Fortunately, Representative Michael Capuano’s (MA-08) call for “blood” at a rally on the steps of Beacon Hill went viral and he has been shamed. But an assault on a pro-Walker demonstrator at that same rally has been underreported. The assault by a union goon was caught on camera by the State House News Service. The link has not been enabled, but you can read about and watch the assault – HERE.

The man who was thrown on the ground to is Marty Lamb, former Republican candidate for Congress, who challenged Jim McGovern (MA-04) last fall.

While the relationship between Capuano’s words and the assault is being investigated, there can be no doubt regarding the violent, vicious and intimidating tactics used by union goons at the behest of the Democratic machine in Boston and other Democratic bastions.

“Thanks for keeping it warm Cao, we’ll take it back now, you race traitor.”

So what does it say when your losing your number one pick-up opportunity by 25 points? Doom. Landslide. Tsunami. Armageddon. Apocolypse…

Good for you Joseph Cao.

To be a Democrat in Louisiana must be awfully depressing.

Then we witnessed the power of a million dollars.

The RGA dropped a cool million in Massachusetts this summer. Oddly, they didn’t use the money to support Baker or attack Patrick. They used the money on a series of searing attacks against Cahill and his poll numbers plummeted precipitously.

I understand the logic. Both Baker and Cahill are fighting for the same voters. Baker needs Cahill supporters to beat Patrick. A viable Cahill splits the center-right vote and almost ensures a Patrick victory. Baker must bury Cahill and he must do it quickly.

But here’s the problem; Baker is a quintessential liberal Republican. Not a moderate Republican, but a liberal Republican in the William Weld mold. During a recent interview with the Boston Globe, Baker expressed frustration that people didn’t appreciate the fact that he is “to the left” of Obama on social issues. When asked to clarify, he said the question was asked in the context of gay marriage, but stood by his statement.

Baker is not a ‘status quo’ social moderate like many Blue state Republicans, but a thumb in the eye social liberal. For example, he made no attempt to reach out to conservatives with his pick for lieutenent governor. Most conservatives expected an olive branch to balance the ticket. But Baker picked another liberal Republican, Richard Tisei, a man who strongly supports the transgender rights bill, which would allow grown men dolled up as women to use ladies restrooms, even ones in public schools. Its a radical position.

Baker’s campaign is not without merit. He has a theme; taxes, spending and jobs. In this climate, his message is resonating. Baker is smart and competent and has shown a willingness to take on unions and state government.

But Baker, a health care executive, was AWOL during the health care debate, while Cahill gained national prominence for attacking the bill. Cahill has strongly defended Jan Brewer and has taken a tough stance against illegal immigration. Baker has been tepid. I met Cahill while he was working the crowd at the Boston Tea Party. Baker skipped the event.

I have many questions about Cahill as well. Cahill, a former Democrat, supposedly left the party because it became too liberal. I wonder if his conversion is sincere or a matter of convenience. He may be riding the Tea Party tide, but he is not a conservative. He remains attached to the same unions that have bled Massachusetts dry. And he remains quite liberal on a number of issues.

For the record, I don’t know who I will support. I’m on the fence.

I write this only because the RGA has initiated a second round of attacks in Massachusetts. I don’t know how much they are spending this time, but at least they are attacking Patrick along with Cahill. I still have to wonder though, is dumping millions of RGA dollars on behalf of Charlie Baker really what donors expect?

Brown is ubiquitous on Boston talk radio, morning, noon and night. He leaves the campaign mode and the politico speak behind and always talks like a regular guy. He answers all questions, and takes more heat from the locals then all the national conservative internet activists could muster combined.

I didn’t like the proposed bill that would revoke citizenship from accused terrorists at first. I listened to Glenn Beck. I listened to all the gut reactions and all the hyperbole and then I listened to the People’s Senator… honest, deliberate, and thoughtful. Now, I am leaning towards Scott’s side.

Scott Brown takes his job seriously and is working hard to protect your loved ones, your family and your children. Just like Ted Kennedy and Martha Coakley… right haters?

Upstart conservatives… the blue print is there…

Terror Bill @ 1:30
Arizona Law @ 19:30

This is quick diary. There was a blog about Sarah Palin and David Cameron that I wanted to investigate, but never got the time to fully research. I wanted to watch Cameron’s last debate and measure it by American standards.

