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Eye On The Media: (Archive)
Welcome to Eye On The Media – The Whole Story.
June 28, 2010 _ Republican Congressman Joe Pitts from Chester County offered some good advice in a column printed in the Daily Local News on June 21. Pitts wants to keep politics out of the oil spill mess.
The article points out Louisiana officials are having issues with the Obama administration over the cleanup efforts. Florida has also urged the Obama administration to stop playing politics with the lives of the state’s residents.
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On the same day as the column by Pitts was published, an Eye On The Media reader forwarded information on a CNBC report concerning comments made by Jack Welch, former leader of GE, concerning President Obama. Welch talked about the difference between a leader and a politician. Welch said if he was in charge he would have immediately gathered the top minds from oil companies and given them a room in the White House to figure out a solution.
Welch said he would meet with them every day to discuss their ideas. A politician, according to Welch, would look for someone to blame.
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As a leader or a politician, the news reports concerning Obama on June 22 and June 23 were negative.
Media throughout the land carried reports of an interview General Stanley McChrystal and members of his staff gave to Rolling Stone magazine. The article ripped Obama as a leader and called him unprepared when discussing options in the Afghanistan war. The Daily Local News headline was: “Obama furious over remarks made by Gen. McChrystal.” The Philadelphia Inquirer’s headline was: “General is called to answer to Obama.”
McChrystal was gone after the meeting with Obama and Gen. David Petraeus replaced him. With the Afghan government on record as saying it didn’t have confidence in the West’s leadership, the change of generals won’t help Obama win his war.
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The news at home wasn’t any better for Obama. A Daily Local News story reported borrowers exited the troubled Obama mortgage program. According to the article, “The Obama administration's flagship effort to help people in danger of losing their homes is falling flat. More than a third of the 1.24 million borrowers who have enrolled in the $75 billion mortgage modification program have dropped out. That's more than the 27 percent who have managed to have their loan payments reduced to help them keep their homes.
The Wall Street Journal ran a story with the headline: “Outlook For Housing Prices Worsens.”
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A judge also overturned an off-shore drilling ban imposed by the White House. And, more outrage is on the way as members of his own Democratic party talked about middle-class tax increases, a move that would violate an Obama campaign pledge.
A key member of the Obama administration resigned. The Wall Street Journal ran a story with a headline: “After Orszag, Red Ink and Hard Choices.” The article reports on Peter Orszag’s resignation as director of the Office of Management and Budget. The article states Orszag came as a deficit foe “but he will leave next month with the U.S. debt stuck above $1 trillion.”
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Business leaders openly questioned Obama policies last week. The Wall Street Journal reported two stories on page A4. One headline was: “Business Group Slams ‘Hostile’ Policies on Jobs.” The story reported the Obama administration has created “an increasingly hostile environment for investment and job creation.” The story cited seven specific examples. The second story had the headline: “Obama Tangles With Insurance Executives Over Rates.”
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States are also losing hope of help from Washington, according to a Wall Street Journal story. The headline on the story was: “States Face new Pinch as Stimulus Ebbs: Tax Receipts Aren’t Rebounding Quickly Enough to Offset Declining Federal Aid; Push for Additional Medicaid Help Stalls.”
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Obama is attempting to build support for his health-care law and outlined some changes, according to an Inquirer story. Obama also warned Republicans not to try to repeal the law – a sure sign the legislation is in trouble.
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Finally, a liberal has attacked a documentary as “dishonest,” according to a front-page story in the Inquirer on June 24. The headline: “Pa. official fuming over portrayal in ‘Gasland’ DEP Secretary calls documentary ‘dishonest.”
The liberal has learned that today’s documentaries aren’t documentaries; they are propaganda films. Joseph Goebbels did them for Hitler and Michael Moore did them for liberals. And, now liberals are doing them on other liberals.
June 21, 2010 _ Unless the Philadelphia Inquirer made the June 17 paper the April Fool’s edition, two ultra liberal contributors made some sense on that day.
The editorial cartoon by Tony Auth shows President Obama walking on water during the campaign and sinking while governing. Campaigning is one skill set and leading is a completely different skill set.
Columnist Trudy Rubin’s article had the headline: “Deadline is causing trouble: President Obama’s commitment to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan next summer is hampering U.S. effort.” One of the liberal’s major campaigning issues during the past Presidential campaign was setting a deadline for the removing of troops from foreign lands. More experienced leaders were saying it was a bad idea. After several years, Rubin now agrees.
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Republican Congressman Jim Gerlach was right on the mark, according to a story in the Business section of the Daily Local News on June 19. Gerlach and other congressmen are promoting a federal law that would help small businesses expand and hire unemployed workers.
On the same day in the same Business section, the paper ran a story with the headline: “New jobless claims up sharply as layoffs persist.” The story is a reminder that the private sector, and not the federal government, creates jobs.
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Besides jobs, the Obama administration also can’t provide low-cost healthcare, according to a column in the Inquirer by Rick Santorum. The headline was: “Health reform fog is lifting.” The article reported, “As its real costs become clearer, Obama’s program is looking even more expensive for employers, seniors, and taxpayers.”
Santorum is a former Republican senator. Current senators have joined one Inquirer columnist in criticizing Obama on the handling of the military. A front page Wall Street Journal story reported, “Senators Rap War Effort: Afghan Strategy Is Hit by Bipartisan Criticism as Setbacks Stir Up Concern.”
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Three letters to the editor on June 15 in the Daily Local News took Obama to task for Medicare, ObamaCare and the budget.
A West Whiteland man’s letter had the headline: “More smoke and mirrors.” The letter begins, “I just read in my mail the most artfully presented pack of lies I have ever seen. I refer to the brochure sent by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.” The letter concludes, “Arrogant and irresponsible is the only fitting description of this administration. …Don’t fall for their smoke and mirrors methods anymore. Kick them out; starting this coming November.”
An Exton man’s letter was headlined: “Lesson in economics.” The man objects to the media thinking that the creation of 40,000 jobs, mostly census workers, was a great administration accomplishment. “The Kool-aid-drinking mainstream media thought that was great. The stock market, which knows better, tanked for the day.” The writer also points out that five new private sector jobs are needed to pay for each new public-sector job created.
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While healthcare, the deficit and foreign relations all were issues for the Obama administration, the majority of last week’s criticism came from the handling of the Gulf Oil crisis.
A Wall Street Journal editorial on June 15 had the headline: “Obama’s Political Oil Fund.” The pull quote was: “In its Gulf spill panic, the White House runs roughshod over the rule of law.” The article concludes, “We also hope other politicians, in the U.S. or U.K., begin to push back against a White House more concerned about its poll numbers than about the U.S. or Gulf Coast economies.”
Last week Obama went on national television to defend his handling of the crisis. The Daily Local News front-page story on June 16 reported, “Obama’s own presidency has been stumbling because of the gushing oil. A new Associated Press-GfK poll even indicates as many Americans disapprove of his handling of the crisis – 52 percent – as felt that way about President George W. Bush’s handling of the Katrina aftermath. Obama offered no immediate remedies for a frustrated nation.” Obama did attack BP.
The Inquirer’s front-page story of the same day didn’t note Obama’s low ratings with the American people. A story on A-12 did have the headline: “Home and abroad, challenges mount for president.” The slow response to the Gulf, Afghanistan and economy is not going well for Obama, according to the article. The story reported, “Obama’s clout on Capitol Hill may be ebbing.”
Finally, the Inquirer story on Obama losing clout on Capitol Hill received support from an article in the Wall Street Journal. The headline was: “Obama Address Gets Low Marks: President’s Fist Oval Office Speech Draws Criticism From Across Political Spectrum.”
One Democrat was quoted as saying Obama’s speech was “vapid.”
June 14, 2010 _ The economy, including jobs not being created and the gigantic deficit being created, continued to be the focus of recent news reports.
A Philadelphia Inquirer column on Sunday indicated those without jobs are more interested in attaining jobs than the national debt. That view is understandable on an individual level but the whole nation needs to be concerned about the Obama administration’s mega-spending of future dollars
Republican Congressmen Joe Pitts and Jim Gerlach co-authored a column on Obama’s proposal for a Value Added Tax. The column states the VAT is used in Europe and the tax hasn’t helped ease the deficits in those counties. VAT in the United States will hurt the economy by slowing consumer consumption. The column appeared in the Daily Local News on June 14.
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After criticism over Democratic Governor Ed Rendell’s spending of $30,000 in taxpayer money on a legacy project for his time in office, Rendell decided the funding was a bad idea and blamed his staff for the blunder. Bad ideas never originate from Rendell, just ask him.
An Inquirer columnist took issue with Rendell’s legacy spending and the headline on an editorial in the Inquirer was: “You’re so vain.” A pull quote in the story was: “Poor judgment led to the use of taxpayer money to pay for a PR campaign to tout Gov. Rendell’s successes.” Both stories appeared on June 9.
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The Gulf oil spill continues to be a national disaster and Obama’s handling of the disaster continues to draw criticism. Obama blusters at BP Oil, appoints panels to investigate the spill and has the Justice Department conduct a criminal investigation. The action that is needed is aid to stop the spill.
On June 8, an Eye On The Media reader forwarded an article from the Washington Examiner. The article was headlined: “Spill reveals Obama’s lack of executive experience.”
The article reported, “The oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico is gushing out of control. The Obama administration is at first slow to see the seriousness of the accident. Then, as the crisis becomes clear, the federal bureaucracy becomes entangled in itself trying to deal with the problem. ‘At least a dozen federal agencies have taken part in the spill response,’ the New York Times reports, ‘making decision-making slow, conflicted and confused, as they sought to apply numerous federal statutes.’
“For example, it took the Department of Homeland Security more than a week to classify the spill as an event calling for the highest level of federal action. And when state officials in Louisiana tried over and over to win federal permission to build sand barriers to protect fragile coastal wetlands from the oil, they got nowhere. ‘For three weeks, as the giant slick crept closer to shore,’ the Times reports, ‘officials from the White House, Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Environmental Protection Agency debated the best approach.’
“The bureaucracy wasn't bending to anyone’s will. The direction from the top was not clear. And accountability? So far, the only head that has rolled during the Gulf crisis has been that of Minerals Management Service chief Elizabeth Birnbaum. But during a May 27 news conference, Obama admitted he didn't even know whether she had resigned or been fired. ‘I found out about it this morning, so I don't yet know the circumstances,’ the president said. ‘And (Interior Secretary) Ken Salazar's been in testimony on the Hill.’ Obama's answer revealed that he hadn't fired Birnbaum, and he couldn't reach a member of his Cabinet who was a few blocks down Pennsylvania Avenue.”
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The South Florida Business Journal reported on June 9 that the Florida Attorney General is “appalled” at the federal response to the oil spill. The story reported, “Still stinging from being left out of a meeting called by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Florida’s attorney general has issued a special newsletter detailing the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Florida beaches. Bill McCollum said after a trip to see how the oil spill is impacting communities in the Panhandle, he was ‘absolutely appalled’ at the lack of “aggressive response” by the federal government.”
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The press roasted a member of their own profession, longtime journalist Helen Thomas, last week after Thomas offended many with insensitive remarks concerning Israel. Thomas retired. KYW reported, “The White House Correspondents Association also issued a rare statement, calling her comments ‘indefensible.’”
The Inquirer, in an editorial on June 9, contended the remarks were “unconscionable.” According to the editorial, the sudden retirement was “appropriate given her recent offensive and bigoted statements on Israel.”
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Finally, inside the Inquirer on Sunday a story was published on Afghanistan which says a lot about Obama’s foreign policy and signals many problems for the United States and our military. The headline was: “Karzai has lost faith in NATO and the West: The Afghan president has sought his own deal with the Taliban and Pakistan.”
June 7, 2010 _ A letter to the editor in Sunday’s edition of the Daily Local News from a small business owner in Parkesburg sums up the feelings of a vast majority of Pennsylvania residents. The letter had the headline: “No more taxes, please.”
The business owner said it is difficult to keep the lights on, let along pay additional taxes. The letter recognized Republican Senator Dominic Pileggi, majority leader in Harrisburg, as one who is trying to keep down taxes.
If the Obama administration is scratching their heads in Washington over the county’s slow addition of new jobs, they should read the Parkesburg man’s letter. If companies can’t pay bills, they aren’t going to hire workers.
A CNBC report this week questioned the wisdom of the federal government pushing job retraining when no jobs exist. Wouldn’t it make more sense to create jobs, instead of unemployed trained workers?
On June 5 many of the news outlets reported on the lack of jobs and the affect on Americans. The Philadelphia Inquirer headline was: “Stocks dive amid weak jobs report.” Temporary census jobs amounted to the only increase in employment and Wall Street wasn’t fooled.
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Campaigning for the fall elections is just beginning but the Democratic gathering in Pittsburgh was interesting. President Obama attended but the Democratic senatorial candidate Joe Sestak had a reported scheduling conflict. It must have been some conflict to miss a photo op with Obama.
A story in the Daily Local News on June 3 indicated that Sestak didn’t want questions raised on his job offer from the White House to get out of the Senate primary race. A Republican House member was quoted as saying, “For a party that is so seemingly proud of enacting their big-government agenda, congressional Democrats are conspicuously absent from the campaign trail.”
On the same day, the Inquirer reported that the White House was again offering jobs, this one a paid international development one, to a Colorado Democrat to back out of a race. At first the White House said no job was offered.
The next day the Inquirer ran a front page story with the headline: “For 2d time, election overtures questioned: The White House is on the spot again, this time over a Colo. Race.” The article begins, “President Obama’s White House found itself on the defensive Thursday over backroom efforts to intervene in the Colorado Senate primary even as fallout continued from its attempt to nudge Rep. Joe Sestak out of the Pennsylvania Senate race.”
The White House changed its tune to say Obama wasn’t aware of what his aides were doing. No leadership there by Obama. Isn’t using taxpayer dollars for political goals the basis for what Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett, Republican nominee for governor, is prosecuting some in Harrisburg?
The Associated Press reported on June 5 that Republicans are renewing demands for a Justice Department investigation into White House deal making in two Senate races. The Obama administration says it's broken no laws, but Republicans aren't taking its word, according to the report.
A June 3 letter to the Inquirer on the issue was headlined: “Let down by Obama.” The letter stated the situation “reeks of sleazy politics as usual.” The letter concludes, “I can only imagine how disappointed are those who bought into the Obama campaign’s promise of hope and change in our government.”
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A Wall Street Journal column by Kimberley Strassel was headlined: “Washington Rebels Against Chicago.” The job offerings to Andrew Romanoff of Colorado and Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania are turning into a “political scandal.” The column points out every piece of information came from journalists and Obama’s “transparent government” isn’t transparent.
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An Eye On The Media reader forwarded a news report with the headline: “Republicans Jump Out to Historic Lead in Gallup Generic Ballot.” The polling shows the number of voters saying that they would vote for Republicans rising three points from last week, while the number saying they will vote for Democrats dropped four points.
“The 49%-43% lead for the Republicans is the largest that the pollster has ever recorded for the party. Moreover, Democratic enthusiasm for voting this fall fell a point, while enthusiasm among Republicans stayed about fifteen points higher. This indicates an even wider lead for Republicans once Gallup imposes a likely voter screen this fall.
“There's any number of reasons for this: the public's perception of Obama's response to the oil spill, the shaky stock market performance last week, continued concern about the economy and spending. … There are still plenty of Democrats in trouble for this November.”
