Edwards Tries to Squelch Journalism Student's Srory

Long shot presidential candidate John Edwards likes to portray himself as a "man of the people." Evidently, however, Senator Edwards doesn't want folks to know that he decided to locate his Chapel Hill campaign headquarters in an affluent shopping center. Apparently he was so concerned that seeing this story might lead people to draw conclusions about which of the "two Americas" he lives in that Edwards' campaign tried to strong arm a UNC journalism student into killing her story on this very subject, according to an Associated Press story. So we know how seriously free speech and a free press will be valued in Edwards' America. He may not want you to see the story, but we do, so we've posted it here.

Episcopal Bishop May Face Charges, But Continues to View the World Through Rose Colored Glasses

It was has been reported that The Right Reverend Charles Bennison, leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, may face a church trial over his unauthorized spending of more than $6 million of diocesan funds without proper authorization. The Presiding Bishopette of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori (Disclosure: I represent a former Episcopal parish church currently involved in litigation with the national church) has forwarded a verified complaint setting forth the charges to a committee of review. If the committee finds probable cause that Bennison committed a triable offense, he will be put on trial before a Court for the Trial of a Bishop. Equally, alarming, at least, presumably, for Philadelphia area Episcopalians, is the fact, reported by the Inky, that the diocese faces a $500,000.00 deficit, and might not be able to pay its bills in a couple of months. But I digress. A few comments on this matter and the Inquirer story from this morning: First, Bennison will not be put on trial. The committee of review simply does not approve charges against bishops - especially thoroughgoing revisionists like Bennsion who more or less toe the theological party line. Really. Second, Bennison is probably guilty as charged. Third, Bennison is delusional. He seems to believe that he will in fact lead the Diocese for another 10 years, until he reaches retirement age. He seems to think that somehow, with ever declining church rolls, and with 20% of his parishes withholding funds, the diocese will somehow pull out of its financial death spiral. He also flatly denies, in theface of what I am told is overwhelming evidence, that he spent endowment funds without permission. So here is what is clear, from my perspective. Bennison is delusional, and probably guilty of that of which he has been accused (just my opinion). He will not be charged. And the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania will continue its slow journey down the toilet. And the world continues to turn.

Can Obama Win Evangelical Votes?

Nicole Russell has an interesting post up on The American Thinker positing that Barack Obama may be able to make inroads with conservative evangelical voters who were sufficiently disenchanted with the GOP to stay home in large numbers in the 2006 Congressional elections. Russell's argument seems to be premised on the fact that Obama is young and charming, which has eeemingly endeared him to some evangelicals, and his willingness to speak openly about his faith, something of a new phenomenon for a Democrat candidate. Russell acknowledges Obama's very liberal record, but points out that he has largely been courting a bloc of evangelicals more interested in AIDS and poverty than abortion and gay marriage. As interesting as the theory is, and as appealing as I am sure the Democrat party finds the prospect of peeling away evangelical votes, I wouldn't bet too much on the likelihood of the outcome. Fact is, evangelicals, and many conservatives, deserted the GOP in 2006 because the GOP deserted the principles that got it elected in the first place. While the Rick Warren's of the world are no doubt happy to have Barack Obama sit on the dais at AIDS and anti-poverty get togethers, the likelihood that a guy with Obama's voting record - and make no mistake, it is very, very liberal - will successfully woo the evangelical rank and file, is virtually nil.

Ford, Reagan and the Conservative Uprising

Jonathan Martin has written a very interesting piece for National Review Online about the 1976 contest for the Republican presidential nomination between Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. I remember well that primary season, and the convention in Kansas City in August of that year, as well as the excietment that Reagan seemed to generate. As Martin suggests, I believe that that primary battle did truly mark the end of the Establishment, moderate era in the GOP. The dwindling numbers of the so called moderates in the Republican ranks would seem to bear out that analysis. Ford is of course to be credited for his hard fought win over Reagan. Indeed, I expect that it is likely that the bitterness of that defeat left the conservatives all the more determined to finish the job in 1980, which we obviously did.

Aid and Comfort

Lest there be any doubt as to whose side the Democrat Congressional leadership is on, and whether that band of thugs wishes to see America win in the war on terror, the incoming leadership evidently plans to revisit the question of detainees rights. The ever reliable Arlen Specter apparently plans to join the party.

Mark Steyn on Saddam's Execution

The redoubtable Mark Steyn, as usual, makes some very cogent observations on the demise of the Butcher of Baghdad:

And to have convicted, sentenced and executed the dictator is a signal accomplishment for the new Iraq. When I was in Ramadi, west of Baghdad, shortly after the war, a young boy showed me his schoolbook. It was like my textbooks at his age - full of doodles and squiggles and amusing additions to the illustrations. With one exception: the many pages bearing pictures of Saddam were in pristine condition. Even a bored schoolboy doesn't get so careless that he forgets where not to draw the line. When the cowardly thug emerged from his hole, it was a rare moment: in the fetid stability of the Middle East, how often do you get to see a big-time dictator looking like some boxcar hobo and meekly submitting to a lice inspection by an American soldier?...

The reality is that, as long as he was alive, there was always the possibility that he would return. When a dictator has exercised the total control over his subjects that Saddam did, his hold on them can only end with his death.

Hat tip: Hugh Hewitt.

Happy New Year

President Ford, R.I.P.

I was away for a few days over the Christmas holiday, and wasn't able to post about this in a timely fashion. I would like to join the millions of Americans who are morning the death of former President Gerald Ford. He was a good a decent man who was thrust into the presidency at one of the most difficult times in our history. His steady hand and quiet integrity were a much needed balm after the last tumultuous days of the Nixon Administration. There is much that can and will be said about Gerald Ford the man, the politician and the president. For now, I would simply like to say thank you, sir. May you rest in peace.

Rudy in NH? He Should Save Himself the Trip

Apparently Rudy Giuliani, presidential aspirant, is visiting New Hampshire. He should save himself the trip. He has no prayer of being the Republican nominee in 2008. He is stridently pro-abortion and is pro-gay rights. I am certainly willing to commend him for his leadership in New York City after 9/11. But what segment of the Republican primary electorate does he appeal to, aside, perhaps, from the Log Cabin types (as if they have any influence whatsoever over the nominating process)? And we can safely assume that any mainstream Republican primary voter willing to credit Gioulani for his post-9/11 leadership is likely to find almost any other possible candidate, including John McCain. More palatable. My record for predictions of late might not be the best, but I will wager my last nickle that Rudy will NOT be the nominee.

Paleoconservative Primer

Bill Calhoun has presented this pretty good primer on paleoconservatism over at Capitol Hill Coffee House, explaining who paleos are and what they believe. In the aftermath of this year's Republican election debacle, there is a war for the soul of the party, and of conservatism, on the horizon, and its best to know and understand the players and competing philosophies.

Worst President Ever

David Horowitz takes down Jimmy Carter, the worst president and worst former presdient in our nation's history, over at Frontpagemagazine.com.

Why Pennsylvania Voters, and All Americans, Will Regret Rick Santorum's Loss

Outgoing Senator Rick Santorm shows yet again that he is one of the few in Washington that really understands what is at stake in Iraq. One thing is, I think, for certain. Little Bobby Casey doesn't get it. And by the time that Bobby leanrs that he has to actually show up for this job, defeat may well be at hand. God speed, Senator Santorum.