The blogger, who is on top of UK politics, noted that David Cameron crushed his competition in his last debate. A series of polls prove this. Cameron, the Tory, is in the midst of a tough three way race. He was positioned to beat Brown, the resurgent Labor candidate, until a socialist, Clegg, starting making waves. Now, Cameron is one of three, and behind and lagging.

But Cameron shook things up in his last debate. Why? According to one astute observer, he went “Palin” — his exact words. Cameron quit the normal Tory talking points and eschewed London’s chattering classes and went for the gut. He spoke conservatism from the heart and spoke to the people and he crushed it. Now, Brits are making the analogy to Palin.

Meacham is rallying himself around his weak, narrow base; a little boy who failed and is now running home to the support of his clique. Palin, without even trying, has become the standard by which others involved in international politics measure foreign candidates.

The Palin Standard goes global.

Ignoring inconvenient facts doesn’t make them go away. Conservatives have relied on Rasmussen polls for a while and shouldn’t dismiss ones they don’t like. The new Rasmussen poll shows Charlie Crist leading Marco Rubio by four. Rasmussen has been accurate and that number is above the margin of error. Its a fight.

Good news:

Democratic turnout flopped yesterday. Polls and public sentiment are part of the equation. Enthusiasm and turnout are something different. Yesterday, we got some hints about the latter. Hotline has the numbers:

In primaries in NC, IN and OH, Dems turned out at far lower rates than they have in previous comparable elections.

Just 663K OH voters cast ballots in the competitive primary between LG Lee Fisher (D) and Sec/State Jennifer Brunner (D). That number is lower than the 872K voters who turned out in ’06, when neither Gov. Ted Strickland (D) nor Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) faced primary opponents.

Only 425K voters turned out to pick a nominee against Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC). The 14.4% turnout was smaller than the 444K voters — or 18% of all registered Dem voters — who turned out in ’04, when Gov. Mike Easley (D) faced only a gadfly candidate in his bid to be renominated for a second term.

And in IN, just 204K Hoosiers voted for Dem House candidates, far fewer than the 357K who turned out in ’02 and the 304K who turned out in ’06.

2010:

It will be a conservative year, but not because the majority of Americans suddenly morphed into fundemental constitutional conservatives. This is still the same country that broke voting records to elect Obama and give the Democrats super-majorities in both houses. The country is trending conservative, but it is not conservative. A truly conservative electorate is still a generation away.

But we will win. The electorate is fickle and angry. Independents are disillusioned. Moderates are trending conservative and want the country to pivot back towards smaller government. Democrats are in the dumps. Conservatives are soaring. A realistic assessment enhances our chances; it does not hinder them. We shouldn’t hide from tough facts and polls. We need to channel our energies, make wise decisions and act accordingly.

Even if the law has some minor flaws, it is a duly enacted law supported by the majority of the people. This type of grandstanding is preposterous and I don’t care about the demographics of the fans.

According to the Politico article:

The Phoenix Suns on Tuesday announced that they will be wearing an alternative jersey identifying them as “Los Suns” during Wednesday’s playoff game to voice the team’s disapproval for Arizona’s tough new immigration law.

Robert Sarver, the team’s managing partner, said in a statement that the alternative uniforms will be worn during Wednesday’s home playoff game against the San Antonio Spurs in order to voice opposition to the law that Sarver said is not the “right way” to handle immigration reform. The Suns won the first game of the series Monday night.

“The frustration with the federal government’s failure to deal with the issue of illegal immigration resulted in passage of a flawed state law,” Sarver said. “However intended, the result of passing this law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question, and Arizona’s already struggling economy will suffer even further setbacks at a time when the state can ill-afford them.”

Hey Robert Sarver, just shut up and play the d*mn game.

This offends me as a conservative and as a sports fan. The conservative and legal arguments are well known, but sports also serve a role in our society. For many, sports are an escape from the worries and stresses of every day life. It bonds families, friends and communities despite racial and ethnic differences and political affiliations.

The people of Arizona will turn on the Suns game for a few hours, so they can escape their crappy jobs, their financial problems, their family troubles, their government and, yes, all the bickering about this law. Its a respite, and sometimes people need a respite from the real world. So who is Robert Sarver to take that away from them?