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One intriguing and obvious question concerning the White House’s handling of the BP oil spill was the timing of the Justice Department’s criminal investigation into the spill. Since the spill hasn’t been stopped, the government’s efforts should be focused on stopping the spill and then on possible criminal charges.
On June 3, the Wall Street Journal wrote an article on the subject. The headline was: “Why Justice Announced Its Probe.” The article begins, “Some Justice Department officials were initially reluctant to make the Gulf oil spill investigations public at such a sensitive point in the effort to plug the leaking well.”
The criminal investigation began because of politics and not because of the feeble reasoning given by Attorney General Eric Holder in the article.
The Inquirer on Sunday had an opinion piece with the headline: “It’s Obama’s mess, too: BP drilled the hole and polluted the Gulf, but the president has to face the voters. Many months of crisis management lie ahead.” The criminal investigation, three late visits to the area by Obama and his promise to hold BP accountable has been his PR response. Too bad he wasn’t in the Gulf on Day One offering help to stop the spill.
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Two weeks ago Obama met with Senators who didn’t agree with him and they still don’t. Last week Obama met with Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and her meeting with Obama didn’t change her mind on the need for tough laws to stop criminals, and possible terrorists, entering the United States. The story was reported in the June 4 issue of the Inquirer.
Obama has a weak policy on stopping the criminals and protecting Americans.
An Eye On The Media Reader from Texas passed along a column written by a retired Army officer who moved to Cochise County, Arizona, in 2008. The retired officer reported seeing eight illegal immigrants in custody of Border Patrol agents less than 100 feet from his daughter’s bus stop; a car passed him going nearly 100 miles an hour with police chasing and the next day’s paper reported Mexican drug runner being captured; the Border Patrol’s helicopter is a frequent visitor and shines its spotlight in backyards and rattles windows; and a neighbor was killed on his ranch, a ranch that has been in his family for more than 100 years. Eight illegal immigrants with 280 pounds of marijuana were seized the day before the rancher was killed.
The retired officer wrote, “So Arizona should be boycotted because its people would like to keep it safe? Somebody please explain the logic of that for me. It doesn't take a bullet from a drug runner's gun to make those of us down here near the border understand that this is drug-related violence -- and (the rancher’s) death proves it.”
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And, finally the Inquirer ran a story on the front page this week about Democratic Governor Ed Rendell hiring a public relations person at a cost of $30,000 to do little more than try to create a legacy for Rendell. The Commonwealth doesn’t have a budget, important programs affecting families, children and the needy are being slashed, and Rendell spent money on PR.
Rendell’s legacy is crystal clear. He has left the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in debt; he has not made good on his promises of tax reform; thousands and thousands of jobs have been lost; the Commonwealth does next to nothing to help businesses and job creation; cultural institutions have lost funding; historic sites are closing; and taxes are about to be increased.
But then again Rendell can legally gamble across Pennsylvania. Beginning in January he’ll have to use his own money and not tax dollars.
May 31, 2010 _ A meeting of the Transportation Management Association of Chester County featuring two Congressmen and a top aide from a third Congressman representing Chester County was not covered last week by the press. Too bad a reporter wasn’t in sight as the session gave a clear insight into the fiscal thinking of the Congressmen.
Republican Congressman Jim Gerlach and a representative from Republican Congressman Joe Pitts’ office clearly indicated the federal government is broke and has a $1.7 trillion deficit. Democratic Congressman Joe Sestak – who is running against Republican Pat Toomey for Congress – said the country needs to immediately build a high-speed train system that will cost untold billions.
When Sestak was asked where the federal government will obtain the money, he had no answer. He didn’t indicate he even cared.
The Daily Local News ran an editorial cartoon on the same day as the TMACC meeting. The cartoon depicted President Obama with liberal Democrats as “Dr. Blankcheckenstein” is declared alive. The Democratic notes, “The town folks look angry.”
On May 28, the Wall Street Journal ran a story with the headline: “Debt Worries Stall House Bill: Conservative Democrats Cite Cost of Measure Covering Jobless Benefits, Tax Cuts.” The article stated the bill would deepen national debt.
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Obama was taking heat from all quarters last week. An Eye On The Media reader forwarded a column by Peggy Noonan a day before it appeared in the Wall Street Journal. The headline was: “He was supposed to be competent: The spill is a disaster for the president and his political philosophy.”
“The article begins, “I don't see how the president's position and popularity can survive the oil spill. This is his third political disaster in his first 18 months in office. And they were all, as they say, unforced errors, meaning they were shaped by the president's political judgment and instincts.
“There was the tearing and unnecessary war over his health-care proposal and its cost. There was his day-to-day indifference to the views and hopes of the majority of voters regarding illegal immigration. And now the past almost 40 days of dodging and dithering in the face of an environmental calamity. I don't see how you politically survive this.
“The president, in my view, continues to govern in a way that suggests he is chronically detached from the central and immediate concerns of his countrymen. This is a terrible thing to see in a political figure, and a startling thing in one who won so handily and shrewdly in 2008. But he has not, almost from the day he was inaugurated, been in sync with the center. The heart of the country is thinking each day about A, B and C, and he is thinking about X, Y and Z. They're in one reality, he’s in another.”
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Obama tried to repair damages with Congress but as the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on May 26: “Obama gets an earful from GOP senators.” Republican senators accused Obama of “duplicity, audacity, and unbending partisanship.”
Additional negative press has been garnered from his collusion in attempting to drive Sestak from the recent primary race for U.S. Senator. The White House confirmed that former President Bill Clinton offered Sestak an unpaid presidential advisor role if he wouldn’t run against Arlen Specter. It isn’t known if any other perks were to be part of the deal.
A KYW website story reported, “Forced to disclose backstage political bargaining, President Barack Obama's embarrassed White House acknowledged on Friday that it enlisted Bill Clinton to try to ease Rep. Joe Sestak out of Pennsylvania's Senate primary with a job offer.
“The admission left many questions unanswered, however, and Republicans aren't likely to let the issue rest. For Obama, the revelations called into question his repeated promises to run an open government that was above back room deals.
“ ‘Regardless of what President Clinton or Congressman Sestak now say, it is abundantly clear that this kind of conduct is contrary to President Obama's pledge to change ‘business as usual’ and that his administration has engaged in the kind of political shenanigans he once campaigned to end,’” said Rep. Darrell Issa, the top Republican on the House oversight committee who unsuccessfully had sought a Department of Justice investigation.”
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A column in the Inquirer on May 24 attacked Obama’s foreign policy. The headline was: “Retreat and consequences: Under Obama weak foreign policy, friends have little to gain and enemies little to fear.”
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Not every reporter has realized Obama’s handing of the environmental and fiscal disaster of the BP oil well is a major leadership disaster for the United States. Obama has been slow to take much interest in the spill that will severely damage the environment and the lives of many Americans. Some reporters are starting to question Obama. His first action was to call for an investigation – an action that did not help the crisis one bit. After five weeks, he’s still talking without taking action.
On May 28, the Inquirer ran a front page story with a headline: “Obama notes missteps, says government “fully engaged.” “I take responsibility.” “Worst Spill In U.S. History.”
President Bush was quicker to act and brought federal resources quicker to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. If Bush would have acted as Obama, the press would have been driven him from office on the spot. If Obama would have acted as Bush, the press would have been hailed him as a hero.
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Last week Obama did agree to send 1,500 troops to the Mexican border to safeguard American rights. Eye On The Media readers from the area have been forwarding horrifying accounts of highly-armed Mexican drug dealers terrorizing American soil. Republican Senator John McCain believes Obama should have sent 6,000 troops, according to an Inquirer story. McCain said the Mexico border situation has “greatly deteriorated.”
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The bad news continued for Obama and the Democratic Party as the Daily Local News reported on May 24: “GOP wins House seat in Hawaii: 1st Republican victory in 20 years comes in Obama’s home district.”
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Finally, the Inquirer ran a strangely constructed story on the front page of the local news section on May 27. The headline was: “Saidel concedes race for Pa.’s No. 2 position.” Favorite Philadelphia son Saidel lost, but who won? The winner isn’t mentioned in the first several paragraphs. The winner isn’t mentioned anywhere on the front section. The jump part of the story also begins without a word as to who won. The next to last paragraph of the story finally tells readers that state Rep. H. Scott Conklin beat Saidel.
May 24, 2010 _ Tuesday’s election dominated the political news last week and the Daily Local News did a good job in reporting the Chester County results and after election analysis pieces on local races.
On Wednesday, a headline in the paper did report: “Truitt edges McComas in 156th race.” The use of “edges” was very kind when the story reported Dan Truitt was leading with 81 percent of the vote cast. A story later in the week noted the landslide win for Truitt.
The Philadelphia Inquirer focused on the Democratic race for Senate and covered little in Chester County. The Election Day headline on the front page was: “Specter-Sestak Tops Slate: Democratic Senate race draws national focus.” The day after the election the Inquirer printed the headline: "Sestak Ousts Specter.”
The fall campaign kicked off immediately, according to stories in both the Inquirer and Daily Local News. On May 20, the Inquirer reported on the upcoming Senate race between Republican Pat Toomey and Democrat Joe Sestak. The headline was: “A race to define the other guy.” The Daily Local News reported “Democrats unite behind Sestak after primary win.”
The 6th District Congressional race was the subject of a Daily Local News story on May 20. In the story, Republican incumbent Congressman Jim Gerlach called his Democratic opponent Manan Trivedi “too far left ideologically to win over the district.”
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ObamaCare continues to divide the country as reported in local newspapers last week. Also, a Delaware resident told Eye On The Media that many in that state are very angry at the legislation.
A letter to the editor was printed on May 18 in the Daily Local News from a West Whiteland man. The headline was: “Will of the people rises from ashes.” The letter stated, “My first reaction was one of despair. Apparently our narcissistic president realized another step toward total control of our national economy and our lives; a control which now becomes evident has been his ultimate goal. … The will of the American people has been totally ignored. …From coast to coast Americans are awakening to the dangers posed.”
The letter concludes, “Surely we can’t allow the ego of one power-hungry individual to destroy the way of life that America has created and enjoyed for over two centuries. We must get rid of this crowd starting this November. We must do it for ourselves.”
A Chester Springs man had a letter printed on the same subject on May 21. He was critical of the passage of the passage of the law. The headline was: “A blatant abuse of federal power.” A Kennett Square man had a letter printed the same day. The headline was: “Welcome to Obama’s Bizarro-Land.” The letter concludes, “And we are destined to now do just the opposite of what once made us great?”
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Republican Congressman Joe Pitts challenged Obama’s plan to add a VAT on the backs of the American taxpayer, as reported in a story printed in two of the Lancaster papers on May 20. The article reported, “U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts is leading a GOP effort to pressure President Barack Obama's debt commission into spiking the idea of a nationwide consumption tax as a way to close the budget deficit.
“With unemployment at nearly 10 percent, Americans cannot afford the burden of a new job-killing tax," Pitts wrote in a letter to the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform on Thursday.”
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The Democrats had other issues last week. Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate admitted he misspoke about serving in the Vietnam war. How can you forget serving in Vietnam? The Wall Street Journal ran a story on the issue on May 19.
Obama’s National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair resigned after 16 months. Failures and turf wars were cited in the Inquirer on May 21. The headline was: “Intelligence chief quits after tumultuous stint.”
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Obama promised to improve foreign relations when elected but he seems to have alienated friends of the United States. A Wall Street Journal opinion column on May 19 reported, “A new survey shows many British think relations with the U.S. have deteriorated since the president took office.”
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Finally, in the `What did you expect’ category, ultra liberal Inquirer cartoonist Tony Auth trashed Tea Party members in his May 20 cartoon.
May 17, 2010 _ One day until Election Day and the call by political experts is for a “modest” turnout by voters. Rain is also in the offing, so that “modest” voter count could easily be “light” by the time polls close at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
The number of voters casting ballots could have a big impact on contested primary races. Three Republican Chester County races involving the House of Representatives have contested primaries. Two of them are the 156th District and the 157th District.
The Daily Local News ran stories on Sunday on both races. The Pottstown Mercury also had a story on the 157th earlier in the week. The race involves Phoenixville Councilman Ken Buckwalter, backed by former state Representative Carole Rubley and former Tredyffrin Supervisor Judy DiFilippo, against Tredyffrin Supervisor Warren Kampf, backed by Chester County Commissioner Carol Aichele.
The one weekly newspaper in the heart of the 157th District told one candidate no story would be written in the contested race because of a lack of staff. That’s abdicating an essential reason for being a community “news” paper.
Incumbent Representative Tim Hennessey’s contested race in the 26th District has also been profiled in the Daily Local News.
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The most watched race across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania continues to be for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. The Philadelphia Inquirer backed Arlen Specter in its Sunday edition with an editorial endorsement and columns. The race between Specter and Joe Sestak has been deemed “too close to call.” KYW reported early last week that two polls, Rasmussen and Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, had Sestak in the lead over Specter.
Republican Pat Toomey is the GOP favorite. Toomey was one of the featured speakers at the Republican Committee of Chester County’s spring event at the Desmond Hotel. The Daily Local News covered the event in its May 13 edition. The article reported Toomey’s comments on Sestak: “(He) is a card-carrying liberal’s liberal … he is totally signed up to turn America into a European-style socialist state, because I guess he thinks Greece is a good example.”
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Attorney General Tom Corbett, leading Republican candidate for governor, has had positive coverage in recent papers. The Daily Local News ran a story on May 13 about current Governor Ed Rendell. Rendell, who is waiting for his eight years to conclude, took shots at candidates attempting to succeed him in both parties. Rendell doesn’t like the fact the candidates are finding many faults with the government run by Democrat Rendell.
Incumbent Republican Congressional candidates Jim Gerlach and Joseph Pitts have also had coverage. Gerlach’s Democratic opponents are both ignoring their Primary Day race and focusing on Gerlach.
The Inquirer ran a story on May 14 on all of the candidates vying for lieutenant governor in both parties. Jim Cawley, the endorsed Republican candidate for the office, was one of the speakers at the Chester County event at the Desmond.
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Primary Election Day has taken the spotlight off Washington but the Democratic national administration continues to have major issues.
On May 11 Republican Congressman Joe Pitts had a column printed in the Daily Local News on healthcare. Pitts wrote that the additional cost of the Obama legislation will be $311 billion in the next decade. The legislation will also affect 30,000 seniors in the 16th District as their coverage will be disrupted and one in four will have Medicare Advantage coverage cancelled. Medicare will be slashed $575 billion in the same 10 years, he wrote. “It hasn’t been 100 days since enactment of the new health car law, and there are bound to be other surprises down the road.”
The business community, as reported in the Wall Street Journal on May 11, is challenging Obama on statements he made against American businesses. The headline on the story was: “WellPoint Fires Back at President: CEO Braly Denies That Insurer Systematically Drops Coverage for Women With Breast Cancer.” The story referenced a letter by Obama. Angel Braley’s letter in response stated, “I was disappointed to hear you repeat false information regarding WellPoint’s coverage of breast cancer … To be absolutely clear; despite your claims, WellPoint does not single out women with breast cancer for rescission. Period.”
The Obama administration’s spending continues to worry the United States and the world as reported by Reuters on May 12. The headline was: “U.S. posts 19th straight monthly budget deficit.” The article reported, “The United States posted an $82.69 billion deficit in April, nearly four times the $20.91 billion shortfall registered in April 2009 and the largest on record for that month, the Treasury Department said on Wednesday.”
