HIS CHOICE OF NOMINEES.
Bolton, an outspoken neo-conservative is a great friend of our community, who has spoken out against multi-nationalism when the vital national security interests of the United States are at stake. I believe that he will serve in the mold of Jeanne Kirpatrick and Pat Moynihan. He should be confirmed immediately .
Finally is the question of the so-called nuclear option whereby the ability to end a filibuster would be limited in the case of judicial nominees to a majority vote. In truth, I am not familiar with the ten nominees the President wishes confirmed. I do believe that each of them is entitled to an up or down vote. While the filibuster is an important legislative tool for the minority party, it should not be used in areas where precedent has prevented both parties from using it (to block judicial nominees).
Hopefully a compromise can be worked out. But, if not, then the Republicans must bite the bullet. Six months ago I urged Senator Pete Santorum in a private discussion, to have Sen. Frist and the leadership keep the Senate in session through Thanksgiving and the Holidays, day and night to force a vote on these nominees. The American people indeed have told the President that we have confidence in his judicial nominees-LET THE SENATE ACT.