Injecting a sensitive political topic into a playoff game is disrespectful to the game and to the fans, who paid their hard earned money to support that team. Robert Sarver is a joke. He should be forced out of his position, so he can run for political office, which, apparently, is where his heart lies. He should not get to sully a national pastime and trample on the passion of millions to make a political statement about a domestic policy supported by the majority of Arizonans and Americans.

Pick a team, any team. The Spurs have good guys on their team and good fans. The Celtics have one of the most politically incorrect mascots in all sports. The Jazz hail from the most conservative state in the union. Pick one, any one — just not “Los Suns”.

But Ed Morrissey’s blog on Hot Air criticized Brewer for wishing the terror plot proved “Tea Party bigotry”, and his many fans and fellow bloggers are reciting this line of attack.

However, I’ve read the transcript and listened to the tape and I neither see nor hear any such wish. Brewer did make an analogy to the Hutaree, but not the Tea Parties. It was Morrissey who made the leap from the Hutaree to the Tea Parties.

Ed’s a sharp guy. I know he uses some hyperbole, but I think he jumped the gun here. The Tea Parties endure enough defamation from the mainstream media and liberals; they don’t need any reinforcement from conservatives.

The Hutaree are not representative of the Tea Parties. They are not even on the same planet. Why would a prominent conservative blogger make that connection? Plus, this type of inaccurate criticism undermines Brewer’s abhorrent comments, which need no embellishment. Standing alone, they are sick and twisted.

I haven’t yet decided whether this is awesome or sad, but it is pretty funny:

I watched this video a few times just to study the nonchalant faces, as if this happens all the time. Getting egged on the floor of parliament, no biggie – just break out an umbrella. Smoke bombs, guys getting smashed in the head… whatever. Que sera, sera, or whatever it is they say in Ukraine.

In all seriousness, the new puppet government in Ukraine is worth following.

I actually admire the deftness and tenacity of Russian diplomacy. They are running circles around Washington. If one cannot admire their tactics, one has to respect a government that actually works to defend the interests of its own citizens in global affairs. How novel.

The Boston Common:

Gorgeous day, big crowds:

Rays of sunshine all around:

The crashers came too:

But no one took them seriously:

The Tea Partiers weren’t so scary:

Another scary face:

More hate and anger:

The crashers weren’t so scary either just… dopey:

The other Red State:

Blah, blah, blah:

“Hey you, I demand that you pay for my unhealthy lifestyle”:

I missed Sarah Palin, but her legion of fans drove the locals nuts:

Remember in November was a prominent theme:

November will be a BFD all right:

Tar and feathers anyone:

A little Boston flavor; Reverse The Curse in 2010 (baseball fans will understand):

Gubernatorial candidate Tim Cahill; Independent Tea Party candidates, blessing or curse?:

Enlightenment; like the Scott Brown campaign, we welcomed many new friends:

Theresa and John Kerry, who live just a stone throw from the rally, frowned:

And George Washington, who stands guard at the other side of the park, smiled:

After a day in the sun, time for a quick adult beverage across the street:

(Infamous tourist trap, but I used to work there.)

…

Among the many monuments and statues that adorn the park, there is one called “The Angel of the Waters” created by Daniel Chester French in 1924 nestled at the far corner. It is inscribed with a quote from Ecclesiastes 11:1 – “Cast thy bread upon the waters, and it shall be returned to you after many days”. It is dedicated to a philanthropist, but I like to think it applies to hard work in general. Looking at all the young faces and curious faces in the crowd, I hope that the bread we cast will indeed be returned. The seeds are planted.

But Kelly is tough and that is part of her appeal in the granite state. Outsiders may not understand her popularity because they do not know the person. Kelly has generated a tremendous amount of good will in her home state for her grisly work as a prosecutor. As noted in the Union Leader:

To read accounts of Ayotte’s work over the next couple years is to descend the depths of human depravity and murder most foul… Ayotte’s job included attending autopsies and going to scenes “where there are very difficult things to see. You never lose an appreciation for the horrible nature of the cases or the impact they have on the families involved,” Ayotte reflected.