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The Washington financial crisis is having an effect on voters. The Wall Street Journal reported on May 13 that Democrats are losing members. The headline on the story was: “Voters Shifting to GOP, Poll Finds.” The article begins, “Republicans have solidified support among voters who had drifted from the party in recent elections, putting the GOP in position for a strong comeback in November’s mid-term campaign, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.”
A Wall Street Journal column by Kimberly Strassel on May 14 had the headline: “The Democrats’ Civil War.” The article begins, “What do Joe Sestak, Bill Halter and Colleen Hanabusa have I common? The left loves them. This is yet another reason Democrats are in trouble this fall. … Angry and disappointed that their president and Congress has not done more, the party’s liberal base is throwing itself into the primaries, pushing the party to the left even as the country moves to the right.”
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Finally, a letter in the Philadelphia Business Journal tells the story of a reader and why he has cancelled his subscription to the Inquirer.
The letter states, “I was turned off by how biased the newspaper had become politically. Why in the world would you alienate half of your potential customers for a political view? The left-leaning comment were not restricted in the opinion pages, it cropped up in every section. When an article on the sports pages, of all places, crooned lovingly about a visit by then-candidate Obama, I canceled my subscription.” The letter concluded, “Hopefully, the new ownership will realize that the biased content was a contributing factor to the previous management’s lack of success.”
May 10, 2010 _ The dark cloud of government debt is looming over Washington and Harrisburg, as evidenced by numerous recent published stories.
The front page story in the Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday stated the obvious about the state of Pennsylvania under the guidance of Democrat Governor Ed Rendell. The Commonwealth is in deep financial trouble, a crisis, according to some. The story noted that Republican candidate Tom Corbett, Pennsylvania’s Attorney General, wants to look for ways to cut wasteful spending while some of the Democrats are looking for huge tax increases.
Rendell gambled on casinos and tolling of a federal highway to balance budgets in recent years. The taxpayers will have to pay for his misplay.
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A Daily Local News Business story on May 6 had a good news/bad message. The story quoted experts saying the federal government debt explosion has hit its peak. If true, that’s good news. The bad news, “The government still needs boatloads of money.” And you can believe the boat is a luxury yacht and not a dingy.
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A May 7 editorial in the Wall Street Journal strongly denounced the agenda of President Obama and the consequences of running a “welfare state model of development.” The editorial was headlined: “The Greek Economy Explained: A Warning for Europe, Albany and Washington.”
The editorial concludes, “All of this ought to be a cautionary tale for politicians in Europe’s other high-spending, slow growth states – and for those in Sacramento, Albany and Washington, D.C., too. Greece shows that the welfare state model of development, dominated by public unions, onerous regulations, high taxes and the political allocation of capital, has hit the wall. Down the road lies more Greek tragedy.”
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The financial ills facing the county haven’t stopped the Democrats from passing legislation that the public doesn’t want and can’t afford. A Wall Street Journal column by Fred Barnes was headlined: “Democrats at Ramming Speed.” The pull quote was: “The White House wants to pass as much legislation as possible before losing its big majorities, no matter how unpopular its proposals are.”
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The Democrats realize the debt is a burden, according to a Daily Local News story on May 3. The headline was: “GOP expands political playing field; Dems slipping: Democrats privately acknowledge the economy and support for President Obama must improve before November elections.”
Another top Democrat announced last week that he won’t seek election. The Wall Street Journal story of May 6 was: “Democrat Obey Won’t Seek Re-Election: Departure of Powerful Committee Chairman From Wisconsin Undercuts Party’s Drive to Retain the House.” David Obey is char of the Appropriations panel.
An editorial on the same day and in the same paper was headlined: “Mr. Obey departs, and the anti-Washington wave builds.” The editorial concludes, “The evidence overall is that an anti-tax, anti-Washington wave is building across the country, and the main question is how much of President Obama’s liberal majorities will be washed out to sea – and how much more damage they’ll inflict in the interim.”
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A glimpse of good news, not really, appeared on the labor front last week as positive job growth was seen. The bad news was the unemployment rate increased. That means more unemployed workers are rejoining the job hunt. It also means that more people are unemployed than reported in official statistics.
A story in the Wall Street Journal on May 6 had a troubling story on unemployment. The headline was: “Meet the Unemployable Man.” The story states one in five men aged 25 to 54 isn’t working. “It’s hard to exaggerate how bad the job market is,” according to the story.
A Wall Street Journal story on May 6 said business leaders fear a “train wreck.” The story’s headline was: “CEOs Confident Of More Growth, But Fear Deficit.” The pull quote was: “We all came away, I think, with an understanding that if we do nothing, the current projections are for a train wreck.”
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The election is next week and stories are beginning to appear in newspapers on contests. On May 3 the Daily Local News had a front page story concerning the GOP primary race between Dan Truitt and Drae McComas. A quote by Truitt on the front page was, “Harrisburg spends too much and offers too little.”
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An East Fallowfield resident believes Obama and the Democratic administration is responsible for the illegal immigration crisis taking place in Arizona. A letter in the Daily Local News had the headline: “Obama and friends are to blame.” The letter stated, “Scandalous and embarrassing for a president who should be representing all of us, not just Democrats! … Notice violence against Arizona law and peaceful tea party protests. Media isn’t.”
An Eye On The Media reader passed along a message from the Arizona governor that outlined outrageous violent crimes committed against the state’s citizens.
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Finally, a Wall Street Journal editorial cautions those who dare to question Obama. The editorial is headlined: “There He Goes Again: Every Obama critic is a Wall Street stooge.”
The editorial cited Obama as saying debate on issues should be civil and one should be able to question someone’s views without questioning their motives or their patriotism. The editorial stated, “You certainly can, but it seems Mr. Obama cannot. Less than a week after promoting the need to treat others `with courtesy and respect,’ the unhappy warrior was at it again yesterday with a misleading attack on the motives of an opponent.” The editorial concludes, “Mr. Obama seems to think he can’t persuade on the merits, so he has to impugn motives and pretend that every criticism come from a tool of Wall Street.”
May 3, 2010 _ A story was missing from all local media last week. Chester County government, thought the leadership of the majority Republican commissioners, has saved $9.7 million because of three AAA bond ratings, including $917,000 saved late last month in bond refunding.
The information was given by county investment professionals during a public meeting. Commissioner Chair Carol Aichele commented, “This is good news for county taxpayers.” She also said with all of the bad financial news, maybe the media would print some good fiscal news.
The good news hasn’t made it to the taxpayers.
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President Obama hit the campaign trial last week to chastise Americans for exercising their rights to protest actions taken by the liberal Obama administration. The headline on the Philadelphia Inquirer article on Sunday was: “In Mich., Obama denounces antigovernment rhetoric.”
The readers of the Daily Local News wrote letters last week explaining why Americans are ready for a change in Washington. The readers are concerned that Obama’s out-of-control spending will lead to outrageous taxes.
A letter on April 27 from a West Chester resident predicts Americans will pay more taxes because of ObamaCare. A letter a day earlier from another West Chester resident concludes, “Americans reject the left’s offer of a European-style social democracy because even with all of capitalism’s shortcomings no other system has ever provided so much prosperity and opportunity for so many.”
An April 29 letter from a West Goshen resident sums up the feelings of the anti-government surge. The headline was: “Government ignores will of people.” The letter states, “They must remember, they are not our rulers, but our representatives serving in accordance with the wishes of the majority of their constituents, and voting in the best interest of not only their respective areas, but in the best interest of the entire nation.”
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President Obama and the liberal Democrats have also received a direct message from American seniors, according to a story in the Inquirer on May 2. The headline was: “Health overhaul fuels seniors’ shift to GOP: Democrats are struggling to win back older voters.”
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The seniors are questioning Obama’s leadership but the media continues to give him a pass. When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, President Bush was vilified for not giving federal assistance quickly enough even though Democratic leadership in the state immediately declined to seek such help. Now another disaster has taken place and the press has been slow to ask why Obama hasn’t given federal help.
An oil spill threatens the livelihood of many Americans and is a major environmental disaster. Where is Obama? He’s in Michigan questioning those who oppose him.
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Finally, the most ludicrous letter to the editor of the week came from a Great Valley Daily Local News reader who contended federal taxes are at a record low. The federal government is eating up vast amounts of money, disproving his contention. The letter writer failed to mention any of the debt that won’t be paid off for generations. And, there was no mention of the proposed Value Added Tax.
April 26, 2010 _ The dreaded April 15 tax deadline has passed but taxpayers should continue to hold onto their wallets as Democratic administrations in Harrisburg and Washington are openly calling for increases in taxes. Taxpayers should also note the Democrats aren’t calling for cutting any wasteful programs.
The April 24 edition of the Daily Local News ran a story with the headline: “Rendell floats changes to add revenue: He outlines 5 stops that could add $1.5 billion in income annually.” Governor Rendell made the announcement with Chester County Democrat Tom Houghton at his side. Houghton’s photo op with the governor should haunt him in the fall elections.
The April 19 issue of the Daily Local News ran a column by Republican Congressman Joseph Pitts. The column reported Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is openly talking about a Value Added Tax. Pitts concludes, “Unleashing American entrepreneurs and encouraging private sector growth means letting Americans work for themselves, not the government.”
On April 22, the Daily Local News printed a story that confirmed Pitts’ contention. The headline was: “Obama suggest value-added tax option still a possibility.”
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President Obama has been near Wall Street this week blaming Wall Street for many of the financial ills of the county but a Wall Street Journal opinion by Peter J. Wallison of the American Enterprise Institute on April 20 put some of the blame on then Senator Obama. The article had the headline: “Fannie and Freddie Amnesia: Taxpayers are on the hook for about $400 billion, partly because Sen. Obama helped to block reform.” The article stated, “The story is all too familiar. Politicians in positions of authority today had an opportunity to prevent this fiasco but did nothing. Now – in the name of the taxpayer – they want more power.” The opinion stated, “As a senator, he was the third largest recipient of campaign contributions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, behind only Sens. Chris Dodd and John Kerry. With hypocrisy like this at the top, is it any wonder that nearly 80% of Americans, according to the new Pew polling, don’t trust the federal government or its ability to solve the country’s problems.”
The poll cited by Wallison was carried in both the Daily Local News and Philadelphia Inquirer on April 19. The poll found 80 percent of Americans lack trust in the federal government. One person was quoted as saying, “There’s too much government in my business. It was problem before Obama, but he’s certainly not helping fix it.” The majority of Americans found Washington was too big and too powerful and believe the government is interfering too much in state and local matters.
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Several letters to the editor in the Daily Local News found severe fault in President Obama’s handling of the health care issue.
A Chester Springs man wrote the law is a “blatant abuse of federal power.” The letter concludes, “If this law is not invalidated by the Supreme Court or repealed by a future Congress, Americans will suffer from an unprecedented infringement of rights against arbitrary exercises of federal power, which I fear, most Americans do not see coming.”
A West Chester resident wrote, “Well, now that we’ve barely survived his 15 months in office, we do have hope – hope that the upcoming elections will change all the messes he has created – and his czars! … Wake up! Look around you – get involved – listen and learn what this administration is doing to our great country. … They are trying to get control over every aspect of our lives, and we have to stop them for our children, grandchildren and all future generations.”
The Sunday Daily Local News carried a letter from an Oxford writer with the headline: “Freedoms of Americans trampled.” The writer supports Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett standing up against ObamaCare.
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The media glare on Iraq has lessened but the Wall Street Journal reported on April 24 that “Baghdad Bombings Kill 52, Seen as al Qaeda Reprisals.” The Obama policy is getting the results predicted by everyone except the Obama administration, increases in deaths of Iraq citizens.
On the same day another Wall Street Journal column by Bari Weiss was headlined: “Miss Me Yet? The Freedom Agenda After George W. Bush.” The pull quote was: “Dissidents from the world’s most oppressive countries aren’t feeling the love from President Obama.”
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The local, national and international news for the Democrats isn’t encouraging. In fact, an opinion by Daniel Henninger in the Wall Street Journal was headlined: “Democrats at the Edge of the Cliff.” The column reported a Quinnipiac poll released on Wednesday had the Obama approval rating down to 44 percent. The opinion stated, “He insists on more government. People want less, and don’t trust what they’ve got. They want reform. … The Democratic Party is on the edge of an electoral cliff with a long fall to the bottom.”
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The Philadelphia Inquirer has been running stories on the negative ads in the Democratic Senatorial race between Joe Sestak and Arlen Specter. On Sunday, the Inquirer endorsed Specter and Republican Pat Toomey in the primary races.
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Finally, the Inquirer ran a letter from Republican Senator Mitch McConnell on April 23 that had some advice for the paper’s editorial board. The letter had the headline: “GOP is right in raising concerns on banking bill.” The letter began, “The Sunday editorial ‘Greed is not good’ was a clear indication that your Editorial Board should spend more time reading The Inquirer’s news pages and less time with the Democratic National Committee’s talking points.” The letter concludes, “I’ll wait patiently for your editorial attacking the White House for policies that ‘are driven more by politics than policy’ and for ‘parroting the advice of strategist and pollster Frank Luntz.”
April 19, 2010 _ Chester County residents have had enough with the Democratic administrations in Harrisburg and Washington, judging by the letters and columns being printed in area newspapers.
Even a long-time ultra-liberal Democratic letter writer to the Daily Local News was challenged last week. The April 12 edition of the Daily Local News had three responses to the liberal. One wrote, “Fortunately it is the majority that can’t wait for November to start correcting this mess.” Another wrote, “We already have the internal invader (Obama who is trashing our Constitution) and the external invaders are soon to follow. Wake up America, before it is too late.”
On the same editorial page, columnist Ruth Marcus wrote about President Obama’s dilemma. “Obama faces the worst of three worlds. Conservatives see him as the reincarnation of Karl Marx. Liberal activist are frustrated by what they perceive as one sellout or another. And independents, disgusted by partisan bickering, worried about the economy and nervous about health reform, don’t perceive any moderation. Not exactly a comfortable place for a president to be.”
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ObamaCare continues to be a flash point for many in the area. The Philadelphia Inquirer printed a letter from a Honey Brook man who wrote he was glad Attorney General Tom Corbett is fighting ObamaCare. The same newspaper opined it was a waste of money earlier in the month. Corbett is a Republican seeking to become the next Pennsylvania governor.
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Republican Congressman Joseph R. Pitts had a column printed in the Daily Local News on the Obama administration’s fiscal irresponsibility. Many financial analysts have stated the path taken by the Democratic administration could lead this country to ruin.
Pitts quoted Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke as saying, “Unless we as a nation demonstrate a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility, in the longer run we will have neither financial stability nor healthy economic growth.”
Pitts wrote, “We are currently on a path for government spending to account for over 40 percent of the total economy. This level of spending would require more than doubling the level of taxation. Clearly, this would hold back our dynamic economy and future job growth.”
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The domestic economy isn’t the only worry for Obama. Another one is foreign relations, especially with Israel. The Wall Street Journal on April 15 ran a full-page letter from Ronald S. Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress. The open letter to Obama said in part, “Jews around the world are concerned today. We are concerned about the nuclear ambitions of an Iranian regime that brags about the genocidal intentions against Israel. We are concerned that the Jewish state is being isolated and delegitimized. Mr. President, we are concerned about the dramatic deterioration of diplomatic relations between the United States and Israel.”