Among the cases Ayotte helped prosecute were the three youths who butchered two teens at Salem’s Hedgehog Park; a deliberate drowning in a Somersworth pond; Vaclav Plch for murdering a Manchester woman and dismembering her with a saw; James Dale for raping and suffocating a 6-year-old Hopkinton girl in her own bed; and the double murder of Dartmouth professors Half and Susanne Zantop. In 2008, Ayotte secured the capital conviction of Michael Addison for slaying Manchester police officer Michael Briggs.

The 2002 Zantop convictions earned Ayotte a $1,000 raise. During her 11 years as a public prosecutor, Ayotte must have turned down opportunities to double or triple her salary by joining a private law firm.

Kelly made a habit of turning down higher paying, less stressful jobs. She loved the Attorney General’s Office and she loved the work. When she joined the Attorney General’s Office, she was the youngest prosecutor on the staff at the age of 29. Six years later, she was Attorney General of New Hampshire. In a field where many attorneys struggle, grow bitter or burn out, Kelly thrived.

This diary is about Kelly, but its also a diary in support of due diligence. Conservative activists must select candidates wisely. Being a conservative may be the most important criteria, but its not the only criteria. Picking the best candidate requires more than a cursory examination of position papers.

Kelly’s work speaks volumes about her character and the people of New Hampshire have noticed. If you want to know someone, listen the people who know them most intimately. Sometimes, the locals know best. There is a reason this mother of two is soaring in New Hampshire. Trust me, she’s a lot tougher than she looks:

Porter is clinging to that one, old, post-vote poll that showed people favoring the bill 49% -40%. Anyone attached to reality knows that poll was an outlier and that any post-vote bump quickly dissipated. The law remains as unpopular as the bill. Every subsequent poll proves this. The media acknowledges this. But Porter has wrapped herself in some kind of protective liberal cocoon.

This clip also reminds us that just because the health care vote is over, the fight is not over. The Democratic leadership is planning a spring legislative offensive. They think they have momentum. We can’t wait for November. There will be important legislative fights before November and Democrats must know the anger is real and their seats are at risk.

As much as I mock Porter, she scares me. If the Democrats are this delusional, they may be bold enough to pass more legislation. But as long as we stay on the attack, we can keep them skittish and help blunt their spring offensive.

It is Easter recess and the critters are home. Give them hell.

Another clip:

Of the three branches, winning the House is the easy part, well, the easiest part. I’m not buying pie-in-the-sky projections, but a majority is within reach and we must control one chamber in 2010. The presidential election will be another war. I dont think Obama is cooked by any means, but he can be beaten. But that can wait.

The toughest part of the repeal equation is the Senate. And it is not so much anger, passion or planning that may save the day for us, but raw luck and numbers. For starters, the GOP will have to defend only ten seats in 2012, seven of which are in solid red states. The other three seats are occupied by above average candidates.

The Democrats, on the other hand, will have to defend 23 seats, of which only twelve may be considered blue states. They must defend six seats in solid red states. Many of their candidates are weak and others are aging. The GOP may be able to run a slate quality candidates in competitive states.

Also, the presidential race may hurt many Democratic Senators in red states who might otherwise be able to edge out victories. They will not be running on their own merits, but on backs of Obama and the national Democrats. Only a couple Republicans could be harmed by Obama’s presence on the ticket. While its too early to prognosticate, at quick look at the comparitive fields exposes the discrepancy.

GOP 2012 SENATE FIELD:

1. Jon Kyl – Arizona

Although trending purple, recent events should help AZ pivot right. Kyl only won with 53% of the vote in 2006, but that was a tough climate and he survived. He should do better with the wind at his back. He will be seventy years old, but AZ has a solid bench.

2. Richard Lugar – Indiana

It doesn’t matter much who runs here. Lugar should be heavily favored to win as should any other decent Republican, barring scandal or other unforseen circumstances.

3. Bob Corker – Tennessee

Same as Indiana.

4. Roger Wicker – Mississippi

Same as Indiana.

5. Orrin Hatch – Utah

Same as Indiana.

6. John Barrrasso – Wyoming

Same as Indiana.

7. K.B. Hutchinson – Texas

Same as Indiana.

8. John Ensign – Nevada

If not for personal transgressions, Ensign would have had an easy path to victory depsite Neveda trending blue. But two years is a long time and if Ensign applies himself, his troubles will be behind him. Nevada is quickly turning into a union/immigrant/machine state and its a little scary. But we should be favored to hold this seat.

9. Olympia Snowe – Maine

Depsite her negatives, she won with 73% of the vote in 2006, a year that took down Republicans like George Allen and Jim Talent. She may not be a reliable vote for repeal, but a Republican who wins 3 out of 4 votes in a Democratic state in a Democratic year should coast to victory, even with Obama on the ticket. If nothing else, she is a head to count in the quest for 60 and gives our guys the gavel.

10. Scott Brown – Massachusetts

Brown will have a tough fight. But he is popular, has a huge war chest and, suprisingly, Massachusetts has a weak Democratic bench. Having Obama on the ticket will hurt him. This should be the most, if not the only competitive race in the bunch.

DEM 2012 SENATE FIELD:

1. Claire McCaskill – Missouri

McCaskill turned out be be a more savvy politician than I thought she would be. But even McCain won Missouri. It will depend on the candidate, but this is a winnable seat.

2. Jon Tester – Montana

Tester is moderate poseur. The only thing about him that is Montanan is his haricut and his jeans. He has a liberal voting record to defend. We need a good candidate, but he should be gone.

3. Ben Nelson – Nebraska

The whole country knows about Nelson. Still, I think he’s a tough candidate. He’s been around and he’s from a small state, where the relationships are personal. But the issues of the day are too important and Nebraska is too conservative.

4. Jim Webb – Virginia

It looks like Virginia’s experiment with liberalism is ending. He won’t have a liberal state government machine to lean on, nor can he pretend to be a Blue Dog. He owns his votes. A George Allen rematch would be epic and Allen would be favored. Any decent GOP candidate could take him out.

5. Kent Conrad – North Dakota

Conrad is still quite popular and a tough out. But if we start building the state machine now, and cultivating another qualtiy candidate like Hoeven, Conrad may be vulnerable.

6. Robert Byrd – West Virginia

This is morbid, but it probably wont be Byrd. It depends on who succeeds him, but West Virginia is trending deep red. Manchin will be tough, but a nationalized race should boost the GOP chances. I’d favor Manchin in an off year, but not here.

7. Herb Kohl – Wisconsin

I like the GOP chances in the blue state. Kohl will be in his eighties if he decides to run. Retirement is a real possibility. And I’m loving our bench with guys like Paul Ryan, and hopefully Sean Duffy.

8. Daniel Akaka – Hawaii

Another octogenerian. Little shot unless he retires, but retirement is possible. He will be 88. We will get a moderate at best, but as long as they oppose ObamaCare, I dont care. This would be a real good spot for a Linda Lingle comeback.

9. Sherrod Brown – Ohio

Too liberal for for this rust belt state that looks like it is pivoting back to the right. He rode a perfect storm into office, but it wont take one to take him out. We need to develop some good talent to take this chump out.

10. Bill Nelson – Florida

This race will really depend on the candidate. Bill Nelson is no pushover, but he will be 70 and, hopefully, it looks like Florida may be done with the Obama experiment. We need a star, but this seat is winnable.

11. Maria Cantwell – Washington

A liberal candidate for a liberal state, but Cantwell is an underperformer on the campaign trail and in the Senate. A tough state for the GOP, but not an imposing candidate.

12. Amy Klobuchar – Minnesota

Another relative underperformer. Klobuchar may be a tad more skilled than Cantwell, but Minnesota is a better spot for a GOP insurgent. A great landing place if T-Paw bails on the POTUS bid.

13. Bob Casey – Pennsylvania

Casey is a tough candidate even though he is as exciting as watching paint dry. He’s got the name and he appeals to liberals and moderates, but Pennsylvania is poised to elect a GOP Senator and a GOP Governor. Its a tough state to read, but defeating Casey requires a rock star.

14. Bob Menendez – New Jersey

Let hope the Christie experiment works. Menendez barely beat Kean in 2006, a Democratic year. It depends who runs, but I think the GOP could steal a seat here. Menendez has the taint of Corzine and the old Democratic machine. But we need someone of Chris Christie’s calibur.