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From press reports in recent weeks it is difficult to tell if Obama is a proponent or opponent of space exploration and NASA. First he offers a dramatic cut in funding to the agency and wanted the government out of space exploration. After taking heat from many respected scientists and astronauts, he offers support for the agency, as reported in an article on April 16 in the Daily Local News.
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The Inquirer’s liberal columnist on Sunday wrote a very curious column. He conceded Obama is in trouble with the American people but believes the Republicans don’t have a candidate to beat Obama. The columnist missed one element, that there will be a large anti-Obama vote in the next presidential election. Obama didn’t win because America liked Obama; he won because the country wanted a change.
Along those lines, last week the Tea Party movement gained some momentum in the press as rallies were covered in the Daily Local News and Inquirer. The slide into socialism and away from the Constitution by the Democratic Party has spawned this movement.
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The domestic unrest and foreign dissatisfaction with the Obama administration has led to Obama slipping in the public opinion polls. One printed in the Daily Local News on April 15 had the headline: “Poll: Obama slips, other Democrats slide. President’s approval slides to a low of 44%; half of Americans would fire their congressman.”
An Eye On The Media reader forwarded a report on April 17 from Human Events on an article on a talk given by Dick Morris in Harrisburg. The headline was: “Dick Morris Predicts GOP Landslide.”
The article reported, “The man considered one of the premier sculptors of Bill’s Clinton’s re-election in 1996 predicted Friday night that Republicans would take control of the Senate and the House in mid-term elections this fall.
“Noting that he keeps reading quotes from GOP leaders such as Republican National Chairman Michael Steele that they are “optimistic” about the elections this fall, Dick Morris told a packed dinner at the Pennsylvania Leadership Council: ‘I’ve got news—it’s not even going to be close, guys.’ ”
The article reported. “The leftward drift of the Democratic Party under Obama (‘the most liberal President in history,’ Morris said) and its agenda of ‘nationalizing healthcare, cap and trade, and card check’ was the reason he felt Republicans would have a banner political year in 2010.”
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The Phoenix and a Tredyffrin blog reported this week the second major endorsement of Republican Ken Buckwalter for the 157th Pennsylvania House seat. Former Tredyffrin supervisor Judy DiFilippo has joined former Representative Carole Rubley in endorsing Buckwalter.
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Finally, Obama will have a chance to appoint another Supreme Court justice with the announced retirement of Justice Paul Stevens. A Daily Local News article last week ran a story with the headline “GOP pushes for ‘mainstream’ court nominee.” The GOP will need a lot of luck attaining that sensible goal. Many Americans are cringing as the far-left groups are already promoting ultra-liberals to be the next justice.
April 12, 2010 _ Democratic GovernorEd Rendell’s hope for a smooth budget session in Harrisburg this year was dashed last week when the federal government turned down his request to toll I-80. Rendell wanted to use the expected revenues to balance the budget. The media has reported the denial by the Obama administration but few reports have linked the impact to the Commonwealth’s residents. Rendell will need to ask for higher taxes.
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Tom Corbett spoke in Chester County a few weeks ago and made it a point to say basing a balanced budget on questionable revenues is not the way to run a government. The Democratic administrations in Coatesville tried for years to balance city budgets with anticipated building funds that never materialized. The city came up shot in funds each year.
Rendell now has a $472 million hole in his budget. He doesn’t seem to have the friends he believed he had in Washington.
On April 9, the Philadelphia Business Journal wrote an editorial on the issue with the headline: “I-80 toll denial another failure for the state.” The editorial states, “The federal government’s denial of Pennsylvania’s plan to toll Interstate I-80 deals a seismic blow to the state’s efforts to stabilize transportation funding.
“It’s also another sign of how ineffective state government has become under the administration of Gov. Ed Rendell and current legislative leaders.”
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The Philadelphia Inquirer ran a front-page story on Sunday on the Democratic race for U.S. Senator in Pennsylvania. On April 8 reports were published that Republican Senate hopeful Pat Toomey had his best fundraising quarter to date. Toomey’s campaign said Monday that it racked up $2.3 million in contributions in the first three months of 2010, signaling a significant uptake in its fundraising pace. When campaign finance reports are filed later this month, Toomey will report more than $4 million in cash on hand, the reports predicted.
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An Eye On The Media reader passed along the latest Quinnipiac poll that had Toomey leading Democratic Senator Arlen Specter by 46 percent to 41 percent. The same poll had Attorney General Corbett way in the lead of the top three Democratic contenders. On April 9, the Daily Local News ran a story on part of the poll.
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Republican Pat Meehan, candidate for Congress in the 7th District, had a double dose of good news last week. On April 9, the Inquirer reported Meehan will stay on the ballot as a challenge to his petition failed in court. The challenge was backed by his Democratic opponent, according to the article. Meehan also received the backing of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
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Earlier this month the Phoenix reported former Pennsylvania House of Representatives Carole Rubley announced her support for Ken Buckwalter in the Republican primary for old House seat. She said in a statement released to reporters, “I respect his work ethic, his strong commitment to the community, and his faithful observance to our Constitution. I strongly support his candidacy for State Representative. Ken is a man of principle and integrity who stands up for the Rule of Law. He can be counted on to work fulltime for the citizens of the 157th District.” Last week Chester County Commissioner Chair Carol Aichele came out for Buckwalter’s opponent, Warren Kampf. A Google search didn’t pick up any media carrying the Aichele endorsement.
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The economy continues to be an issue in Pennsylvania and Washington for Democratic administrations. A Daily Local News Business section report on April 9 reported, “A jobless surprise: Unemployment claims surge unexpectedly.”
A letter to the editor printed on Sunday from a West Chester woman showed her total displeasure with the Obama administration. The letter stated, “Obama and Pelosi and their 40 czars want to contrast the quiet and ‘civil’ secret way they subvert your Constitution and your right with the loud, open, honest cries of foul from the tea party patriots. … Mother Pelosi and Big Brother Obama want you to believe they have your best interests at hear and that they are just trying to provide for you. Truth is they cannot provide you anything that you cannot provide yourself.”
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Finally, an Eye On The Media reader who switched parties during the last Presidential election reported she returned to the Republican Party this week.
April 5, 2010 _ An East Goshen resident wrote a letter to the editor, printed on March 29, in the Daily Local News that capitalized the essence of the fight taking place for the sole of America.
The letter stated, “America is now in the cycle of believing in false promises for insurance. Let’s talk more about assurance and the natural ability of free Americans to be successful on their own. We can still be that country the world envies.”
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The editorial cartoon in Sunday’s edition of the Daily Local News also dealt with false promises. The cartoon depicted President Obama holding a sign saying ObamaCare is deficit neutral and won’t trigger new taxes. The Easter Bunny in the cartoon asks, “You really expect people to believe in that?”
The increased costs of ObamaCare are already being reported. The March 30 Business section of the Philadelphia Inquirer had story with the headline: “Health premiums could rise 17% for young adults: They will shoulder a bigger load of the medical costs of older people under the new health care plan.”
As Obama engages government to run health care, the current Medicare system isn’t meeting the needs of patients, as reported on the KYW website on March 31. The headline was: “Study: Major Problems in Treatment of Medicare Patients.” The article reported, “An independent study has found that nearly 100,000 Medicare patients died between 2006 and 2008 because of one-million so-called ‘safety incidents’ at hospitals. In addition to the deaths, the study by Health Grades found that those safety incidents also cost nearly $9 billion and the numbers haven't improved since last year's study.”
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The out-of-control spending by the Obama administration was the subject of an editorial run by the Inquirer. The headline was: “A ticking debt bomb: The proposed federal budget will place the nation even deeper in debt.” The editorial reported Moody’s Investors Service said the United States is about ready to lose its AAA rating. The editorial concludes, “The debt time bomb for the country and for states is ticking louder. Elected officials can’t ignore it any longer.”
Chester County, under the direction of Republican Commissioners Carol Aichele and Terence Farrell, has three AAA bond ratings. Those ratings have saved county taxpayers millions of dollars.
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The Wall Street Journal’s editorial on April 2 will give pause to those believing the constitutional lawsuits against ObamaCare are a waste of time and money. The headline was: “ObamaCare and the Constitution: If Congress can force you to buy insurance, Article I limits on federal power are a dead issue.”
The editorial stated, “The most important legal challenge turns on the ‘individual mandate’ – the new requirement that almost every U.S. citizen must buy government-approved health insurance. Failure to comply will be punished by an annual tax penalty that by 2016 will rise to $750 or 2 percent of income, whichever is higher. President Obama opposed this kind of coercion as a candidate but has become a convert.”
The editorial concludes: “Democrats may have been able to trample the rules of the Senate to pass their unpopular bill on a narrow partisan vote, but they shouldn’t be able to trample the Constitution as well.”
The editorial also took a swipe at the national media for dismissing the constitutional issue.
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The Phoenix reported on Carole Rubley, the respected former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, endorsement of Republican Ken Buckwalter to take back her former seat in Harrisburg. She said in a statement released to reporters, “I respect his work ethic, his strong commitment to the community, and his faithful observance to our Constitution. I strongly support his candidacy for State Representative. Ken is a man of principle and integrity who stands up for the Rule of Law. He can be counted on to work fulltime for the citizens of the 157th District.”
Buckwalter, a Phoenixville councilman, is running against Warren Kampf for the Republican nomination in the May primary.
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The key to the general election in Pennsylvania, according to a story on April 4 in the Daily Local News, will be the economy. The article reports at the moment the issue favors Republicans. One person was quoted as saying, “We know Republicans have the wind at their back.”
The White House made a big deal about the report on jobs increasing in the United States. A Wall Street Journal article on April 3 put the increase in context. The article reported a quarter of the new jobs were temporary census workers. The unemployment rate also didn’t decline and stands at 9.7 percent. The headline on the story was: “Job Market Picks Up, But Slowly.” The article reported, “The job market is showing signs of life, though its slow recovery suggests unemployment will remain high for years to come.”
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Finally, a front page story in the Inquirer on Sunday indicates the Obama decision to prematurely withdraw from Iraq will cause many more deaths in that country. The headline was: “Disguised gunmen kill 24 in Iraq.” The article reported 24 people died in an execution-style attack that targeted a Sunni group that had revolted against al-Qaeda. “The bloodshed late Friday came amid increasing concerns that insurgents will take advantage of Iraq’s political turmoil.”
March 29, 2010 _ If voters in the 7th Congressional district are looking for a representative who sincerely cares about the future of the United States, they have a candidate in Republican Pat Meehan.
The media didn’t cover Meehan’s March 24 address before the Lincoln Club last week in Chesterbook, so the public didn’t have access to the impassioned talk Meehan gave about the wrong direction this country is headed.
Meehan’s talk came within hours of the votes of Democrats that passed a health care bill that will cripple the American economy and negate the United States Constitution. Meehan’s website listed the following message: “Democrats have rammed through the House of Representatives by the slimmest of margins legislation that raises taxes on the middle class and represents a government takeover of 17 percent of our nation’s economy,” said Meehan. “It is a bad bill that needed to be filled with corrupt backroom deals – paid for with our tax dollars -- to secure a bare majority of support. Health care reform legislation should stand on its merits, something this bill did not.”
Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett, a candidate for governor, took action by joining in a lawsuit with 14 states challenging the constitutionality of the new legislation. “We've heard a lot today about how historic this bill is, and it's true,” Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele was quoted as saying. “It is a historic betrayal of the clear will of the American people. It is a historic loss of liberty.”
The Daily Local News printed several letters to the editor from readers that weren’t happy with the Democratic health care bill. A West Chester man wrote, “Historic’ legislation? I think not; just a rather large incremental leap in the government’s trend to punish many responsible folks and reward some of the irresponsible.”
A Westtown writer’s letter had the headline: “Health care numbers don’t add up.” The man wrote, “Assuming the federal government can reduce health care costs by creating the biggest bureaucracy yet, is insanity. Assuming they can pull $500 billion out of Medicare, which is broke already, without reducing Medicare benefits is even worse.”
A story in Sunday’s Philadelphia Inquirer by a respected economist says Obama’s plan will greatly increase the federal deficit despite what Obama claims.
Those outside of Chester County were also concerned with the healthcare vote. KYW reported, “House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer voiced concern Thursday over warnings of violent reprisals against members of Congress who voted for landmark health care legislation, saying the threats are being taken very seriously.”
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One Eye On The Media reader reported a conversation she had with a friend who expressed satisfaction that she will undergo a surgical procedure for free. The plan is far from free and the plan doesn’t guarantee timely and competent medical attention. The same type of glee was expressed by a Coatesville resident after Obama was elected. The man believed Obama was going to pay his mortgage. That hasn’t happened.
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The Inquirer reported on March 24 that a Dauphin County jury found Democrat Mike Veon guilty of 14 felonies, including theft and conflict of interest. The story reported, “Veon was formerly one of the most powerful people in the Pennsylvania legislature. The verdict represents a major turning point in the Bonusgate saga. Veon is the first elected official to be convicted in Attorney General Tom Corbett's investigation into state corruption.”
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The public’s faith in the Democratic administrations in Washington and Harrisburg continue to fade, according to published polls. An Eye On The Media reader forwarded the latest poll by Franklin & Marshall College. The poll “found that 58 percent of the state’s adult residents believe Pennsylvania is off on the wrong track. That is up from 50 percent in February. It hasn’t been below 50 percent since June. Finally, President Obama’s favorability rating decreased to 42 percent in March, down from 49 percent in February.”
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Another Eye On The Media reader forwarded an article by Gary Hubbell in the Aspen Times Weekly on Obama.
“Barack Obama is the best thing that has happened to America in the last 100 years. Truly, he is the savior of America’s future. He is the best thing ever.
“Despite the fact that he has some of the lowest approval ratings among recent presidents, history will see Barack Obama as the source of America’s resurrection. Barack Obama has plunged the country into levels of debt that we could not have previously imagined; his efforts to nationalize health care have been met with fierce resistance nationwide; TARP bailouts and stimulus spending have shown little positive effect on the national economy; unemployment is unacceptably high and looks to remain that way for most of a decade; legacy entitlement programs have ballooned to unsustainable levels, and there is a seething anger in the populace.
“That's why Barack Obama is such a good thing for America.
“Obama is the symbol of a creeping liberalism that has infected our society like a cancer for the last 100 years. Just as Hitler is the face of fascism, Obama will go down in history as the face of unchecked liberalism.”
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While the Democrats worked on spending money the public doesn’t have, jobs continue to be scare and the housing market suffers. The Daily Local News reported in its business section on March 25: “Housing’s recovery appears at risk.”
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Corbett’s defense of the Constitution has triggered attacks in the press and in Harrisburg. Corbett’s representatives reported, “Do you know how far the Democrats are willing to go to stop Tom Corbett? Earlier this week, Tom Corbett joined with Democrat and Republican Attorneys General in a lawsuit to protect the sovereignty of Pennsylvania from Congress' attempt to strip away the individual liberties of our citizens and businesses; an unconstitutional power grab by the federal government.
“Democrats in Harrisburg disagree with Tom that the 10th Amendment and separation of powers between the states and federal government should be preserved. This week liberal Democrats in Harrisburg targeted him with partisan political attacks - even going so far as to publicly threaten to cut funding for the Attorney General's office unless he caves to their demands.”