15. Kristen Gillibrand’s Seat – New York

Neither Rudy nor Pataki have committed to the 2010 race. Obviously, New York is a tough state for the GOP, but we have two top tier candidates waiting. If not this year, hopefully one can be encouraged to run in 2012.

15. Joe Lieberman – Connecticut

A long shot state, but there is an x-factor: the three way race. If the Democratic candidate and Lieberman split the liberal – moderate vote, it could open the door for a good candidate. CT doesn’t have deep bench, but a Jodi Rell comeback would be exciting.

16. Debbie Stabenow – Michigan

Common sense seems to lead one to think she may be vulnerable. But Michigan is stubborn and their Democratic incumbents rarely go down. The right candidate and election cycle might provide and outside chance.

17. Diane Feinstein – California

Boxer is a good bellwether, although I think Feinstein is slightly more formidable. Tough race for the GOP. Dynamics are much like Stabenow and Michigan; outside chance with the right candidate and the right cycle.

19. Sheldon Whitehouse – Rhode Island

Weak performer, but a long shot state.

20. Bernie Sanders – Vermont

Long shot for now.

21. Tom Carper – Delaware

Long shot for now.

22. Ben Cardin – Maryland

Long shot for now.

23. Jeff Bingaman – New Mexico

Long shot for now.

The Road Ahead:

Analyzing 2012 races is pure conjecture, but the raw numbers and candidates themselves expose a potential path to sixty. The soil will be fertile for a GOP harvest. In the meantime, we control the present. Winning the House is 2010 is imperative, but winning enough Senate seats to set the table for 2012 must also be a priority, and that requires more than cheerleading.

Nothing is going to happen because we wish it. I’m not going to act like some Kos Kool Aid drinker who turns his head at every poll he doesnt like. We must fight hard for victories in states like Ohio, Missouri, and New Hampshire. And we must set the table for 2012.

Of all the 2010 races, we must have our top ten, three holds and seven gains; MO, NH, OH and ND, IN, AR, DE, NV, CO and PA. This is a must. A seven seat gain only puts us at 48. We cant afford to lose any one of those seats by taking things for granted or by nominating long shots. Those are the must haves. The following are the like to haves; CA, WA, NY, WI, IL. From those, the GOP should aim to steal at least two. That would put us at an even 50, heading into 2012, and leaving us with ten seats to obtain in 2012, a difficult, but plausible number.

Now, all this assumes so much. We really need more than sixty to prepare for losses and defections. But that just underscores the fact that we must work together. We need Republicans from all for corners of the country to do this. We need sixty plus Senators and we have two elections cycles to do it or this fight is pretty much over.

If you believe this threat to our country is as grave as I believe it to be, you must accept the hard facts. The only litmus test that applies now is opposing ObamaCare and commiting to downsizing government. There is no realistic path to sixty without some Tom Keans, Linda Lingles, Dino Rossis, and Rudy Guilianis.

If you fear this threat like I do; if you believe that this threat must be extinguished at all costs like I do; then you must accept the long hard slog that is in front of us and do whatever it takes to repeal this bill. And that requires all patriots to unites under the GOP banner. We mustn’t let petty feuds threaten this most noble and important quest.

The posse is on its way and its coming to burn our town to the ground. This is no time to refuse to cooperate with your neighbor because he broke your lawn mower. There needs to be a little more unity. We need to rally and the sooner we do the better our chances.

In 2006 and 2008, the left looked longingly at the horizon that is 2010, the year their massive majorities would enable them to redraw the Congressional map, vanquish enemies and secure Democratic power for decades.

They rigged the census. They had everything lined up and then they decided to double down on health care. The game has changed.

The will be an opportunity to redraw the Congressional map in 2010… a Republican opportunity. Even if Republicans don’t get to redraw the map, Republican governors and state legislatures should be able to thwart the machinations of the left. There have been major demographic changes over the last ten years and leftist operatives have been drooling over the opportunity to exploit them.

Not any more. That chapter in the liberal playbook is dead.

Big time politics is fun. Big time politics is important. But realistically many conservative activists only have a limited influence over what happens far beyond their states. But we all have control over our own backyards.

November is bigger than health care vote, state governments are underwater. The conservative fiscal message is resonating from Massachusetts to California. This economic climate coupled with the passion and anger over the health care vote could create a perfect storm.

Its the states that are the launching pad for national politics. In November, we have an opportunity to own the states. After November, we get to redraw the Congressional map. How much depends on whether we take our eye off the ball and just focus on national politics. We must get involved in local politics if we expect a real revolution.

The anger over this health care vote will carry into November. But one year in politics is a long time. Three years is an eternity. We simply cannot prognosticate too far into the future.

The Middle American voter can be fickle and forgetful. We will use the health care vote to our benefit in 2010, and maybe 2012, beyond that is anyone’s guess. But redistricting will last a decade. It is the gift from the health care vote that will keep on giving.

Harness this anger and direct it at Congress, and you will win some seats. Harness this anger, take over the state legislatures, and you will influence elections for a decade.

In 2012.
In 2014.
In 2016.
In 2018.
In 2020.

That is a nice consolation prize.

Do you know who is running for state representative in your district? state senate? attorney general? Have you lent them a hand? We have the momentum and it is time to clean up our own backyards.

Get involved and support your local candidates and committees. Let’s redraw the map.

He is an Archbishop, not a politician. But since others have made such an aggressive effort to support this health care bill in the name of the Catholic Church, he has decided to throw down the gauntlet.

According to the Boston Herald:

Cardinal Sean O’Malley jumped into the holy war over health care, ripping President Obama’s measure for allowing federal abortion funding as liberal Catholics slammed U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch for opposing the bill.

“Health care is such an important issue for the United States. It’s very disturbing to see that there seems to be a rush to push through legislation without carefully weighing all of the consequences,” O’Malley wrote on his blog last night.

In a rare foray into the political arena, the cardinal charged that the bill is being “forced through . . . using procedural gimmicks.”

“I think it’s unfortunate that some Catholic groups have not paid close enough attention to what the bishops are saying regarding the present legislation,” O’Malley wrote

Meanwhile, Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate, and former Democrat turned Independent, Tim Cahill continues to embrace his new found freedom from the shackles of liberal servitude. Cahill, still the acting state treasurer, understands how the bill will bankrupt states. He went national this week with an interview with Glenn Beck and an advertising campaign on the Drudge Report.

According to the Boston Herald:

Saying he was Scott Brown even before Scott Brown, independent gubernatorial candidate Tim Cahill pitched more woo at hard-to-get unenrolled voters – posting an anti-Obamacare ad on the Drudge Report Web site and chatting with Fox News firebrand Glenn Beck last night

That spirited guest spot followed on the heels of the ad Cahill posted on Drudge on Thursday inviting viewers to sign up and “Help Tim Kill the Obamacare Bill.”

Also, despite assumptions made about his vote on the tabling measure, Steve Lynch continues to be a firm ‘no’ vote and a thorn in the side of the Democratic Leadership. His defection has proven to be a key vote. The Democrats could not circumvent the Stupak Block as they had anticipated.

Such recent events, including Scott Brown’s election, have weighed heavily on the Massachusetts Congressional delegation. Staunch Democrats, such as Niki Tsongas, James McGovern and Richard Neal, have given tepid support for the bill and, contrary to popular whip counts, both John Tierney and Michael Capuano remain undecided.

As reported by Roll Call:

Senate Democratic leaders have decided they will not publicly release a health care reform letter signed by their rank and file intended to calm nervous House Democrats before their historic vote this weekend on the comprehensive Senate-passed measure and a budget reconciliation bill of fixes.

Their reason:

And one Senate Democratic source indicated that Reid had not yet been able to round up the 51 signatures he needed to provide the assurance that the Senate would be able to pass the reconciliation measure. However, the source cautioned that the inability to get 51 votes was not because Reid didn’t have personal commitments from 51 or more Senators, but because many Democratic Senators are squeamish about sticking their necks out before the House has passed the bill.

Let me see if I got this right.

Tom Perriello and Company agreed to vote for an unpopular health care bill that they don’t like and that could kill their careers on the basis that the Senate will fix the bill through an incomprehensible reconciliation process.

The Senate cannot act on a reconciliation bill until the House passes the Senate bill, so the Senate promises the House that it will follow through with reconciliation if they pass the Senate bill. Some House Democrats ask for a unbinding letter memorializing the promise.