The Inquirer ran an editorial cartoon with Corbett barring a hospital door. The cartoon should have shown Obama signing the health care bill by candlelight and the candle consuming the Constitution, but the Inquirer wouldn’t print that one.
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Finally, a Media man wrote a letter to the Inquirer, published on March 23 concerning the media’s fairness. The headline was: “Media failed as watchdog.” The letter contained the following, “In their victory dance, the media dropped their thin-cloak of objectivity. I imagine they will pick up that threadbare garment and put it back on in the next few days, but their once-important role as an unbiased watchdog searching for truth and fairness for all Americans suffered another major blow.”
March 22, 2010 _ The financially crippling Obamacare passed the House late Sunday night as Democrats and the White House made deals to gain just enough votes to pass the detested legislation.
The handling of the story today was interesting as The Philadelphia Inquirer had a straight forward headline of: House Passes Health-Care Bill: Assurances on abortion cleared way for final vote.” A second front-page story was headlined: “Eyes on history, but also Nov. 2.” The Wall Street Journal had the same type of headline: “Historic Vote on Health: Deal on Abortion Wins Over Holdout Democrats; Biggest Change In Decades.”
The Daily Local News’ headlines were bolder: “Reform Bill Passes: Obama, Dems prevail while GOP warns it’s a mistake. President’s abortion compromise fails to satisfy opponents: Executive order swings votes.”
The Democratic leadership pushed the Obamacare despite large protests in Washington during the weekend and indications that a large portion of America didn’t like the legislation. After the vote, one Republican leader said Congress “failed to listen to America.” Several anti-Obamacare letters to the editor were printed in area newspapers last week.
Early last week one Eye On The Media reader wrote, “Would you consider a message to your readers asking them to request a NO vote of their representative when Pelosi calls the role this week. It is not hyperbolic to say that the nation's future is at stake!!”
Another Eye On The Media reader sent the following: “Call your Democratic representative to tell them how much you DON'T want this bill to pass...” The message said, “The Congressional Budget Office released their final numbers on the Democrats' health care bill. They estimate this unprecedented takeover of our health care system will cost taxpayers $940 billion. This bill is full of kickbacks and back room deals, and exceeds the $900 billion ceiling President Obama set last September.”
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Obama stayed in Washington to twist arms and cancelled, for the second time, a trip to Australia and other countries. The March 20 edition of the Wall Street Journal carried a column by Peggy Noonan on the issue. The beginning of the article was: “Excuse me, but it is embarrassing – really, embarrassing to our country – that the president of the United States has again put off a state visit to Australia and Indonesia because he’s having trouble passing a piece of domestic legislation he’s been promising for a year will be passed next week. What an air of chaos this signals to the world. And to do this to Australia of all countries, a nation that has always had America’s back and been America’s friend. How bush league, how undisciplined, how kid’s stuff.”
Another Wall Street Journal story was printed on the United States losing power in the world. The headline was: “Nations Spurn Lockstep with U.S.: Leaders from Brasilia to Beijing Sling Timely Arrows at Obama Administration; Americans Deny Opposition is Growing.” The story lists five recent snubs of the Obama administration.
Two Wall Street Journal articles on March 15 dealt with issues involving foreign relations. A front-page story had the headline: “China Talks Tough to U.S.: Premier Blames American ‘Trade Protectionism’ for Tensions Over currency.” The headline on an editorial was: “Obama’s Turn Against Israel: The U.S. makes a diplomatic crisis out of a blunder.”
On March 19 the Inquirer printed the story, “Clinton clashes with Russians on nuclear Iran: The foreign minister stood firm as Putin announced plans for a power-plant start-up.”
An Eye On The Media reader from Texas commented, “The administration is making a laughing stock of our country--terrible foreign policy and domestic agenda really stinks. Lots of folks in this part of the country are in serious opposition to Obama's policies.”
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Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett, leading candidate for the Republican nomination for governor, visited Chester County on Monday for a meeting with members of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry at Penn Oaks Country Club. Corbett delivered a pro-business talk. The Daily Local News reported the event on March 16.
The Daily Local News ran an opinion piece by Republican Chester County Controller Val DiGiorgio. Chester County, unlike the Democratic administrations in Washington and Harrisburg, are in good financial shape. Instead of looking for ways to spend money that the taxpayers don’t have, he warned that only so much spending can be funded.
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The Democratic policies aren’t winning many friends and voters. The New York Times reported, “Fresh off an announcement that jolted the New York political world, Steve Levy, the Long Island Democrat who abandoned his party to run for governor as a Republican, is working to secure endorsements as he tries to gain an edge in the contest for the nomination.”
An Eye On The Media reader passed along the latest Rasmussen Reports survey. The survey revealed, “For the third month in a row, likely Republican nominee Pat Toomey holds a nine-point lead over incumbent Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race.
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Outside the political world, the realities were grim. An Inquirer business story reported: “PA jobless rate highest in 25 years.” A March 15 Inquirer story had the headline: “U.S. aide, husband slain in Mexico: Another U.S. Employee’s spouse also died in shootings linked to drug traffickers. Obama expressed outrage.”
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And finally, a column by a Daily Local News reporter had the headline: “Is it even possible to have totally objective journalism?”
March 15, 2010 _ The whole story on numerous issues can’t be gleaned from area news outlets.
On Saturday, Karl Rove was hosted at the Desmond Hotel by the Republican Committee of Chester County. Last week Rove made appearances on various network news shows promoting his book, a look at the White House years with President Bush. As expected, Rove received some tough questioning from the national media but his responses make sense and he has shed some light on the Bush Presidency.
On Sunday, no printed mention of Rove’s Chester County visit was found nor any mention of Rove’s revelations in the book.
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The area newspapers had plenty of space for President Obama’s visit to Arcadia University in Montgomery County last week. The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily Local News both printed front-page stories on Obama’s visit and both papers had stories on protests against Obama.
The Daily Local News anti-Obama piece was in the Business section. The Inquirer’s headline was: “Pro and con greet Obama: ‘Kill the bill!’ Clashed with ‘Thank you, Mr. President!’ in Glenside.” In the Inquirer story Obama asked Congress to take a stand on his health care bill. The challenge to Congress was courageous of the President. If Congress takes a stand with the American public, Congress will oppose Obama.
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An Eye On The Media reader submitted an article from the Real Clear political website on the health care issue. The headline was:“The Democrats' Pickett's Charge.”
The story reported, “And now the House Democrats line up at the instruction of their blind commanders for a final charge into glory as they battle to foist a health care system on a country that neither wants it nor can afford it. The charge may or may not reach its objective. But one thing is certain: The carnage among those who vote for health care will remind Civil War buffs of Pickett's Charge on the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg.
“As a French general who witnessed the spectacle said, ‘C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la guerre.’ (It is magnificent, but it's not war.) The sight of so many Democrats throwing away their political careers may be arresting, but it is not politics.”
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One story that seemed to have gotten past many local reporters and editors was the latest Ghaddafi incident. The story was noted by the BBC on its website on March 9. The headline to the story was: “US apologises over Gaddafi comments.”
The story reported, “The US State Department has apologised for comments made about Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's call for jihad, or holy war, against Switzerland. Department spokesman PJ Crowley, who made the dismissive comments, said they did not reflect US policy and were not intended to offend. Col Gaddafi had criticised a Swiss vote against the building of minarets and urged Muslims to boycott the country.
“Mr Crowley described it as ‘lots of words, not necessarily a lot of sense.’ Libya and Switzerland are embroiled in a long-running diplomatic row. ‘I regret that my comments have become an obstacle to further progress in our bilateral relationship,’ Mr Crowley said.”
The Obama administration is now apologizing when one of its officials tells the truth.
The Wall Street Journal on March 11 did write an editorial with the headline: “Groveling With Gadhafi: The apology tour hits a new low.” The editorial stated, “President Obama’s world apology tour is now the stuff of legend, cut even his worst critics probably didn’t expect this week’s footnote involving Libya’s Moammar Gadhafi.”
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While Obama pushes his health care bill more Americans remain out of work. The New York Times ran a story last week with the headline: “Jobs Still Elusive, 5 States Posted Record Unemployment Rates in January.” The Associated Press story reported, “Unemployment rose in 30 states in January, the Labor Department said Wednesday, evidence that jobs remain scarce in most regions of the country.
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The Obama administration continues to cast off old United States allies and last week Israel fired back at the administration. The Inquirer ran a story by the Los Angeles Times on Vice President Joe Biden’s “high-profile” visit to Israel in connection with floundering peace talks. Not sure why Biden’s visit was called “high-profile” since before Israel announced its plan to build 1,600 housing units in East Jerusalem few knew Biden had left the country.
The story reported Israel’s announcement was “a surprise step that embarrassed and angered the highest-ranking Obama administration official yet to visit the country.” The BBC also reported on the snub of the Obama administration.
Another BBC story reported ties with England were becoming frayed.
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Finally, Obama didn’t win any praise from the Supreme Court and NASA astronauts last week.
The Inquirer ran a story with the headline: “Roberts troubled by scene at speech.” The story reported, “Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said yesterday that the scene at President Obama’s Jan. 27 State of the Union address was ‘very troubling’ and said the annual speech had ‘degenerated to a political pep rally.’”
The BBC reported on the astronauts’ discontent with the President with an article with the headline: “Obama Nasa plans 'catastrophic' say Moon astronauts.” The story reported, “Former Nasa astronauts who went to the Moon have told the BBC of their dismay at President Barack Obama's decision to push back further Moon missions. Jim Lovell, commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, said Mr Obama's decision would have ‘catastrophic consequences’ for US space exploration. The last man on the Moon, Eugene Cernan, said it was ‘disappointing.’”
March 8, 2010 _ A letter to the editor in the Daily Local News on March 5 from a Coatesville woman pretty much summed up the thoughts of a majority of Americans on their feelings towards the Democratic Obama administration.
The headline on the letter was: “There’s no money, so stop the spending.” Even though many national polls have shown that the costly Democratic health plan is unwanted, Obama is still pushing to spend billions of non-existent tax dollars.
An Associated Press story in the Daily Local News suggests Obama’s own party is not backing his health care reform. The headline was: “Obama pleads with Democrats over health care reform.” He has little support in the Republican Party as indicated from a Business Journals article and the headline was telling on Obama’s big talk on his willingness to compromise. The headline: “Obama Throws GOP Some Bones.” The article reported, “President Barack Obama threw some bones to Republicans today in the wake of last week’s White House health care summit, but there’s little chance these tweaks will win any GOP support for his reform bill.”
Obama is also having problems with his own party on another issue, energy. The Wall Street Journal ran a front-page story with the headline: “Democrats Revolt Over Energy.” The story reported Democrats offered legislation to block the administration’s plan.
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While many reports of Obama visiting Montgomery County on Monday were aired, few reports have been printed of Karl Rove coming to Chester County on Saturday. The Republican Committee of Chester County is hosting a special evening with Rove at the Desmond Hotel.
At the George W. Bush White House, Rove oversaw the Offices of Strategic Initiatives, Political Affairs, Public Liaison, and Intergovernmental Affairs and was Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, coordinating the White House policy-making process.
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Democratic leadership in New York took more hits last week as Governor David Paterson is under an ethics investigation and Congressman Charles Rangel had to step aside from his leadership position because of ethics issues. The New York Times website reported that Rangel is “caught in a swirl of ethics inquiries.” An editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer on March 5 recommended that Rangel shouldn’t be allowed to retake his position as chair of the Ways and Means committee.
Stories by the Associated Press and Business Journals on March 4 reported Paterson is in trouble over World Series tickets. The Business Journal story reported, “A state commission has accused embattled Gov. David Paterson of breaking state law by accepting free World Series tickets, lying to the commission under oath and backdating a check for the tickets. The state Commission on Public Integrity on Wednesday issued the formal allegations against Paterson, following its own investigation. The commission, in unanimous agreement, said Paterson violated state lobbying laws by accepting free tickets to the first game of the 2009 World Series between the Phillies and Yankees held at Yankee Stadium in late October.”
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The last year of governing by Democrats is opening some eyes. An Eye On The Media reader passed on a story from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review with the headline: “Young voters increasingly identify with conservative politics.”The story reported, “A recent Pew Research Center report said 40 percent of voters ages 18 to 28 lean Republican, up from 30 percent last year. Fifty-four percent of those voters said they lean Democratic, down from 62 percent last year.”
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Finally, Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Ed Rendell’s legacy was outlined in an opinion column in the March 4 edition of the Inquirer. The article by John Fea, professor of American history at Messiah College, was headlined: “State is erasing its history.” Rendell has slashed funding for the Commonwealth’s historical sites, including Brandywine Battlefield Park.
History is gone but casinos are here.
March 1, 2010 _ The St. David’s Day edition of Eye On The Media begins with a five-line item in the “Elsewhere” section of Sunday’s Philadelphia Inquirer on page A14.
The smidgen of an article would have been easy to miss. The report noted President Obama has extended provisions of the Bush presidency’s Patriot Act for another year. This is the same Patriot Act that Obama railed against during his election campaign.
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The Republican Committee of Chester County’s convention on February 20 included committee members nominated to serve on the Republican State Committee.
The one contested race is in District One where Joseph Tarantino and Norman MacQueen are vying for the position. Those nominated without opposition were Carol Aichele in District One; Anita Ferenz and Gabe Milanese in District Two; Jock Hannum and Bunny Welsh in District Three; Paula Gowen and Frank McElwaine in District Four; Mary Lou Doyle and Guy Donatelli in District Five; Florence Supplee and Alan Randzin in District Six; and Carmen Battavio and Carol Heath in District Seven.
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While snow storms battered the East last week, the storm in the Democratic Party centered in New York where Congressman Charles B. Rangel and Governor David A. Paterson came under fire for questionable conduct.
The New York Times had harsh words for both elected Democratic officials on Sunday. Concerning Paterson, the Times reported, “When Gov. David A. Peterson ended his candidacy on Friday, he pledged to cooperate with an inquiry into his administration’s handling of a domestic violence case and vowed to concentrate on his job. But with New York grappling with enormous problems, some of the key Democrats he will need to work with were debating a central question on Saturday: Can such a damaged and distracted leader really run the state?”
A New York Times editorial on Sunday had the headline: “Relieve the Chairman of His Gavel.” The opinion stated, “Congressman Charles Rangel was far from humbled after the ethics committee admonished him for taking corporate-paid Caribbean junkets in violation of the House ethics code. Rather, the New York Democrat berated the panel’s leaders on the House floor. The moment was characteristic of Mr. Rangel’s arrogance throughout the investigation, which continues into more serious allegations about his official behavior. It is one more reason why Speaker Nancy Pelosi — who championed ethics reform — should stop protecting him and relieve him of his crucial role as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.”
Pelosi probably won’t take the Times’ advice.
The Inquirer did report the story and used an Associated Press article with the headline: “Rangel faulted in ethics case.” The story reported, “Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) knowingly accepted Caribbean trips from a corporation in violation of House rules.”
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In Washington, President Obama continues his single-minded push for health care reform. He continues to ignore the public wishes that his costly plan be shelved. A February 22 article by the Associated Press had the headline: “Outlook no brighter for Obama’s new health plan.” The article reported, “Starting over on health care, President Barack Obama knows his chances aren't looking much more promising. A year after he called for a far-reaching overhaul, Obama unveiled his most detailed plan yet on Monday. Realistically, he's just hoping to win a big enough slice to silence the talk of a failing presidency. The 10-year, $1 trillion plan.”