The Senate Democrats cannot deliver on a promise to deliver a simple unbinding letter to House members stating that it will deliver on a promise to follow through with the binding, budensome and byzantine reconciliation process.

Epic logic failure.

Can House Democrats be that dumb? Do Senate Democrats even want the House revisions to pass? Harry Reid cannot get fifty one Senators to sign a letter about a reconciliation bill? Yet, House Democrats still trust Harry Reid to get fifty one Senators to pass a reconciliation bill? Is Roll Call pulling my leg?

Somebody please get me off of this merry-go-round. I’m exhausted and dizzy and all I really want to do is enjoy the spring weather and watch some college basketball.

Kill the bill and save my sanity.

History will either remember you as this type of Democrat:

Or history will remember you as this type of Democrat:

Your choice.

As Tip O’Neill famously stated, all politics is local, which makes me think that Caterpillar Inc, a heavy-equipment company, might be targeting the wrong people.

On Thursday, Caterpillar penned a letter to Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner warning them that the impending health care legislation will increase their health care costs by more than 100 million dollars in the first year alone.

“We can ill-afford cost increases that place us at a disadvantage versus our global competitors,” said the letter signed by Gregory Folley, vice president and chief human resources officer of Caterpillar.

“Jobs, Jobs, Jobs” or, maybe, “It’s The Economy Stupid”; however you want to state it, the economy has the attention of a stressed out electorate. Its disappointing that these clarion calls from major employers are being ignored by both politicians and the press.

While some may ignore these warnings, those Representatives who represent people working for these companies should be called to task. It may be too late for arguments rooted in macroeconomics and time to drive home the microeconomics, e.g., this legislation may cost you your job.

Caterpillar is a major employer in Sequin, Texas. Henry Cuellar represents Sequin, Texas. Henry Ceullar is a key undecided vote. Seems like a simple plan of attack to me.

Conservatives will call Cuellar in droves. Liberals too will call Cuellar in droves. But the residents of Seguin and employees of Caterpillar must be encouraged to call Cuellar in droves. That will resonate more strongly than anything. Caterpillar should be forwarding that letter to the people, not Washington.

Steve Lynch is a loyal South Boston Democrat. He is also one of Nancy Pelosi’s floor whips. He has just publicly stated that he will probably vote against the Senate bill and urged the Democratic leaderships to avoid a deem and pass tactic.

So what’s different about Lynch? Two things. South Boston takes Saint Patrick’s Day very seriously. Lynch has been in South Boston all week participating in many public events. And the people have been giving him an earful. He hasn’t been sequestered in Washington.

Also, Scott Brown stunned the Massachusetts Democratic establishment by carrying South Boston. Lynch considers himself part of the old guard and he knows his supporters are flocking towards politicians like Tim Cahill and Scott Brown. His base is evaporating.

Losing a couple of loyal Democrats like Lynch could be the final nail in the coffin. Lynch’s stand may embolden other skeptical Democrats including Michael Capuano and Richard Neal of Massachusetts.

The Senate parliamentarian told Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on Wednesday afternoon that her proposal to create a National Insurance Rate Authority runs afoul of reconciliation rules, Feinstein told HuffPost after the conversation.

“I’m crushed it’s out,” she said. But she added that she would bring it up with him one more time to try to make the case that it would be a legitimate use of reconciliation. “I’m going to make one last effort with the parliamentarian,” she said.

The National Insurance Rate Authority is part of a new proposal that would give the federal government control over “excessive” insurance rates. That was Obama’s baby. Courtesy of the parliamentarian, its out.

More importantly, this decision undermines the Democratic leadership regarding reconciliation. House Democrats are already skeptical about their colleagues in the Senate and their intention to act on a reconciliation bill. Now they have more reason to be skeptical. There can be no assurance that the proposed “fixes” will even be permitted by the parliamentarian. That idea has been out there, but this decision drives it home.

For those Dems on the fence, this should cause consternation. Feinstein is “crushed”. Pelosi and Obama should also be crushed. They cannot assure wary House members that the malignant Senate bill will be fixed.

This message must get through to undecided Democrats: reconciliation is a red herring. Much of what is wrong with the Senate bill cannot and will not be fixed.