Last week’s health-care summit called by Obama was never designed to reach a compromise. The Wall Street Journal’s story on the summit on February 26 carried the headline: “More Talk, No Deal At Health Summit.” The Inquirer’s story had the headline of: “Parties as split as ever on health.” The headline on the Daily Local News story was puzzling on a way. The headline was: “Obama: BiPartisan Accord Unlikely.” Since Obama never seriously compromised on his financially crippling plan, why would he even think a bi-partisan accord was possible? Again, the President’s talk didn’t match his actions.
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Finally, one Eye On The Media reader submitted a report from The New Republic on a poll conducted in Pennsylvania by Franklin and Marshall. The story began by pointing out the Commonwealth has been voting Democratic for more than a decade. The poll showed that will change in the coming year as Republican Pat Toomey is far ahead of his Democratic opponents in the race U.S. Senate.
February 22, 2010 _ The Daily Local News deserves credit for being on top of the county political conventions and reporting day-after coverage of the Republican convention in Sunday’s edition.
The event in Kennett Square began with Steve Welch, candidate for the 6th Congressional District, announcing he was ending his campaign. Welch said he backs incumbent Congressman Jim Gerlach and he promised GOP Chairman Skip Brion that he would stay involved with the county Republican Party.
Gerlach and fellow incumbent Joe Pitts, 16th District, won endorsements as did Pat Meehan in the 7th Congressional District. Ted Erickson, Michael Brubaker, John Rafferty and Mike Folmer all were endorsed for the Pennsylvania Senate.
In the Pennsylvania House races incumbents Tim Hennessey, Curt Schroder, Chris Ross, Stephen Barrar, Duane Milne and Tom Killion all were endorsed. John Lawrence was endorsed in the 13th District and two races had recommended candidates. In the 156th District, Drae McComas and Dan Truitt were recommended and in the 157th, Kendrick Buckwalter and Warren Kampf were recommended.
Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate Jim Cawley also appeared at the convention and spoke to the committee members as did Congressman Pitts. The Republican Committee of Chester County is also backing Tom Corbett for governor and Cawley. In the U.S. Senate race Pat Toomey is our endorsed candidate.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Welch’s withdrawal from the 6th Congressional race and a story on Democrats vying for that position.
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The Daily Local News also deserves the better late than never award for its reporting of Chester County Commissioners Chair Carol Aichele ending her bid for Lieutenant Governor on February 16, nine days after she announced she was withdrawing from the race. At Saturday’s convention Crawley had kind words for Aichele.
Chester County government, led by Republican Commissioners Aichele and Terence Farrell, have won awards for the county for its solid fiscal condition and being one of the best places to live, work and raise families. Last week USA Today and local television stations and newspapers, reported the county is the healthiest county in Pennsylvania. A University of Wisconsin study rated counties across the nation.
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The economy continues to dominate the news in Washington and Harrisburg. The Obama administration is offering conflicting information on jobs. On one hand the administration is touting lots of jobs created through the stimulus plan but on the other hand the administration is also saying unemployment will be a major issue for five years. Other analysis of the stimulus spending shows mixed to no positive results on the job front.
The Business Journals website ran an article on February 15 on Obama’s statement that he is pro-business. The headline was: “Just How Pro-Business is President Obama?” The story reported, “We are fierce advocates for a thriving, dynamic free market,” the president said during an interview published as a Q&A in the magazine.
“This week’s historic snowfall muffled the sound, but all over Washington, business lobbyists probably were scratching their heads and saying, “What is this guy talking about?”
Karen Kerrigan, president and CEO of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, was blunt in her reaction.
“For small businesses looking at the possibility of major tax increases and new regulatory burdens if his health care, workplace, and environmental agenda moves forward, these comments are quite shocking,” Kerrigan said. “It’s no wonder the president is losing credibility with the American public. He continues to make statements such as this that do not match his actions.”
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Pennsylvania businesses are also being hammered in Harrisburg. On February 16, the Business Journals ran an article with a headline: “Rendell’s Sales Tax Expansion Would Hurt Many Businesses.” The story reported, “Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell's recent budget proposal to remove the exemption of the state sales tax for professional services would have damaging long-term effects on Pennsylvania business growth, says the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).”
The next day Tom Corbett, the Republican nominee for governor, commented on Pennsylvania’s economic condition. He said, “One year ago today, President Obama signed the $787 billion stimulus bill. In 2008, Pennsylvania's unemployment rate was 5.4%, meaning there were 344,000 unemployed Pennsylvanians. In 2009, Pennsylvania's unemployment rate rose to 8.3% with 527,417 unemployed Pennsylvanians - meaning our state had over 180,000 more people out of work. With this sharp increase in unemployment, it is easy to see that our families and businesses are not better off today than they were one year ago.”
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Last week the Daily Local News ran articles on Americans losing faith in the Washington Democratic administration. One story had the headline: “Obama facing anger, not hope: Democrats could face eroding support in November elections.” When Indiana Democratic Senator Evan Bayh announced he wasn’t running for re-election, the Daily Local News ran an Associated Press story with the headline: “Bayh exits Senate against backdrop of angry voters.”
The Wall Street Journal’s headline was: “Democrats Take Blow As Senator Bows Out.”
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Finally, a Kennett Square man wrote a letter to the Daily Local News on Vice President Joe Biden and the Obama administration taking credit for victory in Iraq. The letter was printed on February 20 with the headline: “Vice president has a lot of nerve.” The letter reported, “I almost fell off my chair; I thought it was a joke.” He concludes, “Sheer chutzpa Mr. Vice President – George Bush and Dick Cheney took all of the blame on this one and they deserve all the credit for the success you now acknowledge.”
February 15, 2010 _ The snow was cleared from central Pennsylvania in time for the convening of the Pennsylvania Republican committee this past weekend.
Local newspapers informed readers that Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett was endorsed for Governor and former Congressman Pat Toomey for the United States Senate. Readers of the Associated Press story in the Daily Local News were not informed of the Lieutenant Governor endorsement.
The newspaper had been reporting for months on the race that had as many as 10 persons vying for the position, including Chester County Commissioner Chair Carol Aichele. Aichele withdrew on the evening of February 7. She sent an E-mail to supporters saying, “It has been my honor and privilege to meet with countless Republicans who share my determination to create a new beginning for Pennsylvania.
“While I truly enjoyed this time in my life, I wanted to let you know that I will no longer be a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. Since I entered this race last June, my number one priority has always been to help Tom Corbett become the next Governor of Pennsylvania. Even though I will no longer be a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, I remain committed to this priority. I will do everything I can to help Tom and will work so that he will win Chester County by the largest margin possible.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer did report that Bucks County Commissioner Jim Cawley was selected for the Lieutenant Governor’s position. Cawley won the endorsement on the second ballot but that fact wasn’t included in the Inquirer. Readers, and apparently some reporters, would have had to go to political websites, such as Politics PA, for that information.
The Inquirer’s headline on B1 was: “GOP endorses Corbett, Toomey: The pick for governor said he foresaw big party gains, but a tea party presence showed signs of rift.” The story did report that the rift included only “about a dozen protestors” at the convention. That’s not a big rift.
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The economy was the issue in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania last week. Governor Rendell unveiled his budget on February 9 and the Inquirer’s front page story the next day had the headline: “Rendell’s budget boosts spending.” For 2010-11, Democrat Rendell said he would cut the sales tax but apply it to more services. The story reported Republicans are opposed, calling the proposal “dead on arrival.” Republican Senator Joe Scarnati said, “An increase is an increase.”
Corbett wasted no time in responding to Rendell’s plan for more taxes and spending. Corbett’s statement, issued hours after Rendell’s proposal, said, “Taxing Pennsylvania's hardworking families and small businesses, as the Governor pledged this morning, is not the answer. We must fight for best interest of all Pennsylvanians, including the small businesses that keep millions of Pennsylvanians at work.
“If I am elected to serve as your next Governor, I will fight for fiscally responsible policies. I will fight to get Pennsylvania back on the right track, and will make job growth and economic stability my number one priority.”
Readers of the Daily Local News were again out of luck on the budget proposal – even though the budget will impact every reader – as no story appeared on February 10 on the proposal or Corbett’s response.
The Daily Local News has been reporting the news in detail on the 156th House District and ran an editorial on February 14.
The Inquirer’s business section ran a story on February 14 commenting on Rendell’s governing of Pennsylvania. The headline was: “Rendell will leave a legacy of pension gaps.” The story reported the gap is an estimated $20 billion. That isn’t the legacy Rendell was seeking.
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The Inquirer also sees Pennsylvania again becoming a battleground state, politically, in the upcoming election. The story referenced the recent death of long-time Democratic Congressman John Murtha and indicated eight Congressional seats are in play this coming year.
Health care will continue to be an issue and one Eye On The Media forwarded the results of a Rasmussen Report poll on the issue. The poll was conducted earlier this month and found 28 percent want to build on the health care plan now being considered in Congress, 11 percent aren’t sure, and a majority of 61 percent wants Congress to scrap and plan start anew.
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And finally, the laughable headline of the year appeared in the February 14 edition of the Daily Local News on page 19. It was “Obama aims to rein in spending.” This is the President who has been spending every dime in sight and every dollar for the foreseeable future. Barry Goldwater was seen as a person wanting to bomb communists back to the stone age. President Obama is the person who is taxing Americans into the 22nd Century.
February 8, 2010 _ The media savvy award this week goes to Steve Welch, Republican candidate for the Sixth Congressional District.
The Philadelphia Inquirer ran a story on Welch on February 4. By the headline and the tone of the story, the reporters were looking for Welch to trash the GOP. After Congressman James Gerlach re-entered the race, Welch went from one of the contenders to a long-shot to gain the Republican endorsement.
Welch didn’t take the reporters’ bait.
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As the Republican Committee of Chester County’s convention approaches, the Daily Local News has been running story on straw votes for the contested state House of Representative races. Endorsements will be known by the end of the month.
On the Democratic side, the Inquirer ran a story on Arlen Specter winning the state endorsement for U.S. Senator over Congressman Joe Sestak. Democratic candidates for governor failed to garner overwhelming support with Auditor General Jack Wagner receiving the most committee votes.
An Eye On The Media reader found another version of the Democratic convention on the Politico website. The report involved Specter, the Republican who turned Democrat after he lost support in the GOP, and Chester County Democratic Senator Andrew Dinniman.
The Politico article reported, “Even as he accepted the resounding backing of the Pennsylvania Democratic state committee here Saturday, party-switching Sen. Arlen Specter’s vulnerability was on vivid display as he botched the name of a key Democratic officeholder in his acceptance speech.
“I’ll be fighting hard for the entire Democratic ticket. Senator Andy. . . Andy . . .” Specter said, before pausing briefly, squinting his eyes. “From Chester County,” he continued, losing his train of thought after clinching an emphatic 229-72 U.S. Senate endorsement vote from party regulars just minutes earlier.
“Dinniman,” the crowd responded almost in unison, referring to the state senator who represents West Chester. One committeeman seated in the audience dropped his head and shook it.”
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Local readers last week wrote letters to the editor expressing frustration with the Obama administration and the President’s handling of the economy and his out-of-control spending of taxpayers’ dollars.
The February 5 opinion page of the Daily Local News had an editorial cartoon showing a little child entering his parents’ bedroom and saying, “I had another bad dread about the deficit.”
A letter on the same page from a West Chester man was headlined: “Obama actions cause wonderment.” The letter concludes, “Do not try to stifle our free speech, our displays in a higher power, nor any display of patriotism. Stop your rushing to socialism and possibly, if I red you right, Marxism.”
A second letter from a West Whiteland man was headlined: “Alarmed by where U.S. is headed” The letter concludes, “There is only one answer – get rid of the crowd starting next November. We need a true American to run the United States of America.”
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The escalating deficit is giving adults nightmares. On February 1, a CNBC commentator said the United States no longer controls its financial destiny because foreign nations, including China, own our debt.
A Wall Street Journal column by Gerald F. Seib dealt with the security issue. The headline was: “Deficit Balloons Into National-Security Threat.” The article begins, “The federal budget deficit has long since graduated from nuisance to headache to pressing national concern. Now, however, it has become so large and persistent that it is time to start thinking of it as something else entirely: a national-security threat.” The story says since China and other foreign countries control a large portion of our debt “It reduces our independence.” “Long term national security is put at risk.”
On February 1, an Inquirer front-page headline was: “Obama to offer 2011 budget today: His plan carries 10 years of big deficits and keeps tax cuts for those making less than $250,000.” The Wall Street Journal’s headline was: “Deficit to Hit All-Time High: Obama’s $3.8 Trillion Budget Forecasts a $1.6 Trillion Shortfall for 2010 Before It Drops.” The BBC also reported on record deficit levels. The website’s headline was: “Obama unveils $3.8tn budget plans.”
The next day the Business Journals’ story had the headline: “Obama Punts on Long-Term Deficits.” The story reported “President Barack Obama’s budget plan projects a $1.3 trillion federal deficit next year, which would be whacked down to $706 billion by fiscal 2014.
“That’s the good news in the president’s budget. The bad news is the annual federal deficit would jump back up to more than $1 trillion by fiscal 2020. Over 10 years, the federal government would accumulate an additional $8.5 trillion in red ink.”
The deficits dominated the news for most of the week. The Daily Local News front-page story had the headline: “Obama budget: Record spending, record deficit: Federal budget proposal totals $3.8 trillion.” A Wall Street Journal story on the same day reported, “President Barack Obama’s $3.8 trillion budget for the coming fiscal year raises taxes on businesses and upper-income households by $2 trillion and cuts spending on programs with considerable political support, but will still leave the nation with $8.5 trillion in added debt over the next decade.”
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Budget problems are also severe in Harrisburg as Governor Rendell is poised to introduce his last budget. The Inquirer’s headlinewas: “Storm clouds for Rendell’s final budget: It’s coming this week. All agree it must pass on time.” Rendell has a big state pension issue. His administration is also gutting support for business organizations to grow jobs. His administration recently withdraw funding for the state tourism industry, an industry had employs many Commonwealth residents and brings in major amounts of taxes.
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An Exton man wrote to the Daily Local News about his lack of confidence in President Obama turning around the economy. The letter was printed on February 3 and had the headline: “President’s job plan will not work.” The letter concludes, “If Obama wants to increase U.S. exports, he has to stop punishing success with taxes while he supports failure with bailouts.”
Those in Washington are also not trusting Obama. An Inquirer story of a McClatchy Newspaper story had the headline: “Boehner slams Obama plan for panel on fiscal discipline.” The story reported that John Boehner, GOP House leader, called the Obama administration’s plan to create a fiscal discipline commission a “partisan Washington exercise” that’s “rigged” to promote Democrats’ spending policies.
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And, citizens across the nation also are losing confidence in Obama. An Eye On The Media reader forwarded a story from the New York Post on a recent poll. The story reported, “In February of last year, the F&M poll showed that 55 percent thought Obama was doing a good or excellent job, while 36 percent said he was doing a fair or poor job. In the latest poll, that job-approval rating had essentially reversed: 38 percent view him positively and 61 percent negatively.
“More important, 40 percent say they're financially worse off than a year ago, versus just 10 percent who say they're better off. And 49 percent don't think they'll be better off a year from now.”
February 1, 2010 _ The previous week’s news reports were full of speculation concerning the State of the Union speech, the actual words spoken and the analysis of the talk.
As expected, strong supporters of President Obama liked his presentation while detractors didn’t. What did the general public think of the talk? The Daily Local News, KYW and Philadelphia Inquirer ran articles on comments from individuals.
A business story in the Inquirer had the headline: “Obama speech didn’t connect with some here.” One person told the business columnist, “The idea that we as a nation will spend more money on stimulus, clean air, education and government health care for all, while not raising taxes and reducing the deficit, leads me to one conclusion: The president is not being honest.”
The day after the talk KYW ran an Associated Press story with the headline: “Voters to president: Less talk, more action.”
A January 30 letter in the Daily Local News from an East Fallowfield reader was headlined: “Obama’s reaction is discouraging.” Part of the letter included, “Bribes here and there, no transparency, broken promises, haughty pronouncements, anti-democratic posturing: it was too much even for the bluest-of-blue voters in Massachusetts.”
The speculation before the talk centered on Obama’s ability to regain his magic. He seemed like he was a candidate campaigning for office rather than a President leading the nation when he gave the State of the Union address. A quick survey of several Eye On The Media readers showed they believed Obama gave a partisan speech that lacked any qualities of a statesman.
One of the most controversial sections of the speech dealt with Obama’s criticism of a Supreme Court ruling upholding Freedom of Speech, which happens to be part of the guaranteed rights in this nation. One justice mouthed during the speech that Obama was wrong. Many news stories after the talk reported that Obama was wrong in his analysis of the court case.
The Inquirer ran a Bloomberg News story on page A5 with the headline: “Obama draw dissent over criticism of ruling.” The story reported, “Obama may have taken an unprecedented step by using his State of the Union speech Wednesday night to criticize the justices. Obama also said the ruling “reversed a century of law.” One justice mouthed, “That’s not true” as Obama spoke.”
An editorial and an opinion in the Wall Street Journal covered the Supreme Court incident. An opinion by Randy E. Barnett was headlined: “Obama Owes the High Court an Apology.” The editorial was headlined: “Obama V. the Supremes.” The editorial concludes, “Desperate Presidents do desperate things, and Mr. Obama’s riff against the Supremes reveals a President who – let us try to follow Mr. Obama’s admonition about changing the ‘tone’ of our politics – lacks grace under pressure.”
The day after the speech saw the following headlines. Daily Local News: “Obama: I don’t quit: Embattled president vows to make job growth top priority, urges more stimulus spending.” Inquirer: “Seize this Moment: State of the Union speech reaffirms Obama’s goals on jobs, health care.” The story also called Obama embattled and reported he has suffered “stinging setbacks.” The Wall Street Journal: “Obama Bids for Rebound: After Setbacks, President Decries `Deficit of Trust’ in Speech, Focuses on Economy.”
On January 30 the Daily Local News ran a column by Linda Chavez with the headline: “A failing leadership from the top.” Chavez wrote, “President Obama failed a major test of leadership in his State of the Union address this week. He offered only platitudes and failed policies on job creation and little more on controlling spending.”
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Early in the week Obama talked about seeking a spending freeze. That sounded good to voters unless they examined the proposal. The Inquirer’s front-page story on January 26 began by pointing out Obama was “facing voter anger over mounting budget deficits.” The story explained Obama’s target is a very small part of the budget. He also said he wants to help the middle-class “under assault.” Isn’t Obama the one assaulting the middle class? The Wall Street Journal’s headline on the story was: “Effort to Curb Deficit Would Affect Only 17% of Spending; Defense, Medicare Exempt.” The story reported the nation’s deficit at $1.4 trillion.
Obama then went on to continue his attack on Wall Street banks and negatively affect the stock market. The Daily Local News ran an Associated Press story with the headline: “Government approved to borrow $1.9 trillion: National debt would jump to $14.3 trillion.” That pretty much ends Obama’s vow to freeze spending.
Wall Street Journal columnist Kimberley A. Strassel wrote on the issue. The articles’ headline was: “Bonfire of the Populists” The column states, “The problem with fires is that can blow in any direction. Consider the White House, which is seeing a backdraft from the anti-Wall Street flame it has been dousing with gasoline. His agenda on the ropes, President Obama made a calculated decision to pivot to populism The Massachusetts Senate race highlighted a fed-up public.”
The column quotes a venture capitalist who said “the administration has created an uncertainty that is `nothing short of paralyzing.’ Nobody will invest in an industry that might be the next to be overtaxed, overregulated, or publicly disemboweled.”
Also, “The blowback is already hobbling the White House’s own economic team.”
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Reports have circulated that Obama’s ultra expensive health care plan is on “life support,” according to an Associated Press story in the Daily Local News. The far left is looking for blood and a Wall Street Journal story indicates White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is the target. And, at least one Democratic senator is urging his party to move to the center. The story quoted Evan Bayh as saying many in his party are “tone deaf” about the message voters are sending and that the Democrats have “overreached.”
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A Republican congressman from Wisconsin, Paul D. Ryan, wrote an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal concerning his view of the future. The headline: “A GOP Road Map for America’s Future.” The pull quote was: “There’s still time to rejuvenate our market economy and avoid a European-style welfare state.” The column concludes, “The Road Map promotes our national prosperity by limiting government’s burden of spending, mandates and regulation. It ensures the opportunity for individuals to fulfill their human potential and enjoy the satisfaction of their own achievements – and it secures the distinctly American legacy of leaving the next generation better off.” The road map includes health care, Medicare, Social Security and tax reform points.
A Kennett Square man wrote to the Daily Local News on the liberal leadership. The January 29 headline was: “A people’s revolt is on the rise.” The letter stated, “Elite progressives don’t get it, they think they are so much smarter than the little people, they know what is best for us and the poor naïve voters of Massachusetts just don’t get it.”
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Democrat Arlen Specter apologized last week for his “act like a lady” remark thrown at Republican Congress member Michele Bachmann. Specter’s sharp tongue is well-known in most inner circles.
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Finally, the Pennsylvania Republican Southwest Caucus held its conference this past weekend. Philadelphia Republican Councilman Frank Rizzo, according to the Inquirer, entered the race for lieutenant governor. He apparently didn’t receive much support as the Pittsburg Tribune Revue reported Chet Beiler of Lancaster County and Bucks County Commissioner Jim Cawley gained a vast majority of votes.
Attorney General Tom Corbett, running for governor, and Pat Toomey, running for Senate, were clear winners in the caucus vote.
January 25, 2010 _The Massachusetts votes were heard around the world last week.
The day after the unprecedented shift in national politics, one Eye On The Media reader observed that the media grossly underplayed the significance of Massachusetts, historically a liberal and Democratic Commonwealth, voting for a Republican to take the seat once held by Democratic liberal Ted Kennedy.
The reader also believed the media didn’t point out the significance of the vote on the Obama Administration’s plans to reshape America.
Obama certainly knew the ramifications of a Republican victory. The Philadelphia Inquirer ran a front page story by the Associated Press on January 18 with the headline: “Obama rushes to stop defeat in Mass. election.” The story reported, “His agenda at risk, President Obama fought yesterday to save a struggling Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and the critical 60th vote needed for his health-care plan.” The Wall Street Journal headline was: “Obama Agenda on the Line in Massachusetts.”
On the day of the election the Wall Street Journal’s editorial talked about the message of Massachusetts and what has taken place during the President’s first year in office. The editorial stated, “Twelve months later, Mr. Obama’s approval rating has fallen further and faster than any recent President’s, Congress is despised, the public mood has shifted sharply to the right on the role of government.” The article concludes, “Democrats are proving again that American can’t be successfully governed from the left.”
The day after the election saw media outlets reporting a major Democratic debacle.
The Business Journals’ website reported, “The Massachusetts Stunner: What a Difference a Vote Makes. Voters in Massachusetts didn’t just give President Obama and ruling Democrats a harsh setback by choosing to send Republican Scott Brown to the Senate. They gave legitimacy to populist conservative discontent and quite likely changed the course of health care and Wall Street reforms.”
The KYW website posted an Associated Press story. “Democrats seek back footing after epic Mass. Loss. BOSTON (AP) -- A year to the day after his inauguration, Barack Obama and his Democratic allies are suddenly scrambling to save his signature health care overhaul and somehow rediscover their political magic after an epic loss in the Massachusetts Senate race.
Republican Scott Brown rode a wave of voter anger to beat Democrat Martha Coakley. The loss was a stunning embarrassment for the White House. It also signaled big political problems for the president's party this fall when House, Senate and gubernatorial candidates are on the ballot nationwide. Brown's victory was so sweeping, he even won in the Cape Cod community where Sen. Edward Kennedy, the longtime liberal icon, died of brain cancer last August.”
The Associated Press website listed a story on health care. “Gut-check for Obama and Democrats on health care. WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's gut-check time for President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats on their health care overhaul. A stinging loss Tuesday in Massachusetts cost Obama the 60-vote Senate majority he was counting on to pass the far-reaching legislation. The outcome splintered the rank and file on how to salvage the bill, energized congressional Republicans and left Obama and the Democrats with fallback options that range from bad to worse.
The BBC website reported on the vote. “Obama’s party loses Kennedy seat. The US Republican party's shock win in the Massachusetts Senate race threatens to derail President Obama's healthcare plan.
The Daily Local News didn’t run a front-page story but did have a headline teasing into an inside story. “GOP’s SEAT: Brown wins epic race for U.S. Senate. Story on A4.”
The Inquirer ran a front-page story. “GOP wins a Senate upset in Mass.: Scott Brown’s victory for Edward M. Kennedy’s old Senate seat could imperil Obama’s health-care plans.” The article stated, “In an epic upset in liberal Massachusetts, Republican Scott Brown rode a wave of voter anger to defeat Democrat Martha Coakley in a U.S. Senate election yesterday that left President Obama’s health-care overhaul in doubt and marred the end of his first year in office.”
Another Eye On The Media reader observed it was great to see that all segments of the Republican Party rallied to support Brown, a moderate Republican, for the important Senate seat. The reader hopes this is a lesson where the conservative/moderate agendas should take a backseat to winning seats in Harrisburg and Washington.
An Inquirer article on January 21 reported, “Scott Brown proudly proclaims he’s ‘a new breed of Republican.’ The Associated Press story reported, “Scott Brown portrayed himself as an independent-minded everyman and moderate candidate fighting the Democratic ‘machine.’”
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Wall Street certainly liked the idea of a roadblock for the Obama’s health care plan as stocks shot higher on Tuesday. The Inquirer business section reported, “Stocks higher on Mass. Senate vote and technology news.” Stocks were up 116 points to a 15-month high.
Obama extracted his revenge on Wall Street, financial institutions and stock holders across the land later in the week as he urged the imposition of more regulations on banks. An Inquirer story was headlined: “Stocks slide on call for bank rules.” Stocks retreated 213.27 points on Obama’s message. The Associated Press story reported “President Obama’s plan to change the way big banks make their money plunged the stock market back into the fear and uncertainty that marked the financial crisis.”
As Obama continued to hammer the financial institutions, the stocks continued to fall. The Wall Street Journal front-page headline was: “New Bank Rules Sink Stocks: Obama Proposal Would Restrict Risk-Taking by Biggest Firms as Battle Looms.” KYW’s headline was: “Stocks sink again on Obama's pushback on banks.” The Associated Press story reported, “Stocks suffered their fourth sharp drop in five trading days as investors caved to growing anxiety about President Barack Obama's plans to restrict big banks and earnings reports that just aren't good enough. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 217 points Friday, having lost 552 points, or 5.2 percent, over the past three days. Over the past five trading days, the Dow has fallen 537 points, having gained 115 points on Tuesday. The drop gave the Dow its worst week since the index hit a 12-year low in March.”
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Besides driving down stocks, the Obama administration was discussing paring its health care proposal in light of the vote in Massachusetts. But a day before the vote a story in the Wall Street Journal on a poll showed Americans had lost confidence in Obama. The headline was: “Doubts Rise, Obama Slips.” The story reported “only 35 percent said they are confident he has the right policies to cure the economy. A majority – 55 percent – said they disapprove of his handling of health care.”
The Daily Local News headline was: “Pared-down health bill eyed. Democrats urge shift in focus: Mass. Election shocker forces legislators to re-evaluate their strategy.” The Inquirer headline was: “Mass. Election stalls overhaul.”
The Wall Street Journal headline was: “Obama Retreats on Health: President Tries to Salvage Overhaul’s ‘Core Elements’ Amid Capitol Hill Chaos.” The story reported, “President Barack Obama suggested he’s open to Congress passing a scaled-back health-care bill, potentially sacrificing much of his signature policy imitative as chaos engulfed Capitol Hill Wednesday.”
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On January 22, the Inquirer ran a story on Obama’s failed Middle East strategy. The headline was: “Obama says he erred on Mideast” It took Obama a year to realize what everyone else knew, that solving the Middle East issues will take more than a few nice talks. Obama was quoted as saying, “I think that we overestimated our ability to persuade them.”
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An article on January 19 in the Wall Street Journal by Gerald F. Seib contained another mistake made by Obama and his supporters. The headline was: “U.S. Shifted Party, Not Ideology.” The article reported, “The Democratic party’s problems, crystallized in the last-ditch scramble to save Ted Kennedy’s Massachusetts Senate seat in a special election Tuesday, can be traced to a simple mistake: Many in the party misread voters’ desire to switch parties in recent years as an ideological shift to the left. In fact, there is little sign that Americans’ ideological tendencies changed much at all, even as voters gave control of Congress to Democrats.”
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Sunday’s Inquirer commentary section had several columns calling for support for Obama. The Daily Local News ran a story on page A9 with the headline: “Obama endorses deficit task force.” The pull quote was, “The only way to solve our long-term fiscal challenge is to solve it together –Democrats and Republicans – President Obama.”
The only way to solve the deficit is for Obama and his supporters to stop wasting money on unworkable programs doomed to fail with the only goal of paying back, with taxpayers’ money, his supporters. Obama might also stop meddling with the free enterprise system and remember he is not the leader of a socialist nation.
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Another A9 Daily Local News story on Sunday was on the upcoming State of the Union talk. The headline was: “Obama’s State of the Union message: I’m still on your side. President will use Wednesday speech to offer hope after a trying first year of his presidency.”
Who is on Obama’s side? He certainly isn’t on the side of the workers. Unemployment continues to rise and he has only taken action to ensure jobs won’t be created. He’s not on the side of the business community, small business owners and investors. He’s not on the side of senior citizens. His economic policies have cut their income and made health care more expensive. He is not on the side of future generations since his programs will saddle them with onerous debt.
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Local residents writing to the Daily Local News last week also seem clueless as to who Obama is supporting. An Exton resident wrote a letter on Obama’s shortcomings. The letter has the headline: “A short list of lies and behavior.” The letter concludes, “We are on our way to being just another bureaucratic socialistic country (or worse). This can be stopped and must be stopped. An ignorant electorate resulted in Obama’s election. An informed electorate will put him in check with the 2010 election and toss him out in 2012. God help us until then.”
A Kennett Square man wrote a letter with the headline: “Obama, can you hear me now?” He writes, “What has happened in Massachusetts is beyond belief, I lived in Massachusetts for nine years and never in my wildest dreams would I have believed that a little-known Republican would occupy the seat held by Ted Kennedy for 47 years. As they did so many years ago, the people of Massachusetts are taking back the country for the people.” The letter concludes, “Well, Mr. President, now it is our turn. You didn’t listen to us in New Jersey and you didn’t listen in Virginia. To quote a popular cell phone commercial … Can you hear me NOW?”
January 18, 2010 _ The lieutenant governor’s position on the Republican ticket this year is within the grasp of Chester County Commissioner Chair Carol Aichele despite some published reports from last week’s straw vote by the Southeastern GOP caucus.
Aichele’s vote count places her second in the Commonwealth and one of two candidates vying for support in the Southeast where Bucks County Commissioner Jim Cawley has a slight lead in committed votes. The caucus didn’t vote as a block, as is the normal practice, indicating support for both Aichele and Cawley.
Southwest and Northwest caucus meetings are upcoming but the matter shouldn’t be settled until the state GOP convention.
As expected, Attorney General Tom Corbett received unanimous support in the Southeast for his bid to become governor and Pat Toomey for the United States senator’s position.
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Last week state Representative Curt Schroder of Chester County ended his bid for Congress and decided to seek re-election to the House. Schroder had put together a serious bid for a seat in Washington but abandoned the Congressional quest when Congressman Jim Gerlach decided to forgo a chance to become governor and seek another term in the 6th District.
Schroder informed supporters, “For six months we have worked together toward a shared goal of protecting our freedoms and liberties which are under assault by the collectivist policies of a Congress that seeks to expand government control at the expense of our personal freedoms. That fight must and will continue for the sake of our great nation and those who will come after us. I will continue to stand with you in this struggle. One does not need to be in the US Congress to effectuate positive change. Many of you receiving this message are living proof of that.
“Our campaign could not have been going any better. I was on the cusp of receiving the endorsement of the Chester County Republican Committee and I had strong support in both Berks and Montgomery Counties.”
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The Chester County Press ran an article in last week’s edition about the upcoming race for state House in the southern portion of Chester County. The article stated, “Democrat State Rep. Tom Houghton is ripe for picking!” The article centered on possible Republican candidates John Lawrence and Stephanie Silvernail. The article concludes, “Nominating petitions start flying around next month.”
The state House will have different leadership next year. On January 13 the Daily Local News reported that House Speaker Keith McCall won’t run for re-election. He is a Democrat from Carbon County.
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The eyes of the nation should be on the vote in Massachusetts this week to fill a vacancy created in the U.S. Senate by the death of Ted Kennedy. The Democrats need to keep the seat or lose its filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.
An Associated Press story on January 15 was headlined: “Senate poll shows shift toward GOP candidate.” The article reported, “A new poll in the Massachusetts Senate race shows a shift in favor of the Republican Party and a potential disaster for President Barack Obama and his Democratic political agenda in Tuesday's special election.
“The Suffolk University survey released late Thursday showed Scott Brown, a Republican state senator, with 50 percent of the vote in the race to succeed the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy in this overwhelmingly Democratic state. Democrat Martha Coakley had 46 percent.”
The day after the poll was reported the Daily Local News ran an Associated Press story with the headline: “President to stump for Coakley in Mass.” The headline on the front-page story in the Wall Street Journal was: “Obama Fights for Bay State: Democrats Fear Losing 60-Seat Senate Majority as Republican Surges in Polls.”
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The Obama administration has many worries this week. Besides the election in Massachusetts, his handling of national security is being questioned. The Daily Local News published a letter on January 11 from a Mont Clare woman who wrote, “There is clearly something wrong with the Obama administration for not owning up to the fact that Janet Napolitano is incompetent as the Homeland Security chief and should be fired.” She also criticized Obama for his handling of terrorism threats. A letter in the Chester County Press on January 13 from a veteran from Oxford doesn’t like prosecuting terrorists in New York City.
The Daily Local News reported on January 13 that the Obama administration is asking for an additional $33 billion in war funds. That amount is on top of a “record request of $708 billion,” the Associated Press story reported.
On January 16 the Associated Press story in the Daily Local News had the headline: “Obama mortgage relief program fails.” The story reported, “President Barack Obama’s plan to fix the foreclosure crisis has been a dud, putting the housing market recovery at risk. Hopes were over-inflated, when Obama unveiled the program.”
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The Obama administration’s financially crushing health care system overhaul is undergoing changes as Obama rushes for a quick vote before additional legislators begin listening to constituents. The Wall Street Journal reported on the issue in a front-page story on January 13. The headline read: “Big in Capitol, Reid Stumbles at Home.” The story reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s health care leadership is causing him problems in his home state of Nevada. “That very achievement is imperiling his re-election prospects,” the story reported.
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Finally, an insight into liberal thinking was reported in a Philadelphia Inquirer column on Sunday. The story was headlined: “Obama, like past leaders, a slow starter.” The columnist wrote, “Part of the problem is that the candidate Obama overpromised. Democrats tend to do that sort of thing because they tend to think big.” The columnist probably believes what he wrote.
Obama overpromised to secure votes to win the Presidency. Too many gullible voters believed his socialistic message. They wanted to believe they would have free health care, the government would pay their mortgages, all of their money worries would disappear and the world’s terrorists would love America. Health care won’t be free, far from it, people still have to pay their mortgages, they will still be rewarded for hard work and not from government handouts and terrorists still don’t like our way of life. If Obama would have been honest with the voters, he would have had a different message, one that many pro-Obama supporters wouldn’t have liked.
The United States is a Republic built on hard work and the free enterprise system. The federal government was never meant to be provider of all things to everyone.
January 11, 2010 _ The whole story of Congressman Jim Gerlach’s decisions to end his campaign for governor of Pennsylvania and run for re-election was touched upon in the Philadelphia Inquirer’s front-page story on Sunday.
The story was headlined: “Gerlach’s decisions renew GOP hopes for PA.: Sure he will keep his Sixth District seat, the party can target others.” The story should have clearly indicated that Gerlach had been encouraged for many months to end his quest for the governorship. After four consecutive victories in the Sixth District and with the voters’ growing dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party in Harrisburg and Washington, Gerlach is seen as being in an excellent position to keep his Congressional seat.
The Inquirer story also commented that the Republicans are more likely to unite behind Attorney General Tom Corbett for governor with Gerlach out of the race. Corbett has been the Republican favorite for many months and state Rep. Sam Rohrer’s campaign isn’t generating any momentum. The Inquirer reported on Sunday in a B1 story that the central caucus of the Republican State Committee has endorsed Corbett. The Corbett campaign has been issuing updates on Corbett endorsements and Corbett should be easily endorsed by the Republican State Committee at its upcoming convention.
The Inquirer’s front page story reported, “With Americans fretting over health care and the economy – and President Obama’s approval rating below 50 percent in Pennsylvania polls – Republicans are upbeat about taking back some House seats that the Democrats had grabbed from them in recent years.” The story quoted political observer Terry Madonna as saying “I think the Republicans smell blood.”
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Thursday’s announcement by Gerlach should bring some order in the spring election. The previously announced candidates for the Republican endorsement for the Sixth District have some tough decisions ahead of them. With Gerlach receiving encouragement and support from Washington Republicans, he is the front-runner.
The January 9 Inquirer report on Gerlach entering the Congressional race said, “The decision roiled an already active Republican primary for the Sixth District seat.” The two leading candidates were businessman Steve Welch and state Representative Curt Schroder. They are both still in the race. Schroder has not indicated if he will follow Gerlach and move to retain his state House seat.
Upon withdrawing from the governor’s race, Gerlach announcement on January 7 said, “I entered the race for Governor in order to continue my public service, put forth new ideas for creating jobs, protecting our taxpayers, families and seniors and reinvigorating the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that we all love so much. I am not giving up on achieving those goals. I am, however, ending my campaign for governor.”
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The newly-elected Chester County Republican officials received their oaths of office last week. The Republican row office holders were overwhelmingly elected in November. They ran on the highly successful fiscal record of the Republican Committee of Chester County.
In the historic courthouse, Controller Val DiGiorgio, Jury Commissioner Mimi Sack, Clerk of Courts Frank McElwaine, Coroner Dr. Steven Dickter, and Treasurer Ann Duke were all honored. Skip Brion, Chairman of the Republican Committee of Chester County, did many of the introductions. The ceremony was led by Republican Commissioner Terence Farrell.
Later in the day Chester County Judge Paula Ott received her oath of office for Pennsylvania Superior Court. The ceremony took place in the new Chester County Justice Center and included many of her new colleagues.
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Letter writers to the Daily Local News last week expressed displeasure with the handling of national security and health care reform by the Obama administration. On January 4 two letters appeared from West Chester residents.
One took Janet Napolitano and President Obama to task for mishandling the nation’s security. The Inquirer ran a front page story on January 6 on the issue with the headline: “A failure of Intelligence: President says U.S. agencies ‘failed to connect those dots.” A pull quote with the story reported, “We dodged a bullet, but just barely.” The same issue of the Inquirer reported on a lack of U.S. intelligence in Afghanistan.
The Associated Press reported that Obama’s decision to release terror suspects from the Guantanamo Bay prison appears to be a big mistake as many are returning to terrorist organizations to resume the war against America.
The other letter on January 4 chastised the liberal Democrats in the Senate for giving “sweetheart” deals to get support for health care legislation. The letter concluded, “Wake up, America, our country and our Constitution are being sold right out from under us.” The health care letter was printed the same day the Associated Press reported that the Democrats intend to “bypass” the Republican Party on the legislation.
The action cancels Obama’s promise for open and transparent government.
Another West Chester resident wrote a letter to the Daily Local News. The January 8 letter had the headline: “Confused and astounded by Obama.” The letter stated, “I am amazed, perplexed, astounded, disillusioned, confused, egregious, confounded and sad.” He concludes, “My dream, my hope, my prayers is for the opposition party to present a strong leader who will bring our nation together … a person of integrity, honesty and one who truly loves this country.”
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While the Republican Party is putting together strong candidates for runs in 2010 and beyond, last week the Democratic Party had three major office holders decide not to seek re-election. Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut, a strong supporter of Obama who saw his home base turn against him, won’t run. He was joined by North Dakota Democratic Senator Byron Dorgan. Also, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter won’t stand for re-election.
January 4, 2010 _ The New Year has arrived and last week’s news reports were full of recaps from 2009 and resolutions and wishes for 2010. An often repeated wish was peace and safety. On New Year’s Day, the headline on the front page story in the Daily Local News was: “World looks toward a better year in 2010.”
Following an attempt to destroy a plane loaded with innocent people on Christmas Day, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano felt secure. She said on an ABC network program that the security system worked and everything went like clockwork.
Of course the system didn’t work as a previously identified terrorist on a watch list boarded a plane bound for Detroit and came within seconds of destroying the flight and passengers. Napolitano backed off her absurd statement the next day.
Why did Napolitano utter such a ridiculous remark? Was she naïve enough to believe the statement? If so, she should resign. Was she following orders from the Democratic Obama administration to see if the American public could be hoodwinked, again? If so, this shows the lack of respect the Obama administration has for the American public.
Everyone feel safe?
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President Obama’s lack of action in this matter has also been troublesome. Within hours of the attack press reports linked the terrorist to Al Qaeda and within days Al Qaeda took credit for the attempt. President Obama waited to January 2, 2010, more than a week after the attempted bombing, to name Al Qaeda as the culprit and say America is at war with the terrorists.
The Wall Street Journal was ahead of Obama by almost a week. An editorial was headlined: “Al Qaeda’s Clear Message.” The editorial stated, “Al Qaeda has sent a message to the Obama Administration: You are in a war. Someone in our government needs to say clearly that they now understand the message.”
On December 30, the Daily Local News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Wall Street Journal and other news organizations reported that Obama was denouncing the security breach and blamed the breakdown on the system and humans.
While Obama has been cramming a national health care plan down the throats of Americans, despite major opposition, he failed to even nominate anyone to lead the Transportation Security Administration and the Customs and Border Protection agency. According to an Associated Press story on December 29, the two federal agencies are charged with keeping potential terrorists off airplanes and out of the country have been without their top leaders for nearly a year.
The AP story quoted Republican Congressman John Mica of Florida as saying, “Running a security agency with a revolving door is a recipe for failure.”
Everyone feel safe?
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One of the issues in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the United States was the non-cooperation among intelligence agencies. The issue has resurfaced. On December 29 the Inquirer ran a story on A4 with the headline: “White House brokers intelligence dispute: An order is issued aims to resolve frictions between the U.S. intelligence chief and CIA.”
Everyone feel safe?
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Editorials on the issue pointed out major failures of the Obama administration.
On December 31, the Inquirer’s editorial said the system failed in connection with the attempted bombing on Christmas Day. The Wall Street Journal’s editorial on the same day had a headline: “Obama’s Security Breach: Returning Gitmo’s detainees to Yemen defies common sense.” The article stated, “Recent events have exposed the shortcomings of treating terror as a law enforcement problem and rushing to close Guantanamo Bay.” The article concluded, “Whatever their mistakes, the Bush-Cheney policies properly identified the enemy and kept the U.S. homeland safe after 9/11. The Obama Administration needs to shed some of its campaign illusions to meet this evolving threat, and not returning Gitmo’s detainees to Yemen is an essential first step.”
An opinion piece by Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies professor Fouad Ajami on the same day in the Wall Street Journal was headlined: “A Cold-Blooded Foreign Policy.” The story’s pull quote was: “No despot fears the president, and no demonstrator in Tehran expects him to ride to the rescue.” The article concluded, “Under Mr. Obama, we have pulled back from the foreign world. We’re smaller for accepting that false choice between burdens at home and burdens abroad, and the world beyond our shores is more hazardous and cynical for our retrenchment and our self-flagellation.”
A Daily Local News opinion piece on January 2 by Linda Chavez was headlined: “Administration of incompetence.” The article stated, “Clueless. It’s the word that best describes the Obama administration’s first year in office. They’re proven themselves clueless about creating jobs, clueless about handling growing nuclear threats from Iran and North Korea, and now, most devastatingly, clueless about protecting Americans from terrorist attacks on our own soil.
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International news wasn’t any better for the Obama administration as reported on New Year’s Day in the Inquirer. A front page story was about the killing of 7 CIA agents in Afghanistan. The headline was: “Taliban says it struck CIA blow: An ex-U.S.-official said the agency courted the bomber as an informant and it was his first time on the base.”
On the same day Reuters reported: “The head of a prominent U.S. business group accused President Barack Obama of compromising Taiwan's security to promote U.S. ties with China.”
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While vacationing in Hawaii, according to a Wall Street Journal story on December 29, Obama signed a law increasing the nation’s debt limit to $12.4 trillion. A Daily Local News letter to the editor from a West Chester man was headlined: “U.S. is facing financial destruction.” He wrote, “America is on an unsustainable path toward financial destruction.” He concludes, “The United States is an economic miracle based on free people, free markets and limited government.”
A letter to the editor printed on January 3 in the Daily Local News reinforced statements made by Chester County Republican Party Chairman Skip Brion in a prior letter. The latest letter was headlined: “Good example for national party.” Both letters pointed out the Republican led Chester County government has followed sound fiscal policies and made Chester County one of the top places in the nation to live, work and raise a family.
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Finally, the Daily Local News reported in an A2 story on December 28 that Democratic Governor Rendell wants to be involved in this year’s gubernatorial race. Rendell should not fear; his dismal fiscal record will play a big part in the campaign
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